New Year's Eve Yopping Update

I have everything off my needles for the start of 2018 except for my little dove I am knitting today as my contribution to peace everywhere.

First of all - Dying of the Light is off the needles - and needs to be blocked but she will need alot of blocking space so I am waiting until the back deck warms up and dries up.   (hope springs eternal).

At the same time I will block the heck out of my Peace Shawl but you saw her picture already last week.

Then on Christmas Day I sewed in ALL the ends of my Spice Market and even took an artsy shot out in the Christmas Day snowfall.  I LOVE this shawl.  I am not going to block it (gasp) because I love how smooshy it is and the size is perfect.

I then picked up my Katniss Socks on Christmas Eve - which only had about 6 rows of the first cuff done, and look what I accomplished on them by yesterday!  My twelfth pair of socks for 2017. 

So I had nothing to knit last night until I remembered this little sweater that had the body done, but no arms or yoke.  She was finished and hanging on my tree by 11:58 pm last night. 

So that is it. 

After my little dove is finished I will cast on a test knit for my dear friend Cait.  I have the yarn, needles and her pattern all ready to roll. 

So there we are.  My twenty seventh update for this year's Year of Projects.

I didn't get any points for my stash down this year, but anything new I bought I have used already so that is a plus and was part of my plan.  This coming year I am determined to spin down my fiber content - wish me luck. 

Of course my dh told be to order some yarn from KnitPicks and I have enough wool coming in the mail for a sweater and two shawls.  lol.

Happy New Year to all of my dear readers and fellow yoppers. 

As long as we can knit and crochet, and sew and stitch, and bake and preserve  it will be a very good year. 

Christmas Eve Yopping Update

So it is Christmas Eve.  (John Lennon's voice).

We stayed up too late last night at a lovely carol sing dinner and so my day is just beginning at - gasp 10:20 am!  We have groceries to buy and family to visit so my post will be short, but sweet.

First, I finished my Peace Shawl - even the ends are sewn in.  I finished it on Thursday, the solstice, and if you missed it I wrote a poem about our knit group's peace knitting event.

I am only FOUR ROWS AWAY from finishing Dying of the Light.  Sorry for the shouting but each row at this point is about 540 stitches!   I will be finished this today which means before my next update I plan to block all three shawls.

And then I will have nothing on my needles!!!

There are three pairs of socks waiting to be cast on.  Can't wait.

This week I found this in my favourite knitting magazine:

on page 42....

and they even spelled my name right!!

So Professor bookworm and I are famous! (or infamous as the case may be).

It is the fourth Sunday of Advent so this is my view as I write to you dear readers:

"In the fourth candle of Advent shine
Our open hearts, both yours and mine.
He came to fill our hearts with love,
This gentle Child from Heaven above.
Now the humans stand upon the Earth,
Thankful for the Christ Child’s birth."

If you  look closely you will see my human is a little gnome.  Once a Waldorf teacher, always a Waldorf teacher.

So there you have it.  I am off now to the grocery store and then to visit my nephew and his lovely family.  And tonight I will go to the midnight communion service.

They are predicting snow this afternoon so I think we will have a white Christmas.

Whatever your plans are for tomorrow may it be filled with peace.

PS:  If you want to read my thoughts on The Christmas Story you can re-visit a post I did many years ago.

Knitting for Peace - 'Twas four nights before Christmas

The Healthy Knitter asked knitters the world over to gather last night to knit for peace.

Here is something I wrote about our Knitting Group Peace Knit event last night.



'Twas four nights before Christmas and amid all the books
Some creatures were stirring and reading in nooks.

The lights were all hung In the Library square
In hopes that some knitters soon would be there.

Their projects were nestled all snug in their bags
and some of them soon would be wearing gift tags.

With some knitting shawls and some knitting caps
It was too close to Christmas for any long naps.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
Readers sprang from their chairs to see what was the matter

The twinkling lights on Tuesday’s snowfall
Gave some light to this solstice
This dark night of all.

When what to their wondering eyes should appear
But Elise with her suitcase (was she moving in here)?

With Joan in a sweater so lively and quick
With a picture of Santa, also known as Saint Nick.

There's Belinda and Marlie, and Judy and Liz
and Mary-Anne and Marjorie (the gluten-free kids)

More rapid than eagles the finished objects  they came
And we whistled and shouted and we called them by name.

