Coffee Cozy

Ingredients:

-Some scrap amounts (less then 50 yds) of Summit Hill by Kraemer Yarn Shop, 100% Merino Superwash wool, Worsted weight, Machine Washable (most important factor! you'll hate if you have to wash any of these by hand)

-H (5.00mm) hook

-2 (3/4") buttons

-needle to weave in ends.

Finished Size

About 2" (5cm) x 6" (15cm)

Gauge

20 LTR by 10rows (in pattern sequence) = 4" (10cm)

Notes

1. The pattern uses Linked Treble Crochet Stitches (LTR). Not sure what LTR is? check out the linked stitch tutorial on the stitch.

The Pattern

CH 33-55 depending on gauge

Row 1 (public side): LTR in 2nd, 3rd, and 5th ch from hook, LTR in each remaining ch across, CH 1, turn

Row 2 (beer side): SC in first 2 LTR, Ch 3, sk 3 LTR, (button hole made) SC in ea remaining LTR, CH 4, turn

Row 3: LTR in each SC across to button hole, 3 LTR in button hole, LTR in last 2 SC, CH 1, turn

Repeat row 2-3 once more, Fasten off, weave in ends.

With public side facing, join yarn and SL around entire bracelet. I do this just to give it a crisp finished look.

Add buttons as shown here to the opposite side from the button holes aligned with the SC rows.

Mesh Skull Cap

Level: Beginner

Materials *Caron Simply Soft (1) 6 oz Skein Main Color (MC) Color A (CA) Color B (CB) *H hook for baby size *I hook for toddler size *J hook for young girl size *K hook for teen size *N hook for adult size *Craft Pin with Spin Back

US Stitch Abbreviations Ch = chain Sc = single crochet Hdc = half double crochet Dc = double crochet

Beg. = beginning Rnd = round RS = right side WS = wrong side

Gauge: In pattern: 7 dc, ch 1 stitches = 3” ~ 4 dc rows = 2” Be sure to check gauge to save time!!

Skull Cap

With MC, Ch 4, join to first ch to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 4 (counts as first dc plus ch 1 now and throughout), (dc, ch 1) 8 times inside ring. Join to3rd chofbeg.ch4.~9dc’sandchspaces Rnd 2: Ch 4, dc in same stitch as joining, ch 1, [(dc, ch 1) twice in next dc] around. Join to 3rd ch of beg. ch 4. ~ 18 dc’s and ch spaces

Rnd 3: Ch 4, [(dc, ch 1) twice in next dc, (dc, ch 1) in next dc] around. Join to 3rd ch of beg. ch 4. ~ 27 dc’s and ch spaces Rnd 4: Ch 4, (dc, ch 1) in next dc, (dc, ch 1) twice in next dc, [(dc, ch 1) in next dc, (dc, ch 1) in next dc, (dc, ch 1) twice in next dc] around. Join to 3rd ch of beg. ch 4. ~ 36 dc’s and ch spaces. Rnd 5-11: Ch 4, [(dc, ch 1) in next dc] around. Join to 3rd ch of beg. ch 4. ~ 36 dc’s and ch spaces. Rnd 12: Ch 1, sc in same stitch as joining, skip next dc, 6 dc’s in next dc, skip next dc, (sc in next dc, skip next dc, 6 dc’s in next dc, skip next dc) around. Join to first sc. Fasten Off. Weave in Ends.

Now for those cute flowers that accent the caps!!

Flower

With CB, ch 4, join to form ring. Rnd 1 (RS): Ch 1, make 10 sc’s inside ring. Fasten Off CB. With WS facing, Join CA with a sc in any sc on rnd 1. Rnd 2 (WS): *Ch 7, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in next 4 chains, sc in next sc. Repeat from * around. Join to first sc. Fasten Off. Weave in ends.

Glue pin to wrong side of flower. Back side of ‘petals’ will be the right side of the flower!

