Rainy Rainy

It started raining at 3pm yesterday, and hasn't stopped. Just one of those steady, sometimes heavy, persistent rains that, while messy and inconvenient, we need so desperately here in Georgia. A good time for building a fire and reading or knitting.

I haven't posted anything about knitting in a while. I've finished several projects, and all that can be found on my Ravelry page- check out the links. I'm finishing the last bit of a pink cardigan---a cabled band that goes all around the edge--and it's 85 inches of 11 stitches and 10 row repeats. Terribly repetitive, and BORING. I allow myself to get up every 45 minutes or so and do something else. It should take me about 5 more hours, then I can block the pieces of the sweater and seam them up.

Above the links you'll see I've added a list of books I've read or am in the process of reading this year. I love to read and have a neverending stack on my bedside table. I buy books, and then MORE books, and then something else comes up..... I'm trying to read at least an hour or two a day. I also listen to unabridged books while I knit--the limit of my multitasking ability. Hopefully, the list will remind me to set aside more time to read. It truly is better for one's brain than the hopeless drivel on the idiotbox.

Speaking of the idiotbox, one great thing that just started last Sunday is the new season of Masterpiece Theatre, or "Masterpiece" as it's now called. The latest offering is a 12-week series "The Complete Jane Austen." And if you know me, you know I love Jane Austen. Sunday's offering was a 90-minute version of "Persuasion" which I enjoyed immensely. I'm looking forward to the next few weeks.

Back to the books- you may also notice that there are several India and Asian-inspired tomes....I'm trying to read up before a trip I am taking with my mom in March (here).
I've been fascinated with India and Hinduism ever since I took a world religions course. I know I won't get to see much in such a short time, but I do get to go here, which thrills me to pieces.

Enough stalling...back to the cable!

More Holidays

Well, even though it is Girl's 14th birthday (squeeeeeeee!!!) I will finish up the holiday postings....

We went to my cousin's house to visit with my cute second cousins, shown here with the Cutest Nephew

Christmas Eve meant going to church here and then to Jelly and Dude's house for supper. Much fun ensued with Karaoke compliments of my brother's crazy friend. Nothing like having friends who don't have children to pick the LOUDEST presents possible.

Christmas Day was a whirlwind of wrapping paper and food.

Brunch at Gran's with presents and cousins,

aunts and uncles,

and then we loaded up for the two hour trip north to El Dorado, Arkansas and Gran and D's

other house.

Christmas with D and my stepfamily.

It must have been all the excitement of the day to allow the Grumpy Guy and Boy to pack the roof rack THUS:

Do you note any problem?

Look closer:

So with much groaning, laughter, cussing, and repacking,

we were ready to leave early Boxing Day (or December 26th, for you non-Anglophiles...)

It was a long drive home-11 hours- but worth it, getting home and able to sleep in our "own widdle beds".......

Yet another holiday season successfully survived!!!!