Pumpkin Sunrise

  I'm happy to report that my knitting enthusiasm has been slowly increasing after all the travels last week. More importantly, my husband and I continue to be healthy. This sweater is so close the the body edging! I believe there's less than an inch to go. After the body, I will be on the sleeves which I love to knit because they are speedy. It's all downhill from there my friends. What have you been working on this week? Can you believe it's the end of August??

  Good morning! How was your weekend? Well mine was just fine! I have recovered from the whirlwind impulsive trip to Indiana and so far feel 'healthy' may it continue. Saturday and Sunday I hibernated inside my house only doing whatever was necessary. I pulled out my paints and paint-doodled and I also swatched all my graphite pencils in my pouch and sketched a bit. I am rusty but it felt so good to get lost in what I was doing. In the evenings I knit but I didn't photo any of that. I impulsively bought a bullet blender over the weekend and a smoothie recipe book because why not? There is a local smoothie place that I go to once in a while but wouldn't it be great to make your own? Now keep in mind that it will be some time before I get all the ingredients together. Plus the book has tons of info to read. How was your weekend?

  On Monday afternoon we spontaneously decided to go to Indiana to help our son and daughter in law as a virus (not covid) was shared in a staggered fashion and surprisingly it was two different viruses. How is that possible? Our grandson was fully recovered and as happy as can be. Our son was well until we left on Friday when he started a fever. Our daughter in law had the worst of it the whole time we were there. I did tons and tons of laundry, cleaning and cooking. My husband trimmed hedges and installed five smoke alarms in their purchased home. Since we live near a BIG city we were unable to board Frodo at the kennel (I miss living in the country, I never had that problem) so we packed up Frodo and brought him with us. He did surprisingly well! He acted like he loved the adventure. He's not a fan of riding in a car but if he sits on my lap for SEVEN hours straight he manages his dismay. Let's just say I did not knit, draw, paint or do anything creative, unless you count co...

  Good morning! How was your weekend? Mine was boring and you know how I love the simple everyday comings and goings of ordinary living. I pulled out my watercolor paints because Kat  and my sister have both been painting up a storm. It was nice to get back into dabbling. Thanks for the inspiration you two! Saturday I started a blanket with 'vintage' wool and on Sunday I ripped it all out. It was TOO rustic for my taste. I was hoping the drape of the fabric would win out but the scratchiness was just unforgiving. My husband's sock is coming along and I've put many more rows on my blue sweater. On Sunday was had a fantastic rainstorm with thundering. All the plants got watered for free.

  Good morning to you! How has your week been? Are you soaking up the last bits of summer? I have been very excited this week for many reasons. My knitting has been good, I'm enjoying my projects and that sock yarn in the above photo is soft in my hands. I keep forgetting to mention the bag in the photo was made by my sister many years ago. It's my go to sock project bag because CATS. My big news this week is the photo above. Look at that dogwood tree changing colors. Autumn is creeping in and I'm all here for it. Also that deer is a bold one, she stands and waits until I'm practically right up to her before it snorts and runs away. Frodo would love to chase her! The flowering apple trees in the backyard are dropping leaves as well.  On my daily walks, I focus on my five senses (a mindfulness technique) and now I have an added goal - seeking out signs of fall. The crisp air is delicious and being chilly is so nice.  For Mother's Day this year my sister gifted me a b...

 I did it! I finished my grandson's Christmas stocking, well, almost finished. I have yet to duplicate stitch his name on the top which is always a challenge for me. My duplicate stitching skills are not that great. For some reason, this red skein of yarn ran very short of yarn so the white toe has more white than usual. What matters is that the socking can still be stuffed with many little presents. Ravelry notes What are you working on this week?

  Just when you think you've had it with the hot humid weather, Mother Nature just goes around and blows in cool crisp air. Heavenly! I opened a few windows and enjoyed the chill, refreshing and rejuvenating. I just might make it to the fall season without being overly grumpy. How was your weekend? Friday night we had dinner at my sister and brother in law's house (no cooking!). Afterwards, we sat on their back patio and enjoyed the evening. On Saturday after walking Frodo, I did a bit of cross stitching which is frustrating for me because it is white thread on off-white linen fabric, ugh. I also did a mini marathon reading session of the novel,  The Stand . I am closing in to the end of the book. (yay me) Sunday we went to Mass and I did the usual pesky household chores once we were home. Throughout the weekend I sat outside either at the patio table or on my gazebo swing (reading of course!). Oh and I started a pair of socks for my husband, just because. How was your weekend...

