So, I headed to the wine store yesterday to buy some dyed-in-the wool.  They were all out.  All the people crazy for wool must have already bought it all.  I really wanted to raise my glass to all of you.  To thank you for all of your kind words and inspiration throughout the year.  And to wish you all a wonderful holiday.

Well, I finished the advent calendar last weekend.  And, am I ever happy.  It was a big pain to make them all at once.  But once I started, I just couldn't stop.  I learned/relearned a few things about myself as I went along.  

Ana tagged me with a photo challenge.  Choose the fourth photo in your fourth file. This computer only houses photos back to the fall of '07.
So, here it is.  My fourth photo, in my fourth file.  It was November 21, 2007, and I remember it like it was yesterday.  Walking by my front door, this beautiful leaf caught my eye.  Staring right at me, perched up and standing tall, while leaning on its stem.  Just a reminder of one of the many reasons why I love fall.

One,
two, 
three,
four.  I declare a rose hill war.  Well, not really.  I am going to let my friends choose among themselves.  The top three are made with Classic Elites Portland tweed, left over from the Christmas sweaters.  The bottom one is made out of Classic Elite's Skye tweed, left over from last years sweaters.  If you recall, I mentioned that Portland tweed replaced Skye tweed.
I have seven balls left from last years sweaters.  I know I will not get around to using them. (I'm sticking true to Portland tweed.  It is so nice.) If you would like a ball, or two, leave me a comment, and then shoot on over and e-mail me with your address. (My address is in the sidebar.  This isn't a drawing.  Just a giveaway to the first people who want them.)  I will pop it in the mail, and you can make yourself or someone a hat.  Well, you don't have to use it to make a hat.........but they are pretty darn cute.

                              Charlie's vest, Libby's sweater, Andrew's vest

I don't like this project.  Nope, not one little bit.  It could be perhaps due to the fact that I didn't start it until the last minute.  Now I am on a race with time.  And as much as I hate it, I am going to do my best to win this race. Because, I am thinking the finished product will be well worth the work.   
The cookie of the week was brown sugar brown butter cookies after seeing these.  I actually made them twice.  Smitten Kitchen updated their post, saying that respondents where mentioning that their cookies were "falling apart".  I would have to fall into that category. Both times we had crumbly cookies.  They taste great, but would definitely not package well.

Wow.  You all are the best!  The best, I tell ya!  You provided us with stellar information.  I appreciate every single comment, and the time it took to answer the questions.  

I have been taking photos for a new local magazine, minimagazine.
It is a complementary magazine that is small in size, but big with information.  It is the greatest little "throw in your bag" magazine that can be read from front to back in one short sitting. Filled with all sorts of hip/trendy/helpful/fun articles,  and has been so much fun to be part of.

Wow. I can't believe how many of you thought that I was crazy about my feelings for the skirt! Thank you so much for your input.  I will definitely give it a chance.  I promise.  
I ordered a little something from Heather's Etsy shop.  You should see this piece of  handmade art.  Sequins.  Beads.  Totally sweet.  I know the perfect gift that this will top.  And then the recipient can hang it on one of her drawer pulls.  Or a doorknob.  And enjoy it all year long.
And, for cookie of the week, Keana sent me a link to this recipe.  I didn't have the dulce de leche caramel (who does?).  So, a little raid through the kids halloween candy and I scored some caramels. Melted those and that worked fine.  (I also tossed that halloween candy.  Finally.) And the little chocolate that was supposed to be drizzled on top?  I got a little preoccupied and forgot all about it.  They are still delicious without it.

Back to the skirt.
These are not the best photos.  They were taken last Tuesday, through the window, by my mother.  It was 28˙ outside, and was just starting to snow.  I wasn't about to make her come join in the fun.  I also had the camera on the wrong setting.  Whoops.
There are a couple of things that I don't like about how this turned out.  See how the skirt separates and sort of comes to a V at the bottom.  That bugs me.  It has been blocked, and steamed, and continues to do that.  My mother and a good friend think that I am being a bit picky, but I like my knits to turn out like the photo in the pattern.  Also, the waistband must have elastic sewn into it, otherwise it would end up down around your hips all day.  Not a good look.  
Yes, a little clingy in the rear.  I know, I should have expected this from a knit skirt. 

So, it's December 1, and somehow I seem to be stuck in October.  Or maybe wishing it still was October.  I mentioned last year, that I wanted to make the advent calendar like Garnet Hill.