as cozy as spring

Happy Right Now

I'm actually pretty grumpy right now, but there are still so many things making me happy that I might be enjoying these last few weeks.  Just a little.

My son's favorite bookshelf.  He organizes it like this.  Everyone should have at least one neat freak child.

Reading a childhood favorite to my daughter.  I could not be enjoying those moments more.

The children pick tomatoes every morning now and I think it's salsa making time.

Just petunias.  There's nothing much exciting about petunias, but they have performed so beautifully in the garden this spring that I can't help but love them this year.  I can't wait to get back into the garden.

An almost done PAIR of socks for my super puffy feet.  I thought the swelling was better yesterday but then I took my shoes off after the game and could actually feel the excess fluid just swishing around in my feet and my ankles.  Oh my ankles.  Not pretty, y'all.  But the socks are are going quickly. It's been a long time since I've done a KAL and I forgot how much fun they are!  And a KAL that cuts down on leftover yarn?  Best ever.   

Also making me happy: Watching my son score the first run for his team late in a very lopsided game, one which should have been rather depressing, but his joy and relief and making it home were hilarious and it was one of my favorite games of the season.

Reading my daughter's ballet evaluation where she got an E (Excellent) in attendance.  Y'all, that's ALL ME and I want a party, trophy, plaque, parade, and gold medal for getting her dressed and across town several times a week through this long and very sick pregnancy.

Watching baseball in the evening with my husband.  I caved.  I actually enjoy baseball now after two seasons watching my boy and two seasons of our home team making it to the World Series.  Hanging out with my husband who I still really like after all these years might have something to do with it. ;)

OK, I might try to do more of this.  This has actually been a veryveryvery rough past week but if you can't say anything nice... Writing this post has put a smile on my face this morning. 

Weekend Socks

Stripey socks two ways:

Mrs. Weasley socks completed with only about 10 inches of handspun yarn left.  Whew!  All I can see in this photo right now is how puffy my legs look.  

I'm participating in Susan Anderson's Patchwork Sockalong - an effort to use up fingering weight scraps (mostly Sunshine Classic, in this case).  I've never fussed so much over a pair of socks and I think that sort of defeats the purpose but I'm finally pleased with the color combination.  I knit one row of linen stitch for a blended effect and then knit 6 rows straight - US 1 over 60 stitches using a basic sock formula.  (Hee, it makes me laugh that I have a 'basic sock formula').  

Susan's playful socks reminded me so much of something Mrs. Whatsit might wear that I finally had to dive into A Wrinkle in Time with my little girl last night.  She loves it, yay!

On the schedule today: food, food, food.  My husband took care of the main dish for tonight so vegetables are all I have to provide.  My default side is broccoli because it's so cheap, easy, and healthy, but I'd like to spice things up a bit so I'm going to spend some time with my new veggie cookbook this morning.

I also have received all our school books for this next year.  Great news, but the lesson plans are coming along a little more slowly than expected.  I definitely am feeling the step up to middle school.  We decided to do a little trial run of Exploring Creation with General Science through our review month (May).  We love it.  The term "module" threw me off at first and the routine is slightly more time consuming but we are so enjoying the experiments and lessons.  Our review month has actually been pretty pleasant and productive.  

This is our last week of baseball and ballet.  'Tis a busy one, but that same thing can be said about every single week this spring and I've finally convinced I'm up for it.

Spring Spins

I learned to spin the day before Mother's Day a few years ago, on a quilt outside in the garden.  It was such a lovely day that springtime always puts me in the spinning mood.  

I don't have a lot of free time these days.  My latest spin began in November, I think, but I finally wrapped up enough to knit a pair of stripey socks.  I'm taking advantage of third trimester insomnia to become super productive at around 4:00am.  The house, it has never been so clean.

Sunshine Yarns Superwash Merino 'Molly Weasley' thinly spun and then chain plied for a sport weight stripey yarn, my very most favorite yarn to use but oh goodness, it takes forever to spin on a spindle. 

I have another braid in the works but it is spinning up with more gray than I anticipated, which is kind of the fun in handspun yarn.  My daughter seems to love it so I will eventually finish and knit her a little hat, I suppose!

But we'll see.  I have a few unopened boxes of school books that I need to sort through and schedules I need to make for the new year.  I'm glad to have the decision making process behind me for next year.  On to the planning! 

Send Yarn

There's a little story behind this cardigan, the first I envisioned for our baby, but I don't think I can tell it here.  It involves so many years of disappointed conversations with my sister, the unexpected and profound depression that hit me in my first trimester, financial worries, and just fear overall.  Heavy stuff and I don't think I'm a tell-all kind of blogger.  I will say that I used the words "Send yarn" to tell my sister that I finally saw those two lines and she understood immediately, rejoiced with me, and complied.

