Chocolate

There is always something special about licking the bowl, your child knows it's a birthday or at the least some kind of party, but I have to tell you there is extra magic in letting a child who's diet consists of basically rice squashed into different food resembling shapes lick the bowl and anything else that might have come into contact with gluten free, dairy free(does he look like he cares ) cake batter.

Crossroads

Ahh, so there are so many more important things I could be thinking on, but my dilema these last few days as I search for a project to bring back east is -
Do I actually really follow a pattern , correct needles and yarn, or do I go with my true nature and just pick up what I have , throw it together and hope for the best.
Obviously there are pros and cons to both, but my real conflict is the fact that this year my goal was to follow the rules of knitting, I really don't do that in any other area of my life, so a little line towing would do me good, but the lazy artist inside me says, what fun is that ? The realist inside me says, check out what turned out before when you didn't follow the rules of knitting,
Artist " BUT it could turn out even better"
Realist" you said you were going to follow the rules"
You see my conflict.
It is not resolved and most likely won't be til I have to pack my chosen project in a bag ready for the flight.
In the mean time, I would love you all to weight in and let me know what YOU think i should do.

My slacker days are OVER ( I hope)

Boy have I been a bad, bad, blogger,
Well, I hope that is all about to change.
As you all know, I am back from the home land and into the thick of things with 1st grade homeschool and cheufuring for pre-school. Things certianly are entertaining around here day to day.
My trip home was wonderful but my favourite part is the fact that I arrived to the rolling eyes of mother whenever my fiber arts were mentioned and left her a fiber felting fool, ( her words ,not mine). In my attempts to woo her we went to a felting class together, stayed on an Alpaca farm, and I showed her the cornacopia of absolutely fab fiber choices at a local craft day.
We had a blast,did some major bonding, and now her fiber vocab is better than mine.

From Oz with Love

Ahhhhh, I am writting from my homeland and it feels so good. Lots of wonderful things have been happening, especially when it comes to my love of fiber, first and foremost a our amazing visit to Benbellen alpaca farm , http://www.benbellen.com.au/ we had the best time, also last weekend we went to the hand spinners and weavers fair, and I bought LOTS of beautiful fiber to spin with my wonderfully new Ashford spinning wheel given to me by an amazing friend of my mothers, Diana. To top it off i am going to be able to attend spinning classes for four weeks while I'm here, something i thought I would not fit into my life for years. I am as happy as a pig in mud.
More posts with pics will come as soon as i get home i promise.

Booties for my Boys

We are heading for Australia next week and I knit and felted these cute booties to keep their little tootsies warm in the chilli weather.

Delightful Destraction

Things are really reving up around here and so I turn to my fiber fetish to bring me back to my calm place. This is the almost final result ( hopefully a nice hat will be the final result) of my fist home dyed, home spun yarn.
Yesterday I was sitting on my couch trying to see my home through a strangers eyes and was totally satisfied to note the various fiber arts paraphinalia strewn around. I have held a deep desire to one of those artsy, crafty people with artsy crafy things looking very at home in their home, and now by golly I think I am one.It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy , like yarn !

Dyeing

My fiber arts craze continues, and I have finally been able to scratch my dyeing itch. The need for a huge dye pot was standing in my way, but after procuring one at my beloved SAVERS, I set right to work. Why does it make me sublimely happy to do stuff with fiber, who knows, but it does so I do.
Here are the results, i will spin this roving into yarn, mixed with one I will dye grey and turquoise, and the plan is to make a big knitting basket. Stay tuned ( it might be years FYI) for the final product.
The update for the legwarmers is not to sunny, I ran out of yarn. and am now knitting the yarn into the second warmer by unravelling the first, they are both going to be rather short for leg warmers , more like ankle warmers, I will also be sure to post a pic of me wearing them, if for nothing other than comic relief.

We Made It !

