Good day! Hello! How are you? Hellooooooooo! It's me. I've been bonkers busy and I'm so happy I finally have time to sit and write. Hello! [I'm waving.]
* * * T H A N K Y O U S O o o o o o M U C H * * *
lovely, lovely people for all of your orders over the past couple of weeks. I'm so excited about the new kits and lotion bars and it's always just so nice to get your feedback after scurrying away behind the scenes for so long. Things are coming together and it feels great! Kady (new assistant) is sitting across the room writing postcards to go into orders in the next weeks, and yesterday she packed up our little business card packages, and Andy is about halfway done pulling floss. Next he'll start cutting fabric. Kelsey has an infant so she's at home in her kitchen making hundreds of lotion bars for me. Amy's darling daughters are wrapping and date-stamping mini-skeins for the advent calendar at their house. Kady and I dyed thirty new skeins of yarn on Monday, and those will be mini-skeins for the advent calendars soon. It's truly like a hive of activity around here, and I like it. It feels as if we are squirrels ourselves, industriously preparing for first frost. School has been awesome. At home, there are new railings on the front stairs and new scents being tested in the kitchen. Yarn is being wound, and there is lots of knitting, and I'm teaching myself to make candles. Amelia has been drawing and writing and creating little books constantly. Andy's been cooking for us and there have been park visits and neighborhood adventures. We're getting ready for his parents to visit, and for Amelia's big family birthday party in a few weeks. Everyone is excited! I'm doing that embroidery (from this pattern from Florals and Floss) on a bodice for Amelia's birthday dress that I need to finish. It's go-time.
Pictured above is the Sorbet Mini sweater I'm knitting for Amelia. The kid's pattern is only in Danish, so I'm using the English version of the adult pattern (which I made for myself but apparently haven't photographed yet; I will do that) and plugging the kid's numbers in. She saw my sweater and wanted a mini version, so I had to cast on immediately, as you will when your child shows even the slightest interest in your knitting. I have so many things I need to get up on Ravelry that I haven't yet, so don't bother looking for this from me there. But I will do that soon. I have a basket full of WIPs, it's crazy. All I want to do is knit. I splurged on some yarn from Churchmouse Yarns (along with a candle and a bar of soap) and I'm planning to make Amelia a Volo sweater with that after seeing Kyrie's on Instagram the other day. (That picture just literally destroys me. It is so gorgeous.)
Amelia was home with the sniffles yesterday so we made applesauce muffins, which is one of my mom's recipes from my childhood. They are so delightful.
Applesauce Muffins
2 cups Bisquik*
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup applesauce
1 slightly beaten egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil*If you don't have Bisquik (I don't have it but my mother always did, and this is her recipe) you can use 2 cups of all-purpose flour plus 3 teaspoons baking powder and then add in 2 tablespoons of melted butter, as well.
Mix ingredients together until just combined. Fill 12 muffin tins 3/4 full. Bake 12 minutes at 400 degrees F. Let cool a bit then dip top in melted butter and then in cinnamon sugar.
And here is the recipe for applesauce that Andy always makes for us and it is wonderful. I know it seems odd to use the microwave but this applesauce has a really fresh taste that is so much nicer than cooked applesauce on the stove top, in my opinion:
Applesauce
from the New Basics Cookbook by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins2 McIntosh apples
2 Granny Smith or other tart apples
1 cup water
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamonHalve and core the apples: peel them if you like. Cut each one into 6 wedges or 1-inch chunks. Combine the apples, water, and lemon juice in a deep microwave-safe 2 1/2-quart casserole. Toss the sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl and add to apple mixture. Cook, uncovered for 5 minutes. Stir, pressing apples into liquid and return to microwave. Cook for another 5 minutes. Using a hand blender, mix apples into applesauce.
Would you also like to make carnitas? We used this recipe from The New York Times and it was absolutely scrumptious.
