Happy 2026

As we enter the new year there are things we have to remember. The year 2025 was not a normal year for the country. There are very for lack of better words broken, cruel and greedy politicians in our nation’s capital. They spew hate like they did not learn the rules of society in kindergarten.  They lack the mindset of “ if you help and raise a person up you make a better world “. They lack the ability to understand that if you treat the planet with contempt we all will experience the consequences of climate change.  

Now on to what we can and must do to help each other.  First let’s start with the things that don’t cost a penny but can make an impact in people’s lives. Smile at each other. Say hello to people. Complement someone even if you do not know them, such as they look nice today. Open doors for people. Thank people for opening doors for you and wish them a good day. Be extremely nice to the helpers in our community like food service workers, store cashiers, please don’t yell at them if you are having a bad day.  If you are on line and you like an artist work but you can’t afford it, share their work with your friends and followers. If money is tight and you have a favorite small business just say you like their store and give the address and what you like about the store.  

If you are a creator make a few things that can be used by others in your community.  I personally make scarfs and hats to give to a children’s clothing bank. See if your place of worship has community outreach programs. Save your spare change in a jar, when it is full give it to a charity that benefits people in your community like the food bank, after school programs, programs benefiting veterans, the homeless, sick children.  Volunteer your time.  The list is endless.  

We don’t need Washington, to make our community and country a better place.  

We don’t have the ability to fix the entire world alone. We do however have the ability to fix one thing at a time. Please try to be the change that heals our community and make it better with on act of kindness at a time. 

May everyone have a healthy, happy and prosperous new year. 

A New Project

 Since last week when I distributed 8 cubic feet of yarn to my friends, John did not mind me starting a new shawl instead of grabbing and finishing a UFO.  I was at three different combinations of yarn and John chose the colors he liked.  I spent the evening winding 4 new cakes of yarn. The first skein was knotty. When the forth skein when the yarn started getting wonky, I used my right knee to keep the yarn on the squirrel cage. I am going to knit my pattern Grandmas Summer Shawl, this time in a DK weight since the pattern knit up so well with a worsted weight and U.S. size 10.5 by 50 inch circular knitting needles.  I am thinking about a U.S. size 7 for the new shawl.  

I know that I said I would not start a new project until all the UFO’s were finished.  However all I have are summer weather shawls in progress.  It is now frequently getting below 70° and I need some warmer shawls that fit me. I distributed all the shawls that were too big so now I only have one winter shawl.  I will need at least 2.  Hence the new project.  

New Bibs

 I rarely make bibs anymore, even though I really love them.  Health issues have zapped my energy.  I can’t even figure out how much energy I will have from one hour to the next. Take to day for instance.  I finished sewing the last bib. Then packed the box. Folded one load of laundry and I am now exhausted.  I will mail them out tomorrow.  

Below is a picture of the bibs.  I am afraid it is not one of my best pictures.  

Low on Spoons Today

 Today started off with the beginnings of a migraine at 4 am.So I started a load of non fussy laundry.  Brewed a small pot of tea. While the tea was brewing I managed to empty most of the dishwasher.  Then the tea was ready.  With some tea and oatmeal, I was able to catch the migraine before it got too bad. The thing I have learned about migraines is they need to be stopped before the light show kicks in.  I had enough caffeine in me to allow me to sleep until 10 am after breakfast.  By the time I woke up John took care of the things I did not finish left on sticky notes. 

The rest of the day was spent doing tasks in 5 to 10 minute increments.  I am absolutely floored by the amount of cleaning that I can get done in 5 to ten minutes.  

John surprised me with lunch out and a trip to Chico’s to pick up some new tops.  Not all were on sale but the majority were.  This lead to picking out an equal number of shirts leaving the house.  I usually go by the one in, one out rule unless I quickly lose a lot of weight and inches. Then it is all the too big stuff out and get what I can to have at least 7 or 8 complete outfits.  This might take a couple of trips.  I have not had one of those since March 2024 when I got sick. So I am actually wearing out clothes.  

