tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:02:25 +0000"In repentance and rest is your salvation,<br> in quietness and confidence is your strength."<br> --Isaiah 30:15http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/kcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)Blogger311125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-3045766340719183421Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:24:00 +00002010-03-04T12:31:26.967-05:00Hi everyone, just wanted to let you know I'll be taking a bit of a blogging break. When I come back I plan to have a new design and a fresh focus, among other things. I am not sure exactly when that will be, but a good way to be notified is to add my blog to your feed reader (something I recently enabled -- not sure why I had that option turned off for so long... silly me). See you again http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2010/03/bloggie-break.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-482755853746572021Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:14:00 +00002010-02-21T16:31:13.214-05:00motherhoodMy mom sent me some wooden baby hangers that she found at a store that was going out of business. They are a great shape, but they were plain white with an ugly "Taggies" logo smack in the middle. Using this tutorial, I gave them a facelift with scrapbooking paper. The end result is quite worthy of display.The crocheted blanket on which they're laying was one of the many beautiful handmade http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2010/02/baby-hangers.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-6939884074772202379Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:56:00 +00002010-02-18T08:12:16.062-05:00foodI made up this salad for Valentine's Day dinner with my husband. It's sort of a conglomeration of various salads I've had over the years... but the end result is utterly delicious!! This recipe makes enough salad for two, so adjust your amounts as needed.2-3 c. baby spinach1 apple (I used Jonagold)~3 strips of bacon, fried and crumbled1/4 c. walnuts, chopped1/4 c. feta cheese, crumbled2 T. http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2010/02/most-delicious-spinach-salad.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-456283217965493868Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:21:00 +00002010-02-15T22:54:07.176-05:00motherhoodsewingFirst of all, if there are any men reading my blog, this post is not for you. Instead, go visit my dad's blog, CreationPath (although you still won't escape the nursing theme!!)....Now, I would not normally post pictures of my underwear on the Internet. :-) However, I made this tutorial in hopes that it will be helpful to other nursing moms. Since I've started breastfeeding, I've found that http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2010/02/nursing-bra-tutorial.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-2278827163111517579Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:19:00 +00002010-02-12T12:54:12.945-05:00motherhoodsewingI recently finished my Ceylon dress from Colette Patterns and I LOVE how it turned out. This was my first time working with a Colette pattern but it was a super experience. It's well-designed and the instructions are great. Definitely worth the price!I went fabric shopping at Jo-Ann Fabrics to try to find something suitable for this project, but everything I saw was rather "blah." I http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2010/02/ceylon-dress.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-9034458284448406301Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:46:00 +00002010-02-08T13:56:44.504-05:00flowersIt's around this time of year that I begin pining for spring. After the hustle and bustle of Christmas, winter begins to drag and I'm ready for some warmth, already! Douglas kindly gave me these potted daffodils to lessen my impatience. As each bud unfurls, it's a reminder that it won't be long now...http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2010/02/daffy-down-dillies.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-162834274732657748Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:03:00 +00002010-01-21T10:09:50.639-05:00sewingI'm raaather excited as I just ordered the Ceylon dress from Colette Patterns last night. All my outside sewing obligations are finished up so I'm happy to have a fun new project to work on! It is much-needed, from my point of view, since none of my pre-pregnancy dresses currently fit me. I'm losing weight steadily but it will still be a few months before I'm back to "normal." I chose this http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2010/01/ceylon.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-3292402703912123115Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:22:00 +00002010-01-09T14:26:02.780-05:00motherhoodfamily...just because!Edmund turned six weeks old on Thursday. He has grown so big (over 11 lbs.) and already his newborn clothes are too small. I'm putting him in 3-6 mos. onesies because the 0-3 mos. sizes just aren't long enough anymore! He's started making more expressive cries -- more whiney at times, rather than just the "scream-your-head-off" type -- and has begun to give us some sweet smileshttp://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2010/01/some-edmund.