Just another month

Haven't mentioned being pregnant much on the blog - not a preggo blog after all - but it's obviously on my mind more and more as I approach 200lb and ankles the size my knees used to be.
Yesterday my lovely work friends had a shower for me - totally unnecessary as I have a 4 year old and they held me a shower for him back in '04, but I was really chuffed, and we had sheet cake - yay!
Last night we went for dinner at the mall and then lined up for over an hour to see Santa. Little guy was just delighted to see him, but apparently even standing for an hour is too much for me now - spent the night in hospital with v sore contractions, and came home this morning still cooking this baby but poked full of holes and exhausted.
Like I say, just another month.
Maybe I'm just a moaner. I mean - look at this woman. Hats off...

Busy night ahead...

I say this every year, and yes it's a cliche, so shoot me. I Love Christmas. It's The most wonderful time of the Year. From the reliable "Christmas is not just about shopping and eating you know" sermon from the parish priest, to the emergence of more and more lights every evening driving home, to the 'what on earth can I get for my father this year' dilemma*, just love it all.

And this year - we are home in our own house - for the first year ever! Usually we spend it with in-laws (Florida) or my folks (Ireland) - neither of which are bad options let me add, but I always feel like I miss the fun in our own neighbourhood. Grandparents coming up to share in festivities for Christmas week, adding their Boston Terrier to the mix. I predict a good snorty time...

And the fun starts tomorrow night, with a cookie swap. Making about 8 dozen cherry chocolate cookies tonight for a swap with neighbourhood ladies. And then the next night, another cookie swap with my knitting friends, about another 8 dozen. That means I need to make about 200 ~ 17 dozen cookies tonight, at least...

I didn't pick a great recipe (will post later - if successful). Bucking the usual trend the recipe I chose from a random cookbook (bought when newly married and planning to cook/bake a lot - ha!) turned out great the first time, so I passed it on to TulaBug, hostess extraordinaire, who is again hosting Wednesday's shindig.

Subsequent efforts, however, resulted in 1: tray o'crumbs; 2. tray o'hockey pucks. No room for mess-ups tonight so fingers crossed...

And my yarn swap loot arrived this weekend! Separate post coming on that as soon as camera cooperates, grrr.

*this year - donation to charity. So he's getting that, a sock keychain, and pictures of his grandson :)

all quiet

Not a lot to report - am on my 5th scarf in a row - a blue stripey one for the brother, birthday in less than two weeks, and seeing as he is in Ireland and I left it in Panera's last week (thanks Sarah for minding it for me!) it may end up being a Christmas gift. It's a very simple pattern, 2x2 ribbing in Lion Brand wool, simpler the better if you actually expect a guy to wear something knitted I have found.

I've picked up the second Grandiflora sock, looking good. Plus it's coming into sock-wearing weather here. Thing is, am getting so pregnant - now weigh more than Himself - that normal sizes don't fit me and I have a lovely case of the cankles! Maybe will wear them in Spring.
Scored some lovely Sheila Rovelstad yarn for the Winter Wonderland Swap. Won't post a picture in case the swapee reads this :) (And I will also spare you a picture of my cankles).

A year already?

Yayyy been blathering on here (intermittently) for a year now. And I still have stuff to say!

Well - the knitting is going good - deep into scarf season, my favourite. I recently finished a skinny clapotis and a short entrelac scarf for my friend's 5 year old - and am on my second entrelac scarf, all looking lovely and - thankfully - not boring to knit. I am using Noro matsuri for the scarf on the needles now and it's a lot of fun to see the colours developing. It's a cotton/wool blend - so no wispy bits to stick to my winter-chapped lips. (Note: I have been listening to this on audiobook while knitting this scarf, so will probably always have some weird associations with this particular garment...)

In sad knitting news - Himself washed and tumble-dried the purple cardi :(

let's just say it is now a wee bit snug...It may be stretchable, or maybe I'll have to wait to wear it when I drop some of the baby blubber. Speaking of, am now nearly 7 months along.

I tested presumptive for gestational diabetes though, have to do the follow-up this weekend. My major in college was Human Nutrition, I should know better*(she says, still scarfing down Halloween candy).

