Attitude Adjustment

I made up my mind recently to not be frustrated at the time it takes to continually help the two younger ones with their coats, mittens, hats, skates, etc.. and instead embrace the time by

praying for them, smiling at them, and being fully engaged with them for those 

precious few minutes.

Knitting Bag

Joining in with Ginny again this week.

Yesterday I sewed up this knitting bag using a pair of old jeans, some fabric from an old skirt and our handmade hemlock buttons.

On my needles I am working on another hat.  The one I was knitting for myself came out well.  I just love this simple pattern as it uses up bits of yarn and also I can include some more exclusive, hand dyed yarn such as this mix of greens that I bought from The Sitting Tree.  Just putting a band in each hat would make the one skein last for many, many hats.

I have also cast on some Peace Fleece DK weight yarn on size six needles to make a vest from this free pattern.

Finally, I have started to read Jane Eyre, I book I have never read but am excited to enjoy the rich language and to get my brain active in the new year.

What are your handwork goals this year?

Abby told me yesterday....

"I like home schooling."
"Why?" I asked.
Her reply, "Because I can finish my table work early and then do my chores - like take care of the chickens and goats and then sometimes fill up the inside wood if it needs it - and then have so much of the day to do what I would like - making sun catchers, drawing, and today - I am going to make a movie."

A New Year

What a wonderful year 2011 has been.

We were able to support our family of now nine with the work of our little home business.    A goal though for the new year is to be better stewards of our money - to save a bit for when the business does have slow times and for emergencies.   

We also want to balance the time on our business with time needed on our homestead - both our home, outbuildings, gardens, fenced in areas for the goats, and growing/planting more fruit trees/bushes. 

One of my homesteading goals is to make our own soft cheeses from raw milk from a nearby farm and to get our goats bred this coming fall so that we can start milking next spring.

This year also brought the birth of Emmy - oh what an amazing gift - both her birth and her sweet healthy self.  Through the hard pregnancy I learned to let go and to concentrate on what matters most and my goal in 2012 is to continue this - to be fully present for my family and to serve them selflessly. 

Already my hands have been busy this year with knitting and needle felting.  My personal goal is to spend more time in artistic creative pursuits - I enjoy drawing and want to work more with wool and wood.

I am so thankful for all the gifts 2011 brought and look forward to learning, growing and serving in 2012, and keeping myself always open to God's leading.

Wishing you joy and peace in the New Year!

Reading and Knitting

Joining in with Ginny again to share what I am knitting and reading.

Last week I knit up that little hat that was supposed to be for me but turned out much too small - even too small for Abraham.  So I cast on again increasing the stitches and using larger needles.

What I like about this pattern is that I can use up bits of yarn.

I have a new craft book! - Sewn by Hand - How much fun to not use the sewing machine.  Looking forward to trying out some of the projects.

What are you knitting and reading?

Warm wishes,

Tonya

Under Construction

New projects beginning already - children making potholders, hockey nets being put together for the pond, painting to make a Happy New Year banner, and installing a new door and two new windows in our house.

More Christmas Joy

We are simply enjoying these peaceful "in between" days - 

some light lessons for the children as we took the two weeks prior to Christmas off, game playing, outdoor snow play, goal making, and of course, new handwork project planning.

What are you doing this week?

Warm wishes,

Tonya