Why I love Capricious

 

 
A Capricious Perspective happens to be one of my dearest friends in the world. Every Thursday night her and I go out to escape life for a few hours over dinner, dessert, drinks, shopping, pedicures, or whatever suits our fancy that night. I look forward to my Thursday nights all week long and there are some weeks where I swear it is all that gets me through one week and on onto the next week.
 
This week we did our usual dinner date but we followed it up with some hilarious shopping where Capricious proceeded to try on every outrageous pair of shoes she could find (I wonder if it is healthy to laugh as hard as we did). We ended our shoe shopping adventure by buying matching sets of neon socks in six different colors. The best thing about the socks is that every time I wear them it will make me smile because it will remind me that I have a friend that I can let all my guards down around and it will remind me that every Thursday night I can just be myself, say whatever I want to say, and not be judged. Everyone should have a friend like that right?
 

Owl Hat

 
 

 
I just finished this owl hat today, I used a pattern I found on Ravelry. I ended up using size 7 needles instead of size 6 needles because my size 6 needles were in use. The smallest size was for a child and I was worried it would be too big for my toddler so I ended up taking out one owl section but now the hat is too small. It would probably fit a 6 mo - 1 yr old. It is really cute though so I am going to make another one that actually fits Chase when I get a chance. I still need to sew buttons on the eyes of one of the owls but I didn't have any that were small enough. I think I like this hat so much I may end up making one for myself as well.
 
 

Because Everyone Needs a Little Poetry in Their Life

 
I used to enjoy writing poetry but I haven't written anything in a long time. For some reason recently I was inspired to jot this one down...

it's the way you look
        at me
     to me
             even in my most imperfect moments
        every memory is beautiful
              those fleeting seconds
murmur by
                      too quickly
  in the spaces         between breaths
and i wonder if
     the way you look
        at me
     to me
             will ever change
how could it?


Here is a very old poem I wrote but it is one of my favorites.


Restless

there are nights
        when shards of light
                piercing tightly closed blinds
        filter through heavy eyelids
                birthing ruby fireflies
                of moonlight
                           that       dance
        in between heavy sighs
        to the rhythm
            of summer air
                    cooling tender flesh
            that fluctuates
            between hot
                    cold
                         and hot
                breath
                    against my cheek
                           the quiet before the storm
 
 

Bitten

So those of you who know me well may think I am referring to my passion for vampires but unfortunately this blog entry has to do with my kiddo...

Chase is a bite magnet - I seriously get calls from day care again and again saying "This isn't an emergency but I just wanted to let you know that one of Chase's friends bit him." (I think the director of the daycare thinks I'm crazy because when she called me yesterday I just busted out laughing - what else can a mom do after the billionth bite?)

Incident 1: (This was the most traumatizing event - he talked about it for MONTHS, seriously, the kid still brings it up.)
Me: "Chase who bit you?"
Chase: "Megan bit me! Ouch!"
Me: "Where did she bite you?"
Chase: "Megan bite my finger!"
Me: "What were you doing to Megan?"
Chase: "Take toy..."
(Since then I think Megan has bitten him another time or two - lesson - don't take stuff from Megan.)

Incident 2: (This was last Friday and it actually broke the skin.)
Me: "Chase who bit you?"
Chase: "Eva bite me!!"
Me: "What were you doing to Eva?" (I of course already knew what he had done to Eva since the teachers had updated me on the phone.)
Chase: "I sit on Eva..." (Apparently he also refused to get off.)
Me: "It's not very nice to sit on our friends."
Chase: "Eva bite me!"

Incident 3: (This was yesterday and you would think the kid had learned his lesson last week but apparently he was ready for round two. This bite left the worst looking little oval bruise I have ever seen.)
Me: "Chase what happened today?"
Chase: "Eva bite me!!!"
Me: "Did you push Eva?"
Chase: "Yes...Eva BITE ME!"
Me: "It's not nice to hit and push our friends."
Chase: "Eva BITE ME!!!"

Moral of the story: Don't mess with little girls... (Chase has never been bitten by a little boy...) You would think he would have learned that by now.

Since I am doing a Chase blog entry I figured I would also list off a few of my favorite recent Chase stories.

Pow Pow
One day Chase came back from school saying "POW POW" and now he LOVES to say it. He will say "POW POW" and then laugh hysterically. His new thing is that he likes to say it in the car. Which usually goes something like this:
Chase: "Mommy I want to say Pow Pow"
Daddy: "Pow Pow!!!"
Chase: "No Daddy No Mommy I want to say it!!!!"
Me: "Okay go ahead and say it."
Chase: "Pow Pow!!!"
(Hysterical laughter from everyone)

Animals
The other day when we were headed to the Zoo I asked Chase what animal he thought Pops was (his grandpa).
Chase: "Elephant!!!"
Me: "What animal is Grammy?"
Chase: "Ummm Horse!"
Me: "What animal is Daddy?"
Chase: "Hmmmm let's see....Ummm let's see...Giraffe!"
Me: "What animal is Uncle?"
Chase: "Hmmm let's see...Ummmmm...how about....Lion!"
Me: "What animal is Mommy?"
Chase: "Hmmmm...Ummmm...Umm.....Dragon!"
Me: "What animal is Chase?"
Chase: "Hmmmm....Turtle?"
At this point he ran out of animals and started using repeats. The part that I can't get over was the hmms and ummms and let's sees. Also his animal choices were actually fairly accurate....

