Stuff I love

Yarn. Sipping chocolate. Good, good music--vocal, classical, folk, jazz, rock, choral. Being able to shop for something I really want with a big fat gift certificate. Handmade bags. Slippers. Rice cozies. Reading a really good book. Organizational communication. Being organized and neat (not necessarily the getting there). Cool handmade things (not old popsicle stick crafts). A real Italian cappuccino. (I've only had a few in the States that have lived up to the goodness of an Italian one.) Really funny stuff--Brian Regan has been known to make me nearly weep with laughter. Running when I'm really feeling good, and feeling like I could run forever. Well-made clothes. Watching Lucy grow up. The moment when Steve comes home every day.

That'll do for now. I love lots of stuff.

The day that God made me...

Steve was off today, and got up with Lucy so that I could sleep in. Oh, divine coziness! We lazed around much of the morning, in which I also got to munch on chocolate chip cookies for breakfast (on the sly of course--Lucy is a formidable cookie hunter). Then after we got off our hineys, we headed out to Newport, parked at the tip of the Balboa peninsula, and ran along the beach for an hour with an elated Lucy. The day was amazing... gorgeous, haunting clouds, an incredibly clear view of Catalina Island, cool without being miserable.

Lunch was clam chowder in a sourdough bowl at Charlie's Chili, right on the beach. Perfect for a cool day! And Lucy ate like a champ! Then off to Kéan coffee, and the drink God divinely orchestrated just for me: Sipping Chocolate. Guys, they steam milk, toss in a huge handful of chopped chocolate, then steam it all together. When I had my first sip, I think I was ready to just close my eyes and let my epitaph read, "She died doing what she loved." I must now learn to do this at home. It is basically molten goodness that must be put into my soul more than just once.

Lucy fell asleep on the way home, and has been a good little girl all afternoon. I'm on the couch right now crocheting and reading craft blogs, listening to Mozart Piano Sonatas while Steve is coloring with Lucy. Thanks, God for putting all this together for me--excellent job!

What I've been up to

I think it took me a full 2 weeks to recover after Christmas and travel this year. I don't know why it seemed so busy to me this year! But now I am writing lists and doing projects and anticipating the advent of family groups in late January/February. I think I've recovered sufficiently so that I am actually looking forward to our visitors. Mimi and Papa will be here to celebrate Lucy's SECOND (yikes!) birthday, then the Nord/Hofer gang will swing through on the way to Disneyland, and then Sari & co. plus Mom and Dad will be here for Emma's birthday in mid-Feb. I'm looking forward to all of it--full house, good food, lots loud, messy fun!

Here is one of my projects from this week. I have continued making my modified reusable grocery bags, sewing a cute pocket onto the sides to cover up the uggo grocery store logo. But there isn't a great place to put them, as they tend to fall open when hung, not to mention they are a bit unwieldy to just bring in at the store. So, one funky old pillow case and 20 min later, voilá!

This was so easy that I think I will have to replicate this idea now and again. Doesn't this look like this would be great for lugging toys or library books around? Thrift store, we must meet again!

P.S. Kristen, you are not allowed to look at my stitching! =) And next time, I need to renew my friendship with your serger.

How I spent the New Year

The original plan was to go to bed at 9, so I'd get a good 8 hours of sleep before I left the house on New Year's Day at 5:15. This was not to be. Lucy didn't nap that day, then fell asleep on the way back from the park, not to be aroused by anything short of Gabrial's trumpet. This meant a cranky and late bedtime. This then meant she was up from 11:58 to 2:00, screaming like a banshee, the likes of which I have not seen for a year. So up I got at 4:45 after my meager night of sleep, and managed to have a delightful time at....

The Rose Parade!

