tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273367162012-02-16T02:57:54.901-06:00Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.comBlogger5591100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-12166479980830294292011-08-05T10:47:00.001-05:002011-08-05T10:47:08.087-05:00

My new favorite thing that resulted from taking advantage of Tree Ripe Citrus deliveries is fruit leather! I have made and stored lots of little snack packs of peach leather.  It is a little bit fussy to make, but will be worth it when we can snack on yummy peaches this winter. To make it, I added ½ cup of water to each pound of peeled, pitted, and halved peaches.  I just used an average of 3

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-57523654823289757592011-07-19T10:03:00.000-05:002011-08-05T10:04:00.565-05:00

After taking care of the blueberries, I turned to lots and lots of peaches.  It wasn’t until I got into the third box of peaches that I discovered the brochures that the Tree Ripe folks had tucked in and learned that our blueberries had come from Luduc Blueberries in Paw Paw, Michigan and the peaches came from Pearson Farms in Georgia. I started with Blushing Peach Almond Conserves, which is a

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-72447158458934773042011-07-08T16:56:00.002-05:002011-07-15T09:10:45.593-05:00

No, not that kind of blue…blueberry blue.  And based on how many I have eaten, I might be looking at least a little blue as well!  The truck we bought Georgia peaches from last year also had Michigan blueberries this year, so last Wednesday, the kids and I trekked to the local bowling alley and came home with 15 pounds of blueberries and 1.5 bushels of peaches.  In addition to all of us eating a

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-11525674061630898512011-03-20T16:00:00.000-05:002011-03-20T16:00:04.492-05:00

We finally finished getting the great play room reorganization wrapped up.  I managed to weed out a few toys…not as many as I had hoped, but it’s a start and the drama and tragedy was kept to a minimum.  We now have a nice place for everyone to do their thing and as long as I stay on top of everyone, I am hoping we can keep it cleaned up and enjoyable. We have all of the “play house” stuff along

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-12241859377399602832011-03-19T13:33:00.001-05:002011-03-19T13:36:10.004-05:00

Well, not exactly sprung, but here in Wisconsin, we have pretty low standards.  Most of the week has been sunny and warm.  Shut up.  45°F is TOO warm.  We made our first trip of the season to our favorite state park on Tuesday.  The lake was still iced over.  It looked kind of slushy to me, but we saw a guy out ice fishing, so it must have been at least a little solid yet.  And there were still

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-17761448662426903292011-03-17T21:51:00.001-05:002011-03-17T21:51:55.258-05:00

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-80949314860428123632011-03-02T16:57:00.001-06:002011-03-02T16:57:45.358-06:00

So tonight’s dinner is going to be Chicken Satay (aka Chicken on a Stick).  It’s one of those fuss a little, wait a little, lather, rinse, repeat kind of meal.  I had the defrosted chicken on the kitchen counter for cutting and putting in the marinade and Beeb pulls up a chair to “help.”  The conversation went a little like this: Beeb:  What dat? Me:  Defrosted chicken Beeb:  Why-eee? [

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-3128152079827317062011-02-13T14:56:00.001-06:002011-02-13T14:56:05.093-06:00

On Friday, when it was doing this outside: We were inside doing this:    In order to do this today: Which resulted in masterpieces by Bug:   And by Bean: And by Beeb: And me: Plus some leftover house parts that just got decorated: I think a good time was had by all.

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-60708699002532065422011-02-11T11:35:00.001-06:002011-02-11T11:41:15.418-06:00

Forgot the action shot that follows this one: in the previous post.  Clearly, relaxation is contagious:

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-67772876040827898192011-02-11T10:36:00.001-06:002011-02-11T10:59:13.930-06:00

Oh wait.  Not that kind.  I mean “catch up.”  We have a new furry family member that joined our family this Christmas.  May I present “Snowflake”: We went to KittyDaddy’s mom’s house on Christmas Day and returned to Wisconsin with this little guy.  Three of the five kittens in the litter had already been selected by cousins, but Miss Bean got to pick him out and name him.  He is appropriately

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-45242184106830114382011-02-10T18:56:00.000-06:002011-02-10T18:57:06.206-06:00

2011 appears to be declaring itself the year of home improvement.  With three kids, we are living in constant chaos and I feel like I go into cranky-mommy meltdown mode fairly regularly to try and restore some order.  There have been times in my life where home was basically a place to eat meals and fall asleep between hectic here-and-there-ing.  As a homeschooling mom, I am finding that we need

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-87531201828213954742010-12-20T11:09:00.001-06:002010-12-20T11:13:56.434-06:00

I couldn’t find the master list that the scientists made before departing when I was taking pictures last night, but it showed up in the laboratory this morning.  Everything was duly checked off as the bags were packed: After soaking and some additional gentle cleaning, the fossilized bones were laid out to be assembled: The lead paleontologist did the actual assembly, while his able

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-72746715674125316182010-12-19T21:12:00.001-06:002010-12-20T11:13:56.435-06:00

Bug has been completely into dinosaurs and prehistoric life again recently.  For his birthday, the presents were pretty much all dinos, all the time.  One of the gifts from grandma and grandpa was a dinosaur excavation.  He has been excited to do it since he opened it, but we finally found a good time to go on our expedition.  He consulted his handy-dandy paleontologist map and it showed a hot

