Joy in a Box

Some days ago I received a package in the mail.  One I was eagerly awaiting!!  I think packages in the mail are super exciting (even if you already know what's in them hahaha)

Well, this package finally came...

And look what was inside!!!  Gorgeous - don't you think?!!  I was super pleased!  I ordered this pretty stuff from Knit Picks - trying out their new acrylic yarn since my temperamental skin does not appreciate the loveliness of wool - boo!

And I am so happy - this is working up so nicely - a soft and cozy throw to snuggle up under on my couch,. worked up with the bright colors of Spring and Summer.

I am loving this project - I think it will take most of the summer - what with the garden and outdoors calling - but in those spare moments when I can grab my hook and work at it - pure joy!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Projects and Babies

A few weeks ago I started a new project - a scarf that I was super excited about:

Remember this picture?

Well here it is all finished - I am very pleased with the results - the scarf is soft and comfy (and will be longer next winter - when the baby bump is gone :0)!!)

 I really loved this design - I was kinda sad when I finished the yarn off 'cause it was just fun to do!!

Two new projects are in the works - both for Christmas - getting a head start because I know there probably will be a spell where crocheting is the last thing on my mind - snuggling wee one will take over!!!

Working with these bright colors has been fun these last days of winter!!

On the baby front my friend Cinnamon (who just had a super sweet little girl a couple of weeks ago) has reminded me that I have not mentioned my due date.  Well, our little one is due to arrive June 3!!  All is going well and I am feeling pretty good.  I am tired in the evenings and being that I am vertically challenged (very short) baby is already starting to crowd my breathing space so that is sometimes uncomfortable - but all in all we're doing well!!

I have to say that the one thing I am not liking so well is that even with seeing a midwife people seem to be acting like this is a higher risk pregnancy - seems funny to me that when I had Esther just 2 years ago I was also over 40 and no one blinked - but now...

I know everyone is suggesting all these tests etc. because they believe it is best but on top of making me feel more stressed and anxious than I want - I believe that God planned and created this tiny babe and He will take care of things!!  Time is going fast and we are really looking forward to meeting little one face to face!!!

Blessings,

Christine

The Snowstorm...

that didn't happen!!

For days the weather man has been predicting a once in a generation snowstorm...you know...the kind you tell your grandkids about..."I remember when there was 20 inches in one day!!".  That kind of storm.  And yes, they were thinking around 20 inches!!!  That's huge around here!!!

Well, the snow started last evening...beautiful, sparkly snowflakes whirling out of the sky!!  The kids were giddy with excitement at bedtime.  Sweet hubby and I took a lovely walk and enjoyed a chat with the neighbors (everyone seems to come out in weather like that!!).

But when I awoke this morning the first thing that registered in my brain was the gurgling in the rain gutters :0( !!!  Our epic snowstorm had turned into a yucky, slushy mess of rain and wind.  And the rain is scheduled to last for days...the kind of rain that makes Seattlites have to take Vitamin D in tablet form to survive!!!

So in the mourning our loss of sledding and snowman building we decided to pretend we were snowbound:

We built a fire and got out all the Lego's:

We turned saltine crackers into:

these yummy delights (these go a LONG ways in comforting sad kids!!!):

I got out my new yarn and started a fun new project:

And we did NOT go outside since every step in the snow turned into a muddy puddle right under foot (last night before we turned out the lights we had 6 lovely, fluffy inches of snow on everything - the roads were covered and every tree branch had a beautiful sparkly coating):

So many people around here get so upset at the predictions of snow.  They go crazy thinking that they might not be able to make it to work or out to run their errands.  I keep thinking that maybe snow is God's plan to slow us down - to make us step back and enjoy His creation, to enjoy the family that He blessed us with, to connect with and serve our neighbors and just to take a deep breath every now and again!!!  I can't help but wonder why so many people don't like it - 'cause really, when we get snow around here - we are pretty much guaranteed that our weather will turn back to our normal rain in just a few days :0)!!!

So all the grown-ups and kids in this house are praying for another chance at an epic snowstorm.   I would love a great snow story to tell my grand kids!!!!

Blessings,
Christine

A New Season

Thanksgiving Day is a memory (except for maybe those extra calories I consumed!!) but not the thanksgiving in my heart!!

A new season is beginning - the celebration of the birth of our Savior!!  What an amazing time of year - to go from a time of thanksgiving to weeks of celebrating Jesus' birth!!

Truly an entire season of celebrating God's provision - from our daily needs - to the deepest needs of our souls!!

 Our Advent calendar is up

Only one lonely sheepie so far - but before we know it - it will be filled with all the characters of the true life story of Jesus' first hours here as a man

And as for our celebration with gifts to our loved ones - my crochet hook has been busy!!!  I have quite a bit more to do - and as a surprise a couple of my older boys have suggested homemade gifts from me (I thought they were not wanting things like that anymore) - so my hands and hooks are zooming along - trying to take advantage of every moment to add rows!!!

I love this season - the excitement is building - preparations are in the works - sweet secrets are whispered about and hiding places are guarded.  Festive decorations are being unearthed and yummy treats are anticipated.  All to remember what God has done for us!!!

