tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173715092024-03-14T04:34:34.863-04:00A housewife with yarnPretty much.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.comBlogger221125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-89629389004418069932008-07-28T15:26:00.003-04:002008-07-28T16:10:20.690-04:00Busy SummerI think anything involving a toddler can be categorized as busy, but I think I've been going non-stop since the spring thaw. Spike is in love with being outside. We go out and play in the shade of the yard everyday. This year we planted a garden for the first time.<br /><br />It went from this:<br /><br /><img src="http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k149/yarnchick/labelgarden.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />to this:<br /><img src="http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k149/yarnchick/latejuneandcamp095.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />in no time.<br /><br />Likewise, my little baby is now nearly 15 months old. Like I said, he is busy. Last week he learned to scale the couch up to the side of the staircase behind the couch. He likes to be up high like the cats. Speaking of the cats, he has tried to say kitty since before his birthday but today it was clear and unmistakable for the first time. Kitty. It doesn't seem so long ago that he was just a little squirt (here he is 53 minutes old),<br /><br /><img src="http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k149/yarnchick/IMG_0063.jpg" alt="53_minutes_old" border="0" /><br /><br />and here he is a few days ago, playing with the gravel at the playground.<br /><br /><img src="http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k149/yarnchick/ALEXSTONES.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /><br /><br />He is the best. For the curious, yes he is breastfeeding and we are still using cloth diapers, and I wouldn't change anything.<br /><br />Although sometimes I feel like it's too hot to craft, I have been making some things. I am quilting the <a href="http://casalingaconfilo.blogspot.com/2007/03/i-been-busy.html">red quilt</a> that I pieced before Spike was born. I finally finished my baby gift for <a href="http://dontthinkanddrive.blogspot.com/">Rhett's Polly</a> - can I get it to the post office while she is still a baby? I've knitted some wash cloths in trade for a ring sling (blue stripe <a href="http://www.ckgraphicsonline.com/stripedcollection.htm">here</a>, barely used). They only have to go about 20 miles but I think it's cheaper to mail them - they can carpool with all the other packages! I'm working on more cloth wipes for a friend. I'm getting into sewing and quilting, largely by the influence of Paul's <a href="http://casalingaconfilo.blogspot.com/2007/09/laundry-day.html">Aunt Grape</a>, and she is planning to return to the area after living in Florida for the last 25 years so I'll have a sewing buddy. I made Spike a pair of pants with the arms from an old long-sleeved t-shirt. I bought my first jelly roll - a roll of quilting fabric strips - and I can't wait to use it. Spike did unfurl it for me though. Wasn't that nice? The colors are so bright and cheerful though, I don't know how he could resist.<br /><br /><img src="http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k149/yarnchick/jellyroll022.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /><br /><br />I made strawberry jam for the first time with fresh, local strawberries. I don't know if I can go back to store bought.<br /><br />I made pickles. They are fabulous, but tumeric does turn things quite yellow! I used <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Summertime-Sweet-Pickles/Detail.aspx">this recipe</a> from Allrecipes and my home-grown cucumbers (which Spike calls teds). For my second batch, I halved the tumeric and added a big sliced clove of garlic and red pepper flakes before boiling the liquid for 5 minutes. I got a taste for bread and butter pickles later in life (but before I was pregnant, interestingly enough) but I can't get enough of these.<br /><br />In fact, I'm going to go eat some pickles right now.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-27870829932337322112008-07-15T09:51:00.000-04:002008-07-15T09:52:56.417-04:00Yay me<div style="border: 1px solid gray; padding: 6px; width: 320px; font-family: sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; color: black; background-color: white;"><b style="color: black; font-size: 20px; display: block; margin-bottom: 8px;">You paid attention during 91% of high school!</b> <div style="border: 1px solid black; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 200px; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; text-align: left;"><div style="background: red none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 91%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; font-size: 8px; line-height: 8px;"> </div></div><p style="border: medium none ; margin: 10px; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: black;">85-100% You must be an autodidact, because American high schools don't get scores that high! Good show, old chap!<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.gotoquiz.com/do_you_deserve_your_high_school_diploma" style="color: blue;">Do you deserve your high school diploma?</a><br /><a href="http://www.gotoquiz.com/" style="color: blue;">Create a Quiz</a></b></p></div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-84313832121568213922008-06-13T09:54:00.001-04:002008-06-13T10:25:07.100-04:00Peaches<p class="mobile-photo" align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeN1r5gMGKjwgmRMHVOoWCEQU-BGqq_nxiYjUVstZV6bVuR6TMyrghXhH5xORWJhRtXtjo2vatRepmC1y0haDTOBwgo1BEjveR5YmGvC0FRhqmNXtYOL09dJpilbd9JDjq_IE/s1600-h/0613080954-747780.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211364487284348210" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeN1r5gMGKjwgmRMHVOoWCEQU-BGqq_nxiYjUVstZV6bVuR6TMyrghXhH5xORWJhRtXtjo2vatRepmC1y0haDTOBwgo1BEjveR5YmGvC0FRhqmNXtYOL09dJpilbd9JDjq_IE/s320/0613080954-747780.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Hey Rhett, are these peaches from your house? :)Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-65447358820216874262008-04-03T09:54:00.004-04:002008-04-03T10:32:02.091-04:00CalorimetryAs usual I'm far behind the trend. I think everybody has about eight Calorimetries by now, and I can see why!