1. Boy, oh Boy, Old Man Winter is on a Bender this year isn’t he? And I. Love. It. We’ve had our snowiest January ever and, with the exception of the first few days of the month, there was snow on the ground all month. SO much better than our usual January pattern of snow, melt, mud, rain, mud, snow, ice, melt, mud, mud, mud, dreary, dreary, dreary. We’ve survived two arctic vortexes (vortexi, vortii, just what is the plural of vortex?), so that was fun too. It was -15F on the Tuesday morning drive to work and by Thursday morning it was 15F. What a difference 30 degrees makes — I almost felt like I could leave my coat at home!
And now, in blows February, determined to ruin my fun. It’s raining out there, as we speak. Boo. Hiss. February, my least favorite month. Someone, somewhere along the way tried to cheer it up with all that Luuuv holiday stuff, but it’s just not working. Thankfully, February knows it’s limits and is a short month. I know many of you don’t like winter, so take heart — the days are getting longer and there are more fun days behind us than in front of us.
2. Knit. Knit. Knit. That’s all I’ve wanted to do this winter. Look! I made some pockets. I spent the first three weeks of January knitting away on the front and back of a sweater (which was really a front and a half after I had to rip it out several times) and then I could see that I would run short of yarn for the sleeves, so I stopped knitting for a bit. More yarn just arrived this week, so now I’m working away on the sleeves. I like to knit my sleeves and socks two at a time so I can be sure they will match, but somehow I’ve managed to get an extra row of increases in one of the sleeves. I blame it on knitting and making dinner at the same time. Mistakes. Always, humbling, mistakes.
3. Don’t worry quilters, there’s still a bit of sewing going on around here. I’ve been working on the tumblers, but just like the knitting, there have been set-backs. One day I spent a few hours on the floor laying all the tumblers out in rows. When I was almost finished, I stood up, only to find another 70 tumblers still up on the counter, which totally messed up my layout. It’s easy to get them out of order when I’m sewing them together too. Maybe all these mistakes are because I’m so excited that we’ve finally had a real winter and I can’t concentrate on anything else. Yeah, that’s it.
4.I’ve had several very happy mail days this winter and I’ve been remiss in acknowledging them. Just the other day, I got a very unexpected little package from Anne. She included a sweet notebook, sheepie goodness in the form of one of her photo cards and an adorable bag with a ring to gather it closed, a piece of tartan, and a cute little scissors fob — all neatly wrapped up in the prettiest ribbon. Her note said it was a Random Act of Kindness. Isn’t that just the nicest thing?
Right before we went to visit TheFirstChild and SweetiePie, a fun package arrived from Berglind. The knitting book is fabulous — there are several patterns in it that I want to make. My next sweater pattern is in this book and the yarn has already been ordered. Berglind also included a pretty candle (which she wrapped with a picture that I took when we were in Iceland — what a fun surprise!) And, some Toffypops! There were a LOT more boxes of Toffypops but SweetiePie and I ate them — we LOVE Toffypops. I’m hoarding that last little package for my Icelandic knitting. (And, oh shoot, I’ve just realized that I forgot to include the neatest little ring that she included to help control my yarn when I’m doing two-color work. I’ve already put it away in my knitting bag, but I’m looking forward to using it on my next sweater!)
And last, but definitely not least was a wonderful package from Isabelle. Isabelle and I share a love of the color blue and she sent me a beautiful blue scarf. Isn’t it pretty? And, she, like Anne, knows of my sheepie love (they’re so lucky to see sheep all the time in Scotland!) so she also included several sheepie accessories.
THANK YOU THANK YOU ladies — I feel so lucky to have met you all through this little blogging adventure — you’re all so sweet and thoughtful and in Wayne’s famous words “I’m not worthy!”
5. Leslie linked to an interesting article about the link between knitting and yoga. I don’t necessarily agree with everything, but it’s an interesting read. If you’re a knitter, you might want to try yoga. And if you’re a yogi, you might want to try knitting. (I’m talking to YOU SweetiePie and MyDadLovesMeBestSister!!!)
Have a good weekend!
XOXO,
Anna
such lovely things, and your new header, oh my!
What a lovely post full of lovely things! That is some snowfall. All we’ve had through January is a month of rain here in the UK.
love your knitting! old man winter is not done here either – the whole upcoming week says snow, sleet, ice, snow again – hope it leaves us soon!
I am just thankful I live down here in the South. I don’t know if I could survive all that snow! Glad you like it though. And NO, +15, to me, is not much better than -15. What a lot of lovely goodies you have received! Isn’t it nice to be loved! Your knitting, as always, looks amazingly good!
As Gina says we’ve still not had any snow! I think you guys must have pinched it all! I haven’t had toffypops for ages – Mr Locket and I celebrated moving into our first home with a packet so they have always been a favourite! Xx
Brr. It’s in the 60’s here. Brr. Not a drop of rain all January. Hopefully we get some soon. Can’t wait til the AQS show next week. Wish you were here. You could bring the biscuits and I’ll make the tea.
