Merry Christmas

Gingerbread House

Maddie's creation from school this week.

Something for ME..

It seems like I have been knitting cowls for months now & I can officially say I'm done!! That is if I don't think of someone else who could use one") So with the thrill of finishing up so many projects, I was able to finish my beret I had started a while back. Then when I casted off. I realized it was just too big...bummer! So instead of taking the entire hat back out from the top down, I actually cut the bottom portion. I know scissors & knits...freak me out!! I cut the part I didn't really like since the garter stitch gave it a balloon-like look. Then I picked up my stitches from my cut line..with lots of yarn flying & knit down. I added the butterfly stitch, since it's really the only "fancy" stitch I know:) & it reminds my of my long lost butterfly beret I left in DC...:( Of course, I had to make a cowl to match!

These were made with "Wool Ease" by Lion Brand..Color- Mustard

Little Pet Land

Little Pet Land in our play room never ceases to amaze me:) These are the latest additions.

Monday Music

One of my favorite songs from their newest & last album, Collapse.

Sailing..

We visited the best store in Columbus yesterday, "Wholly Craft!" It's a place to visit if you like handmade, creative & local things. From the moment I walk in, I feel like a kid in a candy store or maybe a lego store:) It's all so fun even if you have no money to spend...the inspiration alone is worth the trip over to Clintonville. http://www.whollycraft.com/

While we were there, John got an idea to make the kids sailboats:) He & Jack worked so hard on these yesterday...spending hours, cutting, sanding, painting, sewing & getting them just right. Now they are ready to sail away in a bubble bath tonight:)

Weekend in Pictures

One Moment

Cookies

The baking has begun..after the bark yesterday, I'm continuing on with cookies today. This motivation could die out, so I'm trying to grasp it while it's here. I feel like I still have so much to do. But for now, I'm going to enjoy these peanut butter/kiss lovelies:)

I love Gwenyth Paltrow's grandmother's recipe for peanut butter cookies. You can find it in her awesome cookbook.."My Father's Daughter." I just opted for no chocolate chips & topped them off with a kiss.

Bark!

Today I spent the afternoon making peppermint bark. Documenting it for who knows who? It was fun pretending to be a pastry chef in some far away land, snapping shots for my portfolio:)

This peppermint bark & I have a weird relationship. I loved the process of making it...timely yet easy enough...BUT I honestly can take one bite & be overwhelmed with the sugar. I don't eat alot of sugar & when I do, I can tell. But I make it for giving..everyone else in the house seems to love it. Hopefully my neighbors & friends will too.

Mr. Moo

The most photographed cat in our house of four pets..Mr. Moo. Jack took this recently when we spotted him all curled up & snoozing on the couch. Cats are so beautiful when you watch them..especially when they sleep.

Monday Music

Horses..an album I only recently discovered.

One Moment

Crafting..

December always brings on so many crafty things to do. These are some of the things I'm up to...

Knitting...mainly cowls right now.
Here are a few I've finished. I'm excited about using some gorgeous yarn for these. Pima Cotton..so soft.


Plus, I've started this beret.


Monogram Mugs.
How cool are these! http://www.designmom.com/2010/11/diy-monogram-mugs/


Peppermint Bark - I am going to shop for containers..hoping for some simple reusable jars or boxes to store these in. Recipe found here..
http://orangette.blogspot.com/2008/12/look-at-that.html

Elf Letters

This is our first year with an "Elf on the Shelf." My aunt surprised them last year with one. Maddie named hers Sam. Jack's elf is Evan & is a little different, in that he's bigger & more like a stuffed-animal. He stays all year, but only becomes magical when he travels with Sam...sort of:0 I know, it's too complicated.

Last night, Maddie decided to write her elf a letter. She wants to know, how Santa flys that sleigh of his. This morning, we found them sitting with Julie & Sparkle & Shine aka Millicent (American Girl Dolls). He wrote back explaining..with a little help from his reindeer & ALOT of magic Santa can fly his sleigh.

This morning, Jack & Maddie both decided to write him letters. But this time, with Jack writing, the letter was full of all kinds of questions. Basically, these elves have questionaires to fill out tonight. I'm hoping they stay awake to get it all done.

Our First Snowman of December

Our first snowfall came in a can! Isn't Jack's snowman cute:)

Monday Music

Saw this live on Letterman last week. Can't stop listening..Love it!

Silently Watching

We went down to the Wex Arts Center to see three short silent films. It was part of their ZOOM family film festival. It was our first time in their theater. What a cool experience. Everyone laughed their heads off. Thanks Charlie Chase, Laurel & Hardy, & that crazy troop of monkeys from "Go West."

Love Peace & Joy

Our school has a "Holiday Shoppe" every year for the kids to shop at for a secret present for mom & dad:) J&M love this tradition. Maddie insisted that I open one of my gifts today, since she thought I could use it before Christmas. & She knows me well. I love my water bottle & needed a new one. This one is way cool!!

