St. Brigid

St. Brigid

Dutch School
c. 1510

I finally have St. Brigid pinned down and I'm so happy. The cables are so beautiful. The texture is amazing. It's exciting to finish be close to finishing this project. A labor of love.
Now it's time to swatch Kilimanjaro and I found out today that I have to go down a needle size and the lace pattern is not a multiple of 9 + 4, but a multiple of 9 + 5. Anyway, I think it'll go fine and the color changes will be interesting. (Famous last words!) St. Brigid of the Dutch School seems to approve of my effort!
We had a lot of snow today and the roads were slippery. The wind is blowing and the temperatures are dropping. A good time to hunker down and keep cozy!

Holiday decorations--another look

Before the decorations come down after the new year, I thought I'd take a few photos and share them. I walked around the house and looked at the details. The handkerchief box has such a pretty design. The little cupboard was made by my father for my sister the year I was born. The sheep and the mustard color cupboard were my sister's, also. I knitted the Santa hat when we lived in Texas. It's come in handy this winter! The little cardinals are perched on my chandelier all year.

The sheep may want to stay out until Easter...we'll see. The papier mache Santa hangs from my Great-Grandmother's cupboard.
Tonight I finished the cable neckband for St. Brigid. Now I can block the larger pieces and begin to sew. It's going to be just beautiful and I cannot wait to finally wear it!
Thanks to Margie for the Holiday Spirit Award. I had much more this year than I thought. My sister must be looking out for me--there are touches of her everywhere!

Holiday greetings

Merry Christmas!
Fröhliche Weihnachten!

Snowed in

Today is baking day. I made a pan of bars last night, have a batch of cranberry/chocolate chip/pecan/toffee bits/oatmeal cookies ready to bake and will probably do at least three more favorites--peanut butter blossoms, wedding cakes, and Ben's favorite--iced brown sugar cut outs using my Grandmother's cookie cutters. He likes the polar bears. It's snowing like mad, so I have an excuse to stay in.

Last night on my way home from work there was a crowd on the hill sledding, (Ohio--sliding, Minnesota). When the temps warm a little, I may venture out and skate this year.
And now, let's all sing...this is the scarf that never ends, it just goes on and on my friends...! I finished the scarf and steamed it so I could wear it. It needs to be wet-blocked and it looks like today may be the day to do that. The scarf is very long. When I steamed it, I used lavender laundry spray and it smells wonderful! Talk about aroma therapy! I have it on, now. I must look a sight in my chunky shearling boots, sheep print PJs, and colorful scarf! I'm comfy, though and that's all that matters. Eevee loves to poke her nose in the snow. She enjoys running around, but when she's ready to come inside and get a treat, she's READY to come in.
On the St. Brigid front--she's back on the needles and I'm adding the extra 21-row repeat. I have the extra yarn and I think it'll be worth the effort. The sleeves are finished and I can begin to sew when I finish the front. It's good to get back to it. While prepping for the holidays, it was nice to have an easy project. One of my students gave me a gift certificate for the shop and I splurged on Folk Knitting by Mags Kandis. Nice projects. The newer book on color is nice, but this little gem has more variety.
The Christmas tree is so pretty and I love to take photos of it. The crystal holly leaf is the newest ornament from our trip last summer. We visited the Swarovski factory in Innsbruck again (it's fun to wander amongst the sparkles). Most of my ornaments are wooden, but I like my crystal snowflakes, little pig, and now the holly. They add such a nice touch when the lights shine through the crystal. I'm the little pilot beside the Eiffel Tower. Some of our ornaments are from our world travels. What wonderful memories! They also didn't take up precious room in the luggage!
Tomorrow we pick Ben up from the airport. I cannot wait to see him. We've enjoyed the coach's blog. The swimmers have worked hard, but also had fun on their training trip in Florida.

Comfort and Joy

Life Is Good mug with hot cocoa? Check. Warm boots? Check. Sock Monkey PJs? Check. Seat in front of the fireplace by Christmas tree? Check. Knitting project? CHECK! I know I have to finish St. Brigid, but I needed to do some No Brain Knitting. I'm liking the colors better in the scarf. It's going to be nice and l-o-n-g! The knitted dolls are Tomten and Helga. I made them for my sister. She loved the dolls I made for her--I liked knitting fun things for her, and miss doing that.

