'Tis the season to be frazzled!

We had our first real snow! Last Wednesday they called for "a dusting." When I left home at 8 a.m. for my usual 25 minute commute, it was just starting to flurry at home. The snow was falling a little heavier as I got closer to work. Not enough, however, for the traffic to spiral out of control. It took me an hour an a half to get to work! I had to see my first class during my planning time! Here is what the little courtyard outside of my classroom at 10 a.m. and again at 2 p.m.:


The next morning this is what we had at home:


Definitely more than a dusting! We got around 3 inches--maybe a little more. It was just enough to be pretty but not debilitating! School was 2 hours late the next day, which was more than fine by me! DH cleaned off my car for me!

Note where I am standing when I took this photo--inside the kitchen by the window! This is where I stand when I start my car every morning. DH bought me an autostart about 4 years ago and it is fabulous in this type of weather! I leave the defrost on when I turn the car off in the evening so that it comes on when I autostart the car!

I've gotten a lot of Christmas shopping done and hope to be done by this weekend. I went to G-Street Fabrics to get the supplies for my next major sewing project. I need a nice dress for my niece's wedding in January. I don't have an appropriate winter dressy dress so I decided to make this:

I am making view B--the black one. I planned on getting silk, but came across the most gorgeous Dana Buchmann brocade which is a polyester--though it certainly costs as much as silk. This brocade is unusual in that it has a herringbone weave in the background with the flowers being a satin weave. The color is a rich black:
The second fabric is a heavy silk satin which will be used for the contrast at the neckline. I've decided to line the dress also. I prefer lined garments and typically add lining whether the pattern includes it or not.


I will make the muslin and start the dress during Christmas week.

Knitting news--I've finished the body of the Tree Jacket and I'm happy with the fit:

I have to do the sleeves and I think I'll do them in the round. I made a boo boo in part of the body. I was nodding out one evening while I was knitting and messed up the lace in one part of the back.

I seriously considered frogging a few rows, but I always have issues with frogging rows with yarn overs in them. This is actually a small section in the back right at the waist. I don't think it is really that noticeable so I'll live with it. The yarn is scrumptious and feels wonderful on the skin!

I got my order from Little Knits in the mail. This yarn, Mondial Giada, is a sportweight 70/30 merino/silk blend. I love silk blend yarns. There are several Mondial yarns which are being discontinued. They are really a nice quality and Little Knits has them in stock at a really nice price. This yarn is a golden beige. It is to be used to knit the Gathered Pullover in the Winter edition of IK. I also put in a nice little order at Webs for some last minute Christmas yarn for some little projects and some cotton/microfiber blend to make the Pea Pod baby set. More on that later.


I really committed a fashion faux pas. I was seen in public in these:

I always hated the way Uggs look and I typically wear these as slippers. But I've taken to wearing them out on weekends and I don't have to wear socks with them.

Tonight I made these:

Part of the cookies for our knitting group's cookie exchange tomorrow night! It sounds like it will be really fun and we should all come away with a nice selection of different cookies to share with our families.

Bushism of the day:
"We need an energy bill that encourages consumption." —George W. Bush, Trenton, N.J., Sept. 23, 2002

Kitty Cam: Greg was caught lounging on the dining room table.