Finished Socks

I finally finished my Trekking XXL socks I started a few weeks ago. This is only my third pair of socks I have made and the first pair using sock weight yarn. I love how they turned out and they are very comfortable to wear.

Yarn - Trekking XXL #84

Needles - size 1 2.25mm

Pattern - Marguerite's Basketweave Socks without the basketweave

Since I finished something I of course had to start something new. I had purchased this pink cotton fleece yarn for my birthday and was planning on making a baby sweater and hat for a friend who is having a baby in June. Change of plans -- I started a baby blanket with the yarn instead. And of course I will probably need more than what I purchased -- guess I will have to go back to Weaving Works ... darn!! For the blanket I cast on 189 stitches using size 3.75mm needles and am using a pattern from a Japanese stitch pattern book I purchased (also for my birthday). I am not usually into pink but I am really liking this combination. Ask me in a week or two after I have been working on it for hours and hours :-)

What about the hat for Dulaan that I started last week -- it is almost complete. I am just finishing up the decreases on the top. Picture to come in the next post.

It must be spring ... the elk are back. We had 6 of them in our front and back yard the other morning. They are lovely to see but can wreak havoc with my garden. They seem to eat almost everything and what they don't eat the rip out of the ground. Needless to say, gardening here is quite a challenge!

Someone sent me this email and I thought I would share it with you!

Suggestions for making the most of your Year
Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.Albert Einstein:

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. Get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement:My purpose is to___________ today.

5. Live with the 3 E's: Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.

6. Watch more movies, play more games, and read more books than you did in 2006.

7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water and eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds, and walnuts.

12. Try to make at least 3 people smile each day.

13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Forgive everyone everything.

28. What other people think of you is none of your business.

29. Time heals almost everything. Give time.

30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Y our friends will. Stay in touch.

32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.

33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

34. The best is yet to come.

35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.

36. Do the right thing.

37. Call your mother and father often.

38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished____________.

39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.Enjoy the ride.

Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass.