Now It’s Spring!

April 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Spring has finally sprung here in my neck of the woods. We’ve even had a couple of days in the 70′s, which is warmer than average. We’re appreciating those warm days for the blessing that they are and we’re starting to slip into summer mode — breakfast with the sliding door open, bike rides and long walks with the pooch. So lovely.

Because we’re somewhat in limbo this year, I have not thought much about the garden yet. I think I will plant some starts when it’s time, but I’m not starting anything from seed. Though it is so encouraging to start to see the bulbs come up!

My knitting life these days is a combination of joy and frustration. I’ll start with the joy.

These are the Nanaimo socks — the most recent release from Cookie A’s 2012 Sock Club. I. Love. These. Socks. They are like therapy. Just a simple rotating knit-purl textured pattern that is a welcome break from the complicated socks I’ve been doing lately. My enthusiasm for these has caused me to put the Hibernia socks on the back burner for awhile. I’m sure I’ll get to them eventually, but I’m needing something a little more simple at the moment.

Now for the frustration.

This is my Stephen West Daybreak shawl. I do love how the bold colors are coming together. I do love the modern stripes. And perhaps “frustration” is too strong a word. “Tedious” is probably more what I’m looking for. This shawl is made up of miles and miles of stockinette and I’m finding myself just wishing it was done.

My irritation with this project is probably compounded by two things. 1 — I’m making the largest size because I wanted a nice big shawl. 2 — I underestimated the scope of this project. For some reason I thought I would be able to knock this project out in about a week. So here I am at two weeks feeling like I want it done. I’m pretty close — just about 16 rows to go, but they are pretty long rows. Soon.

I’m knitting this as part of two knit-alongs — one with Diane from the Knitabulls podcast and another with the Knitbytes podcast. It’s fun knitting along with people, sharing observations and seeing their projects. Oddly enough, mine is one of four orange and blue Daybreak shawls that I’ve seen in this knit-along!

That’s pretty much all for now. We’ve got just 8 weeks of school left so things are getting super-busy at the same time that they are winding down. I’m off to enjoy my usual Saturday morning tradition — coffee and knitting with Paula from the Knitting Pipeline podcast.

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Filed Under: Handwork, seasons

New Year, New Life

January 4, 2012 by 1 Comment

I was looking back through my recent posts and I noticed how knitting really has taken over on this little space. I suppose with winter upon us not so much is happening outside so life is all about home. We’re having a particularly snow-free year so far, too, which makes it even harder to get outside. Right now it is 45 degrees and raining.
I thought, though, that it would be nice to talk about some of the New Years resolutions that I’m striving for. Though I’m not really a big fan of New Years resolutions because I think they’re a pretty much guaranteed recipe for failure, when the new year comes I do look ahead to the coming year and try to muster up some intention and decide what I want to focus on as a theme.

Here are my thoughts for this year.

1. Health. I realize that it could be a bit trite and almost self-defeating to commit myself to living more healthfully recognizing that I make this same commitment every year. This year I am approaching it a little bit differently, though. I planon visiting a naturopath and finally getting an annual exam (after going several years without.) I also want to eat right (no sugar so far in 2012 for me) and exercise but I really feel that getting professional health advice will really help.

2. Be present and connected. I recognize that I am one of those people who has so much going on in her life that I sometimes have a hard time being present and fully engaged with what I am doing. While I cook dinner I am also doing dishes, thinking about tomorrow’s lesson and helping with my kids’ homework. As a result, sometimes my kids ask me a question three times before I’ve really even registered that they’re asking something. I really don’t want to give anything in my rich life up so I’m realizing I just have to try harder to look for what is essential and focus on that.

3. Continue blogging. It may seem that keeping up this little space is Just one thing to add to my long to do list, but I really do love blogging. I love how this space helps me focus on the more pulled-together, specific topics of my life. Here my life doesn’t seem like a jumbled chaotic mess of laundry, homework and piles of mail. Here I can see that my life is artful and beautiful. I am so grateful that this blog gives me the opportunity for recognizing this.
So, here’s to a healthy, present, connected new year full of posts.

BTW, I just realized that over the Christmas break this little space had its one year anniversary. Here’s to many more!

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Filed Under: Happiness, seasons, things I love, Uncategorized

Holidays!

