Bring It

What is it with women and our propensity to bite off more than we can chew? Bizarre fact: every woman I know does this, and every woman I know miraculously completes each task in the eleventh hour. She emerges from the cloud of stress-induced fog with squared shoulders. Then, when praised for her efforts, she just shrugs it off: "oh, it was nothing" or "I was just glad I could help." Secretly, she's had 3 meltdowns during her morning showers, and her husband can recite every concern that's popped up along the way.

I am in the middle of such a time. Ok, I haven't broken down in the shower or anything, but my list of commitments is looking like my children's letter to Santa: it is long and tediously detailed. My family will move in three weeks' time. Snippets of bubble wrap, cellophane, packing paper and tape are flying around the place.

This isn't a bitter rant. I'm not upset about any of the "busy" events taking place in my life, in fact I'm thankful for them. Let's call it preserving my humor, shall we? I think if I can just see the list in black and white, the extra oomph will be there to finish the job(s).

What must happen:

• I educate my two children, and tomorrow morning is back to school. This one is a fun bullet point because I kinda get a kick out of cracking open my planner and starting each day with a fresh, organized set of lessons. I sort of missed this structure during Christmas break. Plus, we're opening a few new textbooks this semester. Ooooh, can't you just smell the crisp, new pages? I wish I could bottle that kind of excitement.
• Packing. Every evening more stuff is going to be packed tightly into boxes. It's shocking how many boxes we have labeled "books". I knew we were bookworms. I did. I'm just not sure we've left many at our favorite booksellers' for the rest of you. Once amassed into a box, they're amazingly heavy.
• Editing. My hubs, an attorney with a penchant for history, is finishing work on a book. While he's beating the publisher's deadline by 6 months, he's a week behind his self-induced deadline. Did I hear you ask who is proof-reading his scintillating read? Of course I am; happy to!
• Buying stain and polyurethane for hardwood floors. We have stripped the floors in the house we're moving to. Next weekend, we sand, stain & seal (which reminds me, for no related reason whatsoever, of Stevie Wonder's song: Sign, Sealed, Delivered, I'm yours).
  
• I've got to get my hair cut. That seems superficial, but we can only put it off so long. Why can't I wake up every morning with this type of graceful ease and beauty about me?

Other stuff that should happen:

• I have jacket #1 of the 2011 challenge cut out. It's cold out; I'd like to wear more jackets. So I think I can justify taking a couple of nights once the kiddos are snug in their beds and crank this out. Otherwise, I've got to pack it. And who knows when I'll find it again.
• Have you ever heard of Postcrossing? This awesome site connects you to the world via postcards. I keep up with my account, one for each of the kids, and one for my 91 year old grandmother (it was a birthday present for her - she loves getting mail). Hubs is on his own here. I need to write about 15 postcards this week, and send them on their way.
• I have got to work out. If I learned one thing this weekend while stripping floors, its that my arse needs to get in gear.
• Every year I compile a dvd of family photos set to music. Usually about 45 minutes in length, it contains hundreds of snapshots. I wrap them up for Christmas gifts to my mom and sisters. It's January, and I'm still not finished. Judge me if you must.

And wouldn't it be nice if:

• I had more time to blog?
• The book ideas running through my head magically made it into a Word doc?
• Mascara didn't rub off under my eyes half way through the day?
• The family cookbook my cousins and I are compiling were off my plate? Must organize recipes into sections and email it on. I must. Maybe.
• Our passports were being used?

I know your list is longer than mine. These are the highlights, people. What Herculean tasks are you working on? Do you finish them all on time? Share. Don't despair.

They do so love their veg

Our family has hit the 6 month mark of our foray into vegetarian living. In the kitchen, we have experienced some wonderful surprises. We have also experienced some horrible surprises. I thought I would take this morning and recount a few of my most notable lessons.

First: Why did we quit eating meat? I think this was due to education, really. I scoured books, watched documentaries and looked at the facts. Over time, the change just made sense for us. One Friday I looked at the hubbo and said, "why don't we just try it for the weekend?" After that, we just never really went back.

It is a standing caveat at our house we are both allowed to pick 2 times a year when we plan to enjoy a good old meaty meal. That said, we made it through Thanksgiving and Christmas without the traditional turkey or ham. I'm still unsure about St. Patrick's day; I do love me a reuben.

So here's what worked: This sounds silly, but we really embraced the fruit and veg. I know we're all supposed to be eating something like 5 of those a day anyway, but that wasn't happening in our house. As a bonus, we got to know our local farmers. They were generous this summer in measuring our pounds and pints and quarts; the freezer is still full of ziplocked portions.

Whole grains became our BFFs. Lentils and beans, too. My favorites are germinated brown rice, quinoa, French green lentils and Ezekiel bread (it's chock full of grainy, bird-food looking stuff). We discovered cool foods like seitan (aka wheat meat), tempeh, tofu, brown rice syrup and umeboshi plums. My kids still think Gardein's seven-grain "chicken" fingers are better than McDonald's, and Boca Burger's Vegan Burger night is always a hit.

