This is what I did the last two days. Made myself a lovely pair of worsted weight socks out of the Hobby Lobby "I Love This Yarn". If you like acrylic and want a soft,cheap yarn then this is the yarn for you. I made a nice length pair of socks(not quite knee length) out of one skein. And you can't beat $2.49 for a pair.

Well, you know how I went to the park the other day to enjoy the weather? It's a good thing that we did because it is cold and windy and just yuck this weekend. Winter just doesn't want to let go yet. But here's a picture of the lovely trees that are on the way to the library. They line the street all the way and it is just breathtaking. Hopefully they won't get frozen this weekend.

Okay, off to make more socks. Have a wonderful weekend.

I know, I know....bad blogger. I have been very lackadasical about getting on the computer this week. No excuses but I have a terrible sinus infection. Some days I feel as if my head is stuffed full of cotton balls. Well, cotton balls filled with ball bearings. But feeling somewhat better now.

Of course now it's supposed to rain for the next 3 or 4 days so that's always fun...not. Today was a beautiful day. About 75* and just fabulous. Went down to the park and sat and enjoyed the day and knitted. Almost finished with the lacy mock cable socks. They have taken entirely too long. But not much longer. Here's a shot of the little waterfall at the park. It's nice to just sit and listen to the water running over. Last year it didn't run hardly at all due to the drought so it's nice to see it going again. So far it doesn't seem like we're going to have a drought problem this year. If anything we've had too much rain. The backyard is still a slough in some spots. I found that out today when I went out to pick up some of the branches that were all over. There were some great big ones,it looked like a herd of caribou dropped their antlers all over...heehee.

Went to one of the lys here that is moving from the other side of town to my side of town (happy dancing abounds!). I'd never been to that one because I really never go over to that part of town but.......... they had a 25% off everything coupon and you know that it's just wrong not to use a coupon when they go to all the trouble of sending one. Plus, I thought it was a nice thing to relieve the owners from packing all the yarn. So 2 skeins came home with me. A nice tweed wool ( I forgot to look at the label but I will) that is destined to become a sock monkey hat for Amanda. And a skein of Trekking XXL for some socks for me.

Speaking of which, I must go and try and finish the socks. I am tired of looking at them.

I finished the Linked rib scarf from the "Knitting New Scarves" kal we played. Yah! for me. Once I buckled down and just started knitting, the pattern was quite easy. Jill finished hers as well so Yah! for her also.

Jill is right, it does rather look like a snake...heehee.

I am very proud that I stuck with it when it just seemed like it was never going anywhere and I could not figure out what I was doing wrong. I think that I would probably make another from this book now that I have tackled this one.

I think that we are going to play along to the knitting Olympics. At least our own small little way. I think I'm going to knit the Nora Gaughan scarf/wrap from the last Vogue Knitting. It's made with Berrocco's Ultra Alpaca light and I have the yarn in the yummiest color of blueberry. Looks like it will be challenging but easy enough once I get going. Of course that's all the way in August so I could change up my mind by then.

Kind of a lazy day...BIG sinus/allergy so mostly just sat around and basically stared at the wall. I did finish the first of the lacy mock cable sock and cast on for the second so at least I wasn't totally "sloth-y".

You know what is really annoying? Nope, never mind. I am not going to get into that now as this is read by people now and just not going to do it. Cryptic, no? Maybe soon. We shall see.

Just been busy knitting on that Linked Rib scarf for the kal. Last night I brewed up a pot of Trader Joe's White Pomegranate tea (I don't really care for it too much...I think it's the hibiscus in it...not my favorite) and grabbed a book on cd and just knit on that scarf. Before I knew it over 2 hours had gone by and I had made considerable progress. I am going to try and get it finished this weekend so I can start something else. I think I'm going to do a top-down sweater next.

Also working on a pair of socks for A. They are knit in KnitPicks "Dancing" in a lacy,mock cable pattern. It looks pretty good but I don't think I care for the yarn. At least not for me. I think it's the elastic. But she will like them.

Ta-dah! The socks are finished. These are the Broadripple socks from the summer 2003 issue of www.knitty.com. A very easy knit and fun to do. I thought I took a picture of the finished socks but guess I didn't. Will have to do that when the phone is done being charged.

I like the yarn as well. It's Regia cotton and super soft to knit. I also have been working on the Linked Rib scarf kal. I finally got the pattern down ( I find it really helps when I read the pattern instead of just skimming through it) and it's going along swimmingly.

