Zeneedle...needleart as life

Heirlooms

When Smith inherited a beautiful martini shaker, with a matching set of glasses, from his grandmother, she told him they had been a prized possession of his grandfathers.  Since Grandfather S had passed in 1941, we guessed the set had to be from the 1930s. We loved it and we used it and, sadly, we've ended up with only 4 of the glasses. A few weeks ago we decided the last of the set was just too precious to use and we retired them to the back of the cupboard. On special occasions we bring them out again.

Cheryl and her Pontiff must have been with us when the decision was made, as Saturday night they arrived at our home with a token of friendship. Somehow Cheryl had come across a set of glasses in a similar pattern. They have a more solid base and cool frosted bands encircling the bottom. As you may expect, we broke them in immediately.

Smith and I were touched by the generous gift, and we're very excited to have a new set of heirlooms, a set we will use and use! Thank you, Cheryl (and hubby), for your treasured friendship. 

Swe-e-et-(week)ending

Friday's blue skes and an early moon rising were a balm for the soul
Blue skies stayed through the all of the weekend
A variety of birds enjoyed the sunny weather and entertained with their antics
Kestrels graced our trees while a Northern Flicker knocked against the house
Dinner with dear friends brought added laughter and joy
Yarn shopping added to the stash (a sweater must be in my 2013 forecast)
Prayers for friends and family facing "Frankenstorm" filled my heart

There is no doubt that the weekend is certainly my favorite part of the week.

Red Shoe Beach

There are times when wandering through a yarn shop isn't as inspiring as I'd like. I have a large (enough) stash and, often, much of what I see is similar to what is already housed in the (ever burgeoning) stash. It just doesn't feel right to buy more of the same.

Last spring, when I spotted Anzula's lace weight silk/linen blend (Breeze), it was an unexpected delight. Here was something new and unique and it was stimulating to see.  I was worried the linen would be hard, tough on my hands, but this yarn was soft, with the cool texture of linen and the sheen of silk. I was enchanted and, of course, I bought red…a pretty not quite pink, not quite coral, Red Shoe.

Before long I'd decided on a suitable pattern for my unique yarn, Susan's Beach Glass. It was time to tackle my first ever bottom up shawl. 388 stitches were successful cast on and the feather and fan section launched. Over the months it took to complete, there were times when I became distracted with other projects, (Color Affection for one), but I never abandon my Red Shoe on the Beach.

With each of the decreasing rows, through wavy lace and into the eyelets, this shawl enchanted and entertained. A designer must have a vision of how the patterns will fit together, must have an understanding of when, and where, each decrease should be, and before ever casting on, must know, in the end, that the pattern will come together when the last stitches are woven together. I am in awe of this ability. 

The linen/silk blend yarn has a nice hand, a beautiful drape, and an airy lightness, which reminds me of the a summer's day. I am also assured the yarn was the right choice for this elegant shawl. Come spring, I'll be ready to let the beautiful pink Beach Glass sit on my shoulders and keep the cool breezes away.

My Ravelry - Beach Glass

Yarn Alonging

My replacement mitts have grown quickly and I'm nearly finished with the second hand. Thumbs will follow and should be finished by the time you read this post. The weather has turned, with the warm weekend giving way to the western winds and caving into a cold and rainy week.  My hands will welcome the warmth of the new Ragtops.

Audio books are the perfect accompaniment to my knitting. Kym told me some time ago Louise Erdrich would be publishing a new novel and, as soon as it was available on audio, I downloaded The Round House. An Ojibwa boy/man retells the story of a brutal attack suffered by his mother and how the event impacts his small family.

Yarn Along with Ginny because I love books and knitting.

Tranquility

SOUL Garden Labyrinth

When there is just a little too much going, when finding a peaceful place becomes difficult, when you need to step back and find your footing again, what is it you do to find tranquility?

In The Garden

This weekend was a gift of the season with its warm days and beautiful displays of light throughout. The garden was the place to be as the brown had turned to golden and the sky put on a full time show.

The gardeners came together to put on a Harvest Fair. The children carved pumpkins into jacko'lanterns to keep the hobgoblins at bay.

Johnny Appleseed came to tell his story and, I'm here to tell you, he can tell a tale.

The bonfire warmed, mesmerized and calmed us while the best days of fall slipped away.

The garden has at last been put to sleep, the last of the events is finished, and now we wait for the first signs of spring and a new chance to grow and care for next seasons harvest.

Oh yes, is the weekend my favorite part of the week.
Weekending with Amanda

My Mountain

The mountain sat upon the plain  
In his eternal chair,
His observation omnifold,
His inquest everywhere.

The seasons prayed around his knees,
Like children round a sire:
Grandfather of the days is he,
Of dawn the ancestor.~Emily Dickison

October 9th

October 11th

October 13th - Snowcapped peaks (quick snap through the windshield)

October 16th

Holey Moley

Everyday of the last two winters I've worn this beloved pair of Ragtops. Its wooly, soft warmth covered my hands and my wrists. No matter the task they kept the cold at bay. Sadly, as with many oft-worn hand knits, the are now full of holes. Cheryl knit them, with Shepherd's Wool, right after Susan published the pattern. I am determined to replace them, as I can't be without the warmth and coziness they provide. I have several other pair, but for day to day use, I'm partial to the Shepherd's Wool.

I'm on a bit of an unintentional Susan Lawrence kick, as I just finished Beach Glass and should be able to fit in a photo shoot this weekend. As with the best laid plans of a many a knitter, Beach Glass was to be a summer accessory. At least it will be ready for next year, but I doubt I'll be able to keep it in the closet until then.

Gardens and Beaches

Garden of Evening Mists touched me from the first sentence.  The story of Yun Ling Teoh is rich with memory, illusion, and impermanence, as is the Japanese garden she wishes to restore. She is looking to her past as a prisoner in a Japanese interment camp and facing a future of loss of all cognitive function. The quiet calm of the writing is deceptive and intriguing.

Knitting Beach Glass has felt an illusion, as it has grown smaller, not larger, as do most shawl in my experience. The trick was to start out with 388 stitches and knit on and on through feather and fan. The delight was to suddenly be nearly finished with the shawl.

Yarn Along with Ginny

The Pansy Did It

Matrix Ocean Breeze Mix

I wasn't much of a mystery reader until I was stuck in bed for an extended period of recovery. A friend recommended listening to mysteries and she also recommended Louise Penny. I blew through the first 5 and have waited not-very-patiently for each new book by published. They hold a special place in my heart.   As you can see by my reading list I don't get around much when it comes to mysteries. Maybe Carole's Ten on Tuesday will help me find a few more.

1. Still LIfe by Louise Penny
2. A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny
3. In The Woods by Tana French
4. The Likeness by Tana French
5. Broken Harbor by Tana French
6. Case Histories by Kate Atkinson
7. When Will There Be Good News by Kate Atkinson
8. Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier
9. Girl With a Dragon Tatoo by Steig Larsson
10. Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton (I vote for this title as the best on my list!)