Hoppy Easter

Would you believe this little bunny started from a single square swatch? I know her feet are a bit... unusual... but the design is still pretty ingenious, in my opinion. Details can be found here.

We have yet to dye eggs, and I have it on good authority that the Easter bunny is way behind this year. However, we were given a large bundle of palms on Sunday.

Thomas balanced a couple on top of the cross he had just made and hung on his wall, but there were still many left, so I started youtubing. Before I knew it, I was making crosses. Lots of them. They started out full-sized and worked their way down. This one fell somewhere in the middle, size-wise:

I found them strangely addicting and only stopped at 35. Thomas also learned how and made a few of his own, and Gabe made one with help.

Both have been really enjoying Junior Church lately. It was an instant hit with Thomas, who has learned so much since November, but up until a month or two ago, Gabe wanted nothing to do with going upstairs (and leaving our sides), so it's great to see him get so excited. He looks forward to his crafts and activities and even told one of the other ladies at church on Sunday that he likes going upstairs.

Logan still sits with us, but he's usually pretty happy if we bring some stickers along. He can occasionally get loud, however, out of excitement, pointing to things and saying what they are, like his nose, which he calls "NO!" Granted, the congregation gets a good laugh in every now and then, when he happens to chime in at just the right time.

Last night Brian had loaded up the iTunes store and was listening to samples of some popular Christian songs, and Logan heard one of the songs we sing at church. He grinned and started dancing, moving side to side like I do when I hold him during worship. He went over to Brian to listen and dance some more, and every time the music stopped he stopped, anxious for another song. Then he would go back and forth between us saying, "Dance!" and holding our hands, stepping from side to side, smiling because we were too, thinking it was just the cutest.

Have I mentioned how incredibly blessed I feel?

Starting to Get It

Gardening is something I have always wanted to do but pushed aside for a while because I really didn't have the time, space, or money to do much, and I didn't know the first thing about it anyway. As soon as we moved into our house I started dreaming but had no idea where to start. Some times I would think I could do better if I could afford to make a raised bed garden with even rows, or if I lived closer to my family so that we could work together in our gardens, or if my grandfather were here to give me pointers...

I still find the whole idea pretty overwhelming. In this way I think I can relate to Thomas' particular ADHD trait that makes it difficult to figure out how to look past the endless list of questions ahead of me and pick some place to start. I feel this way about lots of things and attribute it to why I tended to procrastinate so much in school; sure, I was lazy, but inside I also wanted everything to be perfect, I didn't want to leave anything out, and I just never knew where to start in order to achieve all that. I still have so many unanswered questions and concerns, as well as fear of failure, mostly because of the money involved, even though I intend to keep expenses to a minimum. However, I've done a little research, and even though that scares me even more, I decided that this year I just couldn't wait any longer. The truth is that I've been handed lots of advice, and if I don't try, I may never learn. I expect to make lots of mistakes, but I have to at least know that I tried.

When I say I'm starting to get it, I don't mean I am even beginning to understand all the ins and outs of gardening, but I now see the draw. I "get" a little of why it is such a popular hobby and how growing a garden is so much more than the work involved, and I can no longer ignore tips on TV or a continuous stream of gardening videos on youtube. It's the joy of watching the miracle of a tiny seed starting to sprout. It's the dream of a great harvest and sharing that harvest with friends. It's working with your hands and getting dirty outside. It's worrying about pests, weeds, disease, light, water, sun, soil... It's learning new methods and sharing all of these things with others. -I'm sure this is only the beginning. After all, all I have right now is a little plastic indoor greenhouse with some sprouts and a garden that still isn't ready for plants. (That part scares me the most.)

Thankfully, though, some of those seeds that I planted just 9 days ago did manage to grow a little bit, plus Thomas has grown very interested in gardening too. No matter what happens, I am excited - and at least a little hopeful. I haven't seen any signs of cayenne or sweet peppers yet, but my tomatoes, spinach, and jalapeños have sprouted, and after thinking about it, I decided I had to have some strawberries, so I used my $10 WalMart reward site gift card yesterday to bring home a container, some organic potting soil, and some strawberries. Planting them today and then looking outside and worrying that maybe I shouldn't have left them out there, in the wind - and wondering what might happen if it rained continuously and they became over-watered - made me feel almost like those seeds had become like little babies to me. Okay, so I'm a little crazy, but it's true.

