Sunday, December 25, 2016

Happy Holidays 2016


Hi, Knitters,
Have a wonderful holiday weekend with your loved ones. I'm so thankful for all of you and for the places where we can share our love of knitting and really, our love and appreciation for each other.
xo ~ susan

Friday, December 23, 2016

Sheep! Kit Giveaway + more!


Hi, Knitters,
Well, good morning to everyone. I hope you are all doing well. I am quickly popping in to say hello and to tell you about a few new things that have popped up. First, I am hosting a fun kit giveaway for my popular Sheep! pattern. I have knit these cute Sheep up in my own yarn over at Barrett Wool Co. and we made some fantastic kits. The kits literally sold out in a matter of a few hours but as we were packing them up to ship out we discovered one extra kit. So we decided to give it away to one lucky winner! And I have to say we have been blown away by the response to our kits. I kind of knew how much people like a kit before but now I really know how much people enjoy kits. It makes sense especially for projects that use small amounts of many colors. 

Be sure to read how to enter! Please do not leave a comment on this post to enter to win.

Click here to see how to enter and to find out more about the Sheep Kit Giveaway! The kit is worth $40 and it includes a digital copy of the pattern via a Ravelry code. 

Click here to go to Barrett Wool Co. on Instagram! (This is where you actually leave a comment to enter to win. Be sure to read the details on the Barrett Wool Co. Journal to make sure you are eligible.)


The Barrett Wool Co. version of the Sheep! are worked up in our Home Fingering Weight Yarn, which is a bit of a heavier fingering weight so the only thing I did differently is to use one size smaller needle since the original sheep were knit in a sport weight yarn. The finished sheep are remarkably similar in size and it worked out perfectly. 

The other quick thing I want to mention is that we have had such a successful launch for Barrett Wool Co. and some of the colors have sold out. It is very exciting thanks to all of you. We have a gigantic new order of yarn coming so we will be fully restocked in the near future. But I want to make sure you know that we have still have so many of the colors left in stock and in both the fingering weight and worsted weight. 

Thank you for such a fun end of the year for my family and me. It has been incredibly satisfying and just downright fun. 

photo from Quince & Co.

Next up, there is some exciting news from Quince & Co. They have brought back the very popular doll kits for the Mary, Millie & Morgan collection. These kits have been sold out for months and months so if you are at all interested be sure to pick one up quickly.

Click here to see the Mary, Millie & Morgan pattern on Ravelry!

Click here to see the Mary, Millie & Morgan Kit on Quince & Co.!

Photo from Quince & Co.

The Quince doll kit includes everything you need to make one doll and all of the clothes. You get the beautiful yarn, stuffing, the printed book, embroidery floss and you even get two tiny buttons for the cardigan. All of the supplies are wrapped up in a beautifully printed drawstring bag.

The kit makes knitting the doll a lovely experience.


I have a new pattern coming out after the holidays and it is this handsome hat being worn by my son, The Baker. He asked for a new lighter weight hat that he could wear indoors and outdoors. I always jump at the chance when one of my kids asks for something handknit. The hat is knit out of Barrett Wool Co. Home Fingering Weight Yarn in the Bluff colorway. It is such a fun and simple knit and it takes only one skein of our yarn. 

The hat is called, Baker's Hat. I have another one on the needles for my other son in the Pepin colorway which is a deep eggplant purple. I am making really good progress on that.

Most of the Home Fingering Weight Yarn colors are still in stock if you are interested in grabbing a skein in advance for the Baker's Hat. 

The pattern is already written and is with my tech editor right now. I'll let you know when it is ready. I have writtent the pattern in four sizes, baby through adult large (which is the size my son is wearing). This isn't just a hat for a man, it is simple and lovely and would look great on anyone.


I want to be sure to mention that we have added electronic Gift Cards to our shop so if you are looking for that last minute gift this is a great option. Click here to find out more about our Barrett Wool Co. Gift Cards!


Finally, I have to mention out of gratitude that on the home page of Ravelry Community Eye Candy: The Year in Projects, posted on Dec. 21, 2016, I noticed that my Smooth Operator Socks pattern was included as one of the top patterns for 2016. This pattern took off last July and has kind of had a life of its own. This was one of the most gratifying projects I have ever created and again, I want to thank you for the support. I love what I do get to do with knitting and knitting socks has been a big part of that through the years so this has been an extra fun experience.


