Wonderling

Along with the new gmail themes I discovered a plethora of other gmail goodies. Maybe I'm slow on the uptake, but still, these are pretty cool. 

Attachment reminder: if the word "attachment" is typed into your email and you haven't actually attached anything gmail will prompt you for an attachment before sending the email (I wish my work email had that!)

Gmail goggles: for people who send regrettable late night emails. You have to pass a quiz in order for the email to be sent. If you don't pass the email will be saved as a draft. 

Customized nav items: rearrange the sidebar items to your liking

Old Snaky: play the old pixelated game of snake by typing a shortcut!

- all of these options can be found in google labs. 

Wild Dogs

With it being a holiday week work is a bit slow, but I've found ways to entertain (and educate!) myself oneline. This flickr group about wild dogs is pretty awesome. Here are some of my favorites

Smores....yummm

Now that it's really getting cold here I'm starting to think of warm, comforting foods. I think smores would really hit the spot! If you've ever tried to make smores on your stove or in your microwave you'll know how messy/not fun it is, but this handy gadget makes it quick and easy! 

Changing it up

I've been wanting to do something with my hair for a while. Since I'm growing it out coloring it was pretty much my only option. So that's what I did with my friday night :)

Before

After. 

I was trying to get a picture in "natural light", but it was kind of bright outside so I'm making the worlds best face :) I didn't like the color at first, but then I lightened my eyebrows and liked it much better. 

Mug of Cake!

I've seen several posts about making chocolate cake in a mug in the microwave and every time I tell myself to try it out, but just keep forgetting. I finally remembered tonight. It smelled SO good....but the texture was certainly not expected...sort of a spongy/rubbery texture. I wasn't sure if I liked it, but when I got past the top I realized that it was pretty spectacular! So here's how I did it.....

Mix 4 tbsp each of flour and sugar, 2 tbsp cocoa

Add one egg (double yolk!! Good job Pinto!), 3 tbsp milk and 3 tbsp oil

Add chocolate chips (optional)...looks gooey and good! Put it in the microwave for 2:30 on high. Don't worry if you see a column of cake rising from the cup while it cooks...that's normal :)

Let it cool and enjoy! 

Knitting for a natural baby

image by Wool Windings

On Saturday I went to the baby shower of a good friend of mine. She's going as natural as possible with the birth and baby accessories, which is wonderful. Knowing that she's going to be using cloth diapers I thought it might be fun to whip up some soakers for her. I haven't really been knitting much lately, but I found that soakers are insanely easy to knit. I actually knit one up the morning of the shower in about an hour and a half. Because I was pushing it with time I didn't stop to take pictures, but I'll share a few tips and patterns. 

There are a few free patterns on the web and I'd reccommend them over buying a pattern. It's not hard to customize or tweak the basics of a soaker patter, so the basic pattern is really all you need. 

I used this Punk Knitters pattern by Ms. Crafty Galore, but here's a site that lists other free soaker patterns.

Some interesting things to note: 

 - soakers should be 100% wool. Some people say at least 75%, but it's much easier to fine 100% wool.

 - soakers may need to be treated with lanolin from time to time to maintain their waterproof quality. They make spray lanolin now, which makes this much easier. Some people recommend treating them right away, other say that's not needed. 

 - the soaker will eventually stretch. I altered the pattern by using much smaller needles on the ribbed waistband and not including a drawstring, but in the end you will probably need to string an icord or shoestring through to hold them on. One way to be sure your soakers keep their shape is to lay them flat to dry. NEVER wring them out.

 

 - you don't have to wash them after every use. I know it sounds gross, but wool has a natural reaction with urine. Once it's dried there will be no smell, so you can reuse them a few times before washing. Just be sure to wash them if they get more than urine on them. Hand washing in cool water with a wool wash is recommended, but you can also toss them in the washer if you use a cold, delicate cycle. Be aware that their color may bleed. 

 - Babies come in all shapes. Not every baby will fit into the same pattern. This is kind of a trial and error thing, but again, altering the pattern is super easy if baby needs some more or less room in some areas. 

For some great diaper patterns (sewing and knitting) visit Cloth Diaper Sewing. I have a slew of fabric at home that I didn't know what to do with....now I think I know!

Pizza on Italy...

These map-plates are awesome. I'm really not sure how useful they actually are, but they certainly look cool. Maybe someone will get Sarah Palin a set before she runs for Senate.....[via NerdApproved]

I tried to resist

I've been a blackberry user for the last year and a half and I can't say that I ever wanted an iphone. The blackberry is just too wonderful. But now that almost everyone I know has an ipod I've seen some applications that are absolutely amazing and blackberry just doesn't have anything like them. However.....I don't think I need anymore technilogical gadgetry to push me further and further into hermitdom, so I'll resist a bit longer. 

If I DID get an iphone I'd want these apps...

Fourtrack recorder:

By Sonoma Wire Works

QuickBank

By Ractor

Trapster

Available for free at the App Store

Hope.

Simon's Cat

for anyone who has a cat this may be all too familiar...

[via BBlinks]