Mindless Ramblings

Our Weekend

2012-01-29T20:11:00.000-07:00

Warming up

Sporting his newly blocked hat (he wanted "the blog" to know he is wearing it now)

- soccer early on Saturday morning. We have been sleeping in lately, so the early morning games are a bit of a struggle. Aine did well. It is a non-competitive league focusing on skill development, which Aine loves.
- major planning with our local homeschool group. So much fun in store. I love that we have found our homeschooling community. We are very lucky to have found such supportive, enthusiastic families that share our common unschooling goals.
- dinner and an evening without Dave as he took a rare night out to watch UFC with friends. We read many chapters of Lone Wolf. The kiddos enjoyed the first few Guardians of Ga'Hoole books and like this wolf series thus far. The tragedy of life in the wild has not been too much for Aine's gentle heart. We have not had to stop reading yet.
- on Sunday most of us slept late to make up for the previous early morning. I snuck out of bed a few hours early to work on our homeschooling group's calendar, email and a bit of knitting.
- an afternoon spent hiking in the Superstition Mountains. I forgot to bring the camera, so I have nothing to share of our hike. It was actually quite nice to be unencumbered as we walked. It also freed up my hands for the multiple water bottles, apple cores, oranges, map and stick I was asked to carry. The wildflowers are just beginning to bloom in such beautiful oranges. I cannot wait for more yellows, whites, and purples to join the orange. Have I mentioned how much I love this time of year in Arizona? The desert truly comes alive.
- knitting on the birthday socks while driving around with Dave at the wheel. Finishing them at home while we settled in for a quiet evening of game playing, reading and server creating.

How was your weekend? Did you do anything fun?

{this moment}

2012-01-27T05:46:00.001-07:00

{this moment} - Joining Amanda in a Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

A Good Blocking

2012-01-26T22:18:00.000-07:00

Two years ago, I knit Dave a hat. The pattern was Turn A Square by Jared Flood. I proudly gave it to him to help combat the chilly Arizona mornings and nights. He tried it on his head, smiled and put it away in his closet. It has stayed in his closet for the past twenty-four months. He has never worn it. Last week, I suggested that if he was cold, he could wear his hat of love. Guiltily he pulled it out. When he put it on his head, we both laughed. It did not cover his ears and was a bit big at the top.

I realized that in my eagerness to give it to him, I had failed to block it. I knew I could fix it for him. I soaked his hat in warm water for about a half hour. When I pulled it out of the water, I formed it around an inflated balloon. This blocking technique worked perfectly. He tried it on today and it fits - covers his ears, is smooth on his head and looks good too. I only wish I had paid more attention to the stripes as they are a bit wavy in one spot. He doesn't seem to mind. At least now he is willing to wear it, which is a good thing.

At least He Knew What to Do

2012-01-25T17:46:00.000-07:00

Benton chose our destination today. He was up early sitting beside me on the couch while I read my email and blog reader. The light was low as we sat side by side under a down throw. He was quiet until I began reading a friend's blog. He immediately identified his friends and asked where they were walking. Once he heard, he decided that the Desert Botanical Gardens would be our destination today.

Winter is such a beautiful time in the desert. It is a fantastic time of year and only gets better in the next two months as the desert flowers begin to bloom. The garden was a bit busier with winter visitors, which meant that there were a lot of docents scattered throughout the garden. Many of the volunteers are so willing to talk with my kiddos. One in particular was a delight. She spent quite a bit of time telling the kiddos about nests, birds and reptiles. The kiddos didn't want to leave her station.

When we did resume our walk, Eamon was eager to find the hands-on area. Besides the telescopes, the mortars and pestles were the most fun. We talked about mesquite and the many uses of it. As the children ground mesquite pods into flour, I noticed a small rabbit approach. It came up so close to us nibbling on vegetation. I quietly told Eamon and Aine to look behind them. Benton came over too and we all watched the bunny. It must be very accustomed to people, because we were not quiet in the least.

Our outing was derailed at this point. We abruptly had to leave the hands-on area, because Eamon had to use the restroom. He began to run ahead of us ignoring my instructions to stay close. As Aine, Benton and I rounded the turns back to the main part of the garden, we did not see Eamon. We made our way to the closest bathroom, but he was not in it. With a quickened pace, we retraced part of our earlier journey to another bathroom. No Eamon. Our yells for him were getting a bit frantic. The garden is big, and he is only 8.5 years old. A few of the volunteers began to help in the search. Benton began to worry about his big brother and added his voice to our yells. With a definite urgency, I steered us to the main entrance. As I was getting closer, an employee of the garden was coming toward me after hearing our shouts. I instantly remembered the other time we lost Eamon. The park ranger told me that my son was at admissions after confirming my name and his. With the ranger at my side, I practically sprinted toward the entrance and my oldest son.

Amidst big hugs, Eamon said, "I did what you always tell me." I told him that he hadn't. He had gone ahead of us and not stayed where he could see me. He agrued with me about my interpretation of his behavior. He said that when he realized that he had lost me, he did what I tell him to do. He had emerged from the bathroom near the entrance and realized I wasn't there, so he went straight to the admissions area. He even assured me that he told them my phone number. He did admit to flipping the first three and the final four numbers, because he was a little nervous. We hugged again and again. I told him that yes, he had done the right thing when he realized he was lost.

After the excitement, we all wanted to head home. In the cool safety of the car, I asked Eamon if he was scared. He said he was, and that he was glad we were all back together. Phew, what a day!

A foot away

2012-01-24T22:01:00.000-07:00

Since Aine's vest was completed this week, I have been working on the birthday socks. It has been my only project, yet I am still a foot away from being done with them. I marked the heel today while we played at a friend's house. Amid flying popcorn and laughter, I was able to knit a few rows before we headed out to Aine's first soccer practice with a new league. While watching her play and the boys climb at the park, I texted my knitting guru about foot length. I am technically working on the foot of the sock although there is no heel yet. The recipient of these socks wears a smaller shoe size than mine, and I didn't have the web to consult. My kuru told me to go with 9.5" for the foot. So I still have another 6 inches on the foot of the socks before returning to the heel. I am fairly confident I will be done with these buggers by the end of the week, which means everything possible will probably go wrong and they will languish!

I have been listening to a new audiobook while knitting. It is the book recommended by Ginny at Small Things during one of the Yarn Alongs. It is entitled A Secret Gift and is very thought provoking. Our nation's current financial situation has caused many people to change their purchasing habits and reflect on savings and resourcefulness. This book discusses the Great Depression and true hardship. It is really fascinating to me. I am intrigued by the stories the tragedies and the successes.

My other book reading continues to be The Yarn Harlot. I finished her most recent book and am going back to her previous books. I find her humor quite funny. I think part of the allure is that she is a former LLLI leader and a mom.

So, what are you knitting and reading this week?

On this Monday

2012-01-23T21:34:00.000-07:00

we spent the day:
- celebrating a good dental visit
- building LEGO spaceships and other galactic creations
- playing and exploring the zoo with friends
- recuperating after hours at the zoo
- slow-roasting spareribs for dinner using this recipe and local pork from Date Creek Ranch
- watching LEGO clips and minecraft videos
- baking another big batch of these cookies with fresh lemons from a friend's tree. (Go and make them. According to my husband and kiddos they are that good.)
- knitting the birthday socks while dreaming of my next project
- winding yarn for that next project
- rearranging rooms yet again hoping to make sleeping a bit more comfortable for everyone
- reading book after book after book
- looking forward to Tuesday

Shield Your Eyes

2012-01-22T20:47:00.001-07:00

Aine's vest if finished, and she loves it. The colors are perfect for her. While hiking someone commented on all her bright colors. She just knowingly smiled. Color is her thing. I am satisfied with the vest. I liked the pattern, but I did not love the yarn. It was nice to knit, but it has already started to pill. The yarn is single-ply, so I should have known. All the information is on Ravelry if you are interested.

A Cure for Dysentery

2012-01-22T15:47:00.000-07:00

January in Arizona is beautiful. It is the time of year when everyone seeks the outdoors. Bundled up in handknits and long sleeves, our family headed out in 70 degree weather to hike at Cave Creek Regional Park on Saturday. The park is known for its mines, and we wanted to check them out.

The weather was gorgeous and the hike was great. We wandered along the Clay Mine trail toward our goal. Benton led our expedition. He was very serious about his job. He would run ahead and make sure everyone stayed behind him. He carried a backpack full of supplies - a swimsuit, rashguard, pjs, clothes and a lot of suckers. He was ready for almost anything.

As we approached the mine opening we took a small trail up to the top of the mine. Everyone was excited about the talc-like clay surrounding the shaft. Immediately the kiddos huddled around the fence enclosing the mine opening. After looking at the mine depth, the kiddos began molding the clay on the ground. It was so much fun to play with the clay. With a little water, they were able to form balls and disks from the clay.

A trip to the mouth of the mine revealed the use of the clay. The mine owner would sell the clay as a cure for what ails you. It was ineffective for most illnesses, but it did actually help those with dysentery. It worked similar to Imodium. This discovery was hilarious to all of us. It was fodder for quite the conversations.

Aine commandeered the camera on the hike back. She was quite pleased with her photos. She captured some really neat perspectives (including some of her parents and Benton actually wearing his mama-made sweater).

{this moment}

2012-01-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

In Our Own Backyard

2012-01-19T17:59:00.000-07:00

After a myriad of errands, the kiddos and I set out for the Riparian Institute in nearby Gilbert. We visited the preserve much more often when we lived closer. Since we have moved, our excursions east are much less frequent, and I miss the remote feel of this urban island. Encouraged by such beautiful winter weather, we grabbed our explorer bags, field guides and water and set out for a hike.

The Riparian Institute at Water Ranch is a 110 acre preserve that is home to many birds and wildlife. It is listed by Audobon as a fantastic bird refuge and is loved by bird watchers across the nation. Whenever we walk through the meandering paths, we encounter many folks with binoculars and cameras. They often chat with the kiddos about what they have found or are looking for. This time was no exception.

We sat on the benches, birding stands or just on the banks of the ponds to observe and watch the waterfowl and birds. Aine led the way in identifying our finds, paging through our spotter's guide for breed identification. We asked others what they had found along the way sharing our enthusiasm. Eamon spotted many hummingbirds and talked to a couple who slowed their approach when they noticed us staring at a tree. They mentioned a beautiful red -breasted specimen they saw a bit further down the path. Benton would call out when he saw nests or other trail magic. Everyone was delighted when were able to pet a horse as his rider passed and chatted with us.

As we walked, the kiddos also explored the water areas. They walked along the little streams and eventually started to wade in them. We talked about the combined purpose of the site and water purification. Aine wondered how water could be cleaned by passing through layers of dirt. Eamon wondered why some of the ponds were dry. We all marveled at how this little bit of land sits amid a bigger city yet feels so remote.

As we headed toward the exit, we paused to examine some of the flora and other features of the institute. I spotted a prickly pear cactus covered with cochineal. My kiddos love this fascinating bug and the bright crimson color it produces. I love the fact that it has been used to dye fiber throughout the centuries. We also identified a Screwbean Mesquite tree with its cool bean pods. Eamon, Aine and Benton then stopped to unearth the remains of dinosaur skeletons and peek into an equipment building to see real fossils. Aine impressed us all by correctly identifying a mix of animal trail prints in the concrete. We left refreshed by our hike and ready for more this season. We are lucky to have so many outdoor opportunities living in an urban setting.

I snapped...

2012-01-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

my knitting needle while at the park on Tuesday. I know that the smaller size needles are fragile, so I try to have a gentle grip. I was doing fine with my size 1 needles until I tried showing my friend the tip of a pen. We were discussing the merits of a fine point sharpie when I took the lid off. I was still holding my knitting when I heard the crack. I knew immediately that my sock progress would be delayed. No needle meant no more knitting on the sock.

The socks are a gift for a very patient person. My SIL has been hinting about socks for a few years now. I never got the subtle hinting. I would just blissfully knit along not realizing she wanted me to make her socks. With some ~~gentle nudging~~ help from my brother, I now know she wants some socks. Her birthday is fast approaching, and I want to present her with socks. Broken knitting needles can only thwart me so far, so I bought a new set at the local fabric store yesterday. I hope to knit a few more inches on the socks today. They are an easy afterthought heel construction.

When I set aside the sock knitting, I reached into my bag for another project. I have learned through experience to never carry only one knitting project. Aine's Milo vest was my backup project. I knit another heart cable repeat on the vest before leaving the park. I am hoping to finish it in the next week. She loves the color already and is very eager to wear it.

Fortunately I had something to keep me occupied as my kiddos played a game of whiffle ball(complete with tree climbing to rescue an errant ball) and crafted a water and mud slide. Park days are full of conversation, games and a whole lot of knitting.

Joining Ginny late this week for knitting and reading, although I have not read much this week aside from books for my children.

Brothers

2012-01-16T23:11:00.001-07:00

Friendships evolve and change over time. Sibling relationships are no different. I find that the friendships my children share are in constant flux. This is especially evident between my oldest and youngest. In the past few months, they have become very close.

Seated together on a swivel chair with storybook in hand, Eamon cuddles up to Benton and reads. He will pause while playing to give his brother a hug. Benton will often be found doing the same. As the younger child, he admires his older brother. In the past Eamon would not always tolerate this admiration well. As the older brother he didn't think to involve his baby brother in his play. Now they have fun together concocting elaborate games and reenacting their favorite stories. With swashbuckling swords, construction hats, boots or scarves, imagination abounds. It is quite a lot of fun to see their friendship transform.

The other day while at a homeschool day at the local trampoline house, I snapped these photos. They are blurry and the lighting is poor, but I wanted to capture the bond these two are forging. I think it will be an amazing friendship for many years to come.

Restoring Balance

2012-01-15T13:16:00.001-07:00

Dave has been out of town all week. Usually we travel together, taking short jaunts or long roadtrips to run errands, explore our state and visit our loved ones. It is uncommon for our family to be separated. This is obvious by every one's recent behavior. Benton started missing Daddy while we were still at the airport. Aine asked several times if the random plane she spotted in the sky was his. Eamon was rather stoic, but he would often ask what day it was trying to gauge when Daddy would be home. Our family just works better together.

However when Dave is gone, there is also a simplicity. Perhaps it is of my own making, but I find that when it is just the four of us, we tend to have a slightly different rhythm. When I am left on my own, I cannot put things off knowing someone else will do it. I think the children feel it too. We eat dinner based on our desires not dependent on the clock and Dave's arrival home. We nosh on broccoli, cucumbers and bananas, all of which he considers grossly unpalatable. We stay longer at the park or museums knowing no one is worried about us and that we aren't missing precious time together. We stick more closely together.

