{ reality sandwich }

Weather: I opened the windows and back door early this morning in hopes of catching the last of the cool air. It is very toasty today (84 ºF). I believe it is supposed to be this way all week.

On My Mind: I am feeling out of touch with the world these days and for the first time felt concerned about the current economy. After Goosie was born, three years ago, I left the 9-5 work force for good. I started my own business and yes, things have been slow, but I am not actively pursuing work either. Whether through snippets on the news or splash screens on the internet, I hear the "tales of woe"; how people are losing their homes, unemployment is at an all time high, etc. I have numerous friends in the teaching profession that have been given "pink slips", but still have jobs starting in the Fall. We purchased a new vehicle at the end of last year. I know people who are buying homes and making the payments. We too have thought we should seriously start looking into purchasing a home. Basically, things haven't seemed that bad.

Tuesday morning is trash day in our neighborhood. Last week I looked out the front window to see someone rummaging through our recycle bin. I felt annoyed. Then it dawned on me, the trunk of their car was filled with aluminum cans. On Sunday, I received an email from a friend. She wrote that her husband had lost his job. I had to reread her email a few times before it really sunk in. This guy is golden; meaning... good things always happen to him and making money comes easy. He is last person I would have thought to be affected. It all started to feel just a little too close to home. I have been so immersed in ABC's and felt food that I have lost touch with life outside my little world.

Daily Knitting: I did not have much time for knitting this weekend as I had four house guests. Cooking and entertaining took top billing. I am getting close to finishing up my Victoria dress and I am already thinking about my next project. Perhaps a sweater for Allan.

Mothering: I had a discussion yesterday that involved the word “nice”. It is one of those words that is typically used so generically; either to describe someone we do not know very well or someone without outstanding personality traits. In its true form, to be called "nice" is a compliment indeed. Now don't get me wrong, I am generally a nice person, but if you really know me, the term “nice” would probably not be the first adjectives used to describe me. I am a daily example to my daughter; perhaps I should work harder on being considered “nice".

Goosie and I decided to make a few more felt veggies/fruit over the weekend. We have a whole sandwich planned to go with the sliced tomato.

Cooking: I am burned out from having to prepare meals for an additional four people all weekend long. I think cold cereal is on the menu for tonight.

Bit of Randomness: I purchased three Christmas gifts over the weekend. As a result I have had the Twelve Days of Christmas stuck in my head for days.

{ s'mores no more }

Weather: Sunny and warm (77.6 °F) with clear blue skies and 2 mph wind gusts. Perfect!

Daily Knitting: I am continuing to work on the pattern Victoria by Berroco. I am making a few modifications to the pattern:

• I am knitting it in the round
• I added a ruffle at the bottom
• I am knitting it in a different gauge. I am sort of winging it here. My new gauge is smaller so I am knitting the size 8 and hoping it will fit more like the size 6. I know, I know, it is sloppy technique and risky, but so far so good. We'll see.

Baking: For my birthday, my mom gave me a subscription to Martha Stewart's Everyday Food. In order to get her money's worth out of the gift, I try to make at least one thing out of each magazine. In the current magazine, July/August, page 128, there is a recipe for S'mores Cookies that have been tempting me for days. I am proud to say that our cookies looked just like the ones pictured. As for the taste, they will not find a permanent home in the recipe box.

{ muffins for dinner }

Weather: California, as we all know, has its problems. But, whenever I think about moving out of state, I think about our weather and what it means to leave it. Sure, we don't have as distinctive seasons as some, but our trees still turn colors and drop their leaves. We get rain. And when it snows, it is only a few hours drive. And of course, we get lots of sun.

Today it is warm, sunny and breezy – just the way I like it.

On My Mind: My mom came to visit over the fourth of July weekend. In true Grandma fashion, my mom spoiled Goose with endless love and attention. As my mom pulled away from the curb, my sweet little daughter, while fighting back tears, said "I don't want Grami to leave." Hearing her words broke my heart as I too had just felt the same way. I picked up my daughter, held her close and told her it was okay to cry and to feel sad. Thanks to my English "stiff upper lip" ancestry (and 30+ years of practice) I have learned to control those emotions. Maybe I need to take my own advice and just cry sometimes.

Daily Knitting: I am so proud of myself, I finished up my LUX Sockees before starting up a new project. They came out super cute and I am planning on reworking the pattern so I can make a pair that will fit me. I finally checked my gauge and I was right on. I think the pattern must be for smaller feet or my yarn is not as stretchy as it should be.

Mothering/Cooking: I am especially enjoying my time with Goosie these past few months. Maybe part of the reason is, I am finally realizing that my little Goose isn't going to be "little" forever. I am realizing that the day is coming when she will stop asking to help or suggest that we make something good together. And… the day is coming when her entire world won't revolve around me anymore; a day that will be met with happiness and sadness.

This afternoon I walked into the kitchen to find Goose standing on a chair in front of the cabinet with a box of blueberry muffin mix. She lit up and said, “let’s make this.” I realized cooking the pie the other day was quite an undertaking for a three year old. This small box of muffin mix was sure to offer more instant gratification.

Together we sat at our kitchen table with a muffin and fresh sliced fruit for dinner.

Bit of Randomness: Maybe it is just me, but this morning I got to open a new bottle of deodorant and I am quite pleased with myself. I love the ceremonial throwing away of the old bottle and the anticipation of opening the new the next day. I can't wait, I am almost out of lotion.

{ is it really july }

Weather: We could not have asked for a more beautiful day here. It is sunny and warm with a perfect breeze. We have had the windows and back door open all morning. The sounds of outside are filtering through the house; happy birds that live in our overgrown Bougainvillea plant, cars passing by and the whistle of the afternoon train heading north through town.

