Off the needles

An overdue update on some of my Christmas knitting... 

Here are some other projects that became gifts:

This is our niece Madeleine sporting her new wrap sweater.

This was the year of the cowl.  I made one for several of the lovely ladies on my list. 

Recent knits, not associated with Christmas:

 Made to order mittens to match the fruit hats

 Fingerless gloves for a co-worker's daughter

New hat for me; also made a matching cowl after I had fallen in love with the Christmas present ones

Another hat and cowl set (again for me) made from yarn bought in Switzerland!

**Still need to post the pic of Mr.P's new winter hat, but I haven't been able to take it hostage long enough to snap a picture.**



Switzerland Faves

I've tried to include links where possible, either to the actual place, a similar recipe, etc.  Enjoy your virtual tour of my Switzerland favorites!

Favorite Beverage:
--gluwhein (but lets face it, wine in general.  it's just so much cheaper there!)

Favorite Foods:
--chocolate (duh!  it is Switzerland)
--roesti  or here
--fresh bread
--ham/salami
--mandel kipfel (almond croissants with a delectable almond paste filling)
--Raclette

Favorite Activities:  (even if it is pretty much everything we did!)
--train rides!

--weihnachtsmarkt, or for those of us who are non German-speakers, "Christmas market"

--Christmas Eve service (real candles on the trees!)

--sledding...and gluwhein

--chocolate factory tour

--eating at the top of the Schilthorn in a rotating restaurant (maybe you've seen it in James Bond's On Her Majesty's Secret Service)

Please don't mind my hat hair and look of, "Did you take the picture YET??"

--hanging out with family, and getting to see the little niece walking
--checking out new towns

--going to the "Top of Europe"; feeling light-headed and sleepy at over 11, 000ft...not so much the highlight

--finding new yarn shops

--watching the big cow bell clangers on New Year's Eve

--going to a folk show:  seeing my husband blow into the alphorn (and rock it!) , listening to yodelers, and getting to play an instrument myself!

I'm way over on the right, next to the lady in the Swiss costume

 

Have any of you been to Switzerland?  What were your experiences? 

Vogue Knitting

Going HERE this weekend. 
       Did I mention it's in NYC???


Should be a blast. 

Get to hang out at my bro and sis-in-law's. 

And see my puppy "nephew". 

Learn new knitting tips and tricks.

And meet up with an old friend! 

Will have an update upon return.

Plus I still owe you a Switzerland update...and Christmas gifting update...looks like you'll have a lot to read over the next week!

Did you know it must be conference weekend?  Some of my other favorite bloggers are going to conferences as well:  Marta, ALT Summit; Katie, Blissdom. 

Are any of you going to conferences?

Have a great weekend all! 

Do tell, what are YOUR weekend plans?

Back from Hiatus and...Big News in Town!

I'm back from my blogging hiatus.  Mr. P and I spent the holidays in Switzerland and had a ton of fun!  Pics and more details to come, including yarn shops!!!

In the meantime, this is the big news in my city:  Taylor Swift's new music video "Back to December" was filmed here!  Some of the scenes are from the same side of town where my parents live, including the school where my mom teaches!  How cool, huh?  The info was just revealed in our newspaper this week.  I'm not a Taylor fan, but I did enjoy the video.  Watch it: