Reclaiming The Home

The one (hundredth) in which she shares a Crochet Calorimetry Pattern

Its rather a big day here at Reclaiming The Home.  This is the 100th post for this blog.  What a journey it has been so far, and I am so incredibly thankful to each of you for going on this journey with me.  The future looks bright with possibilities, and I am certain there will be many more moments to share between friends as the life of this blog and Reclaiming The Home continues to take shape. 

To celebrate this milestone, I decided to share a new pattern I am working up for a crochet version of the Calorimetry featured in Knitty in 2006.  I have always loved the look of all the Cal's that people have made, and wanted so badly to make one for myself.  Being that I'm a novice knitter at best, I have searched and searched for a crochet version, but have yet to find an established pattern for something like this (if you know of one, please tell me!).  As a result, I decided to design one, and created this:

I wrote down the steps as I created it, and would like to share the pattern with you as well.  The thing is, I need TESTERS!  If you are interested in testing out the pattern, please comment here and let me know.  Each of the testers who complete a finished crochet calorimetry and link it back here with their comments and suggestions will be entered into drawing to receive the 5 largest skeins of this lovely reclaimed angora. I will do the drawing on August 10th, so try to finish your Cal's and let me know here, by midnight on August 9th!

On to the pattern!

With an H hook and worsted weight yarn, ch 4.

Row 1: dc in 3rd ch from hook. dc in next ch and ch 2, turn.
Row 2: two dc in each st. ch 2, turn. (4 st in this row)
Row 3: dc in first st. two dc in each of next 2 st. dc last st. ch 2, turn. (6 st in this row)
Row 4: dc in each st. ch 2, turn (6 st)
Row 5: dc in each of first 2 st. two dc in each of next two st. dc in each of last 2 st. ch 2, turn (8 st in this row)
Row 6: dc in each of first 3 st. two dc in each of next two st. dc in each of last 3 st. ch 2, turn (10 st in this row)
Row 7: dc in each of first 4 st. two dc in each of next two st. dc in each of last 4 st. ch 2, turn (12 st in this row)
Row 8: dc in each of first 5 st. two dc in each of next two st. dc in each of last 5 st. ch 2, turn (14 st in this row)
Row 9: dc in each of first 6 st. two dc in each of next two st. dc in each of last 6 st. ch 2, turn (16 st in this row)
Row 10: dc in each of first 7 st. two dc in each of next two st. dc in each of last 7 st. ch 2, turn (18 st in this row)
Row 11: dc in each of first 8 st. two dc in each of next two st. dc in each of last 8 st. ch 2, turn (20 st in this row)
Row 12: dc in each of first 9 st. two dc in each of next two st. dc in each of last 9 st. ch 2, turn (22 st in this row)
Row 13: dc in each of first 10 st. two dc in each of next two st. dc in each of last 10 st. ch 2, turn (24 st in this row)
Row 14: *dc in each st. across, ch 2, turn* (24 dc in the row)
Rows 15-29: (rep * - * for rows 15-29)
Row 30: dc in each of first 10 st. dc next 2 sts tog. dc next 2 sts tog. dc in each of last 10 st. ch 2, turn. (22 st in this row)
Row 31: dc in each of first 9 st. dc next 2 sts tog. dc next 2 sts tog. dc in each of last 9 st. ch 2, turn. (20 st in this row)
Row 32: dc in each of first 8 st. dc next 2 sts tog. dc next 2 sts tog. dc in each of last 8 st. ch 2, turn. (18 st in this row)
Row 33: dc in each of first 7 st. dc next 2 sts tog. dc next 2 sts tog. dc in each of last 7 st. ch 2, turn. (16 st in this row)
Row 34: dc in each of first 6 st. dc next 2 sts tog. dc next 2 sts tog. dc in each of last 6 st. ch 2, turn. (14 st in this row)
Row 35: dc in each of first 5 st. dc next 2 sts tog. dc next 2 sts tog. dc in each of last 5 st. ch 2, turn. (12 st in this row)
Row 36: dc in each of first 4 st. dc next 2 sts tog. dc next 2 sts tog. dc in each of last 4 st. ch 2, turn. (10 st in this row)
Row 37: dc in each of first 3 st. dc next 2 sts tog. dc next 2 sts tog. dc in each of last 3 st. ch 2, turn. (8 st in this row)
Row 38: dc in each of first 2 st. dc next 2 sts tog. dc next 2 sts tog. dc in each of last 2 st. ch 2, turn. (6 st in this row)
Row 39: dc in each st. across. ch 2, turn. (6 st in this row)
Row 40: dc in first st. dc next 2 sts tog. dc next 2 sts tog. dc in last st. ch 2, turn. (4 st in this row)
Row 41: dc next 2 sts tog. dc next 2 sts tog.  (2 st. in this row)

