Photo Shoot

Dear Mom,

Having finished a pair of socks for the May 2010 issue of Creative Knitting magazine, and needing to deliver them along with my pattern instructions, I was invited by the editor, Barb, to meet her at a photo shoot yesterday.
The location was only about 15 minutes away, but I felt like I was in another world for a little while.

The models were breathtakingly beautiful, as you would expect, but read that again. I didn't just say beautiful. I said Breathtaking. Stunning. Photogenic has a whole new meaning for me now. And the models were polite and friendly. I was equally struck by their poise while being photographed and STARED AT as I was by their looks.

Fascinated, I asked if I could take photos of them taking photos.

Here is Editor Barb, writing down an identification number and the sweater's name on a dry erase board. After the photos are taken, the model will hold this board and have another photo taken. She will also take an additional shot holding a color board. This is Liz:

Liz was fluffed and styled, special attention taken to showing the sweater to its best advantage.

And Liz's legs were probably ended at the height of my waist.

This photo shoot is for the January 2010 issue. Special care was taken that the backgrounds won't look too summery, and those models, wearing wool sweaters in August didn't even appear to be overheating.
In addition to the photographer and the hair and make up professional, there was also a stylist who coordinates the sweater, clothes and accessories for the models. She would pick up the models when they were done, whisk them away in her van and return with them wearing a new look.

This is Brittany, a former Miss Indiana. Make up touched up.

And beautiful.

Love,

Kim

Peas

Dear Mom,

Since reading this blog post the other day, I have been thinking about Peas. And how much I hate them. Snow peas are good in stir fry and Sugar Snap Peas are acceptable (probably because they have sugar in the name) but plain old green peas? No thank you.

I can be a big girl if I have to and eat them in that layer salad because they are coated in that Parmesan cheese/sugar/mayo salad dressing and because they have not been cooked. Or in vegetable soup when they can be camouflaged in my mouth by the broth and better vegetables. But that is it.

And the only reason there is a bag of frozen peas in my freezer is because it makes a handy first aid ice pack.

I hate peas so much that I don't think I have ever made my kids eat them.

My hatred for peas is deep and long suffering. I have a history with peas, and I can remember precisely when my pea-dislike turned into pea-hatred. I bear emotional scars.

I don't exactly blame you. After all, I am a mother now, and I have used the "eat your _________ or you won't get any dessert" line a time or two hundred. But did you have to serve peas on the day we had Captain Crunch Ice Cream Bars for dessert? Did you? Why not on the day (like most days) that we had Jello for dessert? Or even a day we had Jellolayeredwithcoolwhip? Because even though I Tried, and watched Bonnie eat her peas and her Captain Crunch Ice Cream Bar, and even though I cried and choked on peas and cried some more and even went into full out gag reflex over those peas..... I could not eat them and I did not get my Captain Crunch Ice Cream Bar. And I think probably Daddy ate all the rest of them because I don't remember getting one the next day, either.

Love,

Kim

and p.s. I don't think they even make them any more. I've been looking.

Back to School

Dear Mom,

Hear that? No?! That's because there is NOTHING TO HEAR!!! I am home alone! And, yeah, it is way too early for school to start. WAY to early. I think I need to change the lyrics to Alice Cooper's song from "Schoooooool's out. for. Summer." to " Schoooooooool. Starts. in. Summer."

Summer should have lasted another two weeks. But, now that the big yellow bus has taken them away and I have had time to do the math, and realize that the next SEVEN HOURS are mine to spend in solitude even if that solitude includes cleaning bathrooms, well.... maybe it isn't so early after all.

We took the obligatory Front Porch on the First Day of School picture. And then another because the Young Man was yawning in the first. And another to capture the enormity of the Young Lady's new backpack, stuffed with school supplies. I hope she doesn't lose her balance before that thing is unpacked. The image of a turtle on its shell comes to mind.

So, for the next several hours, I will clean without interruption and it will stay that way until the bus comes. I'd like to think I will have time to read and knit and maybe take a power nap and listen to the dog's heavy breathing as he sleeps the day away. And then take a breath before the bus brings home stories of the first day. And hopefully not too much homework.

