bethanyg blogs

Commands, Demands, Pressures...

2011-11-30T09:56:00.003-05:00

Are you feeling it? That certain "thing" in the air that makes you feel like you can't do anything right/in a timely manner/good enough/special enough? Or the "thing" that makes you feel like suddenly your home is dirtier than usual, the dinners are blander than usual, the clothes are shabbier than usual? The carpets suddenly have more stains and the smudgy windows are more apparent in the winter sunshine?

Well, chuck it! I'm not going there this season! Not gonna do it, and I don't want you to either. If it's causing you stress, don't do it. It's not worth it, and some of it may just be in your mind. You know that no one in your family has starved. You know that your family enjoys the things you make and do for them, and it doesn't matter if it was 100% from scratch. You do the best you can do and they really do appreciate and benefit from it. This time of year is magical on it's own without you having to sprinkle sugar plum fairy dust around! So let it go!

Do your normal daily things. You do them well all the other times of the year and you still can now. Yes, there will be the additional parties, guests over, school events, church events, but take the time to breathe deeply and enjoy them for what they are. They aren't supposed to be status wars, they aren't supposed to be times to showcase the hottest new boots. They aren't supposed to see who can out-do the next person.

This is a time to hold your family and friends closer, to let them all know that you love and appreciate them. To enjoy the magic of the season, which lives in all of us, not on the store shelves.

So. Enjoy it. Sunshine or snow, sleet or slush. Twinkling lights, friends and family and a hot cup of cocoa. Or warm Vernors! Doesn't that sound good? (Don't breathe in when you tip the mug!) Cozy up, hug each other. Happy Holidays--all of them! Love, Peace and peace to you all.

I Haven't Forgotten

2011-11-08T11:15:00.003-05:00

Hi! I haven't forgotten this blog is here. It's just been...well, you know. Busy. As it is for us all. I have pictures of the girlies on their first days of school, doing adorable gymnastics, making kissy faces, in Halloween costumes. I have pictures of a silly kitty being cute and naughty. However, my computer hard drive is...full. Yep. Full. I need to do a back up on an external hard drive, but I also think I want to upgrade my flickr account and upload everything there, because we've had hard drives corrupt and the data not retrievable. I'd cry if that happened with pictures. Also, my phone has pictures on it that don't want to upload because of an error. I don't know if that's on the phone or the computer. So. No pictures.

We're already being asked what the girls want for Christmas. They want lots of junk. Mommy and Daddy do not. I'm thinking family gifts of movie passes, museum passes, open gym passes. Leotards! Ha! A cleaning service. :) Oh wait, that goes on my list.

Anyway, I'm thinking about things we can do as a family. I'm thinking about kits of things - baking, scrapbooking, crafts- that we can just pull out and do AND have it be something we'll use. Like a picture frame, wire, eye-screw things and clips to make a hanging art area. Like canvasses with paints and brushes for art work we can hang in rooms.

But who knows. It's so difficult to think about what the girls want vs. need. It's such a trivial thing when we consider the good fortune we have, the needs of so many world-wide and the real purpose for the holiday season.

For now though? Lunch. I have to keep thinking of the next 10 minutes, otherwise my thoughts get rambling. Beware you few readers, of future rambling thoughts! :)

Fairy Land Remodel

2011-09-04T11:56:00.000-04:00

Early in the summer, the girls created fairy houses. They divided the area around the front tree into four by planting Marigolds. They made little wreaths, added "shiny things", had shells and rocks, a fairy pool. They planted little bushes (lettuce seeds). It was very cute. But as the summer wore on, the houses need sprucing up. It was decided that they'd make a whole Fairy Land this time. I added a couple touches for them. Here's a sign and an overview picture. (Pardon the Hexipuff on the sign here. I'll explain that later.)

There is now a main entrance to the Fairy Land, with a gate and an arbor (and another Hexipuff!)

Following the path to the left takes you to the Fairy House, complete with a clothesline (says Goosie) and/or a Limbo line (says Peanut).

The side of the house is safeguarded by a friendly garden gnome, who oversees the garden area, the gazing ball and the planter-pot shelter. It's shadowed in there, but there is a fairy rug which was exciting proof the fairies had moved in earlier this summer! It was very exciting.

If you continue on the path, you will come to the dining/kitchen area. The girls made a table and picked some acorns and lettuce bolts to leave for the fairies. Some of the lettuce bolts were gone the next day! The fairies had a nice snack.

And last, but not least, Goosie asked me to make a small ball of yarn and needles for the fairies, in case they wanted to sit and knit for a bit.

*Sigh* I think I could move in here.

A New Family Member

2011-08-15T13:01:00.003-04:00

Last week, we went to look in the pet store, as we've done before. Oogled the fish, birds, giggled at the dogs drooling, and checked out the cats. This guy did this to us:

And gave us kisses. I texted this pic to Derek and said "Uh oh". His response? "I get to name him/her." Yeah right. No way are we getting another pet! We're checking out the wild critters, the one picking his lock, the ones that wouldn't come to us, the ones hanging on the cages.

But this one

Just kept being sweet. Then I turn around and my Goosie looks like this:

!? Honey what's wrong?! "I just want a pet! I don't care if it's a dog or a kitty, I just really want a pet!" Oh man. Quick, leave the store, but send a picture of this sweet face to Derek. We leave. I hug Goosie, and Derek calls.

"I don't care" he says.

"Dude!" I say.

"I know" he says.

Sigh I hug Goosie again and explain that we've said no more pets, but this one sure is sweet isn't he? YES! (with sniffles) We all talk about pet care, and both girls volunteer what they will do to help.

We go back in to fill out the adoption paper. We give our 3 personal references. We give our pet history. Oh boy. We get to hold "Axel", who just purrs like mad as I flip him onto his back and kisses my hand more. Home we go.

I worry that I just became "that mom" who gave into her kid because she was crying, but anyone who knows me knows I'm NOT that mom. AT ALL! Even my girls know that! haha :)

Two hours later, we get a call that we can bring him home the next day. So. Here we are, with new kitty, who is officially named Reuben. Like the sandwich. He's a sweet, sweet boy, very smart, loves Derek. hahha!

Sing it, sister!

2011-06-27T14:30:00.001-04:00

"I am brave. I am a warrior!"

~Peanut, age 4

Hoppy Easter! In Pictures

2011-04-24T09:12:00.004-04:00

Happy Easter everyone! We've been busy preparing ourselves for Easter in all the ways, including, of course, crafting. Here's a smattering of what we've been up to:

Oh Baby!!

2011-04-04T16:23:00.005-04:00

Hello there! It's been a while and I've been busy. Did I mention all the baby things happening around us? We know of 5 (I think) expecting friends that we know in person, one couple had their baby, one couple got their twins, and there are about 10 more friends I know online who are expecting or recently had their babies! It's babyland! So I've been creating since January. Here's a quick run down:

One hospital hat with either a bear or a flower that could be pinned on.

We didn't know if this baby was going to be a boy or a girl. Turned out it was a boy, but I don't want to post his cute mug without mom's permission :)

Four blankets-3 girls, 1 boy:

The blanket pattern (Ravelry link or look here) is the same for each blanket, but I used different edges for each, and different yarn. The one with the ribbon is I Love This Yarn! and the other 3 are Baby Softee. Is that Bernat? (Yes, it is. I checked.)

Now, see that cotton candy pink one? It used to look like this:

It was so pretty! A lovely Ravelry pattern (or look here) by my friend Brenda. It was my first crochet blanket, a huge undertaking for me! It was really nerve-wracking too and took way longer than I thought it would. And I messed it up.

Oh no! I lost stitches on the edge, a lot. At first it was no big deal, a stitch here and there could be camouflaged with a nice border, right? Right! But not this many lost stitches. Oops. This became an "UGH!" and I frogged it and it became the knitted blanket up above. Please note! This "UGH" is by no means the pattern or pattern-maker's fault! This was purely a n00b-crocheter's problem. Make this blanket and show me how it can be made right! I actually think I'll try it again.

And we have friends expecting a girl very soon and I made this set for them for baby pictures.

It's a baby cocoon and hat set, and I made different flowers for the hat. They just button on/off. I loved making all those flowers! Can't wait to see baby in them!

There are more pictures on my flickr account.

The pattern for the hat is the Shell Stitch Beanie and found on Ravelry or here. It's crocheted, which I was very excited about after the blanket snafu. There is a link to the main flower I made from that pattern. Other flowers are knitted and crocheted, and can be found here (Rav link) or here. (Ok, I can't find the link right now and need to make dinner. I'll come back to edit this!) The rest I just sort of made up as I crocheted along. The main yarn for the cocoon, hat and main flower is Bernat Bamboo in the "linen" colorway and the flower is "wicker" colorway.

:Quick aside, when I first started knitting, I strongly disliked the word "colorway". Why not just say color? "It's so foofy", I thought. But I get it now. It's just something that does make sense once you've played around with color in yarn and fiber after a while. If it bugs you, start playing with yarn and fiber more. Then tell me what you think. :) /weirdness

Anyway, that's what I've been up to. It's been fun and motivating and I'm ready to stash dive and find more little fun projects. The girls need flowers for various things-head scarves, a patch on a hoodie, bracelets, rings, a necklace or two... I have enough to keep me busy for years. :)

Whirlwind!

2011-03-26T10:04:00.002-04:00

It's been a weird week and Spring break started for Peanut yesterday for 2 weeks, and Goosie on Wednesday for 1.5 weeks. We have no vacation plans.

Derek hired guys to mud and sand the drywall in the basement and they started Thursday, will be back Monday. I'm trying to figure out a color scheme and theme for down there. Crap is everywhere and I can't get into the room that has my shawl pin idea things. (I'll find a way Mandy and Alexis!)

I finished and gifted 3 baby blankets and tried really hard to get gauge for my new project and I think I've failed-have to measure my dried swatch today, and pray!

I thought I shed 2 grey hairs today, but it was just one, folded weirdly.

I keep forgetting to run the dirty dishes, and more are piling up.

Peanut is starting to sneeze, which means she's getting sick.

Goosie is cutting a molar. She gets really cranky in the afternoons. Did I tell you she got hit with a door at school and she has a black eye? It's healing well.

I'm antsy to plant a garden and it keeps being freezing here. I'm ready for the warmer weather.

I have a bazillion ideas floating in my head. I can't DO any of them! Ack!

I haven't emailed my mom once this week and I've intended to call her on 3 days, but suddenly it's been time to make dinner, bathe the kids, do the night routine. Last night I tucked them in at 7:30, fell down on our bed and slept for an hour and a half. Then I woke up, watched "A Walk in the Clouds" with Derek and went back to bed. :)

I feel like I need to be productive today and I'm not sure what to do. So. Off to plan! (Well, after some catch-up emails!)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T19:35:00.003-04:00

How I love St. Patrick's Day! As per our tradition, we started preparing the other day for setting our trap. Yes, we set traps on St. Patrick's Day. We try to catch a leprechaun so that we can get his gold! So we started getting crafty.

We made a rainbow:

We made the clouds:

I love that you can tell there were two kids who colored this rainbow!! (even if you can't see two kids...;P)

Last night we set the trap! We put out pot of gold under the rainbow to tempt the tricksy leprechauns, complete with signs warning "Keep Off!" and "Stay Out!" You know how those leprechauns like to do all the things they shouldn't.

When we woke this morning, we checked the trap first thing! Did we get one?! The gold wasn't on the steps anymore!!

Oh man! Looks like our tricksy leprechaun just managed to escape! He spilled the gold into the trap, but was able to escape our grasp.

Or did he? Peanut was upset that she blinked and fears Goosie may have as well, so while the lucky little guy was in our grasp, we lost him. As the morning went on, Peanut made another discovery--a tricky little leprechaun used our bathroom and didn't flush!! (I know!) There was "green stuff" in the toilet and Goosie said "It's probably cleaner." They then said "Mom, you left cleaner in the toilet." I denied it and said our cleaner isn't green! Peanut gasped loudly: "*gasp!* It's leprechaun pee!!!???" The girls thought that was just too funny.

Once we settled down, we had an authentic St. Patrick's Day breakfast of Lucky Charms, and as we were eating I noticed Peanut had something on her hand. It was a green spot and Goosie shouted out: "A kiss! You got kissed by a leprechaun!" "Yes!!" Peanut cried, "and it's in a heart shape!!" Then we searched Goosie's hand and found a kiss further up near her arm! Oh it was so exciting! And all this before breakfast was finished. :) It was a great start to the day.

We were able to play outside in gorgeous weather, did some yard work, the girls rode bikes and played some baseball. Then I got the corned beef going and decided to make some rosemary clover rolls and used this recipe. I was worried when I checked the corned beef and the broth was boiling vs. simmering and the meat was done waaaay ahead of time. I thought it'd be dry and horrible, but it was fantastic! The rolls? Equally fantastic!! I was so happy :) Topped off with a Guinness and then for dessert we had a pumpkin roll. That was so good too!

I decided we should be able to have St. Patrick's Day more than once a year. I also am really bummed that tomorrow is Friday, during Lent, and I can't have left overs until Saturday. tsk!

You're a schmoopy!

2011-03-10T12:10:00.003-05:00

Happy Anniversary to Derek and me! Yesterday was 13 years for us. Ah, wedded bliss! Really, our time together has been full of so much happiness, and we're just as schmoopy as we were in the beginning. That makes me so very happy. ~*sigh*~ stares off into the distance all glassy-eyed.

I love you honey. :)

My Dirty Little Secret

2011-03-03T14:11:00.004-05:00

We've all got them. I'm about to share mine. Ready? Well, wait. First let me explain some. You know how I like to talk. My friend Tamara and her husband Jean have begun a wine tasting party business until they open their own wine shop. (Go see and shop or book a party here.) So a couple weekends ago, Derek and I hosted a wine tasting party. It was much fun, but of course with having people over comes the scurry and flurry of housekeeping. I do it every day, but there are always those hot spots and nooks and crannies. And flat surfaces. And the floor. And, and, and.

Things were looking good-really good if I may say so. Better than it's looked since before kids for sure. Since we moved in maybe! The clutter was gone, things looked crisp and clean. But my thoughts and critical eye brought me to the kitchen. My dreaded stove. I love how my stove, a Maytag, works, but years ago my dad was here and was saying how he liked the neat lines and colors and the like in the house, and just as those words left his mouth, he saw my stove. And he laughed. "That's hysterical!" he said. "NO IT'S NOT! Don't laugh at my gross stove!" I shrieked! Ugh, embarrassed all over the place. (Remember that dad? No? See, yet another parenting moment forever etched in my brain! ;P)

I've done everything to this stove to try to clean it. Oven cleaner, Bar Keeper's Friend, SOS pads, all sorts of grease cutters, vinegar and baking soda scrubs and soaks, butter knife scraping...all to no avail. I think my father in law even tried once when they were here watching the girls. I was pleased that he couldn't clean them either. I'd throw them in the dishwasher and try to calm my agitation, saying they were surface clean at least. But oh, those burners and trays!

We looked at buying replacement parts, but it was over $200 or something silly. That money can be spent in much better ways. :) Then one day, on my knitting website of all places, I received a tip:

Boil the burners in water with a dryer sheet.

