Breath by Breath

Spring scenes

Sometimes life is just so very full. I've written before about the notebook I keep of my "accomplishments", big and small. As I review my notes from time since I've last posted, these are some things that jump out at me.

::: Teaching yoga two, sometimes three times a week and growing in intimacy, caring and engagement with my friends/students.

::: Managing tons and tons of financial and personal matters (insurance, retirement, education savings, taxes, mortgage, wills). I take all this on so that I am completely in the know about our situation and have educated opinions, suggestions and advice to offer.

::: Decided to buy a used car and then decided to get energy efficient windows instead. They still aren't installed.

::: Knitted a kindle cover, a scarf for a gift, one sock, and finished knitting a shawl my mother started but couldn't finish due to her arthritis. Spool knit another rainbow garland for the party supply box.

::: Finished stripping and staining our old 15-drawer dresser and another piece of furniture.

::: Silas spontaneously switched from a "join us in bed every night" kind of kid, to a "sleep in his own bed most of the time" kind of kid. We are all sleeping better and I feel great about how we've evolved.

::: Read several books for pleasure (all on Kindle) -- The Paris Wife, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, The Sense of an Ending. I've now tackled The Brothers Karamozov.

::: Read The Science of Yoga, (also for pleasure, but of a different kind).

::: Cooked and cooked and cooked some more. Our CSA is abundantly supplying us with vegetables and we are trying our best to eat them.

::: Sewed some jammies for Silas. Repaired three skirts, hemmed pants. Finished and mailed the last of the Picnic Rolls I made for gifts. Cleaned out the closets and donated all the discards.

::: Started voice lessons and love my teacher. Hard to practice with discipline.

::: Play groups, play dates, volunteering at school for every party and event, hosting egg hunts, checking out and booking after school and summer activities, field trips, strawberry picking.

::: Rose tending, palm pruning, tree trimming supervising, front entry way courtyard tearing down, vegetable garden pot planting and maintenance, kishu orange tree learning.

::: Spring deep cleaning, rearranging furniture, aquired a lego table off craigslist, finally chose a kitchen paint color.

::: Coordinated a fantastic mini-reunion with 3 college friends in the D.C. area.

::: Lots of visits with local and semi local family and friends.

::: Got up close and personal with Alice Waters and Sir Ken Robinson.

::: Said goodbye to the Byzantine Fresco Chapel.

::: First visit to Galveston of this year. Trekked at Brazos Bend State Park, visited Shangri-La in Orange, TX, spent a weekend in New Orleans.

::: Booked our whole summer vacation.

::: Riding bicycles everywhere -- school, library, grocery store, for fun.

::: Flying kites out on the green space behind our house.

::: Lego, lego, lego.

::: Star wars, star wars, star wars (and he hasn't seen one movie yet!).

::: Harry Potter, Harry Potter, Harry Potter (we are halfway through book 1).

All is well.

Home crafts ::: the Annabel Cardigan

I know very few reasons to celebrate being sick for the better part of 2 weeks.  One good thing is that I am caught up on my unfinished knitting queue (except for one project which I've tabled until spring). 

I even had time to knit up this awesome sweater, the Annabel Cardigan from Quince & Co.  (Sorry for the view of our messy bathroom!) 

I purchased this purple-y blue locally produced yarn on our trip to the Isle of Grand Manan in New Brunswick last year.  It is bulky and pretty and fairly soft.   I've been saving it for this pattern and I'm glad I did.  Annabel is a classic, serviceable sweater, with just a hint of modernity.  My yarn was true to guage on this one and nothing knits up as quickly and with fewer brain cells as garter stitch with bulky yarn. 

The pattern is nicely written; it's super easy to knit with markers and a row counter.  It's worked from the top down, with sleeves added from stitches held on waste yarn while you finish the bodice.  I'd use a cable cast-on next time to keep the neckline from getting a bit stretchy, but overall I'm super happy with it.  I love the 3/4-inch sleeves (which my husband puts in the category of capri pants when it comes to ridiculous), but he doesn't wash as many dishes and do as much clean up as yours truly.

