Knitting

hats, baby sweaters, socks, and cowls

close up on rowan's rainbow cowl

fiona's socks

i went a bit hat nuts... most were knit in one weekend

baby vest that i just finished, needs to be blocked and buttons added

sweater i knitted for fiona (not sure why the pic keeps showing up sideways)

close up on the sweet heart buttons (again, not sure why it won't show up straight)

This is all the stuff I knit while I was (mostly) off line for three weeks. 4 pairs of socks (three for the baby), two cowls (rainbow one for Rowan), 7 hats (casting on another hat, this one for the baby, as soon as I write this), two sweaters (one for the baby and one for Fiona), two baby sweater vests (one still needs to be blocked and buttons added).
Fell totally in love with Amanda Soule's favorite hat pattern and now I know that pattern by heart! I could make that hat every day. I also love knitting up super simple cowls and adding lovely Wooly Moss Root buttons. And baby socks! Oh, the baby socks. They are such a dream to knit up, so rewarding to start in the morning casting on a sock and having a wee bitty pair of socks finished before bed.
My holiday knitting plans have changed, so I am just going to knit whatever I like and give it away if the mood seems right. I will be knitting a few more baby items, because well... they are so darn sweet.
The best part about all these knits... it was all stash yarn! WooHoo! So, of course I had to reward myself with a bit of fluffy mail. Can't wait for my yarn goodness to arrive.

Hello again

fiona playing

caelan with a chicken

what we saw on our walk around tempe town lake

on the bridge (the blur is logan in mid jump)

building a boat with alleyway found materials

sheep at the state fair

walking the midway

at the animated ice age exhibit

eating cotton candy for the first time

wild rides

art

rainbow colors

some finished paintings

reading outside with a cup of cocoa

more painting

calk drawing in the front yard

our cat

mastering the scooter

at the pumpkin festival

prizes

big pumpkin

caelan

rowan's staged dramatic photo

our new pet "Bob" the betta fish

 After much drama we stopped computer usage for a good part of the month of October. The first few days there was a whole heck of a lot of drama (and not all by the kids if I am truly honest), but then things settled and we found a new groove. A lovely, happy luddite groove of books, and bikes, and scooters, and family adventures. We discovered a sweet little park just up the street that Mike would take the kids to in the evenings some days. We walked around Tempe Town Lake, went to the state fair, the pumpkin festival at the Desert Botanical Gardens. There was loads of book reading, I knitted like a wild woman, Rowan mastered his scooter fear and now rides that thing like a pro. Sagan and Logan's evening "bro time" actually involved them interacting with each other not staring at computer screens. Bedtimes became earlier and the kids actually got up around 8 am instead of 11 am. There were many complaints of boredom, but just as many new things to do discovered... it is amazing what happens when you turn off the computer. I am so glad we did.
Of course now it is back, BUT with some caveats. No late night iPod, computer only three days a week, and as much time outside as humanly possible.
*  I will be sharing my knits on the next Yarn Along day

* Gratitude Sunday *

Joining Taryn from Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude Sunday. A heartfelt Sunday tradition. A time to slowdown, to reflect, to be grateful. A list of gratitudes.

~ Taking most of the month of October and being OFF the computer
~ The last few nights finding a wee bit of time for myself to process some wild emotions
~ Bad "B" movies
~ Having lots of time to knit and read
~ Watching my children rediscover passions that had been lost due to too much time on the computer
~ The cleansing aspect of tears
~ Avocado
~ Not having the air conditioner on for 3 weeks now
~ Re-learning to just let stuff be
~ Watching Fiona Rosy play
~ Lovely mornings outside with the kids
~ Eggs
~ Easy peasy no-kneed bread recipe
~ A cleaned up back yard
~ A gentle and loving husband who is riding these wild emotional waves that I seem to be stuck in

Happy Birthday

Ahhhh, 12, that strange age... not quite a teen, and yet no longer a "little kid". By dear Sagan turns 12 today. He has been looking forward to this year for awhile... because NEXT year he will be officially a teenager.
So strange, that rush to grow up when you are young. So much in a hurry to reach that next year, to be older, feel more in control of your own life, no longer tied down to parental rules. And yet, now that I am grown, what I wouldn't give to be younger again, and slow it all down and have time to just play and not worry about so many things all the time.
My hope for my dear boy who is in such a hurry to grow up, is a slow, lazy, fun year of discovery, adventures, dirt, bike rides, movie watching, hanging out at the park, pancake breakfasts on Sundays, "bro time" with Logan in the evenings, and still being cuddled occasionally by your mama.
Happy Birthday Sagan.

* Gratitude Sunday *

Joining Taryn from Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude Sunday. Sunday's heartfelt tradition. A time to slow down, to reflect, to be grateful. A list of gratitudes.

~ Cooler weather.
~ Being able to have to windows open for HOURS every day.
~ Homemade waffles with nutella, and fresh raspberries.
~ A clean yard.
~ Birthday preparations.
~ All the laundry folded AND put away.
~ Time to knit and read this week.
~ Feelings of wonderful laziness.
~ Green smoothies
~ Flowers from Trader Joe's.
~ Feelings of Autumn in the air and in my head... that means PUMPKIN goodness!

{ This Moment }

Joining Amanda from Soulemama for This Moment. A single photograph from the week, a moment I wish to pause, savor, and remember.

mornings

These last few mornings have been heavenly. Windows open, breeze blowing, time outside in the morning sunshine. So energizing and beautiful. Now to tackle that mountain of laundry to be folded.