birthing the mother

May Flower Swap Questionnaire

2008-04-09T18:01:00.000-07:00

What is/are your favorite color(s)? I love so many. Cherry reds, mango, lime or apple greens, pinks, blues….
What color do you like the least? Nothing too olive drab, nor your typical baby pastels
What type of project would you like your kit to provide (socks, scarf, bag, surprise me, other–be specific):

I was thinking of some of the fun spring patterns that Noni has out:

www.nonipatterns.com/collections.php

I love the three confections (any one of them), the just fuchsias, tulips tote, just hydrangeas, just cherry blossoms, and the poppies patterns. Love them all.

Any allergies? Nope, but chemically perfumed smells give me a headache
Any pet allergies? No
Favorite edible treat? Ooh, a lot. Dark chocolate, peanut butter and chocolate or almost any sweet and salty combination, any sweet carbohydrate, cheesecake. I like healthy stuff too though! Just no licorice or marshmallow, yuck. And I’m a vegetarian (not that anyone is going to mail me some meat).
Coffee, tea or cocoa drinker? Tea and coffee. Not a picky coffee drinker, I like it sweet and weak. I love all kinds of tea.
Smoker? Nope
Favorite flower/herb/other growing thing? That’ hard. I love gardening. I like a lot of native woodland flowers like trilliums. I love bleeding hearts and nasturtiums, foxgloves, poppies, sunflowers, rosemary, basil, pineapple sage(smells so good), some of the scented geraniums, cosmos, delphinium….
Do you prefer seeds, bulbs, or cuttings? Any but bulbs might be fun. I’m moving in a few weeks and don’t have the landscaping figured out yet. So, maybe not something I’d have to put in the ground right away if possible. But if not, that’s ok. I’ll make it work.
Any suggestions that would make your kit even more special than it is already going to be? I love all the fun pagan-like spring frivolity! Fairies, maypoles, flower garlands, and all that stuff. However, we are having to purge a lot of our stuff to move into a smaller place. I’ve been given some cute fairy knickknacks before but am trying to cut back on that stuff unless is also functional! Just don’t have the room any more. Oh, and I love to handmade, creative things like you find on www.etsy.com

Favorite Color Swap Questionairre

2008-03-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

1. What are your top three favorite colors?
This is hard as it changes a lot. Right now I really like pinks and reds. I like pink with brown and pink with lime green. I like that bright lime citrusy green. I guess technically that is 3 (or 4). Let me know if you have questions!

2. What crafts do you really enjoy? Knitting, needle and wet felting, making stitch markers, drawing

3. What products do you really covet? Handmaiden sea silk yarn

4. What other activities do you enjoy besides your favorite crafty things?
Gardening, reading, hiking, biking, letterboxing, movies, just hanging out with my family, cooking/baking, decorating

5. Is there anything you collect?
Not on purpose, maybe books. I love reference type books about whatever is interesting me at the moment. With lots of photographs, cookbooks, gardening books, etc.

6. What is your zodiac sign and/or Chinese zodiac symbol?
Aries/Hare

7.What are your favorite…

…scents/smells?
Nothing synthetic it gives me headaches, I like citrus smells and vanilla, cinnamon, stuff like that.

…types of music and/or bands?
everything from Jazz to John Denver, indigo girls to Beastie Boys. I like 40's stuff and big band stuff too

…authors?
Don't have a favorite

…animals?
Love then all

…places to shop?
Etsy, LYS, Anthropologie(too $$$), Trader Joe's, craigslist

…season?
Spring and summer but there are things about all of them that I love.

…yarn/fabric/paper/other craft supplies?
I love Malabrigo!!!!

…candies or goodies?
chocolate, dark chocolate, peanut butter and chocolate, tea, coffee, cheesecake, this could go on indefinitely

8. Do you have any wish lists?
Yes, there is one on my blog

9. Are you allergic to anything?
tobacco smoke

10. Do you have any pets? What are they?
4 cats and one bunny

11. Please include anything else you would like your secret pal to know about you- anything that would be helpful in finding you little gifts that you will really enjoy. Also, if you have a Ravelry ID, please include it here.

My rav ID is Megdoula. I hate black licorice and I don't really like marshmallow or jellybeans or any of that kind of candy. Can't think of anything else right now. I like weird, unique things, handmade things.

