Pumpkin Sunrise

I'm having technical difficulties today, sigh.  This is the runner up photo instead of a photo that I'd love to share but because of whatever reason, you just cannot see it today :) What makes me happy: -the sun has been shining more often than not this week -the snow is so melted and condensed I can walk on it without sinking -the birds are singing joyfully today not knowing cold -I still have one bar of "good" chocolate left -finally I'm casting of the body of the sweater, it's been a long time coming -getting mail and sending mail -my haircut -friendships forged through the blogging community -the rabbit hole of ravelry :) -stretching grilled chicken into three separate meals-(read that as not cooking!) -discovering that chicken salad is fabulous with sweet red peppers as well as celery -dried apricots -crossing items off of my to do list Have a lovely weekend :)

Yesterday was an excellent wonderful fun mail day.  I received not one but two packages-how fantastic is that??  First off is my swap partner's package.  I was ever so lucky to have Jen pull my name.  Look at the wonderful gifts, wash clothes and yes there is an image of a chicken.  Lovely lace weight yarn so pink and soft.  The best present was the one her daughter insisted on tucking inside the box. Two brightly colored balls for Frodo!!  So here are some blurry poor action shots of my little Frodo enjoy the presents :) Did you know he loves to take a ball and toss it up into the air?  I think in his past life he might have been a circus performer.  Thank you Jen for your thoughtfulness.  Thank you Amanda from Sweet potato claire  blog for organizing this wonderful swap. Also in the mail, I received a skein of Loft from Andee who blogs at Match the Pictures .  Thank you for the lovely skein in such a b...

I honestly haven't much progress to show this week on my sweater .  I have an inch or two to go before I do the edging.  The edging will be an icord bind off, unless I change my mind again.  Next up will be the sleeves.  Oh and I did finish my shawl which you can read all about on this post .  I wore it two days ago and I just love it-so warm and bright! I'm reading The Lavender Garden  by Lucinda Riley and the start was so so.  However after a few chapters the plot has developed and I've been devouring the story.  I love books that go back in time to solve a family mystery and since I've been in a WW II mood, this one is heading back for some espionage in France. very exciting :) What are you knitting and reading this week? Joining Ginny and Frontier Dreams

I do love winter, honest!  But somehow over the weekend, we were gifted with fifty degrees and when I walked with only a fleece jacket it felt good.  Yesterday I had all my hair cut off, well how about seven inches?  I usually do drastic hairdos at the end of February.  I chuckled to myself because I went in for a wee trim.  Anyways, shampooing has become a breeze and I'm thrilled with my impulse decision. I've noticed also how my knitting shades change towards a more spring-like theme.  My socks are just so cheerful and bright.  Same with the purple scarf-reminds me of my lilac bush.  So for now, I will snuggle into the end of winter.  The winds are blowing, I am cold while standing outside but the reality is we are slowly waving goodbye to a favorite season of mine.  All too soon, trees will be budding, flowers will bloom and all the woolen knits will be tucked away for deep fall.  Savoring each season as it enters and ex...

I had another relaxing weekend and I'm grateful for it.  I did a bit of shopping and a lunch out with my husband on Saturday.  The weather was springlike, we shrugged the winter wear and donned the spring jackets!  I rather enjoyed it-but I still like winter.  We walked with our dog through melting streams of snow banks and breathed in that earthy scent that is the cusp of seasonal change.  No hats, no shawls, but I did wear a cowl. My meals reflected the warmer weather, big salads with perfect avocados and lots of crunchy vegetables.  I think salad season will remain as the temperatures drop once again and winter revisits.   There was chocolate, in bars, and in cookies. I spent time with friends as we knit together, sharing our projects, laughing, talking and enjoying the company. I watched more Dr. Who while knitting on simple socks.  Chats with the kids-spring breaks are merely two weeks away, with an overlap weekend when we wi...

In the Quiet I see: -shades of blue and white with warm yellows cast by the lights at the end of the day -melting snow, puddles formed -the trees stand still, waiting for spring and newness of leaves budding -stars twinkling in the dark sky In the Quiet I hear: -a bird here and there singing sweetly -the drip drip drip of melting snow on the roof's eave and plunking against the gutter -the distant hum of a car traveling after a day's work -my footsteps squishing into melting snow and drifts that are now half their size In the Quiet I feel: -happy and content, joyful and being "in" the moment -thankful for the time I am noticing the seasons as they herald in and wave goodbye -time stand still, all worries suspended while appreciating the nature that surrounds me In the Quiet of my heart I am thankful for this life. What do you notice in the Quiet?? Have a great weekend my friends!

