No photos, but I'm about double the length on the waistband of Yasmina's skirt than I was last week. The picture up there is of the yarn that I'm using for the alternate/variation on my design. I had the darker green in my stash already and picked up the lighter green from Mr. Yarn's going out of business sale. Since I need the pattern edited and the variation knit, plus an extra set of mitts made, I think that's all I'll be working on for the next month, unless I finish them up, and can get back to the other projects I have going or wanted to finish.

I have exactly one more sweater club shipment coming, but it hasn't been sent yet. There has been a delay. I'm hoping to see it next week, now.

We read a little more in Life, the Universe, and Everything, but didn't finish it yet. I have read absolutely nothing else except the Bible and Prayer Book since last week.



Also posting to Keep Calm and Craft On.


This weekend was a whirwind tour for our family. Saturday, we had a family reunion of sorts, which was a lot of fun. We had initially planned on leaving Friday and spending the night with friends, then going to the party. However, one of Amira's best friends was having a sleepover birthday party, and was only inviting three girls, so they asked if we could find a day that weekend that would work. We decided to stay home Friday, then pick up Amira at around 6:30 in the morning, and head off of a five hour drive. We only ran 20 minutes late. From the party, we went to one of our priests' homes and had dinner with him and his wife, went to church in the morning and had lunch with the parish. It was so good to receive the Eucharist, in the liturgy, with our church members. Since it was my birthday, I picked the activities, so we went blackberry picking, back in our old stomping grounds. We had dinner on the harbor, and met up with friends, then went back for ice cream. At first, we had planned to pick berries, grab ice cream from one of our favorite places, then head back and eat a dinner that was already prepared and in our fridge, but a funny thing happened on the way to the blackberries. We ran into an old friend and spent an hour or so talking to him, so we were later getting started on the berries, and that was after taking our time after church, anyway. So, we decided to head into town for burgers at the best place to get them. So, all in all, my fortieth birthday was pretty nice. I was in my happy place, eating delicious things, with wonderful people, after having had the opportunity both to receive absolution for my sins and advice in confession and the Eucharist with our church body.

We were going to be late coming home, but we ran into a delay in the pass that was pretty bad. It took us almost two and a half hours to go four miles. Aside from one fellow in a truck with an exceptionally good attitude who was rocking out to _Knocking on Heaven's Door_ as he drove, it was pretty miserable. But not as bad as it was for the people who were the reason for the slow down. There was a fatal accident that closed two out of three lanes. And that open lane had only been opened an hour before we got there. Please remember to pray for the soul of the departed and for the other critically injured person. In any case, we left the site of the accident forty minutes after we thought we'd be home. Rich was already exhausted, and had only enough energy to get us home at our first time. So, he pushed until we got to a rest stop about 70 miles from our house, then pulled over and took a nap. Even after he was back on the road, though, he was still pretty tired, so I had him exit at the next rest stop, and I took over driving, because I was slightly less tired than he was, having been able to nap a little while he drove. We got home at around 3:20. Rich was supposed to go to work and Amira had ballet, that was why we were coming back that night, anyway, but Rich sent e-mails to his boss and other folks in the office while I drove saying that he wouldn't make it in. I thought I'd wake up with the light coming in the window, and get Amira up to take her to ballet, but I woke up one minute before her class started. So, we spent Monday sleeping and resting. Which we desperately needed. Because that wasn't our first lack of sleep night, I had only slept two and a half hours the night before we left on the trip in the first place, and Rich had only a couple hours more than I did. Not to mention the 18 years of lack of sleep we're already sporting.

Needless to say, we spent yesterday resting, and everything is a little late this week. Thus the menu along again. We have a few repeats, and a lot of simpler meals or meals that can be prepped either by other people or in advance.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Garlic Cheese Toast, Fruit, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Burgers, Garlic Fries, Ice Cream
• Monday - Feast of Saint James the Apostle
  Breakfast: Blueberry Pancakes with Maple Syrup, Bacon, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Mahshi (Stuffed Peppers and Zucchini), Brown Rice, Crenshaw Melon
• Tuesday - Feast of Saint Anne the Mother of the Blessed Mother
  Breakfast: Fried Eggs, Bacon, Toast, Crenshaw Melon, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Italian Sausage and Potato Bake, Rustic Italian Bread, Roasted Cauliflower
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Fried Halloum, Toast, Fruit Plate, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Eggplant Stuffed with Feta, Provolone and Walnuts in Tomato Sauce, Rice Pilaf, Sliced Oranges
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Cinnamon Rolls, Bacon, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Tex-Mex Rice Skillet with Chorizo, Flour and Corn Tortillas, Salsa, Sour Cream, Sliced Avocados
• Friday - Feast of Saints Mary and Martha
  Breakfast: Blueberry Muffins, Hard Boiled Eggs, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Fish and Chips, Coleslaw
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Cereal and Milk, Fruit, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Hash of Kielbasa, Potatoes, Carrots, Celery, Onions, and Garlic, Fruit, French Bread

What is on your menu this week? If you want a recipe, ask and I will provide it as soon as I can. If there are any starred recipes, I will follow up separately with a weekly recipe round up.

