The Twelve Days of Christmas (Cookies)

We're trying to make a different batch of cookies for each day of Christmas (with a little help from Grandma)! Here are our 12 Days of Christmas so far: (try to sing along...)

On the first day of Christmas, my bakers made for me Gingerbread Molasses as sweet as can be...

On the second day of Chistmas, my bakers made for me 2 dozen Jam Thumbprints...and Gingerbread Molases as sweet as can be.

On the third day of Christmas, my bakers made for me 3 dozen powdered apricot Kolackys...2 dozen Jam Thumbprints, and Gingerbread Molases as sweet as can be.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my bakers made for me 4 dozen chocolate and vanilla Pinwheels...3 dozen powdered apricot Kolackys, 2 dozen Jam Thumbprints and Gingerbread Molases as sweet as can be.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my bakers made for me 5 dozen Snow Balls...4 dozen chocolate and vanilla Pinwheels...3 dozen powdered apricot Kolackys,2 dozen Jam Thumbprints and Gingerbread Molases as sweet as can be.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my bakers made for me 6 dozen Sugar Cookie cutouts...5 dozen Snow Balls...4 dozen chocolate and vanilla Pinwheels...3 dozen powdered apricot Kolackys,2 dozen Jam Thumbprints and Gingerbread Molases as sweet as can be.



Yes, I know there should be 6 more dozen cookies in here somewhere...but one can eat only so many cookies!

Merry Christmas!!

An Eclectic List

Alli and Chardy always add such unique and seemingly random items to the week's grocery list. Here are a few from the past week:

1) 5 cookie packages
2) coconut milk
3) wire
4) shower curtain
5) assorted jars and vials

Any guesses as to what they are making?!

Touchdown!!

We had our first family day out on the slopes last Sunday...even including little Ginny who is still just two. She had a blast skiing, but I think she was mixing her sports up a bit. Everytime she fell over, she would shout out "Touchdown!"

A Tale of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles...

Ok, there aren't actually any trains in this story, but it's still a doozie. Last week, we traveled to Buffalo to visit relatives for Fall Festival. The trip out was uneventful (other than the fact that we had to pay $20 for our checked bag and on top of that they charged us an extra $90 because it was 10 lbs overweight.) Ironically, on one of the legs of our trip, they announced that we would be delayed a bit while they loaded SAND BAGS onto the plane because the luggage didn't weigh enough...

Our stay in NY was wonderful, though. Lots of fun with friends and family, beautiful fall colors. The troubles began on our way home.

We get to the airport with hours to spare (very unlike us, I might add, but ironic considering what came next). Although the weather was clear in Bufallo, our flight was delayed again...and again...supposedly due to bad weather. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but our connection in Atlanta was close to begin with. With the "weather" delays, we would have exactly 16 minutes to make our connection back home to Portland, OR.

We begged the personnel at the desk to inquire in Atlanta as to whether they would hold the connection for us. Otherwise, it would mean staying in Atlanta overnight, missing work the next day, paying for a hotel ourselves (because of course the airlines don't pay for hotels when it's due to "weather"), etc... And, did I mention that we were all in various stages of battling a bad cold/flu? Needless to say, they would not even consider calling ahead for us, despite the fact that there were 7 of us on that flight trying to make the same connection.

We arrived in Atlanta 5 minutes before our next flight was to depart. Even then, would the gate agent call to the other gate, and ask them to hold it for an extra 5 minutes so we could get there? No can do... (Oh, and by the way, the weather in Atlanta wasn't delaying the departures, so still not sure where the "bad weather" actually was...)

So, we missed the flight and get to wait in line with dozens of other angry customers. When we finally make it to the front of the line, they tell us that the airline only has to get us "as close to our final destination as possible". Yes, you heard me right. Apparently, even when you pay over $1000 for 6 tickets, they only have to get you "close" to your destination when weather crops up and you miss your connection. In our case, it meant that they had booked us on a flight to Seattle. Our final destination was supposed to be Portland, OR. Hmmm...that's like 200 miles away.

