Joining Carole & friends for Three Things on Thursday...

1 -- The second stem of my gorgeous, delicate amaryllis has begun to bloom -- six buds!

I love it so much! It's right in view from my seat at the table -- the Garden Room is one of the best features we made in this house, especially wonderful in (a long snowy) winter.

1b -- I'm pretty happy that we'll at least see stem #1 of amaryllis #2 in bloom before we leave for Spain. I may have our house sitter send me photos as it develops. That's not too weird, is it??

2 -- Good company, good food & drink, fun & games.

Rusty & I met Ali and her friend/co-worker Kristin at 313 Dodge, which is co-owned by friend and former co-worker, Janel, for Beer/Wine Bingo Night! We shared & enjoyed some yummy food (last chance for a few things, as the menu is changing next week) and had a blast playing BINGO! I never won a game when I used to go to Sunday night Bingo at the local Catholic church, but I won last night!!

I conveniently placed my morning pick-up order with Kristin before we left, and had this most delicious avocado toast for breakfast today! So good.

3 -- You may call her LADY KATE!!

Kate's early birthday gift arrived just in time on Tuesday afternoon!! She happened to be sitting at the kitchen table when I brought in the mail and I just handed it to her with little fanfare -- other than a big excited grin! I hadn't got around to telling Rusty that I'd pulled the trigger on this (though I'd mentioned it to him as an idea several months ago), so it was a little surprise for him, too! I don't know how I first became aware of Highland Titles, but I've followed them on social media for years, and this was finally the year. Kate's reaction was EXACTLY as expected, she was thrilled, Rusty was thrilled, I was thrilled... it's the best gift ever!

She's planning to be in Scotland in May with her friend Shannon, and definitely in this very part of the Highlands, so I hope they go scope out Kate's "estates." Haha! I'll keep you posted.

Now to find something equally as inspired for Ali & Maddy!! Their birthdays are coming up right quick.

Joining Carole & friends for Three Things on Thursday...

1 -- With the help of my fashion consultant, Kate, I ordered new glasses yesterday! I went to a new place because... long story. It's very close to work, though, and they let me take some frames home to try/get opinions. I was OK with the couple that I brought home, but knew that I could use another set of (better) eyes to help me choose. My consultant will soon be leaving for an extended period, so I grabbed her while I could! They're going to be my first pair of Transition* lenses... and I sure hope I like that! I was assured that if I truly hated them, they'd re-grind.

*ETA: Transition sunglasses. I've never had anything but no-line bifocals since that became part of my prescription.

Speaking of glasses, as I wiped mine off for the zillionth time the other day, I thought a) wouldn't it be cool if they could make lenses out of Gorilla Glass? And b) if I could use that amazing liquid screen protector stuff on them?

2 -- We welcome our second Airbnb guests tomorrow night, a couple on a weekend get-away from Milwaukee -- another "reason" that we never considered! We usually get away to there! Haha.

3 -- My gorgeous amaryllis is fading but still gorgeous... and there's so much promise!!

Bonus:

The days are getting longer y'all! We're up to over 11 hours of daylight (and gaining every single day)! There's reason to open the blinds when I get up in the morning now. The colors were so soft and beautiful at dawn today, and then I noticed that the moon was still hanging there, too.

Have a great Thursday!

Joining Carole & friends for Three Things on Thursday...

Thing 1: It's Go Time! I mentioned the other day that we published Kate's/the upstairs apartment on Airbnb, and that there had been some interest.

It's been nine days, we've had eight inquiries, and we are so surprised! Of those:

• One canceled booking by a woman whose son attending a nearby university would be recovering from outpatient surgery; upon further review, it turns out a traditional hotel (with long walkable hallways) would be better suited for his post-op needs.
• Two declined bookings: one because the apartment wasn't suitable (she didn't read the listing limitations); the other because of too short notice!
• Two that weren't possible: one because the number of guests suddenly increased and exceeded our capacity; another was a pre-approved request for dates that someone else snagged before it was accepted!
• One pre-approved, awaiting confirmation.

There are two confirmed bookings! The first one is for Monday-Friday -- as in this coming Monday! So we are getting all the last-minute things done. And Kate, in the meantime, is also packing for a quick work/art trip to Nebraska... also keeping in mind upcoming longer trips to the UK & Europe! It's all a little crazy.

The other confirmed booking isn't until mid-April, but who knows what will happen between now & then! We truly didn't expect much until summertime, and then... maybe a family reunion, a wedding. None of these bookings or inquiries are for reasons that had even crossed our minds. So. What do we know?? Haha.

Thing 2: It's Almost Drive Time! I need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) for Spain... a trip that is coming up right quick! (YIKES!!) I've had my application filled out for weeks, and finally had Rusty take some "passport-type photos" the other night, which I sized & printed, so I could bring the whole she-bang with me yesterday. Then I noticed that they required check or money order, and didn't accept cash... I don't know about you, but I haven't carried my checkbook in a very long time. I needed to make a deposit for work and happen to have my HSA account at the same institution, and they let me draw a $20 MO from there. I happily made my way to AAA and she told me that my photos were too big (even though they were processed to passport specs -- GAH!!). They could take photos there, and I'd have done it... if they'd accept a credit/debit card from a non-member, or I'd had a check with me, or a MO for $32 instead of $20. GRRR. I resized & reprinted photos last night -- and tucked a blank check into my wallet -- and will try again today!

