Armadillo baby hat...

I have so many friends having babies in the next few months, I thought I'd find a new baby hat pattern to make for each of them.  I fell in love with this hat pattern the minute I saw it- the pattern can be found here.  It totally reminds me of an armadillo.  The biggest thing I like about the hat (besides that it's quick and easy to make) is that it will stay on a baby's head while they are in their car seat, it also covers up little baby ears so they stay warm.

I'm making 5 more hats in different colors- I'm in knitting heaven!

Hippie knit hat

Jayda wanted a new hat this winter so I made her this quick circular knitted hat.  I think it looks kinda like a hippie hat- if I make another with this pattern I will make it a little longer so it covers the ears- still a cute, fun little hat.

knitting with t-shirts

I saw a great idea on Pinterest where they used old t-shirts as yarn and knitted with it.  I decided I had plenty of old t-shirts lying around and the girls needed a bathmat-so viola- t-shirt bathmat.

 It was really easy and is super absorbent and fits perfectly in their bathroom.

Easter Bunny

We had an AMAZING Easter weekend. We went down South to St. George to visit my Grandma in the hospital (having some stomach trouble, had to have surgery-not doing too well). We are so fortunate to have my cousin and her hubby living in Cedar City so we had a place to stay and someone to watch the kids while Petter and I visited my Grandma. From there we drove back to Cedar, grabbed the kids, my cousin Crystal and her kids and headed a little North to Beaver. Jairus (Crystal's hubs) has a house that he does some maintenance work on and when he does, he can bring his family to stay for free. We are technically family so we joined them. I am still kicking myself for forgetting my camera (I had all that Easter stuff to pack, so I wasn't as focused as usual) because the amazing weekend we had can be properly expressed in words. This "vacation" house belongs to a couple who live in Australia and vacation in Beaver, Utah (huh?). They have equipped the house with everything anybody could want or need (from child to adult) including a zip-line, playhouse, putting green, 3 decks, fire pit, trampoline, lassoes and fake cow, fooz ball, air hockey, pool table, I could go on and on. Jairus is currently working on building a climbing wall and bucking bull ride. My kids cried when it was time to leave. We ate some yummy food, toooooo much candy, enjoyed the outdoors, stayed up way too late, and basically had a dream vacation- we only saw the kids when they were hungry because they were playing so hard. Hopefully we will do it again soon.

Before our lovely weekend, I noticed Simeon carrying around this bunny for days. I knitted it for Jayda when she was a baby (now turning 6) and it was one of my first tricky knitting projects. I'm happy to see that almost six years later, this little bunny is still getting some love and hasn't come completely unravelled.

My kiddos loved coloring eggs- I think we should do it for more holidays than just Easter, it's so fun. And deviled eggs are always good.

Ropes and Ladders

My oldest has decided to grow out her bangs (makes me sad, they were so cute) so I found this super cute headband pattern in my new book Knitting 24/7. This way she can keep those pesky bangs out of her face, and look cute. I'm going to make several more in different colors- I think it's the perfect "summer headband".

Love it!

Baby Cocoon Sack

I just finished this baby cocoon sack for my sister-in-law who is going to have a baby in a few months. I saw the pattern and wished I would have had one of these when my babies were newborns. It's a blanket that doesn't require any swaddling because it's already the perfect shape and size. It is a Bernat Baby Cakes pattern and was pretty easy and straightforward. Because of the stitch pattern, it's also somewhat adjustable (stretchable) to fit and hug around baby. She's not sure (and not finding out) whether it's a boy or a girl, so I thought grey and cream would work for either.

Special thanks to Curious George for posing and allowing me to fit him into this little sack.

Fun Outside

I still haven't figured out the new photo layout for blogger- it puts the ones I add last at the first of the post- kinda doesn't make sense. So we'll just work backwards with this post:

I am always on the lookout for baskets to put my yarn in, and it's a bonus when they are cheap and cute. So when I saw this wire basket at a furniture store, I had to buy it. It's a great size and color and I like to be able to see what is inside.

(I'm a dork, but these things make me happy)

We spent last weekend in Cedar City with my cousin and her family. We have the perfect relationship setup: My cousin is one of my favorite people, our husbands are best friends, our kids are the same age and order (girl,girl,boy), and we love hanging out together. She and I stayed up the first night talking our heads off till 3:00 a.m., we all went swimming Saturday, got a sitter for the evening and went to dinner and a movie. It was a great change of scenery, pace, and people and we had a great time.