So, we (reasonably) asked them, how are we supposed to get from Seattle to Portland? And, what's going to happen to our luggage? Well, the luggage would travel with us to Seattle (sounds good). But, we were on our own to figure out how to get to Portland. They (unhelpfully) pointed out that there might be trains or rental cars we could consider...but they would not get us seats on any of the numerous carriers that operate between Seattle and Portland.

By this point, we (sick kids included) just wanted to get home. So, we hop on the flight to Seattle, and reserve a rental car (on our own dime, of course, because the airline can't assume the liability of renting us a car, and recall, they were at least getting us close to our destination).

We arrive in Seattle at 1am. Did I mention that we sat in the plane for almost an HOUR at the gate in order to accomodate connecting passengers whose flights had been delayed?! (But, they couldn't have held our original flight for 5 minutes...I guess dealing with all the upset people from that first go around at least helped the later travelers).

So, we are waiting at the luggage carousel and of course our luggage never arrives. Another line to wait in to see what happened to our luggage (it was still in Atlanta) and where it was going to be sent (yes, you guessed it Seattle)... Quite reasonably, I told them, if it was still in Atlanta, it would make more sense for them to send it to Portland, since THAT'S WHERE WE LIVE!!! But, they said it was going to go to Seattle, because that's where we flew to. I told them there was no way we were going to drive back up 2 1/2 hours to retrieve our luggage, to which they said "Oh no problem, we can arrange to put it on a different carrier and send it to Portland". I, of course, wondered why, if they can do this for luggage, they couldn't have done this for their passengers... Apparently, Delta treats their customer's luggage better than their customers.

Anyway, we finally got into our rental car at 1:30am (another $150 to our growing tab due to Delta), and my wonderful husband drove the 2 1/2 hours home arriving at 4am... Later that night, my husband returned our rental car and picked up our car from the economy parking lot (where we got to pay an extra day due to Delta). Our luggage arrived at 9pm that night, a bit muddy but otherwise no worse for wear.

Needless to say, we will not be flying Delta ever again. I know people often say these kinds of things, but every step of the way, we were told time and again, these are the corporate policies...we have no control over them...

I actually believe the ticketing and gate agents. They don't make the policies. Corporate leadership at Delta does and they let their poor employees deal with the fallout and all the angry customers. More than how they treated us, that is why we will not fly Delta again. What kind of company creates these terrible policies, blames all delays on air traffic control and/or bad weather, and then lets their employees take the heat? (By the way, we even overheard them originally saying that the delay was due to a delayed crew. I guess when it became apparent the delay was going to adversely affect lots of passengers, the excuse became "weather" and "air traffic control" because then, they are not obligated to help their customers.)

Give us Alaska Airlines and Southwest any day.

Someday When I Have a Green Shirt

Ginny saw a man in a green shirt walking a very cute dog today. She said very seriously, "Someday, when I have a green shirt like that, I'm gonna have a dog."

Aaron Loves "Balanas"

Aaron asked me if he could have a "balana" for a snack tonight. I told him I loved the way he pronounces his words. And, he comes right back, "Well, you can say balana or banana, because banana is how you say balana in Spanish!" Can't argue with that sort of logic!

Lace Swirl (Free Pattern)

An easy quick-to-knit project that is great for someone who wants to try lace for the first time, but doesn't want the commitment of a larger project. The size of the hat can be adjusted by using heavier (i.e., worsted) or lighter (sock) weight yarn in larger or smaller needles.

LACE SWIRL

Materials Used:
Yarn: 150 yards (50 gm) Woolcraft Kids Stuff (or other DK / 8 ply / 11 wpi yarn)
Needles: Size US 6 / 4.0 mm 16” circulars and/or set of 5 US 6 DPNs
Tapestry Needle
Scissors

Size: 2T – small adult* (19-20”)
*Note: Pattern is very stretchy due to brim ribbing. It was made for a 6 yr old, but fit my 2 year old and me equally well.

