Craft Chick

December Highlights Part 1

2012-01-14T22:43:00.000-05:00

December flew by, and January is going just as fast! It seems like we barely catch our breath! I thought I'd share the highlights of December in 2 posts to catch you up on some of the fun we had.

On December 10th I had a scuba refresher. It had been 10 years since I received my scuba certification, and it was fun to be under the water again...and for Little Man to see all the scuba divers in the pool.

While at Stitches South with a friend you may remember she had chosen yarn and a pattern for driving gloves that she liked. Since she's a shopping extraordinaire I thought it would be great to make the gloves as a birthday present for her, since she's so hard to shop for. These are the Voodoo Fingerless Driving Gloves.

The bottom two photos best represent the color of the gloves.

What else happened in December? My little sister came to visit!

She stayed from a Wednesday to Sunday, and we had a great time laughing, eating and just hanging out!

We also took her to see the lights in McAddenville. We all enjoyed sipping our hot cocoa while looking at the lights. And afterwards we took her to Boudreaux's for some Cajun food...she's now a fan too!

We also took her to Musashi for some ton katsu (fried pork cutlet), gyoza (dumplings) and edamame. What a yummy meal!

Little Man had a great time hamming it up for his aunt. He was sooo silly during her visit!

He also taught her all about Kung Zhu pets.

The Knit Nuts met for our December meeting while Doozer was visiting. Since she knit before, I helped her pick a doggie sweater pattern for her little pooch Waylon and she started knitting away during the meeting...

and in the car after meeting :)

And while she worked on that, I worked on fingerless gloves for an old co-worker of mine. I had to get those finished because Little Man had made quite a detailed request that I was anxious to get started on.

More on the project for Little Man, and the rest of the December highlights next post! I hope you had a great month too!

Holiday Spirit

2011-12-30T23:44:00.000-05:00

My work schedule with so much overtime this holiday season put a bit of a cramp on holiday prep time at the new house, and it was hard for me to let go and not have everything done the way I normally would. But with two mortgages being paid every month I couldn't say no to the hours.

Being short on time could have killed the Christmas spirit, but our neighborhood was so festive I think it would have even melted the Grinch's heart. It started Dec. 2nd with a Christmas tree lighting in our neighborhood. It was freezing cold, but lots of families came out with an ornament for the kids to put on the tree. We listened to the choir from the elementary school sing 'O Christmas Tree' as the lights lit up and volunteers handed out hot chocolate and cookies. It was such a charming sight to see....very Norman Rockwell!

The following morning our neighborhood had Santa come to meet with the children. A clubhouse was decorated, and it was all so perfectly organized. There was hot chocolate, cookies and goody bags inside, and outside a mini train ride, face-painting, balloon animals, and Marines collecting toys for the needy. We were there for about 15 minutes and we were able to do everything before I had to leave for work.

And the last step towards having lots of Christmas spirit? Decorating the tree while sipping hot chocolate and listening to Christmas music.

Oh, and watching Little Man as he so seriously decorated the mini tree in his room!

Before We Get to December...

2011-12-21T20:50:00.000-05:00

I just have to share a few last things before I share the fun we've had in December.

First, here are the little costumes that Little Man designed and Hubby helped him make for his two favorite stuffed animals. Aren't they the cutest?!?

Next, for Little Man's birthday we were actually at the beach. We planned a special surprise and took him to

Pirates Voyage.

We weren't able to take photos or videos during the show...but it was fantastic! There was tons of yummy food, and while we ate we watched mermaids, seals, aerial shows, high diving, fire, dancing...it was amazing! And, Little Man was asked to be part of the show and even got some pirate gold!

He was completely surprised, and loved every minute of it!

Afterwards, on our way to the car, we saw one of the stars of the show outside. So neat!

Then we headed back to the beach spot for more presents and cake!

We had a great time during our last beach trip for the year.

For Thanksgiving we headed to PA and enjoyed seeing my family, and celebrating my nephew's birthday, which was on Thanksgiving this year.

We had a great November, and, December has been great too!

More Than Meets the Eye!

2011-12-12T22:01:00.001-05:00

Celebrating Little Man's birthday this year became more than meets the eye. With new neighborhood friends my husband guilted me into having a small party at the house, cupcakes and treat bags at the school, and then we celebrated with just the three of us at the beach. It was exhausting.

We started with a get-together at the house. Did I mention my husband decided a week and half earlier that the school party wouldn't be enough? And that he pulled the "What kind of mother tells her kid he can't celebrate his birthday with his friend" card? He did. Doubt he'll be doing that again, since he saw how much went into a "simple" get-together.

Going with the Transformers theme, we handed out invites that required no RSVP, asked the kids to just show up with themselves, and had two games before we enjoyed some homemade cupcakes.

The first game was a rock em sock em robot tournament. Everyone took turns until there was a winner who won a ribbon. The second game was the Optimus Prime pinata that the kids LOVED hitting over and over again. They challenged each other to hit it different ways.

After the pinata the kids ran around the house for a few minutes before we all sang Happy Birthday and had cupcakes and ice cream.

Each of the kids left with some fun treats, including these fun rock em sock em robot rings!

Little Man enjoyed Round 1 of the birthday festivities, and I was just getting going!

Can You See It...Sort Of?

2011-11-28T20:46:00.000-05:00

Hubby has been making progress in the basement. It will still be months until the space is finished...but with every bit of progress Hubby feels a sense of accomplishment and I feel hopeful we won't have such cluttered rooms forever.

Below is the plan for the basement.

Straight ahead where Hubby is standing will be the craft room/guest space.

Both pictures below are facing the stairs...to the left is the craft room.

Storage closets at the back of the media room.

The media room

Facing where the "screen" will be.

If we get good sunshiney weather in the next few days, I'll take more progress shots...there are heating/ cooling vents, pipes hooked up (no sink or toilet yet), and dry wall (yes, actual walls!).

What a project!!

Halloween

2011-11-22T22:21:00.001-05:00

Our life has been so full of lots of interesting things....which is great for giving me lots of blog ideas...but it doesn't allow much time for writing about those ideas!

Halloween this year was a real treat, especially for Little Man. The new neighborhood had more opportunities for festive fun. It started with a Halloween party with our neighbors. Everyone brought a creepy treat...so we brought creepy cupcakes. There were eyeball cupcakes, Funfetti cupcakes and spider cupcakes. Little Man had fun decorating the cupcakes, even though he thought they were for a party that Mommy was going to go to alone. We didn't tell him about the surprise costume party until we were walking over...it was so fun to see the excitement on his face!

We went pumpkin picking like we do every year, and enjoyed beautiful weather. While I worked on cupcakes, the fellas carved the jack o'lantern face I drew based on Little Man's specifications.

And, on Halloween, we walked the neighborhood with other families on a beautiful evening and enjoyed how many of the families had such great Halloween spirit.

And, to get some crafty content in here...Crafty Grandma sent us a Halloween origami set...so we had fun (through the struggles) of making a pumpkin, cat and bat...and Little Man enjoyed decorating them too!

I cannot believe there are only 2 days until Thanksgiving! I'm going to try to have another post up this weekend because I've got to get to posting to catch you up with everything that's been going on!

Autumn Beauty

2011-11-07T22:09:00.000-05:00

Forgive me for the deep moment I am about to share. I was jogging through my neighborhood the other day, enjoying all of the beautiful autumn colors, when I thought about how much I have come to love autumn. For the briefest of moments I decided that autumn was perhaps my favorite season of the four...until I stopped for a second and realized that I love all of the seasons, each for different reasons. I felt really fortunate in that moment...to be able to find beauty year-round in my surroundings felt like a big deal. I remember loving summer because of being able to swim...or spring to watch the flowers bloom...but, I realize now, all of the seasons are wonderful for different reasons, and I'm fortunate to be able to experience them all.

I love the beautiful colors during fall, apple cider, cool air, bundling up and Thanksgiving. I enjoyed decorating the new house for fall this year, and I thought I'd share a little bit of that with you!

I love the little girl scarecrow carrying a pumpkin bucket full of fall flowers! I had so much fun putting together the little display ledge arrangement in the foyer.

I hope wherever you are you're enjoying the last few weeks of fall!

Run, Craft Chick, Run!

2011-10-26T21:32:00.000-04:00

Since May, I've been doing something else in addition to crafting. Back then I started the Run Your Butt Off program from Runner's World. It's a gradual 12-week program that starts you walking 30 minutes 3-4 times a week and it ends with you running 30 minutes. I repeated a couple of weeks, and, a little over a month ago, I got to the point where I could run continuously for 30+ minutes. I run outside, and, while the running has been tough, there's a big sense of accomplishment when I'm done.

Right now I'm doing my 2nd week of a 6-week running clinic. The group meets twice a week in the evening, and I'm hoping it helps me with my next 2 goals: runner faster and increase my endurance. This past Sunday, I accomplished a big (to me) goal...I ran my first 5k race!

It was a small race (270 people), and so it was a nice introduction to the world of timing chips, registration packet pick-ups, and finish lines.

I'm currently able to run/walk a 10k. My goal is to now work on being able to run (at a good pace) for an entire 10k...I'll let you know how that goes!

Beachy Kusha Kusha Scarf

2011-10-21T23:37:00.000-04:00

I finished my Kusha Kusha scarf earlier this week...and wore it to work already! I picked an outfit JUST so it would go with my new accessory! You may remember that the scarf is made from two Habu yarns. One (the sandy color with flecks of the teal) is 100% silk. The other is stainless steel and silk. The first section was knit holding both of the yarns together. The second was just the silk, and the last section was just the stainless steel "yarn". The yarn was really more like thread...but though it wasn't always the easiest material to knit with, it gave the knit material a light, airy effect that I love. I knit the scarf longer than the pattern called for, since I knew I wouldn't be able to use the leftover yarn for anything I knit until I had no yarn left. So the scarf actually goes around my neck multiple times. I love how it came out, and I can't wait to wear it some more!

Basement Progress

2011-10-10T22:00:00.002-04:00

As of last week Hubby finished the framing for the craft room...

and the half bath.

The above photo is a better view of what will be the half bath which will be accessible from the office and the craft room. By making it a jack-and-jill layout we can also use both rooms as guest sleep spaces.

The treadmill and elliptical trainer are both on the opposite side of where the movie area will be. And the doorway leads to the office space.

It's kind of hard envisioning what it will look like, isn't it? But, now that "walls" are up, with a lot of imagination, you can slowly start seeing where the project is headed!

Finally, I Finished Something!

2011-10-02T21:07:00.000-04:00

There has been a reduced amount of crafting in the last month or so and with that, fewer projects being finished. I have my Habu Kusha s-l-o-w-l-y making progress, a blanket made partially with remaining yarn from the Tulip Cardigan that is about 30% done, and my first foray into Crochet By Numbers is 12% but it is so boring I can't make myself work on it for a bit. Part of the problem is that I broke from my "norm" of having one large project and smaller projects at the same time to keep me motivated. Add to that the fact that none of the projects is interesting me, and, well...it's taking a while. BUT! I did finally finish the Peacock Felted Slippers! They are so comfy! I love the color and the buttons add enough pizazz to make me want to wear them....now to add some grip on the bottom with puffy paint before I fly right across the kitchen again!

Every Week, A Little Progress

2011-09-20T21:32:00.000-04:00

We are facing the long haul with the basement project. With our other home still for sale we don't want to put much money into the project, and the plan is for Hubby to do a good chunk of the work...which he has to have time for (you know, between work trips, work itself, and football games). I was thinking I'd share the progress as we go along...maybe sharing photos once a week (if anything has changed). But to see what progress has been made, first let me remind you of where we started!

The first two photos show what the basement looked like when we bought the house.

As of last Friday, the walls were moisture-locked, and insulation was done.

Slow and steady is going to get it done!

Before We Knew It, August Flew By!

