Deb on the Web

Happy New Year...oh not yet

Everyone has finally been sat and it's time for a small break.  I wanted to wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year!!  A little early I know, but I'll be saying Happy New Year to about 90 customers at midnight so I thought I'd give a little cheer out to the blogisphere right now;)

Tomorrow is a day of inventory, undecorating and a holiday party for the staff.

I look forward to 2008.  There will be a lot of changes and adventures planned for the new year!  And of course let us not forget a new president. 

I don't really have a lot of resolutions for '08.  In fact just one that applies to a lot in my life at the moment--finish all the projects started in 2007!

The good, the bad and the indecisive

I received a couple of holiday "knit" surprises.  The first was a gift certificate to a LYS as a thank you for hosting his company party.  Even though I've known him and his family for quite a few years it still surprised me that he would remember that I knit.  The second was a gift from my stepson.  He gave me Bag Style for Christmas.  I actually don't have that book (the only one from the series in fact).  He said he noticed I don't knit bags and he's right.  And there are a couple in there that I'll be knitting next year.

I almost forgot this good thing--I somehow lost 7 pounds over Christmas!  How did that happen?  I'm not complaining or anything, but really I think I wasn't given enough treats this year;)

Now the bad--above stepson had his car broken into a couple of nights ago.  He lost all his holiday gifts and snowboarding gear!  I feel terrible for him.  I also remember being about that age when the same happened to me and I learned not to leave my whole life in the car.  That is a lesson you hope others can learn from you and not have to experience themselves!

As for the indecisive--I can't decide if I want to join the Woolgirl sock club for 2008!  I loved it this year, but I am so far behind in my sock club knits.  I have joined the RSC again, but have let the rest go.  Jen has a great club, she puts together amazing packages and she, like Blue Moon Fiber Arts, is my LYS.  hmmmmm

I am still knitting holiday gifts today.  We have our employee party (for restaurant #1) on Tuesday.  I'm knitting up a hat from some handspun.  Actually first I'll be finding a pattern as the hat I had planned on may not work.  His wife informed me that he prefers something snug with no fold ups.  okey doke--I think I can manage that.

Photos from the last few days

Starting with Solstice Oh a closer look of this acorn hat on baby Dylan and more from my favorite model
Oh yes, the holidays I had nothing to do with this.  Tradition in our family is eggs benedict on Christmas morn.  Usually each person starts off with one.  Somehow these two snagged three each while the rest of us just stood around talking.  We were all a lot quicker on the second round;)  The oldest grandsons learning the hollandaise tricks from their nonna.                         Duet middy socks in Spearmint.  The first white Christmas we've had in a long time.  It was really hard to come down for work yesterday.  I got a call from my MIL that they had 9in by this afternoon and it was still snowing like crazy.
The rest of the week will be busy getting the restaurants ready for NYE.  Tonight I am on the verge of a cold.  I steamed after work and I'm heading for bed very soon.  I know too many people with 3 week long colds.  yuck!

Happy Holidays!!

The shopping is finished, the presents are wrapped!  The baking is done and the ham will soon be going into the oven.
I just wanted to stop and wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
May your day be full of happiness, fellowship and peace.

Here I am

I feel like I've really not had a lot to say this month.  I looked back at the last three holidays and my blog was lacking as well (can you believe I'm in my fourth year of blogging?).  This is always a do do month.  As my mom would say I am being a "Debby Do-bee" (long story).
I am almost finished with the shopping and knitting.  Woo Hoo!  Today I realized, however, that I didn't have an entree for the 100 guests I have on Christmas Eve and that I do not have any wrapping paper for the 25 odd gifts sitting around in bags right now.  I am definitely one of those people that what ever I have on Christmas Eve at about noon will just have to do.  Because really who is going to know what's not there except for me.  Well, I guess if we end up with dinner of side dishes they may notice...
Along with all the holiday hoopla there have been three sock packages that have arrived.  Not uncelebrated by me, but undocumented until now! das-schneeschaf in "Rosegarden".  I won this through the Woolgirl blog.  This yarn is handpainted using an airbrush technique.  It gives a pretty muted look.  I can't wait to see how it knits up.  Also in that package were some yummy Hershey's truffle kisses, sheep soaps and hand lotion.  Jenn sure knows how to give a gift.  And speaking of Woolgirl--here is the December sock club yarn I haven't even gotten to the last socks, but I'm excited to knit this beautiful yarn from the Unique Sheep in "Spruce Sprigs".  As I said Jenn can really put together a package--this one contained a Christmas tree measuring tape, a Mama Lama stitch marker, cider with cinnamon sticks, candy and a 10% off coupon!  What a great holiday package oh and of course a beautiful pattern by the same name as the yarn.  A ruffled lace and twisted rib sock pattern.  Here is another sock club yarn The last shipment for 2007 from the Rockin Sock Club.  STR medium weight in "Bella Coola" came with a pattern by Cat Bordhi "Salish Sea Socks"!  I'm looking forward to the holiday ending (and finishing some other socks) so I can sink my teeth into this pattern.

