Lots of Ideas

I always seem to have a running commentary going in my mind. Sometimes it just drives me nuts. I'll think about something, (usually while I am out doing errands) and think, Oh I can blog about that, or see something really interesting, or hear something on the radio. It goes on and on. Maybe I need to keep my mind occupied in other ways.

We took down our Christmas tree today. I had enough of the pine needles and watering it. It was starting to grow some interesting spider webs too, though we never saw big spiders, just little tiny ones. It's out of the house now, and the house has been vacuumed and swept from top to bottom, but less than 5 minutes later, I spy pine needles. I will be picking them up and vacuuming them for weeks.

I have some finished objects to share, and some that I have started, just tonight even.

First off, the cabled hat for Robert. I used the same yarn, just a different color, probably bark. It is a dark chocolate with flecks of cream in it. I finished it Friday night.



I knit a second scarf from Scarf Style. It is the same pattern as the previous silk scarf, just a slightly different color. I gave it to my aunt yesterday for Christmas. I think she liked it. I am pleased to give away my knitting and know that it is appreciated. I think I finished it on Tuesday and had time to block it nicely. It is the same HandMaiden SeaSilk, knit on size 6 needles, with the variation of stockinette stitch on the wrong side, instead of the pattern in the book. The pattern is Midwest Moonlight.



I almost forgot the started item. Marble Arches from the Rockin' Sock Club at BMFA. It was the October package. I have started one sock, and I don't like it, it is going to be too big. I did the medium size, so I am going to rip it out and do the small size. It is hard to get started. You cast on twice as many stitches, then K2tog, or P2tog to get back to a normal number of stitches. It's those K2tog and P2tog that kill my hands. Maybe I will start them on DP's instead of the circs and see if it is a little bit easier. This is only the second sock that I have started from the club. I am hoping to make some headway on them and maybe another pair before February when the new year shipment comes out. I realized that I had made 3 pairs of socks for myself this year though. I thought it was only one, so was pleasantly surprised.




We have had the most laid back week. Robert had to work Christmas Eve, briefly, then we have had a whole week and then a few extra days to just do nothing. Christmas Day was the usual, open presents, think about dinner. We had our next door neighbors over for a late dinner. I think we finally ate around 4:00 pm. The rest of the week was an absolute DO NOTHING week. Well, except Wednesday, I had to go to the chiropractor, because I hurt my back. It is almost back to normal now. And Friday had several appointments including a lunch date with friends. Other than that it was a lazy week.

After tomorrow, it will be back in the swing of things with piano lessons, and a new dance class. John still has one more week off before the college starts back. That was my favorite part of Christmas vacation while we were in college, the 3 weeks off.

I hope you all have a Happy and Safe New Year.

Six Weird Things About Me

AAAHHH, I was tagged by Suz. (And I just realized I can't spell weird/wierd, it doesn't follow the rules!)

"THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the "6 weird things about you." People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says "you are tagged" in their comments and tell them to read your blog."

1. I didn't drive or get my license until after I was 18.

2. I collect recipes, from magazines, newspapers, internet.....but I don't use very many of them. They sit in boxes and collect dust, until I get frustrated and put them all in the recycle bin without going through them.

3. I never finished college, but I did go to a trade/technical school and came away with a certificate for Medical Assisting. I even took the state or national boards for it and passed.

4. When I crawl into bed, I have to read for at least 15 minutes. If I can't read, it takes me a very long time to fall asleep. I try to go to bed before everyone so I can read.

5. I love G**gle, and will make up excuses to look something up on G**gle. I used to think we needed an encyclopedia set, but not anymore.

6. I have this funny condition. I CAN go into a yarn shop and not buy anything.

Hmm, who do I tag? Sidsel, Kristin, LavenderSheep, Sheri, Rebecca, and Brandie. If anyone else wants to do this meme, consider yourself tagged and let me know when you do it.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve here and I think we are ready for Santa. The cookie plate is prepared, though the Egg Nog is still in the fridge.

Merry Christmas to all of my friends near and far.

