keeping up

Rye socks, in size L and S

Pattern: Rye by tincanknits

Yarn: Ístex Lopi Hosuband

Needles: 3.5mm and 4.5mm

Once upon a time I thought I couldn't knit socks. Then I defeated that dragon and will now live happily ever after in my kingdom of handknit Christmas presents. I am keeping up with my gift schedule for next Christmas and have now completed five gifts and am almost half way done with the sixth. Each gift is a joy to knit and I try to think many kind and positive thoughts about each receiver while I'm knitting his or her present. So in a way, this year's presents will end up having giving me a lot, too. Oh, and The Rye sock pattern is free on Ravelry and I can now recommend it for inexperienced, wannabe sock knitters. Simple and lovely. 

This weekend's nature adventure was shared with our dear friends. At first we opted for a mountain hike (suitable for kids) but due to too much snow on the trail we backed out of that. Instead we took to Lake Hafravatn and had a picnic. Some went for a walk, some threw rocks into the lake, some drank a lot of coffee and soaked up the sun and talked and talked and talked. (I did that). Úlfur tested the waters a little too vigorously  and had to change clothes. It was one of those moments where I really feel like "someone's mother". Someone's not-so-understanding-totally-annoyed-and-yelling mother. It turned out all right though, and we forgot about the whole thing minutes later. Still, I thought about it a little before going to bed last night, how impatient and unfair I had been. It is a reminder that keeping up with school and gift making counts for something but what really counts is being able to control myself in moments of parenting challenges. I'm keeping that in mind today. 

I hope you all had a good weekend! 

all spring and ocean

Can you spot Úlfur in the hammock?

Romi's Mystery Shawl 2015

Pattern: Rosemary (Romi) Hill

Yarn: Tusindfryd Engleuld

Needle: 4.0 mm

I am very satisfied with this shawl. The process was fun, not all mkals include such enjoyable knitting. And I really like the colors, I chose them carefully to be added to my wardrobe, kinda felt I needed that combination in a shawl... 

I had planned on photographing my freshly finished, washed and blocked shawl on Friday but somehow my body decided to catch a horrid cold, something that rarely happens, so I had to stay inside Friday afternoon and all of Saturday. Photos were postponed, that's fine. But what was worse was my cabin fever. I have this thing were I just have to go outside for a iittle walk or run or bike ride or whatever every day. It's probably my healthiest obsession, but an obsession none the less. Going outside is the key to every mood swing, every bad hair day, every disappointment and frustration. So this afternoon, with the sun shining and my cold much better after two days of staying inside I was more than eager to get out! We went for a long family walk in our "backyard" the seaside. It's not technically our backyard (oh, I wish) but so close it might almost just as well be. The smell in the air was all spring and ocean. Mmmmm. We got a few nice photos of the shawl, took turns relaxing in that awesome rustic hammock by the shore and then went all the way down to the sea. A perfect afternoon. 

this town called City

Last Thursday, to celebrate the beloved First Day of Summer, we had the day off. Daycare and schools were closed and people headed downtown to enjoy the holiday and various festivities. We did, as well. I enjoyed snapping photos of our city bathed in sunlight even though it was really rather cold (and later that day it actually snowed a little - hah!). The population of Reykjavík is only around 200.000 people so it wouldn't really be a city if it were situated elsewhere...more of a town, I think. Still, it's the capital of Iceland and it's what we've got. It can be too small most of the time but just small enough at other times. And when the sun is shining it's really quite lovely. 

first grey, then green

Now, what could possible be so exciting?

Why, of course: A cat! My cat-crazy daughter spends 90% of playground time looking for and chasing cats. She presses her face against the yard fences and actually meows. And then, when she spots one, she lets out a high pitched "HI!" and runs towards it. To this day I have not yet seen a cat respond to this excited baby with anything else but making a run for it. But, oh, she tries. I need to get that kid a cat!

We are in this in-between season time when winter has left the neighborhood all grey (and full of trash, this city is in dire need of spring cleaning after all the storms we've been having...) but there haven't been any sunny spring days yet to bring out the green color again. Only a few lonely crocuses and warmer winds are here to remind us that my favorite season is about to take over. Still, it's nice to head to the playground in lighter clothes and just imagine all the grey turn to green... hopefully very very soon.