trying to stay warm...

we are going on our 4th day of frigid {FRIGID} weather and in minnesota {where people like to talk about the weather anyway} it really is the hot topic of conversation this week. they say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger -- that makes us a strong bunch of people! there are so many technically amazing articles of clothing one can buy these days that keep you warm without feeling like the little brother on The Christmas Story. thank goodness for innovation in fabrics! but one proven technique is the basic act of layering. i bought some black washable wool yarn and realized once i got home that it was much thicker than the yarn recommended for socks. but i didn't let that get in the way of my obsession with knitting socks. i made myself these "house booties" that are intended to wear over a normal pair of socks. i work in the basement and despite the fireplace and the carpet tiles, my feet get cold from the concrete floor. these work beautifully!! i am nearly done with a matching pair for my son - for the times that he comes down and works next to me.

"down" time

where does one start after the long stretch of "holiday" ... it is sunday night and tomorrow should be my first real day back in our routine, but the winter storm of sickness has hit and means my son will home again tomorrow {this time his grandmother is the one who is sick.} it makes me think about the concept of "down time" and what that really means in my world. i'm not sure if i should blame it on my own personality, or if it is a result of being a homeowner or even more so because i am a wife/mother, but i find it hard to do nothing. it might be that i fear one moment of doing nothing could result in a long period of doing nothing, or simply that in my mind there is always something to be done. if i sit down, my mind floods with a mental list of all the things i could be doing or should be doing ... or i begin to rationalize with myself, "if i am going to sit and watch this movie with everyone i should at least knit while doing so." this rational helped me produce a few handmade christmas gifts that i couldn't more proud of: SOCKS for my husband, my brother and my son. i learned to knit {basic knit and pearl} when i was an exchange student in finland back in 1995 and have knit many flat things: a blanket and scarves {some of which have never been completed} as well as some simple hats knit in the round. my live-in knitting coach {finnish house-mate} found a simple sock pattern for me and ... I FOLLOWED IT!!! and then made my own adjustments to the pattern and tried a shorter pair and then a scaled-down pair. i even made a tiny pair for a friend's 8 month old. pretty fun and very exhilarating ..................... and relaxing during my down time.