In other news--HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE BARBER!!!!!  My neighbor, friend and reader:) is turning 50 today.  I hope dinner at Nostrana was terrific!

Shopping

It's that time.  I try to think of crafty things I can make for everyone, but ultimately I do have to buy a few gifts.  This year I just haven't had as much craft time as I'd like so there is a lot more on the shopping side.
And I hate shopping at this time of year.  Too many people and too much pressure to get the "right" thing.
I'm keeping it simple though--Powell's is my main shopping spot (downtown, not online).  I wish they had grocery carts;) 
Next weekend there is a great Craft sale--the Crafty Wonderland.  I've been going for several years and can usually take care of the ladies in the family and friends.  So that is the plan!  No forays into malls or Nordstrom.  Unique!  That is the key!
Then I'll be heading up the hill and putting my head down to work on some of the knitted gifts.  I do hope to do a little baking, but I may end up with chutneys this year.  I just feel like I gotta give some foods away!
Here is a photo I love that I can take in December We still have produce being delivered from three of our local farmers and two ranchers.  You gotta love being in Oregon!

Great way to help a local charity

Portlanders!
Willamette Week has their annual Give Guide set up.  You can select the exact organization in Portland that you'd like to donate to and the amount.  I chose 4 different orgs that my businesses don't already donate to, but are important to me.  Other Oregon companies have given incentives to encourage your generosity.  Go check it out!

A request for photos

I've had a couple people ask to see these projects I've been working on.  Well last night I took a couple photos.  Note I did not say I finished anything. 
Here is the Dream in Color shrug The yarn is from Blue Moon's "Raven" series Valkerie.  It is much more black with reds than you see here.  The fiber is alpaca, wool, silk.  It will photogrash much better when finished.  I just need to find my t-pins and spend an evening with her.

Next up is Argosy This yarn is also from the "Raven" series.  Seduction yarn (merino/tencel) in Korppi.  It really looks black!  However, in the skein you could see all the blues.  I'm curious how it will look when finished.  This is a great pattern (from Knitty.com) and once you get to section two very easy.  I found the beginning fiddly.  I started over a few times until I got the hang of it.

Finally we have Lenore This is of course from the "Raven" series.  I guess I only knit black these days!  The Rockin Sock Club's November installment is terrific.

As is that T-shirt!  Had to show my support for Ravelry:)

As I look at those photos I realize I had better find some serious knitting time or they won't be finished by the correct date!  I have one more sock project of which one is finished (not black either).  And I have a couple baby things to knit.

I need a few movies this month to get my knit on!

Reading and Cooking and Knitting, oh my

That is my weekend in a happy little nutshell. We had friends up last night that went snow boarding with the husband. They all had a great time and weren't too badly bruised upon returning. I spent the day cooking a hardy minestrone for them, corn muffins, fried chicken and baked apples (oh there was a sald thrown in too). I loved it. Having the house to myself and a kitchen big enough to really cook in I had a hard time stopping to sit down with them. Sometimes I have a hard time getting my head out of restaurant mode.
Today it is all about sitting with a good book and some knitting. I am using my inlaws' computer to send off a few emails so I'm sneaking in a post. But I am about to sign off pick up My Life in France, by Julia Child and get lost in someone else's cooking.
I also have to finish the edging on the "Raven" shrug and I'm in the middle of a "Raven" argosy scarf (both holiday gifts).
It is pouring down rain here at the moment which isn't as pretty as the snow we had for a couple of days, but I'm not tempted to go play in this:)

too tired to blog

Pathetic but true.  I should blog around 10am.  That would be the perfect time.  However, I am either deep in cooking or up on the mountain with no internet.  So there has been a lack of blogging this week and I'm sure there will be this month as work and knitting (and other holiday activities) take over.
But before I forget I had to share this from last Sunday.  I was gathering things to head up the hill and I realized I had in my hands 3 things that I could be satisfied with--lap top, camera, book.   Then a bit later I was at the grocery and looked down to realize I again had 3 things--a chicken, coffee, salt.  I want to write down some lists of Three things that could make me happy  (of course no time right now).  Maybe there will be just three things for my New Year's resolution...

Can't wait to show you all the finished "Raven" shrug.  Just need to finish the edging.