And Other Fancy Stuff...

Gosh, has it really been almost three weeks? I have been working like a fiend. Lots of work days, few days off and the days off are for sleep and chores and such. Winter has hit. There are 4-6 inches of SNOW covering everything. It's about 21 degrees outside at my house, damp, with cloudy skies. It will likely get up to the high 20s today but we have a chance of more snow.


I also have had an annoying cold that has now progressed to laryngitis. I slept most of the day yesterday and am taking it easy over the weekend in hopes of getting my voice back before hospital Monday.

I've been knitting quite a bit lately. I have finished (except for one last seam that will be sewn this afternoon...and deciding upon which of the 5 sets of buttons I should use to accent) my FABULOUS Debbie Bliss Drop Collar Cable Jacket. I am in hot, panting, love with it.

Here are the button options...your comments would be appreciated.

#1-Dark Shell


#2-Hand Carved Bone


#3-Handwound Same Yarn (my fav's so far)


#4-Light Shell


#5-Silver metal Celtic Knot
Hmmm....I cannot find the pic..you'll have to imagine it for yourself.

At this point, I'm leaning toward the hand-wound same yarn buttons. I think none of the others, except maybe the dark shell, work as well.

This will be the last "for me" project for a while. Gotta keep moving on the handknit giftiness. Just hats, scarves, and mitts this year. No big projects. I've already knocked out two in the past week or so.

First... finished, blocked and now awaiting the drying of a simple lace scarf of Berroco Memoires a nice 2-ply wool/mohair fun yarn from a recent Elann.com stash enhancement. It will be a lovely holiday gift for a friend.


I'm just an earflap away from finishishing another Thorpe. Like the last Thorpe, this one also knit from Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande. Only it's the handpaint version this time. I love the way this stuff feels. It always makes me smile when I brush it against my face. This too will be a holiday gift for a friend.


Speaking of friends, I feel so fortunate and grateful to have them in my life. People I can count on. People I trust. And who feel the same about me. I've been focusing the past several months on reconnecting and developing relationships and different personal roles outside of mother and caregiver. It's not easy. I feel somewhat socially inept and awkward. I don't small talk well anymore outside of the professional or the one-on-one environment. I don't really know how to keep light and interesting conversation rolling with strangers anymore, especially in groups. I think I need a social trainer! Luckily, my friends haven't really cared about that. They just seem happy and enthusiastic to have me along and accept me for the nerdy gal that I am. BFF MaryKay has done that for years. Last weekend, work friends of 7 years and more (Holy Cow and I'm JUST NOW beginning to socialize with these treasures?) invited me to attend a local celebration sponsored by Anchorage's Maharlika, Inc.

This delicious prime-rib dinner and dance is a scholarship fundraiser for Anchorage's Philippino community. It was held downtown, at the Egan Convention Center and FORMAL attire was requested. Now, Alaska formal is generally "a bit" different than formal in the lower 48, requiring only the lack of denim, tennis shoes, or Sorrell's. I had been warned, however, that this was an event that strongly encouraged jacket/tie for the men, and sequins, heels and cleavage for the women.

Me and The Man, dressed up again!


Mary T, CNM, Heather RN, me, Solveig RN, JeanMarie RN, Beth RN and Majarlika Board Member. Mary W. RN and longtime neighbor.


As advertised, there indeed was a great deal of sparkle and cleavage. Delicious dinner, fun dancing, a lovely evening out.

I will finish up Thorpe tonight, then pull another random pattern from the gift queue to cast on. Tomorrow, I may try to post up some FO shots. I have a date with BFF MaryKay, in the afternoon, for pedicures. I love to knit while getting a pedicure! Just have to be careful to keep the yarncake/ball under control. It tends to want to jump into the warm swirling waters!

Well, that's all I have for today. Until next time.....
Cyberhug or phycical hug....send out the good stuff to YOUR FRIENDS...and KNIT ON!