Our weather today pretty much looked like this. Instead of the 4-8" of snow they had been forecasting last night, we got about an inch or so, and then sleet, sleet, and more sleet, for pretty much the whole day. This is the view from our kitchen window, a little after lunch--you can just see the bumper of my car . . . I usually park her perpindicular to the garage doors, so she can pretend to herself that she's going to be able to go inside the garage, but when we have snow storms, I park her parallel to the doors, as close as I can manage, so that the people who plow our driveway can get as much of it cleared as possible. They can't quite make the curve inward toward the garage doors anyway, so my car is as much out of the way as possible and helps keep that part clear of snow (at least, until I come out and wipe all the snow off).
I have managed to keep myself busy, though. I whirled through the kitchen this morning, making cupcakes (my Grandmother's recipe--yellow cake, chocolate frosting--the family classic) and scones (my favorite tea scone recipe, with a dash of lime zest and some dried blueberries for some extra flavor). All of which Mom, Dad, and I snacked on this afternoon, when Mom opened her present.
While I was in the kitchen, I also threw together a lasagna for supper. And made a fresh batch of Chappy food. And two chicken sandwiches for Dad and I for lunch....
The sleet and snow finally stopped falling around 3:00, and I went outside at 3:30 to clear off my car, to make getting to work tomorrow easier. When I came back inside, Chappy looked so eager, so excited . . . because, see, on snowy days, finding the car DOES get first outdoor priority, but Chappy pretty much always expects that he'll get his chance to romp and play immediately afterward--before I've taken off my boots and such. (He really is a patient dog--the fact that I'm tired and cold after finding my car is really my own fault, right?) Anyway, I DID take him out for a romp in the backyard . . . see how happily-romped the snow looks? Pity it was such awful snow for snowballs, because really, all he wants is a chance to either chase after or to catch snowballs.
And, really, how can I resist? He looks so darn cute in his red bandana today, and he did give me such a sweet Valentine's Day card. (My dog is really very in tune with these holiday things, you know.) I was happy to take him out . . .even if I got cold a lot faster than he did. And even if I DID have to pop him into the bathtub to melt all the ice out from between his paw pads. He's well worth it.
Of course, with all this baking and such, I haven't had a chance to sit and knit at all today, despite my plans of yesterday. I'm still determined to finish those socks, though. I gave Mom an IOU for a pair of handmade socks in the color of her choice, and she immediately requested another pair in Cherry Tree Hill's Martha's Vineyard colorway. (Anyone surprised by that? Anyone at all??) Luckily, I DO have another skein of it. I'd made her a pair of these a couple years ago, which she promptly wore holes into . . . but, really, this is the last time I'm making her socks in the same color! Only this time, I'll try adding some reinforcing thread...
Now, just a couple other links for you:
Franklin certainly knows what to say to win a knitter's heart.
And those Liaden books I keep raving about? They've bundled five of them into one collection called "Korval's Legacy" and it's available here as an e-book, if you're into that kind of thing.
For that matter, don't forget about the ongoing, weekly publication of Fledgling . . . kind of a side story to the Korval books. They're up to chapter four, and they publish a new chapter (well, really, a draft of a chapter) every Monday.
Another new blog for you, though this one is not about knitting. It's for NASCAR fans, and was just started by a friend of my mother's (though she's closer to my age) that she met through a Carly Simon fan club, who does, in fact knit on occasion, and designs cross-stitch patterns . . . among other things. If you're a NASCAR fan, head over and say hello, would you?
Okay . . . got to go take the foil off the lasagna! Happy V-day, everyone, if you celebrate. If not, I hope you're enjoying my Mom's birthday!
Happy Birthday to your mom. Looks like you know how to treat her!! If you and Chappy come to Utah for a visit will you cook?;-)
Posted by: margene | February 14, 2007 at 05:05 PM
Whew! You have had a BUSY day! Sounds fun though - love the "tea party" picture. I hope you're about to sit down and relax!
Posted by: Chris | February 14, 2007 at 05:07 PM
Oh, lasagna sounds perfect on a cold snowy day like today. Instead, I'll load up a dog and head to the club - it's doggie chiropractic night and going now will save me a 50 mile trip.
Posted by: Beth | February 14, 2007 at 05:15 PM
I don't know what is worse, inches and inches of snow or tons of sleet. I'm thinking the sleet is worse, although there's not as much shoveling at least, but clearing the car is more difficult. Maybe it's a toss up.
Posted by: Rebekah | February 14, 2007 at 05:21 PM
Deb, thank you for a great birthday. Favorite foods, new socks and the promise of hand knitted ones to come.. how could a day be more perfect.
Thank you for being my daughter and my friend.
Posted by: Joan | February 14, 2007 at 06:34 PM
Deb, thank you for a great birthday. Favorite foods, new socks and the promise of hand knitted ones to come.. how could a day be more perfect.
Thank you for being my daughter and my friend.
Posted by: Joan | February 14, 2007 at 06:34 PM
Debbie - Tiffany and I found a grammatical error. We know you virtually never make them, so, naturally, we had to bring it to your attention. T thinks we should let you find it yourself. I guess you'll have to read "threw" your entry. Love you - Happy Mom's birthday!! Love, Patty and Tiffany
Posted by: Patty | February 14, 2007 at 06:38 PM
Wish your Mom a happy birthday from me! And I sympathize with the sleet issue. I would much rather have snow! Traditional yellow cake cupcakes with chocolate frosting. Mmmmm....
Posted by: Carol | February 14, 2007 at 07:17 PM
mmmm...lasagna! sounds like you had a busy but productive day :o)
Posted by: amanda | February 14, 2007 at 07:43 PM
Happy Valentine's Day, and Happy Birthday to your Mom! That MV colorway is so pretty, I can understand why she chose it twice.
Posted by: Debby | February 14, 2007 at 10:31 PM
happy birthday again, mom!
sounds like a busy day!
are you going to make the socks a different pattern, at least?
and i couldn't find that grammatical error!
Posted by: Minnie | February 14, 2007 at 10:40 PM
Yum! Sounds like a good day. Happy Birthday and Valentine's day. Very pretty dishes by the way.
Posted by: Carol | February 14, 2007 at 10:50 PM
Happy belated birthday to Mom!
I must say that I'm not complaining that we didn't get the 6-10" that they threatened though I could have passed on all that awful sleet. Ick.
Posted by: Risa | February 15, 2007 at 09:47 AM
Happy Birthday to your mom! I hope she enjoyed it all.
Posted by: Kristi aka Fiber Fool | February 15, 2007 at 10:54 AM
Glad Chappy finally got to have his romp in the snow. I'll say he's patient, we haven't had any all winter! ;)
Posted by: Jessica | February 15, 2007 at 11:51 AM
Sorry I'm late! Happy Birthday to your Mom !
Posted by: Christine | February 15, 2007 at 02:53 PM
The snow is so pretty. Down here the snow stops everything.
Chappy looks so darn cute!
Posted by: Gracie | February 15, 2007 at 08:48 PM