The Mayberry Home Journal

Hey Handsome

2012-02-27T01:39:00.003-05:00

Not too long ago, my friend Rachel introduced me to some extra special
love from Ryan Gosling.

If you're not sure what i'm talking about, check them out here.
I just don't know how this went on as long as it without my knowing. Really.

Ok, now I'll be honest- I've never been too gaga over Ryan, he's just not my type.
However, I found these little posters to be hilarious and incredible, and couldn't help but thinking up a few of my own.

I've even phoned my sister a few times, only to say "hey girl...blah blah blah" as soon as she picks up the phone. I'm glad she gets it, and that I can laugh about these with her.
Lindi probably even appreciates these more than I do. She's awfully crafty-and queen of organization. The label gun is her scepter.

One person who doesn't seem to get it (or at least not that he's letting on) is my very confused husband.
I'm not sure if he doesn't like them, or if he simply just doesn't understand why they're funny.
It's hard though, to be splitting a gut laughing, tears running down my face, while my dear soul mate stares at me with a raised eyebrow and a rather grim expression. He thinks that I've lost it.

I admit-I don't know what Ryan Gosling did to wish this kind of publicity upon himself, or if there is even a hint of a reason why he was picked to be the emotional seat of so many crafty women, but what's done is done.

I thought it best though to illustrate this for him in a way that a man might understand more easily.

Handsome, Meet Ms. McAdams.

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{This Moment}

2012-02-24T03:24:00.002-05:00

Joining Amanda again this week: {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

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Skating night with friends and family:)

DIY Travel Tape Tutorial {Stash Bash}

2012-02-23T15:44:00.003-05:00

For this week's stash bash (a challenge to use up what I've already got kickin' around my art studio) I decided to dive into the box of old maps that have been lurking for a few years now.

I just can't say no to paper, which leaves me with cuttings of various magazines, newspapers, wrapping paper, wall paper, and yes, my biggest downfall....Maps. Especially vintage maps.

Who could possibly turn down those beautiful colours and fonts? Not I!

This was a quick, satisfying little project. I can't wait to make more from other paper scraps.

If you would like to create some of your own, here's what you need:

An old map

double sided tape

xacto knife or scissors

cutting mat and ruler (if you're using an xacto knife.)

I find that it's easier to work with the width of the map, rather than the length, but it's entirely up to you.

Take your double sided tape and peel it slightly off the roll. Stick it down on the wrong side of the map. (There really is no wrong side of the map, but pick a side you like best and make sure you don't stick the tape to that side!)
Slowly unroll the tape, sticking it down securely as you go. Try to keep it going in a straight line. You could use a guide, or draw a pencil line with a ruler if you like. The wonderful things about maps though is that there are already all sorts of guidelines on the map to follow.

Once you've pressed all your tape down to cover the strip of map you want to cover, cut the tape off the roll.

Now lay your map down, tape side up, on your cutting mat, and gently cut down the sides of the double sided tape, creating your tape strip.
Don't peel the backing off! Roll your tape strip up around a spool, or secure it with a paper clip or clothes pin. When you go to use it, then you peel off the backing, and voila, Tape!

Places to use your fancy new tape:

Sealing Envelopes

Binder divider tabs

Tops of rolled up paper lunch bags

folded over to make flags for cupcake toppers

drink markers on the sides of paper cups

labels

scrapbooking

So many possibilities..use your imagination!

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Reality Check

2012-02-22T16:27:00.000-05:00

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.

It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.

It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

~Melody Beattie

In the name of gratitude and truthfulness I’ve decided to post a little piece of reality here once a week. Likely just a single picture.

*****

Joining Rachel this week with a reality check of our own...this time in photo and video form.

We recently bought an old slot machine from a friend, just for kicks. and put it down in the rec room.
I'm afraid though that the children are having all together too much fun with it. I was hoping that they'd learn how gambling really works, and how the odds of winning are rather slim.

And then I found this video that they took on my camera....

{This Moment}

2012-02-17T03:33:00.001-05:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

. . . . . . . .

Yarn Along

2012-02-15T02:09:00.003-05:00

Joining Ginny this week again in another Yarn Along...

I'm *still* working on the scarf for Dad-he'll probably, realistically, get it next Christmas.
I haven't had a ton of knitting time over the last few weeks, but I do bring the thing with me everywhere still. I plan on bringing it on a wee road trip that we have planned for tomorrow.

I've also started a pair of socks. I'm testing a pattern for my sister's awesome Mother-in-Law, who is somewhat of a knitting genius. The woman can crank out finished knitted socks, hats, scarves, sweaters faster than I can cast on. Seriously!

I told her that I'd like to try socks though, so she gave me a pattern that she had recently written. So far, i'm doing okay. However, I've only done the easy part-the ankle! I'm a little nervous about the heel turn, but the pattern seems to be written in a way that I *think* i'll understand.

As for my reading goes, I've just finished "Water for Elephants" which was one of those books that just felt like home.

Maybe because it was narrated by a man who reminded me a lot of my great grandfather in the way that he spoke (And apparently, my Great Grandfather actually worked for a travelling circus/carnival as a teen...this is recent news which I plan to dig into a little deeper...)

I really wanted to read this book though before seeing the movie. I've heard nothing but good things about the film version, but you know how it is, the book is always better!

Having not seen the movie at all yet, I can't say which is best. I did find myself laughing out loud though at many events throughout the story. I think I would have enjoyed this even if I had already seen the movie.

I've just started reading "Room", which is growing on me slightly. The book is narrated by a child, so It's hard to take it seriously because at times, you can tell that it really is the author *trying* to sound like a child, but missing the mark. I'm trying to see beyond that though and just take in the rest of the story...which is, in fact, incredible, and haunting.

It's one of those books where the writing style doesn't really grab me, but the story does, so i'll continue.

Do you ever force yourself through the finish of a book simply because you feel you need to hear the story, regardless of the connection you have with the style of writing?

Reality Check

2012-02-14T02:43:00.000-05:00

Joining Rachel over at House Full of Jays this week with a *Reality Check* post of my own....

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.

It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast,

a house into a home,
a stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past,

brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

~Melody Beattie

In the name of gratitude and truthfulness I've decided to post a little piece of reality here once a week. Likely just a single picture.

Simply put, these both have green labels, my eyes were a little fuzzy, and my brain was tired.

All I wanted were clean teeth.

really.

Weekend of Play

2012-02-13T14:57:00.000-05:00

This weekend we lucked out and got to spend some time at the National Museum of Play in Rochester NY.
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I'd heard good things about it, and we needed a day trip to tend to the mid winter blahs.

Let me just say, that this was definitely worth the two hour drive (even though Ms. La-Tee-Dah did manage scream for a good portion of the way home.)
The museum was set up for children of all ages, with hidden nooks and crannies galore, ensuring that no child would be lost to boredom.
I love the attention to detail that went into creating these spaces, and that everything was scaled to size, perfect for little people.

To my delight, there were also book stations everywhere-just in case one of the littles might want to sit down and rest a while in a comfy chair, and pick up one of the many captivating titles that surrounded each play area.

Some of our favorites from the day were :

The miniature "Wegmans" grocery store, where one could be a shopper, an employee, or both!

Superhero School, where you could climb tall buildings, experience super strength, and even design your own super costume.

Old carnival style arcade games

Sailing through history on boats from the past

Attending "Wizard" school

A collection of really old dolls-some were a little...creepy....(yes, this one is hatching from an egg.)

Playing house, in a Victorian era kitchen

Finding a familiar book, and a namesake

Riding through Oz on the wicked witch's bicycle

Walking through a very crooked house where you just can't seem to ever stand up straight

and just hanging out on the steps a familiar building on a street we all know and love

What kid wouldn't want to rest a while on Oscar the Grouch's trash can and read a good book?

With so much to do (this place is huge) i'm surprised that we got it all done in one day.

By the time we were leaving at 8 pm, there was a lot of eye rubbing going on, and even a few yawns.

What could be better to a child than playing to the point of exhaustion?

One year in 40 Seconds

2012-02-06T12:59:00.002-05:00

I came across this photographer's work over the weekend and I couldn't wait to share it. It's so neat to watch the seasons happen so quickly, and, in the dullness of mid-winter, reassures that we will see green again.

