Spring cleaning

We are in the process of selling our house, so the idea of clutter has been bandied about a lot lately. I also hope that at soem point this year the snow will melt, and I will be able to open the windows. All of this puts me in a sparse place of mind. I wan tto stream line our meals and work out more (to hopefully stream line my body too). Some of my favorite simple recipes include: baked chicken the hubby's favorite Shepherd's Pie and amazing Mac and Cheese Cups And I plan to try this beet salad and Chinese Chicken Balls. I saw this on Food in Jars, and it fits perfectly into my current mind set. Why not Take the Pledge yourself. And while you're at it check out this post.

A Mommy High

I am riding a Mommy High! Zoe asked if she coudl be a speck for "Dress up as your favorite Dr. Suess character Day." I said "a speck?" And she said "You know the world that Horton saves." Well how coudl I say no to that? So I did a little web surfing and found a great idea for a wig..... And now she is the cutest speck ever. It's official, her Daddy said so.

And the best part is that she said I did the bestest job ever. So yeah I'm riding the Mommy High. I win the day!

Oh My!

Really that's all I've got. Oh My! and maybe a big sigh tossed in for drama. So much has happened since I last posted. The biggest.... We are moving. This may seem counterintuative to my Pinterest friends. No we didn't buy the little farm of my dreams. We put an offer in on a cute old house in the city. Yes. It's offical. We are moving in to the city, such as it is. But this is a good thing, really. The kiddo has offically started Black Belt training which means extra long sessions twice a week. And Brownies has started meeting twice a month. And we are getting to the point where there's no point to drive home in between school and activities. So we've been eating out (a lot of junk) and acting like Gypsies. Also this semester the DH has had an influx of meetings, which hasn't helped any of this either. I've been perusing the realestate listings for awhile now, looking for the perfect little farmette with a building that could become the DH's woodshop. We ended up looking at a property in the city that had his dream workroom in the basement. It was in a nice neighborhood, if a little crowded, but the workroom was really the highlight. The rest of the house left me cold. So on a lark we stopped by an Open House at another listing that had great pictures but seemed to good to be true at the price point. And Bam! We fell in love with it and I am now looking up vertical gardening tips. Of course it's not all that easy. We cleared our house to get it "staged" in a week. (Thanks Honey!) And now we're holding our breath hoping that it sells fast so we don't have manage two mortgages. We've had a lot of interest, so that's a good sign. But it's still nerve racking. Add in all the usual activites a couple bad cold and a business trip and you can understand why I'm a little stressed. And next weekend we're off to Arizona for a big family trip. Grandpa Joe turns 90! So even though I have much more interesting things to talk about liek book reviews and the First Communion dress I'm sewing.... this is in the forfront of my mind. Hopefully now that I've speewed it forth I'll be able to focus on the little things. And by the way.... Here's my little black belt Ninja princess.....

Sometimes you need to jam.

Journaling

The S Word

So it's official I've hit the point in the season where I am sick to death of snow. It's right on time, February is my limit. In the fall I am the annoying person who is cheering on the first flakes. I squeal in delight when I wake to a soft white blanket covering the earth. I put my sky high heels away in favor for my Docs and warm boot socks. And I am genuinely happy for a month or two. But by February my deeply annoyed husband has a true companion. I want to live in a hot bath or under a pile of blankets, nestled with my hubby and daughter like a nest of cats. I want all the rich, warming, comfort food. And most of all I long for sun and green grass. Don't get me wrong I'm not wishing for summer. I never fall that far down the rabbit hole. But I am becoming miserly with my warmth. So what am I doing to counter this bought of seasonal affective disorder? I'm certainly not doing the smart thing, and hitting the gym. Although I will make an effort in that direction tonight. Instead I am whining. I am winding bright green yarn, and planning spring dresses to sew. I am living under my covers with my latest books. I am sketching the new layout for my vegetable bed and dozing off while day dreaming about the new rail collection system I will build in March. On the one hand I could argue that I am planning. But to be honest I am no where close to productive. And my pants are getting any looser. I have one more month to the Shamrock Shuffle 5K. So today I vow to ignore the weather and get a run in. After tutoring I WILL go to the gym and get on that treadmill. And I will ignore the the forecast that littered with that dreadful S-word. I will perk myself up...... Just right after I finish this chapter and take another nap.

