Do the Voices in my head bother you?

I want to start a lace scarf - something I bought the yarn for last summer - but I haven't had the nerve to pick it up yet. The yarn is sitting on my work table, mocking me. I think I'm starting to anthropomorphize too much. Yikes! A lack of normal human conversation has me making faces at the yarn now. At least the baskets of clean laundry can shut up now that I've folded stuff and put it away...ok, almost put away...it'll get put away before bed...or stacked on top of the dresser...probably.

Shout out to Monica - the Thanksgiving card is living in the craft room/office next to the little elephant I made. They look good together. I think this yarn will make a pretty scarf, don't you? No, Sarah, I won't start it until I finish your present - don't worry!

Vision in Blue

I actually got out and weeded last weekend (I know, me and yardwork, right?) but as you can see there are still a few infidels amidst the grape hyacinths. Owen loves to pick these flowers and dissect them until something like confetti covers our front porch. I'm so happy for spring to be upon us (even the rainy, windy part of spring). I can't wait until we can load Aidan and a picnic up in the wagon and spend the day at Jack Park. Owen can ride his trike and Aidan can play on a quilt in the grass. Hopefully he'll be sitting up without support soon - we're working on it, but he's just such a laidback little guy (sometimes literally!).

Contradiction (or Maybe I Need a Maid)

I don't enjoy laundry much...

...but I do like seeing it all folded!

I have Eyebrows!!

Yes!! I was lucky enough to catch my lovely hair dresser, Michelle Krause of Frankie Page Salon, just long enough for her to give me another bangs trim. Oh yeah everybody, I have eyebrows again.
                                  
What a full day! I worked two jobs, got my hair cut, am about to make that lovely soup again and do a work out video! Maybe I'll have time to crochet too. I want to make myself a red collar! Erin I'm so jealous of your new stash! Luuuuckkkyyyyyyy!

Imagine the Jaws theme song here...

Owen is not allergic to bees. Good to know! He had his first run-in today; was totally shocked that a bug hurt him. The poor little thing was already dead, but that didn't stop Owen from getting stung on the palm. He survived - hopefully a little more wary of that wild weird insect world.

Mmmm...

Maybe I should have titled this entry "More Yarn Porn." My beautiful shipment from KnitPicks arrived this evening! Go ahead, drool - I know you want to!

Two different projects (one involving felting!) will shortly be in the works. They will be fairly involved, so don't expect results soon. Besides, I've still got the beauty that is the spring yarn waiting for a few more rows.

And, yes, that is a family of sock monkeys in the background - why do you ask?

Spring!?

Oh my goodness! The idea that spring is just around the corner absolutely rules. Today I have been nursing a bit of a hang over, (we walked home), so I went to the yarn shop with two of my favorite people Lili and Kristen. On my way out I couldn't help but take a quick picture of the blooming bush in front of our sweet 'lil house. What is this bush called Erin? 

                      
I am going to stay in tonight and try to finish that short and sweet cardigan thingy I started. I finally found the website that is helping me understand the pattern. We'll see....

New Projects

Intrigued? I bought this gorgeous yarn last year and set it aside. Why??? It's so pretty. And soft. And darkly springish - like our backyard after a thunderstorm. Yes, I know there are other things to work on, but I have been thinking about this yarn for ages, and since it's going to be something for Aidan I figure I had better get on it - he won't be small forever!

It's been a somewhat trying day: rain, dreary skies, a two year old who won't stop asking the same questions eight million times. I'm glad he's learning to talk, but can he learn a new question already? We did have fun at the Tigard Playgym this morning and met some new friends, as well as old ones. Thank heavens there are places around here to go when the rains hit. How else would we get the ants out of our pants I don't know.

Got the new Decemberists cd yesterday - haven't had a chance to listen, but it will be going in the car soon. Something to look forward to, right?

Now, what the heck is for dinner???

