hurrayic

{this moment}**

The last of 2011 {this moment} posts...
No kids for this one.
Two away at a winter retreat...snowtubing!
Two busy with all things Lego and Mission Impossible episodes.
Husband wrestling with fitting high baseboard molding onto uneven floors & uneven walls...
Enjoying this photo of my birthday bouquet from last week since the flowers are no more.

Hoping that all of you have awe-filled, peaceful, creative, thankful days
as we head into the New Year. 
See you in 2012! 

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~ Soule Mama

{this moment}** a single photo with a few accompanying words ~ hurrayic

 

A Little Sewing: Stocking Alternative

I had hoped to get these sewn and photographed before the holidays, but nope.  Wasn't meant to be.  (the sewing part was done!)  Our previous Christmas stockings (which I had thrown together using some fleece bought at Joann's years before) bit the dust two years ago (last year, we just used some kitchen baskets), and I wondered if I should replace them or just forgo them.  Growing up, stockings were a big thing in my house; in my husband's house, not so much.  After waffling a bit, I finally decided to use a bucket pattern that Maya from maya*made made.  (say that several times fast!)  I've been an admirer of her buckets for quite some time, but never got around to purchasing or making any.  After being reminded of them again on Amanda's blog, I decided the bucket was the best alternative for our Christmas stockings. 

I chose fabrics from my stash, cut them out (not as neatly as I should have, but still okay) and sewed up 6 of them in a few hours.  What I like about the pattern is that it's adjustable (had to tweak one since I didn't have quite enough red striped fabric) and reversible depending on the fabrics you use.   My fabrics were a blue cotton ikat, a red woven striped cotton and some Kona black cotton. The pattern includes several sizes (they're 'nesting' buckets). I chose the largest square bucket...just the right size for holding lots of goodies (hot sauce and hair gel among other things).  I can see more buckets in our future...

Yarn Along ~ December 28

I think that this particular yarn-along of Ginny's should be nicknamed, "The Big Unveiling: Secret Knits Revealed".  What do you think?  Although I haven't visited other yarn alongers yet, I'm guessing that this week and next will probably be filled with all those Christmas knitting projects that none of us could share before the holidays. Please forgive the long heavy photo post...

Finished Knits:  
My mom's Malabrigo Neck Thingie and a pair of Malabrigo Hand Thingies.



My dad's Meandering Rib Scarf.



Two pairs of duffers for my two younger boys.

Still working on: (yes, not all was done on time unfortunately...)
My husband's Circle and Stripe Scarf
Two more pairs of duffers in varying stages.
For reading...I finished Sarah's Key in two days (sped read through parts of it).  I thought the first half of the book was well-written and intriguing, and I loved how the author intertwined two families and two time periods.  And of course, learning about the very sad events in France's history was very moving.  I think the second half of the book was more contrived and a bit of a let-down.  I kept reading just to find out what happened.  It was actually depressing on several levels.  My new 'read' is A Field Guide to Fabric Design (thanks, Mom!).  I hope to renew my interest in textile design little by little. 

What are you knitting and reading?

(Un)expected Holiday Project ~ Part 2

Next time I say that we're planning some home improvement project during the holidays, tell me "NO!" Hit me over the head if need be.
I've learned my lesson.
Never again.
My husband removed more drywall and discovered light.
Do you see that bit of sky peeking through our wall?  Yes, sky. 
Builders, builders, builders...is all I can mutter.
On a good note however, my husband and children (I was knitting feverishly so couldn't help) finished the floor on Christmas Eve... yeah! 

P.S. - We decided on a warm dark gray paint for the fireplace wall.  It was difficult finding a neutral color that looked good with both the (ugly) fireplace brick and the new flooring.  But I think this one will work.  Eventually, we'll replace the fireplace insert...

Enjoying: Christmas Recap Edition

We enjoyed...





Trying a new cookie recipe.
Eating a thrown-together Christmas Eve buffet (lots of seafood!)
Sewing an alternative to stockings (more on that later).
Reading new Asterix books together.
Setting the table for a 2nd breakfast (after enjoying our church's Christmas one and listening to an uplifting and humbling sermon).
Watching my 2nd son intent on building a new toy (on our new floor, I might add)...

Hope the time together with family was a good one for you!

 

Yarn Along ~ December 21

Yikes!  I have a 'bit' of knitting still to do if I want to finish it before Christmas.  For Ginny's Yarn Along, I'm glad to say that the Meandering Rib Scarf and the Malabrigo Neck Thingie from last week are finished and traveling to their recipients as I type.  As for the duffers, I finished half of the 1st pair (it was my test slipper - wanted to knit only 1 first before felting it - didn't want to waste yarn if it didn't work).  Oddly enough, the before-felting and after-felting was basically the same size.  Maybe just a tad smaller.  I love the look of it!  The match just needs ends woven in and felting.  I started the 2nd pair, and this is how far I've gotten.  As for the Circle & Stripe Scarf, I had to rip out what I had knitted and restart with a smaller needle.  The scarf's finished measurements said it should be a little less than 7" wide.  Mine was measuring over 8".  So down 2 needles sizes I go...

I've been 'reading' One More Skein (where the Circle & Stripe pattern comes from) and just began Sarah's Key (only first three chapters).  Spotted it at the library when I dropped off my pile of overdue books.  Has anyone else read this? 

I'm going to take the next few days off
to catch up on a few items and relax & enoy my family. 
Hope you do the same!
Merry Christmas!

A Little Warmth...and some bad lighting

A visit to the thrift store last week:
4 white mugs for a quarter each. 
Good for cocoa and hot coffee.
Hoping to try out something like this.
And a heavy enameled pan in retro orange. 
Just the right size for Sweet Potato Gratin with Carmelized Onions.
Bad lighting woes.
Lamenting the fact that taking pictures at night during the wintertime is not ideal...

Enjoying

Adding a few bits of festivity to our home.
Readying our Christmas photos for the mailman to deliver.
Decorating a wee gingerbread village like we have in past years.
Thinking of which cookie(s) to make this year (if any)...
Wondering and preparing for the true meaning of Christmas...

What have you been doing?

Green Giveaway Winner

Thank you, Everyone, for your movie and music suggestions!  Some we've watched; some we haven't seen yet.  Some we've listened to; some we haven't heard yet.  So thank you! And thank you to Sew Mama Sew for hosting this Holiday giveaway.

The chosen winner is: Kathy who said:

Love the greens, so pretty! We like to watch some of the classic movies with our kids, like My Fair Lady and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

{this moment}**

Busy little elf.  Wrapping some De Ruijter for oldest brother
(who loves to sprinkle it on buttered toast!)

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~ Soule Mama

{this moment}** a single photo with a few accompanying words ~ hurrayic

Have a lovely weekend!