120/366: 100% Complete

You've probably tired of my afghan talk.  This is the final installment, with final photos.

It's cozier than I thought.

It's more fulfilling than I thought.

It's perfect.

119/366: Game Day

Feeling a bit cruddy today, so played a couple games with the Little Man.

He is very competitive, still working on being a good sport when he wins and a gracious loser.

We played Cars Monopoly, Rack-o and Life. I remember some long afternoons playing Life with my Grandma and my brothers. This new version is a little more involved, new chips and cards that I don't recall using with my Gram.

It really was nice to add another memory of Life.

118/366: New Find

Delicious! Think I like it better than Woodchuck.

117/366: {this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

116/366: Summer Thoughts

Source: nochintz.com via Marta on Pinterest

I love this.  Check out the little pom poms on the awning!

Source: vintagetrailercamp.com via Marta on Pinterest

Or this one?  The tire!  Check out that tire.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Marta on Pinterest

Although this is less than practical for four people, it sure is cute!

115/366: Seamed!

Feels so good.

This is the first big project I've done for myself.

I still need a border, which I am attempting without a pattern, so this may never be complete, but is usable.

114/366: Piano Seaming

Most knitters and crocheters will say that seaming is their least favorite part of blanket making.

I don't agree. All those seemingly millions of pieces finally stick together to create something amazing.

I can't wait to show you the seamed afghan. Still need to do a modified border, but all in due time.

And the best Pandora channel for seaming...Solo Piano.

113/366: April Storm

The snow has started.

It's very wet and heavy.  Perfect snow man building snow.

The once brilliant pansies are drooping at the weight of a few hundred flakes.

The floating plants are confused, the fish have burrowed low in the pond.

And this is just the beginning.

112/366: Spring Storm

Oh boy! They are broadcasting from the salt piles and telling us to check our generators.

Wish us luck.

111/366: Evening Pond

I worked on the pond yesterday after dinner.  Added some of the plants I purchased at the Perennial Sale at Mischler's Florist and Greenhouses.

We have yet to bring out our table and chairs from the garage, so I sat on the patio, leaning against the house listening to the birds and the frog spouting water.  Looking beyond my new rock (more on this another day), watching the very active fish chase each other in the pond gave me a moment to just sit.  No kids, no bugs, just warm weather.  Yes, a cocktail would have been fantastic, but I fell more connected to the pond and the plants at their level.

I just re-read this paragraph...I am a nut.

After I healed a skinned knee, I tried to get some night shots of the pond when the solar lights came on.  I unfortunately had the micro lens on, so the shots didn't quite work, but I did take this video.  I love the sounds and glimmering water.

110/366: {this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

109/366: Fish

A quick note to let you know we have a baby!  A new baby fish was born over the mild winter in the pond.

She looks just like her parents.

108/366: Slug Pet

Big Boy has been lifting every rock in our yard.

He is collecting "pets".  One worm, one potato bug, dirt, a couple leaves, some grass, and this slug.  Fortunately, their "habitat" stays in the garage.  Not sure any of the pets are still in the habitat, and if so, if they are still alive.

But this boy that used to hate being dirty, has found his love of soil and all creatures, regardless of what they may do to the garden.

107/366: Posie Gets Cozy

Been hectic at work and baseball and basketball and the ice cream truck...clearly the summer is coming.

Lately, I've been loving this blog, Posie Gets Cozy

I love her photos and am totally inspired to make some additional and comfortable seating in our yard.

106/366: Cukes

Last year, I vowed to only buy vegetable plants and stick them right in the garden.  The seeds I planted last spring only yielded half of what was planted.  I used the pellet pots in the tray.   So, plants it is.

Until all the seeds started showing up in the stores and the emails came from all the cool seed catalogs on-line.  I can't fight it.  I also like the ability to purchase different types of beans and peas and tomatoes, not just the top selling hothouse and cherry tomatoes that are available at the garden center.

So, black cherry tomatoes and pickling cucumbers and Nepal tomatoes and Russian Fingerling Potatoes. 

Every time I look at these pots, something more has sprouted.  I've used a larger peat pot and fresh potting soil and have already seen a greater yield.  The potatoes are outside in fabric pots and we have some peas directly sown outdoors, with green bursting out.

