Finished Knitting 2014

I got 28 projects done in 2014.

Bronco Stripe Mitts

Pattern: Mens Fingerless Mitts by me.

Yarn: Plymouth Encore Worsted
Content: 75% Acrylic/25% Wool, worsted weight
Colors: Blue, Orange, and White

Needles: Addi Turbo Circulars size 6.

Cast on: December 9, 2014
Completed: December 19, 2014

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Bronco Stripes

Pattern: Be Kind by Melissa Simpson

Yarn: Plymouth Encore Worsted
Content: 75% Acrylic/25% Wool, worsted weight
Colors: Blue, Orange, and White

Needles: Addi Turbo Circulars size 6 and 7.

Cast on: December 2, 2014
Completed: December 9, 2014

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Cashmere Cowl

Pattern: Fine Art Cowl by Heather Dixon

Yarn: Mountain Colors Louisa
Content: 65% Cashmere/35% Silk, fingering weight
Color: Lady Slipper

Needles: ChiaoGoo Twist Red Lace Circular size 5

Cast on: October 20, 2014
Completed: November 28, 2014

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Charcoal Cuffed Mens Slippers

Pattern: A modification of Fuzzy Cuffed Ladies Slippers by me.
Size: Mens medium

Yarn: Northern Worsted by S.R. Kertzer, knit with 2 strands held together.
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Charcoal

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 10.5

Cast on: October 28, 2014
Completed: October 29, 2014

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Charcoal and Blue Cuffed Mens Slippers

Pattern: A modification of Fuzzy Cuffed Ladies Slippers by me.
Size: Mens large

Yarn: Northern Worsted by S.R. Kertzer.
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Charcoal

Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Dusty Blue

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 10.5

Cast on: October 30, 2014
Completed: November 3, 2014

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Tan and Blue Cuffed Mens Slippers

Pattern: A modification of Fuzzy Cuffed Ladies Slippers by me.
Size: Mens large

Yarn: Caron One Pound.
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Tan

Yarn: Unknown acrylic
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Variegated tan, blue, green

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 10.5

Cast on: November 4, 2014
Completed: November 6, 2014

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Tan and White Shrug

Pattern: Fancy Flossy Shrug by me.
Size: 60 inches from cuff to cuff.

Yarn: Mink by Jo-Ann Sensation Yarns
Content:100% Polyester, bulky weight

Color: Tan

Yarn: Caron One Pound

Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Tan

Yarn: Gala Mixed Fiber Novelty from BigLots!

Content: Acrylic/Polyester/Nylon, bulky weight

Color: Variegated tan, white, and grey.

Needles: Chiagoo size 10 and 15

Cast on: September 21, 2014
Bound off: October 13, 2014

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Green Sparklies Shrug

Pattern: Fancy Flossy Shrug by me.
Size: 56 inches from cuff to cuff.

Yarn: Aldemir Yumos
Content:100% Polyester, bulky weight

Color: Green with gold metallic

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver

Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: 633 Dark Sage

Needles: Chiagoo size 10 and 15

Cast on: October 14, 2014
Bound off: October 28, 2014

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Sparkling Green Shrug

Pattern: Fancy Flossy Shrug by me.
Size: 60 inches from cuff to cuff.

Yarn: Aldemir Yumos
Content: 100% Polyester, bulky weight
Color: Green with gold/aqua sparklies

Yarn: Red Heart Supersaver
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Green/Blue variegated (discontinued)

Needles: Chiagoo size 10 and 15

Cast on:  September 1, 2014
Bound off:  September 20, 2014

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Little Garter Checks in Black

Pattern: Little Garter Checks by me.
Size: Mens Large

Yarn: Vintage by Berroco
Content: 50% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 10% Nylon, worsted weight
Color: Black

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 5

Cast on: August 24, 2014
Completed: September 13, 2014

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My Mermaid Hat

Pattern: Regina by Carina Spencer

Yarn: Quaere Fibre Worsted weight 100% SW Merino
Content: 100% superwash Merino wool, worsted weight
Color: A Tardis in the Park

Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash

Content: 100% superwash wool

Color: 1973 Seafoam Heather

Needles: Addi Turbo circular size 6 and 9

Cast on: September 5, 2014
Bound off: September 11, 2014

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Boot Socks for Frank

Pattern: Maritime Woll Socks by Simone Van Iderstine

Yarn: Ella Rae Lace Merino Worsted
Content: 100% superwash Merino wool, worsted weight
Color: No. 1, Brown Violet