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-71392051611813901732010-09-12T15:41:00.001-05:002010-12-20T11:13:33.292-06:00

What a busy weekend!  We started in earnest on Friday.  In the morning we hit the farmers market for yet another big ol’ box of scratch and dent tomatoes.  We dropped them at home and then headed east to Jefferson to take in some sheep and wool at the (appropriately named) Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival.  Since we went on Friday this year instead of Saturday or Sunday, we missed out on the

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-66905060569225800942010-07-25T15:10:00.001-05:002010-12-20T11:12:14.824-06:00

Beeb has been checking out some new past-times lately.  I can’t say I have been a fan so far. Exhibit 1:  Flying He gets up on the chair with a feather in each hand, flaps his arms furiously, hollers “I fwappin, I fwappin,” then jumps off the chair while hollering “I fie-ing.”  It often ends with “ouch.”  Mostly I’m just happy he’s jumping off the recliner and not the roof of the house.

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-71533235860003398092010-07-20T15:11:00.000-05:002010-12-20T11:11:34.981-06:00

We walked to the park this morning.  The park we went to has a small prairie and a wood, so I threw my camera in my purse and my tripod in the wagon so I could take pictures of wildflowers while the kids played on the playground.  When we were heading home, Bug wanted to take a closer look at the bat houses.  While we were doing so, Beeb grabbed my tripod out of the wagon and tagged along,

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-83457149517050596302010-07-18T19:38:00.001-05:002010-07-18T19:38:14.791-05:00

Everyone got a trim this afternoon.  Usually it’s just the boys, but Miss Bean decided she wanted to go a little shorter.  I only whimpered a little trimming her long curls, but she looks gaw-jus, so I’ll get over it. Guess which one wasn’t cooperating.  But with his hands there, you can’t see how crooked his hair is…little wigglepuss wouldn’t sit still

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-45357309844677207052010-07-17T17:51:00.001-05:002010-07-17T17:53:35.126-05:00

We have plowed through almost 2/3 of the peaches.   We had peaches and cream one night for a bed-time snack.  I made two small peach upside-down cake (that didn’t turn out…my pan wasn’t exactly the right size and the middle didn’t get baked all the way, but it was still tasty!  I made two batches of peach freezer jam (totally seven pints) and put up six quarts of peach slices in light syrup.  We

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-78884259119934230682010-07-14T19:39:00.001-05:002010-07-17T17:53:35.127-05:00

This morning, I got two half bushel boxes of Georgia tree-ripened peaches out of a truck in the bowling alley parking lot.  My weekend plans include peach freezer jam, Blushing Peach Almond Freezer Conserve, Peaches in light syrup, and Honey-Spiced Peaches.  The house is going to going to smell so good!  That is, if the kids don’t eat them all before then.  Also, I wouldn’t be TOO upset if the

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-41354487693638234102010-07-08T13:03:00.000-05:002010-07-08T13:03:00.955-05:00

The alternating hot weather and plentiful rains have gotten most everything growing like crazy. “Knee-high by the fourth of July” is for under-achievers.  The beans are blooming, the punkins are blooming (with one teensey little green punkin already).  The tomatoes are starting to get a couple of blossoms.  Japanese beetles have become the bane of my existence.  I am keeping a jar of soapy

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-35380334565785716272010-07-07T12:40:00.000-05:002010-07-07T12:40:00.573-05:00

Last spring, I finally lurched into the 21st century and joined the iPod/mp3 world.  I got a iPod Touch and absolutely love it!  While I’m sure I would like an iPhone even better, I wasn’t crazy about the idea of paying the monthly data charge in addition to regular cell service.  I am managing just fine waiting until I can find WiFi.  I love that my iPod can talk to my email and my calendar and

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-44695565372485468092010-07-06T12:02:00.001-05:002010-07-06T12:02:32.163-05:00

Making grocery lists and planning meals have long been a bane of my existence.  I have A LOT of trouble finding the mojo to sit down and plan a week’s worth of meals, especially doing so the evening before I might actually have a chance to get to the grocery store during a part of the day when the kids aren’t completely tired and acting that way.  For a couple of years now I have been compiling a

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-78694341571535319562010-06-20T20:11:00.001-05:002010-06-20T20:16:08.033-05:00

Our CSA had their end of season clearance of seedling, so I picked up a few more things.  Herbs in a new little bed in front of the house next to the steps: A Cayenne pepper in a Topsy-Turvy on the front porch: A sweet green pepper in topsy-turvy hanging off the deck: A sun sugar tomato from the CSA open house a week and a half ago in a topsy-turvy over the back deck: A darker pink

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-45696642885581258352010-06-15T20:19:00.001-05:002010-06-15T20:19:07.519-05:00

The frequent rainfall, combined with a few days of scorching temps interspersed here and there has resulted in crazy garden growth.  The corn, beans, and pumpkins/gourds have been going crazy and I am starting to get a little frightened of the oregano (front row, center right). The tomatoes are still on the small side, but the seedlings didn’t get a great start and then got abused during

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-32513381729995535102010-06-14T13:13:00.001-05:002010-06-14T13:14:58.222-05:00

Beeb came up to snuggle with me while Bug and I were reading books this afternoon.  As we read, I smelled something a bit, shall we say, untoward.  I asked, “Who’s stinky?” and then turned to Beeb and asked, “Are you the stinky one?”  He replied, will all earnestness, “No, Daddy peh-oopin’ in work.”  Well, I’m glad that’s settled and I don’t have a diaper to deal with.