I purchased my seeds and potatoes from Johnny's.

I purchased my fabric reusable pots from Amazon.

Grabbed a packet of peas from High Mowing.

If you are in the Buffalo Area, my favorite 45 cent perennial sale starts this weekend here.



105/366: Remembrance

Yesterday, I was working in the yard and cleaning out the shelf we have in the garage, when the daughter of my recently departed neighbor stopped over. She asked if I wanted any yarn. Funny question. Of course.

Although I didn't leave with any yarn, I found and was gifted this sweet pair of bunnies.

I don't usually decorated for Easter, but now I'll have a reason. When I bring out these bunnies next spring,

I'll be reminded of my kind, quiet and very talented neighbor Jim.

104/366: So it Seams

 

 

I am making progress on my Mystery Afghan. What I like most about this project, is that it is for me. Other than a scarf and a hat, this is the first big project I have made for myself, in any textile, in a long time. It's also my first full sized blanket.

103/366: {this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

102/366: Thinking about...

: : how nice and quiet it is in my house today

: : a new design for the Crochet Along since the original layout isn't making me overjoyed and realizing that I am not a pattern follower, nor recipe follower.

: : a soon to change life where my day won't be spent entirely at this computer

: : the spring air and how it's about to make my nose and eyes and ears revolt, but not quite yet

: : how much I love my husband and kids

: : a hot cup of coffee

: : the movie I saw last night and how the boy reminded me so much of my Big Boy and how that scared me to tears

: : a date night? perhaps?

: : how I write here hoping others enjoy what I write, knowing that only a handful will ever see this, but understanding that I am writing for myself, my journal of life.

101/366: Weeds That Used to be Plants

One day, several years ago, I spotted this "plant" at a garden center.  With no name or tags on it, I bought it.  It was pretty.  Look at that red stripe on that bright green leaf.  Such pretty color.

Except, that it spreads.  I'm not a fan of a spreading plant.  That is when they stop being a plant and become a weed.  At least Lamb's ear spreads from the center, this sends shoots underground and they show up everywhere.  Like Jacob's Ladder.  Not a fan.  Just spotted another remnant in the walkway, 20 feet from the initial planting.

This is now gone, for the time being.  I'm sure I'll be digging it up for years to come.  I did stick one in a pot and placed it in the pond, wonder if it will live.

It was nice to get into the garden this weekend.  I planted potatoes and opened up the pond. The fish were busy, we have a baby!

Speaking of babies, the Tiny Zoo was able to keep the baby penguin healthy till we could place him with his parents this morning...if you were wondering.

100/366: Tiny Zoo

I fought this.

I didn't want another app that we had to "take care of".  But I just can't say no to those big brown eyes.  I dare anyone to say no to them...intoxicating.

So, we have a zoo.  And a Tiny Monster Land, because in order to buy more zoo animals, we needed zoo bucks and in order to get more zoo bucks, you should download Tiny Monsters.

Now we have two.  And I "take care of" the zoo animals when the brown eyed boy is sleeping.  And tonight, we are expecting a baby something or other and if we don't add him to the zoo within an hour of his birth, he will get sick.  You know when this is?  4:00 am tomorrow morning.

Wish me luck.

99/366: Dyngus 101

WHAT IS DYNGUS DAY?

Historically a Polish-American tradition, Dyngus Day celebrates the end of the often restrictive observance of lent and the joy of Easter. Over the decades, Dyngus Day has become a wonderful holiday to celebrate Polish-American culture, heritage and traditions.

HOW DID IT START?
There are many stories that attempt to explain the origins of the day. Many Polish customs date back to pre-Christian practices of our Slavic ancestors. The custom of pouring water is an ancient spring rite of cleansing, purification, and fertility. The same is true of the complimentary practice of switching with pussy willow branches. Since 966 A.D., Dyngus Day has been associated with the baptism of Prince Mieszko I. Tradition states that Prince Mieszko I along with his court were baptized on Easter Monday. Thus, Dyngus Day and its rites of sprinkling with water have become a folk celebration in thanksgiving for the fact that the first king of Poland was baptized into Christianity, bringing Catholicism to Poland. In more modern times, the tradition continued when farm boys in Poland wanted to attract notice from the girls of their choice. It was custom to throw water and hit the girls on their legs with twigs or pussywillows. Cologne was used instead of water by the more gallant lads. The ladies would reciprocate by throwing dishes & crockery and Tuesday was their day of revenge, imitating the same tactics.


