{ tara frey }:: typing out loud

man cowl...

    Well I did it.  My man has a "man cowl" {and he actually loves it, which is surprising from someone who only recently started wearing a scarf.}  Most surprisingly, I read a pattern, finally! Basically it's a scarf, twisted 180 degrees, with ends woven together to form sort of a big circle, then it's wrapped twice around the neck.  Such a weird name though? man cowl... sounds like mad cow.  He asked if he was going to get a disease from it.

    Notice that most of the scruff is gone from his face. {insert happy dance here}.  The man cowl looks much better without burly straggly scruffy facial hair.  I told him he would definitely not get a disease if the cowl is worn with an almost clean shaved face.  It even said so in the directions. 

    Check out the rebel knit shirt I got. Lots of funky tees available for knit chicks.  I think I like being a part of this group!  The shirt made me get down to business and make some more knitlaces.  Check them out here. ~xo  UPDATE 1/30: SOLD OUT...THANK YOU!!

when duty calls...

  

    My oldest nephew, Jimmy Michael (he has 2 names because we have so many Jim's in the family, that's how we tell the difference.  My grandfather, dad, brother and nephew all named James...and to add to the madness, my nephew says he will continue this endless cycle whenever his first son arrives, much to the chagrin of the family)

     Anyhoo, Jimmy Michael worked security detail at the President's Inauguration on Tuesday.  He said it was an amazing experience, and after spending 4 days in Washington sleeping in an abandoned school, in unspeakable conditions with over 1,000 troops (only the best for our brave men and women) he's exhausted.  He's up there somewhere in the sea of officers and military personnel. 

    His assignment was to block and patrol some of the streets and check passes leading to the Capitol.  He also was assigned "to terrorist activities". I'm not sure if what I'm about to say is of national security, {I guess we'll know if my blog gets shut down after this post} but his platoon had a list of suspected terrorists and their license plates.  Some of which had "Obama" in the plate #.  Seriously scary.  They were also trained for riots and/or unruly crowds. As we all know it was a peaceful, beautiful day.  Although he did say he had some angry people who he had to turn away when they didn't have the proper passes or credentials.  "Just following orders sir" he would say.

 

trying to stay warm in the Hum-V

    We salute you soldier, for braving the cold, the crowds, protecting our new President, our country,  and being there on such a historic day, as you were called to duty.  {oh and your 12 year old cousin and aspiring future CIA, special ops, sniper, secret service agent, pentagon official, or four star General below thinks you are a rock star, and so do I.} ~xo  Aunt T

sweeties need scarves too...

    I got him to wear my hand knitted scarf (that took me 2 days to complete, by the way, just call me "turtle knit") because I love men in scarves.  He doesn't.  But he put it on and said he liked the color (as you can see it's made in the charcoal gray we I love.)  Perhaps I relapsed. or I'm off the wagon or it's just a safe color?  He wore it all day. (and kept petting it like a cat).  Now if I can only get him to wear it with the famous rock star shirt?  Although I don't think it will match.  I started making a "man cowl" for him in a dark olive and have no idea what I'm doing. I'm just happy to be reading a pattern.  Something tells me I'll be in my local knit shop asking for help.

ps:  note the glimpse of burly scruffy facial hair?  I loathe the winter due to this manly ritual.  I just don't get it.  Ewww.

put on some cocoa...

    First up, thank you for the comments regarding the coffee maker.  You guys rock!  Some made me crack up and some made me think.  We had all of the outlets checked last year because I really thought it was the problem. And we switched the pot around to a different location. All was ok and we went on to kill off and bury at least 2 more coffee makers and continued on our serial killing path.  We've tried all the brands, from very expensive to plain cheap.  Not sure what we'll go for next but I'll keep you posted. Thanks so much for your input :) 

    What a great day to be snuggled in.  Look what came... my book in layout!  All in color and pretty.  Ready for proofing and double. triple checks.  I'm amazed at how beautiful it is, the art director is so incredibly talented.  I think you will love it as much as I do.  It was so much fun doing the photography and seeing it come to life within the chapter openers.  It will be time soon to tell you all about it and before you know it, the book will be on the shelves and hopefully in your laps, on your desks, or by your nightstands.  

 

    Oops! I almost forgot...my daughter wanted me to tell you that it's a great day for being pulled on a giant yellow tube with your best friend in the snow as well. Doesn't this look like fun? As much as we complain about the cold & snow on the east coast, I wouldn't trade these moments for any amounts of sunshine~xo

 

because this year I'm keeping track...

    If you know me, then you are aware of my continuous problem with coffee makers.  I'm not quite sure what the trouble is or why they hate me or my husband.  We never did anything to any of them, except enjoy the great smelling black frothy concoction that they magically create and lovingly praise how good it tastes as we come back everyday at 6am for more, without fail.  We're loyal.

So I decided to keep track this year of the tally of deaths. 

11 days into the new year.  That's one.

and the beat goes on...

    Just when I think I'm out of the clear from the holiday madness, January hits and it's the biggest month of birthdays in our family.  It must be in the Guinness world record somewhere.  I think I whined posted about it last year. I mean there are so many birthdays this month {including a double duo on the 15th between my son and my dad} that I've lost count.

    Still. Shopping. and. Wrapping.  If I planned better, I would have bought birthday gifts during the frenzy...but nope.  Last minute Lucy, always. 

I wonder what is in the springtime air in April that creates all these January babies?  

 

Whatever it is, I'm thankful for my own "spring fling creation" that's about to turn 12.

a year in photos...

 

12 months of memories.  My life in calendar format above. 

Happy New Year to you and hoping all your dreams come true in 2009.~ xo