April.

Forever in my heart and memory.
Until we meet again.
Tío Papá.

February

I just spent a good time cleaning several pairs of shoes. This may not be more than a normal activity to anyone who cares about his or her shoes except that this time I was trying to take off the memory of a month where these shoes would be taking me step by step. Since the end of January until a few days ago my life completely changed and put me in a situation of great stress. My mother spent almost a month at the hospital and the stress generated by it all is a memory difficult to erase.

Within a month my attention drifted from the normal worries of any adult dealing with everyday life towards facing life and death issues on my own where just doing my best to keeping my mother alive and sane occupied my every thought.

Now after recognizing that such period at the hospital was over the day she was finally allowed to come back home, I am still bombarded by all that I saw, heard, smelled, tasted, etc. within a month that seemed like an entire year.

Never in my life I had seen so much pain, so much sorrow and so much loss. I met people of all walks of life but mostly those whose life has been less fortunate than mine. Anyway, in a hospital, none of that matters, everybody is at the same situation, in my case I was just another family member caring for her mother. The many demonstrations of kindness that I received from people who were just strangers, those who would offer me food, or some words of comfort.....the harsh truth and grave words that would come from doctors where decisions needed to be taken on my own......the many lonely moments I spent in silence with a head full of questions and anguish......coming back to a house full of memories and desperately seeking the company of my dogs.......

Yes, indeed my shoes needed a good cleaning of everything I stepped on with them.....every step I took to help my mom, every trip up and down the four floors at the hospital to reach her side by her bed.....the many times I would have to take a break because I would feel like fainting out of already being so very tired because I was also unable to sleep. My shoes are clean now, and my legs are less soared everyday, but I will always remember this past month. All of the many two sides of a same coin......life and death, loneliness and company, cold words and warm ones, silence and noisy halls, time stopping inside a hospital and life happening out of it....the faces of the people I met at the hospital, particularly one of a new friend I made whose dear mother did not make it. I will remember the words of all those who would keep in touch with me through text messages and emails; the voice of those who even called from far away to hear me out and give me comfort. God Bless you all for that!

Now my walk is slightly different. My shoes maybe clean now but my step has remembered again how fraile life can be, and this, far from being sad is a life lesson. Time is precious, seize the day!

Nature's Bounty.

So we are enjoying Autumn! My favourite time of the year in Mexico where days are not so hot anymore, there is almost no rain and the soft sun paints everything around with a particular orange color. Days start to be shorter and it all gives you the idea that the year is ending, that it will soon be the time to plan special meals and that it will be another birthday for me. I can probably say that this season goes well with the melancolic part of my personality: the year is coming to an end. The above picture is of the fantastic pumpkins we get from the US at this time of the year. I can't wait to use them in my cooking!

During this time I have been reading the first book of a series of books about the Tudor Queens by Jean Plaidy, an amazing writer. Of all the Tudor Queens my favourite of them all is Catherine of Aragon, or like we know her in Spain: Catalina de Aragón. I think she is a woman who could have been a saint, because she truly lived her life as a saint. Always challenged since early age by numerous situations either in Spain or in England she was a woman who never lost the very essence of who she really was eventhough it meant suffering disgrace and mockery from many who never cared for her or took time to understand her. Daughter of one of Spain's most renowned queens, Isabel de Castilla, she inherited her courage and immense faith in The Lord and His Catholic Church. I certainly recommend this first book of a series that promises a good read. Probably because I have Spanish blood, because I am Catholic and because I have experienced living abroad and not always be understood, I relate to her. She was also an amazing embroiderer and it is thought that she took hairpin lace to England from Spain.

Below is a picture of another sweater designed and worked by me both on a knitting machine and by hand knitting. It was a challenge not only because of its design but because it was an adaptation of a pattern made by Adrienne Vittadini with another type of yarn, another set of instructions and other knitting tecniques. I drafted the whole pattern to my size and I was very happy with the results. It is one of my best creations so far.

This other creation was taken out of Interweave Crochet magazine. I used a different type of yarn as opposed to the one required by the designer. The yarn used is a 100% peruvian alpaca and even the hook used is slightly bigger. I adapted the instructions to my size and omitted some of the finishing techniques suggested. I like the final result. The vest fits me perfectly and I just love its color. I named it "Cherry".

I will be soon posting again with pictures of my most recents knitting projects.

Thank you for visiting!

I love what I do.

"The Plan of the Master Weaver"
Author Unknown

Our lives are but fine weaving
That "God" and we prepare,
Each life becomes a fabric planned
And fashioned in "His" care.

We may not always see just how
The weaving intertwines,
But we must trust the Masters hand
And follow "His" design.

For He can view the pattern
Upon the upper side,
While we must look from underneath
And trust in "Him" to guide.

Sometimes a strand of sorrow
Is added to "His" plan,
And though it's difficult for us,
We still must understand.

That it's "He" who fills the shuttle
It's "He" who knows what's best,
So we must weave in patience
And leave to "Him" the rest.

Not till the loom in silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall "God" unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needed
In the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern "He" has planned.

August.

So August 2012 is starting and I am at awe to see how fast time flies. Just a few months ago it was a brand new year and now that the second half is already on its way I cannot help but to think about the turns, challenges and surprises Life always has for us. These past two months have been full of turns for me and I am glad that things are finally settling down. A certain steadiness helps to keep things in balance, be at peace and reset for what comes next. It is also the best environment to conclude projects like the one above and below these lines. Both are personal knitting designs of mine where machine knitting, hand knitting and crochet are involved.   

And continuing with challenges, a dream job of mine has come to my door and I cannot be more excited. Indeed things happen for a reason. Life is good!

Thanks for visiting!

A door closes and another one opens.

So this time I want to comment about a hobby of mine: Cross Stitching. I wonder if the same has happened to you but from the first time I started I became a fan of it. I have been enjoying it for some years now and learning every step of the way. The picture above is of my first project. Yes! I know it has taken a while to finish but it is not the only one I am working on, anyway, it will always remain my favourite because it is special. I am almost done with it!

I just think of the many hours put into it, which have been hours of my life in different moments and circumstances, how can it not be special?
  

Still talking about Cross Stitching I wanted to share with you something that may interest to mostly my mexican visitors, especially those living in Mexico City.
Yesterday I went to a very renowned yarn production industry/ store in Mexico looking for a knitting machine and was very disappointed as it seems these items are already in extintion. I bought my first and only knitting machine from these same company years ago, a beauty of a knitting machine imported from Switzerland: a Passap, and was hoping to find other options in the machine knitting world. Anyway, my visit there closed a door but opened another one as they have taken great effort in setting up what I think is the best Cross Stitching store I have found ever. The array of imported patterns is huge and as a fan of this beautiful form of embroidery, I was absolutely delighted.

I bought a second cross stitching pattern to go with one I owned before (the winter owl purchased in the States) and a lap and table stand. They carry a wide variety of tools for Cross Stitching, Felting. Knitting, Crochet, Bargello and Rug making. The place is "Hilos Omega" located in San Antonio Abad, Mexico City.

In the meantime I will keep my search for another knitting machine!

Everybody loves to Knit.

Wanted to share this picture with you all: The Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret knitting! How lovely is that?