And the Winner Is...

ikkinlala! Now all I need is for you to check your Yahoo email acct where I sent you a note. Then you can send me your address and I'll mail off your prize. I ended up having 10 names to put in the hat. Not too bad.

I would love to sit and chat for awhile, but I just got home from work and need to get some things done around the house. Have a great weekend.

Contest Ends Tomorrow!

That's right folks...the contest will end tomorrow, February 22nd, this blogs one year anniversary. So far I only have 9 names to put in the drawing and that disappoints me! I was hoping for a lot more. Like I've said in earlier posts, I'm not sure I will keep blogging since I have such a small amount of readers. It's fun, but it's also time consuming, and I always think there are more important things I could be doing with my time. I have enjoyed blogging this last year, but let's get real...if no one's reading it, what's the incentive to continue?

Stacey and Baby Logan made it home just fine. They are settling in and getting to know him. He is a very good little guy, sweet personality. Stacey said he wakes up with a smile and rarely cries. Mia has been really good with him. She's gentle and kind, but there are times she chooses to ignore him rather than play with him. I guess that's the prerogative of a big sister. I am thinking of flying down to visit them sometime in March. They will be coming to Minnesota for Stacey's 20 year class reunion this June, but I can't wait that long to meet my new grandson and see my little Miss Mia.

I have been lurking around Ravelry but find it to be a bigger time sucker than blogging. Plus, it's pretty much just for reading and looking. Not much interaction unless you use the forums which are very clogged and hard to navigate. Ravelry is fun, I admit it, but it's not what I thought it was going to be. I thought there would be more interaction between members. Oh well, it's probably better that I find it boring or I'd be sitting at the computer even longer than usual! I did find a very pretty sock pattern here. It's on the right sidebar and called "Dream Twister". It's not for the faint of heart, but it sure is beautiful. I think I may cast it on in my coveted Koigu...that yarn deserves an elegant pattern like Dream Twister! I also found this beautiful cardigan pattern I love (pictured above)! Big problem...it's written in Russian! Anyone out there know how to translate into Russian? I didn't think so.

Hubby and I are finally going to see "Jumper" this afternoon. He got called into work last week so we never got to go. We will have a quick dinner after and then home to watch the vote-off on American Idol, and then Lost. A.I. is pretty good this year, I think the men are actually better than the women. It will be interesting to see who makes it and who gets the boot!

I need comments! Lots of comments! I want to draw my blogiversary winner from a bunch of names! I will draw tomorrow afternoon and put the winning name on this blog! Good Luck!

Happy Valentine's Day!

The big day of romance. I guess. Although I have to tell ya, Steve is taking me out to dinner and a movie. Of course it's a movie he wants to see..."Jumper". I guess it could be good, the previews look a little exciting, and I do like a good adventure movie. I'll let you know what I think after I've seen it.

Stacey and Baby Logan are home safe and sound! I wish I could have been a mouse in the corner at their house yesterday. I would love to have seen Little Logan's home-coming. I am thinking of taking a week off (I have 4 weeks of vacation to use) and flying down there for a gramma fix. I haven't seen Stacey, Jon, and the kids since last summer. I sure wish they lived closer.

Remember to leave a comment to be entered in the contest! I will draw a name on Feb. 22nd so be sure to check back here for the winner.

It's Official!

He's ours! Talk about a cutie, he's one handsome little guy. He and his new mom, my daughter, are landing right about now in Miami, returning home from Guatemala, Logan's birth place. Stacey had to go alone to pick Logan up since Mia had gotten very sick with a high temp and strep. Jon stayed home in Florida to tend to Mia, and Stacey went to Guatemala to pick up their new son Logan. She said she was having a great time, but missing her family that she left behind. Luckily, she only had to be gone for 4 days. She called me while she was there and said that Logan is a real sweetie and so good. She also said she felt a slight pang of guilt since she was having a good time and enjoying Guatemala. I'm sure she is excited to get home and see her hubby and daughter Mia. Life will be changing for them today...they are officially a family of 4! I'm so happy for them. Welcome Home Little Logan...and Welcome to the Family!

I finally got the go ahead from the insurance appraiser today to start the re-construction in the family room and bathroom. It's been over 2 1/2 weeks since the pipe broke and I was getting a little peeved that it was taking them so long to approve things. But, not to worry, he called today and said the check was mailed on Monday and we should tell our contractor to get going. Yippee! Then we can get the house back on the market and get this baby sold! Where will I move to? Maybe back to my old house, maybe a new townhouse, who knows?? I have to think of this whole situation as an adventure or else I get a bit freaked.

Have I been knitting? Do I have something new and exciting on my needles? Have I actually finished anything? The answer to all those questions is a definite...NO. I have started an adorable dishcloth to give to my mom for Valentine's Day. Yes, she loves hand knit dishcloths. I'll also give her some flowers and candy. She's a sweet ole dame, and since I'm sure my brothers won't even acknowledge her on Valentine's Day...it's up to me! the pattern can be found here. And be sure to check out the cloths this young gal has designed. Awesome. Be sure to scroll down, she has a very cute Santa cloth and a cottage cloth also. So, that is all I've been knitting. I am a knitting slacker. I cannot seem to get going on anything BIG. I guess I am destined to knit socks, cloths, and mittens forever. Maybe I should stay away from this freaking computer for awhile and I'd actually get something done...like housework, laundry, cooking, and knitting! :o) And if reading knitting blogs all day isn't bad enough...that darn Ravelry is sucking my time also.

LET'S HAVE A CONTEST!!
I am coming up on my one year blog anniversary. Wow, doesn't seem that long. I think I will try and generate some comments by having a....CONTEST! Yes, the slacker knitter is having an anniversary contest! Leave a comment between today and my blogs one year anniversary, February 22nd, and I will draw a name on my anniversary and the winner will get some knitterly stuff. That gives you 10 days to leave a comment. Of course you can comment every day, but your name will only go in the hat once...that's only fair. Tell your friends, alert the press, spread the news through blogdom, and be sure to comment!

Gruesome Stuff!

Tonight hubby and I went out to dinner, and the movie "Untraceable". Sounds like a nice evening, right? The dinner was good, as Famous Dave's always is. The movie...S-C-A-R-Y! Scary and very gruesome. I don't like scary movies, and I really don't like gruesome movies. This was both. Diane Lane does an awesome job as Jennifer Marsh, an FBI agent. But I have to admit...I'd much rather see her remodeling houses in Tuscany! Untraceable is not for the faint of heart. I had to close my eyes a few times, and there was a couple scenes where everyone in the theater seemed to squirm a bit. All in all it was a good movie. Suspenceful, but like I said...a little too much gore for this lady.

