snowing at last

You can't believe how thrilled we are to have snow. I'm listening to snowplows as I type. This little blizzard is expected to be out of here by afternoon but in the meantime, such bliss watching flurries. I may even have to plow the walks if the sun doesn't appear!

I've finished all Christmas crafting - why I think that this is such a "good idea" in September instead of remembering the sheer exhaustion with the "good idea" by December. Unfortunately, I never learn. Lacis is advertising a crocheted snowflake book... wouldn't that be perfect for the grandchildren next year? I'll get right on that next September. By then I'll be ready for another good idea.

In the meantime, I did some stash diving and began and almost finished an afghan of dyed (orange, red, blue/turquoise, green) Shetland handspun and of natural colors (Henna moorit, Nikki grey, Truffles black, Saxx emsket - all from River Bend Shetlands). The pattern is in Creative Knitting magazine Fall 2012 issue - page 63. It's called "swirl blanket" and is designed by Helen Hamann. The original size is 48" square which I didn't like so I stopped when the center was about right and added stripes to each end in the color repeat. Worked great - the finished size is a nice 40" by 60". I am now weaving in allllll those ends. I'll wash it and hopefully it will dry and be ready to snuggle under before the next storm. One hopes there will be a next snow storm...

This is also the season for garden dreaming. Did you see this garden by Roberto Burle Marx? Oh, to have a lot big enough to fool around with ... no. Enough is on my plate with the gardens I have to play with. But still...I do love hyperbolic crochet blog...

This is the season for giving - we all have our charitible soft spots but I thought I would share one of our favorites - Rocky Mountain Raptor Program. We sent off a donation earlier this month and I thought you would love the thank you note we recieved (complete with a photo of the tiny owl):

    "It's little owl season at the RMRP! We've recently recieved a Northen Pygmy Owl, several Eastern Screech Owls, a Boreal Owl and several Saw-Whet Owls. These little hunters are migrating toward their winter homes which means they have to cross busy highways and populated areas filled with danger. One Saw-Whet owl recently came to our facility after hitting a window. Birds see the reflection of trees in the glass and try to land in them. Unfortunately, this little guy was left with trauma to his head and a fracture in his shoulder. We were so happy that the people who found him called us! After some bandaging. medication and tasty nutritious mice, his shoulder and head healed up great. He was released several weeks later, flying away to blend into some junipers like a little pinecone."

You know, when the days seem dark, this letter on our fridge reminds us of all the good in the world. We'll be sending more money RMRP's way in 2013 as a thank you for their good work.

Comments

[Cindy D]

We had a dusting of snow for the holiday. Love the afghan.....great color choices! May you have a happy and healthy new year!

[Mary]

...flying away to blend into some junipers like a little pinecone.

I LOVE that! We have snow, too! Maybe 5-6 inches. So glad you got some today.