Photo Friday: The Knitting Knerds Edition

Thursday night:  knitting and a mocha with friends!

End of the Year Plans, a To-Do list

1. Figure out how to change a poopy diaper with out the rambunctious toddler kicking my fresh arm tattoos.
2. Clean the house, I like starting a new year with a literal clean slate.
3. Do a bit of journaling during naptime and perhaps a wee bit of reading.
4. After nap load up the hubby and kids and travel to Athens to visit one of my bestest friends in the world, Catherine, and her brood. 
5. Remember to take Catherine coffee and The Woman in Black because she MUST read it.
6. Arrive home in time for Atticus's bedtime and successfully tuck him in for the night.
7. Talk Sam into going out with his friends or painting.
8. Make a homemade pumpkin spice latte, grad a quilt, and head to the couch.
9. Read until midnight!  My plan is to finish The Night Circus!

I'm reading so many end-of-the-year-reading posts.  Tomorrow expect my stats and favorites.  2011 isn't over yet and I'm going to squeeze in one more book!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Y'ALL!

Date Day, with a special appearance by John Galsworthy!

 About once a month Sam and I try to go on a date,; every once in a while we are able to sneak away for a date day.  That's right, an entire day kids free.  This Saturday we had eight glorious hours of not cleaning house, not wiping up drool, not arguing with a tween, and generally acting like grownups.

We started the day off by becoming inordinately enraged.  Sam went to cash his check at the bank (the bank he has an account with -- Regions Bank) and they wouldn't cash his check.  Yup.  The bank he banks with wouldn't cash his check,  scary.  Apparently you must have the same amount in your checking account as your check.  That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard in my life.  We considered staging an Occupy Regions, but decided against it.  Luckily, Wells Fargo cashed the check since that is where Sam's employer banks.  Guess who's moving to a credit union next week?

After that we went to Target.  It was glorious.  No shoveling goldfish.  We didn't look at a single Selena Gomez CD.  We bought a shower curtain and a baby gift for some friends.  It rocked.  Then on to Athens!  We don't give a flip about football and so we didn't even realize that it was the Georgia vs. Auburn game.  Whoopsy! We were stuck in traffic for a bit.  Surrounded by GINORMOUS SUVs filled with folks wearing red and black.  I watched with fascination as one debutante styled her hair with gallons of hairspray and she teased her hair like a Harpie in heat.  I nearly wept for the ozone. 

Once we arrived we decided to fork out $10 to park outside of a thrift store and spend the day walking.  It was lovely out.  We went to said thrift store and it was a bust.  I picked up one book.  We place was so bare.  I tell you -- good thrifting occurs on weekday mornings (that's when you can get the good stuff). 

Next, lunch at Siri Thai.  I had some delicious noodles and then Sam had a curry.  Then a walk to Avid Books, the new book store in Athens.  The store is adorable and while the selection is small it is very well selected.  I'll take a fiction section of 300 well-chosen titles over miles of crap any day.  I picked out a board book about bugs for Atticus's Christmas and The Collected Writings of Zelda Fitzgerald for myself. 

Then we walked over to the vintage shop Modern Star and I promptly spent all of my money.  I luv this place.  I passed up a mid-century modern teapot when I saw these:

a treasure trove of vintage Scribner's John Galsworthy novels.  The Forsyte Saga for the win!  Sam bought a vintage suitcase to make a portable art kit and then he bought me a Trifari enamel owl brooch.  These increases my enamel brooch collection AND my owl collection.  She is such a cute little owl.

At that point in time we realized we shouldn't spend any more money so we left to go visit our friends Becca and Jacob.  Their daughter, Clarice, was born three weeks ago.  I held her for the longest time.  She is so sweet and seems so tiny to me!  She is not quite 7 pounds and 3 weeks old; Atticus was nearly 10 pounds at birth and a 12 pounds by the time he was 3 weeks old.

We stayed for a bit and then it was time to head home.  The ride home was lovely -- golden, serene, and filled with beautiful autumn leaves.  We had a quick coffee at Inman Perk and then it was home to an exhausted and happy little Atticus and an equally exhausted Shannon the Coparent!

I can't wait until our December date!