I have been busy with my swift and ballwinder getting all those hanks of Auracania ready to become a top-down cardigan with a few cables thrown in for interest. I have decided to make it the way I want since every pattern I find is either the wrong gauge, or too small. Since when is a finished bust measurement of 42 considered XL? Ha! That sure wound't fit around my ladies! Yup, I'll knit a top down and then I can try it on and decide just how I want the fit. I also like top down sweaters because they are knit without seams. Sometimes it seems a bit daunting to have all those stitches to work every round, but hey, you'll be Working them whether you knit it in one piece or 5. Hopefully this sweater will be more successful than the purple cardigan was. But let's not even go there.

We have a bid ready on the repair for the flooded family room. I will fax it to the insurance appraiser tomorrow and keep my fingers crossed that it is okay. I would really like to get the downstairs back in working order and the house back on the market. What a freaking hassle...

Only 5 more days until baby Logan is in the arms of his new parents, and I am officially a Gramma for the second time. Stacey and Jon (Mia too!) are getting ready to leave on Sunday. Lots of preparing, packing, and excitement. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers for the 4 days they are in Guatemala and you can follow their adventure at their blog.

I am off to bed. Since tomorrow is Wednesday...I am off work. I love Wednesdays and Thursdays...my weekend! I am tired, probably from being so tense during that dang movie. I will post tomorrow or Thursday and hopefully I will have made some progress on the cardigan. Good night!

Good News :o) Bad News :o(

Let's start with the good news first. Stacey and Jon leave for Guatemala on Feb. 10th to pick up baby Logan and bring him home! We are all so excited! It seems like this adoption went so fast compared to Mia's. They started looking for an agency in June, found Logan's referral in July, and now they are picking him up in Feb. I told my daughter it only took 9 months, just like a pregnancy! She is a bit stressed since she thought they had another 2-4 weeks to get ready. She is still waiting for his crib and dresser to be delivered, she wanted to paint a mural (she's doing his bedroom in a pirate theme!) on his wall, and she still needs to hire a substitute teacher for her class. Other than that, the family is thrilled to be going to get him. Adoption in Guatemala is becoming less and less popular with the government, and the programs there may be shut down this year. The country is not yet Hague Treaty compliant and that will stop many from being able to adopt from there. We just feel so blessed that Logan's adoption went so smoothly and that the birth certificate now states Jon and Stacey as his parents. They will only be in Guatemala from Sunday, Feb 10th thru Wed, Feb 13th. Be sure to follow their journey to Baby Lo (Mia's name for Logan) at their blog. And of course, Gramma (me!) will have many new pictures in the future!

Now for the bad news. As many of you know, I have my house on the market. This month is was really being shown a lot. Weekly. I was hopeful that finally, things were gonna happen! And did they ever! I woke up Saturday morning to get ready for work as usual. While in my bathroom putting on my make-up I kept hearing a strange noise downstairs. Strange like...running water! When I went to investigate I was appalled to turn on a light and find the family room full of water, and the bedroom, and the bathroom. There was at least 2 inches of standing water. If this wasn't bad enough...I could still hear water running and it sounded like a freaking waterfalls! I couldn't see where it was coming from, but I could hear it in the wall behind the bathroom. I called Steve and by the time he got to my house the basement (lowest level) had now taken on about an inch of water also. He found the main shut-off valve and stopped the water works. We called our insurance agent that afternoon, but never heard from him until Monday...I'm sort of mad about that. Considering we were without water for 2 days and it would have been nice to have the clean up people here on Saturday instead of having to wait until Monday. Anyway, they sent out a company called Puroclean to start the clean up. I have to tell you...I am impressed with this company. The 2 young men who showed up were friendly, yet professional. They had this HUGE machine that sucked up all the water. They basically ripped out the bathroom, all that's left in there is the toilet. They are going to try and save the carpet since it was just laid in November and is brand, spanking new! We will recarpet if there is any indication of mold or mildew. They have hung plastic curtains to contain the area (half of the family room, a bedroom, and a bathroom) and they have special machines running that have been going since Monday afternoon. It looks like I've had a hazardous waste accident, not just a broken water pipe! Oh, and the best thing...they capped off the burst pipe so I got my water back on. Being 2 days without any water is terrible. Unbelievably difficult. We had bottled water for drinking, but think about it...no cooking, no washing of hands, no bathroom...toilet or shower! We were going to Steve's or my mom's to shower, and we ate our meals out or had take out. It was a real pain in the ass. We have had to pull the house temporarily off the market, but will leave the listing active. I guess the only fairly good thing is that we will get a totally new bathroom out of it. Big deal.

So Sunday I am off of work at 1:00pm and I am hungry...remember, my water has been off since early Saturday morning! So I stop at the local Wendy's and get an Asian chicken salad to go. I am going to go home and get the wet laundry off the basement floor, take it to Steve's (our other house) and wash it. Steve is working all day so I will take my knitting with and wash clothes, knit, and watch t.v. Sounds relaxing after all the hassle. So I pay for my salad and realize that the young lady has given me $20 extra in change. I honk my car horn so she'll open up the window, and show her that she's given my too much change. She looks at me like I'm a lunatic for giving it back, and thanks me with this quizzical look on her face. I believe in "what goes around, comes around" others call it Karma, or as the Bible says...do unto others as you would like them to do unto you. That was not my money, it was Wendy's. I would be stealing by keeping it. It makes me feel good to do the right thing. So I'm driving home with my salad and feeling good. Karma, I did good, good will happen to me in return. I pull in my driveway and hit the garage door opener...the door rises about 5 inches and drops back down. I hit the opener again, same result. I try once more, but this time a cable drops down in front of the door. Karma...whatever. The garage door repair man will be here this afternoon.

Isn't life interesting? My daughter has a very calm demeanor. I've rarely seen her angry, or truly upset. She is funny, kind, and very lovable. She always sees the silver lining in any gray cloud. When I was whining, I mean, telling her about the broken water pipe, the mess, the hassle, the dang garage door, the need to find a contractor, carpet layer, plumber, yada yada yada. Know what she says to me?? "It could be worse Mom. You are safe, healthy, your families okay, no one was hurt, and it will be fixed good as new. It's only some stupid carpet, and it's only a house. The things that are really important are okay, and that's what matters." Okay...reality check time. She's right. It's water that ruined some things in the house. It will be fixed, the insurance (minus the $1000.00 deductible) will pay for it, things will be fine.

