socks and sickness...

well, my post-christmas plan to get to my many work projects has been kaboshed for a few days with the rapid appearance last night of the nasty stomach flu - yuck. i am still struggling today to do anything productive - mainly have just been staring blankly at the tv. did make a quick walk down to the beach this morning when i saw how beautiful and clear it was, but even that didn't much improve how i am feeling.

but moving on - realized i never show any in progress photos of someof my projects so thought i would show how the boy socks are going - well, i think. A. is away at work for a couple of weeks, but i should be done well before he gets back and then will post a finished shot of the socks on his (hopefully) happy feet. i am using my own pattern, with judy becker's magic cast-on, a short row heel (i think - technically i'm sort of making it up, but seems to look good), and a simple rib around the leg. if you're wondering, the safety pins are marking stitches, in hopes that i might successfully make two identical socks! next pair will be for me i think, so then i can do something a bit more interesting - apparently the boy doesn't like fancy cables etc!

clear christmas day...

today is mostly clear and quiet after a loud and happy christmas eve. our family celebrates on the eve, as is standard scandinavian tradition, and we had all 11 of us at my parent's house for lots (and lots!) of food and drink and presents and so on. now will give me a chance to post some of the gifts i made for people, although i forgot to take photos of some! will see what i can dig up. here is a toque and mittens ii made for my three year old niece. i also got a store-bought hoodie (i was a bit last minute, okay) and added a matching trim around the hood. they are resting nicely on the snow we had last week but has since left the ground. yesterday the wind was howling and we though we might lose the power for christmas eve, but abruptly it died in the afternoon, with only the rain to remind us.

elk and other oddities...

another pic from our november road trip - so much stuff i want to show before i even get to climbing pics! came across a small herd of elk in someone's yard on the side of the road in northern california - i was standing within 20 ft of this guy when he posed so nicely for me.
ah, last week before christmas, and i'm feeling even more behind than usual - if you haven't received a christmas card i totally apologize, but seem unmotivated to get them done. i'll be lucky if i finish my presents. after the weekend i will post some shots of my newest finished creations - can't let anyone get a peak until the receiver has unwrapped them!

coast daydreams...

so back again to the trip - pardon the jumping around but obviously the weather is going to be changing dramaticallly from post to post, depending on where i'm referring (although, change is really west coast weather in a nutshell, isn't it?) after the flooding, we made it further down the coast where we encountered the above shown area, with 20-25 foot waves bombarding the coast. at left, you will seen A. shortly before he was swept away...well, not really, but it could've happened.

a little ways farther and we finally got down to the beach - still, a little sunshine wouldn't have killed anyone. after a night in a motel, we awoke to the rain finally stopped and california was a bit from friendly in offers of sunshine. unfortunately, we couldn't linger in the sand too long, and we headed inland to the I5 halfway through day 3.

furry friends...

yes, i've been a bit delayed and distracted in terms of posting lately. blame it on the dial-up internet access at my folks' where we are staying for a little while, or the incessant weather that keeps contriving to shut the power off or keep us snowed in, etc. at this moment it is snowing again, a surprise as we were expecting a good southeaster tonight which usually means rain.
here is just a little shot of a busy creature i came across at mount washington last week while snowshoeing. he was quite intent on his pinecones and seemed not much bothered by me.

back to the beginning...

okay...finally a little recap of the trip. it sounds a bit melodramatic, but things looked a little ominous approaching the US border, with a dark bank of clouds dominating the horizon. yet it seemed as if as soon as we entered the states it was raining, and continued to do so for two days straight. the first night we slept in the truck in a fred meyer parking lot. when we woke up we drove out to the coast and discovered what can be seen in the accompanying photos:

a bit ridiculous, no? luckily we had a truck with a bit of clearance, as they were not letting cars through. the second night of the trip was spent in a hotel - drastic measures were necessary after that first cramped night in the truck. luckily the next day broke sunny, if a bit foggy, and we were on our way again. more pictures to follow...