Through my ridiculously congested blog surfing today, I came across this. I can't help but think this is a great idea for me too. A chance to focus on things that I want to do for me, my family, my friends and my community...So, to borrow an inspirational idea (and organizational structure) here it goes:
The first 26
Knitting
Knit lace with lace weight yarn
Knit myself a sweater
Send 20 baby hats to Children's hospital at Egleston in Atlanta
make these Inca Alpaca Mitts
submit original design to Knitty for consideration
Steek
General Craftyness
learn a new medium
participate in Project Spectrum
do a swap
sew a growth chart for little one
Get 3 artscout buttons
Green
Learn to compost
Use a clothesline on sunny days
Plant a food garden
Gifting
Give handmade gifts (made by me or someone else)
Ballet
Get back on pointe shoes
Take a class in New York
Lifestyle
Get up 15 minutes earlier, make a cup of coffee and start the day before anyone else is up.
Walk to Homeschool Co-0p at least 2/4 times a month
Make a calendar of everyone's birthdays
Take little one on walks atleast once a week
Make a nature table
Organize playroom and make it cute
Paint Kitchen
Decorate little one's room as a garden
Read Walden
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Elephants, bears, and monkeys -- oh my!
This weekend I had my first solo table at a craft show. It was a little bit John Watters-esque. I got there and set up with my dad -- he made me laugh like a crazy person, and we thought for sure we would be asked to leave before the show officially began. Well, things kicked off at 10 with an accordion player (!!). It was pretty cold on Saturday, but with my fingerless gloves on, I managed to get in some knitting. Also, a steady stream of friends stopped by to chat with me, making the time fly by. A few highlight moments...
Smokey and the 911 Elephant stopped by to say hello...
A man with a tiny monkey strolled by -- it was his hat that caught my eye first...then the monkey.
Little one and my Sweetie pie came over and hung out for a while too, although for little one, the draw was the playground.
So, not the most...er...lucretive of shows, but all in all a nice way to spend Saturday.
Oh, and HANDS-DOWN the best popcorn I have ever had. Two bags full.
Also, started the mass production of tomato sauce. There is this really nice woman at the farmers market that gives me all of her battered or bruised tomatoes at the end of the day. I take them home an make sauce out of them. Usually she has 4 or 5. This time, she had an entire file box full of tomatoes! So...
9 bottles of sauce! Thanks Crystal! (ok, you can tell by the date on the jars that I did these last weekend. I just forgot about telling you until today. So, pretend that I did it this weekend and wonder -- where, oh where does she find the time to do all of this!)
Also, just started working on little one's Halloween costume. She wants to be JoJo -- nice easy costume. Started sewing up the pants last night. Here is the fabric .
I took 2 colors of flannel and made stripes then cut the pants from that. More pictures to follow as the costume progresses. I just realized that I have to have it finished by Saturday. That is when the town parade is, and trick-or-treating at the shops.
As usually happens this time of year, when the weather goes from 80 degrees to 59 degrees in the course of 2 days, we all have raging colds. So, we have been hanging out, not doing much today -- couple of painting projects and the like. Can't wait to have my nose stop running.
Going over to the fam's house for dinner tonight. I'm going to bring the lasagna and some rolls (never made this kind of roll before. I'll let you know how it turns out.) This is my Gramma's last night in town before she heads back out to Arizona. I miss her when she's so far away. Her visits always fly by. They are just too short. Even if they were longer, they would still be too short, you know?
I think it's time to shape the rolls. If they turn out pretty, I'll take a picture. If they turn out nasty, no one will know but us, ok?
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Where have all the photos gone?
I can't believe how remiss I have been about posting pictures. Prepare to be blasted with them...
We go through a lot (and I mean a lot) of bread in our house during the week. I got bold a while back and started baking some myself. To be totally honest, they were like bricks, but my wonderful family cheerfully choked them down. Well, I have graduated from bricks and am now making a decidedly unbricklike challah. 
