sun & snow

"Oh, Mama. How did the snow know you like Christmas?!" is what E said as she peeked out the window this morning; apparently snow = Christmas

Big, Red & Beautiful

My new best friend in the kitchen.

Little Knitter Girl

I've recently re-connected with my friend Anna. She has two son's, one is just weeks older than E. Our families get along well, and because we have a past we easily find things to talk about. D and I were even in a band briefly with her; I know, I know, picture me on bass, her on guitar and D on drums yelling out chord changes and singing. It was fun until we landed our first show, I panicked, we canceled, and to the best of my recollection never played again.

sigh.

That was a long time ago, before husbands, houses, children...easily 10 years ago.

sigh.

Anyhow, she recently introduced me to a really neat little artist/blogger I thought you'd like to check out; Black Apple. She gave this print to me for an early Valentine's Day present, because she wasn't sure if D was going to be around (how thoughtful is that?) And soo cute right?

Thanks Anna.

Google You

I know most of us these days rely on our cell phones, but this goes to show we need to be taking proactive steps to keep our children and families safe.

Google has implemented a feature which enables you to type a telephone number into the search bar and you will be given the person's name and address w/a Google Map. If you then hit Map you will get a map to the person's house. It's nationwide reverse telephone book.

If a child gives out his/her phone number, someone can now look it up to find out where he/she lives. The safety issues are obvious, and alarming; it could take Sex Offenders right to your front door!

Check your own number (although this may not apply to you if you have an unlisted number or cell phone as primary contact).

I checked this out and put in our phone number and was, indeed, able to locate our information. I followed through and asked for the "block". Likely worthwhile for each of us.

(This reminder comes to you courtesy of an e-mail I recently received)

Medical Update (3)

Saw my endocrinologist this morning for a re-check on my upped medication dosage. My blood levels looked perfect and he wants me to check-in again in 6 months. This is really encouraging, because if my levels remain stable, I'll only need to revisit every year!

Sunrise 7:47AM

Good Morning

He's 32

Happy Birthday Daddy!


D got his favorite breakfast this morning, hot chocolate croissant + double short americano with lots of room.

E drew his portrait (notice his beard) along with her version of sounding out the spelling of his name (DVV).


I made his favorite; spice cake with penuche frosting!

The Dentist

E had her first dentist appointment this morning! She did so well.

Pretzel Day

Came home from church this afternoon with a hankering for a nice warm bit of bread. Pretzels. Hadn't made them in a while, but Martha had the recipe waiting online:
(my variations in purple)

Soft Pretzel's

• 2 cups warm water, 100 degrees to 110 degrees
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 5 to 6 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 large egg
• Coarse or pretzel salt (or a salt/herb mix or cinnamon/sugar)
  
• Vegetable-oil cooking spray (or parchment paper)
  

Directions

1. Pour warm water into bowl of electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. In a small bowl, combine water and sugar, and stir to dissolve sugar. Sprinkle with yeast, and let sit 10 minutes; yeast should be foamy.
2. Add 1 cup flour to yeast, and mix on low until combined. Add salt and 4 cups flour, and mix until combined, about 30 seconds. Beat on medium-low until dough pulls away from sides of bowl, about 1 1/2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup flour, and knead on low 1 minute more. If dough is still wet and sticky, add 1/2 cup more flour (this will depend on weather conditions); knead until combined, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a lightly floured board, and knead about 10 times, or until smooth.
3. Pour oil into a large bowl; swirl to coat sides. Transfer dough to bowl, turning dough to completely cover all sides. Cover with a kitchen towel, and leave in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until dough has doubled in size.
4. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Lightly spray two baking sheets with cooking spray (or use parchment paper, this recipe tends to discolor aluminum baking sheets). Set aside. Punch down dough to remove bubbles. Transfer to a lightly floured board. Knead once or twice, divide into 16 pieces (about 2 1/2 ounces each), and wrap in plastic.
5. Roll one piece of dough at a time into an 18-inch-long strip. Twist into pretzel shape; transfer to prepared baking sheet. Cover with a kitchen towel. Continue to form pretzels; 8 will fit on each sheet. Let pretzels rest until they rise slightly, about 15 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, fill large, shallow pot with 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil. Add baking soda. Reduce to a simmer; transfer 3 to 4 pretzels to water. Poach 1 minute. Use slotted spoon to transfer pretzels to baking sheet. Continue until all pretzels are poached.
7. Beat egg with 1 tablespoon water. Brush pretzels with egg glaze. Sprinkle with salt. Bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from baking sheets promptly or they'll be cemented there forever, unless using parchment. Let cool on wire rack, or eat warm. Pretzels are best when eaten the same day, but will keep at room temperature, uncovered, for 2 days. Do not store in covered container or they will become soggy.