Give this one a try.  I knitted it in about three or four days of part-time work.  Enjoy!

You can see another view of this knitted in a lovely honey-mustard color here at Soulemama.

 

Home crafts ::: finishing things

I am under the weather this week.  So, in pursuit of my goal of finishing things, I've been keeping quietly busy while I nurse myself.  Not all of these projects have been accomplished during my current bout with the cold/flu (how do you know anyway?), but I've been plugging away.  I set a goal of finishing all projects in progress before I allow myself to start on this with the yarn I got in New Brunswick last summer.

The two-years in progress Solstice sweater, finally ready for Silas.

The family picnic roll (inspired by a project in Rhythm of the Family), with awesome thrifted vintage linen napkins and silverware.  Some more are in the works as holiday gifts!  (Shhh.)

The hospital scarf in seed stitch (started while mom was in the hospital).  Finished.

Twenty-two of twenty-five advent stockings for my friend.

I'm on the last ball of this blanket/throw project, which I began more than two years ago!

A little warm for this week, but I'm looking forward to snuggling on the couch all winter long.

And, I'm on page 567 of Anna Karenina.  I can't believe how much I love it and that I've never before read it!

What do you do when you are sick?  What are you trying to finish?

Practice notes ::: gratitude list

Thankful Friday begins again...

::: cool nights and warm, sunny days

::: projects completed

::: this recipe which helped me use up last week's CSA bounty of persimmons and prepare for what to do when this week's ripen.  (I made some modifications, but still totally terrific!)

::: more spaghetti squash!

::: daylight savings time's impending termination

::: walking to and from school each afternoon

::: each return to the yoga mat

::: a short break from snipping, glueing, taping, & sewing and a return to the rhythmic motion of knitting.

Have a love-r-ly weekend!

Home crafts ::: while the sewing machine is on strike....

With 90 percent of Silas's Halloween costume complete and 50 percent of the holiday stockings stacked up, my sewing machine went on strike.  I haven't fixed it because I'm shopping for a new one (my birthday present from Scott) and haven't made up my mind yet (any advice?). 

While the sewing machine is on hiatus, I unpacked a Hearthsong Knitting Mushroom .  I bought it a year or two ago, assuming someday Silas would be ready for the project I had in mind ::: a spool-knit rainbow "garland."  I thought he might be able now, but it turns out he's not quite ready. 

Nevertheless, I managed to knit this entire rainbow garland using this yarn while watching Ken Burns' Prohibition.  I used two balls, and I have two more in reserve for when Silas is ready.  Destination?  The holiday tree.  Sure, I'm a little early, but when I get a sewing machine up and running again, I'll be off the the races and won't have any more time for spool knitting. 

I must say there is something delightfully meditative about it.  The simple circular motion, that long tube emerging very quickly from the center.  No wonder I enjoyed it as a kid.  It took me a few minutes to reacquaint myself with the process, but once I got going I knocked it out in no time.  The very unexciting Okahoma-Texas football game gave me the chance to finish it up.

By the way, Prohibition is a wonderful program in case you haven't seen it (availalbe to watch online at PBS), with tons of insights applicable to the political/moral/economic climate of today.  The inspiring (if not always admirable) roles played by emerging women leaders was particularly fascinating.

Anyhow, we have a sweet, festive rainbow garland to add to our holiday glow. 

Shalom ::: may I please have some arms?

 
One of the benefits of two air travel trips in two weeks, and an abundance of listening time is that I finished the body of my Shalom sweater.  I'm really proud that after trolling around Ravelry I successfully resized the pattern for myself, including my extra muscly (is that a word?) upper arms, and have a sweater that will fit!  I knitted an entire Shalom after my surgery and ripped it apart, so this is extremely satisfying.

The design of this sweater is wonderful.  I had to learn a few new skills like knitting and purling into the back, which is fun and one of the reasons I keep knitting.  Mostly it is repetitive and simple enough that you can knock it out while paying close attention to a conversation partner or 4 1/2 year old travel companion.  I even read chapters of Magic Tree House books while knitting it. 