It is cold here...no, I mean it, really cold! This morning it is -12 air temp with -32 wind chill. That is cold, Minnesota winter cold. The kind of cold where your nose hairs freeze when you breath, and your clothes feel stiff because they are frozen. You have trouble seeing because the moisture in your eyes gets so cold that they tear up and water. Yup, good ole Minnesota winter. When I walked the greyhound this morning she was content to do her business quickly and get back home. I plan on staying in today, making a pot of chili and some cornbread, knitting a bit, reading some blogs and playing at Ravelry!! Yes, I am an official member of Ravelry! I am having a bit of trouble figuring out just how to navigate the site, but I am having fun. It's not exactly what I thought it would be. I thought it was more of a forum with a lot more interaction between members. Maybe I just need to nosey around a little more and see what all is going on! Anyway, I am KnitterKaren on Ravelry, but I really haven't done anything yet so don't bother to look :o) It is fun to look at the finished projects of all the other members, especially the patterns I would like to knit. There are many members that call themselves designers that are willing to share patterns, and lots of people who post links to their patterns and blogs. You cannot put patterns on Ravelry...only a link to them. I think. Maybe it's time to go over there now and figure this all out. Have a great day, and if you're a fellow mid-westerner...keep warm!

January Slump

I have been knitting on my socks that I started in July 2007. I finished one and immediately cast on the second one so I could keep the momentum going! They are the Baby Breath socks from Jean Townsend and they are turning out very cute. I think that they will be given to my mom who has been looking for blue socks that "aren't navy blue but not light blue". The whims of an 81 year old! I noticed that when I knit my socks on 2 circular needles, as opposed to 4 dpn's, I get those funky "lines" where the needles meet. No, these are not ladders since the stitches are just as tight as their neighbor! I think it is the yarn fuzzing from being handled and manipulated onto the needle. Anyone else have this problem? Maybe it's just the yarn I used...KnitPicks washable sock yarn. It's a mystery to me!


I have been browsing the GarnStudio site and fell in love with a couple of their Spring/Summer sweater patterns. If you aren't familiar with this site I recommend you link on over there and check out their patterns. They are all FREE, yes FREE! They have been translated into English from their original Norwegian. There are 2465 patterns in English and many of them are awesome. Be sure to check out the "accessories" and "felted" links. Heck...check out the whole dang site! Their Norwegian sweaters are beautiful, real stunners. Maybe someday I will knit one of them. Maybe. Above are the 2 patterns that I will knit for sure. They haven't been translated yet, but should be soon. They are both from the Spring/Summer 2008 collection (link is on the lower left at their site). The white sweater I will knit in rose colored Auracania wool and I will lengthen the sleeves. The cabled cardigan, which I really love, will be done in denim colored wool and I will lengthen the sleeves on this one also. Cute, aren't they?

No one looked at either of our houses that are for sale the whole month of December. Not so this month! The house I live in has been shown 4 times, and the house hubby lives in has been shown twice and had 1 Open House. So far...no offers on either. :o( But, spring is just around the corner, okay, it's a few months off, but hopefully the market will change for the better by then! I am still so torn as to which house I want to sell, and which one I want to keep. I guess it all depends on the one that gets the best offer and sells first!

Since today is my day off I will bake. I love to bake. I will bake cookies and maybe some bread. After I bake I will start my new book. My older brother (I am the only girl in our family, sandwiched between 2 brothers who are always referred to as my "older" or "younger" bro) Randy is an avid reader. He goes through at least 8 books a month! Lucky me...I get all of them when he's done! Lately I've noticed that he's been reading a lot of books by Stephen White. I haven't read any by him, but Randy said they are good, very good, so today I will start the Stephen White book "Kill Me". Sounds uplifting doesn't it! I will let you know what I think of it. I'll read just about anything except science fiction or fantasy.

I have heard of a malady called "blog fade" and I think I make be contracting it! I have such a hard time writing in this here blog! I keep thinking...what should I write about, and who really reads it and gives a hoot anyway!? I know I have my regular readers (thanks Janet and Janice!) but I am wondering if I should chuck this whole blogging thing and wait for my invite to Ravelry. Whenever that will be! I noticed that next month will be my blogs one year anniversary. Maybe a contest is in the works. Goodness knows, I have some awesome sock yarn that could use a new home. Stayed tuned for The String-Slingers Anniversary Contest...details coming soon. Pass it on!

Proof Positive!

Started in 2007...finished in 2008...finally! Mariah's Christmas/New Year's mittens. Knit in Galway (worsted wt) on size 5 Crystal Palace dpn's. With this pattern in the largest size, which is still small for an adult. But, like I've already said...Mariah is very petite and they will fit her small hands perfectly. She adores pink and her winter jacket is black so they should look fine with it. Now all I have to do is finish all those second socks...nahh, I'm gonna knit me a sweater! I've got it narrowed down to the Celtic Cardigan (see last post), The Braids Cardigan, or this pullover. Which one? Decisions, decisions. Now, do I need new yarn or do I raid the stash and use that Araucania that's been aging for the past 2 years. I'm thinking the Braids Cardigan in the rose colored Araucania and new denim blue yarn for the Celtic! I do have some Christmas money to spend! I think it's harder to pick a pattern and yarn than to knit the darn thing!

Dinner last night was tasty. Steve and I went to Applebee's (called Crapplebee's by my children!). I had steak and he had shrimp. They have a new menu...sort of different. Lot's of multiple choice type dinners. Pick one from this list, two from this list, etc. I liked the menu, hubby not so much. Then we went and saw the movie National Treasure. We both liked it. But what is the deal with Nicolas Cage's teeth?! They look, BIG! Big and really white...most likely veneers. He's still a cutie even with the gleaming chompers and his funky little ears! Good movie, lots of unrealistic things happening, but fun, lots of fun!

I have a small vent I need to get off my chest. Ravelry! Yes, I have been waiting a longggg time to get my email telling me I am one of the elite, and have finally been accepted into the Ravelry cult. Here's my gripe...why does everyone who knits, and has a knitting blog assume that you are on Ravelry?! I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to check out a pattern or see a photo and where is it...on Ravelry of course. And can I view it? Nope. So please remember that many, many of us are not members of Ravelry.

Baby Logan Is Coming Home!

