October Faves, Take Four

Happy Friday!

Thanks to Susanne for always hosting Friday's Fave Five. 

Here is Willow's Week in five favorite blessings

1.  There has been knitting.  I finally finished my grey gloves--I wove in A.L.L. the ends.  The weather has been cooling down enough that I may be able to wear them soon.

2.  Speaking of weather, we Southern Californians are all excited because we are getting RAIN!  This is the kind of rain we've been getting for the past year--just sprinkles.  We're hoping for some real rain this weekend.

3.  Here is a quiz.  What is this?

(Hint--I grew this.)

Give up?  It's COTTON. My first harvest from the cotton trees I planted this spring.  I'm growing three plants in pots and so far this fall I've gotten three bolls.  It's not much, but it's a start.

4.  My friend had a birthday this week.   We celebrated by having a painting party.  My first acrylic painting ever.

5.  It has been a busy month for The Professor.  In addition to his normal teaching schedule, he has been doing his job of lighting designer (and hanger of lights) for the university's performing arts department.  This week, he wrapped up his part and handed it over to the stage manager, and the play opened Wednesday night.  I have my hubby back.

A quote I found this week:  Three things cannot be long hidden:  the sun, the moon, and the truth.

Pursuing a Simple Life

Recently, I was reading online and discovered a blog post that intrigued me.  It was titled "How to Start Living a Simple Life".  I am and have been for a very long time a simple living advocate.  I have pursued a simple life for most of my adulthood.  I have minimalist tendencies although I would not label myself a minimalist.  I like books, real books, and would not choose to downsize my personal library.  I love my garden.  I want my dirt and my shovels and seeds.  In addition, I have my yarn and needles because fiber arts give me great joy.  But simplicity is an important part of what defines my life.  At the end of that blog post, the author instructed her readers to 'stop reading and write down these five statements on a piece of paper'.

So I did.

Make your lifestyle a priority.
Slow down and enjoy every task.
Know what is important.
Connect with nature.
Make the most of today.

I'm going to keep that paper around and do those things mindfully.  My lifestyle.  Enjoy every task (even doing the laundry).  Know what is important.  Connect with nature (I love my walks and messing around in my garden!)  Make the most of my day.

What tasks did I enjoy today?  Making several batches of granola.  Finally, baking some cinnamon rolls.  Weaving in the ends of several finished knitting projects (mostly hats).  Decluttering some papers from the counter where they always seem to collect.  These are quiet everyday tasks which I sometimes avoid simply because I don't slow down and enjoy them.

I hope I've made the most of today.

October Fridays, Take Three

Friday Fave Fives

shared through Susanne's blog--see the link up above.

Willow's Week in the Wilderness and at Home

1.  As I stated a week ago, I was out of routine this week.  My adventures involved a solo drive across the Arizona desert.  Really and truly, I don't mind the seven hour drive.  I cranked up Celtic Woman Christmas and The Messiah and sang along.  Since we do this trip from coastal California to middle of the Arizona desert on a regular basis, I know the rest areas, the coffee stops and the cheap gas stations.  And I'm thankful for safety on the highways.

2.  What always amazed me is the beauty of the desert.  (Yes, it was HOT. Fortunately, my car has good AC.)  The desert has its own wonders and I enjoy soaking in the colors and terrain.  The sparse but beautiful foliage with a green all its own.  The majestic and rugged mountains and mesas.

3.  The reason for my visit was to help celebrate this girl's second birthday!  Check out her cake--the girl loves Mickey and Minnie!

She loved driving the ice cream truck at the pizza place.

Her newest friends are Donald and Daisy.

Even big two year old girls can get tired.  The best way to sleep is to snuggle with all your friends.

4.  It was a great visit.  I had one on one quality time with both my son (Chaplain Dan) and his wife.  And of course,  PAL and I had fun, too.  I visited the yarn section of a store with family members and brought home enough yarn to make two more Weasely sweaters and an afghan. (More on those later)

5.  Back home and settled in after sleeping and sleeping, I've been catching up on some reading since this week it has been too hot to be outside much.  (Yes, it was unseasonably hot and super windy due to the Santa Ana Winds which I probably brought home with me from the desert.)

