Halu-Halo

It's really that easy

I'm often asked what my suggestions are for goodie boxes for deployed military folks.  Mail is for those deployed, as you may know, the invisible arm of civilization and of comfort from the western world.  While there is video chat, and phone calls, mail is tactile and almost more tangible.

How important it is!

And so this is why, when my soldier is deployed, I have boxes stacked in my home ready to fill, stationary always at an arms reach, and stamps coming out of my ears. 

Where the military member is will determine what they will need or want.  Many areas are established, where there is an "exchange" where they can purchase toiletries and goodies.  Other places, remote and isolated, won't provide much of those little comforts.  The best way is to ask them what is available to them, and send what you think will give them the best memories of home.  For Hubby, it was Werther's Candies and Kona Coffee.  And gummy bears.

But nothing beats the love of a handwritten letter.

(made by my children for my brother, who is deployed)

Yesterday, an acqaintance asked me how we were able to survive deployments. I answered my usual, "we don't have much of a choice," and my cynical, "girl, I don't know how we did it either."  I did, however, tell her that I am sure of one thing - these deployments will either bring the family closer together or can push them farther apart.

I also know for sure that the handwritten note was a powerful tool in our arsenal of staying close, Hubby and I.  Aside from the emails we exchanged, I received handwritten notes from him, intimate and spontaneous.  I knew he wrote them at the end of the day, when he is most vulnerable.  I sent my own letters, almost painfully written, each word unable to be deleted by a backspace key. So much more honest, with greater intention.  When the kids sent him cards and letters, though only a few sentences, while some garble and some just pictures, I know he cherished them and hung them on whatever surface he could.

The handwritten note, as simple as it is, is sometimes all it takes.  A mention of your day, a description of your surroundings, your opinion on an issue - it gives them the taste of home that they crave.

It's really that easy.

Flowers in the brain

Northern Virginia weather has been throwing us a bone every few days, teasing us with great weather in between spurts of rain, letting us know that Spring is indeed here, and summer is just around the corner.

These last two days have been gorgeous.  And all I could think about were flowers.  But not the kind that one plants, because aside from these roses I was successful with at our Texas home, I am quite the black thumb.

I'm talking about the kind that's made with fabric.

So while Hubby might be planning on how to patch up a couple of areas in our cozy front yard, I am trying to figure out how many of these little clips I can make for my little girls.  And even for me.  And how I can add them to headbands, or to pins so I can put them on my favorite blue jean jacket

After, of course, I send these out to my giveaway winners.

It should be interesting to see how the fraying holds up with toddlers wearing them, but the only way to know is to work-em!

Hope you enjoy them, Ladies!  

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

Before I take a forced crafting-for-others hiatus, so I can plan and enjoy Christmas, I had to knock out a few things for some of my own favorite little girls.  I think that even if I wouldn't have had my own daughters, I would have not missed out making little things in Pink, Purple and Green, since I have a God-daughter, a Niece, and other pseudo-nieces.  

What is life without being able to make such wondrous things like ruffles?  I, myself, can't stop marveling over how pretty they are.

 

But seriously, if I didn't have any little girls to make things for, Hubby would have to deal with me running around the house in my own Dancerella legwarmers, in addition to the countless ponchos and hats I have knitted.  

Thank goodness for this recipient, who I hope will enjoy this while she skates.  As soon as I saw it, I knew it was going to be for her.  

(Pattern note: I used sz 7 needles and casted on 44 stitches.  And I mistakingly did the twisted rib throughout the first leg, and decided not to frog and just did the same on the second.  I like how it looks!  And it will grow with her.  This is currently being modeled by my 5 year old.  Recipient is 7/8) 

And Bow Holders.  What a great invention.  Instead of bumbling with piles of bows in a basket as I have been doing, I can organize them by color or style, all clipped on the tails below.

I've seen it in other little girls' rooms and decided it was high time that I should make a couple for two little girls who are like family to me, because their Mommies and I go way back...  

...As far back as seeing one another do silly things in college.  Though such stories shouldn't be written in case my now computer savvy son should click here via my bookmarks.  No, Son...Mama was an angel! The epitome of responsibility as a young woman!

They are off in the mail soon!  Slightly late when they arrive, but finished before Christmas.  This counts as "on time" in my book!

I hope that you all have a great few days!  I hope to touch base on Christmas Eve, to share with you our Noche Buena tradition.

Cheating on my sewing machine.

