Signs of the Times

Yesterday afternoon, my daughter and her husband joined us for lunch, and brought a little Christmas DVD they'd picked up at the store.  We turned it on and after just a little while, we were all in the Christmas spirit, thinking about trees, decorations and cooking for the holidays.

I have fired up some scents in the house to keep the mood going; balsam fir candle in the kitchen and holiday spice candle in the master bathroom.  I made myself a double shot of espresso just now, and found the filter to look a lot like a snowflake or Star of David.

Cleaning the house and getting out all the recipes for Thanksgiving dinner, I remember meals from the past, both good and bad.  The worst will always be the spinach casserole with potato chip topping made by my grandmother, that I later lost while "calling Ralph on the big white phone" if you know what I mean.

I remember drinking a whole glass of my uncle's strawberry wine, thinking it was Coke (it was in a red Dixie cup). I remember it being a lot warmer going down that Coke usually was.

Nowadays, Thanksgiving means cooking all day, eating for 30 minutes and cleaning the kitchen for a couple of hours. And this year I hear all the stores are opening up Thanksgiving Day evening, as opposed to waiting for Black Friday.  Not sure what to think of that! HO Ho ho!

Either way, I'm looking forward to the holiday season, and even more so, now that we have a little granddaughter to share it with.  I definitely feel blessed, and am recognizing all the wonderful things I already have. 

I love this brass colored yarn I've been spinning - I think its the perfect fall color!

And I finished the prayer shawl, blocked it and photographed it. From blocking, to packing it up for the postman, here is the Baby Blue Mohair Swallowtail Shawl!

Soaking

ready to be pinned

pinning and blocking

full size and drying

Swallowtail unpinned and soft as a feather

finished edges

center point

folded once

ready for shipping!

Did you think I wasn't coming back?

I know its been a long, long time since I've posted in this-here blog, but I have a very good reason!  I have been knitting voraciously (can that apply to knitting?) on a lovely shawl that I've dubbed a prayer shawl.  Its for a friend and I will tell you that while its not been hard to knit, it has taken some intentional knitting time to get it finished.  When I realized I was through with the body of the shawl, and was about to start the last 10 rows, I was elated!  Then I calculated that 10 rows of 200 stitches means 2,000 stitches for the edging alone. I said out loud the other night, how proud of myself I was, for staying with the project to the very end.  My tired fingers are thankful its done.  Now to block it and take some photos. I promise those will be in the next post!

As a diversion, I started a pair of men's gloves, using yarn I bought several weeks ago at Joy of Knitting in Franklin, TN.  They are soft and cushy, and are a joy to knit, as a matter of fact!  Size 7 bamboo DPNs and sport/worsted weight yarn.  Easy-peezy!  Love it!

We've spent quite a lot of time lately with our lovely new granddaughter, babysitting, giving a bath and shopping.  It is probably obvious that I am not ashamed at all of being a grandmother.

 I am 47 years old and proud of it!  I feel as though I've earned every wrinkle, gray hair and moment of memory loss!  There's a lot of stuff under the bridge of my life!  Being a grandmother is like a great reward for a job well done!  I'm thankful, actually, for all the ups and downs of a full life. It makes me appreciate the little things way more than a young person could.  It takes time to live a full life, like investing in a collection of precious items.  Every valuable moment of my life is important, even if I didn't realize it at the time it was happening.

Today, I am who I am.  Older, but wiser and hopefully I don't get too bogged down with the things that don't matter.  Today I realize how short life is, and plan on making the most of every last ounce of it! 

Rare Breed

A few days ago I ordered an online class from Craftsy called, "Know Your Wool" which explained the variety and make up of many common breeds of wool. It was fascinating!  This morning I read an article from Knitter's Review" on Muskox Qiviut which is eight times warmer than wool.  That led me to Windy Valley's website and their article on Vicuna yarn.

Muskox Qiviut

Knitter's Review had a recent poll asking readers if they cared what breed of sheep produced the yarn they like to use.  I had to say, I haven't been so picky in the past but I am becoming more so now.  It seems that origins are more important than we realize.  At least I'm beginning to feel that way.  They're important to our clothing (cotton, silk, wool, etc.), they're important to our language (etymology), and they're even important to our behavior.  Some of us come from very caring families while others come from places where you have to fend for yourself at an early age.  Some families are wealthy while others are poor.  

