forgot

i meant to post a picture of the gift i made for amy. so here it is. i've made a few of these so far. maybe after about 13 more, they'll be a bit more tidy and less organic.

if you like it, let them know

mmmmm. we received another loaf of amish friendship bread from bay today ('bay' being anna's word for matt's mom, otherwise known as 'gram'). it's a pretty coveted food item around here. once we raved about how yummy it was, we began receiving a loaf almost each week. if you've made bread from a starter before, you know that it can be a slow, never-ending endeavor...squishing bags on one day, stirring with a wooden spoon the next. and a cycle that is almost addictive. it invades your kitchen like moths in a pantry, but you're never quite sure when to let go. all in all, i think i've figured out the best way to go about it: have someone else do all the squishing and stirring and then deliver you a fresh loaf once a week and skip all the daily steps towards multiplying your own starters.

today's loaf reminded me of the benefits of letting someone know how much you like something.

speaking of, my aunt gave me this book for Christmas. i hope to have something to show from it soon. there's a birthday coming up for a soon-to-be four year old and i'm anxiously awaiting the reply from her mother as to whether or not little stella owns an apron. if not, i think i may have an idea.

i've tried everything

and i can't get my new header to load! now that i see it here, i realize that the typeface doesn't work, so it still needs some fiddling with. and this one was just supposed to be a quick temporary place-holder until i sorted out the header i've had in my mind for a while now. but instead of me throwing something together one evening to make my blog a little less boring, it's turned into this ongoing battle between my computer and i which i am determined to win. sir chalk vs. blogger. check back for results.

another view of yesterday

this is one of the few shots i got with both our heads making it into the frame. **note to self: use something other than a 50mm lens for these sorts of shots.

if you have to lie on ice

i've begun about five posts lately--uploaded pictures and everything. but there's a lot of incompletion (probably not good grammar but it just feels right) going around these days due to some ongoing back troubles that are making me feel quite helpless and a little blue. but 70 degree weather can really lift my spirits, especially in january.

after a nice break while my mom visited this morning, it was back to figuring out how to entertain eli while also taking care of my back. so i gathered up a quilt, my ice pack, a chewable toy, and a five month old and headed to the back yard. one more trip inside to grab the camera and we were all set. i laid back and watched the clouds while eli tumbled about beside me. it reminded me of my first outing to the park with anna once she was old enough to play around on a blanket. i felt so so happy to just be quietly enjoying eli's company and feeling so relaxed at the same time.

we have a new camera and i'm trying to learn how to make the most of it. today was a good day for that but mostly, i just felt like getting a few pictures to help me remember our nice time together. he was so happy as i held him in the air above me, but it was terribly hard to get a picture of him, while supporting him in the air. i tried balancing him on my legs with one hand (and managed to get the shot above) but it did feel a bit risky (and not the least bit helpful on my aching shoulder!).

it's time for bed. and more ice. and hopefully a few more shortish posts soon.

nestled all snug

after going on and on to others about how i won't let myself feel bad about not making something special for anna because, after all, wouldn't it be nicer to make something WITH her after the rush of Christmas is over--i gave in and made her something special. and i'm so happy that i did. it didn't take too long, i learned a little more about sewing, and i think she'll really enjoy playing with it. i toyed around with making a dress for a doll--a doll which i picked up almost a year ago and still had hidden away until a few days ago. it's an old madame alexander doll similar to one which anna already has two of. but this one is from 1964 and sports a squeaker in her tummy. once i spotted her at a junk shop, i just couldn't leave her behind. it's body is a little shabby so i was trying to come up with a way to make her more presentable. after giving up on the dress idea, i came up with the idea for a sleeping bag. it's something anna can put other dolls in as well and can do it independently. seems like i'm always dressing her dolls for her. i pieced together various fabric, including remnants of an old dishtowel that i love dearly but was covered in grease stains.

i'm glad i didn't complete this until last night because i can't wait much longer to give it to anna.

for amy

this little candy-looking parcel will hopefully soon be in the crafty hands of my friend.