News From The Nest

End Of The Week

Thursday was Andy's birthday! His week has him in Virginia and now in eastern Ohio. He'll be home tonight and there'll be a birthday dinner to celebrate.

I completed the cutest knit hat for Miss B. and am doing mittens to match. I hope the hat fits - it's a beret and kind of slouchy. I'll photograph the set to show you when I finish the mittens. Just too cute!

Landen's vest was way too long. Rachael is going to send it back to me so I can take it out from the bottom to shorten it for him. In the meantime, I got more yarn to make him another one. The first one was brown tweed and the new one will be blue and black mixed.

This weekend, the holiday magic will be overflowing. Waynesville has their Christmas in the Village and Lebanon has their Antique Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade. Then there is the Candlelight Tour at Caesar Creek Pioneer Village across the road from us. There are open houses at various shops and studios. There's just not enough weekend to do all there is to do here! The responsible party for the 5 day work week and he 2 day weekend got it alllllll wrong! What were they thinking?!?

Hopefully, there'll be some soapmaking time. I have a couple more batches to make before the holidays. I also want to get more cream lotion and lip butter made. Do you need soap for stocking stuffers, Secret Santa gifts, holiday giving, etc.? I have plenty! Visit my Etsy shop here to see pictures of all the soap. If you have any questions, just let me know! (Peppermint Twist pictured to the right.)

Happy upcoming weekend to you!

The Day After

We had a great holiday! Got to spend more time with the boys, girls, and babies than we have in a very long time. Both babies are walking now and it won't be long before they're talking up a storm.

Wednesday, we babysat Landen while Rachael drove to pick up Taylor. He was such a good little boy! To not have spent time with us in longer than he can remember, he acted right at home. We went to the park twice and Landen had a good time walking, swinging, and playing on the slide. We read books and played with cars. He is starting to talk a little - please, thank you, ball, etc. - and the cutest personality. He makes the cutest "funny face" on command. It was so cute, that we kept making him do it over and over again! When he ate, he would say, "Hmmmm, Hmmmm!" and once he even said it and rubbed his tummy!

Eryn, Brian, and Miss B. joined us on Thursday for Thanksgiving lunch and gift unwrapping. We never see the grandchildren at Christmas so brought Christmas to Thanksgiving. Plus, saved a bundle on Shipping & Handling charges!

Miss B. unwrapped her presents - big Lego-like blocks, a vacuum cleaner that made different noises, books, and clothes. She tried on her sweater jacket that I knit for her and it was a perfect fit!!! Yippeeee! She looked so cute in it!

Landen received a set of the Lego-like blocks, too. He also got a race track, books, and clothes. The vest I knit for him was too long. I'm waiting to hear back from Rachael as to whether or not she wants me to shorten it for him.

(Nope. Can't post pictures of Miss B. due to her parents' wishes but just know that she is growing like a weed and getting more precious with every passing day!)

After everyone left, I went to a friend's house and broke off boxwood from her bushes. It wouldn't be Christmas without my boxwood wreaths. I have two large bags full to decorate with when I get back home.

Andy and I left Danville, VA this morning and headed to Richmond. We visited with Eryn, Brian, and Miss B. and then all went to 525 at the Berry Burk for dinner. Our reservation was early so Chef Taylor(our younger son) was able to come out and visit with us a little before he got busy in the kitchen.

Dinner was absolutely delicious! We had a variety of dishes - Butternut Squash Fondue in a bread bowl, salads, Carrot Bisque, Clam Chowder, Tuna Tartare, Braised Pork Belly, Seared Tuna, Filet Mignon, Salad with Chicken, Bread Pudding, Apple Cobbler, and 3-Chocolate Mousse (milk, white, and dark). We had a good time tasting all the different dishes. This menu was a new one since we visited in June. This was their fall menu and I had a hard time deciding what to get but he recommended the filet so that's what I chose. It was yummy! So tender - cooked just perfectly. Everything was absolutely delicious!!!

If you subscribe to or buy Southern Living Magazine, be sure to check page 96 of the new December issue. Taylor's restaurant, 525 at the Berry Burk, is mentioned. I wish they had pictured a dish or two or a picture of the restaurant but oh well. What a jewel in their crown to be recognized with a mention in Southern Living Magazine after only being open 5 months. Kudos to all Taylor's and the staff's hard work. 

Tomorrow, we head home to Ohio. We've had a great visit but I wish I could have another week. There are so many people I would like to see and places I would like to go. The days just pass too quickly.

Next week will be nose to the grindstone as usual. Sigh!

