Is she going to blow or not....

I've never been around any type of volcanic activity and now there's this huge watch at the AVO on Redoubt. The big thing is the ash fall could come this way... and wow! after reading about preparedness, I'm a bit worried... and I don't worry..

I wonder if the recent 5.73 Earthquake last Saturday had anything to do with this...

I've been tagged by the lovely Luz and because she is such a wonderful bloggy friend, I will comply :) And to Luz.. Thank you for thinking that I "mearsure-up"... it made my day, and today wasn't the best.

Here are the steps:
1. Say one nice thing to the man in your life:
* He's absolutely the sweetest, most generous and kindest person I've ever known.

2. List at least 6 ways you measure success in your life:
* Yikes! I've never really thought about this one much. I guess I would have to ask myself the following questions.
1. Am I Happy?
2. Am I Healthy?
3. Do I feel like a contributing member of society?
4. Does my Family love and respect me?
5. Do I find opportunities to further educate myself?
6. Do I spend enough time on those I love?

3. Assign 5 other blogs this award:
1. Sharmaine
2. Saucy
3. Karen
4. Angie
5. MJ

Now... the directions don't say to explain why I think these wonderful bloggers "measure-up" and I could spend the next hour proclaiming their qualities.. but I gave you the links.. Go check 'em out :)

Crazy Brother!

That is one crrrrrazy! boy! He saw that moose and said, "pull over, pull over." (He has a huge tourist sign on his forehead, can you see it?) ;)

So, I pull over... and ... he jumps out! "Take my picture," he says.... Yikes! I'm thinking.. I take his picture as you can see, Thumbs up and all..LOL..

He got a talking to when he got back into the truck. He was not that far away from that wild creature... I said, "Don't you know those things will charge at you. Good thing you didn't make it mad!"The only crazy animal in this picture... is my brother! But I love him, bless him. I'm so happy he's here. I haven't seen him in a very long time. He got a free ride on his weather bird :)

Mock Cable Beanie

I needed a break from all the moss stitch. This only took me about 6 hours total from start to finish. One skein too at that! I'm satisfied with the outcome. Now the rest of the week will be devoted to the Tribeca sweater and the moss stitch... it keeps growing on me.... ;)

I'm really trying to stay busy this winter. I just can't let myself go like I have in the past. I feel like I need to assert myself and just get out there. :)

Picture taken by my one and only :)

I've also become fascinated with Ravelry! It is loaded with information and I'm a sponge! literally.. soaking it all in.

Moss Stitch coming along...

I'm truly loving how this Moss Stitch is turning out. It is dense and has so much texture. This is also the first time I've ever knit with something so green. I love the little kelly green & mustard colored flecks. Can you see them?

I'm thinking that I will make a felted brooch with the mustard color.. maybe a flower of some kind with a funky button.

It's coming along. I'm still on the back, but at least I'm at the armhole shaping. I hope to be at the neck by Saturday. Here's hoping :)

7 Years...

7 years ago today was the happiest day of my life!

No itch here :)

On the Needles...

I'm knitting the Tribeca sweater from Dolce Handknits in a class that will last the whole month of January. I've actually got a new project on the needles for myself! and just maybe I will have it finished by the end of the month. Here's hoping!.. LOL..

I decided I needed to learn how to piece a sweater together... and I'm in love with sweaters.. so this is the perfect beginning I think. And, especially since it is subzero out...

I'm just on the back of it, so no picture to see yet. Here's a picture of it and the yarn I'm using... I wish we had feel-a-net (you know kinda like smell-a-vision)... because this is the best feeling yarn ever!

Katmandu Aran

85% Merino Wool 10% Silk 5% Cashmere

50g 95m

Gauge: 18sts x 24row = 10cm x 10cm

Needle: 5mm

Changes...

This picture is of us just before Christmas 2007.












This picture is Christmas Day 2008.


















This past year (last quarter specifically) has seen a lot of changes for me... and I'm sure that will continue into 2009. Quite a few people are reviewing their projects and things they've accomplished in 2008.. and the only real thing I can think of that I accomplished was ... all about the surgery and my health. Other than that, I really didn't complete a whole lot..

Things that I still need to complete:

1> Felting projects... speaking of.. I just saw some hats I would love to try!
2> Sewing projects... I've got a bench cushion and pillows that should be #1 on my list.
3> Handmade gifts... I need to finish a doll and her clothes by Feb 10th and get a head start on my Christmas 2009 items.
4> Scrapbooking... that went way by the wayside in 2008 and I love scrapbooking.
5> Editing and learning more about Photoshop CS3!
6> Stay on top of keeping an orderly house... It is just the two of us, I should be able to do this! :)
7> Being thrifty... since I'm shrinking, I've got to stay away from Nordstrom's!! and make myself find an alternative! and maybe find some other neat stuff along the way!

So I have resolved not to make an actual resolution or have a "word" for this new year... but just live one day at a time. I've got my list and as my maternal grandmother would say, "with every little, a lot gets done."

A New Year...

Alaska is celebrating its 50th statehood birthday this year. I've never really participated in any events like this and looks like it could be fun, cold... but fun :)

I started the New Year out right... I got my butt in gear and got out of the house. This is the first year I've actually gotten pictures of the ice sculptures at Town Square Park. It was subzero out, but well worth the effort.

I usually have a hat and a scarf, but I was in such a hurry and ran out of the house and forget them. Crazy me! My neck was numb by the time I finished taking all the pictures I wanted to take.
Don't you feel like saying... "who's been sitting in my chair?" LOL! This Bear Chair was so tall, my feet did not even hit the ground.

ps. I like the way the designers put lights behind the sculptures to show off their features.