Old Room, New Room

Yellow room, blue room.
A nook for knitting, books or sitting.

From warm to cool, from two to one.
From shared space to lonesome grace.

A new place in the same space.
Making sense at my own pace.

Grateful for the familiar surroundings
I seek to find my bearings, anchor my
groundings.

Faith prevails and protects me from my imaginings.
Knitting rows of prayerful productivity. Thankful.

A Month to Remember

June 2009, RIP. Rest in peace. What a beautiful sentiment. To rest and restore in peace is a lofty goal. In life as well as death. The world will remember the month as the end of Michael Jackson's life and talents. I have stopped watching television. The constant coverage of the intimate details of a strange man is a case of, TMI. Too much information, is never enough, for some people.

The entertainment world lost some substantial celebrities. Farrah Fawcett, Carl Mauldin, Ed McMahon, Billy Mays and a personal favorite, Harve Presnell. He starred in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,"a musical movie that we watched every time it appeared on the TV throughout my childhood.

I will remember the month of June as a month of loss. A commencement time, perhaps. With change comes the opportunity for growth. I plan to take my changes, move towards growth in a new direction, and commence with life.

Happy Independence Day. Celebrate your freedom. My first holiday in my changed status. So far the freedom is a little overwhelming...

Once Upon A Mattress

A funny thing happened on the way to my marital separation. The Mister heard me say I no longer could sleep in my marital bed. He had a conversation in his head and decided to relieve me of this burden by taking our entire bedroom full of furniture to a consignment shop. He proceeded to off load the contents of at least 20 drawers on the floor (albeit neatly) and reveal any number of dust bunny families and under bed storage containers to the light of day. Horrified is the only descriptor I have for my reaction.

With the help of friends, we painted away the blues and washed that man right outta my hair. The result is a clean organized room with a fresh perspective. Years before, on the eve of Mister's lay-off, we had planned to redo our bedroom and I had purchased all new bedding, pillows,and lampshades. We shelved those plans following his job loss. Off the cupboard shelf they flew and for the cost of 2 gallons of paint I have an airy new space. It is calm and makes me smile, where once, sadness was filling all the empty places. When my yarn is all sorted and placed away, I will be ready to face anything.

Bitter Lemon Aid

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade! I have always enjoyed the sentiment. Heather grew these lemons and she is going to help me organize my stash closet today. I will take before and after photos. I am supposed to be down sizing. Why does that have to include my yarn stash??
It does not even sound reasonable to me. So with the aid of my lemon growing friend- I will try to be ruthless. Now that leaves a tart and bitter taste...

Market Bag- Super Simple

This Market bag was inspired by the pattern in the Knit Calendar. I changed the handle to a knit on continuous I-cord. Super easy to knit in the round and ever so practical.

100% cotton yarn
Size 9 and size 6, circular needles

Cast on 75 stitches.
Knit one row and join in the round. Careful not to twist the stitches and place a marker for start of row.

Begin pattern stitch: YO, K2tog all around. Continue in established pattern until bag is desired length.

Switch to smaller needle and knit 6 rows. Do a 3 needle Bind off. This is the bottom of the bag.

With smaller needles, pick up 78 sts around the top of bag.. With bag laid flat, mark 6 sts on each side of bag with st markers. There should be 33 sts on the front and back of the bag. Knit 5 rows ending after the 6 sts marked at one end. Bind off 33 sts, knit six and place on a stitch holder. Bind off 33 more stitches. With the last 6 sts begin your I-cord. Make this 6 st I-cord the desired length. Attach the handle on the live stitches with a 3 needle Bind off. Weave in loose ends. I double stitched the base of both handles for strength. All done. Enjoy.

Hats Off!!!

I dropped off 30 hand knit hats for the Hatbox foundation. This organization provides hats for chemo patients of all ages. I was inspired to finish my blue wool cap. Here it is.

Coping Skills

A glass a day keeps the Doctor away. Wine therapy is my favorite.
To all of my friendly therapists and enablers, thank you!