Date Night Dinner

We are catching glimpses of what it will be like when Peanut is away at school.  Peanut went out Saturday night and so did we!  We went to a restaurant with a touch of Jamaican and Southern.  I ordered black bean tacos.  The Big Guy was so daring.  He ordered a burger!  It was all good.  We just might go out again this weekend as we are hearing some rumblings that Peanut has plans.

Spring in Winter

We took advantage of the warm temps this weekend and went for a bike ride.  My guys are such troopers.  They rode on their heavy mountain bikes in an effort to slow them down and ride at my pace.  There was a bit of a nip in the air when we first started.  But, the wind in our face felt great!  I hope to get back out there soon!

Swim Meet

The swim season is about two weeks from completion for Peanut.  He had a dual meet last Thursday night.  I volunteered to time and snapped these pics as he walked to the block.  I don't think he even knew I was taking them.  He had a great meet, but is itching to start running again!

Platter

I got this wonderful platter for Christmas from the boys.  Love it!  What you can't see is the lovely design beneath the veggies.  The potatoes, turnips, sprouts and cabbage was right up there with the platter!

Puzzle Two - History!

As much as the guys did not like my selection of the Christmas puzzle, my guys loved doing this puzzle.  I wonder why?  Peanut is already talking about going to the grocery store, buying one of each and trying all the treats pictured.  Fortunately for us, Peanut doesn't go to the grocery and some of the snacks are no longer made.  It was a fun puzzle and easily divided among people doing the puzzle.

We are off and working on the next puzzle.  It is a bit more of a challenge depicting Times Square.  Peanut's strategy in choosing that was his hope of making a visit to New York City.  We keep telling him he's been there, but he was too young to remember!

Fashion Statement

Pumpkin made my day on Wednesday.  He wore the socks that I knit him.  He must have made a fashion statement at the swim meet.  It was so cold outside.  I bet others were jealous at how cozy his feet were.

I definitely like the hand knit sock look over this sock look!

Best of all, I love his sense of humor and his team spirit!!

All for Buddy

Yesterday morning it was 9 degrees out.  Buddy doesn't care.  So, out I forged to walk him, just a short walk before he got his breakfast.  I got to try out my new cap light that was in my stocking.  It will be better on a baseball cap, but had to keep my eyes toasty with my stocking cap.

It was cold.  We braved the outdoors later in the afternoon when it warmed up for a longer walk.  I do wonder about the pads on the puppy dog's feet.  He doesn't seem phased.  He'll go for a walk any time.  I do think he enjoys the cooler temps over the hot temps!

Pets

The New Year started off great for Buddy.  He got some awesome pets!!

Puzzle Time of the Year

I picked out this puzzle before the holidays.  The Big Guy promptly declared that he did not like it all.  He helped sort the edge pieces and turned the pieces right side up.  That was about all of his puzzle participation.  We did not start it until after Christmas when Pumpkin was already gone.  Peanut help until we only had blue pieces left.  Finishing up those pieces was a challenge, but I did it!

We've moved on to another puzzle of all Hostess snack treats.  The guys are really into that one.  I wonder why?

Winter Swim Training 2014

The swim team spent the week in Florida on a training trip.  Most days were two-a-days with drylands in between.  They work hard and play hard.  It has got to be a great team bonding time.

 They even had an open water swim!

This year they threw in some fun at Busch gardens!

It does look like it was pretty cloudy during their stay.  They were lucky as it was warm with highs close to 80.  I hope they took all that heat in as it it gonna be cold this week in Connecticut!

New Years Eve 2014

We had a very low key New Years this year.  Peanut opted for the three of us going out to dinner.  We decided a bit late and reservations were limited.  We went to Seasons 52.  It opened about a year ago here and we had not been.  The concept is great, but it is still a chain restaurant of sorts.  I struggle with spending lots on dinner and not having it go to locals.

Peanut is not one to wear sweaters.  I think he is turning over a new leaf.  Our sweater wearing opportunity is pretty limited.  I'm glad to see he is taking advantage.

Pumpkin, if you are reading this, you were there with us in spirit.  Peanut has his A runner shirt on underneath the sweater.