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-54930574651475740542010-06-01T18:57:00.001-05:002010-06-01T18:57:29.417-05:00

Today I was putting on a sock with a huge hole on the heel.  Mr. Beeb’s assessment:  “Yo leg lookin’ outside.  It (pointing to the sock) bwoke.”

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-89968682330960109662010-05-27T16:03:00.001-05:002010-05-27T16:03:23.663-05:00

Man, if you listen closely you can actually hear the garden growing.  In less than 24 hours we’ve had sisters sproinging up like crazy.  About a quarter of the three sister hills have all three growing.  I didn’t even have any fish heads to give ‘em, although the seem pretty happy with Olbrich mulch.  Here’s two of them: Also in the last 24 hours, the basil has sprouted a second pair of

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-41626760013280505502010-05-26T18:02:00.001-05:002010-05-26T18:02:42.709-05:00

…is that it make green things grow.  After a largely coolish pleasant spring, we have been beset with three days of 80’s and 90’s and plenty o’ humidity.  Not my favorite weather.  But look what it does to the plants: That was only six days ago!  And wee little things are sprouting all over: And crazy little herbies (cumin on the left and on the right is basil with its volunteer lettuce

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-37061648666007159332010-05-21T16:48:00.003-05:002010-06-01T17:35:51.524-05:00

First a little animal husbandry.  I’m sorry if this insults your intelligence as I know for a fact that my five- and seven-year-old already know this, but clearly not everybody knows this.  This is the bovine food pyramid (borrowed shamelessly from the Raw Milk Facebook group): As you can see, the typical bovine diet is very complicated.  Lots of stuff to measure and provide in proper

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-38797554229177789922010-05-20T19:03:00.001-05:002010-07-17T17:53:35.129-05:00

Aaaaand, turning to a happier topic… We will be doing the same CSA as we did last summer so we are getting very excited for lots of wonderful veggies to come.  The things I selected to plant around the yard were things for canning and/or to fill in CSA gaps.  I thought I would photograph, label, and blog so there is at least a remote possibility I’ll remember what is where when things start

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-86980558542177763632010-05-19T20:30:00.001-05:002010-05-19T20:30:26.309-05:00

Good-bye, good riddance and don’t let the door smack you on the backside on your way out. I hope the dairy industry and/or public safety have a nice big cushy chairmanship waiting for you.  I’ll bet you’ll be getting a nice fat paycheck for having your name on some board of directors with no actual effort involved.  Why else would you choose to have your legacy remembered as the Governor that

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-15505359288829688272010-05-17T10:13:00.001-05:002010-05-17T10:14:20.253-05:00

On the way home from the WPA homeschooling conference a week ago, we stopped at the Horicon Marsh, which is a huge wetland area.  Part of the marsh is managed as a National Wildlife Refuge and another part as a State Wildlife Refuge.  In the National Wildlife Refuge, there is the “Horicon Tern-pike” which, in addition to being a terrible pun, is a motor loop through the Refuge, complete with

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-74724074094725135352010-04-22T11:03:00.004-05:002010-04-22T13:17:35.291-05:00

Yeah, that would be my itty-bitty baby on a great big two-wheeler.  He hasn’t quite gotten the hang of it, but we have discovered that if he goes left from the driveway instead of right, there is just enough of a slope so he can coast and practice balancing.  He can get it once in a while, so one of these days it will just click and off he’ll go.  If he get frustrated and the bike starts

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-10354494910004661152010-04-21T13:01:00.003-05:002010-04-21T13:04:13.965-05:00

**Note: Brief pet peeve rant ahead.  Feel free to skip it if you’re feeling cranky already.  I have posts with pictures coming up very soon, I promise.  They already exist as title and picture.  They just need, well, those word things** Now, don’t get me wrong, I like a good clear black and white issue as well as anyone.  I think we can all agree that putting kittens in the microwave is bad;

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-37150687642513006312010-04-09T12:57:00.001-05:002010-04-09T12:57:23.207-05:00

First, a better picture to clarify the whole nekkid sheep thing.  This is Mrs. Shearling, with wool (L) and au naturel (R).  There is also a new addition to the flock: I would like to introduce Vegetarian Sheep.  I didn’t have my black yarn at Late Night last week, so he didn’t get a face right away, but I have since decided to keep this way and name him Vegetarian Sheep.  He is a

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-8741966457024943642010-04-02T15:17:00.001-05:002010-04-02T15:20:24.652-05:00

MollyBees, it’s all your fault.  See what you started? Yeah, it’s just two now…but that’s how it all starts.  Innocently at first, but before you know it, I’m down at the Ear offering to trade plasma for just one more skein of natural DK weight.  And look…you can shear them too: The mama, Mrs. Shearling, is at the left and the baby, Lambert, is on the right.  Mrs. Shearling is DK weight

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-69083928006124395982010-03-28T13:10:00.002-05:002010-03-28T13:13:28.647-05:00

The good news is that the one of the caterpillars we adopted last August survived the chrysalis. The bad news is that after overwintering, we weren’t really paying attention as days got longer and the house was generally warmer than outside and he (she?) emerged.  We haven’t a clue when he emerged as he was dead and stiff by the time we discovered him. The good news is that it was much

