Socks are DONE!

Spiral Rib Socks

Finished at last! I started these at SAFF; couldn't wait to get into the gorgeous Brooks Farm yarn that Chris helped me chose for them. The first sock took a long time and I wasn't sure I'd try another, but the second was much quicker. Taking notes on the number of rounds I needed for each section for the socks to match helped. I knew how far I was going to have to knit to be done and didn't get discouraged!

Otherwise it has been a quiet week. Nice times with family and friends, some rain, some fog, a little ice...typical Christmas time. Hope everyone is having a joyous season!

This the Season....

to dress up innocent dogs in hand knitted sweaters!

A group that calls themselves Bare Naked Ladies has a Christmas album. It's pretty good...lovely in places and funny sometimes....love God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

Lily's sweater is made from my angora blended with merino from Thistle Cove Farm. Some is leftover from other projects and some of it didn't dye the color I wanted for the project I had in mind. Lily isn't going to always be a sweater girl, but on those sixteen degree mornings she may appreciate this!

Such a week....

Ducks on the icy mill pond

We're having typical November weather here in the mountains; of course it's December so it seems a little strange. One day icy, the next sunny and warm, then fog moves in and wreaths the trees and grass with ice, while the pavement gets slick in the shady spots.


Tidying Up

I'm in full nesting mode. This happens to me every year in the fall, when I get discontent with the way the house looks and have to change everything. Lily doesn't appreciate the activity at all. She likes things to stay the same, drifting dog hair and all!


Re-decorated

Lily soon settles down, though, with the new situation. She's not supposed to be up on the new futon, of course. Sorry about the ghost drifting across the picture; either I haven't learned to work this camera properly or I've captured the family spook!


My Sitting/Reading/Spinning/Knitting/Working Room

A long time ago I had a lovely sitting room in here, and I've really missed it. When I started working at home I turned it into a computer room. Now that I have the shop I can have my sitting room back. It's a nice little space, with lots of sun pouring into the southern facing windows (usually) and a beautiful view across the farm. And of course no house is complete without a cat snuggling in a comfortable chair!

It's icy this morning and I expect a quiet day. A nice bunny just went home with his new family; I'm really pleased with the lovely young people that have him. Last night was stitching group, and we feasted and talked and knitted with some delightful fiber friends!

Wendell is home from the hospital; thanks for all your good thoughts. I haven't been able to get a report this morning but yesterday he seemed to be doing well!

Somber

A misty mountain morning

Somber is the way the sky looks right now, after a sudden shower that didn't last nearly long enough. It's pretty gloomy out there right now. Good thing I'm surrounded by gorgeous brightly colored yarn and fiber, or I'd be somber, too!

Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm emailed early in the week with sad news that her mother's sister is failing. I know the family would appreciate your prayers. And my stepdad Wendell is having some surgery today; he should be fine but a few good thoughts directed his way would do no harm.

Sandwich Party

This is really not my fault. I can't help it if I'm surrounded with wonderful cooks who like to get together so I can enjoy marvelous food every Monday. Nor can I help it that it's the holiday season, and lots more wonderful things will be coming my way. And I really can't help it that JAG and Elsa decided to throw an on-line sandwich party this weekend.

I really intended to go get ingredients and put together something, but after seeing the chip butty and ham-and-mac-and-cheese, not to mention other wonderful concoctions, I realized I was outclassed and so opted out in favor of a local delicacy.


Hungry Hillbilly Sub Sandwich

This is a Hungry Hillbilly. Made with care by Charley so I could take the perfect photo, this stately sandwich is comprised of turkey, ham, American cheese (of course),bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise. I usually skip the tomato, except for when they are in season locally, and I generally have the lovely girls at Poor Farmer's Market, where this sandwich is created, add onion. This sandwich is probably better heated, but I like it fine cold.


Perfect meal

There is some debate among the natives as to the perfect accompaniment to a Hungry Hillbilly. I generally go for Lay's Sour Cream and Onion potato chips, while others prefer BBQ or even Salt and Vinegar. Today I chose Frito's Original Corn chips, because Dad had some last night and I've been wanting them ever since. Liquid refreshment is also varied, with everything from Bud Light (but not at the store), white or red wine and bottled water enjoyed with the sub. Carbonation is generally preferred; I like a good old Diet Dr. Pepper. And I have to read my current book while I'm enjoying my meal.

So now I'm going to go enjoy my sandwich, since blogging the same has taken longer than eating it will!

Cold Week in Meadows of Dan!

First Snow!

It's hard to see in the photo but we did have some snow yesterday; two showers of it that didn't amount to anything. It was pretty as it fell, though, and fun to take an early morning walk. This morning it was clear and cold, cold, cold, with a biting wind. The moon and the stars were so crisp and close in the sky.


We is CUTE!

We had a newcomer to our Monday night dinner this week. "Beast" is the new puppy that belongs to Trinity and Josh. I can see the beastliness, myself. The little guy was all snuggles, a little scared at first but he soon calmed down and he and Bentley, Kym's fine dog, spent the evening entertaining us and playing. Banjo, Kym's tidy little black and white tuxedo cat, had to show off with all the attention that the dogs were getting and paraded around, finally settling to purr in my lap!


The theme was Cuban

I can't tell you the names of the dishes but everything was marvelous! An amazing chicken recipe from Kym along with yucca and a black bean-rice-and-banana wonder. I'm not fond of cooked bananas but Kym can make anything wonderful. Trinity made some great dips and a sort of stuffed beef with cheese pastry thing that was splendid!

The rest of the week has been lovely, if not exciting. Favorite cousin and I spent a morning together, which was nice, and then on my day off I sheared rabbits and straightened the house a bit. This really cold weather makes the rabbit chores a little harder, with frozen water bottles. The rabbits seem to much prefer the cooler weather, otherwise! It's a cozy time to curl up in my big chair after chores and knit, read and crochet.


No, you can't have it back, Mama!

Lily likes to lay at my feet and she takes more than her fair share of whatever lap rug I drape over me!

We Have a WINNER!

Meet WOOLMA, the Greenberry House Greeter!

It was a tough decision. The judges deliberated long into the night. But finally the vote was taken and the ballots were cast: Judy of Happy Acres submitted the winning name and Woolma will preside over the Greenberry House front porch, greeting visitors while busily knitting her cranberry scarf! Judy has been notified by email, and will receive two skeins of Greenberry House yarn and a pair of Rosewood knitting needles.

Many thanks to everyone that submitted a suggestion! There were some great suggestions (a minority vote went to "Purl" and "Minnie Purl") and it was really fun to see the creative ideas that everyone had. Special thanks to the judges for taking the time and for taking this seriously!

Saturday Sky

Saturday Sky

Over the Blue Ridge Parkway in Meadows of Dan.

Today's the last day I'm accepting entries for the Name the Doll contest. This evening I'll print out all your suggestions and take them to the judges; they've promised to get a winner back to me soon!