Hmmm, where to start? It's been two weeks since I've blogged and there's still not much to write about. Craft-wise, things have been all socks, all the time. I got all those great new fibers from Susan after Thanksgiving, but all I've been able to do is stare longingly at them (and pet them, of course) because it's holiday knitting crunch time. To add to the torture, I also won a door prize at Susan's open house, so I received even more fibery goodness from her--some great cream Mongolian cashmere. Yum! But, all that is on hold until I finish my holiday knitting.
The first pair of socks is nearly done. A couple more rows of ribbing, a cast off, sew in the ends, wash, and Presto! finished socks. The finish got put on hold because I couldn't find my crochet hook when I was ready to finish, and now that I've put them down, I just can't bring myself to pick them up again. I love my mom, and I would do anything for her, and since she loves handknitted socks, I hand knit socks. But this pair took FOREVER and mentally, I am done with them... and onto a second pair. 
A lovely, retina-scorching pair :-) These socks are aggressively cheerful. I actually love them, but they sure aren't for the faint of heart. They're going to be my usual 2x2 rib, and I'm grateful for that. As cool as I think the black socks are, and as much as I love the way the pattern looks, they weren't mindless, and I'm really looking forward to mindless. But not boring, because who could get bored with those colors? I'm only on the first one (the pic shows the front and back of the first one) but it's moving quickly. I'm not 100% sure I'll have this pair done on Christmas day, but I'm hoping. The first one's only and inch or so from the heel, so if I bust a move, I just might make it.
The only problem is, I'm not in much of a move-busting mood right now. The winter has really set in around here, and I am moving S-L-O-W these days. My apologies to all who have commented or emailed me lately. I'm being extremely slothful and lazy and I'm behind in all modes of communication. Right now I'm really just hunkering down and staying under the radar--I'm all flannel p.j. pants, hot cocoa and naps (when I'm not working, that is, and work sure takes up a whole lotta time). I'll have to shake off the funk, though, because I have a lot to do for the holidays--knitting, shopping, wrapping, baking, wasselling--all that good stuff! We've had our third annual kitten vs. the christmas tree battle, and as usual, the kitten won. And as usual, I was crushed by it, but I'm trying to grow up and move on. Christmas isn't a tree, it's so much more. And there are plenty of people out there who would love to have "no christmas tree" be their biggest problem right now. So, I've been trying to focus on others this christmas season instead of myself and so far it's really helped me get into the spirit. I have it so good, but sometimes I get caught up in very small problems and they seem so much bigger than they actually are. It's good to take a step back and appreciate what I have, and to share it with others. No matter what you celebrate (or don't)--I wish you peace and joy, and happy holidays, if you celebrate any.
