VIEWER MAIL

It occurs to me that, in addition to sucking at being a stern disciplinarian, I also suck at addressing all of your lovely and kind and funny and encouraging comments. Why do I do this, you might ask? Why can't I get my head out of my proverbial heiney and just stay on top of this, you ponder?

Well, the truth is that I don't have one darn clue as to the best method of talking to you. I do click on your names in the comment section, and when I get your profile, I do go immediately to your blog and read every single thing you've ever written and oogle every single thing you've ever stitched...but what to do when you don't have a blog or an email address? Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear....I worry that you'll think me rude and inconsiderate sometimes. So please know that I get completely va-clempt over your kindness to me (and Stewey and Bosco and Aunt Chrissy too) and I'd like you to know how much I appreciate all of the stitchy love.

In the spirit of answering all of the mysteries of life today (like why the heck the Winter Solstice, a lunar eclipse, and a change in the zodiac are all happening today), I thought I would answer a few of your inquiries:

*Susan wants to know just how big my big a** TeeVee is. Well, Susan, you're going to laugh at me when I tell you this, but please keep in mind that all of my previous TeeVee watching was accomplished on a set the approximate size of a postage stamp. So ANYTHING would seem HUGE to me, n'est pai? It's a 32 incher. *****Woops, Aunt Chrissy just corrected me. It's a 37 incher. (What do I know?)

*Marnie wanted to know about Jeffrey Dean Morgan and his singing. Well, Marnie, I was watching the movie "P.S. I Love You" for the hundredth time and he sings in a bar in one of the scenes therein. (Oh, wait. I'm sorry. I think I'm supposed to call it a pub.)

*Paula commented on my Hoosier humor. I have to send a big fat THANK YOU for this, since I am not a natural-born Hoosier. I suppose that I would have to register as a BUCKEYE on my official paperwork, but I have embraced my Hoosierness for many years now, and have called Indiana home longer than any other place I've lived. Yup. I love it here despite the fact that I don't have a LNS close enough to visit in my jammies.

*Patti sent along the link to the JRT video in which he decorates his little dog house for Christmas. Thanks, Patti, since this happens to be one of the things that Stewey positively INSISTS on viewing every morning before he's had his first sip of coffee. He loves the way the little dog noodges the cookie plate and milk glass and then falls asleep waiting for the big guy. Love love love this!

*Alex commented that his backside was the best it's ever been, and after looking at your blog, my stitchy friend, I must concur. In spades. And, since I am a spinster and you are a married man, after all, I will only tell you that I had a suitable chaperone firmly in place prior to making my visit. Ahem.

*Kathy wanted to know if Aunt Chrissy would be willing to adopt her? Well, given my recent shenanigans, I'm pretty sure that all it would take for Aunt Chrissy to look elsewhere for a little sisterly love would be a working knowledge of power tools, the ability to plan and facilitate weekend trips to needlework shops, and the ability to live independently without having to call her every ten minutes to ask for something. (Yup. I'm fairly certain that it's way beyond the time that my little sister should have considered kicking me to the curb. What can I say? She has become the single most patient person I know of lately.)

*Jane felt that Aunt Chrissy should be President! Yes! I couldn't agree more, and am convinced that all of our problems would FINALLY be solved....and we'd have a stitcher in the White House!

*Sharon threw the gauntlet and asked for my 2011 stitchy plan. Well, Sharon, I have to tell you that I have been having a lot of angst over the whole thought of a stitchy plan for next year. Does this come as a surprise to you? Well, please allow me to refer you to the 2008 Stitchy Plan Angst, the 2009 Stitchy Plan Angst, and the 2010 Stitchy Plan Angst transcripts for evidence of the fact that every year at this time I lose my damn mind. But, if you really must know, I am planning to do a little planning later this afternoon and I promise to keep you posted. I will say, though, that it involves purging the entire studio. This could be bad.

*Coral-seas wondered if I exaggerate? Me? Miss Hyperbole 1993? Yes, Coral, I am the biggest, most outrageous, and probably the most long-winded exaggerator you will ever meet. It's my thing. I figure it will keep you wondering what's what and that you'll come back and be my friend a little longer. Please?

*Sherry asked about the Ooey Gooey Karo Krispers. Considering the fact the I just polished off the last of them for breakfast this morning, I am only too happy to share the recipe with you (if for no other reason than to scare me into not making any more of them):

1 cup light or dark Karo corn syrup
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup crunchy or smooth peanut butter
1 cup oatmeal
2 cups corn flakes
2 cups Rice Krispies
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter chips (optional) (but you know you want them, right?)

Pour corn syrup, salt, and sugar into a large saucepan.
Stir over medium high heat until sugar dissolves and mixture begins to boil.
Stir in peanut butter.
Remove from heat and stir in oatmeal, corn flakes, and Rice Krispies.
Pour into greased 8-inch square pan and set aside to cool.
Melt chocolate and peanut butter chips over low heat in a small saucepan and then spread over bars.
Cut into small squares or triangles. (No, really. You want to cut these pretty small because they are incredibly RICH. If a professional eater like me can only take one of these at a time, you KNOW they're good. Trust me.)

That's it for today, ladies and gentlemen! Thanks for stopping by! Do something ridiculously fun today!