InstaFriday 8.24.12

1. learning to play Uno, kicking mom's butt 2. quilted into the wee hours, but it's done! 3. fitting into my favorite again.  4.  garden harvest.  5. backyard cinema  6. art project  7.  the after-library sprawl  8. the finished trebuchet  9.  following a trip to blueberry park.  10.  basil cubes  11.  knitting work-in-progress.  12.  waking up is hard some days 

I Made it Monday: Banana Silk Cowl

Awkward self-portrait in dusty mirror.  Yeah.  So let's focus on my the most recent finished object and how it came to be.  I'm allergic to animal fibers- eyes water, hives pop up- and it's really lame.  Fortunately, there are a lot of cool, vegan options available: cotton, linen, rayon, and this super cool yarn, made from the bark of banana trees.  WBH surprised me with this it earlier this summer.  I worked on this onstage during a park scene.  It's got a great, hard to describe weight while staying soft and fuzzy.   I wanted to focus on the cool texture of the yarn, so I kept the pattern simple, worked it all in stockinette  and then the ends were sewed together.  Simple, but I like the statement and pop of color it adds.  It will get more use when the weather cools off. 

I picked up a quilt top I made a while back to finish this week.  The plan is for it to cover a superfluous door in the living room, and hopefully stop a draft when things cool down.  It's pinned and ready for some sewing, and I'm so excited to get it up on the wall. 

Instafriday 8.17.12

1.Building a trebuchet.   Yeah, we are.  

2. Sunshine squash, this years attempt at "pumpkins."  

3. Just before a date to go get school shirts.  

4. Playing nicely (it's been a rarity this week).  

5. Building a wooden helicopter (Stinky's choice of dollar store treat was the kit.)  

6. Kindergarten countdown 

Other cool stuff  that happened this week: 

-Backyard Cousin Campout

- Cast Party ( gosh, I miss those people)

- WBH and I hitting lower weights we haven't seen in years. 

-Rotten 'reading' a mash-up of Slippery Fish and Rainbow Fish

-Realizing there's just 3 weeks until the big boy is a school kid.  Killing me, but so excited for him.  

-One week until the Rotten one turns two.  Though, he's gotten really, really good at two already. 

Linked Up! 

Un-Do

card found here

This week has been less than fun. WBH said to me, late one night "this hasn't been a great summer vacation. " Poor guy, it really hasn't. I'd like to just un-do the last couple of weeks so we could repeat them, could do better, unfortunately, life's keyboard has gone missing.

More stuff, happier stuff, tomorrow.

Pardon the celebrating...

But WBH is home for the summer, starting at 3:05 today, and we're ecstatic. That whooping and hollering and shouts of hooray I'm sure your hearing? That's us. We'll calm down later. For now, we're going to celebrate having him home for the next two months, as well as today being his birthday. I know I filled up Sunday's post with mush, but I'm so grateful for you, WBH! Happy Birthday to the best thing ever to happen to me!

My BabyDaddy

for the days you come home and start working all over again,

or take over for me when I'm going to lose it,

for the ways you teach our boys to be men,

just by being a really good one,

for the way you overlook my shortcomings,

and help make up for them,

and for the way I look at our son's faces ,

and love them even more because they're half you,

I love you so much.

Happy Father's Day

I Made it Monday: Father's Day Ties

We've started a new tradition for Father's Day. I took Stinky to choose fabric for a new tie for WBH. Stinky chose the brightest dinosaur fabric he could find, explaining "because my daddy's favorite color is blue, and he teaches me about dinosaurs." I got enough fabric to create matching ones for both of the boys, too. I think they were the best looking guys at church.

I used the Little Boy's Tie and Father's Day Tie, both at PurlBee for Stinky and WBH's, and I just sort of winged Rotten's. It was probably 4 hours of work but totally worth it, and a sewing machine is only necessary for a very small part of it. If you try it out, let me know, I'd love to see them!

shared at 733, Raising Memories

This week:

Oh, Blogger. Sometimes you make me sad. Sometimes you eat up my posts and then I have to write them all over again. Thanks for only eating half of this one, today.

This weekend was so busy, but so nice. The weather was stunning, temperatures were perfect. We heard about an activity put on by the zoo at a local beach- so Swe walked the beach with a naturalist, helping to catalog the sea life there. We mostly saw barnacles, but also saw the leather sea star that Stinky's petting above, and a hairy helmet crab. We hear about this at Sounds Fun Mom, which is a great resource if you live the South Puget Sound area. She lists events several times a week, so you may want to subscribe. After an hour of listing animals, Stinky decided he was done, and introduced himself to a group of siblings, and played with them for the rest of our stay at the beach. I spent that time making sure Rotten didn't eat every rock he could get his hands on, much to his displeasure.

