so thankful... xo

though I always try to be mindful of being thankful, this weekend kind of reminds us to take some time to truly think about all of the wonderful things we have to be thankful for.

though I miss my family terribly, and know they are all gathering together for feasting, and birthday celebrations (I can't believe my sweet niece is 8 already!!) I am so thankful for family. for good health, and a beautiful country.

I adore the colours of fall, and the inspiration it brings. I'm so thankful for dear friends, and some are making sure we don't go hungry this thanksgiving!! we've got 2 dinners to go to, and are hosting one more! - owen has done well with the centerpiece, don't you think?

I am so thankful for my sweet husband, and son. life is all the more amazing with them in it. my husband comes home from sea today, and we are excited to spend a long weekend together! lots of feasting, of course, but also playing soccer, catch, lego creations being made, curling up with good books, and movies.... and of course knitting!

I am also so thankful for this space, and the friendships that ravelry and the blogging world have given me!

what are your thanksgiving plans? for those of you celebrating thanksgiving next month, are you planning the menu and times with friends and family already? have you started your fall decorating? xo wishing you all a very happy thanksgiving, and sending you much love. xoxoxo

pause

i can hardly believe that we're into the last week of may! honestly, it's true that the older you get, the days really do just fly by. sigh. all the more reason to remind ourselves to stop every so often and take it in.

Source: a-slice-of-awesome.tumblr.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

it's something i'm trying to tell myself often. so today, as some of you are celebrating a long weekend (lucky you!) i'm wishing you a day of rest, family, and happiness. xoxo


as for me? we don't have a holiday today.. that was last monday for us. but i have plans of bread baking, knitting, and spending time at the library :) what are you spending your day doing today? come chat. xo

placing an order for more time....

today is definitely one of those days where i wish i had many many more hours in the day....
we've got family arriving tomorrow for a big visit. every year my inlaws bring out their fifth wheel and stay a month. it's heaps of fun, but it's always my deadline for spring cleaning. (if i don't give myself a deadline, i'll never get it done...lol)
i've got heaps of knitting to get done... (most of it is "work knitting" and has deadlines too...)
the laundry pile is ridiculous... the recycling is over-flowing, i keep tripping over boxes "for donation"... and i have yet to organize our closet...  i have bagels to make, and our fridge seems to be empty...again. (why does it do that? lol)

but you know what? it will get done. the sun is shining, and the music is already playing... hopefully at some point today i can put my feet up and make a big dent in the knitting pile.... if i can, i'll show you my swatch for the tops, tanks and tees kal tomorrow! oxoxo

Source: Uploaded by user via Sandra on Pinterest

what are you working on today? has life caught up to you? are you buried in piles of laundry, cleaning, donations, and everyday chores? come chat. keep me company? xoxo

soo... i'm on pinterest this morning...

and you know this is off to a very productive morning. lol! but you know, sometimes we just can't help ourselves.
anyways... it's probably very evident what my main interests are.. .because now i have serious desires for yarn, to cast on new projects, to sew a big quilt for my bed out of vintage sheets... oh and i'm very, very hungry.
ha.

Source: ohbiteit.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

you're welcome. want to follow me on pinterest? you can find me here.

ok. break's over. i'd better get back to work.. ;)
happy thursday dear friends! oh and if you happen to make these cookies... can i have one? xoxo

tinkering....

i'm working away here... on something for all of you who are currently still bundled up trying to keep warm with all of the snow piling around you. something kind of special... something that should make you happy... and i hope to tell you about it soon!
but in the meantime.... let's just wish we were all right here. ok?

Source: abacuscards.co.uk via Rebecca on Pinterest

ok. that sounds like a plan ;)

tell me, what are you up to today? i'd love to know! i think that after luvinthemommyhood's post yesterday, i'm needing to bake cookies. xo

countdown!

the weekend is over? serious blurr.... my hubby came home on friday, and then i had to teach a class. we had a work party to go to on saturday... and turkey shopping on sunday. and now he's already back at sea! wowza!! that means i have 2 weeks to figure out this christmas thing, and knit like m.a.d. hahah
totally doable. in fact, i have another pot of coffee brewing right now.