I miss Freida.

Freida is my sewing BFF.   Freida is my sewing machine, and old discontinued Fresia of the Husqvarna Viking family.  She stitches most everything I ask her to. Her buttons have been fiddled with by curious little fingers.  She's been adorned by my daughter's stickers.  She is my partner in mediation. 

She's been in hibernation for a while now...a long time for sewists like myself.  I haven't sewn on her in almost a month (I KNOW!) , though I have a queue that needs to be tackled as part of Christmas presents.  But I have a now-crawling-quickly-and-cruising Baby J.  She is underfoot in the most rambunctious of ways.  I had no choice, and Freida is covered and in the workroom until I can secure a safe place where I can set her up.

In sewing's place, I have been knitting.  Freida is used to my knitting.  She knows that those knitting needles will never take her place.  After all, knitting is a long term commitment, while Freida can work basic patchwork doll quilt in hours!  Knitting hat takes me a few days.  A cardi - months!  

And, never have I ever put Freida away, even while in the depths of finishing a knitting project.

But I don't think Freida will like knowing that I have been beading while she is away.

It's gives me such great satisfaction, to complete a project in one sitting.  That I can work and watch Baby J, and can get up when she decides that she wants to eat the Christmas tree.  I love having all of my tools within reach, in little tiny drawers I can put away quickly.

I wonder how she will feel knowing that I have checked out almost every beading book in the library?  And instead of stalking new fabrics that have come into market, have been learning about different stones? 

 

I hope she knows that while I am finding a new way to express myself, she is and will always be my first crafting love.

There's room for everyone, right?  

A-HA! moment

I pulled out a gray hair this morning,  Yes, I know I wasn't supposed to, but when it is an inch long and sticking straight up, there is no other choice.  And because I still have a few weeks away before my due time at the salon, I had to create a temporary solution.

Most days I don't notice that I am older.  That I have crow's feet starting to peek through, or that my skin isn't as elastic as I would like for it to be.  I am not afraid of aging, don't get me wrong, but it surprises me that the years have passed and now I have eye bags that can't be remedied.

I think much of it has to do with the fact that Hubby and I have grown together, meeting and marrying while I was still in college.  I go about my days thinking he and I are still 21, and it is the day after he carried me down Haight Street drunk as a skunk.  Those days, ah....

We celebrated our anniversary yesterday, and this year, I decided to pull out our old photos and printed our most recent pics of just the two of us to scrap them.  I wanted to make an album for him to bring wherever he needs to be, when we can't be together.

 

I wrote my heart out on this one.  Little messages to him about what I remembered from each picture, and how I felt it affects us today.   

And as I put it together, I realized how many years these pictures spanned.  We have spent many many days together - what a history!

 

It's so easy, isn't it, to just mosey along our marriages and relationships.  There are ups and downs, and the days, months, and then years pass.  Sometimes we have to work on them much harder than other times.  And there are many moments of pure bliss.

And then one day, a gray hair peaks through, and you realize that these relationships and friendships have grown with you.  

What a blessing, I say!  How lucky are we to experience our lives with others!  

So, while Hubby got the gift of the Album, I experienced the gift of piecing our history.  It was an A-HA! moment at its finest.   

Kicking it in to 2nd gear.

I absolutely refuse...refuse....to acknowledge Christmas until Thanksgiving is over.  Hear me, Internets?!  Here I am, solidifying my menu for my most favorite-st holiday, and all I see are television commercials for that December celebration.  Whatever happened to giving major importance to that special day when, apart from the massive cooking spree, we could simply enjoy each other's company, with no strings attached?

But the pressure is on, and I am feeling it.  Unfortunately, last Christmas, some of my recipients received their presents after the New Year.  I won't tell you how late into the New Year.  Let's just say one of them thought it was an Easter package.  Yikes!  But I made those presents, yo!  I can't knit/craft/sew any faster than I have the time and energy for.

For as much as I am a believer of Handmade Holidays (to make or buy handmade for most of the giftgiving), I have to admit that it takes longer than buying something from a store.  I also have to admit that last year was not the first year that I've been late with presents.  

After I sent out the last of my packages last (this) year, I vowed I would start making presents in August in order to make that Santa deadline.

I'll give you a guess as to how I well I've kept that promise.

.....

.....

.....

(cricket)

.....

But! I'm finally kicking it to 2nd gear, and I'm officially starting my Handmade Holiday clock today, starting with napkin rings.

