Good Things on Saturday

Well, this is what I came up with. I'm fairly happy with it, though, it still needs some adjustments. Doesn't fit quite like I'd like it to. But I must say, my friend's little girl looks pretty sweet in it. And it's really hard to go wrong with Malabrigo Worsted, anyway.

I'd like to say this gave me the break-through I was hoping for, but no, I'm still pretty stuck. Maybe I should take this as a sign to work on some other projects. Like, perhaps, the tempting stack of cardstock sets I've been collecting.

Here's another soaker for my girl. She's growing so fast, so more undies are in order. I made this a few weeks ago but I'm sharing this with you because, a) I've been having issues getting my photos uploaded to Ravelry, and though I had to skip the uploading and bring them in from Flickr, they're there now, finally.

And, b) because I don't know if you've made this pattern or not (assuming you have a wee babe in cloth diapers), but it's really fantastic. I love this one. It's the only one I make anymore. You should give it a whirl.

And on to more good things... giveaways! I've won several in the past couple of years and my mom is always jealous so I've been rounding them up for her and posting them on my facebook, so I'm going to share them with you, too. Saturday is the day for giveaways, at least on the blogs I frequent. So here is Saturday's giveaway round-up.

No Plastic!

Can't go wrong with coffee

Hypno-Birthing

Fat Quarters

Natural toys for that wee babe of yours

OK, go enter now!
Have a beautiful Saturday!

Knitting Again

Not exactly full on inspiration, more like grind it til it fits. But, you know, whatever it takes. I do have a partial idea that I'm digging. I'll just have to work out the details when I get there. This could be the beginning of something brilliant. Or just ho hum. Either way, I'm knitting and all I need is a good start.

Last day open for my favorite local yarn shop is the seventh of August and they're clearing out everything. I got a ton of gorgeous silk for a ridiculous price last night and a wee bit of silk/mohair. I really don't care to knit with mohair too much but I'm thinking of furry little gifts for Christmas.

This could inspire just about anyone, right?

Hope your day is beautiful and full of creativity and inspiration.

July... the Rest

July has brought us...

Many, many hot and cloudless days.

Juicy, red raspberries, ripe for the picking.

Snazzy red cars from their great-aunt Wanda. Perfect for zooming around on the deck.

Friendly little critters...
that just so happen to make lovely fashion accessories.

Walking the dog with grandma..err...introducing grandma's new dog, Lilly. (Kaiya's dog name, so they tell me.)

Baby River growing in leaps and bounds. Within the month of July she has turned six months old (7/25), begun to sit up unassisted, crawl, pull up to standing on furniture and cruise along.

And more basil than we can shake a stick at.

But that's OK, because we love pesto.

Right Now

River is on my lap, nursing. She and her sisters just got home from their daddy's house. It was her first time, usually he comes here to see her. The older two, I have gotten used to it, but her.... much too soon for this momma. I knew the time was coming, I know things are going to be different. And I'm so not looking forward to figuring out how we're going to balance the holidays.

So, right now, I feel a bit like this..

Quiet, solitary....
Reminding me of this book. The book, eh. But the title, I have loved since I was a pre-teen.
I'm listening to this and this, on repeat.
And loving this so much.

Absolutely Soaked

We've been on a roll in the rain department. But these guys are looking a little worse for the wear. Silly sheep just stood there. Must have been a nice break from the heat.

The ducks, on the other hand had a ball!

The chickens were grateful for all the bugs and worms coming to the surface.

Even my little River has been enjoying the rain.

Going to pick raspberries tomorrow. Mmmmm.... my favorite!

Looking For Inspiration (and gratuitous feet pics)

My needles have been relatively still for the past month or so. I have cranked out another soaker for River. Not much choice there, as she's growing like an absolute weed! And I've filled a few orders, a crown here, teething doll there. Feeling a little ho hum in my craft of choice, of late.

After River was born I struggled for a few months. During this time I knitted like a mad woman.... Mad woman! My mother suggested I was using my knitting as an escape. I think she was right. The crazed, marathon knitting has stopped and I am feeling a lot healthier now. But, truth be told, I've not really picked up my needles in earnest in awhile. I've been busy, I guess, distracted. So many big things happening in our lives right now and by the end of the day every part of me is simply worn out.

Well, I am determined to dive in and get back on the ball.... of yarn. On a super sad note; my favorite local yarn shop is closing. Truly devastating. But, on the upside, they've marked all yarn down 40 percent off. My tiny, single mom budget doesn't allow much but I couldn't resist getting just a few. And my parents got me this as an early birthday present (not til August) and so I also couldn't resist winding them right away. You wanna talk about fun! Me and my swift, BFF's to the end. I bought these last weekend and have since held them and stroked them every night, taken about a gagillion pics of them, but knitting?...... Sigh, I am in need of a little inspiration. I am thinking about a few of these for the girls out of this splendid sock yarn (up) from Cherry Tree Hill. Maybe.

And I promised you feet. Don't ask why, just go with it.

P.S. I just wanted to thank you all so much for the wonderful comments you left on my last post. It really does mean a lot to know that someone is thinking of you in times like these.

Rainy Days

It finally rained yesterday.

I mean, really rained. Poured, drenched everything. Though, today I'm feeling a bit rainy myself. Much like this sad little puddle, here.

We've finally pulled out the D-word. I did, anyway. I really wanted it to work, so, so much. But it's just not gonna, and more than anything else it hurts to keep trying to keep it together. So this is the beginning of the end of our marriage. We'll be separated one year in September and then we can start the process. Here's hoping for as quick and painless as possible, though, there's already more than enough hurting to go around.

I know this is kind of a heavy topic but I need to get this out and announce it to the world, one step closer to coming into focus for me. There it is. I will get through, I will survive. My girls are my number one priority. They've done well in the past 10 months, adjusting, though, it does show. Now there is more anger in it but I'm doing my damnedest not to let them see that.

We will all make it in the end. And the sun will shine here again. And, eventually, this ache in my chest and knot in my stomach and lump in my throat will subside. Just maybe not today.

One of the Girls

Today my River is 5 months and 12 days. I never tire of this sweet face. I'm enjoying seeing how she fits into our little family, becoming just one of the girls with her sisters, who so delight in making her smile and giggle. Tonight she took her first bath with the big girls. They're learning to be so careful and gentle with their baby sister. This sweet interaction just makes me smile.

She's happy to ride along on mommy's back while I work outside, taking in this great, big, beautiful world. Really happy at just about anything. I've never known such a happy, content child in my life.

Growing so, so fast. This is a strong one.

But here's the best part. Still my baby, my last baby and very attached to momma. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

July...So Far

I've been taking the past few days off from work, resting, taking pictures. Ah, summer leisure.. The heat gives me an excuse to go slowly.

Tomorrow I will get back to it. Before the workload piles up too badly. Laundry is calling. Ground needs digging...

But for now...

I'm relishing all the loveliness around me.

Don't look at me like that! Tomorrow... I promise.