Gauge: 18 sts and 24 rows = 4”

Abbreviations:
K: Knit
P: Purl
YO: Yarn Over
SKP: Slip (as if to knit), Knit, Pass Slipped St Over
K2tog: Knit 2 together
SSK: Slip (as if to knit), Slip, Knit

Pattern:
Brim:
Using long-tail method (or other loose cast-on) CO 88. Join to work in round.
Work K2,P2 rib for 1.5 in”.

Body:
Work in stockinette stitch (i.e., K all sts) for 1”

Begin Lace pattern as follows:
Round 1: [K3, K2tog, YO, K1, YO, SSK, K3] around.
Round 2 (and all even rounds): K all sts.
Round 3: [K2, K2tog, YO, K3, YO, SSK, K2] around.
Round 5: [K1, K2tog, YO, K5, YO, SSK, K1] around.
Round 7: [K2tog, YO, K7, YO, SSK] around.

Work 1” in stockinette (or until hat measures 5” from beginning or desired depth).
Crown:
Begin Swirl Decreases as follows:
Place marker at beginning of round and every 22 sts thereafter to divide top into 4 equal parts.
K to 1st marker.
[Slip marker. SKP, K to next marker.] Repeat around until 4 sts remain, switching to DPNs as needed.
Place 4 sts on one DPN and work i-cord for 3” or desired length. BO.
Weave in loose ends. Tie in knot.

A Summer in Haiku

My kids have been giving me grief that I have been so lax updating the blog lately, but we've been having too much fun this summer! So, I thought the kids and I would review the summer's events -- and to make it even more fun (and short), we would do it in haiku. So, here goes (in chronological order):

First Skiing of the Year at Timberline Lodge (May, 2009):
Skiing in powder
Swimming in the deep blue pool
Then Ginny threw up.

Annual Father's Day Camping Trip (June, 2009):

Father's day camping
It was so perfectly planned
Rained out - no can do.

4th of July:

Saved money for months
Oh glorious explosions
Zipper didn't run

Timberline Skiing for Tim's Birthday (July 7, 2009):

One day skiing trip
Met Guinness record holder
Skied til the runs closed

Snow Lake Camping Trip (July, 2009):

Hiking in and out
A great first trip for Aaron
Didn't fall down cliff

Camp Howard (July, 2009):

Camp Howard was cool
Canoeing and archery
The pool was fun too

Trip to England (July, 2009):

First hour - car broke down
Two silly pictures were drawn
Saw Harry Potter

Redwoods Vacation (August, 2009):

Giant trees, cool seas
All cliff climbing on the beach
Hanging with good friends

Kitchener (Stitches) and Sock Summit

Every now and then, I take a peek at my world map below to see where my blog visitors are coming from. And, I noticed that there is occasionally a visitor from Kitchener, Ontario (it happened again just today). Now, if you are a knitter, you know why this particular visitor always pops out at me...yes, the dreaded Kitchener stitch required to complete a pair of socks. Just when you think you are finally done, you still have that bit of tedium to complete before you can wear and enjoy your socks.

But, in this case, I always like it when the Kitchener visitor pops up on my map, because I like to think of this visitor as happily knitting socks while reading my blog. And, today, it was particularly nice, because I just returned from the Sock Summit in Portland, OR. Imagine an entire convention center filled with nothing but knitters and yarn. Perhaps that isn't your idea of fun, but for me it was seventh heaven.

In actuality, of course, who knows who the Kitchener visitor is or why s/he visits the blog. Perhaps they don't even knit! But, I thought I would dedicate this post to all sock knitters out there...those lucky enough to make it to the Sock Summit, and to those who were with us in thoughts! (Trust me, we bought enough yarn for everyone...)

Jongleur (n.)

1. A wandering minstrel, poet, or
entertainer in medieval England
and France.


2. A happy hat for the little
entertainer in your life.

Materials Used:
I Hook
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Brights (Light Worsted Weight)
Color A: Yellow
Color B: Purple
Color C: Turquoise
Color D: Red
Tapestry Needle
Scissors

Gauge:
Not particularly important, since you begin with a chain for the brim that is sized to fit your little one.