 

I made a set of 8 napkin rings made of copper wire and some rustic beads.  The recipient loves to hold family gatherings, and because I myself love to change things up without having to buy new dishes, thought she would appreciate it. 

I could feel a growing fondness for wire and beads while doing this project.  I realized that the needle nose plier is a very sweet tool.  If only there was more time in the day!  I'd love to devote more of it to learn how to bead well.  

Crafters are crazy in this way.  And we admit it wholeheartedly.

Ah...triumph...this present will be On Time.

And I intend on staying on second gear at least until after I scarf down my turkey...after which maybe I can scale it up to 3rd, or however much Baby J will allow.

Hope your Holiday planning is going well!  And don't forget to make at least one present this year!  There's nothing like a gift made from your own two hands.

How it all came together

Sunday was special.  Because we were able to see family and friends.  Because we were able to celebrate my eldest daughter's birthday.   Because we celebrated in a home we love.  But most of all, because we celebrated in a home that this daughter came home to when she was born, the same home she learned to crawl and walk on, from within the same walls in which she learned how to speak and sing.  And with many of the same folks who attended her Christening and her first birthday.

I know that in this Army life, this is very unique.

It was a challenging prep though, having a nursing babe in tow (and who is going through another growth spurt), and preparing for this party.  Are you a type A person when it comes to party prep?  I am, normally...but I really had to take it back.  I achieved making through it as a B+, much to my husband's relief, because I fussed quite a bit less, and I took the last hour before folks walked in the door to take my time putting on my makeup, and sitting down.  

In my life, this too is very unique.

 

Tissue paper pom pom directions here.

General Rainbow cake directions here.  I used my handy white cake recipe and used this marshmallow creme frosting. (and instead used butter)

I can probably now sleep for the next week.  To think that at one time in my life, I clubbed with the best of them into the wee dawn.  But a kid birthday party on the other hand?  Geez!

Burning the 9 o'clock oil

I still smile when I think of those late nights I thought I was studying in college, in pajamas at the student center or in a friend's dorm room.  Drinking caffeine, out of my contact lenses and chatting it up, using Physiology as an excuse to be up at ungodly hours.  

I love being a night owl...it's only during pregnancy that I take the option to turn in.  Heck, what am I saying, I am forced by my body to get to bed (just as it is screaming at me right now...it is definitely past my curfew).  

These days, with the holidays approaching and some big celebrations ahead, I am clamoring for every minute not totally bombarded by little ones to craft, to work, and write.  I am failing miserably, by the way...handmade presents are running late. 

But, I am not the only one burning that midnight oil (though in this case, it was 9 o'clock):

  

G: "Mom, I want to get this done tonight, I don't mind staying up."

Now, I don't know about you, but I don't remember having a model + written report + oral presentation required from me in the third grade.  This is definitely the sign of the times.  These all aren't due until Friday but he is "so done" as he eloquently put it.  He's read enough about pirates that he's doing pirate talk in his sleep.

He did the research (internet and library) himself, to include finding instructions on how to make this cool ship from a milk carton, and a clothespin pirate.  I handled the glue gun for safety, but my boy cut and stitched up that shirt and hat by hand.  Proud mama, that I am...he can sew!

Wait...let me take that back...I threaded the needle for him too.  However, since I didn't learn how to do that myself until I was in college, I don't have such high expectations from him this time around :) .

Soon enough, I know that he will be doing this past midnight and talking about Physiology.  I'm glad I got to be his hang out partner this first time around.

It is now the 1st week of Dec, do you know where your list is?

Your holiday list, that is?

I think mine was lost somewhere in between hanging tree ornaments, and planning for a round of holiday visitors.  Probably around the corner from knitting a pair of fingerless gloves and catching up on some reading.  Maybe even down the road from attempting to get together a family picture for our Christmas cards, and packing for a weekend getaway with the family.

If you do find my list, can you place a check mark next to the sentence "Make that advent calendar that Purl Bee was so kind to share".  I actually finished it a day or so before December, but have forgotten to take a picture of it. 

I loved their tutorial because it was so simple, and so clear.  The children have looked forward to the goodies  in the pockets each morning.  (I have learned not to pre-stash because I have found them eating treats well before each day passes).

I didn't have any wool felt accessible locally, so I opted for acrylic felt and it worked just nicely!  This project was a hit!

Now...if I can only find my list, I can get my act together.