Short Story Long

  Apple pie for Thanksgiving, pretty new turkey plate, Christmas decorations in Olde Town and in our home, big and little knitting projects, and cutting homemade marshmallows. 

When I was a very young wife, I spent a bit of my free time delving headlong into quilting.  I made a bunch of mad blocks before I realized that I really prefer a bit more order, and I started some blocks for this quilt, generally, before I knew what it would be in the end.  Those blocks, all red, blue and brown, are still floating around in my stash, somewhere.  Some of them were sawtooth stars and some were Job's Troubles, and all of them were pretty scrappy; it was going to be for my dad, who served in the military, including a bit at Arlington National Cemetery.  While I was still sorting out my style, back in the 00s, I spotted a quilt on a blog or in a magazine, called Stepping Stones, or perhaps Stars and Stones, and I knew that was what I was working toward.  I have long since lost the location of that image but it is an easy concept, especially having a few of each block done.   The oldest digital picture I can locate is from February of 2008 but I believe I started the ol

Another blogger used to have a monthly "what are you reading, what are you knitting?" post,  but she's moved on to raising new babies.  I'm posting mine today for posterity.   Before my local yarn shop closed its doors, I bought a bunch of yarn with the intention of making an "advent calendar" of mittens.  I thought I'd make one a week, no problem.  As it turns out, I've gotten more like two a year finished!  One of the reasons I didn't race to the end is because I liked some of the stitch designs more than others.  I knew I would be able to come up with some alternative stitches, but I need to set aside time to modify the charts.  Luckily, I left off the number on the first one, so I've stitched the ones I like, regardless of their order. Pattern:  Mitten Garland Advent Calendar Yarn:  Elsbeth Lavold's Silky Wool in 114 Maraschino , 086 Dark Oak , 002 White Sand , and a bit of 083 Sapling Green Needles:  US1/2.25mm, 40" (I prefer

I've been looking through some of my old knitting pictures, posts, magazines.  Directly and indirectly, many things have changed in my home and heart over the past few years that have affected my knitting.  It's that time of year that I used to love so much - back to school for my kids, and back to teaching knitting for me!  Most of that is gone, and I'm thinking about how I can connect with the spirit of that but in new ways.  I'm looking to knit a sweater in/by September, and time to meet up with stitching friends.  Perhaps a sweater for a son or two.     Yesterday, I cast on for a Kildalton sweater by Kate Davies, the restyled version .  I wanted to keep it simple and not overthink it, but I'm already splitting it in pieces and thinking maybe I'd rather have a pullover.  Easy changes, but then that will affect the collar.  I'm starting with the back, though, so I can think about it awhile longer.   In 2020, I knitted slippers for my family.   I see I ne

(a little diary of gardening for myself, and maybe you!) Last year, we started seeds on March 18th.    This year, we started seeds on February 27th for two primary reasons.  First, I realized last year that some seed packets recommended 8 to 10 weeks (or even 12 to 24 weeks) and we were a little past that.  Secondly, we had a pretty mild late spring, and could easily have gotten a few more weeks of growing on the front end for tomatoes and things, if I started things inside sooner.  We are three weeks ahead of last year and I think it's going to work out pretty well.   Unfortunately, when I went to get all my old seeds and seed starting supplies, I discovered that every single packet had been nibbled on!  Most of the seeds were gone, those that were left were in jumble at the bottom of the box.  We suspect mice in the shed.  There were a couple of plastic baggies of seeds I had saved, and there were one or two packets with internal foil packets that had not been completely demolish

Some of the things my people* were thankful for in November:   water caffeine birds of prey prayer the Bible grapes family snow on rooftops roast love Elon Musk art my Fender PJ pink & orange sunsets yarn piles of leaves going to the mountains hot cocoa friends key lime pie great friends my job family and friends football seared green beans books imaginary numbers sleep first cup of coffee clean sheets X-Files stew good vegetables 1 month of school left cold gray day people to talk to autumn sunlight on leaves humpty dumpty animal crossing Christmas lights plaid holy days Christmas *My people include several different dinner guests and friends who regularly hang out.  I take no responsibility for items on the list, but I was glad to see that 'friends' and 'family' regularly made it to the list.   We had a nice, long chain this year, and more cards than the last few years to hang upon it!