Day 27 (more)

The tree in our front yard - 10 days ago and now.

Day 27

Happy Birthday, Edmund!

Edmund is 10! He is now in double digits and feeling oh so 'cool'.

Day 25

The alligator and the octopus were later joined by their friend the shark.

Day 24

Day 22

Playing in "the cave"

Day 21

The boys and I are visiting my parents for a few days.

Day 20

Day 19

Day 18

My morning ritual (yes, I wash my face in the kitchen sink)

Day 17

Day 16

Day 15

Valentines ready to go to school.

Yesterday's snow day meant class parties will be a day late. On the left, Lifesaver and chocolate Kiss rockets for class mates. On the right, reversible tissue packets for the teachers.

Day 14

Happy Valentine's Day!

Vanilla cake with vanilla frosting and raspberry jam filling

Oh! ...and an Australian Pinot Nior!

Snow Day

We got our first measurable snow fall of the season last night/this morning. It started out as sleet and feezing rain and then turned to regular snow. We got about an inch of snow on top of a thick layer of slick ice. They are predicting some more sleet and snow later in the day, too. Because of this, school was cancelled for the day.

The boys are thrilled to have a day off! Unfortunately, it's not a good 'play outside' kind of day. The wind is really blowing and it's just so icy out. They went out for a bit to shovel the walk and slide about on their bellies, penguin style. Then it was back inside for hot cocoa and once again in to cozy pj's.

The rest of the day will be spent enjoying an unexpected day off. It's a snow day!

Day 13

Errands

Day 12

A little Valentine's Day crafting.

Day 11

A quiet Sunday with a new book.

Day 10

Creating 72(!) Valentines for school.

Day 9

A little afternoon knitting.

Day 8

Soup and bread made using this recipe found via Soulemama.

Day 7

Edmund's 4th grade band concert.

Day 6

Doing homework. We had to create an item for the 100th day of school using 100 of something. We made a paper chain.

Day 5

Fresh haircuts in the kitchen.

Day 4

A Sunday afternoon spent playing.

Day 3

My view during dishes.

Day 2

A small sewing project. The windows are a bit drafty and the wind has been blowing.

Day 1

My favorite breakfast lately. Poached egg and homemade bread with butter to mop up the yolk.

February Photos

I've really been enjoying so many of the daily photos being posted on various blogs - especially here and some of here. So beautiful and so inspiring.

I've decided that I need to do something with that inspiration. I am challenging myself to take a photo everyday this month. Not just the big events but the little everyday stuff. I am hoping that this will help me develop my photography skills, I am hoping it will encourage me to see my home with fresh eyes, and I am hoping it will get more of my creative juices flowing again. (that is a lot to ask of a picture!)

Now I must go charge the camera battery!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

We had snow twice this week. Our FIRST snow of the season! What you see is the extent of it, too. A far cry from this. The boys decided to make the most of it, though. While waiting for the bus, they scraped together as much as they possible could to make one small powdery snowball each. I think they are worried that this might be it for snow this year.

This is turning in a rather odd winter here in New England. We started January with record warm temperatures and we are ending it with record cold temps. Friday morning so many schools across the state were either delayed or closed for the day (not ours though) because of cold weather. It was only 1F midmorning with a windchill of -20F. No thank you!

Of course this sudden shift in the weather means that the Winter ick is hitting our house. Right now it's just a few sniffles and a little cough but I know what is coming - and I'm ready to fight back!

Food is Love

Cooking for my family is such an important part of who I am. I put a lot of thought into creating good healthy meals. I try to buy fresh local ingredients when I can. I cook from scratch. I make sure we all come together at the table for dinner. Putting a nice meal on the table is one way I let my family know how much they mean to me. I grew up that way and I want my children to grow up that way.

For awhile, however, cooking really lost its luster for me. My efforts were constantly met with complaints so why bother? I bother because I do it not only for them but also for me. Cooking is theraputic. I feel productive and I really enjoy the process. Someday they will appreciate my efforts, but for now I must remember that they are just kids.

I recently read about the Slow Food Movement and while it is a term that I had never heard before, I think it represents my approach to food. My Mom and my Mom-in-law both just call it good old fashioned home cooking.

This year I am feeling a bit renewed. I am once again thinking about the meals I make. I am slowing down and finding joy in the process. Dinners are presented beautifully and puposefully. After all, food is love.

