December

Several things have gotten my attention, lately, and today there were two; 1. I heard from an old friend who decidedly and gently scolded me for not blogging, and  2. I slammed my finger in the front door. Yes, I am awake now and quite alive, thank you, although the last couple of weeks or so there was some kind of out of body experience involving a damnable virus that would not leave me alone. Needless to say, I am better now, all save the stupid index finger of my left hand, which I am hiding under a band-aid because I don't want to see that fingernail and surrounding tissue change color.

It has been cold and dry, here in the area of the Sierra and I am a little concerned that we have had very little rain and no snow for weeks. Perhaps, the silver lining in all of this is that we will be able to take the East Coast Souza's down through the mountains to Mono Lake this year, where last year, when they were here for the earlier holidays, the passes were clogged with snow. We'll see if we can still fulfill a bucket list trip for The Photographers... My dad grew up in Bishop, before LA diverted the water and it was heartening to see Mono Lake look "better", the last time we went down there.

 

The West Coast family is so happy and doing so well. Little Syd, who thankfully is able to control her reflux with meds, is growing like a little weed, as babies do. She is officially 5 months old today and we got to play with her for a couple of hours yesterday, helping out Mama & Daddy. She is a happy little peanut and happiest at home, like a good Cancer. Who could blame her, with a loving family and big Christmas tree. :o)

She has fallen in love with her Big Girl plaything and her cute little monkey toes can actually touch the floor.

 

Big Brother Jakey is going to be SIX, on the 17th and is so tall and handsome and smart and athletic. His wit keeps me laughing and his "that's so easy" attitude about numbers and math make me wonder Who He Will Be When He Grows Up. For now, he is a kindergartner and sighing over his homework like a regular kid. (Homework in Kindergarten???) We brought this jersey home from Oregon when we were up there for the Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival. It looks good on him, don't you think?

I am reminded that I told the story of when Jakey was born, here in the newest book by Barbara Bretton. I am thrilled to be a part of it and recount a special moment. (Thanks for asking, Barbara!)

 

The family went out together to cut Christmas Trees this year at our MOST local grower, our neighbor on Newtown Road, Hidden Valley Christmas Trees. It was so much fun and a beautiful day (another part of a dry November that makes things easier) and at the end of the adventure, we had made a new friend and secured two beautiful White Fir "cuttings" from trees that had already regenerated themselves, on the 800 acre property. So cool. Jakey was worn out and sweet Syd simply fell asleep in the Baby Bjorn.

 

All in all, the time that I have spent working, lately, has been good, thanks to the help of my buddy, Lorrie Hunter. She is thinking of going back to doing hair again and I will cross my fingers that she will still have time to come play with me in the dye room. I rely on her as my Scrub Nurse and although it will take a lot to find someone as wonderful as she is, if she chooses to go do something else full time, I will hug her and call her my friend and we will carry on in that capacity. Oh, and I'll drag Rod with me to whatever salon she chooses. :o) One day at a time, after all.

 

I posted a bunch of new handspun yarns up on the site and have a lot more beautiful fiber piled up in the Woman Cave, awaiting my attention. I especially love some of the more primitive ones.

There are new colorways up, too. I found this one to be so playful. Flanders in Sock Merino.

I hear through the Grapevine that The Book has gone to a second printing. We have had a slow build but a loyal following and I thank you all for buying them for your friends. Remember that there is an erata page at the offical website .

Time to go rest my aching finger and find something for lunch. I wish you all a happy holiday season, however you celebrate. We will be celebrating with the whole family this year, including our East Coast Granddog, Myles Souza. Gotta love it. xo

 

Comments

[Beth Collins]

Wonderful pictures of your family and your skeins! Thanks for blogging :)

[Laurie]

Oh, those fingers. One moment of inattention, and it demands you pay attention for a long while afterwards. Love the peanut. She is cute as.

[Helen]

Glad someone pushed you back to writing, I like checking in on your blog and wondered why it had been a while.:) Hate sore fingers :(