{This Moment}

2012-02-03T01:32:00.002-05:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

. . . . . . . .

Vetkoek and Curry Chicken

2012-02-02T03:01:00.000-05:00

This is a recipe that one of my friends from South Africa shared with me a few years ago. She said that this was usually the Sunday afternoon favorite that her Grandmother would make when the whole family came for dinner.

I've made it quite a few times and it's definitely a favorite around here too. There's usually a bit of a fight over who gets the last sandwich.

These make also fantastic picnic sandwiches-so much more fun than boring old white bread and bologna!

Vetkoek (pronounced FET-cook) is the bread portion of the sandwich, made from a very simple dough recipe, and then deep fried.

I never said that this was a terribly healthy meal.

The filling is basically a curried chicken salad. There was no definite recipe for this-all my friend said is that everyone made their chicken salad differently.

I've come up with our own variation for the Chicken Salad though, and i'll share it as well.

Of course, you could top these with something else if you wanted. If you're going to do the Chicken Salad, I'd suggest making that first. The Vetkoek is best when it's piping hot and crispy.
I make mine in a stand mixer, but this is easily made by hand as well.

For the Vetkoek: (makes about 14 generously sized buns)

7 cups Flour (all-purpose flour)
1 teaspoons Salt
2 tablespoons Sugar
2 tablespoons yeast
Lukewarm water
Cooking oil (for frying)

Stir the water into the yeast and let it sit a few minutes. Then add in the sugar and salt.
Slowly stir in the flour. You may need a little more, or slightly less. You don't want the dough to be too wet, you want to be able to handle it. You don't want it terribly dry though either.
Think a slightly wetter pizza dough.

Once your dough is mixed, knead it for a few minutes and then let it rise for about 30 minutes.
Once it's finished rising, start heating the oil in a cast iron skillet. The oil should be about an inch deep. Heat the oil to 375f.

While the oil warms up, with floured hands, pull off balls of dough that are slightly smaller than a tennis ball, roll and flatten into a patty, as if you were making a hamburger.

You don't want these to be too thick, or the outside will be done long before the inside.
Around an inch thick is perfect-they'll puff up as they fry.

Once the oil is thoroughly heated, fry them for about 2-3 minutes on each side, and then set aside to drain on paper towels.
In a couple minutes they'll be cool enough to slice open for the chicken salad.
For the Curried Chicken Salad:

3 Chicken breasts, cooked, boned and cubed/shredded (or equal amount of dark meat. No chicken discrimination here!)
4 tablespoons of Mayonnaise
1/2 cup of diced carrots
1/3 cup diced minced pickle
1 medium apple, cored and diced
1/2 yellow onion, minced
3 tablespoons curry powder
Salt and Pepper, to taste

I know, apple sounds like a really strange ingredient for chicken salad, but trust me, it's amazing. You don't have to follow this recipe exactly either-this is just how we like it.

Spread the chicken salad onto your freshly fried vetkoek, and garnish with a dilly, kicker of a pickle.
You know those fancy pickles sitting on your pantry shelves, the ones that you've been waiting to open for the perfect, most deserving meal? Now would be the time.
Enjoy!

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{Yarn Along}

2012-02-01T02:18:00.000-05:00

I would love to tell you that I've been super productive this week in my knitting and crochet, but it's been a housework week-as in, deep cleaning. Why am I all or nothing?

I did manage to get the sole of my other slipper finished, I really want to get these finished and felted!

Of course, I'm still plugging away at Dad's scarf.

While it's taking a while, the scarf and I are beginning to become old friends. I find that it really isn't the pain in my side that I thought it might become, but rather something pleasant to come back to after a long day.

The scarf comes with me when I leave the house-I never know if I might end up waiting in the car while Mark goes into the hardware store, or if Lotte will sleep through the boys' swimming lessons and let me knit a few rows...I think it's wise to always have a little stitchy something along just in case. I even bring it to Church.

While some might find that odd, I really can't pay attention to speaking much without having my hands busy, sometimes even during movies. I'm often drawing, carving or knitting. I also find it a horrid waste of time, to be sitting, and doing nothing.

Oh, And the minister of the Church can't argue, because he's my Dad, and the scarf is for him. Besides, if he sees my hands busy he knows I'm listening. I am his daughter, after all. I think he's aware of how attention deficit I can be.

I've finally found a novel to click with. It took a while, but the hunt was worth it.

I'm now on chapter 4 of "Water for Elephants".

I have no clue what the movie is like, but so far the book is captivating and exciting. I really appreciate the work that the author went to in describing everything in such vivid detail.

Of course, it goes without saying, that I'll probably love the book a whole lot more than the movie, when I finally get to see it. Isn't that always the way?

.....

For more weekly yarn along stories, visit Ginny at Small things.

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A Toby Update

2012-01-31T11:55:00.000-05:00

My Dad just phoned to tell me that Toby is out of surgery and in recovery. All went as planned, so now we just wait, and hope the shunt works as it's supposed to.

The doctor who performed the surgery has implanted a LOT of these though, so I think Toby is in good hands.

Also, thankfully, Toby was able to stay healthy leading up to the surgery, and slept through his fasting period beforehand, which was a blessing. We all know how difficult it is for a baby to handle hunger!

Thank you to everyone who has had Toby in their prayers!

That Quiet Sort of Weekend

2012-01-30T10:43:00.000-05:00

You know the one, the one where you stay home in your jammies.

The one surrounded by family...and yummy babies.

The kind of weekend where you step outside and notice the kind of snowflakes that fall so slow it's almost as if time stands still.

And yet, an hour later....

The kind of weekend that you just don't want to end.

{This Moment}...and a Prayer Request

2012-01-27T01:45:00.004-05:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

. . . . . . . .

I know this is usually supposed to be wordless, but I have a request.

This sweet little set of babies are Tobias (left) and Edith,(right).

They're my precious little nephew and niece.

Born prematurely at 28 weeks gestation, they've been through quite an ordeal, and have had a rough start.
They've pulled through a lot, are now almost 5 months old, are doing very well.

They have frequent tests, eye exams, ultrasounds, everything to make sure that they're on track, developmentally.

We've just learned though that sweet little Toby has continued to have fluid on his brain, and just it isn't draining properly. It's putting a lot of pressure on his tiny little brain, and it can no longer be left to wait and see, so he has to have surgery to implant a shunt to drain the fluid.

The surgery is this coming Tuesday, the 31st, at MacMaster Children's hospital.
It's a relatively simple surgery, but it still means

A baby in pain

A baby who has to go 12 hours without food or drink

A mother who has to watch her baby go that long without food or drink, and who has to

try to console him

A mother and father worrying

A sister who can't cuddle her twin brother

A brother who can't cuddle his twin sister

A mother who has to figure out how to take care of twin babies, in a hospital setting, without a bed for herself, for 48 hours or more.

Please pray for:

The doctor who will perform the surgery

Toby before the surgery, while fasting

A quick recovery

My sister and her husband

Success of the implanted shunt.

Thank you!

{Yarn Along} and Giveaway Winners

2012-01-25T00:15:00.001-05:00

Joining Ginny this week again in a yarn along...

I haven't accomplished much in the knitting world this week, again. I'm still truckin' away on Dad's scarf though. He's a tall guy, so I'll be at it for a while. I'm also almost finished this project I'm working on.

I did however get a little more organized this week. I have a hard time continuing with crafting/art/knitting projects when things aren't organized. I can handle a mess to a certain extent, probably more than a lot of people, but even I have my limits!

The boys were gone for a day and I got SO much done around the house. I need more days like this. Laundry was put away, my dining room table looked like a table again, the dishes were done, the floor was mopped...and you wouldn't know that ever happened to look at it now. I think I need to send them away for the day again this week!

We took a trip to Niagara falls NY, and stopped in at the new Hobby Lobby (at last!!!) and I bought a tub for my yarn stash. My yarn finally has a home! I also bought a neat set of double pointed needles by "yarnology". I'd never seen this brand before in Canada.
They're acrylic, and they look like twisted glass on the inside (like a candy cane). I needed this size anyway, and they were pretty cheap, so I'm happy.

