Rain Rain Stay Stay

What a perfect day to not go anywhere. Jeff is working on the Scott McAdams campaign for Senate, so he is canvasing the streets all day today. In the pouring rain. Unfortunately really fortunately :) I can't join him, because I work for a non-partisan division of the Legislature. Meaning, I must seem to remain as politically neutral as possible. It's tricky. I enjoy stating my political views. But it's sure a great excuse to stay inside all day, and knit knit knit.

I am anticipating a lot of progress on my bobble sweater.

Emile and Oscar seem to be content lazing around with me.

Oscar is just yawning. That's why he looks like hell-dog.

Happy rainy day!

Knitting Season

Knitting season has begun! As you know, I love knitting all year long, but when it is sunny and beautiful outside, I cannot even think of lazing about knitting. Although, when the days are endless rainy, windy, and grey, I get all pumped up for watching Gone With the Wind and knitting up a cabled wonder. My head is spinning with projects, and I have to force myself to focus on one project at a time. Currently I am knitting a sweater for myself. I've knit this pattern before, but my ex-boyfriend's dog ate one of the bobbles off. I love the pattern so much, and I've even made it easier by knitting it in the round. I loathe seams!

Other projects on the horizon include a plethora of Christmas gifts including a sweater for Jeff. It will be quite an endeavor, because he is a big, tall guy and he is very picky. He wants a classic Norwegian fisherman's sweater. Emphasis on the classic. I am totally up for it, but the last step is the color, because I think I've found the yarn. Jared Flood has helped make knitting something contemporary, all the while maintaining tradition. Love this guy's stuff, and I can't wait to get my hands on that yarn!

frenemies

Emile and a yawning Oscar

Family Home Week

My visit home last week was so peaceful and lovely. Time spent with the fam is necessary to my sanity. I feel lucky that I get to see them three or four times a year, even though I live thousands of miles away. I always feel renewed and happy when I leave them, and it's nice knowing that I get to see them in mere months.

Highlights of my week:

*Dinner at Ariane's right as I got into town.

*Hike around Silverlake with the nibs.

*Eight mile bike ride with my hardcore cycling sisters. My rump was sore for days.

*Touring my dad's incredible new office, followed by dinner at Bambara. I felt like a spoiled only child at dinner.

*Catching up with old high school friends, while blonding my tresses.

*Spending hours playing with Will, Caroline, and James. I will miss those babies the most!

*Long drives on the freeway with singing at the top of my lungs to pop music. We don't have pop very good pop music stations or freeways in Juneau.

*Chatting and laughing with my mama in the kitchen.

*Talking politics with my genius of a father.

*Going to the BYU football game with Rachel, and watching them win! Rise and shout!

*Sacrament meeting in the home ward, and feeling lucky that I get to see all the women that inspired me while I was growing up.

*Turkey dinner on the deck with Grandpa and Marian.

*Discovering that my mom had her first kiss in Hobbittville, and demanding that she take me there. It's as creepy as they say!

Lowlight:

Falling asleep at the airport, and missing my flight home to Juneau. I caught a later flight, but I was pretty upset and embarrassed.

I only took pictures of the first day, on our hike at Silverlake.

I love these guys so much! They have grown up so much since the last time I was there. Their personalities are golden. I can't wait to see them again!

New baby James, wearing the sweater I knit for his birthday.

Will was my buddy the whole time.

Caroline ran up ahead, and lead the way.

Will was careful not to step in the puddles.

I took a picture of the duo.

Then Will took a picture of us.

Then CAROLINE took a picture of us!

I can't wait for my next visit at Christmas!

On the Hunt

I have recently become utterly fascinated with hunting. Yes. I want to go. I don't know much about hunting. I know I want to be careful that I don't merely injure an animal, let alone myself. I need to take intensive hunter and gun safety classes, and become very familiar with shooting the blaster. I probably won't officially kill my food until...well...in my dreams probably.

SO! Since I won't be hounding and prowling my prey any time soon, I've chosen to become one with nature-by knitting this:

Photo courtesy of Tiny Owl Knits

I'll be sure not to wear this in the woods during hunting season.

Already Looking Forward to Spring

Last week, I received some fantastic news! I get to play "Cecily" in Perseverance Theatre's production of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.

Cecily is a young, rich, bubbly character. I can't wait for all the British fun.

Training

Jeff found a man made barbell (or simply just a pair of wooden wheels) in one of the cabins along the Chilkoot. He's so strong. Ha!