ABCs
Chase can sing his ABCs now but they often go something like:
"ABCDEFG.....OOOOOH a lady bug!!!"
"ABCDEF...ROCKS!!!"
"ABCDEFGH....I want milk"
"ABCD...Now I know my ABCs next time won't you sing with me."
You get the point - his attention span is just not long enough to cover all 26 letters at times.

Forgive the long winded kiddo post but sometimes I just can't help myself!

Baby Leg Warmers - Free Pattern

I recently decided that I wanted to teach some of my friends how to knit so that in the future I have knitting buddies. In a few weeks we are going to get together and do some small beginner projects. One of my friends has an adorable baby girl and wants to knit her a pair of leg warmers; so I wrote and tested a VERY simple pattern for her to try. I made my test pair in a solid color but the pattern is designed for stripes. If you are looking for a super easy fast pattern this is the project for you!

Random thoughts: One of the comments on this post asked a hilariously good question (why in the heck would a baby need leg warmers?!?). I actually just learned the answer about 1 month ago at a baby shower I was at. Apparently it is much easier to change a baby that is just in a onesie and leg warmers so that you don't have to deal with taking pants on a off - I wish someone had told me that when my son was still in the potty 15 times a day mode...

If you would like a PDF copy of this pattern please just send me your email addressed and I would be happy to email you a copy.

Finished Measurements

Length: 7 inches

Width: 3 inches at the top and 2 inches at the bottom

Supplies

- 1 set of 24" circular needles size US 8 (longer circular needles can be used)

- Yarn Needle

- Two buttons or Ribbon for embellishment (Optional)

- Sewing Needle (if using buttons)

- Sewing Thread (if using buttons)

Yarn

Bernat Satin

(100% Acrylic; 163 yards / 3.5 oz / 100 grams)

Color: Silk (If you are knitting stripes you will need multiple colors)

Used about 1/4 or less of a skein (this would be a perfect scrap yarn project)

Gauge

18 sts and 24 rows = 4" in Stockinette stitch

Pattern

Cast on 22 sts

Join in round using the Magic Loop Method (11 sts on each needle)

Bottom Cuff:

[k1, p1] across row and repeat until the cuff measures 1 inch

Body:

R1: k1 across

R2: (Change color here if using stripes) m1, k1 to end of 1st needle (to the Magic Loop break), m1, k1 to end of 2nd needle (to the end of the row)

R3 - 7: k1 across

R8 - 13: Repeat rows 2 - 7 (Change color before knitting row 8 if using stripes)

R14 - 19: Repeat rows 2 - 7 (Change color before knitting row 14 if using stripes)

R20 - 25: Repeat rows 2 - 7 (Change color before knitting row 20 if using stripes)

R26: Repeat row 2 (Change color before knitting the row if using stripes)

R27: k1 across

Top Cuff:

[k1, p1] across row and repeat until the cuff measures 1.5 inches

Finishing:

Bind off VERY loosely (using larger needles if needed)

Weave in ends and wet block

Add any desired embellishments such as buttons, woven in ribbons, etc.

Another Custom Charm Bracelet

I recently received a custom order for a hand stamped charm bracelet. The bracelet has four charms, one for each of the customer's grandkids with tiny pearl embellishments on each charm. I am very pleased with how the bracelet turned out and I hope she loves it!

Last weekend my mom, cousin, sister, and niece came over to celebrate my sisters birthday and my mom and the kiddos did some baking. Is there anything better than baking with Grammy? My son sure doesn't think so... all day if you asked him who was coming over he said "My Favorite! Grammy coming over!". He also spent quite a bit of time sitting in front of the door waiting for Grammy to show up.

Twilight Hat - Free Pattern

I am a huge Twilight fan and I recently knitted myself a pair of “Bella’s Mittens” using Subliminal Rabbit’s pattern. I love the mittens and I want a pair in every color. Of course I decided that I needed a hat to match my new mittens so here is the pattern for the simple hat that I made. I loved the chunky earthy feel of the yarn in combination with the flirty fun crystal buttons. I hope you enjoy this project too!

If you would like a PDF copy of this pattern please just send me your email address and I would be happy to email you a copy.

