Not letting go

Summer just won't go away this year. Not that I have anything against summer. It's just that I'm ready to move on. My autumn wardrobe is hanging in the closet, waiting for a day when the temperature doesn't reach into the '80s. The gardens have been winterized, summer toys are being moved into the attic. But summer just won't go.

I know that in February, when I feel like I'm being smothered by the long dark nights and short sunless days, I'll wonder what on earth I was complaining about back in September when the weather was oh so very July.

But right now I'd like a little autumn. I did my best to pretend this weekend that it was here. I took the kids out apple picking, went to an early Halloween party, and did lots of baking with fall ingredients. Maybe mother nature will take the hint.

:: We were told to eat while we pick - and we did! ::


:: Quinn did her best to keep up with Xander ::


:: Who was able to do his picking from the proper in-tree position ::


:: Cooking up apples to make my mother's recipe for pink apple sauce ::


:: Oh so yummy pumpkin muffins ::


The pumpkin muffins were a modification from Amy's recipe. I set out to make them just as she did, but found myself without several of the ingredients she used. They turned out sooooo good that I think I'll just stick with my modifications.

chocolate chip pumpkin muffins

2 cups flour
3/4 cup bran
1/4 cup wheat germ
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2 egg whites
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2/3 cups apple sauce (I used my homemade pink sauce)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 can (15oz) pumpkin
1 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all the dry ingredients together. In a different bowl mix the eggs, oil, applesauce and pumpkin. Add the dry stuff to the wet, then stir in the chocolate chips. Bake 20 minutes.

Easy enough. And, I'm really not kidding here, super fantastic yummy.

Since I hadn't felt that all that was really quite enough time in the kitchen (heh. joke.), I went on to make a nice little dinner of scallops, wild rice, and spinach saute to celebrate our 12 year anniversary. We couldn't find a sitter this weekend, so we're hoping we can go out to celebrate a bit more properly next weekend.


And finally, one of the summer toys I haven't put away quite yet are the kids' bikes. Xander has been on quite a project to teach himself to ride sans-training wheels. He really doesn't seem to want our help, he wants to figure it out on his own. He asked Quinn if he could take the training wheels off of her bike for practice since he's less afraid of falling from her bike (it's six inches shorter).

Today, he worked it out and was petaling away all afternoon. Look at him go! Whee!

Reversable stash

I found this great canvas in my stash and used it as the main panels for the front of these two patchwork handbags. The top panel is the right side of the fabric, and the bottom panel is the wrong side. I'm going to try to get both bags done by Friday.


I also whipped up these two mini zipper pouches using the same fabrics that I used for my last messenger tote. One is for me, and the other is for my friend's mom who took a look at my great grandmother's quilt and showed me how to repair it. That is going to be one long project. And when it's done, there's no way it's going on my bed, like I originally had hoped. Turns out it is way to fragile.

Serger Class

The second (and final) part of my serger class last Tuesday was fantastic. The instructor would hand us some odd fabric pairings, tell us to set all our dials to the default position, and then serge. Of course, she was attempting to make our machines behave badly. And, when they did, she let us try to figure out how to fix the problems.

By the end of class I was able to do the four-stitch overlock on several different types of fabric, started working on a three-stitch overlock, and did even did a rolled edge. Yippee!

The rest of the week was kind of a blur: entertaining external partners after work, seeing Kyle Cooper speak at CSCA, going out with Kevin to celebrate his birthday on Saturday, and then having out of town guests in today.

Things are going to settle down a little this week, leaving me with some time to practice what I learned at class before I forget everything.

Cutting myself off

I had the best intentions. Really. Last weekend I decided it was time to work through my stash and stop spending so much money on fabric. I made three bags from Amy Butler fabric that I bought more than a year ago. I even talked to Robyn about it at work on Monday. I was serious.

Then, Monday afternoon, I went into the fabric store to check the starting time of my serger class on Tuesday. And walked out with a yard and a half of new fabric. So much for willpower. Good thing I've never tried heroin.

