A Fenced Yard

Last year when we were house hunting (hard to believe it was a year ago!) one of the requirements was a yard that was big enough to fence so the dogs would have a place to run and play.

In June, just before the drought hit, that dream came true - we had fence installed on the sides not yet fenced (our neighbor to the east has  wood fence up).

The dogs love the yard.  Shane and I love the yard. We spent a lot of time out there this summer and fall.  Tennis balls were chased, naps were taken in the sun, belly rubs were given, grass was eaten and sprinklers were eaten (by far the best part).  Fun was had by all.  Adding the fence made this house more fantastic - especially because tired dogs are the best kind of dogs!

Here are a few scenes from the back yard.

My Crafting, A Three Year Retrospective

Crafty Venture	2009	2010	2011
Number of Projects Knit	63	37	22
Yards of Yarn Used	19,559	11,227	9,237
Yards of Yarn Brought In	42,063	30,861	18,095
Number Projects Sewn	5	7	3
Number of Photographs Taken	5,547	5,906	1,205
Number of Blog Posts Posted	47	113	17

Why, yes. I did just post that table. 

I happen to love data very much!

In early 2010 I posted a recap of my 2009 knitting. I thought it was fun - a great way to reflect back on my year. Apparently I didn't decide it was fun for 2010 so when I decided to look back at my knitting for 2011 and found myself expanding to all my crafty ventures....I knew a table would be the end result.

I am the odd one that tracks my yarn usage monthly (Google Docs is awesome). Ravelry is ideal for tracking  projects annually. My sewing set on Flickr makes it easy to count projects completed. My counts of photographs are easily assembled from the electronic files. Blog posts are easily counted when they are all labeled with the year.  Yes, I know. I need help.

At first I was really sad about my 2011 numbers - all around. What a slacker I am. The numbers are under half of what they were for 2009.  I could give you a list of excuses (selling and buying a house in 2011 would be at the top of the list followed by work) but I won't.  I am happy that the yarn brought in is so low in 2011 - that is one number I am proud of!

Despite my disappointment with the numbers I am glad that there are numbers bigger than 1 in all those rows for 2011!  I need to concentrate on the positives - I did craft in 2011 despite everything that was going on.  I also want to learn to not be so competitive with myself.  I don't need to top my previous years numbers. In fact, if I take on epic projects (Sunbreak baby blanket anyone?) I won't have as much time for other projects.

The other thing I am going to concentrate on is knowing that 2012 is already shaping up to be a better year for crafting and that is exciting!  I have already finished 3 knitting projects, posted 8 blog posts, sewn 3 projects, taken 402 pictures and bought 3,376 yards of yarn.  I am on a roll!

I am thankful for the time I have to craft - even if it is limited time. 

What do you wish you had more time to do?

A Weekend of Awesome

A few weekends ago I was able to attend the Sticks & String event hosted by the Des Moines Metro Knitters.  A weekend of knitting and hanging out with friends....it was pure awesome.  We missed the few who couldn't be there (both near and far) with us but we partied hard for them.

I spent most of the weekend hanging out with a close group of friends....we have a Sunday knitting club we call SSKC so the first thing we had to do was iron SSKC on clothing!

1. It took room two oh seven, 2. and an iron..., 3. Jess, 4. Sarah Jane, 5. Stacia, 6. Amanda, 7. Connie, 8. Carly, 9. Me!, 10. Alison, 11. Kara, 12. Ivy 

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

 

This way we could identify each other in the wild. Who knew ironing could be so much fun?

Hanging out Friday night (pardon the blurry cell phone photo)

 

As individuals our group of friends has had a really tough couple of months. This weekend really brought us even closer (which I didn't even know was possible). There were tears of sorrow, swearing, knitting, drinking, tears of laughter, eating, more knitting, group hugs, a walk for fresh air, group cheers in the parking lot, more swearing, a lot of sarcasm, pictures to be forever marked as private on Flickr...it was just kind of weekend we all needed. 

I am so very lucky to have these amazing women as my friends. The support we provide each other is just astonishing. Each of them is a role model to me in some way - everyone brings something great to the group. I am stronger because these strong women are in my life. Never before have I belonged to a group of friends where I truly can be me, where I am accepted (even with my bad grammar skills), challenged to grow, supported despite my crazy and where I can give back like I can with this group. I get verklempt just thinking about it.

