GimletBlog

It was a dark and stormy night (and day) this Halloween.  We missed out on the church’s annual Trunk or Treat party, which was held the weekend before Halloween, but Thing One had a great time at the youth group party earlier this week.  The highlight of the evening was the blindfolded “guess that food” game, only this time the mystery items weren’t innocuous peeled grapes, Jell-O, and such:  instead the teens plunged their fingers into genuine sheep’s tongue, heart, and brains (all of which our YM president, a.k.a. “Igor”, procured at the Pike Place Market).  A pumpkin carving contest, bobbing for apples, and cookie decorating rounded out the evening’s fun.

Thing Two was a monkey this year, from his fuzzy costume to his favorite monkey T-shirt and his Halloween monkey socks.  Now those were a lucky find!  Thing One was a rugby player this year, but Uncle B. thought it was a teenager costume.  While Thing One was at school, Thing Two helped make Halloween cupcakes.  We don’t get many trick-or-treaters as it is, and the rain and cold kept them away this year.  As a result, we have a nearly full candy bowl which ought to keep Team Gimlet on a sugar high until it’s time to bake Christmas cookies.

Last Saturday was a beautiful fall day, and for once we didn’t have any home improvement projects demanding our attention, so we spent the morning at the zoo.  The Pumpkin Bash was this weekend, but the animals we saw weren’t cooperating with their pumpkin treats (see the zoo’s blog for some videos of the hippos bobbing for pumpkins the previous week).  We still had a great time watching the animals and admiring all the different carved pumpkins lining the walking paths.

Thing Two’s favorite animals were the tigers and lions, the gorillas and giraffes, and the great horned owl.  Thing One enjoyed taking pictures of all the animals, but always has a soft spot for tigers.  See all the pictures from our day at the zoo in the Gimlet Gallery.

Thing Two has recently developed an interest in drawing.  It’s fun to see him make the transition from scribbles, to coloring in pictures in coloring books, and now making figures.  He likes the magnetic doodle pad because he can erase mistakes quickly, but we have to be quick with the digital camera to capture his best pictures.

Felines in all sizes are his preferred subject:  a tiger is our featured photo, but he draws lots of pictures of the kittens and even a picture of his grandparents’ cat Persephone.  Other noteworthy (and easily recognizeable) drawings include a lady and a ghost.

At least two people on my gift list will get handmade embroidery for Christmas this year!  Follow the jump for a peek at the newest piece. (more…)

After a few delays due to travel and illness, GimletBlog HQ just became a lot cuter, fluffier, and friskier:  the kittens are here!  Of course they have their own Gimlet Gallery album where they can be admired while eating, sleeping, and engaging in all other exciting kitten pursuits.

Here’s Beast One, also known as Nanaimo.  He was named as much for the Vancouver Island town as for the chocolate-vanilla dessert.  Nanaimo is already a big boy (we love his lionlike ruff) and judging from his oversized paws, will grow up to be big and fluffy like his daddy, Gus.  The Things have a castle play set which Nanaimo has already claimed as a favorite napping and play spot.

Beast Two is named Chinook, like the king salmon.  Chinook has been the more adventuresome of the pair:  he was the first to explore the house, and quickly claimed the top of the kitty tree as his special napping spot.  He has beautiful deep blue eyes and a similar sweet expression to his mom, Emma Rose.

They’re settling in very well:  playing with us and each other, purring and snuggling, and eating like little horses.   And now, if you’ll excuse us, it’s time to go back to playing with the kittens.

It was starting to feel like handmade Christmas gifts were too ambitious of goals, but the first project is done!  Follow the jump for a few teaser pictures and cryptic details. (more…)

This week Thing Two left another part of babyhood behind and moved into a big boy bed!  We’ve been meaning to make the change for a while, but September’s house projects and travel delayed the trip to the furniture store.  As you can see, he’s mighty thrilled.

He’s also (finally) decided that toilet training is compatible with his lifestyle.  Until now, whenever the suggestion was made, he would assert: “Thing Two does not use the toilet.  Thing Two wears diapers.”  (Yes, he does speak of himself in the third person.)  We’re hopeful that his enthusiasm on this topic will continue; the Lightning McQueen training pants we purchased seem to be a powerful incentive.