Oh Tannenbaum...

One of my most favorite things about this time of the year is the Christmas tree. As you know I love the forest and it feels like a privilege to bring a small part of the forest into my living room each December. I love getting up a little earlier each morning to sit by the tree in peace and quiet. My mind wanders as I gaze at the sparkling white lights that shimmer like diamonds to all the ornaments that remind me of fond memories of my childhood, as a young adult and now a mother. It's a scrapbook of my life...sheep, knitting, bicycles, motorcycles, soccer balls, pointe shoes, basketball players, stars, countless Nutcrackers and those I collected as a youngster.

I've tried taking photos of the tree to capture the beauty but I've yet to do the tree justice. Then again maybe it is only beautiful to me.

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

— Proverb

According to this proverb beauty cannot be judged objectively, for what one person finds beautiful may not appeal to others. So the images of my tree will have to remain as a description. I have, however created a doodle of a tree that captures my thoughts and emotions regarding Christmas trees.

Now this talk of trees and beauty brings me to a recent event that occurred on the internet. I became aware of this situation because my secret Santa gifted me some delicious Reese's peanut butter trees. She knows that I love the forest so the delectable treats were a thoughtful gift to remind me of one of my favorite places. So, the Reese's trees don't really look like trees but rather like blobs. People started shaming the trees on social media for not looking the way they should.

Hershey's response was genius. All trees are beautiful.

This time of year can be challenging when it comes to maintaining a positive image of self. There are treats everywhere...work, home, parties, get-togethers with friends, etc. So, let's take a lesson from the trees, even the chocolate ones. When you look in the mirror, see the beautiful you. No negative self-talk!

Peace be with you in these final dark days. Just a few more days and we'll be gaining more light with each day as well as vitamin D .

Believe...

In early November, I mentioned I needed a new bracelet that read "health, this we choose each day". Today, I reread that post and was a bit shocked that I mentioned I needed a new bracelet. Several days after writing the post titled "journey" I bought a new bracelet.

Inscribed on the bracelet it says "believe".

While it wasn't the message I thought I needed, turns out this new bracelet is THE reminder that I need right now.

Believe in...

• my dreams.
• the fact that I can live a simple(r) life.
• my ability to accomplish some wild and crazy long-term goals.
• a peaceful life/world
• the choices I've made that have gotten me to the place that I am today.
• the others around me.

Sometimes we just need to find a simple message that is present each day. For me, right now it is "BELIEVE".

What do you need as a daily reminder? Where can you place this simple message to yourself?

Mystery knit-along giveaway...

It's been an incredible journey with ~80 fellow Healthy Knitters during the first ever mystery Knit-along AND walk-along. The last clue, "Finale" will be posted on Monday. This cowl is rich with symbolism and meaning but it's all been a "mystery". I've enjoyed reading comments on the Ravelry group as well as some blog posts here and there...much to my surprise it still remains a mystery.

A March through Time...

On Monday, the finale will be posted. The finale provides finishing information as well as an explanation of the theme for each section of the cowl.

I thought it might be fun for those that participated in the mKAL/WAL to post your interpretation of the theme. Everything is connected…the title, the stitch patterns and the names of each section.

Post your interpretation in the Ravelry group here by Sunday 10 pm (central time in the US) and I’ll send some yarn from my stash to the person with the best description.

I'm working on my plans for next year and have decided to offer another mKAL and WAL in April in addition to November. April and November are tough months to be active as the weather can be nasty so I thought it might be perfect timing.  I'm designing right now for the April project and am soooooo excited about the project and theme.  More on design hints to come in the next few months. So, mark your calendars now for April 2016. Walk on this winter but tread lightly if you live in an icy area.

It's not too late to join the Peace-along. While there is a knitting project involved the emphasis truly is on infusing your life with more peace. Simple little reflections that arrive each morning. If you are still interested, please join us. Just purchase the pattern Knit Your Peace and you're automatically enrolled. I really want world peace so this is my contribution...one simple choice at a time.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”

— Mahatma Ghandi

Peace-along...

Now, maybe more than ever, we need to infuse the world with peace. Ok, I'm not sure if it's more than ever as many bad things have occurred in the history of the world. But maybe now, if we collectively join together and strive for peace in our own lives we might "pay it forward" so to speak.

How can we have world peace if we ourselves can't choose peace each day?

Let it begin with each one of us...

To foster more peace in our lives, I've created 21 days of peaceful tips. A Peace-along so to speak. All of these tips have been developed to honor your own life in a peaceful way. What a perfect way to reflect on peace as we approach the end of our year.

Purchase the pattern "Knit Your Peace" a delightfully simple cowl to knit yet elegant finished product and as a thank you, I'll send you via Ravelry a peaceful message each day from December 1 through December 21, winter solstice.

Knit. Peace. Walk. Peace. Repeat...