I'm such a slacker...

I'm warning you now... the title is the reason this post will last forever!

I won a give away on Mel's blog... Fishing and Wishing oh, I don't know... about a MONTH AGO!!!  I really wanted to post on here a picture of the item I won.

I won this really cool wall decoration by Max 'N Me Studio on Etsy.  These are unique works of art created by a mom and son duo with a portion of the proceeds being donated towards arts programs for children with autism! 

Isn't it wonderful!  I absolutely love it... I'm giving it to my dancer daughter Isabel, for her birthday... which is right around the corner.  Thanks Mel and Max 'N Me Studio for the wonderful art work!!!!!


So the other things I am behind on is my ridiculous obsession with ebaying.  I discovered eBay about 6 years ago and went nuts... I bought a bunch of "stuff" that I honestly really didn't need.  So I swore off eBay for a while... every so often I would relapse and purchase a thing or two... but two weeks ago I searched for wool yarn.  WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING!!!!  Needless to say $100 later I have sworn off eBay once again!    But take a look at this yarn...

100% wool... hand dyed... Isn't it lucious?

And wait until I get the rest of it!  oh, and I also purchased a couple of grams of silk yarn direct from India!

I'm signing up for Ebayers Anonymous tomorrow!!!

In other news... I tried my hand at knitting some longies, I found this really nice Patons sock wool blend yarn and decided they would be really cute for Sebastian.  What do you think?

I think they look adorable!

OOOH I forgot to mention, I made my first salad made from items harvested from my garden!

Yes, I realize the tomatoes are green, but they are delicious this way!

So I added a 1/2 of a ripe tomatoe and some shredded carrots from the fridge... but the end result was the tastiest salad I have had in a LONG time.

Just look at it... Isn't it lovely?

I tasted just as good and better!

Now that you managed to stick with me to this point... I'm gonna let you take a break!

Chao baby!

:OP

I'm soooo behind

I just realized that I didn't post at all last week!  Wow... and I had a bunch of stuff that I kept saying to myself "I gotta post this on my blog"... oh well... thus is the story of my life.  So I will cram all my interesting happenings into this one post.  Grab your coffee and a snack, and get ready!

First of all  I FINALLY FINISHED TYLER'S SWEATER!!!!  Yeaaaaaaaa meeeee!!!!!

This is my first time making such a complicated cable pattern... I like it...

Here is a little closer look at the cables...

Yes, I know it took me something like 4 months, but seriously its hard to find time to knit when I have a baby yanking at my yarn, stealing my needles, crying for my attention, Tyler and Isabel needing my attention, and oh yeah, homework to do as well.  Now that I think of it, I'm proud of myself for actually finishing it!  So I presented the boy with his sweater and can I say he has got to be one of the sweetest people on this earth... he couldn't thank me enough and he proceeded to put it on and try it right away, even though it was like 85 degrees out!

Can you see his sweaty head?!  He is too funny.

BUT the important thing is he loved it and it fit!  He also told me that he was intending to wear it to school the next day... um sorry bud, it's gonna be like 90 degrees, no sweater!

So on Tuesday, Isabel had a Mother Daughter tea party at her school... the first in the 3 years she has been attending Johnny Appleseed Elementary.  It sound interesting, even though it was 90 degrees out and I was sweating like a pig!  I love all those events though, I feel that they create memories that last a lifetime, and if I have to sweat a little so that we creat wonderful memories, then so be it!

So I freshened up as best I could so I wouldn't smell like a smelly, sweaty mess... and off to the school I headed.  I arrived and was told to find a seat in the jam packed cafeteria... but at least I was lucky enough to get a spot near the back where they had the doors open.  Then the principal started his speech, thanking us mothers and thanking the kids... most of all the 5th graders that would be leaving the school this year.  Then out came my baby....

The theme of the tea party was "Fairy Wishes and Dreams"... all the girls had princess crowns and wands, very cute!

Can you believe how big she is!!!

Yes, I am a hamm and YES I had to wear the crown, because I can...

We had a great time, apparently the tea had a dual purpose which was to bring awareness to some syndrome that I had never heard of before of which one of the school's students suffers from.  They had a donation basket for those that wished to donate to the finding of a cure... I wish I remembered the name of the syndrome, but it was week ago!!!

I love taking Bel's pic in profile... I think she has a beautiful profile...