Izzies, and sweaters and cowls so many
Socks, shawls and skeins  worth more than a  penny.

With shortbread and rumballs, and cookies - such pleasure
Timbits of course, A Canadian treasure!

To the top of the square, through the door to the hall
Come in, come in, come in one and all.

Our eyes how they twinkled, the candles they flickered
They were battery-run  candles, but nobody snickered.

We knitted and chatted and laughed all the same
We looked at our projects, and called them by name.

We oohed and we aahed and tried some things on
And Mary-Anne even got her Peace shawl done.

We spoke lots of words, our voices not hushed
We were surprised, in the library, not to be shushed.

This night of the year we knit for peace more than ever
Because knitters knit peace - we are really quite clever.

The time flew by fast, it was oh so much fun
But the eight forty-five warning  bell said it was done.

We packed up our things and put away chairs
Wishing each a good Christmas without any cares.

And I heard us exclaim as we moved out of sight.
Happy Solstice to all, And to all a good night.


(With apologies to Clement C. Moore)

Two of the group - with a shot of our candles!

Candace and Penny (My sister and Me)

The Healthy Knitter wrote the first chapter and asked us to write the second chapter.  

This is for my sister.

Chapter 1.

Long, long ago in a far off land there lived two friends in a tiny rural village. They were the same age and had been the best of friends for as long as anyone could remember. Candace was adventurous, a bit of a free-spirit and longed to see the world... to find that perfect place. The villagers described Penny as the kindest person they'd ever known. Penny was kind, not just nice but genuinely kind and she felt at home wherever she was. The two girls were inseparable.

The two young lassies spent their days assuring that the fundamental needs of the village and villagers were met. They built houses, fetched water, and made meals using produce they grew each summer; their door was open to all who needed their help. Candace, a spinner, magically converted the fleeces from the local flocks into the most coveted yarn and Penny knit up hats, mittens, sweaters and socks to clothe the villagers especially to keep them warm during the long winters. Penny felt fulfilled with the work she was doing however Candace's heart stirred... she was called to see the world. She knew their must be more...

As time passed and the villagers continued to draw upon the help of the two girls something happened. Penny, a giver from the heart started to weaken. No medical provider in any of the near-by villages could determine what was wrong. She continued to work and work and work despite her fatigue but Candace was worried... how long would Penny be able to persevere.

Knowing that winter was approaching, Candace and Penny were sharing a cup of tea as they had daily for as long as they could recall. They took great pleasure in the ritual that had come to be with pouring the tea and placing their hands around the cup just so, pulling the cup close to their heart before taking a sip. After a long period of silence, Candace said in a soft and gentle tone, "I must go. I need to see the world, to meet people from other villages to view how they live. I must find a cure for what ails you my dearest friend as you cannot continue to give, and give, and give. I will return with tales from afar, a remedy for your sickness, and find the perfect place to live."

Penny's heart crumbled. How would she live without her friend... and for how long? Yet Penny knew that she must let Candace go. Penny knew that as much as it was her destiny to stay in the village to help others, she knew that Candace needed to immerse herself in the world beyond the forests of the village.

So Candace packed up a few of her things in a tiny knapsack and headed out the door. Penny sat down to knit and vowed to continue knitting until the day Candace returned.

Chapter 2.

Candace travelled the world - to the Arctic circle, to Vietnam, to southern Sudan, to Bangledesh to London, to Spain. She travelled to help the disenfranchised. She took with her a small felted Venus de Willendorf Penny had made for her years before. In every hotel room, inn and village she would send Penny a picture of the Venus and it was their secret signal that all was well and they were still connected. With every picture Penny felt her health returning.

Candace always knit hats for the babies and children in the villages she visited. Penny always knit socks for the poor and homeless in her own village. They often joked that if there couldn't be world peace at least the people of the world could have warm heads and warm feet thanks to their efforts.

Every stitch Penny knitted while Candace was away reminded her of their bond. Every stitch helped her heal.  She imagined every stitch was a knitted thread that connected them over the miles.

When Candace returned she brought the Venus with her and set her beside her bed where it still lives. She also brought Penny a small statue of Ganesh that sits by Penny's bed.
Ganesh is made of brass - Venus is made of wool. Like their love for each other - soft and unbreakable.

