Sticky Knitter

d40. taking a break

2011-07-31T13:33:00.002-07:00

I'm feeling a little emotional with some developments on my side of the family so I will be taking a break from blogging for a little bit. I'm not sure what that means in length of time, really whatever feels right.

d39. The boys learned to weave

2011-07-29T19:15:00.007-07:00

They both loved it and even the one that doesn't
like to try new things said "This is fun!"

d38. Finally, geesh!

2011-07-28T20:19:00.003-07:00

Last night I made 18 jars of raspberry jam and had to throw it all out-- the jam, not the jars. I had burned the bottom lightly while cooking the jam and it had that funny taste. Like burnt toast with jam, without the toast. And while setting it, 3 jar's bottoms broke off. It was very strange indeed. I have never had a jamtastrophe before. So after washing the remaining jars, I tried again today. And it worked! I now have 15 jars of delicious white and red raspberry jam cooling on my countertop.

d37. A fuzzy visitor

2011-07-27T18:53:00.002-07:00

d36. Dinner

2011-07-27T18:48:00.002-07:00

d35. 2 boys, 2 different ideas.

2011-07-26T10:56:00.003-07:00

One sorted Pokemon cards all day while the other made a clock.

d34. In love. with seaweed.

2011-07-24T20:53:00.003-07:00

I have found a place where you can buy them in bulk! I love them-- I ate 3 small bags of them today. I just wish they didn't have so much packaging- it's such a waste.

d33. Yum.

2011-07-23T21:48:00.004-07:00

My day was spent running around-- downtown art supply store for the little guy, oil change supplies, and even a carwash. But the best was saved for last-- an awesome watermelon margarita and fish tacos.

d32. The first time ever

2011-07-23T00:22:00.006-07:00

I took him to the comic book stores to spend the "money" he earned in the summer reading program.I handquilted and got pricked.

d31. Hanging with new friends...

2011-07-21T20:30:00.003-07:00

The kids played together all day, mostly without incident:) M and I got to visit and I even taught her a little spinning. I am really enjoying this new friendship.

d30. The view from my seat...

2011-07-20T18:50:00.003-07:00

We spent the day at the park and it was wonderful. How was your day?

d29. At the Library

2011-07-20T10:46:00.004-07:00

Not only did the boys get awesome books to read, but there was a guy there doing science experiments. His combover started above his ear, his t-shirt under his labcoat read: Science is Fun!, and every child was completely enthralled!! He was great! His experiments were too! YAY for the local library!

d28. Farmer's Market Treasures

2011-07-20T10:42:00.003-07:00

d27. I think the baby wins!

2011-07-20T10:39:00.001-07:00

Fresh Squeezed! d26.

2011-07-18T20:01:00.001-07:00

d25. Dinner

2011-07-17T19:39:00.003-07:00

My Love made the entire dinner while I napped on the couch. Japanese yams, onions, and chicken kebobs, rice pilaf, and miso soup. Thank you Sweetheart.

for Lana

2011-07-16T20:03:00.004-07:00

Baby clothes bedazzled for the baby shower tomorrow...

d24. ready for quilting

2011-07-16T16:09:00.003-07:00

This is for my Craft Forward Project-- all pinned up and ready to quilt. This one I am going to do by hand. I hope she loves it!

d23. Home

2011-07-15T19:40:00.003-07:00

Waiting for me when I got here.

d24. Knitting

2011-07-15T19:34:00.003-07:00

I knit, felted, stuffed, and then embroidered this little kitty for my friend's baby-- all it needs is a little pink ribbon!

d23. Lake County's Quilt Barn Trail

2011-07-15T18:53:00.005-07:00

I arrived in Kelseyville on Wednesday to help my sister move. She made me the most amazing vegan raspberry truffles and gave me a wonderful massage. We ate lunch at Jimmy's (it was AWESOME!!)and I spent my downtime finding the quilt trail. There are no 7 in all-- I am missing only one. Maybe I'll get in next time.

