Coming Out of the Deep Freeze

After a few days of really cold temperatures (it was -20 last night at 9:00), we are finally warming up to about 15 degrees today.  We can see out our windows again.   This is the first time since we have lived here (this is our 5th winter) that the windows have been completely iced over.  

We also brought the ducks down to the basement workshop for the night just to be sure they would make it.

We had a visit today from a friend that has moved away from the area - with his little girl.

If you read this blog regularly you may know that Abby is our baker.  I bought her this book for Christmas.  It profiles 17 women that are at least making a portion of their living from baking cakes and it includes many recipes.  Today she baked her second cake from the book.  

We are completely out of candles now after the holiday season and from losing power right before Christmas so I am taking the rest of this afternoon to finish candle dipping.

What are you up to on this winter weekend?

Warmly.
Tonya

Knitting and Reading

With a virus going around, I am taking the opportunity to rest lots which means knitting lots.  I finished the Matinee Jacket from my favorite knitting book (which I have probably mentioned here far too many times), Vintage Knits for Modern Babies.  I used the heavy worsted weight Andes wool from Knit Picks and size 10 circular needles.  I cast on for the smallest size that the pattern gave (3 - 6 month) and it came up about a size 3/4.  It is too big for Emmy right now.

I am reading an older book, Kinds of Love by May Sarton, that I found in our little library.  Our library is kind of special because they have held on to a pretty good size collection of older books.  It is a novel set in a fictional small New Hampshire town and is about the people that make up that town and how one finds a sense of being.  

This year I have made a pledge to keep my new book buying to a minimum.  I am thinking of coming up with a book budget for our family.  Of course we always keep our eyes open at book sales, thrift shops and yard sales, but sometimes it is hard to be patient.

So, with wanting to keep our spending much less this year than last, I am going through all of the books we now own and weeding out what I don't think is worth keeping.  Through this process, I am finding lots of books that I would love to read again.  For the Family's Sake is one example.

Joining in today with Ginny.

Happy New Year everyone!

These Days

I will say it again - that I just love these days between Christmas and New Years.  A time to regroup and lay low.   It is even easier to do with a virus keeping me quiet for a day or two at least. 

The goats are enjoying the Christmas tree.

We've been blessed with another bounty of birch.  The ice storm left birch trees hanging in the road so the road crews cut them down and left them on the sides.

The temperatures have dropped dramatically today so that the windows are icing over.  But the pond, after 40 degree weather yesterday and some rain, is perfect!

I was able to get a sweater off to a now-not-so-new cousin.

And I am finally catching up with letter writing and some holiday cheer using handmade note cards stamped with a stamp I made at a class this past summer.

I am thinking lots over these last few days if there is such a thing as too simple.  I mean we can go days without leaving our home except to do mailings.   Is it ok to miss out on all the world has to offer?  Or is fulfillment more a state of mind.  So many people I know (and I used to be like this) think that the grass is always greener.  Not that living out one's dreams isn't admirable and truly what I think we are supposed to do during this one life we have.  But, what if your dreams are small now and maybe all the little things really are big things - I guess it just depends upon how you look at it.

By Hand

While we bought far too many gifts (mostly online) this Christmas, there was a bit of handmade going on.

I knit Emmy's rabbit a cardigan and crocheted Emmy a lap blanket for when we snuggle on the couch.

Abby made me this inspiration wreath.  I will hang it by my desk to clip photos and other bits of lovely.

and she knit me this purse.

Abby asked for this bracelet making kit.  She said it is the latest craze.  Using this plastic contraption and following different patterns using colored rubber bands, you can make all kinds of designs.

She made this organizer of cardboard to organize the bands.

We bought Sarah a needle felting kit and a needle felting bird book for Christmas.  She has started making some birds.

Some window star making

Thomas' girlfriend, Sam, knit him this sweater.

Plans are already under way to change things for next year.  To make ahead for our business so both Mike and I can package orders (so he doesn't have to be in the basement making as much and I don't have to spend hours each day just filling orders).  To make more ourselves for each other which means planning and starting now.  I am also considering just filling stockings (start finding thoughtful little somethings now at thrift stores and here and there) and then one handmade gift under the tree for each and one new family game.  If the children want to buy things for one another, that will be their choice, but maybe they will be inspired by a simpler way if we lead by example.

Were you able to maintain your family's values this holiday season?

Warm wishes,

Tonya

In the New Year

(We have an overflow from our well that runs constantly into the pond.  The ducks swim in the little bit of water even in the coldest of temperatures.)

So many thoughts are going through my head now that Christmas Day is over.  

I appreciate the New Year as a time of reflection.

Thinking most of all of how to work along side each of my children better - to nurture their gifts, encourage them to take risks, and to develop more of a rhythm and calmness to our days especially for the younger ones.

Organizing every nook and cranny of our house has also started and will continue through the end of next week.  Thinking about what we need, what we don't need.

I have been thinking about working to spend less money in the coming year (that will also result on less stress on the earning side).  Making and growing more, and also using up what I have.  Thinking about what would be really special for each child that I could make throughout the year so I don't end up purchasing so many gifts for next Christmas.    

The more I listen to and read David Platt, the more I am convicted to live radically.  I am thinking about the idea of keeping our living expenses within a set framework and then giving the rest.  As Americans we have been blessed with much and are so rich. God surely did not intend for us to use that wealth to destroy his creation with more and bigger stuff.  

Mike and I have been thinking about our business and how it fits into our family's vision  - whether it takes up too much of my time and how to work out that balance so that we don't lose our core family values.  

Sitting and planning and praying about how to approach homeschooling this second half of the year to meet the state's requirements  while wanting our children to love learning.   Going through the book, Leadership Education, with Mike to give us a framework.  

You can see a family living out this method at Renee's blog, FIMBY.

Looking forward to the New Year and sharing bit of our family's days here and how all these thoughts actually play out.

Warm wishes,

Tonya

An Ice Storm

Saturday night we had an ice storm, painting every nook and cranny with ice.  ...just beautiful.

We lost electricity for a little over 24 hours - a blessing to have all seven children together, without the older ones going off to look at a laptop, but instead play board games and draw.

I have to admit, though, that I was quite relieved when it came back on this morning around 10:00 am.  

While we lived for over two years without the convenience, I have become accustomed to it and we simply do not have the proper systems in place.  Although I am sure we could come up with some if it was necessary.  It reminds me of how easy it is to take convenience for granted.  I cooked all the meals on the wood stove while we were with out and washed dishes with just a pan full of hot water to wash and then a pan to rinse.  (The hot water heated on the wood stove as well.)  When one isn't forced to do something, it sure is hard to be disciplined to do so.  

Knitting

The holiday rush is over!  We keep things so simple for Christmas, but our business more than makes up for any craziness.  As the last 9 packages went out the door this afternoon, I let out a few whoops and now feel like my mind can open up to the possibilities of this last week before Christmas.  The buckets of soap and water came out and along with my two best cleaning partners, Sarah and Emmy, we have started some long overdue housework and organization.  

Tonight we have caroling at the town green and tomorrow night a holiday and solstice concert also in our little town.

As far as knitting - I am excited to start doing more of it in the coming days.  I did finish a few projects recently.  One is another plain vest with some yarn I painted last summer.  I finished a hat with angora inspired by the pattern in the new issue of Taproot.  And, finally, a crocheted wool bowl that made it out in the pile of packages today for a very patient customer.

If you need a little last minute something for a baby or young child, here is a link to my gnome baby pattern.

Joining in with Ginny today.