Wednesday it was rainy and crappy... typical New England weather... and off to Isabel's softball game we went...  they did not do good at all!  Poor things lost 16-3!!!!  It was awful!!!  The other team's pitcher looked like she should be in highschool and pitched with blinding speed!!!  At one point I heard one of Isabel's team mates say "how do they expect us to hit that???"  It was sad.

So no pics of the game nor the players, but I did get a pic of Sebastian eating cheetos...

this boy likes his cheetos!!!

On saturday the coach had a 2 hour practice to work on the girls' catching skills, play skills and hitting skills.  Apparentlly it worked because on saturday the girls one against the best team in the league, 10-7!!!  Go Tigers!!!!

I lied apparently I did take a pic of Isabel on base... she got this run in, the one that put them on top!!!

So on Friday I felt like some chowda... yummm... so I went to the store early and picked up the needed ingredients and made a big pot o'chowda...

Can  tell you, this was some damn good chowder!  I wish you could taste and smell it... but no wonkavision here!

Oh and lastly I discovered, after 25 years of living in this same town, that there is a few dairy farms in the area and one of which sells its milk, as well as products from other local farms!!!

So I wandered in, but since there wasn't a lot of veggies available yet, I picked up some milk, cheese and strawberries

Yes, I took a drink of milk before   took the picture... but I couldn't wait!!!  1% milk, but it was so delicious and creamy!  I can't wait to go back.

So there you have it... that was my week... oh wat on Thursday I went to the auto auction with Carlos annd we picked up two cars. A 1994 Infiniti I30  and a 1995 Acura Legend L...yes the are old BUT they are in great condition and NICE.  I don't have pcs but I'll post soon... oh yeah and I rode a mechanical bull at the auction!!!  yeeeehaaaw!!!!

That's all, I'm sure you've had enough, so I'll be back later!!!

Chao baby....  :o)

Weekend update

So, lots happened this weekend even though I really didn't plan much.  First off, the weather forecast was sucky!!!  Three days of crappy, cold, rainy AND possibly snowy weather.  I decided that I was going to hide in my apartment until the sun came back and the rain as gone.   Isabel and Ty were heading off to their dad's house all weekend.   Friday was the annual father-daughter dance at Johnny Appleseed, this year's theme was 50's sock hop.  I'm kinda sad I couldn't see Isabel all dressed up, but thems are the breaks.  Hopefully 'll see a pic of her sometime soon.  From what she told me it sounds like she had a great time.


So, I holed up all day friday, god I absolutely hate the cold and rain!!!  But saturday I had signed up to participate in a speed knitting contest.  I found a local knitting/crocheting circle called Warmer Winters, they makes all kinds of items for local charities.  This was there second annual speed knitting contest, and I was in!!!  I'm not really all that quick, but what the heck I was making for charity.  We knitted scarves with one skein and their own hand made knitting needles.  Well... let me tell you, I need to practice more!! The first place winner finished her scarf in 1 hour 22 minutes!!! She was knitting an average of one row of 12 stitches every 21 seconds.   I sooo need to practice.  But I finished in 2 hours 33 minutes, not bad but not great.  I now havce a bench mark that I can work on. 


Let me note that the speed knitting contest was at 9:30am until 12pm, I actually hauled my lazy butt up and out into crappy 38 degree rainy weather. I am very proud of myself since #1- I am not a morning person... and #2 I am not a "get and go in the cold" person.  But it was for charity and I figured it would be a great way to meet more fellow knitters/crocheters.   I also liked the fact they donate all items to local charities, and there is also a lot of local business that support them and donate to them.

So after all that fun, I went home and snuggled in bed with Carlos.... who doesn't love to snuggle with their sweetie on a cold rainy morning?  So we vegged until about 3pm.  At which point we both decided we needed to do something.  So we got up, showered, ate something, then we got a surprise visit from my dad and his wife.  So with nothing better to do, we decided to go bowling- GALACTIC BOWLING!   So cool!!!  if you hav never done this, you should!!!  Its all black lights, flourescent colors and great music.  We had a blast, we bowled for about two hours, then headed home.

At home, Carlos, Sebas and I cuddled under some blankets and watched some movies... then off to sleep.

Sunday, another crappy day... at least the morning was.  I made breakfast for us and kinda dragged my butt around a bit.  I'm trying to remember what I did, but I'm drawing a blank!!!

Oh... the big highlight of the day.... Sebastian has become mobile, well army man crawl mobile!!!  He;s been rollong from place to place for the last month, but on sunday he made his first forward motions!

