AWARDS!

Oh my! I've been so distracted I never saw I was granted several awards by my lovely friends! So I'm accepting them now and fulfilling the instructions:

First:
The Circle of  Friends Award
from: Ale at Just be happy



Conditions to accept this award: list 5 things I love to do. :D super!!!

1.- I love to spend time playing and learning with the girls. It is awesome. I love their ingenuity and their wise way of looking at things simply. Also their imagination.

2.- I love spending couple time with my hubbie. It is nice to talk about things other than housework and the girls, as much as I love them. But chatting with him and laughing with him ... sigh!

3.- I love crocheting! and sewing! and anything that allows me to create something pretty!!!!!

4.- I love directing the choir/singing/playing music, in Church. I also love singing children's songs with my girls, cause by now they sing along too!!!!

5.- I love reading. I always have. I was a book worm when growing up and I still am, when I can

There!

I pass it on to

Heather, at Hester's garden, cause she's my psychic twin! you are an awesome woman! and she was my first friend in the blogosphere

Ale already did it, but if she hadn't, I'd pass it on to her...

Libby, cause she's so kind and generous and creative and makes me remember there is such thing as good  and caring souls in this world!

Dawn, cause she always makes me feel we are chatting over a cup of tea and a nice little thing on our needles every time I read her blog or her comments.

Tammie, cause she's got spunk! and is very open, sincere and nonjudgmental !

Glo, cause she's a regular firecracker! she does so much, and helps so many and is so fun!!!

Nuria,  who is another of my missing sisters, all the way to the Península Ibérica!

Tanya, who is a wonderful teacher and a wonderful crafter!

Ashley, ballerina, crafter, wife, nurse to be, whew!!!! an amazing gal!

Hold on girls, not so fast... to these same girls I'm passing on the next award, which is







The conditions for this award:
1. You can only use one word to answer each of the following questions.

2. Offer this to your fellow bloggers

3. Alert them that you have given them this award.

4. Have fun!!!

Here we go!

1. Where is your cell phone? hip

2. Your hair?  ponytail

3. Your mother? Mass
4. Your father? Mass

5. Your favorite foods? Italian 

6. Your dream last night? weird!

7. Your favorite drink? water
8. Your dream/goal? skinny
9. What room are you in? Caffé

10. Your hobby? crochet
11. Your fear? faithless

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? earth 

13. Where were you last night? work

14. Something that you aren't? Perfect

15. Muffins? chocolate

16. Wish List Item? abundant!

17. Where did you grow up? México 

18. Last thing you did? sang 

19. What are you wearing? Uniform
20. Your t.v.? old

21. Your pets? Fish

22. Friends? some
23. Your life? happy
24. Your mood? good
25. Missing someone? family 

26. Vehicle? Mushu! 

27. Something you're not wearing? Skirt

28. Your favorite store? BOOK! 

29. Your favorite color? Pink
30. Last time you laughed? morning

31. Last time you cried? unknown

32. Best friend? husband 

33. One place I go to again and again? Church 

34. One person who emails you regularly? Ale

35. Favorite place to eat? Home

AND

Last but not least

Got this from Ale as well, and I'm passing this on to all of you

Rules: 

1. Copy and paste the award on your blog.

2. List who gave the award to you and use a link to Cici's blog (or hyperlink).

3. List 10 things that make you happy.

4. Pass the award on to other bloggers and visit their blog to let them know!

here goes! (in no particular order whatsoever)

1.- Sharing a cup of coffee with a loved one

2.- Singing in the car with my girls

3.- Twirling my girls!

4.- Crocheting

5.- Re- reading a loved book

6.- Finding a new author I love

7.- Figuring out a new stitch

8.- holding hands with Rodrigo while walking

9.- Finding new things in common with my dear friends

10.- Catching up with friends over a beer or a glass of wine... or two!

If any of you friends have given me an award and I have not acknowledged it, please remind me! I'm too absent minded for my own good! 

Looking forward to see what you write!

Gathering inspiration

I found this incredible image at  Elizabeth Cat's Flickr pool, and I had to share it with you! doesn't it look so fresh? so inviting? imagine making one for your bed! just like a field of daisies, but inside your home and NEVER  fading!!!! joy!!!

and then she has this block! I wanna rush out and rob a bank or something so I have money to buy yarn and make such a lovely blanket! imagine  this block with...

and then...

And... get ready for gorgeousness overload....



ready?


here goes!

Does she have an eye for color or what????


And do you blame me for loving ripples? check out JoAnn's lovely pink ripple!

Or this lovely one, from  ccfairie 1

look, it has granny squares AND ripples!!!!


and this one by Crossroads Knits Liz?? QUEEN SIZED!!! adorable!!!

Can you believe all the loveliness around??? go check all the other gorgeous things these talented crafters have made!!!

Revamping the blog!

I thought it was high time I gave my blog a little love-love...

I think I might be too girlie, my University years notwithstanding... (hint: I dressed like Trinity one day -leather pants and halter top with high heeled boots- and the next? Leather skirt, knee high boots, black tank top and long leather coat... you get the drift... got away with it and not being labeled freak cause I was a nerd, and two labels was too much... but I'm rambling here)

Do you like it?

