The Bleak Midwinter

It's been awhile since I posted last. 
I try to be an organized person; keep the house cleaned, the meals cooked, the family fed, the designs flowing.....but at some point, you just run out of time at the end of the day.

But at the moment, I'm taking a few minutes from housecleaning, to sit here at the kitchen table watching the snow falling in what is historically (oh, this year is no different) my least favorite time of year.  When you live in the Northern Midwest, the winter months can really seem to drag on forever.
Now, because I'm a knitter and a spinner, I suppose the politically correct thing would be to say, in a cheerful voice, that  "it's just more time for knitting", but the reality is, I get flat out cabin fever crazy.
Of course, I could get outside and enjoy the snow and I do, but when you have 2 little ones, they only last so long in the sub zero temperatures.

With all of this being said, I've been spending a lot of time thinking of what I'll be doing with my flower garden this year, and how I plan to re-establish the landscaping that I went crazy tearing up in the fall.
In my perfect world, where I have a very green thumb and great success with plantings, my garden would resemble that of my idol, the fabulously eccentric Tasha Tudor.
Besides painting, writing children's books, dressing in period clothing and pretty much, just being the coolest person to ever have lived, Tasha grows some of the most beautiful garden that has ever been grown.

I grew up daydreaming through picture books of Tasha's gardens, home and illustrations and still find myself getting lost in them every time I'm lucky enough to stumble upon them.

This year, I'm planning to load the front of my porch with bounties of white hydrangea bushes.  I've transplanted my peonies to the back of the yard since keeping them near the house has brought some unwanted ant friends.  I also want to spend more time properly arranging the flowers so that they grow in perfect seasonal time, so that I always have pretty cut flowers for my kitchen.

Le sigh.  (the snow has just picked back up outside and my husband has just put down my fresh cup of tea.

Well, I don't suppose any post would be complete without letting you know about some of the things I've been working on in the world of fiber.

First, I released a cloche pattern called Downton Girl that pays tribute to my favorite show (and I know I'm not alone here!) Downton Abbey.

I've also come up with a lush cowl, hat and mitts set that uses a really fun textured pattern that is surprisingly simple.

At the moment, I'm working to finish up a comfortable cardigan that I'm going to call Fezziwig.
I've added cables at the back that create a nice, gentle shaping at the small of the back, but my favorite part about the sweater is the deep, truly functional, set in pockets.
I'm always grateful for a place to safely toss my phone or keys when I'm loading and unloading my 2 favorite wee people in and out of the car.

These photos show my "rough draft".  In the next few weeks I'll be posting photos of the finished version in the every squishy Quince and Co, Osprey yarn.