Pictured above is the rainy afternoon bath I was taking last weekend. I was in the happiest spot — perfect water temperature, vanilla bubble bath, bath pillow that my dear mother-in-law gave me for my birthday, reading Little Women — right before Andy almost cut the tip of his thumb off (thank you for saving it, fingernail) and Amelia went outside to talk to some people (?!?!?) and the dog started barking her head off and running down the front steps to the sidewalk (never, ever does she do this, but naturally she picked that time to do it, and it turns out she was talking to/barking at a fellow neighborhood Cardigan corgi named Mulberry). Andy howling, then wandering out with a bloody dishtowel on his thumb and his face white as a sheet and not explaining anything, Clover losing her mind, Amelia talking to strangers. It was full-on Donnybrook. Naturally, by the time I had hauled myself out of the tub and dried off and put my clothes on the situation came back under Mr. Paulson's control (he's okay, and Clover came back up the stairs, nonchalant, as if nothing had ever happened). I should've gotten back in the water but I didn't. Nevertheless, that tub and that book and I are going to need to reschedule. I want to make my own soap and bubble bath, too. I got one of those things that covers the drain on the tub and lets the water get really, really high and it is literally life-changing.
Oh, and also thank you so much for all of the kind words and inquiries about Amelia's portrait from a few weeks ago. I painted it myself. It was a total fluke, I literally don't know how I did it, and I'm pretty convinced it was magic, so naturally I haven't tried to paint or even thought any more about it since.
***The cowl is an advent calendar sneak peek . . . :))) More on this soon!
Your mother's recipe sounds delicious! And my kids love apple sauce (though I haven't convinced them that apples are just as good... Baby steps). You are a busy bee! Glad Andy is alright!
Thank you for this lovely post - your world and words bring such happiness. I also want to thank you for the beautiful care taken with my order of lotion bars earlier in the summer. They are so wonderful and the ladies I gave them to loved them.
Love to you and your beautiful family,
Mary
It must be the season for whirlwinds...I just finished reading Anne of Green Gables...which was wonderful!...and I just had stitches for a major cut on my thumb...also had it wrapped in a dishtowel...(the doctor said it smelled like onions!!!)...crazy happenings in the kitchen!...my adult and ever wise daughter bought me these gloves called "No Cry"...cut level 5...(think cloth chain mail!!)But I fell so much better wearing it...!...Thank you for all the awesome photos...and letting us peek into your world!!!
Oh so wonderful to see a new post and read about all of your lovely doings! But wait, you did not mention that beautiful cowl up above! I have heart eyes for it. Can you tell us about it??
It's always a happy day to see a new posting & catching up on all the activity within the Paulson world.
Sorry to hear about Andy's mishap. Hope all is well for him.
A beehive of activity sounds like fun. All the creative makings & doings - such pleasure!
Love the sweater. It looks so very soft & comfy. I can see why Miss Em wanted one of her own!
Thank you for the yummy recipe. I use applesauce in place of oil in some of the recipes I bake. Makes for nice moist muffins, cakes, etc.
Take care & enjoy your next bath time without a Donnybrook.
Yes, yes, please tell us about that gorgeous cowl! All the searching brought up zip! I hope Andy is ok. Sounds scary and harrowing! :O
Well! You sure have a busy life going on over there at Posie-land! I'm glad Andy didn't actually cut off his thumb! I printed up your muffin recipe and want to try making it. I'm always in search of a good breakfast item to have with my morning coffee. I enjoyed each and ever image you shared. Fall is definitely here. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Wait, you have a thing that covers the overflow drain in the tub? I had no idea such a thing existed, but I need to look for one now, because the reason I don't take baths is that I don't like sitting in a partially full bath, partly warm and partly freezing.
And also, lovely yarn, and I admit to a bit of envy over your sweater weather. Here in FL it's still basically summer, and I can't make myself knit in this heat anymore.
Oh my your daughter has the cutest outfits. But that navy blue squirrel skit makes me want to squeee. ITs amazing what can happen when mom steps out to take a bath! Glad everything turned out ok.
Wow so many beautiful photos. I like the subtle toning!
That skirt with the suirrels is adorable! Would you disclose the brand or where you got it?
Hi, I love your cardigan, can you tell me how much the pattern cost? I'm struggling to work it out as it looks like 45,000 sk which I'm assuming it wasn't!
It’s so funny, here you are writing about being outrageously crazy busy, and yet your post is so calming. Strange but true. thank you so much for sharing your incredibly creative and loving life. Tami
I love Amelia's self-portrait. A ballerina w/her hair in a bun. So very cute! Sounds like bedlam set loose when you hit the tub. Reschedule it!
