Saturday Snow Day

It’s the middle of the night here, but since I haven’t been to bed yet, it’s still Saturday to me and so I’m writing as if it is Saturday, even though it really isn’t. But that’s our secret, ok? Please don’t tell my mom that it’s 2:11 a.m. and I haven’t been to bed yet. I’ll never hear the end of it.

We awoke this morning to the promise of snow and a heavy gray sky. The sort of morning where the barometer in my joints was telling me that yes, it is going to snow. Guaranteed. And, we were not disappointed! The surprising thing, though, was that we got as much snow as we did, since they were only saying just a day or so ago that we could expect a scant two inches. It snowed all day and into the night, though, so I was actually surprised that we didn’t get more. In the end, I think we have about 7 inches on the ground here. But I suppose it could have been worse.

Thankfully everyone here was content to stay inside and watch movies or play with new Legos, because it was really too cold to do much playing outside. We were amused watching our cat run from window to window at breakneck speed, we think so she could check and see if it really was snowing outside of every window. She’s nearly 18 years old now and has never really been outside, except for maybe once, about 15 years ago, when she decided she wanted to see what snow was. For the most part, our other cat, Tegan, slept all day at my feet, as usual, which was fine by me. It was a good day for napping.

I spent several hours today finally watching Michael Jackson: This Is It and several of the video “extras” included on the Blu-Ray disc. Man, I was blown away! I had wanted desperately to see this movie in the theater when it came out, but never made it to see the movie. But, I was grateful for my flat screen TV and stereo speakers, which delivered an amazing view of the film. As I watched, I found myself becoming a bit sad, not for Michael Jackson, but for all the young people who were the dancers, and musicians, and the crew for this amazing show. I felt sad for them, for what was not to be. Then on the other hand, I was so grateful that those two cameras were on hand to document the rehearsals. I am betting that perhaps the actual concerts, if they had happened, would have been turned into a movie, and that maybe this stuff that was the movie would have been nothing more than an interesting aside.

Instead, even with the rough footage that was shot, what I saw was a real gem. The true talent of Michael Jackson came out, with his attention to every detail and the amazing technical artistry that was planned. And the dancing! Oh my, that was really something. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, even if you’re someone who doesn’t love Michael Jackson? It’s worth it. It is a truly amazing thing to watch, in bits and pieces that we, the public, rarely ever get to see.

I put on a pot of spaghetti sauce for dinner tonight so that the windows would get all foggy from the steam and it would feel extra warm in here on this cold day. It was good, too… and I have some leftovers for a day or so, but I’m going to cook something else tomorrow so I can steam up the house again. If the weather’s nice enough though, we may get dinner from Olive Garden as a celebration for the teen daughter, who just brought home another straight-A report card this weekend.

Tonight I watched Sleepless in Seattle and intended to get some knitting done, but for whatever reason that didn’t happen. I think I got too wrapped up in the romance! Why is it that I love that sappy, ridiculous movie so much? Ever since seeing that movie I’ve wanted to visit Seattle something awful, which makes NO sense at all, because going there would probably send my SAD into a total meltdown. I really do hate rain, so I imagine that the real Seattle would probably not be good for me except for short visits. But, in that silly little movie, even the rain looks all cuddly. Weird.

Ok so as you can tell by now, today was one of those days that was incredibly full of absolutely nothing. It was the sort of day I often wish for, and I guess the reason why I’ve put off going to bed this long is because I didn’t want it to end. Alas, the sleep is now overtaking my eyes, and I think I’ll sign off.

I hope that you, too, had a peaceful day.

A Comfy Pillow…

The sight of this photo is going to make cat lovers say, “awww!” But I know all you Yarnies out there are cringing.This is Tegan, my 16-year-old tabby, curled up on my desk. In a pile of Rowan Kidsilk Haze. My DH quipped that Tegan probably thought my mohair needed “mo’ hair” in it. But alas, this is a definite testament to the yarn’s softness, that she would choose it for a pillow. She’s still sleeping on it now, and I fear that her individually uniquely stripey hairs are now permanently entwined into it.

Perhaps, in a weird way, this isn’t an entirely bad thing. Tegan is my little shadow and when I am home, she is rarely away from my side. It has always been this way, much to the chagrin of our other cat, but she is my constant companion. Many mothers I know complain that they can’t get peace, even in the bathroom, for their kids following them in there. For me, it’s the cat. She’s always on my desk pawing at me for attention, and constantly walking across my keyboard if I don’t respond fast enough (“fast enough” being a half a second shorter than, “now!”). Of course walking across the keyboard over and over again can cause havoc, especially when I’m trying to code HTML or something, and often I find myself saying something cross in exasperation.

Tegan is getting older now, and she is thin and not in the greatest health. We do our best to provide for her needs as an elderly member of our family, but we know that the day is coming that I won’t have the constant meowing in my ear or the special coding generated by kitty paws taking yet another stroll across my keyboard. I know that I shall miss her terribly, but at least now I know that someday soon I will have a Kid Mohair wrap to snuggle up with and always remember her. And I am sure I’ll be forever finding tan and black individually striped hairs… and I shall smile when I do.

