Unraveled Wednesday 1/28/26

 Brrrrr and Good Morning,

The bitter cold continues (and it will for a bit more).  What a good time to have wool in your lap!

It's time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to chat about making and reading.  Nothing better!

The last pair of Family Socks is continuing.  Although I spent so much time cooking over the past few wintry days, I did manage to do a little bit on the sock.

The blue yarn that ties all these family socks together has been added to Colin's first sock.  I purposefully made the cuff longer than usual and then knit more on the leg in the yellow to be sure I have enough blue for both socks.  I did add the lateral braid in the yellow section.

It has been a number of years since I knit a lateral braid and it was a little fiddly on DPNs, but still fun to do and I really like the way it looks.  

I'm sticking to my guns (so far) and not starting anything new until these socks are finished!  Project dreaming is fun though!

Kind of the same story with my reading.  I'm staying with Invitation to a Banquet while I wait for books to come in from the library.  The Banquet book is still very interesting (at least to me) and I am now on the final section of the book (and hoping something comes in from the library pronto).

Last night Fletch and I FINALLY finished The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown.  We listened to the audio book (22 hours and 50 minutes) and what a slog!  Fletch did enjoy it but not me.  It will be good to start something new tonight!

I hope everyone stays safe and warm.  Be careful if you need to go out in this frigid weather.

Tiny Needle Tuesday 1/27/26

 Hello My Friends,

Well the storm has come and gone though the bitter cold is lingering and even increasing.  Fortunately we did not get the full amount that was predicted.  I think we received 9.5" - 10" overall.  With the crazy winds blowing everything around it's a bit difficult to tell for sure.  Then, of course, the sleet came and covered it all with a crustiness.

Our neighbor Rob came over on Sunday to bring us cake!!  He had made an Opera Cake at Eve's request for her birthday.  Boy is that delicious.  And, he promised to be back on Monday to clear our driveway.  Sure enough, he was over yesterday morning and made short work of our driveway and sidewalk.  When Colin & Mailing came over (with Iris) late in the day, Colin cleared the snow off our cars.  What a gift to have such wonderful people in our lives.

More than anything, my time was spent cooking.  I made split pea soup on Sunday and baked some bread.  Yesterday I made vegetable beef soup and a blueberry quick bread.  Some stitching and knitting was accomplished and naps were taken.  I also read a bit.  And watched the birds as they attacked the seed Fletch had put out for them.

Mabel was in and out about a hundred times!  Not staying out too long at any one time, but spending some moments rolling on the (bitter cold) patio and closely watching the birds.  At one point I watched her chasing a tiny mouse across the snow.

So now it is Tuesday and time for a TNT update.  Eve had a bit more flesh stitched and when I tired of that color I started to fill in the ground below her.

I really need to stitch more of her hair - she just looks so weird right now!  LOL

And look who has become interested in learning how to stitch!

Today we will venture out for some groceries.  Here's hoping the store won't be too crowded and we can get in and out quickly.  Stay warm my friends!

Unraveled Wednesday 1/21/26

 Good Morning Friends,

Typing and rubbing my hands together.  Waiting for the coffee to finish brewing.  I'll be out of the house early today to head over to be with Iris.  I do love her and spending time with her, but I really, really don't want to go out.  And, I will need to gas up the car.  I was ignoring all the dire predictions for this weekend, but when I was getting my massage yesterday, one of the women mentioned that her phone showed 16-22" of snow on Sunday.  Yikes!!!  This morning, my phone is showing 20-25" on Sunday.  I imagine our plans for Sunday will be cancelled.  But, we have plenty of food.  Also books to read and things to knit and stitch.  Being stuck at home won't be all that bad.

Meanwhile, our snow cover is still here and now it is Unraveled Wednesday.  Time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to talk about what we are making and reading.  Good stuff!

My time away from the computer last week enabled me to wrap up the toddler socks:

And get a start on the final pair of Family Socks.  This last pair will be for Colin.  I've made the cuff a tad bit longer than usual and have started down the leg using the light color.  Doing this to be sure I have enough of the dark blue for both of his socks.

I may put in a lateral braid (also known as Vikkel or Estonian Braid) just for fun.  I enjoy knitting that and I think it looks nice.  Then I will add in the dark blue and work my way down to the heel flap and turn.  I may or may not use the yellow for the flap and turn - that is yet TBD.  The toe will definitely be in yellow.

