Knitting In The North

TCT: Spring Cleaning Clean Sweep

Doesn't it feel good when your house is clean?  Do you feel the urge to do a little spring cleaning at this time of year?  I know I do, so I jumped at the chance to join Simple Mom's Spring Cleaning Party!

Day One consisted of cleaning up all the messes around the house, so that I have a clean slate for the rest of the week.  Here are a few before and after shots:

  My desk before...

 ... and my desk after!

 Our corner table before...

... our corner table after!

 The entry way before...

 ... and the entry way after (with helper)!

This process is extremely satisfying for me - I tend to put off cleaning up certain areas, because I don't think I have the time to do it "perfectly".  Yes, I'm still working on that, and this was a good lesson for me - a great reminder that I don't need a whole day long cleaning spree, but that if I take a few minutes here and a few minutes there, I can still get a whole lot done, and feel wonderful at the end of it!  Would you like to join me?

TCT: Celebrate the Small Moments

I love blogging, and I love reading blogs.  I find it very interesting to see a repeating theme or idea running through seemingly unconnected sites.  I've been thinking a lot lately about the little moments in life, and how lovely they really are.  How thankful I am for them.  I was pleased to come across this post at Chatting At The Sky, about the gentle art of thankful noticing, and even more pleased to see that she is hosting a link-fest of observation today; you might like to check it out!

This morning, I was up early with Liam.  After the essentials were done, Liam went off to play and I carried on with the rest of my morning routine.  I was in the kitchen making Stuart coffee, singing "Feeling Groovy" when I looked up - Liam had "found" me!  The sound of my singing had caught his attention, and he was peeking around the corner, head bobbing along with the song.  

One of my most favourite things at this stage of babyhood is being found - Liam follows me around as I go through my day, and the delight on his face when he comes across me making beds or cleaning the bathroom or folding laundry is like a ray of sunshine piercing my day.   

Precious, and fleeting. And again, I am so thankful.

TCT: Gratitude, Always Gratitude

I feel like I talk a lot about gratitude - here in the blog, around the house, with my friends.  But I have to say, I've been thinking about gratitude in a new way, and it's changing the way I look at so many things.  I've recently re-read the book The Creative Family by Amanda Blake Soule, and was especially struck by the way the author deals with gratitude as a part of preparing the creative mind.  She comments, "When we feel grateful, we feel full - full of love, full of inspiration, full of ideas, and full of creative spirit."  What a powerful emotion! 

I can tend to be a pretty negative person.  A complainer, even.  It is easy, so easy for me to look at all the things wrong in my home, my community, my government, my world.  In the past, I have kept what I called my "thankful journal", a book that I would write down things I was particularly thankful for.  This journal was instrumental in bringing me out of the baby blues after Gwenyth was born, and I have turned to it many times over the years as a way to keep me on track, keep my mind wandering down the right path.  Over time, though, this journal has become almost a means to an end.  You know, "Oh, I'm feeling a little dark, better get disciplined and pull out the thankful journal."  But what I've been seeing of late is the JOY and ENERGY that is in gratitude.  In giving thanks - to God, to my family, to those who have input into my life.  The peace that I find in thanksgiving is a great and awesome thing, but even more so is the joy that is filling me as I make this a part of my daily life.

Will you share with me?  What are you thankful for today?  Me, it's all about Liam's chubby fingers.  He's reached that stage where he's always into something, and I spend a great deal of time cleaning up after him, and cleaning him up.  Today, as I was washing those sweet hands - again - I stopped and looked.  And am so very thankful.

TCT: Being Flexible

 

I was all set to write about something very different today - until this morning happened.  It's Spring Break here, which means I have the joy of hanging out with my whole crew all week long.  I know many parents who dread this, but I anticipate it.  What I don't enjoy, however, is the busyness that comes along with it.  There are a bunch of smallish errands and bigger projects that need to be tackled, and as the Chief Planner and Organizer Supreme of this household, I carefully checked over the list of to-dos, and came up with A Plan.

