Chicago Chickadee.

I finished a cowl a bit ago, well before I knew we were heading to Chicago to celebrate my 40th birthday.  I am so happy it's blocked and ready to throw into the suitcase.  I think it'll be perfect for the weather expected.       

This yarn was originally used for another cowl--the popular Honey Cowl.  But it was my Disney knit and lo and behold, I had packed the wrong needles.  I remember staring at my lap on the plane wondering what to do.  

I thought maybe it would work out with some fiddling so I went ahead and cast on.  But after working on it throughout the trip and a few days once we returned, I faced the fact that the resulting fabric was much too loose for my liking.  So I frogged it.     

I wasn't sure if it was going to become another cowl after that experience.  But then I saw several beautiful versions of the Chickadee cowl knit in this exact yarn (Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light) and colorway (Calligraphy), and fell head over heels, leaving little choice.  And I'm so happy I shamelessly followed, not changing a thing from their versions.  I love this cowl (Rav notes here) and have a new affection for the linen stitch.

Sandra

p.s.  I will be away for a bit, unplugged and holding hands with my fella, exploring a wonderful city.  This is after I figure out a suitable traveling knit and double check that I've packed the right sized needles. 

40.

    

I said goodnight to my thirties last night and woke up in a new decade.  For real this time.  To celebrate, I thought I'd share 40 random things about me.

 

40.  I became a neat freak/organized wannabe during my first pregnancy.  Considering the amount of stuff that comes with children, the timing was not ideal.

 

39.  Two of my favorite shows are Wait Wait Don't Tell Me on NPR and Gossip Girl on the WB (this barely nudged out The Bachelor).  It's all about balance.  Plus, it's hard to knit something complex while watching riveting tv.

 

38.  Most people think I'm of Hispanic descent (I am not, btw.  I am half Thai).

 

37.  No, really, when I did this thing at the White House, the Hispanic caucus would make a beeline for me and surround me (no idea what they were saying).

 

36.  I have taught the same aerobic class since my last year of law school in 1996.  They spoil me and have thrown me a celebration for just about every milestone in my life.  They are like family. 

35.  I am generally a nice person.  But once when I was cross-examining a witness, I made him cry.  Also, a juror once asked me if I handled divorces.  She was hoping I'd skewer her husband.  I suppose in court I can play the mean part. 

34.  I don't understand parents who drone on and on, bragging about their children.  Besides, we should really be talking about my children who are so smart, funny, cute,  talented, sweet, etc., etc.

 

33.  I love to cook and entertain.  It is a shame that I am so neurotic about it.

 

32.  I totally expect the man to offer to drive--is that horrible?

 

31.  And I think he should offer to pay.  That probably is horrible and dated but there, I said it.

 

30.  I will be raising my boys to always offer to drive and to pay.

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Last week.

Some things to remember from the week.

Littlest one dressed in fall clothes, looking so sweet.

The look of blocked linen stitch (more details on the cowl later).

A hat I'd knit and forgotten.

Remembering to take the camera to the bus stop to capture how the boys say goodbye each morning and hello each afternoon...may they always stay thick as thieves.

Also, I...

--was fussed over by family, friends, neighbors, and fitness students on special nights.  I am incredibly lucky.

--baked an unusual number of scones (four batches!)

--made grand plans to redo my craft space.  Doing it on the cheap so watching Craigslist like a hawk.

--picked out paint for new shelves Charlie built me--he truly is the best.

--did not log a single mile running, tsk tsk

--found the perfect pair of black boots.  I have been looking for ages, ask anyone.

and

--booked tickets for two to Chicago.  So, so excited.

Here's to another good week.  And remembering to remember it.

Sandra

Random, but so funny.

A couple of weeks ago, my good friend Hallie visited.  I've mentioned Hallie previously when talking scones.  She's also the person who got me into running.  I'm sad to say that we did not have scones or a chance to run together during her latest visit, so Hallie, come back!

But we did have, as is our way, the best talks.  And in one of those, I mentioned a recent discovery--that I'm one of those folks who, instead of laughing with the rest of the crowd at something funny, will nod and mutter, "that is so funny."  It's like I have to narrate everything. 

