Ten on Tuesday

This week's Ten on Tuesday is something near and dear to my heart! 10 mitts/mittens patterns I am dying to knit (or my favorites)...so here goes, because I've got a ton on my queue over on Ravelry:

1. The Wintry Mix Mitts. These are technically on my WIP list, but frankly? They've not been cast on. I adore them. Should get to them this winter.

2. Susie's Reading Mitts. I've made them once, and have another pair on the needles as we speak, with plans to make them for me and include a cowl in the coordinating pattern - I've got leftover Boheme yarn from my Highland Triangle Shawl set aside for them.

3. Fine Cabled Mitts by Anne Hanson. I've made at least three pairs of these, have another on the needles as we speak as a gift. I just love the length of them, and if I do a decent job of focussing on the pattern, the cables turn out beautifully.

4. 5-16 Mitten by Anna Zilboorg takes my breath away whenever I see them. They're on my queue...eventually I'll get to them.

5. I have this pattern for October Leaves Mitts on standby. I think these are just lovely, but haven't ever gotten them on the needles :(

6. Spilly Jane's patterns are so cool. I have this one in mind for someone in particular...Decadence looks lovely in the colors she chose, too.

7. Shallows Mitts are being held in reserve for quick gifts. I think Bonnie's patterns are so lovely.

8. These Stitch Red Brocade Lace mitts kit was purchased late summer so they'll be on my needles soon, I hope.

9. Speaking of hearts, THESE All You Need is Love mittens are in my stash (you can buy it as a kit!), and actually partially cast on. MUST get these made. I love them beyond words...

10. I also love Tallulah's Heart.

I've always been enamoured of hearts...I guess it's not so odd to continue that now, eh?

Ten on Tuesday...

This week I decided to jump on the Ten on Tuesday bandwagon. I figured, why not? This is the perfect time...(translation...I'm up to my eyeballs in alligators, why shouldn't I add in one more thing?)

But this week? It's Ten Things I'm Grateful For...and you know what? I can't think of a better topic right now (alligators and all!).

1. I'm grateful that the economy is looking better...people I know who've been unemployed are finding jobs - and even having choices between jobs to make! That is wonderful, thankful news.

2. I'm grateful for family, of course - grandkids, daughter, sister, sis-in-law, nieces and nephew, aunts, uncles, and cousins. All of them!

3. I'm very grateful this year (as in the past) for a good job for myself, for a part-time job I enjoy, and for my business, even tho' this year hasn't been as busy (mostly by choice) as years past.

4. I'm grateful that I survived some pretty horrendous things this year, including the Derecho storm with 6 days without power in 90+ degree heat, a slew of mechanical breakdowns caused by the storm, and a home invasion.

5. About that home invasion? I'm grateful that the little boy kitty wasn't asleep in the window when the slate paver came sailing thru it. I'm grateful that he's still as sunny of disposition as ever, even tho' I know he was here and aware of that stranger coming into his home. I'm grateful that all I lost was my jewelry and not my precious babies.

6. I'm grateful for the landlord and his wife who have been supportive about EVERYTHING since then (okay, they were before, this isn't a change). I think I have the best landlord in the world!

7. I'm enormously grateful for friends who've stepped in to help care for the kitties while I've been running up and down the road engaged in a life-changing relationship.

8. I'm grateful that my 10-year old car is holding up while it's being run up and down the road...

9. I'm grateful for all my online friends who have encouraged me and supported me in stepping out there and taking a bit of a chance on love.

but most of all?

10. I'm grateful that one day almost a year ago, I typed one simple sentence into a text box on IM on Facebook that said, "If you happen to be in town and would like to, let's meet for coffee and catch up with each other" to a man I went to high school with. And that has made all the difference in the world in how very deeply grateful I am. There is someone very special in my life, and I'm totally blessed.

And I'm fixing a Thanksgiving dinner this year (a first in many years) that will include him and his son. I can't tell you how happy I'll be to hold hands with those around my table and give thanks.

May you and yours have a wonderful holiday - and if you've a mind to? Why not take a chance yourself?

