Some "finished objects"

That's "FOs" in knitspeak.

Seed stitch scarf. Schaefer Esperanza: 70% lambswool, 30% alpaca; Jane Addams colorway. I bought this yarn with birthday money from Mummu. Kiitos Mummu!

Leo's blanket. Garter stitch, 3 feet x 3 feet, Cascade Sierra: 80% pima cotton, 20% merino wool. Finally finished!

Mechanical lego hand

Sag made this mechanical lego hand and arm. It has joints that move. It was inspired by Anakin's mechanical hand. It fills me with awe. (I don't know which one of them took the photos, but you know it wasn't me...I fastidiously remove all crumpled tissues from my shots :-)

Follow the links

Yesterday I had some time out in the Big Apple with Cap sans kids. Forgot to bring the camera so follow the links for the visuals...

Left the kids in the care of Sandy and Mike and took the subway into Manhattan.

Went to Curly's Vegetarian Lunch for some vegetarian fare. I was in the mood to have something I wouldn't normally make at home and had the buffalo blue cheese "burger" and a side of curly fries with a mug of Mexican hot chocolate with whipped cream.

Stopped into Knit New York. Some skeins of Noro Kureyon in the perfect spring colorway (#95) set my heart to high flutter so I surrendered.

Walked over to Forbidden Planet where Cap found what he was looking for and I chose some books for the kids.

Then strolled down to Broadway Panhandler. I picked up a tortilla press, an item I've wanted to get for over a year, and also a splatter guard for our fish fries. We passed Grace Church on our way, a spot I've long admired from the outside, but never explored.

We continued downtown to Babycakes and picked up some cupcakes for dessert. They had a signed photo of Rachel Maddow on the counter which made me smile. The brownie cupcake with mint-vanilla frosting? The bees' knees.

We passed the Tenement Museum and talked about going there next time we're in the city for some grown up time.

Springing

Wishing everyone a good weekend. Sandy's watching the kids for us tomorrow in Manhattan. Don't know what we'll do, we've barely seen each other this week and so have not made plans. Sunday we will all be home together which I know Sag, in particular, is looking forward to.

Minutiae

• snipping through strands of my hair wrapped tightly around the brush bar of the vacuum cleaner...left with what looks like a small bird's nest in my hands

• motivated to continue to declutter, purge, and organize because I don't want someone else to have to do it in the event of my untimely death...no drama here, just the simple truth

• finally trying out the Diva Cup Sandy gave me months ago...what was I afraid of?

• the kids are going deeper into their movie making...shooting with two cameras simultaneously from different angles, using a tripod found in the closet, thinking of putting the tripod somewhere high up and angling the camera down for overhead shooting (but not yet managing to locate a good high spot whee the tripod can be securely placed), passionate arguments between director and actor and/or co-director and co-director dissolving in yelling and tears and enforced time away from each other (they haven't discovered the tyrant/diva's tool of storming off the set...yet :-)

• outside, the temperature will climb to 65º today...we'll soak up some spring out back after lunch

Stream of consciousness

This morning began with Cap leaving "at the crack" (as Karen would say) for a conference somewhere far away in the southern part of the state. As I lay in bed waking slowly, I heard Sag enter the kitchen to make himself some breakfast.

I knew it was him because I remembered him telling me last night that he was going to make himself breakfast this morning. I listened to a stool being dragged across the floor, wood on linoleum. Drawers being opened and closed. In my mind's eye I saw my sweet 7 year old performing the steps as he thought of them, with consciousness, for the first time.

His presence drew me to the kitchen rather than the computer, my usual destination. And there I remained for hours.

It was a morning of banana chocolate chip bread. Of brown rice with carrot and hijiki. Of nappa sautéed in olive oil with garlic and onion. Of dance moves from Captain Underpants. Of conversations. Of radio. Of talking on the phone. Of appreciating the kitchen organizing done yesterday. Of noticing the bounty of food in the fridge because I could actually see what all was in there. Of qi gong while waiting for water to boil, or rice to cook.

Equinox hike

It was cool and sunny and the geese and ducks were cruising and communicating :-) We did see "Broken Wing"and a giant blue heron. Some darting, dark, swimming creatures and gnats dancing in some sunny patches. Very few buds on the trees though. The recreational fishers were having no luck that day.

The banana muffins were still warm from the oven and enjoyed so much they weren't photographed :-)

Gem's name day

Nisu, limeade, and some new books.

