It is still icing outside and it is already more than an inch thick on our front walk – the same walk that is still warm from the 60-70 degree weather of the past week.

I just received a telephone call from my dear hubby weathering the storm on the other side of St. Louis.  From his report, he is having a wonderful time with one of his good buddies.  They checked out their posh hotel – he says it is probably the nicest he has ever stayed in, and on the company tab to boot – and he just finished enjoying a lovely steak dinner out.  So, he is having quite the time on the town during this icy weather.  It kind of makes me a bit envious of him…as I sit finishing up my veggie burger (some kinds are good, this one was not) and tater tots.  (They were some of the last things left in the freezer…today was supposed to be grocery day.)

I suppose this will be a good opportunity for me to have uninterrupted knitting time, and maybe a chick flick.

Winter is making a grand entrance into our area.  I knew that it had to be coming soon, especially after the past week of 60+ degree temperatures.  Yesterday after noon it was even 71!  There were warnings on the news yesterday and we knew it was coming: a sudden and severe weather change, the kind that the midwest is famous for.  From temps in the 70s yesterday to a possible 4-8 inches of icy accumulation tomorrow. 

It started as sleet this afternoon.  I have been hearing the small ice pellets steadily hitting the windows since about one o’clock this afternoon.  The streets started to glaze with ice and the cars began to fishtail down our street.  Sarah, my girl cat, was not the least bit disturbed and stretched out on the warm radiator for an afternoon nap. 

My husband has quite long distance to commute to work, and his employer booked hotel rooms to put some of the employees up for the night.  While I will miss him, this is good because the road is so icy that tractor-trailors have jacknifed, car accidents abound, and bridges have even been closed.  Hotel rooms are now hard to find as well because the airport has been shut down until tomorrow.  I would rather he be safe in a hotel room than risk his life to make it home (and he will not be alone, because he is sharing the room with a friend).  And since he is staying at work later, he will get overtime pay for that as well.  So, I am husbandless for the night, but it saves him from having to fight the weather home and icy road conditions at 5 a.m. 

Meanwhile, I am staying inside and keeping warm with a roaring fire and a cup of hot cocoa.  Later this evening, the sleet is supposed to change to snow and we shall see how much accumulation we get by morning. 

After a long absence, I have returned to blogland.  We had a very nice Thanksgiving with our families, and then left for a weekend trip with my husband’s family.  The weather was unseasonably warm and mild, but I was ill and spent most of the weekend in bed back at the condo.  Our condo was situated directly on the lake, and the view was serene and restful.  It was even warm enough to open the windows and enjoy the breeze and the lapping of the water against the shore.  On Sunday I was able to venture forth to browse a few of the shops before heading home.  But by the time we arrived home, I was only well enough to spend the next couple of days in bed.  I am feeling some better today, and hope to be well enough to chaperone a youth outing for our church on Friday night. 

As for knitting progress, my swallowtail shawl is finished and only in want of blocking!  I will post pics after that is complete.  I have a new project on my needles, Eunny Jang’s Print O’ The Wave stole, and I will share pics of my version when I have a bit more accomplished.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.

Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him and bless His name.

For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.

-Psalm 100

When it comes to Christmas, everyone wants to know what you want.  So…you make a list and check it twice, and post it for everyone to see.  My problems is that every year when someone asks me what I want, I usually do not have a lot of things to list.  There is not really anything that I need, and anything else I would want would be be either too expensive or too difficult.  I prefer to pick out gifts for others and watch their expressions when they open them.  My past wants have included a new camera and a sewing machine.  Those are too expensive to ask for and would not come from anyone other than my wonderful husband.  (Thank you, Benjamin, for both of those gifts!)  I cannot possibly ask for new windows for my house or to have my bathroom redone (it is vintage…really vintage).  How about installing my dishwasher?  That one may be more plausible. 

Well, this year I have found something that I want, and it is under $20!  It is a book called Victorian Lace Today and it is available on Amazon for $19.77.  Grumperina has posted a review of this book on her blog, along with pictures.  After drooling over the beautiful pictures, I moved this book up to the top of my Amazon wish list. 

As for my knitting, I plan to finish up my Swallowtail Shawl before Thanksgiving.  After that, my next project will be the Print O’ The Wave Stole by Eunny Jang in Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud in Midnight.