Friday, November 27, 2009

Christmas Knitting



These days, my knitting needles have been full of fun new projects.  Some for myself, some for friends, and some for new babies.   The problem is that I can't seem to focus on one and get it done!  Some just need to have buttons added, where others have quite a way to go.  But, in the meantime, I thought I'd share some of my works in progress.  Some of the other projects (non-kniting) I have on my plate right now, that I'm very excited about:  new vintage items to add to etsy shop, costume designs for theatre production of NINE, skirt for myself made of vintage fabric... phew... I'm keeping busy!  I can't wait to share some of my finished results.  Well, better get busy!!!  -S

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Latest Dutch Escapades

Well, we haven't made it to other parts of Europe yet, but here are a few more photos of Tom and my time in Holland. Be prepared, it's a long post!


Tom with his red umbrella walking down a typical brick paved street in Haarlem (this is about as much of Tom as you'll see since it's like pulling teeth trying to take his picture)

 
Me looking like I can't decide which direction to go in Haarlem.



A Dutch castle called Muiderslot ("mouderslot") originally built in the 1200s, then re-built in the 1300s.


A very colorful nick-nack store in the town of Leiden.


Amsterdam Station-- yes, that's a train station, not Hogwart's. We usually take the bus from Vijfhuizen to Haarlem, and then the train from Haarlem Station to Amsterdam Station, since driving a car around Amsterdam is utter insanity! The streets are teeming with bikes, scooters, people, cars, busses, trams, one way streets, and multiple lane round-abouts!


An inside view of the Concertgebouw where we saw the Royal Dutch Orchestra play an evening of Mozart. Tom made up his mind to move here after that concert, it was so good!

 
Celebrating with our "Dutch family".  Joke was an exchange student who stayed with my mom's family when in high-school. She's remained part of the family ever since. These are her children and their significant others at a restaurant celebrating her son, Kees-Pieter's birthday. From lower left: Kees-Pieter, Eefke, Me, Frouke. Above left: Joke, Tom, Femke, her husband Rob, and Paulien, Kees-Pieter's girlfriend.  They're all incredibly sweet people with a great impish sense of humor!


Me in Haarlem overlooking one of the zillions of canals. More Dutch adventures to come! --L

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Lord Flynn


 In response to the previous post, sister, here is Lord Flynn looking quite regal, if not a bit  peeved, in his knitted bow tie.   Hmm.... kittens! - S

Monday, November 23, 2009

Cute Overload

 What is cuter than animals and babies?



Animals and babies in hand-knit accessories, of course!


 
 
 

Friday, November 20, 2009

Hallo from Holland!




This is where I've been and what I've been up to for over the past month. Here I am at Kinderdijk, a place full of windmills and canals built as early as the 17th century.








Here is a snapshot of an old church edifice in Haarlem, one of my favorite towns in the Netherlands. Of course, no photo of a city in Holland is complete without bikes-- there are loads of them everywhere you look. This pic certainly doesn't do it justice!


And this is part of the town square in Delft, home of the famous Dutch blue and white pottery. I've already snagged myself a few Delft pieces to bring home with me-- vintage ones, of course. Stay tuned for more glimpses of my Dutch adventure... L

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Applesauce!



 It was a beautiful fall day here in the midwest and it felt like just the right kind of day to make applesauce!  I've never made it before, but I had a bag of apples that I needed to use (which I purchased along the roadside in northern Mich), so applesauce it was going to be.  It was a pretty fun process, besides the endless chopping of the apples, I like the peeling part.  I followed the directions from America's Test Kitchen cookbook.  Being the silly girl that I am, I thought I would make a few changes, like add more water than asked and throw in some cinnamon sticks.  The cinnamon was fine, but the water just made it too watery.  And instead of using a apple mill, I threw it in the blender which made it a bit too pureed.  In the end, it was more like soup, but I'm still very proud of my accomplishment.  During the process, I also thought it was time to don my newish vintage apron that I found at an estate sale this summer.  It's just so pretty, I don't want to get it dirty (which kind of defeats its purpose).  

I hope everyone else is enjoying their fall, wherever they may be.  Also, if you have a hankering for other yummy apply treats, you must try this recipe for apple cake.  It is freaking amazing (and freaking easy). -S

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

"Hoo" I was for Halloween


I know we are a few days late on this one, but I wanted to share a quick picture of my costume!  I'm rather proud of how it turned out, considering I made it in about 5 hours.  I do need to give credit to this blog where I recieved my inspiration and downloaded the mask template.  I was originally going to dress as Luna Lovegood but I just couldn't get truly excited about that idea.  Anyways, sorry I don't have a picture of me wearing it in all its Halloween glory.  I think I'll have to recycle this costume for another year and probably do it up even more.  Maybe a feather mask??

Now that November is upon us, I feel I can get truly excited for Christmas!  I'm attempting to make all of the presents this year (which will be kept at a minimum).  I've gotten started already so hopefully it won't be a mad rush to the end.   Also, I am sooo thrillled that I will be spending my holidays with my darling girl, Monica, and her darling family in Boston!  So, look forward to many Christmas related posts which will probably include:   knitting, elves, cookies, and more!  -S