A belated holiday ...

By recent posts, you can deduce that my Life has been chaotic. Not in a bad way - just in a crazy, "Calgon-take-me-away" kind of way. Things are better, I am adjusting more readily to life's surprises: thank God for the wonderful gift of 'The Rosary'.

This weekend, my sister & her family will be visiting. We will be celebrating a very belated Christmas. Miles, snowstorms & surgery played into this delay! I am truly looking forward to their visit.

On that note ... my amaryllis finally bloomed - see?

Keeping calm

Life is insane. There are ups & downs / trials & tribulations / hills & valleys. However one looks at 'Life' - so goes their attitude.

I am Catholic - have always been, will always be. I am not a *good* Catholic - but I hope to be, in time. My interpretation of being *good* means: no judging, more loving; more giving, less receiving; less whining, more offerings.
Suffice to say, I hope I live a mighty long time. I will need a long, long life to accomplish being *good*.

Recently, I have been diligently praying with my Rosary. I love the 'calmness' it brings me. The utter serenity I feel while reciting the prayers accompanied by the smooth beads running through my fingers is 'simply divine.' No pun intended here. I think we need to pray more: for each other & for those who have left us.

I have a several rosaries - most coming to me by way of friends. (Yes, I do have *the* best friends!) But, recently I purchased one from Jeanine/HeartFelt Rosaries. Awesome, yes?

I am at a loss for words over its beauty. Lapis lazuli & white turquoise amidst bronze metal work! A true stunner! AND - I love the fact that this is hand made by an artist who works as a hospice nurse.

Praying the rosary is the best way for me to de-stress & to do *good*. You just have to love that!

A month gone?

I seriously do not know where time goes. Here it is - a month since my last posting! UGH!
Apologies. I do not know how time escapes me. But, now that it is 'Ash Wednesday' - and time to reflect on God and spiritual matters - I am slowing down & enjoying 'quiet' time: my knitting, my spinning, my prayerful life and my dogs! All good!

The weather is slowly changing too. We have had some warmer weather and actual sun! Yesterday, Moonshine ran & ran & ran. And then, she 'passed out'.

Didn't I say I am enjoying my quiet time?

I managed to knit a few rows on the Azani shawl too. I *must* finish it as there are so many things that I want to knit! And, not to be the bearer of 'bad' news - but winter for those that have little, will return in the blink of an eye! Yes ... I must knit faster!

On that note ... a small, shameless plug for The Knotty Sheep! Through Thursday, 3/10/11 - save 25% with coupon code: FATCAT ! Knitting is so meditative ... plus, it keeps those hands busy (just in case you gave up chocolate for Lent!) Wink, wink!

Feeling Blue?

I am feeling a little 'blue' of late. I recently changed my whole BloG template so others could get a 'feed'. My older, 'blue background', blog, had been in service for approximately seven years. Due to the advances in blogging - I figured these feed things would be easy. I was wrong or I *am* incompetent. I am going with the latter!

I still can't figure it out - and I have spent way to much time trying to get that orange "B" on the blogs that I read/follow.

It would be so '21st century' to see the updates on *my* blog as opposed to tabbing onto theirs. Call me old-fashioned, for now, that tabbing will have to suffice.

So, onward & upward. I can't sit on my bum all day trying to decipher codes I do not understand. This whole template, HTML stuff, has had me 'blue' long enough!

Sometimes we find inspiration in the weirdest places & situations!
"Patched Knees", handspun swalesdale yarn is the result!

What will inspire you today?

I have been a busy sheep!

Ah - I have hot coffee in front of me & as I gaze out my kitchen window - the snow is falling once again. Yes - it must be Tuesday!

While complaining about the weather is fruitless - I have taken the last few weeks as opportunity to spin, spin, spin! Need I remind anyone that shearing season is right around the corner! I will admit that I have several fleeces flying to me ... including one of my favorites: a romney/montadale/suffolk x!

