Besteam feature: Ms Formaldehyde

I love Dia de los Muertos. I love Halloween. And just like all the other interesting people* I was once goth. That is why I'm in love with these next two items from Ms Formaldehyde.

Residing in San Diego, CA, Ms Formaldehyde specializes in "carved skulls, sugar skulls, gothic, voodoo, glitter fashion, lowbrow, lolita pin up and dita burlesque accessories" (that's quoted from her profile). If you're not into any of those things, she also has a lot of color in her shop to choose from.
On the opposite end of the spectrum we have these Hello Kitty bobby pins that Daughter would adore. They are very cute and I don't think you need to be 5 to adore them. Or wear them.

Along with her Etsy shop, Ms Formaldehyde has a blog where you can read about what she's up to and other great shops.

*I know interesting people who weren't goth, but being goth definitely increases your odds of being interesting.

out and about

"{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, go to" Soule Mama or leave a link to your moment in the comments.

up to

What I'm reading: Packing For Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void

Please ignore the blatant photo rip off from Amazon.com, but I'm kind of lazy and they seem to have everything. I have read two of Mary Roach's previous books and they never fail to entertain and educate. She's witty, fun and has a wonderful sense of humor. Plus she writes the way I always wish I could and I kind of wish I could be friends with her.

What I'm Watching: My So-Called Life

Not to be melodramatic, but this was seriously my high school. I remember watching when I was in high school and just being able to completely relate. I can still relate to Angela, but now I can also relate to her parents. It's a little freaky.

What I'm Listening to: The Decemberists "The King is Dead"

So good. Really. So good. It ranks up there with "The Crane's Wife" for me. Definitely a new favorite.

And just so you think my life isn't all fun and games I'm also trying to decide which disposable diapers at night. Son tends to get diaper rash if we use cloth at night, but I want a disposable option that won't kill the environment. So, I'm between Nature Babycare or just getting some Gdiaper disposable liners and putting them in his Thirsties wraps.

Also, all these amazon link I'm bombarding you with get me no money as far as I know.

notes from the sidelines

Just a note to mention that I do answer questions in the comments. Just in case you forget to check the box that emails you with follow up comments (I always do), if you did ask me a question and find that I didn't answer please go and look back in the comments. Chances are it's there. If it's not, please ask again. I'm very forgetful (I blame the children).

I finished the February Baby Sweater* (also known as the Baby Sweater on Two Needles*) and it's gorgeous. It almost makes me wish I had a little wee lass to knit for. Notice I said almost. I used a pink baby yarn that I had in my stash. So very soft and so very machine wash and dry. Perfect for babies since they tend to puke on everything (one of the many reasons I said almost).

A note about the photo, I've been using the instagram app for my iphone to take photos lately. Partly out of laziness, but also because I love the effects. I'm not so good with the photoshop and app makes it so much easier than photoshop. I try to pick an effect that still keeps the colors pretty true.

*Rav link

Whhhoooooo

This was supposed to be Son's hat, but it turns out it was a little too small. So I'm making him a size up, but same length. I ended up buying this pattern and I feel like it was a complete waste of my money. There were just too many alterations I had to do that made me wish I had just figured it out on my own. Here they are in bullet form because I like bullet form and never get to use it enough.

• The hat was way too long. I ended up ripping back quite a few rows and just trying it on Son.
• The ear flaps were way too small. I'm sure they would have been fine for the newborn size, but they were crazy small for the two year size. I ended up making them larger.
• The ear flaps didn't cover the ears when they were put in the middle of the hat. I ended up trying the hat on Son to figure out where to put the ear flaps. The back of the hat has fewer stitches between the ear flaps than the front.
• The sizing issues. At first it didn't bother me too much to have to make a size larger, but the size larger is supposed to fit a 3-10 year old and there's no way it will fit Daughter (who's 5 and does have a larger sized head, but not the head of a 10 year old) and I'm not the only one who had size issues.

