Seasons of Change

Every year when the weather cools down and the mornings and evenings are crisp and cool I know fall is in the air.  I love love love this time of year, it truely is one of the best things about living in the northeastern part of the country.  The impending seasons bring to mind colorful leaves, apple pies, pumpkin cookies, Oktoberfest and back to school.

Apple pie made earlier this month

Now my friends generally know that I love back to school stuff, I even put school supplies on layaway one year.  Honestly, crayons, pens, pencils, paper and markers were toys in my house so what better time to stock up when ailses of the mega marts are full of the wonderfull products.  Seriously I drool.

Anyway, as I price shop my text book for my next Grad class I am whistful for college and being a freshman again.  I don't think that I was misty-eyed or homesick to much because I was just excited. Excited about my future and everything the world had in store for me.  I was a firm believer that the world was my oyster and I was going to relish in everything it had to offer.

Looking back now, I miss the selfishness of being on my own for the first time and basking in my first taste of adult hood.  I miss my dorm room with the tye-dye comforter and the bright red sheets.  I miss my colorful posters and lights strung around the room.  I miss my roommates and the goofy things we got up too.  I just miss that feeling of carefree and opportunity while dipping a toe into adulthood with training wheels attached.

My side of the Dorm Room

I admit I am so lucky.  I chose a major which I loved and it lead me to a career that I enjoy and am proud but before that started I had to leave home for school.  Granted school was about 20 minutes away but I was living on campus and away from home.

Mom was so amazing when I went off to college.  After we unloaded my things and I got set up, my mom and my cousin (Dad started a new job and couldn't get off work) had to head home and instead of going back to my dorm for a final goodbye.  My mom just gave me a hug around my box of books and said,  "We have head home so were are going to part here."  I remember saying, "You mean you aren't going to come up with me?"  She shook her head and gave me a big hug (Amy did too) a I watched them both walk to the cross walk, cross the street and go to the parking garage.

I felt as if I was moving in slow motion and the colors and sounds were just whipping around me as I focused on them leaving.  I am surprised now that I didn't cry, instead I shurgged and walked into the dorm building and made my way to my room.

I realize now that this was probably one of the hardest things my mom has done.  She let me go.  She let me grow and change into an adult that is self sufficient and independent.  I think that was a source of comfort for her in the end.

So as I snuggle under my blankets before starting my day or breathe in the crisp air, I remember the great things that happened in college but understand it allowed me to be who I am today.  I know Mom is proud and laughs each time I get another package of highlighters.

WIP Wednesday - Dog Days of Summer

Seriously, who said that this weekend could be Labor Day weekend?  Class is back in session and cooler fall air is right around the corner.

I honestly have been so busy that progress had been slowed to a crawl.  But I do have some updates.

Gryffindor Scarf

I am so close on getting this done that I can taste it.  I really wanted to get it done for Nerd Wars but that isn't going to happen but now I am just aiming for as soon as possible.  Really it's holding everything up because I need to get it done.

I had to fold it in half to fit on the couch

Superman Square

I really like this one but it's been slow going. 

You can see the bottom of the S in superman

This is next to get completed once the scarf and wristlet are done and on their way to the recipient

Sweet Azalea Blanket

Last but not least is a new crochet blanket.  I am making it with Madelinetosh Pashmina and it is going to be so gorgeous and soft.

Just a Swatch

I swatched the pattern first to see if I liked it.  I know now I need to just a bigger hook to start the foundation row and initial single crochet row.  

So that's it, are the dog days getting to you too?  Made any good progress this week?

For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams 

<3 Heather

Color Me Tired

Hello all, honestly I meant to post this yesterday to talk about my awesome weekend but I was beat.  Life has been pretty busy.  I start back in school this week and already there is drama.  One of my required classes for degree completion is right in the middle of the day.  I tired to find a way to work around the time but unfortunately, that isn't going to work.  Now I have an inquiry to see if an independent study could work to replace the class requirement.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Anyway, this weekend I participated in the Color Me Rad 5K.  It wrapped around a part of the county fair grounds.  Now if your not familiar with the topography of Southwestern PA, it's quite hilly here due to the lowland from the Allegheny mountains and ravines from the rivers.  It makes for a lush green and rolling hill local but you can't escape the hills and these three miles were pretty hilly.

Needless to say, my behind was sore the rest of the weekend because have of the 5k was all uphill.  Granted the second half was back down hill but it was still brutal.

So why was this so great, because I felt like a kid again.  The whole point of the 5K, (aside from raising money for Ronald McDonald House Charities) was to get coated in dyed corn starch.

