Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt for Adrian

These photos are from May (yes, I am so behind - let's call it a trend), and I actually sewed the binding on well before Adrian was born. Hurray for small accomplishments! I'll have better photos of the whole (and finished) quilt at some later date, life has just been too different, busy, and tiring lately to stop in here much. I have put all knitting aside for the next few months, or years, but organized the works-in-progress so I can pick right back up at any time without wondering what on earth I was doing with it or where I was at in the pattern.

In case I hadn't mentioned it, the quilt pattern was from a Better Homes and Gardens quilting leaflet, and while it's a variation on the disappearing nine patch block, it was not sewn or cut like one. I pieced the rows separately (no nine patch blocks to cut) because I wanted the most variety of fabrics - there are somewhere between 68 and 100 different kinds of fabric in there, mostly from my late mother in law's stash and maybe 20 or so from my own. The quilt top is hand pieced, the quilting also by hand but I put the binding on the top with the machine.

Adrian is here

35 weeks and 4 days pregnant, this is probably the last photo of me pregnant back in May.




Adrian Henry, born on Sunday, June 8, 2008 at 4:12pm. 20 inches long, 8lbs and 10oz, the exact measurements of his sister, who was also born during the 4pm hour.




Jonah is very happy to have a brother.




Anne was excited, but also worn out by all the activity and newness of the baby.



Adrian, a week old, and Anne taking the baby invasion very well.

I have not been around here much lately, mostly I have been plowing away at the baby's quilt in every brief spare minute and the rest of the time kept very busy with an energetic little girl. I am fortunate that the pregnancy has been relatively uneventful, I have been feeling well enough and even have had little back and sciatic pain thanks to my chiropractor. In the afternoon and evening I am tired, even dragging, but I'm not kidding anyone that caring for a little one and being pregnant at the same time can't be hard. The time is flying by, the weeks go by more like days and I only have a handful of weeks left. This little one will be showing up the first week of June, I will have labor induced a week before my due date (Flag Day) on account of my diabetes. Only a few small things left to get ready, and after having a baby just last year we have essentially been ready for this one from the start.

Goose Creek

On Saturday, we took a hike at the Keep Loudoun Beautiful park along Goose Creek. Trail information called the difficulty level "moderate", which was more up to my speed being 2 months away from giving birth than the Appalachian trail labeled "hard". We started off highway 7 near the golf course but didn't make it down to the Potomac. We turned around shortly after coming across an abandoned dam or water house. I checked into it this morning, I believe it was the failed Goose Creek canal, though I'll have to look into it some more to confirm this is one and the same. Edit: The canal seems to be at another location, closer to the Potomac. Still not sure what exactly we found here.






Geese perched on the opposite side of Goose Creek near the other canal remains.

Other photos from our adventure:

Dishcloth Submission

This is my submission for Larissa's call for volunteers, it will be sent out as soon as I get an envelope for it. Yarn is Sugar N Cream 04 Ecru, needles US 3, pattern #73 from Knitting Handbook.

Pieced Pillowcase

Just for kicks and to keep cabin fever at bay, I whipped up this pillowcase on the machine yesterday. It covers a foam sponge pillow for Anne's changing table. Inspired by some of the great quilts on the Flickr Modern Quilt-Along group.

One side in blues.



The flip side in pinks.

A quick update on life, I'm over a kidney infection and a chiropractor is doing wonders for my back and sciatic nerve pain with this pregnancy. I'm 23 weeks along, the time flies so fast the more kids you have. Winter is still here in the Mid-Atlantic, we still have bitter winds and occasional ice - along with a few 60 and 70 degree days to confuse the geese and humans alike. The days have been ordinary, mostly spent indoors while we wait out the last of the cold weather. Dinners have reflected this; clam chowder, grilled cheese, pancakes and sausage.

In fear of becoming an out of date and stale blog

This is a cross stitch piece Martin's mother made, she had several state patterns in her collection, this one might go back to Martin's sisters who lived in Washington for a time - I'm sure she made it for them. Eventually (ha!) I'd like to find the patterns for all the states Martin and I lived in growing up and together and have a collection to hang in the kitchen. So far, we'd need Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Washington, and Virginia.

Progress is coming slowly on the baby quilt, I haven't touched yarn or knitting needles in over a month. Everything is behind and I'm even getting laid up a bit with some strange symptoms, but tests and ultrasounds say that the baby is fine. Maybe I'll take some time to update my side bar while I'm on the mend, and not stay too far behind with this little blog.

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.

All knitting under cover, in the meantime, "Look! A cat!"

I can't post knitting photos just yet, the items have yet to be gifted and I won't ruin the surprise. Plus, we've had such grey days lately that I can't seem to catch any good light for photos. I did finish the advent/Christmas calendar, my son is thrilled with finding a new item each morning. Next year, Anne will be old enough to want to help.

I did not make this cat and kittens doll, but I was thrilled to see a similar one here. Mine has its kittens stuffed into apron pockets with scraps of vintage quilts cut from otherwise tattered and worn out old quilts. While this cat is mine personally, I may be inspired to make Anne her own, with a Katy No-Pocket type apron.

Surrendering to the Tupperware War

I have come to the realization that as long as I have small children, my tupperware cupboard will never be organized. There will always be lids missing, and rims will look slightly gnawed on. I have locks on other cupboards, but I leave the tupperware cupboard accessible as it's one of the only ways to keep the baby entertained while I am working in the kitchen. I figure that's more endearing than a tidy storage area.

Here's the Christmas/Advent calendar I started in 2005. The background is finished and I have a row or two of the pockets sewn down. If I go dig it out and finish it today, we can fill the pockets and start it tomorrow.