Good luck if you enter the Sheep! Kit Giveaway!

Much love to you all. I'll be back soon with more. Is it really December 23rd?
xo ~ susan

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Free Shipping & a New Pattern ~ Hiking Hat!


Hi, Knitters,
Quick post today let you know about a couple of new things going on. I have a new hat pattern called, Hiking Hat. It is made with three contrasting colors of Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight. Three skeins of Home Worsted make three different versions of the hat in the adult-medium size in the pattern (there are six sizes in the pattern, baby through adult-large) I actually knit this same hat years ago and it has been in heavy rotation at our house ever since. It is a looser fitting, versatile hat that really could become a favorite go-to in your house, too. It is a simple and fun and fast knit. The pattern is available on Ravelry and on Barrett Wool Co

And at Barrett Wool Co. we are offering free shipping (U.S. shipping only) on any purchase of 3 or more skeins from today through Friday, December 16th, 2016! We are so in love with our products and the response to our new company has been incredible so far. We want to celebrate with you and thank you! No coupon code is necessary. 



Here is some more information about the hat and hat pattern if you are interested:

Hiking Hat



Knitting

December 2016

Worsted (9 wpi) ?

4.5 stitches = 1 inch
in stockinette stitch

US 8 - 5.0 mm

230 - 690 yards (210 - 631 m)

Baby (small child, large child, adult small, medium, large) Finished circumference measurements: 14 (16, 18, 20, 21, 23) inches or 36 (41, 46, 51, 53, 58) centimeters
This pattern is available for $4.00 USD  buy it now
Everyone needs that perfectly warm, oversized, loose-fitting hat for those winter hikes, walks, or even just for running to the car and back. Many years ago I knitted this same hat in a slightly looser gauge with three colors and a long ribbed brim to wear turned up or down or anywhere in between. I knit the adult-medium size and literally everyone in my family, from my husband on down to my youngest daughter, have worn this same size Hiking Hat. And it looks great on everyone!
Because of the looser gauge, the long brim and the structure of the hat it is incredibly versatile. On top of that, the hat is a simple joy to knit. Easy stitch patterns keep it interesting and working on the larger needle-size makes the Hiking Hat a super-quick knit.
Sizes: Baby (small child, large child, adult small, medium, large)
Finished circumference measurements: 14 (16, 18, 20, 21, 23) inches or 36 (41, 46, 51, 53, 58) centimeters
Sizing note: The hat is supposed to be oversized and looser fitting. This is taken care of in the design of the hat, so choose the size that is closest to the intended head-circumference in inches. If the head circumference falls in between sizes, round up to the next size.
Yarn: Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight (100% American Wool; 230 yards, 210 meters/100 grams), 1 skein each in three contrasting colors.
Note: 3 skeins will make three adult-medium size hats including the pom-poms.
Sample Hats used the following colors:
Version A
Color 1: Wishing Well
Color 2: Marmalade
Color 3: Bluff
Version B:
Color 1: Bluff
Color 2: Wishing Well
Color 3: Marmalade
Version C:
Ribbed Brim: Striped in Colors 1 and 3.
Color 1: Marmalade
Color 2: Bluff
Color 3: Wishing Well
Needles: US size 8 (5mm) sixteen-inch (40cm) circular needle and double-pointed needles in same size, set of 4.
Needle suggestion:
~ You may find the smallest size is easier to knit on double-pointed needles from the start.
~ Switch to double-pointed needles for all sizes as needed during the crown decrease.
Gauge: 4.5 stitches and 6 rows per inch (2.54cm) in stockinette stitch
Tools:
Yarn needle
Tape measure or ruler
Scissors
Stitch marker
Optional: pom-pom maker
Also, on our Barrett Wool Co. YouTube Channel I have posted a new video on how to make the wonderful color block pom-poms that are my favorite and that you see on the Hiking Hats. I hope you subscribe to the channel. I am posting tutorials and other things quite often so far. 

In the video I throw in a couple of good tips and tricks along the way.

Click here for the green Clover Pom-pom maker I used on the hat!


Anyway, I hope you are all doing well. The holidays are approaching quickly. I have squeezed in one hat and one sock so far for my Christmas knitting. I am hoping to at least get the second sock done in time. I'll share a photo if that happens. Wish me luck. I'd love to hear what you are working on these days.

