The Table's Funeral

So we had a fun suprise yesterday afternoon... our furniture was complete and they do Saturday deliveries! So I had to haul some stuff around, kick some ass flipping over the dining room table, bring out my womanly tools and take the legs off the table so that is could be moved to the garage. I don't really know what possessed me to do this on my own, belly and all, but I didn't break anything and I got the job done.

I was thinking how this table has been around for my whole life. This used to be in my grandma and grandpa's kitchen. It is where we died easter eggs, ate dinners. Where the meat grinder was attached, as well as the hand pressing orange juicer, where I at breakfast and of course was reprimanded for placing my feet on the spindles that brace the legs together. It has been a great table. Ben and I have had hundreds of meals at this table with friends and family... I don't know that I am yet ready to say goodbye.

Alas, we have a new dining room table. I will have a better picture later on in the week. Ben didn't take one of the actual table upright and put together, so the best we have is the table top coming in and a chair being moved by ben (caught with his eyes closed). The wood is beautiful... and the chairs look great with the table. It is definitely a fancier dining room set, but matches the floors well and will look beautiful when the sun shines through the windows. Can't wait to entertain. Monday potlucks just got a lot classier!

Oh and we got snow... finally

Just so happy that on Saturday night/ Sunday morning, we go snow. Ben and I got to sweep it up and all the wishes of my preschoolers came true. I had a snowflake program Saturday on a sunny no snow day and we made wishing wands to wish for snow and it worked!

The house looked so nice and the air felt good with just a bit of white insulation. While others brought out their snow blowers (8 am on a sunday- butt holes!) we used our brooms. I know that they may have purchased them when we actually got good snow here, but they really aren't necessary for the one or two times you actually have to clear your sidewalk.

Kitchen in the Works

So we are still working on things around the house, or I should say Ben is as i am too tired to help and plus am playing the pregnancy card to exempt myself from painting.

Ben did a ton of scraping, cleaning or grease from 40+ years ago and discovering the laziness of previous owners and the downside of making improvements to a home that was a rental property for so long. The paint that was peeling from the doors was literally doing so because the door was never cleaned between paint jobs and instead of paint clinging to the door, it clung to grease build up from a kitchen environment! Lovely! Thank you previous landlords.

The red paint got it's second coat this morning. We will be moving back into the kitchen this evening, peeling off tape, protecting shelves with a non adhesive contact paper of sort and replacing shelves and cabinet doors. Ben also took the extra time to take off the ugly wood framing the window and re-framed the whole thing plus took apart the screen windows and replaced the screen and half round oak trim that was keeping the screen in. Then of course repainted and went to pop the windows back in to find them 1/8 of an inch to big, so he has some more planing work to do to make them fit. The glass windows will be fixed up this summer, as we didn't want to much cold air in the house. You can see the window progress in the pictures, click for larger views. I will post more before and afters once i have completed project pictures.

k

The French Presses Cozy

So for a few years now Ben and I have been wondering how to keep our french pressings warm in our cold, cold house. I think about 6 months ago on some craft blog I saw tea cozies and there was some discussion about french presses, so I put it on my list of things to do before the baby comes and voila last night I cranked it out. I am very happy with it. Using some of the funky 70's quilted fabric from the stash my mom gave me and again making a cool bias tape to match, we can have tea or coffee sit out and keep it warm! Or so we hope, haven't really tested it yet. But hooray another thing checked off the list!

LK's Birthday

We had a fun, late night weekend this past. Tim and Mark tested out little bud's new blocks and we got to begin the celebratsion of LK's birthday enjoying the first couple hours of it. The late night really took it out of me and Sunday easily became a very sluggish day. It is actually the equivilant of a hangover, just staying up late while pregnant has a similar effect on your body, no headache luckily but the tiredness definitely.

Monday night we celebrated further at potluck. Ben made some really kickass cupcakes, with about 1 Tbsp per cake, they are rich, and lovely and what Ben describes as an "Adult Cupcake"

Lot's of kids over for the potluck the house was a bit crazy and incredibly warm, the woodstove had died down, but the house was up to 75 degrees. Talk about a good way to cut back on your heating for the winter.

