A New Year's Resolution of Sorts.

I wish I had some amazing and inspiring resolutions and goals for 2013 but really, all I want is to get back to being my "normal" self as much as I possibly can. I want to continue recovering from the illness that took half of 2012 from me. I don't think I can ever be the same person I was before I got sick but I want my energy back. I want to get back to doing the things I love. It's amazing just how much not being able to pursue my hobbies made me feel like I was missing part of myself. It was just out of reach, on the other side of my sickness, and each book I read, meal I cook, and crochet project I finish brings that part of me a little closer to home. I have missed it dearly. That's all I want in 2013 and I think it's definitely possible.

Happy Birthday, Little Brother.

This is my little brother. Of all my siblings, he's the one I grew up with. Everyone else was out of the house so a lot of the time it was just the two of us. We drew chicken pox on each other with markers (and later shared real chicken pox), learned to ride bikes together, and screamed, "MOM, he/she is touching me," on long car rides together. Although he was a giant pain in my ass sometimes, I wouldn't trade him for any other little brother in the world.

Happy 25th Birthday, Rouse Rouse. Love you. 

When we were kids, he'd race up the driveway after the bus dropped us off, get in the house, lock me out, and refuse to let me in until I promised we could watch either Die Hard or Chuck Norris' Invasion USA. Are you kidding me, kid? Everyday. Torture.

Winter Preparedness.

Hello friends. I know we dwell all across the world but where I live, winter is upon us. Sometimes I look out and see the sun poking through the clouds and it doesn't quite feel like winter but when I see that the fields and roads are flooded, trees are down all over the county, and people are without power in outlying areas, I'm reminded that it truly is winter.

Preparing for winter is different for all of us, depending on where we live. For me, I like to make sure I have clean water, snacks, warm blankets, candles and flashlights. The power goes out here at least once per winter, usually a lot more frequently. Although the linemen work their butts off, sometimes power isn't restored for hours, or even days. It's important to be prepared for a few days with no power. Don't forget provisions for your pets as well!

Even if it seems you might be lucky enough to experience a mild winter, please be ready for that freak storm just in case. Here is a great site with some preparedness tips. I know it's a tired phrase but it's better to be safe than sorry!

Christmas Crochet.

I just returned home from a rush trip to California. My family had a mini get together to exchange gifts, say hello, get some Chinese food, and head back our separate ways. It's always so wonderful when we get to see each other, it's never often nor long enough. I have the greatest family. I wanted to share a couple of photos of the gifts I had made my niece and my niece that will make her appearance in January. The above are little dresses I made for the new baby. Sorry for the messy backdrop, I was in a hurry to wrap them and hit the road. I'm sure next year I'll have some cute photos of the dresses in action.



This bad boy is a poncho I made for my two year old niece. She didn't grasp the concept since it didn't have arm holes. She put it on, flapped like a bird a few times, took it off, threw it on the floor and took off to go play. That's okay, I have high hopes for getting a photo of this piece in action as well.

The pattern for the pinafore is here. 

The pattern I based the poncho off of is here. 

Currently Crochet.

Jake has had what feels like a zillion appointments lately so I've been accomplishing a lot of crochet in that down time. My lovely sister is having another girl in January so I've been working on a blanket for the new baby. I've been using Bernat's Softee Chunky yarn. I love it. It works up quickly and is soft and thick. It also comes in a wide variety of cute colors.



This blanket is my fall back project. It's for my sister and her husband. Hopefully it will be finished by oh...say...their 10th anniversary. They just had their third.



This will be a Christmas present, hopefully, if the rest of the yarn gets here in time. I originally purchased 3 skeins of Lion Brand's recycled cotton yarn but can't seem to find the 3rd skein anywhere. I'm pretty sure a cat stole it to hide in their own secret treasure spot somewhere. No big deal, right? Wrong. JoAnn Fabrics no longer carries this yarn. Neither does any other local store, trust me, I went to every single one of them. I had to order it straight from Lion Brand's website. I hope it arrives soon!

What have you been working on lately?

Oh to be an Auntie.

This little one and her mama are headed back down to California today. boo. I really hate when they have to leave because it's so much fun having them here. I might get to see them briefly around Christmas but I may not see them again until after baby #2 has already made her appearance. 

Lana and pau pau (grandma) made chex mix the other day and wore matching aprons. I'm pretty sure pau pau made chex mix and Lana just stuffed her face but still, what a good helper! It took me a second but I recognized their aprons, my Auntie and I made them when I was a little girl so my mom and I could match in the kitchen. I'm glad they're still getting use 20 years later. I'm already having Lana hug withdrawals. sigh