2011-09-18T22:25:00.000-04:00

Just to catch up on some fun we've had (in between all the craziness)..

Hubby traveled....right after we moved into the new house! I did my best to distract Little Man, and sometimes, I get very creative! One night I let him have a bath in our new bathtub (I haven't even had one there yet)! He loved it...he used his goggles and said it was like a swimming pool ;)

After Hubby came back from his business trip we spent our first full weekend in the new house...at the beach! We took one last longer weekend beach trip before school started.

From the beach spot, I headed to Charleston to meet up with my very good friend from law school (Charleston is 90 miles away). We had a great time. She lives in PA so I don't get to see her often, and so it was great that she wanted to visit Charleston, so I could meet up with her. She was staying at the Harbour View Inn, and I stayed there that night after we went out on the town. We headed out right away into the Market. We stopped at Filthy Rich which is the jewelry store where I found my Royal Wedding engagement ring. They sell all kinds of reproductions, and Julia found two pieces that she loved...even a necklace made like one Jackie Kennedy wore...swoon! After that we headed to the Peninsula Grill where we had dinner last year during a day trip.We had coconut cake martinis, and then I had a tea-tini while she had a southern Manhattan. I just love the ambiance of Peninsula Grill...just look at the bathroom even!

After our cocktails we headed to Hominy Grill. We had a hilarious cab driver who had us laughing the whole way, and had some suggestions for the evening. Julia had a big smile on her face...she LOVES yummy food!

We shared fried green tomatoes and she crab soup.

And then we each shared half of our entrees so we could try some different things. We had fried chicken with beans and collards...and shrimp and grits with mushrooms and scallions. Very good.

And buttermilk pie for dessert.

After we finished eating, we called the same cab driver we had had before, he scooped us up about 7 minutes later, and we headed to the Vendue Inn Rooftop Bar and Restaurant. Julia was looking forward to a sunset view, but, the weather didn't cooperate. We had a drink, then headed across the street to The Griffon which was right across the street and was suggested by the taxi driver. It's like an English pub inside. We made ourselves to home with a couple of beers, hung out chatting with tourists and locals alike, and had our picture taken by a very shaky-handed bartender.

The rest of the evening I have no photos of. We headed to a nightclub where I remember dancing like I was in my twenties again...ahhh, good times! We called it a night, and in the morning, room service came.

Then we headed to the park for some fresh air.

And then we headed to Husk. Husk was named Bon Appetit magazine's 2011 Best New Restaurant in the United States. And as a foodie, Julia REALLY wanted to try them out. We couldn't get in for dinner on Saturday, so we made a reservation for brunch on Sunday. I love this restaurant.

Every day the menu changes because it is based on availability of local ingredients. They make their own sauces. They tell you what farm the meat came from. And I loved the decor.

The fried green tomatoes were great. But, in my dreams, I can still taste the heirloom tomato salad. That salad was scrumptious. I'm salivating just thinking about it.

For an entree Julia had catfish.

I had fancified steak and eggs.

After brunch I headed back to the beach spot. We had a fabulous time, and just a few days later, Little Man was ready for the first day of school. Excited for first grade, and wearing his favorite color, he all but ran to the bus stop. He quickly made friends, and was playing tag when the bus came.

And as he excitedly climbed on board...I waved like crazy, holding back tears, realizing he was so excited he didn't look back.

Did You Miss Me?

2011-09-07T23:14:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I posted (almost a month, EEEK!)...and it's been mostly from being busy! We made the move into the new house, and it has been overwhelming at times as we try to navigate the new space and try to figure out how to best place everything. Because of the two-story great room the new house has less square footage than the old house (until the basement is finished), so, it's been interesting.

We also took one last longer trip to the beach before Little Man started school, which, was a little crazy in retrospect. Oh, and did I mention Hubby has traveled twice since the move too? And Little Man started school? It's been an INSANE few weeks! The best thing I can say about the whole thing though is that I must have done something right, because Little Man handled the move and the start of a new school so well! I'm telling myself that he must feel safe and secure to be able to handle it all as if it was no big deal.

The packing and moving of our things felt like a colossal task, even with weeks of pre-planning.

We have WAY too much stuff.

And then Hubby rented a ridiculously too-small truck to move our stuff. This truck is meant to move a two-bedroom APARTMENT. And we were moving a four-bedroom HOUSE. Making it even more infuriating, we had discussed the appropriate size to reserve, since back when we moved in 2006, he had made the same mistake! Grrr....

The clutter in the first days in the kitchen was so frustrating, but I wanted to think through where to put everything.

Some of the rooms look SO much smaller with our furniture in them!

The movers broke part of my dining room table so we're having to deal with fixing that now...another grrrr moment!

And, leading up to the move, and finished during the beach trip, I finally made the Tulip Cardigan, which had been in my Ravelry queue since 2006. I love the colors!!! It's made all-in-one piece with no seaming. And I picked up a new skill with the applied i-cord bind-off edge! It's a 12-18 month size. Love it!

I've got some other projects I've dabbled with a bit, and hopefully, I'll share them soon! Oh, and I have to share about my visit to Charleston, and another activity I've been doing lately...see you again soon!

Geisha Photo Shoot

2011-08-12T23:18:00.000-04:00

I just have to share with you some of the photos from an amazing experience I had recently. My knitting friend Crimson Purl invited me and some other friends to a geisha photo shoot! We supplied the outfit, props and hair...and the photographer's studio had a makeup artist that did our faces while we sipped champagne and wine and tried to let out our inner geisha. I had a bit of a rough time (I went first and didn't have much wine before I posed). It took 3 days for the photos to be on a CD and delivered with two edited photos of the two best shots. Aren't they gorgeous?!?! Thanks Elite Visual Creations!

I love the photos so much, and I had so much fun! I had to thank Crimson Purl appropriately, and since Conicuts had sent me a link to a too cute digital geisha set to be used with my Cricut, it was a perfect opportunity. (The photo was still wet when I took this photo) I made a little geisha wearing the same colors Crimson Purl had worn, and she LOVED the card!

Crafty Happenings

2011-08-07T22:10:00.000-04:00

So, we may have been traveling, working, enjoying the summer, and buying a new house...but the Craft Chick household had some crafting going on too! I can't show you one project I made because it's a wee little something for someone who may see it here, but, there's plenty else to see!

First, I whipped up a little lighthouse rattle for my nephew's first birthday. I even used glow-in-the-dark yarn so that it will really light up his nights just a bit. It didn't turn out the way I had hoped, but, if it puts a smile on his face for a few minutes, I'll consider the project a success.

To go with the gifts, I made a dinosaur card with my Cricut machine, and a computer kit from SVGcuts. Pull on his tail, and his mouth opens and closes.

I got a little giddy making the dinosaur card, so I made a few more cards. That was such a fun few hours! I cut all the pieces and then assembled them while we watched a family movie downstairs. When the movie was over, I had some cute cards done!

I loved this Charleston-themed card. It's called a step card and it gives great multi-dimensionality to the card. I have no idea who I'll give it to yet. Maybe myself for the new house?

Then, after the success of the dinosaur card, I decided to go a little further with the waterfall card possibilities. With a waterfall card, there's a tab that you pull, and it flips images. So, I came up with a True Blood-themed thank you note for my friend who we stayed with in Switzerland (she LOVES True Blood and was headed to Comic-Con).

Then, to thank my former host family for their hospitality during our visit in Germany, I made a waterfall card with some photos from our visit.

And, while I crafted with paper and loved it, I also was able to finish the Budding Shawlette that I started in May. It was made with Sock Yarn Cinema's My Fair Lady month yarn in "Loverly." Since Eliza Doolittle sells flowers, I thought Budding Shawlette was a great pattern for the yarn.

A New House!

2011-07-31T21:51:00.000-04:00

Remember how I said the Craft Chick household had a lot going on? Well, I really meant that. Two weeks ago we bought a new house. Our current house is still on the market, but we'll be moving into the new house in the next couple of weeks in time for Little Man to start at a new public school. It's been a hard transition so far...the new house is beautiful, but, Little Man and I especially, are sad to leave our home. We're trying to get excited, but, right now it's lots of packing and acknowledging the many changes that are just around the corner. Little Man is enjoying the last couple of weeks of summer camp, and Hubby and I are packing and taking loads to the new house before the big furniture move that will happen soon. Want to see the house? Check out the photos and a little video of the first floor. There's a basement too that we'll be finishing. The community has lots of houses, 4 pools, a golf course, walking trails, tennis courts, and a playground that's a three minute walk from our house. It's a new way of living, and hopefully, we'll have many years of love and fun. Keep your fingers crossed for us that the sale of our current home goes smoothly sooner rather than later!

Little Man in what will be his room.

Next post: Actual crafty stuff!

The Rest of the Story!

2011-07-23T08:53:00.000-04:00

Here in the Craft Chick household there are lots of changes underway that I will hopefully share with you in the next post or so. We've been very busy, and will continue to be at least for the next 6 weeks or so...but I can't keep you waiting for the rest of the Germany trip story until then! So, here are the highlights of how we spent the rest of our trip!

Monday, June 6th

We slept in late, had breakfast, and then headed into Warstein to walk around and show Little Man the town.

After some shopping, Little Man was happy to get back so he could play on the playground.

While out shopping, Little Man saw this little fishing gnome and decided he wanted to get it for the Kuckelhauser. (He loved the gnome was fishing, because he likes to fish and thought it would remind them of him).

Tuesday, June 7th

We went to an indoor/outdoor pool. It was a beautiful day, and Little Man thoroughly enjoyed swimming inside and outside, on the slide and back and forth between the water features that would come on. Fountains, jets, etc., provided a couple of fun hours of entertainment. We didn't even get to the lap swimming pool or the outdoor saunas!

After getting dressed we took Little Man for a lunch that was a departure from the German food he had been eating...McDonald's! I was surprised to see one in Warstein, there hadn't been one there before...and it's still not IN the city.

Wednesday, June 8th

We headed out in the morning for Muenster where Anne and Eva, my host sisters, live, about 75 minutes away. First, I took a photo from the front of the house...the little silver SUV to the right of the photo was our rental car (it handled REALLY nice on the Autobahn).

Below is my host parents' house.

Anne, Little Man and I at the university in Muenster.

Little Man and Hubby outside the palace that now holds the university administrative offices.

Little Man at the Market trying the waffles with powdered sugar (Germany's version of funnel cake). Let's just say Little Man was a fan!

We walked and walked throughout Muenster, stopped for a yummy lunch at a restaurant with potted herbs on the table you can use for you food, and enjoyed the churches and sights. We also stopped at a toy store to get a souvenir for Little Man and my niece and nephew.

Then we headed to Eva's house for dinner. Little Man enjoyed playing with her daughter Enna, and with the other neighborhood kids. It was fascinating to watch him play with these kids despite the language difference. They were all very sweet to him, and he had a great time!

Thursday, June 9th

Our last day in Suttrop and we headed out for a long hike through the forest to get to the observation tower.

Little Man was engrossed in the puddle where tadpoles swam around with salamanders.

Little Man made it up as high as the tree tops before he wouldn't go any further (about 20 steps from the top). I admit was pretty petrified too. The sides are open and the wind, without the trees, was whipping around and you could feel the tower swaying. Ugh. I sat with him while he cried a bit and we waited for Hubby to take some amazing photos from the top.

Markers are placed around the tower and explain what far-off borough you can see in the distance. The photo below is Suttrop!

It was a little short of 3 miles back to the car, and on the way, Little Man checked on his tadpoles again.

After coming out of the forest, we drove by the Gymnasium where I attended 11th grade.

And after getting back we went on a short 10 minute walk right out of the back door. Less than 5 minutes away, Little Man got up close to this horse that made his day.

And when we got back, he was happy to have a treat he became quite fond of during our visit...an Uberaschung egg...a surprise egg. It's chocolate with a toy surprise inside.

