Had ourselves a merry little Christmas

(Warning: Photo-heavy!)

Christmas Eve Rick stayed in bed a second day in a row, which wasn't much fun for any of us, but did give me the chance to make a solo run to Salem. Brian had seen a wee loom there during Magic at the Mill that he wanted, and after coming home and doing some online looking, I decided that it was probably the best of its sort for him to play with (my mom wanted to me to buy him one to have under the tree). The retail shops at the Mission Mill Museum were open, so I dashed down and did some last-minute shopping there, and elsewhere. I'm not sure I've EVER shopped on Christmas Eve before; Costco was a zoo but I had the stores at the Mill all to myself. I learned that the shops are separately owned but they co-op the space, and the lady on duty at the register was the owner of the yarn shop, Teaselwick Wools. We had a nice visit; I told her I had posted photos of her shop on my blog so she asked for the addy, and I purchased a book to support her. I also picked up this cute sheepy ornament in another shop there and a late little gifty too perfect for a friend to pass up, along with Brian's loom (I added the yarn at home).


I filled my first (BIG!) bobbin using my HansenCrafts miniSpinner, so Christmas Eve I got out my Jennie Plyer and set to work using it. I filled all six of her little bobbins as full as I dared, and still ended up with a huge cake of singles. I thought everything together on the table made a lovely fibery Christmas still life. (Rick says I have two more bobbins coming for my mS; yay!)

On Christmas Day we went to church, potlucked with friends and visited through the afternoon. I took along my supplies and knitted up my fourth mini-sweater - the pastel one that will probably be saved as a baby shower gift decoration (colors poorly captured). The other two are numbers 2 and 3 from leftover sock yarn; I just barely had enough yarn for #3.

Brian survived until we finally got home and opened presents last night. My sister and BIL sent him a very cool "tin can robot" kit, which he wanted to build right away. It proved a bit challenging, so he recruited Rick's help:

Of course, the dogs weren't left out. Jackson opened the package, and he and Dozer each got an edible Nylabone. Jackson devoured his within minutes; Dozer is taking his time enjoying his:


While Rick and Brian were working on the robot, I bit off probably more than I should have and tackled my first six-ply yarn from the Jennie bobbins. It was a tangled mess much of the time, but I got it done. Now to skein it off for Brian to weave with, and two-ply the rest from the center-pull cake. I think I'll use mine for a fulled bag.

This morning I helped Brian get started with his first weaving project. He did well and seemed to enjoy it; we'll see if he keeps at it or not. It's a good day for indoor activities; it is cold, wet and windy outside!

The fire inside's delightful at . . .