Tied Together With A Smile

I've been feeling a bit reclusive lately. This was probably aided and abetted by the deep freeze we temporarily experienced last week--just to remind us how thankful we are that winter is finally over. Between that, and the fact that Noah only had one day of school last week, and Jude is finally done swimming lessons so we didn't have to go to town three extra times, all added up to a nice, socially-selfish week at home.

I broke my "reclusion" on Saturday, having guests for tea in both the morning and the afternoon, which was nice. At the time, I didn't think much of the sore throat and tiredness that had been plaguing me since the day before, just thinking that I was being bothered by some cold bug or other. I amped up my normal defences, got a good night's sleep, and felt not too bad by Saturday morning.

By Saturday night, I was completely exhausted. By last night, I had finally pieced all of the symptoms I was experiencing together, and I am pretty sure I have strep throat.

This is only the second time I've had it. The last time laid me out flat, then triggered an all-over-my-body outbreak of psoriasis which lasted for nearly a year. It was in early 2006. I didn't document it well at the time, since I was so ashamed of my appearance.

This time is not nearly as severe. I'm in better general health going into it, and even though I didn't know what I was facing, I started loading up on all my "secret weapon" stuff as soon as I started to feel ill. So, my throat is sore, but not unbearable. I am tired, but I am functioning. I can eat solid food. I've had a bit of a psoriasis outbreak on my neck, and my face is itchy as the Dickens (assuming that Dickens got into a patch of poison ivy occasionally), but now that I know what I'm facing, I will be able to attack with specifically targeted weapons. (In case you're wondering, I have not gone and got a swab, so when I say "I have strep throat," this is an educated guess based on past experience, the symptoms I currently have, and common symptoms of strep throat gleaned from the Internet.)

Anyway, in my reclusion, I did manage to finish up a few things. One of them was the slippers from my last post. I also made some Mary Jane Booties for the baby (Robin's), and finished some mittens for myself. Just in time for spring! :-D

Now, I am thoroughly excited about the last month of home schooling before us, and getting started on my garden. I have been dusting off my memory of what to do first by re-reading The Gardener's A-Z Guide to Growing Organic by Tanya A. L. Denckla. What a textbook! I am making plans for another garden bed, and chicken-wire covers--to protect from the deer!

Also, I am planning to start raising chickens this year. That ought to be an adventure in itself. I will do my best to keep you posted on these adventures, dear internets... but lately, I'm finding that the energy I have is all used up in living my life, with little-to-none left to blog about it.


This photo was taken on Friday. "This is my best tent EVER!" declared Jude.

Simba seemed to agree.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Graceful Slippers (Knitting Pattern)

Edit on Sept. 24, 2011: I just noticed that I mistakenly used "Rnd" instead of "Rw" when creating this pattern. My apologies for confusion this may have caused. These are meant to be knit on straight needles, turning after every row. Happy knitting!

I just recently finished making these for my friend Robin, as a "pamper the new mommy*" present. I have had a couple of requests for the pattern, so here it is.

I have made these slippers several times--they are warm and cozy, and unlike many slipper patterns, I find them very flattering to the feet. Also, the whole project can be completed in 2-4 hours. Despite the fact that for this pair, all I had kicking around was a somewhat masculine green, I "dolled it up" by using a strip of sunflower fabric that I trimmed with pinking shears for my ribbon.

Yarn: Shetland Chunky (75% Acrylic/25% Wool, 135 m/148 yds), or any yarn with a similar gauge. (I recommend something with some wool in it for durability.) These slippers were in the Sage Green colourway. I used less than half of a 100g (3 1/2 oz.) ball for these, so they are great stash-busters!

Other supplies: 6 mm (size 10) straight needles, yarn needle, approx. 18"-20" ribbon or decorated cotton fabric (trimmed with pinking shears), 2 stitch markers (small pieces of yarn tied in a loop will do)

Gauge: 16 sts & 24 rows=4"/10 cm. over stockinette stitch using 6 mm (size 10) needles. While the gauge on this pattern is somewhat forgiving, do take time to check it.

