January 1, 2015

The first day of a new year doesn't always feel different. Last year, we already knew we were expecting a new little one in our lives. This year, I know I am hoping for something a little more low key. To be honest though, I don't have many expectations for this year. But I can have a few hopes and dreams...

• homeownership
• new job for my husband- or at least a promotion
• expansion of my home business
• a renewed teaching contract-- I'd love to work another year at my current job
• debt reduction-- college loans are still looming, and we'd like to get them down significantly this year, especially since we are still house shopping
• expansion of garden-- we grew a few of our own veggies this year, but because I was heavily pregnant/dealing with a newborn during harvest time, we were not as successful with our crops as we could've been. Hopefully we will be able to put more up this year.
• good health all around-- back problems and migraines have plagued me throughout 2014, and we'd like to find a solution for them soon

While I've  known other people to choose words or themes for the coming year, I've never done it myself, but this year one found me. I have a habit of writing quotes on notecards when reading, especially if something good strikes me. I found this one while cleaning:

Notwithstanding my weakness, I am no longer afraid. 

I have placed my confidence in God, who can do all things 

and from whom I hope all things, for I rely not on myself. 

~St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

So I'm adopting that as my theme for the year, and plan to continue to pray and reflect on how best to place confidence in God.

Blessings in the new year!

Love,

Mary

Growing

Everything's growing in my neck of the woods. It's growing colder. My baby's growing. I'm trying to grow my home business. We're looking at food to grow next year. It's all very exciting.

I've been in the craft show business for at least 5 years now, possibly closer to 6. I enjoy doing 3 or 4 shows in the fall with my aunt, but I'm also looking at expanding. I'd like to get more of an online presence, but I'm not sure how. Any advice? I already have a Facebook page, which has been relatively effective up to this point. A photographer friend is using my items as props. What more can I do?

The weather also makes me more inclined to crochet away. Chilly winters means more woolies are needed. I have quite a few scarves, but I'd like to have a wider range of styles and colors. That may be my downfall, crocheting for myself.

However, I am crocheting quite a bit for my little one, who is getting more adorable and bigger by the minute. Going to work kills me, but right now it is needed. Hopefully next summer, we'll get a better planned garden together, which will cut back food expenses.

Living on a teacher's income is definitely not sunshine and roses, but I know this is where God wants me to be. I'm hoping and praying that working from home is in God's plan for me somewhere, as I can't imagine continuing this for more than one child. We shall see...

Keeping Busy

Oh how the summer starts to seem shorter in July. I suppose our move at the end of June didn't help with that much. But there is still sunshine and peace to enjoy, if I take the time to find it. 

New book this week!

So far, I've been finding a decent amount of time for my crocheting, which has taken several different forms. In trying to minimize my stash, I have pulled out a ball of cotton yarn after finishing big projects. In as little time as possible, I try to finish as many dishcloths as possible. Above is my 4th with this bright yellow yarn. I'm participating in a Rav group's "Epic Summer Stashdown" and find that just getting one ball of yarn out of the closet is really helpful for me. 

However, I'm not entirely ignoring other projects. I've been working on a baby sweater as a test pattern, and finally sat down again to put more time into it. It is quite a quick pattern, when I am actually paying attention and working on it. It helps that I am working on it in worsted weight wool, but still a straightforward pattern. 

Baby Sweater in wool

For comparison purposes (and because I wanted to make two baby sweaters), I started a second sweater in DK yarn. This second sweater is in CotLin, which my last project (Hexy shawl) was made out of. I really enjoyed working with it, and wanted more. 

Dim kitchen does not like color

From my first photo, you can tell I've jumped on the bandwagon and started reading Something Other Than God by Jennifer Fulwiler. I absolutely love this book and cannot recommend it enough!! It's honest and insightful and so much fun to read! I really have not been able to put it down, which is a joy for me, especially after trying several books that I just didn't like.

