Wenjomatic

Finding Little Wendy P

2009-01-12T09:47:00.003-05:00

Through some ridiculous timing (CHRISTMAS WEEK, hello!?! what was I thinking) I decided to join a website to connect with people locally that are mommy friends so we could easily make plans with the kids and what not. What I found was that many people from my home town on there as well. Don decided to join as well and has had a blast looking up people from college and has found some folks from his old college paper days... thrilling for him.

On Friday night I decided to just simply (I thought) scan in some photos from high school days and put them up to share with the couple of people from marching band days who I'd been talking to. Well!... you'd have thought I turned on a light in a closet full of cockroaches! People came out of the woodwork! And I mean that in the BEST possible way. LOL I have just spend a RIDICULOUS amount of time on this computer talking and reconnecting with some very old friends, looking at their childrens' faces and reading their stories. They touch me in a way that only the stories from my street, my school, my class can.

What it makes me realize is that when I decided to escape the days of high school by moving away and choosing not to stay in touch, I was leaving a huge chunk of myself behind. I'll tell you what... I went to school with some pretty fabulous people. I tried pretty hard to be someone else for the entirety of my 20s. Thankfully I woke up somewhere around the age of 30 and re-found Wendy. And now that I've rediscovered these old friends and this little girl is shining through to me in these pictures, perhaps I can just build a bridge over all that darkness that was my 20s. Because the last ten years has been fabulous too!

I'm sorry and the standard excuses...

2009-01-07T19:21:00.005-05:00

It seems like I can blog for a few months then I run out of juice. I think life just builds up and things get piled up and blogging just gets lost in the pile. Christmas stacked up fast for me this year with a really huge PTO project that I co-chaired just before the regular shuffle of things began to click off the list. But looking back, it seems like November serving up some unwelcome medical issues is what might have thrown me off track.

Anyway. I'll try again. I'll play catch up for the holidays and post some photos via the slide show method: here is Christmas 2008 for our family.

Of course the big family news is that we have a TEENAGER!!! Mary Grace turned 13 over the weekend. Ahhh! SHOCKING to me, because this mama feels like she should be 3, not 13. She is blossoming (she dislikes that word) into such a lovely young lady. She is so much like me (she'd probably dislike hearing that one too) it's scary. VERY into the 80s look, which thrills me to no end. Rock on, sistah! Here she is sporting her electric yellow shirt and finger nails with crimped hair. Of course she was wearing a pair of Chuck Taylor hightops to boot!

Overall it was a fantastic holiday. Lots of family time between visits with both sides, some dinners out with Don's parents, visits from the Alabama troops and a nice long two week stay for Mary Grace. And two weeks out of school for Andrew and Abi. We are truly blessed. We spent two weeks with people that we love dearly. Our family.

It's funny... the word family means something different now than it did to me growing up. But, it's still just as precious and just as wonderful. Family now means the people that we are kin to, the families that we have married in to, the families our loved ones have married in to, the friends we have made in this area and their precious ones... and even online friends who have supported me for 7 years now since my pregnancy with Andrew. And they are the ones who make me who I am and get me out of bed each day. I love my family. Blended, shaken and stirred as it may be. I love my family.

Somebody Turned 6 Today!

2008-10-21T07:18:00.001-05:00

Blowing Out The Candles
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

It's hard to even say it out loud. Andrew is 6.

Andrew had a lovely Ocean Animals party over the weekend with our closest friends and family. The weather, after sweating the predicted cold temps for a week or more, turned out just lovely... super sunny and 62. I couldn't have asked for a better fall day.

The kids all played so well and got along great, even though many of them had never met. Birthday parties are interesting as your child gets older. We have kindergarten friends now, plus the preschool friends from the last few years... all mixed in with playgroup friends we've known for as long as 6 years. But kids are still just kids... willing to play with anyone who will grab a hand. I was lovely.

Today we're sending in special snacks to school, spider cookies, as they are studying spiders this week. And a goodie of chocolate popcorn with spider rings inside. Andrew loved helping make them!

Ahhh, my boy is 6 now. That seems SO old to me. He's the same age Mary Grace was, when he was born. Time truly flies.

Blue Ribbon Nutkins

2008-10-11T09:29:00.001-05:00

Blue Ribbon Nutkins
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

The Manheim Community Farm Show was this week so I entered some of my knitting into the "Fancy Work" section. That name always cracks me up. My Nutkin socks won a 1st place Blue Ribbon in the socks/booties exhibition. Abi's Little Sister Dress won a 2nd place Red Ribbon in the children's clothing exhibition.

Andrew entered his coloring page in the farm coloring display and won a participant ribbon. He's so proud!!

Garden Picked Clean

2008-10-06T11:12:00.001-05:00

Garden Picked Clean
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

By me!!

Warm weather is coming to an end and our first Freeze Warning has just been issued for tonight. I went out this morning and picked the last of the things that might be bothered by the cold. There are still tons of green tomatoes on the vines, but we are about tomatoed-out at this point. I'll either fry up these green ones or see if they will turn, on the counter top, on their own.

New LYS = Lancaster Yarn Shop = LOVE

2008-10-04T08:35:00.005-05:00

ShiBui Detail
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

The newest and most exciting yarn shop in our area opened last night, for First Friday, in downtown Lancaster, PA. Lancaster Yarn Shop

To celebrate, and to feed my addiction, I broke the sock yarn diet rule for one day. And oh, how happy I am.

It was very hard to choose... she's already stocking several lines of yarn and some local goodies. But I've been eyeing this chocolate/aqua combination, dubbed "chocqua" by cauchy09 for a long time.

This is going to make my Socktober Fest goals VERY difficult to meet. I think I'd better tuck it away for a while.

SocktoberFest Challenge

2008-10-02T07:18:00.004-05:00

SocktoberFest Challenge
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.I currently have 3 unfinished pairs of socks on the needles, in various stages. My personal goal for Socktober Fest: Finish these socks!

Don's Socks
Edelweiss
Firey SuperMerino Socks

Dried Tomatoes

2008-09-27T08:45:00.002-05:00

Dried Tomatoes
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

More deliciousness for winter...

My girlfriend, Ann, lent me her food dehydrator after telling me about drying her own tomatoes. I was so excited to give it a go.

It was such a simple and easy process.. only taking about 20 minutes to wash and slice all of the tomatoes, the just plug in the dehydrator! Large ones cut in quarter inch slices, cherry tomatoes cut in halves. It took about 10 hours to dry the tomatoes and now I have a stuffed quart of dried tomatoes to add to salads, stews and breads this winter. Yum!

Cloudy Day Harvest

2008-09-26T14:15:00.001-05:00

Cloudy Day Harvest
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

It's quite gloomy today, but they garden is cheerful. With plans for a nice big veggie dinner, I went out to harvest the broccoli and discovered that other things were ready for me as well.

- red bell pepper
- royalty purple bush beans (first handful)
- red radishes
- broccoli

I love the seasons of the garden. The tomatoes are finally slowing a bit but they are still keeping us in sandwiches and salads. I'm just trying my hand at drying them for the first time (more on that later) as the fall greens begin to steal my attention. I love how things change as the days click by. It won't be long until it's time to pull things out and fill the compost bin.

Meanwhile, my mind is already busy with details of how I'll do some things differently next year. Folia is good for making those notes. There is little free time for me lately with all of the school activities I've volunteered for, but it seems that the garden is patient with me... waiting until I can get in the back yard. Thankfully we're having mild weather right now... not too hot, not too cold. So everything is happy. And so am I.

Caramel Apple Bites

2008-09-25T15:23:00.001-05:00

Caramel Apple Bites
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Andrew's class was doing a unit on apples all week. Today we sent in the snack. The idea is originally from Family Fun (I think) and passed on to us from a friend. Andrew said the class LOVED them!

Caramel Apple Bites:
melon baller
lollipop sticks (cut in half)
candy cups
apples
soft caramel candy melted

Cut out bites of apples using the melon baller. Dab the moisture from the apple then insert a lolli stick. Dip into the melted caramel and place in candy cup to harden.

Best if made about an hour before serving or they will get juicy. Also fun to dip them in melted white chocolate morsels or butterscotch morsels.

Andrew In The FunRun

2008-09-20T08:20:00.002-05:00

Fun Run Ribbon Winner
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

The high school cross-country team sponsored a FunRun this week and Andrew joined in the fun. He had a total blast! He was by no means the fastest (there are some flipping BIG kindergarteners around here, our town grows em' big) but he came in about 12th in a pack of 40 or so kgarten boys. I was so proud!

All 3 elementary schools participated and Andrew's school had the most participation so they won a trophy, almost as tall as Andrew, to display in the entry of the school. Andrew dragged me inside to see it, he loves being a part of the whole school experience.

Stretching before the race and crossing the finish line...

Andrew Is Just SO Happy!

2008-09-12T08:07:00.003-05:00

great day
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic. I am amazed at how MUCH Andrew loves school. I knew he'd enjoy the friends and activities but he is really digging into the learning too. His teacher just has that special something that gets him fired up about the work.

They always journal first thing in the morning and she was telling me last night (back to school night) that he almost trips over furniture and other children trying to get in the door and hang up his backpack so he can grab his journal and get started. I am amazed at how much his writing is coming along in just a couple weeks of school.

He sprints down the sidewalk every day to get into the house and do a project that has been on his mind all day, based on something from school. I thought he'd just be ready to play, but he wants to paint something they did at school, or try writing a word from a book. It's crazy. I hope this enthusiasm can last. This morning he was watcing Peep on TLC while eating breakfast and he sound out TLC... tilc... "mom, that's not a word!" I explained about abbreviations and The Learning Channel. It's 6:30 son, let me drink my coffee! LOL

He goes to sleep singing about things from his school day. Last night he was singing in the dark about little yellow and little blue hugging so tight they both turned green. I turned off the TV so I could just sit and listen to him. It's infectious! I want to go to kindergarten!