Picture Scavenger Hunt

2008-03-14T09:41:00.000-07:00

Quidditch last round

2008-03-14T09:35:00.000-07:00

1. When Rita Skeeter prints a bad articles about Hagrid in the Daily Prophet, which Professor teaches Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures class while he is away?
a. Professor Trisonikly
b. Professor Snape
c. Professor Grubbly-Plank
d. Professor Meshdeh

2. What was the article Rita Skeeter wrote about Hagrid called?
a. The son of Fridwolfa the Giantess
b. The Truth About Rubeus Hagrid
c. Dumbledore's Giant Mistake
d. Half Giant at Hogwarts

3. When the school champions were being chosen from the Goblet of Fire, whose name cam out first?
a. Fleur Delacour
b. Viktor Krum
c. Cedric Diggory
d. Harry Potter

4. What is the spell Ludo bagman says to magically magnify his voice when he commentates?
a. Sonorus
b. Sonafy
c. Lumos
d. Sonatus

5. What kind of dragon did Cedirc have to face in the first task?
a. A Hungarian Horntail
b. A Swedish Short-Snout
c. A Welsh Green
d. A Chinese Fireball

6. Who raised the trophy after winning the world cup?
a. Troy and Moran
b. Troy and Quigley
c. Quigley and Moran
d. Lynch and Connolly

7. How many bedrooms did Mundungus Fletcher claim to have?
a. 4
b. 8
c. 10
d. 12

8. For what did Moody mistake his birthday gif of a carriage clock?
a. An intruder
b. A basilisk egg
c. A bomb
d. A Blast-ended Skrewt

9. What did Mr. Ollivander produce for the end of Cedric's wand?
a. A bunch of flowers
b. A fountain of wine
c. Twittering birds
d. Silver smoke rings

10. The dark mark is on Snape's left arm.
a. Yes
b. No

Ravenclaw Quiz

2008-03-08T06:12:00.000-08:00

1. Do my homework for me.
Cheatee Compelus
2. Tidy up my bedroom.
Quickius Red-upo
3. Make a delicious chocolate cake.
Chocolato Easy-bako
4. Make my professor stay in bed today.
Lethargo Professoro
5. I would like breakfast in bed, please.
Grand Slammius Reclinius
6. Stick all my Quidditch opponents' feet to the floor.
Oppono super glue shoe
7. Give everyone the giggles.
Laughter inaproprio
8. Dye some yarn in my favorite color.
Amore hue fiberium
9. Unravel the mess I've made with my yarn.
Knottius releasum
10. Knit my Prefect the perfect bag!
Perfecto attache pour Prefecto

Election Day

2008-03-04T05:36:00.000-08:00

It's election day here in Ohio and the weather, well, sucks. Get out there anyway and vote! Unless, you aren't voting for Obama. Then go ahead and stay home, the roads are really bad.

luck

2008-02-28T07:56:00.001-08:00

Your Luck Quotient: 77%

You have a high luck quotient.

More often than not, you've felt very lucky in your life.

You may be randomly lucky, but it's probably more than that.

Optimistic and open minded, you take advantage of all the luck that comes your way.

How Lucky Are You?

Busy, busy, busy

2008-02-28T07:50:00.000-08:00

I haven't been very faithful about posting, just doing enough to not get kicked out of the swap. So, I apologize to my partner for lack of interesting posts. We are trying to move into our new house by April 1st. The only problem is that it is a major fixer upper and currently still has holes in the floors, no kitchen or bath. We are doing all the work ourselves so most of my time has gone into that project. I'll try to do better!

Scavenger Hunt

2008-02-20T04:41:00.000-08:00

Quidditch Round Two

2008-02-19T11:12:00.000-08:00

1. With whom does Ginny go to the Yule Ball?
a. Neville

2. When Harry arrives at the Burrow and Mrs. Weasley makes them all dinner the night before they leave for the Quidditch World Cup, what does her wand turn into?
a. rubber mouse

3. Since some of the sixth-year girls didn't have any quills on them, what did they think Krum might sign their hats in?
c.lipstick

4. How old does the Quick Quotes Quill say that Rita Skeeter is?
a. 43

5. What color cloak is wormtail wearing in the Riddle house?
b. Black

6. What color is "Mad Eye" Moody's magical eye?
d. Blue

7. What color are the robes that Rita Skeeter was wearing when Harry meets her at the Weighing of the Wands ceremony?
b. Magenta

8. What does Sirius Black tell Harry, Ron and Hermione to call him when speaking around anyone else?
b. Snuffles

9. Which team beat Wales, disqualifying them from competing for the Quidditch World Cup?
c. Uganda

10. What does Madame Maxime say is the only thing her steeds will drink?
c. single-malt whiskey

Lost

2008-02-10T05:37:00.000-08:00

Which Lost Character Are You?

Created by BuddyTV

Yes We Can

2008-02-05T14:20:00.000-08:00

Yes We Can

…It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.

Yes we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom.

Yes we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.

Yes we can.

It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballots; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.

Yes we can to justice and equality.

Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.

Yes we can heal this nation.

Yes we can repair this world.

Yes we can.

We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics…they will only grow louder and more dissonant ……….. We’ve been asked to pause for a reality check. We’ve been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

Now the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea –

Yes we can.