 

i'm definitely getting pretty excited for christmas :) the movies have been playing... and next week, baking will be in full force!

this is the last week i'll be running nook's facebook christmas sale. if you're local there's no shipping!totally something to be excited about ;)

tell me, what's on your needles? and christmas baking going on in your home? what music are you listening to right now? it's alabama christmas here ;) xo

shameless plug

let me just say that this cold going around is a doozy. seriously it knocks you right over. and dammit it's hard to get any progress done. but i'm happy to say that i think i'm over the worst of it. hurrah!
and with only a few days left! eek! but i've gotten some things done and ready for the big first market of the season for me... i've decided to run a little promotion on my booth!

i've been knitting up these adorable christmas-sy mug hugs like it's nobody's business but the elves. (umm that could be a saying, right?) totally.
it's mayehm here. the good kind. yarn everywhere. christmas tunes playing, even the tree and all other decorations are up. (save for the stockings.... i've been dearly reminded many times already by a certain 4 year old to get on knitting his.. lol) .... my little man has even started his letter to santa, and plans for many batches of chrsitmas cookies.
i love this time of year. and now hopefully that i'm feeling much better, i can fully enjoy it!  this is such a busy weekend for so many of us! thinking of our neighbours in the south on your thanksgiving holiday. my sister and hubby and their kiddos are in virginia... she's proudly told me she's made 5 pies! they will have such a feast. and with my folks driving out, and my cousin flying out... i'm a little jealous... but excited to see the pics. xo
and i know that this weekend will be a busy one up at all decked out! such a buzz about it already! hurrah! i'm so excited for it! if you go, please stop by my booth even just to say hi! i love meeting all of you... and this crafting community rocks. so there's that too...
and then only a week after that, will be the owl designer fair! so please come to that too.. it's gonna rock! fo-realz. i'll be there on the saturday, in the studio... so make sure you come and say hi!

my needles have been flying, in fact they're on fire! when i say i work best while under pressure and with deadlines, i'm not kidding. hurrah! i can't wait to show you pics of the mock up... and of course of the real thing!
and there's the uber exciting thing too.. nook can now accept visa, mastercard & paypal. so let's get that christmas shopping underway! i'm excited to see you! xo

are you planning on attending any holiday craft fairs this year? which ones? what is on your needles right now? do you have a long handmade christmas list staring at you? what are you tackling first? share share! my queue could always get longer.. i'm ok with that ;) xoxox

spook fest!

working with yarn is definitely more my thing than working with food... ;) however, i just couldn't disappoint my uber excited 4 year old with his hallowe'en party dessert request...  best i can do is try...

and i'm happy to say, they were a hit! haha! a much prettier version of this graces the cover of today's parent magazine. the october issue ;)

as for his costume? totally not handmade... especially when he's decided to be a storm-trooper. ;)
we've got a very wet forecast here... in fact, we're under a rain-fall warning... up to 70mm of rain today! i'm certain it won't put a huge damper on my 4 year old's spirits. after all, we will all do almost anything for candy ;)

now let's see if i can stay awake long enough to watch a scary movie tonight, after today's preparations for trick or treating ;)

what are you up to today? do you have kiddos who are also super excited? any fun costumes? xo

trick or treat... and surprise!

it's still dark out.. and i'm preparing for what's about to be one of our busiest weekends yet! i've woken up with more of a sore throat and congestion (clearly i'm still not fully over this cold), but i've got my coffee, and determination to make this a very memorable weekend :)

Source: google.com via Maverick on Pinterest

my little man has asked for a hallowe'en party. and he's just so dang cute, i said yes :) so we're having it this weekend. right after soccer. he wanted to invite only boys. "of course sweetie, it's your party.. just tell me who you want to invite!" so the evites went out, including the grandparents (just for fun as they might like to see owen's invitation)  and i realize just how loud it is going to be in my house. lol. especially since the forecast is rain, rain, and more rain. ha!

but how cute! the kids will all come up in their costumes (i can't even begin to tell you how excited owen is for this..to finally don his stormtrooper outfit), and we'll have make your own pizzas, and hallowe'en bingo. i'm even attempting some crazy bat cupcake that owen has had his heart set on for weeks now. ... and of course, we've got the goodie bags to get ready too :)

