tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139537882024-02-03T02:22:45.773-07:00Cooking ChemistRambles on life, hobbies, and living in beautiful ColoradoBeckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-56045761430496628372010-06-15T14:02:00.001-06:002010-06-15T14:23:07.189-06:00Fun mail and crazy weekendsSo after much work and planning, this year's Sheep-to-Shawl for Estes Wool Market is officially over, and it was a blast. I'll post more details (and pics!) about it later, but for now I'm taking a mini break from spinning. Which for me means some sewing, yay!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_g7SK1mmId6kGXdoe0cfiU7ag7pXS7s9FvrVFBObJMGSHrDedMpJ57IpJx3eR2wrtUdHkbYW7RfUthTrwB5P00usV_Mrte1um9NTOzO87jYtIQNTELp_thW7GaDj0a1BK8Lb4/s1600/IMG_3238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_g7SK1mmId6kGXdoe0cfiU7ag7pXS7s9FvrVFBObJMGSHrDedMpJ57IpJx3eR2wrtUdHkbYW7RfUthTrwB5P00usV_Mrte1um9NTOzO87jYtIQNTELp_thW7GaDj0a1BK8Lb4/s200/IMG_3238.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Waiting for me in the mail on Saturday was this sweet little package of fat quarters from <a href="http://www.handmadebyalissa.com/">Alissa </a>as part of the SMS giveaway. So cute and inspiring, I can't wait to start planning a new project. Any ideas?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDB5vVPh98uDD_UTMdGGnayNIqmb6lKMLkVzpraOx8Ghyxlzw5y_LDIrF8oYdfTIF0qI81NFQgmTaOU-WBdcjuMrTigG5O-S91-OzaRJC7DSl_7dyZhTHYhu_ulEspNXoVX1R/s1600/IMG_3235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDB5vVPh98uDD_UTMdGGnayNIqmb6lKMLkVzpraOx8Ghyxlzw5y_LDIrF8oYdfTIF0qI81NFQgmTaOU-WBdcjuMrTigG5O-S91-OzaRJC7DSl_7dyZhTHYhu_ulEspNXoVX1R/s200/IMG_3235.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>I've also tried my hand at making a 90 min shirt from <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-90-minute-shirt.html">this awesome tutorial</a> from Dana at <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/">MADE</a>. I came across her awesome blog during the Celebrate the Boy month, and I have been wanting to try one for a long time. It was a lot of fun to sew, and I know I will be making a lot more, once I have some softer T-shirt material and tweak my pattern a bit for a better fit. The t-shirt I used was from hubby's pile of uncomfy shirts, which features his fav car, the 1970 Dodge Charger. Only fitting our little boy follow in his daddy's car preferences, right? Next up, have to find him a Porsche and a Volkswagon shirt, for his mommy's car tastes. Or I might try and attempt a freezer paper stencil design of the ubiquitous VW Bug or maybe a Thing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuvS112MI-P1SmhlqcquMpqSBQnPUKDqFTBCjewMuCF1qeSCO3Sx_OwLDWWxUoGHgT9DLsLsQOc3p34D-Ik4mIZYDjOwdJEnf4lT4tLdF1l254gQ657TAW8HYzEdsO5jSU0Rm/s1600/cherry+clafoutis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuvS112MI-P1SmhlqcquMpqSBQnPUKDqFTBCjewMuCF1qeSCO3Sx_OwLDWWxUoGHgT9DLsLsQOc3p34D-Ik4mIZYDjOwdJEnf4lT4tLdF1l254gQ657TAW8HYzEdsO5jSU0Rm/s200/cherry+clafoutis.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Otherwise, the weather here has been a bit crazy, but mostly nice and summery, which means not only have I been making a few more skirts for me (I love it! So comfy and easy to wear), but I have been eating more fruit and baking some favorites, like tasty cherry clafoutis. Again, I love the recipe from Mark Bittman, but with a little bit of almond extract added, it's wonderful (and right now I'm too lazy, but if anyone wants my adapted recipe, let me know, k?). And I joined the local CSA with a friend, as I have missed giving it up since California. So far, the first batch was mostly lots of lettuces, plus some parsley and cilantro and spinach, so it look like lots of salad for us for a bit. In general, I have found <a href="http://www.mariquita.com/recipes/index.html">this site </a>to be a great resource for ideas with all the veggies, and again, the Bittman cookbooks are great too. My mom recently got me <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chez-Panisse-Fruit-Alice-Waters/dp/0060199571">this great book</a> for fruits, as a library weed, and the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chez-Panisse-Vegetables-Alice-Waters/dp/0060171472/ref=pd_sim_b_1">complimentary one for veggies</a> looks good too. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkEZRcT0xHmIvLSeSv_2j4aoiKZBz9JRJPVk_izAPaccheyd0X_KfoI9TKKcz9-CCkNFEhN5vSZmBocv_3Otk0_kiN7PMfWC89pyiEp-ViDWmBZN7lVcVXnI4dCZBTKp73geN/s1600/IMG_3207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkEZRcT0xHmIvLSeSv_2j4aoiKZBz9JRJPVk_izAPaccheyd0X_KfoI9TKKcz9-CCkNFEhN5vSZmBocv_3Otk0_kiN7PMfWC89pyiEp-ViDWmBZN7lVcVXnI4dCZBTKp73geN/s320/IMG_3207.JPG" /></a></div>And...baby pic!Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-54617462805965008012010-05-18T21:35:00.000-06:002010-05-18T21:35:28.453-06:00Cupcakes!Sadly, not the edible kind, but the awesome fabric kind to make a sweet apron! This already makes me feel happy and productive for just hanging around or crafting, plus the pockets are nice to put my iPod in while sewing in my new skirts. Like this one yard ruffle skirt! Bit higher than I normally like, but it still works pretty well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQeymekjClgxrBFXoGHBYIGSszwHOl-ADNAkgDhAMMvg-q7ngkN_u9qgwjorVRSpIWypAwoKYMA9tcPW7DQC64QmlRy75yT_QcH9QSlbJsZfkiSaNCKDYCWakMTErlltMtxe1/s1600/IMG_3145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQeymekjClgxrBFXoGHBYIGSszwHOl-ADNAkgDhAMMvg-q7ngkN_u9qgwjorVRSpIWypAwoKYMA9tcPW7DQC64QmlRy75yT_QcH9QSlbJsZfkiSaNCKDYCWakMTErlltMtxe1/s200/IMG_3145.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxXZmfrWrGY5SP58lWXhxzvsvgHoYpelgxWwaWTIY97cgP58v4Ln2knCnxAUmc9JxTlRn5arqxT7TKd7Nf9j5A6qv9l5Da41FAuHbmNR6YyQBuUkHnuOcxvNvH4g4FLwuka31/s1600/IMG_3147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxXZmfrWrGY5SP58lWXhxzvsvgHoYpelgxWwaWTIY97cgP58v4Ln2knCnxAUmc9JxTlRn5arqxT7TKd7Nf9j5A6qv9l5Da41FAuHbmNR6YyQBuUkHnuOcxvNvH4g4FLwuka31/s200/IMG_3147.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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Also, I have been cooking a fair deal lately, part of the housewife/mommy package, and while it is usually pretty standard fare, for us at least, a few months back I tried the awesome Tomato with 2 Fennels soup from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1416551050/?tag=tbook-20">Molly Wizenberg's A Homemade Life</a>. <a href="http://thewholekitchen.wordpress.com/2010/04/25/tomato-soup-with-fennel/">Here</a> is an adapted recipe, since I feel odd posting my adapted recipe, copyright and all. Plus, I'm lazy. Super tasty, and the goat cheese is a must!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJVgj4Fv8hoTGh_RzOUhMyZ2wJijJ75eWfFV-mnTSJBFKWD4HQXEyUn32CRC2OM5HNw31RtgyMgbLTEj-M-4ACn3AdFJWy7zRq48LeApUL6QCb4FSEz_nc6xLnGyJaeNqpw5h/s1600/IMG_3143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJVgj4Fv8hoTGh_RzOUhMyZ2wJijJ75eWfFV-mnTSJBFKWD4HQXEyUn32CRC2OM5HNw31RtgyMgbLTEj-M-4ACn3AdFJWy7zRq48LeApUL6QCb4FSEz_nc6xLnGyJaeNqpw5h/s200/IMG_3143.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Another thing I've been doing is making my own coarse grain beer mustard, from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0764524836/?tag=tbook-20">this awesome book</a>. Super easy and way cheaper than storebought. Plus, I can use my hubby's yummy homebrewed ESB beer for it. Haven't tried many recipes so far from here, but the cuban black bean and plantain bake is great (especially with fresh mango), and I am a total convert of buying dried beans, cooking them in big batches, then freezing for use, as opposed to buying canned. I can control how done they are, how much salt, and again, way, way cheaper. I mean, a pound of dried beans usually costs the same price as one can of cooked!<br />
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Other news, trying my hand at growing some basic herbs, which are going pretty well, except puppy really wants to nibble on my chives, so those are currently on the counter to avoid "overharvesting". And poor Oz has a nasty head cold, which makes for a very cuddly, but tired baby. And now, a baby pic, of him with his Uncle Will!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQeymekjClgxrBFXoGHBYIGSszwHOl-ADNAkgDhAMMvg-q7ngkN_u9qgwjorVRSpIWypAwoKYMA9tcPW7DQC64QmlRy75yT_QcH9QSlbJsZfkiSaNCKDYCWakMTErlltMtxe1/s1600/IMG_3145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-46092195055178719902010-05-12T11:18:00.000-06:002010-05-12T11:18:09.159-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CQsfwuG4-PiLOQd_Jo6DzESZRaIikW8myJMOk2JBto62MtPIjyawgDQ0ZfiUD5u2rMQyU7UamdJXB3sAZgvnhsNWGDsGO3iGsftghacD8kAc-SmEcd3SqA1NAdzFUkn7swEz/s1600/IMG_2967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CQsfwuG4-PiLOQd_Jo6DzESZRaIikW8myJMOk2JBto62MtPIjyawgDQ0ZfiUD5u2rMQyU7UamdJXB3sAZgvnhsNWGDsGO3iGsftghacD8kAc-SmEcd3SqA1NAdzFUkn7swEz/s320/IMG_2967.JPG" /></a></div>Been busy here at Casa Campbell, between Oz growing up, weird weather, trip to North Carolina to see family (and our friends Neil, Dana, Sophie & Henry), and swim class. But overall, things have been going well. Oz eats like a frat boy, downing bottles and eating solids like you wouldn't believe. And he's working on mastering the art of eating cheerios very quickly, which the pup loves, since he gets anything that falls (which is still a lot).<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKs5o7aNxchMIif_W_B1AB_LJQ1K7810cD1X4fAMotDaS_rTivHkcO7nti_eKkSYvrrHSU8pjzRZF00SupDpan72nwZWs15W_K9tSfFFwTG4nEZdQXTEPpqpsoJjtVyo4bdn2v/s1600/IMG_2983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKs5o7aNxchMIif_W_B1AB_LJQ1K7810cD1X4fAMotDaS_rTivHkcO7nti_eKkSYvrrHSU8pjzRZF00SupDpan72nwZWs15W_K9tSfFFwTG4nEZdQXTEPpqpsoJjtVyo4bdn2v/s200/IMG_2983.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
