Yarn Along

Happily joining with Ginny of Small Things for this week's yarn along.

Want to know what I have been knitting lately? A few things for me! That's right. Me. After all of the holiday gift making, I decided it was time to be selfish....hehe. I am working on a sockhead hat, using up some yarn from my stash (thanks to Karen over at Pumpkin Sunrise for the inspiration!).  I am also making myself one of these. Who can't use another cowl?

Reading, well, I can never read just one book at once. I have just started Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach (on recmmendation from a student of mine) and The Future by Al Gore. I am only a few pages into each, so I can't give you any insights quite yet.

It does feel good to be getting back into a routine post-holidays, and it definitely feels good to be joining in with a yarn along. Hope you are all staying warm!!

What are you reading? What are you knitting?

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New Years on the Oregon Coast

Over new years, we spent 3 nights in a rental house on the Oregon coast with 4 other families. Some were old friends, and some were new, and we just had a marvelous time. The weather was unbelievable...  fairly warm and sunny, and little wind, which is NOT normal for the Oregon coast. In fact, I would have considered this weather pretty awesome even during the summer months. Plus, we had some amazing sunsets. Seriously amazing.
We spent many hours playing on the beach, went whale watching (and saw a few spouts of water, way out in the distance!), and went on a hike. Evenings were spent hot tubbing, making meals, and of course, having dance parties. There were 9 kids there, so Finn and Phoebe were constantly entertained, and it almost felt like a real (relaxing) vacation. I couldn't have imagined a better way to spend a few days.
I am feeling very grateful for the fun we have had over this break, and honestly, I am not quite ready for school, work, and our normal routine to resume next week.
I took about a zillion photos, but here are a few of my favorites:

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Hello 2014!

This post is a few days later than I wanted it to be, as we were at the Oregon coast for the start of the new year (I promise a post about that, with lots of pictures, soon!).
I always look forward to the new year. A time for change and new beginnings, goals and new projects. A chance for anything to be possible. And, every year, I make a list of resolutions that I would like to tackle in the new year. And every year, my list is huge. Seriously huge. I never accomplish the whole list, but really, that's not the point. The point is for me to figure out where I want to focus my energy in the year to come and how I would like to prioritize my time.
This year some of my resolutions are to focus on the health of myself and my family (things like trying to find more easy but nutritious snacks to feed my kids and signing myself up to run a half marathon), working on my patience with the kiddos (I think this one has been on my list for several years running....), keeping a gratitude journal, and re-starting my 365 photo project.
In thinking about the past year, I have started to realize that I spent a lot of time inside my own head, and wasn't really as present in life as I want to be. But, I am feeling optimistic about 2014 and am grateful for a new year that is full of possibility.
Hoping that each and every day of this new year is filled with love and laughter- for all of us!

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Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a healthy and happy 2014!

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A Lovely Little Trip

Last week, Todd, the kids and I went to San Diego for a little vacation. It was fantastic. We spent 2 nights at Legoland, which for Finn, a lego fiend, was pretty awesome. Phoebe, who is fearless, loved it just as much. She was riding roller coasters and having the time of her life.
After Legoland, we spent a few days with one of my favorite people in the entire world. We went to the San Diego Zoo, relaxed in a hot tub, and ate on the beach. The weather was mostly 60's and sunny, which was a great reprieve from overcast Portland. It was amazing and I must say it was a little bit hard to leave.
We got home on the night of the 23rd, just in time for the excitement of Christmas to sink in. It feels good to be home, but I can't say I haven't been daydreaming about the beach a bit....
I only brought my phone for a camera, so the pictures are not fantastic, but I thought I would share a few anyways. Just to make you jealous. Yup.

 

 

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This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by Soulemama.

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Merry Christmas!!

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