The cowl is amazing and can't wait to read all about it. The sweater you are making for Amelia is beautiful--love the colors! Thanks for the Applesauce Muffin recipe--I must make these. I enjoyed the whole post and hearing about your behind the scenes busy-ness. Yours posts are always such a bright spot in my day.☺
Thank you for the applesauce muffins recipe! I made them for breakfast and they were such a nice change from our usual. I used half white whole wheat flour and made a double batch. This one is definitely gong in my recipe box! :)
Love Amelia’s drawings . . .
One hand/arm up in the air . . .
Heart earrings . . .
Tiny fingers . . .
Looks like Amelia is being held “in the palm of someone’s hand” . . .
Dancing too . . ,
Love, Love, LOVE children’s drawing.
First I like that they draw.
Second . . . I love the stories . . .
My Great Grand Oakland carries her small pad of paper and pen/pencil everywhere.
I paper the house with her drawings . . .
Sweaters . . . Oh My . . . love seeing what you create!
I wonder how many sweaters, garments you have made through the years.
Lotion bars.
Advent Calendars
Dying wool . . .
On and on, more and more . . ,
An artist beyond my imagination . . .
Hope hubs finger is ok!
And you get your Little Women bath time very soon .. .
This post is so nice and cozy. It’s still 90 degrees here. Your blog is so perfect and comforting to read in fall and winter!
omg alicia i was going to comment to say "please start making bars of soap" and then right there at the end you slipped in that you were going to learn! AAAHHH!! you make dreams come true.
also, i love amelia's drawing of the hand/wrist with the ballerina. she has talent. it's so abstract and beautiful.
I love everything about this cozy post! It's amazing how busy life becomes once our little ones begin school. These are very busy, but very good days. I'd love to hear more about your candle making!
I went back to see the portrait you painted of Amelia, it absolutely catches her! Well done you. I noticed the doughnuts and wondered if you've tried this recipe, http://joythebaker.com/2013/10/apple-cinnamon-baked-doughnuts-with-brown-butter-glaze/ I made them for my grandchildren using the excuse they were a bit healthy with the apples. The brown butter is amazing. I'm going to try your vanilla doughnuts today.
In this crazy world it's nice to read about families, creativity, and everyday things. Thank you!
I have been following your blog and life for many years (and feel a real kinship to you)- I have mourned with you and celebrated with you and enjoyed the bits of life that you have shared with us over the years.
I was wondering if you might answer a few personal questions for me- here or privately- but I am in need of some advice! It may be that my husband and I are given the opportunity to adopt newborn twin girls and after so much praying and longing, I am desperate for them. But also desperate for their mother. I have seen your adoption story progress since the days you were knitting your wishes into dresses and I have seen the beauty of open adoption through the years. I wonder if you would suggest it for all adoptions- or are just thankful for your particular instance and the circumstances that allowed it. Were you ever afraid that birth Mama would want her back? Were/are you ever afraid that Amelia will want to go back? Do you allow them to talk often or just at the family get-togethers? Yours is a beautiful open adoption story and that is what I would want- and I want to offer those things to the birth mother- but others have fervently warned against it. All I can ever think of is your Amelia and I wonder if your little happy bubble is an anomaly. You are crazy busy, I know- and you don't know me from Adam- though I did, once upon a time send you a peach picnic blanket for your almost-little one...but if you ever feel inclined to give some advice to a potential adoptive Mama who is floundering a bit in these unchartered waters, my email is sgrbear724 at yahoo dot com. Thanks a bunch!
Oh my! So - much - goodness! I'm holding my breath in anticipation of the advent calendar release! I'm so hopeful I'll be able to sign up and get in all the fabulousness that you are creating.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful life.
A few years ago, my husband bought himself a table saw for Christmas. He's an engineer and a very intelligent/competent guy--it wasn't the first time he had used a table saw. He promptly sliced open the top of his thumb and I had to take him to the ER. Apparently, he was the millionth man to come through the ER that day for trying out a new power tool, and the docs had started to refer their shift as "Laceration Tuesday." Ha!
Hello Alicia, I missed your posts! And I’m so exited about the new cross stitch, waiting for it to arrive. I love your autumn pictures, that colors are amazing, and the rain makes everything so beautuful. The bath story is really funny, I think this kind of stories stay in the family for many years) and I love the colors of the sweater, they are so autumn-like and soft and warm!