Winter Wonderland......

Okay, so much for trying to do this more last year.  Maybe this year will be better?

As usual, winter in Wisconsin is consistently inconsistent.   In the last two weeks or so, we have gone from unusually mild temperatures and rain to negative temperatures and wind chill advisories; and today, we had lovely mild temperatures this morning (and I was able to try my new snow shoes out for the second time) to a constant light snow this afternoon.  YUCK!  The only good thing about that snowfall, is more powder to trudge through on my snowshoes.

Okay, enough about that...can't change it much right? 

So now I sit all cozy in the den with the fireplace going, music playing softly in the background and Merlin snuggled on my lap.  My favorite time of day!

Let's see...what has been on my sticks?  I made a series of headbands (Fiana--you can find on Ravelry).  I modified the pattern a little bit by taking off the crochet tie and incorporated a hair band for stretch.  I made a bunch of these for one of my friend's daughter.  She loved them.  They were in all sorts of colors, basic black to hot pink!  They were fun and easy to make.  I still have a couple to make for another friend.

I know every knitter has seen the ruffle scarves around.  I learned to make them but under duress.  I don't love them, but can appreciate the fact that they are easy and quick to make for a gift.  I only made the ones I have because a friend of my mom slipped me some cash--enough to cover the cost of the yarn and some gas for the car.

I have started my sister's sweater (Cable Swing Cardi).  No pictures at this time, but I have one of the front panels done and am working on the back right now.  It really is pretty.  I can't wait to see it complete.

Mom's blanket is still in progress.  I know, I know...It needs to get done.  I told myself this year, I was going to only really work on the sweater and the afghan, but you know how it goes.  Everyone starts to have babies (since last July, 6 friends have gotten pregnant or had their babies. there is a set of twins and single baby left and hopefully that is all for now, I hope, gulp.)


Besides knitting, I started to get more involved with my church.  I am now a cathecist, teaching/guiding a group of 10th graders, and will also be starting to work with the little ones on their sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.  It has been actually a lot of fun.  I think I am learning just as much as they are, if not more.  I don't want to get all bible thumping happy, but I find I have a lot more peace in myself since I started that journey. 

Life has its challenges, thankfully we have GOD....and of course, yarn....

KADHD---coming to a Knitter near you!

One thing is clear...I have two many projects started....UFO's, if you will.  Why is it that I can be perfectly content working on a project....And then, BOOM!  I start searching for something different, looking at everything around me for inspiration?  I like to think of this as KADHD---Knitting Attention Deficiency Hyperactivity Disorder.

For example, I have a lovely Honeycomb Throw, being knit for my mother, on the needles; I am not even sure when I started it, unless i look at my Ravelry notebook.  My goal was to complete it for Christmas this year.  I really don't think I will be able to accomplish this goal, as I still have at least 80% left to knit.  Not to mention, the Ondas baby blanket I am knitting, that needs to be done before October, as the bundle of joy it is being created for will be here by then.

And lets not forget, the pair of socks, of which, only one is complete; or the finger-less mitts for my sister (only one done), and the long list of projects I am itching to start!

So what is the solution to Unfinisheditis?  I am not sure, but as I type this, two of my current projects are staring at me....I hope they don't attack!

What a difference a year makes.......

Wow, so much has happened this last year.  I am hoping to be able to write more this year, a lot more.  Last year was a really rough one for me.  I experienced a really personal loss, that I don't know if I will ever be the same again.  My grandfather, Daniel, died.  My mother's father, he was the only grandfather I knew, my dad's father passed away before I was even a twinkle in an eye.

My grandfather was an amazing man.  Yes, I know, everyone says that, but really, he was.  He was an original.  He was so talented and gifted; a welder, electrician, handyman, and not to mention, a hero to me and my cousins.  He worked for the same company for 55 years, starting after he returned from the Korean War as a mechanic, jack of all trades to a body man (he worked on cars) to manager and after he retired (twice) he was there during the summer months, just taking care of whatever needed to be done.  Mind you he was 82 when he passed away and worked until he was 81.  Not easy for a man who was suffering from a terminal illness.

Well, anyway, right around this time of year my grandma and him would be coming back from a winter stay in Florida.  This year, it will just be grandma.  But that is okay, it will be one day at a time.  We must remember that grief is like the ocean, you need to lean into the waves or you will get knocked down.  

