More Multiples

(OK, I promise. More kids pics after this one. For real.)

After Seattle, I had to head to San Francisco. Although the trip was to see Jules, I snuck in a couple other friend visits as well (you just can't go that far and not).

For the two Titulaer boys, I had to make some more backpacks! I have come to love this pattern because it really is the perfect size and age appropriate gift for toddlers and preschoolers. They like sorting and containing (in my experience) and so far the packs been well received. 

Yes, that is corduroy lint all over it. Couldn't help it.

Problem was, I ran out of time. Last minute, I asked Oliver if I could give the boys his backpack with frogs and turtles and I would make him a new frog and turtle one when I got home (or birds or dinosaurs or trucks...). He agreed and whew! Gift ready. The other backpack is a color block version with thrifted corduroy. I love it! It's well worn in and very soft. Hopefully, it'll still hold up to whatever Leland may stuff into it.

Before that, I whipped together another one, for Henrik on his 3rd birthday. This one is home decor weight and is fairly sturdy. His sister (my future daughter-in-law I've been told) has dropped the hint to her mama that she would like me to make her a backpack for her birthday... Luckily, I have until Halloween!

In Multiples

After I made the two dresses and the 2nd backpack, I kind of got on a kick of making multiples. Can I show you? I'm slightly proud of this set.

For my recent trip to Seattle to see a babe in arms and a babe in a belly, I had a mission: to finish Winifred's quilt. The quilt was a cooperative effort coordinated by Erin (babe in belly). Each participant made a block (from repurposed mens shirt fabric!) depicting an image that they wished for Winnie's childhood. It was a beautiful idea and I had the responsibility (yikes!) of assembling the blocks, appliqueing around the fabric edges, binding, and quilting. Here's the result:

I couldn't let the trip pass without attempting to make quilt for Erin's babe as well. I didn't have a community-involved brilliant idea, but I know that E&T like mid-century design (chevrons!) and wanted something gender neutral (giraffes!) and were thinking of mustard and grey for the nursery (Jansdotter!). So here's what I came up with:

It took some late nights, but I got both done and delivered them in person. They love them, wahoo! And before you think I'm an overachiever (KP, you will accuse me), keep in mind Oliver's baby quilt is yet unfinished. He's 4.

Give Peas a Chance

The peas are coming! The peas are coming! (Actually, the peas came, and went! We ate the last of them yesterday. That's what happens when a couple weeks go by between starting and finishing a blog post... But I digress.) 
Delicious to eat out of hand, throw in a lunch, top a salad... But we've also been making pasta and peas, a recipe I adapted from Williams Sonoma Pasta cookbook. It's unusual, a hit with the big and little people in the house, and darn quick. Here you go:

Curry Pasta with Peas:
2 Tablespoons Curry Powder
2 Cups Shelled Peas
1/2 Cup Plain Yogurt
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 Teaspoon Brown Sugar

In a saucepan, combine the curry powder, sugar, yogurt and butter, heat slowly. Meanwhile, cook a pound of fettuccine in a pot of salted water. Two minutes before the pasta is al dente, add the peas. Drain both and pour into a warm serving bowl. Toss with the yogurt mixture. Season with salt, pepper, and your favorite cheese. Yum.

And now, your photos. These have nothing to do with peas and everything to do with enjoying summer with friends: the post-race lake party. Good times!

(Looking at that last photo, who do you think ran the half-marathon?)

On the River

We paddled the Au Train on the 4th of July. Our first family trip in the canoe. It was a picture perfect day: warm but not uncomfortable weather, cool water temps for swimming, a yummy picnic lunch, and sleepy floating naps.

 

It's a beautiful paddle. The launch and take-out sites are only a mile apart by road. Darling dropped us off, took the van downstream, and skateboarded back. Three to four hours later (depending on the pace of your paddling and leisure of your lunching), you are off the river. It's popular but not incredibly crowded. And it never gets too deep, which is quite nice. Especially if you were to drop your paddle about 300 yds from the take-out, then reach for it just as your partner says "don't lean, I got it!", then tip the canoe and your partner into the water (hip deep), though both of you manage to grab the gunnel during exit and keep kids and contents from slipping into the drink. It could happen.