Logan with his foster mother in Guatemala

Yippee! My daughter and son in law just got the news that their petition for adoption has cleared the Guatemalan courts, the last step in adoption, and Logan is officially theirs! Stacey (DD) will be traveling to Guatemala to pick him up within the next few weeks. I have a feeling that her mother or father in law will go with her. She is a seasoned world traveler and is fine going alone for 3 days since Jon has clients lined up from now until the end of summer and can't travel with her! They really don't want to take Mia out of school again and they are worried about getting sick. So, the easiest route is to leave hubby and daughter home and travel alone. I used to worry about her when she did things like this, but after worrying for 5 years as she traveled all over the world (some countries that you really don't want to be in these days!) I guess I'm used to it. She's been in countries that most of us would have no desire to visit, such as, Pakistan, Afghanistan, etc. She's also been all over Africa, Europe, The Middle East, China, many Asian countries, just to name a few. I'm very proud of her and all she's done. I'm also very glad that she's now married and settled down! The priority now is to get Logan home! I guess I will be going to visit soon unless she decides to come to Minnesota for awhile. I know her Gramma (my mom) would love to see her and the kids!

Celtic Cardigan by Oat Couture

I finished Mariah's second mitten, and as soon as she picks them up I plan on taking a photo of her wearing them...if for no other reason than to prove I actually finished a project! I am so wanting to start a sweater. I have had the Celtic Cardigan pattern for a couple years and I think that will be the winner! I am going to order some denim blue worsted weight yarn from KnitPicks or Beaverslide and start that sucker! The purple cardigan still has left a bed taste in my mouth and I have decided that I will wait until next (2008) fall to start that one. Or, maybe I will just use that beautiful purple yarn for something all together different!

Hubby and I are going out to dinner tonight and going to see the movie National Treasure. Tomorrow is my day off and I will be waiting around for the Maytag repairman to show up and fix my dishwasher. I had forgotten what a drudgery washing dishes by hand is! I can't wait to see that repairman at my doorstep! Gotta bolt, my date (hubby) is ready to go!

2008...

Happy New Year! Nothing too exciting happened here on New Years Eve other than I went to bed at 9:00pm since I had to be at work at 6:00am New Years day. My good friend Kathi, who was vacationing in Texas, decided to call me at 12:50 thinking that it was 11:50 in Minnesota. She was sounding pretty happy and said she wanted to be the first to wish me a Happy New Year. Then she yells....What are you doing? I'm in bed. With who? Myself, I was sleeping. Sleeping? Yes, sleeping, I have to get up at 4:30 for work tomorrow. Oh, well Happy New Year and go back to sleep! click

My friend Janet also stopped by, at a normal time, and brought me my Christmas present.
The Best of Vogue Knitting Magazine: 25 Years of Articles, Techniques, and Expert Advice
This is an awesome book for any knitter. I have had such a great time reading through it. It is a techniques book, but also a history book. It is full of knitting tips and written by many different knitters. Many of the chapters are by Elizabeth Zimmermann or her daughter Meg Swansen. Highly recommended reading for any knitter.

Oh, I also found a really fun site that lists free patterns. Be sure to check out the beautiful dishcloth under "Fripperies" and the lovely blankets. Cool site.

I wish that I could tell you all about the numerous and wonderful items I knitted in 2007...but there aren't many! In fact, I think there was a couple dishcloths, maybe a sock or two, and part of a couple sweaters. I have been in a knitting slump for over a year. I want to knit, my fingers are itching to knit, but I just can't seem to find the time to sit and enjoy a couple hours of knitting relaxation. I am always worried about the house, is it clean, could the realtor show it today without me being embarrassed by the dog hair, or dirty dishes?? I really wish one of the houses would sell. I want to be settled in where I know I'm going to be staying. I guess that's just a lame excuse for not knitting. In the summer I always say it's too hot to knit, in the fall I always have big plans for knitting, then the holidays hit and I'm too busy with work and home. Now that we're heading into the winter slump (January and February) maybe I can knit a bit. I still haven't finished Mariah's second Christmas mitten...I am so bad! I am going to work on it today, I swear!

Tomorrow my friend Joyce and I are going to go see "Atonement". This is definitely a chick flick that the hubby would never go see. We did see "I Am Legend" and I loved it even though it scared the crap out of me. I had no idea it was a scary movie, I thought it was like "Castaway". Boy, was I wrong! It is a great story and Will Smith is wonderful. I won't say anymore since I recommend you see it yourself.

My DD Stacey and SIL Jon are home and have recuperated from their illness. Jon called it the Guatemala Diet...lose 10 pounds in 3 days! They were both so sick. But they are home now and feeling better, although they wish they could have brought Logan home with them. Thankfully, Miss Mia didn't get sick and is still her funny, perky, little self. I plan on going to visit for a week once they bring Logan home, hopefully sometime in the spring. I miss them and wish they lived closer.

I am off to clean my house so that I can knit guilt-free all afternoon! It is cold here (-2) so maybe I will pop in a movie, make some tea, get under a quilt on the sofa and knit that second mitten. Happy New Year to all.

Guatemalan Cutie!

For those of you that are not following my daughter and her hubby's trip to Guatemala to visit their soon-to-be-adopted son...I will post a picture of the little cutie. He is Logan Michael and about the cutest little man south of Miami! They are visiting him for a week with their other little cutie...Mia, their daughter adopted from China. If you would like to keep up with their escapades you can find their blog here.
Other than all the excitement about the new grandson, things here are winding down after the holidays. I am soooo tired. I don't know if it's my diabetes or just the after Christmas blahs. I feel like I could sleep for a week. I'm not a napper so I never get any extra sleep. I get up at 4:30am so I'm guessing I just need to get to bed earlier...starting tonight. Good night...

Blessed Christmas To All!

Merry Christmas to all! We had a wonderful Christmas Eve night last night at my brothers and today we stayed home and celebrated with our children and my mom. I made an egg and sausage bake for breakfast with the ever popular caramel rolls. You know, the ones made with Rhodes frozen bread dough and vanilla pudding mix. Yumm! We opened presents while the brunch baked and then feasted. This is the first time I've ever made an egg bake and it was a success...loved by all. Sort of reminded me of a crustless quiche. It was big, made in a 9x13 cake pan and we ate it all! That's what happens when you have 3 sons! We also managed to devour the caramel rolls. I guess it's diet time when the new year rolls in. I used a recipe found here for the egg bake. This site is a great recipe site, one that I refer to often.

We are getting snow...lots of snow! It sure looks like Christmas out there. I took a picture out our sliding door looking into our backyard. Snowy wonderland, but that's okay, I love snow! It's so peaceful and quiet when it snows, I like that. It will be a bugger to drive to work tomorrow but thankfully I only have to drive 2 miles! Lucky me, I live close to where I work.

