Bread and Yarn

The bread I baked yesterday came out better than previous attempts, but it still could be better!

I'm still getting the hang of my new, supposed-to-be-easier-to-use camera. I also need better photo editing software. Here are some pictures of bread...
...and yarn...
The yarn is what I'm using for my soon to be started knitting project.

Bread Baking

Last week of school! That means four tests this week, which sucks, BUT I'm not going to let it get me down. I'll take it all in stride and study as the tests dates draw near!

At any rate, I decided to do something fun today. I'm baking a loaf of bread. (Yeah, doesn't sound as fun out loud...) One of my goals for this summer is to master bread baking. It is something I'm not good at, at all! :) Just have to keep practicing!

I bought myself some yarn the other day (oh, my!) and am planning to start a small project. It might not sound very impressive, but I want to make some dish clothes. I have one I made a few years back, and it is my favorite dish cloth, if there is such a thing! I'd like to make a few more to go with it.

Also, I bought an apron pattern the same trip to the craft store. Another future project.

I can not wait!

Poke Cake Recipe

Here is a recipe--well, really, it's just a how-to--for poke cake.

Ingredients:

1 box Strawberry flavored cake mix

*3 eggs

*1 c water

*1/3 cup oil

1 box lime jello

3 tbsp salted butter

2 tbsp strawberry preserves

1/4 cup sugar

*Ingredients called for by cake mix box--depending on your brand, this might be different.

1.) Bake cake according to directions. Set aside to cool.
2.) Once the cake is cool, poke many holes into it using fork, knife, fingers--whatever. (Don't destroy the cake, though. Be gentle!)

3.) Prepare jello according to directions. Pour evenly over cake while it is still in the pan. Chill until set.

4.) After chilled, place cake pan in a bowl of warm water to loosen cake. Turn out.

5.) In a small saucepan, combine butter, preserves and sugar over medium-low heat. Mix until thickened. (Should happen fast.) Drizzle carefully over the cake.

That's it! Easy peezy!

One helluva night...

Last night, while watching one of my favorite shows ("Breaking Bad"), my husband and I heard a loud crash. (Loud is an understatement--it sounded like an airplane crashed into our yard.) We run outside and once we see what happened, I run back inside to call 911, and he goes to help. There was a car accident right outside our house. A pick-up truck was leaving our subdivision and, apparently, didn't stop before pulling on to a main street. It was struck by a BMW. The red truck FLIPPED and landed on it's back. The driver was able to remove himself from the overturned vehicle, but suffered from a compound fracture in his leg. What a fiasco! I was so scared for the people involved in the crash it took three tries to correctly dial three numbers. (Incidentally, my husband were not alone in trying to help. Several other people were around, calling 911 and checking to see if everyone was okay.) There were only two drivers involved, and, luckily, no serious injuries. (Besides the broken leg, that is!)

The car accident really puts things into perspective, though.

The Double Standard

I must have missed the fine print in the Constitution that says freedom to assemble and freedom of speech are only granted to some. Was there an asterisk somewhere? A side note?

The tea parties of last week were ignored or criticized--no, villainized. (What the hell was up with Jeanine Garofalo? Does she hear the crazy coming out of her own mouth?) Miss California, when asked a difficult question, gives an honest answer, and gets publicly bashed for her beliefs. (Very classy, Perez. Using slander to garner support for gay marriage? Well played.) If you disagree with the tea parties, or Miss California, more power to you! Disagree, but don't stifle those that don't share your beliefs. What I have seen on the news is not a difference of opinion, but personal attacks against those with a more conservative ideology.

On a related note, you can expect me to be at the next Tea Party.

Fernback Forest

Yesterday I took a trip to the Fernbank Forest for my Environmental Science class. Here are a some pictures!

The Fernbank Forest used be privately owned land. When the owners died, they left the land, and the mansion on it, to Dekalb County, which turned it into a natural museum. The forest contains many trees and plants which have grown, undisturbed for the last century and a half!

Below is the mansion built by the previous owners. It is currently being renovated.

Here is a close up of the artwork on the front of the house. (They're birds.)

There were a lot of plants that are exotic. The problem with exotic plants, like the Japanese Honeysuckle, Kudzu, and English Ivy is there is nothing to prevent them from getting out of control. The same goes for animals introduced to a foreign ecosystem. It takes away from indigenous species.

