Memorial Day Weekend

 

We arrived in the Cities on Friday afternoon.

Tim studied the tree and devised a plan.

The first supply run was made that night so he

could make an early start

the next morning.

 

Last year - this same weekend - we helped move

 Naphtali and Aidan into this house.

A tree suitable for a tree fort

was on their list of non-negotiables.

 

 You're looking at one happy kid!

 



The injury to my foot kept me off the ladders

and on the periphery for this project.

They worked hard and nearly

non-stop through Saturday and Sunday. 

There was a neighborhood

gathering scheduled for 6ish Sunday night.

The tree fort was complete and

Tim had manned the grill by 5:30!  

 

Unfortunately there is no photo of the finished project.

Naphtali created a charming focal point

by hanging a few accessories

and arranging a table and chairs under the platform.

I've been told a rope and bucket has been added

to serve as a dumb-waiter.

 

We'll be returning to build a deck

under the upper-tier,

but Phase 1 is complete.

 

 

 



Sunday Evening

I still find it

hard to believe that time can slip so quickly

through my fingers.

Intended posts and other projects

were set aside this week

to allow for the unexpected.

 

Last weekend Tim fell while cross-country skiing,

causing something in his knee to pop.

He iced and elevated through the night

and decided the next morning that it should be seen.

Preliminary diagnosis

was a torn ACL.

An MRI on Thursday indicated a torn MCL,

which means that surgery won't be required.

A round of PT twice a week for the next

 month or six weeks

and he should be good as new.

We're very thankful.

It did mean, though, that I was the designated

driver for work and appointments,

a role that will continue for at least another week.

 

We had several snowfalls last week

and the truck just went down our street

spreading the de-icing solution in

anticipation of freezing rain/ice later tonight

and into tomorrow morning.

Yippee.

 

Anyway, I was able to claim

some of the week for myself:

 

Tonight the last few rows of my sweater back will be finished,

bound off, and the front section begun.

 

My navy wardrobe selections are coming together.

A mariner dress from llbean

will be nothing but fun to wear.

A cotton/cashmere blend V-neck sweater

will prove versatile.

Local sales added a solid (but lightweight) 3/4 sleeve cardigan

a coral top (which may not make it)

a tank with embellished neckline

a 3/4 sleeve mariner top

and a pair of tan jeans.

 

 

The sneakers were found online.

A local store carried the style, but not

this color, so they were ordered and shipped to my front door. 

They are cute, comfy and will be a fun option

 for casual outings.

There are a few more packages

scheduled to arrive in the next few days.

Paint chips have proven helpful

when trying to "remember"

a color from one place to the next.

 

And this:



 

was going to be so much fun.

Projects using bleach pens and various

fabric mediums are featured on Pinterest

from time to time

and this was going to be my

grand experiment!

The scarf was clearanced for $3.00 - why not

take the chance?! 

 

It didn't work.

Plan B doesn't exist at this point

but I'm determined to

transform this scarf.

 

 

Flotsam and Jetsom

It's snowing.

I've already shoveled twice today:

before I left for  the gym

and after my return.

My guess is an easy 6 inches so far,

and it's expected to continue through the night.

 

The library will close early

meaning I won't be working tonight.

So rather than entering my full-on

getting-ready-for-work-mode

I shall blog.

With a cup of hot chocolate

comfortably within reach. 

 

We had our first cross country skiing

experience over the weekend.

I will tell you that I'm willing to give it

 another try,

express thanks that no footage exists of our outing,

and then move on to a new subject.

 

Our trips to Minneapolis are always too short

and very busy.

This trip also included a

Chinese New Year celebration with Aidan

pizza and foosball

pot roast, roasted marshmallows

snow removal and

 our farewells to Proton.

 

 This:

 

called my name at the thrift store during a blitz stop.

I'm embarrassed to admit that

Naphtali was wearing it at the time.

We did the "Oh no, you should take it!"

routine for a couple  minutes

and then it was mine.

 

This is why I don't take pictures.

This sweater is the loveliest, lightest

 mohair concoction in a rich caramel color.

The collar

(I know "fur" is divisive)(but I love it)

creates a soft frame.

The smile it generates starts in my toes!

 

 The plan was to wear it to work today

with a black tee and jeans.

It will make its debut tomorrow!

 

In return for Naphtali's generous capitulation

I offered to alter the sleeves on a

  beautiful black linen tunic

that she would have otherwise walked away from.

See? Win-win!

 

Not one, but two new berets

have recently been finished and made their public debut.

No photos exist of either event.

 

This:

 

is the sweater I'm knitting.

Let me say that again:

I'm knitting myself a sweater!

 

My list of things to try someday

includes several items that I should just

well, try.

This past year has already seen so many new

experiences why let

a small detail like primitive needle skills

prevent me launching another

new project?!

 

Actually, I recently read some good advice that went something like this:

Knitting dishcloths won't teach you to knit socks.

If you want to knit socks, then knit socks.

 

Here's to "knitting socks" in the new year!

and so it goes...

This was the view on December 5:

 

Decorating for Christmas had begun. 

 

Tim decided it was time to tackle a project

that we had been discussing all summer.

I told him he could have 2 weeks.

If it couldn't be finished in

2 weeks - don't start.

He started.

 

 December 12

 

 December 16

 

December 19

 



December 21

 

 

December 22



It's Beginning to look a Lot Like Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change of Plans

 

Charlie and I are waiting for it to warm up a bit

before we take a walk

and as my run to Webster City has

been cancelled,

I have what amounts to a free day.