Savenger Hunt

2008-01-30T14:57:00.001-08:00

Quidditch Round 1

2008-01-30T14:07:00.000-08:00

1. What was Harry dreaming about the first time he woke up with his scar on fire?
b. Voldemort and Wormtail plotting to kill him

2. What is the problem with leprechaun gold?
a. It vanishes after a few hours

3. Why did Mad-Eye Moody turn Malfoy into a ferret?
c. Malfoy attacked Harry when Harry's back was turned

4. Sirius warns Harry to be careful around Karkaroff because he had been a Death Eater. Which one of the professors at Hogwarts, who also used to be a Death Eater, is frequently bothered by Karkaroff?
Snape

5. Voldemort could have used the blood from any foe to make the potion that revived him work, but he held out for Harry's blood. Why?
c. The special protection Harry received from his mother would also pass to Voldemort

6. How old would Frank have been on his next birthday?
d. 77

7. Amos Diggory works for?
b. The Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures

8. Who shared a carriage with the three friends on the way from the train to Hogwarts?
Neville

9. What date in October did the delegates from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang arrive?
a. 30th

10. What color were Percy's dress robes at the Yule Ball?
a. Navy Blue

Bellatrix

2008-01-27T07:48:00.001-08:00

bellatrix
Originally uploaded by megdoula

This is one of our newest additions to the family. She was living in a utility shed at my niece's school. We brought her home, named her Bellatrix and she likes to help me knit. She luckily isn't pure evil like her namesake but does have definite naught streak.

Revelation

2008-01-27T07:43:00.001-08:00

wallpaper
Originally uploaded by megdoula

So, we have been living in this house for about 2 1/2 years now. All of the bathrooms have bad wallpaper in them but the one in the master bath I've never minded as much. It always just looked like like a woven basket, natural fibery pattern or something. The other day while in the shower I realized what it was. It's knitting! K2 P1 K2 P1 K2 then cable (I don't know the abbreviation for cabling). How did I not notice this before?! I didn't even start knitting until after we moved here. It must have seeped into my subconscious from the wallpaper and that is why I'm so obsessed!

Ravenclaw quiz #2

2008-01-22T14:09:00.001-08:00

1. RWIDZTAIR UANONETRMT: Triwizard Tournament

2. NRNAGIHAU RAHNIOTL: Hungarian Horntail

3. AEEMDY ONYOME: Madeye (I think it is supposed to Moody) but according to this is Mooney?

4. ARTI KEESTRE: Rita Skeeter

5. ELSAUAEPBNKS: Unspeakables

6. ULSFENFS: Snuffles

7. NEPSVEIE: Pensieve

8. RMUEIIPS: Imperius

9. TREUEEBTBR: Butterbeer

10. ROFELIBT: Firebolt

malabrigo swap package

2008-01-14T13:20:00.001-08:00

malabrigo swap package
Originally uploaded by megdoula

Darcy was my secret pal for this Malabrigo swap and she is awesome. She sent me some beautiful worsted Malabrigo in jewel tones which I love and then filled the package with little things she knew I needed or would like. Size 3 circular needles, a row counter, a tape measure (my kids are always stealing mine) and some great patterns to try. She also included some organic coffee that I can't wait to try and some chocolate covered cashews which are already half gone and a cute fairy magnet. Oh and she included Feb. Knit 'n' Style and highlighted part of an article that talks about the Yarn Harlot being a doula! How sweet was that. Darcy, thank you for putting so much thought into this package. It made my day!

Close up of Arreciffe 115

2008-01-14T13:14:00.001-08:00

malabrigo swap 1/08
Originally uploaded by megdoula

She picked this yarn for me because she knew I liked jewel tones. It is really pretty and I think it will look great knitted into the Quant pattern she sent me from knitty. I haven't tried an entrelac pattern before so it should be fun! Thanks again Darcy!

Who's your Patronus?

2008-01-08T15:22:00.000-08:00

I took a little quiz now that I'm back in Harry Potter swapping mode. It is determine what your patronus would be. It can be found at this link.
Mine is the phoenix and this is what it said:

The Phoenix, the phoenix is a creature that symbolizes prophetic wisdom, death, and rebirth. This Majestic patronus soars onto the field blanketing your foes in fire and causing devastation to all that oppose it. You should be honored to receive this magical creature as your patronus!

Cool.

Addicted to Swaps

2008-01-06T12:34:00.000-08:00

OK, so I'm not a very faithful blogger. Basically because I doubt there is anyone out there dying to read what I have to say. But I am addicted to swaps and I know that swap partners like to know what is going on with their partner so I here I go. I didn't let myself do any swapping during the holidays, but now I'm back on the swapping wagon (Even though I really shouldn't be doing as many as I am)
So far I'm doing a Marie Antoinette Swap, A Malabrigo Swap (both through ravelry) and I just signed up for round 4 of The Harry Potter sock kit swap. I can't resist Harry Potter and I did sit out a few rounds so I figure it's time. The button looks like I screwed it up again but it links to the page so who cares!

