2012...Thank goodness

Yes, it's that time of year again when you revisit last year (which kinda sucked) and set intentions for the new year. Note that I said intention not goal.  That is my way of not setting myself up for failure...not putting on pressure.  Who needs it?

2011 (the good and bad):

• Spent half of the year sick...much better now.
• After 7 months of yoga, 12 months of chiropractic care, and a cortisone injection, my back is feeling much better.
• Knit 7 miles of yarn.
• Bought a spinning wheel and still trying to decide if spinning is for me or not.  I have definitely improved but still learning.
• Adopted a new dog, Juno who we love dearly (photo below). Henry loves her too but not so sure about sharing a chair.
• Attended my first fiber fairs.  Loved SAFF!

So onto the knitting intentions: 

• Less random yarn buying...trying to use more of stash
• No deadline knitting...the only exception is for SSK knit retreat KAL
• Release sock pattern I have finished (not sure why I haven't done this yet)
• Less time on Ravelry....this is a hard one but I find that too much time results in joining too many KAL's and knitting too many things I don't need.
• Knit more sweaters

Non knitting intentions:

• Less frivolous spending. This is usually done when the teenagers are whining at me.  I will be stronger! 
• Exercise outside my comfort zone.  I love my yoga classes but I need to try some other types...will start out with Toning and before end of year hope to try Zumba.
• Read more.  Hubby bought me a Kindle for my birthday last week and I love it. It's loaded with books and knitting patterns already. Will read before knitting.
• Work on healthier family eating....especially during volleyball season when we normally eat out too often.
• Have more fun with my camera.  Take classes.  I got a Nikon D3000 last Christmas and while it's been used, I really haven't played with it like I intended to. 
• Blog more.

Tour de Fleece

It's my first Tour de Fleece and while I'm still a fledgling spinner I do have the goal of spinning up these.

- FLUFF Organic Merino Top

- Pigeonroof Studios Falkand

- Greenwood Fiberworks BFL

- Bee Mice Elf Merino/Tencel

The FLUFF is the only one I am spinning with a purpose.  I am hoping to spin it as a fingering weight single in order to make the Mezquita Shawl.

Too Funny

Today I was looking around on the internet for instructions on how to make your own lazy kate (a plying device for spinning).  When reviewing the results I came across a good number of them referring to Kate Gosselin.  I love Google!

Belle

I did it!  I found a lovely little wheel...an Ashford Traveller.  Her name is Belle and I hope we have a great time together.

BTW - our little bird friend is still visiting us every day and has also discovered (and covered) the car rear view mirrors. We have named him Tom...peeping Tom.  Every morning he's peeking in the window at us.

Who's Knocking?

I was finally cleaning up the home office today and kept hearing something banging on the window.  I looked outside and saw this little bird flapping up against the window.  As I got closer he flew off.  A few minutes later he was back.  Then he'd fly off.  And a few minutes more....he was back.  A few hours later....he was still at it! 

I looked around the bushes out front to see if he/she had a nest going out there but I didn't find anything.  I'm not sure what was up with the poor guy.  He didn't mind me snapping pictures of him at all. And I didn't mind the break from cleaning.

A Bout of Finishitis

Bless his heart!  Isn't he just the cutest?  His name is Jerry and he was made for DD#2.  He was a very quick knit I have orders already from other family members to make more just like him.

These are my Mardi Gras socks.  Bright yellow, bright green and purple (I know it looks blue).  Sometimes its fun to knit with really loud yarn.  I'm trying to give away most socks I make this year, but no one has claimed these thus far. :)

This is my Haruni and it's mine, mine, all mine!  It's Wollmeise and it's lovely.  I'm showing it off everywhere I go.

And finally to round off my finishitis...EZ's miter mitts knit with Noro Silk Garden.  It took some work to get the colors to match up but I did it...not sure about the thumbs but whatever.

It's Coming

The end is near.  I'm getting weaker.  Last night I even had a dream about it. 

Spinnning.

No. Not spinning on a spindle. On a wheel....a nice wheel...One of these.

Help!  I feel resistance is futile.