AN ENDING AND A BEGINNING

The Cobblestone Pullover (from IK, made with Cascade 220, and in the smallest size) for Eric is done at last! Yippee! He likes.
A treasure in a box that the boys made for me. It's definitely worth more that the $150 price tag it has in it. It will remind me of their sweetness and love.
Michael wanted to say "Hi!" to Carolyn.
So now I begin on Norm's Cobblestone Pullover. It's next to the biggest size and am using Caron Simply Soft Heather in the Truffle colorway. My goal is to finish before the end of March. That's a lot of knitting and I've got other things to do as well:
*I need to finish making the booties to go with the hats I made a while back.
*I need to finish the red and purple baby sweater plus a matching hat.
*I also need to make about a dozen cloths to go with some Ivory soap to give to the Red Cross.
*Also, I need to get cracking on the tablecloth I'm to embroider which needs to be done by May.
*There are a couple of sweaters for myself I'd like to finish before summer, so not so much instant gratification this year.
The boys are enjoying their winter break and it will be hard to get back into the swing of school again on Wednesday.
Here's wishing you a safe, happy and healthy 2008.
FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Oh Lord, remember my friends, all who have prayed for me and all who have done good for me.
Return this good to them, as well as all of their kindnesses, a hundredfold. Reward them with your blessings and sanctify them with your grace.
Let all my family and relatives, my neighbors and friends, receive the benefit of the prayers I have said for them. May they also receive the unstinting support of your divine providence and the sanctification of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS

Eric dressed up for a concert and Daniel had a luau party for the last day before winter break. Michael's gift from Santa this year is a Santa-in-the-box which plunks out "Jingle Bells". He is VERY happy with it. "Midnight Mass" for us was the 4;30 Saturday and the church overflowed into the gymnasium, which was very full as well. Just before we were ready to leave Michael became sleepy, so he is yawning in the picture. Today we sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus and ate the small white cake and chocolate cupcakes too. Last is the statue of St. Joseph and baby Jesus Norm got from us. We will be having meatloaf and mashed potatoes for our Christmas dinner. It's in honor of "A Christmas Story". We're not without a sense of humor around here. Also, as a gag gift the older boys wrapped up a pair of (his) underwear and socks for Norm. I have a feeling this may become a running gag.
On the knitting front I made a pair of mittens for our mail carrier which I did not take a picture of. I'm currently working on the second sleeve of the Cobblestone Pullover. I also had a wild hair and began a top for myself. I must soon have to begin working on the embroidered tablecloth for the wedding of a friend who is to be married in May. I really don't want to wait til the last minute since I don't know how long it will take to complete. It's been a little while since I've embroidered. I'd rather knit thank you.
Hope you all have a blessed and fun Christmas day!

ODDS AND ENDS

Got the set done though didn't get a real good picture of the hat. Was satisfied with outcome. Got the urge to knit up a Geordie stripe yoke jacket from"Natural Knits for Babies and Moms" by Louisa Harding in some Caron Simply Soft. It's for a baby due in March and don't yet know what it is, so will wait and see which kind of buttons to put on. After that is done I'll have some booties to sew up. We've stocked up at the store for the snow we are sure to get. Hope you all are keeping well and warm!

ONCE MORE WITH PICTURES

1. The ice is melting hurray!
2. The wonderful cross stitch prize I won from Michelle, Jack and Katie. I love it!!!
3. A simple pink blanket using size US11, Caron Simply Soft, and holding two strands together throughout. I used this pattern, probably the easiest pattern to learn. I haven't measured it but I went until I got 120 sts then began the decreases. It took four 7 0z skeins and is nice cushy, thick and a good size.
4. I used this pattern(scroll down) and Cascade 220 in a medium rose color for these mittens.
5. The Irish Hiking Scarf is coming along nicely and I'm using Caron Simply Soft in a raspberry color.
6. The Irish Hiking Hat pattern can be found here in pdf form.
7. If you are interested in having a saint for the year 2008 leave a comment here and see how blessed you'll be with a saint to keep you company. It's been a really good experience for me.
Thank you dear hubby for downloading the pictures! Hope you all enjoy them:~D

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

It's icy outside again. I would show pictures but something technical isn't happening like it's supposed to so we must practice the virtue of patience. I received the nicest prize Saturday from Michelle and Jack and Katie and hope to show it off soon. So nice! I'm currently knitting on an Irish Hiking Scarf to go with the plain mittens I finished and next will be a matching Irish Hiking Hat. These are a gift set for Carolyn's pal who doesn't visit here so I think it would be alright to show. I've been knitting mittens since last week when I told my dear hubby that I felt bad about not getting to his sweater and not knowing when I would either, but I wanted to knit him something useful. So he has some mittens and #1 son has some too as well as Carolyn and her pal.
I need to make some mittens for Daniel and Michael too and maybe even Daniel's friend J. I may get in a pair for our mail carrier, but who knows?! One thing I do know is that I will be missing the deadline for the holiday donation for The Preemie Project this year:~( I still have a sleeve and the yolk to go on the Cobblestone Pullover. I know if I stuck to a schedule it would help but I need things to be a little flexible.
I did get to attend the knit-in at Simply Fibers for a couple of hours and had a nice time. I met a couple of new friends in Ravelry. I have been trying to keep up with the groups forming now and have joined 24 so far. Today I was happy to see The Preemie Project has one too.
This season is so full of wonderful things to celebrate in the litergical calendar. The beginning of Advent is the beginning of the new year in the church calendar. Last Wednesday at PSR (parish school of religion) we talked about putting up a Jesus stocking and filling it with good deeds as gifts to Jesus. I like the idea and will be looking to find or make a stocking for us to fill. It is after all Jesus' birthday we are celebrating.
Well, I'm off to fix some Crock Pot Potato Soup. Hope you are all well and warm! Hope to download some pictures tonight when my dear hubby gets home.

NEW MONTH, OLD PICTURES