:: messenger bag with brand-spankin-new fabric ::

:: how could I resist the fabric I used for the lining? ::

Too much going on

We had another great weekend. Perfect weather. We got out to the North Market for the microbrew festival and had friends over later in the afternoon for some game watching, grilling and hanging out. It was a fun time. But, it turns out I missed Craftin Outlaws, which was held on the same day. Drat. The next indie show is on the 18th of November, and I've put it in my calendar so I don't miss another one.

:: Quinn models a hat that I'm planning on giving to a baby that's expected in December ::

:: Three bags I made on Sunday for Patty Fair ::

:: The largest bag is fully reversable ::

Three Hours Later

I had a great time at my first serger class yesterday, even though we weren't supposed to turn on our machines until two and half hours into the class. So I left with only the smallest amount of evidence of having been to class at all. But here it is: my first attempt at a four thread overlock. Not bad eh? The stitches line up on the edge of the fabric - bonus! Next week we get to run through all of the stitches on our machine, which will be more fun (I assume) then learning the mechanics of the machine.

As a bonus, when I got home I found these little lovelies in the mail. I picked them up from someone (sorry - I forget who!) on Etsy last week. Cute, eh? I think it's time to make a few more of those cell phone bags.

My New Baby

I decided a while ago to get a serger this fall, and when a sale came up last month I went for it a bit early. I was just able to take my new baby out of the box this weekend, and after playing with it for a few hours I'm feeling completely inadequate. It took me 10 minutes just to thread this thing!

Luckily, I'm signed up for a beginners class this Tuesday. Unluckily, I have to travel to NYC tomorrow, so I won't be able to get any more practice in beforehand. Oh well, at least I got it threaded.

We're Back

Well, as I had hoped, my kids are great little urban travelers. We had a great time in Boston and the two of them kept up with Kevin and I quite nicely. Xander initially kept asking us why we were on a walking vacation, but he got into it okay after being on the Freedom Trail for a couple of hours.

When we got back this morning and pulled into the driveway, Quinn actually cried! "I want to go back to Boston!" She said. Kevin and I are already talking about taking them out to Vancouver on Spring Break.

:: Quinn loves Skybus ::

:: Xander on the Freedom Trail ::

Off to Boston

Tomorrow Kevin and I are taking on the kids on their first flight. We scooped up some $10 tickets to Boston on Skybus a few months back and the trip has totally snuck up on us. We're madly rushing around tonight doing laundry, packing, and trying to figure out what to do in Boston. I'm sure that part will be pretty easy once we get there.

I'm not even sure the kids would care what we did. They are just so excited to get on a plane. When we were at the pool Monday they looked up every time a plane flew over (which, unfortunately is about every 10 minutes)and asked, "Mommy, is that our plane?" Finally we saw an orange Skybus and I was able to say, yep -- that's the one.

I'm hoping I'll bump into a vintage fabric or clothing store while we're there. Other than that, I'm open to anything. See you all when we get back this weekend!

Labor Day Arts Festival

I got up early(ish) and headed over to the Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival to try and beat the heat and crowds. I'm not sure that I beat either of them, but I was able to make it over without my kids, and actually take a good look at everything without worrying about little hands. I was even able to try my hand at blowing a glass bead. Let's just say there wasn't any natural ability that was uncovered in this area. Some highlights:

:: Meeting Tim George "Mr. Etch A Sketch" ::

:: And seeing some of his work up close ::

:: Talking to the wonderful Tara Hubbard who had a another great selection of handbags this year ::

:: Seeing this amazing quilt by Barbara Robertson that took over a year to make ::

:: My first (and probably last) attempt at glass blowing ::

:: Recycled bottle caps ready to be used in a mural ::

Fox Party

Quinn had a nice, fun, (and relatively quiet) birthday party today. Because it's Labor Day weekend, all of the usual invitees were out on vacation and we celebrated with just the extended family (all 13 of us). I was able to pull together enough fox-related activities in order to satisfy Quinn's near to last minute request for a 'fox-party'. Both kids are upstairs now sound asleep, and after finishing this glass of wine, I'm going to bed myself.

:: Fox shirts - finished up just in time! ::


:: Birthday banner in the dining room ::

:: Fox bags for the pinata ::

:: Fox and flowers cake ::

:: Fox for Quinn ::

:: Baby quilt for the Fox ::

:: Quinn with her new bike gear ::