Thankful

Today I am thankful for:

SOAP
Dirt
Spring
Plants
Soap
Did I mention Soap?  If not ...

Hand soap
Laundry soap

Bathtubs
Hot running water
A little girl that likes dirt as much as her mother.

Strawberries in April

I bought these plants from Gurney's last spring.  They are Everbearing.  The instructions said to pinch the blossoms until July the first year and then let them go.  I did as instructed.  We did get some strawberries last summer, but not a huge amount.  This year - well, I don't think we are going to be lacking for fresh strawberries.  Here are a couple pictures that Brian took of the patch yesterday.  From a standing position, without moving any leaves, I counted about a dozen green berries!!  And yes, that was on April 27th.  Wow!  What a spring.

Titus' New PJ's and Two Bath Pictures

I finished Titus' PJ's this afternoon.  He picked out the fabric a couple weeks ago.  I don't like the way the top turned out and won't make it again, but the pants worked out great.

Isabele was mad because Titus wouldn't give her their toy cell phone. 

Titus and Isabele after getting their hair washed and drying up the tears that happen regardless of how hard I try to get them not to cry.

For the Record - My Needle Art History

I just read Hannah's latest post about her sewing projects and thought I'd write a bit about how I came to do the things I do.

I remember my mother teaching me how to knit.  I didn't like it one bit.  My needles were like size 20's and wood and they didn't click the way hers did. 

She taught me to do counted cross-stitch.  I started with needlepoint on hard plastic pre-colored "canvas".  The first one I loved.  Then I got 2 more - they were hexagon boxes.  One had an apple tree on it and the apples were a full cross-stitch.  It went well.  The 2nd on, that I wanted to do first ... was blue and it was clouds and a rainbow.  Some portion of it (I remember this part being white yarn) was a satin embroidery stitch.  I didn't get it.  I argued and argued and I think Mom finally gave up and let me do it however I wanted.  I did my first counted cross-stitch on aida fabric in 1984 (I was in 1st grade).  It was a Christmas ornament and I still have it.  I was hooked.  I've done tons of counted cross-stitch.  Even did one sitting through band practices in high-school (don't ask how I was allowed to do that - I think Mr. Becker had too many other things to worry about).

Machine sewing.  Mom had, and I think still has, a treadle sewing machine (there's no power, just your feet on the pedal).  I remember begging to be allowed to use it.  I sewed lots and lots of newspaper.  I'd done it enough that I was allowed to do it whenever I wanted.  Mom was at work and Dad was on the roof working on re-roofing.  Uncle Bill had come over and was going to take me out in the canoe.  I'm guessing I was in 1st or 2nd grade.  Anyway, I managed to run the needle through my finger.  I wasn't using thread, which was a good thing.  I remember backing the needle out of my finger and going upstairs and telling Dad what I did.  He sent me over to see Aunt Joyce.  My only real concern was being able to go out in the canoe with Uncle Bill. 
   Looking back on it all now, the needle through my finger really put a damper on my desire to use a sewing machine.

Mom made me take a sewing class at Lowry's one summer.  If I go through the pictures at her house I can tell you exactly when, but I think it must have been 3rd or maybe 4th grade.  I made a pair of culottes.  I didn't like the class.  I don't remember doing any more machine sewing until Jr. High Home Economics class.  I made a pillow with darts. 