When it comes to fiber, the tougher the environment, the more delicate the undercoat of the fiber is.  Which leads me back to my online wool investigations!  "Vicuña is the rarest and finest hair fiber available in the world and these animals live only in the upper altitudes of the Andes Mountains." according to the Windy Valley website.  A single strand is hollow, which makes it able to trap air and be the warmest fiber in the world, as well as the most expensive.

Vicuna

Our circumstances, origins and environment play a big role in our character and behavior. The worst circumstances can often bring out the very best of who and what we are. So the next time you are feeling down about your past or current difficult circumstances, remember the Vicuna.  Know that what's in you may be more valuable than you think!!

Getting Crafty

 Knitting
After starting a scarf for my friend, I'd only gotten about 6-8 inches into the project when I weighed the scarf-so-far and then weighed the remaining yarn.  They were almost exactly the same!  I knew that this would be a lost cause.  (This is the way knitters determine if you have enough yarn left to make a project.) No one really wants a scarf that's 14 inches long.  Time to rip it out and start over.

Yesterday morning I was up really early, and ended up in the garage going through my stash trying to find suitable yarn for an alternate project for my friend.  I had tried a crochet hat that started out well the night before, but my DH looked at me funny when I showed him what I'd done.  The hat was very 70's and kind of like the one that guy wore on Welcome Back Kotter, with a brim in the front.  Nah.

Then I started a couple of scarves,  but did not like either of them so I'm officially in a simmering mode.  Just giving it time. But I will make something for Jeannie.  She is a generous friend and quickly gave me not one, but two wreaths for my front door. One for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas.

Thanksgiving wreath

Christmas wreath

 She's very talented and made these shoes for a friend.  What an artist!

Shoes by Jeannie

Spinning
So I spun some more of the Dryer-Lint roving and made a cool, artsy hank of wool.  I'm trying to find a large amount of yarn to make a throw for my DD and SIL.  They asked for one this weekend; one that was soft and big enough to use over the whole body without lace holes.  Got it.  Probably will mean acrylic from Hobby Lobby in chunky or bulky weight.  I love a challenge!  And I see Christmas Present on the gift tag!

Family
We had a marvelous day with our new granddaughter Saturday.  It was her first trip to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  I remember that last time they visited was before the baby was born, and I realized when they left that day, that the next time there would be a baby in the back seat.  She's a doll in her car seat.  And she's a doll when she sleeps and when she's awake.  And I was elated to see her laugh when we sang Toot Sweets from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Apparently the songs from the movie are sung all the time around her house.  So guess what album we just bought.  Well, we had to settle for the Broadway album, but Charlotte will never know. 

Thinking how much fun it is to go to Grandma's

Taking the Plunge

Tonight the weather is truly taking the plunge - 36 degrees!  After a really hot summer and some early cool temperatures, the cold weather is finally here.  I'm not one to wear shorts in the snow, although I used to live in the mountains where the locals thought nothing of shorts in winter. Not me!  I am always up for a cozy sweater, homemade socks and if possible, clogs!  Yes, I love wearing my clogs with handknitted socks.  My daughter assures me that it should not be done, sometimes I can't help myself.   I'd love a real true pair of dutch clogs like these:

YES?

When I moved to TN from the mountains of NC, I had thoroughly embraced being a mountain gal.  I used to wear overalls with a t-shirt and Birkenstocks without a second thought.
Then I moved to Nashville, TN, where folks are a bit more vain (please forgive me, but its true) and I realized I was in a whole other rodeo.  Not the kind where you wear cowboy hats and boots.  People here all color their hair, they wear very trendy clothes and shave their beards and mustaches in all kinds of funny ways.  I've had a lot of learning to do, and tried to adapt quickly, but occasionally, you'll catch me wearing something that would land me a permanent spot on What Not To Wear.
Anyway, I know my friends will still love me if they catch me wearing clogs and wool socks!

Knitting:
After visiting my friend Jeannie in IN, I knew I had to start a project for her.

Check out the WREATH she made! 

 I bought some super squishy yarn at a LYS and decided it would make a perfect feather-and-fan scarf for her.  Jeannie knows how to wear scarves so I knew this would be the perfect new project . 

And I have to share some of the goodies I got at my friend, Suzanne's house a couple of weeks ago. 
There were lots of spinning accessories including these gorgeous wool combs. and hand cards. 