Below is a small lake.

Another angle of the pond. If you look, you can see stairs carved out of the rock.

I wish I took more pictures, but the tour was lead by my professor, and I had to pay attention for class!

Still here?

Not really. I haven't been here. Nothing to blog about! I'm in school, and have zero time for anything other than homework and cleaning....alright, just the homework, I guess. There is good news, though.....

SCHOOLS OUT IN JUST THREE WEEKS!!!!!

I already have plans a-brewing in my brain for new quilts and art and whatever creative thing I haven't been able to do in the last few months! I'm going to bake, and decorate! Knit and crochet! Revisit all those lovely, lovely domestic arts I have neglected in the pursuit of an education. Summer break, I can not wait!

Schools out for evah

No, not really.

I'm all done with this semester--phew!--and am all set for next! Unfortunately, the boys have been sick sick sick, and I have a lot to sanitize.

I have done some knitting, and have started a crochet project I really think is cool. (It's filet!) I haven't taken photos yet, but will soon!

Really, I'm dropping a line to say I'm on face book. Wanna be my friend? (I reserve the right to deny you on the basis of looks, religion, politics, personality, and taste in music, tv, movies, or jokes.) I'm Christina Donaghy, if you are interested!

I know I haven't been around. Things have been...crazy.

Last week--for the WHOLE week--I dealt with a stomach bug that hit my oldest. It pretty much stayed with him the whole week. Next, my five year old got sick....the day we were supposed to leave to visit family. That same day, the youngest got sick. I spent the entire week up to my elbows in ick. I've done so much laundry--the piles of waiting-to-be-folded clothes teeter in their baskets, threatening to topple.

Last week's time was important to me. I needed that time to work on two research papers. The first paper is due tomorrow. I've been working my behind off the last two days trying to catch up on the valuable time I've missed.

On the bright side, school is almost over for this semester. This weekend I'm going away for Thanksgiving. One whole week in which I am not responsible for cleaning house or cooking! (I'll help my in-laws, of course!) I can sleep in, pig out, catch up on my knitting! I CAN'T WAIT! I just need to get through this week.

I have one other little thing to report. I've finally gotten my hands on a WiiFit! I loooovee it! I haven't had much time to play with it, but I like it so far!

So, that's all for now. I'll probably be MIA for the next two weeks, but I'll post pictures after returning from New York! I always get such good photos!

Progress-11/05

Well...

Knitting--no pics to show, but I've made very little (but some!) progress on Sean's hat. The sense of urgency is gone because the last few days have been warm. I'm slowly working on it, though.

Fitness--had some progress last week. Sean was invited to a birthday party on Sunday, so I did plenty of running around then. (The party was at the playground.) And we mustn't forget Friday. Walking was involved then.

BUT...

Diet--bad, bad, bad. Not good. Bad. Let me just say, I think my Reese's peanut butter cups have been laced with a highly addictive drug--or maybe it's just the combination of chocolate and peanut butter that keeps me feverishly unwrapping those little orange packages. I am not kidding when I say I have eaten an entire bag by-my-self. I'm disgusted with me. The Shame! And to think, the holidays are coming up. Chocolaty temptation around every corner. Ugh.

Crafts--nothing. Nada. No progress. I did by a copy of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion yesterday, and enviously, grudgingly, admired other artist's work. What made me want to go back to college? I wish I had those hours back to "create." I wouldn't be happy, though. I'd want to be in school. That's how it works; you always want what you do not have.

School--I'm doing pretty good here. I'm getting my assignment done on time. I need to start my two major papers though. OH! I "observed" in a third grade class today! It was fun! Coincidence--or maybe something more--put me in a language arts class! (English was my previous major.)

That's all for now. The boys are going to be home soon, and Maggie's a snoozing.

Belated Halloween Witches--er, Wishes

Pretend it's Halloween and I'm on the ball, posting my pictures as I take them...

Aaron was Spiderman.

Spiderman, ever vigilant, searches for the crazed zombie maniac...

(Sean was the crazed zombie maniac.)

Sometimes Spiderman likes to hang with the bad guy.

Phew, it's nice to just "be myself" every now and then!

So, there it is! Your belated Halloween fun! More posting later!

