Carmie's Cozy Conifer Cabin

Between the Lines

2012-01-25T15:41:00.002-07:00

I make very simple quilts. Sometimes, a simple pattern highlights the beauty of the fabric better. I enjoy arranging fabric and playing with color. Well, I've had this Jelly Roll in my fabric stash for a long time and I wanted to find a pattern that would make good use of a Jelly Roll. I found the Between the Lines pattern at the Fat Quarter Shop which happens to be my favorite online source for fabric. As you can see from the pattern image below, I'm not quite done with the topper yet, but precut fabric definitely speeds up the process of assembling a topper. I cut all the strips last week and sewed the long strips together in a day. Although, clearly, I'm far from the final stages of this quilt. Sewing can be so satisfying even if the quilt is simple. It still requires work and creativity.

The Snowman

2012-01-25T15:20:00.001-07:00

Sammy had to make a snow creature for school. He wanted a traditional snowman. So, Luke, Sam, and I spent a few hours one night creating this snowman. I got all excited and my creative juices started flowing. I envisioned a tartan kilt for "our" snowman and ice skates, but Sammy restrained me a bit. We had so much fun with all our felt, pipe cleaners, and glitter glue! This whole experience made me want to do more crafts like this with the kids. I want my kids to learn that deep joy can come with unleashing our creativity. I could feel my brain churning with ideas and I knew that something good was happening. I guess I should go and make my own snowman!

Yarn Along: hats

2012-01-25T15:06:00.000-07:00

I like to knit hats and I knit a lot of them! The thing about hats is that they're small enough projects to tote anywhere. When I don't feel like hauling my entire knitting bag, I can easily put a hat project in my purse. There's an endless variety of hats and I can learn lots of new skills knitting hats. So, right now, I'm knitting two different hats. The hat on the left is the Snowtracks Cap and it's got a lot of fun cables. I really enjoy cables and this one is challenging in that there are several different cables twisting in every direction. I can't really work on this hat mindlessly though. It requires lots of concentration and well, that's why I'm not much past the ribbing section. I'm also working on a Fair Isle hat using two different yarns. The main color is the navy blue and the coordinating color is a variegated color. This hat is extremely simple, but looks more challenging than it really is.

As for reading, I just finished Between Shades of Gray and it was a fast-paced gripping novel about Stalin's cleansing of the Baltic region during WWII. With so much emphasis on Hitler's atrocities, I didn't even know that similar events occurred under Stalin. Lina and her family are deported from their home in Lithuania to a labor camp and ultimately end up in Siberia above the Arctic Circle. It's a fascinating read!

I received Seeing Trees for Christmas and it has some fantastic photography of trees. The detail is excellent. The book challenges to really look at trees and see their amazing complexity. Luke and I just finished The Westing Game last night and it was a very clever mystery! Now, we're chatting about what we're going to read next. I'm thinking about The Fellowship of the Ring. I wonder if this will be a godd read-aloud. We've made no decisions yet.

It's always fun to talk about books and yarn and I'm so happy to contribute to the weekly Yarn Along!

It just needed a button!

2012-01-17T16:30:00.000-07:00

I finished this Chloe shrug last April, but it lingered in my knitting bag awaiting a simple button. Really, a simple button! Well, of course, it doesn't fit as well as it did last Spring. I'm glad I knit it much longer than the pattern specified, but Tess still won't get to wear it very long. Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore. I had to get this project out of my bag if only to make more room for more of my unfinished projects. I still have a ways to go on my tendency toward procrastination!

Yarn Along: Knitting in the new year

2012-01-04T21:21:00.000-07:00

It's a new year and it's time for a new Yarn Along post! I haven't posted for Ginny's weekly Yarn Along in several weeks, but it hasn't been because I haven't been knitting. On the contrary, I've actually been knitting a ton. I've been working on this hat for a few weeks, but it takes my full concentration so I've put it down a lot in favor of some mindless knitting. This hat is for my friend Trista who sweetly altered my pea coat and I offered her a hat in return.

I'm currently reading The Kitchen Counter Cooking School by Kathleen Flinn. I love cook books, food memoirs and books about food in general. I find this one fascinating as she recounts teaching nine fearful novices how to cook with confidence. The important lesson is that she teaches them to rely on themselves instead of prepackaged convenience food. I was also given Jesus Calling as a Christmas gift and it's short daily devotional reading for every day of the year. So far, I find this tranquil reading and calming-perfect for my new year's resolution of seeking calm and gentleness.

That's it for this week. Don't forget to head on over to Ginny's for more yarn tales!

The Wildlife quilt

2012-01-02T15:57:00.001-07:00

Luke and I had been collecting wildlife-themed fabrics for the last year for his new quilt. A couple of months ago, I decided that we had enough fabric and I started cutting all the squares and rectangles. I gave him the pieces and he arranged all the fabric himself. I then sewed the rows together and just as I was thinking that it didn't take too long, I managed to sew one row backwards and upside down. I had to get out the seam ripper. That's where I lost my momentum and the quilt topper lay across my sewing table for a few more weeks until I strengthened my will to rip out that row.

Today, I finally finished it. Okay, I still have to cut the fabric for the binding, cut the fabric for the backing, sew the binding, and buy batting. Then, there's the actual quilting. I will be sending this out to a very talented quilter.

Okay, so I'm nowhere near done on Luke's Wildlife quilt, but it always feels like a major accomplishment to finish the topper.

I'm hoping to have this one finished by the end of January so Luke can snuggle under a warm blanket the rest of this Winter.

Happy New Year! Here's to a new year of quilting projects!

The year in review

2011-12-31T23:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the Christmas tree fell over and in that instant I knew that the holidays were over. We used to leave the tree up until Epiphany, but in recent years, I've wanted to start the new year fresh and that means taking the tree down on New Year's day. Yesterday, I took off most of the ornaments and packed them away. There's still a few left and the lights are still there. I felt like the tree needed to hang in there until New Year's day. When the tree fell over, I started thinking about 2011 and I started thinking about it more when I read this post.

It's been a hard year. No, it's been more than a hard year. I think this year has stretched me more than any other year in recent memory. I'm not sure how much I grew, but it has been a year of enormous change for me. I looked back at my post at the beginning of 2011 and I had so much hoped that it would be the year of calm for me. I think it was anything but. That makes me sad. 2010 was defined by a difficult pregnancy and 2011 was largely the year of adapting to life with the twins. As much as I desperately sought the calm I hoped for, I felt rushed...all the time. I'm still learning and I've learned that I have to let go of some things. I won't be less of a person if I do. That's a hard thing for me. I'm one of those "Carpe Diem" types. I want to learn something new every day. I want to try new things. I'm excited by life. I try to do too much and I'm disappointed when I can't. Here are the things (in no particular order) that filled my life in the past year.

Knitting/Quilting: Looking back on the past year, most of my posts centered around knitting. If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me how I had the time to knit with 5 small children to mother, I'd have piles of money (for more yarn of course!). Knitting has been so much more than knitting for me. This won't be the first time that I mention the calming effects of knitting on my soul. I'll stay up late when the house is quiet and knit contentedly for hours. The joy I get from creating something for a loved one is something I find difficult to convey. The tactile joy of handling beautiful yarns and the rejuvenating effect of the repetitive motion is like being rocked to sleep. Like Elizabeth said in her post, knitting is so much more than knitting. Amidst my sometimes chaotic life, knitting has kept me sane.

I also got back into quilting this year. I've been quilting for several years now, but I had a lot of not-quite-finished quilt toppers that really needed to be completed. Now quilting isn't like knitting for me at all. It isn't portable and it isn't really super relaxing for me, but it's enormously satisfying. There's something about piecing all that fabric together. Somehow, my brain starts churning with the endless possibilities of beautiful fabric. I've collected a lot of fabric this year and I have plans for it all. I'm giddy over my fabric collection. There's something about quilting that makes my brain work harder, better...something I can't quite describe.

The Twins: I was blessed with the two most adorable boys ever! They are one year-old now and I love these two little faces so much (a little bit more each day), but mothering twins has not been easy for me. I didn't get to mother them the way I mothered my other babies. For instance, I barely made it to a year nursing them. I wanted them to have what my other babies got and my other babies got more nursing. I just didn't have enough milk for both and I had to supplement. This was difficult for me, but I tried not to feel like a failure. It's been difficult to accept that each mothering experience is going to be different and a little unexpected.

It's hard to cuddle one twin when I always feel like one twin is being left out. I sometimes feel that the twins aren't getting everything the other babies got, but maybe (hopefully) having each other makes it all okay in the end. I'm still learning how to mother twins. It's not just the twins though. I just want to be a good mom to all five of my children. They stretch me and force me to be unselfish and hopefully, I will be the mom I want to be.

Counting Gifts: This book encouraged me to write down all those gifts I might otherwise overlook. If you look closely and pay attention, there are gifts everywhere. Gratitude. Thankfulness. I stopped and noticed the small things in my crazy life. I know that seeing every small thing has changed the way I see life forever. I started recording them here at my blog, but my whole list never materialized. I will do better at capturing those moments here in 2012.

Just the other day, one of the twins was in the Exersaucer playing with one of Tess's birthday balloons. He was absolutely enchanted with that balloon. It was something I wanted to remember. I stopped in that moment to capture the image, not with a camera, but with my heart. It was one of those small gifts. God's glory is everywhere and I might have walked on by without ever truly noticing how adorable the image of a baby boy and a simple helium balloon.

Anniversaries and Birthdays: This year, I turned 39. I entered my last year of my 30s. It's been a great decade. In July, Paul and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary. It's so cliche to say that the time flew by, but it did. How was I once 23 year-old bride now heading into 40? All I can say is that life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and take a look around, you could miss it. (I got that from Ferris Bueller.)

My Word for the new year: Last year's word for the year was Calm. This year, I have two words: Calm and Gentleness. I want to be characterized by gentleness. I know this would go a long way to being the mom, the woman I want to be.

What will 2012 bring? More gifts....Choose to look closely.

Happy New Year my friends!

The Snow Princess

2011-12-15T12:02:00.000-07:00

December is always busy no matter what. There's always so much to do. Every year, I try to simplify, but some things are just beyond my control. I thought I'd get this cape done in time for Tess's 3rd birthday, but now, it's her Christmas cape. You can't see it, but the yarn sparkles and it lookes like glittering snow. I bought a "diamond" clasp to match and now, she's ready for all of her Holiday social engagements!

I tried....

2011-12-05T13:04:00.000-07:00

to get a good picture of the twins together for the Christmas card, but I am officially giving up. They needed a nap after this photo shoot. I need a nap too!

On the last day you are 2

2011-12-01T17:05:00.000-07:00

This is the last day you are two. I can't believe it. You aren't my baby anymore. You are my big girl. You are my big girl who picks out her own clothes and loves them to be pink. You think that everything that I knit is for you. You are my only little girl and you are growing too fast. I cherish every day with you.

Tomorrow you are three.

Happy early birthday beautiful pink girl!

Daybook: Thanksgiving Week

2011-11-21T12:34:00.000-07:00

Outside My Window:
It's the first day of Thanksgiving holiday week. It's cold outside. I can tell because it's slightly overcast, but not completely dark in the house.

I am listening to:
Tess and Sam chatter. Sam is making siren sound effects with his Lego police car. I wish it were completely quiet.

I am wearing:
jeans and a pink sweater. It's a thin pink sweater and I'm a little bit cold. I noticed a small hole near the armhole this morning. It makes me sad that my clothes just don't seem to have much longevity.

I am pondering:
That I'm exhausted both physically and mentally. I try to keep my blog a happy place so I don't usually write down my struggles, but I'm struggling right now. I'm feeling very alone. I'm overwhelmed with my mothering duties right now. It's not easy to admit that. I never expected feel like this after the twins were born, but I do. I can't seem to order my day to build in the peace and quiet I crave. I feel selfish. I feel pulled into a thousand directions all the time. I'm having a hard time feeling hopeful about any meaningful change in my days.

I am reading:
Well, I'm almost done listening to Mindy Kaling's book, Is Everybody Hanging Out Without Me? andI'm reading The Westing Game to Luke and The Ministry of Motherhood for a Bible study. I'm also reading quilting and knitting patterns? Does that even count?

