Wild Weekend

Let's see, we had hockey, Sunday School, playdate at my parents, laundry, dishes and a trip to the Yankee Quilter.

I picked up some really nice fabrics at YQ and a pattern for a purse. I also picked up a GREAT suggestion. I was telling them about my new CD line and they suggested a 50/50 bamboo/organic cotton fleece as an alternative to the hemp.

Now, the real advantage to going to a local quilt shop (LQS) is not the WONDERFUL fabrics, delightful patterns or even the fact htat you are supporting a local shop. The real advantage is the expertise of the staff. They know thier product. They know the projects. They take the time to talk you through your purchase.

I didn't know that this bamboo/cotton existed. I never would have thought of it for the diapers - it is marketed as batting. It is SO soft, SO absorbant and naturally anti-bacerial. who know? the ladies at YQ did.

Did I not mention the diaper thing? Guess not. For a variety of reasons that I'd rather not get into, I've decided to refocus and re-launch My Little Creations. I am going away from the pockets, revamping and re-launching the FunFolds. FunFolds (FF) are similar to prefolds and are worn the same way. They can be pinned or snappied. Why are they better? They are trimmer, more absorbant, softer and cuter. With this bamboo, they are also anti-bacterial. how cool is that? I am still refining the design, but I am almost there. I plan to re-launch in April with some beautiful fabrics and some great deals! here is a sneak peek of Colin in one of his prototypes:

I also picked up the pattern for the Town Purse from Lazy Girl Designs . I really enjoyed this pattern. simple and well thought out. Some great techniques here! I plan on makeing the Wonder Wallet and a briefcase version of the Summer Tote.

TGIF - Leap Day

Before I get to my TGIF, I want to wish a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Capo & Ron!

This week, I'm grateful for:

• snarky bitch friends that crack me up
• finally achiving the state of Goddessness
• 2 Cammo blet Kartate Kids (Ryan graduated yesterday!)
• salsa
• fabric sales
• kick ass female engineers (the train kind - but the other kind rock too!)
• heated seats
• my inner Diva
• old firends keeping in touch
• new friends
• small talk
• hand knit wool socks
• tea and digestives at bedtime
• turning the heel and onto the home streatch

Add your TGIFs to the comments if you'd like to share!

Dear MTA:

Were you trying to screw with our heads this morning? Really, a Club Car on the morning train? I thought Club Cars have gone the way of the cocktail party (Both of which deserve a comeback IMO). I mean, why bother? It hardly has any seats (but the cup holders are a plus) and you aren't serving anything. Now, if you were serving breakfast on the train... even just "coffee and.." that would be a whole other deal. I could have gone for a bluberry muffin on the way in this morning. If you actually open the bar on the afternoon trains you could probably afford to buy a couple of coaches that aren't older than me. Think about it. How civilized would it be to sip a martini on the train on the way home from work? I think it would really increase the popularity of the train. Don't you?

Sincerely,
Thirsty Commuter

While I am on the subject of Club Cars, want to hear a funny story? when my Grandmother was pregnant with my Dad, my Grandfather was still in the Navy and stationed in RI. Since my grandmother already had a house and a career in CT, she stayed here and he took the train home when he could. When he got word that it was "time" he hopped on the train and rode the Club Car to Bridgeport (about 2 hours or so). by the time he got there, he was tanked - and a father. The nurses at the hospital asked him to fill out the paperwork for the birth certificate. On the line that said "name" he wrote his own - not the baby's. So, my Dad is Jr. and they named the dog Peter.

4 things

A) FOUR PLACES I GO OVER AND OVER:

• Stratford Train Station
• Greenwich Train Station
• work
• home
• Self-defense Class(I am aware that makes 5, but it is certainly worth mentioning)

B) FOUR PEOPLE WHO E-MAIL ME REGULARLY:

• Mom
• Kathy
• FIL
• VIAGRA

C) FOUR OF MY FAVORITE FOODS:

• Dark Chocolate
• Irish Soda Bread (it's about that time!)
• lamb
• fried mashed potatos on toasted home made bread

D) FOUR PLACES I'D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:

• bed
• couch
• Jamacia
• anywhere quiet with my knitting

E) FOUR MOVIES I WOULD WATCH OVER AND OVER:

• Ever After
• The American President
• The Princess Bride
• Shawshank Redemption (great Short Story too! read it!)

