Blue Moon

Happy New Year!

Week in Philadelphia

Spent a week in Philly and had just one day to shop a bit downtown. So, of course, I had to go to South Street and check out what has been going on there. I only recognized Jim's Steaks, Hats in the Belfry, and the zipper and ants from Zipperhead.

I'm not sure how long it's been since we shopped on South Street...We have been staying in the nothern suburbs for many years, shopping in Newtown, Doylestown, New Hope, etc. Certainly, we haven't been downtown since I started knitting...so it was great to find out that there are several yarn shops right on South Street or very nearby.

First, we went to Sophie's Yarns on 4th Street, which is Philadelphia's Fabric Row. Certainly the majority of the shops were fabric shops, which would also be interesting to investigate, but it will have to wait for another visit.

Sophie's is a tiny shop but it contains a little of everything you would want. There is a good-sized table in the front window for lessons, knitting at, and getting help. In fact, a regular customer came in for some assistance while I was there. I found this shop to be friendly, the owner was helpful, and the yarns were lovely. I picked up some "local" yarns from Plymouth (up in Bristol, PA) -- some Ecco Cashmere and Homestead in natural colors.

'tis the season

It's the darker days, and the busy crowds that make me feel tired. And then worrying about finding gifts...So then I just want to hunker down and be alone. It's good to find reasons why I have begun to hate the holiday season! What can I do to make it better? Breathe and reduce my expectations for myself. Will I be able to do that? I don't know, but I'll try!

Here's hoping that my gifts of time count toward the gift register. :-) One of my gifts of time & creativity is shown here.

Rain plus Hard Freeze equals

Yesterday required some work to clear off the car. And even without the rain, there is a lot of hard frost today, too.