When we got home Sunday night, it was super windy outside so the kids and Petter took their new kites (bought in Cedar City) outside to fly.

Until it started raining and the wind ripped the kite out of daddy's hand and sliced his finger. After that we decided to call it a day.

Last week my mom came and grabbed both girls for a horse ride out in the West Desert. They traded off horses (each girl taking turns riding by herself), roasted hotdogs on a fire and had a great time.

Knitting 24/7

While picking up some more knitting needles on Saturday, I came across this perfect little book: Knitting 24/7 of course the title jumped out at me (because this is what I do-knit 24/7) but often titles are better than the contents. In this case, I was pleasantly surprised- I browsed through the book and had to buy it because every single page had something I want to knit or a pattern I've been trying to find.

Most of the patterns are fairly quick and the patterns are easy to memorize so they can be taken wherever you go; the doctor, dmv, carpool, whatever. I love a good knitting book and am excited to start on a few projects from the book, as soon as I finish my current knitting project: a baby cocoon blanket for my sister in law.

Yesterday, Olivia went to Liberty Girls. It is an amazing little group of homeschool girls who read books and get together to discuss them and learn things from the book. This semester they have been reading about Josefina (An American Girl) and learning some skills or things from the time period of the 1820's in New Mexico. Yesterday was Olivias favorite day ever- they learned how to spin wool into yarn on a spinning wheel. She was really into it and can't wait to knit something up with her new yarn that she spun herself.

Sweet Jayda had a great day with my mom riding horses. I feel so lucky and blessed to have a mom who loves the outdoors and animals, and loves to share her love with her grandkids. Last week she took Olivia on a big long all day ride, and yesterday she took Jayda. Jayda was so excited to go and didn't complain a bit on the ride and kept the other ladies on the ride entertained. Growing up I did a lot of riding and I'm so glad that my kids get to enjoy it as well. When it gets warmer we will all go together, after making sure Simeon has plenty of Benedryl (he's allergic to horses). Maybe someday we can get horses of our own, but for now this is a pretty great set-up.

I finished a few knitting projects while my camera was out of commission. I finished several hats for friends' babies. I absolutely love this pattern for baby hats- it's easy and quick to do, I can put whatever pattern I want into it, and it has the cute little top. It's a Debbie Bliss pattern (I love her patterns) and I bet over the past few years I've made at least a hundred of them.
It'll be soooo cute on a little boy. Last week at Young Womens, we had a huge Personal Progress Party so the girls could get a bunch of things passed off in one night. I brought some needles and yarn in case anyone wanted to learn how to knit and do it for one of their projects. I think I ended up teaching 8 or 9 girls and moms how to knit- it was great! Made me want to start a knitting club or something... we'll see.

We finished the second book of the Little Britches series, Man of the Family. These books are amazing. They teach lessons and are very entertaining, about a boy and his family in the early 1900's. It is the #1 book series that I recommend to moms wanting to read something fun to their kids. The first book, Little Britches is a definite must read, and the others are icing on the cake. We will start the third book on Monday, and I can't wait. My hubby got me the whole set for mothers day last year- perfect present!

I rarely make things for myself (I'm working on improving this) but I actually did make myself a big, chunky, cozy scarf. It was knitted with chunky yarn on size 17 needles so it was a pretty quick knit. It has fun little bobbles on it and I'm trying to decide if I want to add fringe on the ends or not. I wear it around the house when I'm a little chilly and I get compliments on it when I wear it out- I'll make some more maybe in the fall/winter for gifts.
Homeschool is going smoothly, we have a few little recitals coming up: violin, piano and dance. Spring is in the air, I'm excited to start working in my yard, planting and weeding, and I'm starting a new book group. Petter and I are training for a 1/2 marathon, I think we will do the one at Bear Lake in the first part of June. I'm excited for warmer weather and time at the park, I love living in such a beautiful, amazing place.

I can still have fun without a camera...

I have been using my iphone's camera since mine is out of commission and heres a few of the events I captured:

My little angel is really into permanent markers lately.  He decided make himself look more like Daddy and draw a goatee (that's how it's spelled- I looked it up) and some eyebrows- what a little jewel he is.

