August from the fifth lamp

Looking a little foreboding as the thunderstorms approach...


See you soon,
Jess

Calm

I was having a less-than-successful parenting morning today, so we took a walk through the woods by our house.
It is remarkable to me how the woods help me instantly to feel more relaxed and able to be excited about the tiny wonders around me.
When the Elder Hug-a-Bug found a teensy caterpillar hanging from a string, we were all of us calm enough to watch as it landed on the ground and took a trip across the path.

On a more successful note, I finished the BSJ Snowsuit.


I put in the zipper this morning.


Siobhan was glad to act as model this morning, it's a little big on her, but that should bode well for its fitting on a human baby.





Now it is time for lunchtime dumplings.
Mmmm

They are in the water right now, and they will disappear as fast as they cool.

Recipe from Martha Stewart Living Feb 2008.

Wishing you serenity,
Jess

New fun

I was flipping through my favorite blogs a couple of days ago, and came across something on Sew Mama Sew; a submission form for a new book called One Yard Wonders.

I am intrigued.

I have some ideas up my sleeve for submissions.

I haven't ever done that before and my hopes are not too high, but I am excited about the idea, and I also have a little Twin Cities pride since the authors are from Crafty Planet, a local fabric and yarn store.



I don't like to have a post without pictures, so here a funny picture from my Germany Trip

Wishing you all Lustig Feet.

Jess

BSJ Snow Suit

I have finished the knitting on my BSJ Snowsuit this evening.

As this design was an adaptation of an Elizabeth Zimmerman pattern, I felt free to make my own modifications.

I decided that if I wouldn't like to button as many buttons as the pattern calls for, neither would any friend of mine. Instead, I made this to zip.

So, I used kitchener stitch to close one leg, and bound off the rest of the stitches after 3 garter stitch ridges instead of the suggested 6 ridges.

All that remains is to pick out the zipper and install it.



On an unrelated note, I have a fun pic from the farm at the MN ZOO.

Note the cartoon color of the sky?

We have been having a run of unbelievably beautiful weather lately.

Have a relaxing night,

Jess

I just got some exciting news!

I won a giveaway from Wee Wonderfuls!
I am ridiculously excited about getting a doll.
I don't even know if I will let the Hug-a-Bugs play with it.
Well, maybe I will.
Here's to your hearing some fun news as well!
Jess

All Hail the Minnesota Parks!

I never was a big visiter of the parks system growing up.

I spent a certain amount of time in front of the television if the truth must be told.

I make no excuses.

I kick butt at trivia games because of it.

I hope to change my ways now that I have reached some level of maturity, and I hope also, that we are making pleasant memories for the kids.

We have made a habit this last week of visiting a park after dinner.

Partly because the weather has been quite lovely, but also because I am used to going to work between 4 and 6 PM and I have had not a lot of work lately.

Tonight we took a trip to Minnehaha Falls and had a terrific time.

My husband even managed to avoid the other picture takers long enough to take a fine photo of the falls.

I am loving this time we have entered with our children where we don't have to be as worried about their safety every second of every outing. Maybe every third second or so, but not every second.

It is also very exciting to see them exploring and finding the beauty around them.

Jess

Hidden Talent

I have a tiny amount of skill in the making of balloon animals.

When I say tiny I mean that I can make one animal; a dog.

Or so I thought...

Today I blew up a balloon for the Younger Hug-a-Bug and he says "Ooh! Cool Snake Mama!"

And then it became a light saber.

I rock at balloon animals.

As I have a new crop of friends with babies on the way I am amassing a pile of new baby presents.

I started the Baby Surprise Snow Suit yesterday. I am using Alpaca Sox and Tiur both from my stash of miscellaneous skeins.

I made a few Baby Surprise Jackets back when I first started knitting and I am glad to do another one. It is a super cool and super easy pattern. Much bang for one's buck.

We have really been enjoying the beautiful weather 'round here,

I hope you are as well.

Jess