Category: Don’t you just love Tiffany’s?

Our first great niece ventured north for a visit over the weekend.  On Sunday there were four generations of women at Neal’s mom’s house–it was a sight to behold.  Baby Meadow is a little rosebud of a thing, and I’m dotty over her.  I’ll admit to being greedy; when I walked in the door, I washed my hands and got hold of her.  After a bit I handed her off to Neal, who had just informed Meadow’s mama that she was the last baby he’d held–over twenty years ago!  He was a natural.  Meadow drifted off to sleep and would have stayed in Uncle Neal’s arms all afternoon if other people hadn’t wanted their own snuggles with her.


Mama doesn’t like pink, but I couldn’t resist just a little.  As soon as I saw that bird fabric (on top), I knew it belonged in Meadow’s quilt. 

Yup.  You read right.  I’m pulling out the sewing machine for this kid.  From 1992 until 2002, my craft of choice was quilting.  I packed away most of my material when I moved into a tiny apartment, and I focused on knitting.  I bet that my quilting chops will be a bit rusty.  I’ve planned a simple crib quilt.  Maybe you’d like to see the making of it, step-by-step?  I’ll take lots of pictures, I promise.  Meadow will be back up here in March, so I’ve got a deadline!

I knew a package was wending its way to me, but I had no idea of the fabulousness I should expect.  Jennifer, the Craftlilly, sent me this delicious yarn that she hand spun for me.  Could anything be more wonderful?  What you’re looking at is about 300 yards of Pippi’s "Strange Days" hand dyed.  I’m fairly certain I’m going to make a Bainbridge scarf with this. Wrapping my neck in something so rich with hand made energy sends shivers down my spine!  Thank you so, so much, Jennifer.  I’m astounded by the generosity of this gift, and I’m inspired to send out another of my own PIFs!

If you’re facing anything similar to the weather we’ve got in CT, here’s a recipe, courtesy of my sister, that might warm you up a bit.  I’m looking forward to summer when I can make it with sun-ripened, fresh tomatoes, but it’s pretty yummy as is, especially if served with my favorite bread.

MB’s Quickie Tomato Soup

3 cups vegetable stock (homemade is best, but as this is meant to be quick, go for the lowest sodium you can find)
3 15 oz. cans of diced tomatoes –drain two
Drizzle of olive oil
Garlic–as much as you like (I used four big cloves)
Basil–fresh if you can find it

Saute the garlic in olive oil, add the stock and tomatoes, bring to a boil, simmer covered for 30 minutes.  Add the basil during the last few minutes of simmering.  Blend soup until smooth.  Serve with warm bread or grilled cheese.  Rub your belly and say "yumsters".

I’m off to write about Chaucer and his portrayal of women.  Just before posting this, I finished reading three critical articles, "The Book of the Duchess," and "The Parliament of Fowls".  I always forget how much fun reading Middle English is.  Writing about it?  Meh.  This feeling is how I know that I should talk myself out of a Ph.D. in literature any time I start to toy with the idea.

Remember in Funny Face when Maggie Preston declares that the staff, editors, and readership will all "think pink"?  Well, I’m in the mood to think green. 

Last spring I posted about my newish love for green, and as I wait for spring to come around again, kelly green is the shade that’s rocking my world.

We’ve got some Malabrigo for a Clapotis (do I really need to link that?), cashmere from Sarah’s Yarns (adore her!) destined for the fabu Brompton, and cotton for a sweater for Baby Meadow, my great-niece.

Does the middle of winter make you long for something fresh?

After a bumpy flight home, I’m back!  I had a great time at my sister’s, and in order to fit in all I have to tell you without burdening you with a mile-long post, I’ll bullet some highlights.

1.  I got to congratulate my sister in person on her engagement!  Her boyfriend popped the question while they were sifting for gems; he planted her ring in a bucket of dirt.  How’s that for optimism?  J. had no fear that his beloved would miss the ring and let it wash down the stream.  Luckily, she saw it and after figuring out what was going on, she answered "yes" when he asked if she’d marry him.

Scout has already promised to dye the yarn for the wedding stole that I promised to make her.  More lace for me!

2.  I had not one, but two visits with one of my favorite peeps in the world.  Sheila and her lovely (no other word for him!) husband Tim joined MB and me for dinner, and then we met up on Sunday for knitting.   How happy was I?  Very.

3.  I got to hang out with some cool chicas and meet some of my favorite bloggers in person. I missed linking to a whole bunch of the coolios I met (sorry!); there were that many fun knitters in the Nashville area!