John and I made a fresh batch of homemade stew.  John cleaned and chopped the vegetables.  I cooked and seasoned.  The recipe for my stew is on the blog. Just look up the keywords beef and stew. Although I have made it with chicken too. Basically you can choose any meat your family likes or is within your budget. Conversely you can use all the vegetables and add beans or barley to make a vegan soup. 

Now that I have cooled down, it’s time to give sleep a try.  

Recovery Mode Again

 The beginning of the week was very busy for me. Between holiday parties and appointments. I think I overdid myself. Today my body decided it was time for recovery mode. Really my body did not give me a chance to do otherwise.  I slept in till after 8 o’clock this morning and had two naps today. I also managed to do a pressure point release and massage to get my neck feeling better. My right arm is not as sore as Tuesday.  

As I get ready for bed, I can tell you that I feel so much better than I did when I woke up. This does not mean I will have a busy day tomorrow. Even though I have a ton of year end work to do. I still have all the paperwork that was supposed to do today and a little house straightening. I also have less than 100 yards of yarn left on a new shawl that I would like to finish before the end of the year. I really want to start a new shawl after that, but I have at least three shawls that need to be finished before I can start another new shawl. I also have a very large pile of finished projects that need to be photographed and logged into my Ravelry account before the 31st.  At least I can do much of that sitting down.  

I am really getting very tired with this recovery mode, it seems like all the time.  

If I don’t write a new post before the end of 2025. I would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2026.  

The Perfect Treat

 Now that the holiday season of 2025 is almost over, we are all giving a huge sigh of relief.  Now it time to take a few moments of personal time. It’s also the time to get yourself a special treat that you can use all year long.  After years of searching I have finally found my perfect slippers.  I kid you not.  Somewhere around the mid 1980’s a lot of slipper brands switched from natural fibers for slipper liners to polyester.  Since I am allergic to polyester this made decent slippers hard to find.  I was using candles for years as slippers. 

I have been wearing Haflinger clogs for quite of few years for my winter shoes.  They are nice and comfortable.  It takes at least 4 or 5 winters to wear out.  They are also stylish.  I wear the clogs with both dresses and pants.  The Haflinger Clogs are my go to travel shoes too.  This is how I found my love for the brand. 

Fast forward to October 2025. I left my black traveling shoes at my daughter’s house, because I was also using my red clogs as slippers.  I just told my daughter that I would pick up the shoes on my next visit. I also said that I would come up with a slipper solution.  

While I was looking for a replacement pair of black clogs I saw that they also carried slippers.  In my size too. There were just so many styles to choose from.  I picked out the navy slippers with colorful butterflies.  They are a felted pure new wool top and shoe insert.  They also have a rubber sole, so they do not slip and slide across the tile floors.  I ordered my usual size and the slippers fit perfectly, there is even room for warm socks or a foot brace.  

After a couple of weeks wearing the slippers, I ordered a pair to keep at my daughter’s house.  You can find the complete line at Halfinger. There is also a very limited selection on Amazon or a number of independent shoe stores. If you like to support local businesses in your area check out the shoe stores in your area.

The opinions expressed in this blog are my own. I have paid for all of my Halfinger shoes and slippers. I have not been paid by the Halfinger company to write this blog post.  I will earn a very small commission if you click on the link on this page.  

The Yarn Left the House

 Today my friends and I gathered together to celebrate and share mostly homemade gifts.  I say mostly because most of the 8 cubic feet of yarn was not hand spun my me.  Some of it was lace weight, which my hands can no longer work with.  Other yarn the colors were not right for me anymore.  Everyone was very happy with their yarn. 

I also put together a random bag of small gifts for the staff. They are so kind to us during the year, that it only seems appropriate. 

I will say that I really did over do it in the cleaning out of the yarn room. I can say redistributing the yarn made me feel a lot lighter.  Although hit me today like a brick wall.  I could do nothing but rest for 3 hours.  I was even too tired to pick up knitting needles.  

After an early shopping trip to pick up dinner and some essentials.  I plan on resting most of the day.