Love,

Kim

Field Day

Dear Mom,

As I was winding my way around country roads, seeking the perfect spot to relocate the raccoons and possums I keep catching- you know someplace they would be safe and happy, but far enough away that they would become roadkill before they found their way back to my backyard, and I know, I know!, it makes no sense that I am humanely trapping and relocating an animal that I would prefer got hit by a car before it came back here to live - I stumbled upon the future home of a park. Perfect. Creek, weeds, trees.

When I saw that a path had been mowed into the "park" and then couldn't stop thinking about it, I started wondering why. Why is it that a grassy path with high weeds, Queens Anne's lace and thorns was calling to me?

Because some of the best parts of growing up on Harmony Road were spent playing in the fields. We could build forts, wander to our hearts delight, climb the biggest best tree in the world, a tree so beloved it was named and every kid in the neighborhood knew Harry. Heck, every kid in the neighborhood could probably have fit into Harry. Harry was better than any playground. With a low hanging branch perfect for sitting on, several of us could push off the ground with our dusty Keds and swing straight up high into the air. Harry had the thick, low and perfectly spaced branches that made for perfect climbing. We discovered a nest of baby mice beneath that tree and all of us checked on the mice, careful not to disturb them as we climbed and played.

We forged paths through the grass, some paths worn down enough that we could ride our bikes through the field. One of the older girls had scavenged discarded building materials and constructed an underground fort for herself that was so totally off limits to everyone and we were so scared of her that we all stayed away. Except for one time. I can remember we were all feeling brave, (and probably because we knew she wasn't home or something) and dared to investigate the underground sanctuary. I don't remember too much about it, I think because I was looking for booby-traps to really notice anything about the fort.

We came home tired and sweaty and sun-kissed. Tick discovery and removal, while not routine, was no cause for panic, and just part of playing in the fields. And every so often, in the heat of the summer, and probably 'cause some kids went to the field to play with matches, the field would catch on fire. The Dads would all go out and beat the fire with brooms and spray it with garden hoses. Harmony Road's Volunteer Fire Dept.

We were free in those fields, no one had to keep an eye on us, and we could disappear as long as we were home for lunch and dinner, knowing to head for home when we heard the church bells rang at noon and 5 o'clock.

So, as an adult, with open fields like that disappearing, I couldn't wait to get out on that grassy path. This was a place I could take the dog and let him off his leash. A place he could run ahead and sniff and wait for me to catch up. A place I could only hear birds and bugs chirping and a farm tractor running. I place I could wander into and not see the road, or my car, or another person.

I could almost disappear. Except as a responsible adult and former Girl Scout (Be Prepared!), I did have my cell phone in my pocket. Just in case. Which I was glad I had when I stepped into a deep hole and fell down like a toddler taking her first steps. "What if I had broken my leg?", I thought. "See, it is a good thing you brought your phone!"

I found thorny wild black raspberry bushes.

(Edited to add: I have been told that these are blackberry bushes and would make great jam. If only I made jam...... Kim 8-10-09)

And could appreciate the beauty of "weeds" that I would never want growing in my own yard.

And I will be going back.

Love,
Kim

Zucchini

Dear Mom,

If you listen carefully, you can hear cooks across the state flipping through cookbooks, muttering softly as they search for something new to do with the zucchini their neighbors gave them.

I am blessed to have the Zucchini Queen as my neighbor. Our gardens are the halfway point between our houses and a common gathering place. ZQ manages to raise mammoth zucchinis which seem to appear overnight, or manage to stay hidden in the zucchini foliage until their weight and length makes hiding impossible. ZQ and I have had many occasions to be doubled over in laughter- the kind that leaves your cheeks aching from smiling so big- over our gardens and her zucchini discoveries. We've also been known to share a few laughs on the porch over a bucket of frozen cosmos, but I won't be sharing those stories here.

This is a typical zucchini for ZQ, and I have cleverly cropped part of her out of the picture to protect her identity. I wouldn't want her stalked by the folks from Burpee or hounded by Food Network papparazzi.

For all those cooks looking for something to do with their zucchini that isn't zucchini bread, I offer, as a public service, this zucchini recipe.

Zucchini Queen Patties

makes 6-8 patties

3 1/2 c. grated zucchini

3 T. onion (I omitted the onion when I made these for the sake of My Hero's stomach and they were still good, but would probably be better with the onion)

2 T. fresh parsley, minced

1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese- take the time and grate the cheese yourself, it makes a difference!!!

