Spinning around

I was making a yummy sound while showing off my roving at Shepherd's Choice

This was a great week for me...I had a drop-spindle class on Tuesday and then my first wheel-spinning class on Sunday.  It was a nice break from knitting and it is always exciting to teach others a new skill.  I finished spinning the yellow and brown roving and it's plied and ready to block.  I do not know what it will grow up to be, but the yardage will have a lot to do with the decision.

I finished one of the mittens.  I liked the French knots and daisy stitches on the originals in the book, but I wear my mittens pretty hard, so I opted for Swiss darning and straight stitches for embellishment.  I also picked up three stitches rather than just one for the thumb and it fits much better.  The mittens fit me perfectly.  I started the decreases for the top of the hand right after I finished the chart.  They would have been too long otherwise.  On to the next project--Kathy wanted something out of  Country Classic Yarn for Sox, and I chose a warm cocoa color.  I'm surprised this is considered sock yarn.  Naturally, I had something else in mind and perused the patterns.  I came across a pattern I had in my collection and it would only take three hanks.  At $8.25 a hank that is a good deal!

We are enjoying the last of the unusually warm temperature and by week's end a mix of snow and rain are expected.  I'll have to bring in some wood so I can be ready for a cozy fire this weekend.  I have a good supply of Digestive biscuits thanks to Jim, and it may be time to check the pantry for cocoa.  

The squirrels are scrambling to hide acorns.  They had a bumper crop this year.  When we would pull into the driveway it sounded like bubble wrap popping.  

Today I'm meeting some friends for knitting and I am excited.  We had a good time last month.  I have time today to work on that last Wood Badge ticket--I'm very motivated to finish by year's end.

Visitor

As I was headed downstairs to get my knitting bag for work, a flash of gray with a fuzzy tail whizzed ahead of me down the stairs scaring the $#!+ out of me. Jim said he'd never heard me yell like that before! I was shuddering as Jim checked out the scene in the family room. Hiding at the top of the bookcase by the fireplace was a squirrel. (This is going on less than 30 minutes before I have to be at work!) Jim got the cage trap and I got out the peanut butter. He put it on the hearth while the critter stared at us with his large beady eyes from his perch beside my antique Noah's Ark. Now he wasn't moving. I had time to think this might end up being a Kodak moment, but thought better of it. My luck, the squirrel would decide to lunge at me. Jim got Eevee's blanket and was going to lure it closer to the cage. It crawled back and forth across the stones of the fireplace. I was by the stairs "helping" (making sure I could make a quick exit, if needed). We discovered we had Rocky the flying squirrel as he flew from my side of the room to the other with Jim in hot pursuit. At this time I realized I could open the door and maybe it would run outside. Jim was to the left of the door and I was on the right. The squirrel was in the middle behind the TV cabinet. I told Jim NOT to scare it toward me before I got the door open. The squirrel dashed past the door back to the fireplace and Jim managed to catch it in the blanket and take it outside. As he let it go I told it not to run toward the house (like that's gonna help). It ran up the tree and I dubbed Jim my hero. Eevee didn't bark once! I think she rather enjoyed the whole scenario. I had ten minutes to get to work and calm down. At the stop light I reached for my Altoids and as I got one, I caught the paper in the tin and the mints went flying all over the car--dang! I managed to get one in my mouth and a couple back in the tin. Made it to work with a minute or two to spare. I was getting out of the car and my silver bracelet managed to come off and I watched it go around and around almost rolling under the car. I retrieved it and walked into the shop. Carol was laughing and flapping her arms. It was so funny. I took a minute to gather myself and get to work. Geez-Louise, what life can pack in 30 minutes!! We've had a variety this year with the bat and the squirrel! What next? I shudder to think...