Lucy Cowl

Last week I finished my third cowl of the winter (I think I'm all set on the cowl front for some time, don't you think? They're just such a quick, gratifying project, its hard to stop casting on for them!).  This was knit while waiting to pick up our kitty and then during her first few days here when I was keeping her company as she was adjusting to our home, hence the name. 

This is the Gap-tastic Cowl by Jen Geigley made of Malabrigo Chunky in Natural.  I used only two skeins of yarn, making the finished cowl only around 8 inches wide, but I'm very happy with how it came out.  It is warm and cozy and so easy to wear.  I just wrap it around twice and head out the door, no fiddling around with it to make it look right.  I love that about this cowl.

If you'd like to see more details they are here on Ravelry.



Tea Tasting

Every season I jot down a list of things, fun things, that I would like to do during that season (things like work on my bread baking skills, knit another sweater, watch 3 classic movies, go snowshoeing with Dad etc.).  I find it helps me make sure I'm thoroughly taking advantage of the season, not just "getting through" it.  I usually don't accomplish everything on the list (and if I do I add more), the fun is in trying. 

One of the things left unchecked on my winter list was: have a tea tasting.  The end of February is the most perfect time for a tea tasting, don't you think?  I compared Earl Grey, Lady Grey, Irish Breakfast, and English Breakfast Teas.  Turns out I like them all.  No surprise as I have never met a tea I didn't like, but my favorite had to be the Lady Grey (which according to Twinings is a light and bright blend scented with notes of citrus). 

Anyone have another tea I should try?

Winter Texture

One of my new years resolutions was to take at least one hike a month throughout the year.  This short month seemed to slip away from me and this morning I realized that I hadn't taken my February hike yet.  So I strapped on my snowshoes and headed to the woods.  I gave myself an assignment on this hike: find texture...and texture I did find.

(The first photo reminds me of a cave full of stalactites and stalagmites.)

Soft White Pillows

"To watch a snowstorm is to turn off.  Nothing else matters.  Nothing can compete with the beauty of a living landscape.  We let go all the doings that we thought we had to do, or might do, or would have liked to do.  Friends, parties, rehearsals, meetings and concerts are all put on standby.  Time goes as the sand in an hourglass while tiny flakes of infinite number pile up and engulf our lives, covering all our rough places with soft white pillows."

-Jane Rinck from Vermont Mountain Air for People Stuck Inside

Today we are having another snow storm, so I am putting aside what I "should" do and instead am spending the day working on my quilt, making lasagna, snuggling with the kitten, and later watching Gone With the Wind for the first time.  Even in late February when I'm aching for spring, snow storms can be wonderful and even welcome.

Meet Lucy

Our Lucy, she has only been here for two days and already she has such a big piece of our hearts.  She is cuddly and sweet (I don't think I've ever heard a cat purr so much!), but also playful, energetic, and so, so funny. 

We had such a hard time with her name...in fact it was only decided on this morning...but in the end, once we got to know her a little better, she is most definitely a Lucy, super sweet but with some spunk.

Today I'm leaving her for a little while to go visit my Great Grandmother, let's hope she doesn't get into too much mischief while I'm gone!

This weekend...

This weekend there was knitting...

granola making... 

flower smelling...(those daffodils were only $2.50 a bunch at the grocery store...the best $2.50 I've spent all year...)

full moon gazing...

coconut popsicle eating...

movie poster hanging...(this poster was from our local opera house in 1937...dozens of them were used in my grandparents house for insulation...it kind of makes me want to rip down all our walls to see what treasures are inside...I don't think our landlord shares the same sense of curiosity though...)

and best of all:

new kitty adopting...I took this picture of her on Saturday before we left the humane society and I'm going to bring her home today (there was an issue about her crossing state lines that the veterinarian had to sign off on, but she doesn't work weekends...).   We are so excited and happy to be giving a home and family to this sweet girl, but it breaks my heart that there are still so many sweet and loving animals there without a home and someone to call their own...

(Any name suggestions??? We've been struggling with it all weekend....my top choices right now are Lucy, Hazel, Matilda, and Sadie...)

Darling Nelly Gray's Honey Cowl

On Valentine's Day I finished my "Darling Nelly Gray's Honey Cowl" (named for a song that my late grandfather used to play for us on his harmonica).  I thought I had been diligent when looking for twists during that first row, but apparently I wasn't....so all along while knitting I tried to convince myself that it is a design element and I guess at this point I have made peace with it.  Other than that, I am in love with this cowl, it is beautiful and snuggly and the most perfect shade of soft dove gray.

Ravelry details here.