Each night this week that we were missing our fifth, I read with the kiddos before bed. I then stayed in their room as they fell asleep. Once I heard the deep, rhythmic breathing of their slumber, I would creep out and work into the wee hours of the night on my knitting or sewing. Often as I was just putting away my work, I would be joined by a little person. That person was soon followed by two more until all four of us were snuggled together in one bed again. We all felt better together. Despite the simpler flow of our days, we were missing an integral part. The four of us all missed our friend, mentor, protector, provider, daddy and spouse.

With much anticipation Saturday night, we piled into the car to head to the airport. Once we had retrieved Dave, everyone settled into a normalcy that was missing during the week. He was shown many projects, models, and pieces of artwork. Little hands tugged at his arm insisting that he lay down with them while they slept. With bright eyes they listened to the stories of his travels. Each fell asleep contentedly in their beds and stayed there knowing we were complete. They are so glad he is home, and so am I .

{this moment}

2012-01-13T06:51:00.000-07:00

Made for Walking

2012-01-10T21:45:00.000-07:00

I have wanted boots for several years. I am not referring to snow boots; I live in Arizona remember. I have wanted fashion boots. Boots that are cute, stylish and maybe, just maybe, a bit hip. Each year when asked what I want for the holidays or my birthday, I reply boots. Finally this year, I bought some with gift money from my parents.

After asking my friend what boots to purchase, I headed out to Last Chance, Nordstrom's clearance store. In all honesty, I hate the store. My mom loves it. She can always find a fantastic score. Of course, she is a shopper. She will look and look for the big name brand at rock bottom prices. I cannot stand the mess, the craziness and the work. However, my book group was meeting near it, and I wanted to see if any boots were available.

It was crazy. Post-holiday returns jammed the store. People were all over trying on shoes, sorting through handbags and finding clothing. I found the aisle for my shoe size, but store staff had closed it for restocking. As I waited, I perused the adjacent row of smaller sizes. That is when I found my boots. I looked at the size and sighed. There were a half size too small. Throwing caution to the wind, I tried them on my finicky feet, and they fit. Not only did they fit, but the shoes felt good. Woo Hoo! I headed to the mirror to assess the look. Another shopper stopped me to glow about the boot style and fit. I was sold. I looked at a few more styles and colors before heading to the checkout. The boots were mine! Once home, I donned the new footwear for my husband. He gave an eager thumbs up. I even wore them the next day. I love, love love them.

In celebration of my recent purchase, I finished knitting my boot accoutrements as well. The snuggly legwarmers I started last week are done. Unfortunately I realized that the boots are too tight on my calves for my legwarmers, but I still love them(both the legwarmers and the boots!). I used Rowan Purelife Organic Wool for the pseudo socks. It is so unbelievably soft and squishy. Since I am not sure if I will ever wear them together, I added regular knee-high boot socks to my knitting queue. I will start those when I finish my other two pairs of socks.

In the meantime I cast on for another Milo vest. Aine requested the sweater after I made Benton's green owl one. The yarn for this milo is inspired by Ginny's son, Seth and a prior Yarn Along. I showed Aine the colors of the Chroma yarn from Knitpicks, and she immediately selected the lollipop colorway. Secretly I knew she would pick this fun rainbow yarn. I know she will love the finished project. It is so very Aine. For this milo I will probably do the heart cable, although Aine may want the horseshoes.

When not knitting this week, I managed to finish the Yarn Harlot's newest book. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to mothers and knitters alike. I haven't started a new book yet. I am too busy catching up on my magazine pile. I think my next book will be a Yarn Along recommendation though.

So, do you have new boots? Did you receive something you have wanted for a long time? If so, I hope you love it as much as I love my new boots! Of yeah, and what are you knitting and reading?

Getting There is Half the Fun

2012-01-10T10:12:00.000-07:00

Probably the biggest thing I have learned from my children is slowing down to notice the small things. They remind me to not rush through something to achieve the end result, but rather to enjoy each moment. Every day they take time to stop. They do not worry about time or the calendar or obligations. Yesterday was no different.

Our trip downtown to our local science center was a delightful mix of wandering and noticing. I try to take our local mass transit train(PhART) whenever I get the opportunity. Yes, it often takes longer. Yes, it can be crowded on the way home. Yes, we have to wait and practice patience. However, the benefits are great. While riding to our destination, Benton and Aine remarked on all the wonders of the train. They noticed people riding with us and landmarks that we passed. Benton and I discussed what emergencies would justify pressing the red call button. We counted stops, wondered if we should get off at other stops and surmised on how far we could walk comfortably if we did get off at those stops. Eamon was able to read, and I knit as we rode. It was fantastic, and only cost $3.50 - much less than fuel and parking!

The kiddos remembered that there are bronze sculptures along our walk to the center. Eamon and Aine thought they might be a temporary thing and were so delighted to discover the statues are permanent. I stopped with them for quite a long while as they played. At first I wanted to move us along as we were meeting a group of friends. Instead I remembered to relax and notice with them. I pulled out my knitting and looked around the area. Our city can be so beautiful this time of year even in its urban setting. We discovered little people without pants in the scorpion's pinchers. We remarked on the pill bug's mismatched shoes. Each of the kiddos tried to figure out what the round discs by the bug's toes were. We just really soaked up the moment without worry about schedules or commitments.

Their exploration continued when we arrived. We spent a lot of time watching demonstrations and talking to staff. Most of our time was spent in one area really testing out the displays. When most of our group went to the current pirate exhibit, we declined (part of my recommitment to a budget). Instead of worrying about missing something, we found other areas to explore. It was a great afternoon, and no one wanted to leave.

Testing out the bed of nails

Watching the ball move through her track

Spinning and spinning until you cannot stand

Leave we must, though, as the museum is not open all hours. Aine suggested we sit outside for a bit and eat the rest of our snacks. For a bit, I sat as they ran around. Their giggles and laughter carried me as I looked at the sky, our belongings and the area. They ran into me laughing as they played chase. Each climbed on a large rock to sit. As we walked back to the PhART station, we discovered some carvings atop a gate. Each of us stopped in our own way to check them out. We talked about Egyptian phrases, good weather, friends and food. As we neared home, we planned our next trip hoping for more adventure and noticing.

Holding Back

2012-01-09T09:12:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, the kiddos and I showed up at our weekly park date to someone commenting on our unschooling ways. One of my children wore no shoes, another monster slippers and the third a costume. I let them choose what they wear and most of the time run little interference. My kiddos have a lot of choices in their lives, and I like it that way. This is not always easy for me. I cringe sometimes when I see what my kiddos plan or what they want to wear. I take a deep breathe and then let it go.

This weekend Aine was invited to a birthday party for a friend. We talked a bit about a gift for her friend. Aine's eyes lit up as she claimed she knew exactly what she wanted to give her. She ran into her playroom and came back with a little dog and carrier. I hesitated a moment while my thoughts collected. I looked into Aine's gleaming eyes and said that would be a great gift. But as I said it I wondered if I shouldn't buy the child a gift at the store or give a gift card too. Was a handed down gift acceptable? Would the other family think us odd? Was my continual mantra of handmade, handed down or hand picked too much? Did it really matter what I thought?

Aine proceeded to gather the dog's accoutrements together. With a newspaper end roll at her side, she sat down on the kitchen floor and wrapped her gift. She could only find black electrical tape from her brother's bin, so she used it. A quick note was written with a birthday wish. She used notebook paper instead of the stacks of construction or craft paper. Again she knew she wanted the paper to have holes, so her friend could hang it.

As we walked into the skating rink for the party, Aine was so proud of her gift. She confidently carried it up to her friend wanting her to open it right away. Instead we set it on the table with the other pink, purple and glittery gift bags. At the close of the party, her friend opened her gifts. She opened the gift from Aine first after much urging from my little girl. It was a huge hit despite the wrapping and the lack of a store box. Aine knew her friend would love her gift, and she was right.

{this moment}

2012-01-06T06:27:00.000-07:00

Eamon as Jabba the Hut

Prepping

2012-01-03T19:54:00.000-07:00

It is now the time of year, which I face with mixed emotions. I try to remember all the good that will come of this time. I focus on the fact that it only lasts a few months. I surround myself with others who are sympathetic. I look at the young people and know it is good. I push aside memories of the late nights spent trying to get the numbers to balance. I try to forget the worry over boothing and cash boxes. I focus on the positive, because for our family, there is no escaping Girl Scout cookie time.

I am the leader of a Girl Scout troop. The troop is comprised of homeschooling girls eager for fun, friends, crafts, and cookies. In an effort to help with our sale this year, I am also the cookie mom. Instead of my current book, I am reading all the cookie material. I am also acquainting myself with the online record keeping and stressing a bit about the whole process.

In an effort to remain sane, I am casting on for a few projects of varying skill. I am making some socks with afterthought heels in self-striping yarn. A cozy pair of lacy legwarmers made from stash yarn is my more difficult project on the needles. The final project is the Through the Loops mystery sock. I am hoping each will keep me distracted enough but present enough to make it through the next few months of cookie sales.

So, if you see me a bit frazzled, know that I will probably ask you if you want a cookie.

An Auspicious Start

2012-01-02T19:44:00.000-07:00

I had a few leftover holiday projects to finish this season. First was finishing Benton's sweater and fixing Eamon's neck on his sweater. Those two tasks were relatively easy and quickly accomplished. The other project was a bit bigger. Last summer, I decided to opt out of the gift exchange my siblings do. Instead I wanted to give each of them a quilt made from tops and blocks my grandmother and great-grandmother had pieced. I bought the needed supplies and then relied on my future self to work magic. Unfortunately that did not happen before the exchanging and shipping of gifts.

Faced with those unfinished quilts, I decided to make use of a fresh page on the calendar. I began them on the first day of 2012. One quilt is now finished. It is currently in the washer for a quick cleaning and subsequent fluff in the dryer. I will mail it out tomorrow. My grandmother and her mother had hand-pieced the top. I tied the quilt instead of quilting it. I am so pleased that one is finished, and I like how it came together. The other two are in various stages of completion. I am planning to work on them this week as I have two other quilts waiting in my queue.

With such a flurry of activity, I ~~think~~ know 2012 is going to be a great year.

Closing out the Old

2012-01-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

Our family was quite busy on the last day of 2011. We spent the day combining old and new traditions.

Each year we join friends for the Fiesta Bowl Parade in downtown Phoenix. The menfolk venture out early to guarantee our group a spot up front. The kiddos and I joined them after a ride on the PhART (Phx Area Rapid Transit). Armed with loads of silly string and snacks, we waved, yelled and enjoyed the wonderful Arizona day. Our silly string usage did anger a few parade volunteers who were sure it was forbidden. We assured them that the kind bicycle officers had already talked to our group earlier about the silly string. It was definitely allowed at the parade; it just could not be used by the horses. They threatened us and almost swiped a can out of Eamon's hands. I politely told them again what we had been told and asked them to go ahead and contact those kind officers if they really thought they should. The volunteers left us alone at that point!

With his silly string

Blowing Pixie Dust

Tuckered out as we headed home on the PhART

After we returned home for a bit of a recharge post parade, we headed out to our friends' house for a family NYE party. It was such fun. The kiddos ran around the property, played chess, build creations, roasted marshmallows, looked at Earth's moon as well as those of Jupiter, cuddled by the campfire and had a totally wonder-filled and glorious evening. We are very fortunate to have found our community. It was such a great way to end the old and welcome the new year.

{this moment}

2011-12-30T07:53:00.000-07:00

Magic Act

2011-12-29T06:57:00.000-07:00

Eamon has been working on his magician skills lately. He is perfecting a few coin tricks. If given a moment, he will don his costume and dazzle you with his skills.

A Day Late

2011-12-27T20:34:00.000-07:00

I almost did it. I was so close, but I did not finish Benton's sweater for Christmas. I ran into an issue on the 23rd. I realized that I had to rip out a whole sleeve. The directions were clear, but I misread them. The decreases were to occur every 4 ridges. I did them every 4 rows. Ooops. After that setback, things did not look good. Dave assured me that all would be fine. He reminded me that I was the only one holding myself to the goal of a handmade sweater for each of my children. He reminded me of all the handmade gifts I had made for others and that Benton would still get a sweater even if it was late. He also reminded me that 3 yr olds seldom keep score. I tell you that man is so wise!

After forgiving myself, I was able to finish the sweater on the 26th. Benton loved it when he tried it on, but subsequently deemed it itchy. I have decided to line it with coordinating fabric from my stash. With a good soak in wool wash and the lining, he should be happy. He also requested a zipper. That will require a trip to the fabric store as couple I have are too short. Hopefully it will be completely done by Thursday, and I can show you modeled photos.

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along

After I finish Benton's sweater, I need to alter Eamon's sweater a bit. As I feared the neck is a wee bit snug. He can get it over his head, but it reminds me of his birth. It is a tight fit for sure! I plan to rip out the neck and reduce the number of decreases. This should do the trick. He loves his sweater and is eager to have it back. He even asked for another one next year in Gryffindor colors. (I apologize for the blurry photo - he was strutting his stuff!)

Fortunately Aine's sweater fit beautifully, and she has worn it quite a bit. She loves that her new doll has one to match. I am so glad she likes this one after the last sweater I knit her was never worn. I really like how the sweater looks on her and want to make one for me now.

I am not sure what I will cast on once the sweater issues are resolved. I will be participating in the Through the Loops Mystery Sock project starting January 1. There is also a pair of birthday socks for someone special on my list. Even with the socks to knit, I really want to make myself something. I truly am a selfish knitter at times. I have some Madelinetosh that needs to be used as well as some red Beaverslide. So many decisions!

As far as my reading list, I have been settling in with my new Nook Tablet. I downloaded Stephanie Pearl McPhee's All Wound Up. I love her blog and am enjoying her book. I usually patronize the library for my reading material, but I felt I should purchase this book to pay for all the enjoyment her blog provides me!

A Wonderful time

2011-12-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

What a wonder-filled holiday we had. There was much food, many hand-made gifts, family together time and lots of goodies to open.