Starting Again

My old sourdough starter went rancid and had to be tossed. At the time, life was busy and we were travelling so I chose not to continue with it. Now, however, is the perfect time for starting again.

I've found a new recipe. Something a little less fussy and easier to maintain. I think it will be a good fit for me. I'm really looking forward to all the exciting possibilities! I hope you'll be here to share them with me.

Edited to add the new recipe:

Sourdough Starter

2 c bread flour
2 c warm water
1 envelope yeast
1 Tbls honey

Dissolve honey in water and add yeast. Slowly stir in flour. Put in to a jar and leave uncovered for 5 days. Some separation is normal. Stir the liquid back in daily. If the liquid turns pink or black or someother "odd" color, discard and start again.

Store starter in the refridgerator. Once a week, pour off approximately half to use or share. Feed the remainder.

1 1/2 c bread flour
1 1/2 c water

Stir in to starter. Leave on counter overnight and then refridgerate.

*Make sure you store your starter in a glass jar with some headroom and stir with a wooded spoon. Never metal.

Why?

Why do I blog?

This is a question that was making the blog circuit a while ago. A lot of bloggers had a lot of interesting things to say. However, at that time, I really didn't give much thought as to why I blog.

Recently the question has crept forward in my mind slowly making it's presence known. The less I blogged, the more I've thought about it. Now, my mind is reeling!

I started this blog when I decided to join a Secret Pal swap. Having a blog was a requirement. I had been reading just a few blogs already and was pretty fascinated with the idea of them. I had contemplated starting one and joining the swap was the last little 'push' I needed.

I knew that I didn't want to make my blog topic specific. I wanted it to be an online journal of sorts. Little slices of my life. (It's a good thing too - I would make for a pretty boring knit blogger! I haven't knit a stitch since mid-Feb.) I was blogging for me.

Something happened along the way. People found me and started commenting. It was very exciting! I discovered so many more blogs to read, too. It was great - I've 'met' some great people and made some good friends. There has been a real sharing of ideas and I've been so inspired.

With all this growth and change, however, I think that my little blog started to suffer. I started looking at blogging in a different way. Suddenly there was some sort of unspoken criteria that I had to live up to. I stopped blogging about those little things that go on that I wanted to preserve because the picture wasn't quite right, or my words didn't flow just so, or I was wondering who might be reading. I was no longer blogging for me, instead I was (not) blogging for those that may be reading.

Don't get me wrong, I love having, as Chris calls you, a "fan club". It means so much to me that you are interested in what is going on in my life and I especially appreciate the concern when I am missing for awhile. It helps me to know that I am not alone. I am never going to have a blog that wins awards. I will never have 100 (or even 20!) comments on any given post and I will never be the blog that everyone is talking about. That is ok with me. I don't need the pressure.

I'm going back to blogging about my life, for me - with or without perfect pictures and eloquent prose. You are still welcome to come by and peek through my windows. When you do, leave a comment - they still thrill me!

Weather

Weather
Egg sized sun
Air
Thermometer
Hygrometer
Each day sun
Rain

Photo and poem by Charles, age 6.

Mailorder

I was lucky enough to get in on the red envelope Mailorder club from Angry Chicken. The first envelope came and I did a little happy dance around my living room. Amy is so very clever and I just couldn't wait to see what sorts of goodies she had sent. She did not disappoint!

The first project was a perpetual birthday calendar. It is perfect for me because I really AM trying to be better about remembering these things. I cut, I colored and I assembled. Now I can't wait for the next issue!

Also included with the first issue was a recipe for Apple Crisp. We decided to make it last weekend. It was wonderful! (I left out the nuts because of a nut allergy in the house) I this is going to be our "go to" recipe for apple crisp. Perhaps we'll have to get some more apples for another one this weekend. (and the leftovers are great with a cup of tea for breakfast!) mmm....

I had no idea!

Why didn't any one tell me what I was missing out on?? Chris and I aren't really reality TV viewers. No Survivor, no American Idol and up until now, no Project Runway for us.

However, that all changed this weekend. I sat down late in the afternoon on Saturday for a little vegging in front of the tube. Project Runway was on and I was too tired to look for anything else. Well, the next thing I know, I am HOOKED! I've been sitting at my sewing machine ever since - intently watching as the drama unfolds. (and sewing madly during the commercials!)

I'd write more but I really must go. I'm watching the Barbie episode and I need to see who is in and who is out! Thanks to all the rebroadcasts that Bravo is doing, by the time the finale airs I'll be all caught up!

