Handmade Feelings

 When you buy something made by a person,

there is something special there, and you do feel it.

The consciousness with which a thing is made

is often more important than the thing itself.

- J. Donald Waters

I agree with that first part, for sure: when you hold something made by hand, it is special, and you do feel it.

In the process of rebranding Balm & Honey in time for this spring's big honey/candle/soap/lotion introduction, I was told to write 150 words or less on what my little business is about. Uhhhhh... hmmm. It took awhile. Eventually, I typed: 

Balm & Honey came from a heart-aching yearn for simple, authentic products. 

We knit, keep bees, make soap, and dip candles for beloved customers.

It isn't quite what I'm going for, but it's a start.

Last week, I finally (!!) received an invitation to venture inside Ms. Nell's house. Oh, y'all. That place came straight out of a book. Everything she has tells a story... is a story. Whether we were standing in her little sitting room with the coal burning fireplace, or chatting in the huge, bright kitchen, every item came from someone or was made by someone. You could feel it in her house- that special feeling. She knits, too, so we compared handknit cloths. What is that intangible presence we sense when holding something another has made? It's recognition, maybe, that the thing had a life even before it got to us. That someone, somewhere, used their breath and brain and being to add something to the world that wasn't there before, and never would have been had they not been born. Ugh. Call me ridiculous, but I don't know if there's a way to overstate how much this means to me.

Anyway. A big batch of colorful, handknit cloths is in the shop and ready to start their life with someone new. Hurry over if you want to take a peek... five have already sold since I started typing this post!

Wishing you that handmade-special-feeling sort of day. -Brin

Knitting for Nephew

I got word yesterday that my first niece/nephew could arrive any moment now. My youngest brother and his wife are expecting a little boy... the first grandchild of the family. Excited isn't even the word. Thrilled isn't even the word. Already, this baby boy is well loved.

Following a popular design on Pinterest, I sewed the little one some burp cloths. They were great fun to stitch and turned out sturdy and sweet, I thought. Once those were gifted, I set about knitting. The first soft and squishy thing off my needles was this little hat: simple, standard, no frills. My brother is adamant about the no-frills bit for his son... and my sister-in-law is a fan of anything orange, so this seemed appropriate.

I've also recently gotten my hands and eyes on a copy of Knitting Gifts for Baby. Oh. These designs are completely wonderful. I'm actually off to the yarn store here in a bit to find some yarn for a little jacket... and a rattle... and maybe that blanket.... ... There just isn't enough yarn or time in the world, you know? 

Speaking of time, can you believe it's already mid-October? It's alarming how quickly these days are slipping by!

Hope today finds you well, friend. Happy Wednesday! -Brin

P.S. This post contains an Amazon affiliate link, but I'm not connected in any way to the author/publisher and my love for this book (and resulting recommendation) is my own, of course, and given without any compensation.

Real

That's the thing with handmade items. 

They still have the person's mark on them, 

and when you hold them, you feel less alone. 

-Aimee Bender

Those words. They're perfect. They resonate strongly with me. It's the reason, I think, that I drag home old furniture. The reason I search out pillow cases with wobbly stitches at thrift stores. It's why cakes from bake sales taste better than the store's... why cuttings from a neighbor's yard take root as nursery plants wither... and why uneven, thick bars of hand-poured soap clean better than bargain brands.

It's why I like to keep knitted and sewn and stitched and carved and painted things around me: they are real. Someone made them. They have a life that other things don't have. When you turn them over in your hands, you see soul. Not MADE IN CHINA.
 

I live in a community where handmade hasn't quite taken hold. There are no CSAs here. No one's going off grid or urban gardening or championing the small guys. The big box stores are crowding in by the dozens and folks are thrilled. And yet, the undercurrent of real still grabs some of us and pulls us down into the vast, deeply connected world where people make, grow and create.

Pull, current, pull. 