Thing 3: It's Yarn Time! I've never knit a Fade (though I have printed out at least a couple of patterns), but that almost looks like it could be one! I've had some fun in the dye studio over the past couple of weeks. I've made it a point to put "DYE" on my calendar on my days off -- making it a priority on those days, not just a thing I do when I have time. There are a few last-minute tweaks before a website update later today -- shooting for noon CST!

Happy Day!

Joining Carole & friends for Three Things on Thursday...

Those three things being some recent photos that Maddy shared from Australia! Some of you follow her on Instagram -- and if not, here you go: @maddymooothes!

Do you see the koala in the tree?

Maddy & Viv were visiting family (hello, SHEEP FARM) and are now traveling a bit (Outback!) before vintage work begins in a couple of weeks -- Viv at a winery in Australia, and Maddy back in NZ at Wither Hills again. She's sent us photos of kangaroos, wallabies, and fruit bats (lots 'n lots of big ol' fruit bats) besides sheep, sheep doggies, koalas, and lizards (several varieties of those, too, and also big!).

OK! Who doesn't want another cute koala photo now?

TGIT! Tomorrow's my day off and I'm ready! We had a lot of snow fall yesterday -- no snow day because, you know, it didn't actually start to pile up until after I got to work -- and other than having to scrape/brush it all off of my car at the end of the day, it wasn't bad. But tomorrow, it's gonna be COLD -- the Wind Chill Advisory advises chills as low as -25 to -35F tonight and tomorrow!! So cold. It'll be a great day to stay in, and I have plenty to keep me busy.

Joining Carole & friends for *Three Things on Thursday

Actually, one Thing  -- a Bullet Journal -- and three photos of it.

I've never done a Bullet Journal -- or any kind of journal, really. Six pages of the diary I got for Christmas when I was 11 hardly counts.

Kay was talking about it at MDK just before Christmas -- just as I had a ton of things to keep track of -- and I decided to sort of try it out for the holidays. And I liked it. I had a "cover" with a line for each day and a bare-bones description of what was happening -- who was arriving or which celebration or where we were going. There was a section inside devoted to each day where I kept track of details -- schedules, how many for dinner, the menu. It was GREAT!!

Meanwhile, I ordered an actual journal for myself -- and one for Rusty, too, because he is a journaler from way back, and it was his birthday on the 26th!

I'm trying out a few things, but I know already that even without sketches, calligraphy, and all the other doodads, it could turn into a huge time suck and I am not about that. At all. I am well aware of all the "inspiration" to be found on Instagram and Pinterest, and have been keeping my distance!

I rather enjoyed drawing out that January/Monthly Log calendar, but I don't think I'll be doing that for every month... I have a million monthly calendars at my fingertips, and this one doesn't really seem all that useful. In fact, it'll probably make me frustrated and mad... unless I dedicate it to keeping track of one or two very specific tasks. Hm. I do have one or two specific & related tasks that I need to be reminded of... Maybe I will be doing that every month.

There's a reason that some of what I've written in this journal so far is in pencil.

The Future Log seems useful -- a simple listing, by month and at a glance, of important events/reminders.

I am very  excited about my Duolingo-Spanish log, which I just created last night, picking up with a refresher from where I left off two years ago. I plan to practice/meet my goal everyday until our vacation in Spain (designated in red)... and it looks like my subconscious chart designer decided to carry on right through to the end of the year! We'll see.

Meanwhile (bonus photos), I'm not above this sort of thing...

...format, print, cut, tape!

But I also ordered washi tape... way more than I thought! So we'll just have to see where this all goes.

I'm planning to keep track of some vacation stuff -- packing lists, reminders, a log. And house stuff -- room dimensions, paint chips, window measurements, the size of those dang furnace filters. And gift lists. And... I dunno what else! It's a book made for lists and I'm looking forward to keeping them all in one place.

Do you BuJo? I'd love to hear a little about how you use it... the thing(s) that work best for you, and those that don't!

3TT*

Thing 1 -- I dropped a Wonder Clip the other night, heard it skitter on the floor, and got up to look for it -- twice. I didn't come up with it, but I did find an earring that I'd lost weeks ago! I was beginning to think it was truly lost and had already bought a cheap (but rather nice) knock-off pair -- because they're practically part of my uniform.

Thing 2 -- There's only one pair of Mukluks left to sew up! They're the biggest, but between Knit Night & tonight's Packer game, I ought to be able to get them done today!

Thing 2b -- What to knit next???

Thing 3 -- Dyeing.

I spent Tuesday morning down there and it was glorious -- the light on a sunny morning is so great! Looking forward to some dye time this weekend. It sure helps to brighten up a cold November day.

Visit Carole to read more *Three Things on Thursday posts.

3TT: Randomly (sort of)

Thing 1

It's getting real around here. I saw snow on the ground on our way to MN on Monday (not much of it, but still... on the ground) and it looks like I might wake up to about an inch tomorrow, with another inch falling in the morning hours. That's a lot better than the 3-6" I'd seen in the forecast earlier today. YUCK, no matter how many or few inches!

Thing 2

We've started the conversation about Christmas around here! Specifically, that at least some of us are going to be drawing names again. We did that for years and I think it started to fade when Sharon died and, for sure, everything about Christmas changed after my mom died. This year, I already know that Thanksgiving is going to be very low key (possibly one of those "lasagna" Thanksgivings) but I'm thinking it might be a FULL-ON CHRISTMAS!!