 This shawl, the Heart beets shawl , is everything I thought it would be and more.  I love how the simple lace design repeat just pops once the blocking magic occurs.  Each time I block a lace piece, I am mesmerized by its unassuming beauty. Of course, modeling and photoing this large of a shawl is not for one person, so I needed to stage the shawl.  In my family, my son is the one that has an "eye" for photos, and he isn't available.  So I make do. Loved knitting this pattern but it is for experienced lace knitters only.  The instructions were brief and all chart reading.  I had to fudge the last of the edging chart, not that anyone could find my creativity.  I choose to finish the edging with a  'k2tog, yo' repeat across the whole length then a few garter stitch rows, and finally a stretchy bind off. Thank you, dear friend who gifted me the yarn, I loved knitting with your hand dyed wool and now I cannot wait to wear it...

For a change, I pick up and knit a tiny repeat of this alpaca silk scarf that is buried under all the other current projects-I wouldn't want any of my projects to feel neglected :)  I did finish this shawl  last night after the forever bind off.  I'm itching to see how it blocks!!  Yesterday I posted about all of my other projects here . I finished Nella Last's War which I enjoyed.  It was a slow read and quite dense in content.  I loved how even though she experienced the WWII so long ago, she had feelings and thoughts that are timeless as a mother.  She worried about her boys who served, she became creative in the kitchen when food was limited.  She was a budding feminist.  She stated that women should be equal partners in a marriage because women were like business owners-running and managing a home.  How true! I have been flipping through my Cast on, Bind Off book, mulling some ideas of the edging of my cardigan.  Curren...

  Last night I started to bind off this shawl , and I think it's going to take most of the day today.  I'm getting excited to see this beauty soaked and blocked.  Fingers crossed that I'll be doing that this afternoon.  I'm already thinking of the "next" shawl in my dreams.  There are so many to choose from and only so many hours in each day. My Kelp Cardi has been neglected this week, so very sad.  I think maybe once the shawl is blocking I will resume my knitting of the body.  Once the body is finished I know it will be a breeze to whip up the sleeves and button bands. My socks.....my socks are in a little bit of a time out because I believe the socks caused the hand pain.  So one more week of a time out and I'll resume the knitting and see how it goes.  My hand is feeling pretty good and I think the worst is over.

My weekend was restful.  When the snow started to drop, plans were placed on hold.  A dinner out became an impromptu dinner in.  I explored the freezer and unearthed some forgotten shrimp and with a lovely risotto created a meal probably better than any restaurant could create.  However a restaurant has dishwashers.... I also- -watched a few episodes of Sherlock and am sad I have only one episode left :( -watched more Dr. Who -visited the natural food store who had a sale on chocolate so guess who has had a bite every day? -feverishly worked on my shawl-getting close to casting off! -did not finish reading a book -I cleaned and scrubbed and sat enjoyed the labors -chatted with both kids -crossed off items on my to do list, then added items on my to do list -menu planned how was your weekend? Joining Amanda

How lucky am I to receive some heart puffs from my sister?  We had a phone call a few weeks ago where she asked me to please buy pink salt because it's healthier for me than table salt. I am a salt addict and proud to be one.  Being a funny big sister, I said "why don't you send me some".  So not only did I receive some 'healthy for me' salt but heart puffs that are now displayed in a large vase on my side table.  Thank you sister!!! How lucky am I that Amy over at Amy Hood Arts sent me the red elephant postcard she made when I expressed my love of red?  I was so excited to open my mailbox and see a red trunk peeking out at me, she says it will bring good luck!!  Thank you Amy!! How lucky am I, that my left hand has been behaving and I can knit on my lace shawl.  Maybe it's because of all your well wishes that it has healed OR it's because I gave it a full 24 hour rest and haven't touched any cotton or dpns since then.  Either way,...

Surprise!  New book and new project :)  Yes I'm still making progress on this sweater and this shawl .  But for some strange reason, I felt like starting another pair of socks this time for me!  No ravelry page as of yet, but soon.  The yarn is online supersocke .  The sad news is yesterday at the very end of the day my left hand started to ache.  So much so that I think I need to ease up on the knitting for a few days. I have no idea why it hurts but I am suspecting the cotton (yes the dreaded cotton grr) yarn I was knitting with for my swap partner caused some strain.  Fingers crossed it's temporary. I'm still reading Nella Last's War  but nearly finished.  I am enjoying the book but it is slow going for me.  So last night I decided to start The Lavender Garden by Lucinda Riley.  To early to opine but it's also set partially in WWII.  This book is set in the present day and visiting the past to solve a mystery ki...