Combs and Hand Cards

There were spindles of all sizes, knitting needles and a great crochet hook. 

Drop Spindles and Books

Bags of woo and needles

There was beautiful wool in great bags on the front porch of her log cabin. 
Yes, I said log cabin.  Not your average run of the mill ranch style house in the suburbs.  It sooo reminded me of the mountain cabins where we used to live.  Rustic with woods all around. 

And I got some excellent books. Books like A Gathering of Lace, and a Barbara Walker Treasury!  And cookbooks and gardening books.  I'm telling you, I scored!!

I made a deal with myself though;  that I would NOT  try to spin any of the wool I got until next year.  I'm trying to "Spin Down in 2012".  That is to say that I'm trying to spin all the wool I have in my stash, before starting any new spinning projects.  I'm kind of behind with the new grandbaby and a spontaneous trip to IN last weekend.  Not much spinning this week, but I did finish knitting and sewing up the cable pillows for my daughter!

As for reading, I'm on an audio book kick.  I started a new one today, and I've almost finished it already. 

Its by Henry Cloud.  He has a great book on Boundaries in case you need some help in that area.  I highly recommend it!
I finished the book by Bernie Madoff's daughter in law. It was quite sad and left me a little depressed.  So many people hurt by this one man. A compelling story but not a happy ending, as you probably already guessed.
 I've enjoyed this new book and its been very encouraging, especially as I'm entering a new phase of life. 

Life is Good

What a wonderful, crazy week I've had.  I am at a loss for words to convey the range of emotion I've experienced this week.

Little Angel

In the same week my son's firstborn came into this world, and my husband's father had a stroke.
In the same week I cried great tears at the sight of my first grandchild, and cried tears on the phone telling my daughter that we were following an ambulance carrying my father in law to the hospital.

While everyone is well, I am emotionally spent. Thank you Lord for knitting and coffee. Thank you Lord for Your Word that guides me through the paths of life.  Thank you Lord for friends and family that support us and cheer us on.  Thank you Lord for Your grace that leaves me wiggle room when I'm a mess.
Thank you Lord Jesus!

Quiet moment with my wonderful husband

We have so much to be thankful for, in all things, give thanks!

Starting something new

Yesterday I knocked out a full load of chores, from dusting to pruning bushes.  It seems like there is always something I can find to be working on around the house and I love that.  I like to keep busy and I like the sense of accomplishment when I've completed a task.  Makes me happy, even if its cleaning a bathroom!

In the midst of the day, my son called on the way home from the doctor's office with news that they've scheduled the delivery of their baby!  WOO HOO!  What an awesome piece of news to get in the middle of the day!  So tomorrow I'll be at the hospital meeting my new granddaughter.  Hallelujah.  God is good.

When I gave birth to my two children, only 13 months apart, I felt like I was so young and naive and unprepared for what was ahead.  And yet, I wouldn't change a thing.  Raising kids is like going on a trip. There's no way to really know what's ahead, you just start walking and deal with things as they happen.  Life's an adventure, right?  So just jump in and don't let the unknown keep you from enjoying the ride!

We have plaid!

Since my last post about the new pink weaving project, I've made some changes you need to know about. 
First I re-rolled the whole warp in the other direction.  Not sure how to say that in technical or layman's terms.  But that's what I did.  If you think of a small loom like a scroll that you'd roll completely in one direction, then roll it completely in the other direction,....that's kind of what I did. 

Re-rolled warp

The warp has 6 white and 12 pink threads, and the weft is the same (feel free to click the picture and count them).  *Note the shuttle with the white yarn is made of cardboard. This neat little plaid that is really cute and girly!

The cable pillow is such a relaxing and mindless piece of knitting now.  Inox needles double stranded yarn that's  fairly soft after all.  This is gonna be a great pillow.

If you don't have a library card, I challenge you today to go get one.  I'm not kidding.  Do it.  Libraries today have more to offer than you probably realize.  Because of my library card, I can download audio books for free to my Kindle Fire.  Super easy.

Yesterday I got a got this book to listen to while cleaning house.  Its written by the daughter in law of Bernie Madoff.   A very candid and interesting point of view, and a good listen, since Stephanie narrates the book herself.
Everyone should make biographies and autobiographies a part of their routine.  It really makes for a richer life, like you actually know and hang out with these people.  After all, when someone writes a book about their experiences, they're basically pouring their heart out to you.  Why not take advantage of their wisdom, or lack of?

