project 52: week 16

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

Putting together one of my presents!

Cookies and candy - mostly homemade, some from the store, all yummy and good.

Our newest decoration - a darling little crocheted tree!

What's New?
We celebrated the holidays very quietly around here. The decorations stayed pretty much in their box, there was minimal baking, and I didn't listen to too much Christmas music. Amidst all that there wasn't, I must admit that there was still happiness. I didn't, it turns out, ruin Christmas.

It's okay that we didn't make cut-out cookies - our friends Tony & Alex sent us some of theirs (and that adorable crocheted tree!).

It's okay that I didn't decorate our wreath with ornaments - Joe's Aunt Marya and Uncle Alex sent us a new one that we can put up next year.

It's okay that I didn't get the kids' presents in the mail on time - it turns out that they won't be all together until January after all.

It's okay that we didn't light candles.

It's okay that we didn't drive around and look at lights.

It's okay.

Sometimes I need to step back and remind myself that no one is keeping score.

Currently Reading

• A Field Guide to Now by Christina Rosalie
• Lasher by Anne Rice

On the Needles
Recently off the needles is a Habitat hat for my friend. This is the first hand-knit I've ever made her, and I can't wait to see her reaction. And on the needles is the third of my three fingering-weight shawls for this year. This last one is called geology and is knit up in brown. It works up to look like rock layers.

Looking Forward To

1. soaking up one last week of break!
2. Skyping with the kids

project 52: week 13

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

Winter gifts for my niece and nephews.

Afternoon sunlight in my science classroom (we're learning how to make microscope slides).

What's New?
This past week has been rough. I've been burning the candle at both ends - spending too much time at work (both with meetings and general prepping), along with an increasing sense of frustration at the terrible events happening around the country. Amid all the negative, unproductive, victim-blaming, and generally unhelpful dialogue on the internet I came across this article that deals with the science of how our brains perceive race. The scientist in me finds it fascinating, of course, but more importantly the article sheds light on what to do about unintentional racism in our brains. I'm willing to admit that I have unintentional racism (I think we all do, to be quite honest), as long as there exists strategies to combat it. Otherwise it's just too depressing and overwhelming.

With all that's been going on, I'm especially looking forward to spending time with dear friends today at the Urban Craft Uprising. We're meeting for brunch and then spending some time browsing for gifts. I love seeing what creative people come up with, and using my few precious dollars to support crafty individuals instead of mega-corporations. It'll be a great time, I'm sure.

Currently Reading
Still working my way through Anne Rice's The Witching Hour. The only time I have for reading is right before bed, so it's taking me much longer than usual.

On the Needles
Working on hat #3 out of 4. My goal is to get them packaged and shipped (with the pj pants) by next weekend. Last year I waited much too long to send gifts and I ran into predictably long lines and higher prices at the post office.

Looking Forward To

1. my friends' yearly Swedish Christmas party

skis & snow

What's New?

I went skiing with my students again as a chaperone for the ski bus program. This time I felt much more comfortable and confident, and I had a much better time. I was able to do 4 runs on the Holiday lift, whereas before I only did one.

We enjoyed a weekend snow that melted before Monday morning. I know folks out East are tired of seeing snow, but I do enjoy the way it blankets the Earth and makes everything look fresh and clean. Especially when I have nowhere to go, and it doesn't interfere with my work-week.

And last, but not least, these two cuddly cats.

Currently Reading

• just finished A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin
• began A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin

On the Needles

My honey cowl is about 4 inches wide and I'm almost finished with the first skein of yarn. I have one more to go before I run out of yarn. I've also made progress on my mitered-corner blanket kit. One quarter panel is complete, and I'm on square 8 (out of 25) on the second quarter panel. Both of these projects are good couch knitting - nothing terribly difficult and can easily be worked on while watching a show.

Looking Forward To:

1. another four days of mid-winter break

the bad and the good

when times are tough, cute kitties help

What's New?

January has been a bit of a doozy so far. I wasn't sure if I wanted to write about it here, since I try to keep this space positive, but it's been on my mind constantly. On the 6th there were two traffic accidents in my extended family. My brother was rear-ended resulting in no serious injuries thankfully, but his car is totaled. Health-wise my brother is going to be fine, but having to unexpectedly replace a car is stressful. On the same day my uncle was hit by an unlicensed and uninsured driver while he was on his motorcycle and he is still in the hospital in stable but critical condition. There is a fund set up online to help pay for his medical bills since the other driver does not have insurance. In the first two days they've raised over $6,000!

