Finding Comfort, Finished Socks and Focusing


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 he's a tick magnet.  I'm thankful for our vet-she is the best and I know Frodo will feel better soon.


Isn't he a beauty?  When the rabbits start emerging from their hiding spots, he will be ready to obsess over catching just one wee one.  Did I just yearn for spring?  Gosh...well it's for the health of my dog.


I've been focused on enjoying these cold days-the inside activities, the emergence of light.  Can you see the difference?  I love standing outside in the cold and feeling the sunlight on me, the angle ever changing.  My house seems brighter in the afternoon.  The photo above would have been impossible a month ago.  Good bye January, hello February.

Comments

  1. MelonieJanuary 31, 2014 at 6:49 AM

    Frodo is absolutely precious! I hope he's feeling much better soon.
    We're at a balmy 48F this morning, after 9 on Thursday. They are forecasting 80F for us this afternoon and then snow on Sunday. ???? Goodness - I too will be glad to see spring. For Frodo's health, of course. ;)
    Have a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lisa UotinenJanuary 31, 2014 at 7:35 AM

    I'm enjoying these winter days too... Iove your words about the winter sunshine, and how it changes in intensity and angle...and we share the same knitting goal- some socks on the needles at all times! :)
    I hope Frodo is better soon. I love the picture of his cute doggie nose and eyes.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownJanuary 31, 2014 at 7:52 AM

    Oh poor Frodo!!! I hope he feels better soon. I loooooves that the light is changing and staying out later. I noticed yesterday that it was 5 in the afternoon and still light out!

    ReplyDelete
  4. stephJanuary 31, 2014 at 7:57 AM

    oh, Frodo.....feel better soon. everyone should have an ottoman to snuggle under.

    ReplyDelete
  5. BridgetJanuary 31, 2014 at 9:07 AM

    I love the socks and the pink knitting! I like to always have a pair of socks going too, it makes me feel like I can be productive even in small amounts.

    Right now it's about 25 degrees here, and people are so excited - my co-worker said, "I only had two wear two layers today!"

    Frodo - feel better, sweet pup! In the meantime, enjoy your ottoman fort. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mama Gone GreenJanuary 31, 2014 at 9:22 AM

    poor little frodo! hope he feels better soon....

    ReplyDelete
  7. debby emadianJanuary 31, 2014 at 9:26 AM

    Poor thing. Good job he has a safe warm spot to hide away. What a cute face peeping out hope he's soon up and about chasing those spring rabbits.
    Have a great weekend.
    debx

    ReplyDelete
  8. spriteJanuary 31, 2014 at 9:38 AM

    I hope Frodo is on the mend soon!

    ReplyDelete
  9. DonnaJanuary 31, 2014 at 9:56 AM

    Oh the poor little guy. We get real nervous about Lymes here too. Your socks look wonderful. I wonder what you will choose to knit for yourself next.....

    Enjoy your weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  10. the habit of beingJanuary 31, 2014 at 11:17 AM

    love that little nose peeking out! hope he is back to his normal frodo self soon :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. JanetJanuary 31, 2014 at 12:10 PM

    I love the photos of Frodo peeking out from under the ottoman. Hope he's feeling better soon.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Tracey ~ CloverJanuary 31, 2014 at 12:19 PM

    I hope Frodo feels better soon. We have a huge problem with ticks here too and the fleas last year were unreal.
    Seeing your socks has reminded me that I have a pair I need to finish so I will be pulling them out today.
    Have a great weekend Karen.

    ReplyDelete
  13. kathy bJanuary 31, 2014 at 1:55 PM

    Feel better Frodo! Our Huck had high lyme titres too, but no real issues thank God.
    I have been marking the sunset and the added light here ; overjoyed with the light lingering longer

    ReplyDelete
  14. SueJanuary 31, 2014 at 2:51 PM

    I need an ottoman! Or a little cupboard with a curtain. Or a gypsy wagon in the woods. Some place quiet to hide until spring. : ) Frodo is adorable--just look at that sweet face. I hope he feels better soon. Socks are probably my favorite thing to knit. My husband has requested orange and blue socks (we're Syracuse University fans/alumni). That yarn you used looks perfect. Do you know the brand and colorway, or is it something you've had in your stash for a while?

    Have a great weekend, Karen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. karenFebruary 1, 2014 at 12:56 PM

      Lion brand sock ease prints in the taffy colorway. I bought mine at Joanne fabrics :)

      Delete
  15. Kim January 31, 2014 at 4:19 PM

    On no, poor Frodo, hope he feels better soon. I do kinda wish I had an ottoman to hide under some days, how cool would that be :)

    Have the most wonderful weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Judy S.January 31, 2014 at 6:18 PM

    Poor Frodo! Lyme disease is scary; my little GS was treated for it also. Glad it's warming up for you. Great manly socks, but what's the hot pink?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. karenFebruary 1, 2014 at 12:55 PM

      My heart beets shawl that I love to work on-everyone should have one one their needles ;)

      Delete
  17. Kathleen Shaw January 31, 2014 at 7:50 PM

    Poor Frodo. I hope he feels better soon and I am glad you have a wonderful vet. I always thinks it takes a very loving person to become a vet because our pets hold a special place in our families. Is that a shawl you are knitting in the pretty pink? I love it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. karenFebruary 1, 2014 at 12:54 PM

