Ahhhh...The Holiday Frenzy Begins

Happy Thanksgiving!

(picture of lost Turkey in next-door-neighbor's yard)

Every year I ponder just exactly what it is I'm thankful for. Some years (especially recently) I've had a hard time coming up with many things to be thankful for but this year I have many things for which to be grateful. The 3 biggest things this year are:

1. I have a new job and in another week I will be away from the cranky co-workers I've had to endure for the past year.
2. My daughter is finally in college!
3. Son #2 has been sober for over 5 months!

We are all gathering tomorrow around the dining room table and they will have to say what they are thankful for....(after all, there's no such thing as a free meal!). I'm interested to hear their perspectives....we have come a long way this year!

Everything is ready for the oven or nearly ready.

Menu

Turkey

Hot and Spicy Sausage Stuffing

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

(Baked Sweet Potato for me)

Gravy

Steamed Asparagus

Relish Tray

Veggie Tray

Cranberries

Pumpkin Pie w/whipped cream

Entertainment

Movie before Dinner: Live Free or Die Hard

Cards or Other Games after dinner

Now, just so you don't forget that this blog is about kniiting and pets....here's Ace Freeley keeping an eye on my felted clogs as they dry....You've heard the expression Riding the Range....she's Riding the Toaster.

Here's another shot of them after felting.

This next photo is the yarn that will become a pair of clogs hopefully in the next 2 weeks.

I don't know if I mentioned the Chevron socks at all. I had put them down for awhile when I got to the 2nd heel so I could knit a shawl. I hope to finish these this weekend and make good progress on either the Red and Gray clogs or the 3rd shawl. The shawls are for the SIL's. The next pair of clogs are for DD.

Although I mentioned a holiday frenzy in the title of the posting...it will be a knitting frenzy as I don't intend to support the local malls and department store chains this year. They can thank the oil companies and the trend to off-shore I.T. support for my lack of spending this holiday season. I used to be quite a contributor to their bottom line but they will have to play the game without me this year. I plan to just enjoy the season without the insanity of shopping.

Now bring on the Pi and Pumpkins

OMG! I found the camera!

Ok...so last night I said,"Have you seen the camera?" and then had a wee moment of panic because I wanted to take some pictures and couldn't remember where I had it last or when!!! ....luckily I'm a creature of habit and I found it in the first place I looked...ok, the 2nd place...it wasn't in my yarn basket.



Here we have the Hat, Mittens and Dog Coat from Big Needle Knitting...

Close-up of the Mitten....

These were really quick and easy to knit since its Lamb's Pride Burly Spun.





And next we have the Pre-Felted Clogs....

Find the Cat in this photo!

So on to the felting!!! I sure hope this felt down to my size. I had to use size 15's in stead of the pattern's suggested 13's in order to get gauge. More pix to follow!

Time is the Enemy

Look at what a girl has to put up with around here! But it is a good color on my don't you agree?

I wish I had time to do all the things I'd like to do! Like take pictures of my projects, post to my blog, update My Notebook in Ravelry, buy new shoes, bake some cookies, go to the movies and the list just goes on and on.

Sigh....

I did get a few projects listed in Ravelry finally!....although they are incomplete postings. I also need to figure out what my flickr pwd is...its been awhile since I've used it so I can get some pictures posted.

I paid some bills this afternoon...that should keep the wolves at bay for another couple of weeks.

I had a work meeting this morning at Keys on Raymond Ave where they have been serving gargantuan portions since the day the opened back in the 70's...I think it was 1972. I had to have the carmel roll...had to.

I got a pedicure yesterday...that was awesome! And had my gels re-whited. Again...me time.

I went to the Autumn Festival (Craft Extravaganza) at Canterbury Downs on Friday night after work. Bought a little snowman and a couple of tree ornaments, and some wintery/ski/snowshoe themed placemats, and a couple of handbags (one already holding one of my knitting projects).

What's on the needles? Felted Clogs...almost done with the 2nd one...then into the washer they will go...swisha swisha swisha.

Yarn: Cascade 220 wool, in purple for sole and cuff, red for instep

Needles: US 15

I have knitted 2 of the 3 healing shawls of the Sisters of DF. The LB Homespun in Tuscan, Antique and Priaire was originally going to be an afghan for his Mom...I bought it like 2 years ago I think...along with other yarn that did get made into an afghan for her. Each of the 3 colors is now becoming a healing shawl - one for each of her surviving daughters. 3 skeins each, and no fringe. Using the LB pattern...k3 p3.....across and then turn and P your K's and K your P's. Its a great project for watching a movie..even one with subtitles. Needle: 10.5 addi turbo circulars...

I have Sensational Knitted Sock - Chevron - on the needles. Tan/brown stripe

Yarn: Austermann Step

Needles: US 1

I am at heel #2. Its an afterthought heel...I don't like this type of heel...this is the first time I've tried it...and will probably be the last. If it was any other type of heel it would be finished now.

I recently finished the cabled hood, mittens and dog coat from Big Needle Knitting.

Yarn: Lamb's Pride Burly Spun - Tourquise; White Bulky yarn and Eyelash for trim.

Needles: US 13 and 15

The Chartreuse Calliope Shell that I started last spring is resting until after the holidays. I have one side finished...hope my gauge doesn't change when I pick it up to do the front.

Yarn: Doh...can't remember...its cotton tho...bought it in Woodbury at Knitting from the Heart. Will post it on Ravelry soon.

Needles: US 2 and 3

Project Pictures...coming soon!

Ok...they tend to be in a lot of my photos....but they are just so damn CUTE!