There are more handknit dish cloths in my shop today. For those who have purchased lately, thank you. Thank you for your patronage and kindness. For those looking for a small way to support the handmade movement, here's a discount for you: enter code HANDMADE at checkout for 10% off your order, and bonus savings for additional Balm and Honey purchases. 

Here's to handmade. Here's to all who create, and to all who support those who do. Here's to filling our lives and home and hearts with things that are real. -Brin

House Helper GiveAway!

If you've been around My Messy, Thrilling Life any time at all, you know: folks around here adore handmade. 

One of the things that's stayed consistent throughout the 10 years of this blog is the popularity of the handknit cloth. We can't get enough! (I'm secretly afraid that the one thing I'll be remembered for after I die is handknit dish cloths. Really. *sheepish grin*) No matter the color, shape, or style, we just can't seem to get our hands on enough of these handmade goodies.

That's one reason I'm excitedly happy to announce that my beloved shop, Balm and Honey, has reopened! I have many cloths already knitted... and piles of yarn ready to knit... into these special cloths that have made dish washing, bathing, and chores so much more pleasant.

If you haven't had the pleasure of using these beauties around the house, I want to give you a chance to see what the fan craze is about. On Friday, I'll give one lucky reader a cloth of their choice from my shop. Simply comment below and tell me your favorite handmade item in your house, and you'll be entered to win! Tweet, Pin, or Instagram this post, and comment again to have your name entered twice.

Don't want to wait, or see a cloth you want before it's gone? Bring home some of this happy knitting for yourself by clicking here and entering promo code SWEETSUMMER15 for 15% off your purchase through the end of the week.

 I appreciate your readership and presence here more than I can say. Thank you for meeting here, for sharing my life, and supporting this home renovation. 

Thanks, and happy shopping. Good luck! -Brin

Finishings and Startings

We closed on the house. It seemed surreal. There were seven of us around that conference table- talking frantically, shuffling papers back and forth, and checking and double checking lines before we signed. Someone had placed a bowl of Godiva strawberry chocolate squares in the middle of the table before our meeting and there wasn't a single one left when we all stood up. 

Instead of exchanging keys at the end, we exchanged phone numbers. And finally, we got a chance to talk to the seller without the pretense of being yard sale shoppers. In fact, we walked through the house with her and listened to her stories. She explained the attic's two wooden floors, saying that the home had been a two story and, just like Freeman House, had been converted to a one story years ago. She showed me a pipe that needs to be fixed. She unboxed the dining room's original crystal chandelier that someone had taken down long ago. I left so, so eager to move in and tackle all the things she couldn't. It's my house now, after all.

Until then, I'm being an incredible organizer. I am examining every item we own. I'm selling and donating some things. I'm re-framing and re-upholstering and re-staining other things. Today I'm washing every blanket, comforter, and sheet I have and boxing them all. Then, and only then, will I attempt to organize and pack my yarn stash. Omgosh. The yarn stash. 

Good thing there's a wooden floored attic at the new house.

Speaking of yarn, I finished the pillow I was working on a few weeks back. A quick seed stitch and it was done. I couldn't get a good picture with all the dark/stormy weather we've been having- and it looks rather ridiculous here- but you get the idea. I ended up giving it to my Mom on Sunday. She got new furniture and it seemed to fit her house.

So I'm here, washing, packing, selling, and dreaming. We're just two weeks away from the insanity of a new restoration. This week, I'll let you in on the name and the history of the house. I'll show you a few shots inside. Meet me back here?

Let the fun begin! -Brin

Quiet January Life

Make it your goal to live a quiet life, 

minding your own business and working with your hands...

-1 Thessalonians 4:11

In keeping with the whole "quiet life" thing, the plan this weekend is to make soup, knit, read, look through seed catalogs for flowers to grow this spring, and stay warm. It's the best time of year to take things slow and steady, isn't it?

Have a warm and blessed weekend. -Brin

Hats and H-U-G-S for the Homeless

Knitting not only relaxes me,

it also brings a feeling of being at home.