He is so happy... it does my heart good.

One Great Day

2008-09-12T07:58:00.003-05:00

Abi's Preschool
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Monday morning... I sent Andrew out the door with Don to walk to school. Abi woke up a little later, had breakfast and got ready then I walked her down to her first day at preschool. We had a brief parent meeting and I headed back home 30 minutes later. As I did I looked over and there was Andrew on the playground at the school across the street. His teacher saw me and waved me over. We stood there for about 10 minutes chatting, laughing and watching the kids. (I love my town and that the schools are on my street... it's all very Norman Rockwell.)

Basking in the afterglow of a beautiful start to the day with beautiful children who are doing beautiful things... I walked him enjoying the alone-ness that comes with having school-aged children. I came in the house, folded a quick load of clothes and put them away, dusted the down stairs then sat down at the computer with a cup of coffee to catch up on things. I made couple phone calls. Then I sat out on the front porch for a bit, thumbed through a magazine. I decided the kitchen sink needed scrubbing so I got out the Comet and a toothbrush. Did that. Walked around in the garden for a bit. Still more than 30 minutes left before pick-up time for Abi. Put out some ground beef to thaw for dinner. Ran upstairs and made the kids beds.

What in the heck? I know every day won't be like that.. I will be volunteering in the classroom, I'll be constantly chasing things down as room-mom, the house keeping will fall behind at some point. But for that day, just that moment in time... I felt in control of my little carved out world. I felt like I had a handle on things. Duties were done. Everyone made it where they were supposed to be with matching socks, clean faces and full bellies.

It all sounds so good right? But why did it have to go so well? Now I'll be so disappointed when it goes bad next time.

One Happy Salad: Fall Plantings Coming In

2008-09-02T13:00:00.004-05:00

One Happy Salad
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic. I'm beginning to get some things from my fall plantings that are big enough to enjoy. I pulled the first 2 radished today and some of the mesclun, both planted just about 3 weeks ago. I put them with some yellow tomatoes and onions from the garden as well, topped with some ginger sesame dressing.

I am a pretty happy gardener.

New Sock Yarn!

2008-09-02T09:50:00.001-05:00

Sanguine Griffon Yarn
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

NO, I DID NOT BUY SOCK YARN! The sock yarn diet is still in effect! (That's for my knit circle girls)

I received a lovely message from Hello-Knitty via Ravelry last week. She was drooling over my lightweight Socks That Rock in Jonagold that I bought at Stitches last fall. We worked out a trade for this delicious Sanguine Gryphon sock yarn. Yarny details: Eidos in Parmenides... mossy greens and a touch of midnight blue.

It's nice we can both be happy. I loved the Jonagold, but I love this EVEN MORE!

Hot Salsa - Homemade Variety

2008-09-01T14:39:00.004-05:00

Salsa In The Making
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Today I skinned and stemmed my available tomatoes then gathered all the other ingredients for home canned salsa. The chopping, as always, is the most time consuming part. I boiled hot water first and poured it over the tomatoes, making the skins slide right off. The onions and bell peppers are from my garden too, hot peppers a mix of jalapeno from a neighbor and serrano from the market.

My house smells so good... and pretty spicy. I went out back for a bit, then walked back into the kitchen. Whamo! I was hit with the aroma of hot peppers. This stuff might be very HOT in a few weeks. We shall see.

Recipe shared by gubeedal from Folia....

4 cups tomatoes peeled and chopped, 2 cups seeded chopped long green peppers (I used a mix of regular bell peppers and banana peppers), 1 cup seeded chopped hot peppers, 3/4 cup chopped onion, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 1/2 cups cider vinegar, 6 oz tomatoe paste, cayenne pepper to taste,

Combine all ingredients in a large sauce pan, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. pour into sterilized jars. Process 30 in boiling water bath for minutes. Makes 3 pints.

**note: to adjust the heat of each recipe, remove the seeds and veins of the hot peppers.

Abi's Little Sister Dress

2008-08-26T08:06:00.007-05:00

Abi's Little Sister Dress
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Pattern: Little Sister Dress by Tora Froseth, 12m size (altered yarn and needle)

Yarn: Beyond Bold by South West Trading Company in rose, white and chocolate
needle size: US4 circular 24"

Cast-on 8-8-08 during the Opening Ceremonies for my Ravelympics Challenge this is Abi's completed dress. It took exactly 16 days and I crossed the finish line off during Closing Ceremonies. And what a joy to knit! The pattern is a super easy top-down, no seam pattern. Written for an infant size, I sized it up with a worsted weight yarn on size 4 needles. It made for a modest fabric with good body and not too much stretch, which is often problematic with 100% cotton. I am super happy with the final fabric.

Abi adores it and was the fit is just right! It's great for late summer on it's own and will move into fall and winter with a shirt and tights underneath. And if we don't hit a growth spurt, perhaps spring as well!

I highly recommend this project for those of you with girls OR for a quick baby gift, as the pattern is written!

Ready for Kindergarten

2008-08-25T11:40:00.005-05:00

Ready for Kindergarten
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic. Today, Andrew became a kindergartener! He was ready... he's positively thrilled. I'm not so sure I was ready.

How did this day get here so fast?

It was a very fun morning, just as we getting dressed we were hit with a heavy rain. The first real rain we've had here in more than a month. Timing is everything right? Thankfully it subsided just as it was time for us to take our walk down the street. Moms and Dads stayed with the children today, just for a short morning of school. Tomorrow will be a regular day.

Mrs. DePatto had them do a scavenger hunt of sorts, finding the areas of the room. They found the reading center, activity center, math center, the art center and so on. We also went for a walk to find the cafeteria, the office, the playground, the library and the bathrooms. Andrew feels more comfortable there now, knowing his surroundings.

I think I am comfortable too. I'm sad that he's on the school track now. Our lives will be very different... schedules, activities, meetings. Abi's playtime will be very different now too, I hope she's not lonely. We surely know how to keep busy... so that's just what we'll do.

Harvesting: An Onion Dig

2008-08-24T15:13:00.001-05:00

Onions, Can You Smell Them?
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Dig is not really an accurate word for what I just did with my onions. I learned that when onions are ready the greens lay down and begin drying. Mine started this process 7-10 days ago. Also, what I read said that once ready, they practically spring out when you tug on the foliage.

Sure enough. They do. It took me all of 3 minutes to snatch them all out. There were a few that could have remained another week or so, but overall they were ready. They were co-planted around my broccoli and peppers (big plant in the center of the square, 8 onions in a halo around the edges of the square) so I had to get down on my hands and knees to reach around the center plants, which are still producing. This is my first one-time/full sort of harvest and I was smiling ear to ear. I kept giggling to myself that if one of my neighbors happened to come out at that time they’d have thought I’d lost it (again) seeing me all crouched down like that grinning.

Oh well. My onions are happy so I’m happy. There’s quite a variation in size here, which will be VERY convenient for cooking, depending on what I’m making and how much I need. I do wonder how they can vary this much all in the same garden box, all planted at the same time, all getting watered together. Surely sunlight must be the answer. The ones on the outer edges of the box, less blocked by bigger plants, are the jumbo ones. But not without exception, some of the innermost were bigger too.

So now to dry… they are laying out back now, on the newspaper. I left them in full sun for this afternoon. The dirt was pretty damp and needs to dry so I can brush it off before they lay out and cure for a couple weeks. Then to storage for winter. These will get us a far way into winter, but not all the way through. I’ll definitely plant more next year.

Seed Swap

2008-08-19T07:30:00.001-05:00

Seed Swap
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

I'm packaging up some burpless cucumber seeds to go off into the world. My Folia has a very nifty feature that lets a gardener post their seeds stashed for swap. I had plenty cuke seeds so I marked them as available. And right away I heard from a gardener in NC who was interested. She's trading me some sunflower seeds for my cuke seeds.

It's all very exciting. In a dorky-gardener sort of way. I can't wait to find out they are received and I look forward to seeing how they do down the road.

What does a gardener look like?

2008-08-18T08:47:00.003-05:00

If you grow anything at all and haven't stumbled upon Folia.com yet, you have to check it out. It's an incredible way to journal your own gardens, plus meet others and discuss what's growing... around the world.

Last week a journal entry sparked the most endearing and fun conversation about What Gardeners Look Like. I hung on every word and found so much comfort in what Kat Powers shared. I grew up much like she did and am trying to impart the dirt-in-your-toes philosophy to own my children. It's tempting, in the electronic age, to just plug them into something and do what I want. But it's so terribly unhealthy for their little minds. I'd rather them be out chasing bugs and digging in the dirt. More work for me of course, more water for baths, more band-aids required. But the pay-off is exponential.

So grab a cup of coffee and read this wonderful journal entry about her garden life... and all of the great replies that came after. And by all means, register for Folia if you're got anything in dirt around you! Just add me as your gardening buddy!

Inflammatory Breast Cancer... Have You Heard?

2008-08-17T07:37:00.001-05:00

IBC
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

WATCH THIS VIDEO NOW! komonews.s3.amazonaws.com/ibc/komo_ibc.wmv

If you think you know breast cancer, you'll be surprised to hear about this OTHER kind of breast cancer that mammograms and monthly breast exams don't find. This is important for you to know, and for those you love! GET THE WORD OUT!

Research can be found here at The IBC Research Foundation

Making Pesto

2008-08-15T17:47:00.003-05:00

Making Pesto
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic. Today I harvested all of larger basil plants from the square foot garden (the ones blooming). I was SHOCKED when I realized that there were 8 cups of leaves to process... and I mean 8 firmly packed leaves. It took two batches, but I was able to put up, in ice cube trays, 48 little blocks of pesto for the freezer! Plus there was just enough for tonight's dinner that didn't fit into the tray.

