Step Into My Thimble

Today is the 67th anniversary of the discovery of dord.

Today is also the day that Chicago’s legendary Berghoff restaurant closes its doors. It opened in 1899! I only ate there once but afterward I was raving about the creamed spinach for a long time, still am. What a gross thing, but it was SO GOOD.

Over the weekend we had many birthday activities for Rodney, who is now 31:

• We got to go to Kalamazoo’s coolest new scenester restaurant (heavy on the 30-something/middle-aged set, and I constantly wondered Who are these people and why do they live here?) Fandango for tapas. It’s where the Malnight’s Bakery was, with its always stunning array of styrofoam wedding cakes in the window, for years.
• We drove up to Auburn Hills where Rodney’s friend is the executive chef at Palazzo di Bocce, played some bocce, ate some cannolis, etc.
• We finally, finally stopped in to the Mr. Goat halal butcher on Ford Road in Canton to see if their chicken was any good, for my sister’s family who like to eat halal.
• And I got to go to the Ann Arbor Trader Joe’s at last. It was a fun way to spend the next two weeks worth of grocery dollars (ahem, Rodney’s birthday money). Why won’t they build one in Kalamazoo? Oh, because everybody here would rather eat out at a crappy tapas place with 41 martinis that is no doubt part of some “restaurant group.”

And now for the reason behind this post’s title. I have choked on my Olympic knitting project. I finished the second sleeve on Sunday while watching Palindromes with Rodney and his brother (Go, Dr. Dan!). Then I sewed in one sleeve, and what do you know, it’s wayyyy too long. Instead of reknitting them I am thinking about taking out the cast-on edge, tearing out a few inches, and redoing the cuff ribbing. It won’t be the first time I’ve done that on a project. So anyway, I choked.

More daily pics of me here.

And Chris from Briar Rose Fibers has launched her online store! It’s a privilege to support this local business.

Alternate titles for this post:

-24 Pounds of Belly

-Feelin’ Dumpy

-Contemplate This on the Tree of Woe

Anyway. Lately we’ve been talking about how we have hardly taken any pictures of me. Me/Not Me, that is, Me as Vessel for Baby. I don’t remember seeing any pictures of my own mom when she was pregnant with me, and I guess I never felt cheated or anything by that, but maybe Mitten will feel differently. So, we are now taking a picture a day until the bitter end, which should be six or seven weeks from now if those 40-week schedule things hold up.

These will all be kept in the Mitten photo gallery if you want to follow along.

Have any of you who have been or are pregnant been able to tell when your hormones took a serious shift? I can, sometimes. Like a couple days ago, things started smelling really bad again (like in the first trimester), I got more tired, and Rodney would probably say I’ve been more moody. All those timelines of fetal development say that these days, the baby is gaining about 1/2 pound a week, getting all fat and juicy in time for delivery, so maybe that explains the hormones. She’s certainly making it less easy for me to breathe or sleep or otherwise just feel comfortable.

Craftwise, I’ve been working on my Olympic knitting project this week mostly. Rodney’s birthday is today and that is what it is for. Front, back and 1.5 sleeves are done, plus I already did the shoulders and neck. If I can, I may finish it today. Until that is done, I won’t have more time to make roll-up changing pads to sell, but I want to, soon! I think I’ll set up shop on Etsy. For those that are curious, the price will probably be around $25 each, depending on how many of the parts are new versus recycled. All that will be detailed in each description. If you want something special (color, pattern, etc.) now would be a good time to write me, so I can look for it in my stash or in the fabric store.

First: If your initials are M.P. and you live in O.P., do not read on or the surprise will be spoiled!

Part A: The Problem

Part B: The Solution

I’ve been plotting to make portable changing table pads for a while now, and today I finally had a little time. I used the highly scientific method of measuring an actual public restroom changing table by draping an arm across it in each direction. According to my body, the typical rectangular changing table is elbow-to-fingertips wide by whole-arm’s-length long (or, about 18″ x 30″).

This was easy to make, and I’m thinking now about starting a little cottage industry for these. There is a cool little consignment shop here in town that would probably carry them. So for now…no trade secrets on how to make them. I made this one out of a William Morris print that is from Liberty–which I actually scavenged from a Japanese pillowcase. Plus scraps of red cotton, thin batting, and unbleached flannel for the inside. Here’s what the end looks like when it’s rolled up, nice and soft:

Have you ever heard of one of these? I haven’t, but it’s interesting. Thanks to pal Jenny for offering hers.

Here is mine: http://kevan.org/johari?name=Judy+Tarbox

To play you select five or six attributes in the grid that you think describe me and then you get these interesting results. Then, you can make your own!

The local supermarkets suddenly have buckets and buckets of blood oranges. I was expecting them last fall when I was still in the middle of jam-making, but now that they’re here I can’t resist. I think they will make the most beautiful marmalade EVER!

Today in our house, we are doing little valentinesy things for each other. I made cupcakes, with cake from scratch and the best chocolate frosting recipe I’ve ever found. I was out of milk so I had to find one that didn’t require it, and I came across Better Homes and Gardens’ No-Cook Fudge Frosting. It’s in the “more” below if you’re interested.

And Rodney is, at this very moment, whipping up some Rock Cornish hens with pine nut stuffing and a side of minted carrots. Oh how I wish I could have a big old glass of wine with this dinner! It smells so good.

In the continued part below, you’ll find the frosting recipe, more on my Team Briar Rose Olympic knitting progress, and pics of the crib bumper set I just finished, all set up in the crib. I’m thinking of it as Mitten’s Little Padded Cell because it all turned out pretty smooshy.

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