Easy tube socks and wire hanger sock blockers

I used RED HEART Heart & Sole, color Toasted Almond for the tube socks. Pattern is available here

The pattern for the sock blockers is here

Lunch on the Deck ~ January 10, 2010

It is a beautiful day in Escondido California so we decided to have our lunch sitting on the deck and enjoying the view.

We ate halibut with Old Bay seasoned breadcrumbs, boiled potatoes and sauteed brussels sprout sprouts with panchetta.

Handmade Angels from the Erzgebirge in Germany

We don't decorate for Christmas anymore but this year I decided to put all the angels out.
The are handmade in the Ore Mountains. The oldest belonged to my father so they are at least70 years old.

Layla and her Christmas Monkey

Kim, our GREAT dog sitter, gave Layla a Christmas gift, a monkey. The monkey lost his leg after less than one minute of play.

We will have to train her to play instead of rip!

Baking Cookies

Baking cookies for friends and neighbors is an annual tradition. This year I baked and made: Pecan Pralines, Almond Cookie Squares, Chocolate Revel Bars, Chocolate Raspberry Linzer Cookies, Lemon Pinenut Stars and Seasoned Pretzels.

This hotplate keeps the chocolate perfectly melted to fill all the cookies.

Fingerless Mitten - Simple Ribbed Handwarmers

These hand warmers are for a friends daughter for a Christmas gift. They are fun to knit because of the yarn Melody superwash by Jojoland. The pattern is by Debby Haymark and is available free from ravelry.com

Fun Dishcloth - Potholder Pattern

This pattern is from Sara H. Baldwin and is called Magic Stripe Hot Pad. The pattern is easy but I made mistakes, 3 so far. Can you see them?

The yarn is from Michael's, Loops & Threads, 60% cotton, 40% acrylic, machine washable and dryable. It has a very soft feel.
The pattern make vertical rows on one side and horizontal on the other side.