The Calm Before the Storm?

They say we are a day away from the biggest snow storm we have had in recorded history.

Although by the looks of things, blue sky & sunshine, one wouldn't suspect it at all.

On the radio this morning it was announced as a "life threatening storm".

It's Winter in Chicago...shouldn't we be used to this..even expecting it?

I, for one, am looking forward to it.

This means a couple days off school & work filled with knitting & kneading.

It means snowball fights & hot cocoa.

It means taking a few days to connect as a family with no outside obligations.

That is something this busy, single mama appreciates deeply.

{bliss}

I'm off to stock up on groceries & yarn

Be safe.

Be warm.

Bring it on, Ma Nature.

We're ready.

{ This Moment )

{my girl & her fairies..}

{these moments}
*******************************
A Friday ritual inspired by Soulemama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.*** *** ***

~~~

"When I am out of the moment...I stop... smile and turn my attention to the the gratitude of my beating heart. Then I remember to remember all that is good and alive." ~ Yogakids

~ Everyone's Favorite Hat ~

Today, I want to share with you my new favorite basic hat pattern.

It is a simple pattern that takes just under 3 hours to knit up.

I've been having so much fun playing with different yarns, stripes, ribbed brim, garter brim..

There is so much you can do with it.

As I cast on for another, my son gently said, "Mama, I think I have enough hats this Winter."

It is certainly an addictive, mindless knitting project.

At the urging of many friends over on Facebook,

I decided to put it up in an etsy shop as a custom order.

Go over & take a peek if you'd like.

Or, better yet, pull out the needles & give it a try.

The decreases create a really fun spiral on the top.

If you make one, send me a link to your photos.

I'd love to see what you've done with this pattern.

{ Everybody's Favorite Hat }

Sizes: Infant (Youth, Adult)

Yarn: 2-50 g balls of Dale of Norway's "Ara" 100% virgin wool. {or play with yarn of your choice}
Needles: One set of size 10 1/2 US (6.5mm) double-pointed needles, or the size necessary to obtain the correct gauge, below. {I actually use circular needles for the entire project}

Gauge: 13 stitches and 18 rows = 4"/10cm in stockinette stitch
Abbreviations: CO = cast on; K = knit; K2tog = knit 2 stitches together; P = purl; rd(s) = rounds; rep = repeat; st(s) = stitches.

Hat Instructions:
CO 60 (66, 72) sts distributed on 4 double-pointed needles. Place marker. Taking care not to twist CO sts, join work circularly and P1 rd, K1 rd, P1 rd to form garter st ridge. Work in stockinette st (K all sts circularly) until work measures 3 1/2 ( 4, 4 1/2)" from beginning.

Top Shaping:
Adult size only: *K 10 sts, K2tog, rep from * to end. K 2 rds.
Adult and youth sizes only: *K 9 sts, K2tog, rep from * to end. K 2 rds.

All sizes:
*K 8 sts, K2tog, rep from * to end. K 2 rds.
*K 7 sts, K2tog, rep from * to end. K 1 rd.
*K 6 sts, K2tog, rep from * to end. K 1 rd.
*K 5 sts, K2tog, rep from * to end. K 1 rd.
*K 4 sts, K2tog, rep from * to end.
*K 3 sts, K2tog, rep from * to end.
*K 2 sts, K2tog, rep from * to end.
*K 1 st, K2tog, rep from * to end.
*K2tog, rep from * until only a few sts are left on needles.

Break off yarn, pull yarn through remaining sts, gather sts tightly together.

Happy Knitting!!!

{ This Moment }

{this moment}

*******************************

A Friday ritual inspired by Soulemama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.
*** *** ***

This week, I am grateful for...

~ Getting over the most terrible flu that I've had in years.

~ Clients who we're patient with me and rescheduled appointments.

~ A little bit of sunshine that peeked in one afternoon midweek, perfect for a walk in the woods.

~ Two sweet children who helped this achey Mama out a whole lot.

~ The time I had to knit as I laid in bed in between napping.

~ The PBS National Parks Sereies on dvd & Northen Exposure on dvd.

~ Waking up to -4 degree temps with a -20 degree windchill this morning,

but the sun greeted us anyway.

Much love to you all...

xoxo

~~~

After 3 days in bed sick, the sun peeked out

&

I made myself go for a short walk through the woods.

I am so glad I did.

This week I...

~ celebrated the life of my beautiful NINE *gasp* year old with loads of friends & family we went ice skating and there was much laughter over mexican food (her fav!)

~ shoveled & shoveled & shoveled some more. We had a pretty heavy Lake Effect snow storm that canceled school for the kids.

~ finished knitting 2 hats & a scarf...on to a head wrap & wristwarmers for myself today!

~ Met a couple sweet new clients & massaged a few old favorites that have been with me for years.

~ Soup, soup & more soup in rotation & never ending on the stove. Combined with my favorite quick biscuit recipe & sometimes homemade crescent rolls. Recipes posted soon..

~ recieved a very special thank you gift from a very special librarian. this deserves a post of it's own!

~ saved an old coffee table from a friend.. painted it & decorated it inspired by our library fairy corner.

~ bought myself a "birth" day present... More last Minute Knitted Gifts *swoon*

~ Kept the kids home from school so we could head out to snowshoe & Snowboard in the Dunes.

Best decision ever.

this moment...

{{ smelling her new mama made scarf under her birthday tree..9 years old...wow. }}
{this moment}
*** *** ***

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see & head on over to Soulemama to see others.

this moment...

{ Relaxing on the beach. ha! We love Lake Michigan..even in all her icy glory. }

~~~

He said, "I Love you, Mama. A lot. Like a lot, a lot. Like so much I can't even say."

{Be still my heart}

♥