Maddy's Party

 Saturday, we went to Maddy's maternal grandparents to celebrate Maddy's birthday.

Our friend William gave Maddy a pinata.  It was a great success.

Leo is a natural at this!

Emma is giving it a fair turn!

Go for it Maddy!

OOPS!  It's down but still intact!

OK, William hold it, but watch those fingers!

Good job!  Enjoy!

I wonder who is having more fun?

Well it is hard to say...

Those two look quite happy!  Thank you" muncle" Felix!

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Isn't Madalyn radiant?





She received many ponies and horses gifts. 




And her own Phoebe's mouse! 
Laurence made her a pegasus/unicorn birthday card.



Maddy hugged and thank him.  But when you are eight years old, girl's hugs are,,, well...not so well received!



Happy Birthday little princess, we love you so much!



Happy Birthday Madalyn!

Happy sixth birthday sweet Madalyn!   We love you! XOXO

Yarn Along (February 9, 2011)

Our computer crashed last week!  I am hoping that this Yarn Along post will get me back into blogging a little more regularly.  I want to participate again, like Lydia, to Ann's Multitudes on Mondays.  And now that I have Elizabeth's book Small Steps for Catholic Moms it motivates me join her monthly Small Steps Together. 

This week on my needles is a secret present for tomorrow's birthday girl.  I will post pictures after her party, Saturday.  Of course I am always working on more than one project and I couldn't wait to cast on this dreamy Midwinter Chroma fingering.  I wanted something fairly simple, lacy and feminine.   I choose Twilight from A Fine Fleece, a pattern easily memorized so that I can knit while praying or teaching.  

The two books are very dear to my heart.  Ann's deeply moving  A Thousand Gifts is as Lydia says a must read!  Ann's poetic blog is a rich banquet of words and pictures, go ahead and feast on it, it will fill you with grace.  I read the first chapter while holding little Tobias on my chest... I ripping experience!

 I finally have in my hands my dear friend Elizabeth's book Small Steps for Catholic Moms.  The book itself is a treat to hold; it is velvety soft, reminding me of my gentle friend Elizabeth.  Inside are words of wisdom from the saints; a quote a day, a prayer to meditate on these words, and a simple suggested action to put it all in practice.  It is uncluttered, simple but profound.  Let me also mention Elizabeth's blog, she so generously shares her gifts with us.  I am forever thankful for her gentle presence in this world of harshness. 

Books and knitting always come with tea... it's a given here.  I am growing very fond of these two loose teas from the English Tea Store; Lady Londonderry, and Dorian Grey Blend.  With a little half and half it's one of life simple pleasure.

Yarn Along (January 26, 2011)

Another Yarn Along with Ginny and friends

My internet connection has been terrible all day, so this will be brief.  Blogger will not let me link either.  I'll try to link tomorrow. 

This week I made one mitten from my new Woodland Mittens kit from Knit Picks (sadly not available anymore).  I first intended to give these mittens to Lydia for her birthday in March, but I must knit rather tightly because this one fits Laurence!  That's OK, it will look very nice with his Robin Hood sweater (another unfinished project).  You can see it in the background.  The mitten is knitted with Palette.

At Laurence's request I made another pair of leggings.  I realized I made a mistake in my last Yarn Along, the pattern is from the book Weekend Knitting, by Melanie Falick. This rainbow Chroma yarn is called Prism.

 Lastly I worked on Ava's elephant.  This was actually a Christmas present!  I am hoping to have it done by the end of the week.  Pear the Elephant is knitted with Swish, a washable merino yarn form Knit Picks.  

I am reading and loving,  Divine Intimacy:  Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Liturgical Year, by Father Gabriel of St Mary Magdalen O. C. D.

Edited on 1/27/20011 to add links

Yarn Along (January 19, 2011)

Another Yarn Along with Ginny.

This week I knitted two hats for Tobias, one too small (he is wearing it in the pictures from my last post) and another one that hopefully will fit better.  The yarn for both is Bare Knit Picks Stroll.  The pattern for the first one was from the book itty-bitty Nursery by Susan B. Anderson.  The second one picture here is from Natural Nursery Knits, by Erika Knight.

I also have been knitting a few legwarmers.  They are very easy and quick to knit.  This week has been busy and my brain couldn't quite handle complicated patterns. They are all from the book Knitting at Home, by Leanne Prouse.  The first two pairs were sent to Lydia today, the last is one is for Dominique.  Maybe these will help soothe his growing pain (his legs often hurt at night).

 This first pair was knitted with Wool of the Andes in Pampas Heather. 

These are made with Knit Picks new Chroma yarn, a very lovely soft lofty yarn.  The colorway is New England, in worsted weight.

 For Dominique I picked Mesa.

Laurence is reading Farmer Boy!  I can't believe my youngest is now reading this beloved series.  I couldn't count how many times these books have been read here throughout the years.

Welcome Tobias!

Tobias was born yesterday, January 14, 2011 at 9:50 AM.  He is 21' and weigh 9 lb. 4 oz.  He looks a lot like Leo when he was a newborn. 

Leo was so happy to see his mother, he didn't really care about this new little bundle.

Three generations

Oh, who's that? 

Praying cherub! 

Au revoir little brother.  See you tomorrow.

 Congratulations Kristie and Augustin!

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.