Master Bathroom Remodel Plan

My parents planned a last minute trip to come visit us this upcoming weekend (after Mom and I figured out with our schedules and their other travels we wouldn't see each other until late April).  I've been plotting a master bathroom remodel for quite some time, so I thought with my handy dad around, we might be able to hammer a few projects out this weekend.

My goal is to make myself a relaxing and chic master bathroom that has MINIMAL costs.  The Husband generally rolls his eyes at home decor/remodeling, so if I make it as inexpensive as possible, he can't really complain when we end up with a nice new room right?

Here is the "before" (as I started clearing things out to begin painting).

The walls are not quite a lime green, but not quite pastel.  This is the color when we moved in, and I don't think I would pick this color for my house.  I do like cooler colors overall, but when I'm putting makeup on every morning in this room... I have to be careful not too put on too much blush when a green tint is being reflected back at me.  It took me a while to realize that the ceiling was also painted this spring green color and not just a reflection of the walls.

A Week of Tired

Last week was shadowed by an overarching, dreadful tiredness.  So tired, in fact that my knitting has come to a slow crawl with only a row here or there right as I sit down for the evening to watch this or that on Netflix (last night was Full Metal Jacket - the Husband's pick, not mine).  Not that my knitting isn't interesting.  I'm really enjoying my current projects.  It's just that knitting takes hand movements... but more importantly requires some brain work and that just isn't happening been happening lately.

Here is what is happening in the slow roll of my projects this week:

I finished my Brioche Cowl over a week ago.  I had this idea that I wanted to wear it for a date night we were having the next day to see the Globetrotters.  (This, by the way was not a "Valentine's" date.  I had gotten the Husband these tickets for his birthday last month.  We have made it a tradition to not celebrate Valentine's day, and instead we have a goal to go on at least one date a month.  I like this spread out love and fun rather than one day of trying to show off and annoyingly post it on social media.  The only person in the world that needs to know how much the Husband loves me is me.)

Fortunately, I got some pictures of me in the Brioche Cowl at the game.  Unfortunately for you all, I really didn't make much of an effort with makeup... or a hairbrush for that matter.

I also have a pair of Hedgerow Socks on the needles.  This is my commuting project that is always in the car with me.  I have two points in my commute where I sit not moving in traffic for 10-20 minutes each way depending on the day.  That's vital knitting time... and better than messing around on my phone waiting for the line to move.

I'm making these for a gift for someone in the coming months.  This is my second official pair of socks ever (I've made Christmas stockings, but those don't quite count), and my second so far this year.  I have a goal to finish three pairs before the end of the year, and I can tell I'm getting the sock knitting bug.  I like this pattern and how it is written, but I probably won't knit it again.  It is a lot of knit purl knit knit purl purl.  My favorite part of the sock is the toe.  It is different than I have knit before (with decreases on either side making almost seams).  This is more similar to a hat decrease of k2tog every couple of rounds.  I think it is much more comfortable to wear, AND no kitchener stitch to finish the toes!

I'm excited to finish and block these socks, although I will need to wait until my parents visit again, as my dad made me sock blockers out of really thick cardboard.  I'm excited to see how they work!

The second item (still and will be for a while) on my needles is the Gnarled Oak Cardi.  I've made it through the body up until the bottom of where the sleeves will seam in, and have now moved on to the first sleeve.  This is slow going and boring, so I have been knitting a few rows when I get the will power every now and then.  This week this has not happened with the eternal tiredness.  I'm hoping to have this cardigan done around June so I can wear it for my birthday.  I'm picturing a backyard BBQ with friends and a fire in our firepit.  I'll wear a cute pair of shorts I have with a black tee and this cardigan.  What a nice birthday present it will be for myself.

The third item on my needles in a Garter Yoke Baby Cardi (for 6-12 months).  It is knit in one piece top down.  Is small.  And will make me feel accomplished when all I have been knitting are hats and cowls and socks.  I cast on to make this for a friend who just had a baby, but if it turns out too cute to part with, I may keep it in a future baby stash.

I feel a bit nervous about having five little buttons on a baby cardigan like this.  Babies stick everything in their mouths and this is just the size to be troublesome if they were to fall off.  Is there a trick to REALLY sewing on buttons?  I'll have to do some research.