The weather outside is frightful

That's the view from the winodw of my office. Although now it's coming down quite thickly. This week we've white out conditions followed by torrents of freeziong rain, follwed by a warm and wild Thunder storms and now we're back to snow. And it should be dropping to single digits tonight so all the leftover rain and slush will adhere itslef to bridges and streets in a way that denture adhesives can only imagine. Our sump pumps has run more this week than any January week I can remeber and this moring when I heard a rumbling noise I outside I actually questioned if it was more Thunder or just the Snow Plow. All of this messes with my asthma in truely wicked way and of course my munchkin has been home sick as well. But she's a tropper and has been figthing off the second grade fever illness all month. So I guess she was due. This is of course has meant a fairly steady stream of Chinese takeout. It's my favorite "I can't breathe" comfort food. And the munchkin can slurp lo mein with the best of them. Well, as long as there are no "gross green things" in it. Luckily our place makes it plain. But as our waistlines bulge and our finger swell, I'm thinking of come better ideas. Meryl from "My Bit of Earth" wrote about her recent Soup Swap and I have to say that I can't wait to organize my own. And then there's Alana, who almsot made me feel like a bad Mom, for plying my child with greasy noodles. Her idea of sick food sounds much better, not to mention more wholesome. When I was pregnant I ate a Congee dish almost every morning for breakfast. It was comforting and soothing. My favorite toppings were toasted, crumbled nori sheets, sesame seeds and green onions. Yum! Maybe we'll do that tonight. Or I coudl always make my chicken soup, loving named Rem's soup after my Grandma who put the recipe together. Some day I'll have to write about why we started calling it Birthday Soup. But for now I leave you with a snowy cozy image and some yummy links to keep you cozy.

this moment

Inspired by SouleMama

this moment

Inspired by SouleMama

My buddy Rosamunde

As November comes to a close and the Christmas decorations come up, I turn to my one of my favorite books of all time.I read Winter Solstice every year. Each year something strikes me in a different way. And although I know the story by heart, I always get a little thrill at the end. Five lonely and slightly battered people meander their way to a Scottish fishing village for Christmas and of course a bit of redemption. The characters are true and interesting. The issues are modern enough although the story is tucked in an idyllic setting. And the happiness is genuine and not at all forced. The language is fluid and lovely, which helps set it apart from so many formulaic Christmas novels. It's the kind of book that you want to climb into. Every year I wish to move to Creagan. I want to have dinner with the characters, or just sit for tea and listen to the Aga purr. I'm not a romance reader, at all and there's some romance here. But it is quiet and subtle, in that understated British way. Another reason that this story stays fresh for me, is that I've started listening to the audio book. This way I can listen and daydream while I bake or decorate. I can even bring it to work and listen on the commute. It frosts boring everyday moments with the Christmas sparkle. So if you're looking for a beautiful cozy Christmas read, check it out. And please share your Holiday favorite!

Memory knitting

I am a big fan of the sock yarn blankie because I can look at it as a scrap book. This block is the yarn from my Camp Kip knitalong shawl. And this is from my first Socks that Rock kit. Oh, and remember this one, the sock that ended up in the garbage disposal? ( I wish I was kidding about that one) This type of craft that weaves in memories really floats my boat. So I am very pleased to tell you about a new one I just found, the Sky scarf. The more I read about Conceptual knitting the more I love it. I guess I really am a process knitter. I also love how open to interpretation this pattern is. A quick trip through Ravelry showed me myriad interpretations, and now I am really hooked. I love the idea of adding a ripple pattern, but the thing that has me fascinated is the swing knitting. My mind reals at the possibilities. How else can I document my life in knitting? What kind of special piece can I make to document the munchkin growing up? I bet you can guess how I will spending my day.... with my sketch book in hand.

Literary Slumming

I admit to being a bit of a literary snob. I was an English major, I can't help it. If I read a romance there needs to be some meat to it, like Diana Gabaldon's Outlander Series, or Deborah Harkness's All Soul's Trilogy. So you wouldn't be surprised that I said I would not read The Fifty Shades books. I was duped into reading Twilight and still haven't forgiven myself. (To be fair I read half of it under serious sedation)

However after a rather painful discussion, I ended up with the first book Fifty Shades of Grey. sigh I groaned and rolled my eyes through the first few chapters. The heroine is ridiculous and completely unbelievable. But about halfway, you get to know Mr. Grey. And minus the tremendous wealth, I've dated a few versions of him.... So I kept with it. By the end I still hated the heroine, maybe even more than before, but I had to know what happened to Mr. Grey. It was a cliffhanger.

And now that I've finished the second book, I am ashamed of myself. How did these make the NYT bestseller list? If it's the Mommy-Porn angle I need to pop that bubble. It's not that spicy. In fact the second one is a real disappointment in that department. And it's swiftly coming around to full on fairy tale nonsense. Ugh! I know I only have myself to blame. And of course I'll have to read the last one, because I'm like that. But really? This is what the American public can't get enough of? It's like reading bad wine. Cloyingly sweet and not quite alcoholic enough...... but you keep drinking it hoping for at least a buzz, as the flavor gets worse. Then you're looking for another bottle because it leaves you thirsty, no because you particularly like it.

