Dusting Off That Old Story

At long last I’m finally trying to write this novel that’s been rattling around in my brain since high school. I turned it into a short story for a creative writing class, and have carried that version from place to place ever since. I stumbled across it a few months ago and now it’s almost constantly drafting scenes and concepts in my head.

I’m beginning to accept that I can’t write this the way I usually write. I prefer one foot in front of the other. The story itself may jump around in time, but I work through each next step until it feels like solid ground to move forward with.

No. This story wants me to get all the good bits down. The pieces that will then need to be fit together. Who knows what this will look like on the other side, but without these pieces, I’ll never see the big picture.

I’m almost ready to commit to working on it. Once I open these floodgates, there’s no going back. I’ve got a fresh notebook and plenty of pens. Now to just go ahead and scatter the scenes throughout the pages with scratched in ideas and changes stuffed in the margins. Oh, the child writer in me is so excited to see what this grownup version can do.

Almost There

I don’t really know what to say. This post has been rewritten several times. I want to be witty about it, but it’s the sweater hump.

I did finish the hem. I really had to put effort into not stopping short. I’m happy I continued on. So the bottom hem is done and now I’m on the sleeves. I don’t mind sleeves. They work up quick and keeping track of decreases is like a dopamine hit. “Almost there” is what every tally mark says to me.

Once I get to the shawl collar and button bands I’ll feel better. I just get antsy at this stage. I’m so close to done, but the finish line just keeps pulling away from me. Off to knit some more!

Two Chicken Dinners

This is Leftover Chicken Stir Fry that wasn’t necessarily cooked that way. Our kitchen is fairly small. Chores have been more difficult to accomplish lately. And our recycling is piling up. This leaves me limited space for meal making.

I did manage to get the chicken in the crockpot yesterday. I whipped up some mashed potatoes with boxed flakes and heated up some frozen broccoli to go with it for a meal everyone was happy with.

For tonight’s dinner I cooked up some pasta (thankfully the big pot was clean), set it aside and threw cannellini beans, frozen stir-fry veggie mix, leftover chicken, honey, garlic, and spices and simmered that all together. It was delicious.

Not As Far As I’d Like

But I’m making progress. I am easily distracted when working on larger projects. I have interrupted this one with five other items since it all began a little over a month ago. Today, however, I was focused.

I got far enough to try it on am delighted I do in fact, finally, have the size right. It will be the perfect cozy fit for my sister.

It’s back on the needles and I’m feeling excited to keep making tally’s on my track card. I’ve created a 16 row repeat for the sweater with the diamond cable sections working on different rows of its 24 row repeat. So I have three patterns to keep track of.

Welp, I’m going to get back to it. Happy knitting!

Back to the Aran Sweater

In the midst of designing my sister’s sweater I’ve completed a few side projects. This hat has been sold to someone I know. I’m not sure if they’re happy with it yet, but I am.

I had to restart this one a few times and adjust the design a bit. I’ll probably change it again when I make more.

The arm warmers are done and fit perfectly. I’m looking forward to starting the hooded wrap to go with them.

These fingerless mitts were fun to whip up and are perfect for keeping my hands warm and cozy. They match the hat I made perfectly.

This hat just makes my head happy. I love hats, but really struggle to find, or make, hats that fit me the way I like. I’m so pleased to have a set to wear.

Now I’m ready to focus on this bad boy.

Budget Meals

Spaghetti is definitely one of my go-to meals in the colder months. Especially when we’re craving some comfort. Tonight seemed like a good night for that.

January is always tough. I feel like it’s also the fastest month of the year. We’re almost through. Finances are tight. While better times should be ahead, now is still hard.

I just happened to go meat shopping on the right day. I was able to get twice what I had planned. Half of the beef went in the freezer, the other half was tonight’s spaghetti with leftovers. Half the chicken went into the freezer, while the other half will be put in the crockpot in the morning for whatever I decide to make for dinner tomorrow.

