Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

It has been the worst winter storm to hit Oklahoma since December 2000. And let me tell you, when it snows here, the city shuts down. Dear Hubby is from Wisconsin, where ice and snow such as we currently have laying about is a daily occurance. Schools and government offices shut down? Ha! They'd need feet of snow before such a thing came to pass. But here? Three little inches of snow fell yesterday -- of course that was on top of the inch of ice that coated the streets the night before -- and the city has shut down for two days. Ok, maybe I'm underestimating things a bit. The folks north of OKC did get upwards of 10 inches. And, after living here for a few years, I believe that the main reason the city shuts down is to prevent the overly confident SUV and 4-wheel drive owners who normally dominate the roads from piling up in the ditches like so many snow drifts. See, these folks seem to believe their vehicles make them invincible to ice on the roads.

But all this inclement weather has enabled me to catch up -- and catch you up -- on all the fabulous knitting that yours truly is up to. Ah winter. Nothing like a little frigid weather to put one in mind of fabulously warm knitted things made with alpaca and other fabulous fibers. First off, I finished the two-tone red scarf scarf last seen as a WIP (work in progress) in the Dallas-Ft Worth International Airport. It is oh so clever with a hole in the middle to tuck one end through to tighten it. Then, I picked up some grey and green alpaca from The Celtic Knot Yarn Shop in Ellicott, Maryland for which to knit Dear Hubby, he of the shaved head, a fabulously warm hat. Unfortunately, said hat is still a WIP, a serious issue what with the below freezing temperatures currently entrenched throughout the OKC metro. And my final side project currently in the works is a lucious slip-knit scarf worked in a Noro silk-angora-wool blend.

Projects upcoming: knitting for soldiers in Iraq. The Ships Project and Operation Toasty Toes are two such groups that connect knitters stateside with sailors, soldiers, airman, and marines deployed around the world. I plan to support my brother's unit with as many hats as my little fingers will knit, all made from Super Wash wool that my local yarn store has ordered for me.

For other charity knitting this holiday season, check out Knitting for Peace, by Betty Christiansen. There are loads of projects, organizations to knit for, and charity knitting history and lore in this little book.

And just remember, when it's cold and blustery outside, there's nothing like knitting to keep your fingers warm. Knit long and prosper.