Finished Projects & Weird Maine Weather

Finally Ziva's little stripey socks are off the needles!  I had just been waiting to graft the toe on the 2nd one for days but couldn't find a darn darning needle!  (Tee hee.)  I ran out of gray a few rows short of finishing the last stripe but they're still pretty cute. =]



I finished Ziva's Pilot Hat yesterday.  I had a small ball of noro silk garden leftover from my Shalom, (ravelry link here) then her sweater dress (ravelry link here)and I used up every bit of it in a few small stripes in this hat. =]  I'm happy with the way I used it, it was just sitting in my yarn bowl staring at me and I so wanted to use it, I just didn't know how to stretch it!  The green is cascade 220 I had in my stash. 



I love the shape of this hat, and the way it covers her ears.  It came out a little big, and it seems the pattern runs quite large.  I was using worsted weight on size 4 needles.  (5.5 st per inch.)



It has been abnormally warm for February in Maine.  This afternoon the sun started shining so the wee one and I took a stroll down our dirt road.  Lots of puddles to splash in.  It's not every February 17th we have puddles.  Pretty crazy.

Then we got out sand toys and built snow castles. 

Then the sun went away and I got chilly and made Ziva go inside.

That wasn't pretty.

But we had nutella hot chocolate and white cheddar popcorn and it was all better. =]

Happy weekend, friends!

WIP Wednesday

On my needles currently: a hat for my little lady. =)
I'm coming down with a cold today and have like zero motivation to do anything other than knit.
So basically I took the photo and I'm writing this post on my phone.
I've done a lot of knitting on this little hat today and I can't wait to see it on her! =)




Edited to add: Ravelry notes & pattern page.

Lazy Saturday

We had a lovely, lazy, beautiful family weekend.

Checked off the to do list.

Went out for breakfast.

Built a fort.

And little miss stayed in her jammies all day.

Perfect.

{this moment}

{this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Inspired by: Soulemama

Snacking

Snacking.

Healthy snacking.

It isn't always easy or delicious.

We're really digging this muffin recipe via Joy the Baker.  Here's my take on it!

Oatmeal Blueberry Applesauce Muffins

Makes 12-15 muffins

• 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/4 cups oats
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk  almond milk
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar  evaporated cane juice
• 2 tbsp canola oil (I used the almond oil I had on hand)  1/4 cup ground flax meal
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper cases or spray with nonstick cooking spray. I simple greased and floured a muffin pan, saving the paper.
In a large bowl combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a medium bowl combine applesauce, buttermilk, sugar, oil and egg. Make a well in dry ingredients and add applesauce mixture. Stir until just moist. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.


I've made this recipe a few times and they're really yummy.  The first couple times I made it my only sub was the almond milk.  I was so surprised at how moist they are with no white flour.  Win!  The last time I made them I added the other two subs, evaporated cane juice (which is new to our household) and flax.  I kind of just wung it but they came out good again so I thought I'd share!  They're not super sweet, but we love them.

I'm new to healthier sugar substitutes, and I know they still need to be used in moderation.  If anyone has anything to share about evaporated cane juice or other natural sweeteners please do!  I'd love to know more. 

WIP Wednesday

Oh, wool.  I just love it.  I love how it feels in my hands as I knit with it, how it feels to wear and even how it smells.  Yeah, like sheep.

On the needles currently are a second striped sock for the little miss.  I have this thing for making her mini versions of my knit clothes with the leftovers.  =]  And also I just adore seeing her in anything handmade.  It gives me this joy and warms my heart to see her in her mama made sweater over a dress with handmade pants and wool socks and felted slippers... =]  I'm really itching to make her one of those cutie pie Pebble vests.  I keep seeing them everywhere!  I can't wait to get my hands on some yummy yarn to knit one up.  Anyway.  Hehe.

I'm in between books right now.  In the picture is a Nancy Drew I picked up from the library.  I haven't started it yet, but I felt like reliving my childhood a little.  =]  Last weekend I read through Heaven is for Real.  I think I started it Friday and finished it Saturday.  I just really enjoyed reading it. 

What's on your needles this week?  Please share a link in the comments!

Special Days

A certain little girl got her first haircut on Saturday. =]  She did remarkably well.  She barely wiggled and didn't even let out a peep.  She didn't really smile either, but that's okay. =]  She did, however, tap her hand on the arm rest for awhile like she was bored. 

Before

Daddy reads to keep Z entertained.

The finished product - a sweet little bob!

 After Ziva's haircut was done, she got to go on a special date with Daddy while I got my hair done.  They went to Panera and got cookies. <3  We'd been telling her for a few days that she was going to get a haircut and she would reply, "No, thanks." and even without any mention of haircuts she said, "I don't have any hair cuts..."   Once we added in the "treat" part she was more compliant. 

Me: You're getting a haircut tomorrow. 
Z: After, I have a treat. 

=]

What a special day for a sweet little 2 year old.