Alas, now that I'm home and we are hustling and bustling with T-ball, play groups, getting to know the local Unitarians, organizing financials and taxes, and continuing the moving in process, my Shalom sits sleeveless.  My intention is to make three-quarter length-ish sleeves, which once started should be done quickly.  I just need an uninterrupted hour to do the "pick up and knit" part.  I'm not an experienced enough knitter to do this without silence and concentration.  I hope to report on a completed sweater by the end of the weekend. 

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul... (Emily Dickinson) 

Hope about little things like Shalom sweaters...and hope about big things, too.

 
 

 

 

Dressing up the sofa

We recently moved and sold the sofa I'd had for 5 or 6 years before I married Scott 10 years ago.  We found a good lightly used sofa in a neutral color last weekend.  I like its size, firmness and style, but it needs spicing up.  We haven't settled on colors yet, but I know we'll need accent pillows. 

So, today, I conducted a little experiment inspired by this post at Beauty That Moves.  I decided to try my hand at a pillow cover.  I used remnants I had on hand for the front pieces and for the envelope-style back I used some long-neglected linen placemats we received as a wedding present.  I planned on a 15" square cover, but ended up with 12 1/2.  These are the things one learns when experimenting.  I've never quilted and didn't have a sense of how to keep things square.  I jumped in without doing the head work (and math) to ensure success.  I also made my seams unnecessarily large.  Nevertheless, I consider it a success.   I'm sure I'll find a 12" pillow form to put in it, and now I have a sense of what to do once we choose our color scheme and fabrics.

I have grown comfortable with this kind of iterative process--thanks in large part to living with my engineer husband for 12 years.  For many years (decades?), I was someone who wanted to do all my homework and plan everything out before beginning and then would suffer over every mistake.  Perfectionist tendencies, no?  But many things, marriage itself, rennovating a home together, training for and completing a marathon, learning to cook well, practicing yoga, and a million other challenges have helped me to lighten up a little and to enjoy the process of learning without overstating the consequences of mistakes and failures.

While I was recovering from foot surgery in November, I knitted a Shalom Sweater (free pdf here) with long sleeves.  It was just not right for me in so many ways that I recently ripped the entire thing apart and started over after reading tons of notes from folks on Ravelry.  I fully anticipate ripping out sections again as I master some of the new skills that will be needed to complete it to my satisfaction. 

 
When I started knitting back in 2002, I would rather have ripped my hair out than undo all that work.  I was fixed on the idea of "wasted" effort and time, not on the process of learning new skills and taking pride in getting it right--even if not the first time. 

So, I have one imperfect pillow cover and tons of new experience and skills.  Yee haw to everyone on this Texas Superbowl Sunday.  Guacamole and tamales to come.  Go Packers! 

 

 

A simple woman's daybook

July 22, 2010

I'm coming to this lovely ritual late in the month, but it is so thoughtful and real that I just couldn't skip it.  Thanks to The Simple Woman for suggesting it. 

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...I see dappled sunlight and a few drips of water from last night's rain.

I am thinking...Tired is more a state of mind than a physical reality.

I am thankful for...The two warm and trusting bodies that are in contact with mine as I wake up almost every day.

From the learning rooms...(I'm not sure what this is, but I'll talk about what I'm learning now.)...Cataloging the various organizational tassk, paperwork, and such that we want to get in order as we face the aging of our parents.  We don't want adminstrative stress to get in the way of our full and connected presence.

From the kitchen...Coffee and looking forward to cold salmon pasta salad for dinner tonight.

I am wearing...Blue plaid pj pants and a black v-neck t-shirt.

I am creating...A cool retro-ish brown sweater for Silas.

I am going...to the zoo in a little while.

I am reading...A Fortunate Age (a summer fiction hit)

I am hoping...To find guidance on my highest good regarding balancing working outside the home with being the parent I want to be.

I am hearing...The sound of my little one going on an adventure to the .North Pole.

Around the house...Much is in disorder (we just returned from a week away).

One of my favorite things...My new favorite coffee cup from Paule that quotes George Eliot, "What do we live for if not to make life easier for each other?"

A few plans for the rest of this week...zoo, swimming lessons, beach (weather permitting), thrifting with Lisa (I hope), family get-together Saturday night, farmer's market browsing, purchasing a tent.

