That’s a pretty good combination, isn’t it? First the cashmere show and tell. Elf Roberta knit up this beautiful scarf for her sister-in-law out of Sweet Georgia’s CashSilk Lace in the Summer Skin color. The pattern is Felicia’s CashSilk Fern Lace Scarf, which is free on Ravelry. It uses just one skein. I can tell you, it turns into a beautiful, lightweight luxurious scarf. I think that pattern would also look beautiful done up in fingering weight yarn – something like Madelinetosh Sock or Three Irish Glenhaven Cashmerino Fingering.
We tried a new dessert recipe at our house last week. It’s similar to this one (in a rather anemic looking photo) that I’ve shared with you before, but with the addition of peanut butter. YUM.
Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle
1 brownie mix (for 9 x 13 pan) + eggs, oil, water
1 large containter Cool Whip
2 large boxes of instant chocolate pudding
(prepare each box as directed, as you assemble)
1 bag of peanut butter cups, chopped
3/4 cup of smooth peanut butter
1 (8 oz) pck. cream cheese
3/4 cup powdered sugar
Bake the brownies as directed and let cool. When cool, cute them into bite-sized pieces.
Put the cream cheese in a mixing bowl and add the peanut butter and powdered sugar. Beat until well mixed and smooth. Fold in 1 cup of Cool whip.
Assemble the layers:
1/2 of the brownies
1 box of the pudding prepared as directed and not yet set
1 cup of chopped peanut butter cups
peanut butter/cream cheese/Cool Whip mixture (use the whole thing on this layer)
1/2 of the brownies
1 box of the pudding prepared as directed and not yet set
Frost with the rest of the plain Cool Whip
Top with remaining chopped peanut butter cups
Let set for a few hours (or overnight) and enjoy.
It was fun to read all of your comments on last Friday’s blog post. We’re so glad to have you all here with us on our Sixth Anniversary! I used the Random Number Generator to pick a winner from last week’s comments. The skein of Wollmeise Lace goes to Kimberly in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Congratulations, Kim!
We have another contest this week (since it’s our anniversary month, you know). This week’s question: What’s the best book you’ve read or movie you’ve seen this summer? (I’m looking to add to my book and movie lineup as we move into the fall.) Since this is our second contest of the month, we’ll be giving away two prizes – two of our Sixth Anniversary Kits, which will be making their debut next week. Leave your answers in the comments below and we’ll draw the winners next week!
Sheri goodgrief.OperaonthePandorastation.AbitmuchforFridayAfternoon.
I too never seem to make it to the movies anymore. Thank goodness for Netflix! I did finish the book Cutting for Stone and it was quite good! Now I need to write down what everyone else read for ideas!
The best book I’ve read this summer was probably Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers. I can’t recommend it without reservations, though, since it does have some innuendo and so on.
I read Song of the Red Sparrow-Book one On Angels’ Wings, it was written by a friend of mine, and book two just came out, so it is next on the list.
Hope I’m not to late to enter the contest. I finished Steve Job’s biography. It was a bit long, but very interesting and insightful.
I just finished the Dark Is Rising Series by Susan Cooper. I am starting to think that the teen writers are doing a better job than adult content writers.I also thoroughly enjoyed the move “The Help”. But my go to movie for knitting is “Down Periscope” with Kelsey Grammer.
I just finished the Dark Is Rising Series by Susan Cooper. I am starting to think that the teen writers are doing a better job than adult content writers.I also thoroughly enjoyed the move “The Help”. But my go to movie for knitting is “Down Periscope” with Kelsey Grammer.
Favorite book this summer Miss Peregrine’s Home for Pecular Children, Ransom Riggs. NY Times best seller. From the fly: “Mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very Pecular photographs.” along the same genre as Night Circus, Morgenstern. Good movie: Red Tails. Nice easy watching .
I live the Dorothy Gilman series about Mrs. Pollifax. They’re from the 1970-80’s but you can find them any library I’m sure they’re also fantastic book on tapes. Then you can “read” and knit!
Happy anniversary!
Movie – life is beautiful
I saw Woody Allen’s latest film, “Rome With Love” over the summer. It’s a fun one. Totally worthwhile for the beautiful Italian scenery alone!
Princess of the Midnight Ball was great. It’s a take off on a fairy tale with a hero that knits!!! This sweet story is in children’s literature.
Movie – life is beautiful
Book – Keeper of lost causes
The best movie I’ve seen this summer was Brave. I had to quickly wipe away my tears before my daughters caught me. I must have gotten popcorn dust in my eyes!
For books, I’ve been reading the Mary Russell series by Laurie King. She starts out as a young apprentice of Sherlock Holmes and eventually becomes his wife. The great thing these books have done is lead me to other reading, like the complete Sherlock Holmes adventures and even Kipling’s Kim because the author puts all these little teasers from these other books. I highly recommend the Mary Russell books.
This summer my hubby and I both watched a couple of good movies. One was, “I Bought a Zoo.” The other was “Act of Valor.” I just finished reading the book, “Stepping into Sunlight,” by Sharon Hinck. It’s a novel. It’s an excellent book. I had never heard of it, but the Frugal Girls had it posted for a free download. I don’t own a Kindle, so I download them onto my laptop. It works great!
Happy 6th Anniversary!!! š
As a comic book nerd, I have to say Batman Rises was a fantastic end to the trilogy by Christopher Nolan.
Books? I’ve spent most of the summer working my way through Crime and Punishment. Finally finished it, so I can move on to something a bit lighter and more entertaining. Maybe I’ll take some suggestions from above!
I have to say the best book this summer was A Discovery of Witches. Think ‘ Twilight ‘ for intelligent grownups! Best movie: Salmon Fishing on the River Yemen. Excellent, thoughtful and gentle.
Lissa š
I’m a bit behind the times…but maybe you missed this one too? I saw The Artist on DVD. I loved it and look forward to watching again. So much symbolism. So much fun to watch with my family.
Happy 6th Anniversary! Here’s to many more!
World War Z was the best book. I couldn’t get into it at first, but then I started to realize what it would be like if there was a zombie apocalypse.
The best movie was The Avengers!
I just finished “Room” by Emma Donoghue, I fell in love with the little boy, and hated to see it end. I was glad to see the recommendation in the blog for “Wolf Hall” and “Bring up the Bodies”, I have read all of Phillippa Gregory’s books about Henry the VIII life and I am sure I will enjoy these by a different author. The best book of all time was “Cutting for Stone”, a wonderful book. Currently reading” 50 Shades of Grey”, curiosity got the best of me, not far enough into it to critique it.
I don’t go to many movies, see a few on Netflix, the last one I saw was “War Horse” and it was very good.
I read The Centurion’s Wife by Davis Bunn and Jannette Oke and loved it!
Favorite book – War Brides by Helen Bryan.
Haven’t seen any movies this summer. Too busy! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!
The Hunger Games was my fav. movie so far. In fact I am planning on buying the DVD when it comes out this weekend. Loved the books also from the trilogy…
Best book I’ve read all summer–has to be the Fifty Shades of Grey phenom. Even though it is poorly written, complete dribble, and super porno, it’s a loin-burner, and everyone needs a good loin-burner every now and then!
Movie: Brave, with my daughter
Book: The Pursuit of Happiness by Douglas Kennedy
Book: The Strain Trilogy (because vampires do NOT sparkle.)
Audiobook: The Help (4 actresses read the book – love that!)
Movie: The Warrior’s Way (kung fu western – awesome!)
TV Show: Downton Abbey (outstanding!)
i’m not a movie watcher, but an avid reader … a book trader. have just finished nora roberts ‘high noon’, a light thriller without a whole lot of blood and guts and am now reading clive cussler’s ‘polar shift’ marine adventure and have dana stabenow’s ‘though not dead’, murder and mayhem alaska style, waiting. hope you find a pile of good books for your reading enjoyment!
Just read The Neverending Story. Not at all like the movie…well maybe a little like the movie. I loved it!
Hello
I really loved “My Life in Stitches” by Rachael Herron. A great read. Moving, funny, and it’s got knitting š
(Goodstuff on Rav)
In One Person by John Irving. As always, he can ramble but his stories are always rich in detail with layers of meaning. This particular book is his first in a while that challenges politics and the status quo, and really makes you examine your perceptions about people, gender, sexuality, and human kindness. We listened to it in audio format (checked out from the library) on our road trip from Wisconsin to Virginia and back. He manages to deal with very sensitive topics in a way that is classy and poignant.
