Redefining expectations...

I have fond memories of making frosted sugar cookies with my mom each year at Christmas. Now, I'm pretty sure my recollection of this annual activity is much more idyllic than what actually took place. Yet somewhere along the way these cookies became an expectation, a symbol of being a good mother. I know it sounds silly but I wholeheartedly believed that to be a good mother I needed to make frosted sugar cookies with and/or for my children each year at Christmas.

Many years ago now as we approached the holiday season I knew one of my tasks was to make the cookies. It was a stressful time; pre-tenure, a 4-year old and a 4-month old, a small house with the constant worry the baby would wake up due to noise, the post-stress of 911, and a shortage of the small pox vaccine. I was very concerned about whether or not my baby could be vaccinated. The world seemed to be caving in... but there were cookies to be made.

I remember the day, where I was standing in the house when I realized something had to go. Being a "rational" person I knew the need to make cookies was an unreasonable expectation so I let it go. Now, I know it all probably sounds really petty to think about cookies and being a good mom but that doesn't mean the feeling wasn't real.

Each year as the holidays come and go I think about my failed expectation consoling myself that it doesn't really matter. It's just cookies, right? But here's the thing, the expectation could also be considered a "goal." Sometimes we set goals that are too lofty or unrealistic. Rarely are goals set in stone, they can be revised.

It took years to revise my cookie goal. My daughter has been asking me to make cookies for weeks but each time I've put her off knowing that I just can't add it to the pre-holiday to-do list.

With the holidays behind us, last week-end my daughter, her friend and I made cookies. We called them "winter wonderland" cookies with trees, snowballs, snowflakes and stars. It was our very own little winter forest. We laughed, they did it their way, we frosted and sprinkled, and ate way too many cookies. It was a good day.

So, the moral of my story really has nothing to do with making cookies but everything to do with setting realistic expectations (aka goals). It's important to establish goals but if they aren't attainable it's no reason to throw in the towel...just adjust and move forward.

Do you have any goals that need revising? Please feel free to share.

The wait is over...

At long last, the latest collection from Brooklyn Tweed has been revealed. It seems I've been receiving emails for weeks building the anticipation of the Winter 2016 collection. My, oh my, it did not disappoint. Can I quit everything I'm doing right now and knit, knit, knit? I can't tell you how many times today that I leafed through the Lookbook wishing I could knit as fast as I could read.

Here are my favorites not in any order of preference but what I wouldn't give to have these items in my wardrobe (tomorrow).

During these cold days wouldn't this just be delicious to wear while sitting on the sofa in front of the fire drinking a warm, full-bodied cup of tea? Perhaps I fell in love with this one just because of the name "Snoqualmie" as I'm fondly reminded of a time long ago when I lived in Washington state.

And what about this?

Love these cables!. This exquisite cardigan "Intersect" would be perfect for my "professional" wardrobe but would work just as well with a pair of jeans, Frye boots and a messy bun. Love it!

And finally, there is Roslyn created by one of my all time favorite designers, Veronik Avery. I am enamored with the simplicity of this dress and think it could be a long-time favorite in my wardrobe.  

It'll be a while before I get to knitting any of these but all I can say is "wow". Brooklyn Tweed has done it again with beautiful pieces to cherish.

I'm reminded of my goals for the year and to keep things simple. I'd love to get distracted by these pieces but I'm staying focused...for now.

Baby it's cold outside...

I know, I said I love winter but let me clarify...I love beautiful snow-covered forests, winter wonderlands, and temperatures in the upper 20's with delicate snowfalls. Bitter cold and wind chills are not my favorite part of winter and here we are deep in the polar freeze.

It's been a week-end to spend inside, to retreat and feel grateful for shelter, warmth, and comfort food.  There's been time for family, knitting, and even taking down the Christmas tree. I was sad to see it go as removing the tree always seems to symbolize the end of the magical part of winter...now we are just in the long haul to spring. Sure, there will be many pretty wintery days left but that innocent winter that I cherish is no longer here. Then again, maybe it's just the freezing temps that makes me feel that way.

I spent the weekend knitting a new shawl that I recently designed. Blocking is next and I can't wait to see the transformation. Looking forward to sharing the new design...

I've a few projects on my to-do list and the first one will be a sweater knit in the round by Mary Jane Mucklestone called "Stopover" made with Istex Lett-Lopi yarn. Icelandic sweaters seem to be gaining popularity right now and I'm joining in on the fun with this simple, fast project with just a bit of fair-isle on the hem and yoke. A decade ago, I worked at a yarn shop that carried lopi yarns. At that time, I was not impressed as I thought the yarn scratchy and I was apparently not alone. The yarn just didn't sell in that shop. Now, I see it available at many shops and it has become a favorite yarn of mine due to it's ruggedness. It's not a soft, cuddly yarn but rather a yarn that says "wear me and you'll stay warm despite the frigid temperatures". So, it only seems appropriate with our current weather that I cast-on my Stopover.

Stay tuned for more adventures with my Stopover.

What are you knitting this winter?

Winter walking blues...

Photo of a painted mural at Reising Sun Café, Polk City, IA

I love the snow. I adore winter…the more snow the better. This probably has something to do with the fact that I grew up in snow country, a mountain town in Colorado. Nonetheless, I woke up yesterday morning to a grey winter day. The light was flat and it just makes you feel kinda “blah”.

"Blah" weather leads to lots of reason to be less physically active. Ironically the best medicine for the winter blues is to get moving.  Believe me, I know it's challenging but it really does help.

We are building a great community here and let’s make the most of it. Let’s set some physical activity goals for the month of January and help each other. Hop on over to The Healthy Knitter Ravelry group and share your goal. Cheer each other on and help each other be accountable.

Pick a “time” goal OR
Pick a “distance” goal OR
Pick a “certain number of fitness classes to attend” goal OR
Pick “make your own” goal.

My goal is to walk 50 miles of intentional active walking. That’s about 2 miles a day for the rest of the month. I’ll be walking indoors mostly. I’d like to say that I’m “walking to someplace exotic” but 50 miles from Ames, IA doesn’t get me out of central IA. So, I’m going to pick a walking path in Scotland and pretend that I’m walking there :)

What’s your goal?

Knit one. Walk two...