Maternity Clothes

I reached the point where I had no other choice but to order some. I've only gained one pound since the start of this pregnancy (and technically, that's all the baby, as he weighs one pound now), but my belly is way out there. So, I ordered a pair of brown dress pants, which I had to hem, a pair of corduroys which ride under the belly and have belt loops so I'm hoping I can wear them next fall, a sweater, a "cardi coat", a tank top for layering, and a long-sleeved t-shirt. I'm really hoping that these things plus the four dresses I have will get me through autumn until it gets really cold.

I'm still knitting hard on one Christmas gift in particular. I finished a sweater for Noah and embroidered a bib with an elephant at school this week. When this Christmas gift is complete, I plan on making another pea pod wrap just to use some of my stash. The yarn really has to go before we move again, which will be this summer (even if it does wind up being just across town). I stitched up 13 tissue holders to give as gifts, and I'm planning on making some more to use some fabric.

My energy level is back to normal for the most part, so I'm hoping to pop in here a little more often. We'll see...

Whew!

It's been a busy past few days, but as this pregnancy progresses, I am noticing more energy! At least during the day, that is. Once I get home and sit down, it's pretty much over for me. I've been busy once I get home with working on Christmas gifts (so, no photos). The weather has cooled here, and that has me in the mood for knitting and sweaters and tights and scarves...and basically all things AUTUMN!

Short

I finished my socks. More to come later.

Passing as a blur

That's what the past week-and-a-half has done. The first week of school went great. I've felt better than I have in the past 7 weeks. Blair and I had a great weekend. We watched football and ran errands. We bought a glider rocker for the baby which I'm very excited about. I've been knitting a pair of socks and finished the first one. I have a good start on the second sock, so I'm hoping to avoid the dreaded second sock syndrome.

The weather here was cool and gray today. I'm so ready for autumn, and today really set that in my mind. Summer is so hot and miserable that autumn is a welcome relief. I'm ready for some autumn crafting of the knitting and sewing variety. I'll post pictures of my socks when I finish the second one.

Sorry this post is short and pictureless, but that's about all my brain can manage right now. Have a great week, everyone!

A Lazy Summer Day

I did so much work in my classroom yesterday that I decided to stay home today and enjoy a little more summer break. We've been exceptionally lazy. We've watched Harry Potter und der Feuerkelch (the fourth movie in German). I'm knitting a shrug from the book Fitted Knits by Stephanie Japel. It's the second one of these I've made, and I really love the pattern. For those of you who are knitters, I highly recommend buying the book. After the thunder storm last night, it's been a dreary day...the perfect kind for staying in and knitting. I must say that I am exceptionally ready for autumn. For crisp mornings and sunny afternoons making bread. For tea (decaf this year) early in the morning and football in the afternoons (after the bread making, of course). Lots of football. And knitting. Lots of knitting. Lots of lazy autumn Saturday afternoons with football and knitting and the smell of homemade bread. Ah, I can't wait.

New Knitting

I worked hard on my knitting in January (16 finished items) and am now working on a bamboo cowl. I'm excited about getting this finished. I'm about halfway through and hoping to complete it by the weekend.



One of my sweet girls brought her sunglasses to school today to share with me. She's so cute.

New Hats

Cold weather calls for a hat but why wear one that you already have? I have two new hats that I finished; one a week ago and one last night. They're both made from organic cotton, so they're really cozy, and they both also have cables. The cables make the fabric thicker so it's warmer. The lighting on these isn't the best because It's cloudy here today, so use your imagination.

I currently have a brown tweed hat on my needles for Blair. It doesn't have any cables on it, but the yarn is fantastic!

A Year in Photos ::January 12

I've been working on this at nap time on and off for a couple of months, and I've finished up my other projects and thought I'd come back to this one. It's a seed stitch scarf done in Koigu wool.

Overall, I had a good day in the classroom with my munchkins. I put some new stuff up on the walls, which always gets them excited. It makes it look more like the classrooms of their older siblings. I'm looking forward to a good, and very cold week, at school.

When I finished tutoring today, I made the short drive to Old Navy to look around. After just a few minutes in the store, I walked out with an $80 coat for just $4.80. I was stoked!! It's a super cute swing jacket in a winter white (think Audrey Hepburn). As soon as I have good lighting (i.e. tomorrow), I will take a picture to post.

