...back to school...

This weekend is Mom’s Weekend at Oregon State University.  It's an event that has been held at OSU for many years, in fact I remember when my mom came down and spent the weekend while I was a student there.  It’s a great event with a lot of really fun things to do including attending classes with your kid. 

I’ve gone to Mom’s weekend with both of my girls while they were students. Lots of great memories.  But this year was a little different.  This is the first time I have been to Mom’s Weekend while my daughter, Erin, is teaching there.  She has been teaching  in the Speech Communication department for several years but I’ve never been able to make it to see her teach.  But this year things lined up perfectly and I got my chance.   We come from a long line of teachers so it’s really wonderful to see her continue on with this family tradition.

It was fun to be a student again, but even more fun was watching my daughter take command of a classroom where all eyes (including mine) were on her, pens and pencils frantically scratched notes and hands were raised to ask questions.  Her lecture today was on emotions in communication and believe it or not I learned a thing or two.  The one thing I’m thankful for is that I don’t have any homework…

I drove home thinking that I know that Erin’s grandmother, who was a teacher, would be so proud to see how well Erin is doing in the classroom, following in her footsteps.  I know I sure am.  I sure wish she could have been there to see it too.

Dear Erin...

32 years ago, almost at this exact time, your Dad and I welcomed you into the world.


And in those 32 years there have been some wonderful memories made.

Like the time when you were 7 and were trick or treating as a bag of jelly beans, your costume sprung a leak and you left a trail of little colored balloons all over the neighborhood.  Or the time when you were 5 and you rode your Big Wheel down our driveway (no small feat if you know what driveway I'm talking about) and the only thing that stood between you and death was our kind, observant neighbor, Larry Westerman, who caught you before you went off the bank and into a blackberry bush.  I think he heard you before he saw you.  You were screaming pretty loud.

Or the time when you were 10 months old and we almost lost you to meningitis.  Three weeks in the hospital, 4 day in ICU and you came through with only minor hearing loss.  It's pretty remarkable, but looking back on that we could see that you were a fighter.

Or the time when you were in 8th grade and you did a back flip off the diving board at the pool while we were on vacation, miss judged where you were and hit the board.  A ride to the emergency room in an ambulance with a cute EMT and 25 stitches later you were telling us that you were fine and asking if you could go swimming again that afternoon.  Sadly, the pool wasn't in your future for the rest of that trip.

Or the time when you were in college and you were lost (or at least I thought you were) in Germany on your way to Spain to study abroad.  This was before cell phones and we had no way of knowing if you had made it or not until you got to your host moms house and called  (several hours late) to tell us that your trip was amazing.  Your Dad told me the whole time we were waiting to hear from you that you would be fine, you knew what you were doing.  He was right.



We've learned a few things about you Erin, in your 32 years.  How you love your family more than anything in the world.  How you will walk across the street to pet a dog, any dog.  How you love sports of all kinds, especially golf.  And you are really good at most of them, especially golf.



How when you put your mind to something there is nothing that will or can stop you.

How you picked your major for college when you were in high school, never changed it, graduated in 4 years and when on to get you masters.  How you found your passion in teaching others about the things you know and love.



How you married the love of you life and have two beautiful daughters and how you strive every day to be the best wife and mother you can be.  Sometimes it's a bumpy road, but as you Dad has said before, you'll be fine, you know what you are doing.

How you have grown to be one of the most inspirational young woman we know.  And how you have taken Dad's words to heart and you "Always remember who you are and who you represent".



Happy Birthday, Erin.  We could not be more proud of you.

love,

Mom and Dad 💗

...52 weeks of happy (12/52)...

1.  a letter from a good friend.
2.  first shipment from the Great White Bale.
3.  happy baby on a big bed!
4.  orange shoes that I wore all weekend while shopping with my daughters.  Great weekend!

My weekend was amazing!  Now looking forward to a little trip!  Where are you traveling to?

...thankful...

Today is Thanksgiving, but more importantly, today is our oldest daughter Erin's birthday. 

just 1 hour old...

always laughing...

1st day of kindergarten

wedding day...

It seems like only yesterday that she was a baby. And now she is a wife and a mother of her own little girl.


Happy Birthday Erin!  We love you so much!

In honor of Erin's birthday all of my patterns are on sale today through Sunday!  Just use the coupon code birthday at the check out and get 20% off!

...keeping warm...

As promised

Warm and cozy mittens or fingerless mitts that are quick to knit up. 

The cuffs are long enough to fit inside or outside of a jacket or sweater sleeve.  Which ever you prefer, your hands will thank you for this bit of coziness while you’re out in the chilly air!