Offline for a few days...

2011-07-13T08:24:00.001-07:00

I am headed back to Kelseyville and will post when I get back. have a great week!!

d22. Imagination at Work.

2011-07-12T10:53:00.005-07:00

He pulled all these pieces together to look like the little guy on the top of his hat.

d21. Cleaning and organizing

2011-07-11T23:08:00.001-07:00

Believe it or not, this is organized.

d20. A Very Lazy Sunday

2011-07-10T21:22:00.004-07:00

Books and T.V. For 6 solid hours. A PERFECT day (courtesy of Netflix for streaming ALL the Lost episodes and Grandma and Grandpa for taking the boys to the Tech Museum).

Too Funny. d19

2011-07-09T19:05:00.002-07:00

We had a very busy day today-- Piano Lessons, birthday gift shopping, birthday party, haircuts, another birthday party, and finally at 7pm we are home. We took this pic at the hair salon. Sums up my day!!! HA AHAH AH!

d18. Jammin' in His Jammies

2011-07-08T09:59:00.002-07:00

Peg Leg Berry. d17

2011-07-07T11:22:00.003-07:00

He just makes me laugh!

d16. Park Day

2011-07-07T10:35:00.003-07:00

After swimming lessons, we spent the afternoon/evening here.When we came home, this is what was waiting by our doorstep. Funny thing is, none of us noticed her. It was Skye that saw her when he came home about 15 minutes behind us.

d15. Moonset

2011-07-07T10:32:00.003-07:00

We headed over Hopland to go home and this is what we got to see at the top. The moon was actually a small sliver crescent, but I am still figuring out how to use my new camera.

d14. Quilt barn.

2011-07-07T10:27:00.005-07:00

Lake County has been making their own Quilt Barn Trail. I absolutely love it. I caught this one on Renfro Drive, and I hope to get the others when I am up there next week.

d13. At Blue Lakes.

2011-07-07T10:22:00.003-07:00

We spent the afternoon at Heather and Jason's in Blue Lakes today. It was so much fun and of course, way too short of a visit. The boys had a great time playing with D, swimming, kayaking, watching the boat parade, and messing around on their little beach.

d12. In the heat of the day.

2011-07-07T10:07:00.005-07:00

We got to Gretchen's house about 2pm on Saturday and we immediately started to help her prep for the arrival of Jeb and his family. So we built this gazebo on her back deck for her. It was about 100 degrees and very very hot-- but we got it done in about 2 hours. It was fun. It seems that almost everytime I go up there, I build something. Last year it was a firepit for the big wedding/shindig. I really do love being there.Here are the firepit pictures.

Offline for a few days...

2011-07-01T19:50:00.001-07:00

We are headed to Clearlake in the morning and

I won't have internet access until I get back on Monday night.

Have a safe and HAPPY 4th of July!

Wishing. d11.

2011-07-01T18:49:00.005-07:00

I really REALLY want this for my next tattoo! This is by the amazing and beautiful tattoo artist Angelique Houtkamp.
I just love her style and artwork.

Little Dudes with Big Glasses. d10

2011-06-30T23:08:00.002-07:00

I want you...d9

2011-06-30T23:06:00.003-07:00

Because, really? What could be any cuter?

Rainy day. d8

2011-06-28T14:40:00.004-07:00

A lovely early summer rainstorm chased us away from the pool back to the house. (Which is now filled with the comforting sounds of the boys practicing piano.) Here's what we are doing this afternoon....What are you doing today?

Gentle reminders. d7

2011-06-27T18:39:00.004-07:00

He put them around the house and I keep finding them in the most unlikely places.

I am seriously in love with this man!

Evening ritual...

2011-06-26T20:30:00.007-07:00

D5: You never know what it might bring....(the day, that is)

2011-06-25T11:37:00.002-07:00

After going to a bonfire at the beach last night, the boys slept in 'til 10am!!! They were exhausted. But this morning brought a whole new kind of Cheerful:

NINJA BOY!

