Vanilla Gorilla & and The Polish Monkey

After much talk, Alan and Mike finally took to the court today. It was a match-up of the Vanilla Gorilla against the Polish Monkey, both of whom had to dig around their houses to unearth their dusty basketball shoes, and spend 30 minutes or so remembering how to shoot hoops (I exaggerate a little, but when you're standing around watching two middle-aged men work the kinks out, time seems to drag a little).

To keep ourselves amused, Anja and I took Lilly over to the swings.

In case this little vanilla bean takes after her daddy, Mike made sure to get in a game against Lilly while he could still guard her. He totally dominated.

Let the Under The Sea Adventure begin!

That post about progress photos was just a tease. Instead I'm posting finished photos! Once I got the ball rolling on this baby mobile, it actually came together pretty quickly.
Each piece was a separate pattern, some of my own and some from others. I have it on good authority that Maxwell is already enjoying his mobile. Hopefully his parents will send me a photo.

The seaweed was created using the Toothy Leaflet pattern from Suzann Thompson’s “Crochet Bouquet”, though slightly modified.

The centerpiece was this Yellow Submarine, which I crafted by looking at a picture.


Big Blue, the cheeky octopus: pattern from Ana Paula Rimoli.

Sweet Fish: pattern from Ana Paula Rimoli.


Spiny Starfish: I adapted this from a pattern for a Super Mario Invincibility Star by Marte Fagervik .

Jelly Fish: pattern from Ana Paula Rimoli.

We all have the right...

Did you see the Special Comment from Keith Olbermann last night?
It was amazing, heartfelt and so concisely to the point that I just wanted to cry - yes! exactly! that's it! Why is this so difficult for so many to understand?
I encourage you all to watch it.

A hardworking gnome...

A hardworking gnome, gathering mushrooms and strawberries, has no time for idle chit-chat. High-ho, high-ho, it's off to work he goes!




Mr. Gnome is of my own design, while the mushroom is from Ana Paula Rimoli (Amigurumi Two!) and the strawberry body is from Elisabeth Doherty (Amigurumi!). The strawberry top I adapted from a starfish applique pattern from Susan's Creative Designs. I plan on fine-tuning the gnome pattern, so I'm sure Mr. Gnome will make repeat appearances.

Share the Love

Last week, my company hosted a party in honor of Valentine's Day and the Community Warehouse, a local non-profit that supplies household items to people recovering from crisis and in need of assistance setting up new homes. As Elizabeth says, we combined "social activity with social activism" and had a great time. I enlisted Mike's help, and the good sport that he is, he stayed until the last glass was loaded into the dishwasher.



Besides general chit-chat, set-up and clean-up, my biggest contribution was the layout of the candy. Inspired by Martha Stewart's February issue, I scoured the stores for heart-shaped cookie cutters (best deals at Michael's) and jelly bellys. It was very festive.

Dreaming of dreaming in a real bedroom

Mike has dived back into the project that will someday be our bedroom. Last year we managed to get the room gutted before the wonderful weather forced us outside. Now, spurred on by all the electrical work we had to have done elsewhere in the house, Mike has begun wiring the upstairs. We've got the drywall all ready in anticipation of someday having walls.

Under the Sea Adventure: part I

Maxwell's project is underway, and I'm making excellent progress.
There's a theme. There's color coordination. There's cuteness.
Work in progress photos to be posted soon.

Coastal Escapades

Last weekend Mike and I headed for the ocean, at Cannon Beach, with a stop in Astoria where I had some work to do at Clatsop Community College. The above photo is of ships waiting at the mouth of the Columbia River in Astoria. We couldn't tell if they were waiting to head upriver, or waiting to to cross the bar and head back home. Regardless, they made for a pretty picture.






We stayed two nights at the Inn at Cannon Beach, as a long-delayed birthday present for Mike. The place was great, and I highly recommend it (particularly in the off-season, when their prices are reduced). We had a king bed, gas fireplace, kitchenette and a 2-person soaking tub. They also offered warm cookies, free breakfast, free DVD rentals and the big plus, oscillating fans in the rooms (Mike can't sleep without one). They were also conveniently located next to the Warren House Pub, and only a couple blocks from the beach, which we took full advantage of - rain, sun or darkness - we walked that beach.

My precious, precious husband - taking a break from relaxin' to do our taxes.

Headed to town for a pint at Bill's Tavern & Brewhouse.

Googlin' at the beach.

A little souvenir.

Who turned up the heat?!

It's hard to tell, but this man really adores me.