Randomness

I had a goofy encounter the other day. It was past lunchtime and I was out doing errands with Maggie. I was trying to decide between a taqueria or a greek place to fill my tummy in a hurry. As I was walking past the taqueria, this lady comes out and starts talking to me like I'm her best bud, telling me how the beef fajita taco is to die for. It's loaded with veggi's and costs only $2.99. It was the funniest thing but I guess she really needed to get that off her chest! We ended up there and I was tempted to try this taco but I couldn't pass up my fav...the grilled fish burrito :-)

I also just learned something from a mistake I made. We have a white board in our office and I accidentally used a sharpee on it. After I realized what I'd done, I let it go for a day thinking about what to do. Then I googled for a solution and I found the trick. If you ever find yourself in this situation, just use the dry-erase marker over the sharpee, let it sit a minute, and ta da! Wipe it off and you are good to go again. Love the internet!

Cool finds in red

My birthday is coming up and it's a big one. I think I need to splurge on this little baby (minus the shoes).Check out Butter by Nadia. The styles and combinations are endless. It's a miracle dress and every woman should have one. But, well, it's kinda expensive. Ok, really expensive. So, not really gonna buy it, but what a cool dress!

Was out shopping the other day and someone told me about water slings. I'm an avid fan of slings and carriers so I did some research and ended up with this.

I bought it off Etsy and paired the colors burgandy and deep orange together with brass rings. My wedding colors, with a neat leafy stitch design. We've used it in the shower and it's helpful for getting us both bathed at once without it being dangerous. The cool thing about this sling is it dries really quickly.

Fall is here

Woke up this morning and put on my winter slippers, it was just that bit nippy outside. So excited for fall to be here! It's my favorite time of year...holidays, anniversary, birthday, and cooler weather.

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." -George Eliot

All in one

Been knitting (of course!) and I've finished Maggie's second pair of knickers. I've used this pattern both times. I love the elastic waistband and construction. I added ruffles to the legs and used swap yarn I got from a friend. They are for Maggie's next size up and after I was done, I realized they match the cutest little booties my mom got her that are turqoise with cherries on top. Both are a little big for her so in a month or two, they will be perfect.

I also just finished a little scarf for her. It was a fun, quick project with Debbie Bliss cashmerino aran. Inspiration to knit this was last weekend's camping trip but it will be great as the weather gets cooler.

As for projects I've ditched, I've had a friends hat on the needles for the past year but have frogged it. Love malabrigo yarn, not sure about the pattern. I've always admired this hat from afar since it came out in Interweave but after attempting the chart a few times, I became frustrated with the way the pattern was written. I figured it out, but got really annoyed in the process. The pattern is written by a guy and I'm not sure if this is because it's by a guy, but for me it leaves out essential details that I think should be there like "Hey, this is a cabling pattern" to start off or "follow the chart and then use the written instructions for the chart only at the end as you decrease for the crown". I'm not saying that this information isn't there, but it just wasn't that obvious.

My wheel is currently lent out to another friend and I went to spin group recently (girlfriends+brownies+chocolate chip cookies+wine=spinning good time) with my little spindlewood spindle and a colorful silk batt.

Had fun playing around with it. My craft friends know that I have a love/hate relationship with spinning, meaning I enjoy it at the group but outside of that I never touch it. On the positive side of things, I like to think of spinning as a craft to enjoy with friends and if it leads to a finished skein one day, great! but if not, no skin off my back. It's fun in itself just looking at all the yummy fiber and watching it be spun into yarn.

Lastly, an exciting find was a pair of knitted booties at a consignment shop. As a knitter, I could tell they were handknit and had never been used. Thank you to the special someone that invested time in these, we love them! They fit Maggie well and will probably last the next few months. The one change I made to them was swapping out the purple suede tie for a green ribbon. I swear I've seen the pattern on Ravelry somewhere but haven't found it yet. Looks like they were knit with koigu or another similar sock yarn and I love the colorway.

Maggie just woke up early from her nap, so off to play!

And the winner is...

Regina!

Wanted to use random.org, but will save that for another day. Check it out, it's a pretty cool website.

Regina, I'll be in touch~

Yee-haw

I know there are a lot of you out there that don't care for country music, but in our household, it's a staple. Our alarm clock is set to the local station, Michael always has it playing in the garage, and we usually listen to it in the car. Michael's ipod is a strange mix of music and not very kid-friendly, and my little ipod is stuck in Maggie's boombox....but that's a whole other story. Our friend Ken refers to country music as "goat-ropin' " music. The lyrics can be a little cooky sometimes, but overall, it's fun, energetic, feel good music.

