a day in photo form

before manicures

Yesterday was so much fun and very much needed time away from kids. I actually got to feel like an adult and have adult conversation which can sometimes be very hard to find when you're taking care of 2 small children every day.

Which feet are mine?

We went to the Big Willy to stand out on the ledge. It was so incredibly cool even though the visibility was low and we really saw a lot of clouds. I did get to see the circle interchange and see firsthand why it's called the circle interchange. I even got to meet Obama (or you know, his cardboard look alike).

Obama!

Seeing that photo makes me realize I need a haircut. After Big Willy we did some shopping and then Daniel left and Jeni and I found a salon that does the no chip manicures. I'm really liking mine so far; my nails look really nice and they didn't get messed up when I slept. Unfortunately I don't have a photo of the after manicures. The we had delicious pizza from Apart Pizza (I highly recommend the Tricolore). On the very queit train ride home I worked on my Icarus Shawl and saw somebody working on a shawl with some Lion Brand Homespun yarn. I always get secretly excited when I see someone else knitting on the train.

Yesterday was Daughter's first day of preschool. It was a super busy day so we only took photos as a reminder. I'm thinking she learned how to paint rainbows though. Ever since she got home she's been coloring "pretty rainbows" (as opposed to ugly ones I guess) and telling me how she went down the slide by herself (which truly is a huge accomplishment).

I made these cargo pants for Son. They're really cute, but I wish I had made a size medium with the length of the size small. They don't seem like they'll fit a long time weight wise, but they're still a little long. I have to add that Son is long and lean so I was a little disappointed. Let that be a warning to anyone who might make these. Also, to anyone who thinks I knit perfectly, the pockets are totally at different heights. Just look for yourself.



Friday is no chip manicure day girly day! Say that five times fast Jeni.

fair isle without all the work

Since this is supposed to be a craft blog I suppose I should put some crafty things on it. This is one of my favorite dresses that I knit for Daughter. The yarn was Bernat Baby Jacquards and it did the fair isle look all by itself. I didn't realize it when I picked it up, but when I started knitting with it I loved it. It fit her perfectly for a couple of months and then she decided that she wouldn't wear it again. It was so much easier when she was younger and didn't fight about what she wore. Now everyday it's "I want a dress" but apparently not the one Mommy made. I just keep thinking one day she'll beg me to make clothes for her. Until then I will knit for Son; he still can't talk.

reading

Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex. I know it might be considered an odd choice for some light reading, but it's really good. She covers the gamut of research including Kinsey and Masters, but also penile implants and clitoris pumps (the only FDA approved contraption for female sexual dysfunction). Her research is very thorough (at one time she even contributes to research) and she's hilarious. I have found myself laughing out loud while reading and Husband giving me a weird look. I have also read passages to him out loud, but not to Daughter. She's a bit young still.

I find it kind of funny that I went to my blog today and there's a Trojan condom ad. Like reading this blog would make you not want kids. And I haven't even told you we switched to cloth diapers (and loving it!).

In which I explain what took so long

Does the second kid always break you? So far in the post giving birth time, I've had pancreatitis and I've had to see a chiropractor for neck pain all within three weeks. It's a good thing I love that second child.

Husband and I did get a break from children last Friday to go see Julie & Julia. The Julia part was amazing. Meryl Streep did an excellent job. I've liked her ever since I saw The Hours, but she was so different in this part. I don't know what Julia Child was like in real life, but I feel like I could have after watching Meryl Streep play her. I was also very impressed that they managed to make tiny Meryl Streep actually look like she's actually 6' 2." And that Julia Child didn't get her start until she was close to 40 made me feel like there's hope for me.

I suppose I should talk about the Julie part. I felt like it could have been left out. The character came off as very self absorbed and there was a point where she got into an argument with her husband and I found myself rooting for the husband. To be fair, I've never read her blog and I had no idea who she was before this movie, so it could have just been Hollywood trying to make the movie more dramatic. Or maybe it's just because I'm turning 30 this year and nobody reads my blog.

Don't go see the movie hungry or late at night though. It made me want to cook really badly which is hard to do when it hurts to move your neck, but I did manage to make some Pan Bagnat with the first ripe tomatoes of the season. It's kind of my own made up recipe, but it's delicious. Best made the night ahead of time so all the flavors meld together.

Here's what's on a mini baguette:
olive oil
balsamic vinegar
(those are sprinkled on the bread)
freshly sliced mozzarella
freshly sliced milano plum tomato
kalamata olives cut in half
spring mix salad

Here's what it looks like all put together.



Take all that and wrap it very tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil or both. Let it refrigerate from at least lunch to dinner time.