What? That's crazy! But what was there to lose? I've done everything else but sandblast the things (which was on the list of possibilities). So, here. Here's proof of my dirty little secret (ugh, and I'm embarrassed, but this tip is too good not to share all over the place):

I know. Look at that. SO gross. So I took the burners and put them in my roaster. Covered them with water and added a dryer sheet and set it to boil. I let it go for about 20-30 minutes, then let them cool in the water until I could touch them. I took a butter knife and all the grody things came right off! I also used a scrubby (the mesh bags that lemons come in). I think the results will speak for themselves.

Look at that! It feels like a brand new stove. So much better now and I don't have to cringe when I walk in to the kitchen. Or anyone else for that matter.

Now, one word of warning. The dryer sheet boiling away isn't the most pleasant of smells. It can really irritate your throat and eyes. Wait for a nice day when windows can be open, and don't stand over it while it's boiling away. Oh, and don't burn yourself! That's two words of warning I suppose.

So that's it. My dirty little secret. This decade at least. Really, that's it. (Dude, my parents read my blog, yo. ;)

The Wheels Are Turning...

2011-02-06T16:16:00.003-05:00

But they seem to just be spinning and spinning, and I feel like I'm not getting anywhere. This isn't an anecdote for my fiber spinning either, because that certainly isn't happening. There are so many things going on in my mind, so many things I want to be doing, that I want done and I can't do a single one of them. I'm pulled in a hundred different directions and when I do get a few minutes to sit and relax, a few minutes when I could do the things I want to do, I'm too mentally exhausted. I'm frustrated about it too, and when I get like this I pull back from doing anything-things I want to do and things I need to do- and everything goes to pieces.

In January we were being very careful about spending, I was saving between $40-50 each grocery shopping trip, not spending frivolously and not eating out. We didn't use credit cards and I had to sign the girls up again for gymnastics and buy a new camera. I was very proud! I was feeling great about where we were and the direction we were taking. But now? I'm just run down. I feel like everything I do is undone every day.

Remember that great home management binder I started? I wash the sink and 2 hours later there is either liquid soap dripped all over or toothpaste globbed up. There's always mess on the mirrors - I don't even want to wash those. What's the point? I haven't vacuumed in a week because I can't keep the floor picked up long enough to vacuum. Even with the girls helping, they pick up their things, then we have to run out. We get home, I have to start cooking some meal and they play in the meantime...I didn't get time to get the vacuum out. It's making me crazy.

So today Peanut has a cough. Nice, wet congested cough. No idea where it came from as she didn't have it as of noon yesterday. She's tired, and cranky and easily crying. Time for a nap. Both girls lay down, I dictate an hour. Who falls asleep? Goosie. Peanut is up there goofing around. It's been 2 hours now, and what have I done with all this wonderful "free time"? Craft? Clean? Nope. Sat here on my behind reading blogs. I'm so frustrated by this!

I have to break this cycle. I have to find a way to manage what has to be done at home with the outside the house schedule with free time for me and engaging the girls with activity and nurturing. Maybe it's the mid-winter doldrums kicking in, which is never good, but I just want to hole up in my own pretty world. But right now my world is all cluttery, and even my imaginary escape is just full of one great big to-do list.

I guess I'll just get it all out there, make one giant to-do list for February and start chipping away. Maybe I'll clear the list up before the end of the month and I can chill out on the 28th. Pffft! I'll put "eat chocolate" first one the list. At least I'll feel accomplished with one thing.

Snow Day!

2011-02-02T15:45:00.004-05:00

I know, everyone is talking about the weather, but bear with me. I happen to love it. It's about time Michigan look like it's supposed to look in the winter time! We had the day off school of course and I waited for the plow guy to come do our driveway before we went out.

He plowed the snow onto the sides of our driveway providing for excellent sledding and climbing hills for the girls! Thanks plow guy!

I shoveled then and only had to do the sidewalk and the walk to the front door (and find the porch).

It's much easier to shovel when the snow is just below your waist. Luckily the snow was fluffy. It still took an hour. We definitely got a lot of snow.

Unfortunately I realized that our trash can is trapped on the one side of the house too. It's too heavy to move and the snow is almost to my knees over there. We have some great drifts! If all else fails, we'll just put bags by the roadside on trash day and forego the can. Geesh!

After playing and shoveling, we came in to dry off. The girls immediately got into pajamas instead of clothes. Silly girls. I grabbed the special ingredients for our after-playing-in-the-snow treat. Are you thinking "hot chocolate"? Ha! Hot chocolate (I say with a smirk), we eat hot chocolate for breakfast around here! (Really, we did have it for breakfast today). Today, we get to have "Blizzard Ice Cream"! That's right. You know what they say, "When life hands you snow, make ice cream!" Or something like that.

So, get a big bowl of fresh, top layer, fluffy *white* snow. Here, "big" = 4 quart bowl.

Top with a can of sweetened condensed milk and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

Mix.

Really fast.

Eat. Listen to your children say "This is better than the store bought ice cream!" Sit back full of satisfaction and smile. What a great snow day!

Also, I think it's time this came down now :)

Disclaimer: Derek checked online and read somewhere (probably his website that he claims has all the correct facts ;P) that you shouldn't eat more than a cup of snow per year because of toxins. Well, I'm thinking that after a blizzard, the air is pretty well scrubbed. Plus, if you only make this after a blizzard, hopefully you only eat this once a year! Enjoy!

Party Day!

2011-01-29T21:44:00.003-05:00

Today was Goosie's birthday party. Her first with friends. She invited 10 girls to join her and Peanut at their gymnastics center and everyone had a great time! They did an obstacle course of the tumble trampoline,

the balance beam,

somersaults and pit-jumping.

The girls also played the parachute game called Sharks and Minnows, or Sharks and Lifeguards as one girl called it. This was hysterical. The girls sat with their legs out straight under the parachute. There was one shark who was under the parachute and would grab the legs of the other girls trying to recruit them as sharks to pull more under. The lifeguard would try to rescue the girls before they were pulled under. It was so funny to watch girls just *poof!* disappear! This is a shot of Goosie getting rescued by two lifeguards and the shark coming out of the water after her!

This is a cool shot of one little shark under the water~alas, I don't have an underwater camera and the shot is all blurred, but I thought it looked really pretty.

In no time at all it was cake time. I haven't mentioned the cake yet. Goosie, as always, was specific as to what she wanted: "A cake with Kit's face on it and pink polka dots around it." *gulp* Ok. This kid once again has way too much faith in what her mom can pull off. Weeks ago one of the gymnastic moms I chat with during the girls' classes mentioned doing a chocolate outline and inverting it onto the cake. I was sold on that idea! So, I tried it.

Of course, nothing is without it's challenge. I was out of wax paper and parchment, so I piped it onto a freezer baggie. I piped it with a medicine dropper-the kind that looks like a syringe because I thought I could get finer detail. (I was wrong about that, but it worked.) Kit's freckles were rather large. Noses are very hard to translate with chocolate. Her eyes sort of scared me, and Derek kept teasing because Kit's part and clip were on the wrong side. I kept worrying it looked like Martha Stewart more than Kit.

But Goosie, my sweet, sweet girl kept saying "It's ok mom. You don't have to get all the details." She LOVED her cake. She was so excited for everyone to see it. She couldn't wait. She, once again, lets mom know what's important. Not being perfect, but trying to give all you can with as much love as you have.

Goosie had a really fun time with all her friends, and I think she felt very special to have so many people to celebrate with her this year. I'm thankful that she has such a sweet group of friends and that everyone had a great time.

Brr, baby! Get Crafty!

2011-01-26T16:56:00.006-05:00

I can't warm up lately, and part of it is our unheated basement. There are vents down there but we'd had them closed off as the basement isn't finished. Another problem is the gale force winds that come in through the front door cracks. Ok, that's a little exaggeration, but there is a breeze. Enter in the door draft stopper. Or draft dodger, but that has a whole different connotation for me. I saw one ages ago and I searched all over for it and kicked myself when I finally did find it again. Of course I had seen it at Betz White's beautiful and inspiring site! I should have looked there first. It looks like a wooden log, with cute leaves on it. Scroll down (slowly, because there are too many other gorgeous things on the way).

Not being a stellar sew-er (that is, one that sews), and trying to use up crafty items I already have, I pulled out the felted sweater stash. I bought several at thrift stores over the last couple of years and have started many little projects with them, finishing very few. I never realized the accumulation of grey felted sweaters I had. Knowing that I wanted to make a little log-like draft stopper, I worried that the grey would look bad. I thought about over-dyeing the sweaters to a nice brown. I thought about how I could spritz them with dye to give a mottled look. I thought about how crazy I was and told myself to just buck up and make the darn thing. So, with Peanut as my assistant, we cut arms off sweaters and rolled them up.

Then Peanut helped me sew each rolled sweater so it wouldn't unroll.

Then we seamed the three sweaters together, and I tried to have the bulkiest on the "base" of the branch, and the thinnest on what would be the "end" of the branch.

To make the "end" of the branch look more like the end, I cut the roll in two and sewed the ends so that the branch ended in a fork.

Next we needed to embellish a little bit. Peanut added a flower and chose a nice button for the center

and I rolled up half of a sleeve and seamed it to hold in a small branch shape and attached that to the main branch. I also added an owl with awesome stash buttons that were perfect for some owlie eyes.

Here's the finished project, doing it's job!

We had a lot of fun making this and it took maybe an hour. A bonus to sewing felted sweaters is the stitches are so easily hidden. I just did a running stitch (and just had to look up the name for what I was doing) and a whip stitch (knew that name!) for attaching the branch and owl and seaming the owl as well.

So, if you're feeling cold and can't warm up, break out the stash in whatever form you have. Fabric? Seam up a tube and stuff it. Yarn? Knit or crochet up a tube and stuff that. Or, make it super quick and roll up some felted sweaters. Have fun, and stay warm!

The Problem With Homemade Bread

2011-01-25T14:12:00.009-05:00

Really, the problem is that I eat it. I can have a store-bought loaf in the house and never consider it. But Sunday I decided to make bread. I had a store-bought loaf of wheat, but that doesn't go with Beans and Franks, which was on the dinner menu by request. So, I needed white bread, and I needed to make it because YUM. I used this recipe. I didn't have instant yeast, but it was fine. I didn't have enough milk, so I did 1/2 milk and 1/2 water, and it was fine. I didn't even have enough loaf pans, and it was fine! Here's a shot of the vessels I used instead of loaf pans, and I have to say it was really fun finding different tins to use.

Research (read: Googling) has shown you can also use large cans, like the kinds veggies might come in (with all labels and glue removed) or even a large mouth canning jar was suggested by a wonderful Reclaiming the Home friend.

I was nervous about greasing properly so that the bread would come out right-there's nothing more worrisome in the kitchen than investing time into cooking or baking and having it not come out right-but all the bread turned out really well.

Too well, I think, as all I want is this bread lightly toasted and topped with butter and jam. Sigh, break out the leek soup!

I hope you try to make your own bread, at least once. This recipe is pretty fool-proof. I recommend you follow the recipe as-is for the first time, as with any recipe, then you can make notes on the recipe and tweak it next time.

When making this bread, I wondered why store-bought bread adds things into the bread that doesn't seem necessary. High-fructose corn syrup? Why? Doesn't it cost more to add ingredients that aren't needed to make something delicious? I know some ingredients make the bread last longer on the shelf too, and again I ask why? Do we not run to Starbucks or Biggby Coffee, or Tim Horton's or other coffee shop for a delicious, special-crafted delight? This is how our bread should be too. There are plenty of bakeries around too if you opt not to bake your own. It's just worth it.

Meghan of Stitch-It! Podcast recently mentioned this as well--must be bread-making season. She discussed some ladies she works with eating grapefruit from cans and not feeling satisfied. Meghan stated she'd rather peel her own, bite into the grapefruit, or dig her spoon in and dig it out. It's like a bite is a reward for working for it. This is true and something I've been working on in my eating experiences for a couple months now. Eating is an all-sensory experience, and I truly feel more satisfied when I enjoy my food with all the senses. Peeling an orange or grapefruit, having the oils of the peel splash up a bit, the sharp tangy scent that awakens your brain. It makes that fruit so satisfying. To read more about enjoying your food like that, and perhaps changing your perspective on food and eating on the whole, I recommend reading "French Women Don't Get Fat" by Mireille Guiliano. It made me conscious of walking, eating and drinking all the time. Very inspiring! Her website has lots of good information, tips and recipes as well.

She even allows eating good bread. :)

Larynx Transplant

2011-01-24T19:00:00.001-05:00

I'm a Speech-Language Pathologist, and I ran across this article and was very excited! I've not seen this before and wanted to share. I've done cadaveric dissection and know what the larynx looks like first hand. I've seen all the parts in our throat that allow us speech. I've seen the nerves and blood vessels and cartilages and musculature that connects here, and know the ramifications of injury to these. I know the hard work it takes to retrain the muscles to function properly for speech and swallowing, but I also know the hardship of having to carry and use an electric larynx (and check those prices!). I've trained a patient in how to use one and he was so disgusted with the whole thing, he chose for a long time to just use hand gestures. Not always kind ones. And I understood. Frustration! Embarrassment!

I wish this woman well. I am so happy that her quality of life is returning to her ideal. Ah, a shower again! Swimming! Eating tube-free! Freedom!

Goosie Turns Six!

2011-01-23T11:09:00.004-05:00

Six? Six!? Yes, six. How do these kids get so big so fast, when we parents stop aging? I've no idea. Her birthday was really fantastic. Derek worked from home in the morning and took the afternoon off, so in the morning Goosie opened cards and her birthday gift from her sister. Peanut chose a Barbie for her-a Happy Birthday Barbie with a crown for Barbie and a matching crown for Goosie. :) They played Barbies and then Goosie and I went shopping for an outfit and a toy with gift card money from Grandma Sue. I took a picture of the outfit on my new camera, but I'm having trouble with the computer reading the memory card and can't get the photos off. Grr. But Target has a cute line of girls clothes right now by Alex Russo that is really cute and not smutty and doesn't have dumb little saying on it like "I'm a brat". Can you tell I have some issues with girls' clothes?

Anyway, Goosie picked out the blue striped shirt in the first pic in that link, green headband with the flower in the second pic, the cream colored shirt in third pic, and the skirt in the last pic. We also found a zippered hoodie sweater on clearance that matches perfectly. They make for really adorable outfits! The following day she wore pants with the striped shirt and her sweater, her new headband, and our friend Kathy gave us shoes she had gotten a while back but her girlie missed the right size/time of year to wear them. Well, they went great with this outfit, and Goosie was simply adorable in all her new things.

Goosie also was able to get a toy and she chose Polly Pocket. Yes, Polly has returned to the household. Peanut received some for her birthday in September, and the girls were better at dressing them. Anyone who has had Polly in their home knows that dressing rubber dolls with rubber clothes is nearly impossible, and by the time you can, you are too old to enjoy playing with them. But the girls were getting better, so I allowed it, and the girls play so well together I didn't want to deny another thing they could play. So we get it, get home, cut the package open, and what did the fine Polly Pocket people do? They gave Polly some athlete legs and big feet. Yes. She has huge feet and calves now. But did they make her pant legs wider? No. So mom's back to dressing Polly for all her events now. *sigh* A plea to Polly Pocket producers--could you try dressing her before you sell her? Or maybe have some kid testers? I'll volunteer my girls as your testers. Really. Maybe I'll email Polly herself and farm my kids out.

