Pumpkin Sunrise

My weekend -violets in multitude in my back yard and the photo can't quite capture all of them -a full day with my husband visiting a local craft fair -eating french fries -taking in the sights and sounds of spring -buying flowers for the garden without a clue of where they will go -doors opened-fresh air inside the house -enjoying being unplugged mostly-becoming a habit possibly -chatting with the kids -knitting on three projects and savoring each one for it's uniqueness -listening to the birds singing sweetly in the morning - broccoli thai noodles with peanut sauce (again!!)-slurpy good :) And now I'm sipping my green tea and settling down for some more knitting. How was your weekend? Joining Amanda

This is what I saw on my walk yesterday!  The sun was shining just so, the ducks (if you can find them) were running away because of Frodo.  It was beautiful.  Speaking of beautiful, I read a post the other day and it is still with me, she mentions ducks and so much more you can read the post here .   On my mind this week: -the birds sang sweetly to wake me up, I've decided that I wouldn't mind being a bird or singing while the sun rises every morning. -household chores-the ones that get done sparingly-dusting ceiling fans, dusting blinds -entertaining the idea of staying at home with the kids during August.  Both kids have plans for the summer and finding a vacation with limited days available is near impossible AND we still have one more year of funding two kids at the same time.  Our daughter graduates next year with her JD and our son graduates with a BS in Math.  He will go on for a PhD.  We are seeing a light at the end ...

I'm still reading The Clover House  nearly over half way done.  The book is set mainly in Greece with many customs explained-so I feel that I've traveled without leaving the house.  Since I'm a homebody, I'm enjoying my mind vacation.  Give it a flip through if you see the book.  Of course I'm thinking about all the other books I'd like to start to read.  So many and so little time!! I finished the socks and the linen scarf , I posted about the scarf yesterday .  I am drawn to big knitting projects with tiny needles, however I do enjoy the short but sweet projects for instant gratification.  The socks are tucked away for the fall and the linen scarf is waiting for me to wear.  I started a new shawl this week.  I scoured Ravelry to find a shawl pattern with only 328 yards in lace weight.  I was tempted to just invent one.  Lucky for me I found this pattern and so far am enjoying the knit immensely!! What are you knittin...

You guessed it!  I am over the moon with happiness.  I'm thrilled that this simple yet elegant scarf is completed and off the needles. AND I'm happy that it did soften up.  I only hand washed it so I think it would have been much softer if I was brave enough to toss into the washer. I think this is the perfect knit for a beginner who wants to do some beading.  The instructions are very simple and really there's nothing to memorize.  Now personally, I think I love the way the linen feels after the washing, however I did not enjoy the knitting of pre-washed linen. I had fun taking the photos outside on a beautiful day.  Ravelry notes are here

My weekend: -driving through crazy rain storms to pick up our son for a Math Subject GRE test on Saturday -picking up an unwell son (spring virus-hope I do not get it!!) -scrapping plans for dinner out and opting for a quiet meal at home -Dr. Who episode, yep, I'm officially hooked and I'm by myself on this one -knitting my second sock while watching some video game playing -adding the finishing touches of my daughter's birthday gift -a Sunday alone with knitting and reading and laundry -while my husband does the driving of:  a) delivering a gift and b) delivering our son back to campus -new project with the yarn in the photo How was your weekend? Joining Amanda

The scarf is off the needles and sometime this weekend I'll block it.  Fingers crossed that it softens up, I have a feeling it will.  Do you see that bit of sparkle?  Beads!!  They are strategically placed at the edges while binding off.  It was fun placing them and now I have a burning desire to bead more knits. It was gloomy and dreary yesterday so much so that I felt sad.  I tend to not be influenced by daylight shortening in the fall and winter, maybe because I am thrilled there's a chance of snow.  I eagerly await the short days and snuggle in after dinner with knitting and tea.  I briefly miss the after dinner walks but just barely, I have a love/hate relationship with exercise. Come spring and yes it is spring here, I am a sponge to the returning sunny days, blue skies and mild breezes that herald in the beginning of nature's growth.  Thursday was sunny so much so that I sat outside, closed my eyes and absorbed the beauty. ...

I have mainly been knitting this light and airy scarf over the week.  The yarn is 100% linen and boy is it every stiff and scratchy.  It's a good thing I'm using metal needles because the yarn just slips on and off easily despite the stiffness.  Supposedly once this linen is washed it's going to be the softest fabric ever!  I'll believe it when I see it, call me Doubting Thomas on this one.  This accessory will be perfect for the summer since it's a breathable fiber.  I should be done with this over the weekend.  I'm excited to get to the soaking part, who knew laundry could be fun? I haven't looked at my husband's socks for the week, I was slightly sidetracked by being a test knitter for trulymyrtle . I was lucky to knit up this hat  for her, my project page is here .  It was a fun knit, you should definitely check out the pattern when it goes live on Ravelry :) I started The Clover House  over the weekend and so far I'm only i...

On my daily walk, I'm lucky to pass a duck pond, over the weekend these geese were so busy splashing about they forgot to swim away.  Usually they honk and make a huge to do, I guess they were living in the moment and enjoying themselves. My weekend was a fine one.  Sunshine was abundant and the temperatures were nice enough to be out in a light jacket.  All the trees and bushes are budding and it smells like spring.  It's getting near the time to pack up all the wool shawls and accessories. I started some oh so simple yoga routines for the morning.  A mere 15 minutes.  Can I confess that I'm sore from head to toe?  Yep.  Walking is heart healthy but it does nothing for being flexible and limber. I am very committed to doing the routines.  I'm using this app . I'm also cleaning up the diet.  I've been tiring of the same meals, the same slow feeling.  So I dusted off my whole food cookbooks and have been sketching out some m...

