Etsy Newness

I've added some cuddles to the Etsy store. (and a new seasonal header too!) If you haven't been by in a while, we'd love to see you. You can check out these little beauties while you're there too.

Inspiration (or, God Help Me)

It just arrived in the mailbox. I've been trying to screen myself from it -- I knew it was coming. I've been deleting the emails with the will of an addict resisting her drug. I should have thrown it in the recycle bin the moment I glimpsed the corner of it peeking out from the pile of mail I was carrying. I did not. Instead, I caved. Temptation over came me and I just couldn't help myself. The new J.Jillcatalog is here. And if that wasn't enough (and I assure you it well could have been), their new campaign is littered with knits and titled "Find Your Way Home."

Just kill me now.

Of course I'm not one to rush out and buy these things -- no, no. I sit at home looking and re-looking at the catalog until it is bedraggled and unrecognizable. I dream of all the knitting I could do that would be inspired by such beautiful sweaters, and tams, and cozy, cozy cardigans. It's certainly not about trying to knit it for less - that was my grandmother's generation, or because I've seen the fashion from some far off place and have no access to it (dear god, they send it like a pusher selling crack). It's more about having a deep need to feel as though I've made something for our family, provided in some way. And the need to create and conquer a pattern secretly knowing about all the flaws and mistakes no one else can see. And, in some small way, the desire to make a dent in the global destruction that is industry.

As such, I am sure there will be much mooning over fibers in the knit shop, and discussions of pattern altering and creation. And maybe, just maybe, I will find myself with gift cards to the Village Yarn Shop after Christmas this year so I won't bankrupt us through my obsession. But I assure you, the obsessing has begun.

Who Ya Gonna Call?

I first want to say in the clear light of day, I never intended to make a costume for my child for halloween. I mean really -- they sell this costume. Well, they claim to sell this costume. And if you're an organized and calendar-attentive woman, you might actually order the costume before it is completely sold out in the Western Hemisphere. But I am not this woman. I never have been (I spent years faking it but have since come to terms with myself).

Yes, my child has decided to be a Ghostbuster. You know, those guys who captured paranormal apparitions in the 80s. I repeat, the 80s. How in the hell are they sold out now!?! Is there some Ghostbuster revival afoot for which I have had my head in the sand? Are the 80s so much in vogue that this B movie with big names and a vacuous plot are the it thing? Apparently, there is a run on Ghostbusters this halloween. If you see 100s of them marching on your neighborhood, don't say I didn't warn you.

And try finding a pattern for an 8-year-old body at the local fabric store which might in any way resemble a ghost-busting jumpsuit. The week before halloween. Not pretty. But being the determined mother I am, and no stranger to procrastination, I prevailed. (And I didn't even have to throw any elbows at the cutting table). I will be turning this animal jumpsuit (Butterick's 3238) into a Ghostbuster of 80s proportions. I swear I will. The right fabric, a little iron-on transfer paper....Watch out phantoms -- we're coming after you!

The Grampy Sweater!

I've been alluding to this for a while and I can finally reveal the Grampy Sweater! I first saw it over at SouleMama (which, if you are not already a dedicated reader, you should be). And while I did not intend to make it in the same colors (generally speaking) it's hard to choose something else when the baby's gender is still unknown.

I am so pleased with these results! If I were a little more sophisticated, I'd try and adapt the pattern into an adult sweater -- it was incredibly simple to knit. But I'm not so much there at the moment. And the buttons, if I do say so myself, were perfect (even if they did cost more than the rest of the sweater!) -- I had to have them.

Baby B should be sweet as pie in this little number. Can't wait to be introduced.

Murder One, Or How I Fell In Love With Stanley Tucci

In all honesty, I never thought I'd see this show again. I mean, it was really a one season wonder when it aired (at least in our household). It actually ran for two seasons, and the premiss was an exciting one: follow a murder case - one case- for then entire season. It was great that season, but we opted out of the second season. Also, I had just discovered Law & Order. But I digress.

Steven Bochco is the master mind behind the show. And the cast was stunning. Honestly, it must have run in the late 90s, because that's when I caved to the technological pressure and we bought our first TV (that's an entirely other story). And I had never seen Stanley Tucci before. And of course, I fell madly in love with his acting. And of course, then it seemed like suddenly he was popping up all over -- A Midsummer Night's Dream, Maid In Manhattan, Guest Starring on Frasier, The Terminal, and finally in my most favorite roll, Devil Wears Prada. (I admit to not having seen Julie & Julia yet -- I don't get out much.)

So when I stumbled across Murder One over on Hulu, I was thrilled. And consequently stayed up far too late, deep in the memories and glory of the show. I loved seeing the cast again -- you just never know when and actor is going to break out. You might give it a try. I still think the mystery is captivating (and I already know who done it).

Eco-Packaging

I'm all about the Greening of America. But I am really partial to a sparkly and beribboned package. I can't help it. The more beautifully wrapped, the more I can't stand it and need to see what's inside. So what's a girl to do?

I decided to give the idea of eco-wrapping a go... and this was the result. It's no sparkly package, that's for sure, but it is super cozy and beribboned at that. I'm liking this a lot. The packaging is actually a part of the gift - a handmade receiving blanket, but wait, there's more! I wrapped another little morsel inside. (It wouldn't be nice to spoil the surprise, now would it? I'll share photos of the other little gift once the recipient has the hot little number in hand.)

Christmas may be looking different at our house this year....

Confounded

So we are over the flu (so it seems) but the boy has such leg aches that he refused to walk. He is crawling about the house. And what, exactly is a mother to do about this? I really don't know. I've tried kicking his ass (not quite literally), cajoling, threatening and coddling. He still insists it hurts too much to walk. So I called the Dr. In fact, they are hearing reports that this flu wears out the muscles so that the kids feel they have run a marathon. Go figure. So she says keep him home and treat it as a sports injury. Good Grief. I still feel like he's getting away with murder.

High School Goodness...

...is the title of my most recent playlist on my iTunes. I am having a blast going through all my songs and choosing the music of my teen years. Ah yes, the teen years. I may have mentioned before that I hated high school. Perhaps loathed would be a better choice. It was beyond horrible. I cannot stress this enough. I'd rather become a cannibal than have to go back the high school years.

But for some reason, the music of that time gives me great joy. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that my radio was my solace, or that I was in the choir, or that it reminds me of how silly it all was. Whatever.

These are the newest additions to my playlist:

• The Police: Don't Stand So Close To Me
• Chicago: Hard Habit To Break & Your The Inspiration
• Starship: We Built This City & Nothings Gonna Stop Us Now
• The Human League: Don't You Want Me

Of course, I already had as much Sting as a person should, and the Boss was already duly represented, as was U2. I'm having way too much fun with this. Please, please share you favorites too!