dearest readers...

Here's a picture of the house with the lights on upstairs for the very first time!

As we cruise in to the very darkest time of year I feel my energy here at sewandsowlife flagging.  I'll be taking a break from this space until the new year. I hope to be back-- filled with new projects, inspiration and things to share with you then.

As I slow down here at sewandsowlife, our house project will be picking up speed...hardwood floors are scheduled to be installed upstairs this week and the kitchen cupboards on Thursday. I will certainly keep you posted on the progress over at our reno blog.

I wish all of you a holiday season filled with hope, joy and peace. Keep your lights shining in the darkness, dear ones.

xo

Giving thanks.

xo

"All Set" jacket

"All Set" kids pattern by Anna Maria Horner. Made for a special little girl born in September. Maybe this will fit her in the spring or summer? It still needs buttons. So glad I managed to finish this in the midst of my chaotic life.

For home reno progress look here.

thinking of you...

Veteran's Day and Paris. 

Do you feel the fatigue too?

Last week, in response to one of my posts, my friend Nan sent me the loveliest e-mail with this link...her dad was featured in an interview in honor of Veteran's Day on wnpr in CT. I brewed a cup of tea and settled down with my knitting and listened to his story. It is about half an hour long and has the loveliest of twists. You may need a tissue. To be sure, the story will make your heart swell with love and hope. I thank Nan for sharing this with me. I hope it brings you some comfort, too.

Another light-filled bit of internet loveliness can be found over here, at "resurrection fern", where Margie has been absent for a while.  (her instagram feed is gorgeous!)

Marie's post was also quite poignant.

And my own two cents...

Love.
It's that simple.
Spread it around as far as you can reach.
If that's all we can do, "well done", I say.
xo

glacier lake yarn

This is the third time I have gotten serious about this sweater, which I am embarrassed to admit I started way back in 2011. Here is the very beginning of this lovely sweater. Today's windy, dull and grey reality invites tea and yarn. A pause. A few moments of texture, color and intention. 

The latest house reno info is here. Take a peek?

november 11, every year

Here,

here

and here.

still here, just quiet

The tent platform sits waiting for camping season 2016.

The Vermont landscape has transitioned from foliage season to stick season.

I love this time of year, snugged up against Halloween and All Souls Day,

when the light takes on a bittersweet slant and hearts are filled with memories.

For a peek at what's been happening with the house reno,

take a look here.

Slow and steady.