Later that night, WBH and I chaperoned Prom. Like his suit? We were at the EMP, so we got to visit all the exhibits while we were there- Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, and Battlestar Galactica all had displays. I played Joan Rivers with another staff member's wife, critiquing dress choices, and WBH joined a dance circle. We've chaperoned 7 proms now, making this the tenth prom I've attended. Fun as it might be to go get a formal dress and all, I'm glad I don't have to be a teenager again. Though the picture doesn't show it well, my hair was rocking that night.

We only made it through the first hour at church on Sunday- neither child cooperated for more than that, and were both put down for naps the moment we got home. Later that evening, we went to the birthday barbecue for WBH's co-worker. Stinky and Rotten both enjoyed swinging in their hammock- which is, coincidentally, what WBH is getting for his birthday and should be arriving sometime today.

Now, it's back to life as normal. I've been trying to get our house in order for the last few days, but my children's attitudes have made it a challenge. Wish me luck as I try to get my ducks (and ducklings) in a row today!

Mary Poppins

Both being theater geeks in high school, Chris and I try to see one big show a year- this year it was Mary Poppins. It was wonderful. The sets were stunning, the music was lovely, and the details in the costuming were gorgeous. Our favorite number was "Step in Time" where the chimney sweeps were re-imagined as guardian angels. The music was re-worked from a fun dance number, cool harmonies and lyrics added. These were some of my favorites from the show:

"Childhood is a step in time
Parenthood's the same
Never miss a chance to get it right
Don't it seem a perfect crime
Don't it seem a shame
When the steps aren't going
As smoothly as they might
That's when we step in, step in time "

I found a great quality video of this song on facebook- if you've got seven and a half minutes, this will make you smile!

Our performance was also attended by the most gorgeous seeing-eye dog across the aisle from us. He was so sweet, I had to snap a picture of him.

This Month in Pictures

I am working on that old blog post, the one where I talk about how much I love my children. Today, however one of them is full of bad choices and the other is teething big time. How about we just look at some nice pictures instead? Here are some of my favorites from this month:

I got to enjoy my first Mother's Day Tea. It made me a little weepy to think that I get to do that now, and that my boy is old enough to have them with me. Stinky's teacher did a lovely job with it.

The weather warmed up enough to enjoy the beach and Rotten developped a love for swings.

We got a free date night, tickets courtesy Tealah and thanks to my little sister who watched the boys. In fact, we have dates planned for the next two weekends. Crazy.

We spent time with family before Middle Sister left for her mission, including a trip to the zoo.

Stinky learned about car maintenance with his dad.

Today was Stinky's last day of preschool for the year. It was a little sad- some friends from the last two years won't be back next year, though we hope to see them at the play time at our house this summer. It's also a reminder that he's only got one more preschool year left before he's off to Kindergarten. Wow. I'll think about that tomorrow.

Impromptu Family Photo Shoot

We attempted to attend a friend's piano recital last weekend. We made it through three songs before we realized that it just wasn't a place for the kids- not that they were bad. His beautiful piano performance just didn't need a backup singer (Rotten) and dancer (Stinky). Fortunately, the campus we were on was beautiful, and we took the chance to take some pictures around the music building.

Parenting 505

Earlier this month, our church held it's semi-annual general conference. Twice yearly, the leaders of our church broadcast messages via sattelite- for us this means that we gather at my parents for pancakes, gummi bear conference bingo, and we get to enjoy church in our jammies. There's usually one or two talks the feel like they're aimed directly at me. I know that for many other moms, this year that talk was the one that referenced "Parenting 505." In this talk, Lynn G. Robbins said:

"A sweet and obedient child will enroll a father or mother only in Parenting 101. If you are blessed with a child who tests your patience to the nth degree, you will be enrolled in Parenting 505. Rather than wonder what you might have done wrong in the premortal life to be so deserving, you might consider the more challenging child a blessing and opportunity to become more godlike yourself. With which child will your patience, long-suffering, and other Christlike virtues most likely be tested, developed, and refined? Could it be possible that you need this child as much as this child needs you? "

This talk has been on my mind frequently since it was given. Stinky has been a Parenting 505 kid this year in particular. Then I think about it more, and I don't know a single parent who doesn't feel like they're muddling their way through 505, even those whose children are adults now.

Most days, I feel so blessed that I get to be a mother, and specifically, Stinky and Rotten's mother. I watch our family and other families, see how their dynamics work, and I think about how they work with the personalities their children came with, and how each child seems to be so perfectly placed within their families- I don't know how anyone can fail to see a Divine Hand in that.

