death and life. kalanchoes are cool.

We stayed in. Home. I don’t see [Read More...]]]> I’ve thought about how to start this post, but I couldn’t come up with anything witty or spectacular. Just know I had a lovely night. My day started crummy and I found myself crying in a closet at some point, but it ended high. So high.

We stayed in. Home. I don’t see why most people don’t desire that on a night like this. Welcoming the new year with the folks you love the most. I suppose that place isn’t “home” for everyone. I understand.

We started our evening with pizza and some other snacks. After, we made our way to the backyard for sparklers and swing rides on our new set. When it was dark, I brought out one of my Christmas gifts–the sb-600 speedlight! For those of you not in the know, it’s a fancy-shmancy (not really) external flash! What makes it super awesome is the fact that I can swivel it every which way to bounce light off of interesting places and to illuminate my subjects in new ways.

Now, I’m usually a purist when it comes to light. For two whole years, I scoffed at every photo I took with my on-board flash. I would always seek out good light or compose my photos around what was available. With this new flash, though…boy, I can photograph anything! I’m no longer dependent on the sun and that both intimidates and excites me. I have so, so, so much to learn. I am itching to get it off the top of my camera, but for now, there it sits.

Being outside, I didn’t have a ceiling to bounce the light off, so I brought my boys a little closer to the garage and used its back wall. They hammed it up.

I really liked the way these came out. Who knew my dark backyard would make such a neat little studio?

I’m sure you’re wondering where my littlest is. He wanted nothing to do with my photos. Nada! He even told me to stop talking. He speaks in sentences, now. He didn’t start calling me mama til he turned 2 and now he’s 2.5 and tells me to stop talking. Yeah. Anyway, he only made an appearance to steal his bike from under his daddy.

We snacked throughout the evening (Andrew), had cherry empanadas (me), played video games (Nathan), and drank bubbly drinks (Jason). At 11, Nathan and I watched the ball drop in Times Square and I kissed him goodnight. When my midnight came, Jason and I were watching some old TV shows (like, 2009 old!;), so we paused, had a kiss, then resumed. It is 1:30 and I left J to watch some revision3 episodes downstairs (yay internet tv on the big screen! we’re he’s a nerd) and I am blogging.

Hello, 2011. I hope we can become great friends.

Now…I need to pack. We’ve been living [Read More...]]]> So, we put an offer in on a house. We got a counter-offer. We submitted a counter-counter-offer and it was accepted! HUZZAH! We had an inspection, yesterday evening, and I’m about 90% sure we’ll be buying our first home within the next 30 days. How awesome is that?!

Now…I need to pack. We’ve been living in this apartment for the past 4 years, so we’ve accumulated quite a bit. I think we need a big giant purge. My “job” during the day is to sort, pack, and clean. It’s been….hard, to say the least. To balance crocheting (I got my second custom slipper order! yay!), spending time with the kiddos (oh, they NEED to eat??), and sorting through our life, stuff gets overwhelming. I can usually function on the 5-6 hours of sleep I get at night, but lately I have been feeling drained.

If I can be frank for a moment: I have so much crafty crap, it’s pathetic. I seriously need to get rid of a lot of old yarn, fabric, and notions that have just been amassing into plastic bins, over the years. It’s SUCH a daunting task, though! I have an irrational attachment to some things. I think I need to just dedicate a box to donate and fill it. One box at a time and eventually I’ll be free! oh so free!

And look at me, now! I’m blogging about not blogging, when I shouldn’t be…blogging. I don’t think I’m even making any sense.

Just know this:
-I’ll be around to answer questions about orders, patterns, and whatever you need
-I am super excited about this move, no matter how hard I know it will be
-I love & appreciate all who follow the blog and actually DO read about my life and crafty-side!

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway! You can enter up to SIX times! So, if just 2 people do all six, then I’ll have 50 entries and I’ll choose a runner-up winner! Thanks to all who have spread the word!

Pattern: Granny Square Slippers, from the purl bee blog Yarn: Red Heart Soft Hook: H-8 (5.00mm) ]]>

Pattern: Granny Square Slippers, from the purl bee blog
Yarn: Red Heart Soft
Hook: H-8 (5.00mm)

this project (‘celestine’ by Berroco) had been sleeping in a bag for over a year. I only got through 4.5 points (of 12) before I put it down. I’m finishing up the 5th and plan to do at least 1 a day until I finish. Hopefully, by next Wednesday I’ll have a finished [Read More...]]]>

this project (‘celestine’ by Berroco) had been sleeping in a bag for over a year. I only got through 4.5 points (of 12) before I put it down. I’m finishing up the 5th and plan to do at least 1 a day until I finish. Hopefully, by next Wednesday I’ll have a finished toy. We’ll see.

by the way, 3mm needles + worsted weight yarn = hand cramps. maybe that’s why i put it away?! I need my needles for socks, so I MUST finish. It’s too pretty to frog.

I’ll be adding some entries later that are backdated (for example, the pattern for crocheted mary janes), so that the info is still easily available.