Hey friends, sorry to pop in only for an emergency, but Gwendolen (our tuxedo cat) just ate a piece of yarn, so we’re at the emergency vet to induce vomiting. We are SO CAREFUL about getting rid of stray yarn and I feel awful that she still found a piece.

Today is the day when I tackle the gigantic mess the cats made a while ago—I heard a tremendous crash followed by the scampering of little cat feet racing from the scene. Sure enough, they toppled my bin of Christmas ornaments, which are now mixed in with 10yo’s Legos. Wish me luck 🥴

I’ve posted some of these, but I realized I’ve been slowly building a collection of small landscapes over the past few months, and I can’t wait to make more! If any of these speak to you, let me know! I can also make custom pieces—this size is $65, $75 with texture details or stitching. 6” x 10”.

Happy Caturday, these gremlins were smacking each other two seconds before I took this

Y’all, re-learning to skate as an adult is hard as hell but there’s nobody I’d rather go skating with!!

In the middle of working on my highland cow, the bluebonnets started coming out in Texas, and I had to make at least one (maybe more?) piece to commemorate the moment! Hill Country Bluebonnets, 6” wide x 10” long, on a 9” dowel. $75 + shipping!

I was looking for a picture from last summer and found this one of SLINKY SKINNY babbie Gwendolen. This is mostly for @pnwcori.bsky.social because here Gwen is, yet again, looking only vaguely like the general idea of a cat, or maybe a ferret.

Petition for a moratorium on women screaming like they’re in a horror movie while a basketball player attempts a free throw

Who’s got a win to share? Big or small! And really there are no small wins—they’re all significant. “Got out of bed” is a win. “Let myself get more rest” is a win! Today I am letting myself rest because yesterday a friend helped me organize my disaster of a closet. I’m so relieved and SO tired 😂

Remember the orange cat version of this shark painting? Well, apparently menacing cats are a theme that FB Marketplace INSISTS is my aesthetic, so may I present to you, not only a black cat version, but also KITTY GODZILLA

So apparently eight years ago this silly little one was Baby Davy Crockett and honestly, how did I SURVIE HIS CUTENESS during toddlerhood???

Hi friends! I haven’t shared a Monument Selfie in a while but I figured it’s time: This is my “I made it through the trauma anniversaries” face. I’d love to see your faces! And/or something that brings you joy!

Now that it’s off the loom, this piece is available! 12” wide x 14” long, on a 15” dowel. $150 + shipping!

Finally finished this scene from the first chapter of The Silver Chair! I got intimidated by the trees months ago but last night I picked it up again & figured it out! This is inspired by the view Jill and Eustace had when the door in the stone wall at Experiment House opened onto Aslan’s Country.

Oh just thinking about how my Christian summer camp changed the words in The Lion Sleeps Tonight to The Lion CREEPS Tonight to remind us that “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour,” as if that wasn’t an absolutely BONKERS thing to get ten-year-olds to sing about

Anybody else got traumaversaries this week/month? 9yo turns ten on Thursday 😱😭🥹 and I’ve got a big traumaversary on Friday. This week is always a tricky balance between celebrating my sweet boy and being gentle with myself if my body is more limited than I’d like. I’m trying to be prepared,

Okay y’all, I tried something new yesterday and this Muppet-ish willow tree piece is the result! I love using the textures of the fibers to add interest to landscapes, but this one also kinda makes me laugh 😂

My 9yo and I do a bit where if one of the cats is scurrying off on an Important Mission, we ask if they’re late for work. “Can’t talk, got a board meeting in 5 and my presentation isn’t finished!”— Gwendolen as she races across the room and flings herself headfirst into the (closed) window

Weaving sale!!! I’m offering every piece at a discount. If you’d like to claim one, please comment “Sold!” under the piece and we’ll go from there! Every sale helps put a dent in my bills! Can piece will include price, estimated shipping cost, and dimensions of the piece. Every share also helps!!

Lessons haven’t started yet but I went skating with 9yo today! Didn’t take my phone on the ice so you’ll just have to trust that I did skate 😂 I used the “skate helper” box because my balance was awful without it but as soon as I got going WITH it, it all came back and skating felt natural!

Shelfie time!! I went ahead and reorganized all my books. Now Lewis and Tolkien and L’Engle get pride of place at the top and all my old evangelical stuff is headed…out. I’m Annoyed that I had to do this today but I’m so happy with the result!

I’d been meaning to organize my bookshelves, but maybe in a slightly less chaotic manner

Y’all, I decided to sign up for adult beginner skating lessons. 9yo is gonna be taking a second session after this one is over, and the adult class is at the same time as his lessons. Remember how last year I was in two walking boots?? I’ve been working on getting stronger to be able to skate—

This is the 4th anniversary of the day I started weaving. I’m currently working on my most daunting piece yet—one from this scene in The Two Towers. I don’t feel like I’m good enough to capture Eowyn, but I’ve learned so much since my very first piece (third photo)—maybe, maybe I can do it.