My daughter, son in law, and granddaughter are in Guatemala! They just arrived there! They flew out of Miami and landed about 10 minutes ago in Guatemala City. They get baby Logan tonight! What a Christmas present that is! Stacey, my DD, decided to start a blog so anyone who desires can follow their trip. You can follow their week with Logan here. They were so excited! I can't wait to hear all about my little grandson.

I have a confession to make that I am not very proud of. I never finished Mariah's second mitten. No real excuses other than I was about half way done with the second one and realized that I had knit another left handed one! Big DUH! I wasn't paying very close attention while knitting at our monthly group and that is what happens! I did give her one mitten and promised the second one within a week. She's so sweet that she was only disappointed she couldn't wear them because she thought they were so cute. I love that little gal! Another person, or should I say canine, who enjoyed their gift was the greyhound Summer. She loves squeaky toys...and I mean LOVES them! She opened this one all by herself and has carried it around ever since.

Well, another Christmas is almost gone. I love this time of year so it makes me a little sad to think that it's all over until 2008. Everyone liked their gifts and I got some good stuff! I think the reason I like Christmas so much is that my family is all together and we are all blessed with wonderful children and our health. The Lord has been good to me and mine, and I thank Him for another year. Hope all your holiday's were filled with love and family.

I leave you with an adorable performance by my 3 year old grand daughter Mia Belle. She is not only cute but talented also. Enjoy!

Jack Frost Visits Minnesota

Yesterday morning I awoke to the most beautiful sight! Everything outside was covered with a heavy layer of white, sparkly, frost. In the cold weather this happens when there is excessive moisture in the air and it causes frost to form. All the trees were covered with white, it looked like they had been sprinkled with glitter. I took pictures as I walked the greyhound but the pictures don't do the frost justice. I guess you'd have to live in a cold climate to realize the beauty, I am one of those fools that like winter...what can I say?

I dragged the hubby shopping yesterday much to his chagrin. I have to admit, he was better than usual. He actually liked shopping at Home Goods (T.J. Maxx) and even bought a couple presents for co-workers and ME! I think he bought me the wine glasses I was oogling. They are awesome! Blue hand blown glass that fades to clear with tiny flowers right in the glass. I'm hoping that's what he was paying for when I wasn't supposed to be watching! I managed to pick up a few things at the mall but still can't find one kitchen item I want. I guess I'll have to order online and hope it arrives in time. I got hubby the new Dean Koontz book. He's read everything that man has written. I've read quite a few and really enjoyed them...recently I've read, The Husband, The Good Guy, and Intensity. Like a dummy, I read the first few pages of this new book and now I'm wondering if I should read it before I give it to Steve for Christmas! Would that make it a "used" book? I also bought Paula Deen's biography "It Ain't All About the Cookin'" for a friend at work. She loves Paula and I thought she might like to read about how she got started in her cooking career. There aren't enough hours in the day for me to read and knit all that I want!

With Christmas just around the corner I am starting to bake (I really should finish shopping, clean the house, finish Mariah's mitten!, wrap the presents I do have, and put up the tree!). Last night I made the ever popular Saltine Toffee. I know that everyone in the world has heard of this recipe and made it...but for those of you who aren't fortunate enough to know this recipe...here it is!

1 cup (2 sticks) butter (NO substitutions!)
1 cup packed brown sugar (light OR dark, doesn't matter)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tube (1/4 pkg of 16oz box) saltine crackers
1 12 oz bag choc chips (I use milk choc)
1/2 cup chopped pecans or almonds, optional

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with foil and lightly spray with non stick coating, like Pam. Lay the saltines in pan in single layer covering the bottom. Bring butter and brown sugar to rapid boil and start timing...boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Slowly pour over the saltines and spread to cover all the crackers. If the crackers get out of line just move them back into a single layer using a fork. Bake for 6 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with choc chips. Wait 5 minutes and spread melted chips to cover, sprinkle nuts on top if desired. Cool in frig until hard and break into pieces. Wonderful, tastes like a Heath candy bar. I have read that a lot of people use the saltines without salt on top, and that some use unsalted butter. Either way, these are a favorite around here!

I have decided that I want to knit the Central Park Hoodie, which I understand is all the rage on the internet now. Interweave Knits has made the pattern available for download for $5.50 and people are freaking out! They feel that the price is way excessive since this pattern was offered in one of their Knitscene magazines. I guess it is a bit high since it is a download. No paper, ink, or postage involved. Anyway...I think I will plop down my hard earned $5.50 and buy the pattern. I am a little bit concerned about the yardage requirements. I thought there was a type-o since the largest size requires 3660 yds of yarn!! I want to knit the 52" bust that requires almost 3000 yds at 17 spi! This is so weird. I've never seen a sweater, even with a hood, that requires that much yarn! I emailed Interweave and they said it's correct. Now my problem is...I don't have enough of any one yarn in my stash to knit this since the yardage is so high. I almost don't believe them and want to try and knit it with what I have, but I'm afraid I'd run out right in the middle of the dang hood! Anyone out there knit this beast yet and have any pointers?!

I haven't blogged for so long that I feel a bit chatty! I got my hair cut a couple weeks ago. I told the cutter I wanted it shorter in back than the sides. It felt like she was shaving my hair in back up to the center of my head! I was a little nervous but it turned out pretty cute...or as cute as my hair can get. Since menopause my hair has started to thin and this makes me nervous. Not so much as to be noticeable to anyone but me...but still, I have this image of myself, years down the road, as an old lady with blue, thin, hair and a shiny scalp showing through! Let's hope that I'm wrong, wrong, wrong. So, after I got the crazy cut I came home and colored my hair, which I do every 6 weeks. I used Loreal this time instead of my usual Clairol and I think I like the color better. I am hoping that it doesn't fade as badly as Clairol does. After 6 weeks with the Clairol dye my hair is a completely different color than I started with. Oh the joys of being 55!

Well, fellow bloggers, time to get that tree decorated. The kids call it a Charlie Brown tree, and not in a nice way! I bought this tree 3 years ago when I moved into this house. I wanted a narrow tree that looked real and was "rustic" looking. I like my little tree. It's cute, and old fashioned looking, and yes...a bit Charlie Brownish. When I get it decorated I will take a pic and let you decide if it truly deserves to be called a Charlie Brown tree.

Cheating Is Fun!

