FO: Worsted socks

They took a little longer than planned (things have been craaaaaaaazy here) but Dad's birthday socks are done!

They are worsted weight - so big and thick and perfect for the cold, freezing winter that doesn't seem to want to come this year... (oh well, we'lll get snow eventually)

No real pattern, just cast on 48 stitches and used basic sock math to make. The yarn is Drops Big Fabel, the only worsted I've been able to find with nylon in it. Not the softest, though it does get nicer with washing. If these are anything like the pair I made him last year, they will get lots of wear and lots of washing.

Weird weather

What's the weather like where you are?

Here, it's all messed up. I live in Southern Ontario, and while it's one of the warmest areas of the country, it's still part of the Great White North. We don't always have a tonne of snow by this time of the year, but we've usually had a snow fall or two, and some of that snow has stuck.

Last year at this time, it looked like this:

... and Rocky was very sad. This year....while we had a brief cold snap in November, and even a flurry or two, the yard is completely bare (and Rocky bugs me constantly to go out).

Our days pretty much hover steadily around 10C (50F), and that might be okay if it was sunny, but mostly it's been grey and dreary... and today it's even raining! It's hard to get in the Christmas spirit when it's raining.

And if that doesn't show you just how weird the weather is...

The Snap Dragons are still blooming

As is the Alyssum

The Dianthans have little pink buds (and one sad bloom)

And the Lilac thinks it's Spring already!

And if that didn't show you how messed up it is..

Popcorn Drift is blooming in December.... roses.... in December... in CANADA!

One-sock wonder

Late in the week, my friend Aneesha and I met for one of our quarterly dinner/shopping dates - our last one of the year and the perfect opportunity to present her with her Christmas gift.

And even though I was the one who set the date weeks before, I completely forgot about until I was snugged down in bed the night before. As a result, when I got up in the morning, I scrambled to get it all packaged up amid my usual morning rush.

I am not at my best in the morning, so I try to get as much ready the night before - much less chance for disasters... such as this one

That, my friends, is just one sock.... amidst my morning flurry, I must have dropped the other one before I got it in the bag... and totally didn't notice. (In my defense, socks don't make much noise when they hit the floor.)

Of course, Aneesha is a fantastic sport, and she thought the whole thing was hilarious... and just another reason for us to get together sooner, rather than later. Though I think I need to whip up something extra for giving her just half a gift....

Friday Felines

I work from home twice a week now, but Tux doesn't seem to understand the part where I actually have to work...

Happy Birthday to me!

My birthday is not until Saturday, but as you know, I always get myself a little something around this time. I actually have some money tucked away for something extra special, but I'm not able to get it until January. So when these came up on Ebay (for a ridiculously low price), I just couldn't resist.

The most stunning pair of Nine Wests I have ever seen. And just so perfect for me...

The colour, the style...everything is just so... perfect.

Despite the height of the heel, Nine West are extremely comfortable. 

The are usually pretty far out of my budget, so I have a tendency to pounce on them when I see a good sale. I may have pounced on a few more, but they won't be here for a couple more weeks...

Almost forgotten...

As I was congratulating myself on finishing up Sandpoint, and only having Dave's Mom's socks left to do.. I realized I'd almost forgotten about one other present.

My Dad's birthday present! Thankfully, there's still more than a week until his birthday, and being worsted weight, they knit up super quick! I was able to whip one up over the weekend while the last piece of Sandpoint was blocking. The second one is on the needles, and I should have it done by the end of this week.

Hello, Dolly

The grocery store I shop at has a pretty good points-based loyalty program. And because they own a chain of stores, I'm able to use the points for more than just groceries. Over this last year, I've been able to get plants (my Foxglove and Delphiniums) as well as clothing (tights mostly, though in past years I've gotten a few dresses too.) But about halfway through the year, I start saving them up for Christmas. In addition to clothing and housewares, one of the stores also has a decent selection of toys. In addition to my knitting, having some points saved up helps keep the Christmas budget under control.

So on the weekend, I stopped in to get a few of the things on my list that weren't being knit. I did quite well and even had some points leftover after all my presents were accounted for... so I got myself a little something...

Meet Clawdeen Wolf... number 9 in my little collection of misfit dolls.

 As you can see, Clawdeen's a bit of a wild child... animal print, fur coat...

... and those boots!

 Of course, being the daughter of the Werewolf, a little wildness is probably to be expected!