boogaj

Back to Writing?

Inspired by Claudia, I've decided to dust off this old blog and commit to writing on a regular basis. We'll see how this goes.

I started this blog way back in 2002 when Maddie was nearly 2 years old and I was finally finding a little free time for knitting and crafting again after the craziness of the whole baby thing. Over the years it morphed into a lot of things and I started a lot of side projects on the internet (including Black Sheep Bags, my podcast, the Pincushion Challenge, The Chocolate Blog, and many more.) 

At this point, I think I need to land in one place and write about whatever I'm obsessed with at the moment. (And I often become obsessed with things -- it's my nature.) 

If you still visit my website -- Hi! Glad you stuck around. I hope to get re-acquainted with you again!

(Oh, the photo? That's a pile of my dish scrubbies. Free pattern at Ravelry and on the blog.)

Spring?

It's been a long and terrible winter, so I'm happy to see Spring arrive. It even felt like Spring today with the sunshine and warm-ish weather. 

In other news, I've started a new Wordpress blog where I talk about learning web development. Right now it's under the boogaj name over at boogaj.wordpress.com. In conjunction with that, I've decided to move my website for Black Sheep Bags over to Wordpress and I'm practicing all my skillz on it. You can check out the fledgling site at blacksheepbags.com.

 

9 Years Flys by...

 

Oops, I missed my 9 year blogiversary.

Oh, that photo -- just there because I don't like making photo-less posts.  It's our resident wild rabbit.  It loves our "organic" yard which is filled with herbicide/pesticide free clover and crabgrass.  It's gotten so used to us that it doesn't even stop eating when we are around.  As long as it keeps eating the weeds -- and not my hostas -- we're all good.

Generosity

I've been blogging for 9 years -- 9 years!  And I have to tell you that I've "met" a lot of people online -- some good and some bad.  (Over the years I've made my peace with the bad -- learning to ignore and delete their comments.  It took a while to grow a thick skin though.)  And I'm happy to say that things seems to be getting even more friendly around the internets in the last couple of years (or I've learned to avoid the trouble spots!)

Recently a fellow blogger sent me this cool book -- the Fire-King id and value guide.  How awesome is that?  She saw it at a library sale, thought of me and sent it to me!  I thought it was incredibly thoughtful and it re-affirmed my faith in this here blogging community.  Thank you, Annie!

And as an aside -- and also to demonstrate how perfect this book was for me -- I bought these vintage Anchor Hocking glass bowls over the weekend at Goodwill.  They need a bit more scrubbing, but I'm loving the 1970's colors.

Visit Apron Thrift Girl so see what everyone else found this past weekend!

"ZERO IS 1"

I missed my 8 year blogiversary.  Eight years.  Crazy, huh?

So today we were driving home from IKEA and we ended up behind this car with the license plate "ZERO IS 1" and I was really intrigued.  So intrigued that I tried to get up next to the car so we could check out the driver.  About a mile later he -- turns out it was an older guy with a pony tail -- got in the turn lane and we pulled up next to him.  Fortunately his window was down, so I had Pete ask him what it meant.  His response -- "The origin of everything we are."  Then he said something about it not being related to math and that it was complicated, and the light changed.  He drove off, as did we.

So, I'm still not exactly sure what it all means, but Pete and I discussed it a bit more and decided it was probably related to some eastern religion or philosophy.  After googling for a bit, I'm thinking it might have to do with Buddhism and the idea of emptiness.

Any ideas?

Back of the Package Buttermilk Biscuits

I've become a lazy blogger.  I never have a camera around to take photos, I don't post half the things I make anymore, and I simply spend so much time reading other blogs, that I don't have time left to write my own posts. 

So, in keeping with the time of year, I'm resolving to be a better blogger. 

Last night I ran upstairs upon throwing a batch of buttermilk biscuits in the oven so that I could take a photo for the blog.  And I have to say, the photos I took were all pretty lousy,  but at least I did it, and here I am writing about it.  Not a bad start.

The biscuits were made with the leftover buttermilk I had bought for making cinnamon rolls for Christmas, and I simply pulled out some self-rising flour I bought ages ago to make some other recipe -- then shoved in the back of the cupboard.  I mean, almost no recipes call for self-rising flour anymore and it was nearing the end of it's life, so this recipe used up two things that would have otherwise ended up in the trash.  The thrifty woman in me loves this.

I used the recipe right off the back of the bag of flour.  It was simple and used very basic ingredients -- flour (maybe about 2 1/2 c.), butter (or shortening -- 1/2 c. or 1 stick), baking soda (1/2 tsp, I believe), a bit of sugar (2 tsp, perhaps) and buttermilk (about 1 c. -- enough to form a nice workable dough).  I also loved it because it gave me a reason to use an old biscuit cutter I purchased at an estate sale this past year. 

These rose up like nobodies business and got nice and brown on the top (except for the ones I brushed with buttermilk -- which apparently does not brown up in the oven like cream).  Not to mention that everyone liked them quite well  -- and they are delicious spread with lingonberry jam. 

Seven Years and I Missed It!

