Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Weekend in the Woods


Back in January my husband and I attended a newlywed retreat that some dear friends of ours host every year, and even though we aren't technically newlyweds anymore, they were so lovely to let us come anyway since we missed it the first year we were married as we unexpectedly moved away! Anyhow, at the retreat we played The Newlywed Game and we won...5th place, I think? The prize was a night stay at a lovely cabin in the woods. We finally found the time to go this passed weekend and it was so lovely! Such a nice getaway after a hectic summer!
There was a gas fireplace, which I was SO thankful for because Britton and I both can't keep a fire going to save our lives. We really should learn how one day. Survival skills are important, right?


Our cabin was right next to a creek, we walked out on our back deck and this is what you see! It was lovely to listen to while falling asleep! And just look...so gorgeous!


 On the way up we stopped at my favorite place, Sahalie Falls. I took some of my hand knits to get photos of them. I've always wanted to stand this close to the falls...it was amazing! And I got so wet! But it was worth it. I felt like I had fallen into a chapter of Lord of the Rings.

My new favorite hand knit that I just finished last week is my Hinagiku Hat. It is so comfy and the perfect amount of slouch! I can't wait until the temperature cools down here, I'm going to wear it all the time!

 There is this Christmas store on the way to the cabin that we pass every time we go to the valley. We have always thought it a random place for a shop all about Christmas, but this trip I decided I wanted to be adventurous and stop and check it out and buy something! Just so we could say we had. I got this little Rudolph ornament, isn't it cute? And it's made in Oregon which is cool!

Now we are back home and even though it was a lovely trip, it feels so good to be back. Which in my mind means the trip was successful. We had just enough time away to make us miss home.

How was your weekend?
♥Anna

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Back Again


Hello friends!
I've been staring at this blank blog post for the past few weeks trying to figure out how to pick back up what I've neglected for so long. I didn't know if I should recap all the time lost, or simply start where I am at today. I decided I just needed to dive in and break the ice and go from there. 

I have to admit it has been a nice break, but as the year is swiftly passing by I find myself missing taking time to write. Not just post pictures. As much as I love Instagram I feel like I've gotten lazy about writing, and sometimes I miss it. So hopefully as I feel inspired, I will post a little more often.

One thing I will share with you that happened over my summer is that I had abdominal surgery. It was supposed to be minor and turned into something a little more major which meant 6 weeks recovery instead of 1 week. But I was so blessed through everything with good friends to take care of me and bring me meals. And it really was good for me to be forced to rest and not feel guilty about it. I'm doing much better now and I'm mostly recovered, but I'm still very easily fatigued so life is slower than I sometimes wish it to be. But maybe that's God's way of telling me to slow down and not take on so much. Through it all life is really good and God has taught me so much about trusting in Him and finding peace and joy through trials and frustrations. 

Lately my focus has been a lot on exercise and trying to eat healthy. (I can hear that maple donut I ate last night laughing at me right now) It's a very slow road but I'm determined to fight it out to the finish. I have been walking about 2 miles a day and working out every other day or so. And after just about a week, I am feeling stronger even though I don't see much difference. 

I've also been reading a lot and working on a project challenge which I will share in another post. (the project in the photo above is Pepple Beach Shawlette in Supernova) My favorite books lately have been Fairy Tale inspired. I've fallen in love with Gail Carson Levine novels and stayed up way too late a couple nights finishing Ella Enchanted and Fairest. So good! Right now I'm reading The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson and really enjoying it. Cinderella was my favorite fairy tale when I was little so I have a soft spot for stories based on that theme. I'm hoping I can pluck up the courage to read a Dickens novel this Fall/Winter. But we shall see.

How has your Summer been? Did you do anything fun? Any exciting plans for Fall? Reading or working on anything fun?
♥Anna



Tuesday, December 3, 2013

The Season of Cozy

Well hello little blog! It's been awhile! Life has been busy but now that we have finally found a house to settle down in things are feeling calmer and I'm enjoying making everything snug and cozy for winter! And just in time too, it's snowing outside today! Not a heavy snow, but a swirly dusty snow that makes me feel like I'm in a snow globe. It's so pretty!

We have been having egg nog everything lately! Egg nog ice cream....egg nog French toast, and just plain old egg nog. Mmmm, so delicious! To make egg nog French toast just make a batter with egg nog and one or two eggs then dip your bread and fry just like regular French toast! So easy and super yummy!

I think one of my favorite things to do in the evening is to snuggle up with my knitting and watch a good movie with my husband. Right now I am working on lots of Christmas presents. I love working on them while we watch movies. We just watched all the Narnia movies and it inspired us to read the books again. We each read a chapter aloud before bed. So fun!

We have our first Christmas tree this year since we've been married! It makes me so happy! It smells so good too! Seriously, come over and smell it. And I just might share a pumpkin muffin and a mug of egg nog with you.

I hope your having a lovely holiday season! What have you been enjoying?
-Anna

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

NEW PATTERN: Wanderer Fingerless Mittens





When my husband and I moved to South Carolina two years ago we spent the first two weeks in a furnished apartment while we waited for our belongings to arrive. All we had was what we brought in suitcases and we didn't have internet access. Since I was home all day alone, I decided to finally figure out a pattern that had been in my head for awhile. And that's how the Wanderer Fingerless Mitten pattern began. I can't tell you how many times I started and ripped back until I got it just right. I wanted something cozy, I wanted a cable, and I wanted it to be something I would want to wear.

Two years later, I finally have the pattern finished and ready to share! It has been a long process going from idea, to knitted item, and then writing out a pattern that people would understand! A huge thanks goes to my friend Jenny for test knitting! Not to mention she took all the lovely photos for the pattern!

I hope you enjoy making it as much as I enjoyed designing it!

The Wanderer Fingerless Mittens pattern is available on Etsy and Ravelry.

I hope you're all having a lovely week!
♥Anna

Weekend in the Woods

Back in January my husband and I attended a newlywed retreat that some dear friends of ours host every year, and even though we aren...