Family Fun: Lake Adventures

We're here!

And super ready for sun. Isn't she adorable though?

Spent a hot, beautiful Friday hanging out at Cochiti Lake. Enjoyed a picnic, playing with Cora's boat.  She LOVED getting pulled around all over the place in her little boat.  She really enjoyed the water at the lake this year.

In Fact, we had so much fun that week we decided to go back the next Saturday. This week was more crowded, so we brought a tent shelter and set up right next to the water line. This week Cora got a lot more comfortable in the water. She waded in as far as her chin.

Sand Castles

Camp

And I thought I'd share a little piece of the road we take to get to the lake. 4 wheel drive mandatory.

Work Out Wednesday: Dance Edition

I've been neglecting my workouts lately.  I'm blaming the heat. Could be that I'd rather knit ;).  BUT I've been trying to get back into my workout groove. To ease myself back in I thought I'd try something a little fun and new.  Daily Burn (my workout tribe) has a dance series. The program is called MOVE!

So I randomly tried the African Dance and Bollywood. The 90's Hip Hop looks like fun too, so that's up next.  I am the least coordinated person on the planet.  With zero rhythm.  There is no film or pictures for this post. No one wants to see that, trust me. I must look like a fat duck on a bad acid trip. But I had fun. While I couldn't quite keep up with all the dance moves and I'm glad there's no mirror in my workout space, there is no need to know how to dance to do these workouts. Trust me.

Since I've let myself get a bit out of shape I'm not sure if these workouts are particularly sweat inducing, or if that was just me. No weights, no special equipment. Just cardio dance moves. It's no Black Fire or Inferno, which are both hardcore workout series from Daily Burn. But They will get you moving and it pushed me out of my comfort zone.

The workouts are about 30 minutes long and the instructor really makes you feel comfortable and like part of the group. Hoping to dance my way back into a good workout groove.

What's Off My Needles: Knitting Update

I haven't finished the Wye socks. I have made progress though. In the meantime however a few things have come off my needles.

These mitts. They display much better on, but they are a gift for someone else, so I don't want to stretch them out too much.

Pattern link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/moms-cabled-mitts

This free pattern is by Jessica Jensen

This Bakery Bear. Her name is Trillian. She is a future Christmas present for Cora.

Pattern link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mrs-bakery-bear

Pattern copyright Kay Jones

Remember Cora's playground shirt that featured recently in What's ON my needles? Well, it's done! all ends are tucked in and it's blocking. I was hoping it would be dry for pictures today, but it's taking forever to dry.  See previous post for links.

So show me yours! Share a FO you are proud of in the comments :)

Weekend Review: Audio Book

I enjoy listening to audio books. Especially while driving or knitting.  Since my Audible account ran out of credits, and I didn't feel like paying for it again, I've been getting my books from the library's online system. It's called Overdrive, and it's 100% free.  Check to see if your local library has an account.  All you need is a library card.
So, digging through Overdrive the other day I skimmed over a title several times before going back to it. "The Secret Place" by Tana French. Since it had 2 narrators (Stephen Hogan and Lara Hutchison)  I took it out of the running initially. Generally I don't like multiple narrators, throws me off the story.  In this case however, the 2 narrators were perfect. They made the story come alive, and having 2 entirely different voices helped keep track of the 2 main story lines, which were happening on alternating chapters, but in two different times.
This was the first book in a long time that I was excited to come back to. I couldn't wait till my next opportunity to listen to it.  It was that compelling.  The narration was perfection. The story was intriguing. The characters drove the plot. They were spot on- I can only think that Tana French must be a 16 year old girl and a 25 year old cop with ambitions. She just got into her characters heads so well.  Apparently this book is the 5th in a detective series, but I did't find that out till after I finished it.  Of course my library doesn't have the other 4 in audiobook format.  I will have to hunt them down.  However, this story worked perfectly as a stand alone.
If you're looking for a great listen to craft along to, or for your commute, or for your treadmill run, or where ever really, I have to suggest this one.

Home School Update: Dental Visit

Tuesday August 18th, 4:30 PM

Cora's first dentist appointment is Wednesday. I know she's 3. And I know she should have gone in years ago. Well, now I know. I didn't hear that till her 3rd birthday. Oh well.  I'm not looking forward to it. I have a major dentist phobia. Cora has a major doctor phobia. Her daddy managed to move his work schedule around to accommodate, so that he can be with her in the office. It was my friend's idea- that way my phobia doesn't rub off on Cora. He may not be able to stay the whole time. We'll see how everything goes. But I'm anticipating a major 3 year old meltdown.  These are supposed to be the pediatric specialists, great with scared kids. I hope they live up to that reputation.

Well, on to the 6 pages of paperwork I need to fill out. No kidding. 6 pages.

Wednesday August 19th, 7:45 AM

Attempted to get Cora out of bed. "Lights off mommy!"

815 AM

Cora is dressed and brushed and ready to go, if not happy about it. No energy or desire for sustenance. Which is just as well, as we won't get to brush again before the dentist.

8:20 AM

Stuck at construction zone.  

8:30 AM

Still stuck. Curse words were used.

8:35 AM

Begin driving again. Immediately a giant rock hits my windshield leaving a nice big chip.

9:09 AM

Pulled into wrong parking lot.

9:10 AM

 Pulled into correct parking lot, without a minute to spare.

9:12 AM

Filling in remaning paperwork. Yes, there's more after those first 6 pages. Husband arrives to take first shift of appointment. Hopefully this helps prevent me handing phobias down.

The whole place smells and looks brand new. Apparently they've only been open in town for 4 Wednesdays, give or take. So in operation a total of 4 days. Their main practice is in a bigger town. For some reason there's a boat paddle hanging as decoration on the front desk. Right at child height. But no children, do not touch. Not a toy.