This was for my Mom's 60th birthday. She totally doesn't seem 60 to me. She's fit and fun and healthy and busy, no different than when she was 50. We had a great time at the parade. We were packed in like sardines, and the 3 furthest seats from the aise, so we were squished up against the bars of the grandstand. Now, let me tell you, I took precautions. I went to the bathroom before we left the house. I went to the bathroom again before we went to our seats. I usually have a bladder of steel. Yep. Had to go. BAD. So I got up during a bit of a break--in fact, just before a float broke down, so no one missed anything anyway. And guys, I totally worked the crowd. I said things like, "Well, you all look like nice people, let's see how nice you really are!" and "Let's make friends now, because I have to come back this way after I'm done!" and "I'll be you were looking for a good excuse to stand up and stretch, weren't you!" You know the phrase that God gives the grace you need? Well, I think he lent a bit of charm to me that day, and on the way back, I had about 25 new friends. =)

The parade was super fun, and something I would totally recommend. Next time we will go to the float display the day after and see them up close.

Aren't we geeky! I love how I have, like 5 chins, and EXACTLY the same square smile as my dad! Oh, and the "roll out of bed and clip my hair with bleary eyes" hairdo.

Our week

It is impossible to think of the amount of STUFF that we hauled around Central California. Baby stuff to store in my old room (thanks Mom!), gifts to give, gifts received, jam and fruit and bread and cookies. Oh my, oh my. What a lovely time, though. Saw all the grandparents, many of the aunts, uncles and cousins, and generally just enjoyed the change of pace. Steve, that good, good man, got up with Lucy almost every morning so that I could sleep in! Now THAT is a vacation to me!


The train at Hillcrest Christmas Tree Farm in Reedley. Lucy yelled, "No TRAIN, No TRAIN," until we started moving, then, "It have ah wheels!" It was a hit.

The foggy day and the steam engine made it so magical feeling.

A bunch of geeks in English Cracker hats.
Christmas Butt.
The tricycle... God Bless Radio Flyer!

Some images for Christmas

Still haven't got the balance right, but I'm getting there.

Don't know where that odd smudge came from on the left... This was all black! But it's my kind of Christmas photo. I've decided I need to get off my duff and start looking through some photography books.

This is where we are headed soon ... is that not perfect??
Just two happy girls!

I've done it again

My parents always tease me about the "donut story." I'm sure there are more details, but one day when I was probably 8-ish, Mom overheard me telling all the neighbor kids, "Why don't you all come in for donuts!" Mom sharply whispers to me, "Jenny, we don't have donuts!" Unperturbed, I say, "Well, can't we go get some?" So the story of my life goes. Mom always says I'm having people over for donuts. However, now I get to also be Mom in the story... I tell myself, "But Jenny, if you invite people over for sugar cookie decorations, then you actually have to make them!" I just got done with 3 hours of rolling and cutting and baking sugar cookies and gingerbread men, and when you have a countertop about 6 inches lower than it's supposed to be, this equals tired back and exhausted Jenny.

Steve, meanwhile, has been shampooing the carpet in the living room before we put our newly covered couches back into the room! I'm pleased with how they came out, and I'll post pictures when they're back in. They got re-stuffed, too, so they're all springy and stuff. And with Steve's birthday chair, I am on my way to the blue-and-brown that I've been loving. I plan to make some pillows after the holiday (K, can you help me with your mighty brain??) with a rich brown microsuede to match the brown chair and complement the blue. Then my sister, wonder that she is, is making a quilt! This is the only picture I'm posting because I can't get off my butt to take any others tonight.

Christmas a la Sew, Mama, Sew!

Sew, Mama, Sew has become a favorite new spot for me to read, especially after their 30 days of new tutorials and handmade gift ideas. It was like someone setting a whole bowl of cake batter in front of my face! Oh yes. They recently initiated a meme, and I'm going to play.

• Do you have a favorite gift that you love to give?
• If we're talking handmade, I love to give crocheted washcloths with other bath-related items--especially for babies. I also make baby sweaters, and they are the most fun to give! I made 4 little red sweaters for my 4 Earle nieces, and we're going to cross our fingers to get pictures of the girls this Christmas.
  

• If you’re making gifts this year, what are you making? (Post photos if you have some!)
• I made slippers for my Wall nieces, and they turned out so cute! They LOVE pink and blue, respectively.
  
