as cozy as spring

Audio

Audio books we've enjoyed this year:

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (still our favorite)

The Children of the New Forest  (I hadn't read this, but found it surprisingly beneficial to our studies of American colonial history, though in an indirect way.  Otherwise, it's a bit too boyish for my daughter and a bit too mature for my son, but still a good audiobook)

Ballet Stories (I would highly recommend these stories especially prior to taking a child to the ballet.  It's so much more enjoyable if they know the story and you can download individual titles on the Naxos website)

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Librivox - We liked Chip's voice for this story.  I hadn't read it in years and was a little squirmy about a section or two, but the descriptions of autumn in New England were lovely.)

I am a bit partial to the Naxos productions.  There are so many titles available and I tend to like the readers.  There's no other reason than that.*  Now I used to be absolutely opposed to abridged anything, but I think I'm going to have to look at it one title at a time.  For example, they offer Anne of Green Gables abridged and I could never buy that.  The writing is one of the very best parts, as I've mentioned here before.  But as a way of sparking interest in a story we wouldn't otherwise read, I might be able to talk myself into it.  My daughter flat out refused to open a Little House book until we read our way through the picture books, so in certain circumstances I can see it as helpful.

My insistence on audiobooks for the car has been wholly good.  Not only are we making the most of time that would have otherwise been spent listening to Coldplay, the children's behavior is much better when they are engaged in a story.  (Meaning I'm not yelling at them to just "Be quiet already! I'm driving!")

We will listen to A Christmas Carol (unabridged) coming up in December.  I'm rather frightened of the new movie.  I can't tell you how many great books were spoiled for me because I didn't like the movie or show.  So I think some stories should remain in a child's imagination.  If you have a favorite audiobook of this story, please let me know.  I still need to look around.  We very much enjoyed reading it last winter.

*I see it has become common on blogs to specify whether the reviewer has received free materials or other compensation.  I have not. But if Naxos wants to send me a giant box of audiobooks, I will happily provide my shipping address. ;)

I was going to post about audiobooks and/or turkey but I saw this on Michele's facebook page and I had to reprint it as I so heartily agree. Hope you don't mind Michele! 

 Whenever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of the liturgy has totally disappeared and has been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment. --Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) The Spirit of the Liturgy

Urban camping

We are so dreadfully busy lately with extracurricular activities.  I hate it.  I like staying at home where I can take care of the housework and children properly.  I've spent the last several weeks feeling anxious and tense and stressed and worried and (let me check the thesaurus...) OK, you understand. 

Enter: My best idea ever.  I had my husband take out the back seat in our minivan and converted it into a little playroom!  I spread a couple of quilts on the floor, some cozy pillows, a tent lantern and plenty of picture books.  During ballet, my son and I curl up....

..and read or cuddle

 

Or have funny noise making contests and discuss Star Wars.  Proper little boy activities.

 

It's so cozy!  My son excitedly asks if we get to "Go to ballet today!?"  And I end up feeling far more relaxed and composed at the end of the day for that little bit of peace and quiet we've found in the middle of a parking lot.  

Toasty

I knit this pattern for my mother for Christmas last year.  It's one of the simplest knitting patterns out there and so practical and stylish.  This most recent project is knit in Sunshine Yarns Classic in Vanilla Latte, one of my most favorite colors ever.  Instead of casting on 34 or whatever it specifies in the pattern, I cast on 54 on US 1.5 dpns, dusted off the concept of percentages and adjusted the thumb portion accordingly.  I think this makes a great Christmas gift.  Even in fingering weight, it was a very fast knit.  It's also a great way to use up some of that sock yarn you just had to have even though seriously, you don't knit socks that quickly and the ratio of sock yarn purchased to socks produced is something you'd rather not think about.

As I fill in the calendar for November and December I see far too many days will be spent behind the wheel and I think glancing at these whilst driving down the road will make that time far more pleasant.

Litany of the Saints

A post from last year... Litany of the Saints in Latin

Coffee, Cowboy game, knitting, must go now.

Happy Halloween!

 My little scarecrow and prairie girl are busy carving pumpkins while mommy the house elf slaves away at laundry and dishes.  

