Junior Photographers

Today's photos brought to you by the Terrible Twosome. N's work is at top:


Getting our subject to stay in place is something we all need to work on.


We also may need to revisit how to choose a subject.


Following are shots by the little one. Though there were many, um, unusual choices (seriously: the garbage can and the front door were the least objectionable of those), these last few turned out well:

Small and bitter is the dog.


Intense and focused is the knitter.


Strong and manly is the BabyDaddy.

Noises OFFF

I awoke this morning in a frantic state from a horrible dream. I found myself at the Minnesota State Fair, wandering around the Creative Activities building helplessly, mumbling "But this isn't right. I'm supposed to be at the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival. What am I doing here?"

You'd think I was looking forward to this event or something. ;-P

The crowd:



I was too shy to go say hello, but I did recognize at least one person in the group (Hi Melissa!).

The barns:

This little llama was bold as brass until you got close enough to touch. Then back into the pen, quick as a wink!


Wow. That pregnant tummy really sneaks up you, doesn't it? Normally all of me would've fit into that picture.

Jacobs rams; oh-so-handsome. The kids were impressed with the sheer number of horns.

The eats:



(No, we did not actually explain to the kids that these were lamb kabobs. They enjoyed them. Maybe next year.)

And most, importantly, the yarn:

This is Mountain Berry. Only a massive amount of restraint kept me asking if we could move into their house in exchange for more yarn.


Organic Rambouillet. So delicious and cushy.

Stash enhancement brought to you -- well, okay, brought to me, 'cause I am so not sharing -- by JerryLee Farms and Blue Moon Fiber Arts.

Fun was had by all - even my dearest Boy-O, who tolerates the fiber weirdness solely because it makes me happy.

Raveling!

Just when I thought this day was a total washout -- 3 1/2 hours of Hell at the hospital lab for my extended glucose tolerance test, a mad dash to work and an equally rushed trip back into Portland for a waaaaaaay too long open house at the rugrats' school --I have *finally* received my invite to Ravelry. Whoo - hoo! Now I can go play with all the cool kids.

Thank you, Jess and Casey for vastly improving my Wednesday.

Flunked!

D@#! I flunked the stupid glucose challenge test.

I may have mentioned a silly, ridiculous little competitive streak I have in passing once or twice (who threw out the Scrabble set when the Boy-O scored a bingo? No, that couldn't possibly have been me. Must have been my evil twin).
It's not my favorite trait, and it's definitely one that requires a tight lid if I'm to remain at least somewhat socially acceptable. But it's always there, lurking under the surface waiting to surprise me with its intensity.

Supremely frustrating, however, is having this competitive streak rear its ugly head when there's no one I'm actually competing against. I have to keep reminding myself that the winning result is a healthy baby. So if I have to go take the longer glucose tolerance test, then I'll do it. But darned if I don't feel like an A student who's just gotten her first C.

New Knitty

I'm in love with the Flower Power hat (and it's handsome model - how cute is he!), but my favorite thing is Jenna Wilson's excellent article on expanding a sweater for special fitting situations. Very useful info (especially since I have both issues to contend with at present).

BWA

Here again, the new niece demonstrates her skill as a charter member of Babies With Attitude:

A Lovely Sunday

ONE of my biggest joys is getting to spend the day in the kitchen, just messing around with food and seeing what I come up with. Saturday's trip to the fabulous Hollywood Farmers' Market made possible a smorgasbord of delights on Sunday:


Layers of eggplant, garlic, heirloom tomatoes, gruyere and fresh basil became...


my personal version of imam bayaldi. I haven't made this one in years, but it was delicious. ;-P
The kids liked it, and they (esp. Miss N) are notoriously suspicious of the unusual.
(And it is a wonderful way to use eggplant that doesn't require a ton of oil!)


Grissini. I just used up some of the frozen pizza dough the kids and I had made a while ago. Topped with a mixture of salt, pepper and crushed fennel seeds. Mmm-mmm.
As you can see, they go pretty darn fast! Recipe from Baking Illustrated.



Teaching the little miss to make gnocchi. I used the recipe from the Cook's Illustrated book Restaurant Favorites at Home (blanch the gnocchi, fry some sage leaves in oil, take 'em out, fry up the gnocchi in the sage oil, put the leaves back and make a butter sauce on top).
Delicious, if time-consuming at the end.


No-Knead Bread from the NYT and Lemon Blueberry Bread...


In an amazing and rare display for foresight, I got a head start on the next day's dinner by whipping up some Chili Lime Spatchcock Chicken. So easy, yet so delicious.

And I even managed to squeeze in a dab of knitting:

Admittedly, the ribbing was done all during the week, but there are three and a half new rows of colorwork that weren't there before. (At this rate, I'll be done by the time Bean is two!)

Shiny and New

In a shameless bit of work-related promotion, I'm encouraging you all to go take a look at the Harmony Wooden Needles.
They're kinda cute, right?

For My Aunt

...who cannot believe that I am finally pregnant...
(I wouldn't put on lipstick for just anyone, ya know!)