I wish everyone could find a group of women like this to share their lives with. This weekend together is something I will remember for a long time to come and has taught me to never take a moment with this group for granted.

To the women of SSKC: you complete me, ustedes!

Anyone want to sing about ponies, unicorns and dolphins and dinosaurs after I said that?

Photo A Day Challenge - Last of January

Where did January go? 

I finished off the full January Photo A Day Challenge! 

Day 20: Someone You Love

Three someones I love.

Day 21: Reflection

Sparky begging for my dinner (reflected in the deck door).

Day 22: Your Shoes

My poor North Face boots that need replaced...and inside a pair of hand knit socks.
 
Day 23: Something Old

An antique secretary desk owned by my Great Grandmother Rosetta, moved into our new home with us.

Day 24: Guilty Pleasure

Hour long massage anyone?

Day 25: Something You Made

I made this scarf for my Grandmother when my Grandfather passed away.  It comforted her for several years and when she passed away in May I asked to have it back so it could comfort me as I dealt with her loss.

Day 26: Colour

I love the colors of the yarn in this skein, which are usually to bright for my taste.

Day 27: Lunch

Packed & ready to go.
 
Day 28: Light

Overhead lights, as reflected in my iPhone.

Day 29: Inside Your Fridge

Dinner!

Day 30: Nature

Sunrise

Day 31: You, Again

Not feeling being in front of the camera. Big surprise.

So proud of myself for making it through a full month! Now on to February.  I am really enjoying taking a picture everyday and really appreciate the topic for each picture - really helps me focus instead of wondering what I should take a picture of.

I Made Stuff!

Over the last month and a bit of living in this new house I have done more sewing then I did in all of 2011. I'm very excited about this. Everything was very basic, but still, I made stuff!

First I started with this project bag prototype.

I followed the Drawstring Bag Tutorial over at Yarnmonster (reversible bags!).  It is a terrific tutorial (really, it is amazing!) - exactly what I needed to get in the swing of things with sewing again! The first bag turned out a bit small, but made to the pattern size. It will work for socks.

With bit of help from household math-wiz Shane I was able to figure out to use the tutorial to make a bigger version of the bag.  I made two more!

And then I made a third big one!

Then I worked on a project out of necessity....but I still got it done!  When we moved into our new home there were no shower curtain rods. I ordered them in advance and on move in day my dad & Shane graciously installed the one in the master bedroom so we could stay clean.  Unfortunately none of us considered the height it should have been installed at....so it was too high for a standard shower curtain and too low for a long shower curtain.  However, hemming a shower curtain or two is much easier then patching walls so I took on the chore.  Yes, I hacked off the bottom six inches of a $50 shower curtain and then a $20 liner but the good news is it didn't turn out all that bad!

Once I finished hemming the shower curtains (boring!) I wanted to do something fun. I was going to cook dinner but instead decided to tackle blankets for the dogs for their new beds in my office. What fun!  (Thankfully Shane was willing to go to Panera for carry out!) I did a simple blanket - just did a piece of fleece and a piece of flannel sewn together.  It was an interesting project to use the two fabrics together, but they turned out pretty well and I think the puppies love them.

 

 

 

 

I have one other set to make them for their kennels that they stay in during the day.  Have I ever told you how spoiled my dogs are?

In addition to the sewing (but with no pictures) I have made two kitty snuggles to donate to the local animal shelter, I have baked and cooked and worked on a never ending pair of socks.  Once the other dog blankets are sewn I'm not sure what I'll sew next....so many possibilities!

I could get used to this making stuff thing!

Photo A Day Challenge - Days 10 - 19

Photo A Day Challenge
 

Day 10: Childhood

 

I received this Teddy Bear for my first Christmas when I was just a few months old (he was fluffy back then).  This  bear has always been a source of great comfort for me.  He is now kept in a trunk that my Grandfather restored for me (also when I was little). The trunk holds a lot of memories.

Day 11: Where you Sleep

 

Nothing special here, just a comfy, unmade bed in a not yet decorated master bedroom!
  
Day 12: Close-Up

Snow on the deck...first snow in well over a month.