Thing 3

I've even started some Christmas knitting for the kiddos!

Visit Carole to read more "Three Things on Thursday" posts.

Thing 1

Well, I tried... "Walk-in Wednesday" mammograms are still a thing, but there are limited slots (a change from last time I was able to take advantage) and it didn't work out yesterday, so, there's a scheduled mammogram appointment at the end of the month. I want to whine but instead I'll suck it up and Just Do It.

Thing 2

I might have to schedule another massage for that day, though! Probably not 90 minutes, but who knows... Yesterday was my second-ever 90-minute massage and the two couldn't have been more different! The first was very much in the realm of relaxation... sure, I had a few little issues, but mostly I was pretty blissed out. This time, it was much more therapeutic... very little of that blissful relaxed feeling, but pretty spectacular nonetheless.

Thing 3

I had a blast with the kids yesterday, even though we broke the rules... pointedly pointed out to us by a middle-schooler, of course. Rusty walked with the kids & me to pick up my car, then he drove it home while the kids and I decided to head to the local Skate Park. It's located right across the street from City Hall and both the Police & Fire Departments, and it's fun to keep an eye on things -- sometimes the fire doors are open and trucks move in and out, though we've never been there when they've actually gone out on a call! (One or more of us would probably start to cry from the shock.)

The Skate Park is for in-line skates or skateboards only... NO BIKES. Prior to the sign being pointed out (which I've actually read before but, obviously, promptly forgot), there were two or three other kids on riding around on their bikes. This was sort of an impromptu visit, and next time I'll definitely make sure there's a helmet involved!

Well, I fell on Saturday afternoon, while carrying Malina across a grassy area in a park, which turned out to be very uneven terrain. It looked fine -- grass was growing, it had obviously been growing for a while & had been mowed -- but there had apparently been work done there much earlier in the season and the ground had never been properly leveled. My foot went into a small hole/divot and I went down -- HARD -- on my right shoulder. Malina, on my left, was startled but unharmed (thankfully)! Luckily, Ali was there with the Coffee Camper and she fixed me up with a bag of ice right away. Man oh man, it hurt and I thought for a little bit that I might have dislocated my shoulder. I could move it -- painfully -- and that pretty much told me that it was not dislocated.

I nursed it with ice packs and ibuprofen on Sunday, and on Monday morning woke up to find an enormous bruise that covered my entire bicep area. It wasn't really any worse, but painfully slow at feeling any better, so I stopped at Urgent Care on Tuesday on my way home from work. They took three x-rays and determined that nothing was broken or severely damaged. It is finally feeling a little bit better today -- some positions are better than others.

I've been taking it easy when I can... really easy, like, I haven't even been thinking very hard! I'm so glad Monday was a holiday, and that yesterday was my day off. I think those days off have really helped.

So, anyway, here are three of my favorites from various times over the weekend:

That last photo is very meta... it looks to me like grown-up Ali is holding little baby Ali!! (I was sitting just outside with ice on my shoulder.)

Oh, yeah, and our weather finally broke! It's been hot and humid and SO RAINY... lots of flooding in the area. Not us, we are high & dry, but two coworkers were off the other day dealing with basement flooding. Today, it's sunny and low 70s, blue sky with pretty white clouds, and the forecast is for the same for as far as I can see.

I hope you're having a good week! I am very thankful that tomorrow is already Friday. Visit Carole's for more "Three Things on Thursday" posts!

Though I didn't cross everything off my list yesterday, I got the major stuff done -- including back-to-back massage & chiropractor appointments. I had a new-to-me massage therapist and she worked exclusively on the areas giving me the most trouble and, oh wow... yeah...

How about Three Little Things on this Thursday (returning to wrap up Auntie Camp tomorrow)...

1 -- I was ridiculously happy to see this yesterday:

I noticed them in the parking lot as soon as I pulled in: upgraded shopping carts at my favorite grocery store! Finally!! They're so smooth -- and quiet.

2 -- May all your weeds be wildflowers.

That's how we're rollin' here this year.

3 -- Park it!

My side of the garage has been in use all summer for lots of things -- that didn't include parking a car. But I have reclaimed it! 😊🚗 The "blue area" is where we hosed off the tie dye on Saturday! It'll fade in time...

...sometimes forward, sometimes backward!

This photo was snapped last night when I was half-way through tinking a row!

It's my Savage Heart Cardigan (1) and as of last night, the first half is finished! Next, I need to find a spare needle while I get to work on the second half!

Summer Camp II (2) has also seen the light of recent days (though not a camera) and I'm just about ready to begin the bind off!

And swatching... I went up a needle size and made another swatch for my Rhinebeck Sweater (3).

That did the trick! Meanwhile, I think I've changed my mind about the pattern I want to knit -- same gauge, though, so whew!

 That's a little knitting update, 3TT style... visit Carole for more "Three Things on Thursday" posts!

Doing an all-in-one post this week!!

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Joining Kat & the Unravelers...

KNITTING

I washed my Rhinebeck Sweater gauge swatches, and the numbers didn't really change much.