And we have had crazy spring weather here as well. Some awesome, gorgeous days around 85, but....currently we have 2 inches of snow on the ground and it's quite gloomy out. I guess nice for tea anyway, but I really didn't think Oz would still be wearing the wool jacket I knit him this late in the year.<br />
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However, I also got to take a wonderful class at <a href="http://www.fancytiger.com/craftindex.html">Fancy Tiger</a> with a friend for A-line skirts, which was a lot of fun and produced this: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSO3XM-0G0Nzx_qR5kfkKRsArV3BuTwtBTUifzLDMcn_KDeJNxmlFxLaKY6JI64DLHcIUmSxtfpUhDUB8FAyx7MyVSd02phHtUMPt4C8-4VQm8yZNs-74y213ijVm74A9gkPq4/s1600/IMG_3057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSO3XM-0G0Nzx_qR5kfkKRsArV3BuTwtBTUifzLDMcn_KDeJNxmlFxLaKY6JI64DLHcIUmSxtfpUhDUB8FAyx7MyVSd02phHtUMPt4C8-4VQm8yZNs-74y213ijVm74A9gkPq4/s200/IMG_3057.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>I am planning to make several more, as these would be perfect for spring/summer weather (not the snow though!), and have the fabric ready to go. I made a second one, a bit different, out of one yard of rose-designed retro looking fabric and added a ruffle for length, even though it was a stretch to do one with just one yard. After doing it once, it is really quite easy and quick to bust these out, taking about one long naptime, or more likely these days, 2 medium length naptimes (not me but Oz of course).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rgr1pd-_hVZk78ad54cbbXgimHMe1VQyAwxtpILp9sC5-z8Gbc5C8gu8JRxZJCyc6DkKVCsdX7bUNTWDRndjicM1elanhk8MEkRccwa3kGPujxCKOt80tkIbrm1hqbvUHDWC/s1600/IMG_3069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rgr1pd-_hVZk78ad54cbbXgimHMe1VQyAwxtpILp9sC5-z8Gbc5C8gu8JRxZJCyc6DkKVCsdX7bUNTWDRndjicM1elanhk8MEkRccwa3kGPujxCKOt80tkIbrm1hqbvUHDWC/s320/IMG_3069.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Speaking of the little guy, we had our first swim class on Saturday, and he had a lot of fun splashing around in the water and watching other babies. I can't wait for next week, as I think he will really enjoy each class.<br />
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And also on sat night, Kyle and I went to see the Denver Roller Dolls play a <a href="http://www.denverrollerdolls.org/news/detail/denver-roller-dolls-may-8th-bout-recaps/">double header</a> up in Broomfield. We saw the Mile High Club beat the Texecutioners, and the Bruising Altitude soundly beat O-Town Derby Dames from Utah. It was a lot of fun, and we can't wait to go back again. Also nice to have a date night, thanks to my lovely mom who babysat for us. Luckily since he goes to bed pretty early, evenings around here aren't too bad, but it sure is nice to leave every now and then.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-61848121773011318842010-03-05T11:45:00.000-07:002010-03-05T11:45:05.856-07:00We like to eat!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGHTN2UMCoYhIpuhXyBrsNbHg1i7c2JBpeHZPRr8ClIyxagBqoQ9xbRvkpYnERx2TRgo5c5-pq5Zi2PKzLC_XlTcU9zNQ6S7_p4-ajInxluRSCnVI2jZyvPsJhvvUgX9hzit9/s1600-h/IMG_2744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGHTN2UMCoYhIpuhXyBrsNbHg1i7c2JBpeHZPRr8ClIyxagBqoQ9xbRvkpYnERx2TRgo5c5-pq5Zi2PKzLC_XlTcU9zNQ6S7_p4-ajInxluRSCnVI2jZyvPsJhvvUgX9hzit9/s320/IMG_2744.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmS1KRFC5W0tjIZ4xbaSvNqMk9MoHQjn3nUF9JR_DVWebZUBn4mgDsI57ROI9v4JKOdT_Yy_cZkR1a6og0Ffs2WyhtPKBnIPyZX2_lRAISyFzNM4RHvLtNSBIHZpl240le0V5j/s1600-h/IMG_2770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmS1KRFC5W0tjIZ4xbaSvNqMk9MoHQjn3nUF9JR_DVWebZUBn4mgDsI57ROI9v4JKOdT_Yy_cZkR1a6og0Ffs2WyhtPKBnIPyZX2_lRAISyFzNM4RHvLtNSBIHZpl240le0V5j/s320/IMG_2770.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-48221963063184403302010-03-05T11:37:00.000-07:002010-03-05T11:37:50.945-07:00ResolutionsYeah, I know, the whole New year's resolution post. But I prefer to think of it as new mama resolutions, things that will help maintain my sanity and balance both as myself, a wife, a pet-owner and a mama through this year and all the ones following. They range from the simple to the more detailed, things like make time for myself in a calming way, either simply taking the time to listen to a quiet house with a cup of tea and no distractions, to spinning more in the evenings to celebrating life as a mama, much as some of the inspirational blogs I <a href="http://www.shivayanaturals.com/2010/01/we-deserve-this-relaxation_19.html">read</a> do. And of course make some dedicated time for sewing, knitting, and cooking.<br />
<br />
As our Mr. Man keeps shooting through clothes in no time (in 18 mo sleepers already, holy cow!), he's been reaching the ends of a commercially purchased sleep sack in no time. I finally put together a quick replacement in fleece with a separating zipper that is working well for now, but is none too pretty of an example of sew-manship. That being said, it was my first time installing a zipper, and it went pretty well. Hopefully on the next one I make, I will do a much better job and incorporate an excellent idea from <a href="http://fingerthumb.typepad.com/finger-thumb/">finger thumb</a> to add a <a href="http://fingerthumb.typepad.com/finger-thumb/2010/01/a-learning-experience.html">front tab</a> to avoid poking him on the chin.<br />
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Speaking of cute chins:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFNqyNOge44wFjCqCltuv5CGf7U3CPC92KN8pZ_PC0_YkxsCUCm74aMHT1qOJRnQC6E148fCoKUSdPvdLzAXcGoEntsbdmcs5MmuiV5bw2cGmbstBdv0aoooOYdNtGNHq04p3/s1600-h/IMG_2682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFNqyNOge44wFjCqCltuv5CGf7U3CPC92KN8pZ_PC0_YkxsCUCm74aMHT1qOJRnQC6E148fCoKUSdPvdLzAXcGoEntsbdmcs5MmuiV5bw2cGmbstBdv0aoooOYdNtGNHq04p3/s320/IMG_2682.JPG" /></a><i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Wearing some of mama's knitwear, giving me an expression that is so his dad when I do something weird</i></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-14871752382228736492010-01-22T11:48:00.001-07:002010-01-22T11:53:16.108-07:00Holiday Pics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6K2FCdfJKDVgHXPLzU8GAr0OXIx5HhuF7FisjpI9Os1JjYwaIRQaiEcpWnMMeALraWHZmMpTjY7nMe_2SqisfehVA2xGOLVBgFnyztk8MQ1lLDf5B_HlBgSTQVtqA-6jM5ajj/s1600-h/IMG_2439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6K2FCdfJKDVgHXPLzU8GAr0OXIx5HhuF7FisjpI9Os1JjYwaIRQaiEcpWnMMeALraWHZmMpTjY7nMe_2SqisfehVA2xGOLVBgFnyztk8MQ1lLDf5B_HlBgSTQVtqA-6jM5ajj/s1600/IMG_2439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6K2FCdfJKDVgHXPLzU8GAr0OXIx5HhuF7FisjpI9Os1JjYwaIRQaiEcpWnMMeALraWHZmMpTjY7nMe_2SqisfehVA2xGOLVBgFnyztk8MQ1lLDf5B_HlBgSTQVtqA-6jM5ajj/s320/IMG_2439.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbuk4EcOpPfSUhDn0dcEZH6qBkyrBL6EVFpcSF6-4NE5B8nNd4EYT80Ie5A79pSSwdKng3nfeLQyr90I0H3CaM1PT17ygILxiDT1tSMPMHxKLcW6evM5lQE5fVAZepbq8lErb/s1600-h/IMG_2483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbuk4EcOpPfSUhDn0dcEZH6qBkyrBL6EVFpcSF6-4NE5B8nNd4EYT80Ie5A79pSSwdKng3nfeLQyr90I0H3CaM1PT17ygILxiDT1tSMPMHxKLcW6evM5lQE5fVAZepbq8lErb/s320/IMG_2483.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5iD7sGz6r4QqsIPTR0S9CVfY9FSaa8ndQqR8csxH-LVx7_1jAO2g-OpRoqQoa3hSL9VHsk5nEuSRv8ptvkWFMUhaAjqLSfrvrBHiL7ESbB6WM1jBLWpR49eypwIKQGUEZ8WI/s1600-h/IMG_2484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5iD7sGz6r4QqsIPTR0S9CVfY9FSaa8ndQqR8csxH-LVx7_1jAO2g-OpRoqQoa3hSL9VHsk5nEuSRv8ptvkWFMUhaAjqLSfrvrBHiL7ESbB6WM1jBLWpR49eypwIKQGUEZ8WI/s320/IMG_2484.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><br />
<br />
Opening gifts with Grandma<br />
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Flag from Trinity Site, NM on first <a href="http://www.nuclearmuseum.org/">museum</a> visit<br />
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Replica of Little BoyBeckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-90123026699926829872010-01-22T11:18:00.000-07:002010-01-22T11:18:57.962-07:00So awhile back, one of the awesome blogs I visit, <a href="http://slavetosave.blogspot.com/">SlavetoSave</a>, hosted a bunch of baby-themed giveaways, with some really cool stuff. I entered a few of them, and I actually won something! Been waiting to post, what with holidays and all, but I got it in the mail last week and had to take a pic. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekO5Qdl-cFK4ickIVmyIKzOdC6J5gWwuHFvHGPlUTO0x1tB7-UNbm3aLTEPK2pvFoZWPyBHbA-mSw6gcT3wmREYxJKnGk1_2CRxgEdoEplK55o9qBQWw8i6SeJs6byuNr-szk/s1600-h/IMG_2565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekO5Qdl-cFK4ickIVmyIKzOdC6J5gWwuHFvHGPlUTO0x1tB7-UNbm3aLTEPK2pvFoZWPyBHbA-mSw6gcT3wmREYxJKnGk1_2CRxgEdoEplK55o9qBQWw8i6SeJs6byuNr-szk/s320/IMG_2565.JPG" /></a>It's a <a href="http://www.snugglemez.com/index.php">Snuggle Me'z</a> carseat cover in the Brody pattern, and it's really come in handy with the cold weather we've had lately. Of course, this last week has been all about staying home and paying tribute to the many nap attempts that need to be made on behalf of proper day sleep, but hopefully I'll be able to go out again soon and show it off around the mall.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-70927676846151979522009-12-05T18:20:00.001-07:002009-12-11T10:38:13.593-07:00How food-adventerous are you?Came across <a href="http://www.verygoodtaste.co.uk/archives/399">this list</a> of omnivore foods and though it'd be fun to go over with Kyle and see what we have tried over the years, only bolding the ones we've tried. How did everyone else do? <br />
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<div style="color: black;"><b>The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:</b><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>1. Venison</b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">2. Nettle tea<br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>3. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huevos_rancheros">Huevos rancheros</a><br />
4. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steak_tartare">Steak tartare</a><br />
5. Crocodile</b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>6. Black pudding<br />
7. Cheese fondue</b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>8. Carp<br />
9. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borscht">Borscht</a><br />
10. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baba_ghanoush">Baba ghanoush</a><br />
11. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calamari">Calamari</a><br />
12. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pho">Pho</a><br />
13. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut_butter_and_jelly_sandwich">PB&J sandwich</a><br />
14. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloo_gobi">Aloo gobi</a></b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">15. Hot dog from a street cart<br />
</div><div style="color: black;">16. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89poisses_de_Bourgogne_%28cheese%29">Epoisses</a><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>17. Black truffle<br />
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes<br />
19. Steamed pork buns<br />
20. Pistachio ice cream<br />
21. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heirloom_tomato">Heirloom tomatoes</a><br />
22. Fresh wild berries<br />
23. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foie_gras">Foie gras</a><br />
24. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice_and_beans">Rice and beans</a><br />
25. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brawn/">Brawn</a>, or head cheese</b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper<br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>27. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulce_de_leche">Dulce de leche</a><br />
28. Oysters<br />
29. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baklava">Baklava</a><br />
30. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagna_cauda">Bagna cauda</a><br />
31. Wasabi peas<br />
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl</b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">33. Salted <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lassi">lassi</a><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>34. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauerkraut">Sauerkraut</a><br />
35. Root beer float</b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">36. Cognac with a fat cigar<br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>37. Clotted <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cream_tea">cream tea</a><br />
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O<br />
39. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gumbo">Gumbo</a><br />
40. Oxtail<br />
41. Curried goat</b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">42. Whole insects<br />
</div><div style="color: black;">43. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaal">Phaal</a><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>44. Goat’s milk<br />
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more</b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">46. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugu">Fugu</a><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>47. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tikka_masala">Chicken tikka masala</a><br />
48. Eel<br />
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut<br />
50. Sea urchin</b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">51. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prickly_pear">Prickly pear</a><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>52. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeboshi">Umeboshi</a><br />
53. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abalone">Abalone</a><br />
54. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paneer">Paneer</a><br />
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal<br />
56. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaetzle">Spaetzle</a></b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">57. Dirty gin <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martini_%28cocktail%29">martini</a><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>58. Beer above 8% ABV</b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">59. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine">Poutine</a><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>60. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carob">Carob</a> chips<br />
61. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%27mores">S’mores</a><br />
62. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweetbreads">Sweetbreads</a></b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">63. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geophagy">Kaolin</a><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">64. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currywurst">Currywurst</a><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">65. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durian">Durian</a><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">66. Frogs’ legs<br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake<br />
68. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haggis">Haggis</a><br />
69. Fried <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantain">plantain</a></b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>70. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitterlings">Chitterlings</a>, or andouillette<br />
71. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gazpacho">Gazpacho</a><br />
72. Caviar and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blinis">blini</a></b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">73. Louche <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absinthe">absinthe</a><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">74. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gjetost">Gjetost</a>, or brunost<br />
</div><div style="color: black;">75. Roadkill<br />
</div><div style="color: black;">76. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baijiu">Baijiu</a><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>77. Hostess Fruit Pie</b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">78. Snail<br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>79. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapsang_souchong">Lapsang souchong</a><br />
80. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellini_%28cocktail%29">Bellini</a><br />
81. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_yum">Tom yum</a><br />
82. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggs_Benedict">Eggs Benedict</a></b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">83. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocky">Pocky</a><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">84. Tasting menu at a three-<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelin_Guide">Michelin</a>-star restaurant.<br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>85. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_beef">Kobe beef</a><br />
86. Hare<br />
87. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goulash">Goulash</a><br />
88. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edible_flowers">Flowers</a></b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">89. Horse<br />
</div><div style="color: black;">90. Criollo chocolate<br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>91. Spam<br />
92. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_shell_crab">Soft shell crab</a></b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">93. Rose <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harissa">harissa</a><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>94. Catfish<br />
95. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mole_%28sauce%29">Mole</a> poblano<br />