Had alot of time to knit on Tuesday and Wednesday as it absolutely POURED rain. We had almost 5" and the basement leaked in all kinds of new places. The upside is the floor is very clean! The backyard was/is swamped. The low spot where the swimming pool used to be is quite a pond. We have had 4 ducks here all week. They are going to be sorely disappointed when the water is gone. Which will probably be tomorrow, although the backyard is still a swamp. It was some crazy weather. On Wednesday night the rain stopped as it started snowing like mad. Big, fat, wet flakes. Luckily it only lasted for about an hour or so but still...

Crazy weather here. Had almost 5" of rain in 2 days...basement just kept having water come in places that it's never come in before. I've never mopped and swept up so much water ever. The backyard is a lake and we have ducks that are hanging out on the "pond" that exists where the swimming used to be. They are going to be surprised when it's gone.

Just a quick post and I'll write more tomorrow when the socks are done.

I swear I don't know how that yarn came home with me. Thursday was the first beautiful,warm,spring-like day so we decided to celebrate by taking a small road trip. (Of course we had to wait until gas went so high but that's another story). A. came and picked us up and we drove up to Waynesville to have lunch at Der Dutchman. They have a nice salad bar and m. and A. like their buffet. Plus we can sit by the window and they can look out and enjoy the stream and nature. Plus they have this "killer" whipped peanut butter spread that goes on their warm bread with some apple butter...mmm...mmm....mmm. Just tasty.

Afterwards we decided to take a little bit farther drive and went to Sugarcreek so they could go to Sugarcreek Bird Farm. Not my idea of a good time so I stretched out across the back seat and knit. Now that's my idea of a good time.

After they walked around and looked at all the birds (none are allowed to come home with us unless one of the ones we have here leave...lol) I suggested that we drive home another way. (See how the idea of yarn is infiltrating my mind)? We ended up going through Springboro where....wait for it...there's a yarn shop--Wooly Bully. I wasn't sure if they were going to be open because they used to have really odd hours. Luckily they were open till 5:00. Unluckily it was 4:45. But again, luckily, they had a stitching group from 6:00-8:00 so they didn't mind if we browsed for awhile. Here's what came home with me.

It will make bee-u-ti-ful socks!
Then on Friday we went to Yarns and Fabrications because I had a 25% coupon that just had to be spent. I had my eye on some of the Berrocco new sock yarn Sox and just had to decide on a color. But as I was standing in front of the display the owner was unpacking a magical box of NEW Sox and it was the most beautiful colorways. It hadn't even been checked into the computer yet so A. hovered around the counter until the owner checked them in and then I picked my color (a lovely purple/blue/green colorway) and put a sticker on them and handed it into my hot, little hands. Woohoo, much happy dancing!! The yarn is mine.Bwwwaaaahaaaaa.

Okay, we will have some good looking pictures for a few posts. Amanda was nice enough to take some pictures with her lovely digital camera and send them to me.

Here's a shot of the scarf KAL that we are all doing. This is the Linked Rib scarf from "Knitting New Scarves.'' I like it much better now that I ripped it out and switched to this yarn. It is somewhat thicker-even though it is also a worsted weight-and I think the pattern shows up well.

Last night at "art night" at Borders I could not get the pattern to work. Never mind that I've done it several times and thought that I had it down. I had to tear back several times but continued to work on it when I got home that night. I know I can follow a pattern; I've got a college degree (oh, alright...it's English Literature but still....) I seem to be fairly intelligent. I just don't understand why from one week to the next that I can not seem to follow a simple 4 step pattern that I have been working on since January?!?

Here's Jill's scarf (and some extra "friends"). I really like her color choice.

I am sick and tired of shoveling snow! We had 11-13'' with blizzard conditions and lots of blowing snow. What a crock!! I would no sooner get the walk cleared then it would be covered again. But at least it has stopped snowing and it's only cold,cold,cold. And the roads are terrible.

The upside of this is that I have gotten some knitting finished. I decided to work on my ufo's (I really only have 2 that I've been working on ...well mostly off) and I finished one today. Yah for me. It was the slim-line tunic from Lion Brand and I'm pretty pleased with it. I made one for myself last year but decided to make it a size bigger 'cause I thought it might be a little roomier. Actually it is a little large but I can always wear a turtleneck underneath if it's cold. I feel really good about getting it finished so I will work on my celtic sweater/poncho next. Because other than running across the street to the grocery store I don't think we will be going anywhere tomorrow. Still COLD and cruddy so stay at home will be fine.