So moral of this post..... if the salacious reputation is keeping you from the Fifty Shades trilogy, go buy it. But don't' say I didn't warn you when you get a tooth ache and feel empty at the end. Pardon me as I return to a really good book..... American Dervish.

Fashionistas

I have a weak spot for fashion. I'm not a fashionista, but I love Project Runway, Vogue magazine, and sewing my own knock offs. So is it any wonder that I got sucked into Jane by Design last night? I set up the laptop on my sewing table for Netflix to run in the background, planning on Dr. Who, but got sucked into "Jane" instead.

This is the perfect combination of Prety in Pink and The Devil Wears Prada. You have all the social nonsense of high school cliches and the back stabbing fervor of the fashion industry, not to mention awesome cameos of real designers. I may have actually squeeled when Patrica Field showed up. And I have to say it was the perfect level of entertainment to sew along with. I could look up and keep in step with it, but not have to be glued to screen. I wouldn't say it's earth shattering television, but it sure is fun. So if you have that teenage-fashion intereseted part of you looking for a little attention, give it a shot!

A Fresh Start, For Real This Time

So much has happened since my last post. And I'm not a little ashamed of how long it's been. We've had a good deal of medical issues within my family. These have led to a very different lifestyle than I had expected. I spend at least half of my weekends up in the woods at my Parent's place. And this has taken a toll. I've also changed jobs which is a glorious thing! I am now at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, only ten minutes away from the Munchkin's school. I can't tell you how excited I am to be able to take her to Gymnastics after school. Previously, working in another city (and later hours)meant missing out on a lot of the "Mom" duties and I felt like a crappy Mommy. Not to mention the hubby was getting a little burned out. But I am back on top of things now, even got the iphone app so I have no excuse not to post. And after a little photo shoot tonight I will have some FO pics to share. I've also been sailing through books so I plan to post a few books reviews of my faves this week as well. I hope you like the background changes, and come back for more changes and posts to come!

Another Year Brings More Changes

It's been so long. And so much as happened. I've finally found a job. It's not my dream job, but in this economy, I'll take anything that I can actually use my brain for. I'm working for Cisco in the service contract center. I had to learn a whole new language, but it was exactly what I was looking for. Since graduation in December, I have been in a mindless job and a bit of a funk. So now I feel shiny new. And I have a new zest for my real passion, writing. I hope the writer's block is gone. And to help the juices flow I have decided to change my school related blog Omro Cosmopolitan into a writing based blog that I will update through out the week during my new found "writing time." So check it out. I will be posting fiction and essays. But I'll still post here about my creative endeavors which will soon include spinning.

A Schedule

So I've been graduated (if that's even a word) for three months now. And I live in Unemployment Valley (otherwise know as a the Fox Valley). So I need a strategy. When I switched my major and minor around my goal was to be writer. So I gotta write. Hence I am formulating a writing schedule. I don't lack ideas and I have a lot of desire. But I get stuck with What-should-I-do-first. So to that end I present to you my schedule:

Monday: WIPS and weekend wrap up
Wednesday: Munchkin Tales
Friday: Reviews, mostly books but recipes and yarns as well

Tuesdays and Thursdays will be allotted for Freelance work and Submissions. I am hopeful that this schedule will give me the direction that I am looking for and help me to juggle the various ideas and material that plays hopscotch in mind. So stay tuned. Later tonight I'll post my first review... here's a hint... It's a book.

Craft as Therapy

I know there are many people out there that are offended at the idea of knitting as the new yoga. And while it has been known to calm me down, I've never gotten the post-workout buzz from knitting. However, in the winter dulldrums, so prevalant in Wisconsin, there's nothing wrong with a little color therapy. Traditional at this time of year I reach the grassiest green sock yarn I can find, and knit away on a lacy new sock. The green soothes my need for grass and puts me in the mood for St. Patrick's Day. But this year I'm doing something different. I'm going to sew my winter blues away.

The best part of having a little girl, a very girly little girl, is that you have an excuse to use the most profanely, tooth achingly sweet fabric out there. And I haven't even cut out the Easter dress yet! I had the day off, because she had a day off from school yesterday. So we went to the library, and had lunch out (Pumpkin scones and all). Then I started digging in my sewing room.


This will be a play apron. It's the leftovers from a dress I made earlier in the season. She wore the dress out to dinner with Nana,who said: Wow, you're Mommy made this pretty dress? You are so lucky. Needless to say that me feel pretty good.


This will be a pillowcase dress for Summer Camp.

This is actually flannel, for a play shirt to take her into Spring.

