{this moment}

{this moment} - a Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor, and remember. This is my contribution to Amanda's {this moment} photo project.

remedies

The warm sunshine today was like a remedy for my winter-trodden soul. Ahhh... We get what we need.

Another recent remedy: my Rose Remedy Top! I'm really liking a short-sleeved sweater over a long-sleeved t-shirt or blouse lately. The change in season means a whole wool sweater might be too warm, but a top like this keeps my shoulders and core just right! Please forgive the hodge-podge of pictures, it's the best I could get, and I wanted to show you this top before... well, before I forget to! The sleeve construction is so unique, and while knitting I wasn't sure how it was all going to go together. There are several eyelets that you create with the front & back pieces, then those eyelets set off the sleeve like a visual seam. After seaming, a few rows of stockinette to add a rolled edge, and ta-da! a short sleeve!

When I first saw the Sage Remedy Top on Ravelry, I failed to notice the feather & fan motif on the lower portion of the back. Had I seen it that time, I probably would have queued it up sooner. It wasn't until I viewed another Raveler's photos of the back of hers that I got the whole picture and was sold.

Here's the feather & fan section of the front (along with Hana's ponytail!). The placement is perfect, in my opinion. The scoop neckline hits at a nice spot on me. I'm shopping around for the perfect t-shirt (aren't we all?) to go with it; the t's I have all seem to be pretty high crewnecks... I know, I know, get over it, right? ;)

Besides being a cute picture of the Wee, this picture shows the gathering that happens right beneath the lace section on the front. This makes the top blousey in a very nice way, pretty. I'm glad that the yarn (Great American Yarns Merino/Silk) is so lightweight, almost airy, because it doesn't weigh down the top. You can see in the top photo that there is a ribbing. That ribbing works to pull in the bottom of the top just enough, again accentuating the blousing effect. The ribbing looked too tight while knitting, but once it was blocked (the pattern tells you just how wide to stretch it), it's perfect!

My Rose Remedy Top has been worn a bunch already. It is a cozy & pretty reminder that Spring is inching its way here...

Now, to remedy the blah way I've been feeling about the interior of the house, tonight I'm channeling my inner Lucy of Attic 24 (cookies too, except mine have dried cherries!). She has an attic in her home where she crafts, how awesome is that? In my imagination, it is the artist's garret of my dreams, candelabra and all! I'll be back tomorrow to show you how this remedy works...

What sort of remedies are you applying these days??? I hope they're working wonders!

accumulation

An accumulation of gratitude, snow, and granola bars...

I thought I should drop in here to say, "Phew! February is on it's way out!" And I would like to say thank you for all the encouragement to be bold back to this longest shortest month, and return all the virtual high-fives you gave me about the Crafty Crow appearance. Thank You!This is some of the beautiful snow that fell last week. Here is what we did with some of it:*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

For some reason today, I just had to make granola bars. I haven't tried making it from scratch before. I've found it hard to find one that I really like at the store. I'm picky about the bars I buy; I don't tolerate cashews, don't want the chocolate (I know, I know, blasphemous), like a good portion of chew, a titch of salt, and not too sweet. Please. Oh, and I love knowing exactly what's in there. I guess it should have occurred to me sooner. I tweeked a recipe I found over at delicious Smitten Kitchen. My modifications: I only had whole almonds, so I sent them through the nut-grinder. I didn't have wheat germ, so substituted oat bran. In my impatience, I added the oat bran before I was instructed, so it got toasted with the oats, almonds, and coconut (unsweetened); no harm done. Our honey is very solid, so I melted it a bit before mixing it in. And I felt compelled to add 2 tbls of butter, melted (Deb said I could!) For fruit I used dried cranberries, dried apricots, and raisins. You can see the sunflower seeds on top; that's because I forgot to mix them in. I just pushed them onto the top of the granola bars after it was all pressed into the pan. YUM. I think you should make some too. {By the way, that rigatoni is calling my name!}

