IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS...

My Christmas knitting is coming along quite nicely - I think that I may get it all done before Christmas at 2 am.

Here are my Hopscotch Socks - a pattern from Patterworks Yarn Shop in Meredith, NH. The store is very pricey but sometimes you can find patterns there that are unique. I really try to limit my budget in this shop although I can spend hours just looking at all of their lovely yarns and patterns.

These are definitely the hardest socks I have ever made - the stitch pattern and the size one needles made me want to pitch them off a bridge on many occasions. Made with Lorna's Lace yarn - they are soft and absolutely gorgeous! Oh, these are a Christmas present for me. I think that these need to be mounted and framed - never to be worn - only to be looked at to be ooohed and aaahed over!

A close up of the stitch pattern. Only a 2 row repeat but those 2 rows were painfully tiny and the old reading glasses came out whenever I was working on them!

A Christmas present for hubby! Darling husband made it very clear to me when I started knitting for him that he wanted to be able to see my progress on his knitted items. I wasn't supposed to knit something for him unless he could watch!

Not this year babe! A hat and mitten set - only knit when he was at work.

The hat is called a Canadian Winter Hat from Book 2: The Purl Stitch - Sally Melvilles book. He will look gorgeous in it!

Knit Picks Men's Convertible Fingerless Gloves in Shamrock Reilly ( Knit Picks Yarn). I was surprised at how easy these were to make and love the look and feel of the yarn. The pictures really don't do the yarn justice!

My sister refused to take my mother out shopping anymore until she gets a new winter hat. My mother loves her old winter hat but looks a little like Lemony Snickets when she goes out.

Cascade 220 yarn and Knitty.com's pattern Coronet. Size 6 needles. What a great knit. This pattern is easier than it looks and gives great results! I still need to wash and block it but wanted to let you see it.

PS - Our son is in the hospital and may not be home by Christmas. Any good thoughts and prayers for him would be greatly appreciated.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US! 29 YEARS

The Inn at Crystal Lake in Eaton, NH. This is where we are going for a delightful dinner this evening. The views and food are supposed to be spectacular! But before we go, I need to reminesce a little.
I was just 17 when I met the most wonderful man - of course, I overlooked him completely! I worked at a sandwich/coffee counter at a drug store after school and one of the salesmen used to come in every day for coffee and a sandwich. ( I did notice that he was a good tipper even if I didn't think twice about him being a potential date!).
I am a chatterbox and would talk to all of my customers endlessly! The regulars got used to their daily updates on the high and low points of my life. One afternoon, I had just got done explaining to the counter full of regulars that I was unattached ( my last boyfriend had been a troll in disguise!) and that my birthday was Saturday night and I didn't have a date! I was 17 and totally self-consumed with my own life! AWWWWW - 17! I jokingly asked the customers at the counter, "So , what are you guys going to get me for my birthday?". The salesman spoke up and said, "I am taking you out for dinner!". Oh my goodness, what had I just done? I had no way out, he knew I had no plans for my birthday and for the life of me I couldn't come up with one reason not to go out with him!
So we made plans for the date. I had him pick me up at work (I wasn't sure I wanted him to know where I lived), I barely made an effort to get dressed up, and I had to pick up my little sister from a high school dance (so I would have to be back early)! Not my usual for a Saturday night. I was sure this was a one time thing and I would not ever go out with him again.
When he picked me up, I was totally impressed. He was dressed to the nines, had gotten a hair cut, and had polished his Pontiac Firebird (OH GOD am I dating myself or what?). He was the best thing I had ever seen. Dinner, Dancing, and a Moonlight Kiss followed and I really kicked myself for having made plans to pick up my sister at the dance!
6 weeks later we were engaged and 6 months later we were married. 29 years of ups and downs. 29 years of falling in love with him over and over again. I like him so much better today and love him more than ever - I didn't think that it could be possible! I still get excited when he comes home and he is the most handsome man I have ever seen! His kindness and patience with the trials and tribulations of life have saved me from going off the deep end several thousand times and for the most part in the last 10 years, he has been there for me more than any other human being could ever hope for! Don't get me wrong - we have had some incredibly rocky times in our marriage but as I think about those times - they just make today a day of joy and celebration!
Oh and by the way - I just want to share the greatest things that Tom and I have ever done!

Our son, Tom

Our daughter, Lyndsay

Thanks to both of you for so many years of pride and joy! We are truly lucky that somehow you picked us as parents. We love you both and could not be prouder of what wonderful human beings that you have become.