30.11.06

Prepared.

Dear Mom,

I ran errands this morning, before the rain turns to sleet and then turns to snow. I'm pleased to report we have plenty of yummy things to eat,

some excellent options for drinks,


and, thanks to my handiwork earlier this week, a suitably festive and cozy atmosphere.

I think I'm ready.

Love, Gwen

10.11.06

In which there are also no otters

Dear Mom,

It's been a quiet week at Chez Gwen. Sunday night I finished up my Socktoberfest socks. I had high hopes of knocking out more pairs through this month-long celebration of socks, but one it was:

These , of course, are the Embossed Leaves Socks, designed by Mona Schmidt, from the winter 2005 Interweave Knits. The yarn is some Elann's Sock it to Me that I had socked away around here (harhar!). I knit these through the World Series, going up to the wedding with you and Dad, and a spate of MST3K episodes. They are pictured here midway through Monday - I didn't want to wait to wear them! They have since been washed and dried, and I may attempt another photo shoot to show you how very well they fit. I give this pattern a big thumbs-up.

(Guinea pigs don't wear socks, although they were interested in what I was doing and if it involved lettuce. It didn't.)

And, here's a project I made earlier this month - I knit these for one of our relatives, using this pattern from Knitty. The embroidery here is substantially winged, since I decided I didn't really feel like executing the duplicate stitch, and I only made three instead of a full week's worth.

I find myself a little in-between projects at the moment, since I finished up the socks. Time to dive into the closet and yarn basket and see what I've forgotten about back in there.

Love, Gwen

6.11.06

West Virginia Fall




Dear Gwen,
The Fall colors have been spectacular. The leaf color intensity changes according to the mountain side direction and elevation. Dad and I took a bike ride near Ohio Pyle State Park in Pennsylvania. It was a brilliantly clear and crisp day. The trail was busy with many families and groups enjoying the day. At one stop we overheard a family with young children excitedly talking about going to see the otters. Deciding we wanted to see the otters too, we followed them along the bike trail at a respectful distance. At the naturalist sign post we learned it is very rare to see the otters out and about during the day. I hope the kids were not too disappointed. As they scampered around on the rocks by the river we snacked and caught our breath, and then headed back to the car... disappointed not to have seen the otters.


Thank you for the beautiful scarf!

Love,

Mom