I liked Lynne’s comment on Wednesday’s post. “So many patterns, and you still can’t find the right one when you’re ready! I’m glad to know that this happens to people other than me.” I know it’s pretty ridiculous. And it’s making me crazy. It’s not that there aren’t a bunch of wonderful sweater patterns out there. To be honest, I have made a list of sweaters that I want to make out of other yarn. I want to make Hey Teach out of a yarn that we have coming soon. I want to make the Myrtle Cardigan out of a special yarn I have set aside just for something like that one. But for the KAL, I have narrowed it down to three. None of them are a “pattern quick buy” on Rav, which is a bummer, and that initially kept them off of my list. However, I’m tired of looking at all of the options, so I ordered the pattern for this sweater and this vest and this vest. (Ravelry links.) Except on that first vest, I’d want cables instead of x’s and o’s. And I want to knit with a DK weight instead of an Aran. See? This is my problem. I keep wanting part of one pattern and another part of another. If I were a designer, I’d just doodle all of those together and be off with it. Every time another one of you orders yarn to KAL with us and you mention the pattern you’re using, I zip over to Rav to look it up, just in case I might want to do it, too. I am stopping now, and will commence knitting next week. Which of those three should I do?

Today’s recipe is something you’ll want to make for a special occasion (Valentine’s Day?), or when you’re past/done with/over your New Year’s Resolutions to lose weight. (On the other hand, if your resolution was to gain weight, then you’re in luck with this!)

Jim’s Caramel Pecan Pie

1/2 pound caramels (about 28, small ones)
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup margarine

Melt this together in the top of a double boiler and stir until melted and smooth.

In a separate bowl, combine:

2 slightly beaten eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Gradually add the caramel sauce to this, mixing well. Add in 2 cups of pecans. Pour into 2 separate 8 1/2″ unbaked pie shells. (Or one deep dish pie shell).

Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce to 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  The pie will be soft while hot, but will become firm when cool. Unless you made it in a deep dish pie plate, in which case you’ll get the most wonderful, slightly ooey-gooey piece of pie ever. Guess which version I prefer?

Sheri doinganorganizingbingethisweekend
Whatareyoudoing?

Amidst the blowing, bitter cold, we’ve had a lambing here at The Loopy Ewe. And the Fed Ex guy delivered all of them. Who knew that he had lambing skills, too? We didn’t expect this shipment until the Spring (because that’s when most little lambs arrive) but they’re here! It’s so fun to have these smiling Loopy Dudes back again. We tend to decorate with them, because they make us smile when they peer out from different spots and spaces here at Loopy Central. I think I told you awhile back that the company that we get these from had discontinued them without notice. After I sent a link to some of our Loopy’s Summer Vacation photos, they agreed that we could not do without them. (Well, it was the link PLUS the fact that I agreed to buy a whopping quantity of them.) So they’ve been made again, just for us. I hope they bring you a lot of smiles. We’re glad to have them back. Top photo note – the middle one was a little mischievous and wanted to imitate Wednesday’s blog photo. When you order one, you might leave us an order note and tell us if you want a mischievous Little Loopy or a complacent one. There is obviously a difference in personality (and trouble-making capacity).

Today’s recipe is one that my friend Monica jiggered up. We were out to lunch last spring and had something similar to this. She went home and found a similar recipe, then made it a few times to perfect her version. They are delicious!

Monica’s Asian Green Beans (or Asparagus)

2-3 lbs. green beans or asparagus
2 tsp. canola oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
6 Tbl. + 1 Tbl. low sodium Tamari soy sauce
3 Tbl. honey
1 1/2 Tbl. dry sherry
1/2 to 1 tsp. garlic chili sauce (or more for spicier)
2 tsp. sesame oil
1/2 tsp. fresh ginger, minced
1 Tbl. corn starch
2 Tbl. toasted sesame seeds

Steam green beans or asparagus until crisp tender and set aside.

In skillet, saute garlic and ginger in oil on med-high heat for 1 minute. Add to skillet 6 Tbl. Tamari, honey, sherry, garlic chili sauce and sesame oil and simmer on low for 10 minutes.

In small bowl, whisk together corn starch and 1 Tbl. Tamari. Add to skillet and stir and heat until thickened.  Toss green beans/asparagus with sauce, place on platter and sprinkle with sesame seeds. YUM!

I’m wondering whose idea it was to take a 6:45 am flight out of St. Louis this morning? That meant being at the airport at 5:45 am. That meant leaving my house at 5:00 am. That meant getting up at 4:15 am. And did I mention that I’m so not a morning person? FPS.

Sheri areyouamorningornightperson?Someofyouwould’velovedthisflight.