96. Bagel and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lox">lox</a></b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">97. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobster_Thermidor">Lobster Thermidor</a><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>98. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polenta">Polenta</a></b></i><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">99. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaican_Blue_Mountain_Coffee">Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee</a><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">100. Snake<br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i>ETA: I realized that with the font color, the bolding isn't clear, so I italicized tried items instead. Also, #36 bothers me, as I have had both some very tasty cognac, and a rather nice handrolled cigar, but on 2 separate occasions. Make of it what you will.</i><br />
</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-91498594195152609342009-12-04T17:10:00.000-07:002009-12-04T17:10:24.596-07:00Awesome blog opportunityOne of the many blogs on my google reader is<a href="http://sewmamasew.com/index.php"> Sew, Mama, Sew</a> and this week Dec 2nd through Dec 6th, they're hosting their <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?cat=13">3rd annual giveaway</a>. Many cool people with blogs, shops, and crafty-inspired items participate, so there's a pretty good chance of winning some cool hancrafted item or supply. But the best part is the exposure of some pretty neat blog and new artists that I wasn't aware of. Not only am I now hoping for some pretty sweet items to win, I now have a lot more blogs bookmarked and subscribed to for reading and inspiration.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-74614727989626498762009-11-28T12:55:00.001-07:002009-11-28T12:57:13.861-07:00Quick pics and updateOz is 12 weeks old already, so crazy! In that time he has grown to over 12 lbs, zooming through clothes and now in mostly 6 month sizes, smiles and laughes tons, and is really, really interested in everything around him. So far, he loves baths with mommy, looking at the red chile-esque lights in our house, wearing clothes made by mommy (see pic), having us wash laundry a lot, and being rocked to sleep a lot.<br />
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</div>Through some trial and error, we found out not only does he have "silent" reflux, but also a sensitivity to dairy, nuts, and possibly soy. But with meds and cutting those out of my diet, he's tons better. I do miss cheese though, but he more than makes up for it :)<br />
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Also he loves both sets of grandparents, as he's lucky enough to be near my parents a good deal, and Kyle's mom and dad came up for a nice visit a few weeks ago, and will soon see him again at Christmas. So lucky to have both families nearby, so he will grow up with tons of love and affection from many different people.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBqeh1-gZRM7Z74AkTJGY7pdrIS1DxQI4ClosgED_VXAodR-pV-8VTjWCH2pvz8Oh6PjEhpZTvEOholiy5jLIefD0JEiMzRGMiWgkHR_-7mlorCFsbii6Z8GlxYZNBHu8bDne/s1600/IMG_2196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBqeh1-gZRM7Z74AkTJGY7pdrIS1DxQI4ClosgED_VXAodR-pV-8VTjWCH2pvz8Oh6PjEhpZTvEOholiy5jLIefD0JEiMzRGMiWgkHR_-7mlorCFsbii6Z8GlxYZNBHu8bDne/s200/IMG_2196.JPG" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEup4fpOZmyQdnGkWX4clMy8ZCVmFe92r3oZrjfmAvSIENZ-ngU9JeHmSBtN0IST8bee9j94XcEaXtkmbV8y8VJxZlS-H4MRU90tN7JE_MjuQTWRcBbmJPaBf6TiBmLV4C0x2D/s1600/IMG_2297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEup4fpOZmyQdnGkWX4clMy8ZCVmFe92r3oZrjfmAvSIENZ-ngU9JeHmSBtN0IST8bee9j94XcEaXtkmbV8y8VJxZlS-H4MRU90tN7JE_MjuQTWRcBbmJPaBf6TiBmLV4C0x2D/s320/IMG_2297.JPG" /></a>Otherwise, have been being a 24-hr mommy, with not much time for other cooking/knitterly pursuits. Did make a cute baby Jayne Hat, that Oz seems to like. And slowly working on some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Skein-Quick-Projects-Crochet/dp/1931499748">cozy cabled socks</a> for me, after finishing a basic pair of socks for Kyle. And made a yummy butternut squash soup (from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Cook-Everything-Simple-Recipes/dp/0471789186/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259424197&sr=8-2">How to Cook Everything</a>) the other night, topped with roasted pepitas and paired with crusty bread and chicken apple sausage from Sprouts (Cali friends, think Henry's, exact same thing). The no-dairy, no-soy has been a bit of a challenge, cooking-wise, but luckily in this day and age, there are a lot of other options, such as rice milk or coconut milk. Sadly no almond milk though, due to nut issues. The ped assures me that these food items are more of a protein issue for him, and don't necessarily mean a later dairy/nut allergy.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-59498898813591643212009-10-15T10:16:00.010-06:002009-10-15T12:58:59.807-06:006 week madness and picsApparently the 6 week mark is one of great change and fussiness. Oz turned 6 weeks on Tuesday, and with it has come some intense parenting challenges and fussiness. But we also have had some great moments, like real grins and happy arms and legs. And he's growing so fast! He's already growing out of some 3 month size sleepers since he's so long!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvPumAjg0KFsZBm4LbrOSXxpXHXXSZ3AtUDKcZM8Jji3pz6k7lSTomcl2bwdHjA0hXmrCu9MndsQj-CrD3ehu2Xq4zTbJ9KawWpDjvU9ROyJxKG_WckAgQF8aBq9q17EYJbQv/s1600-h/IMG_2163.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvPumAjg0KFsZBm4LbrOSXxpXHXXSZ3AtUDKcZM8Jji3pz6k7lSTomcl2bwdHjA0hXmrCu9MndsQj-CrD3ehu2Xq4zTbJ9KawWpDjvU9ROyJxKG_WckAgQF8aBq9q17EYJbQv/s200/IMG_2163.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392899513129532194" border="0" /></a> My view these days (sling - only thing that calms him and lets him sleep)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwG8wFJFpo5SOiYFigJPvcnPCzcPtDi30K4BW7E56k8nJmIdMW6ivTYvXaTy3Vaq4Cj6H4UxW5U7PvG-z5K5IvR88OUBu-52vBXrzSLP4sUC-6JCP_jvB_6dGeTu45bglYWcGk/s1600-h/IMG_2140.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwG8wFJFpo5SOiYFigJPvcnPCzcPtDi30K4BW7E56k8nJmIdMW6ivTYvXaTy3Vaq4Cj6H4UxW5U7PvG-z5K5IvR88OUBu-52vBXrzSLP4sUC-6JCP_jvB_6dGeTu45bglYWcGk/s200/IMG_2140.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392897396354311218" border="0" /></a>Superman sleeps! <span style="font-style:italic;">(blankie by Amy)</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKAvTHhmklLE_UweGWbyiLcKHOOX2FMBfOLs0EGI49D77fr8J97jNg0MEID7xW4IfnO64Ja2lStgwMiUvquzE2qvIzXlAv4ZBZ5K26WgcI536BqOzQR7qIUh3l2g6Xr-F8Uf6/s1600-h/IMG_2152.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKAvTHhmklLE_UweGWbyiLcKHOOX2FMBfOLs0EGI49D77fr8J97jNg0MEID7xW4IfnO64Ja2lStgwMiUvquzE2qvIzXlAv4ZBZ5K26WgcI536BqOzQR7qIUh3l2g6Xr-F8Uf6/s200/IMG_2152.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392902297721388978" /></a> Astronaut Oz <span style="font-style:italic;">(socks by Kristi)</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-sfZBWjxbG1c1_bug_NQ3zj0f1aQXVzUsT9RWYeNrkCYKK-ccI68mWe_vIDgXTtjFGQk4zzhzxF4F-5WwRObmKxtusGd2tjaEenoIee4DcVuQnbQsS5SiFcENwl9gs_V7qyB/s1600-h/IMG_2145.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-sfZBWjxbG1c1_bug_NQ3zj0f1aQXVzUsT9RWYeNrkCYKK-ccI68mWe_vIDgXTtjFGQk4zzhzxF4F-5WwRObmKxtusGd2tjaEenoIee4DcVuQnbQsS5SiFcENwl9gs_V7qyB/s320/IMG_2145.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392902864816402226" /></a> These grins make up for any sleeplessness and fussy baby timesBeckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-35248891845128357972009-10-04T12:01:00.005-06:002009-10-05T11:09:14.748-06:00Baby Oz!baby James Oz Campbell arrived, Sept 1st, coming in at 7lbs 2oz and 20.5in. We're thrilled to have such a wonderful baby and watching him change and grow is so wonderful<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ICKB64rUggx4X29VHHN4_FDu7jca0onD8zU1ejsf1b2gPsvcKBRkxN63mUY_qVQNMVgUEZOCDTMuyYV8RGpLoPpVeX949S7n1y5UdEBDmh2oUPpNbQ89MBRCk7AULCPhMPvr/s1600-h/IMG_1984.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ICKB64rUggx4X29VHHN4_FDu7jca0onD8zU1ejsf1b2gPsvcKBRkxN63mUY_qVQNMVgUEZOCDTMuyYV8RGpLoPpVeX949S7n1y5UdEBDmh2oUPpNbQ89MBRCk7AULCPhMPvr/s320/IMG_1984.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388808626253662546" /></a><br /><br />Parenthood has been a wonderful challenge so far, but it feels like I'm slowly getting the hang of it. Right now Oz is taking his morning nap (yay!), and a routine for the days is slowly forming. Odd to now have a schedule and eat dinner at 5-6pm, instead of the 8-9pm we did only a few short months ago. But with all the fun and craziness, i wanted to post a quick update with a list of a few things we have found indispensable as new parents:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006J021C">Happiest Baby on the Block DVD</a></span> - even after reading the book, some things didn't really click. Watching this made us realize that swaddling wasn't something all babies like at first, but does help them overall. Thanks to this, Oz is less overtired during the day and he gets better sleep at night, meaning we do as well<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2) <a href="http://www.target.com/Circo-Swaddling-Blankets-3Pk-Stars/dp/B00275GWLM">Circo brand Swaddling blankets</a></span> - At 42" x 42", these blankets are nice for long babies. Also being a tad heavier than the standard receiving blanket, they're nice for colder nights.