Mobius sling bag

2007-11-15T06:30:00.001-08:00

Mobius sling bag
Originally uploaded by megdoula

I made this mobius sling bag as a gift for my mother-in-law. I wasn't so sure about the colors but they are her favorites (even together). Once it was felted I thought the colors looked much better. OK, so I'm all caught up with blogging my knitting progress! Now I have to get back to the rest of that Christmas List.

Maryjane booties

2007-11-15T06:27:00.001-08:00

Maryjane booties
Originally uploaded by megdoula

I made these for Junie too. I need to add some velcro or something to the straps. I totally screwed these up the first time through but the second time it just clicked. I think I'll make a few more pair for Christmas gifts for my many neices.

Junie's Nippertails

2007-11-15T06:25:00.001-08:00

Junie's Nippertails
Originally uploaded by megdoula

I made this hat for my youngest. The pattern is Nippertails. I used lamb's pride (white) and malabrigo in the Molly colorway. When I was done I needle felted some little snowflakes on the side. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.

Package from my Secret Pal

2007-11-15T06:14:00.000-08:00

Let's start with the package from my Secret Pal. She sent this in October but I couldn't get pictures uploaded for awhile. Anyway, thank you to her! There are two skeins of knitpicks Superwash sock yarn and two circular needles in size one, which I don't have yet. There was also a pattern but I already filed that away in my knitting journal. Oh yeah, and there was a lot of candy in it too but that didn't last long.

Been forever since I blogged.....

2007-11-05T04:16:00.001-08:00

Sorry to my SP for how quiet it has been over here. It has been a crazy few weeks with kids costumes, we closed on a house, were out of town, and our neighbor's dog killed our angora bunny. So, anyway, I have gotten a lot of knitting done. Well a lot for me anyway. I will post pictures of them as well as my first package from my SP! Sorry it has taken so long. I saw that my downstream pal, Pauline, has gotten her package. I'm so glad that she liked it. it was really fun and she is just lovely! OK, will be posting pictures ASAP!

fall dishcloth swap package from mimi

2007-10-19T18:51:00.001-07:00

fall dishcloth swap package from mimi
Originally uploaded by megdoula

Here is my Fall Dishcloth Swap Package from Mimi! This was her first swap and I think she did a great job. I love it! The package was full of fun Halloween stuff like gel pens, pencils, stickers, tea lights and a note pad. The soap is a skull and crossbones. She knit a great bat dishcloth and included three skeins of cotton yarn in really pretty colorways. I've never seen this brand of cotton before but it looks nice. She also gave me two books of dishcloth patterns. She included a recipe for a veggie white bean chili which sounds awesome and maybe the best part was a bag of candy corns and jar of roasted peanuts. Put them together and you have the best Halloween treat! Thank you Mimi!

OOps, see below

2007-10-19T18:39:00.001-07:00

This is the baby gift that I mentioned in the post below. Someday I will figure out how to do this blogging stuff!
Carrie's baby gifts
Originally uploaded by megdoula

Big Bad's new hat

2007-10-19T18:36:00.001-07:00

big bad's new hat
Originally uploaded by megdoula

I have actually been knitting and finishing some projects but I am bad with the camera and the computer and have to rely on DH to get the pictures onto my laptop. It takes lots of reminding sometimes. But anyway here is a hat that my DH has been waiting for for a very long time and some baby gifts that I made for a friend of mine. The bib is from Mason-Dixon and the butterfly is form a book called "Knitting Toys"

Fall Dishcloth Swap Topic of the Week

2007-10-15T05:36:00.000-07:00

Now that it is getting cooler here, it makes me think of apple picking and hay rides. Are you the type that likes to go to participate in all the fall festivities like apple picking, pumpkins, decorating for the fall, hay rides, baking fall goodies, etc. or do you just sit and count the days till Thanksgiving/Christmas/Hanukkah?

I do like to do most of the fall festivities. Yesterday we took the kids to a huge pumpkin patch that I thought would be fun for them. It had a corn maze, enchanted forest, goats, turkeys, camels (yes, the traditional fall camel) slides, fair type food, and tons of halloweeny things for sale. Oh yeah, and tons of people too. It was a little too commercial for me and definitely way too crowded. The older I get the less I tend to like crowds. Next year I think we'll stick to the old fashioned pumpkin patch sans camels!

Ravelry, at last

2007-10-05T15:32:00.000-07:00

I finally got my Ravelry invitation. My username is megdoula in case you want to look me up. But I don't really know what I'm doing and haven't put much on there yet, except my profile and library. So, here is another something to suck up huge amounts of my time! Hope to see some of you there.

Another Fall Dishcloth topic

2007-10-01T06:23:00.000-07:00

How about you? Are there any recipes you especially enjoy having in the Fall? Any foods that are seasonal that you especially enjoy?

