Stitches in Play

when in Rome...

I could have brought out the drawing pad and the nice pens.  I could have positioned myself in such a way where I could get the best perspective.  But there was not time for any of that. Abigail was coloring with good old crayola crayons on printer paper.  Both were sitting on the kitchen table while I was clearing breakfast dishes.   So I did what any mama who proclaimed in her last post that she was going to take a bit of creative time any way she could.  And I joined my girl for a bit of crayola time.

  

 

Spending half an hour (yes, it took me 30 minutes) drawing along with my girl was so much fun.  She even sprinkled my drawing with paper punched stars for an added touch! 

Also want to share two awesome films that can be streamed off Netflix.  The September Issue and Bill Cunningham New York.  Both of these are fashion documentaries but they are so much more than that. Even if you have no interest in fashion magazines or photography you will LOVE the human nature story behind these passionate, driven, brilliant people.  Bill Cunningham, especially, is a genius and the this documentary is perfection.

I'm also really enjoying the The Chaperone right now - very well written light summer read.  Have a great week!

summer update

Third week of summer break is in full swing around here.  We are very busy with swimming and playing, dance camp for the girl and guitar lessons for the boys.  Of course there is still tons of taekwondo and torah study for the boys who will be chanting torah for the first time during high holidays this year. There is also tons of cooking and eating which requires much grocery shopping and many farmer's market visits.  The plumbing issue I mentioned in my last post turned out to require major pipe replacement and drywall repair - could've been a lot worse but I do have a major patch in the guest bathroom that still requires taping, sanding and painting. 

Through all the playing and driving and learning and plumbing I have managed to take a few pictures.  Not much is new but David no longer wants to have his picture taken.

Ezra is still reading two to three books per week.

Abigail is becoming more independent each day - unfortunately all this independence is accompanied by a heavy dose of sassyness.  Today she asked me if other seven year olds still sleep with a stuffie.  I told her that she shouldn't concern herself with what others do and should continue to do what feels right for her.  Without missing a beat Abigail said,"You're right, I should just follow my own path."  Indeed, each moment of every day this girl follows her own path - which keeps this mama on her toes.

And speaking of me, I hung these mirrors in the foyer. Just trying to pretty up the parts of the house that still have drywall!

I spied this deer in our yard. Turns out there are lots of deer in the city where hunting is not permitted!

I let this girl out for some fresh air.

I baked heart shaped brownies to celebrate a job well done.

I restocked supplies.

And I read John Green's books The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska - both amazing! Both novels are quick reads geared for the teen audience and they make just perfect summer reading. 


I also managed to sit here for half an hour and read before the thunder storm rolled in.  That's Ezra on the rocks - he wasn't as bothered by the huge storm.  Hope your week is wonderful!

"The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore."  Vincent van Gogh

miscellaneous monday

I had planned to post about our weekend full of celebration, friends, picnics and play but I'm having trouble uploading my pictures.  This happens every time I don't reboot my computer for several days - and so I will do that later on today and try again.  But because my kiddos only have six more days of school and I have a bazillion things to get done in those several days  - and, well, time is of the essence - I will post about something less exciting with photos that I uploaded last week.  But please stay and read it anyway because it's kinda funny - and who doesn't need a bit of funny on a rainy Monday.  (I realize that it may not be raining where you are but i'm feeling a bit self-absorbed this morning so please bear with me)

It all began when I googled a movie quote to make sure that I remembered it correctly...

I stumbled upon this list of  "Things we have learned from movies... "  Although I hardly watch any television these days I adore movies - all kinds really - so I found this list quite entertaining. 

Things we have learned from movies:

1. Large, loft-style apartments in New York City are well within the price range of most people whether they are employed or not.

2. At least one of a pair of identical twins is born evil.

3. Should you decide to defuse a bomb, don't worry which wire to cut. You will always choose the right one.

4. Most laptop computers are powerful enough to override communications system of any invading alien society.

5. It does not matter if you are heavily outnumbered in a fight involving martial arts - your enemies will wait patiently to attack you one by one by dancing around in a threatening manner until you have knocked out their predecessors.

6. When you turn out the light to go to bed, everything in your bedroom will still be clearly visible, just slightly bluish.

