A List and a little inspiration

My sister and I recently had a long conversation about hobbies and learning new things.  The fact of the matter is there aren't many people in my day to day existence that 'get it' when they see me knitting, or crafting with my kids, or staying up late when I am finishing a Halloween costume in time for a school party.  I usually get a polite smile a somewhat enthusiastic, "good for you" and "you know they are selling a costume for a princess at Target right now", or " Kohl's is having a sale on sweaters.  I know they mean well but they really don't get it.  Creating something with your own hands.  Always wanting to learn something new.  Do people hit adulthood and stop wanting to learn new things?  I hope that I never stop wanting to pick up a new hobby or learn something.  I have my own list of things I would like to either do better or learn.  Some of them are

get back into running::speak french::brush up on my very rudimentary Spanish::learn piano better::learn guitar::sew more than just a costume::practice yoga::paint::pottery::design a knitting pattern or two or three

Just a few things off the top of my head.  Here is a list of inspiring woman that I tore out of an magazine, can't remember which one.  Maybe this weekend we'll all be so lucky to learn something new or open up the door to something new for someone else.

1777 Teenager Sybil Ludington rides all night long through a storm to alert the 400 men in her father's militia that the redcoats are coming.  She's called the female Paul Revere-but Paul rode with two of his buddies.  And he was captured by the British.

1805 Sacagawea joins Lewis and Clark as their expedition's interpreter, traveling thousands of miles across the Rockies with her newborn babe strapped to her back

1906 Mada C.J. Walker hawks shampoos and serums door-to-door.  The orphaned daughter of former slaves, she becomes one of America's wealthiest businesswomen.

1938 Anna Mary Robertson Moses sells her first paintings, at age 78.  Known as "Grandma" Moses she continues to paint for 23 years, becoming one of the century's most renowned folk artists.

1960 At the Rome Olympics, Wilma Rudolph-once partially paralyzed by polio-earns three gold medals in track-and-field, the first American woman to do so.

1967 Kathrine Switzer dares to run the all-male Boston Marathon, while an irate race official chases her

1985 Just 175 miles from the Iditarod finish line, Libby Riddles heads into a blizzard when other mushers opt to stay in camp; this gives her a six-hour lead and ultimately, the win.

Just a few of the many on the list.  Sometimes a little inspiration is needed.  Have a lovely weekend!!

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Seeds Hat

Awhile back I won a giveaway that Chris had on her blog and by awhile I mean six months ago, eek this year is flying by.    She gave away one of her patterns (they are all gorgeous) and the yarn to complete it.  In the last few months I have totally lost my knitting energy and in an effort to reclaim it I grabbed my winnings and cast on.

It was so nice to pick up some knitting and know that it would all work out beautifully because the author of the pattern sent you everything in order to complete it.  My fingers got quite the workout....along with my brain because I am not a practised color work knitter.  Isn't the top gorgeous? 

I also did my first hem with this piece.  The brim starts with plain stockinette and after a bit you switch to the color pattern and then when that is long enough you hem it as you knit.  So neat and finished looking I love it.  Not to mention that it tucks in all the loose ends from the start and so you have hardly any finishing when it is done. 

This was just the thing I needed to get my knitting desire back.  Something small that was easy to tote around with me and quickly finished.  Perfect!  Thank you Chris for the pattern, I loved it!

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The mountains

We had a great night up in the mountains this weekend.  With such a late start to summer here we haven't had a chance to get up there and prep.  Tables need to be put out and hammocks hung.  As always I am making lists of things for the kids to do in their downtime.  Running around the forest, playing in the fort, and swimming are the favorites but in the evenings the kids usually need a playtime break and a chance to just relax.  I know you are thinking that a good book and some knitting would be just the ticket but since my kids are only 4 and 6 we went with t-shirts and puffy paint.

Here's a little tip from me.....great project for a six year old....messy with a four year old....

Of course their was too much food.  We did a shrimp boil with corn on the cob.

Jack says camping is his favorite thing to do.  I'll let you in on a little secret.....when my son says camping is his favorite he really means s'mores.  He would have them morning, noon, and night if I let him....but then I guess who wouldn't?

After all the stickiness was washed clean and the kids were sleeping a sugar induced coma I got to have a little grown up time with my husband by the campfire...

No knitting this weekend but I am almost done with my Seeds hat.  How was your weekend?

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Maine Morning Mitts

A few years ago I loosely followed along with Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitter Almanac and May was for mitts.  I really intended to make a whole slew of mitts this last May but only one pair was finished.  The Maine Morning Mitts. 

It is hard to get a 'catch your eye' photo of black mitts knit in a rib pattern so how about you check out my manicure, or at least what is left of my manicure :)

Last Friday night I went out with some girlfriends for a belated birthday celebration and we got manis and pedis and margaritas.  You know you are having a good time when one conversation (at least what seems like one conversation) lasts two hours. 

This next shot shows that the mitts aren't too long and that the nail polish is coming off the tips of my nails....hence the reason I rarely get manicures, the polish is off within days.

