Knitting, Singing, the Universe and all....

It all started with baking the Hungarian Nut Rolls and the cardamom bread (braided) and decorating the tree; thanks to Stella and Lily! -they decorated while I baked... Pippin helped open presents! Amelia got the Chevron Scarf, Stella loved her "Frank the Siamese" Cat Mittens, Jon received the long-awaited Fish Mittens.....Stella got an antique Belgium Coffee Grinder in her favorite color!!! Amelia loved her "Betty's Divine" duffle and decided to trade in her Bose headphones that she asked for, for the ones she actually wanted... Stella played lots of Christmas music for Jon and Robbin to sing to, and she up loaded almost all the Christmas CDs to the iTunes so we could finally put music on Robbin's I-pod that she got last year for Christmas...We had a lovely dinner at our house with Stan and Bev! Vegie/Quorn Pot-Pie (Thank you, pie-man Jon), roasted root and flower vegetables, and Stan's amazing Kale-Pomegranate Salad, followed by more pie: Pumpkin! The ...

I Believe that birthing and raising children is a work of the soul, a challenge to the spirit, and a gift to the universe. that "God" is bigger than any religious group, 'true believer', or even the deepest thinking theologians and scientists can grasp. that we have more than one chance to 'get it right' -yes, that implies some variation of reincarnation. that there are always alternatives to war and conflict. in fairy tales, tall tales, and even 'urban legends' might contain kernels of truth. that the seasons remind us, subliminally at least, of the spiral and cycles of life. that my dogs are the best canines ever incarnated, and I am so happy that they have found me again and again....!! the 'best' years of my life are the ones I am living. that we should pray for, and work for, peace and hope and change every day of our lives. NOW is our opportunity to influence what is reaching towards us from the future. that LOVE always triumphs.

It's been a while since I up-dated, mainly because it's the holidays, and we are running about singing at every opportunity, working on Christmas gifts, making pies, catching up with darling daughters and friends, knitting on more gifts, choosing the scotch for the Christmas Athel Brose, admiring the new candlesticks we received as a gift from the Wans ...... it's a good time of year :) * the Scotch choices include this single malt from the area our friends, Peter and Joni live -named after the Spey River near Glasgow! * It finally snowed, first time this year on December 12 th -very late, and instantly went into the negative numbers for degrees..... with wind chill it has been as low as -23! * the Reindeer Games hat is being made for a gift - shhhhhhhhhh !! don't tell :) *Jon's considerable pie making skills were married to Robbin's filling fandango, and we came up with a pie filled with apples, cultured sour cream (+one egg!), walnuts,coconut and lots of fr...

from my friend, Kelli Holden, came today this gem: "Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit."

I have accomplished the requirements for the following Knitting Scouts Badges: The “MacGyver” Badge (Level One) - The recipient must demonstrate clever use of a non-knitting tool in a knitting-related scenario. For instance, recipient has used paper clips as stitch markers, or successfully whittled and then utilized bamboo skewers as dpns. The Prosel ytize Knitting Badge - A requirement for all Knitting Scouts, the recipient must do his or her bit to present knitting in a positive light, whilst at the same time avoiding all references to “hipness”, grandmothers, and yoga. The Knitting Whilst Under the Influence Badge - This applies to both actual knitting under the influence, as well as achieving moments of stunning intellectual clarity about ones knitting under the influence. Presumes talking about knitting whilst under the influence. I will post more Badges as I earn them! (thanks to Illustrious Order of Cast On Knitting Scouts! )

Well, it's not functional yet, but as of last night, this was the "Home Page" of our new web site for the Natural fiber Bamboo Choir Robes we are developing. Just because I know you were all wondering which one we choose from the www.99designs.com contest. We will still have to change a few minor details, but here it is in all it's glory :) Just so you can watch for it, the address will be www.MyChoirRobes.com

Last night, Zuzu did not want to eat dinner. A first! We found out why a bit later when she was sick to her stomach. Poor baby, she was sick several times, and then a few more. And lethargic, but we could find no evidence of her having eaten something "bad", so we just cleaned things up, and thought the worst was over.........until 5 a.m. when Pippin started being sick. This is just like having kids - she gave him the stomach flu!!! This morning, Zuzu is still moving slowly, but she is perking up. Pippin is sleeping with a very worried brow. We'll have to watch him rather closely for a few more hours, but if it's what the Zuzulator had, the worst is over..... I have to go look up homeopathic remedies now..... full report to follow,