Wishing everyone a happy holiday season

Benton hugging the sock monkey his sister made for him

Eamon sporting his new scarf made by his Aunt Christie

Aine, in her new mama made sweater, hugging her new doll made by a very talented friend

Eamon in his new mama-made sweater building with his new Legos

Dave with a couple stowaways in his new kayak

{this moment}

2011-12-23T07:34:00.000-07:00

{this moment} - Joining Amanda in a Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Welcoming back the Light

2011-12-22T19:30:00.001-07:00

The winter solstice has come and brought with it the shortest day of the year and also the return of light. In Arizona, this transition can sometimes be lost since our weather is quite mild. Our family has been trying to really mark this time by noticing the world around us. The kiddos have noticed a shortening of days. Eamon recently remarked that he is looking forward to summer and more daylight. We are relishing the cool weather and eating our dinners by candlelight.

Wednesday night we lit a fire to mark the beginning of the longest night. We lingered reading stories of wintertime and learning more about the solstice and astronomy. We talked about what the solstice is and how is has figured into so many religious celebrations throughout time. Today we measured our shadows and plan on doing this again a few more times for comparison throughout the year. We also put tape on the window to mark the sun's position. We will watch how the sun moves in the horizon based on our tape mark.

Do you do anything to mark the solstice and the changing of seasons in your home?

Leftovers

2011-12-21T19:42:00.000-07:00

Each year we exchange ornaments among the cousins on my side of the family. Usually it is handmade, but it can be anything. One year, I bought the ornaments because I knew exactly what would fit for each child. This year we have struggled with different ornament ideas. Aine made pipe cleaner candy canes with beads. I tried some felt creations. Eamon did some woodworking. Nothing was quite right.

Then I had an idea. When Eamon finished his ceramics class this fall, he still had quite a bit of clay leftover. We weren't sure what to make with it, so I stuck it in the closet for a few weeks. Inspiration finally hit, and we made some holiday ornaments.

Benton, Aine and I setup a workspace on the table(Eamon elected to continue building LEGO creations). Under Eamon's watchful expert eye, we laid out butcher paper in lieu of canvas. Rolling, cutting, and writing ensued. We made a bunch of ornaments, decorations and gift tags. Using a sprig of pine from our tree, the kids and I imprinted the designs. Benton also tested out the use of a pinecone for imprinting. I carried them outside to dry a bit. We then hung them on ribbon for gifting. They turned all out really nice and I am sure they will be well received.

Crunch Time

2011-12-21T15:40:00.000-07:00

I still have one last gift to complete. It is one of the three kiddo sweaters. I admit to becoming a bit cocky when I finished the other two so quickly. This one is taking a bit of time. Most of it has been in my head. How should I handle the stripes? How big should it be? Shawl collar or hood? I-cord binding or garter button band? Zipper or toggles? The possibilities are endless.

I decided to stripe the sweater using pi. It is comical to me that I cannot randomly stripe. This method works well and it takes the burden off me. The hood and sleeve portion of the sweater are solid. I am hoping that looks good when it is finished.

I finished The Yellow House and started Winter Sea. Someone on the Yarn Along recommended it, and it was available at my library. I have also been busy reading winter picture books with the kiddos. Today we read The Christmas Memory by Truman Capote. Our library book was misprinted; part of the story was repeated and the ending was missing. I was able to find it online read by Capote. We listened to the remainder of the story that way.

{this moment}

2011-12-16T06:15:00.000-07:00

{this moment} - Joining Amanda in a Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Back on Track

2011-12-14T23:51:00.000-07:00

I finished the little gift I was making yesterday, and I am very pleased with the result. For those knitters out there on ravelry, you can see it here. I will post a photo once the holidays have past. I don't want the surprise ruined. I even impressed myself by mailing it this afternoon. All of my holiday gifts that need to be mailed are gone. Woo Hoo!

I cast-on for my final official gift tonight. I still have another gift I want to knit, but I added it late to the queue. If I finish the last kiddo sweater then I will make it. If not, there is always random "because I love you" gift giving.

Forgotten socks in the yard

The kiddos have been getting a bit stir crazy after several days of rain. We run outside between storms to draw on the driveway, play tag or ride bikes. After a bit we would come back inside to listen to the torrential downpours. Aine was disgusted to find out her chalk creations washed right down the street. I told her it just meant she had a fresh canvas. Today it cleared a bit. We headed to the indoor trampoline place for some homeschool bouncing. It was so nice to go and stretch our bodies.

Watching the chalk pictures melt away

The library was also on the agenda. I truly love getting a big stack of books to read. Everyone found a spot to curl up with their books when we returned home. There are a lot of winter books in the pile which will make the rotation in the next couple weeks. I envision quite a bit of reading tomorrow as well as knitting.

My little garden loved the rain

More Changes in Plans

2011-12-13T21:32:00.001-07:00

Details at Ravelry

I thought I would be working on Benton's sweater at this point, but my plans have changed a bit. The gift I had planned to give one of my nephews did not materialize. His mama had asked for it specifically, but my skills could not pull it off. I asked a friend for help, but her holiday list became too long. She told me a few days ago that she wouldn't be able to make the item. So I had to move to plan B. Fortunately it is a super cute plan that I think my nephew will like. (Since I know she reads the blog, I cannot give too much information at this point!)

So today was spent furiously knitting his gift. It has been raining a lot here, so we have gathered inside for some crafting and fun. I only have a little bit left to do tonight, and it should be done by tomorrow and in the mail.

On a side note, I think I may have mastered reading while knitting with this project. I am finishing up The Yellow House. I really like this story, but I have to admit that I also love Masterpiece theater and period pieces. Think what you will about my recommendations. I also read bits of The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum aloud to the kiddos. They are enjoying this version of the story. It is free from Project Gutenberg if you have an ereader (I love my B&N Nook).

As always, I am reading and knitting this Tuesday with Ginny over at Small Things. Join us if you would like.

Busy Elving

2011-12-13T10:15:00.000-07:00

Much is happening at our household. We have been busy making and creating. Everyone is busy with their own gift list. There has been dyeing, knitting, sewing, laughing and celebrating. I do so love this time of year.

Change of Plans

2011-12-08T08:52:00.000-07:00

When the day started, our schedule was full. Milk pickup and a trip to the farmers market followed by a playdate at a friend's home. Playing would then lead into time in the car running a few more errands. It would be busy.

We left the house before eating breakfast to get our milk. Usually my milk run is done before Dave leaves for work, but he went into work early. The kiddos bundled up and we set off. It was uneventful. Once home, we ate some yummy grub and set off again to the market. I had not been to this particular farmers' market, but our friends go every week. I figured it would be a good introduction to the market and the kiddos would see friends. I also secretly hoped to snag a market basket from one of the vendors (the basket seems to be a marker for our homeschooling group, and it is cool).

We pulled up to the market, and the kiddos squealed with delight at seeing so many of their pals. They started running around the grassy area. They wanted to walk around the water feature until one of their friends fell into the fountain and it was really cold. It was madness of the best kind. The mamas were talking near the fishhugger tent. He and his family are also homeschoolers. He loves having the kiddos running around his area and checking out his baskets (I told you already about the baskets). After buying a basket for myself and a smaller one for both Aine and Benton, we set off for our real goal - kale.

The market has one big produce vendor. It isn't all local, but most of it is. It is all organic, and reasonably priced. Everyone working that stall was so kind, but apparently all the kiddos were driving one other shopper a bit crazy (or so I overheard). We ended up with a bit more than our kale. Eamon, Aine and Benton each collected a few items. We had beets, radishes, apples, parsnips, carrots and a butternut squash. While paying, Benton became upset over the purchasing process and threw his basket and food on the floor. After paying I picked him up and settled back into the grassy area. After much talk, he calmed down. He really wanted his basket contents to be weighed together in the basket. He understands now, but is not truly convinced that his way was not better.

The day went a bit awry at that point. Each of the kiddos had a struggle with hitting or unkind behavior. I decided to pull the plug and change our plans for the day. I talked with the mom and children with whom we had planned our playdate. We all agreed that playing could wait for another day when everyone was having a better day. I even said that it was my point of view on the day. I just didn't want to spend the day frustrated and angry with the behaviors. I wanted us to focus our energy elsewhere.

We headed home. It was the best decision. Once home, we settled into our rhythm again. I pulled out the simple supplies for graham cracker houses. Eamon was disappointed that we didn't have real gingerbread like last year. His feelings of disappointment faded once the assembly began. There was much candy consumption and hilarity throughout the process. Eamon came up with a porch design that was quickly adopted by the younger crowd. Each has a specific look for their house.

When the houses were complete, we settled in for some stories, holiday movies and crafting. Dinner was a delicious soup, green chicken chili. With full bellies, we settled into bed and listened to our next installment of The Cinnamon Bear. The kiddos fell asleep and I finished up the mitts I had been knitting. It was a good day, although it was not what we had planned.

Casting on

2011-12-06T21:21:00.001-07:00

Although I foolishly promised photos and details of the second sweater last week, I still haven't done that. It is tough to find a moment to photograph and document a gift when the giftee is always present. I can get away with a lot while knitting, but laying out an 8yr old sized sweater to photograph is harder. Instead I have been busy starting other projects. This week, I finished the baseball hat I had begun. It is really cute, and I think the recipient will like it as long as it isn't too big. (I have a hard time with hat sizing, since my children seem to have massive craniums!) I liked the Bimple pattern so much that I quickly made another one for my almost 10 yr old nephew. To spice it up a bit, I added some pirate colorwork. I love, love love it!

Fueled by the hat success, I cast on for another hat. This one is for my youngest niece. I am knitting the Aurora pattern from Bambeanies. I did not make it far before I realized that I had loaned my size 6 double points. I could have used magic loop, but instead I cast on for a pair of fingerless mitts for my oldest niece. My son informed me that she really likes the blue we chose for the mitts. He and Aine both think she will love them as they enjoy wearing theirs. I am knitting the Dashing pattern from Ravelry for them. I hope to finish the mitts tonight and the hat tomorrow.

Joining Ginny for our weekly Yarn Along

Reading has taken a backseat to holiday preparations and elving. I have only read a few pages of The Yellow House this week. Instead picture books, winter stories, holiday craft books and some audiobooks have been the mainstay. We have been listening to the Cinnamon Bear each night for bed. The kiddos really like it. We are also listening to Sacajawea: The Story of Bird Woman and the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the car. My history buff, Eamon, really likes it. I would like to read more about the expedition as well.

The Slightest Twinge

2011-12-05T09:56:00.000-07:00

It lasted only a brief moment, but I had a flash of holiday stress last night. I started to worry about finishing my nieces' and nephew's gifts in time for my parents to hand carry them this week. Not to mention a birthday gift that is needed for a special someone in that family as well. I wondered if I could squeeze in a little time to gather, sort and create a photobook to take advantage of a twofer deal by Monday evening. When would I be able to sew a few gifts that I really want to give this year. And what about my poor chilly spouse who could use a bit of wool to keep him warm. And that final kiddo sweater.

Sheesh! it was a big flash of panic, but I shrugged it off. Truly what will happen. The world will not end if I have to buy something for the people I love. They will still know I care even if I do not give handmade. I prefer giving gifts of thought that I create, but it will all be okay.

So, I returned to knitting while surrounded on the floor by my children who were also immersed in their own creations. We talked about what gifts they wanted to make and how we could make them. So much planning, preparing and togetherness. This is what I love.

Something Shiny

2011-12-02T19:41:00.000-07:00

With a busy weekend ahead, Aine and I decided to have our monthly date a day early. After Girl Scouts, we headed out for some fun. I stopped by our home for the camera and told Dave my plan. We had discussed it last month, so he knew it was coming. Aine had no idea.

For months or even over a year, Aine has been pining for pierced ears. We were able to hold her off a bit over the summer with the promise of new jewelry in the fall after swim team ended. She has continued requesting them, assuring us that she can care for pierced ears. As soon as the swimming season ended she told us it was time. We decided that she was right. I called ahead and set the plan in motion.

As we drove, I asked Aine if she still wanted her ears pierced, and if she was up for it today. She couldn't answer yes fast enough. We headed to HTC in downtown Tempe. After a brief return home to retrieve Aine's birth certificate, the adventure began. Our piercer, Kevin, showed Aine the earring choices. True to form her first pick was a large sparkly gemstone. I suggested that we start with a smaller earring first, so she picked a small titanium ball.

Disinfecting her lobes

We were then led back to a smaller room where Aine listened to everything in awe. All the needles and earrings were in sealed packages. As Kevin opened everything, he explained what would happen. With earlobes disinfected and placement dots on her ears, the piercing began. We held hands throughout the process, which Aine described as someone pinching a small section of skin really hard. She did really well with only a slight grimace on the second ear.

While sucking on her congratulatory lollipop, she and Kevin exchanged high-fives after it was done. She practically floated out of the shop. As we walked, she kept putting her hair behind her ears taking extreme care not to touch her lobes and earrings (she had been told to keep her piercing clean and not touch her new earrings at all). She was so pleased and could not stop smiling. She finally has her fancy, new earrings.

{this moment}

2011-12-02T08:16:00.000-07:00

Joining Soulemama with {this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

Making yummy pumpkin pancakes is better with a little help.

Quick Holiday Knits

2011-11-29T22:52:00.000-07:00

I realized that December is fast approaching, and I have a few presents that need to be mailed. Since I finished Eamon's holiday sweater, I figured I had time to spend on other knits before tackling Benton's sweater (I will post some pictures of Eamon's sweater tomorrow with my thoughts). Nothing like a postal deadline to shake things up a bit.

For my nieces and nephews, I am knitting mostly hats this year. Fortunately hats are cute, funky and, most importantly, quick. Today I cast on for the Bimple hat by Woolly Wormhead. I love her designs, and her book Bambeanies does not disappoint. She often incorporates creative construction in her designs and tries to keep the look fresh. In keeping with my stash busting, I am using a skein leftover from Aine's stocking. It is Wool of the Andes bulky from Knitpicks in the wine colorway. I love the depth of this red and think it will work well for this hat. I am planning on adding a baseball when I am done either in crochet or knit as an embellishment if it fits. After this one I think I will knit Queenie or Ruskin or maybe Aurora or perhaps Tipper or Moochie or truly I really love all the possibilities.

I started reading The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey this week. I am only 50 pages into it, but I like it thus far. The kids and I finished Travels of Thelonious (Fog Mound), which we all really enjoyed. We are now reading from two books, one of the Boxcar Children series and Sugar Plum Ballerinas #1: Plum Fantastic. I have a few more titles on our reading list that are due back to the library soon, so we have been reading a lot during the day.