I'm going to try going up a needle size and see what happens. Stitch count is spot on, but rows are significantly off and there's a fair bit of shaping in the sweater that I currently have in mind. I suppose I could do a little math/calculating... that takes a pretty specific frame of mind that's definitely not my normal frame of mind. Haha. Loving how that yarn is knitting up, though, and I'm determined to use it!

The TTL Mystery Shawl is still waiting to be fixed. (I hope I can fix it!)

READING

I am still reading The Best Cook in the World: Tales From my Momma's Table by Rick Bragg, and listening to Calypso by David Sedaris, and enjoying them both quite a lot! I would say that memoir is my favorite genre, so that's really no big surprise.

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Joining Carole and friends for Three on Thursday...

After threatening to do it -- and wanting to do it -- for years, I finally did a little macramé! Three photos:

I recently bought new curtains for the front room & love how much lighter & brighter & less lacey it is. I keep noticing -- and keep forgetting -- to remove the price tag from the panel on the front door! Or I could just channel Minnie Pearl...

It's not always the most photogenic of crafts, y'know? This was very simple, completely made up/from memory, and the very best thing was Kate's reaction when I took it upstairs. You just made that? Like, just now?? 

I did, even though there are a few other things I currently vying for attention (such as fixing dropped stitches on my TTL Mystery Shawl, hemming my Gypsum Skirt, sewing up another Geranium Dress)... I might do macramé with the boys for Auntie Camp (Aug. 17-18!~) and figured I should make sure I still had the skillz.

I do. It's like riding a bicycle!

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Aside...

While I was up on Kate's porch, I noticed the pergola. I've been up there many times over the last few years, but never just hanging out, so it was cool to take in the view from a different angle.

Not bad, I thought. Then I noticed it again after the lights came on at dusk.

These would look good on the Airbnb listing!

Not kidding! Also, not ready for lodgers -- yet! As established, Kate's renting the upstairs apartment, but she already knows that she's going to be gone for chunks of time -- some significant -- and it actually occurred to us both, separately, that Airbnb could be an option. Now that we've found ourselves on the same page, it's a rather exciting concept, and I'm thinking about it a lot. I don't really know how much demand there is in my area, but being only 20 miles from Lambeau Field is a definite plus... and it's been interesting to think of our house/property/location in terms of "selling it." We're excited to give it a go... sometime (there are a few things that need to be done first)!

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Eye Candy Friday...

Those are just two of some achingly sweet photos that Ali shared on Wednesday afternoon. Lordy, I'm a lucky one...

Happy Weekend!!

The Wisconsin State Capitol:

The Orpheum:

The National:

It was a great concert on Tuesday night, preceded by cocktails at Merchant and pizzas at Lucille. I can't remember the last time I didn't get to bed until 2:00 am, though that was the norm back in the day and I'm sure I'd easily revert to that again if I didn't have a 9-to-5 (or 7-to-4-or-5, as it were).

For more Three on Thursday posts, check out Carole and friends...

Joining Carole and friends this week for Three on Thursday...

Thing 1 - RHUBARB BITTERS

Yesterday, after agitating daily for 2 weeks (plus a day - ooops!), it was time for the next step in the process -- separating the agents from the alcohol and cooking them in water for a bit. I'll be agitating that concoction for about a week. Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, remember back in the day when people/knitbloggers were making their own vanilla extract, mostly as gifts? I recall that there was a particular online shop for the procurement of bottles at a very reasonable price. Does anyone remember the site?

Thing 2 - IN THREES

Since taking this photo last evening, this little project is off the needles!

I'll give it a little bath and find some buttons. The first of three baby knits is almost done! I think I'll make at least one more of these -- it's such a quick & fun one-skein project.

Thing 3 - MORE MKAL PREP

Kirsten herself thought that the variegation in the yarn I showed yesterday might mask the stitch pattern too much and, since she's the designer, I've decided to heed her warning. Another Raveler or two expressed concern that the pattern wasn't doing the yarn justice, and that had been a niggling thought. That yarn is GORGEOUS and I love the pairing that I have, so I'm going to save it for something else.

I did a little stash dive and the current yarn on deck for the TTL 2018 Mystery Shawl is this...

This is some of my own hand-dyed yarn -- well, one of them is undyed/natural (haha!). The inspiration for the other was a photo of some succulents.

Not this photo. But aren't they just endlessly fascinating? We have a bunch, in the ground or in pots -- Kate's plants are all residing with us at the moment, too -- and when I spotted this one the other day, I just couldn't resist taking a photo.

Kirsten's Mystery Knit-Along starts TOMORROW! C'mon, there's still time to jump in! I'm excited!!

Joining Carole and friends this week for Three on Thursday...

If you've been blogging for a while, you might remember the day -- way back in the day -- when people would blog about yarn. Specifically, it was a huge thing to excitedly blog about acquiring yarn -- stash enhancement -- whenever & wherever you acquired it, especially if it was "occasion" or "souvenir" yarn, or from a gift or a swap. I have fond memories of a few early swaps, and some of my all-time favorite knits were made from "swap yarn." I know there are still some swaps going on, but it's all changed quite a bit and I think that Ravelry and Instagram and hashtags are much more a part of it now than blogs and... I don't know, somehow it's not as personal and fun (to me, your mileage may vary).

Anyway, while recently in NY/NJ, I bought some yarn. I took three photos of that yarn when I got home, and I thought I'd share them with you. Just like the olden days!

