the big huge cowl

I've said it before, but now that spring is here, I'm finally getting to all of these warm winter projects that I've been wanting to knit. It's okay; I know I can save them for the many winters ahead but it does seem kind of silly to knit awesomely huge woolen accessories when it's finally getting to be 50 degrees outside. (But like I said when I knit my blue chunky hat ... I knew that knitting warm things would bring spring faster. And it seems to have worked.)

This super rad cowl is knit from a Lion Brand Yarn pattern – the Dobbs Ferry Cowl.

I used Wool-Ease Thick and Quick (triple stranded) in mushroom.

I had been dying to make this ever since I saw a huge photo of it at CHA winter show in January at the and it did not disappoint. I think I'll be making more of these ... maybe in black or cream. I love the way it turned out, although I added a few extra rows of ribbing at the bottom just because I sort of felt like it. It came together really fast ... in the car on the way home from Minnesota. The last 1/4 of it in the dark. ;)

pretty things

Darn you, Liberty of London. (I know; all of blogland is talking about it.) We couldn't resist a couple of things.

These journal sets were irresistable. I love tiny treasures. Paper-related tiny treasures. There's still more of this line that I haven't seen because I haven't had the chance to stalk all of our local Target stores yet. The one I went to was all sold out of the bags and scarves and hats. And I didn't scope out the home decor yet ... next trip. (Although maybe I shouldn't even look. I was trying hard to be good.) ;)

Yo Gabba Gabba Live ... in Minneapolis!

Oh yes, we did! We just had to go to Yo Gabba Gabba Live. You've seen me blog about this show since 2007. You've seen our devotion through Halloween costumes and birthday parties. You're heard me gush about the stellar musical guests. We've been such huge fans since the very first episodes aired. There was no way we could miss this.

So our little fam drove our hybrid up to Minneapolis, a city I always love to visit. (I used to live there in college, and miss the heck out of the shopping+things to do there.)

But first, a pit-stop at a little piece of Scandinavian heaven.

Grabbed a quick bite at IKEA's yummy cafeteria, and shopped the afternoon away.

And then it was time to head downtown for dinner and the show.

I spent so many of my very first high school concert-going experiences at this spot – lovely First Avenue. The Target Center, too ... right across the street.

We hit the Hard Rock for a quick family-friendly dinner.

Lo was beyond excited to finally get to the show and I'm sure she only ate a couple of french fries.

Bo drew her some 'tattoos' just for the occasion.

And then, it was finally time.










And seriously you guys, the show was so good that it made my heart melt. I looked over at Lotus and saw how cool it was for her and honestly got a little bit teary-eyed! DJ Lance Rock did such a good job, the costumed characters were so much fun to watch, the music was right-on, and we got to see Biz Markie and the Aquabats perform live. It was an amazing show and really well-done. (If this party is coming to your city, you must go!)

super awesome superstar week!

Yo! If you haven't heard, it's Yo Gabba Gabba's Super Awesome Superstar Week premiere week on Nickelodeon. This season features Sarah Silverman ...

Weird Al Yankovic ...

And Weezer, Tim Armstrong, Mos Def, Travis Barker, Mates of State, Anthony Bourdain, Biz Markie, Devo ... it's seriously almost too good.

And we're extremely stoked about this! ;)

oh, I wish I were an ...

We were driving around town, running errands over the weekend when we spotted this! Even my vegetarian husband was stoked to get a pic with the Wienermobile. (Bo hasn't eaten meat in well over fifteen years, but if you ask him, he'll tell you that hot dogs were one of the last foods he gave up. Yes, hot dogs.)

every girl needs ...

Now that it's almost spring, of course, I'm finally getting around to knitting a bunch of woolens that have been on my to-do list all winter. Go figure, right? These are the latest to come off the needles ... some basic black leg warmers.

I used Joelle Hoverson's Super Easy Leg Warmers pattern from the book Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Love that book!

And they were. Super easy, that is. But it did seem like the k1p1 rib went on for miles and miles. On tiny 12" circular needles.

But now that they're done, I totally want to make a mini pair for Lo. I love taking her yarn shopping (and she loves to help) so I think I'll let her pick the color. After all, dance class will be coming before we know it. And every girl needs a pair of leg warmers.

Facebook shenanigans

New Dare is up! I'm lucky that I have so many brilliantly hysterical friends who light up my Facebook news feed like no other. Because this Dare is dedicated to just that – shit from Facebook. The inside jokes, the awesomeness, and the need for our own terms in the urban dictionary. (This one's for you, KGB, A-Rock, G20, K-Balla and the rest of my girls.)

hey snow ...

(That is all.)

on the sticks

At the very beginning of winter, I lost my most favorite Burton warm winter hat. I was so mad. It was so good. A tiny bit too big so it always covered my ears. And I kept holding out, thinking I'd find it. And never did. So this knitter went hat-less through one of the most record-breaking, snowiest winters Iowa has ever seen.

So, over the weekend, I finally broke down and knitted a new hat.

A replacement hat.

(But it's okay. Because this one is even better than the other hat.)

It was instant gratification knitting. Two episodes of Weeds (season 5) and it was finished. The pattern I used is Really Warm Hat by Melissa LeBarre and I knit it with a skein of Twinkle soft chunky in haze, and ... wow. I love this yarn so much.

Now that it's done, I'm certain that one of two things will happen. 1) spring will finally come and it will be too warm to wear my new hat. 2) I'll find the other stupid hat that I lost in the first place. It might be buried under the snow in our yard. Because it's possible that I just took it off and left it outside that one time we were pulling Lo around in the sled ...

with love.

I spent the past few days at home with my family, saying goodbye to my sweet aunt Sue. I sang along with unplugged Manchester songs on Alt Nation and cried as I drove in my car. I held my dad's hand again and exchanged silent nods of understanding with my brother. I got to hug and talk with an uncle I thought I might not ever see again, and I listened to bits of our history from extended family members I had never had the chance to meet.

One thing I forget sometimes about being from a small town is that when something tragic happens, everyone rallies around to give you a big hug. Through cards, flowers, cookies and casseroles. (Up north, we call them hot-dishes.) When I go home, people still call me "Jenny" and people in passing vehicles wave when I drive into town. My best friend since elementary called me to talk before I could call her, and managed to cheer up my whole family after the funeral. Even just watching Vera Bronleewe – who taught piano lessons to almost every single kid in Buffalo Center for generations – play Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art was comforting. Because everything felt like home. And it felt like family.

Sue was a very sweet aunt and an extremely independent, strong woman. She overcame insurmountable odds from her childhood, yet was always happy and smiling. She was real and funny and believed in second chances. She made amazing sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top during the holidays. She volunteered at homeless shelters and helped anyone who needed her. She was a great listener and always had a open ear and an open heart. (We love you and will miss you, Aunt Sue.)