Groceries at last!

Since we were running dangerously low on groceries, the kids and I had planned to go shopping yesterday. However, at 8:30 am, the maintenance guys called to let us know they were coming to fix our dripping faucet. Since we have assorted wildlife that has been known to try and escape (e.g., the Kitten Chai), I thought it would be best if we were home when maintenance was working and get groceries afterwards. When we were still waiting at 11:30, I figured that even if they got there immediately, by the time we ate lunch and got to the store we would be getting dangerously close to nap-time. Like grocery shopping isn't stressful enough when they are well rested and alert! Since we didn't have anything that would remotely qualify as supper, I called Daddy to the rescue (He picked up barbeque meat, buns, and deli sides on the way home...yum!). Anyway, maintenance finally showed up at a few minutes before noon, went upstairs to look at the faucets for about two minutes, and then informed me as he went out the door that he would be back after lunch, about 12:30. It was actually closer to 1:00, but less than an hour later we had two faucets that no longer dripped! While I am delighted that we have fully functional faucets again, the day felt kind of wasted.

In knitting, I have started on Bug's clogs. My theory is that I am less likely to get burned out clogging if I do the two larger ones first. They aren't that much bigger, but... The clogs are such a quick, easy knit and with kids sizes they zoom even faster than Daddy's clogs did. But, I do need to keep a close eye on the instructions, so I have to stop whenever Bean needs some lap time.

Such a pretty girl!

Miss Mollie is the proud owner of a brand spanking new sweater! She is even showing her Hawkeye pride!

Specifications
Yarn: The gold is Cascade 220 and the black is some combination of Cascade 220 and Wool of the Andes. I was using leftovers that were unlabeled so I'm not sure
Needles: Denise Interchangeables size 7 (size 5 for ribbing) and DPNs in those two sizes for the sleeves.
Pattern: Esther Bozak's Original Custom-Fit Dog Sweater with alternate sleeve #2.
Verdict: I am quite pleased with how this turned out. I really liked the custom-fit pattern as Miss Mollie is rather oddly proportioned relative to standard dog clothes. If I were to do another, I think I would shorten the neck-to-underarm and put that length back after the sleeves. But I'm pretty sure that this resulted from my measuring, not the pattern or instructions.

Daddy evenings

Since the beginning of the year, we have been trying to implement semi-regular "Daddy Evenings," where Daddy stays with the kidlings and Mama does whatever the heck she wants! I try to take some time two to three times a week to get some things done that aren't conducive to little (but, oh so cute) hangers-on. So far I have been using my get-away time to drink coffee at the 'Bou and work on writing a paper for submission from my dissertation and to go over to the fitness room in the main building of our apartment complex to lift weights, do aerobic exercise (stair climber or stationary bike) and watch either "House, M.D." or "CSI" on cable instead of fuzzy antenna signal. Who knows, once I get this first paper submitted, I might even go completely wild and crazy and do something like socializing or running errands. I do have one more (maybe two) papers that need to be written after this one, so the coffee shop may remain a good option.

Bug tends to go a little ape at the idea that Mommy is leaving him forever and doesn't love him and is abandoning him to the raw elements. Have I mentioned that Bug has a flair for the dramatic?? Although I am tempted to go into over-protective mommy mode, I know that this is more sound and fury than actual concern. In fact, last time I came home, he was engaged in a to-the-death pillow fight with Daddy and told me to go away, because he didn't want me home. And tonight, when he started in complaining, I suggested that Daddy might be amenable to another pillow fight and the grousing was cut off mid-word as he chirped "Bye, mommy" and went to arrange the sofa pillows into proper fighting form. What a goofball!

Fluff in the Mail!

We are doing a fibery-goodness happy dance at our house. My KnitPicks order arrived! Actually, I found out this morning that delivery had been attempted on Saturday and the slip had slid out of the stack of mail and stayed in the mail box. So the kids and I trekked to the local post office to pick it up! So, without further ado, I present my new stuff!

KnitPicks Options needle tips in sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and cords, end caps, and tightening tool to make 24" and 60" circular needles. I figure with the long one, I should be set to do magic loop on pretty much any size!



Next up is four skeins of Shine Sport in Blush, Cherry, Aquamarine, and Turquoise that is earmarked to make two Sheldon turtles.



Eight skeins of Swish Superwash...half is Bubblegum and the other half is Ballerina. These will become a sweater and leggings for Miss Bean. With these colors, who else would they be for???



Three skeins of Gloss sock yarn (merino wool/silk blend...very yummy and soft) in black to become a pair of socks for me. I haven't decided yet, but I am thinking something with an interesting stitch pattern. Also, I got three skeins since I would like a pair that are a little longer than the socks I get with 50 grams per foot. My feet are long. I use way to much yarn in the foot, which doesn't leave a lot for the cuff!