Warped Mind

Since its September, I thought I'd mention how I'm doing with my goals and resolutions for the year.  I have a list of about 20 or so and I've checked off about half of them. Woo Hoo! I think that's pretty good! 
About 5 of them are in process and that leaves me three months to get on with those last 5. One of my goals was to spin all of my existing roving and fleece.

two and a half pounds of wool!

I started spinning this huge bag of wool this week; kind of ominous looking.  I'm purposely leaving in the little bits and noils as I spin, just for arts' sake.  I want it to have a little character. This is as gray as you're ever gonna get, but its really light gray -  reminds me of dryer lint. I  cannot imagine what I'm going to make out of it.  Maybe a rug or something  sturdy. 

This morning I started a weaving project; sort of a beginner's plaid.  Its a first for me and I've had all sorts of trouble.

Warped threads 

I warped with 100% homespun - wool and mohair two-play. (Cue tense music.)

Once I'd gotten through threading the heddle, I literally sighed and thought I was in the homestretch. (Music gets more intense, kind  of like the theme from Jaws.)

stringing up the tension rod

threading the heddle

I soon realized  I had warped the whole thing in the wrong direction (top to bottom instead of bottom to top).  Then , all the threads started sticking together.   I got out all manner of rulers, sticks and hand grenades gadgets to try to make everything work.
THEN I found that one of the warp threads was about to break.  (There's probably a villain peeking around the corner smoothing his evil mustache.)

Innocent looking pink silk and white wool for the weft

I'm thinking its time for a hot shower.  Good thing I haven't watched Psycho lately!

Back to normal

Well, its that time again.  Its time to make a blog post and find something interesting, witty and original to write about.  The politicians these days can virtually make the same speech day after day, highlighting the same points over and over again while on the campaign trail.

I, on the other hand, have to be original, over and over again. I have no team of writers to give me pointers on what to write and no editors or PR people handling me and my moves.  I only have a small brain, just the right size for my little head, and this brain has mostly stuff about knitting and spinning in it.  I guess that will have to do.  The witty part may not happen.  Wit comes from looking at life without rose-colored glasses, while keeping away from pessimism.

You know, we all deal with virtually the same things, day in and day out.  I'm learning in my new Bible study that jealousy stems from a broken heart.  I'll bet that whoever you are, you've had your heart broken at least once or twice. 

Disappointment is another common bond we all have.  Everybody gets disappointed now and then.  I'm disappointed every morning when I step on the scale.

  I think only about once in the last year have I looked at the scale with anything near satisfaction.  Why do I keep doing this?  I don't know.  You'd think I'd be prepared for the let down when I look at those numbers staring back at me.  But no.  I keep thinking the chocolate cake from the night before will not show up on the scale.  Insane, I realize.

But I've digressed already.  I'm supposed to be talking about knitting and spinning, so here goes.
I finished this little cable pillow for my daughter.

Its stuffed now and needs that little turn-inside-out gap sewn up.  Maybe tomorrow afternoon.

I've started another bigger cable pillow.  Its about 108 stitches with 4 stitches knitted, purled or cabled, over and over again.  Easy knitting on large 10 1/2 needles.  Yes!

I hemmed up a couple of pairs of jeans and cleaned out the closet a bit this morning.

Every so often, its nice to just straighten things out a bit; clean up and throw out the excess!  Two bohemian skirts and a large striped t-shirt went into the charity bag.  It takes all of my will power not to imagine ways to repurpose these skirts.  I have a little grandbaby due any day now, and I keep imagining lots of little play dresses and shorts for her.  Lord, help me not to be a hoarder. And I really mean it this time!

My son called me Sunday morning when I was getting ready for church to tell me that the baby might be on the way; he said they weren't sure if it was time yet, but the doctor said to come on in for a check, just in case. (False alarm.) But at that moment, all cohesive thought patterns flew out the window like a parakeet.  I burnt the rice, messed up my nail polish, and could not decide what to wear to church.  Mush for brains, I tell you!
Anyway, today he called his dad and the first thing he said was, "Dad, we're not on our way to the hospital."
Alright, I can deal with that.