iMagiNe cReAtiVe nAme hERe

noticing...

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Originally uploaded by iMagiNe cReAtiVe nAme hERe

happy...

snagged *bucks wreath from Abigail!!
Originally uploaded by iMagiNe cReAtiVe nAme hERe

My dear husband got me a new (used) camera for my birthday- yay! I've been having fun today trying it out. About the photo: My sister-in-law works for *bucks and got this wreath for me last year. I love it! Hopefully now that I have a new toy to play with I will be blogging more frequently...ya, we'll see!

Almost time for winter?!

(click on the photo for notes!)

Originally uploaded by iMagiNe cReAtiVe nAme hERe

...getting the woolens out today! This is a pocket scarf I made for Lukas in Feb. 2008 but thought he was too little for last winter. He likes the little pocket and already put one of his tiny trains in it. I discovered that I probably have enough leftover yarn from this scarf to make a hat or mitts-yay!

Right now I'm trying to finish up my November socks which are another pair of Socks 101 from Larissa's fantastic book. Only one month to go then in my quest to knit a sock a month in 2009! I can't believe the end is near! I did complete the October Mystery socks which were quite fun too.

I took a "Momma Sabbatical" last week and visited my mom and dad sans children (Thx to my "Mr. Mom" at home!). It ended up being a rather rainy week (hello, Nor'easter crashing down on the east coast!), but we managed to make the best of it: lots of good food, & shopping, crafting! It was a refreshing time away, but as always it is good to be back home.

Another one of my ongoing projects is to read at least one Dickens' novel a year. Right now I am reading Little Dorrit via my new Kindle (thanks Dad & Mom!-early b-day & Christmas present!). I loved the latest BBC production of Little Dorrit so thought this would be a good one to tackle. I love being able to look up those older English words so easily via the dictionary on the Kindle.

I chased a few dust bunnies this morning, but this afternoon will be devoted to some gift knitting (shh!) while listening to Ingrid Michaelson (love her! Check out cartoon Ingrid here.) and NPR (did you hear Cate Blanchett yesterday? Love her too!).

Happy almost-winter to you!

Check this out...

Free Printable Chore Chart for Kids.

socks...

September socks
Originally uploaded by iMagiNe cReAtiVe nAme hERe

At long last here is a photo of the socks I knit during the month of September. If you are a regular reader, you may recall that I have been trying to knit a sock a month in 2009 (Ravelry link here). This pair was fun to knit as the autumnal colors changed. The details on on Ravelry for those who are interested.

My (spoiler alert!) October socks are the Mystery Socks and so far I have been keeping up with the weekly clues. I'm afraid that I will be left in the dust on week #4 while knitting the foot portion (my size 11 feet!). It's been fun to get the clues each week and knit along with others.

I just started wearing my hand-knit socks last week since the weather has definitely turned in our area (hurray for autumn!!!). It's "cool" (ha) to recall the knitting of each pair of socks when I go to put them on each time. I have a couple pairs that need some repairing which I will attempt with my new "old" darning egg (thanks to Julie in my knitting group who gave this treasure to me!).

check this out...

My friend Sarah is giving away fun bento items on her blog! Go check it out:

October Giveaway: Japanese Obento Set.

To enter all you have to do is leave her a comment " with your tips or encouraging thoughts on teaching children how to prepare food."

Here's my entry comment:

My children are enjoying learning how to cook. Since they were little I’ve been selectively gathering appealing children’s cookbooks that will be fun for them to browse and actually be able to follow recipes from. Two of their favorites are Mollie Katzen’s  Honest Pretzels and Pretend Soup. (These and other children’s cookbooks can be found at local libraries too.) Examples here: http://www.molliekatzen.com/kids.php . Admittedly, my girls (9 & 10) are more interested in cooking and baking than their brothers (6 & 3) who are more interested in eating the tasty results. I also have a little collection of aprons (many picked up at thrift stores) that the children can wear when they are the chef. My daughters aren’t shy about asking people for recipes when they sample yummy dishes at someone’s house or at a church potluck. They’ve also started recording their own recipes on recipe cards.

Our children are exposed to where food actually comes from too which makes learning to cook more meaningful for them. They help with our backyard garden and go along on weekly trips to the CSA farm. We talk about nutrition with them and how to make wise food choices.

my hoot...

my hoot...
Originally uploaded by iMagiNe cReAtiVe nAme hERe

I think I may have started down a dangerous path! I love this little owl barrette! I can't wait to show my girls when they get home! It took very little yarn and was knit up in just minutes. I rummaged through my button stash and found a few matching sets of tiny white buttons. To make your own hoot go here for directions. I'm off to pick my next color!

Thrift Thursday & some beer...

thrift find: small Pyrex bowl & vintage recipe box
Originally uploaded by iMagiNe cReAtiVe nAme hERe

Happy Thrift Thursday!

Our family went to Shupps Grove in Adamstown, PA over the Labor Day weekend. My kiddos had the best time spending their allowance. The vendors were so sweet to them and often lowered their prices for them or even gave them things for free! My husband found some treasures too! I came home with these two treasures from the 1960s: vintage metal recipe box & 1.5 pt. Pyrex bowl. I have another piece with this pattern that I found a couple years ago. Click the photo to read the notes. Peek inside the recipe box here.

While we were in Adamstown we couldn't resist a visit to Stoudts Brewery, and we even got there in time for a tour. Delicious food and beer! I can heartily recommend the Triple Abbey ...mmm!

 

conk...

conk...
Originally uploaded by iMagiNe cReAtiVe nAme hERe

Our family has now experienced our first broken bone. Our Frances fell yesterday and fractured her left wrist (she's right-handed-phew!) in two places. What a trooper she has been today with doctors, x-rays, and cast. We are thankful that we have health insurance to cover much of the cost, and that she wasn't injured any worse than this. She chose a green cast to match her school uniform (hee). Not sure what this will mean for her guitar playing for awhile. Glad it's the end of summer and not the beginning...heal fast my girl....

bffs...

bffs
Originally uploaded by iMagiNe cReAtiVe nAme hERe

Lydia and her best friend at best friend's recent b-day party...they are too cute! BF gave Lyd a best friend necklace and Lyd reciprocated with matching rings. Awh...