Raggedy Ann (and Andy)

Another blogger posted some answers to Christmas questions and it looked like fun so I joined in.  The reference to my title will be explained after the answers.

1. What’s your favorite thing about the holidays?

The music.  The lights.  The quiet of the day after Chistmas. 

2. Do you send out Christmas cards and if so how many do you send?

I did this year - about three dozen I think.

3. Be honest: holiday newsletters. Love ‘em or hate ‘em?

I like them.

4. Be honest: photo cards. Love ‘em or hate ‘em?

I love them.

5. How soon do you start shopping?

Around December 1.

6. Real or fake tree?

Real. Although my fire captain brother-in-law would like it better if I went to fake.

7. When do you put up your tree?

About a week before Christmas. 

8. When do you take down your tree?

The day after Epiphany.

9. Describe your typical tree (size, decorations, type)

I like  a small douglas fir.  My decorations are very eclectic.  Some homemade.  Some nostalgic.  Some special.  Lots of angels, and little knitted socks and mitts.  I am a Charlie Brown Christmas tree kind of girl. 

10. What do you top your tree with?

Crocheted Raggedy Ann hand puppet!

11. Do you put Christmas lights outside your house?

Just a few around the front door. 

12. Is there a wreath hanging on your door?

Yes.  A plastic one my aunt gave me years ago.

13. Do you hang up stockings?

Yes.  My aunt made mine when I was born 62 years ago, and I made my husband's for our first Chirstmas 41 years ago.  

14. Your favorite Christmas Movie(s)

Alistair Sim's A Christmas Carol

15. Be honest: A Christmas movie you don't like

Lol.  I like them all.

16. Favorite Christmas Song(s)

Mary did you know? sung by Clay Aiken

17. Be honest: If I hear this/these Christmas songs again I will throw up

Nope, I like them all. 

18. Give or Receive?

Give.

19. Eggnog or Mulled Cider?

hmmm.  neither - Mulled Wine!

20. Ham or Turkey?

Definitely Turkey!


That is it dear reader.  Maybe in the comments you would like to answer one or two questions yourself. 

So, back to Raggedy Ann.

For my 21st birthday my husband threw me an 'Act Your Age' party!.  He gave me a crocheted Raggedy Ann and Andy.  Out first Christmas together was that same year and I didn't have an angel or a star for the top of my tree.  Raggedy Ann was the perfect angel.  And she has been there every year since.

Raggedy Andy gets to be on the tree too, of course, but a few branches lower.  lol.

Blessings to you all on this shortest day of the year.

Tomorrow the light starts to return.

As it does.

It always does.

Let there be light

As the shortest day of the year is upon us we spent the night surrounded by light.

Sweat, Tears, and the Sea

"The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea." ~Isak Dinesen

This quote came from The Healthy Knitter today and I could relate to it big time.  

Salt water has been my solace, my strength, and my salvation.  When I have dealt with life's hard moments I find that crying, or sweating or swimming is what will save me every time.  

Today when I awoke it had just begun to snow.  I sat in the living room, just me and Otis the cat, watching the snow fall.  The Christmas lights were on, the advent candles were lit, and my German nativity carousel was slowly spinning.

I sent my daughter pictures of the tree, the snow, the cat and the candles.

She replied that it is a perfect Christmas moment.  

It was.  

On this day I am thankful for all the water in my life be it salty or fresh, frozen, running, or still.  

It is funny as I am an air sign and many many of the other signs in my horoscope are earth signs - but water is my element.  

When I am in water, I am in my element.  

Do you have an element?  

Rosary

After my mother died I was given two of her rosaries.  One I wore religiously when my sister was very ill, and when we celebrated her return to health I gave it to her.

The other has hung on my bedroom door for years.

Yesterday I took it down and really looked at it and realized one bead was missing.  I looked through my beads and found one to repair the chain.

I then looked up the meaning of the different beads of a Catholic Rosary.  It is quite fascinating on an intellectual level, but the words didn't speak to me.

I knew there was an Anglican Rosary - with fewer beads and different prayers.  Again it was interesting but not what I was after.

So I have decided to do some research into words that truly speak to my heart and to create my own rosary prayers to use while meditating.

