Still here and very cold

Hey. It has been snowing or snowing temperature here since Sunday. We are not exactly snowed in, since Jason and I were able to walk to the store to pick up supplies (and I walked to the bus to get to work), but we haven't been out and about as much as I wanted. Jason finished fall quarter on Monday, and has been mostly relaxing (as much as you can with 2 small housebound children). I did most, if not all, of my Christmas shopping early so no need to bus to the mall or anything. Almost all presents will be hand made or traded for handmade anyway. People in California and Wisconsin (you know who you are) will have to wait for Christmas presents however, since I don't think I'll be able to make the postal deadline. So it's Christmas in January for you. Hurray!

I finished all my special orders, so now I'm working on treats for the girls. I've made one hat (Here it is on Pilar, but this one is Lena's)
The flower was added to cover up the seams from changing color. I'm not that great at the crochet stiches required to make color change seamless. I also attempted a crown:

This one turned out pretty well. It's a bit big, but she loves it. I'm making one for Pilar once I finish here. I will also be making one for their cousin Anna, so they can all be princesses, or fairies, or whatever together.

This post has taken WAY too long. I had planned to include a list of craft fair vendors, but the girls are making that difficult, so I'm going to go break up whatever argument is currently raging. Whoever said little girls are sweet and demure was full of it.

It's Snowing!

It's snowing! Last year it snowed on Christmas, which was very exciting since Lena had asked for snow for Christmas. Pilar, however, was too young to be much more than confused. So the snow today is pretty exciting to her. I think soon we will be outside playing in it. According to the little weather indicator at the bottom corner of my computer, it will be sunny but cold on Monday. I don't know how much I trust that, however, since it says it is overcast right now and I can look out my window and see it actively snowing.....I'm thinking snow day tomorrow.

Yesterday's Craft fair was a bit disappointing. The vendors were fantastic. They had interesting, quality goods to sell and were great company, but because there were weather warnings all day yesterday and it was COLD and wet almost no one came out. I had a few sales (enough to pay for my table fee and some items I purchased) and most of the tables had at least one sale if not more (I believe) it was still disappointing. I will list the vendors who came on Monday's post (I have to dig them out of my plastic storage bins). On the bright side, the fair accomplished what it set out to do. Make some money for Lena's pre-school. My mother-in-law spent an entire day and most of a night recycling crayons for our sale. The crayons were definitely the best seller: 16 sets. We also made money on the table fees: 12 spaces. So all in all successful for Headstart, though I wish it had been better for our vendors. Stupid weather.

Life is not Whatnot

So I have noticed, going over some of my current posts, that I haven’t included anything personal for a while. This is mostly because it is easier for me to Etsy shop (though, unfortunately not always buy) for this site, than to compose anything thoughtful. Sure, I could tell you more about the various baked goods I have ruined, or the number of times I have had to explain to the girls why they cannot eat applesauce on the couch, OR how I am so ohmygod CRAZY trying to get a craft fair for this coming Saturday organized and am freaking out because it’s supposed to snow this weekend…..but I won’t . I’ll be good and try not to whine. That’s annoying. So here is an update on the cool stuff that’s been happening:

Jason – is FINALLY finished with the quarter from hell. He has an enormous pile of grading, but then he has some time off. He will be teaching 4 courses again next quarter, though they are more evenly spread out, and not all as grading intensive. He will be teaching a once a week course on scholarship essay writing to children of immigrant laborers this coming winter and is very excited about it.

Helena – still loves school and is making some friends. We have had a couple playdates, but not many. She especially loves teaching us all new songs she’s learned from class. Often they are recognizable (though some are completely new to me too) and she will MELT DOWN if you sing it WRONG. Apparently the words, “YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG!” should be sewn on a pillow or tattooed somewhere on my body so I won’t forget that I don’t know how to sing row, row, row your boat properly. I just want to know who replaced my 4 year old with this tiny teenager. She even has the eye rolling down. (although, to be honest that might be because eye rolling is often my reaction to her father.)

