Happy Birthday to Me

Good morning my knitting (and non-knitting) friends! Today is my birthday; I won't tell you how old I am (partly because I stopped counting, and mostly because now that I have a child, I need to conserve my few remaining brain cells for more important information). Last night was lovely. When I came home from work, this is what greeted me at the door:

Michael bought me a birthday card :)

These are from my Uncle and Aunt- they really add a lovely spot of colour to our stoop.

Among the cards and gifts was the book Unbroken. It was on my wishlist, so this is very exciting. It has  been a lovely birthday and it's almost over. It's past eleven-o-clock at night and I'm finally able to finish this post (it was started sometime this afternoon), but each moment is being savored, like a piece of fine chocolate. My husband and son are snuggled up in the bed together and fast asleep, there is a bit of knitting on the needles for a dear friend of mine, and the promise of a new day is just around the corner. Until next time, goodnight.

A Letter

Dear Elizabeth,

We need to talk. I know, those are the four words no woman ever wants to hear, but I feel they must be said. You see, you cast me one well over a year and a half a go an I'm still waiting to be cast off. I remember when we first met. It was a lovely spring day when you sat down in front of your computer and started going through the photos. You wanted to find "the one". That special fiber that you would spend a pretty decent chunk of your life with. And then, after about an hour of waiting, you found me.

I was there on your screen almost pleading that you give me a chance. So many others just looked at me once and went the other way in search of something better. But you were different. One look at is was love at first sight. Sure, I'm a cheap superwash and the yardage isn't so great, but you saw what was inside; you saw the sweater that would be knit for your sister.

After you placed the order and put a small hole in the checking account (did you ever tell Alex about that?) you gathered the remaining supplies you would need for our relationship- needles, stitch markers, pattern. You also cast on another project while you awaited my arrival at your door. I didn't know this of course until after we met face to face, but you told me "it's just a sock, it will be over soon" and I was foolish enough to believe you.

We had a good run for a while. Your showed me the sights around your town, we went shopping together, you introduced me to your coworkers, you took me to church. But all the while, you were casting on other projects and claiming they "weren't as fun" as I was. It hurt.

Remember the week you spent trying to figure out the hood? Finally, you got it (and as a thank you for your mother helping you with the stitch counts, you cast on another project). I was proud of you, and a little saddened. Did those hours of hard work mean nothing?

Then you decided that your sister would prefer a pull-over style and continued our relationship until about the length reached right about the middle of her torso. I've been waiting patiently. I know you just had a baby and your husband requires a hot meal every now and then but for crying out loud Liz! Could you at least knit my sleeves in? I'm right there by the door, waiting for you to pick me up when you go out again. Just give me a chance, I promise the end result will be worth it.

Ever Yours,

Naomi's Sweater

P.S.- if I hear that you cast on another project before you finish me, I will show the moths where you keep the angora....

Still Here

Hello my dears! Right now I am enjoying a break from the wee boy that is my son. Actually, it's only sort of a break, as he is lying not ten feet away and finally taking his morning nap. For being three months old, Michael is rather opinionated and was very vocal about not wanting to fall asleep. His sleeping schedule has been a bit challenging lately. But when we finally get him down for his naps, I know that there are exactly forty-seven minutes that are mine, all mine. Give or take a few.

I use this time to catch up on the knitting, the house work, and if I'm lucky, a shower or the cooking. It's exhausting, it's messy, and hard work, but being a mama is absolutely a wonderful gift.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Knitting Friends! I hope you all had a safe and lovely celebration. Michael celebrated with the tiniest bit of "sparkly juice" (what Alex calls sparkling cider) and a nap. We had a nice time ringing in 2015.

I wish you all well as we begin this new year. May it be full of blessings, laughter, joy and good things.

I made soup the other night and this is what I found in the pot. I had forgotten that I hid it in there- safekeeping from the cat...

This is the obligatory naked baby picture. Someday he will bring home a girl and I will show her this...

Wrapping Up

The new year is nearly here and the Christmas knits for 2015 are already cast on. One of them is even finished! This is going to be a good year, I can feel it. Christmas was lovely; family, friends, food, knitting, lights, trees, it was perfect.

My youngest brother puts the train under the tree every Chrstmas- Michael loved it.

My sister finally got to hold the wee one- she was thrilled! Michael was fighting a nap, but I think they will be good buddies :)

If Only I Were an Elf

I love to knit. I love Christmas. I especially love these two things together. Every year I tell myself, "this is it. This is the year that everyone on the list gets something knitted". I have stopped saying "this is the year everyone gets exactly what I planned to knit for them". And every year, I find myself sort of  annoyed becuase I can't seem to get my crap together and have one perfect Christmas where everything is done exactly the way I want. But this year, I have decided to stop trying.

I don't mean that I'm going to stop trying to make it special, just not perfect. It won't be the end of the world if the gingerbread stars don't get baked, the knitting isn't finished and the house looks like a bomb went off. It will be okay.

I have decided to just enjoy the season as it happens. Here are a few things I've been enjoying:

Michael's first Christmas tree

Alex cutting down the tree

This was intended to be a Christmas present for Michael, but with at the rate he's growing, it may not fit by then...

Michael's first trip to the Grotto's Festival of Lights

The tree is trimmed, the presents are wrapped :)

Closer...

Christmas is around the corner. If you haven't purchased a gift for the Knitter in your life, I offer up the following ideas. They will save you time in guessing, and possibly, your life, as some of these can be given without having to brave the chaos that is the mall this time of year.

1) Time. If there is anything that a Knitter wants more of, it's time. If your Knitter has children, pets, or a spouse, offer to give them a day off to frequent their favorite coffee clatch (sock or sweater in hand), or to visit a new yarn shop. If you are feeling especially generous and full of the Christmas Spirit, offer to give them a weekend of Knitting Without Distraction.

2) Yarn. Lots of it. People tend to think that too much yarn is a bad thing. Not for Knitters. We love the stuff and lets face it, there are far worse things we coud be collecting (like bottlecaps or roadkill)

3) Needles. If the Knitter in your life tends to lose things (car keys, children, etc), then perhaps you should consider investing in a pair (or twelve) of your knitters favorite needles. This can be done according to size, shape, color or material.

4) Moth Repellant. Moths are a big threat against the knitting. Give a package of moth balls, or lavendar sachets to your knitter, and I can gaurentee that you will have a lovely Christmas season. Cedar chests are also a lovely gift option, but if you are short on cash and/or space, cedar blocks would also be acceptable.

I hope these ideas will get you inspired if you still have some shopping for the knitter in your life. I wish you luck and a very happy Christmas.