Finish off with a 1" button of your choice on one end.  It will fit through the dc on the other end nicely. 

Your end product should look something like this:

Happy 100th!

Enchilada and Pico De Gallo Recipes, Homecoming, and a Painting

Can you tell I'm not feeling the creativity with titles lately?  Ah well.  Can't win 'em all!

First and foremost, the reason its been a while since I posted - the hubby's home!! 

He sent me this handsome picture with his cell phone while he was away.  Technology does amazing things these days!  Thank heaven for the connection it provides families who are apart from one another.  I can't imagine what it would have been like years ago, dealing with deployments and TDY, not having email or cell phones.  We are certainly blessed.

That said, there is nothing like the real thing, and we are SO happy to have Kev back home with us!  The girls are beyond thrilled and refuse to leave his side.  The reaction Anna had at the Homecoming Ceremony on base was just adorable.  When the busses drove up she started waving and yelling "Hi Daddy!" as every one of the soldiers stepped off.  Of course when she saw which one was HER Daddy she melted and went running for him.  I think that was the hilight of the whole month for Kevin.  He just glowed.

I am loving having him home too, though I am trying to figure out how to fit in my painting time again (not that I mind this incredibly happy -and handsome- distraction).  I thought I'd share a painting I did of Abbi while he was gone.  I gave it to my mom when she left to go home, to thank her for her help with the girls the last week before Kevin got home.  She has a matching one that I painted of her a couple years ago, dancing around a May Pole.  So, now she has a set. :)  Before long, it will be three, as I have one in the works of Anna to go with them.  The painting is about 18"x24".  Excuse the glare on the glass - I didn't think to get a photo before I framed it!

Painting isn't the only creative endeavor we have been doing around these parts!  I have been finding new ways to use up that incredible produce we picked up from the Farmer's Market.  We went back today to pick up some more tomatoes and peppers, and I decided to make some Pico De Gallo.


Pico De Gallo:

2 Lg. Tomatoes, chopped into small pieces
2 Jalapenos, seeded, rinsed and chopped into tiny pieces
1/4 of a Green Pepper, chopped
1/2 Onion, chopped
1/3 cup chopped Cilantro
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Lime juice (optional)

Mix all ingredients well and allow to stand at least one hour in the refrigerator. 
--

Of course, with Pico, you have to have something to put it on!  So, I made Enchiladas!

Enchiladas:

1 lg. can Enchilada Sauce
1/4 cup Pico (or Salsa if you don't have Pico de Gallo)
1 pkg. Small Corn Tortillas
1 lb Mexican Cheese, Shredded
1 lb lean hamburger, shredded beef or chicken, or turkey burger
1 can Sliced Olives (optional)

~Preheat oven to 350* F
~Brown Hamburger meat (or cook & shred other meat), and add 1/3 cup Enchilada Sauce and 1/4 cup of Pico de Gallo to meat.
~Sprinkle a little bit of Cheese down the center of a Tortilla in a line.  Spread 1/4 cup Meat mixture over Cheese.  Roll and place fold-side down into a 9x13" baking dish.  Repeat with remaining Tortillas & Meat.
~Once the pan is filled with rolled Tortillas, pour remaining Enchilada Sauce evenly throughout the pan. 
~Sprinkle remaining Cheese over top, and add olives if you like them.
~Bake for 10-15 minutes in a 365* F oven, or until cheese is melted.
~Serve hot with a side of Pico De Gallo (or salsa), and a slice of Avocado if you like, for (a quite tasty) garnish. Hubby likes his with Sour Cream.
--

Life is busy but good right now, and we are enjoying every minute of it.  I hope you are as well!