All of it from only 2 square feet in the garden!!

Into the blender... 2 batches of:

4 cups packed pesto leaves
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1 cup olive oil
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 1/2c walnuts
salt and pepper to taste

Cicada Fully Emerged

2008-08-13T09:51:00.003-05:00

Cicada Fully Emerged
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.
This morning we walked over to a neighbor's yard to watch some construction across the street. While waiting for the big dump truck to drop the gravel, we noticed some cicada shells on a pine tree. Looking closer, we saw that some of them were actually molting at just that time. It was so incredible!

This one was already molted as we walked up and was drying his new wings on the back of his old shell. As we stood and watched, he began moving around on the bark. The children were able to touch his soft wings without disturbing it.

This was one of those moments that makes me so happy about our parenting decisions. If I were a working mom, these kids of moments would be so much fewer and farther between.

Of course... we had to bring some shells home:

Sneaking Out for Breakfast

2008-08-12T09:47:00.006-05:00

Sneaking Out for Breakfast
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.They didn't hear me go out the back door...

I was quiet.

Very.
Quiet.

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

I sat for as long as I could and watched the birds working my neighbor's sunflower heads. There were a few out in my back fence garden too. For a minute I was worried they were picking my seeds out, just planted yesterday. But I realized they were going for all of the goodies we turned up in the soil. It had been unworked for years.

I wish I knew the history of that spot. There was improved soil (probably topsoil, didn't see any vermiculite) in that new spot we turned over by the fence. I bet someone had flowers there sometime ago. Maybe herbs... there is some apple mint growing close by.

Mr. Stripey tomatoes and basil from the garden, mozzarella and a splash of vinegar for the bite, salt and pepper of course.

Bruschetta with Foccacia

2008-08-11T12:30:00.001-05:00

Bruschetta with Foccacia
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

My two very close friends.... I had them for lunch today. I love summertime, this is my favorite use for sweet 100 tomatoes.

Fresh Bruschetta:
handful cherry tomatoes chopped
1/4 tsp minched garlic
4-5 leaves sweet basil, chopped
tbsp olive oil

Ravelympics Little Sister Dress... yoke in progress

2008-08-10T09:17:00.001-05:00

Ravelympics Little Sister Dress... yoke in progress
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

I have mostly been knitting socks lately and I've stalled out a bit. I decided to get into the run of Ravelympics (Ravelry's knitting Olympics challenge) and knit a fall dress for Abi.

I cast on during the Opening Ceremonies in Beijing and hope to be done by Closing Ceremonies. The yoke is 2/3rds done, I have one more set of the 3 colors do do, then I'll bind off the arms and workon the body.

I think I can... I think I can... I think I can... I think I can!!

Pattern: Little Sister Dress
Yarn: South West Trading Co, in Beyond Bold, pink brown & white

Seedy Mail

2008-08-10T08:12:00.002-05:00

Seedy Mail
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

I ordered a few more things for the fall veggie garden and they just arrived yesterday in the mail. I love getting seeds, it’s like Santa came! Squeeee! I can’t wait to plant my fall garden but I’m trying desperately to be level headed. We’ve had a nice snap of cool weather for early August and it has me itching to plant. But, everything I read says wait until later in the month, even until Labor Day, to plan leafy goodies for fall. It’s so hard though… finding that perfect window… not to hot for the sproutings… not to late to mature. A real nail biter!

I do think I’ll sweet-talk Don today and see if I can get him to remove some sod by the back fence, to extended that garden… I want to get these peas in now so they will hopefully make before the first killing frost. (crosses fingers)

Goodness Gardening

2008-08-08T08:52:00.001-05:00

Goodness
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Oh man, some days are just mouth watering when you garden, aren’t they? Gosh, I knew I needed to do some harvesting today, but I really didn’t expect to fill up the bowl. Is 9am too early for a salad???

My broccoli started coming in a week or so ago. Thankfully it’s taking its time and spreading itself out. We are getting about one head every 4-5 days… perfect pace for enjoying it. 3 out of 6 plants have now been cut.

The tomatoes are all starting to ready themselves now. Right now they are coming in at a eating-fresh pace, but in another 10 days or so I’ll be looking at preserving them. Definite salsa plans on the horizon. Perhaps some sauce… we shall see just what I have to deal with.

The cukes are coming to an end. I already canned 8 pints of dills last week. These are the last 2 larger ones… the ones still on the plant are the irregulars, but still yummy and growing. Once they are done in another week, I’ll be removing the plants and doing some fall goodies.

My neighbors are so jealous! I should probably share ;)

Bug Coloring Pages

2008-06-07T09:03:00.006-05:00

We are avid printers of coloring pages from the web. Sometimes ten or twele a day. This morning we were printing a drawing and Andrew said today, "mom, wouldn't it be nice if I could share my pictures with other people on the computer?" What a great idea, son.

By all means... print these out for your little bug lovers.

Family Quilt, A Treasure

2008-05-21T06:57:00.002-05:00

Family Quilt Backing
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

My mother started this quilt decades ago but put it aside before finishing it. The top was completely pieced and she had frame-quilted it, all done but the binding.

The olive drab squares are from her father's work uniforms, the checked and striped ones are from her mother's house dresses.

It makes me well up in tears... these stitches are by my mother's very own hands. These fabrics worn daily by my grandparents.

After she died last year dad found it in her cedar chest. It is a treasure to me. My dear girlfriend, Julie, bound and finished the edges for me. I am eternally thankful for her generosity and friendship.

Pink Medicine

2008-05-17T07:54:00.002-05:00

Pink Medicine
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

We've worn the numbers off the dropper. (smacks forehead)

I thought they were supposed to grow OUT of ear infections, not into them. MG and Andrew had them as young babies but they were pretty much gone by age two. Abi didn't have a single one until she was 21 months. And over her second year she's had 4.

Pollen brought a drippy nose, a drippy nose brought head congestion, head congestion brought fluid behind her ear drums. And that fluid brought infection.

Argh.

Big Girl Bed

2008-05-13T07:25:00.002-05:00

Big Girl Bed
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Abi will be 3 this summer... sadly one more baby thing went away this weekend. She moved from her crib to her big girl bed. She LOVES it. I'm happy for her.

But... it was very hard putting the baby bed away. All 3 of my children have slept in it until they moved over around 2 1/2 - 3 years old. That's almost 8 years of me tucking someone into that thing every night. I will miss it. It seems like yesterday that I was shopping in the baby boutique for it, when I was pregnant with Mary Grace. So it goes... into storage to wait for the first grandchild.

The girls share a room and they have this loft set. MG sleeps up top for now. Once Abi is old enough she'll switch to the top and big sis, MG will get a break from the climbing.

Square Foot Gardening

2008-05-11T15:35:00.002-05:00

Peas on the Move
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

We've decided to give the square foot gardening technique a go after reading so many positives about it. Set up was easy! (lots of pics) The website recommends no larger than 4 ft wide but I put the stepping stones in to access the middle squares. Ours is 8'x8'.

Some plants, some from seed. It's been in for about two weeks now and the seeds are popping up like crazy now. Peas, broccoli, zucchini, squash, cucumber and okra just this week. I've also transplanted seedlings for tomatoes, basil, chives and parsley. Plants include peppers, cilantro, onion, head lettuce and some heirloom tomatoes.

I am loving the potential and the life in action, but more importantly the children loved helping daddy build it and mommy plant it. We check it daily for new sprouts and growth. I can't wait until our first crop!

Biker Chicks

2008-05-11T10:35:00.004-05:00

Balancing
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Spring break brought something new and fun for both girls. Riding a bike! On the same day even.

At 12 Mary Grace finally decided to learn how to ride a bike. Santa brought her one for Christmas when she was 5 or 6 but when it went back down with her to her dad's, they never worked with it. My neighbor couldn't believe she didn't know how to ride at 12, so she pulled on of her boy's bikes out.

It only took 5 minutes and she had it. I was proud of her but she was SO proud of herself. She's never mentioned it, but it was definitely something that bothered her. She beamed for several days after and just could not stay off those 2 wheels!

That same day I got a hand-me-down bike out of the basement, from a girlfriend, and Abi climbed on like it was no big deal at all. Within minutes she was cruising around. In just a day or so it was pretty much mastered. It's so much fun seeing all 3 kids zooming around and laughing.

Me? Sew?

2008-04-23T07:13:00.002-05:00

Presser Foot
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

A girlfriend passed on her old sewing machine to me. She gave me some sewing tips on threading and technique. I was delighted that it was enough for me to adjust the straps and put some darts in Mary Grace's dress for her spring dance. We picked out the dress at the mall last week during spring break. Its an interesting job searching for a dress for a 12 year old. I wanted something tasteful and fun, she wanted something fancy and flashy. We compromised and decided on a sundress, and I flashed it up a bit with some clear glass beads on the larger polka dots.

I had to use the booklet to figure out how to fill the bobbin, but I did it! And you can't even tell that its altered. Woowoo! I imagine that my mom is looking down and smiling at me. She tried many times to get me to sew but I never did. Her machine was very temperamental... it had a sweet spot. I never could find it. I always pressed too hard or not hard enough and the bobbin ended up a rats nest on the back of the fabric. She knew just where it was and could make that thing sing. She made lots of clothes for me during my childhood.

Here's the girly, modeling her dress, post alterations:

Bead detail:

Mary Grace is Home For Spring Break!

2008-04-13T06:44:00.001-05:00

Mary Grace Home For Spring Break
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

And there is a WHOLE LOT of lovin' going on in this house. Abi and Andrew are both attached to big sis. She can barely take a step! Hahaha!

My heart is swooning, there is never a happier time for me than to have all my chickens in the nest.

