Went to La Croix today for brunch upon the recommendation of Helen. Helen did double duty too. Not only did she recommend, but she watched Nathan. He normally loves "Aunt Helen", but I think he's getting used to being around me too much, because he apparently did not like being left for babysitting. Sorry, Helen. He can still be cute and sad, but he's a much more adorable happy baby. Hopefully she will babysit sometime again in the future, but I think he needs more exposure to her awesomeness in the meantime.
We went to celebrate E and Christy's engagement. E is Paul's brother and Christy is now my soon to be sister-in-law! I seldom take pictures of them as a couple for some reason, so I've got nothing to post of them together.
La Croix was wonderful. The service was attentive, yet not overwhelming. The food was delish and not something you can get just anywhere. Though I loved the novelty of the chocolate fountain, what I really adored was their hot area in the kitchen. Paul and I agreed that the pork belly was not to be believed, and we both had some. I also adored their lobster bread pudding and duck confit, while Paul admired their braised short ribs.
From the cold area, I liked the cavier (though I'm admittedly a sucker for some cavier), the grilled brie sandwiches, and the smoked duck croissants. I was sadly disappointed by their oysters, especially after having the ones that Helen got from her CSA last year. The worst, however, was the red beet gelee. I shall probably never get the horrible taste and texture of that gelee out of my head. I know for sure that it will be a damned long while before I have another gelee ever again. In fact, it might be years.
In any case, I highly recommend brunch at La Croix if you have some spare cash. Don't try their gelees unless you like gelees, but eat everything else you can. Paul also recommended their juice and smoked fish. I say try all their little desserts.
In other news, I played Paul in chess for the first time in almost ten years. For those of you not in the know, Paul and I stopped playing after he taught me years and years ago. One day, I was sitting to play my twentieth or so game, and I lost. HIDEOUSLY. I lost so bad that I cried. I sobbed and sobbed, and said, "I can't win in this game against you." Paul was upset and, rightly, angry. I was upset and angry at myself for being a moron who clearly couldn't master basic intellectual tactics. I refused to play chess again even though I bought him a nice little chess set.
Since we've gotten married, Paul has made several chess overtures to me. I don't understand why since Paul and I should not play games of intelligence and patience against each other. I hate waiting for my turn to come up, and Paul hates feeling rushed. Prior to dating, Paul and I would occasionally play Magic: The Gathering against each other. I distinctly remember him saying to me in a very annoyed voice, "Would you just calm down and let me complete my turn" when I was waiting for him to finish his move so I could crush him. Either way, last week, I took his chess bait.
We set up the game board, and sat down to play. In the first few moves of the game, Paul captured two of my pawns and my knight, while all I got was his stupid bishop. He also forced me into moving my king very early. I was getting very angry at myself internally, so I took a second and forced myself to relax and not wing my queen at Paul's head. I pushed back the tears, and continued on. I was pretty sure that I was fighting a losing game from that point on, but we kept going for a bit. At the end, we traded queens and I surrendered the game. He had two rooks, some pawns and a knight left, while all I had was a bishop and my pawns. He told me that I had definitely done well, which I was happy about.
I've come to realize that it is going to be a long long time before I win a game against Paul who has been playing most of his life. I have to be happy when I simply don't lose hideously to him. Lesson learned!
20090316
20090315
More Info From Month 9
I told you all that I was going to blog more, and I meant it. Took Mr. Chubby-Cheeks to his doctor appointment on the 10th of March for a nine month checkup.
It appears that his cheeks and tummy truly are made of marshmallow fluff, as he is only 45% on the weight scale. He still hit 90% on the height scale, and, frankly, the nurse possibly measured him short since she tugged the measuring tape from my hand to below the tip of his head. He's about 25-50% for his head size. Teeny-headed Nathan.
This last month we introduced him to my old piano at my mother's house. He loves it and will bang across six octaves, leaning far in either direction to make noise. Sometimes he'll pound incessantly on the lower octaves, and sometimes he'll hit with both hands at once.
I think this baby is getting cuter every damned day.
It appears that his cheeks and tummy truly are made of marshmallow fluff, as he is only 45% on the weight scale. He still hit 90% on the height scale, and, frankly, the nurse possibly measured him short since she tugged the measuring tape from my hand to below the tip of his head. He's about 25-50% for his head size. Teeny-headed Nathan.
