Joy and Beauty and Knitting

When we moved from our old house to this condo, one of the things I lamented leaving behind was our front porch. 

With red brick risers and concrete steps, outdoor photos in daylight were full of texture and background color that was neutral enough to show off hand knits pretty spectacularly...

...especially tiny things and toys.

Since moving here, I have learned to appreciate the airy, openness and natural light of our many windows for bright and beautiful photos...

...and our white countertops have been the background for many photos of smaller items.

But I think the item I enjoy the most in the backdrops of my knitting photos is my chunky coffee table...you know, where the pig lives! 

As a matter of fact, that pig and his sweater show up a LOT in the pictures, lol! But this isn't about the pig. 

This is about blooming where one is planted. There are plenty of things I did not like about the old house: dark corners, small rooms, weird layout. And there are plenty of things I'm still not really used to in this condo: nowhere to "hide," overly bright light fixtures, and a little too much "road noise" from the highway.

Yet there is beauty and joy to be found wherever I am. Not because everywhere I go is beautiful, but because I want to find the beauty wherever I am. Finding beauty in the mundane brings me joy, so I will keep looking. 

What small things bring you joy? Whatever they are, I hope that you are finding that joy, savoring it and storing up a bit for the days and nights that are a little more "dark and stormy." Maybe you've even found some joy in this post, and if you have, I'm so glad. 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

What My Cats Think (I think)

There has been a lot of unrest in our world lately, and my cats are quite annoyed by it. In fact, I considered putting a warning on this post, "Rated MA for language and bad attitudes." Instead, I just guessed at their thoughts, rather than translating literally. 

My cats think there should be less dog in the living room:

And more cat in the window:

There should be fewer sticky-faced kids:

Notasmuch people playing outside:

And less photopropping the cats:

But way more cat snuggled in close for a nap: 

Of course, the cats don't have grandchildren, so they cannot understand the pure joy that that keeps us from sitting on the couch all day, every day...you know, joy like leaving the house to go to the park with a little cutie:

And hanging out with a couple of cousins:

And playing at the (finally open) playground:

And having all three cousins together!!!

So far, there are three...stay tuned.

Yes, the cats' world has been quite shaken up in the last couple weeks of visits, but they are doing alright. I think White Cat has finally decided that as long as she can sit in the window in relative peace, it's okay if a sticky-faced kid joins her from time to time.* 

Black Cat is not quite there yet, but I guess you could say that they are coming around. 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

*Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

--Romans 12:18 

Three Black and Whites

When I get ready to blog each week, I first have a decision to make. Will I start with photos, or with a general idea? Usually I have an idea, and I always have a multitude of pictures and words to work with. Regarding those words, I am often convicted by a certain Bible verse which states, "Where words are many, sin is not absent." (Proverbs 10:19). I have many, many, many words, and I often struggle to not use them all in one sitting. But I know that there is likely no one out there prepared for that many words at the same time. Besides that, the more I talk, the more likely it is that I will say something silly...or sinful.

This past week has been no exception. There have been so many events and emotions that I could go on and on about how the world has wronged me. I could talk about the people who have offended me (intentionally or not), or I could lament the many opportunities I have missed. If I did that, however, I would most certainly sin by spreading gossip (intentionally or not), speaking harshly or saying something that would offend a friend or acquaintance. 

Therefore, I am choosing the photos today. No conflict...just coffee.

No catastrophe...just cat.

No yelling or yammering...just yarn.

And a sunrise reminder that God's mercies are new every morning because of his great faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Thank you to all of you doing the 7 black and white photos, no people, no explanations on social media. Even though I have only done 3 today (and one in color), your simple yet striking photos have inspired me to calm down, to be eager to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19). This is a good thing for all of us to do!

Today I am taking the high road with my words. I am also asking God's forgiveness (again) for the times this week that I have used those words in ways that were neither constructive nor encouraging. I know that I have complained about situations and people, despite knowing that I've really got it pretty good overall. Thank you, Jesus, for the sacrifice you made that covers my sin. (John 3:16) I am made perfect only in you, in your timing, and not in this lifetime. While I am here, among the very people you love most, please keep watch over my mouth (and my blog) to keep me from sinning with my words. Amen!

I hope your words are encouraging this week, and that you also receive words of encouragement in return. Words are just one of many opportunities to love one another well (or not), so I will pray that we will all use them carefully.

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Daydream Believer

I can knit for miles and miles! At least that's what it feels like while I am knitting my Destination Ohio Cowl! As I knit each color, I think of the place that it represents, and I wonder at the fun it might be to wear the cowl to each of them and snap a photo! I don't think that will realistically happen, but a knitter can still dream...

Luscious pile of cowl on my desk...