I am creating:
Despite the fact that I feel completely exhausted, I'm still knitting a ton. It amazes me that even though I don't really get to knit until after 9 pm most days that I am still finishing small items. I casted on this cape in a yarn called Holiday Lights in White to go with Tess's Christmas dress. I'm in the middle of a hat for Paul knit from sock yarn. I've knit the body of a sweater for Sammy and I'm in the middle of another cap-sleeved shirt for my friend's daughter for Christmas. Yes, I know. I'm still doing that. Every time I get semi-close to finishing something, I cast on another project. I'm sure this isn't helping what's going on in my overwhelmed brain.

I'm also working on some quilting as well. I do love to quilt, but I don't find it truly relaxing. It's fun to design quilts. It's fun to buy fabric, but it's sometimes stressful to sew those pieces together I used 3 Woodland Bloom charm packs to create this topper. I cut all the charms in half, re-arranged them, and sewed them back into squares. Then, I sewed the rows together. Sewing the rows took way longer than I expected. Now the topper is complete, but I don't have any fabric for the both the backing and binding. I haven't figured out how when my life feels the most out of control, I add to my work by taking on more projects. Maybe this is something that I can truly control? I don't know.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty:
I feel like I've forgotten how to achieve this at all. I feel like I'm just treading water right now.

From the kitchen:
I'm thinking about the pies I'm going to make for Thanksgiving. I think I've settled on Dutch Apple Pie and the Pumpkin Mousse Tart from Martha Stewart's Pies and Tarts. I thought that would make traditional pumpkin pie a little fancier. Paul loves Dutch apple pie and Sam loves using the Pampered Chef Apple-Peeler-Slicer-Corer. Sam can handle getting the apples ready for me.

Around the house:
fabric, yarn, books, toys, dishes....and they're not in their rightful place!

Giving Thanks for:
My chaotic life despite what I've written above.

A Few plans for this week:
making pies
Taking Luke and Sam to a youth production of The Nutcracker the Sunday after Thanksgiving
Hopefully, a date with my hubby
some dedicated knitting time

Picture Thought

Just look at those cute faces.

Halloween 2011

2011-10-31T22:31:00.000-06:00

The fairy and the court jester

Desperate for a photo of the kids in costume, I settled for this quick pic right before bedtime. Sam stayed home from trick-or-treating tonight since he's got some stomach bug. I couldn't get him to put on his knight costume even for this photo. So, I realized I'd rather have him in the picture without his costume than not in the picture at all. The babies can't wait to go to bed and it's time to get them out of their of dragon costumes and into their jammies. Paul wears the candy corn hat that I made for one of the twins and little T enjoys her time as a fairy princess. I tell you I really wanted a picture of Sam as the knight with his twin brothers dressed as dragons...maybe tomorrow I can get a picture of that fairy tale. Happy Halloween my friends!

Something Fishy

2011-10-25T17:09:00.000-06:00

No. I didn't knit these hats. My Aunt Rosie knit these fun hats for the twins, but James discovered that he can he remove hats making it difficult to get a good picture. I think the orange suits them very well.

A Little Princess

2011-10-25T16:54:00.001-06:00

So, the other day, I asked Tessie if she was my little cupcake. She replied, "No. I'm Daddy's princess."

Little T gets a new hat

2011-10-18T23:21:00.000-06:00

I'm sorry. I can't help it. Here's Tess in another knit hat. I've made this hat several times and it's really easy. I can't seem to stop knitting hats. At least Tess gets to keep this one.

Happy 1st Birthday Liam and James!

2011-10-13T20:48:00.000-06:00

I can't believe it's been a year already! Happy birthday little loves!

More Autumn Knitting

2011-10-11T11:10:00.000-06:00

Okay, full disclosure: I made her pose with this book (the inspiration for Pip's Acorn Hat). We are fans of Elsa Beskow's picture books around here and after seeing Jenn's little hat, I had to knit one too. It can be a little tedious with so many p3tog stitches, but it's worth it and it knit up very quickly. This particular hat is going to a friend's daughter. Poor Tess. She models so many things that she doesn't get to keep, but she knows I'll knit her her own little Acorn hat. I used Berrocco Vintage in Mocha.

Candy Corn Hats #1 and #2

2011-10-11T10:13:00.003-06:00

James and Liam

Candy Corn Hat #1

2011-10-07T08:53:00.000-06:00

Here's Candy Corn Hat #1 modeled by James. I started this a couple of days ago. Someone at my local knit shop recommended stuffing the top with tissue paper so the hat will keep its shape. I think that's a great idea! James seems delighted with his new hat. He didn't even try to take it off. I'll start Candy Corn Hat #2 today and then I'll get a photo of both boys together. I may even make a Candy Corn Hat #3 for my hubby for Halloween. He usually won't wear any type of costume, but he said he would wear a hat. Maybe I'll make one for me too. Have a great Autumn weekend friends!

Autumn Aspens Ablaze

2011-10-05T12:57:00.001-06:00

Yes, I know that Liam is missing. Paul had him in the front carrier when he took this picture.

Yarn Along: Holiday Knitting

2011-10-05T12:44:00.000-06:00

I've started to think about the holidays and yes, it's early, but not really especially when knitting is involved. Last year, I wanted to knit stockings for the twins, but adjusting to life with twins was and is difficult. So, although I continued to knit (a lot) last year, I didn't get to the stockings. Paul solved the problem and bought two matching plaid stockings that were just fine, but I wanted handmade stockings. So, I've started stocking number #1 and I'm just starting to turn the heel and of course, true to my nature, I set that project down and cast on the Child's Fake Isle Tam (which I am more than half-way) and well, then I remembered I wanted to make Candy Corn Hats for the twins. So, I set down the Fair Isle hat and cast on Candy Corn Hat #1. I think that if the twins will tolerate wearing the Candy Corn Hats then they will have simple, but cute costumes for Halloween. I spend too much time on Ravelry! Haven't I mentioned that I have issues with only reading one book at a time or knitting one project at a time? Is this curable?

Here are the links to the patterns I'm using:
Easy Christmas Stocking
Fake Isle Hat (This hat uses only two yarns, but one is Noro Silk Garden and it's variegated with long color changes and it makes this hat look way more difficult than it really is.)
Candy Corn Hat (I'm using Spud and Chloe Sweater in Ice Cream, Firefly and Pollen. The orange isn't dark enough, but it'll do.)

I just started reading Sally Clarkson's The Ministry of Motherhood with a study group.

Here's the fair isle hat up close. I used some leftover Cascade 220 for the contrasting color and it probably wasn't a good choice since it makes the pattern difficult to see, but the Noro color changes are fun as they emerge row by row.

That's it for today. Please go visit Ginny's for more knitting inspiration.

Tess reads Pride & Prejudice!

2011-09-26T13:14:00.000-06:00

Yes, you read that right. My two year-old daughter is getting a head start reading Austen. Okay, I stumbled upon this delightful board book at the library this past week. It's a counting book in which she can count fancy ball gowns, marriage proposals, English villages and more. I think I'm going to have to buy Tess her own copy just because it's so darling and well, funny too. This just might be my favorite board book in a very long time!

Pumpkin Pie Squares

2011-09-26T11:39:00.001-06:00

Pumpkin Pie Squares were the featured dessert at my last book club. Of course, it wouldn't be a Fall Treat without pumpkins. These pumpkin pie squares were like combining the best of both traditional pumpkin and pecan pies. It's easier to prepare than regular pie and it's just delicious warm served with some whipped cream on the side. I don't think that I will ever again make a pumpkin pie without the brown sugar, butter and pecan topping.

I followed the directions, but doubled all the ingredients for the toopping! I live at a really high altitude and I had to bake it longer, but that's not unusual here. I also added more Ginger and added some Allspice. I like it a little spicy! Try it and taste Autumn!

The Irish Hiking Hat

2011-09-26T09:15:00.001-06:00

This hat is the perfect introduction to cables. Details at Ravelry.

Autumn is here!

2011-09-23T20:25:00.000-06:00

Delicious autumn!

My very soul is wedded to it,

and if I were a bird

I would fly about the earth

seeking the successive autumns.

- George Eliot

Yarn Along: Early Autumn Edition

2011-09-21T12:43:00.000-06:00

After weeks of unraveling projects, I managed two stash buster projects this week. Of course, they are both hats! They are going to be gifts for a friend's son and daughter. I used the yarn from the recently unraveled sweater to knit this hat (see below) and I used yarn in my stash to make this hat (see above). I added a little Fair Isle to this hat. I have a lot to learn with Fair Isle knitting especially how to hold multiple yarns efficiently. This little hat made me want to explore more color and patterns. I'm pleased with how this colorful hat turned out. It's much warmer with the addition of the Fair Isle pattern. I alternated stitches using Spud and Chloe in Pollen with some variegated yarn. The effect is really whimsical. I am going to pursue more Fair Isle color work!

Liam is much happier wearing this yarn as a hat rather than the too-small-sweater!

As for reading, I'm trying to finish up these books:
Manning Up
Shiver
Little Bee

That's it for today. Please visit Ginny's for more yarn tales and books!

Yarn Along: Unraveled

2011-09-14T22:31:00.000-06:00

I haven't been knitting much lately. Actually, I take that back. I've started the same hat twice and taken it out twice because I couldn't find where I made an error that essentially derailed the entire pattern. I don't know what happened. Twice. It's an easy hat and it's one that I've knit before, but I think I'm just too tired right now. I want to knit, but I'm exhausted (the twins are waking up a lot lately) and consequentially, I'm more unfocused than I realized.

Other than my doomed hat, I unraveled two projects to reclaim the yarn. Do you remember this sweater? It was simply too small. It barely fit long enough for me to take pictures of Liam wearing it. I knew that I could donate it to a baby in need, but ultimately, I just wasn't that proud of this sweater and I proceeded to unravel it. Now, unraveling isn't as easy as I thought it would be. In the end, I had to let some of the yarn go, but I've reclaimed enough for a hat.

How about this little sweater? Do you remember this one? I never finished it. I remember how much I wanted a little shrug to match that cute Hawaiian sundress, but I just never loved this yarn. It seemed too floppy. So, I unraveled this one too. Some of the yarn got way too tangled for me to spend precious time untangling (I really hate yarn waste), but I got enough for another project.
Here's what that little shrug looks like now.

I really don't consider it a huge loss. I know that I can always knit something else. I learn from every project that goes well and I learn from every project that eventually gets rewound into a nice little yarn ball. I always bite off way more than I can chew and this should be a lesson in finishing projects before moving onto new ones.
As for reading, I haven't finished a book in weeks. When I get into bed, I just want to sleep because I know one of the twins is going to wake up and I need all the sleep I can get. I do have book club this week and of course, I'm behind, but we're reading Little Bee . I should wrap this up, hop in bed and read for a few minutes before sleep overtakes me.

Hopefully, I will have a more positive Yarn Along next week. Join Ginny for some inspiring yarn tales.

11 Months already!

2011-09-13T19:18:00.000-06:00

Look at those teeth! Look at those curls! Look at those smiles! They're so cute. You would hardly believe that those cute faces don't let me sleep much at night.

Hello September

2011-09-01T22:07:00.000-06:00

Since Luke was 7, We've unofficially started our school year by reading Christopher's Harvest Time. This year was no different. Even though he will be 12 in a few days, he still sat down with me to listen to me read this. This book ushers in our year and reminds us that summer is over. We eased into the day by baking chocolate chip muffins. Luke did most of the work. He did a little reading, worked on one of his cartoons, and helped me with the twins. It doesn't sound like much, but I know there's a lot of learning going on even when it isn't super-structured. Like I said, we're easing into the new year.

I enrolled Sam in first grade and it was a tough decision. It was so difficult that I didn't make the final decision until a couple of days before school started. I miss him every day. We work on our reading lessons together every evening before bed and I cherish that time with just him. I still want to be the one who teaches him to read.

It's going to be an interesting year. Being mommy to 5 little people is stretching me, molding me and challenging me unlike any other challenge in my life. I have so much hope for this year. Sam is going to read. Tess will potty train and the twins are going to walk soon. There's a lot of learning ahead.

Jam plan

2011-08-25T11:08:00.000-06:00

Freezer Jam- It's so simple, quick and look at those darling little canning jars. This is raspberry-strawberry freezer jam. It's delicious on scones, pancakes, and vanilla ice cream. I'm thinking about making clementine curd and Concord grape jelly too. Of course, those will be a little more involved than the freezer jam, but I'm beginning to love canning at the end of the summer.

Cook book Dilemma

2011-08-25T11:01:00.000-06:00

I am a cook book junkie. I've collected more than my fair share of cookbooks over the years, but one thing I've noticed is that many of them sit, untouched on my hutch. They still look new. I peruse them every now and then and put them back. For instance, I've owned a couple of Martha Stewart cook books that I received as an intro gift when I joined a cook book club many many years ago. Yes, I belonged to a cook book club. To my knowledge, I've never made anything out of them except the pie dough recipe. As both my cooking skills and tastes have evolved over the years, I've sold some and given away more. I check most cook books out from the library now. Stacks and stacks of them! There are definitely more cook books published these days mostly in thanks to the popularity of the Food Network. I refer to allrecipes.com often. I check to see how Alton Brown would make something Now that I have a Kindle, I've downloaded a couple of cook books there too. I'm not sure the Kindle is the right place for cook books. Something gets lost from the hardcover edition to the digital edition, but that's a topic for another day.

So, with that said, I have a question for anyone out there reading this. If you like cooking, do you collect cook books? Are there only a handful worth having? If so, what are your indispensible cook books? Do you prefer searching the web for culinary inspiration? Have any cook books been huge disappointments?

I'm definitely in the trimming-the-cook-book-collection mode. I've sold four cook books recently on the Amazon used marketplace and I continue to trim the fat, so to speak. So, please tell me about your cook book collections or even if you don't have lots of cook books. I don't want to have these books just to have them. I want to use them. Certainly there are definitely the go-to cook books and some come out only seasonally. That's okay. I'm more about having a truly smaller yet more loved collection. Tell me how technology has changed your way of thinking in the kitchen as well. Thanks.

Yarn Along: The Too Small Sweater

2011-08-17T14:36:00.001-06:00

I should have known better. Really. I should have known better. I started this sweater in July on our driving trip to California. I knit the body of the sweater quickly and like I always do, I set it aside and cast on a new project. I didn't feel like picking up the stitches for the sleeves and so it sat in my knitting bag. Then, I knit one sleeve and well, that wasn't so bad, but again, I put it away until last night. I stayed up late and knit the second sleeve. I knew it would not fit. I made a bad choice. Liam was so small and I thought the 12 month size would be enormous when I started this project, but the babies both have had growth spurts recently. Since I let this sweater sit incomplete, Liam kept growing and well, the sweater didn't. I could barely get it over his head, but I was determined to get some photos since this will be the only time he wears it. I need to knit sweaters for both the twins and I just realized that's four sleeves! I better make sure I cast on the 18 month size given how much time it takes me to get to the sleeves! Okay, I'm kidding, but I definitely see the effects of my lack of discipline. I also learned that I need to bind off more loosely. It's really tight around the sleeves and bottom. I should just go up a needle size and try to bind off loosely. So, it isn't a total loss. I do learn a lot from my kntting failures and it's not a real failure. I, at least, got a picture of Liam's first handknit sweater from mama.

I did manage to finish the hat I started last week, but it's too small for my intended recipient. Ugh! Tess quickly decided that it's her hat now.

As for reading, I'm still reading most of last week's reading, but I'm definitely in a funk. I'm just not finding enough time in my day right now. The twins are teething and are keeping me up more and more each night right now. I'm exhausted and I can really feel the fatigue today, but yet I keep on knitting no matter how tired I am.

Head on over to Ginny's today for the Yarn Along!

The Molly Hat

2011-08-15T12:38:00.001-06:00

I should have saved this for this week's Yarn Along, but I couldn't help but post this. I finished this hat late last night. Actually, I made this for my friend's little girl, but I could tell last night that it was going to be too small. It isn't even going to fit Tess for very long. I'm still delighted with it anyway. I love the color changes in Jojoland Melody Superwash yarn in the colorway Summer in Full Bloom (MS26). This is the hat from last week's Yarn Along. I guess I will start another hat for Ella this week and maybe I'll have it done in time for her birthday on Friday!

The twins are 10 months today!

2011-08-13T22:19:00.001-06:00

Liam gets the block for a minute, but ultimately, James wins.

Me at....

2011-08-12T23:01:00.000-06:00

39!

Highlights from our Summer vacation

2011-08-11T10:49:00.000-06:00

3082 miles
Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada
Las Vegas, Discovery Bay, Gilroy Gardens, Santa Cruz, Monterey and then back to Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, and Arches National Park
All pictures taken with my phone.
Should we try a drive like this again? Ask me next summer.

Yarn Along- a little sewing too

2011-08-10T11:52:00.000-06:00

I am largely reading most of the same books that I was reading last week. Luke and I finally finished The Penderwicks at Point Mouette and we started reading Tom's Midnight Garden last night. It's a book that I missed as a child although I remember seeing it on the shelves at the libray. I don't know why. It seems like I would have been enchanted by this book. Well, I'm getting my chance to enjoy it now.

I didn't finish the second sleeve on last week's sweater. I do things like that. I start new projects when I'm stalling on a project that seems too tedious to finish. It shouldn't be that big of a deal since the sweater is a 6 month size, but I still put it away. Next week, I hope to have several finished projects for the Yarn Along. The knitting bag is overflowing with gallon size Ziplocs with various almost finished projects. Anyway, I began a new hat and yes, it's another pattern by Alana Dakos. It's the Molly beret and it's knit on size 1 and 3 needles. I don't mind using such small needles. I'm using JoJo Land Melody and it has some interesting color changes.I see some deep orange coming up in my ball of yarn.

I also started a new patchwork quilt. I have been wanting to sew again lately and I've been inspired by some quilts I've seen on Pinterest. I found a quick pattern at the Moda Bake Shop. I had a Layer Cake that I wanted to use for this quilt. Somehow, I managed to cut some fabric, lay it out and sew a few rows together. I'd work on it now, but the twins are sleeping in their co-sleepers in my room and my sewing machine is in there too. I hope to finish the topper today, but I may be a little overly optimistic given everything else I need to do today!

Do check out other yarn adventures over at Ginny's today! You might find something inspiring.

Yarn Along

2011-08-03T11:58:00.000-06:00

I organized my knitting bag the other day mostly because I am stalling on finishing at least three different projects. I just want to move on and start something new, but I'm determined to finish the second sleeve on the baby sweater above. I'm reading Practical Patchwork for inspiration on how to quilt my own quilts. Typically, I send them out to be quilted, but I'd like to learn how to do a meandering stitch so I can quilt my own projects. I'm also reading Manning Up: How the Rise of Women has Turned Men into Boys. I'm listening to Friendship Bread on my MP3 which is nice to while I'm knitting, but I'm not getting much time to knit the past few weeks. I usually knit at night after everyone has gone to bed, but the twins have been waking up much earlier lately demanding to be nursed. The babies are growing!

On the sweater, I'm using Liberty Wool in Starry Night which is nice to work with and has some interesting color changes, but I absolutely detest that horrible yellow stripe in this!

Don't forget to go visit Ginny for other cozy yarns and more good reads!

August Daybook- The way overdue daybook

2011-08-02T14:31:00.000-06:00

Outside My Window
Last night, around 1:30 in the morning, the bear was back. This time, we were prepared with a bear-proof garbage can. This year, we decided to expand the living space in our basement by converting our tiny garage. So, the garbage can has to stay outside now and that attracts bears. We've been on a waiting list for a bear-proof garbage can for months. There must be a serious high demand for these garbage cans here in Colorado since they seem almost impossible to find, but Paul found someone selling one on Craig's List. Even though, it's bear-proof doesn't mean it's bear repellent! Anyway, we heard the can being knocked over early in the morning. Now, we need to find a space where the bear can't find it.

Now, it's late morning and it's overcast outside my window. I don't mind since it cools things down considerably around here. I'm expecting more rain.

I am listening to
Friendship Bread on my MP3 player. I keep trying to listen to this while I'm nursing at night, but I keep falling asleep and having to rewind.

I am wearing
faded jeans and an ugly stretchy light blue t-shirt.

I am pondering
so many things. Mostly lists of things to do this month. I am thinking about how the beginning of August always feels like the beginning of the end of Summer. I am thinking about organization and what things need to be purged. I'm pondering sewing curtains for Tessie's bedroom. I'm wondering when I will have time for all my creative pursuits. I'm thinking about what creative endeavors I'd like Luke to try this year. He doesn't seem as interested in knitting anymore. I know he thinks kids will laugh at him if he mentions that he knits. It didn't use to bother him. I'm also thinking about style and color. I recently had my colors done. I'm fascinated by what color can do. I'm ready to incorporate some of these saturated hues into my wardrobe. I'm thinking that it's time to invest in some good clothing. I'm thinking about the upcoming transition into Autumn and I'm pondering our return to a more disciplined schedule.

I am reading
Manning Up
The Forgotten Garden (This is more like the forgotten book. I just haven't been in the mood for it lately.)
The Practical Guide to Patchwork
The Penderwicks at Point Mouette (reading to Luke)

I am creating

Well, as usual, I have too many projects on the needles. I'm working on this little baby sweater for a friend's new baby boy. I'm trying to tame the knitting bag and keep things organized. I'm pondering themes for quilts for the twins. I've purchased fabric for a pirate-themed quilt for one twin, but I haven't decided on the other theme yet. I've been spending some time at the Fat Quarter Shop for fabric inspiration. I'm also creating a lot of boards at Pinterest. I love Pinterest! It's like clipping all those inspiring pages from various magazines all without the hassle of scissors and a mess! So much inspiration there!

Towards a Real Education
I am spending time with Sammy in the evenings. We are trying to conquer Teach Your Child to read in 100 Easy Lessons. Sometimes, he can be a little stubborn, but I know he looks forward to having time with me and I can see his confidence grow a little each day.

Luke is going to help me design his wildlife quilt. We've collected lots of fabrics of bears, raccoons, deer, log cabins, evergreen trees etc. and I think he will enjoy being part of the process.

I've also been talking to Luke about learning to carve or whittle. He's had a couple of books for a while and he expressed interest in trying to carve chess pieces.

Reading aloud time with Luke in the evenings. I've committed to at least ten minutes a day so that we have a little time with just each other. This is part of our informal learning during the summer. Reading aloud has always been a vital part of our lives, but as I've mentioned before, our reading aloud time dwindled down to only about once a week during some of my pregnancy with the twins and during the early months after the twins' arrival. I know it's important to him because he reminds me every day.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty
I am thinking about the small details that make a home. These are those small things that I neglected over the foggy year of the twin pregnancy. Every day, I feel that I dwell more and more in possibility, but that often collides with reality.
August is different than the other Summer months. It's less care free. It's the month to gear up for the transition into my favorite time of the year. August feels like the month to prepare. I'm thinking about putting up jars of jam and canning pickles. 'm thinking about making sure we slowly transition back to regular bedtime (I'm thinking about Luke here. He's been staying up until 10pm these days reading The Far Side.)
I am thinking about transitions.

I am Hoping and Praying
for an inspiring school year for Luke and Sam. I'm hoping to begin the potty-training process with Tess. I'm hoping that boys will have a prosperous year of learning all the time. I am hoping that I can create a workable routine and schedule that makes our days flow better.

In the Garden
Mammoth Sunflowers, a few strawberry blossoms, the hope for a pumpkin pie pumpkin, Chives, Basil and one ripe tomato!

From the Kitchen
I perused the latest issue of Everyday Food and I got some simple inspiration. I've been in a cooking rut this summer. It's been evident in the amount of times we've had breakfast for dinner. Paul will cook up some eggs, bacon and/or sausage and rye toast when we're just out of ideas and I've been out of ideas forever. Last week, I baked a batch of cream scones and we had Darjeeling tea, scones and sliced cucumbers for dinner. I'm needing to make a Fall menu that will simplify life in the kitchen. I'm thinking about having Luke write the list for me.

Around the House
the need for order.

One of my favorite things
I've just discovered Boulder Ice Cream in Coconut! I'm in love.

A few plans for the week
Celebrating my dearest friend's 39th birthday
taking a trip to the Farmer's Market to collect our weekly vegetables
baking a cherry pie (I have some Grandma Hoerner's Cherry Pie filling that needs to be used soon.)
finish knitting the baby sweater. I have one sleeve to go.

