This one goes to 11

That's right, Spinal Tap is reuniting! How fun! This is spinal Tap has to be one of my all time favorite movies so I just wanted to share.

Knitter's Coffee Swap Questions!

1. Whole bean or ground? Whole bean, preferably
2. Fully-loaded or decaf? Fully-loaded, baby
3. Regular or flavored? Either, but the only flavors I really don’t like are amaretto, coconut or licorice (not that I’ve ever seen licorice flavored coffee but just in case…)
4. How do you drink your coffee? Lots of cream and sugar, but not those flavored creamers. They are too syrupy sweet.
5. Favorite coffee ever? Pumpkin Spice from the little coffee shop that I used to work at, chicory coffee at the café in New Orleans, and I also love lattes and mochas.
6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? I appreciate good coffee but I’ll be honest, I don’t have the most distinguished coffee palate. Same thing with wine. I’m not drinking out of a box of white zinfandel from the fridge or anything but I’m not really all that picky either.
7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? I’ve been known to eat some scones with my morning coffee (which is usually the only time I drink it). I also love a good cookie. Basically if it is sweet and a carbohydrate, I’ll like it. Biscotti are also nice. Oh and cheesecake! And chocolate...
8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? I just don’t like Starbucks!
9. Yarn/fiber you love? I’ve only been knitting for a few months and I’m having so much fun just trying different yarns. I definitely have a preference for natural fibers, but I don’t know what my favorites are. I tend to be pretty uptight about spending money on myself and this includes yarn, so I’ve been pretty practical so far. I did get a really pretty silk yarn when someone gave me Gift certificate to my lys, and I really liked that. I’m going to let my partner take the lead on this and get me something that she thinks is great.
10. Yarn/fiber you hate? Just anything stiff, scratchy and hard to work with, again I don’t have anything that jumps out at me as something I really hate.
11. What's on your needles? My first attempt at a sock, a ballband dishcloth for Mother’s day gifts, a little cotton dress for my two year old that I haven’t touched in a good month, and I’m getting ready to start my first mobius to get ready for a “magical knitting” workshop that I’m taking in June with Cat Bordhi.
12. Favorite colors? My favorite colors really depend on my mood but in general I’m drawn to rich jewel tones or bright colors in the red, blue, and green color families. I don’t like pastels much or colors that make me think of country crafts, like dusty rose, etc. My least favorite color is probably yellow.
13. Allergies? I’ve pretty much outgrown all of my food allergies and don’t have any wool allergies or anything like that. I’m a vegetarian though.
14. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest? Let’s see, I also started needle felting recently and I love that. And like my partner, I have a thing for fairies and other fantasy related paraphernalia!

So, what is birthing the mother anyway?

Birthing the Mother is the name of my business. I started teaching childbirth classes about six months after my first child was born. I began by teaching the Bradley Method.
After a few years I took some courses through Birthing from Within, which I love!, and have been teaching a kind of hybrid between the two. Over the years I've also been a labor doula, postpartum doula and belly caster. Things are pretty quiet these days on the business front as I have a lot keeping me busy with my own three children and two step-children, but it is a passion of mine and I think soemday I will be more involved with it again. Here are a few examples of some of my most recent belly masks. Ok, I think they are at the beginning of this post. I don't quite have this blogging thing down yet. Anyway, I love doing the bellies. They are a great creative outlet that ties right into my business and is an awesome way to celebrate how amazing our bodies are! I just wish more women believed they were beautiful when they were pregnant instead of just feeling fat! Hope you like the pictures. People seem to either think the belly masks are really neat or really weird!

Hogwarts Sock Swap Questionnaire

Hogwarts Sock Swap Questionnaire

1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into? Hufflepuff

2. Shoe size? 9-9 1/2 US

3. Foot Length? 10 ¼”

4. Foot Circumference? 8 ½”, long and somewhat narrow.

5. List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length. As I haven’t done much sock knitting yet, I’ll tell you what I have

a. Clover 2 DPN, 7 inch (bamboo)

b. Umm, that’s it

c. Plan to get some small circulars to try the two circular needle method

6. Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length? I’d love too, and I will leave what brand, size, etc. up to you. Whatever you have found that works well for you, I’m willing to try. (how hufflepuff of me)

7. If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference? N/A

8. Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal? Sure am!

I can't wait to see who my partner is!

virgin blogger

Here is my first ever blog and I'm feeling pretty illiterate. I've set this up solely for the purpose of participating in the Harry Potter sock swap. Yes, I am that much of a dork. So, I am going to figure this blogging business out and post again soon.