She came, she saw....

....she decided not to conquer.

Sometimes you just have to give a thing a try to discover that it really isn't something you want to do.  During the month of May, I took a shawl design class at my local yarn store. Most shawls consist of lace patterns which are usually written in chart form.  Charts are great.  I find them easy to read and use, but creating one was much harder than it would seem.  After several days of wrestling over how one gets a pattern into chart form, and then creating a simple pattern, I came away from the exercise fully convinced that my creative ability does not naturally flow in that direction.  It is like learning another language, and I am sure over time I could gain some skill in it, but I would rather direct that energy into my quilting--especially since I am starting to get requests for my work, but that will be a subject for another time if anything comes of it.  

So, I want to express my appreciation to all those wonderful knitting designers who make the lovely patterns I can enjoy knitting.  Thank you!

Nostalgia

A couple of weeks ago my iron died, so a shopping I went.  And this is what I found:

The Black and Decker Classic--simple, straight forward, no fancy gadgets or features, and hopefully sturdy.  The only thing is that it makes me feel like I should get my hair bobbed, and don a gingham apron and high heels when I iron.  

Not In My Queue

A sweater for an introvert:

Created by Andrea Crew

Homework

I am taking a class--something I rarely do.  Most classes in my interests of quilting and knitting are about making a certain pattern or project, and I would rather spend the cost of the class on fabric or yarn.  This class, however, is about how to create a knitting pattern, with the object being a shawl, my favorite thing to knit.  Now, having 250+ shawl patterns already queued on Ravelry, it isn't like I am lacking in project ideas, and I don't really have an interest at this point of pursuing pattern design as a business venture.  I have, however, reached a point in my knitting where I would like to be able to modify a pattern I mostly like, or change an element to make it more unique to me.  So, for the first time in a very long time, I have homework to do.

Technically, I have homework with a personal Bible study I am doing, but I don't see it the same way.  There isn't really a deadline, and if there is a question I don't want to spend time on, I just skip it.  My class homework comes with a different level of expectation. First of all, this is a group project.  By group, I mean the shop owner, myself, and one other woman--about all the "group" I can handle. ;-)  We have a specific assignment and a deadline.  Granted, the deadline isn't hard and fast, but if we are going to make the most of these four weeks, then we need to keep up as best we can.  

Here are the beginnings:

Free download from Laylock

We are making the shawl pattern on the far right--the heart-shaped shawl.

First we need to do some swatching, or make a sample, to try out a lace pattern and get the hang of how the shaping works.  The stitches will show up best in a light colored yarn, so I will be using this cream colored yarn I had in my stash.

I picked out a lace pattern from a perpetual calendar on knitting stitches I had, printed out a list of knitting chart symbols, and put some graph paper in a notebook.  The yarn is ready, and now I need to draw out a chart of the pattern, and cast on.  We are off and running!

Is This Really Necessary?

"If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse."  
Prov. 27:14

I am wondering how to communicate this to a dove that has decided to coo outside our bedroom window at 3:30 in the morning.  My husband said, "Maybe it thinks it is a night owl."  

Intentional Introvertedness

Recently I did a search on Christian introvert, just to see what would come up. It was mostly blog posts, and it was interesting to see what a few had to say. Here are some thoughts on the subject spurred by my reading.

Being an introvert may determine how you prefer to use your time--for example, staying home to reading a book rather than going to a party.  However, it does not determine what you do with that time.  Extrovert or introvert, we can use our time well or waste it.  

Also, being an extrovert doesn't necessarily mean that you have more meaningful relationships.  Nor does being an introvert mean that you are a hermit.  Rather, it just means we relate to people differently.  And just like using time well or not, we can spend our energy meaningfully in relationships or not.

Introverts and extroverts can be good balances for each other.  Introverts can help ground extroverts, and extroverts can help us introverts not to be too serious.  I enjoy being around someone who is outgoing, who makes me laugh, who has the energy and inclination to create enjoyable gatherings.  I also enjoy quiet and intimate time with those I love, having deeper conversations and heart sharing.  

Rather than using our make-up to excuse our shortcomings, as is so easy for all of us to do, let us allow this knowledge of ourselves help us to serve and invest in the lives of others.  For me it means learning how to reach out from a place of solitude, balancing social and quiet time so that I am making time for relationships in my life.  It also means paying attention to people who cross my path to see where God is opening a door for relationships; and for those who just pass by, how even those momentary contacts can be substantive.  May God give me grace to be an intentional introvert.   






  

For Good Measure

Now that I have been on this journey through the food wilderness for three years, I am hopeful that I have finally come to a place where my tummy and I are on good terms again. There have been so many ups and downs, false starts, and dead end paths, that I was beginning to wonder if food would always be a necessary, but unpleasant battle. 

Since turning the corner at the end of the year, the overall progression has been steadily upward, with minor bumps here and there.  Whole wheat flour is a no, and I need to be careful with the chocolate.  Otherwise it is steady as she goes.  Though my meals are still on a rotation and eating out is still (and possibly always) not an option, I feel the best I have since beginning.  

One thing I have learned in this process, is how amazingly unique each of us is, and how important it is to listen to our bodies.  It takes sifting and sorting of all the good information out there to find out what actually fits our own particular makeup.  For me, the four meals was a huge key, and along with that is finding the best amounts of foods to eat.  Knowing that my eyes and my appetite can lead me astray and get me into trouble, having an objective measure helps me to stay on track.  The Pyrex 10 oz custard cup has turned out to be the perfect measure for my cereals and other starches.  

Here is to continued peace in the land of the tummy.