Homesteading dream

This is Shelly. Or Eva.  Or "Chicken."

I have this (pipe) dream of creating my own urban homestead.  I would have some chickens, and a garden that flourishes and brings fresh bounty to the table every night.  I would be savvy enough with a sewing machine to make (some of) my own clothes.  I would sell my crafty wares on etsy to make extra money to support my family. The kids and I would be productive all day long. I will teach them the meaning of hard work, and revel in their new-found abilities to do... whatever.  They would learn to cook, love books, and know the meaning of family togetherness.

Then reality strikes and Axel has a REALLY grumpy day where I shove him in front of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and wait for the minutes to tick by until bedtime.  My house is a mess. My garden is full of weeds and that chicken up there?  Yeah, she belongs to my neighbors. I barely feel like I have time to sit down, let alone spend quality time with my Pfaff and make ANYTHING.  And knitting?  I've got a dozen WIPs and I haven't finished anything in a few months.  And before then, probably a year!

My restlessness comes from feeling like I can't give anything 100% of my attention.  I want to do everything and have time for nothing.  Frustrating doesn't begin to cover the feeling.

My hope is that come December/January this will change.  I will find a new groove - a new life, of sorts.  New motivation. New perspective.

New, new, NEW!  Out with the old...

Polka Dot Cottage eBook Review - and Giveaway!

Ear Warmers in March, amirite?  Weird.  But not really - here in The Mitten we get all sorts of crazy weather.  It's just expected.  The same week that I finished this project in 2012, it was in the 80's.  Not so much for 2013.

Backstory:

So, my mom walks to work.  She only lives about 5 minutes away from the hospital that she's worked at for the past 23 years, but still... she's getting older (she likes to tell me) and she requested a headband/earwarmer in a bright fun color.  I just happened to be reading the Polka Dot Cottage blog around that same time, and knew that there was a pattern perfect for her needs.  Enter, the Earwarmer Trio!

Certainly not a difficult pattern, but I knew it was just enough to keep me interested with the pretty cables and fun button.  So, I set off and finished it in just a few days of lunch hour knitting in my car. (Yes, I knit in my car - sometimes a girl just needs to get away from her desk!)

Ravel it here!

I couldn't give this pattern a higher review. Easy to read, easy to follow and a great finished project.  My only issue (and it was MINE alone!) was that I used "chunky" yarn instead of "bulky" yarn and I totally didn't swatch.  I hate swatching, so more often that not I get ill-fitting accessories.  But, with the ease of writing I knew I could just cut out the middle section, be mindful of the length and all would be good.  And it was!

Mom really liked it - even though the weather warmed up and she wasn't able to wear it this season.  But, she'll be all set for this winter!  And I think I should make one for myself as well.  Maybe I'll even swatch.  But probably not.

I would highly recommend any of Lisa's patterns and ebooks.  I covet them all and wish I had more time to dedicate to learning new skills.  With books like these it's almost as good as having her with you!

Happy Fathers Day

Fathers Day was pretty low-key. Sausage stuffed eggplant for dinner and Axel got a ride on the lawnmower!

Park play!

While having our new kitchen vinyl installed, Axel and I snuck away to the park!

Good times, indeedy!