Happy New Year!

 Dear Mom,

The Best is Yet to Come!
Happy New Year!

Love,
Kim

Favorite Things Friday

Dear Mom,
This time of year, I want to say my favorite things are brown paper packages tied up with string!
Today's favorite thing is a shop with some bright copper to tie up in those packages.

Spindle Cat Studio

Last year, I gave 5 Golden Rings (stitch markers) to some knitting friends.

I won't share what this year's gifts will be because I don't want to ruin any surprises. Everything I've ordered, all the pretty things I have from this shop- from stitch markers, to marker holders, to a charming necklace- are exquisite in their beauty and craftsmanship. Kate is a generous, gifted artist.

Love,
Kim

Favorite Things Friday

Dear Mom,
I don't know where November went. It was lost in a flurry of airport runs, family visits, a very bad cold,  Thanksgiving here which involved a whole lotta much needed long overdue house attention, and a blissful long weekend away, in a cabin in the woods, with my 3 dearest of knitting friends.

I have lots to catch up on….

But first!
Favorite Thing on This Friday- Two Hour School Delay!

Oh, how we love 2 hour delays! For me, they are better than snow days. We get to sleep in, our mornings are more leisurely, and I still get a good part of the day to myself! Added bonus- the roads give me all the reason I need to stay home and snuggle in.
I'll pull some Roasted Tomato Soup out of the freezer (made from the summer's tomatoes) and we will have that with grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner tonight.

I took advantage of the snow scene this morning to take a Christmas card photo, featuring Olive. Despite my intentions, I never got a photo of the family or of the kids during the Thanksgiving Break and decided on a clever use of Olive.  What a dear, patient, dog she is- especially when Milk Bone Dog Biscuits are involved.
Earlier in the week- before inspiration struck- I took a series of photos like this one ( inspired by something I saw on Pinterest).

Total Sweetness.
Yes, Santa, I have been a good girl.

Olive and her left elbow are doing well. We can't let her get too wild, but she is a dog who likes to chase squirrels. She's had Rimadyl evenings, but not many. We've done as much as we can for her, surgically. She gets a daily dose of Glucosamine/Chondroitin and fish oil.  Rimadyl on the days she needs it. And there are further pharmaceutical options if we need them, but I am hoping not. She won't be a marathon runner ( but then neither will I!) but not a long walk dog, either. This makes me a little sad, but she is such a good dog and the best sort of snuggler that I willingly give up walking her just to have her with me. She is my car-riding companion, nap-time buddy, and curled-up-at-my-feet or next to me on the couch faithful friend. I've loved all my dogs, but Olive has been a gift.

In November, I did knit a bee sweater for Bonnie.

The rest of my knitting has been gift knitting and therefore, secret.

I've tried some delicious, healthy new recipes over the last weeks and I'll share those later.

The past few evenings I settled in with my knitting and started re-watching Downton Abbey from the very beginning. I will never tire of looking at the hats, beautiful dresses, aprons and the lace edging on Mrs Hughes collar. I'd forgotten how much happens in those episodes and how much I did NOT like Mary in that first season. I watch and want to wear Mary Poppins-ish shoes and long skirts with thick warm tights. And aprons. And hats.

So for today, on this snowy day, after catching up here, I'll be drinking hot tea, puttering and tending to the house and laundry, with hopes of spinning and weaving and knitting, too. Thankful to be warm and with nowhere to go.

Love,
Kim

Favorite Things Friday

Holton House

There is a new blog listed over there to the right, on our blogroll.

The MOM of "I'm Gonna Tell Mom!" is now sharing her memories, gardens, recipes, photographs, plans, words of wisdom, creative endeavors and blessings at Holton House.

Because she is one of my favorite people, it only stands to reason that her blog should be one of my favorite things.....

Favorite Things Friday

Honeycrisp Apples.

With my own apples trees crippled under the weight of their apples, it is almost criminal of me to go purchase any apples. But Honeycrisp Apples are not just ANY apple.....

Favorite Things Friday

Dear Mom,
A Finished Project, that turns out well and fits perfectly has to be a Favorite Thing, right?

this photo is true to color- the one above is too red

I've had Chickadee in my knitting queue for awhile. I suspect this one won't be the last. I've been investigating various fair isle patterns to replace the birds. Like BEES.
This sweater is knit from the top down. And there is subtle shaping between bust and hips. Because it is a top down sweater, it was easy to be sure that the shaping happened exactly where it needed to happen for my body. (As it turned out, I needed to make no changes to the pattern here.) I did shorten the sleeves a smudge. And I omitted a contrasting color- choosing to make those rings the same color as my birds rather than come up with a third contrasting color.
I tried and failed on 2 or 3 different button designs, decided to go purchase plain old black buttons, and then the lazy, cheapskate inside me decided to try one more shrinky dink button design rather than get in the car, drive to the fabric store and spend the money on buttons. I am glad I did, because I like the way these turned out. Once again, I sort of cheated, and traced over some fabric I purchased with this sweater in mind.

"They" say we are in for a bitterly cold, possibly early, winter. If this is the case, my Black Bird Sweater will be more than a favorite thing.
Love,
Kim

Favorite Things Friday

Delicious hot or iced.

Every Day.

Favorite Things Friday

Bread and Water could so easily be

Toast and Tea. 

  

Alexandra Stoddard

                                      

Favorite Things Friday

Favorite Things Friday

Dear Mom,

Tomatoes. Freshly picked from my vegetable garden.

Love,

Kim

Favorite Things Friday

Dear Mom,

ZINNIAS!

 Love,
Kim

Favorite Things Friday

Dear Mom,
I think it might be nice to try posting some of my favorite things on Fridays. It might be places, stuff, something from my week, or things from the past.
This week- one of my favorite places ( maybe even The Favorite Place)- my back porch.  Perfect for knitting, spinning, napping, visiting, relaxing, reading, sipping. My Heaven on Earth.

Love,
Kim