Pattern Notes:
(1) Hat is worked in the round from brim up to crown.
(2) Foundation chain for brim is created in multiples of 4. To modify size, add or subtract multiples of 4 ch until desired size.
(3) From brim to crown, rounds are joined with sl st to first stitch of round.
(4) Crown is worked in continuous spiral without sl st.

Abbreviations:
ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
dc: double crochet
tr: treble crochet
PM: place marker
sts: stitches
sc2tog: single crochet two together

Size: 2T-3T (Can be increased or decreased by making starting chain longer or shorter by multiples of 4).

JONGLEUR:

Brim:
With A, ch 64. Join with sl st to begin working in rounds. Ch 1.
Round 1: Work sc around. Join with sl st to first stitch, changing to B. Ch 3. (64 sts)

Round 2: Work dc around. Join with sl st to first stitch. Ch 3. (64)

Round 3: Work dc around. Join with sl st to first stitch, changing to C. Ch 1. (64)

Round 4: Work sc around. Join with sl st to first stitch, changing to B. Ch 1. (64)

Round 5: Work sc around. Join with sl st to first stitch, changing to C. Ch 3. (64)

Round 6: Work dc around. Join with sl st to first stitch, changing to A. Ch 4. (64)

Round 7: Working in front loops only, work tr around. Join with sl st to first stitch. Ch 1. (64)

Round 8 (Creating Welt): Work sc around while at the same time working through back loops of dc from Round 6. (In other words, you are creating a welt by working single crochets to join the tops of the treble crochets from Round 7 to the free back loops of the dc from Round 6.) Join with sl st to first stitch, changing to D. Ch 3. (64)

Round 9: Work dc around. Join with sl st to first stitch, changing to C. Ch 1. (64)

Round 10: Work sc around. Join with sl st to first stitch, changing to D. Ch 3. (64)

Round 11: Work dc around. Join with sl st to first stitch, changing to A. Ch 1. (64)

Round 12: Work sc around. Join with sl st to first stitch, changing to B. Ch 4. (64)

Round 13: Working in front loops only, work tr around. Join with sl st to first stitch. Ch 1. (64)

Round 14 (Creating Welt): Work sc around while at the same time working through back loops of sc from Round 12. Join with sl st to first stitch, changing to C. Ch 1. (64)

Crown:
From here on, do not join rounds, but PM to note beginning of each round. In addition, divide sts equally into 4 parts and PM (preferably of different color from one used to mark beginning of round). If you started with 64 sts, then a marker would be placed on the 1st(i.e., beginning of round), 17th, 33rd, and 49th sts.

Round 15: Work 1 round of sc. (64)

[You will now begin decreases by working sc to each marker. After each marker, sc2tog.]

Round 16: Work sc to each marker, then sc2tog the two sts following each marker. 4 sts decreased. (60)

Round 17-21: Continue as established. (40 sts at end of Round 21).

After Round 21, work decreases every other round.

Round 22: Work sc around. (40)

Round 23: Decrease round (36)

Round 24: Work sc around. (36)

Round 25: Decrease round (32)

Round 26: Work sc around. (32)

Round 27: Decrease round (28)

After Round 27, go back to decreasing every round.

Round 28: Decrease round (24)

Round 29: Decrease round (20)

Round 30: Decrease round (16)

Round 31: Decrease round (12)

Round 32: Decrease round (8)

Round 33: Decrease round (4)

Work even for 2 more rounds, then break yarn and weave though sts and pull tight.
Weave in all loose ends.

Toppers:
Using A, ch 7. Work popcorn st in 2nd ch from end, then sl st back to beginning of chain and finish off.

[Popcorn stitch: Work 5 sc in specified st. Drop loop from hook. Insert hook in top of first sc in group. Pull dropped loop through st.]

Make toppers in B and D.

Fasten tightly to top of hat and weave in all loose ends.

Swirl

A cute swirly topper for your favorite little one...

SWIRL

Materials Needed:

Size 4 16" circular or DPN needles
1 skein Crystal Palace Yarns Mini Mochi (195.0 yds/178.3 m) Colorway 103
Tapestry needle
Scissors

Abbreviations:
CO: cast on
SKP: Slip 1 as if to knit, Knit 1, Pass slipped stitch over
sts: stitches
PM: place marker

Gauge: 24 sts across 4"

Size: 0-3 mos.
(For toddler size, try a worsted weight yarn with size 6 needles.)