From that yarn, this cardigan was made.  It's my own design and I've never been so pleased with a finished object.  I sort of made it up as I went after studying the words of Elizabeth Zimmerman for a year or so.  It's knit with Quince and Co. Chickadee in a number of different colors (all on my Ravelry page, I think).  

This was the last must-knit-before-baby on my list but I think she might need a matching hat, don't you?  You know, for those frosty Texas summers?

Oh P.S. - no book post today.  I'm having trouble committing to any book right now which is driving my husband nuts because it means I spend tired evenings on the couch wanting to have emotional conversations with him.  He's getting desperate and wishes my friendly readers would suggest something engaging because he really just wants to watch the baseball game in peace.

Monday at Home

A little reworking of the schedule and I have two (2!) full days at home now most weeks.  This is such a blessing.  I hope I can make the most of them.  I took a nap this morning and I think that's a super start.

I'm hoping to...

• Prepare a lovely, healthy dinner of pasta salad with chicken breast and loads of fresh, chopped vegetables.  We sat down on Friday to a pathetic, emergency dinner of (brace yourself) 4 month old frozen, fried cheese sticks.  We didn't even make to to "and these thy gifts" before cracking up at the absurdity of considering cheese sticks a blessing from the Lord.  They were, of course, on a week when the grocery store fell off the priority list entirely but oh, it seemed a little insulting - like God was thinking, "I want no part of the old, frozen cheese sticks!"  I made a meal plan and did the shopping yesterday so I hope that will make for a smoother week.

• With 3 dance classes, 4 baseball games, and 4 rather stressful doctor's appointments last week, I finished up 5 hand knit socks.  I hope to wrap up pairs this afternoon.  It's a beautiful, cool spring day and I hope to just sit in the garden for awhile and knit.

• Clean up a bit.  We're still in the process of decluttering.  My husband insisted he didn't need to and then we found 8 pairs of his old jeans with unfortunate holes rendering them unsuitable even for a garage sale. I'm trying to think small and just work on a drawer, box, or shelf every day. Every little bit helps!  Even if I can't assess and repurpose a newly empty space, it makes me happy and keeps me going.

• Think about lesson plans for next year.  I would really like to get this squared away before our baby is born.  I hope to begin our next year in July so we can take our usual Christmas and Spring breaks.  My daughter's plan is fairly simple because we've been on track with her for some time.  My son, who will be in second grade, is a little trickier.  I always want to order a boxed curriculum but it doesn't ever seem to work.  Though I'm up for suggestions if anyone has a prepackaged set they just love for second grade.  Isn't CHC's First Communion prep supposed to be brilliant?  Anyway, I'm printing out calendars for July through April to get me thinking.

• My doctor insisted I take it easy for the next few weeks so all gardening is offcially off limits.  I'm bribing the children to weed and plant for me.  My gardening plans are ambitious every year and this year is no exception.  It's hard to say no - to hydrangeas, a new clematis in the most perfect deep pink color, watermelons.  But I'm growing a little baby and there's nothing more exciting than that.

During this long and difficult pregnancy, I have repeated to myself daily, 'When the tomatoes are ripe.  The baby will be born when the tomatoes are ripe."  It seems so much closer that way.  I wandered around this morning and saw several tiny green tomatoes set.  Hardly any time at all. :)

Traditional Mabel Dress

Traditional Mabel Dress from Simple Knits for Cherished Babies

Knit on Knit Picks US 2 (one edge in US 1) with Rowan Purelife Organic Cotton 4 ply in 'Madder'

This might be my favorite knit ever.  It's such a great design and though I was very nervous about the finishing work, I took my time and my seams are fine.  Neat even.  Not perfect, but once I get a chubby little baby girl in that dress I don't think it will matter one bit.  Even my husband, who is largely indifferent to my daily knitting show and tell seemed impressed at the cuteness.

The pattern was well written (especially if one took the time to read the words correctly).  The picot edge was easy and super cute.  I wasn't sure this would be worth the time but in the end I'm thrilled with it.

I liked the yarn quite a bit.  It had almost a linen like feel to it - it felt rather earthy and pleasant to me.  It was a little splitty.  I learned to knit on an 8 ply cotton so splitty yarns never bother me much, but after frogging it was tricky to get all the plies neatly back on the needle.  I missed a few here and there.  I'm using Rowan Purelife Cotton in DK for my next baby dress.  

I hadn't planned on taking a Spring Break but my children doubled up on work last week so they could and after staying in bed (really and truly) until 10:45 this morning I'm very happy to take a week off.  I'm not usually phased by Daylight Savings Time but this year - wow!  On the calendar this week, I have a big stack of freshly washed fabric and have plans for baby quilts (and sitting around).

