Wednesday Woofs!

I've been knitting my fingers to the bone to finish up projects on the needles. I haven't yet taken any pics so I'll play the cute puppy card and share some more pics of Leyna.

We've lost three dogs in the past couple of years, dogs we'd had since they were puppies, that we loved like they were our kids. I find it so sad that dogs have such shorter life spans than humans, but that doesn't keep me from continuing to have them, knowing I'm setting myself up for eventual heartbreak when they get too old to live any longer. I must have dogs. They complete our family.

We have one aging dog remaining, and I know her time is now very short. Hubby and I had agreed we'd not get anymore after BooBoo goes, but I broke that agreement when I saw and fell for Leyna last July. Hubby always wants me happy so he said okay. He held his affection at bay from her for a few weeks. I'm not sure why unless it was because he was still grieving over the last dog we lost, his beloved Chow, Yogi. Leyna managed to worm her way into his heart, though, and now he spends hours each week playing with her, laughing at her, and carrying her around like a princess. Who knew?

I'M listening.....

Cute or what? She wore herself out playing with this pillow in the floor, even acting somewhat ..ahem..unladylike with it. When she was too tired to play anymore, standing against the pillow, she plopped her little head on it and crashed.

Do you MIND?

This was taken one morning when Leyna and I were alone in the house. I noticed the house unusually quiet, and figured I'd better go see what she was into that she shouldn't be (she's just like having a 2 year old around!). I was beginning to panic that she might have slipped out of the house when I couldn't locate her. Finally, upon checking my son's room, I discovered her in the middle of his (unmade) bed.

People who aren't "dog people" will look at posts like this and think I'm one of those whacky people who seems to think her dogs are her kids, but that's okay. I know you dog people understand.

When the path is not clear

The view from my yard this morning.

Actually, the fog was worse when I first stepped out there. When Leyna first wakes in the morning, it's a mad dash for me to throw on a jacket, houseshoes, and grab her leash before she's dancing cross-legged at the front door. She's ready to do her 'bidness'. I guess when you're that tiny, your bladder can only hold for so long. Of course, I'm not at all tiny, and my bladder can only hold for so long. By the time I drag her back indoors, I'm dancing cross-legged. I rarely even have time to remove her leash before I go running to do my 'bidness'. All that to say, I didn't have my camera when the fog was genuinely dense.

This was an early morning shot at a lake where we camped last fall. The name of it escapes me, but it was somewhere in Arkansas. Leyna woke me at the crack of dawn. That time I was prepared with the camera hanging from my neck. This was a distance picture shot with the zoom, and it doesn't capture the real beauty of that moment. I get so excited when I hear a flock of geese or ducks overhead. These had just landed on the water when I took the picture.

As pretty as the fog can be, it can also be dangerous. I remember a harrowing trip we made a year or so ago in fog so dense you could not see one full car length ahead of you. My husband had an early morning doctor's visit in Dallas. We left early, long before dawn, since it's nearly a two hour drive. I was ready to turn around and go back home by the time we got on the highway outside of town. I pretty much behaved the same way I did on our mountain camping trip, traveling up Slumgullion Pass. I whimpered, cried, and whined. I prayed alot. We did make it there safely, but we heard on the news of many bad wrecks.

There are times in our lives when we seem to know exactly where we're headed, anticipating every pothole in the road, and every turn to the left or the right, just like a familiar road traveled every day.

Other times, life can seem less certain. We find ourselves on an unfamiliar path, inching along in the fog, not sure what pitfalls lie ahead.

God is just as real and present in those times of uncertainty as He is when the view ahead is clear. It truly is possible to have the same peace in our hearts when we don't know what direction the road ahead is going to take us, as long as we keep our eyes fixed on Him.

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. Isaiah 26:3 (Amplified Bible)

Even when things look dark or foggy or uncertain. Even when things appear to be terribly wrong in your life. If you're keeping your eyes and heart fixed on God, committing your way unto Him, you can trust Him to lead you safely through whatever storm you're facing. Seek His face, listen for His voice.

And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21 (Amplified Bible).

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (Amplified Bible)

Don't be surprised when things suddenly look clear again. They were clear all along for God. You can confidently trust Him to lead you every step of your day, every step of your life. You will walk through dark times, but He's there, and blue skies will once again appear!

Laughter does good like a medicine!

Shazam!