Singin' In The Rain

We went to The Moore this afternoon to watch the Broadway Bound Children's Theatre version of Singin' In The Rain! E remained faithful to her favorite song and was bouncing on my knee for her cherished Make 'Em Laugh, the 14 year old who sang the ditty today was outstanding!

It was a fitting day for our outing, as the sky's were gray. As we left the 100+ year theatre and flooded out onto the streets, we weren't the only ones shocked by the cold downpour; we began to whistle and burst into various renditions of the musicale's title song! We chatted the whole way home about our favorite parts and how it compared to the MGM classic. She did great, sitting and engaged for the 2-hour+ production. We won't hesitate to expose her more often to these valuable experiences of the arts!

Drink Up!

As of January 1 Starbucks is using rBST free milk!

*This hormone is not approved in most countries, we're finally making strides in this area!

Watch this!

3191

3191 is back with A Year of Evenings

weather forecast

Clear and sunny with a chance of 'freeze your freakin' rear off'!

Little Brown Hat

(1yr, 10/02/05)

Lately when I look at E, I've been having flashbacks into her earlier years. It hasn't been hard to remember her lilts and sounds, or that laughing mouth without teeth. It's those eyes, they don't change and it brings everything back.

(3yrs, 12/29/07)

*Joy Voith knit this hat for her before she was born, it's gonna be a sad day when it no longer fits.

Bo

I forgot to post about the newest addition to our family, Bo. E received her fish from our next door neighbor, finally. She named him after the green bow that was tied sweetly around his glass bowl.

Although following through on their promise of this fish was appreciated, the fact that he's a Siamese Fighting Fish that cannot co-habitat with any other fish (not even the same species) is well, more work. We decided to put him in the bathroom, and he seems happy enough.


The other day I noticed that there was a mass of bubbles that was collecting at the surface of his water. Interesting. Well a quick Wikipedia search informed me that he's just happy and looking for a little love. The males build these bubble nests and protect the babies/eggs.

Shake-A-Shake

Cupcakes taste better when you decorate them yourself.

Air Polution

Turned the heat off, and opened all the doors and windows for a bit to let our sunny windy day in.
Smell that?
Fresh air.
Ahhhh....

10 in 10 on 10 - January

• New side project to add here.
• 10 photo's from the last 10 hours on the 10th of every month.
• Got the idea here, and she convinced me.
• Won't be taking comments on these, it just confuses things.

7 o'clock hour

8 o'clock hour

9 o'clock hour

10 o'clock hour

11 o'clock hour

12 o'clock hour

1 o'clock hour

2 o'clock hour

3 o'clock hour

4 o'clock hour

Blue

I offered to make my mom a hat for her upcoming birthday. She picked the yarn and pattern. I adapted it a smidgen, and really like how it turned out!
Here's the pattern (my addition and comments are in PURPLE, original pattern only has 19 rows:

Aran Hat in Twinkle Soft Chunky
(shown in"Riviera")

Gauge 1.75 Stitches = 1 on #19 needles

Knit in the Round on either double pointed needles or two circular #19 needles

C6R = Slip to cable hook, hold in back of work, K3, K3 from hook (makes a cable)

MB = In same St (K1, P1) 3 times K1, pass 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th over 1st ST (refer to here if you need help with this, search under 'make bobble' for video)

Cast on 28 stitches

Work K2, P2 Rib for 2 Rows

Row 1: K6, P22

Repeat this row 3 times

Row 5: C6R, P to end of round

Row 6: repeat Row 1

Row 7: K4, MB, K1, P22

Row 8-12: Repeat Row 1

Row 13: Repeat Row 5

{Decrease keeping stitches as set (knit the knits and purl the purls)}

Row 14: *K5 K2tog* repeat to end of round

Row 15: work even

Row 16: *K4 K2tog* repeat to end of round

Row 17: work even

Row 18: *K3 K2tog* repeat to end of round

Row 19: work even

Row 20: K2tog around, cut yarn leaving 12" tail, thread through loops left on needle and secure

Twinkle

A new favorite knitting book/yarn!

