Progress

Big changes are happening at the new house these days. The inside still looks pretty much the same, but a tremendous amount of work has been done. Walls are framed, heating and electric are all in place, and the siding has started to go up. Here are photos from today. Just a few visible changes from what I posted before. 


The really big change today is that this old, critter-infested, falling-down, out building:

Now looks like this:

A new out building will be going up in it's place – the construction of that starts on Monday.
Walter was thrilled with today's work. Not only did he get to watch diggers working right there in his yard, but he got to sit in one too! For a two-year-old boy, this was the BEST DAY EVER!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Nate decided to turn our pumpkin carving into a contest and he let Walter be the judge. I won! Woohoo! Mine's the one on the right. I think I won him over with the eyebrows (which he requested).

I would have photographed them outside, but the candles would never have stood up to this wind! It's even too much for our wind-loving boy. It knocked him right over on the way to the mailbox yesterday!

More sewing

All that costume sewing made me want to spend a little more time in my sewing room. It's one of my favorite rooms in this house. It's got great, natural light and plenty of space to store all my stuff. And, boy-oh-boy, do I have a lot of stuff! I started packing it up and, well, let's just say I shouldn't need to buy fabric anytime soon. While we are still living in this house, I might as well use my nice space and try to make a dent in my fabric stash. New pajamas for Walter seemed like a good place to start. Flannel monsters on the bottom and a colorful 90 minute shirt on top. Cozy for sleeping and comfy for dancing in the kitchen the next morning.

Halloween preview

The Fitchburg Community Center had a Halloween party last night, so we gave Walter's costume a trial run. He told us for weeks and weeks that he wanted to be a pig for Halloween. I took him to the fabric store and we were picking out the perfect shade of pink when he spotted the cow fabric. His mind changed instantly. I checked and double checked and triple checked – did he really want to be a cow? Yes! So, a cow he is. Although he was often mistaken for a dalmatian and one weird old guy thought he was a princess. (Huh?) The horns and his mooing set them all straight. I think he's ready for the real deal.

A pumpkin-y weekend

Grandma Bredel took us to pick pumpkins on Saturday. Kyla, Finn and Jeremy joined us too. It was really windy.

But we had a great time. There was even a tractor to play on! I think that tractor was even more exciting than last weekend's fire trucks.


In other pumpkin news, I cut a nice orange one from the garden today. We roasted it, pureed it and it will soon be turned into pumpkin pie and other pumpkin goodies. And a little bonus that I had forgotten about – toasted pumpkin seeds! Perfect for munching on while writing a pumpkin-themed post...

Bananas

In case you didn't know, little boys like to touch everything they see. This makes a trip to Target especially difficult, now that Walter refuses to sit in a shopping cart. Nate's solution is to give our little monkey 2 bananas (one for each hand) as soon as we walk in the door. By the end of the shopping trip, we get to buy 2 very bruised bananas which sit on the counter until they are overripe, because no one wants to eat a very bruised banana. But this isn't a bad thing! This gives us an excuse to make banana bread, using my Grandma Martens' recipe. Nope, it's not a bad thing at all.

Gram's Banana Bread
1/3 cup shortening (I use butter instead. It's just as good.)
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs (slightly beaten)
1 3/4 cups sifted flour
2 3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup mashed bananas (2-3)
Beat shortening until creamy and glossy, or 2 minutes at medium speed. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat until thick and pale yellow in color. Sift dry ingredients; add alternately with bananas, blending thoroughly after each addition. Grease bottom only of loaf pan. Turn batter into pan. Bake at 350° for 60-70 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Let bread cool 20-30 minutes in pan, then turn onto rack.

Bedtime chat

Me: Sleep well. I love you!

Walter: Can you go sew my costume now?

He's got a one-track mind. I better get sewing!

Waiting

The fabric for his Halloween costume is in there. He watched the washing machine for a good ten minutes. (Ten minutes is a long time to stand still!) I explained that after it was washed, I still had to sew it before it would be a costume. We had an evening full of "Can you sew it right now?" and "Is it done yet?" Waiting can be so hard!

Sunny Saturday morning

Walter and I have been loving this beautiful Saturday. We made a trip to the Farmer's Market and stuffed ourselves full of cheese curds, pears and cookies. Then, a visit to the Fitchburg Fire Department for their open house. We got a balloon, a hat, hot dogs and a ride in a fire engine! It just doesn't get much better than this. 

Moving right along

We had another meeting with our contractor out at the new house yesterday. (And I forgot my camera. Doh!) The walls are all framed in, the kitchen cabinets are ordered and we have the electrical plan all laid out. A few steps closer, but there's much, much more to do...

Playing around

Kangaroo ears – we can't play Playdoh without them!

Feeling knitty

What is it about the change of seasons that makes me want to knit? I took a summer-long break, but I'm ready to get back at it. Since we are so busy with house stuff, I haven't had a chance to get out to shop for yarn and patterns. So, I'm using the magic of the internet to satisfy my craving. The makings for the Staghorn Cabled Tunic (who names these things?) are on their way to my front door. 

I'm so excited to get started! I found lots of fun patterns while searching. I might have to cast on a little something for Walter soon, too. The boy could use a new sweater or two.

More zoo fun

Walter's cousin Ginny turned 4 today! The birthday girl celebrated at the zoo, and we were honored to be her guests. 


What a fun place for a party! Thanks, Ginny (and family), for a great afternoon! 
Click on any photo to see a few more on Flickr.