Bloggin' 'bout Clogs

I finished Jeff's clogs today. That's six days from start to finish. How I did this is kind of beyond me, but I think it had a lot to do with the long holiday weekend and getting to knit while chatting with visiting relatives. In between all the eating, of course.

Man, did we eat. At my sister's house -- at Jeff's sister's house -- at our house. Delicious, delicious food from our pasts -- and new things, too. My sister hosted 15 people Thanksgiving Day at her house. My brother-in-law brined and roasted an awesome bird, and we had all the things that make Thanksgiving tasty, including my mom's recipe for dressing -- made with cornbread, of course.

This weekend involved several family birthdays, too. Jeff and I made a Black Velvet Cake for Jeff's mother, using a recipe from Paula Deen -- so you know there was a wee bit of butter in it. It's life-changing, if I say so myself, and by that I mean one bite will instantly make you diabetic.

But the best part was enjoying the rare opportunity to get together with my family. I couldn't ask for a better brother, sister, or in-laws. And getting together with them and my nieces and nephews is a rare and wonderful treat. Jeff and I are pretty lucky in that respect, and we have a lot to be thankful for.

Getting back to the clogs, I finished knitting them last night and took them to The Knitting Nest to take advantage of their top-loading washer. Felting went smoothly, for the most part. Toward the end, I noticed that the seam long the bottom of one of the soles had come open. I pulled the clog out of the wash and grabbed some dark yarn to whip it closed again, which worked fairly well. I stuff the clogs with plastic bags while I knitted and socialized, and when I brought them home, they seemed to fit. Even through I knit these following the men's narrow foot instructions, they're still a little wide. But they look great and once they're dry, they should keep Jeff's feet toasty warm.