preparing

my big fat Greek dinner party

Hors d'oeuvres:
garlic hummus & red pepper hummus (χούμους)
with warm pita triangles (πίτα)
olive tapinade (ελιάς)
dolmadas (ντολμάδες)
mozzarella cheese balls for the kids

crudité (λαχανικά)

Entrée
Caesar Salad (Σαλάτα Caeser)
Lentil Soup (φακές σούπα)
Spanokopita (σπανακόπιτα)

Dessert:
Greek butter cookies (μπισκότα βουτύρου)
Greek lemon cake (κέικ λεμονιού)- yes in the bundt pan have to pay tribute to the flick somehow.... now how to fix the hole????



it's the family of an old student of DH that we've grown accustomed to/fond of


Hope Santa was good to you.. I'm still recovering!

Merry Christmas

to all!

and to those that don't celebrate, have a wonderful time with family and friends.

I plan on visiting with MANY friends..... organizing a bit..... baking... playing.... knitting.... planning... it will be a VERY packed 10 day break from school..

I pray that the new year brings peace to all....


Just a few quick pics to put you in the spirit
DD's new stocking. She picked out the sweaters that she wanted included. The lining is a cute Christmas flannel print that is red green and white and has Christmas balls on it and says from me to you... maybe I'll get a picture of it later.















Greeting you at the front door of my house
To your left














In front of you






To your right
The windows have wreaths and candles but were in a shadow when I shot these pictures and there are icicle lights hanging from the roof of the porch and a pointsettia flag. It looks simple but nice!


The Girl Scout leader got a smaller version of the wreath on the door.


I'm making something for mom and my SILs as I type... felting in the washer. It's a very small but useful gift.

Gotta run and clean....

Happiness and Joy to all of you!

3 days

left and a broken toe.... smacked the foot on the privacy panel in the bathroom and broke the second to last toe on my right foot.. man does that smart!

the stocking will be finished tonight and the girl scout wreath as well... maybe DS2s hat.

but now.. to put the kiddos to bed.

4

and so much left to do...

on the docket for tonight... DDs Christmas stocking while DH wraps. Good news is that DS2's big gift will arrive in time to go under the tree... I was really sweating it out, especially when I got an e-mail today that they still didn't have it and did I want to cancel my order (that I placed 12 days ago....and they charged my CC for 10 days ago) It's sold out everywhere so I was desperate.

Cookies left to bake and some craft projects left to do... it really NEVER ends does it???

5

the number of fingers on one hand
the number of toes on one foot
the number of people in our family

how many days left until Christmas.... ACK!!!!!!!!

What a great weekend... Friday night was the MoCo dinner dance.. the theme was China. Culinary mix of Chinese and American food. Entertainment was Chinese dancers. DH gimped on the dance floor with me for a bit.. what a trooper.

Saturday brought playing Santa... finishing up the last minute shopping. I must be crazy. Next year, I swear it will ALL be done online!!!!!!!

Although I found a nice JCrew sweater at the thrift store and it was the right color tag so it was 75% off.. bulky 100% wool.. should yield some nice stuff :) and a set of Crate and Barrel 7" discontinued Christmas plates new in the box for $5. I may gift them... very cute. There's a set on ebay for $30.

Saturday night brought the Boksan's party. Thanks to our awesome friend Heather we were able to go. She had the kids over to her house.... our 3 and her 2 to play for a few hours. The hostess at the party gave out wine this year as a gift.. and her sister made little cute cozies for each bottle. caps and capes some bags, som with caps and scarves, one had a santa suit on. All knitted. VERY cute!

Sunday, ah the day of rest. Not quite! DH left for church early and I got up shortly thereafter. I ordered more gifts online, made chocolate pretzels with the kids, peanut butter kiss cookies, wrapped teacher gifts, made a gift for the GS leader, helped decorate the tree, and made this Eucalyptus wreath for my mom to give my SIL.

I hope she likes it. She didn't want mom to spend a lot... I understand now why they're $50 and up... never again!


Also have some knitting to show:

Pattern: Maggies Mitts
Needle: US3
Yarn: Recycled Abercrombie and Fitch and 100Purewool
Colors: Smokey Black and meloncoton (think Flyers)
Recipient: Mr. Beaman

This is DS2's classroom teacher's gift. Also from recycled sweaters. I bought the little red balls at Target in a container that looks like a round ornament. There were plenty in the container for the GS leader's wreath and a larger one for us to hang here at home (just need to get the balls on it and a bow!)