Sarah's sense of snow

This morning when I woke up, the world was a cleaner shade of white. Yes, that is correct. It snowed. I know that after 30 years of living in Wisconsin, I should be used to this wonderful thing we call winter. But honestly, it doesn't get any better and I don't like anymore. However, one thing that always amazes me is the delicate and complicated appearance of a snowflake.

Snowflakes are an amazing creation. Each one completely different from the next and a complex design. How can they be so delicate and......perfect? I have to say, for all of my pessimism, I love it when I look out the window and I feel like I am in a snow globe. I am sure you understand...........

Anyway, what has been going on?

1. I have all but 14 blocks for the afghan with the ends sown in. That was a big accomplishment. I brought them with me to the lake, hopefully, I can finish that up this weekend (inbetween sewing that has been requested by me of my mother.)

2. I was at the point on the fancy foot anklet to start the heel. And low and behold, I don't have the 34 stitches I needed for the instep. How can you start with 30 stitches, do your necessary increases on the left and right sides to get 34 stitches but end up with only 25 stitches? Needless to say, I had to rip it, rip it.......I hate frogs.

3. Peaches and cream blanket.......I am about 2 inches into the decrease part of the pattern and it is going quite smoothly. (I hope I didn't speak to soon....)

Anyway, other than my boyfriend thinking that it would be funny to say he purchased enough green and yellow yarn to knit him a Packer blanket, not too much has been going on. Just sitting here knitting. Or in this case, blogging.

Take time to enjoy your snowglobe

Hello old friend

So, I am so sorry about not blogging in a while. Busy busy busy. Between work and school, there was not much time for anything.

So let's get caught up.

1. Still working on the giant afghan, I would suggest looking on Ravelry to see the progress. I have all 49 squares knit and blocked. I am in the "weaving in the ends" stage. Next up, piecing it all together. I can't wait to have this finished. The pattern is Big and Cozy by Debbie Abrahms. (see ravelry again)

2. I have been seeing some one on a serious level. We met last September at a rockin' Oktoberfest. (who doesn't like a good beer? or in my case, a good cider.)

3. I went to London in January of 2010 with my little sister, Ashley. It was an awesome experience to have with her. And we didn't even fight all that much only towards the end of the trip, which is inevitable, right? I am going through London withdrawal......I am working through the shakes as we speak.

4. I graduated from school and started a new job. I am a Patient Accounts Specialist with a local hospital. Goodbye, Menards and in the words of Fall Out Boy, "Thnks fr the mries...." or something like that.

That is the big stuff. So here I am now.

Currently on the needles:

1. Peaches n Cream blanket for Ari. Will never use Bernat soft stripes yarn, poor quality, again. I have started the decreases.

2. Fancy Foot Anklet #1 (Monday). Knitpicks kit I ordered, color is Granny Smith and in Stroll. 1" left until I start the heel. I am pretty excited.

Pending projects.....

1. Big Bad Baby Blanket (B4).....This will probably be for my Dear Friend Suzie, who is preggers again! Whoo Whoo. That's all I can say.

2. Fancy Foot Anklet #2 (Tuesday)

Well, take care and I look forward to updating again.

Can't believe it is fall?

So I realize I haven't spent much time on line nor have I blogged in awhile. Slap my hands and take away my........(fill-in the blank.)

So life is pretty busy. I have been taking classes--summer and now fall----and working overtime hours at work. It sucks, and I have no life, but what else is there to do?

I haven't really knit that much lately, and it really bothers me. I have to do a couple of baby hats for a friend and finish some other things up that have pending deadlines. I think I have been burning the candle at both ends. Maybe I should just slow down..........right?

There is no one in my "love" life, however, that is a choice. Options are not lacking.....not to be snotty. When would I fit someone else in?

I took merlin to the vet on Tuesday. That didn't go well. I had to bribe him with new cat toys---fuzzy mice----to get him to forgive me. Cats!

Catch ya later.

sarah

Spring is in the air!!!!

I am totally loving the weather we are having here in the northwoods. It is sooo sunny and warm. Keep it coming Mother Nature.

The grandparents are home and settled in. Grandpa started his next round of chemo therapy. We went to the oncologist last Thursday and found out that he will have to have treatments for the rest of his life. There is no cure for multiple myeloma. Cancer sucks!

I start my new job at Menard's tomorrow. I am really excited about it. I will be working in the Kitchen/Cabinet area doing some design work. I thought it would be a good idea to use one of my degrees!

The knitting is a little slow right now. I finished another afghan square. Only 40 left! As for the socks, Darn those needles are small. Oh well. I will keep trucking along. I hope everyone is enjoying the lovely weather!

Toddles!