Yarn Along - February 3, 2016

Joining Ginny at Small Things for her weekly Yarn Along, where bloggers share what we're knitting and reading this week...

I'm working on a Runaround Cowl as a little short-notice gift for a friend. This is the fourth one I've made (including one for myself). It's just one skein of Lion Brand Homespun (here in the Painted Desert colorway), all seed stitch. It makes a pretty accent for a sweater for very little work. And it's not really bulky like some knitted cowls.

I love small projects that I can carry around in my small LLBean Boat and Tote Bag! I have several of these totes in different sizes and they're the best. Carrying around a little bit of Maine wherever I go...

I'm only a few pages into Call the Midwife, and already I find it engaging. If I could keep my eyes open for more than a few minutes each night, I'd definitely be farther into it than I am!

Simple Woman's Daybook - February 1, 2016

Joining in at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Outside my window... not much to look at. Grey, brown, cold, damp. Glad to be indoors in the coziness...

I am thankful for... Pinterest! We were in a bit of a rut with dinners, so I found some new dishes to try on the family, and already, three of them have received unanimous thumbs up!

In the kitchen... chicken noodle soup in the crockpot. Mmmmm... Smells so good in here!

I am wearing... my Maine hoodie with jeans (standard uniform).

I am creating... whipping up a quick Runaround Cowl as a last-minute gift for a friend. This is my go-to knit when I want to give a little handmade gift.

I am going... to the Empowered to Connect conference in April! The conference is being held in Nashville, but I will go to the simulcast at Willow Creek Church in S. Barrington. Two full days of Dr. Karyn Purvis and her marvelous wisdom about parenting children who experienced trauma in their lives before joining their families. We have witnessed such encouraging growth in our own family since applying her techniques.

I am currently reading... I broke down and got Call the Midwife from the library to read in between chapters of Anything. I've only read the introduction so far, but already I'm enjoying it...

I am hoping... that this sinus pressure I woke up with this morning doesn't turn into anything significant.

I am looking forward to... hearing about Rachel's trip to the high school today. They get a tour of the school, hear about different classes and activities, and talk with a counselor about their classes next year. I can't believe she's going to be in high school! Glad to see that she's excited about it...

I am hearing... Angel snoring away at my feet as I type!

Around the house... don't ask.

A favorite quote for today...

One of my favorite things... I just discovered how amazing the chai tea lattes are at Panera (I order mine extra strong). SO much better than Starbucks!

A few plans for the rest of the week... David and I have a date for the super-fun Mother/Son Bingo night on Friday! On Saturday evening, I'll be attending a choir concert at Northern Illinois University that Hannah's Bella Voce choir will be participating in. 

A peek into my day... hitting the grocery stores today (I usually do this on Tuesdays, but the weather tomorrow is supposed to be dreadful with driving rain and wind). Floor hockey for David and piano and violin lessons for Abbie after school.

A picture I'd like to share...

Just one day's worth of letters from colleges that have come in the mail for Hannah. And she's only a sophomore!

Yarn Along - January 27, 2016

Good morning! Today, I'm joining Ginny at Small Things for her weekly Yarn Along, where bloggers share what we're knitting and reading this week...

I just noticed how color-coordinated my book, knitting, and bag are!

I'm currently working on The Dudester scarf for Al. His birthday comes so soon after Christmas, and I made him two hats that were ready on time, but this scarf is a little late. It's a dressier look and goes well with his black dress coat. I'm using Lion's Wool-Ease worsted in Oxford Grey. When I'm done with this one, I think I'll choose a more casual scarf to make him that he can wear with his everyday winter parka. Maybe this one.

I also wanted to show off my new little project bag. I found it in the clearance section of Walmart for $1.50. It's called a "document file", but it works so much better as a knitting bag! Most knitters don't care for zippers on their project bags as they can catch the yarn inside, but so far, I've had no problems.

Right now, I'm reading Anything by Jennie Allen. Can I be honest, here? It's not really rocking my world like I was hoping it would. Maybe the problem lies with me, because really, there are some seriously Godly women I know who have been deeply changed by this book and are on their second and third time through it. What I am enjoying are the Friday morning discussion group meetings with some of the women from church. Not only are we spending time in good conversation, it's giving me the opportunity to get to know some of these women better and to feel even more like I'm part of our new church community. Maybe I'd get more out of it in a second reading. More likely, I'll probably grab that copy of Call the Midwife that I saw at our library the other day...

Simple Woman's Daybook - January 25, 2016

Joining in at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... cold, grey, colorless winter day. But the sunrise this morning was breathtaking - pink and purple clouds surrounding a huge, orange ball of sun.

I am thinking... I'd like to start blogging again. I have no idea how I'll fit one more thing on my plate, but I'd like to give it a try. I'd really like to have this record of our family's life to look back on.

I am thankful for... the opportunity to play violin yesterday at our new church home, Sanctuary in Batavia. Our family has really grown there over the past two years, especially the kids, and we've all been blessed with many opportunities to serve.


In the kitchen... homemade mac and cheese in the crockpot. The kids are gonna be happy, since I don't make it too often.

A favorite quote for today...

I am wearing... Kaneland plaid flannel pants, grey tee shirt. The epitome of high fashion...

I am creating... knitting a scarf for Al, a hat for me, and an afghan for our TV room.

I am currently reading... Anything by Jennie Allen. I'm participating in a book discussion at church, and really enjoying connecting with the women in my group.

I am looking forward to... the 8th grade open house at the high school with Rachel. I can't quite wrap my mind around the fact that she'll be in high school next year. But she seems to be looking forward to it, and I'm really excited for her.

I am learning... my way around the new MacBook Pro Al gave me for Christmas. Hannah has had a Mac for a couple of years, and she's enjoying showing me all the things I can do with my new laptop!

I am hearing... quiet. Just the tick of the kitchen clock, the hum of the refrigerator, the tapping of my keyboard.

Around the house... a mess. I don't know if I'll ever get ahead of it.

A few plans for the rest of the week... lunch with a friend on Wednesday and coffee with another friend on Friday. I'm making a conscious effort to spend time with the good friends I've made over the last few years.

A peek into my day... Monday is typically my at-home day - a day to catch up after a busy weekend, plan for the rest of the week, and enjoy the quiet of my home.

A picture I'd like to share...

Rachel's 8th Grade science project was due last week