Remember the burple mitten? It went from an ill-fitting mitten to this......

And from this ...

to this.....

It looks better than the first one, don't you think? It fits much better.

Wool Winder suggested redoing it. I knew I should, but I didn't wanna. Whine whine. I hate redoing things. It all stems from my lazy nature. I knew she was right, though. My mom's voice was in my head saying "Renna, any job worth doing is worth doing right". Yeah, yeah, Mom. I know! Sorry. I reverted back to a 14 year old for a moment. Both Wool Winder and Mom were right, though, and I did redo it, and I'm much happier with the results.

I altered the pattern in a couple of ways.

I went down two needles sizes to size 6 dpns to cast on the 30 stitches and knit the ribbed cuff.

I shortened the cuff's ribbing from the pattern's instructions of 2 3/4" down to 2".

After switching to size 8 dpns, instead of beginning the increases for the gusset immediately following the ribbing as the pattern instructed, I knit straight for 2" (stockinette st) before beginning the decrease rows. I like it better and it fits better.

I made it a little long, but the niece I decided to gift the mittens to has long slender hands and fingers, so I figured she might need the extra length.

One mitten down and one to go. I just need to knit a couple more inches on the scarf ('til I run out of yarn) and weave in it's ends, then the gift will be ready to mail. I'll then have only two projects to finish before I can begin Leyna's sweater. If she's lucky, she might even get it before winter is over!

Burple Mittens

My dad always called the color purple, burple. He was joking, of course. He really did know his primary colors.

I know I said I wouldn't begin any new knitting until I finished the projects tying up my Denise's. Yes, I did start the mittens today, but technically, they're part of an existing project. Remember the nearly finished scarf here? I decided it needed matching mittens. Granted, the colors in my pictures don't indicate they match too well, but I assure you, I'm not color blind. I'm just not a good photographer. ;-) The mittens are actually more of a dark plum, I guess.

I am knitting these with sz US 8 dpn's on Lion Brand Jiffy, and the color on the label is violet. I'm not too crazy about this yarn. It's soft, but it's fuzzy. I'm not sure how fuzzy these mittens will look after much wear.

I'm also not crazy about the pattern I chose. I won't offer the link as I don't want to be responsible for dissing anyone's designs, and it was a free pattern on someone's blog. The problem is that the cuff is too large. My gauge seems to be good in that the mittens fit perfectly, but the cuff's too loose. I've since noticed on other mitten patterns that some instruct you to use smaller needles for the ribbed cuff than for the rest of the mitten. If I'd done that, used at least a couple of sizes smaller, I think I'd be happier with them. I'd thought of gifting them, but since I'm not terribly proud of them, I may just keep them. I always give away my knitting. I guess it wouldn't hurt for me to actually own and wear something I've knit.

I haven't finished them, obviously. I need to go pick up the live stitches in the thumb and finish knitting it, then weave in the tails and I'll be through with the first one. I'm anxious to get the other one made. Even though I'm not wild about the pattern, they're still sort of pretty, and will be soft and warm to wear. Now, to finish the scarf!

Meanwhile, Leyna's finding other ways to keep warm until Mommy can knit her a sweater.

Pray the Promise, Not the Problem

I read that on a church marquee many years ago. It was like an epiphany for me!

Spending time giving voice to all that is going wrong in our lives leads to self-centeredness and creates a negative attitude in us. Instead, we should focus our attention on our Heavenly Father, praising Him and thanking Him for all He has done for us, and all He has promised us in His Word. Faith will then begin to rise up in us and we will look expectantly to Him to answer our prayers and meet our needs.

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Heb. 13:15).

Praise builds us up spiritually. Praise forces us to get our attention onto God and off our problems. Praise also defeats our enemy, Satan.

And when he (Jehosaphat) had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.
And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. 2nd Chronicles 20:21-22

Satan hates us to praise God. Even if he cannot get us to worship him, he will do all in his power to keep us from praising God. You see, he knows how powerful our praises are. Do you?

The picture above was taken on our camping trip to Beavers Bend State Park in the fall of '06.

My Morning Cuppa

That's what kickstarts my brain each morning. Well, that and the stupid cat that woke me at 6'ish on a Saturday morning, demanding to be fed. Can someone remind me why I have a cat?