Oh, and just look what I saw over at Dev's, at the Snowy Fairy Glade! can you blame me for loving ripples?

Libs with her cool gesture and she and  Dev with such examples, you are just encouraging me into this addictive behavior, you know?

I had to blog again...

Since I got a lovely lovely LOVELY package from an even lovelier person...

Remember my new love of ripples? The one that is a bit too much? (Third rippley on the hook, fourth already planned)

Well, I must admit scrappy ripples are my faves, and my dear friend Libby (http://mykraftykreations.blogspot.com/) sent me this lovely package of scrap yarn!!!! And it is lovely!!!! The colors and variety! And she also sent candy!!!!!!! Libs, you are the "bestest"!

Hehehe! This will be a little embarrassing... When I saw the package, I blanched. The first thing I thought was "oh no... FUDGE!!! I forgot a swap?????" And then I opened it and I was embarrassed and happy and touched and floored and grateful, that I have such lovely friends, so generous and just plain amazing!

So...THANK YOU, LIBS!!!!!!!!!!! Really really really thank you!
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Done!

It's crocheted, blocked, starched, be-ribboned and beaded. It is not boxed, though.

I put a blue ribbon through it, and since the wedding date is April 10th, I sewed a small flower of four beads in the center, and two rows of five beads in each end of the ribbon, to signify the date 4-10-10.

Cross your fingers! I'm making her a "tossing" garter tomorrow and we are all set! Hope she likes it!


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Yet another frothy thing...

Oh I do love making sweet pretty things, and this is for a very special girl who is getting married... Yes, the same wedding I'm attending that the other pretty frothy thing I'm making is for....

I found the pattern on Ravelry and made some modifications. I didn't do it on the round and I added the bottom part that form the hearts. I hope she likes it. Its made of cotton thread and satin ribbon. What do you think? Should I add some blue beads to the little picot flowers at the very bottom? Tiny baby blue beads, one for each small blossom?

Have you made anything bridal? I didn't of making one of these for my own and I regret it cause my hubby didn't toss my garter but kept it for himself (just saw it the other day on his handkerchief box... Yes, he does use a handkerchief on a daily basis, how cool is that? I love it!)

Those of you who aren't married yet, what would you make for your own wedding?

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Progress on my project

Have you guessed what it is yet?


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Hot on the hooks!

Well, Madonna and friends D&G inspired me and I'm making myself something black and crocheted and cute, and I learned to make a new stitch that takes FOREVER to make some progress with, but hey! My SIL is getting married two and a half weeks from now, and I plan to wear it then!

I finished one skein of Sinfonia and I have only made three inches so far, so I guess I have a looong way to go.

On other issues... I have been light on the blogs. Perhaps too light. But I've had rough days and I felt that if I started pouring a bit then the whole thing would get out of hand and I would be sobbing hysterically to you and grabbing a big handful of dark chocolate and /or a pint of cherry and candied nuts ice cream. Ugh.

It was a good decision, if for the wrong reasons. I have a (slight) tendency to depression and I really, really try not to drag others to my personal little black hole of foreboding. So I become my own cheerleader, which might account for my being so doggone tired by noon on a bad mood day. And really, sometimes all it takes is my husband being distracted a bit at lunch and then...

Me: uh hon? What are you thinking of?

Hon: (coming out of a daze, kind of) uh?

Me: I asked what are you thinking.

My mind: oh gosh, he doesn't pay attention to me anymore? Have I become so uninteresting? Is he getting bored of our relation?

My cheerleader: AW, come ON! You are being silly and you know it! He's just thinking about..
.
MM: ... Another woman? Oh shoot! Someone thinner and taller, and prettier...

MC: shut up. You are being ridiculous!

MM:oh yeah? How are you so sure?

MC: he's reading his order sheet.

MM: (feeling really dumb) oh.

Hon: uh? Oh sorry, calculating the production for this afternoon.

MC: see, you freak?

MM: (acidly) shut up.

And that's why I am so tired! sometimes it's just petty, stupid, unimportant things that get me going down that spiral. It takes me a few hours or weeks but I usually get things in perspective, hopefully before I hurt someone or chew a head off.

THAT is the good reason to wait and not raise up a fuss and then have to sheepishly say I was wrong.. Again. And again. Aaaand again. You really wouldn't like that.

Sigh.

Oh, care to guess what I'm making?

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Swoon!

And this lovely ... Capelet? Oh this is too much! Too great!!!

Hey girls! Get your hooks ready! This is hooker fashion!

Oh wait... That sounded a bit weird...
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Doth mine eyes deceive me?

Or is Madonna wearing a gorgeous Dolce & Gabbana crochet dress in this ad???

I'm so happy!!! This is so cool!!!
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She cleans up well

Don't you think?


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Introducing...

Paula Maria

My little niece was born today around 9 am. My dad sent me this photo, he already met her and I am on my way to meet her too! see ya!