Not cheating on your spouse, or cheating on a school exam...I'm talking about cheating on your knitting! I have decided to drag my Legare Circular Sock Knitting Machines out of the closet and into use once again! I am going to crank out a couple pair of socks for my sons for Christmas. When you consider the time factor, using a CSM (circular sock machine) is an unbelievable time saver. I can knit a PAIR of socks in about 2 hours from start to finish. Yes, they are plain stockinette stitch but that's what the boys like. Above is one of my CSM's. I have 2 so that I can keep them set up at different tensions for differing yarn weights. One will knit fingering and the other sport weight yarns. I bought mine when they were reasonably priced. Now I see that "refurbished" machines are $2000.00. That is craziness! One of mine is from eBay and I paid $150.00 for it, and took it apart and painted and cleaned it myself. It was fun to work on, and I have to admit, I was amazed that it worked after I reassembled it! I still prefer to hand knit my socks, but when time is crunched, and I need gifts for the guys...my CSM comes to the rescue. Below are some socks I've knit on my machines. They are very basic with a short-row heel (not my favorite) and a mock ribbed leg. Easy, fast, very basic...but they keep your feet warm and that's what matters! Two of my sons work outdoors year round so they need toasty feet. In Minnesota that means wool socks and lots of them!
It is getting WAY cold here in the Minneapolis area. When I walked the greyhound this morning I was cold! By the time we had walked our mile my legs were stinging and burning from the wind blowing right through my jeans. I was so happy to get home and have a nice hot cup of Constant Comment tea. Supposedly this weekend we are getting snow...up to 6 inches. Snow's fine, it's the bitter cold I don't like. Winter is here for at least the next 4 months...it is the best knitting months of the year!

I am going to get my CSM's out now and set them up so I can start cranking. I will post any socks that I make. Have a great weekend and stay warm!

One Down, One To Go!

I have finished one of Mariah's mittens! This is a cute pattern but written only up to an adult size small. I don't quite get that?? Why not a medium and large size also? Anyway, it was a quick and fun knit and I've already started the second one so they will be ready for Christmas giving. Now I need to get the last 2 inches of my moms sock knit. I am giving her one of my many socks that have languished for years with a half-finished mate. I have been working on finishing the mate for a complete pair. My mom loves hand knit socks! She has to wear special shoes for a foot problem and the hand knit socks are so much more comfortable. If I'm really ambitious I may try and finish another pair for my elderly aunt.

We have had an offer on our little Victorian house. I have such mixed feelings about that. I raised my 4 kids there and lived there for more than half my life. The people haven't made an "official" offer yet but our realtor seems to think that they will. Life can be complicated some times.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! One of my favorite holidays surpassed only by Christmas. We will be celebrating at my nephews. I have to bring candied yams and have been searching the internet for a recipe. Some are very basic and some are what I would call "gourmet". I love the recipe site Recipezaar. It is one of the best recipe and food sites I have found. Check it out...you can find a recipe for about anything you want. I like that they give the nutritional info for all their recipes since I am diabetic. There is also a newsletter you can request and some fun communities to join. Bon Appetit!

Baby it's cold outside! It is starting to feel like winter here in Minnesota. Still no snow but the temps are getting into the brrrr range. I don't mind the cold but I wish we could have a little more sunshine. It's been dreary and dark since the beginning of October. I need a little sun to take the blues away.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving full of family, food, and fun! Count your blessings and all the things you are thankful for.

Logan, Mittens, and Houses

My daughter and son in law Jon just got an update on the cutie from Guatemala! This picture was taken at Logan's 4 month check-up. He weighed in at 14 lbs 8oz. I guess they don't need to worry about him not getting enough to eat! Looks like he's lost most of his hair but he still has those adorable lips and big brown eyes. I can't wait to get my hands on this little guy. Stacey, Jon, and Mia will be leaving for Guatemala on Christmas day for a week with the little bugger. They are so excited. I think they will have a difficult time leaving him behind when they come home, but hopefully they will get him in February or March and then he's theirs forever! Fortunately, the elections were successful in Guatemala a couple weeks ago and the new president is pro-adoption.

I have been knitting! I am working on a pair of mittens for Mariah for Christmas. Mariah is my son Tyler's girlfriend and she LOVES the color pink. So I bought some pretty pink Galway and am knitting her a pair of Maggie's Rags cable heart mittens. They are turning out so cute. The pattern is fun, but not that well written. Mariah wears a black jacket so I think that pink mittens will look nice with it. If I was really ambitious I'd knit her a matching scarf. It will depend on time, working full time really cuts into the knitting time. My goal this year was to have all my Christmas shopping done by Dec. 15th so I could relax the week before Christmas. I am shopping today with my Mom but she wants to go to Kmart and that is one of my least favorite stores. I am going to look at sheets, big deal...

We are having Open Houses on both the houses, one every other weekend. It is a real pain in the behind to have to make sure that your house is spotless every second of the day. It's not me that's the problem...I blame any messiness on Walker or Summer the greyhound. She sheds, not a lot, but enough. Walker has a tendency to leave dirty clothes wherever. He even had a little pile next to his dresser that I found after the Open House last weekend! Oh well, we do live here and people can't expect it to look like a model home. I am still so undecided as to which house I want to sell. I have set my mind to the fact that whatever house sells, that's the way it's meant to be. I will be happy in either.

Tomorrow night is our monthly knitting group, we meet the third Thursday of every month. We are a fun crowd (Deb S. you should join us!) I was thinking that next month it would be fun to have a stash exchange for Christmas, or maybe a gift exchange. We usually have a little Christmas party with cookies and cider. Most years Janet makes us make an ornament...one year we made little needles out of toothpicks and knit a tiny little square and glued this to a tiny little ball of yarn. It was cute! We used left over sock yarn, the needles were round toothpicks with a seed bead glued to the end. It gave me a new appreciation about knitting on "small" needles! This knitting group is a fun group, if you live in the Minneapolis area and would like to join us please email me for directions.

We had our family room (picture above, white lines by sofa are sunshine!) and the bedroom next to it recarpeted last week, just in time for the Open House. I have to tell ya...I am impressed with Lowe's. They were very nice to work with, quick, friendly, and best of all...they did a great job. Every time I've tried to get something done by Home Depot it takes HOURS of waiting and filling out papers and they never have enough people to help. Not so with Lowe's. We were helped quickly, she was knowledgeable, and we bought our carpet, set up the install date and left the store all within 20 minutes! That makes me happy! And the family room looks great! Now all I need to do is go to the fabric store for fabric, and make those valances for the windows. I've been going to do that for the last 3 years! Now I'll get it done and the house will sell and I won't even be able to enjoy that room. The things we do for love...

Lot's Happening!