We went to a country concert the other day and listened to some bands. I was there mostly to hear Little Big Town, but I also liked One Flew South (note to self: get some of their music). It was Maggie's first concert. A little loud for her, so we walked around a lot and left a little early (ok by me-not a big Billy Ray Cyrus "Achy Breaky Heart" fan).I love concerts and easily get starstruck. Michael can take or leave them but he's a sport and often will go with me. When we do go, it seems to be along the lines of country or bluegrass since we agree on that genre. I don't see him going to an Enya concert with me (hmm...not sure she's ever been on tour, that would be an odd one) :-)

As for bluegrass, nothing will cure the longing I have these days. With Nickel Creek apart, what is a girl to do? Punch Brothers, Allison Krauss, solo acts...they just don't fill that empty spot. But I keep trying and next up is Sara Watkins solo CD. Oh, how I would love for those three to get back together...it's not off the table so here is to dreaming.

Half birthday

How time flies. I know all parents say this and I've been told to cherish these special moments because they don't last forever. It's so true. We are excited every day to be parents to this little girl. We get to shape her world day by day. Often we make good choices, sometimes we try and then try again.

I love to be girly with Maggie. I think if I put one more decorative headband on her Michael will freak out. She is all smiles and she has made friends of all ages everywhere she goes, breaking mom out of her mold and forcing her to talk with everyone. She loves being on the top of dad's shoulders and digs the walks he takes her on. Mom, not so good with that one.

Maggie, you have always been a great sleeper but these days you call out for us more. You have the prettiest eyes. They are still a slate blue but there is a little brown coming in. You are on your second growth of hair, but it's still really short and mostly light brown. Everyone says you have red hair but I don't really see it.

You are a great camper and look pretty cute all bundled up. Mom loves dressing you in handknits.

You get to see Nana, Papa, Lita, Papito, Auntie Shay, Cousin Eden, and Auntie Sylvia often. You and Eden have a special language ("Maggeeee" or "Maggie down") and Auntie Sylvia's dog Mya made you laugh a lot the other day.Your room is about to get painted in the color "Hawaiian Shell". It's been a light blue but soon it will be a light rosey pink.

You seem lengthy and slim but you are getting little chubby thighs and arms. Everyone think you are petite. You have dimples on both cheeks and while we're on that subject, you have some great cheeks! Just like daddy. I love your soft warm skin and can't wait to snuggle with you more this fall and winter.

We love you!

Special package

I'm doing a little give away of something crafty, so all you crafty folks out there, read on!

While in Oregon I visted a favorite art gallery in the strangest of places. It's a non-profit where local artists sell their goods and the profits go back into the local community center. The town is very rural and poor, but this art gallery is a shining star along an otherwise non-descript little main street.

Recently, I've fallen in love with handknit/crocheted dishclothes. I've made a few, recieved a few as gifts, and now I'm using them in the kitchen and with Maggie when she's eating in her high chair. I'm sure there are endless uses for them. I'm currently making one that is kind of snazzy from the Mason-Dixon knitting book. So, I've decided to give away a couple crocheted dishclothes from this art gallery with a little "Miso Pretty" hand soap, persimmon and wild orchid-scented. How can you resist? Maybe they will accent your own kitchen or bathroom. The dishclothes are bright and sunny and two different crochet patterns.
Leave me a comment if you'd like to be considered in the drawing and I'll pick a winner at random as soon as I hear from you all :-)

Summer vacation

We've returned from a week vacationing in Oregon. This picture above is from a drive through the valley and low and behold, what did we see? A couple cowboys hearding their cattle across the highway. I enjoyed the "view" as Michael hopped out and snapped a couple pics. What a tourist.

We had the option to stay in a little cabin or put up a tent. I've done both before, but we opted for the tent this year thinking we'd have more space. Seriously though, after a couple nights in less than 40 degree weather and sleeping on an aerobed that kept losing air, I was reeling for the cabin! All in all, we had a wonderful time. This was Maggie's first trip to Oregon, let alone camping for this long. She was a champ. We would bundle her up to look like a little bear at night and I swear those nights were the soundest we've slept in awhile. Travelling with a baby is definitely a new road, but we wouldn't have it any other way. We're not as "get up and go" as we once were. Instead we opted for small walks, hanging out, and quiet time during naps. She tried new foods on the trip, including mashed banana and squash, and she loves whatever we give her. She started babbling more with different sounds that only parents catch onto. The minute we heard it we looked at eachother and laughed. You can catch her now saying "bababa" or "mamama" if you're lucky. She also is putting more weight on her legs if you try to stand her up.

Our trip was a mix of so many little things that made it great - watching a cutting horse competition, eating great food and drinking great wine, visiting my favorite little crafty art gallery, a little knitting here and there, nature walks, card games at night after the kids went to bed, getting the tractor up and going (Michael was in heaven operating the 1979 Ford tractor), fishing in a neighbors trout pond, and enjoying loads of great company.

Oops!

I was thinking of making my blog private, but for now, I'm leaving it public. I deleted the post about going private if you're wondering :-)