Home Made Candy

As thanks to our customers, we hosted a holiday party this past weekend, which was a great time to try out some new things. I am the one who makes the sweet stuff around here and was happy to have some kitchen time. Though Ben is still close for assistance and the boys are happy to be testers (their official work title).

It was fun to try out things and work with lbs of the vegan chocolate chips from the coop. We don't make enough time in all our kitchen work to try new things, something I hope shifts as we shift our rhythm with growing boys.

Peanut Butter Cups, Marshmallows x 2 (dipped in toasted coconut) and Coconut/Almond Bars.

Reversible Infant Hat

I have been busy with fiber lately and now need to shift gears to my sewing machine. But I was able to whip up these two little hats. The pattern is free from the Winter edition of Rythmn of the Home, which by the way is a pretty awesome free online magazine published quarterly.

As there is no longer an infant around here, we made other use of the hats-- they fit our dolls perfectly. River was thrilled to have a hat for his baby.

Plus it only took about 15 minutes to crochet and really helped me see how crochet chains and stitches work together in patterns. I know how to crochet, but in its most basic form and I haven't branched out, so I was happy to have a different stitch pattern then typical for me.

Into the Woods:: 12/3

It is snowy here now, I think our first good snow ever in December. We were luckily able to enjoy the woods before the first snow, to soak up a last bit of that fall feeling. Though it took a second go and there were some trying parts as soon as Asher was climbing that all melted away until he would be reminded that he wanted to be unhappy... oh some days. I am so happy that outside can take all the crabbies away for the most part.We are still working on our wooly winter ensembles, but for now the fleece scarves that I cut are doing their good share of work.

I am still trying to figure out the ideal hand covering for little hands that like to explore and feel. Hand coldness seems to be what can spoil a hike in the winter for us.

Still Here

My camera battery died and the charger was no where to be found. Alas a lot of cleaning for second thanksgiving and I can photograph life again! We are busy as I am sure everyone is, snuggling inside, preparing the house for the indoor time that is ahead of us (still getting outside to play everyday). We harvested our chickens for the year which was a great success. We worked with lots of folks this year, making it much less burdonsome and made processing so much more pleasant.
We have a party for business to plan this week, boys to play with and love and holidays to celebrate and prepare for. Oh and a wood stove that sucks the motivation right out of you, but improves the speed at which projects come off the knitting needles.

Another One Off

I am absolutely in love with how this vest came out as I had my doubts. I started it during all our road trips this summer and quickly realized that the additional 20 stitches I cast on compared to River's was using up more yarn than I thought. Running out of yarn is a major momentum killer, but I dug it out, had Asher pick out the new yarn and eagerly awaited it arrival.

Using Fibonacci numbers I blended the new color in with the old and am happy with the contrast. It's softness is wonderful and the warmth is perfect. I am always happy to feel my boys tummies on the coldest days and fell all that warmth. I really think a wooly vest is the most perfect layer for winter hikes.

Pattern is a modified pebble, you can get the pattern free. As I despise buttons (not the look, the attaching!) I needed a different alternative. I looked at the pattern and then just knit. It definitely looks home made, but still does the job as well as anything else.

Untangling

With Solstice gift preparations in full swing, I am winding us some new yarn and trying hard to untangle the old projects in my basket. Both boys have vests and casting on for Ben's (a second time, as I doubled stitches incorrectly for knitting in the round opposed to making a front and back- 3 inches of ribbing frogged!) should happen over the drive north.

This vest for Asher has been in the works for too long.

We had a cold snap that lasted for a couple of days, nights by the fire with needles clacking and progress is happening.

Project Bag

I have been gradually been getting back into knitting on the go, after the boys halloween gnome hats and Ben's fishing hat I can't seem to be anywhere without some knitting or crocheting. As much as I loved all the leaves and debris that stuck to the wool while out and about, I needed something that could keep things contained, easily fit in the diaper bag, bike trailer or clip onto the ergo (yes I can knit and walk, you should try it too).

So here is my project bag, so easy and so very useful. I have a bunch of projects nicely contained in each one. They started off as a produce bag idea, but I wasn't sure how well produce would do in cotton knit- is it breathable enough? I digress.

Cut a t-shirt.

Fold right sides together and stick some form of elastic as close to the top as you can easily do it.

I used some hair ties and tied a thread to keep it together while I sewed it.

Add a button on the middle of the top of one side and wrap the elastic around.

Here is the most amazing thing, I actually finished this bag (and 5 others) including hand sewing on the button in one sitting! That's how easy it was. Typical timing around here for hand sewing buttons: 2 weeks minimum- up to a year.

A Blustery Day

Oh, how quickly things change. The woodstove is rolling to warm us, chestnuts (from Iowa! thank you coop) are roasting on top. I spend my evenings with knitting piled on top of me and we had to wear several wooly layer for our walk in the prairie.

The dull of the day was okay by me, as we spent the last two weeks really soaking in all of the sun.

Enjoying All We are Given

We continue to be outside all the time. This fall weather is amazing. While I am a little disappointed that we can't have a fire in the wood stove without sweating, I know there is plenty of time for that.

We ventured one day with our pots and pans to play music in the park- Asher's idea. He and River played and sang.

I am definitely feeling the pull inward to hibernate. Less inclination to socialize and more wanting to spend all of my moments embracing our home life. I don't know if it is the weather or the boys ages or what. I think we have finally reached a point where they can actually be in a room and just play independently and with one another, which has felt like the most amazing gift.

Into the Woods:: 11/8 + Complete Project

I think we will be hiking every moment we can this week. Such awesome weather in these parts.
We found a great new nook in the woods this week. Asher could have spent the 3 hours in the same place. It was a true natural jungle gym composed of so many fallen trees. Luckily he decided to continue on with us and we found lots of deer and scat.
River was super cuddly after our weekend apart.
He picked coral berries to throw in the ditch...
and totally rocked the sweater I finally put the finishing touches on. It has been knitted for a year (his solstice gift last year) but didn't stay on without the buttons. Now is has buttons.

I altered the sweater from last minute knitted gifts to make a cardigan as I love that pattern. I need a reminder to not sew cardigans unless someone pinky swears to put the buttons on for me.

I love the original pattern, I always knit sleeves first now, so that I don't get board. I also didn't do the most careful job adjusting the patter and while I thought I accounted for the overlap, still ended up with the buttons slightly off center... but it is done!!!

Betty Brinn

Our children's museum tour continues as we finally visited one that we are so close to so often, but had forgotten to make the trip. Downtown Milwaukee on the Lake, there is a wonderful little place, The Betty Brinn Children't Museum. If you are in Milwaukee visiting or close by, it is definitely worth a stop with young kids. My boys loved it, so did Ben and I. So many things to explore and we only played in half of it. We will definitely return.

Veggies to plant
A banging wall, something I would love to make in our back yard.
Good ol assembly line. We worked hard making road signs, packing and shipping.
Plumbing in the bare bones home.
A loom to weave in.
Nice location and view.
Shape matching on a felt board.
And so much more. They had a pizza shop, grocery store, deli, bank, TV studio all linked with phone lines, so we could work the register and order a pizza for delivery- Asher loved this. Good thoughtful, playful exhibits and I love seeing a slightly home made touch that makes me feel that lots of thought went into it.

We will definitely return often.