I found an idea for the ten beads in each decade and so I took the idea and changed some of the words. The mnemonic for the ten Beads is A Star Child:

The original idea comes from Astral Unity  and the prayers were:

01. May our energy be directed only to positive Acts.
02. May our collective energy bring healing to the Sick.
03. May we be pure in our Thoughts.
04. May All life energies coexist in peace.
05. May we be strong enough to Resist the ways of darkness.
06. May we Celebrate the passing of life energy back to the universe.
07. May we live in Harmony with other life energies.
08. May our path be forever Illuminated.
09. May humankind be unified in Love.
10. May our energy bring light where there is Darkness.

I liked the idea but I needed to find words that were more positive and meaningful to me:
A - Aspiration

S -  Speech
T - Thoughts
A - Actions
R - Resllence

C - Compassion
H-  Healing
I -  Illumination
L - Love
D - Deepening Connections

For the crucifix I start with  the Angel Meditation given by Rudolf Steiner that invokes the angels, archangels and archai.

Then after the 23 Psalm the next three beads will be Inclusion, Courage, and Truth.

On the Mary medallion I will start with this verse by Rudolf Steiner:

The stars spake once to humanity 
It is world destiny that they are silent now.
The silence is pain for earthly humanity.
But in the deepening silence there grows and ripens what humanity speaks to the stars. 
To be aware of the speaking 
Can become strength for spirit-humanity.

Followed by the first decade meditation A STAR CHILD.

2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th large bead between the decades:

Imbue thyself with the power of imagination, have courage for the truth, sharpen thy feeling for responsibility of soul.

followed by A STAR CHILD meditation for each of the next four decades.

The 2nd time at the Mary medallion:

Imbue thyself with the power of imagination, have courage for the truth, sharpen thy feeling for responsibility of soul.

Back to the three beads of  Inclusion, Courage and Truth

Large bead before the cross - Psalm 91:4

He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge, his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart

Ending where I began - at the cross - with a prayer of thanks to the Trinity. 


So there it is.   I am feeling very hopeful and excited to try this to aid me in my meditation. In my first try it took 14 minutes.  I can work with that.

Blessings to you all this third week of Advent.

Yopping Update 25

I am happy to announce that my Spice Market shawl is off the needles!

but, oh my look at all the ends that need to be sewn in!

I have been making great progress on my Peace shawl.  I started the border two nights ago and I love the wavy lace pattern.

I have done quite a few rows on my Dying of the Light shawl as well.  Each row is now 476 stitches so if I posted a picture it wouldn't look much different from last time.

On Friday I went to the McNews stand near me and bought this great bundle of Simply Knitting Magazines.  Hooray, another Hedgehog to knit.

and there is a very cute cotton tee I want to knit so it is now added to my project queue.

Today is the start of the third week of Advent:

"In the third candle of Advent shines
The light of the beasts of every kind,
The animals that tread upon the earth,
And gave their stable for his birth.
Now the beasts are on the Earth,
Waiting for the Christ Child’s birth.|"

The two animals on the wreath are our chinese zodiac animals - the rat and the sheep, both stable denizens.

Also my Hoya is blooming for Christmas - five blossoms!  This plant reminds me of my mom - it is nice to have her memory in my house.

Happy yopping dear friends - may you find peace this last week before Christmas and always.

Pulling towards the heart

The Healthy Knitter talked about her three observations when she sees someone looking at yarn. 

1)  They ooh and aah
2)  They rub it against their nose or face
3) They pull it near their heart. 

Number 3 really really spoke to me.  I do this with yarn I love.   I have seen my sister do this too. 
In fact when I read that post today I had a strong image of my sister pulling wool towards her heart, and my heart responded. 

I started to think of all the expressions with the word heart:  warmhearted, heartfelt, change of heart, cold-hearted, getting to the heart of things, heartache, heartthrob, heavyhearted and knowing something deep in your heart. 

Life is not for the faint of heart. (or is that feint of heart?) 

Heart is the seat of love.

Heart is where we feel joy bursting out of our chest.

Today I am going to reflect on heart things.

I am going to pull towards my heart. 

It has room enough to grow with every encounter, and even times when it has been sorely broken it has mended, stronger and bigger and with even more room for new things to be pulled towards it. 