What very nice friends you have! Your knittin’ is really pretty.
lol: you’re worthy! ;p WIsh we could get some rain here…it’s looking really bad. severe drought situation. :(
stay warm miss anna, stay warm!
Goodness this post is chock full of beautyment (is that a word lol) – those tumblers are such happy colors – love it. Your sweater looks amazing from what I can see – your a whiz with those needles girlie. Lovely lovely mail for you – I love mail – expect those pesky bills.
Your new header is adorable . Sorry your weather is turning a tad – we are in the deep freeze all next week – I’m so over that – but cold man winter isn’t listening. There is a warm trip planned – but it’s not coming fast enough lol.
Hugs – Mrs. Farmhouse
btw – did you get market figured out
Lucky you, all that snow! I was wishing for it and thought this might be the year, but now that it’s February, probably not. Wonderful thoughtful friends. I think Vortexes is as close to correct as you can get.
I think you must be ready for a vacation!!! What are you knitting that stripey and blue. I love the yarn. I can’t wait to see the sweater with the pockets. Stay warm, and maybe just sit and knit be the fire.
It looks like Christmas came again with all the lovely surprises you got. As it happens, I’m also cutting tumblers, all from my scrap bin. Whenever I have enough in my bin, I start cutting again. One day I will have enough for a quilt. I can’t wait to see yours together.
Love your LOVE header! I love the month of February as it holds my birthday and the days are getting longer! You received some lovely surprises!
Ohhhh, what wonderful “sheepy” gifts! I’m a little jealous of the snow too, but not the extreme cold.
Glad the parcel arrived safely! It’s still very wet here …… Malcolm may have to build an ark!!
Anna, I agree with you on the snow, I love it when the snow just stays and I hate it when the rain melts it with all the mud and sand and salt!! The salt is terrible, they salt the streets to make the slipperiness (is that a word? LOL) on the streets go away but it ruins your shoes.
I love your sweater and the pockets look great. You must keep going before the lopi arrives – I just finished mine, and I love it.
I like your color choice for the tumblers. Wouldn’t it be great if you could knit with your toes and sew with your hands at the same time? We must master that!!
You’ve gotten great gifts — you’re such a nice person I’m not surprised your friends want to give you a “Random Act of Kindness” as your friend Anne called it :)
I think your packet has arrived, I got a notification from the post office on Friday but due to the flu at home I couldn’t pick it up, it will be my first task tomorrow
Take care, Berglind
Lovely packages! And, to boot, I sent Anne the sheepie fabric for Christmas! So glad it’s gone to a good home!!
Fun goodies! I am so tired of winter. Soo glad February is here. short month, like you said. I was at work last week and I looked out the window at 4;50 pm and was delighted to see it was still light out! So happy!! Today is a snow day for Amelia. Snow is blowing out there. She’s just getting over a weekend bug that had her down and out and today, I’m not feeling well. Ugh. I just want to curl up into a ball and sleep.
I love happy mail! Even better when it is full of sweet things your friends know you love. I wish I could knit as beautifully as you…actually thats an overstatement…i wish I could knit behind just knitting. But that will have to wait for another lifetime I think.
Went to Santa Clara and Livermore this weekend to visit all my sweet girls. A quick trip drove up Sat and back to day but lots lf snuggles so totally worth it!
And we have not had snow or rain…heavens knows we need some moisture.
THANKs for the five on saturday. love your little mail prizes. bloggy friends are the best. your sweater is going to be so darn cute. i can’t wait to see it. so remember those pink socks i had to knit two pairs of because i gave a pair away to someone who doesn’t even wear socks? well…. i’ve worn them roughly 3 times. and there is HOLE IN THE HEEL. i remember you showing us how to mend them on a post, but i’m still screaming in horror. 70 million hours of knitting with thread sized yarn and i got to wear them THREE TIMES? okay, so is it the yarn i used? claudia hand paint? do we put a price on claudia’s head since her yarn is deemed substandard? what’s a girl to do? how many times do you wear your socks before the dreaded hole appears? okay, my rant is temporarily over.
:shudders in disgust
:rethinks having to wear only hand knit socks.
my five month old puppy is full of vinegar, just in case you were wondering. i spend my day chasing her (she’s faster than me) to remove things from her mouth that are not dog food. she’s getting taller, which is not a good thing. she can grab things from tables, chairs, beds, nightstands…. you get the picture. i can’t have every single surface clear of everything – i mean, i need an ALARM CLOCK.
okay, my other rant is over.
I have to get back to work now.
thanks for letting me vent.
loved your schtuff.
:waves madly
Wow you have had lots of snow !
your sweater with pockets is wonderful, i love that oatmeal color.
The tumblers looks so cheerful and fun! can’t wait to see more :)
what wonderful packages you received – how nice!
Vortices?
How funny that Anne and I both sent you sheepies!
Please keep your snow. We haven’t had any and that’s the way I like it. Roll on spring, please.
LOVING the snow…..the wind I am over, the deep freeze not so great, but LOVE the snow! I can understand the distraction factor.