everything

it’s always everything, isn’t it?

life has caught up with me, yet again. i find myself knee deep in holiday projects, reading multiple books, loads of laundry, picking up and dropping off two children at various events, rescuing kittens, another bout of ECT and therapy…the list goes on. and that’s only the beginning.

our youth group leader is expecting twins, so there’s been baby knitting.

{ baby aviatrix in madelinetosh sport “candlewick” }

then there was some “i’m really bored but i’m not sure what pattern to choose” knitting:

{ joelle hoverson’s “last minute knitted gifts” chevron scarf in madelinetosh sock “fig” and mama blue simple merino “algae” }

and last sunday we celebrated scout’s baptism:

i spent one week at cedars-sinai, in los angeles, before i had enough “rest”. i finished two novels: “plain truth” by jodi picoult and “carrot cake murder” by joanne fluke. i’ve moved on to chapter six of “a confident heart” by renee swope and just started reading “made to crave”.

my upcoming schedule includes everything. making crock pot apple butter, knitting one more set of baby booties and matching aviatrix hat for the second twin, attending bible study classes on tuesday mornings, taking scout to the tone chimer’s group on sundays before sunday school, three times a week electroshock therapy appointments, a financial aid meeting to hopefully help with finances for school next semester, continuing my online bible study, wrapping up a halloween swap, sewing scout’s christmas dress, making christmas gifts for the family.

well you get the idea.

it’s everything.

and i wouldn’t change it a bit.

booties

friend of ours in the church is expecting. twins! no less. so i just had to make something for these two little girls that will be coming into our world soon. i haven’t had as much knitting time as i would like lately, but i managed to knit a pair of booties for one of the babies. just one more set to go.

{ itty bitty baby booties in madelinetosh dk colorway: candlewick }

chunky munky

i’ve actually been getting some knitting done. miraculous considering life has once again gotten chaotic and busy. nevertheless, i finished my tea leaves cardigan (don’t have any great photos of the sweater to share, yet), and my chunky munky (another cute design by rebecca danger).

i mean, everyone needs a little munky in their life, right?

effort

effortless took a little effort. not because it’s difficult, but because life has become difficult and my knitting time has been next to nothing.

all the same, it’s finished. and i’ve been wearing it everywhere.

.effortless cardigan by hannah fettig.

madelinetosh dk in stovepipe (six skeins)

mods: instead of a three inch collar i actually continued knitting till the skein was finished which proved to be a plus. when i had tried it on at the three inch mark, you could tell that the ribbing wasn’t long enough. i believe it’s about six inches and it really makes the difference.

♥

.home.

the move was hasty, not everything made it. but the kids are here and that is what’s most important. so much has been going on but nothing very interesting to report.

i had to drop my classes due to the move. i’m pretty bummed out, but february will be here quicker than expected and i’ll be back to the daily grind of notebooks, index cards, highlighters and all night study sessions soon enough.

thanksgiving was, for the most part, quiet and uneventful. i didn’t burn the rolls this year.

my 30th birthday was peaceful. i spent a good portion of my check on some madelinetosh merino light and sweetgeorgia tough love sock (in a purple colorway, believe it or not). i also went to my favorite bakery (ok, my second favorite bakery) and got a delicious sandwich and box of goodies.

{delicious knee socks in sweetgeorgia tough love sock in blackberry}

{solstice steve from rebecca danger’s holly,ivy, steve mini monster ornaments.}

as you can see, there’s been knitting.

a lot of knitting.

and you know what? it feels good.

it feels good to be home.

 

 

Friday Fun

Back to School was yesterday. For Jem. Seventh grade. Middle school.

And Scout. Well, we’re preparing for Preschool. That starts next Wednesday. And since she needed new shoes, we thought we’d share her rockin’ new style.

{Too Cute.}

This is too, it’s what I’ve been using for my knitting notes.

{I used all of my Garden Fairy books so I ordered some Robots. You can get yours from Stephanie too.}

This morning I woke up early and started to work on a quilt when my rotary cutter blade broke. I put everything away and was disappointed that I hadn’t gotten very far at all.

{I’m using the Tina Given’s fabric I bought months ago. I still have a lot of squares to cut. Looks like I have to make a trip to the craft shop.}

So instead of sewing, I knit.