There are scars.  There will always be scars.  But they are a reminder that I have healed, and lived a life. 

A life where I have pulled things towards my heart.

A heart that holds the memories of loved ones who are no longer physically with me in this life. 

They live in my heart. 

I believe I live in theirs.

Blessings to you, dear reader, as we continue through Advent. 

I am so glad you are with me on this journey. 

I thank you from the bottom of  my heart.

Wishes

Yesterday The Healthy Knitter asked us to write a letter to ourselves making seven wishes for the new year.

I did this last year too and my wishes for myself were:

1)    A good relationship with your daughter

2)    A resolution to your back pain

3)    To be on a long camping trip in 2017

4)    No car troubles

5)    A lessening of your anxiety

6)    Healthy support for your husband

7)    Lots of Time spent with friends and family.

Number 1,2, 5 and 7 came true.  Number 3 will likely happen next month, and the car trouble (4) was minor and all fixed now.  I believe I am making progress on number 6 and I think my own healing journey  (5) has been part of his too.  I am so thankful to The Hope Centre and to my Empathy Group for supporting me these past six months. 

So, that was last year. 

Here is my letter for 2017:

Dear Mary-Anne,

In the coming year I wish for you,

1)  Peace - peace of mind, peace of soul, peace in your family, peace in the world

2)  Physical Health - strong bones, normal blood counts, strong muscles

3) Mental Health - continued healing and practice of all the things you have learned this year.  You have come so far.

4) The ability to make decisions about the future with no regrets or dilly dallying.  It is time to move forward with clarity and  hope and joy.

5)  More time with your loved ones and friends.  Get out more.  Pick up the phone more.  Plan more.  Write more.  Just.  More.

6) A long camping holiday with your dh.  Head south.  Find the sun and the warmth both literally and metaphorically.

7) Make you first response to another's invitation be YES.  Just. yes.

So there they are.  My seven wishes for myself.  Anyone want to join in?  Let's say them out loud and make them come true.

Advent Update

Today we woke up to a glorious sun rise.  The pictures don't do it justice but this is the view to the east.  To the south the sky was awash in pinks and blues and purples.

My daughter sent me a picture of her advent candles, and it is lovely to see traditions carried on in another's house.

Yesterday was another good day (that's three in a row!), and I went for my tea and Croatian lesson and learned the words for things to eat:

riba - fish

mesa - meat

smokva - figs

naranča - orange

baluku - apple

juha- soup

cer - cheese

kokoš- chicken

jaja - egg

palačinke - crepe

kava - coffee

čaj - tea

So next when I go to Croatia I will be able to eat!!

I have so many flashcards now I need to put them in categories!  It is nice to be learning something new and my daughter and I text a little in Croatian.

Most important I learned how to say volim te!

(I love you )

and in keeping with the season

Sretan Božić i Nova godina

Happy Christmas and New Year!

Blessings on you all this Advent Day.

No better place to be

My dh and I went down to the Quay for a late lunch.  It was a beautiful sunny day, and we took our lunch outside to eat.

The seagulls were circling, the pigeons were cooing, the sparrows were filling the trees with their winter song.  The seabus was going to and fro.

Did I mention the sun was shining? The sky so blue.

It wasn't the least bit cold.

An Advent blessing for sure.

A second happy day.

Baking done.

Cards in the mail.

Skype with my daughter.

Phone call with my son.

And knitting. 






Another good day.

An Advent blessing for sure.

It has been a good day

This morning I walked down to the post office in the glorioius sunshine.  There was quite a line up but I had a lovely chat with the woman behind me and the 35 minute wait flew by. 

Advent parcel in the mail - and I started to walk home.  I passed the Christmas tree sales and there were the cutest little Charlie Brown Christmas trees for sale - only a few left. 

I decided to buy one and carry it home.  I texted my husband as I headed up the last hill to our house and told him to get the camera ready. 

After lunch I decided to make some nuts and bolts, a family tradition in our house, and since they take two hours in the oven with stirring every 15 minutes I decided to write my Christmas cards. 

It has been a pleasant afternoon, sitting at the kitchen table in the sun, watching the hummingbirds flit to and from the feeder and writing to old and new friends. 

Now the sun has set, the advent candles are lit, my husband is making homemade pea soup for dinner and all is right with the world. 