Not only did we make it through this week, but today was the confirmation that we have made it through this year. Kindergarden specifically. It wasn't really THAT hard, but none the less it is an achievment I'm proud of. Homeschooling Christian was something we always wanted to do, and with the help of our great charter school wereally did it. His teachers put on the nicest kindergarden graduation, it was so sweet and a lovely end to the school year. Christian was 6 yesterday, I can't believe it, he has been a joy to learn with and I can't wait to continue. ( After a well earned summer break )

2nd Sock Syndrom

For a few months I have been priveledged to hang out with the great girls of Aloha Knitters, everytime I sit with them I learn so much, about alot of things but especially knitting and yarn crafts. This last week I learned the actual name of a terrible affliction, 2nd sock syndrom, athough I have to sadly inform you that my case is the much lesser known, 2nd leg warmer syndrom. The failer to be be motivated at all to complete the mate of a 2 peice project.
I will keep you updated on my progress with this problem, right now it seems to need a whole lot of will power and determination to get me to the mamoth length of 15 inches of legwarmer. I will get there, if only for the reaction of my brothers when I actually wear said warmers in public.

I Heart Alpaca's

I am SOOOOOOOOOO excited, this year I will be spending a few months in Australia, ( this alone would be enough) Although I will miss DH lots as will the kids a certian farmstay to an Alpaca farm has helped ease the pain. Only a loving mother would encourage my obsesion, but mum found this place

http://www.bbfarmstay.com.au/benbellen/index.html

and we are staying for three days. There will be Chickens, cows and Alpaca's, OH MY. I know you are all very jelous,
so I'll post ics of our stay when we get back.

Happy Mothers Day

It's a beautiful day here in Hawaii, I'm sitting thinking how I really give thanks for every mother around the world, who endlessly give love and praise, assurance and guidence to the future of this planet. Yes there is war and hatred, but we surely would have already self destructed if it wasn't for motherly love and influence.
Thank you to all the peace making, hug giving, world bettering mothers around the world.
Thanks to my mother who made me who I am and taught me how to truely love a child, a precious gift I try and use everday.

Rasta Hat

I just finished my fisrt knitted hat, a huge accomplishment for me. I can't wait to get back to Sydney for some cold weather to wear it in. The yarn started out looking like dread locks, hence the rasta look and name.
I am currently one leg warmer towards a pair, who knows what could come next, you'll just have to wait and see.
( Do I not have the most beautiful son ever !)

Gluten Free Heaven

I'm sure all of you know that little Liam is a celiac, but that doesn't stop us from having lots of fun with chocolate. I thank goodness for all the great companies that make things like brownies, cakes and bread mixes in bags for the non-baking parents of allergic to everything kids. This one was from Pamela's my fav.
Bill will be coming home with the camera in a few days, so i have a week and a half of cool stuff to show you then.

My very own yarn !

Yesterday we finished dyeing my first skien of yarn,
It is 36 yards of bulky weight in Kool-aid grape purple. Christian watched me through the whole process and helped me do the dyeing , he is really into it which makes me so happy. My neighbor took this pic for me yesterday,( seeing my husband took the camera to Asia) the look on his face is how we both feel, I just didn't look as cute!

Finished Projects

I would say one of my worst traits is not finishing things, so I'm extra proud to pressent two of my knitting projects that are completely finished and ready to be gifted. Anyone who has seen me knit knows that a lot of effort goes into these seemingly mere scarfs, I know they are going to good homes and will be well loved !

Great Rewards

In reward for my husbands labor helping a neighbor move furniture I was the lucky recipient of the old stuff that didn't fit. It is the PERFECT Fiber Crafts hutch and I love it. It makes me so happy to have a little space to call my own, just for my yarn/fiber/spinning treasures.

My first homespun on my little meggie

So a few of you know my new found obsesion with learning to spin yarn, I believe that behind it all is my urge to play with natural fiber and my inability to knit well although I am getting better. Spinning fiber into yarn is an ancient craft and is very zen. I love it ! This is my very first homespun yarn, I have since spun a whole skien which I will die and show you when it's done.

I can guaranty that more is yet to come ( especially seeing I just ordered a bunch of roving from etsy.

