Squeezing In

Squeezing in at the last minute is Lima from Penzance. For those of you who don't know, I hate finishing - HATE it! Have no problem with happily knitting numerous projects to the point of needing finishing and then my putting it happily away until I get sick of it and get my mum to sew it together when she comes for a visit.

However, this is a new year and I'm trying new things. It's not that I can't finish things, I just don't like to. I quite happily sew away on numerous projects, but sewing finished items together is just not my idea of fun. I set myself a goal this year that I stop all this silly business of not finishing projects and make sure that at least one project a month crossed the finish lines.

Hence, our first FO of the year.

I guess you could say that she's not completely finished because I haven't blocked her, and I hear that there is quite a bit of growth that takes place with this yarn and pattern during that process, which would be very helpful considering the weight I gained over the past month eating Cream Teas (every day) in England, and then sitting next to EB in his bed while he recovered coloring and playing Thomas the Tank Engine DVD Bingo. Thank heavens that I have an appointment back at the gym on Monday, and a deadline of two weeks for my friends wedding and seven pounds to lose. I can do it. Mind over matter. That's what I did when I got down to business and announced to the family today that I would be busy sewing together this project and weaving in fifteen skeins worth of ends .... blurgh!!!!

I did also manage to bake some Gluten Free Brownies for Dec. I discovered this week Amazon Prime and I have been fully taking advantage of it. Almost every day this week a package has shown up at our door with two day shipping for Free! I also discovered the benefit to buying Declan's Gluten Free products online in bulk at multiple discounts.

So, six boxes of Cherrybrook Kitchens Gluten Free Fudge Brownies arrived on Friday. Whipped up a batch this morning and I'd show you a picture of the brownies, but they have disappeared already. In between working on his Cub Scout Pinewood Derby car, Dec appears to have had brownie fever. I'd normally not let the kids splurge on sugar like that, but this kid needs some serious fattening up and gluten free food isn't always the best, and believe me, these brownies most definitely were the best! Celiacs and non-Celiacs in our home proclaimed them some of the best they've had.

January

Thanks everybody for the suggestions on the Virtual Yarns Seaweed Wrap - I ended up going with the Crotal and am anxiously awaiting the package delivery. Hopefully soon, but have plenty to keep me busy in the meantime.

My youngest son, EB, had his tonsils and adenoids out last week, so I have spent the past week playing nursemaid, and just hanging out with him. We had a blast. We colored, played games, watched movies and explored every soft food I could find. I did get some knitting done because I have trained EB well, and he would ask me to sit on his bed and watch a movie with him, and it was okay with him "if you want to knit, Momma". That's my boy!

I finished the knitting on the Lima cardigan in Mirasol and just have to sew it up. I cast on for it on the plane home from England. I purchased the yarn in Penzance, Cornwall (one of my favorite places to visit) and although the yarn wasn't from the UK (although I did get some of that - to be blogged about another time) it did remind me of the dark blue waters surrounding the Cornish Peninsula at Lands End.

I'm planning on this being my January sweater for NaKniSweMo, so I've got to get cracking tomorrow and finish the seaming. urgh! I hate that part - but strange seeing as I like to sew other things.

Have also been working on a blanket for Little Princess in Cascade in the Soft Waves pattern from Jan Eaton's book 200 Ripple Stitch patterns. It reminds me of Pansies and fun bright flowerbeds, which we often need reminding of in Wisconsin when our ground is covered with snow for more than six months a year. Not that I'm complaining, I love our cold snowy winters. Bring 'em on! Twisted, aren't I?! Anyway, the blanket has a goal of the end of March, maybe sooner - we'll see how distracted I get.

I also received my yarn from the Sundara Sweater Collection subscription. It's Aran Silky Merino in Green Tea. I love it. Love the color. Love the yarn. Now, what to knit??? Am leaning towards Liesel, and then I should even have some left over for some other fun projects. Need to decide fast as it is going to be my February project.

Am also trying to finish up other projects that have been hanging around from last year (okay, let's be honest, and the year before). This is the year for finishing projects and you can quote me on that!

Opinions and Enablers Needed

(Me on the London Eye admiring the sites.)

Am back from the land of Limey's. Had a wonderful visit with Mum and Dad, family and friends. I have been updating our family blog with lots of pics and stories, but still need to get some updates on the trip on here.

Will try to get moving on that over the next couple of days ... until then, here's a pic of the family at the Tower of London with Tower Bridge in the background.

Okay, now this is where I need your help.

Am trying to decide on what color yarn to pick for the Virtual Yarns Seaweed Wrap. Really liking Crotal, Summertide, Spindrift and Solan Goose. Had not planned on purchasing this kit this month, but the wonderful enabler, CarrieK, made me do it. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it. So, help me guys. Let's get a vote on what color you like best (for me).

While you're at it, you might want to check out the drawing yourself and treat yourself to a kit.