The Wiggles & Squeaks Shoppe...

     A couple of weeks ago I finally opened an online shop.  I had been thinking about it for quite a long time and finally decided to just go for it.

     There will be hand made items for sale along with patterns for crochet, knit and sewing.  I'm working on patterns now as I speak.  For the moment there are a good sampling of ready made blankets for sale just waiting for new homes to go to.  Perfect for the chilly days ahead.

     Check back often for more items and patterns to be added.

The Wiggles & Squeaks Shoppe

~*~

Kar

Stirring a bit...

     The weather is starting to turn a bit.  A bit more like Spring every week.  Although we have days when Winter does not want to let go, Mother Nature tells it otherwise.  It is a welcome change here.  We are getting outside more.  Hikes along the river.  Time just spent sitting along the banks listening to the water moving by.  Sitting in spots that will be underwater within weeks when water is released from the dam for irrigation.  It's so wonderful.  Especially when you have made a bad habit of hibernating too much during Winter and sitting at home in the warmth of it all is so addicting.

     Daylight savings is not a friend of mine.  I much prefer to wake up early in the morning with the sun peeking over the hills watching all the beautiful colors that come with it.  Boo to the pitch black that lingers around much too long for my liking.

     I finally got my hands on my Christmas/very early anniversary present (the spinning wheel) after patiently finishing it.  It is so addicting after getting the hang of it, of sorts.  I'm not by any means a pro at it yet but it is so relaxing to sit for long periods of time working with the movement of it all.  I can't wait to get my hands on more wool just so I can sit and watch something colorful come together.

     Cooler mornings have me working on several things.  A quilt for hubby.  Helping a little one work a little more on her quilt.  Crochet Easter presents for the grandsons.  And early morning tea with knitting while watching the sun peek through the darkness.  Then after lunch and school work it is out to the yard for as long as I want or as long as the weather permits.  I can't wait to get seeds planted so that everything will spring up and show all the colors there is to show off.  The patio has been cleaned off and bouts of knitting with very pretty yarn, listening to the birds and just sitting in the warm sun are happening here and there.  I might even go outside today and mow the grass.  Just because I am itching to start doing it.  I absolutely love it.  I know, I have issues.

~*~

Kar

Changing of seasons...

     I came to the realization that it has been a while since I last posted here on the blog.  Life just grabbed hold at some point in November and didn't slow down until after the holidays.  At least I didn't forget to take some pictures from time to time to remind me of just what went on around here.

     Pictures of Fall leaves reminded me of all the pretty color that we will all have to wait for again for another 9 months  at least.  Brightly colored sunrises reminded us of beautiful sunrises we would wait patiently for each morning.  Those beautifully colored sunrises also make us remember the story of how pink skies in the mornings and evenings mean Santa, Mrs. Claus and all the elves are busy baking cookies for Christmas, a story passed down for many years in our family.  It's so wonderful to see all the little ones faces when they see those bright pink skies and squeal about all the baking going on at the North Pole.  And the ever important letter to Santa was written in time with personalized art work added in just because.

     Handmade Christmas gifts were finished with plenty of time to spare.  Although one little person's gifts turned out to be a bit of a challenge all because he has to be bigger than others his age.  All turned out good in the end.  Then my attention turned to making things just because I could.  I love making things when there is no real time constraints attached to them.

     We were able to convince Mom to come up for the holidays.  It was a wonderful 3 weeks which passed by way to fast.  But at least we got snow for her to enjoy.  She's not one to slow down so when I said "you don't need to help shovel snow", she didn't listen.  Then there was a snow fort that needed to be built and a snowman.  A few mornings even brought us freezing fog and beautiful hoar frost everywhere.  There were lots of things being baked while Mom was here.  From our traditional cookies to first ever macaroons for us and quite a few Apple Strudels were made by the girls and Mom.  How lovely that was to sit back and watch the girls bake together with Mom like I would in years past.  And then to listen to her stories about how things were done when she was little just made me melt.  That has to be my favorite part of her visits with us.

     Christmas Eve was quiet and relaxing.  A wonderful treat.  Reindeer food still had to be put outside because the poor reindeer are working hard also.  I love how this tradition has not been forgotten yet.  Hopefully it won't stop.  Then watching the girls sit by their bedroom windows for a bit looking at the Christmas lights outside, staring at all the glowing lights against the snow.  We were able to sleep in on Christmas morning for the first time in years.  I really didn't know how to act due to our normal wake up call is at 4 or 5am other years.  This year we slept till 7am.  I'm thinking the girls were being easy on Mom, although she is a early riser anyway.  New Years came and went. A few days after meant Mom was heading back home.  We were all sad.  Even the girls thought that the house was too quiet without her here.  Not that she was all out loud and rowdy while visiting.  It just meant that our game time and puzzle time and shopping with her had come to an end for now.  I will never play Scattergories again without thinking of some of the answers she and Glenn came up with.  We hadn't laughed that hard during a game in ages.  Crazy people.

     Now we are back to our normal schedule filled with school work and being our normal selves.  Not that there are any complaints about that.  I will just have to fill the evenings with new projects made from pretty yarn.  Someone is asking for a pair of crocheted socks just because I've never crocheted socks before.  I might have to kick back on the sofa and tackle that challenge.

~*~

Kar

Where did the time go...

     What happened to the month of January?  It seems like just a few days ago it just started and now there are only a few days left of it.  At least it has been a pleasant rush of days.  Nothing too hectic.  Just a nice easy pace for us all to enjoy.

     The weather has been here, there and everywhere.  We started out the month with snow on the ground, gray skies and cold temps.  The gray skies got old real quick with hanging around the first two weeks of the month.  That much time with nothing but gray skies gets to a person.  Especially me since I thrive on the sun.  Even Mr. Snowman seemed to mock me outside my craft room window every day as to be telling me to get moving with his so called yoga moves (the triangle pose the girls say).  Like that was going to make the day better some how.  Then there were a few glorious days of sun to perk everyone up a bit and put Mr. Snowman in his place for being a smarty pants.  Things got better then.  Hopefully the days of inversions this Winter are drawing to a close and sunshine will be the norm.  I'm hoping.

     With the days also being quite chilly out there has been lots of time to finish projects that were sitting patiently at the side just waiting for the holidays to be over with the hopes of being finished soon after.  My crochet jacket is complete and fits wonderfully.  There has been quite a few days it has kept me nice and warm when dashing outside to run errands here and there.  Then there is the  sweater for my dearest.  That project hadn't been touched since September from what I remember.  It's coming along nicely with only the sleeves to be completed.  Crossing fingers that it will complete by the end of the week in hopes of it being worn before Winter is done.

     There is another pile of flannel patiently waiting to be turned into pj's.  I just couldn't help myself after seeing all these wonderful prints at the fabric store.  And one can never have too many cozy flannel pants to lounge around in inside when it's chilly outside.

    We had a very important birthday happen here this past weekend.  I was a tad bit emotional even after trying to keep it contained a bit.  16.  How did that happen?  It really does seem like yesterday we were rushing to the hospital hoping she wouldn't be born in the car.  We found out quite quickly that she was a snuggle bug.  Loved being held, never too fussy.  Just calm and content with someone holding her in a soft, warm blanket.  She never really liked being by herself.  Not even at night when it came down to sleeping in her crib.  Snuggled in between us is where she liked it best.  Until 2am every night when she had to hear her Daddy sing her special song to her until she was ready to go back to sleep again.  There were many nights we would be walking in circles in the living room telling her "we love singing your song to you but you need to got back to sleep" only to see those little eyes looking back at us along with her cutest smile as to be telling us "that's nice".  We have been on quite a wonderful ride with this sweet girl.  She's kind, smart, hard working.  When she sets her mind on something, you know she will get it done.  She's got an beautiful, old soul.  She's grounded.  Knows what is important and doesn't follow along with anyone or anything.  She listens to our advice without argument and makes smart decisions afterwards.  We are filled with pride with this darling girl of ours.  16 wonderful years so far, with many more to come with her.

~*~

Kar