Oh boy, I am so out of practice...

When did I last write? It's been a few weeks, I know. I guess after such a long blogging hiatus, I barely remember that this is something I love... writing, musing, spewing forth, whatever. Part of the issue is I read so few blogs now and don't feel part of any specific blogging community. This used to be a mama-blog and I read the other mamas, they read me, we had a dialogue. It then morphed into a knitting & family life blog; again, I was conversing back and forth via blogging. Now, what's it about? Hmmm... still family life, some photography, very occasional knitting (though I'm trying to remedy that.)
I'm re-defining myself, I guess... again. Problem is, it's not a complete definition. One strong motivator right now, though, is moving in the direction my creativity dictates. I can't keep ignoring it, it causes way to much existential angst, and in a life where I barely have time to breathe, I find myself actually holding my breath for lengthy periods (and yes, that does cause a person to pass out, or very close) which I'm taking as a life metaphor. It's a piece of me I must nourish. I'm immersing myself in learning as much as I can and allowing myself the time to really push myself creatively. To that end, I will be launching a business in the next couple weeks, focusing mainly on custom annnouncements and invitations, but also marketing materials. I expect, for the moment, for it to be a trickly business-- a little here and there, with friends as my main customers (which is already the case) while I stick with the day job. But that is okay with me, as long as I'm doing something that really feeds this truly ravenous side of me, this part of who I have always been yet chosen to ignore for logistical reasons, mostly. Any maybe because of tiny bit of doubt.

“He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.”
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

So, yes. I will be doing new things, and I am really excited to dive in and go for it. The name, the site, and the fun will be revealed within... one week! I'm committing.

In the meantime, I have been doing the Year in Pictures project on Flickr. I flailed through January and February, posting just a few shots I truly loved. The rest were done under pressure, and half-assed to be perfectly blunt, and so I almost quit. But then I decided a theme would help, and so this month I am shooting hands & feet. Hands, mostly, because they tell so many stories. Here are a few, so far.

this, that, the other

These are some little legwarmers and a beanie I just sent off to my sister's good friends who recently adopted a little girl. I also did their announcements, which I'm actually launching as a side business. I haven't put up a site yet, but I will soon be doing so with more details. You can see the announcement in the background, but here is a better view:

I don't feel like the blogger upload quite does it justice, but you get the idea.

Most importantly, right now... Miss V's tests came back normal. The doctor wants her to try some albuterol to see if that solves the chest pain issue when she exercises. She is such a sweetheart-- she is forever drawing pictures for all of us and writing mini love letters and just generally being such a lovebug. She is working on a series of stories with M about our dog, Olive, and fully intends to get them published. I think she has a pretty good shot at it! I'll try to scan some of the illustrations soon. Too funny.
She asked me last night if music was playing when she was born and when I said yes, she asked me what song. This is for you, my sweet little girl...

Hills Of Eternity - Buckethead

When it rains, it pours...even in the desert.

Poor Miss V, all hooked up to an EKG. Please don't worry... her doctor thinks she has exercise-induced asthma, based on his check up yesterday. She's been complaining of chest pain during PE at school, or when she runs around in the yard for very long. The air is very cold and dry right now, which can be one of the initial triggers. Nonetheless, he also took the prudent approach and ordered an EKG, which while I know is just good medicine and ruling out all possibilities, was still a little unsettling to see.
This week has been a doozy. On Sunday, our washing machine caught fire. Quite literally. The good news is, we were home, and I smelled smoke, so J pulled it out immediately (full of water and a load of laundry!) If we hadn't been home, it could have been truly disastrous, as it's parked right next to the gas hook-up for the dryer. As we priced new machines, we consoled ourselves with the thought of how very much worse it could have been. 
So... this sexy beast and its equally racy partner-in-laundry were delivered and installed this morning. Yes, red.
On the same day, I completely jacked an old whiplash injury (car accident eight years ago...kind of funny story, in retrospect) and spent the next few days totally unable to move my head without excruciating pain, far worse than the actual initial injury. Oy. Stress, much? Anyway, I had never seen a chiropractor, even thought I'm very open to alt medicine, having gone the acupuncture route before, and having seen a naturopath back in Seattle for my primary care for quite some time. But you know... there are enough sketchy stories out there, that I had never really considered it. Momday morning, though, I was in so much pain that I googled for pain specialists here in town, and wound up seeing a chiropractor who is also an accredited pain specialist, and who combines his practice with an acupuncturist and a massage therapist. So far, I have had two TENS treatments, along with deep tissue work, and adjustments (yowza! those are trippy-feeling...) I'm feeling much better, but will need to have at least a few more visits.
While still on the subject of pouring when it rains, I'm going to side-step the enormous car-repair bill we also have coming next week, out of sheer denial. I am going to have to momentarily stick my head in the sand on that one.