7. If you are blonde and pretty, it is possible to become a world expert on nuclear fission at the age of 22.

8. Honest and hard working policemen are traditionally gunned down three days before their retirement.

9. Rather than wasting bullets, megalomaniacs prefer to kill their archenemies using complicated machinery involving fuses, pulley systems, deadly gasses, lasers, and man-eating sharks, which will allow their captives at least 20 minutes to escape.

10. During all police investigations, it will be necessary to visit a strip club at least once.

11. All beds have special L-shaped cover sheets that reach up to the armpit level on a woman but only to waist level on the man lying beside her.

12. All grocery shopping bags contain at least one stick of French bread.

13. It's easy for anyone to land a plane providing there is someone in the control tower to talk you down.

14. Once applied, lipstick will never rub off even while scuba diving.

15. You're very likely to survive any battle in any war unless you make the mistake of showing someone a picture of your sweetheart back home.

16. When they are alone, all foreign military officers prefer to speak to each other in English.

17. The Eiffel Tower can be seen from any window in Paris.

18. A man will show no pain while taking the most ferocious beating but will whine when a woman tries to clean his wounds.

19. If a large pane of glass is visible, someone will be thrown through it before long.

20. If staying in a haunted house, women should investigate any strange noises in their most revealing underwear.

21. Word processors never display a cursor on screen, but will always say: "Enter Password Now".

22. Even when driving down a perfectly straight road, it is necessary to turn the steering wheel vigorously from left to right every few moments. Tires will squeal on any surface, at any speed.

23. All bombs are fitted with electronic timing devices with large red readouts so you know exactly when they're going to go off.

24. A detective can only solve a case once he has been suspended from duty.

25. If you decide to start dancing in the street, everyone you meet will know all the steps.

Fun list, no? 

I have no time for tv viewing because I spend a lot of time driving from the country to the city and back.  I am a lucky girl because for half the ride my view is of this river.

And on a beautifully overcast morning last week I got out of my car to take a picture of the river.

And for good measure I also took a picture of my feet walking to said river.

If you were wondering what movie quote it was that I googled that led me to stumble upon the above list it was:

"Always in motion is the future." 

spoken by Yoda in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

And I'll leave you with a little movie recommendation:  greg and i watched A World Without Theives (2004) the other night and really enjoyed this Chinese action drama. Streamed it right off netflix - no discs, no planning, no waiting - just the way I like it.

mother's day in pictures

Hope your mother's day was full of big hugs and smoochy kisses.

Here's a little recap - mostly in pictures - of our day.  If you're wondering why so many pictures, it's because they take up a whole lot of room.  Which means that I have to write less.  Because writing takes time.  And since I'm pretty much behind in every thing that needs to get done today, I have very little time left.  Plus "a picture is worth a thousand words" which enables me to convey a large amount of data to you quickly.  So here goes: 

In anticipation of mother's day I bought myself flowers on Saturday.  I bought them because I was in the market and spotted these gorgeous peonies.  I absolutely adore peonies and have been coveting Erin's for nearly a week now.   Plus I knew that my wonderful husband would arrive home from work early sunday morning and may be too tired pick up flowers on his way home.  He gave me the sweetest card instead and told me how much he loved and appreciated me.  He then told me that he didn't stop to get me flowers because he was sure he wouldn't find ones more beautiful than these peonies (he saw these before he left for work on saturday night). I'm fine with that because we just celebrated our 20 year wedding anniversary and I can honestly say that he has told me he loves me and values all that I do every single one of those days - and on days when the kiddos are fighting he has been known to tell me how much he loves me and appreciates me numerous times in one hour!

Next we ate my favorite cake for breakfast - Raspberry Almond Cake from the Fresh Market.  Yes, there are five of us and we ate over half the cake - it's that good.

Then Ezra presented me with a beautiful letter that made me cry and freshly picked flowers which he picked for me on his morning run.  Never mind that he may have slammed the door on his way out at 6:30am jolting his mama out of her peaceful slumber.  I forgave him because he gave me a huge hug and because he told me he had to get up extra early in order to look up on the internet how to make an envelope - and I love the envelope so much because he made it.  Plus I forgave him because he is now thirteen and I don't know how many more freshly picked flowers and handmade envelopes I will receive from him.