I recall having knit a lot because it was crappy out, but that's about it.

hmmm. maybe I should have posted this on sunday night to have remembered what  did! hee, hee, hee!!!

:o)

Wordless Wednesday- PROGRESS!!!

Happy Wednesday!  If you are playing, link up here and stop by other fellow wednesdayers blogs to see more beautiful and interesting pics.

One side done!!! Half way done the front... I might actually complete this one with time for Tyler to wear it this spring!

:o)

Turkey Day - T minus 9 days and counting...

Am I the only one that is totally excited about Thanksgiving?  For the last week I've been more than ready for Thanksgiving Day... and... T U R K E Y!!!!

Maybe its all the thanksgiving day themed shows on the Food Network, actually I'm 100% sure that that is the reason.  But come on, who doesn't enjoy a good Turkey Day meal with all the fixin's??? 

So to stay off my urge to cook an entire turkey prior to next thursday, I have been baking.  NOT GOOD!!! I'm going to gain like 10 lbs before thanksgiving!!!  So yesterday I decided I need to bake, I'm going to bake... where's the brown sugar!

Oh well, tis the sacrifice one needs to make during the holiday season... sounds good to me!

So first I baked an apple pie.... oh yumminous, I haven't baked an apple pie in about 3 years. 

Doesn't that look yummy??? Can you tell that I went all out and put cut outs of acorns and maple leaves???

Here's a close up of the cut outs... I can't tell if you can see them, but I assure you they are there!

I thought it would be cute to add some pizzaz to the top of the pie.

So after an hour of baking, the wafts of warm apples and cinnamon filled my apartment.  So off to the oven I bounced anxious to see the final product...

AND..

TAH DAHHHHHH.....

OH yeah baby.... tastes as good as it looks!!!

I also baked a Cinnamon Carrot Bread, but I forgot to take pics of that, and half of the loaf is gone now soo no go on the pics.

I am however baking another carrot bread to give to my dad and his new wife, so I'll take pics of that one.

I do have to say, I bake some darn good bread!  Both kids loved it, even though I had told them it was carrot bread.  AND since carrots are vegetables, that is usually an automatic "NO, I don't like it!!".  Not today though, both kids loved it.  So much as to say that Tyler took some to school today for his snack time treat!  Love it when my baked goods are a hit with the kids.

Yesterday, I also finished a new scarf that I put up for sale on my Etsy's page.  Its about 5 1/2 feet long, and made in Patons Bohemian in Beatnik Blues colorway.  Now... if you have ever had the pleasure of feeling anything made from this yarn you will know that this is one of THE softest, plushest yarns out there!  I have a scarf that I made out of this for myself, and I wear it ALL winter long! 

I'm working up another one in black and white speckled, and I have a pinkish color too that I will be working up after that.  Keep an eye on my page....   (Yes, that was an shameful plug for you to go see my Etsy's page!!!!)

And that's pretty much it for my Monday!  I know... shameful, but OH WELL!!!

;o)

What I'm doing now...

Since I haven't posted about anything knit or crochet related in a while, I figured I'd post a little update on what I am trying to get accomplished right now by way of needle crafting.

I just decided I and going to do this crochet along from LionBrand because I love warm blankets in the fall/winter, and I have a "vision" of how this afghan will look when I am done.  I'm envisioning maybe shades of browns or maybe a black/gray/white combo.... I'm not sure yet.

On my needles right now I have the Baby Poonam sweater from Berroco Knits website, I am knitting this one as a challenge to myself as I wanted to see if I could handle the pattern.  I CAN!!! I'm so proud of myself, so I am bragging here so you can be proud of me too!

I'm working this up using Bernat Baby Jacquards in I'm a Big Boy  colorway.... I love it!  So far I have the back completed, the front about 1/2 way completed.  Not too shabby seeing as  I just never seem to have time to knit and when I do have time, I just want to sleep!

The back and front together...

Upclose of the back...

This is the front...

 

A better shot of the details on the cables...

Nice right??  I like it, and I absolutely love the way the yarn works up in the pattern of greens and blues.  The pattern is actually not as difficult as I thought it would be, although you do have to pay attention and finish each row, because each row is comprised of three different parts worked up twice... in case you didn't understand the rows work like this:   knit or purl 2; texture pattern (9stitches); cable A; cable B; cable A; texture pattern (9stitches); knit or purl 2.

I should be able to finish this sweater by this weekend... or at least that is my goal!

