This weekend got busy real fast. Between costume making, pumpkin carving and some small home renos it flew by in a blink. Despite the lengthy to-do list, we found plenty of ways to enjoy ourselves.

There was a family grocery outing (think groceries are boring? go as a family of eight), a quick thrift shop where I grabbed a missing title and updated a dog-eared copy, and an indulgent fall treat. The wonderful switch to the flannel sheets, woollens in full force but hoping we can last without the furnace for another couple of weeks. A last (produce) market visit of the year and a seriously embarrassing amount of apples (we’re set until January at least). An extensive pumpkin carving session including the use of previously untested methods (Dan’s Dremel and my stamp carving tools). Too many sugar cookies, too few vegetables but lots of apples. A beautiful fall walk with great friends and no camera, a late night cutting felt and enjoying a classic of sorts, and a late, late night finishing a peacock’s tutu.

Not enough sleep, great company, hot drinks, laughter, tears and spooky pumpkins*. Everything the last weekend in October needs.

Happy Monday! How’d you enjoy this October weekend?

*Despite our “nothing scary” halloween rule we ended up with a couple of rather spooky pumpkins thanks to some creative imaginations. The skull is not spooky, though, it’s just bones…some kids here would like you to know.

I love handmade items (you’ve probably guessed that already). I love making them, I love receiving them, I love buying them. I get really nervous about gifting them, though. Styles are so personal, not to mention the issue of finding the right fit if it’s something to be worn.

I’ve seen a few “pay it forward” posts on different blogs and have always hesitated for that fear of giving something that no one will like. When my sister led me to a blog she’s been following and I saw this post I decided to get over myself and take the plunge. And I must admit I’m pretty excited.

So here’s the deal:

I will send something handmade (by me) to the first three bloggers (sorry, non-bloggers) who say they would like to participate. It will arrive sometime in the next year (I’m giving myself lots of time for this one). The caveat is that you must also pay it forward on your blog to keep the love going.

Fun, right?! I think it’s all rather thrilling!

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Now it’s back to halloween costumes…I have a cupcake and nearly a superhero ready for trick-or-treating action. Wish me luck!

First off, thank you so much for all the love yesterday! So many wise and encouraging words to wake up to.

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This week has been kind of topsy turvy but amidst the strangeness there has still been some knitting and reading, more of the later during the days I was flat out.

My hopes of clearing some needle space were a little lofty when I realized my illness was more than a little inconvenience. I did nearly finish my Rae. Unfortunately I ran out of wool just short of the end so a return to the yarn store is in order. I did start on the last of the Sextuple Tornados for Mira and am about to cast on a sweet little hat for her Halloween noggin*.

Mostly though I’ve been trying to organize my brain. Printing some patterns, glancing (once again) through my stash, making some (more) lists and prioritizing to prevent unneeded (and unwanted) stress.

As for reading I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of An Irish Country Doctor. It was just what the, excuse me, doctor ordered – a sweet, humorous novel. I followed it up with another great read, The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place. The Incorrigibles is just what I love in a children’s novel – humour, mystery and adventure. Add to that the fact of the main character being a most endearing governess and my Jane-Eyre-loving heart was smitten. This novel captured my fancy much like The Mysterious Benedict Society, another favourite series of mine, and the illustrations in The Incorrigibles are perfectly and charmingly imagined. I’m such a sucker for children’s novels.

A certain little girl and her daddy are begging some mama relief so I’m off  to a bout of baby holding…what a shame, huh?!

*For the record, Halloween is a holiday I usually prefer to see the back of but as the kids have fully discovered the joy of the costume hunt I’ve decided to make friends with it. I don’t appreciate the candy (we still have candy in their bags from last year…) but the costume designing is proving exciting for more than just the littles.

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joining Ginny for yarn along

I got knocked down. And getting knocked meant taking time to get back up. Time I haven’t really taken for a while. Not while I was pregnant. Not after Mira was born. Shingles demanded it.

It hasn’t been fun but it could have been far worse. Seeing Dan deal with shingles a year and a half ago has given me great thankfulness for how my case didn’t go. My healing has been nothing short of miraculous and for that I’m full of gratitude. I still have a little ways to go until I’m feeling back to normal but I’ve been spared the worst of it.

Shingles being at least partially caused by stress has given me cause to consider the stressors in my life. While there is certainly stress in the day to day of this life, it’s the emotions I’ve let overwhelm my system – guilt being the heaviest oppressor. Mama guilt, homeschooler guilt, friend guilt and, heck, even blogger guilt. None of this guilt has been laid on by anyone but myself. The time I’ve been down and out this week has given me time to think about the changes I need to make.

I haven’t come to any conclusions or solutions but I’m remembering my priorities and starting there. In the meantime I’m full of fresh joy and peace in the moments of my days.

Thank you, friends, for the prayers, well wishes and kind thoughts. They have been felt.