We started off with a glass.   Peanut had the iced tea.  I had a glass of St. Francis Merlot.  It brought back lots wonderful memories of when we were out in Sonoma.  St Francis Winery was so kind to our boys.  I'm getting old, though.  I can't believe how much a glass of wine costs out at a restaurant.

 I think this was my favorite.  The red pepper humus and the lavosh was yummy.

When the waitress came to our table, she was concerned that the menu would not be the best for a teenage boy.  Not to worry.  Peanut has a pretty sophisticated palate.  He ordered the Australian venison.

 The Big Guy played it safe with cedar plank salmon.

I ordered the Brazino, European sea bass.  It was wonderful.  The broccolini could have been cooked just a tad more.  When I ordered the fish, I envisioned a holiday work dinner from many years ago.  We ate at a restaurant in an old house in a small town in PA.  I ordered the daily fish special.  It was delivered to the table and deboned right in front of me.  It was so impressive.  This brazino was not as impressive, but tasted lovely.

There is lots of pomp and circumstance for the ball that drops on Eastern time.  We always celebrate with the eastern folks.  There was a guitar drop on Beale that shared a split screen with a Dallas event for the Central time zone New Year's.  We had to struggle to keep the Big Guy with us until our 2015!

Sock Mission Accomplished!

Back in September, I challenged myself to make two pairs of socks each for Pumpkin and Peanut for Christmas.  Mission accomplished!

I love Cubics needles.  The square shape makes the knitting fly by.  I was able to knit Peanut's right under his nose and he did not even know.  I knit a K2P2 ribbing for about 15-20 rows with 64 stitches. When I start the leg of the sock, I reduced to 56 stitches knitting for about 8-10 inches before starting the heel flap.  I know the pattern by heart and can knit these on the go.  I took them on car trips, to cross country meets and to work.  Best part?  The socks fit the boys!

Peanut's are the top two paris.  The lighting is not the best, but you get the general idea.  The first pair was knit using Lang yarns in Jawoll color.  It is a superwash from Switzerland.  It is soft.  I did not match the socks - just went with the flow.  The second pair was knit using Meilenweit Merino in color 2147.  I wanted to get something with gray and maroon, school colors.  This was closest I could find.

Pumpkin's first pair was knit in CGA orange and blue.  I searched Etsy to find the yarn.  It is hand painted from Catawampus Farm in Minot, ME.  This is some soft yarn.  It is 80% super wash merino, 10% cashmere and 10% nylon in the color way Crivens.  I really enjoyed the striping and soft pooling of the lighter blue.  The last pair is knit with Schoppel Wolle Zauberball in red/navy.  This yarn is closer to a sport weight yielding some thicker socks.  I bet they ware super warm!  Pumpkin will only get to wear them when he wears civilian clothes.  I know this limits his time to enjoy them.  It is all about the thought that counts.  He is going to Germany for spring break and just might get the chance to wear these socks!

When I started this challenge, I tried to limit Christmas to only these handmade socks.  I was not able to stick to that.  But, we had a very reasonable Christmas.  And, I think the boys were happy.  It was more about enjoying the time together.  I'm off and knitting another pair or socks.  I think these will be for the Big Guy.  The yarn is lovely.  I picked it up when we were in New Orleans for spring break.

Holiday Summary

Christmas Eve on our way to mass.  The Big Guy continues to wear his Norman Rockwell tie.  It is just about ancient, but he loves it.

 Love seeing my boys together.  Pumpkin is letting his hair grow just a bit.  It shows the effects of the chlorine.  I love the curls trying to poke through.  Forgot how much I miss them.

We kept the annual tradition alive with going to Huey's, a local burger joint, after mass.  It wasn't too crowded this year.  Love seeing those boys together and smiling.

 This might be our only picture from Christmas morning.

Peanut got Pumpkin tickets for both of them to go to the Grizzlies game.  On Pumpkin's last night home, the boys were off to cheer on the Grizzlies!  The game went in to overtime.  Unfortunately, they did not bring home the win.

 My least favorite activity - saying See You Later to Pumpkin.

The agent was wonderful allowing us to escort him to the gate.  It worked out as his flight was delayed.  We got to spend a few more minutes together.

We are so proud of Pumpkin.  Loved every minute of our time together.  We are so happy he is doing well.  The best part is that we hope to see him within the next month or so!