Knitting In The North

Laying Plans

 

 

 

Liam is napping, the big kids are at school, I have an English assignment due Monday and a Psychology mid-term on Wednesday.  Obviously, the most important thing for me to be doing right now is thinking about Christmas!

 

Last year, when Stuart asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I told him that I wanted his commitment that this year, we would have a completely hand-made holiday.  No plastic toys, no stuff we don't need, just special, well thought out gifts, made by our own two hands (well, as much as possible - we agreed it is acceptable to purchase some hand-made things).  He said yes, and although I think it will really be too much for him, and that he will succumb to the need to shop, I'm embracing it wholeheartedly.

 

Here are some plans in the works:

• Stuart has only been asking for a cabled sweater for the last five years or so, and I think this sweater will do the trick.  I know I haven't made a huge amount of progress on it, but I'm busily avoiding schoolwork, so I'm sure it will fly along in the next few weeks.
• A Waldorf-style doll for Gwenyth
• A spinny speller, also for Gwenyth
• A counting fish set for Liam
• Either an etsy bought print, or a creation of our own, of a peacock for Liam's room
• A wooden display box for Brian's rock collection.  I'm picturing a box with divided sections, and a clear lid, so he can label and display his precious rocks.  I also purchased a copy of a Rocks & Minerals book this summer, to go along with it.  (Is that cheating?)
• A marshmallow shooter and ammo belt for Brian (although it looks so fun I really want one for myself...)
• Another sewing project for Stuart (but I can't talk about it, because he checks up on me here, and I would like him to have a surprise.  The "blanket" I'm knitting is kind of awkward to hide...)
• Katie, of course, is the tricky one.  She has reached the ripe old age of thirteen (birthday post to follow soon...), and I am now very uncool.  I would like to knit her a pair of stripey Noro knee socks, but am not sure I can have both the sweater & the socks done in time.  I am thinking of a messenger bag... and perhaps a purchased from etsy graphic tee?  Sigh.  If you have any bright ideas, please share.  (Thirteen, I am discovering already, is tough.  Very tough.  And as I recall, fourteen isn't any better.  Now, please excuse me -  I need to call my mother and apologize for being a teenager... again.)

 

Never Forget, and Never Again

 

 

Raveled here.

 

Quiet Morning

 

 

 

 

This morning I had a great reminder of why I'm doing what I'm doing.  My work life has been in a upheaval of late, and I've been questioning everything - why am I at home?  What am I trying to do here?  Should I just go back to work full-time?  Is this all worth it?  Where is the balance?  How can I simplify?

 

I remember, though, what those crazy mornings were like - me rushing around, trying to get everything done before we had to leave the house.  No time to talk, to look around, to see what's right in front of my nose.

 

 

 

 

 

Today, I got up a little late, but still in time to cook a pot of oatmeal so the kids can have a hot, healthy breakfast to start their day.  I sat with a cup of tea and talked to Brian & Gwenyth, until Katie called me to the window to check out the sunrise.  I had time to get the camera and shoot a few frames, then actually have a look at them, and talk about it with the kids.  I could kiss each one goodbye as they left the house, making sure they were zipped up & wearing their hats, rather than yelling at them to get in the car while I grabbed the last few things to head out the door.  I can enjoy a second cup of tea while Liam sleeps in, letting him do what his body needs, rather than what's best for my schedule.  And, I can take the time to share it with you!  I do love a quiet morning...

 

Halloween

 

 

 

 

I'm a little late to the party, but here is what my crew looked like on their big night out.  Lately, the four of them have been playing a Wii game together called Super Smash Bros., and the kids decided they wanted to be the four brother characters. 

 

 

 

 

 

I love it when they come up with something to do together all on their own, and even more when we can include some crafty goodness into the experience.  Although I had seen some costumes out in stores, we decided to craft our own.  The clothing was pretty easy - overalls and long sleeved shirts (it was easy to find what we didn't have at the thrift store), but they each needed a baseball cap with the proper insignia on the front.  We found plain white caps at Michaels, put the appropriate logo on with fabric markers & Sharpies, and painted the rest with tempera paint. 

 

 

  

 

Of course, pumpkin carving was necessary, too.  Everyone gets their own, although what they do with it may vary.  Liam was convinced it would be really tasty.

 

 

 

 

In the end, we had a bat, a funny face, a wolf and a cat in a boot, which garnered lots of compliments from the local trick-or-treaters.  Now that this event is over, we're ready to move on to the biggest project of the year - preparing for our Homemade Christmas!