Eye Candy Friday | Blue Sky Blooms.

A few #makelight collages came across my Instagram feed yesterday and of course I couldn't resist seeing what it was all about and making my own collage for 2016.

Look at all that blue! I did knit two blue sweaters for myself and one blue baby blanket for Sam, but I'm pretty sure most of the blue is thanks to #blueskyblooms. and a few winter visits to Florida. I can't remember when I started using this tag, but it was certainly before last year. I shared a few Eye Candy shots with y'all back in February and figured I'd keep up the tradition.

Wishing you all the warm sunshine and the light of bright blue skies (even vicariously!) - Happy Friday!

p.s. these photos are all straight off my phone ... no edits, no filters.

Five on Friday | The Crown.

I was late to this party, but ... finally, I watched The Crown. and yes, everyone was right - it's excellent. I loved pretty much everything about it. The story (of course! I'm a huge Anglophile and a real fan of Queen Elizabeth, especially since reading Andrew Marr's biography), the sets, the acting and the time period. Pure nostalgia (is that possible since I wasn't actually alive during the 1950's?), but a few episodes in, I started a list of things I wished were still around. And since it's Friday, here are my top five:

1. Telephone calls that aren't instantaneous. It took real effort to make a connection and it seems like the resulting conversations were more meaningful.

2. Silk scarves tied under the chin to keep the 'do in place. I could've used one today!

3. Hats. They really complete the outfit (for women and men).

4. Waists. and high-waisted trousers or full skirts to show them off.

5. Multi-stranded pearls. This one's a cheat since they're obviously still around...but they're certainly not as common in my everyday life as they are in Elizabeth's. Nevertheless, I've made a point of wearing mine more since I watched.

What was your favorite period element about the show? (or maybe there was something you really hated?) Please share.

Regardless, Happy Friday...and Happy Weekend!

Cheers | Spiced Pear Collins.

I had a different post planned for today, but my sister-in-law made this cocktail for our gathering this afternoon and I knew it was what I really needed to share. 

Because I'm guessing - like me - y'all have the ingredients in your post-Thanksgiving refrigerators. and you might - like me - be ready for something other than wine. and of course - it's Friday!

Here's the link to the recipe; Lydia said she followed it pretty much as written, except she used more pears for the purée.

Once we got home, I realized I only had one pear left, but plenty of applesauce, so I added that to make the cup (plus) of purée. I also used allspice and cloves for the simple syrup (because I had both and really...I'm not sure  when I'll use whole allspice?!) The simple syrup is still steeping, so I can't report on my changes, but I'm pretty sure these ingredients can stand a bit of "interpretation".

Happy Day After - and a huge Thank You, Lydia!

Another Visit to the Garden.

My FitBit recorded nearly 32 hours of sleep for the last three days; and it really does feel like I slept through weekend! I knew I was tired, but whoa... so it's a good thing I have a story from Friday to share. Lydia and I met up for a visit to the Botanical Gardens and lunch. This was her first time to see the Chihuly exhibit and my second. I'm happy to report that the pieces I loved back in May are still just as stunning.

I found a few new favorites, too. The Children's Garden wasn't open when we went last time. This piece sits atop the trellis gate that leads into that section.

But even without that grand entrance, the Children's Garden looks like a lot of fun - I look forward to sharing it with Charlie next spring.

I love how this installation highlights the Garden's location - an oasis in the heart of the city. (and it wasn't until I cropped the photo that I noticed Lydia at the right :-).

Here's a view in the other direction.

And how about a few #blueskyblooms.

Hope your week is off to a blue sky start! Happy Monday!

Eye Candy Friday | Blue Sky Blooms.

It's easy to see why so many people flock to Florida this time of year. Even the really winter-y days are rarely below freezing and there's plenty of sunshine. Holly and I have been taking full advantage with long daily walks (yay for 10,000+ steps!). The perfect opportunity to capture #blueskyblooms. Here are a few of my favorites over the past two weeks.

