Butterfly

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!

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

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?

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!!

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

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!!

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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'

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!!

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

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

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!!

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

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

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.