Random Thoughts

Going to leave this tab open all day, and just record some of what crosses my mind.  Would that be okay with everybody?

Why, thank you.

It is my Favorite Day of The Year.  Christmas Eve is all about baking cookies (at least in our house) and excitement and being finished with all the rushing about and that marvelous anticipatory quiet and stillness that descend after the sun goes down.  Christmas Day can sometimes disappoint.  Christmas Eve never does.

Proof of the use of an Amazon gift card*:

 (Below "Bringing Up Baby is Saramago's memoir.  When I finish with his novel, All the Names, either that, or the letters to the President book, will be my next read.)

One of our Christmas Eve rituals is cookie-baking.  I'm also baking a breakfast casserole and a coffee cake for tomorrow, so there'll be more kitchen activity than usual.  We also always visit a live Nativity scene one of the local churches has, then come back to open one gift each, then watch "The Muppet Christmas Carol."  

Mama, Daddy and I didn't really have any Christmas traditions, unless you call me having to pull these off Daddy's feet after a tough Christmas Eve at the store one:

 Each year, when we go to the Nativity scene, I wear these in honor:

Inside the boots will be a pair of handknit socks --- made from Deborah Norville's "Serenity" sock yarn.  Now, I'm no Deborah Norville fan, but Jo-Ann had the yarn on sale for a ridiculously low price, so I got some.  I bought 2 skeins each of 3 different colorways, and it turns out that I got a full pair out of just 1 skein.  How often does that happen?  This is the color I'm wearing:

It's beautiful worked up, and is nice and soft.  Maybe an early holiday miracle?

Have a Magnificent Christmas.  You've been a great support in a year that I needed constant boosting.  Thank you.



*This mostly for the benefit of Twinnie.

Good Company Makes A Good Meal

November 10, 2011

Photo Essay: Finn Falls Asleep

It doesn't take him long.

So, Yeah. I Went to Nashville.

And here are notes and pictures that were taken while there.

•  My inability to fall asleep at night has gone beyond nuisance.  It has moved into "crisis."
• Drivers in Middle Tennessee seem to forget that there are other people on the same roads as they are.
• I've finished 2 Christmas presents, and learned that my mother does not like the phrase "freakin' ________."  Got a classic Mom Look when I uttered it.
• My hot flashes are still on Eastern Time.  And on schedule.
• There really isn't anything quite like a fresh, hot Krystal.

•  The people across the street from my mother have two dogs.  One is a big Rottweiler mix, the other a little Chihuahua-y thing.  Guess who's the chatterer of the two. . .

• I am knitting a striped scarf out of Noro.  My mother's den is so dark, I have no idea what colors I'm working through.
• Fox News is bad enough, but my mother also watches "Dancing With the Stars."  I've seldom missed our blank, turned off TV screen more.
• Both children call me on the same night.  One call lasted a shade over an hour.  The second, 2 1/2 +.

• Chick-fil-A for breakfast.
• For the first time, on this trip, I am seeing my mother as an old, old woman.  Sad.
• Suddenly very weepy.  I don't feel like I belong anywhere.  Don't want to stay here (too sad), don't want to go back to Athens (too many responsibilities and issues).  Nowhere, except a nice hotel, is where I want to be.
• Guilt.

Who Could Ask For More

(I am assuming, of course, that there is storage for knitting supplies in the other corner.)

Fall Comes to Athens

A fairly representative sample of the lack of color around here.  Too many pine trees, not enough leafed.

Still knitting like a fiend.  This project was to be for the etsy shop, but I am so in love with the feel and color of the yarn, I'm going to have to keep it for myself.  (It will be a cowl.)

The color is "Sweet Potato" from KnitPicks, and, I swear, I can smell and practically taste sweet potatoes when I just look at it.  I was skimming around the KnitPicks site the other day, and was devastated to see that this color is being discontinued.  Would that there were enough money in my bank account to buy all that they have.
Finished my first Who's Feet scarf:

 Thirteen feet and three inches altogether.  It will be given to the first Whovian I ever knew, my best friend Lisa.  (Who probably doesn't read this, so no worries.)

Just Cool Photos

This is my crazy cute daughter at one of her favorite places, an anime convention:

These two men are Strauss and Brahms:

This is a bit of philosophy I'm finding helpful these days:

This is one of my heroes, and the inspiration for this blog's title:

This is a glorious picture.  Even the bear is in awe:

This is the first model hand eye crafts has ever had:

This has pretty much been my year so far:

How you doin'?