Here's a picture of the linked rib scarf from "Knitting New Scarves" that we are knitting for the kal. The color doesn't show well but it's the "surf and turf'' that I used for Amanda's socks. It makes a nice,thick scarf and so far I like it alot.

Got it!! Praise Jesus. It has now been relocated and my chimney is raccoon free. Woohoo!

Knitting went really well tonight. Now that I am using different yarn it is showing the pattern quite nicely and I am pleased. Also have finished some socks for me.

This yarn is a worsted weight Kertzer Northern and made some bee-u-ti-ful socks. Did them toe-up and bobbles. Very fast and fun. Love the yarn. So soft and the colors are great.

Muffins! These are mixed fruit cornmeal and they are wonderful. They are really good with a nice, hot cuppa. I just ordered some tea from Harneys and can't wait for it to get here.

Also just ordered some sportweight yarn from Herrschnerr's today. Going to make a sweater from the book "Indigo Knits" that is gorgeous. A loose "sloppy'' kind of sweater with cables at the top and I think that I will really like it. I ordered it in a medium purple color that should show off the cables really well.

I've been cranking out socks like crazy lately. Finished both pairs for A. and she seems to be pleased with them. I am almost finished with the pair for myself ...about 10 more rows of ribbing to go and then bind-off.

These are a pattern that I adapted from several patterns. It's a bobble rib pattern that I switched to work from the toe-up. It worked really well and I'm pleased with them. I am going to try and finish up some UFO's that are on the needles so I am going to try to NOT cast on anything new until at least one of them is finished. I think that I will finish the v-neck sweater first. Only have half a sleeve and the front to knit so it shouldn't take too long.

Still working on the scarf kal with Jill and Sheri. We are knitting the linked rib from "Knitting New Scarves" and I ripped mine out Monday night and decided to use a different yarn than the stuff that I had gotten on Ebay. The new yarn seems to be much better for this and shows up much better. I sense light at the end of the tunnel. You should see how Jill's looks. It's absolutely stunning and made mine look just sad. But I'll catch up...hahahaha.

These are the socks that had me stumped. As you can see, I finally was able to figure out how to turn the heel on a toe-up sock. I think this yarn is very nice. It is Hobby Lobby's "I Love This Yarn!". It's a worsted weight and ever so soft. I didn't make knee-highs but aobut half-way up the shin and I was able to make a pair of socks from one skein. Not too shabby. The color is really nice-"cranapple". I still have to finish the other pair that I'm working on now. I should be able to finish the second one tonight since I made one yesterday. Although I won't get any knitting done if I continue sitting here surfing blogs and playing around on that bad,bad Ravelry.

Actually made it out for awhile today. Had to go to the post office and try and figure out what to do about getting the mail delivered while we have no mailbox. They pretty much didn't know what to tell me because it's up to the carrier to decide if they can deliver the mail or not. Since they have often pulled into the driveway to deliver packages up to the door, I don't see that it's such a big deal. But noooooooo, they have to make a whole "thing" about it. So now I must call the post office on Monday between 7:30 -9:30 am to talk to one of the managers. Eeeesh.

Tomorrow is a trip to Trader Joe's to stock up on a few things. Being stuck in the house for days means we make a dent in the staples. Today I made a coconut-pineapple cake with "cream cheese" frosting (vegan) and a delicious tomato, chickpea and pasta soup. Very good.

The other dish is a kale,onion and white bean dish that I got from"The Mediterranean Vegan Cookbook"that I just bought. Fabulous recipes and very easy and fast which is how I like to cook. I also just found one called "Vegan Express" which I would like to have. As a matter of fact, the soup I made was from this book. And now I must have a snack because all this food is making me feel a little peckish.

Cabin fever is setting in here. Not a very clear picture but ice is all over. The roads were a mess and practically everything was closed. A passing snow plow took down the mailbox (it looks so sad lying there in the ditch covered with snow and ice).

The upside is that I have gotten the sock pattern conquered...woohoo. I finished the pair yesterday and started another pair today and finished the first one. Toe-ups are fun and they go fast in worsted weight. A.will be glad to have more socks.