So far, I've knit about 34 inches of the tube, and the finished cowl will be around 40 inches long when it is finished, and I cannot wait for it to be finished. I mean, I can wait. It was 93 degrees yesterday, and there is more of that forecast for today, so I can totally wait to wear the thing...but I want it to be finished so that I can take it on a walk into nature, and photograph it among the trees and streams and flowers and butterflies! Because, of course, all my photos are perfect like that...NOT! Well, a knitter can still dream...

The shot was set up perfect, then
he walked right into it...lol!

My favorite of the 8 Ohio-inspired colors is Roller Coast, and I am toying with asking Jeanne (of Destination Yarn) to dye me up a sweater's worth! With bright-sky-blues and bits of deep-lake-blue, accompanied by pops of red, green and yellow steel coaster tracks, this colorway is inspired by my favorite amusement park, Cedar Point, a destination in Ohio, for sure! The color captures the spirit of the park, and its many rides, so well that it makes me think of playing hooky from work this coming week. Hmmm, a knitter can still dream...

Honestly could not love these colors more!

Yes, today is a good day to dream, and I plan to enjoy every moment of it! I hope that your dreams are good, and that at least one or two of them come true!

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

It's not Hammer-Time here...

It's Peanut-Time!!! Peanut is in town (with her parents)! So here's my apology for short and/or sporadic posting...I'm sorry. But some things are more important than long blog posts, and this dear one falls squarely into that "more important" category:

So, while there has been some knitting:

The "No pickers, Gamma!" shouts of our granddaughter have clearly taken over!

But really, who can resist taking "pickers" of that beautiful girl? Not this gramma, that's for sure! Sorry, kiddo...there will be pickers on my phone, pickers on my camera, pickers everywhere!!!!

I'll try to have more knitting next time, but I'm not making any promises...

Thanks for stopping by, friends! I hope you liked the pickers! =D

Saturdays with Yarn

This kid likes yarn.

It's a really good thing, because we can always tell where she's been. . . 

. . .and no matter where she has gone, we know she'll return to the scene of the crime. . .

It's a beautiful thing!  I am eager for her little fingers to find the magic in needles and hooks, but until then, I will keep letting her discover how fun fiber can be.

I hope that you are having fun with your yarn this weekend.  Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Sox and photos. . .

Sooo, this post was going to be all about sox. . .safe sox, pictures of sox, hints about sox, and advice about sox. . .but then I got some better pictures (thank you, Connie!) of the Abalone.  So, here's the sweater:

And here's the detail of that front corner, which no longer puckers anywhere, because the rip and redo were successful:

Turns out that I love it, and I love the way it photographs!  Of course, I also love sox!  As a matter of fact, sox were my first knitting love some years ago, and I have now enabled another knitter to the world of the sock-obsessed:

Her Ravelry name is EternalSocks, because she never thought she would finish her first pair, but after these were finished this week, she exclaimed that she needs to always have socks on the needles!  Welcome to the Dark Side, EternalSocks. . .  I know that the slope to the sock-obsessed is slippery, but there's some wiggle room for other projects.  Still, I have two pair on the needles myself these days!  There are my Back Socks, in the color of Fruit Loops. . .

. . .and the Pretty Helen socks, in more neutral tones:

Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle those toes!

Yes, those are my ugly toes. . .quick!  Look at another sweater picture!

Whew!  That's better!  I LOVE THIS SWEATER!  And I love knitting Sox, too!  Maybe there will be more sox in the next post, maybe not.  But, all in all it's been a great knitting week for me, and I hope that it has been a good one for you, too!

Thanks for stopping by, and until next time, Knit what you love in Good Health!

So Thankful

I have so much to be thankful for. Even though I did not have turkey on Thursday, Peanut spent the night so Wifey-Poo could do some shopping for Black Friday!
And even though I cooked all day on Thursday and much of the day on Friday to have a late Thanksgiving feast last night, I did not take any photos of the meal. . .I was too busy taking photos of Peanut adoring her Pop-Pop. . .. . .and trying to get his hat! She loves to get Pop-Pop's hats! And even though my Army Boy is far away and couldn't eat turkey with us, or walk to the park with us yesterday, I know that he got to talk to his girls via Skype on Thursday. . .and this is a very good thing. :)

Yes, I might not always get everything I want in this life, but I did get to knit on some toys for Peanut's Christmas. . .do you recognize this pair of new parents?

They are a pretty handsome couple, if I do say so myself! And you can't tell from that picture, but soon they will have their own little Peanut doll, just like the real couple. . .I started on her today. . .and the real Peanut helped me knit a bit!

Well, she played with some yarn anyway. . .every knitter has to start somewhere!

As I get ready to decorate for Christmas, and "officially" move on to the next holiday season, I wish many blessings for you, and the time to count them every day, too.

