Knitsational...or The Evolution of Yarn

Looking Forward to a Fresh Week

As it is Sunday night, I find myself  looking ahead into the coming week. Mondays feel so fresh to me, even though the week technically begins on Sunday. But my husband returns to work and it's just me and the girls with 5 whole days to fill. No matter what has happened during the week before or even over the weekend, Monday is a fresh start. It's almost like New Year's. We have been so scattered and disorganized. Completely lacking a routine, so I am eager to start the week off right. Actually, we've been scattered and disorganized since my Zoe was born a year ago so there may be some trial and error as we perfect this whole routine thing. But, I will get my house clean and my girls fed breakfast at a decent hour. I will get through the mountain of laundry ( yes it has piled up again) and I even intend to carve out a certain time each day to work , rather than just popping into my room just whenever I can sneek away. There may even be some kind of chart or list involved. I just love charts and list. Yes! This is a brand new week and I will do better!

Though of course, if it doesn't work out there's always next week! And here's what I've been up to this weekend.

My Favorite Things

Raindrops on roses

and whiskers on kittens.

Bright copper kettles

and warm woolen mittens.

Brown paper packages tied up with string.

These are a few of my favorite things.

Laundry Day!

My washing machine has been filling very slowly. My mother heard it and said that I must have a clogged line and so she sent my dad over to fix it. I have been oh so very busy lately. And while we do have clean clothes we usually have to go digging through a basket to get to them. Our drawers and closets are down to the stuff that nobody really wants to wear.  So, my laundry hamper is kind of overflowing and my dad couldn't get to back of my machine so he left. And then later reported to my mother how behind on my laundry I am. How humiliating! She already thinks that I am an awful housekeeper. But  I am an artist and a full time mom. How much can you really expect from me? Well, enough is enough. Today was laundry day, whether I liked it or not. It was actually a really beautiful day out and as we hang all of laundry outside (rain or shine!) I got to enjoy the beautiful weather. It's really very peaceful and soothing to stand out there and methodically hang up piece after piece.  So that's what I did most of the day. But the light was just so lovely that it inspired me to take some pictures of my latest project. I've been working on flowers. Some for your hair but I got a little carried away with this one so I'm not really sure what I'll do with it. Maybe attach a pin. It would make a lovely brooch, I think. The bottom one I photographed a few days ago. It is smaller so I attached a hair band to it. It has already found a home as a little extra something with a purse I just sold.

Easter at My House

We had such a lovely Easter holiday . It was Zoe Gail's first. They both ate so many Peeps I thought they would throw up! Children really are the best part of most holidays. They remind us to really celebrate. Really, they remind us to celebrate life in general. Everything is so wonderful through their eyes. So miraculous! It is such a privilege to be able to see the fresh with my girls. They show me so much that I might otherwise miss.

The weekend wasn't all play, though. I've been a very busy girl! This is my latest.

Just Me, Myself and I

That dear, sweet husband of mine was home from work today, as it was Good Friday, so he decided to watch the girls  and let me do my usual Friday shopping alone. Blissfully alone! The solo days are few and far between but what a blessing when they do come. I am a stay-at-home mom by choice. A choice I wouldn't change for anything in the world but some days I  want to be just be me; not a wife or a mother, just Julie. An independent, single woman. An artist and crafter. A woman who loves to listen to Harry Belafonte loudly in the car. A woman who can spend the whole day mixing and matching fabric and knitting and sewing til my fingers are numb. Free to read til my eyes are blurry or stay in bed til noon. No obligations or anyone to please. But me.

But then when I pull up, Kaiya is standing outside and yells "Mommy!" and my solo, independent heart melts and I am glad I am home again. Glad that Kaiya and Zoe call me their Mommy. And glad that Tait waits to kiss only me when I return. I may not have the same freedom "Single Julie" had but the trade is so worth it. These 3 people have made me the woman I am today. And I like "Julie:wife and mother".

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

March winds were definitely blowing today! Hubby got home early and took the girls out to fly the kite I bought them last week!

It was the first time flying a kite for all of them. I love how every season has something special, something to look forward to. Next month the days will be warm enough to get out and work in the garden and my girls will practically move outside! I'm ready to shed my winter wear! My thoughts are roaming to dirt and flowers and shorts and afternoons spent wading in the creek. Picnics and daily walks with my girls. Ahhh..... not too much longer.  Then before too long I'll be looking forward to autumn again!

Flowers and Chocolate

I have spring fever! This is just girly overload, I know. Pink, pink, pink! I pulled out every pink flower I could find. I just listed this little beauty last night. I also caught the crochet bug a couple of nights ago. I only have a few crochet pattern books but I pulled them all out diggin for some great pattern. But alas, I couldn't find anything that suited my fancy. So I'm just kinda freestyling. This is gonna be another bag  of some sort. I know, I'm getting obsessed, right! But, even though I am a knitter at heart, there is a wonderfully soothing, rythmic quality to crochet. Every once in a while I get the bug and want a change of pace.

And for the chocolate! I found this great recipe for a  mocha frappacino. It is sooo addictive!i have to have one every couple of days or so. It"s every bit as good as, well, we'll just say some the big chain coffee joints. Though my mom says better because "they" add too much ice. And at home you can make this to suit any particular dietary need. We use soy milk and fortunately, chocolate syrup is dairy free!

Mocha Frappachino

3/4 cup double strong coffee (cold)

1 cup milk (dairy, soy, rice or nut)

2 cups ice

3 Tbl. sugar

3 Tbl. chocolate syrup (or more if you like, and I do!)

Add all ingredients to blender. Blend and enjoy!

Of course you could top this with whipped cream. There is a soy whipped cream available. I've never tried though I've been meaning to. You can find it in a well stocked natural food grocery, such as Earth Fare or Whole Food Market.

Well, Here It Is

I've gotten alot of really nice feedback on my purse so I've gone ahead and taken the plunge and listed it in my shop. I'm actually pretty nervous about putting it up for sale. Knitting in my strong suit and I've never tried selling anything I've sewn before.Except of course my slings. But they're so super easy that they don't count.

This is a little more intimidating for me. But, here it is. So I guess we'll see.

I actually really enjoyed making this. So much I've started on a new one today! Completely different, of course. I'm a little concerned about doing too many different things. I mean, my shop is called Knitsational, for cring out loud! I don't want to be too scattered. Oh well, I guess I'll just take it one listing at a time and see how it goes.

Give it to Me Straight

I have worked all day long, well, between breastfeeding sessions, and have finally completed the first sewn bag that I am considering trying to sell. Knitting is my strong point and so I an very nervous about this little venture. But don't "pussyfoot" around. Give it to me straight! I'm a big girl. I can take it. So..... what do you think? Forgive the rough photo. I just finished it like an hour ago.

To Those Who Have to Live With You

My husband is a dear, sweet , patient man. He never complains when I spend hours bent over my knitting or on the computer. He never questions me when I spend half of the grocery budget on yarn and notions. When I say "Honey, I need a faster connection" and satellite is our only option and will cost us the car payment now and then $50 a month, he doesn't say "Well maybe after you actually start making some money. No. He says "Go ahead and transfer the money out of the car payment account". When I run out of room in my crafting room he says "Why don't you take the back bedroom" even though it's for our future boys. And when I run out of room in that room he says " You can put it in my workroom". He never says "Maybe you should get rid of some stuff" or "What are you keeping that for"? He never complains when the dining room table is piled high with fabric and this and that. He just shoves it out of the way to make room for supper.

My husband is a dear, sweet, patient man. And I love him dearly for putting up with me!