My baby turns one

I have to admit it now that my baby has turned one.  It has been a hard week for me.  I refused to sing him early "Happy Birthday" or talk about "exciting" a birthday is. 

I just didn't want to admit it.  I still don't.  I can't believe my baby Logan is one.  I had planned on putting a sweet blog about him followed by a series of pictures but that would have admitted defeat so I just couldn't do it. 

Instead I'll share some of pictures from today.  Yesterday was the "big day" and we didn't do much but eat Mexican.  Afterall, the person who birthed him 365 days ago needed comfort food-in the form of cheese and tortilla chips.  Oh, and ice cream too. 

Today we had (another) little party for him and he ate his ceremonial cake.  It was a sight to be seen.

The boys decided that cupcakes are what he wanted.  So cupcakes it was!  They picked out Winnie the Pooh liners since we always call him "the bear" or "Logiebear".  They also decorated them and were inspired by a new library book, Cupcake. 

Doesn't that look good?  My mother immediately claimed that  yellow one as hers. 

They set the table for him

 

He got down to his underclothes

 

After his lunch of steak, aspargus, and beans, he was sung to and given his cupcake.  Do you think he needs a nap?  Look at that look of death if anyone dares to take that away.

Then, he INHALED it.  It went up to his mouth and never came down until it was done.  It was a sight to behold.  Not a crumb was left unless it was stuck to his face.  He was suffocating in cupcake and loving every minute of it.

After making us, my parents included, laugh so hard our sides hurt, Mason had to make us laugh some more.  Mason is just Mason.  He is hard one to describe!

Logan didn't get a ton of presents because he really needs hardly anything being the third boy in 4 years.  He did get a new ride on toy from my parents.  He DID need this according to Mason who wouldn't quit playing with it.

How cool it is being one. 

Just not for his mother who is crying in the corner curled into a ball.

Trunk Show

Last evening, I had the pleasure of attending a trunk show and book signing of knitwear designer, Stephen West.  It was held at my local yarn store, Klose Knits, and was really sweet and fun.  Stephen, and his charming mother, came from Chicago area on the train along with a suitcase of woolly goodness.  All around the show room Stephen had his knits from both Westknits Book 1 and 2 as well as other pattern singles.  It was so great to actually see and feel the samples, try them on, and get a feel for their incredible and intricate or simple construction.

I have a lot of ideas.  That might not be a good thing.

Stephen was very sweet and humble and I was a little pathetically star struck.  I asked him to pick out yarn for a project from his new book, West Knits 2 - Transatlantic, and he happily obliged.  He choose some great Blue Sky Alpaca yarn which I am quite a fan of in pretty naturals.  I just made a Norie hat from the same base/weight and it is great to use.  I'll have to save this special project for after the Easter season as I have some special little knits I really need to do.  I think it will be great to knit the Transatlantic as the weather warms and a lighter, more complicated project is what I need. 

I really wanted to finish a West Knits project (well another one) to wear to the show.  I worked on my Pansy Clockwork every second I could get.  My children did not help in this task - really, how many times is a dog's dish of water fun to play in?  Hundreds of times to a almost one year old.

But, obsessive knitters do prevail!  I had to blow it dry after blocking, while holding said naughty baby, and managed to get it just right to wear.  Aren't we cute!  He put his one so we could match.

Ah, the little things in life - makes a knitter quite happy.

I must go knit some more.

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

 

following Soulemama's weekly moment

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I'll be back later today to post about my trunk show visit and meeting of knitwear designer, Stephen West.

Yarn Along Wednesday

Joining Ginny for another Yarn Along where we share our current knits and reads...

taken at night - color not very accurate

Last week I was feverishly working on my Harvest Moon cardi knit.  I finished it and am so pleased on how it turned out!  It was a lot to knit and more work than I was anticipating but really fun to figure out.  Plus, I loved the yarn which makes every knit just that much more engaging. 

This week I am feverishly working on a Clockwork scarf/shawl by a desinger I'm going to meet for a book signing and trunk show. I'm a bit excited about it. I do have other knits that I've knitted by him, but I "needed" something new and more spring like.  I've had the yarn for this pattern for a couple of months and this was the perfect opportunity for me to knit it.  I love green and purple together.  It is a bit tedious with 270+ sts per row but I'm sure it will be worth it in the end.  I just hope I can finish it in time! 