Yippee!

 

What to do!?

As with any free time - it will fill

much too quickly

and seem much too short.

 

It struck me, yesterday, that we

are half-way through November.  How that

happened is a mystery, but it

means that I need to get started

on Aidan's advent calendar which is

traditionally delivered

at Thanksgiving.

A tradition that started when we lived hours

 and hours away

as a way for me to share the

holiday anticipation with him.

 

One year he received fancy envelopes

containing a carol for each day.  His dad

sang them at bedtime.

 

Another year it was the pages

of a lovely story of a pine tree

 rewarded for its

kindness to other forest creatures.

 

His own tree and ornaments one year.

 

Last year his reading skills

allowed me to mark off

pages for him to read everyday

from a schmaltzy cute paperback

about a homeless dog looking

for a family during the holidays.

 

Other years have been a combination

of whatever

school supplies

trinkets

gum

coins

bills

games

puzzles

will fit in the chosen container.

 

Pinterest

 

It's time to choose a container and theme -

a task that gets harder as he grows older.

If I want to keep the containers manageable

the content is pretty limited.

He doesn't like chocolate

which eliminates an easy default.

He's a boy - cute stuff only goes so far.

 

So today will be dedicated to strategy.

Making plans and lists.

Sorting through materials on hand.

Necessary groundwork

for productivity

if this Christmas project

 is actually going to happen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Saturday Night

The day is winding to a close.

The radiators have us all feeling coddled

and a scrumptious dinner has put

us in a mellow frame of mind.

Chickpeas with cumin and tomatoes

fingerling potatoes roasted in olive oil and rosemary

grilled chicken breast

a salad that defies its simple designation

warm baguette with dates and feta.

 

How will we'll actually remember this evening?

A good meal after a busy day

served with love by candlelight.

Aidan whistling nonchalantly as he scootched

his chair toward the light switch.

Waving a cutting board under the fire alarm.

Several times.

Dogs inching closer to the table.

The butterscotch versus caramel debate.

Laughter.

Plenty of laughter.

 

Tomorrow will find us headed home

- trying to avoid construction delays -

and thinking about our own

projects to tackle before winter.

 

We have everything - and a few extras -

crossed off Naphtali's list

for  this weekend.

Her cottage is cozy and ready for

whatever weather comes their way.

Aidan's homework is done.

Grandpa is tired.

 

And we'd do it all again in a heartbeat.

Worth a thousand words?

Transitions

Transitioning any wardrobe
is a process requiring creativity and fortitude.

August in Iowa can be tricky.

September, too.

We can face another six weeks of summer temps

while surrounded by examples of new

colors

scarves

jackets

and sweaters.
 

This year I have the added "complication"

of weight loss.

I just need a few things for work,

so the last few weeks have been spent going through

my drawers and closet,

sorting and building piles, as I see

what will get me through the next few weeks.
I don't want to buy anything right now...

 

One pile is on it's way out the door.

Doesn't fit.

Can't be altered.

Other items have had elastic and/or darts added.

A couple pair of lightweight pants

have received new side seams.

Shoulders have been adjusted.

I have a couple skirts that will see more use.

 

Grocery shoppers may see me wearing this:

I have to admit it has been hanging
in my closet for a couple years. 
I picked it up at a thrift store hoping it would fit. 

 It didn't.
But I liked it and I liked the idea of it, so it stayed.

I googled the label the other day when I wore

 it for the first time.

It's a Hilo Hattie, bias cut, 100% silk dress

that cost me $3.00!

 

Inspired by my sister's love for linen and recent

experiment with color

I did pick up a red 3/4 sleeve linen shirt. 

The dreaded D rings were removed, the strap

simply fed through the loop and tied.

 

The slubby texture means it's not an intensely red red.

Princess seaming keeps it trim.

 

So far, so good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Something New

I tackled a project, this week, that

had been on my mind for a while-

inspiration from both Pinterest and my sister.

As usual, pictures didn't occur to me until

after things were underway.

 

The mirror used to sit on the dresser.

 

Switched the furniture

-the dresser weighs a ton! -

and added a surge strip and white lights to create

 

a place to do my hair.

Flotsam and Jetsom

It seems as that shoes have taken

an inordinate amount of my time and energy

recently, so I did a quick tour

to show you, and remind me, that I

have, in fact accomplished

quite a lot in the last week.  Or so.

I attend my class every morning
and have added a quick mile on the elliptical
when I get home.

Today I went through my drawers and 

closet trying on clothes.

I have a pile that will go to the goodwill

and a pile for alterations.

 

There has been a lot of gardening.
A lot of watering.

The lettuce and spinach were finished a couple

weeks ago.  Peas, too.

Believe me, though, when I say they were

scrumptious. We ate fresh potatoes.
 

The heat this past week has been tough on

us, the yard and all the plants,
requiring some extra TLC especially for
 me, Charlie, my wisteria
and the potted plants.

See how awful the grass is!?
(We don't water the grass.)

 

 

But the Russian Sage is looking good.

As are the moss rose

  and sedums.
 

I planted a carpet rose.
 

The hutch is back 

(where I think) it belongs.
 

The yellow wall is gone.
(Can't take credit for the paint job - Tim did it.)

 

The bathroom window is finished.

(I did do the painting, here.)

 

Plants have been trimmed,

 tended  

and deployed all over the place.

 

I had fun with spray paint. 

 

I finished my pile of sanding for the deck project.

 

 

 

We'll see what tomorrow brings...