stating the obvious

that I'm not going to make it for the February NaBloPoMo.
I've fallen behind and can't catch up.
I'm not interested in catching up.
Blogging should be fun.
There's too much on my to do list.
I'm overwhelmed.

I'll be back... not promising when though

overdue shots

These have either been long promised or new pictures that need to be posted TONIGHT.

My proof that Martha Stewart has not one thing on me (OK she has a lot more than 1 thing, but this one I thought of before her help) My heart shaped brownies, served ath my DD party on Valentine's Day. They disappeared in a heartbeat


Next is the 16th square for the Lizard ridge and I'll follow that immediately with square 17.

Noro Kureyon 153A

Noro Kureyon 188D

Here are a couple of pictures from DD's party of the girls working on their crafts and them all together showing off their necklaces.

first thing - make the goodie bags


next we made bracelets... DH wasn't taking pictures then. He escaped to the basement. But you can see one of the creations on the wrist in this picture.


The heart necklaces were the last crafty thing. you can see all the girls wearing them here.

Between all the crafts, we ate pizza, decorated heart cookies and ate them, and decorated the heart shaped cupcakes. All this while the girls sang their hearts out to the Mama Mia! soundtrack

Here is the bracelet DH gave em for Valentine's Day. You can see the sheep and ball of yarn.

At the concert on Sunday as I was listening to the choir sing I was playing with y new bracelet and admiring it and it dawned on me that the chain is reminiscent of an i-cord. I don't know if I was able to catch it in this shot or not.


And finally my creation du jour.


Pattern: Ballband toilet paper cover by hakucho
Yarn: Lily's Sugar and Cream
Colors: hot green and hot blue
Needle: US7

Thanks hakucho, I've had this in my queue forever. Finally got around to it today. Gives me an idea for my upstairs bath to try to make one to match my shower curtain... kind of a jaquard plaid... I'll let you know how it goes.

DH's vest is back to the armhole deccreases again. I want to look at a vest that fits him to see how to go about the next step.

Off to do some schoolwork. Tmrw is a long day for me. Need to get ready for the sub on Thursday as well :-) and prepare for the spinning afternoon.

whoda thunk?

My friend Heather, found this on youtube. It's of our kids spring concert from school last year. One of their classmates must have taped it.
I'm just saving it so DD can watch it more easily. Don't feel as though you have to. They had a concert of old music and their decade was 1910-1920



I'll add more to this post later.

technically

for me it's still Sunday since I haven't hit the bed yet. DH and I sang a Vivaldi concert today at a Cathedral in town. There were 5 of us soloists. It was really fun. I enjoyed it. Wish I had had more to sing though. As I was sitting in the concert I was thinking of all the pictures to put on the blog, but sorry none for today. Hopefully I'll get some on tmrw. I was also admiring my new bracelet and it dawned on me that the bracelet part is much akin to a knitted i-cord... and the charms slide over the i-cord. Promise that I'll post pictures tmrw.

A very old dear friend found me on facebook today. I was pleasantly surprised. Haven't talked/seen him in more than 30 years. I'm sure we wouldn't recognize each other.

I frogged a bit more tonight and finished another lizard ridge square. So that means I've only hit about 9 balls of yarn so far this year... I really better get moving if I'm ever going to make 200. I keep harvesting yarn from sweaters and making more stash instead of knitting it and making it disappear.

This week I go to DS's school to demonstrate spinning. Tmrw I must make some rolags and prepare for that lesson... 2 classes of 50 1st graders. What excitement! It makes for a short work week for me though which is always good. Work Tuesday and Wednesday, off Thursday and work Friday.. can't complain at all :-D

OK.. I think I'm going to bed now... DS2 already came looking for me. So I need to put him back in his bed and crawl into my own!

happy valentine's day

to one and all... tell someone that you love them.

We had a party here at the house for DD and 6 of her friends. I'd type more but I'm really beat. I want to tell you that Martha has nothing on me though. The day before she posted this as her cookie recipe of the day, I had made them for DDs party and have the pictuers to prove it. Just wish I had posted it on my blog Thursday night when I made them. At least in my heart of hearts I know I had the idea before I read it on Martha's site.

The girls decorated little cotton bags for goodie bags with fabric markers, made valentine charm bracelets and Valentine necklaces. We decorated heart shaped cookies and they put the toppings on their heart cupcakes. Of course it HAD to be heart themed being that it was valentine day. I hope everyone had a good time. I'm exhausted and need to go to bed to ward off this sore throat. Tomorrow I solo in Vivaldi Gloria and Dixit Dominus at the Cathedral in town.

DH bought me a lovely charm bracelet from Cleo's with 2 charms... a ball of yarn and a sheep... I love it! Thanks honey.

my kind of ad

from Melbourne AU
It's so cute and fresh.... of course, I'm not looking for love, just love the yarn! I wonder how many meters are in those balls??

All 3 kids stayed home with DH today. The older 2 had off from school. I went in and by lunch was feeling miserable. Came home and slept. Now I have to get ready for DDs party tmrw. Cupcakes and house disinfectant.. don't know which to start first LOL.