Day 13: In Your Bag

I carry way to much stuff with me. But that is one of the reasons I love carrying a big bag like my L.J. Kaelms from Jordana Paige.

Day 14: Something You're Reading

Shane & I both got the new basic Kindles late in 2011. I am very much in love with mine, especially now that I have this new case that includes a light.  Currently reading The Immortalists by Kyle Mills.

Day 15: Happiness
 

 

A long walk on the bike trail. Belly full of breakfast. Sunshine to curl up in. A bed in that sunshine. A blanket to snuggle under. Toys galore. A crazy owner who loves me so much she won't stop taking my picture. Happiness.

Day 16: Morning

My morning today centered around doing the dishes  and drinking coffee before heading to work.

Day 17: Water

Frozen water counts, right? More snow today - winter has settled in.

Day 18: Something you Bought

Imagine a new honeycomb cellular shade in this window, and all windows in my house. That is what I bought....but they won't be installed for a few weeks.

Day 19: Sweet

This stuff is one of my favorite sweet treats to eat and yes, I just eat it off a spoon.  It is Cadbury spread, sent to me by a friend from England!  SO GOOD!

Photo A Day Challenge Update

Days 4-9 for the January 2012 Photo A Day Challenge

Day 4: Letterbox

Lucky 13.

Day 5: Something you Wore

I wore jeans to work today so I had to wear a jeans sticker. I wore bright socks and my favorite shoes. So thankful for jeans stickers.

Day 6: Makes you Smile

Puppies in coats.  Puppies whose tails won't stay still. My puppies.
 

Day 7: Favorite
 

These are my favorite sock knitting needles. One is bent because a couch got set on it but I refuse to give them up. Kollage Yarns 5" Square Double Pointed Needles, 3.00 mm

Day 8: Your Sky

Dreary morning but the sun was just starting to peak out.

Day 9: Daily Routine

I am typically organized but making my lunch in the morning is not at all organized. Here is my progress this morning - half the island taken up.

I am really enjoying this project so far!

Finding Home

On December 9th, 2011 Shane & I were able to move into our new home.  We've been here nearly a month now and couldn't be happier.

Here is where we now call home.  Simple but perfect.  Brand new construction and move in ready when we found it.

I typically respond to change in stride. I tend to not get too stressed out and this move was no different (minus the one freak out day I had before Thanksgiving).  Change is a constant part of life, something I look forward to.  While I've taken the move in stride actually living here has really affected me in such a great way.

Growing up my family only moved once - we lived in Vermont then moved to New York when I was 11. I lived in the house in New York until I left for college.  I had various dorm rooms and apartments and my parents moved - but all those places were home.  Even my parent's home and my sister's apartment was "home" to me because they were there - even though I was only a visitor.

When Shane & I got married I moved into the town home he'd purchased a year before. I'd looked at the pictures and said "sure, looks great". I never really liked the place all that much (especially in the last few months) but it was home because my Shane was there with me.  Home to me truly is where my heart is, so where ever Shane goes is home.  We knew the town home was a transition place for us. Some place to live and build equity while we saved our pennies for a down payment on a house.  I don't think I ever formed a positive attachment to the town home.

Then in early December we moved to a house I had fallen in love with before ever stepping foot inside.  The garage doors and glass in the front door got me.  Then I went inside - walk in pantry, an office/craftroom for me, an office for Shane, a yard to fence that included a covered deck, a future theatre room and more? I heard the check marks hit my must haves.  Every time we went back we fell more in love.

Now that we have been here for a nearly a month I can admit that I am attached.  I am HOME.  It truly is a feeling I've never felt before.  This is our house. For us to live in for many years to come.  My Shane is here, my puppies are here, my parents are only three and a half miles away.  I feel my desire to craft coming alive again. I have taken my camera out of its case and used it. I am loving the chance to cook in my new kitchen - even doing the dishes doesn't bother me.  There are things I want to do to the house to make it more ours...without worrying about resale value.  I want to keep it clean and shiny. We are building life together in this new home. Memories that are ours. New daily routines. A chance for us to have time for our hobbies. A place for us to be us.  A place that is ours for as long as we want it to be.

While I'll always have a home with my family, for the first time in 34 years I have found a deeper meaning in the word home. I am so appreciative of this home and how much I love it here.