Ben

So Ben has been just great these past weeks. He has been working evenings and spending his days getting the babies room ready, the paint job looks awesome, check out the other blog. He has been motivating me to walk and this photo was taken with our brand new wonderful camera in Busey Woods yesterday. I used the watercolor filter in the editing phase, and just love the picture, in his new holiday sweater.

So many reasons to love him.

So I had some great friday night fun and Saturday-day making and decorating cookies in attempts to get in the holiday spirit. I don't know if it was the warm weather, the fact that I was "on call" for work or what, but i really had a tough time this year. I was way behind on presents and struggled a bit at the last minute. Perhaps it is can also be blamed on pregnancy and the fact that my head is more focused on getting things ready for the babies and this life altering experience rather than gifts, holiday parties and what not.

Regardless, the cookies turned out yummy! And they look beautiful, plus ben helped out a lot with the decorating.

Hope everyone that celebrates had a merry christmas.

K

Solstice Party

So we had a great celebration with friends on Sunday night, unfortunately no fire on the driveway due to rain- yes lots of rain on December 17! But some things, paper things, a bit of polyester and some cotton were burned in the wood stove.

Being the third night of Chanukah we made latkes and everyone brought over toppings and beverages and of course their holiday spirit. We had a great understory of kiddos this year entertaining all. And for those willing to stay up a little later we had some chase the ace and texas hold em.

Lots of cookies consumed and we had vegetarian (veggie oil) and meat (schmaltz) latkes to make everyone happy. We have such an amazing group of people that fill our home with love here in Urbana and are so happy to have this family tier in our lives. Thanks to you all for being so wonderful.

Kate

The New Craft Room

So here are some photos of the new upstairs room. We are still debating the whole bed futon thing. It is really hard to justify having a bedroom for guests when we really rarely have any overnight guests. We are still contemplating the futon, just need one that is not too huge.

I love the color. Ben really did a lot of work on the walls and I think it looks great. I have a good little sewing niche, the ironing board fits well in the closet nearby so I am able to sit and sew and get things done quickly. The space feels crafty and inspires creativity, the only drawback is the temperature. We typically use this room for our root cellar in the winter, we don't let heat up and stuff, so if I plan on working i and it is a cold day I really need to make sure to open the door for about an hour ahead of time so that I don't freeze up there.

The closet looks like hell with the lighting of this picture, really it is not that harsh. I will hopefully be spending most of my next days off in this room finishing up holiday gifts. If you want a peek at craftiness for the baby visit Little Bud's Blog, I know not all of my readers had the link.

Oh and the quilt is almost done there. I don't know why I stopped working on it last year. I have 75% of the quilting done, so it is on the list of projects to finish before baby.

Coffee Table Completion

So Ben finished our coffee table this morning with a layer of wax to preserve it. we scored this piece of cypress almost two years ago and finally it is a piece of furniture in our house. We used it for awhile as a plant table, and for cards and drinking table, propped up on a crate or two, but now it is beautiful and centered in our "new" family room, completing the coziness of the room. Ben started sanding away at it upon our return from
New Zealand when we were on our making shelves kick and staining and woodworking. The summer came along with all of it's business, so it sat in the garage. When we rearranged, Ben was re-inspired and voila, 9 days later here it sits! I love the completion of long awaited projects!
Sun is finally shining here after a couple days of rain.

The Great Pumpkin

So back in October, Ben and I went to the great pumpkin patch in Arthur. We each picked out our favorites and I chose this gorgeous pumpking called Fairy Tale. It was beautiful, blueish and orange together with a silvery hue, just phenomenal. I was hoping that we would be able to grow it soon. I don't know if Ben was a smitten with it as I was but when he starting cutting it open on Sunday it was true love. The color was amazing, so we took some pictures, we had some amazing sun coming into the house on Sunday, such a beautiful day, frightfully cold, but clear, sunny and beautiful, I can handle as many days like this as winter wants to throw me.
Then roasted, the flavor was incredible! And then the next day the flavor was evenbetter. Ben made a dessert out of it and I am pretty sure that this sealed Fairy Tales fate and it will be on the seed list for next season. I only hope we are able to grow such a gorgeous pumpkin.
l

Home Adjustments

So it has been a while in the making but we finally switched the dining and living rooms. this will be great with the babies arrival as we can cuddle near the wood stove and not have to sit on a colapsing dining room chair attempting to be comfortable.

