I love... a few good links

This was snapped on our trip up North in the fall. 

On Membership and Belonging: a Conversation with Wendell Berry

How to Raise our Girls and Ourselves with Self Esteem (via DesignMom)

How to Raise Women without the Mommy Wars as a Backdrop

This Studio Space

Robert from Sweet Wood on The Asceticism of Marriage

Holly's practical ideas to cut your grocery bill in half.

What are you reading around the web?

Kerry for I love

**My comments are not working well on the first post on the homepage. If you would like to comment, please open up the post by clicking the header (I love... Knitting and Reading) above then you should be able to comment easier. I haven't made it a priority to fix that. So at least there seems to be a work around for now.

I love... Knitting and Reading

I finally finished these simple mittens (made with Coffee Beenz yarn in Black from Athena's Fibers). And they were simple. I was a bit afraid of them-- the thumb gore, exact replica, measurements!

But anxiety aside, once I got started I realized these mittens were the perfect project for me-- pushing me outside of my knitting comfort zone while being quick and with an easy-to-follow pattern. If you want to try something new, this pattern could be for you!

I started a simple scarf for Truman. After knitting most of the skein, I figured I'm not going to have enough yarn! So I ripped it out last night and I'm making it much thinner. We'll see if that will get me some more length. I'm going to take the time to brush up on my stitches while making this simple project.

We've also been reading The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe together. They are fascinated by it. And I have to admit that I am too, I remember these books holding my attention and infusing me with so much magic as a child. But they haven't lost that magic at all-- it's wonderful to see them again through my children's eyes.

What are you knitting? Reading?

Linking up today with Kerry for I love and Ginny for Yarn Along. 

**My comments are not working well on the first post on the homepage. If you would like to comment, please open up the post by clicking the header (I love... Knitting and Reading) above then you should be able to comment easier. I haven't made it a priority to fix that. So at least there seems to be a work around for now.

I love... time to be together

The kids and I have been creating in 3D. Homemade play-dough, puppets, modeling clay! I love the time we sit around the table and take time for the creative process.

Joining Kerry for I love.

weekending

This weekend was so beautiful.

Early on Saturday morning, I heard Eric wake up with the dogs. Help the kids find something to do and then he started a gourmet breakfast and did dishes. I can't help but love him so much.

A few of our favorite friends stopped by for lattes, homemade biscuits and pear sauce. Then walked we all down the alley and found more friends upstairs at the Old Factory Coffee Shop. Conversations, laughter and the best coffee in Iowa.

In the evening, after bible study and prayer group-- we played Four on the Couch. Best. Game. Ever. I haven't laughed that hard in years.

Eric made our old gas grill into a charcoal smoker. He used some dry applewood boughs to cold smoke a pork butt. Then he slow roasted it overnight. We had the most delicious pulled pork for our potluck at church today and the super bowl party attended.

Now I'm sitting knitting a simple scarf for Truman (blue please! soft! not fancy!). Bulky yarn on large needles means it's going fast!

I'm thinking about next week, menu planning and declaring a family week. All of our evenings focusing on each other. Good food, good sleep, lots of reading, playing together and getting outside.

How was your weekend? What does your week look like?

I'm joining the habit of being for weekending and Kerry for I love.
And Gratitude Sunday.