There's only about 8 1/2 hours of 2008 left here in the Pacific Northwest. In looking back, I can truly say that the year has been a very good one for us. Like everyone else, we've seen our investments take a tumble, but at least we have investments! In looking at my retirement account, it may have an impact on whether or not I can completely retire next year, but time will tell. Hubby, the sons, daughter-in-law, granddaughters, sisters, brothers and parents are all in reasonably good health. Life is good.
I spent today enjoying the fruits of my labor and some really nice Christmas gifts. Ben and Abby gave me an Amazon.com gift certificate and I bought Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a Day. I made my first loaf:
Yum! I think this is the best bread I've ever had – especially spread with my own homemade apple butter. I made white bread for hubby – he prefers it over whole wheat. I usually don't like white bread that much, but this was very good. I'm really looking forward to trying the whole wheat recipes with my own home ground wheat.
This afternoon, I fired up my iPod shuffle (thanks Dr. Olson) and loaded in some new tunes (thanks Allen for the iTunes gift certicate) and did some lace blocking while listening to The Priests. Talk about the voice of angels!! Lace and beautiful music – how good can it get?
Garden Shawl before:
And after:
I guess blocking a blue shawl on a blue carpet doesn't make for the best of pictures, does it?
Specs: Garden Shawl by Fiddlesticks Knitting
Yarn: Baruffa Cashwool
Needles: I forget – 2/3?? Something like that.
I will always think of this as Hester's shawl. I was working on it when she died and in the weeks after I immersed myself in it as a way of dealing with my grief. When Maggie arrived I was way too busy to focus on lace and put it away for a while. I'm glad to have it finished by the end of the year.
Our plans tonight are the same as most of our New Year's Eves. We plan to eat leftovers and attempt to stay up until 10:00 p.m. We are real party animals! Happy New Year!!
missouristar 
The bread book looks intriguing. I’m still enjoying using the bread machine I got last Xmas – the bread may not be artisanal but it’s fun and yummy.
The Garden Shawl is fabulous!
Our NYE celebration is a lot like yours. Happy 2009!
Mother Earth News has this recipe in it and I’m going to try it tomorrow. It will make a nice change over my usual sandwich loaf.
I love the shawl!
I used to stay up and watch the ball drop at 10 p.m. M.S.T. but now it’s really going to be midnight and I don’t think I’ll make it *lolol*
Yum. That bread looks delicious. Unfortunately I’m one of those people who need to start the new year off on a diet. Pants are getting tight and I didn’t save my larger sizes when I lost weight.
Hester’s shawl is lovely.
Happy New Year to you and your family.
I just got that book for Christmas, too. Can’t wait to bake, and knit, and read your blog this year!
You guys are party animals. We’ll be in bed by 9:00. I love that you named the shawl after Hester. It is so lovely, and so was she. Happy New Year!
The shawl’s another beauty Dorothy!
Happy New Year!
Beautiful shawl!
The bread looks yummy! I’ve been meaning to get around and make some for ages. Never seems to be enough time in the day.
That is exactly the book I want! The shawl is lovely. Happy New Year!
We spent Christmas at Disneyworld.
The bread looks wonderful, and your shawl looks even more wonderful. Did you enjoy the Baruffa? I have some in my stash, but shawl knitting will be on the back burner until 2010.
I love Fiddlesticks patterns. Well worth the money.
In the days before my first Scottie died, I bought the pattern and fabric for a Scottie quilt. It’s still buried downstairs somewhere. I couldn’t face it at the time. Maybe I’ll get to it in my retiremet years 😉
I’ve heard good things about that book on my baking list. They are supposed to be having a whole grain version coming out in 2009 so I am waiting. The bread looks yummy. The shawl is exquisite. I bet it felt good to get it completed.
Hester’s shawl is gorgeous! And the bread looks yummy. Happy New Year to all of your family!