MAKING

After up loading the pictures for the Yarn Along post, I realized that we have been doing a lot of making around here. 

Makings that's been happening here:

-Cutting wool strips for wool rug

-Knitting Shore Sweater #4 (love this sweater as does every recipient of the sweater)

-New pillow cases, using some old lace I found at the bottom of a box

-Bread, made fresh (every other week)

-Beef stock

-Play dough (this is Eric's thing to make with the littles)

-A town of blocks

That's a lot of making going on and I love, love it!

Reading

Wisdom Distilled From The Daily : Living The Rule of St. Benedict Today

join me over at Small Things for Yarn Along

WE MOVED!!!!!

 We moved after 30 years in our home. This was big, really big for us! Sorting through 30 years of collections and stuff was exhausting emotionally and physically. I have lost over 10 lbs and several inches (which is a good thing), built up muscles I haven't seen since my 30's and bone tired by 7pm.

 Eric and I fixed up the old house, doing all the work ourselves with the exception of laying the new carpet. Spending 10-14 hours a day there, painting, refinishing wood, scrubbing, gardening,  etc,etc... The house is ready, as are Eric and I to sell this beautiful home! 

Our new home is in chaos, with boxes all over the place, garage full, we have had no time to unpack or organize the new place(but my craft area and because I didn't do it myself). Soon very soon we will start to unpack! The littles love the new park! 

I started a scrap cowl, really to use up left over sock yarn. I think I could make 10+ of these with all the scrap yarn I have. Packing up the fabric, yarn and fibers, I realized I never need to buy anymore yarn and/or fabric! My daughter unpacked all my fabric, yarn,wool, fibers and turn what was going to be my sewing room into the "Store". I would never have fitted all the stuff in that room and be able to sew in this room, so now I have a store and my machines are in the back of our HUGE family in the basement. I think I'm going to really enjoy this set-up.

BUS RIDES AND DYED YARN

My dogs woke me at 4am this morning. They are usually late sleepers, so when one is barking it means they have to get outside-now! I decided after getting the puppies re-settled to make coffee and catch up with the news. Nothing changing regarding US news, every time I watch it’s just more bad behavior by our president. lordy, my two and half year old grand little is more mature than the White House or the GOP….sad. Turning that off I turn my attention to the daily meditation that I have committed myself too. I find meditation has been a big help keeping my head on straight and realizing there is so much I have no control over, but ME. When I stay focused on my mental health, my family, taking small steps changing things that need twerking in my world, I find that I am changing the world for good, small steps at a time! And it is so worth my energies! 

Betty asked me to make her a quilt several months ago and of course I said I would. That quilt is now being quilted with a small wondering stitch pattern. It is taking me longer to quilt it due to I am not able to sit long in one position needed at the machine. Yes, the soon to be one year old (Gus) is havoc on my back! But, I can never resist holding that sweet sweet baby boy.

We read Pete The Cat books several times a day here with Betty. In one book Pete wears a yellow sweater with bright buttons, yup, you guessed it, I knitted a yellow Tiny Tea Leaves sweater for Betty! I will have her pick out the buttons sometime this week. 

Wound some yarn I dyed last summer using Black Hollyhocks. I’m thinking I have enough for a child’s sweater or an adult vest.

We took the kids on a bus ride last week and had too much fun! Betty loves buses and talks often of ‘yellow” buses, ‘blue’ busses and ‘green’ buses, we rode the green bus

The calendar has turn to the Christmas Season. I hope to keep ours peaceful, fun and calm. Wishing you the same this Holiday Season.

SUMMER

Summer!

My yard is looking great! Eating lots of greens from the garden!

More hail in the neighborhood.

Pooh visiting the neighborhood.

Sewing, using scraps from last scrap quilt to make another scrap quilt, ( how does that work again)?

SOMETHING TO DO, RUNNING FROM THE HEAT-CAMPING

We RAN to the mountains this week for two nights and three days! Seems that lots of people had the same idea for the same reason-too HOT in town! We left early on Tuesday morning finding the last two campsites sites side by side for trailers. Caitlin and Jason came up in afternoon with their camper, we brought the kids up with us early. Silly me, brought up knitting, several projects, thinking I would get in several hours of knit time. Well I can tell you, two small children takes all four adults to manage when spending hours and hours outside in nature! Fun we had, the two year old was better than any comedy show, so amazed with all their was to do outside. Petting the fish that Grandpa caught for dinner was a highlight before wrapping said fish being put on the grill. Betty also seasoned our fish for us....lots and lots of oil with salt, (someone took their eyes off her for a second). Trout, steak, potatoes and garden salad was DELISH! 

I finished the Milo vest for Betty, using some yarn dyed by Ginny at Small Things. Love her yarn, such a wonderful experience to knit with. I started one for Gus, (the knit I took camping), and no, I made no real progress on vest.With all the tree knocking on trees to get honey from Pooh Bear for our tea and cakes takes a lot of time! I love watching little ones play with their imagination! 

Oh, how I hope that the weather cools off or my new address will be some where in the mountains till November!

Peace and grab a cool drink.

12 MARCH 2018 (BALANCING ACT)

Winter seems to be winding down here on the Front Range. Continue to experience a lot of WIND which after days of strong schnooks I tend to get headaches. If the temps are going to warm I like to be outside without the need of ankle weights to keep me in the county. Every chance we get we are out walking with the littles, often finding ourselves stopping for a sprinkle donut. It's worth the sugar rush to watch B. enjoy her donut...love those toddlers! 

B. was also introduced to play dough! We made our own and pulled out cookie cutters on a warmish day made cold by the high winds. She loved this, playing for a full hour rolling, cutting and plain smacking the dough.Simple and 'on hand' things make the best toys for little ones!

I have been busy sewing---a lot! I finished the blue quilt pictured above, machine quilted FEATHERS, I finally mastered a presentable feather. I tell you it was a moment of pure accomplishment for me! After completing this quilt I was an unstoppable women in my sewing room to get two more tops done, and I did by Sunday evening. Now to get them sandwich, (hopefully today) and machine quilted! 

The baby sweater pictured ( without buttons as of yet ), is a gift for a friend who's baby shower is this weekend....in Minneapolis! My three adult children and I will all gather in the Twin Cities for a long weekend of much needed time together! Oh, I can already imagine the long walks, food and movies that will occupy our time and of course a baby shower. 

Talks on "Brain Science" has been on my computer these past weeks, so-so  interesting! I am of the generation that was told the brain does not  need "exercise"  and now to find out the brain needs LOTS of exercise. All the science and research being done on mood disorders, happiness, mindfulness, alzheimer, etc., why we know so little about our brains. I find this so fascinating and so hopeful for so many people who are suffering with illnesses of the brain. But most of all, the break through regarding medicine and that so many of our ills can be corrected by 'exercising' our brains.  The research showing that brain exercising has far, I mean far better results and long lasting results than most drugs used on the market today. I'm not saying throw away your prescriptions, but their may different options, keep an open mind!

Happy Monday! Gratitude is an Attitude.