<br /><br />Pattern: <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTcalorimetry.html">Calorimetry</a>, from Knitty.<br />Needles: Size 8, 16" circular needles<br />Yarn: 25g Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool, hand dyed by me. This was <a href="http://casalingaconfilo.blogspot.com/2006/04/complexities-of-science.html">the first yarn I ever dyed</a>.<br />Supplies: One purple button from my Grandma's stash, two stitch markers<br /><br />I cast on 88 stitches and repeated row 5 12 times - I think. <br /><br />I took these photos on my phone, and they are the best I can do at the moment.<br /><br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd2JVhpiAWsDZ-sdsQKnJxnRLj4W_R85XF1zk0DH2JiNBgnd0sXXaAvCprrBhJxlderniyRLoI7yvM3qzbFb6wCp2a7spnMFRm1w6V3BxPgGxoyb7XKqe9ckBn05fp4eNt6vC/s1600-h/0403080949-716353.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185017305980476834" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd2JVhpiAWsDZ-sdsQKnJxnRLj4W_R85XF1zk0DH2JiNBgnd0sXXaAvCprrBhJxlderniyRLoI7yvM3qzbFb6wCp2a7spnMFRm1w6V3BxPgGxoyb7XKqe9ckBn05fp4eNt6vC/s320/0403080949-716353.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkclHar8I8Zby5Li7rCdGfOn-o1Xm6IyytW2gIuCBeOG2dsVKXQ4p0eIe3rh-BIkad3ZSyIfuzF9IjZjhr1StdBlqcyY5x5P1UOPxz4-DULvjvptrxttPm1-zK1OZZRQCurFn/s1600-h/0403080950-748903.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185017443419430322" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkclHar8I8Zby5Li7rCdGfOn-o1Xm6IyytW2gIuCBeOG2dsVKXQ4p0eIe3rh-BIkad3ZSyIfuzF9IjZjhr1StdBlqcyY5x5P1UOPxz4-DULvjvptrxttPm1-zK1OZZRQCurFn/s320/0403080950-748903.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FIG5axRDcc27Sw1xqsDy2SySZJdokgGPIWfeX9Hbm9L4dsHz3PBHkOWmEFBDgUFI9E-XvDIBgc-DFYVPpGMAa70Ee7_J8RtOTq4PhNqa90ijCOq7RWlvhCO1V5_W5-IBtGfb/s1600-h/0403080950a-747923.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185017872916159938" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FIG5axRDcc27Sw1xqsDy2SySZJdokgGPIWfeX9Hbm9L4dsHz3PBHkOWmEFBDgUFI9E-XvDIBgc-DFYVPpGMAa70Ee7_J8RtOTq4PhNqa90ijCOq7RWlvhCO1V5_W5-IBtGfb/s320/0403080950a-747923.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-82641587106178820332008-04-01T17:21:00.003-04:002008-04-01T17:36:03.417-04:00Bag Take 2<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloYRNPlHNTWMAHZbugv3teeWSz8stEtjrGFiMEXoYY2ukGFhXFK19dcqR1Ha_gL4mJhjcNraLteBHI3We_sGqI_x6EBoYkaC-iis7uLyZ0lDKbuKO38sqvvaUKr5MeumuKAXw/s1600-h/0401081710-715266.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloYRNPlHNTWMAHZbugv3teeWSz8stEtjrGFiMEXoYY2ukGFhXFK19dcqR1Ha_gL4mJhjcNraLteBHI3We_sGqI_x6EBoYkaC-iis7uLyZ0lDKbuKO38sqvvaUKr5MeumuKAXw/s320/0401081710-715266.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184390236460293506" border="0" /></a></p>The reusable produce bag quest continues. I made this one with some nylon mesh, some crochet nylon twine, and my sewing machine. I'm mailing this one off to someone who is going to try to use it to death as a tester. I already have some ideas for Bag 2.5.<p><br /><br /></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dWXcsd2RjUI/R_KnxLU4HZI/AAAAAAAAAB4/uxMD5mMsgOY/s1600-h/0401081712-795829.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dWXcsd2RjUI/R_KnxLU4HZI/AAAAAAAAAB4/uxMD5mMsgOY/s320/0401081712-795829.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184390584352644498" border="0" /></a></p>An action shot of Bag 2.0.<p><br /><br />This message was sent using PIX-FLIX Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!<br />To learn how you can snap pictures with your wireless phone visit</p><p><a href="http://www.verizonwireless.com/getitnow/getpix">www.verizonwireless.com/getitnow/getpix</a>.</p><p><br /></p>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-80015198604156419242008-03-31T10:46:00.005-04:002008-03-31T13:01:15.596-04:00Spike's CardiganWhen Spike was very little, he charmed some yarn for a sweater out of our local yarn store owner. She told me to choose whatever I liked, and I bought a pattern to go along. I'm finally making some headway on this sweater, now that it's spring and the time to wear it is getting very, very short!<br /><br />I don't have a picture of the progress, but I'm about 1.5 inches into the cream section on the back. So, just two fronts, button band, collar, buttons, and finishing the back to go! Oh boy.<br /><br />Edited to add: and the sleeves.<br /><br /><a title="Baby Sweater Pattern 07162007 by stephanie with the yarn, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1739231218/"><img height="375" alt="Baby Sweater Pattern 07162007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2037/1739231218_cabc2621a1.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a title="Baby Sweater Yarn 07162007 by stephanie with the yarn, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1738383421/"><img height="375" alt="Baby Sweater Yarn 07162007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2309/1738383421_49aae26b53.jpg" width="500" /></a>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-39162075453912338412008-03-28T10:28:00.000-04:002008-03-28T10:29:47.105-04:00Bag 2<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTKHOlDF8A_oSbFFpQF-rL1k4h2jKQ40tsqaufgkJKyM4R0vsVU4fpFBiCVpqzo6wI-fXUQREIRGmgWFA1bAQ6-4ttBP2uwxPA7jXSt49dblsAiaBRYz2jmqrk0kdUewLbqy3/s1600-h/0328081007-787107.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTKHOlDF8A_oSbFFpQF-rL1k4h2jKQ40tsqaufgkJKyM4R0vsVU4fpFBiCVpqzo6wI-fXUQREIRGmgWFA1bAQ6-4ttBP2uwxPA7jXSt49dblsAiaBRYz2jmqrk0kdUewLbqy3/s320/0328081007-787107.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182799689811500402" /></a></p>The same bag, but this time with an eggplant in it. The scissors are for scale. Since I'm posting these from my phone, I'm not sure if there's a way to post two pictures in one post. Oddly, this is easier than using the camera.<p>This message was sent using PIX-FLIX Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!<br>To learn how you can snap pictures with your wireless phone visit<p><a href="http://www.verizonwireless.com/getitnow/getpix">www.verizonwireless.com/getitnow/getpix</a>.