Blabbity Blabbity Boo

I'm sleepy.  I stayed up too late last night drinking coffee (stupid me!), crocheting, and watching The Walking Dead with Sam. This morning Atticus woke at 5am and we snuggled together on the couch.  I had a cataclysmic argument with Hope over the importance of buckling her seatbelt.  I got my hair did on my lunchbreak.  I hate all of my clothes.  I just ate an orange.  I'm not blogging right now I'm talking to myself out loud. 

Bleh.

I've had two lovely letters from super-awesome-friends this week and it makes me miss my friends and spending time with Sam.  I like how when you hang out with someone a ton you can kinda do your own thing and they can do their own thing but you are all together in a room.  It is nice.  For example.  Last night Sam sat on the couch drawing and I was reading Wolf Hall.  It was nice just being together.  Now that he is tattooing 4 nights a week and I see him less. My problem is I WANT IT ALL: time alone and time with people I love.  I have to have both or I feel off.

Oh well.  Just so you know this isn't a downer post.  I'm not feeling low, just really grateful.  I have amazing people in my life.

Tomorrow is date day.  Thrifting, lunch, coffee, visiting friends and a bookstore trip is in order.  And smooching.  Lots and lots of smooching. 

Here are some other things floating around in my brain today:

1.  I really need to make a list of my top fifty books. Thanks for the inspiration, Heather!
2. This is going on the "To Bake" list.  Coffee-flavored cake.  Yes please. 
3. But then again, this looks pretty darn tasty too.  I think I know why my ass is so big.
4. Beautiful and amazing embroidered book covers; I'm so inspired!
5. Laughed. My. Ass. Off.  Thank you Feminist, Ryan Gosling!

Have a great weekend!

G is for Good Friends

One of my closest friends, Catherine the Cakewife!

For the past few days I've been mulling over friendship.  What makes a true friend.  The difference between an acquaintance, a facebook "friend", a frenemy, a friend, and a good friend.  This introspection has led to several conclusions; one is that there are varying degrees of friendship.  It isn't that I like people any less, but friend A may be someone I can talk to and lunch with or merely facebook chat and for whatever reason it doesn't bridge to Good Friend status. And then friend B is a Kindred Spirit. The other thing I learned is that friendship -- even close friendship -- can fade and die. 

So what makes a good friend or a strong friendship?  In thinking of my closest friendships, those that are strong and those that have ended for whatever reason I came to several conclusions on what makes a strong friendship:

Common Interests:  This may seem like a "duh" type statement, but I really think this is what makes one want to be friends with another person.  I work and interact with a number of Nice People, but I don't have anything in common with them.  I may have a quick chat or a conversation over a cup of coffee, but it never goes anywhere.  We eventually run out of things to say.  I need for someone to have an interest in the things I love (not everything, but maybe a thing or two).  For example if you hate Charles Dickens and would rather watch Fox News I may still be able to have a great friendship with you if we both love thrifting and Arcade Fire.  We Have Common Interests.  I won't babble about Bleak House and you won't babble about Sean Hannity and we can both score kitschy vintage owl swag at the Goodwill and listen to Funeral on repeat. 

Communication:  Some people I don't understand.  Maybe I don't "get" their sense of humor or maybe every conversation leaves me confused and wondering "I wonder what she meant...."  Communication means that we understand one another and we can talk things out from which movie to watch to settling differences to letting the other person know when we are hurt, angry, joyous, or lonely.  It also means that we TALK.  I have many friends that I don't even talk to on face book.  They are all lumped into the category of People I Admire, but we never really converse. 

Courtesy:  I try to be careful to not take advantage of my friends. It is easy to relax around people we love, but I firmly believe that basic courtesy should always be in place.  This means returning borrowed items, maybe putting off that 3am phone call when you know the other person works the next day, showing up to planned activities on time or at the very least not habitually showing up very late, not talking over the other person or attempting to "top" stories.  Basic basic basic courtesy goes a long way.  I would say that a lack of courtesy is the first sign that a friendship may go sour.