F) TAG FOUR PEOPLE :

• Cynthia
• Deb
• Diane
• Cathy

There you go "four things about me". even though it was really 21 + 4 tags...

TGIF 2/22

this week I am grateful for:

• chinese food and wine
• akido
• taking the train in the snow
• sock heels
• seaweed wraps
• teacup hooks
• sleep
• TEA- and lots of it!
• knowing the difference between decomposed rock and weathered rock.
• Ravlery
• my ability fo find anything
• free hockey tickets
• gentlemen
• "salt" and those who "salted" me

Nervous traveler

I've been mulling this post over in my head for a few days, yet I'm still not sure I can articulate my thoughts properly.

As a kid I was painfully shy. My mom maintains that she signed me up for dance class and I got over it. Nope. not even close! I enjoyed the classes, so I put on my big girl panites and did it anyway. I've been trying to push the boundary ever since. I'm still terrified of new situations and it takes me FOREVER to warm up to new people.

What does this have to do with traveling? Lots. The whole reason - I think - is a need to know what is going to happen. I can "wing it" with my knitting, but that is about it. I NEED to know when the train is. which platform my transfer is on. where my stop is. where to catch the bus. if I need to walk up/back for my stop (I almost never know which car I'm in. I don't count).

Then you have the fact that I am packed in with hundreds of complete strangers. Granted, most people are just waking up or trying to wind down at the end of the day and get lost in their own thoughts (except the two "gossip girls" who yap inceasantly from Stratford to Greenwich and back EVERY day). Occasionally people like to make polite conversation. I suck at small talk. One lady asked me about my knitting and wanted me to show her how to knit socks. It was like talking to someone I'd known forever. funny how that works.

So this commuting thing has gotten easier after a week. my only disaster happened the first day - it sucked, but I lived and I am over it. the faces are getting familiar. and I am gettign home at a decent hour - relaxed.

Visit http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/outoftown/connecticut/metro-north/index.htm for more MNRR New Haven Line pictures.

Chugging Along

I was going to take a pic of the Safari Socks on the train, but I thought with Homeland Security and all.. maybe not... so here it is in my office.



I may be able to turn the heel tomorrow.. maybe...

FO Extravaganza

Andy Finished his first quilt square (and I uploaded the pictures...) in his Catepillar quilt.


Here is the big brown wool lettuce leaf which is currently in time out until I have the patience to deal with it. Besides I've been inspired by a big blue empty wall in my office to do a different project.



I signed up for the healing wrap ministry at church in September and I hadn't heard anything since and forgot about it. I got a letter last week from the chair requesting some more as her "stash" is depleated but her list of requests are not. I dug out some homespun form my stash (I bought it for a sweater which I abandoned. Who the hell thought it was a good idea to design a cabled sweater in homespun??) I made a lovely, soft shawl.



I started another in a half granny square pattern, but it is too small for any interesting pictures. I think I'll use the edging from the famous(?) "Martha" poncho.

While I was knitting with yarn I won't wear (now that I know better) I pulled out the leftover "seaweed" yarn and started knitting a rectangular wrap.



I was inspired by this scarf. I made it wider to make it a wrap and I dropped the rib. the alternating solid and stripe tones down the stripes and avoids the wierd pooling you get with varrigated yarns. also, with this techique, the fabric appears to be K 2 rows, P 2 rows, but in fact it is all knit but only turned every other row. Of course you know what happens when you try to "use up" leftovers.. I need to buy more.. sigh...

speaking of seaweed, I finished (I think) my quilt. I hung it up to look at it and decide if it needs anything else. I do need to add a label, but the show committee has to cover the labels for the judging anyway, so I'll just wait until after the show and save them the trouble.

