I’ve been a crazy knitting fiend this last week that we’ve been on vacation. It’s really amazing how much knitting I can accomplish when I have more than the hour of sleepy, post 11pm knitting I usually get at home.

Of course it doesn’t hurt that I’m obsessively knitting newborn baby knits which hop off the needles nearly as quickly as they hop on. I’m taking chances though, knitting newborn sized vests and sweaters when Mira was a whopping 10+lbs. I’m trying to stick to 3-6 months sizes to avoid too many repeats of the problem I had with my undersized owlie sack.

It is so fun seeing my little stack on knits growing as I dream about this new little person! I’ve realized my colours are leaning decidedly to the more manly side of things even though I’m trying to stick to neutrals while we wait to meet our new addition (will this be our fifth daughter or our third son?). Dan rationally suggested I wait to see before knitting much more but of course after the arrival my arms will be full of baby with very little time for needles and wool (a sacrifice I’m perfectly thrilled to accept).

So on I knit! Perhaps I’m making a little wish I thrown a rosy hue or two into my suitcase but the colours I brought are very happy making.

And because Dan can only get so excited about baby knits (“Don’t get her wrong, kids, she’s knitting for herself”, is a recent quote from him), I’m going to share them here with you.

In truth I knit this one while we were still at home but I got the buttons on fairly recently. It’s the tried and true puerperium pattern which I’ve knit (and loved) quite a few times now. I was getting pretty stressed that I would run out of the leftover Cascade 220 I’d found in my stash so I  kept the sleeves short. It will be perfect over a long-sleeved onesie and should fit during our late summer/early falls days.

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This smoky vertebrae was another I’d been working on at home. Unlike the last time I knit this pattern I conquered the collar immediately (I’m rubbish at picking up stitches). It was quick and enjoyable (I’m all about those types of knits these days) and so, so soft in the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran from my stash. I used only two of the five skeins I have so I’ll be happy to pick it up again for another project.

I couldn’t bring myself to knit the newborn size (although it would be darling) so I stuck to the 3-6 month directions…although I am tempted to whip up another in the newborn size…(somebody stop me!!).

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First up when we hit the road was this 5-hour baby boy sweater, a simple free pattern. Short and sweet, it really only took about the time promised (although I spent a fair amount of time swatching). I sized the needles down to US 8 (5.0mm) which I felt knit a better fabric than the needles called for in the pattern. I also moved the sleeve stitches to scrap wool, finished the body, then picked up the sleeves for knitting in the round – much nicer than all that seaming! I knit it in some clearance Martha Stewart Merino I’d picked up at Michael’s for a song. It was lovely wool and the colour ended up being much more watercoloured aqua than the baby blue I’d first expected. Gender neutral, right?!

This one will get a good blocking and some sweet little buttons when we get home!

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A few weeks ago when I asked baby pattern recommendations, Svenna recommended the felipe pattern. Her little guy wore his so sweetly that I’d already searched it out in her ravelry projects before she mentioned it. It was ridiculously speedy – an evening’s knitting and an afternoon movie (the first matinee Dan and I have seen in 10 years!). This blue is not technically neutral (or even vaguely) but it matters not – it’s too darn gorgeous to resist! Mmm, malabrigo rios!

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For a quick break from the sweater knitting I cast on this speedy little hat. I used Rebecca‘s mods (gundyknitter on ravelry) to size it down a touch for a true newborn size. There is some doubt whether this will even be big enough for a newborn but I’ll block it well if it’s too snug…And perhaps I’ll whip another up slightly larger one, just in case.

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My needles aren’t getting any chance to cool with this stack of knits awaiting baby. I’ve just finished a Small Things Sweater but it needs a good soak before I can show off its true beauty. Now I’m thinking maybe I quick pair of socks, a sleeping cap, and maybe some longies or shorties? As you can tell I’m unstoppable.

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I know I’m always asking but I do get so curious what others are working on. Have you got a crafty project on the go (needles or not)? 

Thanks for stopping by!

We’ve left the rush and bustle of the city for a couple weeks while we’re visiting the Grandparents Jay.

It’s our annual trip and I’ve written about our visits here before. My inlaws have a beautiful home on stunning Vancouver Island and we get spoiled with beach visits, forest walks, and grandparent love. The kids love every minute, and Dan and I are blessed with rest and relaxation as my generous inlaws chase after our children and our messes.