Then I tried to document this special moment between mother and son with a picture when Abigail flung herself into the shot - because this girly of mine loves having her picture taken!  I'm fine with this because frankly, the girl is cute.

Plus she gives a fine pedicure!  All I had to do was sit in the chair shrouded in purple tulle and she rubbed my feet and painted my toes.  Good stuff, I tell you.

She also gave me a card that read "I love you more that donuts, I love you more than cake."  Of course by that time she had already consumed two slices of cake for breakfast - so she may have been sick of cake!  But I choose to believe that my girly loves me a whole lot nonetheless.

David picked me strawberries from our garden.  They may not look like much but they are the sweetest, yummiest things ever!

Then he went outside and played nicely with his sister.  No fighting allowed on mother's day.

This photo is from a few weeks back but I just had to share what the middle child has to put up with. He was watching his favorite show on tv - Chopped on the food network - when Abby attempted to kick him.  It was all in jest (of course!) but this happens so often around here that he just leans out of the way while continuing to watch his show.

Well, all this excitement took place before 10am so we rounded off the day with a yummy salmon lunch prepared by yours truly.  Followed by a trip to the movie theater to see the Avengers. That movie is over two and a half hours of action-packed fun full of violence and adventure which apparently we all love because we really enjoyed it.

Hope your day was spent having fun with your kiddos.  And now I must remind myself that mother's day is long over and that I have groceries to buy, dinner to cook, toilets to clean and homework to check over - all before heading out to taekwondo at 5.  Happy Tuesday to all!

topsy-turvy (but in a good way)

Stopping in to say Hello!  

We are safe and sound post hurricane Irene - we lost power for two days, several trees fell, and there are leaves, branches and debris scattered on our property but we are just fine.  Sending best wishes to those still dealing with the aftermath of this storm.

I've been away from this space so that I can fully partake in the fun, and topsy turvy summer, we've been having.  The kiddos and I have been playing and driving and eating and driving and spending time with friends and driving some more this summer.  All the while we have been enjoying a wonderful and fun-filled summer while redoing the city home.  We knew it was a fixer and were excited about putting our personal touches on this home.  After nearly two months of new roof and new HVAC and tile and countertops and paint everything seems to be coming together to the make the sweetest little city house we could've imagined.  I cannot wait to share our new space with you.  But first we have another week of summer to enjoy around here before school begins. 

Just to prove that we're all about topsy-turvy around here - here's Abigail watching tv. 

She'd much rather pose for pictures than watch Sorcerer's Apprentice with her brothers. 

My guys didn't mind the power outage too much.  Gave them more time to work on puzzle solving.

And picking and eating yummy veggies from our garden.

We have a beautiful bounty thanks to Ezra who loves to tend to the garden.  He has been out there each morning at 7am watering and picking and doing whatever else he does because I'm really more of a garden "planter" - the tending part is really not my thing.  I'd rather be in the kitchen making pasta sauce and lasagnas using these yummies!

I heart you all (and miss you) and will be back once school starts!

a quick PS:  the hubby and i enjoyed a wonderful film via netflix last week.  I wholeheartedly recommend Departures (2008).  Watch it - you will not be disappointed.

stream of consciousness

Since I was last here...

Everyone in our home is healthy once again.

My kiddos are back in school after a four day weekend (our county is saving money by closing down the schools resulting in many long weekends). 

I truly enjoy having my kiddos home the extra days.  This weekend we visited the space museum. We visited the library and read new books in our pj's.  We watched this visually stunning film - i just love streaming movies through netflix.

I have been knitting a bit.  A cardi for Abby.

I have been sewing a bit.  I'll be able to share soon.

I have been snacking a lot.  I like to eat my food directly off the cutting board.  It's fun and there are fewer dishes to wash. (that's goat cheese on the crackers - yum.)

I have been folding laundry while listening to the soundtrack from this wonderful movie.  I recommended this film a while ago but it's definitely worth repeating.  Watch Once first - you won't be disappointed.

I took a nature walk on a rainy morning.

