Finally, a true weekend

I was beginning to give up hope on ever having the kind of weekend that weekends are intended to be, ever again. Our weekends have been resembling a bit of a hamster wheel. This past weekend however, reminded me of weekends past, where time stretched out forever. And let me say that it makes Monday a whole lot easier to deal with when one has had a slow weekend. It makes the future look certain instead of wobbly and out of focus. So, on this bright and sunny Monday I say "Hooray weekend".

This moment

Note to self

It is crucial to remember that outdoor time is a necessity EVERYDAY. Don't let ridiculously frigid temperatures or winter colds mess up the plan for too long. Refuse to let the snowsuit wrangling and stubborn statements like "No want to" put a wrinkle in the plan. Stop the inner voice that says "I don't feel like it today" and lets the plan end there.
The beautiful outdoor world awaits....good times just outside the door.
I will remember how I felt today....the first day of our usual schedule that included lots of time for outdoor playing - alive.

Crossing the finish line

The line was crossed on December 20....just in time to welcome winter. A first for me. A sweater knit with my very own hands. A Tiny Tea Leaves cardigan for my littlest girl who still lets me make clothes for her. I bought some Manos del Uruguay silk and wool blend last February and pretty much started the project right away. I opted for shorter sleeves to allow for springtime layering. I realized that I love knitting....that I can indeed make a sweater and also that it drives me nuts having bigger projects sitting around taking a long time to get themselves done. Proving to myself what I already knew....that I am more of an immediate gratification kind of gal.




That said, I have some new wool on order for another solstice sweater....for me this time....on bigger needles.
Happy Wednesday.

Keeping the shiny side up

Otherwise entitled "It's mid-January, there's not enough snow and I am edging ever forward on my march to 40".
These are the things that are making me smile through my days.

The neverending sources of inspiration for the crafting year ahead.


The blanket that tugged at my heartstrings so much that I could not bare to part with it.

Signs of the children in my life all over the house.


Last but certainly not least....my mug. It is the work of the very talented abi lyon wicke. Her work in pottery brings out the same feelings in me as my work with wool. Happiness and whimsy all in a mug.

Here's to January....the fact that we are already almost halfway through astounds me.
Karen
***As I re-read this I realize that I may have been being a bit dramatic as I still have one year left of my 30's. Sigh.

Teens take on Handmade

As a young mama, I did crafts with my girls. I had supplies around with easy access to allow their creativity to let loose whenever the mood struck. I let them run with their own ideas, but also provided organized "projects" to show them the ropes. All with the idea in the back of my mind that one day my girls would enjoy hanging out on weekends and some evenings with me crafting homemades of all different kinds....not ALL evenings of course...I am not clueless in that department.
The fact that this ideal has not materialized hits me especially hard around the holidays. My girls are busy. They have homework, they have friends and they have jobs. Their down time is sadly spent with phone in hand or computer/television swallowing them up. Sigh.
What I should be remembering is that they are very creative beings. It is on their terms now that's all. For Christmas gifts this year my two biggest got out the camera, took beautiful pictures of their surroundings both inside and out and then had them developed and framed. Their idea...their execution....their joy in giving gifts from the heart.
Here is their handiwork. Enjoy.





Karen

Another new year

Here we go again. Another time around the sun. Seems as though this is the winter that hasn't decided it is time yet. A reminder that we are not the boss...
I look forward to the coming year. I always do. No grandiose plans or anything...just more of the same with a wee bit more patience and gratitude thrown in for good measure.
I hope to learn how to make cream cheese from scratch. Knit a pair of socks and a pair of mittens. And take a roadtrip to visit Canada's lovely Eastern coast.
That's it, that's all.
Hope things are well with you all.
xo