You know that old saying, "You can't go home again?" Well, guess what . . . you can as long as you remember that you aren't in your 30's, but you're really about 13 and when your mom tells you to do something, you probably should. We visited Mom and Dad (and Betty and Veronica who were there for their annual summer visit) over the weekend, and things don't change that much as far as family dynamics go: we still go to Young's, we will play cards and drink a lot of beer (not the pregnant one), we might get yelled at for different things, and Lola still gets accused of exaggerating. The only thing different now is that we knit, which didn't happen when we were younger. That being said, it was a lovely visit and the girls had a blast with Gus. Even Livvie enjoyed herself when Gus decided that she needed to hear Carl Goes Shopping.
In my never ending quest for the perfect yarn for the Katherine Hepburn sweater from Lace Style, I thought I had it narrowed down to a few choices but neither one swatched up well. Personally, I think this sweater might become the bane of my knitting existence. Will it become my version of Lola's Half Dollar and hang like an albatross? Probably, but I know when to punt and pick a new sweater. Ariann she is and I'll pick up the Cascade 220 this afternoon for the 3/4 length sleeve version. It would be nice to have this wrapped up before school started, but I am not putting any bets on it.
So, today marks our one-year anniversary for the blog (we're counting the months spent on Blogger, dammit) so we thought we would have a little contest because we a) like free shit and figure others might too, b) like comments, and c) feel like it. Here goes: Gus loves to read, and I like to bring him books. I brought about 30 of the girls' old books, but I know that I'll buy him another one at Barnes and Noble later this week. Leave us a comment by 7:30 AM on August 2 and tell us what your favorite book was growing up. Gus will choose one comment at random and ship you off some goodies that will probably include some sock yarn, some Soak for said yarn, and other stuff that we pick up along the way.
About those yarn haul photos? They'll have to wait . . . I bought some lovely yarn, and I mean lovely, at Yarnsmiths over the weekend, but I think I left it at Mom's house. I could ask her to take a photo and email it to me, but then she would want to know why and I'd have to think of a creative story that didn't involve a blog. I should get the yarn when I get the girls from Mom and Dad tomorrow. Until then, leave us a book suggestion . . . otherwise, I might have to read another truck book.
Ava
Happy Blogiversary!
Posted by: Cara | July 30, 2007 at 02:05 PM
Happy Blogiversary! It's hard for me to pick a favorite book, but if I have to choose one from when I was little, it would be Bedtime for Francis. I bought it for my son before he was born.
OK, are you guys from Springfield? I went to Wittenberg so the mentions of Young's and Yarnsmiths got me thinking.
Posted by: Mindy | July 30, 2007 at 02:29 PM
Happy Blogiversary! Here's to many more years. When I was a kid I had lots of "favorite" books, but I have to say my favorite-favorite from the time I was 8 years old on was "Watership Down." I don't even know how many times I read it, though I know I wore out a few copies -- I even brought it with me to the emergency room when I was 12 years old and had appendicitis. (I was just thinking the other day that I might want to take it out for yet another re-read, too.)
Posted by: Sarah | July 30, 2007 at 02:39 PM
happy one year blogging! seems like it goes as fast as watching your children grow. i have to say the book i remember best was the where the wild things are, by maurice sendak. i heard a wonderful interview recently on npr, they were speaking to him about his latest book, a complicated pop-up story book with tons of monsters. i love that he brings the concept of 'scary' things to light for the little ones. the pop-up is adorable but a bit pricey. i saw it at target. cannot wait for the yarn pron.
Posted by: mamie | July 30, 2007 at 03:19 PM
There was this book that I think was my mom's. My sister and I used to make my parents read it to us ALL THE TIME. And then I remember reading it when I could finally read at that level (I'm a stoopit slow reader). I think it was called Piccolini... sadly my dumb dad threw it away and we've never found a replacement. =( I also have a shit memory and all I remember is it was about a teeny, tiny girl and her floating away in a balloon.
Posted by: Shannon | July 30, 2007 at 03:53 PM
Happy anniversary! Yay, yay, yay.
No doubt my favorite was (and dammit still it) Russell & Lillian Hoban's A Bargain for Frances. I still read it from time to time, it's the jewel of the Frances series. No trucks, but tea cups and a major life lesson.
How cah-ute is that Gus, BTW?
Posted by: sappmama | July 30, 2007 at 04:37 PM
I was a huge reader when I was younger but oddly enough, I have a hard time remembering things from my childhood. I do remember reading The Mouse and The Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary over and over again. I tried to get my daughter to read it but she wasn't interested.
