Something to talk about…

workboxwall

Originally uploaded by laluandmatt

finally. Well, no, not really. We’ve just been too busy for me to spend time talking to my computer. But now that we’ve settled in a little bit (and I do mean a LITTLE bit. we still have boxes randomly sitting in corners.) I’d like to share more about what we’re doing. Just in case all 4 readers from last year were interested:

The least important, but most exciting thing happening right now: workboxes. I’ve signed up, signed on and generally joined the workbox craze. The kids love it b/c they know what to do (even little 3 year old L) and I love it because it motivates me be prepare EVERY night and fill all those boxes beforehand. It used to drive M. crazy to watch me go through every bookcase and cubby just to locate the tape and construction paper… only to realize we don’t have a sprinkle of glitter in the house. And we need to make angels. An angel is just NOT the same without glitter.

So we have modified “sterilite” workboxes from Target (3.99 each), matching bins to keep finished work and clipboards (they were blue, I couldn’t resist), and our memory station (that’s what the CD player is for), and then my old ikea drawers that I loved so much but weren’t getting used much (holding the craft supplies that were hardly used last year).

So here’s a picture. I have lots more to share, mostly about our schoolroom and school plans and a little bit about our new home. Next time. All this blogging has me wiped. Whew. Time for ice cream.

The apple tree cabin

the apple tree cabin

Originally uploaded by laluandmatt

The economy is shot and what are we doing? Crazy things. Well, not running up our credit cards or anything (been there, done that) thank goodness. But something almost as crazy. We are sniffing around looking for a fixer upper kind of mountain cabin. It needs to have charm, trees, and room for RV parking (which in theory will completely offset the monthly payment). The prices are finally low enough for it to make sense…Well, kind of. At least a dozen other people seem to be thinking like us judging by all the other offers on the same houses.

This one was our first pick. Until an inspection revealed a great deal of dry rot. I said, “Who cares!” My wise husband said, “No way.” I still think it’s super cute though. So we are still on the hunt. Which in some ways is the best part, Yes?

Kindergarten Diaries

kindergarten board

Originally uploaded by laluandmatt

Two things I learned this week:
1) Don’t schedule 9 subjects in one day. No matter how many books you’ve read on Charlotte Mason’s “many subjects/short lessons” theory. Maybe it works better in First Grade, but 9 subjects is just way too much skipping around. For the kindergartener. And the teacher. Whew!

2) Go for a walk every day… even if it’s boiling hot and all you want to do after lessons is collapse on the couch listening to your Maytag wash all those karate uniforms for those new lessons you signed your kids up for. Tao Bao does not count as P.E. unless it’s raining and grasshoppers make for happy days. Especially bright green ones.

Off to find more grasshoppers…

First Desk

First Desk

Originally uploaded by laluandmatt

and a new corner. I found it in a dusty corner with the wood sanded down and covered with clutter at the local antique mall. Our (almost) five year old has been asking for his own desk in his room, and his daddy had the same kind of desk when he was small. So we officially have an heirloom folks! And lots of messy jeans & hand stained memories to go along with it. I keep peeking into the room just to look at it.

Happy Easter everyone!

Happy Anniversary!

Hi baby! I hi-jacked your blog (guessed the password) to tell you Happy Anniversary and also to tell you how much I love you and how much I love your blog and this wonderful community of kindred spirits you’ve become intregrated with.

 You’re pretty cool in my book…

 Love, Husband

in the hopper

dollquiltswatches

Originally uploaded by laluandmatt

My dad used to say that all the time. *in the hopper.* A strange sounding, but familiar to me, idiom. An optimistic way of saying, *it’s not quite ready yet.*

I have a bunch of little fabric scraps there… calling out for a project to show off all their colors. I’m thinking doll quilts since these squares are only a little over 3 inches. We’ll see. I need something to do with my hands while I’m in the hospital waiting room next week. And I”m just not a very good knitter or crocheter (yet!). Hand quilting sounds just right…

Somewhere in Door County

somewhere in door county

Originally uploaded by laluandmatt

*Pick-ur-own* cherries down every highway turn, pirate tales and lore, fresh ice cream, fireworks in the park, (bearable) traffic in the village and little scenes like this everywhere you point your camera. My sweetie took this picture as we were driving up to the Washington Island ferry… I think he has a great eye for this kind of thing, don’t you agree?

My Tired Firefighter

my tired firefighter…

Originally uploaded by laluandmatt

Still no vacation pictures, but we’ve been reliving the fun here at home. In full firefighter gear. In 90 degree weather. Ha.

Knitting for the first time…books, yarn and other diversions

Okay. So I finally taught myself how to knit. With a book. Or, rather, a few books. At midnight. When I imagine every mother of young children must learn new skills. And I am absolutely thrilled. Feel a bit of gray creeping up on me as I write that I am *thrilled* about learning to knit. But it’s true.

