Crochet Animals

Recently I have been interested in crocheting, and I'm currently learning the basics of crochet.  For those of you who do not know what crochet is, it is a craft that many people like to do on their free time.  In order to crochet you need the basic materials- a crochet hook and some yarn.  The sizes or the hook and yarn depend on what design you are making.

Anyway, while I was looking in a crochet book, I discovered a cute crochet animal.  It was so adorable that I decided to look for more crochet animals and other characters.  In Japanese small crochet animals and creatures are called amigurumi (ah-mee-guh-roo-mee).  Here are some that I found:

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(Click on photo to go to website for this image)

Safari crochet animals by Amy Gaines

(Click on photo to go to website for this image)

Cute crochet cupcakes by "Cute Designs"

(Click on photo to go to website for this image)

A crocheted chicken next to a real egg

By Howie Woo

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Baking Day: Brownies (Oven Vs. "Babycakes Cupcake Maker" Part 2)

Hello Friends,

As promised this is the continuation of my two part series, Baking Day: Brownies (Oven Vs. "Babycakes Cupcake Maker Part 1").  In part 1 I taught you how to make your own batch of brownies using "Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie Mix", and I made two batches myself.  One with the oven and one with my "Babycakes Cupcake Maker".

In this next part of my brownie baking day, I got together a group of the finest judges in the business, who are experienced tasters and chefs.  They will be tasting both brownies and seeing which brownie they like better.

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Please welcome...

 Chef Butler

 Chef Baxter

 Chef Droplet

 and Chef Berrington

Since dogs cannot eat chocolate, and therefore definitely not triple chocolate brownies, Buddy had to sit out on this one.  Sorry Buddy. 

 Buddy smelling the brownies through the window

Today the judges will be tasting two different brownies: 

Oven brownies

"Babycakes" Brownies

The two competitors side-by-side

Each judge will receive one oven brownie, one "Babycakes" brownie, a plate, a fork, and a napkin.

 So get your tasting materials, and let's get started!

Click "Read More" below to continue reading

Profiles: Berrington

Hi Everyone,

In my last post, "New Year, New Member" I said that a new member was coming to Julia Talk.  People tried to guess what kind of animal the new member was.  

People guessed:

• Bunny

• Bear

• Wolf

And now it's time for the answer...

(Click read more to find out!)

Profiles: Baxter

Hello there!

My name is Baxter as you probably already know from reading my debut in "The Friend Festivities".  I'm pleased to meet you, and I'm sure you feel the same way about me! *Wink, wink

*Ahem.  Well moving on, I want to become better friends with you all so I decided to share my profile with you.  I will try and be descriptive so stay tuned!

Name: Baxter (First) The (Middle) Beaver (Last)
Profile Picture:

 You see this handsome fellow?  It's me!

Nicknames: Bax, Ter, or just Baxter
Gender: Male
Age: 6...and a 1/2!
Birthday: June 12
Type of Animal: Beaver
Family Members: None known so far
Address: 2448 Beaver Pond Drive
Hobbies: Chewing, building, and playing
Interests: My hobbies
Favorite Food: Twigs and Branches Puree
Favorite Toy: Lego

Background Story: I came from a company called Hatley, just like Butler and Hatley (coincidence?).  Someone named Jama bought me and gave me to Julia for Christmas!  How kind of this Ja-ma person! :)  And now, I am Julia's BBF (best beaver friend).  The End.  Thank you for watching the show.  Please exit to your right.  

P.S.- I'm taking questions if you got 'em!  There is no question that I will not reply to...probably.

Toodles!

Baxter The Beaver

(Baxter T. Beaver)

http://julia-juliatalk.blogspot.com

Copyright © 2011 Julia of Julia Talk.  All rights reserved. 

The Friend Festivities- A Christmas Story

Series: The Moose Brothers
By: Julia

*Cry, cry, cry

My brothers are gone and I'm all alone.

I'll be spending a lonely Christmas by myself.

I guess there's nothing to do except to go to bed.

*CHOMP! CHOMP! CHOMP!

I can't go to sleep with all this racket!

I'll find the source of this noise!

The noise seems to be coming from around here...

Who are you mysterious figure?  Step out from the shadows!

Such big eyes...

And huge teeth...

Hi.

 EEEK!  A MONSTER!!!

Run, run, run!

 *Huff.  Huff.  Huff.

Hiya.

AHHH!  DON'T HURT ME!

I won't hurt you.  I'm only a beaver.

My name is Baxter.

Oh, cool...let's be friends!

 Friends!

I'm glad that we're friends...

But today is Christmas and I have no one to celebrate with. 

Let's just celebrate together!

OK!

First, let's have a gift exchange. 

Here, you can have my scarf.

Thanks!

You can have...this thing...

 Thank you...but what is it?

Oh!  It must be a hat!

No.  That doesn't feel right.

 Perhaps a sleeping bag?

