BeeKeeper Update

It's been such a long time since I gave an update on this blanket's progress.  As it grows, the progress looks to slow, even thought it doesn't.  One extra flower looks like so much when you only have 3.  But when you have fifty, it is only tiny.  And so I plod on.....

A lot of car-riding this past year has given me plenty of knitting time.  I've used that on big projects, like sweaters, socks and another blanket I'm crocheting, but also on these little guys.

 Carrie blogged about her knitting process here.  She also talks about having a simple, mindless project that she can just knit on anywhere, anytime she has a spare minute.  This is my equivalent project.

 There is definitely more grey than yellow in there.  That's soon to be remedied.

Not by this batch of yet-to-be-sewn hexes, but I do have some yellows winging their way to me :0)

Tomorrow, a challenge begins.  Stay tuned.....

Disco xoxo

Happy Valentine's Day

We found this idea on Pinterest - a simple photo, cut slits for lollipop, add heart sticker.

Wishing you a day filled with LOVE.
disco xoxo

Websites

I've come across, or started using, some great websites lately.

www.tykoon.com is a site that helps you and your kids manage their chores and allowances.  You can set each child a task list (make beds, laundry, etc) and when these have to be completed (every day, weekly, etc).  The 'tasks' don't have to be physical chores.  They can be things like 'have a good attitude'.  That is top of our list!

I make a weekly print out of our chore list and put it on the fridge.  The boys have to highlight when they've completed each task.  At the end of the week, I'll go into the website and approve those tasks which have been completed.

Right now, we have about half a dozen 'jobs' for each boy.  I could see this getting a lot longer when we get back to SC where we'll have a lot more after-school activities and homework (we're keeping things light here in MI this year).

Each week, if all tasks are approved, they are given their allowance.  You can choose to split this between spending, saving and donating, any percentage you like.  You can include saving goals on the site too.  All in all, it's working pretty well for us.

www.coursera.org offers "the world's best courses, online, for free".  Basically, some of the top Universities/Professors are offering some of their courses free online.  I'm looking at this composition course.  My brain needs a little workout, so why not for free, right?

www.craftsy.com  You must have heard of this site by now!  Whatever your crafting stripe, there's a class here for you.  I just signed up for the Mittens and Gloves Galore class with Marly Bird. I hadn't quite realised how comprehensive the classes were.  This one is 12 lessons, ranging from 5 minutes to 51 minutes.

Have you come across any interesting corners of the web lately?
Happy Monday
disco xoxo

Random goodness....

So many good things to report on.....

1. The SNOW!  We are LOVING our Michigan adventure, especially since the snow arrived.  Oh joy! It has been with us for a constant 2 weeks now.  The boys have not missed an opportunity to be in it.  In the garden....

or on the lake.  Yes, the FROZEN lake. My mind is blown!

Even the hubs and I have enjoyed it.

2. Sledding.  I am having so much fun sledding, I'm sorely tempted to do it on my own, while the boys are at school.  I'm not kidding.  It's also a great opportunity to practice hill running - bonus!

3. The boys changed their minds on the chess team and it was all go on Saturday when we attended their first tournament at MSU in Lansing.  They both did great - Teddy at winning and Matthew at losing with grace.  I was proud of them both.  Exciting times.....

4. Report cards were sent home on Friday.  Here are some of the comments:
Teddy: avid and outstanding reader; outstanding math student; extremely impressed with him; hard worker; consistently contributes; strong leader; engaged; willing to share; cheerful and positive attitude; organized, independent and very responsible; adventurous; energetic.
Matthew: far surpassed reading expectations for 2nd grade; produces well thought-out, creative, detailed stories; a great friend; happy, helpful and hard-working; fun-loving, positive attitude; good listener, respectful and kind; his zest for learning is invigorating; good attention to detail.
Could a Momma ask for more?  So proud of my boys :0)

 5. Poor man's Mocha.  Who needs Starbucks?  I microwave a mug of milk and add a spoonful each of Maxwell House and Swiss Miss.  I know, I know, I'm a total coffee Philistine, but I love this after our snowy outings :0)

6. Tracking the positivity.  A friend gave me a 5 year journal for my birthday.  I started keeping a gratitude journal in it.  So far so good - it's uplifting to go back and see how much good there is in each day.

7. Book Club with Teddy tonight.  Our local library has a book club for 4th/5th graders and their parents.  We read "Willow Run" which is set in Michigan during WWII.  It was a sweet little book and a gentle introduction to that period of history.

8.  Watching the squirrels in the garden.  I put out old fruit for them.  They are so funny, leaping around the snow, trying to find it.  One time, on the way home from school, we saw a squirrel eating a cup of apple sauce in a tree.  When we first moved into this house, I thought we had the old "Squirrel Gables" problem.  Til I realised the part I could hear them running around on is a flat roof.  Phew!

9. We're getting a new Bridget Jones book!  I might die with the anticipation.

Knitting goodness to come.....
disco xo