Cruelty

So, the sun was shining when I went to work this morning. I could see the crocuses - closed up tightly against the cold - but they were there. I came home to this:
Where the crocuses should be. But no - they are currently under a couple inches of snow, and it's still falling.
The poor daffodils and tulips. I mean, really? Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it nearly April?
Just checking. Cruel, Mother Nature, cruel.

Marching Forward

I really am trying to be better about blogging. And now the pressure is on - Krista mentioned me on her blog. This week was a bit weird - but then again, school breaks usually are for me. We're in the middle of spring break, and neither of the LAX teams are practicing. I'm not complaining, but it's weird. Baseball season starts on Monday - can you believe it? We'll see if it actually happens. Mother Nature is being a bit cruel this March here in NE OH. Take today for example - it's beautifully sunny, but only about 30 degrees. So deceptive.

Onto some knitting, since I don't have much else to talk about. Look - it finally looks like a sweater!
So excited that it's nearly finished. Just the bottom edge and the shawl collar/button band left to do. Oh, and the ends - so many ends to weave in!

Socks progress too:
That's through the heel flap on the second Tea and Scandal Sock. And then I went and started another (much easier) sock too...
And am now through most of the leg. I think. I'm trying to decide how long to make it. Might add another repeat, or I might just go ahead with the heel flap.

I'm attempting another Flore Hat. You may remember what happened the last time... let me refresh your memory just in case you've forgotten.
Cute hat right? Meant for baby Kaylee (this was knit back in Oct of 2007 - just to give you a frame of reference). The problem was, well, this:
Yeah, way too big for infant Kaylee. So I am trying again, it's a gift for a Rav friend who is expecting. Because, really, it is a seriously adorable hat.
Much better. Nice and tiny. And not able to fit on my noggin.

This week I decided that I needed to frog my Holden Shawlette. It just wasn't working with the yarn choice. The lace pattern looked awful. So I decided to make me feel better, I needed something to distract me.
Handspun is good for that. Happy handspun in "Verdigris" that I spun last summer. Knitting up into a Citron. I made one of these last winter and gifted it to a knitting pal, so this one I'm keeping for me.
The color is much truer in this photo. Isn't it pretty?

I've also been busy on the monster making front - but nothing to show yet. Easter presents for the kiddos are in the works and it's no fun to spoil the surprise. But next week maybe I'll have something to show.

Last weekend the kiddos came over for a visit. And Aunt Ellen decided to make cupcakes. Mason was a most enthusiastic helper.
Seriously - it was so funny. And there are way more chocolate face pictures, I just picked the best ones.
Grandma's going to be so mad that I put that one up. But I had to! And just to prove that the other kiddos were at the house, and to share the love:
Yummo! I spent Wednesday morning with Aubrey and Elliott - but didn't take my camera - while Mason had his surgery. I'm lucky to have come away without any bruises on my face or concussion symptoms - they are really good at kicking the face/head when they climb all over you!

PS - My bracket is completely busted due to OSU's complete and utter FAIL last night, and ND's lackluster performance on Sunday. Boo!

Green

Annual St. Patrick's Day post.

I tried not to take too many pics at the parade this year - mostly because we see the same thing every year - literally. The first hour to hour and fifteen minutes - and it's the same every year. Although, there was a group advertising for the Asian Festival this year - which I thought was a bit odd. Japanese drums following bagpipers.... It didn't work for me. So here you go:
It was just me and Kaylee (with her aunts and cousins sitting with us) this year - Kathleen is fighting a wicked cold and cutting some molars, so Bridget stayed home with her. Notice that the Irish wolfhound is as tall as she is. His name is Napoleon.
What you get when you ask a 4 year old to smile nicely as you attempt to take your own picture. She thought it was hil-ar-i-ous!
The floats were pretty cool this year.
Um.... When did Ignatius start letting girls in? Perplexing. Oh - ps - Kaylee is going to play the cymbals when she gets big.
The Farmpark Clydesdales even got their green on! Guess they've never heard that song about the Budweiser and the Clydesdale.....
The finished second Irish monster.
Kaylee immediately claimed "Twinkerbell", but I have a feeling that she's going to end up with both of them at some point...
Not sure what she's doing here.... Practicing her aria perhaps? But this next one is my favorite shot of the day:
Hope everyone had a great St. Patrick's Day! And that you all enjoyed your Guinness responsibly. Remember, Guinness is good for you!

So. Yeah.....

Wow. Long time no post. Been busy. And lazy. Not much to talk about - life is same as ever.

Because I know at least one person might be interested: Boys basketball lost in first district game, girls lost the following night in the Sweet 16 round (after leading the whole game. With a foul to give. Fouled girl while shooting, she made it, and the foul shot to go ahead by 2. With 4.7 seconds left. 3 point shot that followed hit the rim. Devastation.) And I don't have the whole story, but hockey lost in the state semis after quadruple overtime. Agony. So the winter season is now officially over. Now if we could just get rid of the snow...

Anyway, lots of knitting. Here you go:
Whipporwill Shawl/Scarf
Wandering the Moor Shawl
Winnie the Monster
Steelers Hooligans (which were in fact finished before the AFC Championship game)
More monsters - Tony and Mambo
Clockwork Scarf - to match my coat
Arabella Shawl - it's got cashmere and is amazing, but I don't have any good pics to show how pretty it really is
Caireen Shawl - Bridget's St. Patrick's Day present
Monsters sent away in a swap
Monster for Mason's surgery - he's really big!
Sock in progress - I'm now finished with it, I'll take pictures later this week.
Shawl in progress - I'm farther now....
Shamrock Monster for Kaylee's St. Patrick's Day present - complete with lipstick for all the Irish kisses!
And the view on Friday, a snow day, only about half of the snow had fallen at that point.

On a bit of a shawls and monsters kick if you couldn't tell. But it's fun. Will be better about posting - hopefully. Maybe I should get out more so that I actually have blog fodder....