Ahem. Back to the birthday girl. By now it was lunchtime and we were ready to go. We trucked out to Chuck E. Cheese's and had a great time! Pizza and salad and games and trinkets and pencil drawings--it was much fun. The girls were so thrilled when a big row of tickets comes out of the machines. After a couple hours there, it was time for the Big Event.

All day Goosie just kept saying "I'm so happy." Later she'd say again, "I'm so happy!" To herself. Out of the blue. "I'm so happy!" She made a very grown up decision, discussed it with us and Derek and I discussed it between ourselves, and we agreed yes, she could get her ears pierced if she really wanted to. We talked to friends about it. About how it felt, the aftercare of them, and in the end, everyone said "It's worth it!" So....

I filled out the paperwork and Goosie wriggled in excitement.

She sat still while she had the marks put on her ears so she wouldn't look lopsided

She held my hands tightly while she got her first earring put in

She didn't cry! (I did.) She said the first one didn't hurt, but the second one did. She cried a bit, but really, she did so SO well! We didn't get a picture right after because we were hugging her and telling her how well she did and daddy scooped her up in a big hug and wiped away tears, and then she was all smiles. And what earrings did she choose?

Aren't they pretty? Oh you guys, how do they grow up so fast?!

It was a wonderful birthday and she got to choose her dinner too-McDonald's, ick. I chose Panera for me :) But, in her new-found six-year-old wisdom she said "McDonald's toys are crappy!" Yes! They are! So is the food! Want a bite of my soup? haha, I'll convert her soon.

The next day she had school, wore her new outfit with her matching earrings and brought her treat and wore the birthday crown-she was just so excited. What a great celebration.

Next weekend is her party, her first with friends. It's at the gymnastics center where the girls take classes, and she invited 10 other little girls. Oh what fun we'll have!

Ja-new-ary

2011-01-17T13:21:00.005-05:00

Goosie is reading and phonetically spelling in a really impressive way. She drew me a picture and wrote "Janewary" on it so I'd always know when she made it. I looked at her spelling and prefer it to "January" since I (along with so many others) look at what I accomplished in the previous year and evaluate what I want to do in the next. I'm not one for resolutions, but I love lists. One year I bought a pretty journal and made a list of 42 things I wanted to do. I think I did about 40 of them. I know I never got that pedicure.

This year, I wanted to be on a better homemaking routine. Things are coming together here at my home. The living room no longer looks like a toy store or a day care, unless the toys are actively being played with. The Dora Castle is stored in the basement because it's not played with daily. The "baby set" with beds, a swing and a highchair is down there too with strollers and baby cradles and carriers. There's some order here and there but it can all too easily be torn apart and trashed. I want to be more vigilant.

Ladies on the Reclaiming the Home group on Ravelry started talking home management binders, and there are tons of printables out there to make your lists/calendars/dividers etc. exactly the way you want them. I had started one a couple years ago, but as I pulled it out to modify it this Janewary, I laughed and instantly realized why the home management binder never worked for me: all it had in it was knitting patterns and recipes! Ah-ha!! These two things, which I love dearly, will not help me to keep my household in order!

So, organizing began. I kept the front cover, artwork from Goosie when she was 3.

I went slowly and only worked a few minutes at a time on it, over several days. It's still easily adaptable, which is exactly how I like it. My to-do lists include daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal chores. I have one printable from Simplemom.net that has weekly/daily/monthly tasks all on one sheet.

I designated zones for each week ala Fly Lady, but I can't follow her regiment and get all the emails and look at her site too much. For a program that helps you get rid of clutter, the site is completely cluttered! However, there are some good points, tips and tricks there if you can pilfer through and find them. My zones are based on the number of weeks in a month, so week 1 zone is Entrances, porch, one bedroom. Zone 2 is Kitchen. Zone 3 is Bathroooms, one bedroom. Zone 4 is Master bedroom, and Zone 5 is Living/Dining room. I work on zone tasks on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays if needed, or if I feel like delegating out some tasks.

I have each day of the week focusing on certain tasks too: Mondays are my heaviest days, including one load of laundry (wash, fold, put away, and put away handwashing done on Sat.). Then I clean all 3 bathrooms (sinks, toilets, mirrors, tub, shower). I dust the whole house and vacuum the whole house. But notice I don't mop bathroom floors when I clean the rest of the bathrooms--I do that on Wednesday when I do all the hard floors in the house.

I just had to separate out tasks throughout the week, and some things I had to do when the girls are in school.

I'm at this point where I'm getting awfully antsy about things in this house. We have a nice home and we ALL need to take care of it. Blinders have to come off sometime, and we all need to do our parts. Heck, last week I handed Peanut a wash rag and had her locate and clean all the doorknobs in the house. Goosie got her own wash rag and she wiped every baseboard she could see. They both also have their own To-Do lists and the best part about these lists? They are in page protectors and there's a dry erase marker that we use to cross off each task. It's very satisfying to see the big list at the beginning of the week become completely covered in blue at the end of the week!

Of course I need monthly calendars in my binder too, and I went to About.com for some blank calendars, and I had the girls decorate their birthday months for me,

and facing that calendar month I have a monthly to do list, parties to get ready for, birthdays, field trips, due dates, knitting goals and deadlines...all of it. When February comes, I'll put it in front of the month of January so it can face the "to-do list" for the month too. I didn't have the girls decorate all the months either. In my search for printable calendars, I ran across some awesome inspiring artwork on etsy and I wanted to buy several calendars. Then I figured I should hone my own skills and get some art in my life in the form of drawing again.

So, it's a start for me. I'm working hard at it and I'm teaching my girls to work hard at it too. It doesn't take too long at all, if we keep it up, and working together makes it fun too. Well, you know, not fun like eating ice cream fun, but fun to see a sense of pride in the work.

But mostly? Mom's not going insane with all the junk, clutter, trash, doll clothes, Barbie shoes, Lego bits, paper doll stands, tea party items, stuffed animals, headbands, shredded pieces of tissue paper, Lite Brite papers and pegs, parachute guys and horses all over the floor. (Yes, that is an inventory of what's on my floor right now. And I wonder why MY Dyson IS the only vacuum in the world that doesn't maintain it's suction).

Occupy Yourselves

2011-01-07T21:51:00.004-05:00

"Occupy yourselves" I said, "I've got some work to do." "Ok mom" they replied. They started playing games, for hours. They got the foot stool to get some down themselves even.

Busy, huh? I think there was a puzzle or two thrown in and some paper doll play as well. They play so well together and it pleases me to no end.

Later I had them put on the snow garb and I kicked them out onto the deck. It's mom's sneaky way of not having to go out in the freezing cold, but the girls get to play and have fun. They have evolved this winter to building snow castles, packing cups with snow and inverting them. But then, they still like to eat snow, of course. I caught Peanut licking the snow off the arm rest at one point. :)

Anyway, they make me proud, these girls.

Pretty Knitting Things

2011-01-03T20:15:00.004-05:00

I want to talk quickly about knitting things. I like pretty needles and use Knit Picks' Harmony needles. I just love the points and the beautiful wood. I don't find them too dark to knit with, and I think they have just the right amount of grab and slick on the sticks. I love the cables and smooth, tapered joins. However, I know needle preference is very individual. Still, they are pretty.

Stitch markers I've had for some time and not utilized like I could/should. But then I didn't ever knit anything too complicated either. I had some thought in the back of my head that what I was knitting wasn't that fancy, and therefore didn't need fancy stitch markers, so I used the plastic ones that look like "@" and are baby blue, pink or white. Now, they work just fine, don't get me wrong. I don't feel too bad when they fling across the room of fall into the couch cushion.

However, I've had a change in my thought process. I don't care what I'm knitting, I want pretty things. I had pretty stitch markers in my little drawer, and I pulled them out to admire them, to get them all in one place and to have them at the ready. Recently was involved with a swap on the Reclaiming the Home group on Ravelry, and I thought my swap partner would like some pretty stitch markers too. Off to hunt on etsy.

What I found was overwhelming. There are a bazillion etsy sellers peddling their beautiful stitch markers, but when I came across fripperies & bibelots, I fell in love with these little birdie stitch markers and the little blue robin eggs.

Had to have them. I found some pretty Christmas bulb stitch markers for my swap partner too. They are in the store, check them out. When the light hits them, it looks like there's a bead in the bead! So pretty!

As I shopped more in this store, I found a stitch marker holder that I had to have-one for me, one for my partner! Look at this thing, it's beautiful!:

It clips to your bag and there are lobster clasps to attach your stitch markers. It's shiny and sleek and a necessary pretty thing. Did you see the adorable little snowman stitch marker in the first picture? The pretty black beaded ones in the second? Those were special gifts for ordering. (Well, one was because she forgot to add one thing to my order-no big deal-and she rushed me what she forgot and gave some bonus stitch markers! What a dear!) Anyway, these stitch markers are so smooth- the ring that goes on the needle has no join. They aren't split rings. They are solid and flattish and shiny and gorgeous.

Then, a friend in my knitting group presented us with stitch markers she made for us. We each got to choose and I chose these beautiful stone stitch markers. We laughed because we were each either knitting with yarn that matched what we were wearing that day, or chose stitch markers that matched. :) Look how pretty:

Sigh. Pretty things. I hope you are surrounding yourself with pretty things that make you happy, and are using them daily! If you find yourself in need of something pretty, do check out fripperies & bibelots. (I'm not sure if my friend in my knitting group is up to making them for sale or not! ;)

Life's too short to not use the good stuff, right?

Time to make the doughnuts~

2011-01-02T10:00:00.001-05:00

So, someone mentioned that doughnuts on New Years day brings good luck. I'm not overly superstitious, but if doughnuts bring luck, who am I to argue? And I'm not Googling it to see if it's true or not. Because ... just because.

I whipped up some doughnuts. This is not like me. I love to cook and bake and all, but deep fry? Not my thang. Didn't even have the 2 quarts of oil it called for (and don't cars take quarts!?! That's a lot of oil and it squicks me out. I went to Allrecipes.com and used this recipe. I didn't have 2 eggs so I substituted flax seed and water (1 TBLS. ground flax seed + 3 TBLS water = 1 egg). I also didn't have buttermilk, so I added white vinegar to mine to make it sour. I didn't measure, just added a glug, but I think it's usually 1 TBLS to one cup of milk, stir, let it curdle. I also didn't have a full 4 cups of flour, but didn't halve the recipe like I probably should have, so I used just over 1 cup of bread flour and it worked out just fine. One more thing~I used blueberry applesauce that the girls don't like to eat in applesauce-form. It's great in baking though.

I heated the one quart of oil that I did have to 375 F. It's really important to have your oil hot when frying so it actually cooks the food rather than seeping into it. Ick. I'm also a stickler about having clean oil. I just can't reuse it, and can always tell when someone is reusing it. mmmm fishy doughnuts....gah!

Anyway, oil to temp, dough rolled out and cut

(I have a doughnut cutter?!? I use it as a biscuit cutter and take the center cutter part out.

I've only used the little center part to cut fun shaped things for bento lunches! haha!) and in it went. I have no pictures of this part because I was cooking, not blogging. But then I thought "I could take one pic and blog, right?" So, here's the pic of the doughnut holes cooking.

How cute are they? That one, that's darker and deformed, looked like Pac Man and went around trying to eat the other dots in the pot.

The recipe made 33 doughnuts and holes, plus 3 little balls. 33 is the perfect odd number for the chef to taste the product while the rest are cooking. :) Here is what they looked like when done.

They hardly had to drain off excess oil as they didn't soak any in. I added just a bit of cinnamon sugar just after the fry. They were crispy on the outside and warm and soft on the inside. mmmm doughnuts (channelling Homer)

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm a date geek, and the 1/1/11 made me really happy. So to round it off I ate 11 doughnuts. Or maybe not quite. Possibly though. And at 11:11 am, I raised a cuppa tea to all my friends and family, thanking you for your love and sending some back. Here's to good luck!

1/1/11!!

2011-01-01T10:35:00.005-05:00

Merry Kitsmas and Ruthie New Year!

Yes. Sort of sacrilegious, but that was our Christmas, and the week in between. It was all about Kit and Ruthie, American Girl dolls. Goosie had gotten Kit for Christmas last year,

(on the left)
and Peanut for her birthday in September, but this Christmas, many accessories were added. Clothing, beds, sleeping bags, armoires, hangers, sunglasses,

and Santa brought Goosie a hair styling chair and Peanut an Appaloosa horse that was named Shyla. It's been a very imaginative time in our house, and the girls have really had fun. It's been really great to watch! Christmas morning, Ruthie rode Shyla to Kit's styling salon, got her hair done by Kit

and then they rode off on Shyla to go camping. Then they took an airplane ride to Africa to camp, and then Japan. Other fun items included Lite Brite,

Aqua Sand, Barbie Pet Vet dolls (Goosie got dogs, Peanut kitties),

a lip gloss making kit that Peanut gave to Goosie, and Goosie shared. :) They are such sweet girls. They've played so well together and haven't argued really either. They work things out well.

Now today it's New Year's Day. I'm a geek about fun dates, so 1/1/11 is making me ridiculously happy, and I plan on posting this at 11:11 am. See? Dorky. And I plan on raising a cuppa tea to my friends on Ravelry, those in real life, and family members, wishing a good year, full of health and happiness. Wealth in whatever form is needed as well. This year I'm hoping to be on the computer less, but blog more. Trying to hone my time better so that work is done and play time is focused on the family, and on fiber-my two greatest joys. In turn, I will blog about these joys more-I like having an account of our activities-but I can't let the activity become the focus of the blog. I plan on doing the activities, not trying to just document them.

So. That's that. :) Are you reading? Let me know, and I'll be raising a glass to you on the New Day.

Halloween Fun!

2010-11-01T23:18:00.005-04:00

Halloween! It's a favorite here and we had lots of fun this year. I kept it a little more low-key this year, I just can't keep up with all I really want to do, so I'm focusing on enjoying all I can do.

A while back the girls decided to be ghosts. Well, I wasn't about to throw a sheet over their heads ala Charlie Brown. So I found Martha Stewart's ghost costume, and let me just say, those simple directions are more confusing when you go to do it! First, I stood in line for an hour to buy tulle. It was the last day of the great sale at the fabric store. Oh my. Then I get home and realize I didn't double the length for the tulle. Well, that'd be ok because we can't have girlies tripping while scoring candy, right?

So, Peanut's Halloween party was first, on Wednesday, at school. She looked adorable:

And lasted exactly 20 minutes before taking the costume off, deeming it "too itchy" and she didn't wear her costume at the party. She wanted to be something else for Trick-or-treating as well. I couldn't concentrate on that bit of info yet as Goosie started coming down with the crud/cough that Peanut and I went through the two weeks prior, and her party was suppose to happen that Friday at school. Then we actually Trick-or-treated on Saturday the 30th vs. the 31st.

