Pumpkin Sunrise

This week I've been so thankful for the bit of snow that greeted me in the morning and fell most of the day, defying the forecaster's predictions.  I will ignore the warmer temperatures this weekend and hope for more snow in the weeks to come.  I just love looking at the holiday decorations in the evening, it seems so cozy!  I've pulled out the Christmas mugs and my tea just taste better because of it! I am one of those people who loves the dark evenings that creep up closer to dinner time.  I've missed walking Frodo after dinner and we haven't established a before dinner walk.  In time, it will happen.  Suddenly Frodo seems to be unpuppylike for most of the day.  Yes, he does funny little things but his napping is more frequent.  I'm not complaining, just noticing. I am thankful for:  cranberry bread warm from the oven, checking off items on my l-o-n-g to do list, advent calendars, twinkling lights, crossword puzzles, secret shopping, and the free adve

I've been flipping through this top down sweater design book the past week which I received as a birthday gift from my husband.  I haven't committed to any one specific pattern because I have Christmas knitting looming over my knitting hands for the next few weeks, but a knitter can dream right?  My sister wants to knit a sweater along with me, she's confident that Santa bought her the same book.  So for now I'll dream and plan.  I'm in the midst of Scrooge's transformation into a kind soul.  I do love his cheapness though as I continue reading A Christmas Carol  by Charles Dickens. My knitting is gift knitting and above is a photo of a fetching mitten.  I plan on making two pairs for my dog groomer (or Frodo's dog groomer) and her assistant.  They are so kind and loving to my little guy.  They deserve a hand knit.  Since they both own dogs, I think a pair of fingerless mitts would be wonderful! I still have a baby sweater to whip up by mid month and

Last night the trusty weather man predicted only a dusting maybe an inch all to end by nine in the morning.  It is now nearly noon and it is STILL snowing and we have about three inches.  The photos were snapped at the crack of dawn (7 a.m.) when I went to get the paper with Frodo.  I bundled up and grabbed the camera. The kids are now safely back at their schools and I have reclaimed my clean house.  It is eerily quiet, almost too quiet.  Why is it when they are here I want quiet and when they're gone I could do with a bit of chit chat in the background?  It's a mystery that is unsolvable.  So isn't it nice that nature decided to gift me with a beautiful scenery to accompany my too quiet house. I'm thinking it's a chili making kind of day with some wooly knitting.  I've started some fetching mitts for the dog groomer and her assistant as Christmas gifts.  I love my pair and wear them all the time!!

Yes, there has been some yarn adopting, who could resist pretty yarns displayed begging to be bought? The top photo is yarn that was discounted and unwanted.  I am not a big fan of pink but I thought why not!  I could use it for a gift or maybe I will want something pink.  The top skein is  Classic Elite yarns Silky Alpaca Lace .  The other pink is Sheep Shop Yarn Company and the off white is Knit One Crochet Two Ambrosia . Earlier last week was my birthday (yay!) and with my birthday money from my dad and step mom I bought that super lovely Madeline Tosh Sock for a top down sweater (probably from the Ann Budd, top down book) in the Whiskers colorway.  My sister gifted me a skein of Malabrigo Baby Silkpaca lace in purple! and Shibui Cima in a honey color. I wish you all could see it in person.  This afternoon I will be adding them to my Ravelry stash and maybe start planning some projects.  Just thinking of new projects is most of the fun for me.

Oh this weekend was filled to the brim with family and food.  We packed up the car and headed to my dad's for our Thanksgiving feast on Thursday which is the best day to drive-no traffic!  We sat and talked and ate.  Afterwards we exchanged our Christmas gifts.  My dad loved his new pair of wool socks (and he was wearing the pair from last Christmas--I think I know what I will be making again).  My step mom loved her citron shawl, you know the brown one that was silk and wool.  How exciting that she knew what outfit to pair with it! I gave my sister the orange wurm hat and the orange cowl.  She never knits for herself always for others so I had to remedy that.  Everyone needs hand knits. On Friday, my sister and I did a yarn crawl and had fun with being together.  That's the best part, I just don't know what I'd do without my sister.  Oh and driving all over the greater Pittsburgh area-I sure did see some brilliant scenery. She had a little gingerbread house making

I am grateful for blue skies and pumpkin pies.  For families near and far.  I am thankful for frost in the morning at my feet.  For school breaks and conversations face to face.  To once again eat a traditional meal with people I love. I wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving day, see you on Sunday!!

I have made very little progress on my barnacle sweater , I think it's because I am on size four needles.  I love every single stitch so the progress can take as long as it wants.  I love this yarn!  It is Quince and Co's Tern .  The twist is just perfect and the silk content makes it feel oh so soft!!  I finished all of the stocking ornaments last weekend and posted about it here . I am on the very last pages of The Tiger's Wife  and I do like the book.  I really like how there is a mystical quality about the story line and how neighbor's gossip and stories grow.  I don't really know if there is magic or not but I am fine with that.  It's like reading about Snow White or Cinderella.  You just accept the premise and keep on reading.  Her writing style is lovely. As you can see in the above photo, I am going to read A Christmas Carol  again during the holiday season.  Once a year I like to travel with Scrooge and see his transformation from being an idiot

Right when my power was restored during the outage, I received an email from Melanie over at Mad Passions blog that I won her give away.  I was so happy and somewhat emotional.  Because everyone know that yarn cures whatever is ailing you at the moment :) Last Friday I received the best mail ever.  My skein of lovely squishy soft yarn from Rebecca at  Fibertopia  arrived.  I love the colors and cannot wait for Christmas knitting to be done with so I can get  to creating something for ME!  Rebecca has a blog over here  and is running a coupon code, this yarn is truly beautiful and wish all of you could see it in person.  Thank you Melanie and Rebecca!!! In other news, I will be writing up the little stocking ornament but do not know when exactly.  It's crazy busy this week with the kids and the holiday.  As soon as it is written up I will let you all know!!  Thanks for the compliments :)

I finished or should I say quit making the stocking ornaments!  Two are for a swap that I am participating in over at Christina's blog  and the rest are for people in real life.  Can't say who as of yet. You know sometimes very rarely I do keep a secret. I used Baby Ull yarn which is absolutely heavenly to knit with.  I love how soft it is and how springy and squishy the project feels.  The reason that I made only six is because I ran out of green yarn.  I had a skein of red but felt a little burned out from the process.  You see I have a sweater calling my name!! I am happy to report that I posted both of my swap ornaments today and I hope when they arrive it brings a smile to their new owners :) Project page is here

This weekend was filled with: -lots and lots of walking, the weather is beautiful and the scenery lovely! -seeing pink sunrises (without a camera) -seeing the moon and stars on clear nights (without a camera) -contemplating running for a camera and just giving in to enjoying the moment -spotting the BIGGEST pigeon ever!  It looked like a chicken! -finishing knitting stocking ornaments (phew!) -eating dill pickles, yum. -finalizing who is picking up which kid this week and when how was your weekend? Joining Amanda

I've been enjoying Michelle's Gratitude week and thought I'd join in.  Today I am grateful for: -a dog that loves to snuggle when he's cold -my cup of tea in a hand made pottery mug -blue skies -cell phones in which to keep in touch with the kids -wooly socks -peaceful quiet mornings to mull over what I want to get done, or not to get done -lunch with a friend -new pens -finding the mistake I made last night on my knitting thinking it was hopeless -for fixing the mistake so easily once I had a good night sleep! What are you grateful for today?