Wild Blackberries

We spent the weekend up on the rim again....we love it up there. This time we picked a "free" spot and left our trailer up there so we have a space ready for Labor Day weekend. It is a really wonderful spot. I was thrilled for the kids when they found wild blackberry bushes and soon their little hands and faces were stained pink and purple from the juice of the ripe berries they all enjoyed. The ground was also covered by wild strawberry plants....but unfortunately they are just out of season or completely picked clean by the deer and other wildlife.

Spontaneity

Sometimes it is really nice to just get up, go and get away from it all....sometimes it is exactly what we need. An unplanned trip out of town, to a favorite camping spot. The time and experience with this kids was priceless, inspiring, and uplifting. I am so grateful for the magic in these mountains, in this meadow and in the hearts of my sweet children, for their willingness to believe, and live in the imagination that inspires incredible things....for the mushroom houses and dancing fairies, and the opportunity to share in the enchantment that is contained only in childhood.

Happiness

A thought for Wednesday

Music is vital to my soul....I need it like air to breathe....silence is suffocating.

A mom is only as happy....

....as her saddest child....this makes me one unhappy mom today.

I really need to figure out what is going on with Helen.

I worry about her distraction, her acting out, I worry about how I am dealing with it. I worry about how it is effecting our other kids.....I worry that it is because she feels neglected because of everything we have to do for Ethan. I worry that she resents me. I hope that I can be sensitive to her needs with out being accepting of the behaviors that are not helping our family. I hope that she doesn't always think I am a bad mom. I hope that she will still talk to me even when things get even harder as she gets older. I hope that I can always be the mother and friend that she needs me to be.

My heart is full, with both joy and sorrow for this precious child, who I know must be needing me now more than ever, who is acting out to get my attention. I hope that I will have the inspiration and wisdom to respond the way she needs me to, whether she knows it or not, appreciates it or not, respects me or not, and the strength to accept that she will make her own choices and that her choices are hers alone and that I have taught her what is right and good and that she will remember who she is and that she will feel of my love, even if she doesn't get the answer she wants.

♥L♥O♥V♥E♥

Creating through art has always been bitter sweet....here is one of the sweetest moments....

My newest 11 inch hand sculpted baby, finished today. I rarely fall in love with one of my creations, but this one I am head over heals in love, perhaps because he looks a lot like my Mark did as a newborn...which is the reason I have named him Mark.

Counting Blessings....

1. I am blessed to know that I am a beloved spirit daughter of Heavenly Parents....and they will always be there for me.
2. I am blessed with a wonderful husband, who I chose, and still would choose, who loves me, understands me, and tolerates me.
3. I am blessed to have a son with incredible struggles, because with those incredible struggles comes incredible strength and courage.
4. I am blessed to have a daughter who is caring and loving, who will always put her arms around me when I need it.
5. I am blessed with a son with incredible imagination and creativity, who's quiet reflection is so dear to my heart.
6. I am blessed to have a daughter with and incredible zest for life, with a sense of humor that will always make me laugh, and who keeps me on my toes.
7. I am blessed with a home, that keeps us safe, and warm, and a place where we can be together as a family and share our lives with each other.
8. I am blessed with artistic talents, to give me an outlet, and a way to contribute to our family while being at home raising our children.
9. I am thankful for good food, for knowing how to prepare it, for a husband who can prepare it when I am not up to it, and the sensibility to enjoy it.
10. I am thankful for good friends, who I can turn to, who give me added opportunities to serve and who give me perspective that I might not otherwise have had.

Acorn Swaddle Sac and Cap knitting pattern

Swaddle Sac and Acorn Cap



Needles show in size 7 circular, four double point needles(various size needles from size 5-10 can be used depending on size desired and to accommodate bulkier or finer yarn) can also be don on straight needles with a seam.

Yarn: Approximately 1 skein (5-7 ounces) worsted weight yarn shown in ecospun plus 1 skein (less than 3 ounces) of light bulky weight yarn (shown in Bernat Alpaca Natural Blends) for acorn hat

Swaddle Sac

Cast on 60 stitches (worsted weight yarn) place marker to mark the beginning of the round (continue moving it to beginning of next round) knit rounds (stockinette stitch) until “tube” measures approximately 16 inches.

Decreasing round: (k 8, k 2 together) to end of round
K 1 round
Decreasing round: (k 7, k 2 together) to end of round
K 1 round
Decreasing round: (k 6, k 2 together) to end of round
K 1 round (switch to four needled when it is to tight/difficult to continue on circular needles)
Decreasing round: (k 5, k 2 together) to end of round
K 1 round
Decreasing round: (k 4, k 2 together) to end of round
K 1 round
Decreasing round: (k 3, k 2 together) to end of round
K 1 round
Decreasing round: (k 2, k 2 together) to end of round
K 1 round
Decreasing round: (k 1, k 2 together) to end of round
K 1 round
Decreasing round: (k 2 together) to end of round (6 stitches left)
K 1 round
thread a length of yarn through remaining stitches and pull tightly together, tie off and weave in ends.

Acorn Cap

Cast on 40 stitches (worsted weight yarn) place marker to mark the beginning of the round (continue moving it to beginning of next round) knit rounds (stockinette stitch) until “tube” measures approximately 4 inches. At beginning of next round switch to the thicker yarn and knit in garter (in the round this is k one round p one round) increasing (Kfb = knit in front and back of st)on the 10th, 20th, 30th and 40th stitch (44 stitches), purl next round, next round increasing (Kfb = knit in front and back of st)on the 11th, 22th, 33th and 44th stitch (48 stitches), purl next round. Continue garter pattern for 4 more rounds.
Decreasing round: (k 6, k 2 together) to end of round
P 1 round (switch to four needled when it is to tight/difficult to continue on circular needles)
Decreasing round: (k 5, k 2 together) to end of round
P 1 round
Decreasing round: (k 4, k 2 together) to end of round
P 1 round
Decreasing round: (k 3, k 2 together) to end of round
P 1 round
Decreasing round: (k 2, k 2 together) to end of round
P 1 round
Decreasing round: (k 1, k 2 together) to end of round
P 1 round
Decreasing round: (k 2 together) to end of round (6 stitches left)
P1 round
Decreasing round: (k 2 together) to end of round (3 stitches left) transfer all stitches to 1 needle and continue by making an I-cord (Slide stitches to opposite side of needle. The yarn should be coming out of the left stitch. Pull the yarn from behind. *K3. Slide stitches across needle.) Repeat from * until cord is about 1 inches, bind off and weave in loose ends.

IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT PEOPLE ARE TAKING THIS PATTERN AND SELLING IT FOR PROFIT. THIS PATTERN WAS POSTED FOR FREE ONLY FOR PERSONAL AND CHARITABLE INTENTIONS. I WORK LONG AND HARD ON EACH OF MY PATTERNS AND ONLY ASK DONATIONS FOR THEIR USE AND THESE DONATIONS ARE USED TO RAISE FUNDS FOR OUR ADOPTION OF A SEVERELY DISABLED CHILD. BY USING THIS PATTERN FOR OTHER THAN WHAT IT WAS INTENDED OR STEALING MY WORK AND SELLING IT AS YOUR OWN YOU ARE ROBBING A CHILD AT HIS CHANCE OF A HOME AND LOVING FAMILY. IN ADDITION, IT MAKES ME HESITANT TO POST FURTHER FREE PATTERNS.