I've decided that my previous read, Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, is just not working for me.  Just not my taste. Where is the hero?  The epic romance?  Mr. Darcy?  So, to fill my time while I knit away, I've taken the advice from Like Mother, Like Daughter's Yarn Along post, and am reading (or listening to) Lark Rise to Candleford.  Oh. My. I love it.  Even though it isn't a "story", I just love it.  I love to read about that time before everything became so mechanical, mass produced, and when artisians were appreciated for their necessity towards their community.  I'll probably listen to it twice. 

a bit more accurate color

Looking forward to seeing more Yarn Alongs!

Sweet and Smokey Soup

Soup was on again yesterday.  With it raining most of the day and being that wet-cold-yuck, hot soup and homemade bread sounded quite lovely.

Since I didn't plan this meal in advance, I had to use what I had on hand (i.e. no cream!!).  It still was good and yummy and used some frozen leftovers which I'm always glad to get out of the way.

Sweet and Smokey Soup

2 peeled sweet potatoes
1 med. onion
3 stalks celery
2 cloves garlic
1 stick butter
2 cups chicken stock
2 tsp poultry seasoning
1 tsp salt
1 seeded chipolte pepper in sauce, seeded
1 cup sour cream
1 cup milk
1.5 cups cooked shredded turkey breast
1.5 cups gouda cheese


Peel and chop potatoes, boil until tender, drain and set aside.  Chop onion, celery, and garlic and saute until tender and onions are translucent in butter.  Add chopped chipolte pepper and cook 10 min more. Process veggies and turkey in food processor with 1 cup of stock.  Add all back to pot, including sour cream and milk, and cook on low or put in oven at 200 or for 1 hour, occasionally stirring.   Half an hour before serving, add cheese and continue to occasionally stir. 

My family all really liked it. It has a little kick in it so Logan had his mixed with some leftover pasta.  If I had cream and smoked gouda, this would have been even better -as everything is!

I intended to serve this with bread but the boys were too hungry to wait the additional 10 min for the bread to finish baking.  We had it for dessert while it was piping hot with butter and honey.  Yummm. 


I've been baking bread from scratch weekly for over a year now.  I really love to do it.  I love to hand knead the dough.  I always use the recipe from the Tassajara Bread Book's Yeasted bread.  I mix white and whole wheat so it isn't so heavy to eat.  It is delicious and I love providing the bread weekly for my boys.  I think they all could live on just bread and cheese.

Riding Lesson

Yesterday, Reagan and his buddy Brayden had a riding lesson.  They were about the cutest things.  Our "retired" show horse (he retired himself) is up at the training barn for a few months to help with a demonstration at a local horse fair.  With him being so close, we needed to take advantage of him. 

He is just such a sweetie, that ol' horse of ours.  I think he really enjoys these type of lessons.  Walking around in a circle with  40 lbs on your back can't be too bad of a day's work.

Brayden was fearless and so engaged with him.  For his first time riding, he was quite the natural.  It may not be such a good thing for his loving parents as horses can be quite consuming. 

Really -  there isn't much more adorable than he!

this moment...

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

 

 

Yarn Along Wednesday

For this week's Yarn Along via Small Things, I am still working on my Harvest Moon Cardi and reading A Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and my boys and I are reading the chapter book A To Z Mysteries: The Talking T Rex. 

I'm taking forever on both the book and the cardi.  I mostly blame the cardi though as I am a bit obsessed with trying to finish it.  It doesn't help that I do have those 3 kids to raise and am trying to find anything I can for the garage sale our Mom's group is having.  Both seem to dampen my time lately!  I did get the pocket done on one side tonight/this morning.  I knew if I went to bed it would haunt me in my sleep while I try to puzzle out the best way to do it.  I think I have it though!  Sewing with tweed is difficult as it is so hard to see what you are doing - especially at midnight. 

Weekend

This weekend we really enjoyed a bit of down time.  No soccer, no super sickies, no traveling to get ready for...just time to be and relax a bit.  It was m u c h needed - for everyone.