Andrew's First Lost Tooth

2008-04-11T07:20:00.001-05:00

Andrew's First Lost Tooth
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

It's been wiggly for a while and on Wednesday he bit into a sandwich and it shifted. He worked on it all day Thursday, then lost it sometime in the night last night. We went on a mad search for it this morning and came up with it thankfully, (WHEW!) so we'll be leaving it out for the tooth fairy tonight!

I've made him a tooth fairy pillow case, one we can use on nights when he has a tooth to leave out. I had one when I was little that my mother made. Its a regular pillow case, and I've sewn on a little pocket. I'm in the process of embroidering it as well.

Birthday Girl

2008-04-04T16:50:00.001-05:00

Birthday Girl
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

It's my favorite day of the year!

Picot Stripey Socks All Done!

2008-04-02T16:18:00.002-05:00

Picot Edge Stripey Sock Complete 3
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Stripey sock are all done! I was thinking about them for a gift... but.... hmm. I really like them! The picot edging was fun and I am a big fan of the turned edge construction. I'll definitely repeat it in the future.

I'm a bit concerned about the short-row heel and how its going to hold up in this yarn. It looks great but when they are on, its stretched pretty well.

Pattern from Black Dog Design, Picot Eyelet Socks minus the eyelets.
Yarn: Knitterly Things Vesper Sock Yarn Superwash/Nylon in Afterglo

The dye issue still bothers me a bit. One girlfriend says it looks Iike I knitted white socks then colored them with markers. She's right... the yarn really hasn't taken the dye very well. But I think it makes them interesting... and certainly a conversation piece.

Cheesey Twirls

2008-03-31T16:30:00.001-05:00

Cheesey Twirls
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Sometimes grilled cheese gets boring.

The kids always love when I make these instead... Grands biscuits, flattened out a bit, spread of butter, shake of garlic powder, sprinkle with grated sharp cheddar... roll them up, slice each one into 3 rolls (3x8 biscuts fills up my 24 spots) and bake at 375 degrees in a mini-muffin pan with nonstick spray... about 12 minutes.

They are delish with tomato soup!

Carrot Canon

2008-03-30T14:31:00.004-05:00

Carrot Canon
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

No one ever told me just how fun it was going to be having a boy. But, let me tell you... its pretty fun around here most of the time. His imagination runs in a way that the girls' don't. Its mechanical and constructive. Truly amazing.

He found the bulb to the medicine dropper this morning and played with it a while. What made him stick this baby carrot into it, I'll never know. But what happened was a whole lot of fun. Daddy and I both had to have a couple of turns launching the carrot... that sucker will go about 8-10 feet with a swift pop out of the bulb.

THIS is fun.

I Need A Class... Seriously.

2008-03-25T16:07:00.001-05:00

I Need A Class
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

The fuzziest, saddest "yarn" ever... if you can even call it that.

My girlfriend, Heather, Knittin' Pretty, who spins knows I'm interested in spinning "at some point" as I say... once the children are older. She is SUCH AN ENABLER! and has given me some roving, top and a spindle to play around with.

Its going to take some doing, but I will do it... one of these days. Its crazy how bad I am at this. But I have high hopes of taking a class one of these days, at The Mannings since they are so well known for teaching fiber arts and so close to me. Maybe once all the kiddos are in school.

I think the fact that it doesn't come natural to me, makes me want it all the more.

Chicken Pot Pie

2008-03-24T09:32:00.001-05:00

Chicken Pot Pie
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Last night's dinner.

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed
1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup frozen green peas
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
2/3 cup milk

about 2 cups biscuit dough... if you don't make homemade biscuits, you can use bisquick or canned biscuits

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C.)
In a saucepan, combine chicken, carrots, peas, and celery. Add water to cover and boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, drain and set aside.

In the saucepan over medium heat, cook onions in butter until soft and translucent. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and celery seed. Slowly stir in chicken broth and milk. Simmer over medium-low heat until thick. Remove from heat and set aside.

Roll out half the biscuit dough and put in the bottom of 9x9 casserole (greased). Spread the chicken and veggies out over the crust. Pour hot gravy mixture over it. Cover top crust with remaining rolled out biscuit dough.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until biscuit top is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Socks Of Kindness

2008-03-21T16:46:00.004-05:00

Yarn: Regia Nordic Color in blue/tan

At playgroup today I finished off my latest project and I love everything about my Socks Of Kindness designed by Chawne, one of my long-time and super inspiring flickr contacts.

I LOVE LOVE THEM! I think my favorite socks so far.

I like shorter socks so I did 4 repeats on the leg, took 5 repeats on the foot and they are a smidgen longer than they have to be... probably could have stopped with 4 and half repeats (I'm a size 7.5 shoe). These were such a fun knit, I might consider knitting the pattern again, perhaps as a gift.

Playdoh Shrimp

2008-03-20T15:56:00.001-05:00

Playdoh Shrimp
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Andrew is playing with Playdoh while Abi naps this afternoon. He hollared out to me while I sat here considering sock patterns on Ravelry, "mom are you hungry for shrimp?" I told him, "oh yes, shrimp would be great!" I had no idea he'd actually bring me shrimp!

The toothpicks are the "feet." of the shrimp. He said the head had been removed, but I had to peel it.

Funny boy.

Feeling blue-ish....Help me decide!!

2008-03-19T17:06:00.001-05:00

Feeling blue-ish....Help me decide
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

I can't decide what yarn to try next... haven't worked with either. Cherry Tree Hill in Blueberry Hill (probably Dublin Bay) OR Vesper in Afterglo (in a picot edge, basic stockinette sock).

What should I do?? Help!

Easter Snack

2008-03-19T11:02:00.001-05:00

Easter Snack
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Our contribution for Andrew's special snack at preschool today... Bird Nests. Rice Crispy treats shaped into little nests using a buttered icecream scoop, topped with 3 jelly-bean "eggs."

These are so fun and a big hit with the kiddos. They are especially delicious with the Jolly Rancher brand jelly beans.

Ballerina

2008-03-17T10:56:00.005-05:00

Ballerina
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

This dress has put in some time! I wish I had a picture of MG wearing it, but I don't. :( She used to flit around the house it it too. I've cleaned pudding and applesauce off the front and skirt several times. Still the old thing has held up pretty well.

I passed it on to Abi this weekend. She loves it and has worn it almost constantly since we've been home with a sick Andrew all weekend. She is a vision in it, just as her older sis was for so long.

It was my first ballet recital costume. Its a bit of a mixed bag... yellow satin and pom-poms, gold sequins and leopard printed velour. Egads! I wore it in two dances during the recital. I was some sort of cat... I can just barely remember. But it surely was fun!

This portrait was taken in the wings of the stage at the recital... about 30 years ago. I was probably 7 or 8 years old. In the old Central High School East auditorium.

I wonder how many times I performed on that stage between ballet performances, band competitions and choir competitions.

Off Track

2008-03-10T15:49:00.003-05:00

It seems like every spring... or just as spring is getting ready to win out over old man winter, I start getting that feeling that I need to re-evaluate. And sure enough, this March has brought about those thoughts. I've been ruminating about what I'm leaving undone some days and it makes me feel frustrated.

Its an unsettled feeling. Maybe blown in by the crazy winds we've been getting this week. I don't know. But I have that feeling now. Nine years ago when I got that feeling I was standing in my then-kitchen in Alabama. I was washing dishes and I got this sudden feeling that I was in someone else's life. "How did I get HERE?" was the question that ran through my head. I do have a different life now.. and I Know (1Co 13:12) how I got here and that this is the life that God has designed for me.

Yesterday I was reading some knitting blogs and of my favorites, Twisted Knitter, posted about feeling overwhelmed by some overwhelmed by some things on her own plate. I really was in tune with that piece of writing. Then today at the gym I was catching up on some old podcast episodes from Cast On by Brenda Dayne and she featured a song that stopped me in my tracks. Well almost... I mean, I was on the treadmill, I didn't stop moving but it stopped my brain for a bit and focused me on the message of the lyrics.

Lost My Way by Matthew Ebel (listen here)

"If I put off ’till tomorrow what I wanted yesterday
I’ll just sit here ’till the future come and slap me in the face.
If I don’t change my direction and I float out here in space
then you can’t say that I’ve ever lost my way."

And it got me to thinking. I'm not exactly a goal oriented person. I'm happy always letting things rock on by. When we used to sail in my first marriage, my favorite part wasn't the flying down the bay with the boat healed up on it's side, sails full of wind... it was anchored off mixing margaritas with friends.

Is that a bad thing? I don't know. Are we supposed to be striving all off the time? Because I'm not really. I have a different outlook. Aren't we supposed to be thankful for what we are given? That's how I was raised (more on that in an upcoming post).

There was a time when, as a mom and wife, I was more organized. When Andrew was an infant I was really on top of the house, the laundry, the meals. Then along comes Abi. I haven't done so well balancing two little ones along with all the rest of it. Just the other day I was telling Don about something I'd done and was really proud of. And he said, "yeah, since you got that Martha Stewart Living subscription you're really with it!" Of course he was poking fun at me... but he's right. I really let things go sometimes. I mean, not to the point of grime and chaos, but its not as good as it once was.

Is there a mix of the two that's more perfect? Am I letting too much go? Or if I'm more "with it" will I be one of those moms that misses the small things. Hmmm... gotta think. One thing is for sure, I'm not as focused on the housework thing as I should be. That's got to change. I need to find the flylady again.

I need to change my favorite color

2008-03-08T07:34:00.003-05:00

This will probably come as no surprise to those I knit with, but I was just studying my stash of sock yarn for what comes next after I finish my second Sock of Kindness. It dawned on me... every skein/hank/ball of yarn in my sock yarn stash has either raspberry pink, red, orange or brown in it.

I thought my favorite color was green! (scratches head)

I do love green, but I'm coming to realize I don't like to WEAR green. Apparently muted green is my favorite color for decorating (or so I think... I have no green walls in my home (scratches head again)... but I don't often wear green.

