I Made My Grandmother Cry

About two and a half weeks before Christmas, my mom mentioned that my grandmother would really like a black hand-knit scarf by moi. Did I mention that it was two and a half weeks before Christmas?

But my grandmother is the best. She's generous to a fault - generous with her time, love, assets. I've only knitted dishcloths for her before this (in my defense, she LOVES hand-knit dishcloths). I had to knit her a scarf.

So I went surfing through Ravelry and picked out the Dagger Lace Scarf from an issue of Knitscene. I figured out that if I did 5 1/2 inches every day I could have it finished by the time she came to visit after Christmas. I knitted on the couch; I knitted in the car; I knitted at my in-law's; I knitted everywhere and all the time. The day before Gram arrived, I had one more lace repeat. Ray occupied the children, and I FINISHED! Blocked it that night, and I finished wrapping it just as she pulled into the driveway.

Then came the suspense: would she like it? Dear Reader, she loved it. She cried. I made my grandmother cry, and it was one of the best moments ever.

Finding Joy Friday: Amelia

Seven years ago, I had no idea how much my life was about to change. No class, book, or other mom's stories could have prepared me for the joy, wonder, and extreme ups and downs of being Amelia's mommy.

Happy early birthday to Amelia Grace.

Finding Joy Friday

Ahem! Let's not talk about how long it's been, shall we?

The last couple of weeks have been filled with Christmas decorating, runny noses, books, books, and more books, sewing, and knitting. All good things, except for the noses.

Today I'm happy because....

Stockings are hung by the chimney with care

Christmas decorations made with love - and sometimes skill - are scattered around home

Presents (with wrapping help from Jack) are under the tree

the KnitWits are so funny (thanks, Amy)

And it's almost time to celebrate our third anniversary here in Auburn

I hope the last few weeks have been joyful ones for you, too.

Finding Joy Friday, Part Deux

Because, really, who doesn't find this hilarious?

Finding Joy Friday

It's quite a list of happiness this week. Let me know what's brought you joy lately.

The goldenrod peeking over the top of the backyard fence.

My sassy girl. I met with her teacher this morning for the fall parent-teacher conference. It's always a joy to hear other adults reaffirm what I already knew about my girl - she's bright, well-behaved and an all-around good kid.

"I do it myself." While I'm not always joyful when Jack utters these four words, it does bring me great pleasure to know that he's mastering important skills like making toast, getting ice and water out of the fridge, and rolling out tortilla dough (ok, this last was a bit tongue in cheek, but he thinks it's very important).

Ray's grace under pressure. It's nice to know that when I'm falling to pieces, Ray is there to pick them up and put them back together with Paleobond, of course.

Going to Pittsburgh and coming back home again.

This lovely post from Amy. And I thought I was the only one.

Finding Joy Friday

Here's a short rundown of what's making me happy happy this week:

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus - super-delicious recipe in the latest issue of Cooking Light.

Black-Eyed Susans and Goldenrod - maybe, just maybe the weather is finally going to turn and fall will arrive. I hope so; it's my favorite season.

Cannonball! - this is what Jack yells as he leaps from pillow mountains. You'd really have to hear a recording to get the full effect.

More artwork from Amelia

Ray's dimples - I love seeing his dimple when he smiles and I love that our son has one in the same place.

What's making you happy?

Beleagured Ken or Mauled Horse - What's a Mom To Do?

Jack and I were building Lincoln Log houses tonight until a dinosaur destroyed the stable and ate the horse alive - again and again. Jack squealed with delight as his plastic dinosaur growled and slobbered (well, if plastic could slobber, this dino would have) over the tiny Lincoln Log horse. Almost incoherent with giggling, my boy would say, "You be the horse, Mama! You be the horse!" Over and over, my little horse would run away from the evil dinosaur only to be caught and devoured.

In the middle of the carnage, I realized that if Amelia and I were playing together, she'd be forcing me to be Ken, the constantly nagged, put-upon husband/boyfriend. (Please God, I hope she's not modeling this on my relationship with Ray. Please.) Sometimes I'm also the "Grandma Barbie" or the babysitter.

If you get right down to it, whatever the kids are playing, I'm getting the worst of it. But you know what, I love it. I really, really do, and not because Barbie's going to banish me to the junkyard (no kidding, this has happened to Ken before) or because I'm going to be eaten alive by a dinosaur.