The BEST Way to Celebrate New Year's Eve

Fageddabout partying or drinking yourself stupid. WE WENT YARN SHOPPING. And at a good sale! Holy Threads here in Spokane is closing (boo hoo, why can't it be the yarn troll up on Indiana) and they are having a 30% off everything sale.

I scored bigtime with patterns. I must have bought 200 or so, most of which I'll be selling on Vintage Knits. And of course I bought yarn, how could I resist? Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in a pretty lilac, for an Aran hoodie I think. Some Artyarn merino sock yarn. 4 skeins of red Cascade 220 superwash for a child's sweater. And some alpaca in green, and in lilac which will be enough for a hat and maybe gloves. Also bought "Mason Dixon Knitting" which Katie and I both liked a lot.

Pia got a lot of Fancy Nancy glitzy yarn to make fun scarves and 2 beautiful skeins of Louisa Harding ribbon for something or other...

Katie spotted a neat stole in boucle yarn, and got the pattern. They didn't really have a color that she liked, so she'll be visiting Knitpicks to see what they've got.

Fancy Nancy

I tell you, Tatum is going to rock our world when she appears on Project Runway! She can accessorize like nobody's bizznazz.

I think her Grammy knit the adorable hat and mittens she has on. The coat is TO DIE FOR, as are those shoes. Do they come in big girls' sizes? Cuz they should

On the Needles

And likely to remain on the needles for quite a while...

This is my first 'sample' sweater (I'm making three or four of them for a Seattle designer). It's knit using two strands of a beautiful cashmere/silk yarn from China, on size 2 needles, in the mesh pattern at the top of the swatch.

Since the gauge is 7 sts-1" I am going to be knitting away on this garment for a while I think. I *can't wait* to start on the black version (not).

Alex's Song

The twins are over for a day (and night) before they join Mama, grandparents and brothers in Seattle for a little vacation. They LOVE having me type their 'deep thoughts' and making books. Here's Alex's song he created:

WHEN THE WORLDS ARE IN THE AIR
WHEN THE WORLD IS IN THE AIR

YOU WILL BE INSIDE OF YOU
WON’T YOU KEEP US SAFE AND WARM

BECAUSE YOU ARE THE ONE WE LOVE
BECAUSE YOU LET US HAVE FREE AIR

THAT’S ALL ABOUT YOU,
BECAUSE WE ALL LOVE YOU.

I LIKE OUR PLANET
AND THE SKY
WE’LL BE KEEPING AN EYE ON
THE GRAND OLD FLAG

Not exactly sure what it means, but I'm sure he sang it in his super high, sweet little voice!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary #9 to my dear hubby Steve! Here we are (a lot less grey and a lot skinnier) on our wedding day at Katie's Wild Rose Inn in Coeur d'alene, ID (quickie wedding capital of the Inland NW).

Time sure flies, can't believe it's been nearly a decade!

A Winter Wonderland

Just a few more pix from the cabin, a veritable winter wonderland of snow! B&B had better start saving up for their snowmobiles, so they can get up the driveway in the winter...

Get that (80th percentile) head covered up before you head outdoors, Dad!

Maddie is getting ready to let her Baba know that she pretty much hates the snowsuit

And the snowshoe gang heads out for a brisk walk

Happy Christmas!

The big day at last! We're waiting for the girls to wake up then we'll head over for the craziness with our little boys.

Cara & Tony went home yesterday and we miss them like 60! We opened our gifts yesterday and boy did I get some good stuff:

• Panini Press (we used it for dinner last night, yum)
• Kara Irish Pottery pieces (pie dish, mixing bowl and au gratin pan in Aran knitting designs--beautiful!)
• Membership to 24 Hour Fitness
• Trip to Italy IOU for next year!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

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