Autism Genes and Service Dogs, Tuna Salad, and a Hasselhoff Aversion.

We have been so busy lately  just with the business of every day living.  Finding foods that work well for just me and the girls is usually a challenge since they are relatively picky and don't eat much.  I did find however, that if you put it on a sandwich they will usually eat it up, no matter what it is.  So much like their father, those two!

I tried my traditional tuna salad recipe to sneak some protein and fruits into their lunch.  I blogged about this recipe many moons ago, using chicken instead of tuna, but never shared a photo of what it looked like.  For those of you who might have missed it the first time, here's the recipe again!

Tuna Salad:

~1 can of tuna in water, drained
~2 Tbs. light mayonaise
~2 Tbs. dijon mustard
~1/2 pickle, chopped up, or 2 Tbs. relish
~1/2 apple, chopped finely
~1/2 cup chopped grapes

This is so tasty and healthy.  I love it.  Even better, so do the kids.

Speaking of my little babushkas, I suppose its past time for an update on how things are going around here. 

Things with Abbi are going alright for now.  We are still waiting on word from the Army about the compassionate reassignment, but we are hopeful that we will hear by the end of the month (first week of August at the latest, we pray).  In the meanwhile, we are continuing on with occupational and physical therapy here.  She is in real need of her other therapies, but they just aren't available in this area.  So, we do what we can do at home to make up for it, and wait. Wait. Wait.

We did find out recently, thanks to an article, and a video on ABC, that 5 genes have been discovered that are related to Autism and that with intensive treatment (like what they are prescribing for Abbi), 3 of the 5 can be corrected.  Whether or not that will work for us, I don't know, but we have to hope that the treatment will at least help, even if only to give her the tools needed to live more independently day to day.  What an answer to prayer that would be!

We are also looking at the possibility of applying for an Autism Service Dog through 4 Paws for Ability for Abbi.  How can a service dog help?  SO many ways. In short, they offer social opportunities, comfort, connection, safety from wandering, gentle behavior modification, tracking (in case they do wander) and so so much more!  While none of this replaces the interaction and assistance, love and care of a family, having a service dog for Abbi would give her the chance to have a friend... and a friend who could potentially help her in amazing ways.  Its going to be something we look into doing for her as soon as we get moved. :)

Finally, I wanted to share something rather humorous with you.  Abbi, as it seems, is afraid of David Hasselhoff. 

Without question, Abbi has determined that there will be no more Hasselhoff in this house.  You see, we watched The Spongebob Squarepants Movie (so not my favorite choice, but Spongebob is one thing she just adores... I digress).  There is one part in the movie where David Hasselhoff comes in to save the day.  This completely and totally freaked her out. 

And as if that wasn't enough, his pecks inflate to become flotation devices, and that just about sent the poor thing into hysterics. 

Mom managed to capture a photo of Abbi running up to me, physically shaking from the fear of the Hasselhoff. 

The movie was turned off, and disposed of moments after this photo was taken.  It was all I could do to comfort her without bursting into immense bouts of laughter... poor baby.

The Flavor of Summer

We finally found a farmer's market! 

This morning I woke up and decided we would enjoy a little bit of summer and go look for some locally grown produce, even if "local" meant in another county.  We don't have a farmer's market in the area, so I checked around for U-Pick farms in Oklahoma to find one closest to me.

As it turns out, Williams-hart Produce has a small market (positioned directly in front of their small one-acre farm) about 30 miles from here. 

The girls and I hopped in the car and headed out to check it out.  When we got there we were so incredibly pleased with the experience.  They were not only friendly, but they had a beautiful selection of amazing produce at prices that made the trip completely worth it. 

Best of all, we were able to go in and be us.  The owners came over and talked with the kids, asked questions about Abbi and made an effort to connect one on one with us.  We have never had an experience like that at a grocery store. Ever. 

We will definitely be going back.  Especially now that we know how much Anna loves her strawberries!!  She ate almost half a pound!