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Not a Wordless Wednesday

As a matter of fact, it's more like a photo-less Wednesday. That's partly because my knitting has been all in the secret category, and partly because I have been pretty busy with other things in life over the past couple weeks. It's all good, just busy. Unfortunately, it's not the kind of busy that I would normally blog about. . .you know, routine Dr. appointments, haircuts, housecleaning, and work stuff. . .so here I am this week, sans photos! Forgive me?

What I do have to offer, however, are some random suggestions (with links) that you might enjoy! First up, one of my favorite bloggers and podcasters is Wonder Mike of the Fiber Beat podcast. Wonder Mike is full of tips and tricks for your knitting, as well as interviews that are informative and entertaining all over his podcast. He even has a couple of video casts that are really good. . .and entertaining! You should check Mike out on the Fiber Beat! (Psst! He's on Ravelry, too!)

Next suggestion is Knit Picks. I know, I know, all you knitters out there already know about Knit Picks, and you probably know about their current contest (where you could win up to $100 of the stuff on your wish list), but have you entered? I have, here's my list! Bonus here, they have a bunch of kits and other items on sale (many will be discontinued, from what I saw), and several of their yarns are retiring colors, although there are still good quantities of many of them.

Lastly, you all know that I am a fan of social media! Well, to further prove my fandom, I have started a Facebook page for Pretty Knitty Jewelry! I already have 15 "likes" for the page, but I'd like to have many more, so if you are on FB, hop over here and like me! I like to be liked. . .doesn't everybody?

Well three suggestions for a Wednesday that is not wordless. Now, off to work with Pretty! Thanks for stopping in. . .

Knit in Good Health!

Castin' On Again. . .

I just can't wait to get Castin' On Again!
Found my needles making music with some yarn. . .
But I can't wait to get Castin' On Again!

Maybe this "Pile O' Yarn" has something to do with it?. . .
So, last night, even though I have three things on the needles already (which is kinda my personal limit), I cast on yet another 5-hour sweater.This one is for a boy baby, so there are heavy modifications. . .like, no lacy holes or k2togs. . .those are replaced by some top-down, raglan shaping. . .still on 10.5 needles, tho, so it's a fast knit! I cast on last night, and finished the knitting early this afternoon. . .still need to add buttons and weave in ends, but I think I may gift it this coming week!

Aaaaand, the Peaches & Creme in the top photo will be another baby sweater, for the son of one of College Girl's co-workers. . .I think it will be another 5-hour, but it might also be a Knitting Fool pattern. . .decisions, decisions!

Aaaaand, the cone of blue yarn in the photo is the 50/50 wool/hemp blend from the Fiber Festival, and it is destined to become another Bagstopper! Super Yay!

In Knon-Knitting Knews, I have been playing at the photog thing again with Michelle! She is wearing her new tank (Lovely! - finished just moments before the photo was taken!), and this is my favorite shot of her at the barn on Thursday evening!

On the Home Front, we had a pretty productive day today. . .

For the past 15 years, we have not had a light by the door we use most frequently. Mostly, it was a nuisance when we came and went after dark, but lately we wondered if it was not also a security risk. There are some pretty big shadows between these little houses, and I would not want to be sneaking up on anyone "lurking" in the shadows. So, we hired a local handyman, and now we say, "Let there be [a] light!"

And, a few years back, we re-did the bushes in front of the house. We tore out the big ones that were creeping under the siding, and replaced them with two holly bushes, two daylillies, and what I think was a barberry shrub. . .the leaves were reddish and very pretty, but it was the prickly-est plant ever! Pruning was a pain! So, Sweetie took it out today, just before we laid more mulch. . .

We then went shopping to replace the center shrub, and decided on a boxwood for it's heartiness and evergreen qualities. The daylillies disappear in winter, so we wanted to be sure that whatever we planted would stay visible and attractive, rather than creating a big void in the center of the flowerbed when winter rolled around.

Now, we are not master gardeners, and it took us the better part of half an hour to pick which shrub we wanted to get. We looked at Azaleas, Roses and other flowering shrubs, as well as other varieties of evergreens. . .and then we just chose a lovely boxwood.

When we got home, we saw right away that there may be a "SMALL" problem. . .since we didn't have our other shrubs with us at the gardening center (should we take them next time? they felt so left out!), we did not realize just how puny a plant we had picked! lol

Sooooo, here we are, in the heart of summer, with a big void in the center of the flowerbed! lol And Sweetie and I are basically too lazy to go back and get a bigger plant. . .eventually, this one will grow. . .we hope. . .

But for today, we are finished with the landscaping. . .finished with the home repair and cleaning. . .finished with the shopping. . .finished with the hot and muggy sweating every time we even look out the window. . .and I am going to knit! I hope that you have some time to relax and unwind this weekend, and that there is yarn in your plans!

Knit in Good Health!