Yarn Along

I'm linking up with Ginny today. This jumbled, chaotic mess is pretty much what's going on, right now. I have the only winter craft show I'm doing coming up this Sunday and I'm (as usual) woefully unprepared. I do always manage to turn it out in the end with a few long, frantic nights. It's stressful, but it's almost here, which means almost over.
So, right now on the needles (and hook) are some new gnome pods (which I will first list in the shop) and on another set I have a wee tree for an order I'm in the middle of. The book is Winter Solstice and I've not cracked it yet. But it just arrived today and I'm hopeful there will be an opening in time coming up before too long (wishful thinking).

Just an FYI, tomorrow I will be removing all made to order items from my shop until after holiday shipping (about mid-month). Anything that's already made up will remain, though, made to order is the bulk of my shop. So if there is anything you just have to have before Christmas you'll need to place that order tonight (Nov. 30). And, should you decide to place an order tonight, feel free to use the discount code lastchance to receive free shipping.

P.S. Don't forget to enter to win 3 of my patterns.

P.P.S. I noticed someone has added a sweet little baby bonnet to the Hand Knit Hand Me Down group. Perhaps it will fit your little one?

Meltdown Monday Giveaway

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Happy Monday, everyone! Mine is off to a rather slow start. Kinda feel like I'm being pulled in so many directions. Gah! There's so much to do! But I'm finally here with a giveaway.

This week I am offering TWO readers any three patterns from my shop.

OK, so to enter leave me a comment. You can let me know how your Monday is going or, better yet, tell me how you beat the dreadful Meltdown Monday or just say hi. Whatever.

For additional entries;
(leave a separate comment for each entry, if you don't, they count as one)
Tweet this (include @thiscosylife in your tweet)
Share on Facebook
Blog this giveaway
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I will randomly pick a winner on Sunday November 20th and announce here, on my blog. (Please, make sure I have a way to contact you!)

PS: If anyone is interested in participating in a Monday Meltdown giveaway, here on my blog, contact me here. Whether an item from your Etsy shop or just a little something you would like to give away to brighten someone's Monday, it's all good!

The First Light of Advent

It is late and I am tired, but I wanted to stop in for just a moment and share what is on my mind right now.
Tonight we lit the first Advent candle. I really appreciate the quiet serenity of this period, though, I must confess that I have not fully connected to it yet. It is one of those that has been a little slow going with me. Christmas, in general, really. I know that I am not alone of feeling a bit overwhelmed at the prospect of making Christmas meaningful for me. It comes with so much baggage and such an overwhelming presence that I had briefly thought of giving it up all together. But I think that I would be doing myself and my children a grave disservice by doing that. I think it is important for me to work through this one and that we will be rewarded by it in the end.
So, yes, I am thinking thoughts of festivals.... I'm sure this doesn't surprise my regular readers. My apologies if I do go on and on at times. They are on my mind much of the time. Much too much. But I am reading (and re-reading) a few articles here , here, and here. I am feeling the beginning of clarity, reading them. Things beginning to connect. Perhaps you'll find them useful, too.
But for now, I'm off to bed. Goodnight!

Waldorf Inspired Home School Themes-Thanksgiving

We are Waldorf-inspired homeschoolers, just starting out in kindergarten. Each week follows a theme, inspiring our work and play and learning. This theme is chosen based on the season and what's on our minds. Each week I will share what we've been up to and some links and resources that will hopefully inspire you. There is a link-up at the end of this post... I hope you will share what your home school has been up to. You can find previous weeks here.

Oh, the earth is good to me
And so I thank the earth
For giving me the things I need
The sun and the rain and the apple seed
The earth is good to me

As Thanksgiving was this week we focused all week on the upcoming day.

I was inspired by this tutorial to make Indian corn hanging sunflowers.

Removing the kernels was messing work. They kept popping all over the place!



I used the different colors to make a design but the girls just spread theirs out mixed up. And, unlike the tutorial, we didn't try to set them on end, as this would have required hot glue.



Some of the pieces popped off and so I covered them in Modge Podge and let them try over night. This sealed the really well.

I also didn't cut the husks into petals, but instead kept the natural shape and simply cut them down a bit.



We glued a piece of yarn to the back for hanging and the glued over it a piece of paper cut the same size.



The girls tucked theirs away in their Solstice gifting box.

On Thanksgiving we used the empty cobs to make bird feeders.

I screwed tiny hooks into the tops for hanging and then we coated them with peanut butter and birdseed.

Songs
Johnny Appleseed
Over the River

Stories
The Animal's Thanksgiving
Hugin and His Carrot We read this one on Thanksgiving day and then made carrot soup to go with our dinner.

As always, you can find my homeschooling board here and songs and stories here.