First full week of summer vacation is on a roll!
4. Someone got braces on Monday and it wasn't Dad!
Well we made it! Summer vacation is officially here! AND the disagreeing has already begun! To calm my fragile nerves, I take to the World Wide Web. Here are some of my favorites this week.
Over at The Smitten Kitchen, two of my all time favorite ingredients, potatoes and blue cheese, are being combined to make this dish. Yummy!
Why can't I ever think of something like this? So clever!
This place is on my to-visit list next time I travel to New York City.
This wedding looks like a ton of fun! I love the bride's dress...especially the bow on the her backside. I know, I know, not the "in" thing right now, but I had one on my dress and it brings back memories! Check out how everyone is dancing with drinks in their hands. That's my kind of party!
And speaking of parties. This set-up is simply stunning. Can't you just smell the flowers through your computer screen?
Happy weekend everyone!
A well loved pair of handknit socks blew a hole the other day. I knew they were going. I could see the yarn beginning to look threadbare, but I wanted to still wear them. They kept my feet warm and were comfortable. Plus, I made them! That counted for a lot right there. Yet, the inevitable finally came and I had to face up to the fact that they were gone.
Ah, yes you're asking yourself. What does that have to do with the picture up above? Well, it's my poor attempt at a metaphor. Because, today you see, is the last day of middle school for Matt. Once again, a thread that holds him to me is being worn away.
From the moment our children are born, we are cutting the threads that tie us. Literally, the cord is cut and then we are encouraging our children to sleep without holding, eat on their own, walk, talk, trying to get it all done like the books tell us to. Parents of older children always tell us to relish in what you have, it goes so quickly. Yet, when we're in the moment of babies, toddlers, and elementary school we don't. We are working so hard to prepare our children for being independent, that when it happens, we're shocked!
Those of us that have middle schoolers and older are well aware of the new challenges that face our kids. Where there use to be much talking; silence, stony stares and occasional grunts occur. We jump at the chance to listen when conversation does appear. Patience is practiced over and over again.
New worries fill the space of old. Have we taught our children to make good choices? Will they be able to handle the failure that will be placed in their paths and turn a poor opportunity into something positive? Will they come out on the other side happy?
The picture of the boys in the kayaks was a huge step for me this year on our vacation. I don't usually freak about my boys escapades, but the ocean scares me. Just as probably, let's say you might freak if you saw my boys going over ski jumps. For some reason, the ski jumps don't bother me. But the ocean does. I cut a thread this year(abet, not very well), trying not to freak as my boys body surfed and rode the kayak. No, Jaws did not appear and eat my children up and we all survived. It was a huge moment for me.
I wish good things for my boys as they grow older and hope we've helped to lay the foundation for an exceptional high school experience. And just like with the sock, I know the moment is coming when they won't be here with me, but I plan on cherishing every second I have until that time comes.
1. Remember, last week I said I was going to take time for myself? Who was I kidding? I can't believe how busy we have been!
2. My garden needs weeding!
3. Ryan's teacher is retiring. We surprised him with a collection of thank you letters from his students. They made me cry when I read them. I ended the whole collection with this poem. He will surely be missed.
4. I want to bake, but have no time.
5. Baseball is still going.
Whew...today and tomorrow are half days. I feel like we are in slow motion, trying to finish this school year up! Thursday we sleep!
So after I finished up my Tea Leaves I still had an itch to knit ruching. Well, not really, I didn't even know about Citron until I was listening to the Knitmore Girls' podcast. Finding any excuse to stop cleaning the house, I printed the pattern off and went searching through my stash. I quickly found some Briar Rose that I bought at Rhinebeck a few years back and away I went. Cleaning? What cleaning?
The colors don't show up too well here. I was losing my light to the approaching storm, but I think this will look great under my black winter coat. Or, I might just save it for a holiday gift. I'm on the last ruffle, so it should be completed soon. Look for pictures next week!
Of course, I'm already planning my next knit. I saw this on Raverly the other day and decided that would make great mindless baseball knitting. This wrap will probably be gifted as I'm trying to start some holiday knitting early! I bought some Filatura DiCrosa laceweight in colorway440, otherwise known as dusty rose. 1,531 yards for 20 dollars. I have never knit with this yarn before, but at this bargin, I'm willing to give it a try.
In other news, we have five more days of school left....yes, it is quite possible that we are the last school left that hasn't started their summer vacation.
Just some random thoughts this week.
1. Thinking about cliques and mean people. Not kids, but adults. Not sure about some people lately.
2. Finals week for Matt. He's nervous. Which should be a good thing for most students, but at times he psychs himself out.
3. Remembering Ryan's baseball this past weekend. His smile in center field, after an amazing catch, was priceless. Will remember it always.
4. Loving this beautiful site. Absolutely, gorgeous!
5. Will make time for myself this week. A pedi, facial, maybe some shopping...then bring on summer vacation!
Happy week everyone!
Obligatory dog shot.
The hand on the hip shot!
(Just found out that this is the best way to take a picture if you don't want your arms to look fat. Which in this case really doesn't apply because my arms are covered.)
The reflective shot. Sorta loses it's meaning without my serious face. This just looks like I'm about to fall over!
For Mom, because I know she will download this one, frame it, and put on her desk.
Yay! Actual knitting content!
Happy weekend everyone!
1. I finished reading The Help this past weekend. It lived up to all the great reviews that I had heard. The ending was a bit quick, but other than that it was a good read.
3. Have you seen this site. So funny!
4.Thinking about traveling to Boston and then on upward to Maine this summer. I want to take a trip with the boys and myself. I'm afraid they won't want to spend much time with me in the next few years. I want them to say, "remember that awesome trip we took with mom..."
1. We sat on the porch a lot this weekend. Our outside is almost done. Now for the inside. I need to pick a color for my family room...thinking grey. Any other suggestions. I have dark cherry floors to contend with.
2. I actually have my tea leaves cardi blocking. Looking for buttons.
3. Ryan goes in to have his tonsils and adenoids removed tomorrow. Ear tubes will go in for the fourth time. He's nervous, as am I.
4. Matt needs a haircut, but his schedule is so booked I can't find a time. How do you all manage your older one's schedules?
picture courtesy of the Sartorialist
5. I printed this picture out and have tacked it to my bulletin board in front of my computer. She reminds me to sit up straight.
Happy short week everyone!
I thought I might start writing again. Not sure what I will want to talk about. The guys have their own lives and are making...