Knitting Goals

My short-term knitting goals: to locate and finish all projects which are occupying my Denise Interchangeables! Here are three of them, all nearly to the point of completion. I have yet to find the project hogging my size 10 1/2's. I am not letting myself start another project until these are complete and off the needles. No matter how much Leyna shivers, I will not start her sweater. I will not. Seriously, I won't.

Meanwhile, someone isn't speaking to me. Mommy's knitting as fast as she can, honey!

Dreaming of Summer

Cold weather has me dreaming of summer vacations. This was the view from our campsite when our family went camping in the Rockies in the summer of '06. I can't remember the name of the campground, but it was outside of Lake City, Colorado. We've been all over Colorado, and we all agreed, hands down, this was the prettiest part of the state we've ever seen.

We won't talk about the fact that I whimpered and whined, and even cried a little (maybe alot), all the way up Slumgullion Pass . My adult son was driving our pick-up, pulling our 27' 5th wheel travel trailer . He's a good driver, but I have an unnatural fear of traveling on mountain roads. I am in a state of sheer terror until which time my feet are firmly planted on solid ground again. I prayed, believe me, I prayed. I also cried and nearly hyperventilated. I'm a big baby, I know.

Here's another view from our campsite. Simply breathtaking, isn't it? If only I could get a helicopter to set me down on the mountain and pick me up again when it's time to go home, then I could really enjoy camping in the mountains. Of course, then there's that whole fear of flying thing.

Hiding Out

Life is going at warp speed this week. This guy's got the right idea. I think I'll take his cue and crawl into my shell for a day or so. I'll be back, though.

Calzones!

I was inspired this week by Randi at "I have to say..." to make homemade calzones. I love her blog, by the way. Randi's calzones look lovely and delicious, like they should be on the glossy colored page of an Italian cookbook. Mine....well....they don't. ;-)

I didn't follow her recipe, exactly, as I discovered a pizza dough recipe in my breadmachine's cookbook. I don't think it's the recipe that was the problem so much as the cook making it. As a teenaged girl, whenever I had problems with my car, my dad would always look under the hood then say "the problem is the loose nut behind the wheel". Spoken affectionately, of course.

My calzones don't look very good. Randi said in her recipe to 'lightly flour your hands and counter'. Judging by the looks of my mine, I'm thinking I went a little heavy on the "lightly".

Despite their homely appearance, they were tasty, and I will be making them again. I'm determined this year to try lots of new recipes, things I've never tackled before. Living in Texas as I do, I've been thinking of learning some specialty Mexican dishes, something I can get really good and excel at, that can become my signature dish. That's lofty thinking for a gal who is content with Taco Bell.

Baby Knits

I told myself that when I finally got my blog up and going I'd post every day. I mean, I'm at the computer all day every day anyway, so what's the big deal about jotting down a few paragraphs right? Roooiiiiggghht. Sheesh. I blame some of you for making it look so easy!

Today, I got nothin'. There's alot going on that would be tedious to try and write about and even more boring to read about, so I'll take the easy street and post a few more of my most recent knits. They're all baby socks using free patterns from the net.

I realize good picture taking is very important if you're going to blog, but I'm not a very good picture taker..er..photographer. The ony decent light I've found in my house is in front of my computer screen. The only willing subject I've found to hold my knits as I photograph them is Garfield, but you knitters will appreciate that Garfield is a cat in sheep's clothing. Next time I'll get a picture of more than his head so you can see what I'm talking about.

The top picture is of some preemie hats and blankets I did last year for a preemie knit charity drive. The hats fit perfectly onto an orange. Can you imagine such a tiny little head?

The very first socks I ever knit was using the pattern below. When I was first learning to knit, I bought Amy's KnittingHelp Cd-Rom. She takes you through every single step of knitting the sock. Watching over her shoulder as she knit, stopping to pause as needed, made it so easy!

North Country Cotton Socks

More North Country Cotton Baby Socks

Baby Ruffle Socks

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Things to Keep You Warm

Felted Footies for Cozy Toesies

I knit these felted slippers using the Family of Slippers free pattern over at Knitting at KNoon Designs . They were easy to do and are a good beginner's foray into knitting socks as well as felting. When felting, you have some leeway for mistakes, as felting covers a multitude of sins.

I used Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool, which is a natural color, and then dyed them in a pot on the stove with RIT navy dye. I dyed them before felting. At that time, this was the only wool available locally, and it only comes in a natural cream color.

