Me-Makes...

Pattern "J" from the Stylish Dress Book by Yoshiko Tsukiori...

It has been a while since I've shown you some of my makes. I finally finished the tunic above this morning. I cut it all out, sewed most of it together and then it lay on my cutting table for several weeks, waiting for me to return...

The original pattern is for a long dress/ cardigan which opens with buttons in the middle all the way down, but I was too lazy for the buttons plus I didn't have enough fabric for a full length version of this pattern. I love wearing tunics so a tunic it became. I added a little pocket, because a tunic without a pocket will never do. The material is super thin and it has some embroidered stitching on it, which is hard to photograph unfortunately...

I also bought four yards of this same kind of fabric but then in a light grey so that will be next. (Joann's was having a sale so I couldn't contain myself, a recurring theme!) I just have to decide on the pattern, very likely from the same Japanese sewing book, I love it so!

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I'm still knitting too of course. I've finished a pair of socks out of Madeline Tosh in Cloud Dweller for my mom and I am now working on some color work socks for my sister out of Abstract Fiber Mighty Sock in Silver and Cascade Yarns Heritage Sock in Mustard. I really love color work, but man what a pain with magic loop! Anyhow, the first sock is almost done and then I have to tackle number two. Here is a sneak peek:

Sock #1 for my sister...

I'm only showing the yarn, since I want the actual socks be a little bit of a surprise...

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In the mean time we have had yet several days of 30+ Celsius degree weather (84F) early last week, then it went down again and now we're expecting the same thing again for this coming weekend! We are so incredibly lucky!!! (although I must admit that 30C is a bit too much for comfort) I've been seeing all these horrendous weather pictures in social media of Great Britain, The Netherlands and southern Sweden floating by and I truly feel for everybody over there. Our garden looks like we're in mid-summer already!

Roses and Sunshine...

Shadows on the wall...

Usually I'm pretty upbeat over here and in other social media, but obviously that is not always the case. I've been overcome by 'the black cloud' all my life and I'm learning to deal with it better and better, but sometimes it just hits harder than other times.  Yesterday was such a day...

I recognized its arrival and dealt with it my way. I did some reading, both in bed (yes, in the middle of the day!) and outside when the sun started to come out.  I started looking around and started noticing things again, pretty things and delicious smells.  Because of the very warm temperatures here lately, mother Nature is ahead of herself by several weeks! Everything is just so alive: how wonderful! 

Especially then I feel extra guilty that I'm feeling so down and out for no 'real' reason, but it happens and I know it is not for ever, 'these things will pass'... (thank goodness for that!)

Anyway, this morning I've done a little bit of sewing, some vacuuming and I even managed to get a good run in: score!

 I'm taking my time, trying to go with the flow...

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Strolling...

Come take a stroll with me through our garden...

I'm feeling so low today, I'm desperately working on truly seeing beauty. 

And there is lots to see, thank goodness for that...

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Life Lately...

Coffee, knitting and a lamb being born!

Oh boy, I must admit that my view the last week or so has been this, the picture above. I've been following Wing & A Prayer Farm's Lambing Camera again (for a quite a while now to be honest). It is so addicting! Last Saturday the first two lambs of the season were born (twins!) and the next day the next set of twins arrived, all ewes! Tammy has several more sheep (and Angora goats!) due, so you'll know where to find me...  <wink>

Anyway, last week was Mr. G.'s Spring Break. We were so incredible lucky, summer temperatures all week, one day it even went up to 83F / 29C! Unbelievable!  We worked our behinds of in the yard so that is all 'done' for now. 

We also spent an afternoon at the Ballard Locks with a Cuban Pulled Pork sandwich from Paseo and we also stopped by both a Scandinavian Aquavit -maker and a beer brewery: (see below, all unedited photos)

This Bavarian Hefeweizen is our absolute favorite!

Life Goals, Love this!
In the middle of Seattle, right next door to the Stoup Brewery!

Oh, I almost forgot, at the beginning of the break we dog sat our two favorite Labradors (beside our own Olive of course) for four days. Such sweetie-pies!

And I knit some socks with a very fun new heel called 'Vanilla is the new Black'.:

And some running was done and new friends were made...

Do you see Aero in the river?

All in all a great week spent together! {smile} Now we only have a few more weeks to go before the kids are done with this university year (already?!) and then Miss M. and myself are off to visit my relatives in The Netherlands for a while. Where is all the time going?  {smile}