I was also able to make some box muffins for our bedtime snack and might have enough left for breakfast in the am. Everything is easier with a full belly. Hopefully the carbs will help everyone sleep.

Side Quest Arm Warmers

I grew up watching movies like Willow, Ladyhawke, Princess Bride, Labyrinth, The Never Ending Story… These movies are very magical pieces of both mine and my husband’s childhoods. Essential additions to our movie collection that we bolstered in our early years together. Willow is an especially dear one for us.

In those pre-children years we often stopped at different stores on our dates to buy movies. If we lived close enough to a video rental store, we would occasionally rent a few. It’s how we spent our off time together because we both worked a lot. When I became pregnant with our first child, we seemed to pick a lot of our childhood favorites.

When trying to decide on a name, we were watching Willow and really loved the name Elora. We decided to spell it with an A, giving her a bit of separation from our inspiration. And this, of course, meant our children have seen Willow many, many times; including behind the scenes and other extras.

I was very excited to hear about the tv show, but also nervous. I did not rewatch the movie beforehand and just went for it. My husband and I both really enjoyed it. It’s a sequel where the next generation is learning to take on the mantle as the previous one learns how to pass on what they can. I thought it was a great passing of the torch story with all kinds of references to the film. It’s not a remake. It’s the next adventure.

These warmers are inspired by the ones Elora wears when they begin their quest. As I was planning out the hooded wrap shawl she wears, yarn that I had purchased for fun seemed perfect for knitting something like her sewn ones. Broken rib stitch creates a nice hug while still stretching for movement. Plus, the inner texture is really soft.

They are snug at the wrist which helps the elbow portion stay in place. I have really thin wrists with a decent bicep and this is why I love knitting for myself. I can create the fit I want. Now my kids are asking for their own. High praise that makes me want to do it for them.

Snow Days

Snow Days have become something very different from my grade school years in this post pandemic environment. Since using laptops or tablets for classes during lockdowns, they have found a way to not need makeup days at the end of the year. Just do that instead of a surprise day off.

Part of me is really frustrated that they can’t just relax. We can’t just lay around watching tv or go play outside. Another part of me is grateful they have something to keep them occupied for some of the day. Away from each other. They’re at that age where getting along in short lived magical moments.

I have also noticed that my kids seem to enjoy it. They have lots of breaks and end a little early. They appreciate being able to relax in their rooms while doing their schoolwork. Our youngest stays with me and she has paper packets ready to go for these days. Nothing online except educational games, if she wants to. And of course she wants to.

While they’re not the Snow Days of my youth, they are what my kids will remember. I make them a nice, cooked breakfast. We have lunch together. They play outside when their work is done. And we have that mug of hot cocoa. At the end of the day we all feel like we had a bit of a breather, even if they did still have to log in for some lessons.

Ribbit Ribbit

It’s a swimmer. She would drown in this. My sister. I’ve been wanting to rework the whole pattern anyway. Shift a few cables. Change some moss to regular reverse stockinette. Alter the stitch count a bit.

I mean, that’s lap blanket size. I’m so glad I stopped to check. It was a feat rolling it all back up. I was actually less broken up about it than my husband and kids. They lamented while I cheerfully set to ripping.

Two balls later, it’s all wrapped up. No more sweater. And the rewrite begins.

Mushroom Aran

I finally have the sleeves set aside and am working back and forth around the body. I’m beginning to wonder if it’s going to be too big. I’ll probably keep going a bit longer and then put it on yarn to check the size. She wants it big and cozy, but I’m not sure she wants to drown in it.

I never do gauge swatches. They always fail me. I often change needle and yarn size and just sort of guesstimate what size pattern will get the size I want with the sizes I’m working with. Sometimes I get it wrong. But I’m ok with ripping it out and starting over.

I’ve gotten kind of tunnel visioned with this sweater, so I’ve managed some real progress. I’m rolling with it though. The enthusiasm will turn to fatigue and I’ll switch off to something else soon enough. Oh, and the yarn color is called Mushroom. Earthy.