Sunday, February 26, 2012

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Questions & Minutia

Hey Humble Readers,

Old Man Winter has deemed that we have had enough of a break from his presence, and has come back with a bit of a bite.  After our really cold stretch (wherein Tilly the Toyota froze up completely) we had an amazingly long stretch of almost spring-like weather.  No snow and mild temps for almost a month.  Then last week the snow started again, but it was still not too terribly cold.  Now we're back to more seasonal temps for the frozen flatland... and it's been snowing pretty much consistently since Thursday.  We haven't gotten much for accumulation, but it's our normal mid winter type of snow... dusty, dry and powdery.  Apparently we've lucked out though, because Big City to the North has gotten slammed with snow.

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It's Oscar night tonight, and as usual, I'm going to be cooking up a bunch of appetizers for my Beloved and I to munch on as I drool over the dresses and (hopefully) laugh at Billy Crystal.  On the menu tonight: Baked Crab Rangoon, Creamy Chicken Puffs, Nachos, and Fresh Veggies with Hummus.  I'm ashamed to admit, this year I think I have only seen one of the major nominated films.  I've already informed my Beloved that as they come available on VOD, we will be renting!  Normally I try to see as many of the nominated pics as possible.

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My Beloved and I have a bit of a quandary before us.  It's not pressing, but we are trying to make a decision about sleeping arrangements for Ginny and the Halfling.  Of course, for the first few months, the Halfling will be in our room.  But by next fall we'll probably be looking at moving him/her in with Ginny in the nursery.  At that point, Ginny may be ready for a toddler bed.  Here's where the questions arise... should we buy Ginny a toddler bed, or should we buy the Halfling a convertible crib (one that can become a toddler bed, and eventually even a full size bed... like what we bought for Ginny)?  To buy a crib will cost a bit more now, but it may be more cost effective in the future.  A toddler bed would be cheaper at the moment, but maybe not as smart for the long term.  No matter what, the little ones will have to share a room, for at least a couple of years yet, as we aren't in the position to be looking for a new house.  Thoughts? 

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You may have noticed the new tab up there at the top, my "Massive To Do List".  It contains all the stuff I feel I need to get done before the Halfling makes his/her appearance.  One of the items on my list is to make a bunch of freezer meals for the first few weeks at home.  The thing is, most of my usual freezer meal ideas are more wintery types of food (lasagna, chili, etc).  Do any of you have any good suggestions for lighter spring/summer freezer meals? 

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Another item on my To Do list requires some help from my friends who knit.  I'm a very inexperienced knitter, and I have a problem that I need to fix.  Some of you may recall that I knitted a very basic baby blanket for Ginny before she was born.  Sadly, Ginny has pulled a couple of big snags in it, to the point where I can't let her use the blanket in her crib because I'm scared that she could hurt herself with the long loose strands.  I want to fix it if I can, but I'm just not sure how.  Experienced knitters... do you think it's possible?  And if so, how should I go about fixing it?  Or should I just give it up, and knit her a new blanket?



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Thanks in advance for all your input, Humble Readers!  I appreciate it!

13 comments :

  1. So, on the bed and knitting questions, I have no idea. ;) Though if and when Number 2 comes along, we'll have the same issue. We co-sleep, though, and will have to move P to her bed in her room whenever that time comes...I guess. :)

    As for freezer meals, quiches work well. When I was expecting, I froze chicken chili, taco soup, lasagna, etc. Also, I've read of others putting whole meals in freezer bag that ultimately goes straight to the crockpot...you should g.oog.le it.

    Glad to hear that you're all well...and yes! I wish we'd had a video going Thursday with the chicken episode. It was just tooooo funny to really relay! :D

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  2. I would try to weave the loose yarn into the blanket. Get a yarn needle to do it. It solve the problem of the knitting coming undone, but you didn't say if that is an issue.

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  3. Missy's idea of weaving it in is a good one but, don't go in only one direction. Weave it in one way and then reverse course and weave it in the other direction. It sort of locks it in place.

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  4. I know nothing about knitting - sorry. Re: a bed - I say no need for a toddler bed. They're really not necesary. When the kid was ready to move out of his crib, we put him in a twin with one of those railing things and he's been happy as a clam ever since. it was low enough that he could get in and out fine, but he didn't really get out because I think the railing confused him (he thought he was still confined, which was fine by us!).

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    1. If our space situation were different, I would strongly consider a twin bed. Only a toddler bed or a second crib will fit in the nursery.

      Of course my dad suggested bunk beds... lol. Somehow I think that would be a bad idea this early on.

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  5. I agree with Becky, I don't know much about toddler beds, but I do not plan to get them. Our cribs are convertible, but I think we will go straight to twin beds, either with mattresses on the floor, or with a bed rail.

    I am a crocheter, not a knitter, but I totally agree with Missy and Kristin. I would weave in the loose threads on a crocheted piece as well.

    As for freezer meals, I am not much help, but maybe lighter pastas (pastas with lighter sauces) and risottos? I find that they freeze pretty well. Maybe some soups that aren't heavy winter soups?

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    1. Let's say you had to choose between a toddler bed and another crib... (space constraints make a twin bed impossible). Which would you choose? :)

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  6. Hi from ICLW! Your to-do list looks very similar to mine! I'm glad I am not the only one who insisted on cleaning and reorganizing the closet :)

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  7. Your Oscar menu sounds divine!

    I love this recipe from Epicurious. I've made it and froze portions of it several times:

    http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Seafood-Paella-with-Edamame-367830

    As for the bed: Could you get a toddler bed for Ginny and let Halfling 2.0 use her crib? By the time he/she grows out of it you could just replace it with another toddler bed if space is still an issue. If it's not H2.0 could use G's toddler bed and then she can pick out a new 'big girl' bed!

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  8. We're using a toddler bed but only because our neighbours gave us theirs. They have twins and we'll only ever use one so it's too bad you don't live closer! We put Adam in the toddler bed just before he turned two and he'll probably only fit in it for a year (the mattress size is the same as the crib). If you think Ginny is ready, you could try moving her out of the crib. Fortunately, Adam's transition was really easy.

    As for the knitting, is the loose yarn a loop? If so, you should be able to ease it back into the fabric by pulling on adjoining stitches. But obviously, the easiest and fastest solution is to weave.

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  9. Oh my good lord. You would not believe the snow we got!! More than the whole winter combined I'm sure. They said 15 cm but I'm leaning more towards 30 at least!! Be thankfu it missed you. :p
    Sorry, I'm no help on the knitting front. :s Good luck with that. It seems you have some experts in the PP!
    So I had dessert last night ( shouldn't have!!) and my levels were 11.9!!! The dr at the diabetes clinic is going to love that today!! :s. eeeek!
    How did I enjoy the oscars? I didn't watch.......
    As for the bed.....now that is a quandary. I think you need to come to Ikea for something, they always have good space saving ideas, etc.

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  10. I'm so jealous that you actually got to watch the Oscars and have yums while you did... G wouldn't watch them and we ended up "agreeing" to watch the Walking Dead. Love the Walking Dead, but THE OSCARS!!!

    Unless you just can not afford it, get a second crib. It'll be useful for longer, and Ginny will be able to keep sleeping in her cage bed as long as she's comfortable with it (Baby G would flip if we tried to make him sleep without his cage...)

    Check out http://onceamonthmom.com/menus/traditional/ for some freezer meal planning help that is seasonal... This was my plan for October...

    For the knitting, are the stitches dropped, or is there just a loop pulled out?

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    1. I only watch one awards show a year... and the Oscars are absolutely non-negotiable! :)

      As for the blanket, it's two big loops that she's pulled out.

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