In more pleasant news, I am doing the Flickr Year In Pictures project again. This time, I am going to stick with it. I'm enjoying it, although on the busy days, it stresses me out to not have a decent shot. My favorite so far?

It hit #20 in Explore, too, so I guess it was a pretty succesful shot. I mostly love it because J & I have this ongoing thing about crows-- how they mate for life and live in extended families where the older siblings help with the younger siblings, etc. They are crazy-smart, they have dynamic relationships, and they are all-around fascinating creatures.
I'm also getting ready to launch a small side-business that I am very excited about. I will leave you with bated breath for the moment, but I will be buckling down and getting the site up soon, so expect an announcement of sorts.

Wishing Well - The Airborne To...

this time eleven years ago...

I lay in bed, exhausted after 32 hours of arduous labor, overwhelmingly in awe of the little creature nestled in my arms.

I had been afraid. I had really believed that for some reason, having children wouldn't come easily, if at all. I wanted it more than anything, but I feared it wasn't in the cards. But there he was, pink and healthy (albeit temporarily cone-headed...poor thing,) nursing and sleeping and pooping and crying and being certifiably the most amazing, wonderful baby ever. I felt like the only person in the world who had ever known the sense of miraculousness that having a baby seems to invoke.

To this day, I still sometimes have to shake my head at the wonder of it all, at the great privilege of being mama to this boy, this young man, really. He is whip-smart, truly kind, genuine, funny, a freckled, sparkling-blue-eyed goofball who knows exactly when to have fun and when to take life very seriously. He's a wonderful brother, a true-blue friend, and a devoted sweetheart of a son.

Happy Birthday, S. Your mama will always love you.

Preparing to bid a fond farewell to one of the best years of my life...

It was a year like no other, that is for sure. I learned a lot, I became more myself than I have ever been, and I found my spot. I toasted the new year with a wonderful man, and with our lovely children, and I knew without making wishes or resolutions, that I was in for a big year.

 I got to travel more than usual. J & I went to Las Vegas (a first for me!) where I learned that not only did I adore him at home, but that he was far & away the best travel companion a girl could hope for.

I went to Portland, and got to see old friends, which was wonderful, albeit brief. I went on a whirlwind trip to Phoenix for work, which was...nothing special, as travel goes. Eventually spring rolled around, and I planned a trip to Seattle. I wanted my family and closest friends to meet the guy I'd fallen so madly in love with. We planned the trip for June, but on May 5th, he proposed... so in the end, I brought my fiance to meet the family. We had another wonderful trip together and resolved to travel as much as two people with four kids possibly can get away with.
So yes...one of the major highlights of this last year was just that. The proposal. The move to Santa Fe. {God!! I love this town. I thought I was happy in Albuquerque, but having moved to Santa Fe, I feel truly at home. It's like a very small Seattle, at least in terms of culture and ideology. Of course, it's the desert, so there's a pretty significant difference. It lacks the beautiful waterways of the Puget Sound, but oh! the sky is so blue. And it snows and feels like winter and has the most majestic cloud formations you've ever seen.}
And autumn. Autumn in the high desert is unspeakably beautiful. I can't tell you how thrilled I was to marry this man, to clasp his hand and promise him everything, on a sparkling, crisp October day. It was like everything that had ever happened in my life led to exactly that moment of pure magic.

Immediately after the wedding, we launched into holiday mode. This year has been nothing short of whirlwind. It's had its difficult moments, of course. A lot of change and transition, and especially seeing the kids through all of that...well, there have been challenging moments. I went through a couple losses in terms of friendships, which is something that had never happened in my life before. That was rough, particularly in the sense that for a while, it made me question myself and who I am in a relationship. But I came to the conclusion that really, everything does happen for a reason. And by and large, I'm the happiest I have ever been, so who is to argue with that outcome?

So, it's with some reluctance that I'm preparing for the end of this year. It's odd, I can't say I have ever felt that way. I'm usually glad for a new year, the notion of a clean slate. This year, I'm simply thrilled to be where I am and to continue to see how things evolve. I loved this last year and I welcome the next. I have lots up my sleeve, but I'm not one to make big declarations or resolutions. At least, not out loud.

Oh! And in case anyone wondered, after the baking fiascos of my last entry, the gingerbread apple upside-down cake was unbelievable. So delicious.

Yeah. So good.  For New Year's Eve, I'm making Cappelini with Beans & Greens (good luck foods... I never said I'm not superstitious!), with some chianti, and for dessert, Vanilla Roasted Pears with homemade butterscotch. Can you tell Smitten Kitchen is my favorite food blog?