Using long-tail method (or other loose cast-on) CO 88 sts.
Join to work in round. PM to denote beginning of round.

Brim:
*Knit 2 rounds. Purl 3 rounds.*
Repeat 4 more times (or once for each color change, depending on your preference).

Knit in round until hat measures 4" from beginning (or desired depth).

Begin Crown:
Purl 4 rounds.

Divide hat into 4 equal parts by placing marker after every 22 sts.

Begin Swirl Top:
SKP after every marker until 4 sts remain.

Work i-cord for 3 inches. BO and tie in knot at top. Weave in any loose ends.

For an alternate "swirlier" top:
Try dividing top into 8 equal parts, and doing the SKP after each marker. This would result in a rounder swirled hat (more like a soft serve ice cream cone as opposed to the square design currently pictured).

2009 Summer Bucket List

Summer is finally almost here! The kids have decided we need to have a "Little Bucket List" (i.e., spontaneous fun) and a "Big Bucket List" (i.e., things that need to be planned in advance). Without further ado, here they are:

Big Bucket List

Father's Day Camping

Summer Skiing (Dad's Birthday)

Sun River

Windsurfing in Hood River

Reno waterparks

Visit Boston, MA and Boston, England

Winthrop, WA and Ross Lake

Re-design/Paint Alli and Chardy's Room

Summer camps

Cannon Beach

Hiking in the Gorge

Wild Waves Amusement Park

Little Bucket List

Swimming

Have a Picnic

Midnight Bowling

Library

Go Junking (i.e., Garage Sales)

Ice Skating

Rock Climbing

French Park

Enchanted Forest

Play Bump (a basketball game)

Racquetball

Have a Lemonade Stand

Barnes & Nobles

Baskin Robbins / Coldstone

Farmer's Market

Yarn shopping (gotta have something in here just for the blog author!)

Painting

Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince

Geo-caching

OMSI

Our Champion!

Over 1700 kids compete in CYO track & field. And, only 64 of the girls even qualified to compete in the long jump at the Meet of Champions this weekend. Alli was thrilled to be among that 64 (she was ranked 27th coming into the meet with a qualifying jump of 11' 2"). So, it was even more of a thrill when she set her personal best jump ever (improving by more than a foot from her previous best!). And, it was absolutely amazing when that personal best landed her on the podium today in 8th place. We were hugging and jumping up and down for joy when they unexpectedly called her to the award's stand. Check out her amazing jump (12' 6 3/4"):



And, her award ceremony:

The Best Cards Ever...

...from the best kids ever. An assortment of their cards for my birthday and Mother's Day.

From Aaron:


I love the multiple attempts he made to spell "Your family loves you..." "a" "Are" U" and then finally he went oh what the heck: "we all love you a lot"!

From Chardy:
Who knows I'd rather have a cold drink than be "queen for a day"





And, from Alli, my amazing artist:

What's a Shark Say?

So, we all went to see the movie Earth tonight. (Awesome family movie, by the way.) Anyway, in one of the scenes, there's this huge great white shark.



As it's leaping out of the water with a seal caught in its jaws, Ginny keeps asking "What's a shark say? What's a shark say?" And, Aaron pipes up, "The shark should say 'sorry' to the seal."

Good Advice

My mom was changing Ginny's diaper the other day - one of those really big nasty smelly ones. She kept telling Ginny that it was "icko". When she was all done, Ginny looked mom straight in the eye and said "Don't eat it."

Ginny Knows Best

So, Chardy is quite the little cook in our house, always experimenting with new dishes and ingredients. She even has her own blog: http://www.freeforallcooking.blogspot.com. Apparently, Ginny has cottoned on to this fact, because this morning as she was waking up, she said in a sleepy voice: "Mom, I'm starving. Wake up Chardy!" I guess she knows who to go to for the good food options!

And a Fruit Cup...

