Of school and birthdays and life......

Well, homeschool co-op has officially begun! Marmee and Sissy are teaching knitting class (guess who forgot the camera? but remembered yarn...lol) and the kiddos are taking music theory and pre-chemistry. Here is a tell-tale sign that we are learning....3 of us are knitting and two of us are reading our new music theory books. I love it when learning is a natural outcome and not something you have to force on a child....said the smug mother...lol.
Now, I debated whether or not to let you all in on my birthday booty, but I just can NOT keep it to myself! It was the most wonderful birthday ever.
I will let you see how my family blessed me with...no, wait, showered me with gifts.
First, I got a woolee winder for my Reeves wheel, and the circumference on my Reeves wheel is so totally awesome at 93-94" versus my double treadle Lendrum, which comes in at 60". So, mass production here I come...LOL...probably not, it seems you also need something called time. Well, I will see. In the meantime, here is a picture of my new bobbin filling with my birthday fiber that I got at Coppermoose, it is called mountain magic and it is positively magical to spin!! I wish I had better lighting, this picture doesn't do the fiber justice, for sure. I already have this earmarked for the Noro sweater I want to make, it is called "Fletcher" and I am so excited to do this!! So, stay tuned for more on this two step project...first I have to finish spinning the fiber and all I have so far is what you see, lol. You might have to remember this for a while.......sorry.





The next thing I opened was this absolutely enchanting pendant. It is the most exquisite little fairy with a background of stars and a half moon.


The last thing I opened was a three-fold gift. It was 3 pieces of handmade pottery from the Renaissance Fair in Tennessee back in May.
Long time to hold on to a gift, huh? They deserve special recognition for that I think. I am terrible about getting a gift early, I immediately want to give it......sigh. So, I totally admire anyone that can do that. Although, to be fair to myself, I am starting early on Christmas gifts, and I do have a few made so far and have not given them away, so I guess I have gotten better. Anyway, here is this gorgeous bread platter and the two pitchers. So, I had a very wonderful birthday. One of the really cool parts of my birthday was the cards I got from my friends. I am so happy that I have acquired such a valuable resource-people that I treasure. Moving really makes you realize the people that you keep with you in your heart. It also helps you to realize how wonderful it is to find new people that welcome you and make you feel like you are a part of something again. The knitting group that Ashley and I joined in the spring, has been a lifeline for me. I am sure that they didn't realize what they were doing, but they were like a glass of cool water to a very thirsty person. I appreciate every one of them. They have all reached out to me and to Ashley and we are beginning to feel like we really are home again. Thank you all.

So, life goes on in the Thornton household. We are happy and we are together. That is really all that matters.