The new norm

 Hello,

Almost a year into pandemic and was hoping that would be finished already, I think we all feel this way. Or is it just me? Anyways... What to write about, um... As some of you know - I work in the education field in Communication Behavior (CB) class setting. Most of students have autism. We have not taught inside a school building for almost a year now. Since September, I taught online - wow, didn't think that was going to work. But really for the most part, its working for some kids. We are in development of going back to the building by mid-March for some then maybe Hybrid model by April of all. I feel like I am doing so much more on my end then before, I wish the families would get it. Some think its easy for us puff things up but its not. Ok enough work talk.

Cross Stitch talking now (: So in the year 2020 since most of 2020 I couldn't work - I did get a lot of cross-stitching finished or started (later, mostly). I completed over 30 projects - my goal for 2021 since I am working and trying clean out my house of 40+ years of living - My goal is to complete 20 projects (that's including framing and/or sewing). 

Ok inserting some pictures of my loves here 

Cross Stitching more

Hello,

I am not a blogger - its been two years since my last post. I completely don't knit no more. I found a new love in cross stitching. I will try to link some pictures.

Stitching

Can not believe its fours year since my last post. Tons of changes happened.
My cousin now have two kiddos: Lily and Liam. However, my father and grandmother both passed away early last year about 50 days apart. I do not knit much anymore, two reasons mostly it was getting to expensive. I took up Cross Stitching again and love it.

April Showers

I cant believe its been almost a year since I last wrote. My health finally has improved since last time. I still get sick time to time but not as often. I figuring out my new Celiac lifestyle and its getting better every month.
Here are a few things I looking forward to this year or basically this summer!
1. A baby - my cousin is having a baby and I can't wait to spoil the future Lily Bean. I hope that I might travel East to see her.
2. Sewing - I love the craft of sewing. I going to make some pillows, totes, pencil pouches, and clutches and sell them on Etsy or Ebay. I will let you know when that happens.
3. Going back to college - I thought I was done with that - but nope now I have to go for work again. But I can take whatever I want so I might take some fun classes.

Almost June

So I am about the rant. That is what blogs are for - Ok

So this year can't get over fast enough - I am sick of it - And maybe its because for most of this school year since August _ I been sick one way or another. Most of my friends and family are thinking WTF by now. I am not making it up - I really been sick. From August to December I had a stomach bug that was actually celiac disease. From January to Now its been me adjusting to a new diet and still being sick. My body doesn't defend for itself anymore so I have take medicines to help - but like Sharla fashion I forget to take them and takes causes problems. The latest issue is bronchitis which I know the medicine for that is going to make me sick before I feel better. I just want to feel myself again - I am so tired of being sick. So I guess I need put my pills into a daily reminder organizer and take the pills - even if they mostly vitamins.

Okay as promise here is my recipe for my Chili Pie - Oh so good -

First things first Cresent Roll Pie Crust - Oh yeah baby!!!
1 glass pie dish (the one you would use for apple, cherry or whatever pie)
2 cresent rolls (use the oven setting and pre-heat oven now and when you pop pie in oven use the bake time for pie as well).
Layers cresents onto pie dish - making sure you cant see glass no more - it okay to go over dish and I will tell you why later (:
What you dont use on bottom will go on top of chili later - Just chillax
Making the chili
In Large flying pan (and I mean Large people) add the following
2 T of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
1 meduim onion chopped/diced to no recognition
4 cloves of garlic chopped or 3 T of garlic chopped (that can that you find in the produce aisle)
Cook these until onions are carmelized (golden brown - not burnt - geez)
OK the fun part:)
1 roll of sage or italian sausage or 16oz (1pd) of sausage. Roll works best because I cut and drop into pan as I go Making sure its cooked prior to adding Ground beef
1 pound (less/more) of ground beef - I like to use any ground less than 15% of fat _ Brown it - Cook it - Ecoli doesnt happen here - yikes
Now we are cooking - dip into some wine or choclate or BOTH
Add 1 pkg of standard chili mix!!!  but I like Carroll Shellbys Original Chili Mix - I use only the chili part and sometime the Mesa flour. only need 1 T of mix and save the rest for another pie or three - yes you can make up to 3 more pies w/ Shellbys
add some water enough so it doesnt start burning up the kitchen - 3 T worth - or if you using packet pour water into pack and pour in pan (:
add 1 can of tomato sauce (medium size) and 1 can on tomato paste (small size)
add 1 or 2 cans of kidney beans -DRAIN/RINSED if you like me, dad and mom we like our beans so its 2 for us.
1 small can of corn (opinional) DRAINED ONLY
1 small can of diced green chilis or if you are so brave yes you are 2 real jalpanos diced-chopped w/o seeds.
1 head of Cilantro - leaves only chopped and diced
Okay time to pour this mess into cresent roll pie dish
smooth top and add the rest of cresent rolls - like you would for cherry pie leaving pie open to breathe
BAKE for 14 minutes at 375 (or whatever the cresent roll say) - when the top of crust is golden brown you know its done - I put dish on a cookie sheet just in case the chili wants to bubble out of pie dish - yes it does like to do that ): sad cleanup in oven might be needed...
ENJOY