Le Weekend

It took some courage but I washed this most beautiful fabric ever from UniqueShiny (super customer service, by the way).  Will I ever be able to cut into it?  It doesn't seem likely at this point.

Starting the front side of a very sweet little dress that is taking longer to knit with a 4 ply cotton on size 2 needles, but I hope it will be worth it!

Out in the garden, the pears, peaches, strawberries and blueberries are all in bloom.

I transplanted my peas and we are planning on putting in the tomatoes today.  I need to replace a blackberry or two - don't even get me started on all these years of professional and personal experience and I have a heck of a time growing blackberries which grow wild on Texas roadsides.  The shame!  I'm also going to start some carrots if I can get my crates back from the children, who have used them as furniture in their imaginary houses.

We have a few weeks of formal school left.  I'm planning a mini-mester to maximize our time until the baby is born (our baby!  I can't get over it!).  I'm thinking about organization for next year by looking at what didn't work this year. It's exciting to think about starting fresh after just muddling through for so many months.

It's been a full but relaxing weekend and I'm just so, so happy to spend it at home!

Simple Newborn Set

Pattern: Ribbon Tied Wool Vest from Simple Knits for Cherished Babies

Yarn: Knit Picks Simply Cotton Organic Sport (Just over 1 skein) in Marshmallow on US 2

This is embarrassing, but the only reason I knit this was because I couldn't remember why I ordered the yarn.  It just showed up one day and I can't not use something I purchase (and I do remember purchasing it).  The gauge was about right for this pattern and so I put them together on Super Bowl Sunday.  I am so, so glad I did because I love this teeny tiny t-shirt.  I anticipate it being worn once, maybe on the way home from the hospital, because it's so tiny.  But I love the simplicity, the creamy white color, and the tiny gingham bow!

The hat was knit the next day, because I had leftovers from this mystery yarn. I used this pattern as a starting point.  I think they make a sweet little set!  I started on bottoms but that pattern was not working out.  My husband mentioned this crazy scheme to purchase baby pants and I'll admit, that idea might just have merit.

First Baby Cardigan

Garter Stitch Cardigan by Erika Knight from Simple Knits for Cherished Babies

Knit in Sublime Organic Cotton (tragically discontinued) on US 4 and 5

No modifications.  (I don't think.... Ah, how quickly I forget.)

This was a good first project for the baby.  While it is a nice design, I didn't love the pattern or the yarn, but I got a feel for the sizing and construction of baby garments and thought a lot about what I would change.  I'm glad I didn't jump right in with my favorite patterns because I'm already planning alterations. 

Nothing matched this yarn but my son chose these green buttons that's about as good as anything I could find.  I think that this cardigan is simple enough to get a lot of use.  

So knitting friends, what is your favorite yarn for baby knits? I see Debbie Bliss Cashmerino used a lot but I've never tried it myself. 

And also!  Does anyone use/like Handmade Beginnings or any other baby sewing book?  I plan to dust off the sewing machine next week.

This and That

*Story Cubes - My brother and sister-in-law gave these to my children for Christmas.  They're so much fun, easy to use and encourage creative story telling.  Love!  (This blog post provided by Story Cubes, which are occupying the children behind me.)

*The new HHS ruling.  I was explaining this to a non-Catholic friend over a lovely brunch yesterday and her immediate reaction was "But that's unconstitutional." Yes, it is.  I don't usually get into politics here but I find this so obviously unconstitutional I think everyone should be outraged.  To make coverage for this (by and large) lifestyle choice mandatory while coverage for actual medical needs shrinks with every passing year just baffles me. I'll link to my friend Faith who has a better post up about it.

*Giving the children control over the IPod while they clean the kitchen is a brilliant idea.  My children clean without complaint and I don't have to face the remnants of late night snacking first thing in the morning.  

*I did knit a bit over the weekend, but not as much as expected.  A family grocery/clothing shopping trip and the aforementioned lovely brunch/trip to the nursery took up most of my weekend.  I hope to finish the cardigan over lessons this week.  I thought the yarn color would be yellow ('Maize' sounds yellow, doesn't it?) but it's exactly color of....coffee ice cream and I don't think I'll have any choice but to use little brown buttons on it.  I want these but they are too big.  I'm about to fall down a button rabbit hole where I spend hours searching for just the right one and will overspend when I find it. 

(photo by my daughter)

My little girl is begging me to get off the computer already so she can look up her favorite author of the moment, Gordon Korman.  I gave her my old copies of the Bruno and Boots books while she was sick last week.  She's now a huge fan (as am I).  She was particularly inspired as Mr. Korman wrote the first book at age 12.  

And oh! Journey North Mystery Class starts today.  I really don't want to add anything to our lessons right now but we are in desperate need of something alive and fun and interactive.  I hope my daughter will take the lead this year.