Yarnalong: Wild, Chickens

Joining Ginny today at Small Things blog for Yarnalong.

Ah, it's good to be back joining in Yarnalong. I did miss the rhythm of Wednesdays and how it gave me the motivation to get knitting and exercise my creative muscles.
Knitting: Chicken mittens all the time around here. My Etsy shop (see sidebar) is open again and wow do people love the chicken mittens! For the not-wool version I use Bernat Super Value in the grey ragg colourway and knit them on 4mm straight needles. The comb and beak are Paton's Astra yarn. The wool version is knit with Cascade 220, a 100% peruvian wool.
Reading: Wild by Cheryl Strayed. I've wanted to read this one for awhile and the spirit finally moved me last week at the library. I'm finding it beautifully written but it's haunting me. I'm a sensitive soul and as such avoid books that are sad or deal with difficult topics because I feel the sadness/despair/anger/whatever like it's my own. I'm pretty protectective of my mental health and happiness. But this book seems worth the risk and I am drawn by her story of just going off into the wilderness to save her soul. I'll let you know how I fare. If the ghosts get to me I've always got the chickens to cheer me up.
It's a rainy day here and beginning to look more November than October. The forecast calls for a 100% chance of rain all day. If only the rest of life were so very sure and certain ;)

Gratitude Sunday: Boldly Going Forth

Joining Taryn today at Wooly Moss Roots blog for Gratitude Sunday: a chance to look back at the week that was and reflect with gratitude.

It feels good to be back to the blog and what better way to begin again than with Gratitude Sunday.
Yesterday was your typical October day here in southern Ontario-cold, cloudy alternating between dripping and pouring rain. Today dawned all blue skies and brilliant sunshine.
Feeling grateful today for:
::sunshine and blue skies
::the wisdom to put down the work knitting and start up something just for fun-knitted pumpkins. Who doesn't need knitted pumpkins on their dining table??
::making peace with how things are right now. My mantra these days.
::the work contract that spanned 4 months instead of the anticipated 2 weeks. It allowed us to do so much this summer and helped me to know myself better. It's over now and has been for a month and I have finally settled into this new-old reality.
::my Etsy shop and the love people have for knitted chicken mittens. Who knew?!
::hoodies, flannel shirts and jeans. I love fall's wardrobe.
::that geranium up above. It just blooms and blooms and gives off that geranium smell despite cold rains and several frosts.
::the respiratory illness that has plagued both of my kids this month finally loosening it's grip.
What about you? What are you feeling grateful for this week?