  Good morning!  Around here the humidity has left and Mother Nature has gifted me (us) some beautiful cool crisp air. I'll be walking this morning with a sweatshirt on - what blessings! The days are shortening quickly hinting at fall weather, thank goodness. I'm sitting here with jeans on hoping that I do not need to switch to capris later in the afternoon. My husband and I went to a restaurant with outdoor seating for lunch over looking a pond. The food was delicious and the views made the food taste better. All you could hear were birds chirping and an occasional flopping fish in the water. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I've been in a creative lull.  I'm just going with it because I know it will pass. Yesterday I wanted to start a pair of socks for my husband with this delicious merino yak blend in the photo below. I ignored the voice in my head that said 'but you have three other projects you should be working on'. Life is for living in the moment an...

  Good morning! I hope you're having a wonderful day.  Knitting this week has been pretty good. I started a Christmas Stocking for my grandson over the weekend. I successfully found the hand-written pattern that my mom wrote (photo copied by me so as to preserve her original writings) I believe the stocking pattern is from a VERY old McCall's or Family Circle magazine from the 1970's...or around there. It's a treasure! I also found my hand-written notes where I changed things up, let's hope I understand what I wrote. My blue sweater is such a delight to knit! I zoom along in stockinette miles enjoying the simplicity of the design. I am over half way done with the body of the sweater. I also believe I have enough yarn but I'll know for sure when I get to the sleeves. I'm usually optimistic during this part of the knitting. Anxiety will build during the sleeves if there is any worries of yarn shortage. What are you working on this week?

  How was your weekend? Mine was pretty good overall! I started a new knitting project, my grandson's Christmas stocking. While knitting, I listened to a few podcasts OR I was reading The Stand on my Kindle (I'm 64% done!!). Emotionally I'm at the part where I wish I didn't start such a long book just like my regretful feelings of started an afghan... But as you know I will be rejoicing when the book is finished just like a finished afghan project and forget the length of time it took for either of them.  My meditation app loves to flash a deep thought-provoking quote and sometimes I remember to write them down. The above quote is one remembered! The weather over the weekend was quite humid and sticky. I will not go into how I'm daydreaming of fall today, but the struggle is real. How was your weekend?

  Today I'm counting my blessings: - Frodo's groomer who 'gets' him and is so wonderful to him and gives him a great haircut - Frodo snuggles and Holly antics, both pets make me smile - phone chats with my children - living near family especially my sister! - my early morning routine - -my yarn stash which is massive and yet I can always buy more yarn, go figure - this little blogging community where we uplift each other and support one another, it is one of the best blessings the internet has provided - summer yielding to fall ( I know! it's crazy but the days are shortening and I've been putting a light on in the morning, we are getting closer to fall!) -  - BIG salads and no cooking days - dark chocolate - green decaf tea - my favorite mugs - a tidy house - my husband - this house - books - knitting - daydreaming - believing in the goodness of others - friendly waves of hello to total strangers on my walks - all the drivers who slow down and yield to me on my...

  Hello! How are you and how has your projects been coming along this week? I cast on and then finished a sweet little pumpkin hat for our grandson in less than 48 hours.  I adored making this little hat speedily out of deep deep stash left over worsted weight wool. I straddled different sizes for him because he has a big head (!). So I cast on for the child size, but the length is a toddler size and I went down one size for the recommended needles. Kind of a slap dash guestimate size for our little guy. My hope is that this October he can wear the hat with the brim rolled up and next October he can still wear it with the brim down. No matter what, it will definitely be worn one season! What are you working on this week?

  Happy first day of August! We are crawling towards FALL and it is glorious. I'm noticing how the days are getting shorter and the cicadas are quite loud this year.  How was your weekend? My weekend was quite restful! My husband and I took it easy and relaxed. Relaxing for me was reading and knitting, not necessarily at the same time. I started a pumpkin hat for our grandson yesterday - I'm making a bigger size because then he can wear it multiple fall seasons. We sat on the back patio coordinating our planners bringing them in paper sync. I am thrilled to be home, to be sleeping in my own bed, having quiet mornings to ponder everything and nothing at all.