Who knew that I could do that, right? I am very proud. So proud in fact, that I took a picture of it. So, two loaves a week now. It really is fun to make. I found the recipe in this great book from our book store. I want to cook everything in it. Well, 90% of everything.
Who knew that I could do that, right? I am very proud. So proud in fact, that I took a picture of it. So, two loaves a week now. It really is fun to make. I found the recipe in this great book from our book store. I want to cook everything in it. Well, 90% of everything. News from the homeschool front. Today at co-op we made trees by tracing our hand and forearm on brown construction paper, cutting it out, gluing it to another sheet of paper and sponge painting leaves on top. Cool project! It kept a room of 2-3 year olds happy for 35 minutes. I have to say that I loved that little one didn't just tap tap tap with her sponge like she was taught. She tried that, then she realized that she is more of a smear it kind of girl. So smear she did. 
I think it looks fantastic and very her.
Co-op is in a church down the road from our house. It is a great space with tons of room for all of the kids. The only (very minor) issue is the cold cold basement floor. So, today I finished a little cushion for little one to sit on. 
I used scraps from the banner I made for her 3rd birthday. I am really happy with how it turned out. So is little one. She has decided it is the homeschool pillow, the book pillow, the doll blanket, and her flag. Heehee. It's nice to be appreciated!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Painting with her toes and homeschool
When did my 3 year old become so busy? We just had our first full week of classes...She goes to this incredible program at our local museum. On the second day they did slip and slide with paint. So, yeh, the clothes are looking rough, but she's having a blast. Also, today marked our first homeschool co-op day. My guess is that once we all figure out what we are doing, things will get a bit less...er....chaotic. But it was fun. It is close by, so little one and I can walk there in the morning. It is a good way to wake up and get our brains in gear before we start thinking. The moon was out this morning and we chatted about that the whole way there. Little one told me that it was the morning-time moon and that morning time moons don't sleep. The night time moon sleeps. Why not? I love to hear her ideas. We learned about the letter A, and about imaginations and how much fun it is to make clay snowmen in the very end of summer. There were two wonderful school moments today. When we first arrived, this very sweet 10 year old came over, introduced herself to my little one, asked her name and how old she was, then said, "It's nice to meet you. Lets take you over so that you can meet the other kids." Wow. So confident and kind. The other moment happened at the end of our co-op day. We were sitting outside in the grass and Annie (the mom/teacher for that class) had her accordion out. A group of about 10 girls (including mine) ranging in age from 2.5 to 14 were in a circle around her. They were all singing songs in french -- cool breezes blowing with the smells of fall, sweet little voices, and an accordion. Did that really happen? It was just such a fun and interesting way to end our first day. I have to say, the one thing I noticed about all of the girl was their confidence in their abilities. No one was shy to say that they knew something or that they were good at something. None of the girls thought that to be accepted she had to downplay her smarts. It was just a group of 10 very kind, very self assured, very unique kids. They all had their own style and were comfortable in who they were. Even though some were older and some were still very young, everyone was respectful of everyone else. I know that this is the environment I want my daughter to grow and learn in. I want to give her that kind of power in her own identity. Yea Homeschool!
Friday, July 11, 2008
July? Seriously? Already?
Where has this summer gone? I can't believe the last time I checked in was the middle of June. Since we last spoke, I had a birthday, knit some snowmen, and shopped for big-girl beds. Doesn't sound like a lot when I write it like that. Hmm. I'll just fill in the details a bit.
