Thursday, January 28, 2010

finding wisdom where it presents itself

sometimes the expressions on luna's face cause me to wonder...just where is her imagination taking her? if only she could speak "human!" still, i will try to follow her lead, and remember to enjoy the simple pleasure of a cardboard box....if she could speak the words, i know she would remind me to always take time to enjoy a sunny spot when it shows up....
and finding the simple pleasures is what we were doing the other day, making miniature pumpkin raisin muffins
as gooey a process as it can be sometimes! what fun! they were yummy and quick!







and, of course, i'm allowing myself to just go ahead and start a new project when the urge hits! this is my first fingerless "mitt" attempt. this yarn is fabulous, it's called karamea, and is so soft and springy and warm, these will be cozy. it is a blend of merino wool, alpaca, and possum, of all things....hmmm. who would have thought....? too bad the photo doesn't show the subtle variations in color, it's better in person. more later, with photos of the finished objects!



Saturday, January 16, 2010

safe at home


i'm so thankful that those in my immediate circle are safe, and trying to keep it in my mind and heart to send prayers and good thoughts for those in haiti and other parts of the world who are struggling with the basics of life after a disaster. if you are a knitter, you may want to join knitters without borders and if you are not, you may want to check out doctors without borders. it is easy for me to get so wrapped up in my own world that i don't see much else. i'm thankful there are people willing to go where they are needed when a catastrophe happens. and thankful for my comfortable life and the safety of my loved ones.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

a little catching up to do...

it has been a difficult year in some ways.

my dear friend judy died in early december from cancer. this is a photo of us a few months ago at our wonderful local yarn shop, cashmere cottage yarn , she was modeling her new cap. what a blessing it was to spend every wednesday afternoon knitting together with friends. i miss her, she was a great friend, and an amazing person, she leaves a huge hole in my life and it is a big change, an enormous loss.
and here is the picture of bliss, our cat aptly named luna who really enjoys reflecting sunlight. she has recovered well from her raccoon (known in our household as rac-ca-coon) encounter last summer, and this picture doesn't even show how well she has regained all the weight she lost during the ordeal! she has truly put on her fatty layers for the winter, and a luxuriant coat, all she is missing is most of her tail and a few toes and toenails. we are so thankful to have her!

since this was largely supposed to a chronicle of my knitting, here is one finished object. i have now completed two of these scarves and am working on a third, since it is a good take-it-with-me project to have in the car. i love the noro silk garden yarn, and the way the colors bounce off each other, but i wish the picture showed it up better. it is worked from two different skeins, alternating every two rows, each skein of yarn changes colors gradually. it is really fun.



the gaia shoulder hug is nearly done. i am working on the bind off/edging. my friend judy was a great encouragement for me to complete it, and my intention was to finish it in november, so hopefully soon.








on labor day weekend we went on a camping trip, and traveled by car to southern oregon/northern california. it was amira's first time camping, and she was very excited to sleep in a tent with a blow up air mattress. this was the morning after our first night, we camped at a place called ana reservoir on our way to goose lake.






this was taken near goose lake, alan ended up carrying amira for part of what was supposed to be a walk for all of us!






note the little ponies on the cake...amira celebrated her fifth birthday at a gymnastics place with 13 friends in attendance. lots of jumping and playing and cake. fun!






this year we carved pumpkins together, this was probably the most fun part, getting gooey...









christmas excitement....








and now, it's time to take down the tree.....*sigh*......and pack it away until next year!
that's all the catching up i'm going to do...hoping to start fresh and post regularly. wish me luck!