Tree Spring Trail

We went for a hike today on a little trail that leads to the peak of Sandia Mountain. It has been a very long time since we did something purely recreational as a family and even longer since we left our neighborhood to do it. I was almost more excited for the long stretches of knitting time on the car ride to the trail head, than I was for the hike itself.

Two kiddos in car seats = peace for everyone.


It was more wonderful than I can say, to be out with the dirt and the trees and watching the kids bravely tackle the climbing. Even the little one, new to being upright, insisted on walking much of the way by himself. He lost his balance and fell on rocks twice his size many times, but he rarely complained. We took a big thermos of hot cocoa as a surprise for the kids and we were rewarded by enthusiastic appreciation, followed by grave disappointment that it tasted unlike the thick, milky stuff we make at home. Oh well, I guzzled it.



We forgot to bring the baby carrier, so the hike was short but sweet. We're already planning to go again soon, this time to a spot with waterfalls. We desert dwellers so crave a small spot of abundant water in the mountains.


























I brought my first Malabrigo Mama Sleeve along for the hike. It was tricky getting a good picture, while preventing my children from stepping over the edge of a steep cliff. But I'm happy to say that I managed.



After our hike we were in such a good mood that we decided to drive to Madrid for lunch in a restaurant. Restaurant visits are a bit complicated. The toddler is not fond of restraints and he wants nothing more than to explore the kitchens and other dangerous parts of every restaurant we visit. My husband and I both spent a great many years working in restaurants in our younger years and were routinely appalled by the self-absorbed parents who allowed their children to wander about the restaurant under the feet of servers carrying hot pots of coffee. We occasionally cringe that we have become those people now. But more often, we are amazed by how little we care. Such is the luxury of self-absorption.

Lunch was a great success. We sat on the patio and allowed the little one to toddle about while we ate Cuban sandwiches and baked brie. We only had to jump up every 30 seconds or so to prevent him from wandering into the parking lot. It was very like every other meal we share at home.

I found a little gallery in Madrid called Tapestry, that carried gorgeous hand-dyed yarn by Robin Pascal. It was really divine but I restrained myself.



After a long, lovely drive home, the sleeve covers my elbow.


Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, American and otherwise.

I love Thanksgiving. It's a great secular holiday that reminds us all to feel humbled and warmed by our many blessings.


-m

Labels: life in general, malabrigo

  ¶ 9:25 PM 5 comments

 
Oh, the sweet birthday bounty

I have a very dear friend named Christine who I met many years ago in college. We were both printmaking majors and we spent many long hours together in the studio where we routinely talked and became delirious until dawn. Everything she makes is beautiful. She laughs often. She has an unbelievable eye for color and she is unfailingly generous with the unusual ability to give exactly the perfect gift.

Christine also makes divine and luscious quilts. The kind that deserve to be in a hip, urban shop, with a gigantic price tag.

She knew I was sad when I missed the What's Cookin'? Apron Swap deadline.
My birthday came and she sent me this perfect apron (click the pic for a closer look - it's really perfect).

It's the best gift in the world. I spent an hour dancing around the house like a little girl in a brand-new twirly skirt. Who needs a swap when you have friends like mine?

Even lovelier, the flowery fabric on the scalloped edge and the pocket was purchased by Christine while we were together many years ago at a vintage fabric show in Seattle. Every time I wear my glorious apron, I'll be reminded of happy times shopping for fabric with my dear friend.

Oh, how I love people who appreciate the details. You are a treasure Christine. Thank you!

Now that my mitten obsession has been satisfied I've returned to the sweater. I don't think I've ever enjoyed knitting a sweater more. The wonder of Malabrigo never ceases. It's just so beautiful to touch.



Lately I've been knitting on my front steps as the baby sleeps near me in the car. I enjoy knitting outdoors on these cold, sunny days and it occurs to me that this is one such instance when fingerless mitts would serve me well.

There's always something to see in front of my house. As I sit there, various carpenters and house framers march back and forth down my sidewalk, speaking in Spanish and nodding politely at me or asking if I'm almost done knitting their sweater.
Usually a kid on a skateboard passes, rowdy school buses rumble by, and frequently a neighbor passes in a lowrider with a very suped-up stereo that miraculously does not wake the baby.


My blogging odyssey has lately led me to the enormous undertaking of archiving my completed projects of the past several years. I'm gaining familiarity with flickr and I do like it, but I can't seem to get their damn badge to appear on my sidebar. Just another bump in the html road. I'll conquer it.




In the meantime, I leave you with one such archive photo of my big boy in a purple donegal tweed sweater I designed and knit for him 2 years back. It is now in it's final winter of fitting him (thank God for little brothers). I just took this photo the other day.


xo -m

Labels: apron, little boy's purple tweed sweater, malabrigo

  ¶ 9:46 PM 7 comments

  Not Enough Chocolate

Remember this?

Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Wool, shade 018 (chocolate). Apparently a popular color. I've gingerly placed dad's scarf in a protective ziplock baggie and I patiently wait for the folks at my local yarn shop to order my last skein.

In the meantime, I happily work on my Malabrigo Mama.







I'm alternately proud and deeply ashamed to say that I have not succumbed to the mitten-knitting temptation. Little hands are stuffed into coat pockets and big brown eyes look up at me, pleading.
This is not easy. But, I must stay focused on this one big thing. There will be time for little things later.

Little things: I'm thinking about truffles lately. We are considering making batches of them as Christmas gifts. My friend Carmela is a pastry chef and talks with mouth-watering eloquence about all things chocolate. She told me about Earl Grey truffles and bittersweet chocolate-dipped tangerines. Does anything sound more delicious?




A final shot: The little one has begun to climb onto the bathroom stool whenever he can (to taste the soap and try out his brother's toothbrush). I couldn't resist a picture.


Go now and steal a piece of chocolate from your child's trick-or-treat bag. You deserve it.

Labels: dad's scarf, life in general, malabrigo

  ¶ 11:16 PM 5 comments