Sunday Night

 

I baked an apple pie for some friends

earlier this evening and the fading

aroma is competing with

tonight's shrieking winds to put me in a

cozy frame of mind. 

I was actually on my way to bed

but the opportunity to cross one

more item from my list

was irresistible.

 

Our fall weather has taken a turn toward

winter which means

blankets and sweaters and coats

that would ordinarily not

make an appearance

for another month

have already been put into

 rotation.

 

These were my favorite shoes this fall: 

 

 fun and comfy, they've logged many miles.

 

These clogs from Dansko have 

proven to be a good choice

and have been perfect with jeans

or a skirt and tights.

 

Our flight to Paris leaves in less

than two weeks. 

My packing list has yet to be finalized.

The idea of being able to do laundry

tempts me to pack

light, very light,

 making every choice critical.

Or not. 

 

 

 

 

Just to let you know...

... it's

snowing

 

 

and thundering.

Sunday Evening

I still find it

hard to believe that time can slip so quickly

through my fingers.

Intended posts and other projects

were set aside this week

to allow for the unexpected.

 

Last weekend Tim fell while cross-country skiing,

causing something in his knee to pop.

He iced and elevated through the night

and decided the next morning that it should be seen.

Preliminary diagnosis

was a torn ACL.

An MRI on Thursday indicated a torn MCL,

which means that surgery won't be required.

A round of PT twice a week for the next

 month or six weeks

and he should be good as new.

We're very thankful.

It did mean, though, that I was the designated

driver for work and appointments,

a role that will continue for at least another week.

 

We had several snowfalls last week

and the truck just went down our street

spreading the de-icing solution in

anticipation of freezing rain/ice later tonight

and into tomorrow morning.

Yippee.

 

Anyway, I was able to claim

some of the week for myself:

 

Tonight the last few rows of my sweater back will be finished,

bound off, and the front section begun.

 

My navy wardrobe selections are coming together.

A mariner dress from llbean

will be nothing but fun to wear.

A cotton/cashmere blend V-neck sweater

will prove versatile.

Local sales added a solid (but lightweight) 3/4 sleeve cardigan

a coral top (which may not make it)

a tank with embellished neckline

a 3/4 sleeve mariner top

and a pair of tan jeans.

 

 

The sneakers were found online.

A local store carried the style, but not

this color, so they were ordered and shipped to my front door. 

They are cute, comfy and will be a fun option

 for casual outings.

There are a few more packages

scheduled to arrive in the next few days.

Paint chips have proven helpful

when trying to "remember"

a color from one place to the next.

 

And this:



 

was going to be so much fun.

Projects using bleach pens and various

fabric mediums are featured on Pinterest

from time to time

and this was going to be my

grand experiment!

The scarf was clearanced for $3.00 - why not

take the chance?! 

 

It didn't work.

Plan B doesn't exist at this point

but I'm determined to

transform this scarf.

 

 

Flotsam and Jetsom

It's snowing.

I've already shoveled twice today:

before I left for  the gym

and after my return.

My guess is an easy 6 inches so far,

and it's expected to continue through the night.

 

The library will close early

meaning I won't be working tonight.

So rather than entering my full-on

getting-ready-for-work-mode

I shall blog.

With a cup of hot chocolate

comfortably within reach. 

 

We had our first cross country skiing

experience over the weekend.

I will tell you that I'm willing to give it

 another try,

express thanks that no footage exists of our outing,

and then move on to a new subject.

 

Our trips to Minneapolis are always too short

and very busy.

This trip also included a

Chinese New Year celebration with Aidan

pizza and foosball

pot roast, roasted marshmallows

snow removal and

 our farewells to Proton.

 

 This:

 

called my name at the thrift store during a blitz stop.

I'm embarrassed to admit that

Naphtali was wearing it at the time.

We did the "Oh no, you should take it!"

routine for a couple  minutes

and then it was mine.

 

This is why I don't take pictures.

This sweater is the loveliest, lightest

 mohair concoction in a rich caramel color.

The collar

(I know "fur" is divisive)(but I love it)

creates a soft frame.

The smile it generates starts in my toes!

 

 The plan was to wear it to work today

with a black tee and jeans.

It will make its debut tomorrow!

 

In return for Naphtali's generous capitulation

I offered to alter the sleeves on a

  beautiful black linen tunic

that she would have otherwise walked away from.

See? Win-win!

 

Not one, but two new berets

have recently been finished and made their public debut.

No photos exist of either event.

 

This:

 

is the sweater I'm knitting.

Let me say that again:

I'm knitting myself a sweater!

 

My list of things to try someday

includes several items that I should just

well, try.

This past year has already seen so many new

experiences why let

a small detail like primitive needle skills

prevent me launching another

new project?!

 

Actually, I recently read some good advice that went something like this:

Knitting dishcloths won't teach you to knit socks.

If you want to knit socks, then knit socks.

 

Here's to "knitting socks" in the new year!

Sunday Afternoon

I should be driving, so today counts as

a free day.

Free days - as you know - should

be used for projects or naps

or movie marathons

but shouldn't be wasted on ordinary

household tasks like

laundry.

 

The weather kept us from making the trip

to Minneapolis to

 say goodbye to

Aidan's dog, Proton.

He wasn't himself when they came for Christmas

and a trip to the vet yielded a

sad diagnosis.

 

We were already on the calendar for the

Chinese New Year program

coming at the of this week, but it

seemed urgent to make

the trip now.

Unfortunately the weather interfered and we

made the call to stay home.

So we skyped instead!

We were able to chat.

Charlie added his greetings.

Proton responded to our voices and wagged his tail.

 

None of us know what the next few days

will bring.  So we were glad

to see Aidan and Proton.

We talked and laughed together.

It was far from perfect, but

it was good.

 

 

Monday Evening

It was snowing

- unexpectedly -

this morning as I got ready to

 leave for the gym.

It snowed most of the day.

 

I ran errands in the snow.

Found some bargains

shoveled the driveway

checked the mail

brought in garbage cans

made granola

did laundry

brought in firewood

created new Pinterest boards

put away the Christmas dishes

surfed for beret patterns

shuffled stuff for the new shelves

and a surprising number of

other things

while it snowed.

 



I have pictures to post from our trip to Oregon.

But not today...

 

Today it's a quick few snaps after last night's storm.

 

Along with a promise to

get some other loose ends tidied up.

 

Soon.  Today I will be cleaning up storm damage

after I return from the gym.

 

Aidan's tree.

 

 

We lost several big branches from Aidan's tree - small ones

from all the others.

 

Hail, wind, and debris from who-knows-where

peppered the house and fences for about  30 minutes.

 

The wail of emergency squad sirens started almost

immediately after and was soon accompanied by

the whine of chain saws.

 

Several streets were blocked off and I've been

told that the elementary school

- down and street and around the corner -

lost part of its roof.

 

This morning the sun is shining.