yarn along: knitting/spinning/reading

 

This past weekend I cast on a new shawl – “The Spirit of Friendship”by Boo Knits.  I haven’t gotten very far on it, because it is a.) lace weight, and b.) my parents are here visiting from California so I pretty much have been cleaning/herding children away from the clean spots/etc. etc.  while getting ready for them to come and now that they are here we are just busy doing other stuff.  But there have been some quiet moments in the evenings when we all sit down, and in the afternoons (like today, when Mom and I had a chance to enjoy an afternoon snack of strawberries and dark chocolate, and some lovely conversation) when I have been able to get a few rows done.   The yarn is delicious.  Road to China Lace — I forget the exact content. But something along the lines of camel, silk, merino, alpaca, and cashmere.  Basically every soft thing you can think about, all wrapped up into a teeny tiny strand of yarn. And the COLOR!!   Such a happy, lemon-y sunshine-y color.  I think the actual colorway name is Sundrop Lemon.   I debated over the color at the yarn store… I was drawn to a beautiful raspberry color… and a vibrant turquoise.  This shawl did not seem to want to be sedate in any way, shape or form.  But this yellow… it kept asking me to take it home and make it into this shawl.  So I did.  And I’m quite glad.

The story behind this shawl and why I cast it on:

I have a dear friend who is adopting in another country.  And she will be there for a little while as they complete the process of bringing their sweet baby girl home.   She emailed me a week or so ago, and wondered if I wanted to do a knitalong with her and our other friend here in the States – I said yes! Sure!  Of course I want to make a lace shawl!

Then, whaddya know… Lo and behold my friend who is so far away right now had sent me this pattern as a gift, suggesting that we begin this past weekend. So I did.  And I’m thoroughly enjoying it.   This friendship shawl also makes me think of another sweet friend whose absolutely favorite color is yellow.  So I have all sorts of warm, happy friendship thoughts while knitting.

I’ve also been doing a little spinning… this is Into the Whirled 100% Superwash Merino, colorway “Take it to the Bridge” that is going to be fingering/sport weight, hopefully.  It’s meant to be sock yarn for a ravelry friend who claimed my spinning services in a swap.

Reading lately is also sporadic, but I just finished reading “I am a Church Member” by Thomas Rainer.  Our women’s Bible Study group just finished going through it this last week, and we have one more session where we will go over the whole book in review  before we begin our next study.   This book is excellent.  It’s very short, and succinct, with a few questions at the end of each chapter, along with a pledge to read and sign that goes along with the chapter.   Several of the chapter topics are “I Will be a Unifying Church Member”, I Will Not Let my Church Membership be about my Preferences or Desires”, and “I Will Pray for my Church Leaders”.   This book is all about commitment.  And it was something that was so good for me to read… gave me lots to think about.

On a completely different note, today feels very productive.  I got a great deal on boneless skinless chicken breasts, and Mom and I are canning 40 lb. today.  I think it’s going to equal out to 18 qt.  Having canned chicken is so wonderful for quick meals. Quesadillas, stir fry, casseroles, soups, you name it.  It’s great.  And for not much more than a buck a pound I think its really great.

A few things that make my heart swell today..

-My mom reading to my children. At the moment she is reading “Little House in the Big Woods” to Mr. J and Mr. E.  I can well remember many evenings of Laura Ingalls Wilder at home while curled up in the old brown chair with my mom…

-Watching long dark curls dance along the back of Miss A as she runs carefree throughout the house singing “The angels beckon me, from heaven’s open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore!”

-Little Miss E toddling through the grass outside, trying to keep up with everyone.

-75 degrees today.

-Quarts of canned chicken, all lined up on my counter.

-Oatmeal with apples and peanut butter swirled throughout, my kiddo’s new fave breakfast.

-My coffee alternative, when tea sounds good and I don’t want the calories from cream… Tazo Chai with almond milk and stevia. – Super yummy, with no annoying fats or sugar to mess me up. = )

Hope you have a blessed day.