Hearts

I've been asked to make some hearts, so my work basket is filled with red wool. I'll have several pieces to list in my etsy shop soon.

Cairo's Cold Weather Canine Couture

The temperature was only 8 degrees when I woke up tis morning, maybe 12 when Cairo and I headed out for our walk.  I put this little Coach jacket on him to keep him warm .  I bought for him for $5 at an outlet sale several years ago.  As you can tell by the look on his face, he hates it.  

We didn't walk very far -- the cold air made Cairo cough, poor little guy.  We hightailed it home where he snuggled up on his polar fleece blanket and I made a second cup of coffee before heading to my studio.  I'm working on some hearts, both hooked and needle punched.  I'll post the results when I've finished them.

Hope everyone is staying warm . . .  

Happy Holiday Hook In

My guild, the Peconic Ruggers, held their annual holiday party on Saturday.  We had a grand time -- lots of food, lots of laughs, lots of wool.  We drew the winner of this year's raffle rug (pictured above) which features various roadside attractions out here on the eastern end of Long Island.  I didn't win, of course.  We also had a wool swap, and lots of people brought lots of different projects to work on.  Phyllis crocheted a scarf, Carol was punching a rug with left over yarn, Judy was needle punching.  I talked, as usual, and got not one thing accomplished besides having fun, which was just fine with me.  We had a fabulous catered lunch, organized by our intrepid treasurer Sue.  I've said it before, and I will say it again, this is a terrific group of people and I always enjoy our time together.

One of Those Weeks . . .

The weather has been gray and gloomy forever, or so it seems.  I've been having a hard time waking up and getting up . . .   the down comforter is just so cozy on cold mornings.  On Tuesday I did not even peek at the clock until 8 am!  Horrors!  It seemed like half the day was gone!  Pete was already on his way to an appraisal, so I made myself a single cup of coffee using a plastic Melitta cone and promptly spilled the hot grounds down my front and all over the kitchen floor.  What a mess.

Then I went to the dentist.  I bit on something just before Christmas and had a sharp pain in a tooth that has a root canal, but it went away.  Last Saturday, however, my gum became inflamed.  After a humungous shot of Novocain and some scraping and cleaning, the dentist came to the conclusion that the root canal tooth may have a crack in it.  Although he is being conservative -- we are going to baby it along -- he is pretty sure I am going to need a bridge or an implant.  I'm trying not to anticipate the pain or the cost . . . 

This came on the heels of taking Cairo to the vet because he cried in pain every time I touched his front left leg.  Of course, the vet could not get him to even wince -- he clenched his entire body into a knot and refused to do anything except snarl at her.  After three days of pain medication and me carrying him up and down the stairs he is doing much better.  Of course, it was all my fault, because I made him take a two mile walk on Friday, thinking it would be good for both of us.  Not.

Things continue to look up -- my tooth feels fine, and I saw the sun briefly around 6:45 this morning.  That means the sun is still there (I was doubting that for awhile),the days are getting longer, and I am no longer lollygagging under the covers every day.  Our guild is having their holiday party in a few days.  There will be hooking and feasting and a wool swap and lots to catch up on, since we haven't met since November.  Things could definitely be worse . . . 

Prodded Out of Complacency

I haven't hooked much lately.  In December I was too busy with getting ready for Christmas, Clara's visit, a wedding, visiting friends.  I hardly worked at all.  And now I am paying the price, lol.  I am currently preparing for my very first solo show to be held next month at the Syosset Library and I want to have something new for it.  But I may have bitten off more than I can chew.  (And what else is new?)

I started the proddy in the photo months ago.  Someone gave me a big box of wool with lots of gray flannel in it.  I don't use gray in my rugs much, and it isn't much fun to over-dye, so I decided to make a prodded rug with it.  I thought it would be a good break from hooking and I wouldn't need a frame for it since I have one of those gizmos with the spring in it.  Well, this is a big rug (6 feet long), and proddys take a lot of wool and I am nowhere near finished.  

I'm glad to be working again, but I think I may have to give up the idea of finishing this for the show.  I have a lot of much more colorful ideas bouncing around in my head that I would like to try out.  Hmmm . . . .  

Trying to Brighten the Day

The winter sun has given way to gray clouds this afternoon. When I sat down to hook a couple of small purses, my eyes and hook were drawn to the brightest colors in my stash. Not sure what will come of these candy color bits of wool (which are not as garish as this photo shows), but they are making me smile.

Winter Wonderland Wedding

My neice was married in the middle of a snowstorm on Saturday -- just what she wanted.  I was able to see all my siblings and their families -- the first time since my mother's funeral.  It was a wonderful celebration -- worth driving through the snowstorm for.  I hope they have fabulous life together.

Now it is on to the New Year.  Lots of people don't like to make resolutions.  They think that's setting yourself up for failure.  I think its always good to set goals, even though they have a habit of changing pretty quickly.  One of  my resolutions this year is to read more.  My husband used to tell people I read too much, but this past year I spent more time hooking and on the computer and a lot of time procrastinating.  I'm not giving up blogging -- I actually want to blog more.  I'm going to spend less time on places like Pinterest and playing word games, much as I love them. I think I could fit everything in if I didn't procrastinate so much . . . 

So without wasting any more time -- I wish you all a Happy New Year!