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3) Cradle</span> - Very nice to have Oz next to us at night, so we don't worry about him. Also, the ability to just lean a bit over out of bed and touch or rock him for soothing makes sleep much easier to come by for all 3 of us<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4) DIY Diaper Sprayer</span> - From this <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2008/08/25/diy-tutorial-make-your-own-diaper-sprayer/">tutorial</a> online, it not only is great for diaper washing days, but the pressure is perfect for those pesky spit-up stains that can be a pain to wash out. Speaking of cloth diapers, I'm finding they really aren't much work at all, and diaper changes take about the same as with disposables. Says a lot, since we went with the prefold/fitted cover options, the cheaper but more time-consuming route of cloth diapering. Throwing in a load of laundry now and then also is no big deal, as babies tend to create more laundry anyway, with all the outfit changing and spit-up and other fluids, always right after you've gotten dressed or changed your own bedding, much less their clothes and bedding.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5) The Best Help of All</span> - <a href="http://brewingphysicist.blogspot.com/">My wonderful hubby and the new dad</a><br /><br />ETA: Also forgot (new mom, duh!) how much I love these two things as well:<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">6) <a href="http://www.target.com/Multi-Use-Blue-Yellow-White-Baby/dp/B0001YIAIO/ref=br_1_1?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=12964041&node=12964041&searchRank=pmrank&searchPage=1&searchSize=150&id=Multi-Use%20Blue%20Yellow%20White%20Baby">Waterproof pads</a></span> - awesome for placing in cradle, on changing table, in pack-n-play, etc. Just buy a few of these instead of a whole bunch of specialty sized ones, since baby is only so big at first and can't roll around anyway<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">7) <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2970576">Microwave steam sterilizer</a></span> - Use it a ton, mostly to sterilize my breast pump (Avent Isis) parts. Great for the everyday use, but the steam bags will be nice for traveling, I imagineBeckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-19935244727664335202009-08-25T10:11:00.009-06:002009-08-27T22:17:59.731-06:00Crafting crazyOnly about a week away from baby coming, and I've been pre-cooking and knitting and sewing a lot to get ready for our little guy. Last night we hung up the framed panels of Calvin and Hobbes in the baby room, and thanks to my mom's help, all the stuff is organized in a way that (hopefully) will make it easier for a sleep deprived mom like I soon will be.<br /><br />A few weeks ago, the wonderful ladies of my knitting group held a combined baby shower for me, Carrie, and Kristi, and it was a blast! There was lots of yummy brunch foods, virgin peach bellinis, and tons of fun. We also painted some onesies and bibs with fabric paint, which was a lot of fun, and of course had fun opening gifts, all 3 of us together. So many adorable things and such talented knitting friends!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4uYTvtcZ_x0zDtRorzo63l2CmJxYNbLIGNCT6ePeldoyR9nIfY35j1Oy6DASc9yyjNE2cxBv8Wk-N2YuFk1FFCg1iSC4e5a3wnLDrFk0irbiWPftzo2CYhzjqmt8HP1-8NP5/s1600-h/mosaic+-+knitting+baby+shower+gifts.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4uYTvtcZ_x0zDtRorzo63l2CmJxYNbLIGNCT6ePeldoyR9nIfY35j1Oy6DASc9yyjNE2cxBv8Wk-N2YuFk1FFCg1iSC4e5a3wnLDrFk0irbiWPftzo2CYhzjqmt8HP1-8NP5/s400/mosaic+-+knitting+baby+shower+gifts.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373945633756536162" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(From left to right, top to bottom: Knitted blanket from Amy, Avery sweater from Amy, Knitted hat from Debbie, Quilted blanket from Carrie; Sleeper, bib and tiny baby socks from Becky, Puppy Barley-appliqued onesie and knitted socks from Kristi, Knitted bear with removable clothes from Lara, Snuggle bunny from Leslie; Mitered blanket from Linda, Kimono from Michelle, painted bibs and onesies from shower, Cabled baby cardi from Celeste)</span><br /><br />The amazing talent and love put into each of these is just fantastic! Our little guy is going to be so well-attired, and he'll grow up loving knitting, I just know it :) And of course, I was finally able to share what I had been making for Carrie and Kristi.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDrXURKvEPQ2clyvDyLDJSL9Yjk9rA0ZpOLiwqitKB6cRuo9yUAKrl7J7pUHgU9I8nN9MSa68mJviab4xpifTwPrCw0GuinUuPNdTCh3Uw_x67VKD-8t0_tzyddOE1XAjo86q/s1600-h/mosaic+-+gifts+for+Kristi,+Carrie.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDrXURKvEPQ2clyvDyLDJSL9Yjk9rA0ZpOLiwqitKB6cRuo9yUAKrl7J7pUHgU9I8nN9MSa68mJviab4xpifTwPrCw0GuinUuPNdTCh3Uw_x67VKD-8t0_tzyddOE1XAjo86q/s320/mosaic+-+gifts+for+Kristi,+Carrie.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373941036794404754" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(Top row: gifts for Kristi; Bottom row: gifts for Carrie)</span><br /><br />As you can see, I've been enjoying using my sewing machine, and I have been sewing little baby things like a madwoman. Between cute little pants for our guy and kimono tops (from tutorial <a href="http://habitual.wordpress.com/">here</a>, a wonderful blog to browse through as well) with a few modifications. For the little pants, I have just used purchased baby pants to get the outline for a pattern, and sewn from there. The adorable pinafore dress and bloomers is from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lotta-Jansdotters-Simple-Sewing-Baby/dp/0811865487">Simple Sewing for Baby</a> by Lotta Jansdotter. All are very easy to do, and it's been fun learning how to use binding and even making my own for the finishing on the kimono tops. Been sewing much more as well, way too much to mention each here (but in my flickr photos), but it really has been a lot of fun. I guess this counts as nesting?Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-91672263666228723062009-06-28T14:51:00.002-06:002009-06-28T15:29:51.485-06:00Teaching and LearningSince posting last, much knitting has been accomplished, and the belly is even big enough to rest stuff on top while I knit or eat. Amazing how fast baby-belly has grown in just a month! As to the knitting, I taught an Intro to Knitting class at the <a href="http://mylibrary.us/about_my_library/locations_and_hours.asp">Hudson Public Library</a> in the beginning of June for the tween/teen age group, which went really well. I designed and wrote up a quick project (cell phone/mp3 cozy) and made up some handouts to show them the basics, then attempted to teach several kids around 5th grade level or so how to cast-on, knit, and generally how to hold yarn. It went pretty well, and hopefully a few of them will stick with it and try something new.<br /><br />Otherwise, it turns out that 2 other women in my knitting group are also expecting, one in October, one in December, so I've been pretty busy knitting for their bellies as well as mine. And since one of the babies is for sure a girl, it's giving me a chance to try out some fun things to make for her that would not work for our little guy. I do love knitting baby stuff though, something so satisfying about making tiny garments and still trying out new techniques and patterns without a huge project undertaking. Right now I am working on the cutest little baby knit for our boy, the <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/kits/Little_Bubbles_Baby_Kit-Blues__D40099.html">Little Bubbles</a> kit from Knitpicks. Even though it's on size 2 1/2 needles, the Comfy sport is so soft to work with and it's going pretty fast. I have the yoke done, and I'm just getting ready to split for the sleeves. I'm trying to make a fair amount of baby clothes in the one year range, so that he'll get a little more wear out of it than just a few moments.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCD-6uNlsScPDRe-kAbnifWAN7al2v2AFWsk_pX0O1_JIlSLgvtK3ihg1gI5jibuvtWj-FL7dFRFPDoYkGO2f2O3aTWyiwGz7DXW6cOSsdGXmnsIIfh0EAVyYlM0l-uNGEqPc/s1600-h/burp+clothes.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCD-6uNlsScPDRe-kAbnifWAN7al2v2AFWsk_pX0O1_JIlSLgvtK3ihg1gI5jibuvtWj-FL7dFRFPDoYkGO2f2O3aTWyiwGz7DXW6cOSsdGXmnsIIfh0EAVyYlM0l-uNGEqPc/s200/burp+clothes.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352493680353433010" border="0" /></a><br />Mostly I've been all about getting things ready for baby and spinning and knitting when I can. My mom made me (and I helped!) some wonderful burp cloths out of some cute flannel we picked out at Joann's, and they turned out so well! I need to get around to sewing up the cloth wipes soon, now that I finally cut them out, but as I've been finding my zen in knitting lately, that's been the priority. And of course, I went up to the Estes Park Wool Market this year with some great girls from knitting (pic on Amy's <a href="http://amysknits.blogspot.com/2009/06/estes-park-wool-market.html">blog</a>), and even though I had no intention, I bought a lovely steel gray CVM fleece for play and learning on :). It's about 4.25 lbs unwashed with an approx. 