So! The before Goosie's party I added a couple extra ties to the costume and fixed the hood so that it would actually stay up, and she looked adorable too.

For Saturday when we did T-or-T, I added all of the tulle to Goosie's costume though, as she decided to still be a ghost so that I "didn't get sad because I know you worked hard on the costume." Love that girl. Peanut didn't care one lick about that though and we decided she could wear the Rosetta Fairy costume that daddy had gotten her a couple months ago. :P Love that girl too! So, no scary costume for her that night, but still adorable!

They were really both excited to T-or-T that night, honest:

and it was extra fun when we saw our bestest friends Trick-or-treating too! They dressed up as Wonder Woman (women?!):

Look how adorable they are!?!

Of course we carved pumpkins too, and the girls were great designers this year. They carved well and had fun popping out the pieces. I loooove Halloween!

4

2010-10-17T17:07:00.005-04:00

I haven't told you, but my Peanut turned 4 at the end of September.

See?

Yeah. 4. Four. Doesn't she look bigger?

She had a whole weekend of celebrating, starting with a present from big sister in the morning before school.

Then we brought the treat to school, and Peanut's friends sang Happy Birthday to her, and she chose a horse as her present from the gift box. After school, Peanut got to open presents from Grandma Sharon, Sally and Kirsten, and from Derek and me. Adorable outfits, purple suede fringed boots, little black shoes, a huge box of crayons and a new coloring book, stickers, Polly Pocket--all sorts of good things were well received. There was also a funny kitty card from big sister.

At last came the big box.

~*gasp*~

"It's Ruthie!!" and a very happy Peanut. :)

After this, we packed up and went to Chuck E. Cheese for a pizza lunch and some game playing and had tons of fun. That night Ruthie slept in a place of honor, on the pillow on her bed where no other of Peanut's "guys" ever get to sleep. Ruthie got two nights there actually. No other "guy" has ever had even one night.

The next day we went to Grandma Sue's house, where more celebration and fun was had. Super cozy pjs came home and adorable Hello Kitty slippers. Being a tired momma, I also was a bad blogger and didn't get any pics.

The following day, and last of the birthday extravaganza was celebrated by Grandpa Steve, Grandpa Dale and Grandma Marcia. This is the day mom almost ruined the birthday. I decided to make the American Girl Rainbow Cake as she was receiving her first American Girl doll, with hair to style, unlike her Bitty Baby. It was from an issue of the magazine and I first saw it on Boogie's blog (she also dyes all that wonderful fiber I have!) So I set out, started making it. Hmm, these layers aren't very thick...but it smells good. Just bake it. Here's what I got:

There's a red layer, orange, green and blue, and they are each a 1/4" thick. As it was baking, Boogie's blog words rang in my head "blah blah blah...Jell-o...." Jell-o! Jell-o!? I freakin' used Kool-aid! What was I THINKING?!?! Well, it still smells good. :/ The layers are still thin. Let's put it together and see what we have.

Aw, it's super adorable, and really, when your kiddo looks like this when she blows out the candles,

and like this when I cut into the cake for the first piece,

I just didn't care that I put the wrong thing in. It was adorable and she loved her cake.

I only wish it tasted as delicious as it looks. It was very fruity tasting, but sour. Luckily, Derek had run out the night I baked it so that we'd have the backup cake. *sigh*

All in all, it was a fantastic birthday weekend. We can't quite believe our baby is four. Though when we look back on pictures and it's hard to imagine her being so little. I think we have a happy four year old though, and for certain we had a tired one!

More Firsts, One Last

2010-09-13T20:27:00.003-04:00

Well, it's official. I now have two girlies in school. Here's how Peanut looked as she was ready to head out the door today to her first day of Preschool:

She was really just ready to go! When she got to school, she hugged daddy and sister goodbye and went right in to find her locker~Whoa! Her own locker! (Well, she shares it, but while she's there, it's ALL hers!)

Hard to reach.

"There! That's good!"

And in we went. Dropped off the folder, picked up the name tag, chose a seat at a table. Began to color, happily. lalala. Her friend came in then, the only one she knows in the class of 16, and she sat at the same table. Yay! Then it was circle time: calendar, sing happy birthday to the friend who had hers last week. Notice that Peanut's is on the calendar for a week from Friday! Her teacher said "Someone else is having a birthday on this day..." And Peanut piped up, "IT'S ME!" :) Very sweet! She sat, smiling, as she learned the "Good morning" song and sang along. Listened well to "The Kissing Hand", and listened intently as she was directed to go to one of four places to do different activities. She rocked the colored tangrams. She built some impressive things with the blocks. She colored intently and wrote that she was "excited" to come to school this morning.

She also copied off her friend's paper at this time however~she looked to see how her friend drew HER portrait and emulated. Hmmm...let's not have this be a habit Peanut...

She loved getting her hand painted to make a hand print and then cut out a heart to place in the palm of the hand, in theme with the book they read earlier. This was her favorite part of the day. Next came snack, and she was hungry and thirsty boy, let me tell you! Then came recess, and it was super cool because big sister just happened to be on the playground too. She ran out there, yelling "Goooosieee!!!" and big sweet sister hugs happened. It was adorable. It made me feel like she was happy and confident and she sees that sister is close and sister was watching out for her. Ah, sweet moments for sure.

My friend said to me, "She'll do just fine!" It was a relief to hear, and just bolstered my confidence that Peanut will do just fine. That she will adore preschool and make friends and have fun and learn lots. I'm so proud of how she did and I'm so looking forward to how this year unfolds.

So, another first day down, and the last time I'll send a kiddo off to Preschool. I know each year will be a major milestone, but the very first time of putting a child in school~there's something special about that. :)

The other first happened this weekend. We all went to my dad's place on Saginaw Bay. It's a lovely place and we had such a nice time! Check out the boat~

Check out the little fisherladies!

They were super cute with their Barbie fishing poles that Grandpa got them, practicing their casting and reeling in to see if the minnow was still there. :) SO cute and fun! It was chilly and windy though, so we didn't head out to the lake. Such a bummer. (Of course today's weather was gorgeous, but while we were there? Ugh!)

No one caught a fish--well, I did, a little perch right before we called it a day, but we won't talk about that. Goosie was way too sad she didn't catch a "Goosiefish" and Peanut was bummed she didn't catch a "Peanutfish". We call the fish my dad gives us "Grandpa fish" and the girls love eating it! But my little perch was little and I didn't mean to catch it before the girls got to catch one! I sure wish they were biting more. How fun it would have been for them to catch one! But, good lesson learned, right? Besides, technically, the girls both DID catch a fish or two...in the minnow bucket!!

Haha! All in all, it was a wonderful time and all that really matters is this

Right?

Week of Firsts!

2010-09-08T19:47:00.004-04:00

Oh where does the time go? We spent the summer being busy and having fun, not blogging about it. But I want to get back to it as it's such a nice way to keep track of it all, to keep others up to date. So, back at it.

This week, firsts. Goosie started gymnastics! She approached me, saying, "Mom, can I talk to you? I want to take gym classes because I want to do cartwheels and I know you know how, but I think it's hard for you to teach me." Um. Yeah. "Sure honey, that sounds like a ton of fun! Let's talk to daddy about it." And...class on Tuesday. :) She was super cute, though I forgot the camera and took crappy phone pix. :)

That's her, flipping over the bar. And here, attempting a butterfly hang.

She learned lots of new vocabulary and actions-table, bridge, straddle, V-sit, stick!, and she did them all very well. She did a forward roll down a soft wedge into a pit of foam! So fun! She bounced on the trampoline, arms in a basket, jump-jump-jump-stick! Awesome fun.

But not for Peanut, who was not impressed that she wasn't going to have class too. Derek and I didn't want to enroll her just because big sister was. We wanted her to want to do it. However, after some fast conversation, we quickly decided to try her in a class today. We were able to try before we buy. Would she like it? Would she listen and follow directions? Let's see...

Ready to go!

She rocked the rings.

She boogied on the bar.

She cracked me UP on the trampoline!

She loved her class, and her new leotard! So momma signed her up for more classes, and said "I need to get a job to keep these girls in new leotards and me in full tanks of gas!"

Perhaps a larger event that happened this week though also happened today. Our Goosie started Kindergarten. Already? Yes. Really? Yes. Is home school an option? No. Let me start from the beginning for this one.

We knew it was coming. We did a little school shopping: backpack and lunchbox, school supplies and some new clothes and new shoes. We did the Open House. But really? She did the countdown: 15 days, 14 days....suddenly, last night, it was down to "TOMORROW!!" So I tucked her in last night, talked to her of excitement and fun that would come with her first day. I packed her lunch and had my first little freak out.

"Is it enough food? Will she be hungry? Will this be enough milk?"

I wrote the love note first and put that in there. Did salmon and crackers, apple Fig Newtons and grapes, a string cheese (that finally! she likes). I added a heart-shaped dried kiwi on top of the crackers, just for decoration, because she doesn't like dried kiwi. I froze little milk ice cubes to add to her drink bottle to keep her milk cold. All set. Still, the whisper "Homeschool?" No, I couldn't manage. She needs instruction from others. I need to knit-er, clean. Something.

So, I woke early this morning and got all ready before anyone was awake, like a normal mom. Peanut woke though, and crawled in bed with Derek. She snuggles so well. I came down, made tea, read emails and Ravelry and sipped my tea. For an HOUR! First day of school and the girls sleep in?! Yes, Peanut fell back to sleep, and Derek left her in our bed when he came down. I ate my breakfast first. Finally, signs of life from the kiddos. Breakfast in bellies. Teeth brushed, faces washed. Goosie gets dressed in the clothes we laid out the night before. I help Peanut get dressed. Hair done. We're ready, with time to spare (unless Peanut had school-she starts 25 minutes before Goosie, but not until next week!). Beautiful girl, all ready to go! So grown up! So sweet!

So we all pile in the car, Derek holding Goosie's hand.I forgot the camera, crap. At school we see friends, but they aren't in Goosie's class, which is a bummer. We get in line and the bells ring. Time to go in! Walk Goosie in, find her hook/cubby. Backpack hung, lunchbox hung, jacket hung! To the table! Exciting!! Find her seat, sit, hug and kiss and cry. She cried. Oh no, no honey, don't cry, it's going to be fun! New stuff and new people--not helping mom. Reach for a kleenex, apologize if my arm just got in the other mom's pic of her kid at the table not crying. Yes, I think our Goosie was the only one who cried.

Wipe tears, kiss cheeks and paddies, and off I went...to peek in the window at her. :) Derek and Peanut were out there watching the whole thing, and by the time I got out there, she was done crying, but not really playing. She will though, right? We left. Glad I forgot the camera! :(

So, how did the day go? I thought of her all day, regardless of how busy Peanut tried to keep me with all her gymnastic adorableness. Will she be starving? Tired and crabby? Did she have fun? Get to see her friends on the playground? At pick up time, we were there. The door opened-oh man. Is she happy?

YES!! Here's proof:

See, that's her hand. She's running toward me, yelling "I LOOOOOVE SCHOOOOLLL!!" and she bowled me over and this is the awesome happy picture I got of her. I am an awesome blogger. ;)

Sisters missed each other.

We rode bikes and walked home. I heard all about the day. It was great! She ate almost all of her lunch, said "I saw your note. My teacher read it even though I knew what it said." She ate the kiwi heart. Peanut and I told her we made her a special first day of school snack.

Mmm snack, I'm starving mom!

How adorable is this? The Apple cupcakes were delicious. Seriously. Make these. Add whole wheat flour, cut back on sugar. Substitute apple sauce for butter. Eat happily, make your kids happy, and relish the days we have, frantic and flurried as they may be. Take lots of pictures, and occasionally, blog and share the moments.

Thanks for reading. :)

Goosie Learns to Knit

2010-03-14T13:39:00.001-04:00

Goosie Learns to Knit
Originally uploaded by bethanygknits

She asked if I'd teach her. I cast on for her, showed her 2 rows, and off she went. Her first project? A blanket for her little sister's doggy. Love her!

Productive Tuesday!

2010-02-10T11:22:00.003-05:00

Hello! I did do "It's a Crock Monday" this week, but didn't snap a pic. This week it was baked ziti with italian sausage and it was tasty. One half box of ziti, some tomato paste, a can of crushed tomato and about half a jar of spaghetti sauce. Mix that in the crock pot. I added some oregano and mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Then I browned italian sausages and put those on top. Set it to low and let it go. I added canned mushrooms to it and let those warm through, and ate it up. Really tasty.

Yesterday then was Tuesday. We had some company over in the morning for a lovely visit, had lunch and I went to go find my red Red Heart yarn for Valentine Day crafts. Two skeins were MIA. Hmmm. SO, I decided to get all my yarn and fiber together, to consolidate and get it into two spots vs. five. :) I have to keep the cabinet full of pretty fibers in the dining room! So, to the basement we went. Ugh. The one room is storing everything in our basement right now, and it was ugly!

After some rearranging, I found the desk! And the doll house!

It was to get things put together better, encouraging to see all my fiber, and the girls played for hours in the basement and asked to do it again today. Still more for me to do down there, so we'll all be busy!

Crazy Day!

2010-01-28T15:33:00.002-05:00

CRAZY day:

Done:

comfort crying/coughing/snotting/ear-achy kiddo

try to steam her in the shower, have her hide her face in a towel as she doesn’t like the steam on her face

feed her a breakfast she vetoes

have power go out while hair is still wet

freeze, fret, call DH if he can see what’s up as I have no internet, freeze more

DD2 wakes, start gas burner with match (eep!) feed her breakfast which she happily eats

dress girls, fold laundry and put away

Power back on! wooo!! Quick! Dry hair

laundry in washer

off to doctor-now 2 girls with ear infections

to Target to fill script, more Puffs plus, vicks plug in things, acetaminophen and ibuprofen and juice

grab taco Bell, have girls take 3 bites then cry, get Goosie in PJs, tuck them into beds, retuck Peanut who doesn’t stay in, throw laundry in dryer

write Round Robin letter, read on Rav, start mom’s email

have girlies wake, come down, discuss otitis media, how we hear, sinuses, marvel again at the internet
get snacks, turn on Scooby, get water and a spoonful of Nutella-why, hello stress eating

To do:
really decide dinner-I bought tortillas, black beans and Ro-Tel tomatoes-I sense a theme, but not really. Think I want buffalo chicken wraps. But I want to cook with wine so I can drink some…hmm…. ;P

finish mom’s email

post this list on the blog-heheh

post on Chore Wars

knit

exercise

finish drinking water-behind today but went way over yesterday-yay!

fold towels and put away

knit-why yes, I did put that twice.

really think more about that wine.

It's a Crock Mondays: Ham and Scalloped Potato Edition

2010-01-26T20:38:00.003-05:00

But on Tuesday, because of technical difficulties yesterday-my apologies.