1 c. soft bread crumbs

1 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

2 eggs, beaten

3/4 c. dry bread crumbs (I used the Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs)

1/2 c. butter

Squeeze as much juice out of the grated zucchini as you can and combine with all the ingredients except for the dry bread crumbs and the butter. Shape into patties and coat with dry bread crumbs. Place on greased baking sheets (or silpats if you have them) and put a pat of butter on top of each patty. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes, until golden.

Love,

Kim

Pajama Party

Dear Mom,

Not since the newspaper delivery man's station wagon caught on fire in the wee hours of a Sunday morning about 10 years ago has the cul-de-sac seen so much activity. Or so many neighbors gathering in pajamas.

Last night, just after I climbed into bed to read myself to sleep, there came the sounds of heavy truck engines from out front. I was pretty settled in and trying to ignore the noise and finish my book when the Young Lady walked in and reported police cars in the cul-de-sac. Having not heard any sirens, I got up to confirm the eyewitness report and found 3 police cars, a rescue vehicle and a fire truck. Concerned about a recently widowed neighbor, I went to investigate. A step onto the front porch revealed clouds of white smoke from somewhere near the entrance to our cul-de-sac, but not near the widowed ladies house. I am glad. No medical emergencies for her.

Grabbing a windbreaker instead of a robe because it was handy, I ventured out, barefoot, through my Fit Neighbor's yard toward the epicenter of activity. An older white van was coughing up clouds of smoke, quickly fogging up the area. Fire hoses snake through the street. The kind policeman (who didn't seem to mind answering the questions of a woman wearing a red coat and pajamas which thankfully were the cute Susan Branch summer watermelon pj's and not the little shorts and tee shirt with cherries on them from Target) informed me that the vehicle was empty and no other vehicles had been involved.

Neighbors begin gathering. Most of us in some variety of sleepwear. Through the smoke I see teens clustered and pointing. And nothing makes a person look older than when he/she is standing in his/her pajamas near a gorup of teenagers. Just something I noticed last night.

Now, I do believe that every neighborhood has A Woman Who Knows, and if they don't, they need one. That Woman lives just down the street, and having had toddlers at home at the same time, we became friends over miles and miles of stroller walks. I have not had my finger on the pulse of the neighborhood since our kids outgrew their strollers and we stopped walking together. Not even close. Anyway, I had only just finished listening to the Policeman's answer to my question when I looked up and saw her. Smiling and waving (the area is taking on the atmosphere of a street fair/carnival now), she comes over. With the whole story. I would have been stunned by her information gathering skillz since she knew more than the policeman I just spoke to, but the story begins at her house, so I don't need to be scared of her or anything.

Turns out, her daughter's boyfriend, who has borrowed his family's backup vehicle ~the other 2 vehicles in this family having been totalled/involved in wrecks this past week- which are 2 more stories that I didn't get because it was late and we were in our pj's, and all I need to know about that is that no one was hurt and that not I nor any family member of mine will be driving with the boyfriend or his family: 1, because we don't really know them that way, and 2, because they probably don't have a car to drive right now anyway~ but back to the excitement of last night- boyfriend leaves for home in van, drives about 50 yards and van catches on fire. He safely extracted himself from the vehicle and returns to girlfriend's house to call for help.

A few of us, now having the facts, begin noticing each other's pajama's, recalling the time the paper man's car caught fire (which is now, 10 years later, being described as "The Time The Paper Man's Car EXPLODED and Caught on Fire) and how it left a mark on the street for a really long time, relating to each other how we came to discover that there were all these emergency vehicles in front of our homes, did you hear sirens?! I didn't hear sirens! and then, well, it's late, we better get back to bed, see ya tomorrow! And off we disperse, back to bed.

Where I find My Hero. Who slept through the whole thing, and will probably not know about any of it until he reads the blog.

(Do you think my reading light bothers him?)

Love,
Kim

D'Vine

Dear Mom,

While the Grandpa is napping on the couch and before I take the Young Man to tennis practice, I will, as promised, share the treats I purchased for myself at the D'Vine yarn shop in Shipshewana last week.

This first is Opal Sock yarn, which I totally bought because of the Harry Potter label and it was the last one. Plus, luckily for me, the colorway is called Lupin, one of my favorite characters.

The next photos show some yarn that was grown, dyed and spun at a local Shipshewana farm. Since I would never find this anywhere else, and this is all that was left of it, I bought it, too.

