Mothers Day

Spent a wonderful mother’s day with my mom and have some pictures to share.  I made her a pair of socks from yarn she picked out, Staccato by Shibui, and in all honesty I’m embarrassed to say that it has been more than just a while ago that she picked it out.  On the other hand I am really happy they fit and she’s wearing them! 

She now needs more care and has just recently been moved to the next level at Elk Meadows.  Unfortunately she has lost her eyesight; her physical health seems to be fine although she has lost weight.  But something’s never change, like her love of cold milk and warm cinnamon rolls.  My niece Allison brought her one on our visit and she was in heaven!  It really was a good cinnamon roll.  She also believes in a manicure very two weeks. 

The one thing I can say about Utah, it always has surprises for me. On the drive to my moms I had been seeing bald eagle nests but had never stopped to look at them. This time I pulled over to take a few pictures, to my surprise and excitement a juvenile bald eagle flew overhead and was circling! I must not have look to tasty because he head back over to the lake.  

Take care everyone and enjoy your summer.

Julie

National Needle Arts Association (TNNA)

I spent some time in Long Beach a few weekends ago at the National Needle Arts Association (TNNA) Trade Show & got to check out some of the new yarns and color combinations for spring.  My favorite was Jade Sapphires cashmere linen blend they named Sylph; a skein made it into my suitcase…oh joy!

On Sunday I ran into Alana Dakos from Never Not Knitting with her daughter signing their book Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf; it’s about a little girl who wants to knit and her mother who teaches her.  It’s a cute story with beginning knitting instruction in the back. And if you haven’t heard yet Alana has another book Botanical Knits coming out in May with pre-orders being accepted; I have mine pre-ordered with Twigs & Willow in my Ravelry favorites already. 

For those of you that will be enjoying Stitches West in Santa Clara on the 21st through the 24th Chic ~ a will be there.  She doubled the booth size to accommodate more products so look for her at #932,934 and grab one of those wonderful yarn keepers I was telling you about, you won’t be sorry.

Julie

Utah

On my most recent trip to Utah it was freezing!  Our first day there it was 0 degrees at 8:30 in the morning; this explains the picture of people ice fishing on our way to visit my mom.  I was able to sport around in some hand knits though.  

Ice Fishing

  

My mom wasn’t really up to pictures this trip; she’s been having good days and not so good days so adjustments in her care were made.

 

On the flight my son did take this picture of me knitting one of my frequent flyer hats; it’s the MOOSE hat from Bea Ellis Knitwear.  I hooked the Chic-a yarn keeper on the latch of the tray table to knit, it’s a great way to avoid the yarn rolling off your lap onto the floor (yuck) where you’d have to say excuse me to the person next to you as you politely try to retrieve it or worse it rolls three rows back!  I was also able to zip up the hat and pattern in the yarn keeper when I heard the familiar words “Please put your tray and seat in the upright lock position as we prepare for landing”.

I hope everyone’s year has started off well and that projects are flying off your needles and hooks!!

Julie

Peace...Love...Hope...

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.”  ~ Hamilton Wright Mabie

18th Annual La Arcada Christmas Walk is tomorrow November 28th from 5:00 to 8:00; it’s a wonderful way to begin the holiday season. As always this festive event is filled with music, holiday lights and a visit from Santa.

Thankful

Today is a day about giving thanks and family so I would like to introduce you to my mom Peggy.  Since closing the store I have been able to travel three times to see her and on the most recent trip my son Kyle joined me.

 In September my mom gave us a BIG scare which led us to relocating her to a beautiful Assisted Living Community for Alzheimer/Dementia, we feel so grateful to have found such a wonderful place.  She has stabilized and gained some much needed weight; we don’t mention that part to her though. :-)

My knitting lately has been what I refer to as Frequent Flyer Hats, since that’s what I’ve been taking on the plane. One of them is being modeled by the latest addition to the family; my great nephew Nathan.  It is a stylish ear flap hat made with Spud & Chloe Sweater in Root beer with Lorna’s Laces Shepherds worsted in camouflage for the band, braided ties and pom-pom (it’s a free pattern I found on Ravelry called Cozy). The others are gifts so I can’t post pictures just yet.

 With the holiday season upon us I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving and joyous holiday season.

Love, Julie

 “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
—Melody Beattie

Final Week

                                                     

Hi Everyone,

We are heading into our final week!  As the yarns are disappearing off the shelves, the displays and the mannequins (children's) are being tagged for sale.  If you had your eye on something or thought something was cute, come by and see if it's been tagged.

I will be keeping the store's Blog and the Face Book page, so if you haven't Liked us yet, please do so.  I will be posting and am hoping to arrange a KAL and a group knitting from time to time.

 Once again, thank you for being a part of Knit and Pearl!

Julie