From the top:

1 -- Meadowcroft Dyeworks Yarn Rehab purchased at Knitty City & Molly Girl (it glows under black light!) purchased at Yarnia

2 -- Wol met Verve minis purchased at Knitty City

3 -- Life In the Longgrass Dye Studio purchased at Brooklyn General Store

Every one of these dyers is news to me... they hail from PA, the Netherlands, and Ireland... and I don't have a plan for any of them.

Well, I didn't have a plan for any of them... that LITLG Fine Sock from Ireland is now going to be my TTL Mystery Shawl. I have some thoughts about the Molly Girl Bass Line becoming something for a couple of little girls I know, too.

Joining Carole and friends this week for Three on Thursday...

1 -- PEONIES

I have more peony buds than ever before!

They're not getting battered by wind & rain, for once! Ants sure do love them (see it?).

2 -- CHIVES

I spotted these yesterday behind the pergola bench -- a bit past prime but still pretty.

3 -- SUCCULENTS

This little wooden planter full of succulents was one of the table centerpieces at Maddy's BFFs' pretty farm wedding last year. It fit perfectly on the windowsill of my basement dye studio (sigh) and wintered there. There had been some ivy, too, but it didn't survive. I see that Rusty's left his mark...

Joining Carole and friends this week for Three on Thursday...

1 - Knitting

I started a new knitting project on the way to Chicago last Thursday.

It's a new Summer Camp (pattern by Laura Aylor) and, as I snapped a photo in the car, I noticed that I was wearing the first one that I made. That shawl and my 2016 Rhinebeck Shawl (Close to You by Justyna Lorkowska) were probably my most-worn shawls last winter (they both "go with everything") and I've wanted to make them both again.

Coming along!

I'm using yarn that I dyed a few months ago and I'm pretty happy with it so far.

My elbow/shoulder/arm are still balking at me now and then, so I'm trying to take it easy (figuring out my next step with this lingering situation).

2 - Wine

It occurred to me this morning, while replying to a comment/email from Mary, that perhaps I've neglected telling you about the amazing wineries that Maddy's worked/will be working for! She has worked the past couple of vintage seasons for Wither Hills in New Zealand and also for Loveblock Wines (the winemaker formerly of Kim Crawford Wines); this fall she'll be working for Kendall Jackson in Oregon, and she's pretty certain that she'll be similarly working in Australia next year (exact winery TBD).

She brought a bottle of Loveblock home with her (because she didn't think it was available here) and we shared it on Thursday night at our hotel. I'm pretty sure the staff in the liquor department at our local grocery store thought she was a little off her rocker on Saturday when she VERY EXCITEDLY showed us that she'd found some on the shelf there!! Isn't the label pretty?

3 - Customer Service

I've tried in vain to locate the misplaced shoulder strap for the charcoal gray Baggallini* Medium Avenue Tote Bag that I bought last year. I don't know what I did with it, and had to resort to using the red strap from another bag when in NYC in March. I finally resorted to reaching out to customer service last week and :08 later I had a reply email informing me that my replacement strap would arrive in 5-10 business days. At no charge. Not even shipping. Yahoo!! I'll be ready, with matching bag/strap, for the next trip to NYC in two weeks!

*FYI, and per the disclosure that appears on the sidebar of every page, I post ads and affiliate links here on occasion, mostly from Amazon and Craftsy (within posts, at the bottom of posts, and also in the sidebar), from which I earn a percentage of any resulting sales if you click through, and that money pretty much covers the annual cost of having this blog/domain. Baggallini is not one of them (nor the wineries) (ha!) (though I realize now that they may now show up!)... anyway, they don't know me from Adam and I'm not compensated for this endorsement whatsoever; I just want to share my experience with their fabulous customer service! (It is so rare... and, really, it made my day!)

Joining Carole and friends this week for Three on Thursday...

ONE

For a day or two, I was convinced that she was going to be 3, but no...

Time seems to be racing, but thankfully it's not racing THAT fast... and yesterday we helped our little Ginny celebrate her 2nd birthday!!

Before cake -- a really yummy oatmeal-banana-chocolate chip cake!

After cake... and ice cream!

I put together the little doll bed that I bought at IKEA a few months ago and wrapped it up, along with a sweet little summer outfit.

She cracked us all up when she immediately "got into" that bed. Soon enough, she was putting her baby to bed.

TWO

Rusty has continued work on their backyard playhouse this week.

He is very patient!! The walls are framed, the roof underlayment is down, and windows chosen and configured.

THREE

Just because...

Other Grandma was coaxing coos and maybe even a little smile from Malina! In that last photo, it's all eyes for Mama, though. 

1 -- I'm not sure how my baby is 27...

...but it's true! Maddy's birthday was yesterday -- and we were even able to have a quick video chat (I think it was still her birthday there, though it might have already been Thursday!). Her contract at the vintage has ended -- a bit early due to harvest, but that gives her a chance to get out and enjoy some of the natural beauty that drew her to NZ in the first place, especially since she basically started to work the day after she arrived. It's hard to believe we'll be picking her up at O'Hare two weeks from today!!

2 -- There'll be a few short weeks in May when all the girls are "here." There'll be a lot of running around, packing up, and schlepping of stuff from Points A & B to Point C and/or our house and/or a rummage sale at Ali's!