Abbi enjoyed the trip too, especially when it started to rain.  She has a deep-rooted love for water, so every time it rains, its as though nature has given her a very personal and special gift.  You can see it in her face, just watching and feeling the drops of water hit the window.

Today was a good day.

Storming.

"There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm." ~ Willa Cather.

Ever since we moved to Oklahoma, back in 2002, I have suffered from a deep and debilitating fear of storms.  It is my greatest fear that my children, my husband, or I would be sucked up in a tornado and thrown heaven-knows-where.  Whenever a storm rolls in, I breathe a silent prayer for strength to make it through the storm.  While I know storms still occur in other places, and South Texas is no exception, I will not miss the far-too-often fears that come creeping back every time it rains.

We were just out for a drive today, enjoying the sunshine, and drinking our milkshakes when I noticed it started to get cloudy off to the south of us.  I stopped to take this picture since the storm was moving in rather quickly (and I thought it a good representation of Oklahoma weather, that I'd print and save for the scrapbook).

I literally turned around and this is what I saw, right down the street, with the farmhouse about 200 yards in front of the car.

Needless to say we turned around fast and got out of there. 

We drove to the store, about 5 miles away, as I needed to run in and get some essentials.  The road ahead was sunshiny and beautiful, and had I not just stopped to snap those photos I never would have known that such a storm lay just behind me, matching speed as I drove away.

As we pulled into the parking lot, this was my view.

We ran inside and I did my best to distract the children from the thunder that shook the very items on the shelves we were shopping from.  Lightning flickred, and bellowing rumbles of thunder boomed through the aisles as we "shopped" (anything to stay out of that storm as long as we could). 

The doors of the grocery store started flooding with water, and the rain was so thick that you couldn't see the first row of cars in the parking lot from the door.  We played in the video-game area for nearly an hour while I stayed on the phone with mom who checked the National Weather Service for me to see what exactly was waiting for us just outside of that sliding glass.  When the rain slowed to a hard pouring, we ran out to the van and loaded in, praying that we'd make it home safely in the flooded streets and rain.

By the time we got home the storm had cleared, nearly as fast as it had come. 

I journaled about it a bit today, for my "echoes" journal entry.  I've been painting a bit again, and it has helped to relieve some of the stress of everything on our plates lately (more on "life" to come soon).

Dealing with storms like this is definitely an aspect of Oklahoma I will not miss.

Shirt from a Shirt Tutorial

I was happily surprised by the level of interest in a tutorial for the shirt I made for Anna out of a Woman's L size tunic!  I went ahead and put together a tutorial so here we go!

1. Lay out your original shirt out and cut out the body of the child's shirt (cutting through 2 layers at once)  Make sure to follow the measurements in the diagram! 

2. Place cut-out fabrics right side together, and sew along the green lines.  Fold top down and sew a hem along the red line.

3. Cut out straps from the remaining top portion of the original shirt.

4. Once the straps are cut out, hem along the red lines in the diagram.

5. Put shirt on child (at this point it is just the hemmed base of the shirt). Pull sides together, making sure to allow enough "give" to get the shirt on and off easily.  Gather, and safety pin, as shown in the diagram below.

6. For the straps, while shirt is on child (and after the gathering step has been completed), safety pin the back side of the straps to the back side of the shirt. Pull straps over shoulder and safety pin at desired length.

7. Sew along the gathered area, along hemline (to hide stitching and to secure gathering) as shown in step 5.  Repeat this process with straps.  

At this point, you can add a bow, button, yo-yo, flower, or anything else that your heart desires to the front of the garment just over the gathered area.

Enjoy your new shirt-from-a-shirt!

Click here for a tutorial on the Sleeve Pants pictured here to make the most use out of your shirt sleeves!

Sewing School Clothes (with tutorials)

Hello friends!  Its been much too long.  Things have been incredibly busy since Kevin has been on TDY to Ft. Knox.  We have been busy decluttering the house in preparation for the move, which has been such an encouraging thing for me.  I love looking around and feeling less burdened by the clutter, disorganization and an overwhelming amount of stuff.  Don't get me wrong, I can clutter-bug along with the best of them, but it is really refreshing to feel like things are where they should be and its less that I have to worry about.  *whew*.

