5 things....

Well, hello. I took last week off along with the boys. Between having friends over, skiing, hockey and just plain hanging out it was tough to get to the computer. I also, did not feel the best. Just a cold, but enough of a bother to find it hard to concentrate on a screen. The boys are back to school and I'm on the mend, so all is good.

1. Last night I watched part of the Academy Awards. I think the best part was the red carpets shows that were on before the main event. I thought it was quite boring, as I guess I always do. Anyways, I turned it off way before it was over.

2. The weather has been fierce the past week. One day we have blinding blizzards, the next day we have a melt, and then again snow. I want to believe Spring is coming, but know that some of our worst weather is in March.

3. The pond is melting. We never did get to skate on it this winter. The snow came too early and then it just kept right on snowing...but I think you know that already :) I think this is the first year that we haven't skated. Someone asked the other day how old the boys were when we first laced skates onto their feet. We thought back and discovered Ryan was two years old when he first shuffled across the pond!

4. More cleaning out to do. I was reading a magazine the other day and thought that all the news was really old. I discovered I was reading a magazine from 2009! Really, I'm not a hoarder!

5. And what would a post be without a mention of hockey. Just four more practices and one more weekend of games. And, as always, it will be a bittersweet ending.

Happy week to you all!

Only One Thing to Say...

we won!

We will be headed to States in two weeks. Sorta wish the season was over, but then again, when I look at this smile, I so change my mind!

He's Fourteen...

and drives me crazy every. single. day. I have whiplash from the emotional roller coaster ride,

but I wouldn't want it any other way.

He's funny, smart, kind and compasionate.

His creativity astounds me.

He's constantly teaches us new things.

I could go on and tell you about how his room is messy and how he hates to brush his teeth. How he could sit in front of the television the entire day, if I let him...oh I could go on, but I won't because he's your typical teenager!

Happy Birthday Matt!

We love you!

Link Love...

Starting today, we have another long weekend of hockey. Ryan's team is playing in sectionals. If they place first or second, we go here (pretty much the farthest north you can go in NYS) to compete in States. Wish us luck. We have a pretty good chance.

Enjoy the links!

1. This woman is phenomenal. I love her photography and I love her even more because she loves this yarn!

2. Matt had a box fort that he lived in when he was two. They have come a long way!

3. I've been thinking about this guy's question. One thing I do know, is that I need to learn more about light and how I can manipulate it with my camera.

4. Good to know info, just in case you are going to a rockin' concert this summer!

5. And this is my kind of outfit!

Making

Still knitting on Astor....but this is what I really wanted to share.

I think I've shared my front porch to you all.

It's one of my favorite places to be once the weather warms up.

But I found this porch today in a magazine I picked up (see above...I've searched for the link but can't find it anywhere).

Look familiar? I so want to do this to my porch.

We have a back porch that is similar and a bit wider than our front. This whole concept is just what I've been searching for. I really covet that rug. The old mental juices are flowing, just like the sap in the maple trees. Now we just have to get rid of all that snow!

5 things...Valentine's Day Style

(hearts made by the boys in 2007)

Happy Valentine's Day to all! Enjoy the day and enjoy the links!

1. A few food ideas to make today special. How about pink smoothies and heart shaped biscuits?

2. Heart shaped marshmallows for your hot chocolate?

3. You might want to make this yummy cake with these wonderful roses.

4. This card is beautiful.

5. And if you have a bit of time today...how about this fabric heart garland?

Have fun!

Link Love...

Whew...made it to the weekend. It's been a long one around here. On the bright side (no pun intended), we have been enjoying the sun for the last three days. It's wicked cold outside, but I'll take it if it means a good dose of vitamin D.

Have a happy weekend everyone! I'll be shuffling back in forth to hockey rinks. Four more weekends of this...and then we are DONE!

1. My PSA(and no I was not sent this to me in the mail.) This stuff is amazing! I have been reading the research on giving Omega 3-6-9 to kids with attention difficulties. I asked my pediatrician about it and she supported me and encouraged me to give it to the boys. Every morning they take a good size tablespoon. I swear it settles Ryan. It's nature's form of Ritalin. We were using the Raspberry Swirl by the same brand, but the boys like this one better. They love the creamsicle taste and I never have a difficult time with them taking it. We still try to eat a good amount of fish, but sometimes that's difficult to do with our crazy schedules. This tends to be a good alternative.

2. As soon as the snow melts (my guess this might happen in July) I'm going to collect rocks. I love this idea.

2. Sweet gift for Valentine's Day or to make if you have some spare time on your hands.

4.This just scream warm weather! And so easy to do!

5. And lastly, if you haven't made your Valentine's Day cards yet, check out this site. A whole list of printables. Happy printing!

Making

I've been making hats. Small, easy to carry to the hockey rink, hats. One I like, the other, well, not so much.

The infant hat is made from left-over sock yarn. This just happens to be sknitches syncopation yarn in mint mocha latte. Easy, peasy pattern...just like it says!

The other hat is Ida's Kitchen. Very hip and trendy. Just not on me and with the colors I chose. I might make this again for a young adult, with bright, fun colors.

I'm also going to leave this picture small. That way, you can't see the huge black circles under my eyes.

Currently, I've gone back to knitting Astor. I've got the back, two pocket linings and half a front completed. It's a quick knit and with a ton of hockey this weekend, I hope to finish it up soon!

5 things...

After a busy weekend I'm glad we don't have hockey practice tonight. Between skiing, sleepovers, four hockey games, scary, snowy rides home and a Super Bowl party, I'm tired. Here's to a good week everyone. Don't forget to start making those Valentine's!

1. Whoa...we had an epic ride home Saturday night. One of those nights where the snowflakes were as big as baseballs and coming down fast. I could only see a mere foot in front of me. Thank goodness for the snowbanks. They were my guides to the road. Matt sat by me calmly texting away. He was kind enough to turn the volume off so he wouldn't bother me.

2. Aren't these quilts beautiful. I'm photographing them for a man that has suddenly taken an interest in late 18th century quilts. You should see the detail on them. And they are all hand stitched.

3. Hip hip hooray for my boys report cards. Totally awesome.

4. I'm enjoying lots of chai tea lately.

5. I had a helper.

enjoy your week!

Making

I finished Ida's Kitchen. It's drying. I'll take pictures of it soon. I'm less than pleased. I think it might have been my color choices.

I started this hat, but now I feel I may not have enough leftover sock yarn. It's for Ryan's band teacher. Well not for him, his new baby boy. It's sorta bribery. For some reason he doesn't like Ryan. I guess Ryan can be a bit fidgety in band. Go figure!

I haven't bought any new books lately and two of my favorite friends helped to enable me this past week. I saw Sarah's beautiful quilt squares and was inspired. And then I saw Camilla's family hoodies and knew that was the pattern that I had been searching high and low for Matt's sweater. I have no idea when I might get to these projects, but I love the books and they will be waiting patiently for me when I'm ready.