What Happened?

So I can't believe that I haven't posted since April. Lots Happened since then too. For one I graduated college - Yahoo. Lots of hard work finally paid off and now I am paying it off, lol.
My 30 year high school reunion was this summer. Yet it was let HS again. Dorks and loners here and smarts, clicks, and athletes over here. I did manage to have a okay time but I feel like the loners and dorks like me need there own HS reunion where they feel more welcome vs. unwanted. At the end of summer I got a weird stomach bug that never gone away - Yes still dealing with it - got medical specialist now - so we will see.
So I finally got bored and refound a new hobby. I loved cross stitching back in the day and I picked it up sort-of again. I discovered what is called redwork which is crossover of cross stitching except there no barely x's and there is typically only one color - RED typically hince the name. But most are finished on fabric. So I decided I needed to learn to sew. So I took a class and fell in love with it. So now I am tote bag - pillow making queen.

Its Spring

Finally able to get outside and plant veggies. Plus in few short days I will be walking down to graduation with BS in human development.

Its A New Year 2012

Its hard to believe that 2011 is finsihed. This year went by fast for me. I am basically finished with my BS degree at WPC and now waiting to see if I get into MAT programs. Got an interview for it and I am keeping my fingers crossed.In the meantime, I not letting things slide; I taking a science credit and 1 more class for BS. I can breathe again after the end of March.
I am not going to make any New Year Promises; I know that I will just break them in less than 10 days. I just will do theses things:
College until 2013 hopefully (:
gardening
knitting
cooking
and travel out of state (if no college in the summer)

The Big Wave Scarf

Although I am not finish yet...I wanted to post this scarf as it is basically the same as Catch the Wave Scarf...only bigger.

The same abbreviations apply for The Big Wave Scarf
CF - take two live sts off left needle and put them on holder in front of work, knit two from left needle then knit live sts from holder.

worsted weight yarn. I used lana bambu (1 skein). Needle size 9 but can use any size.

CO 29

knit 6 rows

Setup row: K5, *k4, p1* 2x, k9
all odd K5, *P4, k1* 2x, p4, k5
row 2: K5, CF, *k1, p1* 1x, k9
row 4: K5, *CF, p1* 1x, k4, p1, k9
row 6: K9, *p1, CF* 1x, k9
row 8: K9, p1, k4, p1, CF, p1, CF, k5
row 10: K9, *p1, k4* 1x, p1, CF, k5
row 12: K9, *p1, k4* 2x, k5
row 13: odd

2x – repeat 2 more times
1x – repeat 1 more time

Repeat rows 2 – 13 until length desired

Catch the Wave

I am very excited that I can knit again. I started this scarf one day at the beach last summer but never had time to finish it. Now that I got a break from college for three months I can put my knitting needles back in my hands.