<p><br>To learn how you can record videos with your wireless phone visit <a href="http://www.verizonwireless.com/getitnow/getflix">www.verizonwireless.com/getitnow/getflix</a>.<p><br>To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required. Visit <a href="http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download">www.apple.com/quicktime/download</a> to download the free player or upgrade your existing QuickTime� Player. Note: During the download <br>process when asked to choose an installation type (Minimum, Recommended or Custom), select Minimum for faster download.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-86157073686948279942008-03-28T10:24:00.000-04:002008-03-28T10:25:54.724-04:00Little Cream Bag<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7mpDncTj0yOdIJ7GApW9jKHwmbD1Lz0ebpMCbJ4o1cf1W-LZyPgegemnP_jU1SK9iXrEN4qB2_5QfiE6zlUmrbGfBWdATBQPcTwTTjD33jxqemVjdaNFzrr8N0fxiHsh4a2N/s1600-h/0328081009-754726.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7mpDncTj0yOdIJ7GApW9jKHwmbD1Lz0ebpMCbJ4o1cf1W-LZyPgegemnP_jU1SK9iXrEN4qB2_5QfiE6zlUmrbGfBWdATBQPcTwTTjD33jxqemVjdaNFzrr8N0fxiHsh4a2N/s320/0328081009-754726.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182798689084120418" /></a></p>I got crafty yesterday and made this little drawstring bag. It has a knitted middle with a crochet top, bottom, and drawstring. <p>This message was sent using PIX-FLIX Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!<br>To learn how you can snap pictures with your wireless phone visit<p><a href="http://www.verizonwireless.com/getitnow/getpix">www.verizonwireless.com/getitnow/getpix</a>.<p><br>To learn how you can record videos with your wireless phone visit <a href="http://www.verizonwireless.com/getitnow/getflix">www.verizonwireless.com/getitnow/getflix</a>.<p><br>To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required. Visit <a href="http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download">www.apple.com/quicktime/download</a> to download the free player or upgrade your existing QuickTime� Player. Note: During the download <br>process when asked to choose an installation type (Minimum, Recommended or Custom), select Minimum for faster download.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-10416118179247920322008-02-25T08:53:00.005-05:002008-02-25T09:32:07.714-05:00Two-color hatLast September I took a <a href="http://casalingaconfilo.blogspot.com/2007/09/two-color-knitting-makes-me-not-want-to.html">two-color knitting class</a> with Trudi, who writes <a href="http://knitmadness.blogspot.com/">Knit Madness</a>. The class project was a simple headband or hat. I thought it wouldn't fit anyone I knew and would just stand as a monument to my learning experience, but I decided to finish it off as a hat and guess who it fit?<br /><br /><br /><a title="How cold 10292007 by stephanie with the yarn, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/2288729226/"><img height="375" alt="How cold 10292007" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/2288729226_074eb94ccc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#999999;">Taken October 29, 2007.</span><br /><br />Spike! I know this is not the best shot for showing off my colorwork, but it will have to do for now. Spike is starting to outgrow the hat so I'll have to make him a new one for the chilly time between now and May. I really enjoy stranded knitting; I hope that after all this time I can remember how to do it. I even got a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Folk-Knitting-Estonia-Symbolism-Tradition/dp/1883010438">Folk Knitting in Estonia</a> for Christmas!<br /><br />I cleaned up the finished objects section of the sidebar the other day, and I realized that some of my finished objects from 2007 were listed but not blogged about. Now we're in for it.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-37657165821517154112008-02-19T10:11:00.004-05:002008-02-19T11:35:23.145-05:00Marvel-ousGood morning! It feels like a Monday today, the beginning of a new week. As it turns out, it's Tuesday. Oh well. Today Spike and I are venturing to the post office and the store through some freshly fallen snow. <br /><br />I have a quick confession - I bought a loaf of bread yesterday. One of my goals for 2008 was to begin making our bread. I planned for sandwiches for lunch this week and ran out of time yesterday, so I bought ome store bread that doesn't have high fructose corn syrup. I'm insulted by HFCS in my bread!<br /><br />Of course, there was HFCS in the hamburger buns we ate Sunday and Monday night. I can't win every battle, I guess.<br /><br />I do have a finished object to report! I made a garter stitch scarf out of a yarn called Marvel that I got at Jo-Ann's.<br /><br />Yarn: Marvel, 100% wool thick and thin yarn<br />Needles: Size US 17<br />Pattern: garter stitch, 13 stitches wide, using the whole skein<br /><br /><a title="marvel scarf 10232007 by stephanie with the yarn, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1738394827/"><img height="375" alt="marvel scarf 10232007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2034/1738394827_4286f7b339.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />(<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/needlesnswiffers/the-ubiquitous-garter-stitch-scarf">ravelry link</a>)<br /><br />This is the same yarn and pattern that I used to make a scarf for myself last year. That post is <a href="http://casalingaconfilo.blogspot.com/2007/02/scarftacular.html">here</a>.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-39646745939579059852008-02-11T13:15:00.000-05:002008-02-11T13:24:42.523-05:00Macaroni and CheeseWith milk approaching $4.00 a gallon, I want to use every last bit. Unfortunately, there are a few cups of my gallon left and they're beyond cereal, but not too far gone. I think it will make macaroni and cheese just fine at this stage.<br /><br />I've heard, now that I'm a transplant, that the base of macaroni and cheese varies. In the north, people make a simple white sauce and add cheese. In the south, evaporated milk is invited. The first recipe I ever tried that wasn't Kraft from a box involved a white sauce, and the first time it came out great. The second time I had a little too much confidence and burned the sauce, and I'm sure the more experienced among you know there is no recovery from that.