Doug's Graduation Cake

I worked all day yesterday making his cake, the cookies and getting the house ready for the party. I made him a 2 tiered cake. The top tier was Funfetti and Chocolate and the bottom layer was Red Velvet and Vanilla. I used Buttercream Icing for most of the cake with fondant for the balloons and the 2006's. I made the cap on top of the cake by using a fondant base and with chocolate for the actual cap portion. The tassel was made from fondant as well. For some reason the camera didn't pick up the cap all that well but it turned out ok I think. Definately not my best cake to date but I'm a little rusty as I haven't done too many recently...

Doug's Graduation

Well, my hubby is officially a college graduate! He worked so hard to finishe college and we are both so glad it's over! To see the entire album of pics from his graduation and party, click here.

My digital camera does not take good pics in concerts or places with lots of people. As you can see, the ones I took from the actual graduation are barely visible. Thank goodness we'll be able to order professional ones. That, plus taking pictures with the blinding sunlight behind us wasn't great either... Oh well...


I'll try to post more pics and more details tomorrow but tonite I'm pooped!

Can't we all just get along?

This past week has been a little crazy. On Tuesday, many of us went to our 'once' fave place Crochetville to see a notice posted that they were on "Vacation" and were sorry they were shutting things down for awhile. Now, I was one of the people who thought it was done in haste and should have been handled a little better. Yes, as a member there, it would have been nice to have been given some warning so that those of us who still wish to communicate with our friends would have had time to get each others e-mails and such.

That being said, why do some people feel the need to bash Donna (the owner of the board) over and over again? I am sick and tired of all the back-biting, moaning, complaining and expecting her to stop what she's doind and provide a spread-sheet of the site's monetary checks and balances.

Good grief people! This is a nice little Crochet forum, NOT A BUSINESS! Donna just had a baby and instead of enjoying one of the most wonderful times of her life she has to deal with people who can't stop bashing her and demanding she give them an accounting of the money. Look, Donna didn't ask me to join her forum. She didn't beg me to donate anything to the auction and she didn't force me to remain a member there. If you don't like what's going on there, then LEAVE and don't let the door hit you on the way out! I have been trying to be a "good little girl" and remain positive but enough is enough. No wonder the poor woman closed things down. Give the woman a break! The last time I checked, you weren't forced to stick around! If you don't like Crochetville, then find somewhere else to be negative. If you donated an item to the auction, I'm quite certain they'd be more than happy to send it back to you. Demanding Donna stop what she's doing to please you is insane! Crochetville never stated they were a "non profit" organization and have no obligation to give you any records.

In the meantime, if you're tired of all the drama over at Crochetville, there are a couple of new places on the web where you'll find several of your old Villers and there is a NO DRAMA policy!

Check them out and I hope to see you there. I am still a member of Crochetville but am not posting on there as much lately. Once all the "drama queens" leave, I'll feel much better about spending more time there.

Crochetmania is a great new forum and you're more than welcome to join in the fun! Check it out!

Update on my hubby's party

Well, I spent the better part of yesterday cooking and cleaning. I managed to make ALL the cake layers except the biggest one which will be made today and cleaned both bathrooms. Today I have (literally) tons of buttercream icing to make. I will more than likely use my entire 7 lb bag of powdered sugar today. I need enough icing not only to frost the cakes but for the decorations and the cookies. I was unable to find any of the number candy molds but a friend of mine suggested taking the little fondant molds and cutting out a bunch of "06"'s and placing them all over the cake in fondant which isn't a bad idea. I also really need to get working on the rest of the house. The living room still needs to be cleaned and I promised Doug this week I would clean out and organize the pantry. UGH! Why did I promise that? I don't know where I'll find the time or the energy!

I'm taking the doggies to the groomers in about 15 minutes THANK THE LORD! Tweety is so overgrown that she's shedding everywhere. When I woke up this morning I found a big ball of her hair where she had been sleeping. No wonder Doug has been sneezing his head off when he gets home. I'll have to sweep real good then Febreeze the place.

Mrs. Weasleys Sweater ~ 2nd Sleeve Done!

As you can see I just went out on a limb and improvised on sleeve #2! I basically did what colors I wanted when I wanted. I don't like this sleeve as much as the first one, but I think it'll be neat having 2 different sleeves with this sweater. It's a great stashbuster pattern, that's for sure!

Now to get started on the body of the sweater!

If you'd like to purchase this pattern, please contact my friend Shelle. Her's is the only Weasley knock-off pattern I have seen thus far that is 100% crocheted! Plus, she's a sweet, Christian lady who will offer great customer support if you get stuck.

Easy Chicken N Dumplings

I just put tonite's dinner in the crock pot and wanted to share it with you. This is one of our favorite meals and it is so easy to do. I make this a lot when working as I can get the crock-pot going in the morning and when my hubby gets home from work (about 3 hours before I do) he can come home to a nice, hot dinner. I got this recipe a few years ago from AllRecipes.com and just love it.

Crockpot Chicken N Dumplings
----------------------------
Approx 4 chicken breats, cut into chunks
1 can Cream of Chicken condensed soup
1 chuicken flavored boulion cube
1 Can Pillsbury Grands Biscuits (you can use any refrigerated biscuits you like)
1 cup water


Take all ingredients except bisquits and place in crock-pot. Mix, cover with lid and set on Low for approx 6-8 hours. 30 minutes before eating, take the biscuit dough and tear off into little pieces. Mix into crock-pot. Re-cover and turn to high cooking for an additional 30 minutes.