I'm still working on the Family Dinner book, and I like a lot of the recipes so far. They're pretty simple, but the idea is that the food is something simple and fun to prepare as a family. It also gives some ideas for discussion at the dinner table.
While I think that's great, I doubt our family will be using that part any time soon. Our dinner table discussions are never lacking, that's for sure!

I also just checked out Quinoa 365. I've always liked the stuff, but it will be fun to see other ways to eat it...like in bread.
Just curious...how do YOU pronounce Quinoa? I was initially told it was "kwin-oh-ah"...but then recently was told that it's actually "kinn-wah". Meh, I don't really care. It's yummy, and my kids eat it!

And now for the winners for last week's giveaway... (pulled from my vintage Pyrex for good luck..)

I know I promised that Lotte would draw the name for the rubber stamp giveaway, but she fell asleep when her call of duty came, so Mark filled in and drew...drum roll....

Ikkinlala and Tamara!! Thanks to everyone who participated, it was fun!

Have you seen my New Shoes?

2012-01-24T13:13:00.003-05:00

I've been looking a long time for a pair of these (or in this case a triad) to use in a fun idea that I've had in mind for ages.

I finally found these three for a steal on a recent thrift shop run. I can't wait to finish it so I can show you the final project!

Of course, I can't mention or think about wooden shoes without humming this:

P.S - It's not too late to enter my giveaway, if you haven't already!

{This Moment}

2012-01-20T01:48:00.000-05:00

Joining in with Amanda at SouleMama for This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

{Stash Bash} Felted Crochet Slippers Part 1

2012-01-19T15:05:00.000-05:00

Joining in today for the first Stash Bash with Crunchy Catholic Mama. The idea of stash bash is to use up your pieces of your stash (of whatever your crafty stash might be), rather than purchasing new materials.

I have many stashes (Ask my husband) but this week I decided to go with the wool, since it is creeping outside of it's limits.

I used up some wool I had found a while back at a thrift store on a wee, or not so wee crochet project.

It's 100% wool, so I'm counting on this stuff to felt well.

I made some gigantic slippers for a friend , and they're about 5 sizes too big for me right now, and her feet are even smaller.
I plan on throwing them in a pillow case to felt them in the washer, and trying them on Reuben's feet (if he'll let me) as we go, as his feet are just about the same size as hers.

Next week I'll post back and let you know how the felting goes!

Also, I have a giveaway going on right now for a rubber stamp here, if you'd like to enter!

Cook Along, Yarn Along and a Giveaway!

2012-01-17T23:57:00.000-05:00

Joining Ginny this week in another Yarn Along...

This week I haven't gotten a lot done, knitting wise. I've crocheted quite a bit, but I'm not quite ready to share that wacky project just yet.

pssst. There's felting involved.

I did, however, start on a tiny pair of mittens for Lotte with some of the leftover wool from her little leg warmers.

I'm making them without thumbs, since hers are so small. And anyone who's ever wrestled with a baby to get their thumbs in the thumb holes KNOWS how stupid thumbs are on baby mittens. (wow, that's a lot of "thumbs" for one sentence, isn't it?!)

Also, I don't know how to make thumbs yet (soon, soon...) so this is the perfect project. It also will give me practice with the kitchener stitch. I know I don't have to finish the tops this way, but I'd rather mess up the top of this tiny mitten than a whole sock. And socks are something I'd like to try soon!

Add it to the list, right?

I'm finally seeing the joy in double pointed needles for tiny projects. I started this one off magic looping with a circular needle, but because it's so small i was spending more time pulling the cable through than actually knitting. I'm still not sure that I'd like to do this with a hat, but we'll see.

I haven't found a good book yet to dive into this week, but I have been thumbing smirk through some really good cook books that we checked out of the library last week.
I really like "the family dinner" , and I find it encouraging that there are others who find importance in preparing meals as a family, as well as sitting down together each evening.

It would be a really good book for those who are starting to cook with really young children and aren't sure where to start. There are some really good meal theme ideas too!

OOOhhh yes, and now the Giveaway!

For those who don't know, I'm also an illustrator and have a couple of etsy shops, and one of them is a rubber stamp shop.

I have a new stamp that i'm going to list this week, but I thought that I would give a couple away this week just for fun. And I can't think of a better group of gals for this stamp!

To participate, simply post a comment. For double your chances, follow my blog and post a comment to let me know you're following. Easy peasy!
Miss Lotte will draw a name at random, on January 24th at 4 pm. I'll announce the two winners at next week's yarn along.

Good luck!!

Weekend Wonders

2012-01-16T17:35:00.000-05:00

The weekend always seems like a bit of a blur for our family. We try to coordinate plans with my sisters and parents as best as we can, and everything usually ends up turning into a bit of a gong show.

Let's just say that our plans, or lack there of, snowball and get messy.

Looking back though, no matter how crazy things felt in the moment, I'm glad that we did them.

Otherwise we wouldn't have had a family weekend of :

Breakfast together at favorite local mom & pop's,

a weekend of flirty babies,

sleeping babies,

tea and knitting enjoyed together,

busking,

and two family dinners that were a 'stone soup' sort of joint effort.

I see how blessed we are to have eachother. or as my boys used to say when they were wee..."ourchudders".

{Yarn Along}

2012-01-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

Dad's poor scarf has been frogged, again. Let me explain...

First I was doing it in a garter stitch border and the rest in stockinette, but even with that gartered border, it was still curling horribly. It was also taking FOREVER.

did I mention that I'm a bit impatient?

So then I ripped it out, and began doing the entire thing in garter stitch, but it felt too mindless.

So I ripped it out one, self promised last time, doubled up the wool, and began a basket weave, which is working out fantastically. Not too boring, but not too tricky, and going much faster this time.

Lotte's little candy floss hat, finished up last week and it looks darling. I had to flip the edge up for it to fit her right now, but I figured I would. I made it large enough to fit a one year old because I wanted it to last a while.

Also, I think I've finally got the hang of double pointed needles, it's too early to say though if I prefer them to circular. It might just depend on which project I'm doing.
I've started on this, just as a little side project to keep working on with yarn scraps over time.

This is my first "hexipuff"-yup, I've got a loooong way to go.

I'm still not completely finished "Portrait of Van Gogh", but I'm near done.

I can't believe how much this poor artist went through to become what he did. He's often remembered as the artist who was "crazy" and the artist who "cut off his ear"...there's really so much more to his story than this.

He was eccentric, indeed.-However, he would tend to the homeless, weak, and the sick, giving them the clothes off of his own back, and it was more often than not, acts like these that earned him the reputation of being crazy.

Van Gogh was such a kind and generous person, living a chosen humble life, and looking out for his fellow man, which his paintings actually reflect.

Unlike other painters of his time who were painting the wealthy social scenes, Van Gogh was creating paintings like "the potato eaters" and scenes from low class pubs.

In the book are quotes from letters that he wrote to his brother, Theo, and this is one of my absolute favorites:

"There may be a great fire in our soul, yet no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the passers-by see only a wisp of smoke coming through the chimney."

-Letter to Theo, 1880

For more weekly yarn along stories, visit Ginny at Small Things!

Life Lately

2012-01-10T19:35:00.000-05:00

Candy Floss Hat {Yarn Along}

2012-01-04T04:06:00.000-05:00

It's been a busy week-I've just now realized that I haven't blogged since last week's yarn along, which is rather sad.
This should, I suppose, mean that I've been more productive this week than usual, but I'm afraid I haven't much to show for my absence, other than happy and well fed children, a partly tidied house and 90% of a hat.

I wasn't going to dive right into another hat after I finished the purple one last week, but I couldn't help it after I came across this wool on an amazing, quick thrift store trip. (This is how many of my projects in life begin...a "quick" trip to the thrift store.)
I stumbled upon bags and bags of beautiful wool, all still in their original labels, many from the same dye-lots.

This little gem, however, was a singled out wall-flower. No other like it, but I just couldn't pass it up. First it was the mossy green that caught my eye, but then the robin's egg blue, bubble gum pink, and buttery yellow started showing up in tiny ribbons throughout, and I couldn't put it down-it reminded me of cotton candy.
And at 25 cents for the whole skein, I knew I could think of something to use it for.
I decided that I'd make Charlotte yet another hat, but this time slightly larger. I followed the same pattern, but made the next size up.

