Distinctly Three Years Old

It's time for a quick stint at our "vacation house"... and before you'all think we're swimming in richness and can afford a second home -- we rent. But we do rent the same wonderful house on the same wonderful lake from the same wonderful lady each time we go, so honestly, the house feels like home. Jeff and I could throw what we need for three days in one overnight bag -- an extra pair of jeans, a clean pair of underwear, a clean shirt, a toothbrush. But we're taking three year old Mr. Brayden with us and the entire packing situation changes completely. Still in diapers at night and often waking up wet - so there's diapers, wipes, extra jammies and t-shirts. There will be snow and mud available for his playing pleasure - so there's extra outfits, sweatshirt jackets, winter jackets, boots and shoes and lots of extra socks. Oh, and he's on the tail end of another stint with his bronchitis - so there's the breathing machine, the inhaler, the medicine, the kleenex. We must keep Mr. B. occupied so he doesn't ravage the house - so there's the tricycle, the remote control car, puzzles, books, crayons, and matchbox cars galore, plus a few DVD's in case it rains. There's no taking Mr. Fussy Eater out to eat at restaurants, so I have to pack food as well. He made his own menu up for me yesterday -- Toast for breakfast, Spaghettio's for lunch, cheese sticks and fruit snacks for snack, and Chicken Nuggets for supper. And of course we'll need apple juice, bottled water and box drinks, as well as some real fruit. I'll pack things to keep him busy in the car, things he can play with outside, things he can play with inside, plus his camera so he can take photos for his blog. And because his cuteness never ceases, we'll have to pack our camera and video camera as well. Mr. Brayden and I have been having disagreements about his drinking habits lately. Mean old gramma doesn't think a 3 year old needs to be drinking Dr. Pepper, Diet Coke or any sugary, caffeine laden drinks. Our conversation went like this yesterday. Mr. B: I don't drink Pop anymore, Umma. Me: You don't? Mr. B: No, and I don't drink Dr. Pepper or Diet Coke either. Me: Well, that's good. Mr. B: I like juice and I like water. Me: That's good. That's what you should drink. Little boys don't need caffeine and sugary stuff. Mr. B: I know. So I don't drink it anymore. Me: Well, I'm very proud of you. Now I'm thinking the conversation is over and I've actually won the battle. After a few minutes of quiet (I believe his conscience was getting the best of him), came Round Two of the conversation. Mr. B.: (And I swear, he said all this in one long sentence without breathing between words!) But I drink Dr. Pepper and Diet Coke at MY house!...just not at your house because it's not good for me at your house, but it's good for me at my house and I really like Dr. Pepper and Mama says it's OK for me to drink it a little bit at my house, but I don't drink it at your house because your rules are your rules and Mama's rules are Mama's rules and I just have to go by your rules at your house but at my house it's OK but I just take little sips not big sips just little sips. Me: (Silent, but giving him that "Gramma" look....) Mr. B.: But I like juice and water better than Pop, Umma. A little while later we're at the McDonald's drive-through for a pick-up of the All Holy Only Food He Eats Beloved Chicken Nuggets. Just as I arrived at the order speaker thingie, from the back seat, I hear "Why can't I talk, Umma?" I didn't understand what he was asking me, so I put in the order for the chicken nuggets, and suddenly a little boy's loud voice is shouting from the backseat - "AND I WANT CHICKEN NUGGETS WITH CHOCOLATE MILK - NO POP! UMMA DOESN'T WANT ME TO HAVE POP! SO I WANT CHOCOLATE MILK!" He just makes my heart smile with his good intentions. See you'all again towards the middle of next week...

My Bookshelf

I don't often talk about books here on my blog, but I am an avid reader. Two years ago I kept track of every title I read for the year, and the number was a surprising 276. Despite that number, books for me are more about quality, not quantity. I rarely read a book twice with few exceptions -- Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, Happiness by Will Ferguson, A Million Little Pieces by James Frey and Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. Evidently those are my favorite books of all time, as I've read each several times. Now there's a new title to add to that short list. I returned to page one of Real Life & Liars by Kristina Riggle (Harper Collins, publisher) as soon as I finished the last page, and read it all over again. This is an unusual story of Mirabelle Zielinski, age mid-60's, and her relationship with her husband, her three adult children, her friends, and her self. Mira's oldest daughter feels unappreciated and unloved by her own husband and children; Mira's son looks for love in all the wrong places, when the right place is within arm's reach; and her youngest daughter refuses to grow up. As Mira faces life-changing health issues, the reader realizes that those personality traits she has difficulty accepting in her children, are the very traits that Mira must recognize and deal with in herself. I am passionate about reading writers' first books. "Real Life & Liars" is Kristina Riggle's first novel, and it left me immediately hoping she writes many more. Riggle creates a line of characters with whom any parent of adult children can connect, and realistic glimpses into what we all, on the threshold of this age group, don't want to think about -- health issues. While dealing with serious issues, Riggle does so with a sense of humor and a sense of caring. Truly a remarkable read. AND MORE BOOKS ON MY BOOKSHELF I just finished Mixed Blessings by Jon and Kate Gosselin (although there is not a trace of Jon's writing in this book, so I'm not sure why his name is listed as author!). On a score of 1 to 10? Two. I didn't learn anything I haven't heard on the show before, and the writer-Kate seems like an entirely different person than the show-Kate. (Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the show!) The book makes Jon seem far more decisive and in-charge than what the show portrays. It felt like one was made up, but I don't know if it's the show or the book. I'm glad I borrowed it from the library and didn't pay big bucks for it. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich - Oh yeah. Love her books, love every single character in her books, love the fact that she is one of the few "instant" bestselling authors who doesn't run out of things to write. Scale of 1 to 10: 8. Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives by Guy Fieri. A favorite television show and now a favorite cookbook. I may just have to buy this one. All those mouth-watering homestyle recipes you see on the show -- along with behind-the-scenes comments by Guy -- wrapped up into one enjoyable read and cookbook. Scale of 1 to 10: 9 Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons. Another of my favorite authors. This is possibly one of her best works to date. Set on the coast of Maine, it's the story of firsts -- first love, first traumatic event, first enemy, first loss. I found it just a wee bit slow to start, but after the third chapter, I couldn't put it down. Scale of 1 to 10: 8 Secrets by Jude Devereaux. This must have been my lucky week, because this another book I thoroughly enjoyed. The library's description of this book: "Having harbored an unrequited love for a man she met in childhood, Cassandra impulsively breaks an engagement to become the now-widowed man's nanny, but realizes that her chance for winning his heart is threatened by dark secrets." At times, some of the "dark secrets" were a bit hard to believe, and the twists and turns were a bit too evident before they actually arrived, but overall a good read. There's just something about Jude Devereaux's writing style that appeals to me so much I can overlook the negatives. Score of 1 to 10: 6+ What I got at the library today: Blackwood Farm by Ann Rice Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani Oh, and "The Poky Little Puppy" in both book and CD form -- but that was for Mr. Brayden's reading pleasure (though I loved reading it again after all these years!) What are you reading today?

