Whoa!?

It is the middle of February and I am not sure how I got here. One stiff cold breeze and a sigh... and suddenly one fourth of the new year is almost over. Or, at least, it feels that way. Well- Christmas came and went and my youngest sister liked her aqua colored cable purse that I knit her. Thank heaven. My dad liked his hat and mom liked her dishcloths. Although one of them produced a nice little hole after one use. Poop. That still leaves gloves for my brother and cable mittens for my sister. My goal is to have them done before I panic in November of this year and start knitting furiously for Christmas.

It being warmer lately, I have spotted splashes of green among the dead of last season. For me, my love has been given to fall and winter. I love the bite in the air, dashing colors, the soft light, with all the full and comforting flavors of the season- spiced to perfection. But in final moments of winter when spring is peaking around the corner, it is exciting! After months of silence and stillness, everything is new and fresh and energy abounds. I was out in our garden the second of February cleaning out the left over material and finding that the Flax, Coral Bells, Hosta, and Hyacinths, too, have felt the rush of the growing season. I know, already, what will be in my garden this year. Fresh, sweet-tart fall raspberries in red and gold along with rich winter squash waiting to be roasted and made into pie, soup, and bread. I simply cannot wait!

I have read more for pleasure lately than I have in a very long time. I had almost lost faith in reading after nearly nothing but text books for the last five years. It is exhilarating and thrilling and I have become reacquainted with the power of a wonderful story. It keeps my mind active and distracts me from worrying too much about...everything. A great story reminds me that in the midst of all the junk in life, it is okay to live. To find a little joy and happiness. My most recent journeys in to story book world have included:

• The Patchwork Girl of Oz by L Frank Baum (which I would love to either knit or sew a doll for)
• the Heck series by Dale E Basye (fyi, just a LITTLE warped and slightly to the left of center for a kids book but, I enjoyed them a lot)
  
• the Pure Dead series by Debi Gliori (again, a little odd. The author is Scottish and the style and humor shows. Too too funny though!)
• the Pendragon series by DJ McHale (an adventure series)
  
• Skellig by David Almond (a last minute choice I happen to spot on the shelf. I liked the cover art. A marvelous book.)
• the Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy (if you like the newer Dr. Who, there is a good chance you would like these. Smart mouth one-liners in inappropriate places like in the middle of a battle to the death against demons from another dimension. )
• at the moment I'm reading the Percy Jackson series. I have a sister and a dear friend who won't leave me alone about them. Lucky for them they are fun to read. The last book I read because I was being constantly reminded about it was Twilight. While it was very well written with wonderful detail and descriptions, I got frustrated with Bella's whining and Edward's mellow-drama. Someday, I will read the rest of them though. Right now I am loving Percy Jackson.

I want to post photos of the Christmas gifts soon. Until then,

Michele