D4: Geraniums

2011-06-25T11:32:00.004-07:00

For 10 years I have dragged this plant from house to house, and who knows how many times it's been eaten by deer or I've forgotten to water it. This beautiful plant never ceases to amaze me by consistantly blooming almost every month! The picture really doesn't do it justice-- it is the hottest, brightest, most amazing pink you will ever see! Right next to front door, I smile everytime I walk up to the house.

D3: Crazy Hair Day

2011-06-25T11:29:00.002-07:00

With old friends, and new. D2.

2011-06-25T11:15:00.004-07:00

Riel is visiting California, and I am so happy that we got together. We walked over to the park and our kids enjoyed the afternoon playing together. A will be 5 in August and my B is 9. I love the difference in height-- they are so darn cute!

Summer Solstice

2011-06-25T11:04:00.003-07:00

Tuesday was the official beginning of Summer! It had a slow start here in Santa Cruz, but it finally peeked it's little head out and the weather has been steadily changing for the better and we have been really enjoying it!

There are 95 days of Summer this year from Summer Solstice to Fall Equinox.

I did a picture a day last summer and I am going to do it again this year. Although I am off to a late start, I have been taking pictures every day-- so, today will be a "catch-up" day. (and I'll start you off to a doozy...)

For the past two weeks, the boys and I have headed to the pool every morning for swim lessons. And every morning there's this guy.

Sorry Mom! I just can't help myself.

more crafting

2011-05-18T19:45:00.003-07:00

Meet: Mustachio.

This kid seriously loves to make stuff.

crafting with my kids

2011-05-17T19:31:00.002-07:00

I brought Berry home to school in November last year. We have been doing some sort of craft every Thursday-- he has been loving it. We have been making all sorts of wonderful things. Here is last weeks bookbag-- designed and sewn by Berry!

Friends

2011-05-07T11:20:00.004-07:00

So I just got to spend an hour on the phone with my good, no actually, my very best friend. She recently moved and I have been missing her dearly. I am excited that I get to see her tomorrow and she'll be spending the week with me.

I have to say, I really love her. I never expected that in my mid-30's that I would meet a new friend that would come to mean so much to me.

It has been hard to not have her close-- just a drive down the road, our weekly dinners or our bike rides downtown.

She is so accepting of me and my silly neurosis, my funny husband and goofy children. Becoming friends with her and her family has been a wonderful experience for not just myself, but my family as well.

So I wonder, what is to become of us. I know that we'll get to see each other here and there-- they aren't that far away. But you know how it goes...first you talk or text everyday, then every few days, then it is maybe once week that slowly turns into once a month. And before you know it, you haven't talked in over 8 months and you have now idea what is happening in that person's life.

I don't want that. I want to know what silly things her kids are doing that day, and to hear her wonderful laughter. I want to see what funny facial hair her husband has started to grow and tease him about his perfectly matched outfits and his Bubba pictures. I want to ride along the riverpath giggling and getting icecream we really don't need.

Only time will tell, but I truly hope that our friendship will continue.

it's been a while...

2011-05-06T20:59:00.003-07:00

Sorry that it has been a while since I've posted-- so many things seem to have been getting in the way. But in my return I give you a picture of the rugged Washington coast. It is so beautiful! This was taken in La Push.

So close to Spring....

2011-03-26T12:26:00.001-07:00

Despite the crazy weather- the flowers are still on track!

Mary Elizabeth.

2011-02-11T18:02:00.000-08:00

My Grandma died today.

a family field trip....

2011-02-08T19:57:00.004-08:00

Last week we went to the California Acadamy of Science in San Francisco. It was the boys and my first time. Let me tell you, it was AWESOME!! There was hardly anybody there and we got to enjoy each and every display-- I had a wonderful time exploring and discovering with my boys!

Something Magical...

