The Snow Princess

December is always busy no matter what. There's always so much to do.  Every year, I try to simplify, but some things are just beyond my control.  I thought I'd get this cape done in time for Tess's 3rd birthday, but now, it's her Christmas cape. You can't see it, but the yarn sparkles and it lookes like glittering snow. I bought a "diamond" clasp to match and now, she's ready for all of her Holiday social engagements!

I tried....

to get a good picture of the twins together for the Christmas card, but I am officially giving up. They needed a nap after this photo shoot. I need a nap too!

On the last day you are 2

This is the last day you are two.  I can't believe it.  You aren't my baby anymore. You are my big girl. You are my big girl who picks out her own clothes and loves them to be pink. You think that everything that I knit is for you. You are my only little girl and you are growing too fast. I cherish every day with you.

                                                        Tomorrow you are three.

                                                  Happy early birthday beautiful pink girl!

Daybook: Thanksgiving Week

Outside My Window:
It's the first day of Thanksgiving holiday week. It's cold outside. I can tell because it's slightly overcast, but not completely dark in the house.

I am listening to:
Tess and Sam chatter. Sam is making siren sound effects with his Lego police car. I wish it were completely quiet.

I am wearing:
jeans and a pink sweater. It's a thin pink sweater and I'm a little bit cold.  I noticed a small hole near the armhole this morning. It makes me sad that my clothes just don't seem to have much longevity.

I am pondering:
That I'm exhausted both physically and mentally. I try to keep my blog a happy place so I don't usually write down my struggles, but I'm struggling right now. I'm feeling very alone. I'm overwhelmed with my mothering duties right now. It's not easy to admit that. I never expected feel like this after the twins were born, but I do. I can't seem to order my day to build in the peace and quiet I crave. I feel selfish. I feel pulled into a thousand directions all the time. I'm having a hard time feeling hopeful about any meaningful change in my days.

I am reading:
Well, I'm almost done listening to Mindy Kaling's book, Is Everybody Hanging Out Without Me?  andI'm reading The Westing Game to Luke and The Ministry of Motherhood for a Bible study. I'm also reading quilting and knitting patterns? Does that even count?

I am creating:
Despite the fact that I feel completely exhausted, I'm still knitting a ton. It amazes me that even though I don't really get to knit until after 9 pm most days that I am still finishing small items. I casted on this cape in a yarn called Holiday Lights in White to go with Tess's Christmas dress. I'm in the middle of a hat for Paul knit from sock yarn. I've knit the body of a sweater for Sammy and I'm in the middle of another cap-sleeved shirt for my friend's daughter for Christmas. Yes, I know. I'm still doing that. Every time I get semi-close to finishing something, I cast on another project. I'm sure this isn't helping what's going on in my overwhelmed brain.

I'm also working on some quilting as well. I do love to quilt, but I don't find it truly relaxing. It's fun to design quilts. It's fun to buy fabric, but it's sometimes stressful to sew those pieces together  I used 3 Woodland Bloom charm packs to create this topper. I cut all the charms in half, re-arranged them, and sewed them back into squares. Then, I sewed the rows together. Sewing the rows took way longer than I expected. Now the topper is complete, but I don't have any fabric for the both the backing and binding. I haven't figured out how when my life feels the most out of control, I add to my work by taking on more projects. Maybe this is something that I can truly control? I don't know. 

Towards Rhythm and Beauty:
I feel like I've forgotten how to achieve this at all. I feel like I'm just treading water right now.

From the kitchen:
I'm thinking about the pies I'm going to make for Thanksgiving. I think I've settled on Dutch Apple Pie and the Pumpkin Mousse Tart from Martha Stewart's Pies and Tarts. I thought that would make traditional pumpkin pie a little fancier. Paul loves Dutch apple pie and Sam loves using the Pampered Chef Apple-Peeler-Slicer-Corer. Sam can handle getting the apples ready for me.

Around the house:
fabric, yarn, books, toys, dishes....and they're not in their rightful place!

Giving Thanks for:
My chaotic life despite what I've written above.

A Few plans for this week:
making pies
Taking Luke and Sam to a youth production of The Nutcracker the Sunday after Thanksgiving
Hopefully, a date with my hubby
some dedicated knitting time

Picture Thought



Just look at those cute faces.



 

Halloween 2011

The fairy and the court jester



Desperate for a photo of the kids in costume, I settled for this quick pic right before bedtime. Sam stayed home from trick-or-treating tonight since he's got some stomach bug.  I couldn't get him to put on his knight costume even for this photo. So, I realized I'd rather have him in the picture without his costume than not in the picture at all. The babies can't wait to go to bed and it's time to get them out of their of dragon costumes and into their jammies. Paul wears the candy corn hat that I made for one of the twins and little T enjoys her time as a fairy princess. I tell you I really wanted a picture of Sam as the knight with his twin brothers dressed as dragons...maybe tomorrow I can get a picture of that fairy tale. Happy Halloween my friends!



Something Fishy

No. I didn't knit these hats. My Aunt Rosie knit these fun hats for the twins, but James discovered that he can he remove hats making it difficult to get a good picture. I think the orange suits them very well.

A Little Princess

So, the other day, I asked Tessie if she was my little cupcake. She replied, "No. I'm Daddy's princess."