Horses!

One of my knitting buddies (A.) is a volunteer for a local dressage show and she was kind enough to give us tickets for the week. We finally made it there today and had a great time. We missed out on our playgroup today to do it, but it was lovely to just be there together, take our time and just do whatever we felt like doing. We watched the horses, saw many dogs, ate yummy bad food and had fun. We caught up with A. who gave us a program and showed us to the kiddy area which included a moon bounce thingy. Let me tell you, if we had a yard big enough for this, I would have it up all the time. What joy, what bliss! However, when I asked Buttons her favorite part of the whole day, she said she really liked the trotting of the horses. My favorite part of the day? Seeing her loving life and taking it all in to her ever expanding mind.

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Moon Festival!

The Moon Festival is a very important holiday in China. It's a celebration that includes the story of a goddess named Chang'e who traveled to the moon and lives there still. Since the moon is a very important part of Chinese culture where their calender is based on the lunar cycles, she is an important figure.

The Moon Festival (or Mid Autumn Festival) is very similar to Thanksgiving in the U.S. as Both holidays revolve around family reunions, food and tradition. Mooncakes (see picture) are eaten with family in the evening outside while watching the moon. If there is family that cannot make the reunion, there is comfort in knowing that on that evening you are looking at the same moon as your loved ones far away. So, tonight when we eat our mooncakes at a local park, I'll look at the moon and think of Buttons' birthparents. Surely they'll be thinking of her and wondering if she is looking at the very same moon. I wish peace for them and I would love to tell them what a wonderful child she is and how lucky we are to be raising her. When I put her to bed, we have a new ritual of giving thanks and I love hearing what she's thankful for which included kitty cats, curtains and her uncle last night. I'm sorry her birth-mom and birth-dad are not able to know these wonderful things about her, but I am selfish enough to be thankful she is with us. On other nights we have both spoken our thanks for the moon. Tonight I will give thanks to the moon and its connection to the people who brought Buttons into the world.

I am also thankful for Buttons' teachers, one of which asked if we celebrated any Chinese holidays and if so, would I mind giving her some ideas for crafts to go along with them. Yeah, what a great teacher, huh? So, I made 16 paper lanterns for her class since bright lanterns are a big part of the festival. Gosh, kids are fun. Don't forget to check out the moon tonight!

Knitting Update

I'm currently getting busy on my Wallaby sweater for Buttons, but here are a few things I've been doing as well...

Baby hats in Mission Falls Cotton from "Last Minute Gifts".

My first set of baby booties from Bernat Organic Cotton with the free pattern on the band.

Oh, did I mention I'm addicted to these washrags? Oh, baby I can't stop making them. I have a stack that's growing all the time. I've hooked others into it, too. Beware...I warned you. Picks of the Wallaby soon to come.

What's Your Superpower?

This Monday I will have some very easy knitting ready as I sink into my sofa to watch Heroes. I can't wait. Haven't seen it? Come on, try it. Everyone's watching it. You know you want to. Seriously, it's good TV.

Everyone in the show has their own superpower like reading minds or being able to heal themselves. I think everyone has at least one superpower in real life. Hubby can make his throat bubble out like a frog. One of our friends has a knack for finding four-leaf clovers. I have so much trivia about movies in my head that I'm frequently able to name the title of a movie after given only minimal amounts of information even though I have never seen the movie. Lame, I know, but it's my superpower.

So, what's your superpower? This is a great time to de-lurk if you're out there but have never commented. Post in the comments, or if you have a blog, write about it and let us know where to find you.

Oh, and on Monday at 9pm (EST) don't bother calling my house because I'll be watching Hiro.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Want some words? Go to Walternatives for an inspiring quote.

Happy Blogiversary Marsha!

In celebration of year two of her blog, my friend Marsha has a contest running. She asks what 3 things would we bring onto a desert island with us. Here's where we run into a problem Marsha. I need more information. How long will I be there? Are there others? Is there food? Are you asking me for things I cherish most or what I believe to be the most practical solutions to this problem?

Yeah, contests like these I will never win.

However, I shall make my own parameters. I have decided that I will only be on this desert island for as long as I desire. Food and shelter will be easy to find and the weather will be nice. I have decided this is like a vacation so Hubby and Buttons will be with me. I don't know if our kitty would do well, so I may have our neighbors take care of her since they spoil her anyway. I would like to bring clothing, but I'm not going to waste one on that.

1. Knitting. As much as I can fit into one suitcase. I can knit and re-knit, make my own patterns and do things I wouldn't normally do with my knitting because sometimes it seems like I just hold my knitting too tightly. Maybe I'd loosen my grip.