Fun Facts about my Knitting Life -I love double pointed needles over two circulars or magic loop -I knit all of my socks on size 2 needles -I prefer cuff down socks -my favorite interchangeable needles are chiaogoo Twist . -wool and other animal fibers are my go to yarns of choice if silk is added well that's even better -I shy away from plant fibers-too hard on my hands -I love to knit simple hats and read at the same time -I can listen to anything and anyone and knit anything -I cannot talk and knit at the same time very well.  I stop one or the other. -my mother and my mother in law knit in the past -I have saved every hand knit for each baby-tucked away for future grands -my sister and my sister in law knits -I inherited a LOT of yarn from my mother, it's tucked away in my closet -I started to knit before my teen years -my first successful knit was a fisherman's boat neck sweater in mint green, at 18 years of age -I still have that mint green swea...

This weekend in list form: -more snow! -a short quick visit from my daughter -homemade pizza -finishing up homemade cookies :( -constantly looking at boots, gloves, hats, scarves drying on the floor -knitting quick gifts for the blog swap -long afternoons of reading leisurely -all caught up on chores each day only to start all over again the next day -a walk in 23 degrees and thinking it's a warm day Joining Amanda

I know all of you summer lovers out there in the world are groaning with more snow photos, but that is all I have outside is snow.  As a winter lover I'm embracing the season and enjoying the views.  February is a quiet month-a still month.  Outside the air barely moves and the trees stop whispering when the wind blows.  Each day I hear more birds chirping, they know that spring will soon be here.  So I go outside and soak up the winter sun. Sunshine and snow go beautifully together.  Sometimes the snow sparkles and winks at you.  Bundled up with scarf, mittens and a hat, I fumble with my camera trying to balance with grace while capturing the winter beauty.  All of my swirling thoughts--errands to run, my kids, and what should be for dinner--stop.  I am in the moment.  Photography does that, it commands a presence of now. Frodo is feeling better, thank you for your kind words and wishes.  He is hiding right now under...

I'm making great progress on my shawl , the pattern is etched in my memory and I can pick it up and knit away happily with little snags.  This is not autopilot knitting but I don't need full concentration either.  I'm thrilled to be in a happy knitting place.  I love completing a repeat which takes longer and longer as the shawl continues to grow.  This shawl is just perfect for winter storm knitting.  Lucky for me, there is a storm outside today with inches of snow tipping down. Ah, my reading is interesting.   Nella Last's War is a compelling read but not a fast read.  I am reading this near the end of the day and after a few pages I'm tired and ready for bed.  I love her point of view of the war.  She is my age with two adult boys who are involved in serving for the war.  Her feelings, her strength during challenges is moving.  I believe if I met her today we would be fast friends. What are you knitting and reading this w...

Oh daylight where are you?  I love winter but I miss light, light for photography indoors early in the morning.  Each day there is a wee bit more, but not enough for when I want to snap a photo.  Anyways, I guess I'm done whining for now :) The cardigan is coming along quite nicely.  Once I separated for the sleeves and knit about an inch of the body, I inserted some waist shaping decreases located to the right and the left of the side seams 20 stitches each way.  Waist shaping should land a bit away from the side, kind of like a dart. Yesterday while watching Downton Abbey, I picked up the sweater and saw a decreasing mistake.  So for about 30 minutes I dropped four stitches down 9 rows and corrected the mistake successfully without ripping out all that knitting.  Once the mistake was fixed, I lost interest in knitting.  Maybe I was mad?  Not sure, but today, all is forgiven and I'm ready to add some more inches!!

The weekend was so nice, slow and quiet.  I witnessed a beautiful sunrise while picking up the newspaper yesterday morning.  There was: -body shaping decreases beginning on my knitted cardigan -a walk, finally, outside with my husband and dog -grilled cheese and soup again for a meal-could be a weekly ritual -a return to salads -a little bit of Dr. Who -and a little bit of Mystery Science Theater -phone calls from the kids -chicken wings (homemade by my husband of course) -NOT football watching but looking every time my husband gasp and asking what happened... -waking up this morning to MORE SNOW whee :) How was your weekend?? Joining Amanda