There isn't a lot of yardage of either of these, but I have some scarf/kerchief/neck wrap ideas I may try with them.

I also found these buttons and bought them because they are simple and pretty. That shop had more interesting, unusual and beautiful buttons than I could absorb. I wish I had easy access to that kind of selection, but it is probably a good thing that I do not.

Aren't those the best! Just looking at them makes me want to knit a pretty sweater for them.

Love,

Kim

Shipshewana

Dear Mom,

After a week of birthdays and a couple of days working outside the home, our 2 day trip to Shipshewana was a pleasant break and a fun getaway.

The fun started when we met up with a Quilting Group from the Ft Wayne area, deep in a Fiber Frenzy, searching through a boat load of fat quarters priced at $1. (Literally, the shop has a boat in the middle of it, filled to overflowing.) These women were having fun, and I don't believe they left until every fat quarter had been evaluated. There were shouts of delight when the elusive pattern had been discovered and fabrics were passed around and shared. Baskets were filled, dumped, spread out...

....and sorted. This lady found a spot away from the action to sort her finds. I think she is mentally piecing a quilt together.

And the quilt group was not alone. The Young Lady was elbow deep in those fabrics.

We found an inspiring shop with yarn, beads, tea, and gardening ideas. So inspiring that once inside, my mind began whirring and I didn't take any photos. I did take photos of my purchases once I got home and I will share those tomorrow.

After dinner Thursday night we took a quiet ride past Amish farms in the cool evening at dusk.

We could really appreciate the countryside with its well tended gardens and beautiful flowers while travelling in an open buggy at 9mph. And with a gentle hand on the reins, the driver could actually take his eyes off the road enjoy it with us. There is just no way to rush when travelling like that, and that is something I could get used to. Though when I do the math on how many miles it is to the schools, or the grocery store, or the library I KNOW it would be a hardship and I would be over it. But still. Probably I could knit and drive a buggy at the same time. Especially when the horse pulling the buggy can read the stop signs.

Our stay at the Big House in the Little Woods Bed and Breakfast let us sleep with the windows open, listening to the clip clop of Amish buggies, and waking up to the sound of a cow mooing (really! A Cow. Mooing. Way better than an alarm clock.) and the most delicious breakfast. The proprietors couldn't be more gracious or kind.

And while we ingested too much good food and loads of calories (I shouldn't eat anything for a week), and brought home some wonderful locally made cheeses and bread, I came home energized with more creative ideas than calories; my head filled with beautiful images and happy memories of time well spent.

Love,

Kim

Champions

Dear Mom,

After a long swim season, swim team has come to an end. The teenager, the diva and pipsqueak are in hibernation this week. Yesterday we were in our pajamas until 4:30 in the afternoon (only changing into our clothes before David got home)!!

This past weekend, we spent 23 hours at Miami University for swim championships. The kids swam for about 7 minutes of those 23 hours!! It was the most exciting championships -- ever. The lead changes were back and forth and the point spread was as few as 3 points ahead and as much as over 100 points behind!! Our team was not favored to win. The team has won 14 years in a row but as swim leagues and summer swim teams change and get larger, the margin for winning got narrower. The teenager placed 15th in all of the Tri-County Swim League in the butterfly! Woo hoo! The diva won her heat in backstroke and got to see her name in lights on the Miami University scoreboard! Woo hoo! Pipsqueak?! She's just so darn cute!! Woo hoo! The teenager, the diva and pipsqueak all swam their best times for the meet; the entire team fought hard to WIN--15 YEARS IN A ROW!!!!!!

It was a fabulous year. Swimming is always my favorite time of year. It is hectic and busy but at the same time, it is a time to sit on pool chairs spending time with friends, renewing friendships from previous swim seasons, cheering our kids on toward personal victories. The championships are the highlight of our summer. Our swim coach designs special championship shirts each year and our kids can't wait to see the new shirt! We wear our shirts with pride!! We nervous moms cluster together in the University stands and wring our hands. We celebrate when our children win their heats, we comfort each other when our child "DQs" an event. We whoop and holler when our children break and make new meet records.

When swimming ends, it is a reminder that fall is right around the corner. School and homework will replace the easy-ness of summer. Crisp air will replace the humidity of summer. Alarm clocks will need to be set. We will have to wake up in the dark and we will have to wear real clothes.

