Pumpkin Sunrise

Well will you look at that.....it has snowed once again.  Unpredicted by the experts!  Rain forecast quickly turned into a sleet forecast followed by snow, accumulating snow.  All happening in a span of an afternoon and evening. My weekend was quiet and relaxing.  We ate through the week's left overs so I did not cook one meal-always a plus when you are just a couple. There was: -reading-books and online articles -no walks because of the rainy (ahem and snowy) weather -knitting with friends and catching up -finishing two journals and cracking open new ones-heavenly!! -daydreaming of projects to be.....still mulling over the possibilities How was your weekend? Joining Amanda

my sister made the bunny! The Happy List -loving my prescription sunglasses, I can walk and see and have shaded eyes!  Now I know why my mom loved hers so :) -having a three in a row good avocado day -yoga in the morning and after a week, I can feel results -daily walks with Frodo -chickpeas on my daily salad-yum! -my color affection shawl -extremely addictive knitting -the robin who is building a nest outside my window -almonds -overall happy days What makes your happy list?

Last Wednesday, many of you informed me through commenting that the book I'm reading is good.  Well so far you are right-I'm enjoying the way this book is written and I continue to wonder what will happen next.  I can understand the clique attitude of women that the author portrays clearly, however I'm at a loss in understanding the corporate environment, not my lifestyle.  However, this is a fantastic book, the author is witty and creative. My knitting....oh I have been so busy these days.  I finished my cardigan and posted about it here .  I've added the third color to my color affection shawl -love the garter stitch and moseying about the rows.  If you haven't knit this shawl you should.  If you've knit it once, you should knit it twice.  I am loving how the shawl is growing in the lace weight yarn :)  My other knitting is the scarf that I started quite a bit ago. The pattern is committed to memory and it's comforting to pick up and ...

 I'm thrilled to have this sweater off the needles!  I found buttons in my button jar that matched perfectly.  Whenever I'm out and about shopping, if I see buttons I like I buy them not knowing their sweater future.  Most of the time this works out for me! I created some waist shaping a third away from the side seam, added a little lace detail along the button band edges. The edging of the body and the sleeve cuffs are four garter ridges then an i cord bind off.  This gives the edge a polished look.  For the button bands, I only did four ridges of garter stitch and bound off regularly.  The neck edge was complete using one garter stitch ridge before an i cord bind off. Ravelry notes are here

The weekend was saying goodbye to my son who returned to his campus.  A long drive just the two of us chitchatting the hours away.  Once again my house is clean, the laundry is all finished and there is a quiet that descended that comes when the children leave.  Frodo loved having a full house and so did I but we are both kind of tired. There was Dr. Who watching (gasp! It gets better with each and every episode).  I've walked daily enjoying the spring like temps on Saturday, and completely ignored the winter like temps of yesterday.  Today will be the chilly same.  That's okay, I'm patient, I can wait..... How was your weekend? Joining Amanda

Today is going to be a button search day.  The sweater is off the needles, ends have been buried and now to find THE buttons for the cardigan.  Hopefully photos next week!! I finished the buttons bands during some rather intensive Dr Who viewing.  I'll be sad when I'm caught up to the current season but so far I have two more to go so my mourning is for the future (just like Dr. Who!).   The day after St. Patrick's day, the grocery store clearanced out all the unwanted shamrock plants for 99 cents......Yes please!  Looking at this orphan makes for a beautiful day. I've been diligently walking every day with Frodo.  Trying to change my sedentary life to a lightly active life.  So far this week, I've succeeded.  Also, early in the morning I've squeezed in some yoga time.  Who knew sitting and knitting could lead to rigid muscles.  However, each day I chant to myself, you can do this, this is good for you.  I must say...