Have you ever felt this way about your plants? Do you think I'll find any success, or am I too much of a worrier? I'll try to post regular photos of progress, provided there is such a thing... Here's hoping for at least one good crop, come summer!

A Favorite Song

My Little Fiber World

As I sit and knit a sweet little white bunny rabbit for spring, I am reminded that I have not posted about my creations in quite some time. There have been many. Between last month and this month alone, I have made 23 new things and started 2 more. I've finally shipped out a few things that were promised long ago too. (You know who you are!) One of you (you probably don't know who you are, though you might be reading) can expect a package soon also, but yours is not quite done yet.

If you are interested to see what I've been making, you can check out my Ravelry Projects page. As a sneak peek, I'll share with you a little photo I took this morning.

A very nice Ravelry friend inspired them. When Logan sees one he reaches out and asks for it, saying, "Ball!" Then he throws it across the room and forgets about it until someone else picks it up again. I love that use for these!

Prior to all the small projects I've been working on of late, I had also made a couple of projects for two special friends whom I hold dear to my heart. I've been wanting to share them here, though I'm not sure if I'm so fond of them for what they are or for the time I enjoyed thinking of their recipients while I made them.

The first is another Hooded Jacket from Simply Baby by Debbie Bliss. (You might recall the original, which I made well before Gabe was born.)

I love the way it knits up, and the first held up well for Gabe and Logan, so I hope this one will too.

The other is a simple little hat using a really cool yarn that I happened upon by accident one time while shopping at Jo-Ann's. This particular buy reminds me that an impulse buy, when it comes to yarn, is not always such a bad thing!

That is sweet baby Clara and her mom, Caitlin. Caitlin and I grew up as friends in a great little New Hampshire town (the best), and she is one of the sweetest people I know. I extend my gratitude to her for letting me use her photo. Aren't they a stunning pair? You can see more here.

More recently, I have been working on a collection of baby items for a local pregnancy center--and having a lot of fun doing so. I still have a lot to make, though, before I will be ready to make a trip over with my basket of goodies, so I will continue making hats, booties, and other small things, for a while. I hope the new mothers will appreciate them. I find myself thinking of these women often, even though I don't know anything, really, about them, except that they are all experiencing the indescribable miracle of pregnancy, and that many of them probably have very real concerns about how this miracle will change their lives in a more practical manner. Having been there myself, their cause hits home. I hope they are able to think positively and enjoy all that is happening within them.

I hope to share a photo of all of those things once I am ready to made my first delivery.

There are still more things being made though, so you can be sure to see glimpses into additional projects before too long. If I can squeeze out the time, I may try to share a free pattern too. (Something simple.) First, I'll try to finish this funny little bunny. :)

Spring!

Good things do come to those who wait.

Things like sprouting lilies,

budding branches,

and pussy willows...

remind me so.

We started officially enjoying the weather last week. By Friday we were outside without jackets. (Yippee!) Gabe helped me remove some sticks from our back yard.

He and Logan even humored me for a brief photo shoot.

Gabe was so happy he couldn't hold back his sillies.

Yesterday we even visited some friends who broke out their grill. Grace gave Gabe a ride in her super cool motorized jeep while the burgers cooked. Gabe was so excited that I'm pretty sure he laughed and giggled for at least fifteen minutes straight.

Then today I brought Gabe outside while Logan was napping, and we raked some leaves. When Logan awoke he was thrilled to come right outside and join us. He walked around with the biggest grin on his face and then looked on as we filled a couple of lawn and garden bags before heading out front to watch Thomas try out his brand new bike. Before long, out came the flying discs

and the motorcycle, of course.

Yes, it was a great weekend, and tomorrow we are expecting a high of 79 degrees! I'm hoping to plant some of the vegetable seeds I bought today, provided potential thunderstorms hold off long enough. Tom and Gabe can't wait to help me fill our little pots so we can bring them inside and watch our seeds start to grow.