TGIF

My blogless(?) friend Kathy sends out an e-mail list of "grattitudes" every day or so. It got me thinking. Not only is it good to acknowledge to the universe (or at least the internet) what you are thankful for, but the process of writing it down really makes you think of things that are positive in life- even the small ones. You have to think about what you have - not what you don't.

So, to that end, my friday blogs will be devoted to just that. Afterall, I think we are all grateful for Fridays! TGIF, right?

so, my first TGIF list:

• Upward career moves


• Mass transit


• cabbies that show up on time


• socknitting


• flowers


• unexpected chocolate


• "old money"


• friends with good advice


• a blog to post this on ;)


• BB2


• ARC


• TAB


• Yorkshire tea


• electricians with a clue


• remembering to bring a sweater


• valentines from my kids


• bag gloves & a bag to hit with them


• a vent for frustration


• talent to share

the Commute

new job - new commute. the first morning didn't go so hot. my stinkin' cab was 40 minutes late*! I missed FOUR trains and screwed my shutle connection at the other end. I ended up being 1:15 late for my second day - nice. Fortunately, the new boss is not an ass, so it was ok. The ride home was better.

On the way back a lady saw me knitting and sat down next to me. She is a new knitter and we talked needles and yarn shops and I introduced her to magic loop and HK socks. she asked "the" question "why not just go to Kohls?". I told her to knit a pair, put them on - then ask me. Its like parenting. you think you know - but you don't - not until you are ankle deep in it.

This morning, the planets aligned and the commuter gods were kind. My cab was about 10 minutes early - which meant that I caught the early train - semi express, through train to my stop - no transfer in stamford :happy dance: I got off the train, down to the street and my shuttle was wating. My stop is the last in the loop, so I was the last one on the bus. the driver pulled up to the driveway of my building instead of the regular stop next door. I hope the rest of my train rides go this well!

so, if you are on the MNRR New Haven Line and see someone knitting this:



come and say "hi"!

*Note to Cab drivers: if you are 40 minutes late and I miss 4 trains - you do NOT deserve a tip - so don't ask for one - jerk!

I'm a Tool!

Totally forgot the memory card with the pics I wanted to post.

Andy finished his "Very Hungry Catepillar" block right after I posted last. VERY cute! He's going to make more collaged blocks from the book and we'll assemble and quilt once they are all done.

I finished knitting and felting The Great Big Yawn. BUT I need some help with the felting but. the edges are all ruffly (I also have a pic on the card I didn't bring). Looks like brown furry lettuce... sigh...

Random Recap

A) I wanted to respond to Diane's comment on the last post:

Calling it "why don't I own a knitting machine?" instead of "why didn't I decide to knit socks for someone with smaller feet" is probably a good thing. lol
it isn't the socks that are never-ending mind-numbing stockinette hell. it is a giant pioece of fabric to be felted into a batting/backing for a collaged art qult. the socks are moving along well and should make nice commuter knitting - which brings me to..

The shawls look great. How you manage to do all this with so many little ones in the house is amazing.

I am starting a new job soon, so I am home in the interm. the big guys are in school and the baby naps about 3 hours a day. I can also knit while he plays most of the time.

B) I finished my "Library Challenge" block. The theme is "What is on your Library shelf?"

my apologies for the crappy lighting. All of the blocks submitted will be assembled into a quilt. the names of all the guild members that submitted a block will all go into a hat and the winner's name will be drawn. YAY!

C) Ryan has decided to move into a tent in the living room.

I am now shopping for "bed tents" for the big guys so I can have my living room back.

D) Remember the collage quilt I talked about last time? well, mom started hers. Andy is fascinted by it. I found it hard to believe, but Andy didn't know what a collage was. I explained that Eric Carle's illustrations are collage. He is a HUGE fan of Eric Clarle's work - HUGE! so.. he and I are making a quilt based on Carle's work. pics to come next time!

I'm on fire!

I finished 2 shawls in week! I finished, washed, blocked and wrote out the pattern for the Miter Shawl I was working on! I am waiting for the weather to clear up a bit for a photoshoot on-location. then I will post pics.

