I can not believe how anxious I am about the oldest heading to high school tomorrow. That's super big. I have to stop thinking about it. It's making me old, grey and wrinkled.
N
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Labour Day at the Lake
I can not believe how anxious I am about the oldest heading to high school tomorrow. That's super big. I have to stop thinking about it. It's making me old, grey and wrinkled.
N
Sweet Tooth
N
No Signal Detected
The To-Sleuth List
- What the heck was that yarn I used to knit the spiral hats?
- What photo editor application made my fur-covered sofa look so dang cool?
- When will all the teen emo drama end?
- Why does the soccer ball always go to the opposing team when I kick it?
- What was I thinking when I cast on for a cardigan with lace-weight yarn?
- How do I find an oompa loompa to do my yard work?
N
Sunday Morning
Mmm ... coffee and muffins. Sunday mornings, I love you. Everyone is still in bed. It's peacefully quiet. It just started pouring rain outside. Just trying to figure out what needs to be done today and what I'd like to do today. It looks like the rain is dying down. Oh, dear. I'd like it to rain a bit longer. Not in a cancel-my-soccer-game kind of way, but in a playing-in-the-rain-is-nicer-than-killer-heat-during-soccer kind of way. Poo. The sun's back out. On the other hand, this could be good. The front garden could use some whacking. Well now it looks like I have something to do.
N
Pretty Peninsula
It's back to work tomorrow and some much needed soccer practice!
N
Reflections of Tobermory
We're back! Did you miss me? :) I missed this space, but I was kept busy with hiking, swimming, biking, kayaking, board games, reading, knitting, picture-taking, lots of ping pong, and the sort. I see have a lot to catch up on around here - lots of blog reading, catching up on one or two tv shows, and the house is a disaster amidst all the unpacking. There are at least eight full loads of laundry sitting rather unpatiently in front of the washer. I am dreading opening the day planner as I do every time I step away for a holiday. And baking! Oh how I've missed baking! I'll be doing some of that this weekend. Bread, muffins, and maybe some cookies. And I need to hit a fruit and veggie stand ASAP. Mmm-mmm-mm . . .
N
The summer of doing things
After I found out that Mr. T would be away for eight weeks this summer studying in the next state, I made a commitment to myself that I would do things. All kinds of things. Things that I've always wanted to do, things that I didn't necessarily want to do in the beginning, and things that I hadn't planned on doing but did anyway. This kind of explains my absence on the blog and I apologize but N does such an outstanding job! By the way, N is doing her thing this week and on a much needed vacation.
So this summer, the summer of doing things, there was boating (and tubing rather unsuccessfully for the first time!).
There was camping.
There was visiting the farmer's market in Madison, WI.
There was the Basilica Block Party.
There was going to Washington, D.C.
I don't know about you but I tend to get very comfortable in my routine. I'm kind of a quiet person too so making a commitment to try new things has really allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, meet new people, and experience some very fun things. Now I get to regroup for a few days until Mr. T returns home and then we're off to the beautiful Pacific Northwest for some family time.
What new thing do you want to try or have recently tried?
So this summer, the summer of doing things, there was boating (and tubing rather unsuccessfully for the first time!).
There was camping.
There was visiting the farmer's market in Madison, WI.
There was the Basilica Block Party.
There was going to Washington, D.C.
I don't know about you but I tend to get very comfortable in my routine. I'm kind of a quiet person too so making a commitment to try new things has really allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, meet new people, and experience some very fun things. Now I get to regroup for a few days until Mr. T returns home and then we're off to the beautiful Pacific Northwest for some family time.What new thing do you want to try or have recently tried?
Family Game Night
In regards to my natural shampoo trial, I lasted exactly four days. First day, I immediately noticed and appreciated the healthy amount of natural oils that had returned to my hair. It felt great and crazy healthy. Second day, my hair was put up in a pony tail. Third day, I washed it, and this time, my hair felt thick and heavy. Weird, but okay, I guess. Fourth day, I felt the back of my head, and it was so oily. I curled my hair around my hand, and it STAYED. Um, cool if I was having it styled professionally, not cool to leave a stain on my pillow. So, if I was to make a recommendation on this particular recipe, I would say it would be great used maybe once a week. It's a bit frustrating, but I am not ready to admit defeat yet. I will keep my eyes peeled and see what I can find.