Maybe it's just petty annoyances, but reading through Ravelry shows me that I'm not the only one who's had these issues. The pattern's a good place to start if you don't have anything else, but you might be able to find a better crocheted ear flap hat and improvise the rest.

Besteam Feature: ElizabethMD Designs

I sometimes want to do these features like a used car salesman just to see if it works, but that wouldn't be doing justice to these really great shops.

Today I am featuring Elizabeth MD Designs which is owned by Elizabeth M. 15 years ago Elizabeth started taking apart jewelry so that she could have more unique pieces and today she still creates unique and dare I say sophisticated jewelry. Here are two of my favorite pieces that she's created.

This watch is elegant and classic. Plus it would go great with both work and a night out on the town.

I absolutely love the color of these earrings. Wasn't there a movie star with eyes this color? Or did I just make that up in my head?

Elizabeth not only has her shop, but a blog as well where she features other shops, some of her inspiration, and the meaning behind gemstones.

The dark haired one is a friend

"{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, go to" Soule Mama or leave a link to your moment in the comments.

yes I know I talked about this yesterday

Another photo of the elf hat. I think this one does it more justice. It does hold it's shape, just not as well as it could. The yarn was Plymouth Yarn Haciendo in Rosa and I could not say enough nice things about this yarn. It's soft, luxurious, well priced and one skein will get you even the larger sized hat. I have plenty left over that I'll be using for a pair of baby booties. Daughter loves this hat now and she's already requested another in purple (which I've already ordered the yarn for and some size 13 needles - I don't make the same mistake twice). What more could this mom want? (Perhaps letting me dress her occasionally, but I think I'm asking too much.)

I have buttons to put on two sweaters now and two sweaters on the needles. I'm becoming sweater crazy.

daughter picks terrible places to pose

Pointy Elf Hat is done. I ended up using size 15 needles because I was paranoid I wouldn't have enough yarn. I shouldn't have been worried and because I was the hat isn't as stiff as it should be. In no way do I blame the yarn or the pattern for this. It is completely my paranoia. I really should have used the 10.5 dpns that I had instead since I really didn't want to buy a pair of needles for one hat.

I contemplated ripping it out and redoing it using the smaller needles, but Daughter saw it before I could. She loves it and I guess that's what really matters, not that it's a little floppy right? Right? Oh maybe I'll just go buy more yarn.

tuesday

For the record, Husband and I don't celebrate Valentine's Day. Not for all the reasons that you hear about (being a hallmark holiday, stores just try to sell stuff, etc.), it's just that somewhere along the way we just stopped celebrating it. We were probably too poor one year and then we just kind of forgot about it.

We did get each of the kids something small this year. Daughter got her very own pair of knitting needles (she was very excited and I believe she took them with her for nap time) and Son got a small wooden puzzle. You may also find it funny that we were the only parents to just send Valentine's (Tinkerbell of course) to school. I can not believe the amount of candy she came home with. If I were independently wealthy I would totally pay someone to homeschool my children for me so I wouldn't have to put up with this kind of stuff.

I'm off to make her that Pointy Elf Hat from More Last Minute Knitted Gifts now. I don't have size 13 dpn, so I'm going with the adult size on smaller needles. I did get a very nice and soft merino wool yarn from Webs instead of the yarn called for. I'll have to look at the label and see what kind it is because I would recommend it.

Besteam Feature: Mya Bruce Designs

As you all know, today is Valentine's Day. Or at least you should know that. If this is the first time you're hearing of Valentine's Day and you have a significant other there is no saving you, but I can offer some lovely gifts as and I'm sorry from Mya Bruce Designs. If you don't have a significant other, there's no reason you can't be your own Valentine.

The above necklace is not only very stylish and classy, but can also be personalized. What better way to say "I'm sorry" than to write it right on the necklace? You may always be reminded of that time you forgot Valentine's Day, but you can always remind them back that you apologized.

