A visit from one of the sweetest friends and her darling girl;

dinner with more lovely people followed by our new favourite boardgame;

a lazy morning taken over with snuggles and babes;

a new favourite compromise of the dairy and coffee-free variety;

a mama only run out for craft supplies and library holds;

a change in plans leading to nachos supreme and more gameplay for Daddy and not-so-little littles;

knitting indecision and finally decision;

an irresistible cupcake treat (they turned out great!);

a movie with the man while knitting a girl’s requested hat;

relishing a late night;

Sunday morning waffles;

bathrooms cleaned and laundry in;

and plenty of afternoon left for crafting, knitting, and the library stack.

Quiet moments, clean house, favourite hobbies.

Thankful for these this weekend.

::

How has your weekend been? What are you thankful for today? 

May your new week enter gently and bright!

once again I’m doubling up with these two beautiful friends

:: joining Amanda for weekending:: 

:: giving thanks with Taryn at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude Sunday ::

Hello! It’s the weekend. Weekends are good. And this weekend got a little sweeter for the knitters in this bunch…

The talented knit designer, Laura Aylor, is giving knitters a gift for her birthday. With a coupon code found on her blog, she’s offering a choice of any of her knitting patterns through the weekend and Monday. Goodness!

I’ve been eyeing her patterns (did you notice she has the top 20 patterns right now?) and have not yet decided which to choose. Devonshire Cream is so dreamy, Derecho so striking, Serra so cozy.

Send a little love to her blog and check out her beautiful patterns!

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Which pattern will you choose?

thanks to the lovely Rebecca of nook for the tip on the giveaway

You know what I haven’t done in too long? Written about knitting. Okay, I haven’t written here about much in the last few months. I’ve missed it and spinning a yarn tale is no exception.

This week I’ve cast off (in the “I’m too sick of this knit to continue” sense) the unfinishables which are crowding my knitting bag and began fresh. With another of Shannon‘s rocking knit alongs about to begin I’d been planning my escape from knitting doldrums (dare I suggest such a place exists?).

I have long been in love with this Carina Spencer design but in the end I couldn’t gather the  courage or the appropriate member of my stash to cast on. But I found myself in much happier company as I suddenly realized that the perfect knit was right under my nose: The Downton Cowl. Perfectly suited for the Downton Abbey knit along, designed beautifully by Shannon herself, and in the wool I’d been petting most recently in my stash.

I cast on while the thrilling opening credits played on Sunday evening. I had no trouble following the lace pattern but it was not in the least dull. I’m loving it. And the tosh vintage is nothing short of marvellous.

Just the thing to sweep me out of the frustration of knitting blues.

When I’ve been picking up a book lately, I’ve been reading Till We Have Faces by C.S.Lewis. I bought it while I was in college and hadn’t read it since. I’m enjoying it although not quite sure what to say about it. Perhaps it is a little slower moving than I’d like it to be. Perhaps I’m still on the high of my last read(s)…

::Warning: Serious Nerd Alert::

I finished my return journey through the Lord of the Rings trilogy over the holidays and I cannot tell you enough how much I think you should read it. Haven’t read it? Please do. Already read it? Please read them again. I can’t stop geeking out over how much I enjoyed them this third or fourth time through. The characters, the scenery, the imagery, the adventure. I’ve heard the complaints that they are slow moving – but the complete package is so worth the sluggish chapters.

See why I’m having trouble moving on?

::

And now I must ask – are you working with needles or hook? I love to hear what others are working on! How about new year reads? Anyone got a great food or farm memoir to recommend? I need to fill up my library holds list again.

Thanks for stopping by – Happy Wednesday!

::joining Ginny for yarn along::

Hello, friends!

It’s a new year, still fresh off the presses, and full of great promise.

One of my 2013 highlights actually began a little early, on the winter solstice. As I may have mentioned before, I joined the delightful Laura Emily‘s Apothecary Circle (Spring Equinox signup here). Surrounded by an inspiring group of women, I’m learning more about herbs and food that heal, and how to use them best. She’s got lessons, recipes, and challenges lined up, and the support of the other women in the group has been astounding.

Insert the first challenge:

Water

I have a good relationship with water. I grew up near the ocean and across from a lake. I spent summers swimming whenever I got the chance. I still do, though the opportunities are fewer. I long for it, dream of it, yearn to be close to it.

But drinking enough of it – I’m hit and miss.

Poor Dan gave me a good reminder to keep at it when we were dating many moons ago and he suffered with kidney stones. When I was first pregnant ten years ago I became even more aware of the importance of hydration. And I’ve stuck at it – carrying a faithful water bottle with me nearly everywhere I go, and always to my bedside at night.