That night, we sat around the table near the fireplace, and talked about our fun, but very short, time together. Then we packed, and said our good-nights.

The next morning at 4:30 we woke up, ate, and got into the car for the 2.5 hour drive to the airport in Frankfurt. I loved seeing the many windmills as the sun rose.

Because of a truck breaking down on a bridge on the Autobahn, we cut it really close for boarding. We made it though, and settled in for the 9 hour flight. Again, Little Man enjoyed sitting with his headphones on...and the flight went well. We made it home an hour earlier than expected.

And that, as Paul Harvey would say, is the rest of the story!

As soon as we were back home, we had all kinds of exciting things waiting for us...and, I'll be sure to share!

And the Germany Trip Story Begins...

2011-07-16T22:58:00.000-04:00

After leaving Zurich, we headed to Warstein, Germany, to visit with my host family. Warstein is well-known for Warsteiner beer, the brewery is the largest in Germany, and was established in 1753. It's a great beer for Oktoberfest! My host family lives outside of Warstein in Suttrop, which is a suburb of Warstein.

We arrived much later than we had originally planned due to loads of construction and traffic on the Autobahn . And though I had lots of swelling in my throat, and was still feeling ill, it was still exciting when we got to the point in the trip where we were only about 15 minutes away from their home, and I recognized the streets and sights. I got so excited turning onto their street Lange Hecke. And then, we were there, and it didn't feel like it had been 10 years since I had seen them. They were very sweet to Little Man, and made us feel at home. We talked and caught up a bit, sat outside, enjoyed the garden, and Little Man played on the playground and ran off the energy that had built up after a long day in the car.

The next morning, after a very German breakfast, we headed out for some time in a "wild" park. There were animals for Little Man to feed (he befriended a deer right away), and, further in, after the wild hogs, there's a park area with a zipline, and playground. Hubby, Little Man and I all tried out the zipline, and Little Man had a blast on the slide. It was a beautiful day, and we enjoyed the weather. Hubby and Little Man even braved a steep incline for a beautiful view of the park. After walking past the cave, seeing some other animals and having some refreshments, we headed back to the cars to head back.

Lunch is traditionally the large meal of the day, and dinner celebrated the beautiful white asparagus that was in season. I love the steamed asparagus, boiled potatoes, and fresh smoked ham meal that we had several times during my time with them, and it was a delicious meal to enjoy again. The white asparagus made an impact on Little Man...when I asked him the differences he noticed between where we live in the U.S. and Germany, he mentioned that we have green asparagus and their asparagus is white! I was relieved (and a little proud) that Little Man was willing to try some different types of food.

He also went the week without watching television and did remarkably well. He played outside a lot, and we tried to have one outing a day to keep him from getting stir-crazy.

Later on Sunday, while Little Man played with some games and puzzles, and Hubby sat with Ludger and visited, my host mother and I visited the hospital where her mother was. Then later, we had a small meal and then sat and talked for the evening. I was happy my German came back quickly enough that conversation didn't suffer too much.

Monday, we headed back to the park so Little Man could finish the last box of feed we had gotten the day before. Then we headed into the city and did a little shopping and went to an ice cream parlor. Little Man loved his pinocchio sundae!

Hubby had a walnut sundae.

And me? I had eine schockolade becher (a chocolate sundae) the first thing I ever ordered by myself in Germany so many years ago...and it was YUM-MY!!!

Next post: Finishing up the Germany recap, and sharing some other big news! No fair spilling the beans in comments if you already know!

Come Fly with Me

2011-07-02T20:12:00.000-04:00

Last post I filled you in on my passport odyssey. This post I'll start sharing about the trip itself. What I didn't explain earlier is WHY we were wanting to make the trip to Germany and Switzerland. (If you already know the story, just hold on a paragraph).

See, when I was a junior in high school, I won a scholarship to study in Germany, at a German high school, while living with a family, for a year. The scholarship included my flights, travel in Germany to and from the airport, a language camp, my bus passes for school, and trips to Bonn and Berlin. I also met U.S. representatives in Washington D.C. who supported the program which had a main goal of supporting German-U.S relations. And, in Germany, I met with Bundestag officials and learned more about the German government. Want to learn more about it? Host a student for a year? Check it out here. It was a very life-changing kind of trip. It was what led me to study politics in college. And, after living there for a year...I continued to study German throughout college. I'm about to date myself, but I lived there in high school 1993-94, and then, in 2001, Hubby and I went over and spent about two weeks visiting my host family, and then I went on to a summer study abroad program while he flew home. We hadn't been back since. And so, ten years after our last visit, we made it a priority this year to get back to visit. And to introduce Little Man to the Kueckelhaus family.

Okay, now that you're caught up on the back story, I can fill you in on the trip. It was Little Man's first time ever on a plane! And while he had an accident overnight on the plane (luckily I had a change of clothes), he handled it really well. He was very impressed with the clouds, the movies...everything! Even the plane bathrooms! In fact, the first time we went he asked if we were making rain...if the pee was just going to fall through a hole in the plane onto people like rain.

Little Man carried his carry-on bag like a seasoned traveler. You would have never known he hadn't done it before!

He sat between Hubby and I...and had lots of questions about the flight. I'm honestly not sure how much he grasped about flying over the ocean to a whole other continent. He knows we went to another country, but, still not sure he understands just what exactly flying that far meant. After all, we've spent more time in the car driving to visit PA...I'm sure it's a lot to take in!

He enjoyed picking movies and occupied himself well. We didn't even really need his video game or books during the flight. It would have been better if he had slept overnight, but since I didn't either (or Hubby), I can't say I'm surprised (it's just so hard to be comfortable when you don't have very much space).

After arriving in Frankfurt, Germany around 8 AM the following day, we waited to answer questions about our visit with customs (when I started to get nervous about my German), picked up our luggage, walked FOREVER to get the rental car straightened out (really dislike renting a car in Frankfurt), and started for the 4 hour trip to Zurich, Switzerland.

Why did we head to Zurich, you ask? Well, last fall my very good friend of over 10 years transferred there, and said if we were ever in the neighborhood we should visit. Well, four hours away seemed as in the neighborhood as we may ever be, so I contacted her and asked her if she was up for a visit. It turns out she had just been talking about not having many visitors, and so graciously offered to have us stay with her. I'm so glad we did. We weren't in Zurich long, and, we got there later than we should have...so, staying with her let us get to see her more.

Anyway, by this time in the trip the sore throat and cold that were bothering me when we left were starting to bother me more. My ears didn't clear from the flight for 6 hours, and I was exhausted. And Hubby was tired just from lack of sleep. So, while driving we both decided to pull over and take a nap for half an hour just to rest enough to make it the rest of the way. Because the traffic was madness, and the speeds were FAST...not when you want to be sleepy!

When we got to Elena's apartment in a great, convenient, pretty neighborhood right in Zurich, she made us feel right at home. She made pizzas for dinner, we talked, caught up...got the beds ready, and then we collapsed for 12 hours. Little Man slept so soundly, and was so off from the flight, that he wet himself TWICE during the night. And I started to feel more miserable. I had a sinking feeling that the rest of the trip would be more of the same, with me feeling awful and my German not coming back fast enough, and Little Man peeing on himself (which was a main reason why we had waited to take him on a big trip). But staying with Elena, I sucked it up, said I needed to go to a pharmacy, and after breakfast and showers, we headed out to explore (and get drugs for me, loads of drugs).

Zurich has many stunning views, and lots of water fountains...and since I love a water feature I just couldn't get enough!!

Because we wanted our walk to be relaxing, and since I was feeling a bit rundown, we stopped a few times while we did some sightseeing. We picked up chocolates from a shop...

...and headed to a tucked away bistro for lunch. Hubby and Little Man had burgers.

Elena and I had asparagus ravioli (asparagus was very in-season while we were there).

Then we walked some more.

And as luck would have it, we came across this yarn store called Hand Art.

I wanted to find a little something that I could purchase as my Zurich souvenir...and this little asymmetrical toy seemed just the thing. The sweet lady working in the shop helped me pick the appropriate yarn and made a copy of the pattern for me! The colors in the shop were gorgeous! I'm sure if I had felt more like myself, it wouldn't have been so easy to pick something!

After walking for a bit again, we stopped at Spruengli. They are known for their chocolates...and hot chocolate. Now, it was very warm during our visit. And, for those of you who didn't know this...there isn't air conditioning in much (all?) of Europe...so, well, something cold may have seemed more appropriate, but, that hot chocolate was DIVINE! I had a cappuccino, and it was perfect too. We sat, regrouped, used the rest room (use the bathroom while at a restaurant, otherwise, you'll have to pay), and then headed back to Elena's apartment. On the way we picked up a Swiss army knife for Little Man for when he's older (we couldn't resist).

When we got back I sprayed my throat and laid down on the bed while Hubby and Elena worked out how she wanted to hang some curtain hangers that she asked for help with. And then, I helped her measure and hem the curtains...in between lying on the bed...I was really a mess at this point. After all of this curtain work was done we headed back out to find somewhere for dinner. After several different tries, and about 45 minutes of searching, we came across a very hot Italian restaurant that had one table. We took it!

Little Man's pizza came looking like a fish!

The spring vegetable soup burned going down my throat, but helped it for a little while.

Elena picked a prosciutto pizza.

Hubby chose lasagna (he said it's the best he's ever eaten).

And I had schitzel with risotto.

Afterwards we headed back to Elena's place where we watched part of a movie, and then, with all of us tired, we headed to bed.

The next morning we had breakfast, and sat with Elena a bit while we finished the movie from the night before. Then we cleaned up, re-packed, and then, feeling it was too soon, headed to Germany. It took us several hours more than it should have because of lots of construction on the Autobahn. And my throat became much worse, with one of my lymph nodes sticking out of my chin. I was a mess...not really how I had imagined my return to Germany being!

But I must say, when I started recognizing the roads, and we got into Suttrop, it was so exciting!

Naechstes mal: Deutschland!

Memorial Day Visitors!!

2011-06-26T22:00:00.000-04:00

Last post I mentioned that we were anxious to get home from Atlanta because we had awesome visitors heading our way. And what a visit it was! My brother had mentioned a couple of months earlier that he and his family were thinking of making a trip down to see us, but, (sorry Marcus) I didn't get too excited, because with my brother, you never know WHAT may actually happen. Lots can change, and so, I was SOOOO excited when I talked to him closer to the date and it sounded like the visit was still going to happen. Then, he tells me he invited my Mom to drive down with them. Well, again, a lot had to happen for that to be possible, including my Mom switching nights off from work with other people to be able to come...it didn't look good...until...SHE WAS COMING TOO! A year ago she hadn't been South EVER, and then BAM, in the span of a year, TWO trips...UNBELIEVABLE!!! But TRUE!!!

So, we were really anxious to get home and make everything as welcoming as possible. They were originally planning to leave PA for NC to be in NC around 1 or 2 AM, but they got a late start and didn't make it til 4 AM! Apparently, my Mom (who REALLY doesn't like long car rides) did just fine, and though the adults were all exhausted, the kids were giddy with excitement! The big people turned in, and the kids laughed and talked amongst themselves.

In the morning Hubby cooked a big breakfast of eggs, bacon, and potatoes. The kids thought it was like eating in a restaurant there was so much food being slung. We relaxed around the house for a bit before heading to Reed Gold Mine.

Seriously, this place is awesomely fun...and admission is free! There's a movie to watch (it's a little corny but entertaining), a museum, and a mine to walk through...all for free! Ethan and Shannon did an awesome job reading the gold mine history from the map during the self-guided tour. It was so exciting to listen to them read as well as they do!

Then for $2/pan, you can actually pan for gold! Now, kids 8 and under require parental help....and it should be noted that gold is found every 5-6 pans...and it is so fun when gold is found and it's yelled for all who are panning to hear!

And, Shannon found gold! Then the piece was placed in a vial for her to keep...very cool!!

