The Difference a Day Makes

Most of the day yesterday, there wasn't a lot of snow. It did start flying when we headed off to a fish supper, with a fair coating on the roads. The view of the woodpiles yesterday had some snow.

But a slightly different view do the same wood piles shows a bit more snow this morning. It must have kept snowing through the night. I love it!

Why yes, Hubby does prefer to cut wood as we go. Why do you ask? Even a winter hospital stay over 25 years ago didn't cure him of last minute wood cutting.

Luckily the boys are old enough to cut. Younger son would have it all cut up, except his chainsaw was broken until after really cold weather hit. Hopefully next year, we will have it cut and stacked early.

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Reading Roundup

While the deep (and not so deep) South and Eastern Seaboard are staggering under a real snowstorm this weekend, here in Michigan we are snow covered and sunny. A gorgeous day, all in all.

I believe I mentioned on an earlier post how I had started a reading journal this year, to track my reading, as well as to record books I want to read in the future. (It is the January 14 post, if you are interested, called Knitting and Reading, link in the sidebar.)

I am making pretty good progress on my To Be Read List. I have managed to finish the last two Miss Marple books. And I was very glad to see that Agatha Christie did not kill her off. It must have been Miss Christie's on demise that caused Miss Marples death.

I am continuing my mystery streak with book three in the Lady Darby mysteries, "A Grave Matter." And, I have returned to the book that I lost and ended up paying the library replacement costs. No, it didn't turn up. I ended up buying it on Kindle. That book is "Cleopatra: A Life" by Stephanie Schiff. I usually buy books for my Nook and Kindle apps that are discounted. I really hated paying twice for this one.

I also opened Spoon River Anthology again. I like it, but never stuck to it last time I started to read it. It is one book that may be easier to follow in a paper form rather than an e- book. Only because I kept wanted to leaf back to poems about people I had already read. Maybe I can finish it this time, even if it is on Nook. I still do most of my reading on the apps, so I can knit.

I think I may like this journaling my reading. It makes me more accountable.

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Stop the Insanity

Once again we see panic all over the news. Another Snowmedegon is descending upon the East coast and the South. Now granted, that area doesn't do snow well. An inch of snow already this afternoon had commuters in a deadlock going home in Washington DC. Relax people! Where you live, it will all be melted in a couple days. Stay home and knit. Or something. It's the weekend, just hunker down and enjoy yourself. (Ok, in their defense, Washington DC is projected to get between one to two feet.)

I think the weather reports and storm warnings have gotten a bit ridiculous recently. Before this weekend's south and east disaster-in-the-making crept into my awareness, I saw a weather advisory for northern Michigan, in the Petoskey and Emmet County area a couple days ago. But it was a warning for 1-3 inches! Really? In Northwest Michigan? That is just normal winter weather for Michigan. And when they build this normal weather as a huge storm, you tend to treat it as crying wolf when a real storm comes. I wish they would save the advisories for the truly bad weather, not normal seasonal weather.

Ok, rant over. So for putting up with my raving lunacy, I will treat you to Little Farmer with his "buddy" Snowflake. He loves the kitty. Snowflake does not reciprocate the feeling.

Nice kitty.

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Mystery Project Finished

There are times when a good quick project is just the thing you need.

I shared some cryptic pictures previously. And now the project is finished. That link will take you the Ravelry page for the project.

Just to prolong the agony for those who don't click the link, here is another hint.

If that doesn't help, how about this one?

They look like little bags, don't they?

But here they are after seaming and trying on.

They are stretchy, comfy, and warm Mary Jane style slippers for me. The pattern is Pocketbook Slippers, and are a free pattern on Ravelry. I didn't want anything too warm, so a single strand of worsted is perfect for me, as opposed to the ones that were part of my Christmas knitting. I figure these are so compact I can tuck them into my purse or tote to have handy when I want to take my winter boots. I can see having a couple pairs of these to keep handy.

I need to see what else I can find in the stash for a pair. They took less than half a skein for the pair.

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A Little Shopping: Glasses and Boots

This past Monday, I finally tracked down my eye doctor.  After her practice was recently sold, due to the inability to afford all of the new insurance requirements, the others at her practice joined the new company.  Her name, however, was not on the list at the new practice.  She is my first cousin, once removed (her mother is my cousin), and I always felt I got a very thorough exam from her.  After recently seeing her mother, I found out where she was and more importantly, a phone number.  Yea!
I  scheduled an exam and this pas week determined, despite a few floaties, that all is well.  So, I am good for another year or so, except for my new glasses.  But those will be coming later.
But, while I was in the neighborhood more or less, I decided to check out the nearby factory surplus store.  I needed some warm winter barn boots.

