Cabely Mittens and Grumpy Children

I finished some Very Cabley Mittens yesterday. I made them with Velvet Grape worsted Malabrigo - holy cozy. And the cables (even though they are slightly lost in the variegate) add such a nice texture, they massage my hand. I think I am taking a brief trip into Malabrigo addiction, my current "drug" of choice - and the mittens only took about 2/3 of one skein. Why do they pose so awfully, though? They look so *blech* laying there for pictures. Anyways, I have cast on an Amanda hat to go with my mittens. Why do I make hats, I mean, I give them all away because I look so stooopid in them. I can't seem to help myself. Does anyone else just make stuff to inevitably give away...someday?

Another question...do aliens abduct anyone else's kids during the holiday season? Seriously, the crazy schedules and missed naps really have resulted in a bad case of the uglies around here. My little one had a colossal melt-down on Christmas night as we were trying to pack up for my parents. I was able to distract her with a quick bath - but it's so tough - the holidays must go on. Today I packed up the tree and stuffed everything with a Santa on it away until next year - such a sigh of relief. I really enjoy the holidays, the projects, the family get togethers, thinking up gift ideas - but I'm never terribly sad to see it go, we've all had about enough by now....as I told my little, albeit grouchy, sweetheart - the tree is going night night until next year...shhhh. Goodnight tree.