YOP: Week 51

     I finished up my swap and got my package mailed yesterday.  More on that hopefully next week once my swapner gets her package.  I was able to go down to Syracuse Wednesday.  I had lunch with my former colleague and mentor Sal and then took myself yarn shopping.  It was really nice catching up and our lunch was delicious.  We went to a noodle place that has very good ramen and dumplings among other dishes.  Then I went to Yarn Cupboard in Jamesville, which is just outside Syracuse.  I got a skein of yarn for my swap and I also picked up the yarn for my next long term project.  I've been wanting to make Butterfly Papillion for several years and decided to finally take the plunge.  I got the Urth yarns specified in the pattern.  This is also Christmas for me from my husband.  

I also had Susan order me enough Malabrigo Rios for another Killer Queen Cowl.  Since it's been very cold here I've been using my Killer Queen and it's soft, warm and perfect, so I'll be doing one in a more purple/blue color palate.  I also stopped at Wegman's to pick up the last few goodies for the swap.

Once I got back from Syracuse I made a double batch of Challah.  I turned half into rolls and the other half into two braided loaves.  Our work holiday party at Carthage was Thursday and Lewis County did a food thing on evenings, so I took bread to both.  I think my secret santa liked the things I made her.  I made two nice and thick pot-holders and then a large casserole sized trivet.  

I used a table runner tutorial for the trivet and lined it with Insul-bright.  I think it turned out pretty good for my first try at this style.  I want to make a couple for myself now.  My secret santa mentioned she wants to start canning so I got her a couple canning tools to go with these pot holders for a full canning themed ensemble.  I received a nice basket with a big coffee mug, a candle, a Christmas decoration and a sparkly throw pillow.  My daughter claimed the pillow immediately.  I'm going to use the basket as a cady for all my knitting stuff beside the couch.  Speaking of the couch.  My pile of project bags was getting too big and falling over so I cleaned them all up today.  I weighed my left overs and put them away along with the needles in each bag and the bags themselves.  Then the gift for my parents came and I spent the rest of the afternoon uploading pictures to the digital picture frame.  

I'm done with my two classes.  I got an A in the medical terminology class.  The grades aren't back yet for the cursed Communications class.  I think I did fine, judging by what grades I could see.  I'm very glad that class is done and I can promptly forget everything I "learned" over the semester.  

I'm going to start looking ahead to next year and loosely making plans.  I, for sure, want to get back into reading.  Several books came out in the two series' that I was reading before I went back to school.  I also really want to start the Outlander books.  As far as knitting I'll probably play fast and loose with my plans like other years.  

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, I hope yours is merry and bright.  Until next time, happy crafting.

-Q