Constructive Criticism:  Now to some meaty stuff.  I've constructively criticized when asked ("no, I wouldn't wear the yellow Charlotte Russe jumpsuit and booties") and I've given unsolicited criticism ("cheating is wrong" or "I'm worried about your binge drinking").  Friends should be the ones to challenge you and let you know when you're doing wrong.  Tough love all the way.  And then there is petty criticism.  I've had "friends" comment negatively on my thrift store wardrobe, my desire to use tote bags for everything, my parenting choices, my hair, my music and my life. There is a big difference between not liking something and expressing that opinion and belittling someone because of a choice they've made. 

Caring:  A certain amount of selflessness goes into being a friend.  I will bring you chicken soup and lend you $20 bucks.  I'll be happy for you when you're happy and supportive when you're down.  Time, energy, love.... all of those things go into being a great friend. If there isn't love there isn't a friendship.

Core Ethics:  I disagree with many of my friends on politics and religion and I'm fine with having a difference of opinion. However, I CANNOT be friends with people who are homophobic, racist, misogynists, or people who are ridiculously shallow.  Try as I might, I cannot get along with someone who believes a $600 Burberry handbag is an investment worth making.

Compromise:  Okay, I'll watch your silly anime and I'll endure the Lady Gaga CD (maybe).  But then you might have to sit through a BBC drama or listen to my litany of "that's what she said jokes."  That's the true test of a friendship, liking some one enough to endure annoyance, boredom, or being outside of one's comfort zone now and again.  

I love my friends and I cherish each memory we have together.  Cheers!

Photo Friday: The Bake and Make Edition

An embroidered birthday hankie for a friend...








Blueberry Oatmeal Pecan Cookies...




A basketweave dish cloth. Most of it is knitted and then I did a crochet thingamajig border...

Cheery Cherry Muffins...


Basketweave Cloth...


I'm in a makerish mood.  I have plans to bake more Cherry Muffins, something new with blueberries, and a chocolate plum cake.  I'm also knitting more dish cloths for all the marrying/newlymoved/birthdaying folks I know.  I've also started a project for a stitch-along, but I couldn't take pictures because the camera batteries are dead.  Oh yes, and I think I'm starting a low-key knitting group at the coffee shop.  Oh yeah!  And crafts, I have plans to make somethings with Hope and a few felt owls.

I hope you all are out there making something.  It is so satisfying and peaceful!

Hello, July

My computer is utterly broken and I'm waiting to get a "new" to me laptop from my little brother.  Apparently my old laptop was laughably antiquated.  This means piece-meal posts for a bit on work breaks and borrowed computers.  I haven't really missed access to a computer because my weekend was so wonderfully perfect and full.  July certainly has started out with a bang.  This fourth of July weekend:

• The family went to a birthday party at the local sprayground.  Eli is certainly an adorable one-year-old and I look forward to the many adventures of Atticus and Eli that are sure to pepper the future.
• Afterwards my good friend Catherine and her adorable little girl came over for a visit.
• The evening concluded with watching Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and I loved it.
• On Saturday I took Hope blueberry picking with our friends Heath and Caroline and Catherine and Zoe came as well.  We also hit up the Athens Farmer's Market and the Grit for some delicious food.
• Sunday was spent cleaning the house (not exciting, but totally necessary)
• Sunday afternoon Sam and I escaped for a few hours.  He drew and I hung out with my friends Shannon and Naomi and did a little reading.
• I started two phenomenal books this weekend-- Margaret George's Elizabeth the I: a Novel and The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett.
• Yesterday, we visited my grandparents and I got to show off my adorable kids.
• Finally, last night we had our friends Shannon, Heath, and Caroline over for a cookout.

It was a perfect weekend and I have a feeling July will be a very good month.  Family, friends, time outdoors, reading.... I couldn't ask for a better start to the month.

The Therapist is in..... the Coffee Shop

www.nataliedee.com

I don't know if this is work-drudgery fatigue, Aunt Flo, or a run-of-the-mill case of the Clinical Depression, but tonight is Mom Night and I need it.  After dinner is made and Atticus is fed and Hope's laundry is done, I am grabbing my bag of thread, heading to Inman Perk, and getting the biggest soy mocha pennies can buy.  I'll sip and stitch and chat with dear friends.  Yay!

