Some Greenery

Winter may still be here in full force, but I'm feeling good because of some greenery.

I finally finished these socks!  It's not that they were particularly difficult, or that I didn't like them.  But I started them and got going, and then put them down to work on so many other things, both successful and non-successful.  I had hoped to finish them in January, and came close, but then a couple of weeks ago I closed up the toe and wove in the ends on the second sock.  For all of my sock-knitting, these are only the third pair I've ever made for myself.

Project:  Emerald Hedgerows
Pattern:  Hedgerow Socks
Yarn:  Apple Laine Apple Pie, in the Yoda colorway*
Needles:  US 1 1/2
Modifications:  None
Comments:  This is the second time I've knitted this pattern.  I made a pair of these for one of my nieces a few years ago, and enjoyed knitting the pattern - easy to remember, but challenging enough to keep you interested.  I received the yarn a few years ago in a swap, and have always wanted to use it.  I think I found a good fit with the pattern and the yarn.  The resulting socks are soft, cushy, and very cozy.

I'm going to wear them to work this Friday, and expect them to keep my feet warm walking to and from work in the return of the Polar Vortex.  Also, I am going to the first meeting of a group of knitters and crocheters during lunchtime at work, so it only seems right to wear my new socks for that, right?

*Before anyone mentions it, I do know that Yoda was not green since at least 100 people have told me as I was knitting these.  But I'm not the one who named the colorway ...

Five Favorites for This Friday

It's time to get back to thinking about the good things from this week, which has otherwise been full of annoying co-workers, epic nosebleeds, a cold, and so many other things.  But it is Friday, and  I'm still here, so something is working, right?

1. Melted ice.  For the past week or so, going outside meant taking your life into your hands unless you were a member of the Ice Capades.  Now, you can actually walk on the sidewalks.  (And when/if you fall, it's up to you to find a reason!)

2.  Fog.  I don't have to drive or fly an airplane, etc., so when it is uber foggy like it is today, I can just enjoy it.  I like the feeling of being tucked away in the universe.  I'm sure I wouldn't enjoy it if every day was this foggy, but fortunately it's not.

3.  Extra cuddly kitties.  Jetsam has been so much more cuddly than usual this week.  Every evening, he has sat on my lap or chest and purred his little head off, and then when I go to bed, he snuggles up right next to me.  The best.

4.  Long-lasting manicures.  Last night, I finally removed my nail polish from my manicure last Friday!  It had only started to chip.  I've never had one last that long, and this week, there was a lot of extra hand-washing, etc.  (see above)

5.  Friday evening.  Full of anticipation, even if your weekend is more or less free of specific plans.  Cozy, homey, and worth every second.

What about you?  I hope you can find some good things from your week to think about.  And no matter what, have a good weekend!

Relaxation With No Regrets

Here are some of the things I've been doing the past few days.

Starting

Finishing

Reading

Writing

Pampering

Baking

Celebrating

And then Monday morning my cold kicked in, so now I'm also

Medicating

At least I didn't have to take a sick day, even though I felt lousy.  And it just meant I had to just relax some more, and I was OK with that, you know?

Today, though - back to the real world.  But at least it's a four-day work week!  Let's hope it's a good one for all of us.  :-)

Extra Long Long Weekend

Oh the wonderfulness of being at home!  And I have been since Thursday!

I usually take Valentine's Day as a day off, if I can.  Because it's Jetsam and Pip's birthdays, and it's Valentine's Day.  Unlike most other people, I actually like Valentine's Day.  I think of it as a day when you let people know that you are thinking of them and love them, as opposed to a day only for romantic love.  Growing up, we always got a card on Valentine's Day, and usually some little gift - often candy, maybe a book, a pair of earrings, something.  And yes, I do agree that you should let people know that they are special/that you love them every day, but so what?   Should I skip my birthday because other people may have also been born that day?  (As Basil Fawlty would say, "Not bloody likely.")

So, I had planned the day off on Friday, and then it turns out that Monday is President's Day, which is a holiday where I work.  A nice four-day weekend.  Then it snowed big-time on Wednesday, so we actually had a snow day on Thursday - that hardly ever happens!  But it did mean I ended up with a five-day weekend - YAY!!

Granted, I have not felt great, as I think I am getting a cold - sore throat, congestion, aches - but the fact is that I AM NOT AT WORK.  And I'm loving every single minute.  I'm getting things done, but also enjoying lots of down time, cuddles with the kitties and Dug, and time with The Tim when he is home.  My time is my own, for real.

A lot of people might think that I should use this time to do as much as possible.  But I am trying to: a) avoid getting really sick, so taking it easy, and b) making an effort to tell myself that every waking minute does not have to be "useful" to be worthwhile.

Plus, I get to be at home!  As much as I enjoy traveling and exploring, home is truly where my heart is.  and there are two WHOLE days left!

Sometimes, life is good.  :-)

Our front gate

So What's What?

• We just returned earlier today from a weekend in Baltimore, where we went to visit with family and celebrate my great-nephew Zach's 8th birthday.  Zach is truly an amazing kid.  He is funny, talented, smart, but most of all, he's a nice kid.  I mean, truly nice.  Well-mannered and polite, but so much fun to be around.  As we always say, he may be spoiled since he is the center of so much of our attention, but he is not in any way a spoiled brat.   Which makes all the difference.  I took lots of pictures (for once, I not only took my camera, but then also actually took pictures), and I'll share some of them in a later post.  But as much as I enjoy being with my family - and I really do enjoy them, we always have a great time - I am always happy to come home to be in my own house with the kitties and Dug.  I am still working on getting myself organized this year.  Which is OK, and I'm not worried about it, but I am surprised that February is already underway, you know?

• I have been reading and knitting, as usual, and I really wish I could devote more time to both.  One of the things I want to try and work on this year is giving myself more time to do things I enjoy.  I read an article recently that stated that people who "goof off" - meaning, those who allow themselves time to spend time how they would like to - are truly happier than those who are always "accomplishing" something.  It also fits in to my desire to follow my word for the year, Grace.

• This Friday is not just Valentine's Day, but the day we celebrate the birthdays of Jetsam and Pip.  I have a lot of comp time at work, so I am taking the day off, and will have an extra long, long weekend, since we are off on Monday for Presidents' Day.  I'm looking forward to it, and am deciding what birthday cake to bake ...

• The Tim and I have recently become fans of the show "True Detective."  It has Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey, and the weird thing is, I'm not really a big fan of either, but I think they are fantastic in the show.  It's weird and a little bit disturbing, but really well done.  Turns out that almost everyone in my family is watching it too!  So there were many discussions about it this weekend.

• The Olympics.  As usual, I told myself that I didn't care, and wouldn't get involved.  And as usual, of course I'm watching.  Annoying commentary and all.
• And that's what's what around here.  What's going on with you?  Whatever it is, I hope your week goes well.