This last month we introduced him to my old piano at my mother's house. He loves it and will bang across six octaves, leaning far in either direction to make noise. Sometimes he'll pound incessantly on the lower octaves, and sometimes he'll hit with both hands at once.
I think this baby is getting cuter every damned day.
20090313
Sewing, I Did It
As many of you know, because you read my blog, last September I received my first sewing machine. My sewing skills were as follows: "I can cross-stitch, and whip stitch. If pushed to."
Well, I did my first pattern, folks. It is a gorgeous little "Easy to Sew" apron from Simplicity. Here is a shot of Paul modeling it.
It was made with a lightweight denim, and it fits Paul very well. This is great except for the fact that it was made for my very short mother. It does not fit her well and she has requested alterations I do not know how to make. Sigh. Either way, I'm pretty proud of it. The ties for it were a complete and utter bitch since they required turning inside out. Paul helped me with the task and he can attest to the fact that it was an utter bitch.
If you'd like to see my Sewing Pattern review, I just put it up. Sewing Pattern Reviews is a nice enough site, but I'd like Ravelry to include sewing, ya know?
I also made some napkins for Spring this year. I was tired of my very autumnal napkins being used all the time.
I used a medium-weight cotton, and I made the binding tape myself. That's why they look so crappy. If I were smart, I would have:
1. Washed my material at least two or three times to prevent shrinking later.
2. Made the bias tape on the bias even though the pattern said I did not need to.
I think next time I'm just going to wait for a Joann sale and buy the binding tape in bulk.
What have you all been doing?
Well, I did my first pattern, folks. It is a gorgeous little "Easy to Sew" apron from Simplicity. Here is a shot of Paul modeling it.
It was made with a lightweight denim, and it fits Paul very well. This is great except for the fact that it was made for my very short mother. It does not fit her well and she has requested alterations I do not know how to make. Sigh. Either way, I'm pretty proud of it. The ties for it were a complete and utter bitch since they required turning inside out. Paul helped me with the task and he can attest to the fact that it was an utter bitch.
If you'd like to see my Sewing Pattern review, I just put it up. Sewing Pattern Reviews is a nice enough site, but I'd like Ravelry to include sewing, ya know?
I also made some napkins for Spring this year. I was tired of my very autumnal napkins being used all the time.
I used a medium-weight cotton, and I made the binding tape myself. That's why they look so crappy. If I were smart, I would have:
1. Washed my material at least two or three times to prevent shrinking later.
2. Made the bias tape on the bias even though the pattern said I did not need to.
I think next time I'm just going to wait for a Joann sale and buy the binding tape in bulk.
What have you all been doing?
20090312
Murder Mystery
I'm trying to blog from Flickr again to see how it goes. This is simply a pic of our murder mystery dinner and everyone dressed in character. I love murder mystery dinners and can not wait until the next one. I'm sad that Paula and Tom won't be there though.
20090310
Months Seven, Eight, and Nine
Damn, Nathan, I'm so embarrassed. One day, you're going to read this, and you're going to ask me why I was so busy that I couldn't post for months seven, eight, and nine separately, and I'll answer, "I was reading blogs." You'll make this face at me.
I won't have any defense EITHER! I'll just have to face up to that horribly sad face. We experienced Christmas, and I didn't say anything to you on this blog. Look at how cute you were!
There are baby kittens WEEPING out there because they know they'll never be as cute as you. Christmas was great. My mom got you a boatload of presents. We, and everyone else, got you another boatload. You had two boatloads, which I opened for you. Some of your presents were so big, you couldn't even see over them.
You had your first major snow, which was terrific. You didn't really enjoy it, to tell you the truth. Hopefully next year will be more exciting for you, and you won't cry in the snow.
I'm sad to say that you are still toothless and you still don't crawl. I'm wondering if I did something wrong, to tell you the truth. I put you on your stomach, and you are uninterested in crawling. I guess if someone would pick me up and carry me all the time, I'd be uninterested too. Also, you have your walker which is much more interesting to you since you can chase after me and Daddy and Grandmom when you're in it.
You've finally figured out how to drink from a sippy cup.
