Stop Already!

This picture was copied from the Mt. Redoubt webcam. Thougts of ash fall have consumed most of my day. Mt. Redoubt blew again this morning at 9:24am and moved the ash cloud pretty high up canceling all Alaska Airlines flights into and out of Alaska. They predict that Anchorage may get trace amounts but that would be later on this afternoon. The thing that bothers me the most is .. I had a trip planned with my MIL this weekend to the cabin and she is currently stuck in Seattle. Yeah, I'm a bit frustrated. If she can make it into Anchorage early enough tomorrow, we will still go, but if not, then we'll just go next weekend.

Good news.. I tried on my dh's snow pants and they fit!!! He's a 32. It is hard for me to believe and they weren't tight even. I was shocked. Holy Cow! So now I have some proper snow machine gear.

A finished project...

You have no idea the pleasure and joy it gives me to actually have a FINISHED PROJECT!! I feel like singing the Hallelujah chorus... I will admit, I'd get a lot more done if I did not let myself get so distracted by other wonderful projects I feel I must turn into product. I feel like a torn soul... Do I love the process more than the product or vice versa? No, I definitely think I'm a product person!

The whole reason I diverted from my sweater was because I needed some really pretty scarves. What girl doesn't need her accessories?? I must have them. Please tell me I'm not alone...

This is my first wearable crochet project. I learned while doing this that I'm pretty much.. like 80% a knitter. While I like how fast it took to do this scarf, I didn't like having to look down so much.

This scarf was done entirely in single crochet with 5 different colors, 3 repeats of each except the brown (I used it for an edging). When I changed colors, I cut the existing color and used it as a fringe. In the end, you can add more fringe.

I will definitely be wearing this as much as I can! I might even buy a few shirts that will compliment my newest accessory... Isn't that what I should do ;)

It's all about the fun!

A packed PAC ...

The PAC was packed!!!

The MIL and I went to see the matinee showing of Annie on Saturday. It was fantastic! I enjoy musicals and this one was no exception. The orchestra was amazing and the children have outstanding voices!! it was incredible to hear such booming voices from little kids. And everytime the dog, Sandy, came out on the stage, you should've heard the awes... so sweet. I was surprised to see so many children in the audience, but this is a show about little girls after all. The kids in the audience were great too.. they laughed and giggled... too cute! Just what a person needs in the middle of winter! to intercept the blahs... and I've had a rare case of them for sure.

Sunday was spent with a new crochet project and watching it snow, snow, snow.... and then this morning Mount Redoubt blows, finally! Thankfully none of the ash is headed our way. I feel for those in the valley though.

Back in Town..

I thought I left Alaska to get out of the snow! Oh, no... Monday when I left Anchorage it was snowing very fine snow that piles up pretty fast and looking out the window I was thinking... well at least I'm headed south! When we taxied in, I was a bit disappointed, there was snow on the ground and it was rain mixed with snow.. all I could think was ... Hell No! but oh well, adjust and live, right.. At least I'm driving and not someone I've never driven with before today. We get on our way (there's 3 more riding with me) and the snow backs down for a while and then all of a sudden BIG HUGE FAT FLAKES!!! Oh it is pretty... sure.. but not when you are on a break, right? We made a stop as we rolled into Port Townsend and there were these flowers coming up through the snow. I thought about how brave they were. I would have kept my little self in the warm ground until the ice had all gone... but then I thought, na... I would get as much sun as I possibly could!

The rest of the week was absolutely beautiful and filled with glorious sunshine! My friends and I took every advantage of the daylight we could after our meetings during the day. I just fell in love with Port Townsend. It sits on the water (which I love) and has all these amazing Victorian homes... You can feel the old sea captains swaggering around the old town or sitting out on their porches over looking the sea.
This is an old building downtown Port Townsend that just is loaded with character. I love the curved windows and how all those curves are echoed throughout the whole building. I could not figure out if the top stories were being used, but wouldn't they be fantastic as condos!! I would love to live in a building like this.
Port Townsend had lots of great old buildings. I took lots of pictures of this Town Hall. I just loved its design and that big ole clock on top. Reminded me a bit of the clock in the movie "Back to the Future." :)
I stayed in this old Victorian Hotel called The Bishop. It was a bit intense. I don't think I've ever stayed in a hotel that was so old. I think you could feel the ghost walking up and down the stairs or peeping in your parlor room while you rested. There was no heat in this place... well that's an exaggeration... there was, just not enough! Each room is heated with a gas furnace which looks like a fireplace or an old wood stove, clever and cute, just not efficient. I did enjoy my stay though. I don't care about old ghost, just gives the place character :)


If you ever get a chance to go, Go. Port Townsend is a cute place. It has that great small town feel. I thoroughly enjoyed the shopping, especially at a jewelry store called Lila Drake. They had the most amazing one of a kind pieces there. I went back about 4 times before finally making up my mind. I would never tell them this, put their prices are fantastic!! I hope they never change.

After leaving Port Townsend, I returned to Seattle. My sweet darling husband met me for a three day weekend and we had lots of fun. Unfortunately, towards the end I developed the crud and was out of commission the last day of our trip. I think Seattle will always be one of my favorite places to visit :)

Ravelry Knitting..

Yesterday was such a beautiful day. The sun was shining and it was amazingly gorgeous, majestic even.









I thoroughly enjoyed time spent at our monthly Ravelry Knit Together yesterday. I worked on my Mac&Me 049 Ruffle Scarf. I actually got the length of it done and now I'm working on the short end ruffles. I'm so excited to be doing this project. I need lots of accessories.. really I do! :)











knittynatalie finished the cutest pair of baby booties while we were at Pandemonium. So sweet.

Natalie brought her daughter, who is precious! I think it incredible that she's so young, but can knit. Wow! and what a good mother for teaching her. I know it must take a huge amount of patience! And Natalie also brought a new member to our little group, Cynthia.. and Cynthia is a new knitter. It's always great to convert someone ;)

Karen was working on a baby sweater with Rowan DK yarn and it is so very elegant and pretty... It is a heather color.. gray, light purple, with a touch of pink and white..

Today I'm getting ready for my trip south with the rest of the Spring Break crew, except I'm going for work and little fun. I've got to do laundry and some minor cleaning around the house. I'll be in Port Townsend, WA for a couple of days and then on to Seattle, WA. I'm very much looking forward to this trip! I just hope it doesn't rain. I want & need the sunshine.

I will leave you with a the view that I saw through the windows at Pandemonium in Wasilla while I knit.

Fur Rondy Snow Sculptures

The Fur Rondy ended today. I didn't get out to see any of the Dog Races or the Melodrama... and I love both events.. just didn't have the "want to." I did get out to see the Snow Sculptures. These are a peek at my favorites. I enjoy Native art. It seems like it always has a story to tell and it is usually involves amazing craftmanship.













I thought this little guy from Ice Age was appropriate. It felt like we were in another ice age the moment I took this picture!! The wind was blowing and it was well below freezing out... 8 above!

And who can resist the charms of Calvin & Hobbes! They are both so full of mischief and fun!

So, here I am in my new regular sized dress (XL from Banana Republic). It felt good to wear a dress from a store that doesn't sell plus sizes. I didn't realize my sash wasn't properly done, or I would have fixed it.

I feel a bit like the color of my dress right now....