 

 

Since I don't have any completed projects to share and nothing earth shattering (thank goodness) has transpired I thought I'd share some random things about me:

I love a long, hot shower.  I rarely take baths.

I drink a lot of this tea.  Often times I sneak in a second tea bag - this is my current favorite.

My favorite thing to eat with tea is almond biscotti.

For the past several weeks I've had the music of April Smith and Tarja Turunen in heavy rotation. 

My kiddos and I love listening to Vitamin String Quartet - they play some awesome Lady Gaga without any of the offensive lyrics.  Check out all their albums here.

In the past month I have slept in a white tee so that I could just throw on a coat when I drive Ezra to the bus stop at 7am.  I have also worn boots so that I wouldn't have to change mismatched socks.

I could live on brown rice, black beans and salsa...

With blueberry mango smoothies to wash it down. (I buy frozen blueberries and frozen mango chunks at Trader Joe's and blend them with a banana, vanilla yogurt and a bit of water)

For the past two weeks I have written grocery lists and forgotten them on the fridge.  Both weeks I managed to buy everything on them except for cinnamon.  I must admit that our french toast, granola and cookies have been lacking. 

I feel good when my hands and feet are moisturized. 

I think I may be growing my hair out.  Either that or i just haven't bothered to get it cut in a while.

I love to paint my toenails but I don't paint my fingernails.

I cannot hear myself think when the television is on - at least I hope I am still thinking.  I do not feel the same about watching movies.

I try to take my contact lenses out right after dinner - but I often forget.  My eyes do not thank me for this.

I feel truly thankful for my husband.  Not a day has gone by since March 1991 that he hasn't told me how much he loves me.  I know that he means it because he always looks me in the eyes and smiles when he tells me. 

Having too much stuff makes me nervous.  Each time I bring something new into the house I cannot help but think about how I will have to dust, wash, store or otherwise care for yet another thing.

I am happiest when the sun is shining - even if it's really cold out.

I feel blessed to have all our pets. (we have 2 dogs, 1 cat, 2 guinea pigs and 9 chickens)  I talk to them when I have a problem to work out, I get exercise when they take me along on their walks, I breathe more deeply when I stroke the soft feathers of our hens.

Every morning for breakfast I eat eggs moments after they are laid by our hens.  They are the most delicious eggs I have ever tasted. 

Most nights I read for 30 minutes before going to bed.  I wish I could knit and read at the same time.  But I choose to read because knitting often involves watching television.

At times the computer makes me feel anxious.  On one hand I want to know what all my friends are up to and I want to share what I have been doing.  But I also want to spend that time making and knitting and reading. 

I received this book in the mail today and I cannot wait to read the ending to this amazing story.

I don't have an electronic reader.  My husband has one and has offered to download a book for me so that I can try it out.  But I am not ready yet. 

I purchase way too many books.  They take up a lot of room.  I think I will try the e-reader for my next selection. 

I think better, and feel more creative, when I put pen to paper.  I have started keeping all my making ideas in notebooks.  I also doodle little sketches in the margins.  Somehow typing just isn't the same. 

I feel best on the days I make it to the gym.  I have more energy, walk straighter, sleep better and stay healthier when I work out.   I wish I had the discipline to exercise at home but I don't.

I haven't gone to the gym as often as i like this winter because I have been "too busy."  But after reading this wonderful post I plan to slow down, take my time, and get more done!

Hope you take your time and get more done today!

 

a bit of time + some fabric

Today I had a bit of time to play with fabric. 

I spent it:

Washing fabric...not to be confused with doing laundry.

Piecing fabric... because I really want to finish this quilt.

 

Cutting fabric... because my boy asked.  And because he also picked out the fabrics.

It was the perfect way to spend several hours.  And speaking of a nice way to spend several hours, last night my husband and I watched the film Transsiberian (2008).  Lots of mystery, suspense, drama, great acting - just thought I'd let you know if you're looking for something to add to your netflix queue for when the Olympics are done.

we have power, we made a stuffie, and we snuggled

A nor'easter storm hit our area on Thursday.  School was canceled, streets flooded, trees toppled and power lines came down.  Our house is on a hill so we were fine but we did lose power which makes for long days with three kiddos home for an impromptu four-day weekend.  The storm kept us indoors all of Thursday so we painted and Abigail came up with this clever idea for stationary - perfect for our next letter to grandma.