WHAT DOES THE WORD DYNGUS MEAN?
According to the Encyclopedia Staropolska written in the 19th century by A. Gloger, the word can be traced back to a medieval form of the word “Dingnus,” which means “worthy, proper, or suitable.” Gloger cites a used of the word, namely “ranson during a war to protect against pillage,” as well as a German usage of “Dingen,” which means “to come to an agreement, evaluate or buy back.”

MODERN DYNGUS DAY IN BUFFALO
Although Dyngus Day was always celebrated in traditional Polish neighborhoods dated back to the 1870s, modern Dyngus Day in Buffalo had its start with the Chopin Singing Society in 1961. Judge Ann T. Mikoll and her late husband Theodore V. Mikoll held the first party at the Society's clubrooms on Kosciuszko Street on Buffalo's Eastside. The success of the Chopins' Dyngus Parties during the 1960s led to other Dyngus dances on the Eastside including those at the Broadway Grill, the Warsaw Inn, the Polish Singing Circle and at the New York Central Terminal. Chopins left the Eastside in the 1980s and moved out to new clubrooms in Cheektowaga where the festival attracted a new generation. The Chopins tradition continues with party's taking place at the Heathstone Mannor in Depew

98/366: Happy Easter

Ahhh, I love a Holiday.

97/366: Fish Tacos...Gluten Free Style

I've always wanted to try fish tacos.  Originally, it sounded weird.

But not so.

When I posted on Facebook that I made these last night, a funny comment popped right up, "Yea- you gotta watch out for those gluten-guppies."

True, the fish is naturally gluten free, but not the wrapper.

And most often, not the breading.  I find it hard during Lent to not get the fish fry I hear folks discussing.  This was the perfect replacement.  And better, from what I remember.

I coated the fish in some egg, then cornstarch with Forward! spice from Penzey's and some pepper.  And cooked them in a bit of canola oil.  My tomatoes were mixed with a red onion and some lime juice.  The avocado I purchased was just not ripe, so I had to skip that.

Tom mixed up some Miracle Whip and hot sauce.  Toss in some crisp lettuce and it was great.  We used hard corn shells, which were too strong of a flavor in comparison to the fresh and light tomatoes.  Don't get me wrong, I did eat plenty of tacos, but ended the meal with a fish taco salad.

Delish!

96/366: {this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

95/366: 288,000 Jelly Belly Beans

94/366: Shrooms

With my Micro lens still on my camera, I hit the front lawn.  During the Surprise October Storm, we lost a not so beloved Locust tree.  Unfortunately, like most disasters, were were taken advantage of. 

The out of town tree guys promised to cut our tree and grind the stump, but not clear any wood from the lawn.  At the time, we did what we had to do.  And they left us with a barely ground stump of a very hard wooded tree.

In attempt to expedite the rotting process, we covered the stump with dirt.  We have grass growing on it and every spring, Tom takes an axe to it in hopes of diminishing the mound.

Not much luck there.  So, instead of a flat lawn, we have a mound of mushrooms.  Boy, those mushrooms love that spot.

93/366: To Do List

In order to remain the least bit sane today, I picked up my camera.

I wanted to show you my To Do List.

To Do Pile.

Chocolate is helping...

92/366: Legos

This rainy/snowy/slushy morning, I'm catching up on some work while the boys play with the miracle toy.

I struggle to find another toy that has held my boys' imaginations as long as this one.  Little Man never really played with the Duplo sized blocks, he went straight for the smaller legos, just like Big Boy.  They travel with these, they dream of these and they make up their own creations.  We have even written to Lego asking that they add certain games to their Lego dot com website where the boys can spend hours exploring.

Little Man plans on going to Lego Land for summer vacation.  Ummm, I might need to get creative on this one!  And he also invited the neighbor boy to join us.

Although these are extremely overpriced for the quantity you get in one box or kit, they last forever.  And hold enough imagination for years to come.