My current WIP? other than Todd's socks, the never ending time suck of stockinette. I am calling it "why don't I own a knitting machine?". It'll be felted and used as the batting/backing of an art quilt inspired by Karen Eckmeier's talk at the last guild meeting.

Still working on quilting "Under the Sea"

Orchid Orchard

The shawl was blocking as I was posting earlier. It is unpinned now and I LOVE it!!! Due to a lack of natural sunlight at this hour - and this lattitude, the color is far more accurate in the first photo. It reads solid, but is slightly mottled in reality. I'll try for a better photo in good light.

I need to go find the perfect yarn and beads for the Spring Things Shawl now...

oh- and Ryan wishes he had a sister...

Catching up...

1. Ryan is getting REALLY good at hockey - fast. this week he did a drill where he had to dive under the coach's stick, get up and shoot a goal. He scored twice. He came home and said "Dad, I scored two girls!" oy!

this was taken toward the end of his second practice - as you can see he was getting pretty tired.

2. the shawl is off the needles and blocking.


3. Todd's socks are past the toes and maybe 1/3 the way up the instep. no new photos..

4. The epic quilt is assembled. I do have pics in it's current state, but FIL took them with his camera and I didn't get digital copies - yet. I had a stroke of creative genius. I added tabs to teh top of the quilt to hang it from. the hanger is a fishing pole... how smart am I???

I'm also crocheting "seaweed" to embelish the quilt.

Once the quilting is done I can add the hemotite beads for the fish eyes. shell beads to the sea bed. the crochet seaweed and I also have some rough peridot beads to add in somewhere in there.

5. Todd got his Blue Belt.

January thaw is not Global Warming

As I said the other day, I finished the mittens and they were immediately put to use - even though we are in the midst of a "January Thaw". I did swipe them for a photo op. I had to use the remains of giganto tree as a backdrop as said thaw has depleated us of snow ice.

I really liked the density of the fabric. The thumb gussets worked up nicely, look good and are appearntly comfortable. I don't like the decreases at the top. it decreases to rapidly and makes it bunch up. I think the next pair will be a little different. I'll make the tops more like sock toes and decrease a little more slowly. I'll also either double strand of use bulky weight on larger needles. I'll still work it in a firm gauge to get a nice dense fabric, but it'll go a little faster and make thicker mittens - which will work out nicely once winter returns to kick us in the arse.

With the mittens off of the needles, I cast on Todd's Safari Socks. I am really liking the LL. I'll be working more with this in the future. I am still working on the toes. Did I mention that he wears a 14EEEE?

yeah.. I'll be knitting these 'til next winter... sigh...

oh- and the whole blocking wire thing - I was looking around on ravelry and learned that I do NOT need wires (which are wicked expensive!) I can use string - or more likely crochet thread. WOO HOO!

The End of a Journey

Author's note: Do not read the following blog post unless you have finished reading all 7 Harry Potter books. If you aren't planning on it, then, well, you should! If you are just waiting for the movies- SHAME ON YOU! read the books because you are missing at least half of the story.

I spent most of the weekend reading, but I made it to the end of Harry's journey. I was quickly sucked in to this boo as well - from Bill and Fleur's wedding to Gimauld Place and the break in at the Minisrty. I was amazed by the doe patronus (and I guessed SO wrong! I thought it was Ginny!) I was enthralled with the battle of Hogwarts.

I was, however a bit disappointed in a few loose ends that weren't tied up. How raised Teddy? I assumed it would have been Harry and Ginny since Harry was his Godfather. I like to think that it was Bill and Fleur since Teddy was part warewolf and Bill had been bitten by one. We know Neville became a teacher, but what about the rest of them? what did they do? I had Hermionie pegged for a teacher. What became of Kreacher fter the secret of Gimauld place got out?

yes, I know it is only a book (or seven), but what seperates a good story from a great epic is the author's ability to spin a yarn that can take the reader on a journey that transcends the line between fact and fiction. JK Rowling can spin wiht the best of them!