2010-12-16T16:52:00.004-08:00

Today, the most wonderful thing happened. It started out a bit sad, but turned into something magical.

This afternoon, when we returned home from school, the boys came around the corner to find a tiny male hummingbird on the pavement. They thought it had died. When I looked closer, it was still breathing. I gently picked it up-- thinking it most likely had a broken wing or internal injuries, and just held it in my hand. Berry talked to it for a bit and we took some pictures. I explained to him and B that hummingbirds are very fragile creatures and he most likely would die. We decided that we would hold him and keep him warm until the time came....All this time, we could hear the chatter of hummingbirds calling to their little friend.

Berry was watching him so closely, that he could see his little tongue flit in and out-- he put his finger right in front of his beak and waited. "It tickles and it's so soft!!"

Mister B finally got up the nerve to try to touch him and he gently reached out- just at that moment, the little hummingbird took flight! Brendan felt it's little wings brush against him and he smiled!

The hummingbird headed to the big oak tree and we could hear all the excited chatters of the other hummers as he arrived! It was so sweet and truly magical!!

OOOHHHHH!!

2010-10-28T19:52:00.005-07:00

I am so excited! I got a tattoo done today....
This one has been in the work and on my mind for over a year now. I even dreamt about it 4 times!! It just had to be done.

I am thankful...

2010-10-24T12:19:00.005-07:00

I know I kind of dropped off the blog planet for a little while there, but I have been riding an emotional roller coaster and it just didn't seem fitting to write about. Mostly it was so overwhelming that I didn't know how to write about it and I probably wouldn't have been able to through the haze of perpetually tear-filled eyes. So, I have been working on a few things. Healing is good, sometimes a little painful...but letting go...Letting GO can be such sweet relief!

It came to mind how important it is to be thankful for what we have, everyday-- every day in all the little ways. I have been trying to instill the importance of this to my boys. When we recognize all that we have and are thankful for it, we can turn away from from being envious of others.

I am thankful for my wonderful husband and a weekend spent with him. I am thankful for his kindness, patience, and his love.

I am thankful for my children-- my sweet boys, who are bright and intelligent and fill my home with laughter.

I am thankful for being able to be a stay at home mom, accepting the joy and freedom and challenges it brings-- and be in it's moment.

I am thankful for my friendships. New and old alike, for showing me how to think outside the box and open my eyes to others I might have not noticed and encouraging me and taking me as I am. In the last few months of heartache and feeling slightly lost, it has been my friendships that have kept me moving forward.

Today and every Day, I am thankful.

offline for a few days....

2010-09-17T23:09:00.000-07:00

I'll be back on Tuesday-- no internet where we are going.

89/94...on the road again

2010-09-17T22:48:00.004-07:00

I spent the day packing and cleaning in preparation for leaving. All systems are go!! We left at 3:45 and made it to Clearlake by 9pm.

We stopped in Rohnert Park to eat dinner and stumbled across this:

My boys were in HEAVEN!! Allie loved it too!!

SO worth the $20.

88/94

2010-09-17T22:31:00.003-07:00

An early birthday....

The sweet-boy turns 7 soon, but we celebrated early because we will be on our road trip on his actual birthday.

87/94

2010-09-17T22:28:00.002-07:00

I've been knitting again. This is a little bean that Allie wanted.

86/94

2010-09-14T16:12:00.003-07:00

I dyed Skye's hair- he looks so handsome.The grapes are here-- I love grapes. This means Fall is just around the corner.

85/94

2010-09-14T07:40:00.004-07:00

I made this for my niece that has been staying with us. She is absolutely amazing, sweet, and helpful. And so many other wonderful adjectives. She is coming with me on the roadtrip Friday and I will be very sad to leave her when I come home. (She is going to stay at my parents.)

84/94

2010-09-12T10:47:00.002-07:00

Can you believe that summer is almost over? There are only ten days left. The official first day of Autumn is on September 23. Hopefully, I will be arriving at my parents that day. I should be a week into my roadtrip.

