Pumpkin Sunrise

I finished the socks for my husband yesterday-done!  I'd like to have a pair of socks on the needles at all times so today I'll dig through the "stash" and find the future pair to be.  My knitting has been productive and comforting through these cold cold days.  Isn't it strange to find weather in the 20 degree range warm?  It's all perspective. Frodo hasn't been feeling himself.  He's been hiding under the ottoman, so toasty and warm, we should all have an ottoman to climb under for comfort.  I did take him to the vet and his Lyme test was very high.  He has tested positive for Lyme twice before in his past.  So he's on medicine again and we wait for the wellness to begin.  I believe he will be enjoying his ottoman days until the weather warms up. All those beautiful deer that walk through our property come at a price.  He is on monthly flea and tick preventative and we search every day for those nasty little ticks.  Unfortunately h

For over thirty years I've carried this rosary given to me by my favorite aunt.  The aunt that is knit worthy, who is my godmother and my confirmation sponsor all those years ago.  I was thirteen years old when I received the sacrament of Confirmation.  My parents had a picnic party out in the back yard after the ceremony and  I remember my aunt giving me this rosary to mark my entrance into the Catholic faith and the sunny day with cherry blossoms in the air.  My youth surrounding me and my future yet unknown. This rosary has been tucked in my purse and followed me through my high school years and college years, moving from state to state early on in my marriage.  I've held it close to me during challenging times.  This rosary was a source of strength when my mother died in my thirties.  Many emergency room visits with a son who was accident prone and a mother with a knack for making worrying a full time job.  I carry this rosary and it grounds me. The tiny cross wa

If my knitting needles could catch on fire from all the knitting I've been doing, well wouldn't that be a sight to see?  I've photoed what I was knitting all day yesterday.  The socks , the socks that have been languishing in my bag, the socks that I want off the needles, the socks that are nearly nearly done.  They are for my husband, he needs at least three pairs so I can toss the pairs that are unmendable (not a word but it describes the socks).  I am also knitting away on my shawl and my sweater .  I'm enjoying all three projects equally for different reasons.  The socks and the sweater can be knit while reading, and the shawl is my more involved knit that requires my attention. I finished a book yesterday that you must read.   The Postmistress  by Sarah Blake, was captivating.  During the start through the finish I could not figure out what was going to happen next, so I kept on reading.  Truly a sign of a fantastic book.  The novel was also a quick read for

inside looking out My weekend was a simple quiet weekend. Sightings: -the way the sun angled in the sky illuminating my fence just so. -four (four!) chickadees and one cardinal flitting about the trees at the edge of my woods.  Hearing their landings while they search for berries -fresh deer tracks every single morning crossing the driveway that hasn't been snowblowed -flurries every day causing a dusting that is enough to delight Foods: -finishing up the blueberry muffins, a dozen lasts forever when there's only two of us -simple soup and grilled cheese for dinner yesterday -left over curry from the freezer Saturday -cutting into THE perfect avocado :) Thoughts: -relishing the quiet mornings with my coffee and notebooks -enjoying my current knits on the needles and contemplating a sweater for my husband -noticing the daylight that is added each morning and night-hello!! -treasuring friendships where you pick up where you left off after the last ge

The second week of us being two people instead of four people was comfortably uneventful. We slip into this lifestyle gracefully and enjoy the quiet (and clean) house.  When they are home, I take for granted the quick conversations that occur face to face, favorite meals whipped up and shared.  Once the house is empty and order is reigning in the laundry and kitchen, I easily savor the meals for two, usually prepared within an hour. Texts and phone calls still tether me to them, giving me glimpses of their days.  I wonder how my mother coped without the invention of internet and cell phones?  I believe I called once or twice a week when I was away at university, usually with some kind of minor crisis.  This week, I texted my daughter instructions on how I bake a chicken!  Love the technology :) Back to knitting talk--I inserted a simple four row lace repeat that I "know" which is Elizabeth Zimmermann's gull lace pattern.  Oh so lovely and I love the crisp s

I'm excited to share a fun activity with you during these long days of winter.  Wouldn't it be fun to receive a package of homemade goodness?  Wouldn't it be fun to make a new friend who shares your love of blogging and creating?  Well head on over to Amanda's at Sweet Potato Claire blog and read about a Blogger Swap that she is organizing. I'm excited about this venture!  My fingers are tripled crossed for some homemade potions or balms since my talents are in knitting :)

I have many projects to share with you today. First off are my simple socks  on the left.  They are for my husband and I'm on the second one.  I knit these socks while watching programs that require little attention to the pattern.  The bright pink project is my Heart Beets Shawl , I cannot knit and watch anything, you see, I had to UNKNIT two rows and that just about did me in.  Learned my lesson, I have the pattern memorized but I have to watch what I'm doing :)  Lastly is the Kelp Cardigan , I could knit on this all day long!  Love the crisp stitches and the easy raglan shaping.  I inserted a simple lace design at each end of the front edges.  Last week I finished the Tea and Jam Shawl . I continue to read Helen Keller's book The Story of my Life .  I am amazed at her challenges and her triumphs that she faced.  Her story can be interpreted in a series of what she is "missing" but then the way she describes her excursions I wonder if she has experienced li

