40 Days - Past the halfway point

I'm on Day 26 of Louhi. She had to go into time out the better part of last week because of a challenge I had with one of the charts. Found out that it wasn't me but the chart and after a bit of surgery, I was able to pick it back up and work on it over the weekend. There are a bagillion stitches in each row so progress is slow but steady. I'm not giving up hope but I'll be hard pressed to finish this in 40 days. Here's a quick shot of her Week 3:



Last week was a busy week. It started with a pleasant bang, with a request for me to meet with the Governor as part of a small group of early childhood educators and supporters. You could have knocked me over with a feather. Needless to say, I was in a tizzy all week. And for nothing. Gov. Kaine is the most down-to-earth, laid back public figure I've ever had the pleasure to meet. Here's a shot from the blurb that made it on the news. I'm the one in the shockingly bright green top...



We "chatted" with the Gov. for over 30 minutes. No one ever gets that kind of time with him. What an honor to have been a part of that opportunity. I even got to talk with him afterwards. I'm still shocked that I was asked to join the group.

The day before meeting the Gov., I hosted a Filipino cooking party. Some friends of a friend came over and taught me how to make lumpia and pancit - two of my childhood favorites! Yummmmmmmmmm.





And while Louhi was in timeout, I cast on for a Hokie bird version of Anna's latest creation, "Which Came First?"



and a Baby Kimono using Bernat Cashmere



Yes, indeedy. It was a VERY good week :)

40 days

For Lent this year, I decided to make a commitment - a challenge of sorts - instead of giving up something for 40 days and 40 nights. My challenge (albeit a shorter version): The Louhi Coat by Finnish designer, Tuulia Samela.



If you're on Ravelry, you can access her profile and designs HERE. Click HERE for her blog and the Louhi pattern.

I had forgotten how much I love cables until I started swatching for this project. The twists. The turns. I am so enamored with how each one develops. I'm 15 days into the project and I have a sleeve and am 70% finished with the hem strip.





All out knitting of the body will hopefully commence by this weekend. This thing is going to be blanket sized before its all said and done. This is the only instance where I'm glad that its still cold and will use it to keep me warm in the evenings. I'm sure that I'm overly ambitious in thinking I can finish this behemoth in 40 days but damned if I'm not going to try. By the way, the yarn is Patons Classic Wool in Denim Marl.

Ya'll, I miss my little puppy more than I can put into words. I came home after dropping Thing 2 off at school, opened the door and forgot that her little nose wasn't going to push it the rest of the way open in a possible effort to run away. I swear I think I saw her. I burst into tears, the kind that stain your face for hours and make your chest ache.



These sweeties have helped ease the pain. I can't help but smile when I see them guarding my knitting.





Just look at the detailed paws. Too cute for words. Order your favorite pet or animal from Wee Ones, if you must have some. Thanks CM. I. LOVE. Them!