So, if you're reading, you've made it through February too! Hooray for us! I hope to have a finished object (or two) to share later this week. Time to check out the Closing Ceremonies; the Olympics really helped me through this last bit of the calendar. :)

moments like these

Often, when I cook, I visualize a scene of the ideal setting for the food I'm preparing (there's that optimism again). Sometimes, that fantasy can be the push I need to add just that extra side-dish, condiment, or garnish. Sometimes, more than not, the vision can lead to frustration too, wishing I had that sprig of parsley that would be so pretty or those olives that would be the perfect salty tidbit. Sometimes, though, the whole picture comes together like this... ... a new cookie recipe, a new knitting project, and a perfect cup of coffee in my favorite mug! I found the peanut butter cookies through Leslie, and with their perfect little garnish they sure make me smile. I'm knitting this top with a merino wool & silk blend which weighs next to nothing and is very soft. The silk gives the fabric a gloss and the rustic spinning keeps it all from being too sleek; a perfect combination in my opinion!

What moments are you savoring?

Oh, and guess what?! The Heart-felt Tutorial is in Crafty Crow, an awesome on-line craft project resource! I emailed Cassi of Crafty Crow to offer the tutorial thinking that it was a bit late for another Valentine's Day project, but feeling brave and that I should just try. I had cruised the projects for a week or so after I emailed Cassi, but didn't see it. Then just last week, I received an email from Helen of Curly Birds thanking me for the tutorial she found on Crafty Crow (Helen's heart pouches are so sweet). I had all but forgotten about the submission. I could (can) hardly believe it! Whoopee!!! Big news for little ol' moi. Thank you to Helen for the tip-off and thank you to Cassi for the link-up!

it's so cold...

...but the sun was out to play!::: eating cinnamon roll bread ::: thanks to Beth
::: knitting on a neighborly ::: thanks to Jennifer and Larissa
::: reading & cuddling ::: I can't wait until she's old enough for Pippi
::: drinking hot tea ::: St.John's Good Mood Tea, Traditional Medicinal
::: listening to some good stories ::: thanks to NPR
::: hoping that you are cozy & warm wherever you are ::: really!

eta: thanks to Heather too!

color infusion!

I have noticed a pattern in my knitting project color preferences which follows the seasons. Spring whispers, "Pink, bright green, clear blue." Summer inspires me to choose watered down bright shades: sky blue and dusty pink. In the autumn, orange, purple, green, grey and brown call to me, "knit me! knit me!" Then winter shouts out, "Anything bright & cheery, please!" It happened last year, I recall clearly. And here I go again!I would never argue that anyone has a better color sense than Mother Nature, but I could be convinced that the color folks who dye Malabrigo must have some kind of hot-line to Mother Nature's palettes. I've just started another Lyalya Hoodie in Malabrigo shade Flora. And I often have knitting at my side in the kitchen (what, don't you?). So the yarn was sitting on the counter, waiting patiently while I sauteed, and when I turned around I noticed that some of the fruit in the fruit bowl were nuzzling the yarn. I wasn't surprised and I don't blame them. Grapefruit pink & gold, Honeycrisp red & pink, Orange, well, orange! Totally yummy!

This hoodie is going to be a gift for a friend's Little who will soon be two. Shhhh... don't tell. I would like to introduce you to this very talented & beautiful friend and mother. Her name is Nancy Melet-Daly. We met about twelve years ago, when I received a pair of her silver hand-linked earrings which were on display at a cafe where the sprout of a knitting clutch was forming. At the time of receiving the earrings, I only knew her name and her work. Perhaps two weeks later, Nancy showed up at our weekly meet-up with her knitting! A friendship was born. Many knit-nights later and many, many earrings, necklaces and bracelets later, I am proud to say that we remain friends, I won't say "more than ever" because it's never about degrees with Nancy, she's an all or nothing kind of friend. I admire so many things about Nancy; the way she conducts her business, her family and friends, her hair, her jewelry, her sweet child, her home, and I could go on... Check out her site, check out her Etsy shop, heck, give her a call! She will welcome you with open arms and treat you like a good friend. Oh, and just in case you're wondering what this has to do with my color infusion post (besides the hoodie), just look at this vintage glass goodness or this:

Slipping this bracelet on this morning was just the infusion of cheery color that I was craving! Thank you, Nancy, I love you.