Yesterday afternoon I started a cardigan in fingering weight wool,  Quince and Co's Tern  which I have knit with before for this cardigan .  I've been wearing this cardigan a lot through the winter and I love how if feels.  Last Christmas (2012) I received seven skeins of Tern in the kelp colorway from my husband (how did he know?) as a gift and it has  been sitting in my basket waiting for me.  On a whim, I wound two skeins yesterday, already dreaming of THE cardigan for this winter. I adore the color and believe this will be a sweater to wear through many seasons because of the wool silk blend. The yarn has spring, lovely depth of color dyeing and a beautiful subtle sheen. I chose the Ann Budd book of Top Down Sweaters  for my guidance.  I've decided on a raglan shaping and as I knit this sweater, I'll add a few design elements here and there as the knitting spirit inspires me.  Ravelry page is here

This weekend was a snowy weekend.  I was in my happy place!  Saturday I awoke to snow and in the morning, Frodo and I captured the beauty of the day.  The weather people predicted cold but really it wasn't cold like before. We puttered about at home, in the afternoon we had a drive and my husband did a bit of record shopping.  I patiently patiently tried to not be bored out of my mind.  I didn't whine once.  I did have the option to go to a yarn store, but see, I'm in the "don't spend money unnecessarily" mood.  Every January I get like that. Sunday was church and unexpected snow flurries, well unexpected to me. I caught up on the chores--laundry, cleaning, shredding papers (phew).  I listened to a few podcasts while knitting, then unfortunately I found a mistake and had to unknit two rows.  Knitting is more fun than unknitting.  But I'm glad I found the mistake!! This morning I'm dreaming of blueberry muffins that are about to be bak

Those baskets on my new shelves are now filled with little knits, I love the easy access and feel I have choices when I am about to go outside.  Even my husband had fun choosing a hat!  The basket idea has been ruminating in my imagination for over a year.  I should have acted on the idea sooner, because this organization is bringing great joy. I've slowed down regarding the cleaning and moving "stuff" about.  I'm happy with relocating all of my papers into the computer area.  I shredded many many bills that could have shredded many years ago.  I question why I keep such items for years.  I now have paperless billing to curb my squirreling habits. Yesterday I had in my mind to snap a photo of Frodo.  Once he sees the camera he cannot sit still.  The above photo was taken with a toy duck on my head :)  I won't tell you how many photos I deleted... Now that the house is empty, I am finding pockets of time for my camera and silliness. Oh my goodne

Ta da!!  The shawl is off the needles, well I finished this shawl last week and only just took photos today.  I keep forgetting we are in winter and my lighting is limited.  I want to take photos when the sun is not shining and that leads to undesirable photos. I worried that this yarn would be "itchy" to wear because of the roughness while knitting.  I adored how it knit up but against the skin?  Yikes!  However as we know soaking wool creates miracles beyond a knitter's dream.  I am thrilled to report that my worries were a waste of precious thinking time.  Good think a cold blast is heading our way, I have a new shawl to wear!! The ravelry page is here  and the pattern page is here .  The pattern was easy and fun to knit, I'll be knitting this one again, trust me.  The wool was from Times Remembered .  I purchased two skeins a few years ago at the Endless Mountain Fiber Festival .

My good friend (who happens to knit!) gave me the book Tuesdays with Morrie  by Mitch Albom.  She loves to thrift and when she sees a must read book she buys them to give away.  Lucky me!  I'm nearly through reading.  My only wish is that I was reading this thought provoking book on life and death and it's meaning during the summer.  Winter is not the time for me to read about death.  It just isn't. My daughter was reading The Story of My Life by Helen Keller while on break, I decided to revisit an old friend.  I read this book when I was thirteen years old. This book along with a few others started the burning desire to read instead of socializing in my free time.  I thought this was a good habit but my best friend did not.  This book also started a list making habit of "books read" during the summer.  I wish I had the list! I'm still reading Blowing on Dandelions by Miralee Ferrell-nearly done!  I hope I can finish before it has to be returned to the

I finished moving stuff about on the main floor.  The process took all day long and I'm sore from carrying piles of papers and folders up and down stairs.  I keep way too much "stuff" but at least I'm tidy and neat about it.  Now my studio is a mess but that's another day.  Along with rearranging comes moving little visual corners about in my home. The kitchen pantry has been reorganized as well and lucky for me I have found some items that will definitely be on the menu rotation.  Speaking of menus, since we are down to two people instead of four it occurs to me that our diet will be healthier and cleaner.  Goodbye cookies, cakes, and candies.  Hello, fruits, vegetables and various grains! Today I'll be starting a new knitting project.  Of course it will be lace weight yarn made lovingly by a dear real life knitting friend.  She used plant dyes to create her yarns.  Mine is beets :)  LOVE this!! Do you see the sweet little paper clips in t