The girls and I had a fun time doing this little art project one day during homeschool last week.  I saw the idea in a magazine and decided to do it ourselves.  We got a few different kinds of wrapping paper and I drew love-birds and hearts and the girls cut them out.  This is one of my favorite wall hangings now because it makes me think of my sweet girls and their effort to cut it all just so.  I love the little imperfections when I look up close- I think this might be a keeper year round instead of just at Valentines.

Simeon wore the tie I made him to church last week and I got a cheesy picture before we went out the door.

My wonderful Father-in-law painting the island in my kitchen- I adore the color!

Here is the finished product from the other side- it looks so clean and nice now!  We do have a drawer issue though- somehow we can't get that one drawer to straighten up- I think it must be in the wrong place- hubby to the rescue!

We got to go to the most wonderful night at the Symphony.  We felt so fancy- we got to go to a reception before the show and the Hotel Monaco and eat some goodies.  Then in the lobby they were auctioning off these amazing painted violins- the front and the back of all of them were decorated with amazing artwork.

We had AMAZING seats! 1st tier, 2nd row- we could see everything so well.  It was a great date with Olivia in tow.

The Symphony was fabulous and we all really enjoyed every minute of it.  There was  a cute couple sitting next to me- they were probably in their 70's and being so sweet and affectionate with each other.  I of course (if you know me you won't be surprised) leaned over to them and mentioned how cute they were and asked how long they had been together (beforehand I was imagining that they had this romantic relationship over several decades or something) "two years" was their answer!  I was a little surprised and said "Well, you're keepin the love alive!" If only we can all be that way after 30-40 years- that's my goal.

Life without a camera...

I'm going crazy!!!

My camera wouldn't turn off so it kept draining the battery.  I took it in to get looked at by the camera doctor and they said 4-6 weeks!!! Yikes!

So much going on that I want to take pics of:

• Finishing up the painting in the kitchen- just finished the island in cheery blue.
• Just finished an adorable scarf with bobbles
• Two baby hats- finished one yesterday and gave it to some friends with a baby on the way, the other is in the works and will probably be finished and gone before I get my camera back.
• Started a new book "Wild Swans" by Jung Chang- so far it is beautifully written and very enlightening about communist China and the government control on the individuals there before the death of Mao in the late '70's.  It talks about three generations of women and their struggles and triumphs- I'm excited to read it.
• Simeon wore the tie I knitted him to church on Sunday- sooooo adorable!

I will see if blogging is even possible without my camera- It seems funny to talk about all this stuff but not be able to show it as well.

Knitting, cooking and kitchen...

I just finished Jayda's new ballet bag.  I made a little bag for my niece for Christmas and decided that since it was so cute and easy, I'd make a larger version for my Jayda to stuff her ballet shoes and clothes into.  I used much larger needles (size 13 instead of 9) and made everything just a bit bigger to accommodate all her stuff.  I love the way the garter stitch stretches, and the bag can be worn as a backpack with both straps or over one shoulder.

It would make a great grocery/produce bag as well.  

Another project we've been working on is the kitchen.  It had light maple cupboards and I was wanting something a bit more cheery so we went white.  Since I lived in my in-laws basement with white cabinets, I have missed them.  They look great, easy to clean and brighten up the room.  The project isn't quite finished: I am saving my pennies for pendant lights over the island, a new cheery backsplash (I'm thinking sea-glass or something), and this week we are putting bead board around the island and painting it a cheery (once again) light turqoisey blue (similar to the mirror I painted but a bit lighter).  I'm so excited to get my house exactly how I want it one room at a time.  Eventually when the other white appliances break, we will replace everything with stainless steel to match the microwave we just put in.

Busy Day Recipe:

Tuesday is our busy day as a family.  Aside from the usual, already busy day, we add Jayda's ballet and Olivia's gymnastics- both taking place at the same time, in different places.  So it's a bit of a race to get them where they need to go and then I pick one up and Petter picks up the other and we meet up at home for dinner before Petter has scouts, and I later have yoga.  With that kind of an evening, it doesn't leave a lot of time for the making of dinner, so it's the day I usually throw some stuff in a crockpot and let it do it's magic.  I absolutely love inventing new recipes- if I could live out one of my dreams, it would be to make up and test recipes- since I really don't have time for that, I just try things out on my family.  Yesterdays meal was one of the best and I will definitely be making it again, and again, and again.  I'm calling it "Chicken Tortilla Soup". In the summer my mom and I froze salsa in ziploc bags and it worked out great- so that's the salsa I used, it's got lots of cilantro and is way yummy.  If you don't have frozen salsa (I know it's kinda weird) you could just use a bottle of your favorite or whip up some fresh.

