Pumpkin Sunrise

I've decorated the main floor of my house on a smaller scale, yet this smaller scale took me just as long because I had to go through all the boxes of Christmas stuff to find 'the best of' items.  I'm pleased with the results.  Each morning, I sit and write in my journal while shooing the cat away from the tree.  She is persistent. Holly at times is quite respectful of the tree and acts like an angel.  Then she will do a dive bomb into the tree.  She loves the tree and frequently risks safety and walks by the sleeping dog to gaze upon its beauty.  She knows a good thing when she sees it. In hopes of curbing her dive bombing skills, I placed a basket next to the tree for some cat napping.  I think she likes it.  Our cat-dog drama has hit a stride of almost harmony.  Almost.  On December 9th she will be here one whole year.  I cannot imagine the house without her (well I can imagine the quietness of the house without her)....

The above cowl is a simple double moss stitch that was delightful to knit.  Surprisingly, I was able to knit and read at the same time and not make (many) mistakes.  Well, I caught them ultra early, like as I was making the mistake.  This cowl is for Frodo's groomer (and who I babysit for!).  I think she'll love matching her daughter's sweater.  If you are wondering, I cast on 200 stitches, knit double moss stitch until I wanted to cast off. Ravelry notes are here . This orange cowl is another gift that came out beautifully.  I chose the broken rib stitch for the pattern and was thrilled at how easy it is, yet elegant to look at.  If you are wondering, I was able to knit and read at the same time.  Phew!  I'm confident that the recipient will love this cowl.  Ravelry notes are here . I have a few more cowls (one or two) and then I'm free to knit for me me me.  I'm getting excited seeing the end of the holiday k...

How was your weekend?  The kids came home for an extended weekend so we could all celebrate Thanksgiving with my side of the family.  If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know that we exchange Christmas gifts while we are together.  So my manic gift knitting in September had a good reason to exist.  I had a great time seeing all of my family, eating fantastic food that I did not cook.  I also shopped with my sister on Friday, braving the crazy crowds.  Yesterday I started decorating the house.  I'm trying to strategically decorate with a one year old inquisitive cat in the house.  I put up the smaller tree this year and picked through the ornaments.  I chose ornaments she can't destroy or get hurt on.  Also I picked some that if she destroyed I'd be okay with it.  I did not put anything my mother made (too much emotional value). She is still a little stinker and loves yarn and ribbons.  Even though...

In the spirit of Thanksgiving and focusing of gratitudes, I'm grateful: -peaceful mornings always with lots of coffee, pens and paper and moments in prayer -family and friends -a miniature schnauzer (Frodo) who still delights us with his rowdy antics -a rescue cat who continues to be a little braver and less shy -yarn shops, yarn buying and all the knitting I can do -my gym membership that insures my ability to knit (and sit!) -living in the country (with electricity, ha ha) -back road driving to and from babysitting, enjoying the fields and mountains I pass by -clean kitchens, easy throw together meals and desserts -a cup of green tea at the end of the day -twinkle lights -all the possibilities before the day starts -seeing a well made to do list crossed off -book reading and book buying -for all of you dear readers who have been visiting here, caring about what I write.   -may you have a wonderful Thanksgiving if you are ce...

I'm excited to share with you two projects completed.  (Yes!  The needles are clicking away).  First off is the Coronet Hat that I quickly whipped up for the toddler because the wintry weather came sooner than later.  I got creative with the icords and the tassels because I thought it would add some uniqueness to the hat.  I want a hat for myself with tassels as well. Ravelry notes are here I know I'm late to be knitting Ginny's Sunday Sweater but better late than never, right?  I finally had a little girl to knit for.  This is the toddler's Christmas dress.  I loved the top down design and the button bands already incorporated into the knitting.  A lovely pattern that was a quick knit (compared to an adult sweater).  Ravelry notes are here What are you knitting or crafting this week?

My weekend is slowly wrapping up.  I'm sitting on the loveseat with the laptop and lots to tell you.  Saturday during the day, I enjoyed the electricity and quiet.  I read many pages of Washington while knitting at the same time. People often ask me how I do both at the same time, well I have a few pointers: 1)  Definitely have a floppy book that stays opened or a Kindle.  If the book is slightly resistant, I use my phone as a weight. 2) Definitely have SUPER easy knitting, my super easy is stockinette or garter stitch.  I can also do broken rib or double moss stitch without a mistake.  3) Practice!  Do a stitch without looking, then do another.  4) wool or a tightly wound spring yarn works best.  Do not knit with splitty yarns, there will be mistakes. find Holly the cat, we call her Mrs Kravitz (from Bewitched) Holly has been a very social cat for being mostly anti social over all.  She loves to see what Frodo is...

Hello!  Do you have snow?  How much?  We got about nine inches of snow that was not predicted.  It was supposed to be three inches.  Ahem.  Last night I was excited and thrilled! This morning around six a.m. I lost electricity (yes, again...) and my excitement for winter weather plummeted.  This time around the power company did not give any estimates of when the power would be restored.  The electricity came back on magically at 9:30 a.m. and I have my fingers crossed it stays on. My knitting has continued to make progress, I am waiting for the toddler sweater to dry so I can bury threads, sew on buttons and take some photos.  I overbought how much yarn I needed for the toddler sweater so I cast on a cowl for the toddler's mother (Frodo's dog groomer!).  It's looking quite nice! I've been itching to purchase some decadent yarn for me to start something nice.  I have loads of yarns at my fingertips but it'...

oink oink  I am in love with the piggy mitts !  Who knew that knitting a teeny tiny mitten in the shape of a pig could give me endless joy.  I learn something new about myself every day.  These mitts were supposed to be a Christmas gift but I already gave them to her today.  Sadly, the toddler is a 2 year old and refused to put them on her hands when I gave them to her.  She did keep looking at them though.  I am sure when it's freezing cold outside, she will be wearing them faithfully.  Oh and I also found mitt clips on amazon so that they stay with her! oink oink I knit up this alpaca cowl using a pattern from my head, it's another Christmas gift.  For some reason, everyone is getting a cowl this year - and I have four more to make!  Gah! Do not be fooled - I love knitting cowls and I want to make one for me as well.  It's the perfect accessory for chilly weather. What are you crafting up today?

togetherness :)  Hello!  Can you believe Holly the cat and Frodo the dog are two feet apart?  This weekend has been crazy zoo-like with these two furries.  Holly must have found her big girl pants, found some bravery and  decided to come into the 'dog zone' part of the house, over and over again.  A few days ago, she came out.  Frodo chased her back to her room and she promptly returned for more 'fun' under the safety of the couch watching his every move. These teachable moments are valuable for both of them.  We get a little stressed out about it but it's all about them and not us, right? The whole weekend was a teachable moment! Holly chases a light beam  How was your weekend?  Mine was great, I read a lot, knit a lot and wasn't stressed out the least bit.  We didn't have any plans,  so we stayed home.  You know I love that.  After Saturday night Mass, we went out to dinner at a local bar instead o...