Jan
9
2012
9
2012
Bits of Life
Filed under: Daily Life, Knitting
We had a wonderfully productive weekend…cleaning, purging, & re-organizing. It’s so amazing to me how different I feel when I have clear spaces and an uncluttered life. Oh what joy! If you want to declutter your life, but have no idea where to begin…check out the 30 Day Clutter Bootcamp. This is the perfect “kick start” for your decluttering resolutions 
This little space is right off of our kitchen…I like to call it my “mama cave”. I just hung some white twinkly lights and added more fabric for diffusing the sun. I like to keep white Christmas lights up year round! Here is a great compilation of spaces that do the same (including my friend Denise’s bedroom).
I finished my first “wearable” knitting project this weekend! What a thrill. It’s so fun to get it off the needles and realize that all that work ends up in something beautiful. This cowl is so warm and softer than anything I’ve ever felt! For those of you that are knitters, I used Mirasol Ushya in cornflower with a size 17 needle.
On another note, it was my 5 year dreadiversary yesterday! I will be writing about it soon. The rainbow-colored dread on the right is wrapped with the yarn I used for my first knitting endeavor…to remember the journey!
Next up…a scarf for Lucy’s new baby “Ali”. I have another cowl in the works with the most amazing yarn that seems to be sold out everywhere. The Malabrigo Rasta line…it’s so fantastic! I was able to find the arco iris color at the yarn shop in Bozeman when we were there…and now I wish I would have bought more! I LOVE Piedras as well.
Here is what it will look like Delicious.
Helping Daddy is so much fun! We had a little snow over the weekend…and Lucy enjoys any excuse to get out into it. It’s always fun to get snow on the weekends when Matt is home…we snuggle in by the fire, make yummy food, and enjoy the change of scenery together.
We had a birthday party for Baby Ali…complete with play dough cake. So sweet to see my girls take care of a “baby”…as I know they are preparing their hearts to welcome the real thing
My mom and dad gave me this bible study for Christmas and I can’t wait to start it. Most Beth Moore studies are done in small groups, but I’ll be doing this one self-paced and using the downloadable online videos. Looking forward to being challenged!
I enjoyed a huge green smoothie yesterday after not having one for MONTHS! I go in and out of craving them when I’m pregnant. This one had banana + peach + pineapple + water + spinach. For those of you new to green smoothies, here is my “how to” video and you can purchase a Vita-Mix from me here.
* * * * *
And now…as I write, I’m listening to Bon Iver.
Thinking I might go knit something.
Or read a little bit.
Right after I put my babies in the bath and to bed.
Enjoy your evening…xxoo
**Please note: some links in this post are “affiliate” links, which means that if you click and purchase them, I get a little bit of that sale. Thank you for supporting me in this way!
Posted by Sara @ 6:39 pm | Leave a Comment
9
2012
Our women’s group is starting James next week. It brought back memories of the James Challenge you started years ago. I still carry my pack of verse cards with me. Good stuff, enjoy!
9
2012
I just LOVE James!
9
2012
oh wow, I love that chunky yarn! Great job of your first knitting project! What an accomplishment!
…and I love that fun little space you have off your kitchen, So charming.
9
2012
Me too! I’m totally drawn to them…as soon as I walked into the yarn store, I immediately grabbed it. So yummy. I may never knit with anything else
9
2012
Lookin’ good! I love Malabrigo yarn!
9
2012
I wish I had your sense of decorating! I just love the little bits and pieces you share of your home.
9
2012
Thanks Samantha! Although several parts of that image aren’t my own…the wonderful table and chairs and the moroccan light fixture came with the house (the whole thing is furnished). I do love making things cozy! Layering of texture, hanging things, and indirect light…those are all my good friends
9
2012
Oh, the dreadlock comment reminded me, you wouldn’t happen to know if putting little rubber bands at the bottom of mine will help them stay in, would ya? I backcombed my hair into little thin, wispy dreads for hours (spanning 2 1/2 days) back in September and in less than 3 weeks they had all slipped out. My hair is very very silky and slippery. My mom’s coming to visit on Thursday and is going to help me back-comb them back in.
10
2012
I know some people have used rubber bands, but I never did. Did you wash your hair with diluted Dr. Bronner’s before dreading and then not condition at all? Try to get your hair as “rough” as possible before starting. Is it possible that you didn’t backcomb them enough? I would recommend doing thicker (and less) dreads…as they are MUCH easier to maintain as you go through the early months. Feel free to email me at janssenfamily at gmail dot com if you need help.
9
2012
I love your little mama cave, looks divine! I have never really heard of green smoothies here in Australia, must say looks a bit scary! But maybe I’ll have to give it a try!
10
2012
They are actually delicious
Don’t let the color turn you off…the fruit covers the mild green flavor of the spinach, so if you close your eyes, all you taste is a fruit smoothie!
9
2012
I am starting the exact same study next week! James always challenges me, so I can’t wait to see how Beth Moore communicates it. I know it will be challenging, but growth is necessity in life, and I am ready!
10
2012
Hooray for first wearable knits!! Hooray for Dreadiversaries! Hooray for More knits to come and scrumptious yarn to make them with! Hooray for Bon Iver and calm!
Love you! Can’t wait to hear about the study and see your cowl!
10
2012
Love you too friend! xxoo
10
2012
Our group is starting that same study in February, soooo excited!! Love your first knitting project, by the way. I’m contemplating my next project. Maybe something for myself?! I’m always knitting for others.
