done and done

Way back in November, I started a little sweater project for Lotus – Milo, by Georgie Hallam. With Lo's help, I picked out some Noro Kureyon in this fun pink/black/chartreuse colorway from our favorite local shop, Knitted Together.

And then, the poor sweater sat in my bag looking like this for a couple of months. It was one of those projects that I could have probably finished in a week or two if I had kept at it, but ... you know. It sort of hibernated.

So this weekend, I was bound and determined to get this off the needles. This was after I realized it was going to turn out much, much larger than I had planned and had to pick up another skein of yarn before I could finish.

But it's done! Even though it's more of a tunic/dress than a sweater vest. I figured it would look cute with leggings/skinny jeans this winter.

I'm totally cool with the larger size, because she can easily wear it a good two or three years before she even gets close to outgrowing it.

I was sooo relieved to find out that Lo likes it. I've made things in the past that she wouldn't even try on, but she's pretty excited to wear this stripey dress to preschool.

She even thought she'd take it for a little spin (and I think that was the perfect thing to do.)

ace

 So, about three months ago, I was standing around with my friends in NYC.

 

I was just looking through these photos again and found this little set of pics, taken from the dirty cab window on the way back to the airport.

I was sitting in the back seat with Jamaica, probably crying. And she was saying that my weird sunglasses made me look like Johnny Depp in Alice in Wonderland.

It was such a fun time.

I had finally met Kara the day before.

And experienced Law & Order slumber parties with Kristi.

And cupcakes and nighttime dinner-finding adventures with Vee.

It was some serious girl time. We navigated. Took way too many pics. Kristi held out her arms like a gate at street corners to protect us from getting hit by cars. We consumed coffee, had heart-to-hearts and noodles with butter. Those trips are so good for the soul. (I miss it and I think another one needs to happen soon. xx.)

edits by edit

So I can't take credit for spotting these (my friend Chrissy at Domestica always has her eye on the best stuff, so this is all her.) But aren't these amazing? Of course, I kind of love the metal one the most, but they're all pretty rad.

hello hello

Today, it is 15 degrees outside. There is a woodpecker on our roof, pecking at the ice. I can hear it loud and clear inside the house. I am knitting three different things intermittently. Uploading gobs of photos. Doing a lot of planning and pondering. I just want to buy a pad of graph paper so I can rough out a new set of knitting patterns. And then work on that for the next few months. I read and was inspired by Trond Anfinnsen's 1 Man + 2 Needles book. I would love to embark on a creative project like that. I have a few January goals but most of them are similar to years past ... drink more water, run every day, get in shape, blah. Boring. I'm looking forward to a little trip back home with my best little traveling companion. I've compiled a mile-long list of favorite songs from 2010 for my friend Laura's mix tape exchange. But I need to give them all a good listen to make sure everything flows. I'm admiring Bo's good taste in my new Lip watch that I got over the holidays. I like that he knows me well enough to pick out watches. Because that's a very personal thing. I would like a few hours to myself to just sit in a book store, drink coffee and look at books for as long as I want. I need to let my imagination run. And I have been wondering about this blog ... what am I doing here? Is it worth it?

this year, I'll ...

Learn to knit! (You know you want to.) Is learning a new skill or taking a crafty class on your list of resolutions? Because I'd say 2011 is your year.

Ephemera, one of the loveliest shops in Des Moines' East Village, just posted their new class schedule for January 2011. And once again they'll be offering a two-class beginner knitting session. (Check out Ephemera's class calendar here.)

You could join the likes of these awesome ladies and go out into the world as a full-fledged knitter. And purl-er.  ;)

I promise you can do it. Even if you're saying to yourself right now "I'm not crafty." Or "I'm not patient." Or "I could never do that." I swear, you really really can! You'll be so glad you did. Go here to find out more or sign up for class. Hope to see you there.

snow(board) day

When you get a winter day that's as sunny and warm as it was today – (36 degrees!) – it's kind of a shame to waste it by not going outside. So we ditched our other plans for the afternoon and decided to do a little low-key snowboarding and sledding with our little shredder.

(Yup ... she has a tiny Burton Chicklet.)

Usually, we're accustomed to watching Bo do all kinds of tricks and getting a ton of air... 

 ... but today he was teaching, pulling sleds and pushing me down the hill.  :)

And to all my friends who don't have any of this white stuff, I'll throw a little your way. Happy sunshine-y snow day.

Merry Christmas

 

Merry merry everything! I hope you're thoroughly enjoying this weekend and doing a bit of relaxing along with the hustle of the holidays. Thanks so much for stopping by this little place all year long. Best wishes to you and yours this holiday season.

xo – jen

jingle jams

Just in case you need some serious gift-wrapping music, here's my most favorite girl-rock Christmas track. The Donna's ... I'm in love. (Too bad I can't get this on iTunes.) Christmas is so close ... are you ready?

these are a few of my favorite things ...

 Pretty blue lights downtown on date night.

 Candy Cane Kisses.

Slumber parties for moms.

 Old ornaments from my Grandma's tree (on my tree.)

 Steaming hot coffee and warm woolen mittens.

 Little girls in pretty skirts and dresses.

 Winter Wonderlands.

 Fleur Patchwork Quilt (from UO's,) scored on sale.

 Pancake-making while wearing bunny slippers.

 Pretty cookies brought over by sweet neighbors.

Cozy Vans boots.

Snow days and sick days all cuddled up in blankets.

 Snow men in my front yard.

And snow men made of ice cream.

(These are a few of my favorite things ... how about you?)

visions of sugarplums

There's so much winter fun to be had this week ... so much work to get done, too, but we had a fun day yesterday. Making crafts and a snowman (or three) and this gingerbread house. I'm lucky to have such a patient and creative girl who loves to do this stuff as much as I do.