New Year = Cast On

DH's (Bigfoot) sock on my foot and my foot included for scale 

DH's socks are finished! I was able to start my next pair of socks by claiming that I needed bright light to unpick the ripcord for the afterthought heel. Get out of guilt free card! While I have not made much progress on my socks, at least DH's socks were finished and he feels loved once more.  No matter how much I've grumbled and how infrequently he wears his hand knit socks, I know he enjoys the socks. Wish I could say the same about my children. DS1 will wear his hand knit socks that match mine, only if I wear the same pair. DS2 refuses to wear his hand knit socks ever. Oddly enough, DS2 will wear my socks and Daddy's socks. Kids, who understands them?

Since it's a new year, I must have a case of startitus. As previously stated, I cast on a new pair of socks for myself. My pretty purple socks will be a pair of toe up to go as far as the yarn will take me. I only hope that I will not become bored or upset with these socks before I run out of yarn. No promises. I typically flake on grand plans like really tall socks. I've also cast on for the Downton Abbey Mystery Knit-A-Long with Jimmy BeansWool. The Mystery KAL requires DK weight yarn on size 7 needles. The only DK in my stash is earmarked for a future sweater. Instead, I'm going to use some mystery acrylic that is worsted or aran weight. Odds are the mystery acrylic isRed Heart or Caron and I will be using size 8 needles instead. Although the drape will be different (denser than stated) something tells me I'm going to love the length of my new shawl.  At least, that's what I'll be telling myself.

I've also discovered The Lost Geek is hosting a Library-A-Long. The purpose is to knit patterns collected in your library prior to 1/4/14. In my library there are more than a few that I could use for the LAL but I think I'll wait until I finish either the socks or the shawl. Then again, there are a few sweater patterns I could use.  DS1 has outgrown the sweater I knit him. The sweater Mamaw knit him still has growth room. Such is life.

Exciting times at my house lately; by typical standards nothing major is happening or planned. The latest excitement we've had is when DH has a day off during the weekend. Last weekend DH had Saturday off and while I know he most likely wanted to stay home a chill with the Things and me, we needed to go somewhere. We had to do SOMETHING, anything not home. It's not often I have these urges so when I do; nothing short of an army will change my mind. Poor DH ended up driving 2 hours each way with a car load of grumpy people. We left before breakfast but later than he had planned (my fault but he didn't tell me what the plan was for breakfast). One of the places we miss eating at is Shoney's but the nearest one is roughly half-way between home and the Montgomery, AL zoo. Leaving home there was a pair of HUNGRY toddlers in the backseat. After walking the almost dead zoo (very few visitors) for several hours and indulging in hot chocolate we left for home. Mommy was grumpy by that time. When we made it home, we laid the boys down for a nap that they didn't take but I sure took a good nap!  In fact, tonight, an early bedtime sounds good.