Renewal

On Sunday I had a delectable Italian meal at Il Corso in Manhattan (thanks, Mom :-) A highlight was the arugula pesto on Lisa's ravioli (smoked salmon and asparagus filled).

On Tuesday the four of us made a pilgrimage to the temple of Mitsuwa. There, I picked up a quarter pound of baby arugula, hearing the call to make my own.

This morning, as I pulled off the top of the food processor and saw what you see above, I gasped with pleasure. The green was enchanting. It reminded me that this is the time of renewal. The dregs of winter will leave us so soon. I am preparing to shed the tv watching of the dark months (not that that isn't fun...Battlestar Galactica ends tomorrow, sniff, sniff...)

I requested two books through the library yesterday (The Unforgiving Minute and Shutter Island), I have felt some thrilling tremors in my fingers as they long to pick up the knitting needles I had left for dead weeks ago, and my mind is nudging my body to do Dragon's Way again.

I am ready to pull the plug and dance in the natural light. I am excited to see who we will be in the weeks and months to come, in this new season.

P.S. Busy weekend coming up: Kodo on Friday, Equinox-ing with Lukas, Anna, Silke and Roger on Saturday, and Black Violin on Sunday.

Creating with what you have

Spring festival

Spring is a-comin'. I enjoy celebrating with food. I tried my hand at a GFCF Irish Soda bread today. It is tasty, if a touch undercooked... (I subbed sweet rice flour for the millet and brown rice flour for the sweet sorghum. Oh, and no caraway for this girl. I went with the orange zest :-)

At the park

It was colder than I thought it was going to be. Elliot's hug warmed me up right nice :-)

Jamie's visit

Jamie came down for two nights. There was a lot of game playing. Sharing time with good friends who live afar is so special. We had the chance to go out for Thai (her favorite) last night which was nice, too. I was sad to see her go.

Yesterday

Common meal was at our house. I wish I had a photo of Max kicking back on the couch. He and Yifat have been running slightly ragged parenting their new puppy. I love that we've made good friends who feel utterly at home here.

I spent the day cooking. Literally. Potato salad, brown rice, bean bake, roasted asparagus and brownies. Everything turned out lovely and was enthusiastically received and consumed. I love that.

I did take some time out to see Vinny. A rare session after which I wished for 20 minutes so I could sleep on the table. I got up and felt tingly, light energy at the top of my head. Love that.

Lukas and Anna stayed after dinner. The kids were peaceful, content, and excited. They read, drew, played with walkie talkies and made a movie. I stayed up too late, my quiet time having been pushed back to after 10pm, but all in all it was a nice day.

Volleyball

Sag and I went out back yesterday and he taught me his modified version of volleyball. We had a blast. Somehow, I managed to snap some shots while we were playing.

Thanks to Mummu, for the ball we used. It came with our National Geographic Kids subscription that she gave us recently.

Mushrooms

I've been eating a lot of mushrooms lately. Some day I'd like to go to the forest with Jamie and Gennaro and forage for some :-) The video I wanted to share was from an episode of Jamie At Home where the two of them picked, prepared, and ate mushrooms without leaving the depths of the green and brown forest. Wonderful. This video is different, but you can still see Gennaro's great energy.

The weekend

This afternoon

Banana bread and the boys.

Latkes, latkes

...good to eat!

Swirly healing

I recounted the experience of directing swirls of incense smoke your way (at certain temples in Japan) to a friend this morning. A visceral and lovely thing. Especially if your sense of smell helps you go deeper (as mine does). The idea is that the smoke imparts healing/health to you. If you have a particular ailment, you wave and waft the smoke towards specific areas on your body.

Positive, healing energy is abundant and around us. Qi gong helps direct that energy...helps to create pathways in you in order for ease and vitality of energy flow. It can change so much.

My before bed practice has improved my sleep dramatically. This morning I doubled my practice and still clocked in at under 30 minutes. I'm going to try to slow the movements down tomorrow morning.

Sending wishes for a great day your way.

Dinner

Meat sauce for the boys...and this for me. Qi gong and herbs and Vinny's magic touch have been so good to me. At night, in the dark before I go to bed I have been increasing my minutes of The Dragon Stands Between Heaven and Earth. Lately, I feel a distinct heat in my hands when I hold this pose. So cool. Inspires me to renew my efforts toward even a more solid practice of Dragon's Way.

Happy birthday Auntie Sandy