Pumpkin Sunrise

  Good morning! I started this scarf at the beginning of April and it is a Christmas gift. I had a spare skein of malabrigo yarn lace and according to the directions I should have enough yarn. We shall see! I have to concentrate while knitting this so I only work on it a few times a week while I still have non-credit classes to attend. I will be having a few weeks off before the summer sessions start so hopefully I will have more time to knit! What are you working on this week?

  Spring has sprung around here! I take such great delight on my walks, drinking in the spring views and listening to all the birds. Sometimes I know who is singing and sometimes I have no clue and use the Merlin app to identify my mysterious bird singer. We had some work done at our house this week. At the beginning of the week, we had the plumber come to do some jobs around the house and install a new water heater. Ours was still working but it was aging and we wanted to replace it before it broke down. Yesterday, we had the concrete leveled for the back patio and for the front walkway. Nothing terribly exciting but necessary. I love spring because I see neighbors outside working in their gardens and it's nice to say 'hello' and catch up with each other. Yesterday was a beautiful knitting day. I worked on the scarf and the socks . What could be better than that? Probably starting yet another project but I didn't. My wrists have been behaving and I continue to be mind

  Good morning! I finished another pair of socks for my husband and promptly cast on another pair. I enjoyed this colorway but, gosh, it was a challenge to match the two socks up (but I did a good job!). Once I am done filling his sock drawer, I will be thrilled to be knitting other projects that are on my mind. I should write down my ideas so I do not forget. What are you working on this week?

  How was your weekend? I'm on a roll with having quiet weekends and this one was really restive. The only event that caused some hiccups was the crazy windy rainy weather that knocked out power for moments at a time. We held our breath waiting to see if it was permanent and luckily it was not. Phew. On Saturday we went for a country drive north of us and did a little bit of shopping (one was a grocery store so that wasn't exciting but they carry things I cannot get locally). We enjoyed seeing the greening trees and spring bursting everywhere. Sunday morning, we attended Mass and then the rest of the day was laundry.  All weekend long I was either reading or knitting. What a great way to spend a weekend. The top photo is a scarf and the bottom photo is a never ending hat in K1 P1 ribbing. How was your weekend?

  Good morning! How are you? How's your crafting projects coming along? I finished this shawl last week and blocked it a few days later. I am pleased with how it turned out. I've knit this pattern once before and enjoyed knitting it a second time around. Now that this shawl is finished I can start something new!! What are you working on this week?

  How was your weekend? Yet again, I had a nice quiet (boring) weekend - I'm just stringing them along one after the other. Yesterday we put away the snow shovel so maybe there will be some snow (ha ha ha). We also set up the back patio for the warmer weather because the awning company will be here this week to install my clean, mended and newly waterproofed awning. I am excited!  Besides daily walks with Frodo in our neighborhood and going to Mass on Sunday morning, I took it easy. We popped into the library on Saturday so I could borrow the 14th book of the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths. I read this last year so I need to refresh my memory before I read the final (15th) book of the series.  Of course I did a bit of sock knitting and I continue to protect my wrist from over-doing it. I am so happy with my progress on the socks and in the wrist protection. It's a double win!

  There has been so much rain this week. There are times when I am out on my daily walk with Frodo and I wonder why I'm happy, then decide it's because the sun is out. This week, I'm wondering why I feel blue, well - it's because of the endless gloomy skies. Sure the sun comes out at the end of the day and I do appreciate it but I like some sunshine sprinkled in with the rain, please. This week the trees have been sprouting and the green sheen can be seen wherever you go. I like this part of springtime - the newness and the green-ness, it pairs perfectly with Easter and rebirth. How are you? How's your week been?  I continue to work on his socks for no more than one hour at a time. This approach seems to be the sweet spot of knitting without any wrist pain. Earlier in the week, I pulled out my sketchbook and did some abstract sketching and painting. I really enjoyed myself. I mostly read when I'm not knitting. I have a shawl blocking in the laundry room and I pl

  I continue to take it easy when it comes to knitting. Most evenings I work on these socks for my husband. I am on the second one! I'm excited about that. I limit myself to one hour a day on double pointed needles just to be extra cautious in babying my wrists. I believe this is working for me since I continue to improve. What are you working on?