After panning for gold, we picked up a few souvenirs. They have really cute pan magnets with little pieces of real gold in them, and Mom got each of the kids a geode. After lunch at Chick-Fil-A, the kids were so excited to go home and whack the geodes to smithereens!

Then, they changed into their bathing suits while the men went grocery shopping and I got working on dinner. They loved slipping on the slippy slide and running around the yard!

That night we had yummy mixed drinks (Southern Belles and a drink my brother and I came up with...Rainbow Connections). We had snacks and started watching a movie before we all realized we were way too tired to stay up.

The next morning we had waffles with whipped topping and fresh strawberries (yes, we did quite a lot of eating). Later we went to the pool where we swam and ate.

That evening, after a dinner of grilled shrimp, corn on the cob and salad, we enjoyed Little Man putting on a puppet show. He'd been waiting for months to have a real audience. And his uncle helped him out, which made the show even more special for him.

Later we had some homemade strawberry ice cream. And we watched a movie. And just had a good time!

Little Man didn't want to sleep in his bed with his cousins so close by...so they all slept on the air mattress in his room.

Before they headed home, we had two more meals, some more laughs and a ride on the golf cart (complete with my brother ramming the deck with the cart when it slid on wet grass). Never a dull moment!

We were so sad to see them go, but ecstatic that they came! We had a fun-filled, whirlwind weekend! Thanks for coming everyone!!!!

Quite a Pickle...

2011-06-21T22:40:00.000-04:00

This post could also be entitled...the beginning of why I've been missing in blogland.

You will never believe what I did....

I booked a trip to Germany and Switzerland, and the next day realized my passport had expired the month before. I could barely breathe!

Hubby was away for the week, and after two friends talked me from my panic, I went online to the State Dept's website to find out I had 16 days before my trip, and therefore couldn't even book an appointment until I only had 13 days until the trip. I was told that the nearest office was located 4.5 hours away, and that I wouldn't be able to pick it up until the day after the appointment. I was also told that getting an appointment was the hardest part. I set my alarm for 12:01 AM, on the day I could make an appointment and got in 6 days later.

So on Wednesday, a week before our departure, we headed to Atlanta planning to stay one night, picking up the passport on Thursday, and then heading home. WRONG! I get to the appointment (at a hidden location with armed federal officers) and find out I can't pick it up until Friday (which is NOT what I was told over the phone)....but I couldn't really argue with the people...especially when a woman came in HYSTERICAL that she and her husband had JUST missed their plane and both needed passports as soon as possible. She was really crying, it made me feel a little less stupid to see others in worse predicaments than my own. Apparently, the situation is actually very common. Anyhoo...we stayed until Friday which meant going and buying additional clothes, etc. to last for our stay. We tried to make the best of the situation, which the service at the Drury Inn and the indoor/outdoor pool helped with quite a bit (I certainly did take advantage of the evening cocktail reception tickets). Hubby had to work, but Little Man and I went to Barnes and Noble, did some shopping, and saw Kung Fu Panda 2. And Little Man loved swimming under the partition to go outside or inside while in the pool.

Luckily, though I was told it would be ready anytime between 11 and 3 on Friday, it was there waiting for me when I got there at 11:15 AM...which was good, because it was the Friday of Memorial Day weekend in Atlanta, and we knew the traffic would be madness. So we hopped in the car and hit the highway...because we had very important guests making their way to our house!!

Next post: A Full House!!

So Much to Share!!!

2011-06-20T12:14:00.000-04:00

As is often the case, I have tons to share of all that has transpired the last month or so. My family and I have done a whole lot of living, and had some new adventures along the way. I'm anxious to get started, but first I'm testing a new way to post blog entries from my phone...hoping it makes blog posting a little quicker so I can share with you sooner rather than later.

So, here's my first mobile post!

Next post I'll share with you the suspenseful story of how my family and I came to be at this Drury Inn in Atlanta in late May.

Halos for Hope

2011-06-11T19:38:00.000-04:00

Remember a few posts ago when I told you all about my fiber fun at Stitches South? And how I won a raffle prize? Well, it's been a couple of weeks, and I wanted to show you what I won....the bag, pattern, bamboo crochet hooks and yarn. Sponsored by Red Heart, Halos for Hope ran the raffle. My plan in the next couple of weeks is to make a medieval theme hat for the Camp Happy Times challenge. They are collecting 400 hats for a camp for kids with cancer. I'm not sure if I'll go with a crown, jester hat or wizard's cap...I'll have to give it some thought!

A Desk for the Teacher

2011-05-31T00:52:00.000-04:00

I've been doing better this year at posting about once a week, and I'm sorry I'm a little late with this one...but the story that I'll tell over the next few weeks will definitely help you to understand! But for now, I want to share with you a fun project I made for Little Man's teacher. He graduated from kindergarten on May 24th, and so this desk card was to let his teacher know how much he enjoyed her class this year. I can't take credit for the idea...I saw it at Mod Paperie. I used stickers for the embellishments except for the desk blotter that I stamped, heat embossed and used a corner punch to round the edges of both layers.

And instead of just using the twine for the handles I used eyelets to reinforce the holes.

I bought the Amelie's Accessories kit from SVGcuts and cut two of the armoires (one for each side) with my Cricut machine. Then I used some great quick dry glue to assemble the pieces. The top is 8" wide, and that I used my paper cutter to cut, and then folded it in half. The drawers slide in and out, and we filled them with paper clips, binder clips, staples, and candy. And Little Man put a ring that he made in with the paper clips.

I helped him write a message to his teacher, and he was so proud of our joint project. It was such a fun different kind of project.

Mother's Day

2011-05-20T23:03:00.000-04:00

Mother's Day weekend this year had plenty of what I love...family and crafting! We headed to the beach spot, and while it was ugly Friday when we got there, we enjoyed a nice dinner with my brother-in-law and his wife, and when we woke up the next morning it was gorgeous outside. The fellas headed out to do some pier fishing with Hubby's brother, and left me with quiet time. I'll be honest, they were gone way too long. The first couple of hours were awesome, then I didn't know what to do with myself after they were gone longer than originally planned. But I enjoyed a walk on the beach, a leisurely golf cart ride, quiet store-browsing and lunch before I sat and started working on my Kusha Kusha. The yarn is the yarn I purchased at Stitches in Atlanta, and I love how the colors look together. Now I just have to decide on what to call it...Beachy Kusha Kusha? Seaside Kusha Kusha? I can't make up my mind! I think I'll have plenty of time to figure it out though!

We enjoyed the pool and the rest of the evening...and the next morning Little Man gave me my presents he had made for me. He made me a pirate ship arm puppet, a surfer on a surfboard, and...

a "pop-up" turtle book! I LOVE IT!!!!

He couldn't have made me anything sweeter. I looked at his little face while he explained why he made certain pages the way he did, and Hubby looked at me and said," A pop-up book about sea turtles, you can tell he's your son." And I thought, yeah, you can...how amazing is that?!?!

Now my gift from Hubby is that he gave me the go-ahead to order something for myself that really caught my eye. And for that I really have to thank Sinead! She wrote on her blog about Maid of Clay on Etsy and how you can have personalized yarn bowls made...and I loved them!

It arrived a little before Mother's Day..and how exciting it was to see the reveal. The bowl was hand-thrown especially for me.

Yarn sits in it instead of on the floor, and it feeds through the e.

I even love the bottom y'all!

"Knitting Mends the Soul"

Were You Watching?

2011-05-15T22:02:00.000-04:00

On April 29, 2011, Prince William married Catherine Middleton. News outlets have reported that approximately 2 billion people around the world watched the wedding live, and I was one of them. I woke up at 4:45 AM so I could get myself ready. I took out the good china teapot and teacups (it was nice to have a reason to use them), put my replica engagement ring on...and got comfy for the event. I loved watching Prince William and Harry talk to each other, and salute in concert. And the now Duchess of Cambridge was a vision in her dress. Babies and weddings people, sometimes, when life is dull and gray, it's a beautiful thing to have something positive to think about.

I loved the live trees in Westminster Abbey, Hubby and I were fortunate enough to see the Abbey in 2003, when we traveled to England. I loved seeing so many familiar sights during the wedding coverage.

Little Man came down ready for school while I was watching the wedding. He asked me what I was watching. I told him I was watching a prince marry his princess. My sweet son's response? "Oh, no, I missed the part when he rescued her from the castle and rescued her from the scary dragon," he said. For now at least, he has proof that fairy tales might actually be possible. That was probably the sweetest moment for me.

So, after the wedding the plan was for me to shower and head into work. Instead I got an emergent call from Hubby that I had to take his place on the race track field trip with Little Man's school. He raced home for a work emergency, and I rushed to make myself presentable. Then I ran out of the house hoping I would catch the caravan of school buses and other parent cars that were heading to the speedway.

I got there just in time, and Little Man and I had a fantastic time. We even drove around the track in vans. Poor Hubby called me when he could get away thinking we could switch out...and was really sad to hear he had missed it all. After a lunch in the stands watching practice runs, I brought Little Man home...and THEN headed to work. It was a long, completely out of the ordinary day!

Sea Turtle Time!

2011-05-10T22:12:00.000-04:00

It all started back in August with a magazine article. Those who know me know I have a bit of an addiction when it comes to magazine articles. Picking up the August issue of Charleston magazine started my family talking about what we'd like to see when we went back. There was a great article about educational activities for kids, complete with an activity, websites, and a book for each topic and with different age categories for each subject as well. A couple of topics really stood out for Little Man. The Joseph's Adventure book and tour that teaches about Charlestonian history, and the wildlife topic on sea turtles. The sea turtles topic for Little Man's age talked about the book Turtle Summer, and a visit to the South Carolina Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital. The hospital can be seen as a behind-the-scenes add-on to the regular South Carolina Aquarium.

Once the new year started and we knew Little Man's Spring Break schedule, we knew the sea turtle tour was part of what we wanted to do. And so, we talked about it for months, and when Little Man saw the mommy sea turtle with her babies and eggs, he asked for the set. How could I refuse such a sweet request? Even if I did have to reconfigure the pattern to make the eggs hold the babies so they could hatch?

I finished the project with about a week to spare, and the happy sea turtle family came with us.

Yes, Mommy sea turtle is anatomically correct in how she lays eggs!

After a great 4-D ocean movie (we even got sprayed with water) at the aquarium we met with the volunteer who would take us into the hospital and answer questions. We realized after our return home that our guide was Barbara Bergwerf, the illustrator and photographer of the book Turtle Summer that we had purchased! She also has a blog with all kinds of information about the turtles.

After a quick introduction we were free to wander and meet the turtles. Little Man really liked the baby turtles. He spent quite a bit of time watching Tiny, Howie and Hatchling swim and crawl.

There were two other sea turtles that we befriended during our time. Little Man sat near Pirate and waved and smiled. I'm happy to share with you that Pirate was released this past Saturday, May 7th back into the wild after being at the hospital for approximately two years! You can read about the release here and here.

As for me, Santee decided to pop up and say hello...see for yourself!

We loved the turtles so much! And I'm excited to share with you what I'm sure is a first for a craft blog...and you saw it here first! Turtle Art! You can read more about how it's done here! Best part? The proceeds from the canvases all go to the rescue program!

After the hospital we went back into the main part of the aquarium and enjoyed the rest of the exhibits.

And then...we headed the beach spot to finish our perfect Spring Break week. It was great, right down to our view!

Charleston!!!

2011-05-06T12:21:00.000-04:00

After our time in Atlanta, we headed out Monday morning for our next stop: Charleston! We were really looking forward to this part of Spring Break. It was the first time we stayed there since our honeymoon back in 2000. We had lots to see and do, and EAT while we were there. Our first eating establishmnet came before we even checked into our hotel. Upon the recommendation of a co-worker who lives in Charleston, we headed to Five Loaves for lunch. I had the portabello and parmesan cheese soup with a tomato and mozzarella salad over mixed greens with asparagus and roasted red peppers. The fellas had broccoli cheese soup and BLTs. They were overwhelmed by the size of the sandwiches, and I loved my soup. The portions were really big though, a cup of soup would have really been enough for me.

