Are you lost?

After taking a few pictures to post here this morning (just to prove I have been busy), I went to sit down with a cup of coffee and begin blogging. As well as a desktop, I also have a laptop that I prefer to sit in my living room with on the sofa in the mornings. Reaching for my cup of coffee while thinking about how I wanted to start this post, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye on the wall behind me. This time of year, as I'm sure you'll agree, it's not uncommon to fight for space in your home with the different creatures that are driven inside from the cold and the rain. The typical one being ants for most of us. Thankfully, I have those under control. Apparently, I never thought about where ladybugs go for the winter....or hummingbirds. I'll explain the latter in a moment. Not knowing anything more about ladybugs other than the fact they eat the aphids off my roses, it surprised me to find this one climbing on my wall. I can't even imagine how it got inside. Hitchhiked on Maggie's back maybe? With it being cold and raining this morning, I hated to put it outside, but you know what they say about some house guests. If you make it too comfortable for them, they may never leave. When Ms. Ladybug proved she liked my knitting by flitting onto my pattern, the No Vacancy sign was posted and she was shown the door. Now for the hummingbird. While I was typing away and telling you about the first visitor, a hummingbird came up to my living room window and hovered for several seconds. I'm not sure about you, but 45 degrees (Farenheit) just seems a little chilly to be flying around outside. Makes me wonder if their wings ever stop and where or what they do for winter? Google is my friend once again.

Well, with Thanksgiving over now, I find I am breaking my promise to myself not to knit any Christmas gifts this year. In doing so though, I've also discovered that it's who I am. It's just something I have done every year, something I get so much enjoyment out of doing. It wouldn't be Christmas for me if I didn't hand craft some gifts. I would like to be able to show you one of them that I love, but it would be a huge risk for me as I know the recipient could pop in on my blog at any given time between now and Christmas, and I want it to be a surprise. So, I will post a partial picture of it (pic above) and then after it is received, I will post it in its entirety. The color didn't show up well, but given the light I had to work with today, it's close enough. I can't even tell you the name of the pattern as it would give it away. However, the next pic I can probably safely say what it is.

The pattern is called Spiral Legwarmers by Kristen Renneker for Lilliputian Stitches (oops, the whole link didn't hypertext but it should still work). I started these last night out of some acrylic yarn I had in my charity knitting stash. I really wished I had some yarn with at least a little wool in it, in the color I needed, but I didn't, so it is what it is. They are going to someone who doesn't have a whole lot of time on her hands, so I knew I definitely wanted something machine washable and dryable. The pattern is very easy and I'm loving how the spiral is working down the leg.

I'm nearly half done with the second sock of Scooter's Sock Monkey Funkiness socks (pattern from my head), and after having tried on the first one (yeah, he finally noticed I was knitting socks for him), he is anxious for me to finish the second one. They are a perfect fit and he says they feel awesome on his foot.

Yesterday, I was missing my Coin Lace Stole/Scarf (I'm knitting the scarf), so I knitted on it for a little while. I was going to keep it for myself, but I'm not so sure anymore. I really have nothing it will go with, other than black. In my stash, I have a cone of red cashmere laceweight that I'd like to knit one out of for me. I wear more red than I do purple, but then again, maybe an excuse to add more purple to my wardrobe? Hmmmm.....

Scooter has been out of town for most of the week on business, so I am eager to see him tonight. With our one year anniversary and his birthday this weekend, we have lots of plans that I'm getting absolutely giddy over. We will also be finishing up our decorating for the holidays, which Scooter has a newfound love for. I know, right? A guy that loves to decorate with me and gets excited about the season, and the reason for it. He was raised in a religion (we prefer to call it a cult now) that didn't allow for it, but enough said about that.

I plan to surprise him with one of his favorites for dinner tonight; some homemade clam chowder with some San Francisco Sourdough French bread. Yummm! Sounds like the perfect wintry kind of dinner, right?!

Whatever your plans are, have a safe and wonderful weekend!!