Yesterday's stormy rain left behind the promise of more bright blue skies today. I'm looking forward to it.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday Fun | Toddler Edition.

Today was supposed to be all about the Sark Wrap. Our shop KAL officially started today...and I think I was the only participant. Due to the rain and the small dog who lives here and has ... issues ... with her "business" when it rains, I didn't make it to the shop. I did get my wrap started and made it through the first bobble row

before Katie called me and asked for a little help with their Friday evening. She's been feeling flu-ish...not that I needed any reason at all.

By the time I arrived (later than I'd hoped thanks to small dog and ... issues) dinner was done. so ... play time! Charlie loves to dance and Katie has a few playlists full of his favorite tunes. We also read a few books. Then played a game where Charlie climbed onto the sofa and directed me and Katie to join him...one on each side (and then he'd get down...and back up again... and yeah, repeat).

Honestly, it was a relief when bath time came. It's been a few months since I joined that routine. He's changed a lot!  and oh my is he a ham for the camera!

and oh my can I take a LOT of photos!

Katie suggested I take a video.

 and then play it back for him. He loves it!

more please!

Eye Candy Friday.

I'm borrowing Carole's Friday idea because I have a few fun photos from earlier in the week.

proving yet again that packaging makes the best toys! (and that Charlie is a ham!)

#HollyaDayforSara

...and because my favorite Thea Colman released a new sweater pattern yesterday. I've been waiting a bit impatiently for this one since I first saw her teaser photos and realized I have the perfect purple yarn in very deep stash. Off to swatch!

Happy weekend!

Fridaying.

...back in early 2007 (when, as Sara likes to say, I "found" the internet ) I remember finding a blog that had a regular "Fridaying" feature. I recall those posts featuring serendipitous and simply happy finds - images and links - to get the weekend off to a great start. Of course I don't remember any more than that and have not - even with more than a few hours searching - been able to find the source again. Even my own blog hasn't been consistent with the idea (if you'd like a search deep into these archives, here you go! just promise me you won't leave a single comment about how many hairstyles I've tried these last nine years!)

So today I am re-starting the idea, mere-et-filles style. My goal is to put something in your feed reader that will put a smile on your face and - since I still can't seem to get the whole posting in advance thing down! - get your weekend off to a fine start!

from this afternoon

I shared this image on Instagram just a bit ago... I love that most of my Friday afternoons are about knitting with friends. at the yellow table of course, or at a closer-to-home Starbucks. Today was a Starbucks day (and if you're a Starbucks fan, don't forget that it's 2 for 1 on holiday drinks from 2-5pm tomorrow and Sunday).

I've started the first sleeve on Stonewall. still loving the Rowan Hemp Tweed. and the idea that I might have a new sweater for one of the many family get-togethers planned over the holiday week.

Katie took a hundred or so photos of Truss (sneakily featured in Sunday's post) and two other FOs (not knit by me) for next week's newsletter. Let me just say...Maai might just be the All-Star of mixers.

I had lunch today with one of the guys I used to work with. We've been going to this same hole-in-the-wall restaurant for 15+ years. His kids are in college now, and that always makes me feel like the older one - except I'm not. It was wonderful to catch up...

and to listen to the latest Bookriot Podcast while I drove there and back. Jeff & Rebecca recorded this episode LIVE at last weekend's Bookriot LIVE event and it is awesome. unless you're offended by off-color language...in which case do NOT listen. I got another LOL moment when I saw this book cover on Rebecca's Instagram feed this afternoon (Sara, this one's for you!)

Finally, two more quick links:

first, the movie I can't wait to see next summer...with Charlie (will he be too young?); and
second, one I think I should see now.

Happy Fridaying, friends! what are you looking forward to this weekend?

Five on Friday.

...whoa, I can't believe it's Friday already. I'm still playing catchup with my life, and feeling oddly disconnected from myself. But I didn't want to let too much time pass without even a brief visit here. And Five on Friday seems like just the thing!

The days are getting noticeably shorter. Sunrise is now closer to 7am than to 6. But it made for a stunning view at the park when Katie and I walked this morning.