2.5 to 3 inch staple with very nice crimp. Washed up a bit and kept lock formation, spun a few locks flick carded, and it is wonderful to spin. Think I'll try drum carding though to blend all the grays together into a heathered effect, and I can try spinning a few different ways. But I definitely have lots to play with and do, even before the baby comes!Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-37540638197860308972009-05-29T16:29:00.003-06:002009-05-29T17:40:00.880-06:00First knit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3CILklP607o0MXj6mTmr7FgPGG5cr7J1_1PyHSV3k23KPsuubBk9Hnq4V1CJX4jzNRNQuP2AMPOi2NrckdxFiNjmw-ybgwt_E1I1wyM4uwaj6Nx8ZFps6kEyMfCrlHyFhOBm/s1600-h/baby+cardy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3CILklP607o0MXj6mTmr7FgPGG5cr7J1_1PyHSV3k23KPsuubBk9Hnq4V1CJX4jzNRNQuP2AMPOi2NrckdxFiNjmw-ybgwt_E1I1wyM4uwaj6Nx8ZFps6kEyMfCrlHyFhOBm/s200/baby+cardy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341393276245489714" border="0" /></a><br />Lots of knitting going on here, especially of the baby variety, for not just my belly but for the many, many friends who are expecting. Here's a pic of the first completed baby item for our little munchkin.<br /><br />Otherwise, we've been doing a fair amount of yard work, trying to get the sprinkler system going and the mowing on a reasonable schedule, along with some tree trimming and weed pulling. We still have a lot I'd like to get slowly done over the next few years (like a good garden plot and compost pile), but this year's main project is getting rid of a sucker elm only inches from the house and fixing our gate and fence section. My wonderful parents are coming out tomorrow, chainsaw in hand, to help cut down the tree, which will later be mulched. It will be such a relief to have it down before our main event this fall. And as to the horrid amount of mint, while most of it (and another pernicious runner-based plant) has been removed, there are a few things to the raised garden bed that need to be changed to keep this from happening in the future. So that goes on the project list for sometime in fall or spring next year. Hopefully in time to do a proper garden next year, but we'll see.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-36807054898294288052009-05-11T10:50:00.002-06:002009-05-13T10:19:25.506-06:00Big (and little) newsSo I was please to find out a few months ago that I would have a whole to new reason to cook and knit for another person..one of my own making! Yup, my hubby and I are expecting a wonderful baby boy this fall, and we couldn't be more thrilled. I wanted to wait until I had pics to show, and while he was a little shy the first time around, we were finally able to tell that it's a boy in the ultrasound today. I can't wait to start making lots of little baby knits and things for our own little guy, instead of just passing around the love to friends.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIPUjQtOYKTgAmquhzr1N_z0_po_Xt2oiHowrSh827i1twEvPrhVfUT3UOn-OaI8_Er4LwD0vDcytfpkZEpK0CXEXtZ3U1ImcKHvzeYI526sIV_6Oea0FpPDTBAjbivD6IFRC/s1600-h/20wk+ultrasound+4-22-09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 205px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIPUjQtOYKTgAmquhzr1N_z0_po_Xt2oiHowrSh827i1twEvPrhVfUT3UOn-OaI8_Er4LwD0vDcytfpkZEpK0CXEXtZ3U1ImcKHvzeYI526sIV_6Oea0FpPDTBAjbivD6IFRC/s320/20wk+ultrasound+4-22-09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332115032086263938" border="0" /></a><br />And speaking of activities and baby-having friends, I've been quite busy keeping up with the mini baby boom sweeping through all our friends recently with some baby knits. The red vest below is a modification of the Boy-O-Boy pattern from this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/101-Designer-One-Skein-Wonders-possibilities/dp/1580176887">book</a>, which is a great thing to have around to get ideas for almost any project. I've also been doing some spinning and dyeing lately, with approx 400 yd of luscious handdyed BFL at sockweight, and some fun corriedale roving in nice, spring colors. Also wanted to post a pic of some socks I made for my MIL, a variation of this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/peacock-feathers-2">pattern</a> but changed a bit to make the socks more gothic looking and keep the ribbing and heel detail matching with the pattern.<br /><br />Otherwise, I've bee<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3501947531_5a2f67dd4e.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 429px; height: 429px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3501947531_5a2f67dd4e.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>n enjoying the lovely spring/summer weather around lovely Colorado, and we even celebrated by doing some much needed yardwork! There were many weeds to be pulled, trees to trim, and very long grass to mow. I still have a lot of work left, mostly revolving around digging up and garden plot and planting something drought-resistant in the front yard, not to mention dealing with a hefty mint infestation in our backyard (anyone want some spearmint? Note to the wise for others: never plant in ground, as it will TAKE OVER your whole garden and it's a pain to remove, something the previous owners didn't know), but I can't wait to plant some lovely flowers and herbs in the gardenBeckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-36984957410228906762008-11-21T16:03:00.005-07:002008-12-27T09:20:12.148-07:00October/NovemberLooks like about once a month is all I can manage to post. Want to do a quick-ish recap though, about events lately (and there have been a lot!):<br /><br />1. Homeowners, yup, new to the clan. Home Depot here we come.<br />2. Went to Edinburgh for work, and had way more fun than should be allowed. Kyle went with, and at some point I'll get around to posting pics on my Flickr, but until then, some key phrases: cold & windy, wonderful friendly people, whisky (yumm!), chips with curry sauce (double yumm!). Totally love the curry sauce on fries, now ranks up there with green chile cheese fries :)<br />3. Painting..a lovely blue to distract me from the cleaning needed in the house <br />4. Need glasses now. Hubby assures me I look adorable, but they still feel really odd. Never wearing glasses means I have to continuously resist the urge to swat them off my face like hair. Also, frames in the vision feel weird!<br />5. Been spinning a lot more lately, but not knitting too much. Made some fun navajo-plied superwash merino, about dk weight. Pretty lofty, which is nice<br />6. Taking Maggie Casey's <a href="http://www.shuttlesspindlesandskeins.com/class_spinning.htm">Spinning 1 class</a> at Shuttles, which is so awesome, as I am learning a ton! At some point I hope to do a brief summary of what I've learned, but so far I've gotten to try different wheels and types, worked with gorgeous fleece, and made my best spinning ever.<br /><br />Been crazy busy lately, or maybe it just feels like it. Lots of changes/events in the last month, all of which have really gotten the creative side of me out. Hopefully I'll get my butt in gear and upload some pics of Barley running around in some of the snow we've been having around here, not to mention updating for December too :)Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-2631352440881481412008-10-17T14:18:00.008-06:002008-10-17T18:05:11.761-06:00Home & SpinningSo you might be asking, did I mean homespinning? Nope, I mean home (we're buying a house!!!) and spinning (Spinning week Oct 4-10th all over, but spinning month for us <a href="http://www.handweaversofboulder.org/">Coloradians</a>). Been doing more regarding buying a house than on the spinning side, but have gotten a bit of spinning love in.<br /><br />First, the house: we are now under contract for a lovely 3bd, 3 bath house in the westminster/broomfield area. If all goes well (fingers crossed!) we will be homeowners by Nov 13th, which is very cool and scary all at once. Especially due to the bellyflops going on with everyone's finances now. Really, who can say their job is 100% secure, no matter who they are. And as Kyle works for a company tied to the financial sector, it does makes things potentially a bit more interesting. All part and parcel of why we went for the pricing range and house size that we did. We easily could have gotten a loan for more $$$, for a bigger house, buy why? So far, it's just the two of us (well, for now at least), and we both wanted to ensure that if for some horrid, unknown reason one of us lost our job, we could still make the mortgage payment and other bills. Granted, it'd be tight with no extra for fun stuff (like beer and yarn), but totally doable. Sometimes I think it pays to be very practical, even though I am often teased for it at work. Okay, okay, but besides financial reasons, we both do love the house we picked, plus the lovely deck and backyard. Barley will certainly have fun there. :)<br /><br />Now as to the spinning, I've been working hard at not overtwisting some of my yarns when I spin, so I get a lofty endproduct. On my other wheelspuns, the yarns turn out a bit too tightly spun, and even with a generous plytwist and thwacking during finishing, they don't really relax to give a nice knitting hand. True, I spin worsted, so that decreases the loft factor, but these are way beyond that. So lately I've taken to spinning on the lowest ratio for my wheel, even for fairly fine (approx 24-30 wpi) singles. Seems to give me the lofty yarn I'm looking for, but makes me wonder if I don't have something set-up wrong? Well, hoping the Spinning class with Maggie at Shuttles will help me figure this out more.