Wednesday Progress

Last Wednesday I shared my progress on several "projects," some crafty, some not. Today, I have more progress to report!

First of all, I want to say that Maggie had a great first birthday. Here we are before she tore into the cake.

This is her after the cake...

She had fun, to say the least!


On to progress!


Okay, I moved backward on Aaron's scarf, froggin' the whole damn thing. I redeemed myself, though, finishing it...in a different style. I ended up crocheting it. It went a whole lot faster, giving me the extra time to work on his hat!

As you can see, I'm not totally finished. I still have to weave in ends and start on mittens BUT before I do that, I'm starting on Sean's hat. This is what it looks like now:

I'm doing his hat first, scarf, second, and then mittens. I'm on a time line here. The weather is already horribly cold (for October, at least), and, again, Autumn catches me off guard. Every year I vow to knit up the winter stuff before winter and end up squeaking the stuff out--if I'm lucky--by mid-January. Not this year! My kids will not be cold...or wear mismatched hats and scarves (which is usually what happens.)

Crafty progress? There is some. Not much, but some. No picture, though. (Sorry!)

Healthy progress: I'm still eating better. Not great, but better. I made an awesome batch of Iced Pumpkin Cookies on Sunday. (I like to bake on Sunday, for some reason.) They were too good (not bragging), which led me to eat many of them. But, they were made with pumpkin, so I'm sure they were vitamin packed! ;-)

Weight, about the same.

Fitness? I've actually been working out. A little. I've been sneaking yoga in when the beast is a sleep. (Maggie is very clingy, lately.)

Homework? I took two tests. I scored a 94.5% on my math test, and I don't have my grade for government yet. Started planning out my two papers due next month.

That's it for now. Maggie is having a meltdown about something. (She really just wants to be held.)

Happy, happy birthday baby!

Magnadoodle turns ONE today!!!

One year ago this child cause me great and immeasurable pain! Now look at her!

Where does the time go?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY!!!

Is that a banana in your pocket?

Why yes! Yes, it is!

Chiquita, you minx!

(Back to homework....)

Progress

This post is all about progress. Progress is defined as "a movement toward a goal or a higher stage." Everyone is progressing in some way, whether it be progressing towards a financial goal, completing an education course, or working on a quilt. I started thinking about progress this morning when I looked at a scarf I'm working on. I wanted to post on my progress with that project. As I thought about it, though, I have many things I'm slowly chipping away at, like that scarf. One row at a time, one assignment at a time, one meal at a time. The great thing about progress is, every little bit counts. Even if I only knitted two stitches, that's two stitches towards my goal. That's progress! If we look at it this way, every little inch, every little step, is a cause for celebration! So, let's talk about my progress.

The scarf--It's turning out well! I'm a little worried I won't have enough yarn. Good news is, though, it's not expensive and it's still in stock. I pulled the matching hat I made last year (by the way, this is a replacement scarf), and it was filled with holes...this is, of course, after I foolishly tossed it in the wash on a regular setting. (Shame on me!!) Oh, well. I'm already working on a replacement scarf, why not a hat, too?
Progress at school...it's progressing! :) Actually, I'm doing fairly well even though I feel so overwhelmed at times I just want to quit! (Don't worry. No one will let me.) I'm halfway through the semester, I have the majority of my field observation hours taken care of, and math--which I thought was going to suck--er, be difficult--is actually my favorite class! I've also planned out my courses for next semester. I'm going to take another education course, environmental science, statistics, and either World or British Literature. (Any suggests on which?)

Elsewhere and my universe, general craftiness is at a stand-still. I'm hoping this changes! I have ideas, and I am SO inspired by all the blogs I frequent (everyone is being crafty but me.) I just need to find the time. (So this would be a zero progress on the craft-front.)

Budgeting...no progress. I don't even want to think about it. It's expensive to run a family of five.

Lastly, weight loss/health-gain progress. Again, a stand still. I had actually lost about three pounds, but gained it back. I feel like crap (arthritis) and my big plans of joining a gym and becoming a fitness nut fizzled out. Can't afford a gym membership and when would I find time? I'm already spread thin. BUT something I can and should do is yoga at home. Strength training with that Bowflex my husband bought a few months back and has only been used a total of six times...between the both of us. And walking!!! Didn't I promise myself I'd start doing that as soon as the boys went back to school? I haven't gone for a single walk since they started--back in AUGUST.