Heartwarmers and Basic Winter Hats

My adorable twin nephews are turning two next month, and of course I have to knit them something!  Because I'm determined to have my knitting theme of the year be "Seriously?  I'm done a month early?!", I started back in January.  I know, my theme is probably overly optimistic, but a knitter can dream can't she?

Their mom (my sister-in-law), Katie requested Heartwarmer cowls so that they could match the one I made their dad for Christmas in 2014.  The whole "I wanna be like daddy" thing is about the cutest thing I can imagine, so I cast on right away in the 2-4 yo size, finishing the cowls (Archer's and Xanders) within a few days and well before the end of January.

I really enjoyed the Heartwarmer pattern.  It was very well written with short rows (which have been hard for me to wrap **hehe, get it?** my brain around), as well as reglan shaping for the shoulders which I have never done before.  I used seed stitch at the top and bottom as the pattern suggested, but still found that with the yarn I used it had a bit of curl to it.  I'm currently blocking them, so hopefully that will straighten things out.  The pattern is written fairly well for those who use the magic loop method like I do, but it is certainly not necessary if you use a short circular or DPNs.

Next, I cast on to make two Basic Winter Hats in toddler size (Archer's and Xander's).  This pattern was really simple and I managed to finish both in about two days.  I really love the wide brim on these, and with the lovely family trait of having large heads, these should fit them for a year or two at least.  I didn't feel like the hats needed blocking, so I weaved in the ends and am leaving as is.

The yarn I used for both projects is Cascade Yarn's Pacific in Persimmon, purchased in November 2013 in Port Angeles, WA at Cabled Fiber Studios.  This is the same yarn that I used to make the twins little foxes and scarves before they were born.  Awww....  Right?  Even after making the fox softies, fox scarves, winter hats, and cowls, I still have a skein and a half leftover.  I also have this same yarn in a black, blue, and green, so maybe something can come of that someday.

I also found these cute little socks in the Target to go with the hats and cowls.  The socks may be a bit too big for them yet, but I just couldn't resist!  Here is the full gift.  Two year olds in the excitement of birthday party will probably move on quickly, but as long as mom and dad get me some pictures of them wearing it later, I don't mind.  Baby/Toddler knits seem to go so quickly too.

Vitamix

Please join me in welcoming the newest addition to my kitchen.... the Vitamix 5300!!!!  I'm currently contemplating what to name her/him.  I think it should start with a V, just so I can remember it better.  Vasco?  Vladamir?  Victor?  Vera?  I'll work on it.

Here is the beauty making me a berry smoothie for breakfast this morning.
(The Husband who leaves earlier than me for work was quite jealous when I sent him a picture.)

I am lucky beyond belief that the Parents thought an appropriate exchange of goods and services was to give me a Vitamix for watching their pup for the last month or so.  (I think I got the better end of that deal, but don't tell them!)

Now, since we were first married four years ago, I have had a very good KitchenAid blender.  It got the job done (with time and often lots of spatula scraping) enough so that I could never think of a good enough excuse to abandon it and spend a small fortune on a Vitamix.  I just kept hoping that a time would come that it would "vroom" its last and we would simultaneously win the lottery.... or at least a really good scratch ticket.

Alas, this wildly impossible situation did not need to come.  When the Parents arrived Saturday morning, Dad brought in a sizable box and pronounced it as their "thank you" for watching Tilly (now and at least one more time).  I ripped open the brown paper wrapped package to see just a part of one side.  It had a fondue bowl on it.  I have been lactose intolerant for over a decade and mostly avoid (especially liquid) cheese at all cost.  The Parents know this, so I had a momentary mind panic of what I would say.

Here is it on its virgin run in making Hummus (recipe on my food blog here).

More of the brown paper came off to reveal a brightly colored smoothie.  I knew what this was!  Jumping up and down squealing in my robe and slippers followed.  The Husband looked on with only a portion of the enthusiasm I was experiencing (he will understand my joy when I get to using it more and more this week... and forever!).

Our conversation later on Sunday after the Parents headed home went something like this:

The Husband: So you are covered for life when it comes to kitchen stuff right?
Me:  Yes.
The Husband: Ok, good, because next time you--
Me: Well, at least for now.  Let me clarify, I am covered on major appliances for a long long time.  Having this now means that I can give away my old blender, my old food processor, and my old mini food processor.
The Husband:  Sigh.