Today and some blogging shifts

Today was a really good day! It all started with my coffee when I realized (to my embarrassment) that all of the coffee mugs were dirty. Actually, most of our dishes were dirty... I was really afraid that this was a bad start, but it actually turned out to be the perfect start. While the water got hot (our kitchen water takes forever) I cleared enough space to organize my dishes. My sister-in-law laughs at me every time, but that's just how I learned to do it. I start by sorting them by type (glasses get lined up, silver ware gets put in the biggest dirty bowl/dish, plates get stacked etc.) then I set them up in order that they will be washed; glasses first, then silverware, followed by big plates, little plates, cereal bowls etc. etc. etc. I got all of the glasses and mugs washed by the time the coffee had brewed, so I poured myself a cup and called Heather to give her the lasagna recipe she wanted. I walked over to the table, and tried to move my chair back. Hmmm, have to move the bags of apples first...okay, move the....Gross!!! :-S The bottom two layers of apples had gone bad in one of the bags and leaked all over the floor...you know, that nasty sticky stuff? So while trying to remember the lasagna recipe and thinking about my ever cooling cup of coffee, I sorted apples and mopped up the mess. I realized that apples would be the project for the day, since without that bag, I had a half bushel of apples stacked on my counter. I also noticed that my floors have not been properly vacuumed and mopped in about forever, and that one really clean spot really Really stood out. So floors too. After today I am very in love with my new pairing knife. It pealed the apples so beautifully, and she and I really did peal allot of apples today! I filled my roasting pan for applesauce, and then my crock pot for apple butter. At this pint, Jenny was asking me what "these" were, which reminded me that I needed to cook up all of those butternut squash. There were allot of them!-7 or 8

this one's insides looked just like a tree :)

While I was working, the kids were busy with their own project in t

he other room...tent building:

This is the sweet face that greeted me when I knocked :)

And this is what they did when I asked t see what they were doing...you see, you sleep in tents ;)

Here is the fruit of today's labor (minus the shiny floors!)...

3qts. of applesauce, 10 cups of squash, and the apple butter cooking away!
This is the shelf in our freezer where I keep things I have made; this morning it had two containers f my homemade meat sauce (I started with the whole tomatoes and everything!), 1lb pre-cooked hamburger and onion, and 1qt of applesauce I made last week. (Darker than today's because of the brown sugar and more cinnamon.)

Here it is at the end of the day! Full already, and I still have 1.5 bushels of apples to be processed into sauce, butter and pie filling. :)

And here is a peak at my current knitting project...a hat for my sister:

As for the blogging shifts, I just wanted you all to know that I am trying to figure out the best way to work this... I like having the other blog, but juggling the two isn't going as well as I had hoped. I should get everything figured out in the next few days though!

July with Anne

While I was at Anne's home I finally got to see one of the "blooming teas"! It was beautiful...and tasted very good. I still think it looks a bit like a spider though! ;)

Jenny at the hotel, all ready to go out!

Anthony really took to Anne... but that's not the point of this picture. ;) See the different colors of his feet? No, his circulation is fine... the left foot is after we washed it, and the right is before. :-O Dirty feet and that purple hotel carpet! Gross, huh?

:-)

:-)

The last night we were at the hotel in CA we were determined to be packed by 7 or 8pm so that we could be in bed at a good hour. Instead we simply dumped everything we had with us onto the bed and sat up talking until 3:00. I think that there were more than two chocolate runs to the vending machines. :-D

I had allot of fun cooking when we got home...it was so good to have "real" food after two weeks away! The very first day I made macaroni and cheese...it tasted SO good! This was a few nights later...I had made Sommer's House Chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans. Anthony LOVED it! This is his first time using a spoon!!

We had SO MUCH FUN tie dying!! We each made several shirts, plus several onesies for Anthony and a few t-shirts for Jenny. When we were done we still had tons of die left, so I grabbed some white fabric and we went to work! I know in a picture it sort of just looks like a crazy hodge-podge of color, but in person, (and especially to us!) there is lots of special meaning in every part. This piece really ties together allot of our talks, feelings, thoughts and dreams. I *think* the plan is to cut it in half (it's a double layer) and make two very special quilts with it. But we haven't quite decided yet!

the other half...

Then the last night she was here (the real last night, lol) we were doing some heavy duty knitting and movie watching. We were such bums that day! We slept through the morning Masses, and ended up staying in our pajamas until we had to get ready for 5:00pm Mass. As soon as we got home we were back in our pj's and knitting again! Anthony came to nurse for a while and wound up snuggled up under my shawl while we....kept knitting. :) Oh, and that's one of my newly tie dyed shirts! Like the last night at the hotel, we had many better things to do than be tidy... *ahem*

the coffee table...

the sofa between us...

a very small bit of the results! I'm working on this pattern...the only hold up is that I'm making it up as I go! We saw these really delightful fingerless gloves at our local yarn shop, but the book the pattern was in was $20.00, and was filled with really, truly dreadful patterns. So I took a look at the stitch pattern for the spiral and well...we'll see where I get! I'm really hoping to make up a working pattern. It will probably take a few gloves to get it right, but I'm taking notes so we'll see!

