2021: 1 month down, 11 to go!

As January started I really thought I would start a writing a weekly blog post. I did just that 9 years ago and my posts were themed on gratitude all year. It was a real gift I gave myself in 2012, and I thought replicating it would be wonderful.

Well, January has come and gone and no blog post even manifested. C'est la vie! Here's to the end of January and the coldest, dimmest part of winter! Here's a recap of what we've been up to.

When the kids have different preferences, we just go halfsies! Baked oatmeal or banana oat waffles have been our go-to breakfasts this winter.

Knitted & crocheted hearts garland I finished ❤️

Yarn handicrafts have kept us cozily crafting this winter! The kids and I learned to knit and I have resumed the art of crochet. We've been trying small weaving techniques as well. Lila and Walter received hats made by me, and I made myself and my sisters earwarmer/headbands out of Bernat's velvet yarn. It has been such a pleasant way to work our way through the winter chill.

Walter and our new friend Fran are weaving on a loom. Each Friday since the last week in December we have been attending a gathering of fiber artists at the Palisade Community Center. Palisade is a beautiful little farm and wine town 20 minutes from us, where Darren's grandparents lived for many years. We love to go to Palisade and are happy to make a weekly trip! We've made new friends and become more enthusiastic about projects and honing our skills. The video below is from our friend, host, and yarn shop owner, Cayenna Hanna. If you watch it you'll see Lila's camera skills and also the three of us featured in the video about the open studio gatherings we've been attending.

In December the kids made these dancers from pipe cleaners and coffee filters. They had a really fun time making them as you used washable markers and water to create an effect that is similar to tie dye. Now they are decorating the sunporch window for February.

Another snow storm of about 3 inches was welcomed with snowman making. We made several batches of cookies throughout January, read books that Grandma sent, and played games we received for Christmas. And let's not forget the days that were gloriously sunny, with little wind! We took the scooters to the skate park by the river a few times and were so grateful for the Colorado sunshine.

Hoping your January was equally as cozy! <3