Some Twittery

Way, Waaay too Long

Hi everyone.  I just wanted to let you know that my computer has been broken and that is why I haven't been around here too much (or at all).  We have two other computers in the house.  The one I'm working on tonight doesn't have my pictures on it.  The other one is Scott's and doesn't have my pictures on it and when I did try to post and update last week nothing saved.  So I gave up.

I should be back next week with a functioning computer and some other exciting updates! 

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My Little Project

Here is what I have been working on.  A baby!  After almost two years of waiting I am pregnant.  The little O-let will be here this winter. 

I feel Like I have missed all of the summer, spending my time being nauseous and sleeping.  I have not cooked or baked anything, my e-mails from all of you have gone unanswered (I am so sorry for this.  Please forgive me.), and my favorite blogs have gone unread.  I am looking forward to autumn and cool nights.  Even though I am in the second trimester I don't feel well yet, so I am holding out for the next season to be better than this summer.  Thoughts of caramel apples, knitting, pumpkin pie, lentil and sausage stew, and walks through the woods keep floating into my mind.  It's almost here.  And then, soon enough, a little one will be too.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend and I will see you in September! 

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Birthday Girl

Today is Olive's third birthday!  I wanted to fill up a Kong to give her something special to chew on (she normally doesn't get Kong's).  I looked and looked for the rubber toy all over and finally found it upstairs under our bed.  I brought it downstairs and gave it a squeeze and out came a plume of dust, like stepping on a puff ball mushroom.  Spores!  Inside was a petrified piece of peanut butter bread molded almost beyond recognition.  The last time I filled up the Kong was probably in May.  It has been fermenting under my bed for three months!  Aaacckkk!!!  I tried to dig out the dried lump of bread but it kept smoking out mold dust so I just stuck the toy in a bowl of water to mush it back up.  I'll try to clean it out later.  The worst part is Olive saw me futzing with the thing now she won't budge from her spot in front of the sink.  She is staring at me sitting on the other side of the counter and is  huffing and whining.  You'll get it later, I promise pups.

So I am on a once a month posting routine that I so foolishly said I would get out of last time I posted.  Some things have come up in the last month that I have been working on.  I hope to share them with you in the next couple of weeks.  Please stay with me!

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Summer, Summer, Summer!

Everything has been blooming so beautifully in the heat.  My foxgloves were so amazing this year.  If I understand them correctly, they bloom their second year then die.  I think they come back from seed.  I'm hoping they come back from seed because all of them were blooming this year so I don't know if I'll have any next year.   The pretty rose was just purchased.  It smells spicy and fruity and starts out as the palest pink then ripens to this peachy-pink hue.  it is a climber called 'Pearly Gates' and upon further research I found out it belongs in a zone 6, not 4.  I'll try to baby it this winter but it may not be making a repeat appearence next year, either.

So I'll enjoy it all now! 

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Some Days

You just feel like sticking your snout in a pint of Ben & Jerry's. 

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Going & Going 

I have been all over the place lately.  Scott and I went to Chicago for our second anniversary on June third.  We stayed for two nights which gave us enough time not to rush.  We went to the Art Museum, The Field Museum, and the Shedd Aquarium and had so much fun.  The weather was nice and our hotel wasn't impossibly far from the attractions so we walked everywhere.

On our last night we ran over to the Sears Tower and 9:30 and got to watch the Navy Pier fireworks from above.  Much more exciting than being on the pier.  The opnly thing I wish we would have done was get some caramel corn from Garrett's .  Next time.

We got back home on Thursday and I still had the rest of the week off.  The weather didn't want to cooperate, though.  it rained and rained.  The flooding has been awful around us.  Reedsburg, our hometown, Lake Delton, Baraboo, Spring Green, and many others had so much damage.  I hope these next few days remain sunny and water-free so everyone can start cleaning things up.

I've got so many things going or things I want to do that I feel like I'm running down a steep hill and can't keep up.  I guess I'll just have to run faster and I promise to be around here more.  See you then!

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New Baby

Not mine.  She is my Momma's new mut.  We went out on Sunday afternoon to see her.  The little peanut doesn't quite have a name yet.  When we left it was either Panda or Nelly, leaning towards Nelly because it fits so well with naughty.  That is what she is- totally naughty and sassy.  She was already telling Olive how things were going to be and claiming Mimi's bed as her own.  Olive wasn't quite sure how to handle her. She wanted to play with her so bad but when she got even the slightest bit rough the puppy would cry and run to find Momma.  Poor Mimi is too old for this puppy stuff.  She was always the subordinate dog before the other two (Winnie and Gilbert) died and she has been by herself for about two years.  Now this little bruiser is running the show and Mimi is too tired to argue.

She really is adorable and funny like all puppies, but she is going to be a handful!

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Sister Mail

I got this nice little package in the mail the other day.  I was so excited!

Gretchen had sent me these dish towels, embroidered with various mushroom scapes.

So cute.  I especially love the ferns and the undersides of the mushrooms.  Now I need to find something clever to send her. 

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New Me

I was tired of my long hair so I got it cut off.  Eight inches gone.  Whew, that feels better! 

I like to set my hair in hot rollers when I get it cut to see how short it curls up.  This will probably be the only time I set it.  I think it looks better when its straighter but this is fun, too.

Looking at these pictures is very strange, like looking at a long lost twin who is only sort-of familiar.  One with some bounce in her step.

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Nothing to Do

Nothing that I want to do anyway.  It has been so rainy and muddy that we have been spending most of our time doing a lot of lounging.  I still haven't cleaned up the junk, er... guest room yet and my brother had to sleep on the couch in the basement with Seben last time he was over.  I'm still waiting for a sunny day to open the windows and get things organized.  Someday...

Things in the garden are growing!  I should have tulips and daffodils blooming in a few days.  The irises and daylilies are poking up and the magnolia will be covered in yellow blossoms soon. I was glad to see most of my things came back, especially the clematis I thought I killed. I have gotten a few bare root shrubs and roses planted and will be going back for more on monday (hopefully).  I still need to get those roses ordered.  Oh, I suppose there are some things I want to do.

