You know I’ve been very good, right?! All these weeks with only my grace cardi eating up my limited knitting time.

And then it snowed. Again. Which demanded a break from brown stockinette.

I chose the perfect wool from my stash for the distraction – Malabrigo Rios in Archangel. It’s a delight to watch the array of colours coming out of this skein – coral, yellow, orange, purple. I knit a plain vest a month or so ago using the first skein of this duo and the recipient’s baby sister needs a matching vest. I’m using the pattern Little Pearl Vest by designer (and fellow yarn alonger) Gretchen. It is just what I wanting for this vibrant wool and will pair so nicely with the cardi for big sis.

I haven’t neglected my spring’s grace, though, I have only a few inches until the bottom ribbing (now that I’ve realized my long torso is going to require some added length) so I’m working a few rows at least every day (which lately has been about all the knitting I’ve managed). I will get there…and hopefully keep my calm when it comes to the sleeves.

As for reading, I’m still enjoying two of the same books as last week: A Handful of Time with my oldest two at bedtime, and Raising Cain for my own reading. The girls have become quite captivated by the story and it had the unexpected bonus of making my oldest very thankful she doesn’t have a mom like the one in the book. Raising Cain continues to be interesting – it’s good insight into the working of a boy’s mind. Although many of the issues revolve more around adolescent challenges, as most emotional troubles do, they have their roots in younger childhood. I’m curious what practical tools they may offer towards the end of the book.

For my photo I grabbed the latest Where’s Waldo that Liam has been choosing at bedtime. While I prefer gearing down for bed with a story, I do enjoy our special time with heads bent together over this book (despite the head bumping and squinting).

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And now the chore list calls and sunshine beckons for laundry! Happy May Day!

What are you creating and enjoying these days?

:: joining Ginny for yarn along ::

A birthday boy and four years rich with joy and memories;
breakfast waffles with Grandparents Jay;
gift opening and playtime;
finally weather that feels like spring;
a welcome nap for mama;
a stolen visit to my favourite neighbour for a pan and a chat with her sweet people;
cake baking – my favourite and the bday boy’s choice;
tacos for dinner and whipped cream dolloped cake for dessert;
candles blown out;
essential oils for bedtime sniffles, sore throats, and restlessness;
a good, quiet morning;
Sunday afternoon date with my best man;
a farmer’s market visit for two;
pastry from my very favourite bakery – pear & cheddar croissant;
celebrating the sunshine and the date with a wheat treat – pizza;
then home to children happy with grandparents and dinner prepped by grandpa;
children settled, some helped to sleep easily wit a hot bath and mommy’s magic sleepytime rub;
now quiet time with inlaws, a growing sweater (so close to the bottom ribbing!!), and little BBC favourite.

A delicious and joyful weekend of celebration and blessing!

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How was your weekend? Wishing you a gentle slide into Monday! xoR

:: joining Amanda for weekending:: 

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

Hello, Thursday!

Corrie and I have another round of the Lexicon Project on the go. She’s got our photos for our previous theme, neatly, to share at The Mayberry Home Journal; I’ve got our next theme to announce.

We love having friends join up – if you have a photo to share for neatly, pop over to link up in the comments at Corrie’s.

We’ll be back here to share our photos for the theme, guidance, next Thursday.

:: all things lexicon project here and my first lexicon post here ::

Here’s a handy button if you’d like it for your post or sidebar.

Well, I did it. I’ve stuck to my grace all week without any derailing for just one little instant gratification knit. I never manage that! I haven’t had much time for knitting in truth, but row by row this long body of stockinette is growing. There is still a number of inches to go but I’m really hoping to keep this momentum going when I get to the sleeves.

In the meantime I’m wearing blinders whenever I come near any of my stashed yarn in various corners of the house.

I’m still working on my books from last week and continuing to enjoy them. In addition I’ve talked the older two girls into a new read-aloud. While I was promptly presented with The Fellowship of the Rings, I decided we might all need a breather after The Hobbit took us months to get through. Instead Elizabeth presented me with A Handful of Time by Kit Pearson. I’d picked up a nearly pristine copy (along with the Guests of War trilogy) a few weeks ago while thrifting and hoped one of the older two would pull it off the shelf. Although not full of the type of adventures they usually seek out in a novel, it is a favourite from my youth so I’m quite happy to be rereading with them now.

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What exciting projects do you have on the go?? Surely a little wooly eye candy won’t distract me too much…

joining Ginny for yarn along

Breakfast out with mama talk, a dear friend, and huevos rancheros;

a quick peek at a wool shop (my stash firmly held in mind) and a little fabric shopping;

sewing plans for red pjs for an upcoming birthday boy;

remembering (not without strain) how beautiful snow is despite being more welcome in December than April;

Saturday chores mostly completed by children and finished by mommy;

dinner made by a very proud and independent nine-year-old – complete with two salads, home baked potato and carrots chips, and various sauces (and this photo of the first course);

washing up with hubby while kids had a wild dance party in the basement;

a long hot bath which revived me enough to scrub the floors after bedtime (I really am thankful for that last one);

an unexpected late-morning in bed;

a sick babe quick recovered;

popcorn and veggie juice for lunch;

a crafting afternoon with a kind (and patient) friend who uttered no complaint when crafting became the inevitable snack providing, kitchen cleaning, broken dish reality of life;

a wee bit of sewing time despite the distractions;

laundry washed, hung (albeit indoors), and folded;

and the most precious moment of all – all eight of us snuggled tight on the couch, a sweet smelling head under each arm, another dear child on my lap, my heart swelling with the joy and wonder and blessing of this great big love.

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How was your weekend? Hoping your Monday is shining joyful and bright!

:: joining Amanda for weekending:: 

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