Hmmmm. I wonder what this means. My children may be devastated. There are certain constants in this life. Every night they sleep, they wake up to a new day. When they are hungry, there is a meal waiting. When they fall down, there is a hug waiting. And when they ask their mother what her favorite color, she ALWAYS says green.

What do I say NOW?

Falling Apart in my Old Age

2008-02-24T11:16:00.002-05:00

My mother used to say laughingly, when some new symptom of growing older showed up... "I'm falling apart in my old age." I am beginning to know what she meant.

My eyes have been bothering me a bit in the last year or so. It could be the hours of knitting but it most likely has to do with the fact that the big FOUR-ZERO is looming in a couple years. In just a few short weeks I'll be 38. I have noticed for a while now that my distant vision, when driving, is not as good as it once was. But that's no big deal, I can still see pretty well, I just have to wait until I'm a bit closer to read road signs but still within a safe distance. However, in the last six months or so I'm noticing that when I'm doing something like reading or knitting, up close, when I glance up at the kids or the TV its taking my eyes a long while to adjust. One day this week I looked up from some mail I was reading, as Andrew was calling me... and he had 3 heads for the couple of moments it took my eyes to adjust. Crazy!

So I made the call. Yesterday I had my eyes examined. Sure enough, I need glasses. And not just reading glasses, or driving glasses. Bifocals. BIFOCALS?!?! Yep. Apparently I have those up close issues and those distant issues. So I found myself in the optical department of Sears last night picking out glasses. And this is not an easy task. Glasses that must be worn all of the time have to be flattering, at the very least, and comfortable more importantly. This is hard!

So I picked them out.... my new eyes so to speak, better eyes even. They will be here in a few days. I wonder how I'll feel... how well they will work. How I'll adjust to lenses with different focus points for my same old eyes. We shall see.

Three Bean Tex-Mex Chili

2008-02-20T17:20:00.002-05:00

Ohhh man this is good. Hubby was on his second bowl before he realized there was no meat in it. Hahaha!

Three Bean Tex-Mex Chili...
adapted from a recipe in the Feb 2008 Martha Stewart Living

Ingredients:

1 lb dried pinto beans, rinsed, soaked and cooked until tender
14 oz black beans
14 oz kidney beans
1 tsp olive oil
1 c finely diced carrots
1/2 c chopped celery
1/2 c chopped onion
1 clove garlic
lg can crushed tomatoes
2 ancho peppers, diced (I hydrated 2 dried ones, used the liquid in the chili too)
1 bay leaf
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried cilantro
1 tsp salt (or to taste)

The night before, soak pintos.

Cook pintos (just covered in water) for 2 hrs, or until tender. Add the black beans and kidney beans. Dice and chop your veggies as directed from the ingredient list and sautee them until tender in the olive oil. Add them to the beans with the tomatoes, anchos and spices. Simmer for 1 hr or longer depending on the consistency you like.

You could use all canned or all dried beans, depending your your preference and time you have to prep. All canned would be fast and easy.

12 servings
Calories: 366
Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 219mg
Carbs: 67g
Fiber: 17g
Protein: 23g

Less of me, in more ways than one

2008-02-11T15:36:00.001-05:00

50 pounds!!
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

I'm celebrating the 50 pound mark here, and apologizing for being a poor blogger lately. I'll try to do better.

After 8 months of trying to get healthy, progress is really feeling good. I've stepped up exercizing in a big way but its time to make some more changes. Portion control is still working great, but I need to branch out. I'm starting to cook some new things, and in new ways, hoping the changes will be a really good long term step up for me and the fam. For example, I'm making chili tonight... its flipping cold! Instead of eating a small portion of my traditional chili (high salt, high fat), I'm trying a new 3 bean, low fat recipe.

I hope hubby likes it!!!

Butterfly

2008-01-14T15:40:00.001-05:00

Butterfly
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

We're working hard to fill long, cold wet winter days. A coffee filter butterfly is just the thing to brighten up a January afternoon.

Andrew and his butterfly.

1 coffee filter
1 pipe cleaner
water color paints or markers

Have your kiddo be creative with the paints or markers on a coffee filter. Put it on a saucer and flick it/spray it with water so the colors bleed. Hang it up until it dries and then bunch up the middle and twist the pipe cleaner on. You can even use a clothes pin if you don't have a pipe cleaner in the craft box.

45 lbs! Merry Christmas, Mom!

2007-12-08T14:36:00.001-05:00

45 lbs down
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

This is the first time I've allowed a full length picture of me to be seen in years. Maybe a couple decades even.

Mom always worried about my weight and though she didn't nag me, she did say she wanted me to try to get healthier for the children... to be around for them.
Merry Christmas, Mom! This is for you just as much as it is for myself, and my children.

Snow Shoveling

2007-12-05T15:10:00.001-05:00

Snow Shoveling
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Andrew was eager to get out after preschool today. Our first real snow so far this season. He grabbed the small shovel and went to work straight away. I'm so proud of him. Poor guy needs new snow pants. These are WAY too small... maybe 2 sizes too small... and snow boots. He's wearing rain boots and 3 pairs of socks! Hehee. But he was bound and determined to convince me he'd be ok.

I think he deserves a cup of cocoa and a coin for his piggy bank!

Abi in preschool?

2007-11-26T13:49:00.000-05:00

Eeek! Andrew's preschool director informed me last month that she's going to do a class, starting in January, for 2.5-3 year olds. It will run for the second half of the school year. She really wants Abi to attend. Honestly, she's been saying for Abi's whole life that she can't wait to get her hands on her. In the best way of course. ;)

So we decided to do it! She'll be going one morning a week from 9-11am, and I think my girlfriend K is going to enroll her daughter as well. So the gal-pals will have school together.

Its bittersweet though. I remember enrolling Andrew early... not even 3 yet, because Abi was born and he needed something new and exciting for just him. And here we are again. I guess when you look at it like that though, she's only starting at an age thats 5m younger than he did.

Wow. How does it all go by so fast?

Front Page!!

2007-11-24T08:54:00.001-05:00

Front Page
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

I'm on the front page! Crazy.

A couple of weeks ago, my SnB was interviewed as we knitted at Barnes & Noble. We knew the journalist was doing an article on younger knitters but we had no idea it would be a feature! On Thursday of that same week she sent a photographer! Here is the article as it appears in yesterday's paper.
Here is the write up as it appeared in the "Your Life" section of our local afternoon paper. On Tgiving weekend no less!

In The Loop

Several of us were quoted!

Mama and the Elves

2007-11-19T16:32:00.001-05:00

Mama and the Elves
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

A bit of early holiday cheer!! This is pretty fun... a friend sent me the link...

WATCH US DANCE: Mama and the Elves

You can make your own. Elf Yourself!

40 pounds!!

2007-11-16T15:05:00.001-05:00

40 pounds!!
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

I haven't said much here on my blog because I've been afraid to put it in print, but I've been working really hard on getting healthy. Afraid because I've just given up so many times before.

But. In early June I started walking with a friend, meeting her at the high school track at 6am so we could get a mile or two in before our husbands went to work. I also started eating more sensibly. Avoiding excessive processed and high-glycemic carbohydrates. As its gotten colder we moved to walking at the mall the last couple weeks. And the pounds have been slowly and steadily going away. 40 pounds now! In 5 months time.

Today, to celebrate reaching my 6 month goal more than a month early, I joined a small gym here locally. I did a little time on the treadmill today while Abi made herself with the childcare room, where she did great (of course). On Monday I'm going back for an orientation session with the trainer so I can learn to use all the machines and contraptions. I'm thrilled I'll be able to step it up a bit now.

Thanks to all of you who have encouraged, inspired and cheered me on! I can't do this without you! Mwah!

Pilgrim Hat Cookies

2007-11-16T12:33:00.001-05:00

Pilgrim Hat Cookies
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Today was Andrew's special sharing day at preschool. That means he gets to bring something special from home to share with his class. It can be a book, a toy... pretty much anything he wants to share with his friends. We can also bring a special snack.

I glanced at the calendar on the wall earlier in the week and noticed they would be having a lesson on Pilgrims today. So I came home and Googled "Thanksgiving Snacks" as well as brain stormed with my playgroup moms, and came up with these Pilgrims Hat Cookies.

Instead of buying the cookies, as the recipe suggests, Andrew and I went to work during Abi's nap yesterday and baked some chocolate brownie cookies. He loves working with me in the kitchen and it was nice to know what went into the cookies, and to have his expert help.

They turned out so cute and just perfectly yummy! I'm so glad we took the time to do something special.

Monkey Socks Complete!

2007-11-05T17:17:00.001-05:00

My creation
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

These yummy socks took a while with a long hiatus in the middle. Just as I finished the first one I cast on a couple Christmas knitting projects. But I pushed and got them finished this weekend.

They feel SO good, though I do wish I'd chosen size 1 dpns instead of 2s. They are not TOO loose, but they are definitely roomier than I'm used to. Though my last Socks that Rock yarn did draw up a bit upon washing, so maybe they will turn out perfect in the end.

I love the fall colors of the Cracked Canyon colorway. The pattern was way easier than I'd anticipated. I thought they would be SO hard. But its true as knitters say... there really are only 2 stitches to learn... the knit stitch and the purl stitch. Its all just what you do with them.

Yarn: Socks That Rock in Cracked Canyon, medium weight
Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A, from Knitty

Fall Into Fitness

2007-11-03T14:54:00.001-05:00

We Finished
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

I can hardly believe it! I walked in a 5K race today! I did it! I finished and wasn't even last (barely). LOL

My friends and I got up early and braved the cold this morning to Fall Into Fitness at Overlook Park. There were lots of power runners present and others like ourselves, just begging to get healthier. It was a lot of fun, and loads of laughs. Good thing we can laugh at ourselves!