On My Mind: How is it that one day something can really bug me and other days I could care less? My house is clean, with the exception of toys all over the living room floor. Goosie is down for her nap and I would usually rush about picking things up. Today I am able to glide past them as if they are tucked away neatly where they belong. Go figure.

Daily Knitting: I pulled out yarn for a new project. Shame on me!

Cooking: Goosie and I decided we should make pie today. I had purchased some peaches and had some apricots laying around that needed to be used. I pulled out (and dusted off) The Pie & Pastry Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum. If you are unfamiliar with this book, I highly recommend it. It is 2" thick and chock full of information and wonderful recipes. I especially love her Flaky Cream Cheese Pie Crust recipe. Anyway...

I learned something new today about peach pie and how to avoid excessive liquid. Ms. Beranbaum is a genius! Here is an excerpt:

"Place the sliced peaches in a large bowl and sprinkle them with the lemon juice. Sprinkle on the sugar and salt and toss them gently to mix evenly. Allow to macerate for a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum of 1 hour. Transfer the peaches and their juices to a colander suspended over a bowl to capture the liquid. The mixture will release almost 1 cup of juice. In a small saucepan (preferably lined with a nonstick surface), over medium high heat, boil down the liquid to 1/3 cup... Pour the syrup over the peaches, tossing gently."

What started out as peach/apricot pie quickly became a fruit menagerie; I did not have enough fruit filling. Luckily, fruit is usually abundant around our house. Goosie decided we should add blueberries. I decided to add raspberries and an apple for good measure. I promised someone a small slice when she wakes up from her nap.

{ fun with felt }

Weather: I just checked our local weather and it is supposed to be a little cooler today; a high of about 78º. I have the windows open and there is a nice ocean breeze blowing through the house. The fog has just about burned off and I am looking forward to its return this afternoon.

On My Mind: Yesterday, I strategically returned a video to Netflix in hope that we would be one of the first to receive disc 1 of Entourage Season 5. I need to check my queue.

Daily Knitting: I finished sock No.1 of the Lux Sockees www.brainylady.blogspot.com/luxsockees.htm. They fit Goose perfectly and she is so excited about them. Although I like the natural color I think they would be super cute in a soft pink. I believe there is a dying group on Ravelry; I will have to check in and get some info.

Mothering: I love having a daughter. I was thrilled when we discovered we were having a girl. Secretly, it had been my wish all along throughout my pregnancy. Here is an example of why:

Recently, Goose discovered a book on felt food that I bought. Her interest was at a peak and I quickly ordered wool felt www.weirdollsandcrafts.com. Together, we have had more fun perusing the book, picking out our next project, and deciding on the proper color of felt to use. She has sat so patiently (and close!) as I trace the patterns and cut them out. Together we have carefully stitched these precious little projects. I usually finish them up after she has gone to bed and I anxiously await her early morning arrival to share the excitement over their completion.

The Home Front: Yesterday, I was a cleaning fiend. Oh, the power of suggestion, thanks Val! Today I have basked in the glow of clean floors and cobweb free corners. I am thinking of adopting a leave-shoes-at-the-door policy. Maybe I'll present the idea at dinner.

Cooking: I am not sure what's for dinner. I am thinking something easy and something that doesn't require heating up the house with the oven.

{ one of those days }

Weather: June gloom is in full swing here on the Central Coast. It has been foggy and cold all morning. The sun is finally burning off the fog. I opened the back door a few minutes ago and it is a lot warmer out than it looks.

On My Mind: I think I forgot to wash the conditioner out of my hair this morning. It just is not feeling right. Today I got up to make the coffee and somehow I did not get the carafe in straight. When I returned for a cup of coffee, the coffee had missed the carafe, overflowed from the coffee maker to the counter to the sink and down the drain. Maybe this header should be called, "Losing My Mind."

Daily Knitting: I need to finish up my Gentlemen's Fancy Socks, but for some reason I am bored with them. They seem to be moving very slowly, maybe it has something to do with the 0 needle size. To avoid the Gentlemen socks, I decided to start a new pair of socks - The Lux Sockees. A cute pattern from 1938. Apparently, they are a practical little sock that are just the thing for tennis, golf, or badminton. They also promise to make my feet very comfortable in my sport shoes. Just the thing I will need should the sudden urge of badminton come over me.

Pattern: Lux Sockees, 1938 - LUX Knitting Book, published by Lever Brothers Limited, Toronto

Yarn: It feels like a wool blend but I have no information on it. Purchased out of a sale bin. It feels great.

Needles: Pattern calls for No. 13 needle (US 1) - I am using a US 2

Mothering: Allan took Goosie to the park this morning. I love these quiet moments when I get the house to myself.

The Home Front: The dishwasher just finished and I just finished folding my last load of laundry. All is good on the home front.

Cooking: I bought Sockeye salmon from our local health food store on Thursday. It is wild caught from the Copper River - apparently the cleanest water here in the US. I was assured it was super moist and tender and people have been clamoring for it. I think bbq salmon is on the agenda for dinner with string beans.

{ just another day }

Yesterday, I turned 39. It wasn't a great day, it wasn't a bad day, it was just another day.

Yesterday, I spent a lot of time thinking about the past nine years. I traveled. I read a lot of good books. I watched a lot of movies. I married my college sweetheart. I gave birth to a beautiful daughter. I had my gallbladder removed. I left my job of nine years and went out on my own. I made new friends, revived old friendships, and continued to nurture existing ones.

Today, with one year left of this decade called "my thirties", I am wondering if there anything I need to do or want to accomplish before I begin a new one? Perhaps that is where this blog comes in. This will be my reminder of how I spent my final year as a thirty-something year old.

Here goes...