Pumpkin Sunrise

This past week, I was a teeny tiny bit worried I would not have enough yarn for the cardigan .  Every time I picked it up to knit, I imagined how I would solve my problem.  If I had a problem.  Would I shorten the sleeves?  Buy more yarn?  Would the yarn match? I did take out two inches from the first sleeve but really I didn't have to do that.  I had enough yarn, barely.  I might have 3-5 yards left over!  So all those imagination scenarios were unnecessary.  However, I do like how as knitters, we have ways of solving the yarn shortage problem. Today, I'll sew some buttons on and take more photos.  Right now I'm breathing a sigh of relief! The sun is trying desperately to shine while those pesky clouds try to stop those glorious sunbeams.  I am putting my bets on the sun winning over. I hope I am right :)

Hello!  How was your weekend?  Did you have a massive heat wave only to have the weather change abruptly to some chilly temps.  I've been switching the house from heat - AC - heat -  AC.  Crazy but true. I had a delightful weekend and truthfully, it's still going strong.  Our son is still here, he leaves tomorrow morning.  On Friday we did some serious clothes shopping and I picked up a few more tees and a couple of capri pants (so comfy and so forgiving).   I happened to also be in two (TWO) bicycle shops and the key to not being bored out of my mind is to have a novel. I finished my book, The Handmaid's Tale, and I highly recommend it.  Sure, it's thought provoking just like 1984 by George Orwell but in a good kind of way (if there is a good way??).  I thought about how would I survive, would I resist or would I submit?  I'm kind of wimpy so I think I would just do what I had to do to survive.  Maybe I'd be friends with the resistance and wistfully wish

morning sunbeams Good morning!  The sun is shining today and it is a glorious day.  We had quite the mini heat wave since Wednesday and while I did walk the first day, poor Frodo thought it was too hot for him.  So yesterday we stayed inside.  I guess since he is approaching eight years old, he has his limits.  I'm not a huge fan of heat waves so any excuse to sit inside and knit is fine by me. For a mini health update, I am excited to tell you that I resumed my morning yoga routine and so far I've had no back issues.  Thanks to the awesome physical therapist that gave me a take home back exercising program that I've faithfully completed for the past month.  I feel stronger and much better.  The yoga routine for now is gentle stretching and I'm extremely careful about being aware of my posture at all times. I've missed doing yoga, for me it's a great stress releaser and it's one of the few areas of exercise that I feel empowered even with my RA limi

Yesterday, I officially started knitting for Christmas.  Seriously - I did!  I wanted to knit an asymmetrical shawl but I knew my intended recipient would love a crescent shaped shawl better.  I believe Curious Handmade is spectacular at designing this shawl shape.  I dug deep into my stash and unearthed a cotton yarn that will be lovely to wear in transitional weather. I'm still toodling along with my surf shawl , this is such a comforting knit.  I might just keep going to make it as big as possible.  I'm still thinking about the mathematical consequences if I do that and will I need to rejigger the pattern.  Oh the thinking I'll be doing. A sleeve!!!  Isn't is sweet :)  I worked on this last night and have merely an inch to go on the cuff.  Boom, ready for the second sleeve, as quick as you blink.  Sleeves and button bands are simply the best part of knitting a cardigan .  Closer and closer I'm getting to finishing my sweater and wearing it.

Happy Mother's Day!  I hope you celebrated with your mother, grandmother, sister, and/or children.  My weekend was nice.  I started celebrating my motherhood on Thursday with dinner out and since then every day has had a mini celebration of sorts. Yesterday, my husband and I went shopping where I purchased a purse that I've been thinking about for two weeks.  Yes.  I anguish on certain things- you see, I have many purses!  So of course I added to the collection. At Saturday night Mass, the Council of Catholic Women gave each woman a carnation for Mother's day.  That was an unexpected delight.  Flowers make the world a better place and can make just about anyone smile.   Today I did the laundry as early as possible so the rest of the day was my time.  I sat and read a poetry book, Blue Iris by Mary Oliver.  I thoroughly enjoyed the quick read.  I balled up some cotton yarn for a soon to be shawl probably for a Christmas gift.   In January, we switched our

These days have been predictable and comforting.  In a few weeks my husband's job will be more flexible and that means we can go out and about and do 'things'.  Since late last August, we've been juggling a crazy stressful schedule. Can you believe we are nearly half way through May?  Where does the time go?  The past two weeks, I've focused on improving my health.  I've been walking daily unless it's raining and after a physical therapy consult, I've been doing assigned exercises for my back.  I hope in time I'll be able to return to yoga, but for now, these exercises make me feel proactive and healthy. I'm eating a salad a day every single day.  Phew.  That is quite a goal!  I have to confess, it was bumpy start.  The devil foods were calling my name over and over.  However, feeling healthy after eating a salad wins out in the end.  I feel kind of crappy if I eat garbage food.  Doesn't everyone?  And yet we go back to eating garb

I am savoring each stitch of my cardigan each afternoon and I'm thrilled to report that I've finished the body ribbing.  I wish you could feel the squish factor, seriously, unbelievable!  I'm on the first sleeve and I'll go as far as I can on 16 inch circular needles until I have to switch to either two circulars or double pointed needles. In the evenings, I work on my shawl that is slowly changing from dark purple to light purple.  I'm making the largest size and can't wait until I can wear this knit. Oh and I feel the need to cast something else new on the needles....so far resisting but still! Have you seen Andrea's new cowl ?  She released yet another new pattern! Also I read an interesting article about being super healthy and avoiding breast cancer in the New York Times.  It is definitely worth a read.