I Love the Scarf and Hat!!

I finished up John's scarf and hat from the Irish Hiking Scarf KAL. This was a pretty easy knit, repetitious enough that I didn't have to continually look at the pattern, but not too boring either. He likes it alot, though it will be wrapped as a Christmas present.








I modified the pattern just slightly by going down at least one or two needle sizes and dropping one of the cable repeats on the scarf. It turned out to be a good size for him. I used 4 balls total of the Kathmandu Aran. After 2 balls for the scarf, I started on the hat just to make sure I would have enough yarn. The hat took less than 1 1/2 balls, so I used the rest of the second ball to finish the scarf. Then I did wash and block it a bit so you can see the cables more.

One of the other items that I finished last week was a vest for CIC and finally got a picture taken of it today.

Christmas Bells

"Christmas Bells"
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

(The original poem, complete with all seven stanzas)

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


Then from each black accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"


Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"


Please go here to read the story behind the poem, it is eye-opening, tragic and uplifting.

The reason I came across this piece today, I was listening to Frank Sinatra sing this song in a very slow and somber tone. Almost like he might have been singing it after a USO event during one of the wars. It really made me stop and listen to the words. So many times today it seems like Christmas is all about getting, getting, getting. Rush here, Rush there. Ignore the pedestrians while I try to get to that parking spot. There is so much more to Christmas than just that, but that is a whole 'nother post or two!!

Well, most of it.......

The rain is back, after a nice week of weather. Not too sunny, a little cold, but overall not too bad at all. The only thing I don't like about this time of year is the rain. I think it's a love/hate relationship. I like it if I can stay inside, love the green of Oregon because of the rain. I don't like to be in it, especially if it is windy.




Kim and I finished the cookies first thing yesterday morning, then went out to put up outside Christmas lights (before the rain started). I normally don't do it, Robert and Kim usually do it, if we do it at all. This is only the second year we have had lights up, and I don't remember having them up last year. Today we just need the engineer to figure out how the extension cords should go and if we will have enough cords or outlets to light it all.

I started a scarf last night, ripped it out and restarted it. The Irish Hiking Scarf. It is an easy knit!! I started it with the needles suggested and the number of stitches. After 3 repeats, it was 10 1/2 inches wide, when it should have been 5 1/2 inches wide. I went to the KAL site into their archives to see if else had that problem. Yep, but the suggestion was to get a couple of repeats done and the cables would pull it in. Are you kidding me? So, I went down two needle sizes and cut out one of the cable sections. It looks much better. I think it is over 12 inches long now and I'm not even done with one skein. I am using Kathmandu Aran by Queensland Collection. Color is 120, a soft grey tweed. It is so soft to work with. Hmm, must the bit of silk and cashmere in it with the merino. I bought enough to do the hat with it.

I love this time of year

The colors, the music, the baking........

This wreath is so ugly, but it's a tradition around here. I made it the summer that I was 18. I had never done anything like this before. I don't know why we keep it, but dh won't let me get rid of it. Maybe it needs some more filler/greenery.



I don't like this arrangement as much as the other one I did. I think it's droopy and missing something. I'll work on another one here before Christmas.





I am tired of the music on the radio, so went online to find something different. It does have ads to get you to become a VIP member, but the songs are somewhat different. Live 365 Radio. You can search for other genre as well.

Harry Simeone Chorale Christmas is a Birthday
You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch by Thurl Ravenscroft sung the song.
Julie Andrews
Frank Sinatra
Tommy Dorsey
Bing Crosby
The Beach Boys
Brenda Lee





Kim and I are going to a cookie exchange on Sunday. We baked 5-6 dozen of these sugar cookies tonight. These are a favorite from dh's childhood. Tomorrow we are making snickerdoodles. YUM!!

Your a Mean One, Mr. G.

Your Grinch name is:
Crabbycrab Crankynoodle

Find your own Grinch Name.


The rest of my families names are pretty funny.

There is
Peevishgrouch Crankynoodle

Stingyfrown Crankynoodle

Gloomycrab Crankynoodle.