Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends! Well, at least to the 2 or 3 who actually read my blog... It's been a great holiday so far (I still have 4 days before I have to go back to work). I haven't even checked my blackberry for messages! I don't even know where my blackberry is right now! Love it!

So, aside from wrapping, baking, card writing, organizing, cleaning, shoveling, eating, drinking, and visiting, I've been knitting too. I'm almost finished Brad's "Cobblestone" sweater! It's been a fairly easy ride so far; I'm thinking of knitting another one! Maybe a smaller version for myself with a softer yarn?

Here's a picture of my progress... I'm almost through the short rows and ready to begin the decrease rows. Oh, and the cute little lamb is my new tape measure!! Love it!

Brad asked me to knit him some "not too long, not too girly, socks to wear around the house" last week. This is what I came up with.

Happy New Year! Best wishes to all for 2008! xo

The pattern is adapted from Ann Budd's "Cowgirl Slipper Socks", but don't tell Brad... he might not wear them anymore if he knows they're cowgirl socks!

The pattern is adap

Snow Day!

This scarf is sooo soft. I bought the yarn at a garage sale last summer. Unfortunately, I have only 1 skein and I have no idea what it's made of! Can you believe I only paid 25 cents for it!

Oh, the weather outside is frightful... Our second winter in Moncton and the first real storm so far! I love it! I was starting to think I was never going to see any true Maritime winter weather. So, here I am, at home on a Tuesday (yay), writing Christmas cards and... KNITTING!! How perfect.

Stella is curled up on my lap and we're both hiding from the blustery cold outside. The only thing that could possibly make today any better is if my husband were home with us... No snow day for him!

This tiny little sweater I knit in stocking stitch using self-patterning Opal sock yarn. Oddly, both the front and the back of the sweater have funny "empty" patches right in the middle! Otherwise, I'm quite pleased with it, especially since I knit it without a pattern! I have still to finish the neck, which I'll do in a simple 2 X 2 rib pattern, as I did for the cuffs. It's the perfect size for a new baby; any takers?

Actually, there is a new baby boy in our family! Perhaps it will go to Jake! That is if I can finish it in time for him to still fit into it...

Brad's "Cobblestone" sweater is coming along nicely, although I've had to lengthen the body to accomodate his height. It may just be finished for Christmas...

Happy Holiday preparations to you all!

Oh, and I made some "Fig and Roasted Grape" preserves last night. Very delicious with a strong cheese, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Here's the basic recipe:

• 2 cups red, seedless grapes, roasted in olive oil
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb dried figs, quartered
• 8 cloves garlic, raw or roasted, chopped
• 1 orange, zest peeled and slivered, juiced (1/3 cup)
• 2 black Chai tea bags
• 2 cups water
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Saute garlic in olive oil, add water, and tea bags. Boil, remove tea bags. Add figs, simmer until figs are soft. Add vinegar, orange juice, grapes, and orange peel. Simmer until liquid is reduced to a glaze. Season with salt and pepper. Bottle and store. Yum!