What makes me happy...

I know that life is an exercise in focusing on the beauty and ignoring the dirt. Pouring yourself into eternal things and not getting tangled up what doesn't really matter at all. Being a glass overflowing rather than a glass with a few drips. (Yes, I'm skipping right over the 1/2 - full / 1/2 - empty.) I KNOW these things, yet it takes effort for me to not look at the mess that surrounds me...and see the smiling faces that greet me at 6:15 every morning. So, I'm focusing on what makes me HAPPY.

My azalea. My mom bought this for me when I moved into my first apartment. It lived in a pot by my front door. I've managed to keep it all these years...in spite of the newspaper kid who always managed to get my neighbor's paper stuck in my azalea...in spite of the kiddos in my yard now who like to use clippers and don't know the difference between precious plants and weeds. My azalea is blooming right now. I can see her from my knitting chair. That profusion of hot pink makes me HAPPY.

I love the deep purple of these iris. These were in the yard when we moved here...so it's always a pleasant surprise when they bloom.

I almost ripped this sedum out when we moved in...it was a little burnt on the edges of the leaves in August. But in February every year...look at these pretty little stars.

Look closer....Those little stars make me HAPPY.

And I don't like to do dishes...and we make a lot of them. But, I love my kitchen sink. It's in the corner. And these windows look out to the driveway and front door. I LOVE my little IKEA tree and decorate it for the seasons. I've just changed the decor...but last week I took this photo of my Valentine's day decorations. You can barely see my heart flag hanging out the right window. But, this little corner...makes me HAPPY. And I can tell you, it's not the overflowing sink of dirty dishes.

And this was a MOPS craft that I wasn't able to finish during our table time (probably because I was nursing 2...not that she's still nursing...but this craft is probably 2 years old.) Anyways, I found this with all the supplies and partially put together. I added some scripture that I'm trying to memorize. And this makes me HAPPY.

We had a field trip on Wednesday. That made me HAPPY.

Now...what makes you HAPPY? Maybe this will turn into a little contest. But, I'll surprise you on that one. =0)

aDayInTheLife: Red's Version

I had a hard time convincing Red to get out of bed. I think he would rather sleep in like 4.

But, once he saw what was for breakfast, he was wide awake.

Eggs, Sausage, and TJ's Cinnamon Swirl bread. With fruit & veggie juice (I know that's a little sneaky on Mom's part.)

See that big latte....that's how Mom wakes up.

And Red wanted to stay close to the candy. I'm not sure if he was keeping the kids out of the hearts, or if he was sneaking them for himself.

We were getting ready for our Kenya day, and the kids made sample Zulugrass necklaces for me using straws. Red of course was right in the middle. (This photo came out great. He's just sitting in a Rubbermaid bowl...but I love how it softened the image.)

Here's Red with the kitties wearing their Zulugrass. (I first heard about Zulugrass here. I bought some for myself at LoLo...a boutique in Fullerton. This made a good craft for little fingers. I used cut up straws for the grass and pony beads in between.)

Then Red played blocks with 2 & 4 while 6 headed off to do some school.

Red came out to help 6 with his reading. I think 6 works better with a little buddy. Maybe Red will be our little helper.

Then when 2 went for a nap, Red helped Mom look through the mail. Red chose a good day to follow the family around. Look what was in the mail.

And look at this. The sweater on the left is in Boden, and the one on the right IK. If I didn't have so much in my que (no it's not all up on Ravelry...I wish it was)...then this is the sweater I'd make for myself this spring.

Red was tired from our busy morning...so he stopped the documentary just after lunch. We'll try again soon. I love this record of our busy days.

I CO for one...

And I might just CO again. Today is one of those days when being MOM sucks. My 2 has been wearing underwear proudly since Valentine's Day! And today, she decided that she was to scared to let her #2 out. So, I sat by her in the bathroom...and let her wander around a bit...for 3 HOURS. I let the boys out into the backyard. I even gave them a picnic lunch. It's so great when they decide they love each other and want to play nicely together. So, I sat on the floor by the bathroom. And NOTHING. I just put her down for a nap, and in a few hours we'll try this again. I'm just not letting 2 weeks go and giving her a diaper back (although she is wearing one for the nap). I thought potty training was supposed to be easier for girls. My boys were a piece of cake compared to this. And speaking of cake...how did I reward myself? I CO for a Square Cake. =0)

What can I say...

