Farmer Deuce

DeuceDad and I planted a vegetable garden today!

There are 2 bell peppers, 1 cubanelle, 1 Italian long peppers, 4 cherry tomatoes, 1 yellow squash, 1 cucumber and a pumpkin plant. They're adorable little babies!

DeuceDad built this raised garden, or box garden, because our soil is a just very thin layer of clay dust over tree roots, and it was less work (and expense) to build a frame and fill it with topsoil than to rent a rototiller and work the manure and peat moss into the ground. The grass in this yard is so sad. But we're working on it.

According to the signs at the garden store, the plants will mature in anywhere from 55-75 days. It seems so long to wait, but that's the northeast for you. I have herbs started in little pots that I've successfully kept watered for 3 weeks now, so there's hope for homegrown veggies.

The party was a success by the way, with the only 'fail' being that I cooked about 4x too much food! It's just stupid how much food is left over in the fridge. We're eating away at it and giving away what we can, but I have a feeling we're not going to be in the mood for pasta salad or pulled pork for a while after this.

T minus 28 hours

I have a few things left to do before the anniversary party tomorrow. And by a few I mean I should not be here at the computer. But I know I won't get a chance to do this tomorrow, so I just wanted to share a cute pic of my parents (at dinner in Rome). It's hard to appreciate your parents' marriage because as a kid it doesn't mean much. Unless of course they decide to end it. But through good times and bad my parents have stayed together. And coming from the place of party-planner, anniversary-album-maker and photo-gatherer I can say that they have shared a lot of happy times. My life is different from there's in many ways, but I hope that 30 years into my marriage I find myself on my dream vacation with my husband who is also my best friend, a little buzzed on house red wine and smiling for the camera.

Boy: (noun) a noise with dirt on it

That is all for now.

Happy Mothers Day!

For mother's day, I'm having brunch with my mom and grandma. I plan to have someone take a flattering picture of me with my child.

Have a wonderful Mother's Day, moms!

Hi Again

Hi! I haven't posted in so long, it took me a second to remember my blogger password - yike!

I got derailed when I couldn't find my object for H for the ABC-along. My Clover Soft Touch crochet hook size H was MIA. In fact, it's solid gone and I bought a new one. Phew!

Life has been a little crazy lately. I accidentally put my hand throught the glass in one of our storm doors and cut my hand up. That was probably the only bad thing that's happened lately!

Those old bushes have been replaced by some lily and iris plants. I would like to fill in around the some because apparently the shock of transplanting makes them not bloom that year. And we need some color. But I've been dutifully watering (and it's been raining) so I think they're going to live. Woo hoo! Grass seed is even growing. It's a big accomplishment for me.

I did the invitations for my parents' anniversary party. Look how in love...

That's in 2 weeks. I have a lot to do before then.

Applying to jobs, obviously. I had to go to one of those "justify your existence" meetings for department of labor. Can't find a job as a software engineer huh? Surprise, surprise. But I applied for something at the mecca of all things grocery, Wegmans. That would be my dream I think. Well, you know, loving family notwithstanding.

I got my mother's day present - craft supplies! Shadow boxes for my dried roses (I keep most of the flowers DeuceDad gives me), some yarn for the racetrack run (almost ready for it's photo shoot), a new H hook, fresh Cricut cutting mats, and a new Cricut cartridge - Mickey Font! So fun for the toddler in my life!

Well, you're up to speed, and I'm back at it. Enjoy your Friday!

G is for Gift Knitting

Today's G is courtesy of Carly.

I looove handmade things, and for my birthday Carly made me a Faberge Cowl. It's Malabrigo Worsted in Polygala, and it's so soft on my neck I wore it all winter without the slightest itch.




Gift knitting is kind of a landmine. I have gifted only five things that I can think of. Three baby blankets, a pair of mittens, and an afghan. Of those, I only know for sure that one is in regular use. And that's the afghan I gave my Grandma, and if I have her a used Kleenex she would display it proudly as one of my greatest accomplishments.

The next few things in my queue are all gifts though. The thing is that I only need just so many crocheted/knitted items for myself, but I love to crochet. I get a lot of pleasure out of just making something. So I guess if it's destined to collect dust, so be it.

F is for Fast

Today's F is brought to you by Jake, Carly's husband (eee so excited for them).

F is for fast - fast like my swift! Jake made this for me for Christmas this year, along with a nostepinne. He turned parts on the lathe, and used some kind of special bearing for speed. He even repurposed a pool cue - it's really one of a kind.

Here are the glamour shots:

The whole outfit with some Misti Alpaca worsted

The nostepinne, with a very handy groove in the handle for holding the tail. Apparently this design change was suggested by Carly.


And one of the very cool (don't know the name of the part) thingies (?) made from a pool cue.

So back to the word at hand - fast. Obviously a swift is faster than using two chairs or your feet or something to hold a hank of yarn while it is wound. But this swift is FAST. It has this flat bearing that just glides like a dream... it's a precision instrument. Leave it to a mechanical engineer.

Thanks again, Jake, for my awesome gift.