That was our second walk of the week and my third workout at the park; Lauren and I ran a good four miles there on Tuesday. Holly and I also made a "forced march" (that's what my friends have taken to calling the long walks I take with Holly; she makes it about a mile on her own and then I carry her the rest of the way) yesterday. And there was a five-plus mile hill run on Monday with my running group. Feeling good about all the fresh air and the time that's allowed for catching up with my friends. My fitbit has had a good week!

My bingo card is filling up; three bingo's so far! I'm midway through two more books that will give me two more, and then I only have four books left to fill my card. Details coming next week, I promise. But in the meantime, one of the four remaining is a "Re-read" and I'm stuck on what to choose. Any recommendations?

I have yet to visit the classroom for the Phone Photography 2 class that began last week. Margene is also taking the class and - unlike me! - has done several of the lessons. Her photographs are amazing! I can't wait to get started.

But first, I've got two knitting projects to start. First up, the new KAL at the shop starts this afternoon. We're knitting Shallows and I'm using Shibui Cima+Silk Cloud... sounds like heaven to knit. And shortly thereafter (as in I hope to swatch this evening), I'm finally succombing to one of the shop newsletter projects. I feel pretty good that I've written half a dozen newsletters and this is the first one I'm unable to resist (or maybe that just means I'm not that good at the newsletter?!) In any event, the pattern is Julie Hoover's Insouciant and I'm completely smitten. Seams and all. I'm going to use the pattern suggested Habu Tsumugi Silk, color still TBD. There's also one more thing in the wings, am I'm excited to tell y'all about it...but it needs a post of its own. Stay tuned.

So there you have it. Reading over what I've just written it seems like there is a bit of normal starting to peek through. That feels good. And it's Friday. Happy Weekend!

Five on Friday | Today's Loves.

...daffodils. sadly not in my yard, but around my neighborhood there are huge plantings with dozens of blooms. It is hard not to smile when you see a field of daffodils.

also, 

chambray shirts. I own three, all (slightly!) different, and I've been wearing them in constant rotation. under sweaters, over cropped pants, with boots, with flats... and with all my knitted neckwear. It's a lesson in minimalism for me. Three shirts, two pairs of pants, a half dozen scarves...and I can be dressed for over a week!

Costco's Kirkland wines, especially their Napa Cabernet. I opened my last bottle of this tonight to accompany our tasty "leftovers and salad" menu (maybe I'll tell y'all next week about Marc's latest diet). I'm also hoping that the weather gods see that I'm drinking that last bottle of Cab and decide to send spring.

Longer days. I still feel like a slug in the morning (sunrise is after 7:30 am here!) but having it light at 7:45 pm while I type this almost makes up for that.

and finally, all the love, prayers and good wishes y'all have shared for my dad's recovery and the new little one who'll be joining our family next fall. thank you!

Happy Weekend! what are you loving TODAY?

Five on Friday | Signs of Spring.

…I'm back home and slowly (but surely) getting back into the groove. I timed my return well…I'm just in time for Spring! Here's a quick look at five sure signs of the new season.

Cherry trees in full bloom.

Daffodils!

Clearing skies after a rainy day.

Tiny shoots of green in the front bed.

And a short sleeved silk pullover on the needles.

 I hope it's getting sunny and warmer where you are, too! Happy Weekend!

Looking Back | 2013.

…at thirteen of the best things that happened around here.

Rob & Katie and the sparkler sendoff (a favorite moment from a favorite day)

1. Katie and Rob's wedding. The day of - May 18 - was wonderful, but the planning and preliminary parties - notably the bachelorette weekend in February where Katie and her friends shared one cottage and my friends and I shared the other (and there was snow) and a shower in April hosted by my sister and sister-in-law - and sharing the celebration with friends and family made it truly memorable. I'm so grateful, too, that we have hundreds of photos to remember it all.