We've been sick here, starting last week Thursday night when Peanut started coughing. By Friday morning, she was very sick, Derek and I were too, but Goosie was ok. She went to school, Derek stayed home. I went shopping after I dropped her off and picked up 4 boxes of Puffs Plus. By Saturday we'd gone through all 4. Ugh. The worst part was that we had to cancel Goosie's 5th birthday party. She was such a good sport about it, but man I feel so bad for her. We were redoing parts of her room, so we spent some time doing that over the weekend, which made her awfully happy. We'll reschedule her party when everyone is healthy. It may have not been so bad if she was sick too! But she was still fine at that point.

So, come Monday, I'd not planned the weekly menu, hadn't grocery shopped. I checked the freezer and pantry and decided it was time for scalloped potatoes with ham in the crock pot. I busted out the mandolin and sliced three potatoes-not too thinly, as they were going to cook on high for about 3 hours. I'd say I sliced them about 1/8" thick. I drizzled olive oil into the pot. Layered the potatoes with half an onion, slice more thinly than the potatoes. I did four total layers, then added the ham pieces.

In a sauce pan, I mixed 3 TBLS flour with 3/4 cup milk (I used 2%) and 3/4 cup chicken stock (I had homemade). Seasoned with a bit of salt and pepper and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and about 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese (Parmigiano reggiano), and let it get all good and melty. Then I poured it over the potato-onion layers and covered it and let it go!

It really turned out great, though I was nervous because this is not a favorite in our household. (Well, I love it, but...) Derek ended up having seconds. Goosie didn't like the potatoes, so I whipped out a secret weapon--seasoned rice vinegar! She ate all she had, then had seconds! It was really tasty, like warm German potato salad. MMM

I really think the homemade cream sauce, with the homemade chicken stock made a huge difference too.

As dinner was cooking, I took Peanut to the doctor. She has an ear infection.

Off to Target we went to fill her prescription and get a bunch of stuff to make everyone feel better. Like new crayons, and a yoyo ball for Peanut. After dinner, a dose of her medicine and a dose of pain reducer, refilling all the humidifiers, Vicks plug in vaporizer nightlight things, glasses of water, Puffs Plus at bedside, we tucked the girls in and expected the girls to drop right off.

Goosie did. Peanut did not.

I hope everyone has a good week. I hope if anyone else is sick, you start feeling better. I hope if you are caring for someone who is sick, you get some time off! Be well!

Goosie Turns Five!

2010-01-20T21:04:00.003-05:00

Today our Goosie turned 5! She got to celebrate at school with her friends~how exciting! For her family party, she wants a Hello Kitty cake, and I thought she'd want to do Hello Kitty cupcakes for her class. Alas, she said "Well, there are a lot of boys in my class and I think they wouldn't like Hello Kitty cupcakes." So, she chose a funfetti cake mix and frosting, helped me make them and was very proud to bring them to school today.

She also put together goodie bags for her friends. I wasn't too excited about this, but I think we kept it simple and she was excited to do them. We chose mini Tootsie pops, a candy necklace kit that you have to string yourself first, either a Cars or a princess temporary tattoo, and then Goosie made bookmarks for all her friends. She also made a bag for her teachers.

After school, and lunch, we opened some gifts from Grandma Sharon, Grandma Sue, Peanut and from Derek and me.

For dinner she wanted "Chinese noodles", so we made chicken lo mein. I added bok choy and Rooibos tea. She and Peanut helped shred the vegetables. It was tasty!

Mmm tea!

Or juice!

Finally, we had the birthday cupcake. Yes, she had 2 cupcakes today. The official cake will be Saturday. Make a wish!

You too Peanut, big sister wanted you to have a wish too. :)

My sweet girls.

How can my Goosie be 5?

It's a Crock Mondays: Risotto Edition

2010-01-18T20:10:00.004-05:00

Hello and happy Monday. I've mentioned already that I'm going to be using the crock pot on Mondays, and this week I chose to make Parmesan Risotto from the "Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker" cookbook. I was thinking it probably wouldn't be creamy or my crock pot would burn it, so I was rather anxious about it. Luckily, the recipe calls for dry white wine, so I was forced to sample the wine, as any good cook would, to make sure it was up to par. It was. And it was on sale, so double bonus.

It turned out to be wonderful! Oh so creamy and bitey with the wine and the parmesan (the real stuff folks, Parmigiano Reggiano). Nutty and perfect! It's really hard to get a nice shot of risotto though, at 5:30, in the winter, in Michigan, in a black crock pot. But here it is:

The large strips are parmesan ribbons I shaved off with my vegetable peeler. MMMM

To go with this, I decided to roast a chicken, as I needed stock and more chicken throughout the week's menu. I prepped it, washed in and out, patted dry, seasoned the cavity and put in shallots and rosemary. Made a wet rub of balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, salt and pepper, olive oil and rosemary. Loosened the skin, seasoned that...and set it in to roast at 450 degrees for an hour. It was beautiful! Nice crispy skin (which I did cover at about 45 minutes) and it smelled heavenly. But, I did one big bonehead move. (I really can't believe I did this-I've never done something this dumb in the kitchen. Well except that time I had a plate on the stovetop and turned on the wrong burner.) I roasted that beautiful chicken breast side down. So just about everything was cooked except the breast! I couldn't believe it. So I deskinned the breasts, because it was all fatty and gross now, not crispy and good, and threw it back in the oven. 35 minutes later I declared "That it! Everyone get your coats on, we're going out to eat." Outback had wonderful lamb tonight. And the Fosters was good too.

What is it with me and roasting chickens? I had great success at one time with them. I can roast a turkey like no one's business. But chicken has plagued me the last few times. Remember this post? Not good then either. So, more chicken cooking to happen tomorrow and I'm thinking I'll have some risotto for breakfast.

Just a ramble

2010-01-12T09:10:00.003-05:00

Hello there! There's been so much chatter about the cold that is gripping the nation-world!- but it doesn't feel all that different here in Michigan. Just feels like winter. But it seems like we've been getting more sunshine, which is great for me. It really brightens my day, wakes me up and adjusts my attitude. I'm just glad to have it.

Today the girls and I are hanging out, I've got some dusting and vacuuming to do and we're waiting for a package to come. Then, if that package comes at a good time, we'll be heading to Target for a birthday gift for a neighbor and a card for my niece. Derek will be home a little later a couple days this week, so we'll be eating dinners without him, and having some girly fun.

I've started this thing I'm calling "It's a Crock Mondays" when I use the crockpot for dinners on Mondays. It's because I have trouble admitting it is a Monday, that the weekend is over, that we have to get back to routine. It's going well so far, it allows me to have Monday as my heavier cleaning day, to focus on getting places on time after no rushing on the weekend. So far the meals have been good, though I had to seriously doctor one last night. It was called "Moroccan Chicken with Chickpeas" from the "Not your Mother's Crockpot" cookbook. It was just bland. I added salt, pepper, turmeric, garlic, cinnamon, paprika. It ended up tasting good, but there is another recipe I do for Moroccan chicken that we prefer, so I'll save that recipe for a different day! I really liked the idea of the chickpeas in this dish though. I do love chickpeas!

I plan on making muffins-perhaps today as the girls did not dig the Coco Wheats cereal for breakfast. I have some frozen zucchini and sweet potato that I can throw into the batter.

Exciting stuff huh? I'm just a bit antsy, ready to be able to reorganize and declutter and clean really really well, but I'm still under restrictions and trying to be good. I hope to have those restrictions lifted next week, but you know by then I'll not feel the need to do all I want to do now! haha, isn't that always the way? I'm anxious to get back to biking and exercising too. I miss it and can really feel a difference. Soon! Soon!

Bento Boxes!

2010-01-05T20:13:00.003-05:00

Well hello there. No, I haven't posted in a while. Yes, I thought I might have. But you know how it goes. Christmas was wonderful and now we're back to normal, almost. I'll say Happy New Year to you but I'm not listing anything, and I'm not complaining about how bad last year was nor how I'm glad to see it go. It was a great year and it helped my family grow into who we all are today, and good or bad events aside, it was our life. So I'm blessed and thankful and I've grown because of it.

But let us get to the good part of this post. There were many wonderful things received for Christmas and we've been playing for weeks now. But these gifts, for the girls? Awesome fun for me too. The girls' uncle Steve and his girlfriend Kelly got the girls Bento boxes and accessories. (They have given us all these accessories, but the some of the chopsticks before this Christmas). Look at this stuff, and forgive the flashy flash:

How awesome are those? And that panda bear--those eyebrows on the band slay me. So I've been packing the girls lunches and snacks in these boxes and they L-O-V-E them (just look)

and I'm getting addicted to seeing what I can do with these, really. So I've been looking online at other blogs, getting ideas, recipes and just getting way too excited about packing lunches! I want to see what I can pull off here. Maybe all our meals in Bento boxes! Maybe birthday cake Bento boxes! Maybe I can even get Derek to do lunch in one! Would it be enough? Could I lose weight this way? Wait, that's off topic.

But really, look at some of these sites. Biggie writes the Lunch in a Box blog and is in San Francisco and has all sorts of menus, packing ideas, food safety ideas, tips, and even forums.

Just Bento also has tasty looking ideas, and seriously, this Day at the Farm theme, with the sheep and bunnies is too cute.

Laptop Lunches has Americanized Bento box menu ideas, but with a healthy outlook.

One of the things I've been trying to change in our menus is getting away from what is traditionally eaten when. For instance, eggs are "breakfast food." Well, they can be. But they can also be for lunch or dinner. Seeing the menus on these sites are really inspiring to me. You don't have to have a sandwich for lunch. Have steamed asparagus and blueberries with some cashews and a hard boiled egg. Have noodles with fruit and spinach.

So, I'm having a great time thinking about this, about feeding my family healthy food and about playing with it! I totally need to get some small cookie cutters so that they'll fit in the boxes though. I have a bazillion cookie cutters and most are too big. I used a shot glass today to cut the tortilla and cheese slices! ;) Really, that's why we have shot glasses around.

For more Bento box fun, check out the flickr group. Cute stuff!

One last thing to share, because it's been 4 years in the making, at least. My Christmas Cactus bloomed!! Finally! On New Years Day! Poor confused little cactus. But it sure is beautiful, and I snapped this pic on my phone today, as the sun was shining and big fluffy snowflakes fell.

Snow Babies

2009-12-14T16:28:00.003-05:00

Or not such babies! Mom can't go out and play, so what are two antsy girls to do? Get all bundled and go play out on the deck by themselves while mom watches from the window. :) Everyone is happy this time!

This was just before all the drizzle started this afternoon. Ick. I am not a fan of drizzle ever, but when it's supposed to be snowing? Definitely not my favorite! We'd had a foot and a half of snow out there on that deck 2 days ago. Since then it's been all melty and drippy.

Why couldn't mom go out and play this time? Just a little surgery. Doing well, healing nicely. Sore a bit, but taking it easy. Derek has been wearing all the hats, poor guy. He's so good. :) Look what I had waiting for me when I got home:

Goosie also made me a present. She had broken a comb the morning I went into the hospital, and she taped it and then wrapped it up in toilet paper and taped that all up. I think she gets her taping skills from Grandma Sue! ;) It was very sweet. Then Peanut ran up stairs and wrapped a brush in the same way for me. Very thoughtful little girls!

Anyway, it's entirely possible you will see more posts from me as I'm on the mend~what else can a girl do if I'm banned from housework/cooking/laundry/vacuuming/dusting for a while? I also promise not to refer to myself in the third person anymore. That's sort of annoying. :D

Out on "Black Friday"!?

2009-11-27T14:04:00.004-05:00

Not my usual M.O. However, today at The Spinning Loft, Abby Franquemont was there for "Skeinsgiving" signing her book "Respect the Spindle". How could I stay home? I scraped the ice off the car and gassed up and off I went. Yes, I did! Look, proof!

I was afraid her hand would have fallen off by the time today got here. She had quite the pressure to sign and deliver *lots* of pre-ordered books that had gotten to her earlier in the week. But, her hand was in good working order. She was a pleasure to meet and I can't wait to delve into her book. I so admire someone with great knowledge and not only the desire to teach others, but to do it well.

Being in the Spinning Loft, of course, I couldn't walk away with "just" the book however. I got a cool "Respect the Spindle" pen. And the "Drafting: The long and the short of it" DVD. And 2 of the elusive Abby batts (pink and brown), 1 of the spectacular Maggie batts (Beth's daughter makes these, available at the Spinning Loft) (purple), a bump of romney (peach) and a bump of the Spunky Eclectic shetland in the "Three Sheeps" colorway, dyed by Amy King who also wrote the fantastic book "Spin Control".

Beautiful things. :) As an added bonus, as I was there, Denny (this Denny;) called Beth's phone. Her phone baaaas when it rings-so funny. Anyway, Denny said she was with Rachel and they were saying that they didn't care that they weren't there, they were going out for lunch. We could hear the yelling over the phone in the shop. Just a few minutes later, Denny and Rachel showed up! It was great fun, and, again, while I don't "know" Denny and Rachel, I have read articles that Denny has written, or ones written about her. I've had an exchange or two on Ravelry with her. I enjoy the stories and acknowledge that these folks are really contributing to the knowledge, the inspiration, and the love of the fiber arts for me. They may not know me to chat daily-or at all-but I thank them all for doing what they do, and doing it so well. And with so much fun. :) Thank you ladies!

Halloween 2009

2009-11-02T19:46:00.001-05:00

Halloween 2009
Originally uploaded by bethanygknits

Spooky skeleton and a black cat!

Hope your Halloween was fantastic!

Preserving Herbs

2009-10-20T14:14:00.003-04:00

Now that our growing season is over, we'll not have garden-fresh herbs for a while. So I decided to dry some to keep over for the winter. I'm pleased with the results-they look so much greener than my store-bought dried herbs. They are larger pieces, which make the food prettier, and I know it's not ground up stem in there, but the actual leaves.

Here's what I did:

Hang the herbs in small bundles for a week or two so that they become dry and brittle. (Keep out of dust, 'cause yuck. If that may be a problem, put paper bags around the hanging herbs and tie those off too.)

Then remove the leaves from the stems, and gently shred or crush the leaves to your desired size. I liked them bigger.

Put your leaves into air tight containers. I used old herb jars, and a cone of wax paper to help fill the jars.

Finally, label your jars. You can include the date as well if you don't intend to use them in 6-12 months. That's 6-12 months, folks. Not 3 years, not 5. Herbs lose their flavor, their potency, their...yumminess.

It's been said that you can freeze some herbs as well, but I've also heard reports that doing this will make the herbs bitter. I've tried freezing sage in the past and wasn't happy with the results-bitter and yucky colored brownish sage. I like this method and I hope you try it. Flavoring your food makes a huge difference. You need very little if you use good quality. Keep in mind, too, that if you didn't grow herbs, but have some from the grocer, you can dry those too before they reach the slimy-green-sludgy stage in the crisper drawer ;)

We Shared an Orange

2009-10-13T19:01:00.001-04:00

New Diap--er, Knitting Bag!

2009-10-12T20:57:00.003-04:00

It's here! I love it too. It's a diaper bag that I'm converting to be used as a knitting bag. It's from Little Monster Designs and it's fantastic! Tons of pockets, tons of room, sturdy, comes with cool inside things, and Erika at Little Monster Designs embroidered my initials on the front! Check it out: (pic heavy)

Messenger style

Front pocket

Zipper protects all the insides

Interior-3 sections and zippered pocket

Close up of back pocket with 2 extra

sections

Center section, unzipped

Needle case and roll (to be)

2 side pockets

Back outside pocket

Feet!

