Prelim Yarnstorm - UPDATED 9-2-09

My first Yarnstorm (technically I am calling it my Prelim Yarnstorm) commensed this morning at 5:45 am....After Tekkie and friend finished their photoshoot in my office, we grabbed the camera and cell phone and took off on my bike...

We arrived at our location about 10 minutes later..lucky for me no coyotes, foxes or other humans were around to witness this...I helped them pick a pole to investigate, secured them, snapped a few pictures in the dark (thank goodness for digital cameras w/ flash that can make this even possible in the pitch black darkness!) and bid them 'adeiu'... I would be passing by 2 more times yet this morning and would check on their status with each trip past...Still there 45 minutes later...but it was still dark out (darn Eastern time here in Indiana...if we were still on Central time, it would be light out at this hour in the summer..but I digress..)

A few hours later..I had to make a trip to drop something off here in town. I decided to ride my bike on this errand and check on the 'techno bugs.' I took my camera along to snap a few more pictures (in the daylight this time), but the local trash collector just happened to be dumping the trash can at that exact spot when I came by...they were still there, but if on my return trip they are gone, I was planning on chasing that truck up the trail to retreive my 'friends' from a certain death by stench (and mega doggie doo!!)

Lucky for him (the trash collector guy) and them (Tekkie and friend), they were still there upon my return trip past!! Happily waving to all the passersby (and there were LOTS of them at that hour too!)...

I hope Tekkie and friend make a few folks smile as they pass by....only time will tell...I will be passing by that spot again on Sunday morning..Maybe Tekkie will have some exciting stories to tell!!

UPDATE: 8-30-09 - Tekkie and friend were still on the original post..so I changed their location this morning..not under the shroud of darkness and of course several people witnessed this...but 90 minutes after I moved them..they were still there...will check again tomorrow morning...

Update: 8-31-09 - Looks like Tekkie ventured off on his own...only 'Friend' was still on the sign post this morning when I passed by...Adios Tekkie - wherever you are..may need to make 'friend' a buddy..

Update: 9-1-09 - TEKKIE HAS RETURNED!! Looks like he was just off on a side trip...He and 'friend' were both there this morning!! Thanks to the kind sole who helped him back!!

Update 9-2-09 - Looks like Tekkie was scouting new territory when he was gone the other day...both he and 'friend' were nowhere to be seen this morning...will keep checking to see if they return, but I doubt it! Happy Landings Techno Bugs!!!

Tekkie and friend in their photo shoot at 5:30 am this morning!
(Tekkie has the white eyes)


Investigating the sign post...
"Please yield to Technicolor bugs - Thank you!"

More Knitted Stuff ...

Angel Onament

Fuzzy Bug Ornament

Tooth Fairy Assistants

'Skinny Minnie' Ornament

Gingerbread Man Ornament


Felted Snowman Stocking Ornament

Snowman Racer Ornament
'Fire & Flames' edition

Pictures of my Spring Stuff!!

Here are my new Spring things!!

I've got to do something about that duck!

Bunnies Galore!!

Piggie Pouch

Black sheep of the family!

Mini Bunnie in an Easter Egg Pouch!

Lambykins!!

Duckie in an Easter Egg Pouch!

More Monster Mania and Felted Fish Too!!

More of my Monsters!!

(Click pictures to enlarge!)

Group A-2


Group B-2


Group C-2


Group D-2

And my Felted Fish Ornaments!
(Cut off the hanger and they make great cat toys too!)

Group Shot

Closeup!


Even Closer!

Feel free to leave comments..Which one is your favorite?

Monster Mania!!

Here they are...my Monsters!!
Need opinions on what you like and don't like and any other suggestions!!
(Click pictures to enlarge!)


Group A


Group B

Group C

Group D


Group E


Group F

I will name these later...Thanks for your help!!

More new stuff!

Click pictures to enlarge!

Pocket Pal Dolls and Aliens

Froggie and 'Elmer'

'Bennie' and 'Monkeyshines'

Lion

'Alfie' Aphids


Group Shot!
(Everybody say 'cheeserock'!)

My 'Kids'

Here are some pictures of my three 'fur children'.

This is my oldest - 'Kit'
Almost 16 years old and not impressed with his new brother and sister!!
Note: Kit went to heaven on Tuesday June 9, 2009. He is now chasing mice (real and fake) with no pain! We miss him so much!

'Ziva' being cute and then yawning!
She is such a little model!

Cooper lounging and playing with his bunnie fur!
He is my cuddle bug!

Ziva and Cooper 'hugging', a typical occurance!!

Spring Things for Easter!

Spring is here...but you would be hard pressed to believe it considering how cold it still is!!

Yesterday I popped my bike off the trainer and rode OUTSIDE for only the second time in 2009.
Riding outside is still the best training for my Metric Century ride in June at the Tour De Cure in Indianapolis!! I still need donations and remember you can do this online thru my Tour page.

My Tour Page

Well...my cookbook plans have been put on hold...just not the right time to do this...Most of it is written, so if I decide to move forward in the future, I won't have to start from scratch...

Now for the fun stuff....

Since I put the cookbook project on the back burner, my creative side has taken over again! I love when this happens!! My knitting and craft projects are my stress relievers...they are my passion! They always have been since I was 10 years old...

I have all sorts of VERY cool felted Easter items...Basket Bunnies, Mini Bunnies, Duckies, Easter Egg Pouches of all sorts and styles, Pocket Pal Dolls, Piggie Pouches, and Sheep and Lambs in (3) different colors! I will post pictures of all of these tomorrow...and all are for sale too! The Cute Meter is over the top on these! I never really made Easter items before except for my woven baskets, so this is something completely new for me to have felted items that aren't ornaments this time of year. All of these items are for decorative purposes only and ARE NOT TOYS!

