Isn't it October?

Why is it so darn hot in this state! I mean, okay, I'm glad we don't get snow every winter and generally have fairly mild weather during the colder months, but it's October! It's not supposed to be hot enough to wear tank tops and shorts!

My friend who was going to model for me was unable to make it do to family business (which I totally understand) but I still took some photos of the jewelry I've made, as well as the St. Patrick Chaplet and the Pieta rosary which I finished earlier. The pictures, as far as I know thus far, turned out pretty well, lot of lovely natural light and some pretty decent backdrops. The weather was miserable and I was half way through taking pictures and sweating like a pig.

I like cooler weather. I like sweaters and cardigans and light jackets. I live for that! This is getting ridiculous.

In other news, I got part of my Halloween costume (which is actually useless since I will most likely be working that night) yesterday. The costume is supposed to be Grace O'Malley, the pirate queen of Ireland (my friends, if they read this, will be laughing at me, I assure you) and so requires a yellow chemise with a green over dress as would have been common for a woman of her status at the time. I got the idea for it from takebackhalloween.org which has a lot of really great ideas for home made costumes that aren't skimpy.

This has several positives. One: on the off chance I do actually get the chance to dress up for Halloween, my costume won't be revealing, and won't be flimsy and cheap. Two: Chemise have a myriad of uses, not the least of which is layers (which are brilliant when it gets colder) and really comfy nightgowns. Finally, three: It gives me an excuse to buy "period pieces". What can I say, I like really old clothes. Largely because they cover lots of skin.

Also on my agenda of things to figure out, I'd like to learn to pray the rosary in Irish Gaelic. This will most likely prove to be a tad bit difficult. There aren't a lot of audio files, I don't know anyone who speaks Gaelic (besides the Monsignor that is) and I haven't actually started learning the language yet. (One lullaby for my sister in no way counts). So, on top of the million other things I have, I want to do that as well.

I must have lost my mind.

Anyway, coming up Saturday is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi (which sounds interesting) and Sunday there's going to be a dinner in the square at the Cathedral. I'm looking forward to it a lot, which is a little out of character. I'm not really a social person, but at the same time, I think it'll be fun. Hopefully it will turn out well. I will definitely do a post on Saturday, because I missed last week (no complaints there, Little Bird, tiny though she is, is doing rather well) so barring a crisis, we will have a Saturdays with the Saints post.

See you tomorrow!

Yours always,
Tara

The Joys of (trying) to get started

I refer, dear readers, to Christmas knitting. The men in my life, whether they like it or not, are getting socks! But the other members of my family are another matter entirely. And then there are my friends to knit for as well.

So far, my list looks something like this...

Socks: H, P, Step-da, Da
Granma: Shawl (Butterflies?)
Ma:....
Sister: Toothless Dragon hat
Little Bird: Angel Dress, baby blanket, Christmas Stocking, Plush toy
Step-ma: Infinity scarf?

Cas: (Doctor Who?)
Hale: Scarf
Hale's son: Dragon toy
Hale's daughter: Sofia the first?
L: Infinity cowl?
L's son: ???

Misc.: Knitted Advent calendar, socks, shawls

My mother is particularly challenging because she's a summer person. She likes wearing shorts and tank tops and sandals. Meanwhile, I daydream about crisp Autumn breezes and pumpkin flavored everything! Hats, scarves, mittens! Cowls and shawls, leggings! Did I mention how much I LOVE being able to cover almost every inch of skin below my neck and not having anyone look at me like I've lost my mind, or dying of heat stroke? I like cardigans and long-sleeves, and jeans, and long socks! Boots, and being able to wear my hair down without over-heating.

And did I mention pumpkin flavored everything, dear readers?

Coffee, cookies, cakes, pies, muffins, butter, tea, soups, bread, scones and more!

Is it October yet? Please?

Spring is nice too, I'm especially fond of March (and St. Patrick's Day...) and the wet, but not overly frigid weather. Well, hopefully. Last year it was miserably cold! I was so grateful we didn't live up North. Just the mere thought of snow is too much.

To be fair, it usually takes me half an hour to warm up after I've gotten cold. And my feet can take up to an hour. Miserable!

I do think I'd enjoy winter a little more if we actually got snow. Not a lot, mind you, but about two inches or so. And no freezing cold rain!

I've just about finished my second sock. I'll take pictures of it when I get home, and post it tomorrow after I get home from meeting with the priest.

Did I mention I'm nervous?  Oh I am so nervous! It's irrational, and with how impatient I've been I shouldn't be nervous, but I am. That's just how life goes, isn't it?

I'm also quite pleased with my goal to cut back on sodas. So far I'm down to one a day, occasionally two. Not bad considering I used to drink four and five a day!

Anyway, I'm going to call it an evening, dear readers, and work on getting this last sock finished. After that, it's mittens, booties, and three little hats.

Yours always,
Tara

I think I need more beads, don't you?

It's Saturday morning and I'm already at work. It's going to be a long, dull day. With any luck, I'll finish my first sock, and be able to move swiftly into working on the next one.

I'm also hoping some of my books will arrive. We've already discussed how impatient I can be.

I need to get some white cloisonne beads for a rosary I've got planned. I also need to get the center piece and the crucifix while I'm at it.

Which reminds me, I'm making a St. Dymphna chaplet for my sister. She's been struggling with depression for several years now. I wish I could be there to help her more, but she lives in Maryland, and I do not. I was thinking that the chaplet might help, if only by serving as a reminder that some one loves her. I've got the beads all ready, I just need to get the medal and possibly a center piece. Does any one have any suggestions?

The weather has started to cool off here, for which I am incredibly grateful. I'm not a fan of extreme temperatures, which makes summer and winter both fairly miserable. Thankfully, autumn is coming up soon, and it'll be cool enough for sweaters with out being cold enough for three sweater (people up North are laughing at me, I'm sure) and there will be pumpkin flavored everything! I love autumn.

Spring is good too, of course, but autumn is coming up, and spring is a ways off.

I'm honestly a bit nervous about meeting with the priest on Tuesday. I know I shouldn't be, logically, but meeting new people isn't really my forte. I mean, you should have seen me the one time I went to a counselor about the tension between my mother and I! I was fidgeting like Batty from Fern Gully! Well, okay, maybe not that bad, but still!

About lunch time I'll post today's randomly generated saint. You'll have to let me know what you think of it, dear readers.

Anyway, until then I remain,
Sincerely yours,
Tara