Flap velcros down to keep it all tidy

Seriously, this bag rocks. I am so glad to have it! And another plus~Little Monster Designs is a Michigan-based business of a stay-at-home mom, taking care of her little one and working hard at this business so that she can continue to do so. I am not affiliated with her at all, I was just really impressed by her products. Please check out Little Monster Designs to see what she has to offer. There is lots more than diap-er, knitting bags. Bibs, mugs, onesies, t-shirts, Bible covers, lunch bags, blankets etc., all personalized.

Selfish handspun

2009-10-04T16:37:00.001-04:00

Selfish handspun
Originally uploaded by bethanygknits

mmm! Fall-fibery goodness. Colorway is "Selfish" from Spunky Eclectic club. Amy works some magic with this one.

Projects

2009-10-02T16:10:00.002-04:00

Today we did some painting projects. It was part of the weekly read-a-long projects with the Little House on the Prairie Group on Ravelry. I've mentioned it before, but each week we read a chapter and do some projects. This project was to reflect on the sky at sunset~those beautiful colors. We decided to throw in some fall items, since it's definitely upon us here in West Michigan. (I scraped my windows yesterday morning!)

Here are the girls in action:

And our finished projects, which we hung on the windows. They are like stained glass, and are beautiful.

Goosie's:

Peanut's:

Mine:

Now, I'm off to see if Goosie has a fever. She doesn't look it in that action shot up there, but she complained of a sore throat, has sneezed a few times and felt hot to me. Right now she is like a limp noodle on the couch. Let's hope she's just tired.

Weinermobile!

2009-10-01T13:19:00.001-04:00

Weinermobile!
Originally uploaded by bethanygknits

We ran to the newly re-opened Family Fare and saw this in the parking lot! I could barely contain myself. I never knew I would be so surprised about seeing something like this.

We got to see inside (mustard on the floor and a blue sky ceiling with white fluffy clouds) and the girls got whistles and stickers while I got coupons.

As an aside regarding Family Fare, Derek's grandmother was the one who named Family Fare grocery stores in 1957 when they were changing the name. Cool huh?

Celebrating Peanut

2009-09-20T20:07:00.003-04:00

Today we had a little party for my Peanut. She turns 3 on the 24th. It's so incredibly amazing to think that 3 years have gone by so quickly. It's something you always hear, something that's so cliche' sounding, but really, the time does just fly by. She's the sweetest little independent thing~

Here is her cake:

Here is her happy reaction to seeing it:

And here are some adorable photos of her opening gifts and playing with her sister.

It is tradition for the birthday girl to go with daddy to the store to choose a ballon, tablecloth, plates, napkins for decoration for her party. Peanut had chosen the blue Barbie princess theme cake. She them switched gears at the store and went with My Little Pony themed goodies to decorate for her party. Then, she gets home and says, "Mom, why did you make a blue Barbie cake? I wanted a Pet Shop cake." Ahem You're lucky you were so cute when we presented the cake to you honey. (Says the mom up until 12:30 letting cakes completely cool before she went to bed after 2 long days of selling at a garage sale!) ;)

"Lemonade!! Arrrg!"

2009-09-19T21:39:00.001-04:00

"Lemonade!!" :)
Originally uploaded by bethanygknits

Today we had the neighborhood garage sales. A neighbor came to sell some of her things too, and Goosie wanted to do a Lemonade Stand. So, she colored a sign, I broke out the Crystal Light, and those girls really sold the lemonade! I think I did 6 pitchers. Had to borrow cups from the neighbors because we ran out. They made $11-12 dollars I think. They were very proud. :)

Today is also World Wide Spin in Public Day, and International Talk Like a Pirate Day, so we did those things too. See my wheel back there? I had so many inquiries and really interested people! It was much fun. I even commissioned a yarn order! Woohoo!!

Taught my neighbor to knit too-how awesome is that? Couldn't have asked for a better day.

Goosie Goes to Preschool!

2009-09-14T15:07:00.003-04:00

Today was the big day~I woke up early and got ready. I stopped Peanut from waking Goosie up and we went down to make pancakes. I fed Peanut...still, Goosie slept. A full 50 minutes later than she usually would! Then she came down and said, "That pancake smell woke me up!"

We had Mickey Mouse pancakes and bananas. Then we washed up, brushed teeth ("Can you do it for me this morning mom?"), got dressed, did hair. She was so excited. "I go to school today!" Derek got Peanut dressed, I washed her up and did her teeth and hair too. While I was doing that, Derek took the "first day of school pictures". Little sister did jump in for some, and they are all too cute to me.

We got to school 5 minutes before they open the door to let us in. Waved at new friends. Then Goosie found her locker and put her backpack in it. She instantly found her nametag and put her folder where she was supposed to. Goosie had made her teacher, Mrs. J., a picture of the two of them and had written her teacher's name on it, so Goosie gave that to her. Mrs. J. pulled Goosie aside and asked her to write her name on it, which she promptly did. She felt way special.

Then she chose a table and sat down to color, and off we went. It was a little sad (we cried last night as we checked on her when we went to bed), and Derek kept noticing and saying things to make me tear up more! But we took Peanut for a doughnut, got a balloon for when it was time to pick her up from school, did some "school work" with Peanut at home and colored and made her a folder too.

Time came to pick up our big girl and she and her friends were outside waiting with backpacks on. She was smiling so big, waved goodbye to her teachers "See you Wednesday!" Her teacher said it was interesting to see the skill level of the kids..."Goosie is waayyy up here" she said. We got in the car and Goosie told us how it all went:

"We colored and then got on the carpet and sang three songs and read "The Kissing Hand" and then we made our hands and put a sticker there! They were too wet to bring home, so my teacher said the next time we could-we used paint-and then we played outside some and had snack with teeny little cups of apple juice. I drank mine right away! And Goldfish crackers. They were tasty. And we sang the "Twinkle Star" song and did some things with our hands-like that...And I didn't get any paint on me!"

:D She had a good day. We had lunch and came home to rest-mom too! She ended up in bed with me because "I'm not tired and I promise I won't be crabby!" But she fell asleep watching me sleep. Peanut woke and then I did too, and I lay there a bit watching my Goosie next to me. I swear she grew as she was sleeping too.

The Beautiful Things in Life

2009-09-09T22:03:00.001-04:00

Still Growing 8/31/09

2009-09-01T09:55:00.001-04:00

Still Growing 8/31/09
Originally uploaded by bethanygknits

Do I mean the kids or the sunflower? Yes. :)

The Big "I know I haven't posted in a while" Post--picture heavy

2009-08-27T16:09:00.004-04:00

Well helloooo~ It's me again. I have good intentions and then the day is done and no blogging. But I'll at least catch you up. Starting August 6th, I finally pulled together some ideas of what to do for Derek for his birthday. We were trying to avoid spending money, and that coupled with the fact that Derek typically gets himself whatever he wants, it is difficult to buy gifts. (that sounds kind of bad-he doesn't spend if we're watching it well, he just sees stuff and gets it when we are able to buy ;) I want to thank the ladies at the Reclaiming the Home group on Ravelry, who helped point me in the right direction, and then Derek's friend Ryan personalized the ideas which are all related to World of Warcraft goodies. So, here:

The girls painted a Happy Birthday Daddy! banner:

I copied some WoW art and framed them:

More copies for decoupage on a box:

side

back

front

inside with some goodies

mana, health, gold and damage

healing potion, hearthstone and character stones

all in the box in pouches I made

Rune of Teleportation and Rune of Portals, in case he needs to bust out of work really fast

knitted, felted and needle felted zipper pouch with the Alliance symbol on it (not yet finished, needle broke!) (and, Alliance Lion or Cowardly Lion? You choose. He was happy though :)

And, um....green proto drake cake. Yes is it. Squint. See?

The girls also painted rocks for him and little figurines (a pig and a treasure chest) and got him WoW game cards. :) It was a very geeky birthday and he had tons of fun.

We've also been watching nature. We had gone to City Knitting and the girls saw this and wanted me to take a picture:

And, lastly, while we did not plant sunflowers this year, we still got one. We're keeping track of how it's growing and we're excited for it to bloom.

8/13/09

8/21/09

8/26/09

So that's where we're at. :) I have to go get the cream puffs out of the oven...mmmm!

Fiber Fest, How Do I Love Thee, Let Me Count the Ways...

2009-08-15T15:48:00.004-04:00

Today I went to the Michigan Fiber Festival, after some confusion on my part of what weekend it was, and I had a marvelous time. Saw lots of people I knew like Beth Smith of The Spinning Loft, Rita Petteys of Yarn Hollow, friends I knit with, Christne, Vallerygallery, AllyB-all on Ravelry. There was a meet up that included CoggieTM of The High Fiber Diet Podcast, and her mother-in-law (oh no. Her name escapes me. Is she "No Broom" on Ravelry? Or is that just what her Ravatar says? Dang...Sorry, MIL!), and Deborah, who's Rav name escapes me as well. Tim, and Ladybugknitter (Lori) and her son and husband (who makes the great swifts and sock blockers at Hornshaw Woodworks. There were also the Zombie Prom Date Knitters, who all get lumped together because I won't remember everyone's names, except Knitswithsnot, 'cause how can you forget that name? ;) And Spinsanity, the lovely spindle maker. Here are some of those folks:

Phew. That was a lot to remember, and forgive me if I forgot you! But I must move on and tell of all the goodness at the festival. I didn't take pics of the booths, because you can imagine it. Big buildings packed with goodness, right? People all over the place, struggling to see every single bit of colorful, soft, fun things they can. It's heavenly.

I took a spin through the first vendor barn, then the second. I ran across the booth where Rachel (AKA my8kidsmom on Ravelry) had some of her goodies from her farm. She wasn't there at the time as she was getting a fleece judged, but I came back to meet her later. She was lovely and her products are wonderful. I bought some Finn from her. mmmm (And, check her blog to see how she did with her fleece! Give her a couple days though, think she's still there until tomorrow.)

But that was actually my last purchase. Well besides the elephant ear I was asked to bring home. :)

I started with a list of things I wanted: a needle felting kit-

Check.

Some tan/brown blended yarn for Derek for some socks--no check. :(

But I found some orange Wensleydale locks to play with!

Then I saw these. Seriously, I couldn't pass them up.

Plus, Nevernotknitting/Alana has that adorable sweater called "Sheepish" and I am just smitten with that sweater. So these had to come home.

Then I wandered to the animal barn, where I met Murol.

Murol is a very sweet baby llama who lives at Queso Cabeza Farm and came to greet me and was sooooooft, so I took part of her home with me. :) See her back in that picture up there? Well, here's what it looks like now:

Well, about 4 oz. of it anyway. :) I also brought home some Zoey, a grey baby llama who wasn't at the festival today, but this was so lovely it was not to be passed up.

I even have a plan here~I'll blend that Finn from Rachel with this and then make a vest that I saw at the festival. Wow--a real plan!

Next I saw my first sheep shearing. It was amazing really. This guy didn't have big forearms like the shearer that Itsjustmeghan saw though (and yes, that really went through my mind). (BTW: I went to link to the shownotes for that episode, but didn't search for it. It's there, somewhere. ;)

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw these for sale. The whole bags. It was tempting...

I also checked out the bunnies, who are always so adorable. This one was my favorite:

Next I purchased some wonderful smelling potpourri for sachets and discussed a lovely scarf that was knit from silk hankies without spinning the silk first! It was really light and gorgeous, but forgot to snap a pic. Guess I have to knit one up and show you myself. :)

And finally, the last thing to share is a spindle I purchased. I have been longing for a new one and one that was beautiful, that wasn't too heavy/light, that I'd want to use. And I found it. In the Handspun by Stefania booth, a Driftwood Spindle that I fell in love with. Low whorl, zebrawood whorl with a bobinga shaft, 1.1 oz of gorgeousness. If you look at the spindle shaft, there is an email addy on it for direct contact, but I was unable to locate a website. I'd think going through Stefania is the best bet if you are interested. It's fantastic-spins forever!

So that was my festival experience. I was inspired by so much and I feel full-satisfied-with all the fibery goodness and all it's accessories. The animals, the friends, the hordes of people that all know the secret of the fiber arts. *Sighs contentedly* I have to get going on some projects now so that I can move on to more! I have fiber to clean and card and spin and knit and wear, and I can't wait!

Oh, I did find some things to add to the Christmas list though! heheh...

New Bikes!

2009-08-14T21:49:00.003-04:00

Want to see two happy girls? Get them new bikes. "Big girl" bikes, with Barbie things, and streamers and glitter and a bell and a basket or a backpack and a little bike that can hold a Barbie doll on it and attach to the handle bars or come off for some fun inside too. Want to see how happy they are?

Big smiles. :) And as I tucked them into bed tonight, I told our little Peanut how much of a big girl she is with her new bike and she said "I love my bike" with a big smile. As I tucked Goosie in, she said "Thank you for my new bike" with a big hug. Made me so happy to see them so happy.

The downside? Poor Goosie has "growing pains" frequently. I always thought it was just a saying, but she feels it. Wakes her up. And it just did, as I was typing here. Both feet are hurting her from all that bike riding. Her seat is lower than it needs to be for the pedals but just right for her to reach the ground-she's at an in-between stage. She never ends up sore in the mornings either, which is good, but right now she's not so happy. :( Poor baby. But, thankfully, as I said, tomorrow it will barely be a memory.

So, I'll leave you with one more great shot. I love this one...

A Little Organizing!

2009-08-10T19:38:00.004-04:00

I wanted to organize my cupboards a little. I have a corner cupboard that is so deep, I can't see how many bags of marshmallows I have...(three!). Or nuts...(four!). Or Fig Newtons...(two!) So I decided to put it all in the pantry. This meant several appliances, devices, books, and occasional dishes had to be moved.

So, here's the pantry before:

Take note especially of the top shelf and bottom two. Here's the after shot:

Then there are the two cupboards that I cleared out to add to the pantry. Here's the before shot:

And after:

Now, I know the pantry looks incredibly messy still, but I can reach in there and get what I need, can see it all--even those stacked cans--I have garbanzo beans on the bottom of 2 stacks and then one on top, then black beans on the bottom of others, and one on top. All other different kinds of veggies/beans are in the front, all easily seen. We'll be able to eat from the pantry before buying more. (And, the Fig Newtons? Yeah, both were beyond their time. Of course they sounded good today.)

But here's the cool part. See that corner cupboard? I removed the center shelf to get those tall things in there--that's a Kitchen-Aid mixer, a popcorn popper and a toaster oven. All on that shelf. Where were those before you ask? On my counter! (Well, the popcorn popper was a new acquisition this weekend.)

So now, not only can I see all the food we don't need to buy more of, I don't have to see all the appliances we don't use daily. Hooray!!

Where am I? What season is it?

2009-08-09T14:15:00.002-04:00

This was a scene in my neighborhood yesterday:

How very fall-like.