Fake Mary Janes

Materials
Small amount pink, worsted weight yarn
"I" Crochet hook

Size=0-6 months
Gauge: Sole measures 3 1/2"

SOLE
Ch 8
1. 2 Hdc in 3rd ch from hook, DC in next 4 chs, 6dc in last ch. Working on other side of chain, in free loops, HDC in next 4 chs. (3 HDC) in last ch. Join w/ sl st to beg ch. (20 sts)

2. CH 1, 2 sc in same st. sc in next 8 sts, (2sc in next st)3 times. Sc in next 6 sts. (2 sc in next st)2 times. Join with sl st to first sc. (26 sts)

SIDES
3.(Working in back loops this rnd)Ch 2, Hdc in each st around. Join (26 sts)

4. Ch 2, hdc in next 10 sts, (Dc next 2 sts tog)3 times. Hdc in next 7 sts. Hdc next 2 sts tog. Join to first hdc.

5.CH 1, sc in same st. sc in next 9 sts. DC 5 sts TOG as one--->[(YO, insert hook in next st, yo, pull up a loop, pull through 2 loops on hook)5 times. YO and pull through all loops on hook]. sc in next 7 sts. Join to first sc.

FOR STRAP
6. Ch 1, sc in same st. sc in next 6 sts. Ch *4*, sk next 7 sts. sc in last 4 sts. Join to first sc (15)

7. Ch 1, sc in same st. sc in all stitches around. Join (15)

***For bigger strap, or bigger leg, chain 5 on round 6***

Mr. & Mrs. Leys

Laura got married at the end of August in Kenosha (over our anniversary weekend). We had a wonderful weekend celebrating.

Rehearsal dinner: Bridesmaids

The bride getting her hair done

Hair is done!!!!!

pre wedding entertainment

Laura and her flower girl

Lovin the beautiful weather

The best....Ashley

Wedding party....people risked their lives for this picture

Laura and Mikey on the Lake

The bustle....we rocked it

Ashley, Me, Laura, and Kim on the bus

Best date in the world....thanks for being a slave for the day. I could never do it without you :o)

Chi Omegas!!!!

Umm one of their gifts was a gourd....it was hollowed out and this was a pic of the inside....the outside was covered with 'memories' haha. creepy enough i had to take a picture

Bride and Bridesmaid :o)

Micah and I ended the weekend with a trip to Six Flags Great America.

Current River

In august I took off a few days to enjoy fun and friends. We headed to Current River in Missouri to go camping and canoeing. It was an overall interesting experience. I was car sick most of the car ride down which made that a less than enjoyable adventure, but once we got to camp I was ok rather quickly. We were given a 'quiet' campsite at Jason's Place Campground....For those of you who go camping...i would not call it a 'campsite'. It was more of a piece of land that you would set up camp on if there was not other land in the woods....covered in rocks and walnuts and a hill that was about at a 60 degree slant. I decided to be a snot and say no thank you, and I'm glad i did...they moved us to a nice grassy campsite that was only a 20 degree slant. Thank you campground staff :o)

We set up camp and made dinner over the fire. Ok so we were not roughing it when it came to meals. Friday we had Zesty Italian Chicken and Vegetables made in a foil pouch....yummy Saturday we had cream of mushroom pork chops on a bed of rices with veggies also prepared in a foil pouch. On the river we had salad kabobs and lunch meat subs. Breakfast was grab and go both days :o)

We had great weather all weekend, it only rained a bit at night. The campsite bathrooms disgraceful....took public restrooms to a whole new level. really the woods would probably have been a better choice :o) And showers...well if you like to pay to take a shower in a nasty bathroom then fine, we chose the river and pool...lol. the car ride home was worse than the car ride there if you know what I mean.

Our good camp site :o)

The s'more that makes all your troubles go away....heavenly

Love him!

I was worried we would not fit...but we did

I guess the little guy got tired and decided to catch a ride

love this place

Our little Canoe that traveled the 16 miles with us...

Our partners in crime just enjoying the day

It was a beautiful day....Missouri has a lot to offer beauty wise.

He is lucky we never tipped due to his ornryness

Rednecks....hello Mullet (so you know, that is a woman)

This guy would stand and paddle, lay down and use his hands, and just chill....he was quite entertaining.

Redneck central....our school bus ride to the river. (read the sign)

Overall great trip....who wants to go with us next year?

He's cute but he's trouble

Cooper keeps us on our toes....