Our house was toilet papered last night.  Instead of the angry response the little troublemaker intended my husband and I both commented that he or she did a rather lousy job and we both felt we could have (and maybe did do many years ago) a much more artistic TPing.  

October has been fun but very busy and I hope I can sneak in a little more quiet time in November, or at least time to finish one single cup of coffee.  The ratio of coffee brewed to coffee consumed was far out of balance in October.

Anyway, happy Halloween!  Enjoy my spooky banner for one more day.  In the end, I rather liked it but I promise to put up something a little cozier tomorrow.  :)

Blessings

Is there any better feeling than being overwhelmed with birthday wishes?  From Margaret, who called me first thing this morning to ask if she could poke fun at my spooky banner up there (of course!) to all my yarnie friends on Ravelry to real life friends and family and facebook and emails and oh my, I just can't keep up.  Thank you everyone! I got to see my brother and sister for the first time in months and welcome my new sister-in-law to Texas.  My husband and children spoiled me with attention and love (and presents!).  It's been a happy, happy day.  

Mini Madeleines

Little lemon madeleines made yesterday afternoon and eaten in a matter of minutes.  

I used this recipe (+ 1/4 tsp of baking powder) and a mini madeleine pan I found at Williams-Sonoma.  We picked the non-non-stick pan and while I'm suspicious of teflon, my madeleines stick just a bit without it (despite all efforts to butter, flour, and chill).  We dipped the warm madeleines in a bit of lemon glaze, as served in our local bakery.  They are so much more remarkably delicious than I expected and I think they would be perfect served at a baptismal reception.  

Or just on a cool and cloudy afternoon like today.

 

Colonial Crafts: An Autumn Dye Pot

My daughter was flipping through Colonial Days last week.  I told her to pick out a craft and she mentioned making a natural wool dye.  I was all over it.  I've wanted to try dyeing again for a while now, but couldn't justify the expense for my own recreation... but as an educational opportunity for my children?  That's a whole different (more generous) category in the budget.

We ordered some undyed merino (lace weight) and picked up some alum and cream of tartar at Target.  We decided to create a goldenrod dye because it's supposed to be easy and the roadsides are still adorned with the feathery bright yellow flowers.  And I love doing anything so quintessentially seasonal.

Can you imagine us all happily tromping through a sunlit field to gather flowers?  Picture this instead, it's just after Mass and I'm wearing my pearls, strappy heels, and a knee length dress which became decidedly not knee length when I leaned over to gather the goldenrod.  Replace the sunlit field with a bare spot behind a local bar complete with broken beer bottles and ant piles - also a cold front had blown in whilst we were in church and it was damp and chilly.

 

I would provide more details for the dyeing process, but it wasn't exact and there are plenty of ideas out there on the internet.  I personally remember green spiders crawling all over my kitchen counters, shrieks and laughter over the wasps and caterpillars we brought home with us, hauling huge pots of boiling water in and out of the kitchen, and a smell filling the house which can only be described as "funky".

 

But we got a golden skein of yarn for all of our efforts and it goes without saying that we will definitely do this again.

Ooh, I should mention that Martha does this in Lissa's Martha series using a rather repulsive substance as mordant and I was surprised and also not surprised that there are still a lot of people out there who take this route - but you know, for some additional reading on natural dyes.  

Keeping Warm

I picked up Simplicity 6846 last summer, thinking I would make one of the dresses.  The coat caught my eye earlier this month and I couldn't stop thinking about it.  I really felt it was way beyond my sewing abilities, but I followed the directions very carefully and a week later...

 

Done!  It's made out of corduroy and fully lined (my addition, the pattern doesn't call for lining it but really, how could you not?)  It's the perfect weight and warmth for autumn and early winter in Texas. 

 

We made our own little fabric covered buttons which might be the most fun I've ever had.  

I would definitely make this again (next year in a pretty olive green!).  The hardest part was taking a good photo because my daughter hates modeling and it's been raining for two months.  So, with that in mind, anyone who mentions that my baseboards could stand a good scrubbing will be banned from commenting. ;)  Focus on the coat.