Celebrating Hypertufa

Last week we had a hypertufa party to celebrate the retirement of one of my coworkers. I'd never heard of hypertufa before, and I wasn't convinced it would turn out, but now I'm hooked! Basically, it is a way to create a molded concrete planter using any mold you wish. I used a child's sand toy, and it turned out pretty cool. I'd like to make a big one if I find the right mold. If you click here you can find the general process that we followed. We didn't use the reinforcing fibers they mention, but maybe we should have.

If you are looking for a fun activity to do with friends, try hypertufa! My planter is now curing on the porch.

Feeling the Love

I am in Xenia, Ohio this weekend for a graduation party. When I lived in Wisconsin the year before I went to grad school, I was a nanny for 3 kids, ages 6, 4, and 4 months. The oldest graduated this year and asked me to come for the celebration. It has been quite an honor to be welcomed back into this family that I haven't seen for many years. The mom and I felt a bond from the moment we met 13 years ago at my interview. Her daughter didn't tell her I was coming and worked together with her dad to make it happen. She was so excited to surprise her mom and it was so fun to be the surprise. I am definitely feeling the love. It's like being at a family reunion with people I haven't seen for a few years, but some of them I've never met until now yet they have welcomed me like family.

It has also been fantastic to be in a city with stores all around. I spent my Saturday morning going to Target, a pet store, Half Price Books and a Salvation Army store. It can't get much better than all this.


Here is a picture of me with the "kids."

If You Know a Knitter Like I Know a Knitter

My coworker, Sue, made this beautiful prayer shawl for me. It was very unexpected. She is the one retiring and I should be knitting something for her. If you know knitters like I do, you may have noticed that they are often looking for people to give their knitting to. It justifies all the time we knitters spend with yarn.

It came with a prayer that, among other things, says:

"When this shawl was made, many prayers were knit into every stitch:
That this shawl would keep you warm,
Make you feel strong,
Help you feel better.
May this shawl malm you when you are upset,
Remind you that we love you even when we are not here,
and help you remember that your guardian angel
is always watching over you."

Very sweet...and soft and cozy and warm! What a gift.

Sometimes The World is Too Big

I called my friend Christy tonight. She wasn't home so I talked to her husband instead. He said she's partying at Kristin's house. Sometimes I feel the world is too big. I wish that everyone I love could live nearby. I want to be partying with Christy and Kristin in Kansas.

But then I wouldn't be here. I would have missed the paddleboat ride with Ember, catching minnows for my nieces, looking for toads, watching turtles run through the grass, playing Outburst Junior with Cheyanne, resurfacing the driveway with the grown-ups in the family, a dip in the lake with the girls, sleeping 3 people in a tiny room, and being reminded of how much my nieces love me:f


I guess Cheyanne wishes the world was a bit smaller too.

Refreshing Chicken Salad

I tried a new chicken salad recipe this week. YUM! It's made with avocados, so it doesn't last very long. Very tasty, though!

Avocado Chicken Salad

1 medium, ripe avocado, peeled and cubed
2 TBSP lemon juice, divided
2 1/2 - 3 cups cubed cooked chicken
2 cups seedless red grapes, halved
1 medium tart apple, chopped
1 cup chopped celery
1 green onion, chopped (optional)
3/4 cup light mayo
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1/2 tsp ground ginger

In a small bowl, combine avocado with 1 TBSP lemon juice, set aside. In a large bowl, combine the chikcen, grapes, apple, celery, onion (optional), mayo, walnuts, ginger, and remaining lemon juice. Stir in avocado.