Violet's Secret Garden

it has not let up snowing since at least 6 am. That's when I woke and saw that it was snowing. The flakes are super tiny but they're coming down rapidly.

I needed some air so much, and Peter was busy with work, so I bundled up the kids and took them out to play int he snow. It took me 10-15 minutes to get over the FU world of snow feelings and stop yelling at the kids for taking mittens off. I notice when I actually just let go, I have a much better time. Who knew, right?

The snow is really tying in with my knitting right now. I got to wear my super warm newly knit snow hat and it was lovely, I think. It sort of kept slipping on my head and tilting to the side. it is mostly slipery bamboo and tencel, so I'm not too surprised it's slick. 

I started a mitten last night and lo, I had to put Peter's gloves on Finn in order to keep him from taking off the mitts and having his poor little hands freeze. 

I have been knitting a LOT lately. I have, since January 1, finished 2 sweaters (albeit short and sleeveless) a hat, and 4 dishcloths.  I am going to finish these mitts and then I think I'm going to work on a raglan t shirt. I don't have the yarn to work on a smaller remake of the last sweater I knit, and don't think I'll be able to get to the yarn shop any time soon. Well, actually I could hope that the roads will be clear by Friday, but I don't know. 

Posted by Karen Backman at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Hey ladies! Here's the most popular picture made into ravatar form. If you want any of the other pictures , or can't dl yours from here, let me know and I'll e-mail you.

Posted by Karen Backman at 5:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Karen Backman at 1:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My grand idea to have neighborhoods come over and string popcorn and/or cranberries never got further than here. 

I could blame my lack of good sleep, or Finn being sick, but really it's just me not doing the things I think that would be cool to do because it either is too much effort  or I don't make time for them. 

So let's see, what's been happinging. . . 

I had plans to go out with my husband that fell through because his mother was in the ER with chest pains. She's doing much better, it wasn't a heart attack, but rather inflamation of the sack either around her heart or her lungs. 

I met a bunch of the other parents at Ingrid's preschool and was informed that a little boy told his mother he was going to marry Ingrid. 

We got our Christmas tree at a u-cut place. It was fun. We were going to go get one from the forest service, but they said there was 3 feet of snow blocking the way to the cutting area. 

My sister and friend Megan are coming over on Saturday to make cookies and holiday treats.  I might try making small popcorn balls this year on my own as well. 

I did get some christmas shopping done. I have it pretty easy this year. We have spending limits and assigned giftees on my side and spending limits on Peter's side. 

Megan mentioned she read The Hunger Games a few times and since I got a Kindle Fire for my birthday and it comes with a month of Amazon Prime, I used the Amazon Library and got the book to read. I am really liking it so far. I mean it's a grim sort of dystopian fiction, but it's an engaging story. 

I'm still plugging away on A Breath of Snow and Ashes for the Ravelry swap that starts the first of the year. I've been asked to be the Murray Clan Chieftess and so I am. 

Posted by Karen Backman at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I am really having a nice day so far except for the "get back into bed!" command issued to me when I got up this morning. 

My family made me cookies and coffee for breakfast and gave me very sweet cards and presents. I got chocolate and Lush products from Peter and Finn and Ingrid. Peter is giving me a Kindle Fire. 

I bought myself a trench coat. Not a super long one, but not one of the mini's either. I also got a couple pair of Addi Turbo Lace knitting needles with a gift certificate that my Sister-in-law got for me. 

I got the greatest cast iron dutch oven ever! It's Sur La Table enameled in a beautiful burgundy. I used it to make stew last night and it made the stew taste better! I'm anxiously awaiting my new apron so that I can be all Betty Crocker. I got a 3 slot buffet warmer from my mother-in-law and a tart pan from my sister and brother's mom and a lovely sweater and warm socks from my other sister. 

Birthday's aren't all about the gifts, but they certainly are nice. 

To top it all off, my sister Tre is coming over tonight to watch the kids for me while Peter and I got have dinner with Janusz (my birthday brother), Alex, and Megan. 

Since my sister is so kind to watch the kids, I was going to make one of her favorite foods for her and the kids for dinner, Quiche. 

Posted by Karen Backman at 9:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)