Scarf

This is the scarf I made. My model was slightly uncooperative. This is the first thing I ever made with a foundation piece. I almost didn't do it that way but now I definitely see the advantages.

Cute

He's cute even when he's sick!

Sneak Peek

Here's a little look at what I made my niece for her first birthday. More pictures to come after we celebrate this weekend!

tooth fairy pillow

If everyone in your house is sick but you and you don't LEAVE the house for five days, you MIGHT be able to get some crafting done. I set up a little bed in the basement for T and she just watched movies in her lethargic state while I sewed as much as I could. I am almost finished with the quilt for the four seasons quilt swap (just have to turn the binding, stitch it down and add a label) but more about that in a later post. I made a tooth fairy pillow for a friend. That was fun to make. I really like making things without patterns. I also sewed a scarf from a Denise Schmidt pattern. It was intended as a gift but I think I need to keep it. (Sorry, Mom!) I'll post pix later. I have been waiting a long time to make it. It didn't take me soooooooooooo long and I have enough fabric for another so my mom might just get one. I also might be able to wear it for a few days and then give it up. Maybe.

House of Puke and Poo

Don't ask.

New Camera

Finally bought a digital SLR. I've only wanted one for a *few* years! My last SLR was a film camera (Nikon D40)and it was stolen in Argentina in 12/99. I LOVED that camera. Hopefully I'll get around to reading my new SLR manual soon so I can actually utilize some of the functions.

Tuscan Salad and Greek Lentil Soup

Yummy salad tonight. It's Giada's Tuscan Salad. Also, Greek Lentil Soup from Cooking Light 1/08. It had parsnips, potatoes, carrots, shallots and sherry vinegar. The feta was my own personal touch. Talia actually stood by me for about 45 minutes helping with tasks such as putting the cut green beans into a bowl and weeding out the "yucky ones," using the salad spinner, measuring out the lentils and wearing an apron. I'm becoming more efficient in my kitchen (we've lived here 6 months already so it's about time) and I was able to clean the prep dishes more or less before we sat down to eat (by which I mean, of course, took turns to either eat or entertain Alex) so the goodness to dish ratio seemed high (which is good). I had to blanch the green beans though and that's a pot, a bowl of ice water and a colander to clean for the salad. Plus the lemon juicer (my favorite tool EVER), the whole salad spinner thing (thought I was being good by buying actual lettuce NOT from a bag), the peeler for the parmesan, a jar for the dressing and cleaning out the can of white beans to recycle. So actually, there was a lot of cleaning if not a lot of WORK for the salad. Then again, it was delicious. The soup, which turned out to be more like a stew (I kind of forgot to turn it down to simmer so it boiled hard for about 40 minutes uncovered), was ok. It tastes pretty good and has a nice zesty sherry vinegar zing but is also kind of boring as a meal. Whatever. That was dinner tonight. Talia had her usual beans and noodles. She ate a whole can of white beans. Alex ate noodles, cheerios and about three bites of some nasty babyfood before he put his hand in the jar and tipped it all over his high chair. I *may* have been paying more attention to the Hancocks of Paducah catalog than to him at the time...

Pink Party

We had a big playdate on Saturday with friends Isabella, Olivia, Gabi and Addie. The kids played beautifully together-- no fights! We had pink pancakes, pink cupcakes and pink milk. The kids colored placemats and made crowns. Ron had to work so we thought, why not a party? It really turned a snowy Saturday into a fun time. Alex seemed to enjoy all of the attention he received from the girls as well. Let's do it again soon!

Butternut Squash and Gnocchi

This was pretty yum from Deborah Madison's Vegetarian Suppers. I'm getting hungry just looking at it. I'll try to post the recipe when I get a chance. It's basically store-bought gnocchi with steamed butternut squash which was then tossed in the saute pan with garlic, spinach, salt, pepper, nutmeg and olive oil. Shaved Parmesan on top.

Currents

On My Bedside Table:
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Olive Trees and Honey: A Treasury of Jewish Vegetarian Recipes from Around the World: Soups, Salads, Side Dishes, and Main Courses for Holidays and Every Day by Gil Marks

Latest Interests:
Nothing new-- sewing, reading, cooking.

On My Mind:
My grandmother, who recently passed away and my mother, who is taking it day by day.
My friend Katie who lost her grandfather.
My niece who is almost one year old!

Learning:
How to use a serger
How to start a garden

Making:
A winter quilt for the Four Seasons Quilt Swap.

Looking Forward To:
Spring, of course.
A trip to NJ for my parents' 40th wedding anniversary
A trip to Holland in April

Enjoying:
The kids, but Alex in particular is at a fantastic age. He has so many new tricks.

Amused By:
Talia's antics. She's always trying to get her brother to laugh.

My To-Do List:
Register to vote in Wisconsin
Finish the winter quilt
Switch my nursing license to Wisconsin
Get Alex a passport
Buy furniture for/ decorate the house
Babyproof babyproof babyproof

Cross your fingers...

Things are pretty good here in the Dolin household. The kids are sleeping better, the routine is starting to come back after the long winter break, and winter has relented a little bit. I'm going to try to sneak into the basement now and get a little sewing done...

Mexico Vacation

Great vacation in Mexico with my Mom, Dad, Mikey, Jo, Brett, Marley and Talia. Ron and Alex stayed home-- Ron had to work and my mother-in-law watched Alex (Thank you!). I knew I couldn't take both kids with me on an airplane to Mexico and I'm really glad I didn't bring him because we had a nightmare of a time in Mexico City. We missed our connecting flight to Puerta Vallarta and had to scramble for another flight two days before Christmas and ended up staying in a hotel overnight there. The airport was so crowded, we lost our stroller and I had to pull all of our luggage (two suitcases and two carryons) everywhere around the huge airport. Talia was so good during all of this but I was frantic that somehow we would get separated. Anyway, all that was behind us as we arrived at the hotel in Puerta Vallarta and we had a wonderful time. We relaxed, swam, read, played, etc. Thank you Mom and Dad for a fantastic time!

Alex's First Haircut

Alex got his first haircut yesterday. He was a really good boy. It looks pretty much the same- just cleaned up a bit. I shed a tear-- my baby's all grown up!

Handmade Baby Toy

Sewed a clutch cube for a new baby. It has a handle, taggies, and a door that opens to reveal an appliqued sun. Inside is a child-proof medicine bottle with beans so it rattles. Easy and fun.

Underwater

Talia finally goes underwater! She starts swim lessons in three weeks. I hope she can remember her new skill.

The miracle of 01/02/08

Both children slept through the night! They were both in bed and asleep around 9:30 and Alex didn't wake up until 6:00 (as far as I know). Talia is still sleeping at 7:30am. I'm sure it was just some strange coincidence and won't happen again. Even though I myself was asleep before 10pm and slept all night without interruption I still feel as though someone took a truck and ran me over. Maybe even more so. I guess it doesn't matter whether they sleep through the night or not. I will never feel well rested.

My grandmother: 1914(?)-2007