Yes, I am still alive and well, just a bit stressed out! My estranged husband, Steve, and I have decided to give it another try! We have put both our houses up for sale and are just waiting for one of them to sell. We will live in whichever one doesn't sell until we decide where we want to move. I would prefer to stay in either of the houses but Steve thinks it would be nice to start fresh in a different house. The house he lives in is the one we raised our family in, so I have a lot of attachment issues with that house. Mine is newer and more modern, a 4 level split. The old family house is a little Queen Anne victorian, photo above is a bit blurry. I like them both so I guess it doesn't matter where we end up. I feel like my family is whole again and we belong together. He's been my sweetheart since I was 18. I am happy.

I haven't been knitting much since all I do is clean this dang house! Have to have it ready to show at any moment. What a pain in the behind. I did find this pattern that I would like to try. You will need to click on the far right pair of socks to get the free pattern. It is for socks knit from the toe up that have a funky sort of gusset. They are very cute and look like an interesting project. Anyone out there knit these yet? I have some pretty pastel yarn that would be perfect for these. Just what I need, another sock project to go unfinished for decades!

Well, I just needed to check in quickly to let the 3 people who read this blog that I am still among the living. I do need to go mop floors now and then rip out the carpet in my family room since it is being re-carpeted this Friday. Work, work, work....sucks!

I Love Not Working...Does That Mean I'm Lazy?

It is so nice to sleep in until 7:30 instead of hearing that annoying alarm buzzing at 4:30am! I'd probably sleep even later if Summer the greyhound would let me. We get up at 7:30 on my days off so I'm sure she figures it should be the same for my vacation days...goofy dog. We have to take our morning walk of a mile and then it's home to tea for me, and kibble for her. I wish I was rich and didn't need to work to pay for frivolous things like...food, heat, shelter, etc. But I'm just a working schmuck like everyone else. Maybe, someday, I'll meet a rich guy who thinks I'm great and wants me to stay home and bake him bread and knit him socks. That's my kind of man!

I got a phone call from my daughter Stacey yesterday to tell me "Mom, go check your e-mail, I just got updated pictures of Logan!" Our little guy was in for his 3 month check-up and the doctor always takes photos for the adoption agency. Thank goodness for digital pictures and e-mail! Think about this...the doctor in Guatemala took some pictures on Monday, e-mailed them to the agency in Texas, who e-mailed them to my daughter in Florida, who e-mailed them to me in Minnesota....who sent them to everyone she knows! I love the internet! You'll notice that Logan is eating well and is getting a little baby-budge. He is up to 13 lbs! Love the big brown eyes, he's a cutie for sure. I also have a recent photo of Miss Mia a.k.a. The Princess. Do I have cute grandchildren or what? I am truly blessed.
I was "browsing" the internet for free knitting patterns, one of the best things about the internet is the great people who share their talent, and I found this sock pattern. Way cute, way hard to read! It is in German but I think I have the main pattern figured out. I may cast on with some of my own hand- dyed yarn and give it a try. Just what I need, another project that will go unfinished. I am so bad...I have so many single socks that need their mates, yet here I sit, ready to start another! It's a sickness I tell ya!

It is starting to look and feel like fall around here. The wind is really strong and gusty today so the leaves are all being blown off the trees. The temps are cool, in the 50's and the sky is gray and dreary. I actually like this kind of weather. It makes me want to get ready for the winter ahead and prepare to "nest in" for a few months. I always think of winter as a resting period. Everything goes to sleep for a few months and then is awakened again in the spring. That's one good thing about Minnesota, we do have 4 distinct seasons, and all of them have their good and bad.

I am off to the grocery store. The kid and dog need grub. With the cooler weather I can actually turn on the oven and make some cold weather meals. Tonight is beef, vegetable, and barley soup served with popovers. I am so lucky that Walker will eat just about anything and appreciates home cooking. Have a great day and keep those needles clicking!

Free Sock Pattern...Old but Good!

While looking through my computer files I ran across this sock pattern I wrote a few years ago. It is a cute and fun slip stitch pattern that is perfect for beginner sock knitters, but fun enough for advanced knitters. You can use any colors but be sure they are contrasting enough to not blend into one another. You want the colors to POP! Two solids is good or a solid and a variegated. Have fun! This pattern is really an enjoyable knit that looks so cute when done.

Garter Bar Slip Stitch Socks
Wren'sNestDesigns©2001


Materials

Yarn: 3-50gm skeins of fingering weight sock yarn that will knit to gauge...two skeins of variegated and one skein of solid color. Yarns should be coordinating colors but different enough to contrast. Or, go crazy and use wild, unmatched colors that hurt your eyes!

MC= variegated yarn (main color)
CC= solid color yarn (contrast color)

Needles: size US 1 set of 5 dpn (or size needed for gauge)

1 st Marker

Gauge: 9 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch
Size: Fits average womans size medium (adjust foot length for different sizes)

Cast On:
Cast on 72 stitches.
Divide the stitches evenly on 4 (18 sts on each) needles.
Join, being careful not to twist stitches.

~tip~My personal favorite way to join is to slip the first CO st unto the end of ndl 4 and the last CO st unto the beg of ndl 1. Simple, efficient and it looks great.

Place marker at beginning of round (between needles one and four) where tail end of CO yarn is. This marker will always be considered the "beginning" of any round. Use a split marker or a little safety pin and move it up every few rounds.

Work K2, P2 (or K1, P1 or K3, P1) ribbing for 1 1/2 inches or desired length.

Leg:
Start Simple Slip Stitch pattern (slip all sts as if to purl):

rnds 1-4 (MC): knit even
rnd 5 (CC): *sl 1 (twice), k4 w/CC* rep
rnd 6 (CC): *sl 1 (twice), p4 w/CC* rep

~reminder~the slipped stitches will be the MC yarn, NOT the CC yarn. The CC yarn will only be used for the k4 and the p4. And of course, the heels and toes.

Work 9 reps of the 6 rnd pattern. End after round 2.

Heel Flap:
The 36 stitches on needles 2 and 3 for instep are not worked. You will be knitting back and forth on the 36 sts on needles one and four only. Knit heel flap in heel stitch, slipping the first st of EACH row.

Knit the heel flap:
Knit to end of needle 1 with MC. Turn work. Cut CC yarn and attach here for colored heel.
S1, and purl back the rem stitches on needle 1 and 4. Turn. Start heel stitch with row 1 (right side) of pattern.

Heel Stitch Pattern (CC yarn):
Row 1:(right side) *sl 1, k 1* rep across
Row 2: sl 1, p across

Repeat these 2 rows until heel flap is square or about 2 1/2 inches long. If you desire a longer heel just continue until the length you want. Remember, the longer the heel, the more gusset sts you will need to pick up. End after a row 2.