December 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Once again things are so busy around here I haven’t had a moment to post. Fortunately it’s mostly the happy kind of busy and I’m delighting in the projects and activities that are taking so much of my attention. Here is just a sampling of the festive activities.

1. My nephews got a Wii for Christmas from a friend and we’re having fun figuring out how to be Shaun White on a skateboard. I forgot that video games are so fun.

2. I cast on a feather and fan scarf for my mom at the last minute. Despite the fingering weight yarn it moved along quickly and I cast off and blocked today — just in time for Christmas.

3. I’ve set aside Alice’s Tea Leaves cardigan because I want to make sure it fits before finishing up the button bands. The sleeves seem a little snug. I just love how this is turning out, though, and I can’t wait to share photos of the finished object.

4. Speaking of Alice — I’ve discovered the joy of shopping with a cute teenage daughter. So much more satisfying than shopping for myself.

5. After a long hiatus, I’m participating in a Ravelry swap. This one has an 80′s theme so I’m making leg warmers and making Duran Duran mix tapes CD’s. Totally radical.

6. A Facebook friend posted this hilarious blog post about nativity scenes. Enjoy!

7. I’m currently thoroughly enjoying my spiked egg nog and listening to happy children playing bingo.

Maybe I’ll go join them.

The happiest of holidays to my small band of faithful readers.

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Filed Under: Handwork, seasons

December update

December 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Wow. I haven’t posted since Thanksgiving! As you can imagine, things are really busy here. We’re getting ready for the holidays, I’m teaching a pretty important block with to my class and we recently lost my mother-in-law to her lifelong struggle with various health issues. It’s been a pretty overwhelming season, but one that has been full of those little reminders of what is truly important in life.

The time of year, my mother-in-law’s passing and the work I’m doing with my class have all made me recognize those moments when the spiritual world and the earthly world come closer together. I feel the spiritual world nearby and strong right now and it’s giving my day-to-day existence a completely new perspective.

I usually try to look for the spiritual nature of my day-to-day life but right now it is making itself so obviously apparent to me. Having this insight is making it so simple for me to recognize and be grateful for the truly important things, and to let the small material things go.

Some of those things that seem important these days . . .

  • Snuggling with Leo in the mornings.
  • Watching Alice admire her fashion sense in the mirror
  • Discussing literature with Calvin
  • Breathing in the crisp morning air when I go let the chickens out in the morning
  • Connecting with my students over the rich imagery of our stories
  • Taking my students to the nearby slough and ice-skating for games class
  • Heading down to the lake for a full moon walk on the ice
With everyday moments like these, who needs special holidays?

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Filed Under: friends and family, Happiness, seasons

Giving thanks

November 21, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The first day of our Thanksgiving Break, today was the kind of day that makes me remember I have much to be grateful for.

I read a little.

Knit a little.

And shoveled a little.

Enough work to feel productive. Enough play to have fun.

Just perfect.

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Filed Under: Happiness, seasons

Winter is Here

November 19, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Winter always inspires me to take out my camera and chronicle how the landscape around me is changing. This week we got our first snow and though I forgot to bring my good camera, my new phone takes some pretty good pictures.

Tuesday morning brought bitter cold.

We got a little bit of snow during the day on Wednesday and Thursday but the storms truly hit on Thursday night. This was my Friday morning commute.

I grabbed a shot during my Friday recess duty. We were the only school in session in the county on Friday. We sure were questioning that decision when this photo was taken!

The forecast is for clear, cold days after today and those are my favorite conditions for taking pictures. I usually love the look of freshly fallen snow but because there were still a few leaves on the trees and it was also quite windy our snowy landscape is peppered with red and brown leaves and needles. I’m sure we’ll soon get a new layer that will hide all of that.

 

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Filed Under: seasons

Fall

October 17, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Lately my students and I have been discussing which is our favorite season. I think it’s the transition that we’re all feeling that has us thinking so much about the season.

Most of my students are just convinced that they love both summer and winter, but they could do without those transition times.

They love that in the summer they can swim, play all day and completely lose themselves in the gloriously warm sunshine.

They also love that in the winter they can ski, build snow forts, sled at recess and then cozy up next to a warm fire at the end of the day.

