In the Garden

Son has (not so patiently) been waiting for this day.  The day where he can reach down and his chances of getting a red strawberry are better than the chances of having to eat (yet another) green one.  I like being able to let him outside at snack time.  

We're now at the point where we get a couple of handfuls per day.  This covers snack time only; we'll still go to the local farm where we will pick more.  All the frozen ones from last year are gone (eaten in yogurt, smoothies and baked oatmeal).  We'll try to freeze even more this year since we're more on top of things and will be able to get to the farm this year.  I'll probably even make a strawberry rhubarb pie.  But for now, snack time will do.

 

Completed Wednesday

Today is the last day of school.  It's hard to believe that soon I'll have a first grader.  Her kindergarten teacher has been absolutely amazing and I wanted to get her something for herself. She got quite a few boquets at the graduation, but I'm much better at knitting and crochet than I am at boquets.  I saw this on pinterest and thought it would be perfect.  I haven't met anybody that doesn't like Starbuck's since it's become so much more than coffee.  To add a personal touch I crocheted a coffee sleeve (can also be used for tea or hot chocolate).  I used this pattern with a size G hook and some Cotton Ease that I had in my stash.  For the applique I chose this pattern that I found using a Ravelry search.  It's such a quick and simple project that I think there might be more of these in my future.

This turned into a completed Wednesday because all my works in progress right now are super secret.  The Mara Shawl is complete, but that's a post for another day.

Lakeside

We spent our 90° F Memorial Day sitting by a lake up at my Grandma's place.  It was clean, clear, and cold - all the good c words.  It was the first time Son had ever been swimming in a lake (as opposed to a pool) and the first time Daughter swam in a lake with sand (as opposed to rocks) on the bottom.  Despite the protests at the beginning (I believe I don't like it came out of her mouth a lot even though she couldn't remember even swimming in a lake), she enjoyed it.  I believe by the end she even asked if we could do it again sometime.  

I remember swimming in that lake when I was a child, but I'd forgotten how nice it was.  No slimy seaweed and being able to see the bottom.  We had the shore all to ourselves, which meant spreading out, digging holes, and just relaxing.  It was a really good end to the weekend and a really good start to swimming weather.

 

Formerly known as the Sears Tower

{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, please leave a link in the comments to your moment.  

SouleMama

 

 

WIP* Wednesday

I have been working very diligentally on the Mara Shawl because I'd like to finish it before our first camping trip in June.  I just thought it would be nice when a little extra warmth is needed in the evenings.  Unfortunately, the yarn worked against me and I ran out halfway through the second border.  I knew I was going to run out and I made the choice to order more yarn, dye lots be damned.  One of the things I really liked about this shawl was the large second border; the contrast that it added to not only all that garter stitch, but the smaller 1x1 ribbed border.  So, I'm going to be optimistic and hope that the last 2 inches won't look too out of place if the yarn is clearly different.  

*Work In Progress

Productive

 

We had a quiet day of gardening and visiting with a friend yesterday.  I found that the last few weeks, Monday is my most productive day.  This included yesterday with the gardening, making Rhubarb Streusal Muffins, quiche, and spaghetti with pesto for dinner (using up the frozen pesto). Everything turned out splendidly and I found that I need more flowers for my pallet garden (pictures to come later).  

The bus stop was also a productive place to be.  We learned about leaves, the kids practiced walking backwards, and Annie's learning how to behave on a leash. 

 

Garden Time

Sometimes we just have to bring the outside in and go outside even when the weather isn't cooperating.  Both of which we did this weekend.  When the chives and sage started to blossom we didn't let that stop us from enjoying them.  We also didn't let not having a vase handy stop us. They may not smell as nice as the carnations behind them (which were for Mother's Day and again, there was no vase handy), but they add a nice color.  (Side note - obscured behind the chives is Thomas Jefferson.)

Yesterday we ended our 90° F weekend with rain showers and some cool wind.  What started out as me jokingly asking Son if he wanted to go play in the rain ended with Son and Annie going to play in the rain.  I never would have asked if I had intended to let him.  I've found it's best not to joke too much with 3 year olds, especially when they're tired and take you seriously.  

Despite the hot weather I was able to get most of the plants in the ground.  I still have one tomato left to put in, some flowers, and some seeds (green beans, carrots, pickling cucumbers, and sugar pumpkins to be exact).  I need to find some room first.  In all, we have:

• 9 tomato plants (I wanted to can more of my own)
• 4 cauliflower
• 4 leeks
• 1 zucchini
• 4 eggplant
• 2 sweet peppers
• 1 jalapeno
• chives
• sage
• basil
• 1 cucumber (my neighbor also planted one)
• swiss chard 
• peas (which are coming up now!)
• rhubarb
• spinach (harvested and sitting in my fridge for tonight)
• kale
• buttercrunch lettuce
• rosemary
• thyme
• oregano
• mint
• strawberries (there are already a ton of green ones, but I'm not optimistic enough to think we won't have to go pick strawberries at the local farm)

With the exception of the sugar pumpkins and some romaine lettuce seeds (for fall) the rest should be planted within the week.  I'm a little surprised by how much we have this year.  Special thanks to Husband for helping me add a raised garden bed (with some cinder blocks we had in the yard) and digging up dirt from behind the shed for me. 