Tonight there will be knitting as I am about to cast-off my Spice Market shawl, and then work the next ripple on my Peace shawl. 

Tomorrow I will walk back to the post office to mail all my letters. 

I am feeling good and strong and dare I say, happy. 

Yes.

Happy. 

It has been a good day. 

Yopping Update 24 - Advent update 8.

It has been a busyish week and I have lots to show.

First of all necessity is the mother of invention (and so is being cheap).

The part of our car key that attaches to the keyring snapped off.   To replace the key would be $171 plus tax!    Grrrr.   So I took my husband's key.  Cast on 6 pairs of stitches and doubleknit this little hemp key cozy.

When I took my car in for a repair the mechanic said I should sell these.  Hmmmm.... Maybe?

Here's an update on my shawls:

First Dying of the Light is coming along nicely:

 and so is my Spice Market:

Also I am keeping up with the Peace Project and I am almost to ripple 14:

I put this little guy in the mail today - how cute is he?

Our knitgroup had their Christmas party last Thursday and we all swapped mini skeins from our stash.  How pretty is this?

We have been above the fog all week and the sunrises are gorgeous!

As are the sunsets:

I went to the Orpheum theatre  on Monday night with two friends  to attend the Prince tribute.  It was glorious:

This week I have Christmas Cards to write - but I am happy that I did get my daughter's parcel off to Croatia.  (The postage cost more than the present - lol!)

This was the first Christmas Card I received this year - perfect!

Today is the second Sunday of Advent:

In the second candle of Advent shines

The light of the plants of every kind,

The roses red, the grasses long,

The trees that grow so tall and strong.

Now the plants are on the Earth,

Waiting for the Christ Child’s birth. 

This afternoon I am taking my honourary grand-daughters to the East Van Panto - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  I was lucky to win four tickets via the miss604 blog.  

It has been quite a lovely week.  A few swims and a long walk  thrown in for good measure.

Also my son has got me signed up for Google Play Music - so I am listening to Prince and Leonard Cohen and Missy Higgins and and and......loving it.  

Have a great week everyone.   Besides the Christmas Cards all I have to do this week is make my mother's famous nuts and bolts recipe.  I make gluten free ones and I bought all the ingredients last week.  Yum.

To follow other yoppers - check out here. 

Sometimes it snows in April

This



Just this.

Narnia

I was so grateful this morning to have been invited to the Grade Seven class play - The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.

The set was magical, the costumes fantastical and the children were stellar in their roles. 

There they were:  the daughters of Eve, the sons or Adam. 

Such hope.

Such bravery.

Such promise.

And Aslan. 

Giving his all to save Narnia where 'it is always winter and Christmas never comes.'

I am going to re-read the Narnia books.  I haven't read them since I was in university. 

It is time to go back to those old friends and see what they have to say to me now. 

Blessings on this sixth day of advent. 

-

The wings of God

Shining sun
kissing the snow capped mountains

Cold air raising the hair on my arms
as sun beams warm my hair

Apple leaves
a handful
resisting the urge
to fall
reaching toward the
winter sun
with hope
and diligence
bravery and
defiance.

They will fall

We all will fall

but not today

today I am above the fog

today I am nestled in the
wings of God

and safe .

Sign of the Times

I made a decision to post everyday during Advent, but the odd thing is I don't feel like I have anything to say.  

Weird.  

I have said before that when I am feeling well, both mentally and physically then my words seem to abandon me.  

So, let's talk about Prince!

On Monday I went to a tribute concert for Prince put on by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.   
I went with an ex-student of mine who is 19, her mom, who is 47 and yours truly, who is 62.  

So there we were - three generations - all singing along to Prince songs.  

His musicsreally does have meaning for so many generations, and I believe generations to come. 

His song Sign of the Times was written in 1987, but it could have been written today.  

That made me sad that our human condition hasn't improved but on the other hand I was impressed that a song written thirty years ago could still have such relevance.  

Prince once said that he believed one day in the future there would be no black or white, but that we would all be a lovely light brown.   I think he felt the same way about gender roles.  

“One thing I’d like to say is that I don’t live in a prison. I am not afraid of anything. I haven’t built any walls around myself, and I am just like anyone else. I need love and water.”

So, since Monday night I have been reflecting on the world Prince envisioned. 