Happy Winds-day!
N
Blueberries Here, There & Everywhere
I definitely have to share some of these recipes as I am fully aware how mean it is of me to post these images of mouth-watering food and not point you in the right direction. Mea culpa. First I must put in a day of hardly working, I mean working hard.
Toot, toot.
N
Still Kickin'
Two months ago, I started playing soccer for the first time ever. I practice twice a week and play a full game every Sunday evening. I figured it would just involve running around and trying to kick the ball. I must have been insane! Soccer is intense! It's the best workout I could ever imagine! I am by far one of the worst players in terms of skills on my team which is only to be expected since I have no experience and am really out of shape. However, as each week goes by, I feel my legs getting stronger, my abdomen tightening up, my energy level increasing, and my endurance on the field improving. I'm getting the knack of how things work. Sometimes I kick the ball in the right direction at just the right speed.
The team has started to talk about indoor soccer for the winter. I'm going to need a pair of indoor soccer shoes. Crazy, right?
N
30 Days of Happiness :: Cobblestone
I'm happy that he's happy. I'm also happy because now I can move on to the next big project - a sweater for me!! Mods:
Pattern: Cobblestone by Jared Flood (Interweave Knits Fall 2007)
Yarn: Briggs & Little Heritage (100% wool) Seafoam colourway
Needle: 4.5 circs (two of them!)
Started: November 24, 2008
Finished: August 18, 2009
I have no idea how many skeins I used. I know I started with about 13, so I will have to count how many left - once I find the bag that is.
I have no idea how many skeins I used. I know I started with about 13, so I will have to count how many left - once I find the bag that is.
Well there goes another weekend! Cheers!
N
Friday Night Confessions
I have to confess . . .
I am horrible at weeding. I recognize that it needs to be done, but they get out of control easily, and I must have special weeds with thorny bases that make my hands bleed. Seriously. They're insane.
I have also been blogging for an entire year on wordpress, and I've never once linked it on our blog here. One crazy day last summer, I suggested to management that our organization should blog because "It would be AWESOME!" I think I had one person on board with the idea, so I just starting building it up behind the scenes. About six months later, I showed the staff again what I had made, and they looked at me like I was a weiner. They didn't get it. And they wouldn't write for it which made it senseless because then it really was just my blog with their name on it. However, I am relentless. I still think it's a good direction for our mission. So I continue to pull material from our old newsletters and handouts. Over the last couple of months, I've been posting tips to keep boredom at bay. And when I return home, I have been putting them to use with the girls. Today, El filled a big container with water outside, and she found an old sponge brush, and the Bee went to town painting a hopscotch cross, painting the railings and painting leaves. They had so much fun! It was easy, not messy, free, and totally open-ended. I think they ended up doing a big finale and throwing the water all over the driveway. (To the joy of the weeds which I wish would just die on their own.)
I am horrible at weeding. I recognize that it needs to be done, but they get out of control easily, and I must have special weeds with thorny bases that make my hands bleed. Seriously. They're insane.
I have also been blogging for an entire year on wordpress, and I've never once linked it on our blog here. One crazy day last summer, I suggested to management that our organization should blog because "It would be AWESOME!" I think I had one person on board with the idea, so I just starting building it up behind the scenes. About six months later, I showed the staff again what I had made, and they looked at me like I was a weiner. They didn't get it. And they wouldn't write for it which made it senseless because then it really was just my blog with their name on it. However, I am relentless. I still think it's a good direction for our mission. So I continue to pull material from our old newsletters and handouts. Over the last couple of months, I've been posting tips to keep boredom at bay. And when I return home, I have been putting them to use with the girls. Today, El filled a big container with water outside, and she found an old sponge brush, and the Bee went to town painting a hopscotch cross, painting the railings and painting leaves. They had so much fun! It was easy, not messy, free, and totally open-ended. I think they ended up doing a big finale and throwing the water all over the driveway. (To the joy of the weeds which I wish would just die on their own.)
