"Dig, Dig, Digging"

When her aunt Sarah gave this book to es about two years ago, she wanted nothing to do with it.  We couldn't read it to her, show her pictures, nothing.  It had to be put back on the shelf.  But eventually it became a favorite.  One day Sarah fit the words to a familiar tune, then I copied her idea.  Perhaps it was getting older, perhaps it was the music, but es came to really like the book and the whole idea of large construction vehicles.

Now it's her brother's turn, and he "digs" this story!

A place for everything...

Yesterday I began to clear my cutting table so I could finally cut the binding for Grand Illusion.  But then I became distracted as I sorted some of the patterns and bits of paper mixed in with pieces of fabric.  Rather than just put them on the desk to look at again later, I put them into appropriate places, like the recycling bin, or a drawer for Sarah's pictures, or a folder.  As I sat at the desk I looked at scrapbooks, so I put a few loose photos in sheet protectors then into binders to remind myself where they would eventually go.  And before I knew it, it was time to make supper.  I actually did get the table cleared off; maybe today or tomorrow I will choose the binding fabric and cut it into strips.  Maybe I will even sew it on to the quilt!

'Cause why?

This has been one of those days.  es has talked or made sounds constantly, even after I asked her to be quiet.  "Why?" she asked.  "Because I asked you to."  More sounds, a humming but with nonsense syllables.  "Because we're in the kitchen and sound carries.  Your dad is working."  More sounds, perhaps a tad softer.  After ec went to bed I let her watch a short video about Princess Sophia, but I admit I didn't pay careful attention to the story.  "Why did the sea monster want Oona's comb?"  "I don't know."  " Why do you think he wanted it?"  " I don't know," which is not an acceptable answer. "Guess."  And round and round.

"It's time for you to have quiet time."  "I don't want to.  I can't.  I don't want a book."  Finally I told her she had to be by herself for a while because I needed quiet time.  And that worked.

Current project

This is the first sock of the pair I am now knitting.    I'm nearly done with the foot and will soon change to the double-pointed needles to work the toe.  Then on to the second sock.  The color is called Clover Colors.  I really like how the yarn changes from green to teal to orange to red and back, gradually.  I'm not sure I would think of clover in these colors, but I like the effect.

This morning I took a long walk with a friend.  We ended at the near-by coffee shop and sat down with our cups, talking some more about our families, work, life in general.  Then I had lunch with another friend, who will be moving to Iowa in July.  Her husband died last fall, and she wants to be closer to family.

I had hoped to get the binding cut for the Grand Illusion quilt, but so far other things have claimed my afternoon.  And tonight is choir practice, our next-to-last rehearsal before we break for the summer, so no quilting will happen.

Sorting

Once again I am sorting through the massive amounts of paper that have accumulated in our closets, bookcases, drawers, all over the house.  Wednesday morning I worked on the area around the piano where I keep music and music-related items.  After about an hour I had removed this stack of books, papers, copies of songs, and catalogs.  Most went in the blue bin; some will go to the White Elephant sale.  I also went through community chorus music and papers.  Most of that was recycled, freeing up a nice tote bag.  Now the floor in front of the etagére is clear, and the binders that sat on the floor beside the piano are on a shelf.  Some loose papers still need attention, as does my Clavier Companion archive.  This work is just the tip of the iceberg:  genealogy forms and research, scrapbooking supplies, bank statements, books, fabric and quilting supplies, the list goes on and on.

Geraniums

Monday after ec went to daycare, es and I went to the nearby nursery to buy some plants for the container by our front door.  We wandered around a bit then had to ask where the restroom was for es.  After a few minutes in the serviceable but not fancy restroom, we resumed looking for geraniums.  We found some pretty pink ones (for me) and placed three pots on a cart.  Then es chose two purple plants.  We added a pair of child-size gardening gloves, paid for everything and took it all to our house.  E sent some soil for us to add to the planter. es had her own ideas of where to place the plants, so I let her dig holes, with a little help from me.  Finally it was time to water our creation.  The new flowers certainly brighten the entry!

Blocks

These colorful blocks are a good size for ec to play with.  (I think they're Maxi Blocks.)  He has been building by himself more, perhaps because he has blocks at daycare, and I imagine he sees the other children playing with them.  It wasn't too long ago that he would just knock down any tower that I built.  Now he approaches slowly, carefully, smiling in glee,  before knocking it over.  I like the wheeled units; they can hook together making a train or be separate cars.  The blocks fit together quite easily, unlike most LEGO® bricks.

The other day I spread E's "I Spy" quilt on the floor helping ec notice the various pictures of fruit, children, animals, etc.  He soon dragged the big stuffed animals (horse, dog, bear) out of their corner and placed them on the quilt.  His sister likes to make a "raft" with a quilt or the Hawaiian fabric then furnish it with "food" and toys, so perhaps this was his interpretation of the raft.

I suppose his biggest accomplishment lately is moving one of the little chairs over to the bookcase unit then climbing up on it to reach the books.  We can no longer put things on the shelf assuming they are safe from his little hands!  He falls off the chair occasionally, but it doesn't seem to bother him too much.  In fact, he seems to fall a lot--he tries to run and trips, or he stumbles over a toy on the floor, or he changes direction too quickly.  I was not watching es when she was this age, so I did not see her climb or fall when learning to walk.  I wonder if he will be a movie stunt man when he grows up!

Add two cups...

I arrived home from practicing last night to the delicious aroma of country style ribs baking.  I soon started making mashed potatoes and gravy to accompany the meat.  The potato flakes sit for a few minutes in the boiled water and milk, then you fluff them up a bit.  When I took the lid off the pan I saw really soupy potatoes.  What was wrong?  I've made instant potatoes for many years and don't recall ever having this problem.  I added some flakes, which helped, but why had this occurred?  As I stirred I happened to glance at the Pyrex cup I had used to measure the water.  The directions called for two cups of water, so I had filled the cup two times without paying attention to the fact it is a two-cup measure.  Yes, I had used twice as much water as needed.  I added more potato flakes to the soupy mixture, and it set up just fine.

Wow, could I be under stress or tired?

El Capitán, here I come!

This morning ec climbed up on the brown sectional for the first time after several attempts.  While I verbally encouraged him I did not guide his feet or arms since I'm not quite ready for him to be that mobile.  But he loves to climb, so it was inevitable that he would reach this goal before long.  He already manages to get into the booster seat on a dining room chair.

His first two days of "school" went smoothly.  He ate well, slept a couple of hours on his cot, and enjoyed the toys.  So far, so good!

Yesterday es and I went to the library and the park then to Burger King for lunch.  She really wanted French fries.  I appreciated being with her alone.