It's almost Thanksgiving.  It's my favorite food holiday.  I like that we take a day out of our year to reflect on those things that we are thankful for.  I love that we spend time with family and friends.  I love that I can spend the day cooking all of those yummy foods that are so very bad for our health.  I love spending the day with my friends and family.

This year we are hosting a small dinner at home with my cousin's family.  Our family is spread out.  A large group will be getting together in Utah, another in Oregon and the rest will be spending the day with friends and close loved ones in DC and England.

I will be whipping up a traditional menu for T day.  Starting with Turkey with stuffing inside (yes the stuffing will be inside the turkey.  I've been eating it that way for 36 years without anyone dying of salmonella poisoning).  I also make some outside the T for those so inclined.  We'll have fluffy mashed potatoes, candied carrots, sweet potato casserole, veggies, green bean casserole (courtesy of Sarah-along with pie and cranberry sauce), the usual rolls, pickles and lots and lots of olives (at least enough for everyone to put an olive on each finger multiple times).  And Rosemary blue cheese potatoes.  These are the best ever.  Chef Kathy Casey in Washington State published this recipe about 6 years ago.  It is delish!  It gets better with time.  It is yummy right out of the oven and even better the next day reheated.  If you haven't tried it-I highly recommend it.  The recipe can be altered slightly to be less caloric (but really it's T day- just go with it).

I have been knitting as fast as I possibly can.  I have a long list of things to prep for Christmas and a major cabled adventure to finish.  The pattern isn't advanced, but or some reason I feel like I am knitting at a snails pace on this one.  I am about 50% done with the back.  I have both front pieces, both sleeves and the finishing to complete.  I am really hoping to be done with the back by Friday.  Here's a little preview:

I really do love the cable pattern.  It's going well-with the exception of a major opps- that I am leaving and calling a design affect.  If you spot it-don't tell me.  I don't want to hear it.

I also have an update on my blanket square swap progress.  If you remember it is my knitting and crochet group- Twisted Stitchers that is participating in this one.  I have 5 new squares to show you:

This is going to be a great sampler blanket.  I was going to sew them together as I got them, but have decided to wait until I have all the squares and can find the best way to showcase each one.  I'll show you when I have it done.

There are a couple of events next year that I wanted to tell you about-

First- Yarn Bomb Los Angeles will be covering the front of the Craft and Folk Art Museum with granny squares.  They are asking for submissions.  You can participate from anywhere in the World.  Just crochet up a 5 by 5 inch square and submit via mail.  Check out the website for more info on how to participate, what colors and types of squares needed and where to mail.  There is also a mock up of the finished project: http://www.yarnbombinglosangeles.com/.

Second is the Yarn Crawl LA County which is set for April 11-14, 2013.  The website: http://yarncrawlla.com/ has all the information you may need.  A yarn crawl is a lot of fun.  Save up or dedicate some funds for this day (because who can go in and out of that many yarn shops without finding yarn you can't live without) and find some friends to travel LA County with.  You'll get a passport and at each shop you'll get stamps and a chance to win some awesome prizes.  There is no requirement to purchase-but remember these shops need local support and you should check with local shops before purchasing online.

36 Knitting days left until Christmas!!!!

So much to knit, so little time

We have 46 days until Christmas.  I have a long list of things to finish before Christmas.  I'm currently working on a sweater for my dad.  Last Christmas he asked me to knit a sweater for him.  I agreed and had him scroll through the options on Ravelry.  He chose the Northshore Cardigan by Lion Brand Yarns.   I found some awesome buttons at a store in the Los Angeles Fabric Market.  I purchased the yarn needed and have cast on.  I'm not sure that I like the pattern.  It's early days yet so I will continue to knit until I've got a large enough swatch to make the determination whether to finish it or frog it and begin a different pattern.

I've also finished a few Christmas related knitting projects, but cannot share them with you until after the holidays.  (Just in case the recipient reads this).

One of my nieces has requested a garbage truck for Christmas.  She is almost 3 years old and was very specific about it.  I called her a few weeks ago and told her that I was sending her a little knit mouse.  She was very excited and wanted to reciprocate.  She was at my mom's house and told me that I could have the phone, a mouse pad, and various other items hanging out on my mom's desk.  My mom was amused but said I couldn't have her stuff.

My niece's specific instructions for the garbage truck were that it was to be purple with blue wheels.  It should be the size of other toy garbage trucks.  She is really cute.  How can you say no to a little person who knows exactly what they want.  Garbage trucks are her favorite trucks.

I have one finished project to share with you today.  The felicity hat.  This pattern is soooo easy.  It's something any knitter should be able to whip out in a few hours.  I used the suggested yarn, but the brim of the hat is a tad too small.  I've already started another one and this one I used a similar gauge yarn and cast on an extra 10 stitches.  Check out the finished felicity.

With only 46 days left before Christmas I'll be spending a lot of time knitting.