'Twas the night before Christmas

The children are nestled, all tucked in their beds. Happy holidays, everyone on this Holy Night. Peace to you all.

Wooly Christmas Ornaments

I was so inspired by Handknit Holidays- I just love that book. I wanted to make oodles of little felted ornaments for everyone I love. Thought it would be a great project with the kidlets. Originally, my plan was to get the roving from the source the author used, but my mil has a friend with sheep, so she got some actual wool straight from the sheep's back and gave it to me.
Dyeing with Kool-aid was fun, my hands turned funky colors and our house smelled like fruit-punch for a few days.

Felting uncarded wool turned out to be not as neat and easy as with roving, the balls are not as firm and symmetrical or smooth as those pictured in the pattern, and after a day of felting balls, many mishapen, we lost our steam. But, we did make enough to make a few ornaments yesterday for e's teachers and they turned out like this:

Sooo cute, I am re-inspired. I have a pile of dyed wool to make more. And there is a possibility that the woman who gave me the wool will card it for me.

Am in the throes of holiday preparation, knitting when I can get the chance. I was perusing here and wondering how these super-star knitting mamas can do it all and here (scroll down to Oct. 12) is cmeknit's answer. If only I could knit from 8 until midnight, but I head to bed with lil'c and she is such a crappy sleeper, I need all the z's I can get. And, I just am not a super fast knitter. Someday I will be a super-knitter, too.

Sorrow in the air

Sorrow is in the air, all around. Today is the 1st birthday of my dear friend's daughter who died when she was just over 1 month old. Another dear friend's cherished neighbor died yesterday after a very brief battle with cancer. This same df lost her father to cancer this summer. Dear friend Tessa's dh lost his grandmother, their dog died and ds injured his foot, all in the same week- they too are weary with sorrow. And then the Kim family....

So many questions unanswered, that most enormous question of "Why?"

And yet, joy infuses my soul alongside my sorrow, creating clarity and a crispness that comes from knowing great suffering. I light a candle or two in honor and memory of cherished loved one's deaths and to remember those who love them. I can only trust and have faith that God is taking care of us all.

Peace to you all.

Unexpected sorrow

My heart is heavy with sorrow for the death of James Kim, a man I do not now and yet his loss touches both dh and I as it has for so many others. He sacrificed his life to save his family. His death is a tragedy. I can't imagine the regrets his widow, Kati must have and the questions she must be asking herself. The Kim family is in our prayers. We wish you peace.

Chillin'

Just sitting here, enjoying the after-effects of a glass of wine, some dark chocolate and a soak in our neighbor's hot tub on a chilly winter's evening. It is so nice to sit here, with no one demanding anything of me. e is asleep on the couch, lil' c is in bed. Aah, sweet silence. Or sweet snores from the couch.