I finished this sweet little cottage the other day. It makes me think of summer! This one is available—6” wide by 10” long, $65 + shipping.

When @atinsman.bsky.social reached out about commissioning a piece for Erin, I was THRILLED. To weave a piece for a dear friend, a Blue Ridge Mountains piece at that? Of the mountains of my heart that have become more dear to me since moving away, even more dear since Erin now loves them too?? 😭😭 ➡️

NY resolution: get back on ice skates. Taking my 9yo & his friend skating today and I am DYING that I can’t join him. Today both Achilles are acting up and I don’t think I’m strong enough to skate without injury. But SOON. I’ll do all my PT exercises every day if it means I can skate with my son!

Our church gave out Star Words today—cards with different words on them to guide our year, the way the Star guided the Magi. The word I got was INNOVATE. Initially, I scowled, because that sounds very LinkedIn 😂 but I’m now thinking of it as Doing Things In A New Way, and I CAN make sense of that!

I’m very pleased to introduce you to my new butler, Miss Gwenny Penny. She’s a little new to the job and still getting the hang of things, like what to do with her hands, not staring creepily into space, things of that nature.

“Horns, horns, horns. In dark Mindolluin’s sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the North wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last.” “Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden! Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter! Spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!”

Teaching 9yo to make my family recipe apple pie!

“It’s right behind me, isn’t it.”

This may be both the tastiest and the most complicated meal I’ve ever made, and I’m tremendously proud of it! Braised beef short ribs Creamy Parmesan polenta Green beans almondine Sister Schubert rolls …and cranberry-orange custard pie coming soon! My parents LOVED it, which was a delight!

Not me wondering why I haven’t even gotten a shipping notification for one of my mom’s presents and then discovering a friendly “Complete Your Order” button when I visit the product website 🤦‍♀️

Merry Christmas, dear friends! Here’s me and 9yo with a nice Christmas picture and then one photobombed by his new Derpy stuffie (his idea 😂).

9yo got to open one present early, so he’s building a LEGO parrot right now. The kitties got their present tonight too and they’re having a lot of fun! This has been such a good day.

MEANWHILE!!! Look at these babies!!! Marjorie VOLUNTARILY came over and settled down TOUCHING Gwendolen. Absolutely unprecedented behavior as she normally either actively swats at her or ignores her. This is the sweetest Christmas present 🥹

9yo is with his dad most of the 24th and 25th, so we’re making today & tomorrow morning our festive time together! (He’ll come spend time with me and my parents on Christmas Day for presents and food.) I’m cooking all day for Christmas dinner, but we’ve got movies & hot chocolate on the docket too!

I stayed up late reading The Ministry of Time (I’m about halfway through!) and on, the delight and relief of getting absolutely lost in a book!! I needed that. Thanks to @erinjoy.bsky.social for talking it up a while ago. It was a Christmas present for myself and I am thrilled with it so far!!

I’m helping my dad get presents for my mom this year. I’m going to frame a few photos for her, but other than the small kitchen items she asked for, I’m stumped. What have y’all gotten your moms that they really enjoyed? Reference: she’s 78, cooks a lot, sings in the church choir, is from Vermont.

Y’all. I did it. I finished the busy season of BY FAR my busiest year at this job. I did it while grieving and sick and exhausted. And I did GOOD work, despite all that. I am SO RELIEVED and so so proud of myself!!

Bucket list item achieved!! Last night I had the immense privilege of saying words my friend had never heard from anyone else before: “You know, Viggo actually broke his toe when he kicked that helmet.”

Is she half asleep or did she just run headfirst into a brick wall?

No one has ever been more “innocent” than Marjorie, who FROZE long enough for me to get SEVERAL PHOTOS after catching her rolling around with this ball of yarn

Elegant lady loaf

Yes, Gwendolen, what I really wanted just now, as I rest in my kitchen chair and wait for the soup to simmer, was for you to drop your SOPPING WET MOUSE TOY down my back. What a fun, cheerful gift!!!! (Gwen seems to be unrepentant)

Light and High Beauty the piece I couldn’t have made until right now but that I absolutely NEEDED to make

I’m really bummed that instead of baking several pies (my usual Thanksgiving contribution, and often some sort of Brussels sprouts and/or roasted maple green beans/bacon situation), I’m barely able to get out of bed due to pain and fatigue. I love baking and cooking but I literally can’t right now.

Marjorie still can’t stand Gwen but maybe they are reaching an uneasy truce?? These were taken within five minutes of each other and still no face-smacks have been given!

I’m moving into the “my kid wants to stay up later than I do” phase and I am not ready! I’m a night owl! I’m not like a REGULAR mom, I’m—oh no