I haven't decided what I'll do with the rest of the wool...I have about 10 skeins of each colour pictured below...and it's all 100% wool. I'm thinking it might be time for a felting project, especially with the 10 that are rug wool. Wouldn't rug wool make amazing slipper soles? Nice and thick!

I've just started reading "Vincent Van Gogh". (of course, one of my absolute favorite artists....)
I've been wanting to check it out for a long time, but our library only has a few copies of it and it always seems to be out.
I'm fairly certain that it's intended for young adults/teens-It's written at a lower reading level.
I fully intended on reading this to the boys but I became intrigued when I started flipping through it...I may just have to "proof read" it first;)

Head over to visit Ginny at Small Things for more weekly yarn along stories!

{Yarn Along}

2011-12-28T01:51:00.000-05:00

This was one of those weeks where I feel like I didn't get a single thing *finished*, not only in the knitting realm, but even in life in general.
There were multiple, albeit small, projects (baking, organizing, crafting, art, paperwork etc) that I wanted to complete but just couldn't find the time during the rush of this busy season. I decided to just let them go-there's always next year for the Christmas projects, and valentines day for baking treats.

I did manage to finish a quick little hat for Lotte to go with her legwarmers, the purple really makes her shiny blue peepers stand out.
I used a bulkier yarn and modified the pattern slightly. I think I could have made this a little taller, but it fits her nicely now. If she outgrows it too quickly, I may add some ear flaps to get a little more life out of it.

of course she wouldn't hold still for a picture of her pretty purple hat...

This was the first hat that I knit rather than crocheted, so it was a bit of a learning experience. I could see though how this could become really addictive-I LOVE knitting in the round...and to think, all this time, I've been so scared to try it!

I'm about a fifth finished -(yes, a fifth) on a scarf that I've been working on for my Dad-nothing fancy, just a boring ol' brown wool Dad scarf. Brown suits Dad though, so I think he'll actually wear it. And there's something so cozy and comforting about simple brown wool.

and don't you just love the cake plate under the scarf? My mom made this little bright & pedestalled wonder for me for Christmas!

My reading this last little while has been sporadic and un-eventful. I haven't had enough time for a novel for myself but I'm hoping to squeeze one in soon as I've had reading withdrawal. Any suggestions?I did check out a few books from the library this week on knitting, crochet and baby food.
one of these things is not like the other...

I checked out both "chicks with sticks" knitting and crochet. The crochet one didn't tell me anything that I didn't already know, so I'll be taking that one back soon, but the knitting one has come in really handy. I'm not sure that I'll do any of the actual projects, but the instructions themselves are well written and easy to follow.
It's inspiring me to even try the scary things...like button holes!

To hear more participants' weekly yarn along, visit Ginny's blog here.

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On a Long Winter's Night

2011-12-23T19:39:00.000-05:00

When at home with my family on these long winter nights, and soaking up every minute of celebration, warmth and surprise, I can't help but have a sense of peace, and a truly joyous heart.
I'm reminded of words written by one of my favorite authors:

"Time was, with most of us, when Christmas Day encircling all our limited world like a magic ring, left nothing out for us to miss or seek; bound together all our home enjoyments, affections, and hopes; grouped everything and every one around the Christmas fire; and made the little picture shining in our bright young eyes, complete."
- Charles Dickens , What Christmas is as we Grow Older

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes.... {yarn along}

2011-12-21T01:09:00.000-05:00

Joining Ginny again in this weeks Yarn Along.
I have so many projects on the go right now; it truly is ridiculous how bad my crafter's ADD gets this time of year. Really, I should know by now that I shouldn't start more than one thing at a time. Alas, I just can't seem to help myself!

Last week, Anneliese posted some the pattern for these gorgeous rustic looking snowflakes crocheted from twine, and as soon as I saw them, I just knew that I would have to try making a miniature version of these with my pepperminty baker's twine.
I'm obsessed with this silly string and use it for all sorts of projects, and I've been dying to crochet something out of it for a long time, and this gave me the final shove.

I love the way that they turned out and hopefully will be able to squeeze in a few more for gift toppers! They're a little tiring on the eyes after a while, tiny stitches with stripey string...but these were worth it.

I've also finally finished Lotte's little leggings. I still have to weave in the tails, but they're finished and fit her pudgy little legs perfectly. They're actually a little long, and a wee bit baggy, which is good, I want her to fit these for a little while!

I still have one gift to complete for Christmas-which I've just started a couple of days ago {slap on the wrists!}

I can't wait to finish it up though, because I have 4 other projects in line that I can't wait to try!

Herbed No Knead Bread {Batter Bread}

2011-12-19T14:35:00.000-05:00

I make this every once in a while in batches of two loaves, and it's usually gone within a day. If I'm lucky, I'll get a heel. Which sounds pathetic, but it's actually the best part!

This bread has the perfect crunchy crust to go with soups and stews. And if you should have the self control to let a few slices go stale, it makes amazing croutons!

You'll end up with a thick dough that is too moist to knead, but not as wet/runny as cake batter. It's sort of a cross between the two. I make ours in a stand mixer, but I have made it the old fashioned way with a mixing bowl and spoon. It's a little tiring on the arm, but hey, you get an extra slice of bread because you burned extra calories.

Here's what you need for one loaf, but double it...really.

3 cups flour

1 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1 pkg yeast

1 1/4 cup warm water

1/3 cup milk

2 Tbsp olive oil (or butter)

3 tsp dried parsley flakes

1 tbsp thyme

2 tsp garlic powder

Oiled/greased loaf pan.

Combine the warm water and yeast in a bowl and let sit/dissolve for a couple of minutes.

Then add the sugar and salt,

Stir the flour in slowly, then add the milk and herbs.

If you're using a stand mixer, let it run a few minutes to be sure it's well mix. If you're using a bowl and spoon...cry a little and get over it. It will be worth it. I promise.

Now let it rise for about 30 minutes.

Then divide into loaf pans and let rise an additional 30 minutes.

Bake for about 40 minutes at 375f.

When it's done, let it cool a little on baking racks before indulging. It slices better when it isn't piping hot. It will be worth the wait, I promise.

I like mine just as it is with nothing on it, but feel free to butter it or melt cheese on it, whatever way you might fancy! Enjoy:)

Lotte's Lavender Leggies {Yarn Along}

2011-12-14T01:56:00.000-05:00

Joining Ginny again this week for a yarn along.

I have a lot of different projects on the go right now, but this is the one that I'm trying to finish up first. Because there are two involved, I'm terrified that now that I have one little leg warmer done that I'll never finish the other!

This is my first time knitting something on a circular needle, and I'm actually really enjoying it! My stitches are a little inconsistent in tension, and seem to be going slightly diagonal. I'm not sure what I was doing to cause it in the first leg warmer, but the second one isn't near as bad. (Any ideas, Rachel?)

Of course, when I'm finished the second one, it will look better than the first, and I'll want to take apart the first and do it over again.

I shall do my best to resist that temptation.

I was using scraps from a pile of gifted wool (see bottom picture!) and didn't have enough of the first shade of purple to do two legwarmers, so I switched to a slightly darker purple half way down. I might play up the two tone with some applique afterwards, we'll see.

I haven't been able to do a lot of my own reading lately, but I've been reading "the Magicians Nephew" to the boys. I had forgotten how exciting these books were, I hadn't read them in a long time. I'm glad that the boys find them just as exciting as I did though, and beg for more.

This insane pile of yarn was given to me...I have no idea what to do with it all. Some of it's wool, and some of it is acrylic. I'll definitely keep the wool, but might donate a good portion of the acrylic to a senior centre or something similar. I'll never be able to use that much!

Fort Wet Willies

2011-12-12T13:05:00.000-05:00

While the little miss and I have been warm inside the house, the Men-folk around here have been busy outdoors with a project that has been dreamt about now

for a long while.

"Plans" were drawn....

Materials were gathered...

Token awesome trap door installed in the floor....

Only a few finishing touches left to be done, like paint, windows, doors, a tire swing etc.
I'm very proud of the Men folk around here for working together to build such an awesome fort!

