Bad Blogger!

Hello everyone!

I know it has been a while. Life keeps going, ya know? My son turned 18 last month (phew!) and everyone started school, including my Munchkin. He is now reading the Cat in the Hat by himself and knows his math addition 1+ all the way through 8 (he surprised me with that one the other day). We've been working on 1+ through 5, but he surprised me my knowing 1+8=9!

Pirate Day at the dentist; his first tooth cleaning!

Along with the family's schooling, I am keeping busy with plenty of projects! I will be starting necklaces and acrylic jewelry charms to earn extra money for Christmas, you'll have to check them out! Course, I'll have to get them posted... lol.

I have crossed a few items off of my Year of Projects, another pair of arm warmers,

a hat (have to figure out how to finish the bill) and a scarf from one of my books. I have successfully completed 2 pairs of socks and am now taking on the challenge of actually trying to make them fit my foot! Since I have a size 5-5.5 shoe, the patterns for the size 8 tends to be a little big.... ha. SO - I have purchased the materials that I need and I will be casting on soon! I will keep you updated.

I am finishing a Where's Waldo hat for my older son, and starting a dreadlocks hat for him as well. I look forward to seeing how it turns out. Although the pattern for the dreadlocks hat isn't very clear, so I will have to do some experimenting to get it right. I guess that is how we learn, right?

I have made 1 of 2 toddler sized socks, and this toddler has got to have long feet! ha, they are a bit long. I need to learn the art of adding in another color, particularly in working with stripes. I get a funky jog in the color change and sometimes more than one... hmmm

I finished my dreamy strozzi necklace, it turned out very well! I would highly recommend the pattern for anyone looking for a gift to make. I used the baby alpaca.... oooh, so dreamy soft....


More pictures to come!

Well, that is all for now... I will sign on again soon!

We Remember 9-11-01

Your Baby Can Read!

Since I am a little short on time and behind in my posts, I thought I would just share a product that I absolutely love! I believe that all moms want the best for their children, and every mom needs to find ways to keep their baby busy in a constructive way. This product does just that.

When we received our Your Baby Can Read package, we weren't sure exactly how it would work, but it was a fun way to entertain our son, a very active 10 month old, productively. He loved it! The video shows children between the ages of 6 months to 5 years old reading at various levels. The younger children indicate their knowledge by pointing or acting out the word being shown. Fabulous!

We started our son when he was 10 months old, I let him eat his breakfast while he watched the video. Then before bed we would read through flash cards just as we do books now that he is older. One month after starting, he read his first word - "dog". "Do" he said! LOL!! We were thrilled!

My son is now 3 years old and is reading between First and Second grade levels. He can read entire small books by himself. Video demonstrations will be loaded soon for your entertainment... 

This is not a sponsored post and I hope I don't get in trouble for promoting the product, but it is a wonderful program from which I believe anyone can benefit, including non-english speaking families as multiple languages are offered.

Now, the program requires the time and involvement of the parents. While sitting in front of the videos may make some impact, the real progress will be made by parents reading to the children and encouraging them. Most children are only be interested as much as their parents show interest. 

Some people might wonder what the benefits of teaching your child to read at such an early age - why?? Aren't they going to learn later? They might. The parent orientation video explains many benefits of using the program and I highly recommend to all parents that they check it out. As for me, I've read recently that illiteracy among the American children is quite high. Learning at a young age helps to foster a love for learning, it helps shape the child's brain for easier learning in the future. And quite frankly, the younger the child, the easier it is for them to learn multiple languages, of which reading is one. There are so many other reasons, but listing those would make this post a novel.

My son can navigate around our computer, my smart phone, he can put together a jigsaw puzzle of the United States, and he can count to 40 by himself, and to 100 with a small amount of assistance. He can count to 30 in Spanish and to 6 in Japanese. When we are baking, he reads the recipe to me. As far as I am concerned, the higher the leg up I can give my son in this world, the better for him. He loves to learn, it is fun and exciting, and it opens up his world in a huge way.

I highly recommend Your Baby Can Read! If you aren't sure about it, there is a starter pack. Try it out! It will be one of the BEST investments you can make for your child and their future. 

http://www.yourbabycan.com/?adid=2000445&gclid=CJrslaabw6oCFWU0QgodtU_tRg

If you have any questions, feel free to email or comment!

