just keep swimming.

i am not the type of person that goes broadcasting when i have bad days. usually, only those people really close to me are "privileged" enough to see that side of me. everyone else just sees the happy, smiling, bubbly person.
(today was a not-so-fantastic day)
just one of those days that you muddle through. 
one of those days when nothing feels good.
one of those days when you feel stuck. and unproductive...
one of those days that your bed is the only place in the whole wide world that you want to go, and yet it is the last place that you can be. because you are running in about a gajillion other directions. (yup. that was me today.)


so, in honor of those no-so-stellar days: 
http://youtu.be/gH476CxJxfg

i have a new obsession.
now i just have to figure out how to make them. (and possibly learn how to knit in the process...)


i am super ready for fall baking!!!
i love the smells, the tastes, the colors... pretty much everything except for the wind. (i can actually handle the cold. even in a wasteland such as rexburg. it's just the cold. i swear it seeps into your very soul...)
here is a perfect (and potentially healthy) snack to get you into the fall mood:

{yum.}

{Pumpkin Pie Dip} (from skinnytaste.com via pinterest)

• 15 oz can pumpkin
• 3/4 cup brown sugar (Splenda would work too)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or more to taste)
• 6 oz fat free Greek yogurt
• 8 oz cool whip free
• cut up apples to dip (extra points)

Mix pumpkin with brown sugar, vanilla and spices, blend well. Mix in yogurt. Fold in cool whip and chill in refrigerator until ready to eat.
Makes about 6 cups.

tomorrow's gonna be a good one.
i can just feel it. :)

***
May you live all the days of your life.
Jonathan Swift

Yes. I know. I can't do anything consistently.

That IS why this blog has its very particular name.

Just in case you didn't get that memo.

BUT I did do something very exciting! I crocheted my first cowl!

I think it turned out pretty fantastic.

Not to toot my own horn or anything... ;)

By the way. I am not a model.

Just to avoid any confusion you might be having concerning my um... skills.

Talk about AWKWARD!

This little beauty is from a pattern I found when I was trying to decide what to do with a massive amount of yarn that I have been accumulating over the past several years (no joke!)... I followed the pattern pretty much exactly, but I just ended it early, so it isn't quite as full as the one in the pattern. I also just used super saver yarn that I bought at walmart (I doubled the strands to make it more bulky) AND I TELL YOU WHAT! This thing is a B.E.A.U-TIFUL thing! Especially in the ridiculously cold weather of late.

Everyone I know is jealous of my cowl.

*Smug grin*

And mustard yellow?!

How much more awesome and sunny can you get???

It makes me super happy on this cold, grey day.

(It snowed ALL day...)

Dear sun, I miss you. Can we hang out again soon?

And now for the main event!

Convertable Cowl

Materials:

plymouth yarn baby alpaca grande (110yds)

220 yds, 2 skeins in your choice of color

yarn needle

10mm (N) hook

stitch marker

Overview.

You will be crocheting in the round.

You will join but not turn.

Mark the beginning of each row with a row marker.

Guage:

If working with a different yarn than recommded, make sure that your beginning chain will fit over your head leaving plenty of extra room. Remember that you want your cowl to be loose enough to pull up as a hood and still give plenty of coverage around your neck.

Steps:

Chain 55 and join with a sl st into back of chain (do not twist chain).

Row 1: Ch 1, (working in back of chain) Sc in same Ch as joining. Mark stitch. Sc in each chain around and join to marked stitch (do not twist chain).

Row 2: Ch 2, (counts as first Dc), skip st and Dc in each Sc around. Join with sl st to top of Ch 2. (55 Dc)

Row 3: Ch 1, (counts as first Hdc), skip st and Hdc in each around. Join with sl st to top of Ch 1. (55 Hdc)

Row 4: Ch 2, (counts as first Dc), skip st and Dc in each Hdc around. Join with sl st to top of Ch 2. (55 Dc)

Rows 5-6: Repeat row 4

Row 7: Repeat row 3

Row 8: Repeat row 4

Row 9: Ch 1, Sc in each Dc around. Join with sl st to Ch 1.

Rows 10-17 repeat rows 2-9

Rows 18-23 repeats rows 2-7

Fasten off.

I actually just went to row 15 or 16... I didn't want mine to get too big and bulky.

It's perfect for wearing on top of a shirt and it still fits inside of a jacket and keeps my neck nice and cozy warm!

http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Hats-Scarves-Gloves/Crochet-Convertible-Cowl#

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I want to think about what I am thankful for this year!

Today I am thankful for snow. And for hot chocolate and thick socks.