Is that a light I see?

Yes, I think I may finally be seeing some light at the end of this tunnel (and I don't think it's a train headed my way).  This last month or so has been one of discouragement and lots of reflection on where I'm headed.  I'm not trying to be overly dramatic here, but physical ailments have kept me knocked down and it has affected my state of mind more than I care to admit.  Mike tells me I don't make a good patient and he's right.  I don't even like to be around myself when I'm not on top of my game.

I've had some pretty severe muscle spasms in my neck and it's taken x-rays, MRI's and evaluations by several doctors and a physical therapist to finally get me on the path to feeling better.  Sleep (which is one of my most favorite activities) has been illusive and even that is starting to return to something near normal.  So, all in all, I'm trying to feel encouraged.  Mike has done most of the feeding chores lately and that has been a huge help.  I do miss seeing my flock though and I'm anxious to start hauling hay bales around again.  (Definitely not something I ever expected to say!)

Like a lot of folks, we've been snowed in several times this past week. I managed to get out for physical therapy early in the week, just before we got hit with another round of ice and snow.  I hear that the main roads are mostly clear right now, but our farm road is a bit of a thrill ride and not one I'm planning on making just yet.  Above is the view from the front porch of the house.

Yesterday I got to spend some time in the studio for the first time in several weeks.  It's amazing how a cozy fire in the woodstove and the companionship of Carson can lift my spirits. (Carson is so laid back he could easily be mistaken for comatose!)

I finished another small knitting project that will surely come in handy in this weather (and especially for people like me, with a neck needing to be kept extra warm).  It's Mary Jane Mucklestone's Flying Geese Cowl.  All the natural colors are my own handspun and the red is some of this years run of our mill-spun wool/alpaca blend that I've dyed in my favorite red color.  I've always loved the flying geese quilt pattern (even for my barn quilt).  Mary Jane's pattern has just enough going on to keep it interesting and it's especially good for knitting a simple Fair Isle pattern and practicing holding yarn in both hands.  I've always been partial to the natural colored fleeces of my sheep and it was fun to go through my stash of handspun odds and ends to pick out the progression from dark to light.  Now I'm smitten with the idea of making something bigger (a whole sweater!) and using only my own natural colored handspun for all the Fair Isle patterning.

And, though I wouldn't blame you a bit if you don't believe me, a book review and giveaway of this sweet book is coming next week.  Honest!