Blah!

My brain is turning to mush! I'm just not getting a good night's sleep lately and it is really catching up with me.

I can't think straight, I'm forgetting things, and I'm making stupid mistakes. It's been a trying week. Yesterday I decided to work on a seemingly simple project, however, by the time I was done I was left holding a small disaster. The mistakes that I made were just plain silly. ...sigh...

Today won't be any better, either.

Friday's are my busiest (and most exhausting) day of the week. I'm going in to this one with only 3 hours of sleep. Luckily we have a delayed start to school this morning so I can take a little more time getting ready for the day. I don't think there will be any crafting today though.

A Quick Peek

Busy busy busy!

I've been working on lots of new projects lately and they've really been keeping me busy. I'm excited about them and I can't wait to share. For now however, you'll have to make due with this quick little peek. Later this morning (at a more civilized hour) we are all heading south to Maryland to visit my parents for a few days.

Until next week.....

My Swift

My mom recently gave me her swift since she is not doing as much knitting as she once was. She bought this swift 37 years ago when she was living in Japan and according to the markings on the box, she paid 650 Yen. (If I did my calculations correctly, at today's exchange rate, that is a little over $5!)

I love this swift. If folds up so nicely making it easy to store. It also makes winding balls much easier. No more hoping that someone will have the patience to sit and hold yarn for me. I remember doing that for my Nana. I would always try to read while holding her yarn but every time I needed to turn a page (the book sitting on the table) it would throw off her rhythm.

Now to get a ball winder. I currently use a very basic nostepinde (which is often an empty toilet paper tube!) which can be a bit tiresome when winding balls with a lot of yardage.

Word Cloud

These word clouds have been "floating" around the blogs all week and I had to catch one for myself. What fun!

Go here to get your own. (click on "Custom" at the bottom)

Sock Hop

It's all socks all the time right now at Our Home on the Hill! I think that 2006 is shaping up to be year of the sock - not just for me but all over the blogs! There are so many sock-alongs going right now that I can't even keep up!

I did join Alison's sock swap. It's all so very exciting - 606 sock knitters from all over the world (21 countries!) making socks for one another! I got my sockpal's info last night and I can't wait to find just the right yarn and pattern for her socks.



I recently finished a pair of socks for Topher. It is so satisfying to make things for him! He gets so excited and wants to wear his "home made clothes" everyday. (Note to self - make him some more pants!) These little socks were knit with Plymouth Sockotta cotton/wool sock yarn. Little socks are such fun - and so fast!



This is a pair I knit for myself last year. They were my first pair of socks! I really enjoyed knitting them and seeing the stripes develop. (I don't remember the yarn and the ball band is gone) They have a fun little picot hem which I just love. They are ankle length which I thought I would really enjoy but after wearing them a few times, I really would prefer them to be longer.



There is a reason that one foot is hiding behind the other. Apparently I didn't finish the toe on one of my socks very well. After wearing them a few times, my toes are now playing peek-a-boo. I need to figure out how to fix that. It makes me sad. (Please ignore the feet that are in desperate need of a pedicure!)



I'm really excited about this pair of socks. They are the "Cable and Rib" socks from Interweave Fall 2005. I'm using Koigu KPPPM in color P435L. What a pretty color! I can't wait to be finished with these so I can wear them. I'm just past the heel gusset on the first sock.



I started this sock last night. I needed a little project that doesn't require counting rows for some TV knitting. These socks will be for Charles. He picked out this skein of Special Blauband by Froehlich Wolle last year while visiting my mom. They only had the one and the yardage will be cutting it awfully close. So to be safe, I am making the cuff, heel and toe in red Koigu.

Edmund and I are still discussing his sock - stripes or no stripes? Solid or variegated? etc. He's not sure yet. Chris also needs hand knit socks. I've got something planned for him but I'm keeping it under wraps for now.

That's my current line up! I'm going to check out some of the sock-alongs that are out there...

Going for the Gold

The Olympics are coming and I've got the fever! The Yarn Harlot announced her Knitting Olympics and I was intrigued but not enough to enter. The more I read about it on the blogs, however, the more interested I got. I finally succumbed and added my name to the ever growing list of athletes. (2130 strong at last count!)