By the end of May, Maddy will be heading up north for her summer job at camp. Kate departs in early June for a month in the UK (I'm trying to keep the green monster down).  And SUMMER! Rusty will head to CA again. The local farmer market will begin again in June -- Ali will man the coffee camper there (likely with a wee barista!) and, though I'm not sure of particulars, I'm sure I'll help out in some way. After which, we'll have that rummage sale in July so everybody can get rid of some extra stuff.

3 -- It's one of those years and I'm rolling with it all because... by August, Kate will be moving to Denver. Or Menver as we've been told and can't stop laughing about (also Mentana). But Denver!! As luck would have it, there's a non-stop United flight from Appleton to Denver resuming in June! There's also the option of a sometimes more economical Southwest flight out of Milwaukee, or even a leisurely Amtrak ride from Milwaukee or Chicago, or ROAD TRIP.

She's not even there yet and I'm already scheming all the ways I can visit!

Also, Rocky Mountain Knitter Meet-up??

Joining Carole and friends this week for Three on Thursday...

Joining Carole and friends again this week for Three on Thursday...

True to the forecast, yesterday was the first really nice day we've had this spring! And that was really great because I'd made plans to pick up the big kids...

1 - We had a date at the park!

They're holding hands on the double slide. 

We met Kate at Noodles for lunch, and then went over to Petco -- we'd have gone to the humane society had they been open. Kate's been jonesing for a dog or cat...

2 - Adventuring!

Not quite finished with the outdoors-y stuff, we grabbed scooters and hiked through the ravine to the creek-side path near our house... and then hiked back up after Gin's diaper leaked and her pants were wet. And then we did it again (sans scooters the second time)!

We hiked down to the first bridge... and threw stones into the creek. (Naughty!)

Then we scrambled down and walked alongside for a while. No one fell in, but they did dip their hands in... and informed me that it was COLD!!

This was Maddy's favorite place to play when she was a kid. 

3 - Snowdrops!

I've never seen them at this stage. I don't usually notice them until they're already in full-bloom, carpeting the ravine!

Joining Carole and friends again this week for Three on Thursday...

#1, #2, #3, etc. -- If it's fun once...

The kids were over for a while last night -- I had to get my fix before taking off for a long weekend away -- and we had a blast!

• Redecorating the "holiday" tree
• Eating supper (and ice cream) (the kids quickly discovered that they could open the "freezer on the bottom" and all the treasures within, so ice cream has been a regular feature of visits lately)

• Playing with dolls & trucks & motorcycles & Lincoln Logs
• Reading books
• Coloring

• Painting "pet rocks" and Easter ornaments

• Mugging it up & taking selfies
• Jumping off the footstool
• Playing hide & seek

So, hide & seek is new, and Junah is crazy excited about playing that game. He can barely contain himself when he hides so, of course, it's pretty easy to find him. He doesn't realize yet that he doesn't really want to be found... all the excitement right now is about being found!

Jün hid; I found him (under a chair).

Jün hid; I found him (behind a chair).

Gin & I hid; she also made little noises, which made it easy for Junah to find us... in the coat closet by the back door... which delighted him no end! It was so cool, you'd have thought that I'd invented ice cream.

So then Jün & Gin hid... in the coat closet... and I found them!

Again and again and again and again and again!!

He wasn't any less excited that I found him there for the sixth time than he was the first. So freakin' fun.

Then Rusty got involved and I had the brilliant idea to hide the kids in the tub, and of course they thought that was also very cool. And then Gin started playing around with the faucets and they were both cool and WET!! OMG, it was hilarious! Gin was only a little bit damp, actually, but they need little excuse to strip down for a little nakey time.

This grandma thing is THE BOMB! It just gets more and more fun all the time. Counting the days (16) 'til #3 is due!

Joining Carole and friends again this week for Three on Thursday...

#1 - SEWING

I teased a few times in the past couple of weeks about an epic, years-long, multi-generational sewing project that I was working on.

As memory serves, it started out with a vintage chenille bedspread and my mother's desire to have it made into a bathrobe. I'm sure Mum purchased the pattern, but she tapped Ann to lay and cut out the pieces. Pieces cut, Ann got busy (work & babies) and the whole shebang got stuffed into a bag where it sat for a while (years) until ~flash forward~ Ann moved to Brazil and gave the project (and her serger) to Ali to finish! Ali got busy (work & babies) and also needed to clear stuff out, so it came to roost with me.

That (beat up) bag has been kicking around at my house for at least four years.

The upcoming trip to meet Ann in Nashville, her birthday on 1/23 and Mom's on 1/31, all came into play when my eyes rested on that bag one day last month and, without hesitation, I pulled it out and started to sew.

Lo, the pieces were all there, along with a little bit of extra fabric, the pattern & instructions, and everything was in pretty good shape. (I pressed each of the tissue pieces as I worked, neatly folding them up to fit the envelope, because this turned out to be a really nice robe and I would consider making another!)

I finished in time and surprised Ann in Nashville with her/Mom's birthday present robe.

She loved it! (The photos aren't the greatest, as she's fully clothed underneath and it was late/we were packing.) (Also, sneak peek above into my VERY messy workroom -- so much going on in that photo, it makes me laugh.)