In other sad knitting news - the hat and scarf I donated to the school's fund riaser? They were put on sale for $2 each! I nearly bought them back in annoyance. I should have added labels saying they were handmade especially, washing instruction etc. But didn't. Ah well. Last I checked they were gone. No update on this accursed item...

In other sad news, my Tivo died :( And even though I have 18 months service paid up, the only option to access it is to buy a whole new Tivo box. Ranging from $150 to $350. Grr. And I had loads of stuff saved on there that I was going to watch sometime. Am a big fan of 'Murder TV' as himself calls it. I particularly like the Oxygen show "Snapped" where some long suffering women off their men. Usually following laundry-related mishaps...

Rare trip to the movies last weekend, to see Zack and Miri make a porno. I really liked it, Seth Rogen always cracks me up. The only reason I mention it here, though, is for the surprising amount of knitted and crocheted items on view - it's set in wintertime Pennsylvania so afghans/scarves/hats/sweaters are in nearly every scene. Good a reason as any to check it out :)

The Columbia Sip n Knit celebrated 2 years and counting last Wednesday, still going strong. I've been a member just over a year, and I love it. A nicer bunch of ladies (and Textillian!) you couldn't hope to meet. Lynn even had cake for us - and surprises from her trip to China!

Last night I experimented with a new cookie recipe for the 2nd annual cookie swap at Stacey's house next month: Cherry chocolate Yumsters, I think I'll call them. Himself thought I was having a 'craving' he should know by now that I kind of always crave cookies, and now I have an excuse to eat them (see*!!)

The latest trend in xmas tree ornaments

DSC02854
Originally uploaded by dcrre

Never too early to start preparing...
made a knitted uterus for a 'childless by choice' friend - for decorative purposes only, just like her own ;)

Quickie

Finished Talia! Here it is before the edging to armholes and neckline:

Great pattern to make - and fast. Didn't much care for the yarn though - the wee bit of mohair in it sheds everywhere. I think I would make this again, maybe in a cotton mix, something less sheddy.

Next, need to block this, and then put away till xmas! Aren't I organized..okay, doesn't fit me so not like I'll be tempted to wear it...sigh. 24 weeks and counting!

Random sightings

Friends and family who are warmer because of me:


Fetching and baby hats,
Socks,
scarves, and hats!
I kept the others anonymous to focus on my handiwork but I didn't crop this last picture - this hat and scarf were meant to be worn in an ancient, misty Irish forest on a winter's morning: one man and his foofy dog. (This is my newly engaged brother: He looks so happy.)

Knitted nativity

'Tis the reason for the season, so here's a picture of the wonderful knitted nativity my Mum sent me. She is so clever, a wonderful knitter and a really thoughtful person. Miss you this year Mum! Three Wise Men, two shepherds, 3 (CUTE) sheep (all with different fleeces!) Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus. I was speechless. I love nativity scenes and have a smallish collection. Love you Mum!!

On the gift knitting side, I finished 2 pairs of Fetching and 3 hats. Not too (terribly) shabby. Pictures...coming (forgot my USB cable, aargh!).

I am half way thru one sock made with beautiful Summer Slushy 100% merino yarn from Whimzy pinzy. Yarn is great, pattern (Uptown Boot Sock, from Favorite Socks by Interweave Knits) kind of boring. Plus I made the child's size (why???) so now I have to look for a small footed friend.

Nollaig Shona, Feliz navidad, Joyeux Noel, Merry Christmas!

I'm dreaming of a bright Christmas?

I suppose a white Christmas would be very festive, but not for me. Seeing as Christmas is the generally the only time when I take more than two days leave together, I would rather have good weather for those days. Well - I had the good fortune to marry a Florida lad, so some Christmases are Floridian, like this:

He, in turn, had to good fortune to marry me. The downside is that some Christmases are Irish, like this:

And my good friend Heather, married a guy she met in Sydney, so her Christmases are like this!

This Christmas, we're going to Florida (me, DH, DS and two DD (dear dogs)) in rented minivan, hitting the road tomorrow. 1900 miles. Hope I don't forget to pack the valium.