This little guy was out and about earlier this week catching the sun's rays.  I think he only just woke up and he seemed slow.  Frodo never even saw him! Frodo might be losing his hunting instincts ;) Today I'm grateful for: -budding trees and bushes everywhere, spring has exploded in 48 hours -the cooler weather returning-it was a little too hot this week -birds singing and my the robins are in abundance -returning to a summerish menu-with so many vegetables in each meal -light jacket wearing days with non winter boot shoes  -my fiestaware -I smile whenever I eat! -savoring my smallish knitting projects while daydreaming of larger to be projects -daytime that lasts past dinner time for a quick walk -fictional books that transport me to another time, place and entertain me what are you grateful for? have a great weekend everyone!!

My knitting has been mindlessly simple this week.  I am making a pair of socks for my husband out of my favorite sock yarn for him.  A few of you asked why this brand and even though I only make socks out of 75% wool and 25% nylon blend for him, he can wear a hole in the majority of brands.   Trekking  is sturdy and durable for two years which makes this a favorite.  I think it has to do with the twist of the yarn. I finished my pi shawl  and did a post about it.  I'm so pleased with it and thank you for the lovely compliments.  I still can't believe it is off the needles-I could easily start another lace project but I'm taking a few days off to mull over what I want to knit next. Since snagging up this copy of The Perks of Being a Wallflower  on Saturday-I immediately started reading it.  My son read it over the summer and insisted that it was a must read kind of book.  It is a sad and it's filled with teenage angst. ...

I'm excited to show you this work of art!  I finished this last weekend and once it was blocked and I tucked in the ends, I only needed photos.  At first I snapped many outside and every single one looked terrible.  I think because it is so sheer!  So inside photos had to do. I have no idea when and if I will wear it-I love to knit circular shawls but have yet to wear one.  Now I must confess I loved having it on my lap while knitting the edge lace bind off.  I was toasty warm.  So I'm thinking it might be a cuddle up on the couch throw!!  Why not? The yarn was from one of my knitting friends and that awesome shawl pin made of glass was from another knitting friend.  She purchased this at Rhinebeck a couple of years ago from the Moving Mud vendor I think this photo shows off the lace work the best.  I positioned my husband in the kitchen, set the camera and boom-great photos :)  Ravelry notes here . Whether you ...

On Saturday we went to a library fundraiser to peruse the used books.  Once again I found many books that I could add to my collection.  I know!  You are thinking "but Karen, didn't you thin out your books this past January?".  Yes, I did indeed.  But you see I do not own THESE books (except for Cutting for Stone my memory failed me and I bought it and discovered I already owned a copy when I arrived home).  Love the Pooh book that was printed 1952, it's on the far left. It was a beautiful weekend and the sunshine was soaked up by not only me but Frodo!  He has been spending more time out in his little yard.  I'm watching my lilac bush develop leaf buds overnight.  It was nice enough to have a door opened a bit for some much needed fresh air.  My husband and I are back to walking after dinner since daytime lasts much longer.  Frodo sits and stares us down until we remember it's walking time.  Frodo believes in mental telep...

Whenever I visit family, I bring home gifts.  Some edible some not.  Some are in the photo and some are not.  The biggest container is homemade peach butter, the tallest is maple syrup and the tiniest is raspberry jam, all gifts from my dad and step mom.  His maple syrup season was not as plentiful as in the past.  I think he was disappointed because he recently built a "sugar shack" dedicated to processing the sap to syrup.  Well maybe next year will be better. The tea cup and saucer were a gift from my sister.  But there is a story!  My sister's husband's aunt (Aunt Jane to us) recently died over the winter and my brother in law has been in charge of the estate.  I was thrilled to receive this vintage set and will lovingly think of her.  The stamp on the bottom of the tea cup says Germany.  I have a hefty collection of roosters so it has found a welcoming home.  Thanks sis!! What is not in the photo are homemade Easter...

This quick little shawlette is 198 yards of heaven and is it a quite fun fast pattern.  When I finished I thought there was no way possible for it to fit around my neck and look nice. But the miracles of blocking never fail.  I soaked for 15 minutes even though it is cotton and I aggressively blocked the daylights out of it.  Seriously I pulled and pinned to its utmost. Not only does it make a nice shawlette to wear around your shoulders or neck, it is an all season kind of shawl.  The yarn I used, Cascade yarns Ultra Pima retained its sheen :)  Now that is a slice of heaven! Ravelry notes are here

This week Frodo wanted in on the photo.  Whenever I grab the camera he is right beside me thinking we are going outside.  I like to think he likes helping me with the photo composition.  Anyway, my pi shawl was done last night but I had to undo five rows of my lace edging.  That happens when you knit at night near bedtime, well it happens to me!  So let's say it's almost done.  What a labor of love.  I enjoyed having this on the needles.  When we went traveling this past weekend this was the only project I focused on.  Remember, I promised myself no new big projects until this project was off the needles.  Self motivation is easy for me :) Hopefully I'll update the project page soon with finished photos! My reading is exactly the same:   The Red Garden  by Alice Hoffman.  To be honest I did very little reading over the weekend with all the socializing.  Now that I'm home and back to the quiet life I'm sure this ...

My Easter weekend was filled with: -travels and traffic jams -family visiting-lots of them -a sister outing including lunch and shopping -car knitting (the endless lace edging bind off of this project ) -75% done with that bind off!!! -potato salad, tossed salad, green beans, asparagus, deviled eggs, olives, turkey, shrimp, cole slaw -almond cake, lamb cake that was mostly icing!, krispy squares, chocolate and jelly beans -laughing, talking, sharing, enjoying, and being in the moment -Easter vigil Mass -sunshine on Saturday and rain on Sunday How was your weekend? Joining Amanda