I hope you're having a colorful day! xo

ETA: When I say, "...all or nothing..." I mean that once you are Nancy's friend, you might as well be family, because she loves you just like you were. <3

for dad

I knit a leg-warmer for my father, it fit him perfectly, and this makes me so happy I could cry. It is my father's story to tell, but I will condense it thusly:

My dad had both his legs amputated two years ago; one above the knee, one below. The longer leg often ends up uncovered by a lap blanket and gets cold. It occured to me that a warmer of some form was what he needed. I should not have waited so long. When he tried it on today, we were both really pleased. I will not wait so long to knit him another one. :) {details on my Ravelry page}

Also in the picture, yumminess thusly:

Cranberry Oatmeal Struesel Bars
1 12oz bag cranberries
3/4 c water
3/4 c sugar
:::
pinch of salt
1/4 tsp ground mace
:::
1 c packed brown sugar
1 3/4 c all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
:::
3/4 c butter at room temp
1 1/2 c oatmeal
1/2 c walnuts, chopped
:::
::: cook first group of ingredients in a saucepan to boil, then simmer for 5 mins until the berries pop; remove from heat, add mace & salt
::: grease 7"x11" pan; preheat oven to 375 deg F
::: in a large bowl, combine second group of ingredients; add butter and mix, using hands until no small lumps remain; add oatmeal & walnuts
::: press half of the oatmeal mixture into the pan, bake for 10 mins; remove and spread cranberry mixture on top; sprinkle remaining oatmeal mixture
::: bake for 25 mins, until lightly browned
::: cool in pan on rack; once cooled, cut into bars.

yum. yum. extra yum. {I stumbled upon this recipe on the internet sometime last year, I can't retrace/retrace where, sorry.}

don't play with your food!

Just kidding! Play all you want! Because these three squares are meant to be played with. :)

Sometime around the age of two, Hana received a generous, timely, we-can't-believe-our luck! hand me down gift of a beautiful wooden play kitchen. She has loved that toy so much! It's a rare day that goes by without Hana cooking up some kind of goodness there. At first, dry millet, a jar of little felt balls, water, and strong imagination were all the "food" she needed. However, by the time of her fourth birthday (she's five now), some real food was requested. So for her birthday I made her some of the food below. The invitation for her party were in the form of a simple menu, and guests were asked to rsvp with their "order". Between rsvp date and the party I got busy making, and each guest was presented their "order" as part of their party favor from Hana's Cafe party. It was so much fun!On the daily menu at Hana's Cafe: for breakfast, a shortstack of pancakes with maple syrup and a pat of butter. Yum. {knitted and felted from this pattern but smaller with Rowan Scottish Tweed DK, free-hand felt syrup & butter}Then for lunch, a mixed greens salad with carrots, cucumber slices, mushrooms, and peas. Yum. {lettuce & mini carrots with Brown Sheep Nature Spun worsted, cucumbers with Debbie Bliss cotton and Nature Spun worsted, mushrooms & peas were handmade gifts from a friend who knew the party theme, big carrot wet felted with Peace Fleece roving}Sushi for dinner! Salmon roll, cucumber roll, tuna roll, and salmon roe! Yum. {rice & fish in rolls needle-felted from Peace Fleece roving and wrapped with black nori/felt, little roe pieces wet felted into tiny balls then onto the rice, then wrapped} This sushi is a recent addition to the fare at Hana's cafe, you know, for the more mature chef. ;-)Dessert! Yea! An oreo-type cookie. Extra-Yum! {amigurumi cookie from Brown Sheep Nature Spun & Cascade 220 and a wee bit of felt & embroidery floss} This cute cookie is really one of Hana's dad's holiday gifts (he's an oreo fiend from way back), but he has "allowed" her to play with it in her kitchen.