I call these socks "cabin fever". They are knit with TLC Essentials by Coats and Clark in the color "Turf and surf". I hope she likes them.

Hooray for me! I finally was able to conquer the heel pattern on the toe-up sock and managed to get it turned and am well on the way up the leg. I found a pattern that had the same number of stitches and explained it SO much better. It really wasn't that hard but I was having sinus/headache problems and the thinking wasn't so great. And since math is BAD (at least for me) I just didn't deal with it very well. All is well now and will probably finish the first one tomorrow. I would have gotten it finished today but....snow!! We only got about 2" but I needed to shovel the drive 'cause we are supposed to have sleet and freezing rain tomorrow and who needs that on top of snow. Then I made orzo pilaf with pearl onions and peas and some fabulous strawberry (fresh) cornmeal muffins. I did knit some but seemed to go so slowly that I just decided to sit here and read some blogs and maybe play on Ravelry. Bad,bad ravelry. I just love to look around on there. Such fun.

Happy Birthday to me. Had a lovely lunch yesterday....scallion pancakes good!!! Jill brought back wonderful gifts from Germany. Got some yummy yarn (Schoeller-und_Stahl's Odessa) in beautiful fall colors. She picked out colors specifically for each of us. And a wonderful bookmark from Neuschwanstein castle and a chocolate pig. And she made me a very cute Hello Kitty journal that will be perfect for knitterly notes.

I'm glad it was a nice day 'cause I have a nasty headache since yesterday and spent most of last night and today lying in a heap under my soft velour blankie staring blindly at dvd's. And I think I will take my tea and go lie back down. See you soon.

The upside of being stuck inside for days is that much knitting gets done. Voila! A.'s socks are finished.

YARN: Red Heart Strata

Color: Bermuda

PATTERN: "Rock and Ribbed" from Knit Socks!

NEEDLES: Size 3's

A very easy, stretchy fun knit. And she should really like them.

Last night I cast on a new pair...and I am attempting a toe-up pair. So far it seems to be working really well. I do have to work on my wrap and turn because when I did one before it didn't turn out as well as planned. I think A. should like the toe-up ones alot because they don't have that very annoying "pointy" toes. We shall see.

Ice, ice baby!

Here's what I did all day. Besides drink tea and look at the ice.

Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh! The white death is approaching. Everyone run to the store and buy everything that you can carry home. You would think that we never had snow here. Although we are supposed to get anywhere between 4-6" and then some sleet/freezing rain/ice and if we don't get that then we can double the snow amount. Well, alrighty then. I got some dvd's from the library and have some books on cds and my knitting so it can go ahead and snow. They are forecasting temperatures in the upper 30's by Thursday so it should melt by then. Let's hope so...Saturday is my birthay lunch at Twin Dragon Chinese Buffet....mmmmmm. They have the best Mongolian grill and really fresh vegetables so I can't wait. Plus I invited the "art/knitting" group and some friends so it should be fun. No presents or anything, I just wanted to have lunch.

The sock is mine and the pair is done. Woohoo! They are VERY sturdy and warm.

YARN:Red Heart Strata--color-Cherryberry

PATTERN: Starter Stockinette from Knit Socks!

NEEDLES:size 2 dpns.

Next time I will knit the ribbing on 2's and the rest on 3's. The material is very dense and not very flexible. But nice socks.

Working on a pair for A. in a k1,p1 pattern on size 5's. These will be very stretchy and I think she will be verra pleased with them.

Well, still no "albino brain suckers" but I have my tea (Tea of Good Tidings from Republic of Tea). Unfortunately it was the last little bit of it but managed to get a pot from it. Getting ready to put on my jimjams and get all settled in for the weather...heehee. See you when I stick my head out from under the covers!

So I'm walking up the driveway from getting the mail...lalalalalala...when I look up and see (don't be scared!) a raccoon in the chimney with it's head sticking up in the chimney capper!!! I didn't know that they could get under the ones with mesh but obviously they can. So I have the hav-a-heart trap out and a radio blaring heavy-duty rock and roll into the chimney waiting to see if we can "flush" it out that way. The one company we called wanted $450.00 (no credit cards or checks) and he was rude so I cancelled the appointment. I am sure we can lure it out but if not I will find a company that can get it out and put up one of the new stainless steel caps. Lovely.