10
2012
I love the cowl neck knitting project you are doing and was wondering if you had a pattern? I don’t knit but a girl at work does and I wanted her to knit it for me. Thanks!!
10
2012
I love the pic of Lucy helping daddy with the wood. I love cozy Saturdays with a fire and snow falling outside. I don’t love Sundays with the snow shovel digging out so I can go to work on Monday. Keep knitting. You will have so much fun teaching your girls.
10
2012
ok, that little mama cave looks amazing! soo so cozy
and your dreads look incredible as well. can’t wait for your 5 year post!
thanks for sharing!
10
2012
Started James this morning. Love the format of this Beth Moore study although I’m not sure what level I’ll be doing… I’m feeling quite challenged.
You’ve inspired me to revisit my attempts to knit. (I’m artistically impaired but knitting should not require talent, right? Just desire and beautiful yarn!) Happy creating.
10
2012
Love your “mama cave”! I’m addicted to keeping little lights up all year round – we call them “fairy lights”.
Love the bunting, too… one of my favourite sewing projects in 2011 was bunting… and more, and more! It became a bit of an obsession. 
10
2012
LOL…yes, I think our entire house would be filled with them if I had a sewing machine right now
I love colorful “hangy things”!!
10
2012
I pinned your “Mama Cave”! Kuddos on your first knitting project
10
2012
What a cool photo of your husband with your baby girl! If that was me, I would make sure to print that one out and save it in her keepsake box. I’m sure she’s going to treasure that one when she grows up. It is so special! I absolutely love that photo!!!
10
2012
I too love your “mama cave” – it looks so inviting. I am making a little space like that for me in our house at the end of our hall-way. It seems to have acquired the name “the north wing”, ha ha!
10
2012
I’m looking forward to your dread post and any bits of wisdom you’ve gleaned along the way. I saw Tara and Alicia shaved theirs off – would you ever do that, do you think?
How do you hang all your stuff up? Do you just tack the bunting? Do you use cup hooks for the lights? What do you do for extension cords and just the cords hanging all over in general? Pretty effect, but sometimes it seems to look like a mess (not yours, mine).
The only Bon Iver song I’ve heard is Holocene, which I found hauntingly beautiful. However, I really had to let it go because of the F word in the beginning. Which is so lame, why does it have to be stuck in their. My husband said no way that it could be playing for the girls to hear, even if they don’t know what they’re hearing. Doesn’t the language bother you? I can’t say what their other songs contain, but I wish there were an edited version of Holocene. Boo.
11
2012
Hi Jen…
I’m not in a space to shave mine right now, but they sure are beautiful with shaved heads! I hang stuff up with screws, nails, ties, you name it. Just depends on the wall material. Matt is great at hiding cords and such. I’ve never heard Holocene, but it doesn’t bother me. I don’t listen to my music around the girls much…so if there is profanity, it’s just me listening. There are several artists I listen to that use language as part of their art. You could always just mute that part out if they are listening
10
2012
Yay for the momma cave!
10
2012
That Malabrigo cowl is gorgeous! What pattern is that?
11
2012
I’ve done alot of Beth Moore – Esther and Daniel the past couple of summers…and we LOVE James and have been hoping that she would do one on James. Just a matter of scheduling it for next summer.
Great knitting. It is slower than sewing, but so much more mobil than my sewing and quite relaxing and rewarding…
Wishing to open a yarn store someday…
11
2012
Lovely Mama Cave! I just moved for the first time in 10 years, and I am needing to “re-inhabit” the space I find myself in. You are such an inspiration in that regard. I love how you have created space for yourself and your family in many different places!
So here’s a question for you, or for any other knitters out there… do you have a book you recommend for learning how to knit?
Much love
11
2012
Hi Lisa! Congrats on your move…it always takes time to feel truly “home” in a new space. Don’t get frustrated if it takes longer than you like! It will happen. As far as books go, here are a few that were recommended to me:
Kid’s Knitting: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1579652417/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=walslolivwil-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1579652417
Stitch ‘n Bitch: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761128182/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=walslolivwil-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0761128182
I have also utilized http://www.knittinghelp.com quite a bit, as well as YouTube. For more info, check out the comment section on my post here: http://walkslowlylivewildly.com/2011/12/16/dpp-2011-yarn/
11
2012
Thank you Sara! I ordered one of the books and I’m excited to read all the comments from your post about knitting. (but I’m going to step away from the computer now and get snuggled in:-)
Much love!
12
2012
Hi Sara! I’m loving your knitting projects and the ‘mama cave’ is so great!
You may already have looked at WEBS, but I noticed that they have a selection of Malabrigo Rasta yarn: http://www.yarn.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/categoryID/8F352D1D-B58A-4FF9-AC13-BEEDA979EFB0/productID/2966122A-C524-4FE8-9087-8780111A7B8D/?utm_source=mybuys&utm_medium=alerts I know that a lot of the colors are on backorder, but I’ve ordered from them before and they are pretty great about getting backordered items to you in a timely fashion. They also have great sales all the time.
I’ve read your blog for a few years now and I always thought you would make a great knitter. I’m so glad you’ve decided to join the ranks!
12
2012
5 years on the dreads-WOW! I am just a wayward internet traveler who stumbled across your blog by accident about the time you started on your hair and still stop by occasionally because WSLW never fails to lift my spirit. Thanks to you and your family for being you.