Turtle Loaf

I have just baked my first loaf of bread from the Master Dough recipe from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois.

It looks like a turtle.

It has only been the first day of the dough sitting in the fridge so it was a bit dense and the crust was quite crunchy, but the taste was very good. I can't wait for the dough to sit in the fridge for a few days and see how it comes out. The kid and hubby really liked it too.

I haven't gotten the book yet, but I found the Master Dough recipe on the web and tried it. I can't wait to get my book and try all of the other recipes. I can see more home baked bread in my future. Can't wait to try the cinnamon buns - mmmmmmmmmm.

Just thinking about my Dad

My Dad used to sing this song to me when I was little....cause my name is Tracy!



I had a 45 rpm record that I played all the time. I used to think they were singing just to me.

Good times....

I Am Alive!

Ok, so I still don't do this blogging thing very well. But I always seem to have something better to do. So I guess I will just do it as I will. Anyway, today I finished a project I started a few days ago for a new little baby coming into our family. This is Azul.

Specs: Pattern: Sheldon the Turtle from Knitty.com (See it on Ravelry here)

Yarn: Knitpicks.com Shine Sport Sky (lt blue) and River (dk blue) 1 skein each

Needles: US 3 dpn's and US 4 straight

Isn't he cute? His shell comes off. I am going to make more of these in different colors.

What is that white stuff?

Look its a little snow! We used this saw to cut the flooring you will see later.

Anywaaaaaay.......

Our house is on a concrete slab and when the water heater busted we pulled up the carpet and just painted the concrete to look like wood floors until we could get real flooring. My husband has worked as a Scenic Artist in movies and knows how to do faux painting so he painted the floors (and most people couldn't tell that it wasn't real). I can't find any pictures of the painted floor, but just know that it was good, but cold, but it kept chipping away. Anyway, we finally put down some wood laminate and, MAN, what a difference. I think it looks great! We still need to put the shoe molding in, but we are finished. We even put it in the kitchen and half bath that had linoleum (ugh).

Here are some pictures of our new floors. The colors are a little off as my camera skills are not that good. The next job is to clean the kitchen cabinets.

Well, I have to leave to check to see if school is out tomorrow. The Rugrat is too excited.

MAROONED

Christmas Gift -- Maroon 5

WOW. Is this stuff great, or what? I am really enjoying this music, especially since we also got a Microsoft Zune MP3 player.

Say Hello to Ellykin Dwobfoddle

Ellykin Dwobfoddle - Gnome2
Originally uploaded by firesong_42

Well, I finished it, finally. His name is Ellykin Dwobfoddle.

This is the gnome from designer Alan Dart that I started months ago. I had him knitted for a while, but hadn't sewn him up. I made sure I had him done by Christmas though. Isn't he cute? His nose is a little pink so we call him the alcoholic gnome.

Do you know this Machine?

SewingMachine2
Originally uploaded by firesong_42

Does anyone know what kind of machine this is?

We are putting new flooring in the living room and kitchen and we were moving it and I opened it up and discovered that it still works!

I got this from my mom when she passed away. It was my Grandmother's machine. I have had this for a couple of years but it just sat in the corner. I just don't know what kind of machine it is. I know it needs cleaning and a little oil, but it would be nice to know what it is.

I asked for a sewing machine for Christmas this year, but if this works I don't need all the bells and whistles of the newer machines. All I want is a basic machine.

Here are some more pictures:

Yeah, I know... I have been away for a while. We started a new painting business and had a big job for a local celebrity and that took all of my time. I hope to be around for a while now that things have settled a little. I say "a little" because we are now upgrading the flooring in our house and doing it ourselves. Its taking forever, but I can't wait until its done. Pictures to come.