croc mittens

I had intended to have these done for E's Christmas
stocking but actually just finished them last night. They are a little rough as I was adapting a thicker wool to the pattern, but I think they'll work great as puppets and maybe special mittens to wear to the zoo. I'll try to snap a picture of E wearing them - he moves to fast it's hard to get him to "look up, please!" We got many pictures of him looking down this year.

I am thissssssssss close to finishing my Spork bag. I sewed on the buckles by hand last night while watching all the DVD extras to Lost. Now I just need to drag out my sewing machine to finish off the strap and voila! Can't wait to actually use it!

finally - my Ribby Cardi

I've been working on this sweater for at least six months - two months of knitting and four months of looking for that last damm skein of "charcoal" yarn. That never showed up so I picked up the collar with "coal" and you can hardly tell. The missing skein showed up under the guest room bed just last week. I'll save it for another project.

Peruvian Wool in Charcoal (and Coal) and Ruby. I feel a bit like a football player when I wear it - I usually don't wear pure wool sweaters - so we'll see if it gets any use besides cold cold cold weather. It was fun and easy to make. Check out the KAL at: http://www.ribbycardikal.blogspot.com/

christmas photobiography

Christmas Eve was a big blowout at Aunt CeCe's. Tall House, Double Cup's family so graciously embraced my family in taking part of their annual party. CeCe's gorgeous house has a view of Mt. Hood from every window and is a consumate party palace. E was surrounded with cousins - and is especially fond of Big D - a very cool six-year-old.


One of the best parts of the night is when Santa comes. It's so exciting to have our very own Santa at the party. E sat right up in the first row to be near Santa and was very excited to sit on his lap. Santa gave him a Mr. Potato Head electronic game - which he later pronounced his favorite present.

Christmas morning was brunch with mimosas, strata, and abbelskivers. E loved his new scooter and distributed presents to everyone.

What a treat to have Nana and Jonesie with us for E's birthday and Christmas. E loves them so much - it makes me so happy to see him play, laugh, and cuddle with my parents.

We napped, cooked, and watched Toy Story in the afternoon and had Tall House, Double Cup's parents over for dinner. E opened even more presents and got right to playing with the t-ball set they gave him. He's such a slugger.

I look forward to the holidays SO much . . . and I feel like I did almost everything I wanted. I didn't make it to the Grotto again, but within two weeks we fit in so many things and still are talking to each other. I am excited for the new year . . . hell, I am excited about every day usually. But having E to watch grow and share experiences with makes everything extra big.

irish hiking scarf

Tall House, Double Cup, loved getting this scarf for Christmas, even if it was a day late. This is my first Irish Hiking Scarf and I can't wait to start another one. THDC's was done with Lion Brand's Kool Wool - soft but very thick and not what I'll use again - an okay practice yarn!

holiday hangover

I am detoxing from the holidays with Diet Coke and a day at my cubicle. I have so many pictures and lots of progress on knitting projects to post - I just need to take a minute to actually download everything.

Quick Summary:
1 ice storm
five celebratory meals
one trip to the emergency room (bil's girlfriend)
infinite glasses of wine
2 knitting projects finally finished
2 knitting projects almost there
1 new knitting project started
3 movies actually viewed at a movie theater
1 pedicure/manicure
1 high tea at The Heathman with friends and Nana


And much much more to detail - but only with pictures.

when it rains

It seems like the rain isn't going to stop this week in pdx. I love the rain . . . in fact, if I had to list the top five things about Portland, rain would fit in there - I adore it - but today . . . it actually got to me. I had a meeting downtown and had to park in an unfamiliar garage. Coming back from my meeting (in the rain), I saw that the elevator to my ninth floor parking spot wasn't working. I thought I would be smart and take the elevator on the other side of the building - which left me off on a whole different subsection of the parking garage. I was trying at all costs to avoid walking back down nine flights in order to cross the block and walk the nine flights back on the "right" side of the building . . . so I went all ALISAS-Jennifer Garner on myself and threw my bag over a four and a half foot wall standing between the two structures. Thinking I was nineteen, taller than 5'4 and a size 10, I leapt (that's being generous) up and over the wall, landing with a small flourish for anyone appalling the roof of the 4th St. SmartPark. I headed back down the parking structure and eventually found my car . . . just a whole lot more wet and a bit woozy from the excitement. I found myself minutes later sitting at King Kong with my mother (working a split shift at the library- so odd) and then back at work by 4pm . . . it was all a blur. Later this evening, I did serious holiday grocery shopping and realized I forgot my wallet on top of my desk at work. I checked out and then told the clerk and called Tall House, Double Cup to rescue me. I finished off the night with a bottle of Clos du Bois and Martha Stewart's The Apprentice Finale. It's almost more than a girl can take.

happy birthday mr. big

Happy Birthday E! I can't believe he's already three! We had a hell of a big weekend planned for this fabulous event. Nana and Jonesie arrived on Friday, we had his favorite friends over for a Roy Rogers party on Saturday, followed by a movie night and cards for the adults, and finally a family party on Sunday - which was cancelled due to the ice storm raging out there tonight. E was in heaven at his party - mostly because his best friends from school were there. It didn't hurt that everyone was dressed up like cowhands either. I asked this tonight what his favorite part of the party was. He said, "opening presents." And his favorite present? "Our new towtruck". His friends gave him such thoughtful gifts - totally fun - and my girlfriends are amazing at picking out fun stuff to share - where would I be without the other mamas?
Nana and I headed off to see Brokeback Mountain this morning and by the time we got out of the theater, the snow had started. By the time we hit the Fremont Bridge, the ice had started. A quick stop at New Seasons confirmed that everyone was out stocking up on chips, beer, and salami - which made us start considering the fact that we really should have checked into the news at least once instead of watching House, M.D. on dvd all night. We arrived home to hear that no one could make the family party - even the mayor asked Portlanders to stay home. So Jonesie started a fire, the five of us split a stockpot of chili and dove into the chocolate cake . . . the best part of E's birthday? Tonight he got out of the bath, wrapped up in a big towel and then rocked in the rocking chair with me for about 15 minutes - the quietest time we've had together in days - it was lovely - and I feel so lucky to have just the very best boy in the whole world - funny, fast, and so smart - inventive, playful, and insistent on what he wants. Nothing compares to Big E!

teflon scarf

I fell in love with the Irish Hiking Scarf pattern as soon as I saw it. I was so excited to start that I gave in to a sale on Lion Brand's Kool Wool which turns out to be too stiff and synthetic to really enjoy knitting with - but the cables are so pretty and the pattern so classic. I can't wait to make the next one - but I am compelled to finish this one first. This is my first knit-along (kal) that I fell like I am actually, truly a part of - not just finding it months after it started and never quite catching up. Check out the kal at: http://irishhikingknitalong.blogspot.com/

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.