I'm baaaaaaaaaack....

It's been awhile since I posted (a MONTH!) because I've actually not been able to get in much knitting time lately. Which tells you a little about how MY life has been lately. :-)

The horrific computer system they forced on us at the office about a year ago is being "upgraded". Not "fixed", mind you, but "upgraded". So, there's been lots of training, a trip out of town for a few days, and many, many teleconference calls. Sheesh.

On top of that, my beloved Dell desktop computer bit the dust, taking with it a ton of things I hadn't backed up. I have a terrible tendency to become complacent about backups when my computer is working well, and this is the second time I've been caught in this situation. Luckily, while out of town on my training I made a visit to Staples (there's not one close by where I live) and bought myself a new Toshiba laptop....ON SALE!! *happy dance* So, I've been spending a lot of time getting it set up with all the little goodies I like to have on a computer. Oh....and I bought myself an external hard drive a couple of days ago. Just in case. *LOL*

Now, back to knitting, both as a topic and as recreation!! The last time I picked up my needles was EIGHT DAYS AGO. It's been that kind of a week. However, I'm going to visit my parents this afternoon and already have my knitting bag ready to take along. I'm still working on the grown-up version of Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket for myself. I doubt that I'll have it finished before the weather turns warm for good here in my corner of the world, but I'll have it ready for next fall. It's a lot of garter stitch, but it's good relaxing knitting and believe me, I could use a little relaxation right now!

I hope you all have a great Sunday!

Hard to Believe

It's hard to believe, looking out my living room windows at the bright sunny Saturday morning, that snow is predicted for tonight. Not a lot of snow, just a dusting, but snow all the same. February. 'Nuff said.

I've been knitting this morning because my favorite Saturday morning activity is knitting and sipping good coffee. This morning I've been working on my adult version of Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket. It's a lot of garter stitch, but it's good relaxing knitting. I've made enough progress on it that I can't carry it around very easily. (I usually carry socks to knit in public.) I'm going to visit my parents this afternoon since the weather's predicted to turn semi-ugly tonight, and I plan to take my Surprise Jacket along to work on it while visiting. I'm hoping to finish it in time to wear it a few times before I have to switch to my spring wardrobe. *LOL*

And so, fellow knitsters, I wish you all a terrific weekend with lots of sticks and string!

A Peaceful Morning

I'm starting my Saturday in a lovely mellow state, having begun by listening to James Horner soundtracks on my Zune and sipping a delicious cup of coffee.  I'm actually waiting for it to get a little later in the morning so I won't disturb my neighbors by doing noisy household drudgery.

My only concern currently is that I am so content and relaxed that I might find it difficult to haul myself out of this recliner and do some actual WORK.

Hmmmm....my knitting basket is within reach.  Maybe one more cup of coffee and knitting a few rows before starting housework.  Sounds reasonable, right?  :-)

Happy Saturday, everyone!

2012 Begins

This evening I noticed that my KnitMeter currently says "I haven't knit any this year."  That's not true.  I HAVE knit this year.  I just haven't FINISHED anything yet this year.  *LOL*

I have, as usual, several different things on needles.  But this weekend I had to be out of town due to a death in the family (a dear cousin who lost a hard-fought battle against esophageal cancer).  None of the projects I had on needles were a good size to pack for travel, so I started a small cowl to work on during spare moments at the motel.  I didn't get much done on it, so I now have one more WIP.

That's okay.  It's January.  :-)

Christmas Eve Eve

It's my favorite kind of pre-holiday afternoon.  The weather is cool and overcast, all my holiday knitting is done.  Gifts are all wrapped and either delivered or under the tree.  All the holiday cooking I can do ahead of time is finished.  Except for a few minor items (a couple of loads of laundry, putting the kitchen to rights, ironing the holiday tablecloth) all I have to do the rest of the day is relax, knit and watch holiday movies while letting Roomba do the vacuuming.

What am I knitting?  Well, since I'm sort of taking the afternoon off, I'm knitting Granny's Favorite Dishcloth, also known as the "Idiot's Dishcloth" since it was published in "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Knitting & Crocheting".  When I finish this post, I'm going to finish up my few little chores, then kick back and knit until I nap.

I send each of you all my hopes for a holiday season full of peace and contentment!

Deck the Halls

Had I ever told you that I sing with a madrigal group during the holiday season?  It's lots of fun!  We begin rehearsals in late August, meeting one evening a week to learn the music we'll perform at various locations during early December.

In fact, right now I'm killing a few moments waiting to go to rehearsal.  I heard a little earlier that it's spitting snow in my part of the world, so it will seem extra-Christmassy this evening when we begin singing holiday songs with snow drifting lazily past the glass doors of the studio. I just love this time of year, don't you?

My holiday knitting is nearly completed.  I actually thought I was finished, but thought of a couple more quick projects I need to complete.  In fact I have one of them in my messenger bag with my madrigal music, so maybe I'll mosey on over to the studio and knit for a few minutes before rehearsal.  :-)

TGIF....REALLY....

Ever have a day that's fairly crummy, but not because of anything that happened to you personally?  I had one of those today.

My day wasn't so bad for myself, but my dear daughter had a perfectly awful day.  While in the hospital recovering from thyroid surgery and wanting to go home, she learned that one of her beloved cats had been struck by a car and killed.  To top it off, it's her birthday.  And she lives in Australia, too far away for me to give her a hug.

It's just a sad, sad evening.  :-(