Merry 8 days before Christmas everyone. Yes, I’m still alive, still knitting, and like most of you, still preparing for Christmas. I know it’s been over a month since my last post, but it has been a month full of changes and challenges. On November 18th, hubby and I were voted in as the new pastors of the church where we have been assisting for the last several months. The former pastor has been there for 37 years and has been in decreasing health for the last 8–10 or so of those years. He was trying to hold off on retiring for another year for personal reasons, but finally reached the point where he recognized that now was the time. We had gotten to know and love the people and they all stated they felt the same way about us, so they were in agreement to receive the former pastor’s retirement and vote on us becoming the new pastors; we felt particularly blessed when we received 100% of the vote. The former pastor has stayed on as Pastor Emeritus and all in all, it’s been a smooth transition. Because of the former pastor’s failing health, the church has become somewhat disorganized, so we have slowly and cautiously made minor organizational changes so as not to startle the flock. We have been praying very hard for wisdom and guidance, and God has assured us that we only need to do 2 things to bring blessing and growth to the church: let HIM lead and agree to follow. If we will do that, all things are possible!
As far as the knitting goes, several factors have conspired to totally demolish my Christmas knitting plans. Firstly, there is the business of guiding the church through the transition (so far, so good). Secondly, I was wiped out by a nasty head cold for over a week. I didn’t feel like doing anything, including knitting. Thirdly, I am in charge, by default I might add, of all things Christmas around here. If it’s going to be decorated, shopped for, or cooked, I am the one who will be doing it. All that stuff seriously eats into knitting time. To be honest, I should be out shopping for last minute presents instead of blogging, but I’ll be off to do that shortly. Shopping was on my agenda for last Thursday, but that got waylaid by grandma baby-sitting duties. Then, I was going to force hubby to help me with the shopping duties last Saturday when my best friend called and said she had the flu and asked could I baby-sit her infinitely-adorable-and-precious-5–month-old-daughter-that-I-love-madly while her husband worked, and of course I said yes. So that is why my last minute Christmas shopping is still not done. In lieu of all that’s been going on, I have decided that I’m not going to drive myself crazy fretting over hand knitted Christmas gifts that no-one is expecting anyway. I will give what I have already completed and be satisfied with that. On that thought, here is a picture of the Waving Lace socks from the Interweave Knits book Favorite Socks.
These were knit on size US 0/2.00mm dpns with KnitPicks Bare Merino Wool I hand-dyed in a rose/purple color-way. For more info on these socks, you can check out my post to the Favorite Socks KAL blog. I made these for my sister. I’m really pleased with the way these turned out and I think she will be, too. I wanted to do something special for her because she’s a great sister and I love her dearly. She’s had a rough life and is now working a full-time job, helping to tend to her two granddaughters (10 and 12 years old), supporting both our elderly mother who is exhibiting signs of early Alzheimer’s and our disabled brother who is not in the best of health. I wish I could do more, but things are the way they are and my Mom and brother are too settled into her home to even consider coming to live with me; I’ve tried, but no go. So the only thing I know to do is to let her know how much I love her and that I’m willing to do whatever I can to make it easier on her.
I am currently working on
a pair of mittens for my 6 year old grandson. When he was over at my house last Thursday he asked me when I was going to make his mittens. I had totally forgotten that he’d asked for a pair when he saw the ones I’d given my daughter-in-law for her birthday last October. Needless to say, mittens went on the needles as soon as he went home. I’m not using a pattern for these, just making them up as I go. I’ve done a slip-stitch pattern on the back for a little interest and am using some vintage yarn I had in my stash: some navy blue Fireside Double Knitting. I don’t know anything about this yarn (can’t even remember where it came from; probably the thrift store), but when he said that dark blue was his favorite color (used to be orange) it was kind of a no brainer. The first one turned out pretty well and I’m about a third of the way through the second one, so these should be off the needles tonight or tomorrow. I’ll probably use some orange wool I have in my stash to make his 4 year old brother a pair since orange is now his favorite color! And that’s probably it for the Christmas knitting this year. I’m definitely planning on spreading my Christmas knitting out over the entire year in 2008; I just don’t need the last-minute hassles!
On a final note: I treated myself this morning to a luscious cup of hot cocoa in my favorite Christmas mug. It has a picture of what appears to be a burly Santa-like lumberjack knitting socks with a basket of yarn by his left foot. On his right stands a moose in a red scarf with a polar bear covered by a sweater, all presumably knit by their friend, the lumberjack. It makes me smile to look at it.
An asiago cheese bagel with honey walnut cream cheese from one of my favorite places, Panera Bread, made a nice accompaniment to the hot cocoa. Ahhhh… life doesn’t get much better than this on a chilly Monday morning. Now if only that last minute shopping would take care of itself. Hope your week is off to a grand start and you complete all your Christmas tasks with time to spare. God bless you and have a wonderful Christmas. See you in the New Year!
Needleworx 