Notes: There are two sizes in this pattern, Medium (ladies' size 6-8) and Large (ladies' size 9-10). After making this pattern once, you will find it very easy to alter to any size you need by adjusting the number of cast-on stitches. Heels should have about 2" of stitches remaining at the shortest section, and toes about 1 1/2".

Stitch Glossary:WTK Move yarn to front (right side) of the work, slip one stitch from left needle to right needle (purl-wise), move yarn to back of work, slip stitch from right needle back to left needle, turn work. WTP Move yarn to front (right side) of work, slip one stitch from left needle to right needle (purl-wise), move yarn to back of work, slip stitch from right needle to left needle, turn work.

Both slippers are created using the same pattern.

Helpful Hint: While it is not absolutely necessary to use markers to keep track of where you are, you will have to do a lot less "un-knitting" if you do. Place markers on the "inside" of the stitch you just wrapped on the decreases, and on the "outside" of the stitch you just wrapped on the increases.

Cast-On at Cuff:
Cast on 30 (32) sts.
Rw 1 (RS): Knit.
Rw 2: K1, purl to last stitch, K1, turn.
Rw 3: K until 2 sts remaining, WTK.
Rw 4: P until 2 sts remaining, WTP.
*Rw 5: K to one stitch before previous wrap-and-turn, WTK.
Rw 6: P to one stitch before previous wrap-and-turn, WTP.*
Repeat rows 5 & 6 until you are purling only 8 stitches across between wrap-and-turns.

Turn Heel:
Next Rw (RS): Knit across 8 sts, WTK. (You will be wrapping the last previously-wrapped stitch on this row.)
Next Rw (WS): Purl across 8 sts, WTP. (You will be wrapping the last previously-wrapped stitch on this row.)

Foot increases:
Rw 1: Knit across all previously worked knit stitches, plus the double-wrapped stitch, WTK.
Rw 2: Purl across all previously worked purl stitches, plus the double-wrapped stitch, WTP.

Repeat rows 1 & 2 until you have reached the last 2 stitches on your wrong-side row. *Turn your work, knit to end. Turn work, P1, knit to last stitch, P1.* Repeat between * *'s one time.

Toe decreases:
Rw 1: K until 2 sts remaining, WTK.
Rw 2: P until 2 sts remaining, WTP.
*Rw 3: K to one stitch before previous wrap-and-turn, WTK.
Rw 4: P to one stitch before previous wrap-and-turn, WTP.*
Repeat rows 3 & 4 until you are purling only 6 stitches across between wrap-and-turns.

Turn Toe:
Next Rw (RS): Knit across 6 sts, WTK. (You will be wrapping the last previously-wrapped stitch on this row.)
Next Rw (WS): Purl across 6 sts, WTP. (You will be wrapping the last previously-wrapped stitch on this row.)

Toe increases:
Rw 1: Knit across all previously worked knit stitches, plus the double-wrapped stitch, WTK.
Rw 2: Purl across all previously worked purl stitches, plus the double-wrapped stitch, WTP.

Repeat rows 1 & 2 until you have reached the last 2 stitches on your wrong-side row.

Turn your work, knit to end. Turn work, P1, knit to last stitch, P1.

Eyelet Row: *K1, yo, k2tog*, repeat to end of row. (For Large size, K1, *K1, yo, k2tog*, repeat to last st, K1).
Next WS Row: K1, purl to last stitch, K1.
Next RS Row: Cast off. Weave in ends. Weave ribbon through eyelets, starting from outside of slipper (should also end coming out on the RS of slipper). Pull tight and tie in a knot or bow. Ribbons may need to have the ends finished with FrayStop or a rolled hem.

Please e-mail me if you find any errors in this pattern.

Copyright 2010 Talena Winters. Public use is allowed, but please give credit. www.wintersdayin.ca

*I'm not sure Robin can be called a "new mommy", since she just had her fifth baby. But she is mommy to a new baby, and I figure that's call for some pampering!

