and a one and a two and a . . .

Three hundred tubas, our best friends, hot chocolate, a sixty foot Christmas tree. What more does a girl need to get into the spirit?
Well, some lipgloss wouldn't have hurt.

should this be illegal?

While I know it is a national faux pas to wear socks with sandals (though many in Oregon plus K-Fed in Cali definitely favor white socks and tevas), I am wondering if there is any sort of way to get away with hanknit socks and those new garden-y clogs made out of space material? Just from this picture, I am pretty sure it needs to be illegal. Maybe I can get away with a don't ask, dont' tell around the house.



They are lovely varigated blue/green socks. I know Martha would approve. And if you are following my sock creation, yes, it's true - I only know one pattern. And yes, these are pretty slouchy like the Christmas socks. But they are so satisfying. I spent all night catching up on tivo and working on super fun crocodile mittens for E's stocking - pictures to come. The google eyes are the best part!

two more knitting projects

This is a hat I had forgotten that I made for Jonesie - maybe in 2003? I got him still for a pose while we were in Wisconsin at Thanksgiving. It's a VERY basic skullcap with an intarsia "w" on it - Jonesie is a huge Badger fan. I was happy to see he was still wearing it - or maybe just wearing it - either way, it looked okay for an off-the cuff project.









I finished this little pretty-pretty felted bag - I've got it intended for a Christmas gift. I made it with the leftover Lamb's Pride Wool from my Spork - which is done and just waiting for me to stitch in the buckles. I love starting and working on projects. Those pesky finishing details always hang around wayyyy too long for me. Felting is so satisfying. I love the process of changing yarn so dramatically.

On the new project front, I just started a pair of crocodile mittens for E's Christmas stocking. Found great googly eyes to sew on it. I am also really interested in trying out the Irish Hiking Scarf for Tall House, Double Cup.

decorating fever

Hurrah - my holiday house is up
and looking tres lovely! I do
something a bit different every year and truly enjoy the process of putting out all my pretties. When we play Peter Pan, E always deems the living room Neverland and tells me very seriously that these are "all of my pretties and you can look but not touch." Yes! Lesson learned!

Friday night feast

I stopped by the new market on 15th and Brazee - Foster & Dobbs. For weeks, I assumed a boring eye-glass place was going in at the new beautiful corner development - I was so happy to see an upscale deli/market. Double happiness spread when I learned they carried Salumi Salami's - Mario Batali's dad's cured meats from Seattle. I stopped in Friday after work and put about 30 minutes into chosing our dinner. Tall House, Double Cup goes for salumi, cheese, fruit, bread and wine as much as I do - reason #421 that we make a good team.
We tried out five meats ($20 a pound is more than we are used to paying for our typical New Seasons' selections but we splurged to try the well-lauded Salumi. The Mole was incredible - like nothing else we've tried - the Finnocchiona too peppery - the hot Sopressata surprisingly yummy to this non-spicy girl. I could go on and on but this isn't a food blog so I'll stop and say that F & D will be a regular stop on Fridays. yum

where to start?

It's so hard to even know where to start - a nine day break from work, home, and most responsibilities. I think I'll just post a great picture of E - he was in HEAVEN with his Nana and his Jonesie. He actually cried at the thought of coming home. Then, when we actually crawled in the front door after midnight, he saw his pirate costume and remembered why he loved home so much.

on wisconsin

We are off for a long vacation to rural Wisconsin. Bring on the sleeping in! Bring on someone else making the coffee! Bring on the grandparents doting on Big E! Bring on reading Harry Potter #6! I'll try to blog in from WI - but I might be really busy . . . . . . . knitting, sleeping, reading, watching movies, or playing around in the snow.

You are soooooooooooooooooooooo jealous.