Veteran's Day! (And a Day Off)

My Digital Detox wasn't 100% and I'm sorry about that, but I did manage to be online a LOT less over the Saturday and Sunday of this weekend. I do think I'll be spending less time online at least over the weekends, tho' am unsure that I can unplug completely. My Sweetheart and I agree we're both too involved in knowing what's going on in the world to be completely unplugged. But we do want to reduce our use of the digital media.

Since it was a long weekend for me, I worked on the hats for the hurricane collection and, as of tonight, have completed two. My Sweetheart announced yesterday that it looked like I had a porcupine in my hands:

Heh. How many of us knitters have referred to double-points as "wrestling with a porcupine?" And he saw that immediately! I had to chuckle.

I managed to complete the Barley Hat yesterday,

and begin the blue one before the evening was over last night.

So this is the finished Blue Hat:

My Sweetheart surprised me with lovely coral-colored roses this weekend for our 6 month anniversary! I think I'll keep him...

*wink*

Inspiration Comes from Many Places and People!

I was blogreading this morning before work, trying to catch up (oh well, 773 blog posts behind isn't the end of the world, is it?) and I stopped by Cherry Heart. What did I see? Click on that link. Go ahead, I'll wait.

You're back? Good. Here's what I see: a blanket. Leftover yarns made up in blankets - scrap blankets, warm blankets. For the people in NY and NJ.

Yes, eventually, unless I get really tired of them, there'll be a blanket for me, too, as I just love this look, but I have my priorities!! I must warm a very cold part of the world...at least I must try. Even if temperatures rise over this weekend (as they're supposed to do), it's NOVEMBER and that means the cold will be back, and suffering will recommense. Can you think of a better way to knit bright and cheery scrap blankets for those in need? Can you think of a better REASON to knit? I can't.

All that said, one thing that's coming between me and my knitting that I have a bit of control over, is my need to be plugged-in. You know what I mean? Checking FB, Ravelry, email (thankfully I'm NOT a Twitter addict). I saw this interesting post this morning, while getting ready for work, and decided that I'm more than ready for a Digital DETOX! (I usually feel this way after a contentious election)

I'm going to aim for the full, regular 2-day weekend (Saturday-Sunday), and will take notes on how hard that is (and whether I can stand it). I figure if I lose my cool? I have a bigger problem than I realize...and I do know how to beat bad habits. If you post a comment here and don't see it soon after? Realize that's where I am, and Monday, I'll be back.

So, that's two good things to try to do...wanna join me?

Going to Make Some Sandy-Hats!

I learned about THIS today, and on the way home, stopped by AC Moore for these:

Last year, we made a lot of hats, mitts, and socks for the Vermonters who lost so much after Irene. I can't think of a better way to spend my knitting time (sorry Sweetheart!) than making a few hats for those who have lost so much thanks to Sandy. If you follow that link, you'll find the group and info for where to send your warm items, if you're so inclined?

Do join me.

November? Oy!

Everything is just flying by...do you feel it, too?

Saturday was NoSoKnit. I do believe this was my 7th of the 15 they've had. We had a lot of fun, and it wasn't till later in the evening that I realized I hadn't taken one single photo! (sigh) But I did buy one skein of yarn (and a set of ebony straight needles!)

This is stuff is incredibly soft, and I'm planning on making a set of wrist warmers with it.

Saturday night I had the good fortune to join My Sweetheart at a political rally where President Bill Clinton was speaking on behalf of President Obama. We were blown away by Clinton (and fully anticipated that would be the case). What a treat to get to see him in person.

Tuesday is election day. Do everyone a favor and exercise your right to vote. ESPECIALLY every woman reading this: Remember, we've only had the right to vote for less than 100 years. My grandmother remembered the first time she could finally step into a voting booth and pull the lever. It was a struggle to attain. Do NOT take that lightly, regardless of who you vote for.

Dona Nobis Pacem...

It's time again for Blogblast for Peace...

I would ask you to dwell in peace today, think peace, spread peace, in all you do.