Edit: New photos of another set I made out of Peruvian Highland Wool:

Obsession?

My dad once compared me to Emma on Corner Gas. I hadn't seen the episode (Season 3, "Dog River Vice") at the time, but he figured that if I ever took a bet that I could stop knitting longer than someone else could stop doing something, I would end up just like Emma and be knitting the air with my hands.

I don't know if I am quite THAT bad. But I have been known to knit at stop lights. And during baby showers (the gift wasn't quite done!) and the occasional church annual general meeting. And during many a game of Scrabble or Settlers of Catan (sometimes people take a really LONG time on their turns!)

Therefore, you can imagine my surprise (more like dumb shock) when, last Wednesday night, I discovered that nine years ago, while teaching myself the purl stitch from dim, dusty memories of my grandmother's instructions at the age of five, I taught myself wrong!! And have been doing it wrong ever since, which is why my stockinette stitch pieces always had crossed stitches on them. (I just thought everyone's knitting looked like that! It wasn't until someone commented on it that I began to notice that no one's knitting looked like that! Why, yes, I'm a natural blond, why do you ask?) It worked, it just looked a little odd--and I am fairly certain that is why I have not always been able to get various techniques to work for me. I immediately found videos of how to do it the right way, of course--but it will take a while for the new motions to become as ingrained in my muscle memory as the old ones are were. (I keep telling my fingers that it's a "were!")

Chicken Run Pics

However, despite comparisons to Emma and Babs (above), I still don't think anyone could top this:



Family members, take note: if I ever run out of yarn, make sure you hide the scissors!

Hugs for His Feet

I finished Noah's socks last Tuesday. They were much quicker than Jabin's, as I used a larger yarn and needle size.

Okay, "much" might be pushing it. It took two weeks to make Jabin's socks. It only took 11 days to make Noah's.


That night, when he got home from school, I told him that his socks were done.

"Can I try them?" he asked excitedly.

"You betcha!"

He put them on immediately. "They fit me!" he exclaimed. "I love them!"

Thursday night, I insisted that he must take them off at last and put them in the laundry.


I'm not sure what his reasons are--whether because it was a gift made just for him, or that he really just loves the woolly warmth of the socks (or maybe the colourful stripes?)--but I am glad he likes them so much.

After all, since I pour love into every stitch, it's like making hugs for his feet.

Cupfins? Muffcakes? I dunno... Delicious!

Noah requested that I send chocolate cupcakes to school with him for his classmates on his birthday, as I mentioned before. I decided to make them a little healthier, going with muffins, instead. Then, for his birthday party at the pool, I made the same recipe and baked it in a bundt pan, then served it with ice cream. It was not only a hit, it was also a wonderful, filling snack for the post-swimming munchies!

Enjoy! (Click on link for a 4"x6" recipe card in .doc format.)

Chocolate Gingerbread Muffins
Makes 1 dozen large, or 2 dozen small muffins.

Dry:
3 c. Quick Mix
½ c. cocoa
½ c. whole (or dark brown) sugar*
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
¼ tsp. cloves
1 c. chocolate chips

Wet:
3 eggs
2/3 c. butter, melted**
¼ c. blackstrap molasses
2 c. canned pumpkin***

Combine dry ingredients in large bowl. Stir thoroughly. Make a well in centre.

Beat eggs in a medium bowl until frothy. Mix in remaining wet ingredients.. Pour into well. Stir only to moisten. (Batter will be lumpy.) Fill greased muffin cups ¾ full. Bake in 400°F (200°C) oven for 20-25 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Remove from pan. Serve warm, slathered in butter.

*Instead of sugar, 6 tbsp. maple syrup may be added to the wet ingredients. This will not make a significant difference in the consistency of the batter.
**NEVER use a microwave to melt your butter, or for any other reason. Microwave cooking creates free radicals, which have been confirmed as a causative reason for cancer!
***I once substituted buttermilk for pumpkin when I was out, and it was delicious.

