Parting is such sweet sorrow

The second Gnarled Entling Warmer is done but for the blocking (it is soaking while I type). It's a wee bit roomier than the first one and my grafting turned out far nicer, so I kinda hate to part with it! Just kidding; it was fun to make, knowing it would keep a blogpal's ears warm this winter. ;-)

And that blogpal is Deairdre! (I didn't realize Deairdre and I are practically neighbors, living as she does in Lebanon, OR. We may have to make a date to meet – wearing our fraternal twin Warmers!)

Yesterday morning just before we left for church, we got a call inviting us to a farewell gathering for a dear friend – Rick's best friend, in fact – that very afternoon. We had to do whatever it took to be there of course, taken by surprise that he was leaving that night for a job in Illinois.

As different as night and day; as close as brothers (in Christ)

We shared memories, laughter, and tears, knowing that we will be friends forever but so sad for all he's been through and for our loss of his proximity. He was the first person I called when Rick had his heart attack – in fact, I had him paged while we were in the ER. He came quickly in his scrubs (he's an anesthesiologist) and prayed with Brian and me, then took off work early to be with Rick at the hospital he was transferred to.

Late last night, after returning from our Christian horsemen's meeting (following our friend's farewell), I got a call from my sister. As soon as I heard her voice I knew there was bad news of some sort; it was nearly midnight in her time zone. Sure enough, the middle daughter of one of my cousins (who died unexpectedly a couple years ago) lost her battle with mental illness yesterday afternoon when she committed suicide. I tell you, the Lord cannot return too soon to save His children from this sad world!

Still, there is beauty and our blessings are abundant. Fog has been replaced by sunshine, clear skies and frosty mornings. It is a good day to prune trees and berry canes – and grub out the ever encroaching feral blackberries, pretty as their leaves may be rimmed with rime.

That's it for today from . . .

Good morning giveaway!

We had an actual sunrise this morning – followed by some actual SUN – for the first time in, what, 10 days? Two weeks? WooHoo! The wind blew in a weather change last night; we got a mere sprinkle but there was rain north of us. The fog was banished along with the poor air quality from the inversion we were experiencing and it just feels different.

Last night I reached a decision point on the red wrap, so I set it aside until I can consult with the recipient and cast on my next Gnarled Entling Warmer:

This is the one I'm going to give away randomly to one of you who leaves a comment on this post (saying that you would like it) by the end of the week-end. By then it should be done, hopefully blocked and ready to mail on Monday! (Keep in mind this is 100% "mystery wool," soft enough for my head but maybe not for someone with super-sensitive skin.) I'll take a headband over a hat any day; hopefully one of you would like one, too!

That's it for today from . . .

2014 FOs

That would be Finished Object and Feathered Objects – although it really isn't polite to call my girls objects. ;-)

First, the real FO, a cabled headband:

Pattern: Gnarled Entling Warmer, by Romi Hill

Cast on New Year's Eve; finished last night. Used up a small skein made from a batt of mystery wool sent by blogpal Denise to encourage me to learn long-draw spinning; it fits me perfectly and coordinates with my Polarfleece jacket and a pair of my winter riding breeches. Denise actually sent me two batts; here's the skein I spun from the second one:

I'm going to use it to knit another ear-warmer after I finish the red mohair wrap, and I want to send it to someone who would wear and appreciate it. So stayed tuned; once I cast on I'll solicit comments for the first giveaway of 2014!

My Feathered Objects chickens are all doing well and looking good – even the Sexlink who was ailing awhile back, and Goldilocks, who spent most of 2013 half-clothed it seemed.

one of the five Sexlinks

Goldilocks, the Easter Egger, well-feathered once again

one of the two Buffs

one of the four Speckled Sussex

Welsie, the Welsummer

Their feathers are so pretty – although I'd appreciate it if my Speckled Sussex and Welsummer hens did more than look good. Thanks to the Sexlinks, Buff Orpingtons (at least one of the two) and Goldilocks, we're continuing to get enough eggs for ourselves with extra to sell to help pay for the flock's food. Last year was a banner year for production (see the sidebar for yearly totals); I wish I had kept track of production from the time we got the first four (long gone). Thanks to HenCam.com, I now have a handy sheet on my frig to keep daily track, rather than just the monthly tally I keep on my sidebar. If you click on the link you can print one out, too!

My windows are too dirty to take good photos of the daily diners at our deck bird feeder; I must address that after we take the Christmas tree down. Imagine this Oregon-race dark-eyed junco without the dingy film effect:

That's it for today from . . .

Looks like someone stayed up and partayed!

It always comes back to bite you the next morning. ;-)

Happy New Year from . . .