<br /><br />This is the recipe I'm trying. Spike is napping in the stroller at the moment; I hope it goes well.<br /><br /><strong>Baked Macaroni and Cheese<br /></strong>2 tbsp butter<br />2 tbsp all-purpose flour<br />2 cups milk<br />1 cup sour cream<br />3/4 tsp salt<br />1/2 tsp dry mustard<br />1/4 tsp ground black pepper<br />1 (8 oz) pkg elbow macaroni<br />2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese<br />1 cup shredded cheddar of choice for topping<br /><br />Preheat oven to 350. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in milk, sour cream, salt, mustard and pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until mixture boils and thickens. Meanwhile, bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8-10 minutes or until al dente; drain. To the milk mixture add the cheese; stir until cheese melts. Combine macaroni and cheese sauce in a 9x13 baking dish; mix well. Top with extra cheese. Bake for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-4707527418706220012008-02-09T20:13:00.000-05:002008-02-09T20:38:48.338-05:00OMGosh, Y'AllThis year is slipping away from me! It's already February, and not even the beginning of February really. I am close to finished with a knitted soaker that I dyed the yarn for and will be selling, yes, selling! More about that soon. Spike turned nine months old yesterday. My sweet little one is more a little boy than a baby every day. <br /><br />Some snow pics from near New Year's:<br /><br /><a title="Sled ride 01012008 by a baby d, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9059657@N08/2219254213/"><img height="375" alt="Sled ride 01012008" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2029/2219254213_0b87fd75e0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a title="This snow 01012008 by a baby d, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9059657@N08/2220047838/"><img height="375" alt="This snow 01012008" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2405/2220047838_84454a239c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />A little Christmas:<br /><br /><a title="WEEEEE 12252007 by a baby d, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9059657@N08/2220047976/"><img height="500" alt="WEEEEE 12252007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2091/2220047976_714efd9265.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /><br /><a title="Now can I open 12252007 by a baby d, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9059657@N08/2219253283/"><img height="375" alt="Now can I open 12252007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2035/2219253283_734170fbd7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a title="I'm the present 12252007 by a baby d, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9059657@N08/2219251643/"><img height="375" alt="I'm the present 12252007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2372/2219251643_d5723674d5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Christmas with my parents in South Carolina:<br /><br /><a title="I got this! 12192007 by a baby d, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9059657@N08/2220044304/"><img height="375" alt="I got this! 12192007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2153/2220044304_1692d424d8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Christmas with Polly and her parents:<br /><br /><a title="Pat the Polly 12162007 by a baby d, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9059657@N08/2219253637/"><img height="375" alt="Pat the Polly 12162007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2105/2219253637_af09fa9637.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />These kids are darn cute if I do say so myself.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-27022591997008013742008-01-04T22:51:00.000-05:002008-01-04T23:13:28.299-05:00SnoozeSpike slept for 3 and a half hours this afternoon. It seemed awesome at the time. Then around bedtime he took a 2 hour nap. Oh yes, a nap. So he'll be up for another hour (which is fine) but I wish I could unlock the mystery of babynaps! It's kind of like chemistry - you have to hit the right combo of long and short naps to make, err, soap. I know I made soap in chemistry because it burned through one of my group member's pants. It was strong soap. <br /><br />Tomorrow I'll be dyeing some yarn - chemistry for yarn! Why couldn't I take THAT class?Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-53606217317256119402008-01-03T22:16:00.000-05:002008-01-03T22:37:39.042-05:00Baby FoodI managed to separate the ham from the bone and freeze the bone today, but it was not without a price -- Spike registered his discontent. My poor baby has four teeth coming in right now and he needs his mommy. <br /><br />Tonight we had roasted chicken, cranberry sauce from a can, and (organic) roasted sweet potatoes which I sliced and layered in a dish with the rest of the honey glaze from the ham. Spike has been eating organic sweet potato (plain!*), and after trying some of his I think it really does taste better. He is getting more interested in solid foods. I thought he was enthusiastic about sweet potato until we gave him a little chicken. Wow!<br /><br />Since there is a family history of food allergies, we are introducing foods one at a time and a few days apart. Some common allergens will be delayed a bit more than the recommended age for kids without a family history of allergies. A regular-kid chart is <a href="http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/first-foods.html#foodchart">here</a>.<br /><br />So far, I think rice cakes are the winning food because although (or maybe because) they are messy, they are the best toy that we let him eat.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">*Just wanted to clarify that I'm not giving Spike honey. Children under 1 year should not have honey.