Immi discovered her baby doll I was hiding in the closet (Because dolls creep me out, but I didn’t want to get rid of it. Hey don’t judge me, I suffered a childhood trauma — my neighborhood kid was being rough with my over-sized doll and swinging it about and it’s head fell off. Since then I really don’t like dolls, and I really really don’t like watching heads fall off …in movies and such). Anyhow, she was taking very good care of this baby doll for days, but I really couldn’t stand it’s creepiness so I got her a new one that is a lot less creepy. Maybe this one is creepier for some people with the button eyes? I don’t know. But it’s better for me because it’s not realistic looking. Anyhow. I made for it some clothes for immi’s entertainment.
I really don’t know how to make doll clothes, or really clothes in general. I just made it up as I went along. I used bits of cloth I saved of Immi’s old clothes that were too beat to donate.
So I hurt my back 2 days ago. I woke up, got up and suddenly I had sever pain left side of my lower back. I think it’s called “gikkuri goshi” in Japanese, which has no real translation into English other than “strained back”. When I say “pain” I mean it’s not the kind you can really work through. Blegh. So I sat around leaning on lots of pillows with heat pack for 2 days. I think it might be getting better, but it’s hard to say. It really sucks for Todd (been working from the living room while trying to keep up with everything I usually do at the same time!) and probably for kids too. But I suppose it’s not the worst I’ve been through since as long as I don’t move, the pain isn’t so bad, and it’s not like I feel ill.
Anyhow, since I’m useless anyhow, I stitched up this yellow angry bird for the kids.
Last thing I made in 2011, is a rice krispies treats (made with all natural marshmallows, not jet puffs)! We haven’t made this in forever because Wholefoods don’t have rice cereal that are similar enough to Kellogg’s Rice Krispies, and Trader Joe’s don’t have natural marshmallows. This means that it requires nothing short of divine miracle for the two necessary ingredients to ever meet in our kitchen.
Todd has been obsessed with little sandwiches made with freshly baked dinner rolls. Luckily for both of us, I really like making little breads.
First bread of 2012! It turned out nicely, I’ll take it as auspicious sign for the new year 
…And what you don’t see is the batch I screwed up few days ago (first bread FAIL since the first try!). I think that it had to do with overly happy yeast which pouffed up the bread uncontrollably in the oven making it look scary, AND I forgot to set a timer, so it was completely under cooked.
And reflection on 2011?? Well, part of it, I’m sure glad is over. The not-so-fun bits started moving along once we met the right lawyer, a business accountant, and health insurance broker (when did our life get so complicated?). So much paper work and frustrating process! Doing things the “right way” takes a lot of time and effort. But a lot of 2011 was wonderful. Living in Portland. Learning new things like baking and practicing hand-sewing. Contemplating and working towards life we want to live it, and remembering to enjoy the process. And Lucian. I know he was born at the end of 2010 technically, but with him, our not-so-little-anymore family feels complete. I think that Immi, Ashland and Lucian enjoy each others’ company a whole lot and from my perspective, balances each other out. There wasn’t a day in 2011 that I didn’t have something to smile or laugh about. …So with that, 2012, here we come! My new year resolution? Same as every year — work hard, play a lot, eat well, stay healthy, enjoy life. Addition of “sleep more” would be nice, but that’s a wish, not a resolution…
I saw an Angry Bird plush at a bookstore and thought that kids would totally love it…but it was really kind of expensive considering it’s generally poor quality [not to mention, most mass produced stuffed animals kinda make me grumpy since they make me imagine people who had sewn them together — lovelessly (completely understandable considering the probable circumstance in which they were created...) — and didn't get paid fair wage]. Besides, what’s the fun is having just ONE angry bird, I’m sure kids would want all of the set! …So I thought about stitching some up, and upon poking around internet, I found that some one else have figured out how to make it already and kindly shared it with the world! [Go HERE for her very helpful tutorial!]. I added a tail in the back, and hand-stitched the whole thing (since my machine sucks for this kind of sewing) but lookie, I made my first plush! I had everything I need to make it already (and many more!) so how wonderful is that?
Ashland loved this bird at first sight and has been taking very good care of it ever since it was finished. Immi wants a yellow bird, so I’ll get to work on that.
I have always wanted to be able to make sticky buns or cinnamon rolls or such like, but never thought I could do it. I finally had the courage (It uses up a lot of butter and eggs, potentially messy!) to try it. ….And by amazing luck, it totally worked! I thought it would be difficult to roll out the dough to make the swirl, but as it turns out, dough enriched with butter is easy and fun to handle. This is right before it went in the oven.
And this is about to be eaten.
We are spending the holiday hanging out at home and making and eating yummy treats. Relaxing for a bit for change!
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