T-minus two hours and thirty-three minutes until I can recharge.....

Christmas Week

This week is sure to be filled with massive amounts of joviality.  On Sunday I went to my parents' house for a quick visit.  It quickly turned into holiday bake fest 2010.  I made toll house squares, ginger molasses cookies, and 48 red velvet cupcakes.

This is what mom's kitchen looked like at 2 in the morning:



The next day I woke up and made candied bacon fudge.  Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of the final product.  Right as I was extracting hot, caramelized bacon from the oven, Atticus sent up a wail.  He wanted to be held, so I quickly finished assembling the fudge while tapping his bouncing seat with my foot and singing "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas."   The fudge was delicious and quite easy to make.



In addition to making fudge, I spent Monday running errands and cleaning.  I couldn't have gotten everything done with out Sam's help!  He truly is a lifesaver.  On Tuesday one of my closet friends from college, Amanda J., came for a visit.  We went to dinner and spent many hours chatting and catching up.  For Christmas, I gave her a copy of Antonia White's Frost in May and she devoured it that very evening.

Yesterday was fabulous!  I spent the morning talking with Amanda and then we went to Inman Perk for reading and more chatting.  That evening we had a huge reunion of all our college buds.  Many of my college friends hadn't seen Hope since she was in preschool!  It was especially wonderful because we had 3 people from out of state who were able to make it:  Amanda is in law school in Tennessee and Clarissa and Micki both live in California.



All of my friends adore Hope; in fact this group of college women practically raised Hope.  I had Hope my freshmen year of college and, as a single mother, I needed all the help I could get.  This wonderful group babysat Hope, spoiled her to pieces, and were there when things were tough.

The night also offered an opportunity for everyone to meet Atticus.  Little Man was overwhelmed by all the doting women so he stayed pretty close to mom and dad the entire night.



I'm exhausted from the past few days of excitement and preparation.  Today I'm going to spend the afternoon relaxing with the kids and then I'm off to a family holiday party at my grandmother's home.

Christmas is so close!!!!!  I can't wait!!!!!

Remembering September and Looking to October

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October is here and it is one of my most favorite months; I adore fall weather.  September was disappointing as far as autumn goes -- we had temperatures in the upper 80s most of the time.

Now the air truly has a bite of apple crispness and find myself perfectly content to stay home with a large mug of warm milk and and an even bigger book.

Now, for retrospect followed by exciting plans....

Remembering September:

• I began life as a soccer mom (gasp!); and Hope is really loving the sport.  It is so nice to see her working hard and making friends.


• Baking:  a made some fall favorites (pumpkin bars and espresso brownies) and baked a new recipe, Cranberry Honey Drop Cookies.


• The adoption was finalized!  Sam is Hope's daddy for ever and always!


• I began a new embroidery project


• I had a wonderful date day with Sam to Athens.


• Several wonderful trips to the library and a phenomenal library book sale


• Celebrated Sam's 29th birthday


• Began taking Prepared Child Birth Classes


• Readying the nursery!


• Finally I have internet at home


• Craft night with friends featuring yarn, Thai food, coffee and gossip


• Read three books (only three!), Mary Queen of Scots and the Murder of Lord Darnley by Alison Weir, Anatomy of Deception by Lawrence Goldstone, and The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Looking to October:

• Blogtoberfest! The goal is to post every day in October.  I didn't accomplish this last year, but I sure did post a heck of a lot more.  My goal is to post every day, even if it is a tiny writeup, rant, or link.


• Finishing Sharon Kay Penman's The Sunne in Splendour.  This is a fabulous book, but nearly 1,000 pages long.  This is my "I must finish this book before Atticus gets here" challenge.


• Speaking of Atticus he *might* be here by the end of the month.  Needless to say I'll be nesting, baby prepping, and finishing childbirth class.  I'm looking forward to this being my last month of pregnancy and having my little man soon!


• Thrifting!  Tomorrow is the huge community thrift sale, because of Hope's soccer game I won't make it there until noon so I hope some deals are left.


• Working on my new embroidery project and finishing the blanket for Atticus.


• Organizing my photo albums.  I feel compelled to tackle the box of pictures and put them in order.