Phew!

Well, July and August is our family's month for birthday's! Among many others, my son's 3rd was this weekend and my husband's was today! We took my son and a few of his friends to Out of this World Pizza and Play off of Cornelius Pass Rd. He LOVED it!! haven't uploaded pics yet, those will come soon! (I think) For my husband's birthday we made German Pancakes (YUMMY) and took a picnic to the Pittock mansion. It was a great way to enjoy the beautiful weather!

http://www.outofthisworld.net/Ver2/Index_01.html

I have started to work on a few Christmas gifts, one a hat and scarf set knitted with Austermann Candy Color. I will probably make two sets. I'm not altogether happy with the pattern I am using, hopefully I will find a better pattern for the second set.

I finished my first pair of baby socks! I used the Jelly Bean baby socks from Susan B Anderson. They turned out great and I had no problems, they were really quite easy! I used the Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino... LOVE it!! I will post pics soon...

I will be casting on another hat and also a pair of baby booties probably tonight and tomorrow...

I am starting to think of Christmas gifts and will be starting to practice socks, I want to make some special socks for my hubby for Christmas... I also will be starting the afghan for my son soon...

well, that's it for now - time to resume birthday festivities! See y'all soon!

Introducing.... Boowa and Kwala!

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Mommies and Money

I don't know about you, but I love finding way to save a few dollars here and there. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a cheapskate, but I do LOVE to save money! I have two tips today for saving a little bit of cash and it has to do with diy home cleaners... ha!

My two favorite things for diy cleaning and quite frankly sanity savers sometimes: Vinegar and Baking Soda. Why? Because they are SO versatile, and live in almost every kitchen - if you don't have it, your neighbor probably does...

One use for vinegar is as a laundry softener - works great! Just add some to the water during wash or rinse and your laundry will be nice and soft without using dryer sheets or any other brand name softener.

Another nice attribute of vinegar is its aromatic properties.... lol! yes! Ignore the aroma you smell out of the bottle and add it to the water of your laundry to cut any mildew smells, urine, chlorine, sweat, anything! This stuff is fantastic for taking care of foul odors.

Baking soda is also good as a deodorizer. Sprinkle a little bit of baking soda in sweaty shoes before bedtime, into the garbage can, down the garbage disposal (I have poured vinegar, then sprinkled baking soda - sometimes added a bit of lime if I have one), and of course the fridge- anywhere that needs a little bit of extra help.

Baking soda may also be used to soak up spills. I'll give you a personal example: I spilled a full cup of coffee on my bedroom floor yesterday morning and couldn't find our carpet spray. After blotting the carpet with towels, I sprinkled baking soda all over the wet areas and by the time we were home from church, the coffee had been absorbed and all I had to do was vacuum up the baking soda! The only marks left on the carpet are the areas that didn't get baking soda. I love it!

There are many more uses to both of these products, including dishwashing and house cleaning. I'll fill you in on those another time. My son is calling.

So, the next time you need a clothes softener, a deodorizer, or an absorbent, look through your cupboards for your vinegar or baking soda! (By the way, both of these can be purchased bulk at your neighborhood box store - another way to save!)

Whew! time to breathe...

Rachel's necklace using washers and beads

Well, birthdays, birthdays and more birthdays! I've been busily making gifts for birthdays and graduations. It's been fun! I tried my hand at jewelry for the first time and I do believe they turned out rather well! The date on my camera is incorrect - you'll have to ignore that part for now... ha.

It's been a while since my last post, I have to write an update on everything going on!

I finally put the finishing touch of ribbon on the booties and delivered them to their new owner, baby Keely! they turned out very cute, if I do say so myself, although I didn't get a completed pic to share. Maybe I'll get one with her wearing them...

Audrey's boa scarf turned out well, and I think she liked her necklace and her purse - again, didn't get pics of everything, you'll have to take my word that they all turned out so cute!

I have finally figured out what was going on with the leg warmers! Two things: I was getting mixed up and knitting the wrong direction and I was forgetting to knit the alternate round! Once I figured out my mistakes, I whizzed right through the pattern and now the second leg warmer is half completed. wahoo! I guess I can cross that one off of my blog along list! Although, there is a second pair that I want to make that is already in my ravelry queue - I'll add that!

