A cloudburst, really

-- of blessings, that is! After getting back from our trip and before shopping for replacement yarn of some sort, I posted a message on the Spinning list to see if anyone had some comparable, affordable homespun they would be willing to destash for my friend's gift. Among the responses I got was an off-list email from Tammy Ward, a fellow Shetland shepherd and Spinning list member. She had some lovely mill-dyed blue Shetland roving, and she offered to spin double the amount of yarn needed AND send me some roving to spin when I have time, if I would knit her mother-in-law a shawl as well! How does one respond to an offer so generous? Well, I said yes, of course, and I will be thanking her forEVER! She sent me the following photo of the first batch of yarn she finished; it looks remarkably like the yarn I left on the plane. Once the yarn arrives, I will be knitting every spare minute, doing my best to finish two gifts by Christmas. It will be a welcome task. I haven't managed to start a project since the trip, but I do believe I feel my knitting mojo revving back up.
In fact, my latest yarn is washed and dried, so I plan to cast on a small project today sometime. I'm calling this colorway "Rich Woodgrain." (Oooh, I feel like a REAL fiber artist, using the word "colorway" and naming my homespun and everything! hee!)
Pictured below is another special token of love and understanding given to me by a friend after Rosie's death. On the card is a photo that friend took of Rosie and Brian a few years ago; such a photogenic pair....
On the subject of dogs, the ice dam of Rick's resistance has dislodged, and we are going to start looking on Friday. My heart is suddenly lighter; my mood has magically lifted from grey to pastels of hope and anticipation. Brace yourselves to be inundated with photos and news of our next furry family member!

Happy Thanksgiving, from . . .