HOpefully tmrw night I'll have pictures of the party to post. We're doing LOTS of crafty things... (of course ;-) )

it hits again!

Well now the bookend children are on their second round of the stomach bug. DH has been a real trooper. He's been home 3 out of 4 days this week playing nurse and comforter, AND he'll be home tomorrow with them as well since they have off from school, but I don't (snow day make-up). What my school should have done is closed anyway. The number of absences is astonishing! All those kids should stay home for a good long weekend and stop sharing germs.

Having said that, I made valentine candy tonight and mini heart brownies. Except my brownie missed her meeting. I used the Ghirardelli brownie mix and admit to cheating a bit.....but it was soooooooo worth it. You should try them. one word YUM!

I raveled the red/orange silk/cotton/wool sweater yesterday and started the Old Navy rust one today. It's really relaxing to do. I'll wait to wash them together. I have so maany plans, just not enough time....sigh

bronchitis

My middle child is a carbon copy of his father! Not only in appearance but in health as well. The poor kid has bronchitis. He's missed 3 days of school and there's only 1 day left this week. My poor baby!

I've been busy deconstructing and frogging yarns. Look all I've done:

100% Merino from Express sweater, bulky weight all 623 grams/675m



All of which is caked now:

And this blend of wool and angora rabbit from a kids JCrew cardigan which totals 221g/331m. I felted the front pieces. Those skeins are center pull cakes now as well.

I have much more frogged and washed, but need to count and weigh it.

10 favorite places to shop

This is the alternate for today's 10 on Tuesday, since I did the topic last week.

• IKEA
  
• Joann's Fabrics (since it's the only fabric store near me)
  
• Barnes and Noble
  
• BonTon (for sales)
  
• Wegman's
  
• A.C. Moore
  
• Michaels
  
• ebay
  
• American Family Services
  
• Salvation Army
  
• VIA
  

OK that was 11 but who's counting? Can you tell I love a bargain and food?
Tell us where you love to shop!

happy birthday DD

You are an incredible young lady. I can't believe how you've grown since that day 9 years ago when you came home from the hospital. Where did the time go?
Papi and I are so very proud of you. You're smart, thoughtful, helpful, beautiful, great sense of humor and fairness. We are so blessed to call you our daughter.

So even though there will be times when our decisions seem unfair, please remember that we're trying our best and we've never done this before. You're our first and only princess... and we love you more than you can know.

Happy birthday darlin' Hope the new year treats you stupendously!

love
mom and dad

and here they are

Women's S Hugo Bescati butter yellow 100% cashmere wrap lace…4.99









Women's L Heidi tan 35 silk/25 nylon/20 ramie/12 angora rabbit/3 acrylic/5 wool short sleeve sweater DK… $3








Men's XL Old Navy rust lambswool worsted…. $6 *










Women's M The Limited blue-periwinkle tweed wool/viscose/nylon/silk/cashmere/cotton blend sockweight …$6
(i have another in this colorway in my stash already and one in another color… it’s so soft)






Women's L Express beige merino aran knit … $4











Men's Belmondi brown/black/white tweed 55 merino/20 rayon/10 cashmere/10 nylon/5 angora rabbit crew neck sockweight or heavier…. $4






Women's L SO orange/red tweed 40 silk/30 nylon/15 ramie/11 wool/4 other turtleneck light worsted ….$6








Women's M Gap mustard yellow cardigan 100% worsted cotton (hope the button band is picked up stitches) $2








Women's M Express blue white tweed merino turtleneck heavy worsted/aran… $3







* from the pricey thrift store in town

Sorry about the sideways shots... I forgot to turn them before uploading

And these to felt and make bags, mittens etc


I picked up a few sweaters at Old Navy as well.. 3 cashmere ones for me and a cotton cardigan for mom in a beautiful blue to match her eyes!

thrift motherlode

first:
NEW 100% cashmere sweaters (short sleeve) at old navy for $10.... that's right
NEW 100% cashmere sweater (long sleeve) at old navy for $24

and at the thrift stores... oh my!


Pictures and details to come in the morning after I get it all sorted, just let me say it was a GOOD day!

losing

very slowly, but steadily

1.5 pounds this week and 0.5 inches from the waist (that's all I'm measuring)
Guess it's OK considering I haven't worked out on the Wii in a week.. still..

off to sell GSCookies at the nearby mall with DD...

what city?

You Belong in New York City

You're the energetic, ambitious type. And only NYC is fast enough for you. Maybe you'll set yourself up with a killer career Or simply take in all the city has to offer.

What City Do You Belong In?

or depending on the food I choose…

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique soul like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well.

What City Do You Belong In?

Ironic that I'm pretty close to New York and my niece and her husband are in London for a while for work. Maybe I should go visit them... oh wait, they live in a flat, probably wouldn't want 5 of us descend on them.

sleepy eyes

I fell asleep with the youngest last night and awoke after midnight, not wanting to blog. I'll try 2 tonight to make up for it. This one is for Wednesday and I leave you with something that I stole from g-girl:

ten on tuesday

This weeks 10 on Tuesday is supposed to be 10 favorite children's movies.

