So many smiles

This is my sweet Anna Catherine (on the left), and her dear friend Ella. Monday night was their mid-winter concert at The Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville. They are the sweetest little things. They met a little over three years ago in the orchestra and have been inseperable ever since. Both super cute and talented. Both first violins in their Youth Symphony. They have so much fun together, it's such a pleasure just to see them playing. I wonder if they'll always play violin? What will they look like 5 years form now in the midst of their teenage years? Will they be sweet then? Will they always treasure their friendship? So many questions to ponder, but in the meantime...I think I'll just enjoy all this "sweetness".

A different season

It was a cold but sunny day, so we thought we'd go somewhere we hadn't been in a while. The U.T. Gardens. We went last summer when it was sweltering hot, let the kids chase butterflies and climb through giant twig huts. They searched for cystes and drank tons of juice boxes.

This day was quite different from that hot summer day. The plants and trees were mostly still sleeping, with just a few showing the beginning signs of life. We were very suprised to see a Cherry Blossom with a few droopy blooms.

But even on this cold winter day, we found lots to do. The kids still ran and played. The twig huts were gone, along with all the cystes, but we still saw wonderful stone structures. Lots of sweet birdies, and it was fun to see all the bones and lines of the gardens.

All in all it was a lovely day...but boy, are we ever looking forward to the long days of summer!
(I say that now, but the truth is I am a cold climate girl at heart)

We LUV cupcakes

Today was all about the kids. Our support group was having a Valentines skating party and we were suppose to bring treats. My Anna was determined to take homemade cupcakes, even though she really isn't suppose to have them. "No store bought ones!" she said. " We have to make them!"

So...we baked cupcakes...and she took great pains in making them especially beautiful. I 'm afraid she's a bit of a perfectionist. She took a VERY long time....so long she didn't have time for all her school work! (imagine that!) They were delicious however and she was delighted with them.

The skating party was a blast and even big brother had to admit that his sister brought the very best cupcakes there. And.....yes Anna was able to have one too<3

Honey it's cold outside!

Wowee....it's been cold here! Not used to this kind of weather! This afternoon I went down to work in my sewing room, but it was so cold down there my fingers couldn't work properly! I had made this pretty bed caddy (inspired by my super talented knitting friend) and wanted to tweek it a bit. I should have gone down earlier, it was warmer, but I was too busy. So now I think I'll sit and knit awhile. Working on some really cute purple toasties for Anna. Maybe it'll be warmer tomorrow and my fingers wil be more agreeable!

Mission Accomplished!

Yeah!!! I did it! Several years ago, I got the "spinning" bug. The art of spinning yarn just grabbed hold of me and that's all I could think about. I studied and studied and finally, hubby bought me a nice spinning wheel for Christmas. I learned what I could, but there just aren't many spinners out there to lend a helping hand when you need it. I've managed to spin some decent yarn, but I'm still a "reluctant spinner". Mainly because I am just not real confident about what I'm doing. After getting my wheel and spinning some yarn, I started thinking, "what am I going to do with all the yarn I spin?". I didn't knit or crochet, so....I started on another quest, to learn to knit. I got lots of books from the library and just kinda jumped right in there. I've dabbled with this for a couple of years now, knitting one scarf after another..a tobaggan here and there, but once again, not confident enough in my skills to tackle anything much. I have a friend that knits alot and has some gorgeous things she's made and I became increasingly envious. Sooooooooo, I decided "OK. I'm just gonna go for it". I found a pattern on www.soulemama.com/soulemama/ for "Toasties". They are long gloves with no fingers, just thumbs. I'd never knittled thumbs! I've only knitted and purled. I've done a little increasing and decreasing, but not much. This pattern called for dropping stitches onto waste yarn and casting on with a backward loop. Other skills were called for that I had not yet acquired, but I didn't care! I liked the Toasties and I wanted some! I went to the yarn shop, bought my yarn, some new needles and set out to make my cuties. I was so confident I could do this, I even bought some yarn to make Anna a pair. I knew I was in trouble whe I couldn't even get started without calling my friend for help. She did help me though and I was on my way. On through the project, I had to make several more calls for help, but! ALAS! They're done! Here's a picture that really doesn't do them justice, they are simple superb! I found out that the only way to really learn something it just dive in and do it! Don't be afraid! I'm going to knit a sweater next! How's that for a novice?!?! And my spinning skills? All I can say is watch out sheep!

Busy, busy bee.....

So much going on this winter. Seems like the days pass as quickly as they begin. Sometimes I get frustrated because I have so many things to do, I don't know what to do next. I've been trying to stay focused on homeschooling and family, but I've also managed to do a few other things after spending two full weeks of this month sick. I'm going to show some pictures of a doll I made for Anna and a friend of hers for Christmas. Yes I did make these in Dec., but they were so cute, I didn't want to forget them and thought posting a picture would be a good way to always remember. Also, perhaps someone else will see and be inspired. She's a "flip-flop doll". I found the idea in Gooseberry Patch Christmas book #10. Anna thinks she is just the best. Also I've been doing some knitting, (with a little help from my friends) and I've got a new quilt on the machine downstairs. I've decided to make my four children each a quilt this year, so I have to get started on that now! Also I'm getting ready to my spin my first two ply yarn. I've spun two spindles of yarn and now I will reverse the wheel and spin them together to make a nice two ply. It is the coolest thing, that spinning wheel. Can't wait to get it all done! Better go get busy at doing something now...the clock is ticking.

Passing on the smiles

OK so I got evrything posted alright (I think!), so now I'm supposed to give it to 8 deserving people. I am so bummed because I'm so new to blogging I don't know 8 people at all! The few I do know already have the award and they definitely deserve it. I will hand it to one deserving fellow however, and that is my sweet hubby at Artworks & Gift Gallery.