Winter Wrap-Up

Report: December 2010 and January 2011

As December began I couldn't help but hope that we would have our first white Christmas. So for the month I rolled pies like a maniac, did a bit of holiday shopping and continued to adjust to cold weather with the confirmation that it would just get colder. All with the hopes of seeing white flakes flutter to the ground while enjoying a ham dinner and wearing our prerequisite socks from Santa. Alas, Christmas was just as green here as it is in California. No matter what our holiday was great!

I did try to acquire some new skills in December at a wool spinning and knitting class. There seems to be a huge draw to warm woolen items so I figured to blend in I would try my hand at some old world skills. The results are as follows...

Spinning Wool :

With the above pictured drop spindle I should be able to attach the fiber and spin it  into a proper yarn.

My first attempt doesn't seem to look right...hmmmm.

My second attempt felt better...but could still use some serious work.

Here's an example of some hand spun local wool I purchased from a shop in town. *Sigh* guess I need a bit more practice.

Knitting :

I seem to have taken to knitting like a champion. The above scarf was finished in time to send to Mom for  Mothers Day.

This is my most difficult project to date. I will never look at lace style knitting the same ever again.

Old world skills are nice and I do have a new found appreciation for all the work I see as far as knitting is concerned. I did make the decision that spinning will not be something I tackle this year. It takes a level of patience that I haven't seemed to master. For now I'll purchase someone else's beautiful yarn and be content.


With January upon us we hunkered down and got some serious weather. Most of our days looked like this...

Chocolate Lake across the street from the apartment.

Our view from the bus stop.

The lake covered in snow.

Every branch was covered no matter where we looked.

But my favorite picture of the month was:

I asked the gentlemen about the beer and he said it's the best way to keep it cold between bus stops.  These Canadians sure are particular about their beer temperature.

I would just like to thank Eddie Bauer and Helly Hanson at this time for making such rockstar winter weather gear, it's the only way we survived...well, I think booze factored somewhere in there too. A lot of folks asked  if we would like a sip from their flask to keep us warm since we looked pretty sad waiting for the bus most days. There's nothing like living in the land of pocket flasks to make a person want to sample imported scotch when it's 10 degrees below freezing.

Eagle Out