dip dye from April 2012

Yes, from 2012 that is how behind I am in some aspects. Actually, 2 years is not bad considering I still haven't made a photobook or printed any of our wedding photos from 5 years ago :(

I had high hopes for this dip dye experiment (check out BZR's heavenly tights) but was disappointed with the results, intended to do more, had to clean up, packed them away, and life moved on. Now, I am considering using the small shibori test strips for lavender saches and I still like the pink sweater, glad I found it again. This experiment was a lesson in appreciating what others make by buying their products rather than reinventing the wheel trying to make your own...I have bought a few pairs of BZR tights now.

Aluminum Windows

Our firehouse has (5) 4'x4' single pane windows with aluminum frames. They are divided in half horizontally and the lower portion opens outward. My plan is to paint the frames black as well as the wood casing/sill (soon to be installed) and narrow (3/4") trim. 

Like so (pic from Schoolhouse Electric catalog):

Currently, we have 1 frame still coated in nicotine (previous occupant was a smoker); 1 scrubbed and ready to paint; 1 painted.

Nicotine build up on aluminum frame (identified by my mother, of all people...):

To clean nicotine off a window frame, I wiped with acetone (worked very well), then sanded with metal sand paper, then wiped with acetone again.

Before and after of acetone wipe:

To paint aluminum frame, Adam taped off the window glass and sprayed first with a layer of matte black spray paint, then 2-3 coats of "hammered metal" black spray paint.

We actually aren't "finished" with any of the windows...because we still have to paint the part that opens and the outside. Baby steps.

We just got the slider framed, too!

Arlie and Ezzie

Grill Man

Today was a good day. 

We went to the library and checked out several Little Bear books. It was the first show Elliott ever watched and I think we have seen them all...so time to read them :)

Then we rushed home and our carpenters installed a few more boards for our shiplap hallway. I LOVE how it is looking. Even though I am not installing it, I have put so many hours in already. Each board is at least 2 hours of work, plus all the dry times between coats, so it takes me about a week to get 6 boards since I mainly work at night when kids are asleep and house is clean. blah blah blah. (I haven't kept my blog up to date on our firehouse remodel, which is sad, but I will start now.)

Then, kids napped while I painted, sanded, stained ship lap. We rode bikes outside. The weather is nice and spring-y so Elliott and I grilled veggie burgers for dinner. Adam is working late.

We have a million things to do*...but I'm slowly making progress and I'm happy.

*I need to paint 32 more shiplap boards; scour the nicotine off 3 aluminum windows and paint them before tomorrow. I don't think that will happen, but I'll get started :)

Post Publish update: Adam and I stayed up until 4 am arguing, cursing, moaning, scrubbing, and painting one of the windows. It was somewhat successful...but still not sure if we will re-do it. In an attempt to speed up the process, too much spray paint was added without the proper wait time and a couple sections are goopy. Originally I wanted a black/blue window, frame and sill/casing contrasted with white trim...but we went with a black. It will match the house better since our floors are black and we will have a lot of metal. It is a "hammered metal" black spray paint, so it has texture. Some parts of the window look really good. 

I seem to frequently squeeze 2 or 3 days into one day.

More photos from the day:

current tabs

I have a problem with tabs...meaning, I always have a million tabs open on my internet browser. Right now, I have 19 tabs open, and here is a selection of them:
Typical tabs: Gmail, Gcalendar, Remember the milk lists.
Martha Stewart Cinco de Mayo recipes like enchiladas, tortilla and black bean pie, cilantro rice.
Dottie Angel's flicker photostream.
Day Out with Thomas - just found out about this and thought Elliott would love to ride a real train.
Index of all Thomas & Friends trains. Elliott has no idea this even exists. He is going to devour it tomorrow!
Northwest Railway Museum has a Santa Train!!!!! and they run normal trains every weekend. How did I not know about this?! There is a Mother's Day special next week: Mom's ride free when accompanied by a paying child :)
...and then a purely personal indulgence: Icelandic National Costumes. Nothing about family dinner, or child entertainment...but all about me sewing myself a traditional Icelandic outfit.

It's almost 1 am and I wasted a few good hours of sleep (or painting ship lap) but somehow still feels worth it.

Valentine Cards

I spent early February adjusting to my new life with 2 kids and making Valentine cards with Elliott.

We used printed paper, colorful envelopes, alphabet paper and washi tape.

Meanwhile, here is Arlin:

Aunt Candice

Candice came to visit! It was so epic we have only a few photos....

I wanted to leave this next photo out because I am having skin issues...but I'm trying to not be that vain.

We mostly spent time together while helping me get my life back on track (clean out the refrigerator, clear out my closets, exercise, etc.) Candice babysat the 2 boys one morning, we made the pilgrimage to Cafe Besalu in the rain, and we made Raspberry Blood Orange Bars (like lemon bars...) Delicious!

Here is Elliott in the morning before Candice came. (I spy the dried apricots that gave him stinky toots).

And here is Arlin, yawning:

On being a father...

Adam wonders how he has been manipulated by such a tiny, helpless human into swaddling, propping up with pillows, rocking, and singing sweet songs into the wee hours of the morning.

Arlin has him wrapped around his finger...

Birthday 2013 and 2014

Today is my 29th birthday! I went walking with my boys and planted seeds - giant sunflowers for Elliott, Cerinthe major 'purpurascens' for the bees, and a seed mix to improve soil and insect populations....should be good. Tonight, we planned to go to Yogurtland as a family, but a few hours before we went, I uncharacteristically mass messaged my local friends to see who might want to join us. I was very happy I did; it is great to celebrate with friends and this year I wasn't able to host my annual mushroom themed birthday party potluck due to tiny home/ongoing remodel/new baby.
A picture from tonight:

And some pictures from last year's mushroom party:
My dear Adam made something of his own volition for the potluck! (Pastrami and cheese on toast)

The famous mushroom log cakes. This year's flavor combos were hazelnut with orange marmalade filling and almond with cardamom filling.

An early shot of the mushroom potluck...

Thank you friends!

At 29, I am now older than my older sister ever was: Briana died almost 3 years ago, right before her 29th birthday.

California in October II - Irvine Park Railroad

While in California visiting my parents, Uncle Thom had a Cross Country race at Irvine Regional Park. We made a day of the event because there are many fun things to do, like a mini railroad, pumpkin patch, horse rides, and surrey bikes!

 I picked Adam up at the airport that morning and we got to ride a school bus!!!!! into the park because there was a ton of traffic from the race.

 (Adam is wearing his favorite shirt for airport travel...)

 Lion got a turn, too.

Mom and Thom:

Thom and Elliott:

The surrey bikes were my favorite family moment. Picture the six of us crammed in, swapping seats, taking turns pedaling, Adam sweating bullets to get us up the hills, me hanging on for dear life as we careen down them. It was exhilarating exercise and bonding. 

In October, Irvine Park has a pumpkin patch with funny "photo-op" backgrounds. Here are several:

 See my chubby cheeked cat?!?!?!