Pilar – is also loving school and has made some friends. The other day I asked her who she wanted to see at school and she named two friends. Both of these kids are very cute and I keep meaning to ask them over to play, but I forget. It would be nice for Pilar to have some friends of her own. Her vocabulary literally grows everyday. She loves to follow Lena around and copy her EXACTLY. It’s pretty funny to watch most of the time.

Me – I am still doing all the same things I have been doing. There’s really nothing new. I’m looking forward to Christmas week, since both Jason and I have it off and hopefully we can plan many fun activites. I’ll let you know if anything fun occurs.

Something That Rhymes with Monday: Projects

As the Holidays get closer, I must contemplate a whole 2 weeks with Lena out of pre-school. There are many activities in and around Portland, so I'm not all that worried. But since it does tend to rain here, it is also nice to have some at home activities. This Monday's list is a compilation of kid friendly projects.

This particular item is what got me thinking about projects in the first place. I LOVE the idea of a different activity coming in the mail each week. There is also (I believe) the option of having all the projects mailed at once (which might help with the whole 2 weeks off dilemma). Find it at Blynken and Nod.
This next one looks messy, but FUN. Who wouldn't want to make slime?! No one, That's who. Find this kit at Kids Craft Store.

*This post is cut short due to crying child. I'll add more later.....* Okay I'm back.....

I have a soft spot for hook rugs. My grandmother had a GINORMOUS Raggedy Ann rug we worked on when I was little. I loved sitting there with her, chatting and working. If you have older (maybe 5 and up) kids, this is a fun rainy day project. Now, if only my grandmother's rug had been this cool, I might have finished it. Find this one at Crafty Like a Fox.This is a great deal if you have more than one monster running around. The recommended age is 6 and up, but with A LOT of parent supervision, I could see this being fun for slightly younger. I love the wide variety of materials included to let your imagination run! Find this kit at Sockett Shop.
Finally, I love Christmas Crackers. However, since I am from the U.S and not Europe, it is not really a tradition I grew up with, just one I like. I'm considering making some of these for (and maybe with) my girls this year. I like this kit. It looks both fun and easy. I need easy. Find it at Hand Mad[e]ducation.
May you have a crafty good time!

Aaargh!

I just burned a batch of toffee (candy thermometer was not low enough) and forgot to add almonds to the almond biscotti. Also, the biscotti in the middle burned. Also, I forgot to buy more eggs and now have to go out again tomorrow. Also, I am annoyed. Also, it is late now and I'm going to bed. Grrrr....

Something that Rhymes with Monday: Stocking Stuffers

My favorite Christmas tradition (other than the ornaments) is the stocking. I love the idea of tiny gifts, candies, etc. I've really tried this year to make gifts, or buy handmade gifts when possible. I've mostly succeeded. So here is my list of fun, beautiful, or just plain weird stocking stuffers. I've tried to include everyone on this list, although men are harder to shop for on Etsy. However, I did manage to keep them all under $20. Enjoy:

This is from my friend Clara's shop, Beadcitos. She makes lovely beaded jewelry. These earrings make me want to pierce my ears (again)...
This sweet little hair clip is from Tutu Monkey. My girls received pretty little fancy barrettes from my Aunt last Christmas and LOVED wearing them around the house for dress up and then when we went out. Very cute.
Here's something I bought for my nephew. I love picturing him and his brother sending secret messages back and forth to each other. I'm sure my sister will love it. :) Find one of your own at Wood Toy Shop

Okay, this one may actually be my favorite. Click on the link to DippyLulu and read the description for yourself. Yes, they are exactly what you think they are.
This is soap from my friend Elizabeth's shop, Gassner Custom Soaps. Some relatives, who shall remain nameless, will be receiving some (or many) of her soaps and sundries for Christmas. This one is my favorite.
Finally, I just think these are really cute. I buy a Holztiger toy for the girls every year for Christmas. I'm thinking I may switch to one of these instead. Find this little guy at Wood Chesters.
That's my list. Happy shopping!