Bright vintage lace

An Oh so bright piece of fabric I've added to my nest as a shower curtian in ( my only private place in the house) our ensuite bathroom which I have claimed as my own.

It's colorful, it's girly, and it's vintage, these are truely a few of my favourite things in one little ol' peice of fabric.

Todays Favourite Thing

I just got these boots for $4.99 at savers, here is why I love them,

1. They are pretty, ( pretty excentric!)

2. I know I'll wear them in Australia with my Gnomey hat my dear friend is making me, which makes me think of her and being home.

3. My other dear friend ( I am a lucky girl) saw them and said, "If Talia was a boot, she would be this boot" My heart warmed with this lovely comment which I'll aspire to to be true.

A Few of My Favourite Things

I thought I'd share a few things around my house that always make me smile. Just think of how beautiful and simple life would be if all possesions could stir such emotion, maybe one day I'll get there.

Today we have two little money banks, a birthday gift from a dear friend. I ABSOLUTELY love them. They look so "vintagey', the colors are georgous and their little faces are so cute.

Gifts From OZ

As soon as I recieved this beautiful box of goodies from http://www.aboutaustralia.com/ I sat down with a glass of cordial and a violet crumble for a taste of my childhood. Vegimite is more of a staple that a treat in my house and the boys had been asking everyday for it since we ran out a week ago (we had scrapped the old jar completely clean). There are alot of things I worry about with them adjusting to life in Australia when we move back in a few years but I know their love of vegimite will go a long way towards making them true Aussies !

Friendship Knitting

Knitting is not a new hobby to me, but I am surely still a beginner. I have been joking that by the end of my life I will hold the Guiness Book of Records title for most scarves knitted by a single person. Really I knit becuase I love YARN. I love how it feels on my fingers, I love the textures and most of all I love the colors. To the point of this post though , I have no need for scarves in Hawaii and have been making them for loved ones instead, I LOVE to think of the dear person who will soon ( hopefully) be wearing it when I sit knitting it, and I hope they will think of me whe they wear it. My knitting like me has many flaws, and holes and mistakes, I call it character. I know that my friendship knitting will be loved by those who recieve it dispite it's quirky imperfections.

My Mum

I have to say that I had been a little slack in the last few weeks, but for good reason. My wonderful and inspirational mum has been here. I just love spending time with her, but really my greatest joy comes from seeing the relationship between her and my boys, evey glimpse of the love they have for each other warms my heart.

Saturdays thing

This tiny sauce pan is so cute and the lid is attatched so it won't be separated. I have to add that tonight I was playing with Liam a not complete jenga game I got at savers , we had the best time and it's so good for his fine motor skills.

Fridays things

Ok, so it's friday, I skipped a few days this week, not only on my blog, but have lots of fun stuff still to post, so i'll keep going. I got this adorable "kitchen" ( I don't know what it was) at Savers for $9.99, so cute with the little drawers and stuff.

Enamel play bowls

Tuesdays toy

I was wishing I was a good enough knitter to make some knitted food for the boys, but seriously, buying this wooden fruit for $4 a bag was cheaper and WAY less time comsuming.

OK, so this is what I took out. We'll start with that.

Dress Up

Serveral influences converged and led me to re-do my play room, man was it worth it. I finally bit the bullet and left only imaginary play items in there and I see the difference in my kids play habits already. They LOVE to play kitchen and dress up which they rarely did before, and seriously if you knew how fun it is to find cool natural playroom stuff at the thrift store everyone would be doing it ( and expensive natural toy toys would go under)More about the stuff later, today I just wanted to share this pic, which says it all.

Oh, I just had an idea, I'll post a pic of a cool new to me addition to the play room each day this week,

This is Love, Pyrex Love

I finally visited a thrift store on the other side of the Island this week and was rewarded. Just as I was leaving I spied this glass canister and scooped it up, ( I have been collecting glass to replace the assortment of ziplocks that crowd my pantry). Not til I got home did I discover that it was Pyrex, I know I shouldn't name drop BUT it makes me love it even more.

