Anyone want some Turkey jerky?

I'm not sure where I went wrong. I've made turkey many times (successfully, even!) before. But, this year, I totally overcooked that sucker. It was chewy. Very, very chewy. No big deal on several counts, though.

1. I was only making it for us.
2. I got it for free (my husband's workplace gives them out every year -- if only they would come with those handy pop up timers that most other turkeys have)
3. We are going away for a few days, to visit some friends (when would we eat it all?)

I'll do better next year! This year we're going to spend the day outside playing instead.

WIP

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Originally uploaded by shar0n_adler

Sock monkey #1. I'm hoping to finish two of these by Hanukkah. Loving the pattern and yarn so far. This was a free pattern I picked up at Michaels. Ravelry link here

Trying to get back in the groove

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Originally uploaded by shar0n_adler

I survived our trip to Boston and back. I pushed a little too hard with the driving this time and I'm definitely not feeling like doing it again anytime soon. We have to drive up again for Christmas, though, but at least my husband will be with me then. We've been back a week and it has taken us almost this long to get back into our usual rhythm.

Today we started our "Thankful Tree" and we'll be adding a leaf every day until Thanksgiving. I'm trying to make plans for activities around the holidays as well. It is hard to start your own traditions as a family, to make the holiday your own. Sometimes I lack the motivation to try new things.

WIP Wednesday

No pictures today unfortunately. I'm knitting with black yarn and I had a hard time getting a clear picture of my project. Basically, the picture looked like a big black blob. Anyhow, I'm STILL working on Halloween longies for my daughter. I guess I've sort of lost motivation for these, so I've been knitting really slow.

The kids have both been waking up at night, so I'm a bleary eyed mess this week. My son (3.5) has been waking up every night at 3am for 4-5 months. We have no idea why. My daughter is teething.

We're due to leave for Rhode Island/ Boston area tomorrow. I'm driving up by myself, visiting my mother, and then picking my husband up at Logan and we're spending a few days in the area we used to live in.

Somehow, it is easier on the road. Even traveling with them by myself, I find a lot of peace in being mobile. And, without all of the housework to worry about, it seems there is more time to enjoy life.

WIP Wednesday

I can't seem to stop knitting dolly pumpkin hats



Claire's sweater is finally done. I'm not too wild with the way the sleeves came out. I really wish I could rip it back and redistribute colors, but I used every last drop of yarn. I guess I'll have to live with it and hope it is less noticable when she is wearing it. ;o)

I'll working on some longies for Claire that are Halloween themed. Should have those by next week.

Reconsidering homeschooling

We went on another preschool tour yesterday. Got pretty drenched just walking to the front door, it poured all day long. I really want to like one of these places, but I just don't feel like any of them are good enough for my son. Maybe that sounds snotty of me, but I don't think I could send him anywhere that wasn't 100% perfect for him right now. Maybe it is a first-born thing, I don't know.

Anyhow, this particular program was at the Jewish Temple, so a big bonus would be that he wouldn't come home singing "Jesus Loves Me." (Not that there is anything wrong with that, if you are Christian, which we are not) But, I still didn't have the "this is it" feeling. There aren't a ton of other options for us either. So, I guess I'm back to not sending him anywhere and just keeping him home.

I think my biggest concern right now is writing skills. Ephram only recently started drawing (previously he refused), and his grip on his writing utensil leaves something to be desired. I believe a lot in the Waldorf approach, but I also think that we have to make a little progress on things like this. Not sure where to start with the whole homeschooling thing and the thought of homeschooling makes me feel a bit overwhelmed. Not sure where to start in educating myself.

I don't think we're going to stay here in SC for the long term, so my thought is that I would homeschool him only until we move somewhere closer to a desirable school.

WIP Wednesday - Progress is a little slow lately

Pumpkin hat for Claire's baby doll

Plus, I'm still working on reworking a sweater for Claire. I'm hoping it will be finished before we journey northward to visit family. She has limited cold weather clothing and she'll be wearing a few hand-me-downs from her brother.