Picture Thought
Tessie out on the deck wearing various hand knit items on this overcast day. It is almost cool enough to wear a sweater today.

The state of the knitting bag

2011-08-01T16:13:00.000-06:00

Ugh! Hopefully, this will all be under control for this week's Yarn Along!

Liam today

2011-08-01T16:09:00.000-06:00

I am loving those little golden curls.

Keeping Up

2011-08-01T15:51:00.000-06:00

I started blogging in 2007. I had been following several blogs for a while and I decided that I wanted to join the fun. I also thought that blogging would be an excellent way to document life with my family. I wanted my blog to be to be my virtual scrapbook. No scissors required! Slowly, I built my blog with a full sidebar of links to my favorite blogs. Everyday, I'd go to my blog and check out what was new in the blogosphere. At some point within that time frame, I got my first friend request for Facebook and like lots of people, I resisted joining. Did I really need another thing to check? Eventually, like most of my friends, I succumbed to the lure of Facebook.

Now, you could find me at Blogger and Facebook. I realized very quickly that "friend" means something else entirely in the Facebook world, but that's for another day. About the same time, I thought that my side bar was looking a little cluttered (Less is more even in the virtual world!) and I moved all the blog links to my Google Reader. I found it very nice to see all the new posts all in one place, but then I did miss seeing my friends' creative blogs that way. Only if I clicked through to a post would I get to see the beauty and individuality of those blogs. Soon after, I signed up for Twitter and well, I guess I haven't spent enough time over there to really make it work for me because I found it too "noisy" and distracting. I don't go there much.

Now, you could find me at Blogger, Facebook and Twitter. Do you see where this is going? Everyone started to scatter to different social media. Blogging, although still my favorite way to communicate, took a back seat to the quick update abilities of Facebook and Twitter.

Recently, I decided to clean up my Google Reader. There were a handful of blogs that had been silent for a while, those who have gone defunct entirely and those who seemingly have lost their zeal for the blogging process altogether. It's a little sad when things change. Overall, I've been pleased with Facebook. I've reconnected with old high school friends and even some of my family communicates more because of Facebook. Being on Facebook doesn't make blogging less appealing. I suppose it makes me more choosy about what I blog about. I can write something quick or something with more depth. It's up to me. My blog, even with my HTML limitations, seems to be the place that feels the most like mine. It's my little corner of the Internet.

I still check my favorite blogs every day. There are just fewer of them. Things change and things change quickly. I like my virtual world. Despite being virtual, I've been constantly inspired to live more fully in the real world and I think the world has become more interesting because of social media. That seems like a paradox, but it's true.

Now you can find me here, Facebook, Twitter , Goodreads, Ravelry and now Pinterest.

Thanks to all of my online friends for making the blogosphere such a rich place to be!

What about Google +? Should I join that too?

My Summer Girl

2011-07-21T11:37:00.000-06:00

I've got a lot swirling around in my brain right now. I'm thinking about school plans for the Fall. I'm thinking that my theme for the year will be Streamline. (I think that might be another way to say Less is more.) I'm thinking about how quickly the summer is slipping away (I know. Glass half empty. I'm terrible.) I'm thinking I can almost see my Mammoth sunflowers growing every day. I can't wait to see them. I'm thinking about sewing quilts for the twins and I'm thinking about getting around to sewing the cupcake quilt for Tess. Since I've been thinking about sewing, I've been thinking that I need to finish the little apple dress for Tess as well. I've settled on a pirate themed quilt for one of the twins, but I haven't come up with the other theme. I'm thinking that Idon't really have time for another quilt project, but I can't help myself from thinking about it. I'm thinking about yarn and books. I'm thinking about Christmas projects. (Yes, Christmas!) I'm thinking I don't feel like cooking right now despite all the veggies from our CSA. I'm thinking about feeling conflicted about trying to relax during the summer and still trying to do it all. I'm thinking about capturing more summer moments. I'm thinking about popsicles and homemade ice cream. So much to ponder every day....It's fun to dream even if I won't be able to get all of these things done just yet. School plans to follow. I intend to get my act together the first week of August so that Luke can begin on September first.

On knitting:

I know my little girl is featured frequently on my blog lately and well, it's because knitting for girls is just so much fun (although I do have some fun plans for boy sweaters too. I better start liking knitting for boys. Don't you think?) Here she is in her new Haltermelon. This is another pattern by Alana Dakos. I knit this last year in the pink and green, buy my aunt Rosie recently gave me 4 balls of this Ty-Dy cotton yarn and I thought it would it look great in a halter. Using yarn that resembles a tie-dye shirt seems sooo summer to me. I knit the size 4 even though she's 2 1/2. It came out a little loose on the back, but a ribbon through the eyelets cinched it up perfectly. As you can see, it fits nicely. Details on Ravelry.

Yarn Along- Knitting in the car

2011-07-13T23:59:00.000-06:00

We returned late last Sunday night from an epic driving vacation. We drove to California and spent hours and hours in the car. I know it was ambitious with our minivan filled to capacity and knowing the older three kids didn't have much room in the back row of our Sienna. However, I still looked forward to the time to knit in the car. I eagerly packed several projects' worth of yarn in my knitting bag. On that first incredibly long day in the car, we arrived in Vegas around 10 at night after spending something like twelve hours driving and I did spend a good chunk of that day knitting. I manged to knit the body of a sweater for Liam, but I didn't feel like digging out the DPNs to work on the sleeves so I started another Eyelet Brim Cotton hat and despite all that time in the car, it's the only project I finished. Here's Tess at the Tamarisk restaurant in Green River, Utah. Of course, she's very serious about those sugar packets! Anyway, this is an easy hat, but picking up the stitches for the brim is tedious. As for reading, I didn't have much time last week. Mostly, I'd sneak in a few pages of Generation Me when I was nursing at night. It's an interesting read. I'll be reviewing it on Goodreads soon.

Don't forget to head on over to Ginny's for more yarn tales!

9 months of double cuteness!

2011-07-13T23:06:00.000-06:00

I took this picture with my phone today. I really wanted to get a picture on the blog today since the twins are 9 months today (also my 15th wedding anniversary!). Although I know that James is on the left and Liam on the right, this is one of the first pictures where I thought I could easily mix them up! They are looking more and more alike lately. I discovered that James has two little teeth on the bottom, but none for Liam (yet). Although I wouldn't call it crawling, James is also mobile. I'm not really sure how he moves around the room. It must be his stealth powers! Liam likes to stay in one place right now. They are so different, but both are equally happy.

Summer hat

2011-07-01T23:41:00.000-06:00

My reluctant little model showing off the summer hat I knit for a friend's little girl. I am loving summer
knitting!

Summer plans

2011-06-23T20:10:00.003-06:00

Summer has officially started, but it already feels half over. I hate being one of those the-glass-is-half-empty types, but I can't help wanting to slow down this particular Summer. I'm not ready for school routines yet. I will be ready, but just not yet. There will be a day in August that I will hear a certain rustling sound in the aspens and I will know, despite what the calendar says, that summer is over. But, for now, there's so much I want to do and this year, I'm truly feeling like myself again and I'm ready to enjoy this summer to the fullest. Last year, I was very pregnant and miserably uncomfortable.

It seems like a theme around here to write about having an intentional summer. I've been mulling around these thoughts for days and it looks like I'm not the only one who has a long list. I want to savor every moment, but June has already been very busy, but more flexible. The big kids have attended VBS. Twice. We've been camping. Although June is very busy, our routine has relaxed quite a bit and I'm enjoying the feeling of summer. Now, if I only had a canoe....

So, here it is:

make strawberry jam, peach freezer jam, raspberry freezer jam (I love jam and I'll need to bake some cream scones to go with all that jam.)
make Popsicles with Sammy- I have plans for peach, strawberry, chocolate and I've got two new Popsicle books. I even ordered a very nice stainless steel Popsicle mold set.
make ice cream- I already made the orange ice cream from the Ben & Jerry's ice cream book, but I'd like to make banana this summer and of course, strawberry. (I promise that this list won't be all food related.)
plan an inspiring 7th grade curriculum for Luke- I tend to think about home school plans at night right before I fall asleep. Of course, I'm way more inspired this year than last. I'm envisioning more Botany, pen and ink drawing, and creative writing this year. I'm hoping to start the year off completely refreshed and motivated. (I'm sure it's because I'm not pregnant with the twins!)
take the older boys to a movie at Red Rocks
finish up the basement remodel. The carpet goes in this Saturday and Paul is getting closer to finishing the painting. I'm so blessed to have more space for the family.
ride the Royal Gorge train (I want to enjoy more of Colorado this year.)
turn the guest room into the twins' room (Yes, I'm losing my guest room, but I'm actually okay with it. I am more sad at the prospect of the twins leaving my room any time soon. James is already getting close to growing out of his co-sleeper.)
knit, knit, knit- (Okay, no surprise here, but I have plans for this, this, this and this). Actually, if you look at my Ravelry queue, I have plans for many many projects, but I wanted to make sweaters for all the kids this year. Maybe I could have a picture of all of them wearing handmade sweaters for the Christmas card?? We shall see. That might be a wee bit ambitious. I'm still looking for a sweater pattern for Luke. He is most definitely not a little boy anymore.
sew- I promised Luke a wildlife quilt and I have a pattern for an adorable cupcake quilt for little T. I also need to finish the little dress I started for Tess in April. I know it will be too short for her, but I'm okay with it. It's all about the process of sewing a dress.
celebrate my 15th wedding anniversary with some fancy carrot cake! We had carrot cake at our wedding and we've always eaten carrot cake on our anniversary. I'm thinking about baking a miniature wedding cake and ordering carrot cupcakes from a bakery.
plant more strawberries and figure out how to protect them from the critters who ate my kale and carrot seedlings
watch my Mammoth Sunflowers grow
read to Luke (for at least 10 minutes) every day
celebrate with Sammy when he gets to lesson 100 on Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons! (See Sammy Read!)
learn to fly fish (Actually, I just want to stand in a river wearing waders.)
sit outside on the deck in the evening with Paul drinking lemonade
star gazing with Luke
have one-on-one time with both Luke and Sam. (It has become increasingly important to carve out time to spend with the older boys by themselves. They look forward to having time to having alone time with each parent. I notice that they are almost completely different people when isolated from their siblings.)
read a lot, but not over-do it.
purge more. As the twins outgrow their clothes, box them up and donate them to a local Crisis pregnancy center. Never say never, but I suspect the twins might be my last babies. I can't imagine life without a baby...must cherish baby time!
LIVE WELL by recognizing those tiny little blessings every day!

Yarn Along

2011-06-22T15:25:00.000-06:00

This week, I am reading The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma and yes, her name is Alice Ozma (named after Alice in Wonderland and a character from the Oz books). Her literary name matches her memoir of reading with her father. Alice and her father made a reading promise that lasted from when she was nine until she left for college. Her father read to her every day (no exceptions) for at least ten minutes a day. This was the perfect book to read right now as I contemplate how Luke and I seem to have less and less time for reading aloud. When I read that they set a minimum of ten minutes daily, I though that I could do that easily. Since the twins arrived, reading aloud with Luke had diminished to about once a week which is hardly enough time to keep the flow of a book going. He's growing up so quickly and I want to hold onto our reading tradition. So, I decided that Luke and I would read again every night, but I wouldn't put so much pressure on myself to read for thirty or forty minutes in one sitting anymore. The important thing is the consistency. We recently started reading the latest Penderwick novel and it's just the thing for summer reading!
On the needles? Too much stuff, but this week, I'm working on the Cat Cay Cowl featured at Quince and Co. and boy, is it ever tedious. I like the small cables, but every round is different and I can't really look away from the pattern very much. I'm also making another self-striping hat for Tess, but this time in something a little more feminine. I'm actually not sure what yarn this is. I know it's some sock yarn from Hobby Lobby. I always need some project that doesn't require a lot of brain power and something that I can throw in my bag without also having to grab my entire knitting bag of tools. I'm also organizing my yarn again. I can't help it. When I'm knitting something, I can't completely focus on it as I am always planning for or thinking about the next project. I am literally forcing myself to stay focused on this cowl until it's done. Knitting may calm me down, but it hasn't cured my ADD tendencies.

Don't forget to head over to Ginny's for more yarn and books!

Trying to capture all 5...

2011-06-22T13:44:00.000-06:00

isn't easy.