Marc & I - November 17 before a wonderful dinner in the Dominican

2. Our 30th anniversary. and getting really comfortable with the whole empty nest thing. Marc and I celebrated with a trip to the Dominican Republic back in November. It was the first time the two of us had taken a vacation together on a plane since our honeymoon. We ate and drank and read and lounged for five whole days in the sun. We also had a Nespresso machine in our room and I lost count of how many espressos I had.

3. The half marathon. Way back in March, Katie, Rob, Sara and I ran 13.1 miles. This was my first half marathon…and likely my last. In a burst of post-event enthusiasm I signed up for two more - one on Thanksgiving morning and another next March. Our Dominican trip pretty much put me off the Thanksgiving one and I just realized today that I'll be out of town for the one in March. Oh well. I'm glad I did it. just once.

4. The mid-distance running group at the Y. More post-event enthusiasm encouraged me to join a running group, and this part is sticking with me. I've made friends and like running with others now more than running solo. Quite a change in just 12 months!

5. Yoga. I resisted at first. The one class I took last year wasn't very good and I was too into Pilates to give it a second chance. But then I took a class this spring - the teacher subbed for one of my Pilates classes, but she taught a Yoga class - and I had second thoughts. The girls at running raved about a 90 minute class on Friday mornings and I decided to give it a shot. First class…and I was hooked. My routine now includes three classes a week - two Vinyasa Flow and one Yin. Combined with a few days of running, I think I've found a fitness routine I can live with for a while.

6. Katie & Rob built a house (and moved in) that's just three and a half miles from ours. I love having them close. I especially love that we see them (ok, mostly that Katie and I see each other) regularly and have fun together!

7. The prayer shawl ministry is real. The timing was right, for sure, because we had more than 20 women show up for the information session in April. Monthly meetings started in May and eight months later we have a solid core of about a dozen ladies. We've made several dozen shawls, lap robes and baby pieces and have expanded the ministry to include a local cancer infusion center and a single mother's outreach program.

8. Our whole family is on Instagram. Katie and I started back in early 2011, then Sara joined, and we got Marc on board the morning after the wedding. I was enjoying looking at all the photos that the guests shared…and he wanted in. Now he regularly shares photos on his Asian adventures and it's great to follow along. But I have to say that the photos he shares of our lives here together are my favorites. Also, #tbt.

9. Photography. I took a phone photography class in July and learned so much, especially about iPhone/iPad apps to edit photos (PicTapGo and A Beautiful Mess are my favorites). Inspiration spark! Then Katie & I both bought a 50mm 1:1.4 lens last month and whoa. I'm in love with my DSLR all over again.

my "stats" view from Goodreads

10. Reading books and audiobooks. I read 28 (those two unstarred books at the bottom are "not gonna finish" ones) books this year; more than any recent year by a long shot. In addition to discovering short stories, I also found a few new favorites - Neil Gaiman's American Gods, Diana Gabaldon's Outlander and John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany. I started listening to bookish podcasts, too, and would highly recommend Book Riot, Books on the Nightstand, Bookrageous and (if you're ok with R-rated language) Literary Disco.

11. Another 2-day walk. It's a fall tradition. and now we've raised over $20,000!!!!

12. Teaching knitting. I started nearly four years ago (!!!?!!) and I am finally feeling like I figured it out. I have about 15 regular students who fill three classes each week. They keep me on my toes - did you ever hear the way to really learn is by doing? it's true - and they inspire me.

13. Our new home. not just our 2nd house, and I know it helps that we sold the first a few months back.  Now we've made new friends, figured out the traffic patterns and really settled in. We love it. and it's home.

Thanks for reading all this. I didn't think it would be so long, but … that's how it goes sometimes! Reviewing the list, it strikes me that most of these things were not ones I planned a year ago. And so I'm reminded again how important it is to be flexible about my priorities and really, to simply be present in the moment with the things - and the people - that matter most.

Did you have any "aha" moments this year? Please share!

Friday Reflections.

