Pumpkin Sunrise

  Just like the Catholic Church, I'm in Ordinary Days. We are truly in the winter season and the wind is cold. I am wearing my wool socks and wool sweaters daily. Whenever I'm outside I have a hat, shawl/cowl and knitted mittens. I'm not complaining at all, I would rather freeze to death than sweat to death. My husband is withering away though, he loves summer and hotness. Have you noticed the days are getting lighter and lighter? Truly one of the blessings of January and February. It might be cold out but the daylight lengthens and brings hope. This week I've been focusing on lots of journaling and reflections. I find comfort in putting thoughts down to paper and mulling over all of my wispy threads on life and happenings. Along with daily writings, I've been meditating twice a day using the Insight Timer App , which I highly recommend. There is plenty to do that is free. I chose a year subscription to get to the courses. I'm sleeping so much better these days....

  I finished another project this weekend, I'm telling you - I am riding a knitting wave during these January days. This shawl was a fun knit and the kit was gifted to me by a knitting friend. The wool was delightful to knit with and because it is DK weight, the project was a fast knit. I loved the squishy wool and the speed of the knitting. The kit pattern mentioned that a few of the colors would be used up completely so of course I ran out of yarn in those two colors.  I just used other colors and solved my yarn shortage problem. I ran out of the gray and the indigo. I still think it looks pretty good and no one would know.  What are you working on this week?

  How are you and how was your weekend?  All of the photos are in reverse order because Blogger wants to vex me so.  We were crazy enough to take walks this weekend because the sun was out but holy cow was it 'brisk'. I put Frodo's little coat on under his harness. He doesn't like wearing it but I believe he was thankful for the added warmth. Isn't he just dapper?? Gosh, I love him so. Because of the mini deep freeze I'm going to make my husband a pair of mittens, of course inspired by the Bernie meme. There were a few patterns trending on Ravelry and I've chosen one. I'll take some pics later this week - I am not following the brown colors though - I'm going with a burnt yellowish green as the base. I also balled up six skeins of wool for my next sweater cast on. Stay tuned for that as well. I wore my sweater that I finished last week and it is WARM. I believe traditional wool is warmer than super-wash wool. It felt extra toasty warm during the day ...

  I know some of you are wishing for spring, my husband is wishing for summer! I, on the other hand, am in my winter glory. I love everything about winter. I sleep better, knit better and enjoy the days fully. Soon enough I will be yearning for some light jacket wearing but for now I am in my element.  The above photo is my art journal spread. I try to create one a week and then journal. The journalling is private but the layout is not. I used Tombow markers to create the dark gray background then used a white pen.  Yesterday I had three inches cut off the length of my hair. It was a long time coming. I kept the length for the wedding updo. Shoulder length is the best length for my hair and I am loving the cut. The sun was out and I almost was grumpy from the squinting. I caught myself and stopped the grump. Sunshine is limited in the winter! On the way home, I drove in silence just enjoying the light playing on the hills, trees and roadside buildings. I managed to pull o...

  I finished a sweater ! Overall I loved knitting this color work yoke pullover. The directions were clear and the color work addictive. As I was knitting this project, I worried that the sweater would not fit since it was looking small in my lap. Of course, I didn't do gauge either but to be honest I tend to knit exactly what is called for in stockinette stitch. I was using regular wool (not super wash) and knew I would not gain some growth after soaking and blocking. I was pleasantly surprised that the fit was just fine. However the length was a little short. Blocking fixed that so all is well. Unfortunately the wool bled during its soaking and tinged the white wool a wee bit. I don't think it's noticeable but golly, I was dismayed seeing the brown in the water. I highly recommend the pattern !  Ravelry notes

  How was your weekend? I had a blissful uneventful one which is the best kind of weekend to have. No stress is a blessing.  During the week my husband and I were walking daily, but this weekend ended that streak because the weather wasn't cooperating. My husband likes non-windy days and we both like non-rainy days. I cannot remember which day (they all blend together, ha ha) but on our return home from a walk we were caught in sleet, which is by far better than rain.  I read a bit and knitted a lot. Sunday was the usual chores around the house.  How was your weekend? Another sunrise!

  In another universe I would be telling you I finished the second sleeve last night.  However, I was shy two rows before the cast off and I just had to quit for the evening. If I am tired, errors abound! So today after the dishwasher repairman comes to look at my one year old dishwasher (yes, so true), I will be blissfully finishing the sweater then soaking and blocking. Phew!  While I still have a shawl and a hat on my needles, I'm thinking of the next cast on project. I know that Kat  has cast on a heartwarmer cowl  which I have made twice before ( one for me and one was a gift ). My sister gifted me some lovely yarn during the holidays that will make a perfect cowl for me since this winter that seems to be what I wear the most.  There was someone else in our blog community that mentioned they were knitting this cowl pattern but I cannot remember who - please let me know in the comments! I've been squeezing in more reading time during the day. The holid...

  Good morning! My, oh, my has my knitting been scant this past week. Today is the day to FOCUS and get that second sleeve off of the needles! I am loving this sweater so much and cannot wait to wear it. What are you working on this week?

  How was your weekend? My weekend was calm, steady and relaxing. We've had a string of sunny days and so we've walked every day no matter the temperature. It's been nice to get out and breathe some fresh air. Have you noticed how the days are staying a lighter a little bit longer? January is a wonderful month, I worked more on this shawl  over the weekend, in a few rows I'll be doing the next section which will be a different color.  I did a little watercolor sketch on Saturday. I'd like this to be a daily habit, something to work on in this new year. Frodo needed extra snuggles on that day probably because he was cold? I'm not sure. He's been sitting with us more often instead of sleeping under the ottoman. This is my challenge, how do I paint at the kitchen table when he wants a warm body to sleep next to on the sofa? I know this is a mini-phase and I do love his company so I'm going with it for now. When he is always under the ottoman, I wonder why h...

  Good morning!  My it's good to be back on a Friday posting. How was your first full week of the new year? I have been blissfully enjoying being home and going nowhere day after day after day. Yesterday the sun came out and we took a brisk walk, even though it was cold it was so good to be outside. Holly has been up to new adventures this week. She sneaks into the family room where I am sitting and knitting and ever so slowly creeps up to spy on Frodo sleeping.  He is snoring away so he doesn't know she is gazing at him lovingly. So far she has done this twice, the first time she had a look of concern, the second time (the above photo) she seemed curious. I know many of you choose a word for the year and I love to read about how you came about choosing your meaningful words. I've been thinking of themes for my 2021.  Mindfulness I've been reading about mindfulness and meditation for about two months as well as doing meditation twice a day. So far, I find that this p...

  Good morning! First knitting post of the new year - and I've been quite busy with my knitting. After a massive catching up on chores and tasks on Monday, I spent most of my Tuesday knitting which made me gloriously happy. The above photo is a new project using the shawl kit I received as a Christmas present from a knitting friend. As always changing colors and striping sequences can be addictive.  My other project that I decided to resume knitting is my languishing hat . I finished the four inch ribbing and started the fair isle portion of the pattern. I designed this hat many years ago and my chart has scant notes. This second time knitting it I'm trying to figure out what I did and write better notes. Thank goodness for Ravelry and the photos that are there of the previous hat! What are you working on this week?  Joining Ginny

  Our weekend was attending our son's wedding!  We officially have a new daughter in law in the family after months of waiting for the big day. I'm exhausted and thrilled that the planning and preparing has come and gone.  Here are the few photos that I snapped. How was your weekend?