While I was in a bookstore (again) trying not to buy any books (again), I came across this one and had to buy it for two reasons.  First the cover art just seemed to be spring/summer like and secondly the back summary sounded so interesting.  I believe the book will be a light read, since it is written in a series of letters, memos and quick little paragraphs here and there.  I'll let you know when I read further into the book. On the needles is something new!  I have a halfhearted goal of always having socks on the needles, however I'm in need of some gloves (yes! gloves).  Since socks and gloves are knit on double pointed needles, I consider gloves to be socks for your hands.  I'm knitting with some very old stash yarn, I dare to guess 7 to 10 years in the stash?? The sock is wildfoote , a lovely sock yarn and the pattern is knotty which I've knit before as seen here . My other halfhearted goal is to knit from my stash and this project achieves that...

I wake around 5 a.m.  without an alarm mostly because it's my me time, the time I spend alone, with everyone sleeping away.  My gram would rise early in the morning, and I would sleep lightly and listen to her stirrings.  She was a morning person as well.  She blamed it on working in a factory all her life but I think she liked that quiet part of the day with a cup of hot coffee in her hands.  She would do her prayers and now that I'm older that's when the praying is the best. My mom was NOT a morning person.  As soon as I was tall enough to reach the cereal and the milk, I was on my own in the mornings.  While in high school, I would wake her as I left for the bus in the morning around seven.  On the weekends, there was an unwritten law to not speak to her until she put her glasses on.  She would sit and sip her coffee in a trance. My aunt, you know-the favorite one, she is a morning person. When I stay at her house we chat and spend...

This weekend found me: -decorating for spring and Easter which made my days cheerful -walking every day, enjoying the outside even though it was cold -spying snowdrops sprouting on the side of the road we travel -having dinner with friends and viewing a theater production -eating salads for lunch -enjoying both kids home for the weekend with their breaks overlapping -saying goodbye to my daughter -facing laundry, oh the laundry-so much!! -enjoying a happier dog with the snow melted, I'm thinking he hates winter -helping my daughter to sign up for the bar exam, not as easy as you would think.... -avoiding my son's cold and so far so good!  (I hope that doesn't jinx me) -knitting and relaxing how was your weekend? joining Amanda

The time change was welcomed by me joyously, after dinner walks have been resumed and sorely missed through this cold winter.  Earlier this week, the temperatures teased and taunted with warm breezes and heavy coat-free living.  Oh how those mild days were short lived.  The cold has returned, yesterday was so brutal after a glimpse of what is to come.  However, in my heart I know the seasons are changing and I'm ready to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring.  Are you? My house of three is now a house of four, there is more clutter and mess adorning my coffee table and the foyer-the landing places of all belongings.  For the next three days, the whole family is together-it's nice to slip back into the old routine and fullness of life.  I do enjoy the overlap of two spring breaks, I enjoy the one on one time with each child and having everyone together. I never imagined how it would be to have adult children, but it's a lovely stage of parent...

My kelp cardigan  almost has its first sleeve complete.  Today I anticipate starting the other sleeve.  I am going to give the cuff the same edging as the body of the sweater so they match.  I'm undecided on the button bands as of yet.  I'm leaning towards garter stitch but we'll see.  Also on the needles are my socks  which will be done within the hour.  I'm on the toe shaping of the second sock! My reading is sporadic and brief so it's the same book with the same thoughts.  I prefer the main character, Connie, that is featured in the "past" story plot.  The current time heroine, Emilie, is  quite naive and a little too gullible to be believable.  However I'm enjoying the read over all. My reading is sporadic because my daughter is home for a week for spring break and we've been busy doing activities together :)  No complaints from me!! What are you knitting and reading this week? Joining Ginny and Frontier Dr...

I am loving this shift of light and even though I am dragging in the morning I appreciate the time change as well.  These photos were taken in the morning!  Yes-morning, with lightness and brightness.  While I am full busy with my daughter with shopping and such.  We have resumed the after dinner walk.  Just the way Frodo and I like it. Our dining room is really the piano room but the morning light is beautiful. I distinctly remember moving into this house placing boxes in this area and feeling the sun beams.  The room felt so homey and welcoming.  Funny though that now that we've lived here many years we only eat at the dining table for holidays or company.  Taking food from the kitchen seems so "far" to go. The socks are slowly finishing up.  I sort of made a mini resolution to always have a pair on the needles without a dead line or time frame and so far I'm enjoying that resolution. This cowl  is one I wear in the s...