On a more positive note I'm working on my January goals, and trying to find something that makes me happy each day. Work is still extremely busy and full of meetings, so I'm trying to practice mindfulness daily so I don't get overwhelmed with the demands and stress of my job.

Currently Reading

• A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin - finished this re-read last night
• A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin

On the Needles

I've finished the last couple details on Mom's fingerless gloves and soon they'll be in the mail! Next up is a honey cowl for me. I started it last night and I think this will be the perfect bus knit - a simple and mindless pattern on circular needles that I can easily work on even through all the bumps and distractions of a bus commute.

Mom's gloves, finished!

Looking Forward To:

1. playing board games with some new friends

fresh start

What's New?

This past week was back to work for both of us. It was very hard to adjust to 5am wake-up again, but we managed. It helps to have breakfasts and lunches ready the night before, and the coffee maker full of water and grounds (thanks Mom for the mini Keurig machine!). We've fallen into a routine where breakfast is either bagel and egg sandwiches or breakfast muffins and hard-boiled eggs. This week was the latter, so the evening prep consisted of me peeling two eggs the night before so my tired brain and fumbling fingers didn't have to attempt that task at 5am.

I've also resumed my monthly pen-pal duties. Christmas 2012 I sewed a letter-writing pouch for my nephew and filled it with pre-stamped and pre-addressed envelopes and "special" paper. Daniel and I have been pen-pals ever since. In the fall I kept forgetting when it was my turn, so I've added a calendar reminder to help me out. I also pre-addressed and stamped some postcards so they are ready to go.

Currently Reading

• A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin (re-reading on my Kindle and enjoying the fact that I can highlight and add notes - I'm still trying to figure out some of the prophecies from the House of the Undying)

On the Needles

I've almost finished the first glove for Mom. I'm learning how to add a picot edge while knitting in the round, so it's slower going than most glove patterns. But it's always good to learn a new knitting skill.

I bought a blanket kit in November and I've just finished the first quarter panel. I think I'll set that project aside for a bit while I finish Mom's gloves and start my honey cowl.

Looking Forward To:

1. going on a tour of the temporary building my school will move into this summer for the next two years while our new-new building is finished

my winter break

I was able to enjoy a little bit of Seattle snow, before it melted away. We had a 2-hour late schedule the last day of school before break, along with an already-planned 1-hour early dismissal. Classes were short, to say the least.

I waited too long to decorate the wreath, so Joe did this one night. I think it suits us. 

On Christmas Eve I decided that we didn't have enough decorations, so I quickly made some simple flags out of scrap fabric and ribbon. Those lights are set on a timer so that during the work-week they come on in the early morning while we are getting ready, and then come on again in the evening while we are home. That little bit of extra light helps, especially in the dark of winter.

Speaking of extra light, I found every excuse to light candles.

And since this strand wasn't being used (it usually goes on the wreath), I found a way to enjoy them.

We, of course, made our traditional gingerbread cut-out cookies. Our cookie cutters are far from traditional, though. This year we also had gingerbread ninjas and superheroes.

And tomorrow I'm back to work!

winter 2013

In the spirit of this post (and this one), I've made a list of things I hope to do during the upcoming season.

Inside

• enjoy a winter music concert
• write in my journal
• knit something (working on a blanket and some fingerless mittens for Mom)
• sew pj pants (I have fabric, just need measurements)

Outside

• go skiing (I signed up for ski bus)

Eat/Drink

• drink hot glogg (oh yes, there's been plenty of this)
• bake gingerbread cookies
• Uncle Gary's spinach dip

fresh start

What’s New?

Well, it's been nearly 4 months since I've posted anything on here, and it's time to get back in the saddle (so to speak). I've realized recently that I'd rather post meaningful things here to help myself document my life than waste time checking social network sites (that shall remain un-named, although you can probably guess). I'd like to quit social networking, but I'm not quite ready. I think that if I'm able to keep up regular posts on here, that will help ease my transition. Who knows? But I'm ready to give it a shot.

I've learned that I need to set realistic, yet smallish, goals for myself, and I need to tell others about them if I hope to accomplish them. So, dear internet, here is my goal for this space: an update of some sort once per week. It doesn't even have to be the same day of the week (although I imagine that might help). It might include pictures (I'd like it to), but that's not a requirement. I used to only post if I had interesting/pretty pictures to share. I haven't been taking many pictures lately (rainy, grey Seattle winter + go to work in the dark and get home in the dark), and I've used that as an excuse to not post anything at all.