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This is Serious

This is the south side of my house.  It is the first thing you see as you drive past and it is so lack-luster.  I have spent the last week buried in plant catalogs and flickr searching for foundation plantings that would help cover the not-so-good areas while still maintaining a cottage garden look (I know there isn't much of a garden as it is now, but I'm trying!).  There is already a highbush cranberry and a mock orange planted to hide the gas line and a lilac will be planted to the left of the chimney.  But what to plant under the window and in front of the chimney?

I'm thinking roses.  I have been voraciously reading about growing English roses in cooler climates.  We flirt with a zone 5 here because of the river so I'm going to plant some of the hardier varieties such as Eglantyne , Heritage , or A Shropshire Lad .  The worst that could happen is that I'm out the twenty bucks I spent on the plant, right?  Like this has never happened before.  But it would be so great if they would grow here and I think its worth taking the chance.

And as if I haven't been spending every waking moment with my Jung's and Klehm's catalogs, this arrived today.  Its the plant list for the Flower Factory , an anxiety inducing perennial wonderland.  This month has gone by pretty quickly and it will soon be planting time.  I hope our tax refund gets here fast because this is serious.

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Better

Thanks for all the hugs and empathy.  I feel a lot better now.  It always helps so much to anchor my thoughts down so they stop bouncing around in my head.  I'm not one to sit around and discuss my feelings or why I feel that way.  I just need to get it out and down, say "I'm having a sad day" and move on. 

On Monday, after a much needed long nap, Scott and I went out for margaritas and burgers.  They tasted like summer, especially the drinks- which encouraged laughter.  Today the sun is shining and the temperatures are to be in the mid-forties.  I bought new grass green towels yesterday and switched out the cinnamon buns shower gel for the bottle of banana.  As per the advice of Trisha I had a good scrubby shower this morning, put on some Banana Boat tanning oil, and sat in the sun in my towel eating my cereal.  All is good and we will not be discussing the four inches of snow that is on the way for Friday.  No, I will just enjoy my little spring break.

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Focus

I'm sorry I've been away.  I feel a little out of focus lately.  Distracted and fragmented.  I can't even pinpoint what's making me feel this way.  It took me twenty minutes to write these few sentences and now I'm crying because of it.  I can't even think of what kind of list to write for this.  I keep most of my important lists in a cigar box but I don't know if I would want anyone to find such a list.  But then again its not so bad to be reminded of where you've come from. I know everyone has some bad days and no one can be chipper all the time.  I think "How to Assemble Separated Pieces" would be the title (as all my lists have titles) or maybe just "Focus". 

I just want it to be warm so I can open the windows and air things out.  I'm tired of the staleness.  I'm just tired in general and I don't have the energy to figure things out. Maybe with some sunshine and green leaves I'll gain clarity.  Possibly some focus.

Thanks for listening,

XO

Andria 

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Sgt. Tibbs

He sits on the stool and watches you work in the kitchen.

But he spies that the left sink isn't in use.  It's his favorite side of the sink to take a nap in.

He cries for someone to turn on the water because the water in the bowl tastes like dog spit.

Thank you. I was so thirsty!  Be back in ten minutes for more. 

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Leap Day

February twenty-ninth and I won't be able to post on this day for another four years.  So incredibly strange to me.  It's too bad I'm not doing anything exciting today.  I had all the excitement I need yesterday.

When you kick your foot into a spade bit, like this one,

you get this, a trip to the emergency room,

and this, a tetanus shot.  Look how happy this girl is that she got hers.  Although, I don't think she was moving her arms like this the next day.  And it doesn't look like she has a half-inch-deep puncture wound on the top of her foot.

Scott never likes to ask for help and being a nurse makes it even harder.  I don't know if all nurses are like this or if this is a male nurse thing.  Maybe it's just a Scott thing.  When he got the bleeding to stop a bit he looked at the wound and thought maybe it wasn't too bad and that he wouldn't need to go to the doctor.  Then he wiggled his toes and more blood ran out and pooled under his foot.  To the ER we went, where he refused to be pushed in a wheelchair and thought it would be, I don't know, less humiliating to hop the thirty feet through the waitning room while clutching a paper towel to his foot.  I'm just glad the waiting room was empty and that I am very patient and calm in stressful situations.

It was a short visit as puncture wounds are not sutured because the risk of infection is greater if its closed up.  The physician's assistant who was taking care of him didn't know he was a nurse and so she kept directing all of the questions and information at me.  When she looked me in the eye and started to say "When you change the dressing and clean the wound..." I started laughing and told her I would NOT be doing that.  She sort of half chuckled and then continued, this time speaking to Scott.  I  was dying thinking that this woman was expecting me to take care of an adult man's wound dressing.  And a small and accessible wound at that.  Don't get me wrong; I would take care of it if he was laid up and couldn't, but I know Scott wouldn't even let me help unless he was completely immobile.  For a split second she looked at me like I was not such a good and sympathetic wife.  Which sometimes I am not.  And if asks me to clean it out, which he might just because he's a smart ass, I will tell him that I'm sure the dog would be happy to do it for me.  I can't be nice all the time.

Happy Leap Day, everyone!

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I Thought I was Anxious for Spring

I was looking at the two feet of snow piled against the sliding doors to the deck today and noticed a frozen yellow puddle.  I thought it must be something dripping off the house.  I looked directly above it to the light on the side of the house and saw little yellow icicles hanging from the shade.  Then I looked on the curved arm of the light and saw this little guy.  A bluebird all fluffed up in the two degree weather trying to warm himself in the sun.  Bird pee icicles.  I have since seen about five bluebirds flitting around the trees in my backyard and my heart is breaking.  There is so much snow on the ground and the trees are iced over, I don't know where they'll find food.  I'll have to get some suet to keep them fat.  Silly things.  I hope they can make it through to a warm up. 

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Happy Heart Day

I made this valentine for myself yesterday, using the template from Lisa.  Thank you so very much, Lisa!  It brought a smile to my week.

And so did this.  My apron for the Sassy Apron Swap came on Tuesday and I was so flippin' excited.  it was made for me by Valerie in Louisiana and it is so fun and beautiful and makes me think of sitting with rapberry peach punch in the grass.  Totally made my day, especially when I had to fish my decapitated mailbox out of the snowbank for the third time this winter.  She sent along three recipes that I can't wait to try out, seeds for daisies, zinnias, and basil, a cute postcard, and some Mardi Gras beads.  She even wrapped the apron in some extra fabric so that was a sweet little bonus.  Thank you for an awesome apron, Valerie!