For the party invitations, we also offered pasta with tomato sauce. I made bowtie pasta with white felt cut in small rectangles (approx 1"x1.5") with two long sides cut with regular scissors and the two short sides cut with pinking shears. I pinched the center and stitched it a few times to secure it; about ten pieces makes a nice serving. The tomato sauce was a "splat" shaped piece of felt. As is the way with the cobbler's children, Hana's kitchen hasn't received its delivery of pasta from the distributor, but don't worry, I'm on it! :)

I'm posting about this play food now because the colder weather means indoor play is gaining favor. As I put my mind to sprucing up her play areas to expand her options, I thought it would be nice to share these ideas with you. There are few things better than a little one witnessing the creation of a toy (or anything for that matter) just for them, or by them!

Just food for thought! {Gah! I can't believe I just typed that, but that's me, so there you go!}

xo - Annri

a toast

Here's to 2009 in craft! {click the photo to enlarge}

Thank you for all your visits here. Your comments put a smile on my face and lift my heart; I really appreciate that reverberation, and I hope that same good vibration echoes over into your place wherever your nest may be. I have made re-connections and new connections, have been reassured of kindness and generosity, and have marvelled at creative beauty in so many forms because of this Woolnest and my travels around the wonderous web. The experience has nourished me in the most delicious way!

So, I raise my needles (tee-hee!) to You, to 2009, and to 2010, bring it, I'm ready! (that is, once I finish those few straggling projects from 2009....) ;-)

xoxo

best - Annri

the makings of a happy birthday

warning: long story but with a happy ending.

Hana turned five last Monday. To start things off right, she opened a few gifts in the morning, before big brother and dad went off for their days. Then, our usual but special playdate. Next, meatball making, cake baking and decorating with me! That all requires a stay-at-home-day which is our favorite kind, so there's a bonus gift. After her favorite dinner, came opening the extra surprise: her cool pink plasma car! Then blowing out the candle on her birthday cake! Check out the cute candle holder doll from The Small Object! That was one of Hana's a.m. gifts, and she was so tickled with a special holder that she decided to forego any other candles because "this is special enough by itself, mama." Sweetie! It was a great day.

After the "business" of celebrating, on Tuesday we began to prepare for her birthday party, which was Sunday. Hana's vision for the party included a pinata, "We definitely, definitely need to have a pinata, Mom!" She had been very consistent with that wish, so it became my vision too. My vision for a pinata included homemade, so we made a pretty good-sized mess with some flour, water, and newspaper; it was so fun! I love that after the mess got going, she asked for her apron (the one my mom made for her) and then there was no stopping her! I even took a pretty long phone call while Hana pasted away! One round bowl, one flat-bottomed bowl, some tape, some poster paint, a red felt ball cherry on top, and a healthy dose of imagination, and by Sunday we had a cute, petite cupcake pinata filled with lollipops, some mini candies, and flower fairies (and a race car, believe me, he liked the race car better)! Alas, I did not get a photo of the pinata.

For the party, Hana requested a vanilla cake with chocolate frosting and strawberries on top, yummy! Serendipidously, Alison posted her recipe for buttercream frosting just that week, mentioning a chocolate version... hmmm... perfect! I got up the courage to try it (by myself Saturday night) and it worked out delicously! It seemed like Alison was right there in my kitchen holding my hand and encouraging me through the whole thing. Thank you, Alison!

Do you remember my watched-pot knits? Well, Saturday night while watching the frosting do its thing, I was putting the finishing re-touches on the princess crown hat Hana is wearing in the outdoor photo above (click on the pic to enlarge). Alison also held my hand through that one, as she designed it and included the pattern in her beautiful book, Fairy Tale Knits.