Then the rest of these are just recent pictures that I had to share. :)

Anthony <3

My Jenny-loo <3

Her wonderful braids... <3

This is a little quiet spot I made for Joe on his desk. There are lots of electronics and all sorts of visual busy-ness so I wanted to make a calm, peaceful sort of spot for him. :) The flash makes everything really jump out, but in the actual lighting in our room all the colors are darker and softer and it really is a nice grouping of things.

Tony, the nude model....

hee hee, how cute is that smile?? (over exposed due to bad lighting in my bedroom)
Okay, onto the post...

*WHEW* What a sick 4 weeks we have had!! And I mean totally blah, too, not just the sniffles. We started off with a nice round of the flu (the respiratory sort), followed immediately (and sometimes simultaneously) by what may have been the worst cold ever, and most recently topped with a 12-24 hour stomach bug...although that has only hit the babies thus far. Let's just say that I am *SO READY* for the beach next week!!

It hasn't been all bad though, earlier today my Boy got me THIS lovely blue vacuum...I feel positively giddy. :) After being without one for a good month, well...I'm sure all of you housewives can understand my delight. :) And how perfect that it was on sale when we got there! I have already cleaned two rooms. :)

So, you might be asking yourself, what has been going on here, during my computer/TV free time? Well...first off, I have been knitting LOTS. Sadly my camera isn't working at the moment, other wise I would show you. But I'm working on a gift for my friend Sommer's upcoming arrival, as well as a darling little Easter vest for Tony. (On a side note, for any of my readers are on Ravelry ~and if you knit or crochet and aren't on ravelry, you really must sign up!~ then please feel free to add me as a friend, or at least look me up... my username is MackenzieH) As far as around the house goes, I decorated my hall way a bit. It still really needs paint, as does that mirror there, but that's okay. :) I like collecting cheap-y mirrors, that have those really ugly plastic, fouax gold/bronze frames. I spray paint the frames a nice glossy white, and *poof*, they instantly go from really REALLY ugly to really REALLY pretty. :) (I wonder if white spray paint has this effect on other things...perhaps if I just spray painted that extra post-baby belly....?? lol) The really great thing about these though, is how very, very cheap they are. I find that people will often just give them to you if you ask (Mommy, when you re-do the bathroom can I have that hideous mirror? etc.) And spray paint is of course very cheap...and lasts for more than one mirror. The heart baskets/wreathes are from my Mama, the tea set was for my 13th birthday, the little silver image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is from Joe's mom, and the sweet little candle and holder are from my good friend Sommer. The sewing machine itself is from my aunt...so really it is sort of a wall of my favorite things. :) I often find myself standing and starring. :)

Tony has been doing allot of riding around on my back...(to keep him from climbing and/or terrorizing his sister) which has led to lots of this...

Oh the joys of play silks!! I was a bit hesitant at first...I mean, what would they actually *do* with them?? By Joe's mom got some for Jenny at Christmas time and they have been in nearly daily use since. The sling is by far the most popular use for now! Although, there are other uses...

Costumes for example! She loves to have me tie them into a dress for her...and she loves how the feel against her skin. ;) So funny to turn to a "Mommy, help me!" to find a diaper clad face and a fist or two full of silk. :) What does one do when decked out so fancifully??Play tamborine of course!! She loves playing music with her daddy...mostly Irish/pirate-y stuff. She knows so many songs now!! And we're really amazed at how steady her beat is on that thing. :) Oh, and Tony likes to sing...but we're slightly less impressed with that...for now! :)This is the other "like Mama" thing she does...grocery shopping! If you look, you can see her baby Julio (the "J" is said like an "H"), her ever important mail, some "good books" in the cart. She's holding her notebook and pencil (I wonder where she got that one! lol) and the purse contains her cell phone, wallet and keys. :) I have to say it's rather flattering. :)

Well, I'm off to care for my sick little man, please pray that we are all over and done with all of these germs!!!

Double Pointed Needles, and Seed Stitch

Well, I finally did it! I knit a hat!! Like a real, in the round hat! :) Mr. Tony was the lucky recipient of this one... Isn't it just the greatest little boy hat?

The flash always makes him blink :)

Pattern: Stripey Stocking Cap
Location: Itty-Bitty Hats by Susan B. Anderson
Yarn: Berroco "comfort"
Time: Started 2/2/09, finished 2/5/09 (!!)

Next on the needles is a hat for my Jenny-loo. This is from the same book, but is the "Marshmallow Bonnet", being made up in Knit Pick's CotLin yarn (I believe) "Desert Turquoise". I'll have to check though. I just started it during nap time today, so I'm hoping it will go quickly too! It's just worked on two needles, so it is a bit faster, since there is a bit less juggling. :)

I Need Your Thoughts!!

