Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Day 62..... really?

It's hard for me to believe that it has been 11 days since I last wrote.    I can't believe that I am 62 days into my 60th year journey!

My main focus this year?  Look for the joy every day.

Every day.

And I can honestly say that I am.

Looking, that is.....  and mostly finding.  I am actively engaged in the hunt - so that is good.

I have spotted beautiful moonrises, low-flying eagles and hawks, and the joy of pups romping in the yard.  I have felt the accomplishment of tasks mastered, new skills attempted and making beauty from trash. 

There is a morning half moon peeking through my window right  now. 

I still feel thought that much of my life is waiting, watching.

I don't know for what :-)

But while i am waiting.....  I am cultivating better habits... one daily mile is stretching to 1.5, a cut vegetable afternoon snack is added to my daily salad, learning to cook with basics is replacing processed food.....  I am still on the constant wheel of self-improvement while I watch and prepare for the passion that I know is there.

I will be ready.

Discontented?  Not really.

It is winter.  I am wired for winter downtime.

I am not sure why we start new projects in winter.  After the holiday hullabaloo, we are tired people.  Isn't it better to rest and replenish and be ready for spring?

Spring..... when the sap rises, the blood flows quicker and the energy almost sizzles?

So my joy now is this.....
         I am seeing progress in areas I care about....
                 my relationship with my husband steadily grows stronger
                 my house is steadily (albeit slowly!) being decluttered and decorated
                 my habits are steadily growing to support a simpler, healthier life
                 I am planning for the future....

This is good.  Downtime is good.
         And a HUGE improvement over the last few years as I foggily muddled through the days!

This realization brings me joy!

Not the ecstatic wild blood-coursing joy..... but the steady trickle that will fuel my heart.

All is well.

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Day 50 - Happy February 1!!

Today I thought I'd share the yarn projects I tackled last month...

First off, I wanted to play with Red Heart's new reflective yarn so I made a couple of hats for my husband and my morning mile....


I didn't like my hat so I re-did it into a head wrap that suited me better - and a church friend asked about it so I kept on going with the head wraps and different patterns


The head wraps are great - my fave is the 2 color stripe pattern using reflective for one of the colors.  (www.mooglyblog.com/all-grown-up-ear-warmer)
Mr Wizard actually loves his hat and has asked for another (!)  It's a basic beanie so I have no excuse but to get another going....

My other project was scarves....
    I attended a gathering of ladies learning to crochet - using one of my favorite pattern books..  Leisure Arts sampler afghan (http://www.amazon.com/Easy-To-Crochet-Pattern-Stitches-Combine-Heirloom/dp/1574866346  )

The very first square is a simple single crochet with an 'H' hook.... and I wanted to share what that stitch looks like in differing yarn / hook sizes.  Scarves are a super way to practice different stitches... and I think I'll do that as we work through the book.  Of course, I had intended this to be a way to work through my stash but somehow I wanted to show how special yarns could change up the finished product!

In the above photo: on the left and the right are bulky yarns with an 'N' hook, showing beautifully the difference between variegated and self-striping definitions.... and in the center is a glittery royal blue with an 'H' hook.    I made a little pastel yellow sampler square for my afghan to go with the class project..
 
The next stitch listed  is the  half double and I've done one scarf in an extra bulky and 'P' hook.  Now I REALLY need to use my stash for these instead of playing with pretty new yarn and colors!  These scarves are currently homeless.... and I will either sell for cost or donate TO the homeless by year end...

AND.....  I am working on remembering how to knit.  It took a couple of very boring weeks :-) BUT....   ta-da!!





Dishcloths with cotton yarn are another great way to practice pattern stitches and still end up with a usable item!

And I'll close this post with a shot of a sweater I made (and hated).. which was being re-worked into a hat (that I wasn't happy with) and is now on its way to become a scoodie (scarf-hoodie) for its final incarnation!



What did YOU do with yarn this month?