Here's the recipe:

5 frozen chicken breasts

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 quart (or so) frozen salsa

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup quinoa

In the morning, put chicken, soup, quinoa and salsa in the crock pot on high. Let it cook all day and when ready for dinner, add the beans till heated.

Serve with tortilla chips, cheese and whatever other fixings you like.

Christmas knitting

Last year I made this knitted, felted poinsettia wreath- It was a bit time consuming but the results are totally worth it- for the pattern and instructions: pick up sticks

I may be insane, but all this knitting has made my fingers bleed and I'm wearing a wrist brace! I might have gotten in a bit over my head.  I should have known when I left the store with $100 in yarn that I had bit off more than I could chew.  So here are a few of the things I've been working on.

I found this awesome pattern for a 1940's watch cap on Ravelry and decided it would be perfect for my nephew- he saw me making a little bag for his sister and begged me to make something for him- little did he know it was already in the works.

I love the finished look- it's hard to see here but the top makes kind of a criss-cross pattern and the ribbing is lovely.

I made this scarf for my sister-in-law (I drew her name) and because she is a bit tricky to buy for, I decided a unique scarf would work well.  It's super long and big and chunky- it's a larger version of the orange scarf I made for my daughter for her birthday.

For my older young women (Laurels) who I'm over, I made them each a scarflette.  They were so sweet when I gave them out on Sunday, hopefully they all got the color they want.  

I've also knitted my little boy a tie, knitted a bag for my niece, helped my daughter finish her 3 scarves that she made and am now working on a bigger bag for my other daughter (won't be ready by Christmas) so she can carry her ballet stuff in it.

...and another Birthday!

Every once in a while as a special treat, we change the homeschool venue and load all of our books upstairs and sit at the kitchen table.  It's funny how much more attentive the kids are when we sit in a different location.  I love watching Olivia help Jayda, I think they both learn a lot that way.

Olivia is getting really good at knitting.  She is making presents for cousins and friends for Christmas and just finished her first scarf.  She's gotten pretty quick at it too.

My oldest daughter had a birthday yesterday! I can't believe my baby is 9 years old.  It's funny how whenever I have a birthday, I feel exactly the same; but when my kids have birthdays, it makes me feel old.  I looked at myself in the mirror and I think I see some wrinkles.  I get almost a depressed feeling the day after one of my kids birthdays: wondering if the birthday was fun/magical enough, wondering if they felt special, and in a way, wanting time to stop so they don't get any older.

We had a great time re-decorating her room for her birthday.  We rearranged the bed and dresser, added a bedside table, lamp, some wall decals, new bedding, and Grandma gave her an awesome dish chair to lounge in.  

Her favorite color right now is orange, so we tried to bring orange into everything.  Her cute new duvet cover, sheets, and bedskirt are pretty cheery.

For her birthday, she also wanted a haircut.  My sister, Holly does a great job and I love Olivia's sweet face with bangs.

I'm glad I captured this moment with Olivia and her Grandma- they were playing an impromptu duet together.

We switch off and do a party with friends on the even years and a family party on the odd years.  This year was an odd year, and she wanted her favorite foods: scones and mashed potatoes, finished off with Grandpa's special cream cake.

We had the party at Petter's parents house.  Olivia wanted to have a pie fight but settled for this alternative: a piece of gum hidden in a pile of whipped cream, first one to get the gum wins. Although, really in this game, everybody wins.

It was really cute to watch, some of the kids were shocked that this type of eating was allowed.

Simeon thought that was the way to eat for the rest of the night, so he went ahead and dove right into the cream cake.

One of my favorite Birthday traditions that we do is favorite things (adopted from Petter and his family) where we go around the room and everyone tells their favorite thing about the birthday girl. Papa talked about how she makes good choices in every situation even if she has to tell an adult that she's not supposed to listen to a certain type of music or watch a certain movie.

Here I am telling my favorite things: I love that she's so responsible, such a great big sister, such a great helper, a great entrepreneur (she has her own preschool and makes $3 a week) and I'm happy to be her mom.

Happy Birthday Olivia!!