On another note, Lagan is turning 7 this month. He has been asking for a pair of rainbow mittens. So I knit these up for him last night...

83/94

2010-09-11T23:22:00.001-07:00

He was pretending to be Indiana Jones...

82

2010-09-11T23:20:00.003-07:00

Allie and I paddle-boated on the loch today. It was so beautiful!

81

2010-09-11T23:17:00.002-07:00

A beautiful visitor...

80

2010-09-11T23:13:00.003-07:00

Strange little bridge to nowhere....

79

2010-09-11T23:10:00.002-07:00

Lovely fuschias in Santa Cruz...

78/94

2010-09-06T18:25:00.004-07:00

Planning another roadtrip!

I am so excited-- Allie, the boys and I will leave on the17th and head north to Mckinleyville, Port Orford, Mountalke Terrace, Port Townsend and then back home.

I am really looking forward to being on the road again.

77...

2010-09-06T18:25:00.001-07:00

Sick and in bed all weekend.

76/94

2010-09-03T20:13:00.001-07:00

They have been playing everyday for two weeks.

75...on the dot.

2010-09-03T20:07:00.004-07:00

Took the niece and nephew here today. Cheese factor: 10!

74...

2010-09-02T20:05:00.002-07:00

I had a wonderful day today-- NO MIGRAINE!!

We took a walk at Henry Cowell and enjoyed the smells and the amazing trees. I truly love it here.

73/94

2010-09-02T13:36:00.002-07:00

It was hot today. 98 degrees. TOO hot!! It made me cranky and my migraine worse.

So-- off to the river...

72/94

2010-09-01T07:43:00.002-07:00

I did do some lovely things yesterday, but it was filled with the haze of a migraine. So, unfortunately, I don't have any pictures to post or much to write about. I've had it for two days and I hope it will go away soon....

71

2010-08-30T20:17:00.003-07:00

Brendan and I hung out this morning-- just the two of us. We added to out Roadside Americana and had a really nice time sitting on the beach.

70...such strange little people

2010-08-29T22:58:00.005-07:00

The boys love this song and wanted to "groove." Skye set up the camera for them and then went to work on his computer-- they felt very free without anyone watching. They are such goofballs and the end is the best part...

Ok-- so after 5 attempts tp upload this video, I am giving up. Let's just say it was awesome, and if you are a friend on facebook-- it uploaded just fine there.

69 A Good Hair Day

2010-08-28T22:46:00.003-07:00

I helped my niece color her hair today. It turned out really nice!

68. A beautiful day at Seabright Beach...

2010-08-28T22:39:00.004-07:00

67

2010-08-26T22:16:00.001-07:00

game night at Skypark....

66

2010-08-25T21:17:00.003-07:00

I had to go to Costco today. Definately NOT my favorite place! But since I need to feed my children and my niece and nephew who are staying with us for the next month, I thought it might be slightly important that we have food available.....

65...All caught up.

2010-08-24T18:18:00.002-07:00

WOW! It really has been an amazing two weeks!! Today reached an all time high of 110 degrees! I feel like I am melting. The boys are cranky and the niece and nephew are trying very hard to behave themselves. We went to the Farmers Market today and my mom and dad headed up to Mendocino today. (A short stopover on their way home and one of their favorite places to be.)

At the end of the 94 days of summer-- I'll do a written recap. There's even a funeral thrown in!

64

2010-08-24T18:16:00.001-07:00

Too hot today. 105 degrees!!

Even Jilly is quiet and hardly moving.

63

2010-08-24T18:13:00.002-07:00

They want to be twins.

"Why couldn't we be born at the same time, Momma?"

"Well, sweetie....I just don't think two 8 1/2 pound baby boys could have fit in my tummy."

62...a little bit crazy.