Ginny is always sad when we drop off the older kids at school. This morning, as we were leaving the school, she said tearfully, "I want my Alli, Chardy, Aaron...and a fruit cup."

I bet they would be glad to know they rank right up there with fruit cups!

Purple Lips

Ahh, that Catholic guilt...even 6 yr olds must be susceptible to it.

Before I begin the story, let me note that when I woke up Aaron this morning, I noticed that his lips were purple. Seemed a bit strange to me, but he acted fine, so I didn't give it much more thought. (But, it was weird.)

Anyway, back to the story. So, I was making lunches this morning and could have sworn there was a brand new box of fruit roll-ups in the cupboard that I had just bought last night. But I couldn't find it anywhere. I asked the kids, "Didn't we just have a brand new box of fruit roll ups?" They all gave me the "Mom, its 7:30am and I'm sleepy" look and shrugged.

But, a few minutes later, Aaron sidles up to me and whispers, "Mom, I got hungry in the middle of the night. And, I ate the fruit roll ups." I asked (trying not to giggle), "All of them? In the middle of the night?" And, he whispered "yep".

I couldn't be angry, because I was too busy, first of all, being happy that he admitted what he did (and that I hadn't imagined the existence of the fruit roll-ups). But, second, the image of him stumbling in his sleep to the kitchen and stuffing his face full of EIGHT fruit roll-ups one after the other in the middle of the night was just too funny. And, he even remembered to throw away all the wrappers and recycle the box afterwards!

It also explained the purple lips.

My Little Leprechauns

My little leprechauns have been very busy this week! They have been crafting (out of all imaginable materials) a very elaborate Leprechaun Hotel in celebration of St. Patrick's Day! What they have made is truly a little miniature work of art. See for yourself.

The Golden Shamrock Hotel:

The "Rooftop Room" (check out the little chest of drawers made of matchboxes):

The Complete Leprechaun Complex:

The Rainbow Room:

The Leprechaun Hotel (Aaron's Addition - notice the little ladder at the bottom):

Interior shot of The Golden Shamrock:

Sailboat for the Pool:

The Waterpark:

Playground:

A Bedroom:

To show gratitude for all their hard work, this big Leprechaun left a pot o' gold chocolate coins for my little Leprechauns to find after school today.

"Sensible" Portions

So, as I was finishing off a bag of chips late last night, I happened to glance at the label and just had to laugh.




Notice the "Sensible Portions" advertising... and then consider the fact that they packaged this "sensible" portion into a ONE POUND bag of chips! I don't know if you can tell from the picture (I put a pencil in for scale), but this bag is huge!

Despite all that, having polished off the 1 lb. bag (not by myself, mind you), I can attest to the fact that these chips are very tasty and I would highly recommend them if you like to munch.

Feather

After asking my kids for advice on what to name this scarf (and discarding suggestions like Tree Top, although that is pictorially fairly accurate), we came up with "Feather". The lace pattern looks like bunches of feathers and the yarn is definitely feather soft. Enjoy!



FEATHER

(Adapted from J. Leinhauser's 101 Ripple Stitches #72)

Materials Needed:

Size 6 needles
1 skein Karabella Yarns Boise (163 yds/50 g.) Color 69. (Mini Mochi would also be nice for this)
Tapestry needle

Abbreviations:
Sl1: Slip 1 as if to knit
K2tog: Knit 2 together
K3tog: Knit 3 together
PSSO: Pass slip stich over
YO: Yarn over

Gauge:
36 sts in pattern = 4"
Row gauge not important.

Finished dimensions: 4" x 39"

Using long-tail method (or other loose cast-on) CO 36 sts.

Seed Stitch Foundation
Work 4 rows of seed stitch as follows:
Row 1: *K1, P1*. Repeat ** across.
Row 2: *P1, K1*. Repeat across.
Row 3-4: Repeat Row 1 and 2.

Scarf Body
Row 1: K1, P1, K1, K1, Sl1, K2tog, PSSO, K9, YO, K1, YO, P2, YO, K1, YO, K9, K3tog, K1, P1, K1, P1 (Note: Be careful to fully wrap the YO before the P2 sts.)