Congratulations on your blog anniversary. I have just started mine. It is so inspiring to see what others are doing!
Posted by: Karen in Moorhead | July 30, 2007 at 06:48 PM
Happy Blogiversary Ava & Lola!
My favorites growing up were anything by Dr. Seuss and Ferdnand the Bull.
Posted by: Kirsten | July 30, 2007 at 08:53 PM
Congrats on reaching the one year mark! I have so many favorites from when I was young, but I absolutely love Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, Runaway Bunny, the Angelina Ballerina books, Go Dog Go, and one of the all time best books, Mama Do You Love Me? It's amazing how many I can come up with off the top of my head...
Happy blogging and knitting!
Posted by: Natalie | July 30, 2007 at 08:58 PM
Happy Blogiversary Ava and Lola! I've recently found your blog and you two crack me up on a regular basis - keep up the good work (and good knitting).
My favorite book growing up was Little Women. I wanted to be Jo so bad. I would even sit up in our very uncomfortable tree and read just like she did.
Thanks!
Posted by: Lisa | July 30, 2007 at 11:00 PM
HI - I jsut found your blog through ravelry. My favorite books were the story Dr. Suess ones, in particular, Bartholeum Cubbins and the 500 Hats. His story books gets completely overlooked for his early readers.
Posted by: Holly | July 31, 2007 at 12:23 AM
My favorite book was Crispian's Crispian, about a dog who owned himself. Guess I've always been an independent type! VBG!
Posted by: Barbara-Kay | July 31, 2007 at 09:09 AM
My favorite book was and still is the Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery.
Posted by: Cath | July 31, 2007 at 09:48 AM
happy one year! y'all are hilarious so keep on blogging!
as for my fav books from childhood, i loved little golden books...who hasn't read the pokey little puppy? or the little engine? :)
Posted by: .: tani :. | July 31, 2007 at 10:37 AM
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh god a list of favorite children's books from a Mommy who is also a librarian?
Christ, where should I start???
I frequently volunteer eagerly to read "In The Night Kitchen" and will happily look through any Richard Scarry book with my little one as long as it's not after 8:30 PM at which point I'm simply too tired for it. "Frog and Toad Are Friends" is just wonderful, as are the Clifford stories.
However I'm probably tied as to my favorite - I've got it narrowed down to three:
- In The Night Kitchen
- Mike Mulligan & His Steam Shovel
- A Great Big Ugly Man Came Up & Tied His Horse To Me
Yeah those would probably be my three...
Posted by: SecretSockPal | July 31, 2007 at 04:46 PM
Happy blogiversary! Jenifleur mentioned your blog to me and I've enjoyed reading it - you guys are funny! And a contest too, woo hoo!
My favorite book growing up was The Wednesday Witch. Not even sure who the author was, but I loved that book to pieces, literally.
Posted by: elizabeth | July 31, 2007 at 05:21 PM
Happy blog-o-versery!
my favorite books are the "if you give a mouse a cookie" and others. those are great. i got the collection for my 18th birthday. another great if he likes dinosaurs "Can I have a stegosaurus, Mom? Can I please? If I had a stegosaurus, Mom..." great book about a dinosaur. i would say it is a tie between those two...
Posted by: Leigh | July 31, 2007 at 10:40 PM
Wow, I don't know if I can narrow down my favorite children's books...But here are a few of my them:
-Where the Wild Things Are
-The Giving Tree
-Goodnight Moon
-A Bad Case of Stripes
-Chrysanthemum
-The Velveteen Rabbit
-Mandy
-The Ordinary Princess
Okay, I'll stop now...I hope that you find a good book!
Posted by: Mandy | August 01, 2007 at 01:07 PM
Happy blogaversary.
I'm so happy you've hit the one year mark I just love reading about your adventures.
My favorite books were:
The Ox Cart Man
Amelia Bedilia
Love You Forever
Posted by: Lauren | August 01, 2007 at 01:41 PM
Happy Blogiversary to you both!! That's so great -- how the time flies!
I was a pretty fickle child, always have a new favourite, but the one that I keep coming back to even now is Shel Silverstien's "Where the Sidewalk Ends" poetry collection. Though there was a period of my childhood where the "my choice" bedtime story was "Green Eggs and Ham" each and every night for a month and more.... :)
Posted by: Em | August 02, 2007 at 01:21 PM
I'm on the same quest for the perfect Kate Hepburn yarn!!
Posted by: Beverly | August 03, 2007 at 06:59 PM