Mobile

Finally got a mobile for Grace's crib. She is getting really into pictures, grabbing at things etc... so I thought she would appreciate something to look at in her crib.

I just couldn't settle on one to buy, so spent the other night cutting out felt flowers and hanging them from an embroidery hoop. It was a fuzz fest on the couch, but pretty fun and simple, and now she has some bright colors to look at while in her crib. I have a handful of extras, so pinned this one on for kicks.

Flowers are weirdly appropriate for February this year, the cherries and apricots are blooming all over, the crocuses are up as are the daffodils, the weather is balmy and we have been getting the yard ready for spring.

Books

For those who know me, in the last many years I have been much more apt to listen to a book on tape than pick up real paper and type to read. However, since I have been at home, no longer tethered to a microscope for a good part of any week... and have had a few books in hand, just a record of the really good'uns...

Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shores... such a beautiful love story around the building of the Taj Mahal

Having Faith by Sandra Steingraber ... just finished this, terrifying and fascinating journey of motherhood from the view of an ecologist with a heavy toxicology bent (the scary part)

The Ghost Map by Steve Johnson ... story of the Cholera outbreak in London. Really cool detective work

The American Horticultural Society Pruning and Training ... well, just so informative and emboldened me to take on our yard with the awesome new pruning tools Auntie Gigi gave me

The Creative Family by Amanda Soule .... just a great reminder to appreciate time with the kiddos and how to do it so that it is fun and fascinating for everyone!

mmmm Canele

Had a bit of a baking fit this weekend... Made some Granola for the first time, it's pretty good, perhaps a little sweet, but its more likely to get eaten. Recipe is more or less from http://katiedid.squarespace.com/katie-did-journal/2010/1/12/granola-for-the-new-year.html, the Katie did blog.

Easy, makes a ton... so we shared with Val and Robyn (new mom!). Also had the boys make blueberry muffins. I'm most excited about the Caneles! I used Chocolate and Zucchini's recipe http://chocolateandzucchini.com/archives/2005/10/caneles.php..

OMG sooo good. We got the silicon molds and they are great! Crunchy exterior, soft custardy interior. Even totally great frozen and microwaved for about 20 secs... still crunchy! trying hard to resist my second tonight...soooo hard.

Playing catch-up...

fall

Pumpkins

Alpine strawberries... sweet like candy!

Joseph Schmitt chocolate treats from Caroline... can't find my mint leaf pictures, but those things are precious, I have little hordes stashed around the house and am very selfish with them.

Plus isn't the all chocolate bowl beautiful!

Small Squares in a strip quilt for baby Colin Mason

My first "tie" quilt, it was also my largest turn & topstitch quilt, the method needs some work, but its linen on top with the strip of squares and a mis mash of corduroy on the back... white and dark blue.

And some Christmas gifts... buntings for the cousins

t-shirts for close pals. Still love freezer paper stencils, though Brian keeps pushing for getting a silk screen... but even though the designs are all very very close, each is a little different, and I like that. Then again, he helps (designs and cuts most of them out) a lot, so maybe he has a point.

Christmas List 2009

Owen's Christmas List:

Frog Umbrella for kids (so that it's his size, not grown-up sized)

Pink Socks

Pointy Rocket Ship

Though we had the discussion that Santa brings toys to good children and not naughty children, He got very upset, and pleaded why not the naughty children? They should get toys too! Sometimes the "Good" v. "Naughty" discussion doesn't really seem to sink in.

got to make the morning last

Sometimes the days feel to be slipping by so quickly; where I don't feel like I have enough time to get my work done, to clean up properly around the house, to get my Christmas shopping done, Christmas cards, to get something actually organized for Os birthday this year, to plan fun quality time with the kiddos... something more than running errands, with Brian, with self. I don't want to miss a moment, but moments just keep passing by. What gets me about this feeling is that instead of pulling self up by bootstraps, I just get irritable. I see myself rushing around, trying to get stuff done, and see everyone around me working against me. I need to remind myself to just keep swimming, things will get done, can't stop time, can only appreciate it. There, reminder noted. Now go fold that pile of laundry.

pie

Well, we had a great Thanksgiving with the inlaws. I busted out the nice China, maybe the third time in our marriage. Also, managed to make the-best-apple-pie-ever. I've had my fair share of sub-par pies lately, after once being great at all pies, it has been disappointing. What makes it a great pie? Both crusts done, flaky, light. Apples were not too juicy, not dry at all, not too sweet, plenty of cinnamon. Anyhow, thought I'd write down tips implemented to make this work. I have only a sorry picture of the very last piece of pie eaten last night.

Made it with two crusts, butter, done in the food processor, I think this kept the dough cool enough. Three types of apples: Spitzenbergs, a small green, maybe pippin, can't remember, we also had two that were probably goldens that Charlie and Renee brought on their trip but didn't eat. Anyhow, I think the mix was great. Finally, Cook until it bubbles in the middle. Otherwise I just used Mom's recipe for the filling and the dough from Bistro cooking. Oh, and used splenda, I've never used splenda before, but if everything turns out this good will reconsider.

Brian also did a perfect turkey. He put herbed oil under the skin, started it upside down and flipped it at some point. really perfect. I've been living off of the huge vat of turkey jook I made afterwards. mmmmmmmmm. If I could only find some chinese donuts.