What is on your needles this week and on your bedside reading pile?

Knitting and Reading with Ginny as part of her Yarn Along

{this moment}

2011-11-25T03:47:00.000-07:00

Joining Amanda at Soulemama for this moment.

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

Gratitude

2011-11-24T21:31:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrated Thanksgiving with my parents, father in law, brothers, sisters in law and many nieces and nephews. Much food was consumed, balls were tossed, football was watched and dishes washed. It was a full day and one which reminds us to express our gratitude.

Here are a few things for which we are thankful:
* a healthy family
* LEGO Universe
* a new Barbie and matching movie
* gifts from friends to pass the time healing
* hospital room service
* Aine's presence at home where she belongs
* amazing out of this world friendships both close and afar
* Minecraft
* family
* beautiful weather
* full bellies
* time with grandma
* cousins
* new babies expected in the family (my brother and SIL)
* a home
* quick healing
* the internet
* yarn
* technology
* each other

Hope everyone regardless of what you celebrate had a wonderful day.

Calming

2011-11-22T20:26:00.003-07:00

While waiting for Aine to return from surgery, I knit. I knit and I knit and I knit. In preparation for our stay in the hospital, I cast-on for Eamon's pullover Sunday night. I wanted to be ready for the waiting that would ensue with some rhythmically, calming stockinette stitch. It worked.

This sweater is my first Elizabeth Zimmerman pattern. I am following her basic recipe for a seamless raglan. It is easy going thus far; I am almost to the sleeve split. I could be further, but in the darkness of Aine's room last night, I accidently split my yarn and knit two stitches where one should be. I didn't notice until I finished that 10 row stripe. Oh well! A bit of frogging back to that point, and I was off again.

I am using a "new to me" yarn from Beaverslide Dry Goods. It is the 90/10 worsted, and I really love it. This love is compounded by the fact that Leanne, the owner of Beaverslide, is super nice and helpful. I had some colorway questions, and she took the time to talk to me about what I was making while offering some suggestions. The yarn feels really nice too!

Eamon favorite color is black with red as a very close second, so stripes seemed like the perfect solution. While we were sitting and talking in the waiting area, Dave queried why I was making a Freddy Krueger sweater. It briefly sullied the experience. For a little while I couldn't stop thinking of his association. After a few more stripes, I forgot about it. Truly my son has no idea who that horror character is, and he will love his sweater. That is all that matters!

Not much reading this week. I have flipped through a few magazines while here. My very dear friends brought us a care package. It is a huge bag jam packed with goodies and more magazines than I could read in a month. Again we are so lucky to have so many amazing people in our lives.

Waiting

2011-11-21T20:21:00.000-07:00

Today has been a very long day. My little girl was admitted to the hospital for a scheduled surgery. I have been so nervous and scared about this day. It has occupied most of my thoughts for the past 2 weeks. Dave and I sat with very dear friends for three hours waiting to hear about our child. It was quite possibly the longest wait of my life. It is so hard to see your seemingly healthy child leave your side to be put under anesthesia and endure a major surgery. I cried. Dave made me laugh. We waited. Finally the surgeon told us all went well, and we could see Aine.

While we waited to be taken back to see her, the fire alarms went off. We had to seek shelter while hospital staff ascertained the problem and determined if evacuation was needed. As we waited all I could think of was our little girl. Finally, the alarms subsided, and we were able to see her. We both stroked her hair and whispered to her as she awoke from sedation.

Many friends have visited, sent flowers/balloons/goodie bags and texted words of comfort. The boys came to check on their sister and were relieved to see her. We are fortunate to have such support from the our friends, family and the hospital staff.

Aine is tired and so very sore. Her tummy hurts. She is nauseous. We will linger in the hospital a few more days waiting to go home. There will be even more waiting as her body heals. Fortunately as we wait, we are comforted with the knowledge that our little girl will be fine. And for that I am grateful.

(Disregard her purple lips - she had just had a grape popsicle)

Thankful for my community

2011-11-18T21:46:00.000-07:00

Tonight we bowled with our friends. These are friends young and old that we have met over the past year. The friendships feel as though these people have been around much longer. This group of kindred spirits has grown very close in the past six months. We are a community.

I am very thankful for these people. We share the homeschooling journey. We have children in the same age range. We meet regularly to support one another and provide an enriching environment for our kiddos. We help, support, encourage and cherish each other. My children are so happy with the friends they have in this group, and so am I.

Spinning balls on the rack

Dads and kiddos bowling this game.

Resting after the 10th frame.

Burning the Midnight Oil

2011-11-17T17:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we visited the library after a fun and exhausting time at our homeschool bounce day. Everyone selected a pile of books. Eamon picked up his usual comic books as well as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. He read the first three books a few months ago, and we decided to wait for the remaining books. I was concerned about my sensitive guy and the heavier subject matter in the later books. I am not sure why he decided to read it now, but he was insistent. I figured we could read it together.

When we arrived home, Eamon began reading. He read non-stop for the rest of the afternoon and evening. He crawled into bed with me when I went to sleep still reading. When Dave was ready for bed, Eamon wanted to stay up and read. Moving to his bed with a reading light, he read until 2am. He then sat in the master bathroom with the door shut until 3:18am. At that time, Eamon finished the book. As he crawled into bed, he exclaimed that it was the best book ever.

Sorry for the bad photo- it was 1:30 in the morning!

Mail

2011-11-15T10:59:00.002-07:00

I love mail. I enjoy getting postcards, letters, magazines and especially packages. This simple pleasure is nothing new. I remember asking my mom as a child if the mail had arrived, and if I received anything. My children are the same. They love checking the mailbox for treasures and enjoy when their magazine subscriptions arrive (Ask and Spider are their favorites). We read letters together and try to reply to the sender. Often these missives don't reach the intended recipient, but the original thoughts are there.

I remember loving fluffy mail when I was a new mom. I was a stay at home mom wondering trying to make a safe little home for my son. Of course that fluffy mail was cloth diapers! I no longer receive any of those packages, as my youngest has been out of diapers for a couple years now, but I now have a new fluffy mail to appreciate - yarn!

This week has been a good mail week. I received two separate fluffy packages in the mail for the boys' sweaters. I also received the buttons for Aine's sweater as well as coordinating barrettes for her. I have been busy winding the skeins into yarn cakes and preparing myself mentally for the task of their sweaters. Perhaps I need to stop planning, researching and stewing and just start knitting.

Beaverslide Dry Goods 90/10 (Please disregard the dust, I have been busy)

Saying Yes

2011-11-13T19:27:00.000-07:00

As a parent I have found that saying "yes" is important. Most days I really do strive to say yes to my children. Some days are a bit harder than others. I don't want the mess, the hassle or the bother. Today was not one of those days. Today we all said "YES."

* a big yes to playing in the morning rain with an emphasis on puddle jumping

* Yes to pancakes with maple syrup, eggs and sausage and mandarin oranges for breakfast.

* Another yes to electric trains including the large wooden platform, which has to be dragged into the house from the garage. Eamon requested this, but everyone played. Aine built "City of Aine" complete with landscaping and people. Benton built a block park. Eamon played engineer.

Toot Toot (someone loves the whistle)

"Engineer Eamon, come in, Engineer Eamon..."

Arranging the river and waterways

Planning out the livestock and the block cities

* Yes to reading and lounging on the couch

* Of course I said yes to an owl hat to match his vest. It required a bit of brushing up on my crochet skills, but it turned out super cute. Benton was pleased.

Yes, I did wear my polar bears pjs for a long time today

* Yes to watching the creation of a new LEGO game complete with dynamic rules that change each time you play and are truly only known by one person

* Yes to a sad little boy who wanted to play the LEGO game with his older siblings but was told it was only for ages 7+

We had a lot more yeses today that weren't photographed. Yes to popcorn for dinner, bath for no reason, another book for bedtime, using mama's "good" sharpies and lots more. Everyone should really try saying yes instead of an automatic no and see what fun you have. As Aine said this morning, "Mama, this is the life."

Is Dat for Me?

2011-11-12T14:53:00.000-07:00

Everyone wonders how I can knit for my kiddos and keep it secret. Since I am often knitting during down times, they are used to always seeing something on my needles. I was able to complete Aine's sweater and a matching one for her doll baby without any questions. I even took photos of the doll wearing the sweater! I admit to being a bit surprised myself.

While waiting for the yarn to arrive for the boys' official holiday sweaters, I decided to make a vest for Benton. I have had this yarn in my stash for quite a few years. I cannot remember the colorway, but it is 100purewool. I originally bought it to make something for him when he was a baby, perhaps a sweater or longies. My memory is a bit fuzzy. I knew he would like whatever I made now since he loves green. For him, I chose the Milo vest pattern. I really like the pattern as it has several cable pattern from which to choose and it covers quite a few sizes. Oh, and I could use stash yarn.

As I knit I considered making it his holiday sweater. I was warming to the idea when I saw how cute it was turning out. I had almost convinced myself when Benton crawled up into my lap while knitting, and quipped, "Is dat for me?" Why, of course, baby. It is for you.

Remembering

2011-11-11T21:42:00.000-07:00

Today Aine and I walked with her Girl Scout troop to remember past sacrifices and promote the ideal of peace.

Today...

2011-11-10T22:11:00.000-07:00

Today was a delightfully lazy day. Today we

* jumped on mattresses and off beds

* tickled and laughed

* let Daddy take a much needed nap

* built LEGO creations

* read books

* shared the last ceramics class together

* picked out library books

* knit

* finished up a banner for the parade tomorrow

After such a lazy day, we look forward to the excitement of a parade tomorrow and the hot dogs that follow.

Zoo Season

2011-11-09T19:28:00.000-07:00

With our temperatures dropping, our outdoors activities are soaring. We suffer from hibernation mode during the summer. By the time fall arrives we are itching to get back outdoors. Recently our homeschool group visited the zoo.

The kiddos were eager to run around the treehouse and explore the small creek that runs under it. As they played, excavators worked on the surrounding area. It seems our zoo is continually trying to improve and upgrade the environment. A new orangutan exhibit just opened in the past few months and the kiddos were excited to check it out again with their friends. We stopped for a few snacks while watching a video about the apes and reading the signs. The new enclosure is such an improvement over the previous cement exhibit. The four apes have a bigger area as well as several interior rooms. They even have grass now!

Benton and Eamon were surprised when the baby orangutan swung down to the inside viewing window to watch them eat carrots. Baby Kasih just watched them eat and appeared to want to nibble the offered food despite the glass separating her from Benton. It was heartbreaking and fascinating at the same time.

More monkeys were the plan as we then visited monkey village and the squirrel monkeys. Everyone enjoyed watching the small run along the ropes and explore.

This was the end of most of our animal viewing. The children started stroller and wagon rides along the walkway outside the exhibit. They hooked together a couple wagons to form and train and enjoyed themselves immensely. They also played at the adjacent rock cave.

With tired bodies and short fuses, we decided to take a trip on the train since one of the moms had a free pass for the group. It was just what we needed to refuel. The same mom offered carousel rides as the grand finale. All three kiddos climbed onto the carousel animals. Aine stuck close to the other mom and her young son, while I stayed near the boys. We even attempted a photo in the carousel mirror. It didn't work so well.

After our carousel rides, we were sad to find out the zoo was closed. Heading out to the car, I discovered the new exit requires that you walk through the gift shop. This did not please me, but we all did well. Eamon even told those in the group that it is marketing by the zoo to get you to buy more stuff. It was truly a wonderful day with friends, and I think we all had a pretty good time!

A third of the way there

2011-11-08T21:21:00.000-07:00

Aine's sweater is complete. I admit that I was nervous after reading everyone's comments last week. I began to think I was crazy for even thinking about three sweaters by the end of December. Fortunately my needles were on fire. The sweater pattern was very straight-forward. I only adjusted the body length, garter borders and sleeve length. I made the sleeves full length instead of three quarters in the hopes that she can wear it a bit longer. It was a very quick knit, although I did question my decision for full sleeves several times. The yarn was quite nice. I had used the same brand in my February Lady Sweater. It is Dream in Color Classy, and I really love the colorway. Initially I wasn't sure she would like, but I think now that she will love it.

I ordered buttons for the sweater from a store mentioned by Amanda. I selected a floral that should be jazzy enough for her six year old tastes yet still meet my need for matching. I also requested matching hair clips.

I hesitated ordering the yarn for the boys' sweaters until last week, because I was sure this formidable task of a sweater would take a bit more time. Since the yarn hasn't arrived, I cast-on a tiny doll sweater for Aine, which will match her own sweater. It doesn't have the same yoke, but it is similar and has garter edges. I know she will love having a sweater that matches her doll and cute accessories.

Even with all the knitting, I am back reading this week. My television jag is over for the moment. I finished Vinegar Hill in between knitting seasons. It was a sad book. The central family was haunted by the abuse and mistakes of previous generations. I was particularly struck with how horrific the grandfather was and how his actions affected those in each generation. I enjoyed it, but I needed a different read next. I am not sure I found it, but I started The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake. In this story the young protagonist can taste the feelings and emotions of the person who made her food in the actual meal. Thus far, the feelings are her mother's and are "empty."

A better read are the books I am reading with the kiddos. We are enjoying Raggedy Ann and Andy and the Camel with the Wrinkled Knees as well as Travels of Thelonious (Fog Mound). Tonight Eamon and I read half of the Thelonious book. He had not intended to read it when I selected it at the library. It has been sitting in our library book bin for a week. I mentioned he may like it, but he wasn't convinced until I opened it and began to read. Once we started he didn't want to stop. I found about this book from Amanda as well. She has a son a few months older than Eamon. He seems to share Eamon's love of comics, so I figured the book would be well received. It definitely has been.

Hopefully next week, I have a bit more to show of my knitting trifecta. I will have new yarn to show off and a finished object or two. Enjoy your knitting and thanks for stopping by Ginny's Yarn Along.

Survival of the fittest

2011-11-07T19:20:00.000-07:00

Our garden is beginning to show signs of life now that our weather has begun to cool. The seedlings are reaching for the sky growing taller each day. I decided it was time to thin the seedlings. As you can see from the top photo, the kale was quite crowded. My spinach is not nearly so clustered, and I wonder where all those seeds landed for both spinach and chard ended up.

