Monday, January 19, 2009

much to his dismay

I have found my spring/summer project for the year. It is THIS. How to make soap. Not melt down some glycerin from Micheal's kind of soap but real, homemade soap! I think, if I can pull it off it will be pretty darn cool. And, what great Christmas gifts to give next year! A little homemade soap with some gloves, hat or scarf or maybe some soap and a nice set of washcloths! Oh the possibilities...

I have kind of realized that for the most part, I generally teach myself something new every year. Last year it was knitting, the year before that papermaking and before that it was flower arranging. I just know there is so much to learn out there, that I can't stop and beyond that. Also, I think that eventually it would be nice to know how to make everything I would need if something were to happen. Nothing like being resourceful, eh?

Monkey see, Monkey Sleep

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Just a little tired.

Lately, with starting school and getting used to the commuting twice a week. It has been a bit of a change and on top of it, little Bella will not sleep. She wakes up at around 3 or 4 am and just wants to be wide awake and play and eat and well, is pretty much ready for her day. Where as the rest of us all want to sleep just a little bit more.

We had cord of wood delivered on Wednesday afternoon and stacked it this morning. I am hoping this is the last cord of wood we have to buy for the rest of winter. We are going through it so much slower now. Other than that, I am looking for a part time job on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays until Scott gets a job. Those are the days that I have a class or Yoga (tuesdays) at school in Seattle. I figure if I can just pile everything together it will work out best. That way I still have a few free days in there to study and play with the kids. Once Scott starts work is when things will get really crazy. But I trust that we will figure it out and come to the right working point for us.

It has been a little rough lately, things are coming to a point with Scott and work where he just needs to have a job now. He is getting antsy and we are both starting to really feel the financial strain. But that's life and this too shall pass, right Granny?

Huh, anyway, I have some yarns I am keeping my eye on for some future projects when money decides to descend upon us. I can't wait to start knitting again. In the meantime, I have a few washcloths I have been meaning to finish up.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

What's up

Oh what a busy week it has been. Busy and blissful... for the most part.

On Friday I went to Seattle and did my orientation. It was amazing! We got to listen to the chefs/teachers and they are all so passionate about cooking and food that it is inspiring. I also got my knives and books....




Also, I have realized that I have an addiction to molasses. It's really rather disgusting. I have a jar that I bought to make gingerbread cookies and now I just take a spoonful every now and then. It is so good and oddly metallic. I love it, no matter how gross you think I am, I love it!



I finally finished my first sock last night! It is so cute, I have already cast on for the second one and am planning another pair very soon. I think the next pair I will do will be a little schushier... if that makes sense. I am also going to make myself some of THESE with some leftover yarn that I have lying around. And then, to give Heather just a little hint, HERE is the hat that I am going to make for her, but in different colors.


Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Testing

My testing went alright. I did really well in English and am being pushed to test out of the class in order to take more Culinary classes. I believe that I will only to make things a little faster for me. I will be attending part time, just two classes a quarter because of kids and money. I start, potentially next week. I just have to get my college transcripts to AIS and give them a $100 deposit. Schooling is so expensive!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Just a mistake

It was just a mistake in the paperwork! I am eligible for financial aid! WOOO HOOO!!! That is going to make things so much easier!


Can't wait, today I am headed down to take my placement testing and to discuss the amount of aid I can get and where to hunt for specific cooking scholarships.

Wish me luck!

Monday, January 5, 2009

Today


Today is the day that I applied for school again...

I am so excited!

Today is the day that I found out that I might not be able to get financial aid...

I am so frustrated!

Today is the day that I decided to go either way...

Scott is a tad upset and very excited.


But in this new year I have decided to stop making so many personal sacrifices for Scott and our marriage. Don't take it the wrong way, I love him dearly. But I need to be me as well as us. The last... oh Goodness, um I think it's been almost 8 years that we have known each other Scott has always had the last say. The final decision if you will, on what we were are doing with our lives. Where we live and all those super important decisions. So, after much debate we came to the conclusion that being a stay at home Mom only is not the way for me. I need a few hours a week where I am doing something for me. Where I am getting out of the house and away from all this... just for me. And oh is it a novelty.

Sometimes I find myself looking around after a crazy day and thinking "holy cow when did all this happen? I'm 23 not 33!" And then a baby wakes me up and I remember how thankful I am for the smell and squish of baby cheeks during sleep. How much one little smile can actually make you think that everything really is going to be just fine in the end, no matter what. I wake up and get a sleepy hug after we get out of bed at 5(ish) in the morning and I remember just how happy I am to have that guy next to me.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Warm feelings

The other day I made chicken soup for dinner. It is one of my favorite things to make when it is cold outside. Here is my recipe:



2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup rough chopped onion
1 cup rough chopped celery
1 cup rough chopped carrot
4 cloves chopped garlic
1 bunch rough chopped Italian parsley
4 bay leaves
all purpose seasoning
salt
pepper
2/3 cup orzo pasta

6 - 8 cups chicken broth (preferably homemade with chicken in it)


combine everything but the broth in a large pot and sautee for about 8 minutes. Add broth and cook until boiling. Boil for 20 minutes until pasta is tender.


Eat. Enjoy. Warm up.




As a separate note, I finished my first hat today. It is beautiful! I love the yarn, it is a hand spun wool from the Manos del Uruguay project. It supports women in Uruguay and is just lovely. It has this neat uneven quality about it that just makes me comfortable. Here is my hat. I got the design from HERE. (Jen there is one in the works for you that will match your scarf and then Heather's is next. I am still picking out her yarn.)


Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone! Scott and I put the kids to bed a tad later than normal and let them have some juice before bed... and still they went to sleep very fast. We on the other hand went to bed around 10... early for us. But it felt good to start the new year off with rest and a good feeling about life.

We spent our Christmas with Oma and Opa in Oregon and had a wonderful time. Aunty Heather is so good with the kids! Here are a few pictures and a few more will undoubtedly pop up on here every few days or so the next week or two.




Oma and Adrien playing box car



Aunty Heather with her new iPod



Isabella got refridgerator magnets



The best toy of all, toxic packing peanuts!



Adrien's beloved car from Rob and Rexene



Loveable little monkey for my monkey




Jumping up and down over the car



It seems my dad (Opa) can still scare a kid when necessary





Oma lovin' Isabella before we left



Izzy loves her new elephant toy, Oma!


Adrien reading No, Davey!