Still Life Tuesday

Some days this is as still as he gets...

Thanks for the vest love, everyone! I hope I will have many more handmades to share in the future. By the way, Sarah, my good friend Lynda made your soup for dinner - who knew it would go global??

Let's do it with.... Stickers!

Yesterday I decided to be productive and ship out a bunch of CD orders that I agreed to help Ryan (my boyfriend) out with whilst he was on tour. It's actually kinda fun! It forces me to write legibly, and I get to stick all those stamps on. Since I was having so much fun with the stamps I decided to stick other things to the packages! It started with the funny "lazer" veggie stickers that we have up on the fridge, but then Ms. B (one of two housemates) gave me some amazing pony stickers. I couldn't help myself! 

                      

                       

Too bad cupcakes don't breed like bunnies...

It isn't every day you get to hold a tiny baby bunny. It even looked small in Owen's little hands. Our neighbor brought them over to visit - we almost didn't let her leave!

I think this photo captures Owen's awe over the babies pretty well. He had been taking a nap (in a diaper and socks, no less) and couldn't believe his luck when we woke him up. I can't believe how little their velvety ears are!

We also baked and decorated cupcakes today. Hungry?

But the best part for me was finishing Aidan's Owl Baby Vest! I haven't felt such pride in my whole life. I can't believe how cute this is. He's going to be wearing it everywhere - and good thing, too, because it just fits. His head is bigger around than his brother's so the neck will be getting good and stretched out. I almost don't know what to do with myself now - yeah, right, never mind the other numerous projects waving their arms in the air: "Pick me, pick me!"

Birthday Reflections

Thanks to everyone for the super party last Saturday - good soup, good singing (from some of us) and especially good donuts! Good times...

The flowers were pretty amazing, too. I especially like the little vignette in the front room: flowers, yarn, Grandma Sally's snack bowls, grandfather clock. The purple tuplips stand so straight and tall...

And the daffodils just glow...

And the presents? Totally cool (Mom and Sarah being the crafty women they are). I can't wait until my new KnitPicks shipment arrives. The yarn is going straight into that bag. I have plans for the lace collar, too!

And no Monday is complete without a cute baby. This photo was taken shortly after he smacked his face on his brother's plastic guitar. Oh cruel tapestry of life!

Yesterday we got together with the fam for Erin's Birthday! I was in charge of making soup my sister asked for. It's one of my favorites. Mushroom, barley, leek soup. So yummy....

It was so good (if I don't mind saying myself) that Owen ate tons of it! What a miracle.
The recipe is super easy.
Take 1 or 2 oz. of dried shiitake mushrooms or any other flavorful ones... put them in a bowl and pour 1 cup of boiling water on them and let them soak for 20 min. Save the water and chop up the mushrooms into tiny bits for sauteing. In your soup pot heat up 1 T (tablespoon) of olive oil and 1 T of butter. Throw the mushrooms in on med/low heat and let brown for 5 (ish) minutes. Then dice up one small onion, one small leek (white part only), two cloves of garlic, and start sauteing all together. Add one celery stalk and one carrot diced. Once that is all nice and sauteed, (you may want to add a teensy bit more oil), turn up the heat a bit, push all the previous ingredients to the sides and add 1/3 or so Cups of Barley in the center. This toasts the barley just slightly. Don't let it burn, just do it for a second. Then you can add your mushroom broth and also 4 C of broth. I like to use chicken broth. Bring it to a boil and then let it simmer for 20-40 minutes depending on how soft you like your barley and if you want it more soupy or more stewy. Also... add salt and pepper of coarse and the last touch is a handful of finely chopped fresh dill. Phew!! Yumm!

And then at this time you can help Ken (brother in laws brother.. Family!) with his finger he nearly cut off trying to help you out in the kitchen. At least he didn't need stitches!!

I forgot to take a picture but we also had the Infamous Voodoo Doughnuts my sis asked for. Damn they're good.