Source: cardcow.com via Barb on Pinterest

but here's the big surprise... my mil called yesterday saying they'd love to come and surprise owen for his hallowe'en party... (since every time he's talked on the phone to them he's all like ..."it's too bad you can't come to my party") soooo guess who's coming just before owen's soccer game on saturday? i think he'll be pretty stoked :) and really, what a nice surprise!  and kind of a nice surprise for us parents, as we can plan a last minute date! hurrah! and since it's my birthday on sunday, well that just worked out nicely ;)

Source: flickr.com via Caroline on Pinterest

so i've got heaps to do today, before les comes home from sea. but i'm sure i'll get it done... thankfully the camera is also coming home today, so i can actually document this weekend... and finally show you some much promised fo's!

what are you up to this weekend? any hallowe'en parties? last minute costume-making? crafting? baking? i'd love to know what you're up to! come chat, i love your company. xo

smell it.

i love the smell of fall. oh. so. much.

Source: weheartit.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

today starts the beginning of my favourite month! i absolutely looove october! for many reasons. it's my anniversary month, my birthday month, thanksgiving (for us canadians) and even though i knit pretty much constantly.... it's the month i get super excited about knitting! super duper excited. ha.

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

we've got a really busy month ahead. my little has decided he wants a hallowe'en party... so there's the planning for that. knit city is in less than two weeks! (yikes!) and thanksgiving is this coming weekend!

Source: scotchandscones.tumblr.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

i've already got banana bread baking in the oven (it went in at 7:30!) so it's smelling good here! my needles have been clicking steadily away, and the coffee is hot.

Source: google.co.uk via Rebecca on Pinterest

don't forget to check goodnight baby mouse's blog later today to see if you were one of the winners to her amazing giveaway! 

come chat fall. what are you excited to have on your needles? what do you love most about this time of year? xo

blueberries and banana make good muffins.

as you know we're going away soon on our holidays. so i'm not grocery shopping... because i'm not lugging around a ton of food, and i don't want stuff to go off.. it makes sense. but it also means, that i didn't realize i was running out.. and when my little man didn't want cereal this morning, i had to think fast.

our fruit was ripening faster, so baking was in order.
i don't even know where i got this recipe. i have a habit of writing recipes down (i have a lot actually) and it's neat to leaf through the index cards to see what i can find. and i'm sure i've had this one on hand for at least a decade.

i thought i'd share it with you today... since they're super yummy and all...

blueberry banana oat muffins

(makes 12)

mix together:
1 cup  ww.flour
1 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda 

in a seperate bowl, blend:
1 egg, beaten
1 cup mashed banana (i used 3... they had to be used up)
2 tbsp melted butter

add the banana mixture to the flour mixture. then fold in 1 cup blueberries. you could add apples too.
note: you may also replace applesauce for the banana and raisins for blueberries (just for a variation)

bake in a greased muffin tin at 400 degrees for 15 min. or until toothpick comes out clean.

they're yummy. my 4 year old tester gave me the thumbs up.

what are you baking today? xo

wrap me up

it's a very blustery day out today. and rainy, and dark. perfect for cuddling, book reading, and knitting... i just might throw in a little bread baking too...
i've said it before though, i love days like this every once in a while... they're so cozy. and after weeks of busy visiting time, and then a first camping trip.. i could use the break...
but let's talk knitting.. ok? i've got an f.o for ya.
remember this pretty skein? oh goodness it has behaved nicely :)

the honey cowl was the perfect pattern for it. this yarn was such a treat to work with. the merino is sooo soft. and i couldn't stop staring at it.. the colour changes were just eye-catching.. don't you think so?