Here is the Catch the Wave pattern (enjoy):

using worsted weight or heavy worsted weight
I used lana bambu (1 skein).
no need to gauge, its a scarf...after all!

needle size can range from 8-11 (I used 9)
cable holder (or I used place marker; If you like me use a place marker, put 2 live sts on hold front then knit two from needle then slide live sts back on left needle.


abbreviation used:
CF = put 2 stitches in front, knit two from left needle then knit two from cable holder

CO 20
knit 4 rows
set up row: k6,p1,k4,p1,k6
row 1 and all odd rows will be: k3,p4,k1,p4,k1,p4,k3
row 2: k3, CF, p1, k4, p1, k4, k3
row 3: odd
row 4: k3, CF, p1, CF, p1, k4, k3
row 5: odd
row 6: k3, k4, p1, CF, p1, CF, k3
row 7: odd
row 8: k3, k4, p1, k4, p1, CF, k3
row 9: odd
row10: k3, k4, p1, k4, p1, k4, k3
row11: odd
row12: k3, k4, p1, k4, p1, k4, k3
row13: odd
repeat row 2 to row 13 until length desired
finshing on a row 12.
then knit 4 rows again and bind off.
Enjoy the short wave...I am currently working on a wider wave scarf that will have CO 29 and set up row of: k5, k4, p1, k4, p1, k4, p1, k4, k5.

3 bean salad

I made this delicious recipe from Penzey Spice Co. today. So here is the recipe; Sharla sytle. And it only took me less than five minutes to make because I only needed to cut the onion and open and drain beans.

1 can black bean
1 can pinto bean
1 can kidney bean
1 can of corn or 2 ears fresh
rinse and drain beans/corn
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic or 1 tbspn of chopped garlic
1 bell pepper any color (I used left over red and green)

stir together
adding abt 1/2 c of EVOO, 1/4 c of red wine vine, 2 tbspn of lemon or lime juice
spices from Penzey - ues your judgement
Aleppo (or red pepper), Epazote (or Cilantro), California Pepper (or Ground pepper) and salt (very lite).

This recipe should be made in advance - like a day before or morning of the meal.

I am seeing green

Yes finally my tomatoes are putting on little greenies. my cumbs and zunks [cucumbers and zucchini)are going too. I will try to get photos posted later.

Other news: What secular film would you see?
Plus if you could makeup a religion what it be based on?

Survey says

I am on 6 classes away for graduation. My current class has me looking into the interesting topic of job security. It important to my presentation to do this survey linked here http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KCBMVNT
It very painless - I promised.

Double Rim Hat

Yarn: I used two skeins of Cascade 220 with 2 strands held together.
Gauge: 4 to 4.5 stitches per inch.
Needles: Size 10 cast on only; if you are like me I attend to cast on tightly. Two size 8-16 inch and one size 9-16 inch and double points or 32+ inch circular.
Cast on 80 stitches on size 10 then switch to size 8 being careful not to twist. Knit ribbing (2 by 2) for 3 to 4 inches from cast on. Leave on needle and make another same length.
Joining the Rims together: Get up and get a cup of … and get ready for doubling up
Now for the fun part! Joining the rims it’s not hard… just take your time.
Follow these steps
1. With one rim under the other
2. You are basically going to knit two stitches together only the stitches are on two needles. Knit into the front rim first then the back rim at the same time pulling yarn through the stitches then dropping the two old stitches and putting the new stitch on right side. Keep going around knit the knits and purl the purls together.
3. You should still have 80 stitches still and the rim should be finished.
4. Switch to size 9 16 now for next 5 inches continue ribbing (2 by 2) pattern as established.
5. I continued decrease section for a hat if you rather knit after the ribbing rim. SEE BELOW

Decreasing as follows: You may not finish complete repeats for all the decrease rows.
1. *Knit 2, Purl 2, knit 2, then purl 2 together* repeat to end
2. Continue new rib knit the knits and purl the purls for 3 rows (*knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, purl 1*)
3. *knit 2, purl 2 together, knit 2, purl 1* repeat to end
4. Continue new rib knit the knits and purl the purls for 3 rows (*knit 2, purl 1*)
5. *knit 2, purl 1, knit 2 together* repeat to end.
6. Continue new rib knit the knits and purl the purls for 2 rows (*knit 2, purl, knit 1*)
7. *knit 2 together, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1* repeat to end.
8. Continue new rib knit the knits and purl the purls for 2 rows (*knit 1, purl 1*)
9. *knit 1, purl 3 together* repeat to end
10. Continue new rib knit 1, purl 1 once.
11. Next row *knit, purl 3 together* repeat to end. You now should less than 12 stitches.
12. Next row knit two stitches together until end.
13. Cut yarn leaving a nice tail.
14. Using a darning needle go into all stitches and when finished pull tightly to close hole.
15. Take the needle and go through the middle of the hole and weave in yarn and cut.
16. ENJOY your hat.