So - the wheel as been turning! I just finished these shetland skeins!

Notice the fine 'heathered' look of the dye process! I am pretty excited about it! This fleece was given to me - so all that I spin is destined for charity use. Karma: it is a great thing!

I have also spun & dyed a lovely churro skein too! I love churro and I do feel like this wool gets a 'bad rap'. I would not knit undies out of it (suffice to say, I will never knit undies at all - but, I digress!)... but depending on the fleece itself - it spins up to a lovely & sturdy yarn! Here it is in it's 'after dye bath':

I love being a busy little sheep! Don't know what today will bring, yet ... but I am betting on something wonderful!

It's Friday ... time to save $$$$

On the weekends, things slow down. It is "good" to distance ones self from the hectic pace that is 'the work week'. In this area, commutes can cause one's blood pressure to rise - just in anticipation!

So - The Knotty Sheep is offering a coupon sale! It is time to enjoy some handspun yarn!! The winter has been long - and I don't care what the ground hog says ... we are due for more snow and ice = winter is leaving anytime soon!

I hope you are feeling shoppie ... because this weekend's coupon is for 25% OFF everything in the shop. And the (not so secret code) is: 06074M

Be Knotty!

Chanel in the Storm

Living near Boston, I am no where near the tundra of Siberia. Images of Dr. Zhivago are popping up all around me. I seriously think that the snow has melted my brain. Boston averages approximately 43" of snow a season - the city is now over 70". Not that I take to much stock in the ground hog - but I am hearing Spring will arrive early.

Recently - while avoiding shoveling, I was perusing the forums on Ravelry - and someone posted, "What is your favorite smell?" OK - I'll bite, I mean - who wants to shovel?? I have seen 70" fall from the sky - I wasn't in a hurry!

My response: "Chanel #5". Growing up, it was my mom's signature scent. As Serendipity would have it ... I visited mom before the snow started to fly this week & look what I came home with:

Thought for the day: "Put it out into the Universe .... you just never know!"

More snow ... here we go ...

Living in New England all my Life - I am used to cold weather & snow. If Winter didn't have snow - it wasn't a real Winter!

If friends & neighbors complained about a few flakes - they were wimps! Seriously, MOVE if you are going to 'b*#!&' about snow covered trees & a few snowmen.

This Winter - all heck is breaking loose. I am pretty convinced that Al Gore has the Global Warming thing wrong (just kidding!) ... and imagine I will be seeing Santa & his reindeer going down my street at any moment! They will be the only ones who will be able to go to WalMart.

Since snow is predicted through Thursday - I thought a couple of snaps of my picnic table would give some perspective on what will be happening in the next 48 hours. Truth be told - I don't even think that the yard stick is touching the table - but it is in 'as far as it can go' without breaking it in two. So - Wish me luck. Wish me hot coffee. Wish me a good time running the snow blower. This will be memorable!

Facebook is my Friend

I have been enjoying Facebook lately! Not only is it a 'quick' tool to keep in touch with friends & relatives from near and far .... it is a great way to find homes for animals in need; a fabulous resource to recommend books, music & other artistic endeavors; and a GREAT way to market an Etsy shop! (OK - shameless plug!)

I have started The Knotty Sheep page. It will provide the shop's fan base with the latest inventory additions (right when they happen), sales ... and COUPON CODES! That is right - this weekend, (Jan. 29 & Jan. 30) ... I am offering 10% off *if* you know the coupon code. EZ PZ! More on said code in a bit!

I am trying to decide if I should list this Wensleydale skein. I *just* might as a second quality - the plying is wonky!

Seriously, how did *that* happen?

The Knotty Sheep would love to get YOU inspired this weekend! The current KNOTTY code is: 10314J
N~joY!!

Time to KREATE

Here I go: Making up for lost time. In these days of technology - I find myself with even less time than a decade ago. My extended family dynamic has changed; the house renovations continue & health issues have arisen. And while there are ipods, ipads, laptops, cell phones, smart phones and social networking sites: these things are draining instead of empowering.