A Simple Knit

I wish I could recall the pattern I used to knit this hat. It was easy, that much I remember. It's a simple ribbed beanie. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease yarn, which is a worsted 75% acrylic/25% wool, and is quite soft. Any worsted would do, but if you lived in a colder climate than my northern Texas, you might want to use a yarn with more wool content.

One is the Loneliest Number....

You who are as old as me have that old Three Dog Night tune running through your head about now.

Wooooooon is the loneliest number that you'll ever doooooo.

It's hard to type-sing, but I gave it my best shot. Trust me, it's better than my actual singing.

The reason for the title is that this lonely sock has no mate. Yes, I suffer from the dreaded Second Sock Syndrome. It's a hardship, but I endure. I have a number of single socks who's mates I never finished. Who'm I kidding? More like who's mates I never began.

I used Joan's Sock pattern found on Lion Brand website, but since you have to log in there to view their free patterns, I've given you a link to a copy of it I found on KnitAddicted.

The pattern calls for two skeins Lion Brand Wool-Ease, but any worsted yarn would do. It's knit holding two strands together. This isn't a sock so much as a bootie. It's very thick, and very comfortable; and if a cure is ever found for SSS, I'll find out how comfortable it is to have one on both feet.

More FO's to come.......

(that's Finished Object, for you non-knitters)

Are you learning to knit?

Knitting did not come easy for me. It's something I've wanted to do for as many years as I can remember. My mom was a crocheter. I dabbled at crochet, learning enough to keep myself in more potholders than I'll ever use in this millenium. I've never cared as much for the look of crocheted garments, preferring the look of knit. Items which have been hand knit look smoother and less bulky, and more like fabric. At least that's my opinion.

I was always on the lookout for someone who could teach me to knit. My sis-in-law had knit years earlier and tried to get me started, but I found it difficult to catch on while watching her; plus, at the same time that she was trying to teach me, she was also trying to remember herself how to do it.

Will you feel sorry for me and teach me to knit?

I live in a small town, which back when I was learning to knit had no craft stores or yarn shops. To show you how pathetic I can be, I would go to the yarn section of Wal-Mart and just 'hang around' in hopes that a real live knitter would come there to buy yarn, notice my pitiful yearning look, ask me if I knit, and if not, would I like her to teach me to knit. Like I said, pathetic.

After many wasted hours in Wal-Mart's craft department, and them finally telling me to either get a job there or hit the road (no, not really), I moved on to the internet. That's when I discovered the Knitting Help website, and it soon became a regular hangout for me. I watched the free knitting videos there over and over and over again. I actually begin to knit a little. As time went by, I noticed other knitters there who'd just learned to knit that were making fabulous looking items, while I was still puttering away on scarves, and taking an inordinate amount of time to complete even them! I felt so jealous and well...dumb. It's sheer perseverance which has kept me going as it still doesn't come easily for me, though I trust in time that it will. Please don't let my struggle deter you, though. I'm not atypical!

As I began my knitting journey, I spent countless hours scouring the internet for free patterns, patterns that I could understand. I am very much a visual learner. I learn by seeing rather than by reading. If you are learning to knit or wanting to learn to knit, and if you are like me that you need to see things done, I would recommend the following two resources:

Knitting Help

You can view the free video tutorials over and over again, pausing when necessary. Along with the free videos are the message board forums. There is even a forum for newbies to ask questions, get help with patterns, or help with understanding pattern instructions. There's a wealth of experience represented there, and they're happy to help you across the humps. There are also free patterns on the site!

Knitting Made Easy CD-Rom

The other tool I found to be quite valuable was the Coats & Clark "Knitting made easy" cd-rom. I purchased mine off eBay for about the same price which I later discovered it in some of the big craft stores. It's cheap and well worth the money spent. I think I paid about $7 for mine. The videotaping is more professionally done than those at KnittingHelp, but Amy at KnittingHelp does offer her's for free use on her website.

Knitting Tips by Judy

I stumbled upon a link to Judy Graham's website at youtube when I saw a video by her. She has excellent quality video tutorials (on her website) for learning basic knitting. I wish I'd known about her when I was first learning, though I'm not sure she even had a website then.

She knits many of the garments you see worn by stars in movies, as well as for stars themselves. Her website is very interesting, plus she even has a couple of free patterns listed. If you're needing help getting started knitting, you'll love her videos!

