Tiny Forest's Debut

I finished five tiny trees in time to gift them to my mom yesterday. She liked them very much and laughed. She also thought the pink tree was a lightbulb so take her reaction as you may. Better photos will be taken in their forever home. Maybe.

Presented for your amusement

The last tree was knit while playing pub trivia and in the stark light of day it has a distinct yet inadvertent Seahawks/Sounders vibe.

MLS champs get their own tree?

I used the Pint Sized Pines pattern. The only change I made was to work the Double Cabled Tree's decs in Row 24 as *p1, k2tog, p1, ssk* around so they matched the direction of the cables they perch atop. Because yes, I do notice stuff like that ;p

Summer's Workshop

I've been getting in the holiday spirit today, crafting to music. I started with Christmas music but listening to it alone made me sad. And it didn't fit my mood, so classic rock it was!

A previously knit angel ornament

Last night I knit a cabled tree ornament. Some stitches were wonky so it got a bath before bed. It was still wet this morning and I stuck it on the baseboard to dry. I finished knitting a second angel today which received similar post-bath attentions.

Speed drying rack

My couch work zone

I also finished two decoupage notions tins.

(L) stitch markers, (R) needles and waste yarn

The cabled tree gets a cork trunk. Here I'm testing the stability of used corks. A meat cleaver came in handy to shorten them.

 The first tree (of 3+) and angel are now done:

I painted this cork trunk to obscure WASHINGTON printed around its base. Brown watercolor plus Mod Podge, then a thin coat of MP, worked very well.

Last week I knit a bird for Ella and stuffed its head with catnip. She seems to approve.

Thanksgiving!

I've felt not great this week, including on Thanksgiving, despite Benlysta on Monday. Or maybe because of it? I did enjoy the day, spent with my Sweetie and a friend. It was perfectly low key.

Spatchcocked turkey

I helped with the pie

The cook's treat (leftover pie crust rolled with cinnamon sugar)
was not a success. I neglected to set a timer.

All the food was delicious, the company pleasant, and the long weekend is very welcome. I hope you all enjoyed your holiday, or ordinary Thursday, as well!

Happy Thanksgiving

This has been a difficult year on many fronts. Through all that I've been incredibly grateful for friends, new and old. For a medication that gives me enough function to enjoy life. For a fulfilling volunteer job, especially now that some friction has been resolved. And for a sweetheart who is more than I could have asked for.

I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving, however you spend it. And love and good company always.

Happy Thoughts

It's been a week. I won't dwell on my fears. Instead I'll share some positives.

Last Monday I visited a friend in Centralia (85mi south). She made me two beaded shawl pins to match my Watermelon Daybreak shawl. I knit on it while we sat together in her husband's hospital room this May.

I've worked hard to make a good life and to become the woman I am. I'm lucky enough to have assembled a team of friends who genuinely like me and I even have a sweetheart :)

Plus I live in a city where even the sidewalk gardens can be motivational:

Hang in there