We have been doing a decluttering challenge over at the Ravelry version of Reclaiming The Home.  If you are not a member of ravelry (or even if you are) feel free to to join us over at the Proboards forums for RTH as well for a decluttering challenge, or just write about your decluttering pursuits on your blog, and link it here so we can see what you're up to.  Photos of my decluttering successes to come soon. :)

A big part of getting everything ready for the busy upcoming months, as well as decluttering the stash, has been sewing up clothes in preparation for the girls to start school in the fall. 

Those of you who know me, know that I much prefer an open-ended tutorial to a rigid pattern, so that is generally what I work from. I find that they allow me a lot more freedom in interpreting things to my own design, and I feel less like I can fail at it, as well, since the instructions are usually pretty open and fluid.

This top for Anna was made using the peasant shirt tutorial over at Just Tutes.  I altered it a bit by not adding elastic to the sleeve. I figured that while things were still warm out it would give a little more ventilation, especially in this humid climate.

(excuse the wrinkles and the grass that needs to be swept.  With hubby gone i've let the yard work go a bit - oops.  Anna was also only sad because she couldn't find her shoes, and wouldn't believe me that they were in the car - which they were - about 2 feet away.  Tears ended instantaneously.)

To go with the shirt I sewed a ruffled skirt to match, from the tutorial over at Grand Revival Design.  I LOVE this tutorial.  I will be making a lot more of these in different girly fabrics soon.  This was my tester, and I used leftover scraps from the march quilt kit to make it.  Because I sold some kits using this fabric, the proceeds more than paid for the fabric so I'm considering the materials for this outfit "free."

Abbi's outfit started with the same peasant blouse tutorial, only I added the elastic to the sleeves this time.  It worked well with this particular fabric (an old, white sheet that I found at a thrift store for 75-cents!). 

The skirt was INCREDIBLY simple.  I bought an old valence for 99-cents.  The lace came pre-attached.  To create the skirt, I simply threaded elastic through the top casing and sewed the two short edges together.  Easy peasy, and now she has a beautiful linen and lace skirt to wear to school.  If you want to make something similar, but don't have a valence, the Twirly Skirt Tutorial over at House on Hill Road is *fabulous*.  We have used that tutorial several times for super-cute skirts for the girls (and will definitely be using it again!)

Total cost of the valence outfit? $1.74.

(oops - more grass to sweep! - sorry)

This outfit was made using a Women's size L tunic that I bought at the thrift store for 75-cents.  It fits about a 4T little girl (isn't she cute??).  The pants were made using sleeves.  Here's my tutorial for sleeve pants, as I did them.
 
The shirt was done without a pattern or tutorial as well.  I will be working on a tute for that coming soon, using the body of the shirt for the fabric, so keep your eyes out!

I also have two other tutorials in the works for clothes I made for Abbi recently, so those will be coming over the next couple days as well.  My hope is that others can feel inspired to make some clothes for the fall, and to not feel overwhelmed by the increasing prices of clothing for our kids, as school starts!  All of the outfits that you see in this post cost a total of $2.49.  One needn't break the bank to dress their children well.

Enjoy, and be sure to let me know if you use the sleeve pants tutorial !  I'd love to see what you do with it!

 

To Celebrate

Our 4th of July consisted of low-key family time and getting out a bit to enjoy all that Nature has to offer.  I made the girls matching shirts using some red, white and blue plaid fabric I had on hand, along with some pretty white lace from the stash for the straps.  They were a big hit, and the girls looked completely adorable.

I've been sewing a bit for the challenge as well.  I made this set of beanbags, and a drawstring bag to keep them in, for Abbi's birthday coming up next month.  I wasn't precise in any of the measurements or sewing as I was in a hurry when I sewed them.  I can try to pass it off as a purposeful attempt at freehanded creativity to be passed on to my children right?  Hey a girl can dream. The beanbags themselves are made from scraps that I had on hand, and then stuffed with rice.  The bag is made primarily using fabric from the challenge. 

I am definitely looking for more ideas about what to make for Abbi for her birthday.  Even though she'll be turning seven, she has the developmental level of about a 1 year old - any ideas to share?