The Queen of Thrift

If I ever wonder where my love for thrift shopping comes from I need look no further than my mother ! She arrived from Australia with a suitcase brimming with the most fantastic finds. My best bargians pale in comparrison to the beautiful dresses bags and tops that she has, and ALL thrifted.

I hail the queen of thirft and thank her for imparting her great knowledge to me of a most important life skill.

I have fallen in love with thrifted quilts made with vintage hawaiian fabrics, they often also include japanese fabric, they are a perfect expression of the cross culturalism here, there bright and absolutely georgous !
I certianly don't have the patients to make a quilt myself but love to imagine the thrifty grannies cutting up they're seventies mou mou's to make these beauties.

I'm Confused

Spiritually I feel comfortable with where I'm at, but when it comes to religion I'm confused ! I recently found on "Paper Back Swap" the perfect book for me,
The Souls Almanac, A year of interfaith stories, prayers and wisdom.
There is stuff from every religion you can imagine in little readings I can do before bedtime,
This quote is something that has been a huge effort in my life in the last 2 years, it expresses the idea beautifully.
"Heracles was making his way along a narrow road when he saw on the ground an object that looked like an apple.He stepped on it and the object doubled in size. Seeing this, Heracles stamped on it with both feet and hit it with his club. The object then swelled in size until it blocked the road. Heracles threw down his club and gaped in amazement. Athena now appeared and said to him "Leave that thing alone dear brother, it is the spirit of argument and discord; if you don't touch it, it does no harm, but if you try and fight with it, it grows as you have seen" -Fable of Aesop ( classical Greek)

If Gwyneth Can Do It !

If Gwyneth ( Paltrow) can do it so can I, I polled afore mentioned Jenifer today and she said it was OK too so I'm posting a pic of me in an outfit ( you can also check out my new hair, but try not to look at my face, it was a hard day shopping). We had a MAJOR day at the Savers half off day today and I thrifted this entire outfit for about $23. Dress and cardi is target BUT bag is White house Black market and shoes are Nine West.

I am so Excited !

My dear Mum will be arriving this week and I can hardly contain myself. I love seeing her and hanging out, but I also love the thought of being able to tackle some things I just can't even attempt on my own ( this time it will be sorting all the boys clothes). One of the things on our to do list ( in my head anyway) was the playroom, but surveying the situation it was just not fair to put her through that SO I did it today. A little over a year ago I went on a mission to rid my house of plastic, I thought it didn't go so well, but today I realised I got further than I thought.

I the pic you can see plastic shelves, I will replace those with a wood bookcase when i find one, and a plastic bucket which might stay or be replaced with a big fabric or woven basket. Inside the wood chests are wooden blocks and cars/trucks/planes, and house play stuff.

I will steal Jennifers idea of replaceing one for one the rest of the plastic kitchen play stuff as I find it in wood. I really think this will be a more creative and relaxing play space for my darling boys, or maybe they'll just beg for the plastic McDonalds toys back !

Thanks

People come into your life for many reasons, and in the military they come and go all the time, but the very special ones are always sent for a very special reason. This is were I give thanks for my friend Jennifer http://thesweetestthingsinlife.blogspot.com/ who inspried me to remember all the things I love to do, and in our shared love for these sometimes querky things affirms me. This video is of our kids playing together on a "school "day.

Today Christian and I had fun learning about equal halves and practices handwritting and spelling while making cute Valentines cards. Also in this pic is my new toaster cover that I made this week. I just love it that I went through the whole process of wanting it on Etsy to buying fabric and actually making it. YA! Me.

I'm actually doing it!

So begins my Blog! I can't belive I am doing it, so here's why .
I am millions of miles from most of the awsome people in my life.
I want all those awsome people to be with me always, sharing my life, my loves, my frustrations.
I wish we were all neighbors, could see each other everyday, knit, drink tea, and of course talk alot.
Join me when you can and we'll play pretend neighbors.