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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Yarn Along: Nestling In



We recently refinished our kitchen table, and created a craft table for the kids in the playroom. The kitchen table was declared a no-crafting zone, as an attempt to create some order in our soon-to-be-even-busier lives. A few days later, Violet got her hands on a Sharpie, and voila. The "new" old kitchen table was baptized with black permanent marker.

This is the scene at the table at 7:00 this morning: pencil crayons, glue, pompoms, beads, knitting, colouring books, scissors, and of course, my coffee decorate its surface while three busy kids share beads, spill the glue (and stare at it as it pours out of the opening), argue, plan their day, and interrupt each other. 

I simultaneously create a photo shoot of what I've been knitting and reading, make a fire in the woodstove, replenish my coffee, throw in "Mmhms" to Jude's lengthy story about playing in the schoolyard yesterday, remind the girls not to interrupt (again), and wonder how many more mornings like this we'll have before baby girl arrives.

I'm knitting: baby things (a modern layette: mismatched, stripey, colourful, fun), and baby fan wrist warmers for friends.
I'm reading: "The Girl Giant" (started it in the driveway yesterday when we got home from the library; Margot had dozed off and I sat for a half hour, engrossed), after finishing "Half Blood Blues" by Esi Edugyan. It was a fabulous read, set in World War Two Europe. It sheds light on the experiences of black jazz musicians in Nazi Europe, and the complexities and betrayals born of jealousy, talent, love, and fear. Compelling, to say the least.

We're nestling in here, aware that the routines and dynamics we've come to know as a family of five are about to shift. In a few weeks, we'll be ready for it, and will welcome the new rhythms that will be ours.

16 comments:

  1. The table top is beautiful! Like our one from the farm. I finally convinced John to put it back upstairs again and put the big dark, heavy one downstairs. It looks so lovely and bright!
    Enjoy your mornings like this. I wish I was there!

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  2. beautiful knits and I love how busy your table looks! My kids loved crafts when they were young and I loved crafting with them :)

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  3. I can't wait to have a craft table like that! How fun.

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  4. Love the sweater! Adorable. I never though to knit baby things because both my girls were born in hot weather!

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  5. Your day looks hectic, crazy, and filled with love. It can only get better with the addition of a new little one.

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  6. I just found your blog the other week and am having fun following along. I'm just a few weeks behind you with our third child and find myself wondering what life will look like in just a few short weeks. Beautiful knits!

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  7. I love that sweater! As I read this I am knitting and my girls are at the table with me coloring. Seemed to fit right in, good luck finding your new family rhythm!

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  8. Sounds like a perfect morning! What beautiful knitted treasures -- really makes me want to learn to knit (beyond the skills I was taught at the age of 5!).

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  9. Aww, I love that scene at the table. Looks like a wonderful day.

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  10. Kids crafting, beautiful knitting, books and a wood stove, what a fantastic start to your day. Lovely photos!

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  11. Beautiful thoughts. The busy crafting at your kitchen looks lovely. So sorry about the Sharpie!

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  12. The same thing happened with our new end table one day after we bought it at a garage sale for $4.00. Oh well!

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