I have more ideas I want to try too! So stay tuned!!
Pictures coming tomorrow plus maybe a recipe or two!!!

Comments are always welcome!!

Jenny

Mint Chocolate Chip 'Ice Cream'

I just made some really great 'ice cream' that really hit the spot.

It was the Mint Chocolate Chip version of my "Strawberry 'Ice Cream' recipe.

Here are both recipes with a few revisions from the previous version posted on my blog. Take note...the Sugar Free Davinci Syrups ALL contain a little Splenda. This is about the only exception to my 'no Splenda' thoughts. Very little is in the syrup to begin with and I only use a small amount in each serving...If I ever find a natural substitute for these flavors, I will use that..until then..it is what it is!!

I also have several other 'ice cream' flavor variations..like Strawberry Lemon, Strawberry Banana, Pineapple, and Orange Pineapple versions...Some of which I will post here and most all will be in my cookbook!

Enjoy!!

Strawberry 'Ice Cream' – (6WBM style)

This is really a frozen smoothie that came out so creamy, it tastes like Strawberry Ice Cream only without the cream and fat!!

Make these first:

Vanilla Puffs

I make these 6 at a time in my 6-loaf silicon baking dish.

12 egg whites
6 squirts clear vanilla (about 3 tsp.)
6 tsp. Splenda OR 1 Tablespoon Honey if you don't want to use the Splenda

Preheat oven to 400^o F. In medium mixing bowl, beat together all ingredients with hand mixer until stiff peaks form. Divide evenly into 6 loaf silicon baking dish. Bake for 12-13 minutes. Allow to cool for 2-3 minutes and then remove from pan. They should slip right out. Set aside and allow to cool. These can be made ahead and stored in the fridge.
Makes (6) puffs.

Each puff is : 2 oz. Protein A

Strawberry 'Ice Cream'

For each serving , use the following:
½ cup slightly thawed or fresh strawberries
½ tsp. clear vanilla OR Vanilla Sugar Free DaVinci Syrup
1 tsp. Torani White Chocolate Sugar Free Syrup
1 Vanilla Puff, torn into about 4-5 pieces

Using the Tall cup of the Magic Bullet (or blender), add ingredients in order given.
Using the whipping blade, whip until large chunks are all gone and mixture is smooth.
You may need to shake the cup while whipping to get everything blended together, but it will eventually all blend and get smooth! Whip for about 10 - 15 seconds more and then pour into plastic container with lid and freeze overnight. Repeat with remaining puffs if desired.

These taste better once they are completely set up and frozen. When you are ready to eat, allow to thaw slightly for easier scooping. I put mine in the fridge to thaw for a few hours and enjoy this as my PM snack! Comes out like soft serve strawberry ice cream!

Each serving is: 2 oz. Protein A
½ c. Fruit A

Mint Chocolate Chip 'Ice Cream'
(Living Lean version)

For each serving , use the following:
1/4 cup NSA applesauce
a splash of clear vanilla OR Vanilla Sugar Free DaVinci Syrup
7 Ghiardelli 60% Cacao Chocolate chips

1 tsp. Davinci Sugar Free Creme de Menthe Syrup

a splash of Davinci Sugar Free Peppermint Pattie Syrup

1 Vanilla Puff, torn into about 4-5 pieces

Using the Tall cup of the Magic Bullet (or blender), add ingredients in order given.
Using the whipping blade, whip until mixture is smooth.
You may need to shake the cup while whipping to get everything blended together, but it will eventually all blend and get smooth! Whip for about 10 - 15 seconds more and then pour into plastic container with lid and freeze overnight. Repeat with remaining puffs if desired.

These taste better once they are completely set up and frozen. When you are ready to eat, allow to thaw slightly for easier scooping. I put mine in the fridge to thaw for a few hours. Comes out like soft serve mint chocolate chip ice cream! Very refreshing snack for about 110 calories!!

It's March!!!

Well....
It's March!! Warm temperatures are just around the corner and they can't come soon enough for me!!

I am sooo ready to pop my bike off the trainer and get outside in the fresh air again! But until the temperature stays above 40 degrees day and night, I am riding indoors and walk/jogging outside when I can.

I have been busy working on my cookbook of my best fat burning recipes!! I have a few new ones that aren't posted on the blog yet. Oatmeal Cookies and Molasses Spice Cookies!!! The latter taste like my Gingersnap Muffins except in cookie form! They make great portable snacks!!

I am also including lots of other information in my cookbook so you can eat like me!! Healthy, nutritious AND delicious!!

Recipe revisions to eliminate all artificial sweeteners are progressing well....My applesauce recipe is just as yummy with a little bit of honey as it is with Splenda or regular sugar! And the Smokey Ketchup recipe works fine with that same substitution!!

And if I haven't said it lately - PLANKS ROCK!!
Once you start doing them, you will never do a regular ab crunch again!! You can absolutely see the difference after you do them for just a few weeks. But be advised....they really aren't for beginner exercisers or the severely overweight...But if you have been weight training for a while and haven't tried them, give them a shot!! They are harder then they look!!

I still need sponsors for my Tour de Cure ride in June. You can do this online at my Tour page.
My Tour Page - Thanks for your support!!

JG is leading the points after the first three NASCAR races!!! I see him in victory lane at Atlanta next Sunday...sooo close these past 2 weeks....gonna happen SOON!!! I can feel it!!!

And finally....
I have been thinking of my mom today...She would have been 72 years young today....still hard to believe she has been gone for over 15 years...I miss her every day...

Comments are always welcome!!!
Thanks for visiting!!

Jenny