• Breaking out the sewing machine


• Making holiday plans and beginning my baking and gift plans early


• READATHON!  Next Saturday!  Yay!


• Staycation!  Hope has fall break week after next and we have plans to see a movie, have lunch with her Dad at work, take walks and watch plentiful amounts of Dark Shadows.


• Possibly a foray into Once a Month Cooking.... possibly


• Organizing my bookshelves.  I'm saving this for my nesting spurt.


• Baking big loaves of crusty bread and making jar after jar of pumpkin butter and apple butter.


• Audiobook stockpile!  I'm stocking up on audio books for when I function as a milk tank in late October / early November.  Pass on any recommendations!

There we have it, lots of stuff to look forward to!  In my immediate future I see a shower and hitting the pillow.  I'm tired and I know I'll be up 5o0 times in the night since Atticus has decided my bladder is the perfect squeeze toy.

Remembering August and Looking to September

Yesterday Hope stayed home from school because of a sore throat, sinus headache and some sniffles.  By two in the afternoon she was feeling much better and I began feeling crappy.  My throat hurts and I've been blowing my nose in Starbucks for the past hour (I'm sure the other customers are more than thrilled).

While I was feeling ill yesterday, I flipped through my journal and found something interesting.  On January 31st I listed accomplishments and memories from the month and then made another list of things I was looking forward to in September.  Seasonal allergies aside, there are many exciting things happening in September and August was a good month for me so I thought I'd revive the list.

Remembering August:

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• completed a 48-hour readathon


• baking - I made peanut butter bars, espresso brownies, strawberry peach cookies, and banana bread


• my friends Catherine and Shannon threw me a WONDERFUL baby shower


• lots of dinners and hanging out with friends


• another ultrasound and Atticus kicking and flipping like mad


• days at the pool with Sam and Hope


• Arcade Fire concert


• began crocheting a baby blanket


• Hope started the 5th grade and has really matured over the summer


• lovely stay-cation at the beginning of the month


• read 5 books (The House at Riverton, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Manservant and Maidservant, The Stolen Crown, and Time Among the Dead)


• made several trips to the library


• paid off a medical bill


• finished an embroidery project
  
  [caption id="attachment_200" align="alignright" width="246" caption="Pumpkin Spice Latte Time!"][/caption]


• saw the Dali exhibit at the High Museum of Art

Looking to September:

• another baby shower


• Hope's soccer season begins


• Carl's R.I.P reading challenge (more on that later)


• finishing the baby blanket


• Autumn baking (pumpkin and apple everything)


• leaves changing and cooler breezes


• breaking out my Docs


• getting internet at the house (hopefully next week)


• baking bread with friends


• completing the nursery


• adoption finalized


• library book sale


• new embroidery projects


• pumpkin spice lattes


• black fingernail polish


• childbirth class


• crafting thank you cards


• paying off my credit cards


• Sam's 29th birthday

I'm ready, September!

In the words of Eddie Vedder, "I'm still alive"

I can't believe I haven't blogged since Wednesday!  The last half of my week off from work flew by.  I accomplished a great deal, but, alas, I didn't have the time, energy, or any real inclination to blog.

So what did I do from Wednesday evening until today?

• Started a biography of Mary Queen of Scots


• baked Snickerdoodle cupcakes


• had my friend, Meghan, over for dinner


• went to lunch with my friend Erin and Hope


• bought the new Arcade Fire album and obsessively listened to it


• purchased yarn for a baby blanket and began furiously crocheting


• watched several movies with Sam


• had a day at the pool with Sam and Hope (I'm slightly burned)


• went to dinner with Sam and Hope


• cleaned the house


• did massive grocery shopping


• reorganized the pantry


• finished back to school shopping


• packed Hope off for her first day as a fifth grader


• packed Sam off at for his new job


• went back to work after 9 days of vacation and tried to catch up on work

WHEW!  I'm tired and amazed that summer vacation has flown by so quickly.   Between the two of us, I'm a bit glad that I'm back to my regular schedule.  I miss my routine and I honestly feel like I get more done when I have some order in my life.  Alright folks, I've a busy week this week but I am determined to get some reading done.