Work at Home Mom

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Never underestimate the kindness...

...of knitters!

I've been experiencing an avalanche of generous donations for my Sock Yarn Blanket --- it's AWESOME!!

The stripe thing is working out pretty well, except I misjudged how much of the pink/red I had/needed. I got this far:



And discovered I was 2 squares shy and out of yarn. OUT OF YARN!!! And this was one of the lovely donations I'd received.

So I hoped on the old Rav and prayed someone else owned this yarn and I could convince them to share with me. I messaged three people, the only 3 who had it in their stash. All three, lovely ladies wrote me back within 4 hours and said they'd be happy to send the yarn. No cost, I didn't even have to pay shipping.

Sherry in Alaska had replied first and today, I received this:



Wrapped in festive, glittery tissue.

Thanks Sherry!!!

Beat the Cold Chicken Soup Recipe

We've had a handful of overnight, hard freezes in Central Florida, with some chilly days. Wayne and I have come down with the sniffles. I know that if it's this cold here, the rest of the country is probably feeling worse.

Today I'm making my chicken soup from a chicken. While I'm known to heat up a frozen pizza every once and a while, I'm also a big fan of making things from scratch.

Make a pot and enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (3 pound) whole chicken, cut into pieces
• 2 quarts water, or enough to cover the chicken
  
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery with leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 5 black peppercorns
• 6 cubes chicken bouillon, crumbled
• (1 bay leaf)
• (1/4 teaspoon celery seed)
• (1 pinch dried thyme)

• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1/2 cup sliced celery
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large pot combine chicken, water, large onion, celery with leaves, fresh parsley, peppercorns, bouillon, bay leaf, celery seed, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer 3-4 hours.
2. Strain stock, reserving chicken, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
3. Skim fat from top of stock.
   
4. Remove skin and bones from chicken and cut meat into bite-size pieces.
   
5. Return stock and chicken to pot and stir in carrots, 1/2 cup sliced celery, 1/4 cup minced onion, dried parsley, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes.

We have different opinions on the whole noodles v. rice v. nothing debate, so I usually just make some on the side and add it in a per bowl fashion. If you'd like them in your soup, just add them after the stock and chicken are hot again and cook as directed. Also, ingredients in parentheses aren't absolutely necessary. :)

40 blocks & a class

I've completed over 40 blocks of my Sock Yarn Blanket and still very much in love with it. I'm alternating solid and mis-matched rows and have just started the second solid row. These blocks aren't only finished being knit, but finished -- I wove in the ends. It was a lot of ends.



A few ladies on the Rav suggested keeping all the end scraps in something glass as decoration. I searched high and low, but came up empty with my existing vase supply, but I'm on the look out.



Wednesday was my first knitting class and I think it was a success! I learned a lot about how things are going to have to progress, but feel confident that my little knitters are going to be great!

It's Colorful up in Here!

Those are just a sampling of the wonderful partial skeins and scraps of sock yarn I've received this week. For what?

I'm making Shelly Kang's Sock Yarn Blanket!!!

When I saw it on Ravelry I started thinking about how every time I knit a pair of socks, I always have a bit left over. Sometimes a pretty big bit. I thought I could easily make a blanket out of all my little balls.

Then I started cataloging what I have and discovered that I could do it, but my blanket would be pretty plain and have a lot of some yarns and very little of others. I joined a few enabling groups over on Ravelry and now the mailbox is a very colorful place!

I've also joined two swaps with goodies that will arrive later this month.

Tomorrow: photos of the first two finished rows! Providing I finish the second row. :)

FO: Just in the knick of time

Pattern: Ampersand by Kirsten Kapur

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Mediumweight in Atomic #6

Needles: US Sz. 2.5 Addi Turbos, 2-16" circs.



My second pair of Ampersands and I couldn't be happier. This pattern is easy to memorize and creates a great fitting sock. A third pair may be in my future. :)



I bound these lovelies off on Dec. 31st thus meeting my 6 pair goal for 2008! It was a good year of sock knitting.

Put Your Feet Up
FO: Leyburn Socks
FO: Ampersand Socks
Boyfriend Jaywalkers
Sassy Birthday Socks
Just in the Nick of Time Ampersand Socks

Dear 2008 (Part 2)

July is when things started to get unexpectedly exciting. Emily turned 2, I discovered new things to be allergic to, I broke my rib while Wayne was in Nicaragua and also managed a little knitting.

In August I went to the beach, made some huge life decisions and even though the first week only ended up being 2 days, Alison started Kindergarten.

September started off with an amazing FO, we left for Mexico and in our first week there we celebrated Alison's 6th birthday and I finished my first project in another country.

October was spent entirely in Mexico, which just made for more interesting things to write about. Like visiting scenic places, going to Nicaragua and having my heart broken for the people there, pila-ing lots of clothes and knitting calcetines.

In November I voted from Mexico, went on the grand adventure of trying to get my haircut with a pretty big language barrier, came home from Mexico and had a lovely Thanksgiving. O yeah, and I caught the cowl bug.

December brought my first cowl, a new job and a lovely Christmas with family and friends!

Thank you 2008 for all the blessings and memories you gave me. Thank you dear reader for sticking around, even when it got a little lame. I'm excited to see what 2009 has to offer!!

Dear 2008 (Part 1)

You've been good to me in ways I could not have even imagined last December.

In January I saw my youngest sister marry the love of her life and got new floors!

In February, Alison wrestled an alligator, I finished some socks and my longest bike ride ever!

In March we celebrated Wayne and how much he loves us.

In April I made a Sweetheart, Alison made me laugh and I won some prizes!

In May I finished another pair of socks and Ali graduated Pre-K!

