Sunday, November 28, 2010

Books and books, and other stuff.

Can you believe it? Two posts in a week? I must be bored, right?

Well, not really. I don't actually remember the last time I was bored. That must have something to do with having kids. There's always something that needs to happen.

Actually, I had a minute, I am sitting at the computer, and I thought I would write (well, type) something. I don't know that I have anything important to say, but do I have to have something important in order to say something? If that were true of all people, there would be much less news and much less books, and I'm sure much less blogs. ;)

Speaking of books (yes, this is stream-of-consciousness typing), I've been reading this book, "Honey for a Woman's Heart" by Gladys Hunt. I've been enjoying it; although, as I told Joel, I've discovered that reading about reading is somewhat stressful for me- because I'm reading about all these great books- I want to read them- but I already have shelves full of books I haven't read that are patiently waiting their turn. Well, some maybe not so patiently. Or is that just my imagination?

Anyway, this book, I recommend it if you are a reader. Well, even if you are not a reader. If you want to be a reader. Well, maybe even if you don't want to be. Ok, I recommend it. Back to the point- I am enjoying it because it gives me the answers I could always feel but never put into words with Joel would ask me why I like to read so much. It also provides a fabulous (and huge) book list. Which I intend to utilize. As soon as I finish the shelves of books that are sitting there quietly and requesting me to read them. Ok, some not so quietly. ;)

When I get too stressed out wanting to read this massive list of books, I set aside the reference book, and pick up something lighter. Right now, I've started "The Hobbit". I love Tolkien's writing. (betcha didn't know that! ;D) When that is over, I think revisiting "The Lord of the Rings" is in order... and then, well, then, I have shelves, like I mentioned, and this list....

In the meantime, I knit. I'm over halfway done with one set of secret knitting, and I am luxuriating in that while I try to catch up with the other set that I am behind in- as well as scheming out some more designs for Unique Sheep clubs. At least, I'm trying to. Chasing an exceptionally busy toddler seems to cut in on my knitting time somehow. ;)

On a complete subject change (that happens a lot in my house), I can't believe it is only 4 weeks to Christmas. What happened to this year?! Wow, Babybug is over a year old and about to experience his first (well first that he is aware of) Christmas. What does one get for a toddler that can't sit still? He's already got a slide, and all of his siblings toys that he can't swallow....Somehow I think it would have to be a pretty amazing toy for him to be interested in anything that is approved for his age after having had a year to play with things that are meant for older kids. ;) He thinks he's older. :D

Well, dinner is on the table and the Babybug is hungry. End stream of consciousness ;D

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

I love Thanksgiving. It is definitely my favorite holiday. Yes, even more than Christmas. 15yrs ago, I would probably not have said that, but as I get older, I appreciate Thanksgiving more.



I love remembering and talking about good things. I love having family and friends in my home enjoying remembering and talking about good things with me. And of course, making, sharing and eating good food is really fun too. :D



Looking back over the last year, there are so very many things that I have to be thankful for! I'm not sure I could list them all. But the things that top the list?

I'm thankful for:



My Savior and Lord, Jesus. :D

My amazing husband

My beautiful, smart, busy children

Family and friends that walk through life with us and share the good times and the bad.

and so much more. My mind is so full of the wonderful blessings I have that I can't seem to get them out....



from this last year,

my husband's new job that he actually enjoys,

my little Babybug that arrived safely and healthy just over a yr ago.

finding an old friend again and being able to continue our friendship

finding a good curriculum and being able to homeschool my sweet kids- not having to miss out on any time with them. :D

And yes, I'm thankful for knitting. :)

and more......



"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusts in Him." Ps 34:8



"They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; and you shall make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures." Ps 36:8



I hope you all have as happy a Thanksgiving as we have been. :D



Monday, November 8, 2010

October Sock Clubs

2 of my patterns were released in October (I know, I'm a month behind. Let me tell ya, it is BUSY homeschooling 3 kids, chasing a toddler, getting them all to swim lessons on time, and designing for 2 full books!!! But I'm loving it. :D ).

This one is Down the Rabbit Hole from The Unique Sheep's Wonderland Club.
I'm pleased with how it turned out- although I was originally going to use cabled ribbing, and it looked so cool....but there was another Wonderland club going from a different company- and I didn't want to look like I was copying their sock; which it did with the cabled ribbing. So plain ribbing it was. I frogged the cuff of this sock at least 3 times before I settled, and I still think if you're going to knit this sock that cabled ribbing would look cooler.

My pictures don't do this sock justice. The colors are so fun. This is a gradiance colorway, and on it are flecks of color. It was fun to knit with the little bits of color every so often.
There are 3 sets of cables on this sock; a simple cable down each side, a more complex cable down the front that morphs into a set of doors inside each other on the foot (get it?), and a slightly more complex cable on the back that utilizes various stitch textures. The idea there was to illustrate the things Alice fell past on her way down the rabbit hole.

“Either the [hole] was very deep, or she fell very slowly, for she had plenty of time as she went down to look about her and to wonder what was going to happen next. First, she tried to look down and make out what she was coming to, but it was too dark to see anything: then she looked at the sides…and noticed that they were filled with cupboards and book-shelves: here and there she saw maps and pictures hung upon pegs. She took down a jar from one of the shelves as she passed: it was labeled “ORANGE MARMALADE,” but to her great disappointment it was empty: she did not like to drop the jar, for fear of killing somebody underneath, so managed to put it into one of the cupboards as she fell past it.” ~Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland


This is from the Lord of the stRings sock club, series III. This is the next to the last of my LotR designs. One more in December (one of my faves. :D)

Fangorn.

This design was inspired by Fangorn Forest on the edge of Rohan and around Isengard. The home of Treebeard, the Ents, and the Huorns. One of the oldest forests on Middle-earth, it was instrumental in saving Rohan from Isengard; and ultimately destroying the power of Saruman.

This is another gradiance colorway (I love the gradience, it is so fun and so pretty!), that perfectly shows the different colors to be found in an old forest.



I love the way the lace on this sock looks like tiny trees from up close. And the patterning on the heel shows bark-like texture. Sometimes the designs just work out perfect. :D