  Good morning!  My knitting has been progressing nicely. Two days ago though, I had to UNKNIT 385 stitches while working on this shawl because there was a mistake. I decided to change the pattern from 'make one left or right' to a yarn over because I could not see the pattern well and lace-weight yarn is oh so fiddly. I am happy with my decision but the unknitting took forever! (well it felt like forever but maybe it was an hour...) I am on the border and that is so close to a finish! What are you working on this week?

  Good morning! How are you doing? Life has been quite nice around here.  First of all, thank you for the well wishes, they worked! I am gingerly knitting and have minimal wrist pain. Slow and steady wins the race, so they say. I am learning to have patience. Yesterday, my husband and I went to the science museum early in the morning to see the titanic exhibit. The exhibit was nice and informative but the crowd was not nice. I am not a fan of crowds and I especially do not like being near people who are sneezing (and NOT covering their mouths....). Goodness! We toured the exhibit and quickly left. The science museum is our least favorite because of this reason. I did not have the patience I clearly needed. Once we were home, I snuggled with Frodo and did a few rows of knitting. I also enjoyed reading my book. I am on the 13th book (out of 15) of the Ruth Galloway mysteries by Elly Griffiths. I read number 14 first over a year ago and will probably read it again before the last book, ju

  Good morning! How are you all doing? I finished the socks on Monday night and already started another pair of socks the same evening. He is proudly wearing these socks which makes me happy. I do not know how much knitting I will be getting done because I'm in the middle of an arthritis flare in my wrists. I wish I could be patient but alas, I am not.  I'm doing my best to knit briefly and then take a rest.  What are you working on this week?

  Good morning! I have been focusing on these socks because we have a 'hand-knitted sock crisis' going on in this house. I threw away another pair of my husband's socks. They were threadbare! What is going on here? What forces are descending on this humble home? My husband has four pairs left in his drawer. Can I darn the worn out socks? No, I cannot - the holes are over an inch big at the soles where he wears them out. And so my knitting epiphany is to always have a pair of socks on the needles from here on out. I really do not want deadlines (I'm still recovering from the blanket deadline I created for myself) so I'm just going to have a pair on the needles. Slow and steady wins the race! (as a side note, I am thrilled he wears my socks threadbare and loves them so much, what a knit worthy person!!) What are you working on this week?

  Good morning! How are you on this first day of March? March!, can you believe it? Time just fly by sometimes and sometimes it moves at a snail's pace. I love winter but I have to confess, I'm excited about spring jacket wearing weather.  With a new season so close to arriving, I'm thinking of goals. Personal goals, menu planning goals and what I want to focus on.  Whenever the summer schedule is released at school, I might do more exercise classes, maybe. I enjoy Tai Chi so much, maybe I would like the others and the only way to know is to try one out. What I choose depends on what class it is and when it is offered. I try to bundle my classes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I like Thursdays and Fridays free for my regular life and other commitments. My knitting goals are to not have knitting goals. I am thoroughly enjoying my free and easy knitting time. Below is a shawl I started early in January. After a month long break from it, I have returned to leisurely knit

  Good morning! How are all of you?  I finished that blanket ! Not only did I finish it on Friday night, I mailed it on Saturday morning. I've knit this pattern many times and have it memorized. That's what makes it a comforting knit. Even better news, I started a pair of simple socks for my husband and there is no knitting deadline. It's nice to pick up and put down a mindless knit. I am also enjoying the absence of a self imposed deadline. What are you working on this week?