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-1138491466908871072010-03-23T11:17:00.002-05:002010-03-23T11:19:32.716-05:00

Just in time for spring, some extremely springy socks!  These are Trekking hand painted and the pattern is Leyburn (Rav link).  I love ‘em!  This is the second pair of Leyburn socks I have knitted.  The first pair seems as if it would fit my foot and ankle perfectly, but I cant get the cuffs and legs over my sticky-outy heels.  Now that Beeb isn’t as likely to wander off at the park, I think I

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-11402345580109190672010-03-22T10:11:00.001-05:002010-03-22T16:28:45.728-05:00

We are loving the springy weather we’ve been having!  Last week we spent as much time outdoors as we possibly could.  While Bug and Bean were at their Aldo Leopold Nature Center class learning about maple syrup on Tuesday, Beeb and I got the groceries and then hung out at a nearby park.  We spent most of Wednesday afternoon at our favorite state park.  And Thursday morning was our first park day

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-1585494978690971642010-03-03T12:21:00.000-06:002010-03-03T12:21:42.167-06:00

...except for the incredible dearth of all things fiber related.  I have been doing fibery things, just not blogging about them.  First a quick catch-up on finished objects. Starting at top left: 1.  Penguin dishcloth, finished 1/13/09 (Yeah, I'm that far behind.  Deal with it.) 2.  I love you dishcloth, finished 2/13/09 3.  Beeb's Peace Fleece hat, finished 1/22/09 4.  Bean's Fish Hat,

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-77512853928680576572010-02-24T14:58:00.000-06:002010-02-24T14:58:09.747-06:00

Our group of homeschooling buddies collectively had the bright idea to get outside on a balmy day and go ice skating.  Seeing as it has been a couple of decades since I have been ice skating, my feet were not happy campers.  I never realized that the entire sole of one's foot could cramp up all at once.  By the time we got home, my feet had voted to secede from my body and spent the evening

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-74051697011593996032010-02-18T18:44:00.000-06:002010-02-18T18:44:30.773-06:00

At what point do I need to start worrying about locking the bedroom door at night?  I'm pretty sure you can actually see them growing if you watch for a while.

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-40058735923121213522010-02-17T18:22:00.000-06:002010-02-17T18:22:06.754-06:00

Last Saturday we ventured out to the Alliant Center for the Garden Show.  Except for the whole screaming heebie-jeebie thing from facing a great mass of humanity all piled into one place, it was an afternoon well spent.  Bean didn't get to look at flowers as long as she would have liked to (see "humanity all piled in one place"), but we promised that we would go look at some nurseries so she can

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-84789495576545944542010-02-12T17:02:00.000-06:002010-02-12T17:02:30.852-06:00

The dog must have wanted a bunkbed. Who knew?

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-3002235840018197432010-01-26T10:34:00.001-06:002010-01-26T10:35:17.729-06:00

Since turning two last September, Beeb has completed his course work at baby law school and sat for the baby boards (and passed with flying colors), so I thought I would let him explain property law. Beeb sez: 1. If I like it, it’s mine.2. If it’s in my hands, it’s mine.3. If I can take it from you, it’s mine.4. If I had it a week ago, it’s mine.5. If it’s mine, it must never appear to be yours

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-51449806443868920402010-01-25T15:09:00.001-06:002010-01-25T15:11:05.067-06:00

I have been making my own yogurt weekly and eating it most days for breakfast.  It is much yummier than the stuff that I have gotten at the grocery store and it (fortunately) isn't very difficult to make!  I got the culture (more on that in a sec), a recipe, and some helpful hints at Dairy Connection, Inc., which is a short hop away up in Madison.  After some experimentation, I think I have it

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-29153850563502305602010-01-22T10:46:00.000-06:002010-01-22T10:46:20.864-06:00

The big boy is down a tooth.  The very wiggly front tooth came out last night, so we have sent notification to the tooth fairy that she should schedule a visit for tonight.  This is number three and he's not a bit pleased with himself! The wee one helped pick up the toys last night and then put himself in the bucket.  He kept trying to lift it and announced "Hebby" when he couldn't lift

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-63101907469611233052010-01-20T09:13:00.002-06:002010-01-20T09:13:00.321-06:00

Don't fret.  It isn't real.  It's a craft project from the kids' class at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center.  The topic was Stories in the Snow and they learned about figuring out what animals are up to based on tracks and other stuff left behind in the snow.  I think they enjoyed it...mostly the liberal use of the word "poop" in describing their craft projects.

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-44872669733038850052010-01-19T16:33:00.001-06:002010-01-19T16:35:52.513-06:00

we have warps, and wefts, and sheds, and shuttles. Miss Bean and I have been reading the American Girl stories about Josefina, who lives in 1824 New Mexico. After her father lost many of his sheep in a flood, Josefina and her sisters and aunt started a weaving business to make blankets to trade for new sheep. So we hinted to Grandma that a loom might be fun for Christmas! So far it is

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-13841148322940049032009-12-29T13:54:00.004-06:002009-12-29T14:12:00.383-06:00

So, of what is women's work comprised? Well for one thing: making things with power tools. This is the fourth shelf of this size I've put together. It's made of three 1"x6"x4' aspen boards. One goes under the Skil Saw to become the two vertical boards and they are dowel joined using a doweling thing-a-ma-bob (Hey, I got the carpenter talk down pat for when things go wrong, I don't have to