My Birthday. Wow. Let's just say that it was one of the most fun birthdays EVER! In the history of birthdays. My wonderful husband made a huge fuss for me. First,in the early afternoon, we went for an hour long boat ride with Mom and Dad. We had a picnic lunch on the boat -- fantastic food, thanks Mom! -- and cruised around for a while. The weather was supposed to be lousy, but it was sunny blue skies all the way. We sang silly songs and played kazoos. How great is that? I kept playing the theme song from Jaws on my kazoo. My Dad said, "We're gonna need a bigger boat." I like that my parents get me. After that we went home for naps and then, the evening's festivities began. So, I love blue crabs. My favorite way to spend a summer evening is picking crabs. It really is messy -- the way I do it -- so it's hard to do with a toddler. "Sure sweetie, I can wipe your face. Oh sorry. I didn't mean to get Old Bay in your eyes. Does it sting?" So, needless to say, I don't get to do it that often. Well, he arranged for a bunch of our friends to come over and we had 6 dozen crabs, buckets of really cheap beer (the only kind to have with crabs, I think) and lemonade, corn on the cob (another obsession of mine that dates back to my 3rd year at my grandparents' lake house), slaw, chips, and carrot cake. It would have made a very nice death row meal, you know? The crabs were delivered already steamed, which was great, being that I am somewhat hypocritical in my crab philosophy. I'll eat them, but don't like to...ehem...well, there is no delicate way to put it -- boil them alive. Just one of my quirks I guess. Anyway we sat around for hours listening to all of my favorite songs, and ate and talked and watched our kids play. The layers and layers of dirt on these kids! It blew my mind. I had never seen 3 dirtier, happier little girls. Little one and her two friends made "worm stew" from sticks in the yard and berries off of our poor Nandina. I still don't know if the stew was made of worms or for them. Anyway, as the day turned into night, we all decided to catch fireflies. It was little one's first time and she just loved it. She kept bringing them to me as presents for my birthday. She even learned how to catch them gently and not pinch them. I know the firefly population in our yard appreciated that development. All in all it was a perfect summer night, and the best way to start my new year. I got wonderful birthday cards from friends and family, near and far, and even a totally unexpected phone call from one of best buddies from my old stomping grounds, who I hadn't talked to in about a year. It was so great to hear from her! I miss her so much. On my actual birthday day, Mom and the little one and I piled into the car and drove an hour to this yarn store - shocking I know - and we played there for a while. I have never seen anything like this place. Not very big, but holy cow with the stuff! They had fiber from floor to ceiling! An entire wall of buttons! Books, books, books, and more books. I could have stayed there for days, planning all of the projects I want to make. Instead of camping out there, I exercised a bit of restraint and bought one ball of Baby Ull Dalegarn from Dale of Norway. So soft and I even like the ducks on the ball band. Silly I know. But there you have it. I also got a great pattern book, there is a hoodie tunic sweater in there that would make a great beach cover-up. So, when I need a break from the snowman knitting, that's what I'll make.
On to the snowmen. Well, there is this amazing woman that I randomly met at my local yarn store and she has been selling anything I want to knit to all of her friends, of which she has many! Well, now, there is a new venue for me! The yarn store that I just LOVE in the next town has started carrying my little knit guys too. She's asked me to knit snowmen for a Christmas in July theme, and I have been cranking them out just as fast as I can. I still can't believe that my stuff is in stores! So cool!
The big girl bed search began in earnest yesterday. Little one is growing up, and moving on to bigger things. Well, she let me know that she is ready for her big girl bed and I'm all for it. We have kept her in her crib maybe a bit longer than we needed to. We were really lucky, she never tried to climb out. So, we were just keeping her in there. Well, we are about to start preschool in the fall (I still can't believe THAT.) and I just know it's time to have the real big kid bed. So, I found one that I just love online -- one of the few perils of the very small town I live in, not so many choices for toddler furniture -- and Woo-hooo free shipping. I'm ordering it tonight, and in 7 to 10 days, little one will be dreaming in a new bed. Wow.
This time is just going so fast.