• 

• Do you have any good stories about handcrafted gifts you’ve given or received?
• My dear friend Kristen heard me say I was trying (and failing) to make an apron from a man's shirt (wish I could find the link for that... I forget whose idea it was, so sorry for not giving credit!). For my birthday she made me an uber cute pink one! I should post a picture sometime.
  

• Do you have any great gift compilation ideas (a grouping of gifts just perfect for certain recipients?)
• Crocheted kitchen towels, washcloths, placemats, and trivets.
  

• Name one (NO, THREE!) thing(s) on your personal wish list (Yay for Amazon!).
• Airpot for coffee... I love having people in my home, and coffee is essential to a cozy gathering.
  
• 
• I love tips and tricks for making cooking/sewing/organizing/LIFE easier and more creative!
• The thing I miss the most about singing in a college choir is that more simple, beautiful blend, and doing collections of beautiful songs instead of just major works. Concordia is one of the most gorgeous choirs out there, and to have Christmas music from them would just give me goosebumps!
  
• 

• Do you make and sell things that would make fantastic gifts? (Link)
• I am just starting to make baby girl sweaters to sell. Here are examples, and I would love to do custom orders!
• 

Now THAT's more like it

Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles (ha ha, now you have Fiddler on the Roof in your head!), behold, the desert drinks!
Let's see if I survive a day of rain with a toddler!

A Yule-B-Cue

We're bbq-ing kebobs and eating outdoors. To quote Peter Sagal from "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me," "This is the time of year when you folks go from being miserable to being smug." Oh yes, indeed.

So begins Christmas

Is it just me, or is this NOT what a Christmas forecast should look like?

But hark! In the yonder distance, a chance of rain! Hooray! Pray for rain!


In other news, this is sad, sad, sad. Beaten by my husband, who no longer cares about Fantasy Football...

And finally...
If you don't know who this is, you can ignore this. If you do know who this is, you know what this means!

Off to make apple crisp for my sis-in-law for post-Thanksgiving. She was one of the hard-working souls who give up holidays to keep us safe. Thanks, Jen!

A lovely day

A few shots from our day...

Lucy having a pre-festivities tea party

Grammie's pretty table

We felt very fancy serving a cheese board.
My sweet things.

Lucy testing out what appears to be playground equipment.

Cozy at home

We made it to Selma in record time yesterday... amazing at this time of year. I woke up this morning and went right off to the grocery store with Mom. We've been cooking on and off ever since. Chopping veggies, pulling bread for stuffing, doing any prep work we can. I made pumpkin pie (Steve loves it), and a lemon tart. Then I realized I forgot to bake the tart crust first, so I made another one. Yeesh! I will take pictures of them tomorrow, because they are so pretty.

Tomorrow we will have my parents, our little family, my brother, my grandfather and his wife, and an obscure aunt and her son. I haven't seen the aunt in years, and I'm not sure I've ever met her 60-year-old son. Apparently they are a bit quirky, but we discovered they generally don't do much for Thanksgiving, and were really excited to be invited. The son was going to have a frozen turkey T.V. dinner. That breaks my heart to think of, and it delights me to think I've been cooking all day to make people happy. I love to love people with cooking. I get to do this all again next week because Steve's sister is working this whole weekend, and I decided she needs a proper turkey dinner with family, even if it is a bit late.

Lucy woke up last night in the middle of the night and asked for a midnight snack. We did yogurt in the semi-darkness. I'm wondering if she's remembering Thanksgiving last year... =) I'm such a wuss about getting up in the middle of the night now! So it is off to bed with me.

I love my job!

This is Lucy and I this morning. I was having a slow start this morning, so I decided to go out in the back and sit at our patio table. How is it that just moving locations can inspire you? I am sitting here with my coffee and Lucy and I are chowing (her words!) on Cheerios. Reminds me of college when I used to bring a Dr. Pepper and a bag of Cheerios to Acts.

Yes, folks, here's me in the morning.

I finished another shopping bag last night, and the picture of the little red sweaters are coming soon. I started the last of the four sweaters (hopefully... this is assuming they all fit!) last night, and I hope, hope, hope to blaze through it. I have a car ride coming up next week, so hopefully I will get lots of crocheting done and then I can start my kitchen rug. Or maybe I'll just try to get rid of some of my stash, which is getting a little unwieldy.

