A Better Day

The Good:
The sky was so blue on Monday and Tuesday and blue sky is always a good thing.  There has not been an inversion, as yet, and the longer we go with no inversion the shorter the season will be...a very good thing. It has been mighty cold, however, as you can see by the very thick icicles hanging from my roof.  Snow expected this weekend...another very good thing.

In anticipation of Norma's December visit (which did not happen), a purchase of 36 cans of Diet Coke with Lime was made. It's Norma's all time favorite (in case you didn't know).   36 cans might be a bit over the top, but does one every know with Norma?  After 2 weeks of drinking obsessive amounts of water, and wanting something a little bit special for New Years Eve (alcohol was not an option, unfortunately), I indulged.  While I won't call it a new favorite, it wasn't bad and it made a very nice treat, a tasty treat, a good thing.  Norma, there are still 35 cans for your pleasure.

While my morning hours were not good for anything, the afternoon was much better and I started a new project with a fabulous yarn (Berroco Ultra Alpaca).  This is the Chevron Neck Warmer from Véronik Avery's blog.  It's an easy pattern and fun to do...but the yarn I'm using is the real story.  It's heavenly to knit, soft as it can be (should be very warm, as well) and the richness of color is exceptional.  This is a denim blue, but what you can't see is the hint of maroon that peeks through.   This is yarn to stash (and I don't say that about many yarns). 

A little notebook is part of my knitting bag (actually, I carry it everywhere), as a place to keep notes on knitting inspirations during the month.  I drew a little sketch as a jumping off point for my EPS and, while I am not the artist that Lene is, it is satisfying to have all my ideas and notes in one spot.  I'm writing this early on New Years Day and the plan is to have a nice hot bath and then cast on.  I'll let you know how it went.

Comments

[Kathleen]

Glad you are feeling better. Lovely color blue...I think I can see hints of maroon but it could be suggestive reading.

[Kathleen]

Writing...I meant writing. And good luck casting on...I really want to finish St. B before I start my Lavold EZ thingie. Sigh

[Vicki]

Cute neck warmer! Glad you're feeling better, Margene!

[Robin in VA]

Glad to hear you are feeling better!

[Kathleen]

Glad you're feeling better. I'm not much for the fruit in my diet cola, but one thing you might want to check is the expiration date of those cans. Shelf life to diet sodas tends to be just a few months and then it starts to do something weird and lose its flavor and just be icky.

If Norma isn't goint make it out your way before then, you might want to find someone to help you drink it up now! :)

[Kathleen]

I'm starting my New Year off with a bang of typos...

should be "Shelf life OF diet cola..."

and "If Norma isn't goinG to..."

[Carole]

Did I miss it or did you not say what the yarn for the neckwarmer actually is?
I'm glad you're feeling better.

[Carole]

Did I miss it or did you not say what the yarn for the neckwarmer actually is?
I'm glad you're feeling better.

[susan]

We missed you yesterday!
I love that Ultra Alpaca, too. I'd like to try the thinner version (DK maybe?) but I haven't seen it at Vonnie's yet.

[Marcia Cooke]

Um, I thought Norma gave that stuff up! She was my inspiration for cutting down to two cans a day, for Pete's sake! (But after years of drinking Coke and Diet Coke, I find I like Pepsi Diet Lime better...go figure.) Glad you seem to be feeling better!

[Wool Winder]

The neck warmer is very pretty. I wonder if the buttons make it uncomfortable to wear. I'm sure you'll tell us when you're finished.

[Kathy]

So glad that you are on the mend! I'm looking forward to watching the EPS evolve.

[Lene]

Thank you Margene and all the best with EPS!

[Heather Joins The Round]

Perfect neck warmer weather!

A sketch is a great idea.

[Cheryl S.]

Your sweater sketch is much prettier than mine! But I've scribbled so much stuff on mine that I need to redo it anyway.

What a nice neckwarmer that is - it would be great for either a man or woman with that handsome pattern.

[marie in florida]

icicles==beautiful

thanks for showing me that, i sort of miss them

[Hillary]

Glad to hear that you're feeling better. That yarn really does look lovely. I think I can see the maroon hints. I'm really enjoying heathered yarns lately. It's like they've got a secret that they just hint at.

[sue]

Carol wrote exactly what I was going to write. I'm glad you are feeling better and I would like to know what the yarn is that we are suppose to stash --
I looked all over the post but didn't see what the yarn was. The neck warmer looks pretty

[Chris]

Glad you're getting better, bit by bit! That neckwarmer is lovely.

[Teresa C]

So happy to hear you are feeling better and that thinking and note taking and knitting happened. Happy New Year and to your better health I toast.

[Heidi]

I just love knitting with Berrco's Ultra Alpaca. I'm knitting a vest for my dad in that very same color.
Happy New year.

[Teyani]

I am so glad to hear that you are improving - hurrah. the Ultra Alpaca looks divine. hmmm - must go find me a bit to 'test' (ahem)

Designing a sweater.. wow. hats off to you grrlfriend! It will be grand. And I love that you carry your little notebook around with you all the time.

[Birdsong]

Don't you just love Ultra Alpaca? I do!! I am looking forward to seeing your EPS grow... the Silky Tweed is another VERY nice yarn.

[Anne]

Neck warmers are just the thing for you right now. The French believe in keepiong the neck warm for health!

[Stephanie]

I'm glad today is a better day. The sky is blue and it's clear here too. I should go take a picture of the mountains. My mom is using some pretty brown Ultra Alpaca for clapotis and she's loving it too. I will have to check out the pattern - a neck warmer sounds like just the thing for the cold weather we're having.

[Margaret]

Glad to hear you are on the mend! Ultra Alpaca IS wonderfully warm! Such fabulous colors. Love that yarn!

[kelly]

It sounds like you are on the mend! Hooray! And those are HUGE icicles! Very pretty, too.

[Lucia]

Hey, hi! I'm back! Belated happy holidays to you and all your folks! Yep, Ultra Alpaca is great stuff. I keep buying all the deep purple my LYS has in fear that it will be discontinued.

[Nonnahs]

Very cute neck warmer! Happy New Year, Margene!

[Laurie]

So much for Norma kicking the Can. I did. Kicked it, I mean. Because Norma said so.

I'm swatching Ultra Alpaca for an afghan (actually a stole that I'm expanding to an afghan pattern). It is luscious stuff.

[Laura]

That B Ultra Alpaca is very popular - I've been petting it at my LYS and waiting for a project to make me buy some.

Glad to see you're feeling better. I'm thinking of a knitting journal this year but it seems like Ravelry is filling that need for me at the moment. So happy to be joining you in some group stuff!!

Happy New Year Margeney! :)

XOXOX

[Anne B.]

Glad to hear you are feeling better, now don't get sick again! So many people got sick over the holidays, at the time of year you don't want to be sick!
Anne in Calgary

[Norma]

LOL at the Diet Coke. Ok, there better be the full 35 when I finally make it out there. !!!

You're so adorable.

[Michelle]

I love the Ultra Alpaca, too. I did my Ariann in this yarn and it worked out really well. I'm just finishing up a hat/mitt/scarf set now...so soft and snuggly.

Happy New Year!

[tiennie]

Happy New Year to you!

[Tonia]

Love the blue. It is so pretty and looks so squishy.

[Beth S.]

Diet Coke with lime is very good with a bit of rum in it. Or a lot of rum. Your choice. ;-)

Happy New Year, a little belated!

[Kim]

Hmmm. Thanks for posting about that neck warmer. I'm going to have to cast on for one of those this morning....

[Andrea (noricum)]

The neckwarmer looks gorgeous!