Knit Trees



Luke was looking out the window the other day and mentioned that he missed the trees. More specifically, he missed all the colors of the autumn leaves and having giant old trees near the house like we did in town. Sigh.  Me, too.  I miss the low hanging branches of the fifty year old basswood out our front window and the maple, out the back, of the same age.  Moving out here meant giving up a few of those things that we loved, but we gained so much more.

He agreed.

Still, the trees.

He and I picked out a few of our favorite fall colors and I'm going to knit a tree garland for the window.   It won't be quite the same, but maybe some color will help perk things up!


What's on your needles this week?

p.s.  Joining Ginny




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Taking Stock



When it feels like life is moving way too fast or I've accomplished absolutely nothing, it's nice to take stock at the end of the week.

Making: Oatmeal and brown sugar soap

Listening: Woolful Podcast #42

Snacking: Quesadilla's made right on top of the wood stove.  No dishes necessary!

Giggling: While reading out loud from "Little Heathens".  The boys made me read the chapter on outhouses twice.

Enjoying: Clearing the clutter.

Waiting: To visit my mom and dad in Florida.  They bought us all plane tickets for Christmas.  It will be Cole and Luke's first time seeing the ocean.

Loving: The clarity of the night's sky this time of year.

Buying:  This pattern.

Bookmarking: Small Business Blog

Hoping: My computer cord shorted out and I have to wait for a new one before I can upload any patterns.  It should be here on Wednesday, I hope.  Unfortunately, Birchwood will have to launch next Sunday, instead.  In the mean time, I'm having a 50% off sale on all my patterns over on Ravelry.  No coupon code needed.

Smelling: Sage from last summer's herb garden.

Admiring:  Lyrics written by my oldest son.

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Knitting Goals


Do you have knitting goals for this year?  I do.  As Rachel keeps saying, this is the year to get shit done!  {She's a breath of fresh air, this woman. If you haven't checked out her blog and Instagram, you really should.}  I have so many patterns that have been sitting in my "to finish" file, it's overwhelming and exciting and terrifying all at the same time.  Some of them have been there for years.  Most of the patterns are almost finished even, just needing the photos or tutorials put into a template.  Some of them, only need a once over and then to be uploaded to Ravelry.  I get distracted with being a mom, a wife, or that little voice in my head that says it's not good enough.  I'm working on that last one by the way.  It's a big one.  Anyway, this week, I'm starting with a pattern that is the most special to me.  It was a part of our journey to homesteading and I can't wait to tell you all about it on Sunday when the pattern goes live!



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Sweet Fern






The welcoming scents of sugar cookies, gingerbread, pumpkin pies, and fresh cut pine have all disappeared with the passing of the holidays.  While we continue fill the house with the daily smells of bread baking, coffee and other treats, the tightness of a winter home can become pretty stale by mid January. This week we decided that a little pick me up was in order.  The hill at the front edge of our property {aka the sledding hill} is covered in Sweet Fern bushes, so we made an afternoon of harvesting and sledding.  A few cups of leaves for tea and a few cups for sachet making. Several sachets will be hidden in drawers and corners around the house and many will be kept aside for restocking the shop.  

What's your favorite way to freshen up the house this winter?
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Wood Carving






While the temperatures are below zero outside, we've been finding ways to occupy our hands and minds inside.  Audio books, knitting, baking, drawing, and the latest obsession, wood carving.  Cole asked for carving knives at Solstice this year and was pleased as punch when he received not one, but two sets from various family members.  He's been spending hours nestled in front of the wood stove making swords and daggers out of pine and birch.  Last weekend, Jake and I joined in the making, too. Jake started working on a spoon, but it split just as he was finishing the bowl.  Too bad, because it looked just like this spoon and I love it for making bread.  I started a wooden mushroom, after watching this video.  For my first attempt at carving anything other than sticks around the campfire, I'm happy with how it turned out.  Just a little sanding around the edges, and I'm calling it done.  
We made a huge mess, and I didn't even care.  It was such fun and I can't wait to see what else comes of our wood carving obsession this winter.  Have you done any wood carving?  We'd love some beginner project ideas if you'd like to share.

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