This is what I got for Valentine's Day- a heart shaped waffle iron!  The cute plates were a wedding shower gift from my Aunt Nancy and cousin Kathy and they will be even cuter with heart waffles piled on them with melting butter and raspberries.  Thanks, Scott.  I love you the worst!

Have a good Valentine's Day! 

xo -Andria 

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Quilt Monday, Cheater Style

The weather is so awful here.  It's snaining- snowing and raining at the same time.  There are supposed to be thunderstorms this afternoon.  Nothing to do, nothing to do.  I have been wanting to do some quilting so bad but I don't have a large enough surface to work on (that's clean).  The basement is almost finished and then I should be able to work on the floor down there.  I like to finish a project before i start another one, or I get overwhelmed, and I have a large queen sized quilt to finish.  But maybe I will make a small doll quilt.  I have neither a doll nor a child with a doll so I'm not sure what I would do with it right now.  It would just get stashed in a pile somewhere or become a cat mat.  Someday I'll make lots to hang on a pretty bedroom wall.  Untill then I will just enjoy all of your beautiful quilts on flickr .  These bring so much sunshine to my day!

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Then Comes February

February is my hardest month.  And this one has an extra day.  I've got to keep myself focused and busy, otherwise I will nap away the entire month in my flannel nest.  Luckily I have some projects to work on.  I just got my partner's info for the Sassy Apron Swap and her apron needs to be sent by March.  I'm very excited about making something special for her!

Hopefully the days will go by quickly and March will be here soon.  Almost Spring!  So off to the fabric store to find something lurvley sew.

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Pigs in a Blanket

I can't say I accomplished much more this weekend than napping.  Friday afternoon: nap. Saturday after work: nap and then watch scary movies.  Sunday was very mild and sunny, a warm up with temps in the mid-twenties.  I went back to Reedsburg to meet my friend Sarah's new baby, Olivia.  I was so excited to hold her that I didn't take any pictures, but be assured that she is beautiful. 

Then I came home and napped.  We take family naps around here, as you can see by the picture.  What you can't see is Tibbs at the foot of the bed and Seben located at safe distance sleeping in the doorway. 

Boy, I need to find some motivation and energy.  Got any? 

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January in Wisconsin

I wake up to this cozy goodness in the morning

and come home to this in the afternoon.  I love Wisconsin.  

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A + S = Heart.  Stay warm today! 

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Planning my Plot

I had yesterday off and good thing, too, because it snowed about six inches over the course of the day.  This gave me a good opportunity to do nothing!  I was going to make soap but I had this horrible compulsion to look through gardening magazines and catalogs.

I am just itching to get some dirt under my fingernails.  I started to casually think about spring when my Jung's catalog came a few weeks ago.  The thoughts slowly twisted into a knot in my stomach until I couldn't stand it and had to get them down on paper.  So I drew a map of my yard and listed the areas I would like to address this spring and all the plants I would like to get.  This should hold me over until the end of February, long enough to focus on Valentine's Day doings.

This is my little crocheted rug I made from two vintage fabric balls.  I never knew what type of fabric or pattern would be on the next row so it was just the sort of minamal excitement I needed.  On to the next project, something a little harder.

See that ittle bit of fleeting sunshine falling on the rug?  it felt so good on my face this morning but it is terribly cold outside.  There is a windchill advisory through Sunday with highs in the low single digits or lower.  The forecast for tomorrow is -1 and it actually says 'sunny, bitter & frigid'.  I am not looking forward to getting up in the wee hours of the below-freezing morning and going to work.  I'll just have to keep green, warm thoughts in my head and picture the little tulips pushing their way up through the thawed ground.  It'll be here soon.

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Falling Into Place

Things have still been busy around here but its all starting to come together.  I got the basement bathroom painted a couple Friday's ago.  I am so in the mood for spring so the colors I chose were called Sea of Grass and Spring Melt.  These are from the Martha Stewart paint colors when she still had them at Sherwin Williams.  Over the course of the summer after we first moved in I managed to collect the paint chips for the entire color line.  Crazy hoarding behavior?  Slightly, but it's not like I'm collecting pieces of used  aluminum foil with bits of lasagna on them.  I use them all the time to put colors together for the website, knitting and sewing projects, and for painting, too.  Scott always laughs when I pull them out  but he says this is just another one of those quirky behaviors that makes me so endearing and I'm going to believe him.

On to the floor.  My momma came over on Monday and helped me put down the tile.  These octaganal tiles come on sheets from the Home Depot and were pretty easy to install.  I spent more time planning out and executing those mushrooms I made for my mom than I did putting these tiles in.  I guess those lazy nights spent watching how-to shows for the do it yourself-er on HGTV have finally started to pay off.  I'll be grouting the floor today and caulking, then on to tiling the shower surround. 

Scott's dad came over on Saturday to help cut the trim and re-hang the doors, so I spent a good protion of the day out of their way.  Our closet had puked all over the bedroom floor from a holiday hangover and was in need of some tidying up.  I got caught up on the laundry, re-organized the closet shelves, and cleaned the bathroom.  In the process of scrubbing the tub, the brush slipped and I grated my thumb like a soft piece of muenster across the drain, removing a large chunk of skin from under the nail.  Cleaning was done at this point. At about the same time Scott's dad had to run an errand.  Scott was still working in the basement and managed to stab open his finger with the razor knife.  After the bleeding and swearing stopped he assessed the wound and, being the nurse that he is, decided stitches wouldn't do much good for the gaping wound and actively seeking medical care would be a waste of his time.  Our supply of gauze and bandages was almost exhausted, so I'm glad he stayed away from the table saw.

Yesterday was a nice, quiet day of relaxing spent out at the Sauey house.  Except for the screaming at football players on tv.  But they were exciting games and now the Packers play the Giants in Green Bay and the possibility of going to the Super Bowl is very near.  Did you know I went to school at UW Green Bay for two years?  I did and this was not the best time of year to be around that town, especially when the Packers weren't playing so well.  Very gloomy and grouchy.  I'll bet things are different this year, though.

