Friday, January 21, 2011

Contentment On a Cold Day


Today is the perfect day to hunker down and do something inside. It's totally appropriate weather for this date and place; windy and cold with some snow flying about.


In my fantasy world, I would be sitting by a roaring fire knitting something gorgeous with lovely wool. There would be something delightful in the oven and the kiddos would be doing kid-appropriate but not obnoxiously loud things around me. Perhaps playing board games together or reading or drawing or even playing with their trains. Together. Without fighting.


Instead all but the youngest two are off at school. I need to go through my stash and see if I have any sock-worthy wool because I am in a sock-knitting kind of mood. We don't have a fireplace and anyway it drives *N*'s allergies crazy to be around a wood-burning fire.


In my fantasy world I would live in the country and be more self-sustaining. I read blogs about people who spin their own wool and dream of spinning and dying my own yarn. I dream of doing lots of creative and lovely and very basic things, but for now they are dreams. I know that I must accept that I have limits, in time and talent.


I am where I am for a reason and a season and I need to embrace it. Right now a cold day means sitting in my little home without a spinning wheel or a fireplace, but with a 3 yo at my side and a 5 month old snuggled up asleep on my shoulder. There may be time in the future to learn to spin or to soak up quiet by a roaring fire or to build or sew or any number of things, but for now a sofa and a blanket and a book about a quiet old lady whispering "Hush" will be just fine.


I can do bits and pieces. I made a pair of socks for *I* last week. He loved them and I have received "orders" from other brothers. Perhaps I'll bake cookies today...or tomorrow.


Thank You, Lord, for the reminders to be content where I am. Thank You for the blessings of warmth and safety, family and friends where I am right now.


-Peace







5 comments:

  1. Having a thankful spirit sure makes life easire and much more enjoyable. I'm knitting my first pair of socks ever as we speak. I'm taking a break to eat a bowl of homemade chili and then back at it. I'd love to know what sock pattern you use!

    God bless

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  2. It is a good reminder to be content where we're at. I love reinvent myself and my future so I'm always thinking about what could be. Like you-- I could be such a homesteading diva! :) Glad you enjoyed your day.

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  3. Goodwife, the pattern I used in the picture above is from Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/encore-worsted-kids-socks. I love knitting socks and I love finding cool things to create on ravelry.

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  4. Diva..I think I would be a diva as I'm a bit of a ...wimp. Is there a nice way to say that? :)

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  5. Check, Check and Check....In my fantasy world I would have a large fireplace blazing and the house would smell of burning embers. My 2 boys would be playing quietly together or doing their own thing with out bickering...I would have folded all the laundry and washed the dishes while homeschooling them today and yes...there would be the sweet smell of bread baking. I love homemade bread.

    Reality...the boys were horrible during our lessons today and when I had their attention their dad would interrupt. Argh! Then after getting them engaged once again, Bri has to use the bathroom and the other asks about lunch. The dog has to go out in the pouring rain for the 5th time and on my way back I notice it is lunch time. Where does the time go?
    I dream of learning how to knit. I love to quilt. I used to anyway, but everytime I catch up with the house and pull out the fabric...the boys want to help or I have to find some widget that no one else can seem to find. Then it's late and I'm tired so I go to bed longing for the very same things you do.

    At the end of the day, I am a stay at home mom. So blessed to be able to have my family home and home schooled. I wouldn't trade this for anything for the world. My dad always accused me of being a dreamer growing up. I guess I still am. A happy one!

    Peace and Blessings!

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