This weekend went by in a flash - we had such fun for three straight days. I knew I would love being a mom - I knew it was something I had to do. I didn't know how funny my kid would be or how much I would enjoy being with him.
E's school was closed on Friday so I took the day off. We headed up to Marfie and Moo's house in the morning and as we stomped up the front walk, E said, "This is really going to be a special day." The four of us squeezed into the Mom Bomb mobile - you'd think two grown women could get to the zoo in relative ease but jamming the stroller and jogger into the trunk was a challenge. The zoo was awesome - just enough bite in the air to feel like it was almost winter, hardly anyone else there. E was a bit more nice to Moo than usual. His disdain for being with a "baby" is starting to wane now that Moo can walk. We power walked through our beautiful zoo and on the way home, E suggested we stop at Burgerville. He already knows how to work it with me. At one point in the car, E tried to shock Marf by yelling, "Pee pee" and waving his hands. Ever the cool cat, Marf didn't bat an eye. E loves to makes a certain impression by throwing out a bit of potty talk when no one expects it. So after a lunch of pumpkin smoothies and turkey burgers, E and I headed off to his first ever MOVIE! I was so excited and really thought he was ready. We went to see March of the Penguins at a brew pub (how appropriate for our son). He was outfited with popcorn and juice and we even scored a lovely couch to snuggle on. As soon as the lights when down, he said, "I don't like that. I don't like that." He calmed a bit and got into the movie for about 20 minutes. As soon as a storm hit the penguins (and started to roar a bit), he started getting squirmy and asking to leave. We tried sitting in the back of the theater, but he wouldn't change his mind. He pronouced it "scary" that that was it. So I am not sure if it counts that he's actually seen his first movie. I took a great picture of him at the show but accidently deleted it - so I think I'll officially call it a test run and capture the next attempt on film again.
We played cars and watched Martha Stewart on tivo the rest of the afternoon and then got all dressed up to have dinner with Tall House, Double Cup at Nostrana. It turned out to be a really lovely new place with fire roasted pizzas, great charcuterie from Salumi in Seattle, and a staff that was more than kind to my child.
Saturday was packed with music class, a stop at the grandparents, and a birthday party for one of E's favorite friends Guapo. Today E and I went shopping for Martha Stewart Christmas ornaments that just came out at KMART - we bought up the shop. It was just a great weekend. Sometimes, you're owed them.

droopy socks

The truth is out: I make droopy socks. I can't seem to really get a good fit even when I think I am right on target with the pattern. I've only made ribbed cuffs on and tops and I think that throws off the guage. But these socks were made with beautiful German wool and I love the colorway. So even though it will be painful, I am frogging the whole sock and starting over.




On a more positive note, I like how this to-be-felted bag is shaping up. I am just using leftovers from my Spork. It will end up being a little handbag - definitely joining the Christmas gift offerings.

my little songwriter

Overheard while E was playing in the bathtub:
"I love my poopy, my poopy love me. I loved my poopy under yonder tree. Poopy goes fiddlee-i-fi."

One quite check to make sure said poo wasn't actual a reality in the tub and then hid behind my book to laugh in delight at his silliness.

big night

Our dinner group has been talking about doing a "Big Night" dinner for a couple of years. We finally got around to it this weekend. There was no lack of wine - mostly lovely Italians plus one Pinot and one out of this world Syrah. We hosted it at our house and did the main dish - a timpanno - a step down from the movie's timballo because it wasn't covered in thin pasta - instead it was molded with just the layers of meat sauce, pasta, swiss chard bechemel sauce and mozzerella/reggiano. It came out lovely and steaming - though this picture does not do it justice. I have a hell of a time ever getting my cooking pictures to not look like medical disease entries. So even if this looks like something you'd run from - trust me - trust Tall House, Double Cup - he said it was one of the best things I've ever made.
I really needed a great night with good friends this weekend. I had been having a tough time last week between allergies, a cold, and some friend issues. Saturday night was definitely the fix and I think my brief feelings of "blue" are gone.