Summer!

2011-06-20T11:30:00.000-06:00

Here's where we were last week! It may have been ambtitious for us to go camping with 8 month old twins, but I do love camping! Tessie climbed all over the air mattresses in the tent and refused to sleep and well, the twins weren't much better, but Luke and Sam both earned Junior Ranger badges. I managed to knit these hats for the boys on the long drive and around the camp fire.

So, I couldn't really get a good picture of the boys modeling their new hats, but this photo does make me chuckle. A knitter needs some mindless knitting for camping and this hat fits the bill. When it starts to get dark outside while enjoying the warmth of a camp fire, a project that I don't need to think about is perfect. I used this fun yarn. It's hard to find self-striping yarn that isn't sock weight and Adriafil Knit Col is a DK weight.

Anyway, we're relaxing into Summer and all the joy the season brings. Although I have a list of things I'd like to do and a huge list of things I need to do, I'm trying to live a more deliberate life. I'm slowing down and focusing on the smaller joys. My list will follow later today!

Liam's sweet potatoes

2011-06-02T12:38:00.000-06:00

Liam had his first meal the day after James. Liam was sleeping when I fed James and of course, I'd never wake a sleeping baby! Here he is enjoying his sweet potatoes! It looks like he's grabbing the spoon. Yummy!

Yarn Along: gardening and knitting at the same time

2011-06-01T10:44:00.000-06:00

I planted our small garden this weekend. Again, I'm hopeful for a small harvest. It isn't easy to garden at our elevation (8600 feet). I'm ever optimistic despite the past few years of midget carrots, pumpkins that start off promising, but fizzle and pathetic strawberry plants. This year, I planted Carnival Blend carrots (they grow in yellow, orange and purple), chives, strawberries, marigolds, Mammoth sunflowers, kale and snap peas. With all the tall evergreens surrounding our home, I suspect my plants don't get enough sun. I keep trying because like knitting, time in the garden is relaxing to the soul.

I cast on this hat called Seedling by Alana Dakos. I have yet to knit something by Alana that I didn't like. This hat is done in Reverse Stockinette which means that it's a lot of purling. It's a good thing that I don't mind purling. Each row, I'm growing little seedlings. This is what I call easy gardening!

If you've been following my Yarn Alongs over the past few weeks, I'm still on Row 4 of my Baby Surprise Jacket. Oh well. I will eventually get back to it.

As for reading, I'm re-reading The Magic of Ordinary Days for upcoming book club.

I must go to put the twins down for a nap. We're kicking our Summer break off today with a trip down the hill to the library. We'll also meet up with daddy and get some ice cream. Okay, the babies are sleepy. Must go. So, head on over to Ginny's to read about more yarn and book adventures this week.

Last day of kindergarten

2011-05-31T14:54:00.000-06:00

Today was the last day of kindergarten for my Sam. I walked him to the bus stop this morning. I wanted to be the one to take him on this final day of kindergarten. This is the first time I've walked him to the bus stop since the first day of school last August. I was enormously pregnant when he started kindergarten and even the short walk (uphill!) to the bus stop was too much. Luke was in charge of taking Sammy on Tuesdays and Thursdays and every other Friday. Today, it was a little bittersweet. I was excited for Summer vacation to begin, but it's just too much for me that he's getting so big. He's ready for first grade. When it was just me and Luke, I didn't feel that his first five years went nearly as quickly as Sam's first five years. Why is that??

I thought I posted this last year, but I can't find it. This is Sammy's first day of school last August. We are all waiting for the bus with him. He hasn't changed that much, right?

Sammy and Mrs. Beckfield
Mrs. Beckfield was a lovely teacher for Sam. She's always so kind and encouraging and put me at ease.
We will miss her for sure. She made me feel confident that Sam was in good hands for part time kindergarten.

Although not in the same class this year, they will always be great friends. How
can they not be? Their moms are best friends and they live next door to each
other!
I took a picture of E and Sammy last year on the last day of
pre-school last Spring and Sam was wearing the same shirt! He hasn't grown that much.
He's still my baby!

E, Sammy and Aubrey at the Kindies picnic!

Glimpses of home

2011-05-31T13:49:00.000-06:00

The garden is planted. The Aspens are blooming. The wild rose bush is green again.
Blessings everywhere!

Sweet Potatoes for Sweet baby James

2011-05-25T15:53:00.000-06:00

When the twins reached 6 months, I was going to give them their first solid food- avocado. For first foods around here (except Luke- His first food was banana) I mash up a little avocado with some breast milk and offer them their first bite of food. Well, 6 months stretched into 7 months and today, even though I had the avocado, I opted to steam some sweet potatoes, add some butter and puree it all. Since Liam was still napping and James had woken earlier, I decided that the younger twin would get his first bites first. You snooze. You lose.

I think he loved it. He didn't do that tongue thrust thing and he looked liked he liked the new food. He managed several small bites. We're on our way to new culinary adventures with the twins. So, when Liam is up, he'll get his first tastes too. Pictures of Liam to follow!

Knitting triumph and tragedy- Yarn Along

2011-05-25T15:32:00.001-06:00

So, I'm excited because I finished a big knitting project on Sunday. I already posted a pic, but I'm still smiling about it and well, it deserves another pic. She looks so adorable in her new summer dress. (I might be a little biased though.) I lengthened the skirt considerably and that added to the miles of stockinette, but it was worth it.

This week, I'm working on another Dogwood Hat. I was all set to finish this hat on Monday night. I was giddy at the anticipation of binding off and completing another knitting project, but it was not to be. I was nursing one of the twins while knitting. Maybe I shouldn't nurse and knit? He pulled at the yarn and a few stitches popped off. What I thought would be an easy fix turned out to be a huge headache. After about an hour of trying to figure out what when wrong, I didn't even know where I was in the pattern anymore. It's the kind of pattern where one stitch off ruins the entire lace pattern. I sighed a big disappointed sigh and took the whole thing out! I started again, but am less than half way. It's much less fun to re-knit. I guess I shouldn't really call it a tragedy. It's just a big bummer.

Oh and that BSJ?? See last week's Yarn Along. You guessed it. I'm still on Row 4. I just haven't picked it up again, but I have managed to spend way too much time on Ravelry and have added a few more projects to the queue. I just have to make this (thanks Ginny), this and this! Don't forget to head on over to Ginny's for more reading, yarn and knitting inspiration.

Liam is dictating book choices this week.

Ready for a day in the sun

2011-05-22T13:53:00.000-06:00

It's finished! It's finished! (See me doing a happy little jig!)
Little T modeling her new bright and cheery Summer dress.

The "I feel behind on everything" Yarn Along

2011-05-18T12:10:00.001-06:00

This is Ginny's little newborn lace hat. Lately, I've felt way more
overwhelmed than usual. I know. I know. I'm sure it
has to do with the twins and I don't want to admit my limitations.
Anyway, amidst a pile of unfinished books and knitting projects,
I decided to knit Ginny's little hat. I needed something that evoked
simplicity since my own life feels anything but simple at the
moment. I didn't block it so it's difficult to see the simple lace pattern.
It actually looks like I have a few random yarn-overs in there, but it's just
part of the lace pattern.

Here's more evidence of being behind. Last night, I finally cast on for the BSJ-KAL over at Elizabeth's. I'm on row 4. Yup. Row 4. I know it's not some race, but I couldn't even keep up on the first day. Again, I'm sure it has everything to do with managing 7 month old twins. It's not easy and often I feel that I
should be able to accomplish everything that I both want to do and need to do. I hate admitting that I can't. I'm reading The Forgotten Garden which I was supposed to have finished for last Friday's book club. I got to page 200 and so far, this week, I'm not much past that. My day is full of running around and there's not much time for reading except late at night and lately, I've been choosing to knit instead of reading at night. Like I've said many many times, knitting is therapeutic and calming to my soul. I need it's rhythm and I need to feel creative. Knitting gives me both. It also gives me time to pray and I desperately need that prayer time too.
So, back the Baby Surprise Jacket (BSJ)... I just checked Ravelry and there are over 14,000 projects listed there! To say this is a popular pattern is a complete understatement. Although I think Elizabeth Zimmerman was innovative and the BSJ is unique, I have to admit that the sweater doesn't excite me. It's boxy unisex shape is unattractive and looks, well dated. I'm using a not-so-soft sock yarn, but I didn't want to buy new yarn for this project. I
wanted to use what I already had in my stash and what I had was Berroco Sox. Hopefully, it will soften up after washing.
I'm using a size 4 needle and I admit that I didn't knit any gauge at all. I don't really care what size it is. I just want to get the experience of knitting a BSJ! Okay, I better sign off. Lunches need to be made and the kitchen is begging to be cleaned and I don't want to get any further behind!

For more knitting and BSJs, head on over to Ginny's today!

Twin Update

2011-05-18T10:55:00.000-06:00

Liam- I trimmed those fingernails after I discovered those twin scratches on his face.

James laughing

I've neglected my poor blog for so long that I didn't even post a pic
of the boys at 7 months. Here's Luke with twins on May 13th. 7 Months!

James and Liam- I don't know why, but I just love that serious expression on Liam's face. At their 6 month appointment, James weighed 13 lbs 5 oz and Liam checked in at 11 lbs 12 oz. They are just growing on their own little schedules.

Why I feel a little blue

2011-05-18T10:39:00.001-06:00

I snapped this picture from my window in my bedroom last weekend. Yes, it's May, but it's what we've come to expect here. I can't really put the winter gear away until June. I often whine that Spring is the most difficult season here. Friends call it mud season. Even though our winter was mild, winter won't completely let go during the Spring. Today is another overcast day around here. I already have low expectations for my garden and I haven't really planted everything yet. Come on, Sun! Break through those clouds! I will choose to be grateful for the moisture and see it as a blessing. It will reduce the wildfire danger up here and we desperately need the water!

First Easter

2011-04-27T22:07:00.001-06:00

Yarn Along- She's the color of sunshine!

2011-04-27T21:55:00.001-06:00

Another Chloe- size 4
I haven't finished sewing up the sleeves, but the knitting is done. It will be perfect for the little sundress from Hawaii.

Sewing up the sleeves is my least favorite part of this project so of course, I started a new project (see below). I am a total slacker!

The yellow matches those lovely flowers perfectly!

Little T was much happier when I took the little shrug off and she could go play with Sammy's birthday balloons. Can you see my yarn basket in the background?

I wanted to make a baby hat using sock yarn. So, I headed on over to Ravelry and found the Swirl hat...so simple and satisfying. I really like sock yarn, but I don't really want to use it for socks right now. I have spent a lot of time this week researching patterns for children's sweaters and hats using sock yarn. I'm almost finished with The Wilder Life, Garlic and Sapphires and I just got Organized Simplicity from the library. I noticed it's popular among the Yarn Along group. Well, that's it for now. I've got to keep my Yarn Along adventure short this week. Little James is requiring my attention now.

Please go and visit Ginny at Small Things for more exciting knitting projects and books!

Holding Hands

2011-04-27T21:21:00.000-06:00

When I put the twins side by side, they always grab for each other's hands. It's absolutely adorable and I can't help grabbing the camera so I can document such cuteness. I took these pictures today right after Sammy opened his birthday presents. Sammy was happily playing with his new army men close by while I snapped some photos of the twins.

Birthday Boy

2011-04-27T21:09:00.001-06:00

Sammy is 6!!!!
Don't ask why Obi-Wan Kenobi is battling a dinosaur. This is how he wanted his cake to look. Sammy helped to bake his birthday bundt today.

Sam has really grown up over the last year. He looks like such a big boy. It looks like he's lost the last bit of baby-ness. It's official. He's now a big boy.

Here's Sammy with a big boy book for read aloud time. We're moving beyond some of our picture books now, but I hope you won't completely grow out of them.

My dear sweet little boy, I beg you not to get any bigger. I love your deep golden-brown eyes and your big smile and you in your little red cap. I wish I could hold onto these days forever, but I know I can't. So, I'll try to remember you like this always. Happy 6th birthday, sweet boy!

Quiet about Lent

2011-04-22T10:32:00.001-06:00

I know it seems that all I think about is knitting, but it isn't (completely) true. I've been quiet about Lent this year. I didn't mean to appear to ignore it. I've just been quiet about a lot of things this year. Yes, I've been writing about knitting a lot, but I have found a treasure trove of life lessons there- perserverance, generosity, etc. I found peace and prayer amidst all those stitches.