This was after the 5K, taken by my friend Steph

Don't I look beautiful!  I had a blast even though my toes and arm are still blue. I felt like a hand dyed skein of yarn and even I made sure to soak my shirt in vinegar to set the colors.

Given the hill climb, there were plenty of times that I wanted to quit but I just kept walking because I wanted to be covered with the next color.

So that was my weekend.  How was yours?  Was it as colorful?

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Flowery Espionage

Hello again!

My how time flies throughout the week.  I really didn't get much done this week and after the marathon scarf, I was craving a break so I read a book.

I am not quite done but here is book the official synopsis from Goodreads:

In the ninth installment of Lauren Willig's bestselling Pink Carnation series, an atrocious poet teams up with an American widow to prevent Napoleon's invasion of England. 

Since I have read the other 8 books, I have continued to follow the series.  It has been a great book so far and an interesting view from a character who was sympathetic to Napoleon during that time.  Quite fascinating really.

One crazy thing that happens when I read a lot of regency era books is that my manner of speech and vocabulary tend to reflect the books.  Really it would be a jolly good show if it wasn't deuce annoying.  :)

So there you have it, a WIP of a book about spies during the Napoleonic era.

How was your week?

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Just Keep Knitting

Hello all!  It's another WIP Wednesday and I have so much progress to show.  My deadline looms but the stripes keep forming.  The boy was over on Monday and we ate and watched the Olympics and I knitted while we commented on the action.  While appreciative of my work he doubted his own ability and coordination.  He kept saying I don't know how you are doing it.  Or when did you switch colors (for the stripes).  

So here is the summary shot for this week:

It only fits on my couch now.

Gryffindor Scarf

I have 9 of 14 pattern repeats done. I felt like I was stuck on 5 forever but I am in the home stretch now. I just need to keep knitting (hence the title). One thing is the length keeps getting caught in the yarn but it is warm and I am told the recipient is super excited.]

Diagonal Lace Socks 

That little blog of yellow is my sock.  I put it down in favor of other Nerd Wars projects and just got back around.  I have the sock done and just working on the ribbing and the bind off.  I am going to attempt Jenny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off.  Hopefully the ladies at knit night tomorrow can get me going on the bind off.  Then back to the Judy's Magic Cast On for sock number 2.

After these I need to work on my superman square and something sparkly for Nerd Wars. I have to say that joining this tournament has really focused my efforts on getting stuff done. Deadlines definitely help.

So how goes it for all of you? Meeting your goals? Stuck in WIP Madness?

For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

<3 Heather

Little Things in Life

This time of year is always a bit hard.  Friday, August 3, marked 15 years since my grandmother died from Leukemia.  Saturday, August 4, marked 6 years since my Gull Bladder Surgery.  And on Saturday, August 11, it's been 9 months since I lost my mom.

I honestly am doing better.  I am a little thankful that I blogged a lot earlier in the year because I don't remember much of it.  I was going through the motions and apart of sparks of significant events, it's all a blur.

I still mourn a bit everyday for my mom but the loss isn't as severe.  I still pause when I want to call and tell my mom something.  I want to see her smiling face and know everything is going to be okay.  But there are silver linings, my dad and I are so much closer now. I also feel so much stronger than before and I am also easier on myself.  

What can I say, I am (was?) a perfectionist.  I honestly try not take myself too seriously but it happens.  I am full of passion about work and my career that suddenly everything becomes so serious.  

So what's a girl to do to relax?  I think its all about the little things that help to put us back into perspective.

Jenn (best friend from High School) and I got together and wandered around the mall and had dinner.  

December 2010, Mom was there too.

She has been working so hard lately that we really have to plan to get to see each other.  I wanted to go for a walk but it was too hot so wandering around the mall was a good second option plus retail therapy helps fight the blues right?

So we bought clothes and got lured into a tea shop where I found this little gizmo.

It's a Tea Steaper!

Seriously how cool (or should I say hot :p ) is that?  It steeps the leaves and then like magic you put it over the cup and it dispenses.  Really it is all about the little things sometimes.

Overall, this is a busy week but I am so happy Jenn and I got some time to hang out.  She always makes me laugh and she has been one of the rocks in my life that helps me to get through the hard times.  Thanks Jenn!

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In other news, classes are fast approaching but so is fall and that is my favorite time.  I have some plans to blog a bit more.  While I am not apologizing for my lack of posts, there is just so much more I want to share so be prepared.

I should be able to cook more and show you all my creations.  Plus it's pie season and I love making pies!

I still have to get pictures off of my camera from my DC trip with my friend Stephanie.  

Yarny goodness of course will continue

<3 Heather