Pumpkin Sunrise

I finished the socks for my husband yesterday-done!  I'd like to have a pair of socks on the needles at all times so today I'll dig through the "stash" and find the future pair to be.  My knitting has been productive and comforting through these cold cold days.  Isn't it strange to find weather in the 20 degree range warm?  It's all perspective. Frodo hasn't been feeling himself.  He's been hiding under the ottoman, so toasty and warm, we should all have an ottoman to climb under for comfort.  I did take him to the vet and his Lyme test was very high.  He has tested positive for Lyme twice before in his past.  So he's on medicine again and we wait for the wellness to begin.  I believe he will be enjoying his ottoman days until the weather warms up. All those beautiful deer that walk through our property come at a price.  He is on monthly flea and tick preventative and we search every day for those nasty little ticks. ...

For over thirty years I've carried this rosary given to me by my favorite aunt.  The aunt that is knit worthy, who is my godmother and my confirmation sponsor all those years ago.  I was thirteen years old when I received the sacrament of Confirmation.  My parents had a picnic party out in the back yard after the ceremony and  I remember my aunt giving me this rosary to mark my entrance into the Catholic faith and the sunny day with cherry blossoms in the air.  My youth surrounding me and my future yet unknown. This rosary has been tucked in my purse and followed me through my high school years and college years, moving from state to state early on in my marriage.  I've held it close to me during challenging times.  This rosary was a source of strength when my mother died in my thirties.  Many emergency room visits with a son who was accident prone and a mother with a knack for making worrying a full time job.  I carry this rosary an...

If my knitting needles could catch on fire from all the knitting I've been doing, well wouldn't that be a sight to see?  I've photoed what I was knitting all day yesterday.  The socks , the socks that have been languishing in my bag, the socks that I want off the needles, the socks that are nearly nearly done.  They are for my husband, he needs at least three pairs so I can toss the pairs that are unmendable (not a word but it describes the socks).  I am also knitting away on my shawl and my sweater .  I'm enjoying all three projects equally for different reasons.  The socks and the sweater can be knit while reading, and the shawl is my more involved knit that requires my attention. I finished a book yesterday that you must read.   The Postmistress  by Sarah Blake, was captivating.  During the start through the finish I could not figure out what was going to happen next, so I kept on reading.  Truly a sign of a fantastic book. ...

inside looking out My weekend was a simple quiet weekend. Sightings: -the way the sun angled in the sky illuminating my fence just so. -four (four!) chickadees and one cardinal flitting about the trees at the edge of my woods.  Hearing their landings while they search for berries -fresh deer tracks every single morning crossing the driveway that hasn't been snowblowed -flurries every day causing a dusting that is enough to delight Foods: -finishing up the blueberry muffins, a dozen lasts forever when there's only two of us -simple soup and grilled cheese for dinner yesterday -left over curry from the freezer Saturday -cutting into THE perfect avocado :) Thoughts: -relishing the quiet mornings with my coffee and notebooks -enjoying my current knits on the needles and contemplating a sweater for my husband -noticing the daylight that is added each morning and night-hello!! -treasuring friendships where you pick up where you left off after the last ge...

The second week of us being two people instead of four people was comfortably uneventful. We slip into this lifestyle gracefully and enjoy the quiet (and clean) house.  When they are home, I take for granted the quick conversations that occur face to face, favorite meals whipped up and shared.  Once the house is empty and order is reigning in the laundry and kitchen, I easily savor the meals for two, usually prepared within an hour. Texts and phone calls still tether me to them, giving me glimpses of their days.  I wonder how my mother coped without the invention of internet and cell phones?  I believe I called once or twice a week when I was away at university, usually with some kind of minor crisis.  This week, I texted my daughter instructions on how I bake a chicken!  Love the technology :) Back to knitting talk--I inserted a simple four row lace repeat that I "know" which is Elizabeth Zimmermann's gull lace pattern.  Oh so lovely an...

I'm excited to share a fun activity with you during these long days of winter.  Wouldn't it be fun to receive a package of homemade goodness?  Wouldn't it be fun to make a new friend who shares your love of blogging and creating?  Well head on over to Amanda's at Sweet Potato Claire blog and read about a Blogger Swap that she is organizing. I'm excited about this venture!  My fingers are tripled crossed for some homemade potions or balms since my talents are in knitting :)

I have many projects to share with you today. First off are my simple socks  on the left.  They are for my husband and I'm on the second one.  I knit these socks while watching programs that require little attention to the pattern.  The bright pink project is my Heart Beets Shawl , I cannot knit and watch anything, you see, I had to UNKNIT two rows and that just about did me in.  Learned my lesson, I have the pattern memorized but I have to watch what I'm doing :)  Lastly is the Kelp Cardigan , I could knit on this all day long!  Love the crisp stitches and the easy raglan shaping.  I inserted a simple lace design at each end of the front edges.  Last week I finished the Tea and Jam Shawl . I continue to read Helen Keller's book The Story of my Life .  I am amazed at her challenges and her triumphs that she faced.  Her story can be interpreted in a series of what she is "missing" but then the way she describes her excursions I ...