The best birthday present I could have received would have been a trip to the Superbowl XLI! And I got it! Okay, so I’m not actually going to the Superbowl, but my Bears are on their way to Miami.

It was cold, with wind whipping of the lake (it just had to be) and the snow coming down. This is how football was meant to be played. The game ended up as a blowout but early in the second half that was not the case. The best part of the game was that Rex Grossman was able to overcome a slow first half and move the team down the field for a touchdown. It was a pivotal time where the Bears needed to maintain momentum, Grossman needed to get going offensively, and the defense needed a break. It was a great team win. The only thing missing was Hester returning a kick for a touchdown.

It was a perfect afternoon. I got to lounge around, open presents, watch the games and knit. My husband made me a delicious dinner and cake. It snowed. The Bears won. Now if only I didn’t have to go to work tomorrow!

Tags: Bears, superbowl

I have a new obsession! It’s the Lizard Ridge Afghan from knitty.com. I saw the pattern and new I had to knit it up. Bill and I went to my local knitting store, Woolwinders, where they are having a great January sale and as luck would have it, I got 21 skeins of Noro for 40% off! Bill bought it for me as an early birthday present, and so far I have completed 4 squares.

Upon further inspection, I have to do some more shopping. I didn’t plan very well, and when I took a closer look I didn’t like how some of the colors went together. I think I am going to end up making two blankets. Someone may get a nice Christmas present.

This has been fun to work on. The first two squares took twice as long as they should have, but now I’ve got the pattern down. I also like that it’s broken up into 24 small squares. I’ve been telling friends that it will give me 24 senses of accomplishments and one large sense of accomplishment.

And finally, here’s my finished Besotted Hat and Scarf. The scarf pattern is from helloyarn.com and I created the hat pattern, incorporating the x and o cable from the scarf. This was fun to make and is one warm scarf! The cables make it dense and it’s heavy and comforting on a cold winter day!

Tags: knitting, finished projects

I have been a knitting machine this weekend! I finally finished my besotted scarf and hat. Not that I am sure I will need it since yesterday it was in the seventies (and I don’t live in Florida). It turned out well. The scarf is heavy; it will be very cozy on a cold winter day. I created the hat pattern, putting a band of the x and o.

Inspired by that finished project, I picked up my purple hat and scarf, also known as the color block scarf. And I finished that today! This was a scarf and hat I started about 14 months ago. Better late than never.

But my first finished prioject of the year was a needlepoint project. I finished Bodie Lighthouse, a souvenir of our family trip to North Carolina in 2005. It’s a simple project, but I am pleased with how it turned out.

Since I’m on a roll, I’m going to continue to finish some things that have been on the backburner. Next up is Bill’s hat. This should be a quick one.

I’ll post pictures tomorrow.

Tags: finished projects, knitting, needlepoint

I love the start of a new year. It’s a fresh start. There’s so many possibilities! I make resolutions every year, but look at them as an opportunity to improve myself. Inevitably, I won’t accomplish all of them, but if I accomplish some of them then I’m happy. The following are a couple of my resolutions for 2007:

1. Purge (t-shirts, bad habits, expired medications, guilt…)
2. Organize my life (and my closet, garage, shoes, stash (of yarn and projects)…)
3. Work on my stash (of books and knitting, cross stitch, and needlepoint projects)
4. Write more. I got started with NaNoWriMo but didn’t come close to meeting the word count in November, but it did get my writing again and I’d like to keep it up. And now I’ll be ready for writing in November 07.
5. Floss. Because I went to the dentist today. (no cavaties!)
6. Start a very small business. I made a pouch that I use as a knitting organizer and I would like to try and sell them. I have to make them first!

I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays and I wish you all the best in 2007!

Tags: resolutions