Today? It's currently 89 degrees (F) and feels like 96 degrees, and is windy but 57% humidity (but feels worse if you ask me). You can't breathe out there and the wind just pushes the wall of humidity in your face more. It's weird! The good news is that it's supposed to thunderstorm again here tonight. Last night there was weird heat lightening going on-lots of it. Ah, Michigan, you are such a weather tease.

I tried fall/winter clothes on the girls today. My little Goosie, who is 4 1/2, has some size 4 pants that don't fit anymore, and some that are too big. But she only has 5 pair to wear or grow into. Shirts? Enough to start the season in, but none to end it in (or wear in between!)

Peanut, who will be 3 in September, has some size 2 pants that she can wear still (overalls and leggings) that she can start the season in, tons of size 3 pants and shirts from big sister, but the pants are all too big, especially in the waist. :/ Should be an interesting season for her!

Projects

2009-08-08T14:37:00.003-04:00

The girls love a project. "Let's do a project mom!" So, about a week ago, I said it to them first-"Let's do a project!" They were more than ready for one. This idea came from a group on Ravelry called "Little House on the Prairie". We are reading the series and doing projects from within the chapters. (We're ahead on the reading, but don't tell anyone!)

I took a pillowcase and cut it into 2 pieces. Then we ventured outside and picked some flowers. Armed with wooden blocks, you place flower petals under the pillow case (over newspaper or magazines) and pound away. We had some trouble with the blocks, so the girls tried rocks-perfect! Pounding away any stress, frustration, or extra energy, we pulverized the pretty flower petals (and stems, leaves-even chives!) and made these great prints! I will heat set them in the dryer and frame them. I have the perfect spot to hang these, and the girls were so proud. (Although I think I needed to do the pounding more than they did!)

Catching Up

2009-08-04T22:40:00.003-04:00

Well helloooo!! I know, it's been forever. I said I'd do better. I haven't. But it's nice out and we're busy and .... I know, you don't care. :) But I've got something to write about and a few minutes to do it, so here it goes.

Memorial Day weekend we bought some new furniture. We didn't like the pillows on the floor models, so we had to order the furniture and they said it would take 6-8 weeks. But times are tough and slow, right? Surely it wouldn't take that long.

At the beginning of week 8, I called, just to check in. "They must have just arrived this weekend! They're still on the truck." Cool. Can I have them please? "Sure, on Thursday." (But it's Monday!) So I called and had my old, worn, cream leather couch, chair and ottoman picked up for charity on Tuesday. Then the new furniture was delivered on that following Thursday, 2 days shy of the full 8 weeks.

(no, not last Thursday, this was a couple weeks ago now. I just haven't blogged...as you well know ;) )

We're completely thrilled and love the furniture. It's all a bit greener than these pictures show, and the carpet is darker too. But those walls--yeah, it's time to paint those bare whitish walls. I love how new furniture can point that out so well for you.

The chair on the orange wall was supposed to be Derek's and mine was in the corner. However, they were supposed to be switched--his in the corner, mine on the orange wall. My chair, however, has a beautiful arched back that left the top of the chair back against the wall with the back legs a foot away from the wall--too far out for that spot. So I put it in the corner...where Derek promptly claimed my chair!! I'm not happy about this.

Also? I planned on moving to "my" chair for knitting rather than the far side of the couch, where I used to knit. But now I can't see as well because the lamp just doesn't go over there. So I'm back to the couch...and that poor lonely chair on the orange wall sees very little love. But I did knit on it while the girls napped today. :) That can be my daytime knitting/spinning chair!

Anyway, we love the furniture. Sturdy, cushy, oh, and those back cushions on the couch? The ones that I fretted over while shopping because I was afraid they would sag and get all slouchy and ratty looking? They have zippers along the bottom so I can reach up there and re-fluff as needed, re-fill if ever needed! How great is that? But for now, they are nice and firm and I don't have to be concerned. Love!

My Notta Birthday

2009-07-15T11:53:00.003-04:00

Today, as I was in the shower, my girls came in and said "Mom, when you're done, can you make my bed and your bed?"

"Umm, sure..."

Peanut said, "Mine too?"

"Sure...why?"

"'Cause we have a surprise for you."

"Ok, tell me when I can come down!"

So I went down and found this:

The Partygoers and decorations:

My gifts:

The Party Planners:

It's not my birthday at all, but I think we'll have ice cream after dinner tonight, just for fun. :) And yes, that's B.O.B. from "Monsters vs. Aliens" in a knit cape. You don't have one of those? We love to line up the "guys" around here and organize them. There are certain families that have to go together according to Goosie, and she gets pretty bent out of shape if Peanut doesn't follow the orders.

I love my surprise.

Making Butter

2009-06-09T20:39:00.002-04:00

Yeesh, it's been forever. No excuses, but thought I'd share here that this summer we are reading the Little House on the Prairie book series and doing crafts/projects as we go. Today we made butter. :)

It's official, I'm a Queen

2009-03-25T20:42:00.003-04:00

Because now I have a crown. Well, it's temporary, but it will be all shiny and gold soon.

I'm talking teeth here folks, and I'm really not pleased. I spent 3 hours at the dentist today. Three! I went in knowing I had a filling that was disintegrating and needed repair, and that I had a small cavity between 2 lower teeth. *ahem* Six shots and 3 hours later, I had a temporary crown and a bigger cavity than they originally thought. All for the low low price of $500. Dang! And, OW! My jaw hinges are broken. :( I never had lots of cavities--had fillings to fill in deep pits in my teeth, but it was never like this. Don't like it!

On a happier note, I finished my section of the Stitch-It! Podcast Midwest charity blanket for 3/09 called "Waves". It's using the Chinese Wave stitch, which makes a lovely, dense, flat fabric that I think looks really cool.

We've Just Been Busy!

2009-03-24T20:56:00.002-04:00

Well, I blew the month-long blogging challenge put up by Homegrownrose, but man, we were just busy! Not doing anything, really. Dealing with sinuses (my turn now, it seems) and trying to keep the girls busy and happy. :) Yesterday I took the day off from being "mom" and just did fun stuff. We did have to run to Costco, but I let them eat all the snacks they had there, bought a 6-pack of Ghirardelli Chocolate brownies. Then we had lunch out, then we came home, made the brownies, brought the tent inside and played princess, prince and dragon. (You know, slay the dragon, save the princess) ;) Then we napped (or maybe just I did. The girls were quiet, but rustled around a lot in the tent) and then we ate brownies.

Then we went to our neighbor's house and played for a while. I planned dinner, but we ordered pizza instead. Goosie is just starting to eat again, it's been over a year, but she won't do pepperoni and green olive. So it was a Hawaiian pizza and it was tasty :)

Today, then, was all make up for all the play yesterday. Tons of dishes, laundry, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning the bathrooms. I even moved the furniture-but put it back. Can't decide how I want it! So there, interesting stuff huh? :)

Happy First Day of Spring!

2009-03-21T13:35:00.003-04:00

Ah, Spring in Michigan, complete with snow. :) BUT! I was part of a "Say Goodbye to Winter Swap" organized in the High Fiber Diet Podcast Listeners Group on Ravelry and we all got to open our boxes today/last night/earlier if we just couldn't stand it. I waited until midnight last night :) Kelli/kae1217 had my name and she just spoiled me so very well! I'm absolutely thrilled with the box she gave me. She showed incredible stalking skills and thoughtfulness. She put together a complete package for me, included everything I needed to do several projects, things that were specifically chosen for me.

I had mentioned we went to see butterflies, she sent butterfly plant seeds. I have a cat, she sent catnip. I'd mentioned how my crochet skills are sub-par, she put together an instructional booklet and included knit and crochet patterns that are adorable, and a Crochet Today mag! And hooks to do the projects! And yarn to do the projects! And treats to eat while doing the projects! And she sent a knitting booklet to keep track of needles/hooks and has the sock/foot sizes, amounts for sweaters, etc. Malabrigo lace in a scrumptious orange color and a beautiful shawl pattern for it (love!) and a beautiful little bag to keep it all in! And, when I say this package was complete for all the projects, she even used plastic shopping bags for packaging that doubles as the to-be yarn for a recycled shopping bag pattern that she included.

Thank you so so much Kelli. I love it all and it's truly and inspiring package. *contented sigh here* I feel so lucky and spoiled!

Gastrique-fancy

2009-03-20T16:08:00.003-04:00

I ran across this recipe from the Restaurant Widow and loved it. My family did too and I thought I'd share. I did some modifications, which I'll list here, but for the original, please see the above link.

Italian Sausage with Swiss Chard and White Beans-serves 4-6

1/2 pound Italian sausage, crumbled

1 can cannellini beans, juice reserved

1 small onion, medium dice

1 clove garlic, sliced thin

3 large leaves swiss chard, chopped roughly (stems smaller) - I used Rainbow Chard, pretty

1 cup chicken stock

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1 tsp. salt or to taste

freshly ground cracked black pepper

1/2 Tbls. red pepper flakes

parmesan cheese

Combine stock, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes in a small pot. Bring to a boil. (This is the gastrique! Yummy good)

In a large pan, brown sausage. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Add onions and garlic, saute until translucent. (I also added the chard stems here to have them soften). Add beans, chard, sausage and gastrique back to the pan. Cook until chard wilts and sauce thickens. Add reserved bean juice 2 Tablespoons at a time as desired to help thicken the sauce. Serve in bowls with grated parmesan and sea salt.

So yummy. The original recipe calls for Italian sausage in links, with casing removed, so I just went for bulk. I could have easily used the whole pound of sausage, but I'm trying to cut back on that. The original also calls for kale, which I forgot to grab, and beef broth, which I didn't have. It calls for 2 cans of white beans (or the equivalent), but I like cannellini. So there. :) It also calls for a whole Tablespoon of the red pepper flakes. It was spicy enough with the 1/2 Tablespoon, and even the girls could tolerate it (with milk and bread and butter!) But they ate the whole thing.

Sorry no pic, I was too hungry :) Follow the link for a pic! haha! Let me know if you try it. I loved it.

Eek! Steek!

2009-03-19T21:04:00.003-04:00

All these challenges get me outside my comfort zone and routine. Glad someone pushes me! Meghan, of Stitch-It! Podcast fame put up a challenge to steek a swatch. So I did it.

First, I used acrylic baby yarn. Read: no self-grabbing properties and tiny!

Second, as I was doing the crochet style of steeking (because I don't feel I could hand sew well enough and have no machine), I kept fumbling to make sure I had the correct sides of the correct stitches. After having to rescue a teething child, I returned and promptly slapped my forehead, as I could just fold the fabric where I needed to crochet. (Not so hard! Suppose I was a little nervous!)

Third, I worried about the cast on/off edge, as I should have, apparently. :/ Kind of missed that first and last stitch and have loose stitches there. Luckily, this was not an awesome sweater that I had knitted, but rather a tiny swatch destined to become a stuffed dog's cape. :)

It was fun to do, I can so see the benefit of doing this for garments in the round and really, the cutting isn't that bad (she says of a swatch). For a full sweater, I foresee much anxiety. Calming tea during the process, lots of wine after. :)

P.S.-my hands/cuticles are really gross. Housework is evil.

Itching!

2009-03-18T20:51:00.004-04:00

Nope, not bugs. Just ready for Spring! It's been tempting me with some gorgeous weather lately, though today slapped me back a bit, and I understand that tomorrow will too. But I received these in the mail 2 days ago. (click pic to read better)

I received them from Deb of the At The Kitchen Table Podcast who talks of lovely animals and food, fiber and gardening and just gets me all excited about planting and reaping the rewards. She offered up some seeds and I jumped on it. Look at the lovely variety! Now, I just want to get planting, but I know that it can freeze here in May. Ugh! I want the warm wonderfulness of Spring, and I want it to be real. But it's not time yet.

I could start the seeds and transplant, but I don't have as much success doing that as I do when I just wait longer. So, I wait. Not patiently, but I wait.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2009-03-17T15:19:00.003-04:00

Ah, St. Patrick's Day, the day when we're all a little Irish, right? Are you wearing green? If not, consider yourself pinched. Here's what we made to celebrate the day: Leprechaun Catchers!

There's the ladder there to have the leprechaun to climb to the top (and the sign telling him not to as a taunt!) and then some golden nuggets on top. When he steps on top, there's a trap door to catch him! He'll fall to the bottom of the hat and we'll have ourselves our very own leprechaun to take us to our pot of gold! Wahooie! (Haven't caught one yet, but we're waiting...) And look how well Goosie wrote her sign! I was impressed, and loved her shamrock. ~note: leprechaun catcher idea courtesy of FamilyFun.com

Corned beef and cabbage for dinner too along with some Irish Soda Bread. Hope it turns out well.

Today is also our kitty's birthday. She is 15 years old today. :) Here she is playing in the stash.

Happy Birthday Hawkins! (Look at that face!)

Is it wrong???

2009-03-15T19:57:00.002-04:00

Is it wrong for a knitter to love lamb? I don't just mean their cute faces and wonderful fuzziness. I mean, ya know, the other part of "lamb". I certainly don't mean to offend anyone here, so if you see where I'm heading and don't want to think about it, move on to the next blog! ;)

Ok, think I can go on now. Tonight, for dinner, I made the most fantastic Lamb and Stout Stew! It was a culmination of several recipes and I just made it my own and it turned out so yummy. I didn't have any Guinness on hand (gasp!) so I used some excellent Double Cream Stout from Bell's Brewery in Comstock, MI. Fabulous stuff. Yum!

Little Cozy

2009-03-13T22:46:00.002-04:00

Went to the dentist today and my little Goosie did so well! I haven't seen her get her teeth cleaned the last 2 times because they whisk her off to different area while I get my teeth done. She's such a big girl. She said they didn't do Xrays because it was hard to "bite the things". (They've gone to these digital bite plates for the Xrays and it made me tear up today! Those things don't have any give at all and it cut into my mouth! owie!)

Anyway, no cavities for her, she looked great. I knew I had a filling that was breaking down, and I still have to get that done, but they said they found a little cavity between two of my teeth. Dang it. They were trying to show me on the Xrays, "See? Right there?" Uh--no.

Then we came home, had lunch and caught a nap. Even I passed out on the couch for a bit. Next thing I know, Peanut is downstairs, playing near me, and I wake up and see that she had given me her kitty to sleep with. She's such a sweet baby. She then laid down with me, snuggled in really good and said "little cozy". Sigh~good day. :)

It's getting better...

2009-03-12T21:54:00.003-04:00

I started out feeling pretty "bleh" today. I was tired. Foggy-in-the-head-eyes-still-heavy-and-burning tired. But, I had stuff to do. Make a menu, make a grocery list, go get the groceries. That sort of stuff. After last night's dinner fiasco, nothing was sounding good to me. But I searched around in my stash of recipes and decided on some lunches and dinners. Hit the store, had lunch and got the girls to rest. I was going to rest too but something caught my eye, made me laugh and I felt a little better.

Then we made cookies and I marveled at how much longer and how much messier it is when I make cookies with the girls! But we had fun doing it, and they wore their little aprons and hats. So cute.

Derek brought home a roasted chicken for dinner since I was so bummed about last night, and with it fruit and veggies and fries and deep fried cauliflower. I love all cauliflower I think!