Reading is good.  I did finish "Broken Country" (finally).  Definitely not a top pick for me.  I'm continuing slowly with "Invitation to a Banquet" and am thoroughly enjoying it.  Though...I'm a tad bit tired of reading about various snake soups (pit viper anyone?  Not me!).  Yesterday I stopped at our library and picked up Gilead by Marilynne Robinson.  I remember reading "Housekeeping" by her, but I don't believe I ever read Gilead so am looking forward to starting that.  It's a short book, so it should be quick.

Stay warm and enjoy the stark beauty that winter presents.  Happy Wednesday!

Tiny Needle Tuesday

 Good Morning!

Yes, it is frigid cold here.  My phone says 14 degrees, but "feels like" 3 degrees.  I do enjoy four seasons and am glad to live where I do.  BUT...I'm already over the cold.  I need some warmth!  Let's see if I can remember these cold, cold days next summer when I am over the heat and humidity!  LOL

It's Tuesday and time for a Tiny Needle update.  Many stitches were put in while I stayed off the computer late last week!

There is Eve fully outlined!  She hasn't gotten more hair, but her fig leaf is in place and there is a bit of rosy color around her knees.  Here's an overall shot of the piece:

Steadily moving along.  Only a little flesh on one leg has been stitched...more to come.  It does feel good to have Eve's outline finished.  

I may find time to work on this today, but I may not.  We'll be going out for groceries this morning and I have a massage booked for the afternoon.

We heard yesterday that we could be in for some major snow next weekend.  When I look at weather it is only showing a few inches of snow on Sunday which is not too bad.  But of course this past weekend we were in for a dusting and received roughly 8".  Who knows?

Hoping everyone is comfortable where they are.  Stay warm if you are in this bitter winter weather!

Weekending 1/19/26

 Good Morning and Brrrrr!

It has been a snowy weekend here for sure.  The trees are so pretty and the roads are clear, so that's good.

The above picture was taken (I think - hard to remember) either Saturday early evening or Sunday early morning.  In any event, we ended up with 3-4" on Saturday and then another 3" or so yesterday.  Way more than what had been predicted (a dusting).

Last week I decided to take a little break from the computer and instead of getting online with my coffee I sat and worked on my knitting and stitching a bit.  It was lovely.  Kat mentions how she does her daily stitching in the morning and I decided to do some making early in the day.  I found it to be soothing, calming and just all together wonderful.  And so it continued for a number of days!  

My yoga classes were also wonderful.  The restorative yoga on Friday evening was excellent.  I will be taking that class again when it is offered.  The snow kept me from attending class on Saturday, but I had plenty to keep me occupied at home.  Colin, Mailing and Iris came over in the mid-afternoon.  Colin was doing a few things for Fletch (including shoveling the driveway!).  Iris enjoyed playing with the magnets on the refrigerator and also a rattle:

This wooden rattle usually sits on a shelf in the kitchen.  It was carved from a single piece of wood by my paternal grandfather - Iris' great-great grandfather!  Being wood, it's not very loud, but it gives a satisfying sound when you shake it.

Luckily the snow had stopped at that point.  I had booked dinner reservations for us at a local restaurant - Agua Bistro.  So we headed over there for an early dinner.  There were oysters and escargot for appetizers both of which Iris enjoyed.  I don't do oysters, so I stuck with the escargot.  Our meals were very good (I had sea trout, Fletch had scallops, Mailing had rigatoni with broccoli rabe and Colin had a steak).

When we got up Sunday the snow started again.  I made some breakfast quesadillas for us and we stayed put till the afternoon.  A trip to CVS was in order to pick up a prescription and then we dropped off one of our cars at the mechanics for an inspection appointment today.  Fingers crossed nothing needs to be done!

All in all, a very relaxing and enjoyable weekend.  Though I missed catching up with your blogs, I did not miss being on the computer.  I hope your weekend was just as nice and here's to a good week ahead!

Unraveled Wednesday 1/14/26

 Hello My Friends,

Another mild morning here in Eastern PA - it's around 40 degrees outside and should rise to the low 50's today.  In a few days we will be back to the cold, winter weather, but let's enjoy this little break whilst we can.

