Now that I have found a moment to myself.....

January has come and gone already. It seems like we were just ringing in the New Year and here we are at the start of the 2nd month of 2012. I have managed to do quite a bit of stitching and knitting along with lots of reading through January, so let me update you on how things have been going in my household.
The ankle is continuing to heal and I have been going to physical therapy 3 days a week. Starting this week, I have "graduated" to twice a week which means I have a little more time. Yay! While I am not happy with the surgeon who did the original surgery, I have decided to get a 2nd opinion from Mercy Hospital which specializes in ankle reconstruction and replacement. The appointment is on Monday and Beth is going to be going with me to meet with their specialist.

Cross stitching I have made some progress but I haven't been able to do a lot of stitching after work because I was usually so tired after therapy and work that I would barely get home before wanting to vegetate before going to bed. On weekends I would enjoy having stitching marathons and so I feel like I managed quite a bit of progress on both the Musician and Innocent Guardian.

The Musician with over 8200 stitches completed so far....

Innocent Guardian progress

I finally completed Ray's stocking cap after being able to get some help from some of wonderful ladies at the Knitting Boutique. So now I am working on another hat, this time in lavender for Becky. I have also started working on a scarf which is comprised of yarn-overs and slipped stitches which is something new for me.

Ray & his Stocking Cap
Knitted in Plymoth Yarn

Scarf in progress
Knitted in Cascade 220 Superwash

The one thing which was brought me the most joy though has been reading. While enjoying the heat compress or being iced down after therapy, waiting for doctor appointments, picking up the kids from school or just hanging out after a long day, I have been picking up my Kindle and enjoying some amazing reads. Jennifer Chiaverini never fails to enthrall me with her Elm Creek Quilt series and I have read a book and am currently reading another book within this series: The Union Quilters and The Wedding Quilt respectively. I read a new author, Annette Blair, who wrote an excellent Amish story called Jacob's Return. I am looking forward to reading more of this author's work. Another Amish inspired author, Karen Anna Vogel has a great set of short stories called the Amish Knitting Circle as well as a book called Knit Together: An Amish Knitting Novel.

Until next time, keep your stitchin' and knittin' needles moving, spend time with with family and friends and most of all, enjoy life!