Watching the wood stove is fabulous, and being able to lay on the couch while doing that is even better. We have a crafty space and the cypress tree cookie will re-enter the house as Ben finishes sanding and oiling it. We will finally have our dream coffee table.

The new dining room is very spacious, we still have a few things to work out, but for now we are loving the change. It just feels really good to do something different. Almost makes you feel like you moved and are someplace fresh, with good energy. And now we are eating breakfast at our Lambertville table in front of the stove, so nice to be using that again.

The Amish Rule!

So we went down to Artur again yesterday to look at furniture. While our real goal was a dresser for the kid, our side adventure was a new dining room set for us. We have decided to purchase a new table and chairs, as the spindles are falling off the chair and my weight isn't decreasing at the moment, the other day I really felt as though one was going to split as I sat down and it gave that wood creak, a little bit deeper and longer than the average I just sat down creak, more of a I am going to break and make you fall on your ass type of noise. Although I survived, we have come to the conclusion that new chairs are necessary.

Our pictures aren't great, the color is different, and we are upgrading the wood to the quarter sawn white oak, which is stunning. The stain is darker, which I love and it has a great elegance about it. The chairs look short compared to this table, but that is because it is extra tall for arm chairs. As not extra tall people we will be opting for the lower version and may get two arm chairs for the end, or may not. The table is 72 inche with 2 self storing 12 inch leaves, so lots of space for all of our dining. It should be great and hopefully here before the baby.

Kate

The Newest Zomboracz

A photo post: everyone with Kaylin. It is fun that our immediate family is expanding so much these days!

Ben and I are heading up to Wisconsin tonight for the turkey day festivities and so QT with the family. Should be fun.

Hope everyone enjoys their turkey.
Kate

Still Alive

Still here, just not much time for posting.

We are going through an incredibly amount of crappy weather, although I shouldn't complain, the fall was relatively good to us, but the sun hasn't shone the whole week.

I am thrilled to have to only work 2 days next week before heading up to Wisconsin for a yummy thanksgiving, hopefully somewhat relaxing and some crafting happening. I have been very busy lately and it has felt fabulous! Getting a lot of stuff done, working on holiday gifts and some decor and preparing for the little bud. We got a crib this week and the room is starting very slowly, to piece together. I am excited for my families shower next weekend to get some more stuff to play with, baby stuff really is just so cute.

Work is fine, been very busy and it has been a bit tiring, just lots of programs, meeting to get to and the like, plus just a lot to get taken care of especially as I prepare for my 3 months off at home with the baby. Taking care of camps and making sure that when I come back I won't be completly overwhelmed.

I am starting prenatal yoga tonight, meet with my doula next Tuesday and have my 28 week appoinment with fun labs next Wednesday.

Happy day,
Kate

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Inland North You may think you speak "Standard English straight out of the dictionary" but when you step away from the Great Lakes you get asked annoying questions like "Are you from Wisconsin?" or "Are you from Chicago?" Chances are you call carbonated drinks "pop."
The South
The Midland
Philadelphia
North Central
The Northeast
The West
Boston
What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes

Took this quiz, wasn't thinking to much about it, but they nailed the Wiscosin accent, not many questions to come to that conclusion.

Kate

We've Become Aunt Kate and Uncle Ben

So Sarah gave birth to Kaylin Anne early on Monday's a.m. Everything went great from what I can decipher. My brother isn't much for words. He described the experience as wierd.

So ben and I are heading up to Wisconsin for my birthday and to see our new niece. Our family is expanding and we are excited that little bud will have such a close in age cousin.

Sorry no pictures, my parents forgot their camera on their first trip to the hospital, so hopefully after this weekend.

Instead you can feast your eyes on Ben's last (but maybe not final of the season) fishing trip to Stony Creek. Ben has been making the most of the Illinois water and has fished a lot this past season. He got 5 different licenses this year, not to shabby for one season, New Zealand, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Illinois- he is quite happy with his successes, this fish was caught on a very cool crayfish pattern that he invented himself!

