A week in Review

Is it just me or has this summer just been flying by? In exactly two and a half weeks the kids go back to school and I go back to school just a few days before that. Crazy. There was so much more I wanted to accomplish this summer with cleaning/organizing/craftiness, but I try not to stress about those things at all. Actually this summer has been filled with a lot of open days, which is kind of what I wanted. We didn't go hiking as much as we wanted too, but there is still plenty of time to do that even after school starts back. The kids have been enjoying their swim classes and we took a pretty awesome vacation to the Keys...great stuff. Anyways, back to summer flying by. I have been meaning to post a blog earlier in the week, but the days seem to melt away before I have been able to, so here is a week in review.
~We went to swim lessons Monday through Thursday.

~We visited the Folk Art Center and I took just a few pictures indoors before I was reminded that pictures aren't allowed, woops. I have been wanting to revisit for awhile and was so happy that I did even after not being completely sure I wanted to on that day, due to feeling a bit tired. They have such lovely Art to look at, and the kids enjoyed it as well. They loved that apple especially with bunches of tiny apples on the inside, like seeds.

~While we were there, we decided to walk on the Mountains to Sea trail a bit...just a bit since we didn't have the proper shoes on. On our walk we saw lots of mushrooms, wildlife, trees, and various insects. Walking on a trail just has this amazing effect of refreshing our souls, we needed that.

 ~We bought much needed new shoes for the kids. They were both on sale and such a good buy for the quality that they are. I am still astonished that both of the kids' feet grew two sizes since last school year. I especially love Rian's Chooze pair with the skateboards on one shoe and bicycles on the other. They need to make these for adults.

 

~We also celebrated my husband's birthday where he was gifted this hat and some new eco t-shirts. We went out to dinner at one of our favorite Thai restaurants to celebrate the day after. It was so yummy.

~We also were able to take advantage of the tax free weekend and get the kids a second pair of shoes, school supplies, and some clothes for the upcoming school year.

~ We ended our week with a family walk with the dog up and around this mountain/big hill we live on...what a great way to end a week I might add, something to keep in mind for the weeks to come.

 

So that's it, my week in review. I will try to take more pictures this upcoming week, especially with possible first of the season apple picking next Saturday....weather permitting of course. I also hope to share more knitting progress and possible craft making by my daughter for the birthday that just passed...we are not punctual people here :-) Ok off to bed.

Peace, Yasmin

 

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



 

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

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

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

Day out at the Biltmore

The other day we woke to a gorgeous sunny day, so we decided to take full advantage of being outdoors. I packed a picnic and we drove on over to the Biltmore Estate for a day of fun in the sun. They have a farm with a petting zoo and acres and acres of beautiful land. We didn't go into the house this time since it started to rain, but we have an annual pass so we can go back at anytime. Today is another cloudy/rainy day, so I think I will finally take care of the cleaning that I have been planning to do. It all works out perfectly since we are leaving for the Florida Keys on Friday for an extended family vacation for nine lovely days. I can't wait. It has been way too long since we have been to the beach. Well I am off to get cooking and cleaning.
Peace, Yasmin