What my plan did not include were variables such as sick kids, cars that won't start in the morning, surprise temporary work for me, or to-dos that were Not. On. The. List.  This morning was that kind of day, and I'll admit it sent me into a flap.  There is something about watching my carefully laid plans circle the drain that takes me straight into internal panic.  It's not pretty, nor is it fun for a single member of our household.  Today, faced with the drama that was this morning, I tried something different.  (After I went into the flap.  I'll admit it.  I flapped for a bit.) 

I made a cup of tea.  I took a shower.  And I thought about my plans.  Really, very few of the items on my list actually must get done this week.  If you want to take it down to bare bones, only one thing really needs to happen, and we would all survive even if it didn't.  So what's the flap about?  I think someone needs to be more... flexible.  Big deep breath.  And that, my friend, is how I'm practicing self-care this week.  Speaking of flexibility, perhaps a yoga session is in order, too?

By the way - Happy St. Patrick's Day!  We were visited last night by the leprechauns.  You can tell, obviously, by the green footprints leading from the back door, across the room and up the fridge.  Inside, they left us a jug of green milk for our Irish breakfast.  Have you had an encounter with a leprechaun today?

TCT: A New 'Do

   

I was sitting at my Stitch 'n Bitch on Sunday, when someone looked around the group and remarked that almost everyone had a new hairstyle!  I'm not sure if this is exclusive to northern-type communities, but at this time of year, cabin fever sets in pretty firmly.  The children are antsy, the dog is restless, and we are all just so very weary of the cold.  Especially on a day like today, when my thermometer reads -32C, plus a wind chill.  Sigh.  I long for spring, for warmth, for days of picnics and sending kids outside to play.  For green and yellow and red and purple - anything but white and grey and brown.  

Strange as is may seem, I am a winter lover.  I can wax poetic about snow falling, curling up by the fire, walking among the bare, silver trees, the glitter and sparkle of the sun on the snow.  At this time of year, though, enough is enough!  To help myself be patient, I indulged recently in a new hairstyle.  It is truly amazing to me how powerful feeling good about my appearance can be in fighting off the I-can't-wait-for-winter-to-end blues.  And a new (for me, shorter) 'do helps me feel springy, even when the weather isn't co-operating!

TCT: Rituals

I told you last week all about my fancy new milk frother, and how wonderful it is that I can now have a latte any old time I feel like it.  The truth is, most days I make myself one.  One very special latte, for a very special time of day.

I've struggled this winter with the demands of my little world here.  Busy baby, busy pre-schooler (I really, really wanted to type toddler, when did she become a pre-schooler?), busy school-aged kids, busy husband...  You get the idea.  Lots of busyness going on, and not a lot of quiet time.  For an introvert like me, it's can feel like torture at times.  Always someone there, someone talking, someone touching, and never a moment of peace.  I found I was cranky by the time Stuart came home at the end of the day, which I'm sure was not fun for him, either.  By the end of our evening meal, I spent half my time shushing people and sending kids away "to play".  How nice is that to live with?

One evening, we were having a special movie/picnic night.  Everyone was happy and having a good time, except me.  I was telling Brian to stop bumping the coffee table, Gwenyth to please-for-the-love-of-all-that-is-good-please-stop-talking, sighing at Liam's need to be held, irritated with Katie for no particular reason.  And let's not even get started about how Stuart could say Nothing Right At All.  Suddenly, I had a moment of clarity.  They were all happy.  They were eating their dinner, having fun, relaxing after a busy week.  It was not them.  It was me.  I quietly told Stuart that I needed a break, picked up my plate, collected my library book, and retreated to my bedroom.  I sat in bed for about 45 minutes, eating my food and reading my book.  When I came back out to the living room, it was like a whole new Mommy was there.  I was calm, together, peaceful.

