Before I retired to bed last night, the snow began. I rowed 5100 meters in the basement, with the outside lights turned on to highlight the storm. I watched flakes drift slowly, aimlessly, then thicker, deeper, faster. I woke to a landscape that had been transformed. Three inches? Four? Not many. But the temperature was just below freezing, and the snow was sticky.
The exercise thing is going swimmingly well. I impatiently stared at the scale every day, scrutinized my outlines, looked for change. None. Finally, on Day 10, I could see visible difference. It took SO long for anything to happen. But only 10 days to start seeing transformation? Amazing (but only in retrospect). It becomes something for which I worked hard, and something which I do not want to lose. We'll see.
I'm taking a small knitting break. I'm working on Susie's Reading Mitts in Ultra Alpaca. They are the potato chips of knitting. Fast, easy, yummy, instant gratification. I'm onto the thumb gusset of the second mitt after a few nights of Star Trek: TNG on DVD.
The Ultra Alpaca was originally purchased when it first was released. I satisfied my 'must touch' yarny passions with one skein for swatching. It has seen many stitch patterns, then became perfect for this project. So its replacements were summoned from Webs to swatch for the Bed and Breakfast Pullover by Kathy Zimmerman.
It's too early in the morning to come up with the row-row-row-your-boat/dashing-through-the-snow mash-up that's trying to form in my head...
Those mitts look cozy indeed!
Happy swatching!
Posted by: gayle | Monday, December 07, 2009 at 05:45 AM
I just finished another red scarf in Ultra Alpaca. It's my first time working with it and I enjoyed it a lot. I like Bazic Wool, too. Nice and sproingy, that one.
Posted by: Carole | Monday, December 07, 2009 at 07:26 AM
Yay on the rowing front.....I'm so proud of you for sticking with it....now if I could only find soething that I would stick with...
Posted by: Kim | Monday, December 07, 2009 at 07:39 AM
You lucky! You got snow. We still don't have any. And, Wyoming has a ton!
Don't you just love the way light and snow play together. I love to watch the interaction. And the way the sky glows as a result. It is a happy combination.
And, thanks for the link. Put the mitts in my queue and didn't even have to go searching to do it! Love them. Really cute.
Posted by: bev | Monday, December 07, 2009 at 07:57 AM
I'm so very proud of you with the rowing challenge. That's really fantastic! (And really.. ONLY 10 days to see some results? You must be rowing like a fiend.)
Snow forecast here for today, with 30-35 mph sustained winds. Um. Not ready.
Posted by: Anne | Monday, December 07, 2009 at 08:35 AM
I wish you were closer; I need an exercise buddy.
And I believe the Bed and Breakfast Pullover is a sweater - I'm so proud of you.
Posted by: Lynn | Monday, December 07, 2009 at 09:46 AM
This weekend I saw people walking around in sandals and T shirts. I had a jumper and a hat but it wasn't coat-cold. Our snow was foam from a snow machine but it still made the little children squeal with excitement.
Posted by: Caroline M | Monday, December 07, 2009 at 09:51 AM
Good for you! All KINDS of new interests and hobbies.....
Posted by: Marcia | Monday, December 07, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Body changes seem come gradually, but once they start you'll noticed marked difference over a short period of time.
The mitt pattern has been on my list for so long and alpaca is the perfect yarn!
Posted by: margene | Monday, December 07, 2009 at 10:17 AM
DH bought an evil Tanita scale that calculates fat and hydration %'s. Highly recommended.
Envy you the snow... The Bradford pears are dropping their beautiful leaves, the citrus are ripening, and the first of the flowering cherries are covered in blossoms. No winter, just some rain (and rainbows).
Posted by: Sylvia | Monday, December 07, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Congrats on finally seeing the results of your hard work!
Posted by: Cheryl S. | Monday, December 07, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Good luck on your Holiday Challenge. I finally decided to sign up and so am a week behind. Working out to the glow of the monitor. So romantic! not! But rowing and erging will definitely reshape your body.
Posted by: Peg in Kensington, California | Monday, December 07, 2009 at 01:06 PM
I'm working on a ton of fingerless gloves right now too. My girls love 'em and require new ones each year. Thank goodness they are, as you said, the potato chips of knitting.
Posted by: Hillary | Tuesday, December 08, 2009 at 10:24 AM
love the mitts
AND, what a great idea to be inside watching the flurries while you row ;-) I could sit and watch snow fall for hours.
glad you are seeing some benefit to your exercise!!
Posted by: Teyani | Wednesday, December 09, 2009 at 10:59 AM
10 days to see results - you are working your butt off! Good for you. Love the mitts - promptly saved the pattern. I just might have some fuzzy yarns that will work with it. ;)
Posted by: Chris | Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 06:36 AM
Beautiful Alpaca mitt! - Kate wore them to work yesterday and her 2 best friends asked if I'd make some for them - I said "No, but I'll teach them how to knit their own!"
You go girl...Can't wait to see those guns!
Posted by: pat | Friday, December 11, 2009 at 07:09 AM
Oh, I love the B&B pullover! Can't wait to see what yarn you choose (CASHSOFT!!!)
I only got to the gym once last week, but hooped while batches of xmas cookies were baking last night...
Posted by: elizabeth | Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 08:58 AM
Nice work. I love to hear that. Keep spreading the word!
Posted by: claudia | Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 10:08 PM