Happy Sabbath

I can see blue through the clouds today. Yoga and jogging to Christmas music woke me up this morning.

What is Christmas Today?

This whole season just feels weird. Unusual weather; sunny 50 degrees out. People wanting our time. Family growing up. Family to take care of. Family personalities to deal with. Time schedule. Expectations. Visitations. So much of it is senseless and emotional. We've lost sight of fellowship and appreciation and reliance and peace. Simplicity and humility. Gratitude. Expectations are too high.
I am grateful for new beginnings.
So again this coming year I will again search out the answer to all my holiday emotional quandaries. The answers are either hidden or so simple they are too obvious. Searching may be taking me farther from the answer I seek.
I pray Lord that you lead and that we do Your birthday Christmas day justice in the plan You have. In You it is ok to not know for you will lead. Thank you, thank you!

My first mobile blog

I hope this works...it's my 1st mobile blog.

Sock are done

I finally finished the pair of socks I was knitting for myself. You think it'll be a quick project and then life starts throwing things at you. For some reason everything keeps going wrong. A pipe breaks, the truck needs new tires, kids aren't 'getting their way'.
I need a really cold and rainy few days so I can sit cozy in the house and work on my projects. But I did finish the socks and have worn them around the house.
Started now on a cowl neck wrap. Pretty cool idea I'd say. Not mine but still ingenious. I hope the yarn I chose will do the pattern justice. I'm a cheap skate and will try other cheaper yarns rather than order the one specified in the pattern. Guess it's called supporting the local yarn shops.
My husband is off hunting for a week. I am home to deal with all that accompanies the life of a teen and a soon to be teen. I don't mind entirely. I enjoy the quiet me time...though I'm rapidly loosing sleep with all my late nights...and I enjoy that parent child bonding time. I love my kids. They are God given and I do my best with them for Him.
Football games, a dentist appointment and homework are my near future. But for now, I'll sit here at the computer with my kitten asleep on my lap, warm my feet by the heater. It's was a nice fall day. I know God kept us safe and together and close.
Goodnight until later!

Blah Weather

This weather is so blah! I need sunshine to warm the ground and invite me out to tan. I hear Vitamin D is really good for you!

Graduations this past weekend! So proud of my younger friends. What an accomplishment. They should all know that this is where God wants them to be...it's where he has them in time and they should be proud of that and look to Him for what's next. I can learn from this. Even though that time of my life is past I'm constantly graduating through new levels in life. It really never ends. And it feels good so don't hold yourself back from growing. Learn and live....live and learn. It's all wonderful!

School is ending for the year. What to do through the summer months?! Baseball...camping...
knitting! I woke this morning feeling the need to go backpacking. I really need the wilderness!
I haven't had my fix for months!

Take a new step today!

Got Me To Thinking!

I'm nearly finished with my new work space. Building and moving in for the past month. It's like I'm a little kid getting a playhouse for her birthday! My kids have even asked if they can do sleepovers in my 'dollhouse'. So totally not a doll house though. I plan to fill it with inspiration and create things till my hearts content. Isn't that why we do this?

There's a new yarn shop in Salem now. So excited to see fellow fiber enthusiasts back to give this a try in our economy. I'd start one myself if life permitted. Their name is Tangled Purls. Check them out...I'm planning on doing so myself today.

Finished a Baby Blanket and started a little Jumper. The yarn is soft but synthetic. The more I think about I plan to use natural fibers and maybe even organic if they become more available. I need to get my spinning wheel out again and make some of my own yarn. I love using Cotton Batting...it's fluffy but has little 'knots' in it which aren't entirely bad just gives a different texture and look than I'm imagining. I tend to do that - see something in my mind and am not satisfied until the product looks like it. This is OK for perfectionists but I need to be more open to new findings.

Baseball season is going strong. Too much rain and cold most the time but I still manage to use the cold as an excuse to pull my knitting out - knitting a blanket while watching a game keeps your lap warm and it's productive at the same time. Very nice. Yes I get comments but mostly from my 13 year old daughter. She thinks I'm embarrassing but I know she's watching everything I do and it gives her more confidence when I'm not afraid to be myself.

Time to get back to work!

So much I want to do and so much I need to do...you gotta pick and choose.

BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE! and what you do!

It will help others be more proud of themselves too.

