when wool is named for a seagull

knitting and reading (and watching) this week:

two wip's (works in progress) at the moment, first the elizabeth zimmerman pi shawl. i stalled for a bit on this after increasing to one thousand, one hundred and fifty two stitches. it was difficult to move them around the needle and one go round would feel like forever. it wasn't much fun anymore. without thinking i picked it up one day on the way to my mom's. and as i sat with her, i began to knit it again. row after comforting row it grew, then without realizing, i was out of wool. since this is a truly unplanned knit, as far as colors and size goes, it is my own fault. it was only good luck that i found two more balls available and as soon as i receive them this will finally be done. i've no idea yet though how i'll block it, once it's released from the needle it's going to be large.
 made with beaverslide dry goods fine merino wool, ravelry notes here.

next, on the needles, a deep yellow wool that couldn't make up it's mind what it wanted to be. after two pattern changes and one unraveling, it finally settled on this.  making a cardigan out of fingering weight wool, with size one needles for the rib and size three for the body makes for another slow and steady knit. but now, it feels just right.  i told myself i'm not allowed to change my mind again, this is the one. made with madeline tosh merino light, ravelry notes here.

then, one dark and rainy morning, while peeking at some favorite online yarn shops ,when i really should have been doing dishes and laundry and getting ready for work, i discovered a new wool being offered by quince & co. as soon as i read the words heathers, limited edition for winter, and the colorway, kumlien's gull, i was ready to place my order. justifying it as not completely impulsive, since i'd already purchased the pattern a few months ago (the things i tell myself).  i really have no business buying any more wool at the moment. but it was named after a seagull...

i've been reading  'love poems from god' , an exquisite anthology that's become a favorite. i think this would be a good book to gift, there is something in it for everyone. joining with ginny at small things for the yarn along, a place for weekly inspiration of knitting and reading.
xxx lori

p.s.  watching this wee hummingbird sit through a rainstorm made me giggle. he alternately shook his feathers, ducked when drops landed on his head, and stared back at me grumpily, even though i invited him in.

california native

this weekend the california avocado festival came to town. there are so many of these fruit trees in our valley i guess it's natural that there would be a festival to celebrate it. did you know that california grows about ninety percent of this nation's avocado crop? today my sister and i went. we wandered and looked and admired and ate. i took lindy to see our new quilt ~ knitting shop too, it's my favorite place in town.

i bought a new skirt and a tshirt at the festival to benefit here ( i love the mission statement of my friend who began epmov. i chose indonesia for the memories i have of being there). and lindy bought us each a soy candle that's named christmas eve. it's become a kind of tradition for us, we each have the same candle and when we light it, we think of the other. this year we'll both be smelling christmas eve all through december. that little notebook is mine too. it needed to come home with me when i read the words on the cover...'we are all wanderers on this earth; our hearts are full of wonder and our souls are deep with dreams.'

and for you, a recipe i picked up today:

avocado pasta salad with red pepper & feta cheese

serves 4

6 oz. penne (or other short, tube pasta)

1/3 cup vinaigrette dressing

1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

1/2 cup diced green bell pepper

1/2 cup feta cheese

1/3 cup chopped red onion

1/4 cup pitted black olives, coarsely chopped

3/4 tsp. chopped garlic

2 tsp. chopped parsley

2 ripe fresh california avocados, peeled, seeded and diced

cook pasta in salted, boiling water until just tender, about 10 minutes; drain well.

while still warm, toss with vinaigrette.

fold in remaining ingredients and serve.

for additional recipe ideas, visit california avocado.com and if you need any avocados, i have plenty to share too. xxx lori

knit through everything

knitting can be a source of comfort. the simple act of holding wool and needles in my hands

is recipe for joyful minutes, sometimes even hours, in a day. since losing my mother last week, i've found that the thing i can manage, the thing that soothes my broken heart, is still knitting.

sadie, my granddaughter, chose this yarn, for her sweater. she was so pleased with it she told me she planned to wear it for her school photos. and she also wanted to wear it to the 'home' she and her brother built on the beach. after all, even though there is an outdoor kitchen and garden, inside the bamboo hut is a seaweed chandelier, and dressing nice is always welcome. (i love how much my daughter and granddaughter are looking alike in these photos).

sadie's sweater

yarn : kaleidoscope by loops & threads, 100% wool

color: painted desert

needle : size nine

pattern :  here

book i'm reading : a journey of hope by susan k beeney, r.n. (it's helpful.)

~

giveaway winners for the needle pouchs (from two weeks ago) are greer and linda, of typically red and natural suburbia. dear friends, please send your post information so i can send these right off to you. linking with ginny at small things, where weekly sharing of knitting and books takes place.

for your prayers, kind words, and wishes, thank you.

bless all your hearts, from my family to yours.

keep safe, hug often, love always.

xxx  lori