Surrounded by nothing and yet everything fabulous, I celebrate my 27th birthday today. I had been feeling a little sorry for myself because I'm the only member of my immediate family celebrating a birthday in our rental. While Axel and Jahred both enjoyed their parties in our circa 1924 bungalow, it was not to be for me.

Although up until today I insisted that this birthday would be a terrible reminder of everything I am missing this year, it was just the opposite.

I have been dreaming of a greenhouse in our next back yard; somewhere I can admire beautiful things all year long.  Yesterday, to my surprise, Jahred transformed the balcony into just that. He built a lovely portable greenhouse of his own design.  There is room for a heating device, a grow light, plenty of plants and if I am really desperate, yes, I fit.  In our next home, it will become my seed starting shelter, but for now, it's more of a home than the other shared walls, used carpet and elephants that live upstairs.

In the company of my new tropical paradise I opened presents with family today.  Axel was pleased to blow out my candle, and although this year has been more "bitter sweet" than "sweet sixteen", I may just survive to see 28.

Thanks to my family for surprises and simplicity, just the way I like it.

Ok, really, this greenhouse rocks.  I wish you all could see it in person.

Signing off last year, I almost couldn't wait 'til the New Year to bring you new blogs.  However, with all the tears and barf around here, nearly all of my new ideas were flushed right out (literally)!

Truly though, Happy New Year to me, finally on the 4th, all three of us have had our course of stomach bug and only the laundry remains.  Sorry to start the year off so nasty.  Hope you partied reasonably hard and drank an extra for me!

Perhaps when one is searching for family drama to discuss in a public venue such as a blog, you jinx the possibility of some occurring.  As I usually go by the rule that "no news is good news", I'll leave my x-mas synopsis at this: pleasant.

While we were on the road with kith and kin, our home yard received just shy of 2 feet of snow, all at once, and topping the nearly 12 inches already covering our sore excuse for grass.  hmmm...nasty surprise.  The week between the 2 coldest holidays in Minnesota was spent digging out, cursing our home state and dreaming of a better life in...say...California...Texas...really anywhere but here.

New Years brought on more than GI upset this year however, a week at 20 below zero creates cabin fever in a 2 year old like no other.  I must keep the curtains closed.  The new white fluff continues to taunt Axel...but there's just no playing outside this week.

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Although I am strictly against resolutions...because I can keep NONE of them, I do have a few "shop announcements" and a short list of things that may happen without "resolving to do them".

It is with a heavy heart that I am no longer advertising Crib Bedding in my Etsy shop.  Jahred has made me realize that I put WAY too much time and stress into their perfection, and really, I (he) can't handle it.  Word of mouth sets will no doubt trickle in, but I will no longer be advertising for linens.

As Jahred's school schedule picks up in the "sprint to the finish" (under a year remains), I may be offering less and less finished product.  Get it while you can. I plan to spend more time on pattern development and publication.  In that way, I feel it can offer more to the art world, and I will be continuing my "sew it and sell it" policy.

Above all, in 2010 you may see my craziest side yet.  The house will be back on the market, Jahred is SUPER busy with school and Axel officially turns 2. The fact that Axel insisted on wearing "moon boots" and "Lightning McQueen" pajamas to the mall today may just be a preview of what's to come.

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I'll leave you with this piece of advice.  NEVER feel guilted into making your husbands "favorite cookies - the ones he missed out on x-mas eve because we were are at YOUR FAMILIES - the ones his grandma makes from a family heirloom recipe".  If something to that effect slips out of his mouth (about cookies you have NEVER heard of in your entire marriage), just let it pass or say: "You can feel free to purchase the ingredients and make those cookies any time of the year Honey."

If by some kind gesture you decide he should have them, you may end up spending HOURS making tiny dough balls from a "SUPER SIZED recipe - one that isn't written out clearly - makes no sense actually - and has you cooking a sugar mixture to a specific temperature in order to make a special ICING - in the end you may just toss out half of the dough to save yourself the torture of rolling another single ball - perhaps the cookies do taste wonderful - BUT THATS NOT THE POINT".

The cookies may just turn out like this.  Although delicious, the recipe will just have to be modified to fit into your time constraints.  It turns out there's a reason his grandmother only makes them ONCE A YEAR...Christmas makes people do CRAZY things!

Happy New Year from my frozen tundra to yours.

Ok, lots of stress right now with business, school, family and the holiday rush.

In order to fill my time, and make me happy, I've decided to host a HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY!

Seriously, giveaways can be addicting and I recommend to bloggers, don't break the giveaway seal...you won't be able to stop!

If you are the lucky winner, you will be receiving by mail (world wide entry is always accepted...2 entries for posting in Spanish) a surprise WRISTLET!

To enter, do the following:
1 entry for posting your favorite stress relief technique
2 entries for posting in Spanish (I am desperately trying to stay current on 1 of            my college degrees)
1 additional entry to anyone linking to this giveaway from your blog/website and          letting me know about it

Ok, there ya go.  The giveaway will run through Monday, December 14th. The wristlet pictured below isn't the one you will be getting, then it wouldn't be a surprise!

Best of luck!

Despite feeling the nearly 2 years of isolation during the longest "snow day" in my career.  This is my first "real" snow day since grade school.

Jay Leno said during is opening monolog last night that according to survey, they "angriest" people on the planet are 20-30-something women who stay home with babies and toddlers.  Jay mentioned how scary that is...I know how sad it can be.  How glamorous it must seem to working men and women to be able to "wake up at your leisure" - yeah right; to "stay in your pajamas all day" - clearly not by choice; and to "coffee or lunch with your other stay-at-home friends" - I've been trying to schedule coffee with a friend for literally 18 months, hasn't happened yet.  One would think that a snow day for someone already stuck would seem devastating.