Now to address the Christmas cards.. I've had them for a week. DH sent his to Argentina and did no more :-/

And I have a few more things to make... some things for the girls. They're on their way, just need some extra time... and more cookies of course!

cusp

the hour is bridging the cusp of two birthdates of very important people in my life.
December 6, my grammy.... I hope that someday I can be like her. I miss you grams.

And my dad. Not a day passes that you aren't in my thoughts... miss you too! You both impacted my life in ways you may have never realized.... thanks.......hasta la vista!

just an old bag

well I have 3 bags to show you actually

the latest is for DS1s teacher... this one she'll be getting as a gift ;-)


Pattern: Bag it Up! by Vicki Mikulak Holiday Mystery Gifts 2009
Yarn: Recycled Abercrombie and Fitch sweater 80 wool/20 nylon
Color: Oatmeal
Needle: US 10.5
Lining: Cotton Flannel from stash
Recipient: Mrs. Austin

The sweater cost me $4. As you can see, the yarn felted up very nicely... and this yarn is really soft. And I have 3 full skeins left. So for $2 worth of yarn I have this bag. I wanted to line it to put a couple of pockets in and stiffen up the bottom, but I had nothing to stiffen the bottom with. So I cut out the fabric to line it and lo and behold in among the toys laying around from DS2 was this piece of plastic packaging from an over the door wreath holder that the boy had taken out of the Christmas box to play around with, and left it lie (as is his usual MO) I took it as manna from heaven and checked and low and behold with about 1.5" cut off the length would be the perfect size for the bottom of the bag. Thank you very much :) Before I added the lining I cut letters from a navy felted sweater and appliqued them on the bag (the teacher's initials) as per DS1's request.


This WAS the purse she was going to get... I don't like the shape so I don't know what will become of it! It's too wide and not tall enough... lesson learned from Paton's chestnut merino.. so sad.

This little bag fits in my möbius purse to put whatever in that I don't want to lose!
Also Paton's merino in chestnut brown with worn denim trim

It's from the Bordhi book. I learned to make it from the bottom up so I can use that technique for toe up socks someday.

Speaking of socks. I finally spent a gift certificate DH and the kids got me eons ago at yarn market for a set of Lantern Moon onyx sox stix and a skein of noro kureyon sock yarn. I'll make DH a pair of socks.. Doubtful they'll be finished in time for Christmas. I still have DD's teacher's gift and some AG stuff for her to make. But maybe by 3 Kings day.. if I'm lucky.

OK... off to do some school work. I graded all my papers, now I need to plan for the week. I'm off Friday to go to my own children's parent/teacher/student conferences. These 4 days can't go by quickly enough My concert is Thursday night.. I'll be so happy when it's over!!!!!!

today

I think I really should go tmrw.... we were at a birthday party today so we couldn't make it. But it looks like fun!

yesterday

The living advent sponsored by Wildflower Cafe, specializing in vegetarian cuisine.... sounds like my kind of restaurant!


I served candles at Moravian College Vespers last night. It was a first time for me. His women's chorus did an outstanding job. So proud of him!

My chorus had their dress rehearsal in the HS auditorium yesterday. I don't know about them, but it makes me a little nervous.. They have some work to do before the performance on Thursday.

i live under a rock

apparently

for the 3rd year running my town has a live advent calendar. If it weren't for the posts from the city on facebook, I'd still not know about it. I want to take my kids now.. it's only about .75 miles from the house..sounds like a good early evening walk!

here's yesterdays



and todays (sorry I missed it... )



I LOVE this idea. Get to know local businesses and learn fun history about the Christmas holiday... I love my town!

would NOT make my day

I've been knitting like crazy on a bag to felt for DS1s teacher... the yarn spit splices but now I'm thinking that it's recycled from a 80% lambswool/20% nylon abercrombie and fitch sweater.... it would make sense... cables yield lots of yarn and turtlenecks as well and there's a pile of yarn here.. .of course it would serve me right since I didn't mark the skeins... ARGH It's a lovely yarn and the extra will make a great scarf or hat... now that the bag is almost finished knitting, (read HOURS for me) it's 20" wide by 7.5" deep and I have 13" of the height complete... (which is all the pattern calls for)... it would really stink if this thing doesn't felt... keep your fingers crossed for me....

ETA I just balled up an 18" piece and it felted very well in under 2 minutes so I should be OK.... hopefully there'll be a picture to post soon.

Oh and mom, if you're reading, I'm feeling much better...should be back to normal by tmrw.

give thanks

Happy Thanksgiving. I have a few minutes to spend (not spare) off to finishe the preparations (read make the turkey and stuffing) I was looking something up on the net and looked out my front door to see this:

It's gorgeous. Gone now but thankfully captured in my memory and on digital photography.