Turn Heel:
This is a standard round heel:
Next row: (right side) slip 1, knit to center marker, k2, SSK, k1, turn.
Next row: slip 1, purl 5, p2tog, p1, turn.

*Slip 1, knit to within 1 st away from gap between the sts, SSK, k1, turn.
Slip 1, purl to within 1 st away from gap, p2tog, p1, turn.*

Repeat from * to * until all stitches have been worked, always working together the 2 sts on each side of the gap. End after a purl row. Turn.

Knit to the center of needle one, this is the needle with the heel flap sts on it. Stop, you are now once again at center back of your sock (be sure your marker is between needles 1 and 4) Your sts should be set up as follows:

needle 1: 10 heel sts
needle 2: 18 instep sts
needle 3: 18 instep sts
needle 4: 10 heel sts

Gussets:
Pick up for the gussets:
Drop the CC used for the heel. With needle 1 and MC yarn, pick up one stitch through each slip stitch loop on edge of heel flap. This number will depend on how long you knit the heel flap. Use a crochet hook for ease. Slip the picked up st onto needle one with the 10 heel sts. Continue to pick up sts along the heel flap until all edge loops are done. You will have the original 10 sts PLUS the picked up gusset sts on needle one.

Knit across the instep stitches on needles 2 and 3. The foot is knit in plain stockinette stitch.

With needle 5, pick up one stitch through each slip stitch loop on edge of heel flap. When all loops are picked up, knit across the 10 heel sts on needle 4. You will have the original 10 sts PLUS the picked up gusset sts on needle four. You should have equal amount of sts on needles one and four. You are once again at center back of your sock and ready to start the gusset decreases.

You should have:
1} half the heel stitches and the picked-up gusset stitches on needle 1
2} half the instep stitches on needle 2
3} the second half of the instep stitches on needle 3
4} the second group of gusset stitches and the second half of the heel stitches on needle 4

Knit 1 round even.

Now decrease for the gussets:
Needle 1: knit to 3 sts from end of needle, k2tog, k1.
Needles 2 & 3: Knit even in stockinette st.
Needle 4: at the beginning of needle, k1, SSK, work to end.

Knit one round (all 4 needles) even.

Alternate decrease and even rounds until 72 stitches remain, 18 sts on each of 4 needles.

Instep:
Knit all rnds in stockinette st. End when the foot length is about where your big toe is attached to your foot or approx 1 3/4 inches shorter than your foot. Stop at the marker between ndl 1 and 4. Change to CC yarn for toe and knit one rnd.

Toe:
This is the standard toe shaping. Start at the beginning of needle one where marker is. See how important that little marker has been?!

Decrease round:
Needle 1: K to 3 sts from end, k2tog, k1.
Needle 2: K1, SSK, knit to end.
Needle 3: K to 3 sts from end, k2tog, k1.
Needle 4: K1, SSK, knit to end.

Knit one round even.

Alternate decrease and even rounds until 9 stitches remain on each needle.
Knit decrease round every round until 4 sts remain on each needle.

Place stitches on 2 needles. The 4 sts each from ndls 2 and 3 onto one needle and the 4 sts each from ndls 1 and 4 onto one needle. Graft together. Weave in any loose ends.

Knit another sock to match!

Wren's Nest Designs© 2001

Taking Some Time Off!

Yippee! I decided to use up some of my vacation time (I've got almost 5 weeks to use) and take a little Fall Break. Unfortunately, I will be staying home for my vacation and most likely spending my time cleaning and getting ready for colder weather. BUT, I do plan on one last try with the purple yarn and the "difficult" cardigan. It's not that the pattern is hard, it's just that I've had such a difficult time getting the dang thing to behave! I do have to knit a pair of mittens for a Christmas present for Tyler's girlfriend, Mariah. I thought I would start early and actually have them finished on time! I am going to knit them in pink, Mariah's favorite color. If I was really ambitious, I'd also knit a matching scarf. Miracles do happen!

My little Mia Belle turned 3 on Saturday. She is such a little spitfire! I wish I could have been there for her party, but Florida is a long way from Minnesota. The highlight of her party was a Dora the Explorer pinata. My daughter said that the party was lots of fun, but a madhouse. Kids and parents both attended and they had a pizza bar for making your own pizza. Sounds like fun! I am waiting for her to send me a few pictures of the party and then I will post them for all to see my adorable 3 year old granddaughter! There is no news on Logan other than bad news! The Guatemalan government is making foreign adoption very difficult, but hopefully, parents who have all their paperwork in by the end of 2007 will be allowed to continue their adoptions. Please say a prayer that we can bring baby Logan home to the USA and his family here who wants him so badly.

My mouse problem is declining...I think. This is gross, but...this morning I found a dead mouse in my kitchen sink! Yuck! I put out the d-Con mouse poison a few days ago so I am hoping that they get the hint and move on. The house next door is nice, maybe they could find lodging there for the winter. I really hate to kill the little buggers but enough is enough! They raid my kitchen every night and then I have to spend a lot of time with the Clorox spray cleaning the place up. I still haven't figured out how or where they are getting in, but when they leave...it will be in a body bag. Okay, more like a Ziplock bag.

Last night my estranged (I love that word!) husband Steve and I went for a drive looking at some local townhouses. It's a good thing I will be living there without him because every townhouse he liked, I hated. He likes the row style that are 3 levels, tall and skinny with about 12 units per building, and have a neighbor on each side. Think crowded! I like a twinhome that shares only 1 wall with your neighbor. He liked the big complex with hundreds of units and a swimming pool. I liked the small complex set back on a game preserve and park. No wonder we can't live together. :o) Above is a photo of the twinhome I am looking at. Pretty cute, huh? It is only 4 years old and in a nice quiet area. It is a 4 level (I know, I wanted a one level but they are way expensive!) and has a walkout in back. Below is what the living room and deck look out onto. It is a huge park with walking trails (that's what you see in the photo) ponds, marshes, and wooded acres. I like the idea of looking out onto that scene rather than another townhouse. I still have to sell my house, which is a bad thing since the market is so slow right now. I guess if it's meant to be, my house will sell and I will be able to buy this. If not, then I trust that there is something better waiting for me.
I think I will make a quick trip to the local yarn store for the pink mitten yarn. Maybe I just need a small project now to get me back into the knitting swing 'o things! Have a great day! Leave a comment...it makes my friend Janet happy!