I think we are past the freezing days, so went ahead and planted my early stuff in the garden, including a few different types of lettuce, arugula, spinach and peas.  I’ve got parsley coming back up and put some new herbs in pots to save room for the later garden stuff (tomatoes, zucchini and cucumbers).  I think I am planting less this year, so we’ll see how it goes.

I have totally slacked on my friend’s spring birthdays.  If this includes you, I’m sorry!  I didn’t even get cards out.  Argh.

Oliver was a little bit early and I was a little bit late with this one.  I couldn’t decide on fabrics, even after I saw a great pattern idea at Karen’s blog.  I am still not 100% sure of the fabric/color choices, but I am overall happy with the design.  I also pieced some maverick stars on the back, and was really happy with the outcome of that.  I will have to try that again, maybe on the front and back next time.

Project Birthday Aprons may be underway shortly, however I seem to have lost a piece of fabric.  Granted I have thousands of pieces of fabric, but I don’t really lose things so I am a little concerned.

Today I walked to Bloomingfoods in a tshirt, jeans and flip flops.  Yay Spring!

Despite the ice on Lake Griffy and the small patches of snow left on the ground, spring finally made it here late last week.  My days off coincided perfectly with two of the most beautiful sunshiny days yet.  Saturday Elizabeth and I took her two dogs out to the lake for a long hike and it was GLORIOUS.  There are even crocus up in my neighborhood and downtown.

And Baby Oliver’s quilt has finally been started.  I was getting worried that by the time I had it all figured out perfectly (which I totally don’t), he would be a teenager.  My interest in quilting can be very up and down and right now I am inspired and working hard on two at once (which is sort of rare for me).

Off to give Going Bovine one more chance.  It is one really strange book.

A tiny fuzzy valentine’s heart for Tim.  In my house, the only Valentine’s requirement is a card.  Everything else is just a bonus, but so far today I’ve gotten a beautiful pair of earrings and a lovely brunch at Uptown Cafe.  I am one lucky girl.  Now back to regularly scheduled Olympic hat knitting.

Lots of love to all my friends and family.

I kicked the year off back in the hometown with my brother and was able to spend a wonderful week with my family.  The food is the best at home.  I was also lucky enough to visit with some high school friends, go to the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, see a Genghis Khan exhibit and visit the Tattered Cover (two locations!).  I also spent a few days when I got back with Tim before his new semester started up again today.  10 degrees and snow won’t stop us!

So while I did make a bunch of stuff in 2009, I didn’t make 52.  I did make a twin sized quilt for Middle Way house and several other baby quilts for donation.  I made a few gifts, and tried new things.  And that was the point really.  I can get stuck making quilts with tiny little squares and be in my comfort zone, but exploring other fiber/art/craft possibilities out there is what is important to me.  I did also knit a cable scarf for my mom, cuz she is the best.

I really enjoy shopping for and getting gifts for family and friends.  I love finding that thing that is just right for a certain person.  Its like you are creating a connection across the distances with things, which all sounds sort of cheesy, I admit, but true. I do have some great friends who live in far flung places.   And this year, I have gotten some AMAZING gifts from friends and family!  Handmade note cards (above, complete with coordinating address labels), awesome reindeer platter and plates, a personalized photo book, a book from a favorite author, a beautiful jewelry box, a sweet necklace, and some HONEY from people who keep bees on their land in Texas.  I am freaking amazingly lucky.  I have the best friends on the planet.  Thank you everyone!

I am working most of this week, save for Thursday and Friday, so I hope you all feel bad for me.  However, I am taking 10 days or so off starting next week.  Really looking forward to time both spent at home, and then back in IN with Tim before his Spring semester starts again.

Happy Solstice!

I was lucky enough to spend a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday in Houston.  I spent part of the time with Larissa and her family at her house, complete with delicious baked goods and a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner.  The other part of the time I spent celebrating the engagement of one of my cousins, in a style I’ve never seen before!  The bride-to-be’s family is from India, and we were treated to a wonderful party.  As an added bonus to seeing cousins, aunts, and my mom, I was able to also see my great aunt and uncle.  I don’t have any grandparents left to visit or hear stories from, so it was especially meaningful.

Of course now, I am feeling generally crappy physically but am downing the oj in a last ditch effort to not get sick.  Maybe its just allergies.  Maybe the humidifier will help.  Right?

This has actually been finished for a few weeks now, but finally got a chance to wash and take photos.  This is for the daughter of one of my coworkers, and I love all of the juicy colors!  Super cute. Its hard to tell from this picture, but all of those stars are made up of fabric with tiny little dots on them too, to compliment the big polka dots around the border.  #33 of Year of Making Stuff. Woo!  I am definitely slowing down though…think I need a few quick projects.

Last weekend Cynthia came in town to visit and we were able to meet up on Saturday afternoon to catch an IU football game with Abby, Erik and two of their girls.  The weather was beautiful and we had a great time.  Of course, we had an even better time late night at the Vid, but there is mighty little photographic evidence of that, for which we are lucky I think.  It does make me sad though that so many of my beloved friends live so far away!

Speaking of friends, Jenn and I went climbing today and I did even better than last time by far!  I reached the top on all of my four attempts and generally felt stronger and more confident as to what I was doing.  I think Jenn is also getting more comfortable with me as her partner!  It is scary to have to hold someone up at that height!  Again, my hands and forearms are a little sore, but it was a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning.

I can’t believe it is November!  Had a great Halloween…we had lots of trick or treaters, and I had a great time out with some friends.

This week is going to be busy and I am looking forward to a visitor late in the week!  I also have plans for a new quilt.  I was able to use my extra hour today before work to go and get some white muslin that I have been meaning to pick up for quite some time now.  Tonight I will probably sketch out my new plan.

In an effort to find some exercise activities to supplement my daily 2 mile walk, I have been trying a few things before winter really sets in.  I still walk to work in the winter, but there isn’t much else in the way of exercise.  When the weather is nice, its easy to fit in another long walk or bike ride.  But I am afraid that my nice days are now going to be few and far between.  So I’ve tried both Zumba and Bollywood dancefit classes recently at Panache, and you know what?  I really like them.  It is a combination of aerobics and dance, but the music is pumping and while it isn’t exactly like dancing at a club, it feels really good to move to music.  And after months of talking about it, today Tim and I met up with Jenn at Hoosier Heights to do some wall climbing.  We had the official lesson, and Jenn helped us along with her experience and we had a great time.  I won’t be able to use my hands tomorrow, but it was worth it to climb to the top of the wall!  I never think of myself as a gym person, but yay to finding indoor activities that I actually like.

Tomorrow I will carve pumpkins (they are already scooped and ready to go) and put the final touches on my costume which will involve freezer paper stencils…my favorite!  Also maybe some quilting.