Motivation

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Let me preface this blog post with….I’m not a bullet journal person. But I do see the merit in some of the philosophies. Here of late I have felt stagnant with both my knitting and healthy habits. I also know that I’m a visual person and I like things to be on paper. I managed to snag some Shutterfly coupons and get a snazzy lined 5 by 8 spiral bound notebook. So I decided to create a journal of sorts!

I created a page to see how much I actually knit. Having a full time job and tiny tyrannical toddler makes it feel like I never get to knit. Every day that I touch a project earns a colored in square. I’m interested to see what the colors show…

I also started a “rainbow” chart to show how many days I hit my health goals for the day. This one is calendared for each day of April. I’m hoping to see more colors than blanks…fingers crossed!

This may or may not stick with me. But heck….why not try?

What’s Cooking: Beef Ragu

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I decided to use up some stew beef that had been kicking around my fridge this weekend.

I googled a simple Beef Ragu recipe from the web that was designed to work in my instant pot. I didn’t have all the ingredients exactly so I winged it. It was pretty tasty looking going in…Then upon arrival home I found a steamy pot of deliciousness waiting for me. ~ Side note…A LOT of beef fat had floated to the top. I skimmed it off before shredding the meat you see below~
We didn’t have the right shape of pasta but penne seemed to do nicely.

All in all, it was tasty. The beef was rich, soft and shredded nicely. My toddler turned up his nose but the hubby liked it just fine. I found that it would have been spectacular with something salty to balance the sweet carrots and beef. Maybe some nice shaved parm?? Next time….

Happy Cooking!

HO Friday: Toe Up Socks With a Difference

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My Toe Up Socks with a Difference have reached HO status!


That’s half finished status. I even wove in the ends after making sure the fit was okay.


It’s not as snug as some of my other pairs but it’s not falling off my foot by any means. The double gusset under the heel feels like it fits nicely but I’d like to wear them before I pass final judgement.


For now I’m going to just admire the fantastic color!! (The sock, not my pasty white winter leg 😂)

Happy Knitting!!

Slow But Steady Sock

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My Double Gusset heel socks have been growing.


This has been my purse and webinar meeting knitting. I am almost to the full length of the leg. All that’s left is to start the cuff ribbing. I simply adore the yarn and the color. It makes me happy just to watch it develop. 

These socks may not have as much negative ease as my others. But the fit should still be fine. These might be destined to become my favorite bed socks!

Happy Knitting!!

Stalled Sweater

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My Baby Sophisticate has kinda stalled. 


I’m down past the underarms and only a few more inches to the bottom ribbing. I just haven’t felt the mojo for this project. The yarn is just kind of splitty and the color so dark. I have just kind of let it marinade because I dearly love the mommy to be. I don’t want to half arse this project!

I have been knitting on my sock yarn memory blanket to clean my pallete. I hope in the next few days to get this sweater booted back up again!

Happy Knitting

Analysis Paralysis

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I’m having knitting pattern fever. In the past week I have printed patterns and pulled yarn to make:

  • some knitted knockers from some Cascade Ultra Pima leftovers in my stash
  • yarn for at least three new pairs of socks
  • yarn for Christmas stockings I’m still not sure I want to make

This is of course not counting the two sock WIP, baby sweater, and ongoing scrap blanket sitting in my project pile. And lets not think of the socks and shawl sitting in Area 51 downstairs.

I just can’t get my heart or brain to decide on what to work on. I want to do ALL THE THINGS but of course I don’t have the time for that. Oh but twer it true. My sock mojo seems to be winning. But I am kinda digging the quick win of some small knockers and supporting a great charity. But I guess as long as I’m knitting I’m winning!

Happy Knitting!!

WIP Wednesday: Baby Sophisticate #8

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My latest Baby Sophisticate is cruising right along. I through the raglan increases and divided for the sleeves. (please ignore the dog hair…)

I really like the color but I can say this yarn can be a little splitty. It’s Cascade Heritage Cherub Aran in navy. It’s very soft from the acrylic content and should be easy care for the new mom and tiny treasure. So I can think I can deal. The baby shower is set for April 30th so now I have a deadline! Should be easy as pie…famous last words.

Flying Felici

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I’m plugging away on Nicole’s Christmas socks and I’m just about to the ribbing on sock #2.

This self-striping sock yarn is just so darn addictive. And Felici is so soft that it’s a treat to work with. My dad informed me that he has the traces of my sister’s foot. We just need to be in the same place at the same time to exchange. I’m still nervous about cutting into perfectly good knitting, but I shall persevere!

Happy Knitting