Friday, October 26, 2012

Do you think I'm crazy?

Vogue does. Vogue thinks we're all off our rockers apparently, going slightly mad maybe, knitting with only one needle, a sandwich short of a picnic, something.

They're coming to take me away, hee hee!


The Winter Collection was released today and this is one of their new patterns, Vogue 1335. I think I might have to pass. My children might make me insane but that doesn't mean I have to dress like it. 



This one, 1329 however, is pretty cute, if simple. The rest you can see here, nothing particularly exciting, imo, which is probably a good thing considering I am up to my eyeballs in patterns and no real output lately to justify new purchases.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Nothing all that exciting to post

Well, except that I got a new computer, baby!!! Well, new to me, which actually is the most exciting part, imo. It was free and it runs. Silent as hell and very fast. Although, compared to my old computer, cold molasses in Vermont on a sightseeing tour anything feels like blitzkrieg.

Now I have no excuse to not keep this site regularly updated. Maybe now I can reclaim my sewing mojo. I have Halloween costumes to finish.

In the meantime, wanna see how my shawlette is progressing?

As always, forgive my less than snazzy photography skills.


With any luck, I'll have it finished before I enter the nursing home. I hear they keep those places just a wee bit drafty.

And here's a bonus pic of the kidlets. It's okay for your eyes to glaze over at this point. I'm just doing it for the grandpeople.


Saturday, October 13, 2012

Opa!



Today was the last day of the Greek Festival here in town. After a nice, leisurely nap and a fruitless trek to the closed Boy Scout store, the kids and I meandered our way down, stroller in tow to pick up some gyros and get our culture on.

Unfortunately, due to the incredibly cramped space in the fellowship hall and an overly aggressive PA system, we didn't absorb much culture. Well, unless you count being fussed at by a Greek grandma zealously guarding the kourabiedes. Long story short, there was some confusion over whether we were supposed to wait to be served our chosen Greek pastries or take them from the tray ourselves. Grandma set us straight after the fact in none too pleasant heavily accented tones. Not even an apology appeased her. By the time I decided I'd had enough of her bewildering poor petey, she'd given up the ghost and found something else to fuss about.

But we did score some tasty, if overpriced gyros and some baklava for Mr. Man. Pinky in particular, was happy to get her hands on some loukoumades which are apparently honey puffs fried in oil and sprinkled with cinnamon.

Still smarting from our sassing at the hands of someone's renegade grandma, we headed outside to peruse the vendor stalls before heading across the street to tour the Greek Orthodox church. And dude, few people know how to inspire awe of the Almighty quite like the Orthodox. Upon entering, there is a sense of peace and reverence that comes over you, quite unlike any church I've been in before. Sure, it's red velvet, gold icons, and candles but somehow, it isn't gaudy at all. 



I was particularly fascinated with the icons. The priest called them visual representations of the Gospel. He explained that there was a process by which they are hand painted. He used another word for that but no matter how many times he said it, I couldn't quite catch the word. Apparently, it involves a strictly observant and talented process interspersed with prayer and the results were quite awe inspiring. The icons seemed to glow, their colors rich, the expressions held your gaze. I'm a little cranky with myself for not bringing my camera and thus having to settle with shots from my crappy phone. But I have a feeling not even a fancy schmancy DSLR would have captured the beauty of the icons.












I could have stayed in there forever. But poor pudding was in need of a nap and so eventually, after p&p finished plaguing the priest for a full explanation of the history of the church, we headed back home.



As we were walking home, pete informed me that his father was right and the eyes of Orthodox Jesus really do follow you around. Thanks, Mr Man, for telling the kid that. Very helpful. I tried to tell pete the fact that he expected such a thing made it much likely that he would see it that way but birdybird wasn't buying it. What ever dad says must be true. I'll remind him of this when he's 16 and thinks his parents are grade A morons.


Saturday, October 6, 2012

My poor pudding



Everyone, save mr man is working with some version of the plague. Congestion, fever, nasty cough, gross sore throats, and a general ick feeling as evidenced by my kid's over it face above.

Sick children are the ultimate in parenting mixed feelings. On one hand, you feel awful that your babies are sick. The sad, pathetic coughs, the listlessness, and that glazed empty look that comes from being hopped up on cold medicine. On the other, if they'd only go to sleep, dammit, maybe they'd feel better or at least you wouldn't have to listen to them whine.

In honor of the gross that has descended upon our household, allow me to present my easy peasy, really shouldn't be a recipe at all recipe for veggie whatever meat you have on hand beef soup.



The ingredient list is incredibly short and the instructions are ridiculously easy making this the perfect soup to pick up when you hit up to grocery store for nyquil and the good kleenex after a run to the school nurse.

1/4 - 1/2 poundish of ground beef (I had some sausage in the fridge so I used that instead.)
3 bags of frozen veggie blend
1 large can of diced tomato
2 cans of chicken broth
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano

Brown the ground beef. Toss in the rest of the list, add some water until there is enough to fill the pot. Season to taste. Profit.

And here's a bonus pic of my babies.



Stellar photoquality, I know. I've got my fingers crossed I'll be able to get a fancy, if not new than new to me camera for my birthday.