Needles: Addi Turbo circular size 6

Cast on: July 29, 2014
Bound off: August 16, 2014

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Victory Tam

Pattern: Victory Tam by Rohn Strong

Yarn: Made In America's Wayfarer
Content: 100% wool, fingering weight

Colors: Meadow, Sand Dune, and Mud Puddle

Needles: Addi Turbo circular size 2 and 4

Cast on: June 4, 2014
Bound off: June 14, 2014

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Sweet Niggles Socks

Pattern: by me

Yarn: Kollage Yarns Sock-a-licious
Content: 70% Merino/20% Nylon/10% Silk, fingering weight

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Neon Now

Content: 75% Wool/25% Nylon

Needles: Addi Turbo circular size2

Cast on: February 22, 2014
Bound off: May 30, 2014

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Knit Hat with Wide Brim

Pattern: Not available

Yarn: Cestari Heather Collection in Natural
Content: 75% Cotton/25% Wool, dk weight

Needles: Addi Turbo circular size1

Cast on: May 24, 2014
Bound off: May 25, 2014

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Knit Hat with Slightly Narrower Brim

Pattern: Not available

Yarn: Cestari Heather Collection in Natural
Content: 75% Cotton/25% Wool, dk weight

Needles: Addi Turbo circular size2

Cast on: May 25, 2014
Bound off: May 29, 2014

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Beads in the Green Silk Mohair

Pattern: Not available

Yarn: Elann Silken Kidd in Forest Mist.
Content: 70% Super Kid Mohair/30% Silk, lace weight

Needles: Addi Turbo circular size1

Cast on: May 13, 2014
Bound off: May 19, 2014

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Little Lavender Lace Ruffled Sweater

Pattern: Refined Ruffles

Yarn: Sugar Rush by Queensland Collection.
Content: 100% Sugar Cane, fingering weight

Needles: Addi Turbo circular size 0

Cast on: May 9, 2014
Bound off: May 12, 2014

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Little Pink Lace Ruffled Sweater

Pattern: Refined Ruffles

Yarn: Elann Silken Kidd in Orchid.
Content: 100% Super Kid Mohair/30% Silk, lace weight

Needles: Addi Turbo circular size1

Cast on: May 6, 2014
Bound off: May 8, 2014

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Little Pink Cowl Neck Sweater

Pattern: Not available.

Yarn: Elann Silken Kidd in Orchid.
Content: 100% Super Kid Mohair/30% Silk, lace weight

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 0 and 1

Cast on: April 30, 2014
Bound off: May 2, 2014

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Flecktone Mitts

Pattern: Flecktone by Susan Moskwa
Size: Ladies Medium

Yarn: Schachenmayr Nomotta Bravo Color
Content: 100% Acrylic, dk weight

Needles: Chaiogoo size 4

Cast on: April 9, 2014
Completed: May 1, 2014

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Twisted Stitch Mitts

Pattern: Twisted Stitch Mitts by Amy McElwain
Size: Ladies Medium

Yarn: Vintage by Berroco
Content: 50% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 10% Nylon, worsted weight
Color: 51191 - Blue Moon

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 4

Cast on: March 17, 2014
Completed: April 2, 2014

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Margaretes Fingerless Gloves

Pattern: Margarete Fingerless Gloves by Sybil R
Size: Ladies Medium

Yarn: Astra by Patons
Content: 100% Acrylic, sport weight
Color: Ocean Mist

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 4

Cast on: April 2, 2014
Completed: April 9, 2014

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Starry Night Pendant Bag

Pattern: Bead Knitted Pendant Bags by Theresa Williams

Size: 2.5 inches

Yarn: DMC size 8 Pearl Cotton
Content: 100% Cotton
Color: Black

Beads: Size 10 Czech Cut seed beads
Color: Mixed metallics and iris

Needles: Size 0000 Double Pointed

Cast on: January 27, 2014
Completed: March 25, 2014

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My Gansey

Pattern: White Gansey by Beth Brown-Reinsel

Size: To fit me.

Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool
Content: 45% Wool/35% Silk/20% Nylon
Color: Oxblood

Needles: ChiaoGoo size 4 and 6

Cast on: December 23, 2013
Completed: March 22, 2014

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Optimistic Mitts

Pattern: Optimistic Mitts by Devin Joesting
Size: Ladies Medium

Yarn: Vintage Colors by Berroco
Content: 50% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 10% Nylon, worsted weight
Color: 5228 - Storyteller

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 5

Cast on: January 25, 2014
Completed: March 10, 2014

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Little Pink Tunic

Pattern: Not available.