</span>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-37025205886130329542008-01-02T21:41:00.000-05:002008-01-02T22:52:35.456-05:00SupercoldIt's cold out there. Single-digit cold. A trip to the grocery is inevitable but I think Paul will undertake it before work. The plan for tomorrow is to dismantle the ham I made for New Year's into sandwich slices, casserole dices, and a ham bone for bean soup. We've been eating ham all week so it's all going into the freezer! For dinner I'm roasting a whole chicken (on sale this week for 69 cents a pound), making sweet potatoes (some to share with Spike!) and canned cranberry sauce. We're swapping one hunk of meat for another, but I like to roll with the sales. Maybe some bread too. I can't turn down the chicken, but a nice soup would be really great right now. We'll be waiting a few days though.<br /><br />I have to say, though, that Spike's snowsuit looks awfully cozy right now.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-78821319833219331702008-01-01T11:43:00.000-05:002008-01-01T14:29:08.333-05:00It's 2008 - Happy New Year!Happy New Year!<br /><br />I know that New Years Resolutions are so, well, 2007. But I rather like them, corny or not, so here are mine for this new year.<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Be a better homemaker.</span> This one has a few points:<br />a. I will try to bake all our bread. <br />b. I will have a garden this year, and figure out composting.<br />c. I will never again stand over the frozen section of the grocery at 7pm looking for dinner.<br />d. I will develop and discuss my housekeeping strategy.<br />e. No more plastic grocery bags!<br /><br />2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kick-start my business.</span> More details to come!<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Be a blogger.</span>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-26756227200582567642007-12-31T11:43:00.004-05:002008-02-25T09:34:29.030-05:002007 Finished Objects<a href="http://casalingaconfilo.blogspot.com/2008/02/marvel-ous.html">Marvel Scarf 2</a><br /><br /><a href="http:///">Spike Mittens</a><br /><br /><a href="http://casalingaconfilo.blogspot.com/2007/11/with-liberty-and-warshrags-for-all.html">Ballband Dishcloth</a><br /><br /><a href="http:///">Halloween Costume</a><br /><br /><a href="http:///">Crib Dust Ruffle</a><br /><br /><a href="http:///">Odessa 2</a><br /><br /><a href="http://casalingaconfilo.blogspot.com/2008/02/two-color-hat.html">Two-color Hat</a><br /><br /><a href="http://casalingaconfilo.blogspot.com/2007/06/six-weeks.html">Baby Kimono</a><br /><br /><a href="http://casalingaconfilo.blogspot.com/2007/06/five-weeks.html">Newborn Wool Shorties</a><br /><br /><a href="http://casalingaconfilo.blogspot.com/2007/05/i-dyed.html">Prize Yarn</a><br /><br /><a href="http://casalingaconfilo.blogspot.com/2007/04/baby-bunting-bag.html">Baby Bunting</a><br /><br /><a href="http://casalingaconfilo.blogspot.com/2007/02/scarftacular.html">Marvel Scarf</a><br /><br /><a href="http://casalingaconfilo.blogspot.com/2007/03/did-i-ever-show-you-this.html">Fetching</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#999999;">(posted during a reorganization effort, February 19, 2008)</span>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-3852676271515994002007-11-08T08:15:00.000-05:002007-11-08T08:51:53.571-05:00ColdIt's cold outside and I have symptoms that point to either allergies or a cold. It's hard to say which it might be, but I have discovered that blowing my nose scares the little one. For now I'm pushing orange juice and hoping for the best, but somehow that didn't stop me from having cake for breakfast. <br /><br />I can't upload any pictures from my camera during the week at the moment. But I'm doing the decreases after turning the heel on the shooting stockings and decreasing the sleeve on the easy baby cardigan. And I've made a little progress on PD's craft (Rhett's baby). It's tricky to set things up to work on it though when it's just me and my baby. Things could get very messy. Leave it to me to choose a fussy project when I am least able to deal with that!<br /><br />Also, I love Ravelry. I take a look at all new Knitty issues but I somehow missed <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTcorazon.html">Corazon</a>. I love these colorwork mittens (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=corazon%20knitty&w=all&m=tags">flickr pics</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/corazon/people">ravelry pics</a>). I'm needlesnswiffers.<br /><br />I hunted and finally found the Interweave Knits Holiday issue this weekend at my grocery store. I'm only halfway through it, but so far I like a lot of the <a href="http://www.interweaveknits.com/holiday/holidaygifts/gifts_preview.asp">projects</a>, particularly the Sugarplum Shrug. Koolhaas reminds me of Shedir from Knitty (but it's been a while since I looked at it). I love the colors in the Fireside Stocking but who knows if it's something I'll ever make.<br /><br />Today is November 8th. Six months ago in another 13.5 hours, I had a baby. I'll do a post on it when the camera-computer continuum is restored, but I will say that my baby is awesome and I can't imagine life any other way.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-8972347501251478082007-11-05T22:19:00.000-05:002007-11-05T22:34:16.576-05:00EeriePaul is working on a project that requires a lot of late nights between now and Thanksgiving, so Spike and I are spending a lot of quality time together. Tonight it's chilly out and a lot of the lovely orange leaves that were on the trees are getting swept around by the wind. I like to keep the house cool, especially at night, but there's a chill that the blankets just aren't touching. Is it time for hot chocolate? I mean, it is all dark and leafy outside.<br /><br />In a PD's Craft update, I finally took the noun to the noun and started verbing. Then Maddie the cat attacked the noun, and I had to put the whole thing away when I went to a friend's house for dinner. So I only verbed 4 nouns.<br /><br />I hope this mystery distracts Rhett from being a 40-weeks-pregnant ticking time bomb.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-91643072364815402612007-11-04T12:13:00.000-05:002007-11-04T12:23:45.827-05:00November ResolutionsWe're taking it easy this weekend at the Yarnhaus. We've been go go go every weekend for, well, weeks, and so today we're catching up on the DVR and our (okay, my) knitting. But now some relatives are coming over. So in the spirit of rest and reflection, an-hour-in-the-armchair-is worth-a-year-in-the-field-ish-ness, this post is part of my ongoing quest to keep up with New Year's resolutions. You can see what I've said before by viewing the <a href="http://casalingaconfilo.blogspot.com/search/label/resolutions">resolutions category</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>1. Make household goals and crafty goals.