Staying Warm

As I'm sure most of you know, winter is here. Yes, snow has blanketed for the ground for a couple of weeks now. There's no denying it any longer.


But take comfort, for with the snow comes the perfect excuse to cozy up with those you love to stay warm. Gather your partner, your kids, your cats, your dogs, your family and friends. Find a big afghan to hide under and a mug of hot chocolate, or tea, or cafe latte, or hot apple cider, or Irish coffee... you get the picture.

If you are very fortunate, someone who loves you very much will have knit you a warm pair of woolen socks.

And they will have persevered even after they ran out of the wool needed to finish them. They will have tracked down more yarn in Toronto, only to discover the new yarn is thicker and must have some of the threads removed before knitting. But they will do it because they love you. (Or because they are stubborn and refuse to frog the almost-finished socks. Either way, consider yourself blessed.)
[These are mom's socks.]

If you like to crawl on the cool floors a lot, then ask someone to knit you a pair of fingerless mitts to cover your palms. Then you are sure to stay warm.


And if you have cash to spare, you can commission me to knit you a scarf. (Oops, you missed the request date. Try again next year.)

This morning I have cozied up with a mug of yerba latte. Later I'll finish baking gingerbread cookies. I'm considering building a GB house. Or maybe... I just had the perfect idea for Solstice gingerbread. Will share it when I've made it - closer to Solstice.

Dessert Break

As I take a dessert break from transcribing interviews, I thought I should let you all know that Robin is a great husband. He just brought me up a hot lava cake, fresh from the oven. For those of you who have been treated to Robin's personal lava cakes, make sure you don't drool on the keyboard. This isn't some packaged dessert. This is Robin's own creation, discovered by accident one day. You too can make your own lava cakes at home. Just prepare the brownie recipe on the cocoa tin (Robin quarters it for the two of us I believe) and pour into a ramekin dish. Bake in the oven for the normal time (sorry, you'll have to play with the time to find what works best in your oven with your dish). Of course, because the brownies are supposed to be in a shallow dish, when you insert your fork into the finished cake you will discover an ooey-gooey center. Careful, it's hot (like lava, silly). I know you'll want to take a big bite, but don't burn your tongue! I should listen to my own advice. I inevitably scorch my mouth every time. If you want to get fancy, top with a raspberry sauce. Or dust with icing sugar.
Make sure you have milk at hand. Robin forgot my glass, but he's forgiven since he does only have two arms and one of them was holding Abigail.
Well, my cake is consumed. I wish I could have extended the break longer, but I could not slow myself down. Speaking of milk, it sounds as if Abigail needs some. Milk break! (I hear Robin in the fridge. I bet he's drinking milk too.)

Ogre Face

I promised an ogre face photo when I got it. This is the best one so far since usually when she sees the camera she just wants to smile. Unfortunately the sunlight makes it hard to see details.

What's new with you?
Nothing much to report around here. Same old, same old. Chasing Abigail around. Staring numbly at the mess that is my office wondering where to start, what to work on, and just as I get into the middle of work, having to take care of Abigail.

A Girls Day

"What a day, what day". And I'm only half way through it yet! (I have a girls movie night / birthday celebration to attend this evening).
Abigail, Erykah Badu and I drove out to Toronto this morning to meet Susan and Aya. Susan and I are both members of the Earthy Birthy Thought Swap, an online discussion forum for earthy-birthy moms. I have been a member there for about 10 years and I credit the women there with much of my parenting skills and knowledge. Members are scattered across the globe. Today I met one of them who hails from New Brunswick and is visiting family in Ontario. Aya and Abigail are less than a month apart in age. I knew from our posts that Aya and Abigail have reached similar developmental stages, have similar behaviours and so forth, but when we finally met I truly saw how alike they are. They are both beautiful, smiley, happy, exploring, cuddly babies. It was a joy to watch them interact. I went to meet an online correspondent, but I feel we left having met friends. Susan and I are very similar in our approach to parenting and our demeanors. From the moment we hugged hello it felt like I was meeting up with an old friend. One of the wonderful things about the Earthy Birthy Thought Swap is that the core group of members (those of us who post often) have developed a supportive relationship. One day I hope to meet them all! Susan and I enjoyed a delicious lunch at The Raging Spoon (what a great name) after a shopping excursion at Romni Wools (yarn heaven).





Abigail, Tori Amos (the music I was listening to on the highway was very important to the trip) and I left with fond memories and a bag of yarns (most importantly, the yarn I needed to finish my mom's socks).

Christmas Shopping

Alas, with Hallowe'en over, it is now the season of Santas, Christmas trees, coloured lights, and fake snow. Apparently Christmas season starts November 1st.
It is one of many reasons I prefer to celebrate Yule. You can't celebrate the winter solstice before the sun actually reaches its shortest period.
Some of my friends start decorating early. It's a choice. I'm simply sick of Christmas by the time Dec 25 rolls around. That's me.
I know many people are thinking about, starting, even finishing their holiday shopping. Me, I'm crafting my Yule gifts and I prefer to discover the perfect gift throughout the year when I happen upon it. Robin, he's a Christmas Eve shopper. I know my mom has half her shopping done because I received a phone call weeks ago inquiring whether we had X yet. My family likes to shop. I've tried very hard over the last few years to curb my shopping addiction (due to a lack of sufficient funds) and refocus on intent. Yes, that means you're getting homemade gifts! And it's not because I'm cheap. Just wait until you see what Abigail and I have planned.