{Eyelet Row on back of Eastlake Sweater.}

I’ve been trying to stay busy with my extra time, but it had been such a long time since I had any that I think I forgot. I haven’t been able to focus on any one thing. Maybe my Fridays should be called Freedays. They are the only day I’ll have to myself once Scout starts school.

Plethora

It’s not the word of the day, but it is how my life can be classified at the moment. A plethora of activity has been brewing at Casa de AJ.

It all started on Friday when I got really bored just sitting around watching summer reruns on the tube. I picked up some linen and wool and decided to make a sampler for the living room (it will go perfectly with my soon to be painted living room). I have to say that I’m really enjoying this freehand embroidery. I wish it hadn’t intimidated me so much before. Especially after I got a copy of Bags in Bloom. NowI have an itch to embroider everything.

Saturday I wasn’t so much bored as I was unoccupied for a while. So I decided that even though I’m still working on my Tea Leaves Cardigan and all I need is the second sleeve, I cast on for something new. (Part of the reason I stopped the sleeve is that my arthritis has been acting up when I work with DPN’s.)

So Norah Gaughan’s Eastlake Sweater it is.

{ Eastlake by Norah Gaughan in Woodland Gothic }

US 5 and 7 needles (smaller is for the ribbing)

Berroco Inca Gold in Azul Marina

And because I know how many of my dear blogging buddies love cookies I thought I’d share with you my new creation.

{ Triple Chocolate Chip Chocolate Chip Cookies }

1/2 C. Margarine

1/2 C. Sweet Cream Butter

1/2 C. Granulated Sugar

3/4 C. Brown Sugar

1 Egg

3 tsp. Cocoa Powder

2 C. sifted Flour

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1/4 tsp. Salt

1 C. White Chocolate Chips

2 C. Semisweet Chocolate Chips

Cream butters. Add granulated sugar and brown sugar until mixture is smooth (about two minutes on low if you use a Kitchen Aid mixer). Add cocoa powder and egg until both are incorporated. Slowly mix in dry ingredients. Mix in chocolate chips until the batter is thick.

Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 12-13 minutes. Yields approximately 4 dozen cookies depending on how you spoon them. (I use a melon baller.)

Wee Bonnet

Sometimes a little ribbing and a little moss stitch can be a very therapeutic knit. And the thought that a baby will be wearing it makes my heart very happy.

{ I ♥ baby knits. }

Something

Something is better than nothing (in most cases). So this is the best that I can do under the circumstances.

What circumstances are they? you would ask.

And I would reply:

• I’ve been having a lot of anxiety lately and have had to call the paramedics due to a severe anxiety attack.
• My insomnia has been causing many restless nights. And my mania has been controlling my every move.
• I have not been able to register for my pre-requisites in the Nursing program and won’t be able to register for another week! The first Anatomy class I wanted (it would have given me the perfect class schedule) only has 5 spaces available and they only have room for 26 in each class. I feel like I’m doomed, but I have to get this done.
• I’m awaiting a loan and as money can do, it seems to spend itself before it’s even gotten to my bank account. It seems like there is an overhelmingly large amount of bills lately. I don’t know how much exactly. I just know I don’t like to look at the totals.
• And finally, and most importantly, Shawn has decided to come home. I don’t want to say too much because the situation is highly personal. Needless to say that he’s decided he wants to be with me again. It’s a very emotional time for me and I’m having a hard time with the nervousness of my overanalyzing brain. I’m looking hard into counseling. I hope that we can find someone who will help us move on and repair the damage that’s been caused.

I’m sure you’d all expect that I was just a zombie like creature getting by day by day. I’ve done quite a bit around the house and I have very creative plans. Much of it includes painting, new beds and a sewing nook. And while my sewing has gone by the wayside (you should have seen how dusty my sewing machine was), I did finish up a knit baby blanket that I started in April. The baby was born just a few days ago, though the intended little boy was actually a 7 lb. baby girl. I hope that she will find comfort in the blanket I made. I actually made it for her grandpa. He wanted me to make her something special and that really warms my heart right now.

{ Fan and Feather Baby Blanket}

Red Heart Eco Ways in Oyster, approximately 5.5 skeins

US 7 needles.

Edging is garter stitch.

As Promised

I promised I’d flash a few shots of my finished Minimalist Cardigan. It would have been done much sooner had I not impeded the blocking process. But I’d never reneg on a promise. So, here for your viewing pleasure:

Minimalist Cardigan

Interweave Knits Fall 2007

Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Rittenhouse Merino 5 Ply

Needles: US 7′s