Then, then we tucked girls in (several, several times). And I exercised. I rode the bike for 20 minutes and did some weights for arms/shoulders/back. And you know what? I am proud of what I can do now.

Before, not so long ago, I couldn't look at the bike without feeling worn out. I couldn't ride it for more than 2 minutes without breathing hard and hurting! But I've been up to 36 minutes on it and I don't hurt, can move the next day...what a huge HUGE difference for me from last fall. I'm realizing more and more how I was not so good in the fall. Things are looking up for me, physically. And I'm so grateful. I'm more apt to get up and do something rather than let it go until the next day. I used to be too wiped out from cooking dinner to do the dishes afterwards. I just couldn't do it.

But tonight, after I exercised, I actually went downstairs and ironed! This is something I really (really) don't like to do. But it felt good to have the energy to do it, have the discipline to do it, and then to have it done. I'm so pleased. I'm looking forward to being able to do more and more, and that alone makes me feel better.

Ohhh! Oooh! Ahhh! Mmmm! Uh-oh...

2009-03-11T20:22:00.002-04:00

Here's the "Ohhh!" As in "ohhh, cute!" At least I hope it will be. This is the bunny I'm knitting for the girls, this one for Peanut in the yarn she dyed. It will be felted and it's supposed to have huge, ridiculously cute ears, but that just looks a little wonky to me. But, then again, I sort of like big funky floppy bunny ears, so we're going to let it go. :)

Here's the "Oooh!" as is "Oooh yum!" I've been just craving a roasted chicken with yummy crispy skin with rosemary and salt and pepper, and today, since it dropped 25+ degrees from yesterday and is snowing, I thought it would be perfect!

And with it I decided on roasted potatoes, carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes and onions with thyme, rosemary and salt and pepper. I had more veggies here than I thought! (That's the Ahhh!" Part.)

Then I thought I'd make some popovers too. It's cold out baby! Break out the carbs and bready goodness! "Mmmm!"

(The popovers tasted good, but didn't look as pretty as I hoped, but then, I made them in muffin tins...make do with what you have!)

So, what, you ask, was the "Uh-Oh?" Everything looked tasty, smelled great, everyone was hungry so I knew they'd eat...so what happened? This happened...

No folks, that's not some fancy red wine sauce I decided to throw on at the last minute. That is what happened when I went to pick up the chicken to move it to the cutting board. What the heck?!?! I cooked the chicken to the right temp. It was completely thawed. I took out the innards that they tuck in there, I rinsed, I patted...so what went wrong?!

I was so, SO disappointed I about cried. I've been wanting this chicken for so long! I was in the kitchen for almost 2 hours chopping and mixing, rinsing and patting, salting and peppering and massaging the chicken skin with rosemary goodness. Sigh. I couldn't take the risk and feed us that.

So, we ended up with salmon sandwiches (canned salmon, prepared like tuna). I was completely deflated. Nothing tasted good to me. I didn't care if the girls ate their veggies. "Have a donut hole!", I wanted to shout out. Luckily, Derek came to the rescue and had them finish the veggies before the donut. But I was/am still bummed.

Think I'll eat some cookies or something. Or tea and donut holes!

Lazy, Lazy Day

2009-03-10T20:22:00.002-04:00

Well, I knitted, does that count? I fed the kids several times. I got dressed. Ummm...later, I got the girls ready enough so that we could go get Derek's car with him (oil change, new filter, something else). Yeah. That's about it. :) It was nice though.

Ahem, Apologies

2009-03-10T08:45:00.002-04:00

I posted quickly yesterday and forgot the picture of the girls with their yarn. Sorry!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

2009-03-09T16:27:00.002-04:00

Today is our wedding anniversary. :) It's been 11 years and I have to say I truly feel so so very lucky. I have a great husband and a great life-I'm very happy. Thank you honey.

Happy Anniversary!

And, I wanted to (finally) show the yarn the girls and I dyed last week. Each picked their color, one went in the crock pot (the purple) and the pink went into the microwave, for 2 minutes, all day long. Then I let them both sit and cool down all night long, rinsed, hung to dry. The actual dyes are Cushing's lavender and rose. :) I think it's a little darker than that, but beautiful! They are very excited.

Hello, lazy

2009-03-08T20:00:00.002-04:00

Nothing. That's what I did today. Well, I emptied the dishwasher, reloaded and ran it, but that was out of necessity. I needed the pot and dishes out of it. We watched movies, listened to the rain, played, eventually I showered, I rode the bike twice for a total of 36 minutes. That's all. :) Didn't even make dinner.

It felt great. I'm really going to have to have a sunny day again though so I can show the yarn we dyed this past week, as I forgot to do it when the sun was shining. It's entirely possible I'll have it knitted up by the time the sun shines here again though. Looks like a holding pattern of weather in the 40s and rain for the next few days.

Exciting here, huh?

Hmm...

2009-03-07T20:18:00.002-05:00

"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." Leo Tolstoy

And in other news, dad did great with the surgery, felt great today, though he said he couldn't extend his knee at all, and that was weird. He had a Reiki massage last night and was to get another one today, and was due to have aromatherapy too! What a recovery! His pain, as of this morning, Pre-PT was zero! He said his hands felt great too. Ah, the wonders of pain meds. :) yay dad.

Dad

2009-03-06T21:45:00.002-05:00

I hope my dad doesn't mind that I post about this. He had knee surgery today and I was worried all day, just a little. Enough to give me pause a few times. I called him this morning to wish him good luck, but he must have gotten called in a little sooner that originally planned. So I called my brother who texted me that dad was still in surgery and he'd call me after. The last word was that the surgery went well and he was still in recovery, that he'd get to go home Monday or Tuesday. I sure hope he does ok. I've seen the other side of recovery, from a Rehab Director's view, and it can be so painful. I'm hoping it's not too bad for him, that this gives him more mobility and lots less aggravation. Even when he was here to visit in January, he was on his knees to play with the girls. :) Such a good grandpa.

I'm planning on making him some oatmeal raisin cookies, and possibly plan a day trip with the girls to go see him soon. (That will be an interesting day though-ugh! 2-3 hour drive, one way, then back again? We'll see...) ;)

I just hope he's resting well, the traction machine isn't hurting him too much and he sees a benefit to this sooner rather than later!

"Sumpin' Else"

2009-03-05T23:02:00.004-05:00

My little Peanut is 2 1/2. Right around the time when she turned 2, she started to try to stall when it was bedtime. She'd say, "Mommy!" I'd respond, "Yes?" And she would say, "Ummmm, sumpin' else!" :) It was very funny. She'd say it when we offered her a choice of food, drink, clothing, books, toys, whatever. "Sumpin' else."

She has moved on in her little phrases, and the current one is, said in this tone of great wonder/surprise, "oohh! Cutieful!" Cute + Beautiful = Cutieful. Another current one is "actually, ..." She uses it appropriately and it slays me.

Goosie has always used "actually" as well. She also said "Lasterday", "I can't think about it" (for "I can't remember") and she uses the word "how" in place of the word "while". For example: "I want to have chocolate milk how we watch a show." She actually made fun of Peanut today for using the word "while" in the right way!

I just had to get these down on paper. It's a sweet, funny little kid thing that you have to remember. My mom tells me that I used to say "cattoos" for "tattoos" and while I was saying the "Hail Mary" I'd say "a young woman" instead of "among women". :)

So, do your kids have sweet little ways of saying things? Keep track of them, they're here and gone so fast.

"Totally Me!"

2009-03-04T18:59:00.003-05:00

So totally me! :) Yesterday we stopped and got Goosie a knitting machine-the "Totally Me Knitting Machine" for $11 (deal!). She was so excited to get home and try it. Lunch came first because the headache was starting. Then I tried setting it up...and the headache got worse.

This

didn't help. There were 3 little tangles of yarn that had to be completely unknotted. What the heck man?! I finally got the pink one done and balled it up and put the whole thing away until today. After rests/nottanaps, it was too late to get the thing started.

So, tonight, we did. Got it going, after much difficulty. I'm convinced I could have taught her to actually knit with needles in less time. :) The directions were not very helpful to me, but we got there. She had a blast turning the crank and seeing the progress. And she ended up with this:

She was so thrilled! And my little peanut? She turned the crank a couple times and then...

It was only 6:40! Sweet sleepy baby. We've never had this happen! Nottanaps make bedtime easier tonight! Yippee!

ugh...

2009-03-03T19:47:00.000-05:00

Migraine. More tomorrow. (This counts, right?) ;)

Happy Birthday, Docka Seuss!

2009-03-02T19:53:00.003-05:00

That's how my Peanut says "doctor"--docka. I love it. :) Didn't remember it was his birthday until someone mentioned it on the Stitch-It Podcast group in Ravelry though, so no green eggs and ham for breakfast today. We did read the book though, and Goosie thinks it's a "good thing he tried it or he would still think he didn't like it!" Ah Dr. Seuss, you genius you. Happy Birthday!

Preparing the Soul

2009-03-01T20:18:00.002-05:00

As we approach Easter, during this Lenten season, we think about preparing our hearts, minds, souls for accepting Jesus into our lives. I have a relationship with Jesus and God that I enjoy. Then, out of the blue, comes envy and jealousy, and I was instantly overwhelmed, saddened and really felt beat down.

Our neighbors put their house up for sale this week. They packed and moved out yesterday. I was surprised to see them go so soon! We chatted quickly, and they said they had not sold their house yet, but they had it paid off for a while now. (!) They said they couldn't pass up a deal for a house with a view of Lake Michigan. (!)

How wonderful for them! I said that to them, congratulated them and wished them well, told them I was sad to see them go, as they had been nice neighbors. But inside, all I could do was be sad that our house was not paid off. That we couldn't move to a house that was bigger, or had a better view. Then I looked at my garden area and instead of seeing the beauty that was there in the chives, zinnias and day lillies poking through, and the pussy willows trying to open, I saw all the work ahead of me that would have to be done as Spring approaches (whenever that will be!).

I went inside and told Derek how sad and beat down I felt. And I was able to rationalize through it all, but needed to hear it from him too. We've paid off lots of school loan money. (Lots.) We were completely credit card debt free for a while there. I don't have to be working to keep this lovely roof over our head right now, I can be home with the girls doing all the fun and wonderful things we do.

My physical capabilities are improving every day. (I can ride the bike for 26 minutes now without my legs falling off! I started at 2 minutes.) So I'll be able to better attack the work that has to be done out in the garden/yard. I've whipped the bedroom into shape, and only have a tiny bit more to do in the basement.

I need to see the good. I need to appreciate what we have. I need to realize that a little hard work and suffering for a great outcome is preparing myself, my heart, my mind, my soul. Envy and jealousy felt horrible. After an apology and a prayer for strength and a "thank you", I'm feeling better now. It was only a moment, but the affects will be long lasting.

In this time in our nation, I hope others can feel some hope, can see that the suffering can lead to wonderfulness. Can see the good that has happened so far and can be strong enough to say "I don't want to feel that awfulness anymore" and then have the support to improve and more on.

There are many people who help me everyday with spirituality, frugality, craftiness, inspiration. It helps to feed my soul and is helping me prepare myself in this Lenten season. Thank you all for your support and encouragement.

Butterflies at Frederick Meijer Gardens

2009-02-28T13:48:00.003-05:00

I love going to see the butterfly exhibit at Frederick Meijer Gardens. It's just what you need in the middle of winter. A nice, tropical feeling, full of gorgeous color, sunshine, and butterflies! Enjoy these shots:

Butterfly Week

2009-02-27T20:08:00.005-05:00

This week we were doing butterflies, since tomorrow we are going to Frederick Meijer Gardens to see the butterflies in the huge greenhouse area they have. It's a great time and we go every year. So, in the spirit of that, this week we focused on butterfly-sy things.

First, it was a simple snack:

Then we made shrinky things-like Shrinky-Dinks, but inspired by Poopscape Projects at www.poopscape.com, I used #6 plastic (the kind berries come in or, in my case, the top covers to Qdoba take out containers. If you look hard at the "A", you can see "#6"). We did color them with colored pencils, so after drawing the shapes with Sharpie, and cutting out the shapes, I scuffed the plastic up with sand paper. Then we colored away! Baked at 220* F for a while with not much action, so I bumped it up to 245* F. Worked great! Oh, the green underneath is a cheap-o silicon baking mat. Works great!

That was a lot of fun. I loved Shrinky Dinks as a kid, still do! We turned ours into necklaces on fish line, so the butterflies just float there. So cool!

Then we made some stained glass butterflies with construction paper and tissue paper. These make even the grey sky look cheery! But it's great with the sun, naturally.

[Hmm, insert photo here. I know I took one--where is it? I'm totally going to dust the camera for fingerprints....]

Finally, today, while we didn't make anything having to do with butterflies, we went outside and ran around, chased our shadows, and played "Follow the Leader" and yes, we pretended we were butterflies. :)

We did make these though:

Peanut Butter Cookies that are pretty darn yummy. www.recipezaar.com "Big Grandma's Best Peanut Butter Cookies". Bet you wish these were scratch-n-sniff. Or taste! Better yet!

Oh! And, that package from yesterday's post was not my super secret swap package, but rather one of the Stitch-It! Podcast Midwest Charity blankets! Phew! I was glad to figure that out and that I could open it. :)

Look What I Did Today...

2009-02-26T20:18:00.002-05:00

Something made me reorganize the closet. It may have been the fact that I couldn't walk in the walk-in. Ahhh, feels great!

My Stuff:

More of My Stuff:

His stuff (and some of mine :)

His stuff (and a little more of mine :)

Everything got refolded, except for the towels up there, and the carpet got vacuumed and the baseboards too. I pulled some things out for the garage sale that is forever-away and this even lead to me cleaning out one drawer and under the bathroom sink, and some things that were in our closet could be moved there. Yay me!

Then, I found this on my front porch:

The front box is my order from Knit Picks, but see that package in the back? Mystery package. I'm in a swap called "Say Goodbye To Winter" with the High Fiber Diet Podcast Listeners, and we are supposed to wait until March 21 to open our packages. We don't know who they are from either. So I get this today. Is this my package that I can't open yet? Or can I rip in and see what it is? I just don't know...So I have to search around and see what's what. Updates to come, for sure!

The Challenge, the Catch-Up

2009-02-25T09:52:00.004-05:00

Well, homegrownrose has thrown out a challenge to blog everyday from now to the end of March. It's been a while since I've posted, so I suppose I was just saving it up, right? Here's the Valentine's Day post I never put up, but wanted to share. First, I received roses, which were beautiful and still hanging on, looking darn good! Alas, no photo. I made pink heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast that morning and for dinner we had a pork tenderloin with a cherry-dijon sauce, red tablecloth scattered with plastic hearts as a table confetti, and we each had one with our own initial. For dessert, it was chocolate fondue with pound cake, strawberries, apples and marshmallows. Tasty! The girls and I prepared the decorations:

These became Valentine's Day Banners, which were proudly hung and danced about with.

And finally, we had our Valentine's Day Dragon! The girls colored wooden hearts and then decided on this configuration. I initially thought "wreath", but out of the creative minds of babes...

What?!! You didn't have a dragon?