Our yard seems to be the home of creatures. Bunnies and birds find it a great place to raise their young. And while I do enjoy seeing little baby creatures out there....it becomes stressful when you have a puppy who doesn't understand that he cannot play with them. We first had problems when then bunnies set up shop. They do every year but we were hoping that having Cooper outside for a few months would send a hint that it was not the best idea to nest there....

Well before we knew their were bunnies Micah came home to find cooper digging like crazy....he smelt them but didn't realize they were the itty bitty balls of nothing in a little hole covered in bunny fur. So one did not survive the attack...and cooper never did realize that there were actually bunnies in there because he dug them all out and flung them behind him and kept on digging. Micah, knowing his wife would appreciate the love he showed the bunnies, placed the remaining 4 bunnies back in their hole and covered them. They lived and grew.

Cooper had been fenced into a smaller area in the back yard so he could have his space and the bunnies theirs. Then one day I came home from work to see cooper frolicking around the back yard....it took a second to realize he was roaming the Whole yard not just his little fenced in area. Yup, he got out. Not really sure how but he found the poor little bunnies. They were big enough to hop away but i think he was too quick for one of them. The other left the yard and now sleep on the outside of the fence. The bunny he had in his mouth however....poor bunny. I hold the thought that he really didn't mean to hurt it and was only playing with it like he does his stuffed animals. Not a mark on the sweet little thing so it either died of fright or he shook it too much. I only cried a little (I know I know get a life....but they are soooo cute you just feel bad).

I thought the nature drama was over until I saw this:

And these:
But I figured we were safe because they are in a tree...and Cooper cannot climb trees (not that we know of anyhow). But as the babies grew and decided to learn to fly....they proved me wrong. I let Cooper out thinking nothing of it and followed him because he seemed to be getting into trouble. As I walked over to him two little birdies took off.....and landed. And while they did coast nicely to the ground they were not skilled enough to fly back into the nest, out of the fence, or more than 2 feet. And really I would not have cared, but they decided to coast in two different directions. Puppies must think this is fun because he went from one bird to the other jumping and enjoying life. So if you are my neighbor you probably think I am nuts as you look out your window: Baby birds jumping about. A black streak (Cooper) running like mad in the yard. A lady screaming 'COOPER NO' and chasing the black thing (that is incredibly fast i might add). And you may think that was entertaining enough. But no, now we have 6-8 robin mommas who decided to take on the dog and lady and start dive bombing them while making their incredibly creepy bird shrieks. So now you have a dog going nuts. Two poor birds jumping about trying to stay safe. A bunch of birds trying to kill the dog and lady (they clearly didn't realize i was trying to help them and save their young. seriously ZERO appreciation). And a lady about in tears trying to catch the dog and not get attacked by the birds.

For your info...we all survived. Cooper got a nice spanking when he finally obeyed and came inside, and my Heart rate decreased after about an hour. Lord help me next spring/summer.

Summer fun when we have time

We worked a TON in July....so fun was not very plentiful. But we did have a few moments of enjoyment. Fourth of July weekend we were able to sneak away with the Hirsteins and Millers for some boating fun. We went down to Clinton Lake and did a little knee boarding. It was a nice morning but the water was a bit rough. For my first time knee boarding I was not too bad. It was enjoyable but I preferred sitting in the boat enjoying sunshine :o) H.L. Did a great job teaching me and despite the attempts to spray me with water I would allow him to kneeboard with me again.

Tait seemed to have fun playing with his Thomas Trains and tuckered out after a short while. We were shocked he was able to sleep through the bumps. Kate and I got jarred quite a bit.

Thanks to Dr. Miller for letting us take his boat out without him :o)

Another fun adventure was the Hot Air Balloon Festival. We were invited by some of Micah's high school friends to enjoy the evening. Gene actually stood up in our wedding (I had never met him before then, pathetic I know). His wife Lindsay and I enjoy our time together as well, and often laugh at the boys and their identical thinking. The two of them together could possibly be trouble in the future.

The festival was fun, lots of interesting people watching, good carnie food...and lots of balloons.

Some balloons actually took off or landing in the field in front of us. Others just set up and then took town without taking flight.

It took us a while to figure out what some of the balloons were going to be once inflated. The polar bear we figured out after we saw its face take form....the balloon behind it is actually a shoe....that one took forever to figure out.

The shoe all lit up!

We always enjoy good times with friends!