If necklace's aren't really for you, might I suggest these silver hoop earrings? Silver hoop earring never go out of style and there's a reason. "I'm sorry" might not fit on these, but you could always do initals or maybe "I'm" on one of the earrings and "sorry" on the other.

Also, don't forget the card thanking your significant other for their gift. Maybe you could put a picture of yourself holding a sign saying "I'm sorry."

Make sure to stop by Mya Bruce Designs for more jewelry, personalized cards (great for invites!) and photo collage gifts. This girl from Arizona has some really great items. She also has a blog where she writes about give aways, new items, other cool shops, recipes and family.

pile on

"{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, go to Soule Mama."

As taken by Daughter with her Fisher Price camera.

I'm not sure when I started to like knitting sweaters, but it seems that that's what's happened and now it's the Year of Sweaters. This is my second one (the first was that Classic Raglan) for a new baby that has yet to come (a friend of mine, not me), sweater 3 (Chunky Monkey Sweater Vest*) is just waiting for buttons and 4 (Hourglass Sweater* for me) and 5 (Baby sweater on Two Needles*) are on the needles.

This is the Playground Shirt by Elena Nodel. It's a very simple raglan type shirt which makes it easy and quick to knit, but it's also extremely versatile. I made one for Son and (before Husband shrunk it) he was able to wear it every season. It uses dk weight yarn and the short sleeves make it perfect for spring and summer; then once it gets colder stick a long sleeve shirt under it. I love things that last more than one season.

Right now it's a very simple collar because they don't know the sex of the baby. If it turns out they have a boy I just might add on that polo type collar.

*ravelry links

I found this over at Skunkboy Creatures, but it's so cute I had to share. I think it's the same way I'd get myself out of that situation.

Now it's off to start the morning routine of taking a child to school, a husband to work (we're currently down to one car) and get myself some caffeine. It seems like so little when it's written out like that, but in actuality it's not.

Links - Food Edition

You were all so nice about the dangly earrings. I'll have to try wearing them and then maybe the more I wear them the less weird they'll feel.

Here are some food links with commentary for today:

Freezable Burritos - I made these for a meal and they're really good. Then I froze the leftovers so I could have them for lunch. When I froze them I left off the sour cream and salsa.

Top 20 Freezable Recipes - In the spring I want to try the Stewed Beef, Tomato and Okra. Maybe I'll even grow my own okra.

New Year Noodle Soup - This is amazing!!!! And I accidentally left out everything after the egg noodles.

Humble Cabbage Soup - Another amazing soup recipe. I actually made this with Italian Sausage (take it out of it's casings and use it like ground) and it had such a great flavor. I like to freeze soup leftovers for lunches, but we at this all the next couple of days instead.

Japanese Pizza - What I will be doing with the other half of my cabbage.

Chicken with Fragrant Rice - If you have a rice cooker this is a one pot meal. Please make it and let me know if I should buy a rice cooker. Thanks.

Two Minute Steel Cut Oatmeal - A double batch made on Sunday provides a hot breakfast until Friday (for all four of us).

Besteam feature: gilliauna

Gilliauna is a wonderful shop specializing in one of a kind jewelry. They have had over 20 years experience making jewelry so you should feel safe knowing that you'll get a quality piece. Also, something that I love, they use vintage materials that are found at shops like the Salvation Army. So, not only are they repurposing items and saving landfill space, but they give back to the community while doing so. That is always a positive in my book.

I absolutely adore the color on these earrings. I love dangle earrings so much, but I'm very self conscious when I wear them. Since my hair is so short I feel like everybody notices the earrings and nothing else. That is just one of my many secrets.

This reminds me of junior high when I was obsessed with smiley faces. I'm not really sure why, but I absolutely loved them and could not get enough of them. If smiley faces aren't your thing though, Gilliauna offers a custom order where you can turn any charm into a bookmark.

I saw this on their features and I thought of Daughter. She loves butterflies but she's not yet at the age where I trust her with nice jewelry yet.