You still prefer a bottle or someone else's 'real' cup. You like to eat solid food too. Our solid food. Solid food belonging to Mommy and Daddy. For instance, when Mommy has a nice bowl of soup, you like to "EH EH EH" at me until I give you your fair share. You consider your fair share the whole bowl.
You're making a lot of noises nowadays. You like to play with me and we say "DADADADADA" to each other a lot and then screech at each other. I think you're going to say Daddy for reals first. I can't blame you. Look at you two! You're twins!
What are we doing in our days? Well, we're not going to an endless series of classes like some babies. I wish I were that ambitious, but that might interrupt your naps. You love your naps.
You are not happy unless you, and I, and the cats, are all napping. When that occurs, you are the happiest baby ever. You giggle while I tickle you to sleep and make kissing noises and move my head back and forth like you. When you wake up, we roll over and go see Baby in the Mirror.
I promise to post more often, my darling. I want to blog more anyway. Helen has invigorated my blogging mojo with her crazy blog that is updated near hourly. Now, sometimes I'm sitting around and I have a thought, and I want to blog it. Why don't I? Because this was the all Baby blog. All about Nathan. But my life is a lot about Nathan so this blog can be about my life. That way, one day, when you wonder what I was doing instead of posting updates on you, I can say I was not reading blogs, but writing blog entries.
Can you do me a favor too, honey? Try crawling! Let's close this blog entry on a positive note between us. Look how cute you were these last few months!
You are some cute baby. Keep giving us the cutes, Nathan. I love it!
I won't have any defense EITHER! I'll just have to face up to that horribly sad face. We experienced Christmas, and I didn't say anything to you on this blog. Look at how cute you were!
There are baby kittens WEEPING out there because they know they'll never be as cute as you. Christmas was great. My mom got you a boatload of presents. We, and everyone else, got you another boatload. You had two boatloads, which I opened for you. Some of your presents were so big, you couldn't even see over them.
You had your first major snow, which was terrific. You didn't really enjoy it, to tell you the truth. Hopefully next year will be more exciting for you, and you won't cry in the snow.
I'm sad to say that you are still toothless and you still don't crawl. I'm wondering if I did something wrong, to tell you the truth. I put you on your stomach, and you are uninterested in crawling. I guess if someone would pick me up and carry me all the time, I'd be uninterested too. Also, you have your walker which is much more interesting to you since you can chase after me and Daddy and Grandmom when you're in it.
You've finally figured out how to drink from a sippy cup.
You still prefer a bottle or someone else's 'real' cup. You like to eat solid food too. Our solid food. Solid food belonging to Mommy and Daddy. For instance, when Mommy has a nice bowl of soup, you like to "EH EH EH" at me until I give you your fair share. You consider your fair share the whole bowl.
You're making a lot of noises nowadays. You like to play with me and we say "DADADADADA" to each other a lot and then screech at each other. I think you're going to say Daddy for reals first. I can't blame you. Look at you two! You're twins!
What are we doing in our days? Well, we're not going to an endless series of classes like some babies. I wish I were that ambitious, but that might interrupt your naps. You love your naps.
You are not happy unless you, and I, and the cats, are all napping. When that occurs, you are the happiest baby ever. You giggle while I tickle you to sleep and make kissing noises and move my head back and forth like you. When you wake up, we roll over and go see Baby in the Mirror.
I promise to post more often, my darling. I want to blog more anyway. Helen has invigorated my blogging mojo with her crazy blog that is updated near hourly. Now, sometimes I'm sitting around and I have a thought, and I want to blog it. Why don't I? Because this was the all Baby blog. All about Nathan. But my life is a lot about Nathan so this blog can be about my life. That way, one day, when you wonder what I was doing instead of posting updates on you, I can say I was not reading blogs, but writing blog entries.
Can you do me a favor too, honey? Try crawling! Let's close this blog entry on a positive note between us. Look how cute you were these last few months!
You are some cute baby. Keep giving us the cutes, Nathan. I love it!
20090303
Pretty Pretty Petable Yarn
Guess what came in the mail a few days ago?
Is that some Sundara sock yarn you spy? It is! I took it out back, in the pretty snow, in the fading sunset, to get some not very color accurate photos. I white-balanced as best possible, but I'm not sure of the accuracy still.
