Pumpkin Sunrise

The last weekend of this year, can you believe it?  This year went fast for me, but to be honest every year goes fast for me the older that I get.  Aging does that.  We are in the deep freeze with low temperatures.  I'm wearing all the woolens.  All of them!  While I agree that 5 degrees is a tad too chilly, I'm enjoying this weather.  All you summer lovers will have your day soon enough. I decluttered the house and put away all the holiday decorations.  I usually wait until January first but this year I wanted them put away.  I started on the 29th and finished yesterday.  The house looks bigger, brighter and tidier.  I find it funny that when I decorate for the holidays the house looks cozy and warm.  The day after we open presents, my house looks crowded and messy.  Yesterday and today I had some pockets of knitting time that made me so happy.  Finally!  I had some free mental therapy as I worked o...

Hello!  I'm in disbelief that we've had company come and go.  Our daughter and son in law left yesterday morning and our son is here for one more week.  I'm slowly reclaiming my house.  As you recall, I de-Christmassed the front room so that Holly could have a room of her own.  She's been in there almost a week.  She comes out quicker from behind the sofa and sometimes I catch her sitting on the couch.  She's a funny bird, yesterday I snuck a peek, she spied me - did a silent hiss - then recognized me and stopped.  She still isn't too keen on Frodo.  I don't blame her, he is bigger and so noisy with barking and non-stop movement.  I wish I could explain to her that he is being so so good.  He has stopped barking at the baby gate.  Progress! He desperately wants to interact with her, she wants nothing of it.  As I said on instagram 'baby steps'. the mess!  I've eased into a new rhythm during my days. ...

I have the same two projects on my needles - my son in law's sweater and a pair of socks .  Naturally, I forgot to photo the progress of those so you'll have to use your imagination.  I received for Christmas from my husband a mitten kit from Tanis Fiber Arts  because Steph mentioned the kit. Ah, knitters who enable knitters, what could be better than that? a lovely unexpected gift from a dear friend, thank you!  I wanted to cast on the mitten kit on Christmas day but sadly, both of my size 2 dpns are currently being used.  One pair for a pair of socks and another pair are whisking up a cozy for a Starbucks thermos.  Photos of the cozy thermos will hopefully be on Friday, if I remember. In my defense, my house is full of family and I'm still in the throes of cooking, cleaning, planning menus, kitten care, Frodo loving,  etc...  I haven't had much time to knit or remember to take photographs. all ready for me!

Merry Christmas Eve!  As promised, I'm doing a quick post to wish all of you Merry Christmas and happy holidays.  My house is full of company and like many of you I'm swimming in details of a long to do list. my son's 3-D print project and painting  I have the menu plan for a Christmas eve appetizer dinner - I'll have some help from the family but it's all on me to remember everything. My added to-do item is kitten-proofing the front room today.  Holly needs some freedom, so I'm putting the Christmas decorations and the little tree away so that she can be F R E E.  I hope she likes it.  Right now she is hiding under the sofa, I hope in 24 hours she loves her new space.  I was trying to wait until January 1st, but gosh, she is getting bigger and bigger.  We have her sit with us in the family room many times during the day to socialize with Frodo and us.  We have the lap sitting down to a science.  cannot remember the vide...

Tomorrow night, our daughter and son in law arrive and the festivities begin!  Am I ready?  Well, let's just say I'm as ready as I'll every be.  I should be baking some chocolate chip cookies but I'm writing a post with a kitten on my lap and that is where I want to be.  Holly Berry and Frodo are getting along pretty well for less than two weeks.  I babysit for Frodo's groomer who is a dog trainer and she knows everything.  I arrived at work this morning and just gave all the worries and fears to her.  She told me I should relax (HA!).  Seriously though, she thinks everything is going great.  So we are moving forward to getting these two pets used to each other. Holly LOVES under the tree on the satin skirt getting closer, one is chill the other is confused  I've hit a rhythm to my days that feels like a rhythm I've had forever.  I'm learning to let some duties go and I'm embracing the kitten cuddles and kitten stare...

Good morning!  How are you?  I'm doing pretty good, I am finding pockets of knitting time here and there.  I try to squeeze in a few stitches, all for my sanity.  I do at least 3 - 4 rounds on the son in law sweater each day.  I also started a pair of simple socks for my daughter.  That luscious skein in the photo (far right) will be a simple cowl for me.  I haven't had a chance to cast on as of yet.  Thank goodness for simple knits, it's what I need at this time of my life.  Christmas is just around the corner and soon the rest of my family will be arriving on Friday.  What have you been knitting or crafting?

Ah, another weekend and guess what -  I did not rescue another kitten, phew!  I am nearly getting used to the idea that we have a kitten and I have nearly struck some sort of rhythm to my days without going nuts from my self imposed anxiety stress. Frodo is doing really well.  He might just be on board one day within the year.  I'd like to think so.  I've learned to have a kitten station, let's face it, it's my knitting station that supports kitten care.  I try to hold her and play with her several times a day.  In the evenings, my husband has her loose in a confined area of the living room for her play time while Frodo is upstairs with me in the bedroom.  Everyone is settling into a routine. My favorite thing so far is when she is on my lap purring and she stares deeply into my eyes.  I'm guessing she is saying 'thank you'.  I stare back and say 'you are one VERY lucky cat'.  We agree. Today, my friends came over f...

Thank you thank you thank you!  Thank you for your support and guidance while we adjust to our new family addition.  Holly is doing better and Frodo is being Frodo.  I cannot get a photo of him - he's too busy moving around all over the place.  I value our on line friendships and the unwavering support we give each other.  Isn't it wonderful? I take comfort knowing that people are giving us positive thoughts and well wishes.  Somehow I know everything will be okay. Our son is home and he's been playing the piano every couple of hours.  Holly lives in the room with the piano so today I moved her to the front room (formal living room? turned into a temporary cat room?) that has doors to close or use a baby gate.  After she adjusts to that new location in her cage, we will begin to let her out of the cage (doors closed - no Frodo) and be under adult supervision.  The room is decorated for Christmas and it's only a few weeks more of t...