Birthday Girl

Anne turned one year on the 18th, how time flies by. Today we are off for her third swim lesson, they have been great for working off all her toddler energy this winter when we can't always go outside. Most days we play in the morning while I get in a few chores, she naps around lunch time and I either crash and nap as well or try to get a few more blocks on the baby quilt pieced. Since it's been cold, I've been spending the late afternoon getting a dinner in the oven that can sit in there for a while and help heat the place at the same time. Tonight I'm going to tinker with The New Moosewood Cookbook's spinach ricotta pie, finished with stove top pudding (from a box, nothing fancy or exotic). We sort of hunker down for the cold, nothing too ambitious, nothing more than simple, and that's just fine.

At home when it's cold

The start of baby #3's quilt, much to go but there was a bit of light this morning and it may be months before we get the sun through the windows for any good amount of time.




I made a cinnamon crumb surprise cake/bread last night from The Bread Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum. I love this book. I'd love it more if I could get my hands on some instant yeast in this area, but I've been going through the quick breads and other non-yeast recipes until I can find some proper yeast. The surprise part is a layer of apples and crumbs in the middle.




Robert supervised this photo shoot.

Perusing the monuments and memorials on New Year's Eve

Gifted Quilt and Hats from the holiday

Big Red lighthouse of Holland, Michigan. I only finished the quilting and put on the binding. Also quilted but not shown are four sets of quilted coasters.




A Nancy Blackett inspired seaman's cap for Ruth, a real life Ruth "Nancy" Blackett. From the Marsan watchcap pattern in Paton's Classic Wool in Bright Red.



A lacy chevron beret for Jessica in Jaeger Matchmaker in Feather.



I saw the Rangoli hat first on Livejournal's knitting community and knew I wanted to make it, well, just because. I used Galway Highland Heather in 732, it was gifted to Nicholas for his new girlfriend.

That's all I have for now, it's been a busy and lovely time with the family and we've all been battling a very stubborn cold. The kids and I are especially hit hard, we still have the gunk left over and Anne had a slight fever today and coughed a bit through the night. I have photos of Washington DC to post, but I'm not up for that now. I'm keeping things quiet with reading and piecing the new baby's quilt during the little time I have to myself. Despite being sick, the new year is starting out well enough. This year will be about pacing, flexibility and being realistic about having another baby join us in June. I can already see this blog moving into a day to day log of everyday life and less of a knitting a quilting showcase, though I do not plan to put those things totally aside. I will enjoy reading other's blogs and store up plans for future projects, probably too many than I can ever actually execute.