Are you saying “two thousand and ten” or “twenty ten”? I like how Twenty Ten sounds. It sounds way more fun than the longer version. (How can words sound fun? Don’t ask me. I just call ‘em as I see ‘em.) I’m predicting that 2010 will be FUN, because it just sounds like it ought to be a cool year. Plus, after 2009, I think we could all use a fun year. Here are two ways to put some fun into this week:

1. Make some Oven S’Mores. (Or “Shmoes” as we call them. Rhymes with Joes. I don’t know where that name came from, but it stuck a long time ago. Maybe you need a Cuppa Joe and a Shmoe today? These four sure look like they’re enjoying them. I’m pretty sure they’ll be thrilled that I shared this photo with you … )

3 packs of graham crackers (one box, 3 individually wrapped packs inside)
1 pack of milk chocolate chips
1 bag of marshmallows

Line a 12 x 15 jelly roll pan with a single layer of crackers. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the crackers. Top with marshmallows. Place in 250 degree oven for 15-20 minutes (but watch carefully so they don’t overbrown). Enjoy while hot!

Variations: use different flavors of chips – mint chocolate chips are great. Also, you can officially call them Gourmet Shmoes if you top them with raspberries or strawberry slices when they come out of the oven. Seriously.  And if you have leftovers? Store in a container with a lid and zap them for 20 seconds in the microwave when you’re ready for another.

2. The second way to put some fun into your week? Check out today’s Sneak UPdate. We added in more Claudia Hand Painted, Hand Maiden Mini Maiden, Malabrigo Sock/Silk/Worsted, Perchance to Knit Lace, and 2 new Shibui colors – Juniper and Cranberry. Click on See What’s New on the homepage to keep up with new additions to the website. (Did you miss last week’s Sneak Up? Those items will still appear on later pages of What’s New. The new stuff goes up on the front end. You can usually see what has been new in the last 2-3 Weekly Sneak Ups by checking What’s New. As the list grows, the older “new” items drop off the back end in the order that they came in.)

I know that many of you worked hard on putting fun and love into other peoples’ lives during our Random Acts of Kindness contests in December. A big thank you to everyone who participated! The winner of the third and final contest was Susan in California, who won a $50 Loopy Ewe Gift Certificate. We’ll do this again in 2010. You might want to practice up all year long. (That’s my plan.)

Don’t forget to upload your shawl photos for the Fourth Quarter Challenge. They’re due in by 1/7. (Make sure you either link to the yarn you used in your shawl, or leave the information in the notes with your photo. Any shawls made with yarn that we carry at The Loopy Ewe are eligible.) I’ll announce the new First Quarter Challenge next week – and it will be fun!

Sheri whohastowavegoodbyetoWebGuyashefliesbacktoFLtoday.Sad.
MaybeIneedacuppajoeandashmoe…

Did you read all of the wonderful things that people are doing while out and about this season? I love how you’re all reaching out and finding ways to make someone’s day! If you’ve found some kind act to do since last week’s post, please post it in a comment below and we’ll draw a winner next week. (Note – we’ll have one more Random Acts Contest next Monday, so keep watching for opportunities around you.) The randomly drawn winner of last week’s contest is Jenny from MO, who won a $50 Loopy Ewe Gift Certificate. (Yes, we also up the certificate amount for these Random Acts contests, just for fun!)

This weekend, we did our holiday baking. One of my random acts this week was to put together trays of cookies and treats for neighbors. We have several elderly couples on our street who probably don’t do much baking during the holidays, so this is a fun way to share our baking with them. These Oreo Truffles are amazing. I think everyone and their brother made them last year, but I didn’t see the recipe until this year. If you haven’t made them, here is the recipe:

Oreo Truffles

1 package of Oreos
1 package of cream cheese
white melting chocolate

Put the whole pack of Oreos into a food processor and process until it’s all dark crumbs. Add the cream cheese and mix until well blended. Scoop out bite-sized pieces and roll into a ball. Place on a cookie sheet in the fridge for 15 minutes. Dip the balls into melted white chocolate and let them harden on waxed paper.

Note – I tried this with the mint oreos, too. While the taste was good, I had to use two packs of Mint Oreos to one package of cream cheesse, due to the peppermint oil in the flavoring. Not sure I’d make those again.

The cookies in the photo are made with our favorite sugar cookie cutout recipe. We make these for two or three different holidays per year.

Sheri determinedtofinishthenever-ending-scarfbyWednesday’sblogpost

We get a lot of boxes here every day. Big boxes, little boxes, all kinds of boxes. Usually the Elves unpack the big boxes (because those always contain yarn orders). If there are any smaller boxes of undetermined origin, they usually leave these on the counter for me to open later. A while back, I wandered up front to check on something, and while I was talking to the Elves, I opened the small box sitting there (obviously waiting for me. Obviously.). I flipped back the flaps and pulled out …. a sleep mask? Huh?  That’s when Elf Karen said, “Oh my gosh – that’s not for us. The Fed Ex guy left that box here for the Sleep Center people across the hall!” Well heck. That was the end of me opening up boxes just because they were sitting there waiting for me. Obviously. We carefully taped the box back up and I’m pretty sure you couldn’t even tell that it had been opened. (And fortunately none of them are knitters and read this blog.) However, Karen has started leaving me notes on boxes that I ought to just leave well enough alone. I guess she still doesn’t trust me. (Although if those Sleep Center people kept regular daytime hours, we wouldn’t be storing their deliveries. Just sayin’.) Are some of you getting boxes at your house that you need to leave alone and not open up? In fact, I know you are, because we’re shipping a lot of them out there to you as gifts. Don’t snoop.

