Happy New Year and Check Mate!

This past year I was so blessed to be able to see more of my family than I have collectively over the last eight years. I cannot begin to describe how grateful I am of that. For the first time in almost a decade Daniel and I were able to spend every major holiday with my folks. Just over a year ago that would have seemed so unlikely to be able to happen.

Over the holidays Daniel worked on his model of Optimus Prime (I really need to post a pic of that) and I got to relax and just enjoy the season, though there wasn't any snow this year. I also got to play some scrabble with my parents and even a few chess games with my dad. And for the first time EVER, I beat him!

The win was bittersweet though since I hadn't even realized I'd won until it was his turn and there were no more moves left. Still it was pretty awesome to win at least once. He gave me a brutal smackdown in the games that followed though lol. Here's his frowny face. :p

December 1st

Here's a little glance at what I get to look at while walking on my favorite trail in Saint Louis Park.







I'll never get used to the geese still hanging around despite the cold temps and snow.

Not the sexiest boots but they let me go stomping through nature without coming home with soaked tennis shoes like last week.

First Snowfall

Today we had our first snowfall in Minneapolis! I'm excited about it now but I'm sure I'll be sick of it in a few months, especially traveling around in it. So far it's made for a relaxing day inside. We had a warm breakfast consisting of waffles and bacon and sausage, not the healthiest meal but it did feel warm and snug eating it while looking out at the heavy flakes falling outside. Here are a few pictures of the snow taken from the back porch of our apartment.

Daisy/Star Stitch Hat

I finished my very first hat awhile ago and am now just getting some time to post about it on my blog. I love love love this pattern because it is quick to make but has nice bits of detail to it. This project was also the first time I used a material other than acrylic (used 100% wool this time in hopes it will keep my head warm in the coming Minnesota winter).

Here is a closer look at the Daisy Stitch pattern which is a "k3tog, yo, k3tog" using the same three stitches before moving it to the next needle. The k3tog gives it its starburst shape.

I found the pattern here on ravelry.com. It's actually called the Godric's Hollow Hat because it's based off the hat Hermione wore when they traveled to Godric's Hollow in the second to last Harry Potter movie. You can see a still of it from the movie below. You can actually block the hat so that it is wider almost like a beret, but I prefer it as a beanie so I didn't stretch it while blocking.

Now if I can just finish the olive wrap I've been working on since the dawn of time... I am so tired of seeing it on my needles. In the meantime I'm making another Daisy Stitch hat in solid green so that it will match the scarf I just made (as seen in the previous blog post:)

Scarf

It's been almost a year but I'm finally finished with the scarf I started while working at WAFF. You can see where I started it here. It's one of my knitting projects I think I actually like and will keep for myself. Now it's on to more winter projects before it gets cold. Daniel is taking me to the yarn shop this weekend where I'll hopefully find some fiber that doesn't make him itch. The man needs a scarf!

Cat Toys

Found this cute pattern for a cat whale toy here. Gary LOVES them, Bear has yet to wake up from his nap to check them out :) The toys were a great way to use up some scrap yarn I had laying around.



The toys are stuffed with polyfil and catnip. Overall a fun quick project my babies will go crazy for.

Mug Snug

I love love loved my latest knitting project. This Mug Snug pattern was super quick and easy and very fun to make. I'm going to take it for a test run tonight using some mint chocolate chip hot cocoa. I know it's not fall or winter but who says hot cocoa can't be a year round thing, eh?



The pattern can be found here on my absolute favorite knitting site, ravelry.com :)