Do you get as excited with the change of (all) seasons as I do? I can't imagine living in a different climate. I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy it all the way I do. ♥

Another Year Older

My Thomas has been 9 for a week now. How did it happen? Where will the next nine years go, if these have gone so fast? I don't want to miss a beat.

His classmates made complimentary hearts (below) for each other a few weeks ago. I think it will be fun to remember the things they noted about him.

One of the most common compliments was on the comics he writes. One day soon I will try to scan in some of his comics and maybe a really creative story he wrote for a spelling assignment the other day.

In the mean time, I'm going to listen to his new tracks on the computer.

I like his taste.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'll be making the corned beef and cabbage today.

Enjoy the music!

Erin go Bragh!

Humor, Halos, and Headbands

Gabe said to me tonight, "Mommy! Look! It's a Gabe and Daddy and Logan samwich!" Sure enough, it was. I will follow up with pictures shortly.

If that wasn't a random enough intro to tonight's post, allow me to mix it up a bit more; I'm tired, hungry, and totally out of it. I'm the only one awake, and I may regret that in the morning, but I should have seen it coming when I decided to pop in an old Gilmore Girls DVD after the boys went to bed. Tonight I have re-witnessed Paul Anka's adoption, Lorelai's look of shock when she saw the gaping hole in her bedroom wall, thanks to TJ, and Rory's reaction to Logan's pictures from the Gloucester Cheese Rolling Contest, amongst other things, and so far, I have received just the dose of humor I unknowingly craved earlier in the day.

Prior to my evening escape, it was still a good day. Seriously, it's hard to go wrong when you start your day with a breakfast of waffles dressed in nothing but sweet, scrumptious strawberries. (Okay, they were sweetened with sugar, I admit, but hey, it was a treat, and a very good one at that.) YUM. I highly suggest indulging in such a delicious breakfast at your next opportunity.

There was also lots of book reading today. Not only does Gabe love books, but it seems as though a book is often the only thing that can distract Logan from the heart-wrenching pain that follows when I must explain that he can't have whatever toy it is that Gabe has just found. (Actually, the privilege of flipping light switches also serves as an instant thrill, but that's a very limited activity... ) He will look at me with tears streaming down his face and the biggest frown a baby can sport, and when I pull out the book he'll say, "Noooo" and bat it away, as if to tell me just how horrible a thing this is for me to do, trying to distract him with what I KNOW is biggest weakness. Then, three words into the first page, he will start pointing to letters, saying "Y, S, A, O" and any number of other random letters he can think of, and soon enough he'll start flipping through the pages, pointing out his favorite pictures like that of the "bus" and "apple" and if he sees a truck, he'll get especially excited, saying, "Ooooo! Truh!" whether the truck is actually a truck - or a car - or almost anything else on wheels. ("Apple" also works for orange and any number of other foods.)

Side note: I Spy books are fabulous at his age.

Added to that, we took an evening trip to tae kwon do, which, to Gabe, meant both some fun watching the kids break boards and a brief attempt to catch a glance at a plane or two taking off from the small county airport on the way. We actually didn't see any planes tonight, but the sunset was sensational from one corner of the sky to the other, and both Gabe and Logan were especially well behaved and easily entertained at tae kwon do, which meant I was able to watch Thomas break his boards like a pro.

These are just a few of the many simple little things that made today a good day, in hind sight.

As an added bonus, I finally acted on my desperate need for a headband. Those of you who know me personally are very well aware of the evil halo of frizz which overtakes a particularly large area around my head. When I was growing up my father told me to wear headbands with my ponytail to control the same problem, but my headbands were large and uncomfortable, and I knew how ridiculous they looked, even then. The idea of a simple i-cord headband, not to mention a very quick black crochet headband, apparently has been hiding from me all these years, but now I have one, I love it, and I will be making more. Yippee!

For tonight, that's all, but I'm going to try to go back to keeping my posts light and good-spirited. It's a wonderful way to boost my mood. I hope you have a great night... err... day?

Until next time...

(But first, pictures: )