Hopefully I will have more progress on my CotLin sweater next week-- lots of car-riding in my future :)

Check out Tami & Ginny

Family Comes in all Shapes and Sizes

This weekend, my parents were honored to become godparents again. This time, to the lovely little daughter of a woman from our church. Dad is the naturally talkative sort, and he always welcomes new people to church. This particular young woman attends the same university as I do, but is studying in the nursing program. She came from Ghana with her brother to study here several years ago.

A few weeks ago, she asked my parents to be godparents to her little Audrey.

You can't quite see in the photo, but little Audrey is wearing a necklace and ring made by her uncle in Ghana with her initials on it. Definitely one of the most beautiful gifts to be given to a little one.

My parents and I spent part of Sunday afternoon (after the Baptism Mass) celebrating with Audrey and her family, and it is lovely how the Church brings such a variety of people into the same place.

Weekend Roundup

Another typical weekend for me.

Working all day Saturday, with some attempted lesson planning and the like. I did get some crocheting done in the evening, mainly powering through an infinity scarf for someone I was seeing on Sunday.
I also started working on my Snowdrop, as part of the February CAL that the Crochet Shoulder Wrappers group is hosting.

Top: Red Heart Holiday Hunter/Gold
Bottom: KnitPicks Stroll Tonal Stonewashed

My mom had the US Figure Skating Championship Women's Finals on, so I watched a bit of that with her, remembering how I used to love watching the female figure skaters.

Sunday morning Mass, breakfast with the family, a bit of a nap. More crocheting. A prayer meeting in the evening, with a speaker sharing about the youth programs. A variety of people asking me how wedding plans were going. By the last one, I was a bit flustered, mainly because right now there is not much wedding planning, as both E and I are finishing up school, and the big things are all planned and out of the way.

This morning, I woke to a text from one of my friends, informing me of the snow day. It was way too early for her to be texting me, but we're both teachers, so I guess she thought I would be up. That text was followed shortly by a text from my host teacher, telling me to go back to sleep. My fiance called 10 minutes after that, because he volunteers to be my secondary alarm clock. Because I was in no rush to get up, we actually chatted for a few minutes before he had to go. He has to get up for school too, and his wasn't cancelled.

Since I got a bit of a lie-in, I was not overly productive today. Errands mainly, plus chores that I don't have as much time to do when I'm in and out of the house for school and work. More crocheting, working on my "Ten-minute" projects. (both of my 10 minute projects take more than ten minutes, but it is good to spend some time with them.)


10 minute project- trying to finish Mom & Dad's afghan!

 Not much else-- Hope you all have a lovely week!

Reading

I'm reading a new book in the New Year.

This book was suggested by one of my recently married friends, and so far, it is an inspiring and challenging read.  The Power of a Praying Wife starts with being solid in your own relationship with God, and moves into the idea that one has to be totally self-sacrificing when praying for your husband. He may not be praying for you, but by praying for him, you can draw closer to him and to God.

There are 30 sections in the book, each covering a different aspect of your husband's life to pray for. I've only made it partway through the first, but I really like the challenge it presents me. The format makes it great for a daily study book-- though I won't have the time for daily reading, I still hope to finish most of it before I need to return it to the library.

Are you reading anything challenging or inspiring?

Words of Wisdom.

I've had some stressful days these past two weeks or so, and some days I get really discouraged. But even through all that, I have found some unexpected sources of wisdom.

First was E. A couple things he said to me this week had really struck a chord, and I've been trying to take his words to heart. Those things that he said were also reinforced by a quick browse through the book I just got in the mail, as recommended by Ginny @ Small Things: Style, Sex and Substance: 10 Catholic Women Consider the Things that Really Matter. One was a comment on being a friend and having friends- don't stare at your phone waiting for someone to call-- it's ok to be the one to reach out, especially when you want company. The other was a thought on the deceptive works of Satan-- negative, despairing thoughts are from him, and can be defeated by a prayer. I just love when there is double reinforcement on words like that- it's always a sign that I have things that need work.

