Christmas Knitting Part 1

I was a lazy butt and didn't take any photos of my projects last night. I am please to report, that I have 2 things done, 1 more than half done, and a firm plan for the remaining 4. Now, all I have to do is stop adding things (damn you Ravelry!!!!) and quit agreeing the "just whip up" things for other people.

Here is the list:
NOTE: If you are related to me (although, I'm pretty sure none of you know about this blog), you'd better turn back now or risk not being properly surprised when you open your gifts.

• 1 Clapotis in Malabrigo worsted for my sister
• 1 Clapotis in a really nice, locally dyed lace weight for my sister-in-law
• 1 Feather and Fan (local yarn store pattern nor on Ravely - sorry!) scarf for my mother in Malabrigo lace weight
• 1 pair Dashing for my brother in Cascade 220
• same for my brother-in-law
• Attempt number 2 on a Turn a Square hat for my father (he has a really big head)
• 1 Christmas stocking for my brand new baby nephew (pattern to be determined)

Whew! It's all small things and should go fast. Of course, I keep getting distracted and then, there are the projects I agreed to knit (while semi-inebriated) for my aunt to give as gifts. I am a sucker. See patterns here, here and here.

What are you working on?

Oh. My. Gosh.

Watch this. Holy smokes.

Hello??

Whoa. It hs been a long time. Sorry about that. Is anyone still out there? I would totally understand if not.

So, what happened there? Well, my husband and I made this huge decision to finally buy a new house. We've been living in a super tiny house for 9 years and it was just time. We have completely out grown the space and we'd like a little more peace and quiet than can be found in the middle of an urban area.

So, we found a realtor, secured financing, made lists of must haves/wish fors and started searching . . . 11 months ago. Yeah. To date, we have looked at 85+ houses, made offers on 5, had offers accepted on 2 and still we haven't moved. Can you say stressful? We are still waiting to hear whether or not our offer has been accepted by the bank on a short sale that we found 3 months ago (yikes!). The current housing market may be a "buyer's", but it sure feels like it more so belongs to the banks. And then we still need to sell our current house. Grr!

I am tired of having my life put on hold by a maybe someday change and so I am turning a leaf. I will update more, make plans for the future that are not dependent on where I'm living (or when I may be moving) and try to just let some of this stress go. In the meantime, there has been knitting (Christmas is coming!) and cooking and baking. I promise to post pictures and recipes soon and get this whole blog thing rolling again.

Thanks for being here and thanks for listening.

Go Team Nature!

This story in my local newspaper makes me surprisingly happy. Despite all odds (hello urban sprawl!), nature is taking back the neighborhood.

It's kind of cool to think that areas that seem so settled are still, really, quite wild.

Get On the Chain Gang!

The Food Chain that is!

I am really excited to announce that I have been chosen to participate in the Blake Makes Food Chain. Thanks Blake!!

What's happening is this - Blake has asked bloggers throughout the country to take a video camera (that he is generously sending around), tape a food story that is meaningful to them and then pass the camera on to the next person.

My turn is coming up in March. I don't know what I'm going to do yet, but have some ideas percolating in my head. Stay tuned and check out the Food Chain page for some great food videos.

My Favorite Things - Part 2

This is actually a new favorite thing, but wow! where has it been all my life.

I am talking about the Amano Artisan Chocolate Jembrana bar. Mmmmm . . .

I was fortunate to be able to sample this delight through a giveway on Blake Makes. Prior to receiving the Jembrana bar, my main chocolate loves had consisted of the Lindor Truffles and Kit-Kats (don't judge me!).

I had never really tried "artisan" chocolate and was not so sure it would be anything special. Boy, was I wrong. The texture was smooth and thr flovor was rich without being bitter. A very easy treat to enjoy. I would definitely class this as an indulgence, but well worth it for special occasion (or really bad day) imbibement.

Get thee to the store now and try it. You won't be dissapointed.

My Favorite Things - Part 1

The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Zoo in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Nothing helps kick the mid-winter blues like spending time in a super warm and humid space surrounded by green things and blooming things.

Brrr!

Greetings from the frozen tundra! Okay, not really, it's just Minnesota which only feels like the frozen tundra today.

I listen to the news in the morning while getting ready. Today, they kept saying things like "coldest day in 5 years" and "schools closed" and "the end is nigh". All of which made me think that I needed to assess the situation for myself.

I first checked the super cool digital weather station that we have (the top line is supposed to be outside information).

Hmm . . . it doesn't seem to be reading any temperature at all. Odd.

So then, I checked the gauge outside the back door . . .

Well that's not promising. Crap, but it is pretty old.

So, I resigned myself to my fate, put on my warmest coat and mittens, grabbed my purse and headed out the door for work.

I knew it was really cold when the car complained about starting. And it's new. Ugh. As I sat there shivering, I remembered that I have an outside temperature reading thing on my dash. Well, there's still hope. It can't possibly be that cold. let's just see what that says . . .

Yeah, I guess it really is as cold as they say.

I'll be here huddled in my warm coat until the thaw, maybe in June. Send yarn! And firewood! Ooo! And one of those dogs with the little barrels of brandy on its collar would be awesome too. Thanks!!!