 

it's the coziest. and i love it. greens and rust-oranges are some of my fave colours. very earthy... i don't think my pics do it justice, but you do have a pretty good idea i think. :) i will most definitely be knitting in madelinetosh merino dk again.

the pattern for the honey cowl has different options to work with, depending on the yardage you have.  because i had only 1 skein i could have done a shorter length, but i decided to cast on for the longest length.. and just knit to half of the width of the large size. personally i love it. 

when you're wrapping it around your neck twice, it's still a great length. not too short at all. it doesn't constrict and i'm super happy with how it's turned out.

i'm certain this lovely will get much wear out of it. it's just too pretty not to be worn. and for some reason, these colours make me think of my times at the cottage. of canoing, and hiking the "granny goat's path" and exploring our little "mica mine" (we have many nick names at our cottage...lol).

yes. this cowl gives me warm fuzzies.
it's a very easy knit. totally portable. you don't need to bring the pattern along with you. and the results are stunning.
i totally recommend it. i knit it on a 5.0mm. i'd love to try this pattern using 2 skeins as well. just sayin'.


and how are you keeping busy today? have you knit the honey cowl before? are you a fan of madelinetosh yarn (um i don't think i know of anyone who isn't..) any recent fo's popping up that give you warm fuzzies, and allow you to wander down memory lane? like i said it's a blustery, dark, damp day. i've got the coffee on, and soon the bread will be baking.. come chat! xo

bring it! :)

i think that by now you all know that i thrive on being busy. and it seems that the busier i get, the more excited i get about what's on my plate.

Source: lionbrand.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

haahaa, well guess what? more just got added to my plate! i'm excited about it, and i can't wait to tell you what it is... but until everything is finalized you're gonna have to be patient.

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

so in the meantime, while i play major catch-up today with my knitting, and bread baking, and kiddo cuddling....  i thought i'd share some of my current springtime crushes. because we can all use a little inspiration, and colour, no?

Source: topshop.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Source: sweetgeorgiayarns.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

i'm off to create today! we are totally out of regular bread loaves...  what are you up to? do you have any favourite bread recipes you always fall back to? what's on your needles? how has your week been so far? 
i'd love to know what you're up to. come chat.. i'm gonna go make more coffee :) xo

friday friday!!!!

ok it's here! tomorrow is the big day!
if you're on vancouver island, please come and visit me at all sprung out.

i am getting so very excited! i know there are going to be some fabulous vendors there, and i hope to be able to do some rounds myself!
and who knows? i might actually be able to start some selfish knitting after this! :)

if all goes well today with tying up loose ends, i hope to get a little extra baking done ;) i'm gonna need some replenishment tomorrow... hmmm maybe bagels?

how are you celebrating your last weekend of march? any exciting plans? the sun is out this morning! i tell ya, it's a beautiful start to the weekend. bring on the spring weather, and the flowers! and the knitting ;) have a beautiful weekend! xo

final push!

today is my day to make the final push to finish everything for all sprung out. i can't believe the weekend is coming up so quickly! i have a bit more crafting to finish, then it's to creating a mock table. if you've ever planned for a market, you'd be surprised at how beneficial this step is. knowing just how you want everything displayed, before the actual event makes for set up that much more stress free :) and on the day of your market, it's really all about having fun.. and i've got to tell ya, i'm getting excited!

and if you live on vancouver island, i'd looove to see you! there will be more than 50 vendors! live music, food, and i've got to tell ya i'm feeling great vibes!
if you are planning on heading out to this fab event, the details are all on the poster above. (obv. hahaha). but if you have any other questions, just msg me here. or on my facebook page :) 
there will be lots of parking, and an atm close by as well. so come, and bring your friends! xo

in other news.... i thought i'd throw in a mention of this amazing giveaway from tanis fiber arts.

photo from tanisfiberarts.blogspot.ca

i've still never knit with her yarns, and i sooooo want to! don't they look lovely?? gush. one day i totally vow to knit with her yarn. and if i were to win this giveaway, i could! but if i didn't win, maybe you will!!! check out her giveaway here  and mention i sent ya! the giveaway is for an entire kit! wowza. yeah, it's a good one. you'll not want to miss out on it. seriously. go. check. it. out.

 it's a very generous, and gorgeous giveaway!
anyways, have fun entering! and i hope you have a lovely, craft-filled day!

what do you have going on today? it's pouring rain here, and we had a big wind storm last night. so we're huddled up here, baking bread, and crafting away. i'm sure we'll watch a movie too... perfect for rainy days. :) are you a fan of entering giveaways? do you enter every one, or are you selective? have you ever knit with tanis fiber arts? come chat! there's always coffee. xo