2. Ok, my next instinct is some sort of electrical device, but I'm sure that's not allowed, but I'd like to at least bring a camera. I can't seem to go more than 2 days without taking a picture and capturing as many moments as possible. (Maybe I should rethink that clothing thing.)

3. Chocolate? Books? Maybe I could finally kick my chocolate insanity. So, books it is. Yes, books with an s. Maybe the Hobbit trilogy or (sorry Marsha) the Harry Potter books. I haven't read all of either, but the books are long, well-loved and Hubby would read them too.

Wait, do Buttons and Hubby get there own 3 items? If not, that changes my answers, but knitting would still be on the list.

So Marsha, there it is, my contest entry. Thankfully you had few rules, so I shouldn't be disqualified. Happy Blogiversary! Keep blogging!

Etsy and Calla Lillies

I went to Etsy to search for items for my secret pal and dishcloth swapper. Ok, yes I did covet many of the stitch markers for myself, but that's not the point. I so enjoy Etsy and I love calla lilies (carried 'em at my wedding) but when I saw this photo it made me question both of those things. Wow, that's an incredible picture. Ok, enough snarkiness. I'm going on a knitting adventure tomorrow with some friends and I need to get my beauty rest. Have a great weekend everyone!

Buffy & Knitting

My Secret Pal spoiler is located somewhere in the UK and has sent me a postcard from Manchester with a trivia question. Which BBC drama with a time travel visit from 2006 and 2007 was set in Manchester? I've never seen Dr. Who, but that was my first guess. With a little help from Go*gle and Wiki... I believe the answer is Life on Mars which looks really interesting and I'll see if I can get it on Netfl*x. The other cool thing about my Secret Pal? She's a big fan of Joss Whedon as well. Secret Pal, I'm a fan of the Scooby Gang myself with Willow and Xander being my faves. Wash and Kaylee were my faves on Firefly.

As a participant in the Fall into Autumn Dishcloth Swap, I decided to play along with the contests and each week will blog about the topic they give us. So, for this week...

Now that in some geographic locations the weather is starting to turn cooler, do you change the type of yarn(s) you knit/crochet with? If so, what do you now knit/crochet with instead and why? If not, why do you not switch and what do you knit/crochet with?

The weather is getting cooler here and usually the answer would be yes, I do change the types of yarn, but right now I'm addicted to the ballband washcloth pattern and can't seem to stop making them. However, this weekend I'm going to shop around for some wool to make stockings for Hubby and I. (Buttons received hers last year.)

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Relief

The first day of school went well for Buttons. Grandpa is recovering nicely. Thank you for your kind words and good vibes.

Today is also September 11th and I'm thinking of the family and friends of the people who lost their lives on this day 6 years ago. May there be peace.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is a big day. Buttons starts school for the very first time and my grandpa is going into surgery. I'm nervous for both of them for different reasons and sending good vibes via the internet...

School Days

She starts school next week. Next week people! Just last week she had no teeth! Wasn't that last week? Hmmmph, seems like it. She's going to pre-school. It's only a couple of days a week for a couple of hours each day, but it's the beginning. It's the beginning of letting go and the start of Buttons navigating her world without my watchful eye. It's the beginning of possibilities. The possibility of being inspired by her teachers, learning new skills she'll have for the rest of her life, making new friendships and falling in love with school (oh I do hope).

Hubby and I met her teachers earlier in the week and Buttons joined us for an open house where the teachers met the children and everyone just played. They have a kitchen and books, so Buttons is all set. Before her nap, I told her the story of Buttons and her new school. I told her how Buttons made cookies for everyone in the kitchen and sailed in the pirate ship with her friend. I told her about the bathroom right off of the classroom. She was interested and asked if the teachers brought the kids to the potty. I assured her they would. She then told me which teacher should take her to the potty. That girl makes up her mind fast.

Fall into Autumn Dishcloth Swap

I seem to have become addicted to swaps and secret pal stuff. Oh well, here's another questionnaire.

1. Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been doing it? I've been knitting for about 5 years but would love to learn to crochet.

2. Have you made dischloths before? Do you use them yourself, give them as gifts, or both? I cannot stop making those Ballband dishcloths. Obsession? Addiction? Sickness? I would love to keep them all myself, but all but one or two will become gifts.

3. What's your favorite cotton to make cloths from? What cotton would you like to try that you haven't before ? Just purchased some Peaches 'n' Cream and I like that. Other swap buds have sent me Lion Brand and Knitpicks Shine which were lovely. Sugar 'n' Cream has been a staple, but I'm easy to please. If there is a cotton my swap pal thinks I should try, all the better.

