The First Day

Today - the first day of 2013.

Lots of tracks visible in the snow this morning. Bird tracks, cat tracks, deer tracks, and even trashcan tracks. No one can sneak up on us in the snow. Well, technically I guess they can sneak up but their visit wouldn't go undetected.

The pond is frozen without the aerator running. So pretty with the snow!

The cats are certainly not thrilled with this weather. Gracie did venture out today. She didn't go far and didn't stay out long. Earl Gray, on the other hand, prefers staying in the heated bed in the garage.

The day of the Tournament of Roses Parade. I love this parade! The floats and the imagination that goes into their design is simply amazing. The ways they use seeds, grasses, and flowers just blows me away. All of the floats were terrifice but my favorite was the nurses' float - the raccoon on it was fantastic.

After the parade came my lucky New Year's lunch for one. Black-eyed peas, turnip greens, stewed tomatoes, and mashed potatoes. So yummy and packed with good luck for 2013.

Andy left for Virginia just before 11:00 AM. He hadn't driven but a few miles down the road when I turned the water on and nothing. I quickly called him and he had me check the circuit breakers. Sure enough, the circuit breaker for the well pump had tripped. So, I had to reset the circuit breaker and then the pressure tank. Thank goodness it worked and the water came back on. Was the circuit breaker watching as Andy pulled out of the driveway? Sure seems like it.

After my lunch for one, I baked corn pudding to take to a friend's house for dinner. While I cooked, I listened to CDs from the Jim Brickman concert Andy and I attended Sunday. It was held at the Arnoff Center in Cincinnati. It was great! We had perfect seats. Right smack in the center on the upper level.

I've heard that what you spend New Year's Day doing, you will find yourself doing it all year. Andy will be working which is certainly no surprise as he doesn't know how to do anything else. I will be knitting!

In the spirit of the NEW Year - I started three new projects!

The first project I cast on for was the another Reversibe Cable Neck Wrap & Scarf by Churchmouse Classics. This is a super fast and easy pattern knit out of Pure Alpaca double stranded. The pattern calls for size 13 needles but I am using size 10.

The second project is for the Cable Scarf. This pattern is slightly more involved than the pattern above.  I'm teaching this scarf and the Reversible Cable Neck Wrap later this month at Main Street Yarn. If you want to learn how to knit cables, you'll have a choice - one easier and the other a little more challenging. You'll learn cables on both.

The next project - I pulled out a baby blanket that was totally whop-sided. It was an Ann Norling pattern. I noticed early on that the blanket was whop-sided but kept on knitting. I finished it, bound off, and then realized that that there was no possibility of the blanket being anything else but whop-sided. So, I ripped it ALL out! Now, I've cast on for another baby blanket with the same yarn.

The birds have been extra busy today. There have been a couple of new birds at the feeders. The Carolina Wren and Eastern Towhee have been frequent visitors lately. They know where they can get a good meal. The Blue Jays are keeping me busy - they empty that peanut feeder just about as fast as I can fill it!

Well,it's back to work tomorrow. January is going to be a long work month. UGH!

Hope each of you got off to a good start on 2013 today!!

Comments

[Lorette]

You ripped out a whole baby blanket? You're a stronger woman than I am, ma'am.
And I'm glad that snow is in your yard and not mine.

[Kristyn]

I spent my new year watching football, knitting and napping with little man. Sounds like a good way to spend the year to me :)

[Timmie B]

I did lots of knitting and some spinning (haven't used my wheel since mid-October). I cooked some chili but I'm pretty sure cooking will be a one-shot deal because I don't like to cook. What I did not do was laundry or stash organization (that's on today's agenda). Happy New Year!