...inspired by figuring out 40, this is a slightly different take on currents, using the senses to reflect on the week.

a gift from my mom, who's visiting this week

tasting :: pumpkin spice lattes, apple cake, red wine, dark chocolate almond bark and ravioli lasagne (yes, I cooked...for company!). It's almost cool enough to think about soup in the slow cooker...maybe next week?

hearing :: quiet mostly when I'm home alone (which was a lot this week), and podcasts when I'm walking Holly or driving. Especially enjoyed the new knit.fm (hosted by Pam Allen and Hannah Fettig, this is ear candy for knitters) and the October 4 episode of Selected Shorts which included Steven Millhauser's "The Dome" read by Alec Baldwin and Nicholson Baker's "Subsoil" (still enjoying short stories and this podcast was my "fix" for the week). Also iTunes Radio; I played the Dinner Party station when we had everyone over on Wednesday and I think it's pretty good. Definitely worth another listen.

smelling :: spiced pumpkin and frasier fir candles at my house, and spiced chestnut at Katie's. Loving the smell, too, of the fallen leaves underfoot while we walk.

seeing :: my parents; they're visiting this week and I enjoyed lunch with them on Monday and dinner Wednesday. My mom brought me that gorgeous mum and it's like having fall sitting on my kitchen counter. I'm also well into Tracey Clark's Picture Everyday class and this week's prompts are about details...I'm noticing so much more!

feeling :: rested and a sense of calm; very welcome after this crazy busy year, and especially right this second as I'm getting ready to spend the weekend away with my parents, sister and brother and spouses and then dive into the birthday season and the holidays. Of course maybe this is just the calm before the storm, but I'm still grateful for it!

wishing & hoping :: for nice weather this weekend (yikes, I've wished for that a bunch lately!) ... and that this new-found sense of calm helps me stay balanced over these next few months.

unexpected.

...today's daily photo prompt reminded me about Kym's recent observation that it's hard to plan a surprise. so I decided I would draw my "expected" line in the dark early hours when I was planning my day. as expected (?!?) I had a few surprises today, mostly good (whew! it was Friday the 13th after all) and wanted to share three of them with you:

first, the treat I enjoyed at knitting this afternoon. my first #psl, aka Starbucks' "pumpkin spice latte", celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. I guess I'm a slow adopter. I made a light version by adding two pumps of the pumpkin spice "sauce" (yep, it's not even a syrup) to my regular latte. I liked it. but I think I'd love it with just one pump. ...that will be next month's treat!

second, Katie and I are reading Peter Pan. We've seen the Disney movie and Mary Martin's Broadway performance (both on video) more times than I could count. And as much as I love them both, I have to say, the book is better. Because of passages like this:

"It is the nightly good custom of every good mother after her children are asleep to rummage in their minds and put things straight for next morning, repacking into their proper places the many articles that have wandered during the day...When you wake in the morning, the naughtiness and evil passions with which you went to bed have been folded up small and placed at the bottom of your mind and on the top, beautifully aired, are spread out your prettier thoughts, ready for you to put on."

and last, the weather. it was a delightful 80 degrees this afternoon, with a breeze. Katie's deck was cool enough for a sweater (and a glass of red wine :-)  and she willingly took a few photos. This is the cardigan I finished last month (raveled here).

 

wishing everyone unexpected happy this weekend!

five things that might surprise you.

this is me (and holly) last night - at the kitchen counter
looking much better than I look right now - thanks to
katie for the great photo (and to john at bobbi brown
for the makeup!)

...about me. right now.

1. it's just after noon and I'm sitting at the kitchen counter in sweats, with my running clothes underneath. I put those running clothes on around 9am certain I was going to do something aerobic, or at least athletic. and three hours later, nope. today is going to be a rest day.

2. the christmas knitting is ... looking like it will be finished before next weekend. that's right, long-time readers, I am not thinking I need to hire a chauffeur next week so I can knit while he drives and I might even be able to get to my regular knitting before christmas eve. of course that's probably because...

3. I've watched 14 episodes of homeland since sunday. I am now caught up and joining the rest of the world in waiting for the season 2 finale on sunday.

