Moving On

We are about to start a new chapter in our lives! Chris was offered a job in Texas and so we are packing up and leaving Connecticut. We are all very excited about this new adventure! However, the boys are also a bit apprehensive and Edmund is having an especially difficult time with the idea of this move. He doesn't want to leave his friends and what he is comfortable with for something new and unknown. I know that they will adjust once we get there, though.

It's been so overwhelming. We have had just over two(!) weeks to make the move. Not a lot of time to have to think about it but also not a lot of time to say good-bye.

The packers come tomorrow, the movers on Thursday, and on Friday we take to the highway...

Happy Birthday, Chaz!

My boys are growing up! Chaz is now 8.

Day 28

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...