cookie dough

Just cause I feel all springy, I just mixed up some cookie dough this afternoon. Instead of trying to cook it all now and miss out on some of the beautiful sunshine outside, I wrapped up two logs to freeze and have balls in the fridge ready to through in the oven at dinner time.

I was inspired by the yummy grocery pick up from Sarah G. She gave me a package of THE BEST store bought cookie dough EVER that cooked up into amazing cookies. I don't know the name - I'll have to get back to you on that. Help Sarah G.

In other news, yesterday I broke out in hives. Go figure. That happens to me occasionally - and I can't trace it to any food allergy. Feeling great today though. Also, today, I picked up some wood and manure - or maybe "soil" is a better word - for the garden.

Happy Earth Day

{felted earth ball} from cosycottagecreations

This morning it was so h-h-hard to get out of bed, but I suppose that is to be expected on the 2nd day of this early bird schedule. Malcolm is sleeping so I'll treat myself to a little nap now too.

peas & beans

Happy Monday everyone.
Here are two pictures from Friday that I wanted to share.

{planting beans and peas}
Malcolm helps me water them with his little .25 cent watering can when he wakes from nap.

{Oh, this boy makes me so happy.}

We are hoping to make room for some more gardening this week. I picked up this book which has been helpful. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

Our family had a little of "this and a little of that" over the weekend. (If you know what I mean.) I've decided I am going to be waking up with Dave in the mornings. Since he has to leave for the hospital at 5:25AM I wrote out a schedule working back from that time and figured our alarms need to ring at 4:40AM. We gave it a shot this morning and as early as it was it worked beautifully. Dave was able to get ready while I fixed him some oatmeal (my specialty) and packed some lunch. I had some peach tea and we were able to visit a little. We worked in 10 minutes for him to get geared up for the bike ride and he left with a kiss right on time. I then had a few hours before Malcolm woke which I filled with some writing, a little cleaning, some yoga, and a hot bath. With these early early bird mornings (that are new to me, not to Dave) we are going to do better about getting to bed sooner. The target is Dave and Sarah in pj's by 8:30, bed by 9:00PM. That's our plan for the standard work weekday. I will allow myself to stay up late for special nights such as book club, but only because I can catch a power nap during the day while Malcolm sleeps. Wish us luck.

cheese and books - life is good

I went to my 1st cheese tasting gathering. A rich an intoxicating world of cheese is beginning to open up for me. It was such a great idea, a few friends with everyone bringing a different cheese. {Photo's taken by the talented Sarah P.} Made us think, what other kinds of tasting gatherings could you have?


The Respite Book Club met and was fantastic as always. We read Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet. My favorite line of the night was when someone said, after a long explanation of something, "I don't know where I started with this but I sure had fun talking about it!"

{open}

spring drawstring pouch

This was a quickie to put together. I had some fun with the round and round stitching. I like the way the doubled up stitches over lap for some visual pull. The floral patch makes me think of looking out a window. I think it will be good for all the out and about we are doing in this nice weather. Easily holds my camera, wallet, tissues, lip balm, and a treat or two - all the things that other wise rattle around in the bottom of my bigger bag.

out

We're becoming regular porch dwellers.

{boy, pail, basket}
And,

welcome to the Robin family that has moved in next door.

Pom Poms are happy

Why don't I just stop everything and make a pair of these?
I think I have pom poms on the brain because yesterday at toddler gym time at the community center they had to fantastic balls to play with that were essentially HUGE pom poms. Orange and purple. I think I'll make some for myself to share with Malcolm.

patches

These jeans have been good to me. I wore them so much, my knee had started to peek through. I'm not ready to say goodbye to them yet. This morning I patched them with fabric that sings of spring. I used an iron on adhesive and then went around with a zig-zag stitch. The trickiest part was getting the fabric through the sewing machine with out sewing my pants together. (I had to do a little unpicking.) A little Punky Brewster?, okay, yes. Perfect for working in the garden, cleaning, painting, playing with Malcolm?, yes, yes, yes, and yes.

SO yesterday I realized I may be a chocoholic. Starting off the day with chocolate, chocolate throughout, a headache brought on by too much chocolate, eating a little chocolate to help take the edge off... I need help. Chocolate should be enjoyable, not like this.

Okay, now it feels like spring.

magazine bowls

Looking for something to do with your old magazines? Try these bowls.