Admittedly, I had an addiction to FarmVille - but, again, there just isn't enough minutes in a day. I need to spend time with my real-live dogs - not my virtual one! So ... it is time to regroup & reconsider what *is* important.

I think it is weird that reality shows have made celebrities out of (how do I put this politely?) - those individuals who haven't succeeded at anything except to *be* on reality TV. Sigh ...

So, I am back to knitting & spinning! More meditative endeavors - more time for *me*!
I am currently working on the Azani Shawl.


I have also been dYeing & spinning .... love the process of both! Watching color explode and wool being spun into yarn ... yes - these are both my reality! Check out my Frozen Rose Petals Considering the sub-zero temps & 50+ inches of snow this season ... nothing beats playing with wool!


In the coming days - shut out the noise and enjoy your reality!

Ah .... Winter is coming!

I am one of those sick individuals who LOVE cold weather! Yes - I am blessed with a warm home & food; good winter clothes & lots of wool. I DO count my many blessings and thank the Good Lord for them all.

Seriously - this time of cold & dark - is my most favorite and most productive. I am an admitted 'homebody'. I don't feel the need to travel - after all, I have everything that I want/need *right here!*

That being said ... I planted two amaryllis the day before Thanksgiving. One is called "Alfresco" -the other, "Grand Diva." Mail order is wonderful as I purchased these babies from White Flower Farm - these bulbs had a circumference of (approx) 11"!


Stay tuned ... hopefully, we which watch them grow together!

Now, getting back to the homebody thing ... as yesterday was Sunday - it was spent watching football & spinning wool. I am currently spinning shetland and my goal is to have the whole bag spun *this WEEK!* Again, stay tuned .... I am using the JOYness as Moonshine still likes to 'get involved' with whatever I do. Suffice to say ... I think she finds my life pretty boring!



All good ... I just might be able to spin that big bag o'wool after all! WhEEE!

Icelandic Moments ...

I have completed 27 woven squares for a blanket to which, if all goes according to plan - will be donated to Wool-Aid for "Afghans 4 Afghans." Only 15 more squares to do and then it will be time to sew this baby up!

I go back & forth: should I wait until all squares are finished?? OR - due to the fact that I want to see what this "Krazy Square Blanket" will look like - should I start to sew it now???

As of this posting - I will go with the former but I reserve the right to change my mind.

Since I am trying to complete this project - should I mention that 2 bags of processed shetland wool walked through my door this Sunday? I mean, seriously, how cool is that? Baby, it is cold outside and it is time to spin & knit (& weave!)!

Winter is settling in across New England. Soon the snow flakes will dance & bells will jingle. I love this time of year!!! I hope you do too.

"Crispin", an icelandic sheepie, has some really fabulous wool! Warm, handspun YARN anyone?? It is time for YOU to knit TOO!

HaPpY 4th Birthday!

Part of my creative power goes to the inspiration that all my dogs have provided me. I was never blessed with a four legged friend in childhood. Looking back, I don't think that my parents were very wise in denying me the 'gift of a dog.'

And, I truly believe, dogs are Gifts.

They teach me daily and remind me constantly that I am a work in progress. I need more patience. More exercise. More inclination to enjoy moments and less desire to worry about 'stuff'. (Seriously = dogs don't worry!)

They have taught me life is good as long as my 'peeps' are around. A good tummy rub can be equated to the finest massage and who needs an expensive car when ANY car ride is an adventure. Yes ... dogs are wise!

Today, my big boy turns 4! While we don't really know his true birthday - we always felt that 11/11 would be a cool date. Jaeger came to us less than 2 years ago ... what little we know - he was surrendered because he got 'to big'. He is a gentle giant and I am thankful that his previous owners were wise enough to bring him to a local shelter to give him a second chance.

