But paired with Somoas ice cream?  Tasted like a little bit of summer on a cold January day.

The yarn in the header is wool-ease.  My sisters and I bought a truck load while in Florida last month.   (Well, mom treated.  She knows the importance of soul soothing.)  Truly, toasty is the only thing that I have been working on.  Combining colors, creating wide stripes.  It's been fun.  I have a couple more combinations I'd like to knit and then I'm on to a sweater.  It's calling my name.

This recipe came from a grocery store in Florida years ago.  My sisters and mom and I love them with coffee and yarn for breakfast.   It's been a long time since I have started my day that way.  It sure felt good.
I've been on a toasty kick lately.  This yarn seems to be perfect for this project.  Washable, dry-able, with little investment? I'm in!

 It felt so weird to be throwing a party for him and not have him be there.  
But that's what he wanted.
And you know, he was there.
And he was smiling.
We celebrated a life that was well lived and well loved.
He had us smiling, too.

I'll find old favorites and hopefully incorporate a bunch of new recipes into the mix.
I made these once and we have talked about them ever since.  So, they were first on the list.
Lemon Sugar Cookies.
The perfect little companion to knitting.

So, after seeing Erin's hats, I instantly thought THAT was the gift i wanted the six kids to have.
3 boys +
3 girls =

Happy New Year sweet friends!
I wish you all health, love and happiness.
And a stockpile of yarn, of course.

Cheers to 2015!

xx,
leslie

A heartfelt thank you for all of the prayers and thoughts you have given us.  I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.  Being blessed with memories is a true gift.
My thoughts go out to those who are struggling with grief and the loss of someone special in their own lives.  May you all be blessed with love in your heart and hope for beautiful days.

We knit.
A lot.
THAT felt great.

Yesterday started with a phone call from my mother that you can never be prepared for.  My sweet father passed away in the night.  My heart broke in a hundred million pieces and feels as though someone is stepping on it.  This was the man that unconditionally shared his heart and love with us.  Who was there for us no matter what.
Tomorrow I will travel to be with my mother and sisters in Florida.  To comfort, grieve and celebrate his life.
Love with all your heart.  It's something you can be proud of.

Don't you just love when the skies take your breath away?

 I work a couple of days a week in a beautiful clothing boutique.  24 really cute cowls arrived and sold out in two days which inspired me to try to make one of my own.  It didn't turn out exactly like the one in the shop, however, I was pretty pleased with the results.  And I absolutely love the stitch.  (Although, I still don't know the name of it.)
I put it in a pdf file so that you can print it.  Check above under "simple knitting patterns".  And also, here are the simple directions.  (Check your stash for a bulky yarn!)  If you have any problems with the pattern, I put together a youtube video to help!  Click here!

Bella

Materials:
2 skeins Wool of the Andes, Bulky (137 yards each.  This is wallaby.)
Size 13 needles
Crochet hook

Pattern:
Cast on 80 stitches loosely.

Row 1 :: *k2tog, yo 2x, k2tog repeat from * to end
Row 2 ::  *p1, (k1,p1) into yo, p1 repeat from * to end
Row 3 ::  k2 *sl 1, k1, psso, yo 2x, sl 1, k1, psso  repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2
Row 4 ::  p2 *p1 (k1, p1) into yo, p1  repeat from * to last 2 sts, p2

Repeat these 4 rows until piece measures approximately 14 inches ending with row 4 of pattern repeat.  Bind off loosely.
Using extra yarn cut approximately 80 pieces of yarn measuring 11" each. Using a crochet hook, attach fringe along cast on and bind off edges. (As much or as little fringe as you'd like.)  Sew together along side edge.

If you get knitting you can have this finished in no time for gift giving!
(Feel free to email me with any questions.)

Grateful to have a fireplace that burns real wood.  And a man that builds unbelievable fires.

I love the window.
It's a great venue for bird watching.

We went a few years without making houses.  It feels so good to have a couple back in the house.

A new kitchen window sill to hold the winter votives.

Libby sort of adores her new bedroom.
(Trouble does, too.)

He dates and saves our champagne corks.
Makes my heart swell.

I prefer to have my shoes "on".  But feel free to take yours "off".  Andrew is the only one that usually walks around without his shoes.  So when you come in, just be careful not to trip over his.  His 10.5 size shoes end up just about everywhere.
I'm not exactly sure what this stitch is called.  (Does anyone know?)
I made up a little cowl pattern using it.  I'm gonna attach some fringe and then I'll show you.  Hopefully it will be cute and you can make one, too!

Erin is joining me in taking photos "all around" for the month of December.  Feel free to play along!

I'll take some photos in here.  And I'll take some photos out there.
A little "in and out" and "around and about".

I'm trying to figure out the light around my new surroundings.  Winter light is always a little difficult for me.  And new light, even more so.  So, for the next month, I've decided to take my camera and explore my new space.

Happy December!

So much to be thankful for.
E V E R Y single day.

Hope yours was lovely.

xx, leslie