Hats!

With the weatherman predicting the possibility of snow this weekend (SNOW?! in SEATTLE!?!) and the low on Monday may get down to 25 degrees, I've begun to dig out all my winter hats again. This has been my staple for the past year (and my husband wearing the hat I knitted for him!):

But I'm always on the hunt something new, something better! Here are some options:

Anthroplogie :: Doffed Cap
A bit of a splurge, but how darling is this?!
I can imagine my short bob poking out from behind this hat... So CUTE!

TwoSeasideBabes :: Womens Visor Buckle Beanie - Citron
Yellow! Bright, happy, cheery, and with a buckle, I love it!

colorscapedesigns :: Burgundy Bucket Hat
This is just too sweet! The ribbon really adds something to it.

TheMonkeyCannon :: GEEK CHIC bearded beanie
This is AWESOME!
Christmas gifts for next year maybe?

Chicken Taco Chili

Tonight is Taco Tuesday and my crockpot is on the kitchen cooking my Chicken Taco Chili to perfection!

Ingredients

• 1 bell pepper, chopped
  
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 package of frozen corn
  
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
  
• 1 can of tomato sauce
  
• 2 cans of diced tomatoes
• 1 can of black beans
• 1 can of kidney beans
  
• Packet of taco seasoning
  
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• 3 chicken breasts
  

Instructions

Add all ingredients to your crockpot, laying the chicken breast on top of everything else. Cover and cook on low for 10 hours. 30 minutes before serving take the chicken breasts out and shred them. Mix back into the chili, and let cook for another 30 minutes. Serve with tortillas, cheese, shredded lettuce, tomatoes and guacamole!

Serves 8, 5 points/serving (not including tortilla, cheese, and other add on's).

2011 Calendars

It's that time of year again when I start thinking about plans for the new year (only 1.5 months away!). I got lots of use out of my day planner this past year, with all the wedding related appointments, I'll probably need another one this year, just to stay in good habit.

katieblairdesigns:: 2011 screen printed calendar (Blue Sky)
So sunny and cheery! I'd be happy to display this year round!

aruricards:: 2011 Planner-Exercise Book
I love the design, I find it so inspirational!

cefn :: Perpetual Horizon Erasable Calendar - for 2011 and beyond
A modern twist on the dry erase board design. Clean, crisp, beautiful!

Annie42:: Matchbooks 2011 Calendars
I'm totally making some of these for stocking stuffer's this year!

SimpleShapes:: Unique Dry Erase Board Decal - Wall Calendar
I really want this on my wall, next to my desk at work.
The wall is a nice navy blue, I'd love to have the lettering in a cheery yellow-orange!

redstarINK:: one calendar. brown and blue
This would also be great for my office!

Urban Craft Uprising!

My FAVORITE bi-annual craft show is just around the corner:

Must have knitting supplies

If I had more free time I'd use every last minute of it knitting. If I had unlimited money I would buy a house and have a room entirely dedicated to storing all my yarn and knitting supplies, and I would have two rocking chairs. One would be out on the front porch, the other would be placed in front of our fireplace. I would then spend days working on an endless list of projects, creating heirlooms for every member of my family! It's something to aim for...

KnitterBag:: Knitting needles organizer holder - KITTY KITTY
Even if you've only known me 5 minutes,
you'd know this is right up my alley: cats, organization and knitting!

valentinearts:: Handspun Wool Yarn - Zombie BBQ
I just love the name 'Zombie BBQ'!
This would make a fun hat or pair of slippers.

JulieKnowlesPottery :: Yarn Bowl
Isn't this so creative? And so much prettier than
the small bags I usually keep my current projects in.

Succaplokki:: Puiccomitta-Needle gauge
Designed and made by a man from Finland, using recycled plastic.

rememberwynn:: Synthetic Suede Knitting Labels
These are beautiful, and could easily be used for much more than just knitting projects.
Imagine them printed up with my cute little 'KMA' logo. Oh, the possibilities!

jeanettejed:: Snag Free Stitch Markers
I'm always a sucker for rainbows, and these stitch markers
would be so helpful when knitting up a pair of socks.
Heck, they may even help me actually FINISH a pair of socks
(a feat I've yet to accomplish)!

Planning Ahead

Every year I tell myself to plan well in advance for Christmas. Don't be that crazed person who uses all of their December paycheck to buy last minute, cookie cutter gifts. Why is it I never listen to my own advice?!

This year I'm determined to make a change! Over the past few months I've been scouting out various tutorials on some of my favorite sites and come up with some pretty awesome projects. Now its just a matter of making some time to accomplish them...

The Purl Bee :: Spring Napkins
They call them "Spring" but I'm hoping for "All Season" Napkins
Maybe I'll make some in pretty primary colors...

Acornbud's Yarns :: Knitted Kitty
I have 3 kids under the age of two who I should be making things for.
This seems like a baby proof and super cute toy.
Not to mention super quick (I hope!)

funessa :: Recycled Sweater Blanket
I just wish we had a washer in our apartment so the
felting process would be more manageable...

Knit and Tonic :: Rag Quilt (PDF Tutorial)
I've got enough flannel at home currently to make 3 of these quilts!
Lets hope they go as quickly as the tutorial says...

Megan Mills :: Rib Slippers
I'm almost done with one slipper.
It went quickly, the pattern is simple enough,
but I doubt I'll be able to make it more than one pair this year.

Quotes

"The path you pick determines where you'll end up. What direction are you aiming for?"

"To accomplish great things, we must not only plan, but also believe."

"If you don't dare to begin, you don't stand a chance of getting where you want to be."

"Who makes it happen?"

Daily goals

• I will eat a healthy breakfast (including a fruit!) before leaving the house every morning.
• I will take my daily vitamins.
• I will drink 60+ oz of water everyday.
• I will eat a vegetable at both lunch and dinner.
• I will only eat out once a week.
• I will try a new recipe once a week.
• I will be active 30 minutes 5 days a week.
  

Before

Today is the beginning of the rest of my life. I will begin a new journey that will guide me to become more healthy, more fit, more happy and THIN! My best friend has been on Weight Watchers for the past several months and has encouraged me to join her once all the wedding mayhem has stopped. Mark and I have been back from Paris for less than a week, and I've been looking forward to my first WW meeting for a long while. I am ready!

This is my 'Before' photo. It was taken the morning of my wedding, while I was getting my makeup done and my hair was setting in curls. I think it is a beautiful photo. The lighting is wonderful, I'm happy, I look pretty, and I look fat. It's that simple. This is me at my heaviest: 302 lbs. (Yes interwebs, I'm publicly announced my true weight! I refused to be ashamed!)

Something has clicked (finally!) inside me, allowing me to (finally!) accept that I NEED to lose weight. And this time it's for the right reason: I'm doing this for myself! I want to be able to go shopping at any store without frustration. I want to be able to walk up a hill or flight of stairs and not be winded. I want to be able to one day have kids and be able to play with them! I'm ready for life and I'm ready for this journey. Bring it!

cat versus human

My new favorite blog: cat versus human! It's like she's drawing the cartoons from my life sometimes!