Soli bear

New sweater for Soli, so she doesn't freeze her butt off. It looks pretty dang cute on her, if I do say so myself.  Free pattern, available here.

Soli bear
Originally uploaded by Daphne_Blue

Hello again

Well, it's terrible that it's already February of 2008, and this is my first post.  So much has been going on (work has been especially draining) that I just haven't been able to bring myself to write. There are a few of you that I need to get in touch with, and I pinky swear I haven't forgotten about you!  I've just been slacking.  Majorly.

I miss this little site, and my blog friends.  Hopefully I'll get my groove back, baby.

so boring

I recently read about cupcakes in a jar.  It sounds fabulous, doesn't it?  Cupcakes!  In a jar!  I have to give this a try -- I think I'll use this tutorial.  A benefit to living out here is that EVERYBODY cans things (like corn, and green beans, and squirrels) so finding jars should be no sweat.

Just bought the Wicked sweater pattern to knit.  For me.  I won't have time to knit this for awhile, but I wanted to have the pattern to hold.  And pet.  And fantasize about how awesome it's going to be, provided I don't screw it up.

I've just ended a flurry of phone calls regarding the godmother's imminent arrival.  She was supposed to arrive early this evening, but the asshats at Delta in Atlanta suck, so she won't be getting here until closer to midnight.  If we're lucky.  Which sucks, but mostly for her. 

That's all, really.  I'm just hanging out, eyeing the peanut butter fudge that's sitting on the counter, while my sister and Charlie sleep on the couch.  If something exciting doesn't happen soon (like the godmother parachute landing in the front yard in 10 minutes yelling, "Gotcha!") I might have to eat the rest of the fudge (can you call it that when it's peanut butter?) ALL BY MYSELF.

So very nice

We had a fantastic Solstice celebration -- our first big "to do" over a holiday besides Christmas.  It will definitely be a tradition, now that we started.  We had a big dinner (think Thanksgiving style) and a candle ceremony.  The kids also had brown paper bags of birdseed that they used to feed the birds on our walk.  Their favorite part was definitely throwing seeds in the air.

Christmas day was delightful -- the girls all got really great, perfectly-suited-for-them presents.  I was most excited to give Marissa a sewing machine, and she said that was her favorite gift.  I can't wait to set it up and start teaching her the basics, and then make her my little sewing monkey.  It will totally happen.

Of course, I got my Gocco, and a frickin' ton of accessories for it.  I haven't tried it out yet, because as with anything new, I'm a little intimidated.  Once I finally grow some balls it will be a blast playing with it -- I have a ton of inks, screens, bulbs, and of course, card stock.  (Bryan is so the best man ever, to not only support me in getting more craft boolshiz, but to also buy it for me.)  The first order of business is having the kids design a thank-you card to send out.  In my head it's very awesome, so they'd better not mess it up.

The godmother is scheduled to fly in tomorrow, and I CAN'T WAIT to see her.  She'll help me play with the Gocco.  And the kids.  Bryan and I are so excited to have some cool grown-up time with her once the kids go to bed.

The puppy is still alive, but I'm not sure for how much longer.  She refuses to be paper trained.  RE. FU. SES.  I'm getting some of those special puppy pads that are supposed to help with paper training, although I'm morally opposed to paper products.  I have to bite the bullet on this one, because I'm more morally opposed to stepping in dog shit when I get out of bed.  I'm thisclose to crate training her, but she's so little.  And dumb.  If the pads don't work, though, we don't really have a choice.  I'm putting a lot of faith in these magic puppy pads, so they'd better not fail me.

*P.S.  If you haven't already, please visit this post of Elaine's.  I plan on writing, and I hope you will, too.

Cracker houses

Last year I bought a gingerbread house kit with all the trimmings (it was not cheap) and we ended up finally throwing it away.  In September.  This year, I bought two boxes of graham crackers and an assload of candy, and set everything up for the kids to decorate.

Much, much better.  And cheaper.  And a little messy.  But super awesome. 

I'm holding off letting the kids eat them, because that part scares the crap out of me.  I think I'll have Bryan gas the car up, so when things start getting CRAZY we can make a quick getaway.

I hope your holiday is as magnificent as ours, with a smidge less crazy.

xxoo