Neither of us realized how tired we were until we arrived here (collapsing across the threshold). Now we’re starting to feel like ourselves again with a few longer nights of sleep under our belts. I’m thankful for the freedom to rest now that I’m coming to the last weeks of pregnancy. I’ve picked up a book, knitting, and even a couple naps. It’s blissful.

And with this extra freedom, I’ve finally picked up my camera again. I’ve been lazy lately and grabbing the convenience of iPhone shots and instagram sharing, but I do love picking up my canon. The weight and click of a proper camera is a familiar comfort.

The last couple of days I’ve followed the kids around (who are mostly moving too quickly on bikes and scooters) and enjoyed photographing their play and the detritus of it.

There is such joy in these childhood days.

(Also, I have to ask…are there many things sweeter than a babe in leggings??!)

Is the sun shining in your neck of the woods? More spring rain to grow the garden? Or a change of season into cooler days and longer nights?

Okay, so here’s the thing. No one is close to a first birthday in this house but for Mira’s first (last August) I wrote this post and for some reason never published. I just decided to make the cake today for a kid’s party with dairy-free/gluten-free substitutions. I could not find the recipe ANYWHERE! I kept asserting I’d written a post about it but could not find the post. And now I know why, it was in my drafts folder. Well duh! 

So here it is. With not so awesome photos but hopefully I’ll remedy that today and see if I can write the recipe again, just as deliciously for the dairy-free & gluten-free crowd. The best news is that it’s already sugar free – Saweet! 

In our home the first birthday celebration is a special event with its own special traditions. One of those traditions is carrot cake. And while I love a good carrot cake, it just didn’t feel right for our heat-of-the-summer born, barefoot loving, fruit adoring little lass.

Big sis had tried her hand at cake making recently, turning out a beautiful upside down cake for our enjoyment. It was tasty but very rich (she confessed to doubling both the sugar and butter measurements….that would explain it). With boxes of fruit overtaking the kitchen, I decided to take a second look at the recipe she used and shake things up a bit for a first birthday cake.

I’m not ready for Mira to sink her four teeth into sugar, so I debated over replacing it with maple syrup or honey. I decided on honey as my sweetener and with the added sweet/tart flavour of the fruit, it was perfect.

Peachy Upside-Down Cake

While we’ve tried this with peaches and cherries, as well as peaches and blueberries, it would work beautifully with many other fruits. Just remember that local, in-season fruits will taste best.

1/2 cup + 2T butter, softened

5 peaches: halved, peeled, and pitted

1/2(ish) blueberries or pitted, halved cherries

1/3 cup honey (may be replaced with sugar or maple syrup)

2 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1 1/2 cup flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk

Preheat over to 375 F. Melt 2 T of butter in springform pan (or other large cake pan).

Arrange fruit (cut side down) in a single layer in the prepared pan.

In a bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt.

In a separate bowl or stand mixer, cream butter and honey until smooth. Add eggs, stirring after each, then mix in vanilla. Add flour mixture in thirds, alternating with milk and ending with flour.

Scrape batter over fruit in pan. Tap the pan on a counter to remove any bubbles.

Put pan in the over for 40-50 minutes until top is browned and a toothpick (or cake tester) comes out clean.

Allow to cool in pan. Run a skewer or offset spatula around cake to loosen from pan. Place a plate over the pan and quickly flip the cake onto the plate. Remove the pan and enjoy slices served with lightly sweetened whipped cream.

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Do you have special birthday traditions in your home? I’d love to hear them – I’m a total sucker for a good family tradition.

Life has exploded around here with weather’s arrival in spring, pressing in on summer, and gardening in full swing.

The days are long and full, the sun has been shining often, seeds have been planted and seedlings nurtured as we cherish these days of warmth and light.

And while life is exploding around us, we are also watching growth of another kind as we expect a seventh child to join our family. Somehow, quite unintentionally, I’ve managed to neglect posting about it here until I briefly mentioned it here (although I shared a clue in this photo). I’ve shared some belly shots on instagram recently but until recently this pregnancy has seemed like a bit of a dream.

