Christmas

We had a lovely Christmas this year.  It was a treat to have Ben stay overnight.  We went to the candlelight service and through the windows the snow was falling, which added to the beautiful service.

Sock Monkey keeps watch over the gifts from my chair.

Each ornament holds a memory. 

This is what I plan to do more of in 2014! 

The ever-watchful collie tends the sheep.

The Boy Scout part of the tree has critters, a canoe, and a tepee
among other things. 

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The town has a new building--a tent!

Ben, Zach, and Scott take a break in the tree outside the wall tent.

Jim is busy fixing a wheel. 

I'm busy spinning between batches of cookies baking.

Humpty Dumpty has some company this year.

The larger candle holders were on the mantle of my Grandma's home.  I found the
miniature versions at an antique shop in Anoka last year.

A doily makes a lovely tree skirt for the mini tree.  The angel is Angel Baby and was my sister's
and then my Mom's.  She was in a basket by Mom's bed and every year she would grace the top Mom's tree.

Christmas is coming...

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;

It makes no noise at all,

But softly gives itself away;

While quite unselfish,

it grows small.

-Eva K. Logue

We now have a blanket of snow on the ground.  I finished decorating the house and it looks very festive.  Some more knitting is finished and ready to send near and far.  
Christmas cheer in all around the house...

Santa is happy to see the snow

Later in the evening, snow builds on the branches

Humpty Dumpty is having a tea party

Woolly ornaments, and jingle bells

Christmas tag I made at
Creative Souls last week

The chimney cupboard--where
all good recipes are stored

Christmas dishes in Great-Grandma's hutch

Inside wreath

Teddy is full of ornaments

The little shepherd tends
the sheep on the tree

The doll enjoys the sunshine

Cuddle cloth for a special baby

Sock Monkey is feeling festive in his new hat

Ornaments

I picked up the needles again to make some more ornaments.  I was digging around and found a vintage reindeer chart.  It worked well for a knitted ornament.  
10.12.10  Gosh, time is whizzing by this month!  Now we've had the tree up since Sunday, and it's lovely despite no adornment!  I worked very hard on my schedule for my new classes.  I think we have good ones coming up!
14.12.10  This is becoming a long post!  We have the tree up and some decorations around the house.  Unfortunately, the house is a disaster.  It looks like a wrapping paper/yarn bomb went off.  I'll finish up the boxes to send tomorrow and then I can get things cleaned up before Ben comes home.  We will bake cookies this weekend.  
We had one of the top five snowfalls in Minnesota history last Saturday.  It was something!  The wind turned it into a blizzard.  Jim made paths for Eevee to use in the yard.  I shoveled a path for her on the deck and cleared the steps.
 Today was my day with my mother.  We went out to lunch.  I bundled her up and she loved seeing all the snow.  At 94, she just loves getting out and about.  Christmas music was playing in the restaurant.  When we went to the restroom, we sang "Winter Wonderland."  She forgot the words, but sang la-las with gusto!  We sang all the way back to her place and she was able to join in on the baking activity.  

Colorific

I have to say I've had a very colorful fall thus far.  All the projects of late have been with the same oddments of yarn.  I'm thinking it's time for some cables.  I was at the shop yesterday and a yarn rep was there.  She's very nice and it was fun to see her wares and samples.  After I stayed longer than I'd intended (no surprise there) I drove up to Elk River to pick up flint and steel for Jim.  Track of the Wolf wasn't open on time, so I went into town and stopped at Diamond City Breads for some goodies.  I had to get a loaf of Rhubarb Fritter Bread and some rustic Olive Bread--and then I saw the oatmeal cookies.  Since I had a cup of coffee, I thought it would be something tasty--it was!  Of course, the oatmeal is very healthy, the chocolate chips provide energy, and the pecans have "good" fat.  Yup, that's how I see it.  On the way home I stopped to get the ingredients for Hudson Bay Bread.  Tonight is Round Table and Jim's doing a presentation on high adventure for Scouts.  The bread is like an energy bar and very high in calories.  The recipe comes from the Northern Tier.

Today it's really chilly, windy, and the clouds look pretty against the bright blue sky.  I went to yoga class this morning, and now I have to take Eevee for walkies.  The cold air and wind put a spring in her step.