On the knitting front my finger is better so I finished my Red Heart Strata socks and started A.'s pair. Here's a shot of them. Why is it that legs look so fat from that angle? Well, they are but still.

So sad. Knitting injury. Well,actually I don't know how it happened but there it is. I either have a really bad bruise or a hairline fracture. It's a pain. Literally and figuratively. Hard to type. Be back later.

Here are my pretty new Crocs...I got a pair in metallic purple as well. They were on sale at Whole Foods (it was Wild Oats) for $12.50 each. I think they will be cute with skirts. And shorts. It is supposed to be almost 60* on Tuesday and I could wear them then. Oops, forgot it was going to rain. Ah well, I suppose that I can just wait for spring. Although we haven't really had alot of winter except those extraordinary cold days last month. And December. But I have been enjoying wearing my hand knits. And my socks are fabulous. I just finished my first Red Heart Strata sock and am working on the second. Mine seemed to take much longer to knit than knitting A.'s for some reason. Mine are even on size 2's and hers were on 3's. Don't know why they seem to be taking so long but I'll get them done.

Tomorrow there are a couple of lys's open for SuperBowl Sunday and having sales so I might just have to take a trip and see what jumps out at me.

I just finished crocheting a scarf out of some yarn that I had in my stash that I had gotten on Ebay. It's a cotton/chenille some kind of mix and I had no idea how many yards there were. So I grabbed a J hook and chained 30 stitches and single crocheted the whole thing. It's nice and thick and should be good and warm. A very nice light grey color.

FEBRUARY POETRY

I cry your mercy-pity-love!-aye,love!

Merciful love that tantalizes not,

Once-thoughted, never wandering, guileless love,

Unmask'd and being seen-without a blot!

O! let me have thee whole,-all-all-be mine!

That shape, that fairness, that sweet mirror zest

of love, your kiss,-those hands, those eyes divine,

That warm,white,lucent,million-pleasured

breast,-

Yourself-your soul-in pity give me all,

Withhold no atom's atom or I die,

Or living on perhaps, your wretched thrall,

Forget, in midst of idle misery,

Life's purposes,-the palate of my mind

Losing it's quest, and my ambition blind!

"I Cry Your Mercy" John Keats

Flying Jill fingers! Knit, Jill, knit!!

Here is the intarsia sweater...finished. Neither color is true--it is more of a pink/mauve color. But I think it came out quite cute and I hope K. finds it warm (and fits). I also made a pair of socks to go along with it...very fast and cute also.

Now I am going to finish my pair of worsted weight socks (the Red Heart Strata) while it is still cold enough to wear them. Although it is supposed to be 50* on Monday. Just long enough to get us used to warmer weather and then it will probably be freezing again and snow. Ah well. Spring will come soon enough. I'll be glad because I am getting a little tired of staying home since it is so cold. Really, who wants to go out in it?

Going to Trader Joe's on Monday for some groceries. They have really good and fresh portobella mushroons and baby bellas. I am going to make a pasta sauce out of them. Mmmmm. Must go get a snack to go with my tea...Jasmine Estate that is very tasty.

Here's a picture of the almost completed intarsia sweater for K. This is my first intarsia project and it was much easier than I thought. I really enjoyed it and I think it has turned out really well. I just have to finish the front and sew it together and pick up the neck. I will be glad to have it finished so I can start on some more socks for me!

Met with Jill and A. last night for "art"night. We went to Barnes and Noble down the street this time and decided to go across the street to Panera so they could have some soup. It was cold out again so it was nice to be somewhere warm . Well, warm is a relative term. I always find Panera to be quite chilly and last night was no exception. When the heat was running it was nice but then it would go off but they still have the fan running. Brrrrrr!

Jill and I worked on the scarf kal and managed to get the next bit done. I suppose it's right but it's rather hard to tell since we really aren't quite sure if we are doing it correctly. Still, it looks similar to the picture so it works for me. We did get to see the elusive A. working on some knitting(shhhhh,we don't want to scare her so be wery,wery quiet!). She decided to bring the scarf and knit along with us. Yah! and we were very glad. She's kind of blurry but you get the picture.

