Happy New Year!

As another year ends, I am amazed at the speed with which each year passes. 

December sped faster than Kevin Harvick at Homestead! 

First, the local station's radio interview was a success, even though I was nervous. Heck, it was a first for me. The announcer, Brenda Murphy, was very nice, and was able to create an entertaining ten minute conversation. It was a great announcement opportunity to promote the book signing event of 12/20. I was so happy to see all the friends stop in and spend some time. Then my sister, Carol and her husband stopped in. That was even more surprising, since they traveled far and had recent health concerns.

After the book signing event, I was interviewed by the local newspaper, Dodge County Pionier. Gayle Rydstrom wrote the nicest article about me. She is a true reporter!

And to end the month, I got to help babysit Brynnlee and Weston, the two month old twins of Dave's son. We seem to have the touch!

It has been a wonderful year. I have been blessed with many happy times. I wish for all of you, a very Happy New Year!

Signing Books

Not more than a month ago, I was featured in the American Gift Knitting publication -- which was so exciting. A few weeks after that, when I was visiting my daughter in Minneapolis, I was delighted to deliver a copy to her. Especially, now that she is a budding new knitter. As I was leaving, like literally in my car, she insisted that I go back in the house and sign her copy of American Gift Knitting. Although, it felt silly and foreign and fun, I was really excited to share this moment with my daughter. It felt good to celebrate this moment. I was proud.

And now I'm excited to share this moment with you! There will be a book signing open to the public on December 20th at The Knitty Gritty Shop http://www.knittygrittyshop.com/ from 12:00 to 3:00. I would be incredibly honored to see you there, learn about your current knitting project and sign your copy of American Gift Knitting.

American Gift Knitting

The American Gift Knitting book arrived today! I'm so honored and humbled to have my Goose Mitts featured on page 51 with a photo of my project on the back cover. You can buy your copy here: 

Teaching My Daughter to Knit on Mother's Day

Today is my birthday. And, as birthdays go, we oftentimes spend part of the day, week or month surrounded in reflection of the previous year. One of my fondest moment of the year was teaching my daughter how to knit. On Mother's Day. 

This was her second ever encounter with knitting, which went far better than the first time back in the late 1980s. When she was growing up, I had knit all of her Barbie doll clothes. And around fifth grade she became interested in learning how to knit because she wanted to start her own projects. We started knitting a pink Barbie beach towel. She had very little patience as a child and quickly became frustrated with the project and with herself. And me. It all ended with a temper tantrum that launched the knitting needles across the room and through the stained glass doors of our built in hutch.

That was the end of her learning to knit. Or so I thought.

Fast forward 25 years later, and we sat down in her living room and began a new project: a grey coaster for her coffee mug. I couldn't be more proud to spend a this moment sharing one of my passions in life with one of my favorite people.

Here are a few photos of her first project and a photo of my grandson modeling the sweater I knit for him. All in all, it was one of the best weekends of the past year.