I had a quite productive day yesterday!!  Me - who doesn't make lists very often - had a list of things I wanted to do and all but one of them was crossed off!  I started to gather and summarize "stuff" for tax preparation and set up my spreadsheets for 2026.  I did 2 loads of wash (even with the not so hot dryer) and scheduled the repair guy for the dryer to come back Friday morning.  Two boxes of glassware (mostly vases) and one large bag of miscellaneous things were donated.  Vitamins were picked up at CVS, groceries were bought and dinner was cooked.  A little knitting was done and also dinner reservations made for this Saturday night.  Whew!

Here we are now at mid-week and it's time to join Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers for an Unraveled Wednesday update.  Luckily progress on the family socks continues!  Last week I showed you a completed pair of shortie socks for Mailing and the start of the first toddler sock for Iris.  Today I have one toddler sock completed and the second one well on its way towards the heel flap!

I'm loving the turquoise with the dark blue.  My plan/hope is to finish the second toddler sock this week and then get started on the biggest pair - the man socks for Colin.  

No new books have been finished this past week.  I'm in the midst of Broken Country which is a Reese's Book Club selection.  It's ok...kind of predictable (and therefore a bit on the boring side for me).  Maybe that's why I haven't yet finished it.  

Invitation to a Banquet is continuing to hold my attention.  This book would not be for everyone, but I am enjoying it slowly.  I found it interesting that many homes in China do not have an oven.  Roasting meats or anything else is not common.  Meat is often cooked over a fire or simmered.  Colin reminded me that when he spent a year in South Korea teaching English he initially stayed with a host family until he was able to move into his own apartment.  That host family used their oven for storage - chips, pretzels, etc.  Fletcher's Uncle Steve in Virginia does the same thing with his oven!  (Though I believe when his wife was alive she did cook things in the oven.)  Another interesting thing (to me) is that millet was much more important than rice for a long time.

Be sure to head over to Kat's blog to see what everyone else is making and reading and have a wonderful Wednesday!  Just about halfway through January - hard to believe!

Tiny Needle Tuesday 1/13/26

 Good Morning Fellow Makers and Bloggers,

After our warm tease of last week we are right back in the cold weather.  Fresh out of the shower, my head is cold and soon I will need to go back upstairs to dry my hair.  Our weekend was lovely including dinner out with Colin, Mailing and Iris on Saturday night.  Yesterday I was watching Iris, a bit earlier than normal thanks to a conference call/meeting that Colin had first thing.  But the day was pleasant, Iris was fun and took a 2 hour nap in the afternoon.  Yesterday she turned 13 months old!!  Iris had a play date on Sunday afternoon - right across the street from C&M is a couple with a little girl (Madeline) who was born just 10 days before Iris.  All reports indicate they had a great time.

Now it is Tuesday and time for a TNT update.  I'm happy to tell you that the first tree trunk has been filled in.  Additionally, Eve (looking a bit weird) with some rosy cheeks has appeared!

Eve is as strange looking as the snake!  I think she looks a bit like an alien.  LOL.  The beginning of her (brown again) hair is there and the black line snaking (pun intended) up towards the Evil Serpent is the start of her arm reaching out.  There is lots and lots of hair to stitch and the "flesh" color looks a bit on the yellow side to me. But, it's coming together nicely.  

Meanwhile, my dryer is working, but not as hot as it used to be.  So...I will be calling Mr. Appliance back today.  Maybe the part that was installed is faulty...I don't know.  But Sunday I washed a load of towels and they were just barely dry after 3 cycles in the dryer.  In the past, one cycle would be sufficient.

Time for me to go back upstairs and dry my hair (and get warm).  Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Unraveled Wednesday 1/7/26

 Hey-Hey and Good Morning!

I'm late to posting today - I had an early eye doctor appointment and had to be out the door before 8 a.m..  It is mild outside!!  Also extremely foggy here and traffic was nuts.  I'm glad to be home now.  There are things I should do today (laundry for one assuming my dryer will be repaired by early afternoon!), but I've already taken care of some of them which is a good feeling.

Now it's time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to chat about what we are making and reading.  I love Unraveled Wednesdays - always inspiring and often enabling which is fun.

So good to write that there has not been any unraveling so far this year!!  In fact, the family socks are moving along nicely.  Mailing's shortie socks are completed and the first toddler sock for Iris has been started.

Iris has already outgrown the socks that I knit for her in September!  I may need to take a new measurement of her feet tomorrow when I am watching her.

There was a brief thought of unraveling my Hitch on the Move, as I'm not thrilled with it.  But when I pulled it out several months ago with the thought of unraveling I decided to wait.  This time I didn't even pull it out because I did not want to start off 2026 by unraveling something.

