Resumption

Ice on snow

With ice on snow keeping me indoors for the day,  it seems as if it is as good a day as any to get back on track with my writing.  It also is a memorial day for me--two years ago this day my mom slipped her earthly bonds and tired body to wing her way to heaven to be with her Lord.  It was icy that day, also.

The past year was one of all the ups and downs that are easier when spread over time.  They weren't.  We managed to cram in my father's coming to live with us, dying, emptying his house, putting said house on the market,  going to Wisconsin for a wonderful, joyful wedding,  having an East Coast reception for the newlyweds, getting a dog, losing three chickens to predators, gaining a brand new baby granddaughter on Christmas Eve, and many more of the usual life things that one expects.

They do

Moving forward, I have closed my Etsy shop and let my trade name lapse.  It was a five  year run in which time I found out that I really am not a business person.  I really don't like to have to make things just to sell them.  It's time for me to get back to making things that I want to make for the sake of the creating.  (After I get done with a pair of fingerless gloves that I am doing for a woman who is wanting lace with ruffles.)   Besides,  there are many baby things that need to be made.  Like these things.

Booties in alpaca

Cap and wrap around sweater

My new dog is Rosa.  She was a stray in South Carolina that got to a kill shelter from which she was rescued, fostered, and then finally trucked up to Vermont with 9 others so that I could adopt her.  I worked with Passion 4 Paws.  They are great.

Favorite thing to do--follow her nose

She is seemingly one of thousands that look just like her coming up this way.  Only about a year old, so full of energy.   The cats were not thrilled at having their home invaded by her, especially as she is still barking at them three months into living here.  Finnegan will actually sleep on the bed at night with her, which works until he gets off, then Rosa has to jump off too, in order to see where he is going.  O'Malley avoids her at all times.   She would chase everything that moves if she were not always on a leash when we are out.  Chickens!  She actually did chase them once when she escaped.  They have been living in a fenced in area since the bobcat (or fox) snatching.  They can only go out free ranging when Rosa is at doggie daycare or inside for the afternoon.

Now I must go and rinse my fleece.  Am working on one for Glo.   Projects on the needles include a pair of socks for myself, the lace fingerless gloves and an addition of several inches to a sweater for Annie. 

Nice to be back.  Hope you think so, too.

February.

February, as most of us in the Northeast can testify, has been so cold and so snowy that I think it qualifies for the longest month of the year. 

Snow from off the roof, piling up in front of the kitchen window

I did mention the cold, didn't I?

We have been keeping busy indoors.  About two weeks ago my 87 year old father came to live with us.  He had spent two weeks in the hospital and then four in rehab.  Still not being too steady on his pins, it was decided that he should stay with us 'til he gets his strength back. 
It has been quite a learning curve.  However, we are all trying hard to make things work.  So far it has been relatively smooth.

To keep out of trouble, I decided to make myself a pair of mittens as mine were sadly in disrepair.  Elizabeth Zimmermann has a Norwegian style pattern that I thought I would try.  It is in her book Knitting Around.  I have wanted to try a patterned something with the background changing colors as I went.  This seemed like a great way to play with that concept.

Mitten backs

Palms, with EZ's idea of stripes for the thumbs

So far they are a lot of fun.  I had to copy out the patterns so I could put them up on my magnet board. The board has a stand that props it upright.  That makes it really easy to follow charts.  After the green I am going to yellow, then orange, then red.  I think. 
I am also working on some spinning as I feel the need to be weaving.  The sun (when it is out) is so warm and strong as it shines into the room where the loom is that I long to be there. 

We had one day that the temperature rose above freezing.  It had been several weeks since the last time that happened.  It was so exciting the girls all had to come out and see what the yard looked like.  They have been confined to the barn with the sub-zero weather.

They are not amused with the snow

At least with 8 hens I didn't have to resort to basement confinement in this bitter weather as they kept each other fairly warm.   They are all laying now, which is great.  I had 8 eggs the other day, so not one slacker among them. 

Eagerly awaiting the return of green grass and springtime flowers, I will post this photo to keep our spirits up.

Ah, the promise of Spring