I am finding myself with the same sense of let down that I was after finishing the Dark Tower. I know what is at the top of the Tower. I know how Roland got there. I thuroughly enjoyed both journeys so much that I was sad to see each of them end. Fortunately, Stephen King is such a prolific and talented writer, that we can still read the tales of those who cross their paths with Roland along the way. King, in fact, is so talented that his tales not only transcend that line between reality and fantasy, he blurs it. how many novleists put a fictionalized version of them selves into their work? genius! I sincerely hope Rowling plans on telling us more about some of the people we've met along Harry's journey. What about the House Elves' version of the story? I'd love to read the last story from the perspective of the students who did show up for school at Hogwarts that last year. or what about a prequel? about James, Lily, Sirius, Lupin and even Snape at Hogwarts - or the original Order who fought Voldemort ending with his failed attempt at murdering Harry. Or was she setting us up for "the next generation" by sending the kids off to Hogwarts at the end.

While I was doing all of this reading, I knocked off a lot of stockinette in the round and finished Ryan's mittens. I went to take an FO picture this morning and realized that the mittens are on his hands on the way to school - D'oh!

Yarn Over

In yesterday's comments, Cynthia asked:
"How do you like the yarn? I was looking at some the other day and lusting over it. Is it as yummy to knit with as it looks?"

First off, the yarn in question is 100% baby merino lace weight in Orchid, by Malabrigo. It is SO soft and lucious. It isn't spun very tightly, so it has a lot of bounce and a little "fuzz" to it, which made frogging a little challenging. Certainly nothing like a mohair, but adds an element of softness to the knitting- and the fabric! So far I am LOVING working with this wool. I am anxious to see how it blocks out as well.

It is a far cry from baby merino to LB WoolEase... but I am liking the finished fabric of these mittens. I am also liking that they will keep my kid's hands warm and dry and Mr. Mom can throw them in the wash (yes, Todd really does all our laundry. Yes, that includes diapers.). They are knit in WW weight on US2s.. yeah... I'm thinking I might go up to the bulky and maybe US5s. It'll still be a nice firm fabric, but a thicker - and a faster knit!

Progress Pics comming soon... if I remember...

Unraveled Under the Canopy

I've been adding my projects and what stash I do have to my notebook on Ravlery and exploring the site a bit. I added my "Twisted" shorties pattern to the Ravelry library. I was a little surprised to see already listed was my S3 pattern! Other people have made it. Other people have put it in their faves and in their queues! I don't know why this is a surprise to me. It was published in a book. It is available on Amazon (among other places). I was just thrilled to see that someone took the time to put the info up on Ravelry.

I took the confidence boost and ran with it - stright to my lace!

This was attempt #2. On my first attempt, my center ended up off-center in the middle of the second repeat. But, this being my first lace and a special ME knit (I dont get those often, I usually give away what I make) I frogged it all back and started over. I am MUCH happier with it now! Notice the lifeline? I learned my lesson! Of course, now that I am using a lifeline, I haven't had to rip back. this was taken at about the same point I frogged the first go-round. I am now up to the 6th repeat and already starting to worry about blocking*!

My original plan was to pin & block on my cutting table, but my cat seems to be confusing it for his bed lately. Plan B is now to block at my Mom's house. Her sewing room is well barricaded against intruders (aka Jimmy), is pet free, and is home to a spare bed perfect for blocking. my next dilema is blocking wires. I don't own any. I don't even know where to get them. I should check my LYS for some. Do I really need them? can I improvise? use something around the house? I suppose I should just suck it up and go buy some since I am already plotting my next lace project.

what is your opinion of blcking wires? cast your vote?

*I do block other knits, but the real estate required for hats, socks, mittens and longies is significantly smaller than what this shawl will require.

Christmas Chaos

Ryan got art supplies, puzzles, hot wheels, craft stuff and his favorite -his hockey equipment - and lessons

Doctor Andy got a lab coat, Dr kit (incl microscope and a human body model), hotwheel racetrack, remote control helicopter, puzzles, art supplies and- of course sparring gear!