2 - KNITTING

I'd been knitting on Morvarch until I returned from Nashville, when I decided to listen to the voice in my head and stop! It was going 99% OK -- getting used to the yarn and working cables again -- and I really liked it, but there's one little place where it's wonky. Also, there's no way it would be even close to finish by closing ceremonies, so it didn't make sense to continue just for the Olympcis. The problem is easily solved with a slight change in my technique, so I'm just going to start over and do it correctly from the beginning.

So, I've changed events and pulled out another long-languishing project for the WIP Dancing event: Habu For Me!

This was on the top of my To-Do Pile for the 2010 Olympics and didn't make the finish line. For 2018, the pieces were all knit (in the correct size/gauge) and all that remained was seaming & buttons.

It was all seamed up by Tuesday night and I gave it a soak yesterday.

I'm sure it'll be dry this evening! I still have the buttons that I purchased when I bought the kit at my LYS during a Habu trunk show -- in November 2007!

#3 - CATS

Rusty & I were ships passing in the night last Tuesday; he was returning from a week in Mexico as I was departing for a few days in Nashville.

When we spoke on Wednesday, he told me that he was worried about our old boy, Mr. Scamp Washcloth. Scamp wasn't eating and, actually, seemed unable to move his hind legs. We've noted a decline over the past few years -- he seemed stiff at times and we joked a bit about "kitty Alzheimer's" -- but he was still able to jump into an open lap, scuffle around with Duncan a few times a day, and even bat a milk ring or whatever around on the floor. He'd been doing all those things just days before!

Heartbreaking to see that suffering... Rusty took him to the vet and he & Kate were both with him as he made his way over the rainbow bridge. We said good bye to his sister Roxie not long ago, and now Scampy joins her -- and Daisy, Cutie, Cleo, and Porter!

That leaves this guy, Duncan, an "only cat" for the first time in his 10+/- years! It's been a week and he seems to be adjusting... sort of. Poor guy, he's getting lots of extra attention and lovin'.

Joining Carole and friends again this week for Three on Thursday...

Unlike some others, I felt like January flew by. We welcomed the New Year, Maddy was around & then made her departure for NZ, Katie moved, Junah had a birthday, we celebrated our anniversary with a weekend in Elkhart Lake, we attended an art opening, a film festival, and a play... not to mention dentist & hair appointments, book club, knit nights, and a couple of movies at the theater!

WOW!

January was probably my worst month on record in the "video everyday" department, but I managed to eek out (& edit) enough for an OK #1SE video.

I don't normally get too excited about February -- though it's the shortest month, it sure can drag -- but I do begin sense that we're making progress on our way toward longer, warmer days!

Here are three things happening this month:

1 -- A long-awaited visit to Nashville with Annie! I'll have some free time (Craft South, Jeni's 12 South, Frothy Monkey, I am looking at you) and am hoping for a meet-up at one or all of those places; I'll be attending Ann's graduation from her program (yahoo!); and we have tickets for Blues Traveler at the Ryman Auditorium. I'm open to suggestions for other things to do & see -- our Airbnb is right in the thick of it downtown.

2 -- The Olympics!! And knitting -- Team Rules Schmules is already loads of fun!! Though I'll be traveling a little bit, I still expect to knit everyday and finish my shawl. I've also been sucked into the Bang Out a Carbeth vortex and am pondering yarn choices... I liked that sweater the moment I saw it, and I think it could work.

3 -- The Grand Re-opening & 9th Anniversary Celebration at Kaukauna Coffee & Tea (KC&T) on Feb. 16th -- nine years to the day that Ali opened the doors as proprietor! I am so sad that I'll be in Nashville on that day, but will certainly be following the celebration on social media.

Joining Carole and friends again this week for Three on Thursday...

Thing 1:

My Parallelogram Scarf has grown a bit since yesterday (so much brighter!), due to...

Thing 2:

...evening attendance at our friend Pat's 2018 Film Festival! Looking for a way to get through the doldrums of winter and inspired by her sister-in-law's massive movie collection, this is Pat's 5th festival. Usually on Wednesdays, and with a total of around 40 altogether, four or five films are shown each festival day beginning at noon, with :15 breaks between. There is a theme each year -- 2014-John Cusack as lead actor, 2015-Edith Head as costume designer, 2016-Food, 2017-Classic Novels made into Movies -- and this year, it's Steamy, Hot, Summer - Heated Up! There's a healthy mix of genres and nationalities, and festival-goers come and go as they may. It's all about Pat, really; she's just generous enough to send out invitations to her friends.

Wednesday is normally my day off, so you'd think this would be easy, but no... I've hardly been able to attend at all (also, they lived about 20 miles away in 2014-15). And I worked yesterday... however, the last movie on the program, Salmon Fishing In The Yemen, has long been on my list and wasn't due to start until 5:55pm! Rusty and I arrived just as the previous movie ended, with enough time for a bit of socializing over a bowl of soup before showtime. It was wonderful (the company, the soup, and the movie)!

Thing 3:

Here we go!

I had a free :15 yesterday, so began my DAILY STITCHING, inspired by Margene (also as mentioned yesterday). It's a new thing (for me), and I'm not going to get too crazed about it, but I got myself situated and it felt so good to get started, finally, on my Alabama Chanin Car Jacket!

Finally.

Joining Carole and friends again this week for Three on Thursday...

Thing 1:

If you're on Instagram, have you seen/done this?

(There's always Some New Thing to see/do!)

Thing 2:

The sky was on fire this morning!