</strong> The Christmas crafting list covers the crafty end of this. Household goals seem so silly when getting through a day with three meals is an accomplishment. But I'd like to make a stash of frozen baby food (yup, time to think about that!), to have emergency food supplies on hand, and to write a will. Morbid, yes, but important since we have a baby now. </PUBLIC announcement service><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>2. Make time for blogging.</strong> Do I detect improvement?<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>3. Get out of the house a few times per week.</strong> I'm definitely doing this now, thanks to my little playgroup. I learned to make jelly!<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>4. Work towards making my home a better place to live.</strong> This is entertwined with #1. I feel like if I could just get it together I would be all set - but would I? I don't even know.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>5. Design a budget and track spending to increase savings.</strong> I still haven't worked on this. Rhinebeck didn't help.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>6. Write down the pattern for the baby sweater I designed. Knit another one in the process.</strong> Hasn't happened yet...<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>7. Stick to the Holiday Crafting Plan.</strong> So far, so good. I mean, if you don't count the baby sweater I started or the crochet wool baby long pants. Um...<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>8. Craft for charity</strong>. I wanted to make three <a href="http://hatsforalex.blogspot.com/">Hats for Alex</a> by Hallween. I haven't made a single one. So I will aim for Christmas. Anybody want to join me?<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>9. Knit one project Continental-style.</strong> Not yet. Maybe those hats...<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>10. Crochet something cool.</strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>11. Catch up with Spike's thank you notes.</strong> I did the shower, at least, but I have some work to do. Still.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-89824356951182283012007-11-03T09:46:00.000-04:002007-11-03T10:29:28.284-04:00Longies?<a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1393/1330111555_776864ed18_m.jpg"></a><br /><div>I know, I know, this is a terrible picture. But it's the only one I have uploaded of one of my WIPS so here it is - I'm making crochet longies. Longies are wool pants for babies, and in my case will be used as a nice warm wool diaper cover for Spike.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1738389439/"><img height="180" alt="crochet longies 10232007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2307/1738389439_7747380b1e_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><div><br /></div><p align="left">The <a href="http://www.etsy.com/search_results_tags.php?search_type=tags&search_query=hand_knit%20longies">handknit longies on Etsy</a> are around $45 so I thought I would try my hand at this. I am reusing some Patons Classic Merino from some <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/PATTfuzzyfeet.html">Fuzzyfeet</a> That Weren't.</p><div><br /></div><p align="left"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/needlesnswiffers/crochet-longies">Link</a> to this project in Ravelry.</p><div><br /></div><p align="left">I have some ambitious holiday crafting this year. First priority goes to gifts that people already know about - so I'm working on my craft for PD and socks for my father-in-law. <a href="http://dontthinkanddrive.blogspot.com/">Rhett</a>'s baby PD will be arriving any day now and while Rhett knows there is a craft for PD she doesn't know what it is. We also don't know if PD is a he or a she so crafting is tricky! And she reads this blog, so there is no blogging about it! Shhhh!</p><div><br /></div><p align="left">The socks are the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gentlemans-shooting-stockings-with-fluted-pattern">Gentleman's Shooting Stockings with Fluted Pattern</a> (link in Rav) in Nancy Bush's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1931499659/bookstorenow700-20">Knitting Vintage Socks</a>. I thought I blogged about these but apparently, I didn't. So here are some stats -</p><p align="center"><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1330111555/"><img height="180" alt="shooting stocking progress 09012007" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1393/1330111555_776864ed18_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><div><br /></div><p align="left">Pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/needlesnswiffers/gentlemans-shooting-stockings-with-flutted-pattern">Gentleman's Shooting Stockings</a> (link to my project page in Rav) </p><p align="left">Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks that I got in a swap probably a year ago.</p><p align="left">Needles: 5 Clover bamboo double-pointed needles, size 1 (2.25mm) (also procured in the same swap)</p><p align="left">I turned the heel shortly after this picture was taken (September 1) and haven't touched it since. This project is not a surprise because I can't make two socks that don't fit, so I'm going to make one sock and have him try it on and then make two socks that fit. This runs the serious risk of making three socks, but I'm okay with that.</p><p align="left">My complaint with this book is that multiple sizes aren't included in the patterns. You get what you get, which is part of the reason that I'm worried about fit.</p><p align="left">Time to get busy!</p>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-82901315233081477732007-11-02T09:41:00.001-04:002007-11-02T09:42:56.546-04:00With Liberty and Warshrags for All<div style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10px; MARGIN-LEFT: 10px"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1739232720/"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2013/1739232720_f57f55e7b2_m.