With Love...

A few weeks ago I posted this unedited picture on Instagram. One of my wonderful followers mentioned that I looked so healthy. I thought that that was the loveliest thing someone has ever told me!

After having lost so many wonderful people, especially a close friend of mine,  this year, this is what I wish for you all: a Healthy 2017!   (and beyond...)

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A Christmas Miracle Of Sorts...

Cast on was at the end of September, cast off was yesterday. Yay!!! This was the first time I made a sweater for someone else and the pressure was certainly there. So glad with the outcome though.  {smile}

Yarn is Brooklyn Tweed's Shelter (worsted) in the color Barn Owl. Blocking this yarn was a miracle in itself, the sweater came out so soft with a lovely drape. (it was rather stiff to work with...)

The sweater was designed by Ann Budd. It was knit bottom-up with both armhole and neckline shaping. Short rows in pattern on the sleeves, which was 'tres tricky'. All new techniques for me. I prefer the top-down method with more control over the whole thing, but I love how sleeve shaping worked out. (no raglan shaping!)

Mr. G. is wearing it as I write this!

Hope you're all having a wonderful time with your family and/ or friends...

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Let It Snow...

At 5:20 am all the phones in our house started ringing; Snow Day!!!

Last night we actually had some snow coming down. Not so much here at home, but definitely more in Seattle and surroundings. Since our area is very hilly and there are a lot of student-drivers, several school districts decided to close down for the day. We don't mind at all!  {smile}

The above pictures are from this morning in already melting conditions, but the one below is from last night.

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"

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Lord Frost...

17 F / -8 C this morning: so crisp and frosty out. I love it!

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A Little Frosty This Morning...

25 Degrees F / -4C this morning. Just enough to reveal a little bit of frost...

Snowy Mountains...

 

Click on the pictures to enlarge them...

Yesterday,  at 8:30am, I received a text from a friend: would you like to join us for an impromptu trip to Cle Elum, WA, i.e. the other side of the mountains?! Yes of course... {smile}

The first snow of the season had just fallen and oh boy, it was breathtaking...

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PS: Just about all of these pictures were taken from a fast moving car...

Aching...

I was going to tell you about our fun road trip to Vancouver B.C., Canada, this past weekend, tell you about the Dutch pancakes and 'kroketten' eaten by me (not at the same time of course) and all the other Dutch goodies that we purchased in Lynden, WA. I was going to tell you about the lovely hotel we stayed in, the pleasant strolling around Vancouver's downtown and about the actual reason of our visit, the renewal of my Dutch passport, but today all that seems so inconsequential. 

ach·ing

ˈākiNG/

adjective

1. 1.

   sore; throbbing with pain.

   "the cool air was a relief to my aching head"
2. 2.

   feeling intense or wistful sadness; sorrowful.

   "an aching feeling of nostalgia"

Today, I ache all over... 

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The Light...

So pretty outside this morning and most importantly of all: no rain in the forecast for two whole days! {smile}

There is still color to behold in the garden, if you only look closely...

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PS We have received such sad news from several friends and acquaintances this past week, it is hard to see ' the light' but I keep on trying...

Welcome...

November never used to mean much to me, but the last three years it has become the month that the kids will come home for Thanksgiving and after that Christmas will be here before you know it and yay! because that is my favorite time of the year.

Even though having lived in The States for the past sixteen years,  I never really 'got' Halloween and still don't for that matter. I'm glad it is now behind us and we can focus toward the upcoming winter time. Snow will start capping the mountains soon we hope. Yesterday Mr. G. was talking about purchasing a ski rack for our new car. Now I don't ski or snowboard (it all goes a little bit too fast for me...), but I love the rest of the family going out together. Maybe I'll just come along and bring my knitting and my camera. Never enough snow photos... 

But that is still a bit in the future though. The temperatures right now are still extremely mild. I know the Pacific Northwest has a reputation for lots of rain and this past month we broke all the records! Not something to be happy about, but to be honest, it didn't feel that bad. I still see lots of little wonders all around and appreciate the short bursts of sunshine all the more.

November, you are so welcome!

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Fungus Friday...

As I was walking to our mailbox just now, I came across these fungi in the front yard, pretty cool! It is super warm today, at least 70 degrees. How did that happen?

Anyway, happy weekend everybody, we're dog sitting the two Labradors again! {smile}