Row 2: P1, K1, P15, K2, P14, K1, P1, K1

Row 3: K1, P1, K1, K1, Sl1, K2tog, PSSO, K8, YO, K1, YO, K1, P2, K1, YO, K1, YO, K8, K3tog, K1, P1, K1, P1

Rows 4, 6, 8, & 10: Repeat Row 2.

Row 5: K1, P1, K1, K1, Sl1, K2tog, PSSO, K7, YO, K1, YO, K2, P2, K2, YO, K1, YO, K7, K3tog, K1, P1, K1, P1

Row 7: K1, P1, K1, K1, Sl1, K2tog, PSSO, K6, YO, K1, YO, K3, P2, K3, YO, K1, YO, K6, K3tog, K1, P1, K1, P1

Row 9: K1, P1, K1, K1, Sl1, K2tog, PSSO, K5, YO, K1, YO, K4, P2, K4, YO, K1, YO, K5, K3tog, K1, P1, K1, P1

Repeat these 10 rows for pattern until desired length is reached. In the pictured scarf, I had 21 pattern repeats.

End with 4 rows of seed stitch, following Foundation pattern above.
BO loosely.

Block lightly to display lace pattern to best effect.

Alternate symmetric pattern: If you prefer a symmetric scarf, work scarf from beginning through 11 pattern repeats ending with Row 9. Place sts on holder. Work second scarf section from beginning through 11 pattern repeats ending with Row 9. Graft together in pattern following Row 10.

Victoria

For Christmas, Tim gave me and my parents a surprise trip to Victoria, BC over Valentine's weekend. Now you would expect that we would spend the weekend sightseeing. And we did - here's proof:





But, we also went shopping... We got the kids lots of souvenirs and Tim some organic Guatemalan coffee. But, for me? Yep, you guessed it:



Lots and lots of yarn! There were two fantastic shops in Victoria, but my favorite is the Beehive Wool Shop. It was full of the most wonderful hand-dyed and hand-painted yarns... I could have hung out there all weekend (as it was, I went twice!).

Anyway, it was a fantastic trip - so nice to hang out with my parents. And, Tim even remembered Valentine's Day. When I left to drive up to Seattle to catch the ferry, he slipped me a Butterfinger bar for the road (which I assumed was the only Valentine's gift I would get). But, when we checked into the hotel in BC, there was a huge bouquet of my favorite flowers waiting for us in the room.



And, somehow we even managed to get them through customs, so we continue to enjoy them at home.

I have to say, I must have one of the best husbands in the world.

Frivol-ous

My first major attempt at an intricate cabled hat. After slowly working on it many a late night, it is finally finished - cable grafting and all. Despite my pleas, the little munchkins kept interrupting me during that important grafting section (which had to be done in daylight hours, trust me). I have to admit I got a teensy bit short with them after the 3rd or 4th time. So, after much whispering amongst them, the totally cute kids put up a sign on the doorway to my knitting room that said “No Entry - Please be quiet. Angry mommy knitting. No disturbance.” Well, after that I didn’t get much done, because we were all laughing too hard…but I did finish it eventually. So, without further ado, here is Frivol (for you non-knitter types, that's actually the name of the pattern...)



I'm now working on writing a pattern for mittens to match the hat. I've test-knit the left one, but am not thrilled with it. The top just isn't right yet.



So, I'll continue to modify it as I knit the right one. (Of course, that does mean I will end up with mis-matched mittens, but who really looks all that closely, right?)

"Here's a Good Rule, Mom"

So, after getting the younger kids off to bed tonight, Alli and I were chatting in the kitchen and we hear the door to Aaron's room crash open and Aaron racing down the hall to the bathroom. After a minute or so, we go down there and see Aaron (with a guilty look on his face) wiping up the floor next to the toilet. He turns to me and says matter-of-factly, "Here's a good rule, mom. Don't pee in the garbage can."

Apparently, the trash can (being all of 6 inches closer than the toilet) seemed like a better option at the time...

Normally, this wouldn't strike me as funny, but Alli and I couldn't stop laughing...