Illustration Day

2011-12-06T18:26:00.000-05:00

Decided to participate in this week's Illustration Friday. I used to do these weekly just for fun, but life got busy (of course) and I sort of forgot about it. I like that there aren't really any rules aside from theme,-and that I'm allowed to let the paper be my playground.

This week's theme was "brigade". And honestly, this was the first thing that popped into my head.
When I was little, I used to imagine battles like this happening on the sewing table or in the sewing box while no one was looking.

Lotte let me paint a lot of this while she was in my lap. She only grabbed for the brush once!

Cheap Thrills, a Fender Bender & Free Toilet Paper {the rise, and quick fall of an almost perfect weekend}

2011-12-05T01:42:00.000-05:00

Now that the Mr. is on parental leave, we have a lot more opportunity for family fun time. We decided several weeks ago, along side my sister Elise and her husband (we call him Siouxie, pronounced Susie-long story, more on that later) that we needed to make a day trip to Bass Pro Shop.
I say day trip, because it is, after all, a whole hour away, and the store is massive. One could easily spend hours there, really. And throw in a goofy pair of boys, two gun happy in a Sarah Palin-would-be-proud sort of way men, and three infants, it could easily be a day before we were finished.

The day started out perfectly. Lotte actually slept through the night, so we woke up feeling relatively rested. I had been under the weather all week, but was feeling much better after some much needed sleep.
We got in the car, and managed not to get stuck in any construction zones or traffic jams. Lotte slept (again!), the boys were happy, I even managed to crochet part of Zeke's hat-which is camouflaged, how fitting for bass pro shop...The day went like this.

Arrived at Bass Pro/Mall

Girls and babies first went to Old Navy. (Stopping by Starbucks, of course.)

Boys played at Bass Pro Shop.

All the babies simultaneously soiled themselves. We didn't bother trying on the awesome clothes we found-

That would be pushing our luck. We decided that we'd try them later at home.

Bought Edie and Lotte matching headbands. Toby didn't even get jealous.

Returned to bass pro to join the gentlemen.

Discovered that despite being rather content, Zeke had a fever and a sore throat. He insisted that he was OK.

Decided that we'd leave and go enjoy a frugal family meal at Costco.

I'm not embarrassed to say it. And besides, Siouxie insisted that we go somewhere where gravy smothered food was available.

We arrived to Costco,
Elise and Siouxie did not.

We received a text-"We were rear-ended....-all OK, but we're going home".

We go back to the car-we don't have a Costco membership.

Yes, we're that cheap. We sneak in with other family members.

Reuben finds a case of abandoned toilet paper in the parking lot of Costco, and without

missing a beat, swoops down and picks it up, and carries it to the car.

We're still hungry, the boys are still hungry, Lotte is back to sleep.
Decide to hit up a really cheap Chinese buffet called "happy court" that we've been to before.

Happy Court has been remodeled into an Expensive Japanese Restaurant.

We decide to go back to Hamilton to a different cheap Chinese Buffet.

Hamilton cheap Chinese buffet's prices have been changed to absurd holiday prices.

a little drama was added for this

We end up at good ol' PHO DO BO. (Vietnamese)

Lotte wakes up as soon as the food arrives, soils herself royally, and throws up all over me.

We get the rest of dinner TO GO.

We get home, and tuck in the two tired, but well behaved boys. They were troopers.

Mark informs me that he's starting to feel sick as well.

I try on my old navy clothes. Lotte tells me that 90% of them make me look like a fruit stand/carnival act.

At the end of the day, Reuben gently nudges me, and says...."at least we got free toilet paper."

I think we'll have to try bass pro day again in the new year.

This Old Hat {Yarn Along}

2011-11-30T15:48:00.000-05:00

Joining Ginny again for today's yarn along!

This sweet hat has lived and survived four children now. It's one of my favorites-and it's received more compliments than any other piece of clothing that my children have worn.

When I crocheted it over 10 years ago, I never dreamed that it would be included in so many of my favorite memories.

Kissing cold little cheeks after an early spring walk...Or sitting by a campfire with a sleeping bundle of love.
This hat has been through it all. It's been trampled in the back seat of the car.

It's been worn all over the continent.
Thrown up on.

It's been to football games.

Hockey Games.

Wet on.

Worn by various stuffies.

my sweet little niece borrowed the hat while she was a babe

It's been very well loved.

But it's starting to fall apart, and now with a brand new noggin to take care of, I'm afraid that it might not hold up. The ties are starting to fray, and I don't know how many more washes it can handle.

I don't want Lotte to be without my favorite hat though, so I need to re-create it.
I didn't follow a pattern when I made it, in fact, I'm not entirely sure that I made it out of embroidery floss. But I'm pretty sure.

I found the closest colours possible, and can't wait to start on this. Once I figure out exactly what I did, I'll share the pattern!

{Their World}

2011-11-28T16:29:00.000-05:00

Every once in a while I'll leave my camera unattended, and later find the strangest, and sometimes most entertaining photos when I go to upload my memory card on to my computer.
Here are today's winners:

At Last, She Knits! {yarn along}

2011-11-23T02:05:00.000-05:00

I've spent the last few glorious {albeit sleepless} weeks in a drunken romance with Lotte.
I can't get enough of her, I just soak up every second I can.
We spend a lot of time curled up together on the couch while she eats. {or should I say, "snacks"?}

This has led to a lot of Internet time...and while I can't type with both hands, I can watch netflix, and YouTube!
Late last night while Lotte was in one of those "I'm no longer hungry but can we still play?" moods, it dawned on me to check out YouTube for knitting instructions. I can knit flat/square things in basic stitches, but circular knitting has always left me puzzled and confused, and my poor needles always end up shoved back in a box for "later". A girl can only knit so many scarves!

I'm a hands on & visual learner, but I don't know anyone personally who can knit, {that lives anywhere near here anyway}, no one in my family knits, and unfortunately I had always attempted to learn from what I like to call "the book of poorly illustrated diagrams".

But with the help of a few videos I've finally figured out circular knitting. I messed around with working four needles, and magic looping.{What an incredible concept!}

I found an easy beginner pattern that I'm really excited about trying.

I don't think that I'll try alternating colours just yet though...one step at a time!

p.s. I haven't been reading much lately other than a few magazines. I'll be working on finding something soon though. My hours are numbered, so whatever book I find has to be worth my time!

Charlotte :My little Lottie:

2011-10-21T19:03:00.000-04:00

It's been a little while since I've posted!

You see, I've been a little busier than normal lately-but the good kind of busy. The kind of busy that means constantly holding and cuddling a sweet, little, delicious smelling bundle.

I've been warned that by not putting her down very often, I'll "spoil" her...but in all honesty, I think she's spoiling me.

Even in the middle of the night, when she begins her "feed-a-thon", I can't help but thank God for this delicious little girl that he's blessed us with.

Charlotte Eliza Mae

was born at home on Monday, October 10th, 2011 (Canadian Thanksgiving!) at 5:53 am.
She looks so much like her Daddy!
I plan on doing nothing but soaking her in for the next few months.

This tiny stage flies by, and it's just too sweet to miss.

P.S: Toby and Edie have really porked up, and came home from the hospital last weekend. They are doing wonderfully.

Yarn Along

2011-09-28T14:21:00.000-04:00

Joining Ginny today in the weekly Yarn Along...

I've finally finished the little grey picot sweater for my niece.
I actually finished this up a couple of weeks ago, but didn't add the buttons until last night. I had to add something pink to it, so that she'll actually wear it! (She's rather choosy about her outfits, you see...) I also made a little hat to go with it. She won't be getting this until Christmas, but I'll be sure to take a picture of her in it when she finally gets it.

I've gotten a little further on the baby blanket-I love that this has such a simple pattern, so I can take it anywhere and pick it up where I left off without looking at the instructions-until I get to the border that is.

I've been taking this blanket along with me everywhere to keep my hands busy.

To the midwife's office, the hospital when I visit my sweet itty bitty niece and nephew (who are doing fabulous, by the way, and are no longer so itty-bitty) and even to church.
I've mixed the pattern up a little, and I'm using two different shades of pink, just for kicks.

