15 for 2015

So, thanks to a good friend who got me all inspired for some new year's knitting, I am on a serious roll in the crafty world right now. I've been sorting out my stashes of both fabric and yarn, but let's just talk about yarn for this post. 

First off, to the tune of Let It Go, please, here is all the yarn I will not be using, and actually took straight to Goodwill: 

Orphaned skeins that were either from a project already completed, or things too annoying to work with, or just uninspired. Bye bye. 

Next, the most expensive yarn in my collection: some Plymouth Baby Alpaca bought a couple years ago for $15...gasp! I never buy expensive yarn, and I've been feeling guilty about it just sitting on my shelf, as soft and lovely as it is. So I grabbed a big hook and found a simple pattern and ta-da! One project done:

Dorky picture, not the right sweater. Moving on.  

Another quick one to finish, because it was actually mostly done, was this funny little yarn-wrapped mobile made from embroidery hoops. An idea I fell in love with from a magazine. Kinda weird, but it used leftover yarn and appeals to my love of colors. 

Numbers 3 and 4 are in progress currently.  I started knitting a pair of socks before I was expecting Amy... Um, 8 years ago.  I had completed most of one sock, but it was a little off and it was out of my head for the longest time.  No longer! I ripped out what I didn't like and reknit it correctly and finished one whole sock and started on the next. 

I have another 2 skeins of this same lovely yarn in another color, so I'm hoping to work through that, too, maybe trying another style. But I need to finish one pair first. That project moved to the back burner when my friend showed me a cute and really simple pattern for a sweater vest, similar in style to the blue sweater I made for Amy's birthday. I called in another yarn on hand and now that one is almost done... Much farther than this picture, actually, but it gives the idea. 

And this is what the rest of my on-hand yarn looks like, to go with the list of projects above: 

This list seems like a reasonable goal for the year, given that at some time I'll get distracted and lose my momentum.  Or maybe I won't and I'll keep plowing through like I've been doing (which has been so wonderful!) and maybe even earn the purchase of some brand-new, really nice yarn. But for now I'm trying to hold fast to my New Year's intention to work through as much as I can of my supplies on hand. Stay tuned for a similar run-down on some quilting and sewing goals next time! Happy weekend! 

Three Quick Takes

A, the toothless wonder. Thank goodness she insists on pulling her own teeth when they are ready. Today was number 5. I don't have the stomach for it. She also read the entire first Harry Potter book herself, and we watched the movie tonight to celebrate. 

W, my baking buddy. We finished all the Christmas cookies, so yesterday we made a round of chocolate chip. He is sporting the apron I made him for Christmas. 

C, who absolutely loves playing outside, no matter how wet it is. Making these waterproof pants from LL Bean the best money I've spent yet this season. 

Okay, one more: 

This cuteness didn't last long. I spent most of the (brief) trip through the grocery store listening to, "Mommy, Caroline is squashing me!" Yup, number three is the one who won't sit still in the shopping cart. 

Happy weekend, folks!

Why We Don't Do Afterschool Activities

Because quite often the most important thing you can do after school is dump your backpack in the house and spend the next hour outside pretending you are a bridesmaid in a Harry Potter wedding, while majestically humming Christmas carols. 

Wobots

William has a bit of a robot obsession lately. 

Drawing and wanting to write his own stories has been big lately, too, with one common theme to his work. 

Best of all was his summary, "Mommy, I know two words that start with W!  William and WOBOT!" 

New Year's Day

2015 started with me in bed extra long with a late-sleeping snuggler: 

Then there was the new calendar, and some memories recalled from the cover alone:

A new hat (helix knitting!) 

A dash outside after breakfast to "play in the frost".  My poor winter-deprived kids think this is like playing in the snow, complete with yelps of joy, "Mommy, it frosted!!" 

Cold as it was, the "frosting" didn't last long in the beautiful sunshine. 

Clear January days are among my favorite. Took a picture of the blue sky just to revel in it: 

Yoda even made an appearance: 

And so begins a new year! Speaking of Yoda, I hear her now. Best be off!

Just a Few More

It is only 11:00 pm here on the west coast so I can squeeze in one more December post before officially flipping my calendar to begin 2015!  New Year's Eve always finds me wistfully remembering the week before, when the air was magic with the anticipation of Christmas morning. It is a bittersweet time of year to leave behind; a delicate dance to bring the fullness and rich, cozy feelings of the Christmas season into the January season of freshness, light, and simplicity. My mind is full right now with thoughts on the busy year just ending and dreams and plans for the year ahead. I hope to share some of them here as we go forward, but for now, just a few more pictures from our Christmas week. 

Happy New Year, friends! 

Christmas Eve, with Pictures

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were lovely here, and we were grateful to be together as a family. I finished cookie baking with the help of the big kids, after braving the grocery store for some special dinner fixings, including one of these guys: 

Everyone out here insists that Dungeness crab is the best there is and after trying it, yes, we would agree. Amazing. We ate our finger food dinner in front of the fire and then opened the presents sent to us from family. It was such a sweet, relaxed, cozy evening. 

Oh, and I should mention the lovely walk we took in the afternoon before settling in. 

More from Christmas Day in a bit!