My goals were to a) finish and b) finish in under an hour. I did both! Walking all summer, my friend and I had been averaging between 20-24m a mile and I wanted to do the 5K (3.1 miles) in under sixty minutes. I finished in 55:44. Pretty sad if you look at it from a true runner's prospective, but pretty darn good if you look at it from where I was early summer.

I'm so glad I did it. I can't wait to do it again!

Siblings Are Great

2007-11-02T15:38:00.001-05:00

Reading Curious George
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Just a couple moments from our days this week. As Abi gets more and more verbal her relationship with her brother is getting more and more special. Andrew is so good about sharing things with her. Yesterday he wanted to read to Abi and he picked out a set of Curious George books my grandmother gave him several years ago.

Today they are in the kitchen playing with the Marble Run that suction-cups to the side of the refrigerator. Andrew asked me to put it up while she napped and then pulled a stool up for her as soon as she woke up. He loves playing with Abi. She loves doing everything Andrew does.

I love that they get along so well. There is only one thing missing... and she starts with MG.

Andrew and Jack

2007-10-29T13:45:00.001-05:00

Andrew and Jack
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Andrew painted this pumpkin at a birthday party last weekend. He decided that it was the one (of the 4 on the front porch) that he wanted to carve. My boy does NOT like messy jobs like this, but he was a willing sport.

We found a fun website on Better Homes & Garden's site that lets you pick your pumpkin face then print out the template. So this guy is totally designed by Andrew.

After we finished Jack up and put him out on the porch, we toasted pumpkin seeds with olive oil, Worcestershire sauce and garlic salt. Makes me think of my mom. She always looked forward to nibbling on the pumpkin seeds.

Miss you mom.

Cables To Frog

2007-10-28T12:05:00.001-05:00

Cables To Frog
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Well, with good intentions I cast on a sock for hubby, trying cables for the first time. I love the look of this, a simple 8/10 cable repeat 6 times over 72 stitches. BUT... the cables, making it not-so-stretchy, are keeping it from going over his foot. So... back to the drawing board.

He's napping now but I'm going to consult him if he wants the same sock with 2 more cable repeats OR if he likes the look of this Gentlemen's Sock by Designedly,Kristi... we shall see.

The yarn is Trekking, ProNatura in chestnut... trying 2 circs for the first time. So far so good!

Crock Lovin'

2007-10-27T07:27:00.001-05:00

Crock Lovin'
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

In a house with small children, you never know what you'll find when you turn the corner.

Now. How these two ended up like this, I have no idea. But when Don walked in on them in the bathroom the other day, you can see that they were just as suprised as he was when he captured them in their moment together.

Really guys? Right there in the middle of the pony-tail holders?

Andrew is 5!!

2007-10-22T06:45:00.001-05:00

Veggie Tales Cake
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Click HERE to see a slideshow of all the birthday pictures.

Happy Birthday to my Andrew, who turned 5 yesterday. Where has the time gone? I just can't believe it.

We celebrated with a back yard full of about 30 friends and a Veggie Tales theme on Saturday. It was beautiful weather for October so we just let the kids play while the adults chatted. I made a pot full of chili, pasta salad, veggies for dipping and some snacks for the kids. We finished off with a Bob and Larry cake, that I made as per Andrew's request.

Andrew got lots of crafty presents, DVDs, playsets, Planet Heros and a new Hot Wheels bike! He was thrilled with each gift he recieved. He said to me yesterday that he wants to have a thankful heart about his birthday presents and not just be happy to get more stuff. Seems that Madame Blueberry Veggie Tales movie is sinking in. Hooray!

Click HERE to see a slideshow of all the birthday pictures.

Papaw and Nayna Visit

2007-10-19T14:30:00.001-05:00

Papaw Nayna Abigayle
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Click HERE to see more!

We've had a great week of family time. Dad and Dana made a trip to see fall foliage and grand babies! They drove the length (south to north) of West Virginia and caught the leaves through the senic passes in peak. They also made a trek up into NY state, to the town of Oxford, to do some poking around and look for some info on dad's ancestors. Then they came down to our house and visited for 3 days. We enjoyed them for dinner on Sunday night, then all day Monday and most of the day Tuesday.

Dana has fallen in LOVE with Roots. They went home with the car packed full of goodies. But not straight home! When I spoke to them on Thursday morning, they had taken the Blue Ridge Parkway for more than 250 miles of sight seeing on Wednesday and were on their way to Gatlinburg, TN... and weren't sure when they might make it back to Alabama, or where they might stop on the way!!

I'm so glad they came. It gave Don and Andrew a chance to meet our new grandmother, as dad remarried this summer. And we are all truly in love with Nayna (Dana). What a wonderful woman. I'm not sure how my dad managed to have someone as wonderful as my mother love him for 42 years and now after her passing, find another woman that is so kind and generous. Most people don't find that even once in a whole lifetime. He's a very blessed, and pretty special, guy.

Whole Haul from Stitches East 2007

2007-10-14T09:56:00.001-05:00

Whole Haul from Stitches East 2007
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.
Click the picture to see the details!!

Hooray for a Saturday full of friends, shopping, yarn, knitting and great food!

Yesterday 4 knitting friends and I ventured down to Baltimore for Stitches East 2007. We met at Bob Evans for a delicious breakfast at 7am. We were on the road, headed down to meet a 6th friend, by 8:15am. It was a seamless journey until we hit the the Baltimore Marathon road closures around inner harbor. That was not a surprise though, as we had anticipating it. With a few detours, and some creative driving on my part, we found our favorite parking garage next door to the Baltimore Convention Center by 9:40am. We hurried over and got our tickets and made it to the door to be some of the first shoppers in at 10am. Weee!

My haul as pictured above:
Market Guide
2 Addi Turbos, US#1 in 16" and 20" to try socks on 2 circs
Adorable knitting magnet for the Mama Van from Uncommon Threads
3 hanks of STR (Faulty Dyer, Jonagold & Pink Granite)
1 hank of Cherry Tree Hill (Earth)
Trekking Pro Natura (Brown)
Regia 4 fadig (Blues/Browns)
Regal worsted by Briggs Little and dragon fly button for a Lucy Bag - already started

PLUS yarn for my Secret Spook Exchange with my local SnB

After a fulfilling day of shopping, spending and giggling, we finished our trip with a delcious meal at Carrabas in Hunt Valley, MD on the way home. Ahhh... it was a lovely and FULL day.

Blue Ribbon Socks!!

2007-10-10T10:05:00.001-05:00

Blue Ribbon Socks!!
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Inspired by my girlfriend, Alyssa, I entered some knitting in the Manheim Farm Show Fancy Work competition. I was so proud to learn that Don's Lozenge socks won 1st place in the adult sock category and Abi's hoodie won 2nd place in the children's sweater category.

The Show is this week and the kids have really enjoyed spending time over there, just a couple blocks from our house. We've already been twice and have plans to go back today and at least one more time before it concludes on Friday. Tonight is the big Farm Show Parade that we look forward to every year. Its not fall until Farm Show time!

Click here to enjoy all our Farm Show pictures.

Injured Leaf

2007-09-30T08:46:00.001-05:00

Injured Leaf
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Andrew found this turning maple leaf yesteday and brought it in to me. He loved the vibrant yellow but as we inspected it together I noticed that the leaf was damaged and had dried and browned in that area. Around the damage there was a halo of red. I almost couldn't believe my eyes. It looked just like a scab on Andrew's knee. Brown scab, redness surrounding it. Amazing really. He thought that was super cool.

I love that Andrew looks forward to fall. I'm sure it has much to do with an October birthday, but he really loves the change of the season. He loves being able to get back outside after the heat is gone. And I do to. I always hope for a long fall and we are really getting a heaping-helping of great days right now. As we kiss September goodbye today, we are hoping for a mild October full of days like we've had.

The Trike Girl - Riding is SERIOUS

2007-09-28T07:23:00.001-05:00

The Trike Girl - Riding is SERIOUS
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

This girl can peddle!! I'm so proud of Abi, she's such a self starter. Peddling came at age 3.5 for Andrew and Mary Grace really never mastered the bike. Abi hopped on this little trike last week and after 3-4 days of pushing it with her feet she decided to try peddling. And it was just that easy.

We've had a long string of beautiful days in the last few weeks and we've been outside for hours and hours on end. I suppose time behind the wheel has everything to do with mastering these kinds of things. She has certainly used her time wisely.

We actually have a small 12" bicycle for her and I think she could probably peddle it. But its on loan to Andrew at the moment... he finally wore his bike out last week. To many skid marks on the sidewalk wore through the rubber... then the threads. Finally he was down to the tube and that was it for the back tire. His birthday is in 4 weeks, so he'll get a new, bigger-boy, bike for his birthday. We'll have to put the training wheels back on Abi's bike and let her take it for a spin.

Why do kids have to grow up SO stinkin' fast? It pains me to see her grow so fast, but I'm super proud of my baby girl.

Monthly Dishcloths

2007-09-24T13:07:00.001-05:00

Monthly Dishcloths
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Its been a few months since I updated on the dishcloth knit-a-long that my local knitting group is doing.

Top Right is the Stepped Ridge pattern in Sugar n Cream Stripes, American Stripes.

Top Left is the Pebble Stitch pattern in Sugar n Cream, Lavendar and White.

Bottom is the Bambo Variation patter in Peaches n Cream, Seaside (I think).

LCMK is 5!!!

2007-09-23T20:59:00.001-05:00

Founding Members
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

View the slide show:
LCMK's 5th Anniversary Picnic

Goodness, I can barely believe it. The small group of 12-15 women that started in September of 2002... when I was pregnant with Andrew... has grown to a group of over 40 strong and wonderful women. Plus all of our families. It makes me teary.

We've been through so much in that time. From a meager start of one playgroup per week. To what is now practically a 5 day, 2 night offering of activities per week. Just amazing. I'm so proud of each and every member.