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1739232720/">ballband dishcloth 10232007</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/yarnchick/">stephanie with the yarn</a> </span></div>The Ballband Dishcloth from <a href="http://www.masondixonknitting.com/">Mason-Dixon Knitting</a> from the wrapper around the yarn. I used the cream from a cone and the red, cream and blue from a separately purchased ball. I've seen nicer looking dishcloths, but it was an experiment!<br clear="all">Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-14679020175330786232007-11-01T12:58:00.001-04:002007-11-01T12:58:41.510-04:00Well then.<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1739236792/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2007/1739236792_7669b1dd31_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1739236792/">cat baby switch 10232007</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/yarnchick/">stephanie with the yarn</a> </span></div>I think this photo says a lot about what we've been up to lately.<br /><br />Spike and I are very behind on our tv watching and the DVR is very full. I started PD's craft at last, but it's a surprise so I can't divulge much! I do have a little more planning to do too. But I'm still excited about it!<br /><br />Halloween photos soon, after I shrink them down from enormous to reasonable.<br clear="all" />Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-86412497505057293932007-10-29T17:37:00.001-04:002007-10-29T17:43:28.388-04:00Easy Baby Cardigan - True to its name<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1738390009/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2329/1738390009_5f021777f4_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" > <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1738390009/">easy baby cardigan 10232007</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/yarnchick/">stephanie with the yarn</a> </span></div>In the interest of blogging about this before I finish it, this is the <a href="http://www.knittingpureandsimple.com/babycardi.html">Easy Baby Cardigan</a> in Bernat Softee. The yellow is funny - in this photo, it looks buttery, but in some light it can look almost electric. Either way, it's a nice shade of yellow for a lucky baby. I intended to knit this for Spike, but then I would have only had something like 5 yards of yarn left, so I made the 6 month size, but it looks like that won't fit for long. So, since I know three pregnant women I knew this sweater would not go unloved and I made it small.<br /><br />It's cute. Also, not done yet. I've finished the body and about 80% of one sleeve.<br /><br />In other news, today I made mittens for Spike. They were needed - it's cold! I know that these days you don't knit or crochet to save money for the most part, but I think in the realm of baby and toddler cold weather gear you really can save some money by doing it yourself. These mittens took me less than an hour and were a fraction of what they would cost to buy.<br /><br />Also, universe, I hereby submit my request for a drive-through post office. I know it would be all sorts of unsafe and insane, but boy it sure would be convenient for those of us with sleeping babies in the car who must be removed from their car seat into a carrier and hauled into the post office. Hypothetically speaking, of course.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17371509.post-39652454148362349012007-10-25T09:32:00.000-04:002007-10-25T13:49:28.819-04:00The Rhinebeck PostRhinebeck was great this year! Last year was nuts so we decided to take it easy this year, especially with the baby along for the trip. We drove down Saturday morning and got to the fairgrounds at about 1pm. Building A was the first stop to say hi to The Spinning Room and see what was left of the Socks That Rock. I got the next to last skein of mediumweight last year in gorgeous blues at about 1 on Saturday, so I didn't expect to find much - but I guess The Fold planned for more this year because they still had a good selection! I picked up two skeins to add to my STR collection... now three, untouched, skeins.<br /><br />Socks That Rock in fluorite. I had to buy it! It's just so... fluorite!<br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1738398357/"><img height="180" alt="socks that rock fluorite 10212007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2074/1738398357_dbc7bfc323_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><br /><br />Socks That Rock in covelite. The colors told me to take it home.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1738397793/"><img height="180" alt="socks that rock covelite 10212007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2153/1738397793_b17f41f382_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><br /><br />The next stop was food for the whole family. Paul stood in line for some lamb chili and a lamb bbq sandwich from the 4-H food vendors while I scouted out the vendors set up outside between barns and the one at the end in the yellow-striped tent. We sat down and ate our lunch (we made it a meal with some chocolate milk) right behind some beasties that I regret to admit we never determined if they were alpacas or llamas. Probably alpacas?<br /><br />And that's when the Rhinebeck Insanity overtook me.<br /><br />I bought some Araucania Ranco Multy in color 301 from I so don't even know where. There was another shopper looking through the selection, clearly in the throwes of Rhinebeck Insanity (RI) who muttered to herself, "But what will I do with it?" Without thinking, I responded, "Don't ask these questions now. Ask them later." That's me, talking to strangers. Clearly RI.<br /><br />The spoils of that booth, wherever it was -<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1738397227/"><img height="180" alt="ranco 10212007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/1738397227_242b7b0f5b_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><br /><br />We browsed right past the Maple Creek Farms booth that I spent possibly an hour in last year (I don't know, time gets all screwy in that place!). Last year I settled on some <a href="http://casalingaconfilo.blogspot.com/2007/01/merino-twist.html">green merino twist</a> for an as yet unmade baby sweater.