Another bit of wisdom came from my mother: God often puts us in situations so we can improve. Even if a situation seems like it will be tough, it's probably because God wants us to learn.

From my boss: If you are waiting for the right time (to get married, have kids, etc), it will never happen. The 'stars' will never be perfectly aligned,  and things will never be exactly the way you want them to be. (basically her thoughts on me & E waiting for the best time to get married)

The daily thought from St. Margaret Mary: Notwithstanding my weakness, I am no longer afraid; I have placed my confidence in God who can do all things, and from whom I hope all things, for I rely not on myself.

Hopefully I'll be able to get back into the swing of blogging my WIPWs and FOFs as school's nearly done for the semester.

WIP Wednesday:

I haven't had a whole lot f time to blog the past week, as every day after Wednesday had something going on. Thursday, I taught my first class-- this was only the third or fourth time I've properly taught a class, with a lesson plan and everything. After that I worked all afternoon. Friday was a rinse and repeat. Saturday I got up early again to go out of town with my aunt for a spring craft show (it went very poorly). Sunday was a bit more relaxing, but still an early start to the day with Mass. Monday I had class and work, Tuesday I taught again and had another class. So yeah, a really busy week. And I still have 2 more days of teaching this week- Thursday and Friday again.

Something that Eileen over at Crochet Attic said yesterday really caught my attention:

 None of us live in a bubble where everything is wonderful all day everyday. 

This is totally the truth. I try to keep things as real as possible, and while I try not to complain on the internet too much, I don't try to sugar coat things.  I've been busy, life's been stressful, but God is in control.

And since I've rambled on so much, I figure I should get to sharing with you what I've been working on this week.
I recently was gifted a drop spindle, and while I am absolutely clueless about spinning, I still bought some roving from the craft show on Saturday. I've watched a few youtube videos, so I understand the basic process, but getting the wool to go the way I want is just not happening.


I'm trying to continue my stash-bash, and I have this huge bag of yarn...  I haven't decided if it's a bag or a creature. Originally, it was a bag, but I got lazy and didn't want to keep increasing. So I think it's a creature in progress. Both yarns are from recycled sweaters.


This ball of yarn will be another Claret Cowl. This used to be a skein of KnitPicks Wool of the Andes Bare Bulky, but I dyed it with kool-aid and now it is beautiful, if I do say so myself. I just haven't cast on yet. But by the end of the day, it will be.


You should check out Tami's Amis, cuz there should be tons of awesome WIPWs over there.

"Show no partiality"

James 2:1
I love when what I'm learning in school actually relates to my faith life. I was reading the daily Mass reading from James 2 this morning, and said to myself, hey, this applies to my teaching as well! God doesn't want us to judge other believers based on race/social status/etc, and that's the same thing they're teaching me about my future students. I was thrilled to be able to relate the two, even in such a small way.

A Lenten thought, as Ash Wednesday is next week:
Fasting is not about deprieving yourself of something and being sad, it is about rejoicing in the freedom when that thing is not a concern. We are purifying ourselves so that the Lord can live in us in a deeper way.

Lord, grant that through your grace, we may become a dwelling pleasing to you.

"I had rather one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere"

The Psalm response today (Psalm 84) really stuck out to me as I read today's readings. It is a familiar line, having been made into a popular worship song, but what struck me was the origin. King David had so much, yet he was so aware of the greatness of God, that he knew he'd rather live for one single day in the house of God than repeat his life on earth.
Every day is a new adventure for me when journeying with Christ, but I still struggle with that concept. But part of the prayer from the Mass (we get the Word Among Us, which has the order of the Mass with the prayers and the readings) really helps to encourage me:

"relying solely on the hope of heavenly grace"

And that's something that I want to do- rely only on God and his amazing Grace. 

This morning's reading have really helped me, encouraging me, as I sit attempting to do my homework. But I have some lovely worshipful music playing, and I have a mug of hot tea, so life is splendid, Thanks be to God!