Sweltering ::: knitting my way through swimming & gymnastics lessons

So, I'm about 95% done with this project...a little holiday gift for someone special. I have quite a queue of projects, so I'm furiously trying to knock this one out. 

I've been working my way through the project for the last couple of months, knitting as I can during a weekly hour of gymnastics class and two hours of swimming lessons.  I have knitted through a few instant-view movies on Needfuls, but mostly this is my carry with me project.  I'm using Sally Melville's book The Knitting Experience: The Purl Stitch.  This is a meditative project, with a repetitive stitch pattern and minimal finishing, so it's easy to pick up and put down (once you get the stitch pattern).

When I was a beginning knitter I tried started a sweater using this particular knitting grid (sort of a basketweave) pattern, but I couldn't figure it out according to her instructions and the grid in the book.  I ripped that apart a while back and started anew on this project, simply trusting my ability to read my work and learn how to make the pattern for myself (sans grid).  Did anyone else have a problem with her grid, or is it just me?  I mastered the stitch pattern eventually by comparing my knitting to the book's photos of the finished works.  I relied heavily on my row counter and even then unknitted more rows that I care to admit because I lost track. 

Despite all that, I'm really please with how it's turned out--very elegant and clean.  I had to adjust the pattern because I used a lighter weight yarn than recommended, so I had a lot more rows to knit.  The body totaled 460 rows compared to 320 for the recommended yarn. When I'm done, I'll have used about 7 balls of Cascade 220 Superwash Wool in Red Wine Heather.  The color is so rich and beautiful and the yarn feels good.  I wanted to use something practical and easy care. 

In the meantime, Silas has gained so much confidence in the pool, jumping off the side, swimming across to us, going under water in all kinds of inventive ways (being a rocket taking off from the bottom, sitting on the bottom, etc).  He loves it, concentrates hard in class and practices every chance he gets.  It is SO hot here (regularly in the high 90's) that we immerse ourselves at every opportunity (the pools do shut down for our frequent thunder & lightening events).

Silas also is a great listener in gymnastics.  He has a great sense of his body in space and has gained such strength.  He moved up to the boys' class from the mixed toddler class and he's having a ball.  It's amazing to watch this imaginative, goofy, multi-voiced, talkative, singing, word-inventing child quiet down and focus in these physical learning situations.  He takes it all very seriously in a good way and demonstrates concentration, courage, persistence, and determination. 

He has great teachers and coaches in both environments and I'm immensely grateful to the thoughtful mothers who steered me toward these excellent, skillful, knowledgeable and playful adults.   

Thankful Friday ::: comforts

[Well, I just wrote an entire blog post and it crashed during saving---grateful for that, I am NOT.]

Here we go again....Today I am grateful for a few things that provide me comfort:

• Warm hugs from a few select people that include lot of skin.
  

• Tomatoes fresh from the vine in our garden.

• Lavender bath salts.

• A really good story (I'm currently reading this).

• Encouragement and inspiration from a few select sources when I feel I've reach the limit of my parenting creativity (a few fav's Hand in Hand Parenting, the Daily Groove newsletter, and the connection parenting section here).

• Warm breezes & a growing knitting project (when these go together, it is so nice!).

• Homemade fresh fruit popsicles.

• Discovering that some things are easier than they seem.

• The power of just listening and being listened to, without comment, advice, or opinion.
  

• Really warm, soft sand and rollicking waves.

(I remembered all but two of the things I wrote last time.  Ah, well.)

I'll also just share a brief anecdote.  Lately Silas has been very curious about "work" -- the kind of work that involves a "job" and time away from home.  Yesterday he asked me why I don't "work."  I gently responded that my work right now is to take care of him, our home and our family. I asked him who would do those things if I went to a job away from home. 

Silas' response?  "You could go to work until Papa wakes up to go to work, and then you can be with me the rest of the day."  I guess it's nice he has so much confidence in my unlimited capacity and energy for all kinds of work, and my apparently superhuman ability to function without sleep.  (I wish I had his confidence...)

Good listening?