sledding, sans snow

The plan was to go sledding.  The assumption was that there would be snow.  There's always snow at Mark's creek.

Much thought was put into the preparations.  Maybe as much effort should have been put into finding out how things were really looking up there.  At least they had taken plenty of wood for a bonfire.  They set the hill ablaze, ate all of their food and were home before I could even miss them...  And they were not the least bit fazed!  Oh, to be young again.

Blessings, Debbie

2 knits and a... (who has time to read)?

Fresh off the needles is this vest.  I knit it for no one in particular because it would use up small amounts of leftover skeins.  It is 100% cotton and was a very simple knit.  I made some changes to the front neckline as I wanted it to come up higher than the pattern called for.

I tried steam blocking since the pieces are straight and square and cotton.  It worked fine for this but I'll still feel more comfortable doing the traditional wet blocking in the future.  I can see that if I was in a hurry, say I needed something to be finished in time to gift (like the sweater for the baby shower from this book shown drying on the washing machine), steaming is the way to go.

Now it's time for my very favorite part... choosing the buttons.  Of course my buttons of choice would be the wood ones my husband made.  Oh yea.  He didn't make any.  (I hope he can take a hint)!

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along
Blessings, Debbie

i'm ready for a boston tea party

Yes.  I am one of those who procrastinates a bit when it comes to adding figures and adding figures and adding more figures.  Blah!  Thankfully I have a budding accountant in the house.  She actually likes it.  It's completely beyond me...  Erin was a big help, but it was Audrey who actually complained when there was something going on that might take her away from the task.  When the girls left yesterday (to stay with friends for spring break) I was left with a minimum of wrap up.  I was eager to get it done by lunch so I could enjoy the rest of my day.  At 4:00 pm I had to cancel prayer meeting because not only was I certain that I would soon find the $119.20 I had been looking for ALL day but my neck and back ached and I hadn't even thought about cleaning and dinner prep.  When Larry got home our wonderful friends popped over with some food and the most encouraging prayer, then left us alone to tackle the problem together.  At 8:30 I finally closed the book and put away the adding machine.  I'ts done and I have only one thing to say...  Audrey, "WHERE ARE YOU WHEN I NEED YOU?"  

My weekend was a blast.  Crazy, wonderful friends story telling and laughing until 3:00 am.  I actually made it if you don't penalize me for taking a catnap in the middle of the shenanigans!
Blessings, Debbie

breathing...

Life is still on hyperspeed...  All of it good, though as I've mentioned I prefer a slower pace.  It seems that the girls are going to be traveling to the valley to spend spring break with friends.  That means that while Larry is at work I'll be home... alone... all day.  I'm tempted to turn the telephone off and lock the doors, quietly hiding with a good book and my knitting.  We'll see.  Though it sounds good, soon I would probably be the one picking up the phone and re-opening the lines of communication. Isn't life like that?  As my mother always says, "it's either feast or famine!"  I almost sent Audrey back to Montana with Hannah for a few days and I'm so glad that I kept her home.  Something just didn't feel right and now I know that we all just needed a short break before more chaos.

Today, eight year old Charity will help me make a pot of soup for a sick friend as my girls will be at a gathering helping to make wedding announcements for our sweet engaged Alycia.  This weekend I look forward to a visit from my daughter and son in law, a baby shower for our friend Halley and a wild get together/sleep over with the best friends a gal could have.  The storm before the calm so to speak.

It's times like these that I take a breath and thank God for my family and friends.  When things are buzzing and I feel like my brain needs a break I remind myself why.  It's because I am richly blessed with people to love and people who love me.  Who can complain about that?


* The photos were taken through the street window of a friend's saddlery shop downtown.  Just a little window lust on the part of a horse lover...  


~~Debbie

shhh.

They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength...  I'm getting stronger.  That's the beauty of waiting.  Of course as I wait and the Lord renews, life happens.  It happens and happens all around you keeping you right there in the center of it.  I want to wait quietly but that's not His plan.  And that's how we get stronger...

If this doesn't make any sense, please forgive me.  Just more of my ramblings.

Blessings, Debbie  

'bar'ley pop

It's past my bedtime and I've been falling asleep sitting way too long at this screen waiting for all of these pictures to upload.  I had to get them on here because they are nice pictures of a special day we want to remember.  Erin had her first official riding lesson today.  She's ridden quite a bit and she has had instruction but never lessons.  It went well and she'll be doing this weekly.  My girl is happy and I'm... going to bed.

Good night, Debbie

you knit me together...

This is a secret project that I'm working on.  If things come together I'll be sharing the details... if not, I'll just be sharing a simple, cute knit baby pattern.  Win, win... right?

Blessings, Debbie

the fifteen ounce baby jacket

The One Pound Baby Jacket (Snug) is off the needles and on the blocking board.  Three of the buttons are sewn on and the fourth (at the neck) is yet to be selected from the button bucket.  When the bulky sweater is finished drying I'll sew him on, roll up the cuffs and cozy it in with the other baby knits that are waiting for a chubby body to fill them.

The book is a new acquisition.  I'm very visual and this book is inspirational eye candy.  Even if I never did sew a garment from the pages (which I will) the natural palette, natural fibers and casual patterns would inspire me to... something.  My daughter spotted it at Joann's the other day while we were picking up a few things during their 'make your own sale' (which means I had a 50% off coupon).  She knows her mama.

And do you see that cream colored ball nestled in among the other hand-spun?  It weighs exactly 1 ounce,   making my One Pound Baby Jacket more accurately dubbed the Fifteen Ounce Baby Jacket.  And if we really want to get technical, the 'baby' jacket would be more accurately termed the 'toddler' jacket as I'm certain it's going to be quite roomy on an 18 month old and fit nicely up to about 4 years!  With this much wool invested I'm happy about that...  A generous couple years of wearing will make this grammie happy!


Joining Ginny's Yarn Along
Blessings, Debbie

ordinary extraordinary days

Our days are quickly rushing by... the days with our Montana girl.  Our house is always full of girly sounds but this past week it's been in stereo.  Lots of giggles and squeals.  Did you know that 14 year olds will still giggle and squeal at just about anything when they are in the mood?  We have nothing impressive on the calendar for her last days with us, just being together as they do what we always do making ordinary things seem extraordinary.  There is talk about her stealing Audrey home with her.  I've threatened to keep her.  Both of these seem like viable options... to them.

On the needles, my One Pound Baby Jacket is coming along beautifully.  I ran out of yarn once again, having to whip up another skein.  After waiting for it to dry I quickly used it up and now need to spin the last ounce and a half of the full pound.  It should be just about right.  All I have left is to bind off the front, stitch the hood to the back neckline and crochet around the front adding button loops.  I'm loving it!  

Blessings, Debbie