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRatRqJ-DywlRqRpJKbB2AyWevX_rO1fSeW2t8UQE9livFw_dx7HSst0cZQQ8WW_i8LShLP7EJVL5Um7mOusYL-KdRwXgBYZftWUXtSZoNQc6fIoAokOPhcN84wEAascMrin5/s1600-h/mosaic+101708.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRatRqJ-DywlRqRpJKbB2AyWevX_rO1fSeW2t8UQE9livFw_dx7HSst0cZQQ8WW_i8LShLP7EJVL5Um7mOusYL-KdRwXgBYZftWUXtSZoNQc6fIoAokOPhcN84wEAascMrin5/s400/mosaic+101708.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258228643347334770" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">**From top left, cwise 1) handspun, handdyed <span style="font-weight:bold;">cumulonimbus</span> 2)<span style="font-weight:bold;">Autumn Sunset</span> handdyed BFL top 3) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Pansies</span> handdyed 2ply fingering wt wool 4) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Forest</span> handdyed lcwt 2ply wool</span><br /><br />Otherwise been working on knitting a few things (all gifts, shh!), but the lovely <a href="http://www.knitanon.com/blog/">Kristi</a> brought me back some lovely alpaca roving from the Taos Wool festival, so hopefully once done with current project, I can try my hand at it. So soft! Otherwise, also got a bit of dyeing done, also looking forward to knitting/spinning. Way too many projects and not enough time!Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-81084216241887488782008-09-19T15:53:00.004-06:002008-09-19T16:29:02.545-06:00PiratingAhoy, it be Talk like a Pirate day! In th' spirit, I bring you past posts in Arrrrr-speak. just type my url where there be a space, and hit the shiny button! can amuse this scallywag all th' day!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.syddware.com/cgi-bin/pirate.pl">Scallywags' Blog</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">You are The Cap'n!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHYwV-0gVkm4DzOuAWxEGB5hzuyRPyBIEqlLUbeTHl6K4vY9Xko61EqXBuxQ2wS-oSqIq-71YxFQSCshSx_Yoa6yUO2MXVk3Z0qCOAreOdMGozSiIgmx_M2F7uYiaywg3gWsF/s1600-h/pirate+cat.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHYwV-0gVkm4DzOuAWxEGB5hzuyRPyBIEqlLUbeTHl6K4vY9Xko61EqXBuxQ2wS-oSqIq-71YxFQSCshSx_Yoa6yUO2MXVk3Z0qCOAreOdMGozSiIgmx_M2F7uYiaywg3gWsF/s200/pirate+cat.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247863028053999586" /></a><br /><br /><p>Some men and women are born great, some achieve greatness and some slit the throats of any scalawag who stands between them and unlimited power. You never met a man - or woman - you couldn't eviscerate. You are the definitive Man of Action, the CEO of the Seven Seas, Lee Iacocca in a blousy shirt and drawstring-fly pants. You're mission-oriented, and if anyone gets in the way, that's his problem, now isn't? Your buckle was swashed long ago and you have never been so sure of anything as your ability to bend everyone to your will. You will call anyone out and cut off his head if he shows any sign of taking you on or backing down. If one of your lieutenants shows an overly developed sense of ambition he may find more suitable accommodations in Davy Jones' locker. That is, of course, IF you notice him. You tend to be self absorbed - a weakness that may keep you from seeing enemies where they are and imagining them where they are not.<br /><br /><a href="http://talklikeapirate.com/ppi.html"><br /><br /><br /><span style="">What's Yer Inner Pirate?</span></a><br /><span style="">brought to you by <a href="http://talklikeapirate.com/">The Official Talk Like A Pirate Web Site.</a> Arrrrr!</span><br /><br /><br /><br />Be back a'later for more a'blogging!</p>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-50044790922494107492008-08-26T18:28:00.003-06:002008-10-17T16:31:48.156-06:00UpdateBeen up to quite a lot lately, so finally here’s an overall update. Besides the craziness that has been work, I’ve been getting a lot done in the knitting/spinning/dyeing arena. On my shiny new wheel, I spun the below as a worsted, with the brown a NZ merino wool and the blue a self-dyed brown sheep wool top, both singles overspun then plied to give approx 14 wpi and approx 180 yards. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipGckXnv4IChNi8dCyu8STvXZb26yUuXOZpfZKqOAIkNQrtT67cwwOEOK-Ruv4FE6XQMn6AhWrgv02KosjtrUeS8zzvI9XcG4ngDItdsS6Vht_bHmSJWYD9XqicIg5OWu50vP/s1600-h/great+blue+heron+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipGckXnv4IChNi8dCyu8STvXZb26yUuXOZpfZKqOAIkNQrtT67cwwOEOK-Ruv4FE6XQMn6AhWrgv02KosjtrUeS8zzvI9XcG4ngDItdsS6Vht_bHmSJWYD9XqicIg5OWu50vP/s200/great+blue+heron+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238988995497400962" border="0" /></a>My spinning seems to be pretty dense still on the wheel, as I only got 180 yards of a heavy fingering to dk weight out of 2oz of each fiber, which doesn’t seem like a lot. Seems like I can get a lot more yardage out of my drop spindles for now, but mostly because I’m still learning the ins and out of my wheel. Any way, for the first wheel spun, whee, pretty yarn from my wheel!<br /><br />Also for dyeing, I’ve tried my hand at both food coloring dyes and acid dyes from Cushings, both with good results. Also, I’ve been using the KnitPicks Bare yarns, which I love! Made some very pretty sock yarn this weekend, all blues and purples, with the Cushings dyes. Then with essentially the rinse, squeezing of the dye, and a few select drops of green food coloring, dyed this wool (ensconced in pantyhose leg, to prevent any felting) to give a much softer effect. <br /><br />I can’t wait to play with both! Also, I’ve been wanting to start some judicious naming of my dyeing and spinning projects, any suggestions? Was thinking “Starry Night” for the sock yarn, and something else for the roving? Maybe try theme names, like paintings or weather terms or something? Who knows maybe I just like naming stuff too. Is that a hobby as well? ;)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg694EryjZStXzSw8jcA8aWpk73GSCq7mx1oGYV5bM_wAvBXNmmsbWKs3jF-ieTEhjmMiV-hZpwynx50duGNB5Mg2ZrhEPzx8Twtnx1EHfOvVgdt0-OTtHoQavnIjhfyaheF8qm/s1600-h/starry+night.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg694EryjZStXzSw8jcA8aWpk73GSCq7mx1oGYV5bM_wAvBXNmmsbWKs3jF-ieTEhjmMiV-hZpwynx50duGNB5Mg2ZrhEPzx8Twtnx1EHfOvVgdt0-OTtHoQavnIjhfyaheF8qm/s200/starry+night.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238986900282208482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnF2p_J91dAjT7AF5btrPu9cC9kNubJQWQ66YmIgRPMzIX6ad2_xsy1Elfr7kJPJr7-4jC0X7ZMD8URvV75iCgM5nmMk7HtHJn_IyOlhbiUDeNG4oir7HORNh3SN2jxfp1Wok/s200/picasso.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnF2p_J91dAjT7AF5btrPu9cC9kNubJQWQ66YmIgRPMzIX6ad2_xsy1Elfr7kJPJr7-4jC0X7ZMD8URvV75iCgM5nmMk7HtHJn_IyOlhbiUDeNG4oir7HORNh3SN2jxfp1Wok/s200/picasso.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238986961936826530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Regardless, I’m looking forward to making some socks for people (both in fingering and in heavier weights), as well as some gifts for fall/winter/Christmas times as well. If people are really good (and also tell me what style/color/size/how heavy) they may want it, they may find stockings in their stocking! (okay, so lots of caveats there, but people! It’s not just a scarf, which will fit any ol’ person either, but an honest-to-goodness garment to fit your individual foot!Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-71108760312564449752008-07-09T12:12:00.007-06:002008-07-14T15:46:36.313-06:00Vacation for the NationSince Kyle's work gave him the 3rd of July off, as well as the 4th, I decided to take it off as well. Being my mom's birthday and a long weekend, we took the opportunity to drive up and hang out with my parents at Carter Lake. Of course, since we were near (sort of?) Fort Collins, I finally got my spinning wheel from Lambspun! I loves it so much! Then we headed to the lake and hung out with my Aunt Connie and cousin Laura and their families. It was a lot of fun, as my Dad busted out the jet skies and Barley got to romp around in the water some. Turns out he only really likes to splash around in it and not actually swim, unless we're in the water, then he'll swim to Kyle and I just to hang out.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/2647455436_9f8f8c0cd7_m.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/2647455436_9f8f8c0cd7_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Also started and finished a golf club cover for Kyle with a skull design <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3099/2646622813_8526e94bfc_m.