This will be Abigail's first Yule and Christmas. I imagine people are going to become a little silly when they shop for her. It happens. So I've put together another of my annoying little lists.
As usual, we prefer no plastic.
We endorse gently used items.
We have some wooden blocks, but could always use more, especially building blocks (just bought some).
Wooden toys in general are great. (We have a bead-maze, a train, building blocks, shapes sorting box, and letter blocks).
We still love puppets and so will you when Abigail one day performs a puppet show for you.
Books are always welcome.
Kids music is welcomed! We have none.
Abigail has her own Amazon.ca account for books and music.
Musical instruments will be welcome so long as they are real instruments, not fake-sounding stuff. Of course I don't expect she'll be picking up a guitar soon. My point: if it's going to make noise, it has to be quality sound. I have a small hand drum she can play once she gets over the bite-everything stage.

Abigail has many clothes. I took inventory today. Read on if you care to know for reference.
12 Months / 18 Months / 24 Months/2T
Dresses 4 / 14 / 10
Pants 16 / 6 / 9
Shorts 7 / 0 (don't need any) / 9
Short Sleeve Ts 12 / 1 / 13
Short Sleeve onesies 8 / 8 / 4
Long Ts 9 / 3 / 0
Long Onesies 7 / 2 / 2
Sweaters 9 / 5 / 5
Sleepers 12 / 2 / 0 *need sleepers* Preferable button up both legs or two piece. All cotton.
Overalls 2 / 0/ 0
Swimsuit 1 / 2 / 0
Summersuit 0/ 4/ 0
Slippers and shoes / many / will still fit / will need footwear but waiting to see what style

There. As you can see, there are some things we definitely do not need more of! Like dresses. Keep in mind at 12 months it will be March (still wintery - Abigail was born in a storm - and transitioning to Spring). At 18 months it will be September. So far Abigail generally fits clothing that it her age, except for some brands that are ridiculously small! Like Gagou Tagou. Abigail is about 17 -18 lbs.

Belated Samhain note

I realize this is over a week overdue, but recent events call for this post.

First, let me share a picture of Robin and Abigail dressed up for Halloween:

Abigail went to daddy's work as a Green Witch. It seemed to match the Robin Hood outfit. And it is stuff I had on hand.

Later that day, Abigail and I joined friends and their little ones for a brief Samhain ritual and crafts. Abigail tried her hands at finger-painting and made some lovely art pieces that I plan to use as background in her scrapbook once I iron them out...

When we returned home, Robin and I enjoyed the dumb supper that Robin had lovingly prepared. Abigail was napping from the car ride. There were four places set at the table. Two for us, one for Marion, and one for Margaret. We invited Abigail's grandmother and great-great-grandmother to join us on Samhain during our silent meal in remembrance. Margaret had just passed over early that morning. As you may recall, we were fortunate to be able to have a five generations photograph with my great-grandmother who would have soon turned 96 years old.

In hindsight, the one being I did not honour this Samhain was Gryphon. Marion is always a part of our Samhain rituals and with Margaret's passing it seemed natural to include her as well. To be honest, I was feeling very rushed this Samhain as I prepared to leave for Chicago very early the next morning. I have honoured Gryphon's passing many times, and he will be honoured again when Abigail is older and I am able to speak with her about the significance of his passing. I imagine there will be a Samhain when we will be honouring Fenwick or Monkey - many years from now I hope - and we can include all of our four-legged loved ones.

The reason I thought to write this is that another of Abigail's friends has passed over - her playmate from this summer, Hudson. Hudson is her Aunt Corey's dog. Abigail loved him! She thought he was the funniest dog she had ever met. I think it was his talking that she liked best. He will be missed by many (except by cats). I trust that Rollee, his companion for many years, has welcomed him into the Summerlands (fields of grass full of rabbits to chase, bones to chew on, polls to mark, and hands to scratch).

Abigail in doggy heaven with Hudson and Darla

Vroom Vroom

[Car does not come with real car sounds.]
As you can see in this video, Abigail is back to her usual happy, playful self.
We are trying to capture Ogre Face to show you. How will we ever be able to take her seriously when she is angry after seeing this face? Wait, you'll see what we mean.

The Big Trip

Chicago Nov 1-3. I left that town soon before Obama was elected president, but I stood in the park where he was to give his speech.
I had a great time at the AAR attending sessions, talking with people, and making connections. We stayed in the swanky (as my roommate called it) Palmer House Hotel, but most of the conference was at the Hilton Towers just down the street. I rode on the subway/el between the airport and downtown. And I visited the Chicago Art Institute - well, the gift shop. They currently have a show of European tapestries, but the unicorn tapestries are not there, so I decided not to go. Otherwise, I didn't see much of Chicago because I spent my time at the AAR.
Meanwhile, back at home, and unbeknownst to me, Abigail was refusing to eat. She was okay on the first day, but by Sunday and Monday she was obstinately refusing foods and breastmilk and only occassionally accepting water. By the time I saw her Monday night she was definitely not herself. She nursed at the airport and again at home as we went to bed. That drained my breastmilk. Because while she was at home without breastmilk, I was in Chicago with too much! I was very sore. By Monday I seem to have reached an equilibrium, but Abigail's nursing disturbed that again. We're building back up to our normal routine, but the last three days have been exhausting! She wants to nurse only to eat still, but my production isn't up to full. She is very low energy, but is certainly improving. Since Sunday she has required constant holding, but today she played by herself for a short while.
To add to the "fun", our washing machine broke just before I left. Robin discovered this when he went to dry the diapers I had put in the wash before leaving. The washer seemed to be working fine then, but apparently they were not clean and the agitator is broken. Our new washer arrives Saturday morning and in the meantime we have washed a couple loads of diapers at a friend's. Our clothes will have to wait until Saturday. Laundry day for sure!

That's the excitement around here. Next year the AAR is in Montreal. Robin and I will be holidaying there while my mom and aunt babysit Abigail. They insist. So my goal for next year is to present a paper at the conference! By then I will have work to present - how exciting! :)