Here's my winter möbius purse

Pattern: WInter Möbius bag by Cat Bordhi from the 2nd treasury of knitting
Yarn: Paton's classic wool (merino)
Color: Chestnut Brown and worn denim
Needle: US 11
Recipient: me

It's actually warm to wear. the strap is the möbius part and it acts as a kind of thin wrap when you wear it. It took me a while to post because I wanted to line it. So I needed to clean out the machine...etc but now it's ready to go for making gifts.

I have more to post but no time right now.

Have a wonderful holiday. I hope that you spend it with all your loved ones. Remember to tell them how thankful you are that they are in your life!

Last night our neighbors dryer caught on fire. There were 3 fire trucks police and everything on the block. Never leave your dryer run unattended.... especially if you aren't home.Fortunately she was home and got herself and the baby and dog out with no one being harmed. They were already scheduled for a new dryer delivery on Thursday. Scary what can happen when you least expect it.

I found some more information on my broccoli... and tonight we ate it. The kids (well the older two) loved it...it takes like a cross between cauliflower and broccoli.. more like cauliflower. But they like broccoli so that was the seller.

DS1 has to give a report in character of a person who was important in history. He chose Leonardo daVinci... so the question is how to make the beard?? I had made this newsboy cap for him for a music concert he had in KDG. We're attaching long black yarn for long hair but I have to figure the beard out.
So I crocheted a single chain attached to the cap... then attached yarn to the chain that will hang down in front... kind of like this

I hope he's happy with it

I had a nice long nap this afternoon around 4:45 just as it was turning dark. I swear, if I was alone, I'd be in bed by 5 in this season. I feel like a wild animal... ready to retire when it's dark. Kind of depressing! Last night I was sound asleep by 10 and woke up with no alarm this morning around 7. If only I could sleep like that during
the week...

I want to put a lining in the purses before I post them... It's cut, now just to get the ambition to clean the machine and sew the lining...

what the day brings

well today was kind of a a poopy day at work... I'm blaming it on the time change. My percussion student was absent, my clarinet make-up didn't have his horn.... AGAIN!! and my students well lets just say it wasn't their best foot forward today. I'll add to the fact that I could have been a little crabby with the time change... seriously all it does is make the day shorter. I leave in the dark and now practically come home in it.

DD had chorus after school today, so I sent Prince Charming to pick up the boys from school and I did the grocery store chore before picking her highness up. While there I found this most interesting romanesco broccoli. The shape intrigued me, so I had to bring one home. THere has to be some kind of fibonacci series in those points! I'll make it on Wed with dinner.. supposedly more tender than cauliflower!


When I went to load the groceries in the car I looked to the northeast and saw this:

Not the most brilliant but still a promise of better days. There was a brilliant double one on Friday that I missed. A friend caught it on film and shared it on facebook, so I was able to appreciate it albeit vicariously!

After I grabbed DD from her rehearsal, we stepped out of the school and looked west to a GORGEOUS sunset. The iPhone truly did NOT capture its beauty. There were many purple hues that were lost in this photo.

WE came home to a yummo dinner of spinach quiche (a family fave) and mashed potatos (whites and yams mixed), the latter being much needed comfort food after the day.

So even if you think the day is rotten, look for the many blessings bestowed upon you. They're there, you just need to open your mind, eyes and heart!


oh on a knitting note... I finished the Möbius winter bag and it's felted :) And I finished another little buttonhole clutch yesterday... so i felted them all together.. Pictures to be posted after they're lined...(which could take a bit of time) But will be worth it!

Now to decide what to put on the needles next......

thrift finds

today was church rummage sale day.... one of the local larger moravian churches and the largest local UCC church... happy day for me
Rosetti purse for me.. Originally I thought I'd use it for the handles but I think I'll use it as a purse for a while. Spent a whopping 50¢ for it.

A tri-fold Nine west wallet that DD will take for 50¢.

Quite a few books for the oldest two children (and a later tongue lashing from the youngest that I brought him none) 50¢ each

Shot glasses for my nephew-in-law for Christmas in the shape of beer mugs.

Pampered Chef patriotic heart cookie mold $1


At the second sale:

A great hamper (ok the color is garish, but the hamper is GREAT!) I'll probably paint it

Putter practice for my brother from the kids for Christmas

Gingerbread bath soap flakes to use as a little gift

note card stationery

krups mini espresso maker $1 even if it doesn't work, it was worth the gamble

2 pearl necklaces $1 each... gonna have them checked out Monday to see if the pearls are real or not... they are heavy necklaces though. Interestingly enough, the second one has a
cool clasp.. it goes into the last pearl. You can see the entry for the clasp in the picture.