-Magdalena Neuner

I have been knitting a lot this summer. A LOT. Like my fingers are on fire. I knitted Alicia's bunny dress and a gorgeous cowl and, most recently, hats.

Hats, hats, hats. Big hats, baby hats, hunting hats, soft hats, and... 'homeless hats'.

You may remember a few years back when Renee, the homeless lady, moved in with me for a while. Since, I've had homeless friends who have shared their hearts and their concerns- safety, having enough, family, being wanted. (Turns out, we're all the same.) But you know one thing I keep hearing? That people need socks. Underwear. And with fall quickly approaching, hats and gloves.

I feel as though I need to do something. I need to do more.

If you're a knitter/crocheter and want to help, I know folks who will gladly accept your donations of handmade hats and gloves. Please get in touch if you're interested.

In the meantime, I'll be here knitting and feeling grateful for my home and praying for those who have none. Me, and my supervisor Maggie. 

*wink*  -Brin

Sick Day

Sick, I think, so I'm taking a slow day.

Here I sit with the ottoman, covered with my chocolate brown blanket (a gift from the beloved Sall). Chai tea is steaming, tissues are nearby. I'm reading this. I'm flipping through this and making plans to copy the Ralph Lauren room for my new little study/home office. They look odd in this picture, but I adore those dark walls.

Also getting some knitting done. How appropriate that it's the makings of a hot water bottle cover? It's this one, by Sarah Dallas. I can't wait to finish and show you, but it may be a week or two.

(No, it's not your eyes. My camera's playing out on me. Must, must get a new one for Christmas!)

Millie's under the weather, too. A nasty allergy. Poor thing had to get a cortisone shot. I heard chocolate labs are prone to skin rashes and allergies. Is this true? She's at my feet, gnawing on a peanut butter-flavored dog chew. And sighing. Lots of doggy sighing down there.

The tea's cold. Going to risk getting up for a warm refill. The heat doesn't get turned on until Friday and I have to carefully plan trips outside my cozy cover comfort....

Hands

So I've jumped on board with the wristwarmer craze. How could I not? Over the weekend I began working up a knitted prototype using stash yarn. I still need to finish out the thumb hole... and work out the pattern... but I think I'll be very happy with these. (Click your colors and your row preferences in Biscuit and Jam's Random Stripe Generator and get stiching. Easy!)

Hands. While using mine to make something to keep them warm this winter, I began studying my ole mitts. I've always loved hands. Grandma's hands. My piano teacher's hands. That guy I (stupidly) married's hands. Some soft, some skilled, some capable. I have a thing for hands.

Have you heard this song? Your Hands? It's a big favorite on the iPod right now. I listened to it all morning on repeat.

As I go about my day, using my hands, it's good to know I never leave His....

I'm a bundle of nerves lately and so have turned, with increasing desperation, to my knitting needles. It's therapy. Comforting, happy therapy. The result? Something new for my Etsy shop: a collection of handknit hats, each embellished with vintage ribbons and buttons. They're so perfect for upcoming blustery days. I love these. I just love these.

Would talk more, but feel one of those How in the world is this all going to work out without me dying first? headaches coming on. Better go find those knitting needles again. ...

"Nevertheless" with Scarflettes

I'm knitting a scarflette out of Italian wool the color of smoke. In my mind, sometime this autumn I'll wind it around my neck and grab a thermos of spice-scented apple cider and kick through painted leaves. With Millie. Another day I'll wear it home from the restaurant and market where I now work, it draped carelessly about my neck and a muffaletta tucked in crisp brown paper underneath my arm. Scarflettes and muffalettas go together, for obvious reasons.