I finally found a book of my own to read.

Aside from the boys' homeschooling books that is. As fun as they are, I need a break from Daniel Boone, William Tell, and every other macho historical hero!

I'm a good chunk into "the Help" and have fallen in love with it. I adore the way that it's written from the different perspectives of each character, and that it's written in the way that they would actually speak.

Unfortunately though, having always struggled to fight my already "southern" accent, I find that after reading a chapter or two my accent starts to come back.
The boys pointed it out this afternoon, I hadn't really noticed. Zeke asked if I had been speaking with relatives back home on the phone. It comes out after those long phone calls sometimes, I just can't help it.

I'm loving the book so much that I'm afraid I'll now be disappointed with the movie!

DIY+Pregnant Brain

2011-09-27T16:13:00.000-04:00

Without getting into too many details-the baby is going to be a little longer than we thought. We were afraid that she was going to be early, and now that she isn't, I sort of feel like I'm living life in limbo.
I don't know if it's just me, or women in general, who find the strangest tasks to pass time until a baby arrives.

Suddenly, the weirdest things pop on to our 'to do' lists, and become oddly important. And the tasks seem to grow weirder and weirder with each baby.

Right before I had Reuben, for some reason, I decided that my living room futon needed a new cover. Not great timing, but not so strange.

Before I had Zeke, I needed to get all my Christmas cards done early-not just written, that wasn't good enough. They had to be handmade as well. Oh, and I had to make a bunch of "snowflake" ornaments that I had seen in a Martha Stewart Kids magazine, out of pipe cleaners and borax. Yes, that's right, pipe cleaners.

My mom also contributes to this fun little routine-I think that she nests right along with us. When I was pregnant with Zeke, she decided that for some reason, I had too many kinds of salad dressing in my refrigerator and dumped them all together into one bottle-and then afterwards laughed about how that probably wasn't really helpful but it just seemed so important at the time.

That, and that's what her Mom always did to "help". Grandma even had a sick little motto about her own tendency to condense one's refrigerator contents..."Best kinds mixed!!"

I couldn't help but laugh last week, when the two of us sat in my living room, and we found ourselves performing the strangest tasks yet-all in the name of "getting ready for baby."

Well, maybe not stranger than the salad dressing.

Mom had suddenly decided that it was time to pair my family's odd socks. I had quite a stash, several bags actually, and she got them all out and started playing go-fish. She actually found quite a few matches. Apparently I do not need to add socks to my Christmas list this year.

I, on the other hand, found myself cutting up toilet paper rolls, and actually using them for crafts, like I was a first grader all over again.

After getting some raised eyebrows from Mark and my sister when they found my hidden stash of empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls-and I refused to tell them what they were for, I got down to business.

Cross legged on the couch, huffing and puffing through "false" labour (lemme tell ya, there ain't NOTHIN' false about contractions-whether they're doing anything productive or not) and gluing bits of cardboard into a floral pattern.

As absurd as it sounds, it didn't turn out half bad. I plan to take this carnival act one step further and bring spray paint into the game-something bright and shiny, and hang it on the wall over the little Miss's crib.

For the record, after he saw the finished product, even Mark admitted that my strange little creation was actually kinda cool.

...

If you'd like to make your own flower, all you need is toilet paper rolls (or paper towel rolls) and craft glue.
Flatten the rolls, cut into bands (a toilet paper roll should give you about four circles).
Pop them out a bit so that you have a flower petal shape, and glue together on a flat surface, in any pattern you desire!

Ten Reasons I love Autumn Babies

2011-09-19T15:46:00.000-04:00

My first Autumn Babe, at age 2

When I first found out that I was expecting yet another autumn baby, I was a little, well, overwhelmed.

Not that it normally matters what time of year a baby is born, they're blessings regardless of their timing.

However, all of our birthdays are in Autumn. Mine, The Mr's, both of our boys, both of our mothers, the Mr's brother...the list really goes on. (and on, and on.)
It's always been a little bit of a challenge to separate one family member's birthday from that of another. And with kids, gift giving is always kind of tricky, because we want to be careful not to blend right in to Christmas!

But as the cool weather is starting to set in, and I'm getting rounder by the day, I'm reminded of why I loved having babies this time of the year. (Aside from Autumn being my favorite season.)

1. Cuddle time is not sweaty time. I love nothing more than snuggling up close with my newborn, and keeping them skin to skin. But as much as I love this, I can't imagine how that might be in, say, August, when the sun is at it's hottest and the humidity levels are through the roof. Same goes for wearing a baby wrap.

2. Festivities. Autumn is loaded with a roller coaster of holidays, keeping families close and spirits high. I can't think of a better way to spend those (often dark) postpartum months than surrounded by close family and friends.

3. Perfect day for a walk. I can take my little one around the block for some sun, without her getting a sunburn or heat rash, and yet she won't be cold and miserable.

4. Cozy baby sweaters, blankets and hats. All those sweet little knitted outfits and blankets will actually serve a purpose.

5. Comfort food. All the things that sound appealing to eat, either while sick, or right after having a baby, are meals that tend to be on the menu this time of year. Hot cider, Tea, chicken noodle soup, pumpkin pie, baked sweet potatoes...

6. By Spring, my baby will be *ready* to be out and about. I love that we're headed into winter, when the world just sort of shuts down. If you're going to be stuck inside anyway, it might as well be with a new bundle! I don't feel like I'm missing out on too many events this way. After Christmas and New Years...what much happens in the winter? Nada.
And when things DO start happening, my little one will be old enough that I won't worry so much about bringing her into crowds and to outdoor events etc.

7. Household chores are at their lowest. No garden to tend anymore, not grass to cut, no garden to plant, very few fruits and veggies to preserve, no snow to shovel. (I'm hoping!)

8. Fall/winter wardrobe is much friendlier to the postpartum body. I know that it will be almost a year before I have to set foot near a beach.

9. Cold and Flu season: the perfect excuse for not passing my baby around.
Ever go to the mall, or to a restaurant and have a random (well-meaning, I'm sure) old lady come up and insist that they hold your baby?

I have encountered this-multiple times. I've found that during these seasons, somehow the answer of "I'm worried about them catching a bug" seems to be an acceptable answer, while in the spring and summer, it just doesn't seem to fly.
I also find that if I can kind of keep a blanket over the baby at most times, it tends to deter those baby grabber hands.

(For the record-any reason I provide to any total stranger should be reason enough, and I would not let a stranger hold my baby no matter how hard they tried or insisted. I try to let the sweet little old ladies down gently though.)

10. Nursing.
Nursing with a cover while the baby is still learning doesn't make my head (or the baby's) want to explode like an overheated steam engine.
In warmer weather, sitting under a blanket would be like camping out in a green house!
By the time the time spring rolls around, the baby is a pro and a cover isn't needed.
(please note that this is MY personal preference. I don't care what other mothers choose to do in regards to covering/not covering.)

To all the other autumn expectant Mamas, enjoy your wee ones!!

Their World

2011-09-15T13:21:00.000-04:00

Every once in a while I'll leave my camera unattended, and later find the weirdest, and sometimes most entertaining photos when I go to upload my memory card on to my computer.
Here are today's winners:

I particularly like the last one, it's Reuben in a nutshell.
This is about all we see of him most of the summer. A wild-shirtless thing, with bug aquarium at hand, who only comes inside to feed.

Yarn Along : Picot Bottomed Pee Pee Pants

2011-09-14T12:56:00.000-04:00

Joining Ginny again in today's Yarn Along...

I've finally finished up a little project-wee soaker pants. I tried to find a pattern I liked, but they all seemed to be knitted, and alas, I cannot knit. (yet...) And the crochet patterns that I did find all seemed to be really loosely stitched, which sort of defeats the purpose.
So, I took a stab at making up my own. I still have to make a little drawstring of some sort, as these are perfectly square to accommodate those puffy little diapers.
And an added funny bonus, they're self standing!

I know these posts should include what I'm reading, however I haven't done much leisurely reading at all lately. Almost all my reading has been from the boys' homeschooling curriculum. (Which I confess, I rather enjoy...especially the history.) Right now we're starting into Canadian History with "Discover Canada".
I'm trying to get the boys off to a good start in so that we can take a few days off when the little Miss arrives.