My Birthday. Wow. Let's just say that it was one of the most fun birthdays EVER! In the history of birthdays. My wonderful husband made a huge fuss for me. First,in the early afternoon, we went for an hour long boat ride with Mom and Dad. We had a picnic lunch on the boat -- fantastic food, thanks Mom! -- and cruised around for a while. The weather was supposed to be lousy, but it was sunny blue skies all the way. We sang silly songs and played kazoos. How great is that? I kept playing the theme song from Jaws on my kazoo. My Dad said, "We're gonna need a bigger boat." I like that my parents get me. After that we went home for naps and then, the evening's festivities began. So, I love blue crabs. My favorite way to spend a summer evening is picking crabs. It really is messy -- the way I do it -- so it's hard to do with a toddler. "Sure sweetie, I can wipe your face. Oh sorry. I didn't mean to get Old Bay in your eyes. Does it sting?" So, needless to say, I don't get to do it that often. Well, he arranged for a bunch of our friends to come over and we had 6 dozen crabs, buckets of really cheap beer (the only kind to have with crabs, I think) and lemonade, corn on the cob (another obsession of mine that dates back to my 3rd year at my grandparents' lake house), slaw, chips, and carrot cake. It would have made a very nice death row meal, you know? The crabs were delivered already steamed, which was great, being that I am somewhat hypocritical in my crab philosophy. I'll eat them, but don't like to...ehem...well, there is no delicate way to put it -- boil them alive. Just one of my quirks I guess. Anyway we sat around for hours listening to all of my favorite songs, and ate and talked and watched our kids play. The layers and layers of dirt on these kids! It blew my mind. I had never seen 3 dirtier, happier little girls. Little one and her two friends made "worm stew" from sticks in the yard and berries off of our poor Nandina. I still don't know if the stew was made of worms or for them. Anyway, as the day turned into night, we all decided to catch fireflies. It was little one's first time and she just loved it. She kept bringing them to me as presents for my birthday. She even learned how to catch them gently and not pinch them. I know the firefly population in our yard appreciated that development. All in all it was a perfect summer night, and the best way to start my new year. I got wonderful birthday cards from friends and family, near and far, and even a totally unexpected phone call from one of best buddies from my old stomping grounds, who I hadn't talked to in about a year. It was so great to hear from her! I miss her so much. On my actual birthday day, Mom and the little one and I piled into the car and drove an hour to this yarn store - shocking I know - and we played there for a while. I have never seen anything like this place. Not very big, but holy cow with the stuff! They had fiber from floor to ceiling! An entire wall of buttons! Books, books, books, and more books. I could have stayed there for days, planning all of the projects I want to make. Instead of camping out there, I exercised a bit of restraint and bought one ball of Baby Ull Dalegarn from Dale of Norway. So soft and I even like the ducks on the ball band. Silly I know. But there you have it. I also got a great pattern book, there is a hoodie tunic sweater in there that would make a great beach cover-up. So, when I need a break from the snowman knitting, that's what I'll make.
On to the snowmen. Well, there is this amazing woman that I randomly met at my local yarn store and she has been selling anything I want to knit to all of her friends, of which she has many! Well, now, there is a new venue for me! The yarn store that I just LOVE in the next town has started carrying my little knit guys too. She's asked me to knit snowmen for a Christmas in July theme, and I have been cranking them out just as fast as I can. I still can't believe that my stuff is in stores! So cool!
The big girl bed search began in earnest yesterday. Little one is growing up, and moving on to bigger things. Well, she let me know that she is ready for her big girl bed and I'm all for it. We have kept her in her crib maybe a bit longer than we needed to. We were really lucky, she never tried to climb out. So, we were just keeping her in there. Well, we are about to start preschool in the fall (I still can't believe THAT.) and I just know it's time to have the real big kid bed. So, I found one that I just love online -- one of the few perils of the very small town I live in, not so many choices for toddler furniture -- and Woo-hooo free shipping. I'm ordering it tonight, and in 7 to 10 days, little one will be dreaming in a new bed. Wow.
This time is just going so fast.
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