Truly I hate thinning my plants, trying to decide which will remain and throwing away the rest. The whole process seems so wasteful. I decided to try to salvage whatever seedlings I could thin and plant them elsewhere. It seems to have worked. I now have kale seedlings in this little garden plot and two more pots. Hopefully I can remember to water all of them. Fortunately there is rain in our forecast. Did I mention we had temperatures in the 60's? I am afraid my husband will want the heat on soon!

Hey Mr. DJ

2011-11-06T19:13:00.000-07:00

It was a regular dance party at our house today. Aine, Eamon and Benton wiggled, jiggled, sang and danced around the room. They stood on the ottoman dancing. With the music cranked way up, Aine picked the songs. Practicing his air guitar rendition, Eamon strummed the banjo while Benton took over lead vocals. Then they each switched spots and began the whole thing all over again.

(Somehow I missed Aine dancing. I was a bit slow with the camera!)

Friends

2011-11-05T23:46:00.000-07:00

Some days these two amaze me. Their relationship ebbs and flows like a river. The first person they look for in the morning after mama is each other. Eamon can make Aine laugh like no other and vice versa. He can also make her scream in frustration. Aine seeks her big brother's help with reading, and he begrudgingly gives it. Of course, he will later show her his special book and read to her. A few days ago Eamon defended Aine from a perceived injustice. Lately they have been collaborating on a game. He has been seeking her help. Seeing them work together makes me pause. I love my children, and I am so glad they enjoy each other.

Intrepid Explorers

2011-11-04T20:50:00.001-07:00

Today while getting ready to leave for Girl Scouts with Aine, I asked Dave what he had on his agenda today. He said he would like to take a day trip. Just the words made me a bit antsy. I am a planner. I am not good at last minute. I reminded him that we wouldn't be home until noon, but he was nonplussed.

When Aine and I arrived home, the adventure was set into motion. Dave said we would head out to the Gila Bend area. I mentioned that there were severe wind advisories along the interstates, but he wasn't worried. We piled into the car and set out. I was still a bit apprehensive, but I was not driving. With Dave at the wheel, I started an audiobook and began to knit.

Our first stop was a drug store to pick up motion sickness bands for Aine. Unfortunately she has inherited her mother's queasy stomach. She is not comforted by the fact that I have mostly outgrown it.

The weather was weird as we drove out of town. Our destination was Painted Rock Petroglyph site. The sky was very overcast and the blowing dust caused limited visibility in some spots.

Everyone jumped out of the car to explore the petroglyphs. We immediately encountered heavy winds which almost blew us away! We read about the rock markings and were amazed at the abundance. A lot of the rocks were covered with petroglyphs. The kids helped point out the two types, archaic and gila, based on what we read on the signs.

As we walked around the site, we were struck by the lack of petroglyphs on the north side on the rock pile. the reason was not clear. Why were the petroglyphs concentrated on one side? We also talked about the Gila River and its absence from the landscape. At one point in history the area we visited was a vibrant landscape with a flowing river. Now with dams and diverted waterways, the vegetation and wildlife has changed.

Leaving the petroglyph site, we ventured to the Painted Rock Dam. While driving on dirt backroads to hit a couple other historic sites along the way, Dave and I screeched, "There's a spider in the road!" We turned around and climbed out of the car to look at the giant spider. Everyone enjoyed the jaywalker. The spider crawled under the car and curled up by our wheel. Dave didn't want to crush it, so I climbed out to direct his driving to avoid the spider!

A historic pioneer cemetary was on our route as well as old historic homes made of stones. We encountered a detour on the way to the dam. Dave had wanted to view another site along the way, but we were told the road ended and was not open. Following our GPS,we set out for the dam. Little did we know, but we were driving in a huge circle. We ended up back at the Petroglyphs!

Undeterred our family continued on to the dam. As we drove, we saw volcanic rock. Eamon wanted to touch and examine some of the lava rocks, so we stopped.

Once we were back on the highway, we realized that we would need to postpone our trip to view the dam. The sky was starting to quicker darken as the sun went down, and we decided it would not be much fun in the dark. We headed home with images of giant spiders and ancient writings. I am excited to start our day trips again even if they may be last minute. I think I may just be moving out of my comfort zone (heck, did you see that spider!)

Socktober Wrap-up

2011-11-03T19:44:00.000-07:00

I bet you didn't know that October is known as Socktober to knitting enthusiasts. It is, and this year I joined in yet again. Usually I knit a mystery sock written by Kristen Kapur of Through the Loops. This year, she had to postpone her design. Let on my own, I decided to knit one of her other designs. I also wanted to finish Aine's stocking.

I actually did even better than I had planned. I finished two pairs of socks and Aine's stocking in October. I also knit through the cuff on another pair of socks. Here are a few photos of what I made this month (oh, and mums the word, because most are gifts).

Crazy Socks 10/17/11

Reverse Socks 10/30/11

Next Stocking Completed 10/30/11

Mama...

2011-11-02T18:41:00.000-07:00

take a picture of me...

Holiday Knitting

2011-11-01T20:33:00.000-07:00

November 1st marks the start of holiday knitting for my children. I have named this the year of the sweater. Last year was the year of the quilt, and each kiddo received a mama-made quilt for Christmas. This year I ~~hope to give~~ will be giving each of them a mama-made sweater.

The decision to knit each of my children a sweater was an easy one. This year I have made four sweaters for myself with relative ease. I figure three child-sized sweaters would be a piece of cake. The hard part has been selecting the pattern and yarn. For Aine, I have selected the Tiny Tea Leaves pattern. I really like the simple lines of this cardigan. The adult version has been in my knitting queue for some time. A pattern for the boys has been harder. Would a hoodie be best? Or a sweater with a pouch pocket? Or a cardigan? Or what about a Harry Potter initial sweater? With all the choices muddled in my head, I think I have finally settled on a simple raglan pullover following Elizabeth Zimmerman's pithy instructions. My knitting skills should be good enough to face up to the task. Of course, this may change as the month progresses.

The next issue is yarn. I am really trying to only use yarn that I already have. The problem is finding a sweater's worth of yarn in my collection. I have quite a bit of sock yarn and single skeins. When I reviewed my inventory, I realized I could definitely make Aine's sweater with four skeins of Dream in Color Classy that I have. The color is Chinatown Apple and a bit darker than she likes, but I think it will work with her coloring and current wardrobe. There isn't enough yarn for the other two sweaters, so I will need to buy it. I think both sweaters will also be in the red family. Eamon and Benton both call red one of their favorite colors. I think I will stripe Eamon's sweater with black which is another of his top colors. Since Benton's other favorite is green, he may just get a solid sweater.

Aine's sweater is first in the queue, and I cast-on today. My gauge was spot on, so I was able to proceed without needing to change needles several times. While we were at the park, I was able to knit about 15 rows between swing pushing, sand mountain surveying and game refereeing.

Following along with Ginny's Yarn Along - Tiny Tea Leaves Sweater

While knitting, I haven't been reading much besides patterns and reviews. My constant companion lately has been Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmerman. EZ is the quintessential mother of knitting. Her straight-forward instructions are brief and scare me a bit. I like a little hand-holding in my patterns. Her style is refreshing and encouraging though, so I think it will all work out.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T20:50:00.000-07:00

Shaun of the Dead, Puppy, Scarecrow and Princess

Nothing like the last minute

2011-10-31T17:22:00.000-07:00

This morning was filled with a flurry of Halloween costume assembly. In years past, the kiddos have changed their minds up until the last minute. This year, they each remained strong about their costume ideas. We had the supplies for each costume, but some assembly was still required.

I pulled out a sewing machine (yes, I own more than one and love each of them). Benton and I worked on his design. He is a puppy this year. Some of you may remember when he was a dog a few years ago.

Halloween 2008

This year we used black sweats coupled with a black knit hat. I added brown spots and ears. Benton showed me where to put his belly and decided his legs didn't need spots. I found the cat/dog tail in our dress-up bin and attached it to the ensemble. The whole assembly process took under 30 minutes.

The result:

Eamon's costume was a little trickier. He needed a scarecrow head. Burlap was his fabric of choice, but he decided felt was more practical when he felt the burlap on his face. He helped me fashion the hood. Paint was added and the whole outfit is rather macabre. We worked a bit more on it after he posed in the background for this shot.

Aine didn't need any help with her costume today. While the others were involved in a creative fashion, she pulled out the felt scraps to make a crown. She decorated it with paint, ribbon and buttons.

More photos later when we embark on our Halloween 2011 adventures.

A Great Date

2011-10-30T13:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I spent several hours with an amazing young man. We ran a few errands, ate lunch together, explored our town, visited a museum and had a fantastic time. I am lucky enough to have a date with this person every other month. Occasionally we have a few extra dates sprinkled sporadically, but I know I can count on at least this one time every other month.

My date was with my oldest son, Eamon. We were a few days late this month as we usually try to go out on the 25th (his birth date). I talked to him about my frustration with my last few dates with him and his siblings. It seemed like they were just excuses to spend money and not really time with one another. I didn't want to see a movie or visit the local indoor playhouse. Both are not really conducive to interactive play with your mom! We brainstormed what we could do together. Finally, I just asked him what he wanted to do if money was not an issue and a cranky mom wasn't saying, "no!" He quickly replied that he wanted to go to the park. Seriously??!?! Well, that is easy!

We started our day with a few errands talking all the time. It was amazing to us both how quickly we accomplished the few things we had to do. Once the errands were out of the way, I took Eamon to the local sporting goods store. His soft football had been destroyed a few months ago, and if we were headed to the park together he needed a new one. With two new balls in hand, we ate a quick meal at Chipotle. Eamon selected the restaurant as his favorite. The meal meandered as we talked at length about all sorts of things. I think the favorite topic was Minecraft. With nowhere to be and no one else to worry about, we sat for a long time just chatting. (Admittedly I did knit a bit while we talked).

The yarn store was our next stop as it was on the way to the park. I wanted to find out what colors Eamon loves. I am making each of the kiddos a sweater for the holidays. He doesn't know about the sweater, so I couldn't be totally forthright with my plan. Since he is color-blind, I wasn't sure how accurate my interpretation of his color likes/dislikes would be. We walked around the store and he showed me his favorite red (it is a true red with a hint of orange - Cascade 220 Persimmon is his absolute favorite). He also pointed out his preferred black which outscores red by a smidge as favorite color. We left the yarn store and headed to the park.

Tempe Town Lake was out final destination. We parked near the art center and decided to check out the art museum inside and adjacent sculpture gallery. The current exhibit is entitled, Mixing it Up: Building an Identity. We both really enjoyed it and talked a lot about the different mediums as well as subject matter. Once outside again, the new pedestrian bridge called to us. The bridge was finished recently and Eamon was eager to be the first in his family to walk across it. As we walked we spotted birds, fish, airplanes, and clouds. We paused a few times, when we heard nearby fireworks, to cheer on ASU. When we arrived on the north side of the bridge, we looked for an area to throw the football. As we looked, Eamon found a colony of rabbits. I was very touched when his initial reaction was a desire to show his brother and sister. He just knew they would love them! I think he was right. There were at least 20 rabbits hanging out by the buses on the grass.

We decided to walk back to the museum side of the lake to play catch. We tossed the ball for quite a long time. Eamon kicked it to me and I had to play quarterback returning the ball for a score. We laughed and ran around until dusk. Finally Eamon decided he was done. He said he missed his brother and sister and wanted to share this evening with them. He was having so much fun. Per Eamon it was the best date day ever! I had to agree, we had such a wonderful day. I am so glad I have these times together to really enjoy the person each of my children is becoming.

(Sorry, no pictures of our day. I left the camera at home and just lived the moments.)

Lanterns

2011-10-27T19:39:00.001-07:00

Aine, Benton and I took some empty glass containers and a bit of tissue paper and transformed it all into Halloween lanterns.

First we cut green, orange and black tissue paper into squares and rectangles. Aine and I tried to make them 1-2 inches square for easier application. While Aine finished cutting, I mixed some glue for us to use. I combined equal parts water and glue to make a modge-podge type adhesive.

We each selected our glass jar and set to work. Aine made a witch. I made a pumpkin. Benton freestyled decorating the inside and outside of his jar.

(Eamon's room in the background - he paid me $5 the next day to clean it!)

We had to wash hands a few times as the glue concoction was sticky!

We even decorated the lids.

The containers sat outside overnight to dry. The pumpkin did well with a lighted candle, but the shape of the other containers required battery operated candle-lights. They are sitting in our window sending spooky images out to all who pass.

Happy Halloweeen!!!

Making Do

2011-10-25T20:48:00.000-07:00

While waiting for the yarn to arrive for Aine's stocking this week, I cast-on a few other projects. The main one was a scarf from some stash yarn. After making a couple pairs of baby socks a couple years ago, I still had approximately 350 yards of yarn. It made a nice sized shawl, which is going to be a gift this holiday season. The knitting went really quickly due to my current obsession. I haven't been reading much this week. I have been watching streaming television. I have been watching Friday Night Lights. Although I don't watch television, I have spent my evenings watching the old seasons on my laptop and knitting. I am seriously hooked. It is embarrassing. Hopefully next week, I will be back to the books and have a stocking to show everyone who visits for Ginny's Yarn Along.

"I am Making a Nest"

2011-10-25T11:39:00.000-07:00

Yet Another Reason

2011-10-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

why I love Ravelry...

This is Aine's stocking. It is the same pattern I used a few years ago when I made one for Benton. Notice the unfinished foot and toe area. I ran out of white yarn. Unfortunately Knitpicks is also out of the white yarn. It is on backorder until 12/31/11.

Desperate for yarn to finish, I posted on ravelry.com about my dilemma and my search for the white bulky yarn. I had several replies within moments offering me skeins of the yarn. I bought more yarn from a fellow knitter, and it should arrive by the end of the week. With any luck, Aine's stocking will be done by the end of October. Woo Hooo!

Been Busy

2011-10-21T18:29:00.000-07:00

* Knitting
* Baking
* Cooking
* Missing Dave while he travels
* Jumping on trampolines
* Enjoying the season
* Decorating
* Crafting
* And more knitting...

Empty Promises

2011-10-11T20:58:00.000-07:00

I know I said I would talk buttons today, but I don't have any good pictures of my now finished (complete with buttons) February Lady Sweater. I will try to have Dave take a few photos this week. Today the most I can give is a little tease. A photo of the sweater right after I sewed the buttons on this week.

Knitting and Finishing as part of Ginny's Yarn Along

My knitting has been a bit crazy this week. Besides sewing buttons onto the sweater, I finished the birthday gift for my niece as I mentioned a few days ago. I also have been working on Aine's stocking. It is going fairly well, since it is a bulkier yarn. However, since it is colorwork, I need to pay a bit more attention to the charts. This doesn't make for good park day knitting or even good child rearing knitting.