Now I have some. Warm, insulated, and ready for winter.
Leo, however, was more interested in what was under the box.

Nothing compares to a new box in Leo's opinion.
Now, back to knitting.

Now Is The Winter of Our Discontent?

Many of my friends, neighbors, and others across West Michigan have been channeling William Shakespeare and Richard III lately.  Conversations and FaceBook are awash with mutterings and grumblings about the weather.  And the temperatures.

And I have to confess that, contrary to popular opinion.....I am not one of them.
I have been completely enjoying this winter.  Sure, I got stuck in the driveway one evening.  I have arthritis in my knee and hands that has started acting up more. And it is hard to convince Lizzy, my dog, that she really needs to take a walk some days.

But come summer, when the heat of July and August are once again upon us, I will be longing for weather like this again.  This is not the winter of my discontent.

At the Hermitage

With all the snow that we have been getting here in West Michigan lately, I have become a hermit.  I was leery about even venturing to church on Sunday.  As a result I haven't left the house since last Thursday, aside from taking Lizzie out for occasional potty breaks.  But oh, while cold, it is glorious out.

Some of the drifts are getting big.  One is halfway up the basement door.  Poor little Lizzie doesn't like walking in snow deeper than her paws.   Its making the aforementioned breaks a bit difficult.
While I am home, I have been knitting.  (Yeah, I know, big surprise, huh?)  I have the first sleeve of the Duchess of Cambridge cardigan about 1/3 done.
And, after finishing my Stephen West Craftsy class, I broke down and began designing a new shawl with the Noro I showed yesterday.

I am rethinking the green Mini Mochi yarn I showed with this yarn yesterday.  I think that even though they are both singles, this Noro is more tightly spun and won't work with the green yarn.  I am contemplating some dark royal blueish sock yarn, a wool/silk blend to use instead.  I won't need it for some time, as it is to be added closer to the end of this yarn.  I'll show it once I've made up my mind.

As always the ever patient Lizzie allowed herself to be used for scale.  The swatch kept growing, and it became the beginning of the shawl.
It will be a modified triangle when finished.  The white markers on either end indicate two more increase areas.  As a result, it will be more of a crescent shape.  I think that will stay put better when being worn by more endowed folks.  And the lengthened tails will give a bit more to tie or fling over the shoulder.  While there are yarn overs in the center and each end, the additional two increase points will be a more invisible "make one" increases.  I can't want to see how it turns out.  I have written out my rough pattern.  It is very rough.  I indicate the random garter rows as being made at whatever intervals the knitter likes.  I hope it turns out all right.

Shifting Goals

Yes, my goals are moving somewhat.
Oh, the Rustic Shawl Collar Cardigan is still on.  It is just that after reaching my goal of 17 inches before starting the sleeves, I held it up to my underarm.  The consensus was that it needed another couple inches before starting sleeves.
However, I just re-measured the underarm to hem length on my favorite handknit sweater.  It is also 17 inches.
Hmmmm.  So maybe just a couple extra rows.  A little extra cover over the tushie is never amiss.
I am eager to progress onto the sleeves.  Next week I will have two long days to get lots of knitting done.  I am a new member of our township board of review.  It sounds like long hours with few people wanting a review, so lots of spare time.  Since many people's taxes went down, I think they may not want to complain, in case the taxes should have gone the other way.
Which adds up to quality knitting time.
And the picture?  Just the sun and frost from a recent frosty foggy morning, to remind me we ended up with some decent winter winter.

Typically Michigan

Besides lots of knitting on my new sweater, and yes I still have to sew up the green sweater,

 it has been an exciting week here weather-wise.

 

We went from lots of glorious snow.......

 

to warm weather and rain.  (That is our hayfield folks! And just a small portion of the water in it.)

And now back to snow.  I love the snow, even the cold temperatures. 
Only downside, our garage door opener is frozen.  I have to open and close it by hand till the next thaw.

Finally Winter

Cold days.  Colder nights.  And I am loving it.  It's about time too.
With winter's encouragement, the Green Romney sweater is growing too.  The second sleeve is nearly ready for shaping the sleeve cap.  Then sewing together after perhaps (probably) a bath and blocking.
I can see swatching ahead this weekend.  I just need to decide: top down, or bottom up.