Yarn: Queensland Collection Sugar Rush in light pink
Content: 100% Sugar Cane, sport weight

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 0 and 1

Cast on: January 28, 2014

Bound off: January 31, 2014
Completed: February 28, 2014

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Granite Mitts

Pattern: Granite Mitts by me
Size: Ladies Medium

Yarn: Vintage by Berroco
Content: 50% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 10% Nylon, worsted weight
Color: 5166 Sakura

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 5

Cast on: February 19, 2014
Completed: February 22, 2014

WIP Wednesday 1/29/2014

Wow! The first month of the year is almost over already. Where. Did. It. Go? You don't have to answer that.

So, this is the first WIP Wednesday post of the year. Woo hoo! I've been starting things. For several weeks the only project I had going was the Chocolate Cephalopod. Now I can have as many as I want going all at once. So this was the week of starting. In most recently started order:

Yesterday I cast on for a doll sweater. Pink is the order of the day. I've got a whole bunch of ideas for doll sweaters. Gotta get that web business off the ground this year.

I've also started what I call The Librarian Project.

I'm going to make a pair of fingerless mitts for all the librarians at the Rathdrum Library. They have put up with me and our little knitting group meeting there on every Tuesday for a few years now. They deserve a gift.

Since my last post, I've finished the knitting on the back of my Gansey, and I'm just 2 stitch patterns from finishing the front.

I'm really enjoying this project very much. Just as I get tired of a stitch pattern, it changes. Keeps me interested at all times. I've purchased yarn to make more Gansey sweaters. 2014 is the year of sweaters for me.

I haven't cast on yet, but I've got the yarn and pattern for a pair of mukluks I'm going to knit for my cousin Susie.

Six colors of worsted weight Berroco Vintage. Apparently, my grandmother used to knit a lot of mukluks for the family, including Susie. She is wishing for a pair. I shall oblige.

I have yarn on order for 2 more projects, which I'll talk about when the time comes.

So, about that dry January. Last night the snow returned. I woke up to 6 inches of the stuff.

We need a garage in the worst way.

It's still coming down and is expected to keep coming down for the next few days. In fact, we've got winter storm warnings for tonight. We're getting whomped by mother nature. 6-12 inches predicted for our area to fall between 9pm tonight and 4am tomorrow. As much as I dislike snow, I'm glad it's here. We really need it in the mountains. Guess I will dust off the snow shovel today.

If you're interested in participating in WIP Wednesday, please join us.


Live long and prosper. \\//

Tila Trellis

I have not been beading for several weeks, mostly because I didn't feel like it and didn't really have the time. This weekend I feel like, finally, things are slowing down a bit and I can catch my breath. Suddenly, the need to bead hit me. The January challenge for the Seadbeadersters group is making something with the 2-hole Tila beads. I've been dying to try them out ever since they first came out, what, 2 years ago? Maybe more? I dug out a pattern and the beads and got busy. It felt so good to be beading again.

This is the Tila Trellis bracelet by Svetlana Chernitsky from the October 2013 issue of Bead and Button magazine.

I love this bracelet! It feels so fluid and drapes wonderfully around my wrist.

It was so easy to make too.

It's done in netting stitch.

I've used Tilas in a matte metallic golden rainbow finish, Superduos in the brown and white Picasso finish, bronze size 11 seed beads, bronze Delicas, Golden Shadow 3mm Swarovski Bicone crystals, a tiny little bit of light topaz silver-lined size 15 seed beads, and dark bronze drops. The clasp is an antique gold-finished pewter toggle and loop I bought at Firemountain Gems.

I love how the Superduos look woven together like this.

I see myself wearing this bracelet a lot.

I should mention that Seadbeadersters is no longer a Yahoo group. We moved to Facebook because the new group format in Yahoo no longer worked for our needs. I like our new home. It's easier for me to follow the conversation threads, and I get a lot less email too.

Our snow has all melted away. We still have large areas of ice, and the ground is hard as a rock. But no snow. It feels a bit weird not having snow halfway through January. As much as I dislike the stuff, I understand that we need it. Especially up in the mountains. So I'm kind of hoping this high pressure system hovering over us will move on and we'll get our timely snow.

