What I Did During My Summer Vacation

While I was getting ready to travel, one thing I planned (probably better than the rest of my trip) was what knitting to take. I started a shawl just before we left and I knitted during much of the 17-hour drive west. I knitted a little most days I was out there, usually before anyone else woke up. I knitted in the airport as I made my way home. And I knitted at the lake last week. All those little dabs of time here and there added up. The shawl is done. If I counted correctly, this shawl was knitted in six different states! Now I'll have to wait for cool weather so that I can wear it.

Pattern:  Aestlight Shawl

Yarn:  Dream In Color Smooshy

Needles:  Size 6

While I was in the midwest (I know they claim to be "south" but it's not), I also managed to whip out a baby hat and ship it to Jessica just in time for a baby shower for a co-worker. 

Pattern:  Kid's Fruit Hat by Ann Norling

Yarn:  Debbie Bliss Cashmerino

Needles: Size 6

And Jessica made one of our favorite party treats for the baby shower. We got the recipe from her college roommate. It's an easy recipe and makes enough for a party. They are somewhere between a cupcake and a brownie. Can't go wrong with that combination. The roommate didn't have a name for the recipe, so we named them after her!

LIBBY’S FUDGY NUTTY CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

4 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate

2 sticks butter or margarine

¼ tsp. butter flavoring

1-1/2 cups chopped nuts

1-3/4 cups sugar

1 cup plain flour

4 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

Melt chocolate, margarine.  Stir in nuts and butter flavoring.

Mix sugar, flour, eggs and vanilla. 

Add chocolate mixture and fold together.

Add paper liners to mini- muffin pans. Fill with batter.  

Bake at 325 degrees for 35 minutes.  (It usually doesn’t take 35 minutes for them to bake, especially if you make miniature cupcakes.  It’s best to check with a toothpick to see if they’re done starting at about 25 minutes.)

Yield:  about 5 dozen miniature cupcakes

You should really try these. It's a "bet you can't eat just one" kind of recipe.