After lunch we walked a couple of blocks to Beads on Cannon which is a two-story bead store set in a city house. Hardwood floors and some bead treasures were the highlights of that trip. I picked up some beautiful geisha lampwork beads to make into stitchmarkers in the near future. Then we walked a block from there to Sugar , a bakery that my co-worker had also recommended. We each got a cupcake, and then we walked to the car and headed to the hotel.

We stayed at the Doubletree Hotel for this trip, and it worked out well as Little Man was able to sleep on the pull-out bed that was in the living room. Originally we thought that would allow us to watch movies or read in the evenings after he went to bed, but we wound up just as exhausted as him at the end of both nights, and didn't stay up much later than him (but we could have if we wanted to).

We didn't have too much time to settle into the room before we had to get ready to go to an earlier than anticipated dinner at Magnolias. We knew we wanted to eat there Monday night, so we took the earlier of the two available seating times. Our hotel was perfectly located for walking everywhere with ease, and we set-out for the approximately three block walk and enjoyed the sights and air.

Hubby and Little Man both chose this restaurant as their favorite dining experience of the trip. We started with a fried green tomato appetizer over smoked jalapeno and cheddar cheese grits, country ham and tomato chutney. Then Hubby had the Pecan Chicken with whipped potatoes, collard greens and a peach jezebel sauce. Little Man had chicken strips with house made potato chips, and I had shellfish over grits that had sauteed shrimp, sea scallops and lobster over creamy white grits with a lobster butter sauce and fried spinach. I loved the shellfish, but the ratio of shellfish to grits was a bit off. There was a lot of grits on that plate. We enjoyed the atmosphere a lot here, and I would definitely eat there again. There was a perfect blend of fabric napkins while being child friendly.

After dinner we walked back to the room and watched a kiddie movie with Little Man. During the movie we all shared our cupcakes so we could taste each kind (and Little Man also ate one of the cookies that we were given by the hotel when we checked in...Doubletree Hotels are famous for their cookies upon arrival, and I even make a mean copycat version). We had an almond joy cupcake (chocolate cake, almond icing and coconut on top), a chocolate pecan cupcake, and an almond cupcake. I enjoyed all three varieties, but the almond cupcake was different, I really liked that one.

After the movie we all headed to bed. We left the doorhanger on our door with our room service order for the next morning, and asked that breakfast be delivered between 9 and 9:30.

And, right at 9 AM, here's what was delivered to our room. Three Charleston breakfasts, complete with eggs, bacon or sausage, potatoes, blueberry muffins, and orange juice. We made our coffee in the room. We thought room service would be a more leisurely way to start the day, especially not knowing where else we may have liked to eat breakfast.

We ate, got dressed, and then, right in the hotel, was a desk where we could purchase tickets with Carolina Polo & Carriage Company for a carriage ride. We purchased tickets for half an hour out, walked a little bit through the Market, and then headed half a block away from the hotel to get on a carriage. We enjoyed the tour with Cooper, our carriage's horse, doing a fine job of showing us the beautiful city.

The weather was beautiful, with a refreshing breeze blowing, and the sun shining. We listened to the guide tell some stories we had heard before...like how the homes with rope around the door frame belonged to men who were in shipping, and the larger the rope, the more successful they were. See the rope around the door of the home with the green shutters?

But we mostly enjoyed the view during the 1.5 we spent touring the city. The tour ended and we were a block away from the Market. We walked through, taking our time this go-round. Then we headed to get Hubby some sunglasses (he had forgotten his), and we stopped at Filthy Rich, where I picked up a replica of the royal engagement ring. Then we headed to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. for lunch. If you like the movie, or love shrimp, you'll like this restaurant. Gumpisms are everywhere, and while the decor isn't grand, you'll be shocked how good your food is. I had an Original Sweet Tea Cooler which was sweet tea vodka mixed with lemonade in a keepsake shaker. Hubby ordered the Shrimper's Heaven with tempura shrimp, cocktail shrimp, fried shrimp, and hand-breaded coconut shrimp.

Little Man's shrimp and fries came in a boat box. He loved it. He also got jello which he ate surprisingly well.

I had Mama Blue's Southern Charmed Fried Shrimp.

After we ate, we stopped in the gift shop for Hubby to get a new Bubba Gump shrimp hat (he got his first on our honeymoon). Then we stopped at Rhett Butler's to look around before we headed back to our room. After an hour of letting our food settle and cooling down a little (it did get really warm while we were there) we headed back out. We took the free trolley to the Visitor's Center, then headed back to Waterfront Park, and walked along the water all the way to the Battery. We followed the path of the character in a children's book called Joseph's Charleston Adventure. There's a map that can be purchased to follow and learn about the sights you see along the way. It's a sweet story, and the illustrations and factoids are really educational and interesting.

We really enjoyed our long walk. But by the time we were done, we were good and tired and ready to sit down for a while, especially Little Man, he was DONE. Unfortunately our pick for dinner that night doesn't take reservations and so we had to wait a little over half an hour in the line outside to get in. But let me tell you, Jestine's is worth it!

Settle in with some sweet tea (the house wine of the South), have some warm corn bread drizzled with honey, and peruse the menu...or the decor. There are dozens of unique salt and pepper shakers, and there's nothing fancy about the place.

But let me tell you...the fried green tomatoes are the best!!!

And the fried chicken platter is overload... don't plan to eat it all. You get half a chicken. We took our large breast portions with us and made a whole other meal around them.

And we ordered coconut cream and pecan pie to go. Hubby actually thought for a few minutes he had broken his stomach (not that that kept him from eating his pie). Before we left, Hubby bought me one of their t-shirts that lists 10 stupid questions they hear a lot (example: what's the difference between the 3 oz. fillet and the 8 oz. fillet). After hearing the silly questions from the table behind us (and having a good laugh), the t-shirt was a great reminder of a fun meal.

The next morning we packed, had breakfast at a nearby restaurant, and then checked out before heading to our next destination. We had so much fun, and so many unique experiences, that the South Carolina Aquarium will be needing its own post!

250th Post

2011-04-26T22:29:00.000-04:00

I have soooo much to share! Go ahead and get comfy!

First, we had Hubby's birthday 2 weeks ago. I was so happy with myself that for the first time in years I was able to pick presents for him that didn't include a DVD. Hubby is VERY difficult to shop for, so I felt good that I truly surprised him. I got him flight simulator equipment that he wanted, and Little Man picked out a Transformers set. We watched Princess and the Frog, and then made it a New Orleans theme day by heading to one of our favorite restaurants for a yummy Cajun dinner. It was worth taking a one day break from the South Beach Diet to have that yummy Bourbon Fried Chicken over Gumbo Ya-Ya (with gator bites and andouille wrapped in puff pastry for appetizers) . And then, instead of making a birthday cake, I bought carrot cupcakes so we would only indulge a little bit. They were so yummy, and we ended the day with Hubby smiling broadly with a full tummy.

Only six days later, we were headed to Atlanta for the birthday party of our friends' son. He turned 5 with a Spider-Man themed birthday party, and Little Man had a great time playing outside, eating,

dancing, looking at the fountain the birthday boy's mom decorated, and hitting a pinata for the first time.

Sunday, April 17th came, and my mind was miles away, thinking of my Pop, and how it didn't seem possible that he was gone 3 years that day. It feels like it's been forever, and hardly a day all at the same time. Rebecca, our hostess, didn't have anything she wanted to do that day, so she was open for getting out of the house so I could indulge in some fiber therapy. It was a great opportunity to head to Stitches South. I've never been to such an event before, and I doubt I would make the trip just for it, but, being less than half an hour away, we headed to The Market. I had in my mind two brands of yarn that I wanted to look into there...yarn that I wanted to touch and see in person before ordering. Yarn that I had specific projects I wanted it for so I wouldn't randomly purchase pretty yarn.

There were beautiful projects and yarns everywhere. It would have been overwhelming if I hadn't gone in with an idea of what I was looking for. I admit I did get engulfed in beautiful buttons at one point (I'm still looking for perfect buttons to finish my felted slippers). But I stayed strong....pretty much ;)

Since Rebecca doesn't knit or crochet, she kept pointing to things she liked and asking if I could make it. Well, obviously I could...but did I want to? I mean, I have plenty I want to knit/crochet that I worry I'll never get around to doing. Eventually we saw a project that was not only very cute, but was more doable (I do work after all). We came across driving gloves with a beaded ruffle at the cuff and she oohed and aahed until I decided right there that I would buy the yarn, get the pattern and they will be her Christmas/birthday present. She buys everything she likes, but these will be something she can't buy. She chose her yarn, and this was the only "impulse" purchase I made. But I don't feel too bad, since it's a present sort of taken care of!

The yarn and pattern below was a freebie from Skacel. Taking Rebecca along came in handy... the natural shopper in her saw every deal and freebie in the place!

One of the yarns on my wish list was this ochre color Malabrigo sock yarn. I have not yet knit with Malabrigo, so I look forward to savoring it after hearing so many wonderful things about it for years now. It's the kind of yarn that you rub against your face...I look forward to the shawl that will be made from it!

And, Becky's shopping skills came in handy again when we headed to the Habu booth for me to pick out yarn for the Kusha Kusha scarf. I've seen it made, and it's really a work of art when finished, primarily because of the yarn. Becky helped me choose the following combination, that will be knitted together...the sand color on the right has touches of teal that coordinate with the yarn on the left...the colors reminded us of the beach. Both yarns are actually more like thread than a traditional yarn, and the teal is actually a combination of silk and...STAINLESS STEEL! The yarn therefore holds its shape beautifully! The yarn on the right is 100% silk. They really are true works of art, and I feel fortunate that I will be able to make my Kusha Kusha with such beautiful materials.

As I left Stitches I felt glad that we went, and was proud of myself that I stuck to my budget. It was a positive experience. Then, just as I was telling Hubby about our time, I learned via email that I had won a flapper hat kit from Halos of Hope. It was a drawing I had registered for at Stitches! I'll be sure to share a photo of the kit when I get it...but until then, check out their website. They collect hats for people of all ages who are undergoing chemo and have lost their hair. They are currently collecting hats for a children's camp and really would love donations of fun medieval-themed hats (think crown, wizard, etc.) The children are all battling cancer, and the camp is an opportunity for them to have some fun. So, I'm thinking I'll have to whip one up by their July deadline. I'll try to keep you posted on that!

The rest of Sunday was spent socializing and eating...and then we went to sleep to get ready for the next leg of our journey...next post...CHARLESTON!

The Ultimate Book of Baby Knits by Debbie Bliss

2011-04-11T22:24:00.000-04:00

The ultimate baby knitwear designer, Debbie Bliss, has just released her newest book, "The Ultimate Book of Baby Knits." Debbie has chosen 50 of her favorite patterns from her last three baby books (Simply Baby, Essential Baby, and Blankets, Bears and Bootees) and given us a whopping book that has something for everyone. Add to that beautiful photography and precious babies who are often photographed playing with yarn, and this book is a must-have for knitters everywhere.

The book begins with an introduction by Ms. Bliss, and then there is a section that goes over basic skills used throughout the book. Projects using duplicate stitching, intarsia, and circular knitting are found in this book, as well as other techniques, and the baby-size projects would be great to use for practicing a new technique. Debbie's simple directions, accompanied by instructional photographs at the beginning of the book, make newer techniques easy to master (she uses the same approach in many of her books, and I have found it to be a great way to learn).

After looking over care instructions for your finished projects, you get to the fun stuff...the patterns!!! And, with 50 patterns, there is plenty to see! I wanted to share with you some projects that really blew me away, and I focused on four different types.