 

Planting Time

 

{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, please leave a link in the comments to your moment.  

SouleMama

 

 

A note for those that read from blogger.  You now must be a registered user (including openID) in order to leave comments.  I'm sorry, but I was really tired of getting all the spam.  I hate kaptchas so I didn't want to do that to you.  This seemed like a better option.

Plant sale

You know what I love about Spring?  Plant sales.  A way to support the local community (in this case it was the local community college) and get a good deal on plants.  For this particular one, we went a little late so most of the vegetables were picked over.  They still had some really nice flowers so I picked some up for the front of the house.  We had bushes up until last year when I had someone cut them down.  They were hideous looking and housed mosquitos.  It just didn't seem like a nice way to welcome visitors anymore (except for the ones I didn't want - take that sales people!).  

I let Daughter loose with my camera while I picked out some plants.  I'm not sure where she found the zucchini because I missed them.  I'm toying with the idea of planting some again.  I really like zucchini and you can freeze it, but I always get squash bugs.  Then the squash bugs spread to any squash related thing I have.  Anybody know how to not get those things?

Balletomane

I finished the Balletomane on time by staying up way too late on Friday night (thanks to some entertainment with friends).  It looks so good on her, but she was super crank yesterday afternoon (be jealous) so she was determined not to like it.  This all changed after a nap and she apparently now loves it.  Go figure.  

This is a nice lightweight sweater that will be good for dancing and layering on summer nights. I loved the construction of it.  All that short row shaping made it go quickly, my only complaint is in the sleeves.  I used a size 2 needle for them and wish I'd used a 3 and gone up a size.  The sleeve is very tight and the wristhole is really small; it took a lot to get her hand through it.  I'm going to try to stretch it, but I have a feeling it's due to the fake icord edging.  As nice as it looks, I wish I'd either left it off or added an icord edging after the sleeve was finished.  

When I started I wavered between a size 6 and 8.  With the exception of the sleeves I'm really glad I chose a size 6.  I was sure to lightly stretch the length during blocking and the garter stitch is so stretchy.  I think the size 8 would have been really large.  

 

Dance

This is the part where I tell you that she rocked it.  She rocked it more than she ever did in class. It was as if once she got up there she understood why she wanted to try dance in the first place. Suddenly, all the arguments about going to class, all the "not nice" kids, all the complaints about the leotard, and all the whining about people looking at her just disappeared.  So much so that she wants to do it again next year.  We'll see if her parents' selective memory kicks in by then.

Going to the Car Wash

{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, please leave a link in the comments to your moment.  

SouleMama

 

WIP* Wednesday

This is what I've been working on most.  3 days to finish the other sleeve.  Wish me luck because the sleeves seem to take forever.  As you can see, Annie also really likes this sweater.  I'll pick all the dog hair off of it when I block it, but for now it's futile.  It's like vacuuming when the kids are awake or brushing teeth while eating oreos.  It just doesn't work.  

I'm also working on the Mara Shawl, but apart from one row taking longer and longer to knit it's really hard to see progress right now.  I know it's happening, but I fear that taking photos of it will just make me sad.

*Work In Progress

 

A boy and his dog

For anyone wondering how Son and Annie are doing together, I think these pictures say it all. Son is no longer looking lost out in the back yard.  He loves making Annie run and Annie loves running, but sometimes they both rest.  Annie accepts leaves, pets, and kisses which Son just thinks is amazing.  Too bad he won't give kisses away to anyone else so freely.  

Self Promotion

Occasionally I remember that I have both a Zibbet and an Etsy shop.  That's usually around the same time I update them and have a bit of shameless self promotion.  That would be today.  And, if you're lucky enough to know someone (or are) pregnant or already has a baby girl, this is the shop update for you.

First is a lace sweater, a la Elizabeth Zimmerman (who I'm not in love with, knitters please don't send me hate mail).  It's approximately 0-6 month size depending on the baby.  Baby's come in all sizes and this sweater is pretty loose fitting so chances are it will fit almost any baby.  

Second, are some booties made to look like sneakers.  They measure 3.25 inches from the back of the heel to the toe and can be stretched.  I have no wee lads or lasses anymore, so I can't say what size they would be considered.  

Both items can be put in the washer and dryer making it easy for Moms.  

Also, a heads up, on May 10th I will be participitating in Protesty.