Santa was a no-go

Everyone was here for Thanksgiving.  We had a great dinner, turkey and all the fixings, and we are very blessed to be able to be together, but, does anyone else feel that there is a lot of work involved in a meal that is eaten in 30 minutes or less!  I cooked and cleaned in several mini-sessions at night prior to Thursday and then finished it up Thursday.  Then after it was over it took another good hour to clean it all up.  I hope it was worth it!

Friday dh and son went shopping the sales.  Our daughter said she felt we women kind of let our gender down!  We did wait till after lunch and the little one was down for her nap and we left her with her dad and granddad and daughter, DIL, granddaughter and I did hit the mall for a little shopping.  I'm just not one to get up at 4:30 and go shopping.  It would have to be a wonderful sale to attract me that early!

Friday night we went out to eat pizza (a little change from turkey) and tried the mall again to see if N would see Santa for a picture.  We have pictures of B with Santa every year and none with N.  We thought it was going to work.  She loved seeing all the Christmas decorations while we were in line and was happy and seemingly not worried at all.  However, when we were next in line she watched the little boy in front of us get in Santa's lap and that is when reality set in and she realized what was in store.  She was having none of it!  A major meltdown occurred and she was out of there!  We didn't push it and I just snapped a couple of pictures of her by the tree.  On the way home in the car she wanted to look at the pictures and before I could grab the camera she erased the best picture!  I was so disappointed, but my son said I should learn to not let her hold the camera!

This is as close as she would get - and the only picture I had left!

B got a cute new haircut!

They all left today to go home, but Christmas will be here before we know it. 

This has been such a busy week that knitting has suffered, but the 2 socks at a time are still going well and I've done a little work on the afghan - pictures later.

A New Project

The sun was such a welcome site this weekend!  We had a terrible week of rain - over 5 inches here with lots of wind.  It was pretty miserable so we were very appreciative for a beautiful weekend.  The leaves really fell too, but it has been way too wet to deal with them.  I kind of like the look of the leaves on the ground anyway, makes it look like fall!

Magic enjoyed the sun too.  He is usually a scaredy cat and won't go out during the day, but will follow me around if I'm out with him.  So funny - if I leave the door open so that he has a quick way back into the house he loves to lie on the deck.  If I close the door - he wants back in pronto, and has torn the weatherstripping off the door several times.  Something apparently has scared him at some point and he is always sure to look for a fast way back in.  After dark - he will go out - cats are nothing if not finicky!

I have started a new project - one that is a learning experience for me so I thought I would document it as I go.  I've made several pairs of socks - on double pointed needles and circulars using the magic loop method, but never two at a time and never toe up.  That's what I'm attempting this time.  I will probably be crazy(ier) before this is over.

 

First step - divide the skein into two equal balls with the same starting places as far as the color variations.  I made one ball - just estimating at it being equal.

I should have done this first, but realized after I had made one ball I should have weighed the skein. It really didn't matter - 4 oz.

Then I weighed the ball - 2 oz!  Pretty good estimation.

Just to be sure - I also weighed the rest of the skein - 2 oz.  So far this is going well! (Turns out I was a little premature in my optimism)

Next step - cast on using the figure 8 method.

A closer look.

After this the fun began.  Keeping two balls of yarn separate is not for the faint of heart.  More than once I have to admit I had to rip out and start over.  Even though I have worked magic loop before, keeping two going at times got really confusing and I think at one time I must have knitted backwards, because I had one sock going in the wrong direction!

However.........

They are coming along. I'm beginning to see the toe shaping and am getting the rhythm of working two at a time.  It is definitely a work in progress though - will keep you updated.

Just to leave you with a treat -  last week Coldstone Creamery called and asked if they could bring us some cakes at work to share with the staff.  They were delicious!  Good advertising!

 

The chocolate had thick chocolate icing and snickers inside and was everyone's favorite!

Whole lot of knitting goin' on

Monday night is our regular Ktog knit night at St*rbucks.  We had a good group this week, except for Timmie who has been doing way too much partying and had to have a night to rest!  We missed you!


Gaye has almost finished this beautiful shawl.  She is now adding a border.






Mary Jane knitted this adorable little hat.  I love the yarn and colors!

Helen is making this baby blanket with a gorgeous pattern.

 

 

Virginia's red rectangular wrap.  This is going to be a great gift!

Wanda has been busy knitting Christmas stockings, but was taking a break and starting a new project.

Kelly and her heart socks that she is knitting two at a time on two needles!

Deb just finished this adorable baby sweater and her daughter Kelly is just beginning her project.  Beautiful yarn!

I worked on my afghan, but am going to start a small project that is easier to take with me, as it is getting larger and bulkier!  I usually have several things on the needles, but have been trying to stick to one thing and finish it.  I need at least one more project though for travel.

We have such a great time - sometimes we don't get a lot of knitting done as talking, laughing and drinking coffee get in the way, but I highly recommend some kind of crafting group.  I learn a lot - techniques, patterns, yarns, fiber shows, etc., but mostly benefit from the companionship we have and friendships we make.

G**dnight Moon

I hate that it is now dark so early!  If I had a choice I would keep us on Daylight Savings time all year.  By 6:00 pm as I was driving to my knitting group, it was already mostly dark.  To the west though there was the last little sliver of sunset and it was really pretty (I know, I know, how can you tell through this dirty windshield - just overlook that, okay?)

My granddaughters and I love looking at the moon.  My oldest granddaughter, B has always been fascinated by the moon and stars.  She loved "Bear in the Big Blue House" and his friend "Luna" and always called the moon Luna.  I wish that show was still on!  The book "Goodnight Moon" was always the last book she wanted to hear before bedtime and now is for her little sister.  My daughter-in-law has no need for the book, she can easily recite it by heart.

Driving home tonight this beautiful full moon was already high in the sky.  Maybe you were looking at it too!

Afghan for B

Just wanted to show you I actually am knitting.  Granddaughter B asked for an afghan and picked her colors.  The yarn is Plymouth Encore.  No pattern, she wanted irregular stripes, so I'm trying to let go of the need to be even and orderly and am trying to just change colors when the mood strikes.  Not sure I'm happy with it yet, we'll see.  I just hope she likes it.

It seems I can't post without a token deer picture.  I've never seen them like this.  Mid-day today we were preparing lunch and saw four run down the side of our house into the woods.  Apparently, the draw of my many acorns is just too tempting to wait till dark.

These were not from today, I wasn't fast enough with the camera, but I got these a couple of days ago.

 

Can you believe it is November?  Hope you had a good Halloween and Happy November.