DD and I went to the thrill the world at the local Y tonight sponsored by Pennsylvania Youth Theater. Couldn't convince her to join the dancing though.. maybe next year. It was amazing the people that were dressed up!

and the verdict is.....

strep throat.. my poor daughter. I hope we got it in time before she shares with the rest of the family.

what we've been up to

DD is sick today

Saturday was DS 2's family birthday party
Celtic Classic













mom's party

I made the cookies and breads... Wood River Village made the little yummo cheesecakes. My SIL got the cake at a local to there bakery.

I made the empanadas: spinach, corn, roquefort walnut and celery, and egg and cheese. Wood River Village made the little sandwiches (quite tasty) and the fruit and veggie trays. We all had such a great time.





Great Wolf Lodge was a blast. DH and DD had the most fun. The little boys and I got a bit waterlogged... plus I was exhausted from school. We 3 were in bed Friday night before 9. The adventurers stayed in the park until it closed. We were back in the park Sat AM when it opened. It's a fun place, but I'm not a huge fan of being wet all day. A few hours is enough for me. Then I like to be warm and dry! The weather outside was cool and rainy, much like yesterday and today!



I've actually finished a knitted project

My Socks
Pattern: from 2009 Pattern a day Knitting calendar
Yarn: Premier Yarns Serenity Sock Weight
Amount: 2 skeins
Colorway: 05 paprika
Purchased at: Joannes Fabric and Crafts
Needle: US2
Recipient: ME :)

I haven't knit a stitch since Labor Day though.... school is REALLY usurping ALL my time. I'm lucky to get 4 hours of sleep a night.


.....and a friend I found on our house

not for the faint of heart

One of my grad professors posted this on facebook and I want it in a spot I'll be able to find it easily. It's the physiology of singing and completely fascinating unless you're grossed out easily.....so beware before you click play!

happy birthday pablo

My baby turned 6 today at 12:16 PM.... it seems like yesterday that he was born!

He wanted THIS cake... told me exactly how to make it... so I had to oblige.
It was the perfect day for comfort food... after all the appetizers... veggie chili, cornbread casserole and mac and cheese... yum

off to do some school work. Yes that's where I've been... I' still alive, just no time for anything but work ... so sad!

happy birthday mom

it's the start of your 91st year.... I'm so happy with how well you're doing and how sharp you are...

I love you so much mom! You've been a great influence on me and I'm proud to be called your daughter. Have a GREAT day!

Happy Labor Day

7 days of classes in and I'm still alive... working hard on listening to the music choices of my students' listening logs....so I'm laboring in a way on Labor Day.

Meet the Teacher Thursday night.... I got to speak about band and chorus... and plug my webpage for my students.

Friday I had off... we took the kids out of school early and went to Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos... It was fun... we had a kid cabin suite. I don't know who liked it more DH or the kids!

Sunday was a picnic at friends.

I've worked on the möbius purse and have now finished the strap... that's a lot of stitches!

Today was just working on school stuff... quiet, boring but oh so necessary.

Tmrw is Mom's 90th birthday.... I'll give her a shout out now HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM... but I'll try ot post a picture of her tmrw.

what have i been doing?

well mostly getting ready for school. The month of August has FLOWN by. My SIL left at the beginning of the month. It took a couple of days to recuperate from all the running. We're not so used to late nights and then being out all the next day and we (and the kids) were tired... so we spent a couple of days just getting our legs back, so to speak.

That next weekend first a little rest and relaxation and renewal with two of my best friends from college... it was WONDERFUL. We picked up just where we left off over 20 years ago. I can't say how good that was for my soul. Now we're staying in touch with facebook, although I may drop them a text message now and again, just to haunt them!

Then I got home and one of my dear friends and colleagues passed away from cancer. It was a shock to all of us. It was merely one month from diagnosis to death. I spent that week in a fog. I still can't believe she's gone.

The rest of the time was spent in full steam preparation for the kids and myself for school... uniforms - check, school supplies - check, open house at the kids school- check, meeting the new teachers- check, get my classroom in shape - check (or thereabouts) lesson plans - ongoing check (which is why I've been awol.... it's a long story that I'm not ready to complain about now, because there is no time to do so)

I was really leary about this year and was in my principals office my first day weeping a bit. Of course some of that could have been because my baby went to kindergarten that day and I didn't even get to say goodbye because I have to leave before the kids are awake.
But then last Tuesday as I was driving to school I saw this:

I took it as a sign that things would be OK this year....And for the first inservice day I knit the wallet in the Cat Bordhi book A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting. So I learned the invisible cast on and can now use that to knit toe up socks!