This past weekend was full.  Saturday I was busy getting together a dinner for my daughter and her boyfriend.  Desert making, salad tossing and yes chicken grilling outside!  Truly a sign of the weather changing.  We still have snow on the ground but it's melting quickly. Also there was: -walking every single day with the sun shining -taking a photo of a mama deer early in the morning who was quite stubborn and refused to run -watching the mama deer stomp her front hoof to scare me off -church going -lots and lots of knitting -more All Creatures Great and Small viewing -meeting friends for knitting-laughing, supporting one another, a good time -writing lists for the week, so much to do!! how was your weekend? Joining Amanda

Outside yesterday I thought I'd better take photos of the snow because we will be above freezing and I'm sure the big melt will occur.  Good bye snow, I've loved you so.  This week I've been a fickle girl, you know I love snow and winter but there were moments when I wistfully wished for a light jacket, a pair of shoes instead of boots.  The thoughts were fleeting but yes, I thought longingly of some early spring like weather. My days of cooking for two are over temporarily because spring breaks start for each kid.  My daughter comes home tomorrow for a week and next weekend both kids will be home with an overlap of three days (cooking for four!  full house!).    I'm looking forward to their visits :) Have you noticed how the light has changed?  Daybreak is early, and the sunset is later.  Around five oclock in the evening (afternoon?) the sun hits my one window and casts shadows on the wall-just lovely. Little promises from the spring...

I have three projects currently on the needles:  a scarf , a sweater and a pair of socks .  So naturally I cast on something new!  You know to chase away the end of winter blues.  I've been wanting to make another color affection shawl since I knit my first one . I loved the pattern, but the shawl felt too heavy to wear with nearly three skeins of fingering-it's a tad heavy, so I "lent" the shawl to my daughter who has a young strong neck :) Anyways, this shawl is a lace weight version and I'm kind of excited about the process.  Already it feel light and airy! Last night I added the second color and who knew miles and miles of garter stitch could be so compelling of a knit.  The older I get the more I love garter stitch. There is sweater progress of course and I posted about it yesterday here .  I am enjoying that knit process as well. For my reading, well, it's the same and really I have nothing new to add to my critique.  The book is ...

I completed the body of the Kelp sweater  over the weekend.  I originally went straight to an icord bind off but it just didn't look pleasing.  I decided to rip out the icord bind off adding three garter stitch ribs before an icord bind off.  I think it looks much better.  I'm hoping blocking will tame the edging from curling.   I started the first sleeve and my oh my the progress that can be made in mere minutes on a sleeve compared to the body of the sweater.  So speedy so fast so much gratification :)  When I arrive at the cuff I think I'll do the same as the body edging.  This sweater has been fun to design and knit, using Ann Budd's book . If you are feeling adventurous in branching out and trying your hand at designing, all the math is complete in this book.  You just do a swatch, take some measurements and choose.  Easy peasy :) I recommend for the best fit, measure a beloved sweater in your closet.  If...

This weekend, I listened to the birds singing to me, well at least I think to me.  Each morning they serenaded and whispered about the changing season.  Yesterday, I walked in the afternoon drinking in the fresh air, witnessing the melting snow.  A huge snow storm is now predicted to be a dusting.  I'm guessing friends south of me will be experiencing shoveling. Saturday was dinner at a friend's house, laughing, talking and eating-all good ingredients for a happy life.  I made chocolate cupcakes with chocolate icing piped on top in a decorative swirl.  We talked of our children, house projects, vacations and animals. Over the weekend, I helped my husband with some paperwork that needed to be done.  I was the figure checker-with my trusty calculator I am invincible!  Since I was working, dinner was a simple soup and sandwiches. We started watching All Creatures Great and Small on netflix.  Ah, the simpler life :) We used to watch thi...