Pumpkin Sunrise

I'm thrilled to show you my finished sweater !  I already wore it on Sunday and I was comfy cosy warm while wearing it.  I could knit this sweater again and again.  I'm already planning another sweater from the same designer after a bit of a break. Okay, what I like about this sweater pattern : -lots of short row shaping for the back so there is a defined front when wearing it -love the wide neck icord edging -waist shaping that is flattering I used Quince and Co Chickadee which was a delight to knit with.  Also after soaking and blocking the sweater was buttery soft against the skin.  I highly recommend their wools. I was running short on the dark gray yarn and decided to do the cuffs in light gray instead.  I might have had enough (maybe) but it was too close to call and I didn't want to unknit anything.  Ravelry notes are here

This weekend we went out and bought a new family room set.  Yup.  We like to go to the same family owned furniture store and walk around and pick something.  Our set is over 10 years old and my back issues are more than likely caused by the current state of our old couch and loveseat.  I'll confess that buying furniture is a ton more fun than buying a new heating/cooling system.  Being the crazy person that I am, I vacuumed under the cushions for when they take away this set.  Lucky me found a knitting cable needle but I didn't find any money though.  Our new furniture arrives on Tuesday - I cannot wait! How was your weekend?  Mine was super sunny.  Because of the bright sunshine we went for a walk this morning.  The sun adds warmth on these chilly February days.  I looked for signs of spring and so far it's a little too early for snowdrops.  However, I hear the birds singing and their music has been missed.  Before you know it the robins will return.

find Holly  This week I had not one but two snow days where I didn't go to my babysitting job.  My joy was bubbling up just like I did as a kid when school was canceled.  I purposefully didn't do any work on either day - no tax prepping, no bill paying etc...  I didn't even cook!  Our snowfall was minimal but the mixed sleet and ice made for slippery roads.  I'm thankful that I was home safe during the two day storm.  Holly looking for Frodo I finished my sweater!  It's drying upstairs on my bedroom floor as I type this.  I'm pleased to report that before soaking and blocking the sweater, the fit was perfect.  Maybe tomorrow I'll be burying the threads and doing a photo shoot. My husband and I went out for dinner today.  Many couples were out on Valentine's Day sitting beside each other in a booth instead of across from each other.  Some moms had their sons out for a dinner which I thought was sweet.  We sat and chatted across from e

Hello!  My knitting the past week has been awesome.  I'm on the second sleeve of my fair isle sweater.  I'm quite confident that the cuff will be knit and bound off tonight.  After work tomorrow I will soak and block the sweater.  Can you imagine how excited I am to wear this while it's still winter time? Last week I didn't have a portable project on the needles to grab and go when I was babysitting.  This week I have two projects.  Over the weekend I cast on another cowl, Heart Warmer .  When I saw this cowl, I was excited to see the same shape as the three color cashmere cowl  only in one color.  I will probably not change needle sizes as called for in the pattern and instead I'll block the daylights out of the cowl.  Also I'm not a fan of bobbles so I'll either do a purl stitch or a yarn over (I haven't decided yet). I started this wurm hat  before the fair isle sweater, but then the sweater took over my brain and I put the wurm hat

Saturday morning had the most brilliant sunrise.  I love when I'm outside expecting nothing exciting and then - I see beauty from Mother Nature.  Have you noticed the longer days?  Daylight starting earlier and ending later.  These little bits of changes uplift me. I am on the second sleeve!  Saturday night we attended the evening Mass.  We were graced with free entertainment with a family of three children under the age of 5 yo.  Oh boy!  They were squirmy, wiggly and active.  The middle girl was laying on the floor half in and out of the pew.  I guess the homily was a little too much for her, ha! When Mass ended, I was exhausted and could not remember the homily much.  Kids! bought this hand made wall quilt for 50 cents- score!  Today was the usual chores and not leaving the house.  Well, we did take a walk with Frodo but it was quite chilly and I could not wait to get back home.  I was bundled from head to toe and was still chilled down to my bones. I finished

future project not yet chosen As you know, I've been sketching on a regular basis.  On a whim I researched my watercolor paint set to see if they were 'good'.  They are student grade but good for me for now.  Anyways my story is about how searching for reviews let me to a you tube urban sketch artist who is filled with tons of information. I have spent lots of time with him and have learned so much about paper and paints.  I haven't even scratched the surface of his video uploads.  This discovery has brought me so much happiness! There are days when I feel I've exhausted the internet and there's nothing left to see.  Then I find the perfect rabbit hole to jump into and explore.  I'm still critical of my sketching/painting and overall creativity.  I keep squelching those critical thoughts with positive ones.  'Look another page you competed!' 'You showed up and that's half the battle'.  etc.... Valentines ready to go

I finished the Valley socks are finished!  (yay) I'm on the first sleeve of my fair isle sweater .  I love working on this project and will be a little sad when I'm done.  But I'm not done so I'm still happy! My son's blanket is growing as well.  I achieved a great photo with the iphone instead of the big camera.  Maybe the sun peeking out today helped a bit in my shadowy house. I'm in the last 200 pages of George Washington.   I've enjoyed this book immensely however, it's a dense read and each sentence is dripping with information so it takes awhile to get through.  I do recommend this book if you want to learn more about the first president and the beginnings of the United States.  Earlier this week I started reading March and so far I like it.  I've read one other of Geraldine Brooks  (can't remember the title!).  Her writing flows and the research she does for historical fiction shows.  Another great book and writer

Good morning!  Did you watch the Super Bowl?  Well, I did but passively.  I thought that the commercials were a bit lacking and the game was sort of boring as well.  However, football is boring over all except for all the knitting I do! This weekend was slow in the mornings and mid afternoons and then busier in the evenings.  On Saturday I managed to work on the SLEEVE of my sweater, yeppers!  I am onto sleeve knitting and it's wonderful.  I spent some quality time reading George Washington too.  I've been sketching daily and I broke out the watercolors.  My brain aches with 'just do it' 'don't judge it' mentality.  I'm proud that I am continually showing up and just doing it.  I'm assuming I will see improvements over time. Our son was here for an overnight stay on Saturday.  I am grateful he is only  1 1/2 hours away and is able to do this.  This coming fall he will be applying for jobs for 2020.  Who knows where he will be so I'

Earlier this week we had a snow storm that lived up to the hype it was given on the evening news.  I woke up on Tuesday and found out that I didn't have to babysit due to the snow.  My jubilant feelings reminded me of how I felt on snow days as a child. Back then I would wake up and listen to the radio to hear if one of three schools were canceled.  I rode two buses to a Catholic school, hence the three chances of a cancellation.  Being a Catholic student had it's blessings. Once I heard a school I then listened again to make sure I wasn't dreaming.  I'm amazed how currently I can just go onto the news website and see the list of cancellations or delays.  Technology does sure a purpose for good in some instances.  I'm lucky in that my employer does not want me driving in bad weather and her schedule is flexible to accommodate spur of the moment changes. On Tuesday I made best use of my free day by knitting, reading and drawing in my sketchbook.  My goal