Springtime

Spring green.
I'm busy with kids and flowers and games and projects. And still finding time to play. Walking with my dog each morning to rejuvinate, invigorate and freshen. The highlights of my day are when I can say 'who cares' and let carefree delights fill the moment. I have a new pleasure...a playhouse. Well more properly a craft out-building. But still, it's play to me. I look forward to painting the interior and adding shelves and organizing all my tools and materials. To be able to start multiple projects and leave them out to work at your whim is a dream of any artist. So excited. My relm is to create...it's a stress-free, youthful zone.

I finished a rooster pot-holder soon to be a gift. It still needs eyes but that's simple enough.
Always wanted to knit cupcakes...our youth group is learning cake decorating techniques and joining them this week inspired me to finally create the knit cupcakes. Whimsical and yummy. It's gotten my mind whirling on many other inspiring projects tucked away in my mind. I'll never run out of things to do. I may need to put some away for my families sake but I will never be bored.

Baseball games tomorrow.
Sunshine too.
Knitting in hand - cheering loudly.
Mother-in-law visiting. She's also a great friend.
Promises of another great day spent with good intentions and promises from God.
I can only be as positive as I allow God to inspire me to be.

Beautiful Day

What a beautiful day! Sunshine...warmth...accomplished a lot of yard work. That felt great! Enjoyed lunch out with my family.

Finally named our kitty. Mia. Poor thing has a cold and congestion. Her siblings all were sick when we picked her up and now she's got the cold. Got her on some medicine to help her feel better; hope it works quickly.

I'm crocheting a kitty bed for Mia. She actually slept in it last night all on her own even though it's not finished. It's round and I plan to add a top - similar to an iigloo - as soon as I figure out how to make it stronge enough so keep it's shape. Just using multiple colors of inexpensive yarn I had around. The stiffness of cheap yarn makes it great for this kind of project.

So now a new week starts again. Valentines day next weekend. Have Valentines boxes to create with my kids. I love making these little projects. My kids often tell me that just buying something simple would be easier and faster but I still like adding the personal touch. I hope they don't mind me 'helping'.

This week leads to a lovely day to remember our loved ones with special treates and dates and sweets. It's a romantic and friendly day. Plan to take a moment to make someone feel special.


Happy Valentine's Day!

Yarn Consumes My Days

So I'm certain I probably bother my family with all the knitting time I consume but they are getting more used to me and my addictions. Can't help it. Knitting makes watching tv, baseball, and watching birds out my front window all the more enjoyable and productive.
I'm working on a new project. Crocheting a table cloth. Thought I'd get a jumpstart on birthday or Christmas gifts.
Then there's all that rough, cheap yarn given to me years ago...no idea what to do with it until I realized it would make great pet toys. So now after a small blanket throw for my beagle I have started on kitty toys. We're planning on getting a new kitten so I'll get a jump start on her toys and maybe have a few extras for the local Humane Society. I hope this inspires others to create for the orphans in their community.
Also thought of kids toys...doesn't that sound like so much fun. Blocks, balls bags, and hearts etc...being creative. Just planning my spare time.

My Meow Kitty

A little tribute to my Meow Kitty. He first came to us as a kitten from the Humane Society 15 years ago. Gray and white and cute all over. All through his years he loveed to play; attacking us and his stuffed kitty and even our beagle when she joined the family. For the past year Meow's been getting sick. After taking him to the vet I wasn't certain how long he'd been sick. There were so many things wrong...nothing could be reversed...so we decided to just help him hang in there. Poor kitty. He got so weak and really lost who he was. Finally we completely lost him. That hurt so bad! I still feel it. There are emotions and happenings that will haunt me forever. Things I can't share with my family for fear that they will be hurt more. But I need to start saying goodbye. So much love. He's gone. Not a waste...not one minute of it. Love those cats.

Fun in the Snow

Spent the weekend in the snow this weekend. The snow was melting and weather warm but still we loved getting out of city life and relaxing with friends. This campout is planned yearly thru our church youth group called Pathfinders. The weekend was a blessing with a theme of going on a safari trip: meaning we're traveling thru life with the trophy of sharing God with others and our destination of heaven. It was the perfect connection and the stories told by friends of their travels in Africa set the scene. (And several naps topped it all off.)

Back to our busy schedule but with the plan of living a little more simply each day until only the things and people and goals that really matter stand out most in my priorities.

