Being out of town last week, away from school and schedules was a great chance for me to eek out some much needed quiet time knitting, reading, writing, resting. Although, as Ellen suggested, the view was awfully distracting; in a good way, that is.

Of course knitting was a top priority.

I finished up my first colorwork hat which was both thrilling and disappointing. The hat looks wonderful and I’m mostly happy with it but in my beginner’s naiveté I didn’t realize how tight the portion of stranded knitting would be. I have yet to block it so I’m hoping for miraculous blocking results. As it is the seven-year-old loves it. But it’s snug…pop off the top of her head snug. Fingers crossed I can block an extra inch or so out of it? Either way, I’ll find a head to model it here! For now I just have a sneak peek.

Modelled in front of our compost bin along with the green girl’s mallory cowl.

Inspired by the lovely Rebecca, who I think could safely be described as a knitting (and crochet) powerhouse, I decided to knit one of these cute turtles for next month’s birthday boy. For the last year his favourite colour has been yellow so I thought I was safe to work from the never-ending ball (possibly better described as a boulder) of yellow cotton yarn. Turns out, though, he’s decided to change his favourite colour to green. That would have been both better suiting for a turtle and better to know a week ago. Another good to know sooner fact – this month’s birthday boy (as in this weekend) would also love a turtle. I missed the boat on that one.

Alas, I’m hoping someone will love this sweet reptile. I’ve finished his body – complete with safety eyes (I got mine here) and wool stuffing but have yet to get started on his limbs. Currently he’s looking rather odd. I’m sure a shell will help the look. And if he’s in the mood for a fresh, new style there is always the option of knitting him a lion or sheep costume (!!!).

I’m excited to see him all finished up. Hoping I don’t get knitter’s distraction before I get him done!

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Isn’t he cute? Do any of you enjoy making toys? Any hopeful words for my blocking endeavours? Are you working on any needle or hook projects?

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.

It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal

into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our

past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

~Melody Beattie

In the name of gratitude and truthfulness I’ve decided to post a little piece of reality here once a week. Likely just a single picture. See my original post here.

We finally had a good night’s rest, everyone slept soundly in their beds, we forgot the lumpy mattress…And it was our last morning, the only morning we set an alarm, the first morning the little people slept in. We had to wake the stragglers at check-out time. Such a shame.

But I am thankful for the break we enjoyed. For the friend who knows all the good deals and booked the week for us. For the great blessing of homeschooling and self-employement. For mountain views and majesty.

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If you’d like to join in with a reality check of your own, please add a link or note in the comments!

P.S. Moving ::reality check:: to Tuesdays starting next week – see you there!

The swimsuits are drying by the fire; the snow-gear is packed; leftovers for dinner. We’re heading on our way back to the city in a few hours. Trading ski days, duck calls, and a weekly rental for school days, traffic noise, and a for-sale sign (yep, it’s still there). I will miss this breathtaking backyard scenery.

We’ve had plenty of adventures this week. Many special moments. Plenty of good times, a few lows, but all part of the adventure.

We soaked in hot springs, swam laps in the on-location pool, rolled in snow before climbing back into the hot tub. We gazed at the wide array of constellations and named planets. We collected rocks, pinecones, and action shots. We survived sunburned noses, a teething sweetie, sore throats, and lumpy mattresses. We kissed a little boy with a black eye.

Ski lessons, snowshoe adventures, winter walks. We watched the pond freeze over and watched the snow melt.

A boy ran into a tree on skis, and a garbage can on skis, then headed back to the tow rope. He gained a new nickname, Bullet. His big sister had an accidental adventure on the chair lift – she rode up alone. I stayed off skis – they all out-pace me now.

It’s been a wonderful, refreshing escape. Putting me in mind of the old saying, “A change is a good as a rest.” Our week was a bit of both.

But coming home…there’s nothing like it and no place like it.

We bundled up, we wandered out, into blinding snow. We tramped over icy asphalt and stomped muddy puddles.

Snow angels, hoof prints, and spring melt were our landmarks. I cooed over a baby girl so sweetly snuggled and gushed at siblings as best friends.

But in this walk full of wonder the greatest marvel was footprints through fresh snow.

“Clean snow”, children cheer. Round and round they go. Dizzying patterns of circles and swirls. Following sister’s footsteps and now she follows yours. The prints of  a night tracker here and a grazer there. Some other small feet tucked into warm boots.

And the expanse of fresh white brilliance. Where you are the explorer, the artist, the adventurer. Though many steps have gone before, and many more will follow; here we are now and it’s all new.

And I think of this life and it’s struggles and joys. The hard times that feel like forever. Moments which don’t stop for dirty dishes, laundry loads, or bread baking.

I am not the first to come this way. Not the first to ask why or how. Not the first to shed tears of frustration and joy.

It feels good to wonder at the new. It feels good that I’m not alone. Those footsteps breaking snow, the babies breaking gums, the love breaking hearts. I’m not the first. Not the last. And never, never alone.

And the going, going, going pauses to breathe.

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And baby girl’s hat – a most thoughtful gift from a lovely friend.

I’m coming in late to this yarn along from our mountain getaway! I’m loving the extra time to lounge and relax.

In my usual fashion I panicked that I would run out of things to do so I packed enough books and wool to keep me busy for a month(s…).

My first plan was to breeze through the cuffs on the red boy’s blue raglan but in searching for my last ball of wool I realized I didn’t have one. How did I manage that? Once we’re back in the city I’ll have to search around for a match – hopefully in time for the looming birthday. Funny how last year I was working on the same deadline with a different sweater…

Instead I started on my first colorwork project. A hat circled in hearts is my vision. The pattern is mine (we’ll see if it works) inspired by the pattern From Norway with Love by pickles. I’m using Paton’s Classic Wool and Cascade 220 from my stash. After a few rows of the stranded colorwork I realized my floats were going to be a problem. I figured out how to wrap the floats to tidy up the wrong side of my work. Now I’m excited to see how the pattern comes together. I’m using a two-handed method for the first time also so I’m trying out my “picking” skills at the same time.

I’m reading bits and pieces of  few different books right now, trying to decide what I’m in the mood for. I’ve got The Titan’s Curse, The Sweet Life in Paris, and The House at Riverton. I have a feeling I’ll cop out with the easiest of the three – The Titan’s Curse. Although after finished The Homemade Life, which was wonderful, I’m rather craving another food memoir. Three different genres…decisions, decisions. Am I the only one who feels guilty for indulging in too much fiction?

And since I’ve got you here – do you any of you colorwork experts have any tips to share with me?

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joining Ginny for yarn along

P.S. Anyone want to join me here for yarn along next year?