<br /><br />And then we discovered the bunny crack.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.oasisfarmfibermill.com/">Oasis Farm Fiber Mill</a> in building 29 had the softest yarn I think I've ever laid my hands on. One blend was Bunny Something (should be called Bunny Crack but no one consults me about these things - something like 30% angora and 70% wool) and the other was Glamour Bunny (30% angora, 20% wool, 30% sunshine and 20% sleeping baby - okay seriously I can't remember other than it had 4 fibers and two were rabbit and wool and I want to knit a house of it and never come out). I love this yarn.<br /><br />Bunny.... something<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1738385327/"><img height="240" alt="bunny 10212007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2186/1738385327_954c75be96_m.jpg" width="180" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1738386293/"><img height="240" alt="bunny close 10212007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2047/1738386293_f63ff52e4e_m.jpg" width="180" /></a></p><br /><br />Glamour Bunny<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1738392241/"><img height="240" alt="glamour bunny 10212007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/1738392241_d25880483e_m.jpg" width="180" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1739241488/"><img height="240" alt="glamour bunny close 10212007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2183/1739241488_f3674c01fb_m.jpg" width="180" /></a></p><br /><br />After the bunny crack I was quickly running out of money, so I kept my eye out for a bargain. I found one at the <a href="http://www.hudsonvalleysheepandwoolco.com/">Hudson Valley Sheep & Wool Company</a>. They had natural-colored sock yarn, 205 yards for $5. I couldn't turn that down. Apparently neither could anyone else, because there was only one more skein after I came through. I should have bought it too.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1738395701/"><img height="180" alt="natural sock 10212007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2233/1738395701_b883b0c0a5_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1738396283/"><img height="180" alt="natural sock close 10212007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2278/1738396283_767a108f75_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>It is hard to photograph some of this stuff.<br /><br />Paul and baby Spike made lots of friends too. Spike napped a while in his Babyhawk but still had plenty of smiles for passers-by while riding in his <strike>chariot</strike> stroller. When we got back to the hotel, though, he demanded a leisurely meal and a nap. Except this is how he slept -<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1738398837/"><img height="180" alt="tired from rhinebeck close 10202007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2115/1738398837_32555dd2c8_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><br /><br />Supervised, of course (so don't call the baby police). He was wiped out.<br /><br />For Rhinebeck we stay at the Holiday Inn in Kingston. We've stayed free both years by using Paul's accumulated points from working out of town. It's nice and clean, which I am extra grateful for after hearing about the Super 8.<br /><br />So after a nap and a broccoli and ricotta pizza from Picnic Pizza, we headed to the Ravelry party. And what a party!! We met <a href="http://cygknit.blogspot.com/">Cygknit</a>, the other baby present sleeping on Cygknit, and Mr. Cygknit (who had an <a href="http://cygknit.blogspot.com/2007/10/rhinebeck.html">I-Heart-Hot-Moms t-shirt </a>on). Check the <a href="http://blog.ravelry.com/2007/10/23/rhinebeck-gratitude/">Ravelry news blog entry</a> for more about the party (also, Spike is smack in the center of the first crowd pic). Paul was very hapy to see the open bar, what with the being surrounded by knitters and all. Spike did enjoy the party until the last 15 minutes or so before the door prize drawing. We walked around a bit and tried the change of scenery method, that got us up to the drawing. Then Spike made himself infamous by being The Baby That Screamed after every cheer from the crowd and Paul took him outside. Mr. and Baby Cygknit went outside too where they had their picture taken by an employee of the restaurant because apparently, you don't see men holding babies outside all that often! We called it a night after the prizes were handed out.<br /><br />Sunday was another gorgeous, perfect day. We slept in and made it to the fairgrounds around 11, and we left the stroller in the car. It was much easier to get around in the barns, but I was really worn out by the afternoon! We met up with some of our playdate friends from home and saw it all again. L2 bought a drop spindle and some practice wool, and some awesome baby alpaca for $1/oz. Yeah, I'm jealous. L2 had her hubby there and a friend who introduced us to <a href="http://booksherpa.blogspot.com/">Booksherpa</a> from Ravelry. L1 had her hubby, baby, and mom with her, and L1's mom is pinehill on Ravelry. She knew all about Socks That Rock and when I mentioned Stitchy McYarnpants, <em>she knew what I was talking about</em>. People at Rhinebeck get it.<br /><br />L1 checked out with some bunny crack too and she and her mom found some lovely alpaca. L1's family got lamb chili before the 4-H folks ran out, but sadly we missed the bbq sandwiches so we got some from the dude with the smokestack. Yummy!!<br /><br />At the end of the day on the way to the wine, I stopped back in to Maple Creek Farms. I wanted some superwash wool and I picked up 8oz.<br /><br />It's called sea weed.<br /><br />Also, I love it.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnchick/1738394103/"><img height="180" alt="maple creek superwash merino 10212007" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/1738394103_e6e4e148c9_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><br /><br />After getting two bottles of wine, we piled in the car and came home. I'm so out of money, but I'm looking forward to next year!Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949662606966372530noreply@blogger.com2