Uncommon Grace

8 November

I've been knitting really sporadically lately, so in lieu of any kind of finished object made by me, I thought I'd share pictures of baby John in a sweater knitted by someone else. 

A very sweet blog reader of mine from the Netherlands sent along a whole stack of handknits for John, and this sweater is one of my favorite baby things ever. I know the pattern is this one, although I don't know what yarn she used. The orange is so suited to my brown-eyed baby.

I love that he can wear some handknits this autumn even though I'm a bit remiss in completing any knitting lately!

Baby John sure is happy about it, too. Thank you, Mirjam!

35

Today is my thirty-fifth birthday. First, a little bit of honesty: I have been dreading turning 35, for a long time. Probably ever since I turned 30. It seems silly to say, especially because I'm married to someone ten years older than me. But this was the first age I wasn't looking forward to. (Some people it's 30, some it's 40. For me, 35.)

But you know what happened? The days just kept progressing towards it, and now here I am. 35 full years on this earth. And you know, they have been 35 pretty great years. 

On Saturday, I received a package from my friend Ginny. Sweetest thing ever. I'm so looking forward to starting this next cross-stitch adventure! (Also, she wrote the funniest thing in the card about researching hobbies appropriate to those who have reached "advanced maternal age" [what we've been calling 35 for the last year as we both approached this age with some trepidation], and cross-stitch being the best. So funny.)

It snowed a foot yesterday. Today everything is sparkling and white and beautiful.

Last night, I enjoyed a homemade cherry pie with 35 hand-dipped beeswax candles. (I teach until late tonight, so we opted for birthday celebrating last night.) I blew them out in one breath.

And today I don't feel nearly as bad about being 35. 

Stitch along!

Last month I talked about some projects I was planning. Some of the knitting projects are well underway, or even completed. But the Winterwoods ABCs cross-stitch sampler kit, sitting prominently in the picture? Still sealed up so lonely in the package, the way it has been for months. 

Last night, my friend Ginny called me and suggested a brilliant idea. Why not do a stitch along for it? She thought we could start on the first day of autumn and stitch over the next 13 weeks, finishing by the first day of winter. She didn't have to ask twice. I was all in! A perfect project, and so doable.

{image from aliciapaulson.com}

So we decided to open a Flickr group for anyone else who wants to join us for a stitch along of Alicia's extraordinary kit (it really is extraordinary -- the quality of the materials is amazing, and Alicia doesn't miss any details). It'll be low pressure -- no posting requirements. Just a way to share progress, keep motivated, and keep accountable. So that we can actually have the sampler hanging on the wall in time for winter enjoyment!

If you would like to join us, all you need to do are order the kit (or you can also buy just the pattern and obtain your own materials), and join the Flickr group. 

Though Ginny did contact Alicia last night to make sure this was OK with her (and she gave the project an enthusiastic "yes!"), we are not affilated with her, so we don't get anything if you buy your supplies from Alicia. That said, for the sake of convenience and quality, I don't think you can go wrong getting any other supplies you might need (needles, hoop, even scissors!) from her. Alicia rolled out her new shop in the last week and it is really well organized and lovely!

Ginny's post this afternoon has a few more details and links, so be sure to check there, too. I hope you'll join us!

10 November

On this eve of Martinmas, the feast of the saint who cut his own cloak in two to share with a beggar, I have so much to reflect on in terms of gratitude.

Six days ago, I very shyly posted something I would normally hesitate to discuss publicly. It's maybe a bit gauche to share one's financial struggles with the world. But I had this strong feeling that I wouldn't be able to write authentically for the entire month of November if I wasn't honest about the thing that has been most on my mind lately. And I thought to myself that it was a bit of an elephant in the room, knowing that many of you must have faced (or are facing) something similar.

The response has blown me away. Your comments, your honesty, your willingness to be a little bit vulnerable. And then, in the days that followed that post, friends reached out in prayer, others sent gifts, relatives have given to us even out of their own tight budgets. I was able to get two new Lands' End coats on sale for less than $20 apiece. Another coat has been given to us. I feel like extravagant generosity has been poured out on us from every direction. 

I am standing here in awe, gratitude, and humility. I have never been so amazed or thankful. 

{Also, waffles with fruit compote are a delicious, affordable dinner, that feels like a treat to everyone.}

It's official

Autumn. My favorite season of them all (and I do know that I love them all).

I don't have a lot to say tonight. But I figure, just being here, sharing a stack of photos, is enough, really. Sarah wrote a beautiful post today about this medium, the connections that it has brought many of us, its value in our lives. You should read it. Really. Maybe blogging is getting kind of old-fashioned compared to all the other social media around now. But on the other hand, it has mattered, and continues to matter, to so many of us. 

So look through my photos. Let's pretend we're sharing a meal together, maybe the dal I've made twice in the last ten days. Or sitting on my couch with a cup of my favorite decadent hot chocolate. Or maybe with a cup of tea (Cold Care P.M. is replacing my usual Earl Grey this week), and a favorite catalog to peruse. Talking about autumn, that certain slant of light, those chilly evenings and the days that still hold on to some of summer's warmth. And connecting. Connection is all I've really ever wanted from blogging, and it has delivered a hundred-fold.

Here's that dal I promised. This is the next day for lunch, cold, and even better.

Delicious Mexican hot chocolate, with a generous dollop of whipped cream and sprinkle of my favorite Vietnamese cinnamon.

My favorite way to spend an evening, holed up with tea and catalogs.

Serious, this one.

Autumn, glorious autumn. How grateful I am for this favorite season of mine, and for all of you, out there, reading this, commenting, and connecting.