Currently Reading

• The Blind Watchmaker by Richard Dawkins (a "thinky" book)
• Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (a YA novel)
• Pilgrim on the Great Bird Continent by Lyanda Lynn Haupt (local West Seattle author)

On the Needles

After finishing both my purple Shalom sweater and my grey Idlewood sweater I found myself with leftover yarn from both projects. Combined, it's enough for another sweater. I made both projects out of the same type of yarn (Cascade Soft Spun), in colors that are both considered "heathered" so I think they'll look nice together. I'm working on a striped Idlewood variation (smaller ribbed yoke, long sleeves) using roughly 4" stripes of each yarn.

Looking Forward To:

1. starting seeds
2. cooking for others

What are you working on right now?

Snowmageddon!

Sort of.

We have 3-5" here in Seattle today, while Tacoma and Olympia have closer to 10. School's canceled, so Joe and I went for a walk around the neighborhood. Sunday's snow was mostly big flakes. Today's snow is a ton of tiny, tiny flakes, mixed in with a bit of wind. To our delight, Zatz was open, so we had lunch.

Just for the record: that blue house is not where I live, but is pretty nevertheless. The second picture is my street.

snowy Seattle

Yesterday it snowed in Seattle.

I'm on a 3-day weekend, and I've been wanting to play in the snow. See, we've had a rather mild winter. Especially considering last winter was pretty darn cold.

So I had been planning on going up to Snoqualmie or Crystal Mountain.

Turns out I don't have to drive to the snow this weekend after all.

a quiet evening

After an exhausting day, it's good to remember to slow down and enjoy the little things. 

In my case - candlelight and some tea in my 'fancy' cup.

my Christmas

My Christmas break was filled with baking,




little ones,




and playing games.


All while surrounded by family.

We Learn to Ski

Yesterday Joe and I trekked up to Crystal Mountain Ski Resort on Mt Rainier. We decided to try skiing, since one of our friends works as an instructor. Our friend Eric knew we were coming up, but didn't know if we'd end up trying skiing or snowboarding. While we waited around for the class to start, I wondered if we'd have trouble finding him. There are so many instructors, and so many different classes offered. Then from behind me I heard a loud "Yeeeeeeesssssss! You're wearing ski boots!" He found us. No problem.



I still can't believe how much I learned in that half-day lesson. I went from not knowing which end was up, and feeling very shaky, to being able to traverse the slopes with confidence that I wouldn't crash and burn. Not to say that I'm a super awesome skier, or that I didn't fall down. There were definitely times that I got going faster that I'd like, and those times brought a huge amount of panic. But I managed to remember the v-shape that slows skis down, and the fact that if I turned to one side for long enough I'd eventually be pointing sideways or even uphill, and I'd come to a stop. There were a couple times I almost ran into other skiers, but I managed to avoid smashing into them. A plus for me and for them.



We stayed on the Discovery lift, which is for beginners. There are other lifts that start from basically the same area, which means that at times skiers or snowboarders would come careening down the hill at crazy speeds. Here's one of the lifts that we didn't take:



This was our lift:



And because we are who we are, I leave you with a couple goofy pictures.





Thank you Eric for teaching us how to ski. =)

Hot Rice Bags

Awhile back I came across this post by Lyanda Lynn Haupt on her blog, The Tangled Nest. In her post, she shares instructions for making a simple sewn rice bag.

I have two rice bags, although they aren't as cute as the one in her post. Mine are made from re-purposed hand towels. They don't have covers, yet. One of my next sewing projects is going to be making fleece or flannel (I haven't decided yet) slip on covers using her tutorial.

I'm posting about this because every night I find myself saying to my husband, "I need to heat up my rice." Each time I say that I smile at how ridiculous it must sound. While we've had a very mild winter here in the Pacific Northwest, it's still nice to be able to turn the heat down, saving money and feeling more environmentally conscious. With an extra blanket or two, and a hot rice bag (mine takes exactly 4 minutes in the microwave to reach optimal temperature) I can sleep cozily without having the heat on all night.

Does anyone else use a rice bag to stay cozy in the winter?

January Sunshine

As last winter was a cold, harsh and excessively snowy winter by Pacific Northwest standards, this winter is it's somewhat strange cousin. In the latter part of 2009 we experienced an arctic cold-snap that had me practically worshiping the moisture-wicking layers I purchased at REI the winter before (with the hopes of "going to the snow", forgetting that the snow was at my doorstep). During a single week we went from highs in the upper 40's to barely reaching 32 degrees, if at all.



Fortunately for my husband and me, that cold-snap disappeared just in time for our move. We've been back to more normal Seattle winter weather since then, filled with overcast days, drizzling rain, and temperatures reaching the high 40's.

But today the sun decided to show its warmth, and my kitties are thoroughly enjoying themselves.