 IF you decided to knit instead of ribbing after rim do decreases like this
1. Knit until you have 5 inches from cast on edge. Next row place decrease markers every ten stitches.
2. Decrease row: *knit 8 then knit 2 together, slip marker (sm)* repeat to end.
3. Knit three rows
4. Decrease row: *knit 7 then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end.
5. Knit three rows
6. Decrease row: *knit 6 then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end.
7. Knit two rows
8. Decrease row: *knit 5 then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end.
9. Knit two rows
10. Decrease row: *knit 4 then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end.
11. Knit once
12. Decrease row: *knit 3 then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end.
13. Knit once
14. Decrease row: *knit 2 then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end.
15. Decrease row: *knit 1, then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end. Next row remove markers.
16. Decrease row: *knit 2 together* to end and removing markers.
17. Decrease row: *knit 2 together* to end. Now cut yarn leaving a nice tail to weave last stitches.

OMG my spine!!!

OK, I thought it was my back or another kidney stone...oh I wish. Its my spine, I pulled a disc out of place. I not idea how that happened!!!

Umm books maybe, stress yeah got that in spades but gardening for the first time probably not. But here is the good news!!!
I have been knitting feverishly...made baskets for my cousins kiddos and a hat for dad. The hat is one of my own designs, I am hoping that I call maybe sell my patterns some day.

The other foto is my cat getting caught in a bag...She loves it after I got shopping and hops in the bag. She prefers paper please, lol (:

Spring Brake

Yahoo for Breaks right? Yes I realize I didnt spell break right above but I brake something everytime and just like cloak work it was my back. The only good things is that thier is onions, lettuce, radishes, paes, beans, turnips, beets, chard, and spinach seeds in the ground.
Maybe a photo to come soon of my good deeds.
So what now...ummm
Well their is knitted two easter baskets for cousins children. Reading books for fun instead of required textbook reading which yeah I will have to do by Saturday. No avoiding the elephant of homework that is due on soon.

I hope that I can get some needed rest realaxtion and spending time with friends.

Mountains

All was quiet in the dark sky
The snow was glittering and
river were flowing
the mountain heart beats on
like a drum on its side
trees are few
but they share this space
and when all is said and done
my ink runs dead

New Beginnings

Its only right that this should titled that. We all hope for new beginnings at the New Year. I so want that too. I hoping for good things to come, although some will be harder to grab into and other easier.
One thing is for sure, I am making this easier for me this year. I starting weight watchers with dad. It will be easier with a support system. Also I staying focus thru the fog. I will finish and have BSHD even if I have to go crazy for the rest of this year to do it. Third relationships! I am going to keep track of my friends this coming year. I feel like I haven't done my best job of balancing college and relationships between myself and those I love most. While I am working on this my own relationship with other people will be broaden; I will date and be happy. The leaves work, I love the kids, hate some of grown ups. Its a challenge that I most face in everyday life, yes life sucks eggs once in awhile. But thru the dust there is light. I can barely see it now, but I feel like this year I will be holding into the light for me and others around me to see.
Ok enough of that! Moving on. I knitted this beautiful sweaters for my youngest 2nd cousins. I hope they will enjoy them in the New Year. Luv SHARLA xoxo

2010 a year that I slowly won't forget. It started with me recovering from surgery. Then drifted into my pursuit to return to college. With my dream half realize, my hands and eyes tired from studying or writing, and bigger dreams to come. Makes me realize that I can do it. I won't say this year has been easy because, yes I thought about quitting but I keep thinking of what I want and how to achieve that! The only way is to continue and believe in myself. I have one more year to completing this part of my vision quest. In a way my realization isn't any different than Jonathan T. in the book called "A tribe Apart". Where he goes to the wilderness. For he its a rite of passage. Something that he must do as a Native American. The only differnce my vision came back to me at the hospital four days versus hiking into solitude for four day. Like Jonathan my vision made me realize what was important, not to take those around me for granted. Jon did not like when his mother offered him two loaves of bread, she know that he needed to fast, but he compromised and took one loaf. As he sat one day and made a meal and realize how bad it was, he took his loaf a bread and ate some, he realize how foolish he was and then thought about how he has been acting around his mother lately, especially when it came to discussing college.