Very easy for me, since we have 3 children here at the house and I am still a little kid, really.

Monsters, Inc.


Nim's Island



Princess Diaries (both)

The Borrowers


The Parent Trap


The Shaggy Dog


Toy Story (both)



Finding Nemo


Mary Poppins

groundhog day

How could he help but see his shadow with all those bright lights around? Granted it was a beautiful day where I work, but still 6 more weeks.. isn't that a tad depressing? At least I believe we're going to dodge the big snow that was slated for tonight into tmrw. Just a small amount now...

On another note... I got so carried away with organization yesterday that I forgot to post my entry... I'm still going to count it for NaBloPoMo though since I wrote it yesterday. Last night after I cleaned up all the dishes, packed the kids lunches, made my lunch and snack for today and packed it and baked a quiche for dinner tonight for the man and kids, I started with the coat closet. It holds the tablecloths and whatever junk the kids throw in there. I was sick of it... So I had covered boxes for the tablecloths and 2 bins for the napkins. Then I took all the unused lunch bags and backpacks out and put them in storage in the basement, with the other things of that nature. Brought the kids hat/mitten box and put it on the floor and got a bin for DH's and my hats and gloves as well. It's so nice to be able to see the floor and make sense of the shelves.

This closet *could* be attached to the pantry to make a really nice pantry, but where would we put our coats. Guess they could go in the bedrooms... but the boys would be cramped since they don't have a closet so as it is.

OK... I have to say that now I'm loving the food on this flat belly diet. Yesterday for my snack I had Kashi puffs with yogurt and almonds mixed in.. mmmmmm
Today for breakfast I had oatmeal with 2 sliced strawberries, a bit of sliced banana, some peanuts and a bit of semi-sweet chocolate chips all mixed together. It was a little bit of heaven. Lunch was a wheat flat out bread with spinach leaves, sauteed onion and garlic and asiago cheese very thinly sliced all rolled up together. Heaven, I tell you and dinner was a salad of escarole (lots), edamame and tofu cubes tossed in a dressing of sliced strawberries, sliced red onion, diced red pepper, balsamic vinager, olive oil, cold pressed flaxseed oil, with a hint of strawberry all fruit mixed together. It was really yummy! I had been missing my greens so I'm hoping this will help me. I don't miss the heavy carb load or the sugar. AND I feel so great eating this way, even though the pounds are not dropping off like I wish they were. I have more energy and for the first time in a long time am really happy.

I went to see DH in a comic opera at the college he teaches at on Sat evening Mozart's Bastien and Bastienne. He played the role of Colas.. I laughed so hard the tears were rolling down my face. Ham isn't a word that was strong enough for him. The students loved it as well. I'm sure it was the talk of the department today.

I knit on his vest almost the whole time and have about 14.5" of the back complete again. Now I have to start the shaping of the armholes. So I've more math to figure. Of course my handspun isn't meeting gauge, especially with the needle change up one size, so I've got all kinds of calculations to make now. I've just about knit 2 skeins of the handspun so that puts me down 11 skeins so far this year... Need to really get knitting if I'm going to hit 200 by the end of the year. I'll get rid of some at DS1's school. They're looking for red yarn for a Valentine project, so I'll send some in. I'm not even meeting January's quota. Of course the summer will do me better since I'll be home more, but perhaps 200 was a bit too much to bite off.. a real challenge. I'll definitely make 100 without a problem.

I think some dishcloths and LR squares are in the future. And a friend's son is getting married in June. I'd like to knit them an afghan. I think of squares of all different stitches, perhaps in some Paton's in browns and beiges would be nice. Maybe I should get that Barbara Walker stitch book about the afghan. Hmmmmmm. I just dread the idea of seaming the whole thing.

Well off to work as soon as this little girl stops moving around, I'll escape clean the kitchen pack lunches for tmrw, do some school work and THEN knit.

today is a great day for..

organizing! I don't know why, but I got this urge to clean and organize my pantry in the kitchen. When I was at the grocery store, I bought these fabric boxes and bins and was anxious to put them to use. The large bin was for the kids snacks in the pantry. I wanted to keep them out of MY way so I would be less tempted to eat them. While I was doing that, I figured why not organize the pantry to see what we have...

LOTS of Pepperidge Farm Goldfish (I can go a couple of weeks without buying any and my kid devour them.
TOO MANY boxes of Macaroni and Cheese (enough for a month or more, not every night mind you... but think Sam's Club quantity)
TEA flavors that I should be drinking!
Plenty of flour (all sorts, wheat, white, organic, soy, spelt.... you get the picture)
Powder your body with powdered sugar
NUTS (which I'm nuts about... and are all on my new diet :-) )

At any rate, it's really beautiful now and I know where everything is. And can easily keep away from the crackers and chips and cookies and pudding and well you get the picture.

There's more boxes to hit the coat closet... I'll save that for later tonight!


OH this should be dated yesterday, I wrote it in text edit and forgot to post it.. if you're reading this, you've probably read the previous post and already know why!