randomness around home. i think my kids are awesome;

kids on the roof - totem city;

cartwheeled out;

this morning little A said to me after hearing little M’s explosion, “i bet the little munchkin is proud of himself”. yes i hear myself in that statement;

i have knitting time! another pair of picky pants in 4 colorways to use up the leftovers. love them;

random hits but more frequent misses at this point.  still learning the cues;

6 going on 12;

to Munroe love Arlo (sharpie on fabric);

knitting nancy (the tool not him);

“it’s my room. i can do what i want.” We’re reading Charlotte’s Web at bed times so i assumed he was weaving a web but no, it’s for a circus tight rope show.

i just hope he can untie them as well as they’re knotted;

water painting - a happy sun and a happy little balloon - this is looking a little like Bob Ross;

M’s new favorite spot. i can’t believe he digs the maya wrap of all slings. so far so good but he’s only 14lbs and sure to grow heavier on my 1 shoulder;

we’re spending more time at home than i think i’m comfortable with during summer but they are both so happy at home until about 2/3pm when we finally get out to do something.

M sleeps through most of the night and into the morning;

morning nap;

afternoon nap;

both my boys are good sleepers for now;

i’m sure it will all change but it’s all good for now.

i borrowed this PowerShot for videos and got caught up pointing and shooting. it’s such a different way to take pictures - often surprising, but then giant bubbles are also surprising. fun afternoon with Auntie;

hopscotch 75. what are you all getting up to in your hood?

i finally made jam!

i think i procrastinated so long because the amounts of sugar are shocking and while i enjoy a fair amount of jam i just couldn’t bring myself to sweeten it so.  i tried agave syrup in place of sugar a few weeks ago with the strawberry jam but it didn’t pass little A’s “sweet test”. i like it though. After peeking at several recipes and consulting with my mama i came up with a modified version;

3.5c raspberries

1/2 c organic grape juice

3/4c evaporated cane sugar

2 tsp calcium water

2tsp pamona’s pectin

Mash berries, add grape juice and calcium water. Bring to a tumbling boil and boil 2 mins. Add sugar and pectin, stir vigorously and boil another minute. Remove from heat and blend with beaters for 4 mins. (to avoid hot splatters i covered the bowl with parchment and poked the beaters through). The grape juice was to sweeten as well as to make the jam less seedy. My mama uses a full cup of apple juice with 4c berries.  Pour hot jam into hot jars ( i heated them on a tray in the oven), seal with hot, dry lids and wait for the pop. all done.  i’m out of bread to sample but it’s tasty on wasa crackers.

before the curtain’s drawn;

drawing the curtain;

construction on our street;

inspired play. long enough for me to post about it;

We are in the midst of a post festive lull when we stay in our pjs most of the day. The little one is happy and into his projects and i’m sort of puttering, undecided which of many projects to get into. Soon, but not too soon, we will get into a groove of busy activities but for now good things are going on (mostly).

New additions to the Winter Wonderland from the elves at Jalu Toys;

good company, conversations and laughs, cozy fire, games, lots of cheeses, gherkins, ravioli, blueberry venison & apple pork sausages (which i did not try), halibut with chanterelles and other yummies.

another dinner gathering and Christmas all over again - this time duck (i ate shitakes instead), sage roast potatoes, brocolini, yellow beans, brussel sprouts and then apple tarts with vanilla bean ice cream.

i just keep eating and eating. mmm.

We’re having moments of festive moods around here - nothing too over the top but we’re enjoying the little bits of magic. Happiest Winter Celebrations to you friends!

a gift - i’m offering Malka to a cozy home where she will be loved and hugged. The little one and i will choose a name from the comments after the holidays.

edit - thank you.  the draw has been closed as of comment 87. i will post soon.

it was one of those days (and a sunny one at that) when each of us got into our own projects, coming together now and then but mostly moving about in our own ways. man i love that, rare as it is.  i’ve got a cough and bubble head so staying in most of the day with no one going stir crazy was about as perfect as it can get. it was a snap happy day inside and later we ventured out with the wagon on errands and around the hood.

i’ve finally made use of one of the old typer’s drawers i’ve acquired and can’t seem to part with. i’ve had several which were used for bead trays back in my days of jewelry making. They’ve had impermanent uses since but the little one and i are both loving this idea of displaying the smallest of our treasures. it is strategically set up at our front door in hopes to empty full pockets before they find they find their way to the wash.

more corners (sorry. i was camera happy);

and now what the little monkey was quietly up to while i was busy snapping this and that around home. “helping out the squirrels” he claims, by cracking chestnuts with the lemon juicer;

i’m feeling quiet here and despite busy-ness with parenting and life stuff…i’ve managed to read a novel in just a day and a half. it was a self declared day in bed, feeling on the verge of crap, mustering only enough energy to hold my book up.  partly it’s the wind storming rain at my window that makes me want to curl up and skip a day but i think mostly i just haven’t done that in…um years.

1 day in. the rest of the week we’ve been out in it (at least a little).