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So the move is over and we’ve been here at the new house long enough for it to start feeling normal. There are still boxes that need unpacked and things that need organized but we’re functional enough to get by.

The first week was a little ooky with all the convenience food and no cable. (Just so ya know... if you move into a new house that is pretty much in the middle of no-where cable and phone technicians are not in a big hurry to come hook things up for you.)

Luckily we managed to keep in mind that we didn’t really move here for the cable anyway. We’re all so fascinated with the new territory we have to explore. I even went out early one morning to get some pictures of the sparkly frosted yard. This is no small endeavor because truthfully I am not a morning person. (Okay... that was the understatement of the century.)

Now, I am no botanist. You’d think growing up in the country I’d have picked up on the whole identifying plants thing but it seems to have escaped me. Either that or I spent too much of my youth identifying the wrong kind of plant... hmmmmm....

Anyway, I don’t know what they are but they look all sparkly and sugar coated early in the morning...

I’m thinking I need to start a semi-regular column entitled “Hey Elizabeth, what’s growing in my yard?” because she seems to know these things.

The Little Guy watches a lot of those survival shows on Discovery and loves all things nature-ish so once the sun warmed everything up a bit we went for a hike.

Tater decided she needed a map (thanks Dora).

Here’s the view from the crest of the hill behind the house...

I can’t even explain how much we love it here. The view is fabulous. The trees are beautiful. The sun rises above the mountain ridge out behind us every morning. Its everything we wanted it to be.

We even acquired our first outside pet whether we wanted one or not. This little girl showed up the day after we moved in and hasn’t left since. She’s friendlier than the average barn cat and even follows the kids around when they go out to play. We finally gave in and set up a box and blanket for her on the front porch along with a bowl of food. I guess she’ll be our first barn cat come spring.

Darwin has settled right in. He just follows the sun beams from spot to spot all morning. The cats have adjusted quicker than I thought they would. Toby, of course, had to make things a little more difficult than they needed to be. He did well with the move but disappeared one evening and hadn’t reappeared by the next morning. Our cats have never been outside a day in their lives and I’m pretty sure Toby would starve to death if he needed to depend on himself for food. When he didn’t come out to eat breakfast I was pretty confident he had accidentally slipped out when we were moving some things in downstairs the day before. After a frantic search we found him hunkered down under the basement steps looking a little spooked but fine.

All in all we’re settling in. I’m looking forward to things settling enough for me to be able to concentrate on some yarn work. I haven’t really allowed myself to get involved with the yarn since we’ve been here because I had an overwhelming urge to get things “just so” first. Mac Daddy was home on vacation the entire first week so we took advantage of the time we all had to spend together before work and school took us over once again.

Now that things are shifting back toward routine I find that I’m thinking more and more about the yarn. Its extremely inspiring to be here in the mountains in November. My yarny mind wanders through simple tasks and I’m looking forward to unpacking the stash.

Don’t forget there will be a fresh newsletter from TGB next week. I’ve decided to celebrate our new house by giving some of you a housewarming gift... free yarn!

Tater knows all about it but she’s not tell’in. She’s too busy hiking in the woods in a warm wool hat and a new Smitten jacket (because she outgrew the purple one).

Comments

[Juli Bachman]

I live in Juniata Co. By any chance do you go to the knitting nights at the Newport Library? I would like to purchase 2 of your patterns and could meet you there to pick up. I cannot purchase/download as I cannot read the numbers on the back of my debit card. I am interested in Lily and Everyday Tweed. Would it be possible for a local shop or the PCCA shop to carry your line? I am teaching a top down knitting class and knitters are interested in adult size patterns. You would be welcome to come to our next session 3.8.09 to share them.

[gail]

Looks like you have a beautiful new home! It's so nice to see everyone so happy and realizing a dream. It looks gorgeous there!

[Miss Scarlett]

So happy you are nearly all settled in your new home. What fun you are all having together!

I love how intently Tater is reading her 'map' of the area.

Great pics of your frost wilted plants and pets. That is neat to have a cat adopt your children like that. That will be a very loyal pet. :-) Thank goodness you found your other kitty - one of our disappeared the first few days we were in a new house and it is an anxious experience for all (kitty too).

[elizabeth m]

It looks lovely there. You know, feral cats that become petly are so grateful, they make the best pets ever! Hint hint.

I don't really know a lot of plant identification: just enough to pass as an expert on a blog. It's all a front.

[elizabeth m]

It looks lovely there. You know, feral cats that become petly are so grateful, they make the best pets ever! Hint hint.

I don't really know a lot of plant identification: just enough to pass as an expert on a blog. It's all a front.

[Kristen M.]

I often dream of moving out of our city for a simpler life. But my hubby wouldn't be able to work away from the city. I love seeing the view you have. I'll just imagine for now.