This Thanksgiving I had a lot to be thankful for:

• My wonderful family, especially my beloved Boogie (Mom)
• My fantastically fun in-laws, especially the glorious Sharon
• A safe trip to western Tennessee and back and a joyful Thanksgiving weekend
• An unforgettable moment with Steve, a starry sky, and the beautiful autumn leaves
• A new baby niece or nephew on the way, healthy and thriving

But especially this:

Steve and I have been together about five years, and every time I think I couldn't love him any more than I already do, he surprises me again by the depth and breadth of my ability to love.  I'm so thankful for the amazing gift of having him in my life.

(p.s. - can you spot two of my handknits in this picture?)

I guess it is safe now to announce to the universe at large that my brother, Michael, and my sister-in-law, Nancy, are expecting a baby this coming May!  I am going to be an aunt!  This is a much wanted and planned baby and I am so thrilled for them, and for my mom, who will be a grandmother for the first time.

Nancy has been feeling very sick but I am hopeful that as her first trimester is about over now, she will soon be feeling better and gaining back some of the alarming number of pounds she lost due to morning (or in her case, all day) sickness.

I just can't wait to knit up some baby garments and am already stockpiling the yarn (in gender neutral colors, for the time being).  I made one bootie that was a dismal failure (since frogged) so clearly I need more practice in the baby knitting department.  I plan to make an heirloom baby blanket and have found the most perfect pattern and yarn -...

I've been a bad blogger lately, but not to worry, lots of needlework has been going on in the meantime.  I wanted to share a few pictures from the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair that Steve and I went to a few weeks ago in Asheville.

We saw a sheared Alpaca....

And an angora rabbit, still sporting all its fur....

And lots and lots and lots of yarn vendors....

And many other cool things too.  Unfortunately neither of us was feeling well that weekend and so we didn't stay for the sheep shearing.  I also didn't see any sheared rabbits, much to my chagrin...

Yarn:  Rowan Scottish Tweed 4-ply in Grey Mist, Wensleydale Longwool Sheepshop 4-ply in Dark Grey and Pomegranate (note: ordered Wensleydale yarn from the UK, not available in US as far as I know)

Needles - US Size 3 9 inch, 16 inch, 24 inch, and 32 inch

This sweater took a very long time to make.  The main body was over 200 stitches to the round and the yoke was about 350 stitches until I decreased for the neckline.  I worked on it off and on for over two months.

The sweater was knit in the round from the bottom up, seamlessly.  I started with an i-cord cast on and worked corrugated ribbing for a few inches, then knitted the main body of the sweater in the Scottish Tweed for what seemed like forever.  I did some gentle decreases at the waist.  If I had it to do...