Finished Measurements

Height: 7.5 inches

Width: 11 inches

Supplies

- 1 set 24” circular needles size US 8

- 1 set size US 8 double-pointed needles

- Stitch markers

- Yarn Needle

- 2 buttons (5/8 inches)

- Sewing Needle

- Sewing Thread

Yarn

Lion Brand Yarn

Wool-Ease Chunky

(80% Acrylic / 20% Wool; 153 yards / 5 oz / 140 grams)

152 Charcoal

About 1/2 a skein

Gauge

16 sts and 20 rows = 4” in Stockinette stitch

Pattern

Cast on 106 sts to the circular needles

R1 - 3: (Knit flat, do not join in round) [k1, p1] across the entire row

R4: k1, p1, k1, yo, k2tog, p1, [k1, p1] until the end of the row

R5 - 7: [k1, p1] across the entire row

R8: k1, p1, k1, yo, k2tog, p1, [k1, p1] until the end of the row

R9 - 11: [k1, p1] across the entire row

R12: Bind off 10 sts (96 sts remaining) k1 until the end of the row

R13: Join in round, k1 across entire row

R14: k1 across entire row

R15: [k2tog, k10] x 8 (88 sts remaining)

R16 - 18: k1 across entire row

R19: [k2tog, k9] x 8 (80 sts remaining)

R20 - 21: k1 across entire row

R22: [k2tog, k8] x 8 (72 sts remaining)

R23 - 24: k1 across entire row

R25: [k2tog, k7] x 8 (64 sts remaining)

R26 - 27: k1 across entire row

R28: [k2tog, k6] x 8 (56 sts remaining)

R29: Knit this row onto the DPNs; 14 sts per needle; k1 across entire row

R30: k1 across entire row

R31: [k2tog, k5] x 8 (48 sts remaining)

R32 - 33: k1 across entire row

R34: [k2tog, k4] x 8 (40 sts remaining)

R35 - 36: k1 across entire row

R37: [k2tog, k3] x 8 (32 sts remaining)

R38: k1 across entire row

R39: [k2tog, k2] x 8 (24 sts remaining)

R40: [k2tog, k1] x 8 (16 sts remaining)

R41: k2tog across entire row (8 sts remaining)

R42: k2tog across entire row (4 sts remaining)

Cut the thread leaving a 6” tail and thread it through the remaining 4 sts. Cinch, tie off, and weave in end. Using the other loose end, whip stitch the open edge of the brim to the hat where the hat is joined in round (closing the brim into a loop but leaving the button flap open). Sew on the two buttons and slip them through the yo holes. Wet block and you’re finished!

Twilight Addict

I loved the Twilight series and one of my favorite things from the movie was Bella's amazing grey knit mittens. I found a pattern online and I am very pleased with the results. It was the first time I have ever knit cables or mittens but I think they turned out great. I intend to make many pairs of these! I am currently working on a pattern for a matching hat but I ran out of yarn and the hat was a bit small so I am going to start over. It is a really simple hat but I think it will go nicely with the mittens. More to come soon!

Tofu Pie?!

This year for the fourth of July I decided to make a dessert. I've been wanting to try to make a tofu based dessert for awhile so I decided this was the perfect opportunity. I know it sounds scary but it actually ended up being really good!





Here is the recipe (the crust didn't turn out well at all and most of the guests thought that a standard graham cracker crust would have been better - a few thought no crust at all but just in cups with fruit would be the way to go):

Chocolate Peanut Butter Tofu Pie

• 1/4 cup butter, melted (I used a butter substitute)
• 10 oz. pretzels
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips (60% cacao) (I did 3/4 of a cup of dark chocolate and 1/2 a cup of semi-sweet chocolate)
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (I only used 3/4 of a cup and the PB taste was VERY strong so I may consider using less next time)
• 12 oz. extra firm light silken tofu
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• chopped pretzels for garnish (I used bananas and berries as a garnish)

Preheat oven to 350. Crush pretzels and sugar in a food processor or blender until mixture becomes very fine crumbs. With a fork, stir in melted butter until crumbs are moistened. Press into bottom and up the sides of a 9" pie plate. Bake 8 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Microwave dark chocolate chips and peanut butter together in a microwave safe container for 30 seconds. Stir and repeat in 30-second increments until chips are completely melted. Process tofu and maple syrup in a food processor until smooth. Add chocolate-peanut butter mixture. Process again until smooth. Pour into prepared crust. Refrigerate 1 hour. Sprinkle with chopped pretzels if desired.

Monkey Bizness

We took Chase to Monkey Bizness (an indoor play gym) today for the first time and he loved it!

The Early Signs of OCD

I must admit that both my husband and I have mild cases of OCD. Apparently our son inherited our love of organization. I know the quality of the below picture is terrible but check out how the fruit snacks are sorted in a line by color. Only my 21 month old would do that...




Here is a picture of Chase's loader digging and moving oranges at dinner (he did that all by himself).







In knitting news I decided to put the re-knit of Chase's sweater on hold in order to start on the below skirt. I bought the book yesterday and I LOVE this skirt. I even splurged and bought nice yarn at The Knitting Habitat. I normally only go for the cheap yarn since I am still a beginner knitter but I wanted this to be a special project. I did learn that knitting your own clothes is not cost effective, the supplies alone for this project will probably total more than I could have bought a similar skirt for (not even counting the billion hours this project will probably take). It's a good thing I craft for the enjoyment of it and not to save money. Wish me luck!