With a 1.5 year old, I don’t get a lot of reading done. It interferes with my knitting in the evening and knitting gets my top priority in my free time. My husband and I finally saw The Help on dvd and loved it. I also recently saw Hope Springs and really liked it. I love Meryl Streep. š
Books would have to be The hunger games trilogy and abrahm lincoln vampire hunter.
Movie was for sure the dark knight rises
Movie? Um, haven’t seen one in an age. However, I’ll submit two books! One was Water for Elephants, the other the audiobook version of Craig Johnson’s The Dark Horse. I was able to listen to that while I spun, plied and knit a project that HAD to get done by today–and I did it!
The ONLY book I’ve read this summer was “Wild” and I tried to slog through “Fifty Shades of Grey” but it was just too stupid. I saw the movie “Moonlight Kingdom” which was really unique and quite creative. I think it is the movie I remember most from the dozens (really) I have seen this summer.
I have read a lot of great books this summer. The Hunger Games trilogy is definitely a must-read. Left Neglected by Lisa Genova (I believe) is another great, thought-provoking read.
Also, that peanut butter brownie trifle looks delicious!
I don’t know if I could call it my “favorite” but the book that I keep thinking about over and over is The Book Thief. I haven’t been to any movies.
Ender’s Game is a great sci fic book. I listened to it on CD this summer.
I loved The Dark Knight Rises. Wonderful ending to a wonderful trilogy. As for books, I haven’t read many, and what I do read isn’t exactly on the bestseller list. A nonfiction book I would recommend is _Zeitoun_ by Dave Eggers. It’s about one family’s experiences before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina, with part of those experiences being due to the fact that the protagonist happens to be a Syrian American Muslim names Abdelrahman Zeitoun. Will make you gnash your teeth in parts, but also marvel at the human spirit.
Book: ‘Defending Jacob’ (runner up ‘Gone Girl’)
Movie: ‘Moonri Kingdom’
i’m really enjoying the game of thrones novels. vive le loopy ewe!
Well book reading hasn’t happened unless when surfing patterns and blogs count? ! Didn’t think so.
:o) However, my hubby and I went to the movies for our 12th anniversary on July 29th and saw the movie “Ted”. I can honestly say that I have NEVER laughed so hard, for so long, complete with laughter tears, in my entire life!!!!!! (I ‘m 41!) It was so darn funny! Shocking, crude at times, but so blissfully funny!!! I wanted to turn right back around, find another place to sit AND watch it all over again! Man, too funny!! I know I choked or snorted my diet coke a time or two for a well placed scene as I was taking a drink. It just couldn’t be helped. I hope ya’ll get to experience this movie and get that kind of healing laughter, too.
I’m woefully behind on current movies and books, but I recently watched one of my favorite movies again – The Visitor. And I finally got around to seeing Thomas McCarthy’s directorial debut, The Station Agent, which I also loved.
I just got a Roku and now I can watch streaming movies on my tv. Time to cue up all the costume dramas!
Haven’t watched many newly released movies this year, and none that were outstanding, imo.
I did just finish a very good, particularly for a history buff, Rise to Rebellion by Jeff Shaara. If you enjoy the era of the American Revolution, this novel is worth reading!
I loved “Shanghai Girls” by Lisa See so much I immediately bought the sequel and read that in a day; she also wrote “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan”.
The Innocent by David Baldacci
The best movie I have seen this summer is The Intouchables. It’s based on a true story about the unlikely relationaship between a quadripilegic millionaire and his home care giver. It’s French subtitled.
As for books, I’ve been reading a couple of the books from the Isabel Dalhousie series by Alexander McCall Smith. I love all his books, and this series is a little more serious than his others, but still very enjoyable.
The Kitchen Help is an excellent read!
My favorite book so far this year (and series, actually – I have read them all now) – is Spider’s Bite, by Jennifer Estep. It is part of her Elemental Assassins series – fun urban fantasy with a sassy, strong female lead character.
The best book I read this summer is “A Discovery of Witches”, by Deborah Harkness. I was such a refreshing spin on some old concepts and very well written. I am currently in the middle of the second book by the same author, “Shadow of Night”.