Just checking in....

Getting back into it!

O how I dislike that...I refreshed my page and lost everything I had just thoughtfully typed. Don't know if I can put those thoughts back onto the page but I will do my best.

A new year and I'm trying to get back into blogging, facebook and emails and my new found interest etsy. I plan to put a link to etsy from here so I can share my sellings. Check the site out...etsy.com. It's my new playland. I haven't sold anything yet; it would definately help for me to put more than one item up for sale. Certain things in life slow other certain things down and life puts everything in it's place. Though I do try my best to keep up with what really matters and not get swarmed by what thinks it matters.

Going camping in the snow this weekend and I am soooo excited to get out of the valley. Heading to Big Lake near Hoodoo in Oregon. I saw Mt Jefferson while driving home today. The sun reflected so bright off the snow that entirely covers the mountain. Its was like it was glowing. So beautiful! I can only see it on clear air days - that's pretty sad - and only until the road dips down in elevation. It's very excited for me to view it.

I'm making Christmas presents still. Yes..this is ok. And not just to make myself feel better do I say that. It's true! At least I'm finishing them and not giving up. So many happenings this year have kept me from seeing some of my friends and family for the holidays so here I am still creating and perfecting. I'm proud of my little accomplishments... cards, envelopes and boxes to store them in. Then a pretty little India like pen will be added.
They'll bring smiles even if postal mail is becoming obselete.

So the news about Haiti is so devistating. I don't even know what to think. Here we thought Horicanne Catrina was aweful. So many people lost and hurting...and gone. Why. Answers aren't given but I did hear a simple thought that brings hope. The main religion is voodoo (it's not a religion but go with me here). The thought is that people are turning to God for answers. Voodooism may go by the wayside as the youth of this society search for answers and God loving Christians are there to answer and reach out to those searching. I think that is an absolutely wondeful view to look thru in this time. God can be reached and can reach us in any situation.

My father-in-law is dying. He has terminal cancer. I've been struggling with the fact that I don't know whats on his heart or in his thoughts or what his pains and fears are. But the more I think about it the more I come back to what has kept me going for so many years. I don't need to know all those things. I don't need to know why or how or when. I can let God know for me. And He does...He knows all and I can relax in that fact. It is very relaxing. Some call it trust. It's sitting back and wrapping yourself in Gods' grace! oh that is such a wonderful feeling. I can only pray that my letting God wrap me up in Him will make others feel Him too.

Knitting...I'm knitting a sweater and a mug warmer. Made some cat toys and a ball for my beagle. Planning to knit a hat pattern I found on Interweave Knits site. Keeping busy.

It's late...I've got laundry to fold and a mess to clean up...I'm packing for camping. I love reflecting and bringing everything around to where it's perspective is a little more realistic.

Good night~

Baseball

Baseball season is over for now. My son played wonderfully. He caught a fly ball in right field and bunted his way to first base...would've made it home had that batters ball not been caught. We're so proud of him for sticking with it and keeping his chin up. The All Stars competitions would've taken them to State but with this deciding game they lost and the other team will go. A little sad to see it over but ready to rest up for the next big event. Camping now too. We can get out of town and enjoy the wide open spaces of Oregon. Big Lake....East Lake....Rogue River...Gold Beach. Haven't decided yet but will be headed out soon.

Still knitting away stitch by stitch on my sweater. I know now that it will definitely not fit me and maybe not even my daughter. Truly sad. But I'll keep positive and plan it for her. Maybe she'll let me make a matching one. You'll see a picture when I'm finished.

U-pick peaches are calling my name. Had planned to can some but the summer is getting away from me. I'd have to do so quickly..not certain how long the peach season is. But mm mm just the thought of home canned peaches is mouth-watering.

Here's a thought from me to you...
'A true artist isn't afraid of failures or embarrassments but rather takes the moment in stride and laughs up the folly.'; writing this from my heart! Nothing on this earth is so terrible that we cannot chuck it up as experience and give it all in hope to God.

sincerely....Yarnit

Summertime in July

Gloomy and overcast but still magnificent in the fact that it's summertime. Time spent with the kids and in the great out of doors. Baseball fills every crevace of our time. My son is in the 9-10 All Star in Oregon this year. Two more teams will determine whether they go to state. So excited and proud of my young'n. Doesn't time just pull us away from reality at times thru life? You think you have the moment and time seems to stand still but the next day you're recalling that same moment a month ago. Rediculously true.