When I think about the way that my boys have shaped me- like putting a rock through a tumbler, polishing me by rolling me around in a mess of sometimes abrasive circumstances- I know that they were meant to be our children, and WBH and I meant to be their parents. I reject the idea that our family is mere coincidence. The gravity of knowing that makes the responsibility that much more fantastic and real to me.

a really. good. day.

Spring Break was so busy, it seems like it was here and instantly gone. We took a day trip with my mother and sister into Seattle on Friday, to the Science Center and to the fountain.

Stinky took his camera on the trip, too, and it kept him busy in the crowd at the butterfly house.

Ultimately, the science center was so crowded that we left early to picnic and play near the fountain. Stinky and I played tag.

While Rotten napped in the gorgeous spring weather

Being there in the sunshine turned Stinky into '50 degree shirt's off guy' stating "I'm going to take off my shirt and run into the fountain . That's my decision, guys" WBH got this picture at the one moment he held still:

We drove the long route home, where we could watch paragliders floating down and Stinky said quietly, "Mom, this was a really. good. day. "

Where Did I Go?

Please pardon the absence. It's been a busy few weeks around here. We made a April Fool's Day dinner for WBH, with Orange Jello Slices, Meatloaf Cupcakes and Spaghetti for dessert. This one is almost crawling. It's fascinating, thrilling and terrifying all at once.

We took a field trip and rode a ferry...

...and put our toes in sand, wishing for warmer weather soon.

WBH is on spring break, and we're keeping busy. Back next week.

Is spring popping up in your neck of the woods? Around here, it still feels like November to me. I'm hoping it will ease up on the rain soon so we can plant our garden. I'm craving fresh spinach and snap peas.

Lucky

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend

Lucky to have been where I have been

Lucky to be coming home again

I'm lucky we're in love every way

Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed

Lucky to be coming home someday

He Made it Monday: Peapod Earrings

Did you know I'm the luckiest lady on earth?

This guy let me sleep in until noon while he cleaned the house on Saturday. Then he shovelled out the bedroom upstairs after I woke. When it comes to marriage, I SO WIN.

He also planted the 2 dozen hyacinths I bought on a whim at Costco (just before it snowed- good timing, Rae. )




And he made me these beautiful peapod earrings, as well as a matching pair for Stinky's preschool auction.

He's got a few more pairs made up, some with green glass beads and matching pendants. He's selling them for super reasonable rates. We're setting up the etsy shop this summer, but we've got these now. Contact me if you're interested!

Winter Joy no. 12

seven awesome years

Winter Joy no. 9

Stinky being so big the carousel doesn't freak him out anymore

Tutorial: Glowing Snowglobe

This pretty thing is a joint project between WBH and myself. It's an entry for Iron Craft's Winter competition, and I'm really psyched about it!

This is my second tutorial here on the blog, and it's long. The process of making this, though, doesn't take long. You're going to love it, promise.

You'll need:

a wide-mouthed quart mason jar and lid

tall baby food jar

battery-operated twinkle lights OR flameless tea light

JB Weld J-B Kwik adhesive

iridescent confetti

glass frosting spray or glass etching medium (optional)

Combine equal parts of JB Weld and spread evenly over the top of the baby food lid.

Place on the bottom of the mason jar lid and center. Allow to set for 5 minutes

If desired, tape the threads of the baby food jar (it's important for getting a proper seal) and frost with spray, or etching medium. Etching will take longer, and should be done beforehand, refer to the etching medium's directions. Or don't, that's fine, too.

While frosting sets, drill a hole through the lids, centered.

Disconnect light wires from battery posts. Add lights to small jar and thread wires through hole. Reconnect wires to battery posts.

Add water to large jar, leaving 2 inches for water displacement. Add 2-3 tablespoons of confetti.

Screw lids on both jars- small, then large. Then flip it over and switch on the lights!

Magic!

Alternately, a flameless tealight works, it's just a different color light - kind of fire-and-icey.

Things to know:

• Some of the confetti floats, some sinks. Some gets all over your house. Believe it.
• Taping over the threads is really important. I learned this the hard way.
• Dollar store battery operated lights are cheap pieces of crap.
• Some glass frosting spray paint will come off in the water, but it looks cool that way, too. Etching will be better for a permanent frost, or try spraying the inside.
• WBH rocks the party that rocks the party for a partner in craft (and everything else).

I think these would be beautiful at Christmas, New Year's Eve or as centerpieces.

Hope you enjoyed and found this useful- let us know if you try it out!