Christmas week.

It's that quiet time between the hubbub of the Christmas celebrations and feasting, and the hubbub of New Years celebrations- the lull between.  Today it is snowing and cold here - 17 degrees with a nasty wind chill.  Libby and I are just in from a long neighbourhood and park walk and a play outside in the snow.

Libby doesn't so much play in the snow, as she dances.  It started snowing yesterday and as far as she was concerned, that was her Christmas present.  How do you not be affected by that pure joy in something so simple.
Christmas more or less went off without a hitch.  None of us were sick.  The Turkey was delicious and I didn't forget anything in the frig.

I've been amusing myself knitting a small lace shawl - well, actually I was amusing myself until I made a mistake - lost my concentration and had to rip the entire thing out.

You would think I'd learn.  I was working away while I was cooking Christmas dinner - got to row 36 and everything went sideways, tried to take it back a stitch at a time.  Since 3 stitches are added every row - that was 114 stitches by the time I realized and taking it out one stitch at a time-  Didn't- Work.

Last night while watching the Harry Potter Marathon, I pulled the entire thing out and got it started again.  I'm enjoying the pattern  - Prairie Wrap designed by Cynthia Yanok for Debbie Stoller's Stitch Nation - you can find it on Ravelry - just search "Prairie Wrap" and up it will come.
As I say, I am enjoying the pattern but concentration and counting are always the key with lace - I know this - I just got distracted.  Lesson learned.
So today I'm going to sit quietly, limiting distractions and move on this.  This is my goal.  I'm determined.  Besides - it is snowing and cold out there - hot tea, shortbread cookies and knitting win the toss.

A Very Merry Christmas from our house to yours - and a gift from me to you.

Well, I think we're ready.
The tree is up and decorated.  We bought a gorgeous Nova Scotia Balsum Pine this year that is slurping up water like a good thing but rewarding the house with the most gorgeous pine smell as I walk up the stairs.  It's a trade off.
The Santa collection is out.

And so are the snowmen

These wee snowmen have been following me from house to house ever since my dear friend Gwen gave me a couple of them along with the pattern.

As my gift to you:  I'm passing the pattern along - it is, as Gwen says, dead easy and quick.
Here goes.
You will need a ball of white, red and/or green worsted weight yarn and 4.5 mm needles for this and some stuffing or styrofoam balls in two sizes (one for the body and a smaller one for the head)
You will also need a pair of googly eyes and some black yarn to make a nose with.

First make the body:
Cast on 40 stitches with white.
Knit every row until you have 40 ridges - that is 80 rows.
Cast off leaving a long tail for sewing up the body.

Next make the hat:
Cast on 44 stitches with either the red or green yarn,
Row 1-4: k1, p1 across to make the rib
Row 5; knit across
Row 6; perle across
Repeat rows 5 and 6 for 2.5 inches
Cast off, leaving a long tail for sewing up the hat

Lastly, make the scarf:
Cast on 50 stitches
Row 1-4 knit.
Cast off.

Finishing:
Fold the white rectangle in half and using the long tail from the cast off edge sew the two sides together to make a tube.  Still using your thread, gather up the top of the tube by making a running stitch around the top and pulling tight to close off the top of the snowman head.  Stuff the body with either the stuffing, or the styrofoam balls, small one on top, large one on the bottom

Fold the red or green (whichever colour your chose) in half and sew up the seam as you did for the body.  Again gather up the top of this tube to close the the top of the hat.  You can make a pom pom or tassel to finish off the hat if you choose.

Put the scarf around your snowman's neck and stitch on the googly eyes and make the nose.
You're done!  Make a pair - make a family. 

And here are some pretty winter shots for you from along our winter river trails by the Bow River.

 The days are mild and sunny here - and the branches down by the river covered with frost.  A big chinook arch can be seen off to the west.  It's pretty treacherous underfoot but it sure is pretty.
Number two grandson is here for Christmas - such a treat to have him. 

Merry Christmas to everyone!  Here's wishing for a lovely holiday and a wonderful new year for us all.  Sorry I've been absent from this space - New Year's resolution - do better!
Cheers
Patricia