~Thanks so much for all your nice compliments on the Bloomin’ Feet socks. A few people asked about the sock label so I thought I should link back to the post I wrote about how to make a sock label. Go here and read. Simple but a very nice touch on a pair of gift socks.

~We are having our Civil War Living History in memory of East Bridgewater native Frank Harlow this Saturday. I’d appreciate any thoughts for sunny weather as we have had pouring rain at this event the last two years. And, if anyone is going to be in the neighborhood and would like to come and see what we do, just let me know and I’ll send you directions and information.

~I shouldn’t even tell you this but I won another contest. I got a fabulous box of prezzies from Kirsten last week. There was candy and roving dyed by Kirsten as well as Koigu and Misti Alpaca yarn. Thanks for the terrific prize package, Kirsten!

~I like that when I see the national weather map on the morning news I can picture so many of you and know what type of weather you’re having. I worry about tornadoes, storms and wildfire, and rejoice when you’re having sunny, pleasant weather. It’s a great way to feel connected to our knitting community.

~As Lolly mentioned the other day, it seems like “going green” is becoming trendy. That can only be a good thing, I believe. I urge you to find one thing that you can do to make a difference in your carbon footprint. Change your light bulbs from incandescent ones to compact fluorescent ones, wrap your hot water heater with an insulating blanket, turn down your thermostat, use reusable grocery sacks, recycle more – there are lots of very simple things you can do. Something new that I found last week is www.greendimes.com and they will work to eliminate your junk mail AND plant a tree in your name every month. It’s only 10 ¢ a day and for a great cause.

~My current sock in progress. The pattern is Mad Weave from Sock Madness Round Four. I may be out of the competition but I’m still knitting the patterns and this one is very cool. The yarn is from A Piece of Vermont and I love the way it looks with the pattern – which I changed around a bit because I can now that I’m not knitting these competitively. And yet, I’m bored as hell with it and I don’t know why. But you know me, I’ll be plodding along and they’ll be finished soon. I’ll love them again when fall rolls around and there’s a brand new pair of wool socks in my drawer.

Have you read The Thirteenth Tale yet? You need to read this book. It’s got all the elements of a great gothic novel and the author sucks you right in with the first chapter. This book had me reading last weekend instead of knitting and you know how unusual that is these days. Really, read this book. You won’t be sorry.

~This profusion of daffodils is by my back door. They make me glad every time I walk by them. Why not order your fall bulbs now while you’re inspired by their beauty everywhere? You’ll receive them automatically when it’s time to plant them in the fall and next spring you’ll be glad, too.

*I had a dream the other night that I was at a fiber festival with Blogless Sharon and Lois. We were staying at a hotel and as I was getting ready to leave I said to Lois, “Listen, if you’re not winning then you’re losing and don’t let anybody tell you any different.” This is pretty far from what I believe when I’m awake so I’m intrigued by the fact that I said it so emphatically in a dream.

*Why is it that I can knit a pair of socks in 36 hours when it’s for competition but it takes me more than 6 weeks to finish a pair that’s not part of a competition? I’ve been working on these socks since February 16th and I’m just now getting to the gusset decreases on sock two. Sheesh.

*I came home to some junk mail on the kitchen table yesterday and Dale had edited the one from Sears just a little bit. I think he’s still feeling bitter about the fridge.

*I’ve kept track of the books I’ve read for many years. I finished a book the other day and went to record it in my notebook and was shocked to see that it’s the first book I’ve finished since January. This is pathetic for a librarian.

*I always listen to Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell at this time of year to psyche me up for Palm Sunday and Easter. Even after 30 years of doing this (I started in 7th grade) I never get tired of this music.

*After several years of talking about it, Dale and I have finally purchased a share in a local CSA. It will start in mid-June and I’m really excited to see what we’ll be getting each week.

*I won a prize in a contest over at Lisa’s and it arrived yesterday. I love prizes in general but a prize package that includes roving from dear Teyani and a book signed by the author plus chocolate – well, it doesn’t get better than that. Thanks, Lisa!

*Last week at “quilt night” not one of the 6 of us was actually quilting – we were all knitting. And yet we still call it quilt night. Go figure.

*Dale and I are holding a Civil War Living History in our home town. This is the third year we’ve done so and you wouldn’t think we’d have any problems. However, the committee who “oversees” the property is giving us a very hard time, claiming that we’ve left trash behind and stolen shingles off one of the buildings and then used those shingles for kindling. They say we refused to move cars that were parked on a septic system and that our guests were observed using the great outdoors for a bathroom rather than the portable facilities we provided. (That’s my personal favorite of this entire list of ridiculous accusations.) I wrote a three page letter to our Board of Selectmen about this committee. I feel better now.

I’ve been trying for weeks to come up with a new Good, Bad and Ugly post and it’s just not working for me anymore. So, I’ve got a new title for my random posts: Things That Make Me Go Hmmm.

And here are the things that have me hmmm-ing today:

*It’s very very cold here. The temperature yesterday was about 14° but the wind chill made it feel like -27°. I was desperate enough to drive the Suburban to work because of three little words: heated leather seats. The thing is a tank and takes forever to heat up but I don’t really care because my ass is warm.

*We had a snow squall on Monday afternoon. It only lasted about ten minutes but it covered everything with white stuff. I’m trying to like March, really I am, but this is so not helping.

*I finished Dale’s Cable Moss Vest last week and he’s been wearing it frequently. It fits him perfectly and he says it’s very warm. We haven’t taken photos yet but rest assured, they are coming.

*My dear friend Anne now has her own fiber shop, Wooly Wonka Fibers. Her stuff is gorgeous and the name is fabulous and I know she’ll be successful. She could probably make it just on what I’ve purchased and plan to purchase but you ought to go check it out for your own self.

*Sock Madness starts Saturday and I’m really excited. I’ve got my yarn and supplies and I’m ready to go. I don’t think my current sock in progress, pictured up above, will see much action for the next few weeks.

*I pre-ordered the new Interweave Knits Book Favorite Socks from Amazon.com weeks and weeks ago. I saw it in the store a few weeks ago but resisted because I knew Amazon wouldn’t let me down. Then I saw it at SPA and again resisted because surely Amazon would be sending it to me very soon. They are still showing it as only available for pre-order with an expected shipping date of April 2nd. I finally contacted them last week at JessaLu’s urging and they said the publisher hasn’t released it yet. I explained to them that it was widely available elsewhere but they said they still wouldn’t be shipping my copy until April 2nd. Sigh. I canceled my Amazon order and purchased it from Knit Picks instead. It arrived yesterday.

*Speaking of purchases, I scored a copy of Charlene Schurch’s Mostly Mittens on eBay last week for $36. Amazon is showing it for $240. I’m going to have to start re-thinking my love of Amazon.

*One thing I don’t have to re-think is my love of basketball and tonight we’re going to my very first ever Celtics game. Granted, it’s not the Dream Team of my youth, but Liz pulled this together and I think it’s going to be lots of fun.

And those are the Things That Make Me Go Hmmm today.