Happy Week

Last Saturday was wild! I wrapped, I packed, I washed, I ran errands, I wrapped, and I packed, wound yarn, organized a million knitting projects to take. Wild, I tell you.  WILD! 

We won't be with the children and grandchildren for Christmas so I wanted to bring everything so they can open their gifts while we're with them on Thanksgiving Day. I can hardly wait to see the babies and watch as they open their gifts, try on their sweaters, etc. We saw them last in June. Landen is now almost 18 months old and Miss B. is almost 1 months. They are both walking now and so much more interactive and animated. I can hardly wait!!!!!

I'm telling you - there wasn't even room for one more anything in the back of my car! Not even a slippery bar of soap!

After being up most of the night, I hopped in the car with Andy and headed to Virginia for Thanskgiving week. We got a very late start and I knitted all the way down the road. Had must-finish projects on the needles and more to go. Getting a late start meant there was some night knitting. Not to worry! I had my Stitch Light. I was able to finish the sleeves for Miss B.'s sweater jacket and start on a hat for her. Here you see me working on the lace brim of her hat in fingering weight black yarn. Yes, at night while riding in the car. What was I thinking? 

We stopped in Danville, VA at Mom and Daddy's to unload the packages before heading on to South Boston where Andy would work Monday through Wednesday. Once we unloaded all the gifts and soap orders, there was very little else in the car!

It's been nice visiting with Mom and Daddy each day this week. While at their house, I've sewn together all the pieces of Miss B.'s sweater jacket, sewn tags in both her sweater and Landen's vest, wrapped them, and started on a cabled scarf for Eryn. And, yes, the scarf has to be finished by tomorrow. Good thing it's super quick - working alpaca double-stranded on a size 11 needle. I started it last night and am already almost halfway done. I'll post the pattern with the picture of the finished scarf so you all can run out and get it. Great last-minute Christmas gift!

I've already packed the sweater patterns so am without all the proper info about them. I'll post it later. I do know that Landen's vest was Li'l Man pattern from Spud & Chloe. I knit it out of Encore Chunky Tweed and love the yarn. Encore is so great for baby and children knitting. Miss B.'s sweater jacket was knit with Berroco's Vintage Chunky (50% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 0% Nylon blend). The buttons are polymer clay. I LOVE making polymer clay buttons! You can match them to anything you knit. 

Monday night, I joined my old Ktog group at Outback for dinner and then we moved on to Starbucks for knitting and coffee. 

Kelly was working on My Favorite Scarf pattern. I think this is the correct link but am not sure. It's a free Ravelry download.

Wanda was knitting an adorable Christmas stocking for her grandchild. She knit stockings for all her family members several years ago. She used this book for inspiration - Knit Christmas Stockings!. She said she also used some of Kristen Nicholas' colorwork patterns for this sock.

Timmie knit these two stockings from kits. They were great!!! I especially like the penguins holding their candy canes.

Timmie also showed off her newest shawl. What a gorgeous holiday red!

Diane was working with a wonderfully soft yarn in such pretty shades of green.

Gaye was getting started on the Traveling Woman Shawl. This one has been on my To-Do list for a long time. (I caught Gaye on the move thus the blurry picture!)

Jin was supervising as she forgot to bring her knitting!

It was great seeing everyone!!

I have worked about 5-7 hours on computer work stuff but NOT today! Rachael is dropping Landen off in Danville in about an hour and I get to babysit!!! Can't wait to play with this little boy! We're heading down the street to the park for some run around and play time as soon as he gets here.

Everyone will be at Mom and Daddy's tomorrow for Thanksgiving lunch. So great to have all in one place.

We are blessed and thankful tomorrow and always.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

One Knitted FO

Knitted with my peeps at Dorothy Lane Market last Saturday. It feels great to be getting back in the Knitting At Noon mojo. Everyone was so busy this summer that our little Saturday group rarely met. 

We had more socks on Saturday and my Li'l Man Vest for Landen. 

What is it about sock yarn? It's versaltility? It can be knit up into shawls, lace scarves, socks, and is great for baby anything. Or is it that it sock yarn is sooooo colorful and, well, just plain fun!? Maybe, it's a combination of attributes that make it so attractive. 

I made three batches of soap this week. From left to right - Cranberry Relish, Lavender Mint, and Woodland Ice.

The Cranberry Relish is a sweet fragrance and I added goat's milk and ground cranberries to the mix.

The Lavender Mint is a very popular soap. With the essential oils of Bulgarian Lavender and Peppermint, this soap is an aromatic treat! I added silk fiber and ground lavender buds and mint leaves

Woodland Ice is a clean woodsy scent - very fresh smelling. I love this for a great soap that will appeal to both women and men. I added coconut milk to this soap and love the feel! So luxurious!