2010-08-24T18:05:00.002-07:00

I don't have a picture to put up. It was just too dark and my camera doesn't take that great of night pictures. I can tell you this though, it was beautiful.
Allie, Chris, Rachel and I left at 3:30 this morning and went Davenport Landing Beach.
The moon was full and the tide was really really far out.
We were looking for seaglass and hoping that we might find it.
I found some nice pieces. It was worth it. I have never seen the moon set before. It changed from it's beautiful bright whiteness to an amazing blood red right before it went down.
Beautiful!

61

2010-08-24T18:01:00.002-07:00

More hunting....

60

2010-08-24T17:58:00.003-07:00

Such a beautiful day...Myself, Brendan, Allison (my niece), Mom, Berry, Daddy, and Christopher (my nephew).

59....hunting

2010-08-24T17:56:00.002-07:00

for sea glass.

58 at the Boardwalk,

2010-08-24T17:53:00.000-07:00

We'll be havin' some fun....

57...almost missed it.

2010-08-24T17:52:00.003-07:00

With all that has been going on, I almost missed the single bloom my Butterfly Bush put out. I have been waiting for 5 years!! This is the first time it's bloomed because it seems the deer eat it every time it gets close.

56...hanging at my house

2010-08-24T17:49:00.002-07:00

Everyone if my family came to my house afterwards. It was so much fun and we fit approximately 40-45 people in my little house and courtyard. Gretchen has been a close family friend for over 25 years. I am blessed by her.

55...Wedding

2010-08-24T17:40:00.003-07:00

Flowers. Check.

Jewelry. Check.

Wedding without a hitch. Check.

I am SO stoked at how perfect the flowers and jewelry turned out.

54...Flower Madness

2010-08-24T17:36:00.003-07:00

My baby brother gets married tomorrow.

TOMORROW!

My gift to he and Rachel are the arrangements for all of the bridal party. Groomsmen, bridesmaids, Bride, parents, and loved ones that get a little something.

53...Lego Madness

2010-08-24T17:34:00.002-07:00

My nephew arrived today. He was totally stoked to see all the Legos my boys have. He set up an entire army for battle.

52....Brunch

2010-08-24T17:28:00.003-07:00

My brother is getting married on August 15th. Our mom and and Karen (Rachel's mom, his fiancee) have never met. We decided to have a ladies bruncheon at The Heavenly Cafe (plus two little dudes).

51....cause I need more fabric.

2010-08-24T17:25:00.004-07:00

I went to my quilt guild meeting this evening and found these wonderful goodies at the bargain bin for a whopping $3.00!! The butterflies will be centers for quilts and the leaves match some other fabric I have. And the hoops, well...I just needed them for the embroidery class I hope to take soon.

50...a little fun before the madness begins.

2010-08-24T17:23:00.002-07:00

I took my parents to the beach today. Something they wanted to make sure the got to do while here. They both love collecting interesting rocks and shells.

49...Waiting

2010-08-24T16:50:00.003-07:00

Because of how much has been going on, I will post everything today and get myself completely caught up. You will see why I haven't been able to post everyday!!I am waiting in the car after running a million errands. I let Skye handle this one and just sat patiently in the car, like the ever loyal puppy...

48

2010-08-08T10:11:00.003-07:00

My Dad's Birthday-- So glad to have another one with him!!

47

2010-08-06T09:25:00.003-07:00

My parents arrive today.
I really am very excited. This is the first time they have ever come to visit me together! Before, my Grandma was living with them and needed constant care, since she has gotten older and my dad is battling cancer, they decided it was best to move her to a group home. They found a very lovely one, just a mile down the road from their house!! And guess what, Grandma LOVES it there! She has her own room and the Polish couple who own the place make amazing food!
SO-- today is my prep day!
Cleaning, vacuuming, laundry, shopping, and cooking.
They will be here for two weeks!
YAY!!

46

2010-08-05T18:45:00.003-07:00

I had a very tasty, very delicious chai today. I wish I could get a little bit of every tea here.