My Mmmittens are coming along despite my inattention to stitch count and a dropped stitch.  Good thing it's a small project and easy to frog and re-knit.  I know they will be lovely, warm mittens when they are finished.  The stranding makes a thicker fabric.  I'm keeping the floats fairly small so my fingers don't get caught.  I'll have to  take a photo before I have to frog back to the dropped stitch...

5.11.10  November is whizzing by!  I have to check Louie out to make sure he's ready for class on Sunday.  
The Hudson Bay Bread was a big hit last night.  It's really good, but it's high in calories--I had to use some restraint not to eat more.  
I'm back on track with the mittens.  I didn't like the green against the natural, so I switched to gray for the background of the hand.  I like it better.  I slip the mitten on now and then to check the size.  Fair Isle knitting can be tricky when it comes to gauge.  You have to knit at just the right tension so the floats aren't too tight or too loose.  So far, so good.  

7.11.10  I just now took some photos to post.  Another frog of the mitten :(--I'm catching the floats every other stitch.  I don't want my fingers to get caught on the inside.  The tension is better, too.  Today is my first wheel spinning class.  I read through my book last night and marked some pages.  I have to copy handouts for the students before I go.  Louie is ready to show his stuff and I think I am ready to teach.  I did a one-on-one with Kathy and she was a quick study.  I've never had this many at one time.  It will be a fun-filled session! 
Yesterday was Sharefest at church.  We made over $10,000 yesterday!  The funds made at the bazaar go to help fight world hunger.  I love the International Table and bought some pewter ornaments from Germany.  One has a pin and the ornaments can be changed out.  I think the Nutcracker will be a good one to wear during the holidays!

Finishing touches

I've been working hard on the shop samples making changes to the ornament pattern.  Joanne proofed my pattern and had suggestions, which I appreciate so much.  I like the hangers better and the focus is on the patterning across the center.  The Argyle Pillow (at least the front) is finished and I'm now zipping through the back.  I hope to have most of it done before knit night tomorrow.  

We're having quite the rainstorm tonight.  I like hearing the rain and I'm in a comfy chair by the door watching the weather listening to "Soundscapes" music.  Very cozy!

I hit it big via the postal service and Fed Ex the past two days.  Big Agnes now has her new poles and they were under warranty!  I also got the re-published Aran Knitting, by Alice Starmore.  Folks on Ravelry said there was only one new sweater, but I noticed a few new things.  Anyway, I'm happy to have the book and can't wait to break out the tweed that's been ripening in the stash!  

September

September is one of my favorite months.  Besides being my birth month, it's time for the yellow busses to transport students to and from school, football games on chilly Friday nights, leaves beginning to change, and sweaters!  

I spent Saturday through Monday in bed with a horrible cold (I guess it was a cold).  We went to Surdyk's and got some cheese and some chocolate, stopped at REI, and then came home.  It was a gorgeous day.  By the time we got home I could feel something "cooking" in my throat and my nose.  I was miserable and slept the rest of the day and most of Sunday, Monday I felt much better--not having the headache was a huge deal.

Last night I finally attended knit night at Shepherd's Choice.  It was so much fun and Jenny Wilder came in for knitting help.  She's recently published an almanac and we had her sign our copies. 

I cannot wait to begin classes.  It's been way too long without working.  I'm making progress on my class write-ups and have to finish up the samples.  The intarsia pillow is progressing, but I may frog back and switch to a smaller needle.  The Spud & Chloe yarn is lovely, but any kind of cotton is unforgiving and I'm sure the color sections will be neater if I can keep those stitches tighter.  Next up will be more ornament samples.  I have the polymer clay and felted ones, but I want to make a variety of knitted ones and perfect that pattern.  I'd like for my students to complete at least one during the session.  There is a cabled hat and Fair Isle bag for me to make and I can stash dive for the bag.  Busy needles over the next week or so!  Once I get into the flow of the shop hours, it'll be nice.  The only ornament in the photo I like is the red one.  I'm going to use yarn for the hanger instead of the twisted cord made with embroidery floss. Also, the button will come off.  I want the project to be easier to complete in a couple of hours.  Buttons, beads, etc. and fiddly and okay for when more time is available.  The white one is nice, but the gauge needed to be tighter.  The green one had too many rows of Fair Isle pattern, and lost it's nice shape.  It's a good thing I'm testing out different patterns!  

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.