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!