The Start of Something Beautiful

I patiently waited to have all the material in a box. And have finally begun what I believe will be a project for the rest of winter and into spring. But I am pretty convinced that the result will be worth all the work and waiting and recycling.

I hope to get 30 minutes of braiding in at least 4 times a week and then Ben will start doing the stitching of the braids. Then we can replace the dirty old rug in front of the wood stove with an authentic braided rag rug.

Annie and the Old One

Asher has been really enjoying being Annie from Annie and the Old One. He loves finding bits of colored yarn from my scraps and weave them into his baskets. So I thought we would make a loom of sorts and a weaving stick.

He was so focused on the activity and when his attention seemed to fade, we would change colors. Then when he finished, he turned to me and said, I am ready to see my basket.

That part didn't go so well. I was able to cut it off to be a wonky blanket of sorts for his doll, which he was pleased with.

We have finally entered the stage with two boys and table top/ in front of the fire reasonably quiet activity. We have clocked hours coloring, painting, playdoughing, beading, puzzling and matching, with plenty of jumping, running and chasing in between.

Wee Balaclava

Oh, we are keeping busy with a whole lot of hominess this new year. I have been making, knitting is such a joy by the fire. We are trying to get a clear vision of what our future holds, work, family and life. Time fills up so quickly.

In my obsession with enjoying our home, we have been lacking in the fresh air, but I think we are almost completely suited up for that central illinois wind. Asher in his latest super warm gear, the wee balaclava (ravelry link).

Loved the pattern, can't wait to have yarn left over from River's new sweater to make one for him.

A Finished Piece

While this yarn took awhile to finally get on the needles (see here), once I cast on for this sweater, it came together quite quickly for a mama who knits when she can. I was so happy that I followed my number two sweater rule: knit the sleeves first and best at the same time (#1 being only knit things where the sleeves are knit into the body). Once I joined the sleeves it was instantly gratifying.

This was my first pouch (such an awesome pocket) and first hood, so very simple, I can't believe I was ever daunted by it. River's size 4 should be on the needles this weekend when the yarn arrives with my sister in law.

Thank you long car rides and lots of chatting with family for this sweater's completion.

Freezer Paper Stencils

Oh, I continue to have so much fun with this. I did some simple shirts for the boys Solstice gifts and a couple designs with numerous cut out sheets. Love, loving the results.
And my helpers.

The owl, I did the branches separate from the owls and then put some of the cut out freezer paper back onto the painted design to block out the body in order to paint the wings. Layering adds a whole new level of fun to this super simple technique.

1032

Two weeks ago, I got the dreaded phone call announcing the passing of someone near and dear to me. My sweet grandmother, diagnosed 10 weeks prior with cancer, struggling through 2 chemo sessions, left this world with an incredible legacy. She had an amazing journey and while logically I am so glad that she didn’t have to suffer incredible amounts of pain, or have a lingering hospital stay or live her life’s last days wondering if it would be the last, my heart still aches. I knew that my time with her was limited, I just didn’t know how limited and am still not ready for this monumental death in my family. She is our matriarch, my mother’s mother. The one who we circled around, the one who kept my extended family rooted in central Illinois, the one we all depended on. And by we all, I’m not just talking a handful or people, I mean her siblings and spouses (8), her children and their spouses (9), her grandchildren and their spouses (27) and her great grandchildren (19) not to mention all of our extended families and her friends. Her tree has 63 branches all who adore and love her.

I spent the christmas holiday in her home, without her. And while there were many moments that felt as though nothing had changed, there were bigger silences acknowledging the passing. Luckily, I had some quiet times to soak up everything that I loved about her. Welcome to her home.

A door handle mounted on upside down, for at least a decade. I think it was just 4 years ago that in my frustration to open the dam thing, she declared, "Turn it up, it's mounted upside down." Which helped, and every time I opened that door, I laughed at how hard it is to open the other way.













A thermostat set way to high. Grandma always gave out flannel pajama pants for Christmas to everyone. Unfortunately to be in her home in the winter, the average person slept in shorts.

A lover of family, friends, wall paper, dishes and clothing, a catholic in faith, and the most accepting person I ever met. Mary, we miss you, and love you, rest in peace.

A Christmas Ham

As if the pasture raised, heritage breed hog, cured ham from the Moore's processor wasn't delicious enough. We had to raise the bar this year as we give the gift of meat so that we can partake in it's enjoyment, and cure it ourselves. One day in the cure for each delicious pound.

Out of the cure and drying to get a skin, we got the smoker set up in the snow, attempting to smoke it in the garage, just out of the snow.

Essentially, you cook the whole raw ham in a hot smoker, internal temp of 155. Ben kept it out there for 12 hours at which point it was time to just stick it in the oven to cook it through, which took until midnight. Glazing while he went, the ham was a little too smoky, painted it with cider vinegar that helped.

It is beautiful and delicious, we as it's current caretakers got a few sneak peaks.

The rest will get consumed Christmas Eve.