I Finished the Slippers!

 

 

New Year's Eve and the following day was shared with wonderful family.  We had kids running around and playing games, good chili, and lots of happy noise. It was wonderful!

Sometime on the evening of New Year's Day I finished knitting the slippers.

I had big plans for December. I was going to install a mantle over my fireplace.  Decorate my house with fresh cedars clipped from my own trees.  Make more tree branch buttons for my knitting friends.  Bake French macarons (quite a process, but fun) for some special holiday deliveries. Put together presents for my kids school teachers.  Make gingerbread houses with my kids.  Oh yes, and sew a waldorf doll.  Really.

I didn't do any of those things.  I'm not sure that I normally would have, but my health did not permit me to do much through December. 

It's so hard to let go.  I was a little depressed about all the things I didn't get to do.

There was one thing on my list that I wouldn't give up on.  Those slippers.
By the time Christmas rolled around I had only been able to finish one pair.  I couldn't bring myself to give up, so I made no promises to myself, and set no deadlines.  I just kept going. 

On five pairs of slippers.

On Christmas Day while the kids were playing, I kept knitting.  On the vacation days to follow, when I was only feeling well enough to lie on the couch, I kept knitting.  When the kids all went to bed, I kept knitting.  I just kept knitting every moment I could....... 

It was wonderful, to have the hustle and bustle of the holidays over with and just one thing to focus on.  Good thing the knitting was pleasant as well.

On the eve of New Year's Day we sat together in the living room, and I pulled out each pair of newly-knit slippers!!  Each kiddo getting a pair in their favorite color.

 

Of course, If I am being technical about things we are officially short one pair of slippers. But maybe not until June, when our new baby comes. And by then I'll have probably knit all kinds of lovely baby things.  :) Some of my favorite baby knits are here among Ginny's wonderful baby layette.

The kids kindly let me take some pictures - which aren't the best I know.

I would get some more pictures, but well,

I can't easily get the slippers off their feet.

What kids want their Mama's hand-knit slippers? Mine do.

Lesson learned for me for 2014.  Sometimes you can't do it all.  Sometimes you have to adjust your expectations.  Sometimes you have to let go of your big plans, and deal with disappointment.  But some things, are worth the fight and the challenge.  And it's OK to finish late. 

Happy New Year! 

So grateful to be able to share today on Ginny's YarnAlong.