Ear Infection

E spent a few hours with my mom on Saturday and when she came home she was complaining of an earache. I had kind of been waiting for it, as she'd been fighting a cold for the last week, and her sinus's were extremely clogged. The kid never had an ear infection for the first 2 years of life and now it's like clockwork; cold = ear infection or croup or both!

Being that it was Saturday and after hours our pediatrician's office was closed. I flirted with the idea of taking her to the after hours clinic at Children's just to get the ball rolling on the 10-day antibiotic treatment, before the fever flared up and she was in dire pain. Then the thought crossed my mind to head down to our local herb and vitamin shop to see if they had any suggestions. After they showed me around the shelves I was weighing their suggestions when one of the clerks casually asked, "You've already tried hydrogen peroxide, right?" No, my eyes widened. I remember hearing about this, and it had totally slipped my mind. You lie down, pour a few drops into the afflicted ear let it fizzle, and pop for about 5 minutes, then tip you head back upright and repeat in about 4 hours. Continue until the pain is totally gone. Well I was off. You can't beat the price of the stuff ($1 per bottle), and practically every household has it (or should) in the medicine cabinet already (I personally love the stuff so much and use it so often I buy the 2 giant bottle pack at Costco for under $4).

When E awoke from her nap, she didn't want me anywhere near her ear (it had quickly gotten worse). I assured her that if this didn't work, we were going to have to make a trip to the hospital, and on top of that would be slated to take the medicine that she hates so much for 10 days. She conceeded, and lay her head on my knee. I won't lie she hated me dropping that cool liquid in her ear. Her face flushed red as she screamed, and tears dotted my jeans. After 5 minutes or so of pinning her down, I let her up and let her hold a dry washcloth to her ear. While she watched a video I went into the kitchen to try it myself, it really was cold and slightly uncomfortable (Note to self, somehow heat it up). We played a board game or two, and she seemed fine. I was unsure how long and how many times I would be administering the drops, and was curious if it had done any good. I asked her how it was feeling, and she said much better. Hmmmm. Later that night during bath time as I scrubbed her head, I reached down and purposefully gently brushed her ear with my finger, she didn't even notice. The ear that she was earlier protecting by swatting away my hand really wasn't bothering her as much. After she was in her pj's I told her that we'd have to do more drops, she really didn't want to, but gave in. I heated about a Tablespoon in the microwave, even so she still screamed, but she got over it quickly and went to bed. The next morning D said that he'd do it right along with her, and I gave the two their drops. This was the last dose, because a few hours later I sat down next to her, and gently took a Q-tip and "cleaned" her ear, she didn't even flinch.

This stuff works, and beats antibiotics any day.

Here are some other ways to use the magical stuff that I got in an e-mail from a friend:

• Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash. (Small print says mouth wash and gargle right on the bottle)
• Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of "Peroxide" to keep them free of germs. Do this especially after you've had an illness outbreak at your house!
• Clean your counters, table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters.
• After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.
• Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day.
• Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.
• Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, or plugged sinuses. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes then blow your nose into a tissue
• If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.
• If you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. It lightens gradually.
• Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.
• You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.
• Use peroxide to clean mirrors, and there is no smearing!
  

The Jewels of Winter

Back to the Basics

The Christmas Season is a welcomed change to our otherwise monotonous schedule. But now that the house is freshly vacuumed from top to bottom, the leftover holiday turkey and treats unceremoniously tossed in the trash, and our out-of-town guests back on airplanes it feels like a good time to start a fresh (it is New Year's after all).

I set up a book corner for E today; complete with her comfy chair (thanks Patty), a reading light, basket of books that I intend to rotate frequently, her new oh-so soft 'Linus' blanket (thanks Molly), her new Leap Pad, and a plant (thanks Tania). She already loves reading with us, and now that her letter recognition is really taking off, I'm hoping that this quiet place will afford her the time and space for her already blooming love of books.

Un-Christmas

The weight of our iron star long ago caused the top of our un-watered tree to bend. Christmas is over. Cobwebs and dust were collecting on it's trinkets and bobbles. Christmas is over. The lights were wound, and ornaments boxed. Christmas is over. The needles were sprinkled all over the house, their pine scent gone. Christmas is over. The rooms seem a bit sparse, all the furniture in it's proper place. Christmas is over.

Happy New Year!

Had a nice night in with the Many's. We made pizza, talked, rolled up the rug for a dance party, the kids played and watched movies 'till midnight, got the kids in their p.j's and then the countdown....

(Watched the 100 year anniversary ball drop)

(confetti)

(e vacuumed the whole thing up this morning!)

(cheers!)