Thoughts on a Thursday

It's so easy to not take care of yourself. At the moment I am slowly reading through the on-line workshop put on by Heather from Beauty that Moves. I read so much on food, I know how important it is, but I still tend to make very poor food choices. It is interesting to me that I work this way. I know when I eat better, move more, and get enough sleep I feel so awesome, like I am not even myself. And yet still I choose to eat stuff that is not so good for me, not go on a daily walk, and stay up too late and drink coffee to compensate for my total lack of energy about mid-day.
I know I am not alone in this, I wonder what makes us do the opposite of what we need?

knits

Finished the sweater, almost... just needs to be blocked and buttoned. LOVE IT! Lulu will be so sweet and cozy in it this coming fall.
Found the perfect pattern for the socks, so excited to get on these things.
I've been reading (I KNOW! shocking) to the kids, a book written by a man in our neighborhood, Story Girl. We are all loving it, it is such a great concept. Can't wait to read it every evening before bed.

Weekend in Verde Valley

beautiful grasses

fiona and i decided they were fairies

back in the water

fiona in the creek

the girlies on a walk

playing in the creek

caelan

sagan in deep thought

rowan, as challenging to photograph as bigfoot

fiona and the bullfrog

could it be a frog prince?

crossing the river after the rain

It was our annual homeschool trip to the Verde Valley.

* Gratitude Sunday *

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

~ So grateful for the rain over the weekend
~ My garden, it is doing so well after a shaky start.
~ The kids for working together so well lately
~ Sagan's friends, for being so awesome.
~ A few more cool days before we hit 100 degrees
~ Bull frogs
~ Our beautiful neighbors
~ Chocolate covered almonds

{ This Moment }

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

Thoughts on a Thursday

Last week was a rough one, so much emotional drama. After about a year of not dealing with something, it finally came to a head. I couldn't just ignore it any longer, and so it got dealt with. And you know, I didn't realize what a weight that whole mess was until finally it was gone. I wish I had had the courage, the strength, the whatever it was, to deal with it a year ago. Maybe NOW was right time, even though it was a hard time, maybe I needed that time for growth?
Whatever the reason, what's done is done. And I am better for it. I worry too much about what people think of me, if people like me, if they want to be my friend. Instead I should be wondering should I allow myself, my family, my children to be treated this way just so I don't upset someone? This time I decided that "Nope, this isn't how we deserve to be treated". And so we worked it out. And it was good, really good. Suddenly I realize that we are worth more, my kids deserve better, and it's ok that not everyone likes me. It is a totally freeing feeling. Not that I'm going to turn into a jerk or something, but I am surely not going to sit back and allow us to be hurt again just to not make waves. Waves work to make change, and change is good.

Crafty Yarning

Oh the knitting that has been going on here! I started and finished the Plain Tunic for Nuala using Noro Silk Garden #87. I don't know if I need better lighting or a better camera, but the yarn is so so much more lovely then in the photo. It is a bit big on her which is good, because she won't need a wool tunic dress until fall, but man, oh man was it fun to knit. I love Pickles Plain line of patterns for children. I need to order some toggle buttons from Wooly Moss Roots for this cute little tunic.
As soon as the tunic was off the needles I started two new projects, another Plain Sweater by Pickles using Wool of the Andes in Wonderland Heather. Which I think will be lovely. I am sure I have enough yarn to make one for Nuala and Fiona, so maybe this fall they will be all matchy matchy in their blue sweater vests.
And finally I cast on a pair of socks (well the first sock of a pair) using Araucania Nuble in colorway #21 which seriously looks like Easter and spring time. The yarn is so beautiful to work with. I am not sure I like the sock pattern for this yarn since it is such a fine fingering weight yarn, I am going to have to search Ravelry for another pattern I think. I want these socks to be extra special because I am making them for a dear friend.

Joining Frontier Dreams and Small Things