Daisies

Daisies

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Dog Days of Summer







These days:
~We are enjoying slow breakfast at our favorite bakery/café. Stuffed French Toast for my husband and a veggie biscuit for me.
~The kids are playing chess, dreaming up crafts, and building dens (raccoon dens they say).
~I have been cooking up nourishing meals, such as this Gumbo....so yummy.
~Also lots of knitting has been accomplished, yay.
Looking forward to more summer days like these.
Peace, Yasmin

 

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Stress?

I have been feeling slightly off for a couple days/weeks now. I wasn't really sure what was going on and I thought maybe it is just working too much and filling my life with too much right now. I didn't necessarily feel emotionally stressed, but definitely physically stressed. It has been hard to wake up any earlier than 9am, which for a mom is quite late. Thank goodness for independent kids that can figure out how to get themselves some cereal in the morning. I have felt unable to be patient with my children and I haven't had the want to cook at home. This stress (or whatever it is that I have been feeling), came to a head on Sunday with a major headache, that has been lingering at a lesser level since then. So, I booked a massage to try to clear some of this stuff going on. As I was sitting in the "Tranquility Room" waiting for my massage, watching waterfalls on the TV, I started to feel completely overwhelmed with needing to cry. No, I did not cry, but sometimes I think it is a good thing to watch a really sad movie or read a really sad book to have that emotional outlet and just cry. I haven't cried in a really long time, maybe that's my problem? Actually I think part of the issue is that I am frustrated with my body's inability to reach certain goals that I put forth and probably the fact that I set somewhat unrealistic goals in my life...and I am not just talking about physical feats. Anyways back to the massage room...my masseuse came out to meet me just when I felt like I was at breaking point and took me back to my massage room. This was my first time with this masseuse and he was incredible. He knew exactly where to press and how hard to press in those areas. Some of the massage was painful, but I was seriously tense. He used peppermint and eucalyptus aromatherapy and spoke in a truly calming manner. I started the massage with my shoulders practically off of the table due to their tightness and I ended with my body totally sunk into the table. I can't thank Brent enough for the magic he dispersed on my body. I feel much much better. A couple of things that I realize now, is that:
1. I need to take care of myself (already booked my next massage for next week, thank you Massage Envy for making regular massages possible).
2. I need to increase mind/body activities, like yoga.
3. It is okay to not do it all in one day.
I feel refreshed and able to take on tomorrow.
Peace, Yasmin

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Pool time

The kids started swimming lessons this week. Oh how they love to swim and now they are guaranteed to be able to swim Monday through Thursday. They are both doing quite well and will be moving up to the next level for the next session and I am able to breathe a little easier knowing that their swimming confidence is growing. These swim lessons have also provided an unexpected opportunity for me, planned knitting time. Yay.








I love that the swim classes are only four to five kids a class, which gives all of the kids plenty of swim lesson time. My favorite picture is of Rian jumping with his feet in the air. That picture is the epitome of childhood fun. Love it. That is another picture of the cowl I started yesterday, with a little bit better detail on the deep red color. Unfortunately soon after that picture was taken, I realized that there was a mistake somewhere, so I ripped it all out and started all over again. Oh well, at least there will be plenty of knitting time next week during swim classes. OK off to bed...speaking of bed, I really need to start going to sleep earlier on nights that I don't work.
Peace, Yasmin

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Yarn Along

Hello all, yes yes I know it has been awhile. Actually one month exactly...I have been quite busy with life in general and also somewhat uninspired to do anything creative. I know, crazy right. I met with my knitting partner and knit for the first time since summer break started, just this past week. Since last week, my knitting fever is back in full force, which is quite lovely. I am even dreaming of fall time and warm knitwear. So today I am joining in with yarn along to share what I have been knitting and what I have been reading...two of my favorite things.

First, something I just finished for an upcoming birthday and my son graciously modeled it for  this here blog. I think the special someone that is going to be gifted with this will like it quite a bit. Ofcourse the one problem with letting my son model this piece of knitwear is that he ends up wanting to keep it for himself. I think the next hat I make will need to be for him. This was knit with Malabrigo, I think it was Rios.



Second, something in progress. A baby blanket that I started yesterday for a new mama to be, which I am quite excited about. This mama to be doesn't want anything girly or pink, so grey it is. This was yarn in my stash, so I am not sure the brand, but I do know that it is machine washable, which make it very practical. The pattern is the Pine Forest baby blanket from Ravelry.
 

Third, is a project just now started and for some reason my camera could not pick up on the instense deep red of this yarn. It is also Malabrigo, mecha. A chunky yarn that I get to use size 13 needles for. Fun fun. I am making the Gaptastic Cowl from ravelry for myself.
Oh and lastly, what I am reading right now. I just finished Yarn to Go, which is a new mystery knitting series by Betty Hechtman, I enjoyed it and can't wait until the next one in the series comes out. In the meantime I picked up Saved by Ben Hewitt, which I had heard about from other blogs. I just started it, but am enjoying it quite a bit so far. Ok off to bed.
Peace, Yasmin