To make a sweet long story shorter, Alison and I go way back, about fifteen-years-and-five-children-between-us back (not to mention the number of knits and baskets between us!). After we'd known each other for about six years and had become very good friends, life moved her family away from Ann Arbor. I am a poor long-distance friend (however this blog and the internet are helping me mend my ways), so Alison and I were only in touch very infrequently. Miraculously, the occassional out-of-the-blue phone call or note would land itself at the moments in our respective lives when something wonderful was happening for the other; another baby, a year in Rome, Italy, another baby! Most recently, a comment on this blog cropped up, and the something wonderful was her book! My amazing friend, Alison, wrote a book! We have picked up where we left off many years ago, even coming to the realization that we read the same blogs, knit the same projects, and need a good buttercream frosting recipe! These coincidences are nothing new to our relationship, but even over all the miles and all this time, the things that brought us together when we were two miles apart remain the same; that is such a reassurance (and a testament to her patience as a friend). Thank you, Alison.

So, did you catch that, re-touches to the hat? After I finished it the first time, it stretched in length like crazy, it covered Hana's eyes! The beauty of the repair was that I only needed to take out the hem and picot edge since the hat and crown were knit separately and then joined for the edge and hem! Yes, I did see the wee hours of the morning, but hey, it wouldn't be a birthday around here if I hadn't!

Still with me? I warned you this would be long, but I hope you smiled a few times... we sure did!

Happy Halloween!

BOO! Did you have a fun-filled Halloween? We sure did! Pumpkins to carve, leaves to jump in, food to bake, costumes to change into (and change into again!), grandparents to visit, and dinner & trick-or-treating with good friends! Phew. The baking I did were gallettes/handpies a'la Maya. Yummy! I will definitely make them again, soon. (note to self: do not shy away from making home-made crust, it's no biggie!) Mmmm...

I will try to have a Socktoberfest Mini-sock/stocking wrap-up post tomorrow. My attention turned to the craft room today, so it's looking pretty tidy and ready for some holiday creatin'!

watched pot knits

Tonight, we had "Oops, I-forgot-to-roast-the-peppers-this-morning-before-I-left-the-house-for-the-day-pasta". Have you ever made that recipe? ;-)Olive oil, onion, garlic, Italian sausage, red peppers, broccoli, diced tomatoes, chili pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and a pot of pasta! It was kinda fun and very yum!

The chef's recommended knitting to go with this particular dish is a top-down dolly cardigan. Last year, I crafted a sweater for Hana's dolly, Molly (yes, we repeat that phrase a lot around here!) I based the construction heavily on a top-down cardigan I knitted for Hana from a Knitting Pure and Simple pattern. I love the Knitting Pure and Simple patterns for their simplicity which allows a nice amount ad lib, especially for the hack designer in me. The gauge is smaller than the girls' sweater, at 5 stitches/inch for the dolls. I'm knitting this version with some Cascade 220 Heather which a friend passed on to me (thanks, S!) When I knit the first one, I wrote out the pattern (read: scribbled some notes), and am re-knitting and re-scribing with the hopes of being of some use to other dolly clothes making folks out there. Of course, I'll try my hand at adding it to the blog as a downloadable pattern, but I am no expert there... at the least there will be a pattern post with some photos, perhaps over the weekend. {Alison, I might need your tech-support guys to make a house call!}

And I am happy to report that I've completed a few more mini-socks/stockings for the Socktoberfest mini-socks/stocking knitalong that I was crazy enough to start! I'm still a wee bit behind, but I want to show that I'm still in the game. From the left: Sophie's Toes (a gifted sample in my last order, thank you, Emily), mystery stashed leftover, and Lorna's Laces Sock in what I call the bumble bee colorway. Emily Parson, the very talented and kind dyer of Sophie's Toes, just had an update at her Etsy shop yesterday, and I think there is still some left... just sayin'!