That lovely little number above? That's Cranberry Mousse. I'm still working on a good picture of the Bittersweet Chocolate, so you'll have to do with the photo I'm posting for now.
Is that some Sundara sock yarn you spy? It is! I took it out back, in the pretty snow, in the fading sunset, to get some not very color accurate photos. I white-balanced as best possible, but I'm not sure of the accuracy still.
That lovely little number above? That's Cranberry Mousse. I'm still working on a good picture of the Bittersweet Chocolate, so you'll have to do with the photo I'm posting for now.
20090218
Yum Yum Truffles
I know, I know. I promise to blog more and then I decide to take a two week vacation from blogging. I think the Sundara confused me. On the positive side, someone besides me actually cared that I got that Sundara yarn. I had a conversation with Sophy that went something like this:
Kitten: So, I got two skeins of Sundara sock yarn!
Sophy: Oh. My. God!
Kitten: Are you making fun of me? I don't even care if you are! I'm so thrilled!
Sophy: It's so pretty! I failed to get some myself and I've given up.
I've promised one of my two skeins to Sophy since I realize how sad it is to want Sundara and not have it.
I don't know if I've mentioned it, but I've started a small knit hat for Nathan with this yarn.
It has an interesting cabled construction (the yarn, not the hat, which is done in simple two by two rib) but I'm not sure I love it knit as much as I loved it in the little yarn cake. Isn't that always the way? I've only knit an inch or two on it, since a stupid RPG for the PS2 has really taken over my life. In a bad way.
But that's partially a lie. I'm also sewing. I decided to make some spring-ish napkins for a dinner party we're having this weekend. I'm totally using this next picture without the permission of the copyright owner, but I hope that my friend will forgive me. Here is a picture of our last murder mystery get together:
Hopefully this next one will be just as much fun. I've got my tiara and pearls at the ready. I will show you pics of that (and my finished napkins, if I ever do finish them).
Okay, but here's the real deal, the crafting for this post. It's not sewing, it isn't knitting, it's not even card making. It's COOKING. I know! On the night before Valentine's day, Paul came home with four bars of chocolate and a plan. We were going to make truffles. At first, I groaned to myself because it sounded too ambitious for my Friday night plans, but after a bit, I got very involved with it.
The worst part of the whole deal was waiting for the stupid coconut and walnuts to brown for the coating toppings. I've learnt that about myself. One of the things I hate about cooking is doing all the small fiddly parts of it. I don't mind stirring, or measuring, or mixing. I hate waiting. I hate knowing that it takes five minutes to brown coconut and that during that time, we're just standing there waiting for it all to be done. It's why when I used to cook for myself to eat when I lived at my mom's, I used to just put a pot of one box meal on the stove, let it cook through and then forget about it while I went to work on the computer. By the time I got back to it, it would invariably be midnight, the food would be dried and cold, and then I'd eat it anyway. No wonder I never gained much weight -- the food I was eating was nearly inedible.
Anyway, so, Paul and I worked together to make some truffles from the America's Test Kitchen recipe and they are DELISH. They are the most fantastic homemade truffles ever. The coating is slightly crisp and shatters slightly when you bite into them. The dusting of cocoa on some of them is so delightful. If you have access to America's Test Kitchen recipes, you need to make some truffles. Hell, sprinkle some sea salt on some. Sprinkle nonpareils on others. Just make them. They are so wonderful. I plan on spiking the next set we make with some Kahlua.
If you'll excuse me, I've got to go eat some truffles.
(When did my knitting blog turn into a life blog? How did this happen?)
Kitten: So, I got two skeins of Sundara sock yarn!
Sophy: Oh. My. God!
Kitten: Are you making fun of me? I don't even care if you are! I'm so thrilled!
Sophy: It's so pretty! I failed to get some myself and I've given up.
I've promised one of my two skeins to Sophy since I realize how sad it is to want Sundara and not have it.
I don't know if I've mentioned it, but I've started a small knit hat for Nathan with this yarn.
It has an interesting cabled construction (the yarn, not the hat, which is done in simple two by two rib) but I'm not sure I love it knit as much as I loved it in the little yarn cake. Isn't that always the way? I've only knit an inch or two on it, since a stupid RPG for the PS2 has really taken over my life. In a bad way.