Today’s recipe is something that Photo Elf Wendy brought in to contribute to the Loopy Kitchen. It’s called Three Hour Granola because if you eat a handful of it, you can stave off your hunger for three more hours until dinnertime. And it’s delicious! A good alternative to all of the holiday sweets. (It’s not low-cal, but it IS healthy, in moderation.) Or a quick gift to mix up and give to friends and neighbors.

Wendy’s Three Hour Trail Mix

2c. old fashioned rolled oats
3 c. cashews, whole
3 c. pecans, whole or halves
3 c. walnuts, whole or halves
3 c. almonds, whole
2 c. unsalted sunflower seeds
(plus any other nuts you want to add)
1 c. flaked coconut, unsweetened
1/4 c. canola oil
1/4c. honey
2c. dried cranberries (set aside)
2c. golden raisins (set aside)

Mix dry ingredients in a large, foil, turkey roasting pan. Add oil & honey,  stir well to coat. Toast in a 350 degree, stirring every 15 mins. until browned.  (Approx. 60 mins.)  Allow to cool completely.   Add dried fruit & store in a closed canister on the counter (with scoop).  Store extras in air-tight containers or Ziplocs.

I absolutely love reading your Random Acts of Kindness comments. I keep jotting down things that spark my imagination, and am continually bowled over by the incredible ways in which you have helped those around you. I hope you all find something to do for someone this weekend, so that we all have a whole new batch of things to read about over coffee on Monday’s blog post. I know that these December contests require you to DO something in order to enter (unlike most of our contests), and you continue to rise to the occasion. You all are amazing.

Sheri whonowhasbothkidshomefortheholidays
andthatcoverseverythingIwant

This is what is going on today. Still. FPS. You may be tired of hearing about how the jackhammers make our building shake, but not as tired of it as we are. I mean seriously, just HOW much concrete is out there to break up? This has been going on since this summer. Today is a particularly high jackhammer-making-the-building-shudder-and-shake day. I think it would be an act of kindness (to our whole building) if I were to go out there and take the spark plugs out of the engines while they are off on their lunch break. (Can someone – as an act of kindness – tell me where to find those spark plugs?)

Speaking of acts of kindness, here’s a heads up on our December blog contests – for the next three Mondays, we’ll be encouraging you to do and share Random Acts of Kindness. This is the third year that we’ve encouraged extra acts of kindness in the month of December (because we know that many of you do them regularly, all year long). By putting the spotlight on it via a blog contest, you’ve told us that it helps you to be more conscious of the little (or big) things that you can do to make a difference to someone this month. Here are the blog posts with Kindness Comments from last year:

Week One
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four

If you’re stuck for ideas, read some of the comments on those posts and it will get you motivated and moving forward on the things that you can do. That, of course, is the purpose for sharing your random acts via a blog comment. We know that you don’t do these things to brag about them or to win a blog contest (although we’ll be sending out fun prizes!). When you share what you did, other people get some great ideas of things that they can do as well. So get out there this week/weekend and find someone to bless. Then come back to the blog next Monday and leave a comment to let us know what you did. I love reading all of your comments in these contests. It’s just such a reminder of what an incredible bunch of people you are. Thanks for playing along with us in our December contests from year to year.

Today’s recipe is the moistest, most delicious chocolate bundt cake that I’ve had in a long time. I hope you enjoy it!

Sinfully Moist Chocolate Bundt Cake (I can never say “Bundt Cake” without thinking about My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The movie. Not my own wedding. That wasn’t Greek. Or big. Or fat, for that matter.)

1 yellow cake mix
1 large box of chocolate instant pudding
1 cup of oil
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup water

8 oz. container of sour cream

1 bag of mini chocolate chips (I couldn’t find minis, so I used the regular ones)

Mix the first 6 ingredients together and beat for 2 minutes, until light and fluffy. Fold in the sour cream and  mix well. Add in the chocolate chips and stir until well blended.

Pour into greased bundt pan and bake at 350 degrees for 60-80 minutes. (The original recipe called for 60 minutes. I have made it twice and had to bake it for 80 minutes before a knife inserted into the middle came out done. So just check on it as you go along.)

Sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy! (Or make the chocolate glaze from this bundt cake recipe that I shared last year. Today’s recipe came out moist-er, but the glaze on that other recipe was really good, too.)

Sheri enjoyingtropicaltemperaturestoday.40degreesandsunny.