I have been listening to his songs and re-reading his lyrics. 

And missing him.  

If we could just love each other and find our common ground.

Maybe then there could be peace.  

Christmas Cards

This is the first Christmas Card I received this year. So lovely. 

Some years I send them

Some years I don't

I always love getting them

And displaying them above the mantel over the fireplace. 

It was my job to put the display the Christmas Cards on the front door of my family home. 

This year I am sending cards

To those near and those far

Not to everyone, but to the ones I need to reach out to and hear from. 

I rummaged through my card box and found a couple of dozen cards - an eclectic bunch. 

Today I also bought the ingredients for a Christmas care parcel that needs to travel across the world.

I felt like I was on a scavenger hunt. 

It was good to get the Christmas ball rolling. 

My mantra for this year is simplicity, and calm, and peace. 

So I knit another ripple on my Peace Shawl.

I will add a few more rows to my Dying of the Light Shawl.

I will start a new colour on my Spice Market shawl. 

Mostly I will sit quietly, breathing deeply.

I have been dizzy today, and I need to move slowly, and keep my equilibrium. 

Literally.

And Metaphorically. 

Blessings to you all on this third day of Advent. 

In the presence of Grace

In the quiet and calm....


Words from the song I posted about a few days ago. 

It is Monday, the second day of Advent.  I have lit the advent wreath and I am getting going with my day. 

My anxiety is a little obnoxious today, but once I meet the deadline and write up the evaluation I did last week then I can go for a swim and those two things will help ease my fluttery stomach. 

Tonight I am going to dinner and a symphony concert with two friends.  The Vancouver Symphony is performing a tribute to Prince, so of course I am going!

A friend of mine posted yesterday about Hope, and whether it ever is gone.  I don't believe it is ever gone, but sometimes it hides from me, from us.

I do believe so strongly in Grace.  By the Grace of God, or whatever you believe is Holy, I can find my way back to Hope. 

I am knitting my Peace shawl and I am up to ripple 11.  The ripples get farther and farther apart as the shawl progresses - just like the ripples each of us send out into the world.  As I knit today's ripple I will dedicate it to Prince and all he meant and still means to so many.  Here is a youtube of him singing my favourite song, The Cross.

Today's Project Peace post was on Snowflakes, and how individual each one is, but then how they come together and cover us like a blanket of Peace. 



So for today, the second day of Advent, I wish you Peace, and Grace and Hope. 

And a little Prince!

Blessings on your day.

Yopping Update 23 - Peace

Today is the first day of Advent and I have set up my Advent wreath to begin the season.

In the first candle of Advent shines
The light of the crystals in the mines,
The rocks, the jewels, the precious stones,
The oceans’ seashells, and even our bones.
Now the stones are on the Earth,
Waiting for the Christ Child’s birth. 

I have decided to post everyday through Advent as a way to stay calm during this season that can easily become fraught with too much sensory overload, and not enough peace.

Speaking of Peace - Friday marked the first day of Project Peace 2017 and many many knitters around the world are knitting the same beautiful shawl pattern that represents the ripples and waves we send out into the world when we practice Peace.

I didn't start mine on Friday because I wanted to get my Spice Market shawl back to where I was when I frogged those 106 rows last week.    And I did!

Ta-Da!

Last night I started my Peace shawl.  I got to ripple nine and I am loving this pattern.  With every ripple I knit I am sending peace out to a loved one and I am adding their name beside the ripple on the pattern. 

I am knitting with Sport weight yarn and 3.75 mm needles.   I am starting with the colourway called Blue Fog.  It shows up quite grey in the photo, but it does have a lovely blue tinge to it.  It represents the sand and the shoreline on a foggy day.   Then when I get to the lace I will change to a light blue - to represent the waves lapping on the shore, and then finish it with a darker blue for the deeper ocean.

I think it is going to be beautiful.  The wool I am using was the gift I received from my knitterley friend who moved yesterday and gave out yarn at the last knit group she attended.  She didn't want to move ALL her stash so it will be lovely to have this shawl to remember her and her generosity.


Dying of the Light and the mini-sweater were on hiatus this week because I really wanted to get Spice Market back on track.

So I will be back here tomorrow for another Advent post.  Please join me.

Let there be Peace on Earth
And Let it Begin with Me.