By High School I really liked embroidery and cross-stitch.  My Mother taught me to crochet.  I picked out some really horrible colors at K-Mart for an afghan.  I did enough that I knew how to crochet.  Mom finished the afghan.  I really shouldn't be allowed to pick out colors.  (Still mostly true to this day.  I have to have Brian or Hannah check colors for me if I'm trying to put anything different together.)
I crocheted some doilies.
Mom taught me to spin.
I knit one of a pair of fingerless gloves.  Never finished the second one.
The summer between high school and college I decided to quilt a Christmas tree skirt for my mom.  I bought the fabric - all white and had to do 2 straight seams to make it big enough.  Did that.  Quilted it but had to give it to her not finished because I didn't know how to get the binding on.  She finished it.  It was the size of a double bed bedspread.  I was nuts.
I tried knitting in college - didn't like it.
I took mom's old portable Singer when I got married "because everyone needs a sewing machine".  I don't remember what I sewed, if anything with it. 
Then in 2000 or 2001, my best friend from high school, Sarah-Ann, asked me to be a bridesmaid.  She had a pattern she wanted us to make or have made.  I was living in New Hampshire and didn't have anyone to make it for me, so I had to figure out the machine.  I think I made some curtains for my living room first.  I remember thinking, "Okay, I'll make a flannel shirt for Brian, then I'll make this bridesmaid dress."  The shirt wasn't great, but the sewing lasted longer than I thought possible and I threw the shirt out years later as it was totally out of style.  I got the dress done and it fit.
I think it was about a year later, living in Wisconsin, that I decided I wanted to learn to smock.  So I had to sew because you have to do something with the fabric that you smock.  That's probably where I got hooked sewing.
As for knitting.  Hannah started knitting long before I did.  I started knitting for real when I saw a pattern for a Lily of the Valley Lace Stole.  I wanted to do it.  Figured I could and bought the stuff.  I did it.  I know where the mistakes are ...

And that probably covers the history.

A Sunny Spring Day

 Lilacs I cut this morning.

Here is just one branch of one of my lilac bushes.  One of these has 4 blossoms on it.  Great year for lilacs!!

My Redbud tree.

The strawberry patch is very happy this year (its second year).  I think I'll have plenty of strawberries, even after the kids eat all they can find.

Isabele's favorite game is climbing in and out of the stroller.

Her second favorite thing to do is take her shoes off.

 Tito.

Isabele's Nightgown

It's a little long and still needs the bow sewn on the front and the button on the back.  I'm still undecided on whether I hem it or just leave it.  She wore it this morning for an hour or so before getting dressed and did fine walking around even though it's too long.

The only way I can get a decent picture of Isabele when she knows I'm taking a picture is to stand or sit her on something she can't get off of.  Otherwise she walks all the way up to the camera.

Looking for Titus who just got up and was in the bathroom.

Titus and his wonderful bed head.

Mt. Ararat

Titus has 2 favorite bedtime stories (not books) - Baby Moses and Noah.  Tonight it was Noah.  I add different parts and forget parts from night to night - but the story is the story of Noah building the ark, the flood and then the rainbow promise.  All told in about 3 minutes.  Tonight I was about done and got interrupted for the umpteenth time "mom, the mountain arar..."  Okay, and the Ark got stuck on Mt. Ararat.  "yeah.  And daddy's boat can get stuck on Mt. araa.. when it goes in the lake.  Right now it's in the garage because it has to get sanded".  He can't say Mt. Ararat correctly, but he was sure cute.  He didn't go for me telling him that daddy's boat probably wasn't going to get stuck on Mt. Ararat. 

Titus and the Two-Wheeler

Titus has been riding a "mini-glider" bike since last spring when he was just over 2 years old.  In the last week he really got good at putting both of his feet up on the pegs and gliding or coasting.  Then he started asking to ride his big blue pedal bike.  We bought the bike (a 16-17 inch frame) last year, knowing that it would be at least a year, maybe more until he could ride it.  Brian got it out and though he can sit on the seat and reach the handlebars and the pedals, it is way too big.

However, Titus did manage to ride it without training wheels!!

Titus kept asking to ride his big bike, so on Sunday we made a run to Toys R Us in Fort Wayne to check out their bike options.  We had looked at used bikes at Tarkyo first, but the 12 inch frame was too small and the 16 inch frame was too big ...  Lucky for us, Toys R Us carries a couple 14 inch frames, even though they are not advertised online.  We finally decided to go ahead and get a 14 inch frame for him.

Brian put it together with some help from Titus.  Here they are with it almost ready to ride.

