Our evenings

I was working on the dinner dishes last night and the hubs started peeling and slicing up apples.  He's not much of a cook or baker, (but he's recently learning and getting more interested in kitchen stuff) so I'm like, "what are you doing?"  "I want an apple pie and I don't want you to have to do all the work.  Do you mind that I'm dirtying more dishes?"  Of course not, silly hubs, you can dirty dishes to your heart's content if pie is the result. =]  I made the crust and he made the filling, we paused to put the Z to bed, and put it together and baked it afterward.  Mmm warm apple pie on the couch with my hubs is the best.  It was delicious.

I think it tastes better when you make it with someone you love. =]

Cozy

There's something about home when the weather starts to turn chilly.

Driving into your driveway to see the glow of light from the inside.

Knowing your slippers are waiting for you on the warm side of the door.

Opening the door to be surrounded by warmth and smells of simmering stew and spicy candles.

Cold hands gripping a hot mug.

Blankets that are being pulled down and snuggled in more often than they are decorating the back of the couch.

Staying in, because it's dark, so it must be late, right?

I think this feeling is worth celebrating.

Welcome, Fall!

Fall Fun

So about those weekend plans...
We started our weekend with pumpkin spice lattes in hand, and drove out to pick apples.  Apple picking is a fun little trip for a 22 month old (22 months!!??).  We pulled her out into the orchard in a wagon provided by the farm, and she helped us fill our basket in 10-15 minutes.  A basketful cost us about $10 and then we picked out a couple pumpkins.  Fun and easy and we hope to do it again before the season is over.

After driving around looking at houses for sale, we came home to yummy chili in the crock pot and homemade bread.  Mmmm.

Saturday afternoon we made apple pie.  Ziva helped.  She spilled daddy's hot cocoa all over the table and floor.  She got gated into the living room while we finished the pie. =]

Friday evening/Saturday morning we made blueberry bagels.  Yummy!  I really enjoyed the involved process since most of the work was done after the little lady was tucked into bed.  If we could find much cheaper dried blueberries then making bagels at home might actually save us money!  haha!  Next I want to make my personal favorite, chocolate chip bagels!  When I was pregnant with Ziva I craved chocolate chip bagels.  We looked everywhere.  Tim Horton's, grocery stores, Panera.  (I think Panera actually had them, they were just out every time we were there.)  I didn't get my beloved bagel until she was like 6 months old.  I can't believe I never thought of trying to make them...

Sunday brought us to Sunday School, church and a lovely baptism service - which was followed by a family birthday party and then a lazy afternoon of watching football from my parents' couch.

I'm hoping to get my bike ride tonight. =]

What did you do this weekend?

Weekend Plans

Ziva, Oct 2010

Typically on Friday mornings, I get ready to post my {this moment} photo by viewing the week's photos on my camera.  Well, it appears that the only photos I took this week were for WIP Wednesday!  So I thought I'd share our weekend plans with you.

The hubs gets out of work around noon on Fridays, so today after he gets home and the wee one has had a nap, we're planning on going apple picking. (Love!) I'm sure at some point during the weekend we'll begin to process the apples and make things like pie and crisp and sauce! =]

This weekend's weather is looking extra fall-like, so this morning I plan to throw chili in the crock pot, so we can have a yummy warm meal all ready for us when we get home from picking apples.  I just love to utilize my crock pot any day of the week, but especially on the weekends, when I want to be out playing with my loves, not stuck in the kitchen making meals. =]

Another thing I'm hoping to start on today is blueberry bagels.  Blueberry bagels from the grocery store are the hub's fave, so I hope my own come out just as yummy! =]

I'm also hoping to go for a family bike ride and check out some fall foliage.  It's been a little while since we've gone biking, due to the bike rack beginning to damage the hatch back on our Escape. =/  Hopefully a quick trip with the bikes down town won't be a huge deal! =]

We like our weekends to be relaxing and family oriented.  If we can, we try to avoid over planning, and just enjoy each other's company.

What are your plans for the weekend?

blogger's block

I have all these thoughts in my head. 

Sometimes I sit down with a paper and pen and try to sort them out.

And it doesn't work.

I can't get my thoughts, ideas, feelings, out of my mind and onto my blog.

I'd like to post something a little deeper.  Something that might challenge you, inspire you, or just get you thinking.

I think I need to sort through my thoughts somewhere quieter than the breakfast table. =]

Wellie Warmers Continued. ;]

I revamped and finished a pair or wellie warmers!  Aren't they fabulous?  I decided that the no decreases, ribbing all the way down pair was too bulky for a teeny boot so I started fresh.  I put the warmers on Z's legs first then she steps right into her boots and I fold the cuff down.  Super cute, comfy, warm and they help her keep her boots on.  If anyone would be interested in seeing my notes I'd be happy to type them up and share - of course I'd want to see a picture of your finished project!  I think these would look so cute with stripes, cables, etc. 

