Just in time.

My tannenbaums are finished in time. I was afraid that they were coming off my needles too late, but the cold is back.

today.

Today is cold and filled with hot chocolate and a bit of school, and some time for knitting. (Also paying bills and other redlogic work-but that doesn't sound as fun. :))

zinnias, crafting and summer...

We have been picking cucumbers, beans, and a few peas, and lots of zinnias for a job the kids have for tomorrow. I had mad the small patchwork purse for a little friend this past weekend, when I was gathering the cards the kids had made for her, I quickly noticed the special touch Hannah had added to the letters on one of hers. Talia loved our cats when we visited, hence all the cats.

The shawl is my completed Ishbel. Raveled here. I think I would like to make another, maybe this winter... The pattern for the purse was from Patchwork Style. How to make the flower tutorial I found over at Wise Craft.

time just seems to disappear.

Swim lessons are over for the summer. They are always good, but it nice to reclaim our mornings. I can't remember a summer that I have enjoyed as much as I have this one. It started out perfect with our family trip to Kanakuk and since our return home, it has stayed that way. I have so enjoyed my time with all four of kids. I am dreading the thought of Hannah returning to school in less then a month and a bit less flexible schedule as we begin school officially at home.

The kids are with Grandpa and Grandma today. I'm heading to the Farmer's Market to pick up our share from Sweet Rose Farm CSA, and since I am childless for the morning, I may even get a chance for another spinning lesson. :) After that, I'm going to find some blackberries to pick.

*The lavender and veg are from my gardens. The second photo is proof that I still do knit! The butterfly and sunflower also from the gardens.

The Moska.

It is finished. Luke says it makes me look kinda fat and Alli says that I look beautiful. I should probably taken a few stitches out since I worked in the round instead of doing the front and back separately. The model looks as if there is a bit more decreasing to add some shape to hers. Whether I look a bit fat or not, I like the moska.

Yarn is Berroco's linen jeans.
Pattern is also from Berroco.

friends

Lizzie and Rosalynda- new friends

If I had more time, I would give you a really long list of reasons why I am thankful for them. Their listening ears, making time for me and my kids (because rarely are they not along), for the reality checks they provide to my sometimes limited perspective, the invitation to be a part of their lives.... sometimes I know God has placed them in my life when I have been in need of extra hugs, or encouraging words when I have been really low. I am so thankful for my friends.

five senses friday

I'm joining in a bit of fun that Abby started called "five senses friday". Each Friday I will try to post bits of the past week. Feel free to join along.

five senses friday

Taste:

-a new carmel corn recipe (also great with pecans instead of peanuts)

-Chocolate raspberry macarons

Sight:

-Jane Brocket's orange socks and penguin book collection

-daffodils and crocus blooming before the cold hit again.


Touch:

Finished socks


Smell:

After allergies hit two weeks ago, with the help of a allergy shot, I am finally smelling and tasting again.

-Coffee with breakfast


Hear:

Albertine

-Best Year of our Lives (Hannah is practicing for her solo the end of March.)

Knitting projects

I've been thinking about all the projects I had hoped to start/finish in January. I came no where close to accomplishing my list. I did finish a couple of hats for my brother-in-law. Also the grey sweater, besides that, I started the socks but they are still a work in progress. I started the mittens, however they are on hold until we hit mittens in EZ's "Knitters Almanac", I think in May, maybe?

In February, I started and completed a cute baby's hat, making the pattern up as I went. And I think I am finished with a baby's coccoon thing? I will take some photos today, but I am not sure I am totally satisfied with it.

For March I really need to finish the socks, baby gifts and hopefully start a project from Berroco's Linen Picnic. As far as sewing, I really need to get some American Girl clothes made for the girls...

The view.

Thursday afternoons are always crazy because we rush from one place to another, and then waiting for 3 kids to finish piano lessons, followed by rushing home to make supper. (That sentence is a perfect example of my brain on Thursday afternoons.) As I was pulling away from Mrs. H's home last night, the sunset was beautiful. A beautiful reminder of how God has wasted none of His minutes nor sunsets. Too bad that didn't hit me until this morning.

I started this post with eggs in mind. Note to self: I am still gathering 3-4 eggs a day. I was expecting the hens to start laying a bit less by now. The chickens also love those left over Autumn pumpkins, they are working on their second one right now.

Recently I found Twist Collective. It is full of beautiful knitting patterns. One in particular I especially am fond of. Maybe some day I will be a proficient enough knitter to try this.

A bit of this last week...

The hot chocolate is a recipe from Apples for Jam. The best hot chocolate I have ever made. (And like bread, I've tried quite a few recipes.) The berries are from before the snow yesterday.

The pattern for the hand warmers is from The Purlbee. They were a Christmas gift for a friend.

Ginger snaps and leg warmers.

I love ginger snaps, so I finally got to this recipe this week. They are incredible. I will be making them again. I also finished up another Christmas gift, some leg warmers for Lizzie.



The yarn is called Chocolate Cherry from Marigoldjen at Etsy.

The EZ February baby sweater.

I almost didn't post a photo of it. I had envisions of it being so much pretty (and all in cream, but I ran out of yarn and am trying to use up my stash)...
It turned out not at all like the ones in the book, but Liz wore it for almost 24 hours straight-so it will do.
And I learned a ton, my next one should be much better.

A bit of a update (at least some photos.)

This is the right time of year to be walking through the garden. The flowers are beginning to bloom, the squash and watermelon is spreading to cover weeds and fill up all the empty space and there are tomatoes and peppers on the plants. And then the smells are amazing, right now as I type, the aroma of cilantro is in the air.

The roses are still producing blooms, not as many as a month ago, but still lovely.


And my newly added yarrow is growing out by the lilies, cosmos and potatoes. Not much to look at right now, but I am hoping by next summer that the brilliant yellow is easy to spot from the house.


And my hollyhocks continue to grow. I am guessing that one of the plants is at least six feet tall right now.


Our original hens are finally catching up in size to Compassion and Padmae, in September they will be close to 20 weeks old and should begin to lay eggs. Compassion and Padmae having have each been laying on most days. It is so cool to actually fill up egg cartons with your own eggs. While trying to get a photo of how the girls size are about the same, out of the corner of my eye I spotted Mac noticing also. I wonder what he was hoping to accomplish? :)



On to other topics-one of my favorites-knitting. This is my knitting bag, it has two projects inside, along with more granny squares to be weaved together. All good projects, one is a cowel and one is a baby hat for a friends niece. However, I begin Elizabeth Zimmerman's February baby sweater in February, and this is as far as I got. I think I became a bit intimidated while working with the pattern... any way, I have picked it back up again...



However, today, I need to get an apron made. I have the fabric and have finally decided on the pattern I amy going to use. Hopefully it will be a quick and fun project to complete this weekend. I emphasize quick, I am a rather slow sewer and cutter, so seldom do my "quick" projects end up being quick.