Free Knit Patterns

If you are a beginning knitter, bookmark this site Knitting Pattern Central . It will become your very close friend. It's chock full of free knitting patterns divided into separate categories. They even have a link to new patterns that have been added each week! I believe the girl's name is Rachel who maintains the list. I can't imagine how much work she must put into it, but I thank her from the bottom of my heart. ;-)

Keep Notes!

One bad habit I've had in the past with my knitting is not writing down the pattern I used. Later, I'd want to reknit a same item and have no clue what pattern it was. On future projects, I'm going to force myself to keep a notebook while knitting. I'll include pertinent details such as the pattern, needle size, and yarn used.

I'll try and post pics of some of my finished objects (FO's in kniteze), as well as some UFO's (unfinished objects) in a day or so.

Leyna, Min Pin Cuteness

Just one little cookie? I be your best friend.

Visions of Grandeur

My house

Actually, this is the view from the back of my house. I didn't feel like making the quarter mile trek around to the front.

My reflection pool

Looks like my poolman's slacking off on the job. Look at all those leaves on the water. Tsk, tsk.

View off my back veranda
~Care for a mint julep, anyone?

My flower gardens

Someone should really sweep the walkway. Just what am I paying the gardener for, anyway?

Okay, so I told a teenie weenie white lie. It's not really my house. I'm betting you guessed that, though. Or maybe you thought you'd stumbled onto someone with great wealth. Um, yeah, that's why I'm using a free blogging service. Not that I'm saying anything against Blogger. I'm just sayin'.

The truth about the house? It's Glensheen in Duluth, Minnesota, also known as the Congdon Mansion. My husband and I took an awesome tour there back in the fall. My good friend, Vicki (who's blogless) is a tour guide there. She and I met on the Swap about ten years ago. We met in person last October. It was akin to meeting a long lost twin separated at birth and adopted out to a different family thousands of miles away. We even look identical. She's tall, slender, and beautiful. I'm not quite tall, not exactly slender (okay, I'm not even close) and not quite beautiful, but other than that, we're mirror images!

Vicki took us on an extended tour of the mansion. She's a walking Glensheen encyclopedia. If you've got a question about Glensheen, I promise you, Vicki can answer it. Those who've heard of it may also have heard of the notorious murders that took place there back in the 70's. Vicki has read everything that's been published and available on the subject. She's a natural as a tour guide. She not only held us all in rapt attention but had us in stitches with laughter as well. Yes, she's funny and beautiful. Like I said, identical twins.

It wasn't that long ago that tour guides weren't even allowed to discuss the murders at Glensheen. Though they still can't bring up the subject of the murders, they can now answer questions if asked, so we discreetly asked Vicki if those were blood stains we saw on the wall and floor in a particular location. They were. They weren't really gruesome to look at so much as gruesome in knowing what the stains were and how they got there.

The 39 room mansion was unlike anything I'd ever imagined. Talk about wealth (which we were), a phenominal amount of money was spent to build the house early in the 20th century. The Congdon couple who had the house built were neither one born with silver spoons in their mouths, either. I could go on and on and on with many fascinating facts about this family, about the mansion, and about the murders. I won't, though. I am not well enough informed to do the story justice. If you're interested in that sort of thing, do some research. I assure you, it's all quite fascinating.

There is a book about the murders which my friend Vicki highly recommends, titled "Will to Murder: The True Story Behind the Crimes & Trials Surrounding the Glensheen Killings". She loaned me the book. She sent it all the way from Duluth, Minnesota down to Texas so her good friend and long lost twin could read it before going on the tour, but I never got around to reading it. I have no excuse. Fortunately Vicki is forgiving. After all, she is my twin.

It goes without saying that the murders were a tragedy (though I'm saying it), and I don't know if the house would be as famous otherwise, but I think it would definitely draw people in to see it's beauty on it's own merit. It's a marvelous structure which was way ahead of it's time in the modern conveniences it contained, and it is positively gorgeous, like my friend, Vicki.

I wish it were my house.

Beauty Berry

There's always color to be found in nature, even in winter. The stark background contrast adds to the color's brilliance.


My husband and I hiked a long trail of drab overgrowth before we happened upon this little beauty. I don't even know what it is, likely an overgrown weed of some kind. The effort it took us to find it was worth it. That's the way it is with most things of worth. They take effort to obtain, but the work pays off in the end.