Ooh.  Tight fit.

I know, it's a nose mitten!

Yes.  That feels nice and cozy.

 Now let's decorate this tree!

 This was a fun Christmas.  I'm so glad we're friends!

Merry Christmas.

Butler.

And Baxter!

http://julia-juliatalk.blogspot.com

Copyright © 2011 Julia of Julia Talk.  All rights reserved.

Profiles: Butler

Hello Friends,

It's me- Butler.  Yup, I'm back.
Since we are BFF's I decided to tell you about myself.

Name: Butler (First) Moose (Middle) Hatley (Last) I have a grand name.
Gender: Male Well of course!  What did you think?
Age: 6 Sorry about this...before I said 9, but that was an upside-down 6!  
Birthday: November 21 I have no idea why...
Type of Animal: Stuffed Moose Animal Life is better from a stuffed moose's perspective!
Siblings: Hatley and Cornelius Hatley is my twin, and Cornelius is my adopted family member.
Address: 1234 Moose-Ville Street It has a nice ring to it.
Hobbies: Eating and sleeping Oh!  And drinking water.
Interests: Nature Wouldn't have it any way else.
Favorite Food: Leaves with honey Perfect for tea time!

 If you have any questions or comments feel free to ask me in the comment section.  I adore my fans, and so I shall reply ASAP. 

Bye!

-Butler


http://julia-juliatalk.blogspot.com
Copyright © 2011 Julia of Julia Talk.  All rights reserved.

The Moose Update

Hello People,

It's me Butler here, to let you in on the inside scoop.  Just recently Julia posted her Thanksgiving story, "The Missing Meal" (featuring me, thank you.) on her blog.  My co-stars, Hatley and Cornelius were on that post as well.  So, you're probably wondering what the stars are up to now.  Well for starters, I'm just taking it easy and relaxing at home.  However, Cornelius and Hatley went back home to another state!  And here I am in complete distress without my beloved moose brother and new step-brother.  (Excuse me, I need a kleenex.)  Ok, I'm better.  Well, for the past few days I have been a horrible mess crying my eyes out.  But just today I made an important discovery.  Hatley and Cornelius's owner has a...BLOG.

The Blog

This is where you come in.  I am recruiting you to be undercover agents for The Moose Update.  Your mission is to visit this mysterious person's blog and see if you can discover anything.  (It's a very fun, interesting, amusing blog.  So, enjoy yourself while working.)  From there we can all come together and try and get my brothers back.  Here's the secret URL: http://jamarattigan.com

Good luck agents, I'm counting on you!

Hugs and Kisses,

Butler

http://julia-juliatalk.blogspot.com

Copyright © 2011 Julia of Julia Talk.  All rights reserved.

The Missing Meal- A Thanksgiving Story

The Missing Meal- A Thanksgiving Story
Series: The Moose Brothers
By: Julia

Here's an original Thanksgiving story, played by stuffed animals.

Special thanks to my Aunty Jama for helping me out!

Characters:
Cornelius- (little bear)
Hatley- (moose with glasses)
Butler- (moose with scarf)

"Where is Butler?  He's ten minutes late!  We're having a Thanksgiving feast!"

"Oh, there you are Butler."

Family Photo!

From Left to Right: Hatley, Butler

"So Butler, where's the food?"

"...Oh no...I seem to have...forgotten it..."

"AHHHHH!!!  WHAT ARE WE GOING TO EAT???"

"I'm sorry Hatley..."

(sighs) "It's ok, but I'm starving."

"How about we find stuff in the garden?"

"OK!"

"Let's use these plastic bags to collect the yummies!"

"You go this way, and I'll go that way."

"These leaves look appealing."

"Perfect.  Big leafy greens!"

"Ooh!  These long leaves are sure to add a zap of flavor."

"Yay!  Crunchy little leaves!"

"Ok, we have enough.  Let's go inside."

"There we go!  A fresh "garden" salad."

"Some for you and some for me."

"Hatley, can you say the prayer?"

"Ok.  Please bow your heads for our prayer."

(during the prayer)

"MUAHAHAHAHAAH!  FINALLY!  FOOD ALL TO MYSELF!"

(After 2 hours of intense detective work)

"Munch.  Munch.  Munch."

"Why, hello there little bear!"

"What a lovely bowl of salad you have."

"Looks just like ours!"

".........I'M SORRY!  I ADMIT STEALING YOUR FOOD!  JUST PLEASE DON'T EAT ME!
I HAVE NO FAMILY!  I WAS JUST SO HUNGRY!"

"Silly bear, we don't eat meat."

"Yes, and we are more than happy to share our meal with you."

"Now come along, let's all enjoy a big meal together!"

Updated Family Photo

From Left to Right: Hatley, Cornelius, Butler

THE END.

By: Julia

http://julia-juliatalk.blogspot.com

Copyright © 2011 Julia of Julia Talk.  All rights reserved.