Thing 3:

Sometimes the old hydrangeas on the other side of those dirty windows are rather ghostly. I cannot wait to watch the garden come alive from this new vantage point, and love that even after 30+ years of living in this house, there are still things like a "new vantage point." Maybe the garden will even get some attention this year!

Joining Carole and friends again this week for Three on Thursday...

1 - At this time next week, Maddy will be winging her way to NZ for another stint at the winery! She's been staying with us since Christmas, and will head back to Milwaukee early next week so her friend can take her to O'Hare on Wednesday.

2 - Meanwhile, she's been painting my kitchen! At one time, we were loftily thinking that she'd be able to whack out new paint jobs in both the kitchen and our living area, but hahahahahaha. Did we ever underestimate that, especially given holidays -- and some unexpected dental work. Excruciating tooth pain does not a happy painter (or daughter) make, and when said pains thwarts even NYE celebrations with friends, you know it's bad. We've never in our lives been so happy about a near-emergency root canal!

Anyway, the kitchen is almost a complete reversal -- once-maroon walls are now nearly white, and white trim/woodwork is becoming a warm dark gray. I loved my maroon kitchen, but it was time for a refresh. It's looking rather stark right now, but decor will make a big difference. (Right?)

3 - And we're getting in all the blurry hugs & cuddles that we can!

It's a two-fer on 3TT because... CRAZY DAYS! Joining Carole and friends again this week for Three on Thursday...

ONE:

We attended the official ceremony to open our city's new fire station yesterday. It.did.not.disappoint!!

It was a once-in-a-lifetime sort of thing, and I've been looking forward to it for weeks!! Honor Guard, bagpipes, ceremonial hose uncoupling and fire engine push-back. It did not disappoint. Our new firehouse is gorgeous, and very visible in the community. Jün had to use the restroom at one point, so we got a little sneak peek all our own before the official open house craziness began. There are a couple of display cases in the reception area full of fire-related antiques and memorabilia. So cool!!

TWO:

Also, yesterday, the "new" sink for my dye studio was delivered!

Not much has been happening down there yet, as Rusty's been busy doing some work for my stepdad at Mom's house to get ready for Christmas visitors. Soon, we will begin work on this (and on rebuilding the cupboard above the fridge)!

Meanwhile, plants are happy!

THREE:

Junah came down to admire the sink with me and all of a sudden I heard him talking very excitedly about a tiny 'barrow! Ooops!! I forgot about that! We went back upstairs but he was not going to forget that he'd seen that little wheelbarrow! He started putting on shoes and gloves, talking about filling it up with dirt -- and WALNUTS - but snow, so we'd have to shovel that off first... and let's go get it...

Luckily, he was OK with just shoveling some crusty snow off of the pergola deck and dumping it elsewhere! And now the 'barrow resides in the shed, leaned up right by Grandpa's! Realizing that I'm not Santa, so this is not as terrible as it might have been, I told him that it was supposed to be a Christmas present from us! Haha. I'll still clean it up and put a bow on it for Christmas... and luckily, he didn't see any of the other presents hidden down in the basement!

Joining Carole and friends for Three on Thursday...

1st Thing - We had our first significant snowfall yesterday, and I discovered that I didn't have a brush/scraper in my car. (It's usually in there 24/7/365.) Now I have a new one!

2nd Thing - We decorated the tree on Tuesday night!

I love that Jün put all three of these ornaments together!

3rd Thing - Santa & Mrs. Claus!!

Um???

There was a holiday sing-along with stories, crafting, cookies, AND a visit with Mr. & Mrs. Claus at our library last night... Ho ho ho!! 🌲

Obviously, it's a little less magical for Gin than it is for Jün this year!

Is Jün checking out Santa's ginormous watch or cool jingle bell bracelet?

That photo cracked me up! As did this one, in a display of work from the summer reading program:

A random ack of kindness always makes the world a better place.

_ _ _ _ _

YaHOO, the weekend begins today at 4:00! There are still a few special ornaments to hang on the tree, plus stockings to hang and a few other things... and putting away all of the empty boxes. I need to take stock and get a good idea about where I stand in the gift situation -- I think I'm pretty good!

How's it going for you??

Kids, woods, family, thankful.

I am thankful for my husband! He made pies this morning, carved the turkey this evening, and is doing clean up!

I am thankful for my daughters! Maddy & Kate, along with Rusty, took the kids on a walk in the woods this afternoon so that Ali could take a nap!

I am thankful for my grandkids! They are more delightful every single day... and come March, they'll welcome a sibling!!

There is so much to be grateful for, but nothing tops this. Happy Thanksgiving!

1 - What's old is new again!

This funny old table used to be in the coffee shop a long time ago. I used it at home for a while, and had a plate glass top made for it. Eventually, it moved back to the coffee shop, but in the upstairs work area. Lately, it's been hanging out in Ali's garage... and she'd been trying to find a new home for it.

Well, guess what?!! I have a home and a need and... this is why KonMari-ing, Death Cleaning, purging, etc., CAN BE SO HARD!

2 - Ali also has the perfect 2-basin stainless steel sink in need of a home... I am so lucky.

3 - I should have taken a before photo, but I didn't...

This is currently the only thing hanging on our refrigerator and, well, that bare naked almond fridge it's practically blinding us every time we turn around. I am so ready to take delivery of a new fridge on Saturday!

Joining Carole for Three on Thursday -- check it out!