It's beginning to look a lot like....

Well, I guess the answer should be Christmas. I must say that the season caught me by surprise, which shouldn't be a surprise. It seems every year I vow to be prepared and to get an early start. I have discovered there is no such thing as prepared or early start (not in my world, anyway). I have been working diligently to finish the Falling Waters scarf and am about half-finished. I finished the "Manly Scarf" and I love it - can't post a photo because the home computer is still down. I have a few other projects in the works for gifts, but with 16 days and counting, it is not looking good at this point. Normally, I would be panicked and my head would be spinning. Not this year. I'm taking it one day at a time and it is what it is...Christmas...whether the knitting is finished or not...Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!

BORING...

Today is officially the first day of anything remotely akin to fall, which happens to be my favorite season. Maybe a little cool snap was what the doctor ordered. I was cleaning up my "knitting station", which basically amounts to my favorite chair with table holding everything I could possibly need close at hand, when I came across the sad beginnings of a Clementine Shawlette. I had to be honest with myself and admit I was never going to finish the shawlette, and who needs a shawlette anyway...so, there I was with three skeins of really pretty Alpaca Silk - what to do???? Frog the shawlette and cast on a Falling Water Scarf. I was plugging along half-heartedly, and then I got an e-mail from WEBS - what, a close out on Noro Silk Garden????? I had been carrying around a tattered piece of scrap paper with the pattern for a "manly scarf" written on it and it calls for, you guessed it, Noro Silk Garden! Call it luck, call it fate. The yarn came in and I cast on - and am halfway through! One reason I love Noro yarns is you never quite know what you are going to get. I love watching the colors come out of the skein and this scarf is the perfect vehicle. I am already thinking about other color combinations and stitch patterns. Yippee Skippee...maybe my groove was looking for something mindless yet interesting. I do intend to finish the Falling Water Scarf...so hold your breath!

Progress...

Well, I don't know if the funk is over, but I can tell you that I am feeling a little better since I actually finished a project. I started a second Espresso Scarf, pink, last year in the hopes that it would be finished by time for a breast cancer fundraiser...needless to say, one year later, it was finished. I would love to post a photo by the home computer is still down so it will have to wait. The scarf was donated as a door prize for our second annual "Pretty in Pank" fundraiser. The PIPS, or "Pretty in Pank Sistas", yours truly included, put on a variety show, showcasing local talent, with all proceeds going to a local cancer support group, with the monies earmarked for breast cancer patients. Last year 98 tickets were sold...this year, 240! It was a great time, and the monies are used to help pay for gas to travel for treatment, for wigs, to pay the electric bill for a struggling family. What a great cause and what a fun time for all. In the spirit of the month of October and breast cancer awareness, I feel motivated to knit these socks . (Of course, this is really just an excuse to purchase pink sock yarn!)

In a FUNK...

There's nothing else to call it, really, but a funk...f-u-n-k. I could blame the heat. I could say I was really busy. I can't really say any of those things. I've lost my groove and can't seem to get it back. I thought maybe what I needed was a fresh start so I put the Chevron Scarf on a stitch holder, and cast on for a Baby Surprise Jacket. I must admit that the feel of needle and yarn was nice, but I still don't have that burning desire to just knit away. If anyone finds my groove, let me know...

Murphy's Law...

Ok, first of all, don't tell anyone I am blogging when I am supposed to be doing something that resembles work...Remember when I said I was waiting on my new A/C? Well, while I was patiently waiting, and the temperatures reached about 101 degrees, the old A/C went out. Yup, out. We spent four, count them, four, days without any A/C - waiting on the repair man and praying for the new unit. Soooooo...after having no word on the new A/C and being told the old one could not be repaired, we had to break down and purchase a new window unit. FUN, FUN, FUN for all. However, I must say it was well worth it. I could only play Scarlett O'Hara for so long before I really became just another hot and sweaty gal. I must also admit that the new unit is really moving some cold air and we are all enjoying it - especially Karma.

IS IT HOT IN HERE, OR IS IT ME???

Man, has it been HOT around here! I am patiently awaiting the installation of my new central heat and air and I have been promised by the very friendly AC man that I am "on the list" - of course, I have no idea how long his "list" is. My cats are lazing about on the floor looking for a cool spot. My knitting is lazing about looking for someone to rescue it. I must admit that I have not been knitting much lately. I am looking for some inspiration but have yet to find it. I went to the stash to see if something would jump out and all it did was remind me of exactly how much yarn is in my stash. I have some pretty "summer" sock yarn colors and I feel like that is going to be the answer. However, before I embark on yet another project, I am going to at least finish the Chevron Scarf. On another note, I find it amusing that, along with waiting for my new AC, I am also waiting on my Knitting Daily prize mittens...pretty silly, huh...waiting anxiously for a pair of mittens in June!

I WON!!!

I entered Knittingdaily.com's magnetic poetry contest a while back and lo and behold, I WON 1st place! I could hardly believe it. The prize is my poem knit into a pair of mittens - how cool is that? I have been told they will be ready in a few weeks and I cannot wait to see them. I have always liked poetry and writing but have not actually done any real writing in quite a while. I find a lot of comfort in words and the way they are put together. I tend to like songs more for the lyrics than the melody. I like little snippets that are witty and advertising that is clever.

The Square Cake bag was a hit and I hope it raised a little money for our local Chamber of Commerce. So, before I go, here's a photo of the Square Cake bag and my winning poem...

"smitten for the rhythm of a knit stitch and skein..."