Time Lapse Photography

I finished my National Board Renewal and this sweater on Saturday.  The sweater is made
with  Debbie Bliss Angel yarn.  The pattern, "Peppermint Cream," is found in the
March 2014 issue of Knit Today (a British magazine). 

   I try to post to my blog every week, or at least every ten days or so, but life has gotten in the way lately.  Even with a week off around Easter, I have been bogged down with a pressing National Board teacher certification renewal deadline that has taken precedence over any of my extra-curricular activities (except knitting, of course, as that practice helps me cope with any onslaught of stressful demands).    

     While I did finally submit the many components of my renewal materials this past Saturday, my brain is still not sufficiently clear to write a post unified in any thematic way, so I’ll just share some photo updates of life lately (some of them from spring break) and hope to get back on track in a few days.  I hope to also return to some design projects in progress.

  

I did some of my National Board work at the kitchen table.  (I have cleaned up this mess since I took this shot.)

Yesterday, I wound this lace-weight skein I bought at
Loop in London last summer.  Hope to cast on a shawl soon.  

Alice Lace is a luscious blend of alpaca, silk, and cashmere.  

A co-worker is cleaning out her house to sell it.  A few days ago, she gave me these vintage glove driers that had belonged to her mother.  Made for ladies' white gloves, they would probably work well for hand-knit gloves.  I'm itching to cast on a pair, so I can try out these dryers.  

Easter Sunday was reserved for relaxing and family.  My older son is in the background.

These are homemade cinnamon rolls I made for Easter.  In this photo, they aren't iced yet.  

A couple of weeks ago, I took a branch from this double-blossom cherry tree
at my mother-in-law's house in the country to try to root it.  I love these frilly
blossoms.  

This is my mother-in-law's greenhouse.  She's 88 and doesn't get out to this space much
anymore.  

My cat, Streaky, knows how to spend sunny spring break days.  

On one of my days off  a friend and I took a trip to a local vineyard, where
most of the wine is made using muscadine grapes.  Such a pretty
place!

I'm usually not a fan of sweet wines but this cherry
 wine is delicious, especially when paired with dark chocolate.  

I shot this very brief video at the vineyard.  

After the winery trip, my friend and I ate lunch at Off the Square
in Albemarle.  I'd never been to this small town before and
I enjoyed exploring and eating a surprisingly good lunch.  

After working on my National Board renewal for hours on another day I was home from work, I suggested to my husband that we go for a ride.  Of course, a yarn shop was involved.  This is The Needlecraft Center, located in Davidson, NC.  Davidson is a quaint town with with an excellent liberal arts college located in its downtown.  

Even though I was enticed, amazingly, I didn't buy anything on this trip,
 as I was still involved in a pre-Easter "yarn fast."

This is a view of South Main Street in Davidson.  

I made these cupcakes for Easter with Magnolia Bakery's recipe.  

I worked some on my Downton Abbey quilt in the last few weeks but had to set it aside.  I've packed up my National Board papers now, and am excited about finishing up this project and getting started on some other sewing projects.  

One of my sister- and brother-in-law's dogs, Bettie Sue, knows how to relax on an Easter Sunday
 afternoon, although she does so on the table, instead of at it.

These pictures are sort of an unrelated collage, but maybe in a week or so I'll write something unified.