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-4899789580975216578Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:29:00 +00002010-01-07T22:32:54.891-05:00familyWe were blessed to be able to spend over two weeks at my parents' home in Nebraska over Christmas. Edmund was a great traveller and slept in his carseat the whole trip. We'd stop every few hours to nurse and change his diaper, and then be back on the road again. Edmund's now been in six states before he was six weeks old! His geography-loving daddy is quite proud of this. :-)Because my mom http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2010/01/highlights-from-christmas.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-6857037969471385758Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:18:00 +00002009-12-29T15:44:04.212-05:00familyI had great intentions of participating a bit more in my friend Emily's "A Homemade Christmas," but Edmund has kept me quite busy since his arrival! I did get one homemade gift made before he was born, which was a knitted hat for my brother, Nathan. I had some leftover yarn from a scarf I made him several years ago, so I decided to try to make a matching hat. I didn't have a pattern, but made http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2009/12/homemade-christmas.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-458667855256412591Thu, 24 Dec 2009 03:04:00 +00002010-01-07T18:26:46.715-05:00foodI have been thinking about what Christmas baking traditions I would like to start in my family. Last Christmas, I didn't do much baking other than some cinnamon rolls and gingerbread people. This year, I haven't done much either (having a newborn slows productivity), but I did manage to make these cranberry-pistachio biscotti from my mom's recipe box. I realized I've found recipe #1 for the http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2009/12/cranberry-pistachio-biscotti.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-958757241388195585Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:32:00 +00002009-12-16T10:39:04.575-05:00musicEnglandI first heard "Sing Lullaby" by Herbert Howells on a radio broadcast of Nine Lessons and Carols a few years ago. It's still one of the most beautiful and poignant pieces of Christmas music I've ever heard. Enjoy!http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2009/12/sing-lullaby.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-7257275128151621173Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:21:00 +00002009-12-07T13:31:30.549-05:00motherhoodfamilyEdmund Michael at one day oldThanks so much for all your well-wishes and congratulations! This past week and a half has been a wonderful time of getting to know Edmund while recuperating from the birth. My mom has been here to lend a helping hand and what a blessing that has been. Edmund is a deep sleeper, just like his Dad. :-) I have equal difficulty in waking them up at times! I love http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2009/12/edmund-michael.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-328475011432204786Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:32:00 +00002009-11-29T02:41:11.223-05:00motherhoodfamilyOur son, Edmund Michael, was born November 26 at 1:10 PM. He weighed 7 lbs. 1 oz. and was 20.5 inches long. Mother and baby are both doing well!http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2009/11/happy-thanksgiving.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-5987818161121106454Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:46:00 +00002009-11-20T16:04:08.613-05:00motherhoodsewingI recently made a simple nursing cover from this tutorial, which I found through Lauren's blog. It is a simple rectangle of cotton with adjustable straps to go around the neck. It also has a length of boning between the straps to keep the cover stiff, so Mom can see Baby and Baby gets plenty of air circulation. I didn't make any changes, except my D-rings were 1" wide so I cut out my straps http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2009/11/nursing-cover.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-2611952691361715835Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:26:00 +00002009-11-11T17:34:55.742-05:00motherhoodfamilyMy friend Keturah is coming for a visit, and thus provided me the incentive to get the baby's room cleared out and cleaned up. (It doubles as our guest bedroom, courtesy of an air mattress.) I must apologize for the less-than-stellar photos -- the lighting in the baby's room is horrible (one north-facing window on a gloomy day and one tabletop lamp!). But you'll get the idea!You may remember http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2009/11/vignettes-from-babys-room.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-5413700319626472751Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:47:00 +00002009-11-05T11:47:24.132-05:00booksEngland"As they entered the little street, it was so dark with the promise of snow that the shops were being lighted. They were all decked out with holly, mistletoe, tinsel, crackers, toys, oranges, model Christmas trees with tapers and glass balls, apples, sweets, sucking pigs, sides of beef, turkeys, geese, Christmas cakes and big plum puddings.'I say, I do love Christmas,' Kay said."