The Happy Homemaker Strikes Again

It's baking day.

I say that like it's this definite, certain thing in my house, but it isn't. I wish I could have this really great, regimented schedule like Ma in the Little House books, but it just falls apart for me. Wash on Monday, Iron on Tuesday, Bake on Wednesday, Sweep on Thursday. . . I mean, what happens when it's Tomato Season and you're canning tomatoes and spaghetti sauce all day? Or it's time to make the cheese? Or the kids get sick and there's no way to get a loaf of bread in the oven? I have no idea. I need regimented flexibility. Most things get done in a week and if it gets to be too much, I hand P the vacuum cleaner. But what would happen if my survival depended on my ability to wash laundry (by hand!) and make my family's supply of cheese curds for the year? Lord, what if I simply had to grow my own wheat? I suppose it's a good thing I'm not a homesteader. We would have languished without sugar because I have no idea how to tap a maple tree.

I think I need to hug a farmer.

That said, this is what Thomas and I made today.
It's the Cinnamon Bread from the Simply in Season cookbook. I can't say how much I enjoy this cookbook. I have a good friend who also has this cookbook and it's uncanny how many times we'll be chatting and one will say to the other, "Hey I'm making Hearty Lentil Stew tonight!" and the other will say that she is either making the same dinner or just made it a day ago. It's a lot like being in middle school and owning matching legwarmers with your best friend. It just doesn't get cooler than that.

More Advice: Or, Why Can't She Keep Her Opinions to Herself?

I have some advice that I want to share. It could go with my previous post as this has to be some of my favorite advice ever. It applies to almost anyone at some time or another. It is almost always useful. And I have a couple of people in my life that I am thinking of as I give it to you all now. Here it is:

Lighten up.

Seriously, let it go. Whatever is happening to you at this moment is not that important. Or, it IS important, but is certainly not as horrible as you think it is.

That person who is bothering you right now probably isn't even trying to piss you off. Sure, it's plain to you that they are being (insert: annoying, irresponsible, inconsiderate, selfish, unreasonable, etc), but it is possible that they aren't intending to bother you (but if they are? Are you going to let them WIN by getting all riled about it?). I promise that most people don't do it intentionally, even if it seems like irritating you is their job.

Most things that happen in this world have nothing to do with you at all, even if you're affected by it.

Brace yourself, dearie, but it could be that you are not just interpreting things in the wrong light, but that you're taking the actions of others TOO PERSONALLY.

Try to throw some Peace out into the world by cutting people a little slack. Quit being so hard on people, just because they are walking in this world. Quit trying to put your seal of "approval" or "disapproval" on everyone you encounter. Give people the benefit of the doubt. That means your spouse, too. Assume the best. Relax. Let go. Slow down. I promise that if you unclench a little that you will become less costive. I promise that it is for the best. You will become a kinder, more generous person. You will invite graciousness into your life. You will become happier and feel less stress. Most of all, you'll be more enjoyable to be around. And who doesn't want that? It's so much better than being right.

Anyway. Maybe this will be helpful advice for some of you, maybe not. Use what you can and throw the rest away.

Sweater for a Friend

This is a sweater I knit for my friend's daughter. Kate is one of my oldest and most special friends. We had our daughters two and a half months apart. We have grown into motherhood together. Her friendship has been one of the most important things in my life. So, I knit her daughter this sweater.

I used a KnitPicks sport-weight cotton/modal yarn. It's so soft. I'm excited to see how it washes up. I used my first ever Addi Turbo knitting needles and let me tell you--I've never driven a Porsche before, but this is how I imagine it to be. Wooosh!

The pattern is Tater's Cotton Cardi. I think it was free from The Garter Belt website. I think I must be learning impaired because I had some problems interpreting the pattern. I've knit the whole thing and I have no idea where I went wrong. I know I must have because when it came time to knit the lace pattern I didn't need to do stitch increases to get the number of stitches I needed to knit the body. I may have used some rather unbecoming language. In fact, I know I did.

I am very happy with how it turned out, though. I rather wish I had knitted it for Anna! I think I will order some more yarn and see if I can find a similar pattern in a book like Top Down for Toddlers that I can adapt with some lace. I just got too lost trying to knit this sweater to attempt it again. It took some of the fun out of knitting it. But I know that nothing's going to be better than seeing Claire wearing it!