{Yarn Along}

                         

I decided to avoid the many projects that I have to block by starting another on the weekend. Makes sense, right? However, I feel like I can't take a photograph of my finished projects until they are blocked...so I'm going to try to get that done this week.
I started the Honey Cowl that I wanted to make for my sister. She saw the yarn on my table a while back and while she's not a knitter, she has an appreciation for beautiful colours.
This knit up super fast because I used a much bulkier yarn than the pattern called for, and obviously cast on fewer stitches.
I'm at the very end though, and have half of it bound off. Here's the kicker though. I don't think I have enough yarn to finish binding off, so I'm playing chicken with what I have left. I'm at that point where I think I'm going to rip it back a row and bind off there (which I can afford to do, because I accidentally knit an extra row anyway and left it.)
Or, i could pick up a really close bulky strand and bind off with that...I'm not sure I have anything that would blend well though. I'm going to have to dig.

No massive reading accomplishments here this week. I'm almost finished "one thousand gifts" which is proving to be a slow, but good read.

Looking forward to seeing all your projects this week.

Weekending

Our weekend began on Friday this time

the sew hungry food truck rally was creating all sorts of fun on our street

the mister even took the day off work to help out with reuben's soda sales

zeke was out on the sidewalk busking

both boys made some decent coin while busy at their work

i observed from the sidelines, as i knit, watched the girl

and enjoyed some treats from cake & loaf

lotte tried out her new squeaky shoes and took them for a spin around the block with daddy

i have a video of her squeaky shoes but it won't upload right now

which is too bad, because it's cute, really cute.

later, i promise

saturday was wheelchair basketball practice for the mister (long story)

and zeke, who's decided to play along this year
while reuben and made preparations for mark's evening birthday party

with chocolate oreo cheese cake, veggie samosas, and bruschetta

some thrift store hunting for pants for reuben

while we did find one pair of pants, we also found a gorgeous shiny metal apple bowl

and her baby sister
the largest of the sister had no lid, so she got left at the store

i wonder if we hurt her feelings, or if she'll miss her younger sisters?

the boys found a brand new table hockey set at a yard sale after church, for $1

we've been having some dining room table tournaments

i watercoloured one of my favorite quotes, about my favorite season

i put on a cozy sweater and was happy it was cool enough to do so

warmed up some cider

and followed our tradition of filling the pumpkin with candy corn and peanuts

playing along with Amanda on weekending.

Weekending

farmer's market with a very curious Lotte, who said "hi" to everyone we passed
fresh "honeycrisp" apples that we'd never tried before, weird looking carrots, and baby beets
iced coffee
hot apple cider
which is hard to find this year..apparently the juicing apples didn't do very well. I still have hope
watching the new Autumn clouds roll in
wondering what exactly it is about autumn clouds that look different than summer clouds
swinging a baby back and forth on the back porch
working on some tiny knitted birthday surprises for a little someone..
she's going to be one in less than a month. I still can't believe it
golden yellow split pea soup with yesterday's crusty bread
a family shared family supper
day long craft show with my mother in law and her sisters 
who were sweet enough to invite me on their yearly pilgrimage 
home again to hide the treats and presents i found at the craft sale
grilled panini sandwiches with old cheddar, apple and black pepper
a family game of creationary before bed


joining amanda today in weekending

Yarn Along

I've been hanging back a bit lately...not just here, but in life's activities as well. 
Feeling a bit of angst and trying to cope. Not finding the relief i'd hoped, but seeking.
Seeking God, searching my heart, chiseling away fears and layers of scars that I chose to ignore for so long. 

Sweet Rachel recommended "One Thousand Gifts" last week when we spoke, in our usual hurried conversation that we manage to squeeze in once or twice a week, and i'm so thankful that she did. This book is like a soothing tub of old lady Watkins's salve for the wounded spirit. 

I have managed to squeeze out some knitting this week, mostly in the car, but i'll take it anyway I can get it. 
I have Lotte's lovey dovey up to the point where I get to start the bodice, and the ribbing finished on one of the boys' hats. I don't know who's hat it's going to be yet-I'll see which head it fits better and make the next one accordingly.

 I can't wait to see what knitting and reading has kept the rest of you sweet souls busy this week.


Yarning along this week with Ginny.

{yarn along}

After putting in a few rows bit by by, I'm a few inches further on the Lovey Dovey, almost to the point where I get to start adding the top. I'm excited that it's looking to be much closer to Lotte's actual size than the last one I had to frog. It's looking like it will realistically fit an 18 month old this winter-perfect.
The boys have expressed that they would each like a hat this autumn, so I pulled out the leftover fisherman's wool from my Dad's scarf and started on one. I don't have a pattern i'm really following, but I'm only making a pretty basic hat. I haven't decided though if I want to make the hat tall enough that the ribbing can flip up or not...i'll play it by ear.
If I run into any major snags I'll most likely pull up a pattern that seems similar to what i'm attempting and look for help.

I've been reading bits and pieces of "free range knitter" and it cracks me up. The stories are heartwarming, and genuinely funny. I had never heard of these books until last week at our needle night a friend brought them because she was finished with them and wanted to pass them on. They're perfect for a quick late night read  when i'm waiting for Lotte to settle.

playing along with ginny

Weekending

writing this post whilst under sleeping babe
the sleeping babe who seems to be nocturnal
this weekend was void of stretches of slumber greater than one hour
but there are 2 new teeth coming through, so hopefully this passes
an evening coffee house and open mic night 
where zeke played "here comes the sun", beautifully
a campfire, complete with marshmallows and hot dogs
a bit of reading from this book that a friend passed on at our knitting night last week
-short stories that warm my heart, just what i needed
lemon poppy seed loaf with way too many poppy seeds
the bag spilled right into the batter
which is a good thing if you ask my mom
a few inches of stockinette stitch on charlotte's lovey dovey
some pattern hunting for an idea of what to do with some new wool
a wedding celebration with childhood friends
washing and stemming and canning bushels of tomatoes
that's right, i don't bother skinning them
lotte helped squeeze the tomatoes for me
she thought that to be a very important step to the whole process
church with family
feeling my sister's babies kick
learning that they might be coming sooner than we thought
a bit of shopping for shirts that don't have baby stains on them
working up the nerve to wear one around the baby, ever
some back to school shopping
a purchase of 120 cahiers at 5 cents a piece
no, they aren't all for our family
a tiny leap of joy in my heart that my kids aren't actually going anywhere 
but will be continuing to learn at home and outside like they always do
watching mark and the boys build a little seat in our tree so they can pretend to hunt
with their bows and (rubber ended)arrows
a strange neighbor who really did think that the boys were going to hunt (and kill?) his cats
and who was angry that the boys now had a seat in our tree
because they would now be up there even more than they were before
and he doesn't really like children
especially children who do things like climb trees
trees that overlook a tiny portion of said neighbor's yard
because someone has to be the antagonist, I suppose
we told the nice (embarrassed) policeman that no, there is no real hunting happening
he showed up right as we were headed out to church
it was all very tom and huck
but now I want to send them up the tree with a kazoo and a trumpet


because I can

{This Moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.