--The Box of http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2009/11/favorite-passage.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-1575726689708819699Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:46:00 +00002009-10-27T17:02:25.666-04:00sewingIt's about time I did a masculine baby project! This is the counterpart to the girl's version I made earlier in the summer, in case we have a boy (which is actually my personal prediction, though my husband thinks we're having a girl). :) The pattern, once again, is Simplicity 2900. The fabric is a flannel-like houndstooth I found at Jo-Ann Fabrics, and the lining is a khaki-colored flannel Ihttp://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2009/10/jacket-for-little-englishman.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-3015641246230893979Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:39:00 +00002009-10-25T20:38:10.293-04:00sewingHere's my new maternity skirt from Simplicity 5756, which was given to me (along with a slew of other maternity patterns) by another young mom at our church. This was my first time working with a "real" maternity pattern, so I was very curious about how it would be constructed and how much I would like the final result. The skirt pattern is extremely simple -- two pieces of woven fabric plus a http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2009/10/autumn-tartan-skirt.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-4904215005285129369Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:43:00 +00002009-10-22T15:01:42.104-04:00sewingHere's a dress I made earlier in the month to wear to a wedding. The fabric is a synthetic charmuese from Jo-Ann Fabrics. I made it specifically to wear underneath this silk jacket that I made three years ago. Luckily I never did get around to putting a button closure on that jacket or else I wouldn't have been able to close it over my new bust measurement!! (I use a vintage brooch to hold ithttp://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2009/10/black-and-white.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-2473194143449497626Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:34:00 +00002009-10-19T14:39:37.967-04:00vintagefamilymarriageMy parents sent this vintage tablecloth to us as a wedding anniversary present. My mom wrote, "The colors reminded me of your kitchen and the yellow wall of your living room. The vintage print of fruit and flowers reminded me of your love of history and tradition. It also reflects your wedded life -- fruitful and beautiful!"It has brought cheer to our meals -- although not when tomato sauce orhttp://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2009/10/vintage-tablecloth.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-1344051439549334710Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:03:00 +00002009-10-17T15:27:06.843-04:00motherhoodThis is a small bit of decorating I've done in the baby's room. The shelf came from Hobby Lobby -- I painted it off-white and light blue, then added the Kate Greenaway illustrations from some notecards I found at a garage sale.I'm at 33 weeks today and I'm very grateful to the Lord for a healthy and easy pregnancy so far. As my due date gets closer I'm anticipating labor and looking forward to http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2009/10/33-week-update.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-5691419774453764467Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:39:00 +00002009-10-10T09:39:17.723-04:00photographyfamilyflowersfoodPotted mums... mine are on the left, Douglas' on the right. Also note that they are dripping wet with October rain.Apple-blackberry pie with REAL whipped cream, sprinkled with nutmeg. Luscious.Out come my woolly yarns and halted projects are begun once again.And of course the leaves are turning all kinds of vibrant, warm colors.My handsome Irish husband digs out his flatcap and sweaters! I http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2009/10/signs-of-fall.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-3911604311618212574Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:39:00 +00002009-10-05T19:00:58.233-04:00marriagefoodDouglas and I were happy to celebrate our one-year wedding anniversary yesterday. We had a low-key celebration, attending church in the morning and relaxing at home in the afternoon and evening. I fixed a special fondue dinner with imported Swiss gruyère and emmentaler cheeses. For dunking, we had French bread chunks, broccoli, cauliflower, apples, and pears. No photos to share because it allhttp://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2009/10/one-year.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38430713.post-7255174691313325767Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:21:00 +00002009-09-29T15:42:02.804-04:00musicEnglandIt has been a while since I've shared any music, but today our Internet connection is actually working well enough that I can get on YouTube! ;-) Here is a very moving, short piece by Henry Purcell based on Psalm 102:1 -- "Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my crying come unto thee." In the video it is performed by the choir of Clare College, Cambridge.http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2009/09/hear-my-prayer.htmlkcimedl@hotmail.com (Laura)5