Can you imagine what heaven was like as the day drew near for Jesus to be born?  The breathless silence as Mary labored and birthed that amazing baby?  The burst of joy as that sweet puddle of a newborn gave His first cry?  The angels swept down to earth to sing their hearts out - heaven wanted to share their joy at the fact the God's plan was in motion - to bring us to a place of close communion with HIM!!  My heart is overwhelmed at the thought!!!

So when I get stressed at the busyness and obligations of this time - I want to commit to remembering what this is really all about.  HIS plan to bring me into a relationship with Him was born that day in His Son.  Amazing Joy!!!!

Blessings,
Christine

Yarny Fun!!

Every summer I plan to sit in the backyard and watch the kids play in the pool and knit summer into dishcloths to use all winter:

This summer though there has been very little pool play:

This weekend my clothesline was not in use - but my knitting needles and crochet hook were!!

I finished up my wrap:

And I'm pleased with the results!! I think I'll be enjoying it lots the rest of the summer !! :0)
And I started a new project:
For my sister's baby that will be making his or her appearance sometime in early October!! I can't wait to meet the little one - but until then I will be praying for the sweetie with every stitch on this lovely green blankie! And - oh my - the pattern I picked is already giving me fits!! I hope I get the hang of it soon!!

And even though there is not much sun this summer I knitted away this weekend!! There is something so nice about taking out a pile of bright new washcloths on a dreary, dark winter morning with the scent of summer still clinging to them. I get a little burst of joy when I bring those cloths out to tidy up my kitchen!!!

Blessed Monday!!

Christine

If I had been blogging.....

Our computer received the lovely "Blue Screen of Death" since the last time I blogged which caused an unplanned blogging vacation. After much fiddling around with it my hubby has me back on the computer - not completely sure it's fixed but at least all is backed up so that if this silly thing goes really bad I haven't lost my pictures!!

So...If I had been blogging the last couple of weeks I would have mentioned the number 273. Why is the number 273 significant? Well...back near the beginning of my bloggy break we finally got two days that reached the 75* mark. It had been 273 days since we had temps outside get to 75*!!! Those two days we went and celebrated by doing this:
and this: Yes, the weather got a bit warm and we had to dig up my garden and plant. I just couldn't leave it :0) So we'll see how it does - the latest we've ever planted - for sure!!!
The weather went right back to rainy and cold - so if I was on the computer I would have written about the closets I cleaned and the sewing I've done:My new kitchen windows - I'm so happy with them!!!
All the crocheting on my summer project would probably have made it on the computer as well:

The lovely blue jars I found at a garage sale to add to my collection would most certainly have been posted!!

And since I'm back I will mention that all of a sudden the weather has gone from rainy and low 60's to the eighty's in a day!! The pool is getting put up and my lawn chair is out, ready to spend some time playing and soaking up some much needed Vitamin D!!!
We have had so much fun playing and enjoying this summer so far!!! But having the sun out now will make the celebration of summer that much more fun!!!!

Counting My Blessings

Oh my goodness, what a week it has been!!! It feels like this week has lasted three weeks and it's only Wednesday!!! Hubs and I had a huge decision to make - that while a blessing to have to do - was complicated and difficult. Naughty little children and sassy big ones (yes, my kids do have their moments - gasp!!) coupled with lack of sleep have made my days long. I have struggled to bring my stress to God and have been threatened with overwhelming anxiety. Sigh - I wish I was better at handling the crazy times!!

So because I have struggled to have something nice to say I decided to post pictures that would remind me to count my blessings!!

A future veggie garden - ahhh!!! The joys of playing in the dirt!!!!
A new project (although in the store with bad lighting these colors looked so much better together - I took that blue row off after I snapped this picture). So, even if the colors aren't working just yet - keeping my hands busy is good for my churning brain!!

My baby weeping cherry tree is enjoying her first Spring in my front garden!!

An adorable puppy we took care of for a couple of days this week - so cute!! And she did cure my urge for a puppy - for which my husband is very grateful!!! Abbie was enchanted with her until she pottied in the house and then commented that puppies are a lot of work :0)!!! She was a wonderful, perky distraction!!!

Did you get yours? My, the government wants a lot of information!! This will keep my busy for a while!!!

A new mug to sip my coffee (for only $1!!) Why does my coffee taste so much better in a pretty mug?
Making cookies together - what a great team!!!!
The resident, assistant pastry chef. We have a birthday coming up - so I needed this critical help with the cake decorating!!
Well, these pictures have certainly helped me count my blessings!!! My life is so richly blessed!!! God is good and I am able to go to sleep every night knowing my children have full tummies and a warm place to lay their head!! When I slow down and take a breath and put myself aside and God first (where he is supposed to be) I know without a doubt He is good!!!

Blessings,

Christine

P.S. And as I sit here at my computer typing this out, I am being serenaded by the most wonderful frog songs - Spring has arrived!

Esther's New Hats

Essie needed a new hat so I got busy and made two. I think they look awfully cute - but it may be the baby under the hat that makes them look so good :0)!!!

Hope your day is warm and cozy!!!!