My brother, while a well-trained supporter of all things Jenny, couldn't hide the tiny twitch in the corner of his mouth that said, "Why in the world do you care what your shopping bags look like??" Luckily he knows the answer, even if he doesn't understand it. Because I fall into the class of people (not just women, and not all women), that needs certain things to be pretty. Not necessarily expensive, but pretty. It is one of those things in my soul that needs satisfying, and I am grateful to have the means to answer that call. Well, only 1 minute remaining on my battery... must publish before I lose it!

More craftiness

This used to have the Stater Brothers logo on it... now it's cute. =)

Marvels of modern parenting

We are in week 3 of nap issues. We are generally doing the "cry it out method," which actually does work for Lucy, but she's still got some residual stuff going on. She climbed out of the crib for the 2nd time today. I am disciplining her for that, as it is not safe and she needs to know that bedtime and naptime are the law. She could see me peeking in the door, even at the bottom, and it aggravated her, so I got out the iSight (luckily we still have a separate one!), plugged it in and shoved it into the room. I sat out in the hall with my computer and watched her so I could take care of it if she climbed out. It was like observing an animal in her own habitat. Poor baby nearly fell asleep slumped over the railing.

The magic slippers

I have finished 3 of 4 red sweaters for the Earle-girl cousins for Christmas pictures. I'll make a matching scarf for Tanner, and we'll attempt a picture. Heavy emphasis on "attempt. =) I'm also in the middle of making slippers for the my sisters' girls. A heavenly thing to hit on a pattern that is so simple and fast, and yet makes something that people will really treasure.

I was thinking as I am working on these slippers that I learned to do this just a little too late. There are several people in my family that used to knit and crochet that are gone now, and oh how I wish that I could connect with them on these things now. My uncle used to make little toys and balls and things, and a special aunt on the other side of the family made the slippers and blankets. I wish I could just pour a cup of coffee and sit and work with them. There is something so wholesome about the idea of them. I have decided that I will be satisfied with honoring them and thinking of them and keeping their memories alive as I work. And I have an immense joy in connecting with my mom and with my mother-in-law over yarn.

The Living Desert

Yesterday we went with Mimi and Papa to the Living Desert in Palm Desert. Gorgeous weather, wonderful day, and just loads of fun. Lucy even got adventurous! She had a grand time.

Brushing the goats. Mmmmmmmmeeeeeeh!
My favorite kind of snake!
Ferferfly and her lovely assistant.

My awesome sister!

Birthday wishes to my best friend and sister! I love and respect her so much, and I'm so proud of the wonderful life she has built for her family. We had so many rough days as kids--we weren't always the best of friends growing up--but now we are super tight and call or ichat every day. She is one of the most creative, inventive people I know, she is fiercely loyal, intelligent and fun. So here's to Sari! (Sair-ee, phonetically.)

Christmas 1977


High school... I think this was when we became friends. (Like my socks with my flats??)
My matron of honor. Doesn't she look so pretty??

Smorgasbord

Well, I'm sick. Blech. Started last night with just weary body, feeling like I just had to sit down. Had a horrid sleep with resultant achy body. By mid-afternoon today, the nose-faucet turned on. Ah well. Steve is home today, which I'm so grateful for. Tomorrow, Lucy gets to watch lots of television!

Had my craft boutique this weekend, and I was delighted that one of my sweaters sold! The remainder will go to sister-in-law Amy, who is auctioning some items for a family who is dealing with leukemia (the dad). I just started the sweaters for Lucy and 3 of her girl cousins, and I'm laughing at the mistakes that my fuzzy sick brain caused. Luckily I think they are not irrevocable.

Started some Christmas shopping, and I'm delighted to be buying 4 gifts from the same website, saving a ton on shipping. Hooray! Figured out inexpensive gifts for all the nieces and nephews. Ah, that is lovely. Very excited about a couple of my ideas this year. If you have good ideas, especially for fathers-in-law and brothers-in-law, do share!

Have a good, kleenex-free week, all.