Hmmm, let's see. I love food. A lot. Some of my favorites for fall are my husband's sweet potato waffles and pumpkin bread. I like to make roasted butternut squash, which is painfully easy but really good. It is also a good time for soups and stews. I'm a vegetarian so sometimes it is hard to find a good, filling vegetarian stew but one of my favorites is called San Franciso Corn and Black bean stew! It is so good!
I'm happy to post recipes if anyone is interested! Now I'll have to go surf the other blogs for more food ideas. Happy Eating!

Fall Swap Topic of the Week

2007-09-24T18:55:00.000-07:00

Autumn has now officially begun here in the States!! What is your favorite thing about Autumn/Fall? Why?

My sister and I have a tradition that we've had since we were teenagers that we still do to usher in Fall. We go to the Yankee Peddler Festival.
It's a period arts and crafts festival. All of the vendors and artists are dressed like pioneers or at least that time period. We eat lots of food, check out the art. Then we go home and watch a really old version of the Legend if Sleepy Hollow. It is the one with a very young Jeff Goldblum as Ichabod Crane. Dick Butkis and the principal from "Welcome Back Kotter" is also in it. Yes, we are dorks. But, I love it and that is my favorite thing about fall!

Topic of the Week-Fall Dishcloth Swap

2007-09-17T12:36:00.000-07:00

When you knit or crochet dishcloths, washcloths or face cloths, what do you use? What size needle or hook? Wood? what type? Metal? Plastic? A specific Brand? Why do you love that needle or hook so much? Is there one you are dying to try? Is there a particular yarn you love and use all the time for cloths? What is so special about it?

So far I've only used Peaches and Cream and Sugar and Cream. I started knitting them on my bamboo straight needles but lately I've been knitting them with my Denise interchangeable ones. The cotton moves easier in the plastic (or whatever those are made of) than they do the bamboo. I usually use a size 5-7. I saw some nice organic cotton yarn at my LYS yesterday that I'd like to use call Inca cotton. I'd like to try that for some face cloths. The colors were very subdued and earthy (no dyes). Very soft, very pretty.

Fall Dishcloth Swap: Topic of the Week

2007-09-12T09:08:00.000-07:00

Now that in some geographic locations the weather is starting to turn cooler, do you change the type of yarn(s) you knit/crochet with? If so, what do you now knit/crochet with instead and why? If not, why do you not switch and what do you knit/crochet with?

Well, I have only been knitting a for less than a year. But I do seem to be changing it up. I try to get a season appropriate project done but my daughter's cotton summer dress is only half done. Now that it is getting colder I want to start my Christmas knitting.

Dishcloth Swap Questionnairre

2007-09-04T05:55:00.000-07:00

1. Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been doing it?
I can crochet, but mainly I just knit. I only know the very basics of crochet.

2. Have you made dischloths before? Do you use them yourself, give them as gifts, or both?
I have made them before and I think I've given them all away as gifts.

3. What's your favorite cotton to make cloths from? What cotton would you like to try that you haven't before ?
My favorite is Peaches 'n' Cream. I would like to try a nice organic cotton for some face cloths sometime.

4. If you knit, do you prefer circular or straight needles? For all, do you prefer wooden, metal, or plastic needles?
For dishcloths, I tend to use straight, but circular are probably more versatile. I suppose overall I prefer wooden, but I love my metal addi needles and my plastic Denise needles. So, I guess, I'm easy to please.

5. What are your favorite colors? Any colors you don't like much?
I love lots of colors. It depends on my mood. The only colors I'm not crazy about are baby pastel like colors, olive drab type colors, or colors that I tend to associate with country crafts, like dusty rose.

6. What do you like best about Autumn?
I like the way the quality of the light changes, of course the leaves changing colors, and fall festivals! I love the festivals we go to in the fall from arts and crafts to pumpkin patches. It makes me happy and ushers in the holiday season!

7. Pies: Pumpkin? Apple? Pecan? All of em? or No Thanks!
Pumpkin, Apple and our family's traditional Raisin Pie!

8. When you were a kid, were you the one who couldn't wait to get started with school , or the one who overslept on the 1st day?
Hmmm, probably somewhere in between. I definitely hated getting up early after sleeping in all summer but I was excited to see my friends, etc. Plus my mom was a teacher (my french teacher) and my dad was the superintendent so it wasn't like I had much choice!

9. Do you celebrate Halloween? (The real key here guys is especially knowing if you have an aversion to the holiday or little goodies/decorations associated with it, given the timeframe of the swap)
I do celebrate it! Not just the fun trick or treat aspect but also the fall equinox and older traditions of the holiday as well. We try to observe the changing of the seasons and the origins of the holiday seasons with our children. It creates fun traditions and gives the holidays more meaning for them.

