Another year older! Boy, where did the year go? I had some firsts this year. I had the garden in the open space and enjoyed the fruits of my labors. I learned that 9 tomato plants are too many and that I needed more time to harvest corn. I also learned that acorn squash and I just don't have a good relationship! My best crops were the squash, tomatoes and cucumbers. Next year I will also plant zucchini and maybe try some greens.
Reading, well only 38 books since my last birthday, compared to 48 the year before. I really enjoy reading, but I don't read as much as I used to because I watch and listen to many podcasts and television shows. So, starting the annual list, books read since December 15, 2011 - none. I will finish the Bible again this year as I listen to the Daily Audio Bible.
Knee update, well, another set back. The knee had to be drained again this morning for the 4th time and I am back on crutches. Sigh, Happy Birthday to me! But hey! It sure could be a lot worse! I start physical therapy on Friday and if they can't get the knee to fully straighten or bend beyond 110 degrees, I get to have the surgeon do it while I am "sleeping." So either way it's going to hurt like blue blazes. Here's to finally getting a working knee back.
Christmas, well, I haven't done any shopping, we don't have a tree up yet. My goodness. See what happens when a surgery issue occupies your time for the past 35 days? I think the internet is going to be my friend and there are going to be some late gifts this year. I don't even want to think about Christmas cards. Maybe we will do New Years cards this year.
Knitting, well, slow is the name of the game. There are lovely things that I want to finish and two KALS that I am participating in, one that is starting December 26, 2011 and one that I am moderating and starts January 1, 2012. The first one is the Takoma Cardigan http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/takoma which is a lovely stranded cardigan from Knitty Deep Fall 2011. Mine is going to be in shades of grey, natural and turquoise. I really am looking forward to wearing this cardigan and as it is knitted in Cascade Eco Wool and Eco + it should be a quick knit. The KAL is one I am hosting in the Black Water Abbey group on Ravelry. We are having a cardigan knit along, but if you want to knit a pullover, that's okay too. I will be knitting Trillium http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mountainpurl/trillium in the colors of Bracken and Ecru and I think it is going to look very nice. You have four months to finish your cardigan in this group.
My goal this year is to Finish what I start. Now I know I have numerous projects on the needles, and I want to finish many this year. There are just too many pretty things that I want to wear before they are out of style.
My birthday knitting this year will be the Sheep Heid hat/tam. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sheep-heid. As a knitter and a spinner, how could I not knit this hat? The stranded work will keep me interested, plus it's just too cute not to knit.
Crochet. I had started on my Rowan jacket, but it is slow going as I need to ensure that the squares are uniform. There are 4 different square patterns for a total of 96 squares. When I did the original 4, 2 came out a little bit larger than the first two. So, I am going to crochet patterns 3 and 4 first and then make sure the other two patterns come out the correct size.
Well, that's about all. I start my new job ob December 27, 2011 and I am looking forward to learning something new.
Happy Birthday!