That evening was a real turning point for me; I realized that I need time.  I need space, and quiet.  And I also realized that there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for that time.  That when I take that time, I am a better mother, a more content wife, a nicer person all round.  Shortly after that, I instituted afternoon Quiet Time in my house.  I maneuvered Liam's daily schedule around, and found activities to wear Gwenyth out in the morning.  I take 45 minutes for myself every afternoon.  This is not time to run around like a crazy woman catching up on house projects, this is not time to deep clean the hall closet or rummage in my studio.  This is Quiet Time for me, too. 

With the kids in bed (Gwenyth is in that place where she may or may not sleep, but she understands that she needs to play quietly in her bed, regardless), I make myself something healthy to eat.  I prepare my special latte, and I sit down with my knitting, and something special to watch on TV.  Right now, I'm watching the TV show Without a Trace on DVD (one episode of an hour long TV show on DVD exactly fills my 45 minutes, which is perfect).  Some days, I choose to listen to a podcast instead.  It doesn't really matter, what matters is that this is My Time.  My daily ritual, that I've come to depend on.  At the end of this time, Liam wakes up, Gwenyth comes out of her room, the kids come home from school, and we all kick into high gear.  But it's okay, I can bring that peace and quiet with me from my afternoon, and share it with the rest of my family.  Even when my little bundle of joy looks like this:

 

At the moment, I have the best kind of knitting for my afternoon ritual - I've finally gotten with the times, and cast on for a Clapotis!  I can see why it's universally popular, the rhythmic stitches just fly along my needles, as I enjoy my peace and quiet.

 

What about you?  Do you have a special daily/weekly/monthly ritual?

TCT: Retail Therapy

 

Generally, I'm a pretty frugal person.  I've even been called things like "tight" and "cheap", but I deny this fiercely.  I like to think of myself as a mindful spender - before I spend money, I think about it, and ask myself a few questions.  You know, like, "do I really need this?" or "do I have something already that could meet this need?" or "can I find it on freecycle/at the thrift store/borrow it from a friend?".  That kind of thinking.

This weekend, though, I felt the need to treat myself to a few goodies.  At my local SnB, someone showed up with the new Debbie Bliss magazine, and I knew this is one I just had to have!  Lots of pretty things in there, I just love Debbie Bliss.  Also thanks to my SnB, I have developed a new love for tea lattes.  I had tried my hand at making my very own London Fog, but it just wasn't the same.  This week, a friend suggested that I needed my own milk frother.  I found one at a little kitchen store in the mall, and it has made all the difference!  Now I can make my very own (Decaf Earl Gray, skim milk, spoon of honey, splash of vanilla) latte, any old time I feel like it.  I also treated myself to the new cup, on the sale shelf at Starbucks in the post-Valentine's day stuff.  It has a double wall, so my drink stays warmer a bit longer - I can really nurse a cup of tea, especially when I'm knitting.

  

Speaking of knitting, I'm almost finished my Almeara Gloves!  I'm just at the fingers on the second glove, and hope I'll have a chance to enjoy them before it gets too warm.  Up here, I don't think I have much to worry about!

TCT: The Looove Edition

 

By now, the dust from Valentine's Day 2009 has settled, and I'm still enjoying the lovely pink rose bush Stuart brought home for me.  Although I love flowers, I hate how quickly they fade, and Stuart has found the perfect solution.  He brings me little potted plants or bulbs, that can eventually find a home in our garden.  They last much longer than cut flowers, so I can enjoy the blooms for many days.  We had a peaceful, family Valentine's - we watched a movie together, ate at the coffee table in the living room, and each child had a little present to open from their Grandma & Grandpa.  Stuart & I celebrated in bits and pieces all weekend long - we snuck out for coffee on Friday night, and I made him a romantic breakfast, including heart-shaped toast for Sunday morning. 

Love has been everywhere the past week or so, and here's something else I'm loving!  I call it brain candy:

 

What you see in the picture is actually a double whammy - I love to read, and my favourite way to relax and recharge with a book is a good murder mystery.  I have recently discovered the author Laurie R. King, and am slowly working my way through her books, rationing them out like a special bit of chocolate.  I also came across Death by Cashmere, which was pretty cute.