E definitely had a great time with the gorgeous Audrey - here is a shot of him making his move during their popcorn/movie party! Go Big E!

spork in progress

I finished knitting the spork but I definitely have some shaping issues - the side panels are a bit wide. This might be solved when I sew the strap in place. If not, I might need to make a little dart - which will be a challenge with how thick and stiff the felted wool is now.

The colors came out great - and felting is such a cool thing - hides any funky spots. I am a bit nervous about the buckles - but I definitely want to be able to use this - not just hang it from a door handle.

super halloweenie

Doctor, Doctor!
Big E still isn't crazy about posing with this intended wife Moo, but I was able to capture them gazing with longing at the candy bowl. Moo was pre-squishing the candy bars and E dove right into the mini M&M's - I think it was his first real bite of commerical chocolate candy! He proceeded to run circles around Moo's house!

We went to a few houses on our street and then handed out candy from our house - which was E's favorite part. Tall House, Double Cup was a great patient - walking the streets in a robe and jammie pants. I had an orderly outfit ready but was a little under the weather Halloween night so I went as a soccer mom in workout pants and a hoodie. At the end of the night, Evan asked if Halloween was over now. I couldn't help but tear up at the immense about of happiness he brings us.

I think this last picture represents the state our whole family was in when we went to sleep.
It was the best Halloween ever.

we totally sound like people on tv

Growing up I had no idea that there was a Wisconsin accent. We talked the way people on tv talked, right? After moving away for a few years, I came home during an Olympic summer and heard a tv newscaster say to parents of a local Olympic swimmer, "Well ya must be super-proud." Hee hee! And then Fargo came out and everything blew up - I couldn't help but hear the accent everywhere. I thought everyone called their mom's sisters "ant" and of course there are two syllables in "bag". But I haven't lived in Wisconsin for eleven years and while I still say, "ya" instead of yes and "ya, for sure" comes out way too often, I was surprised to see these results:

Your Linguistic Profile:

80% General American English

15% Upper Midwestern

5% Yankee

0% Dixie

0% Midwestern

What'>http://www.blogthings.com/amenglishdialecttest/">What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

So now maybe I do sound the way people on tv sound. Not like there is any value in that either. E has his own preschool dialect. His beloved Boots the monkey is often fondly cradled and called, "Beooooots" and spooky is "pooky". I can't wait to see what his accent will come out as.

hey batter batter batter

Hurrah! It's done and in time for my fil's birthday. Tall House, Double Cup generously offered to work as my model in exchange for a lovely dinner of canadian bacon egg scramble, honey wheat toast, and Valencia orange smiles.






I'm very excited to have it done and am about 90% satisfied with it - the neck line turned out a bit funky - it comes up quite high on the front, but I know my father in law will love it anyway. I used Wool Ease in Denim and Denim Twist. I didn't trust myself to knit this one in a terribly expensive wool - though I feel much more confident now.




Thanks so muchhttp://www.knitty.com for publishing the lovely and talented Caryn Lantz's Baseball pattern. Check out pictures of her original design.



Last, I couldn't just finish a project and bask in the glory for awhile. I had to get two new projects going. On the left is Opal sock yarn in "partie" - I am envisioning Christmas morning socks. I am also working on the Spork Along, designed by my library-world colleague Larissa.

back to the beach

One more beach weekend before winter sets in. Gorgeous sun on Friday and Saturday. Rain and crazy tide heights on Sunday. Crab cakes and Pinot Gris. Perfect.

Sweater, Sans Pregnancy

I am making progress on this beauty. Imagine it in varigated green mohair that I bought in Italy last spring. Chop two feet (well, maybe three feet - she's a model) and you've got an idea of what I'm working on.

V.v. good Baseball sweater news - all of the knitting is done. Just need to sew it up - not my favorite part, but I'm motivated for fil's Oct. 31st b-day.

Go with Green

Gin? Check.
Tonic? Check.
Lime? Check.

$1 well drinks during the month of Oct at the new bar tres convenient to my work? Fabu!

Tall House, Double Cup and I checked out the Wonder Cafe http://www.wonderballroom.com/pages/cafe.html last night and were pleased with great service and nice pours. Meeting your sweetie for a drink before picking up light-of-your-life at preschool could be the key to a happy marriage. Yeah for afterwork, before school pick-up drinks!

Fall Frolics

We had a great time at the pumpkin patch - four adults, two children, and two cameras that did not stop taking pictures - so many photo-ops!







E showed off his super powers that were in action at the farm. He was fairly patient with the requests for pictures as he had the promise of a bag of popcorn afterwards.







There was some resistence to photos with Miss Moo. E still doesn't quite show the love for his intended wife-to-be. As I like to remind Marfie, they must grow apart before they can come together and give us grandchildren.

Despite my chagrin over wearing the same new hoodie that I sported in my faux bang posting, I like our little family picture.E is just the very best boy there is and there is no end to the happiness I feel when we get to do holiday/family rituals like this.

A little eye candy

Sometimes, the meager offerings of my garden come together for a perfect Oct. arrangement. Flowering pineapple sage, hydrangea, dahlia, and a not-yet-open echinacea.

Car Crash Bash

I got in a car accident today. My sturdy Volvo was attacked by a large, looming Chevy van. While I should be upset and annoyed, I am actually a little smirky - for the first time in my life, I didn't cause the accident! The guy driving was not the owner and didn't have his wallet on him. I won't actually print his name, but now when I look at it - it is suspiciously similar to a large, metropolitan city in California. Please, oh please, let the insurance info I got turn out to be correct.

First accident: August 89 - hit another car stopped to take a left. Abandoned car in a cow pasture.
Second accident: November 94 - hit another car stopped to take a left. Destroyed car and left th state.
Third accident: February 98 - rear-ended a van that stopped at a yellow light. Nearly destroyed the car and divorced co-owner.
Fourth accident: October 05 - finally, someone else's fault - someone else changes lanes without looking and hits me. Damage, not so bad and hopefully, no divorce.

I'm still feeling a bit frantic over imposed and unimposed responsibilities. I have a huge deadline on Notable Children's Books coming up on Monday. I really want to finish the baseball sweater for my fil's birthday. The house needs a good cleaning and refreshing before my mother comes to visit. And our furnace is slightly kaput. I am going to keep chipping away at each task - both that I have to do and want to do. Here is a close-up of the baseball sleeve. My first ever cable (though it feels a bit like a jr. cable).



The high point of this frenzy was coming home last night to a big box from http://garnethill.com. I pulled everything out and put it right on our bed. Lovely, smushy warm German flannel. Nothing is better on a bed. I think even kitty kitty slept more soundly on it. I've wanted these pretty sheets for over a year now. I matched them with chocolate brown flannel shams. Heaven. If only the cafe misto machine fit in the basket next to my bed.

Sigh. Back to Notables.

Super Buzz

Poor E got a terrible haircut. We didn't go to the fabulous kids cuts place we usually do. I stopped at one of those drop-in quick places - a place I would never go but somehow thought they could cut E's hair just fine. His "barber" was a women with zero maternal instinct and who came at E holding the clippers like a mad hatter. He cried the whole time and ended up with fistfuls of hair in his mouth. That alone would make me cry. I wiped him off and whispered sweet nothings into his ear. I also happened to say under my breath, "She was not good." And he yelled in his frantic little voice, "That's right. She was not good." I didn't mind one bit that everyone in the shop heard. We hightailed it out of there and got a chocolate milk at Starbucks.

So here is E with his super short cut in his brand new car booster seat. He is getting so big so fast. I still miss carrying him around in his infant seat! But he is so proud of the "rocket" booster seat. Our car has transformed from a fire engine to a spaceship! Now he wants to be a doctor in outerspace. With long hair, hopefully.

Faux Bang

In the big scheme of things getting a faux bang is not terribly important, but in the teeny tiny world of pdxkatie, it has taken me over! I can't stop shaking it in front of my eyes. I can't stop trying to make it lovely and "piece-y" a la Reese Witherspoon. Since no one has actually noticed it, I point it out to everyone. This is big. I've gone to BANGS! I haven't had bangs since 1989! They represented being a slave to a curling iron, comb and Aquanet hairspray. But the great wall of bang from 1989 has been replaced with a long, faux bang. All hail my fabulous stylist - Karena Chop Chop.

I know. Not terribly important in the big scheme - but in this little one - yeow!

A Socialist, Really?

I always knew I was quite a liberal force but I have a small, shiny light in my soul right now after learning this survey site says I am a socialist. The girl's still got it!

You are a Social Liberal (88% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (10% permissive) You are best described as a: Socialist

The Longest Projects Evah!!!

I am tackling two huge projects, day by day, hour by hour, stolen moment by stolen moment.
My fall ballot for Notable Children's Books is due in 10 days. Between now and then I still have give novels to read after I finally get through Corneila Funke's Inkspell. I am loving Inkspell. I had my doubts about it as I didn't read the first in the trilogy, plus I felt the translation from German to English in The Thief Lord always kept me one layer away from the real story. But this books is soaring - a really compulsive read. Sadly, that compulsive read is 650 frickin pages long. I do love a big, long, book - but this one is taking too long for me. I never spend more than four days on a book - I read fast and there are so many more to get to. But this one is taking forever. It even went on the beach trip and while Tall House, Double Cup played with E, I got to sit out on the beach reading - and I'm just cracking page 500. I've got to finish it by Sat!

The other project with a looming deadline is the baseball sweater for my fil's birthday. I am jealous of the amount of knitting the women on my favorite knitting blogs are able to get done. I put in a good hour or more each day knitting - typically while scanning through Tivo, and I still don't get nearly as much done as my favs. I am getting closer on the finishing the front and then I just have the two sleeves - though they feature my first ever cable. I just need one extra day in each week and in that extra day I would: finish Inkspell, get at least one sleeve done, organize my laundry room, scrub my garage door, prep our guest room for my mother's visit, and cook and freeze dinners for the next month. ha!

Time to stop writing and start reading/knitting. Hey! Maybe I could do both at once!

How's That

As I was putting E to sleep earlier this week, he flipped over on his side and put his arms around my neck for a hug. These hugs come voluntarily from him on an every-other-day basis - I am typically the one smothering him in kisses. I get a lot of voluntary hand holding and "I want to hold you, Mama" - which means, "pick me up." So, each time I get an E initiated hug, I am thrilled. It feels better than anything else in the world - truly. E said, "Hugs make me feel better." I told him that they made me feel good too. He put his arms back around me and started rubbing my back, "Is that good?" he asked, looking up at me in the sleepy dark.

Is that good? Break my heart and take me away, that's fantastic!

Best Beach Boys

We spent the weekend at the beach with two other families who are dear friends. We had a fantastic beach house - really the best one we've ever had - with huge picture windows looking right to the water and the huge rock monolith in the water. Six adults and six kids. We realized that when we have our second child, the kids are going to outnumber us! The house had a game room with retro video games and a jukebox. The rain cleared up for a great day in the sun on Saturday

The kids went to bed without a hitch both nights and we got to play cards - May I - which takes forever but is so fun. I was doing SOOOOO well until the last three hands, where I blew it. E and his buddy Guapo played perfectly together. Not one bit of conflict but lots of running and giggling.

Fall Fluff

I actually made this sweater last year for E - wayyy to big back then. Finally it fits and just in time for fall weather to truly hit Portland. It's a soft and fluffy basic crewneck in Homespun - from Design Your Own Kids Knits. I think he looks quite fetching.