SNOW DAY!!!!!

Yes, I am just as excited as the kids, and I don't care who knows it! It has been snowing without a break for over 24 hours, and so far I have shovelled more than 2 feet worth of the white stuff - and it's still coming down!!!

I may have been a pioneer or something in another life, because I checked the freezer - lots of food - checked the woodpile - plenty for fires - and, well, didn't have to check my stash or bookshelves but am simply comforted by knowing that I am amply supplied well into the next decade...

At this point there are many kids out front, some I know and others I can't recognize because of extreme bundled-up-ed-ness, but they are hurling themselves over the mountain created by the snow plow, digging tunnels, making angels - makes me absolutely happy... silly, huh?

And the dogs? Oh, the dogs... doing their Pepe LePew imitations hopping through the snowdrifts, playing tag around the tree, tackling each other... and then, when they come in, something a little, um, odd... Maggie stands in front of Charlie and he licks the ice and snow from her legs and paws. Maybe a throwback to their ancestry? Maybe just weird...

I received the yarn for my next test sweater yesterday and it is beautiful! Soft, light, knits like a dream, and such colours...

I am also working on a Jaywalker sock, in a colourway to be named at a later date. It has taken me 6 - count 'em, 6 - tries to get this frigging pattern to work. Started with too large needles, then moved to slightly smaller ones and the smaller size of pattern, which was still too big, and so on, and so on... This has gone on for a week, and now, finally, I think the 6th time is the charm. Honestly, you'd think after knitting for as long as I have, I'd be a little brighter at this sort of thing. Guess that's what keeps it interesting...

such a treat, to have a day off in the middle of the week - I will be complaining about the snow and cold like everyone else in short order, I know, but today, it's been magical...

Another one bites...

oh, you know...

for James, who is 1, as previously mentioned:


Critter Top and Puppy Paws from Morehouse Farms, using their wonderful lightly-spun 3-ply merino... so soft

we will know tomorrow if they actually fit - I find small people's heads difficult to gauge sometimes, because my kids both had massive heads - fortunately, they have since grown into them...

The answer to a burning question...

Just how dumb are mice?

Mom and I had a discussion yesterday about this very thing, and I think I have the answer:

very.

I had two traps set up under my kitchen sink, as this seems to be where they congregate. I was wondering if a mouse saw one of his comrades in a trap, would he pause to think, hmmm, maybe it's not worth the peanut butter? Or would he think, oh, that happens to other mice. Or would he not think and simply act, go for the goods? Well, I don't know what thought processes transpired, but I like to think that perhaps there was an instance of tandem trap-jumping (like an Olympic suicide mission), because there were two this morning, side by side. Very sad, makes me scream every time I catch one, but ultimately, if they haven't been invited, they are not welcome.

Tandem trap jumping... little brown mice, holding paws and yelling 'Bonzai" as they leap for the peanut butter... can you see it?

Hi, I'm Deirdre...

and I am technologically impaired.

I went for broke last week, saved everything I could from the hard drive and then proceeded to reformat it. I followed the damned instructions - I am a "follow the instructions" kind of gal, particularly where the computer is concerned. Got a message telling me that Windows would not start unless I reinstalled a certain file, which I couldn't find because I couldn't get into Windows, which wouldn't open unless...

so, one Catch-22 later, I brought it in to my local computer shop, where they kept in for 3 days and told me nothing. Oh, they reinstalled Windows, but were of no use to me in understanding what the problem is. They only speak well to others who understand, which to me totally defeats the purpose of offering computer services to we, the less-than-excellent computer users.
The damn thing is JUST AS SLOW, takes ALL FRIGGING DAY to download one stinkin' audiobook, and generally is not a happy-making machine for me.

So I fume quietly, and work on another sock while I wait for web pages to download. The latest concensus is that it is not a 'hard drive' issue, it is a faulty chip on the mother-f$%^&*g-board, which may necessitate a new machine. Which I can't afford. And really, if I gnash my teeth anymore, I won't be able to afford the dental bills, either.

And for anyone who is reading, if you could possibly send your email addresses to my email account... I lost those, too... thank you

Big breath... find a happy place... maybe some cheese to go with my w(h)ine...

Knit-wise, lots going on, mostly good - I did some test-knitting for a lady in Michigan who has opened a fiber arts gallery - Artisan Knitworks - made two sweaters for her out of gorgeous yarns - silk, mohair, wool - and I guess I did well because she is sending me more work! Such fun to knit with beautiful yarns that I don't have to pay for, and to get paid for it!


Let's see, what else has been going on? Oh, I finished my Chipman's Block mitts (which ended up being way too big although they are Womens' Medium - next time I'll try DK yarn), and cast on socks for my dad's birthday, which we are celebrating this Saturday, along with my sister-in-law and nephew, who is 1!


Pattern: International Sock of Doom, by Yarn Monkey (and no, it's no reflection on my dad)
Yarn: Stahl Wolle 'Oxford Tweed', 2 balls, green/black mix - FROM STASH!!!
Started: Feb 4, 2007
Finished: Feb 7, 2007

I finished another gift which had been started before Christmas, and which I LOVE! What I particularly like are the thrums - so-o-o-o soft, they look - and feel - like locks of hair...

Pattern: Thrummed Socks, pattern and yarn by Fleece Artist
Started: Mid-December 2006
Finished: Feb 6, 2007

And now I am working on a hat and mitts for James, my nephew, using yarn and patterns from Morehouse Farms - this stuff is practically edible, and will likely require further investigation by and for myself in the near future - pics tomorrow when they are (hopefully) done - I will have Gray's Anatomy and CSI tonight, so should get lots accomplished!

I have also started another gift for someone, socks in a perfect colour for this person... can't say too much, they might recognize themselves...

Miss Scarlett, I DO NOT like the Dutch Heel on my socks at all - it doesn't stay in place like a short row heel - did you take yours out? And I will get more pics of Maggie up - and Charlie, don't want anyone feeling left out -

Kelly, I WILL put up a pic of our Sideways socks, but yes, they may be needing something different - I simply cannot see how it will fit...

And Anonknit, nothing in the post yet - hope you and yours have all settled in well post-move, and life has taken on a normal tone (whatever that is...) - I am so glad to have enabled you with the Wallaby - it's actually a lot of fun to knit, something I see myself making again and again over the years...

now, off to my sick son who is on Day 4 of being at home - between keeping him company, and waiting for this machine, lots of knitting time, right?