Next soaps to do - Snowballs, Holiday Tinsel, and Bay Rum with beer added. Oh, and maybe Bayberry, too! I used to say "so many yarns, so little time to knit them up".  Now, I've expanded that theme to include soooo many fragrances! 

Counting down to Thankksgiving! What are you all planning for the holiday?

Sock Attack

I went to Knitting At Noon at Dorothy Lane Market this past Satuday. It was SO good to see everyone. I and others have gone to knitting on Saturdays over the last few months only to find no one there. Everyone has had a busy summer and fall. This day, however, we had seven people there.

It was definitely a Sock Attack day! Everyone seemed to be knitting socks!

I guess it is the season. Some were for Christmas gifts. Some not. All were very nice.

What's there not to love about sock yarn? Such fantastic colors. Such interesting patterns. End products that make for mighty happy feet.

Ande made this shawlette / scarf - Just Enough Ruffles. She used Malabrigo Worsted. I got to model it for the picture because it didn't go with what Ande was wearing. Convenient, huh?

I have my yarn and am ready to cast on for a Just Enough Ruffles of my own. First though - MUST finish vest for Landen and sweater jacket for Miss B. I am sewing the side seams of Landen's vest. Just need to pick up stitches and knit the ribbing around the armholes and neck. I so hope it fits - I added length in the armholes and the torso to fit Landen.

OH to have more hours in my days!

Thoughts

November is here. How did that happen? This year has simply flown by!

As most of you know, my husband's company said they were closing the Virginia plant where he worked in 2008 and we moved to Ohio to keep his job. I was lucky and was able to transfer with my company. Long story short - they didn't close the Virginia plant but kept it open and working with a skeleton crew. In 2011, they closed the Ohio plant where they transferred Andy and he's been traveling  back to Virginia since November 2011.  A whole year of him traveling back and forth every other week - at first 10 days there, 4 days home, then a week there and a week home, recently weekdays there and weekends home.

People ask if we're going to move back to Virginia? Well, it's not that simple. 1) It cost a small fortune to move to Ohio. 2) We have a home that we love here in Ohio. 3) We really like the area here and all it has to offer. 4) My job there is no longer available so I wouldn't be able to transfer back.

What's changed recently? A couple weeks ago, they announced that they are definitely going to close the Virginia plant. So, we are once again in a state of limbo. Oh wait, I guess we've been in that state - now it's just a little more precarious. It's wait and see. Will a company step up and buy the Virginia plant? If they do, will they want Andy to stay on? If they do, will they make him relocate? So many questions.  

Such uncertainty. Has life always been like this and I just haven't noticed?

My uncertainties are such small potatoes compared to all the families in the east who now have no homes, no vehicles, no clothes, no power, lost loved ones, had their businesses destroyed, etc. due to the recent monster hurricane Sandy. My heart goes out to them. Life can change in a matter of minutes.

Where am I headed with this thread? 

Creative outlets. They are SO extremely important. To me, they represent stability in an otherwise unstable world. I don't know what I would have done without my knitting and soapmaking and spinning and rug hooking the last 3 years. Well, actually the last 30 or so. When I'm upset or bothered, I reach for my knitting. I make or plan a batch of soap. My worries and thoughts flow through my fingertips into my projects and I feel better. They are carthartic. They feed my soul. My wish for everyone is that they find their own creative outlet - sooner than later - and let it nourish them. Let it help ease their pain and calm their anxieties. 

On a more upbeat note - Christmas / holiday soaping has begun in earnest. I just soaped batches to restock Cashmere & Silk (with goat's milk, silk, and shea butter) and Rosemary Lemongrass (with crushed lemon balm). The past two night's have also yielded Ginger Fig, Snow On The Mountain (with coconut milk, shea butter, and topped with shredded coconut), Pepperberry, Peppermint Twist (with coconut milk), and Here We Come A-Wassailing (with cinnamon). 

I've posted pictures of the seven batches of soap from the past two nights. Formal glamor shots of each soap to be posted soon!

Pictures - Top left to right - Cashmere & Silk, Rosemary Lemongrass, Snow On The Mountain, Ginger Fig. Bottom left to right - Pepperberry, Here We Come A-Wassailing, Peppermint Twist. For the umpteenth time, I wish this was a scratch and sniff blog!

You can find more info re: my soaps here - www.etsy.com/shop/RobinsNest6

Now, may November be a healing month taking us through the Thanksgiving holiday to Christmas and then into another new year.

Time does march on, doesn't it?

As always, take care and thanks so much for your interest in For the Love of Fiber!