Help! I need you ladies to please share your opinions on THIS sweater...is it cute or just a bit to...hmmm... well...you see my problem. :) I was thinking in something more tweedy, less salt and pepper-y. And with some fantastic vintage belt buckle on the sash? Thoughts? It...it just looks so cozy... :)

Yarn, Snow and Babies

Remember the sweater I mentioned in this post? Well, while I have been slacking on making any progress (read, haven't touched it in a month...I need to hurry up or he'll out grow it!), I did manage to finish the back panel...or is it the front? I'll have to check...it doesn't matter though, since they're pretty much identical until I join them and do the collar. :) It's sooooo soft. I'm stupid proud of it. :-D Weird picture I know, but it's the best one I got at the time...

And I've been completely silent about another knitting project of mine...last month my mom and I made a trip to the yarn shop...she had never been. ... .... they have yarn with real sterling silver in it. It's beautiful. I've lost track...oh yes, projects. ;-) Well, as you can see from the (below) picture, you can see that we pretty much cleaned out the sale bins. I scored this yummy yarn out of the 75% and 50% off bins. Well, except for that one skein of soft pink yarn...that I shelled out full price for. (gulp) It's French yarn...what was I supposed to do? Put it back on the shelf? See? You would have done it too. :) Anyway, I saw the orangey/watermellon and green yarns in the sale basket and the just screamed "Jenny" too me. So, following my mom's advice, I got them all. Better safe than sorry...and I got $9.00 yarn for about $2.00 each! And that's the pattern I'm using, tucked in the back. Technically it's a boy's sweater, but in such fun colors you can't really tell. The pattern is worked neck-down so I started off the neck band in the pinkyorange color. Then the "yoke" part is in the green, and the pinkyorange starts up again right below the arm holes. I have a few more inches of the body and then the sleeves and it will be done! She measures around for the 18-24mos. and since I wanted her to wear it right away, that's what I made. I'm starting to have my doubts though, and am wondering how long it will fit her. :) At least I'll have plenty of yarn to make her another as soon as she out grows this one! I'll try to get pictures soon, but my camera is having a fit...so I'm afraid you'll have to use your imagination this time.

In other news, Anthony is very nearly crawling, but that is a technicality...he get where ever he wants to go. And he very nearly has his first tooth cut. My days are a wee bit crazy, lol. Oh, and I hurt my foot stepping over a gate. Well, actually it was when I kicked the paint can, while stepping over the gate...big bruise, big ouch...I'm hoping it will be better tomorrow. OH! And we got our first taste of snow today! Nothing stuck (but it sure was cold enough!!), but it did blow and swirl around for quite a while. I love snow. :) Sorry this has been so rushed...I'm noticing that the condensed version of me is well...unique. If I were reading this, I would assume that the person writing was downing masive amounts of caffiene. I wish! :) Anthony has chased my key board across the bed now, so I have to go...or fall off. Ciao!

My Boy <3

Anthony is going to be 4 months next Saturday, so I thought I would do a post all about my puppy. :) They say babies should double their birth weight between 4 and 6 months, and he's almost there! Double his birth weight is about 20-21lbs. -and he's 20!! And he's 4.25" longer already...infact he's moving into 12 month sized clothing!! It's really funny because I get so used to carrying him around with me, and having tired arms/back, and then I pass him to someone else and after about 2 minutes they're like, "okay, you can have him back now...he's totally cute, but my back just can't." :-P He is currently loving the exersaucer and can spin around *almost* whenever he wants too. Jenny's really great about handing him his toys when he drops them....which is still allot since he hasn't quite mastered the trick of grabbing something and getting it into his mouth. Speaking of his mouth, he is busy cutting his first two teeth! I think the corner of the first one may have come through today, but it's hard to get a good look. I probably should pare down the pictures, but...well...could you pick which ones to take off???

This is my *favorite* shirt! So soft!

He has my chubby cheeks, but he's starting to look like his Daddy more and more! (yay!)

"Mother? Mother why is the light flashing at me over and over?...Mother?"

Mother!

I love watching him figure each part out...he loves spinning these rings!
lookin' like his Daddy...

I started on his sweater!! It's my first real knitting project...I'm 37 rows in, and so far so good! The yarn is incredible to work with, and thanks to my mom letting me use her wood/bamboo needles I'm able to knit as long as the babies will let me! :) I've even mastered the seed stitch! It's one of my favorites, and it actually looks like it's supposed to! I'm about to start on the "almost double seed stitch", and I'm actually more excited than intimidated! :-D But this is about him, not me and my knitting obsession...but since it's a sweater for him, I think I can get away with posting some progress pictures. ;)

Ta-da!! How cute is that?? I'm so rediculosly excited about the fact that it's "working"!!!

A close up of the stitches...pretty huh? :-D

He is currently loving the exersaucer and can spin around *almost* whenever he wants too. Jenny's really great about handing him his toys when he drops them....which is still allot since he hasn't quite mastered the trick of grabbing something and getting it into his mouth. Speaking of his mouth, he is busy cutting his first two teeth! I think the corner of the first one may have come through today, but it's hard to get a good look.

Soooo asleep! And see how big he is??