Now, I'm going to curl up on the sofa with some tea and my Through The Loops Mystery Sock clue for this week! Happiness, simple happiness.

Cozy wishes to you - xoxo

+ <3

Here's to my self-love practice! Yummy ginger cookie chopped and sprinkled over ice cream!

there, that's better

I woke up in a funk this morning. So, I took a hold of the situation, and after a bit of pot-banging while making breakfast, I made myself some cookies. World Peace Cookies. If I had some toffee on hand, I might have tried Alison's recipe, but that'll have to wait until the next trip to the grocery. Now I feel much better! One of my regular gripes around here is, "No one makes me cookies." It is only a half-hearted complaint, as I love to bake. But sometimes, when I haven't had the chance to, and I really could go for a treat, those words escape my mouth (unto deaf ears usually).

So, here I sit in the porch, Saturday afternoon, kitty in lap (achoo!), coffee steaming, cookies waiting, and some knitting looking for some attention. I hope your weekend is as beautiful as mine is turning out to be! Here, have a cookie!

watched-pot knit

Tonight's dinner: rice with every veggie that is in the house! Cauliflower, kale, red pepper, corn, onion, garlic, potatoes.... Onion sauteed first in olive oil and butter, then add taters and about a cup of chicken stock, cover and cook until potatoes are almost tender. Add minced garlic, cauliflower, red pepper, and corn, cover again until cauliflower starts to become tender. Add pepper and salt, stir. At the last minute put the kale over everything, cover it again and let the kale wilt. Yum! I wouldn't mind some red cabbage, zuchinni or other squash, maybe even a sweet potato... next time! The watched-pot knit is a Lyalya Hoodie ABC in the child size. Over the years at a local art sale, I've seen a friend modeling one for sale, she is a friend of the designer who is a local. I admired the style every time I saw it, and then last week Waldorfmama displayed a beautiful rainbow version! I recognized the style and, quick as a bunny, followed the link to Etsy (again!) to purchase a pattern. It is going to be the cutest, elfiest, coziest hat/hood ever! I'm using Malabrigo worsted in the Cuarenta colorway that I had stashed from the LYS. It feels so buttery soft!

I mentioned in my last post a finished object. I was hoping to show you my baktus scarf, but I could not achieve what I consider a pleasing modeled photo of the Baktus itself. Soooo, I will try taking some pictures of it laying beautifully in the yard somewhere over the weekend and then share. OK? Thanks, I knew you'd understand!

Here are some flowers from Hana. She created this beautiful display during some happy solo play time the other day. It had been raining, but stopped for a few minutes. I was otherwise occupied, but sensed her donning some gear to go out. "Shhh..." I told myself, "let's see what happens." She came back in, then I heard some water running. A little clatter in the cupboards. Then she came into the sewing room, looked over at me, but went to her table quietly. "Shhh..." I told myself again. Then she went out into the other rooms, singing Rain Rain Go Away. After a few minutes, she called me, and when I got to the living room, this is what I saw! "All set for lunch!" she said so proudly. A girl with vision, that what she is!

yum. yum. extra yum.*

What a nice day we had!

First, we went to the Farmers' Market for some peaches and blueberries. Once home, I did a bit of blog reading and found Alicia's post which included a recipe for blueberry buckle. I've been thinking on blueberry buckle for a week or so, but couldn't come up with a recipe in my cookbook library, so coming across this recipe was perfect timing. YUM. Next, for dinner I had some chard to use. I was thinking quiche, and when I referred to Deborah Madison's Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone (thank you, S!) I found the recipe for Chard and Onion Omelette (Trouchier). I did a "favor" for a friend and took over (read: "received a gift of") her CSA share for this week which included the chard, basil, onions, and parsley of the recipe along with bunches of other gorgeous food and flowers. I think this is like a frittata, right? It was delicious and is all gone now; the whole family liked it! We all recommend it! YUM. I made a great big salad with one of the heads of lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, and pepper that came in the share. I think it was the best salad of the summer - everything was so crisp and tasty! EXTRA YUM.

