Yarn Along February 29

Going to try to at least keep up weekly yarn along posts, with a bit of what I'm up to thrown in. Visit Ginny for lots of other yarn along fun.

Reading: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
Knitting: A gift for a little friend

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand is a wonderful book. It's one of those that is soothing to read but not at all boring. It keeps you interested but not preoccupied. I thoroughly enjoyed it (I've just recently finished) and highly recommend it. I don't believe you'll be disappointed.

There's much I'd love to write about, but, as usual, no time to chat! I will say, it's the last day of February, and I am very happy to see this month go. Come on Spring!

Yarn Along February 8

Going to try to at least keep up weekly yarn along posts, with a bit of what I'm up to thrown in. Visit Ginny for lots of other yarn along fun.

Reading: Simplicity Parenting but since it was in the car, I took a picture of what I've been reading to my oldest: James Herriott's Treasury for Children

Knitting: (Again) Earflap Hat from Knitting For Baby by Melanie Falick & Kristin Nicholas

So I made a little progress in my knitting, but I spent most of the weekend holding a feverish baby who was diagnosed with an ear infection on Monday. She is not happy. At all. So hoping she will be back to her usual self soon.

Treasure Hunt Finds (from long ago)

Over at Small Things -, you can see some interesting items found during treasure hunts. Reading that post made me remember this bottle. I got a little frantic when I didn't immediately find it under the sink (where I was sure it would be), but further poking around revealed it was there, just further back than I looked the first time. I found this bottle buried in the ground when I was a little girl. Unfortunately, I don't remember the exact place, but I do remember thinking it might be a genie bottle. It doesn't have any writing that reveals what it once contained. If anyone recognizes the bottle, please leave a comment. Typing this, I'm starting to think I found it on my grandparents' land in a wooded area when walking with my daddy. I like to use it as a vase for daffodils now.
The small rock is what my daddy called a "jack rock." My brother said you can google jack rocks, but I didn't find anything... maybe I need to go through more results pages. When we visited my daddy's parents, there was an old dirt road where you could find lots of these cube-shaped jack rocks (this one has a corner broken off). For my brother and I, finding one was a big deal. So, there's some treasure from my childhood.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matt. 6: 21 KJV)

Yarn Along February 1

Going to try to at least keep up weekly yarn along posts, with a bit of what I'm up to thrown in. Visit Ginny for lots of other yarn along fun.

Reading: The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall (and still reading Simplicity Parenting)
Knitting: (Again) Earflap Hat from Knitting For Baby by Melanie Falick & Kristin Nicholas

Starting over on the Earflap Hat for M as I have not been able to make it to my LYS to ask questions about shrinking this one. Not likely to make it there very soon as both of my boys have colds.

Not letting the colds get me down, February is here which means only 48 days until the first day of Spring according to my calendar. I even have a couple of yellow crocuses blooming in my yard now. Creep in, beautiful green Spring. I see you pushing the daffodils up, slowly now but surely.

Reading The Penderwicks after learning about the series at Thimblenest. It's a series for children about four sisters who've lost their mother to cancer and have a botanist father who quotes Latin. I've really enjoyed it. Sometimes I like to lose myself in children's books. The pace keeps my attention yet allows for the many breaks that are required when taking care of little ones. I also love to read about the busy play of childhood with days that stretch on forever with possibilities and no media intrudes with bad news. I don't know how many times I've read Elizabeth Enright's books about the Melendy children or the Little House series. They are comfort food for the mind and soul.

Hallelujah

The sun shineth! (We've had several straight days of rain.) M's hood has ears, hence the little "bear ear" in her shadow.

Yarn Along January 25

Going to try to at least keep up weekly yarn along posts, with a bit of what I'm up to thrown in. Visit Ginny for lots of other yarn along fun.

Reading: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and Simplicity Parenting
(Contemplating) Knitting: This scarf for me

Last week's knitting project was found to be too big (again!) At least I didn't completely finish it this time! I'm trying to decide whether I can somehow shrink it (I know nothing about blocking, etc.) or if I should just start over in a smaller size. Is there a place on ravelry to get the low down on patterns (like do they run big? etc.)?

I also ran across this scarf on ravelry. Love that. If only I had that exact yarn in my stash... really should not buy more yarn... but what if the scarf used up the whole skein, then it wouldn't add to the stash... This is exactly how my rationalization works:)

I've been on a cinnamon toast kick (for myself). Making it the way my daddy did, yum. Savoring it while reading blogs alone during M's nap, so relaxing, BUT I really need to be working on paperwork/bill paying and sewing!

A first step on working to thrive and not just survive: prioritize to-do list or maybe throw the list away. There needs to be clearance (in my mind) for (sometimes) missing baby's nap and just going or doing what sounds fun. We have so much that needs to be done around the house, but it hasn't been done so far, so why spend time fretting about it? Fretting doesn't get it done, and it doesn't help me thrive. No fretting, okay? 'kay!

Yarn Along January 18

Going to try to at least keep up weekly yarn along posts. With a bit of what I'm up to thrown in. Visit Ginny for lots of other yarn along fun.
Reading: The Paris Wife
Knitting: Earflap Hat from Knitting For Baby by Melanie Falick & Kristin Nicholas

I've now finished The Paris Wife. I really enjoyed it. It was my pick for the book club I belong to. If you enjoy Hemingway's novels, this is an interesting look at his early life before he became renowned. My favorite part of the book? When Hadley knocks on his studio door, he asks, "Who is it?" and she replies, "Your wife!" I could hear the angry vehemence, but also the anguish in her voice as I read it.

Knitting a sweet hat for M, hope to get it done while there's still a need for a warm hat.

We're just busy with life, and I find it's much easier to read blogs than write one. I am concerned that we are surviving and not thriving. I've voiced the concern to my husband, but we are not sure how we go about correcting... Can I blame it on winter? I want to, but I know it's more than that. At least we are thinking on it.

Better go join a sweet boy for breakfast.