Yes, I'm working full time at a small but frantically busy deli and gourmet market tucked in the corner of four states: Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. (The license plates tacked onto cars in the parking lot are from everywhere.) I work back in the kitchen with the chef, handling big orders and catering. On one hand I don't mind it so much. On the other hand, I hate it with every Italian wool fiber soon-to-be on my being. This is a waste, I tell myself everyday when I'm making the 45-minute commute. A waste of an expensive education, talent and hard-won experience. But a job is a job. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

.......................

Nevertheless is a big word with me right now. Do you ever have those? Big words? A word that keeps presenting itself... first you read it, then someone says it, then you hear it on the radio or on TV or on the street. Nevertheless is mine. I got foolish and bold two weeks ago and decided I'd be very angry at God. I was outside in the dark, lying on a trampoline and staring at stars and giving Almighty God the what-for. What could You possibly be thinking? I asked Him. How could You let me lose my love, my career, my car, my house, my bakery, some family and all my dreams so close together? If this Your idea of "all things work for together for good", You can keep Your good, I told Him.

Nevertheless, He said, gently.

You make no sense to me, I said back.

..........................

Nevertheless. Of course I've been confused. See, it's like this: I have been looking at the hard, bitter things in my past and realizing they don't add up to happy. But I'm learning. I'm seeing that I've been looking at circumstances backwards. The question isn't how God can let bad things happen to good people. It's how God could let something so good happen to bad people. Messed up people like me. I'm learning that having a relationship with God... that being a Christian... doesn't mean an American-dream life. It does mean walking through life - griefs and all - with a Comforter. With someone who never, ever forsakes you. Even when you, the work of His very hands, lie underneath His stars and tell Him, with the very breath He gave you, that He's blown it big time. Not even then.

Nevertheless. Even though life is hard, unexplainable and sometimes downright heartbreaking, nevertheless I will praise Him. In an Italian wool scarflette, on my back on a trampoline under the stars, I can say to God: God, I can't figure you out. I can't see how You'll work out my life to make something good. Nevertheless, I will praise You. And nevertheless, I will trust You until the end.

..........................

In the meantime, I'll go to work and make muffalettas, I guess.

(In case you're wondering, my scarflette pattern is a variation of the pattern here. Oh. And this little ditty was a good read for this time in my life.)

Did Someone Say "Knitting Classes"?

A little birdie told me there are some Dallas/Fort Worth ladies interested in learning to knit. How exciting, then, that KnittyBitty classes are starting in March! Here's the low-down:

What: knitting classes!
Who: anyone age 12 and up
When: beginning March 2, 2009

The following classes are available and now open for registration:

Mother & Daughter Knitting

Knitty Bittys (ages 21 and up)

New Knitters (beginners only)

Teen Knit (ages 12-17)

Registration for all classes runs through Saturday, February 21, 2009. Seats are limited so act fast to reserve your spot! Additional classes are available for private groups (friends, churches, clubs, etc.). For more information, check out the new KnittyBittys Blog or email me at: brin@freemanhouse.org.

Hope to see you there! -Brin

The Long Winter

I've been out of town this week. Hope you didn't worry.

Babies. Babies! They're popping out everywhere. With no less than three friends due in the past or coming week, I've been knitting like crazy Aunt Purl. I managed to get several soft little washcloth sets done, as well as a few hats and tiny blue booties. Poor little January babies... the world must seem awfully cold to them.

Speaking of the cold, I read a most inspiring article today. An article that tweaked my thinking in the midst of The Long Winter (as I'm calling this one now). John Piper is a favorite, and his words on our "economic downturn" quieted my heart and had me whispering a soft amen. I needed those words. Something about this winter had me turning sour inside... maybe it was the bitter cold inside Freeman House. Or getting so sick. Or the frustration and despair over not finding a job. Could be the anniversary of my divorce, too. Whatever it was, I bathed in Piper's words and those scriptures like I was standing under their foamy fall. God will take care of us. God will take care of you. God will take care of me. He will. He just will.

And, as we know: no winter lasts forever.