      The pink is my heart beets shawl-a super fun addictive knit :)

      Delete
  18. azwoolgirlJanuary 31, 2014 at 8:03 PM

    I hope your sweet baby feels better soon. Lovely projects you have going, which reminds me, I really should be working on my socks :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. margeneFebruary 1, 2014 at 9:28 AM

    Schnauzers are so stoic, but you can see in his eyes he doesn't feel 100%. Moxie and I are sending healing thoughts to Frodo. Hope he feels like himself again soon.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lady CordeliaFebruary 1, 2014 at 11:05 AM

    Sorry to hear about your little buddy being down.
    So hard when those innocent little creatures don't feel well.
    I hope he in on the mend soon.
    XO
    C

    ReplyDelete
  21. EmilyFebruary 1, 2014 at 12:08 PM

    Poor Frodo! Hope he is feeling more like his old self soon enough.

    ReplyDelete
  22. AndeeFebruary 1, 2014 at 1:28 PM

    Ah I hope your doggy gets all better soon.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Annie CholewaFebruary 1, 2014 at 2:13 PM

    Bless his paws ... I do hope he feels better soon! We use a herbal product to keep our whippets tick free, it doesn't stop ticks biting but they dislike the 'taste' of the dog's blood so much they drop right off again. Well that's the theory and it does seem to work. Not suggesting you try to find a similar product as an alternative but would it be a useful addition to your tick regimen?

    ReplyDelete
  24. DiannaFebruary 1, 2014 at 6:59 PM

    LOVE the socks! Hoping Frodo feels better soon. Our fur creatures are such a part of our families, are they not?

    ReplyDelete
  25. simply bevFebruary 2, 2014 at 7:34 AM

    Your photo of Frodo's nose sticking out from under the ottoman is just adorable! Hope he's feeling better soon.

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousFebruary 2, 2014 at 11:39 AM

    Oh, poor Frodo! I hope he feels better soon.

    It's downright balmy and shorts weather here in Connecticut at 40 something degrees! I can't believe I just wrote that.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Shirley-AnnFebruary 3, 2014 at 7:53 AM

    Poor little Frodo! Please give him a big hug from me Karen. He has such a dear little face {hugs}. I'm a big jealous of your snow! We have had one fall this season so far and although it settled, it later rained and washed all that lovely whiteness away :(

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment


Your comments are welcome as long as they are relevant to the post and spread joy, thank you for visiting and sharing your ideas.

Popular posts from this blog

Weekends

Image
My weekend happily contained: -wearing the above woolens all at the same time without being hot -so many walks and taking in the changing leaves. -a leaf shower on Saturday-the wind swirled the leaves off the trees up in the air to float down -changing screen savers to autumn themes! -a craft fair where my husband and I say "we could make that", but we don't. -french fries at the craft fair -scrambled eggs and toast for dinner because we were lazy. -football season has descended in my house. he was in the front room watching whatever is on today -I sat in the family room and watched A Tree Grows in Brooklyn .   Now I want to read it again. -Oh! I finished the socks!! So I wound up about six skeins of yarn and have three projects ready -started a cowl for me in fall colors (I hope to finish before fall ends) -enjoying Spirits of Joy .  Hannah graciously had a one day free sign up for her birthday at the end of September which I luckily saw on Twitter.  Than...
Read more

Happy List

Image
  - neighborhood pumpkins - my oak trees showing off - new friends at 'school' - Tai Chi hour - lunch out with my husband - cold morning walks - an unexpected warm up - all the fall knitting (imagined and real) - wearing wool - browsing knitting patterns - sister outings - dark chocolate - blue skies - neighborhood dogs - the kids coming to visit next weekend - the to-do lists that I am creating - afternoon reading (possible snooze) - apples! - soups! - hearing the breeze whisper through the trees - setting intentions - giving myself grace when I need it the most - solitude - grandchildren laughing - Holly being Holly - Blue skies - phone calls from family and friends - the kindness of others - assuming everyone is doing their best - drinking water and staying hydrated - hot decaf green tea in a BIG mug - first sip of coffee - geese flying in V formation and honking all the way (delightful!!) - Focusing on gratitude - focusing on joy  What would make your happy list?
Read more

Weekends

Image
  Good morning! How are you? How was your weekend? I had a great weekend but I didn't take any great photos. I've been wrapping presents a little bit each day instead of doing it all in one massive long day. This has made a difference in my joy as I wrap. Do you wrap all at once? Or do you do a little bit at a time? Miss Holly has been finding the sun spots and getting her 'tan' going. She is a sweetie. I have no idea what she is watching outside that window. She does that every day. My guess is probably birds or chipmunks but chipmunks should be resting now that it's super cold outside. Sadly I did not take any photos of my knitting, but I have been knitting! I continue to work on my husband's hat and I ripped out a pair of mitts I started (couldn't see the dark yarn with cabling) and started a much simpler pattern instead. Sunday was church then the laundry. I am getting excited for the upcoming holidays. The kids are coming back with the grandchildren and...
Read more