2.03.2012

Busy Busy Bee...


There are lots of new things (which stem from old things) going on in my life right now. That unlike the reflection in the coffee cup above are not necessarily visible on the surface (I was sitting by a window in a restaurant on 15th Street in downtown DC when I took this photo...couldn't resist the reflection of the building across the street in my coffee I guess). All good, but it is keeping me busy as a bee.

I have just been hired to teach at my local quilt shop, Material Girls Quilt Boutique. I am so excited to get back into quilting. I have been a quilter for 25 years and have taught off and on over the years. The last class I taught was about 10 or so years ago. Just before 9-11 happened. I went into in home sales for a while selling Stampin' Up products. Did that for almost 4 years. After finding out I was expecting my little guy who is now 7, I gave up all the extra activities that took me out of the house. I focused on being the healthiest pregnant mom I could be (my older son was 14 at the time). Then after giving birth I could not justify being out of the house with a brand new babe who needed to bond with his momma...and me with him. I made the right choice...never one doubt about it. Now he has swim practice twice a week, soccer practice once a week, and ice skating lessons once a week. All in the evenings. My hubby takes him to swimming, because for some reason they don't like little boys in the womens locker room, or moms in the mens locker room...tee hee hee. On soccer night it is all guys so I stay home to get dinner going once I am home from work. Ice skating however, is my favorite physical activity to do with him so we all go to the rink to ice skate before his lessons.

Now that I will be teaching again I plan to do it on one of the evenings he is at the pool for swim practice. It won't take away from our time together and I get to do some girl stuff I enjoy (not that there are only females interested in quilting). I have a laundry list of new ideas for classes I want to teach...have pretty much been given free reign over what classes I teach, what day and time they are to be held, and how often. Fun is on the horizon people and I am ready to meet the challenge with much enthusiasm.

I have been working on knitting my Tea Leaves Cardigan I started last February, 2011. It is coming along nicely, and I cannot wait to wear it. Malabrigo worsteds are my most favorite yarns...so soft and snuggly, and beautiful saturated colors. This sweater is going to be my go to sweater for everyday wear. I can just feel it in my bones everytime I pick it up and work on it. I chose a beautiful shade of dark green for this particular pattern. Green goes with everything! Think about it...flowers of all colors have green leaves, grass is green, trees have green leaves...green goes with every color of everything in the whole world! As do sunshine yellow, sky blue, and earthy browns. Black and white are not the only paints in the paint box to go with all other colors.

Have also been working on writing and illustrating a childrens book...this has been my dream since I was a child. We will see how far it goes, but I am giving it my all. It is quite a process and I love every minute of it. I will at least have some colorful artwork to frame and hang on my walls if it doesn't work out. :)

Hope everyone has a wonderful and creative weekend...I know I will. Tomorrow we are planning our vegie garden for the spring and summer so we can get our seeds ordered. So, I will be busy with lots of creative things (with a little ice skating thrown in for good measure!).

12.30.2011

Just Words for Now...

I have no idea why my computer which is only a year old has decided to stop accepting new photos I try to upload. It is very annoying, especially since I would very much like to put up some Christmas photos, among others. So it's going to be just words for right now...

Today was a rather nice day...my little guy and I had an appointment at his dentist office first thing this morning, then we proceeded to do exactly and only what we really wanted to do for the rest of the day.

We left the dentist office and went to the local bagel shop for bagels, chocolate milk, and coffee, followed by a little shared newspaper reading...the style and comic sections of the Washington Post. Next we made our way across the parking lot to our favorite place...a bookstore (the exception being an ice skating rink). We perused shelf after shelf full of glorious books for about 3 hours! I kid not...we are true book addicts...came away with the complete Laura Ingalls series. Once we left there we went across the highway to both of the craft & hobby stores in our area...we had three 50% off coupons to make use of, and that we did.