I needed some plain knitting for these occasions, so I made Eamon a set of fingerless mitts and matching hat per his request. He loved the mitts so much he donned the first one as soon as it came off the needles. He wore it so much that day he had felted the palm a bit when he returned it for sizing of the second. Fortunately he now has two. I made the hat on a whim since I still had more of the stash yarn. He selected a fuschia trim for his Thorpe hat and couldn't be more pleased.

Eamon's Mitt's and Tiny E's Earflap Hat as well as his new fox

While knitting, I have been listening to The Passage by Justin Cronin. I am almost finished. I am really enjoying the story although science fiction apocalyptic stories are not my usual read. The book moves along rather quickly, but could be a bit shorter (over 700 pages). I fear that the ending will not satisfy me as I read online that there are two more books in the works. Sometimes I wish every book weren't a trilogy. My print reading (since audiobooks don't count for some people) has mainly been children's books. I am reading part of the Penderwick series to my kiddos. They really enjoy the sisters' adventures with their friend, Jeffrey. Eamon likes it so much, he named his fox, in the above photo, Jane.

Finishing

2011-10-09T13:57:00.000-07:00

A few projects have occupied my time this past week. The one that occupied the most mental space was a baby doll I started in April 2008. The doll has been completely knit for quite some time. Most recently I pulled her out to sew the limbs into place. This was back in February 2010. I also finished the dress and hair at this time. Unfortunately she was stuffed back into the closet unfinished. The problem? I hated her hair.

When I recently pledged to complete all my "works in progress," I pulled out the doll. The intended recipient was no longer the right age. I decided to give it to her younger sister who had a birthday coming soon. I asked a few friends what they thought. They gave me a few ideas, but I still wasn't sure what I would do. I began looking at what others had done on ravelry. I found hair I liked, so I knit it this past week. The new 'do looked so much better to me (Aine still thinks the other hair is superior). With new hair, my interest in the project was renewed. Today I embroidered eyes onto the face, sewed the hair to the head and then affixed the head to the body. The doll I started three and a half years ago is complete.

Plumb Worn Out

2011-10-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

Benton fell asleep reading on his floor after a fun day out and about town.

I thought it was good

2011-10-07T19:36:00.000-07:00

Potato and Spinach Hash Everyday Food 10/2011

Benton did too. The other two did not. In his defense, Dave had to work late. He did eat some of the leftovers. Oh well. There are always other recipes to try.

Seeds

2011-10-06T19:17:00.000-07:00

After our planting foray, we have talked a bit about seeds. Aine wants to grow some seeds in paper to see what happens. Benton wants to plant more and more seeds everyday. I thought pictures from seeds would be neat.

We had done seed mosaics several years ago. No one remembered, so we did them again. I pulled out different types of seeds and a big container of glue. The kiddos set to work. Each created a unique masterpiece. I even joined in the fun with a jack-o-lantern (Apparently I am a one trick mosaic pony, since I did a pumpkin last time too).

Sprouts

2011-10-05T19:11:00.002-07:00

Our waiting has paid off. We have a few little sprouts in our garden.

The kiddos and I check the garden several times each day to make sure our crop is doing well. Benton still yearns to dig in the dirt, but has resisted this urge. He tries to remain content with a small watering can. We hope they continue to do well, so we will have a nice little bounty of spinach, chard and kale.

Just Shy of 6...years

2011-10-04T20:12:00.000-07:00

Harvest Time Shawl 10/3/11

I have had the Malabrigo yarn used in this shawl, since Aine was a wee one. It was purchased in October of 2005. I wanted to make a few pairs of longies for her, but I never did. I am not sure what other plans I had. In the past 6 years, I used some of the orange to make a hat and pair of mittens for Benton. I used the red for a hat for me. Some of the brown was used as well as scraps of the other colors to make a gift for my nephew. The rest I was waiting to use on the right project. I didn't have enough for anything large, but did not want to waste it on something too small.

Finally the right project came. While working on my single skein projects, I came across the Textured Shawl. I noticed that quite a few people had knit it in Malabrigo. It was perfect. The pattern could be customized to my amount of partial yarn skeins(approx 420yds). I also thought the simplicity of it would showcase the yarn well. The yarn is so very soft. If you have never used Malabrigo, you should. It will pill when used in some projects, but it is so deliciously soft.

The shawl came together very fast. I wasn't sure of the color combination, but I am so pleased. It seems perfect for cooler weather. The shawl was quite wonky when I finished due to the difference in the two stitch patterns. It definitely needed blocking. I soaked it today and set it out on the top bunkbed. It blocked beautifully. The lines are fantastic and it is still super soft on my skin. It was a success!

My next project is a stocking for Aine. It will be similar to the one I made for Benton two years ago. It is colorwork, so it requires a bit more of my attention. Since it won't work for park day knitting, I have cast-on another couple easy projects. I am working on a birthday gift as well as fingerless mitts for Eamon (thanks, Ginny and her Yarn Along, for the idea).

While knitting this shawl, I have been listening to The Passage by Justin Cronin. I am about halfway through the book. It is not my typical read, but I find it quite engaging and frightening. I finished Ellis Island, but have yet to get engrossed in a new "real" book. I started The Elegance of the Hedgehog last night, but fell asleep before I made it very far. Too much knitting and not enough reading here!

Next week, I promise to show you Eamon's Pokemon button as well as my February Lady Sweater complete with buttons. Did I mention that I hate button shopping? Buttons can change the entire look of the sweater or finished item. It seems like such a big commitment. How do you decide what buttons complete your projects?

His First Pie and an Impromptu Picnic

2011-10-03T21:10:00.000-07:00

Eamon loves to cook. He will often offer to make his own food. Some evenings when presented with my dinner plan, he will suggest that he make the meal. His version is often met with bigger smiles than mine.

This weekend, he decided that he would make a peach pie. Undeterred with only nectarines in the cupboard, he forged ahead with plans for an apple pie. He eagerly pulled out a jar of apple pie filling that I had canned last fall. We agreed that it was a good idea. He opened the jar and tested it to ensure quality (he loves the apple pie filling and would eat it by itself most days).

I am not a pie maker, so I suggested he consult one of my cookbooks. The Joy of Cooking was his pick. He flipped to the pie section and quickly began reading and collecting ingredients.

He poured, measured and mixed. I showed him how to cut in the butter and add ice water. He did it all with finesse. I am sure his great grandmothers would be proud. Once he had the dough prepared, he was ready to build his pie. He was a bit disheartened to learn that the dough needed to chill, but was consoled with some time outside at the park.

When the time came to roll out the dough, Eamon was busy. Several attempts to entice his help were ignored, so I rolled out the bottom crust. He slowly meandered into the kitchen amazed at what I had done. With the rolling pin procured at a yard sale by my father, he set to work on the top crust. We decided on a leaf motif on the top created with a few cookie cutters. It is fall now even in Arizona.

We filled the shell with the jar of pie filling and carefully set the leaves on top. Eamon sprinkled a bit of sugar and cinnamon on the leaves as well. I showed Eamon what to do with the leftover pieces of dough. As I explained the process, I let him know that this is the part I remember best about my mom making pies. She would let us slather the leftover pieces with butter and sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar. He made the leftovers into a few hearts to share with his brother and sister.

Eamon watched the baking of that pie like a proud parent. He chastised me a bit about burning the leaves. I explained that it was just the cinnamon and it should not affect the flavor. We let the pie cool and decided to wait to eat it later in the day. (It looks much browner in this picture than in reality).

On a whim, I decided to take the kiddos to the park with our pie and dinner. With our blanket spread out we enjoyed a bit of pork, applesauce and Eamon's pie. It was a glorious evening of cool weather and wonderful food. Everyone gave Eamon's pie a thumbs up. He was so very pleased.

2011-10-01T19:15:00.000-07:00

She loves playing mancala and will challenge whoever wants to play. Sometimes she breaks for a bit to work on "math" in a nearby notebook.

Sharing

2011-09-30T20:06:00.001-07:00

Dave shared his geocaching love with a group of eager kids recently. He hid a box before they met and then led them on the hunt for two caches. They were ecstatic. The younger children loved the trinkets in the caches, and the older ones loved the hunt. I think he converted a few families.

One of the little boys had been on our camping trip. While camping, he asked if I would make him a hat. He saw Aine's new shawl and wanted a handknit for himself. I whipped up a quick scrappy hat and shared it with him. He wore the hat throughout most of the hike despite the very warm weather(100 degree). I think I may have a convert as well.

Gifts from the Hardware man

2011-09-29T20:16:00.004-07:00

"Ask the oldest man in there for help." These sage words guide my actions whenever I enter a hardware store. My dad would tell me this whenever he sent me to the store looking for something specific or a little advice on a project. Although he wore a suit to work everyday, my dad was the ultimate DIYer. Now in his retirement, my dad, or Grandad to the kiddos, works in a hardware store.

This job delights my children. They love going to "Grandad's store." We visit for canning supplies, paint, nuts, bolts and anything else we think we need. A local hardware store is a fantastic place to visit. Most of the people inside know a lot about fixing, installing and creating. Grandad is no exception. Whenever we want to make something or fix what is broken, we ask him. He not only shares expertise but also his tools.

Grandad continually keeps us supplied in tools. He and Grandma outfitted each of the kids with a hammer, screwdrivers, tape measure, etc. Often when we visit with him, he gives us a new tool to discover. Recently he brought the kiddos a siphon.

The next day Aine asked to try out the siphon. She quickly found scissors and removed the bulb and tubing. The two of us went into the bathroom with two cups to check it out. After filling one of the cups with water, I showed her how to squeeze the bulb a few times to start the flow of water. She marveled at the flow of the water. The experiment was performed many times. Aine called Eamon into the room and showed him how to work the siphon. She explained that the source tubing and liquid had to be higher then the exit point of the tube. He also was amazed. The two of them used the siphon for quite some time. I later told them a bit about how a siphon works. It was a terrific tool, and they are glad Grandad shared it with them.

Waiting

2011-09-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

Although Benton and I only planted them a few days ago, we check on our seeds every day. I think we are all eager to see something grow in our small garden. I am trying not to yearn for our old garden and its splendor, although it was not large either. Benton wants to plant more seeds, so I am prepping some containers for beans and more greens or broccoli. Do you have a garden this time of year?

Keeping House

2011-09-26T20:57:00.000-07:00

Over the last few months I have ignored cleaning. Our house isn't in shambles, but it isn't clean either. The kitchen and bathrooms have been cleaned, and the laundry has been done. Aside from that and a bit of picking up, the house has not been cleaned. This has allowed me to be a more relaxed mama and more present with my kiddos. It also gave me a break from feeling as if all I did was clean up after people. However my house is disgusting, and it is driving me crazy.

I walk by the shutters and see the layers of dust punctuated with tiny fingerprints. The blinds in the kitchen block the bright summer sunshine when closed and proudly display flecks of food and layers of grime. The carpet has a dirty, worn path where food and muck from the kitchen is tracked throughout the house. The walls have smudges and black marks where hands have travelled. Piles of paper threaten to topple at the slightest brush. The back patio has becoming overgrown with foliage. It truly is a mess, and this week it is changing.

I couldn't stand it any more. I realized no one else in the house was concerned, so if I didn't like it, I had to change it. This means I have been busy. This weekend, I tackled the walls in the kitchen eating area. They were speckled with bits and bobs of dried food and drink. Next was the miniblinds. I truly hate miniblinds. I am not sure why they were invented. They are impossible to clean and they are ugly. Armed with a rag and cleaning solution, I cleaned the evil slats. I also cleaned both bathrooms top to bottom. The floor was my next project, but I was distracted by the kiddos. Who wants to clean when there is fun to be had.

Today I returned to work. I trimmed the bushes and trees in the backyard. I even hosed down the patio furniture and the toys which occupy the space. Benton came out to help me and enjoyed spraying the patio himself. He watered our small garden plot, and I added some vermicompost. Together we then planted a few seeds in our humble garden. We now hope to grow a eclectic mix of chard, kale and spinach. Luckily they can be used somewhat interchangeably, because that is how they are planted. The space looks so much better and inviting now. With the weather cooling slightly it is a space we enjoy for relaxing and eating breakfast.

Once inside, I continued my cleaning of the window treatments. With the miniblinds out of the way, the shutters were the next task. I went through 6 rags cleaning them. They were so dusty! The house already feels much cleaner. The view out of the windows seems brighter. It has been a long time since they were dusted. It is my #1 hated cleaning chore. I will clean every bathroom twice before I dust. It seems like such a pointless task, but it is so nice when it is done.

Tomorrow is the kitchen floor. After that I will concentrate on more purging of my stuff (still working on the yarn reduction). The garage should be tackled as well, but I will wait until the outside temperature is below 100 degrees. In the meantime, I will continue to grab small bits of time for fun and knitting.

Seed Stitch Cowl and Hat finished today and photographed on my clean patio

Full of Greatness

2011-09-25T07:02:00.000-07:00

Last night, Aine spent the night with her Grandma. I don't know what they did yet, but I know Aine was beyond excited. She called Grandma a few weeks ago requesting a date day. She was very specific that she wanted to spend time with her grandmother by herself and spend the night. It was fine if GrandDad was there, but none of her cousins or siblings. We arranged a time with Grandma, and Aine has been counting the days.

With Aine out visiting, Dave and I were able to spend time with the boys. After a long day Benton fell asleep very early, so we were down to just one child. It was so nice eating a late dinner together with only Eamon. We were able to just focus on him and really listen. He talked and talked and talked a bit more. The topic was Minecraft, of course. We talked about his favorite things to do on the game. He taught me a bit more about the new update that was recently released. Dave added his insights into the game. It was fantastic.

During the discussion I asked how many people play the game. Dave asked Eamon if he remembered. The figure is around 3.5 million people. I was astonished. Minecraft is a game that no large software company would have made, yet it is a fantastic game with a huge following. It was developed initially by a single developer in the course of 7 days. His name is "Notch," and Eamon thinks he is pretty cool. Notch now owns his own company, employs 6 or 7 people and is a multi-millionaire. It is estimated that his game made around $33 million dollars. I find this phenomenal as he did not have the backing of a major software publishing company or advertising and the game sells for around $10-13.