A good night (and day) to be inside. Right now it's 3* with the wind chill and supposed to go down to -10 to -15*. Brrrrrr! I haven't really missed anything outside so it's all good. Just have been watching movies and knitting. I was working on "thunderbarb" the sock and was finishing the decreases on the toe when I realized that even though I had measured it and tried it on, it was too short to fit on my foot. Grrrrr. I had to rip, rip, rip and redo. I must have had some kind of brain melt that made it look like it was going to fit...I can't explain it any other way. Getting ready to knit the front of K's sweater-it's intarsia-which will be the first time trying that-so we will see.
The sock yarn is A.'s for her next pair. It's kind of hard to tell from the picture but the yarn is BRIGHT. And GREEN. She really likes lime green so they should make a fun pair of socks.
Just sitting here in my jimjams enjoying a cuppa Berryblossom white tea (Tazo) thanks Jill and Pat! They found some at a 'bucks in Illinois and kindly bought me a box. Cheers to Jill!

Welcome Robin C. Glad to meet you. Not going to the retreat but sounds like you will all have a good time.

Started a KAL with Jill and Sheri tonight. We are knitting a scarf from the book Knitting New Scarves. It was tricky starting but I think we all have the hang of it. We shall see. We are meeting Wednesday night at the other Borders for a knitters' night. Kate Jacobs is going to be there doing a reading and signing of "The Friday Night Knitting Club" and an hour before she comes a whack of knitters are coming to knit. I would like to find my own knitting sensei so it should be interesting to see who shows.

I have decided (Robin H. was the vote that pushed me towards it! heehee) to make the Nora Gaughan (sp) wrap from the new Vogue knitting. I went to the lys and picked up 2 more skeins of the Ultra Alpaca to make sure I had enough. You can't tell so much from the picture but it's a light blueberry color. Just bee-u-ti-ful!

Aarrrrrrrrrggghhhh! I hate when I lose my post. Okay, let's see. Mail today. The UPS guy is always trying to guess what is in the package he's delivering. Totally stumped him with the yarn. Here's the first one that popped out of the bag. Guess what I'm going to make with it (psst. it rhymes with locks) heehee. These are for me.

Here is a picture of the first finished Bit of Lace sock for A. She was kind enough to try it on when we were at Borders having "art" night. I didn't make it long enough in the foot and had to tear it out and make it longer. Which was fine because I didn't really like the grafting of the toe and the second time was much better.

Not a great picture but a funky hat that I made with some yarn I had in my stash. It's a bulky weight and it's from Hip Knit Hats. It knit up about an hour so a fun, fast knit.
Crazy weather this week. Yesterday it was 69* and today it is WINDY! Gusts up to 60 mph and now it's raining. Knitting was on the agenda today 'cause who wanted to go and get blown away. I finished the first of A.'s socks and had to rip it down to right before the decreases on the toe because I didn't make the foot long enough. I did go to the lys the other day to pick up another set of needles (ssshhh, don't tell them about their "fallen" comrade). While I was there I picked up (you really didn't think that I wasn't going to get something else did you?) another skein of the Berrocco Ultra Alpaca Light so I can make myself a pair of socks. Although I saw a really beautiful wrap/scarf in the new Vogue Knitting that is made from that yarn. It takes 4 skeins and I would only need one more. I love the color also; a blueberry/tweed color. It would make a very pretty wrap. Or socks. I don't know. Decisions, decisions. So confused.

Knitting disaster has struck!! I was decreasing for the toe on A.'s sock when.....close your eyes, this is painful....my needle snapped in two! I have never had that happen before. They were the Bryson flexibles and just so sad. I managed to sharpen it to a point and finished the sock. I can't start the next one 'cause it's too short. I am going to try to get to the lys tomorrow and get a new set. I have heard that there is actually an "outside" beyond these 4 walls but so far the rumors have been unsubstantiated. lol. Tomorrow is going to be in the 30*'s so we will get out.(woohoo.)

Here is the sock I just finished for A. Hope she likes it.