10. If you had to choose just 3 edible 'goodies' to eat for a full year, what 3 would you choose?
Only, three? Well, something chocolate and probably with peanut butter in it. Some kind of good cookie or brownie and for the halloween season, candy corns and salted peanuts mixed together!

11. Do you have any pets? Kids? Husbands who seem like kids? ;)
I have a husband, and together we have 5 kids, 2 together, 2 are his from his first marriage, and 1 from my first marriage. They range in age from 2 to 13, four girls and one boy. We also have 2 cats and 1 angora bunny.

12. If you were to describe a particular yarn that shares traits of your personality, what would it be and why?
I'll have to get back to you on this one. I tend to agonize about personality questions like this.

13. Do you use your cloths mostly for dishcloths, or as facecloths?
I use dishcloths that other people have made me as dishcloths but would to try to make some face cloths as well.

14. Favorite Fall Holiday: Halloween or Thanksgiving and why? (Feel free to share another fall memory if you do not celebrate either of these holidays)
It has got to be Halloween. It is just more fun and seems like more to do, more traditions, etc. The best thing about Thanksgiving to me is that I'm allowed to start listening to Christmas Carols and watching It's a Wonderful Life after the the parade.

15. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should know about?
No serious allergies. I just don't like licorice flavored things!

Poor Bunny

2007-08-23T06:37:00.000-07:00

Last spring we got two Satin Angora rabbits. This made my daughter very happy, she had been wanting a pet rabbit for a long time. And I thought I could learn to spin and use the wool. Well so far I haven't learned to spin but have been saving their fur. Last week one of the bunnies, Rudy, was definitely not well. He let me pick him up and hold him with no struggle at all and even let me put him on his back and just lied there. I took him to the vet and we suspected wool block because he wasn't eating or drinking. After a few days of doing everything the vet suggested he seemed much better. We went out of town overnight and when we came back Sunday, he was dead in his cage. I feel terrible. Poor little bunny. His brother seems depressed now, they were litter mates. Sorry Rudy

Secret Pal 11 Questionnairre

2007-08-06T10:51:00.000-07:00

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I feel like I am still experimenting with so many new yarns. There are so many that I haven't tried yet. But I do like natural fibers better than the acrylic and novelty yarns. I just made a felted project with some Kettle Dyed Malabrigo that was beautiful and felted great. I really loved it. I would lik eto try some of the interesting yarns made form plant-based materials, like some "sea silk" that someone had at a convention I was at that was gorgeous!

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a canvas paint brush roll that I use and I also found an old silk needle roll at a local vintage clothing store that I got for a few bucks. I am yet to find something that works well for my circulars.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? My stepmother taught me to cast-on and knit stitch when I was a teenager but I didn't stick with it. Then I tried to teach myself and was discouraged by bad yarn choices and some other beginner mistakes. I finally took a class at my LYS last November and have been obsessed ever since. I guess I'd say I'm somewhere between an advanced beginner and intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? just started a wist list! It is on the sidebar.

5. What's your favorite scent? I don't like strong artificial fragrances, they give me a headache. But if the source is natural, like from an essential oil or something then I love citrus type smells, vanilla,cinnamon, lots of herbs like basil, rosemary, pineapple sage. Just about anything woodsy and earthy like that and food smells!

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? That is about all I have! I love chocolate. Especially dark. I love chocolate with peanut butter and other sweet and salty combinations. I love cake, cookies, brownies, candy....the only candy I really don't like is anything licorice or jelly bean like. Hate mike and Ike's and stuff like that. I also don't like marshmallow or biscotti with anise and amaretto flavors. Anything else is a pretty sure bet!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I do not spin but would like to learn. I love to needle felt, I make casts of pregnant bellies, faces, and pretty much whatever out of plaster, I also enjoy drawing although I don't make much time for it these days.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I have very eclectic taste in music. I love jazz, you know old jazz, stuff from the 40's, big band, Sinatra, Billie Holiday,... I also love John Denver, Indigo Girls, Sade, The Red Hot Chili Peppers,Tracey Chapman, Partridge Family, James Taylor, Beastie Boys, Harry Chapin, The Beatles, Loreena McKennit, Broadway showtunes, and the list goes on and on and on.... The only things I don't like are most country, christian pop/rock and pop music that is played every time I turn on the radio.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? Can't pick a favorite...I love reds, blues, and greens, Pinks and oranges. Yellow is probably my least favorite. I like earth colors too. I like jewel tones. Not crazy about pastel shades or country crafty shades. I also don't like navy blue, forest green or burgundy. Love teals, turquoises, raspberry reds, lime green, mango....I don't like real muddy colors like drab olive tones.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Well, I'm married and the kids are his, mine and ours. Between the two of us we have five kids. I have two stepdaughters and three of my own kids. A 9 year old girl, 4 year old boy, and 2 year old girl. The youngest are ours together. We also have two cats and two angora bunnies.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Haven't worn a poncho since I was about 10 but I definitely wear the others.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I don't know yet. Ones that I finish I guess. I have enjoyed some of the felted bags that I've knit. Dishcloths are always fun since they are fast. I jsut did my first pair of socks which was cool. I have so many projects to try...