Back when I was feeling so miserable in the fall, thinking I was full on detoxing, it turned out I was also dealing with first trimester symptoms. I got through it, still not realizing what was up – you’d think I hadn’t done this before. It wasn’t until a baby belly popped that I finally got the hint (at about 16 weeks).

Now here I am at about 33 weeks and definitely feeling very pregnant. I think this baby it taking up every square inch of belly space! It’s been hands-down my healthiest pregnancy even though I’m starting to feel uncomfortable. I’m so thankful that I’ve been blessed with healthy, low-risk pregnancies.

As much as I’m beyond excited (along with the rest of the household) to meet this new little person, I’m trying to enjoy this waiting time of preparation and growth, the kicks and curiosity over who this little person would be. All the kids are voting this one is a boy (a boy Simon thinks we should name Sally) but I suspect that may be influenced by their desire to even things out a little bit. I’m never sure until I’m in labour and even then I’m often surprised – oh, the surprise is such, such fun!!

And of course I’m trying to make the most of making for baby! I’ve got a puerperium awaiting buttons and a baby vertebrae on my needles, a baby quilt cut (with hopes it may progress beyond that), and more fabric to be cut for a few sweet baby items (I’m gaga over these pants and need to make them by the dozens).

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Do you have any must make baby items? You know I’m always looking for fresh inspiration!

P.S. Sorry for the recycled instagram photos, I’m miserable at self-portraits, particularly belly shots but I’ve got a gardening post to share and the kids snapped an impressive amount of photos of me looking sweaty and pushing a wheelbarrow. Aren’t you excited to see those? Ha!

Well, well, it seems like I’ve fallen into the glorious distraction of springtime. But I do miss the interaction of this space – how better than to pop back in for a yarn along post.

The garden has been calling for lots of attention and hard work these past couple of weeks but my needles have not been forgotten.

…Okay, perhaps, some of my projects have been a little neglected (*cough* grace cardi) but I’ve had fun with some teeny knits.

I have a handful of knits blocking in my bathroom right now – some new, some recently de-muddied, a few destined for the post office. I’m way behind in updating my ravelry projects but once my recent finished objects are dry and buttons are sewn on, I’ll share some photos.

At the moment, though, I’m knitting a newborn sized baby vertebrae. This one is especially special because it’s for the new addition we are expecting!! Number seven is on the way – rather sooner than later as it happens (more on that later) so it’s knit time! I’m knitting it in another stashed wool – Debbie Bliss’ cashmerino aran. The wool is gorgeous and unreal soft. It pairs so nicely with this awesome pattern by Kelly Brooker. I love many of Kelly’s patterns (shout out to the puerperium cardigan) – they are well written and clear with so many options for sizing and yarn weight. I adore a pattern that allows me to match with a yarn from my stash.

When I find a chance to grab a book I’m finally reading My Antonia. I started it a few months ago but the library called it back too soon. It must have been on a course reading list because suddenly it had over 50 holds so I had a wait before it came back to my hands again. It’s early days but I’m enjoying it. I’m finding my imagination is picturing the landscape as that of On the Banks of Plum Creek, I like the familiarity.

(Psst…my new project bag up there is sewn from luvinthemommyhood‘s reversible sock knitting project bag pattern. I’ve got more gushing to do in a future post, but I couldn’t resist sharing how much I love her clever but simple pattern.)

And now I’m off to knit a few rows before bedtime summons.

Happy Wednesday! Thanks for dropping by!

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for more yarn along post visit Ginny at Small Things.

I’m coming in a day late with another photo reveal. This one is going to be our last for a while at least – we may say goodbye to the lexicon project or simply take a break. We’ve had such fun snapping and comparing photos but, as it does, life has plenty of demands and we’ve been slacking on our weekly game.

For this farewell reveal we have guidance.

Here’s my photo:

And Corrie’s:

Did you capture a guidance moment this week?

As always, link up below with a URL to your photo (blog, instagram, or flickr account) or share on the house full of jays facebook page. Take your time with it or grab a quick snap – but please do share!

Looking forward to seeing your photos!

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all things lexicon project here and my first post about it here

Here’s a handy button if you’d like it for your post or sidebar.

You know I’ve been very good, right?! All these weeks with only my grace cardi eating up my limited knitting time.

And then it snowed. Again. Which demanded a break from brown stockinette.