4.  I started yoga.

5.  I finished The Gravedigger’s Daughter; review to come.

To top off all this excitement, get a load of this:  Neal became a great uncle last night!  His niece had a healthy 6 lb 15 oz. daughter (Meadow Lynn) at around 9 p.m.   So, technically, I guess I’m a great aunt now.  If only I could become a grandmother as easily!

She’s prettiest at night, when her silver branches sparkle with the bright colors of the lights.  This tree makes me happy beyond reason.  Tomorrow I think I’ll tackle the mantle and get the stockings hung with care.

I knew what he was bringing me, but with all the snow, it’s nice to have these now.  Once the shoveling is done, Neal and I are going for our first trek.

I’ve got Christmas music blaring, and apres skiing, we’ll put up our new Christmas tree.  Originally we wanted a living tree that could be planted after the holiday.  I was shocked by the prices I saw, and a little sad.  Neither of us wanted a cut tree.  Then I faced the reality.  I really need to have a fake tree; the first terrible asthma attack I had was brought on by a Christmas tree (yes, it’s a story worth hearing, but I’ll save it for later).  I kid myself year after year that I can have a real tree because I’ve been feeling so much better.  Not so much.

Last year my sister generously loaned me her fake Christmas tree, which I appreciated very much.  But I just feel like, dude, if you’re going to be fake be all glammed-up-unafraid-of-your-fauxness fake.  Luckily Neal has the same love for 40’s kitsch that I do, and when we saw the five-foot Silver Aspen Tinsel Christmas Tree (sorry, I can’t find a link), we knew, deep in our bones, that this was our tree.  Since I was unable to locate a lot of my bulbs last year–the downside of moving four times five years–we also hit one of the antique shops down the street, and I gleefully grabbed every bulb that reminded me of one I’d had from my Gram.  Now if I could just find the cotton ball wreath I made in first grade, Christmas would be just the way I like it.

Wish me luck with that skiing!

Neal and I are off to get some shopping done.  I made the pledge to buy handmade this year, and I’ve also made a number of gifts.  There are a few things, though, that I simply can’t make or buy handmade–books, for example.  I can buy locally, though, which is the next best thing to handmade.  Rather than go to Amazon or a big box bookstore, I’ve sought out an independent bookseller for my purchases.  One other gift on my list will come from a hardware store, but again, not a big box.  Instead, we’ll swing by the place down the street, owned by a woman with whom Neal went through school.

I bought myself a couple of gifts that I couldn’t resist.  Wanna see what’s heading my way? 

I sort of whined in a Convo to Caro, and she told me these were going to be restocked; I snapped one up like a stalker.  When I saw the L&V Chum post about the cute animal markers, I almost moved on from it, but then they mentioned the magic word:  Beaver.  I snatched ( that’s for you, Mona) these up.  Show me a cute beaver, and I’m there with a whack of my tail, baby.

What’s better than doing something nice for someone else?  Not much, says me.    Craftylilly posted about this, and I’m in on it.  Here’s the deal.

Be one of the first three bloggers (sorry, blogless and blog-free friends; maybe you should get blogs so you can play these reindeer games!) to leave a comment on the post requesting to join this PIF, and some time during the next 365 days, I will send you a hand made gift.  All you have to do in return is make the same promise on your blog. C’mon, join.  I’m feeling a craft explosion bubbling in my fingertips!

So, yesterday I was all Miss Down-in-the-Dumps.  As ever, I”m slogging through grading and wishing I could do it more quickly.  I couldn’t even knit; you know that means I was down.  I’m ever the optimist, though, and even though I whined about how I wished I could call in sick today, I went in and gave a good performance for my students.  BF Kim and I were talking recently about how much performance is a part of teaching, and sometimes, that’s the best part of it for me.  Classes went really well, and the same students I resented yesterday, well, are redeemed.  I like them again.

The best part of the day, though, was knowing that I was going to the Samples and Seconds Sale at Lexie Barnes.  I met my pal Amy for a quick lunch and discussion about writing, then we shopped our little hearts out.  I got myself an adorable tote bag (justified by the fact that putting stacks of student papers in it would make me less down about having to grade.  Whatever it takes, people.) and I picked up a few gifts, too. 

Tomorrow night is Neal’s annual Road Kill Fundraising Dinner (don’t ask.  Really.), so it’s a girl’s night with treats and drinks here.  I may even get a few gifts made.  What are your plans for the weekend?