This discussion about the creator of Minecraft led to talk about knitting. Ravelry started when a couple(Casey and Jess) had an idea to create an online forum for fiber artists which also included methods for organizing and storing information about tools, patterns, yarn, etc. It is now a business which employs other people and is huge in the fiber community. It is also a platform for new knitwear designers to gain attention and market their wares. I just read about one of these knitwear designers online on a great blog I follow. She has published 10 designs and is only 13. And her designs are good. Casey, Jessica and Lily found something that excited them and are pursuing it just as Notch is pursuing his passion.

Dave and I then turned to thoughts of what our passions might be. What truly drives us and brings us happiness. What would we do if time and money were not factors. Eamon added bits and pieces to the talk. The three of us talked about finding what you really like and following that for success. We really want our children to know themselves, find their passions and enjoy what they do. To have the freedom to accomplish this feat is a great gift. If this happens, I know I will have done a good job.

So, now I am thinking and ruminating. What do I love to do? What skills do I have? What is my contribution? I have ideas and I think I am much closer to an answer than I was several years ago. I am more comfortable with who I am and continue to learn and expand my knowledge daily. I think reading and knowing about others who have followed and shared their greatness on many different levels has helped. We are full of opportunity, I just need to figure out how to find my greatness and share it.

Today, ask yourself, am I doing what I love in some part of my life? What is your greatness. (Share it if you want. I would love to know!)

Apples

2011-09-22T20:32:00.000-07:00

Apple picking in the desert is a bit different than cooler climates, but still oh so much fun!

Old Mother Hubbard

2011-09-21T20:41:00.000-07:00

Today I sent a text to Dave telling him that I felt like Old Mother Hubbard. With the weekend spent camping, our food stores were bleak. Nothing in my pantry or refrigerator looked appetizing. Aine wanted pizza, but we had no tomatoes for sauce. Eamon wanted a sandwich, but we had no bread. I wanted anything that would taste good. The only person able to be satisfied was Benton with his request for cereal. I stood with the refrigerator door open staring. Finally I was struck with inspiration. Eggs!

I had hard-boiled a dozen eggs a few days ago. Usually the kiddos gobble them up. They were eating these a bit more slowly, so I decided to whip up some egg salad. This is something new for my kiddos. I am not sure they have ever really had it. I was in potentially dangerous territory, but I forged ahead.

I shelled five eggs and finely diced them. I added some pickles, mayonnaise and mustard. I added some red onion to mine. I whipped together a garden salad and cut up an apple I found in the bowels of the refrigerator with one bite out of it. I even added a small piece of chocolate leftover from our camping s'mores to their plates. It was a huge hit with Aine and Benton. They both declared it delicious. Eamon told me he could do better and proceeded to smear peanut butter onto a corn tortilla. Everyone was happy.

With success in the air, I decided to bake some bread. We needed a loaf to take on an upcoming picnic. I loaded up the bread maker in hopes that it would not heat up the house. The smell of baking bread wafted through the house and pleased everyone. The kiddos said it looked so delicious. I must admit that it did look pretty.

The day culminated with a few trays of snickerdoodles emerging from the oven for our picnic. It is amazing what can be made from a cupboard that appears bare. I guess we had more food than it seemed when I stood in front of the pantry. I wonder what I can make tomorrow.

At Long Last

2011-09-20T20:56:00.028-07:00

While camping this past weekend, Aine asked me to teach her to knit. I think my heart leaped a bit. I have shown Eamon and Aine how to knit in the past several times. We have used looms and actual needles, but it never seemed to spark their interest. They would do just enough to make an i-cord garland and set it aside.

As soon as she asked, I jumped into action. Fortunately I had some cotton blend yarn and a set of straight needles with me. I made a camping dishcloth on the ride north with the needles and yarn. Aine wanted to make one too. I cast-on. She watched intently as I showed her the knit stitch. She asked a few questions and then set to work. Aine sat for a long time with her knitting. She called her big brother over to admire her handiwork thus sparking his interest. I pulled out another set of needles and yarn (you can never be too prepared). I cast-on again and set him to work. Aine offered to help him if he got stuck, since she was an expert. The two of them knit for quite some time. They would oh and ah over their projects. When our friends arrived to the campsite the next day, Aine eagerly told them that she could knit. She pulled out her little dishcloth and proceeded to show them. She now tells everyone that she loves to knit!

As they sat engrossed in their knitting, I worked on the shawl I started last week for Aine. I was able to finish it the next day when I stayed at the campsite while the others went crawdad fishing. It turned out well and used two full skeins of yarn. It is soft and squishy and in its natural unblocked state. Aine loves it. She immediately took it and put it on her shoulders. She wore it the whole time we were camping.

Moody Kerchief (ravelry link) for my little girl

Since it was quiet at the campsite when I finished the shawl, I cast-on for a pair of mittens using more of my stash yarn. The pattern is Shelbourne from Knitty. It took me a few tries to read the pattern correctly. I insisted on trying to slip one instead of skip one, which I could not get to work. Once I figured it out, both mittens flew off the needles. They are thick and should keep my fingers warm when we are in cold weather. The yarn is from Three Irish Girls. I belonged to her Stash Menagerie Club a few years ago. I made myself a hat and cowl with part of the yarn, but still had a bit leftover for the mittens. I now have a matching set!

Matching Mittens (ravelry link) for me!

As I sat knitting by the campfire, I listened to a new audiobook. Since I had finished Crossing to Safety earlier in the week, I needed a new audiobook. I started Little Bee by Chris Cleave. It is a startling story full of sadness and resilience. I am about halfway through the book, but eager to find out how it ends. I am still reading Ellis Island at night, but my progress is slow. I usually fall into bed exhausted.

How are you doing as you knit and read with Ginny?

Second Annual Crawdad Crawl

2011-09-20T17:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend our family traveled northward for a few days of fun in a cooler climate. We spent two nights near Woods Canyon Lake on the Mogollon Rim. We eagerly donned wool hats and jackets in the cool mornings and evenings. It was a great break from our 100 degree weather.

We found many things to do to keep our family busy. There were activities to please everyone. Eamon, Aine and Benton built a house, found animal scat and ran around in the surrounding forest discovering a fort, rock city, mini forest and molecule forest. Dave gave the kiddos lessons on chopping wood, and each excitedly took their turns swinging an ax. I finished knitting Aine's shawl and started a pair of mittens. Dave and I were able to take a few moments to sit and just watch our children creating and exploring. We talked and laughed a lot.

With two cans of wildflowers decorating our table courtesy of Aine, our cookout retained a sense of refinement. We cooked our meals outside and enjoyed delicious chili, bacon and eggs, oatmeal, baked beans, fresh fruit, veggies, hot dogs, crawfish and of course many marshmallows. Eamon created culinary masterpieces that he willingly ate although they included marshmallows, oatmeal and berries. Benton loved toasting marshmallows and eating them despite tummy aches.

You may wonder about the eating of crawfish. Last year we stayed at the same campground with friends, and one of our favorite activities was fishing for crawdads in the lake. Fortunately the other families joined us again this year, and we again caught a lot of crawdads! The kids, armed with sticks, string and bacon, fished from the shore. One of the fathers build several traps which he placed around the lake. With the children fishing and the traps, we had a significant haul of crawdads. The kiddos loved holding the mini lobsters and watching them move. We talked about responsible handling of animals and their ethical treatment (prompted after the early demise of a crawdad under a water bottle). They also enjoyed cooking them in the pot of water. Eating the catch was not quite so exciting, but several kiddos liked taking the shells apart and producing the flesh for those who wanted to eat it. I think it was a successful 2nd Annual Crawdad Crawl.

(Crawfish are an invasive species in Arizona and cause quite a bit of harm to riparian areas. Catching and eating them is encouraged by our local game and fish department).

Budding Author

2011-09-14T19:04:00.000-07:00

Eamon has been writing stories. He wants to write a book - a real book. He crafts tales based on his interests and life. His stories tell of a hero that partners with his younger pesky sister. There are monsters, battles, jokes, and tricks. He will tap out his words on the computer and then read his creation. We took the typewriter into the shop for a quick tune-up so he can continue his masterpieces without using mama's laptop.

Tap, tap, tap his fingers pound on the keyboard. Writing is important to him. He is eager to write, but can be easily dissuaded with too much emphasis on spelling, punctuation and writing rules. He wants to write, but he wants it to be right. We talked about just writing to get his thoughts onto the page. Time can be spent later on the mechanics. Right now he is crafting his tale and having a wonder-filled time.

Quickies

2011-09-13T20:36:00.002-07:00

For September I mentioned that I am knitting single skein projects in the hopes of knitting out of my stash. Thus far it is working. I have knit two hats and one cowl. Here is my update for all those visiting from Ginny's Yarn Along.

Eamon wanted the purple scrappy hat only if I added a button(it was pictured last week). He crafted a Pokemon button which was promptly sewn onto the hat. He has worn it everyday. The other hat is mine, and I think it will match my gray coat very well. In truth I love it. The pattern is Foliage from Knitty.com. The beginning of the pattern is a bit fiddly as you work from the top down. Once you have a few stitches on the needles, it just flies. The yarn is Malabrigo from deep in my stash. I believe I bought it in 2005 for wool soakers. It is delightfully soft and squishy.

I am not sure about the wearer or recipient of the cowl. It is super soft and squishy. I made it out of two different skeins of Malabrigo in complementary colors (beige and applewood). I ran out of one of the colors, so the back is a bit lighter. It works though. I think I may want to keep it. Of course, warm squishy cowls are not a real necessity here.

Nice photo of the camera, eh?

I also finished my February Lady Sweater. I love it! As I mentioned I wasn't sure about the fit and whether it would flatter. I really think it is a great shape. I still need to block the sweater. I am a bit concerned abut how much it may grow. I tried to make it a size smaller and a bit short, but it is still generous. Once I block it and find buttons (which are a whole other challenge), I will share it with you.

Today I cast on a shawl for Aine. When I made the Lavalette shawl, she really wanted it. I wasn't sure I wanted to part with that particular shawl. This weekend, we talked a bit about what she wanted. She likes all things pink and purple. I selected two skeins of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino from my bin of yarn and set to work. I am making the Moody Kerchief from Kirsten Kapur of Through the Loops fame. I really like her patterns for clarity and beauty (I knit her Mystery Sock patterns during October for three years and am a bit sad that she may not do it this year). Hopefully Aine likes the result.

I am still reading Ellis Island. It is enjoyable, but I have been slow. There is too much knitting to do! I am also finishing up Crossing to Safety on audiobook. I have made a bit more progress on this book since I can listen and knit at the same time.

A Slight Reprieve

2011-09-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

Temperatures dipped this weekend to 100 degrees. I think we may have even been down to the high 90s. This was a welcome reprieve. The kids and I hit the park on Friday enjoying slighter cooler weather and overcast skies. They climbed on a metal sculpture at the library which is usually too hot to even touch. They reveled in the outdoors running and playing.

My thoughts turned to the indoors and the kitchen. With cooler temperatures, we opened the house over night to enjoy the cool breezes. I felt inspired again to cook and prepare meals (this has been happening for a few weeks now). I put together a quiche for our family to enjoy as classes begin this week keeping us away from home in the afternoon. I made Benton more of his delicious granola. I pulled out my stack of Everyday Food magazines and I dreamed of more meals to prepare as our temperatures dip and we gear up for our version of fall and winter.

Playing Games

2011-09-07T17:10:00.000-07:00

As a family we love games. We play board games, card games, video games and dice games. Everyone has their favorites, but we will play just about anything. I get many ideas for new games from my favorite blogs as well as from our homeschooling friends.

Recently I heard about the game, Blink. Aine loves it and is quite good at the fast paced game. We decided to share it with our homeschooling group. We are fortunate to have a vibrant homeschooling group with which we share our love of games on a weekly basis. The children range in age, but everyone plays together. The kids loved Blink. Each could play on their own level. We decided we need a few decks, so more kids and adults can play at one time.

Other favorite games for the group are: Sequence, Sorry, Twister, Bananagrams, Dice games, Apples to Apples, various card games, Connect Four and Blokus. Each week new games are brought as well as old favorites. The games are shared and some even find new favorites. One of our friends loved our Blokus game so much that his mom bought him his own.

I love sharing new games with the group and hearing what games they love. Do you have any favorite games for us to play?

Still Knitting and Reading

2011-09-06T20:56:00.000-07:00

Phew, it has been a bit too long. I haven't meant to neglect this space. Somehow days turn into weeks around these parts. We have been trying to stay cool as our temperatures continue to hover in the 110s. I think each of us is ready for fall and cooler weather (yes, 90 degrees is cooler to us). In preparation for cooler temperatures, I continue to knit. Several people have commented on my knitting in such warm weather. I just tell them I am optimistic that the weather will cool at some point.

Scrappy Hat, FLS, Foliage hat and current reading for Ginny's Yarn Along

My February Lady Sweater is almost complete. I really wanted to have it finished by the end of August, but that deadline came and went. I then thought for sure it would be done by Labor Day. Again I hit a snag. I was merrily knitting the sleeves while at my book group. The needles were flying, but so was my mouth. When I stopped to look at what I had knit, the stitch count was off; my lace was not right. I spent some time trying to figure out my problem before unceremoniously stuffing it into my bag. I haven't pulled it out since Saturday night.

In the absence of sweater knitting, I have been organizing and documenting. For several years, I have listened sporadically to the Stash and Burn podcast. I like getting ideas for new patterns and yarn. I also like listening to ideas on how to keep a moderate stash and knit what you have without amassing more. In all that time, I have continued to keep my yarn in the closet. I finally pulled it out and documented it in Ravelry this weekend. I snapped photos, weighed partial skeins and entered all of my yarn into the database. It wasn't pretty. Once I had completed the task, I decided I needed to do more reduction. I had previously destashed quite a bit of yarn, but more needs to go. I am now on a knitting frenzy trying to reduce my yarn.

I have a plan for the yarn. There is enough for a sweater for me and two of the kiddos. I plan on making some hats, cowls, scarves and socks. I also realized I need to make two more stockings for my children. So, for September, I am tackling single skein projects. Today I made a quick hat from two partial skeins. I also cast on for another hat. These quick projects will be my fodder for the next month or two. Of course, I will finish my sweater. I just needed something to distract me for a few days.