I can't believe it's Good Friday already. It has felt like both a long and short Lent. Does that even make sense? Life moves pretty fast with 5 kids no matter how much I try to slow down life. I didn't do much of the reading I had planned, but I did something I've struggled with my whole life. I let myself off the hook. I didn't beat myself up for not accomplishing everything that I planned during this Lent. This year, I didn't want to feel like I failed at Lent. I just picked myself up, tried not to whine (too much) and acknowledged how I weak I am without Christ. I mean, that's the whole point, right? It's been successful in much smaller ways than I expected. As Lent draws to close this year, I take away, more than ever, my desperate need for Jesus in everything.

Blessed Good Friday to all my friends and family!

Yarn Along- In which I abandon last week's projects, tear out the green hat and start a yellow one

2011-04-20T19:13:00.002-06:00

So, try as I might, I can't seem to blog about anything else other than knitting these days although I really want to talk about other things like our recent basement remodeling. Over the past several weeks, we took the plunge and decided to hire contractors to turn our single car garage into extra living space. It's going to give the bigger boys and well, all of us some extra needed space in our cozy conifer cabin, but more on that later. Back to knitting. Last week, I wound (by hand!) three hanks of Spud & Chloe yarn to knit another Chloe to match the cute little Hawaiian sundress. I blogged all about it on last week's Yarn Along, but then I decided that I didn't feel like knitting stripes after all and I wanted it all yellow. Although I didn't want to buy more yarn for this project, I headed over to my local yarn shop and bought Plymouth Jeannee Worsted (51% Cotton/49% acrylic) in a bright yellow. This is economical yarn around $3.50 a skein. I proceeded to cast on and I put the Spud & Chloe away. I was also working on the November hat in Green. There's a picture on last week's Yarn Along as well. After three attempts, I ripped it out, wound the yarn back into a ball and hopped on Ravelry to find a new hat pattern.
Now, the November Hat isn't difficult at all, but you can't make the tiniest mistake or be off by even one yarn over or it ruins the overall effect. I know this because I just kept making mistakes and then I wouldn't notice until a round or two later. This would happen to me about three inches in and I just couldn't fix it. I'm going to try the November Hat again in different yarn that isn't so fuzzy. Anyway, I found the Dogwood Hat and I liked the simple lace pattern. So, I cast on and although this hat is more complicated than the November Hat, it just knit up so easily, quickly and without frustration. Two days later, I was done and I was just happy to get something completely finished. After all the knitting, I would stay up even later reading. I'm operating on a severe sleep deficit the past few weeks, but I love reading late at night, but I need to catch up on the rest!
I'm more than half-way done reading The Wilder Life. Wendy McClure immerses herself into what she calls Laura World and embarks on a great adventure into all things Laura Ingalls Wilder. The world of the Little House is so multi-faceted and that's what makes this book so engrossing.

I take way too many pictures in front of this door. I can't wait to introduce Laura and Mary to this little girl.

I knit this fun hat up in Sunshine Yarns worsted in Butterbeer. It has a lovely candle glow warmth to it.

Tess thinks that this is her hat. I think she looks lovely in yellow.

Don't forget to head on over to Small Things for more knitting and book adventures!

Yarn Along- knitting, sewing and lots of color inspiration

2011-04-13T14:27:00.000-06:00

A wonderful friend brought this bright happy fun dress from Hawaii for Little T. It's a lovely orange which I think is a
great color on my little girl. Of course, I thought that I should knit up a little shrug to match. So, I went digging in my yarn stash and pulled out three hanks of Spud&Chloe in Sweater weight. I'm thinking about another Chloe because this pattern is already written for Spud&Chloe yarn.

Should I knit it in stripes or solid yellow? If I decide on a solid, I will have to buy more. I'm definitely on a de-stash mission right now. The minimalist in me won't let me have too much yarn around. That hank of yellow above is Firefly. Isn't that a perfectly delightful name? The dark red is Firecracker and the light orange is Pollen.

Here's the little sundress up close. Doesn't it look lovely with that hank of Firefly? Maybe I should just knit another shrug in one color!

Here's another project that's kind of related to knitting. With the help of my best friend's Auntie Arlene, I learned to sew this little dress over the past week. So, I've devoted more time to my sewing machine than my knitting needles in the past few days. I've always wanted to sew a dress, but sewing clothes just seemed daunting and challenging. I have to laugh at the notion that this is a difficult sewing project though. It's probably one of the easiest dress patterns out there! As a quilter, I'm no stranger to my sewing machine, but this is a very different type of sewing. So, how is this dress project related to knitting you might ask? Well, of course, Little T will need a lightweight sweater to wear with this, right?

Aren't those apples sweet?

I started this hat this week. It's an easy pattern to memorize, but beware of getting off by even one stitch. I've already had to pull it out once after knitting three inches or so. It's a free pattern on Ravelry.

As for reading, I'm perusing my latest library haul. I'm still working on The Forgotten Garden for book club as well. Please join Ginny for more knitting and reading adventures!

6 months already! How can that be?

2011-04-13T13:24:00.000-06:00

Today the twins are 6 months old and I can hardly believe it. The time is going way TOO fast. I'm often asked if I notice differences in their personalities. The short answer is no. They are super smiley babies. Really, the only thing I notice is that Jamie is so much fatter than Liam. Liam feels compact and light compared with James who feels solid. I know that James is about a pound heavier and that makes all the difference. I recently pulled out some 6 month clothing that Sammy and/or Luke wore and it's still too big. Those 6 month onesies are still loose all over. I keep trying little jeans on them, but they are all still too big. I love their crazy almost-strawberry-blond hair and their dark blue eyes. Twinklers! I have baby twinklers! Liam and James adhere to a strict 6 O'clock bedtime. Liam is a better sleeper in that he will go to sleep at 6 and usually wake up at 6 or 7 in the morning. Isn't that awesome? Jamie wakes up around midnight demanding to be nursed ( I guess I know why he's a pound heavier) and usually snuggles with us the rest of the night. Sometimes, I wish Liam would wake up so that I could snuggle with him too, but one should never wake a sleeping baby, right? The boys are developing well and they are beginning to enjoy tummy time more, but they still haven't rolled over yet. I was a bit concerned since my other three flipped over at the beginning of five months, but the twins will flip in their own sweet time. I know that they will change so much by the time they reach their first birthdays. I do hope it won't fly by as quickly as the last 6 months, but I know it will. I just hope I can capture all these beautiful fleeting moments with the twins.

Yarn Along- more sweaters for little T

2011-04-06T16:22:00.001-06:00

I literally bound off the sleeve minutes before trying to get little T to model her new sweater for me. Okay, I bribed her with a cookie, but she certainly did not stand still for any of the photos. This is the same sweater from last week's Yarn Along. This time I used almost two full skeins of Plymouth Encore Colorspun. Although I used the exact same needles, this sweater came out much larger than the red one knit with Berroco Vintage Worsted. I call this sweater the chubbymaker. It makes little T look well, not so little. I didn't do any knit gauge. I just cast on and went with it.
It's amazing how different yarns of the same weight knit up completely differently. I am partial to the red sweater.

I would have been done with this sweater two nights ago if I hadn't made a huge mistake. I bound off on the
second sleeve. I had woven in the ends and that's when I noticed a dropped stitch. That one little stitch
threatened to unravel my sleeve. So, it meant un-doing the bound off edge, pulling out a few rows, securing all the sleeve stitches on the DPNs and doing it all over again. It happens.

She will grow into it although the neck opening is already too small.

I didn't want to push my luck and make her change her long-sleeve tee, but it's really distracting with all those stripes.
This is the Chloe sweater that I've been working on when not working on the pink pullover sweater. I just need to weave in the ends and find a closure for the top. I'm thinking about a clasp of some sort, but I did buy a button as
well. I'll think about that later.

Temporarily, I used a stitch marker to keep it together. Can you see that little light blue plastic safety pin?

Here's the back of the Chloe shrug. I knit it a lot longer than the pattern notes. I really enjoy knitting with Spud&Chloe
yarn! The colors are vibrant, soft and perfect for children's things!
As for reading, I just started The Forgotten Garden last night. This novel is for next month's book club. It was very late, after midnight, when I opened the book.
So, needless to say, I know I read less than five pages. Now, I'm trying to decide what to knit next. Maybe the Easter eggs?

Please visit Ginny's for more good reads and yarn adventures!

Yarn Along- Tessie's raglan sweater

2011-03-30T10:49:00.000-06:00

I finally finished knitting the last sleeve on this simple neck-down pullover sweater. I've learned something about myself as a knitter. Whenever I get close to finishing a project, I'm not sure what happens to me, but I almost always put the project aside and cast-on another. I don't really mind weaving in the ends so I'm not really sure what happens as I near the completion of a project. I'm going to have to figure out why I do this. Anyway, I used pattern #9730 from Knitting Pure and Simple for this sweater and it was a breeze. I'm already half-way done with another one for little T. I ordered some yarn to knit one for Sammy as well. I like this simple unisex sweater pattern and I'm sure that I'll knit this one again and again (even if it gets a little boring at times). I used Berroco Vintage in Black Cherry for this one. I really enjoy knitting with Vintage worsted as it's a good economical soft yarn for children's garments and the colors are a little more sophisticated to create interesting children's items. This sweater used two skeins making it about $13 for the yarn. I'm almost done with my Chloe sweater as well, but as I just stated, I have a problem finishing a project completely before starting another. I'm must be so undisciplined!
As for reading, I'm still reading most of what I was reading last week, but I did manage to read this as well.

For more yarn adventures, head on over to Ginny's!

Yarn Along: Chloe

2011-03-23T22:39:00.000-06:00

Okay, it's late and I'm not happy with these pictures at all. I can't seem to get these colors right in any of these photos. So, I post them all. Sorry about the book redundancy. I wanted a good photo. Anyway, I'm surprised how quickly I knit this Chloe. I cast on last week and I got really far on this project without really trying. I'm actually a little shocked. It just goes to show that even if I knit a few stitches here and there, those stitches add up. Of course, I'm not completely done. I still have to finish the sleeves and buttons, but for the most part, it's done. I knit this little sweater much longer than the pattern suggested. It may even be too long at this point, but it will look cute with a long-sleeved tee underneath (hopefully). I used the pattern's suggested yarn and I love it. It's vibrant, soft and strong. As for reading, the books are piling up. I'm still working through Twenty Chickens for a Saddle for my upcoming book club. I'm nearly done with The Salt Garden. It's been on the nightstand for a while. I'm also reading Made From Scratch. It's the memoir of a young woman who decides to become more self-sufficient by growing her own food, making her own clothes, etc. She's a city-girl turned homesteader. I'm only on the first chapter, but I'm enjoying Woginrich's adventures with chickens. This is so up my alley. I'm sure she'll attempt knitting and jam-making at some point!

Well, that's my weekly knitting adventure. I just wound a ball of Berroco Sox to knit up into Easter eggs for the kids' Baskets. For more yarn adventures, please head over to Ginny's!

Stripes

2011-03-23T14:47:00.000-06:00

Paying attention to the small things

2011-03-21T22:33:00.000-06:00

More blessings!
11. My new Keurig. I have never had a coffee maker. I don't drink coffee regularly as I see it as more of a treat. I'm not really sure the Keurig qualifies as a real coffee maker, but I can easily and lazily have coffee more now. Is that a good thing? I don't know.

12. My sister who brings me awesome gluten-free goodies including Orange Chocolate chip scones made with almond flour

13. Liam's eyelashes- When I was nursing him the other day, I discovered he had these beautiful little ginger colored eyelashes

14. the excitement of a new knitting challenge

15. The Super Moon!

16. The other day Paul brought me a strawberry milkshake made with fresh strawberries. Unfortunately, it spilled all over his pants before he could give it to me, but it's those little gifts that mean the most. He was pretty bummed, but it was truly the thought that counts and seriously, I didn't need all that sugar anyway!

17. On St. Patrick's Day, Paul and I went out for a mini-date. We put the twins to bed and my mom came over to watch the other three while we went and had dinner less than ten minutes from home. I enjoyed some Bailey's and milk to celebrate that tiny bit o' Irish in my blood! Even an hour and a half to ourselves is a small treat.