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-33631171516288057002009-12-23T13:36:00.002-06:002009-12-23T13:40:08.016-06:00

Miss Bean got another dolly from a friend for an early Christmas present last night. She and Bug were making plans for playing house on the way home and while getting ready for bed. At one point, she came into the bedroom to update their progress and announced that Bug was willing to be the father "which was good, because then he could do the dishes and that would leave her time to do 'women's

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-58820921802193997912009-12-08T14:52:00.003-06:002009-12-08T14:57:05.989-06:00

Bug has not only taken up writing, but he is ready to publish his first novel. The only problem is that he wrote it in magic marker on the wood of his loft. Gonna be a serious pain in the tuckus to get it in an envelope to submit for publication! It is an enthralling and thrilling story about the Bionicles. Pictures and a (lightly edited) transcription can be found here.I am just tickled

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-87209345692180896362009-11-14T20:39:00.003-06:002009-11-14T21:08:45.109-06:00

Fiber-wise, that is. My fiber life has clearly been as chaotic and scrambled as my blogging life. I am up to my armpits in WIPs. We'll consider this post to serve the dual purpose of me getting my act (somewhat) together and updating the world as to my fiber stuff.Fiber, the first: Knitting.Turquoise Leyburn Socks: Done. Too small to get over my big heels. Need to take FO photos and find

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-85065332682035007242009-11-13T10:54:00.002-06:002009-11-13T12:59:41.514-06:00

First, obligatory mutterings: Yeah, it's been a while; no, I'm unlikely to try and catch up on what has transpired. Onward and upward. Anyhoo...While reading Michael Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma, I came across the term "opting out" applied both to homeschoolers (opting out of public schools and all that goes with it) and locavores (opting out of supporting #2 corn production and the whole

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-6300368422743237662009-10-09T14:42:00.002-05:002009-10-09T14:44:18.178-05:00

Oh man. It doesn't get any better than this. Eating local and organic, Star Wars, and painfully bad puns...Clearly, someone out there has too much time on their hands.

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-76459950235014171302009-09-28T20:13:00.004-05:002009-09-28T20:15:25.912-05:00

Four words: Ring Around The Rosie. Bean wanted to play and after one time through Beeb had to join in and would not let us stop. Maybe I'll have to enlist some of the bigger kids at the park tomorrow to play it with him. All. Afternoon.

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-23641132953268642442009-09-25T15:35:00.006-05:002010-07-17T17:53:35.131-05:00

and have been doing so frequently. Can, that is. I got a pressure canner for my birthday and have been using it a lot. So far this summer I have "put up" strawberry and raspberry (both red and yellow) freezer jams, concord grape jelly, pickled beets, watermelon pickles, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sauerkraut, beans, greens, creamed corn, and pinto beans. I did the pinto

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-50770360130187032062009-09-17T13:22:00.003-05:002009-09-17T13:42:02.235-05:00

well, sheepy and wooly. The whole famn damily went up to Jefferson around noonish and we saw sheep dogs and sheep and shearing and lambs and vendors and lunch and shaved ice and all the wooly wonders. Since we had taken two cars, Kitty Daddy and the kids left around 3:00 and I got serious at the vendors. I found buttons for my February Lady Sweater and was viciously attacked by a couple of

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-52420272438865090282009-08-21T15:55:00.003-05:002009-08-21T16:18:12.038-05:00

Um, er. Yeah, we are still here. The summer continues to fly past and I think I finally figured out where the unaccounted for time went! I had been on top of our scheduled activities: park dates with friends on Monday and Tuesday, library on Wednesday, getting together with our adopted grandma on Thursday or Friday, CSA on Thursday, and sometime other things with friends late in the week. So

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-3289718363233584542009-07-14T12:16:00.003-05:002009-07-14T12:41:33.363-05:00

These are from just two days ago! The front porch tomato has gotten taller than its cage and has several green tomatoes:The pumpkins appear to be planning world domination, starting with the entire rocky area. Tomorrow, the whole yard; the next day, you might want to be careful when you go out your front door...I'm just sayin'We have had tons of blossoms, but have only found three little

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-1340339084682474672009-07-12T15:27:00.004-05:002009-07-12T15:37:55.967-05:00

These pictures are over two weeks old, so already woefully outdated, but I'll get them posted and then try and get a set of new pictures in the next day or two.Container tomato on the front porch:Pumpkins beside the house:The whole garden:Close-ups of the herbs - cilantro:Basil:Oregano:Rosemary (I think, need to double check):Topsy-turvy tomato with actual tomatoes:A quick comment about the

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-23938137317192418752009-06-24T16:37:00.004-05:002009-06-24T16:49:18.217-05:00

We have already discussed Beeb's dire need for hairstyling products, so I shouldn't have been surprised when he took matters into his own hands. The process went thusly:1. Flip open cap2. Pour into hand3. Apply to hair4. Snap lid shut5. Wait about a nanosecond6. Repeat over and over and over and over and...The only catch? He was using Dr. Scholl's peppermint scented foot lotion. You

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-74851469539809464672009-06-15T09:08:00.001-05:002009-06-15T09:08:00.928-05:00