And this is what's coming next. Along with Easter dresses..... With this much color and patter who could be glum, right? And I want to give a quick shout out for the book I'm using Carefree Clothes for Girls by Junko Okawa. I obviously choosing a different color pallet than she intended, but I'm really inspired by this book. I really enjoyed tracing the pattern pieces and adding seam allowances. It made me feel more a part of the process. I feel like I have more creative control. I'm even going so far as to take sleeves from one dress and adding them to different top. We'll see how it turns out. Stay tuned!

Dinner Time Deception

When the Munchkin was brand new, I watched every step of development with wonder and awe. I firmly believed that I would never lie to her. I planned to explain every decision, vowing to never use the hated phrase: Because I said so. And in the beginning it was easy to hold these ideals. She simply didn’t argue with me. She ate what I gave her and watched me with wide attentive eyes.

And then we fell down the other side of the mountain. Her willful side kicked into high gear and life got exponentially more difficult. My little Munchkin does everything in her own time. She refuses to be swayed by even largest show of force. So where did that leave me? I found my way into the world of subterfuge.

My mother sent me a copy of Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld. This book has been around for a while now, but just in case you haven’t come across it, I explain. The idea is that you make fruit and vegetable purees, and store them in the freezer. Then you add them into your kids’ favorite recipes to sneak in extra vitamins and nutrients. My first experiment was with banana bread, the recipes called for cauliflower puree. The Hubbie said “Mmmmm this good. New recipe?” I laughed so hard I nearly fell over. Well I never said I was a good spy. The jig was up with him. He became my co-conspirator.

Over the last two years I’ve added squash puree into Mac and Cheese, carrot puree into meatloaf, summer squash into “plain” buttered noodles. However my daughter’s favorite dish is something she calls pink pancakes. Can you guess what makes them pink? It’s beets, a vegetable she won’t touch in its original form. This particular recipe also uses ricotta cheese so she’s unknowingly getting protein and vegetables. It’s a real powerhouse. And when I pull the beet puree out of the fridge she calls it the “bag of pink.”

As I progress through motherhood I find issues that shouldn’t be avoided or ignored as well as little moments, like these, where nutrition is more important. I’ve even gotten her to eat baked eggs with cauliflower puree because I called them puffs and she got her own little cup. In this case it’s not so much deception as artful presentation.

They can't contain me!

That's sounds better than I'm a pathetic week yarn hussy, right? Needless to say, I'm not getting gold in this year's Olympics. My plan: to knit The Trellis scarf. This was a big goal for me because I have never finished a lace weight project. I've started many and I always get lost in the pattern and tink back more than I finish. So I figured a scarf is smaller than a shawl and the pattern just keeps repeating over and over. These were good thoughts, and had life not erupted in the middle I might have been okay. But as it stands I had to tink back three times and got so angry with the cobwebby cashmere that I put it aside and sought solace in sock knitting. The soothing repetition and familiar structure was soothing that I started two new pairs. One for the hubby and one for the munchkin. This is why I am a dirty dirty yarn slut. I can't seem to stay monogamous for anything. But I think I'm in good company. I've heard a few podcasters and bloggers say that knitting is a creative release for them and that Olympic goals don't support that process. Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it. And it's true really. We had a very emotional week at work, ending with a funeral, and my sock knitting was the best way for me to deal with it.

But the future looks bright for this knitter. My house is sparkling clean (Thanks for the help Hubby) and my meals are planned for the week. There are steak and potatoes in the crock pot and the snow is fluttering out my window like a snow globe, but not sticking to the pavement. The restful quality of Sunday has fallen upon my house and I plan to soak it all up and look forward. And I'll try to remember to not sign up for crazy challenges anymore. I have enough stress in my real life. I just don't need it in my knitting life.

I did it!

That's right ladies and gentlemen, I am a college graduate.

And this is my little cutie, wearing the hat. when the speeches wore down and the grads started walking across the stage the Munchkin caught on that people in the stands were cheering for their friends/family. So she says to her God Mother: We can be louder than those guys. Yup! That's my kid. I clapped and screamed for her, when the Chancelor asked spouses and immediate family members to stand and be honored for the sacrificing they did to make the day possible.



It was a very emotional day that ended with cocktails and a nap on the couch. Honestly as soon as the adrenalaine wore off, the week of no sleep and too much stress caught up to me.


And here's the shameless shot of my big graduation present, my very own Manolo Blahniks. It's the pair that Carrie gets married in in the Sex and the City Movie. Quite appropriate don't you think? I did even trip when I walked across the stage.

I also got a nice surprise this morning, the new Knitty is up. So I'll be on Ravelry later updating the queue that just keeps getting bigger. I'm sorry for my lack up updating (Courtney) but I will be around much more now that I don't have classes anymore. That was hte Munchkin's response when I explained graduating.... No more Night classes! Yeah, I hate night classes Mommy! She's such a smart kid!