I'm headed out of town again and away from the computer for several days. Hope you all are well and warm, wherever this finds you tonight. -Brin

Warm, Pretty Thoughts

Thank you for all the thoughts and wishes and prayers you've sent my way. I'm still here - not prettily standing atop books with fairy lights, unfortunately - but rather under six quilts, clutching a mug of vanilla hot cocoa and thinking all the warm, pretty thoughts I can. But as soon as I feel better, I might look for a room this beautiful and try balancing on books. We'll see.

Doesn't that picture just make you think pretty Christmas thoughts? Maybe it's the medicine, but it does me. I found this shot in Handknit Holidays, a book I added to my Christmas wish list a bit ago. (Along with this and then this Christmas album. Have you heard Sara Groves?) Anyway, can you believe those socks? If I was a good friend or all-around great girl, I'd knit you all a pair of those socks and send them along with a strand of fairy lights. Then we could all balance on top of books and feel warm and pretty and maybe, if only for a moment, our worlds would be a tiny bit better. If only for a moment.

Okay. Shutting this pretty party down. I've reread this post 17 times and get more confused each time. (On the paragraph above, I had "tiny better bit better" written, and was nearly in tears trying to figure out how to fix it.) Oh dear. What am I even doing on the internet, anyway?

I'm going back to my ethereal music and warm sock thoughts. Meet you back here Monday. -Brin

(By the way, check out these fairy lights made from paper egg cartons. Delightful! I'm definitely trying these after the new year...)

Handmade Christmas

You should be here this afternoon. It's about to rain and the trees are lit. Christmas music is playing and outside the wavy glass windows the wind is blowing. Cookies are in the oven and the kettle is on. And, if you get around the mile-high pile of packages awaiting the postal truck, it's somewhat cozy in here.

I've knitted so many House Helper Sets this holiday season that I'm sure I'll be sick if I have to do another. Madelyn ordered 14 sets as gifts, which I was thrilled to do. I finished her pile the week of Thanksgiving and have since been working on five others. They'll land in the Freeman House Shop tonight. After that I'm retiring from knitting. At least for a week.

This past weekend a car-load of folks and I drove to Jefferson for the annual Christmas Candlelight Tour. We stood in the cold and waited to traipse through the beautiful old homes (and one restored Civil War saloon) and get Christmas decorating ideas. I have such an enormous crush on Jefferson. If you've never been, you must. Make plans to go next year. My favorite house on this season's tour was the Sagamore, a circa 1852 home built exactly like Freeman House. (You can see it by clicking on the Tour link above.) Although the rule for all houses on the tour is natural decorations and candlelight only... no artificial or electric nonsense... the Sagamore went a step further and displayed only period decorations. There were bowls of apples and cranberries and nuts. There were stockings and pastries. There were swags of greenery and berries and pine cones. There were rag balls and a simple tree. And the candles and fires in the fireplaces were wonderful. The four of us stood huddled around the dining room fire and I felt like I was living a homespun Christmas, Charles Dickens' style. Lovely. I adored that night.

As much as I'd love a sit-and-chat, I must be off. Two enormous party trays await henrybella's brownies, cookies and truffles, and for some odd reason, the goodies won't make themselves. Ah well. It's the handmade things that are best after all. Whether we're talking knitting, decorations or food, handmade is always best. ...

Block Party

It's October. Already. Time, I suppose, for me to get going on Christmas gifts. Hard to believe, but considering the ever-growing circle of family and friends that surrounds me, I'll find myself in a pinch if I don't start now.

So this week I dragged out some knitting needles and a ball of puffy, soft blue yarn and went to work. It's a simple, simple knit... rib stitch, no tassels, no frills. I finished it in two evenings and tossed it on the back of the couch to block later.

Blocking is a technique often used by knitters to reshape or resize a project. It generally involves using water or steam to coax a piece into the look you want. I've heard time and time again not to block ribbing or cables because it can flatten and ruin them. Oh well. I do it anyway. Always seems to work out okay for me.

