Merry Christmas, AND

 

Our tree is a bit smaller than normal, shaped nicely.  Lots of ornaments from places we've traveled, some special ones from when our daughter was young representing her school days, and plays she performed in.  One ornament left from when hubby was a child.  So each ornament has meaning.  No designer tree here, but a rather old fashion one.  The candy canes are always the last I add as a special tribute to my Grandfather.  My Dad's Dad loved candy canes and he would sneak them to my brothers and I while Grandma would scold him about us not needing candy.  

Dining room, but I don't know if you can see the snowflakes on the window.  No need to make it look like snow now though, our rain yesterday turned to snow as the temperatures dropped mid afternoon and into the evening on Christmas Eve.  Only 17 now that it's warmed up, so the snow isn't going to melt anytime soon.  Boooooooo

There are tiny lights in my pot design that weren't on when I took the photo.  And battery motive candles inside the candles on the mantel which we only turn on at night.

I've continued to work on Coffee Latte, the afghan, but haven't taken any new pictures.  It's measuring about 19 inches now, so good headway...considering I've not had as much time to knit of late.

This is one of the books I've recently listen to as I walk.  I found it rather enlightening and recommend it for some insight into Racism in our country.    I used the library's Libby app and find the time goes quicker in my walks then it previously did.  I've found the selection for audio books to be very good.  I've read/listened to:  The Room Where it Happened (well almost all of it, need to get it again to finish), A Warning, Unhinged and both Michelle Obama's book and one of Barak's earlier books, Dreams of My Father.  Was on a political bend for awhile then switched gears to 

which I really enjoyed.  After finishing this one, I read another from the same author, Everything I Never Told You.

Then moved onto 

A fascinating read that is both sad and uplifting.  I highly recommend this book.  Next on my reading shelf is another by the same author Cilka's Journey.  But, I'm a bit boggled down as I'm using a 30 day free trial of Audible so I can listen to Obama's new book.  It's long, so hoping to get through it before my trial runs out.

****85 Days til Spring

The family and I did not get together for a family Christmas, all choosing to do our own thing and not mingle to stay safe as we await the vaccine.

Coffee Latte Afghan, The Election

 

Coffee Latte has come out of the project bag again for awhile.  It was quite skinny when last I worked on it and showed you a photo.  It's about 3 x as deep now.  It still is going to take some time I think.

Close up so you can the color better, not solid brown.  Got a curling edge problem.  Should have done several rows of garter before starting the pattern.  So, picked up stitches  and knitting 3 rows but it's still curling.  Pulled out the picked up stitches and will probably crochet an edge when all done, that and blocking hopefully will take care of the problem.  Other thought, will it matter if I pick up stitches on the back side to start instead of the front side which is what I did and you can clearly see the fold?  Thoughts??

Ern and I when we voted early.  The line was pretty long, well beyond and behind the building and doubled up.  Took about an hour and 15 minutes, but the weather wasn't too bad, another advantage of voting early.

After voting we celebrated with a little bubbly in our back yard.

Our neighborhood had only Biden signs, which was nice.  I was happy I didn't have to see lots of the orange ones signs.  Though there were some as I did my daily walks.

Two recent books I've listened to as I walk.  LOVED Little Fires Everywhere, but hated how it ended.  Anyone read or listened to it?

This book along with Bolton's, and A Warning by Anonymous which later we learned was Miles Taylor all point to how completely dysfunctional this man is and how unfit he has been since day 1.  Counting the days til we can throw him out of our house.  So frustrated he won't permit the traditional transition.  It's dangerous on several levels, certainly the national security is at stake and no doubt more people will die from Covid without a smooth and coordinated effort between the outgoing administration and the incoming administration.  He obviously doesn't even care that he's putting even his own followers at risk.  Sadly, they don't seem to understand it either.

Knitting and Walking and Cooking during Covid

FINALLY!  I got my jeweled tones asymmetrical scarf finished.  This seemed to take forever.  Typically I knit at night while watching tv, but with this being sock yarn and dark in color I didn't/couldn't do that. So, only working on  it during the day stretched out the time it took to complete.  I would work on it while zooming with our daughter, or facetiming with girl friends sometimes.  Took the picture before I cast off, which took quite awhile with something close to 300 stitches on the needles.  But, it is now finished and waiting to be worn.  With the way the weather has gotten quite a bit cooler very quickly (well ahead of schedule), that could be soon.

This is a closer look so you can see the colors better.  I tend to wear lots of black and gray in the winter, so believe this will jazz things up a bit.

Am very sad about the passing of this truly great lady.  It's because of her the women can have their own charge card, buy property in their name among other things.  I'm deeply trouble to loose her voice and experience on the bench and don't believe the current administration should replace her.  That's something the incoming President should do.  The hypocrisy of The Republican party knows no bounds.  President Obama had 237 days before an election.  We're 40 ish days away current from an election...AND 20 states have already started voting.  This really should not be permitted, but they plan to ram it through.  Despite many video's of all those pushing currently being the loudest voices against an election year Supreme Court Placement back in 2016.

We've all been doing more cooking during the Virus, and not going out to eat.  So, it's nice to have some simple meals.  Pork Tenderloin, Carrots, and Asparagus.  All cooked on one cookie sheet (with foil, and even easier clean up).  

I walk daily, generally about 6-7 miles a day.  I find it helps clears the mind with all the crazy going on right now.  The other thing I find you discover things when you walk that you don't see when you drive the car.  This is just a few blocks from me on a corner lot.  I just happened to look down at the right time.  Been by it, multiple times no doubt...given where it is.  I wondered who he was.  Goodle Dean Dugger and found he was born Sept 18th, 1933 and died March 5th, 2000.  He was born in PA, went to high school in West Virginia, and played college football for Ohio State University.  He was an all American.  I don't know if the memorial tree was purchased through the University or not, but found it interesting to learn about him.

I wonder if the people who's yard the memorial is in are relatives, or just avid OSU fans?  Perhaps, if someone is in the yard on one of my walks, I'll be able to find out.  I could even put a note in the door?

 

BINGO

Anyone want to play Bingo?  In these Covid Times, I've heard many people say they can't keep track of what day of the week it is.  Some have said they're spending lots of time in jammies.  Well, I can say I've clicked a few bingo squares off today.  I got dressed, ate food, stayed alive (so far), Got shit done (does making the bed count?), brushed my teeth.  Whew.....exhausting.  But no bingo yet.  How bout you?  I hope you're all dealing as best you can with the shape of things.

For those that need it, here's a safe from Covid Hug

This might be helpful if you're trying to decide whether or not to do something.  Me...I'm sticking with only things that #1 at the moment.

I've mentioned before I love fun cocktail napkins.  Happy hour is an Old Fashion, enjoy.

Still working on this.  Have several more inches than this picture, but honestly it doesn't look any different, so I didn't take a new picture.  Maybe next time.  Still have 2 afghans in the works........yes, I am behind on my knitting.  

Stay well and wear your mask!