Until the next game day, there's a lot of work to get done.  After cleaning the bedroom we moved the furniture around, which gives the impression of a fresh start so it has really motivated me to finish or start my other projects.  My dad made me new soap molds so I will be making soap in time for Valentine's Day if anyone is interested.  I've started knitting my striped socks for basement hockey and have been trying to crochet.  A rag rug has already been partially completed.  Slowly, by little steps, everything is starting to fall in line.  It will feel so good when I can get some of these things crossed off my list.  So I can start a new one.

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New Year, Same Old

A Happy New Year to all!  I think it will take a while before I catch on with this year.  January is such a good time for fresh starts and new beginnings but this year I feel like I'm stuck in a snow bank.  I was so busy before trying to get gifts made and any days I had off were spent with Olive out at my Momma and Papa's house.  As a result my own house has been seriously neglected.  At this point I would be happy just to get my floor mopped by the end of the month.

I did manage to get all of my presents made on time, though.  I knitted four scarves and one ballerina wrap, made candles and soap, and painted a pirate lunchbox for Scott (I'll show pictures later).

These homemade marshmallows went to my co-workers.  They were a lot of fun to make! 

I also baked soft pretzels for Papa Olson, and sewed several items including an apron for Mama Olson, a lap blanket for my Papa made entirely of felted cashmere sweaters from the thrift store,

and these mushroom ornaments for my Momma, which took me forever to figure out how to make.  I always save her gift for last and she usually ends up with a half finished project.  But this year I was finished by three o'clock in the afternoon of the 24th.  I was so happy I was dancing around the kithcen, embarassing my brother Blake and his girlfriend.

It was so good to see all of my family and just hang out.  I still have a lot to do, though.  Our basement is thisclose to being finished.  The walls are painted and Clifton came over last Saturday and helped Scott put down laminate flooring.  I will spend the rest of the week painting the trim so it can be put up this weekend.  Then we can get some shelving and all of my craft supplies can finally be organized.  That will be a major project in itself.

So I'll keep plugging along and hopefully my house and life will get organized along the way.  Then maybe I will have some time to finally knit something for my self.  I'm thinking a pair of stripey socks so I can slide across my new laminate flooring.

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Snestle In

The snow finally stopped on Tuesday after another six inches came down.  There is now almost two feet of snow out there! 

Olive has already lost two toys in the front yard.

That's okay.  We'll just snestle in for some naps on the couch.

Or under the tree.

While we knit until our toes and hearts are warm. 

 

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Snowdays Ahead

The flakes are coming this weekend but I have been way ahead.  I have been knitting this cute little ruffle scarf for the past two weeks.  There are three thousand, two hundred stitches across the final row after starting with one hundred.  It is knit out of Rowan Kid Silk Haze in pearl and is so fine and fuzzy its about like knitting snow.  The scarf is delicate but lofty and warm, however, if its not worn properly it looks like an Elizabethan collar.  It actually reminded me of a small intestine hanging by its mesentery, but I'm kind of gross...nevermind.   I'm trying to take my style in a little bit of a new direction.  I lost it for a while but I'm getting back into the swing of things and when making decisions on my attire and accessories I ask myself, would a French librarian wear this?  I say she would wear this scarf.  Now I need new shoes and a new bra to complete the effect.

I made these little earrings, too.  Want to know what they remind me of?  No you don't.  I felted them out of some wool roving I have and they are cute little snowballs that never melt.

My friend Lindsey got me this book for my birthday and I have been flipping through it since.  I made the Sticky Pear Walnut Gingerbread Upside-down Cake for Thanksgiving and it was very easy and so good.

I think I might make this sometime over the weekend, when we're covered in eight inches of beautiful snow.  I mean, chocolate soup with cinnamon sugar puond cake croutons?! Yes, please!!  I might even make the shortbread spoons to eat it with.  Thanks for this, Lindsey.  The pictures are just beautiful.  I am determined to make everything in this book and I will let you know which recipes are the best.  (P.S. I like your new glasses!)  

I've been a little on the sad side of things this week, feeling pointless, frustrated and lonely.  But I get my hair cut this afternoon and I am glad that I will have time to make soap and glittered ornaments, and to bake this weekend.  It is scientifically proven impossible to be down when glitter is involved.  So things are already looking up.

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Orange Kitty & the Misinformed Iris

I was up very early a few mornings ago, still adjusting to the time change, and found my orange kitty Seben sleeping on the ottoman.  He wasn't curled up in the chair, just slightly strecthed out with his chin resting on his front paws, and he looked cold.  Any other cat this thought wouldn't have entered my head.  If they were cold any other cat would curl up in a warmer spot.  But I know Seben's fearfulness has more control over him than the drive for other basic needs, such as a warm place to sleep.  I can see that this sleeping position is the best one from which to escape should someone look at him.  So I thought I would make a nice and toasty fuzzy felted sweater ottoman cover. 

Momma and I went to some thrift stores yesterday and I found some large grey sweaters to felt.  I sat and cut up the sweaters and sewed the sides before going to bed.  I stacked the sewater parts neatly beside the ottoman.  This morning I came down and found this little messy nest.

I think I made the right choice by using felt rather than, say, linen.

I just wanted to show you all this.  This is my yellow iris that Scott and I bought the day we got engaged at the green house.  It didn't bloom this spring and I was a little sad.  I looked out my kitchen window last week and saw yellow buds swaying in the chilly wind (practically snow). 

I plucked them all off and brought them into the warm house, where they have been opening to show their magnificence all week.  Confused you think?

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A Dress for Novemeber

This is the dress I made for a wedding in Door County Scott and I went to last weekend.  It is Simplicity number 3777 and I used Moda cotton for the body and some Denyse Schmidt for the trim.  I was having trouble finding a dress that was orange or grey or both so I decided to make this one.  The printed fabric is my most favorite pattern ever  and I try to snatch some up when I can. 

Grey is usually my base color for everything.  I love it- it makes me feel warm and snestled in fall and winter months.  My heart is happy and calm when wrapped in grey.  I just add colors as the seasons change.  November is grey and orange for me.

This month is already moving fast.  Ten days until my birthday and fifteen days until Thanksgiving, which I will be hosting at my house this year.  The lists have already started flying.  I'm taking some time off of work the days before so I will be making soap, candles, and balms for the holidays that weekend in hopes of having them on the website after Thanksgiving.  We'll see... I'm not the one who is building the site so I have to fit into his schedule.  Love you Dear. 

