The Color of Nostalgia

The February sky is very distinct. It's like none other.  Yes, we see beautifully colored skies throughout all of the months and seasons, some breathtakingly beautiful, but there is just something about the February sky that I can't explain.  There is a look, a feel, almost a smell that says "February" to me; it's actually quite nostalgic. When I see the late winter, afternoon sky I am brought back to my childhood. I can almost hear the crunching of the cold snow under my feet as I climb the sledding hill behind my grandparent's house.  I can feel the weight of my ice-packed, frozen mittens and the throb of my icy toes inside my boots.  I can smell the wood smoke curling up from the chimney and Grandma's freshly baked molasses cookies. I can remember wanting to get one more run down the hill before darkness settled in and mama would begin to worry.  No other sky brings me back to my youth like the February sky.

I am drawn to the dusty blues and pinks that are so reminiscent of these late winter skies. They are refreshing...a hint of color after months of a blank color palette.  Not too bright, not too garish, just soft and subtle, a hint that spring will, in its time, be bathing us in a kaleidoscope of color.  I noticed this past week that my current knitting projects reflect the hues of the February sky.  The muted pink and blue I chose for two in threes sweaters and the soft denim for my newest project, a scroll lace scarf, remind me of the blessing of color we see in the February sky, a small gift to help us through until the warm winds of spring arrive.

My first sweater is off the needles; I have blocked it and am now in search of the perfect buttons. I started the second of the two sweaters this past weekend.  It is an easy knit, one that I can work on while schooling, waiting at orthodontist appointments, and watching a bit of BBC. I also started a scroll lace scarf, something a little more challenging and fun for those quiet moments alone (which are always few and far between, but they do show up from time to time).  As I mentioned before, I want to make coordinating dresses to go along with the sweaters, possibly for Easter.  I originally thought a calico would be nice, but as I was hunting through my fabric stash, I found this soft stripe.  I'm not sure if I will use it or not, but I thought it went so nicely with the colors of the wool used for the sweaters...hmmmmm...calico?  Stripe?  Maybe both?  We shall see.

Joining Ginny, Nicole, Create with Joy, and Anything Blue Friday

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Please, join me at Farmish Momma this coming Friday for her Real Food on a Real Budget series. She has given me the honor of guest blogging for her that day, and we would love to have you stop by.