© 2010 Talena Winters. www.wintersdayin.ca

Reliving Great Olympic Moments

I could talk about the fourteen gold medals that Canada won. And don't get me wrong--I am totally stoked about that.

But this... this is what reached into the part of my heart that has often wished that life really was like a Broadway musical, and that people would spontaneously break into a choreographed dance in the street.

I guess I'm not the only one...

imagine1day's Official Dancing in the Streets flashmob | Vancouver Canada 2010 from Jered Love on Vimeo.

Now I Know

I have sometimes wondered at what age kids start getting uncomfortable with their parents' PDA (public display of affection).

This morning, I kissed Jason goodbye as I often do. Jude was sitting at the table eating breakfast. After two or three seconds he said, "Are you done kissing yet?"

Jason and I both held back chuckles.

"No!" Jason said.

"That's a lot of kissing," Jude muttered.

"That's the great thing about being married," I said, grinning. "You get to kiss whenever you want!"

I think that was the seven-year-old equivalent of saying, "Get a room!"

Well, I guess now I know!

Five Random Things Monday: Jabin

1. Mr. Independent: Jabin earned this title early on in life, always wanting to do everything himself from the moment he discovered food could come from something besides a breast. Lately, he has been pressing to remain the Reigning Champion of the title, no longer being happy to let someone else butter his bread, put condiments on his food, open his bananas, etc. For the most part, this is a welcome change--now, if only we could get him to figure out how to do up his coat zipper, we'd be laughing!
2. Scissors: Lately, Jabin has been the "King of Cutting". He is not happy colouring a picture, unless he is also allowed to cut it out. His skill with the scissors has therefore been improving exponentially--but sometimes, I think he cuts off Roo's tail, or the snowman's hat, or the sun's rays on purpose, just so he can then use some clear tape to put them back together! (There was a line there, right? Why else would they put a line there unless they wanted him to cut it?)
3. Socks: Jabin was the lucky recipient of the first pair of socks I have ever made. I finished them Friday--one week per sock, with fairly consistent daily work on them. They are uber-cute, especially on his little footsies--but it didn't take me long to decide that the next pair would be made from a larger-gauge yarn! (I just don't want to take two weeks to make something as small as socks. Call me crazy if you must.) He loves them, which warms my cockles. How gratifying is it, after roughly 30 hours of work (and a new callous!) to tell the boy that his socks are finished and have him jump up and down excitedly while yelling "Yay!" not once, not twice, but thrice?
4. Motor Skills: Of my three boys, Jabin's fine motor skills have probably developed the earliest--he is a champion colourer, he loves to paint with watercolours and acrylics, and his cutting obsession has already been described. Although most of his recent colouring work has fallen prey to his scissors, I managed to save one from the guillotine for posterity:
5. Helping: Jabin loves helping--and he is getting old enough that occasionally, he can actually be helpful! Okay, he might not do the most stellar job of wiping down walls, sweeping the floor, or picking up toys--but he is trying, he's learning, and he loves feeling useful. Everyone's gotta start somewhere!

When Noah Turned 6...

Noah turned six years old on Friday. I can hardly believe it. My "little guys" are definitely not so little anymore!

Friday was a pretty busy day, since it was Noah's "Rural Friday" at kindergarten (rural kids only go one Friday a month). He had requested that I send chocolate cupcakes to school for all the kids. I came close, with yummy chocolate gingerbread muffins. He loved 'em, and so did his friends. They had them at last snack, and Jude and Jabin and I joined them in the classroom for that.

Noah and Jabin playing a counting game in Noah's classroom.

The rest of the day was pretty busy, so we did our special family "birthday" stuff the next day.

Noah eating some birthday muffins for breakfast on Saturday. This is a classic "Noah Face."

We gave him our presents:



went to the pool, then had ice cream.


I think Noah was fairly happy with it, overall. We will be having a little party with his friends next weekend, since they were mostly either sick or gone this weekend.

Love you, little man!