But that's partially a lie. I'm also sewing. I decided to make some spring-ish napkins for a dinner party we're having this weekend. I'm totally using this next picture without the permission of the copyright owner, but I hope that my friend will forgive me. Here is a picture of our last murder mystery get together:
Hopefully this next one will be just as much fun. I've got my tiara and pearls at the ready. I will show you pics of that (and my finished napkins, if I ever do finish them).
Okay, but here's the real deal, the crafting for this post. It's not sewing, it isn't knitting, it's not even card making. It's COOKING. I know! On the night before Valentine's day, Paul came home with four bars of chocolate and a plan. We were going to make truffles. At first, I groaned to myself because it sounded too ambitious for my Friday night plans, but after a bit, I got very involved with it.
The worst part of the whole deal was waiting for the stupid coconut and walnuts to brown for the coating toppings. I've learnt that about myself. One of the things I hate about cooking is doing all the small fiddly parts of it. I don't mind stirring, or measuring, or mixing. I hate waiting. I hate knowing that it takes five minutes to brown coconut and that during that time, we're just standing there waiting for it all to be done. It's why when I used to cook for myself to eat when I lived at my mom's, I used to just put a pot of one box meal on the stove, let it cook through and then forget about it while I went to work on the computer. By the time I got back to it, it would invariably be midnight, the food would be dried and cold, and then I'd eat it anyway. No wonder I never gained much weight -- the food I was eating was nearly inedible.
Anyway, so, Paul and I worked together to make some truffles from the America's Test Kitchen recipe and they are DELISH. They are the most fantastic homemade truffles ever. The coating is slightly crisp and shatters slightly when you bite into them. The dusting of cocoa on some of them is so delightful. If you have access to America's Test Kitchen recipes, you need to make some truffles. Hell, sprinkle some sea salt on some. Sprinkle nonpareils on others. Just make them. They are so wonderful. I plan on spiking the next set we make with some Kahlua.
If you'll excuse me, I've got to go eat some truffles.
(When did my knitting blog turn into a life blog? How did this happen?)
20090209
Sundara Sock Yarn
Holy crap, peeps. I managed to score two skeins of Sundara sock yarn since she did a 1 am EST yarn update. As those of you who follow indie sock yarn dyers know, this is nearly a miracle. I shouldn't be buying sock yarn, but this stuff is prime trading material, if nothing else.
20090208
And Just Where Have You Been?!
I was doing this imaginary interview in my mind, from an anonymous blog reader with me...
Blog Reader: So, why haven't you been posting?
Me: I'm super busy!
Blog Reader: With knitting?
Me: Well... no.
Blog Reader: With Nathan?
Me: No more than normal.
Blog Reader: Then what are you doing that you're so busy that you can't post?
Me: mumble, mumble
Blog Reader: What was that?
Me: I'm playing a videogame and reading FEEDS, okay? It takes time to read eight billion knitting blogs on a daily basis, you know! And my characters are not going to level themselves while I just sit around knitting and blogging, are they?
Blog Reader: You should be ashamed of yourself.
I have imaginary conversations between myself and others all the time, but this time I decided to take the advice of my imaginary harasser and post!
Anyway, since I have little knitting progress to speak of ("knit some more on the never ending Slytherin scarf, tried to pretend my socks dropped off the face of the Earth"), I thought I'd highlight four craft projects that have caught my eye over the last several months.
1) Sophy's Shalom: I love everything about this. The color is great. The stitches look so even and nice. The buttons are sweet. Sophy has stated that she does not wear it much, but I think it's a winner in the pictures, at least.
2) Jackie's Charade Socks: It's the last project on this post. I adore the pattern of this sock, but, it turns out that I only love it when combined with a darker sock yarn such as the Dream in Color Smooshy's November Muse. I've looked at the Ravelry project page for this pattern, and I would never have said I loved the pattern based on the majority of the results I found, but Jackie's socks inspired me to add the pattern to my queue.
3) Joli House's Dublin Bay Socks: This is a case where a blog I read introduced me to both a new sock pattern that I loved and a sock yarn that is both variegated and subtle. I've seen tons of socks using this pattern that I like, which is nice, but not rare. However, I rarely find sock yarns that are variegated and subtle. YAY!
