Peace and Joy......

At the end of my blogs threads I always sign off with "Peace and joy to you all..." This is an old Irish saying that I picked up several years ago. As I am Irish, Native American, and some other bits thrown in for good measure, that makes me just good old American. However, I relate to my Irish heritage and this saying sums up my hopes and wishes for everyone that I know and for the world in general. I think about what this means every single day and I try my very best to bring a little peace and joy when and where I can. This is a special time of year where peace and joy should abound, but more and more we hear of terror threats rather than stories of people showing love to one another. What's the song lyric, "Give Peace a chance..." Let's try it, heh!

The gifts are completed and purchased where necessary and tomorrow is my time to deliver a few gifts, make pies with DH and prepare my annual Feast of Seven Fishes dinner. And Saturday is a day to be thankful. I don't expect any of you to take time from your holidays to read this blog either. Enjoy your time, your family, your yummy dinners, etc...  Experience peace and joy in your lives.

One last knit-bit. Since the gifts are completed, I cast on for a large tote that I plan to felt. This is a gift from me, to me. I'm using Lion Brand Fisherman's wool - two strands - US 10 sized needles. I'll embellish it somehow, not sure what that will look like yet. I like how this yarn felts, but I have to knit it in stages as it seems to bother my eyes. As in my allergies flare up, like I'm in a house with many pets. Itching, sneezing, gritty feeling. DH takes care of me by keeping little vials of saline eye drops at the ready so that I can wash my eyes as I need (bringing me peace and less scratching.) I find lots of little twigs in this yarn as I knit it. I suspect that the allergen load left in the yarn after all the cleaning is a little high for my eyes. I have no problems with it after I have felted the object, which is great. This is the only 100% wool I've ever had any allergy problems with so that's good as well.

I love this color of brown and cream together. I have felted this before and I think it will look great when the project is complete. I almost used circular needles, but the stitches aren't too bunched up and I wasn't going to frog the whole thing for a little bunching. I mean I have 28 rows done and I'm just too lazy right to care to that degree. Frogging would not bring peace and joy,but rather stress and blue air. No, thanks!

So, there we have it, Christmas is here. I love this special season for numerous reasons. There will be lots of new things coming in the new year - another blog dedicated to knitting books, articles, etc.... a new web site, a new how to video and more pattern designs and lots more sharing right here in the Green Girl blog. Thank you one and all for your love, support and friendship. You have all brought peace and joy to my life.

I'm now signing off until after Christmas. Enjoy your holiday and as always...

Peace and joy to you all.....
The Green Girl