I finished spinning spinning the singles I’ve been working on this morning, and the plan was to start plying this evening. Oh my goodness! What happened to the zen of spinning? I’ve already had three breaks, just when I thought I had this chain plying thing down. I’m stepping away from the wheel.

But the singles do look pretty. They are sitting on some material I picked up today while running around. I’m really loving brown and blue very much lately.

So I guess I’ll be working on the lace tonight instead of plying. Which really isn’t a bad thing at all - I have so much further to go still. Awhile ago I calculated that I would need to complete at least 3 inches per day to finish in time. Three inches takes me about three hours - yes I’m behind a bit.

Now Hurly has me crying again…

Architecture

Art and science melding together, what’s not to love?

I’m lucky enough to live mere moments away from Hudson, NY. A city filled with character and charm mostly of the 19th century.

These were all taken on Warren Street last week on a very cold a gray day.

This house (picture taken on the same cold and gray day) is my dream house :) I was all excited a couple of months ago thinking the sign in front of it was a for sale sign. Not. It has been freshly painted and it was just the painters sign. Which I guess is a good thing, considering I’m totally not able to buy a new home at the moment. But a woman can dream can’t she?

One day she will be mine :)

The first post after an unintended break is so hard! This is attempt #5 and no matter how much I sound like a blathering fool I’m keeping it, otherwise this cycle can go on forever.

I was going to put all in one large post - but I’m thinking now it’s better to break them up a bit.

I’m once again participating in the ABC along - it was so much fun the first time a couple of years ago. This time I’m actually going to make it all the way through! Don’t let my lack of starting fool you. The first two letters are done and just need posting.

I think I was battling a bat of depression. With all that’s been going on that totally makes sense - but still does not make it any fun. I just needed to totally disconnect for a bit and I really did not mean to leave anyone hanging.

Christmas was wonderful! I’ve not gone back and read exactly what I wrote on that last post but I think I must have left out some details from the few emails I received. The kids and I were secret santa’s for a couple of local families in need. One was starting life over with nothing and ready to be released from a shelter right before the holidays and the other had just lost everything due to fire. That was the reason for the burnout :) We had two solid weeks of madness here making, buying, shopping, and scheming.

The other day this was just to much for me

“Mark all as Read” I did indeed do. So if you posted something that I really should have not missed in the past few weeks can you please let me know. The last couple of days I’m still trying to catch up on.

My inbox is just as scary and I’m still weeding my way through that too.

And because every post should have a bit of craftiness in in it. Here’s what has been taking every available moment lately.

My Loopy Ewe swap project that has to be sent in a couple of more weeks.

Thanks all for sticking by :)

Now I’m off to attempt to catch up on what all you have been doing :)

What a crazy whirlwind these last couple of weeks have been. I know I’m not alone with the craziness, which is slightly reassuring, but then again not so much. So many highs and lows have been experienced I’m really having a really hard time now trying to put it all in words. Let’s just say we (I) have learned much about ourselves and others. We did it together, and my kids are the best hard-working elves around.

A few things we learned:
• People are either truly grateful, or not. Either is alright because no matter what you know you did your best.
• It’s okay to say no. No. No No. Just practicing a bit because this is still something I have problems with at times.
• It’s exciting stretching yourself as far as you can go - even if it is totally exhausting
• We are a powerful force to be reckoned with when we work together :)
• It’s a good thing to be an erratic crafter with many supplies in the house.
• A bit of creativity can take you along way, and can be more powerful than the almighty dollar.
• Polar fleece is the bomb when it comes to making quick hats and mittens

While I was a sweat shop momma working hard at the sewing machine the kids did the decorating of the tree and the rest of the house. Your always in for a surprise or two when you hand over such duties and responsibilities, and they did not fail at all with that. It was so much fun watching them take charge and the laughter for us all was non stop.

Here’s a little taste. First we have the tree.

and a few of my favorite spots

And what home is not complete without the naked hippy corner. So named (and made) by my eldest.

We are all tired, and maybe even a bit burnt out so we have decided to have a quite Christmas day here. I’m so far behind with my own makings that I’m thankful the kids came up with the idea. Missy’s idea was to go to the Chinese Grand Buffet (a local all you can eat place) then we all would get hair cuts. I had to remind her that hair salons probably were not going to be open Christmas day :) So now we are going to have a big ham, some mashed potatoes, a few veggies, and an apple pie. We are still going to do the stockings (because that is the absolute best part) but have decided to do the gift thing on New Years day. What a great way to bring in the New Year. I just hope the rest of our friends and family don’t mind :)

Happy Holidays all!

Nothing gets you in that holiday spirit like a good ole holiday sweater!

Longing for your own? You can get your holiday kitsch on here :)

Being the slacker I am, I’m still very much in the deep cleaning before holiday decorations can go up mode, but it has been fun. Today’s surprises included:

1. Yummy chocolate found in a forgotten grocery bag along with a box of band-aids
2. $2.42

Cleaning - it’s a good thing!