I'm not sure how much knitting time I will have for my project - I'll be away for nearly a week. My 'event' is a lace stole. I do have a pattern in mind but I'm not 100% committed to it yet. I still have some time to figure it out. (Hmm not quite as much time as I though! February is creeping up awfully fast)

One of my goals for this year was to explore my creativity and not to doubt my own talents. I think this is a small step in the right direction.

4 Things

I've been tagged for a meme by Jamie. It's my first! I've seen quite a few memes around the blogs and some I'm not too keen on answering. This one, however, looks interesting so here goes. (answers are in no particular order)

Four Jobs You’ve Had In Your Life

1. Preschool teacher (current)
2. Administrative assistant
3. Florist
4. Hardware store sales person

Four Movies You Could Watch Over And Over

1. The Thomas Crown Affair
2. Anything with Jackie Chan
3. The Santa Clause
4. True Lies (love the scene with Jamie Lee Curtis trying to dance seductively!)

Four Places You’ve Lived
WOW! Where do I begin?? I've moved 40-some odd times in my 36 years!

1. Enterprise, Alabama
2. Illisheim, Germany
3. Portsmouth, New Hampshire
4. Milford, Connecticut (current)

Four TV Shows You Love To Watch

1. NCIS
2. Monk
3. CSI(all 3)
4. Two and a Half Men

Four Places You’ve Been On Vacation

1. Virginia Beach, Virginia
2. Salzburg, Austria
3. The Poconos, Pennsylvania
4. Cape Cod, Massachusettes

Four Blogs You Visit Daily
There are so many!

1. Red Current
2. Angry Chicken
3. Jamie's Journey
4. The Blue Blog

Four Of Your Favourite Foods
Oh man, only 4?! I love food!

1. Popcorn
2. Moroccan Tomato Lentil Soup
3. Cheese Enchiladas
4. Meatloaf and mashed potatoes

Four Places You’d Rather Be

1. On vacation - anywhere! (no 'to-do' lists hanging over my head)
2. Having lunch with my Mom
3. In a cabin in the mountains. (This winter has been so rainy. I'd love to be some place with a little snow)
4. In the cozy chair in front of the fireplace at the coffee house with a warm mocha and a hot book. (and a whole lot of quiet)

Four Albums You Can’t Live Without

1. Big and Rich - Horse of a Different Color
2. Barry Manilow - Ultimate Manilow
3. The Soundtrack to Chicago
4. My Smooth Jazz mix


Four Vehicles You’ve Owned
Can you believe that I have only owned 2 cars!?

1. 1990 Silver Hyundai Excel
2. 1998 Black Toyota Sienna (current)

"Kiss of the Dragon"

Every time Chris and I watch Kiss of the Dragon I can't stop thinking about the shrimp chips. Jet Li makes them and Bridget Fonda eats them. They just fascinate me! Little crispy puffs of pink, blue and yellow.

This really isn't unusual for me. When ever we travel, I love to visit the local grocery store and pick up a few "souvenirs" - foods that aren't sold in our area. Food is such an important part of culture and I just love learning about other cultures!

Anyway, once again I am obsessed with the shrimp chips. Chris, apparently mentioned it to one of his co-workers and she so very kindly put together a little "care package" for me! (She is so sweet! While we have never met in person, I have talk to her on the phone and I've heard so much about her from Chris. I am just sure that she and I could be friends where we to have the opportunity!)

She sent two kinds of shrimp chips one baked and one fried. It was so hard for me not polish off the entire bag once I opened it! They are exactly what I had imagined. There is also a bag of seaweed crackers which have always been a favorite of mine. She also included 3 packages of Pocky - 2 chocolate and 1 strawberry. This is something I've not heard of before but once we opened them, I had to hide them or the boys would have devoured them all! The strawberry is the hands down favorite. I like them both - the chocolate ones are not overly sweet so, to me, that makes them even better.

Thanks so much, Coco! I really appreciate it and you really made my day week!

Do You Sudoku?

(Wow! January is slipping by almost as quickly as December did. I really must try to get the posts out of my head and on to the blog!)

One of my goals for this year is to exercise my mind and I thought logic type puzzles would be a great way to do it. I got several suggestions and they were all the same - Sudoko. I'd heard the word but didn't really know what it was. I did a little research and it seems that Sudoku was just the thing for me.

I got a book, found a website, and discovered that my daily paper (which is delivered sporadically) contains a puzzle. I am HOOKED!

If I only have a few minutes for a "quickie", I do an easier puzzle. A little more time or if I am looking for more of a challenge, I move up to the demanding puzzles. The kids are even getting in on the fun!

