it's getting better every day

i guess things are clearing up out there because the local networks have dumped the constant fire newsfeed and are back to their regularly scheduled programming. so don't worry - if you live in the socal area, you don't have to catch up on your favorite soaps at 3:05AM anymore.

contrary to what you might think, i have been hard at work on valpuri.


front and back are done and the first sleeve has been started! and stopped, and ripped, and restarted! it's at a happy place now, though, so if these exhausting smoke-induced headaches go away some day in the near future, i might actually finish this puppy over the weekend. and by 'puppy' i mean 'sweater'.

and on the topic of things that are not, in fact, puppies:


some more new ikea purchases! the lighting in our living room leaves a lot to be desired (although we just got a fabulous new lightbulb for the overhead that seems to be helping). so we bought this absolutely beautiful new lamp - and a short bookcase for it to sit atop! we needed additional shelving for the dozens of books for b's latest classes, so this solved both problems. i am very happy with the way our decorating is coming along!

and on a final note, the interweave knits winter 2007 preview is up! photos that catch my eye: the alicia tabard, forbes forest pullover, and citrus yoke pullover. honestly, i will probably not knit any of these - my ravelry queue is long enough as it is - but it's good to see the latest fashions (seriously, what's up with swing jackets this season?). and i'm really, really curious about the construction of alicia tabard.