13. What are you knitting right now? I am trying to finish a cotton dress for my two year old, I just started a bib and baby blanket for my friend's baby and I have a sock on my needles somewhere.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Love to!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I like the versatility of the circulars, and I have the Denise Interchangeable kit. But I don't use them exclusively or anything. I use bamboo, aluminum, whatever the addi's are made of...I'm not that picky.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No, but I wish I did.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? My sister taught me to crochet years ago and I started this big acrylicy, brown is, ugly afghan. For good reason, I think it shall forever remain unfinished.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Gonna have to say Christmas, Halloween is a close second. I also love beltane (May Day) and we try to recognize the solstices and equinoxes with our kids.

19. Is there anything that you collect? Not officially but I am drawn to card decks, like tarot, animal spirit cards, the Osho Zen card deck. I like to use them for daily meditations and I just love the art of some of them. I also love fantasy things like fairies. And I have lots of books, especially reference type books like cookbooks, gardening, decorating, knitting (obviously), and other craft type books.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? No knitting subscriptions. I would like to get a good classic Knitting book like something from Elizabeth Zimmerman, there is a cute one called barefoot knits, Knitting for Peace, Fitted Knits...Too many yarns to list but I'll think about it. As for needles, I'd like to try something that a more experienced knitter loves. I'd like to try some of the Fleece Artist yarn sometime.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I just took a mobious knitting class which was really fun. I'd like to learn to spin and dye someday. So many other things to learn.....

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Just started with socks. I wear a size 9 shoe (US) My feet are long and narrow. Ball of foot is 81/2 inches, Heel to toe is 10 in.

23. When is your birthday? March 26, 1975

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? I signed up for an invitation but am somewhere around number 15,000 on the waiting list.

scavenger Hunt

2007-07-14T09:16:00.000-07:00

They aren't in order, but backwards.

Quidditch Round two

2007-07-13T19:41:00.001-07:00

1. Stew
2. Sandwiches
3. A cocktail onion
4. Hunger
5.False
6.That he spend Christmas and Easter Holiday at Hogwarts
7.Irish International side
8. Cherry syrup and soda
9. 37 galleons, 15 sickles, 3 knuts
10. 11 sickles

I've always wondered...

2007-07-10T08:54:00.000-07:00

You are The Magician

Skill, wisdom, adaptation. Craft, cunning, depending on dignity.

Eleoquent and charismatic both verbally and in writing,
you are clever, witty, inventive and persuasive.

The Magician is the male power of creation, creation by willpower and desire. In that ancient sense, it is the ability to make things so just by speaking them aloud. Reflecting this is the fact that the Magician is represented by Mercury. He represents the gift of tongues, a smooth talker, a salesman. Also clever with the slight of hand and a medicine man - either a real doctor or someone trying to sell you snake oil.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Places I've been

2007-07-09T06:11:00.001-07:00

create your own personalized map of the USA
or check out ourCalifornia travel guide

Scavenger Hunt

2007-07-04T19:33:00.000-07:00

Trivia

2007-07-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

1. "What happens if I wave my wand and nothing happens?" "Throw it away and punch him on the nose." Which two people are talking?
Harry and Ron

2."If he raided our house he'd have to put himself under arrest." Who say this?
Fred

3. When sitting on the wall next to Professor Dumbledore at the beginning of the book, who does Professor McGonagall bet was the wizard responsible for the shooting stars seen by Muggles over Kent?

Dedalus Diggle

4. Known by the students as Nearly Headless Nick, what was Nick's actual name?
Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington

5. When venturing into the Dark Forest with Hagrid for their detention, who is the first centaur Harry and Hermione see?
Ronan

6. We know that Parvati Patil was sorted into Gryffindor house, but what house was her twin Padma sorted into?
Ravenclaw

7. What colour do the flames turn when you use Floo powder?
Emerald green

8. What colour tie was Cornelius Fudge wearing when he came to take Hagrid to Azkaban?
Scarlet

9. After running away from the Dursley's, Harry took up a room at the Leaky Cauldron. What number room did he stay in?
11

10. While Ron, Hermione, and his other classmates are in Hogsmeade, Harry stops in for a chat with Professor Lupin. What did Lupin tell Harry he had just taken delivery of for their next lesson?
Grindylows

Hogwarts sock kit swap Questionnaire

2007-06-26T15:23:00.000-07:00

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

2. List your favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length. Or would you prefer circulars?
I've only knitted socks with with circulars so far and I love the Addi's!

3. Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length?
Sure. I only have Addi's in size two and size 4 (two different lengths) So any other size, 0, 1, or 3 in circulars would be great. If there is a brand you like, I'd be happy to try them!

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

5. Do you have any allergies?
Nothing that I think pertains to the swap, unless you are going to send me something really dusty.

hogwarts sock kit swap

2007-06-21T06:03:00.000-07:00

Ok, so last month I got in a little over my head with the Hogwart's Sock swap, seeing as I have never knitted socks before. I am almost done though! Anyway, this time around I thought I'd go with the sock kit swap so I don't have the pressure of knitting socks for someone else. It looks like it should be lots of fun. Today is the last day to sign up here

very first needle felted project ever!

2007-06-04T05:35:00.000-07:00

I took a needle felting class from a local artist and had lots of fun. This little tree frog is my first project.

Holy Coffee swap package!!!

2007-06-01T19:43:00.000-07:00

I got my package from Pheelya yesterday for the Knitter's Coffee Swap II and WOW!

I realize that I pretty much suck at taking decent pictures for this kind of thing but hopefully you'll get the idea. First of all she had three teddy bears,one for each of my kids, and some books for them as well. A book for me too, something to read while I wait for the last Harry Potter...(Pheelya is a librarian)
There was also two beautiful skeins of merino wool that I just love the color of and three skeins of a very soft and pretty blue yarn. Some wool wash was in there, an awesome big mermaid mug, two boxes of biscotti, some Harry Potter notecards, a really cute fairy sitting on a pretty glass orb, and oh, the coffee of course. Some great "Hawaiian Hazelnut" flavored coffee and Some Sumatra Coffee that I think I'll try in the morning. I have a feeling I'm forgetting something, there was so much in there. I was definitely spoiled! I love it all. Thank you so much Pheelya!!!

2007-05-30T17:33:00.001-07:00

I am a
Snapdragon

What Flower
Are You?

Why no show and tell

2007-05-25T05:28:00.000-07:00

Sorry fellow Hufflepuffers. My swap pal knows who I am and I didn't want to spoil any surprise for her so I didn't post my progress. Sorry to let down the House by not earning them 5 points!

I've been tagged!

2007-05-24T05:49:00.001-07:00

I've been tagged by my coffee swap partner, pheelya! Let's play!

The Rules: Each person tagged gives seven random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs seven facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and need to read your blog.

1. I did synchronized swimming for almost eight years as a kid. I was pretty good too. Ironically, I was really allergic to chlorine which caused my feet to itch so bad that I would practically scratch them raw each night after practice. Little did I know synchronized would become an olympic sport and almost cool in a retro kind of way. If only I had stuck with it I could have been in a red hot chili peppers video!

2. I was notoriously naughty as a small child. Neighbors still talk about how bad I was. I prefer to think I was just curious, strongwilled and misunderstood. Ok and maybe a little angry.

3. In contrast, I was the Canton McKinley Highschool's football homecoming queen in '93.

4. I became engaged to my highschool sweetheart when I was only 19 years old.

5. I went to work in Yellowstone National Park as a maid one summer during college. There, I fell in love with the West forever, fell in love with a wonderful hippie boy for a year or so and broke up with said highschool sweetheart, and got to pick up the dirty laundry of Mario Van Peeples, my closest celebrity-ish encounter to date. Oh wait, I met the members of Rusted Root around the same time too.

6. Ended up marrying that highschool not-so-sweet heart at 22, had a baby with him at 23, and got divorced at 26. I've since married the best man in the world for me, a quirky cross between Charles Ingalls and Vincent Price. We've had two more babies and are currently living happily ever after....

7. Hmm, last one. I need something very random and wierd. Got it! I hate the feel of raw, unfinished wood. It gives me chills in my teeth the way others would get from nails down a chalkboard. I can't touch wooden spoons without wrapping something around the handles. I also hate the feel of the kind of paper in trade paperbacks or newsprint. I have to use two bookmarks to hold the book open so I don't have to touch it!

I just tagged: Catherine, KTknits, AuntGeorge,MissBeeHaven, Kitchenwitch

finally a finished bit of knitting

2007-05-16T05:38:00.000-07:00

I finished some dishcloths for my mom for mother's day. As soon as I learn how to download the pictures from the camera to the computer I'll post them. It seems like I haven't much knitting lately so it's nice to get something done. Now to work on my Hogwart socks for my hufflepuff pal!

sunday's trivia question

2007-05-12T06:18:00.000-07:00

I believe it was Cornelius Fudge that never served as Head Master.

trivia question answer

2007-05-11T04:33:00.000-07:00

Arthur weasley is a pure blood

This one goes to 11

2007-04-25T06:56:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-04-24T10:31:00.000-07:00

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?

2007-04-17T04:30:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-10T08:16:00.000-07:00

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.