Nicole the Knitting Goddess

I Made It!!!!!!

I finally made it through NaBloPoMo!   Hip hip hooray!!!!!!!!  This last November post will be chockfull of pictures.

Our Thanksgiving was wonderful.  We had two kinds of turkey, fried and roasted (we both liked the roasted better) and we took some leftovers with us so we'll be having a final Thanksgiving tonight (with all of our favorites that my family did not make)! 

We did do some Black Friday shopping and got some great deals for others and for ourselves.  There weren't a lot of people out in the Cape Coral/Ft. Myers area, we didn't have to wait in one line!  We also ate lunch at the restaurant that my sister waitresses Delicious Things.   It was yummy!

Friday night we headed over to Captiva Island to see the Tween Waters Christmas Tree Lighting.

One of the houses being built on Captiva, where my mom works as an interior decorator.

Us, in front of the beach sunset.

Another sunset picture.

We had yet to realize that the fireworks had started!

The fireworks show was very impressive.   We thought we saw the finale 3 times before the actual finale.

We did do some yarn shopping when we were at home.   We stopped by a family friend's store, Geez Leweez and picked up two hanks of Cascade Nikki.  I think that I'll make a simple garter stitch scarf with it.

We've also had a pretty amazing weekend but that will wait for tomorrow.   This post is long enough without our weekend stories.  I enjoyed NaBloPoMo more than I did last year, probably because I wasn't moving (which I've done the past 2 Novembers).   The pre-scheduling of Typepad helped out a lot.   I hope that you enjoyed my posts as well and had a great November!

100 Things

Since I don't want to post on the way back from my parent's I'm going to treat you to a bolded list!

Things I've Done (In Bold)

1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars - I grew up with a trampoline in my backyard and I used to sleep out on it all the time.
3. Played in a band - a marching band counts, right?
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world - We have annual passes to Disneyworld.
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightening at sea - during our cruise this summer.
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning - a chicken sandwich from Perkins.   I'll never forget it.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables - tomatoes
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - both!
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise--3 so far, 3 more coming up.  Next year we're doing Mexico, the Mediterranean, and the Bahamas.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community--I grew up Mennonite.
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - I feel that way now.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing - Not on actual rocks, but at a gym.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke - at Amanda's bachelorette party.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight 
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing - I was miserably sick and caught nothing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain 
53. Played in the mud - there are pictures
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business - in college I was a consulting business.   :)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason - all the time!
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy 
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person - many many times.  My grandmother lives in Phoenix.
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper - for some stuff in high school.
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox-
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury 
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee - on my tongue once.   He was hiding in my soda.   It was so painful.
100. Rode an elephant

FO Friday: The Republic Hat

Pattern: The Republic Hat

Yarn: Twilley's of Stamford Freedom Wool

Photoshoot Location: Disney's Animal Kingdom

This hat was really quick and is really really warm.  And I love the band around the bottom.  I found the vintage circle pin at Donna Grayce's Esty Store and it is perfect.  I would definitely make this again!

10 Things That I Am Thankful for This Year

1. Michael.   We've gone through some tough things this year (the IRS debacle, the townhouse terror, my illness) but he always maintains a positive attitude and helps me through things.  He is so much more functional than I am.

2. My family, old and new.  I'm very VERY lucky to have the in-laws that I have.  They're all very caring and supportive and fun!

3. Our jobs.  We really do have great jobs and I think that I may have the best in the world.  I'm in a position that I'm completely comfortable with and I receive so many perks it's unbelievable.  For pete's sake there was an ethics booklet that I was required to have and instead of making me drive all of 15 minutes to the office to pick it up they mailed it to me!   I didn't even have to ask!  And the whole place shuts down between Christmas and New Year's!!!

4. My body.   Seriously, I'm not missing any limbs and all my senses are intact.  I need to stop wishing that my body looked like something it's not and be grateful for what it is and take better care of it!

5. My healthcare.   Even though they are doubling my premium next year they still take care of my bills without complaint.

6. My home.   It's a beautiful roof over my head, our bills are low due to new appliances and being sandwiched between two other homes, and our neighborhood is very nice.   And we have great neighbors!

7. My iPhone.   I love it and although I don't use it as much as Michael does (he had 100% more data downloads than I did last month, although I beat him on voice minutes every time) it still has kept us from getting lost more than once, provides kick ass music, and gives me internet everywheres!