This past week marked the seven year anniversary of this here blog -- and I missed it completely! Whoops!

Twittering

Making a few changes on the blog -- a new wintry banner for one, and also the little twitter thingy over there to the right. I am a latecomer to twitter, but it is a fun little thing. I'm not connected up to a lot of people on there yet, but I'm getting started.

One of my goals for 2009 is to get connected. This past year I feel like I've stepped away from the online crafting community a bit and in the coming year, I want to get back on board. I'm trying to comment more on posts and write more posts too. Hopefully I can keep this up!

6 years?

Can you believe that I've been blogging for 6 years? How crazy is that?

Monthly meme

Well, my husband tagged me for this meme, and since I have nothing else to post here. . .

• January -- That's what Maddie calles me.
• February -- Quilt Block a Day is not dead!
• March -- I swear I've been crafting, but I've been doing far more reading over the last few days because of this book.
• April -- I have so many books to review right now, that I've decided to call this book review week.
• May -- Right now Pete is between jobs (although not for long -- yeah!!) and we've been trying to enjoy his "time off".
• June -- I completely slacked off in May and didn't get a theme up, but I have one up now for June/July, so go take a look at the Pincushion Challenge blog.
• July -- I just tried a bacon chocolate bar -- yes, meat & chocolate?!?
• August -- Wow -- hard to believe that I've been blogging for 5 years now!
• September -- I have posted the September/October theme for the Pincushion Challenge.
• October -- On Friday Pete took the day off of work because we were driving down to Champaign for the U of I game, so he was able to join Maddie and I on our weekly garage sale expedition.
• November -- Okay, so I mentioned an impending office remodel a while back -- but what ever happened?
• December -- Whew!

Tag, you're it! If you do this meme on your blog, leave me a link in the comments so I can take a look.

5 Years of Blogging

Wow -- hard to believe that I've been blogging for 5 years now! Where has the time gone?

If it wasn't so cloudy and I could take a decent photo, I'd show you all my bookbinding supplies that just arrived. Perhaps I'll have a new book to show after this weekend.

Not right, but here.

It's been a long time since I updated my template.  And truth be told, I've kind of cobbled together the CSS through the years.  At this point I need a total overhaul.  So I once again cobbled something together for now, but I'm going to be putting together a whole new template soon. 

Sounds like a lot of work.  Hmmmm. . .

Argh!

My website isn't showing up correctly on Firefox and I have no idea why.  Argh!

Time Change Troubles?

What the heck?  Has the internet gone wonky because of the time change?  My blog has been up off and on and Stitch-Cast hasn't been up for most of the day so far.  TypePad system status says everything is working, but it most definitely is not.  Anyone else having issues, or is it just me?

I got quoted!

Last week I was contacted by Kevin Friedl who writes for NewAssignment.net and he interviewed me about knitting blogs. Today he published an article which is called Not Your Mother's Knitting - How Traditional Crafts Change for the Internet. Go take a look!

I'm back!

Whoa -- where the heck did I go?  Well, the end of October is always crazy around here with Maddie's birthday and Halloween falling a week apart.  Then there were a few other family activities.  (The triple brother-in-law birthday dinner in the city -- a fun new tradition! and the pumpkin carving contest -- which comes with my mom's delicious chilli.  We are fat & happy.)  On top of that I spent quite a few hours on this big local charity event (delivering flyers to pre-schools, setting up & working many hours at the event).  I wore myself out.  Oh, and Maddie got sick too -- just a cold, but with all the activities it lingered.  I'm fighting it now. 

And I also had a deadline!  I just sent off my article and pattern for the next issue of Yarn Forward Magazine.  So, I have been knitting and spinning (the article is about plying on a spinning wheel).  But time for crafting has otherwise been short.  That should all change for the balance of the year. 

So what of the Easy Bake Oven picture?  Well, I have to tell you about out "baking" afternoon.  Maddie received the oven for her birthday and was very excited to try it out.  I was less than thrilled, but somehow made time to help her with her cake.  I went into it feeling rushed and exhausted and somewhat jaded -- big corporate toy company -- blah, blah, blah. . .   but what I got out of the experience was something altogether unexpected.

As Maddie started to mix up the mixes she was cautious and unsure of herself.  I encouraged her and as she continued, she blossomed!  Soon she was exlaiming that she was "doing it!"  and that she wanted to be a "baking teacher" when she grew up.  Just seeing the confidence that making this crazy little cake stirred up in her almost made me cry.  It took so little effort on my part and made her so happy.  And then, when it was all done (like an hour later -- oy!) she cut the cake and we each ate a piece and I told her how delicious it was and her smile said it all. 

So I guess that we got more than we bargained for when we got an Easy Bake Oven -- and this is just part of the reason why I've decided that it's time to simplify my life.  I'm trying to figure out what it is that really makes me happy.  This weekend Maddie and I spent some time together reading, something which I haven't had the time or energy for lately.  It was lovely.  And the three of us played board games -- something we all enjoy.  I'm recovering and getting back some energy -- hopefully some of my creative energy too -- wish me luck!

About copyright. . .

Hillary says it so well. . .

