Halu-Halo

Babymoon

....duty calls....

 

... I answer loyally, wholeheartedly, excitedly and unconditionally...

and as once eloquently stated by the governor of California...

"I'll Be Back!"

:)

Crumbs...desperate times call for desperate measures

What do we have here? (besides of course a desperate still pregnant woman).

 

My pile of scraps, unearth from the depths of my closet.  

It faced me with such desperation.  

"How could you have let me get so out of control?"

"I thought you saved me because you wanted to use me?"

"If you don't use me soon, your husband is going to want for you to leave us behind when you move"

Poor scraps of fabrics used, you were right, I have been neglecting you.  But how do I tackle using scraps that don't match with one another; scraps that come in different sizes, weights, and hues.

The answer: Crumbs

One of the ladies at our Quilt 12 together quilting bee introduced the link to our group, and what a savior it is!  Finally, almost an automatic method of putting together scraps.  Quite perfect, actually, since I am in my own desperation to just pass the time.

As if there was such thing as "passing the time" for a mother of 3.  Let's rephrase that to "keep me from going crazy because I am as big as a house and don't fit in to even the maternity clothes that I have."

But I digress...

In a span of a short hour I quickly created 12 6x6 blocks (to include the times it took me to use the bathroom, which was about 3).  What a great accomplishment it was!  

And these days, I'll take what I can get.  

Desperate times call for desperate measures....

Insomnia and the Staggered Rib

This scarf and I have spent quite a few long nights together.  So much that before I sent it to my brother I hugged it a little, for being so patient as I cursed through every urpy-heartburn-burp while knitting it...in front of the television, as the night turned into dawn and turned into, fully, the next day.

I think I had spent the last week on the couch, anticipating the next irregular contraction and the burn of the next wave of reflux, along with this scarf.  The staggered rib was a fairly easy pattern to remember, and it brought me solace that the minutes will pass, and soon, Baby will be here.

I blew through the two skeins of yarn I had just mindlessly muddling through the dark hours.  And although the pattern and yarn were both simple, the total effect was pretty awesome.

 

Well, I like it anyway...

And now that it's out of my hands, I have to think of the next little thing to knit...because I don't see the insomnia abating, not until at least when Baby comes, when insomnia will eventually turn into exhaustion.

I'm ready Baby!  Bring it!

The First Knit = I'm Ready!

Dear Baby,

I have been silently frantic...though I am sure that you can hear my thoughts in there.  You know that I am being pulled in two directions: impatiently waiting to meet you, but hoping for more time to complete a few more projects around the house and with your brothers and sister.

But the bottom line is this...I am ready for you!  And to prove it to you, I have knitted you something sweet and simple.  Something to let you know that I am anxious to see you, to hold you and to name you.  That you have an entire household of rambunctious family members waiting to do the same.

So when you hear my thoughts or my voice out loud asking, begging, for you to come, you now know why. 

And until then, I will keep doing projects to pass the time, and knitting more for you.

Love, Mama  

Yearning for baby...and (admittedly) beer

A long long time ago, Hubby and I took a 4 day trip to Ireland.  Childless and quite fancy free, we rented a car and travelled from Dublin to Galway along with a friend.  While our friend golfed through this green country, Hubby and I took the time to eat, drink, sightsee, and drink some more.

I appreciate the memories now, much more than how I felt about the experience at the time.  Now as a knitter I wish I took the time to peruse the yarn shops, or even just to knock on someone's door so I can spend time with their wooly sheep.  I think I would have even spent a tourist's fortune to purchase a hand knit sweater.  

I still remember the smell of the countryside...luscious and green.  The pubs were welcoming to us, and while I paid a pretty pretty penny to ride a pony through someone's backyard (so much of a tourist trap that I am ashamed to admit it), the food and the Guinness were worth more than the heavy tips we left in gratitude.

Yum, a warm Guinness.

I tried to capture some of those memories today, on St Patrick's Day.  You can call it nesting, or a last ditch effort at feeling productive in these last 3 weeks of pregnancy (I hope it will only be 3 weeks more!)...but I decided to try my hand at an Irish Stew made with an Irish Stout, Soda Bread, and a fun Green Grog for my half Scot-Irish children.

I enjoyed the stew, loved the bread, but admittedly wish I could just have the Guinness.  

A few more weeks, right?  

Fussy

...in every sense of the word...yes, I am.

I'm into the 9th month of pregnancy...need I say more?

I'm so fussy that Hubby, by sheer instinct, has started to give me more space...to let me make my enormous list of things to do before Babe comes, to talk talk talk (nag?) about each and every thing I need to complete on this list, and then to panic that I won't get it all done. 

Yes, this would be the start of the phenomenon of "nesting". 

I'm so fussy that I have started my cocooning process.  I don't leave my house unless I have to, because by golly, that would mean that I would have to get out of pajamas or my yoga pants.  Another reason is that I no longer even fit into the cute maternity clothing I purchased.  And because all I want to do is clean the house at the moment.  

Again, the whole nesting thing...

I'm even so fussy that I refused to use a ruler/rotary cutter when completing this doll quilt for a swap at Sewingmamas.  I wanted to use as few tools as possible for the entire project, so I don't have to take out my cutting mat or rulers from my sewing storage.  I then fussy cut all of the pieces, to include the binding, and I only used fabrics from my scrap bin because I didn't want to undo the already folded yardage in my drawers.