18. A hardbound copy of Ballet Shoes for Little T's library- I was completely enchanted by The Shoes books when I was around twelve or so. I love collecting special books for each of my children. It's a particular joy of mine to pass on some of my favorite childhood books to them. It's like giving them a piece of myself, something tangible to remind them of their childhood.

19. Okay, another gluten-free goodie- Banana bread made with Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix. Honestly, I didn't have high hopes, but it turned out moist and delicious!

20. the quiet at the end of the day although right now, I hear the whipping wind swirling through the evergreens and aspens. Time for bed! Good night.

Little Leprechauns

2011-03-17T09:14:00.000-06:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Yarn Along - Needles Needles Everywhere!

2011-03-16T13:08:00.000-06:00

I pulled out everything that I'm currently working on and it looks like a huge tangled mess! Last night, I started the striped hat on the left. I'm part of this Christmas club at my local yarn shop in which I need to knit something every month in 2011 and keep the item aside until Christmas. If I don't complete something for the Christmas club, I pay the kitty $5. At the end of the year, all the money collected for incompleted Christmas club items goes toward a Holiday party at the shop. So far, I've knit only hats for Christmas club, but I try to make each one different. I'm trying to learn this technique, but I don't think it's working well. The red knit mess on the right is a simple pullover sweater for little T. I just have to finish one more sleeve and the neck and it's done! I've also gathered my materials to cast on for Never Not Knitting's Chloe sweater. I'm trying to help Elizabeth long-distance while she knits her first sweater. So, I thought it would be a good opportunity to knit this again. I knit this last year in a solid color, but this year, I'd like to knit the stripe pattern and I just happen to have all of the recommended Spud&Chloe colors! I should be able to finish the striped hat (Spud & Chloe Sweater in Root Beer, Splash, and Grass). Okay, as for reading, I haven't been focusing on any one thing the past week. I've been a bit distracted, but I do have to get started on this for book club on April first. I am woefully behind...must put down knitting needles and pick up book!

For more yarn and books, please visit Ginny!

Tessie's Spring sweater

2011-03-15T17:26:00.000-06:00

She stood still for a moment.

Again, I had to chase her with the camera.

Here she is "cooking" while wearing her new handknit sweater in a lovely
robin's egg blue.

I love knitting for this girl!

Abundance

2011-03-14T22:57:00.000-06:00

The other day my son asked me to take him to Target. I really didn't feel like going. It meant packing up the twins and bringing a lot of gear. I just wasn't in the mood, but we went anyway. I ended up in the stationery section looking for thank you cards and that's when I found this simple little journal. It shouted Spring! Suddenly, I was happy to be at Target and I couldn't wait to get started recording all those everyday blessings. If I pay close enough attention, abundant blessings are everywhere. So, here begins my year of blessings:

1. quiet time in the evenings after every one's in bed
2. stacks of library books
3. decaf raspberry lattes made by Stephanie- she knows exactly how I like them!
4. a trip to the yarn store
5. reading aloud to Luke
6. gazing into the blue eyes of the twins
7. scones and Darjeeling tea
8. knitting with a friend
9. watching Little T cuddling with bear while she sleeps
10. just thinking about growing Mammoth Sunflowers

I'm just getting started! It's wonderful life. If you don't stop and look around you could miss all those small things that add up to big blessings!

Look Who's 5 Months!

2011-03-13T20:44:00.000-06:00

I think that flash scared Liam. I couldn't get a smile out of him. The past 5 months have whizzed by so quickly. Five
months with twins goes ten times faster than five months being pregnant! I love these monkeys.

It's not all about knitting, is it? - Yarn Along

2011-02-23T11:11:00.001-07:00

Little T won't really model for me. So, these pics will have to do.

So, I'm not sure when this blog became all about knitting, but it looks like that's all I talk about these days. I haven't even mentioned homeschooling in a long while, but believe me, I've been thinking about education more and more these days. I just haven't written anything about it. It would seem that I spend all my spare time knitting. Wait. What spare time? I fill in all the nooks and crannies of my life with reading and knitting and that translates to a minute here or there, but somehow, I've learned over the years that I can do a lot in the space of just a few minutes. I don't need a lot of dedicated time to knitting or reading. Any spare minute, I pick up my knitting and knit a round or even just a few stitches and amazingly, I'm starting to finish things quickly. I've learned that there's power in just a few minutes. I cast on for this on Saturday night and I bound off today. I guess it doesn't hurt that this little capped sleeve shirt is knit top-down all in one piece! It's knit in Liberty Wool and the crazy colors remind me of the Pacific Northwest. Something about it reminds me of the totem poles I've seen in British Columbia.

Anyway, as I was saying, I've been pondering education a lot lately. I think about it while I'm knitting. Somehow, knitting frees my mind for contemplative thought. I guess I'm late to the debate, but I just downloaded The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. I started reading it yesterday amidst other titles like Cinderella Ate My Daughter. The latter title piqued my interest due to the fact that I detest much of contemporary girl culture. I don't like the Disney Princesses empire. So much of all that pink plastic stuff is just so kitschy to me. This book explores post-feminist girl culture and there's lot to think about here. I'm nearly a third in on that one and I'll be reviewing it on Goodreads when I'm finished. I'm also reading this to Luke. Life's busier than ever so we usually only get about two nights a week for read alouds before bed these days, but I'm really enjoying this novel quite a bit. Luke still enjoys when we can snuggle in my bed while I read to him. Last night, I read to him for about a half hour while he knit a hat on his loom. I told him that I find that I listen better when I can keep my hands busy and my needles keep my hands both busy and happy.

Please go visit Ginny for more yarn and books!

Warm ears

2011-02-09T20:33:00.000-07:00

I finally finished Luke's Thorpe today. It looks like a Medieval helmet, but his ears are warm and that's
a good thing considering the temps the past couple of weeks!

The Simple Yarn Along

2011-02-02T12:01:00.001-07:00

Last night, I stayed up late and finished reading The 100 Thing Challenge. (As a side note, I bought the Kindle edition of this book rather than bring another item into my house, but it was a dilemma as the Kindle version cost more than the actual book). I think about simplicity a lot, but lately, I've been thinking about what
simplicity is not. I've realized that no matter how much I try to simplify my life that my life will never be simple. Do I really want that anyway? Deep down, do I like the gritty challenges that every day brings me? Probably, most days, the answer is yes. Elizabeth had a very thoughtful post today on this very subject. (I find it interesting that some of my blogger friends are pondering the same things at the same time.)

The 100 Thing Challenge is largely about breaking free from consumerism and living more fully with less stuff. It's true. Our stuff weighs us down and sometimes
incapacitates us to deal with it. Less is more is a constant theme here on my blog. I work hard to make sure that what we have is useful and beautiful. I work hard to unload myself of unwanted things quickly, but somehow I got it in my head that owning fewer things would make my life more simple. I haven't found this to be the case. Yes, I don't have to spend nearly as much of my life dealing with stuff, but I found that what I need is to simplify what's going on in my mind. Remember, my word for the new year is calm. Simplicity has more to do with calming my mind. My mind could use some de-cluttering and that might make all the difference. Now, don't get me wrong, I believe a calm environment will have calming effects on us physically. It's just that I seem to focus more on my surroundings than my what's going on in my mind.
No wonder I still feel the anxiety of my non-simple life. My life will always have challenges, but it's how I react to them that will make all the difference.

Knitting has become one of the most calming activities in my life. For some reason, I can literally feel stress falling off of me when I sit down to knit. Knitting is like a drug. I can actually feel my mind slow down and
I begin to feel less panicky about all the things I didn't/couldn't get to during the day. Sometimes, I am sad
that I didn't learn to knit much earlier, but perhaps I didn't need it as much as I do now. Last night, after finishing The 100 Thing Challenge, I cast on a simple sweater for my little girl. I started listening to this on my MP3 and joyfully knit until my eyes started to close. I turned off the light and fell asleep quickly and peacefully. This is where Ginny comes in. Ginny posted some similar thoughts as well. Go read her post. I think she articulates what I'm thinking better than I can. Simplicity isn't just our de-cluttered homes, but accepting that life is complex, but choosing to face life with a sense of calm.

So, I've mentioned what I've been pondering and reading, but here's what I've been knitting. I admit, it's not that great a photo. I was trying to take the photo quickly because little T wanted me to peel a banana for her. Life isn't simple, but life is good. Here's the sweater I started last night and two hanks of Chickadee
from Quince & Co. I love those vibrant colors and I couldn't resist the navy color because it's name is Pea Coat. I love Navy pea coats.

Please join Ginny for more knitting and books.

I chased her with my camera

2011-01-26T18:49:00.000-07:00

Finally! A smile from my little cupcake girl!

Yarn Along - two hats finished!

2011-01-26T17:19:00.001-07:00

I typically don't model my own handknits ( I usually get my super cute sister to model for me), but it had to be done today so that I could get my Yarn Along post up in time. I've been busy knitting away the past few weeks. I did a huge inventory of all my knitting supplies in hopes that I could reduce the amount of projects in gallon-size Ziplocs. I organized all my yarn. I bought a few new patterns and I unraveled the in-progress Wallaby sweater I started for Luke two years ago. He had picked out crazy variegated yarn, but since then, he's grown out of the yarn he chose. I can completely understand that. I don't mind the unraveling. I'm a better knitter now than when I started the sweater. I also know how to choose yarn better. Plus, it gives me a reason to buy more sweater yarn.

Anyway, I knit the Garter Ridge hat from this book. I made this one for a friend who looks lovely in Autumnal colors of burnt orange and deep brown. I love the look of this hat and the brown yarn tones down the orange a little. I just have to block it a little so that it won't curl so much on the bottom. It's four rows of brown garter which gives this simple hat a little structure.

Here it is again up close. Too bad there's a glare.

It's me again! It's the same hat as above, but this time I used Mission Falls
1824 wool and a little of Quince & Co. Lark in Peacock for the garter ridges.
I bought only one skein of the Mission Falls thinking it might just be enough
for the hat, but at only 85 yards per skein, I needed just a little bit more. I knew it would be barely enough, but I
suppose I was too cheap to buy two skeins at once. Now, I have almost a full skein left over. It turns out that Mission Falls has gone out
of business. So, if you like this yarn, go stock up now!

Here's another view. My jogless jog isn't great looking. So, I'm disappointed with this hat. Color changes need work!

Okay, now onto the books. I'm still reading One Thousand Gifts.
I originally bought this for my Kindle, but I bought the hardcover as well.
Something about this book just needs to be read the old-fashioned way!
I also am perusing Simplify because I want to do more quilting this year.
I have plans for at least two quilts, but a little inspiration doesn't hurt.

My current project on the needles is the Irish Hiking Hat. After this hat, I'm
taking a break from knitting hats! This one's for my hubby. I've been
promising him a hat for a VERY long time. It's time to deliver
on that promise.

Do visit Ginny for more knitting and books!

Cooking simple

2011-01-18T22:32:00.000-07:00

I saw this cook book at Barnes & Noble sometime before Christmas. I think I was sucked in by that shopping bag filled with all that fresh produce. There was something simple and inviting about it. Anyway, while I was at the bookstore, I perused its pages slowly. I love looking at cook books and this book was no exception. I didn't know who Claire Robinson was since I rarely get a chance to watch the Food Network, but I was inspired by her philosophy of cooking delicious food with minimal ingredients. So, later on, I checked out this cookbook from the library so I could enjoy it a little longer. I didn't have plans to purchase the book, but, I did. Did I really need another cook book? No, I did not. In fact, I don't have room for all the ones I own now, but I love cookbooks. There are plenty of fancy dishes here using her 5 ingredient philosophy, but there are some simple inspiring dishes as well. I like that she simplifies cooking without making her dishes seem plain or lacking.

In the letter to her readers, Claire Robinson writes about both her grandmother and her mother, but it was the advice her grandmother gave her that struck a chord with me. Claire's grandmother suggested that she learn a handful of dishes well. This got me thinking. I like to try making new things, but I do spend an inordinate amount of time referring back to the recipe and that sometimes makes cooking new things unappealing. So, I started thinking about learning to make ten or so dishes really well so that I could gain that ease and confidence in the kitchen. Learn a handful of dishes well. What other advice could simplify meal prep more? Would this make cooking even more fun? I'm sure it would. There are several soups that I love to make during the cold Winter months, but I still have to look at the recipes. Wouldn't it be nice to memorize the recipes so that I could have more energy to put my heart and soul into the meal for my family?? See how less can be more?

