Yarn Along :: an experiment

I finished knitting the little hooded cape a few weeks ago, but still need to weave in the ends and sew on the toggle that I finally got for it this week.  There are a few mistakes, but that's how one learns, right? I started knitting this to use up some yarn that I wasn't terribly fond of, and I think perhaps I should have done a larger size, as there is quite a lot of extra yarn left.  Maybe a little vest to go with it? 

My oldest daughter has long been requesting mama-knit hat, so I figured that would be the perfect project to start on next. Plus, I can't seem to locate my size 1 DPNs for the little socks to go with the baby hat I knit last week. The Shibui baby hat pattern is so quick and easy to knit up that I decided to try my hand at sizing up a pattern.  So far I'm very pleased with how it's turning out, and hopeful that it will fit at least one of my girls. I'll share details next week once I finish and figure out if I need to make any adjustments. 

Even thought I hadn't gotten very far in reading Home Education, it was due back to the library.  I'll definitely need to get my own copy so I have time to really savor and digest it's pages.  While visiting a friend the other day she surprised me with a  couple of books that she had discovered on her shelves and thought I might be interested in. Yes please! Toymaking With Children has been on my list of 'want to read' books for quite sometime. It has given me just the motivation I needed to sort through our toys and organize a more kid friendly play space. I'm anxious to try out some of the patterns in this book.

~ Following along with Ginny. Happy knitting!

Spinach Cheddar Quiche

Everyone loves breakfast around our house, and often serve it for dinner.  It's been a while since I've made one of my favorites, quiche. I'm so glad I pulled this recipe back out, as it is always a winner with everyone at the table, and very easy to make. The recipe calls for feta, which tastes divine, but I typically use what ever cheese I have on hand. This time it happened to be cheddar. 

This is the perfect recipe to have little ones help with, but beware of sneaky hands looking for a tasty morsel of cheese!

I served our Spinach Cheddar Quiche with the most delicious Pumpkin Pie Smoothies for a perfect fall dinner.  

What is your favorite meal to serve this fall? I love getting new ideas!

~ Warmly,
Susanne 

{this moment}

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{this moment} ~ Following along with Amanda's Friday ritual.  A single photo - no words -  capturing a simple, 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. 

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TEND magazine

I just got my first copy of TEND! If you've not yet heard of this quarterly downloadable magazine I recommend that you take a moment to  check it out. The pages of TEND are filled with a generous offering of lovely photos and articles intended to nourish the head, heart and hands. 

After perusing through the pages of Issue 3 :: Autumn 2014 I can hardly wait to dive in a savor it's contents. I love that there are several pieces of art available to print and have already chosen a couple of my favorites for our home. There are also patterns, tutorials and recipes that look deliciously perfect for the autumn season.  I am especially anxious to try the Chocolate Applesauce Cake with Caramel Sauce! Doesn't that sound heavenly? This issue even includes a segment for preschool in the education section. So perfect for the stage my children are at right now.  

I really feel like I've found quite a treasure with this magazine that complements my personal values of home and family so well! 

First Yarn Along

I am so excited to join in on the yarn along for the first time this week! I even have a completed project to share. This Shibui Baby Hat from Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders just came off my needles last night. I've knit this hat up before for a friend's baby and was delighted that it seemed even easier the second time around.  I wasn't quite sure about the yarn at first, it seemed a bit too dark for a baby, but it has really grown on me. Now it's time to cast on for some matching little socks. They'll be perfect for keeping our new baby warm when he arrives in the bitter cold of February. 

As for my reading, I've started Charlotte Mason's Home Education and have been delighted with it thus far.  Though I'm not very far into it yet, her suggestions seem very well grounded in common sense.  I've also noticed similarities between her educational philosophy and that of others I've looked into.  My daughters are still a ways from being 'school' aged, so I'm grateful to have a few more years to prepare myself for educating our children at home. 

~ Happy knitting, and thank you for visiting!

makeshift studio

We've spent the past couple of weekends cleaning, organizing and rearranging.  It all started with a need to sort through all the boxes and bags of too large or too small kid clothes that have been accumulating in the basement. As we worked, I realized that with a little rearranging I could make much better use of the limited space we have in the basement, and give it another use.  Because laundry, storage and food pantry just isn't enough for one little room! 

I accepted the reality some time ago that very little, if any, sewing or crafting would be possible with the current location of my sewing table. Right in the living room, where little hands can reach everything! Now that I've relocated my crafting space to the basement, I've at least got a good chance of actually accomplishing something every now and then. Provided I can steal a few moments to myself.

Last night I was lucky enough to spend a couple of blissful hours alone, locked in the basement.  Yes, locked! On my way down I asked Robert to *please* lock the door behind me so that no one would follow me. (Otherwise, the sound of that door opening is like a magnet pulling my children from any corner of the house to come a see who's going downstairs, and what they're doing.  And of course, once they get down there, what treasures can they rummage for to bring back up.) I spent the time sorting through my sweater scraps and planning a new project. I feels so nice to be able to leave a project out and be ready to pick up right where I left off.  I think I'm very much going to like my new makeshift studio. What it lacks in aesthetic, it certainly makes up for in functionality. And for now that's just right. 

{this moment}

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{this moment} ~ Following along with Amanda's Friday ritual.  A single photo - no words -  capturing a simple, 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. 

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