Labels: Books, Church Year, Design, Family, Homemaking, Knitting, Menu Plans, Tales from the Kitchen, Yarn Along

I didn't want to delay on Yasmina's skirt for longer than necessary. So, I've just started in, making it as it makes sense. The directions seem to have been translated by someone who didn't have a full grasp on how English knitting terms need to be conveyed. Or, perhaps some of the more finessed details were missed in English. In any case, I've been working at it in such a manner to make it work and to make it most elegantly knit. The cafe curtain saw only a little work.

My exciting news is that I have a pair of designs that may be published in an online magazine, in what was, perhaps, the most simple proposal ever sent. The due date was approaching and the editor asked for a few more submissions. I sent an e-mail asking if an already knit design would be suitable and what would be needed and when, if it was. The response came within an hour, and I was so happy to find that there was interest. I will let you know when it is live online. In the meantime, I'm knitting up another sample in a different set of colors. I don't know how much else I'll be working on until it is finished.

Speaking of finished, I finished the book I started last week. It had enough in it that held my interest, but I wouldn't recommend it. There were too many modern cliches and socially/politically correct themes pasted on (to make it acceptable to the right circles of people?). Since we put down Life, the Universe, and Everything some time ago, because our lives were too busy, we decided to grab The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, 25th Anniversary Edition again and finish it this summer. We're pretty close to finishing this, and will move on to the next book after that.



Also posting to Keep Calm and Craft On.

Labels: Books, Design, Family, Homemaking, Knitting, Yarn Along

We have a lot of fun stuff planned this week, and the kids have a pretty full social schedule as well. We were blessed to receive some amazing produce from a farmer we know, and so we have tons of eggplant and peppers and melons. Also, our apricot tree is ripening its fruit, so we are snacking on those now, too. It is so wonderful to have fresh produce to eat in the summer.

I plan on trying a recipe for applesauce bread for my knit night, and if it turns out well I'll share how I made it. We are still trying to eat out of our freezer, and we have a ton of berries. I'm thinking muffins and syrups for pancakes are on the horizon.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Raisins and Cinnamon Sugar, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Pastrami Sandwiches on Rye Bread, Pickles, Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Watermelon
• Monday
  Breakfast: Feta with Za'atar and Olive Oil, Toast, Sliced Peppers, Cantaloupe, Coffee
  Dinner: Faux Gyros, Khoubz Araby (Pita Bread), Baba Ghanooj, Middle Eastern Chopped Salad, Harissa, Crenshaw Melon
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Fried Eggs, Toast, Sliced Watermelon, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Mahshi (Stuffed Peppers and Zucchini), Brown Rice, Leftover Salad
• Wednesday - Feast of Saint Elijah the Prophet
  Breakfast: Caramel Apple French Toast Strata, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Eggplant Stuffed with Feta and Walnuts in Tomato Sauce, Rice Pilaf
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Cinnamon Rolls, Bacon, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Moroccan Chicken, Steam Sauteed Peppers and Zucchini, Herbed Cous Cous
• Friday - Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene
  Breakfast: Slow Cooker Rice Pudding with Coconut and Craisins, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Pasta with Tomato and Eggplant Sauce, Garlic Bread, Salad
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast with Honey, Fruit, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Family Barbecue, Potato Salad

What is on your menu this week? If you want a recipe, ask and I will provide it as soon as I can. If there are any starred recipes, I will follow up separately with a weekly recipe round up.

Labels: Church Year, Family, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Tales from the Kitchen

Nejat's star blanket saw a little progress this week, but Yasmina's skirt has been put on hold because the gauge information in the pattern seems completely backward to me, and I can't get an answer from the designer. I may just try it as it makes sense to me and see how it works out from there. Since all my projects are either too big or too complicated for me to work on in the car or socially, I started this cafe curtain as a privacy screen for our bathroom. This project was planned last summer during our bathroom remodel and I'm just getting to it now. It also begins with 50 inches of a simple lace edging from which I will pick up the stitches for the curtain itself. I just finished eight inches so 42 more inches to go! It doesn't seem like I'm making much progress right now on any of my projects.

I picked up a book that I think I'll take back to the library. The concept was fun, for a light book, and I thought I would enjoy it, but I just can't get myself to care about any of the characters. If I can't get into the story by Thursday, it will go in the library bag for Friday.



Also posting to Keep Calm and Craft On.

