Yarn Along (Jannuary, 12, 2011)

I am finally able to join Ginny's Yarn Along this week.  December was filled with knitting secrets for Christmas, therefore not a very good time to participate.  Although this is a birthday present I just finished today for Kelly, I can safely post it here since it is on its way to her house as I write this. 

The scarf is from the book Knitted Gifts, by Ann Budd.   The lace is a traditional Estonian pattern called piibelehtkiri (lily of the valley).  The yarn is Stroll Tonal Sock Yarn from Knit Picks in Springtime, just the right shades of green for this lovely pattern.  Kelly had commented on how she loved the color when I was working on Ivy, the little monster from my first Yarn Along post. 

Here it is still on the needles this morning.

Washed and blocked tonight.

Lydia started to read this beautifully illustrated version of Peter Pan to the youngest boys when she was home for the holidays.  She and Raphael went back to school last Sunday (sniff, sniff), so I will be taking over and finish the last seven chapters for them.

Wordless Wednesday, He came back!

Snow

Saturday it started to snow!

Steadily, the snow fell.

 

 Cheering up everyone!

 

Come Sunday, a wee wren had come into the house, seeking warmth.  I took some pictures before I let him fly back out through the window.  I didn't have the heart to keep him long enough to sketch him, he looked so desperate for freedom.

Horses

Frisky,

Majestic, peaceful.

You take my breath away!

First Yarn Along

Ginny at Small Things is hosting a Yarn Along.  Since knitting and reading are my two favorite pastimes, I wanted to join in the fun of showing what I am currently working on.  Ivy is a Hooligan who is part of a trio of friendly monsters.  I am using Knit Picks Stroll Tonal Sock Yarn in Springtime and Gypsy with Bare Stroll Fingering.  These mischief makers are really ornaments, but I decided to use them as stocking stuffer for my younger boys.  I think they will make cute little pocket pals during the holidays.

This advent I am reading Donkey Bells, Advent and Christmas Stories, Traditions and Meditations from Catherine Doherty foundress of Madonna House Apostolate, as well as A Child in Winter, Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany with Caryll Houselander.  Both are are wonderful!  Tomie DePaola's Country Angels Christmas is part of this week large stack of Christmas books we are enjoying as read aloud.  I am having so much fun sharing these for the first time with my granddaughter Maddie.

Thanksgiving and Emma's Birthday

We have so much to be thankful for; family, friends, a warm cozy house, good food!  I give thanks everyday for all these good gifts, but it is nice to set a day apart to celebrate in a special way God's goodness to us. 

Our Thanksgiving bonfire was a bit wild!.  Raphael and Felix had to take turn protecting our satellite antenna from threatening sparks.  It was hot standing up there!  One of the garden post caught on fire!  Yikes!  But there was plenty of big boys (men, really) to take control of the situation. 

Emma turned two the day before Thanksgiving.  As you can see she wasn't quite comfortable standing there with all of us singing Happy Birthday both in French and English.

But she soon cheered up when she received her little mouse, and her set of baby farm animals.  Her favorite was the calf (which she called a cow).  The mouse is from the book Phoebe's Sweater.  I had so much fun knitting it. 

                            

My New Shawl

Sara asked to see my new shawl.  It took me a while to get to it, but here it is!.  It is knitted with Capra, a merino, cashmere blend, in Sea Spray from KnitPicks.  The pattern is also from KnitPicks, the Georgiana Shawlette.  Isn't it pretty?  In the picture below I am wearing it with a Cameo brooch my mother gave me.
 

Wordless Wednesday: Madalyn's First Days of School