Fitness aside, the bigger problem lies in the CRAP I've been eating the last few weeks. My husband (who I love) is the biggest wrench in my plans! I don't want to blame him totally, because he isn't holding me down and forcing me to drink copious amounts of Coke, but he wants soda, he wants chips, he wants ice cream. How am I supposed to abstain when I'm serving it to him? One good thing I've been doing, though, is baking my own treats. Not only does it take more effort than opening a box, but I KNOW what is going in my cookies, and what is NOT, like high-fructose corn syrup and trans fat. I think I eff this up, though, by eating large amounts of the final product.

So. This is the plan. I want PROGRESS in this aspect of my life. This is me now.

I will be straight with you. I took this picture this morning. I picked the skinniest looking picture out of the twenty I took. Now for the full disclosure. I am 5'5 and, according to my scale which may or may not be accurate, am 172 lbs. The goal I'm setting is 145 by this time next year. Each week, I hope to whittle away at that number, and I'll post how I'm doing. Any progress is good progress.

A Ham, a Crasher, and SOME KNITTING!

The ham...

The Picture Crasher...

and

SOME KNITTING!

(It's a future scarf...)

More Halloween fun

My son has the spirit! Here is something he made in school. Blows my stuff away!

It's a hat!!

What a "pretty" face! Now I know what he'd look like as a girl...

(Excuse the dirty face. They apparently don't believe in soap at school.)

Halloween Fun

Halloween makes me think of strolls through foggy woods. The naked trees creak as they sway in the breeze, and the only sounds of life are the occasional caw of a distant black bird...

I also think of skulls and skeletons. I like comical skeletons, like those in "Army of Darkness."

And zombies...oh, wait! Zombies are year 'round fun. (At least, for me they are!)

After the trick-or-treating is done, what's better than curling up with your own monster?

*All artwork by moi.

(Admittedly, a half-hearted effort. I'd tell you about how busy I've been, but you've heard it before!)

Drowning in Work!

Homework...cleaning...when will it all end? :)

My families coming for a visit this weekend, so I'm more busy than normal. I'm still here, though! Waiting for a few moments to post...

Oh, yeah--I'll be a GREAT teacher...

Especially when I make a kid cry during my volunteer time in my son's class. Yep. That's grade-A educating, there.

Tuesday I spent time in Aaron's class. I got to supervise one of the work group tables. The kids had to cut out a leaf, glue it to this paper, then give three words that describe the leaf. The had to attempt to spell the words, and I would go behind them and write what they were spelling underneath the word. How could I mess it up?

It was almost time to switch groups, and I told the child in front of me that he needed to hurry up and put the last word down because we were about to change groups. He gave me a confused, worried look. I repeated, "just write down you last word. What's the leaf look like?" Mind you, I wasn't being mean, but I was pushing him a little. Well, his eyes started to water, and he did that breathing thing kids down when they want to stop the tears before they start. I immediately noticed, and as if in slow motion, I said, "noooooooo," followed by a few small "oh no. No. No-no." Too late. The child started bawling. I felt HORRIBLE. I think I teared up, too. I called the teacher over, and she said, "it's okay. This has happened before," and she whisked him away to the tissues.

This ruined the rest of my Tuesday. I felt like a crappy person the rest of the day. I was so sad! I could almost feel his worry and embarrassment as he tried to hold those tears back! Aw, I feel terrible just thinking about it.

So, today I'm heading back to the class. I'm the "mystery reader" today. Not only do I have residual guilt from my last classroom visit, but I'm going to have to sit in front of the entire class and read a book. I'm nervous. My husband laughed at me and said I could read on a 1st grade level and they would still be impressed--they're only kindergartners! True, but what if I mess up?

Next week I'm back in the work group chair, helping (if you could call it that) the kids. What am I going to change to make things better? I'm going not going to rush anyone. I'll remove all sense of urgency from my voice. (Yeah. I don't have an f-ing clue.)

Sea-Gazing

Behold--

Prints available in my shop.

Working...

Thought I'd pull out the art supplies today. Here is a sneaky-peek.

A Wonderfully Lazy Weekend...

So far, this weekend has been wonderfully dull and uneventful. No homework. No super dirty kitchens. No messy living room. No time-consuming grocery shopping. Nothing. Wonderful, perfect, nothing!