In one of my reading books, I came across this statement.

My quote of the week!

"There is no dignity quite so impressive,

and no independence quite so important,

as living within your means."

President Calvin Coolidge

October Fridays, Take Two

Mrs. Knitting has had a thankful week.  Here are my Friday Fave Fives with Susanne.

1.  Is autumn really and truly here?  Even here in Southern California, it might be.  Leaves are turning brown and falling down.  And the temperatures have moderated.  I do love autumn, no matter where.

Here we don't have amazing orange and red and yellow leaves; our colors are in the flowers which are still blooming.

2.  I spent Saturday and Sunday at the Reyes Adobe Days.  Every year our guild is invited to demo and the staff there are always excellent, friendly and helpful--I enjoy this event immensely and look forward to it.  It's fun to share this ancient and yet modern process every thing we all wear goes through to make fibers stronger and more durable.

3.  Last weekend, when I was demonstrating spinning, I was also able to exhibit and sell my hats.  The good news is that I sold all but five of the hats.  Even though the temperatures were soaring, people were still purchasing hats.  Yay!  Generate Hope will be receiving a good sized check soon.

4. This week is our PAL's birthday!  She is two!  I will be going to her house over the weekend to help her celebrate!

5.  At our house,  The Professor is pretty excited.  "GO, DODGERS!" (followed closely by "I miss Vin.")

Due to that expedition to Arizona, I will have sporadic internet time.  Enjoy your weekend!

Willow's Week One in October

Wow, this week got away from me.  I spent all day Thursday thinking it was Friday, and then when it was Friday, I spent half of it forgetting to post my Friday Fave Fives!  I'm blaming it on the heat wave we're having here (again).  Anyway, here is Willow's Week in Friday's Fave Fives.

1. It's National Spinning and Weaving Week! October 6-12.  I will be demonstrating spinning this weekend at a local historical ranch-turned-park, sitting on the patio in front of the adobe ranch house.  If you're local, come visit!  Reyes Adobe Days.  In preparation for the event, I have been practicing spinning some of my various fibers to decide which one(s) I'll be taking to spin.  And since it's a national 'holiday', I'm not being lazy, right?

2. Son #2, Dr. Mike, combined business and pleasure when he made a trip to the Best West Coast this week.  I'm so so happy that he has carved out time to see his dad and me.  Dinner last night.  Overnight stay on Saturday night. Nothing.  NOTHING.  Beats time with my children.

3.  World's Best Neighbor was visiting to discuss scarf knitting techniques.  She was planning her visit to their newborn grandson and asked about baby hats I might have.  Immediately I pulled out a World War II Watch Cap knitted in blue and just the right size for a little one if it is rolled up a bit (and it gives him room to grow into it). Perfect!  A hat going to someone who will love it, wear it, cherish it.

4.  I think I've mentioned the young girl who was watching me knit one evening last summer at an event--I offered to make her a hat.  Then when I told her brother I'd make him one, he answered, "Yes, please" which melted my heart right there.  The little one has taken to calling me "Mrs. Knitting".  Heart in puddle again.  Then their daddy shyly asked me if I would make him a hat.  It turns out that he appropriated borrowed his son's hat last week when he was cold, so his family told him, "Ask Mrs. Knitting to make you your own hat!"  So, that's what's on (one set of) my needles this week.  Another World War II Watch Cap going to someone who really wants it.

5.  Every year I purchase ONE pumpkin spice latte.  'Nuff said.

How was your week?  I hope if you are in the northern hemisphere, you are enjoying crisp fall weather with beautiful orange and yellow leaves flowing around you.  I pray that if you are in the path of Hurricane Matthew that you are safe, warm and dry.  And I hope if you are in Southern California where the Santa Ana winds are scorching the landscape even more and whipping up the palm trees and tumble weeds that your air conditioner is working.