A terribly old photo of Cream of Earl Grey that just happened to float up in the shape of a heart, perfectly.

It all begins with the earliest memory I have about tea.  My first sip from my mother's (too sweet for me now) Tetley.  I can't remember how old I was, but I remember that, to her, I "was a big girl and was old enough to try it."  It wasn't until many years later that it became a faithful ritual of mine to sip away my thoughts with a simple cuppa'.

I say ritual in just the sense.  It doesn't matter how your tea gets into your choice of vessel, there is always a ritual of making it, even if one is unaware.  From the simplest of tea filters stuffed full of cuttings tossed into a mug.  To the finest, freshest of hand rolled tea leaves placed ever so carefully into a pre-warmed teapot.  There was a need for the simple (or extravagant) ceremony.  In some cultures, it has been preformed just so that every scoop of tea, every twist of the cup, and every sip has a special thought and meaning.

It's that first thought at four in the morning when waking up for work, before the kettle even gets turned on, but just after the thought of "Just five more minutes..."  It's the calming component after a long day of work when everything has gone wrong and at least this can make it better.  It's the scent wafting up at you while do anything, but sip, that acts like aromatherapy.  Letting you drift away until it goes cold.

Tea is a ritual, shared or kept sacred, but never an accompaniment.  That's not to say that it can't be great company when one is in need.  There is something about tea that has always made it the centrepiece of whatever you're doing.  I'm never "having a cup of tea with my knitting", but instead I'm knitting while I have a cup of tea.  Even the food we often associate with tea has traditionally be made to pair with tea.

Whether you're sipping your cup of tea with an old, favourite book, chugging it down quickly before running out the door for work, or forgetting it right now as you read these thoughts of mine and it has gone cold (I'm sorry!).  The need arises and the ritual begins a new.

All around me now there is the subtle sounds and hints of Spring pushing her way into my surroundings. A small, tentative whisper to Father Winter – “Get whatever you like out of your system. You’re time is nearly up.”

The sun feels warmer on my face and the chickadees chirp me awake every morning. It’s getting easier and easier to rise from my slumber every day. I feel refreshed and alert with purpose. With Miss Spring on her way there is so much to be done! Assessing the garden and figuring out what seeds to purchase, the assembly of a new seedling station to grow them indoors months ahead, and when it’s finally warmed up enough – cleaning out the garden and working up all the soil again. Time to be rid of all that grass!

The anticipation of feeling the earth between my fingertips and the smell of green things growing puts the happiest of smiles on my face and I wish we could rush right through to May and jump into the garden. However, I have a great appreciation for each tiny step it takes to get the garden bed, that this year I am happy to meditate, reflect, and learn all the way through it. This year I am a sponge and when I get too full with all I that I have learned, I hope to share it with you all.

With March coming to a close I've noticed I hardly picked up a book this month.  I took a long needed break from reading and just spent it elsewhere - Netflix, knitting, re-watching old favourite shows, and planning for the garden are just some of those things.  I'm looking forward to getting back into the mood for reading again.

I didn't entirely give up reading, but instead found a new interest for audio books!  I'm especially enjoying The Buckshaw Chronicles by Alan Bradley right now - A Red Herring Without Mustard is currently on my player.  I love a good murder mystery and they are perfect for the rainy weather that is headed our way.

With Spring in the air I have a horrible itch to finally sew up a nice dress or two and thanks to the lovely Lizzy House mentioning the Cabin Dress Pattern I have found my next new project to tackle this year.  How adorable is this one by Teresa!  That plaid!  Oh I love a good pattern with pockets!

Welcome cosy sweaters and changing leaves.
Fireplace stories and pouring rains.
Hearty foods from harvest past and cups of tea that never last.

I'm glad that September has finally come.  I feel like it will begin to wash away some of these gloomy thoughts I've been having.  It's weird that summer affects me so with all that sunlight.

p.s.  I recently changed my diet to a pescetarian one to help with inflammation in my joints.  I'm seeing a huge change with bloating (no bra roll anymore!) and my hands have calmed down some.  They still ache some, but maybe with time.

I began sock knitting this year, with the help of a wonderful friend.  You know who you are and just how patient you can be. :)

I started out full on with the magic loop method and two at a time socks!  I can tell you, I like going at socks this way.  I'm definitely that knitter that gets bored many a time with projects and I put them away for ages only to feel that guilt that I know some of you just understand.  *deep breath*

Thanks for sharing that wee bit of knitter's remorse with me.

We had a moment where I stumped us both after we mentioned dropping stitches (jinx much?), but then we did some crafty fixer-upper and I was well on my way.  These ones are toe up with a rounded out toe she figured out how to do ages ago while she was just beginning herself.

I'm on that 'knit them up until they reach this length' stage.  One thing to love about this project is this colourway.  I went to Lettuce Knit here in Toronto and grabbed what jumped out at me.  It's by Yummy Yarn Studio and the colourway is "Country Mouse".  How cute is that?!

What I am not pleased with so far are these needles.  Hiya Hiya sharps  2.5mm/100cm and my yarn just doesn't slip nicely over the bit connecting the wire to needle. Sigh, looks like some Addis might be in my future.

Until then I will just swoon over this colourway and anticipate wearing these over the winter months.

love love
Miss Cris

This wool has been so many things.
Imaginary things.
Disappointing things.
Pulled apart things.
Hopeful things.

I feel as if it will make me appreciate this sweater, when finished, even more.  I was very smart about this sweater this time and did a swatch and I got the right gauge on the first try!  I'm quite close to the rows where I start the arms and it makes me a little nervous, but this project will be on a bit of a standstill while I learn sock knitting soon from a dear friend.

To wistful autumn days and enjoying the last bits of summer lovelies. ♥

Lately I can't stop thinking about the fun I'm going to have being hands on with my Autumn wardrobe.  This Wiksten tank pattern has been on my wish list for ages and I've already got fabric in mind.  The tank will be my practice before I use Megan Nielsen's Darling Ranges dress sew along to construct my dress right.  I think a fabric I like, but can use as a try out first would be best.  Pattern sizing isn't always my forte.