One Moment

Jack Frost

December
We receive you wrapped with a sparkle.
Full of excitement, we open you slowly,
Hoping you hold our first snowfall.
Reminding us to slow down, bundle up, and look closer at the sky.
Winter's friend

Bond

I still remember when I first saw you.
Who was that dog you were hanging with, back in the last row with the chickens?
Chapel Hill/Carrboro Animal Shelter, December 1997
You were the one that we wanted..the one we would learn so much from.
John's first dog.
I still remember our car ride home, the red leash, the trail we stopped at to let you walk, our first of many.
You chewed your way through our furniture..remember that lumpy couch & the gnawed furniture legs? You tortured many neighbors & visitors with your big bark.
It all brings a smile. Even those shoes I really liked & continued to wear without the strap.
You were the best snuggler..(shhh, dont tell Jemma!) She has a lot to learn. But thanks for sending her to us.
I know you had something to do with that. She has big shoes to fill & she's pretty confident that she can do it.
When I think of you, I think of sunshine. You were that to our lives.
Thank you.

Knitting knot..

Some new things are starting to come to life on my needles. I'm trying to find those moments to get it all done:) I'm finding ways to use yarn that I've had in my stash for a long time. It's still so hard to knit with yarn you don't love. I was happy with how the yellow, eyelash one turned out. The white rabbit..angora-like yarn is growing on me. Both of these are knitting up as my version of an infinity scarf.

Monday Music

Slow moving morning..

Weekend in Pictures..

One Moment

Happy Thanksgiving

Pre Thanks:)

Today I spent most of my time chopping, rolling, whipping & of course, baking!! It's the first Thanksgiving feast John & I have hosted as a family of four. I'm not sure how we went this long without having Thanksgiving dinner here. I guess, when I think about it, the last few years have been the first as parents of "independent little people." Reminding myself that it wasn't that long ago when Jack & Maddie were crawling around, or needing something every second, like food..which still hasn't really changed. But I hope you get at what I'm saying here, they are helping now!! Jack wanted to make place mats for our dinner, Maddie made napkin rings with just a little aluminum foil, stickers & toilet paper rolls, of course. They both love to be in the kitchen. Jack usually just likes to be close & play in his own little world..in the kitchen, & Maddie is always willing to give us a helping hand.

Today, we made pumpkin pie, chocolate birthday cake (birthdays & Thanksigiving to celebrate tomorrow), & prepped a spinach & cheese strata. All of these were first recipes for me. So I really hope they taste as good as they smelled today. We did "taste test" the chocolate cake, by making a few cupcakes to reward ourselves for all the cooking we did. Today was a fun day in the kitchen with lots to be thankful for:)

My First Pumpkin Pie..


Maddie's Napkin Rings..

Thankful

Thanksgiving
By Ralph Waldo Emerson

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends

Monday Music

Literally Monday Music..Jack started our week off on the right foot this morning when he put on his "Saturday Night Fever" album.
Hope everyone can put on their booogie shoes this week & enjoy your time together.

Lazy Saturday

One Moment

Grace Jones Cowl

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this simple pattern. If I know you, you will probably be getting one for Christmas. :)
http://www.pickles.no/pickles/2011/10/28/grace-jones-hals-grace-jones-cowl.html

Here's a few I have made so far..




And new yarn !!

Beets

Beets are one of those vegetables that remind me so much of my Ma Ma. I remember her having them sliced on the table & I always wondered whether they were "sliced cranberries," or beets. Yes, cranberries to me always came from a can & I wasn't a fan of their jello-like texture or after taste. But beets, I liked! It's a weird vegetable, that beet. But despite the fact, most people turn their noses up at it, it's actually really yummy. I especially like slices of it in a salad.

Last night, I tried a new recipe thanks to Molly Wizenberg over at www.organette.blogspot.com Her recipe index is amazing & everything I've ever made of hers was delicious. I would love to visit her restaurant, delancy (http://www.delanceyseattle.com/)
one day & tell her how much I loved her book, "A Homemade Life" & her approach to cooking.


My Beet-Feta Tart

Their Room Trees

With a weekend open to do whatever our hearts desired, the Christmas decorations found their way upstairs!! I have never put up a tree before Thanksgiving, but since we are hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, I thought why not! It's a slow process, but the trees are coming together.

Jack & Maddie have so many decorations to choose from for their trees they put in their rooms. I have to admit, I'm not from a family who gave sentimental ornaments. I remember our tree was always real, but never went up before mid December..either with bows or balls all over it & silver tinsel, of course.. When I became a teacher, I realized people like to give you ornaments. Then when I became a wife, more ornaments. Next, as a mother, the kids have those special ornaments they received as babies. I love looking at all of them.. "Baby's 1st Christmas," homemade gingerbread men from preschool with their beautiful little baby faces. It's hard to get past the reminisicing when the holidays roll around. I'm glad we have these ornaments to get excited about. I love watching their excitement sorting them out & looking for their favorite ones. John even has lots of ornaments from his childhood. Our tree is a hodgepodge of all of our years here together & apart.

Here's a look at their "room trees." Jack has a metal tree, that he decided to put colored lights on & load up with all his favorite ornaments. Maddie has a purple tinsel tree that she has claimed as her "book tree." The girl does love books & I smile everytime I walk by their rooms seeing these special sparkles:)

Monday Music

Weekending.

Loving..
weekends with nothing on the calendar.
dinner with friends.
warm temps.
watching Jack run around in his imaginitive world.
xmas decoration...OH MY!
checking out Maddie & John's chalk drawings!!