But this week and next I think I will be sprucing things up around the house.  New pillow and ottoman covers from thrifted sweaters, a fall/winter bag, a table runner, knitted scarves and squares for a blanket, some holiday aprons, baby and birthday gifts, and not to mention cleaning.  Lets see if I can get it all done! 

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Home Again

Back to the steady everyday.  Or little vacation was very fun.  It rained the whole drive out to Pierre, was sunny for a day, then was rainy and down right windy for the drive home from Rapid City.  But those in between days were the best.  Here is a little photo album for you. 

The first stop was the Corn Palace in Mitchell.  Not very impressive, but that may be because it was freezing and raining.  We drove on to stay in the capital of South Dakota, Pierre, which we learned is pronounced like pier not pee-air.  It continued to be cold and rainy and the hotel had no hot water, just an all-around glum day.

When we got up it was still raining but started clearing as we got closer to the badlands.  This was a good time!  There were about four other cars in the park and it was dead quiet.  Too muddy to walk on most of the trails but the drive through the loop itself was beautiful, even through the fog.  We saw mountain sheep, magpies, and prairie dogs.

We thought about how amazing it was for us to see this area for the first time, driving on modern roads, but how awesome, and possibly heartbreaking, it would have been for pioneers to come across it.  If one was to come upon the chasm at the right spot, it would be difficult to imagine the soft grass of the prairie on either sides.  Do you drive your wagon through it or spend the time searching for a way around it?  I could see why some stayed in the valley and established Interior.

Wall Drug.  What can you say about this place?  You start seeing the signs for it 300 miles before you even come close to it, so you feel compellled to stop.  I did find some new moccasins and Scott tried a buffalo hot dog and was sick the rest of the day.  Fun was had by all.

We found this to be more entertaining than the drug store, however.  This is the Wall Police Department, State Patrol and County Sheriff headquarters, and the office of Fish, Game, and Parks all in one little building.  And it was closed.  Not much to do on a Tuesday morning in South Dakota I guess.

We drove on to Deadwood and as we came to Rapid City the fog had cleared into a beautiful day.  Deadwood was charming until you noticed every building was really a casino.  We stayed at the historic Bullock Hotel, which was also a casino. 

It had real keys.

With real keyholes on real wooden doors.  I was so enthralled by this that I spent twenty minutes taking pictures through the keyhole.  There was a man who looked like Seth Bullock giving tours of the hotel when we returned from checking things out.  We cracked the door opened and listened as he told of hauntings in the room next to ours.  Scary!

The next morning we took the long way back to the interstate, driving through valleys and over mountains in the Black Hills National Forest.  The perfectly golden aspens shone against the black pines on the hilsides.  It was spectacular until we hit fog again, but we drove on into Wyoming.

By the time we reached Sundance the sun was shining again and we headed for Devil's Tower.

Devil's Tower was truley breathtaking.  A monolith rising out of the prairies set against the bluest sky we've ever seen.  Scott found this site a perfect fit for his mountain man beard and ranger sunglasses. 

After many funny poses that just about wore The camarea out, we left Devil's Tower and headed south, back to the Black Hills.  

We drove through Custer State Park on the way to Mt. Rushmore.  By the time we got tere it was overcast with some wind and scattered rain, but the park was still beautiful and we decided we would like to come back to camp.  We were sad that we didn't see any buffalo, as there were so many caution signs posted about not approaching them, when we came across this herd.   

Not buffalo, but free range burros, set loose in the 1920's after a venture that would carry tourists around the mountains failed.  This was the beststate park I have ever been to and we only saw about a third of it.  We'll definitely come back.

We continued on Alternate 16 or Iron Mountain Road, through the hairpin turns and tunnels and pig-tail bridges, to Mt. Rushmore, our last stop.

It was very interesting to see but the best part was the museum.  There was a little exhibit that was footage of the mountain being carved with interviews of the workers.  Hearing them talk about their work and how most of them weren't skilled, they were just trying to make money for their families in hard times, was far more moving than the monument itself.  Very impressive. 

This was all fun and good but it is easy to get South Dakota-ed out, especially since there isn't much to see through most of the state. 

Glald to be back home.

 

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Holy Wha, Eh?!

I have been gone far to long.  First my camera was broken (i.e. out of batteries), now my computer is completely busted.  I have also been so busy making soap, which I will be selling this weekend at the Wetern Wild Bunch's Mississippi Fandango.  Half of my family will be shooting there. 

So things have been a little crazy for me, making enough product to sell, labels, business cards, websites, etctera, etctera. 

But I should be back around here more frequently after I get things situated.  See you then!

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Soap Box 

This was the first project made wwith the new saw.  It's a little soap box mold that holds just enough soap to test out one ounce bottles of fragrance oil.

It makes the cutest little soap logs

Which are then cut into five bars.  I have, like, twenty-eight different fragrances I want to try out so I better get to soaping.  Guess what everyones getting for the holidays and their birthdays?

On a special little note I would like to send birthday wishes to my most devoted reader (Who doesn't leave comments, but I'll let that slide, being its her birthday and all!).  Happy Birthday Kristi!!!  I hope you have a great day tomorrow!  Sorry if you have to work with my husband- but he'd better be nice to you. Or else...

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Nothing to Show For it But a New Chair

Despite my absence I haven't been up to a whole lot.  The chair above has been sitting in the kitchen for about five months, patiently waiting for its moment to sparkle.  I found it at an antique store.  It had already been painted cream but was re-upholstered in a material not quite like oilcloth but a step up from contact paper. Undeneath this was the original fabric, avocado green, cranberry, and gold stripes, with the paper label dating the chair itself from 1924. Old pieces of mattress were used for padding and the wood for the back was mint green with tire tread marks across it.

Now how good it looks!  New cushions wrapped in simple linen.  Just quiet and good.  The chair has found a new home in our bedroom, next to the window.

And now on to the garden.  It has just been spectacular these past few weeks.  The tomatoes have been abundant thus far but the peppers were a little slow, despite the plants themselves being four and a half feet tall.  Now they are fruiting but the tomatoes are about gone.  So much for having a coordinating salsa garden.  We had a nice watermelon, too, that was very good.  Olive can assure you it was.  Now there three more that have grown to large softballs in the past two weeks but I don't think they'll make it until frost.