Gilliauna also has a blog where she features other sellers, has contests, and tells you about other contests. Because really, who doesn't love winning something?

peek a boo

"{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, go to Soule Mama."

no photos

We are slowly shoveling out from the storm that left us 18 inches of snow. Unfortunately more snow is forecast for the weekend. Yikes.

Some of you may have noticed that I started doing the moment in picture form on Fridays. I find that it just slows me down and makes me focus on the positives in my life and that is always needed. Sometimes I'm not so quick with my camera so they may be moments from earlier in the year. As long as I take the time and reflect on what's good is what I think matters.

the snow edition

We are snowed in; which means lots of knitting and sewing time for me. Husband even has the day off work probably because nobody can get anywhere right now. I'm not sure when they last plowed the roads. That all said, I'm not posting pictures of the snow. I'm showing off the Classic Raglan sweater that I knit with the turmeric dyed yarn.

The sweater turned out really well and fits great. The only issue I had was with under the arms. The pattern has you pick up only the amount of stitches that was cast on so it created some holes that needed to be fixed. Not a big deal, but I think next time (as quickly as this knit up there will be a next time) I'll just pick up a couple of extra stitches and do a quick decrease a couple rounds later.

See how nice that raglan seam is? I'm really pleased with this sweater and the yarn. I especially like the variation in color. You can get the pattern here (ravelry download) if you're so inclined and my rav link.

let them eat bread, with commentary

I made bread yesterday. Just a simple white bread to go with some soup that turned out to be awesome. The crust was golden and just tough enough and the inside was chewy and sweet. It went incredibly well eaten beside the soup and in the soup. It was so good that even though the recipe makes two loaves there's only 3/4 of a loaf left in the house. Some of that will be eaten with leftovers.

The recipe was taken from the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book (I'm not sure which edition I have, but it claims it was updated for the 90's) which I usually only use when I need some 70's comfort food. That being said it was one of my only cook books with bread recipes. I will need to remedy that.

White Bread

5 3/4 to 6 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (I used bread flour)

1 package active dry yeast (or 2 1/4 teaspoons if you are like me and buy bulk)

2 1/4 cups milk

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon shortening, margarine or butter (I used butter but I thought about using lard)

1 teaspoon salt (natural sea salt in my case)

In a large mixing bowl combine 2 1/2 cups of the flour and the yeast. In a saucepan heat and stir milk, sugar, butter and salt until warm (120-130 degrees -thank you candy thermometer) and butter almost melts. Add to flour mixture. Beat with and electric mixer (with the dough hook) on low for 30 seconds (scrape the bowl if you don't have an awesome mixer). Beat on high for 3 minutes. Using a spoon, stir in as much remaining flour as you can (I continued to use my mixer with the dough hook to knead the dough until it was taking no more flour).

Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (I had already done this with my mixer so I kneaded with my hands just to make sure all the flour was in, then I let Daughter help who claimed it was messy and lasted about 30 seconds). Place in a lightly greased bowl (or a lightly greased jelly roll pan); turn once to grease surface. Cover and let rise in a warm place till double - about 45 minutes.

Punch dough down. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface (if you're like me you haven't wiped down your last lightly floured surface). Divide dough in half. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes (oops, completely forgot to do that). Lightly grease two 8x4x2 inch loaf pans (or just any loaf pans you have). Shape each half of dough into a loaf by patting and rolling. To pat dough, gently pull dough into a loaf shape, tucking edges beneath (this makes it sound more complicated than it is).

Place shaped dough in prepared loaf pans. Cover and let rise in a warm place till nearly double - about 30 to 40 minutes.

Bake in a 375° F oven for about 40 minutes (go do some yoga) or till bread tests done. Cover loosely with foil for last 10 minutes of baking to prevent overbrowning (mind didn't need this) if necessary. Remove from pans immeadiately (oops, I let them cool for about 5 minutes while I finished my yoga). Cool on wire racks. Makes 2 loaves - 32 servings (and that's when I realize we've eaten a lot of bread).