If I wait until I take the photos from my camera I might not get around to posting at all.

Kidwise: 2 has had another fever and a cough...thank God we're on the clearing side of this one. We just might make it to the park today, and then we've got a field trip planned for tomorrow. We're about to have another birthday in this house and then I'll have 6, 5, & 2 for a little more than a month. When did they all get so big?

Momwise: I'm still loving my Monday Night Bible Study, but Tuesday mornings come too early. Why doesn't Starbuck's deliver?

Knitwise:

• I've been working on washcloths during my Bible Study. I've finished 4 1/2. I want to have 2 for each of the kids' Easter Baskets, and I'm well on my way.
• I'm working on the Clapotis while I watch movies with M. I knit through 'No Reservations' on Saturday Night. Cute movie. I've dropped 3 or 4 times, and it's so fun to watch. I know there's a long way to go on this one, but it's perfect for when I want to knit and not count.
• I've finished M's hat. He's worn it a few times. I looked at the label on my yarn and it's a Merino/Cotton. Good choice for So. Cal. I really want to get out to buy another ball of the Zoom in a darker color so I can try the 2 color hat, but I have to go to Laguna Beach for the yarn as that's where I originally bought the Zoom and I don't want to search for another store that carries it. I really would like to go to the Beach...but life seems to be in the way. I wish the yarn would just arrive at my house. I did take photos of the FO, but had to use 6 as the model. Maybe before I get to posting the photos I'll get some with M.
• I think I'm ready for toe decreases on my Jaywalker. The pattern says to start the decreases when you're 2" from where you want your sock. Is that 2" from the end of your big toe? Is there something I should be reading to tell me where on my foot to find these measurements?
• I really want to CO for so many things again. My top 3 are the Square Cake, V-Neck Tee, and the Lily. Maybe I'll start all 3. =0)
• And just maybe I'll take some pictures.

So, this cup is empty...time to head back to the kitchen for a refill.

Gram Knits 2

When my Gram was feeling a bit stronger, she wanted a knitting project but didn't want to spend any money because she wasn't sure she would finish the knit before it was her time. I had started this blanket when I was pregnant with 2. I didn't finish it before she came. I gave the project to my Gram...and she ripped back to fix one of my mistakes. Then she knit on this until she was in hospice.

My other mistake is in the first 5". She would have ripped it all out. I figure that it just shows my process as a beginning knitter. I couldn't count to 4. And I couldn't "read my knitting." I knit Row 1,2,3,2,3,4. You can see it here. It's not a dropped stitch. And it won't affect shaping. And the chevrons still line up. So I wanted to leave it.

So...what I love about this one. Half of it was knit while I was expecting 2. And half was knit by my Gram. Someday I'll finish this one for my little girl. Right now it's 46" wide and we've knit for 26". I have plenty of yarn to make this about 60". That's big for a baby blanket. But I might finish this by the time she's 5. And by then, the blankies she sleeps with now will be needing a replacement.

Hat Progress

I was just starting to post this morning, when I heard screaming kids.

Not the screams where I know there chasing each other through the house, but the real terrifying screams. We have this dresser in 2's room. It used to be in the boys room, until we bought their bigger beds. Anyways...it will tip over if more than one drawer is opened at the same time. Today, 4 was stuck under the tipped dresser...and 6 was running to get me. My leg will be sore for sometime now as I used my bad knee to hold up the dresser and let 4 escape from underneath. I'm AWAKE now and I haven't even had my first cup of coffee. You know how the furniture comes with warnings to strap to the wall. Take that seriously. M is great...except sometimes he's to easygoing. He thought I was crazy to really bolt the furniture to the walls. I think we'll be visiting Home Depot today...just as soon as he gets home from work.