It feels good to have that off my chest. Speaking of other things that haunt me, I have resurrected the Cobblestone Sweater that I intended to give J for Christmas last year, and I have been plugging away at it vigorously. I wouldn't be surprised if it is ready to wear for September!
Happy Friday, friends.
N
Holy Toledo Civic Weekend
We've been blessed with a 3-day weekend in which relaxing is definitely on the agenda! We're kicking back between toasted tomato sandwiches with cream cheese and garden salads AND sponge cake with real whip cream and berries. There will be lots of basking on the couch with my knitting (the 3rd clapotis is DONE - pictures to come) and a pile of Sue Townsend novels. I expect there will be drowsing off to sleep when my eyelids get to heavy to read another word and staying up too late on ravelry inputting all the gold I whisked away from yesterday's yard sale (that's the top photo minus another 30 skeins of wool that didn't fit in the picture). Each skein was a dollar, and I now have 100 more to add to the stash - do the math. There's Noro, Debbie Bliss, Koigu, Jo Sharp, Rowan and Manos del Uruguay. Am I dreaming???? Somebody pinch me. Today there was a girls trip to IKEA for Swedish meatballs, slipcovers, storage bins and fabric, and I laughed so hard that I had to wipe the tears from my eyes. A weekend like this comes once a lifetime! I wish it didn't have to end.
N
The Official Start of Summer
Teachers gifts were made just under the wire. That was close. Not sure what took me so long to get my butt in gear 'cause these cup sleeves took no time and little skill. I might do some things differently next time such as use longer hair elastics, but the instructions were flawless. If I can do these, anyone can.
As of yesterday, the girls finished their school year, and I wrapped up at work with the Annual General Meeting - not to mention a 12-hour work day. Ah, sweet summer!! The girls are looking forward to staying up late each evening and sleeping in each morning, no homework, and no walking to school. I can do without all the hassling to finish school work and packing lunches for picky eaters. I can stop worrying about running out of drinking boxes and white cheddar popcorn and butter croissants and sandwich bags. Now I just need a plan to keep them somewhat active and not bored. I have ideas - I just need to get these lazy daisy girls on board.
So I am nearly finished my first non-fiction-current-world-issue-library book on modern-day slavery, and I have to say I've never been SO engrossed in a non-fiction-current-world-issue-library book EVER before. Who knew trafficking humans was so lucrative? Did you know that a Romanian prostitute can bring in $250,000 annually for her pimp? Did you know that there are more slaves in the world currently then there has ever been before? That is with all of the sanctions, treaties, policies, human rights commissions, and legislature in place. It's incredible. It's also incredible how the "solutions" add to the problem. For instance, international religious agencies are profitting from "redeeming" slaves, and traffickers and war lords are in large part funding their operations using funds paid by "redeemers". It all seems so ridiculously hopeless. And the real tales are sickening. Just being born in North America has gifted us a life of privilege. We have all the necessities to survive, and we live in a culture that demands we have freedoms. Is it education? Is it wealth? Is it social services? Is it love? I am curious to see how the author ends this commentary. And is anyone else blown away by how flippin' hunky this guy is? He's a cross between Justin Timberlake and David Beckham. Oh dear.
Happy weekend!
N
Loose Ends
I've finished sewing up the seams of these cowls that were languishing in a pile, and they simply await recipients. El knit up the majority of these when I banned her from the tv and computer. Can you feel the resentment that has built up in each stitch? I'm sure she's simmered down since.
And seriously. This will be my last picture of flowers for a bit. I promise. It's getting tired, isn't it? But this one is special because that peony standing up in the vase right up front is the only one on its bush. It's a new bush I picked up late last year, so I had no idea what it looked like. Well holy moly mole. It's a smack of scrump-dilly-o-cious! I just needed some record of it, so here it is. Something to look forward to another year from now. I'm going to cross my fingers for three.
And seriously. This will be my last picture of flowers for a bit. I promise. It's getting tired, isn't it? But this one is special because that peony standing up in the vase right up front is the only one on its bush. It's a new bush I picked up late last year, so I had no idea what it looked like. Well holy moly mole. It's a smack of scrump-dilly-o-cious! I just needed some record of it, so here it is. Something to look forward to another year from now. I'm going to cross my fingers for three. N