On Thursday we left for a long weekend at my sister's house.  My husband had work on Friday at a hospital in downtown Pittsburgh so we mixed a family trip in with the business.  Many times we are in the city and mostly we get together with family.  This trip we squeezed in a visit to the Carnegie Natural History Museum and the Art Museum .  I have been to these museums as a child, teenager, young adult, young mother and etc.  I vaguely remember having lunches in the cafeteria on field trips. A few facts about my weekend: -I did not take many photos with the iphone, and I did not take any at all with the Nikon.  I was living in the moment and being a little lazy. -I did not go yarn shopping!  Sadly when January rolls around I am done in with the shopping and acquiring of objects this includes yarn.  I promise though I shall recover :) -I had home made meals, meals at restaurants but my favorite meal was taking my sister out for lunch on her birthday-just the two of us!

I am in the midst of some family gatherings filled with laughter and good food. After this weekend, I will be saying goodbye to the kids and hello to my house.  This winter break has been a good one. The days were slow and mindful with a few excursions. Have I ever told you that we all are avid book readers? Our tastes differ widely but the fervent excitement to share a plot is the same with each one of us.  So I wave goodbye to the book piles, the pens-so many of them.  Along with opinions of books we each have an opinion of favorite pens and notebooks. I've been daydreaming of sorts each morning about what I'd like to do to the house.  My imaginations take me furniture shopping for a shelf for the foyer or more than likely,  rearranging what I already own and save a bit of money. I'm itching to freshen up the family room and kitchen.  I get like this every January-a new year and a new to me looking space.  Have a good weekend! (The photo was during the d

This week I have been feverishly knitting away on a shawl  that is addictive.  The design is simple and easy to memorize and the construction allows a knitter to knit until the yarn runs out.  That kind of shawl knitting is the best.  One more row has been my mantra and still there is yarn galore!  The wool was bought at a fiber festival many years ago and originally intended for a pair of socks for my husband.  I changed my mind because he is hard on socks so now I only knit with dedicated sock yarn with a nylon blend for maximum life span.  Speaking of socks, he needs more pairs....soon after the shawl, right? Currently I'm reading two books, the one in the photo- The Orphan Train  by Christina Baker Kline is excellent.  The ending is not far for me and the story has me savoring every single word.  It is a must read book and I haven't finished reading it!  My other book is on my ipad and is borrowed from the elibrary.   Blowing on Dandelions  by Miralee Ferrell is a gen

I've finished another fair isle hat  this past week.  I've been calling this knit doodling because I'm just flying by the seat of my pants with creating a design to use up all the odds and ends of left over alpaca wool that was saved for this very purpose. Cardinal rule number one of a knitter-save all of your scraps and half skeins! Compared to this hat , I went up a needle size and only had one fair isle design element.  There are five colors in the recent hat:  black, white, maroon, burnt orange and a dark gray.  Lucky for me, I've used up the scraps. Now I'm thinking of digging into my worsted wool pile that is buried in a closet to cast on some more hats.  The creating is addicting and you know me, I love the thrill of not knowing if I have enough yarn and what will I do to solve the dilemma. For now, I'm back to shawl knitting.  What is your favorite hat pattern these days?

As I sit here and type this morning all of this beautiful snow has disappeared because it's raining.  Never fear though, we are returning to winter weather and possibly more snow.  Phew.  Winter is my favorite season, although I am partial to autumn.  January snow for me is ideal, the cold temperatures create light fluffy flakes that swirl around.  When you step onto new fallen snow, it squeaks from the chilly weather.  Perfection.  We have gained almost 15 minutes of daylight since the winter solstice, can you see the difference? I like how the days stretch out with having both kids home for break.  If I'm honest, I could tell you all about the messy book piles that are everywhere-game controllers and all sorts of pens, notebooks and computers with their cords lying about in the corners of my family room.  However, since the holiday decorations have been packed up and put away, I've felt better with my lived in house.  The care free days of school breaks are coming

As promised, here is a photo of the "sponge", you know the one I posted about over here .  This post it note creation beauty is an origami menger sponge .  I just don't know what my son will be doing with all of his free time now that the construction is finished. Did you know we have snow?  I hope to snap some photos later today, but yesterday it was so pretty to watch.  Even though wet snows are the best for snowman making, dry snows are the prettiest to watch. January first, on a brand new day of a brand new year found me early in the morning attempting to make coffee and crack open a journal with a new pen.  Unfortunately, very very unfortunately, we had NO water.  No water from our well system because the well pump decided to die.  Yesterday the well pump was replaced and water was restored by mid afternoon. So I bring you my gratitude list: -for the company that answered my desperate call and came out on New Year's day to assess -for the company tha