Ok, I still haven't made it to vegan status, although in the future I wouldn't mind being that disciplined. Some vegan products are slowly working their way into my kitchen, and nobody seems any the wiser. I love almond milk (but I never enjoyed lactose much before anyway). The whole family thinks Veganaise tastes even better than our old favorite mayo. I use flax oil in place of butter to finish off couscous dishes. Last week I finally picked up some vegan butter...this was the hardest change for me. Few things in the kitchen are as tasty and versatile as a stick of pure, fresh creamy butter. I've never liked cheese much, but everyone else in this house could be mice for their love of it. And baking is just hard without eggs. Not impossible, but difficult for sure.

A short list of loves:

• open faced marinated artichoke heart sandwiches with garlic & veganaise
• tofu fried brown rice with veggies, soy sauce and ume vinegar
• French onion soup made with vegetable broth
• veggie burgers
• country fried (or baked) seitan with vegan gravy
• sliced oranges in mint marinade
• Italian tortellini skewers (I still eat some cheese, people!)
• snacks of pickles, sauerkraut, carrots or celery
• any vegetable with garlic
• Panera's Sierra Turkey sandwich without turkey
• veggie wraps made in whole wheat tortillas

A concise list of yucks:

• Tofurkey hot dogs & brats (that texture...ugh)
• millet bread
• cheese-less pizza (I mean, what is the point??)
• daikon
• quinoa flakes "oatmeal"
• rice nog
• red lentils (mushy, mushy)

And now you know why we so love our veg!

Obviously, none of these companies paid me to endorse or criticize their brands. This is just a bonus little list from me to you!

2011 Spring/Summer Runway Hilights

Some of my favorite runway looks for 2011:

Carolina Herrera:

Hermes:

Lanvin:

YSL:

(photos above from elle.com)

Akris:

(photos above from nymag.com)

There are some trends this year my midwest sensibilities cannot grasp or appreciate. 1980's inspired tapered pants and long blazers with shoulder pads, for example. Or the jumpsuit (Barbie didn't even look good in a jumpsuit, and it took over 20 minutes to get one tugged up and snapped onto her).

Jumpsuits remind me of Neil Diamond:

(photo from canmag.com)

Enough said, I think.

2011 - A Jacket a Month

I am participating in the Jacket-A-Month 2011 Challenge organized through the Stitcher's Guild Sewing Forum. After reading so many ladies' inspiring blogs about the project, I became motivated to try it out myself.

I already have 3 jackets cut out for myself, my DD and DS...and am making plans for at least 9 more.

McCall's 5718 is already cut in a red velveteen. I am making the blue view A from the envelope. For some reason, full length sleeves are forever in my way. A crazy swirly red and orange lining will be a nice contrast; this is my first lined jacket. That sounds horrible, but I usually prefer a Hong Kong finish on inside seams. Bulk is just not my thing. So. This pattern should push my skills. Which is the whole point of accepting a... well... challenging challenge.

Now for other pattern ideas:

This is Vogue 8623. I'm sure I picked it up at a 99-cent pattern sale. I have a green & cream woven fabric already purchased for this. So I should make it. I should. But we'll see. The fabric has been languishing in a tote for the better part of this year. And it's not getting lonely in there.

Vogue 1099 would be a fun spring-into-summer jacket. Everyone on Pattern Review (where, for the record, I also obtained these images) highly recommends it.

Vintage is my favorite. Vogue 2934 would be perfect for a special occasion, perhaps. Most days I find myself in jeans and a button down shirt (I give myself bonus points if it's blue or plaid). So truly I would only wear it to church or a special event. So maybe.

Now Simplicity 2603 would fit in well with my daily wardrobe. I think it would pack nicely in a suitcase, too. Would it be fun in a kelly green? With a navy blue tank top. Maybe for March.

I don't sew many Butterick patterns, for no particular reason at all. This one is in my stash, though. And I think it could fit the bill for summer. Plus it looks pretty straight forward. That should increase my chances for finishing all 12 projects!

Isn't this so Fame meets Jane Fonda? Wouldn't I look eighties fabu out walking my cockapoo? I think this would be a fun pattern made up in terry cloth. It is McCall's 5985.

I just picked up this Burda pattern a couple of weeks ago. Black or gray wool is what I'm thinking here. Really, I love all the blitzy buttons.

A couple of Claire Shaeffer blazer patterns are possibilities. Maybe another vintage pattern (I have a wooden box of my grandmother's old patterns). Or a nautical themed summer swing jacket a la Beach Blanket Bingo. I'll be digging around for inspiration and, honestly, I have some time!

A French Breakfast

Simple, classic & comforting.

I used up the over-toasted edges and gave the children the softer centers. After dipping wonderful sourdough into coffee, I had a satisfying feast! I think my favorite White Castle mug really classed things up.

Sweet Christmas Extras

This is a good year for extra holiday cheer. The children have become ever so enthusiastic.

What we're working on:

• painting little porcelain ornaments (bajillions of the $o.39 kind)
• gluing felt to felt for holiday decorations
• magazine Christmas trees
• paper hand-traced wreaths and trees
• gazing longingly at the chocolate-filled advent calendars...one day to go
• systematically working through a Hershey's mini-bar bag (only a few Krackle ones left)
• watching our all-time favorite holiday movies at least twice
• learning the words to all those Christmas carols
• Christmas cards
• setting up the Nativity
• putting up our real tree
• cookies, cookies, cookies
• and milk
• and/or almond milk
• watching out the window for snow flurries

Good Night, Sleep Tight