Blue Castle Blues
We are still repairing our hearts and our home. One project at a time.
Beginnings
“Every intensification is good, if it is in your entire blood, if it isn’t intoxication or muddiness, but joy which you can see into, clear to the bottom.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke
2018 is the year of moving beyond complacency into new territory. I’ve started my graduate classes and been officially accepted into an MPH program. I am practicing more and making more and moving more. It is good.
Gratitude and Tacos
Some days are unexpectedly good. A small tumble on the ice yesterday led to a day at home today, foot up, crutches close by. Listening to the Universe, I did my best to accept help, to sleep, to rest. Even the smallish bears pitched in and helped to make dinner. I am full of gratitude and tacos.
2017 – Beginnings
A finished quilt top in low light .
A Magic Princess with a favorite hat.
Light through the leafy curtains, books to read on the shelf.
Daydreams and premonitions. May the New Year bring peace and healing, challenging and rewarding experiences, deeper friendships, and so much joy.
A Room Somewhere
My new room is turning out to be a cozy and inspiring space. I asked Lady Bug if we could trade rooms. She, practical as always, asked me why. I went on some long philosophical rambling about how I wanted a space with less darkness, a space that felt true. She let me talk for a bit and then stopped me. “Mom. Do you just need a change of scenery ? ”
We are still in the middle of The Great Bookcase Shuffle of 2016. It will take a few more weeks to complete the shift. The important things are here.
Some sparkly circles.
One enormous chair and my favorite lamp, a gift from Library Fairy and Spartacus. How precious that they gave me light!
I went on a mad hunt for one more curtain to match the green leaves I already had. When they were still on the shelves, I made a trip to a store an hour away to get a second one. This time I scoured online auctions and found exactly what I wanted. I love the morning light through these leaves.
The closet needs a curtain or two. I will likely make those myself. (And so many projects to finish!)
And, of course, there is a mysterious pile of stuff that still has no real home. I think some of this was meant to become quilts.
We’ll work on the books and artwork this weekend. A change of scenery was just right.
So Many Projects
A quick look in the craft closet reveals so many projects already started. I touched all of the knitting today and am convinced in this moment that I really do want to finish all of these. All of these and the fourteen pairs of socks still in skein form.
Dubline Cardigan from the Knit Picks collection Celtic Journey. I haven’t been able to settle on the perfect yarn yet. Swatching between other projects. I am daydreaming about wearing this to Rhinebeck next year.
Ocracoke Cardigan from Interweave Knits Summer 2014. I’ve started this three times and struggled with gauge. The yarn is just right and I love the color.
Even though I’m only three rows in, I want to get back to this one soon.
Susan B. Anderson’s Princess and The Pea doll and mattress set from Itty Bitty Toys. Once I choose hair, this should finish up quickly. Maybe an afternoon of mattress making and an hour for the pea pod. This will be an excellent addition to the emergency present stash.
Roxy Fox and Pups were meant for Lady Bug when she was three. She is now ten. Maybe I can sneak it in for her high school graduation.
The Daddy Long Legs Mittens from Norweigan Handknits have been a delightful jump into a new skill. I am loving the colorwork on these.
These Hedgehog Mitts came to me partially finished. Unfortunately, there is not enough yarn in the kit to complete them. Anne Girl came to the rescue with yarn from her stash. These will be a gift. I’ve not done fussy textured knitting before. Here’s hoping it keeps my interest long enough to finish!
And lastly, some plain vanilla socks for the Kettle Slayer. I don’t have enough of the blue to finish these as a matching set. I’m on the lookout for one more skein of Mission Falls 1824 in colorway 21. Otherwise, the second sock will end up mostly green. He won’t mind.
This winter promises to be good for knitting. And for finishing.
Saturday Scenes
Lady Bug, on page 9 AND 474 at the same time. She was ecstatic about this.
[No picture captured] – Two smallish bears racing through the house shouting, “Do you bite your thumb at me?”
One quilt in progress delivered to the quilter.
One quilt with a deadline begun.
One simple yet delectable dinner.
And lastly, The Kettle Slayer’s leftover condiments, soon to be my breakfast omelette fixings.