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3099/2646622813_8526e94bfc_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> with a crooked mouth. Mostly designed for fun and also to sort of go with the mythic brewery name we have of Crooked Mouth Brewing, from the name Campbell. It was my first Fair isle, and it was pretty fun, as long as I had my chart to go from. Also, finished Gracie's top by trying steeking for the first time. Not as scary as I though, but I need to work on picking up the stitches after steeking to give a more delicate edge. Hmm, what else? Also tried <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cookingchemist/2646623177/">navajo plying</a> on my drop spindle for the first time, and I love how it turned out! Turned out to be a very fibery weekend, as I started spinning some chocolate brown merino, and decided I should ply it with another color. Had some undyed wool roving around and so I decided to dye it a slightly varigated sky blue for later spinning and plying. And while I was dyeing, I dyed up some KnitPicks sock yarn with a range of plummy colors, for knitting into Kristi's wonderful <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring08/PATTfrootloop.html">Froot Loops</a> socks. Overall, it was a very, very relaxing weekend, with lots of fun time with family, sun, water, pup antics, and of course, beer.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-25961573918142643932008-07-02T16:01:00.006-06:002008-10-17T16:09:58.544-06:00Sprains, Pains, and RotSo lots has been happening lately. Our big plan for last weekend was to travel up to the Colorado BrewFest on St in Ft. Collins, stopping to get me a spinning wheel (yay!) on the way. Instead, due to an unfortunate meeting in the dog park, our Barley managed to hurt his leg, which prompted a very stressful night and morning in the vet's office on Sat morning. Turns out it's just a bad sprain, no bones broken, and the vet wrapped him up and sent him home. he's been doing really well and actually got the wrap off this morning, so he should be back to his active self in no time. Of course, after we were leaving the vet, I noticed a large bolt/nail in the tread surface of my car's passenger tire. We thought "oh, crap, but at least it can be patched!" Nope, instead we needed all 4 tires replaced. Why you ask? Well, turns out that tires can rot! Did you know this, cause I had no idea. Guess after a few years, especially in dry climes or coastal climes (hmm, like San Diego or Colorado, ...yeah) the tires can rot and be unstable. So while we dropped a cool grand before noon on Sat on nothing fun, at least we're assured that my tires won't explode (I hope!) on my commute and that our pup is happy and healthy. Needless to say, I didn't get a spinning wheel that weekend though.<br /><br />But as Barley was feeling better, we did decide to make the trek up to Fort Collins with a few (somewhat new) friends Andy and <a href="http://www.knitanon.com/blog/">Kristi</a>. Even though quite toasty out, it was fun to go somewhere and chat about beer and stuff with new people. Of course, Kristi isn't quite new to me, as I met her as part of the wonderful knitting group I joined in winter, and then she got be started on drop spindling too. And of course, she let me try out her lovely Lendrum DT, prompting my growing need for a wheel of my very own. But it was nice for Kyle to finally meet some of my new friends, especially when it involves beer.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-22414474985481512008-06-26T11:29:00.003-06:002008-10-17T16:10:25.229-06:00WoW and knitting<p class="MsoNormal">Finally finished drop spindling the lovely blue merino roving I bought from Shuttles, which I turned into a 2-ply.<span style=""> </span>My beginning efforts were the standard thick and various thins of a first-time handspinning try, but by the end I was making a lovely, even sockweight, once plied (about laceweight before ply).<span style=""> </span>Since I had already started this shrug with the thicker yarn, I decided to finish with my thinner yarn doubled up, and it’s turning out nicer than expected.</p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/2613595816_818628d9f6.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/2613595816_818628d9f6.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>I also (finally!) finished Kyle’s WoW (World of Warcraft) guild socks.<span style=""> </span>As a WoW widow, I am quite used to some of the terms, one being that he belongs to a Guild called “Death From Above” who have a <a href="http://www.wowarmory.com/guild-info.xml?r=Thrall&n=Death+From+Above&p=1">tabard</a> design that each person in the guild can wear, so I did a bit of my own sketch designing for a duplicate stitch version of the tabard for his socks.<span style=""> </span>They turned out pretty well, and I think Kyle is pretty happy with them.<span style=""> </span>Granted, now that it’s hot out, he has no cause to wear these comfy around the house socks, but in fall he will soon enough.</p>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-1375887269602432672008-06-17T19:42:00.002-06:002008-06-17T20:42:11.187-06:00Estes Park Wool Market<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2585478967_b3a31fd6b0_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2585478967_b3a31fd6b0_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />On Sat June 14th I went with <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/knitanonk">Kristi</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/yoyoknits">Alyson</a> (who I had just met but is really cool!) to the Estes Park Wool Market. It was a great day, even though it was pretty hot, but I picked up all sorts of fun new types of fibers to try my hand at spinning. I got llama, alpaca, bamboo, merino/silk, and superwash merino, all fun things I've never tried before.<br /><br />Right now I still have my blue merino on my drop spindle, and once that's done, I can start playing with new fibers. I have severe wheel lust for the Lendrum DT thanks to Kristi's bad influence, and after checking with Shuttles, they said it will take 2-3 months to get a new one in! I'm so impatient, I don't wanna wait 3 months! Anyway, the wool<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/2586313354_fb8a4630df_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/2586313354_fb8a4630df_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> market was awesome, filled with so many fibers and yarns and animals. I used my spending allotment almost immediately. Saw some cute llamas and alpacas though, and adorable baby sheep. Afterwards we all went to Estes Park proper and did a little winetasting.<br /><br />On Father's day my hubby and I went my my dad, mom, and brother to lunch and to see the movie "The Happening", which is a horrible, pointless movie without any real suspense. Was going to see Indiana Jones, but they had shut off half of the theater building due to a fire alarm joke, so we need to go back next weekend and actually see Indy Jones.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13953788.post-89308274654415846902008-06-16T17:58:00.001-06:002008-12-11T01:34:43.650-07:00Long time, no see<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3txYLEeBYk3AlTtXNq-Len9jaX30ZT6SAnfuhcD53foUIZ4YnrbSp1yVVn7rg38nnnuUxYplKaU28KBnfxNXUUqteN30IU_qzdQjstclOO9VsqA259Xw28NskvivPCLzFFpg/s1600-h/blogupdate.bmp"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3txYLEeBYk3AlTtXNq-Len9jaX30ZT6SAnfuhcD53foUIZ4YnrbSp1yVVn7rg38nnnuUxYplKaU28KBnfxNXUUqteN30IU_qzdQjstclOO9VsqA259Xw28NskvivPCLzFFpg/s400/blogupdate.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212628194754506802" border="0" /></a><br />Yeah, yeah, I'm a horrible blogger with 18 months between posts. But instead of the long version, here's a quick recap: working as chemist at Catalent Pharma (formerly Cardinal Health); visiting families over 2007; went to see Keith and Abigail in Seattle and went to the yummy Cheese festival and had lots of beer there; some cooking but not as much as Kyle would like; Comic-Con again but sadly this time no pics of me with my personal heroes; many friends had babies (so cute!); big fires hit San Diego in the fall and lots of people were evacuated and the city pretty much shut down for a week; got back into crocheting and then learned to knit; knitting quickly became a large passion (just look at the pics in my Flickr if you don't believe me); visited Jimmy and Mirka for Thanksgiving and had a blast; Kyle defended and got his doctorate in Physics, yay!; he accepted a job in Colorado, and we moved in the winter; I'm working as QA Manager in Denver at company called Eurofins; I joined an awesome knitting group and made lots of great friends (see blog lists); we met some awesome beer people from Great Divide and are enjoying lots of yummy local beer; my brother has also started homebrewing, and Kyle's started back up again and got a fancy new brewpot, and he's updating his blog; spending lots of time with my family, and also Kyle's by visits; started using a drop spindle and am now spinning my own yarn!; considering purchasing a lovely Lendrum double-treadle spinning wheel; looking at buying a house in the fall/winter; adopted a wonderful 1 year Corgi mix dog from the Boulder Humane Society and named him Barley......<br /><br />And of course, with the addition of a new dog, life is a little more crazy but way, way more fun. Hmm, don't think I forgot anything major, but feel free to remind me :)Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02305626809596011614noreply@blogger.com0