My hot tub broke this week. For some reason, the pipes attached to the pump have sprung leaks. I went out to sit in the hot water and relax with a good book and a nice cocktail. When I lifted the lid, the water was half gone. I noticed a puddle on the lawn. Phooey! We've shut everything down and drained the water. I don't know if it can be fixed or not. I guess we'll find out. In the meantime, I'm gonna miss being able to use it.

Live long and prosper. \\//

WIP Wednesday 1/15/2014

I returned by plane from northern Michigan last night. I had an excellent uneventful flight home. Everything ran on time and there was no bad weather. In fact, all three legs of my journey went better than expected. I got window seats all the way, and the seat next to me was empty all the way. I can't ask for more than that.

The trip went well. We had a memorial gathering for my father rather than the traditional funeral service. My sisters and I provided a potluck type meal for everyone. It was all family that attended. I saw cousins I hadn't seen since I was a teenager. It was great catching up with everyone.

I enjoyed the time I got to spend with my two sisters too. We hadn't been together in a long time. We caught up on each others lives and whatnot. My sister, Liane, and her husband, Lowell, and I stayed at my sister Jodies house. Liane and I did quite a bit of cooking. Jodie doesn't cook, so we really spoiled her husband, Dale, with our fantastic cooking skills. He's gonna miss us a lot.

My sisters and I.

I took my gansey with me on the trip and got quite a bit of it done. I'm halfway through the arm gussets.

I've finished the first 2 sets of stitch patterns. The first one is a zigzag. The second one is a basket-weave or checkered pattern. I've altered the checkered one. The original pattern is 8 sets of 3 rows high. I changed it to 6 sets of 4 rows high. I like it much better.

I finished that section on the plane last night. I've got 5 plain rows now, and then it's the next stitch pattern. I've really been enjoying this project. It's been very calming for me. I feel like I've got Daddy with me when I'm knitting. He's right there watching me make the stitches.

While I was away, my order for 16 skeins of Berroco Vintage DK arrived.

The color is quite a bit darker than I expected. More a navy blue, but it does have the purple haze in it.

I love the color and will use it for what I planned, which I'll get into another day.

That's it for WIP Wednesday until next time.

If you're interested in participating in WIP Wednesday, please join us.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Going Offline

Yesterday my father passed away peacefully in his sleep. Daddy was 77 years old. My father gave me my biggest and best passion. He taught me how to knit when I was just 9 years old. I will always be grateful to him for having done that.

Rest in peace my sweet gentle Daddy.

Daddy in the army. This pic was taken in 1957 in a Salt mine somewhere in Germany.
 Daddy is the second fellow from the left on the train.

Daddy when we visited him in June of 2010, sitting on
his favorite possession, his 4-wheeler ATV.

I will be offline for a couple weeks taking care of his funeral and whatnot. I will get back to blogging after I return.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Sad News

Early New Years morning my father had another massive stroke. He won't be recovering from it. I knew this was coming, but now that it's here, I'm finding it very hard to deal with. I love my daddy so much. Now we're just waiting for his body to stop. I hate this.

Knitting Year in Review

Good heavens but I knit a lot of stuff in 2013! I have 45 finished projects! Granted, most of them were relatively small. Lots of mittens, slippers, and doll items. Still, that's a LOT of knitting. I've made a little collage of them all.

For the record, I knit:
4 pairs of fingerless mitts
7 pairs of regular mittens
2 baby sweaters
2 baby hats
2 adult sweaters
2 shrugs
9 pairs of adult slippers
1 cowl
1 beaded amulet pendant
15 assorted doll items

I'm looking forward to finding out what I finish in 2014.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Happy New Year

Wishing everyone a joyous New Year!

In Case You Thought I Stopped

After I finished Franks Chocolate Cephalopod, I did not stop knitting. Uh uh. No way. Never! I finished another pair of slippers.

Fuzzy Cuffed Ladies Slippers

Pattern: Fuzzy Cuffed Ladies Slippers by me, made for Knitwits.
Size: Womens 8-10 inches

Yarn: Northern Worsted by S.R. Kertzer, knit with 2 strands held together.
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Charcoal

Yarn: Aldemir Yumos
Content: 100% Polyester, bulky weight.
Color: Rainbow Black

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 10.5

Cast on: October 17, 2013
Completed: December 20, 2013

In addition to finishing the slippers, I've written up a pattern for how I make them. You can find it on my pattern blog here:  Fuzzy Cuff Ladies Slippers

I've been thinking about what I want to knit in 2014. I think I'm going to concentrate more on sweaters. Specifically, sweaters for me. Finishing Chocolate Cephalopod has been a huge inspiration to myself. I can make sweaters in a reasonable amount of time if I put my mind to it! I've already cast on the first one.

