One Year In

Wow! I started this blog a year ago already? It's no wonder the time flew by as the year was completely insane. (The pregnancy was hell, btw. I'm glad it's over, though I'm sure I'll go through it again in a couple years.)

I looked back at my first post with the list of to-dos that I'd completely forgotten about. Let's update, yes?

Foodie Fun

• a sweet potato salad recipe that looks delicious: HA! After a massive sweet potato salad craving at 7 weeks, I indulged in one from a local supermarket (which the recipe I'd found greatly resembled) and of course got sick. I haven't been able to look at sweet potato salad since.
  
• a freezer batch of pork and shrimp dumplings: someday... someday... Again, this project was delayed by the limited diet of my pregnancy (No garlic. No onions. No fun!)
  
• turkish delights: Not yet.
  
• char siu bao: Ditto.
  
• homemade bagelfuls*: Nuh-uh.
  
• homemade pop tarts*: No way.
  
• I will conquer homemade stock! Argh!: Progress is being made here. I had to make some of my own since the powdered stuff had spices in it that didn't agree with me. I bombed at Heston Blumenthal's method of ice filtering or whatever he called it and gave up on getting a crystal clear product, satisfying myself with a more "rustic" result. Also, a clean pillowcase filters MILES better than cheesecloth. There's just no going back for me now. I have about 6 cups of beef broth/stock in my freezer right now. Yay!
  

Crafty Goodness

• a Flemish dress: Tough to cut the pattern over the belly.
  
• an Italian renaissance gown: Just didn't get to it.
  
• a long cotton Victoriana type nightgown: Need the right fabric and the perfect pattern. I've searched, but haven't settled on anything yet.
  
• a corset (style undecided): Did I mention I was pregnant?
  
• a hat design I have in mind: No excuses here, but it still didn't happen.
  

Hair: Currently about an inch above my waist: Now at my natural waist or a little past, where it has stalled for at least 6 months, even with all the glories of pregnancy hair.

• I will try dusting once I find that tutorial and my hair-cutting scissors again: I found the scissors! I tried dusting a couple times. Always took off too much. I've also started giving my husband haircuts now and then. Must buy the motorized trimmers. It will make things SO much faster.
  
• Something called SMT at the LHC. Must buy aloe gel: Found aloe gel. Tried it. My hair HATED it. I have, however, started "making" my own toner and moisturizer and my skin is clearer than it's been in years. Maybe I should make a post with the "recipe." (I'm using air quotes because it really is so simple it barely counts as a project.)
  
• A whole bunch of hairstyles: Dutch braids are hard. Crown braids are pretty but harder. I love the whole milkmaid look, but... don't often find the time? I've recently fallen in love with those Goody screwpins and basically live with my hair in a high bun since the little one was born.

Other projects: Um, we bought a house? Started settling in? I've learned how to get out blood and baby poop stains. (Peroxide for blood - it looks really cool if the stain is fresh, too. Cold water, a bit of soap, and elbow grease for most of the poop - then hang it outside and the sun will bleach out the rest. Wash both as usual afterward.)
I made a cute sort of 50's style apron for my sister as a belated Christmas gift. I should post a picture if I get the chance... though it would sort of give away who I am if anyone who knows me came across this blog.
I knit myself a hat with some basic lacework involved as a sort of "mourning cap" when my grandmother died (On my birthday, no less!) Did I post about that hat? If I haven't, I should.
I've pretty much given up on getting my hair to grow out. I calculated my terminal length and it is inadequate, in my opinion, unless I go to fairy tale ends. I don't like the look of fairy tale ends. The new plan is to cut about 5 inches off my hair to get it really healthy and just short enough that I can wear a pony tail without getting an awful headache. Goodbye, long, flowing locks. Hello something a bit shorter that I can experiment with and damage a bit more. It's kind of liberating in a way, to stop chasing now that I know it's impossible for me. Maybe I'll even try a light perm...

Projects in Planning
Clean my DH's old duvet (synthetic and squished) to see if I can get it better (he claims it smells) and turn it into a quilt.
Take fabric scraps and turn them into a braided rag rug. It could look nice by the sink (small) or under the kitchen table (not so small.)
I'd like to map out a small vegetable garden for next summer - or at least a way to get the prickly weeds out of the yard.

I should go. I've got maybe 10 minutes before my five week old starts squalling for MORE FOOD MOMMY!!!!!

Ciao.

P.S.: About all those sources that say "Breastfeeding should never hurt. Not even a little bit. Not even at the start." They lie! They lie, they lie, they lie! So if you're having trouble and feeling all "Well I must suck as a woman and be without instincts" like I felt thanks to those lovely lovely sources, take solace and hang in there. The first two months or so are, in fact, very difficult and painful. I find it hurts. My friends found it hurts. My aunt (who has breastfed each of her 10 kids) found it painful each and every time for the first couple months. Maybe I should do a post about this before this brief P.S. turns into a stream-of-consciousness rant.
In a nutshell. They lie. It hurts. You're not a failure. It will get better. Don't give up.