happy birthday mom

91 today... hope you enjoy many many more!


photo courtesy of simplysweetsaz

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!

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 :-)

well it's official

i've been moved to the junior high...
i'm speechless
i got a letter in the mail. no phone call to let me know. DH read it to me as i prepared the potato salad.

i have my summer work planned for me...............



DS birthday is today. We had about 24 people over for a party.

happy 10th birthday daughter

you've finally made it into the double digits and I'm happy to say that you're becoming a lovely young lady :)

It was an American Girl birthday..... once spring arrives we'll have a girl's day at the American Girl Store in New York.

My in-laws gave her this wardrobe for her AG clothing. I put it together while we watched the AG Chrissa movie

She also got a few AG books....

And I made this for her doll Elizabeth

Pattern: Very Easy Pullover by Cecelia Riehl
Yarn: Red Heart Baby Twinkles
Color: Shaded Blue Twinkle
Needle: 3.0 mm

The only thing I did was knit this is the round so there was only the sewing of putting the sleeves into the armholes.... easy knita and DD loves it.. TIme for me to knit more clothes for her because THIS she really appreciates!

It's snowing today... we're supposed to get over 12".... no school.....

family birthdays

Happy Birthday DH and Meme.... we wish you lots of happiness.

I baked a death by chocolate cake for DH. The kids helped a bit... ours is 3 layer. We doubled the recipe. When they say it will sink when cooled.. they aren't kidding. Also really do refrigerate it before you try to remove it from the pan... One layer I didn't. That's the middle layer. My slice came with strawberries on the side. One warning... it's REALLY rich. it killed me for sure


In crafty news, the black hoggett finn fleece has been spun up... about 430 yards of triple ply and another 50 some of double ply.
These



became this for one example




I also finished the 20th square for Lizard Ridge.. if I weren't making it larger, I could start assembling. It's fun to see the Noro stash diminish and the pile of squares grow.

Time to start blocking the squares for the Way wedding blanket.... and finish the remainging 4 cable squares. Maybe I should design that W block.


off to deconstruct...... and i think I've finally decided on a store name for my etsy shop.... what a hard decision to make... as bad as naming your child.

pictures are loaded

from the trip to BA on my on my facebook. If you'd like to see them click here.
I have to say there are a few that are really wonderful.

Happy birthday to my dear brother who is 54 today. I hope you have a wonderful day.

It rained last night (again) and even though DH promised to cut the grass, he didn't so now I can't cuz it's so wet... it's going to eat me first I think.

Maybe tmrw.. cuz the tour de fleece starts on Sat alongside the tour de France. I am so excited for this! Last year was the first year that I watched as well as participated. I brought lots of yummy fleece to spin on the trip. I'll post pictures of that very soon....

happy birthday DS1

I can´t believe he is 7 years old! Photo courtesy of abuelo!

We had about 25 people at the party... all family and one set of DHs friends.... 4 kinds of empanadas, lots of triple sandwiches (yummm) and little pizzettas.... and of course cake. As you can see from his picture he is so happy.

Earlier in the afternoon we went to unicenter again to go bowling. We used the bumpers so DD could do a bit better than yesterday. It was so much fun. I really enjoyed it.

Tomorrow´s forecast isn´t good.... which is stinky since the weekends is when all the outside stuff is open in the winter..... maybe we´ll get lucky and the rain will hold off.

I really wish there was more to tell.....

happy birthday DS1

I can't believe you're 6 years old today. I hope you get everything you wish for!

We're off to Bounce U for the kiddie party. The guys were here all day installing AC in the kids rooms. Quiet beautiful day.