in the thick of home improvement

I am having so much fun updating our house. Lately, I've been a little mentally stressed. Not because of all of the work. Work doesn't scare me. It's the lack of a proper kitchen since our current remodel is the kitchen. Everything is kind of scattered about, so when I need a mixing spoon or a knife or a bowl or this or that, I have to search for it. Thankfully our home is small and I've just kind of shifted everything into the living room and onto the kitchen table. But still. I guess I didn't realize how much my life revolves around my kitchen until it was in a state of disarray. I've heard others speak of this when they've done a kitchen remodel.

However, it will be fabulous when it's finished. It will be a kitchen that is still tiny, but so very much me. Butcher block. White cabinets. Open shelving. I'm going for cozy and quaint, which is what I pretty much go for in all of my decorating. 

But mixed in with all of that remodeling goodness, we've had quite a busy summer. We visited our best friends in Charleston, SC. We had one of my oldest friends from childhood and her daughter (who also happens to be Lily's age) come stay with us for a while. We have had cake decorating class and electronics class. And then there is the gardening and animal care that is part of our everyday life. Oh, and we became the owner of kittens. Two of them. 

What a full summer we've had so far.

happy things

Did anyone else wake up to snow this morning?

I keep reminding myself that it's only the beginning of April, that snow in Pennsylvania this time of the year is nothing out of the ordinary.  We were just totally teased with those 70 degree, sunny days. That weather was out of the ordinary.

In the midst of my busyness, I am managing to find moments of sanity by playing with fiber and yarn. It's amazing how keeping my hands busy with fiber literally slows my heart rate and my mind. I know that not everyone would understand that, but I know that there are some who do. Yarn, fiber, wool ~ it's my happy place.

I recently ordered one skein of yarn from Buckaloo View. This particular skein was dyed with cosmos. It's a very beautiful, subtle shade of yellow/orange. I'm not convinced that this color will look good with my skin tone, but it was so, so beautiful so I will figure that out later. I'm not typically drawn to yellows or oranges, but I am drawn to natural, raw, and light, so this skein was very appealing to me.

I myself have been spinning away. I'm so happy with how my spinning has turned out. I feel so comfortable doing it now. It's no longer stressful to sit at my wheel. I no longer feel as thought I'm fighting the wheel in holding my fiber back. Rather, it just kind of glides through my fingers as I draft the fiber like it's second nature. I'm getting a nice little stack of handspun, and I'm throwing around the idea of possibly selling some of it.

My sweater. Oh this sweater. It's such an easy knit, but it's taking so long to do. Not because it's time-consuming (although it is quite a bit of stockinette stitching), but I just can't find big blocks of time to commit to it. Part of that has to do with my general schedule, but it also has to do with the fact that I'm also spinning in my spare time. I feel like I'm getting closer to the end, which really excites me. And it seems as though just maybe I'll even get to wear it before the warm weather rolls in permanently.

We've been working on decluttering and doing some very light spring cleaning. Although I don't really like the process of cleaning (translated: I rather be doing something creative), I do enjoy the lightness of a clean home. And I do LOVE to declutter. It actually thrills me. I love the feeling I get when I take boxes of things to the thrift store. I feel so much mentally lighter.

This weekend is our church's annual missions conference.  I love the missions conference. It's one of my favorite church events. We're hosting missionaries tomorrow night for dinner. These missionaries served in Holland, and we hosted them several years ago when they were back for a conference. Last year, we had missionaries from Brazil stay at our home for the weekend. My kids love listening to the stories that the missionaries always have to tell. Brad and I do too. It's just a wonderful experience and privilege to be able to open our home up to them. And it's a wonderful learning opportunity for our entire family.

Have a great weekend, ladies! Thank you for stopping by to read! I so enjoy stopping by your blogs too!