So I Observed Lent...

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I didn't blog about this earlier partly because I was so busy, though mostly because it was an extremely personal decision and I wanted to see it to the end before broadcasting it to the world.  However on February 22, 2012 I gave up almost all refined sugar for Lent.  Almost meaning I allowed natural sugars (fruit, honey), ate bread with sugar if it was pre-made (if I made it, it was sugar free), I also allow yogurt and organic cane juice.  I also allowed Sunday's to be a day a celebration and if I was offered sugar I didn't refuse... incidentally only 2 Sunday's were opportunities to imbibe in sugar.

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What I learned is:

1) I have amazing self-control when I place God in control of my appetite
2) Creativity in the kitchen.  Stevia, true stevia not Truvia, is wonderful and actually too sweet for me but great for making pudding.
3) I have a fabulous husband who made me a chocolate sauce from honey, cocoa powder & water.
4) The first week is the hardest.
5) I feel a deep sense of self-worth, an appreciation of what I accomplished and of my closer relationship with the Lord.

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Honestly, I wasn't sure how I was going to do.  Giving up on things hasn't always been my best attribute. Yet for almost 40 days I have abstained from sugar.

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Do I plan to go back, yes and no.  Everyone preaches moderation and now on the other end of the fast I know I can bring that into the picture.  Before I was so accustomed and addicted to the idea of sweet treats that I consumed too much without thinking.  Yet now I weigh my food choices more intelligently.  I think before I eat and eat not out of want but of need.  Also, I've lost 12 pounds and this is the only change I made, this tells me how important I keep on top of the sweets.

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Tomorrow I'm going to break my fast...not sure with what but I will make it and keep my portion small.   I am excited but fretful too, for now I'll only allow a sweet treat once a week.

What about you?  Any sacrifices you've made give back double?  Something you'd like to give up?  Let's chat!

Sock Luv

I'm dreaming of sock knitting...

Love Bugs

Samwise

Gimli

Gratitude

Legolas

Embonpoint

I don't know quite what the allure of sock knitting is for me, I know that not all knitters love to knit socks.  Some love to knit them but have trouble casting on for the second pair but for me...well I just always seem to have a bad case of startitus when I catch the sock fever coupled with the fact that I love the patterned socks so much more than the plain socks which makes the portability of sock knitting not so great.   Though I'm fairly certain my favorite part is actually searching out the perfect sock pattern as the pictures convey them in their finished perfection.

Now I've made these Turkish Bed Socks a couple times...

Turkish Bed Socks

They're a pretty quick knit as far as socks go and the construction is pretty fascinating.  I also have been working on (for longer than I care to admit) a pair of these socks...

Bacchus Socks

They actually aren't as complicated as they look the only problem I had is that I kept breaking the needles (wooden size 1s aren't that strong).  So the second sock got stalled a long time, because when all the extra needles broke I couldn't find the size of dpn's I wanted in metal at the stores...so they've been hibernating a while.  I did dig them up a month or so ago but had other projects that I needed to work on.  Maybe this year I'll finish them up, perhaps make another pair?  We'll see.  I'm pretty sure I'm gonna need some new dpn's because I do not like the magic loop for sock knitting...drives me batty.

So how's that for some sock love?  Does it make you find your favorite pair of socks, put them on and curl up with a good book?  I know I do!  Here's to sock knitting...or finding someone who will knit them for us ;)