Four Years of Blogging

I can hardly believe that it's been four years since I began blogging. In that time I've taken up many new crafts, began homeschooling my daughter, started a new business and even moved to a new house.  I've also lost my father-in-law to cancer and learned to deal with a life filled with migraines.  It's been a busy four years full of challenges. 

Online over the last four years I've started creating lots of additional websites: becoming the owner of the Knitting Blogs Web Ring, starting 2 podcasts -- Stitch-Cast and Booga Talk, launching the Pincushion Challenge and creating two websites for charities (click here to see the latest batch of kittens at the pet rescue charity -- so cute!)  And I write over at whip up too.

Right now I'm feeling like I'm in a slump.  I love challenges and I'm kind of bored.   

A lot has happened over the last four years now that I sit back and take a look.  I'm sure that something exciting will happen in the next four years too!  I may be in a slump, but if the past is any indication of the future, that won't last long!

Stop me before I blog again!

Vox -- I'm weak.

Out of control!

So, I open TypePad this morning to write a post and there are 10 -- 10! -- blogs listed (make that 11 - since I write for whip up too, no 12 - there's two friends collect books which I've been neglecting lately).  Yep, and I'm doing two podcasts now.  I'm out of control. 

I am feeling pretty good about my ability to set up a podcast though.  I got Booga Talk into iTunes in a day.  That was a huge challenge when I started my first podcast.  So I guess I'm learning something as I go and I'm nothing if not a compulsive learner.  It's all good, as they say.

In crafting news. . . well, there isn't any because Maddie and I hit Oak Brook Shopping Center yesterday.  It's this huge outdoor mall basically that has all the shops -- everything from the Gap to Tiffany & Co.  Their Nordstrom has an *incredible* shoe department!  So we shopped and got cute outfits.  We are girly girls.  Maddie helped me look for brassiers at VS and she searched the manequins, looking for Victoria.  I think she declared that she found Victoria and Victoria's mom too (her mom is the one with the huge wings at one of the entrances according to Maddie -- this Victoria's secret is gigantic and maze-like).  We ate pasta salad and drank lemonade together by one of the many fountains outside.  It was a really nice day!  A mother-daughter girly shopping day. 

Saturday Theresa and I plan to head out to Millennium Park for a little WWKIPing.  If you are in the Chicago area, I hope that we'll see you there!  (Bring a sweater, it's supposed to be chilly!!)

Bloglines Data Analyzed

Well, it looks like the average is 175 sites.  I'm afraid that my Bloglines increased from 235 to 240 as the result of that little post.  No hope for me ever getting back below 200  :) 

It looks like many of you concentrate solely on knitting blogs, but I was very interested to find out what other categories you had in your Bloglines too.  Everything from firefighting to infertility, sports to science.  I see there are even a few of you who follow some food blogs like me! 

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and took the time to leave a comment!  It's been pretty quiet around here with it being springtime and all and it was good hear from you all!

Quick Meme -- Bloglines #

Quick!  How many sites are in your Bloglines?  I subscribe to 235 as of this morning.  Leave me a comment & post it on your blog!

(I'll do some math and report back the average and maybe even the standard deviation -- if I can remember how to calaculate such things.)

**Update**

There's been some comments listing what kind of blogs are in everyone's Bloglines, so I thought I'd report my breakdown:

Family – 6

Cooking Blogs – 10

Crafting (non-knitting) – 99

Knitting Blogs -- 106

Other – 14

New look for the blog!

Sometimes I just need to move pictures around or re-arrange the furniture. I guess the same thing is true with the blog. While I loved the autumnal colors of my old look, well, it isn't autumn anymore.

I may mess around with it a bit more. Let me know if anything is looking weird!

I'm at Whip Up!

A while back I told you about the cool new collective craft blog called whip up. Well, I'm now feeling like one of the cool kids, because I was invited to be a contributor to whip up!!

You can see my first post -- which is on knitting podcasts on the website today.

www.boogaj.com

Well, I finally scraped together $8 and bought myself my own domain name.  You can now get here by typing in www.boogaj.com.  Exciting, isn't it?  I got my domain name and one for Pete (www.petelit.com) over at Go Daddy.  I've been using them to host my website for Black Sheep Bags for over a year and haven't had any trouble.  (I also host the websites for a couple of charities through them -- COPE and The Tim Klotz Memorial Fund.)

In other news, I just went with my Mom and sisters to see Wicked.  It was *so* good!!  So now I have to read the book.  You know how I am.  Maybe if I order it now, it will get here by the time I finish Julie & Julia.  I love it when I have books lined up!

Post ideas & IKEA

I *heart* IKEA!  And today that's where we are off to.  But I have been thinking about some upcoming posts.  Things I've been wanting to write about and/or photograph.  Here are some things you can expect in the coming days:

• All about the Dala Horse.
• Interesting new knitting books coming out soon!
• Info on Crewel Embroidery.
• Post about Swedish Christmas traditions.

So you can see, I have lots of ideas -- but little time for execution.  I really want to tell you / show you about the Dala horses because I really love them.  Maybe tomorrow!