A few weeks ago I received a wonderfully unexpected present in the mail!  My good friend Darcie made this beautifully warm sweater for Carlos Sebastian and mailed it to me without warning.  I love surprises!  Isn't it beautiful?  And you can see the warmth in the stitches, I can't wait to put it on Carlos!

THANK YOU Darcie!!!!

That's it for now.....

:0)

I'm here... I'm here....

Soooooo, I've been slacking in the way of posts lately.... but I've saved you a few weeks of nothing new.

NOW I have some news for you.... so let me get you caught up.

First off, I was laid off from my job a week ago thursday. Sucks... I was not ready for the news and was hoping to be able to work until right before having the baby so as to not be strapped for cash, as I knew I would be. Maternity leave had me in a panic... since I would have NO income for as long as I would be out. So, I am taking unemployment as a blessing since now I will have income and the opportunity to be home with my child until at least January!

I spent all last week cleaning and resting. I was able to catch up on house work that was VERY far behind... I think I was about 2 weeks behind on laundry. Not good, but now I am not so behind, I just have our laundry to do, the kids clothes is finally washed and put away... YEA me!

I also was able to finish the baby sweater, hat and bootie set that I have been working on for three months now. Woooo Hoooo me!!! I am so proud of myself, this is the first complete knit set I have ever made, finished and am proud to show off. Wanna see??? I know you do... and if you don't... to bad, I'm posting pics anyways.

Nice.. right??? I'm very proud of myself.

So.... that's it for right now. I'll post a little more later.... I gotta upload more pics then I'll update you later!

:0)

more snow!!!

Have I mentioned that I am complete sick and tired of the snow and winter already? WELL in case I haven't.... I AM SICK AND TIRED OF THE SNOW AND WINTER!

But since I can' seem to catch a break, we got another 15" of snow today! WTF! I am so done with this weather... I need sun and warmth. I've been down lately and I am convinced it is due to the lack of sun in our lives right now. I hate being cold, I hate bundling up all the time... I hate it, I hate it, I h..a...t..e it.

Ok, enough of that.

So I started my new job this past week, I absolutely love it. The attorney is really nice, the ladies I work with are really nice, I have lots to due, a nice amount of responsibility, I actually have to use my brain, and there is HUGE potential for learning. I think this one's a keeper. ;)

That's all I got right now... OH, yeah.. I totalled my car last weekend. Suckage... now I have no car and no oney to get a new one. That sucks more than anything. The good thing is that I was smart enough to get GAP Insurance on my car loan so if there is a deficeit in the insurance payout, I won't owe the bank anything. Score one for the little guy!

I'm off to knit some more on my baby sweater... since I'm home today with the kids, I might as well make some progress on that sweater so I can start my next project.

I'm sure I'll post again later... off to eat and knit.

:0)

back from hiatus...

I have not been in the mood to post lately.... no particular reason other than I've been SUPER lazy lately. So let me catch you up on the excitment that is my life right now.

I have been on a mini-vacation this week. I start my new job on Monday the 23rd and I am sooo excited to start. So I have been home this week with Isabel, she's on February vaca... and I have actually been pretty productive. I managed to clean my entire apartment, I did all the kids laundry, I managed to get Isabel to ACTUALLY clean her room, I delivered girl scout cookies, and have the rest of the troops cookies ready for pick up/delivery.

Today I'm done... I am in such a mood for a nap that I think after I have some lunch I'm gonna try to snooze a little. I deserve it... i'm growing a baby here! That expends a lot of energy you know!

So yesterday I went for my first ultra sound! So exciting, its a little early since I was only 13 weeks along, but my mid-wife wanted to get a more accurate date on the pregnancy since she was suspecting I was further along than we both believed. So I took Isabel with me and off to the clinic we went, with a FULL bladder. I arrived at the clinic with 10 minutes to spare and signed in... "I'm sorry Mrs. Castano, we don't have you on the schedule today for an ultrasound" WHAT!!! After 15 minutes of telling them that the appointment had been rescheduled 3 times, that so and so had told me to be here today at 11am WITH a full bladder... and let me tell you (this part I thought to myself...) I am not leaving until we see this baby!

Well, apparently so and so had scheduled me to get the ultra sound at the hospital and had not mentioned it me or the nurses (nice!), conveniently the hospital is only a few feet away in the next entrance... and off I went to get my ultra sound.