  Well hello there! How have you been?  I keep telling you my knitting has been such a solace while I recover and it's been prolific. What a great way to be during the January days. Over the weekend I finished two hats that I originally wanted to knit and complete for Christmas presents but was unable to do so. I made a car hat for our grandson and a cat hat for our granddaughter. I've knit both patterns before and I do love to repeat a pattern.  I am feeling so much better and I feel like myself if that makes any sense.  I'm back to exercising and walking when the weather allows me and that helps me be the best version of myself. What are you working on this week?

  Good morning! How are all of you?  I'm still recovering. I know what a sad sentence to write. Early on Friday morning, 7:40 am, I snagged a doctor's appointment for my sinus infection that is now an ear infection in both ears and my hearing is compromised in one ear. I'm on a different antibiotic and a round of prednisone.  I'm still trying to schedule an ENT appointment, wish me luck! I have been knitting up a STORM people!! I don't know what's got into me. I think it's because the company has left, I'm not in classes at the university at the moment and I am motivated to cast on all the new shiny things. It's a wonderful feeling. The top photo is a shawl with changing colors that is thoroughly addicting. I chose a Helen Stewart pattern that I have knit before so it's like being with a best buddy. I won't tell you how I had to unknit twice four rows of knitting because I wasn't paying attention. Below is a baby blanket for my nephew&

  Good morning! How are all you lovely people?  My knitting this week has been slow. I am feeling better and because of that I am knitting once more. On the left is a simple cowl of my own design that I call knit doodling. The pattern is two rows of knit one purl one, one knit row then one purl row. That's it, then I go on repeat.  To be honest the hat on the right hasn't been touched until I took the project out of my bag for this photograph! I ended up going to express care on Monday for some modern magical medicine to treat a nasty sinus infection. I would love to tell you all about my resolutions and plans for the new year. Sadly the extended family visit and nearly three weeks of feeling awful have waylaid any intentions. Sitting upright was my goal yesterday, ha ha ha. I am eager to get back to my regular exercise routine and of course knit something new. Non-credit courses start back up again in a few weeks as well. What are you working on this week?

  Good morning! I'm briefly here to say 'hi' and I miss you guys! I am knee-deep with two grandbabies and their parents until the weekend (an ENTIRE week!). Sometime early next week, I'll be able to visit your spaces and catch up with your news. I finished the stockings and even stitched their names on them before Christmas day, I felt so accomplished. I am still experiencing lingering virus symptoms but over all I am feeling so much better. What are you working on this week? Happy New Year my friends, I am thankful for our little community and the spaces we visit and share. Thank you for reading and visiting this space. May your 2024 be a year filled with blessings and grace!!

  Good morning! How are you doing? Are you ready for the holidays?  I'm pleased to report that Frodo has been doing really well! He was barking so much yesterday that I have gratitude that he was back to his old self plus some annoyance mixed in with the gratitude. What a wonderful place to be. I am still battling my virus, but each day I see progress and that makes me happy (today is my first day to not be under a blanket!) and luckily my husband is fully recovered. Onward and upward. Yesterday I did lots of knitting and have mad scheming plans to finish these stockings for the grands for Christmas day. Completely doable if I set my mind to it! The worst part is the duplicate stitching of their names.  May you all have a Merry Christmas and I'll see you in the New Year. 

  I started wrapping gifts this week and I'm almost done with the task. Yesterday, my husband and I went out for a little shopping and walking around a tiny town nearby. I bought some yarn (from Santa, how does he know what I want??). We had an early lunch at a tiny cafe and I ordered FANCY avocado toast. Honestly it's made me rethink how I make my plain avocado toast at home. I am also surprised at the price I paid for this simple yet delicious food. However, when you eat out you are paying for the luxury of sitting in a dining space to relax and enjoy your food, while people watching. The endless blue skies and sunshine on our outing brought me such joy in my heart.  My son and his family return to us on Christmas day for almost a week. I'm excited to see the kids again and I hope this visit that no one is ill and I get to sleep. What brings me comfort and joy: - the Advent season - Frodo's haircut - easing back into knitting cautiously - avocado toast amplified - det