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Dear Ellen,

I know you think I’ve abandoned you, but in actuality I’ve just been practicing good emissions control (EMCON).  Work has been a little busy of late…Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, Japanese disasters, government shutdown preparations (almost a shame we don’t get to put that work to use — NOT!)…and I’ve been detailed to the Secretary of Defense’s staff to try to help figure out how to transform the DoD CIO organization.  I figure I should get double credit for the last few weeks.  Maybe they’ll up my bonus this year.

Despite my long hours, we have made room each weekend to drive up to Fair Winds.  I’m pleased to announce the completion of the interior painting!!  (First go — second go will be when they come back to touch up all the dings and marks caused by the other contractors between now and completion).  We’ve been bold with color and the energy inside is amazing.  They’ve also started the stone work on the exposed portions of the foundation.  We intend to head up again tomorrow and will hopefully find the exterior trim completed as well — and this pile of hardwood nicely spread out on the floors.  It’s gorgeous random width hickory — the staining will bring out the awesome grain and give it a warm medium honeyed brown color.

The pineapple is a sign of welcome and as I’ve said, we hope people really do feel welcome here.  We have some evidence that the deer are feeling welcome.  I may need advice on how to keep them from eating all of my flowers and vegetables.  I’m told this very scarred trunk is the result of bucks rubbing their antlers…I’m thinking there’s at least one pretty good sized buck out there.  I’ll watch for shed antlers when I walk in the woods!  Ruby likes the new place.  She was pretty good about staying out of the red mud.  In the next week or two we should have top soil spread and some sod down…I’ll worry less about bringing the dogs with us once that happens.

The driving back and forth has given some time to finish several knitting projects.  Here are my completed Cushy Cables Socks.  I’m writing up the pattern as the “Twisted Pair”.  It’s a good name for socks designed by a telecommunications geek.  Also finished is my Golden Shawlette which I made as part of the Stash and Burn Holden Shawlette KAL.  Finally, I got Primula blocked out and I really like it.  I’ll work on that pattern too…some modifications are needed to properly balance the edges, but otherwise I really like the changes I made to the pattern that inspired it, an antique full-circle coffee cloth.

Another pair of socks is on the needles, as is another shawlette…and I’m thinking about a shrug to wear to Craig’s wedding and a baby gift for a friend who finally got pregnant after about 6 years of trying.  I hope you’re having yarn-ey fun in Germany!

Love, Jan