As you can see, the books above are all library books.  About once every week or so, I take off to the library as soon as Stuart comes home from work.  I love to wander around the adult section all by myself, no small child in tow to keep track of or shush as I delve into new subjects and authors.  Our local library has been excellent in the last year or so at building the DVD collection, so I often come home with a good movie, as well.  Naturally, this form of entertainment is a big budget helper, as well.  During the weekdays, Gwenyth, Liam & I like to head down for Story Time, which is a fun outing for all of us - educational, lots of singing, other little people to visit with...  all good things.

Things are feeling pretty good on the knitting front this week!  I finished my U-Neck Vest last night (which I will show off once it's finished blocking), and am almost done the first Almeara Glove.  Currently, I'm debating either casting on for the Aleita Shell vest from Interweave Knits, or the February Lady Sweater...  What to do next?  What new project are you dreaming of?

TCT - Challenge Yourself

My sister has been on a big kick lately - figuring out personality types.  It turns out (after having her ask me questions over the phone), I'm a blend of Type A & B, which sounds about right to me.  The little blurb at the end of the test commented that I can be mellow, but appreciate the spice of a challenge in my life.  This really does hit the nail on the head for me; one thing that I find important in my life is to live peacefully and accept what's going on around me, but also to find ways to challenge myself all the time.  If I go too long without a challenge, I get restless and feel stagnant.

This, of course, is one of the things I most love about knitting.  I love that there is always something more to learn, something new to try.  Over the last year, I've kept busy with comfort knitting, but have recently begun to feel the need to push myself a bit again.  With that in mind, I've cast on this week for the Almeara Gloves in the latest Vogue Knitting.  

 

    

I chose a yarn that I thought would be hard wearing, and suitable with both of my winter coats; I ended up using Patons Classic Wool, in Black Tweed.  This is a charcoal-ey yarn, with flecks of every bright colour you can think of.  The yarn itself is very nice to work with, and I think will make soft, warm gloves.

This project involves several new-to-me elements.  I have not tried knitting gloves before, nor have I ever knit such complicated cables, and especially not from a chart.  Whew!  I need kid-free knitting time to work on these, and find myself flexing my ankles and pointing my toes at the ceiling when I sit working on them.  After an evening long session the night before last, I drove Stuart crazy tossing and turning in bed, dreaming about cable crossings.  Still, the challenge is invigorating, and I love diving deep into a project like this.

What are you doing to challenge yourself this month?

PS - Just wanted to give you a heads up on a yarn giveaway - While Tangerine Dreams lives here in BC, and spins beautiful art yarn.  She's giving a lovely Valentine-ish skein away right now!  (She also has a scrumptious baby boy, if you like that sort of thing.) 

Take Care Tuesday

It's finally here - Vest-uary!  I've been excited about this for a while now, and was thrilled to cast on for my February project - the Back-to-School U-Neck Vest, from Fitted Knits.  I have also had a great deal of fun checking out all the other vest patterns out there, and adding new ones to my Ravelry queue, and reorganizing the queue, and searching through the stash...  All kinds of great knitterly entertainment!

 

Here is my vest - I will admit, my enthusiasm was slightly dimmed when I thought about the inches and inches of 2x2 ribbing that I'm in the midst of now, but still.  Lots of fun.  If I manage to finish it in a reasonable amount of time, I just might cast on for another - I was thinking the Aleita shell from Interweave Knits.   That's me - much happier planning all the wonderful things I could do, rather than actually doing them!  As long as I'm having fun, right?

So, I have a question for you - how much water do you drink in a day?  I've been thinking a lot about my water consumption, and have ramped it up somewhat.  I definitely find that the more I drink, the better I feel all 'round - how about you?  I think taking care of yourself is about making the small changes, and this is one that is working for me.

Do you ever get the feeling that someone is watching you?  You know, you're working away on something, and suddenly, you feel eyes on you...  I was shoveling the deck off yesterday (taking care of myself through daily exercise, dontcha know), leaving Stuart & Liam in the house, when I had that particular feeling, and looked up to see this: