Happy New Year!

Can it really be, the end of 2012?  It went by way to fast! I woke up this morning thinking to myself, how will I spend this very last day of the year?  I decided, it was time to organize my yarns;

review my UFO pile;

 seek out new inspiration;

and pause to reflect...

I learned a few new knit and crochet skills this year and I worked on many fun projects that brought me much joy and happiness. But most of all, I had the pleasure of sharing all of this with you, my followers.  I am so very grateful to each and every one of you for stopping by. I look forward to the year ahead and making plans for new projects. Cheers and a Happy New Years!

a celebration and much needed r and r...

Woo Hoo...Hubby and I celebrated 25 years of marriage this December and spent a wonderful week on what we consider the most beautiful of the Hawaiian Islands, Maui. In the middle of our crazy work schedules and all the hustle and bustle of getting ready for the Christmas season, we put our everyday lives on hold and headed off for a great adventure, and it turned out to be just that.  This was our first trip, less children, in way too long and it was exciting to think about how we wanted to spend our days while there. It turned out that our mornings were for snorkeling and our afternoons for exploring and hiking.  A week is certainly not enough time to see everything that Maui has to offer, so we concentrated on three areas that we chose to explore.  First was Honokowai, on the west side where we rented a condo that had a beautiful view looking out at the islands of Molokai and Lanai.  

View to the island of Molokai

We saw the best sunsets while there, the most rainbows and had fun looking thru our binoculars for whales spouting, breeching and tail slapping (all while hanging out on our lanai sipping cold ones).  The time we spent reconnecting with each other was exactly what we needed.  Why is it that our everyday lives give us so little time to do exactly that?  (Note to self; need to work on this).

Resting after a long hike

Our next destination; Hana.  Now we’ve been to Maui several times but have never made the trek over to the east side to see the waterfalls that everyone raves about.

Baldwin Park near Paia, stopped along the way to Hana

So off we went driving on what seemed to be the never-ending road up the mountain and over to the wettest side of the island. We spent a couple days exploring this lush paradise.  The flowers were amazing and the local papaya, bananas and cocoanuts were delicious. We’re glad we got to experience a bit of Hana, but the high winds, huge surf, intermittent rains and the sense of remoteness were not our idea of a restful vacation.

Hamoa Beach - Hana

Been there, done that… and off we went to our third stop, Kihei.  Unexpectedly, it turns out that this part of the island is our favorite.  Gentle breezes, great snorkeling and beautiful sandy beaches welcomed us and stole our hearts.

Kihei...we love you...

What an amazing week of focusing on the Us that have been partners for the past 25 years. It seems like yesterday that we said our I-Do’s. We’ve known the joy of raising a family and have also known the heartbreak of difficult challenges over the course of this journey called marriage.  I’m happy to report that we return refreshed, full of gratitude and ready to face the challenges that lay ahead, because as we all know, life just keeps on coming at us…P.S.  made time for a bit of hexipuffing too!

Amazing Sunset

Just had to share this. The view from the lanai. Hubby and I got to watch this sunset unfold while we were having our dinner this evening. So beautiful!

A gift to knitalatte

If you’ve been stopping by for a while, you probably noticed the changes here on knitalatte. With the help of Karen Valentine, I was able to create the visual look and feel that I wanted for my blog.  I do hope you love it as much as I do!

As a way for me to remember the old knitalatte, I wanted to create a printed book so I turned to blog2print.  It was really quite easy. With a few simple steps, I was able to add the covers, photos and content. The timeline I chose for the book was from when I started the blog to when I transitioned to the new look. 

The book arrived and I couldn’t be more pleased with how it turned out.  What surprised me the most was how much I enjoyed reading all of your comments again.

Kind words are so powerful and make such a difference in our outlook on life.  They make me want to strive to be the best version of myself. To that end I will continue to create and share my projects with all of you here on knitalatte.  

I want to say thank you to each and every one of you who has stopped by and left thoughtful and encouraging comments.  It has uplifted my spirits and reaffirmed how much I love the blogging community. 

8.29 nature is perfection

...found this little guy on my walk this morning.
I was struck by his beauty and the stained glass like structure of his wings...

8.27 beauty

take time to stop and smell the roses...

8.23 Changes

Welcome to my new blog layout, so what do you think?

Karen of Valentine Design created this lovely space and was such a pleasure to work with.  I’m so over the moon happy with the look and feel of this new and improved home for Knitalatte.  Thank you Karen!

8.9

Having fun with borders

August break day eight

Pillow Love...Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic collection

August break, day 5

Oceanside Pier at Sunset

Day three of our August Break and TGIF too...

Hydrangea; shrub with globular clusters in white, blue or PINK!

on assignment

photo fun

Beech Avenue

Favorite beach walk

A fine web

just breathe

beach walkin

I enjoyed a perfect walk along the beach in Carlsbad with the Mr. this morning. Really low tide, lots of washed up seaweed and sea shells cluttered along the shore ready to be explored and what do I spot? A Sand Dollar!  I'm rich with joy.

Just Beachy

Best way to start off the New Year?  Why a beach walk of course.  This morning it was high tide and very low surf.  The Pacific looked more like a lake than an ocean.

But isn’t that the way of nature?  Ever changing and always surprising us mere mortals.  I wore the newly completed mitts to keep my hands warm and toasty.

They work perfectly as my fingers are free to operate and focus my camera.

I felt very special wearing something I made just for me.  Now, what projects will I tackle this year?  First of all, I’d like to get all the UFO’s under construction finished so I’ll need to round them up and review the situation.

New Knitting; Adult size sweater. Crochet; Baby granny square blanket. So off I go to look thru my pattern books in search of the next project.  What is on your needles and/or hook?

Soft Pink Roses

Soft Pink
Originally uploaded by knitalatte1

Play time with Kim Klassen Texture Uncle Clarence applied to Pink Roses. Happy End of Summer...

Dreamin

…Tonight I dream, memories of Roma

I see the city alive with people walking along the avenue with smiles on their faces.  The streetlights illuminate the age-old buildings giving them an unearthly glow.

I smell the scent of cooking.  Italian treats, garlic, basil and fruity wine fill my senses with longing. I sit at a table in an open-air café, candles aglow, I mingle, I laugh.

I hear the sounds that are only of Italy.  Voices speak the language, insruments play the music …romantic, authentic, rhythmic.  In the background the sound of nearby fountains grace the air.

In my dream I am there once again, sharing a gelato, a cappuccino, a view with a friend.

I awake from this dream refreshed and nostalgic for this place I amore…Roma…