Reading is constant, but not fast.  I did finish a book yesterday - The Eights by Joanna Miller.  This novel is set in the early 1920's and about the first women admitted to Oxford University (to the dismay of many men!).  It was an enjoyable, easy read.  My friend Carol's grandmother attended one of the colleges at Oxford (I forget which one), but it turns out she attended much, much later (1960's).

I've started reading Invitation to a Banquet: The Story of Chinese Food by Fuchsia Dunlop which I am borrowing from C&M.  This will not be a fast read, but it is quite interesting.  I also picked up two more books from the library that came in for me - both of which are new so I must read them and then return...no renewing with these.  They are Broken Country and The Artist and the Feast.

As always, too many books and not enough time!  I hope this note finds everyone doing well.  We are now one week down in the New Year!

Tiny Needle Tuesday 1/6/26

 Good Morning!

As another Tuesday rolls around, it's time for a TNT update.  The first of 2026!  My hope was to finish filling in the tree trunk, but that didn't happen.  Thanks to less than stellar sleep during the past week, I ended up taking a number of naps which cut into stitching time.  But, there was still a good deal filled in.

Yes, I'm tired of brown!  But I also realized when looking at the chart that there is another plant/tree/whatever on the left with a similar trunk.  Can't wait for that...  And, of course, there is still Adam and Eve to put into the picture.  And some more creatures.

Yesterday was a wonderful day with Iris.  It was so good to be back with her (and Colin).  She is maturing so quickly - I often forget how fast a baby or toddler can change from week to week.

Looking forward to seeing some of you tonight when we meet up for our RWU book discussion.  Have a great Tuesday!

Weekending 1/5/26

 Good Monday Morning!

Today seems to be the day that things go back to normal for most people.  Folks in my yoga class on Friday and Saturday were talking about how this Monday is really the start to the New Year - I guess so many folks were on vacation last week.  I will be back caring for Iris today which is a good thing...I've missed that little girl this past week.

How was your weekend?  Mine was good.  Cold, but good.  I think it should warm up a little bit this week, but already my forecast shows a lesser warm up than it had last week.  Anyway, my weekend included yoga, stitching, knitting, cooking and napping.  All good things.

Friday was a nice mail day - it brought my first 2026 Farmer's Daughter Sock Squad yarn.

A dark picture in the early morning hours.  The color way is "Deep Winter" which seems appropriate for January.  It's very pretty IRL.  The yarn is Highwood Sock which is 80% Merino and 20% nylon.  As I continue to (attempt to) focus on finishing what's already on my needles, I am squirreling this away for another day.  Yet to be seen how long that will be...

My plan is to be back tomorrow with a small TNT update and then I'm looking forward to seeing some of you tomorrow night for the book zoom discussion of "The Antidote" with the RWU group.  I'm hoping that my dryer repair is done this week too, or else I'll be washing stuff and hauling wet clothes to the laundromat!

May today find you gently easing in to a new week.  Enjoy!

Baby It's Cold!

 Good Morning!

Geeze it's cold outside!  We woke New Year's Day to a small, light dusting of snow.  I had hoped to take a walk, but our winds were high (again) so I opted to stay in.  This morning finds yet another light dusting of snow on the ground.  Enough that I will need to clean off my car before I go to yoga (I don't think there is going to be much sun to melt things).  Fletch heard that we are having the longest cold spell since 2010!

Well, I may not go out to walk but other creatures do.  Plenty of squirrels and birds around.  The birds have even come to our front door!

I do love seeing bird tracks in the snow.

Yesterday found me doing all things I love!  I spent some time knitting.  I spent some time stitching.  I spent a short time napping.  And I spent time cooking.  I made a recipe for dinner that  Kym shared the other year:  Lemony White Bean Soup With Turkey and Greens.  Perfect on a winter night, and now there is a big container of it in the freezer for another night.

As mentioned above, I have a yoga class (Yin) at Noon and I need to go to the bank and also pick up a couple of things at the grocery store.  Other than that, I'm planning for today to be pretty much like yesterday - knitting, stitching and perhaps a nap.  Dinner is already cooked - I took homemade sauce out of the freezer for tonight.  I'll cook up some pasta and make a big salad to go with it.  Easy Peasy!

So, for me, a gentle start to the New Year which feels perfect.  I hope your start to the new year has been equally comforting to you.