Another first ~ knitting a hat ~ plus blankets, scarves, dish cloths

A friend from my far-away church
is teaching me how to knit a hat
in a round!
*
I got a 16 inch cord, size 7 needles
and some (on clearance) Romanian wool
and I cast on 88 stitches and my
friend joined them together and knit the
first row.

I've knit more than an inch already!
It's fun that in a round I can do the garter stitch
and it turns into stockinette. :)

It's a very enjoyable knit!

I am almost done with another scarf.
Ravelry here.

Knitting a dish cloth for a friend.
I am going to have to frog a bit of it as
I made a few mistakes a row or so back...
Ravelry here.

I recently finished two baby blankets.
The story of the one above is here and
is teaching me acceptance of how things are.
Ravelry here.

This is the second one I knit.
Story here.
Raverly here.

 

I am still loving
The Hidden Art of Homemaking
by Edith Schaeffer!
*
I am reading it out of order,
since they are separate chapters on various
art and homemaking themes.
I really appreciated the chapter on Interior Decoration and
not waiting until one has their 'dream home'
to decorate and make things one's home.
Her tips on how to do things with creativity and
frugality are really wonderful
as is her section on when traveling take
a few familiar things with oneself for a sense of
continuity and how it is esp. important
for children who are traveling to have this.
*
For sure Edith would have loved the
movement in arts and crafts that we
are part of here,
knitting, crocheting and making beautiful
handmade things for our homes,
our families and for others.
*
What are you creating and reading?
Yarn Along with us!

Various things that make up our days

I have been reading the Psalter
more these days
and find the Scripture to be so
strengthening.
*
We can get so overwhelmed by current events
but these have always been happening
and taking refuge in God,
reading the Psalter
and doing prayers
can restore us
and give us hope,
even when it seems that there is none
to be seen.

I had not realized it,
but did you know that you can open
up your cans of olive oil
on a corner with a can opener
and funnel the oil that would not come out?
Yay for saving money and not wasting!
 

Anyone else missing Google Reader?
I am... but feedly is OK over all,
but of course the search function is um,
missing...
but at least I can still read my feeds...
*
So the other week we had icons blessed at my
far away church,
including a future bride's wedding icons.

We are so excited for the two new couples
whose weddings we hope to go to this summer!

Cleo continues to be a source of
amusement to us both here at our home...

I am eating a lot more salads these days...
still low on energy but at least I am trying to get
get my greens in...

 

Mr. Husband and I had gone to a library book-sale
the other week and I am slowly listening to
Dear Mr. Henshaw...
I have not listened to the end,
so I am still waiting to hear how it turns out.
*
I have been reading a bit more on Edith Schaffer's books...
really enjoying the hidden art of homemaking.
I feel very much that this first year of marriage for me
is all about learning to be a homemaker,
while getting sick with mono and facing challenges
that will help teach us how to deal with the unexpected
as a married couple.
*
I was talking today to my Grandma about the homemaking book...
published in 1971... my Grandma commented
it was a while ago when the Schaffer's had their ministry...
things were different then,
like how you could get discards of leather to make things with.
We talked about how people today do not
always know how to be thrifty or make do when money is tight.
So we talked about how you can buy
chicken instead of steak
and chicken thighs instead of more expensive cuts
or having a more inexpensive fish, like tilapia...
I remember when all was suddenly crazy for me
a few years ago and I was
facing an unexpected tax bill,
did not have money to go home for Christmas
and was still looking for a job...
I still made icons for gifts.
I could do so for under 2 dollars.
*
I think it is really wise of Edith Schaffer to encourage her
readers to make one's home beautiful
and that it did not have to be done in expensive ways.
*
It is wonderful to find meaningful things in our days,
no matter what we may find ourselves in the middle of.

Loving the Hidden Art of Homemaking

One of the great things
of Edith Schaffer's book on
the art of homemaking
is that you can read chapters out of turn...
So I was reading her chapter on food
on how making a nice table
shows the love for the other
and, as she said,
'enhances communication.'


I am so glad to be reading this book!

Making a home and all the little touches
is such a joy to do.

We are in the Apostles Fast now...
Lots of guacamole, baked potato, salad and
carrots... :)

Thankfully there are lot of fish days too...

I had such a busy weekend
last weekend,
I am sadly still tiring quite easily.

 

I am grateful for all the simple and wonderful
things of my life.
Like the dishes for proper serving of a table
and little white ramekins for individual
servings of nuts for extra protein.

When I go to monasteries
like the one in Michigan,
I see what hospitality is in their serving of meals,
how dinner and dessert plates, dishes for
various foods and cups are used.
*
Speaking of HDM,
let us keep praying for Fr. Roman.
The website of HDM is updated often on
his condition.
*
Thank God for monasteries.
I am already wishing for another trip to one soon!

Beauty in the Day...

Yesterday I saved the roses
that were wilting in the vase.

I have learned from my Mother,
from other Mothers,
from monasteries,
how important it is to have a home be beautiful.

What we put in our homes show
what and who we love.
Putting roses by icons,
lighting lampadas,
having a prayer corner,
it all matters,
it is all life building on life.

I really appreciated this blog post
to remind us to look for beauty
not just at the ugliness of our world.
It is a spiritual discipline,
one I am still learning.

I'm still having lots of tired spells.
Been in the house for two days again.
Tomorrow I hope for no rain and that
I can be out in the courtyard.
*
It is so hard to be patient
and then I realize again
how much I need to practice thanksgiving.
I have so much to be thankful for:

Some lovely things came in the mail;
a card from a dear dear friend.
A book from Powell's books

Finally I have
Edith Schaeffer's 
the hidden art of homemaking.

I've already started reading it.
I hope to write more on it later.
It is a topic,
beauty in the home,
that is very important to me.
If she had been Orthodox,
wow, how much this would of changed things.
I think her understanding of the importance of
creating beauty in the home
as being integral to being a Christian
would of found a depth that is missing in this book,
as in there is not a chapter on the fasts and feasts
or how bringing in the life of the church
into one's home
is of vital importance.
It's why I started the series Faith @ Home.

I really do wish for any and all comments or
emails on this topic.
*
I am hoping that my series can be one of the
sources that can help and inspire others
as we all seek to bring the faith of the church
into our homes...
*
It is important for women to know how to bring
the faith into one's home.
A good friend of mine encouraged me in this,
saying that it is an important way also to
teach children.
*
Speaking of this,
Mat. Emily's learning baskets are a great
place to go for the feasts and fasts for children.
Also see her festal learning baskets.
Do check them out!
 

If you have any suggestions for me
or book titles on homemaking, family, church and traditions,
not to mention recipes and how food for certain
feasts and fasts in our church,
do let me know!