Haven't been able to camp this summer yet other than with our Pathfinder group. We'll be flying to Oshkosh Wisconsin in August for the world wide Pathfinder Camporee. This is such and awesome time to take the kids to. Being the directors of the club gives us the oportunity to see lives interact and kids experience and grow. Be a part of a youth group if at all possible; it will be life enriching for you and them.

I had started a crocheted tank sweater when in Maryland a year ago this month. Tore it out most probably 10 times. But the last time was the charm...for I have finished it finally. Done up in filet crochet using a dusty blue fingering weight sock yarn of washable wool blends. I still need to find 20 or so buttens to line down the back and tighten up one side of the bodice. It actually seems to be something I will be able to keep and wear!. I love making things but always make them in a size for my daughter or sister. They don't mind though my daughter is 13 now and her tastes are becoming more unique. Actually here's a thought for inspiration...it's not that their taste is unique but rather they don't know what their style is and they copy every think out there and jump from one idea to the next accumilating a wide variety of designs. I love that teen ability. A thought in this moment.

Made a little sweater for display only; Meant to be a tree ornament. Now am trying a sweater from a new book just purchased. The book is French Girl knits by Kristeen Griffin-Grimes. (Check it out. It's always nice to find a book where the majority of patterns are ones you like.) The plan is for it to fit me and be beautiful. I never find the yarn used so I use what I think will work...so nothing is ever guarenteed even when you use the stitch gauge footnotes. Don't get me wrong...the gauge sends you in the probable direction. And the probable direction is much better than the tearing out mutiple times method.

So happy knitting and dutifle crocheting and anything else you may desire to relax at. It's a wide wide world of activity out there.

March

March already...we went camping last weekend at South Beach State Park just out of Newport Oregon. Great place to camp. A little rainy but not too bad. Biking and walking and just plain relaxing. It was my birthday...Happy Birthday to me!
I've been working on a new knit hat design that includes a bill. My husband allowed be to cut up some old baseball caps to use the bills. My daughter and son both love them and wear them. Even one of our 16 year old youth group kids wants one. I love to design; in fact I feel a little lost when I'm not working on something new.
We're going camping again this weekend but in the snow this time. Taking our youth group out to play. So much fun. Never give up the chance to play a little....a lot!!!
I've joined a new yarn community and am so excited to meet new enthusiasts and see new yarn and projects.
It's only Tuesday but the week has been great so far.
Have a fabulous moment...where ever it may be.

New Year

I'm excited to announce I've joined facebook. Some announcement since most have already joined but I'm excited nonetheless. Hoping to find some of my friends of years past. Some I know where they are but have no contact. Anything that makes it easier to keep in touch.

Went snowmobiling recently and really enjoyed it. I plan to keep active and open to a wide variety of activities all through my years. Bumps and bruises keep us kicking.

I'm still knitting and designing. Haven't touched the wool I'd mentioned some time back but still look for the day when nothing stands in the way. With a family of 4, work and a youth group I have little time for little luxeries. The choices we make design our lives.

It's the new year and already closing in on Valentine's Day. My birthday is this month too; Cool! A good month.

Stay creative and enjoy it!

Backpacking

I went backpacking in the Jefferson Wilderness area in Oregon this past weekend. If you've never been packing you really should give it a try. Simple and free you will be. Everything gets back to the basics. And there are so many new little gadgets and items to take along that will make the whole experience more enjoyable and much easier than it could be.

And yes, I did find space in my pack for a couple knitting projects. A whole compartment designated to yarn and needles. Why not! Worked on a project bag with a colorful variegated ribbon yarn. The type of yarn you just can't pass up because it's unique and on clearance but you have no sight of ever having a project in mind for it. Well, that was me and this yarn. I've found that one can always find usefulness in a bag so there it is...a half finished bag. The weather was too wonderful and the lake was all too warm and clear to allow me to finish my knitting. I admit there are other activities that call preference over my knitting and crocheting.

