Pumpkin Sunrise

I find it humorous that when I am feeling on top of the world in my physical activity and my dedication to the gym, something humbling happens to reset my confidence.  Yesterday I was in a hurry (always bad) and I tripped over my husband's boots in the garage.  There is an ongoing dispute as to how 'tucked' away they are.  My opinion is if I trip on them they are not tucked away.  Keep in mind these boots have been in the same place for ten years, you would think I would learn.. The good news is I did NOT fall nor did I sprain any delicate ankles.  Also my back is fine.  The bad news is I stumbled and pulled my right back leg muscle that just aches.  Good grief.  I'm hoping this is a quickly resolved strain/sprain since I already feel a lot better this morning.  And I never did take any pain medicine last night.  However it's a slow going day.  Watch where you walk people!  The winds were blustery yesterday and ...

I finished another sweater!  I feel super productive when I think about my knitting.  This design was a fun quick knit and I'm already thinking of what I could knit next with some 'vintage' yarn in my stash. I took a wild guess with gauge when I chose to use size eight needles instead of size 10 and cast on the bigger size.  Lucky for me the sweater fits perfectly and now I know I can do another sweater the same way.  This yarn I bought at a garage sale for peanuts.  I love when a family member clears out someone's yarn stash and doesn't know the value.  I bought a huge bag of wools for $8.  Incredible. Looks like winter is returning and then I can wear my cardigan without being hot.  Ravelry notes

This weekend had brilliant sunshine! I've mentally bottled it up and will remember it fondly when we return to cloudiness and rain once more.  How was your weekend? We managed a walk outside in the sun looking for snowdrops blooming and didn't find them yet.  The birds were singing away and the fresh air while cold smelled like spring.  I know, it's too early but it's nice to daydream of light jacket wearing days. I made four washcloths over the weekend and hope to make a few during this week.  I'm just about to start another sweater for me however I am waiting for some contrasting color skeins to arrive in the mail before I cast on.  I'm down to two projects on the needles and both of them are shawls. How was your weekend?

I'm happy to announce that the sun is shining brilliantly today.  Sure it's cold out but those glorious rays uplift my spirits.  This morning I have a few chores to do and then I'm off to the gym.  Once I'm back home I will be working on some watercolor practicing and some knitting. I'm stunned that next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and Lent begins.  Doesn't it seem like we just celebrated Christmas?  I rarely give up a food like I used to when I was a kid.  I remember one Lent my mother gave up smoking (and she was an avid smoker back in the day).  For four days or so the whole family was tortured by her and her unhappiness.  If I'm remembering correctly she went back to smoking and gave up sweets instead, we were all relieved. I used to give up candy but what's funny we didn't have candy in the house, so how was that a sacrifice? Have you noticed the earlier mornings and the later days?  I have and my oh my spring is slowly app...

Overall I am extremely pleased with the pullover that has been on my size four needles forever.  I love how it fits and of course the secret sauce is the little bit of growth that happens with superwash wool after blocking.  It's magic every single time for me! I've had this wool in my stash for a long time waiting for the perfect pattern.  Lately i wonder why I hold onto some skeins for the 'perfect' project and then don't knit with them.  How silly.  I am trying my best to not save yarn and knit with wild abandon! My only concern with the fit, and it's a minor concern is that because it's topdown construction there is no structure on the back of the neck edge and the shoulders droop.  I'm thinking about backstitching that area for some minor foundation. Part of the reason for the droop is the drop shoulder design.  I prefer raglan construction and the droop doesn't happen as much for me.  Again this is minor.  I'm also ...

I don't know about you but I believe spring is around the corner.  Sure we will get another snowstorm or two but the birds are singing sweetly in the mornings and it's music to my ears.  How was your weekend? I didn't go anywhere because I stayed home and rested.  I'm feeling so much better, thank you for the well wishes.  On Saturday I rearranged some art supplies and tidied up my craft room a bit.  On Sunday I reorganized my big closet in my kitchen and threw away 'stuff'.  Most of the puttering about was putting things back where they belong in other parts of the house.  I read books and I knitted during most of the afternoons. For some strange reason I'm reading sad sad books.  I decided to read Night.  I will not read this before bedtime but in the afternoons.  What an atrocious part of history the whole world should be taught. I finished my purple sweater and it's blocking as I type this.  I've been racing throu...

This past week I've been fighting a sinus infection and gave up yesterday.  I saw the doctor for some modern medicine and hopefully I'll be back to normal soon.  He said that this year has been a terrible year for airborne illnesses.  Good to know!  I was taking it personally. One day (ONE) I witnessed the sun peeking out to say hello and to prove itself of its existence.  I walked around the yard with Frodo and snapped some much needed photos.  The sun was out for a couple of hours and then the cloudiness returned.  I lingered in the sunshine soaking up the rays like the garter snakes in my backyard.  I can see the attraction to sunbathing in winter. As you know I've been documenting in my daily planner my creative pursuits and have been reflecting on how I spend my time.  One of the biggest changes is how purposeful I am with my time.  My mornings are for the gym, errand running and doing daily chores.  I try my best...

My knitting news feels like non-knitting news but this is all I have this week.  First off, I am nearly done with the body of my Felix sweater - I started the ribbing at babysitting yesterday and soon I'll be casting off and picking up a sleeve.  Delightful! This cardigan has been my babysitting project so I'm working on it once a week.  Ah, the purple sweater .  I'm half way through the second sleeve (yay!).  I'm sure the sleeve will be finished by the end of the week.  Maybe.  I do love this project and I'm excited to finish it and block it.  I know it will 'grow' a wee bit because of the super-wash wool.  I hope the results match my expectations. What are you working on this week?

How was your weekend? We visited our daughter and son in law on Saturday and had a great time together.  They live by a really big prosperous mall which we walked around in.  All I bought was candy, body lotion and two books.  I enjoyed the energy in the mall and the bustle of shoppers. Our drive there was nice, sunny skies and lots of knitting.  I mainly worked on the second sleeve of my purple sweater, I'll be perpetually knitting sleeves since I'm on size four needles!  Thank goodness I love to knit sleeves. Yesterday I didn't get much done around the house, so today will be my Sunday chores.  I'm doing laundry and making my menu plan.  I inventoried all the foods in the kitchen last week and I'm slowly using up freezer food and pantry food.  I might inventory once a month, seems like I forget what we already have in the house frequently. Today is also back to eating big salads for lunch.  I loved eating whatever I wanted ...