September 16, 2014

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September 16, 2014

Winters' Day In

Sit down and have a cuppa...

Writer. Knitting pattern designer. Foodie. Tea addict. Book geek. Mom of boys. Aspiring mermaid. My Secret Wish: Be your most fabulous you.

Get more encouraging and knitterly posts by following me on Instagram @TalenaWinters.

I've lived in Peace River for thirteen years, and for the first four, I lived in an area that meant I had to drive past this drinking fountain nearly every time I left home. It's situated off the road a ways, though, and it wasn't until a few weeks ago that I got close enough to see what was written on the plaque. . The saying, "I drank the water," is commonly said around here by people who have left and come back—which happens on a frequent basis. We've said it ourselves, since we moved all the way to Arkansas in 2008 and, six months later, back to our current home outside of town. But I had no idea it was more than a local "inside joke." (If you can't read the bottom line, it says "Beaver Indian Legend.") Kind of fun to think that people who have drunk Peace River water have been finding themselves pulled back to this community for long enough that it became legend. :-) What draws people here is a lot more than the water, though. This is a truly amazing community to live in for so many reasons. I'm thankful to be here. . #peaceriver #gomightypeace #peaceriveralberta #lovelocal #greatwhitenorth #touralberta

After years of having no outlet for scarf knitting besides myself, my ds#1 decided during a recent cold snap that scarves can be darn useful objects, and requested one be made just for him. This is the result. I'll be weaving in the ends today. . I love knitting scarves, because they let me play with a new texture pattern without a bunch of complicated math. Plus, this was a nice, quick-knit break from another project that requires a lot more concentration. I'll put up shots of the scarf being modelled once I have them. . Are you a scarf-lover? Does your favourite scarf have a story behind it? . #scarf #knittingforboys #knitstagram #amknitting #knittersofig #knittersofinstagram #knitweardesign #mysecretwishbytalena #mswbtprojects

Sometimes, I just like to look at yarn… . What's inspiring you today? . #knitpicks #wooloftheandes #knitstagram #amknitting #knittersofig #knittersofinstagram #knitweardesign #mysecretwishbytalena #mswbtprojects

Today on my blog, I share the story of Mae Renfroe, who lost her second-eldest son, Clayton, in a quadding accident in 2017. Her journey of faith is truly inspiring, and I hope it encourages you, friend. www.talenawinters.com/wintersdayin "Mae Renfroe: Surrendered to God" . Photo by Mae Renfroe. . Happy Monday! . #childloss #grief #survivor #inspiration #storiesoffaith #inspiringpeople #writersofig #amwriting #amreading #blog #blogpost #goodgrief #grievingwell

All this talk about war brides reminded me of one of my most treasured childhood books. I received both of these hardcovers as a birthday gift when I was quite young—twelve, I think. I loved Little Women (though I didn't know which war was effecting them at the time). It may have been my first exposure to a book set in that time period. . I read Wuthering Heights and hated it. I didn't get it. When I was in high school, I read it again, and though I at least understood it that time, I still didn't like it. Then, I read it in college... and I LOVED it! It was like a completely different book! I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. . It just goes to show you that sometimes, it's not the book. It's the reader. The reader might not be ready for the book. . Have you ever had an experience like this, where a book you disdained became one you loved? . #littlewomen #wutheringheights #classiclit #louisamayalcott #emilybronte #writerscommunity #writerslife #writersofig #bookstagram #amwriting #amreading #bookish #reading #igreads

The first War Bride Beret I made was for myself, and I have been wearing it SO much this winter! It goes with everything! On this hat, I used Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Superwash in Rooibos Heather. For the hat I posted a couple of days ago, I used the same yarn in Blossom Heather. Folks sensitive to wool may want to use a softer yarn, like Swish Worsted (depending on how sensitive) or an alpaca worsted yarn. . Pattern for the War Bride Beret at www.talenawinters.com/war-bride-beret. . #warbrideberet @knit_picks #wooloftheandes #knitstagram #amknitting #knittersofig #knittersofinstagram #knitweardesign #mysecretwishbytalena #mswbtprojects

The beauty of December. . Yeah, I'm a little behind on posting photos. But it's never too late to enjoy something like this. . Happy Friday! . #nofilter #winterwonderland #gomightypeace #peaceriver #inspiration #motivation #seekbeauty #spreadsunshine #seizetheday #liveinthemoment #itsthelittlethings

I had so much fun photographing my new War Bride Beret pattern with the lovely Shauna. It was a not-too-cold day in December, and those setting golden rays were happening at about 3:00 in the afternoon! . The beret was inspired by 1940s tams, and is completely seamless. The hatband is a firm-but-stretchy tube that is closed off with three-needle bind off to make a decorative button tab. The crown stitches get picked up directly from the hatband and knit in the round. The slight amount of slouch in this design is the perfect finishing touch for elegant, effortless chic for toddlers through adults. Pattern at www.talenawinters.com/war-bride-beret. . #warbrideberet #knitting #knithat #vintagefashion #knitstagram #amknitting #knittersofig #knittersofinstagram #knitweardesign #mysecretwishbytalena #mswbtprojects

So who has seen the new Mary Poppins movie? What did you think? Two of my boys went to see it. One loved it, the other preferred the original. What about you? . #marypoppins #marypoppinsreturns #writerscommunity #writerslife #writersofig #bookstagram #amreading #bookish #reading #igreads

Our town is a winter wonderland today! . #winterwonderland #hoarfrost #inspiration #motivation #seekbeauty #spreadsunshine #seizetheday #liveinthemoment #itsthelittlethings

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