This week has been busy, as usual, and a family issue has made it stressful. After relaxing and watching the debate tonight, I'm leaving Freeman House tomorrow and expect to be gone several days. Sure did want to get to those Sugar Shoes, but maybe next week. They're worth the wait.

So there you have it from here. From the quiet little block party. Hope you have a wonderful Friday and weekend. -Brin

Miscellaneous: Fall, Scarf, Bean Stains, and My Rebuttal

The scarf from the other day, finished. I thought of it this morning because it actually, truly feels like fall today. I just turned off the ceiling fans and am considering putting on a sweater. Imagine that... cool weather in Texas in September. Unbelievable.

See the shirt behind the scarfed mannequin? I have to tell you this story. Last week, I had the pleasure of joining a friend and Leigh McLeroy for dinner. As in, I rode with them to this white-cloth Mexican restaurant, we ate, and while our friend ran an errand, Leigh and I went to the bookstore and did that, "Have you read this? What did you think of ...?" thing that girls do in a bookstore. I had to blink a few times just to be sure: was I really there talking books with the author of A Beautiful Ache and The Sacred Ordinary? Yep. Unbelievable.

But back to the restaurant. I ordered chicken something with rice and beans. It came and I ate carefully, trying to avoid the water spills or roll flingings I am famous for. (Scott - remember the time my buttered roll flew from my plate and hit Senator Sam Nunn in the back of the head?) Oh yes. I was carefully eating and thankful they don't serve rolls at Mexican restaurants when suddenly a forkful of refried beans dropped, in slow motion, on my beautiful new shirt. There was no getting around it gracefully: in front of my favorite writer I had dropped a glob of beans on my bust.

But it gets worse. I was in a bad way, also, that day, and so when the car stopped at Target so our friend could run in to look at bicycles, I knew the following: that I really needed some Kotex and that our little grocery store would be closed by the time I got home. I had to get it then. Had to. So I slipped the neon green package in my little carry-around basket and plopped a big book on top and was relieved to have it done. Of course, at the checkout I had to explain that yes, I had beans on my pretty shirt and yes, I was having to buy some bathroom things. Sorry, Leigh. I had to laugh and welcome her to my messy, thrilling life. What else could I do?

But I digress. Fall. Aren't you glad it's almost here? (I'm ready for the cooler weather and the sweaters it mandates, if for no other reason than they're great for covering up bean stains.) Yes, autumn. Soon I'll be planting garlic and lettuces. Harvesting pumpkins and green tomatoes. (Excuse the gardening talk. This is, I'm told, an "art and gardening" blog.)

Speaking of. Here's a quick word about the weekend blogging that took place on my site: I am deeply touched by those rushed to my defense... or at least the defense of folks who enjoy the right to say whatever they wish on their respective blog(s). (Isn't that freedom what makes blogs so pleasing? That we all have different ideas, opinions, projects, and causes?) To those who disapproved of my mention of politics and "religion" on this site, I can only assert that I make no apologies for my political position, faith, or my decision to frankly discuss the issues and beliefs I hold dear. I am appalled by the readers who tried to put me or this blog in a box of their own expectations. I am disappointed by the insinuations that women who create and garden can't also be women who advocate and campaign. What an infuriating, one-dimensional view of a woman's capabilities and rights!

(Also, it was interesting to note that some of those who chose to comment did so anonymously without signing their name. How awful to have opinions but not be bold enough to put your name to them! Therefore, for the purpose of fair and open discussions, I have disabled anonymous commenting on this forum. It saddens me because some of my favorite commenters: my Aunt Mindy "Auntie M" and friends Sara, Amber, and Grace, all commented anonymously.)

Whew. Okay. So now you're up to date: the weather's cool, the scarf is done, the bean stain's off my shirt, I've responded to both my clan and my critics, and I explained the changes to my comment forum. Anything else?

Oh yeah. Sarah Palin. I cried and clapped during her speech last night. Wasn't she... and her message... wonderful?