I originally was going to use this yarn for the Alice Starmore St. Brigid, but I've changed my mind. What I really want right now is a Gansey. I love gansey sweaters and have always wanted one for myself. I have Beth Brown-Reinsel's book Knitting Ganseys. I'm going to make the White Gansey pattern from this book. Of course, mine isn't white. It's a deep wine color. The yarn is a silk and wool blend. 

I'm thinking about starting a pair of socks, and of course there's the Knit Wits projects. I've been doing slippers. I think I'm gonna go back to making mens mittens for awhile. To be honest, I'd rather knit a couple baby sweaters, but we need the mittens more. Almost everyone in the group makes baby stuff. We don't get enough mens items.

Yes, a nice brand new year to fill up with more knitting. Yay!

I also want to get back to beading. I've been missing it.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Christmas Loot

I've had a very nice Christmas. Christmas Eve was dinner at the in-laws. There was quite a crowd of us, and so much food! Everyone brought 2 or 3 different dishes. There was 3 meats, 2 kinds of potatoes, several salads, sauteed mushrooms, cheeses, fruits, and breads galore! I didn't get to taste everything. I filled up on just the first plate of samples. My donations to the meal were strawberry jello salad, roast boneless leg of lamb (that was out of this world delicious!), and apple crisp for dessert. After dinner we exchanged presents. After distribution, I had one loaf of Panettoni bread left over. It will be eaten by us. Yum! There was also the usual assortment of wines, beer, candies, jams, and baked goodies from the family that were gifts. I've put some in the freezer to eat later.

Christmas day was a good one too. I woke up around 7a.m. to the sound of Cable hurling all over the bedroom carpet. Not exactly the way I want to wake up. Too much lamb the night before, I think. So I got up to clean up the mess and decided to stay up. I made coffee, then dug into my stocking. Later Doug and Ruth got up and we opened presents. Here is what I call my Christmas Loot. I must have been very good this past year. Very very good, indeed.

I scored big on chocolates. Lovely creamy tasty chocolates. YAY! This pile will probably last me until the end of February at least.

Grumpy Cat was a huge surprise! I am thrilled to have her. I am a huge fan. She will reside on my bed. Chenille is very jealous.

I also got a bottle of Maple finished Crown Royal Canadian whiskey, a second set of Chiagoo Twist Red Lace interchangeable needles. WOO HOO! I've been wanting a second set, for knitting in the round with 2 circular needles. I never thought I'd find knitting needles better than the Addi Turbos, but these are way above them. I also got some Clover pom-pom makers, and a couple new decks of Bicycle playing cards.

The adorable little Christmas ducks were in my stocking. Something to play with in the hot tub. And the biggest surprise of all, a new watch.

Sweet Hubby said he went on Amazon and searched 'knitting'. This came up in the search and he knew it had to be for me. I am so touched that he thought to do that. I love love love this knitting watch!

My sister-in-law, Kathryn, gave me this wonderful set of bowls. I didn't have anything like this in my kitchen. I have very few Christmas themed dishes. These are especially cute.

Later in the afternoon we went to our friends, Don and Phyllis, house for Christmas dinner and playing cards. The meal was delicious. We had turkey and the trimmings. Phyllis also made a cheesecake for dessert that was super delicious. I wish I could have eaten more than I did, but my tummy can't handle large quantities of food. So, moderation is in order. When we were getting ready to come home, Phyllis offered to send cheesecake leftovers home with us. I turned her down. Now I wish I hadn't. It would have been great for breakfast. However, we've got enough sweets in the house right now.

Yesterday we went and saw the new Hobbit movie.

 I enjoyed it immensely! It doesn't follow the book exactly, but it is a wonderful story none-the-less. The dragon is awesome! The scene with Bilbo when he finds the dragon is amazing. I can't imagine how much work went into the cgi for those scenes. All those gold coins to draw. The movie ended perfectly too. I won't tell it cuz I don't wanna spoil it for you if you haven't seen it.

Today it's snowing, off and on. Christmas is over, and now we have the dull dreary business of getting through winter.

Live long and prosper. \\//