4) The Yarniad's Simplicity 6197, View F: While I enjoy sewing, and I find that many people make stuff that looks okay, I do not often think to myself, "I wish I had that piece" when I see hand made items. This skirt, however, speaks to me. I love it. I found myself mentally checking my wardrobe to see what would go with it. I love the color, the way the pleats fall. I considered making myself my own version! A winner.
And that is it for today, folks. I'll get back to you soon, hopefully, with my own knitting results!
Blog Reader: So, why haven't you been posting?
Me: I'm super busy!
Blog Reader: With knitting?
Me: Well... no.
Blog Reader: With Nathan?
Me: No more than normal.
Blog Reader: Then what are you doing that you're so busy that you can't post?
Me: mumble, mumble
Blog Reader: What was that?
Me: I'm playing a videogame and reading FEEDS, okay? It takes time to read eight billion knitting blogs on a daily basis, you know! And my characters are not going to level themselves while I just sit around knitting and blogging, are they?
Blog Reader: You should be ashamed of yourself.
I have imaginary conversations between myself and others all the time, but this time I decided to take the advice of my imaginary harasser and post!
Anyway, since I have little knitting progress to speak of ("knit some more on the never ending Slytherin scarf, tried to pretend my socks dropped off the face of the Earth"), I thought I'd highlight four craft projects that have caught my eye over the last several months.
1) Sophy's Shalom: I love everything about this. The color is great. The stitches look so even and nice. The buttons are sweet. Sophy has stated that she does not wear it much, but I think it's a winner in the pictures, at least.
2) Jackie's Charade Socks: It's the last project on this post. I adore the pattern of this sock, but, it turns out that I only love it when combined with a darker sock yarn such as the Dream in Color Smooshy's November Muse. I've looked at the Ravelry project page for this pattern, and I would never have said I loved the pattern based on the majority of the results I found, but Jackie's socks inspired me to add the pattern to my queue.
3) Joli House's Dublin Bay Socks: This is a case where a blog I read introduced me to both a new sock pattern that I loved and a sock yarn that is both variegated and subtle. I've seen tons of socks using this pattern that I like, which is nice, but not rare. However, I rarely find sock yarns that are variegated and subtle. YAY!
4) The Yarniad's Simplicity 6197, View F: While I enjoy sewing, and I find that many people make stuff that looks okay, I do not often think to myself, "I wish I had that piece" when I see hand made items. This skirt, however, speaks to me. I love it. I found myself mentally checking my wardrobe to see what would go with it. I love the color, the way the pleats fall. I considered making myself my own version! A winner.
And that is it for today, folks. I'll get back to you soon, hopefully, with my own knitting results!
20090203
Friendship Fingerless Mitts
These are done and they took less than ten days! They are also super cute and warm.
Project: Burgundy Mitts (ravel it!)
Pattern: Friendship Fingerless Mitts
Yarn: Malabrigo Silky Merino
Needles: Size 4 DPNs.
Thank you for the pattern, Sophy! I ♥ it!
Now, normally I would show you some of my WIPs, but those are boring. Really, I can't show you my stupid Slytherin scarf everytime I add a new section. I'll just answer one of the comments I've received which requires a response.
ECB asked me to post a tutorial for my sewn Thanksgiving napkins. No need, ECB! I found a tutorial online before I made my own napkins. The Purl Bee's napkins are cuter than mine, for sure, but they appear to have better sewing skillz. Check out their other tutorials as well, if you like to sew. It's a wealth of knowledge and project advice!
Project: Burgundy Mitts (ravel it!)
Pattern: Friendship Fingerless Mitts
Yarn: Malabrigo Silky Merino
Needles: Size 4 DPNs.
Thank you for the pattern, Sophy! I ♥ it!
Now, normally I would show you some of my WIPs, but those are boring. Really, I can't show you my stupid Slytherin scarf everytime I add a new section. I'll just answer one of the comments I've received which requires a response.
ECB asked me to post a tutorial for my sewn Thanksgiving napkins. No need, ECB! I found a tutorial online before I made my own napkins. The Purl Bee's napkins are cuter than mine, for sure, but they appear to have better sewing skillz. Check out their other tutorials as well, if you like to sew. It's a wealth of knowledge and project advice!
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