Labels: Books, Crochet, Family, Homemaking, Knitting, Yarn Along

We have an anniversary this week: 22 years ago on Friday (and it was at a Friday dance in 1994), Rich and I met and danced together for the first time. We're trying to decide how to celebrate that day this year. Fortunately, we have a dance this week, too! This means that my birthday is coming up. Two weeks, people! I'm terrible about knowing what I want for my birthday, and a week or two ago, I had a great idea and promptly forgot what it was. Poor Rich.

Ballet starts again this week for Amira, and she just got her first pointe shoes this weekend, so there is a lot of excitement at our house. It also means that breakfasts are going to be long on ease and short on time. Other than that, we are still fairly free. Next week may be our first week of driver's ed, though. So, school will basically be starting for the summer.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Sausage, Egg and Cheese Biscuits, Fruit, Coffee
  Dinner: Gumbo, Rice, Scallions, Hot Pepper Vinegar
• Monday - Feast of Saint Benedict of Nursia
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs, Toast, Fruit, Coffee
  Dinner: Bacon Chicken Salad with Gorgonzola on Toasted Croissants, Pickles, Veggie Sticks
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Creamed Eggs, Toast Fingers, Fruit, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Cheeseburger Salad, Fruit
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast with Honey, Bananas, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Black Beans, Green Chile Rice, Sliced Avocados, Salsa, Tortillas
• Thursday - Feast of Saint Bonaventure
  Breakfast: Slow Cooker Rice Pudding with Coconut and Craisins, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Bratwurst, Grilled Onions and Sauerkraut, Potato Salad
• Friday
  Breakfast: Caramel Apple French Toast Strata, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Pasta with Tomato Butter Sauce, Garlic Bread, Salad
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Cinnamon Rolls, Bacon, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Bean and Bacon Soup, Rolls

What is on your menu this week? If you want a recipe, ask and I will provide it as soon as I can. If there are any starred recipes, I will follow up separately with a weekly recipe round up.

Labels: Birthday, Church Year, Family, Homemaking, Homeschooling, Menu Plans, Romance and Relationship, Tales from the Kitchen

Not just one FO this week, but TWO! The Celtic braided scarf is completely finished, all ends woven in and everything. Also, my surprise project is finished. I will post a photo when the person receives it. I picked up Nejat's star blanket once I finished those two. Since Yasmina's birthday is this week, I asked her if she minded an IOU type present, and showed her the yarn and pattern. She thought that was more than fine, so I'll be working on this skirt for her for some time. She said she'd probably wear it with tights this fall. Rather than change yarns for the lace, I am using the same yarn as the body of the skirt.

I've hardly had time to read over this past week, we've been busy doing things together as a family.



Also posting to Keep Calm and Craft On.

Labels: Birthday, Crochet, Family, FOs, Homemaking, Knitting, Yarn Along

We finally have a week of rest! Our town had its fireworks show on Saturday night, so we went there with the kids, then did a small town parade and festival on Monday, came home in the afternoon, rested, and the kids slept in the tent with the rain fly open so they could see surrounding fireworks from the neighbors and town and Rich and I watched a movie and went to sleep. It was perfect.

However, because of my health stuff, I really needed that rest, and this is the first time I've even been seated at my desk in front of my computer. We do have some repeats this week. On Saturday, we had biscuits and sausage gravy, so our Hobbit Dinner was moved to Sunday. I'm trying to figure out when I can make the caramel apple strata.

Also, it is Yasmina's golden birthday this week. We're doing some small family things for her, but will be having a party later.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast, Fruit, Coffee
  Dinner: Hobbit Dinner, Soda Bread (the recipe is formatted a little oddly, the raisins are optional, not the buttermilk), Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
• Monday
  Breakfast: Bacon, Toast, Fruit, Coffee
  Dinner: Grilled Hot Dogs, Pickles, Fruit
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Mixed Berry Yogurt, Buttered Toast, Coffee
  Dinner: Kofta in Tomato Sauce, Green Hot Sauce, Khoubz Araby (Pita Bread), Hummus, Salad, Mixed Olives
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Fried Eggs, Home Fries, Tangerine Juice
  Dinner: Stir Fried Vegetables and Sesame Noodles
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Yogurt, Buttered Toast, Sliced Apples, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Homemade Hamburger Helper, Bread, Salad
• Friday
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast, Sliced Apples, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Corn, Bean and Cheese Tortilla Casserole, Salsa
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Egg, Sausage and Cheese Biscuits, Apricots, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Roast Chicken, Rice Pilaf, Buttered Green Beans

What is on your menu this week? If you want a recipe, ask and I will provide it as soon as I can. If there are any starred recipes, I will follow up separately with a weekly recipe round up.

Labels: Birthday, Family, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Tales from the Kitchen