And in June I somehow managed to post 31 times! I celebrated my birthday, finished some socks, came in 2155th in a balloon race across the Internet, got the best haircut ever and spent a relaxing weekend at the beach.

Merry Christmas!

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”

Luke 2:1-14

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!!

What are you listening to?

My Christmas CD, which has been playing almost non-stop since the day after Thanksgiving, contains the following songs:

1. Carol of the Bells - Barenaked Ladies
2. Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24 - Trans Siberian Orchestra
3. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Barenaked Ladies, with Sarah McLachlan
4. Do They Know it's Christmas (Feed the World) - BAND AID
5. Carol of the Bells - Trans Siberian Orchestra
6. Jingle Bells - Barenaked Ladies
7. All I Want for Christmas is You - Mariah Carey
8. Give a Little Bit - Goo Goo Dolls
9. Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Bruce Springsteen
10. Christmas Canon Rock - Trans Siberian Orchestra
11. Breath of Heaven - Jessica Simpson

I've got a few more favorites on the iPod, but this CD has been my go-to collection of holiday music for the last few years. What's your favorite get-in-the-holiday-spirit tune??

Poser

While some children chose to scream and cry in his face, Emily thought Santa deserved better. So she chose one pose and stuck with it.

Cacophonous Life

Teaching Mrs. Tingle

I got a job!

As a knitting instructor!!!

I'm really excited!!!!!!

:)

I'm like the fastest knitter ever

Just kidding, these socks are still on the needles...

But in the meantime I've finished two other projects! Since we just got back from Mexico, I'm not going to kill myself trying to knit a bunch of Christmas gifts. So while everyone else has top secret posts, I'll be sharing it all.



Project: Felted Mittens & Hat for Penny

Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted

Needles: US4 & US7 DPNs, 16" US 8 circular

The mittens turned out great, the hat may have felted too much. Quick project for warm hands.



Project: Gloria Cowl by Orinda5

Yarn: The YoYo Plies in Futurama <-- gorgeous handspun! :)

I loved, loved, loved knitting this baby up. Since it just so happens to be cold this week here in sunny Florida, I can see myself churning out a few more cowls. My neck has never been happier.

Easy Kids' Craft: Dyed Pasta Necklaces

While I was busily cooking on Wednesday and Thursday I kept the girls occupied with this cheap and easy craft. Here's what you need:



White vinegar
Ziploc bags
Food coloring
Rotini or other pasta with holes
Wax paper
Yarn/string

What to do:
Put 1/3 cup of vinegar and lots of drops of food coloring in Ziploc bag
Fill 3/4 of bag with dry pasta
Shake it until pasta is covered (you can add more vinegar or coloring if needed)
Remove from bag and lay a single layer on wax paper to dry overnight



The next day, have the kiddos string the pasta into necklaces, bracelets, tree garland, whatever. :)

Baby It's Cold Outside

Maybe not today so much, but the other night I had to run to Publix for some pasta noodles and my coat alone was not cutting it. I assessed the situation:

Arms: warm
Legs: warm
Torso: warm
Neck: not warm

Solution: Cowl!

I've read countless blogs about the amazing cowl with nary an interest. Until that night and my chilly neck. A cowl is not only a practical item, it is also a fairly quick knit and I have lots of stash yarn that would be perfect for it. Here are some of the contenders for Cowl #1 ('cause from what I've seen, they're addictive and I'm just going to commit to wanting to make more than one).

Gloria Cowl

Darkside Cowl

La-la-love-you Cowl

Give thanks

It's been a lovely day with friends and family. I successfully made a great dinner. I played some Wii and even won a few rounds.

I'm thankful this year in a way that I don't think I've ever been before. God has blessed our family abundantly and I am super thankful!

13 Things I Don't Want to Forget About Mexico

* The sound of a traffic jam outside the gate
* Fresh cut roses for sale on the side of the autopista
* Windy rides in taxis
* Saying "Hasta luego", whether you will or not
* Everything-arias
* Mountains of fresh produce at the market
* Brightly colored buildings and graffiti
* Being in the middle of a thunderstorm as it comes down the mountain
* The taste of fresh bread
* Fresca toronja
* Tipping everyone and buying toilet paper
* Gorgeous old churches and buildings
* Mariachis for rent

New-er Hair

As some of you know, I was highlighting my hair pretty hot and heavy over the summer. It turns out that the Paul Mitchell school down the street has some really great prices. Well, it occurred to me when we decided to come to Mexico, that I may not be able to highlight anymore. So before we left, I dumped a box of brown on my hair and figured it'd been a good run.

That was until Deborah found this great little salon in town. And their prices are even better than the Paul Mitchell school! I went a few weeks ago with the other ladies here in the program, but I just got a pedicure.

Yesterday I went back with Jacqueline for a trim, but the "mechas" or highlights were such a good deal that I decided to get some. The language barrier was a little difficult at times, but armed with photos of this haircut, I think I made out pretty good. :)

Sisters

I come from a family of all girls. I've been blessed with two sisters who I'm sure I've devalued at times in my life, but who now I appreciate very much. One lives far away in Colorado, the other closer, but she's about to move. And we're about to move, so I guess that's a moot point.

As the girls get older I find myself reminiscing more and more about when we were little. Little things like the way they help each other, or tell on each other, or try to fix a problem that will get them both in trouble before I find out are daily reminders of my childhood.

I've said before that I'm very happy with their age difference and that's not just talk. Alison got a whole year with Emily before she started school. She was already quite a person herself when Emily was born, so she was really quite helpful. As Emily's getting bigger, I love watching how they care for each other and assert their personalities.

Yesterday we went to the Zoologico de Chapultepec in Mexico City and they were all about the adventure. I was really pleased that I got to snap this photo:



It makes my heart smile to know that as we embark on this great adventure, they will not be alone -- they'll always have each other.