I'm in the last stretch of pregnancy and scrambling to get some things done around here. However, I've been told to take it *really* easy at least for another week, until I hit 37 weeks. My midwife is afraid that I'll go early if I move too much. So I've been folding laundry, and organizing boxes etc from the couch...slowly crossing things off my list.

Luckily, I have the sweetest mother and sister in the world who have come over to help me on several occasions and do the things that I'm not supposed to be doing. (Painting, carrying laundry and boxes etc-since we had to completely empty our baby room-it was our storage unit!)

Last week I made this baby sling (sewing is a sitting activity, thank goodness!!) I may post a tutorial on it soon. I love the way it fits and holds a position snugly. I even tried it out with my 3 year old niece. She thought it was pretty funny to be put in a baby sling, but cooperated for the sake of my experiment. I told her it was for the baby, and she happily obliged.

I've just started on this sweet little baby blanket in a really yummy strawberry colour. I really don't think that I'll get this done before the big day, but I'm quite OK with that. It's just going to be something to do when I *have* to be sitting...and maybe something I'll pick up now and then after the baby is born as we're cuddling. I can't wait for all those sweet snuggles!

Special Days -Spicy Mango Ketchup

2011-09-13T11:57:00.000-04:00

Hot chicken tacos-corn tortilla with chicken, shredded cabbage, diced grapes and spicy mango ketchup.

Yesterday Zeke and I had a "special" day. We do this now and then-my Mom will take one of the boys to her house for some alone time with her, and the other will stay home to hang out with his Mama. The boys started calling these "special days" when they were quite little, and it stuck.

One of Zeke's favorite "special" things to do is cook, especially if he gets to make up a secret recipe.
This one is no secret though as I've made it quite a few times. Sometimes I make it with all peaches, but usually Mangoes.

Unfortunately, I'm notorious for letting fruit go soft in the fridge. And once that happens to a Mango, it's only good for few things-such as chutney or hot sauce!
Hint: fruit off of the reduced rack makes really good preserves!!

This recipe makes a nice, thick sauce (like ketchup) that goes great with just about anything. It goes really well with samosas! The perfect mix of sweet/spicy.

The recipe is pretty simple: yields 8 pints

7 mushy mangoes. They don't really have to be mushy, but they do need to be ripe!
4 peaches or an extra mango
15 Asian chili peppers.

You can use any other hot pepper for this-but please know that Asian chilis are really small. If you go using a different type of pepper that is larger, don't use 15. I'd say maybe 7 Jalapenos, scotch bonnets etc. For Habaneros, maybe 4. You want to enjoy this! The heat level with 15 chili peppers is about the same as Tabasco, maybe a little hotter. It isn't so hot though that my boys can't have it.

1 cup lime or lemon juice
1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar or any other vinegar-but if you're canning it, make sure that it's 5% acidity or higher.
3 tsp of pickling salt, or kosher salt
3 tbsp Honey
2 tsp whole mustard seeds
1 tbsp curry powder Optional. I've made this with and without the curry. I find that the sauce is a little more versatile if you don't put the curry in, but then again, it's really yummy if you do. If you're a curry fan, go for it.

Peel and dice up the mangoes, and throw into a non reactive pot. (if you're planning on preserving that is. If you're freezing or just putting in your fridge, it really doesn't matter what you cook it in.)

Chop the peppers up as fine as possible, and depending on the heat intensity you want, discard some or all of the seeds. With Asian chili peppers, I leave the seeds in, same with Jalapenos. For hotter peppers though, you might want to leave those out. It's really up to you though.

Put all the ingredients in with the Mangoes, and bring to a low boil. Let this simmer until the Mango pieces are easily *squishable* against the side of the pan. The riper the mango, the quicker this will be.

Then remove from the heat and put through a strainer. This isn't absolutely necessary if you want a few chunks here and there. If you're planning on putting it all in a squirt type bottle though, you'll want to strain it.
There's also the option of pouring it all in a blender. I hate washing my blender though (and where I have it stored right now I can't even reach it)...so I usually pass on that.
With the strainer though, in the end there really isn't much to discard, since you can force just about all of it through. A foodmill would work well too.
Once it's strained (or blended) you can either put it in jars and seal it (open kettle is fine for this) or put some in your fridge and freeze the rest.
I usually save some large soy sauce bottles for things like this, and this recipe will make about two large bottles. One goes straight to the fridge (keeps about 6 months-but never lasts that long!), and the other goes in the freezer.

Some ways to eat your Mango Ketchup:
Tacos
Bbq'd sausages or burgers
Rice with cilantro, green onions and grilled chicken
Samosas
Butter chicken
Toast with melted goats cheese and prosciutto
Perogies
Casseroles...The list goes on.

Get creative, and enjoy!

Tuesday's Tune...

2011-09-06T18:15:00.000-04:00

This afternoon Zeke was singing such a cute little song that he had made up on his guitar...I couldn't resist recording it. And much to his embarrassment, the little girls next door can't resist Zeke!

There was orignally much more to this song than what we recorded-but after the little flirty interruption the poor boy just couldn't continue with a straight face.

While his songs are often really romantic, and he's a total "gentleman", he's still just a 7 year old boy, and really isn't too interested in girls just yet- And that's super duper with me.

Yarn Along

2011-08-31T12:38:00.000-04:00

One of my friends, Rachel, has been blogging these glorious photos of her knitting work in stages and I asked her if I could join her in her weekly post. Apparently it's not just her, but a whole group of classy gals-with Ginny as their ring leader.

I'm not much of a knitter-(i can make a washcloth and a scarf, that's about it-think *square things*) but I have been crocheting quite a bit lately. Basically, any time I have to put my swollen feet up, I'm either illustrating, carving rubber stamps for my shop or crocheting.

I started this adorable little sweater last weekend.
I'm fairly new at following patterns. My mom taught me a ton of stitches, and I've been crocheting for years, but I didn't know the names for any of the stitches, their abbreviations, or how to read a pattern.

Although it seemed to go smoothly for the most part, I ended up making it a little larger-which started out by accident (wrong gauge really..doh!) but then decided to continue it and make it for my 3 year old niece, who will fit it quite nicely.

I still have to do the sleeves and find the perfect buttons for it.
My nieces paternal great grandmother just passed away (Granny was one awesome woman!) and I'm told that she left a huge button stash-so I'm hoping to find some buttons from that collection for her.

Oh, and by the way, this sweet dresser is going to be our change table-It's the perfect height! All I have to do is add a cushion to the top.
(There are drawers, they're just already moved up to the baby room- I haven't moved the actual dresser yet.)

I'm debating at painting vs. refinishing. *neither of which will happen before the baby, I'm sure.*
I'm normally all for keeping old furniture in it's original state unless it's already been painted. But my sister told me that this would look neat with just the drawers painted, or everything painted BUT the top....

Any opinions? Either way, it's adorable!

The Highlight of my Day

2011-08-26T17:21:00.000-04:00

I was present for their birth, when my sister had her twins 2 weeks ago today, at 28 weeks gestation. (We were due about a month apart.)

I didn't get to actually meet them though until today!

And although they're really tiny....

they're doing really well! Off of c-pap machines and I.Vs, they're now down to just a feeding tube and a heart rate monitor. I'm so proud of this little family. They've made it through a lot in the last two weeks!

So happy to meet you, Toby and Edith!

A Nesting List

2011-08-25T16:24:00.000-04:00

For the record, I'm not a fan of the term "nesting". It annoys me, and I'm not sure why. (Maybe it's because I get a mental image of some poor over-due woman dragging twigs around with her mouth?)
But this is what the craziness of preparation that seems to take over a pregnant woman's brain is commonly known as, so I'll go with it.

Last night as I laid awake in bed listening to our massive thunder storm (regardless of weather, laying awake has become a regular occurrence, seeing as there are no longer any positions where I can actually sleep comfortably) it dawned on me that I've got roughly 6 weeks until this baby is due.

6 weeks.

whoa. I'm not ready...not even close.
Ready to hold that sweet little bundle, and kiss pudgy little cheeks, fingers and toes? (and sleep on my back again?) Absolutely.
But the house? No where near ready.