Something about this real snow day is different though.  Jahreds finals were cancelled today leaving him stuck inside with us.  Although it's terrible to delay the inevitable of a final, I have to admit, him being stuck home is a breath of fresh air for me!  

A REAL snow day today, just like when I was young, is MAGICAL.

If it weren't for the 30 mph winds, it would be hard to keep me indoors.  On a blustery day like today, I know I am a part of an exclusive club.  Very few regions of the world experience such extreme weather and have no excuses for a "snow day".  Even more exclusive is the club of those who have seen snow at all.  How bizarre to think the substance that brings nutrition to our spring grass, simultaneously causing so many road pileups and furnace malfunctions, has NEVER been seen by many fellow earthlings.  Some people read of snow in national geographic or hear of it in folklore...we curse it and love it every winter here in Minnesota.

Today on this REAL snow day in December, I am proudly still sporting my pajamas, I almost woke up at my leisure (thanks to a plow) but I probably won't get that coffee date with a friend.  Instead, I am listening to Jahred play with Axel, relieving my stress just a bit, and playing quietly in the basement with some fabulous new fibers.

Happy snow day to fellow Minnesotans...so sorry the rest of the world has to miss out!

If you're snowed in like me...check out the ALL NEW items in my Etsy shop.

Really, has it been over a week since my last post?  It's strange how every year I forget the craziness of this season.  Parties here, caramels there. Seriously though, I think I have spent the last week eating caramels.

Two things you should NEVER do during the winter in Minnesota.  
1 - Go to Sams Club.  They sell a larger than life container of Utz cheese balls; to be avoided at all cost. One should NOT consume that many balls...not that my container is gone yet...a respectable dent has been made...I'm the only one who knows where in my studio they are hidden (pretty tricky to hide a 4 gallon bucket)...doing the math -  balls + hiding + me knowing where = I HAVE EATEN THEM ALL MYSELF.
2 - Make caramels when you don't IMMEDIATELY have somewhere to bring them.  Of course I made some rules for myself regarding caramel consumption, but in my house, rules have never worked.

Ok, now that I have explained what you shouldn't do...here is what you SHOULD do!  Knit socks.  Keeping true to my promise (although a little late with the pictures), here is this weeks SUPERSOCK SUNDAY!

These lovely mens socks were knit for the MOST important man in my life. Probably the only man I would dare knit socks for (the rest are too careless with footwear).  Papa will be getting these socks for x-mas this Sunday (early...sshhhhhh).  I'm sure he isn't reading my blog, so the secret is safe with you all.

Knit with "Happy Feet" sock yarn by Plymouth.  A simple k3, p1 rib throughout. Standard pattern with a little extra height in the calf.  It took me a while to fall in love with this yarn.  I am a fan of a stiffer, scratchy wool like Noro, but the soft-slight-stretch of the Happy Feet MADE me love it.  I'm sure they will wash like a dream and wear like a hug!

Really an uneventful week.  Lots of tantrums as we approach the terrible 2's and lots of "Follow that Bird", the movie a.k.a. ALL TIME BEST BABYSITTER.

Between juggling Jahreds schedule and making sure to hit the grocery stores for Veterans Day cookies, Axel and I have been tyring to maintain sanity.

Keeping true to my commitment, week 2 of my "Year in Socks" went about the best of any of my attempts this week. 

This pair I have to say is LOVELY.  Made from German Supersocke yarn and knit in a "mistake rib", I am excited to gift these this holiday season!

Why socks?  Really there's nothing more intimate than knitting socks for someone special.  Perhaps it's a MInnesotan thing, but in the bowels of winter, when even your Andersen double pane windows have ice on the INSIDE, all you have are your socks.

The pair I have for you this week are made from Noro Silk Garden sock yarn and are for a special person on my Christmas list.  (Hopefully they aren't a blog reader.)

I feel like the last few weeks have kept me in a "negative nancy" mind set.  I decided that positive things are just around the bend and I can focus on the coming winter for a sense of JOY!  

I have composed a list of things I can't wait for this winter.  This could be eye-opening for those of you in a warm climate!

in Minnesota....

Around November, your garage turns into a walking cooler.  In fact, one winter I may just unplug my fridge...seems silly to heat your house and cool your food when you think about it.

Winter means your potato chips don't go stale as fast.  This comes in handy when you live with boys...as they don't see the vital importance of sealing the bag.

Luckily when you are freezing, the water in your body shrinks and makes you look skinnier.  Better yet, shivering burns calories

The constant craving for chili or soup.  Luckily these are cheap meals.

As soon as the snow flies you can put aside all fears of burning yourself on the metal seat belt in your car.  The sun won't heat that baby up until sometime next May.

The snow creates the most beautiful brightness.

The days are shorter...go to bed earlier...the pioneers did.

wool socks; enough said
 
Well, that little list has made me happier already!   What makes me happier yet is watching Axel at the pumpkin patch.

In the spirit of holiday preparation, I have decided to host a GIVEAWAY!

Since the holidays are about doing for others, here's one just for you!

I am interested in what you will be shopping for / making this year. What is the ONE gift you will be giving where you are proud of it's...creativity, ingenuity, or thoughtfulness?  Maybe it's for a friend, your dad, or your kids.

To enter the GIVEAWAY, simply reply to this post with your favorite gift ideas for 2009.  The contest will run through this weekend, Sunday (11) at midnight.

If you are chosen (by random drawing) as the winner, it will be announced on my blog on Monday.  You will be winning a ZIPPY WALLET and GIFT CERTIFICATE to my shop!!