I'm also thinking about moving A Year of Photos over to my other blog. My in-laws have dial-up, and all the pictures make it impossible for them to view my blog. So, if you don't see the picture here tomorrow, check the other site.

A Year in Photos ::January 10

It's Done!

I got the baby blanket finished today and off of the needles. There's always a wonderful feeling that comes with finishing something so large, especially when it is for someone else. I am still working on a large (and secret) project, but I do have a couple of small items to work on. I want to make another set of gloves, and I need to make a bean bag for my Sunday School class. My goal for this year is to complete at least two projects a month, and so far I'm on track.

A Great Wednesday

It was truly a blustery day in North Carolina today. At one point, every raindrop in the sky was falling as fast as it could. Big splaty drops. I turned the lights out, and we stood at the window and watched the rain fall. All of that rain disappeared and turned to sun about an hour later (just in time for nap time). I did some knitting, as usual, during nap time. I'm working on a baby afghan for my assistant teacher. Here's the progress so far.

I'm almost finished with it, so hopefully tomorrow I'll get it done.



Here's my photo for AYOP:



The hand of a non-napper.

Holiday Busyness

Thursday night, Blair and I attended the King's Singers concert at ECU. The concert was amazing. They did mostly Christmas music, and it was all done so beautifully. There were moments of comedy, too, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.





Friday, we had a Christmas party in my classroom. My kids had a blast. My students and parents were very generous in their gifts and Christmas wishes. I also worked on this glove at naptime. It is now finished and in need of its mate. I'm working on that and hope to have it done in a couple of days.







This week, I need to spend the week packing and wrapping gifts. I only have four days of school this week, and then Blair, the dogs, and I will all be on the road back home. And now, I'll leave you with some images of the season.

Finished Knits

Yes, I actually finished something, and not just one project, but TWO this week! I finished the Hemlock Ring, and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. I'm planning on making another one later on with a wool yarn. This one is done in cotton.





I also made these mittens this week. They only took two days and were so much fun to make and amazed my kiddos at school. They're made from 100% merino wool sent to me by a blogging friend (thanks Andrea!!), and they feel so great on the hands.







Blair and I went to a friend's art show today, she's a painter, and purchased a couple of lovely Christmas gifts for people. Now I just have a couple more gifts to make, and I'm all done!! I took the handmade pledge, and with the exception of a couple of eccentric gifts, I did just that.

A picture-less knitting post...

I just wanted to let you know that I finished the Hemlock Ring, but have not blocked it yet. I promise pictures as soon as that's done. I'm usually pretty lazy about blocking, so don't hold your breath...

A great Autumn week!

I had a great week at work. I had my first teacher evaluation, and that went really well!

Today had a great beginning that continued improving all day long. On my way to work, I saw a deer grazing on the side of the road. It was such a beautiful and elegant buck. At school, I have a child that gets there every morning at 6:45. Two more kids come at 7:15, and after that it's just us for about half an hour. This morning we enjoyed looking out the classroom window at all the changing autumn colors. We watched the wind blow leaves off a Bradford Pear and wondered at all the beauty around us. It was such a peaceful and remarkable way to begin our daily journey together, and I believe it influenced the rest of our day more than we realized.

I'm still plugging away on the Hemlock Ring. No photos...just take my word for it!

Here are some photos from this autumn afternoon.

Really? It's November?

Blair and I took the dogs to the local leash-free dog park this afternoon. It was the perfect afternoon to be outside. Here's a photographic view of our time there.

Petey walks and sniffs.



Blair and Murray play.



Petey walks and sniffs.



Blair and Murray play.



Petey walks and sniffs.



It's November and time for Tomato Soup. I really love tomato soup, and this is the perfect way to enjoy it...with basil, extra sharp cheddar, and sour cream. Yum!



Here's the latest work on my Hemlock Ring Blanket.





I'm really excited about how well it's turning out!

Two knitting posts in one day!!

Here is my FINISHED organic cotton Francis sweater. It fits like a dream, feels amazing, and looks great on me.

What to do when students skip

Self-Portrait Tuesday

I took these in my office this afternoon.





They look very different from some of the first self-portrait Tuesday pictures I took, and might I just say the the afternoon light in my office is spectacular. These are untouched photos in terms of color.


Here's an update on what I'm knitting.

This is my almost-finished, organic cotton Francis sweater.









This is the very start of my Hemlock ring lap throw done in cotton as well (but not organic).





Hopefully I'll be able to update in a few days with a finished object and a larger Hemlock Ring.