4. that pink scarf I started last week is nearly done and I have a second ball of yarn to start another one.

5. I can't remember the last time I mailed a postcard. I'm sure my regular pen pals are wondering where I've been and I'm sorry. I have, however, written about a million thank you notes (not that I'm complaining) for housewarming, birthday and christmas gifts. and as of today, I am caught up. finally. postcards start again next week!

FO friday.

...whoa, I knew it had been a while since I shared an FO post here, but I had no idea it was over three months (there was a post in early april that featured photos, but really, it was more about knitting than finished objects). so that's 13 FOs and nearly 7,000 yards of yarn ago. whoa...

I did title this post FO (in the singular) friday, so you'll have to visit my ravelry page to see the details on the other twelve. because this post is (mostly!) about element.

raveled here

my third sweater in a row knit from shibui's raw silk heichi.

and my first one from the heichi book (that's the one I intend to knit my way through over the next few months - truly, every single piece is a must-have).

I knit the smallest size as written. which meant I had two sides to seam. those two seams and a dozen plus ends to weave in took up all my knitting time on tuesday. and made me forget why I'd made the decision to not convert it to be seamless.

today when I wore it for the first time, I remembered. it was to give the body structure. it's a tunic and I added a few inches to the length which  means I'm completely sitting on it when I sit (like driving, or knitting :-) and I was happy when I saw these photos, after three-ish hours of sitting...no sags! I love that seams are good for something. because they are definitely a pain to do!

the heichi yarn is lovely. the colors, the texture, how it softens once it's blocked, I do love it. but it's rough on my hands. so for my next few pieces, I'm going to use a different yarn. that swatch for trace worked great; I think the texture will be a nice mix with the simple lines of the tank. ...more to come...

making me smile.

...despite the cold, wet cold...

♥ holly's new raincoat keeps her a little bit drier.
♥ the forecast for today shows clearing and warmer temperatures.
♥ it's saturday. and I have plans to knit. and cook dinner. and enjoy some time with marc.
♥ and take another walk in the park.

making me smile.

...thinking happy thoughts, especially since it's friday!

♥ the first round of increases on the cranberry capelet is done and I put the whole thing onto waste yarn to try it on - whew! - it fits!
♥ I wove in the ends on the sursa shawl and until I can get to a steam iron, it's as done as it can be. so I'm going to swatch for my next project - the fallaway cardigan in madelinetosh pashmina (cove colorway).
♥ listening to the christmas edition of electric sheep - makes we want to see a panto "for real".

♥ fresh kumquats - an expensive delicacy from the market, but the innkeeper says we can have as many as we want from the four trees in the yard. yummmm.
♥ my dad got a good report at the doctor today.

♥happy friday. ♥happy weekend!

there has been knitting.

...so focused here about showing that there is more to my life than knitting, that I've kind of neglected documenting all that I have been doing. really, I haven't writtin a blog post about knitting since may 7. of course anyone who knows me knows there has been knitting. and this morning, I spent time photographing projects, and updating ravelry.

I am really pleased that much of what was in process the last time I had a big catchup (back in april) has been finished. the four projects that are still lingering (three scarves and a beret) are not completely lost causes (the ulmus was my nyc project), but who needs scarves or a beret when it's 95 degrees outside? but more surprising is what's been started and finished since then! three pairs of socks, a lace shawl and a sweater.

and in store for today? more knitting!

tgif.

...a few people asked if friday still felt like friday, even now. and the answer is "oh yes!" maybe because marc goes to the office monday through friday and sara's in school monday through friday - we still celebrate the weekends around here. (begging the question if once sara's moved out and marc retires, then the weekend thing might change? guess we'll see then).

taking stock of this past week, I can't believe how ... busy ... it was. I was really only home on thursday (I cleaned) and I didn't have nearly as much time to knit as I thought I would. and TGIF still matters.

celebrated in style with a few of my favorite ladies.

(click the photo to see who's who)

and a few bites of oreo cheesecake (shared with lisa - a happy end to our lunch at northpoint diner).

happy weekend!!