New Tricks

Over the holiday, Anne learned how to master stairs in one day. She learned how to climb into things, last night it was the suitcases we were unpacking and this morning I found her in her book basket. Next up, getting out of the crib and over the gate.

I didn't take a single photo over the holiday, Anne was so clingy that I never had a hand free. We did see some snow flakes, but nothing stuck. I didn't gain any holiday weight, my secret is nursing one baby and feeding a work-in-progress baby at the same time. I'm nearly 12 weeks along and I've shown a bit earlier with #2 and #3 than I did with the first baby (I was pregnant with Jonah 9 years ago!), so it's time to find some more accommodating pants. I have an OB appointment and ultrasound this week, this pregnancy is flying by.

As for the post-Thanksgiving let down, it's hardly that. I'll be busy unpacking, putting away, cleaning up and getting ready to drag out the Christmas stuff this weekend. We don't do a lot for the holiday season or busy ourselves until we go nuts, but we have a few family rituals that make this time special.

Slippers

Finished just in time, and good thing, it's cold here. Now to get the cat supplies ready and clear the bed of piles of stuff and get them into suitcases. We'll be in Michigan in less than 24 hours from now.

Friday things

Very quiet, very simple around here. Few plans, few commitments, and simple meals while we plan and ready ourselves for the trip, which will be packed with plenty to do, even more to eat, and a whole lot of noise. I am slowly plowing through the second slipper, I want to take them (finished) on the trip. The pumpkins look like they are screaming as they wither away. The orange cat is sleeping after a strenuous morning of being my shadow. He knows I'm leaving soon.

Going home for Thanksgiving

These are old photos, but this is where we're going in less than a week. It's the house I grew up in, and one of the cats still living with my parents. Morgan only has three legs, but does quite nicely. In this photo, she has climbed the 4 foot tall wood pile to peer into the breakfast room. We have many family members over for the holiday, a very busy and noisy weekend. It's always a lot of fun and good to see everyone again. The kids and I fly in Tuesday, Martin follows on Wednesday. We get in ahead of the extended family and have some time to be back home like we used to be, though now we have a spouse, children and a fiancé to add to the numbers.

Besides growing older and the addition of new family members, not much changes with this holiday get together my parents have held nearly each year for close to 30 years. My dad could tell you exactly how many years and how many deviations from the tradition there have been, but I think it has been only around three times we've had other plans for this holiday in 30 some years.

Tea and Toast

Toast Song, transcribed to the best of my ability

A cold Midwestern morning, gold and pink and orange dawn
Down to get the paper and put the coffee on.
The news is grey and dismal one could sit and weep almost
Except for pumpernickel transcending into toast.
Two thin slices turning golden, bread smell rising like a prayer
And then that lovely music of your feet upon the stair
In an old blue bathrobe, love is standing there.

The (?) man stands silent, love is more than he can say(?)
The sweet familiar pleasure to be alive today
And though the news is dismal, God has given us our bread
With butter and raspberries generously spread.
When I get old and nights are longer, long dark thoughts the whole night through
I’ll be glad for morning, calm and bright and new.
And toast a couple slices and sit and wait for you.

The song, to the tune of Schubert's Die Forelle, aired on A Prairie Home Companion on February 5, 2005. To listen, go here and click on the second segment.


The past while has been a bit rough, I'm rather worn down but hanging in there. It's bleak outside, dense fog this morning and no light whatsoever. Even auto-correct in photoshop can't hide the yellowness of poor florescent indoor lighting. So starts the season of finding creative ways to light our photos.

I've finished one slipper and started it's mate, though nothing to show, really. I'll be sneaking in a few rows in a moment now that the baby has finally gone for a nap. After a crummy start to the week, it was my aim to do better today. Blueberry tea, toast with jam, a piece of chocolate, and a cracked nut (the walnut, not me) helped get me on my way. An episode of House of Eliott while nursing the baby to sleep was also a nice escape into the 1920's British fashion world. I do like Beatrice's bobbed curls, and am tempted to cut my own hair. I won't be too hasty on that decision.

Cold feet

I bought Cascade Yarns Ecological Wool 8087 (Brown, or Chocolate depending on the site) this summer while in Michigan. For the past 3 years I've been pretty good about buying yarn with a project in mind - even if it's a vague project - but I bought this hank with no idea what I'd do with it. There are 478 yards to one hank, so I figured it'd be good for a small felting project or who knows what else.

The yarn is a little on the bulky side of worsted, but doubled and on smaller-than-US-10 needles and I should be able to get 4 sts/inch and make a nice thick pair of these slippers. If I'm being unreasonable in my math estimations, I'll go for something felted. Always have a Plan B. I usually have Plan C and D not too far from hand as well.

Changing with the season

The paper and clothespin bats have come down, but my son liked the hanging decorations so much he wanted to put up something else in their place. We spent the last few days gathering leaves and stringing them up.




I've started Anne's stocking for St. Nicholas day. My husband's family would do stockings and presents on that day and reserve Christmas for time with other family. The yarn is Mission Falls 1824 wool, in poppy. It might be discontinued, or maybe it was the dark olive that the other stockings are made with, but either way, eBay is wonderful for finding extra yarn for stockings for the new family members. I'll wait until next year to make baby #3's stocking. Though, I could make it now and wait to put on a name with duplicate stitching. The first 4 stockings (the older cat has a stocking, too) have the names knit into them, but it puckers slightly even with blocking so the newer stockings will have duplicate stitching. There's what's left of the leaves we scavenged for, and henny pincushion ready for the pins holding the mending pile.





It's surprising that things are still fairly green around here, but the chill and the wind are confirming it's finally autumn. In two weeks, we'll be landing in Michigan for a week's visit over the holiday. Jonah's hoping for snow.