First, there are tons of gorgeous, classic designs that you can knit today, or twenty years from now. These projects, like the cable sweater above, will always look current. A baby shrug, a duffel coat, and a classic cardigan are all examples of projects that have a timeless appeal.

If you need a quick knit for a last minute gift, or something simple that you knit up in your spare moments, there are quite a few interesting projects perfect for that too. Building blocks, or cable socks are sweet little knits.

And wouldn't a mother-to-be love to unwrap a matching striped cardigan and bootie set? (And couldn't you just pinch those cute little cheeks of the baby in the photo!)

If you have more time on your hands, or want to knit up a beautiful heirloom for a grandchild, there are quite a few showstoppers. My favorite two would have to be the matinee coat, shown here in a very modern teal color...

...and a gorgeous sampler blanket that can be personalized last minute with duplicate stitching. Work on the blanket ahead of time, and then stitch on initials and a date after the little one arrives!

And last, but certainly not least, are the projects that made me look at my stash right away to see what I could cast-on for.

I love, love, love this hooded carrying bag!

And this smock coat is so precious (as is a matching beret).

The pinafore dress is so cute I almost want to knit it for myself!

And if I ever have an addition to the family, I MUST make this beautiful set! The alternating colors of garter stitch rows appear in the blanket, and the dress of the toy...and make such a sweet, yet sophisticated set. And doesn't the mouse look soft enough to cuddle!

And, the project I will turn to next time I have a baby shower to create a gift for...this beyond precious box of booties!

Beautiful, timeless designs, sophisticated color palettes and well-written patterns are all characteristics that I have noticed of Debbie Bliss' baby patterns. This solid book, stuffed full with 50 patterns, is not only a great deal, but it is also a great investment for your knitting library. I know I will turn to it again and again, coming across new favorites each time I turn the page.

Turtle Progress Report

2011-04-06T22:31:00.000-04:00

I have been busy, busy, busy the last couple of weeks. I have a pro bono case that I've put quite a bit of time into, I'm doing the South Beach Diet with some co-workers and Hubby (which requires more planning than usual), we worked on our landscaping, and I've been working on a sea turtle set for Little Man. The amigurumi set includes a mommy sea turtle, two baby sea turtles, some whole eggs, and a cracked egg. All of the eggs and babies go inside the mommy turtle when they aren't being played with. I borrowed the book from the library and when Little Man saw the project he sweetly asked for it and said it would be fun to have since we're hoping to visit a sea turtle hospital in a few weeks. Well, I couldn't resist. He's having fun with the pieces I've already made, but is anxiously waiting for the rest of the set!

The project can be found in the book Amigurumi Two!

Everyone Here Loves to Craft!

2011-03-28T22:35:00.000-04:00

Just because I'm the Craft Chick of the house doesn't mean that the fellas don't craft too. You just never know what we'll decide to make around here. Sometimes it seems as if maybe the sky isn't even the limit. Look at these two projects they made recently.

While at Target, we saw in the $1 section a bag of balloon animal balloons with a pump. The set caught Little Man's eye, we bought it, brought it home, and Hubby went online and found videos that showed him how to make these balloon animals. They didn't go as quickly or as smoothly as what you'd see a clown do, but Little Man was tickled pink. And he loved his "super mouse." (Notice the cape that Little Man made)

Another project the guys took on was a birdhouse for the backyard. Little Man wants to see some happy birds eating birdseed, so we picked up a wooden unfinished birdhouse from Michael's, picked out acrylic paint to make the birdhouse match Little Man's playground, and they sat and painted the birdhouse, and then went and picked out some birdseed.

I love being part of a crafty family!

Trying to Organize

2011-03-22T20:43:00.000-04:00

Since we want to place our house on the market, going through things, de-junkifying, and organizing has

been a top priority around here. We want the house to look as spacious and inviting as possible. We've been packing things up that we don't absolutely need to keep out, and I've been working to make the craft room look less....used.

To that end, I scored this fabulous organizer at Michael's on sale. I love the colors, and I love that ALL my knitting paraphernalia fit in it. ALL OF IT! The top holds my interchangeable needles sets, my i-cord maker, and other miscellaneous larger items that wouldn't fit in the very nifty drawers below.

I love the divided sections of the removable drawers...I especially love having my stitchmarkers divided up.

Yes, there's definitely a place for everything and everything in its place!

A Budding New Project

2011-03-15T22:39:00.000-04:00

There is a peacefulness that knitting a beautiful project brings me. Today I was completely jerked around by a client and it feels so good to feel the smooth yarn and needles in my hand while I knit something beautiful. This yarn is called "Loverly" and is a Sock Yarn Cinema yarn inspired by "My Fair Lady." The pattern I chose is...what a surprise...a shawl pattern. It's called the Budding Shawlette pattern and I thought it went well with the movie since Eliza in the movie is a flowergirl. And what a beautiful spring-inspired project to spend some time working on.

Felting Mission Accomplished!

2011-03-08T21:39:00.000-05:00

I let out a HUUUUGEEE sigh of relief when, after the 2nd hot water wash cycle, I pulled my slippers out of the pillowcase, and...THEY FIT RIGHT!!! I had checked them after the first cycle...and they were still about 2.5 inches too long. They were originally about 5 inches too long...I should have taken a photo, they looked like I was making clown slippers! Anyway, after the second wash (with sneakers thrown in for agitation) they seem just right! The yarn hanging from one is to keep the feet identifiable until they are completed...they are pretty much molded to my feet (done while they were wet...that was a little squishy) but I want to know which is which. The pattern has a felt strap of sorts to go over the slipper...but I'm not completely sure that's what I'm going to do with them...so I'm holding off on the final finishing work while I ponder possibilities. I'm looking forward to wearing them soon!

And of course, there's always plenty going on around here at the Craft Chick household. Lots of activities, Hubby traveling...and we made time to go to the NC RV show about a week and a half ago where Little Man got his face painted like a Carolina Panther...he spent the rest of the time trying to be "terrifying" but I just thought he looked too cute for words!

As Blue as the Deep Blue Sea

2011-02-26T19:51:00.000-05:00

When I was younger, my favorite color was purple (or lavender). Then for quite a few years, pink was my favorite...especially in my clothing choices since I had been complimented quite a few times that pink looked nice on me. Basically, my color favorites come in phases. I can tell you that my Mother's favorite color is blue, and my Father's favorite color was blue...but I have no idea what my own absolute favorite is. It's almost like I'm a walking mood ring I suppose. Recently I've been loving blues. Pale tranquil spa-like blues...and dramatic peacock blues. So I was very excited when I received my Sock Yarn Cinema shipment this month. Remember, I don't order from Knit It Up for every movie featured...just for favorites. And Titanic is one of my favorites! Along with the yarn are some sketchbooks as extras. Kate described this month's shipment with the following:

"When I watched the film looking for a color inspiration, the 'Coeur de la Mer' sapphire and diamond necklace was perfect! It captured all the themes of romance, intrigue, and above all, the mystery of the ocean.

For extras - what better than some sketchbooks you can keep in your knitting bag to draw or chart your project inspirations? (I suppose you could sketch French prostitutes too, if that's your thing.) These Bon Voyage themed beauties fit the bill, and they're 100% recycled too."

I'm thinking this yarn is destined to become a shawl, like so many of my skeins will ultimately become...because, well, they just seem to PRETTY for my feet...to be hidden by shoes...I want the gorgeous color where everyone can see it!

And, like I said, I'm liking the peacock blue right now, and so, I chose it for a pair of felted slippers, the pattern for which I found through French Press Knits. I'm hoping to finish the last small pieces tonight and sew them up so that tomorrow..YIKES....I can felt them. Felting is not a technique I enjoy, so I really need to jump in and get to it before I talk myself out of it...it involves my washing machine, hot water and agitating the knitted pieces until they felt and shrink...not fun...but hopefully, if all goes well...they'll be really cool slippers!

3rd Annual Indoor Triathlon

2011-02-20T19:45:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I participated in the 3rd annual indoor triathlon at the YMCA that we go to. The local newspaper actually ran an article that you can read online here. I've done the tri the previous two years, but felt like this year I wanted to level up to the Intermediate level. I've been trying to work out more consistently (and I'm feeling a little stronger thanks to the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred workout). So, before I could change my mind...I signed up for the Intermediate level, and then concentrated on working on my stamina, and increasing my strength a little. My start time was not until 11 AM, and that allowed me to be plenty nervous when I got there. In the end, I was so glad I decided to go to the next level! I actually did better than my practice times, and, was SOOOO happy I wasn't last!

This year we got a goodie bag that included a triathlon t-shirt with the date, and the goodies below...isn't that nice?

On the way out they told me to be sure to make it for the outdoor triathlon in September...I may just have to do that!

Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T19:21:00.001-05:00

As much as we tried, we had issues celebrating Valentine's Day early. We couldn't do a movie, we sat at the bar at Outback for dinner while Little Man went to Parents' Night Out, and then were horrified to learn the time on the registration sheet was wrong and we looked like we were late to pick him up. There was candy, cards, and small gifts...but really...I could only give it so much effort. It would have been Pop's 74th birthday. It was our 3rd year without him with us and I feel the same as I did in 2009 when I wrote the following:

Through it all, Valentine's Day was what it has always been, what it will always be to me, my Pop's birthday. I wasn't able to call him, which was hard for me, because last year I missed talking to him on his actual birthday and I feel really bad about that. And there was no "Casino Night" or history books carefully picked out at Barnes and Noble and sent. But one thing was the same, we were all wishing him a happy birthday.

Fingerless Gloves

2011-02-11T13:06:00.000-05:00

Last week was my fabulous co-worker's birthday and I finished the fingerless gloves I wanted to gift her just in time. And, luckily, she LOVED them...like, REALLY loved them. She showed them to everyone. She's probably somewhere right now showing them to someone, because, well, she loved that they were made for HER...the color, the length, everything, was made with her in mind. If you knew her, you'd understand...she's fabulous, and so, she need some phenomenal fingerless gloves. I hope they give her lots of cozy moments!

Fingerless Gloves and a Gypsy

2011-01-28T22:33:00.000-05:00

Two topics to share with you this post. One is the fingerless glove projects I've been working on. I made the light gray pair for myself for my ultra-cold office. I used stash yarn, and they went pretty quickly with the well-written Evangeline pattern. The idea to make the gloves came up while talking with a co-worker about how we were sitting on our hands to keep them warm. Two days and a search of Ravelry later, and I had a pattern picked out.

Now the gray pair was for myself, and my also cold co-worker's birthday is Feb. 2nd, so, I cast-on two weeks ago for a brick-colored pair to gift her. I'm a bit further than the photo below on the 2nd pair, and as soon as I'm finished with this blog post...I'm hoping to get a repeat or two done.

The other topic? I scored the deal of the century on this brand-new Gypsy from Michael's...$20 instead of $299! A fellow crafter gave me the heads up and I hurried over to get there before they were out. The Gypsy allows you to design Cricut projects on the go, then hook up and cut the project with the Cricut....so VERY cool. But the deal was sweetened even more by a deal that allowed me to get 7 digital cartridges. I always have a lot going on, and I haven't gotten to play with my newest crafting toy the way I would like, but I see lots of fun possibilities in our future.

Off to knit!!!

Projects of 2010

2011-01-22T22:43:00.000-05:00

It's taken me a little while to get it together...but here's a slideshow of the projects I made in 2010. Most of these projects you've seen before, but there's one or two that never made it to the blog. It was fun for me to look back at what I've made, what I've gifted, and some of the things I've learned...I hope you enjoy seeing them again too!

Craft Chick: Crafty Cookie Edition

2011-01-14T23:16:00.000-05:00

One of my New Year's resolutions is to blog AT LEAST once a week. I've got so many things to talk about! My birthday, Christmas, a 2010 project show-and-tell, and plenty more! But first, I wanted to share an oh-so-cute photo of Little Man decorating the little Christmas tree that we put in his room...and some of the crafts he worked on over the holidays...including the one that made me tear up.

