Definition of VonTrapping

Dresses made from old pillowcases . . .

Skirts made from old curtains . . .

A Sunday spent yodelling with my sister . . .

Thanks for all the zany birthday greetings. I had a wonderful day yesterday - I beat the 6-year old at Scrabble Jr. and ate a big bowl of ice cream, and I truly believe that every day should have a little Hoff. I can't look at him without smiling. :)

N

A Very Special Day

Some 30'ish years ago our good friend, N was born and the world hasn't been the same since. I could go on about what a kind person you are, what a dedicated mother you've been to your two girls, how you spent over 20 hours of your life on a Greyhound bus just to get to my wedding, I could talk about what a talented knitter and overall creative person you are, how generous you are with your time and energy and the countless times you've made those around you smile and laugh with your funny comments, but I'm sure you know all of that already. What would I do without you? Thanks for sharing your life with us here in the blogosphere and may you have many more fabulous years ahead!

P.S.
Hope you enjoy your special birthday message from The Hoff.

April Crafternoon

The last couple of days the weather has been lovely. Sunny and in the 20's (Celsius) and allergy inducing, of course but I'm not complaining. Today it is pouring rain and gloomy but it's cozy inside the house where I am knitting and we are booking our last flight for our trip to Europe in a few weeks. Consider it our late honeymoon.

Due to our Ferrari laptop's (yes, it IS what you think it is) power cord pooping out on us I was unable to post about last week's craft day, which I hosted in our humble South Minneapolis home. A few months ago a friend and I decided to start crafting together and to invite other like minded people that we knew. Four months later it has turned out to be a regular group of gals who crochet, knit, fold origami, and cross stitch. We welcome all types of crafters!That's Carrie and her incredible star shaped afghan. I love it and have been inspired to work on my crochet skills so that I can make one of these too. And of course there can't be crafting without snacks.Now Mr. T and I are heading out in the rain for some groceries. April showers bring May flowers. What do May flowers bring? Pilgrims!

Flowers for Me?

Two - one planted and one cut - flower arrangements arrived on my desk this week in appreciation of my administrative support and skills. Aw, shucks. I inevitably locked my eyes with my feet, my cheeks went bright red, and I mumbled my thanks. Then I immediately brought them home and placed them on the mantle for only my viewing pleasure from the white couch. The girls were flabbergasted that other people like me. It's not THAT impossible.

N

NOTE: These pictures were taken three days ago, and I have since then managed to over-water the tulips. They may be 'did'. I want to see the colonel. He's 'did'. This is only funny to my children.

Saving the Earth One Tire at a Time

Did everyone get out this weekend and clean up their neighbourhood? We did. And J found a tire in the ravine and wheeled it right out. I crossed the line at picking up purple used condoms. Just saying - it got nasty. I spent a great deal of time yelling at B to put her gardening gloves back on. My lord. More the reason to get out and clean it up I suppose. The best part was that one of the local ladies handed out freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. She's definitely getting invited back next year.

See what I mean??? She's carrying her gloves around with a cookie in the other hand. Well, you can't argue with that 'cause it would be super gross if one of those gloves was touching the cookie. I know this.

Later that same day I strategically left a little knitting project B started ages ago on the sofa, and she picked up the bait and knit up a row without being prodded and hassled. The kid remembered everything! Hollah!

I, on the other hand, am knitting dishclothes like it is 1999. I kind of enjoy feather 'n' fan in little pieces. It's very pretty. By the way, cotton is not fun for knitting two stitches together. That or my knitting is getting tighter. Holy moses, my knuckles. I now remember why I gave up knitting dishclothes. Good times.

Cheers!!

N

There's Gold in Them Hills

Last night, I hopped on to my bicyclette and whizzed down to the land'o'fabric for some organza 'cause I had a hankering to make these wispy flowers. My tires were flat so I was pooped from the forty minutes cycling around the Forest City. There is a shortage of air pumps in my area. It would seem as if I am going to have to throw the bicycle in the back of the truck ASAP and drive to the nearest pump. That's ridiculous. Or is it ridiculous that I don't have a little hand pump? Anyways, I had just enough energy left from my jaunt to do up five flowers. Well, I could have done more, but my feet wanted to be propped up on the ottoman away from the open flame searing the tips of my fingers.

I discovered Grooveshark over the past few weeks, and it's GOLD. I say that because, although J has downloaded a bajillion songs on our network server (every family of four has a network server, right?), they are ALL his music taste. I swear that the longer we are together, the more different our tastes become. Books, music, movies, food, you name it. We never read the same books. He has three slots on the disc changer in the car, and I have the other three. The last time we went to the theatre together, we caught The Simpsons Movie because I relented, and I was so upset that I had paid to watch that shizzle. So he has downloading skillz and I don't. That's where Grooveshark comes in - it's free, no registration required, and it's easy! Right now, I am getting my Ron Sexsmith fix. Sweet.

Cheers! It's Friday!

N

Where the Wild Things Are

Sounds like you had a nice holiday weekend with the family, N. We don't get any time off for Easter here in the good old US of A but thanks to having my hours cut at work I was able to get Friday off. There's a silver lining around every cloud, right?

Mr. T and I had a nice Easter dinner at home. I made a rack of lamb that was to die for (thank you Trader Joe's!) and used this recipe that Amy from Angry Chicken used to make a very yummy butterless almond cake. We had our cake with softly whipped cream and strawberries. Even though this cake has absolutely no butter or lifting agent in it, it was very light yet rich and full of almond flavor. I would highly recommend it!

Last week I saw this super cute pattern on Ravelry and knew that I had to make them. Who doesn't like little fuzzy monster feet on babies? I know I do!
Isn't that hysterical? I can't wait to see them on a baby. I'm thinking that these may be going to my hair dresser but I'm not sure if she's having a boy or a girl. I suppose girls can be monsters too. And now if you'll excuse me, I have a cake to finish off.