HaPpY Birthday Baby-boy! .... we LOVE you, Jaeger!

It's November!

WOW - I am ashamed to admit that I have not posted in months. Just when I thought that "Life" was slowing down - it didn't. Come to find out that once again, I am my own worst enemy when it comes to Demands & Stress. I am working on it - Demands & Stress are death to the Creative Muse. Time to kill the demonic twins and place the Muse back in front of the easel (or spinning wheel or loom or knitting needles!)

Actually, 'killing' them isn't the proper thing for a lady to do: it is time to tame them and their nasty family members (---> enter procrastination & self-pity / clutter & disorganization!) In order to tame we must nourish the Muse.

Like a garden, the Muse needs constant cultivation & nourishment. Self destruction is the quickest way to implode Her.

Of course clutter and disorganization doesn't make The Knotty Sheep a happy little sheepie. As we prepare to move from one location to another, boxes and bags around the house make me a little nutty. In my effort to reduce - I started weaving squares from odd-ball yarn. I am double stranding for warmth as it is to become a blanket. Both handspun & commercial product is being used. Yes - totally one of a kind! Should be interesting to watch it grow.



Of course, I haven't thought how best to sew them together .... THAT, my friends is for another post!

Feels GREAT to be back!

Drinking Moonshine ...

Ah - Drinking Moonshine! One would think *THAT* is what I have been doing since February when I last posted!

Trust me, dear readers - that is, *if* I have any readers at all at this point, I promise that the last several months I have not been indulging in excess libations!

Life is a journey of twists & turns. That we all know - I have just been more twisted of late. No spinning, no knitting. While there have been sad good-byes over these past weeks - there have also been wonderful new beginnings!

Just as Spring turned into Summer - my creativity began flowing once again. I do not blame the Muse for running away ... she indeed had WAY to MUCH *Moonshine*!

This is Jaeger's new sister. We adopted her at the end of February (see? notice the timing of the last post!) Moonshine is now 9 months old - she is adorable and JoyFULL and ALL puppy. She is also deaf. Jaeger loves her & she torments him - Life is good!

So - I am officially back. Look for knitting, spinning & drawing news ... I plan on doing it all - as well as read more books& DO more fun stuff!!

Feels GREAT to be back!

A NEW Year!

WOW!!

In all honesty, I can not believe that I haven't posted in months. Life certainly throws knuckle balls and it is all a matter of how you *see* said pitch that moves you forward to first base, or clocks you one in the head!

For me, my bases have been loaded, but I have been playing with a HUGE headache!

Time to move on!! Time to Create!!

As of the end of this month, I will be a FULL-TIME ARTIST!! I am over joyed at the prospect of creating daily and playing with Jaeger. DH has been awesome and supports me in this decision (which in this economy, I did not take lightly.) Do look for new yarns & battz and dare I say paintings at The Knotty Sheep.

Check out these freshly spun & washed Icelandic skeins from a sheepie named Crispin!

I think they are awesome and perfect for gift giving!

Knitting you ask?? Yes.... I have completed a project or two. These Drops mittens being my latest.

And Jaeger? He is doing fine & is a complete JOY! He loves the snow, but does tire of the cold. I think he is so handsome & adorable in his winter coat!

So ... I am back. It feels great to be here too. I have missed creating. I have learned that creating is so important to who I AM. Heck, if "Mama ain't happy, NO ONE is happy!" AMEN ....

Time to play BALL ... but, more importantly, it is TIME TO HAVE A BALL!

WhEEEEEEE!

Ah .... September

It has been ages since I last posted. I have become exhausted from the curve balls of Life being lobbed at my head. It isn't anything that I haven't been able to handle ... just bunches of stuff on a consistent basis.

The weather has turned, the temperatures are more comfortable & it is time to move on. Sometimes *things* hold us back - whether those *things* are tangible or intangible ... it doesn't matter. Being held back means that we don't grow.