I've also been taking more photos of projects for my Ravelry page. The Binglebangles are fun to knit and I may do more for quick gifts. Humpty Dumpty wanted to model a bracelet.
It's time to get my errands done and eat lunch (not in that order!). Before I go, here's a funny from a little book (Fraulein Bo-Peepen by Dave Morrah) I found at Half Price Books:

Fraulein Bo-Peepen

Fraulein Bo-Peepen
Ben losen der sheepen
Und puzzlen mit der gelooken.
Later der sheepen ben homen gecreepen
Mit tailers behinder geshooken.

Happy Birthday Ludwig!

It's the composer's birthday today and MPR is playing his music all day. The radio host said that Beethoven's actual birth date isn't known, just that he was baptized on the 17th, so it's assumed his birthday was the 16th. Symphony #6, Pastoral is playing right now. It reminds me of the landscape around Bad Windsheim in Franken (Franconia) .
The snow is falling and looks Christmas-y out my office window. I'll have to take some photos tomorrow. It sparkles and is so pretty.
I switched places with the images so Ludwig could look at my painting!

Jingle-jingle!

I'm feeling festive today. I met my friend Kathy for coffee and we exchanged gifts. She brought along the little sweaters in the photo on her blog. They are adorable! I'll post photos later of my pattern calendar and teeny-tiny mittens. We always manage to have a good conversation over coffee with lots of laughing.

Anyway, I finished the little sheep and it wanted to be photographed on the tree, so I posed it by the sheep ornament. I found some little bells at JoAnn's and have to make a collar and hanger for it. Now I want to make more! They're cute and fast. This one's made with oddments of my handspun.
We picked out a small tree last weekend. It's so pretty. Most of the ornaments come from Germany with some mementos from our travels. I usually put candles on the tree (just for show), but decided not to this year. It's a bit small and there's not enough room. Tonight's pizza night and Ghost Whisperer!

It's beginning to look a lot like...

It's that time of year!!! I'm wrapping gifts and headed to the post office today. I wanted to be sure to get the socks recorded and I finished the teddy for the Mother Bear project. I think that's a wonderful way to use up oddments. Anyway, the Santas gathered on the TV cabinet for a group photo and now they are back on the mantle. The tree is decorated and Jim got a wreath from the troop, so it's looking very Christmas-y here. Oh, and we have a nice coating of snow. I brought a load of wood in last night and will go out today and bring some closer to the house.

No baking yet, I want to wait a little while--mailing comes first. I'll work on the cards today. Tonight is bell practice, and I'm making an ornament to go along with our director's gift--a sheep. We're getting a sheep in her name through Heifer International. Good choice. I see from the time that I need to get going!!! I'm burning daylight.

Holiday Happy Dance! The boxes are mailed--ho ho ho-dee-ho!!

Yowza! Brain freeze!

03.12.08 Eevee and I went on our morning walkies. I knew it was chilly so I wore my long coat, felted mittens, knit collar, and handspun hat. I felt pretty good until we turned the corner near the neighborhood park. The wind seems to be so strong there. Anyway, it was really cold! I checked the temp on my computer and it's 17! Whaaa? It was 40 yesterday! Frankly, I don't mind the cold, but that sunshine and clear sky can be deceiving. We don't have any snow--it's all south of here as usual.

I have one pair of Cottage Socks finished and am on pair #2. I found a kid's slipper pattern and will use the leftover chunky yarn for those. I'm going to rewrite my own version of the cottage socks because I don't like the heel or toe.
07.12.08 Wow, I've been busy! Jim and I had a fun weekend. On Saturday, we did the Reindeer Run/Walk around Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. It was bitter cold, and sunny. The snow and the festive costumes of some of the participants added to the atmosphere of fun. The long-sleeved tee was a welcomed added layer of warmth!
In the evening, we went to the Madrigal dinner at a local high school. The daughter of our friends helped write and had a starring role. Her father directed the production. What a talented group of singers, actors, and musicians!
Yesterday we drove up to the tree farm in the morning to get our tree. Eevee went along for the ride and thoroughly enjoyed romping in the snow helping us look for the Christmas tree. Maybe she was flushing out the critters! The tree is up, but not decorated--yet. I had to finish the little Scrunchy Slippers for Jim's great-nephews. I had plenty of chunky yarn left from the Cottage Socks, and I timed myself knitting the last one this morning--40 minutes! Glad they're done! Now I can move on to other stuff, like the cards! Brother! Christmas is sneaking up quickly this year. Ben won't be home until Christmas Eve, so I have time to get something done for him.
We have snow in the forecast again today and I have class later this morning and help night tonight. Time to get going!