I will not be sharing the full title of my favorite book because of it’s, um… unladylike verbage ( familiar to me in my younger, wilder years, I’m afraid – but I do not wish to offend the *tender* reader here). I’m not sure why I’m being such a prude about it – I obviously didn’t have a problem actually buying the book. Go figure.

The *how to* section of aforementioned book was so helpful for an extreme domestic novice such as myself (as in I bought 4 books and this was the only one that put stitches on my needles, helpful), I wanted to at least post a picture to steer you in the right direction. The Simple Knits with a Twist book is beautiful, and quite modern. But it seems advanced (to me anyway), so I’ve been flipping through the pictures for motivation.

Here you go:

And a picture of my progress (don’t laugh). Truly it took me nearly 4 hours of trying to get 3 rows of stiches on!

Highly recommend nice yarn if you can fit it in your budget. I had some craft store purchased sale yarn to *practice* with. Had no luck whatsoever with said craft store yarn, and quickly switched to the *saved for a special occasion* debbie bliss cashmerino yarn. Heaven. Well not quite, but close.

Speaking of heaven. The sweet children and I spent the best part of the day outside. A little chilly still, but we had one daffodil and a host of wildflowers to keep us company. And I just ignored the phone for most of the day. I’m a hermit, I tell you.

See wildflowers in hair below: at Matt’s direction. Love that.

Quilting class, first block, and the interfacing disaster

This color combination is not for everyone, I know. The greens and teals and reds and pinks: I love the way they play off of each other and make for a happy fun pattern. I might have to work on the execution a bit… so please excuse the stray threads and bumpy seams.

I can’t wait to write more about the class. However, today we will be looking at houses… since we are finally in escrow. Looking at houses is almost as fun as quilting. Here are some pictures of the first block until I get around to posting again (and a few little projects for Matt we’ve worked on over the past few weeks… he picked out the fabric):

The class book…you’re supposed to use darks and lights on opposite sides of the block so the patterns line up nicely. hmm. Clearly I’m not following directions!

a very good reason to use interfacing. Wonky crayon case for Matt.

New tags… and my favorite green fabric.

All the centers

Matt’s muscle car t shirt. He wants more cars, he says. This was easy peezy – looks a little bit rough and the stitches are kind of all over the place. But I like it that way.

Now we’re off to find a new home!

Oceanside Flea Market

Not much to say about this flea market. Not flattering comments anyway… but while we were there for about 20 minutes I did manage to find these cute blue candlesticks for under $1.

Clean Chalkboard

Well, our house looks pretty organized right now. I am NOT an organized person, however. We are merely trying to sell our overpriced tract home to move to a smaller home/bigger lot kind of situation. So I can have a garden, so we can build a playset, so I can read my blogs at night without my backyard neighbor being able to read all the titles from their upstairs window! So nearly all of our “clutter” is packed in boxes in the garage. But I SO miss the clutter: the dozens of preschool projects all over the kitchen walls around the spice cabinet… all the letters of the alphabet with animals to match at about the 2 foot level… notes & recipes posted everywhere. But I’m rebelling. I’ve started to add my clutter back. Starting with two pictures on the chalkboard. I’m so bad.

dolls with red hair

Okay, I’ve had my heart set on an American Girl doll for Lauren since way before her earth entry (gosh that sounds kind of new agey)… they have this auburn haired Felicity doll with all sorts of American revolutionary stories to weave around her cute outfits.  You see, grandpoppa is a serious early American history buff (mayflowerinstitute.com) AND this would fit right into all the homeschooling ideas I have for 1st and 2nd grade.  But seeing as Lauren is only 15 months old, and that doll is for 7+ – I think a soft sweet cuddly doll might be in order until she’s at least 4. So I found this adorable one made over at the colorful loobylu.com – must have, must make.

Crazy for Lentils

I’m constantly amazed by what I find posted on all the wonderful crafty mommy blogs. The soup recipes below are delicious! You’ve got to check out mommymoshpit.blogspot.com for the Lentil recipe… and there is a a wonderful Potato leek recipe out there but I forget the site & will have to post it later… I’m such a lazy blogger.

My darling sister-in-law Julie (of Green Lake, Wisconsin… our favorite spot in the world) promises me this is fantastic with italian sausage.

I never thought about homemade soup before I had babies. Such a wonderful cozy thing, and I never experienced it until after college , law school, and 3 years of marriage! Now it’s near the top of my favorite things list.

Anyway, enough about me and soup: you’ve got to try this. My little ones had it for lunch today & LOVED it. California rain and a bowl of lentil soup… happy happy, joy joy.