4. If you knit, do you prefer circular or straight needles? For all, do you prefer wooden, metal, or plastic needles? I mostly use my Denise circular set which are a very nice plastic needle. Otherwise, bamboo or even better, Addi Turbos.

5. What are your favorite colors? Any colors you don't like much? Rich blues, purples, and greens are always welcome. I also like reds quite a bit. But for a washcloth, I'll go with just about anything.

6. What do you like best about Autumn? The cooler weather and crisp air, leaves, fresh apples, and a promise of a new start. I guess I link it to starting school with a brand new teacher, a fresh slate and new shoes.

7. Pies: Pumpkin? Apple? Pecan? All of em? or No Thanks! Pumpkin for Thanksgiving. Apple for any time. Pecan rarely.

8. When you were a kid, were you the one who couldn't wait to get started with school , or the one who overslept on the 1st day? Yeah, question number 6 gave it away. I loved seeing old friends and the newness of it all, so I was up early the first day and overslept every other day of the year.

9. Do you celebrate Halloween? (The real key here guys is especially knowing if you have an aversion to the holiday or little goodies/decorations associated with it, given the timeframe of the swap) Candy? Dressing up? What's not to like? Yes, I celebrate Halloween.

10. If you had to choose just 3 edible 'goodies' to eat for a full year, what 3 would you choose? Belgian chocolates from Elsa or Nuehaus, Belgian beer and food. Yeah, maybe I should take another trip there. I truly like good chocolate, but a Hershey bar will do. However, I'm trying to eat healthier. (Don't test me on the definition of try, ok?) So, bottom line if I had to choose 3 for a whole year, I'd want some sort of organic protein bar, some fruity green tea and darnit, some Belgian chocolates. Oh, what a foodie I am.

11. Do you have any pets? Kids? Husbands who seem like kids? ;) I have a hubby who supports me and my knitting, an almost 3 year old daughter who has a strong desire to learn knitting and a long-haired cat who loves to play with knitting.

12. If you were to describe a particular yarn that shares traits of your personality, what would it be and why? Merino wool with a little cat hair. I'm fairly soft-hearted, warm, and nice to knit with, but I'm not too high end. The cat hair? Uh, I have a cat so it's everywhere.

13. Do you use your cloths mostly for dishcloths, or as facecloths? Mostly dishcloths, but I like either.

14. Favorite Fall Holiday: Halloween or Thanksgiving and why? (Feel free to share another fall memory if you do not celebrate either of these holidays) I'm really excited about Halloween this year because it's really the first time my daughter is getting excited in advance about October 31st. However, I do enjoy sitting around the table with family and friends during Thanksgiving. I like that there are no gifts except to just enjoy each other's company. Basically I'm always ready to celebrate, so bring on the holidays!

15. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should know about? I have a strong asthmatic reaction to smoke.

The Lazy Days of Summer are Passing...

Things are cooling off a bit with the weather, but our schedules are heating up like crazy. I already missed a swim lesson for Buttons. I'm getting estimates for a new fence and new windows. The stuff I volunteer for is getting busy. I know the new year starts in January, but I've always felt like autumn was a new beginning for me. I want to clean out my house, buy new clothes, get things settled. I've finished my oldest knitting WIP (work in progress) and it feels so good. I want to get everything in order and at the same time enjoy these last warm days.

By the way, Hubby taught Buttons to say "Cowabunga" as she slid down into the water, so that would be my caption for this photo. What joy a small pool in the backyard can bring. Jumping in freshly raked leaves can be fun too . What are you missing about summer already? What are you looking forward to for the fall?

(Next post will be about a first autumn event for Buttons.)

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday
Lollipop Plant
Photo by Buttons

The Ghanouj Family

Our CSA is ripe with eggplants. In my life I have rarely purchased the beautiful purple suckers much less made them a part of our weekly menu. Mostly we've been adding a little olive oil, salt and pepper and grilling them with other veggies. Last week I put together a wonderful eggplant parmesan without using a recipe(!) and holy cow that is a labor intensive dish. Along with making eggplant more often now, we also talk about them regularly. I've told a few people I'm thinking of making baba ghanouj (pronounced ganoosh) and apparently my girl does have big ears. Today at lunch, pretty much out of the blue, she starts talking about mama ghanouj and baby ghanouj and baba ghanouj and Buttons ghanouj. This makes even more sense if you know that although she has started calling Hubby "daddy", for her first year and a half he was known as "baba", the Chinese word for daddy. So we have become Baba Ghanouj, Mama Ghanouj and Buttons Ghanouj, the Ghanouj family.