We’re home and we survived the cold and snow. But wait – it is currently 24 and snowing (albeit very lightly) here in NC – really! We came home to 60 on Monday, and it has just gotten colder since then. We’re trying to enjoy our last day at home, as real life starts again tomorrow. Back to school, back to work, back to cooking dinner (ugh).

We had a great visit to Mom and company in Minnesota. We saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater, and I think that any of the 3 girls (and perhaps my grandma) would gladly have run off with the lead – he was awfully cute, and spent more than half the show in not much more than a loincloth. I’ve had “Go, Go, Go Joseph” in my head ever since. We met the newest member of the family, my new nephew Sawyer James (seen here with his mom Jodie):

The girls visited the Mall of America and shopped and rode rides. They also went snow tubing (consensus – fun but cold!), and climbed the rock wall (a must whenever we visit).

I got plenty of chances to wear my new sweater and socks – now that the camera has mysteriously reappeared, I can get decent pictures.

We took Holly and Shea to tour Macalester College, and while they did that we hit a yarn store in St. Paul, The Yarnery. They had a great selection and were very nice. I think Mom actually bought more than I did, though as usual it’s all coming to my house! After we picked up the girls, we headed over to Borealis Yarn. Oh my oh my oh my – they had a huge room filled with just sock yarn! We (okay, I) could have spent hours there – and perhaps hundreds of dollars, though I showed some restraint, but the Louet Gems and Cherry Tree Hill got me – I’ve been looking for good solids in sock yarn, and just haven’t found it here in town. Never fear, I’m well stocked now. I also made a quick trip to Skeins – not my favorite place, but this time they were very nice, and had some great clearance stuff.

The Haul:

The stuff on the left is Mom’s – Pagewood Farms, Great Adirondack, Louet Gems, and 2 Fleece Artist sock yarns, and some Noro for a scarf. The stuff on the right beginning with the green Gems is mine, except for the 2 browns in Louet, which are for Mark. The stuff at the top, well, you can’t see that now. Sorry, but it’s top secret. I promise that it’s good, though!

I also came home to a package from Mama E – she’s selling off some of her prototypes, and I got one of the prototypes for Hellfire, which I love.

We got great presents, and here’s one of my favorites – a pendant made by Mom for me. Sorry the picture’s not great – I don’t have the macro thing down quite yet.

All in all it was a great trip, though it’s good to be home in my own bed!

New Year’s Eve was great – we went for Japanese with some friends, came home, watched a little tv, and were sound asleep by 10:15! I did a final count of my projects for the year – the only thing I seem to be missing a picture of is Grandma’s Christmas socks, which were a burgundy/pink/black combination. Grand totals for the year:
2 hats
1 tank top (Lotus Blossom)
2 lace shawls (new for me this year!)
1 purse
1 sweater
1 pair of mittens
and 27 pairs of socks. I did it – my goal was 2 pair a month, and I did it! And 18 of those pairs were for other people! I’m not sure I’ll set that goal this year, as I really want to make some more lace shawls, but I’ll definitely continue socking this year, as the sock yarn stash may well have broken 100 pairs’ worth after this last binge. I’m thinking of counting it today, but may not get to it.

I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions, but there are some things I’d like to do this year. Some more knitting for others, lose a few pounds (I’m shooting for 1-2 per month), try to exercise at least occasionally (I’m trying to be realistic here), and perhaps buy less yarn and use up some of what I have. If those sound wishy-washy, well, they probably are. If I resolve to do them, I’m sure I won’t, so I’ll just say that I’d like to do them, and leave it at that.

Happy New Year to all of you!

P.S. – Mark said I failed to mention that the car has been fixed, looks great (after a slight blip and an extra week in the shop), and is home. Yay!

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