On Independence

It is officially midnight on July 4th here in Oklahoma.  Independence day.  It is today that we here in America remember how our ancestors gained independence from cultural and religious oppression.  It marked the birth of a nation. 

We are afforded freedoms in this land to be who it is we want to be, to worship the way we want to, and to seek out the life we want to live. 

That independence means so many different things to different people.  For some it means breaking free from a life they were oppressed by.  For others it means reaching for their dreams.

For our family independence means all kinds of things.  For hubby, it is something he partially gave up in order to serve his country. He and so many other amazing service members do that so that others can have their own freedoms (thank you sweetheart, I am proud of you). 

Anna's independence shines through her vibrant personal expression.  With her silly jokes, and unique way of "dancing" to any music she can find, she is definitely growing into her own unique personality every day.

For Abbi it is about striving every day to learn to live independently, so that maybe someday she can live on her own without assistance and with success and joy.  In the mean time, she is expressing her independence by growing in her own direction, in her own way. 

The word "Independence" has always meant "choice" to me.  I am a homemaker and a mother because it is what I wanted for my life.  What a gift that is, in this day and age, to have the ability to choose what life I want for myself and my family.  Fifty years ago women were not given this choice, and as our country and social constructs have developed and grown, so have our choices as women.

The image that reverberates through my mind when I think about these choices are the many women who fought for our rights to choose what life we want for ourselves.  It is because of their sacrifice and strength that we women can now decide for ourselves which path to walk down, whatever that may be.

I sit here this July 4th incredibly thankful for so many different types of freedom. To everyone reading this today, happy Independence day. 

A Sprinkle of Summer

Well, today was the day that hubby left on TDY to Ft. Knox.  We won't see him again until the end of July.  It is a bittersweet start to the month, but its something we have been preparing for, so we are hanging in there and making the best of things. 

A while back I posted a list of Summer Activities that we plan to use this summer to keep busy and have fun.  I was absolutely blown away by the incredible responses that you all gave in the comments section, and will definitely be trying out some of those suggestions soon.  You can see here that Abbi has been taking full advantage of the sprinkler in the welcome summer heat.

Talking about all of these summer activities reminds me that I didn't really get a chance to talk about our trip to Sea World last week!  We had a WONDERFUL time there.   Anheuser-Busch provides all military families one free entrance into their parks per year, so we have them to thank for this awesome experience.  It is the first time we were able to do something like this as an entire family.

Abbi can't talk very well as you probably know from reading my posts, but she kept saying "water, more!!"  She was in water-heaven I think! :)  She loved floating in the water and splashing around.  I think she could have stayed in the pool the entire day and been perfectly happy.  (shh - I would have loved to do just that as well!)

Anna had a great time at Sea World too.  She adored the animals and floating around the lazy river at the waterpark the most!  Here we are at the dolphin tank - our first stop at Sea World!

Around our necks you can see the result of some last-minute sewing I did before our trip: Cool Ties.  These things have got to be the best invention known to man, and I am not sure they could be done in an easier way.  I made enough for all of the family members who were going with us that day and they did a lot to keep us cool in the 110* Texas heat!

I have been doing some other sewing as well, but you'll have to wait until I can photograph it to hear more about it.  *tease*tease*

As you can see, I have been sticking to my creative-every-day goal, and plan to continue doing so as the summer goes on.  I was totally inspired by Rachel's beautiful tile necklaces and decided to give them a try (with my own spin on things of course).  I have yet to perfect the art as she has, but I am pretty happy with the results so far.  This one is my favorite, made of a wooden tile and decorative paper, sealed with about 5 coats of gloss:

I made 2 others on the wood that are similar, but have other cute sayings and some sweet red hearts.

After I tried my hand at the wooden ones, i thought I would experiment with some ceramic tiles as well.  These first few are hand painted, then sealed - and just under one inch square.

I have several more not pictured, and am thinking about putting some in the shop and adding a bit to this collection.  What do you think? Which one is your favorite?

On that note, I have to ask... What have you all been doing for summer crafting so far?  I'd love to see some pictures or hear about them!