Traction Devices Advised November 29, 2006

Tire chains ring, are you listening?
To the sound of tires spinning…
A beautiful sight, if you’re home tonight,
Living in a Winter wonderland.

I sucked at poetry, can’t you tell, but the sentiment’s all there. Western Washington has been socked in by a nice snow storm followed by freezing weather (my thermometer didn’t get above freezing today). No school and the hubby decided to telecommute instead of try the roads, so I had 3 boys on my hands today. Oh please let there be school tomorrow… even if it starts late!

In knitting news, I’ve completed 2 (out of who knows how many I’ll make) cotton washcloths for “Grammy” Marge. She’s a widow who was best buddies with my grandmother before my grandma passed on and we’ve adopted her. Kind of a cheesy gift, but one she’ll truly appreciate. One that my family is appreciating also, it’s keeping my hands busy so I’m not driving them nuts.

Odelie November 21, 2006

This is Odelie from French Girl Knits. She was an easy project, lots of simple crochet. The only modification I made was to increase one more row on one side and make little medalions at the ends to pad it out. Other than that, it’s as written. The lucky recepient is my son’s 1st grade teacher.

Odessas November 21, 2006

Here are the two Odessas (Odessai? What would be the proper plural for this?) that I’ve made for Christmas gifts. The pink one goes to the receptionist at my chiropractor’s office who loves all things pink. The cream one goes to my younger brother-in-law’s girlfriend. She works at Nordies and I’m hoping it’s sophisticated enough for her.

Commision Work November 13, 2006

Here is the hat and bootie set that I did for Ericka for her friend’s baby shower. It’s FiberTrends “Baby Basics” and I did them in Heirloom “Easy Care” 100% washable wool on size 5 needles.

The lace detail is cute, but a little squirelly on the hat and has a tendency to flop down before washing and pulling it into shape. Not a bad pattern to follow. Ericka’s friend is due in early February and they’re naming their baby “Ruby”, so Ericka asked for Ruby slippers… how cute is that?!

How early is too early? November 9, 2006

No, I’m not talking about when to tell people you’re pregnant. My baby-making days are over and I’m happy with the two boys.

I’m talking about how early is too early for Christmas decorations. Remember the days when they waited till closer to Thanksgiving? Dim memories. The Macy’s Holiday Store at Bellevue Square was open before Halloween. No, not a typo, Hallo-freakin-ween. Unless you were dressing as the jolly fat man or a funky little elf, what the heck was the point? Starbucks had the decency to wait until this week to launch the Christmas stuff in their stores. I broke down and bought a peppermint mocha frappachino, just too yummy to pass up. They had Christmas music selections at the cashier and Kev was trying to talk me into buying them. I told him my rule: “mom doesn’t do Christmas music until AFTER Thanksgiving.” I may push it to Thanksgiving afternoon, but that’s at the earliest.

I realize that retailers are trying to cash in more on the holiday spending, but all it gives me is Christmas burnout, as in I’m totally burnt out on Christmas weeks before it actually happens. Tired of tinseled wonderlands and ringing bells. Tired of seeing tired, cranky, and stressed out kids standing in line waiting to sit on Santa’s lap (neither of my kids have ever sat on Santa’s lap). Tired of no parking because some mammoth SUV has taken up more than one space.

Okay, I’m done ranting and stepping off my soapbox now. I finished the commissioned project and will post pictures later. It turned out adorable.

Hair Raising Experience November 6, 2006

This is what happens when you give a 7-year-old free reign over his hair. At least he has a nice-shaped head. And hair always grows back.