We ate well because we managed to bake two pies early Wednesday before the power went out for good.

Then we saw this post about making stuffies on Hip Mountain Mama's blog and knew that some handsewing was in order.  Ezra worked on a relief map for school while David and Abigail sorted through hundreds of buttons, dozens of ribbon scraps and just the right color felt for their "sweater stuffie."  Yes, these are made from the sleeves of an old sweater.  After a good hour of planning and design we began to sew - constructing 'Sam' and 'Lizzy."

Here they are - having survived two days of non-stop play and love.  (It was way to dark to take photos indoors)

On Friday the storm broke and we ventured out for a walk.

Even Shadow the kitty was feeling restless and decided to join us.

He checked out the neighbors' mailbox...

While the canine members of our family stopped for refreshments. 

Ezra and David stopped to shoot some baskets - but abandoned the game once their ball rolled into the muddy woods. 

 

And I got to air out my no-nonsense "there's mud everywhere" boots.

Finally, on Friday evening the power came back on, everyone took a warm bath, and dad came home with Chinese food.  We stuffed our bellies and spent the rest of the evening snuggling on the sofa and recalling all that we were able to do without electricity.  After the kiddos went to bed, Greg and I went right back to snuggling on the sofa while watching The Namesake.  We absolutely loved this film about finding one's place in the world.

We concluded that huge storms are not so much fun, but two extra days of rest and play are not so bad.  Not bad at all.    

my take on neighborly + 2 inspiring films

Several of you asked about the modifications I made to the neighborly pattern.  The only true change was to convert the pattern to a simple top-down sweater, knit in the round.  This is only a knitting "recipe" so please refer to the original neighborly pattern for specifics as well as yardage, gauge and tips on knitting stripes.  So here goes:

This pattern fits girls size 4-7 [sz 8-12 in brackets]

Using size US 8 needle cast in 80 stitches.  Join for working in the round.

Set-up row:  k 30, pm, k 10, pm, k 30, pm, k 10, pm (this last marker should be a different color to indicate beginning of next round)

Next row:  Knit.

Row 1:  knit to one stitch before marker, kfb, slip marker (sm), kfb.  Do this 3 more times.

Row 2: Knit.

Repeat rows 1 & 2 eight [ten] more times.

Next round:  knit front stitches, place next 30 [34] sleeve stitches on scrap yarn, knit across the back stitches, place second 30 [34] sleeve stitches on scrap yarn.

Work in stockinette for 8 rounds.

Next round:  (k2, kfb)* repeat* to last stitches -  about 126 [about 148] sts.

Lower Bodice:  Knit 4 rounds with CC yarn.  Switch to MC and K 2 rounds.  Repeat 6 [9] times. 

Hemline:  Knit 8 rounds in garter stitch using CC.  (makes 4 garter ridges)  Bind off all stitches.

Armholes:  Transfer the 30 [34] sleeve sts from waster yarn to 3 dpn's (or use magic loop).  PM and join for working in the round.  Work K1 P1 rib for 6 rounds.  BO in pattern.   Repeat for other armhole.

Neckline :  Pick up 60 [70] stitches (pick up 3 sts for every 4 for the smaller sz).  PM and join for working in the round.  Work K1 P1 rib for 8 rounds.  BO all sts in pattern.  Secure a large decorative button to the neckline.

Weave in ends and block.  That's it.

The neighborly pattern, as well as the beautiful sentiment behind it, was written by Jennifer Casa of JCasa Handmade.  She is an all-around beautiful and gifted lady who has just received some tough news.  You're sure to be inspired by her strength.  Nothing can stop her now.

And speaking of beautiful and inspiring, I'd like to recommend two films that I was fortunate enough to re-watch this week (thank you Netflix).  Young at Heart and Valentino: The Last Emperor.  You will be inspired, uplifted, entertained and you will find yourself laughing and crying at the same time!  And if you're like me, when they are done you will want to watch them again.

Have a beautiful weekend!