*We now return to our regularly scheduled art and gardening blog.* Grin.

A Quiet Life

Anything for a quiet life.

-Thomas Middleton

This has been the cry of my ever-running and over-exerted feet and heart lately: anything for a quiet life.

Gustav brought wind and rain, but not nearly what we anticipated, thank God. He's been gentle on us. Unrelenting but calm. Compared to Katrina, I think Gustav rather spared us and I'm grateful.

Having emptied a gallon jar of leaking roof water in the back hall this morning, I now have a tin pail under the drip. Every thirty seconds or so I hear the plunk of another drop. It's so quiet, save that dripping. The stillness is comforting.

I'm working on a new quilt... a postage stamp quilt. I really, really love these. I have squares of fabric from Alicia. I have bits of material from old night gowns and shirts, bags and blankets. I even have a dress in there from one of my childhood dolls. At night, just before I go to sleep, I quietly line up the squares and piece them together. I've been delighted to watch this beauty take shape. (Yesterday I decided to put a twin bed in a corner of the study. This quilt will blanket that bed and I'm sure it will be my favorite.)

For those who've asked, I'm also preparing five more House Helper bundles to hit the Freeman House Shop on Etsy by the weekend. The one I'm doing today will be a baby set. Precious.

So there's your update: rain, dripping, quiet, quilting, knitting. There's also a pan of homemade brownies in the oven.

Anything for a quiet life.

Summer Fair, A House Helper Collection

I adore these pretties. House Helpers is what I call them. They're handknit cloths... the softest, most durable, most absorbent ones to ever grace a sink, cleaning bucket, bag or car. Stop by Freeman House and I guarantee you'll find them peeking out of all sorts of corners: kitchen corners, bathroom corners, laundry corners, cleaning corners, Millie corners. I keep... and use... them everywhere.

And now you can, too. I have seven sets up for grabs at the Freeman House Shop on etsy, just in time for wrapping up our summers and getting cozy for fall. They make great hostess gifts, friend gifts, or "I'm having a bad day and I need this" gifts. And all the proceeds go to save this historic house, so you can feel even better about snatching a few up. (wink)

Happy shopping! -Brin

**Update: Wow! Those went quickly! I'll have five additional sets up for grabs next week, so if you missed out yesterday, stay tuned. And thanks, lucky House Helper grabbers, for the support!**

Quiet Friday Night

It's turning fall here. Or it feels as though it is. It's been rainy and dark and I've only had to turn on the air conditioner once. Amazing for Texas in August.

If you've read this blog awhile, you know autumn is my favorite time of year. I love the ciders and the hot chocolates. The sight of burnt-colored leaves hurrying by billowing, quilted throws on the line. I adore football and Autumn in New York. I like the chilly evenings and the warm fires. There's something magical about pumpkins and Indian corn and hay rides. And I appreciate the excuse to turn on the oven and cook things long and slowly. You can have summer; fall is my time.

In the bottom of a knitting basket I found two skeins of orange yarn. It was reason enough: I'm taking tonight off, staying home, cooking dinner, watching the Cowboys and knitting a scarf for fall.

And playing with the puppy. Hasn't she grown? My ever-by-my-side, rosemary-thieving Millie. She's glad to be home, I think, running about and kicking up leaves that are already falling outside the kitchen door. This dog has the sweetest temperament. She's parked beside me now as I type, chewing her bone and looking up at me every so often. Soon she'll be ready to go out again. Perhaps it will stop raining long enough for a walk.

We'll hope so.

If you need us tonight, we'll be here, camped out by the windows in the library, watching the rain and eating Dark Chocolate Bread Pudding and knitting.

Happy weekend. -Brin

P.S. If you love fall as I do, treat yourself to this book. You'll treasure it more every year. Simply titled, Autumn is a heart-warming collection of quotes, recipes, and ideas to settle yourself in for a beautiful fall.