Thanks for the link AC.

things to knit

Last night was fun. I met up with my friend Delta, a fellow knitter. We pulled out what was currently on our needles along with all our knitting books, magazines, and patterns. I'm nearly finished with the back of Malcolm's vest and she is in the middle of crocheting a beautiful cream throw.
Looking through Delta's knitting library I got excited about the possibilities of Jean Greenhowe's patterns.

I know Malcolm would love playing with these little color people.

Even though I'm very much in the spring mindset, I was quite taken with the Christmas Nativity. Not shown here, but there is also a donkey that is quite charming.

And then there are these fun patterns that you can download for free.

I'm planing to put together some play people together for Malcolm and I think I'll have to include some of these egg heads.

I like that these rainbow babies come with their own pouches.

Tea party treats, anyone?

ALSO...

last night I was captured by the cute and classic things I saw in Itty Bitty Hats by Susan B. Anderson.
And good news, I just checked out Susan's blog and she is doing her 1st giveaway of this dear little elefante. You have until 12pm Friday, April 11th to enter.

I love my fabric bowl

I bought this fabric coil bowl, way back when, at an art and gift show on my last trip to Utah. I love the colors, the stitching, the fabric edges, the shape. The maker of this happy thing is Jen of Sparrow Originals. Right now it is my nest for left over Easter chocolate and jelly beans. Looking back through past photos and I remembered that I had wanted to share this find.
I also came across this photo.

It's a snap shot I took on that trip of a BIG spool of cording sitting in my mother's work space. I love this image for several reasons.
- It reminds me that my mom tends to buy good things in BULK.
- I love that it was the perfect resting spot for her shoes that day.
- It is evidence of my mom being a doer, a maker, a creater.
- And I wonder, "What will be made of all that cording?" Maybe piping for pillows or an upholstered cushion/chair/couch. Maybe she will make bowls. (Maybe this will be my inheritance.)
- This photo says it all. (I love you mom.)

doorstep breakfast

It was a blueberry muffin morning. Malcolm was my super helper and eater.
We've had some mighty beautiful days here in Ohio. Warmth, sunshine, a slight breeze. We are spending as much time as we can outside and getting better acquainted with neighbors while we're at it.

Make Way for Spring

Today in warm sunshine my quest was to clear out dead leaves and such from this little strip of earth. Out with the old and up with the new. The previous owner planted all sorts of wonderful things. I am looking forward to discovering the life that is here as it unveils itself. Welcome spring! My favorite tool of the day is my rake. My favorite accessory, my straw hat.

Check out the big pile I cleaned out. The compost heap will be so happy. Yes, I'm getting some serious excitement over this.

frenchy bag

Here's the latest from the sewing machine. I was thrilled when my friend Sarah P. gifted this Amy Butler pattern to me for my birthday. Since then, she has had a birthday so I thought it only appropriate that she should receive the 1st bag. I pulled together fabric I bought from a remanent sale last summer along with the great black and white striped fabric that was hanging as bedroom curtains when we moved in. I'm happy with the way it turned out. It's a little unpredictable and that makes me smile.

My studio is in working order again after switching rooms with Malcolm. In the midst of the switch it looked like a tornado had passed through. My space now is on the sunnier side of the house which makes me so happy.

Easter 2008

A few days after Easter, the Easter Bunny made a stop at our home. It was sunny, the snow mostly melted, the perfect day for a little egg hunt.



I stitched up the rabbit along with a romper for Malcolm last year. This year I started to knit a vest for Malcolm the night before Easter - it's still on the needles. I am actually back to the 1st stitches since I decided I'd better make the larger size and I ripped it out. I wish my good ideas for making would come sooner than the night before I wished them done. Well, whenever it is finished it will be enjoyed. Just don't grow too fast little one.

kitchen duty

To be sung to the tune of "I Love the Mountains", sung to me as a child by my mother.
"I love the dishes, I love the pots and pans, I love the silverware, I love dishwater hands, I love to do them all after every meal. Kitchen duty, kitchen, duty kitchen duty, kitchen duty."

(Doing the dishes is usually my least favorite chore, probably because after I've just enjoyed a yummy meal - one that I most likely prepared - I'd rather not stand at the sink. Dave is most often the dishwasher. Our dishwasher has been out of commission for a few weeks now (the actual dishwasher - not Dave) and on several occasions I've had to dip in my ore. I've found that if I slow down, put on some good music, sing along, get my grove on, enjoy the warm water, and take interest in the form and color of the dishes - I can find beauty.)