What I did do this weekend:

I baked cookies (oatmeal ones), I watched two movies--I even got some knitting done!

What will I do today?

I plan on more knitting. Maybe some crafting, since I did some knitting yesterday. Maybe some reading.

And to cap of the evening, I am going to watch the season premieres of two great shows, one of which I have been looking forward to since last season ended...DEXTER. :) Ooooh...I love Dexter Morgan! Great books, great show!

Anyhow, I'm off to continue my wonderful weekend of NOTHING! All stress-inducing activities resume tomorrow. (Bah.)

Project Soon...Maybe

I had this idea for an art quilt a while back, but considering my time is divided among many different things at this moment, I think I will start off with a few small ornaments instead of a larger quilt. I'm thinking the chair will be a different color for each ornament (starting with black)--maybe even a different style.

Autumnal Breezes

Autumnal breezes

Bring lots of sneezes

I wish I had a colorful picture of changing leaves.

One of my trees out back has an orange leaf or two, but nothing impressive enough to post.

The weather has been chilly, though, and I'm starting to think about...

knitting...

Aaron needs a scarf and hat.

I should make new ones for Sean, too.

And don't forget about Maggie!

(Hat, keyhole scarf and sweater for her...)

I'm not a summer knitter.

I just don't have it in me.

Before I do any knitting, though, I have to do school work.

Yuck.

My head hurts every day.

I get tension in my face that wraps around my head to my neck.

Yesterday, it was a pain (literally) to keep my head upright.

I decided to watch David Blaine in bed.

Then, I fell asleep.

(How did it turn out? Did he survive?)

My brother does magic.

Not as good as David Blaine, but he impresses me sometimes.

He wants to be David Blaine, or Kriss Angel.

That is his D R E A M.

(I hope you enjoyed this alternative post.

Everything should be written in the form of a

poem.

Even bad news.)

Government Bail-outs

Economic fear grips all

Golden Parachutes

See?

Sweet, Sweet Maggie

My cutie pie is ELEVEN MONTHS OLD today! In just one month she'll be a whole year old!

What was I doing at this time last year? I started working on this blanket...which I'm still working on.
I bought the yarn one Sunday (I remember it was Sunday because football was on) because I was sooooo antsy and ready to have the pregnancy O-V-E-R!! I thought knitting a blanket would take my mind off of things.

Just think, if I stuck with the blanket, it would be done by now! I will finish it...eventually. (For her sweet 16, maybe?)

Motherly Love in Two Words...

Homemade Cookies

The recipe:
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ahh, Monday, Monday

John's at work...The boys are in school...Maggie is sleeping...Peace and quiet...I should go meditate. First...

Breakfast, coffee, a little reading. Things I used to take for granted.

This morning I'm having a Long Island breakfast. Now, I'm not sure if this is truly the breakfast of choice there, but my parents were raised all their lives on Long Island, and every time they would go back for a visit, they would have buttered hard rolls for breakfast, while I would eat a cream cheese bagel. These items would come from a Deli. Mmmmm....

So, I picked up the latest issue of Artful Blogging. What a beautiful magazine!

So, I'm sitting here, enjoying my butter sandwich, and thinking of what I'll do today. There are so many things I want to do. Last week was so busy I did nothing for myself. I have one appointment (teacher conference) this week, and I plan on just playing catch up--and taking it easy. Unfortunately, though, I'll spend the first portion of the week "getting well." I have a cold. Blah. Lots of sinus pain. Coated mouth. Cracked lips. Cranky attitude. Drowsy medicine head.

I'm optimistic, though. This cold won't last. I'll persevere!

I want to practice some embroidery stitches. I have some ideas for small pieces. My fingers are itching to sew. And maybe knit.

That comes later, though. Now is rest. I think I'll kick back, relax, and see how I feel later this afternoon.

Maggie is a-stirring. So much for meditation...

Good day, all!

What a Week

I'm sure my previous post gave you some insight to how frazzled I am right now. There is a light at the end of this tunnel, though. I just completed my first major project for my education course. I finished my first major test for math, and tonight I'll finish my first debate for American government. Woo-hoo!