We've been playing musical furniture for about 4 months now. It started with emptying the baby (formerly storage) room and finding a home for all it's citizens, be it somewhere here in the house, or off to a thrift store. What hasn't found a home yet is still sitting in my living room and dining room.

The contents of my sewing room (aka dining room table) are now sitting on the floor in my office.

See where this is going? And I haven't even started on the boys' room, the messy state that it's in, and the horrible lavender walls that we've yet to paint.
Speaking of paint...that baby room is still beige.

I decided I needed to make a list (again) and knock things off that don't absolutely have to be done.
My list was a little braver a few months ago, and I did get quite a bit of it done...but something's gotta give.

Here's what I've scratched.

One month of completed, frozen meals. I'll settle on a week's worth.
Painting the living room and dining room. They're a lovely shade of beige as well, but they'll wait.
Floor cloth for the baby's room. She won't even appreciate it yet anyway.
Recovering my living room rocking chair. It's ugly, but we'll live.

Completed

Ripped up carpeting in the boys' room. It's lovely, cornflower blue days are long gone.
Emptied baby room. This task deserves more than one "check" off the list. This took a LOT of time!
Found a solution for my spice jar woes. That's another post, for another day. It's done though!
Made and Canned Corn Relish. yummy!
Re-organized and switched closets. I'm now using the baby room closet as my own...since the one in our bedroom is itsy bitsy.
Set up baby room

Crochet baby booties, hats etc. Ok, this wasn't absolutely necessary...and I haven't set time aside for this. But I've used my times where I needed to put my feet up to do this. Or when I've been out visiting family etc, I've just taken my crochet with me. There's still more I'd like to do, but we'll see how the rest of this goes.

Still needs done

Make a diaper bag. I know this shouldn't sound like a "need"...but honestly, the cost of diaper bags are outrageous-even the shiny vinyl variety. And even more outrageous if it's not plastered with gag-me-cutesy teddy bears and precious moments characters. If I can find one that I won't be embarrassed to carry, and for a reasonable price, I'll settle. That's yet to happen though.

Tomatoes need canned. I'm not going to make salsa, or even spaghetti sauce...i just want canned tomatoes. Nothing tastes better in the middle of the winter than leftover summer tomaters!

Crib bedding. This isn't quite as adventurous as it sounds. I'm not going to go all out and make bumper pads and little cute but useless pillows. I do have some beautiful old chenille blankets though that have rips and holes in spots, so I plan on cutting them down to crib size, and hemming them.

Paint-boys room and baby room, and the dresser in the baby room.

Ballet slipper pink for baby room. (It's actually a LOT lighter than it's shown in the swatch...) This dresser is a good example of what the colour actually looks like.

Reorganize the boys' room. I swear I've done this many times...but the room keeps ending up in a "I didn't know where it went, so I left it on the floor" state.

Carpeting needs ripped up in baby room. It's the same *lovely* cornflower blue, but luckily has beautiful hard wood underneath.

Recover rocking chair in baby room. Haven't even picked the fabric yet.

Make some meals to freeze. Once I figure out what those are, I'll post them.

Baby room curtains. I don't know if I'm going to make or buy these...either way, we need some.

Decorate the baby's room. This is one fun thing I'm looking forward to. I've never really gotten to do this...as I've never really had a "baby" room.

Bins in the basement...reorganize? since we found out that we're having a girl, I've been going through all our boy clothes, getting rid of some and passing them on to my sisters. I still have bins of clothes though that were in the baby room, that are now in the basement, and stacked like the leaning tower of Pisa. I'm afraid that they might kill someone.

Restore living room and dining room to their actual purpose. And by that, I mean the living room as a living room, and the dining room as a dining room/sewing room. Right now they're acting as storage units for our overflow from our game of musical furniture.

Last, but not least...somehow find the time to make this. I found this adorable blanket tutorial the other day and have literally been dreaming about it since. And since I already have fabric in my stash (or as Mark calls it, my "fabric creep") it won't cost a cent. How can I NOT make this?

I'm sure a few more things will make their way onto the list soon and that some of this might not happen...but for now I'm trying to remain optimistic about it and get through one step at a time!

Lemony Poppy Seed Loaf

2011-08-23T12:24:00.000-04:00

Ok, who are we kidding? We call it loaf, but it's really cake. Fluffy, sweet, lemony goodness.

I made this last weekend-I was craving something sweet and tangy and wanted to make something to have on hand for when family was over.

My picky little 3 year old niece was the only one who wasn't a fan. She said "I can't like them little dirt balls" (poppy seeds) and wouldn't even try it. Oh well, more for us!

I couldn't find a recipe that I was really thrilled with...I wanted something that was worth my time.

(I'm getting really stingy with time, seeing as I have swollen ankles, and time until baby is rather limited.)

So I played around with an older recipe I had that was only so-so, and actually took the time to write down what I put in it, just in case it turned out. I can't count the times that I've made something really yummy, but then forgotten what the ingredients were, let alone what the measurements were!

Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf (cake)

makes 2 loaves or one large bundt, Set oven to 325. Bake for approx 50 minutes. Butter and flour your pans beforehand and set aside.

1.5 cups sugar

4 tbsp grated lemon

1.5 cups butter (use the real deal.)

6 eggs

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

2 tsp pure vanilla

3 cups flour

1/3 cup poppy seeds

1 tsp salt

1tsp baking soda

3/4 cups sour cream

Icing: Lemon juice, Icing sugar, lemon zest.

Start by juicing and grating your lemon (s). I had a really big one, so I only needed one. You really could get by with bottled lemon juice and skip the zest...but it might not be quite as yummy.

Stir the zest into the sugar really well. This starts to release the lemon's oil into the sugar.

(I know, this sounds goofy. I heard it on a cooking show though once, so I figure that they know what they're talking about...or not. Just play along.)

Begin to cream the eggs and butter. It helps if your butter is already softened.

One thing that I have noticed though is the difference between regular grocery store chicken mill eggs and organic/free range eggs.

If you want your cake to turn out really yellow, naturally, use organic or free range. The yolks are so much more bright and sunny compared to those poor ol' chicken mill eggs. Those sad chickens never see the light of day!
We're lucky to be able to buy free range really reasonably from a nearby Amish farm.

Slowly add the lemon juice. If your butter wasn't soft already, it should break up a little easier now.

Pour the mixture you have so far into a mixer if you have one. You can do this entirely by hand if you don't, or you can use a hand mixer.

Squirt in a little vanilla, just for kicks.

Start to beat it up, you don't want the butter to be completely dissolved though. Try to get it to the consistency of small curd cottage cheese. Then Add the sour cream.

While that's mixing at a low setting, add your poppy seeds to your flour and stir them together. Also Add the salt, baking soda and baking powder.

Once it's thoroughly mixed, add it very slowly to the wet mixture, stirring constantly.

Once it's all added in, try to stir/mix it quickly to get it fluffed up a bit.

Pour into your two buttered/floured loaf pans (or one bundt.) And then pop them in the oven for about 50 (agonizing) minutes at 325. Check the middle with a knife to see if it's cooked through.

Pull them out and let them cool about 10 minutes before turning them out onto a cooling rack or cutting board. While they're cooling is a perfect time to make your icing.

When it comes to icing I don't really measure. I just pour the icing sugar into a bowl and slowly add squirts of lemon juice, bits at a time, stirring, until I get the consistency I want.

This icing is supposed to be drizzly, runny type, so use a little more lemon juice than you normally would. You can also throw in some lemon zest if you like.

Drizzle the icing over the loaf however you like. I let the boys do ours, so we got a really fun little pattern.

Let it sit until the icing hardens up, and then slice.

(or don't, and just eat it while it's all sticky. Your call.)

Hide the other loaf from your husband and children so that you'll actually be able to get your very own slice when they aren't looking.

Enjoy!

Welcome!

2011-08-22T15:02:00.000-04:00

Hello Friends! As you may have read over at my previous blog/website, I've decided to build a new home for my blog, and keep my business site separate. If you like, you can read more here how I came to this decision.

I'm looking forward to sharing a lot more and being able to post more freely, on both sites, without the hesitation that I've been feeling.
Thanks for joining me!

Corra