There has been a lot of water under the bridge. Some bright and sparkling, some brown and murky. But most of us have stuck it out, worked through the tough moments and hung in there for the sake of our children. What a blessing for everyone involved.

Pictured above are me, Keir and Heather... all founding members. To see the slide show of the 5th anniversary picnic held today, click here LCMK's 5th Anniversary Picnic. A huge group of us met today for a cookout, playtime, arts and crafts, face painting, bubbles and a pinata party. Woowoo! What a great way to celebrate on a perfect day.

I wish my mom could see these. She met and heard about so many of these fantastic women and children. I hope she was looking down today enjoying it too.

Hooded Sweater Complete

2007-09-16T15:19:00.001-05:00

Hooded Sweater Complete
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Yay! Abi's little top-down hoodie is all done! The yarn was a dream to work with and the pattern works up super fast. I just adore it and so does she!

This picture makes me misty eyed... she looks so much like mom.

Can you guess what this is?

2007-09-16T15:05:00.001-05:00

Do you know?
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Look closely... salivating yet? I am!

Its one of my favorite foods in the whole world. I can barely get my hands on it up here, above the Mason Dixon line. One of my mommy group friends brought it to me yesterday. I could just kiss her!!!

Its okra! I washed it, sliced it and blanched it right away. I have a big old ham steak waiting to go with some fried okra and biscuits.

Its a good day.

Andrew Gets A Duck Call

2007-09-16T14:50:00.001-05:00

and a valuable moment with someone going the extra mile.

It is a beautiful day this fine Sunday and we had several options of how to spend it. We finally settled on going to the Middle Creek Wildlife Conservation Area in Kleinfeltersville, PA for a nature art show. We enjoyed a spectacular demonstration of hunting dogs that were retrieving ducks and taking direction from their trainers. These animals are truly amazing. We saw so many beautiful paintings, carvings and decoys and got to talk to people in the waterfowl conservation world.

The highlight of our day was when we were at the Susquehanna River Waterfowl Association's booth. Andrew and Abi were mesmerized by the duck calling demonstration. With stars in his eyes, Andrew said, "I wish I had one of those!" One of their members jumped right on that opportunity to give him a duck call and teach him how to use it. Andrew was thrilled and was surprisingly good at it! It was a blessing to see his enthusiasm met by this man's desire to teach him.

I'm so glad we decided to go. The weather and family time could not have been more perfect. I wish every day was paced so slowly and filled with together time.

Click HERE to view all of the picture from Middle Creek.

I've been blog linked

2007-09-15T06:48:00.000-05:00

What a nice treat... I'm very flattered. Homemadeoriginals, one of my flickr contacts, contacted me about using one of my pumpkin blossom pictures on her blog. She wants to start a Friday Favorites sort of thing and post about her favorite picture from her flickr contacts each week. I had the honor of being the first!!!

You can see her post here: Home Made Originals.

Memories Bowl

2007-09-14T13:33:00.001-05:00

Memories Bowl
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

This was a 2006 project... I knitted 3 of these Memories Felted Bowls for Christmas last year. As I walked past mine today, I realized I'd never taken pictures of it because I didn't want to reveal them last year before gift giving time.

It was a fun knit, much like painting or making pottery, as you control the color as you knit down the bowl. Its a sock weight yarn, held doubled as you knit in the round. Super cool. The turn is achieved by knitting one purl bump then beginning the decreases. I stretched it over a round glass water pitche to get the nice clean shape.

The pattern calls for the Knitpicks yarn, Memories, hence the pattern name. But I wasn't too keen on any of the colorways so I searched out another yarn, which was discontinued, but I found it on Ebay. Its called Lanscapes and is a very similiar yarn to Memories... also 100% merino and felts up so nice.

Yarn: Landscapes in Mesa from Knitpicks (discontinued)
Pattern: Memories, felted bowls from Knitpicks

Fairy Pumpkin

2007-09-14T09:08:00.001-05:00

Fairy Pumpkin
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Have I ever mentioned how great my neighbors are??

The pumpkin fairy has been to visit this week. I am not sure which neighbor it is, I have 2 in mind, but one placed a small, beautiful pumpkin underneath our pumpkin vines in the last couple days. We have a monster plant out back but so far its been fruitless. That beautiful blossom and baby pumpkin in my photostream from last week rotted off into the grass. I'm assuming its the wet weather we've had.

I've been worried that Andrew may not get a pumpkin from this summer-long project and was talking to the neighbors about it, on and off as they commented about our monster vines out back. One of them decided to take the matter into their own hands... on my children's behalf. I love that. I love that people do still care these days. And I love my neighbors.

Andrew hasn't seen it yet. Its very hard to wait. (bites nails)

One Monkey Down... some knitting progress

2007-09-10T14:53:00.001-05:00

One Monkey Down
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

I've been working a little, all along on 3 separate projects. The Monkey socks in STR Cracked Canyon are halfway done. I've cast on the second sock but its just been sitting since before my trip to Alabama last week (more on that in another post). I'm loving the crazy pooling and electric colors though. I can't wait to get them done for our first fall cool snap that should arrive in just a few weeks.

Also, I have Don's second Lozenge sock on the needles finally, after a break this summer. I put the project aside to work on some summer projects but have it back on the front burner as cool weather approaches. They are in Lornas Laces, Shepard Sport, the colorway is Aslan.

And finally, Abi's hoodie for fall is almost done! One arm to go! I'm hoping to finish this up tonight! Yay! Is such a super fit and the fabric is just to die for. Thanks go out to my good friend, E, for finding this pattern in a LYS. Hooray!

Super Andrew

2007-09-09T09:12:00.001-05:00

Super Andrew
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Here is my little man modeling his Halloween costume a little early. Yes, I said Halloween! For those of you who know us, you know we've not participated in Halloween in the past because of our beliefs and desires to abstain from things we feel are openly evil. But all it took was Andrew, after handing out candy last year, saying, "Daddy, I'd really like to dress up next year and go trick-or-treating."

Daddy is a softy and he can see, now, the fun and childish side of Halloween. We are not of this world, but we do have to live in it, as the Avalon song, In Not Of, says. I must confess, I'm thrilled... THRILLED... that the kids will be dressing up and going out. I have very fond childhood memories of Halloween growing up. My big bubba, Randy, was a holiday decorating extraordinaire. And although we won't be putting any tombstones in our yard or hanging ghosts from trees, we can enjoy the lighter side through our children's eyes.

I'm very happy about it.

Sizing Up The Top Down Hoodie

2007-08-26T09:37:00.001-05:00

Sizing Up The Top Down Hoodie
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

This morning Abi tried on her Artyarns Little Hooded Top Down Sweater in Supermerio #127 for the first time. It seems like the perfect fit, in size 4, for outerwear this fall. Weee! I'm so happy with it.

I'm working on the trim on the bottom now, splitting off into front and back to make the side vents and garter finishing. Then I'll pick up the sleeves on dpns and knit them down. That should go fairly quickly since they only have about 7 inches left for each. Then its seaming the hood (THAT'S THE ONLY SEAMING... I love this pattern!!!) and weaving in ends.

Family

2007-08-26T07:24:00.001-05:00

The Could Be Siblings
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

We had a lovely visit with family last week. Don's sister came for a visit from Ohio, staying with their parents. Me and the kids had a nice day catching up and enjoyed lunch with them while Don was working. Then they came over for a visit at our house for a short while, then we all went out for dinner at Willow Valley Family Restaurant. Its a nice smorgasboard here in our area.

The kids really enjoyed the visit. Andrew is drawn to our neice, Grace, and completely dotes on her. It makes my heart swell. And the just look SO much alike to me, they could be siblings instead of cousins. I wish he had a chance to see them more often. Travel is so hard... for everyone really.

Abi really had a great time getting to know her Aunt Linda. They shared some sweet moments together, including this time drawing for each other on the magnadoodle. Super fun.

Etsy Love for Knittin' Pretty

2007-08-21T06:53:00.001-05:00

My SnB girlfriend, Heather, has been only been spinning since May-ish and has really found her gift. She has been working on some lovely yarns and just opened her Etsy store, Knittin' Pretty.

I'm just so proud of her! When the woman decides to try something new, she does it with a passion. I plan on asking Santa for something exquisite from her very own hands. IF I can be lucky enough to time it right... something tells me her yarns are going to be flying out of her Etsy shop.

Congrats and good luck, Heather! Your yarns are just lucious!

Heather at Maryland Sheep & Wool 2007
with some of her first fiber purchases.

A Day At Overlook

2007-08-19T08:49:00.001-05:00

CLICK TO SEE SLIDESHOW
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

We found a fantastic new park, less than 5 miles from home. Its brand spanking new, not even landscaped yet for the most park, and its PEFECT for Andrew's age at the moment. We'll be frequenting it over and over. There are 2 play areas and this huge rope mountain maze you see above, as well as rocks and rock walls to climb. Ultra nifty and every 4 year old's dream!!!

Don chased Abi around a good bit while she enjoyed the play and I sat and knit a bit in the beautiful sunshine and cool breeze. I love family Saturdays. Heck, I just love my family.

Click the picture to see a slideshow of our day there.

Monkey Cracked Canyon

2007-08-12T14:28:00.001-05:00

Monkey Cracked Canyon
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Socks That Rock got 7 votes, and Cracked Canyon got 4 votes specifically... plus it is Andrew's fave.

So Cracked Canyon it is... I cast on (size 2 dpns) the Monkey sock by Cookie from knitty.com. I've been eyeing it up for a long while and decided to give it a go. I'm 2 repeats of the lace detail into the leg and LOVING IT. Here is the WIP resting atop my hand wound center pull cake. This lace pattern that seemed very intimidating is WAY easier that I'd guessed, and I'm very pleased at how its knitting up in this autumn colored yarn.

