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"A portrait of my girls, once a week, every week, in 2017."

We spent Saturday exploring the forest at Hilton Falls: climbing rocks, walking along leaf covered paths, and feeding the birds right from our hands. The weather was perfect - warm and sunny with just a slight breeze - the perfect fall day.

Bridget was intent on climbing over every rock we saw, while Claire could have fed the birds for hours....

Time in the forest can be so therapeutic; the perfect thing to help you breathe deeply and reset.

Inspired by The 52 Week Project at Practicing Simplicity.

Knitting with Oma

The first time I tried to learn how to knit I was using knobby and feathery yarn (two strands held together), I couldn't see my stitches, the yarn kept splitting, and in the end I was all tense, I had a cramp in my hand, and I was sweating like I was running a marathon. I did not have an enjoyable time and my work was an absolute mess, good only for the trash.

After such a frustrating experience I didn't think I'd pick up knitting needles again, that is until a few weekends ago when my Oma insisted on teaching me how to knit.....speaking to me in German for most of the time. It was an interesting afternoon for sure, but surprisingly I was able to follow what she was saying and have learned a few of the basics (all those years of German School definitely came in very handy).

I've made a few mistakes here and there, my tension is uneven, the edges are a little wonky, and I've dropped a stitch or five...but all things considered, I think it is looking pretty good.

I'm enjoying knitting and am excited to see where this leads.....could this be the beginning of a new yarn craft adventure???

Special thanks to my husband for picking up the camera and taking these pictures, capturing a very special moment indeed.

42/52

"A portrait of my girls, once a week, every week, in 2017."

Bridget: Happy Mail - new Star Wars stamps for your collection! (Thanks, Opa)

Claire: ready for the Brownies Enrollment Ceremony where you got to be a helper and welcome all the new girls to your unit. You were so excited, and a little nervous (as usual).

Inspired by The 52 Week Project at Practicing Simplicity.

Rustic Pumpkins

Autumn means pumpkins and when I saw the pattern for these rustic pumpkins over on Meg's blog, I knew I had to make some.

So simple and quick to work up (they are made holding two stands of yarn together), they are the perfect addition to my fall decor. Not that I decorate a lot for fall, but it is nice to add a few seasonal touches here and there.

The stem of the pumpkins is actually just a piece of a stick cut to size and hot-glued to the top - very rustic indeed. And to increase the rustic factor even more, I tied some jute around the stem.

While orange pumpkins lend themselves well to Thanksgiving and autumn decor, I think this pumpkin in black would be great as a Halloween decoration.

Yarn: Red Heart Soft
Pattern: Megmade with Love
Are these necessary in your life: Yes, make one now.

(My hubby had a great time playing around and being creative with the camera to get these amazing shots. Thanks, hon.)

A Kerchief Scarf for Claire

I'm in a season right now where I am doing a lot of waiting at lessons for the girls. I don't mind at all - it is wonderful to see them learning new things and they are both thriving - but at the same time I am trying to be intentional with this time I have and make it productive for me as well. To that end I have been working on simple crochet projects that are manageable to carry around and that can be picked up and put down easily- basically projects that require minimal concentration.

Lessons have been up and running for a few weeks now, and today I am excited to show you the first thing I made during my "waiting time" (which I am also referring to as my scheduled crochet time): the Caron Cakes Kerchief Scarf:

Aren't Caron Cakes (and all the other yarn cakes like them) the most adorable things? Gosh, I like them a lot. I actually bought this Caron Cake (Funfetti) for Claire for Christmas thinking that she could make this scarf, but after looking at the pattern more carefully, I realized that it was a little too advanced for her, so I made it instead.

It was a great project - meeting all of my "minimal concentration" requirements.

And of course Claire Bear loves her new scarf which she may be able to wear soon now that the weather is a bit more fall-like.

I'm currently on the hunt for other simple, easy patterns and have even made a little visit to the yarn store to make sure I am well stocked for the next few months. I mean, if I'm going to be in the bleachers or in a chair waiting, I may as well be making something (seems a better use of my time than playing on my phone).

I'm joining in with the Winter Project Link Party over at Thistlebear. 

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"A portrait of my girls, once a week, every week, in 2017."

"Girls, what are your favorite things going on in your lives right now?"

Bridget: making American Girl Doll crafts, synchronized swimming, Girl Guides, swimming lessons, doing announcements at school, lunch room helping, reading, drawing.....

Claire: piano lessons, Brownies, making American Girl Doll crafts, swimming lessons, being in grade three, doing puzzles, reading, spending time with my family.....

Inspired by The 52 Week Project at Practicing Simplicity.

40/52

"A portrait of my girls, once a week, every week, in 2017."

On Thursday afternoon you girls headed out into the yard, got the rakes out of the shed, and began raking the leaves. It wasn't long before there was a huge pile in the middle of the yard, and not long before I heard screaming and giggling and saw leaves being tossed into the air. Playing in the leaf pile is one of your favorite things to do: jumping in the pile, throwing leaves at each other, burying yourselves....it is a treasured autumn tradition and "so much fun".

Inspired by The 52 Week Project at Practicing Simplicity.