For my Southern friends

This is for my friend, Kris m who begged for snowy pictures. This isn't from today's snowfall. I am not really sure which day J snapped this shot but we have more now and are expecting another snowfall sometime during the weekend. Need I state that snow + cold = quilting and knitting time for moi?

My Knitpicks order arrived yesterday. A mere 12 or so hours after I placed my order! I splurged for the 3rd day shipping so hopefully I could whip out a pair or two of Christmas socks. Hubster requested a pair, finally (his first) and even picked out the yarn. I am too lazy right now to go hunting up the color and all that but it's KP's Parade line with a maroon-ish and black striping. Very manly for my man. Also in the order was my first ever ::gasp:: Addi turbo. I think I am in love! So much that I ordered a second one this afternoon even though I should NOT be spending any more money at this point. Rounding out the order was the Simple Stripes Sampler. Seemed like a wise move considering I have 5 kiddos in my life who enjoy handknit socks and a passion for wearing them myself.

For those not on the 2 socks on 2 circs bandwagon yet, let me encourage you to jump on. I have to admit to a huge bout of stupidity when I first heard about this method. I dutifully checked Cat Bordi's book out from the library and sat pondering it more than once. For the life of me, I could not get how this would work out...seemed like it could not work out to be in the round work. Then I browsed Knitpicks patterns and found Kelly's wonderfully detailed directions for toe-up on 2 circs. DUH! The light came on. I cast on last night for Hubster's socks using the called for 12 sts and ended up with a pointy-toed, elf looking thing that wouldn't even fit E's 6 yo toes. Frog pond visited then I cast on using 32 sts (Hubster has wide feet) and WOW! What a difference! A mere 2.5 hours spent knitting this evening has yielded 2 toe-up socks that are to the ball of his feet. I am done with the toe increases (I think) and will hopefully get close to the heel point by tomorrow night. The progress would be even greater if I had ignored my practical, penny-pinching voice and just ordered TWO Addis to start with. One Addi and one Boye are working but the Boye has that hinky join/curve thing and it is a pain for this. I am considering offering them on ebay for the original purchase price ($35) plus shipping...will sell them otherwise if anyone out there in blogland is interested.

My dining room table is groaning under a van load of treasures from my father's house. Mini Christmas trees, a new lamp, things to put on eBay for him, a huge seashell collection, boxes of travel books for the girls to enjoy. He decided to clean house in preparation for a possible move and said "Come get your stuff". One thing I thought was MIA which came home with me: his boyhood Roy Rogers copper bank. I have memories of this being on our mantle as a girl and am delighted it is living on my desk currently. He suggested I eBay it but a quick search last night revealed a similar one at $17.50. I think the memories are worth more to me. When I look at that bank, I see a completely different side of him and I like that view.

Well, I think I am going to head to bed with my library book: What They didn't Teach You About World War II by Mike Wright. Being the granddaughter of a WWII vet, the era has always fascinated me because my grandparents never talked about it, period. This book is a must-read for any history buff. 'Nuff said there for the time being.

Stay warm, dry, safe and sleep well....I will return soon with pics. PROMISE!