Return of Lake Hagen

Sort of anyway.
It's a good thing both sons are now out and on their own.  If not, I think they would be turning the pasture and Lake Hagen into a ice skating rink.
The wonderful snows of last week are gone.  Warmth and rain made short work of it all,and flooded the pasture along with ditches and hayfields.  And now all is ice.
So far, this winter is everything I hate about spring: rain, mud, up and down temps. Yuck.

I Love This Weather

Finally, at long last, we got a touch of winter over the past couple days. Of course it is supposed to be in the upper 30's Monday, and possibly rainy. But I can enjoy this while it lasts.

The view from the back porch across the pasture is so.....pastoral. When the snow is proceeded by rain, it makes it stick to the trees and the pines look so heavy.

Even the wood pile was pretty well buried.

But it wasn't long before Hubby had the back blade on and was busily plowing out the drive. And as you can see, the garden as well. Once the ground freezes hard, Hubby can park his truck out there.

Knitting Weather

Now that winter has really arrived, knitting has taken on a life of its own.
I have sped along on Sporto, and clattered the needles on Evelyn's cardigan.  But in the last day, I have worked in Hubby's snowplowing socks.  These are the ones with replaceable sole.
I am finding the construction.....interesting. 
Tomorrow I'll show some pictures of the weather that has inspired all this knitting.  But here is a picture showing the instep flap, as well as the beginning of a heel flap.

A Choir of Christmas Carols

Having a bit more time on my hands lately, I of been doing a lot of knitting and watching tv.  And in the past month have viewed a wide assortment of "A Christmas Carol".  A veritable choir of versions.
Versions with Reginald Owen,  Alastair Sim, Albert Finney.  Even Disney's animated version with Jim Carrey.  The only one I would have liked to see was the Muppet version.
And realize too, that I saw White Christmas (twice), Holiday Inn, Christmas in Connecticut, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Holiday Affair, It Happened on Fifth Avenue, and many other movies with a touch of Christmas.  But it is the Christmas Carol movies that most touched me this past month.
Each has a different twist.  And whole I gained new appreciation for the Reginald Owen version, my favorite is still Alastair Sim's version.  Closer to the book.  Oh yeah, I read the original this month too.
And don't even bother with the Disney/Carrey version.  For animation, it is too graphic, in a pimply faced kind of way.
But as they all end, so will I.
God bless us.  Every one.

White Christmas (Eve Anyway)

Well, we got some snow finally. A little over an inch or so. But, as you can see, the sun is shining as well. I'm not going to count on a white Christmas yet.

But at least the weather is finally nice. At least close to seasonal. But I still miss blizzards. Maybe next month.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...October?

You may be able to detect a theme developing.
Please realise that I normally am not affected by the winter's lack of daylight.  I find snow and cold invigorating.  But when the weather is more in line with the picture below, I get depressed.
I mean why else should I be depressed?  Just because I lost a job last week (#7) and am losing another next Thursday (#8), what reason would there be to be depressed?
Yes, I do know mine is not a popular stance, but I need snow.

Darkness and Light

Sure, I know it is the shortest day of the year.  Darkness and gloom with lots of clouds just seemed to fit today.
I really don't like these days when there is no snow on the ground.  Nights are too dark when driving home without the snow bouncing the light around.  Even letting Lizzie out for a late evening romp is easier with snow on the ground lessening the gloom so I can see her.
But that said.......
The dark ain't going nowhere.  No snow. And none expected till after the new year.
Bah!  Humbug!
(The picture is just here to remind me of the glories of winters past.)

The Weather Outside is Frightful

And I don't mean because of snow.  Instead the lack thereof is driving me crazy.  Even though I no longer crosscountry ski, don't snowmobile.....don't even make snowmen anymore, I still love snow.  And I hate this unseasonable weather.  (I had to grit my teeth the last couple weeks at church, when reading the intercessory prayers after some one wrote thanksgivings for warm weather.)
And may I just add,  what is with people calling a snowless Christmas a green Christmas?  They are not green.  They are brown, muddy and dirty. 
Yuck.

Snow!

Just a few flakes, but they are steadily falling.  No accumulation for now, but I can dream of days like this:

Where'd the Grass Go, Momma?

On stepping outside today, Lizzie Bell was in for a bit of a surprise. And I was pleasantly pleased.

SNOW!

New readers may not realize that I love the stuff.

Lizzie on the other hand, not so sure. It is gone now, but this promises to be a snowy winter. I can hardly wait.

On the knitting scene, tomorrow I finally will be having the class on the making the Double Heelix socks.

They said that the heel is best done on circulars. I am not good with the magic loop or using 2 circs for socks. This should be an experience. Wish me luck!!