More Purple

Didn't I say purple was the theme for this week? Couldn't resist putting up the lace for all to see. I have a talented sister, for sure!

Spring Reading List

New books from Annie Bloom's bookstore! I'm always excited to get new books; now if I could just find more time to read them... hey, that's what midnight is for!

Dinner out with Monica to celebrate our birthdays last night. Marco's Cafe in Multnomah Village preceded by a quick jaunt to the yarn shop there where I bought a small ball of Australian Alpaca for $6 in a pretty discontinued purplish color (purple seems to be the theme of this week!).

I could see this becoming part of a lovely little scarf... or maybe edging... or maybe a touch of lace? Possibilities... It was so nice to have an evening off to shop, wander, eat, chat - without being interrupted - but it was nice to come home to the boys (all three of them) and all the chaos that comes with them. A jar of upset babyfood, laundry basket tipped over on the bed, playdough tools on the carpet; it's all part of the package around here.

And before I forget: thanks so much, Sarah, for the lace collar! It's beautiful - and I can't believe how fast you whipped it out! I mean, you just bought that yarn on Saturday!

Daffs and 'Lips

The sun is shining! More daffodils are blooming. I'd like to roll around in them.

And this painting I did years ago makes them that much sweeter.

I went grocery shopping last night (a mini vacation without anyone tagging along) and couldn't resist these beautiful purplish tulips. Amazing how much cheer one can derive from $7 worth of flowers.

Apparently I was wrong: he can get cuter.

Technically Tuesday

Technically this should be a Sarah post, but since she's busy, I thought I would put up an example of her craft skills. That and she's been busy making things (and dropping really annoying hints!) that she can't share yet, so here is the last thing she made: felted soap for Valentine's Day. It's a heart...slightly realistic. JJ says it makes the bathroom smell good.

Technically this should be a St. Patrick's Day post, since that is the name of the day, but she didn't felt shamrocks! I do think, however, she should seriously consider felting soap shaped like Easter eggs.

Technically, Aidan's birthday only comes once a year, but today he is officially six months old - Happy Unbirthday, Baby! His early babyhood is over - bring on the next phase!

This is what thirty-one looks like

New Stash

New Swift (Thanks, Dear!)

New Life

Daffodils are my very favorites; they always bloom around my birthday. It's not always sunny on this day, but wherever these beauties grow the world glows a little brighter.

It's been a peaceful sort of birthday. The sun shines, the rain drizzles, the wind blows. In short, it's spring outside! The only real hiccup came at breakfast when Owen couldn't make up his mind whether or not to eat the cereal he asked for. When I said I was going to take it away, he said, "I be good, Mama." When I set the bowl back in front of him, he said, "Mmm... maybe not."

Right now the planets have aligned and both boys are asleep. If I act fast, I might have time to learn the three-needle bind off I need to connect the front to the back of the Owl Vest!

Intervention

I'm taking you up on your offer, Sarah - when can you come over???

Here's one of Owen's many collections. Rocks, shells, tiny beads. Anything small is instantly claimed.

Our whole family is made up of collectors. I myself have more books than I care to count. And then there's the yarn! (Have I mentioned lately my love of yarn?? Why did I never realize its potential before?)

Speaking of yarn, can you see the owls?

I'm so in love with this pattern right now. It's the free Owl Baby Vest pattern from Ravelry. I know my purls suck, but these are my first cables so I'm cutting myself some slack. I'm done with the five cable owls and am nearly finished with the back. I can't wait to put it on Aidan and show him off.

We're off to the beach tomorrow - see you there, Sarah!

Do Over

It must be the Spring Cleaning bug. I feel like we're living in a petri dish - like every single thing we own is either crummy or dirty or lost among the dirty, crummy stuff (except for the yarn, of course, it's all good). I want to take every last thing we own outside, scrub the house clean with a truckload of baking soda and vinegar and only bring in the things we love and couldn't live without. Like when we were kids and had a do over to restart a game that had gone awry. I want a house Do-Over. Just start over at a new place and only bring in things that pass the test.

