Bláithín Sweater--update

I have procrastinated long enough on Kate’s Sweater (Bláithín Sweater).  I will be pulling it out of the knitting bag at some point this weekend and figuring out where I am and what I need to do next.  I know, I am on the button band and miles of icord . . . which is why I am sure it is still in the knitting bag hiding from me as there is still a ton of work to do to be able to utter the word DONE!

Canyons and Ice: The Wilderness Travels of Dick Griffith Written by: Kaylene Johnson

I read a wonderful book over Christmas break. Canyons and Ice written by Kaylene Johnson. The book is about "The Wilderness Travels of Dick Griffith". All of the river rats out there should read about Dick Griffith's Grand Canyon travels before it was dammed (https://www.facebook.com/canyonsandice). If you are intrigued by Arctic travel/adventure you would enjoy this book. A big thanks to Robin who lent me this great read! I loved it! Robin, Dick was in fact a great friend of the late Jerry Dixon who skied to UNK. Jerry used to send us used ski gear when we were first trying to get skiing going here in Unalakleet.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1467509345

There are several Independent book stores carrying this book as well and they are listed on the website above.

I have always love travel adventure books.  I am not sure why I am drawn to this genre, other than when I am inside, I can still enjoy someone else's adventures from a comfortable spot. I do know, I am drawn to these tough as nails adventurers who couldn't say NO and just had to go no matter how tough, remote, or challenging the under taking.

A few of my favorite quotes from the book by Dick Griffith:

"Life is like a bicycle. When you stop moving, you tip over." p. 242

" . . . All my life I avoided the 'what ifs' especially those made by friends, family, and parents.  The 'what ifs' impede moving forward and prevent one from taking risks." p. 246

"I have a life wish, not a death wish." p. 252

"The best thing about getting old is that it doesn't last very long." p.265

Saturday Sled Dog Race 12/20/14

Unalakleet is a mushing community and there are several active dog sled teams.  Their activity varies from year to year.  This year Norton Sound Sled Dog Club will be hosting and running the Paul Johnson Memorial Norton Sound 450 race in February.  I haven't asked but I am assuming this is why the club has more Saturday race participants this year.  These Saturday races help teams prepare for the up coming race.  These photos I took off of FaceBook and are from 12/20/14.  I took my elementary skiers over to watch a team start after ski practice.

Racers getting ready at the start which in on the slough.  Behind us is the Unalakleet check point for the Iditarod Dog Sled Race which comes through in March.  All those short people are the elementary skiers!

Musher heading up the Unalakleet River.

Mushers leaving the river ice.

This is actually a retired musher who jumped in to help a team.  He ran the Iditarod years ago and still helps his son with his teams.

The Tomten Adventure #1

The first Tomten is just about done!  I had to order some buttons and those should be here next week (I hope).  I went with some nice simple wooden buttons that I bought on Etsy and the bonus is I was able to get 50 of each design for a killer price!

These buttons came from Buttons Craft.  I like that they are simple, made out of wood and the price was perfect!  Another plus is you could use either side.

The first Tomten has come out great!  Two areas that I will change just a tad will be the arm hole depth and my gauge is really 4.5 sts to an inch so that will be adjusted on #2 which will be for the oldest of the grand nieces.

I am knitting a crochet button band which I really like!  I like the ease, and texture this simple button band offers.  I really could not bring myself to knitting an icord!

I did line the inside cuffs with Ultra Alpaca and the icord on the top of the collar is the same nice Alpaca yarn.