To say Titus was excited would be an understatement.  He was thrilled and Brian couldn't put the bike together fast enough.

Here he is getting on the bike for the first time.  The nice thing about a glider bike is that the kids learn to balance a bike, thus negating the need for training wheels.  So there are no training wheels on Titus' new green bike.

Ready to go on the new green bike with his helmet.  We are not super into safty equipment, but since the bike is just a little big for Titus and he has trouble getting on and off without help, he has to wear his helmet when riding the green bike - at least until he doesn't crash every few seconds.

Yesterday Titus could ride about 5 feet without needing either Brian or I to catch him from falling over sideways.  He laughed and smiled the whole time.  We also only had to walk to keep up with him.

This afternoon, he progressed to requiring us to jog to keep up with him and can do a complete lap of the driveway without falling over or running into anything.  He's also starting to figure out how to catch himself when he starts to fall.  He's finished his lap in the back yard a couple of times, which may become the norm as the grass slows and steadies him enough that he doesn't fall over.

Now he just has to figure out how to get started without help and he'll be on his own on his two-wheeled bicycle.

Apple Green-Chile Pie (Crustless)

This recipe is really, really good.  I can't remember where I got it, but have made it several times.  It isn't spicy hot - just flavorful.  This serves like a fruit crisp, not like a pie.

350 degrees for 1 hr
Serves 6
Buttered (or non-stick spray) 9-10 inch pie plate or casserole dish

1 1/2 quarts sliced, peeled tart apples (4 large or 6 medium)
1/c c chopped, roasted and peeled green chiles (I use Poblano - 2 will do it.  To roast either put under the broiler or on the grill, turning frequently until they blister/scorch.  Let cool until you can handle them, then with your hands, peel the thin skin off.)
1/2 c white sugar
1 1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
2 T lemon juice - use 1 T with fresh apples
1 c packed brown sugar
3/4 c flour
1/2 c butter
1/2 c walnuts or pecans

Toss apples, green chiles, white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and juice together and mound in pie plate.

Cut together butter, brown sugar and flour together until crumbly.  Then evenly pack over apples.
Sprinkle with nuts and then press slightly to hold.

Bake for 45 minutes, then cover with foil and bake remaining 15 minutes.

Recent Titus Conversations

2 days ago: "Mommy, I can't go pee because the horse is going pee right now."

Yesterday: "Mommy, I can't go pee in the toilet because the pig is going pee right now."

Going to bed last night:
"Mommy, the horse is taking my blankets."
Me: "Horse, get out of Titus' bed and go back to the barn."
Titus: "The horse went out and got the buggy and opened the house door and went out and then put the buggy in the grass and went in the barn."

About 30 seconds later : "Mommy, the horse is taking my blankets."

Wordless Wednesday

A few pictures from the past week.

Bike Riding in the Driveway

March 30,2010.  Titus picked up Isabele's hat and put it on.  At least I know it will fit Isabele for another couple years.  Isabele was watching Titus so intently and he was nicely telling her how to ride her tricycle.  They were so cute.

Mimicking her big brother.

 Follow the leader.

Rain

It was raining the other day - no big surprise for Springtime.  Titus and Isabele needed a walk - so they donned their new raincoats and we went for a short walk and puddle splash.

Nana and Grandpa Visit

Trying out the spinning wheel.

Maybe he'll be a bit like Uncle Caleb. I do hope that Titus learns to spin and knit and fix things and cook and dig holes and plant flowers and use a chainsaw and build a house and fix cars ... I love that my brother knit a sweater, complete with cables, for himself.

Titus and Grandpa Hoover at Pike Lake - checking out a handful of sand.

Grandpa explaining something to Titus.

Don't

... water the windows.
... water your sister.
... water the car, unless Dad is washing the car with soap.
... hit your sister.
... throw your toys.
... cut that.
... write on that.
... take that away from her.
... get any more food out.
... wash the floor with that rag.
... ... ...

I feel like all I say some days is DON'T.