I was going to post my hat progress. Peggy has been working on this too, and she has a FO. Go check it out. She's not loving the hat as much as I am. I used Lang Yarns Zoom that I bought in Laguna Beach. It's so soft that I want to rub the yarn on my cheek. Her's is a bit scratchy. I started this on #8's, and didn't like the braid, so I went up to #10's. I like this a lot more. And on #10's the braids aren't so difficult. This isn't the greatest photo, because I took it after 10pm last night. I don't see M much during daylight in the middle of the week. I'll finish this and take the FO shots this weekend. M still wants the 2 color version. This one might be mine, and I'll make him another hat. I'll have enough of the Zoom to make the 2 color hat...so what I really want is another ball of Zoom in a darker color. Then I'll have to learn to do ribbing.

On Peggy's hat, I love the ear lining. I would never have though of that. I think I would like that for myself...and maybe I could still add an afterthought lining. But, it does make the hat more feminine without the ribbing. Let me know what you think? About M's. About Peggy's? Would you wear this hat?

The mystery WIP...

is this. Knit in this yarn #2 (Thanks Michelle). I'm so enjoying this project. The only problem I have is that my 2 keeps hiding the straight needle that doesn't have the WIP on it. I should be glad that she doesn't mess with the actual knitting.

Last night while watching Idol, I worked on M's hat. Here's what it looked like yesterday morning.

Here's what it looks like this morning.

For a recap. Here's how it all started. M saw this hat. I found this pattern that diminishes the braids instead of stopping the braids for the decreases at the top of the hat. Whew. I wasn't sure I was ready for that math. But, that hat is a cloche and M wouldn't look good with an eyelet row. So, how to skip the part where the stitches double. ??? I ended up CO 136 on US 6, 2x rib for 8 rows. Then on the new version, I kit one round with 8's, one round with 9's, and one round with 10's before C4F. When I crossed the cables directly after the ribbing the fabric tightened up too much. I think this is going to work. If not, I'll finish this hat for myself, and knit a darker charcoal version for M.

I'll be working on this a lot, as I need to be praying for M and my WIP tend to focus my prayers for a person. M needs to find a new job. This came up all of a sudden about 2 weeks ago. And he's been at the last job for 8 years in May. It's a scary prospect. Especially since I know of so many out of work and searching right now. I know that he might not find something soon enough for there not to be a lapse in employment. We've also become comfortable with our lifestyle. While we're not wealthy in our own eyes, we are very comfortable, and given the perspective of the world's poverty rate...we're fortunate. Anyways, the owners of the company are selling their shares to 3 partners. One of the partners doesn't like M. Once the owners are gone, M's job is gone. Even at this point it's unstable. The thing is, this partner that doen't like M has questionable ethics. So once he's in charge, it's not likely that M would want to be there. I know that God is in control. I know that He uses our circumstances to strengthen our character. The thing is. I'm tired of my work-out.

Gram Knits 1

My Gram is the reason I knit. She first taught me when I was 12. I thought that knitting was so much slower than counted cross stitch. What was I thinking? In 2004, I picked up the needles again. I knit a few things before I lost my Gram, but I sure wish I could have shared some of my nice yarns with her. Anyways, just before my Gram passed away almost 2 years ago, she gave me her knitting things. They are among my most treasured possesions. I've been using the needles and her notions bag. But somehow, the acutal knitting was something I couldn't take out just yet. I want to post here. So I have record of how she wrapped her family in warmth and love.

Baby Blanket in unknown white (probably acrylic). You know what. It's probably the Pound of Love...based on the size of the ball. Knit on US 4's. This scared me when I first looked at it. Now, not so much. The blanket measures 30" wide. My Gram knit about 7 inches before this pattern was too complicate for her. She was too weak from the chemo.

Here's a close up of the cable panels.

I have the pattern for this somewhere. And someday I'd like to finish this. It would be great to have for one of my grandkids...her Great Great Grandkids.

Can you guess what this is?

How about now?

I think I mentioned to someone that I was going to CO for this. I'm so excited to have this project OTN. It's perfect for watching movies with M. We've rented a few that were OK. But nothing that I loved lately. I want to see No Reservations...maybe we can get that this weekend, but since it's a new release I'm not counting on it. Any good movie recomendations?

