Dear Samantha

I was making biscuits for Sophie this weekend, which of course made me think of you.  It always does, such an easy great recipe and one of the many gifts you’ve given me and this Blue Moon family of mine.
Holy cow, hasn’t this fall just been a time of transitions and change. We all seem to be facing that truth about how our lives are not really our own.  I want you to know, Sam, how much I respect your decision to scale back and focus your attention on your family.  I have made very similar choices where my family is concerned. Choices for the greater familial good that I do not regret at all, ever.  You are a wonderful mother, partner, daughter and friend, which is clearly evident after spending just a few moments with you and your family. The love and happiness radiates from all of you and it’s a joy to be around.
What you also are is a very talented designer with some wicked organizational skills.  I was lucky enough to be the recipient of these for the past year. You make you a wonderful design coordinator.
I will - and actually, truth be told, already do - miss you. 
As with Stephen, the only reason I have not run screaming into the woods with all of this is the fact that I know we’ll still be working together on designing and maybe a show or two.
Thank you so much, Sam.
Thank you for sharing your talent and skills with Blue Moon and me.
Thank you for your patience with my schedule, your honesty and willingness to work through just about anything and that great smile!
You are a joy to work with.
See you soon!

We can all keep track of Samantha and what she is up to here:  http://knitquest.typepad.com/

The first of December

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know,
His house is in the village though.
He will not see me stopping here,
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer,
To stop without a farmhouse near,
Between the woods and frozen lake,
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake,
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep,
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

-- Robert Frost

I love this poem. It reminds me of the winters of my early childhood and my grandfather.  He loved to takes us walking through the woods in the winter especially when there was snow. I think he loved that insulated silence. If I close my eyes I can still feel the biting cold on my cheeks and the comforting warmth of my hand sheltered in his.
It occurred to me last winter, as I was walking in my woods on just such moonlit evening, that my beloved grandfather would love it here where I live.  As I continued on my way thinking of him and remembering, I could still feel the warmth of my hand in his.
I’m so looking forward to this seasons first snowy evening walk. Almost as good as the walk is returning home, making tea and curling up by the fire with my knitting. I do believe he’d have liked that part too, although his tea would have an extra kick to it.

Happy First day of December!

Goodbyes are hard, so we just don’t do them.

Change is inevitable. 
Change is a big fat fact of life. We might not like it; we might go screaming into that dark night, but it doesn’t negate it’s basic truth. Change happens every moment of everyday, some are obvious and cause us pause, some hit us over the head and leave us reeling and some happen without even us ever having a clue.
Personally I’m a huge fan of the ones that you don’t really notice until you are there and then it’s well look at that and you move on.  I am aware of the power and transformative gifts that change can bring us, nonetheless.

Curious as to where I’m going with this aren’t you?

In my life to date I’ve had the amazing good fortune to work with some pretty extraordinary people.
The most recent one of these gifts has been our man on Blue Moon, Mr.hizKNITS, Stephen Houghton.  Yes by all means let’s hear it for Stephen! Stand up and take a bow Stephen.
There is a whole lot I could say about this lovely man but I promised not to make us both cry. He is the brother that I never had, a friend, and a wonderful work companion and addition to Blue Moon.  He makes the best breakfasts and bread, has wicked IT skills, is a marketing genius and really… just fill in the blanks.
The past year working together has been quite wonderful for me and I believe the same is true for him.  We’ve gotten a lot accomplished made great plans and well… had a boat load of fun.
Because of life circumstances (thank you housing market, economy and...) beyond both of our control, and believe me we’ve tried, Stephen is going to be staying in San Francisco and as of today is starting an excititng new job .
It’s a great opportunity for him and his family that we all here are very excited about.  We really are. We are sad for us but thrilled for him.

We are not too sad because:
Stephen will still be a part of Blue Moon and Knot Hysteria (phew) on a project based scenario, just not on a daily 9 to 5 level.
He is still helping with the website upgrade and you will most probably see him at shows and KH events.
And that my lovely knitters is why we are not grief stricken and are happy for our friend.
Stephen starts his new work adventure today, Monday, so let’s all wish him the best of luck and thank him for being his dear wonderful self.

Good luck my friend, if they give you any trouble just let us know.

Love you and mean it!

Tina, Debra, Debbi, Paula, Becky and Rosie.