J & I are sans children for five more days while they are off with their other parents. It's still not easy for me to put S & V on a plane, and this year was particularly hard, since it fell on the anniversary of my mom's death (there's an interesting story of a shooting star in there, but I'll save it for another day...) but I am glad they are getting time with their dad, and I'll be honest...solo time is good for us, too. It's rare.

I hope 2010 brings ridiculous levels of joy into all of your lives. All five of you who read this. And to those who used to, and to friends I've lost track of, and to my lovely family, all (or at least most) of whom I miss, to my dear friends far away, and to my newest friends and family, please...have a shiny, happy new year.

...only 7 days until Christmas!!

The kids, of course, have been counting down. I've spent the last two days evenings baking cookies. The first set was for a presentation S had to do on holiday celebrations in other countries. He chose Greece, so we made these butter cookies that were a lot like Mexican Wedding Cookies, only less dense and without nuts. They are okay, but not exactly delicious. In the lovely litle damask boxes pictured above, which are being hand-delivered to four teachers this morning, are Chocolate Espresso Snowcaps.

What do I have to say about these cookies? They are pretty good. Not delightful. Not oh-my-god. Also? They are a royal pain to make. I won't be repeating this recipe.
Sigh. I guess I'm kind of 0-2 on the holiday baking front thus far this year. I hope that Gingerbread Apple Upside Down Cake comes through for me.

In other domestic news, I finished the lil baby hat for my sister's friends last night. I'm hoping to make some good headway on the stripey legwarmers this weekend.
In non-domestic news, work holiday party today at lunch. Whoo. Also, I had an epic nosebleed in the wee hours of the morning and seem to be catching the first cold I have had in at least two years. Yet, I remain cheerful and happy and generally very thrilled with life. Gotta love that.

Frosty The Snowman - Fiona App...

It's all about new traditions.

Freshly married and blended, this will be our first official Christmas as a family. This weekend we will decorate our tree-- a real tree this year, for the first time in a few years. (I went the fake-tree route the last couple Christmases-- can you imagine me, bionic single mama that I was notwithstanding, in all my 5'2" glory, hefting a tree on top of the car?)
I'll be baking the beautiful cake pictured above for Christmas dinner with my new in-laws. We will pack up the battle-wagon and trek an hour south to spend what will be a much bigger Christmas Eve with my former in-laws, who in all fairness, are really more like my very own family. I will send of a box of love to my very-much missed sisters and their families, and cross my fingers that some of my brother-in-laws famous cookies will be tucked into the box that's coming our way.

Next week, as we prepare for the last week of school, the four children will join me in the kitchen to bake cookies for their teachers. We have agreed upon these little lovelies and these ones, with a nod to the slightly more healthy. Hey, there's oatmeal in there, right? And fruit. We will also make ornaments, because guess what? Crafting with four kids is fun! They get such a thrill from their accomplishments.

Another new tradition I'll be starting is creating an annual book of photos, chronicling the prior year. 2010 will be the first book, since it will be our first complete year as a family. I'm so excited to start compiling it. I'll edit it as each month passes so the moments still feel fresh. I thought of this while putting together our wedding book, over at the very cool book-making site, Blurb. Would you like a peek at the wedding book? It's only a few pages, but you get the idea.
to the moon & back

wintry indeed...

Winter has arrived, and it's not kidding around. We have had morning temperatures as low as two degrees. Yesterday was a snow day, and today there is a two-hour delay for schools. I know none of this really compares to weather seen in the midwest, or the northeast for that matter, but I have spend the last two days wanting nothing more than to cuddle up under down blankets and drink hot tea.
Over the weekend, I started a little hat for friends of my sister who have just picked up their new baby daughter in China. I'm using chocolate brown and baby pink Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. I've knit with it before but I forgot how soft it is.

I'll be knitting up these adorable little baby legwarmers, too. I'm also designing her announcement, something I've been doing quite a bit of lately. I'm slowly working at launching a side graphic-design business, which I hope to tailor mostly to personal events and announcements, although certainly also for small local businesses.

The chilly weather the past few days begged for homemade soup, so I cooked up a batch of potato-cheddar soup, courtesy of my lovely friend, Toni. We all loved it, and it seems like a recipe that can be played with...extra veggies, some italian flat beans maybe, bacon if that's your gig (J crumbled freshly-cooked bacon over the top and declared it a hit), maybe some thinly sliced pan-roasted garlic.

So, for the forseeable future, it's all about staying warm, enjoying family, and preparing for the holidays.

There is much to be grateful for.