Reading, studying, searching God's Word takes effort. The nuggets you dig out make it worth it, though. Are you having trouble hearing from God? Do you need solutions? Do you need encouragement? Dig in God's Word. If you have trouble comprehending it, ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten your understanding as you read. Our Heavenly Father longs to show Himself to us in His Word.


Next week, there will be knitting pictures. I have some knitting fo's to post. It's nothing fancy or elaborate, but it will be knitting!

(edit to add-Thanks to poster Wool Winder's comment, I was able to title my picture. Thank you, Wool Winder!)

Sigh

There are good sighs and there are bad sighs.

There are sighs that are a result of depression, frustration, or worse yet grief. The year before I turned 30, my late husband died in an accident, a story I'll share another time. Through the months following that tragic event, I constantly caught myself sighing. It was as if I could never seem to get enough oxygen in my lungs.

There are the kind of sighs that escape your lips when a big project is finally finished, or when a long awaited for answer finally arrives. I'm happy to say, my big sigh is the result of a long awaited answer.

In the overall scheme of things, the answer has only been a few months coming, but the uncertainty during that time of waiting kept a small compartment of my brain from ever truly resting. It was always there in the back of my mind. If I woke in the night, it would spring forward, and you know how things always seem worse in the darkness of night? Our enemy uses that time to tempt us with fear.

I told God over and over, "I trust you in this, Father. I know you'll give me the answer I need", and the truth is, I did. I was just impatient. It wasn't a painful issue or one of any great distress to my family, but it was an impending decision which needed to be made and couldn't really relax until I had my answer. Now I do, have my answer.

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning of it, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. ~Ecclesiastes 7:8 (Amplified Bible)

Sigh...big contented sigh

Scatter Some Seed

Brrr.....it's cold outside. I always feel sorry for the birds in winter. Isn't it amazing how God miraculously designed them to survive the elements, as well as provided for their needs?

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Matthew 6:26

I know He loves me, and you, and all mankind more than He loves the little birds. Jesus gave His very life for you and me. I have no need to wring my hands and worry what the future holds. My heavenly Father sees ahead for me, and He's made provision for all I need.

Tell your Father what you need. Thank Him for meeting your need. Look expectantly, in faith, for Him to do so. Don't dwell on your problems. Fix your eyes on God and trust Him, truly trust Him to meet your needs. Remember, fear and faith cannot co-abide. If you're in fear, you're not in faith.

Be blessed, stay warm, and throw out some breadcrumbs for your feathered friends!

Knitting & Pets

I originally set out to make this a knitting blog. Then I realized knitting blogs are actually supposed to be about ..well..knitting. Though I haven't exactly mastered the craft, I do love to knit. I just don't seem to finish too many projects. I suffer from KADD (knitters ADD). Seriously. I start new projects all the time. Many of them are near completion, but when it comes to that last stretch, I lose interest and move onto a new one. Other than knitting a couple of pairs of wristwarmers for my daughter and my niece, I did no gift knitting this Christmas. And I dare to call myself a knitter.


For me, knitting, as with whatever my current hobby, is something I tend to do in spells. I'm the same way with reading. I get on a reading kick and I can barely stand to be without a book in my hands. When I'm knitting, I want to knit around the clock. Now, why can't I be that way with exercising?



I knit the Kitty Pi felted bed last year for our cat, Puddy. This is the one and only time she got in it, and even then, only with bribery. I propped her within good eyeshot of the birdfeeder. I figured since Puddy didn't really care for the bed, I'd give it to our new little Min Pin, Leyna.

She looks pretty cozy in it, doesn't she? She likes that it's small enough for her to drag to a sunny spot for her nap. Did you know Min Pins are extremely cold natured? Since she discovered I have a heated mattress pad on my bed (dh doesn't turn on his side), she's become my new best friend at bedtime.

Back to the cat. Apparently there was a trace of jealousy on Puddy's part. I found said bed in the living room tonight bearing the distinctive odor of cat pee. I mean it STUNK. There is nothing so distinguishable as the odor of cat pee. Puddy hasn't peed in the house since the day we brought her home from the vet to have her spayed, well over ten years ago. I'm guessing she wasn't too happy about that, either.

Sigh. I'll have to wash the bed tomorrow and reshape it to dry. I've never washed any of my knitted-felted items before, other than for the initial felting process. I hope it doesn't felt more. We don't have any smaller pets on hand.