She sent me this YouTube video link.  While watching, I must have said "that is so funny" half a dozen times.  You, I bet, will just laugh.  Especially if you've ever shopped at Whole Foods.

fyi:  teeeny bit of cursing and there is music in case you're checking in at work.

 Sandra

More flowers.

I got to play with flowers over the weekend.

It was for a wedding we attended and we had a lovely time.  To be clear, the lovely time was had after the flooding and power outages were resolved.  Am I dwelling on the natural disasters?  I think I might be.  I know I've already mentioned them.  Twice.  But honestly!  It was a bit much.

Because as you might imagine, having lights, a working refrigerator and, I don't know, air conditioning when it's 90 degrees out, are all fairly important when designing flowers.  Especially wedding flowers, as one likes to manipulate them to peak as if on cue.  And I really would have liked having my basement space  per usual for flower gigs.  But after the flooding, I decided I'd better just work out of the kitchen.  Luckily, everything turned out fine.  I should really try to remember that things usually do have a way of working out.  It would save myself quite a bit of stress.

The bride requested a color scheme of white and blue, which can be a challenge because very few true blue flowers exist--most lean towards violet or lavender.  I decided to work with hydrangea, agapanthus, delphinium, and thistle for the blue.  For the white, roses, freesia, lilies, and more hydrangea. 

I adored how the arrangements turned out.  You really cannot go wrong with white and blue; it will always feel fresh.  And most importantly, the bride loved them.

 

Especially her bouquet...she asked for an organic looking bouquet, not round.  This seems to be a trend and I'm a fan.  A past bride said it best--flowers shouldn't look stressed out.  But I find it amusing (and by amusing I mean curse worthy) how hard it is to make something look "natural" but still refined.  Maybe I just need more practice.  Or maybe I struggle because perfectionism has no place there.    

Sandra

9/11; Everyone has a story.

Most anyone, when asked, knows exactly where they were when the events of 9/11 occurred.

Charlie and I have each shared a little bit about that day with the boys.  But not much.  Neither of us talk about it, really.  Because in the end, we were safe--and others, so many others, were not.  And it is those who gave or lost everything, in my mind, who lay claim to talking about that day. 

But....as much as this blog serves as a craft journal for me, it's also meant to memorialize certain things I wish to share with the boys.  And as the events of 9/11 have in no small way shaped my perspective on how I choose to live, I've decided to write an entry for when the boys are older.  I worry I might not remember as well in a few years--even though I'm certain I'll never forget. 

Click to read more ...

Adventures in tie dye.

Like so many in our area, in the last two weeks we have experienced an earthquake, a hurricane, and flooding.  And for my family, specifically, please add in a trip to the ER (yes for littlest one.  Again!), a trip to Disney, heading back to school, power outages, and a flooded basement.  You can imagine how grateful I am that we were able to weather it all. 

But I am not going to post about any of those things just yet.  Instead, I'm going to recall a fun project that filled one day (and beyond) with color--a tie dye kit by Jacquard. 

Bought for a steal at the local big box chain, it came complete with bottles, primary dyes, rubber bands, gloves, and even an instructional dvd (which was awesome for the kids to preview before getting started).  We've had the kit all summer but finally cracked it open when some friends were over.  I can't believe I've never tie dyed before.  You will see more shirts popping up in future pictures as the boys constantly reach for them.  We made a ton.  And I see more in our future.

Here they are sporting a few creations during a summer day trip in Baltimore.  Yes, they are loud and bright.  The shirts, too.

Here's to colorful days--I think we could all use some right about now.  Happy Friday.

Sandra

Back to School, 2011.

On a wet and rainy morning, the two oldest were all smiles as they waited to board their bus.

 

Few words were spoken.  And as the rain came down, few pictures were snapped. 

But I did manage to capture Charlie offering some advice.  And I was happy to witness them both intently listening--we are in no rush for the "you don't know what you're talking about" phase that ambushes many on their parental path.

Off they went, our 3rd and 1st grader.  I was sad, of course, but also genuinely excited for them because they both adore school.