My biggest obstacle (besides all that tempting yarn) are the small people who live here with me. Since they have no off buttons (belive me, I've checked - no mute either) and they insist on following me everywhere I have a lot of trouble focusing on chores. Usually the chores are simply forgotten about while I rescue Owen from himself (playing in the toilet sounds like fun to a two year old, I guess), then sit down to nurse the baby AGAIN. That's why all our spoons are dirty, our carpet is a slightly darker color than it should be, and I can barely see out certain windows for all the fingerprints (and dog prints, but that's another story).

The solution? I don't know. Maybe I can send the boys off with Daddy this weekend for a couple of hours; long enough for a basic cleaning, anyway. Quoting one of the guys from Mad Max: "Plan? There ain't no plan."

Jump Rope for SUN!

I'm up! Yes the infamous sleepy one has awoke at a reasonable hour. Partly thanks to my roommate who gets up much earlier than I, and also to a certain kitty....

I finished a craft project yesterday that I'm quite pleased with, however, it is for my sisters birthday so I must hold off from posting pictures until after her big day, (which is Monday!).

I'm getting excited for a little jaunt out to the coast to see some family. I haven't had a chance to play with my nephew on the beach since he's been able to walk so that should be fun. Hopefully I'll get some time to continue my crochet project (short and sweet from the Happy Hooker) I'm sure my sister and I will have pictures to share!!

Ok, I'm seriously considering jump roping on my sunny deck. We shall see....

Take a good look

He may never be this cute again...

Good Morning sleepy head (that's me)

This morning I tried to wake up early. I think that's the story of my life. Sometimes, however, I'm pretty good at it. My problem is that I just love staying up and crafting, reading, goofing off on the computer or whatever. The other problem is that I love to sleep. 

Oh well, I'll keep working on it.

My most recent craft makes me feel like a silly little kid, but I don't think I actually crafted this as a kid like everyone else. I've been making friendship bracelets! I can't believe I just admitted  it. Here's the clincher, I've been making one with subtle hearts in it for my boyfriend, with his two favorite color combos. Yikes. The best part yet is he will love it. 

Oh by the way Erin, my first one turned out a little on the small side so guess who gets it! 

Still Life (with playdough)

Around here there is a lot of life, but not much of it is still. At this moment (10:15 a.m.) the toddler is riding his trike through the house singing his version of the ABCs while the baby is squealing from his swing. We are preparing to go to a friend's house to play, for our usual Tuesday playdate, but I have to stop to watch Owen race back to his room for his fireman's hat. No tricycle ride is complete without a plastic fireman's hat.

I've always been fascinated by the still life as an artform. They were my favorite thing to paint (when I had time to paint) and photograph. Here at the house I keep noticing little unintentional still lifes all over the place. A toy placed just so beside a lamp; a tangerine sitting beside a blue cup; yarn sitting prettily on a table. I want to start noticing things like that more - little pockets of stillness in an otherwise busy life.

Hey Sarah - I'm looking out the window! It's gray, but there are gorgeous yellow daffodils in the backyard.

Our Blog Commences!

Happy Birthday! Today our blog becomes a reality. How exciting! But how does one begin? Since this is to be a shared blog, we will be sharing our thoughts independantly and in conversations. Growing up together we didn't always get along (ok, did we ever?) but now we're super close and really involved in each other's life. We've both discovered the joy of crafting and will be using this blog to explore and share our projects. In between moments of work, mothering and life in general!

So here is my current obsession: beautiful yarn! I got a whole basketfull of this yarn yesterday at our favorite yarn store Abundant Yarns in Sellwood. When Sarah showed me the balls she bought, I just had to buy up the rest. What else is leftover Christmas money for??? I've already got a few projects in mind...