The little boy who sat across from his momma reading the newspaper today, has grown all too quickly from a newborn babe to a seven year old. I want to savor every single moment I can with him...I know first hand that these days will be only a sweet memory years from now. His big brother, now 22, grew up way too fast. When I look back on that time with him I am so grateful that I had the forethought to really pay attention and be in the moment. I have so many sweet memories because I did pay attention and lived every single moment to the fullest with him. I feel so blessed to be able to do this all over again.

It will be a new year in about 25 hours from now. I plan on starting the new year the same way I am ending the old one...by living loving learning in the moment.

If you don't do anything except be present in the new year on a daily basis, then you will have done everything! God Bless You and Happy New Year!

12.04.2011

It's Getting Closer...

He had the most lengthy conversation I have ever seen anyone have with Santa...he asked him how he became Santa. He was listening so intently. I couldn't hear what Santa was saying to him, but I got the complete story several times in the days following his visit. I do think that is the longest he has ever sat that still while awake...well, with the exception of the first time we took him to see The Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC when he was 4. I had to keep checking to see if he was awake, because from the time it started he was so mesmerized by it that he didn't move a muscle or make a peep.

We are just about ready for the big day...have lots of fun things left to do...I have the neccessary things done, but we enjoy the doing right up to the day. Even after the day we are so still in the spirit of Christmas that we continue listening to Christmas music, watching Christmas movies, and making Christmas crafts.

11.06.2011

Catching Up...Bits and Bobs of Summer and Autumn Fun...

Watercolor palette has been calling to me...need to paint soon...

From this...


to this...


and this...Not bad for our first vegetable garden...



Just hanging out on the boardwalk at the beach...


Getting ready for all the holiday craft fairs...


Who is chasing who? Awesome detail on the firefly don't you think...


Relaxing and blowing bubbles...a favorite pastime...


Shrimp fritters...


Mr. Teddi Tinkerman...his official name...


Afternoon kitchen tea with my little guy...


Out for his first spin without training wheels...


I see you looking at me...


Dinner! Yum! well, after it is cooked it will be...


Blanket town...


Gathering materials...


Stitching them together...





For the cutest scarecrow ever!




Trick or treating with friends...


Spooky stew afterwards...kale, potatoes, kidney beans...


Last okra from the vegie garden...


Preparing fried okra...



Last bell peppers...


Knitting socks...


New venture...


Broccoli, chicken, cheddar ring...


Doughnut french toast with warm strawberry jam...


Birthday pumpkin carving cookout/party...






Reading everything in sight...so much fun learning to read...love it!


First time for fondue...fun fun fun...

9.28.2011

Random Posts...

For a little while there will be random posts, here and there. There are quite a few photos and happenings from this summer.

We are now into the school year full swing, as I am sure everyone is...homework, rushing out the door in the morning, earlier bedtimes, and on, and on...missing summer already. I have however, been able to make it to a few art festivals. I am feeling really inspired to start painting again, among many other things. I love art and seeing what others are doing just gets my creative juices flowing like crazy!

Below are a few things I found at the art festivals I have attended recently...I love baskets and I love pottery! (Have been taking basket weavings classes since February this year...my next endeavor shall be to learn pottery.)

The larger basket holds four of my current knitting projects with room to spare...I love it! The man I bought the baskets from is from Ghana. He has been in the US for about 30 years...was a professional soccer player when he first came here, and when he retired from that he started making these traditional elephant grass baskets to sell. They are the same as the ones you can find online at fair trade sites. It is amazing to watch him weave them...he has recently accepted a position with the professional soccer organization back in Africa, and will be leaving the states to return home. It was truly a priviledge to meet him...he is a very kind and joyful person. Good luck and safe travels to you Mohammad Attiah!









Attended an awesome heirloom harvest festival at Thomas Jefferson's home (Monticello, in Charlottesville, Virginia) weekend before last. I am already planning my vegie garden for next spring, summer, and fall. Also, thinking about planting some berry plants...strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries. I am definitely addicted to growing my own food now. Very satisfying.