spring

cute....baby? Is that an eye I see?

Spring has been busy here. My nephew Fenric was born, and I went to Minneapolis for two weeks to help out and play with clay and read stories and make snowmen and eat sticky rice. It was cold and sunny and the entire Bodkin house was buzzing with energy.

Lady, it was cold outside so of course I was bundled up. I remain suspicious of you.

Ok, I think I like you now.

proving that you can fit three Bodkins in a kitchen sink!

Spring has also started to peek out around here, and we're growing all sorts of things. The kitchen is home to trays full of hot peppers, pumpkins, a panoply of herbs, and an entire tray devoted to san marzano tomato seeds from our Italy trip.

Hopefully of the 24 sets, I can get at least a few tomato plants to rally to full size for planting outdoors. In the garden already are radishes, arugula, a salad mix, and a few kinds of beets. Oh, and some overwintered parsnips that are very tasty.


Today's activity was pickling some exceptionally slim asparagus. I've still got one big jar left from last season, so that will have to tide me over until these are done blending on the shelf.

Meats

Charlie butchers his first full beef loin. Tasty dinners to come!

Soupy

Tonight's experiment: hot and sour shrimp soup. With some mussels
because, well, there were some awesome mussels at Mutual Fish the
other day and they need to get eaten.

Mornings with Harry

He has a lot to say.

stitchery

new year, folded fabric

Somehow it's almost the end of January already. There's been more than a bit of rain so I've been quite the homebody. I re-organized my studio and got all of my fabric folded, all of the yarn separated into bins by weight, all of my many patterns and alteration notes tucked into magazine boxes. Many of my projects haven't been given to their recipients yet so there are only teases of photos available.

on the ironing board, matching cupcake pajama pants for Isaac and Julian (who share an enduring love for cupcakes)

in hand tonight, button application on some shirred fabric

why yes, someone does have a birthday coming up soon!

I also finished a pair of socks for Charlie

Feel better soon, mom mom!

I know my grandmother is feeling pretty crummy after hurting her arm,
so I'm going to keep this image of her in my head for positive healing
thoughts! Just look at that smile.

Origin of jokes

They must be daring one another to cross the road.