Pumpkin Sunrise

How was your weekend?  Mine was somewhat productive, overall.  I had a blissful two days at home wrapping some gifts for extended family that I will be seeing soon.  I feel like I'm on top of my game, right now. Saturday morning I witnessed a beautiful sunrise and also the moon still peeking as the day slowly started.  I will never tire of early mornings and the silence that surrounds me knowing that the whole day is ahead of me and I can do lots. Sadly, I ripped out the hat and the sweater .  Yes.  Both were too big (who does gauge???).  I am very happy with my decision and know now that I am on the right track with both projects.  In my defense the sweater is a drop shoulder design which I haven't knit in decades....so I'm going to blame my rustiness on that.  The hat, well I have no common sense when I started a large knowing full well it was a large amount of stitches to cast on for a hat in worsted weight.  I have no hat excuse. With the ever so de

This past week I've worn a lot of hand made sweaters and it was glorious.  Being wrapped in wool is one of delights of cold weather.  I know many of you prefer summer and lots of sunshine but I thrive with chilly dark days.  Along with the shortened days I've been contemplating on how to decorate the house while having a two year old cat.  I think  she might leave the tree alone but I'm not sure.  Last year, I put up the smaller tree with ornaments that were safe and not sentimental.  My mom made a slew of ornaments that I treasure and since she isn't with us anymore, I cannot replace those treasures.  So I'm leaning towards doing the same thing this year, my reason being is that the smaller tree is easier to pick up if she knocks it down.....and she did last year. This week I've plotted out what needs to be done from now until the holidays.  I prefer to do a little bit every day rather than waiting until the last minute to do everything.  I do not

When I finished this hat last week, I was excited to know that I would be able to wear it during this latest cold spell.  The pom-pom was a gift a few years ago and I pondered on what hat to make.  When I saw this pattern trending on Ravelry I knew that my pom-pom would have a future home. I used left over fingering-weight wools from stash to make my hat.  Whenever I use deep stash yarn I feel like the project is 'free'.  I know I know, I bought the yarn at one time so it isn't technically free but you get the feeling I'm talking about.  I am using up scraps! My alterations were few.  I made the brim four inches instead of one inch so I could fold the brim over and have a slightly slouchy fit for the pom-pom. Ravelry notes

I fell into two delightful rabbit holes this weekend.  Both of them were not the internet kind of rabbit hole so I felt the time was well spent. Saturday morning I decided to put away all of my wool that was previously displayed before Holly marched into our lives.  Sadly she 'plays' with wool and throws it about all willy nilly.  So each beautiful basket had a towel over the yarn and tucked around. I sorted and stored all those yarns in zip bags that comforters come in.  Then shoved that into my walk in closet. Sunday I decided to pull out all of the walk in closet yarn and re-organize it AGAIN.  I fondly remembered my mom as I came across some 'vintage' wool that was hers.   My epiphany was I need to shop my closet before buying yarn.  Seriously!  I also balled up two different fingering weight wools for future projects.  The purple wool will be a sweater for me.  I haven't decided quite yet what that delicious apple green wool will be (for me) yet.

Since Michelle is hosting a gratitude week, I thought I would list mine today. -for all the sunrises I witness each morning and for the time change that makes the mornings a bit brighter for now. -for the first frost last night and evidence of a snow flurry -for the cold air so I can wear wool -for all the knitting, past-present-future, that fills my heart with joy.  For new favorite mugs and old favorite mugs and the green tea I drink. -for phone calls from the kids and hearing what they're are doing -for dinner dates with my husband, lunch dates with friends -for the preschooler who is delightful, funny and sweet as can be -for Holly's bravery as she tries her best to sidle up to Frodo.  This is Holly and Frodo being together  in the photo above.  Frodo is under that ottoman to the right. -for Frodo who sees the glass half full because he really really thinks he can catch Holly.  This will never happen, she is too fast! -for new blankets and t

I finished not one pair but two pairs of mitts .  One pair is slightly longer in the hand and thumb for a known recipient's hand size.  The second pair is a 'guesstimate' size.  They will fit! Now that I've knit this pattern three times, I'm ready to move onto something different.  For several years now I will knit the same pattern a couple of times if I like it and believe it would make a great gift.  There is something soothing about knitting a familiar pattern and getting into a zen state of mind. What have you been working on this week? Joining Ginny

Hello!  Another weekend has come and gone, I hope yours was delightful!  We visited our daughter and son in law in Delaware on Saturday and had a fantastic time.  I didn't take photos while we were together but I've managed to document some of my quiet moments. I worked only on my hat as photoed above.  I love the fair isle knitting portion immensely.  Above is my grand-kitty named 'Meiko' but they call her 'kitty'.  She is around 8-9 years old and they adopted her a year ago (ish).  She is a very vocal kitty! Our Saturday was a ton of shopping where I bought another paint set and some used books.  We had a lovely dinner at a Thai restaurant then came back to their place for birthday cake, even though my birthday is later this month. I need a detox from the sugar consumption!! Sunday morning we went to Kennet Square to a craft/antique market and I found my very favorite new mug!  Moose and yarn!  We didn't have time to explore the town s

Happy November!  This month is my favorite because it's my birthday month.  I've been reflective this past week on two quotes I ran across while toodling about on the internet.  Both have had me coming back to them again and again. a dr. who reference First quote: "The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything" -Oprah Winfrey. Do I do that?  Do I make the best of everything?  I'd like to think that I do.  But I'll be honest, in spite of my 'positivity' on this blog, I do have a dark side where I get jealous or envious of others.  My main jealous notion is of people who have family living in the same town.  Gah, I want that. I get pea green with envy, and it can at times consume me if I let it. Here is the thing, when I'm jealous, I'm miserable and my worst self ever.  Being jealous is a choice and not a fact.  So I work at my thoughts and feelings.  I work to focus on the p