I originally started this sock on size 0s Friday evening while watching The Weatherman with Nicholas Cage (most depressing movie I've ever seen, don't bother). On Saturday some of my SnB girlfriends and I spent the day at the Mannings in East Berlin, PA... the closest thing to a yarn mecca I've ever seen.

We sat out in the cool breeze, with the heat wave FINALLY breaking, under the pines and knit, seriously, all day long. With fun conversations, yummy snacks and serious yarn shopping at hand it was simply a slice of heaven. I knit on this sock, along with Abi's hoodie, through the day, only to find out that the darn thing was too small. So a frogging I went and ripped it all out this morning with the kids in my lap and coffee in hand. I bumped up to size 2 dpns (just what the pattern called for... yeah, smack me on the head) and its been smooth sailing all day. The stitches are much easier to get into on 2s, so its moving super fast now. And I'm loving it!!

September IS around the corner... they will be done just in time for hayrides and pumpkin patches. Ahhh, I can already smell the season coming.

Ahh... to be a squirrel

2007-08-09T15:40:00.001-05:00

The Squirrels Will Be Happy
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

We were at Don's parents over the weekend and out playing with the children... I happened to notice how large the acorns are this summer. Astounding really, because its been a pretty dry for several months now.

The trees are really laden with nuts... a good year to be a squirrel I suppose. They should be fat and happy all winter. I think the old wives tail says this means a lot of snow.

Snow would be great right now. The heat index today was over 100 degrees farenheit. (faint)

Sock Stash... HELP ME!!

2007-08-05T14:00:00.001-05:00

Sock Stash... HELP ME!!
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Help me decide which socks will be next! I want to do them all NOW!!! but I must choose.

Which would you reach for FIRST?? L to R:

Vesper in Afterglo
Regia in Rio Red, self striping
Cherry Tree Hill (cake) color unknown
Lorna's Laces in Vera
STR in Farmhouse
STR in Flourite
STR in Cracked Canyon

Little Hooded Top Down Sweater WIP

2007-08-05T13:32:00.001-05:00

Little Hooded Top Down Sweater WIP
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

I cast on for a fall/spring lightweight hoodie for Abi this week.

My girlfriend knit this adorable hooded sweater for he son in the spring and I was so smitten with the deliciousness of Artyarns SuperMerino she was using I quickly found some things to sell on Ebay so I could generate some paypal. LOL

I snagged this gorgeous yarn from Sarah's Yarns (gotta love Sarah's deals), color #127 in muted pinks and limes so I could make the same sweater for my Abigayle. I'm about 5 inches into the hood, knitting the size 4 so she can wear it as a top outer layer, and I just can't get enough of it!

I can't wait to see my girly sporting this sweater once the weather cools down.

Regia and Pumpkins

2007-08-05T08:17:00.001-05:00

Regia and Pumpkins
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

I'm all done with my consolation socks, after loosing a zipper bag containing my Peaks and Valleys socks between a playdate and home (don't ask... maybe they fell out of my purse?).

I cast on these Regia sport weight 6fadig Crazy Color #5264 Lettuce in a simple 56 stitch, double ribbed socks just 2 weeks ago. I wasn't so sure when I started how I'd like the sport weight sock, but they are so yummy and delicious and promise to keep my tootsies warm around the house when the cold sets in in the late fall. Hopefully I'll be wearing them when these pumpkins are ready to pick and decorate my front porch in October.

Andrew's fall pumpkin, which he decided not to carve, from last year gave us a back garden nook full of vines and the bees are super busy pollenating the blooms. COME ON GUYS... grow us some lucious pumpkins!!!

Andrew's Marigolds

2007-06-30T12:32:00.001-05:00

Andrew's Marigolds
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

This is a follow up to a previous post (Marigold Class Project) to report that Andrew's seedling marigolds have grown in to the most beautiful pot full of orange marigolds. ORANGE! His favorite color. He could not be happier.

I am so proud of him. The make our porch cheery and greet us with a smile each time we go out.

Willamsburg Vacation 2007

2007-06-30T12:28:00.001-05:00

Prisoners
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

We've been home almost a week now and we're still recovering from our summer vacation. It takes a week to get ready, a week to be gone and a week to recoup when you go away.

All very much worth it however as we all thoroughly enjoyed every moment of our trip down to Willamsburg, VA last week. We had intended on spending some time at Colonial Willamsburg, but the kids were just so smitten with Busch Gardens and Water Country, USA that we decided to put the historical portion on hold until Abi and Andrew are a bit older. No one felt slighted however... it was a total blast.

Both parks are designed with family in mind with plenty for the little ones, like Abi and Andrew, to keep busy with while the older ones have 5 of the most fantstic roller coasters around to keep them spinning. Including the brand new Griffon, which opened last month, the world's tallest dive coaster sending the riders on a 205 ft plunge straight toward the ground. Mary Grace just loved all of them as well as the water rides and virtual 4D rides. So much fun.

You can view all of our vacation pictures by clicking here.

The Monica, a pattern from Knitty.com

2007-06-15T12:52:00.001-05:00

Abi in the Monica from Knitty - Back
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Abi, modeling her new haltar top that I knitted for summer. Its a little big to grow into but better big than small I suppose. I really liked this quick knit and altared it to knit in the round instead of 2 pieces... it just made sense to do it this way.

Pattern: The Monica by Knitty
Yarn: Shine Worsted from KnitPicks in Sunflower and Watermelon

Also completed last week, the june knit along discloth: Baby Fern Stitch from Dishcloth Boutique in Sugar'nCream, over the Rainbow.

Sunday Morning Picasos

2007-06-03T09:24:00.001-05:00

Sunday Morning Picasos
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

My 3 this morning, painting with water colors. The action starts early over here. Andrew wanted to paint, then MG joined in. Of course little bit couldn't be left out. There were some tense moments when colors got mixed, but no one came to blows thankfully. We did suffer one fat lip when Abi stood up and then fell off her chair. But she's a trooper and has already forgotten about it.

Abi: Cars picture of Sally and Lightening McQueen
Mary Grace: Bratz dolls (cringe)
Andrew: 2 Buzz Lightears from TS2... his current fascination

Terrible lighting, but the moment was to beautiful not to share. These 3 on the same task at once is a miracle in itself!

My first Project Spectrum inspiration...Complete!!!

2007-06-01T06:53:00.001-05:00

Summer Cotton Low Roll Sock Complete
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

I pushed myself to finish these summer cotton socks as part of Lolly's Project Spectrum II. The colors for project inspiration during the months of April and May were pink-green-yellow. I had this yarn, from my birthday yarn extravaganza, and it fit, perfectly incorporating all three colors. Hooray!

A pair of socks in two weeks seems like a real accomplishment to this mom of three, so pardon my pat on the back. Its so nice to set a goal for yourself, even if it is a small one, and succeed. Funny how a simple pair of knitted socks can make you feel so fulfilled.

But enough about me... the socks!!! The pattern is a simple 64 stitch cast on, fingering weight on size 1 double pointed needles, slip/knit heel picking up 17 for each side of the gusset. I adapted the rolled top from a pattern in Knit Socks! by Betsy McCarthy. The yarn is cotton from Norway by SandesGarn, Mandarin #2406, SO soft and luxurious. They are the perfect sock for summer heat and for wearing with Crocs. These happen to match 2 pairs of my own. Weeee!

All that said, there is something troubling me. I finished these socks yesterday, May 31st... the last day of this color triad for Project Spectrum II... and wore them to my knitting circle last night. I was showing them to two friends and of course they were happy for me... its what we knitters do. When another knitter, who is a bit on the fringes of our group (hasn't come very often, hasn't made an effort to really get to know anyone) asked, "you're wearing socks?" with a bit of a snarky face. I replied, "yes, I knit them in light cotton, just for the summer. She let out this most evil laugh and tossed head back, "socks in summer? hahahahahhahahaha!" I was floored. First of, I know I'm not the only person that puts socks on in the summer time occasionally, BUT that someone who is coming to socialize and supposedly strike a common chord with a group of women would be so rude to belittle another person. And openly, for crying out loud!! It was quite possibly the most eye-opening event of recent days for me, regarding the spirit of some people.

Many of us in our very small SnB have tried hard to get to know her, and have been hurt by her snide personality on several occasions. It just makes me sad that someone can be so cruel and manipulative. Its a good thing I'm a fairly confident kind of gal... or she would have crushed me like a bug! Perhaps that was her intent. What a meanie!

She's Growing Up

2007-05-30T18:15:00.001-05:00

Watching Little Sis
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

I often ask myself how I can possibly have three children. I was SO done when Mary Grace was born. I was in my mid-twenties and deep in a career and a social life. Having a baby really threw me for a loop. I knew immediately I didn't want any more.

Fast forward 11 years. My baby girl, precious and perfect, is racing toward adulthood, more than halfway there now. (tears) How can Mary Grace be 11? And how can it be that I have two more children now? I mean really, how can all of this be?

I was just saying to Don that she is becoming more graceful, after a few years of tween clumsiness due to radical growth spurts. She's looking more proportional to me, more and more lady-like.

Of course and I type this, she's upstairs playing with her two younger siblings, laughing hysterically and squealing. There is still a lot of kid left in her... but less that I'm comfortable admitting.

She's growing up. How does that happen?

Bucket Back Sack

2007-05-27T08:37:00.001-05:00

Bucket Back Sack
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.
Pattern: Felted Bucket Bag
Yarn: Debbie Bliss SoHo

For Christmas, I knitted this Bucket Bag for Mary Grace. I never did get a picture in the chaos that was going on with the holiday and mom's passing.

So here it is now. I adore how she's personalized it with her softball photo keychair... she played outfield for the Summerdale Cardinals this spring. *big proud mama grin*

I added the single strap to turn it into an over the shoulder backsack. This was the start of it, way back in November: