Thief of Joy

After last Sunday's post, I mentioned on Instagram that I was in a funk and just couldn't get out of it. Well, I admit I am still slightly in my personal pit of despair (a little bit of Princess Bride, if you will) but I can see the top and am making my way out of it. They say comparison is the thief of joy, and I fully agree but how does one stop comparing when you are stuck in a moment? I try my best, and most of the time I am content but there are just some days when I lose control and wallow in self pity. Especially since the move here. I really do not like those days, I know that isn't the real me. But a compassionate voice reminded me to stop and see all the blessings I take for granted when I have one of those days (or weeks). I stopped what I was doing and saw the bigger picture again -  the one I usually see but had lost sight of. Now to just keep that momentum going.

Thief of Joy

Crafting On

The act of creating, in one form or another, preserves my sanity amongst the chaos of life. This explains why I always have more than one project going at a time as well as why my housework tends to fall behind. I enjoy seeing what others are working on and keeping calm with, too. What are you creating? What is keeping you going? Snap a picture or two, post it on your blog, on Instagram #craftingon and/or Flickr and then share it with the rest of us by leaving your link below.


In a tribute of sorts to Yarn Along and sweet Ginny for sending you my way I thought I would share what I am currently knitting and reading.

First the knitting - I am back to work on Baby F's Ola's shorts after a mini hiatus from them. The pattern was translated and some of the translation didn't quite come through. I contacted the designer with no response. I threw my project in the corner to gather dust but then thankfully another raveler reached out to me and saved me. Now I am happily knitting away.

As it may be clear from what I am currently reading, I am determined to get my life in order.  just can't handle the way things are any longer. Sure they are magnified at the moment in this temporary house but either way I need to make some changes fast. I picked up Frugal Families  and Organizing from the Inside Out from the library with high hopes in getting organized for the first time in my life (not exaggerating, just ask Kevin) as well as find a way to live off our much more modest income in a much more expensive area. Here's hoping they help me out! Any other books suggestion in these categories?

What are you working on? Happy creating!

An InLinkz Link-up

Crafting On

Mellow

I managed to complete a few projects over the past couple of weeks but forgot to share them here.

Little campfire set. This campfire set, which consists of a fire, wood, marshmallows on sticks to roast, graham crackers, chocolate and smooshed roasted marshmallows, was actually meant to be a surprise for the boys room once we got to our new home. Since it will be quite awhile until that happens now (don't remind me!) I decided to gift it to them early.
Mellowshorts Oh my word this pattern is adorable!I modified the straps a bit to have one button instead of two in the back. Detailed notes are on my rav page.
Spring into Summer romper (Sorry for the IG photo. I must have deleted the original.)These had been finished for awhile but were just waiting on a blocking. My size mods seemed to have worked.

And just because he is the sweetest thing... Showing me his bellybutton Climbing up the hill in our backyard at dusk

Mellow

Crafting On

The act of creating, in one form or another, preserves my sanity amongst the chaos of life. This explains why I always have more than one project going at a time as well as why my housework tends to fall behind. I enjoy seeing what others are working on and keeping calm with, too. What are you creating? What is keeping you going? Snap a picture or two, post it on your blog, on Instagram #craftingon and/or Flickr and then share it with the rest of us by leaving your link below.

 The foxy sockies are almost completed knit-wise. Then it will be embroidering the faces on. Not sure how that will go. Baby F keeps trying them on so I hope that is a sign that he likes them and will actually keep them on (he is not a fan of socks).

What are you working on? Happy creating!

An InLinkz Link-up

Crafting On

Our Wild Garden of Eatin'

Blurry but such a sweet moment Blackberry leaves Blackberries Blackberry flower Salmonberry Thimbleberries hiding in the rhododendron Thimbleberries Chickweed

It is funny how sometimes the things that you are wanting are literally right under your nose, but you don't even notice they are there. The children and I were lamenting over the loss of our little Idaho garden. Sure, we grew a tomato plant in a pot here so we would have something but that doesn't quite fit the bill now does it? We knew there would be at least one summer without a garden as we found our home so we were prepared for it, but that still doesn't take the desire away. We all missed our garden snacking and getting our hands in the earth. Then one by one we all started to see our backyard here in new light. It seemed as if each day a new edible plant appeared. First it was the salmonberries and plantain then thimbleberries started to appear and now blackberries are taking over a small corner. We harvested some chickweed from the forest and starting growing it in a pot, too. Well, what do you know? We have our own little wild garden of eatin'. Can't wait for blackberry season. Bring on the jam, cobblers and pie! Any other blackberry ideas?

p.s. - That was C's first time wearing her baby brother in the Tula. As you can see they both loved it. Also, you may have seen on IG that Baby F is now refusing naps. However he does enjoy tricking me by running into our bedroom, climbing into bed and tucking himself in. Then he just sits there giggling like crazy. Silly boy!

Our Wild Garden of Eatin'

Crafting On

The act of creating, in one form or another, preserves my sanity amongst the chaos of life. This explains why I always have more than one project going at a time as well as why my housework tends to fall behind. I enjoy seeing what others are working on and keeping calm with, too. What are you creating? What is keeping you going? Snap a picture or two, post it on your blog, on Instagram #craftingon and/or Flickr and then share it with the rest of us by leaving your link below.

Foxy Sockies!! I just love the name of this sweet little sock pattern don't you? This pattern was gifted to me back in February (thank you again, Sonia!) but I am just now finding the time and yarn to make it. I think these socks will be just the thing for Baby F when he rides on my back in the Tula on these brisk windy days.

What are you working on? Happy creating!

An InLinkz Link-up

Crafting On

wild and free

I love seeing my children so wild and free when they are at the beach. Baby F, on the other hand, needs to be reigned in a bit. That little beach gnome of mine takes off in the blink of an eye. He runs up to the waves and the entire way (because I keep him wayyyy back by the driftwood) shouts "Hi!" and waves his hand at the water. I don't ever want to forget that. While we are talking about cute Baby F things I don't want to forget - he just started saying Ummmm-eeeees (yummies). He used to say Umm (yum) for food while doing the baby sign for food but now he says Ummmm-eeeees instead. The best is when he first wakes up in the morning. He will wake me up and then point to the bedroom door (the kitchen is on the other side of it) saying Ummmm-eeeees and doing an exaggerated baby sign for drink. That boy of mine is such a clever little rascal.

This Fourth of July was a big first for our my children. They got to do sparklers for the first time and then go to their first fireworks show. They have never seen them before because the sun sets so late in the summer (the show didn't start until nearly eleven pm), and they have an early bedtime. But this year we wanted to do something extra special since we couldn't do all our usual celebrating with everything we needed in storage. The kids all loved it but were literally falling asleep on the beach. I almost thought we would have to carry them back to the van. They slept well that night and late into the next day. I think it was worth it. 😊

wild and free