We found ourselves quite eager for spring to arrive and to get outside and play. The dog could barely contain himself that he was going to get walked. 

Forts, dancing, snuggling, and dreamily sleeping helped us get ready for the week ahead. 

Happy Monday!  

all taken on my iphone. :)

Happy Valentines day!

 

these moments...

More than one moment - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

 

Inspired by Soulemama's Friday picture posts. 

Yarn Along Wednesday

For Yarn Along Wednesday, I am still plugging away on the same book, Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, and knitting a Norie hat and the Harvest Moon sweater.  Last week I was working on the same hat but I ended up turning it into a cowl so now I need a matching hat - in red.  The sweater is slowing plugging along and now I'm on the pockets.  I've yet to make pockets like this before and am excited to see how it turns out when it is done.  In my basket are more projects waiting to happen...a shawl/scarf tester for a designer, a hat for Reagan, and another hat for spring for me!
What is in your basket?

Busy weekend

This weekend flew by.   Thankfully the weather decided to get a bit better but not before it canceled our trip to the barn.  Reagan is eager to ride ol' Renegade again and was bummed that we couldn't make it.  Once the snow did clear up though, he and Mason had fun playing outside for some much needed fort building.

Really, can Mason be any cooler?  Batman hat, Spider Man shades, and a "Joker" cowl.

Since he is always so great at letting me take pictures of him, here is how cool he is again.

Mr. Camera ready

 

On Sunday, Reagan finished up his soccer "season".  It was really fun.  Maybe there is just a little in of my genetics in him.  His "Poppy" (oh yes, dad, that is you now...far from the Rich you originally requested) was a soccer star, maybe that will be him too.  Or not lol.  

Aren't they so cute!

 Always smiling (when he is paying attention and not hugging or goofing off)

Organized 4-5 yr. old chaos at its best

The victorious participation ribbon. Very important and coveted.

And then the bear.  He is not feeling too hot.  High temperature since late Sunday night followed by lots of pukey moments, not able to eat much, and lots and lots of tears.  Poor baby, he's been sick most of his almost 1 year of life!  Breathing machine is ready for lots of treatments and Gatorade is in the bottle, again.  He'll be back to crawling on his hands and feet like a little monkey in no time.

this moment...

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see  via Soulemama

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 My friend Katie blogged about Reagan's birthday party.  You can see some pics and a video of it here.

A Late Yarn Along

Now that my cable is back on and I'm able to sit down for the day, I have to quickly get my Yarn Along in!  I've yet to miss one and I don't want to start so I'll make it brief!

I'm still reading Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and still liking it.  I'm just now getting into to it. I'm also reading through pattern books as I find them so inspiring.  The Shetland Trader is my new one and the pictures and patterns are just so beautiful.  I love how Jared Flood captures a moment.  So pretty.  Patterns are beautiful - such a great mix of modern and tradition - my kind of knitting.
On the needles is a hat from the Shetland Trader - Norie - in sport weight self dyed wool. I needed something light and bright during the snow storm we just had.  Also on the needles is my last sweater for the winter.  A Harvest Moon in SHELTER's Faded Quilt (also by Jared Flood).  I l o v e this yarn.  I know I'll have to get more of it once I downsize my stash. 

Right now

::we are snowed in
::without cable or Internet and thankfully with power
::wipeing noses and not feeling great
::jamming to random cd's and VBS tunes
::being asked for the millionith time if one can play their new dsi
::unlocking doors from the outside
::visiting my boys at "work" in their office
::taking long baths with lots if water and even more splashes
::earning my pioneer badge with keeping the fire going strong just in case
::enjoying the bright sunshine reflecting off all of the snow

Dinosaur Birthday Party #2

Once we had things figured out for the birthday party, actually having it when we were supposed to was quite a challenge.  Never returned calls, holidays, someone leaving the museum, and a poor scheduling service lead to a momma bear almost getting a bit nasty.  I had to reschedule it 3 times due to someone not following through on their end.  It stressed me out to say the least!  But finally, it all worked out. 

And it was fun!  Lots of things to play with for all ages - great places for parents to hang out and talk - and a nice family evening out!