Last, but not least, two skeins of Telemark in Burlap and Bayberry. From these, I think I will probably make one (or more) of these.

Bean-cabulary

We have been doing much of the same old same old, plus Mama has been getting back into the swing of getting some work done (you know, that engineering stuff...I'm trying to get some papers out from the diss, so the paycheck is the same as it was this time last year), so I haven't been blogging as much. But today, I will provide some Bean vocubulary:

• Pee Wye - Piggy (Back) Ride
• Namma - Grandma
• Kah-kack - Back Pack
• Ni-en - Mitten
• Guck - Stuck
• Day dew - Thank you
• Weeeeeeee - Please
• Bih Gog - (Clifford, the) Big (Red) Dog
• Geeky - Big brother's name
• Bee-bee - Baby
• Noh - Snow
• Doppah Bah - Soccer ball
  

I'll try and add some more over the next couple of days, so check back!

Oh, and as a post script, my Knitpicks order that I placed last weekend with a Christmas gift certificate and some Christmas gift money is not only on its way, but in the correct state! I just have to wait until it gets to the right town and delivered. I can't wait!!!

I did it my way...

This should probably be Bug's theme song. Little stinker! While he enjoys painting and coloring, he has always been all about scribbling. Once in a while, he will draw a circle if I ask, but usually just gets silly about it. So imagine my surprise yesterday when he showed me the picture of a kitty that he drew for daddy!

Not that I have any right to be surprised. This is how he does everything. Resists with every fiber of his being and then one day just does it and pretty much executes it perfectly. Maybe I just need to carry this picture around when I'm worrying that he's never going to use the big potty...

Recycling Craftiness

As I work to get my creative space organized, I have been collecting containers for storing and organizing things. Some of my favorite storage containers have been recycled from the kitchen.

I just love these Folgers cans. They are plastic with a snap-on lid and have indentations for easy handling. While I am certainly capable of being as big of a coffee snob as the next guy, right now, Folgers pretty much maxes out my coffee budget. It's either Folgers regularly or maybe one cup of the good stuff a month.

I occasionally indulge my inner-coffee-snob wit some flavored Folgers. The French Vanilla is my favorite and the little cans are so dang cute. Because it only comes in the small size, I can amass a pretty impressive collection of cans pretty fast!


I also really like these plastic containers from Rice Selects. They co-exist in the pantry better than bags of rice and when they are empty, they are great clear plastic storage with screw-on lids.

Snow Bunny

On Saturday, we got the first snow since December 1st! The kids were very excited, not surprisingly. On Sunday, Bean came downstairs in her pajamas and bare feet, pulled her winter coat out of the closet and insisted, in Bean-speak, that we put her coat on and let her go outside. We tried to explain that she needed to be dressed and wearing shoes, but she was not at all convinced. In the interest of ending an impressive tantrum, we decided to let her try it her way, reasoning that her experience would convince her in a way that mere words couldn't. We put on her jacket and let her go:

She walked out into the yard and was willing to come back in when we called her back, but the minute the door was shut, she wanted to go back out again, bare-footers and all. We did get her dressed and shod and she had a great time out in the snow.

We got more snow overnight last night and, clearly, our little object lesson was a smashing success...this morning, she didn't want to get dressed, so she came downstairs stark-nakers, pulled her jacket out of the closet and insisted on going outside! Maybe she's part polar bear??

Bug's Sweater

In spite of the various problems I encountered, I finished the Bug's sweater and coerced talked him into modeling it for me. Of course, we needed a silly face. I am still less than completely delighted with the collar. It does go over his head, but it looks so big. In the future, I would probably do a slit in front or maybe go with a V-neck. The hemmed collar also rolls a bit, which I suspect is a result of having the last inch or so leading up to the collar knit too tight. Since the yarn is a cotton/wool blend, I'm hoping a couple of trips through to washing machine will mellow the neckline out a little.


Specifications
Yarn: Knit Picks Main Line in Wedgewood
Needles: Denise Interchangeable, size 7 (size 5 for ribbing)
Pattern: Based on the basic kid's raglan sleeve crew neck in The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns by Ann Budd. Modifications include using Kitchener stitch on armpits and closing remaining holes when weaving in ends of KS instead of binding off and seaming, using Japanese short rows to shape neck band instead of binding off and picking up stitches. I ended up modifying the shaping of the neck in order to fit it over his head. Also I used k2p2 ribbing for the bottom hem, wrist bands, and neck band.

I loved the Japanese short rows. I had been using wrap and turn short rows and wasn't thrilled with them, but I think the Japanese short rows are the answer! I had a lot better luck making them look smooth and unobtrusive.

Spell check

Yipes! Spell check hasn't been working all the time recently, so I haven't been using it until today. I went back to check recent posts and, gosh, there were a bunch of boo-boos. Since reading Norma is making me paranoid, I fixed them...