Winter

Last Weeks Snow Picture and 02/02/2020 is a Palindrome Date!

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Jan 2020 snow

I meant to post this earlier but got sick, and now I have a pinched nerve in my lower back, ugh.  Anyway this was almost 2 weeks ago, I think we got about 4 inches and on top of the snow we already had, we had about 6 inches on the ground.  Much of the snow is melting because the last few days have been above freezing and today it got up to 50!!!  It’s our normal mid winter thaw.  But colder temps are on the way and more snow, sleet and freezing rain, sigh.  BUT, March is right around the corner.  I know in the mid west, where I live that doesn’t really mean anything we can get snow into May, tho’ it’s usually done in April, 😛  but after this month the really low below 0 temps will get better.  So far it’s been a fairly mild winter, not to many below 0 temps, certainly not like last winter :).

Today was a Palindrome date, that is when the date looks the same forward and backwards :).  02/02/2020.  Just a cool little informational note :).

More Snow and Basia Hat Finished

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More Snow Feb 2019  We got 2 inches of snow on Sunday morning/afternoon, and from yesterday evening until this morning when I took the picture we got a little over 3 more inches of snow.  So the ground is once more white with snow, and more snow is on the way on Thursday or Friday, sigh.  I just keep saying Spring is right around the corner, Spring is right around the corner, Spring is right around the corner…..

Jennettes Basia hat1

I finished the Basia hat, and gave it to the intended recipient.  She was very pleased.  I knit this on size 4, 16 inch circular needle for the ribbing and changing to size 6, 16 inch circular needles and (at the end when it got to small around for the 16 inch needles) size 6 double pointed needles for the crown,  instead of going up a needle size for the slighter heavier wt yarn, causing it to be a bit denser and heavier.  I used the sport/DK wt Polypay, which dyed up a lighter brown, and a dark brown alpaca, which I hand spun as heavy fingering wt.  These two yarns used together was a heavier weight close to, but maybe a little heavier than the worsted wt called for and oh my it will be so warm.  I had promised my family member that I would hand spin alpaca for her hat, but since the Basia hat she chose calls for worsted wt and I truly did not want to want to have to do the math for the lighter wt yarn (I’m not a math person :P), I added the Sport/DK wt wool I had on hand which made it a little heavier than a worsted wt.  She is happy with the hat, and with the sub zero weather we have been having I’m sure it will be a welcome addition to her winter wear :).  I think you can see better the lighter and darker browns together and how they play well with each other :).  I forgot to get a picture before she left, she was kind enough to send me one for my blog ;).

Mid-Winter Thaw and Basia Hat Progress

/ LDSVenus

1st picture is what happens to 19 inches of snow when the weather is warm for 2 days,  We generally have a mid-winter thaw in the middle of January so it’s a little late but at least we have one.  The temps were 38 on Saturday, 43 yesterday and suppose to be 45 today but a cold front will be here later today so tomorrow we will be back in the 20’s during the day, but that is still much better than the sub zero temps we had last week.  If the ground hog is wrong about there only being 6 more weeks of winter, I’m going to make a big ground hog stew and invite you all over :P.

As you can see I didn’t get the Basia hat done, but I did work on it yesterday and only have 2 inches left before I start decreasing for the crown area, so it should be done tonight, yea!  My daughter will appreciate it now that the cold weather is back.  I really like the marled effect using the two colors of brown, adds a lot of visual to it.  I’ll try to catch that better when I get a picture of the finished hat :).

Hope you all are having a great first part of Feb, SPRING IS COMING!!!

3rd Substantial Snowfall for Winter 2018-2019

/ LDSVenus

3rd snowfall for winter 2018-2019 We got more snow over night.  The weather station said 5 inches but I think it was more like 4 inches, still it’s added to what we had last Friday into Saturday.  The biggest add on for this one was that yesterday morning was mostly freezing drizzle so we had a thin sheet of ice under the snow that happened later in the evening.  Yeah, slippery roads.  Also forecasted to have substantially below 0 temps on Thursday night (- 20F) and 0 on Friday, so with wind chills that could be very cold, and forecast for more snow Thursday thru next Monday, we will see how well the weather forecasters called it.  Good day (and week end) to stay in and maybe spin or knit :).  Hope everyone is safe and warm.

 

Fog Frost?

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Frost in the Trees

 

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Ok, I’ve lived in IA off and on for 11 years and I don’t remember having fog like we have had for the past several days, tho it did lift today, and I certainly don’t remember fog causing frost in the trees like this.  But it is beautiful.  I have another picture below.  I wish I had had my camera with me this afternoon when I was out and about, because there was a large group of trees in a snowy field and the frost on the branches stood out making a very stark picture against the sky, but oh so beautiful!

Closer view of the Frost on the branches

 

You can click on the pictures for a larger view.  We are having our mid winter thaw, and the temps have been in the 20’s and lower 30’s this last week and so far this week, however it is suppose to be maybe up to 42 this Saturday – woohoo!!  The mid winter thaw is almost like an early spring, but it goes away followed by more cold snowy winter until the real spring breaks forth.  Come on Spring!!!

Well as you probably already know, the Cowboys did not win their game on Sunday.  Actually they didn’t do very well at all.  But having said that, I was happy to have them make it to the playoffs this year, it shows that they are starting to get things together, now if they can just keep it together ;P.  I’m sure they will have a great year next year. 🙂

A Few Last Things for 2009

/ LDSVenus

Old Man Winter - 2009

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This was what we received from the blizzard that hit the midwest last week.  We got rain and freezing rain (mostly just rain) until the end and then we got about 4 inches of snow.  Much less than other area’s who received 2 or more feet.  Snow on the ground and covering the branches in the trees is such a pretty and peaceful sight, until you have to go out side and deal with it, and besides that it’s cold, brrrrr. 😛

The “Boys” are doing well.  They beat the Saints week-end before last, and their old arch rivals the Redskins, this last week-end.  They will face another newer arch rival this week-end, the Eagles.  If  the Cowboys win they will win their division.  Woohoo!  They’ve had a decent year this year :).  I hope they win, but even if they don’t they’ve had an exciting year.

I’m spinning more Llama for my son, I have one spool filled and am working on the 2nd spool.  When it’s full I can ply and hopefully will have enough for 2 more skeins.  Incase my grand daughter is reading, I am also knitting on your blanket, it’s cosy to sit on the couch and knit in the evening.

Thor, my awesome ferret, is finally finished sheding his summer coat and has a wonderfully soft and warm winter coat.  He’s fluffy and beautiful, and I have much less ferret fur to vacum up :P.

My Church is having a New Year’s Eve party Thursday evening.  I will be glad to usher out the old and ring in the new,  it’s just been one of those kinds of years, so I’m definately ready for the new and hoping for a better New Year. 

Wishing all a peaceful and wonderful New Year!