Independence 2-ply

Sometimes spinning is the very best sort of therapy.  If I'm not producing creatively, I often start to feel undone, but I can't always decide what to do...also, what to make if I just don't want to think, don't want to decide, am emotionally overwhelmed, overrun?

Mindless spinning, with an audio book, movie, tv show....perfect.

These singles are something I started working on sometime last year, but kept loosing interest.  Lately, I've been pulling out the wheel more often, and finally finished it up into my go-to comfort-spin: a bouncy sportweight 2-ply.

I don't have any project in mind for this, although a sweet little shrug for Lavella would probably be perfect for a Texas winter....



Creatively Dyed colorway "Independence"
Fiber: seawool
Sportweight 2-ply, 8 oz, 650 yards
Source The Loopy Ewe

Sewing Class

Two months ago, I decided to start a sewing class.  (Actually it was Piper's idea -- the 2nd girl from the far right.  She reeeeeeaaaallly wanted to learn to sew, and I thought.....well wouldn't it be more fun with a bunch of friends?)



I've been part of many grown-up crafting and knitting groups over the years, and it was fun to see the dynamics of these girls as they got to know each other and I watched them become a little community right in my kitchen.  By week two, they already had inside jokes, catch phrases, etc.  So cute!!





Lavella's embroidery -- I'm so proud of her!!

DIY necklace board/organizer

For a while now, I've needed a solution to making sense of my necklace and headband collection.  After considering many options, and putting the project off for many months....I realized I had been making it waaaay more difficult than it needed to be.





After painting the frame (2x) with flat white paint, I used a flat head screwdriver to tuck the edges of the fabric between the frame and corkboard.  Then I used a finishing nail and hammer to make small holes on the top and bottom, and finally screwed small cuphooks into the holes.

The row of large yellow pegs my headbands are hanging on are actually these giant pushpins I found at WalMart.  (P.S. I now have way more headbands on those pegs!)



(Sorry this finished picture sucks -- couldn't find my camera, and took this while on drugs after surgery with my phone, so.....damn, I'm a good photographer!)  ;-)

Super glad to finally have this done, and I love having all of my jewelry organized and ready to wear -- makes accessorizing so much easier, and this way I don't have any forgotten pieces stuffed into a box somewhere.  Yay!

Happy birthday Andrew!!

Dear Andrew,

Today you're 10 years old.



This seems absolutely surreal, and you must be sick of hearing me say this every single year, but.....10 years old?  Seriously?  How in the world could you be that old already!!!  (...and nearly as tall as me -- GOOD LORD!!)



When you were born, I was 23 years old.  It didn't seem all that young at the time -- felt like exactly the perfect time to have my first baby.  But now, at this moment, with you turning 10, I'm thinking DEAR GOODNESS.  Next time I blink, you'll be a teenager.  And such is life.



You, my friend, are so incredibly caring and generous -- I could not have possibly asked for a more amazing "oldest"; the way you take care of everyone, the way you navigate conflict, the way you choose to be responsible and thoughtful.



You are growing up to be the sort of guy that everyone wants to know; the kind of friend everyone wishes they had.  You are quirky, and nerdy, and funny as heck, and we like you so much!

I love you forever,
Mommy

A little bit of this, a little bit of that....

Recent random.....

Making me crave pancakes...(smooth, a little sweet, big maple scent -- fantastic on the rocks)


My current afternoon craving (Thai iced tea via this recipe -- we've been drinking it with Almond Breeze brand almond milk mixed with So Delicious brand coconut creamer -- super fab)


An evening out at a rock show (Satellites & Sirens)




Hahahahaha OMG yes (spotted on a local mini-van)


Double birthdays


Cuddled up with my bestie at The Brass Tap -- pretty much can't even handle how gorgeous she is!

Back to school (!!!!)

My house is quiet.  Not just peaceful, but full-on QUIET.  School started on Monday, and although we had a few tears at send-off, everyone has adjusted very quickly, and we're all enjoying our more structured days.



(Each of their "back to school" outfits are pretty much killing me -- what they're wearing is after I screened through several options.  And the socks....seriously?  OH MY.)



Also....well, after an entire summer, everyone's tolerance for each other had grown a bit...thin.  So had my patience.  It was hard to kiss them all goodbye that first day, but I think all 5 of us felt some measure of relief at the same time.  Sad, relieved, peaceful.  Hooray for school!!

12 years and counting

On July 28th, Greg and I celebrated our 12th year wedding anniversary.  Wow.  I know.  I was 21 years old, and had no idea what I wanted...but I've been incredibly thankful to discover that being married to Greg was the best idea ever, and I'm so thankful that he's the guy I get to spend the rest of my life with.

Enough with all that mush.

Our friends took our children for the night for a giant sleepover party, so we went into Austin and hung out on South Congress; window-shopped, appetizers at Pearla, dinner at Hop Doddy burger bar (best. burgers. ever.).  Overall a pretty perfect evening....and with my very favorite person.  SCORE!!
















XOXO!

Road Trip: PA (PART 2)

After missing last year's annual visit due to my year in Kansas City for schooling, it was great to be able to make it out to PA/NY this year for a long overdue visit with our families.  It was especially good for me to be able to pitch-in helping with various things around my family's property in PA.  One of the first things we did after arriving in my hometown was to help Dad and Keith rebuild one of the bridges along 'Pete's Path'.  The path has been one of my dad's many projects for the past several years and he has single-handedly built five or so bridges at some of the creek crossings along the winding trail through the family's farm land and woods.  During last year's flood one of the larger bridges unfortunately washed away so my dad and Keith cut up a bunch of logs to build a newer, stronger one.  With the seven of us (myself, Dad, Keith, Andrew, Elijah, Lavella & Jonah) it only took us a morning to get the entire thing set, nailed, and completely finished!  I think it's one of the strongest along the entire trail.

Many of my family's vacations over the years were spent camping and hiking in some of Pennsylvania's most beautiful State Parks.  I think we'd all agree our favorite was Rickett's Glen State Park, which is about 50-miles West of Scranton, in the heart of the PA Appalachian Mountains.  What makes Rickett's Glen special is the over 20 waterfalls flowing along Kitchen Creek, which is part of the larger Fishing Creek watershed, a drainage basin of the Susquehanna River.  There are over 10-miles of trails following the creek, including a shorter nature trail beginning at the base of the lower-most falls, Kitchen Falls.  On this trip we chose to hang out at Kitchen Falls because there's a large swimming/wading pool at the bottom, plus the trail there follows an easy, meandering loop through some of the most scenic flora in the park.  Also because of the ease of access we were able to bring Keith along in his wheelchair so we could all be together as a family.  I suppose some may not consider the path easily wheelchair accessible, but we've never been easily deterred by 30 or so stone steps, bridge crossings, and muddy/rutty trails.  All in a day's work I suppose, since we've included Keith in many, much more rustic adventures over the years.

After walking the 1-mile Evergreen Trail, highlighting some stunningly beautiful old-growth PA forest we spent the rest of the afternoon walking the creek, swimming, skipping stones, building little rock dams, and eating along the creekside.  On the way home we stopped at one of the many NE PA farm stands for some blackberries and sweet corn (which we grilled up later that evening).

Overall it was a very peaceful trip and it was great to revisit fond memories of family vacations past in some of the most beautiful nature/recreation areas.  It's always great to be back in the fresh mountain air!