I'm just completing my third sweater for the Erin Bears. These are so cute and super easy! I can hardly wait to make them for the little munchkins in my life!

oh! and I found the easiest pattern ever for a stuffed toy! you basically just knit a square, then seam off the head, arms and legs, and stuff! adding whatever tail or ears are appropriate for the animal - the first I made was a bunny, all I have left to do is finish the ears and attach!

 Not too bad for my first one!

 I've also started a pair of socks. I'm using two patterns, as the original pattern I found was too confusing, and the second pattern I found online to help me understand the first, is vague. Putting the two together, I think I can knit a simple pair of ankle socks! I'll keep you updated and post pics in my next blog.

So, my list for the blog-a-long (which I've kind of already started) consists of  a few specific things I would like to make, and will choose the pattern along the way. What I want to make this year - not in order:

1. socks
2. baby booties - jelly beans
3. baby maryjanes - ravelry pattern
4. red and black striped hat for my older son - ravelry pattern
5. hat for younger son
6. scarf, headband and gloves combo (for Gramma)
7. blanket for my older son (multiple patterns in different squares)
8. a toy
9. leg warmers
10. sweater
11. fingerless gloves
12. shawl
13. something lace-like (Larisa shawl or Just Heavenly shawl)
14. bag or purse
15. baby blanket
16. gifts, gifts and more gifts

talk to you soon!

on hold.... again!

Well, the first leg warmer went so smoothly! I think I got a little too big for my britches; I am having so much trouble with the second! I will take it to Knit Night at the Knitting Bee and ask what I need to change...

In the meantime, I have started a few other projects! I have a timeline for a Boa scarf made with Ciglia for a 3 year old birthday...

Audrey's Boa

And I am also working on a few sweater/hat sets for a charity project that the Knitting Bee does each year. Camp Erin is a camp for teens and children grieving the loss of a loved one. They give teddy bears to the kids and the ladies at the Knitting Bee knit sweater/hat sets for the bears... what a great project - I'm so happy to be a part!

These are my sweaters so far and I have enough yarn for one more... yea!

Comfiest leg Warmers!

I have a new project going... leg warmers! I got the pattern from One Skein by Leigh Radford, and the yarn from the Knitting Bee in Portland. It's so easy! Even the lace in the beginning is pretty easy for beginners. I love how they are turning out, and I am already half way done with the first!

Christmas in June with a cookie kit!

Ah, making cookies is one of the most fun things that a kid can do! Back during Christmas time I purchased a cookie making kit from Trader Joe's. It has everything: premix dry batter, 3 cookie cutters, frosting and sparkles... oooh!

Wala!
I used a beading tray to separate the different colors of sparkles and enabled Munchkin to decorate is very own cookies all by himself.

This is a little involved, but it occupied his attention while I made dinner, and he had so much fun making his own cookies. Try it! Cookie kits come out every year; save one to be a surprise activity and treat when it is least expected.

One bootie down and one more to go!

AHA! I have finished my bootie! Christina at the Knitting Bee showed me how to do the seem. I am really quite pleased! I am already 3/4 done with the second bootie and can probably finish during naptime today... nice!

Bernat Baby Knit Booties

Just need to add a ribbon and it is good to go! wahoo! will post when both are all complete...

Takin' on the Booties - again!

Alright! I started the booties again last night (I ran out of yarn for the blanket and am unable to finish until I find more... arg - if any of you have Bernat Pipsqueak that you are willing to part with, leave me a comment, please!), and I have to say that I am quite pleased!!

My little self-imposed time out was most beneficial, I zoomed right through the pattern with no problems! woohoo! I am through the "ruffle" part of the first bootie and starting the instep...

Until next time...

mmm, yummy... my first dinner blog!

OK, so, I am NOT a master chef - by any stretch of the word. My husband taught me some cooking basics when we got married (he loves to cook), and I took it from there. I can now follow a recipe and turn out a pretty tasty meal!

I hadn't thought of dinner all day - I spent most of my computer time looking for preschool stuff (I'll blog about that later). So, when 6:00 rolled around I thought it would be good to start planning - LOL!