The sweater dress is 99.9% finished.  I added a ribbed band before starting the bodice and I really like the way it gathers the skirt.  I took pictures today but they're really washed out so I'm not sharing. =P  All I have left to do is an edging around the neck and arm holes.  I did dress her in it for church on Sunday though.  Shhhh no one needs to know it wasn't really finished! =]

What are you working on?  Please share a link in the comments!

{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

WIP Wednesday

Hi!  It's been a few days.  We had a lovely long weekend, doing not much more than spending time with family and enjoying the outdoors.  Yesterday afternoon's weather made me especially happy, as it was so very fall-like!  Sunny, but crisp!  Love!

This week's WIP is brought to you via my brain and rainy morning inspiration.  Ziva got these boots as hand-me-downs from her older cousins (btw, hand-me-downs = AWESOME).  They're about a size too big, but let me tell you what, the girl loves to stomp in mud puddles.  So she wears them.  I figured as it got colder she'd need a little more insulation, and these might help them fit better anyway.

Wellie Warmers!

I cast on 40 sts on 10.5 needles using Cestari Fine Merino.  I then joined in the round and worked K3, P2 ribbing until they seemed long enough. ;]  Bound off in pattern until the last 3 stitches, and then used the last 3 to work a garter stitch strap.  After a couple inches I bound off the strap and stitched it to the opposite side of the warmer, creating a stirrup so they don't ride up on her. =]

She hasn't tried it on yet, so we'll see if I regret skipping any decreases at the ankle.  I can always go back and re-do the ankle, I guess it's all trial and error when you're "writing" your own pattern.  They seem a little bulky.  Also, I tried the finished one on me and it fit nicely, you know, except for being uber short. =P

Also, to mix it up a little, I'm thinking I could pretty easily sew her a pair of these to go in them.

Okay, if I go knit the second one up before she wakes up for the day, perhaps she can splash in puddles this morning!  Or at least wear her boots to the market! =]

What are you working on?

ETA:  Did you notice the yarn?  It looks like a different color because the lighting last week was so horrible, but it's my frogged mystery beret! Oh yeah, and also the sweater dress is still on the needles.  It's just going soooo slow. ;]

{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

Bunting Swap

Bunting is a fun and fabulous way to dress up a room for a party, hanging from tree to tree for a festive picnic, or just as an everyday way to bring happiness to a setting.

Rachel over at Squiggly Rainbow has organized a bunting swap and I'm participating.  Check it out and if you're compelled, email her and join in the fun!  The date to mail bunting out is October 15th!

Fall

Ahhh September. I know the calender says that the first day of Fall is September 21st, but I count the entire month as Fall. Kids are back in school now so it must be true! I am anticipating spending my favorite season doing my favorite things. I absolutely adore the season changing into Fall. Here are some of my favorite fall things...

Pumpkins

Ziva looking uncomfortable atop a pile of pumpkins, 2010.

Mums

Not "Mothers" I love my mom all the time. I'm talking about the flowers.
Me @ 35 weeks pregnant, October 2009.

Apple Picking

Ben and I enjoying our first fall as a married couple at our most favorite apple orchard, Ricker Hill in Turner, ME- 2008.

Leaves

Ziva enjoying the fall leaves, October 2010.

Pumpkin Spice Lattes

AKA Heaven in a cup. Image Source.

Memories

Fall has a way of bringing back memories of first days with this little lady.

Foliage

Image Source

Living in New England, you see some seriously beautiful Fall foliage. My parents used to take us on insanely boring foliage rides all over Maine. The fun part was when we got somewhere that we could get out and walk around and go to the bathroom. Now? I like driving aimlessly and looking at leaves. Proof that I'm getting older.

Also? My birthday is in September. I remember being a kid and hearing adults say that after awhile you might forget your birthday, or how old you're turning. Which is crazy talk to a kid. Your birthday is like, the one day of the year that everything is about you. ;] I have yet to forget my birthday. I love my birthday. Probably because Ben spoils me.

I was thinking about my birthday the other day, and to my surprise, I forgot how old I'm turning. Not like, I had to sit there and do the math, but I just had to contemplate it for a second. And do you know what the first age that popped into my head was? 30. Ummm. I'm not turning 30 this month. I'm turning 22.

Houston, we have a problem.

I enjoy foliage rides and my soul is turning 30.

Happy September!