And last we have the modeled shot by my four year old son complete with airplane pajamas.  I swear the mitts have thumbs.

These are a fast and easy knit, as most mitts are, and definitely masculine enough to hand off to the nearest man.  Very comfortable and the pattern is free.  Perfect thing to work on if summer has hit your neck of the woods and the temperature is climbing.  We are heading out of town to the mountains this weekend to cool off.  I'll be back on Monday!

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Baked Oatmeal

I know I have already professed my love with Heidi Swanson's recipes but here is another one I wanted to pass along to all of you.  I have company staying with us this week and since weekday mornings tend to be a bit busy, you know with school and work and carpools and everything, I wanted to have something ready made for breakfast and everyone could grab a bite as they got hungry.  I also wanted it to be healthy so the kids could have some before school and if I do nothing else that day at least I know they had a good breakfast :)
First you need some oats....

Then some fruit

Put it all together and add some milk ( I used half almond milk and half regular)

Then bake.  When served I melted some butter in maple syrup and drizzled it over the top.

Here is a link to the recipe  http://www.lottieanddoof.com/2011/04/baked-oatmeal .  And if you click on Heidi's website the oatmeal muffins she just posted about look great too!  I think I might be making some for this weekend to take camping.  I'll let you know how it goes.

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A Simple Woman's Daybook 2

A super fun crazy busy May is finally coming to a close.  I am really shocked at how swiftly this year is going by.  My May was full and busy, we went to San Francisco last weekend for a cousins wedding and some sightseeing with the kids.  They loved Fisherman's Wharf and the sea lions there.

We had family staying with us as soon as we got home that left on Friday so we finally just relaxed in a lump this weekend.

Since I haven't checked in for awhile I thought another edition of A Simple Woman's Daybook would get me jump started. So...

Outside my window...blue skies and no wind or rain for the first time in a long time.

I am thinking...how much better I want to get at photography, the area that really holds me back in blogging is the elusive good picture to truly capture what I am working on.  If I can't get a good shot, no posting, then I am kicking myself for not posting anything at all and a whole month goes by.  So instead of focusing on where I can improve I find myself comparing my photos to the beautiful ones I see on all of your blogs.  I definitely need to shift my thinking and just keep practicing (which is what I always tell my kids to do when they complain about not being good at something).  Apparently my parenting style is leaning towards the "do as I say and not as I do" theory...need to work on that.

I am thankful for...a very relaxing weekend with my family....lots of movies and games and dinner with friends.  My kids are finally at an age where they will allow me to wallow for a whole day, provided a good portion of that wallowing includes kid movies and kid card games.  As long as I can read a book I want and maybe watch part of a movie I want I can work with that compromise :)
From the learning rooms...yes a lot of photography reading on the Internet.  I have been looking here and here  any suggestions for other places I should check out?

From the kitchen....we made these rolls cinnamon rolls this weekend, because what else is there to do when it has been raining for the last few days accompanied by gale force winds?  Cinnamon rolls all!  Who says they are only for breakfast.  I did cut down the recipe and made two pans instead of eight, we cooked one Saturday afternoon and the other one Monday morning.....soooo good!!

I am creating... the seeds hat from Chris over at Doodles in String.  I won a giveaway on her blog and got her beautiful seeds hat pattern along with the yarn to knit it up. 

I am going...to a baseball game with my family and some friends this afternoon.  The weather looks to be clearing so hopefully we won't have to bring blankets and coats and gloves and well as much stuff as we have been due to the wonky weather.

I am reading... Cutting for Stone.....still :)  I have read some other books this last month but none worth mentioning.

I am hoping...to find the balance in my week that I really need between mommy stuff, work stuff, wife stuff, typical family admin stuff and just some time for myself.

I am hearing...My husband upstairs making breakfast, the dogs playing on the deck, and my kids doing some art projects next to me on the sofa.

Around the house...making my lists for the week, you know the drill.  I call it family admin. planning my cleaning schedule to get everything done, planning our menu list for the week for grocery shopping, and trying to plan some time for me to workout because this next weekend is going to be a busy one and I doubt I'll have much time.

Here's to wishing you all a nice balanced week!

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Pedicure Socks

Happy Monday everyone!  Finally some knitting.  Here are my pedicure socks.  I won this yarn from Suzanne forever ago and it has been calling me from my knitting basket ever since.  I haven't really knit socks in my short knitting career.  I don't know where my hesitation stemmed from because these socks came together so quickly and were perfect for some evening TV time with my family. 

The perfect knit for spring/summer in my opinion.  Fast, easy, and perfect if you are an at home pedicurist. 

My feet get so dry when the weather changes but I really am not a fan of wearing socks so this is kind of the perfect solution.  Slather my tootsies up with creamy lotion put on my new socks and my feet don't get hot or suffocated.  I can do my toes and not mess up the polish (something I mess up all the time).

The lizard was added by my "assistant"....because he is so cute.  Um...okay honey, thank you.   You can get the pattern here (free).

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