8.Our DVR.   I hate commercials.  The only downside to this is that I never know what movies are in theaters.

9.My super duper planning skills.   I have a feeling that things would be much harder without them.   Wedding planning has been a breeze and as you can see from some of this week's post we'd practically be ready for Christmas tomorrow.   I like being well-prepared, it's a control thing.

10. That we live close to our families.   My parents live about 3 hours away and Michael's live about 5 minutes away.   It's nice to be able to stop by his parent's house to chat and it's nice that we don't have to deal with airports on the holidays!

WIP Wednesday: It's Almost Turkey Time!

We are getting ready to leave for SW Florida this afternoon.  We will be spending this Thanksgiving with my family and Christmas with Michael's family.

So before I start my packing spree I thought I'd share my one and only WIP... Michael's Ribbed Beanie. 

I'm decreasing for the crown.   It's two strands of Malabrigo Worsted held together to make a bulkier yarn.   He tried on my Republic Hat and liked the weight of a bulky yarn so I figure I'll whip him up a hat since it has been chillier than usual here.

This afternoon we'll head to my father's house in Pt. Charlotte, FL and have dinner with him and his new wife.  Then tomorrow morning we'll head to my aunt's house in Cape Coral, FL to have lunch with my great-grandparents, grandparents, mother, sisters, cousins, my aunt and her boyfriend, and her boyfriend's family.  THEN we'll head over to my mother's for a Thanksgiving dinner and to watch holiday movies (I netflixed Christmas with the Kranks and The Polar Express).   

Friday we'll do some Black Friday shopping and Saturday we'll head home.   I hope that your Thanksgiving is fantastic!

Stand-In (All About a Cat)

Michael's been working some late nights due to a looming project deadline and Percy has been trying to keep me company.

Your conversational skills are fantastic.   Tell me more!


Footsies!!!!


You're exhausting and I'm sleepy.   I'll nap, you knit!

10 Holiday Items That I Love

I'm completely in the holiday spirit so I thought I would share with you 10 of my favorite holiday items.

1.  Our tree!!!!!  We got it last night at Target and it was perfect for us.   Perfect price, perfect height, perfect color, perfect branches and perfect width!

2. Turkey Cake Pops from Bakerella

3. Santa Christmas Tree Toppers!

4. Christmas soaps from Etsy

5. Holiday S'mores

6. Chunky's Santa Hat

7. Our Christmas paper and tags from Costco.   I love that the wrapping paper has a grid on the back to help with cutting!!!!!

8. Jell-O Pumpkin Spice pudding.

9. Ornaments that remind me of food.   No wonder I am horrible at diets.

10. A Sundae made out of Peppermint and Eggnog ice cream!

Christmas Wishes

A friend of ours that works at Disney won a private boat tour where we toured 2 of the Disney Lakes, watched the Electrical Water Pageant, and were treated to an incredible viewing of Wishes (the Magic Kingdom's fireworks show).   It was a little chilly outside but Disney provided us with blankets, drinks, and snacks.   We had an amazing time.   We also forgot our camera.   I tried to take some pictures with my iPhone but they didn't come out so well.   That won't stop me from blogging about the tour though!   I'll include pictures from Disney with my crappy photos.

My crappy Electric Water Pageant picture


A much better picture from another Disney fan.


The best picture I was able to take of Wishes.


Here you can see the Castle decorated for Christmas.


Disney is crazy with the fireworks, yo.

We feel really lucky to be able to share this experience thanks to our wonderful friend Nikki!  It certainly got us in the Holiday mood and we'll be stopping by Michael's this afternoon to look at trees.   They have $70 - $100 off their trees and we have an additional 15% off coupon (on our entire order including sale items!).

Meme: Helping Me Out with NaBloPoMo

1. Do you like paper or plastic bags better?   
I prefer plastic bags if I don't have enough canvas bags to carry my groceries in.

2. What is your favorite brand of water?   
Publix!

3. What type of hangers do you prefer? (i.e. wooden, plastic, metal, etc.)
The plastic kind work well for us.   Although I envision a closet full of perfect wooden hangers someday. 

4. What country would you like to visit the most?   
Greece.   Luckily for me we have 4 Greece stops on our honeymoon!

5. What is your dream job?    
I've always wanted to be a dermatologist.

6. What color are your kitchen walls?
Taupe

7. Do you like to make piles of leaves in the fall and jump into them?
There are not enough leaves in our neighborhood to make a pile!

