My Deepest Gratitude

I want to thank everyone for your kind comments and emails in response to my mother's death.  Every note meant so much to me, and provided a great deal of comfort at an overwhelming time.  While I'm doing well, I still find myself asking what happened.  It was so unexpected that it seems surreal at times.  It's been a very long week, but thanks to the support of friends and family, both present and online, it went along a lot easier than I would have thought.  Happily this new week seems to be leading to good things.  Jim started his new job today, and he's VERY happy there already.  After a little over three years of dissatisfaction, it's nice to see him excited about work again.  I've made a lot of progress settling the disposition of the last of my mom's belongings, and have even gotten back to some of my regular pursuits.

But before I show you what I've been up to the last few days, take a look at our new porch furniture.

We had been looking at this a couple of weeks ago, but when we realized we were going to have a lot of company for the funeral, we rushed over to Target to make the purchase.  We love it!  The weather this week was just perfect for porch sitting, and with the addition of a fan, I should be able to enjoy sitting and knitting here even on the hottest days. 

On Saturday, I had to do some errands, and found myself at Barnes & Noble.  Of course, I had to pay the knitting books a visit, and came away with this.

I haven't crocheted in years, and when I did, I made doilies using tiny hooks and thin thread.  But I've been wanting to try this new kind of project, and this book looks like it has a lot of fun critters.  I was actually supposed to be taking a sock knitting class on Saturday, taught by Lucy Neatby, but after such a  draining week, I just didn't feel like sitting inside all day.  Too bad, because I used her book, "Cool Sock, Warm Feet" to teach myself to knit socks and was hoping to meet her.  Hopefully, she'll come back some day.

On Sunday, Jim encouraged me to go to the regular knitting day at Knitch, and I'm glad I did.  It turned out to be a much smaller group than usual, but it was nice to get out and see my friends and enjoy just sitting, knitting, and gabbing - and shopping, too. 

Because I missed Lucy's class, I decided to treat myself to the next best thing.

   

And there's been a shop model of a bag that I've been admiring for a while.  I bought this Kureyon

to make this

 

Cute!

Some sock yarn also found its way into my bag.

But this is sock yarn with a difference.  It's not for me (you know I only make socks for myself, don't you?  LOL.)  Instead, I'm making them for someone who doesn't know she's getting handmade socks.  And not just these, but the Thuja socks I just finished, as well as the pair I have on my needles (hopefully to be completed this evening.)

I spent this afternoon knitting on the porch.  The trees are such a luminous green this time of year, the birds chirp merrily, and the breeze is cool.  I also happened to notice that the tree in our front yard was looking at me.  Really.  Can you see his face?

   

He looks a bit grumpy.  Maybe all those squirrels in his hair are making him crazy!  Hope your Spring is as pretty as mine and that you'll find time to get out and let the breeze blow in your hair.  It's fabulous!

Comments

[Beth]

Looks like a great spot for relaxing and recharging. :)

[jessie]

Oh, Jane, this is what happens when I fall behind on blogs. I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. No matter what the circumstances surrounding the death of a parent, it leaves a hole unlike any other loss.

At least there are good things going on for your family these days.

Have a wonderful spring in spite of things.

[Claudia]

Love your new porch and the knitting goodies. I can't wait to see you crochet. I am glad your are doing well. I know your mom's passing was very sudden and I am sorry I am out of the country at the moment. I miss seeing you and I am glad I can catch up with you on your blog. Gotta love modern technology. :-) Just imagine we would have to send one another notes with pidgeons... The Green Man looks like some of the people on the Munich subway... Sending hugs from Bavaria!!!

[Leslie]

I'm behind on my blog reading so I'm just catching up on your news. I'm so sorry for the loss of your mom! I love the photo of her that you posted; I hope you'll be able to find some peace in the days and months ahead.

[deb]

I love the out door furniture! That will be a lovely knitting area this Summer. And I can definitely see the Green Man--very cool!

[deb]

I love the out door furniture! That will be a lovely knitting area this Summer. And I can definitely see the Green Man--very cool!

[Brittany Newberry]

Oh my gosh Jane, I didn't know your mother had passed away! I am obviously behind on the blogs since we are moving and all. I am so very sorry to hear of your loss.

On another bloggy note - I love the new furniture and everytime I see your porch I just want to sit on it - you have a GREAT porch!

PS - if you need any refreshers on crochet you know I have knitting and crochet videos on youtube! You can get to them through the Knit Witch site.

[Lynn]

Love the new furniture! I'm glad things are starting to settle down a bit, that Jim likes his new job and that he made you go to stitch night. Great stash aquisitions too!

And the tree is upset since he can't knit with you! LOL

[Lynne]

The porch looks like the perfect knitting spot.

And I see you found your Green Man :)

[Chris]

It's good to hear from you. The porch furniture looks great! Hmm, I might need to knit that bag... I have that Regia Fun Nation sock yarn and even a pair of socks from it!

[Meg]

L.O.V.E. your porch and the furniture too! I really miss having a porch. Hope to see you Thursday.

[Karen]

I'm glad to hear you're doing well Jane.

That's a great bag! And your porch is just lovely! I love porches!

[Dee]

That tree is frowning at you!!! LOL

Good picture!

[Sydney]

I glad to hear you're doing well. It's hard when it happens so unexpectedly. (Not that it's easy any other time.) It sounds like things are looking up though. I like the porch furniture. It looks great on your porch. That tree doesn't have a very frowny face, doesn't he?