I chose the perfect wool from my stash for the distraction – Malabrigo Rios in Archangel. It’s a delight to watch the array of colours coming out of this skein – coral, yellow, orange, purple. I knit a plain vest a month or so ago using the first skein of this duo and the recipient’s baby sister needs a matching vest. I’m using the pattern Little Pearl Vest by designer (and fellow yarn alonger) Gretchen. It is just what I wanting for this vibrant wool and will pair so nicely with the cardi for big sis.

I haven’t neglected my spring’s grace, though, I have only a few inches until the bottom ribbing (now that I’ve realized my long torso is going to require some added length) so I’m working a few rows at least every day (which lately has been about all the knitting I’ve managed). I will get there…and hopefully keep my calm when it comes to the sleeves.

As for reading, I’m still enjoying two of the same books as last week: A Handful of Time with my oldest two at bedtime, and Raising Cain for my own reading. The girls have become quite captivated by the story and it had the unexpected bonus of making my oldest very thankful she doesn’t have a mom like the one in the book. Raising Cain continues to be interesting – it’s good insight into the working of a boy’s mind. Although many of the issues revolve more around adolescent challenges, as most emotional troubles do, they have their roots in younger childhood. I’m curious what practical tools they may offer towards the end of the book.

For my photo I grabbed the latest Where’s Waldo that Liam has been choosing at bedtime. While I prefer gearing down for bed with a story, I do enjoy our special time with heads bent together over this book (despite the head bumping and squinting).

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And now the chore list calls and sunshine beckons for laundry! Happy May Day!

What are you creating and enjoying these days?

:: joining Ginny for yarn along ::

A birthday boy and four years rich with joy and memories;
breakfast waffles with Grandparents Jay;
gift opening and playtime;
finally weather that feels like spring;
a welcome nap for mama;
a stolen visit to my favourite neighbour for a pan and a chat with her sweet people;
cake baking – my favourite and the bday boy’s choice;
tacos for dinner and whipped cream dolloped cake for dessert;
candles blown out;
essential oils for bedtime sniffles, sore throats, and restlessness;
a good, quiet morning;
Sunday afternoon date with my best man;
a farmer’s market visit for two;
pastry from my very favourite bakery – pear & cheddar croissant;
celebrating the sunshine and the date with a wheat treat – pizza;
then home to children happy with grandparents and dinner prepped by grandpa;
children settled, some helped to sleep easily wit a hot bath and mommy’s magic sleepytime rub;
now quiet time with inlaws, a growing sweater (so close to the bottom ribbing!!), and little BBC favourite.

A delicious and joyful weekend of celebration and blessing!

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How was your weekend? Wishing you a gentle slide into Monday! xoR

:: joining Amanda for weekending:: 

:: giving thanks with Taryn at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude Sunday ::

Hello, Thursday!

Corrie and I have another round of the Lexicon Project on the go. She’s got our photos for our previous theme, neatly, to share at The Mayberry Home Journal; I’ve got our next theme to announce.

We love having friends join up – if you have a photo to share for neatly, pop over to link up in the comments at Corrie’s.

We’ll be back here to share our photos for the theme, guidance, next Thursday.

:: all things lexicon project here and my first lexicon post here ::

Here’s a handy button if you’d like it for your post or sidebar.

Well, I did it. I’ve stuck to my grace all week without any derailing for just one little instant gratification knit. I never manage that! I haven’t had much time for knitting in truth, but row by row this long body of stockinette is growing. There is still a number of inches to go but I’m really hoping to keep this momentum going when I get to the sleeves.

In the meantime I’m wearing blinders whenever I come near any of my stashed yarn in various corners of the house.

I’m still working on my books from last week and continuing to enjoy them. In addition I’ve talked the older two girls into a new read-aloud. While I was promptly presented with The Fellowship of the Rings, I decided we might all need a breather after The Hobbit took us months to get through. Instead Elizabeth presented me with A Handful of Time by Kit Pearson. I’d picked up a nearly pristine copy (along with the Guests of War trilogy) a few weeks ago while thrifting and hoped one of the older two would pull it off the shelf. Although not full of the type of adventures they usually seek out in a novel, it is a favourite from my youth so I’m quite happy to be rereading with them now.

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What exciting projects do you have on the go?? Surely a little wooly eye candy won’t distract me too much…

joining Ginny for yarn along