Let the sunshine, Baby ... I have lots of growing to do!

We choose to be in the Dark or in the Light. My choice is always the latter. There is much darkness in the world today. That is one unfortunate fact! But, if we all try to shine a little brighter: give a little more, do a little more, love a little more & pray a little more - darkness begins to fade. Not a hard concept.

As Fall begins to make herself Welcome - it is time for more spinning and knitting (especially for Charity!)

I recently turned my "Sleepy Cloud" battz

into "Sleepy Cloud" skeins!

Jaeger continues to do well ... he is an amazing boy who has gone thru much! We think he loves being with us - except when we wake him from a nap to snap a photo!;

Knitting for Macuwita sni has been first and foremost on my mind! If the weather is starting to change here - I know it is changing even more rapidly in South Dakota!

See that ball of white handspun?? That, my friends, is icelandic wool I handspun in the grease! I used some left over sock yarn for double stranding purposes!

This week, I have already done three pair!

TRES cool, if you ask me!

As I said, Life has been lobbing curve balls of my head - but it is OK ... I am now wearing a helmet! Shine on baby - I am BACK!

Help fight Lupus!

Yes - Life is keeping me hopping! But, it is all good. I am beginning to feel very 'troll like'. I am toiling away ... getting much accomplished & a ton of wool spun!

One thing that has made me crawl out of my little hole: I just had to share the news that my friend Alicia, is walking for Lupus. Actually, she is walking so a cure for Lupus may be found ... soon!

If you are able, please toss a few tax deductible dollars her way. I know she would love your sponsorship!

Well .... back to troll-ville I go! WhEEEEE!

Kreative Cooking

Over the past several weeks, I have been struggling with Kreativity. I know YOU all know what I mean.

I struggle to find the time to indulge my Soul when the inner House Frau seems to beckon louder than my more sensitive Muse. That House Frau received a good dope slap yesterday!

While I hope to ignite that Muse this weekend .... I started last night by cooking something that I used to eat quite frequently as a little girl. Since both DH & I are of Lithuanian descent, both of us enjoyed what I call "BAHB-KEE" & what he calls "KOO-GLEE-US". It is a potato dish with tidbits of salt pork.

The weather was cool enough to warrant this rib-sticking side!

Shredded potatoes, onion, eggs, seasonings, salt pork:

I cooked it for an hour in a cast iron pan that HAS to be at least 70 years old!

It was YuMMy ... and quite a surprise for DH when he came home from work! Suffice to say - there is NONE left this morning.

I need to perfect it a bit & I can't wait to taste my experiments!

The amazing thing I noticed: Kreativity happens daily in moments we let slip by. We need to recognize & embrace those moments ... they are delightful tidbits for the Muse to feast upon!

Farewell ....

“Let us dream of tomorrow where we can truly love from the soul, and know love as the ultimate truth at the heart of all creation.” Michael Jackson

Let me just say ... I wasn't a huge Michael Jackson fan. His music touched most of my youth and his incredible talent was jaw-dropping. Like most Lights that fade, we only miss them as we stand in the dark.

His Life & Death has been & will be scrutinized for the rest of our life time. I don't think that we should mock or speculate as I think if it were not for his celebrity status & our willingness to believe the media - maybe just maybe this Light would still shine.

In this day & age of instant news - we are to quick to judge people that we will never know. We are wanna-bes who think that we 'know' the celebrities of the world. We don't & most of us never will.

Maybe by believing & recirculating stories that we knew nothing about personally - collectively we drove someone to try to escape that Spotlight by any means necessary. I think, being human, most of us would try to escape too.

He was different. He was talented. He was one of a kind. Maybe more of us should be individuals instead of conforming to mass-marketing & advertisements... I am just sayin'....

I wish his children Peace and the Gift of being 'left alone'. I hope his family will carry on his legacy of World love....
I think more of us should have believed in HIS message instead of worrying about the way he looked.