Is there such a thing as too many monkeys?

Itty Bitty Monkeys

Not as long as they continue to give each other bunny-ears in their pictures.

I’ve been fooling around with Etsy Treasuries while Ellie watches Sesame Street.

It’s a low-impact creative outlet.

Sign-ups for Revenge of Dish Rag Tag will open on Monday, August 16, 2010 at 9am central time. They will close when participant capacity is reached or at 9am on Sunday, August 22, 2010. Whichever comes sooner.

The race will begin on Friday, September 3, 2010 when I mail the starting boxes. That’s Labor Day weekend, so boxes should arrive at Team Captain doors the following Tuesday.

Specific information for this year’s race will be announced immediately prior to the opening of sign-ups. But I will address the most pressing questions now:
How many people can play this year?
It looks like the race will be limited to 100 participants (10 teams of 10) and there will be a sign-up fee of $1 to cover postage for prizes and starting boxes. If the 100 slots fill in 24 hours, I will consider expanding to 120 participants (10 teams of 12).
What size box?!
We’ll stick with the USPS Priority Mail Small Flat Rate as the Official DRT Box. Postage rates went up again this year so the Flat Rate boxes for $4.85 (online rate +free tracking) is the most affordable and predictable rate available. Affordable being the key – I want this to stay a $10 swap.

Further questions specific to Revenge of Dish Rag Tag? Ask and I’ll answer in the comments so the responses are there for everyone.

If you are new to this, you might want to review the rules and regulations posts from past races.
Dish Rag Tag and FAQ
Dish Rag Tag: the Sequel and DRTS: the FAQ
Son of Dish Rag Tag This is the most relevant.

I’ve got six weeks to invent a dishcloth pattern, knit 10 of them and think up a fundraiser.

Can it be done?

A Taste of Georgia calls them “Mock Baby Ruth Bars.” So does my Mom. I prefer “Chocolate-Topped Granola Bars.” It makes me feel less guilty about eating bar cookies for breakfast.

The whole “Baby Ruth” appellation makes no sense anyway.

Mom doubles this to make a 9×13″ pan. I have no self control, so I stick with half a recipe and a 9×9″ pan.

Chocolate-Topped Granola Bars

1/2 c. brown sugar
2 T. corn syrup
2 T. peanut butter (I like creamy, Mom likes chunky.)
1/2 t. vanilla
6 T. vegetable oil, butter or margerine*
2 c. oatmeal (I use old-fashioned, rolled oats but quick oats work too.)

Combine everything but the oats and stir until it’s all mixed up. Stir in the oats being careful get them coated. Spread this into a greased 9×9″ pan and smooth out the top. Bake in a 400° oven for 12 minutes (edges should be browning) while you mix up the topping.

1/2 c. chocolate chips
1/4 c. butterscotch chips
1/3 c. peanut butter

The minute the cookie comes out of the oven, spread this mixture on top. Keep spreading, the heat from the cookie will melt the topping into a gooey, delicious, swirly mess. Put the pan in the refrigerator until the chocolate sets before slicing into squares. If you can stand the wait. I store them in the ‘fridge during the summer.

I want one right now!

*Mom and the recipe use butter. Many many years ago, I used canola in desperation and have never looked back. The oil gives the cookies a crispy, tender, flakey omnomnom and is a lot less greasy. Easier to mix up too.

Happy Independence Day!

Ellie likes the automatic timer setting on the camera.

More outtakes (they are all outtakes) in Michael’s Flickr.

We’re spend-the-night visiting this week. At home, all our windows are broken into little panes. Here, the French doors are backed by enormous pieces of glass.

Just right for washable markers.

Marcia Louise was kind enough (to me and her granddaughter) to knit up a hive full of bees. She made a few changes as she worked, and I am SO in love that I need to make another set for Ellie!

Look at the Queen Been in her little pink skirt!

My favorite addition is the i-cord handle on the beehive – that’s just inspired! Once in, the bees aren’t likely to get out on their own, so why not tote them around in a hive bag? My guess is that instead of drawing up the top of the hive, she (and please correct me if I’m wrong, Marcia Louise) continued in i-cord until the handle was long enough and tied it off. Really nice. I love the color changes too, their soft little faces are a great contrast to the stripes.

Marcia Louise also noted a couple errors in the pattern. Mostly stitch count mistakes, nothing that will keep you from finishing if you don’t want to download again, but the pattern is corrected on both Yarn Miracle and on Ravelry. She absolutely earned her honey! Thank you so much!

Happy Fathers Day!

This year’s mug is from Lynn Cardwell Pottery. The heft is surprisingly light for ceramic and the form, glaze and functionality simply beautiful. Michael especially likes the handle. Ellie especially likes that “D” is for “DahDah.” I especially like that this Etsy seller is marvelous. Win all around.