A few months ago, I began measuring my water intake by way of accountability while I participated in the 10-day fast and while I sorted through my pesky health issues. I learned that while I don’t have much problem putting away a lot of water, I often plain forget to do it.

You know what that’s like, right?

::

this jug holds my daily three litres, poured into a trusty mason jar I stay hydrated all day

So why all the fuss about water intake?

The benefits of proper hydration are manifold. Improved sleep, increased energy, weight loss, fewer headaches, healthier skin and hair, and better digestion. It can also remove toxins from the body and strengthen your immune system. Certainly more than pop or coffee can boast of!

When I’ve been skipping my water I feel it. I get headachy and cranky, not to mention sluggish. I find myself reaching for unhealthy snacks more often and craving sweets.

When I’m getting my proper dose of H2O I eat less – thirst can get confused with hunger. A glass of water before eating can help us know when we are truly full. It can flush down fat breakdown – a great reason to drink plenty of water when we are trying to lose weight.

my favourite water enhancers – great for detoxing, digestion, weightloss, and they taste great!

::

I’m no expert, but I know how I feel when I’m drinking enough pure water. I’ve seen the results and I’m looking for fellow challengers to join me in getting my intake consistent and habitual. Will you join me?

Here are some guidelines:

: 2.3L to 3L of pure water is ideal (that’s about 80-100 oz) each day

: at least 2 L (about 64 oz) should be pure water – not even herbal teas or healthy juices

: be aware of caffeine – it depletes the body in more than just water (I’ve read all those articles saying coffee counts toward water intake but I know what even one cup of decaf does to my body so get your daily intake apart from caffeinated drinks). My rule of thumb has long been that for every cup of coffee replenish with two glasses of water

: pop, caffeine, store-bought juices do not count towards our daily intake – sorry to be a downer

: starting the day with your first 0.5 to 1 litre of water is huge – I add lemon essential oil (make sure it’s therapeutic grade oil such as Young Living) for liver detoxing. Keep it beside the bed and grab it before the cup of coffee. And it helps knock out those 3 litres when you start with a big chug!

my trusty day starter – my first big gulp poured with a couple drops of lemon oil into my mason jar

: although the first litre can be chugged, the rest of the water should be spread through the day – drinking too fast can send it flushing through your body faster than is optimally beneficial (this is the hardest for me – I love to guzzle my water!)

: drink it how you like it – cold, room temperature, or hot – just try to keep to 2 litres of pure water before adding herbal teas or fruit/veggie infusions

: jumping from little water intake to our goal intake can cause some mild detoxing – headaches, fatigue, or wooziness – detoxing is good but take it at a healthy pace. To combat the detoxing try adding a pinch of salt (Himalayan Pink or Celtic Grey) to your water or a glass of coconut water.

:: don’t overdo it – 3L of water should be enough for most people

: you may notice a significant rise in bathroom visits at first…bear with it, it’ll balance out

: set yourself a reminder – an alarm, phone apps, sticky notes, do it with a friend – an established routine helps establish the habit

::

I haven’t scared you off have I? I can’t stress enough how much I believe in this. I’ve seen and experienced the change it can make it. I’m setting the challenge to extend over four weeks – until February 4th. If you’re hesitant, try it for a week and see how you feel. If you have any questions I’ll answer as best I can.

This is one of the easiest ways to improve our health in a big way! I’m cheering you on!

Won’t you join me?

Leave a comment and let me know if you’re in! I’d love the company!

Sad goodbyes to the last of the Christmas company following precious weeks of visiting;

the beginning of the massive cleanup;

helpful little hands tidying and sorting;

a morning’s wakeup call by such sweeties after a month of breakfasts by grandparents;

a gentle start to the Christmas take-down;

a slightly naked house at the end of it though refreshed and clear;

a reminder (albeit uninvited) to trust+heal (the pay-off for my Christmas diet cheats);

good advice to ease the discomfort, and a good word delivered by a dear friend with heart wide open;

three littles tucked excitedly into new/exchanged beds;

finally finishing the hubby’s Christmas/birthday toque;

a plan to block that hat into shape after confirming it is in fact too small for him;

Netflix date with my best man and this great food doc;

those same excited children awake so early in their beds;

bright winter sun to nourish and energize;

a quiet morning, giving way to quiet afternoon – more tidying, sun soaking, playing;

groceries upcoming on the docket, more knitting, and this anticipated return.

a new year, a fresh home, a gentle prompt

these things I am cherishing

::

What are you giving thanks for this 2013 weekend? Wishing you great joy and a peaceful beginning!

after a long hiatus I’m doubling up with these two beautiful friends

:: joining Amanda for weekending:: 

:: giving thanks with Taryn at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude Sunday ::