"Purty" isn't it? This is the yarn that I won from romancing the yarn blog. I call it ''Thunderbarb" in honor of Barbra Bretton who sent it to me. The colors are not true but close. Just a plain sock pattern from the Yarn Harlot but knits up so beautifully.
It is COLD here. Right now it is 7* (but 0* with the wind chill) and going down to 4* overnight. BRRRRR!! The tea pot has been going all day and haven't gone out since New Year's Eve when we had Twin Dragon Chinese buffet. Oh yum...I love the mongolian grill with lots of veggies. Did have to shovel the driveway as we had about 2 1/2" of snow. But other than that we didn't step out. I did order some sock yarn from Herrshner's when the catalog came 'cause it was CHEAP. And I love knitting socks. I got 4 more skeins of the Red Heart Strata for A. since she really likes the nice,thick socks. And a skein of Sockotta, which I have never seen but looks really cool.
Right now I am making another pair of socks for A. out of the Red Heart. I am doing the first pattern that I've ever done on socks. I found it in the Knitting calender that I got for Christmas last year. It's called Bit of Lace magic sock and is very fun to work on. I just turned the heel on the first one and am going to try and finish it tonight. I am tired of watching movies but just too cold to do anything else. I am going to try and go to the library tomorrow and maybe pick up a couple of books on cd and maybe some documentaries...or something.
Stay warm and I'm off to knit.

Finished object alert! These are not the best pictures (cell phone camera) but you get the general ideal. I love the yarn...Lorna Lace's Shepherds superwash. Just yum. Unfortunately the first pair that I made were a little big but fit A. perfectly. I used size 8's which were to gauge but went down to a size 7's for me. I have one more to make and I will finish them tomorrow because I will need them on Monday. We are supposed to have a cold blast.

I would have worked on them tonight but A. and I went to Barnes and Noble to read (and mock) magazines. I didn't find any knitting magazines to buy. :( I did see a pattern or two in a couple but 1 pattern isn't really worth buying the whole magazine.

Off to knit, have a good night all.

Christmas baking! Ginger gems. So good and vegan. It's actually the vegan holiday here. I did all the cooking this year. I am tired though.
The sweater is finished! Was seaming it up at 11:00pm. I will sleep well tonight. Made Moroccan "meatballs" over couscous, candied lime sweet potatoes (from the Vegan YumYum site) which are absolutely fabulous!! A dip and a "cheese" ball and a carmel apple bake. Just have to make brunch tomorrow and then no more cooking for a few days.
Hope everyone has a Blessed Christmas with lots of yarn and needles!!

New shiny,red Croc feet. Bought them for myself for Christmas. Sssssooooo warm....I loves them!

I should have never said that I was all finished knitting for Christmas because Wednesday m. asked me to knit a cardigan for K. And could I have it finished for Christmas? Well, sure, why not. I only have the sleeves left to knit and then put it together. I should be able to have it finished. We shall see.

Be back soon.

Here is the Puffinstuff pin and Freddie the magic flute earrings that A. made for herself. She borrowed the pin that she made for me and copied it. They are polymer clay and isn't she talented?

One cold day today! 16* with the wind chill so I ran across the street to Krogers for the paper and some groceries and a couple of movies from the $1.00 movie rental box. Watched "License to Wed" and "Oceans 13". Enjoyed both of them but am tired of staring at the tv. On the upside, I did finish knitting A.'s soon-to-be felted bag. Now I will give it to her so it can be felted and then she can give it back to me for sewing together.

Well, off to knit on my fingerless mitts for awhile so keep warm and knit!

AAAAAHHHH! "ALBINO BRAIN SUCKERS"!!! It's not the snow that is the problem, it's the ice that is underneath that turned into slush when it rained this afternoon and then turned into more ice and then the 1-3" that is coming overnight. Yuck,yuck,yuck. I am glad to be at home. We went to the Chinese buffet(mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm) and then came home. That was enough out for me. A. wore her new birthday socks (yah for me) and I would have taken a picture of them but I was so busy stuffing my face with scallion pancakes that I never got around to it. But they looked cool. And she seems to really like them. So that makes me happy.

I'm glad that I have knitting and some movies so I don't need to go anywhere but in the kitchen to get myself some more tea!

Knitting going on like crazy here. Finished the "giant" socks for A. and gave them to her yesterday for her birthday. Happy Birthday A.! I think she really liked them. The second sock was much easier on the Bryson flexibles so they went alot faster.

Have been doing some Christmas knitting so haven't gotten alot of other stuff done. But here's a peek at my new sock yarn. Isn't it purty? I won it from www.romancingtheyarn.blogspot.com and I call it "Barbra" for it's former owner. Just doing a generic sock pattern but I think that I'm going to branch out next sock and do a pattern. I have to decide which one. Something simple but a little challenging. I am still working on the toes-up sock,which is fun, so maybe I'll do another one of those. Anyone have a good suggestion for a sock pattern?