• Jan. 13, 2009
It's a New Year!
Happy New Year! (Ok, I'm a little late) There's just something about the start of a new year - I think almost all of us feel a little excitement in the idea of a fresh start. Personally, I'm not making "resolutions," instead I'm thinking more along the lines of goals, or habits that I want to create. One is the ubiquitous exercise more/eat less, but there are others.... spend more time knitting and less looking at patterns on the internet, for one. Knit a sweater! Do some nature journaling with youngest boy, and of course.....work on organizing the areas that need it.
The start of the new year found the farmer and his crew cleaning up the mess made by the December ice storm. One huge storm plus multiple farmsteads equals a ton of work. He also had bins to level and an elevator pit to clean out, and he likes to line up some high school and college kids to help with it all. It's a great way to get lots of hard work done, but he didn't take much time off over the holidays....ah well. This was them clearing up our yard........sometimes I really don't want to know what he's up to, I think!
yes, that's a chainsaw he's got
As for knitting, it's been back to socks! I got some beautiful Sophie's Toes before Christmas that I couldn't wait to try, so once my Christmas knitting was done I got started. But sadly my pattern choice resulted in some pooling I just wasn't happy with, so this
ended up at the frog pond. I decided to switch gears and go with a colorway that could handle a more complex pattern, and got started with some of the new Malabrigo sock yarn. This is the Child's First Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks, with some Lantern Moon sock needles (Sox Stix) which I love - they are only 5 inches long, I wish all my sock needles were an inch or two shorter!
It's bitterly cold right now and supposed to get worse (a high of 1 degree on Thursday) so I'm really hoping none of the sheep or goats will decide it's time to deliver a baby right now. I think we've got about a week before it's time though, so we're all keeping our fingers crossed it'll at least get into the double digits by then! Here's one little guy we had to say good-bye to last week, youngest boy's little parakeet, Rocket. Rocket started looking poorly and we took him to the avian vet. (Not something I ever thought I'd be doing, let me tell you! I was shocked to learn we even had an avian vet around here!) But despite that and some special meds and supplements, he didn't make it. We'll miss you Rocket!
Comments
• Jan. 14, 2009
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Posted by Vickie
I think you are right about not wanting to know what DH is up to sometimes. That would have given me a stroke. Sorry to hear about Rocket. I have always loved birds. Stay warm.
• Jan. 14, 2009
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Posted by woolwinder
I think the whole country is getting a blast of cold weather. We won't be as cold as you though, so stay warm, if you can. Good luck on your goals for the year.
• Jan. 14, 2009
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Posted by Toni
It's really cold here, too. We'll have single digits tomorrow night-for us that's very cold. Hope your animals wait a while before birthing.
I love the malabrigo sock! The colorway is beautiful.
• Jan. 14, 2009
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Posted by Oiyi
Happy New Year!! Those sock needles look very nice. And that sock yarn is a gorgeous color.
Poor Rocket! May he rest in peace.
www.oiyi.blogspot.com
• Jan. 14, 2009
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Posted by Junie Moon
Your goals for the year are reasonable and more sane than my own. I'm having fun working on them but am trying to remember to take time to just "be", too--a concept that challenges me on a frequent basis.
The fire and chainsaw adventures look scary but I know they're necessary.
I love your sock knitting and have been wanting to buy some Lantern Moon sock needles. I've heard frequent complaints about their breaking which is why I've hesitated to purchase them, have you had any problems with that? I do love knitting with Lantern Moon needles, they feel so lovely and smooth in my hands.
• Jan. 14, 2009
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Posted by Anonymous
Your winter cleanup looked like a huge job, nice to have help. Your socks are beautiful, love your knitting.
• Jan. 14, 2009
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Posted by Thimbleanna
Oh, so sorry to hear about Rocket. I had a blue parakeet when I was in middle school that I just adored. I'm sure Rocket will be missed. (And who knew there were vets for parakeets???) Love the socks -- both of them. I think I would have just put up with the pooling. And Aaack for Farmer Hubby. I guess that's when you really have to trust the bucket driver, huh???
(Ooohh, and don't you want to make 60 signature blocks? You could whip that out in no time -- I need a block from you!
• Jan. 14, 2009
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Posted by Mary (medatc)
I love that there is a piddly bag with Rocket :)
• Jan. 16, 2009
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Posted by Anonymous
Sorry about Rocket :(
Love both of your socks! Not sure what was wrong with the pooling...it looks awesome to me :) Love the colors :)
happy knitting :)
hakucho
• Jan. 16, 2009
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Posted by Emily
Pooling makes me miserable! Sometimes if I see it coming I change just one needle (for instance using 3 size ones and I change the fourth needle from a 1 to a 0) and it is enough to jog the colors around to where they won't pool. It doesn't always work, but its worth a try.