I really need to work out a better system. I haven't had a chance, really, to do what I love. Housework. (Just kidding. Although, the housework is suffering, too.) I haven't been crafting, creating, knitting, reading, or writing. I haven't been blogging, either. Time management, though. That is what I need.

Since I'm not a big fan of blog posts without pictures, here is an old sketch I recently scanned on to my computer. (BTW, I now have a scanner!!!!!)

Oh, and there is a slight chill in the air...I almost feel like breaking out my needles...I should. It would relax me. I need something to ease the stress. Stress physically manifests itself on my body--I have rheumatoid arthritis. Whenever I encounter a lot of stress, my body reacts. Sucks. It's actually a vicious cycle. Stress causes pain, which causes more stress, which causes more pain. Exercise helps. Yoga helps. Meditation helps...but who has time for that? I will, once I join a gym. I learned that exercising at home is IMPOSSIBLE with an almost 1 year old. Try doing a downward dog while someone is crawling under you, as if you were an overpass.

Wow. I'm a little chatty today.

Here's another picture. The Tin Man is my son. For reasons I'll never understand, he thought it would be a good idea to take my silver stamp pad and paint himself. (This gives me an idea for a Halloween Costume.)

Spooky Fun in October

Alright, I don't know what I'll do, but I'm participating in:


It's not my party, but I am inviting you, nonetheless! :) Click the pic above and be directed to some spooky fun--AND check back on October 18th for a frightfully good post! :)

A Quick "Hello"

School is for fools...okay, not really, but that's how I feel right now.

It is 7am and I am drained. I haven't even started the day yet and I want to end it. I spent all day yesterday stressing out over an outline for a debate. Now I can turn my attention to a Field Observation essay I have to complete by...tomorrow. Not to mention, I haven't done any of my "regular" work for this week. Blah!

A little back story:

I'm going to school to become an Elementary Teacher. One of my classes this semester requires 10 hours of field time. I did my first on Tuesday. I helped out with work groups for my son's kindergarten class.

When I first decided to become a teacher, I didn't want to do Elementary. Then my oldest entered school, and I would love the atmosphere of the school every morning when I would bring him in. It brought back so many memories! Those first years of school were so exciting! But, I thought, I don't want to do kindergarten. I want kids who can read so I can share my love of books with them. (Originally, I wanted to be an English teacher.)

Well, I would like to say I was wrong. Kindergarten is GREAT! The kids were so cool! And how excited was I when some of the kids could read a few words! It dawned on me then, as they enthusiastically approached their work, and upon finishing the work, reached for books, that Kindergarten is where you begin to love school. It is the first year--the first impression! It is the year that sets the tone for the rest! And yes, you can learn to love books in that first year. It's only week four (0r five?) and the kids have learned a few words!

So, I feel better in my decision to do Elementary. What a wonderful time!

Etsy is Upsy

My etsy store is current, and new goodies abound!

Other than that announcement, here is the dirty on what's going on in my life:

I'm back in school. Ugh. Was a GREAT idea until I actually started do my school work. (American government--bor-ring.)

Aaron started kindergarten a few weeks ago. My sweet baby is in school! (One more to go!)

Maggie is a littl whirlwind. She gets into EVERYTHING. She's talking back already, and but her sassing in limited my her vocabulary. It's mostly, "na! na!" or "da! da!" I know what she's trying to say, though, and it's not good! :)

Sean is doing great in school. He turned seven in July. It's hard to believe how fast they grow!

Since I started school, you know I've been crafty! I do some of my best work when I'm supposed to be doing something else...I can't wait until it starts getting cooler and I feel like knitting...

Crawling back to you, Blogger...

So, here I am, Blogger, begging you--please--can we be friends again? I know I thought paying for my blog was the way to go. I bought the pricier (but not priciest) package with Typepad, and you know what? They really treated me good, but times are tough. My schedule is packed. Why would I pay for a hobby that I rarely have time to partake in? BUT, I can't give up blogging! Sometimes, oh sometimes, it makes me happy! I'm documenting my life here! Just in this blog I can look back to when my boys were just little tiny guys! Now they are both in school! Oh, so much has happened since I've been away. I've changed. You've changed. Here we are, though, and there is one thing I am certain of. I've missed you, Blogger, and I never want to fight again. Friends again? Good. I'll see you later. Right now I have to email a few dozen people and let them know we've gotten back together....