The baby still doesn't want to be at school although I picked him up after his first day and he was all smiles... but he doesn't like the fact that he's learning Mandarin Chinese. Well we're all doing things we'd prefer not, and we have to do them the best that we can. I remind him of that daily.

My first 3 days with students was fine... I hope it continues that way. I know it's the honeymoon, but......
The schedule is nuts. I meet with each class for about 90-100 minutes for 30 consecutive days, then don't see them the rest of the year. So I need to cram a lot of stuff into a small time. I'm still waiting on the recorders to be delivered. I have some really fun plans with those!

The kids and I visited mom today with the sheer intent of finding her hearing aid. It's been lost for a month. THere was an angel on my shoulder because I found it after about 4 minutes of searching. SO Mom left for church and we stayed and I cleaned out a little more... could you find everything mom? I tried not to put too many things in new places. Cleaned the cat litter since she can't. Today I also started the winter sling bag from the same aforementioned Bordhi book, on the way home while DH drove. I want to put the wallet in the bag so I'll be felting them at the same time. That möbius strip takes forever to knit! I'm hoping the end result rocks.

OK that's it for now... I'm beat and have to pack my lunch and finish some school work and be out of the house by 6:15 tmrw...

what are we doing fun today?

we've been on the go like crazy.

Monday we went to see the Iron Pigs . The game was tied 3-3 in the 5th.... and the tie broke in the top of the 15th.. they lost! We sat on the picnic patio with the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the American Chemists Society.

Tuesday we went to Coney Island. First the aquarium. The only thing we didn't get to see was the children's petting part. We didn't arrive until about 11 because the traffic was pretty backed up. It worked out OK though because there were lots of groups from schools and day camps there and they cleared out earlier than we did. This is part of our membership for the zoos in NYC area. There are plenty more pictures.


After that we went up on the boardwalk and hit a few amusements. The kids did some and DH and I went on the famous Wonder Wheel. Of course we took a swinging car... there is one point when you're coming down that feels like you'll continue right off the edge of the ferris wheel. Cool views..and interestingly enough it's made from steel from Bethlehem Steel. I thought the price was a bit steep for one ride. Now I understand the allure of places like Hershey and Dorney Parks.



After that he and I and DD went on the Cyclone Rollercoaster It was SO much fun. There is a discount for second ride if you do it right away. Instead of $8 it's $5... We only did it once... but i LOVED it!




Wednesday, DH and I went into NYC while my SIL watched the kids. I wanted to take him to see Wicked for his birthday, but he didn't want to spend that much on tickets. So we took a bus in (waited at the depot for 2 hours.. .darn Bieber lines, that's a whole other story though...) stood in line about 10 minutes at TKTS and got 50% off tickets for West Side Story.. a show he really loves. We ate lunch at the Olive Garden I love that you can have as much salad as you want. Saw the matinee and then walked up and in and around Central Park, about the city etc after the show. We took the night tour bus and crossed the bridge into Brooklyn (that bridge crossing felt almost like an amusement park ride! You are so high up!) We really had a blast and I took lots of other pictures...

Thursday I took a friend to her doctor appt. and then ran to the doctor myself. My legs were swollen and had little spotted red broken blood vessels that originated from my sock line looked like this. None of the docs could figure it out, but after some research, my symptoms point to Henoch-Schönlein purpura. The swelling has resolved and the spots are lighter... I'm not worried.


Friday we went to dinner at Mama Nina's for DH's birthday. Later we had a cake for him. We feted him with breakfast in bed and some Argentine gifts, soccer ball, water bottle, bag, lanyard etc and I made him this necktie.





Pattern: My own - will post later
Yarn: I spun during last year's Tour de Fleece. Top was bought at Milana Hilados in Buenos Aires
Needle: US1
More details to follow.


Yesterday we went to Bushkill Falls
We hiked the red trail, ate lunch, went mining for gold, played on the playground, ate ice cream. The weather was perfect and DS2 lasted almost until the end of the hike (good thing because he isn't a lightweight)

We saw a doe in the woods. She couldn't have cared a bit for all the 'human' noise around. It was a perfect day for the hike. Weather was incredible! And we all slept VERY well. SIL and I stayed up to watch the DVD the Blindside... beautiful story. Bullock deserved the oscar she won!

My SIL leaves tonight and the rest of the week is the start to prepare for back to school for all of us. I have a few fun excursions left though b4 it all ends....

I'll post the tie pattern later :-)

home again, home again

jiggity jig!

I wanted to post a few pictures from the beach....
sunrise

























sunset




























quickly fly the days.... the vacation went by so quickly.


Sad to say goodbye, perhaps only auf wiedersehen!