First Snow!

We've gone from extreme heat to cold!  And this afternoon we have our first snowflakes!!

It kinda looks like white specks all over the picture doesn't it?  Trust me... it's snow!

Don't be getting too excited, it won't last.  But it sure is pretty coming down.  Now to get my knitting out, lol.  Must be time to start working on that sweater again.

p.s.  and the roses are still in bloom!

A good time had by all

We spent the last 9 days with the grandkids and had a wonderful time! It was our 1st Christmas with them (living too far away before).

We got to see the "master baker" making chocolate chip cookies for Santa:

such concentration!

(I forgot to get a picture of the end results. But needless to say, they were good! I know Santa appreciated them)

We got the kids dressed for church on Christmas Eve and tried taking some pictures. Yes, they were running around wild. You'd have thought they'd eaten a ton of sugar!?

But we did manage to get a few good pictures.

(notice we're holding them so they can't run)

What a joy Christmas morning to wake up and watch their surprise as they looked to see what Santa had left. O yes, I took hundreds of pictures but I know you all do not want to scroll through all of them...so just a couple.

And, I did manage a surprise

It had been cold here and I thought some fingerless gloves were needed. I worked on them during the day and had to hide them when he was home. I wasn't sure about the size but they fit perfect!

Santa was very good to me too! I got a gift certificate to the Loopy Ewe, a new camera (maybe my pictures will be better?), and a beautiful pair of butterfly earrings.

It was very windy there the day before we left and that night I couldn't sleep because of the sinus drainage and coughing. Figures... I come home with a cold (but I keep saying it's allergies!)

It must be tea time. So I'm off to make a cup of tea and start a new knitting project. Here is one last picture from our trip.

She did enjoy having tea with gramma every morning.

Merry Christmas!

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,

The gladness of Christmas give you hope,
The warmth of Christmas grant you love.
~Author Unknown

Sockdown! December

Yes, Sockdown! December started on the 1st and I didn't. For December's challenge, you can knit a sock patterned to use up bits of left over sock yarn or knit an almost sock (footie, legwarmer, etc, it is missing a part that is in a standard sock) or you can knit a pattern designed by Yarnissima.

I finally managed to get one started. (And finish the 1st one.)


I am knitting Lace Ankle Sock by Monica Jines (I love her patterns!). I'm using Malabrigo Kettle Dyed Superwash Merino in the colorway Violeta Africana on dpn 2.00mm for the cuff and 2.25mm for the foot.

The challenge for me was the short row heel. I have never done this heel, (1) because I like the heel flap and doing a gusset, and (2) every time I read about the short row heel I just didn't get it. So I decided I would do it! somehow. Well, it was very frustrating trying to figure out just how to pick up the wrapped stitch on the knit side. I think I got it on the purl side. Yes, I watched all the utube videos. And I've re-watched them. So now I am ready to try the second sock's heel. (wish me luck)

And here is a closeup of the pattern:


The lace pattern is an 8 rnd repeat with the even rnds being the same so it is fairly easy to do.

The yarn is wonderful to work with! it is soft, works up soft, and the color is a deep, rich purple with slight shading. And of course I tried on the finished sock!! I will definitely have to get more of this yarn.


About Sockdown! November...
(I had to let you know that I did finish one sock)

I love this pattern and have already picked out colors for another one but I have not started the mate to this one yet. Yes, I had to work on some Christmas knitting so I could get it in the mail. Which by the way, I have mailed ALL my Christmas packages! yep! A first for me!! (to have the packages mailed so early) Then I HAD TO start December's Sockdown. So now I HAVE TO work on the mate to the November sock (I have until December 31 to get it finished in order to qualify for November!!) But first...

I have had another special request. And since I'll have some knitting time in the car while we go up to visit the grandkids this weekend, I'll be working on it instead of socks.