So, the baby was just jumping around in there like there is some kind of party going on.... very active this one is! After all the measurements were taken, I am apparently 14 weeks 2 days and not 13 weeks like we first thought... YEA! One less week of summer pregnancy! This now puts the baby's due date at August 17th... I'll take it!

Next, the question of the day... can you tell the sex of the baby? or is it too early? At this point, Isabel pipes up about how it HAS to be a girl... she wants a little sister, no more brothers.... and I watch as the tech moves her wand thingy over to where the baby's bottom is ... and I know without her saying it.... Isabel was NOT happy!

IT'S A..... BOY!!!! to be further confirmed in about 6 weeks when we go for my 20 week ultrasound, but its a boy! I was hoping for a girl, because well... girls are just so much more fun to shop for, to make things for, to dress up, to put bow in their hair... you know! But I am just happy to have a healthy baby growing in there!

The only other thing going on is that I am knitting another baby sweater for baby X (no names just yet). I love the color of this yarn, its Red Heart Designer in Celedon. Here is a pic of the back... what do you think so far? I like the pattern, but what I found out is, all the peices are made (back, fronts and sleeves) and then put onto a circular needle and the yoke is worked up... thus joining all the pieces together at the arm hole line. Interesting!

So, that's it for now. I think I'm gonna have some meatballs and take at least a 30 minute snooze.

I promise to check in a little more from now on. maybe....

;0)

I FINISHED!!!!

I finally finished!!! Yes, I finally finished the baby sweater, and I am so proud of myself. I should have finished sooner, but I've been super lazy lately with the knitting. So, here is the finished product... what do you think?

So... Ok, I am not 100% finished. I still have to put the buttons on, but I'm buying some nice wooden buttons to add to the sweater tonight. I love it... I can't wait to have the baby so I can put the sweater on him/her!

Now I'm on a roll... I'm starting a new one tonight! In a cute "celadon" celery color... I love it. I'll post pics as I make some progress.

So... that's it for right now... I gotta run to do some laudry, we have no clothes at the moment, not good. Then I'm off to make some salmon for my hubby, he loves himself some fish...

Ooohh... I'll post later about Tyler's 5th birthday party this past weekend... I know! He's 5 already! Where did the time go... makes me want to cry.

:0)

My work in progress

Ok, so here is my current work in progress... I like it. I'm making a baby sweater in Lion Brand Baby Soft in Lemon Drop, I'm using a Plymouth Yarn pattern. So ideally when I finish... this is what it should look like.

For my first REAL knit project, besides scarves, I'm pretty happy so far... of course its in pieces... but its coming. I think it looks like it could look like it should in the pattern. What do you think????

I absolutely love this color too! I started on one sleeve today at lunch... I expect to finish that one tonight. So with any luck I can finish the whole thing over the weekend.

My next project is a red sweater for Tyler. This is by request, I took him into Michael's with me the other day and he right away went to a bright red yarn and was like.... OOOOHHH mommy, isn't this the nicest color you ever saw! I think I would like a red sweater with this yarn.

How do you say no to that??? So a red sweater it 'tis... now for a pattern.

:0)

PRESENTS

Have I told you how much I hate christmas shopping? Have I also mentioned the I HATE trying to figure out what I should buy for people... now don't get me wrong, I am not a scrooge, but I really don't like buying presents. AND I absolutely don't like being in stores crowded by people trying to buy things and being rude the entire time as if this is the last box of chocolates on the planet!

So... that being said, I have made some gifts this year. I say some because like always I over estimate my dedication to making something and getting it done on time! BUT Isabel's hat is done! I am very proud to say it only took me the two and a half days I said it would and Its beautiful.

But rather than unveil the finished product at once... I'll show you some progress... because progress it good and encouraging.

The best part about this gift is that I was in Michaels with her the other day and she pointed out the very same yarn and said to me that she would absolutely LOVE for me to make her something in this yarn in this color because its her color. I bought this yarn, with her in mind, about 2 months ago and I thought to myself, this is a beautiful color for Isabel. Great minds think alike!

and... here.. it... is!

Once I give it to her I'll post a pic of her wearing it... I was so tempted to ask her to try it on last night, but I resisted so she can be surprised on christmas.

And my dad's getting a hat too... by request, and since I know I can get it done on time... no sweat! Two less presents I have to shop for in the hell that is the mall.

Is it just me or do the holidays bring out the worst in shoppers?

For those of you who have finished your shopping and wrapping like most normal people.. yeah shut up! stop gloating.... I know I suck! and the rest of us that haven't even started yet... good luck!!

:)