Until then, enjoy every moment of the rest of your summer!

Love, Wendy

Country Livin' in the Summer

Dear Mom,

Summer is just flying by! So much to do and see. The county fair is always a highlight of my summer...to see the proud 4-Hers displaying their projects and the community coming together to appreciate and support them is heartwarming. The "Small Animal Barn" is my favorite place to visit at the fair. It houses the poultry, pygmy goats and rabbits.

These are Sarah's pygmy goats--Jolly, Yeager and Bud. They just wouldn't hold still! Here are two adorable Jersey Wooly rabbits.
This is a beautiful Belgian Bearded D'Uccle rooster--Meg's male counterpart. Looks like he needed a special warning sign against poking fingers...poor little guy.

The weather has been superb and my little garden is producing some wonderful veggies. I really thought my beans were finished once the rabbits discovered them. I covered them with bird netting to keep the rabbits out and quickly learned that bean plants do not actually need their leaves to blossom and produce fruit. There are so many beans now that I don't mind sharing them with the rabbits.

This is my first big harvest...green beans, green peppers, Early Girl tomato and zucchini.

I'm eager to try out this sweet corn, but I'm not quite sure how to know when it's ready to be harvested...The 16-foot tall Sunzilla sunflowers....didn't quite make it much past 5 feet!! Oh well, they are still pretty along the fence line. These sunflowers turned out to be HIGH MAINTENANCE! The rabbits, bugs and shade are their enemies.

The hummingbirds are plentiful this year. Summer just wouldn't be summer without them, don't you agree?! Benny is certainly enjoying his warm summer days...on my clean tablecloth! Love, Bonnie Jo

THe MorNIng AfTEr

Dear Mom,
My Hero's 50th.
The Morning After.

Love,

Kim

Birthday Girl

Dear Mom,

Twelve years ago The Young Lady hollered her way into the world, and stayed angry until we left the hospital, when thankfully, she settled into the contentment of home and quieted down.

At last, after a string of boys, we had someone to wear the smocked dresses, lacy socks and Mary Jane shoes we dreamed of, and an excuse to buy Madeline dolls. We had a good reason to have a tea party at The American Girl store and buy Angelina Ballerina and all her friends, books, clothes and fully furnished house so we could play with it.

There have been rough patches, like the Stuffed Animal Stand Off of '99, and the Pikachu Halloween costume that caused me to take Deep Breaths at the kitchen sink when The Young Lady decided to forego the new costume I made her so she could squeeze into the Pikachu costume from the year before. "It's her Halloween", I told myself while breathing deeply.

If anything, she has taught me to choose my battles wisely, expect the unexpected and respect her individuality. She has opened my eyes with her fresh perspective, and I am inspired by her capacity for forgiveness and compassion.

Without a doubt, the years ahead will bring a new set of challenges and worries, but I also know that there will be even more causes for celebrating and while I will always be her mother, one day many years from now, I hope she will want to be my friend.

Love,

Kim

Dear Mom,

I haven't received my copy in the mail yet, but the September '09 issue of Creative Knitting Magazine is out there and has two (count 'em, TWO!) of my designs in it. Go here and you will see all the designs in this issue. Click on the small pictures to make them bigger, and if you click on the parka picture you will get to see the entire coat.

I still get a thrill and feel like I need to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming when seeing my designs in print and my name right there as the designer.

Love,

Kim

Happy Birthday Bonnie!

Love, Kim

Harry Potter Madness

Dear Mom,

We have had Harry Potter madness this week. The teenager and I went to the midnight showing of Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. We got 3 hours of sleep before having to wake up again for swim team practice.

We picked up donuts for breakfast on Wednesday morning and bragged loudly to everyone at Dunkin' Donuts that "we've already seen the Harry Potter movie!" If you're gonna see a midnight movie and only get 3 hours of sleep, it's imperative that you let everyone know you were one of the first to see the movie!!!!!! The movie is fabulous and the people at the theatre were so much fun!! My favorite thing about the whole midnight movie?! For a few hours, I was once again "the best!" Mom in the teenager's eyes!

Love,

Wendy

Book Review

Dear Mom,
Loved it. Loved. it. Loveditloveditloveditlovedit. Did not want it to end. EVER.
Love,
Kim