My word for the new year

2011-01-18T21:57:00.002-07:00

(I started writing this on January 3rd, but I didn't publish it until today, January 18th.)
So we took down the Christmas tree today. We had intended to do this yesterday, but we chose to nap instead. In these past few sleep-deprived months, I have to say that it was the best nap ever and I made the right choice to sleep instead of put the Christmas decorations away. Typically, we'd leave the Christmas tree up a few days after New Year's until Epiphany, but the past couple of years, I've recognized a need to get back to normal a little sooner. There's something comforting about packing away all the holiday decorations. They're all tucked away for another year. Don't get me wrong. I love getting the Advent calendar out for the kids and the Fisher Price Nativity play set, but I also love putting these things away too. I did leave out the beautiful red candles we bought this year. They look so cozy on the mantel. My husband loves candles, but I never really put them out, but I discovered that warm glow this season and well, the candles stay. With the new year comes a return to normal life. Again, I'm drawn to simplicity-- everything in its place, winter coziness and slower rhythms. I'm ready to turn out the Christmas lights and settle into Winter.

This time last year, I was so motivated with plans for the new year. Looking back at my blog for January last year, I had so much energy and so much excitement for the new year. Then, we found out we were expecting! I don't mean to sound like I wasn't excited. I was, but that pregnancy knocked me flat early on and we soon discovered the reason--identical twins! Although I was excited about the twins, I felt like I was in some type of fog for the remainder of my pregnancy and thus, I just didn't feel like myself during most of 2010. I hardly blogged at all and when I did, I mostly posted pictures. Without much energy, I let so much go (not willingly nor happily), but I'm happy to say that I'm back! Every day, I feel a little more ready to tackle so many more projects around my house. Each day, I feel my creative juices flowing again and I'm ready for the new year.

I don't typically make New Year's resolutions, but I start making plans--lots and lots of plans (reading plans, homeschool plans, knitting plans, cooking plans, etc). I'm pondering all that planning going on inside my head and I realize that this new year is the year that I should slow down a bit (not like I did when I was pregnant with Liam and James), but slow down in a different way.

I realize that I need to focus on fewer things not more (even if I can). I need to de-clutter my brain as well as the space around me. Simplicity. I need to apply this to our daily meals, to homeschooling, to knitting, to housecleaning, to reading...all of it. I set big goals for myself, but I need to relax and calm down. I don't need to set reading goals. It's not like I'm going to stop reading. I sometimes wake up feeling like life is a race to get everything done, but it doesn't have to feel like a race against the clock. Does it? I want to be a gentle calming presence for my family. I want to discover joy in the calm. So, my word of the new year is....

Calm.

A boy's life

2011-01-18T20:42:00.001-07:00

This book encourages the kind of life I want for my boys. As a mother of now four boys, I know this book is a keeper. Alice Cantrell's Tin Cups & Tinder gently introduces outdoor skills to boys. In a way, this book reminds me of The Dangerous Book for Boys in that encourages boys to go out and have great adventures! I especially like the section on cooking. I think it's important for children to learn to cook basic things. My oldest son often joins me in the kitchen and as a cautionary tale, I often tell him that I left home for college only knowing how to scramble eggs and make peanut butter sandwiches. There's both campfire cooking recipes and indoor recipes here.

There are beautiful clear photos scattered throughout with step-by-step illustrated instructions for some of the projects. I like the section on assembling a mess kit and collecting essentials for a day pack. This book truly encourages boys (and girls too) to get outside, to enjoy God's creation and to use their imaginations. With the help of this book, soon you might just have a Sam Gribley on your hands.

I truly appreciate books that revive some of these lost Boy Scout skills. It's important to teach our children self-reliance and Alice's book gently teaches these skills with a creative and artistic approach. Her book may spark a life-long interest in camping, bird-watching, carving, whittling, cooking or keeping a nature journal. It's beautiful world. Go out and get lost in the great outdoors!

Just some cuteness

2011-01-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

James

The Snugglers

Buddies

Little T does bug Sam sometimes.

Luke reading to little T before bed

Yarn Along 2 - Too many projects!

2011-01-12T18:30:00.001-07:00

Okay, it looks like the last time I posted it was for the yarn along. I'm really not posting very much these days. I have drafts saved, but somehow I never find the time to finish them and by the time I get back to them, the moment has passed. I do think my lack of posting might have something to do with the twins who will be three months old tomorrow!

Anyway, I was digging around in my knitting bag and discovered way too many Ziploc baggies filled with not-quite-finished projects. I'm learning that I knit the way I read books. I can't read just one book at a time (no matter how much I try) and I can't knit one thing at a time either. I just get so excited about my next project and the yarn I'll use that I just get out another gallon-size Ziploc baggie and cast on!

So, here's a pic of most of the contents of my knitting bag:

So, I'm making a hat out of 60 Quick Knits and perusing both Turkish Delight and Treasure Hunts and Knitting in the Details. I started a new novel on the Kindle and that's why it's not shown and I'm listening to another novel on my MP3 player. I'm still reading Ann Voskamp's A Thousand Gifts as well.

Typically, at night, when the house is quiet and all the kids are in bed, I'll sit in my own bed, listen to a novel on my MP3 player and knit. It's the best of both worlds. I hope to have that bright pink Hermione Hat (pictured in the lower right hand corner) done by Friday. See? I've made progress since my last yarn along on the Hermione Hat!

Thanks again Ginny for hosting the weekly Yarn Along. It will be exciting to chronicle a year's worth of reading and knitting on Wednesdays!

New Year Yarn Along

2011-01-05T17:00:00.000-07:00

Here's my current project. I just cast on for another Hermione hat last night. I don't know how many of these hats I've made, but it's such a fun hat. I'm making this one for a friend's little girl. After this one, I'm going to take a break from this pattern for a long while! I finished this hat just the other night, but I thought I better show an in-progress project for Ginny's Yarn Along even if I haven't gotten very far yet. Okay, so you can't see what I'm reading because it's my cool new green Kindle cover! My hubby got me a Kindle for Christmas and it's just awesome! I've already downloaded several books and a couple of cookbooks too! Right now, I'm reading A Thousand Gifts which is currently only available on Kindle! I've included a cover of the book below because it's just so pretty and inviting!

I also organized my yarn basket. I took out every skein and hank and organized them. I love looking at my yarn basket. It always makes me feel like I live in a very cozy house. A home needs both yarn and books to be cozy!

I love the cover of this book. That's the only drawback of the Kindle. I can't enjoy beautiful artwork and photos like this one!

My first finished handknit item of 2011

2011-01-04T14:37:00.000-07:00

I started this hat a few days ago using yarn from Quince. I used Bird's Egg and Peacock for this simple hat. Now, it's time to organize my knitting bag for the new year!

On the last day of 2010

2010-12-31T23:15:00.000-07:00

Bedtime on New Year's Eve
How blessed I've been by these five little faces!

Happy New Year Friends!
I'll see you in 2011!

Reading Goals Recap

2010-12-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

I thought it was time to check my 2010 reading list to see where I am. Over the past year, I've been listing the titles of the books I've read on my sidebar and Goodreads. I just counted and it looks like I hit 45. I may finish up one more by the end of the year, but I still won't hit my goal, but I guess I need to cut myself some slack. I spent most of 2010 pregnant with the twins and I've been operating on very little sleep since they arrived. I'm bummed not to meet my goal, but 2011 is a new year and I expect to have WAY more energy this year! Here's to a new year of reading adventures!!!

By the way, I got a Kindle for Christmas and it's AWESOME! It will never replace the feel of a real book, but it's the thing for the bibliophile!

Tea and crumpets anyone?

2010-12-29T11:20:00.000-07:00

Little Chef serving up smiles and baked goods

Little Star

2010-12-26T22:49:00.001-07:00

We read lots of Christmas picture books each year. I love sitting down with the kids with a small stack of holiday books. Over the past few years, I've collected some favorites that I pull out and read only during Advent and Christmas. We've got books about Winter, The Nativity and some holiday fantasies like The Nutcracker and The Polar Express. This Year, my oldest son checked out at least six different versions of the famous poem, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. He wanted to compare all the art work of each version. So, yes, we truly enjoy Christmas picture books around here. In fact, I hope to collect a few more treasures this year in addition to Anthony DeStefano's Little Star.
I sat down to read this book to my two older sons a couple of weeks ago and I've been meaing to post about it since, but life with infant twin boys has made me a little slow about reviewing Little Star.
Little Star is delightful. It tells The Christmas Story from the perspective of a tiny ignored star (kind of reminded me of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer a little bit- read it and you'll see why). This humble little star is the only star who understands that the baby Jesus is a king and that he's just little. Little Star "gets it" because he's also little. The tiny little star wants so badly to touch the baby and warm him that he uses all of his strength to reach out with his light to the earth. He burns brighter and brighter with love for the baby King and he ultimately burns himself out. With so much love, Little Star sacrifices himself for the cold baby. The star reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world and Little Star's sacrifice points us to the ultimate destiny of that tiny baby as well. It's a keeper. DeStefano's Little Star keeps the Christmas story fresh with some vivid artwork even if the stars look a little cartoon-ish. This little story not only tells the story of the birth of Jesus, but reminds us that true love is sacrifice..

Merry Christmas friends!

Friday poem

2010-12-10T08:54:00.001-07:00

His name is Liam.
Oh, can you see him?

It's Friday and I'm feeling both sleep-deprived and a little punchy.

Weekly Yarn Along

2010-12-08T13:09:00.001-07:00

Last night, I was teaching a beginning knitting class at my local
knitting shop, the Knit Knook and I cast on for another Hermione hat in this bright
pink in Cascade 220 Superwash. I can't remember what
color this since I sometimes don't keep the labels and clearly didn't in
this case. I'm making this hat for a friend's little girl. I love this pattern!
I can't tell you how many of this fun cabled hat I've made. I perused
several patterns at Ravelry, but I kept coming back to the Hermione hat.
It's a fun project without being too difficult or too boring. As for
reading this week, I just got Cooking for Isaiah yesterday as
I really need to get more proficient at gluten-free baking for myself and
especially for my husband who has a gluten intolerance. I always enjoy
reading cook books! I always pull
out Christmas 101 at this time of year for inspiration and I'm still reading
Beauty which is a re-telling of Beauty and the Beast. Since I'm up nursing the
twins a lot at night, I actually have time to read, but sometimes I listen to
books on my MP3 player as well. Last night, instead of reading Beauty, I
listened to Only the Good Spy Young (the 4th installment of the Gallagher Girls
series). Don't you just love that title?? Yes, I do enjoy YA novels from
time to time and this series is just fun. It's like Alias for the high school set.

It's really hard to capture the color changes in this yarn. The colors remind me of Fall leaves after they have already fallen and gotten dry and crunchy.

I had to include pictures of these arm warmers that I finished last
night before I cast on the Hermione hat. I made these for my sister as an
early Christmas gift. I think she would have liked the thumb holes,
but I just liked the simplicity of the arm warmer and honestly, I didn't feel
like picking up stitches for the thumbs!
This is another pattern I found at Ravelry. It's called Toasty and
it's super quick and super easy. Boy, are they warm!
I'm trying to get better at photographing my work. I think this weekly exercise
in showcasing both my knitting and reading should help me improve my camera skills.

Thanks Ginny for hosting the weekly Yarn Along!

Look who's 2!

2010-12-02T22:45:00.000-07:00

Oh my darling girl, please don't grow up so fast!

My first yarn along

2010-12-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

Over at Small Things, Ginny has been hosting a weeklyYarn Along. I've been wanting to participate and this is the first week I've gotten out the camera to take pictures of what I'm knitting and reading. Like Ginny, knitting and reading are two of my favorite hobbies and so this week, I'm sharing my in-progress hat. It's the Thorpe pattern on Ravelry. It's the first top-down hat that I've knit and I have to say that it's a little tricky to get started with so few stitches on double points, but I persevered and I'm almost done. I'm making this for my oldest son, Luke who requested a new super-warm hat. I'm happy to indulge him in handknits! He really wants the earflaps to keep his ears warm. This week I'm reading Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty & the Beast by Robin McKinley.

Birth Announcement Photo

2010-11-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

James and Liam