Thinking Ahead

Crazy to think about Thanksgiving. I mean Halloween has not even happened yet. But I found this project and I can't wait to craft it with the kids! Bella Dia posted this last year. I know, a little behind on things, but as least I found it! How cute is this little turkey??!!! Great stash buster and I already have the felt in the house. YEAH! Find instructions here. Super easy and I think it would be a cute center piece. Hope to post when we get these little guys done!

Halloween Time

I love this time of year. There are TONS of fun projects to do. One that the kids enjoy the most is decorating cupcakes for Halloween. We have been invaded by ghosts, vampires, worms, monsters, and lots of candy.

A big mess always is a good time. Perhaps more fun for the kids than mom, but fun none the less. Yesterday I was working on cleaning up and reorganizing the craft room. I went through all the fabric and ideas I have/had. I think it is time to revisit some of those ideas. If anything there is some great stash busting potential there!

Ms. Mckay On My Computer

Currently I have been listening to the fun, fantastic Nellie McKay. I have a soft spot for a girl who wears thrift store vintage, plays a ukulele, pays tribute to Doris Days, is an activist, and smiles. She may only be 27, but she is packing lots of talent. I like that she is kind of quirky and silly. Her song Mother of Pearl is a funny and smart song on feminism, while her latest album (Simple As Blueberry Pie) recalls a gosh-golly-and gee whiz kind of attitude.

Her music is great to listen to while the hum of the sewing machine whirs on, or while knitting needles click clack together, or really anywhere. With that being said, I think I will pick up my sticks and have a moment while the wee one sleeps.

Learning To Stay Afloat

In an effort to get my knee stronger and keep myself in relatively "good" shape I have taken up lap swimming. Oh my gosh this is hard. The first day, I was so kidding myself. I can't lap swim for beans. Apparently I am on a quest for zen-like patience. I have much to learn. So back to the beginning I go. I must learn to breath correctly, work some new muscles, and try not to sink.

I like swimming. The pool is close to the house and at 6 a.m. it is not busy at all. It will be good during the winter months while the weather outside is frightful. It has been fun to explore all these different forms of staying healthy and exercise. I am not going for anything competitive or outside the realm of a 5k. I just want to be able to keep up with the kids and set a good example. While I love things that keep me on my bum (sewing and knitting), it is important to keep those legs and arms moving even for just 30 minutes 3 days a week. We all have to start somewhere.

Take Time To Breath

I am trying to keep the spirit of seeing live music with me after the great Rothbury experience. Tomorrow night after a hard day of work I am headed out (with friends) to see Michael Glabicki at a local pub. YEAH!! He is minus the rest of Rusted Root, but that is okay. There is something great about a more intimate setting sometimes. Yes, I am so a GenX child. I am okay with that. I am happy so far to have seen the AMAZING Ragbirds and the entire Rusted Root clan already this fall. The next music attempt is (along with Ms. Carrie) the ever amazing Pete Yorn later this month. You take what you can get when you live on the non Detroit side of Michigan. I love having live music back in my life after a little hiatus of raising 2 small boys. I don't get out to often, but when those moments do arrive, they are so special and precious. Why not fill your soul with some music and friends that you love??

Avairy Fun

Another new knit! What is going on??!! Must be cold weather time. To keep my head nice and toasty warm in this unseasonable cold weather a new knit is in order!! On Ravelry I found the super easy and very fun knit hat Felicity by Wanett Clyde. I used Cascade 220 yarn in a dark chocolate. My favorite part is the cute bird pins I found at the local thrift store. Love them!!


I am not sure what is up with that super cheesy smile on my face, but hey. It is what, it is. Hat pattern is fun and you really can easily modify it in so many ways and really customize it just for you. I understand why people are making more than just one! Also a great way to stash bust or get started on a gift for the impending holiday season.

The Great Popcicle Experiment

After reading a super fantastic idea over at the ever lovely Urban Orangica blog, I knew I must try this for fall. The idea?? Echinacea Popsicles! (she is such a genius) With the wet and damp weather upon us compiled with all the flu talk, these are a great way to keep the kids (along with their parents) healthy.

The Ingredients

The honey is for some added sweetness. A good thing for the kids. I let the 5yr. old be my taste tester. (if you can get some local honey, might also be helpful with allergies!) We just brewed the tea, and let is steep for an hour or so (to taste). The kids picked out Spongebob Dixie cups to pour the tea into.

We let them freeze and then eat. The result? Happy boys who love their new treat!! YEAH!! They ask for one everyday. Even J. thinks it is great. It is the simple and easy ideas that can be the most pleasing!

The Birds.......

It is Halloween time and we have been invaded by birds! Thanks to Martha Stewart at Micheal's, our home is getting a fun spooky feel. The kids enjoyed playing with the "spider webs" and figuring out where our little bird friends should go. Since it has been such a rainy week here, decorating the inside of the house has helped keep the boys entertained and busy thinking about what other fun things we could do! Our next idea is to work on all the fun Halloween treats. (of course the best part is all the candy, right?)

So very frustrated

I have become very frustrated with myself. Running has been such a great thing until last week. My first injury and boy am I mad. It was my knee. I believe it to be runners knee. So I have been off the schedule for 1 week. Went out today with little man and the jogger and wound up walking and hardly running. Ahhh! Then it was home to ice and take a little pain reliever to get the swelling back down. As I was checking out some ways to deal with this new issue (and *cough getting older) I discovered that we have a community aquatics program at the local school. I am sure that most cities have this and I am a dunce for just looking into it. Is this what I need to do in the meantime?? Will lap swimming become a new form of low impact exercise? Will there be cross-training in my future? They charge so little for the open lap time. I may need to give this some serious thought. Discovered that there is a swimming program like the couch to 5k running program. The swimming program can be found here.

October Wear

I finally have a new knit to post about!! I have been working on the textured shawl recipe from Orlane. Used two skeins of FABULOUS Malabrigo yarn in a yellow/gold color. It feels good to have a finished knitting project. Things have been so busy around here, that my crafty world has fallen by the wayside. Of course with the winter hibernation just around the corner, I am sure things will pick back up!

Soup's On

With the weather turning cold and my love of watching No Reservations (might have small crush on Anthony Bourdain), has caused a food craving for noodle bowls. I want something simple, something warm, something good to eat. I researched what goes in a noodle bowl. What could someone who is NOT a chef or even a good cook make? Here is what I came up with. (Sorry for glare, not very skilled with camera!)

I used chicken stock (any kind, but prefer organic), about 3 cans worth. Some hearty Asian cooking noodles. I found these by the Ramen noodles, I did not use the spice pack. Added salt, pepper, garlic and a VERY SMALL amount of Chinese Five Spice. Then added whatever veggies were on hand. Mushrooms, celery, onion, spinach. Heat it up and eat. It surprisingly good! Who new, and there was plenty left over. I think it would also be good some chicken or shrimp. Might add heartiness to the soup. Overall, I am feeling like the craving is satisfied for now.

Fun Finds

The boys and I headed over to one of our favorite thrift stores in search of some vintage Pyrex finds. While there was nothing there for Pyrex, we did find J. a fun outfit for the fall. I figure if he did not like it, then there was mass potential for some repurposing.When we came home and presented the outfit to J. it went over very well, so there will be no projects coming from this find, but there is one sharp dressed man, all for under 15 bucks! Yeah!!