I recently was given two large bags of Llama wool. I'm excited to start the task of cleaning, combing and spinning. Still a newbie at all this and I like it that way. The excitement of new wool and what it will really look like gets me. I mentioned before about publishing patterns and books. Also would like to get my Oregon spun yarn out there. People ask everywhere for yarn spun in the USA....so I plan to become one of the contributors. I let you know how it goes.

too-ta-loo

Maryland

Our summer vacation took us to Maryland this year. Visiting family and exploring fills our time. I even managed to visit three Yarn shops out here. They are hard to find in this area. There are several I can't get to up the northern end of Maryland...maybe someone else can check them out. But the one I enjoyed the most was Stitch DC in DC. Pennsylvania and eighth streets SE of the mall. She was very friendly and helpful and soon to be famous....publishing a book soon and has a pattern in the next interweave knit magazine soon to come out. That's what I'd like to accomplish. Ever think extra accomplishments are so hard to reach? I mean with family and jobs and life I feel putting 'extra' out there only elate me; few others encourage or even understand. But of course we all know that if we relied on everyone else's opinions, we never would accomplish the things that trigger our fascination. So yes I think that writing patterns to share or even putting together a whole book would be quite the thrill and even a possibility in my future. Taking a step...out.

If anyone ever said (like I said once) that visiting DC wasn't really something you'd enjoy doing you may want to reconsider. It's a thrill; a learning experience and chance to feel alive and meaningful in our hard earned country. I really recommend the American Soldier Memorial in the cemetery. Wow...the pictures are REAL and not dramatized. Our freedom comes from sweat, blood, tears, death - loss. Everyone really needs to experience this and feel teary-eyed with overwhelming passion for those that have fought and are fighting. Yes, peace would be nice but WE have to work for everything. WE! We're in this together. Give them the respect they deserve!

Heading home soon. Been a good experience. Glad to BE!

God is REAL!

Summer Vacation

You ever just have a sunny feeling in you? This is one of those moments. I'm knitting and getting packed and blogging. I feel satisfied and am not letting cares of the world envade my moment. Today I felt like I just wasn't gonna accomplish the days taskes when I was gently reminded that it's not my day or my time. I need not worry or fret. Years ago I put my life into the hands and gentle amazing grace of Jesus and ever so often need a gentle nudge from Him so I don't try to control again. Why control when you can lean and rest and have His peace about you.

Our vacation will take us to Washington DC this year. So excited. The perfect opportunity for accomplishing some knit projects. I'll let you know how it goes with the airlines and knitting supplies( I'm curious too). I found a new one I plan to start...a little pink knit dress. Sooo adorable. The book 'Baby Knits' by Lois Daykin has some wonderful little surprises inside. No babies here but I have plenty of friends to give to. I think friends are worthy receivers simply because they probably appreciate your knits more than you ever could. Hand made delights become treasures in the hands of friends. When it's finished I'll post a picture. Also working on a pair of socks, a blanket and a scarf. You know you've achieved 'the knitting status' when you have a list to rattle off of all the latest projects your doing. You have arrived. Like it's some secret or something, I don't know, but it's still fun.

I recommend you take a couple hours to sit in a sun filled garden - anywhere - and knit or crochet or even watercolour....whatever tickles your fancy but do it to relax and zone. Make it your meditation and relish in the feeling you'll beam with in the end. We weren't meant to run and recharge on chemicals....God's plan of course was and will always be best; fill yourself with nature and He'll nurture you. Perfectly positive.

4th of July

Spent the fourth watching a beautiful display of fireworks at the beach. The rain held back just till we were ready to leave - thank you. When you get the chance to visit family and friends you haven't seen for several months it cheers the soul and hearts are warmed. The sun made every green visible even more inviting than ever. So refreshing...delightful. And of course I found plenty of time to knit. Finished a pair of socks, just needing to tuck in the ends. Used a simple pattern so the self striping yarn would take the stage. I'm so glad I found the opportunity to knit socks...I had challenged myself plenty with gloves and sweaters and felted purses and now with socks in my yarn journal I feel well rounded. Still and always looking for more challenges. Really wanting to get started on some lacy knit and or crocheted tops. Tops meaning spaghetti strap tanks etc. Delicate beauties I'd say.

At last I'd like to add...thank you with an abundant scoop of gratitude to all those friends and family members that keep trudging thru this war even if it may not of been the best of choices but because it is right to help and protect and serve with loyalty. I'm so proud to be an American because I know what if means to be a part of this nation. With God, everyone... remember only with God is our nations honest and loyal purpose even possible!