Yarn: Hobby Lobby “I Love This Cotton” in Sage 040 and Dove 310

Crochet Patterns: “Bev’s Turn on Itself Potholder” and “Diagonal Dishcloth” – both free!

Knit Pattern: “Monogrammed Alphabet for Knitters” by Heather Kate- available for purchase on Ravelry, and well worth it!

I also crocheted some quick coasters as a gift for my mom. Look at my project page on Ravelry to see how to make these in three easy rounds!

I also bought a bajillion candles from my friend who works at Paddywax. They smell amazing! Don’t ask me how I’m flying these back to Texas {I brought an extra suitcase.}

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I’ve been working on this Purl Soho brioche cowl on and off since January 2017.

I picked up the yarn on a trip to North Carolina at one of my all-time favorite yarn stores: Black Mountain Yarn Shop. If you’re ever traveling from Tennessee to North Carolina on I-40, Black Mountain, NC is well worth the stop. They have the sweetest little shops and restaurants set right into the cutest mountain town; and of course a fab LYS!

I learned how to brioche in December of 2016 and was eager to cast on a two-color projects with my Stephen West-esque yarn. Once you’re set up, brioche is a breeze. This cowl has been great for travel this week. It’s one of my March Rip-it-or-WIP-it declarations.

Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in “Edison Bulb” and “Holi Festival”

Pattern: Purl Soho “Gina’s Brioche Hat and Cowl”- FREE!

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This week I’ve been learning two new crochet stitches for a new hat: infinity crochet and linen stitch. Briana K is the creator of this new technique {infinity crochet} and it is really cool! It was a big challenge for me as well. I made sure to make a practice swatch before starting my hat.

I was so lucky to go home for a few days and spend time in my all-time favorite yarn store: Bliss Yarns in Brentwood, TN. Of course I had to buy some new things!

With the light gray Miss Babs on the left, I plan to make the “Citadel” by Joji Locatelli. The darker grey Miss Babs “Katahdin” will grow up to be a “Longline Cardigan” by Joji Locatelli. The two Hooker’s Corner on the right might become “All About that Brioche” by Lisa Hannes. The mauve-ish Hooker’s Corner on the left is TBD!

Have you ever found out some information about your past that your reacted to in an unexpected emotional way? Maybe it was anger, hurt, or sadness. Did you feel like as hard as you tried not to think about that event or person, you just couldn’t shake it? I felt this way for a brief period this week, but because of what God taught me a few years ago, I was able to fight my thoughts with His strength and defeat them pretty quickly.

When I became a Christian, I’d just suffered a huge loss: a four-year-long relationship. It devastated me. Every day my brain felt like it was hit with rolling storm after storm of hurtful thoughts. My church mentor said that I was damaging myself by thinking these thoughts- excuse me? What control did I have over my thoughts?

She said that these negative thoughts were the Enemy, the Devil, and that I was giving in to exactly what Satan had planned- to use my hurt to destroy me, and any future relationship on the horizon. Well, I couldn’t let that happen.

Being a practical person, I asked how could I change my thoughts? My mentor said to pray… well, duh; but she told me exactly how to structure this prayer. She said to designate a limited time to think about this loss {sadness, event, stressor} each day. I set 15 minutes. For 15 minutes I was allowed to wallow, pray, grieve, and process my lost relationship. Then at the end of that time I was to pray that God would protect me from the Enemy’s attack on my thoughts and help me to stop thinking destructive thoughts.

It didn’t work perfectly at first. It was really hard to keep my thoughts just inside the 15 minute window. Each time I started to think negatively, I would pray right on the spot, “Lord, protect me from these thoughts. Help me to let them go. I don’t want them anymore!” Also, “Devil you have no chance against my God!” I told you that God and I chat constantly.

This process made me feel in control of my thoughts, and in turn, my life decisions. I use this prayer template any time I feel the Devil trying to sneak in and spread negativity into my life.

God has the power to use what the Enemy meant for evil and turn it for our good. (Genesis 50:20) He loves us SO much, even when He allows us to go through times of sadness. We just have to allow the Lord to come into our thoughts and fight the Devil. He’s already won the war. Will you allow Him to fight your battles?

I’ve been traveling all week, so a pre-cooked and frozen meal is what’s on the menu! A few weeks ago I made my favorite comfort food- Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole. My mother’s take on the classic Poppyseed Chicken Casserole includes rice and no poppy seeds. This is pretty close to my recipe.

I doubled the recipe so that I had one for the night I made it and another to freeze. Just mix the base, put it in a 9×13 dish, then cover and freeze. Add the cracker/butter topping the night of cooking.

So now the night that we get home late from the airport, all I’ll have to do is take the casserole from the freezer and put it in the fridge. It will be all ready to bake the next day!

I love having meals ready to go after a whole week of being away. It makes the transition back to real life much, much easier.

I am obsessively reading “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline for the second time. I’m getting pumped for the movie release at the end of the month.

This is a futuristic/dystopian novel set in a time where most people interact through a virtual world. As a non-video-game player, I thought the book explained all the gaming references in a way that anyone can understand. I think there are tons subtle references that long-time gamers will get a kick out of. I would highly recommend it!

Check back next week for more going-ons in the Knitty Natty home!

Love in stitches,

Knitty Natty