Oh my....

 STARS!!!

sorry, just a quick post
my SIL went into labor... four cm dilated!
please pray for her and her  baby girl! (my SIL is 40)

Happy spring!!

Here's to a warm and lovely spring! My bunny and my butterfly wish you a great spring! More photos (of the parade this afternoon) to come!


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Do you know who this is?

I really love this photo of him. It used to hang against a white wall, but now that Dad moved his office, the decor almost makes it camouflage. Still, gotta love his smile!

Hints: he was born a day and 86 years before I was ;D

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Craft inspirations

I love stumbling upon color combinations like this one.

Mom was giving my girls some chocolate covered candied almonds. And these three popped in her hand, so I asked to photograph them. She has the most beautiful hands, you know. Not modeling hands, but big, strong hands where work shows. Mine are short and plump and I had to shoot the eggs in my hand. They looked SO much better on hers. Oh well.

I really like these colors together. They remind me of a certain little twelve year old with a crush on NKOTB, the Babysitter's Club series, Anne of Avonlea and ballet. I had a jacket on these same colors, and I wanted everything in the same palette.

I am thinking of starting my fourth Rippley in them! What to you think? Perfect for a little girl, right?

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It's an addiction

Sigh.

I started another Rippley. Rippley Jr. She's not scrappy, and she's considerably smaller than the first Rippley. I couldn't help myself, and I think I'm addicted.

I'm doomed.

Sigh.

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Happy Sunday!

Happy lazy lovely cool and cozy Sunday!

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Ready to be blocked!!! Or Rippley part trois

Well, sixty rows and I'm done! It is a merry, wacky blanket!!! It's ready to be blocked but right now, I just want to see it spread atop my bed....

Now what shall I do next?

:D


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Creamy lentils

Hello again, friends! I know I already posted a bit today, but as I was about to serve lunch to my girls I couldn't resist taking a photo. Here you have creamy lentils. This is a humble dish that I consider comfort food. When I was a way at the university and I felt homesick, I'd make some of these lentils, and a bowl of it later I had a warm feeling in my heart as well as my tummy. (and they look so much better in person, I promise! I took this photo with my phone)

1/2 lb lentils
1/2 an inch of thinly sliced bacon, roughly chopped
1 tomato finely chopped
1 onion finely chopped
A couple of sprigs of cilantro, trimmed
1 tsp olive oil
1 quart chicken stock
Sea salt

Start by browning the bacon with the olive oil on a two quart pot over slow fire. Remove the bacon and transfer the fat to a plate (you'll need it later).

On the same pot add the chicken stock and the lentils. Bring it to a simmer.

Add the fat to the simmering lentils and stir. After a few minutes add the tomato and onion. Cook for a few minutes more, then add the cilantro. Adjust seasoning.

Let it simmer covered until the lentils are soft, the onion is translucent and the stock is a bit thickened, sort of like a stew.

Serve hot and garnish with the bacon crisps.

Serves four
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I feel a bit silly, but...

I'm loving this blanket/afghan so much that when I notice I make some kind of advance I just have to take a pic and show it to you. Here's Rippley sprawled on top of my parents' bed (which happens to be king-size)! I smile just to look at it! What do you think, is it an afghan or a blanket?



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Along came Rippley

32 rows and I think I'm losing her! Lol! My girls want it!


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My kid is a tree hugger

Well, rather...

A CACTUS HUGGER

Sigh.

Picture party at my parent's, my lil' bro's birthday (30 years old today! Happy Birthday, Jafet!) . Cousins playing in the backyard. Little Tete is having fun with her older cousins. They all know not to touch the one cactus in the yard, a baby one. That is everyone but Tete. And she loves flowers and plants. So she's inspecting it, and her big cousin tells her not to touch it.

Which has the immediate effect of Tete spreading her arms and hugging it... And letting go of it about 1/264th of a second later. She did not cry, but ran to her daddy because "the tree bit me".

Daddy and grandma spent the next 30 minutes plucking the little pricks out of her tummy. I was at work, and missed it, one of the stories we will tell her when she grows up.

She's sleeping in her bed now. No cacti were harmed and she is ok now. Mommy is home. Night has thrown her mantle and it's time to sleep. Good night!




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Rippley part deux

Thanks for all your kind comments, peeps!

I realize that I failed to measure correctly. It is more on the vicinity of FIVE feet than four! It almost covers my height! Lol! I'm on row 26 now, but sadly I'm running out of scraps. Guess I'll have to get busy with other projects in order to have more scraps!!!!

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Rippley

Here's four feet and eighteen rows of rippling yummy scrappy happiness! Cheers!

And thanks Libby, your own ripple blankie was the final nudge I needed to try this pattern!

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One of the things that make me happy...

...is being able to work with these people. On monday, not all can come to rehearsal, so there's maybe ten people missing in this photo. These people are brave enough to follow into whatever crazy scheme I propose them!

So, friends, here's another side of me. I love music even a bit more than crafting, and singing in this choir, for God... Well, to your humble friend...

IT DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THAT!
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