Love Notes Blanket Crochet Pattern Ta-Dah

Introducing...The Love Notes Blanket!!

When the idea for this blanket came to me, my brain immediately began to swirl with all of the cute things you could do with it...

::My To-Doings::

Hello, All! I hope this holiday season finds you healthy and happy. I have been ever so busy. But most of it has been good busy. Just not enough hooky-busy in my opinion. My To-Do list has been crazy since mid-November. Yours, too?

I always think that blogs are funny little things. We spend a bunch of time talking about ourselves and telling the world about our doings. Truth be told--most of my doings are boring. But I love dropping in and visiting other folks and seeing their "boring" lives, too. I get inspired, and moved, and taught. It's good. Very good.

Here are just a few of my To-Doings...

WRAPPING CHRISTMAS GIFTS...

::Happy Fall-ing::

Isn't Fall the most amazing time of year? Well, here in my little mountainous neck of the woods world, it is. I love the smell, the crunchy leaves, the warm vibrant colors, the layered clothing, the school supplies, the crocheting. (Oh, actually I enjoy that all year long!) But there is something wonderful about making things with yarn in the cooler weather. Maybe it is because I can snuggle up to work on an afghan without baking in the summer heat. Or maybe it is because I dream of creating cozy, yarny accessories--and that makes me happy.

I have been working on several little projects lately. One is this big grey cowl. I got the pattern here. Super easy. I love the stitch texture and the bamboo/wool I used--nice drape and super soft. I added the surface slip stitching for a bit of color. Who me?? Extra color? Crazy! When I am finished it will be a little rainbowy stripey cowl. I'll post my finished project very soon! 

But I have been a bit more distracted (is it possible?)than usual because...

This is an apron for my new job!

Yes. I accepted a very part time job as an Academic Coach at the local charter school that my boys attend. It is perfect for me and I feel very blessed to have it. It is only a couple of mornings a week, in the same building as my sons, working with teachers and students in the classroom. No grading papers. No long days. Doing something that I love. And it is only while my little Luke is in morning Kindergarten. Perfect, I tell ya. Just perfect.

I made up this apron pattern as I went but haven't written it down. Maybe I will. It is meant to hold all of my little do-dads as I bounce from classroom to classroom helping teachers be the best they can be. Since I don't have a "home-base" I needed a way to carry my things around and an apron seemed just the ticket.

Oh, and I almost forgot, I never took photos of the tissue box covers I upcycled (to cover the monograms from Pottery Barn). Here they are...

This was another of my Olivia Flowers--in a mix of wool and cotton yarns. 

I can't remember where I got this flower pattern. Anyone recognize the flower? I love how the center sits separately from the outer petals.

Hope your day is terrific. Mine was good in so many ways, but two... 1) I had to go to the doctor and it was a bit scary and a bit expensive! 2) I need many more hours to accomplish the things I need to get done before I sleep.

Better get crack-a-lackin'! 

(I have been thinking about asking a question of my readers for each post. I am always curious to know more about you! Please share!) 

{QUESTION}--Where is your favorite place to take pictures?

FIFTH grade!!

First day at Excelsior Academy in Tooele. First time back to traditional school for three years.

He wanted to get a shot of his backpack.

And his docket with lunch check.


Yes--#5 for FIFTH grade!!! (I got a little loopy one day and ordered vinyl #'s for the doors in our house. Single digits for the downstairs, and double for the upstairs--like an apartment building. Weird, I know, but it makes giving directions to the bathrooms easier--I just announce the assigned room numbers. And Eric got #27, his birthdate.)

By the way, he styles his own hair. Here are the instructions for how to get this Spockish look . . .

1. Wet hair thoroughly; don't worry if you soak your clothing in the process.
2. Use palm of hand to press hair firmly to head, making certain to press toward the forehead.3. If hair is standing at the crown and pops back up, just ignore.
4. Wash only when yelled at by parent, but not necessarily every time you take a bath. (???)

We were also in such a hurry this first day of school, as he is SOOO not used to waking up early, that I couldn't take time for decent pictures.

Now, on to how I coped with this day. Some might think that sending him off to school after homeschooling for three years might be a welcome retreat. This would make sense. But I found myself really sad and weepy all day. I was excited for him and his adventure, but missed him and our time together something terrible. Lizzie came and spent the night to see him off and back home on his first day. So it is not like I wasn't distracted and busy. Plus, my little Luke got lots of attention. But . . . I MISS HIM!! How do mothers get used to their little ones being gone? I don't think I will ever send Luke to school. Maybe it is because my children are so far apart in age and I have essentially spent time with them each as only children. At least Eric seems happy and is adjusting well. Keep your fingers crossed--for both of us!!