Then, after dinner, my son, one of his good buddies, and I went to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince! It'd been a long time since I'd been to the movies. What fun! I really enjoyed it and wished the story would go on, I love it when that happens. By the way, have you every seen a pink nasturtium?! I love it. This one is from a mixed seed pack I planted which has produced the usual orange, gold, red, and then this surprise. So far, two blooms, but I've been checking every day for more...

*The title of today's post is brought to you by Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, a book of Hana's which she received from my sister and her family. Little Pea expresses his love of spinach (over candy!) with the words, "yum. yum. extra yum." We say that a lot around here, as we love food in this house! Thank you, sible.

Ps - A techie I am not. I only yesterday figured out how to allow comments w/o a Blogger account and have changed my settings. Actually, maybe someone out there should try it out, because like I mentioned, a techie I am not. Sorry if that made it difficult for anyone to comment. It makes my day when I get comments on my expressions here. Thank you!

bright side

Since my last post, I've been struggling to get back here. By struggling, I mean that the week was full of those kinds of conversations where one might remind oneself that when these kinds of things happen, thank goodness it usually only comes in threes. We're all fine, but there is some serious challenge and growth going on in and around the Nest. Believe me, I'd much rather be sitting here in my happy wooly nest than grappling with all the messy bits life brought this week. But I will deal with it all and come out the other end better, I'm sure. But on the bright side...

When I'm dealing with life's messy bits, my handwork helps to bring my heart to a steady rhythm, allows my mind to dig around for answers, and just generally soothes my soul. A lot of projects have been finished this week - that's part of the bright side. A pair of Ysolda's tiny shoes (still waiting for buttons and their baby). The Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Lightweight in the colorway Goody Goody is perfect if you're going for a pastel baby item. [I notice that Goody Goody is not offered right now, it was a Sock Club color. I think that Grimm's Willow-Wren or Easter Scramble are very similar to Goody Goody.] A cache coeur knit of the softest handspun merino; it will be like wrapping the baby in a lofty cloud! Our son's class teacher will become a grandmother in a couple of weeks, and I just love knitting for babies.

Preparing food is also soothing for me. The methodical preparation and focusing my attention on getting everything just so really gives me a place to get lost in for a time. If you're looking for a good carrot cake recipe, I highly recommend the carrot cake from The Silver Palate New Basics. I cut the sugar by 1/3 cup, and it's still perfectly, deliciously sweet. The recipe converts right into muffins too, which are great for lunch boxes and bake sales. Yum!



And, it never fails, that when I'm feeling mired down, I can get a boost from watching or listening to my kids. Hana finding joy in painting a garden or chatting with her dolls. Koji playing his guitar and singing along happily. And then the messy bits magically fall away, and the bright side shines through.

snow day!

I love a snow day! We got one yesterday. It seems the schedule just opens itself. With my new practice of grabbing those moments of "do it now" a snow day can include impromtu cupcakes! YUM! Then of course comes the tea party and some dancing....

To think, I was going to spend the day finishing laundry and packing for a trip to Cambridge. The trip is exciting; we'll see my sister, cheer for the Red Sox, walk and walk and walk, ride the train, and enjoy the get-away. Not to mention the plane ride which I'm reminded can be a journey in itself! However, making getting ready fun is a bit of challenge in my mind. But, I think I'll go print out a packing list for the Cupcake Snatcher (see her fingers up there?), grab a cupcake myself, and get to work!

There was a time that the cupcake-making might have been confused with procrastinating (my abilities there are stellar), but I'm choosing to view them as a carpe diem incident instead! ;-)

I'll be back next week with photos of our trip. I'll miss you while I'm gone!