tablecloths

One of the major points of contention in our home decor adventures has been the dining room table. When we found our dining set on craigslist, we learned that the table had been carefully protected through the years by the grandmother who owned it. The table top is in near pristine condition, shiny and smooth, without a single scratch on its surface. Ever since, I’ve felt some sort of obligation to keep it in this perfect state, which means keeping the custom table pads on top and covering it with a tablecloth.

The only problem is that I’m not particularly a fan of tablecloths, even though they can be quite pretty. Partially it’s that they aren’t so easy to keep clean, but mostly, I hate that they drape so low over the sides of the table. Not only does it hide a lot of the detail of the table, but the cats, who often sit in the dining chairs end up pulling it this way and that. For the past year we’ve had an oilcloth on top, which I’ve been fairly happy with, but Shawn did not like at all.

This weekend we finally found some fabric at my favorite fabric shop that we both agreed would make a great tablecloth and a few hours later we had a cute custom piece. It’s the perfect length, very short, and matches the room while still being cute and fun. I’m very pleased with it and also excited to make tablecloths for various holidays and occasions (I already have one for Halloween in the works). Maybe one day I’ll get over my need to protect the table and just let it be, but for now, I’m quite happy just making a plethora of tablecloths.

baby knits

Knitting is an activity usually reserved for the cooler months when you’re in need of both something to do on a rainy day and new scarf. Yet, I’ve been enjoying knitting up a few projects during this heat wave when it’s too hot to go outdoors. This little baby hat is for my cousin’s baby boy on the way. I used one of my favorite bulky cotton yarns, that I’ve made other hats and headpieces with in the past.

In doing research to find a pattern, I fell down a deep vortex of adorable baby knits and basically want to make everything. They’re all so cute and little, and being so small, fairly quick to finish. If you use Ravelry, you can find the pattern for this hat here. The hat came out a little bit bigger than I expected, but I also didn’t bother to check my gauge so that’s really more my fault than anything.

Now I just need more babies to make cute stuff for. In the mean time maybe I’ll make something for my cats. Do you have any favorite patterns for kids stuff?

work out

Let’s face it, I’ve gotten lazy. Lazy isn’t even the right word, as I’m often busy, often working on projects, often accomplishing things. The real word is sedentary. I spend most of my time sitting in front of a computer as I think the majority of us do. While previously I’ve had activity built into my life, bike rides and occasional hikes (see the above slightly dorky photo), all of that seems to have evaporated and I find myself just sitting almost all the time. It’s partially unavoidable in terms of getting work done but I am really starting to feel the toll on my body and know it’s time to take action.

The problem is that I am the worst at exercising. It’s not that I hate it or can’t commit, it’s just that I need clear routine and I can’t seem to figure one out. I might go for a jog for a few days in a row but without a plan I just stop. This might have some broader implications on my ability to focus on nonspecific goals, but let’s put that aside for a moment. For example, the circus classes I took last summer were awesome because they were for a set amount of time and had a goal of a performance at the end. Sadly, they are a little too spendy for me to take up again at the moment.

I wish I could say that I’m just going to incorporate more active stuff into my every day life, much like I have in the past, but I can see that I need to do something a little more proactive. A jump start if you will. I’m not looking to morph into an Olympic athlete but I wouldn’t mind having a few muscles again instead of feeling like jiggly-puff. I like yoga and cycling and most anything that doesn’t involve going to a gym. Also, jogging or running are great but I’m not gonna run any kind of race. I know there is something out there that is free (or cheap) that I will enjoy but I just haven’t been able to put my finger on it.

What works for you to keep active? Is there a yoga routine you do every day or a set number of days your run every week? How do you commit to including activity in your schedule? What do you do to keep it interesting?

dark houses

In Salem, we visited the House of Seven Gables. I fell in love with these houses painted black. Even with their peeling paint, I think they’re beautiful, especially surrounded by bright green tree leaves. Perhaps they’re not so suitable for Los Angeles and its bright sun, but a girl can dream.

kittens!

You may recall a few weeks ago I posted photos of some adorable black cats and kittens. I discovered they were living under a neighbor’s apartment, and while they seemed to be in good health, I knew something had to be done. This past week, I caught them all, had them fixed and vaccinated and now they’re looking for homes.

Let me introduce you! There are two sweet black cats, one boy and one girl. Despite growing up outside, they are really affectionate and love to snuggle and be petted. They often purr when they eat and then will come and nuzzle me afterwards. They’re also very playful and love to do kitten things: playing with toy mice, chasing tails, all the cute stuff.

I don’t have an exact age for them but I’m guessing 3-4 months old (this is a total guess by the way) but they are definitely under 6 months. They’ve been using a litter box all on their own, natural instinct and all. They’re both fixed and vaccinated as I mentioned, they’ve also been tested negative for FIV and FeLV. Plus, they’re microchipped just in case.

Luckily, their little grey sister is going to go live with my mom. Her name is Cami. She is the most timid of the bunch and only half the size of her brother and sister. She was also the hardest of all to catch.

If you’re interested in either of these darlings, and live in the Los Angeles area, please email me at veganbakesale at gmail (or by clicking the email me link on the sidebar).

Last, but certainly not least, if you’d like to do something to help feral and abandoned cats please consider donating to one of the many organizations who help with adoptions as well as sterilization. I recommend Fixnation and Best Friends Animal Society.

UPDATE Both little Cami and her brother went to their new homes this weekend. Hooray! And the little girl? Well, read more here.