Potatoes Au Gratin is what I came up with. I had four potatoes and as I perused recipes online I found one using ingredients that I have! Potatoes Au Gratin may be old news for some of you, but it is the first time I have made it. and my skeptical boys loved it!

http://southernfood.about.com/od/scallopedpotatoes/r/r91013a.htm
  is where I found the recipe and it only takes simple ingredients found in most of our cupboards:

• 4 cups diced potatoes (about 1/2-inch dice)
• 7 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1 3/4 cup milk, low fat is fine
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• dash nutmeg, optional
• 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan or Peccorino Romano cheese, divided
• 1 cup soft bread crumbs

I added paprika instead of nutmeg...

Preparation:

Butter a 2-quart baking dish. Heat oven to 400°. Put the potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower heat to medium, cover, and continue boiling for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender. Drain.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add flour and stir until blended and bubbly. Add the milk and continue cooking, stirring, until thickened. Stir in salt, pepper, and nutmeg, if using.

Reserve about 1/2 cup of the Cheddar cheese and 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan or Romano; set aside. Add the remaining Cheddar and Romano or Parmesan cheese to the sauce and continue cooking, stirring, just until cheese is melted. Add the drained potatoes and stir gently to coat thoroughly. Transfer the potato mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the reserved Cheddar and Parmesan or Romano cheeses over the potato mixture.

mmm, comfort food at its finest!

enter the 400 degree oven

Melt the remaining butter and toss with the bread crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the cheese layer.
Bake for 15 minutes, then turn the oven on broil and broil for a minute or so, just until nicely browned.
Serves 4 to 6.

Potatoes Au Gratin Demolished!

 My tip, get your pans ready ahead of time, and all ingredients, including spices. After all was said and done, this was fairly easy to make and a big hit! I used the remaining bread crumbs to bread chicken and pan fried with lid. Great veggies with this would be broccoli or green beans, maybe asparagus...

Bon Appetite!

Bustin' my Booties!

And I was doing so well!! My needle slipped and try as I might, I could not get the stitches back! The more I tried, the more stitches I lost and pretty soon half of my project had unravelled.... ~sigh

So! I have put the booties down for now, to start again later. Instead, I have started a hooded baby blanket, a  super easy stockinette stitch pattern from Bernat that I found for free at Joann's. I've made good progress and as soon as I am done, I will tackle the booties - Again.

Remembering our Heroes

Thank you to all have served our country and we honor those who have given their lives for the protection of others.


"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines (and other servicemen) don't have that problem."
- Ronald Reagan

"Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision."-- Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)

First pair of baby booties

Well! today I start sharing my knitting progress! Two days ago I chose a Bernat pattern for baby booties (baby knit booties, free online at Bernat.com or on the label of the yarn), and after 6 tries, the pattern is finally taking off!! I should have chosen an easier pattern to start with, but, I have learned so much! I'm glad I took on the challenge.

I learned how to do a yfwd (yarn forward or yarn over) - being a continental knitter, I grab the yarn from the top with my right needle and pull it forward and just let the yarn stay there.

I then learned how to do a sl (slip stitch) - simply passing the next stitch to be knitted onto the needle instead of knitting the yarn through, and

I learned how to do psso (pass slip stitch over) - which is simply pulling the stitch that was slipped up, back and over the previously knitted stitch. this one can be tricky if you knit too tightly... haha

I also learned that sometimes the parenthesis within a pattern don't always refer to the different sizing variations. Within my pattern are parenthesis that mean that small portion is to be repeated within the repeat... aha!! so that was my problem...

So, after starting over 6 times, I have completed 8 rows and the design is turning out beautifully! I am so excited and can't wait to see the end result.

check out my pics and see what you think! YAY!!

A new day in the life of Punzel Chic: Domestic Diva

Hello! I am re-introducing myself today! After years of resisting the pull of domestic life, I am now a full time wife and mother of 2 boys.  Since I have been married, I have learned the ancient art of cooking... without the microwave and have recently discovered a love for sewing and knitting and all things crafty!
I have decided to chronicle my journeys as mom and domestic diva... ha! For all of you who stick around to get to know me, you will come to see the "tongue-in-cheek" humor in this self-fashioned nickname...
I will be posting rookie cooking tutorials, knitting projects, sewing projects, and cool internet finds. I will also posts mommy items, such as preschool activities, web sites and whatever else I think is great.

Join me in my adventure and stay tuned!