The wait room is full of toys, but Cora was too distracted by the video of Annie playing on the giant flatscreen to pay much attention.

9:20 AM

Nurse calls Cora and daddy in. I sit with my knitting, wondering why this is all taking so long. Through the door I can hear them coaxing her into x-rays.

9:35 AM

Daddy comes out to get me- he has to go back to work, and I'm in now.
Here the boat theme is continued. It looks like they sent the receptionist to Target with 200$ and instructions to Think Nautical.
Time to sit with Cora while she gets her cleaning.  She was watching Frozen on another flat screen. Still not so happy with the whole process though.
In the end the rest of the cleaning took place, and then the Dentist's exam. She was kind and nice, and Cora was as cooperative as can be expected.  Non plussed, and sure as heck didn't like the "tooth counter". You know the dental tool with the thin metal hook on the end. The one that looks like a scythe. No one likes that one.
She needs to go back next month to fix an occlusion on the front of a top front tooth. Nitrous Oxide was discussed. As well as another movie.

10:40 AM

Next appointments made. Cora's toothbrush and prize toy received.

10:45 AM

After the store. First a trip to Auto Zone to get a windshield repair kit. Then to the clothing store next to to pick out something special. For being such a brave girl. For Cora or mommy, read it how you choose.  Then on to the grocery store to stock up.

12:35 PM

Headed home. Hit by another rock. Good thing we got that repair kit.

What's On My Needles: Playground Shirt

Cora's Playground Shirt

This is the second time I've done this pattern- which is saying something. I almost never repeat a pattern.  Well written raglan, top down, seamless, polo shirt. Very simple so the pattern is open to lots of creative modifications.  I've added long sleeves both times I've knit it.

Yarn: Main body: Cestari, Island line, color way Hibiscus.
yellow, pink, and light blue: Debbie Bliss Mia.  Dark blue and purple: Debbie Bliss Cotton DK, borrowed from another project.

Pattern is the Playground Shirt (Unisex) by Elena Nodel

Jogless Stripe Tutorial

Fair Isle Chart

Sleeves: My own modifications. Notes are being posted to my Ravelry Project as I make them.

If the Ravelry links aren't working for you it might be because you don't have an account. Ravelry is an amazing site for knitters and crocheters, and is free. If you knit or crochet, or just want to, I can't recommend
it enough.

Stash Shot Saturday: Knitting Edition

Because I bought all the Knitting Things this week.  Oops. If there's no yarn left anywhere, sorry, it's at my house.

These packages have been trickling in over the week. It's been a fun week, let me tell you.

My first ever (intentional) Project bags. From Zoe's Boutique.  Beautiful. And aren't the sheep SO cute? Cora keeps trying to steal them.

From LoveKnitting.com. The blue is for my Bakery Bear dress. The polka dots was because it was on sale.  I may turn it into a Bakery Bear though. Wouldn't that be fun?

From my LYS. I lost yarn chicken and had to track down an extra skein (or two) to finish my daughter's sweater. Cestari, Island, Color way: Hibiscus. I had to drive to the lady's house, as the lys is in the process of moving and is closed.

From LoveKnitting (again). Don't you want to know what lovely goodies are in here? Me too!

OK, you didn't have to wait long. Here they are! The far left may be anything- possibly stripes in my daughters sweater. The front two tan color Debbie Bliss? A Debbie Bliss Teddy Bear of course. That shiny green Sirdar? It was on sale. It will have to be something special.  The 4 sock yarn skeins on the right? Socks of course! The variegated for me, the black for my husband.

From Craftsy.  The top skein was on sale. No idea what I'll do with it. The blue Mad? Destined for a hat for my mom for Christmas. And the mini skeins? They were on sale. So pretty. Could not resist.

These babies made a late appearance Friday- size 5 DPN Karbonz. To knit my Death of Rats.

The Home School Update

So, what's on our homeschool agenda this month you ask?
Nothing.
Zero. Zip.

August is still summer folks. So we're celebrating. Staying in PJ's all day. playing with bubbles. Skipping our usual circle times. Clearing our minds for the school year to come.
And planning of course. Getting prepped for what is shaping up to be a very busy year.

When I say nothing I don't mean nothing. Three year olds are incapable of doing nothing.

See our Chrysalides? My husband found them in the garage. 50/50 they hatch or die.

Of course lots of play time with the puppies.

And getting big hair on the trampoline.

We've been coloring and painting, putting together puzzles, taking walks and playing lots.  And then there's her weekly Gymnastics class. She just started walking the high beam by herself! 

So for the next two weeks we will be continuing our celebration of summer and childhood and doing nothing that looks like traditional school in any way.

The Wye Socks: What's on my needles?

Wye,  as in: why did I do this to myself?

They are knitting up so beautifully, despite my many mistakes. I'm hoping the second time around will be faster and smoother. What a challenge to my brain though.  I've really enjoyed knitting these, but between sessions on these socks I've been working on simpler, more mindless, knitting. And after this pair is complete I am looking forward to a plain vanilla sock.

I was hoping to have this sock at least off the needles for the post, and the second one cast on. I am so close to done. But the three year old and the laundry have required my attention today, so that's not going to happen.
Here's to hoping these feature in a "what's off my needles" post very soon!

This pattern is a paid for pattern, made for the Tour De Sock by Hypercloid Designs, and kindly released to the general public this year.
Pattern link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wye-2

Our Garden is Growing!

Considering my brown thumb, and planted at over 8,000 feet this really is a miracle. We have actual peas and zucchini blossoms in the garden.