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.