If you have a larger family you can easily double or triple this recipe.

Enjoy!

Mrs. Weasley's Sweater ~ 1st Sleeve Done!

Well, I finished the first sleeve tonite! I am super excited! I am loving the way it's coming together!!! I am using Caron Simply Soft in a variety of colors. I'm not doing the colors exactly as called for in the pattern, but I'm still quite pleased with the results so far. Will get started on sleeve #2 tomorrow. I'm tossing the idea around of possibly doing the 2nd sleeve in the same colors, but a different order. We'll see. I'll keep everyone posted!

I'm cookin now!

Well, I spent over 4 hours doing all the necessary shopping today for Doug's party this weekend. I still need to pick up a few more decorations but most everything has been purchased. I was shocked when I ran into Jo-Ann's today and noticed they put several Wilton Items in the Orange Stickered Clearance section which made it 75% off! I got several "Gummy Kits" and "Cookie Kits". With the 75% off it's worth it just for the icing inside let alone everything else. I got about 6 different molds and I bought a neat "party mold" from Michaels. I am making the cake as well as some little chocolate lollipops and chocolate melds that will be in the theme of the party. I always buy things on clearance for when I'll need them down the road and I'm glad I did as I have lots of clear favor bags and such so everyone at the party will get their own bag of goodies.

Unfortunately I couldn't find the number molds anywhere to make the cute little roll up diplomas. Oh well, I really don't have time to make crepes anyways.

I will post pics when I get them done. I hope to get a start on that tomorrow. Friday night Doug's nephews may come over (still waiting to see if that's gonna happen) and they can help me out. Justin (the younger one) loves working in the kitchen and baking and stuff where as Jeremey (the older one) is more into doign things with Doug so I'll keep him busy blowing up balloons and such. The last time I made cookies, Justin was such a big help and we had a great time. I told Doug if the boys come over I'm sending him off to the movies or something so we can create for his party in private!

Well, looking around this house I really need to start cleaning. It's now Tuesday night and I haven't even done laundry yet... I wonder if I took 2 weeks off work if my boss would kill me? LOL

Mrs. Weasley's Sweater ~ Testing has begun!

My friend Shelle, designed a knock-off of the sweater that Molly Weasley wears in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. She was kind enough to let me test it for her! I am so excited and have started working on it! I'm about 1/2 way done with my first sleeve and it's so much fun and quick to work up! I will be posting progress pictures and letting you know of my successes and failures as I go along the Molly Weasley Sweater road.

In the meantime, if you'd like to make one of your own, head on over to Shelle's website and you can purchase the pattern directly from her!

NO SURGERY!

Well, I saw the neurosurgeon this morning and he said definately no to needing surgery to correct the nerve damage in my leg! He believes Physical Therapy is the way to go so that will hopefully be approved by insurance withint the week!

I also don't need to have Carpal Tunnel Surgery at this time! He said it hasn't progressed to the point of needing surgery yet but that I will eventually need to have it done. He gave me a splint that I have to wear at night which should help with the tingling.

I also went to the Cardiologist for my yearly check-up with him and he wasn't pleased. My heart rate has risen again and the dizzy spells and heart palpatations I've been getting for the past month aren't good news either. He's sending me in to have the heart monitor put on and then have an EKG done afterwards. I hope it's nothing serious. I'm glad that I'm not going crazy though. These dizzy spells have become quite bad lately.

So my first day of vacation was wasted in Dr's offices. Oh well, I got a couple of nice thread projects finished for my niece for her wedding so it wasn't a total loss!

Under The Sea

Thanks to Kristie over at Crochetville for letting me test her wonderful patterns! I still need a little work on my stuffing skills but overall I am happy with how the set turned out!

I have another wonderful pattern to test from another Ville friend and will start on that this week! What is it you ask? It's a surprise! I'll tell you all about it later, but it's amazing!!!!

Roe VS Wade ~ The Next Chapter

Has anyone been keeping up on this? A man and woman are in a relationship. The man tells the woman he doesn't want children right now and is in no place in his life to be a father. She tells him that she is unable to get pregnant and that she takes birth control pills for another reason. Low and behold, she gets pregnant, keeps the baby and he has to fork over $500 a month in child support. He says he's not a father, he wasn't given the same choices as women are given and that's discrimination.

Wow. At first I felt strongly one way, then the other and now, doggone it if I don't know who is right in this case. The more I think about it, the more confused I get. I had heard about this a little bit but happened to Tivo Dr. Phil the other day (I only watch it if it's something that looks interesting) and he was on a recent episode stating his case. Dr. Phil made some good points, one of them being that if this law gets overturned that it'll open up a can of worms with regards to real deadbeat dads. Dr. Phil says that he should have worn a condom no matter what. I just don't know on this one.

A very interesting case. If I were in a non-commited relationship where I wasn't able to get pregnant, was taking birth control and the man clearly told me he didn't want to be a father, would I force parental rights and obligations on him if I chose to have the baby? I honestly don't know...

What are your thoughts about this one?

Another cute quiz

You are a Believer

You believe in God and your chosen religion. Whether you're Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or Hindu.. Your convictions are strong and unwavering. You think your religion is the one true way, for everyone.

What's Your Religious Philosophy?

Big surprise here, huh? I'm not surprised... Thought I'd share... :~)