Baby Update

So the girls are either in or entering their 5th month on this planet and who isn't happy with a picture post.

Not much going on. It is my youngest brother's 26th birthday, so Happy Birthday to Bill. It is hard to believe that we have all past the quarter century mark.

Had a good weekend, but want more. It is so hard to leave the house right now. I just want to clean and get things organized or make things for this child growing inside of me. My energy is finally back up and I don't want to use it all up at work and it feels like just when I am getting on a roll with projects at home it is time to go back to work.

Oh well I will survive. we are still awaiting the arrival of our neice, I am sure it isn't quite such a wait for us as it is for my sister in law. She had been on bed rest for too long then reached the date where everything is good to go and is now just waiting. She isn't technically due for another 3 weeks, but after needing to be so cautious, it must be hard to then continue waiting. I am hoping for some time in the next week and a half so that we have a good enough excuse for me to leave my house for my birthday and make a trip up to wisconsin. Fingers crossed.

We have been having some cold weather but the sun makes it all worth while. It is beautiful today, just perfect crisp fall. The trees are all aglow with their fresh fall colors lit up. Pray that the weather is this good tomorrow, I don't think I can handle another gloomy day with preschoolers.

K

Well we are back from our trip. We had amazing Pennsylvania fall weather for the majority of it (all but the last day), were able to see some of our favorite people, enjoy our favorite spots and engage in some family drama. A good trip, but with my nesting instinct on full force, one I was happy to be home from a couple days early and happy to have 3 days at home before returning to work. We got our garlic planted, a cold frame built, nest boxes for the new chickens, all wallpaper removed from the soon to be craft room, closets organized, laundry done and picked bushels upon bushels of apples with our friends at the pomology labs. I was trying to include some cider pressing pictures, but my computer here at work won’t read the cd. Well call me a liar because Francine’s computer can read the disk and this will now be a full-blown picture post. the top picture is Mark pouring cider into the big glass things where the fermentation will take place- carboy? Anyway I really like the lantern lighting. Below are the press, the crank spinning in the cool light and the boys workind hard.

The cider pressing was pretty cool and I had some fun with Mark’s digital camera. The press that Eric’s friend Brett owns is absolutely beautiful. Most of the pressing has been yeasted and put away to ferment, but we did get to enjoy some fresh cider… yummy.

Work is going all right. I am still looking for a bit of motivation. I feel the rut seeping in and don’t know where to start pulling so that I can get out of it. I did have a wonderful butterfly afterschool program this past week which lifted me, but then a gray day seed program with more gray faces than I have ever seen on preschoolers. They were all tired, the rain kept us inside for most of the time and I just felt off. Today is sunny again, but cold! We are supposed to get down to the 20’s this evening. Luckily we are getting some wood and will have our first fire of the season this evening. This will help, as I really hate turning the heat on before the first of November. So hooray for heating up the wood stove for the first time this season.

What else… no new niece yet, Sarah has held onto that baby and Kaylin should be in a safe place now if she were to come early, so that is good. We are hoping to get up to Wisconsin the weekend of my birthday just for a get away. Ben is hoping to anyway, I may still be in homebody mode and unwilling to leave unless there are no projects needing completion. My belly continues to get bigger which is fun, but I don’t think that I am looking forward to strangers knowing that I am pregnant as this still continues to be a very personal journey for Ben and myself.

I am off to the social security office and then a meeting. I hope everyone is enjoying fall.

Kate

About Time!

Wow, it is hard to believe that I haven’t posted once in September. It has been a busy month, but still… Things are good, baby is growing and our little family is fairing well with this fall weather. We have had the two most beautiful days I have experienced in too long. Fall crispness, gorgeous lighting and most importantly the perfect temperature. Apples are abundant, and as they are one food item that I am good to eat at any moment, I am happy that it is their time for harvest. We have 3 bushels at home waiting to become sauce and have been eating a lot fresh, plus numerous apple crisps, pies and the like.

We are heading off for a vacation at the end of this week, and I am so thrilled to be getting away for a while. Work is fine, but I feel like I am in a bit of a rut, not feeling challenged and hope to come back somewhat refreshed and with some goals as to how I can best carry out the responsibilities of my job, while being creative and innovative.

Happy Fall!