Book Review: Gorgeous Knitted Afghans

Recently I got the book, Gorgeous Knitted Afghans: 33 Great Designs for Creative Knitters. And I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised. This book, written by Fatema, Khadija, and Hajera Habibur-Rahman, is not your ordinary afghan collection. There’s a lot to choose from in here, from simple stitch patterns knit with lovely, unexpected yarns, to complex patterns that offer a bit of a challenge and yield lovely results.
There aren’t many projects in here that I wouldn’t knit, given the luxury of limitless knitting time. I am especially enamored of the mitered afghan on the cover, which is called “Fascinating Rhythm”. (I checked; it’s not listed in Ravelry yet. Perhaps I should start one of these so I can get the pattern listing going, eh?) But, even if you don’t care for that gorgeous afghan, there’s something for just about every taste in this book. Whether you like simple, mindless knitting, or want to try something new, there’s probably a project in here for just about everyone. Whether it’s colorwork, motifs, lace, cables, or simple stitches in gorgeous colors, I’m sure just about any knitter of any skill level could find an entertaining project in this book.

I grew up in a home where scrap afghans crocheted in ripple patterns or the traditional granny square afghan could be found. These creations were never anything more than functional, as the typical 1970s earthy color schemes with an occasional fire engine red could just about make your eyes bleed to look at them, in their dizzying mishmash of color insensitivity. The afghans in this book more than make up for the sins of our grandmothers, though, because they are all simply stunning.

The book includes an introductory section that goes over some of the special techniques covered in the book, including the embroidery stitches that are required to complete some of the projects. And, the instructions in the book seem clear. However, a quick internet search leads me to believe that there may be some errors in this book, for which I can’t yet find the errata information. When I do, if it exists, I will post it here. However,
I am not deterred from trying the patterns in this book.

My only regret is that I don’t have 50 sofas in my house to drape them all upon. A home can only have so many afghans. How am I ever going to choose? But, I am certain that more than one of these will be in my future.

Update on my Christmas Elf Hat: Yes, I’m still knitting away at this project. Just like the last time I did this pattern, it’s looking like I’ll be done by the end of this month or maybe early February. I should know not to start my Christmas knitting in November because no matter how hard I try, it will never be done in time. But, I hope to be posting a finished photo soon! Wish me luck. Maybe a good stint of knitting this weekend will be all that’s needed; I’ve been decreasing away and the rounds are going much more quickly now.

My Mailbox Runneth Over!

Today was a good mailbox day. A really good one.

Today I got this in the mail:

It’s the New Traditions Afghan Kit by Knit Picks. I saw this on their website for the first time last week, and I knew immediately that I must have one. The bright colors are certainly a huge attraction. But, what really got me was the quilt design, knit modularly, in what looks like all garter stitch. (I haven’t yet taken the pattern out of the bag for wanting to keep the yarn all together.) Once I get the technique down, can you IMAGINE the creative possibilities, and all of the quilting designs? I am practically glowing from excitement at the thought of it all!

The other thing that came in the mail was this:

This is the Fall 1997 issue of Interweave Knits magazine. It’s a very early issue. Thumbing through the pages I quickly realized that one of two things must be true: either it’s that truly classic, beautiful designs never really go out of style, or perhaps I am hopelessly behind the times and unfashionable. This fabulous issue contains a top-down Aran by Beth Brown-Reinsel, with not only a pattern, but also a detailed article about its construction. And there’s the article about Alice Starmore, and a pattern by Alice Starmore. Cool!

Those of you who have been knitting forever might already have this magazine in the rack on your shelf, and you’re probably chuckling at my glee. Or, maybe you’re quietly nodding, because you totally get it. You understand. Either way, this magazine is a treasure to me. And, out of style or not, I don’t care. I’m going to get up the guts and knit something from this puppy.

Someday.

Ode to a Missed Deadline

Ok, I’ll ‘fess up.

I missed my Christmas knitting deadline.

Thank goodness it wasn’t a gift, but I was hoping to be able to wear my funky elf hat in Christmas morning photos. The same thing happened to me the last time I knit this pattern. I should know that starting this pattern in November just isn’t enough time, at least not at the Holiday Season. I mean, with everything that goes on at this time of year, there were days when I never even knit at all.

And this is why I don’t knit occasion gifts. I never make my knitting deadlines. So, I’ve for the most part decided just to never have any.

The thing is, I’ve started the decreases now, so soon enough the rounds on this hat will begin to go quickly. So will I wait til next Christmas to wear this hat? No way! Let everyone think I’m crazy when I show up wearing it when it’s done. (I was thinking of attaching jingle bells on the pointy end of the hat… maybe I’ll wait til Christmas for that part…) My coworkers already know that I’m weird, what with the other Santa hat and my eyeball scarf. So this one won’t be hard to wear to work, for sure. Except that it clashes with my purple coat. Oh well…

The weather has been really cold here! Ok, so we’re not below zero like a lot of folks in some parts of the country, but our area has relatively mild winters and it’s cold here! Our old drafty house isn’t helping. almost think I can feel the wind coming right through the walls sometimes. Yesterday was everyone’s first day back to school and work after the holidays, and even though the weatherman swears to me that the days are getting longer now, I don’t believe it. Not even the sun wanted to get out of bed yesterday morning. It’s supposed to get colder before we see normal winter weather again. I can definitely say I’m not looking forward to the rest of this week.

One thing I’d like to share before I go… my favorite Christmas gift. The kids went on a cruise with my in-laws this summer, and they had a photo taken while they were gone:

I love this photo. It’s on my mantle, on my computer wallpaper, and now on my blog. Now I can look at it anytime. I’m such a proud mama.

Goodnight.

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