Snow Day and A Pattern

I'm not sure who was more excited for a snow day...me, my DH, or the two kids. After two years with very little snow, DH finally got to try out our snowblower. My oldest headed over to a friend's house at 7:30am to watch the U.S. Hockey team play in live time (for those that may not know-he's a diehard hockey fan). I never saw him get up so quickly with his alarm. He even shoveled a path so he could walk in the feet of snow we got overnight. I'm glad to know that he is able to wake up on his own...maybe he won't miss his 8am college classes next fal1? My daughter is hanging out with her best friend and all I hear is lots of giggling coming from her room. I love that sound:)

As for me, I caught up on some work that I have let pile up for just this sorta day and I even managed to finish a design that has been in the works for a few weeks. I was motivated to get some pics of DD modeling my new Duchess Hat in the snow.

Enjoy! If you are homebound today as a result of the weather, what are you knitting?

Duchess Hat

Finished Measurements: Approximately 10 inches tall and 22" circumference

Yarn: 1 Skein Cascades 220Yarns in Cascade 220 Purple [100% Peruvian Wool, 220 yards/3.5 oz]Worsted in Purple

Needles:  US 6/ 4.0mm and US 7/5.0 mm circular needles in 16 inches. US 7/5.0mm DPNS

Gauge: Approximately 5 stitches=1 inch. Gauge may vary and will depend on the yarn weight
and needle you choose for the pattern

A DIY Home Project and an FO

Yesterday was a busy but productive day. I love those types of days where you wake up and feel like you have accomplished so much before lunchtime. For some time now, I have wanted to paint our red brick fireplace white. While it seemed simple enough, I knew that this was a permanent thing I was doing. However, a friend and coworker (who happens to be a fabulous DIYer-she even carries paint brushes and caulk in her car) convinced me to do it. She showed up at my house at 8am and by noon we had transfomed my fireplace. The time flew by, but probably because we hadn't seen each other in several months and we were catching each other up on the latest and greatest in our lives.

Here's the before picture...

And after the transformation...

After we finished, we rewarded ourselves with a trip to Stone Tower Winery in Leesburg where we met friends, hung out and enjoyed the rest of the day catching up with folks.

Oh, I also recently completed a textured cowl that we managed to get a few photos of my friend Laura modeling it outside the winery. I still need to write-up the directions for the pattern so look for that in the next few days.

Stay warm friends!