But this is what I'm most excited for!  Can you tell what it is?  They are peanuts!  I bought this little plant on a whim, or an experiment I suppose, and sort of forgot about it.  Then I saw this guy peeking out the other day.  If they turn out well. I may have to get some more next spring. 

So this is what I have to show for the last two weeks, but I have been tired.  I'm staring at a counter full of dirty dishes and Scott is probably cutting off some digits with the new mitre saw we got today.  Not to mention I have two paper bags full of apples from Momma's that need to be addressed.  I'm wondering how many food items one can make out of apples before they detest them.  Over a thousand?  Let's experiment and I'll get back to you when I have more exciting things to share.  And after I take a nap. 

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Pirates Are Still Cool, Right?

I don't think pirates and skulls will ever go out of style with my family.  We were into them well before the current wave of them have shown up plastered on everything.  But I am starting to sound like an elitist.  It is really awesome that you can find everything your little heart ever desired emblazoned with a jolly roger.  Or with a skull in piarte colors, like this great rug from Emily Kircher, Recycling Artist . 

I searched everywhere for a graduation gift for my brother Blake.  He had plenty of towels.  Already had a shower caddy and laundry bag.  Then I came across this rug.  It is made out of recycled fabric and is very squishy underfoot.  Or underfeet, as Tibbs was making sure of.  This will be good because the dorm rooms at UW La Crosse have tiled floors, no carpet.  Very nice under a desk to keep your feet warm this winter while studying for biology, chemistry, and archeology exams, right Blake?  Now I just need his address to send it too him.  It is so much fun getting packages at collage.

  

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And so to Autumn

September first and I can tell fall is coming quickly.  The apples and pears are ready to be picked, if they are not gone already.  The blanket at the end of the bed has changed from cotton to wool for the chill that has crept into the night air while sleeping with the windows open.  And apparently, according to Momma, the night hawks are swarming (the small bird of prey, not the stealthy jet) which means the first frost will be in four to six weeks.  Farmer's meteorology.

I am always excited for the first few cool mornings of the fall, when the ground is still warmed in the afternoon but the nights are clear and cool.  The fog creeps up the hills surrounding the river and condenses right on my open kitchen windows.  When moose hide moccasins peep out from under the frayed hem of my favorite jeans that have been forgotten about all summer.  It will be here soon, the perfect smell of buttery leather, damp dying leaves, and a cedary wool sweater fresh from it's attic hiding spot.  

Just perfect. 

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Soaping

This is how I've been spending my time lately.  Researching all the ways to make soap, making the soap, waiting for the soap to finish.  This is a seriously addicting hobby but you do get something useful out of the deal.  I have had all the equipment and oils  to make soap fpr a while now but it was so sweltering that I didn't have the courage to make any.  The weather has finally calmed down and colled off a bit so Scott and I decided to try our hand on Tuesday.  Everything went swimmingly.  Scott chose his favorite scent out of the ever increasing bottles of fragrance oils, another addictiing part of this whole project.  He chose a very green, manly scent that smells like a handsome man fresh from the shower.  Very nice. 

Scott even made me a mold for this little venture.  The mold is a little rough-hewn (and a little leaky due to the poor lining job by me) but he made it in like twenty minutes with scrap wood we had around.  It works well for small batches that yield about one pound of soap.  

After I sliced the soap into bars, I let them dry until the following afternoon.  I then trimmed the edges with my Thrifting Thursday find- this little metal veggie peeler.  It cost me a quarter and it was my only purchase yesterday.  We have another one just like it but it always goes missing because we can't seem to agree on which drawer it belongs in.  I don't particularly like the peelers with the large handles, they are just too unwieldy.  So I was a little excited when I found this.  Silly, but that's me I suppose.

I couldn't possibly be satisfied with one batch of soap this week, though.  I wanted some soap I could use in the kitchen, not just clean sudsy man soap.  I was often thinking about a mint fragrance oil I had so I decided to give it a go.

This batch went perfectly and only took about a half an hour to make.  It was a larger batch, about two pounds, so I decided to pour it into these two enamel pans my momma had gotten me.  After being wrapped up and insulated, it had gotten to the point where it needed to be uncovered and cooled down a bit. I swear, I just bent down to set the cardboard box that had been covering the whole mess on the floor and when I turned around Tibbs was already fast a-napping next to the warm pans.  Just like a cat to take credit where no credit is due- like he toiled away making this soap and now needed a nap for his efforts.

Today I unmolded the pan with less soap in it, being more set up than the other one, and I am so excited for this batch.  I added some chopped up lemon balm at the end and it looks so pretty.  Not to mention it smells incredible, especially since I have a hard time with the smell of peppermint.  It literally makes me sick.  But this mint is more like spearmint, brighter and sweeter rather than icy, if that makes sense, and I do like the smell of spearmint.  Now just another three to four weeks and these soaps will be fully cured.  I can hardly wait!

                                                       

On a slight tangent,  I must say thank you to bigbucketgirl for nominating me for the 'Nice Matters Award '.  It is such a good feeling to be noticed by others, especially for being nice!  Thank you very much!

 

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Everyday Magic

I am of the belief that fairies inhabit my garden.  Not the strange-scary goth faeries but just fairies that sleep in walnut shells lined with lamb's ear and have afternoon tea with swallows.  Normal fairies who rest in the dappled shade of my towering pepper plants on fat white toadstools and knit with spiderwebs.

And they use the smallest tomatoes in my garden to make the tiniest tomato and cream cheese sandwiches.

The ones that are no bigger than jellybeans. 

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Rounding Up

Not in the mathematical sense but the in the cowboy way.  Things have finally slowed down a bit and I have some time to get my thoughts together.

I had been working on this little quilt for two weeks and finished it last Thursday.  It is Hop, Skip, & a Jump from Denyse Schmidt Quilts and it's the perfect size for a lap blanket for those chilly days that I am sure are ahead despite the current heat.

On Friday I headed back to Reedsburg to pick apples off Momma's trees to make sauce.  When I got there everybody was out picking sweet corn so I helped shuck for a little while before I was told to get up to the house and can more tomatoes before they rotted.  Gretchen and I diced them up and canned nine pints, all while cooking batches  of corn.  I finally made it out to the orchard and picked a small bushel of apples and we made three gallons of sauce.  Saturday morning I spooned it into pint jars to be frozen.