I decided to approach this process freely, with my goal to match the solids with its middle square, but I improvised on how large each courthouse step would be.

And by golly, it seemed to have all worked out the way it's supposed to.  It was definitely hard to let this one go.

Maybe this nesting thing isn't so bad after all.

Almost there...

34 weeks and I am feeling the pressure.  On my sciatic nerve, on my pelvis and on my back.  There is that one spot on my belly that I swear baby is going to pop right through each time he/she kicks.  These are the encouraging pressures, for it is the kind that reassures me that due course is coming, and I am living my moments.  

6 weeks till the due date and I am feeling the pressure.  The infinite choices in car seats and strollers...Arms Reach Mini Co Sleeper or Original?  Hotsling or Mei Tei?  Burts Bees or California Baby?  These choices seemingly important, while in the back of my mind, (and after raising 3 children with much less) I know these are all trivial.  But I am pressured just the same.

8 weeks after Christmas and I am feeling the pressure.  Of gifts still being knitted and made.  My recipients are so patient! I just hope they know that I love them so much that I would rather send handmade late than send easy stuff early.  I am finally glad to finish these mitts for a relative.  They were quite cozy to model on our rare snow day in Central Texas.  I'm a little sad to part with them.

Pattern:  Toast

Yarn: Knit Picks City Tweed, Cottontail

Needles: size 7 double pointed

But all of these pressures bring home just one thing to me...I am almost there.  To finishing my Handmade Holiday goal.  And to Baby.

Thanks for looking!  Have a great weekend!

Cravings

Dear Belly,

  

Here we are, again, the two of us, in the third trimester.  

We know this road: the return of heartburn, reflux and nausea.  The beginnings of bloating and swelling. The excitement of nesting and preparing.  And finally, the start of true cravings.

We're lucky that Hubby knows exactly what to expect, and on a quick family trip to Fredericksburg knew just how to at least satiate those hunger pangs that have taken over like a wild beast.

 

There was that Lemon Meringue from Blue Bonnet Cafe, with that perfect blend of smooth and citrus.  Do you remember that, Belly?  Everyone was all done and ready to go, but you had to have that last bite.

 

Then there was that Reuben Sandwich on rye from Wheeler's, with red cabbage and German hot potato salad.  Oh, with spicy mustard.  How we had missed German food!  It was a perfect lunch to counter the previous perfect dinner at Auslander Restaurant the night before.

My cankles are still recovering from the weinershnitzel.

And finally, from the Fredericksburg Pie Company ..

 

Cherry and Pecan Pies that we had a hard time sharing with my whole family.  It was quite the perfect way to end our adventure, with enough sugar to propel our conversation in the van for the 2 1/2 hours it took for us to get home.  

It was quite a great trip indeed.  And we have still our journey together - 12 more weeks to house and grow our little blessing.

We are lucky to go down this road again, so here's to enjoying every bit of it.

Love,

Tif

Most wonderful time of the year

My joints and muscles are aching this morning, tired from yesterday's festivities, of getting the house ready, making turkey and getting together with friends.  As if I should know my limits by now...

But Thanksgiving is truly my most favorite holiday.  It is the gateway deep into the Fall Season and Christmastime.  It is a no-strings-attached holiday....making food and bringing a good attitude are the only requirements for get togethers.  There is no gift giving stress.  

 

...and the food...really!  Turkey, casseroles, souffles and desserts. It is a holiday giving permission for the sinful consumption of absolutely everything.

But in all seriousness, this celebration is pure in its intention, and of the hundreds of things I am thankful for today, here are 4.

* That my immediate family is intact and secure despite the miles that might have spanned between us.

* That I have been blessed by the love of my children, even from the wee one still in my belly.

* That the humble life I live is mine to live through the span of my own imagination and dreams.  

* That friendships can arise from the oddest of situations and despite the difference between people.

 I hope that you had a peaceful week!  And here's to a busy few weeks crafting before Christmas!

And now I feel like I can move on...

Do you ever feel like some weeks are just so built up in your mind, that you feel like you can't see past the dates on the calendar.  I supposed that's considered living in the moment. But sometimes, in my situation, I think it's my neuroticism that can't get me beyond certain planned moments.  I just get so stuck, obsessed even, about certain dates and events; in this case, I couldn't even see past this week until these three things occurred.

.....

I saw a long awaited movie with two other wonderful gals...

  

...which, by the way, was excellent.  As you can see, I went to the 11AM (the first) showing and it was packed.  I went with 2 ladies who loved the books as much as I did, and seeing this movie with other fans was fantastic!  We giggled in the car on the way to and from the movie like little schoolgirls.  It was good for the soul to have such a fun outing.

....

I completed a sewing project after many weeks of indecision, procrastination, and rest

This is for a Ravelry doll quilt swap...using strips of scraps and using a courthouse steps pattern.  

I used remnants for the back and for the binding, and I stipled throughout.

I do love orange!  Especially in the fall season!  If I could look good in orange I would wear it...

...

And finally, I met my baby for the first time, and fell in love even more.

Mothering this baby started from conception.  S/he is already present, here and now.  I can't wait to hold you in my arms, baby!

.....

And now, finally, I can take a deep breath...and I feel like I can move on into this weekend, and into next week.