Swap-bot Penny Pocket Swap

I'm hostessing my first swap on Swap-Bot. It's a Penny Pocket Swap! Penny Pockets are small fabric pockets used for decoration or cute storage. The photo above is one I made to hold buttons for a recent vintage button swap. These are quick and simple to make. You can find more photos at The Happy Zombie's web site, and a complete pattern from Happy Zombie here. In this swap, you will receive one partner's name and mailing address, and you will mail your partner 3 penny pockets in coordinating colors and fabrics. Although the original pattern doesn't call for a hanging loop on the top of the Penny Pocket, the swap does. You must use the pattern given, but you can embellish your pocket, add a button, lace, ric rac -- whatever you think your partner will like after you've read their profile. Sewing machine is required. The swap is open to USA folks only. Sign up by Feb. 15, 2009, and mail the pockets out by March 8, 2009. If you're not a member of swap-bot, it's easy to join! New members find it hard to get into swaps (most don't allow "newbies") but this one is open to newbies as well, so it's a good way to get your foot in the door at Swap-Bot. Come have some fun with me!

Focus on the positive!

Ooooo, I’ve been so busy this week thinking about negative things, and it shows in my blog. So it’s officially time to MOVE ON! Here’s the GOOD things that have been going on in my life lately (aside from being married to the world’s most wonderful husband, being parent to the world’s best adult children, and grandparent to the world’s best grandchild, of course!)

Giveaway Goodies

My home decorating books arrived! Come on over and have a cup of coffee with me and spend a few hours looking through these treasures. This was an incredibly generous ($350!!) book giveaway by HomeDesignFind.com. Tons of inspiration for my quest to redecorate and renovate my home this year!

This wonderful little surprise arrived in my mailbox, along with a sweet card signed by “Secret Sister friend” but I’m not sure from whom! My Yahoo group, Quilting on a Budget, is having a Secret Sister Exchange, but I can’t participate (obviously because as the organizer, my Secret Sister wouldn’t be much of a secret!). So these bookmarks were definitely unexpected. Thank you, Secret Sister Friend, whoever you are! One bookmark will go for reading, and one for following knitting patterns.

I’m sorry this photo didn’t turn out better, because this generous giveaway is a beautiful handmade ceramic “Bodhi Leaf” given away by Erin at Every Heart Crafts. I love the explanation that came with the leaf - “The tree and its heart-shaped leaf serve as symbolic reminders of the potential that lies within us to become our highest self.” I will wear it with pride. Erin has both an Etsy store and a blog.

This gem of a reusable grocery bag tote is from a swap on Swap-Bot. My swap partner, Debbie, did a fabulous job. This is a knit pattern on Ravelry, and I believe I’m going to have to make a few of these myself! You can see a better photo on Debbie’s blog, Rites of Passage.

 

What I’m Working On

I’m working on several projects right now, and none of them are quilting. Weird. However, some are sewing, so that counts! I’m working on doll for a Dotee doll swap on Swap-Bot. Don’t know what a Dotee doll is? Check out these photos on Flickr. They are funny little (3 – 6 inches) dolls with no legs or arms, but tons of personality. I’ve mentioned before that original creations are not my strong point, but this is a great way to force some creativeness out of me!

I’m also working on more socks. I just love to knit socks. This is the first sock of a pair for my friend, Karen, whose feet get cold at work (Hey, she lives in New Hampshire – it’s understandable!). I’m doing these without a pattern, and love how they’re coming out. These are from yarn I found in my stash – 100% wool but thick enough to have a bit of stretch. I did the cuff in a twisted rib pattern – I just knit 2, purl 2 and after 3 rows, move it all over by one stitch. It really looks nice and should provide some extra stretch.

Lastly, although I have no photo, I’m also working on a doll for The Toy Society. I love this blog! The goal is to make a very simple homemade toy of any kind, enclose it in a plastic bag with a tag, and place it anonymously at a place where a child is likely to find it. The tag gives the finder instructions on how to let The Toy Society know who the toy went to. I think this is just fabulous. We have a drug rehab center in a town not far away that works with moms and children, and that’s where I’m planning on leaving my doll.

So that’s what’s going on here! What’s going on with you?