That evening Momma, Gretchen, and Aunt Janet came and picked me up for our next adventure, the Elkhorn Antique Flea Market that took place on Sunday.  It was so hot but I still managed to find some junk I probably didn't need.

Behold my bounty.  I found lots of tablecloths and a few aprons, a pretty vintage dress pattern, refrigerator jars, an enamel bucket and tub, cake cookbook, paper dolls from the fifties, an aqua-rimmed Fire King bowl, a bag of cut calico quilt pieces- enough to make ten dresden plates,

Three pieces of luggage, which I fully intend to use as luggage,

and a plastic deer that was thrown in with a bunch of guide books my momma bought from a seller whose junk was all a dollar.  You just had to root through it all like a little squirrel.  True treasure! 

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Happy Birfday

Olive is two years old today(ish).

These are my favorite pictures of her.  She still acts as naughty as the day we brought her home.  Apparently it can take boxers three to four years until they start to settle down.

She doesn't tear around the house with my knitting any more, though.  I'm being too hard on her.  She really is a very sweet girl who just plays rough (thanks to Scott) and gets too excited when people visit her.  But she just wants to be in the thick of things, afraid she'll miss something important.  I'm glad she's here even if she is a nosey rosey.

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Andria: 0, Dryer: 1

PSA: Do not pick fights with your major household appliances.  They will win.  This lovely little shiner happened when I was doing laundry on Friday (sorry for the blurry photo, but you can still see it is a lovely shade of vomit).  After shutting the dryer door I saw I had missed a pair of wet shorts that had fallen on the floor.  I bent down to pick them up and opened the dryer at the same moment my eye was level with the corner of the door.  It stuck a little and opened much sooner and harder than I had anticipated.  That'll teach me to back sass.

Between ice packs and ibuprofen I managed to finish sewing the wedding present for my cousin Chrissy and her husband, Jonah. 

I made them matching aprons, his from a pattern I already had and hers from an apron I traced and kind of made up as I went a long. Their wedding was on Saturday and everything was so beautiful and we had so much fun.  Thankfully my eye was only a little purple that day and nobody seem to notice and ask questions. 

Thanks for the good time guys, congratulations, and welcome to the family, Jonah!

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Still Here

I had surgery yesterday so I just wanted to pop in and let everyone know I am doing fine.  It was just a week from my doctor's appointment to the procedure so it was a little short notice and I'm sorry if I didn't get a hold of everyone (call me Lindsey!).  To prep for the surgery I was on a clear liquid diet.  To distract myself from my rumbling belly I baked, of course.  Momma and I had gone out to my Aunt Janet's house on the 4th and together we picked two ice cream pails full of raspberries and blackberries.  With these little beauties I made and froze two pies for the dreary winter months, made my favorite raspberry upside down cake, and froze eight cups of plain berries.  I still had enough blackberries for one more pie to enjoy now.  Thanks Aunt Jenny!  It was the only thing I wanted to eat today and it tasted so good with the blood orange sorbetto from Ciao Bella.  Love you all.

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Brand New Bag

New tote bag?  Check.  Another one crossed off the list of good things to do.  This is the Pleated Beauty Handbag pattern from Amy Karol's book Bend-The-Rules Sewing .  I made some adjustments like increasing the width of the straps, adding an extra pocket, and making the lining fabric contrasting, but I suppose that is the purpose of her book: making things your own and not getting too bogged down with the instructions.  I would have used stiffer interfacing, though.  My fabrics are a little flimsy so the bag flops a bit.  And the handles are a touch too long, but whatever.  I'll use it all summer!

In other happenings...Momma and Gretchen swung through Prairie du Sac to pick me up for an adventure at the Henry Vilas Zoo .  This blonde goat was sooo pregnant and she was trying her best to stay still and keep cool.  

But these little guys are my favorite.  There were so many tiny baby prairie dogs running around and squealing and fighting over kale.  Just so flippin' cute and I do have a soft spot for rodents.  I think its their beady eyes and small ears that get me.

The littlest one on the right was so funny.  He kept falling asleep in the sun chewing on carrots. 

That night we went to a birthday party in Madison for one of Scott's co-workers, Katie.  It was so nice to finally meet her, as well as his other co-nurse, Jen.  They are both a lot of fun and it was a good time hanging out with them and drinking forties!

Then to another birthday party on Saturday- my Aunt Bonnie's surprise party.  There was great food from TJ's Catering , who catered our wedding, great music , and great company.  It was good fun but we couldn't stay long as we were off to the wedding reception of my grade and high school friend Katie and her now husband Mark.  It was a really beautiful wedding and it was so fun seeing everyone from school again.  Congratulations!

There is no rest for the weary so on Sunday Scott, Olive, and I drove to the other side of the river to walk on the trails down to the water.  We had never been back there and it was fun to explore.  We found prickly pear cactus wich made me feel like I was with Eren in Texas.  There was a nice patch of blackcaps all ripe, sweet and warm.  I'll have to go back with a container and pick some for upside down cake as the raspberries at my Momma's house were "accidentally" thinned out beyond a harvestable number. 

To round out the day Scott grilled some hamburgers and potatoes and I made a plum-nectarine buckle.  It was very good right of the oven with some ice cream- I just love warm stone fruits.  The best way to end a busy weekend.

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Dairy Month

June is dairy month and I can't believe I've gone this long without posting a single cow, cheese, or ice cream picture.  What a bad Wisconsinite. 

These ladies belong to a farmer, Mr. Meyer, that lives just on the next ridge (in this part of the state you know your neighbor's location by which ridge or valley the live on or in).  They are all pregnant and get to spend their maternity in the pasture at my parents' house.  Every time we go down to look at them, one comes right up to Olive and they lick each others' noses. 

Cow kisser.

Reedsburg, my hometown, used to be the butter capital of the world (not sure if they still hold this title) and every June they hold Butterfest, a town fair.  There is the butter parade, the Run for the Butter race, and the crowning of Miss Reedsburg, or whom we loving refer to as the butter bitch.  All was good fun, especially eating a pound of fried cheese curds then going on the Gravitron or the Scrambler at the carnival. 

But let's not bring up bad middle school memories.  Let's talk about ice cream!  Gretchen and I stopped at Cold Stone Creamery a few weeks ago.  i had never been there before, although she had, and I got banana ice cream with walnuts.  I know everyone in the rest of the country has probably been to Cold Stone but we are a little slower to catch on with the trends here in the Midwest.