The fingerless version is perfect to put on when you need a little warmth but want your fingers free.  Perfect for when you are texting or taking photos!

Cuffed with a beautiful cabled band that is finished with a smart decrease and buttonhole, they are the perfect project to show off those special buttons you might have in your collection. 

              ~ Erin's Mittens ~

                          

Yarn:

Valley Yarns Northfield

[70% Merino/20% Baby Alpaca/10% Silk,

50gm/124 yds] 2 skeins

or

Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Heavyweight

[100% Superwash Merino, 198gm/350 yds]  1 skein

Supplies:

US 6/4mm 32 inch circular needle

US 7/4.5mm 32 inch circular needle

1 set US 7/4.5 mm double points

or needles to obtain gauge

cable needle, markers, yarn needle, two 7/8" buttons

Gauge:

5 stitches/inch over stockinette

Finished size:

hand circumference:  7.5 inches

length from edge of cuff to top of mitten:  10.5 inches

Notes:  Pattern includes both charted and written instructions.

...frost on the pumpkin...

Fall seems to be fading into winter rather quickly around here.  And as the autumn leaves drop from the trees,  the cold nights and frosty mornings appear to be here to stay.  I am always sad to see the leaves fade away but I do love the chilly weather as it gives me every excuse to bring out the hats, scarves and mittens.

I have been trying to keep up with Marcy and our Lotus Blossom Hat kal. But alas, she is done......sadly, I am not...  But I hope to be done soon and I hope that the darn thing fits (more on that later).

As for scarves... there is something new coming soon from the design table.  It's pretty and I think you'll like it!

And as for mittens?   There have been hints along the way.  Check back here tomorrow..... : )

...little things...

Back in 2010 I found out that I was going to be a grandma for the first time.

I was able to attend the ultrasound where they confirmed that this little person was going to be a girl.  Girl or boy, we didn't care.  Just as long as she was healthy.  So even though Paytan was born one month early and a little on the small side, she was perfect in every way.  She continues to grow and thrive and we are amazed by just how wonderful she really is.  (Why we are surprised by this I'm not sure.)

She is the light of our lives and now we know that she will be sharing that spot with someone when Erin, Kris and Paytan welcome a new little person in July.  We could not be more thrilled and again boy or girl, we don't care.

I know that Paytan will be a wonderful big sister.  She's already practicing.....

Paytan and her bitty baby...

...part three...

Yet another peak at a little something coming out soon!

Erin's Cowl will be out on the heals Erin's Mittens.  It's a cozy hug of cables for your neck.  The perfect compliment to Erin's Hat!

All three patterns use either Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock - Heavyweight or
Valley Yarn - Northfield.  Both yarns have beautiful stitch definition that show off the cables perfectly.  If you are looking for a quick holiday gift, any one of Erin's collection will be perfect!

Stay tuned for more details...

...sneaky...

 Here's a sneak peak of the next pattern coming soon!

Erin's Mittens are the perfect companion to Erin's Hat.


A little something to keep your hands warm on these cold, crisp fall days!

...Erin's Hat...

I've been working on this project for some time now and here it finally is!  Introducing Erin's Hat!

I designed this hat for my wonderful daughter, Erin.  It's the perfect accessory for the crisp autumn days, football games and tailgating;  these are a few of  Erin’s favorite things. Her hat is perfect whether you’re cheering on your favorite college team or just taking a walk on a brisk fall day.  A beautiful band of cables travels around the brim ending with a smart decreased, cabled buttonhole section.  The stockinette section and uniform decreases on the crown finish off this simple but classic hat.   Add a special button and you’re set for cooler weather and the crunch of leaves under foot!

~ Erin's Hat ~

Yarn:  

Valley Yarns Northfield

[70% Merino/20% Baby Alpaca/10% Silk, 50 gm/124 yds]

2 skeins,  colorway:  Chestnut

or

Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Heavyweight

[100% Superwash Merino, 198 gm/350 yds]

1 skein, colorway:  Tumbleweed

Supplies:

US 6/4mm 16 inch circular needle

US 7/4.5mm 16 inch circular needle

1 set US 7/4.5mm double points

or needles to obtain gauge.

Cable needle

markers

yarn needle

one 7/8 inch button

Gauge:

5 stitches/inch over stockinette stitch

Finished measurements:

circumference:  19 inches

depth:  8 inches

Notes:

Pattern includes both written and charted instructions.

I hope you enjoy making Erin's Hat as much as I enjoyed designing it!

Coming soon:  matching mittens, fingerless mitts and cowl!  Stay tuned!!