And though I love those seasons, too, I really love how fall makes me sit up and pay attention. As the world shifts from warm to cold I feel called to notice the natural world in a new way. Each day brings a new vibrant change — the color of the leaves changes, my lingering tomato plant begins to close in on itself and I can feel my lungs react to the crisp air with each new inbreath.

I feel completely and actively engaged with the natural world.

 

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Filed Under: seasons

October Garden

October 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Well, after a much too long absence, I finally spent some time in the yard today. We expected our first frost about a week ago, but I think it didn’t get as cold as everyone thought it would, so we got lucky. But, we know it’ll be here any day now, despite the beautiful little Indian Summer we’ve been having.

There were a few things on my list for the day, and I’m happy that I got them all done.

1. Pull out the plants and put hay in the garden beds.

I’m hoping to give those tomatoes a little more time.

Come on Mother Nature. Work with me!

2. Clean out chicken coop and make compost pile.

I decided to make this very shady, mostly useless garden bed the home for the compost. I really couldn’t think of another place to put it and I think it’ll work out well here.

3. Tidy the shed.

(Note: This photo does not show the inside of the shed because, though it is tidier, it certainly doesn’t look it. This version of tidy means you can walk inside.)

I also did some general cleaning, raking, sweeping and picking up dog poo. I’ll spare you a photo. But here’s the view from the back of the yard.

I had on my list to put away the deck table and chairs but I just couldn’t bear it.

I think we’ll try to use it just a little bit more.

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Filed Under: home and garden, seasons

Trip to Nelson

September 25, 2011 by Leave a Comment

This weekend we took a lovely little whirlwind trip to Nelson, B.C. It’s funny how Canada is so close but still a completely different country. I’m always amazed at how different it feels, even thought many things about it look so similar.

Our intention for going was to attend a teachers’ conference at the Nelson Waldorf School (which I’m planning on posting about on my teaching blog) but we also took some time to have some fun.

For a long time friends and colleagues have told me about Ainsworth Hot Springs. I have some friends who call it the best hot springs they’ve ever been to. After our visit this weekend, I can personally attest to its merits.

The best part about it is that one of the pools goes through a small U-shaped cave.

I loved looking at the rock formations in the caves and I love that the water is so hot and steamy. Inside the cave the air is thick and it gets nice and dark. There are small alcoves to hang out in and several places to enjoy the hot water as it comes right out of the rock. Very cool.

There’s also a cold plunge for when you just feel too hot. I love that exhilarating feeling of going back and forth between the hot and cold water.

When we had finished with the hot springs we took the ferry back to the other side of Kootenay Lake.

You couldn’t ask for a better view while waiting in line for the boat.

Though the late ferry got us home later than we had hoped, we were lucky to be riding right at sunset.

I just love these mountains.

Going away on a weekend during the school year is always tough and it means that I’ve got a lot to do on this busy Sunday.

But it’s exactly the kind of thing memories are made of.

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Filed Under: friends and family, photography, seasons, things I love

Fall Garden

September 20, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Well, the short growing season here in Northern Idaho is definitely coming to a close. We’ve had a good long stretch of warm weather, but the past couple of nights have been pretty cold. We haven’t quite had our first frost yet, but it isn’t far off. I’m finding myself rooting for my little plants to hurry up and ripen those fruits before their chance is gone!

This squash plant has completely taken over my yard, and though the many yellow flowers gave me high hopes, only two of those flowers have started to turn into squashes. This one is the furthest along but I’m skeptical that it will ripen before frost. I’m really paying for my late start and shady yard.

We’ve had the best luck with our pea plants. They’ve given us a nice little bounty to snack on while we’re outside. Yummy! We’ll definitely eat these last few before it gets too cold.

I was quite skeptical about getting anything off of this cherry tomato plant. I bought it off the discount table after we got back from our vacation in July. Who knew it would provide us with so many ripe and lovely little tomatoes? Hopefully both of those little batches will get a chance to soak up the sun for a few more days.

As I look ahead to the season, I figure I’ve got a couple weeks before I start closing up and putting the yard to bed. Next weekend will take us on a little trip, and then the weekend after that I’ll start putting away the hoses, taking down the hammock and mulching the garden.

I’m sad to see my little babies not live out their full potential, but how I love the change of season!

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Filed Under: home and garden, seasons
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