But nothing beats a good scoop of Culver's frozen custard.  They were giving away free scoops on the first day of summer so we zipped on down to get ours.  The pups got her very own cup, vanilla, but she really prefers mint ice cream better.  No, not really.  She'll take any flavor you've got.  Look at that frozen custard mustache.

I think I still have time this week to stop at the University of Wisconsin's Babcock Hall dairy store and pick up some of their Wisconsin style dill havarti.  It makes the best grilled cheeses.  Babcock Hall houses the Food Sciences department and they make all of their cheeses, milk, and ice cream right there.  I used to go there for lunch twice a week, after my bacteriology lab, and have a grilled havarti sandwich and chocolate milk.  Soooo good!  All of this dairy talk reminds me that my Uncle Gary had some old milk cans in his shed and he gave a few to my momma and she in turn gave one to me.  The cans belonged to my Grandma and Grandpa Bodendein when they had a dairy, the Hillpoint Creamery.  I forgot my can at her house though.  I'll have to remember to get it so I can put it on my front porch and sit and eat ice cream.

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Summer

It will soon be the first day of summer and I am so excited!  This is by far my favorite season.  Fall is so lovely with sweaters and moccasins and tart apples.  Winter is cozy and beautiful with half knitted projects at your stocking feet.  Spring in Wisconsin doesn't count- literally freezing one day then eighty-two the next.  But , oh, summer.  Absolutely perfect, hot and humid.  This is just the way Scott and I like it.  The temperature has to be above ninety before I'll put the air on so I wouldn't come to my house if you are looking for respite from the heat.  I will, though, offer you a frosty margarita and you can certainly soak your hot toes in Olive's kiddie pool.

With the change of the season comes the flurry of new lists and summer is the worst for needing lists.  I counted them this morning and I have two in my bedside table, thirteen in the kitchen, eight in my purse, and three in my car.  These lists are full of fun things to do and enjoy like:

Italian sodas, hold the cream,

gardening,

searching for more milk glass objects, like I don't have enough already,

trying out new recipes (asparagus and tuna surprise gelatin salad anyone?),

lots of sewing,

and taking naps in the glow of frothy curtains. 

There are certainly more things I want to get done, like one hundred and eight, but I will spare you the details.  I'll just get to gettin' and show the end results, how about that? 

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The Dells 

Yesterday Scott and I rounded up the pup and headed off for the Wisconsin Dells.  Having both worked in the Dells in our teenage years, we try to avoid the area and the tourists.  We do like the rollercoasters and restaurants, though.  But my favorite place is Bowman Beach.

This beach isn't terribly accessible so it is usually empty.  The only way to get there is to boat, swim, or trespass.  We prefer the latter.  There is a small gravel patch to park on the little bluff above the river, then you have to walk on a dirt path through a protected natural area to get down to the beach.  but it is worth it.  The sand is soft and the water is warm and clear.  Its just brown beacuse tannic acid from tamarack and oak trees in northern Wisconsin seeps into the ground and makes its way to the river.

Olive got to practice her swimming.  She is not much of a swimmer- she prefers wading.  The water is shallow for roughly ten feet from the beach then it drops off sharply to about twelve feet deep.  She would walk out to this ledge then do a jump up and out of the water to start swimming to retrieve her toy.  The pup is improving her skills.  She just has to work on keeping her doggy paddle horizontal rather than vertical.

The bluffs along the river are beautiful.  This was the original reason for tourism in the area.  The ribbon-y rocks were shaped when an ice dam of the Wisconsin Glacier Broke loose and violently flooded the riverway.  it really is a spectacular place if you can see past the neon of the new Dells.

 

We can't wait to go back, after Scott's tattoos heal over and he can go swimming, and after this puppy gets her beauty rest. 

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Strawberry Season

Today is the last day of my little vacation.  It has been such a busy week spent mostly going to bridal showers and breakfasts, rehearsals and dinners, and participating in a wedding.  I really just needed a day to myself, to be able to putz and not be on someone elses schedule.  This required a drive up to The Berry Farmer outside of Baraboo to pick strawberries.

It was so busy. And hot.  But I managed to pick two heaping boxes full in under an hour.

So I spent the rest of the afternoon making freezer jam

and shortcake. I froze three cookie sheets full of whole berries and still have most of a box left.  I might make a strawberry pie tomorrow and maybe more jam.

And I'll be certain to save some fresh ones for this little girl. 

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For My Husband

I never got my husband a wedding present.  He wrote me a beautiful letter and gave me an iPod.  I felt really bad because I had been teasing him about getting me something (like a pink Vespa) and wasn't being serious.  Then he gave me my present at the reception.  I guess maybe I was gift enough, he got to marry me and that is a pretty good gift if I do say so.  Well I still felt guilty so I told him I would buy him something he really wanted: Tattoos.  I know a lot of you will not like this gift choice (Mom & Dad) but I do.  So yesterday we went down to Smooth FX in Sauk City and I bought him some ink.  You can write on paper with ink, and paper is the gift for first annniversaries so we're covered there.

   

               

He got two nautical stars on the back of his arms and they look so good.  I got a great deal with this one; the look of a bad boy but a caring nurse with a good heart who has me on a pedestal.  Total Score.

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One Year

 

Today is our first anniversary.  I thought I'd share some of our favorite pictures from that awesome day.   

Best wedding ever.  In our oppinion of course.

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Another One Flew the Coop

My brother Blake graduated yesterday, along with my cousins Ryan and Lindsey.  He will be going to UW La Crosse this fall.  I'm not entirely sure what he will be studying but the boy is smart and I am certain that he will do well and do good things.  He got perfect scores on all of his math tests this year for cryin' out loud.  I don't think I ever got a 100% on any math test.  Ever.  By the way, that's him in the middle with the confused look on his face.

He rarely smiles in pictures so this one is no small feat, even if it is a crooked one.  Must be the complete joy of being done with high school.  Love you Blake. 

Now it is just Gretchen left in the nest and she will be learning to drive this summer.  Be sure to wrap all of your loved ones in foam padding and bubble wrap before hitting the highways.  Yikes! 

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Engaged

Today is the day we got e