Photo a Day Challege for January 2012

I really enjoyed my first year in pictures project and hope someday year (?) to complete another.  For right now I am looking to do something small to get my camera back in my hands.  Many thanks to Karen for posting this Photo a Day Challenge for January 2012 - I am going to join you!  A photo a day based on a different (but determined) subject for 31 days seems manageable.  I won't be posting daily but I will post all photos for the challenge - like Karen it is a good way to get back into posting in this space on a more regular basis.  Time to play catch up!

Day 1: You

This is blurry & yes I was on the phone when I took this photo but it is me. Not something you see around these parts very often!

Day 2: Breakfast

Apple + peanut butter + water + coffee = my breakfast rut

Day 3: Something Your Adore

This photo was taken by Shane when we were on our honeymoon. It is one of my favorite pictures of the two of us and has been on our mantle for almost seven years!

Farewell to 2011, A Letter

Dear 2011,

I will admit it. I am thankful you have come to a close. I am happy to see you go and I am excited to see what 2012 will bring. Please understand that I am not harboring bad feelings toward you as you walk out the door, I have let those go. We have had a rocky relationship and I feel it best if we both admit it is better if we goour separate ways.

This year has been one of the most difficult of my adult life. Some may argue that this might be my first year as an adult (I often feel that way). As a result of these struggles you shoved me headlong into adulthood and for that I do need to thank you.

This year I have faced the loss of all three of my remaining Grandparents and the family hurt that accompanied the loss. I am grateful they were part of my life and thankful that their journeys into death were painless. If only the survivors pain could be cured with the embraces and thoughts that were shared. Even now, months later I still find myself in tears at random moments. You also brought four major medical scares to four people I love so very much. You rendered me powerless to help in every situation but rendered mepowerful in the support and love I could share through recovery. This year you also brought us real estate headaches and heartaches. You took money out of our pockets like it was going out of style. You tempted us with houses we loved only to take them away. You tempted us with buyers after we gave you countless hours of cleaning, staging and dealing with real estate agents. The house we were trying to sell keep having leaks. You gave us jobs that made us work incredibly hard – that kept us away from home longer than we both had wanted.

2011, you kinda sucked. But you could have been a heck of a lot worse.

At the end of this year you did start to behave better. My parents were able to move from New York to Iowa and move into a home they love just three and a half miles from our home. Our new home. You gave Shane and I a new home that we adore. We were so thankful that a buyer came through for the town home in a short five months (despite what a debacle that was) and to be able to celebrate Christmas in our new home was truly the perfect gift for the season. You have brought me closer to great people. As for those four medical scares? Thank you for not taking those lives too and for helping me to remember how precious life is. You gave me the gift of confidence to take charge and completely rock the first year of my job. You forever changed my life when I learned I will become an aunt next year. For all of this and all the little things, thank you.

As I sit here on the last day of 2011 reflecting on all that crap you sent my way just know, dear 2011, that I forgive you. I am left with a heart that is full of love and thoughts of how lucky I really am. Even though you really did your best to hurt me I am declaring this one a win for me. I am coming out of this relationship a better and stronger person. I know more about whom I am and what I can handle. I am closer to my family and friends than ever before. Perhaps the greatest gift you’ve given me is a well taught lesson in how to stay positive while taking it one day at a time.

As you leave please let 2012 know that I am strong and I will not be taken down.

Even though I forgive you just remember who won. Me.

Sincerely & with Love,
essjay

PS. I look forward to more time to post in this space during 2012!

Sunbreak, Finished

I did it. I have completed the most epic knitting project I have ever done and I still love it despite all the hard work that went in to it!

I really struggled with getting the border on - no seaming I did looked nice so I finally decided on crocheting it on.  While crocheting worked I was too tight in some places so the corners of the blanket were distorted. I really didn't want to block it again but I am so thankful I did - it relaxed those seams and the blanket now lays perfectly flat.

Tomorrow this blanket will leave my house and go to it's new home.  I started this blanket on July 3rd and it is finally leaving three months later!

Someday I will make another one of these for our couch using bulky weight yarn, but that won't  be for a long while!

Pattern: Sunbreak by Margaret Mills, in Twist Collective Spring/Summer 2011
Yarn: Knit Picks Swish DK in Semolina colorway, 16 skeins