8. Do you like wearing scarves?   
I like to wear them, but it is rarely cold enough.

9. Do you like to read newspapers or watch the news?    
I love watching the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams.   And the week prior to the election I was glued to MSNBC.

10. What color is your tongue?   
Light pink.

11. Can you do a cartwheel?   
Yes, I can!

12. What is your favorite candle scent?   
Clean Cotton

13. Have you ever counted how many stars are in the sky at night?
No, I usually like to just try to reflect on how huge the universe is.   

14. How many teeth do you have?   
All of them minus my wisdom teeth.  I don't have any cavities either!

15. Do you have any piercings or tattoos? If so how many, and where at?
I do not currently.   I had my tongue pierced in my early 20's but took it out when an antibiotic I was on made my tongue swell. I also had my belly button pierced when I was in my late teens.

16. What is your favorite shape?   
Um... ovals I guess.  That's a weird question.

17. What is your favorite type of cookie?   
Snickerdoodles!  I should make some for the holidays.

18. What color is your comb/brush?
Black.   I'm picking up a new one this weekend though. 

19. What color were the last pair of shoes that you wore?   
Chocolate brown

20. What kind of trees are in your backyard/frontyard? 
I have no idea.   I think they are technically the neighborhood's trees. 

21. Name a local supermarket.   
Publix, my favorite.

22. What is your favorite type of juice?    
White cranberry mixes

23. What is your dream car? 
A Prius!  We're planning on getting one after the wedding.

24. Do you think that there is life on other planets?    
Yes.

25. Do you have any weird nicknames?   
*sigh* My family calls me Coco.   

26. What is your favorite type of junkfood?    
Cupcakes!  I made some really good ones the other night for playing Rock Band with our neighbors.

27. What is your favorite fruit?   
Grapes and kiwi tie.

28. Do you have tacks on your walls?
Michael would kill me.   

29. What color are the tabs on your computer?    
Black with white writing

30. Do you have your own computer/laptop?   
No, I do not.   The laptop that I use is Lockheed Martin's.

31. Did you go to preschool/daycare?
I did go to a religious based preschool.

32. What do you miss most about being a little kid?   
Not worrying about what I'm eating.

33. Did you ever carry a lunchbox or lunchbag to school as a little kid?   
I loved my My Little Pony lunchbox!

34. If you could live on any other planet, which would you choose to live on?
I don't know much about other planets so I'd stick with this one.

35. What shape is your head?   
Oval.

36. What does your favorite photograph look like?   
My favorite photograph is of a tree-lined street in Savannah.

37. What is your favorite TV show about? 
A bunch of people stranded on an island. 

38. What is your favorite book about?   
A girl in a religious cult who gets pregnant out of wedlock and convinces everyone that it is the son of God.

39. What song would you like to be played at your wedding?   
I have not decided on any of our songs.   I dread it!

40. What is your favorite farm animal?   
Cats.  They count.

41. What is your favorite undersea animal?   
Do penguins count?   They are occasionally underwater.

42. Are you more social or antisocial?   
Antisocial.

43. What does your favorite article of clothing look like?    
It's a dark grey flippy skirt.

44. Do you take any type of medication?   
I take birth control and a blood-helping cocktail.

45. What is plugged into your electricity outlets?   
Media stuff.

46. Have you ever ridden any type of animal?
Horses and camels and elephants.

FO Friday: Christmas Scarves

Pattern: Airy Scarf by Brenda Overstrom.  Published in Last Minute Knitted Gifts.
Yarn: Louet Kidlin Lace Wt. in Cranberry

Pattern: Branching Out by Susan Lawrence.   Published in Spring 2005 Knitty.
Yarn: Knitpicks Gloss in Cocoa

Pattern: Beaumonde Scarf by Smariek
Yarn: Misti Alpaca Worsted in Natural

Pattern: Drop Stitch Scarf by Christine Vogel.  Published in Frazzled Knits.
Yarn: Chicks With Sticks Handpainted Superwash

Pattern: Lace Ribbon Scarf by Veronik Avery.  Published in Spring 2008 Knitty.
Yarn: Knitpicks Gloss in Cosmos.

Pattern: Halcyon by Jeni Chase.   Published in Winter 2007 Knitty.
Yarn: Knitpicks Gloss in Black.