I think Colin had more fun with the paper...

Todd got his Battlefront edition PSP. I got the Hoover Hard Floor Cleaner (aka kitchen zamboni), a bunch of DVDs, knitpicks Optiosn set, and 6 skeins of handspun alpaca.

No injuries. No trips to the Hospital.

HO! HO! HO!

One of the on-line groups I belong to did a "secret santa" type gift exchange. I was lucky enough to have Cynthia for a "HO".





some yummy dark chocolate and blooming tea ( also yummy!)





laceweight baby merino in orchid and a copy of the Forrest Canopy Shoulder Shawl (by Susan)


Then this was hidden under the pattern:


LUCKY ME!!! I - of course- had to wind the wool immediately!


I'm not sure if Cynthia knows this about me - or if she is just a REALLY good gift-giver, but I am not a knitter that can handle having a "stash". really. I know most of you Knitters are quite perplexed, but I just cant have things like baby merino or 6 skeins of handspun baby alpaca in 3 colorways (thanks mom!!!) sitting around the house. They taunt me to me knitted (or crocheted). even the scraps of "good yarn" beg to be used up. The only exception is craft/novelty yarns. I am not opposed to using them. I buy them as projects require and toss the extras in my stash bin (20 gal tote only 1/3 full) to never be seen again.

so, even though I have a pair of mittens, a miter square shawl and a hat OTN, a pair of longies in need of finishing (yes Julia - those are for Cassidy) and another pair of mittens and a pair of Todd socks queued, I am swatching the shawl on my new knitpicks options (also from Mom!).

The Newest Karate Kid

A little over a year ago, soccer ended and I was looking for a way for Andy to get some exercise and social interaction. He got a flyer in his backpack for "Karate Club". It actually took some convincing to get Todd (who will be testing for his blue belt soon!) on board.

The first class, he REFUSED to participate. The second class wasnt' a whole lot better, but he did try. He continued to get better, but he stayed in a fog. I went to watch one week - 60 kids in Karate PLUS another 50 or so in the YMCA after school program. There was a LOT of noise - no wonder!

The instructor suggested we move him to the "Little Dragons" class at the community center near our house. Immediate improvement! He was now really learning. Not just karate, but also how to stand still and how to listen. Last year, Karate did more for him than any therapy the school provided.

Now, he is medicated and really starting to excel in everything- including martial arts. He is starting to get bored in the LD class. We talked to the instructor and decided it was time for him to move up to the Kids program.

Friday was a big day for Andy. He was supposed to be testing for his red/black belt. He got his camoflage belt. He was quite suprised! At first he was confused. Sabunim began his speech about the camo belt. Andy looked down at his belt - with the 3 stripes on it - and looked like he thought Sabunim forgot that he was testing. then, Sabunim said that his brother was in the class, his dad helps teach the class and mom even takes the self-defense class. the light went on- and he was excited!

He was SO proud of himself - and we are so proud of him too. He has come so far from the kindergartener who would not participate!

Christmas Gifts

Last week, I had intended on this weeks blog entried consisting of pics of Andy's belt test and the boys' Christmas haul - and I will get to that. First I need to share a story about what happened to me on Christmas Eve.

I had to drag the afore mentioned boys with me to the grocery store. I normally shop without kids and I almost never take more than one with me. Between the lack of sleep and the stress that comes along with making Christmas "perfect" for the kids I was NOT equipt to bring them shopping. I was in NO mood to handle the "gimmies" when we had already extended our tight budget to buy them all the goodies on their lists (well, almost, Ryan wanted a mororcyle. we decided hockey was safer.) My shopping trip sounded like this:

Kid: I want this!
Mom: It's not on our list.
Kid: But I want it.
Mom: It's not on our list.
Other Kid: Buy me that!
Mom: Not. on. the. list.
Toddler: (grabs whatever he can reach off of shelves)
Mom: (growls)
Toddler: GRRRRRR!
Kid: I want red apples!
Other Kid: NO! I hate red apples! I want green grannies!
Kid: GROSS! Red ones are yummier!