Friday Again? Already!

My Mom bought me a bunch of Gerbera Dasies from Trader Joe's. Aren't these pretty?

Last night I CO for another washcloth. I'm trying to make 2 for each of my kids Easter Baskets. In fun colors for them to use in the tub. 2 was up late so that was the only knitting I could do with her on my lap. I've been bringing these to Bible Study with me. I sit in the back...and I've already finished 2 cloths. I just don't like to CO while listening...then I can't count. And I worked a bit on my Jaywalker after she finally fell asleep...just before M came home from his Bible Study. I've been at the spot where I finished the heel flap and needed to PU stitches for a month now. But, often I just can't count. I'll have to learn about sock patterns where there is no counting. I read something on WendyKnits about her heals designed so she doesn't have to count while commuting. I think that sounds like something for me. So, now it will be smooth knitting until the toe. I really want to wear these socks before it's too warm. Must. Knit. Faster.
And while movie watching last weekend with M, I CO for a new project. I'll tell you about it when I get photos taken.

A hat that needs a home...

I started this hat sometime last spring. I knit 2 in January last year in the Men's size, then started this one in a child's size. I found this when straightening up my yarn bins and just had to get it off the needles. It just needs a pom-pom on top.

Pattern: Asymmetrical Cable Hat from Leigh Radford's One Skien.
Yarn: Paton's Shetland Chunky
Needles: US #10 circ. from my Gram's collection

I'm not sure if I'll send this hat to my cousin who lives in Indiana...where it's actually cold. Her son is 3 1/2 and could use this...or if I'll save it for the charities that will pop up everywhere next November when I'm busy with Christmas knitting. Either way. This hat will make some head warm. And I loved knitting this pattern. It's fun with all the different size cables. I needed the chart the first time I knit this hat. Now, only a year later, I picked up the hat in progress and could knit from there. I'm amazed at how much I've learned.

My life as I see it...

In the study that I'm doing on Monday nights, one of my assignments was to make a collage of my life as as I see it right now. One rainy Sunday aftenoon, M took the boys out of the house while 2 napped and I gathered my supplies. This was so cathardic for me. I am a MOPS mom, I love hummingbirds (Sometimes I think that God sends a little hello in a hummingbird at the window.) I can't keep my fridge full (I can't imagine what it will be like when 6 & 4 are 16 & 14!) or the toilet clean. I sell MK. The Really Wooly is for my Gram. And the wordless book beads too. That's how I she explained my need for a Savior to me. I'm a knitter (yes, those are toothpicks that I made into tiny knitting needles...I did the actual knitting on US #1's then transfered to the toothpicks...but they're the same gauge.) The white strip is a verse. Ps. 46:10 Be still and know that I am God. I'm broken...in more ways than one (the bandaid). S'mores are our family time. The sticker says we've been friends in the sunshine and the shade. Right now, I'm all about living true faced...and finding friends who aren't in it just for the good times. I'm so thankful for those who have really encouraged me as this fall was tough for our family. I'm a Homeschooling mom (The tabs are from a curriculum catalog.) I'm mom...to 3. Wife to 1! I love learning about the world.


I has some extra things I'd pulled out when I was gathering my supplies. I realized these weren't part of me today...so much as they were part of my past...my foundation. The blue square...happens to be paper from China, but it reminded me of a swimming pool. I'm a swimmer. Phil 4:13 is the verse that was on my wall...and the verse that I would quote when I was taking springboard diving. (back in the day, I was pretty good at an inward 1 1/2 off the 3m. board...now, it's been so long I'd be shaking up there) The chops...I bought in China. (The first 3 are either faith hope and love...or peace joy and love. But, the only one I remember now is love. It's amazing how quickly a language leaves when you don't practice. The bottom 2 are my name.) The verse with the chops is 1 Cor 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. The structure is something M and I built while we were at Cal Poly. It has 3 benches that cantalever for sitting and watching the sunset. The verse here is Ecc 4:9 Two are better than one...if one falls down his friend can help him up. I know that's so true for M & me. The tools...my dad. The beads again...they're part of my foundation...but part of me today too. My name and the meaning behind it...why my parents chose Kristen.

