Gathering

Autumn has quickly and completely taken hold of the countryside surrounding my home here in Southern Ontario.  The sun shines prettily in the clear blue skies, while the crisp breeze liberates the leaves from the trees and instills the tightening of scarves and collars alike. 

I always begin gathering at this time of year as though in preparation for the long winter ahead, however it's not firewood or food necessarily that I amass around me.  Perhaps it's the thought of the snow drifts and traffic jams I associate with the winter that's to come, or perhaps it's the stimulation required for my soul to get through the ever darkening days (and November - a month I hate), but either way I gather.  I surround myself with friends and family, warmth, fireplaces alight, bubbling pots of homemade goodness, baking, children, my fluffy little doggie, Mr. Frogged, and yarn. 

This weekend has been no exception, beginning immediately Friday evening.  As a preface, we don't have any children of our own.  And to both of our moms, no we don't know if or when that will change. We haven't decided yet.  For now we are very lucky to have our furry, four-legged child who you can see was pooped from his first full week back at work with me. 

T-Dawg on our Friday night commute.

We are also blessed to have six amazing and unique nieces and nephews.  On Friday night two of our nephews were at our house for a sleepover of cuteness.  We kicked it off with homemade pizza, each child happily applying their favourite toppings with Auntie hovering behind adding extra mushrooms and green peppers when they weren't looking for the veggie factor.  As I said, we don't have kids, I don't want to give these ones back with scurvy or something.  They had a blast as was evident by the flour that laced every spare surface of my kitchen that night.  We topped it off with the Wii and chocolate sundaes before bed. 


Saturday we had pancakes and waffles for breakfast because obviously in my mind carbohydrates make children love you more.  We then bundled against the September wind and traipsed to our nearby and immense park for swinging competitions and jungle gym climbing all round.  How is it that at 26 years old my stomach still flips when I reach that climactic point of swinging when gravity kicks in and you begin the descent to earth?  Giggles ensue.  Have I mentioned I love to swing?


Contrary to the post date, today is Sunday and we went to Unionville for the day.  At the farmer's market there I bought, among other things, this darling tea cosy!  It's just like the ones my nana used to knit when I was a girl and she still knit.  And just like the ones that I continuously promise myself I will knit, but never get around to it.  This one I particularly love because the size of the pom-pom on top is something bordering between the ridiculous and the sublime.  In honour of the tea cosy, my Nana came over for a dinner of pasta with homemade sauce and stuffed peppers and a nice pot of tea, further testament to the cooler season and my mixed heritage alike. 

It's so Fluffy!

In fits and starts I have been working throughout the weekend on the bobbly blanket.  Now that my Knit Picks order is here I'm happily running through it and have completely finished my first row of bobbles already, which may actually be the "funnest" thing I've crocheted to date. 

It's not a scarf...

 

Bobble

 

I'm looking forward to much knitting, crocheting, and spinning this fall and winter.  Both to keep me nice and warm, and nice and sane.  Much as I love the autumn, the no-man's land between fruitful harvest and festive holidays causes me much anxiety.  Whether it's the diminishing daylight hours or the cooler weather, it is enough to make me stop in my tracks, click my ruby heels together, and wish for home.  And so I will continue to gather.  Gather people.  Gather food.  Gather yarn.  Gather love. 

Until next time, happy crafting.