Year End Wrap Up

And what a year it's been.  But first, Christmas Part Two.  Last night, we went to my son's house for dinner and a final exchange of presents.  His fiance was out of town with her family for the holidays, thus the late gifting.  Jim and I were both happy to get candy from our favorite little beach candy store.  Lots and lots of chocolate!  Yummy.  Laura is also a very crafty person and she made me two things.  The first is this lovely necklace.

She also likes to draw and do wood burning, so she combined the two to create this yarn box.

It says "I Can Knitz Too, by Scarfy."  (She knows I love the LOL Cats.)  It's hard to tell from the photo, but the box resembles a book.  She drilled a hole through the spine so a ball of yarn can be placed inside and the wip kept safe from curious cats.  Very thoughtful!

A gift of another kind arrived yesterday in a great big box.  Spinners among you might recognize the sender.

Inside - almost 8 pounds of blended Corriedale and Alpaca fleece, purchased at this year's New York Sheep and Wool Festival (aka Rhinebeck.) 

Oooh, soft and pretty!  Now I really do need to work on improving my knitting.  I'd love to spin this and knit a sweater to wear to Rhinebeck 2009.  (Yeah, good luck with that.)

It's been an eventful year, both good and bad.  For family:

• My mom became very ill and passed away in April.
• One week later, my husband started a new job. 
• My son started the Executive MBA Program at Emory University and became engaged. 
• I got to spend time with my cousin Gayle, who I haven't seen for years and years. 
• My cousin Pam was diagnosed with breast cancer, underwent treatment and surgery, and is now coming out the other side cancer free. 
• I had a fabulous vacation in Colorado with my best friend.    
• I started taking horse back riding lessons! 
• I met a long time blog friend and got to spend her 50th birthday with her.  Yay! 

On the knitting scene, finished things were:

• 3 bags / purses 
• 1 capelet 
• 11 hats 
• 2 cell phone cozies 
• 1 java jacket 
• 1 afghan square 
• 1 pair of thrummed mittens 
• 7 scarves (several of which were lace)
• 2 lace shawls 
• 19-1/2 pairs of socks (the 1/2 pair was from doing just one sock as a test knit) 
• 3 sweaters 
• 1 vest 

Spinning, well, let's not discuss that right now.  But I did manage to sew 46 yarn project bags, most of which have been given away as gifts.  I'm sure there will be many more of these in the new year.

And now I leave you with pictures of the cats enjoying their Christmas. 

Oooh, big fuzzy mouse!

 

Feather toy - oh bliss!

Decisions, decisions.

Is dis my toy?  No Mittens, that's my birdie.  (Jim got this for me and Mittens.  It's motion activated, singing and flapping its wings when anything around it moves.  Mittens was fascinated.)

Yeah, we're bad.  Take that, little house!

I win!

From Mittens, Socks, and all of the Quiddity family, have a happy, fun, and safe New Year.  May 2009 bring you joy, love, and peace.

Comments

[Rebekah]

an eventful year! I hope this year provides much enjoyment, love, life, and happiness...and hopefully minimal sadness.

[Chris]

That box is really cool!!

I love that "what the heck is this?" expression on Mittens' face re: that bird of yours!

Here's hoping 2009 is happy and healthy for all of us.

[Li_B]

Happy New Year. I love your lists, I must do them,too. Really gives you perspective on the year past.

[Sydney]

I love the necklace and the yarn box! That fiber looks wonderfully soft. It should be fun to spin. I hope you have a wonderful 2009!

[Rachel]

Love the yarn box your soon to be DIL gave to you--what an incredibly thoughtful gift! Here's wishing you an amazing 2009!

[Tracey]

What a beautiful necklace and that box is such a clever idea.

I love the kitty pics.

Happy New Year Jane, I hope it's a blessed one.

[Tracey]

What a beautiful necklace and that box is such a clever idea.

I love the kitty pics.

Happy New Year Jane, I hope it's a blessed one.

[Tracey]

What a beautiful necklace and that box is such a clever idea.

I love the kitty pics.

Happy New Year Jane, I hope it's a blessed one.

[greta]

Happiest of New Years to you and yours!
I love the cat safe yarn box book...
FANTASTIC!

[famous steve]

8 LBS of fiber! (and I thought I was bad) It looks so soft and fluffy. You'll have to bring some to Distaff Day so we can feel it.

Here's hoping that this year will be the best one yet!

[Pat]

Wow you really accomplished a lot of knitting in 2008! Happy New Year- and happy 2009 knitting.

[Karen]

Wow, you had a very productive knitting year! Happy New Year Jane!

[Archergal]

Happy New Year, and much health happiness and success in the coming year!

[Lynn]

Ok first of all, I don't remember the post of your son getting engaged!!! Congrats to him AND to you guys!!! She fits in quite well being all crafty and all! LOVE the wooden box she gave you. Yes it has been an eventful year for you.

And the kitties have gotten to be SO big!!! Sending cyber hugs from Florida. Oh and I'm sending a thank you this way for your calendar. Thank you SO much for thinking of me when you send them out. Since I've taken over the laptop, by emails have come over but I can't get my addresses. So Big hugs from me to you!

[Nell]

New Year's Happiness to you, too! What an impressive list of FO's. I'm rooting for you completing the Rhinebeck sweater. You can do it!!

[Dee]

Love the little knitty box. Seems like the perfect gift considering your chewed up double points you had a few posts back.

Hope you have a great 2009! I'm hoping to keep better track of what I do so that I can do a nice wrap-up like that for 2010.

Happy New Year. Hope this year brings you tons of happiness!

[Mouse]

Happy New Year Jane!