I can hardly believe it, but at least some parts of the gardening effort are thriving! The front porch tomato plant (with buds!) and its friend, Bean's pink snapdragon:Four little pumpkin hills with almost vines (instead of just big leaves sticking out of the ground):The garden with no longer free-range tomatoes (into the cage with ye!) and a lovely (except for holes in the green...darn buggies)

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-30884005480538029892009-06-13T20:03:00.004-05:002009-06-14T21:04:29.337-05:00

Can you tell how much this little guy wants to be *just* like his big brother? This picture doesn't show it, but he wants to be just like his big sister, too. He watches both of them like a little scientist making important scientific observations and imitates them and tries to join in whatever they are doing. It's adorable, but baby dude? I know you want to be a big kid in the worst way, but

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-4482473705079068892009-06-06T09:49:00.002-05:002009-06-06T10:32:33.749-05:00

Yesterday was a glorious day! The only thing that makes me add the "almost" disclaimer is that we are just coming off a bumpy patch of shaken up routines and cranky kids and cranky mommy as we blunder around trying to find a comfortable groove. So there was enough crankiness to require the "almost," but with more days like yesterday, things should be smoothing out!We started the day at the park

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-11444340351914705412009-06-04T10:18:00.004-05:002009-06-04T10:31:10.102-05:00

Phase I of the lofts is finished! Further phases will involve at least painting and bookshelves...who knows what else will evolve. For now, I'm just going to bask in the glow of having the first part done! Bug's loft:He slept his maiden voyage in it last night and declares it very comfy! I had to kind of Kinnear Bean's loft as I couldn't get myself far enough into the closet to capture it:

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-2312664712667092662009-06-02T15:59:00.003-05:002009-06-02T16:16:39.365-05:00

As the school year winds to a close for the public school kids, we have been sticking a littler closer to home that usual. EVERYBODY is taking end of the year field trips and some of our favorite places are unusually crowded with large groups of kids whose spirits are already on summer vacation, even if their bodies aren't! Since none of us really enjoys too much chaos, we'll wait them out and

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-60337685814980979572009-06-01T11:03:00.003-05:002009-06-01T11:30:09.162-05:00

First up, we made great progress on the lofts on Sunday. We got the rest of the slats drilled and the pilot holes drilled (but not installed). We also got safety rails cut, drilled and put up for three sides of each bed. Here is Bugs:and here is Bean's:After some agonizing and pondering, we changed the location of Bean's bed and built a side ladder. Where it started, it had to be away from

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-85530792620474907262009-05-26T19:20:00.004-05:002009-05-26T20:19:22.491-05:00

We have been working on making loft beds for Bug and Bean. Grandpa got a whole whack done on the job when they were visiting and we are finally starting to chip away at the rest of the project. Over the three day weekend, we drilled holes for the carriage bolts and assembled the pieces that Grandpa had put together. Since then, we have cut and drilled pilot holes for about 3/4 of the bed

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-84519776570936448072009-05-25T11:39:00.002-05:002009-05-25T12:10:27.242-05:00

Yay! In spite of my random approach to gardening (throw seeds and plants at dirt and see what sticks), it's starting to look like a garden. We have four little pumpkin hills (that need thinning):Four lettuce pots (which also need thinning):One tomato plant in a bucket (doesn't need thinning, Ms. Bean was mulching it with grass)and the main garden plot with two rows of tomato plants on the right

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-87735815601671701962009-05-18T11:48:00.003-05:002009-05-18T12:18:13.664-05:00

We are getting into gear with our gardening. For a couple of days leading up to Mother's Day, there was a whole lot of whispering between the kids and Grandma and sneaking off downstairs accompanied by yells of "Don't come down here Mom," so there was clearly *something* going on. It turned out to be this:Grandma helped with the letters, but Bug and Bean drew pictures and carefully selected a

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-32677259166957575402009-05-14T16:29:00.003-05:002009-05-14T16:48:56.414-05:00

We've had Namma and Grandpa visiting for a week in addition to me and three kids with colds for that same week. This morning we drove up and dumped them unceremoniously on the curb of the Madison airport and came home and hung on the sofa and watched videos and napped and dozed all afternoon. Except for the coughing and sniffling, I believe a good time was had by all.Last night for dinner we

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-83320793626130881192009-05-06T15:09:00.004-05:002009-05-06T15:28:51.385-05:00

Or, more accurately, I have several good hobbies, yet I spend two days moving rocks from one place to another...See all those rocks? With the exception of maybe a couple dozen of 'em, I picked up each one and moved it. I filled the bucket in front first, then tore back the poly under the rocks starting at the front edge. Then I put down new landscape fabric, moved rocks from old poly to new

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-71841470508144839052009-05-04T10:55:00.006-05:002009-05-04T12:09:20.560-05:00

Oops. I mean pots. Pots. You know, for planting seeds. One of the conference session was making seed pots from used paper. We made four Dixie cup sized pots in the session, but only three made it home (one got kind of smooshed).Aside for the tomato saga:We planted tomato seeds in March to get ready for the garden. We used the store-bought peat pods and had them in the kitchen. They went

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-1170150041117771882009-05-03T18:19:00.006-05:002009-05-03T19:03:34.459-05:00

Whee! We just sailed back into town after two nights in Oshkosh. We left Friday noon for the WPA's annual homeschooling conference. The conference started Friday evening and ran all day Saturday. Kitty Daddy and I traded off kid duty, so we each got to attend some of the sessions. Daddy made it to three and I went to two. Bug and Bean (with either Mommy or Daddy and sometimes Beeb) went to