As I mentioned above, I belong to a book group. It is composed of some of my very best mama friends. Each month a different member picks a book. This month I neglected getting the book until just a few days before our meeting. I quickly read the book, and we had a great discussion. The book was The Raven's Bride. It was an interesting perspective on Edgar Allan Poe. I had always believed that he was a crazy opium addict. After reading the book, I did a bit of research on Poe. He was not an opium addict, although he did have a problem with alcohol. He wrote a large variety of pieces, worked as an editor, started the detective genre and championed for the rights of the career writer. The book is written from his wife's perspective, which I really enjoyed.

With my book group reading out of the way, I picked up a couple new books from the library. While organizing this weekend, I listened to part of Crossing to Safety. Thus far, I really like the characters. It is nice to listen to a good story while working on projects. In the evenings, I am reading Ellis Island. I have only begun the book, so I have no strong opinion. Both of these books were recommended by friends through goodreads. I really like that website for organizing what my family reads and what we want to read.

Hopefully next week, I will have pictures of my finished sweater and a few more stash-busting projects. (Sorry for the sub-par photo, I forgot my camera at a friend's house.)

Why We Need Chickens

2011-08-27T14:24:00.000-07:00

The whole family was sitting in our family room reading, playing games and working on the computer. Benton left the room and sounds could be heard from the kitchen. I kept a keen ear to the sounds. I heard a pot and the refrigerator.

H: "Benton, what are you doing?"
B: " Just getting food."

Fair enough. He knows how to get himself a snack. He knows not to use the stove. I continued to listen.

H: "B, what are you getting to eat?"
B: "I'm making hard boiled eggs!"

Uh oh! I quickly moved from the couch into the kitchen while asking a few key questions.

H: "Did you crack the eggs?"
B: "Uh, huh! All by myself. I am making eggs!"

Benton was so pleased with himself. He had cracked four eggs, three made it into a pot and one had landed on the floor.

B: "See, Mama, I cracked the eggs ALL by myself. I am making hard-boiled eggs."

I quickly wiped up the errant egg, picked a few eggshells out of the mix and helped our little chef make himself scrambled eggs. We talked a bit about how hard boiled eggs need to stay in their shell. He made the eggs all by himself (with a little help from mama). This was such a big deal for the smallest member of our family. Of course, once we were done, he didn't want to eat any eggs.

Still Sick

2011-08-24T10:50:00.000-07:00

I am still sick with some sort of cold bug. It is not any fun when the mama is sick. Hopefully we will back in action soon. Until then, there has been a lot of PBS watching, game playing, drawing, experimenting (involving a lot of baking soda), reading and general relaxing.

Loving Legos

2011-08-20T20:07:00.003-07:00

Our trip to Legoland was a blast. It fit well with our family and each kiddo's love of building. The park is very active. There are lots of opportunities to build, climb, play with water and explore. We rode the rides including the roller coasters. We marveled at all the creative sculptures and representations. Although it is centered around a consumer products (LEGOS), it seemed less glitzy and consumer focused than other amusement parks we have been.

Fish and Fowl

2011-08-19T21:40:00.000-07:00

We spent a bit of time with Grandpa at the Long Beach Aquarium. It was our second visit with him. Dave and I were surprised the kids did not remember the last visit until we realized that the first time was several years ago.

Grandpa bought some food to feed the lorikeets which dazzled the small people. Mama was not so impressed when a snuggling pair pooped all over her. The birds were fairly active, so we got to see them moving around the inclosure, resting on overhead perches and moving near nesting boxes.

The stingrays and sharks were a little slower. Everyone leaned over the pools to touch the animals. A quick trip around the pools to the large tank rewarded us with close-up views of the large sharks feeding.

Before heading inside to view all the aquariums, Eamon and Aine stopped to view and touch the shark jaws. They were impressed with their size.

The interior of the aquarium was quite busy, but we were able to see quite a bit. Aine was captivated by several divers in a tank explaining the inhabitants. We also liked viewing the baby tiger sharks in their eggs.

We were all glad to spend the day with Grandpa and return tot he aquarium.

Best Gift

2011-08-18T20:51:00.027-07:00

Every year when prompted for gift ideas, we ask for memberships for local museums for our family. I love these gifts. One of my favorites is our membership to the Arizona Science Center. This little membership card gives us access to many museums nationwide. We used our membership last year during our trip to the midwest and coastal plains visiting a children's museum, natural history museums and another science museum. This year we used it during our recent trip to California.

The first use was at the La Habra Children's Museum. This fun little hands-on museum is located in an old train depot. There are many rooms filled with items to explore. The path to the entrance was lined with dinosaur prints on the ground as well as a few to climb.

Benton was pleased to find a carousel inside and rode it for as long as he could. Nearby his brother and sister played in an bus mock-up. Eamon pretended to be a crazy driver, while we pretended to fly off our seats or jump onto the swiftly moving vehicle.

An art room was next. Aine spent quite a bit of time in this room studying the works of art and creating her own. While she created, Eamon was drawn to the train display. He has consistently expressed an interest in locomotives. It was a test, but he waited patiently for the 10 minute train cool-down between one minute runs.

The animal room proved to be exciting for all three kiddos. The coolest past was that you were able to touch the taxidermy. This was so exciting for Benton who showed a bit of trepidation when he touched the ferocious, bounding lion. Eamon thought the antlers were cool experimenting with them as his own headgear.

A room with a stage and a plethora of dress-up garb was next. I think this was Aine's favorite room. She performed several song and dance numbers. Her costume changes were fantastic, and she know wants her own pair of high heels. Eamon worked the sound booth and then joined her acting out a play. It was truly hysterical.

The final spot was full of a tree house, trucks, puppets and building materials. Eamon built a large house and then took turns with Benton building boxes in which to hide. Eamon performed a puppet show, and Aine read a few books in the lofty tree house.

We left only when they announced closing time. The kids had so much fun; they wanted to return the next day.

The second time we used our membership's reciprocity feature was during our visit to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. The trip to the museum was a bit arduous as we had to deal with LA traffic. The first portion of the exploration was a bit tough due to hungry bellies and too much time in the car. We stopped and ate our lunch in the open gallery area, and were recharged.

We were fortunate to view the new Dino Hall exhibit. It was chock fun of dinosaur bones and information. The coolest was a set of three T Rex skeletons. The kiddos were quite impressed, but the part that really amazed them was on the top floor.

On the upper floor is a room with true paleontologists working. We watched two working on various dinosaur fossils. It was very interesting to see the tools in action. The kiddos wondered about the masks they wore and the loud machinery.

The upper floor also had a hands on children's area. Aine spent quite a bit of time assembling a dinosaur skeleton. Benton used the telescope to find birds and squirrels on the museum complex lawn. (yes, I did tell him to turn it around for better viewing).

This was another great trip due to our museum membership. The kiddos preferred the first museum. I think the combination of a long drive and hungry bellies overshadowed the dinosaurs.

On a Mission

2011-08-17T20:23:00.001-07:00

While in California, we visited my brother and his family. The kiddos enjoyed playing with their young cousin, Beckett, and visiting with their aunt and uncle. They enjoyed running in the yard, picking fresh cucumbers and tomatoes from the garden and teaching Beckett all kinds of new tricks. My brother prepared a delicious spread, and we talked for quite awhile. Of course, I forgot the camera, but hopefully my wonderful sister in law will share some with us.

While visiting, my brother shared with us his interest in the San Juan Capistrano Mission. He encouraged us to visit the mission and even gave us guest passes. A few days later, we set out to find the mission and explore the grounds.

As part of our admission, we received audio guides. After paying for an additional child's guide, we began to look around the old mission. Dave was fascinated by a tree near the entrance. He called the kids over to take a look. The tree had huge spines coming out of the bark. We agreed that it was quite a tree and definitely not ideal for climbing.

The grounds of the mission are beautiful. The lush landscaping was blooming. We spent quite a bit of time marveling at all the color and smelling blossoms. A lot of the blooms lacked a pleasant scent, so we hypothesized that they attracted pollinators with color.

The history of the mission was explained on the audio devices. Eamon and Aine eagerly listened to the recordings and tried to find each of the spots listed. The visit led to much exploration of religion, early settlers, exploration and architecture. In all, it was an interesting visit. We want to thank Uncle Petey for the recommendation and guest passes.

Next Steps

2011-08-16T21:55:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, someone asked how I blocked my Multnomah shawl. I thought I would share how I block my newly knitted items today as part of Ginny's Yarn Along in case someone else was wondering.

First I give the item a good soak with a bit of woolwash. For these two items, I used Soak Wash. Usually I soak the item in its own bath, but I wanted to do both the Shalom Cardigan and the Lavalette shawl. The shawl did bleed a bit, but it didn't affect the dark sweater. To stop any of your yarn from bleeding, you can add a bit of vinegar to the water.

After 20-30 minutes soaking(or however long it takes before I return to the task), I remove the item. I gently squeeze it to remove the bulk of the water. I then lay it on a towel which I then roll up like a burrito. I step on the rolled towel to get any remaining water out of it. I did take a photo of this exciting move, but I am too vain to show my chipped, blue painted toenails.

After a good stomping in the towel, I take the item and pin it out on one of our beds. I pin it directly into the mattress. I am sure some would shudder at this, but I don't have a blocking board, and this works. I consult the pattern schematics for finished dimensions and pin to that. The shawl according to the pattern is 64" long and 28" deep at the point. I start with the points and gradually fill in the borders of the item. I use regular sewing pins, although blocking pins can be found online or at your local yarn store.

Lavaletter Shawl (color is truest in blocking photos)

Sweaters are blocked a bit differently as I consult my dimensions over the pattern. I blocked the cardigan with my sleeve measurement and torso length.

I haven't always blocked my finished items, but I now find it really helps the item. The yarn relaxes and acquires more depth and flow. The stitch definition is also better. So there you have some blocking information for your next project. Now on to my knitting...

After such a productive stretch of knitting, I am hitting a lull. I decided that I really need to work on my stashed yarn. Two of the three sweaters I knit recently came from my stash, so I am definitely making progress. So, I dug through the closet.

Several years ago (August 2008 to be exact), I started a February Lady Sweater. I remember making a few mistakes at the time and getting frustrated. My practical knitting skill was good, but my knowledge was a bit too new. The sweater has been languishing in the closet. In an attempt to continue working on the stash, I pulled it out. I ripped out the yoke, which I had completed, and set to work. I decided the yarn color was not impressing me, so I stopped and reevaluated the situation. The yarn I had used was Dream in Color Classy in the Chinatown Apple colorway. I set it aside and grabbed a similar amount of DIC in the Happy Forest colorway. I am much happier with this sweater combination. I have finished the new yoke and am adding a bit of length before starting the lacework. It is going much better this time.

February LAdy Sweater for Ginny's Yarn Along

When not knitting, I have been reading a bit of Ella Enchanted aloud to the kiddos. Eamon chose it as his free book from Borders summer reading program. They are acting out the main issue facing the protagonist in their own lives, playing games where they must "obey" whatever command they are given. It is quite entertaining. On a side note, I want to mention that while traveling, our family enjoyed the Gone Away Lake Series by Elizabeth Enright. The whole family liked both books. I know it can be challenging to find fun books for children. We recommend her work completely.

For myself, I started The Birth House which was recommended by Sarah over at Clover Lane. So far it is an enjoyable thoughful read. Of course, I like books about birth and strong women. Hopefully next week, I have a bit more accomplished on my sweater.

A 44 Degree Swing

2011-08-16T10:08:00.000-07:00

We spent a few days at the end of our trip in the beautiful Sequoia National Park. We camped near a creek in the Mineral Springs campground. It was fantastic. The constant drone of the rushing waters was a pleasant backdrop to our fun.

The kids redirected the water after watching some older teens in an adjacent campsite. We spoke with them about what they were doing. The teens told the kiddos that they were trying to erase mosquito habitats. Eamon and Aine set to work helping them. Rocks and limbs were moved and damns broken.

The creek also provided many excellent skipping stones. Dave showed off his technique and helped Eamon, Aine and Benton choose stones. Aine was able to garner a few skips from her stones. Benton just liked making big splashes with his selections.

A few larger boulders and fallen trees provided plenty of climbing and balancing opportunities. Benton was quite displeased that he was a just a bit too small to leap over the water and land on the bigger rocks. The current made this mama just a bit more cautious, so she kept him close. He was fine once he realized that there were plenty of other climbing and rock throwing spots.

The water was very cold for this group of desert dwellers. We dipped our toes into the cool water. After jumping around and slipping on rocks, we were quite wet. The creek even provided a spot to wash dirty feet at night before we went to bed. Just a little rub of our hands and little feet were clean again - cold, but clean.

It was an interesting trip in terms of rules for the camp. On our last trip in Arizona, we were not permitted to have any type of campfire. Large signs warned of fire danger. This was definitely not the case in California. Our tent neighbors were kind enough to share some wood, so we were able to roast marshmallows for dinner and again for breakfast.

Another difference was the wildlife. Bears are a big concern for this area of California. We had to lock our food up at all times. The campsite provided large "bear" lockers for this purpose. All of the car seats also had to be removed and stored in a bear-proof shed. I think Dave was a bit concerned as he asked our fellow campers about it. They assured us that they had been camping at this site for years without incident. Fortunately this held true for our trip. We did, however, see several deer. One even came to have a bit of dinner beside our campsite. Each of the kids stood enthralled watching it eat. They also were thrilled to see it poop while eating. This brought choruses of laughter.

The area around the campsite was beautiful. We spent one afternoon hiking near a meadow. We climbed the trail up the mountain and saw beautiful views. Each of us found walking sticks to use while hiking. We saw a family of deer, a snake and a bit of scat. It was a great adventure, although there was a bit of complaining about the hike length.

We left the campground with the temperature around 55 degrees. After an hour and a half, we finished the winding 23 mile trek down the mountain to find the temperature quite a bit higher. Once we returned home that evening, the temperature was 99 degrees (at 10pm!!). It was a nice break from our heat. Such a treasure to find the spot we did and spend the days together.

Quick Three Day Cornmeal

2011-08-15T10:08:00.003-07:00

I knit a sweater in three days! Granted it was bulky weight yarn. Oh, and we were traveling, so I had time to knit in the car. But I knit a sweater for me in record time. Three days!

More Like Cornmeal than Oatmeal

It is the Oatmeal Pullover pattern in Quince and Company Puffin. The yarn is fantastic - so soft and squishy. The pattern was easy. I followed it except for lengthening the sleeves and ribbing. Next time I will add some waist shaping and make it a bit smaller. That makes three sweaters for the year.

Marshmallows

2011-08-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

Yum. Marshmallows.