I was persuaded by a couple of friends to go on the first ski trip of 2008 yesterday. Ann-Tove and Harald Arne are both very outdoor types who loves to be out in the wild, and I like it too, only someone need to persuade me out of the house first. I hadn’t had skis on my feet for over a year, but was very happy at last that I came along. The skiing itself took only about an half hour, before we arrived at a small ice-covered lake. An icy wind blew across it, but Harald Arne found a quiet nook where we lit a fire, and drilled holes in the ice to fish through. If you haven’t tried this before, I highly recommend it, just bring some warm clothes and something to sit on. And plenty of food and drink, as fishing and skiing makes you hungry.

We did some fishing first, then had a long coffee break by the fire in the wood.

Going home in the afternoon was nice and easy. We had the wind in our backs, a beautiful view and downhill slope all the way back to the cars.

And we actually caught some fish. Meaning: -Harald Arne got 6, I got one, and Ann-Tove was completely out of luck and got none. Shit happens.

A few more pictures here.

I got my Ravelry-invite a few days ago, and have been very busy looking around in there. So many people, fascinating creations with yarn, and so many projects I’d like to try. Plenty of free patterns too. I have only uploaded one project, but more will come eventually. If you like to knit and crochet, why not get an invite yourself, and be inspired? Just sign up, and your invitation will come in only a few days.

Right, my third pair, my pink striped socks, made from some old yarn, and some new. The gray yarn is at least 20 years old, and something I got from my grandmother, but never got around to use until now. And it’s STRONG, a really tough yarn that will make my socks last for (hopefully) a long time. As for the stripes, I’m SO into pinks and reds these days, I think it must be that spring is coming closer for each day.

Remember this post? I’m referring to the last two pictures in the post. All those unfinished squares turned into an afghan eventually.

It took almost a year, but now I’m finished with it. All that work, – it was a heavy and warm piece of crochet-thingie to hold on my lap while I finished the last rounds. Most of the colored yarn in the squares are old leftover yarns from years back, but I had to buy all the offwhite. A “few” skeins, but I didn’t count them:)

It fits perfectly to my bed, but before I use it I need to redecorate my room, or else I will lose sleep from all the color crashes. My bedroom is orange and brown right now (not my doing), and will be painted white or eggshell later this year. I was inspired by a post at Alicia Paulson’s lovely blog Posie Gets Cozy last winter, and I decided then and there that my bedroom is going to look like this, only with more pink and purple details. My determination hasn’t changed.

At the ripe age of 46 I finally decided to learn how to knit a pair of socks. I felt like I was taking up the heritage after my grandmother, who knitted socks for the entire family all the time. I suppose I’m reaching that age when the younger generation can come to me and request a new pair. The recipe I use was found in an old Gjesdal catalogue, no 60, very basic socks. Læsta, as we call them here.

“Say, Bella, how do you like my new socks?”

“You want my opinion? For days I’ve had my nose poked about a million times by those stupid sticks, when all I wanted was time to cuddle. Will you give it a break??”

Sorry Bella. I get a little obsessed when I learn something new, so maybe I have neglected cuddle-time with my cats for a while. I’ll make it up somehow. Later, after I’ve finished my fourth pair. The cats can wait:)

Here’s the second pair, made from different gray sock-yarns. All of it leftovers I got years ago from my grandmother and great aunt. Third and fourth pair coming up soon!

…and my kids are going back to their schools. Terese left before NYE, Simon leaves on saturday and Amanda on sunday. It’s always sad when they leave, and I miss them, but I’m getting used to it, slowly. Not having kids at home anymore is a new experience, and I’m trying to adjust. Knowing in my heart that they probably never will be back to live with me, is a little unsettling and sad, and that being a full time mom is an era I have left behind. This is what all teenage parents go through, and it takes some time to get used to the quietness.

Well it’s not all bad, no kids at home also means that I find things where I left them, there’s always clean towels and glasses, no noisy hoardes of teenagers rummaging my fridge in the middle of the night, when I try to get some sleep before going to work, no strange bugs on my computer, and also the quietness….and I could go on! I have more time for myself, and my crafting, and as long as I manage to keep a positive outlook, I’m fine. They will be home most weekends to mess the house up anyway. Which is good!

Sunday is the 13th day of christmas, so traditionally the tree goes out, the stars and the rest of the christmas junk comes down, and the house gets cleaned. A busy day, and strangely satisfying to see it all packed away in boxes. Until next advent, when it makes me so happy to pull out the boxes and hang it all up again. I did get a few holiday craft-projects off the ground before christmas, and here is one, a white painted wreath of pine cones and nuts, inspired by an article in the winter edition of Marie Claire Idees. Which, btw, is an excellent magazine if you are short of ideas for crafting, or just need a little inspiration and eye candy.

Photos from the small, but enthusiastic firework at Sverrebrygga last night. I stayed long enough to enjoy the sights, and nip at a glass of champagne served by Gunnhild and Willy. Then it was off to bed, as I had to rise early the next morning for work.

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There’s a pre-programmed menu in my camera called firework, and last night I gave it a shot for the first time. Fun fun. These pictures give me associations to exotic flowers as well as firework. So pretty!