Yopping Update #44 - Presents and Presence

Look what I got in the mail!

Presents

Blogger friends are awesome!!!  Now I can't wait for the next Wrapped in Jamie square to be released!  Here is my tenth square finished.

square 10 - Hunter

I also got the wireless earbuds I ordered through amazon so I can get up and down while listening to music without dragging my earbuds with me, or hooking them on every knob in the kitchen.  Baby steps people.

not really naked - wrapped in a towel

I frogged the partly knit sweater that was part of the wool I bought.  It took me about 8 hours.  One row was easy, but the curly locks row was very catchy and I had to be patient.  But I did it and have 250 gms of each kind of Fleece Artist Wool.  I think I am going to make a jacket out of it, but I won't decide until my daughter's sweater is finished.

easy to frog

soooo hard to frog

My daughter's sweater is coming along.  I have only had to tink back 4-5 rows twice.  Once when I saw a mistake in the lace, and the second time when I decided to change the increases from kfb (knit front and back, to M1.  It is an interesting construction - starting with 7 stitches and working in the round.

currently 266 stitches per round

I made a second attempt at gluten free sourdough.  It was more successful, but I have spent some time on youtube and I think I understand better that the dough should be quite gloopy and not like regular dough - so stay tune for attempt three next week.  I have been enjoying it, but it is still quite dense and chewy.

I got myself into quite a funk on Friday night because a) the dough wasn't cooperating, and b) neither was AcornTv.  I can get into quite a state if things don't go according to plan - like a dog with a bone - but after a good cry I let it go.  However, on Saturday I needed to shake things up a bit and I decided to make a couple of facemasks.  I am quite pleased with the results:

mine made with some african material my nephew gave me

my husband's made out of leftover denim

My husband got into quite a fit of giggles trying his on.  He said it was just the laugh he needed.  (Of course just looking at my Covid-19 hair style should give him lots to laugh at). 

(As an aside as I type this it is hailing outside - hmmmm this might affect my plans to walk down to the duck pond).

I sorted out my cd rack and have a bunch to give away and also re-organized all the different flours I have (the joys of being gluten free).  We got groceries delivered on Tuesday and my husband did the butcher pickup yesterday.  

I did my exercise class Mon - Fri even though on Wednesday I was less than enthused having needed a 3 hour nap because I was awake at 5:30am and by 11:30am I was not fit for anything.  

(By the way - still hailing). 

We had a nice four-way facechat with my son and daughter today and my grand-daughter was as charming as ever.  

Here she is 16 months old, standing with the 1500 year old olive tree that is near their home. 

Things are starting to open up a bit in other provinces, but not in ours yet.  I am glad for this.  Our health officer is very cautious.  Where my son lives (the next province over) they are starting to open up some stores.  Here he is at his favourite game store this weekend. 

(ok, now I just heard thunder)

So, back to the title of today's post - Presence.  I am going to be more present this week.  Listen better.  Not interrupt.  Breathe.  Avoid fixating on unfixable things - or at least be more aware to just let some things go until another time.  

And keep admiring the apple blossoms just outside my living room window.  

(now the sun is coming out). 

I am heading out for a short walk before the locusts arrive!

Blessings to you all this first Sunday in May. 

Be calm.  Be kind.  Be safe.