4:30 in the A.M.

Yes....you have read that correct. I was up until 4:30 A.M. not wrapping gifts but, Christmas morning trying desperately to finish my grandmothers afghan throw. (I did a variation on this pattern.) You know....it is not like I left it to the last minute on purpose....but it just kinda happened to work out like that. I did start this project soon before Thanksgiving....I remember because I was contemplating on bringing it to Thanksgiving dinner to work on the afghan in front of her...but quickly rejected that idea because it just didn't seem right. Then soon afterwords I had the sickness from hell. And you know that one is really sick, when they don't want to do anything that they normally do...ie, go on the Internet, crochet and talk on the phone. So...I really did not get the urge to crochet again until two weeks ago. I read fellow blogger blogs....trying to get inspired to finish up on Christmas crocheting...only to get really put off by the fact that I only had 8 more days until......And of course when I did finally did get inspired to start to finish....I totally procrastinated on this particular project and made a scarf for one of my friend's Christmas gift. Suddenly....it was Christmas eve...and I still had three more balls of yarn to miraculously whip up in to this throw. Is this going to happen? Is this ever going to be complete and ready to give Christmas day? It had to get completed...I had no choice.

I started crocheting around noon on Christmas eve. Did some stitchin' until around 1:30 P.M.....went food shopping for Christmas dinner (and yes...thank you I know what you are all thinking...I do wait until the last minute to do anything. Thank God for the last minute or nothing would ever get done in my life) By the time I got home, food put away, children had to get dressed and ready for Christmas eve celebrations at my Father -in-laws house. Ekkkkkkkkks...no time to shower.....just straighten up hair a bit by throwing it up in a clip....and continue stitchin' till we left at 4:00 P.M.

Enjoyed a nice dinner of stuffed shells, stuffed mushrooms, lots of shrimp and tons of goodies. (very tasty Nicole, BTW) And sat myself down on the nice cushy sofa and started stitchin' again. Volunteered my two sister-in-laws to roll a skein each into a ball for me...and you guessed it...stitched. Fast forward to 10:30 P.M......got children into bed all cosy while sugar plums danced in their heads.....left Santa's cookies and milk...left reindeer food outside (oatmeal and glitter mixed up) and carrots for Rudolph. Played Santa for two boys, set up the bikes....and grabbed a drink, watched It's a Wonderful life (again) and Christmas Story (twice that night) and stitched.....and stitched, and stitched and stitched until I could not stitch no more...and my wrist was aching too. Looked at the DVD clock and it flashed 4:30 A.M. WHAT THE %$&! My kids are going to be up in less than three hours......ekkkkkkkkkks and....wahhhhhhhhhh the afghan is NOT done yet.

In a quick 2 and a half hours from 4:30 A.M....opened presents....YAY (see Christmas post), washed new dish set from mom for Christmas dinner, washed table cloth and napkins, started ham...started boiling potatoes.....and talked to family...they are coming at 1:30 P.M. or so. Time check...10:30 A.M....get children dressed to go outside and ride new bikes in driveway (every where covered in snow by the way....) and finally sat down to weave end many ends....and finish fringe. 12:30 P.M....rolls around....not finished with fringe yet...looks up outside and notice my family is here already. WAHHHHHHHHH...not finished. Not dressed....runs to pack afghan in a box...and greets family frantically.

How does this story end?

With one very happy grandma and an afghan with almost all of its fringe!!!!!

Ho- Ho-Ho!!

Wishing everyone in Blog land a very Merry Christmas. We are just finishing up the day here...had my family over for dinner. Super yummy appetizers...a nice maple glazed ham, garlic mashed potatoes with melted cheddar, sweet potatoes, buttered corn, Campbell's soup bean and onion mixture. It was a definite Christmas feast. Santa was very nice to us this year. And my poor living room looks like Toys 'R' Us threw up in our living room.

Crocheting along

Hello there. It has been a very busy week or so...and life is getting back to normal. We had a very nice Thanksgiving feast at my parents house. It was unseasonably warm...around 67 degrees F. So, it felt a bit weird...not being cold. I can remember from years past, when my hubby(then high school sweetheart), Father in law and I would always go to our local high school football game. We would freeze out there. I can remembering not liking coffee at that time (wow...that has certainly changed) and buying a large hot cocoa instead. No, not last Thursday. We turned off our heat and opened all the windows. Bizarre.

So...I finally started my grandmothers throw. I definitely got into the groove this long weekend. I was very tempted to bring my crocheting to my mother's house on Thanksgiving, but decided it was not appropriate to crochet my grandmothers throw in front of her. It is about 20 inches side so far. I am getting there. I am adapting this pattern. I am using the recommended colors...cream and burgundy. I think it will come out very nicely.

I have not started my Christmas shopping yet. I am still not in the holiday spirit yet. I think once we decorate the house, trim our tree....and write our Christmas cards....maybe I can start to think about playing Santa. I was very tempted to get up before dawn and hit the early bird sales....but that did not happen. I most likely do the bulk of my shopping when my youngest is in school or during a weeknight. Weeknights seem to be a lot less crowded. Until next time...

Sox Mania

And no....I am not talking about the Boston Red Sox for once! I have actually attempted to make a sock. Yes, I have tried socks before. The question is.....have I ever finished one? Best yet....have I even got past the cuff? The answer is no. I have borrowed from the library the book Crocheted Socks by Janet Rehfeld and Mary Jane Wood. I attempted to start the cuff of a sock...and that is as far as I got. I just got frustrated because I just could not wrap my head around how to turn a heel...and what is thing called a gusset? Well....one of my favorite blogs Needles and Things is going bananas for socks. Needles loves making socks. She gets all this great sock yarn and is feverishly making socks for family members. As I scratch my head....I wonder...what is all this buzz about socks? I mean, I have seen some absolutely beautiful handmade socks online and in books. I must give this sock thing a try...and not give up after the cuff. So, the other day I was checking out some great crocheted socks on Ravelry. I came across this pattern called Snow Day socks. I actual had the the December 2006 Crochet Today that the pattern was in and also found it online. I thought they looked just darling so I decided to buy the suggested sock yarn, Moda Dea Sassy Stripes in Rugby Red, and give it the ol' college try. This is what is transforming in front of my eyes.

Now I know, I know.....it looks more like a Christmas stocking than a sock...but take a close look. I actually turned the heel...and check out the ribbed cuff...I am impressing even myself...hehehhehehhe. It is not the best yarn to work with....but I absolutely love, love, love how the striping pattern is turning out. Hmmmmm, any one know of any good sock yarn that would pattern like this?????

As to why it is coming out sooooo big....I honestly did a gauge swatch, so I don't know why. I did choose the largest size to make...but maybe I needed to go down one size. I am not done yet...but I may be finishing the toes tonight!

I have also been busy THINKING a lot about Christmas gifts that I could make. I am wondering if I should make my grandma an afghan. I think she would love to wrapped in something that I made for her. As my boys say...."love in every stitch." I bought some rainbow multi colored yarn to make a swatch for another block afghan. I know, I publicly proclaimed I would not do another afghan that needs to be put together....BUT...I may have to break my own rule. We'll see. Bernat makes a pink camouflage yarn....that may be a cool afghan..but maybe not so appropriate for my 85 year old grandma. I'll have to do some more pondering! Bye for now.