• Breakfast at the local diner with Bob and some old friends.
• Loving the fact that today is, in fact, the last Saturday of February. Oops. Thanks for all the gentle reminders from you to check my calendar….. last week was simply wishful thinking on my part.
• Thrilled that this hectic week is over.
• Even more thrilled that though I’ve fallen on the ice (or as I like to call it, the hill of death) twice in a 12 hour period between last night and early this morning, the only thing that is hurt is a bruised bum.
• Tomorrow is the first of March – oh how I’ve been looking forward to March.
• Happy to announce the winner of last Saturday’s contest. Jackie you won! If you’d be so kind as to email me at dimsarah at yahoo.com with your contact information I’ll get you your skein cashmere.
• Grateful that things are getting organized here at the studio, which also means things are starting to get more organized at home. Baby steps, right
• Actually have time today to **gasp** knit!!!

Bought this one on clearance for the simple fact that it wasn’t white or ivory.

Things I’m wondering~

• Why are good lampshades so hard to find?
• And, why does it seem they are all either white or ivory?
• Do you know where to find good lampshades? Colorful. Interesting. Unique. In the meantime I think I’ll scour eBay.
• Anyone else wanting to knit this or this? I want to knit both. This week I’ll be dyeing up a batch of my single ply merino lace weight – perfect for the Whisper cardigan.

Simple things I’m enjoying this snowy Saturday:

1. Enjoying the fact that the studio is now online! Thank you helpful telephone company man.
2. Refurbishing an old sewing stool my Dad found at a junk shop.
3. Working in my quiet studio (getting ready for a shop update tomorrow, working on February’s shipment of Plucky Classics).
4. Listening to my trusty iPod (Duffy, Phantom of the Opera soundtrack, Patsy Cline and Bon Jovi to name a few. How’s that for crazy?) which, definitely makes the studio not so quiet. Go ahead, click the links. It’s entertaining. Especially the Bon Jovi clip (for all you 80’s kids out there).
5. Dreaming of colorwork.
6. Loving the new font on my blog header. Thank you Jill!
7. Very happy that the first day of Spring is less than a month away.

The before.

Back soon with the after pics.

Things I’m not loving so much today:

1. The fact that the first day of Spring is about a month away.
2. It’s snowing, blowing and nasty outside.
3. Bob has a bad cold.
4. Much too much laundry to do.
5. Still not finished getting all the tax information to the accountant.

So, I think this is a great time to have another contest. Tell me what you are up to this last Saturday in February (I love to hear what you guys are up to). I’ll draw a name from all entries – the winning entry will receive a skein of aran cashmere – there’s still plenty of time to whip up a pair of Toast or something equally cozy.

• Yarn: Plucky Knitter MCN Fingering
• Colorway: Singapore Grill

More details, pattern inspiration and the recipe.

Elmer and the Arch.

Dad humored me with a very quick finished object photo shoot. It’s not everyday a Michigan gal can get a photo with her finished sock and the Arch in the background. I couldn’t help myself.

Seems that I’d fallen off the planet.

Sadly, my Aunt passed away and I had to leave town rather unexpectedly on Monday to attend the funeral. While the circumstances were certainly sad, it was a bittersweet occasion. My Aunt was a lovely person who lived full and happy life.  What a treat it was to hear stories about family that I’d never heard. To see the places my Grandma frequented while growing up, to see where my grandparents and two sets of aunts and uncles met for the very first time. To hear the seemingly endless stream stories from my Dad and cousins. While it is very sad to lose those we care about, it is so nice to come together with those that loved and cared about them (not only my Aunt, but other family members who are already gone) to share memories. In short, it was a special privilege to be with my Dad and the extended family for several days to reminisce, remember, and, well, bond a little.

Where my Grandma Jeanne was born and raised and, to this day, where a very large portion of my family still lives.

Aunt Jean and Uncle Bud (another Elmer) Married for 64 years. What a lovely couple.

Jefferson Barracks – Where it all began. My grandparents met while my Grandfather was stationed here during the World War II.

Dad and Uncle Bud (the two Elmer’s).

It’s good to be home. Go hug someone you love.

It sure doesn’t feel like it, what with the thermometer registering zero yesterday morning and then hitting a high of only 20⁰F (nippy if I do say so) today. But, when Bob comes home with flower seeds and grand garden plans, you know it must be just around the corner, right?

Are you dreaming of your Spring garden? What are you going to plant? Veggies? Flowers? Herbs? Anything and everything? Are you going to can or freeze? Do tell… I’d love to hear about your plans. We are ripping out all our raised beds and containers as soon as things thaw and start from scratch – it’s rather daunting….

If for no other reason than it just seems like a day for a fresh start.

February 1st – I get to start out the month at the studio. Our house is finally starting to feel like a home again. I have a place to go and create and then a place to come home to. It feels right (and the fact that I don’t have to listen to a husband and daughter, lovely as they are, complain about all the yarn that took over the house and the kitchen every week is a big bonus).

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind, but so very very necessary.

There was painting.

That blue wall stills needs an extra coat – but I’m not going to worry about that until I have a date set for the open-house.

The counter on the skein winder broke. Talk about heartbreak.

In the midst of all the work (getting Monday’s update packaged and shipped as well as the January shipment of Plucky Classics and studio work) I happened by a little antique shop.   These girls were just too cute – they were old ads for Forstmann 100% virgin wool. How could I not?

Managed to nab this little sofa (cira 1940’s). It’s a faded red/pink, and I love it. It was like it was made just for the studio. I was beginning to think I’d be sitting on the floor for a good long while…. If I found a good deal on a sofa I didn’t like the color/design. If I liked the color/design then I didn’t like the price tag. I about fell over when I saw this – it couldn’t be more perfect and it’s in fantastically good shape. Just a little wear on the arm rests.

My new (new to me – it’s actually a table from the 50’s) desk/table. Very functional and fun.

Re-purposed bookshelf. Eventually I may repaint it – for now it’s just fine.

There’s still quite a ways to go here at the studio, but, all in due time. Now my attention is fully devoted to organizing and creating. Coming up with fun and intriguing new colors, new bases, new techniques. Taking more pictures. Sharing more on the blog. It may not feel like it in my neck of the woods (or yours), but Spring is in the air and it’s time to mix things up a bit. I can’t wait.