For Christmas, Little Man's class made ornaments for their parents. The snowmen are made from his three fingers stuck in paint and then were decorated and placed in the little gift bag that he decorated. There was a poem inside too...it read:

Little snowmen, one, two, three,

Made with my fingers,

For you from me.

Each time you hang the snowmen,

Upon your Christmas tree,

It will remind you that I LOVE YOU,

For as long as time will be.

Every week Little Man's class learns a poem. 'The Shining Star' was one, and I loved his Nativity scene. And then he blew me away with the detail on his Christmas tree that accompanied 'Pine Tree." See we have a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ornament that he loves to put on the tree. And so, he drew a little Rudolph ornament on his tree.

It's amazing to watch his drawings get better. And to listen to him read little books all by himself. We've started another year, and he'll learn more, grow bigger...and I'm excited to see all that he'll do, and share it with you!

Working on it!

2011-01-07T22:37:00.000-05:00

For reasons I won't go into here, the Craft Chick household has had a rocky start to the New Year. And you may recall, I tend to stay away from posting sometimes when the going is gloomy, since, well...I hate to be a downer. But, I have so much to share! And so, as I sort through Christmas photos, and Little Man photos, and 2010 project photos...I felt I needed to share SOMETHING to hold you over until I have everything together for a great, big, photo-filled post. And so, I present you with this photo, of a project I just love to pieces. It is a baby-size afghan called the Tree of Life Afghan.

Now, you never know when it may come in handy to have a BEAUTIFUL baby blanket. But really, I chose this as the knit-a-long project for the Brothers and Sisters group that I moderate over at Ravelry. Because the show is all about life. And the fact that the whole blanket was made from half of ONE skein of Pound of Love yarn by Lion Brand, it's soft and washable; make it all the better as an heirloom for some lucky baby!

So, this gorgeous project cost me less than $6 to make. The pattern is free at the Lion Brand website, and the yarn, which is usually $9, I bought for sale!

Inside Out...

2010-12-20T21:55:00.000-05:00

This sweet little toy for my nephew's first Christmas is finished...just in time to wrap up!

And when you turn the little lion inside out...

There's an elephant friend waiting to play!!!

A little peak...

2010-12-16T23:52:00.000-05:00

I have had serious technical difficulties with my laptop yet again and have fallen behind on my blogging. :(

I've got some cute projects to show you from Little Man, but today I wanted to show you my progress for my nephew's Christmas present. I made him a little Christmas tree hat (it being his first Christmas and all). I knit the hat, and instead of making the pompoms I rummaged through the kiddie supply stash and used pre-made pompoms.

And, because the cuteness of the project won me over...I decided that I just HAD to make the uber cute 2-in-1 lion and elephant toy. When completed one will be inside the other...you turn it inside out and...you have the other toy. You can't really make out the lion's i-cord mane, but I have to tell you...it took longer to make the 18 i-cord mane pieces than the whole rest of the lion...But, he's cute, isn't he? The project is from the super cute book Itty Bitty Toys by Susan B. Anderson. She has other 2-in-1s like a frog/turtle, 2 dolls, a mouse/cat, and a bird/egg that sits in a nest. A great book if you love making toys!

Easy Raglan Knit A Long

2010-12-02T21:21:00.000-05:00

Yes oh yes! I actually finished it in time to wear it this winter! The fit isn't as good as you see here (creative posing) but wow...is it cozy!

Knit and want to make one for yourself? Head on over to the Spud and Chloe blog There you will find downloadable PDFs that will hold your hand through knitting your own custom knit sweater! Oh, and just so you know, the sweater I knit was from Vanna White's line of yarn.

It was great to cast-on with so many other people and get help from the designer herself (and the always awesome Susan B. Anderson) when things got a little tricky. The forum was a treasure-trove of fellow knitters ready to jump in with help and encouragement. It was a fun, great, educational experience...and aren't those the best kind?

Oh, and did I mention the best part? IT'S DONE!

Fall Crafting

2010-11-30T21:17:00.000-05:00

We have enjoyed making, revisiting, and discovering quite a few fall crafts over the last couple of months. Don't get me wrong, it's not like we haven't been eating...

I mean, we couldn't miss Thanksgiving! But, I've got quite a few cute projects to share.

First off, we have two items that we purchased from other crafters while at Ocean Lakes at the beach spot. They hold a craft fair every year, and it just so happened that we were there to see everything this year. First we picked up this cute jack o'lantern guy that sits up himself.

Then we bought this beautiful stained glass window for our beach spot door. The maker and her husband came and installed it for us, and now it makes the inside of the beach spot glow...it so beautiful to see first thing in the morning.

So far this school year, Little Man's class has been asked to tackle decorating a teddy bear and a turkey to bring back and display at school. The turkey was supposed to be disguised so it wouldn't get caught! The ideas that the kids came up with are so cute!! Little Man's teddy bear is in the photo below, top left. He wanted his bear to dress up like a basketball player, and we did it with his school colors.

One family cut up an old shirt to use for the bear's clothing...so imaginative! I have to say, being a crafty person myself, it is so hard to follow Little Man's idea for what he wants to do and not take over. But so far, so good. Although, I draw the line at using cereal or cookies. Those are for eating, not for crafting (just my opinion, but...after getting a folder full of crumbled animal crackers from a picture he made at school..I'm sticking to my guns on not using cookies or dry cereal).

His turkey I helped with a little more. He came up with the idea, and I traced the turkey and made the pieces in the color he wanted. He colored the turkey...isn't he cute?

There were lots of other cute turkeys!

The school also gave us the idea for another project when we went to the Thanksgiving banquet and saw these projects on the tables.

The kindergarteners had made the turkeys, another grade made the vases. Since Little Man wasn't able to bring home his turkey I decided that they would be a perfect craft project for Thanksgiving.

So, while the turkey roasted in the oven and potatoes boiled on the stove..Hubby, Me and Little Man made the above tp turkeys...I love the big bug-eyed turkey I made!

And after dinner, while we waited til our tummies had room for chocolate pecan pie, we worked on this project that I found at Oriental Trading's website.

On each leaf one of us wrote what we were grateful for, a great way to remember all that we have to be thankful for in our lives. Although, after watching our neighbor's home consumed by fire on Thanksgiving Eve, we already were reminded of that fact.

We also took a trip down memory lane enjoying some cute crafts of Thanksgivings gone by...

I hope all of you reading this blog have had as much crafting fun recently as we have!!!

The (Finally Completed) Puppet Theater

2010-11-23T22:08:00.000-05:00

For the longest time Little Man wanted a puppet theater. I had an idea of what I wanted to do...(see my eariler post here), but it took a while to implement it. Too long a while. Because the actual making of the theater, after getting the components together, well, it wasn't really rocket science. As you can see it is set inside a door frame, and it is easy to put up and take down. It also rolls up for storage. The main piece is blue felt-by-the-yard with casings sewn at the top and the bottom. Tension dowels are in the casings, and then two more are used at the opening, one to hold the red fabric curtains, and the other to support the opening. To prevent any gaps at the sides, the theater was made wider than necessary and the fabric is held in place with the dowels. Little Man wanted his name on it (which I edited out of the photos) and he also wanted some stickers on it, so I let him have at it.

We added to the puppet character stash with some quickie stick puppets. These are just pre-painted wooden shapes glued onto pre-painted wooden dowels. Some hot glue and 5 minutes and they were all done. (If you're looking for actual hand puppets, IKEA has some reasonably priced ones).

Little Man is 6!

2010-11-19T18:39:00.000-05:00

It may be hard to believe it (I know I barely can), but Little Man is 6! He still really loves NASCAR, so this year, we celebrated with NASCAR! He had a really fun cake with one of his favorite drivers, and the car was a real Hot Wheels car he can play with now.

Celebrating at school has worked out so well in the past that we saw no reason to change things this year. And since the teacher made our snack day his birthday, the snack we provided was juice boxes and cake.

Little Man was already excited that his name was announced over the loudspeaker, and that he got to wear a crown all day, then Hubby and I showed up with the cake and goodie bags for his friends and he was smiling from ear to ear. His friends loved the goodie bags. Oriental Trading really helped a lot. Gummy cars, car stickers, model cars, car shaped Silly Bandz, and pencils with his name and little cars made the goodie bags fun for the theme.

Meanwhile at home, his presents and balloons were waiting for him...

He was very excited to come home and see his gifts to open.

Little Man and the scooter he wanted.

A lego set from Grandma North

A lego set from Auntie Tenasha

Playing with his Toy Story 3 legos from Grandma

After having his birthday dinner of chicken divan (his pick) we waited a little bit before having ice cream cake. We had to have a mini-cake for wish-making ;)

So there you have it, how we celebrated Little Man turning 6!

Fall Fun

2010-11-07T19:39:00.000-05:00

We've been so busy lately, and partly because we've been having a lot of fun enjoying fall. Little Man and I got off to a great start when we sat one afternoon, with glasses of apple cider, and put together treat bags for the kids in his class for the Fall Party. Little Man is going to a private Christian school this year and they do not celebrate Halloween, instead they celebrate fall. I volunteered to bring in treat bags and here's what I came up with: cellophane baggies with candy corn and pumpkins, fall bookmarks to color, mini orange bottles of bubbles, and apples with individual cups of caramel for dipping. Little Man helped me put together the cellophane baggies. The rest I assembled into orange paper bags with fall foam shapes glued on that I punched holes into the top of and thread ribbon through. The kids seemed happy with them.

The day of the fall party, the kids were asked to dress up as Bible characters. Since Hubby had already jumped on the Halloween costume shopping one Saturday while I was working, we had to come up with another costume. A website called Costume Supercenter came to the rescue and I avoided making a costume from scratch. Little Man went as a Wise Man. He also had to make sure he had something to stand-in as a present to the Baby Jesus...sweet, right?

He wore sneakers with his costume though, he said he wouldn't be able to play if he had to wear sandals, and since it was a little on the chilly side, I figured it would be okay.

The fall party happened right before teacher in-service, so it was on the Wednesday before Halloween. I came to bring in the treat bags and had a fun time watching the kids eat some treats.

In the photo above is Little Man's kindergarten teacher.

The kids also did a craft that was provided by the Room Mom...painting silk leaves and then putting leaf prints on foam pumpkin shapes.

Hubby was away for work until that Friday, so on Friday night, we did the Jack-O-Lantern.

Little Man had been excited to carve the pumpkin ALL WEEK!

On Saturday we went to the Fall Festival held at the church where Little Man's school is located. Open to the community, $2 admission is charged, and then all the activities are included and at each game or ride you get some candy. It's a fun, safe way to celebrate. They even gave us a free commemorative fridge photo magnet. It was a nice outing.

That night Little Man was scared by his own costume. He was afraid to see himself in the mirror. But he went trick-or-treating, asking over and over if he was "terrifying." And he was pretty scary looking, until we would get to a house and he would start almost hyperventilating with fear. So sweet...still a little guy, no matter how big he feels!

And that night, when we got back, Little Man said his favorite part was seeing the other kids in costumes and giving out candy. So he set-up his chair right in front of the door so he could see when someone was coming. He was exhausted when he went to bed. But he said as we turned the lights out that, "it was the best Halloween ever,"...until next Halloween no doubt!

Pumpkin Pickin' Time

2010-10-12T21:17:00.001-04:00

This past weekend we enjoyed a beautiful fall weekend here in the South. Little Man had swim class, and then afterwards, we headed to Hodge's Farm for pumpkin patch time. We've gone here for the last 4 years, and every year it is such a treat. Some years it's been cooler and we've warmed ourselves up with hot apple cider...this year we soaked up the sunshine!

Little Man looked forward all week to going to the pumpkin patch and pulling the wagon.

He loved this sweet little guy!

Little Man picked a little pumpkin right off the vine!!