Right now I have a pencil tucked behind my ear and a puzzle calling my name.....

A New Year!

I love this time of year! The New Year brings us a blank slate and a chance to make a fresh start. It's a time of looking forward while carefully reflecting on the past.

December was such a busy month here. Lists were written but not completed, activities were planned but then cancelled, pictures were taken but never mailed. Sickness swept through the house and then decided to settle in for an extended visit. However, in the spirit of the New Year, we all seem to be on the mend. (thank goodness!)

And now to look forward...

Each year I sit with pencil and paper and make a list of my goals for the coming year. Not really resolutions but more of broad goals towards being a better person. Each month I make some more specific goals for the month that will help me work towards my bigger goals. (higher rate of success this way!)

Emily’s Goals for 2006

Body:
~ Maintain my goal weight
I’ve worked very hard to get to where I am. I’ve lost a total of 62 pounds since Topher was born and I’d like to keep it off. I am going to plan healthy well balanced menus each week. I am going to keep healthy snacks on hand and minimize the amount of “junk food” in the house. I am going to make sure I drink plenty of water and take a daily vitamin and calcium supplement. I am going to think about what I am eating before I eat it.

~ Tone up, shape up and strengthen my body
I’m going to exercise a minimum of 15 minutes each day. I’ll walk on my treadmill at least 4 times a week and the other 3 days will vary between things like weights, stretch bands, Yoga, etc. I’ll make sure I have a selection of magazines or audio books on hand so I don’t get bored.

Mind:
~ Exercise my mind
I will turn off the TV and engage my mind more. There are many “classics” that I would like to read and I plan to take advantage of the library more often. I’d also like to work on puzzles more - word puzzles, logic puzzles, etc.

Spirit:
~ Explore my creativity
I will set up my own “studio” space so I have a place for ongoing projects. I will surround myself with things I find inspirational and I will not doubt my own talents.

~ Reconnect with the Church
Once you miss going to church, it seems so natural to continue to miss going. I want to get back to church and get the boys back in to Sunday School. They enjoy it and I think it is important for them and for me. I am going to plan on Saturday to get to church on Sunday.

Home:
~ Build my routines
I want to continue to establish my routines and habits. I will make sure that my routines are up to date and always on hand. I will have a habit builder each month to help maintain focus and I will continue to work on a list of realistic household jobs for the boys.

Relationships:
~ Focus on fun
Each week I will make sure we take the time to have some family fun. Whether it is a family game night, a trip to a museum or a picnic in the park, we will promote “family”

~ Nuture my marriage
I will make sure we have regular “Date Nights” - both at home and away from home with a babysitter.

~ Strengthen friendships
I will set aside time each week to reconnect with old freinds and far away friends. I will work on establishing better friendships locally by putting myself out there more instead of withdrawing.

Self Portrait Tuesday - Reflective Surface #2

Standing at the kitchen sink.

The dishes have piled up and the counters are in a disarray. Christmas preparations have taken top priority lately and the mundane household duties have been pushed to the back burner - way way to the back.

Tonight, though, I reclaim my kitchen and restore order. The coffee is brewing and the whipped cream is standing by. Once the kids are tucked in to bed, I'll push up my sleeves and get to work.

The house is cold so I'm staying bundled. Head to toe wool - a warm hat, a comfy sweater and thick socks. The dish water will keep my hands warm.

Even the most beautiful Christmas decorations shine a little less brightly when surrounded by chaos.

~see more participants here

Self Portrait Tuesday - Reflective Surface #1

We are a family of 5 (4 of them males and 3 of those males are under the age of 9!) sharing 1 small bathroom. You will often find wet towels and dirty clothes on the floor, toothpaste smudge across the counter and in the sink, and soap bubbles and water spots on the mirror. The door very rarely closes.

More often than not, I have company in the bathroom. If I do get a chance to be alone with the door closed, someone is usually banging at the door or shouting to me through the crack underneath.

We have one small towel bar. It's just big enough for a bath towel and a facecloth. We have very little counter space and it's often cluttered. The only storage space is is the small cabinet under the sink.

The window is big and lets in a lot of light. It looks out on to our back yard and is high enough that we just have lace curtains so as not to block the light. The mirror is also big. Very big. It reflects the light and makes the bathroom feel more open.

The boys told me that they hope that Santa will bring us another bathroom for Christmas. I think that might be a little hard on the reindeer.