But littlest one?  Much like last year*, he was not in favor of being left behind.

He starts school next week.  Until then, I am in distraction mode.

Sandra

*My word, do our boys look impossibly older than last year.  It would be silly to tear up now after holding it together at the bus stop, now wouldn't it?

 

Swim season recap.

Hi there!  Sandra waves hello, logging on for the first time in three weeks.

We're enjoying our summer and cannot believe it's almost over.  And before it ends, I need to record some important happenings.  One in particular is Max's involvement on swim team.  It was touch and go whether he'd choose to participate this year.  He tried winter swim and Charlie and I watched in horror as he seemed to get worse week after week...it was obvious his heart wasn't in it.  He would jump in and do a few strokes.  Then he'd  completely stop and lose all momentum, seemingly content with sinking.  And then--at a critical moment before sinking too far--he'd stroke, stroke, stroke, bobbing back to the surface.  He'd repeat this tortured rhythm the full length of the lane.  It was hard to watch. 

When summer rolled around, it was a surprise when he said he'd join swim team.  Not a surprise was the groaning when he trudged to the 7:45 a.m. practice each day.  But he always stuck with it.  He even graduated from the B meets to the A meets because our team needed someone in his age group to do breast stroke.  I should point out that he could not do breast stroke when this proposition arose. 

I should also point out that while other kids might be embarrassed by the notion of attempting something in public before they can do it well--the concern does not seem to cross Max's mind. 

A notable thing about our oldest is he really doesn't care what anyone thinks.  And this often presents challenges because his parents are, you guessed it, included in the group of "anyone."  Sure he wants to please us and enjoys making us proud.  But gaining acceptance by doing what others do is not a driving force in his decisions.  It never has been.  Rather, he will strive to do things well if he wants to.  And he is not easily influenced by the notion that he should want to do something well just because others do it well.  I'm not sure exactly what character trait, if any, that represents but it resulted in him happy to swim breast stroke in a race with seasoned swimmers even though he could not actually do the breast stroke.  I might have mentioned that already but it's worth repeating because it made me proud.  Especially when I saw his face before the first meet and realized he was pretty nervous.

Max disqualified during the first two meets.  He'd either do an illegal stroke or forget to touch the wall with two hands.  But he stuck with the practices, only missing when we were out of town and when he fell sick for a few days.  And in the end, the breast stroke finally clicked.  He cut his time nearly in half and by the end of the season, he improved enough to qualify for Divisionals.

More importantly, he made friends, enjoyed team camaraderie, and learned the valuable lesson that hard work pays off.  At our team banquet, he was selected by the coaches for the hardest working boy award.  I have never seen him look proud, surprised, and embarrassed.  And as I watched him clutch the plaque and process what it represented, I've never felt my heart swell quite that way. 

His coaches are really exceptional.  Wonderful young adults who are committed to the kids--many of them grew up on the very swim team they now coach.  The two young ladies in charge of the 8 and under kids are really great, not to mention adorable.  I knit them a pair of earflap hats in team colors with fun pom poms as a thank you gift.  I hope they like them.

I was a timer at the end of the lane and he's waving hello. But doesn't it look like he's trying to use the Force?

We've spent far less time at the pool since the end of swim season.  But we have a couple of weeks left.  We are ending this summer with a big surprise trip for the boys and I am all-a-flurry trying to get ready.  I'll give you a hint.  It starts with a D and rhymes with Help Me.  Okay, that's not the right attitude.  I know we'll have a ball and are lucky ducks to get to go.  I'm just a little worried that traveling with a three-year-old to a theme park filled with attractions that he--and he alone--cannot ride won't be the smoothest experience we've enjoyed.  I think I've made it clear how much he likes to hang with his brothers.  We will have to divide and distract, I think.  Wish us luck.

One little monkey...

One little monkey... 

...jumping on the bed.

He fell off and bumped his head. 

Momma called the doctor and the doctor said, "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

"Okaaaaay (!?) William?," asked momma.

"Hmmph."

"Okay," said William. 

Here's hoping you don't have an annual ER trip in your summer plans!

Sandra