Coming Up For Air

Hello, sadly neglected blog! I know I've been completely AWOL, but I've got a good excuse, I do!

I've spent the past week with these folks:

Yes, people: proof positive that my mama can indeed be convinced to leave Chicago if the price is right (i.e., she gets to drop off the munchkins, hang out at Powell's and attempt to photograph the entire city in three days).

We had a blast; I miss her already.

Making friends in the park.


Getting soaked at Jamison Square.


BBQ'ing on the deck.


Practicing reading with Uncle Boy-O.

Dim sum at House of Louie, Oswego Lake and even the incredibly large Whole Foods in Tigard were other highlights of the trip (Mom was quite pleased with the sushi bar and the wine selection!).

Not a stitch was knit, and I didn't even have the decency to miss it. I'm so pleased that I got to show Mom my favorite city. She's already threatening to come back just to visit Powell's again.

I went in to work yesterday, and had some serious culture shock. ("What do I do again?")
Fortunately, day camp starts next week, so the kiddos will be occupied and we'll try to remember what it's like to be grown ups again. Not nearly as fun, but necessary.

Seeing is Believing

The giant thing on the front lawn that we thought was celery? Is now huge.
Turns out, it's an artichoke. There are actually several small ones growing there, high above my darling one's head.

Just another thing to love about life in Oregon, I guess. Giant man-eating plants.

Shhhh...

Here is a tiny little peek at one of the new yarns coming up for Fall '07. It's pretty fabulous stuff:
Soft, luscious sock yarn. For those of you with sensitive toes, this is the perfect stuff!

Reasons to Have Children

As the knitting has slowed down a bit, I will distract you with our first, tentative purchases for the little Bean.
One, a copy of Vera Williams' More More More said the Baby, which came highly recommended by the fella who sold it to me and online as well.

And the other, a little onesie from the sale rack at Target:

Just barely. Baby's not due til 'end of the year!

Tiny and Adorable

Although looking at the size of that cranium, I am immediately reminded of Mike Myers' best movie:
"HEED! Pants! Now!"

Going, going, gone

Things that are (were) gone:

Me:
A sudden re-arrangement of the schedule found me in Chicago this weekend , visiting my sick grandma. Happily, Mama D is doing better than expected and her prognosis is good.

Waistlines:
I also got to see my dearest, sweetest sister, who is suddenly (how can I put this politely?) more woman than she used to be. I did get a picture, but she threatened to disembowel me if I posted it. So you'll just have to trust me when I say 8 months along is really impressive.
(I am deeply afraid. Unlike my sis, I started out on the fluffy side - my poor husband's gonna have to roll me around in a wheelbarrow!)

Mom's modesty:
My mother is extremely excited that we are having a baby. It scares me a little.
Seriously - the other day we were in the grocery store, and she approaches this very pregnant random stranger.

Mom: How far along are you?
Strange Girl: 5 months.
Mom: Oh, really? (pointing at me) She’s only three, but she’s already starting to show…
Me: (Dying of embarrassment)

I could tell you more, but I'm sure y'all understand.

Knitting Mojo:
It was horrendously hot whilst I was travelling, and the wool component in my current projects has not helped me deal. I spent most of the last five days reading instead.
I enjoy going places, but hate airports and planes. So I'm always looking for a great book that will make the experience less irritating. And it needs to be super thick, because I read like a maniac and can finish a novel pretty quickly. (On the trip out -- about 6 hours of flight time-- I read The Road. Big mistake. Finished it in about three hours, so then I was bored and depressed.)
For the trip back, I picked up Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. It's the perfect book for this kind of travel. Silly enough to pick up and put down, and large enough that I only got halfway through it on the plane. Fun, fun stuff.