Oh, and in the book I'm reading for the class. Pg. 74...knitting content: "The following writing and a beautiful, useful dishcloth were given to me by a woman who had been denying all of her assets and looking only at what she was doing wrong. She was to the point of almost destroying herself before she learned to value herself as God values her.

As I was knitting this dishcloth I made some mistakes. In the past, I would have torn it out and done it so that it would be PERFECT! But as I'm thinking more correctly in my recovery, the thought came to me, "This dishcloth will be just as useful with the mistakes in it," so the mistakes are still there. (I even mad some on purpost to prove my point.) As you use this dishcloth, let it remind you that YOU are OK and very useful, even when you make mistakes and are not perfect. Fondly,....."

Hot Cocoa* Pals

My pal Carly sent my package to arrive on the 1st (the first day of swapping). My Critter was ready to mail, but I hadn't taken pictures yet. So, on Friday, the Pals took a trip to the park with my 3. Red and ____ hit it off right away. It's a good thing they were bundled up with a scarf and a vest. It was chilly at the park. (OK...I shouldn't complain...my boys were wearing shorts...but I was chilly and my knee stiffens up.)



They climbed up the structure, but none of the kids would take them on the slide and they were too afraid to go on their own.


____ likes to sail. Maybe he'll get out on a real boat with his new owner.


And after 3 hours chasing kids at the park, ____ needed to chill in my knitting chair. Red was still excited after his trip to CA from VA...so he was still hanging out with the kids. I think we all need some cocoa to warm up.

Red is a Thrifty Critter. ____ is a Purl Critter. I stuffed the arms and legs of the Purl Critter with cotton, but the body is full of rice. This makes him/her sort of heavy...but he/she could spend about 15seconds in the microwave and then would make a nice hand warmer. I tried it...he/she probably needs some lavander oil if this is going to happen...the wool is stinky. Oh, and remove the clothes before cooking. =0) Do you need a little critter in your life? My boys are asking for orange kitties.

Hot Cocoa* Buddy Arrives!

This is my last try. Then, I'll have to find some other way to post my photos. I've been at this for 2 hours this morning...and each time I upload and walk away...I come back to nothing. Blogger just doesn't like my photos. I, however, LOVED my blah buddy from my pal Carly.

OK...I'll have to come back and edit this to add photos. Red, buddy's new name, arrived on Thursday. Everyone was excited to see him. 6 loved the loop on his head the most and quickly tried to attach a carribener to him. I vetoed that. I don't want the loop to pull out on the first day...or ever really. I like the little loop better than the little wisp of hair...good call. 4 named him. 2 was a willing model at the park when Red went to have his photos taken. She squeezed him a bit tight and she had red pants on, so Red is a bit hard to see in the photos. Oh, right. You can't see the photos anyways. Trust me. They're cute.

I CO for a Clapotis and started with the sheepy markers. I decided to replace them with my favorite little markers (tiny hair rubberbands) because I wanted the sheep for something else...a and because when there's 30 little markers on there it migh get a little heavy. They're too cute. 2 thinks the sheepy stitch markers should be for her. I think I'll have to keep a close eye on those.

And, since I was planning on mailing my box on Monday, I had the opportunity to introduce Red to _____. I don't have a name for the buddy I'm mailing. But, I can tell you that he and Red had a lot of fun at the park. I think they'll want to watch the game together today before _____ gets wrapped in tissue paper for his airplane travels. He really wanted a seat on the plane, but I explained that a flat rate box was much cheaper.

I've never really had problems with blogger, so I couldn't understand why some people posted that they couldn't post photos. Well, now I know. I tried Friday night, yesterday, and this morning. So, Carly...I do love Red...and the mug is perfect springy happiness. The chocolate is gone...and sadly before the photos were taken. I think I will try some flowers with the wool. And...I'll try to add photos later. If not, I'll email you the little collage I made with images. Thanks for a fun swap. I'm looking forward to becoming bloggy friends.



ETA: ***This just in...blogger let me have one photo...after I posted. Whatever.***