The Calorimetries for my nieces were a last minute addition to the Christmas gift pool. Perhaps it was a quickie stashbusting solution or perhaps it was Auntie Lolly’s subversive way of countering all of the rampant consumerism and making a simple hand knit piece… or a little of both. Either way, the little headbands were a success!

M and K’s Calorimetry Headbands

Pattern: Calorimetry, Knitty Winter 2006
Yarn: K’s is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky (ivory) held together with a leftover Opal self-striping sock yarn scrap /M’s is Dale of Norway Free Style (eggplant) held together with a mohair glitter novelty thread leftover
Needles: Size US 6 needles

I modified the headbands to fit their smaller heads by following the notes from NuttyIrishmanKnits. I cast on only 80 stitches instead of the 120 called for, and only completed half of the short row repeats - I think I only did 7. I sewed small mother-of-pearl buttons on the back, and they fit both girls very comfortably. M even wore hers all day! (K is sometimes a little too rambunctious… can you tell by that silly smile?) K’s front tooth was barely hanging on… we thought we may be able to get her to sing “All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth”, but it held on throughout the day.

It was a wonderful holiday with both of our families ~ with my family, it was the first time for all of us to celebrate together in many years - with the addition of my brother-in-law who is recently back from his year-long military deployment. It was the first Christmas to spend with him, and it was so special because of it.

~I do hope that your holiday was meaningful as well~

PS - Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband/life partner/best friend/photographer/”sounding board”, Kristopher~

Well, the holiday was not completely handknit… I didn't finish my mom's present, so I worked out a little surrogate gift… and I didn't make anything for dad, but I am already thinking about next year's, and I still have some knitting to do for the nieces…

Despite these things, we had an absolutely wonderful Christmas.  Kris and I spent Christmas Eve with my family:  we prepared a wonderful feast, attended a service where my sisters sang beautifully, and came home to desserts, presents, and some yummy wine.  We laughed and shared gifts into the late hours of the night.  On Christmas morning, we awoke and headed to my brother-in-law's house for another wonderful brunch feast and opening gifts with all of Kris's family.  Things were relaxed this year, and it felt so nice to be "in the moment".  A wonderful two-day celebration with our loving families.

Wanna see the handknits?  Well, you may be surprised… 

This is the happiest picture of my mom EVER, so I had to share She is a cutie! You see, I was making another gift - still a secret - and I quickly realized that there was no way to finish it in time for gift-giving. So, the trusty Fetching mitt pattern worked in a flash! I used Knit Picks Andean Silk and lengthened the wrist.  This pattern is so cute and quick.  I think she likes them

She didn't seem to mind that the mitts were only a hold over until the real project is complete. Now, I need to motivate myself to actually work on that!

… and these are gifts you may remember!  I made the mittens for Mimi all along, but played them off as my own on the blog.  She loved them!  and Sarah was thrilled with her braided Rapunzel scarf.  In fact, the day before, she had just asked me if I could make one for her! :) 

~We had a wonderful time with both families~

Daddy and the stockings, Mimi and her little Oscar cat

Kris, Lolly, and the nieces, and the new gumball machine

In between it all, I managed to turn the heel on Kris's Plain Winter Sock.  The yarn, and the fun heel construction are definitely keeping my interest on this sock.  That and warming my husband's feet ;) 

This heel construction was really fun and I am hoping it will wear well.  It is outlined for this pattern "Plain Winter Socks" in Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks book.

Today is Kris's birthday too!  Unfortunately, no handknits were finished for the birthday, but I hope he likes the gifts I did get him…

…and speaking of handknit holidays…

Don't forget about the Bejeweled Knitalong!  You can join us in knitting up Shobhana's beautiful and simple lace scarf - you can buy the pattern on her site - and for SIX MORE DAYS only, the proceeds of the sale will go to F.I.R.E., the organization behind the Dulaan Project, that provides clothing and warmth for the children of Mongolia.  Pick up the pattern, choose a yarn, and join us for the knitalong - it starts on New Year's Day!

…Much knitting was done over the Thanksgiving holiday…

Here's a view of me (and my Strawberry Swirl socks) relaxing and knitting on mom and dad's sofa. They decorated for Christmas after the holiday, and my socks seemed to fit in well with the Christmas theme! Maybe they could be Candy Cane socks for December

Mom and I were both stitching away after the Thanksgiving meal. Mom, who learned to knit last Thanksgiving, is now jumping into the wild world of cables, and she is off to a great start.

Stay tuned for knitting progress!

I am lucky to have a birthday in my favorite season. I love the crisp mornings and the fall foliage all around me. I am lucky to have a birthday in this beautiful valley, surrounded by beautiful sights, tastes, and smells, and with my true love at my side. I am lucky to have this amazing community to share my passions with, and to form true friendships with people that I have never actually "met".

Thank you for your birthday wishes in my email inbox, and in the comments on the previous post. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement.

Another beautiful sunny day ahead!

Happy birthday to me! (and to Jolene and Karen too!)

My family had been planning the event for months, and this weekend, we kicked it off!  My dad's birthday is tomorrow, and we threw him a surprise party this past Saturday.  Better yet, we had out-of-town family come in (my awesome aunt and uncle came up from Alabama) and both of my sisters came up from North Carolina.  It went so well, and best of all:  Daddy was surprised! 

Me, Dad, Sarah, and Mimi

My aunt and uncle arrived Friday afternoon, and gave my dad the biggest surprise of all.  Sarah and her best friend from college, Jami, came up on Friday night before the party, and Mimi and her husband Daniel arrived early Saturday morning.  The party itself was the last of the surprises… we got a big cake, invited many friends, and had a great time. 

While the surprise birthday party went off spectacularly, we could not ignore that my dear sweet grandmother, Eileen, was declining rapidly in her nursing home just down the road.  My sisters and I visited our Nana before and after the party, and it became evident that her time on this earth is coming to a quick close.  She continued her decline today, and we just hope and pray that her remaining time is peaceful and pain-free.  She is just a month shy of 90 years old, and although she is much smaller and more frail, she is so beautiful inside and out.  Her mind left us years ago, unfortunately, but her sweet spirit remains, and she always greeted with a smile and perhaps a glint of recognition in her eye.

My beautiful Nana Eileen, seen here on Thanksgiving day 2004. She has that special smile and spark in her eye! She is a wonderful grandmother, and a kind and generous lady. I love you so much Nana, and I thank you for for everything that you have given to me.  I wish you peace.  xoxo

Knowing that my Nana's time is near, I am reminded of the importance of sharing your love and feelings with those around you… we just can't do it enough. 

Update 9.12.06: Nana passed away this morning just before 8am.  She is finally at peace.