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-26993072211765188062009-04-17T11:16:00.002-05:002009-04-17T11:27:01.714-05:00

Okay, I consider myself to be at least average or better in math. So my question is this. If I start with just under 110 grams of sock yarn to make a pair of socks and knit 80 grams worth, shouldn't I be farther along than this?Actually there is a fully complete sock waiting to be frogged after knitting the entire thing in denial and then discovering that the cuff wouldn't fit over my heel. So

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-69318287065362627882009-04-10T10:23:00.003-05:002009-04-10T10:24:55.556-05:00

Beeb, rockin' the skivies world:

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-32438430076150238632009-04-08T14:32:00.003-05:002009-04-08T14:39:33.246-05:00

Why yes, those are his big sister's underpants he's wearing. I was trying to help Bean get dressed and was holding out her underpants for her to step into them when she decided it had been too long since the last major conniption fit. Beeb came over and demonstrated good cooperation skills.And here is the reason for the relative shortage of cute Beeb shots:Can't you just see the swirling air

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-84321745473854461912009-04-06T10:22:00.004-05:002009-04-06T10:58:24.674-05:00

It's green! Three of the daffodils we planted last fall are peeking through. After having lived with some neurotically early daffodils in Iowa City, I was starting to think these hadn't survived the winter. My IC daffs were facing south and probably an early variety anyway, but they always came up during a rogue week of warm and sunshine in the middle of the winter (like early February) and

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-6212189511440563572009-03-30T14:39:00.002-05:002009-03-30T14:48:25.343-05:00

I finally finished the last of the three market bags! The first and second bags have already been proving their mettle at the grocery store and co-op. I love them, but I find that they seem to scare the baggers at our small-town grocery store. I'm not sure if it is that they are shaped differently than the cheap-o Roundy's bags or that they don't want to hurt the handmades (as if...these

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-45023667932357539192009-03-30T14:07:00.003-05:002009-03-30T14:17:31.943-05:00

Last December, we had some issues with the Kitty Man socks that led me to "hibernate" them indefinitely. This was my note in Ravelry:12/08 - Hibernating for now. I had been carrying them around in my purse, but rarely working on them. Then one sock got separated from the sock bag. I worked on that one briefly, then the circ got fatally bent. The project bag with the other sock and the other

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-53275078701717444202009-03-26T12:25:00.005-05:002009-03-26T13:24:03.078-05:00

This is the story of the little rhinovirus that could (with apologies to Watty Piper).Once upon a time, the little rhinovirus said, "I think I can, I think I can." The baby got sniffly. Mama said, "Nuh-uh, no way." The little rhinovirus said, "I think I can, I think I can." The four-year-old got sniffly and Mama got a tickly throat. Mama said, "Nuh-uh, no way." The little rhinovirus said, "I

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-37753791940691204362009-03-23T10:00:00.003-05:002009-03-23T10:28:45.083-05:00

Late Night Knitting was on Friday, and in honor of St. Patrick's Day, all green yarn was on sale. There may have been a bit of an incident involving some green Peace Fleece, a loyalty card credit, and a moment of late night giddiness...It is already on the way to becoming a February Lady's Sweater. In March. Well, Kitty Chai likes it anyways!Other than that, a fairly quiet weekend. Beeb

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-17571648781632531262009-03-20T10:34:00.002-05:002009-03-20T10:41:46.529-05:00

Whoa! How did it get so dusty and cobwebby around here? I hope the chirping crickets have kept you company while I was away.Of course, away is figurative. We have been here doing much of the same-old same-old. I figured I had finally better pop in and get back in the blogging groove (well, if not in, at least near...will being on the same landmass be close enough? same planet?). At least

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-74620362223766375662009-02-23T16:00:00.000-06:002009-02-23T16:05:14.055-06:00

Sheesh! Can someone tell me what happened to February? I have been dithering from thing to thing, rarely finishing things before getting distracted by something else. Plus, a few days of deceptively spring-like weather has made us even squirrelier about enduring the snow and cold! So I have a couple of blog items to get caught up on. Here's the first.For those of you not in the know, Charles

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-26290309692659493522009-02-12T10:56:00.002-06:002009-02-12T11:01:57.838-06:00

I have a few cute Beeb videos on YouTube that I don't want to post publicly, but would be happy to share with non-anonymous friends. If you aren't Namma, mamatee and Uncle J (who already have access), go here and add me as a friend and I can add you to the list of who's allowed to see the Beebster!There will be a real blog post before too long...

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-85555957383903099222009-01-28T17:44:00.002-06:002009-01-28T17:51:35.329-06:00

Well, it appears that my German heritage is coming in handy. I made 3.5 quarts of sauerkraut out of one of the cabbages in our fall CSA share. By late December/early January it had sat in its cool, dark place long enough, so we pulled out the first jar. It was yummy! Way better than grocery store sauerkraut. Best of all, we have finally found a good use for CSA cabbage. After completely

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-91153936371141852402009-01-27T10:42:00.001-06:002009-01-27T10:49:13.781-06:00

So, today I watched The Price Is Right (probably for the first time in at least a decade). Why? Well, here's the obscure part: One of the contestants is a woman who went to/on the show with some family members for her 40th birthday. Approximately 38.5 years ago, said woman (then toddler) came to my first birthday party. I bit her.It was kind of a kick. I totally recognized her mom when they

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-33248569050682563622009-01-26T15:48:00.003-06:002009-01-26T16:11:39.939-06:00

And yes, the darling Beebster is the monkey in question. He just loves copying anything and everything anyone says or does! And man, is it stinkin' cute or what? We look at books with animals and I make the animal sounds and he imitates them and giggles. At bedtime, silly big brother shakes his head no and he copies it and giggles. This inspires big brother to repeat and pretty soon they are

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-41130157384829591742009-01-23T10:55:00.004-06:002009-01-23T14:40:59.583-06:00

We have had a good mix of exciting and historic and quiet and routine-y this week. On Monday we joined our friend K at the state capitol for a Martin Luther King Jr celebration. It wasn't exactly what we expected. We had thought it would be more music and less speechifying and one of K's friends was supposed to sing a solo with a choir and didn't. Beeb and I had a great time wandering the

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-33513115944339117352009-01-15T11:38:00.004-06:002009-01-15T11:59:46.597-06:00

We are deep in the deep freeze here in Wisconsin! Last night our thermometer on the back deck got down to -17.9°F (-27.7°C) and now, at mid-day we have warmed up to a balmy -6.3°F (-21.3°C). The good news is: no one has puked yet today (yesterday was Bean's turn); the bad news: the washer isn't fixed yet, the dirty diapers and basket of puked on items are threatening to take over the whole

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-1818004793067337732009-01-13T15:04:00.002-06:002009-01-13T15:16:40.818-06:00

Well, if you live in a rental with a washer and dryer, it's pretty much a guarantee that you will discover a washer that doesn't spin at about 6:00 Friday evening. Of course, it goes without saying that you discover this with load of diapers (do you have any idea how much water those puppies will hold? I could barely lift the basket to take them to the laundromat over the weekend!). I called

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-17697785666614811472009-01-12T17:07:00.003-06:002009-01-12T17:36:37.213-06:00

So, for several months now, when I tuck Bug into bed, I have to tell him "Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed octopuses bite." Then I have to spell octopuses. I can't even remember how it got started, but I do know that for almost as long as we have been doing it, he has been begging for me to knit an octopus. I had been considering a Socktopus, but just wasn't getting around to it. I

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-81769194482271375752009-01-10T13:00:00.003-06:002009-01-10T13:00:00.301-06:00

And here we go with a final round up of 2008 finished objects. For the most part, these are parts of a set and I had planned to blog the whole set when it was finished (and may still do so), but as we have stepped across the annual FO divide, I will at least show off the parts of the sets that are finished. First off, I have finished two out of three BYOB bags I had planned. The third has been

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-88631562591223221562009-01-09T11:22:00.001-06:002009-01-09T12:13:32.034-06:00

The rest of Honkah got caught up in the post-Christmas blur. We didn't have our traditional Christmas dinner (Swedish meatballs and lefse) on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, but used it for one of the days of Honkah instead. I already can't remember whether it was the 6th or 7th day. I know we did something for the other day to, but it also escapes me. However, the last day of Honkah

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-54163654518354598162009-01-08T10:45:00.000-06:002009-01-08T10:45:48.682-06:00

While there wasn't a lot of Christmas knitting and crafting, there were a few projects. First up, crafting with the kids. For the grandparents, we made tote bags with freezer paper stencils. The kids make the drawings on freezer paper and I did the cutting and painting. The bags are:Sammy dancing in a mushroom (Beeb is on top) by Bean for our local adopted grandma:Cat sleeping by Bug for

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-70324685082524045412009-01-07T17:32:00.002-06:002009-01-07T18:01:32.499-06:00

Since we have been completely gobsmacked by the Holidaze, I am once again dreadfully behind in blogging. Last time this happened, I did several short catch-up posts rather than slogging through it all. So here we go. In no particular order.There may have been some post-Christmas stash enhancement. Kitty Daddy and the kidlets gave me a gift certificate to my local LYS (as opposed to my

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-83823455079115683742008-12-25T19:49:00.004-06:002008-12-25T20:06:31.682-06:00

Well, more Honkah, combined with Christmas. All about the equal opportunity. *snicker*Our "theme" for the fourth night of Hanukkah combined with Christmas eve was family. We made a supper of assorted munchy type snacks and watched a couple of movies (The Santa Clause, The Clone Wars, and another I have forgotten as I was hiding out wrapping presents...if it weren't for the last moment, nothing

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-81198134415728985542008-12-24T17:14:00.002-06:002008-12-24T17:18:02.329-06:00

Tonight we lit the third candle and celebrated with a bag of chocolate coins (Hannukah gelt). I'm not sure how close we were to the tradition, but we used it to talk a moment about gifts and appreciating how fortunate we are to be able to share things with each other. We also talked briefly about the importance of sharing with those less fortunate that us.

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336716.post-10065155068782959552008-12-23T09:42:00.003-06:002008-12-23T09:53:38.777-06:00

Last evening we lit two Hanukkah candles and spent a little time exploring Hanukkah music. I really should have save the Erran Baron Cohen album for today's post, but that would have implied some sort of planning rather than my more typical fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants. We did find a satellite radio station that is playing all Hanukkah music (and other Judaica) for the eight days of the

Kitty Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317748778908267428noreply@blogger.com1