Little Man and Hubby braved the cornfield maze!

Pumpkins, Pumpkins, everywhere!

Little Man had to fit a ride in the wagon in (wonder if he'll still fit in the wagon next year?)

After a quick bite to eat, we finished off our visit with a climb on the haystack!

We're loving FALL!!!

Easy Raglan KAL Progress

2010-10-05T10:48:00.000-04:00

On Ravelry, Susan B. Anderson is running a KAL, along with Wendy Bernard, during which hundreds of us are following directions, step by step, to make a custom-fit raglan pullover. It feels sooooo slow going...but look...I'm about 4-5 inches away from being done with the body! After I bind off the body, the sleeve stitches are on yarn so I'll be able to pick up the stitches and knit away on the sleeves...and hopefully they'll go faster than the body did! Then I'll finish up the neckline, and it will be done...no seaming required! That funny white line won't be there...it was a lifeline I used when I wanted to make sure I had all of the increases correct...I knew I didn't want to have to frog the whole thing and start again.

Best part? Looks like this project will actually fit me properly so I can get use out of it!

Southern Belle Bibs

2010-10-02T20:58:00.000-04:00

My laptop is finally back up and working after being backed up, wiped out and completely reloaded. And I have lots to share! I have other things to catch up on, but I wanted to show the new pattern I wrote while my laptop was on strike. The Southern Belle Bib pattern includes instructions for making both bibs. You can make both bibs, with i-cord ties, from one small skein of cotton yarn! Use the same color yarn for the tie, or a contrast color, or ribbon for the tie. The pattern is up for sale at Ravelry.

I still need to block the Hanami stole to show it off, I need to photograph the progress I've made on my Easy Raglan Pullover (part of a Susan B Anderson KAL), I need to share the latest trip to Charleston, and the trip to the beach...oh, and Little Man started Kindergarten and I thought I'd share some cute photos from there too...it's been busy, busy, busy here...and now that my laptop is acting right again...I can't wait to tell you all about it!!

Cute Book Alert: Phoebe's Sweater

2010-09-12T22:20:00.000-04:00

Just quickly stopping by to tell you that the book "Phoebe's Sweater" is beyond cute! It's a book about a little mouse whose mother knits her a special sweater...and then at the back of the book there are patterns for a Phoebe the Mouse doll, a sweater for the doll, and a matching sweater for a little girl! Soooo cute to share with little people to spread the love for knitting! I learned about the book from Susan B. Anderson's blog, and love the fact that it was written and illustrated by a husband & wife team with unbelievably beautiful watercolor paintings. A lovely children's book, perfect for a knitter to share with special children.

Can You Stand the Cuteness?

2010-09-05T19:15:00.000-04:00

The first weekend of August we left EARLY Thursday morning and headed to PA, to meet my new nephew! We got to my Mom's house late afternoon, ate some homemade macaroni and cheese (YUM!), and hung out. The next day we went to JoAnn Fabrics (so much fun craft shopping), KMart, and the memorial gardens before eating a big old diner lunch and making the hour drive to my brother and his wife's place. Little Man and Hubby played with Ethan and Shannon while I met Connor in person and talked with Kaitlyn and my Mom. We had a great visit oohing and ahhing over his littleness.

I also got the chance to give him his blankie!

Look, he was curled up in it right away!!

That night we had a yummy Outback dinner before heading home.

When we went back to their place the next day we knew we would be staying over. And what an evening we had.

Of course, there was more Connor cuteness!

And more cuddles!

And the kids played on the kiddie-sized tractor, and the scooters.

When my brother got home the party really got started. I hadn't seen him since March for the wedding, and we always have a great time laughing and joking around together. He told some funny stories...and then he and Kaitlyn put out a spread that left us all completely stuffed. Specifically, beyond yummy strip steaks and grilled asparagus...it went great with the pasta salad we had brought.

After that the menfolk talked computers, while the kids ran around and the ladies conversed. Then, we all had dessert...and then watched, "The Invention of Lying," which was completely bizarre, deep and beyond funny, and went great with mudslides! A perfect evening of family, laughs, and food!

We turned in that evening, woke up the next morning, and all headed to a diner buffet breakfast before we got ready to head home. But before we left we took some photos with the new member of the family.

Can't wait to see them again!!

The rest of the story...

2010-09-03T19:53:00.000-04:00

Oh my goodness, I have people looking for an August blog post, but I'm not finished talking about July yet! What to do? Get to finishing one story so I can tell some new ones! This post I'm just going to show you really how we finished our longer beach trip with my Mom.

On Thursday, our 10th anniversary, we had a great time on the beach until a quick rain storm came and we ran back to the beach spot for some crafty time, a movie, and lunch. Then we had some downtime.

Later, we headed to the pool, then grilled out before roasting marshmellows.

The next morning the kids went to Kamp Starfish for the morning while we packed up. Then we picked them up, took Little Man's picture at this character cut-out, and then both families drove to Ripley's Aquarium.

The kids loved the sharks and interactive exhibits.

After the aquarium we all had lunch together at Johny Rockets at Broadway at the Beach before hitting the road for home.

The next day we enjoyed pool time, hibachi, and a movie with yummy Southern Belles to drink.

And the next day, with Little Man sad and crying in the backseat, we dropped my Mom off at the airport. But it would only be 2 weeks until we would see her again! The next post will be up in a day or so, so be sure to check back to see all about when we met my new nephew!!

Extreme Vacation: Charleston Edition

2010-08-16T23:20:00.000-04:00

On Wednesday we donned some actual clothes, as opposed to bathing suits, and headed out for breakfast before the 90 mile trip to Charleston, South Carolina.

Along the way my Mother looked at some books about Charleston and I told her about the beautiful sweetgrass baskets that are sold in Charleston, especially at the Market. I had been to Charleston twice before and gazed longingly at the baskets, but even a small candy-dish size is over $100 in Charleston. Along Rt. 17, as we were driving along we saw little huts set up alongside the road and my Mother, as an anniversary present, got the basket and hot pad below for James and I (for a lot less than Charleston prices). Charleston is known for these baskets, and now we have a little bit of the culture of Charleston sitting in our home, and I couldn't be happier. If you would like to read more about the origins of sweetgrass baskets you can go here. I will tell you quickly that the art was brought over by West Africans into the port of Charleston where there was a slave mart (which you can visit as a museum).

Our first stop heading into Charleston was the Sullivan's Island lighthouse. The lighthouse was easy to get to, and we took some photos before moving on.

And here is where the extreme vacation began people...I should have known better..but NOOOOOO....I was so wanting to impress my Mother with some new lighthouse experiences that I had us heading to Folly Beach to the Morris Island Lighthouse. What a folly on my part! By this time it was hot as Hades out. But we just didn't know what was waiting for us. The Lighthouse Friends website said that we had to drive as far as we could til we reached a barricade. There, we were to park and walk a half mile to see the lighthouse. It was more like a couple of miles. And my Mom and I in cute sandals for the nice restaurant we were planning to go to later. But still, when we reached the barricade we stopped to photograph this beautiful trellis. Then we trudged onward. There were creepy noises coming from the woods, and I made a comment about alligators which then resulted in me scaring myself...especially when I saw a sign from a distance that I thought said Caution: crocodiles...(it said, Caution: Currents!)...

Now seriously, we all griped (to use a more polite word) about the heat. We were sweating, we were red...and just when I didn't think I could take anymore, we came to a LOOOONNNGG stretch of hot sand, up a hill that we had to cross to be able to even view the lighthouse. It was like we were being punished for complaining about the long walk on the asphalt. And remember I mentioned the cute sandals my Mom and I were wearing? The hot sand surrounded our feet and burned us til we were crying from the pain. I could have vomited at that point, I really could have...and then my nervous laugh kicked in, because I realized we would still need to get back, and what if one of us fainted? I still can't even believe we pushed on and finally made it. I myself wound up running (while crying) to a piece of driftwood that gave me a much needed refuge from the hot as the sun sand. My husband asked if I was going to come over to the water and at first, I didn't think I would ever make it off that wood. But I forced myself to touch the sand again, and I tell you, I think I saw steam come off my feet when they finally touched that water. And then my feet were a wet, sandy mess. And we took in the lighthouse. And dreaded the return trip to the car.

And I'm a bit ashamed to admit it, but damn it, I was aggravated that there was a crane distracting from the view when we got there! The websites said nothing about that!!! Because, isn't it gorgeous!?!

Here are Hubby and Mom, way past the sand-trap of hell, but...

...look, you can't even see the end of the trail that we still had to walk back! Half mile my butt! And again, I heard the creepy animal noises, and in my delirium, I feared what I would do if an alligator/crocodile came out after Little Man and I who were walking ahead...I decided I didn't have enough oomph left to pick him up and run back and forth (never run straight from an alligator/crocodile...they can beat you running straight), so I figured I would have to throw myself in front of it and tell Little Man to run like hell...yes, that's what went through my mind as I suffered from heat exhaustion and dehydration.

And then, I kid you not, we get back to the car, looking half-melted, and we had gotten a parking ticket because Hubby hadn't parked perfectly straight in front of a number in the otherwise empty lot. Pfft! We were ready for some civilized sight-seeing after that. Although the heat and friction left my Mother greatly disabled for the rest of the trip...she had enormous blisters that made her limp around like she hadn't had her hip replaced. And later we realized Little Man too had blisters from friction. We had to laugh, otherwise we would have cried. On to The Battery!

10 years ago, Hubby and I had our photograph taken in this exact spot while on our honeymoon...we returned for our anniversary!!!

And we were happy to share some of the beauty of Charleston with my Mom and Little Man.

One of the most beautiful areas of Charleston...the waterfront with the antebellum mansions.

After a quick stop at the Battery (where we watched sailboats, and saw dolphins and horse-drawn carriages), we made our way to Poogan's Porch. The restaurant, named after a neighborhood dog, is well-known for lowcountry cuisine. Hubby and I ate here during our honeymoon as it was highly recommended by Frommer's (lots of celebs have eaten here too, think Paul Newman, Jodie Foster, and lots more). There are loads of amazing restaurants in Charleston since it is considered a culinary capital. We chose Poogan's Porch because of the romantic significance and Mom treated as an anniversary event! The food was totally yummy!

We started with Fried Alligator with honey-jalapeno dressing (gator tastes like chicken y'all), and Fried Green Tomatoes with pecan-encrusted goat cheese and peach chutney on the side. (I had my first taste of fried green tomatoes in Charleston, and have been a fan ever since). Then, we all (including Little Man) enjoyed She-Crab Soup, which is similar to a bisque and is a regional specialty, and wonderfully prepared at Poogan's Porch.

Luckily, we had eaten breakfast late and skipped lunch, because after our yummy starters, we still had room for our entrees...

For Me:

Pan Seared Jumbo Scallops with apple-wood smoked bacon grits, wilted spinach, and crawfish buerre blanc

Hubby:

Filet Mignon with glazed carrots and potato croquettes

Mom:

Sweet Tea Glazed Salmon with candied lemon and mint risotto with sauteed asparagus

We left Poogan's Porch (above) fully satisfied, with Little Man carrying a Baby Poogan to remember the trip. (And he hasn't stopped talking about wanting to go back to Charleston).

Next, we drove to Waterfront Park which has two OUTSTANDING water features...and you know I love a water feature!!!

There's the pineapple fountain. Pineapples are the Charlestonian symbol of welcome...

...and the great big, fountain of fun at the park entrance nearest the pier.

Children are allowed to play in both fountains and the bigger one, where Little Man is playing in the photo, is a favorite. There's also a remarkably clean public bathroom 1 minute's walk away where we were able to dry Little Man up and change him into dry clothes. His fountain playtime was completely unplanned, but with a change of clothes in the car, and a blanket to stand in as a towel, it was some much needed unwinding time for Little Man. After that we headed back to the beach spot, all of us talking about a return trip to Charleston.