Then an older* woman comes by, puts a $20 bill in my hand and says "I've been there. Merry Christmas!" and walks away. I was touched and moved beyond words. I bought the red and the green apples. Her kindness is a Christmas gift I will never forget. It really isn't about the money. None of us would have gone hungry or cold yesterday without that $20, but the empathy, kindness and generosity showed me that the world still does care about one another - something we dont do enough anymore. Christmas is a time to show the world we care about eachother and thank the Lord for his Son. It isnt' about The latest electronics or the best sales.

*older only means older than me - NOT "old". This particular woman appeared to be about 70ish.

O Christmas Tree

I thought the boys had a bad case of the "Christmas Crazies" after Ryan's birthday and breakfast with Santa. OH NO! It has gotten exponentiaily worse now that the tree-trimming has begun!


We finally got our tree on Saturday. We usually go to the tree farm between our parents' houses. This year, I think we started a new tradition. We went accross town to a Catholic school that was selling trees as a fund raiser. Short drive. Good cause.

Since we waited so long to get our tree, they were pretty well picked over. There were a couple "passable" trees. Colin grabbed on to one and would NOT let go- so we bought it. I thought it was nice and full, though a few lower branches were a bit scragly.

The nice volunteers gave our tree a nice fresh cut and then 4 of them attempted to run it through the bailer. It didn't fit. They tied it to the roof. We drove home.

Todd took it off the roof and left on his errands leaving me to get the tree up (Don't get mad at him- it is better for our marriage that he just get the hell out of my way!). I dragged it in the fron door- barely fit. To get it into the living room- I pulled and the boys pushed. Once in the stand, I stood it up in the center of the room. It took up the ENTIRE room. Some quick work with the pruners on the sad little branches and I was able to push it up against the wall- with a few branches poking through the stairs.


I am so Impressed with our lovely tree that I wanted to make sure I got some good pictures.


I backed up as far as I could without going through the window and yet I could not capture its full girth.


Notice the tree skirt? It is about 6ft in diameter. It is also one of my favorite things about Christmas. A tradition I started the year Todd and I got married. I made the skirt that year- blue felt with white sparkly felt snow drifts and embroidered stars. I add an element every year.

• 1999- I made the skirt
• 2000- I added the house- which looks like ours because we moved in that year.
• 2001- I added the train (and I still need to buy more buttons to finish the wheels!) to represent Andy and his love of Thomas the Tank Engine.
• 2002- Ryan was born Thanksgiving weekend. I photocopied a snowman from one of his outfits and made the pattern for the snowman.
• 2003- The Christmas tree was added to represent our family growing stronger.
• 2004- The year of "the fire". I added the angel that was watching over our family that night.
• 2005- Is noticably (to me) absent. It was our first Christmas home after a long battle with the insurance company. We had high hopes and great expectations for that Christmas, but it turned out to be one that Todd can't even remember and I just want to forget. Looking back now, I think I am going to add a "Tree of Life" because life does go on.
• 2006- Gifts were added under the tree to represent Colin- a true gift from God.
• 2007 - I haven't added anything yet, and I'm still not sure what it'll be- maybe a penguin?

Shown here with toddler* for scale.


*Said toddler had his 15m check up yesterday. He is now around the 50th %ile for both height and weight!

Christmas Knitting - 8 days to go

• 6 2.5 hats
• 6 2 washcloths
• 3 2.5 pair mittens

I haven't even started my sewing:

• 1 quilted potholder
• 2 pair pajama pants
• 1 purse (satin - I'm avoiding it!)

and my hands are too cramped for a real blog entry.

First Snow

We've gotten a little snow here and there this winter. but this is the first "plowable" snow of the season - and people are acting like it's never snowed here before. We go through this every winter. Makes me crazy. What has happened in the last 9 months that makes people think it wouldn't snow this winter?

oh- and I get to work out in the field tomorrow. Joy.