I'll be back soon with more! Much love to you all.
xo ~ susan

Friday, December 09, 2016

Wrap-Me-Up Toys Pattern available and on discount now!


Hi, Knitters,
How are you doing this week? It is such a busy time of year but it still is one of my favorite seasons even with the extra hustle and bustle. I hope you are all doing well and enjoying yourselves with your knitting. I have a couple of new and fun things to share today.

First, we have just added Gift Cards for Barrett Wool Co. if any of you are interested. I had a lot of requests for that option so now it is available. And we just opened our BWC Mercantile last night. In addition to the Gift Cards we added our first set of blank notecards called, My Knitting Life. 


Last spring I met a young woman, Aleks Byrd, who was in one of my classes at the Fibre Space. She gave me a gift and I realized that she was a super talented illustrator. I hired Aleks to create a sketch of me and my knitting life and mind. This is the culmination and I love it. I think every knitter can relate to this illustration. So we had the illustration by Aleks printed on beautiful high quality notecards!



We are selling sets of 5 cards. We've sold quite a few sets already so move quick if you'd like a set or two for gifts or for yourselves. Click here to find out more about the My Knitting Life notecards!

Next, I'm so excited to announce that my newest toy mini-collection pattern is now available for purchase. The pattern is called, Wrap-Me-Up Toys! Four toys with simple seamless construction along with four blankies for wrapping up. Pretty perfect in every way. Knit in Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight.

I am running a discount for $2.00 off the set price of $6.00 from today, December 9th through midnight CST on Sunday, December 11th. Get the coupon code by clicking right here! 


Here is some information you might like to know:

Wrap-Me-Up Toys



Knitting

December 2016

Worsted (9 wpi) ?

6 stitches = 2.5 cm
in stockinette stitch

US 5 - 3.75 mm
US 7 - 4.5 mm

230 yards (210 m)

7 inches in length
This pattern is available for $6.00 USD
 buy it now or  visit pattern website
Holiday discount for $2.00 off! To get the code click right here. or go to barrettwoolco.com Patterns. Coupon code is good starting Friday, December 9th through midnight CST on Sunday, December 11th, 2016. Enter the coupon code on Ravelry and Barrett Wool Co. at checkout.
Some things never change. Little kids always love to put their toys to bed. With this beloved activity in mind, I decided to revisit the original Wrap-Me-Up Puppy from my book, Itty-Bitty Toys. I often bring this toy with me when I teach and the students in my classes fall in love with the sleeping puppy wrapped up in a blanket. I have always wanted to rewrite this pattern in a seamless version and in a heavier weight yarn. Plus, I’ve always wanted to add some new friends to the mix. Now we have a Wrap-Me-Up Kitten, Lamb and Piglet to go along with the Puppy. The more friends to say “night-night” to, the merrier!
Finished Measurements:
Animals: 7-inches (17.5cm) long
Blankets: 7.5-inch (19 cm) squares
Yarn:
Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight (100% American Wool; 230 yards/210 meters, 100 grams), 1 skein each in Humble Gold, Priscilla, Bear, Ellie Gray, and Picket Fence.
Samples are in the following colors:
Pal the Puppy: Humble Gold
Priscilla the Piglet: Priscilla
Mitten the Kitten: Ellie Gray, Picket Fence, Priscilla
Sam the Lamb: Bear and Ellie Gray
Blanket sample colors are: Humble Gold, Priscilla, Ellie Gray, and Bear
Needles:
Animals: US size 5 or 3.75mm double-pointed needles, set of four needles or size to obtain gauge.
Blankets: US size 7 or 4.5mm, or size to obtain gauge.
Gauge:
Animals: 6 stitches and 7 rows per inch (2.54cm) in stockinette stitch
Blankets: Approximately 5 stitches and 8 rows per inch (2.54cm) in pattern stitch
Tools:
Stitch Markers
Scissors
Yarn Needle
Tape measure or ruler
Black embroidery floss or fingering weight yarn for face embroidery (the samples use Barrett Wool Co. Home Fingering Weight in Peppercorn).
Fiber-fill


The first of the toys is Mitten the Kitten. 

The pattern includes instructions for four toys and four different blankets. All of the toys are knit in Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight yarn. Click here to see Home Worsted Weight! 



 Pal the Puppy


Priscilla the Pig



Sam the Lamb


I always think the back view of the handknit toys is even cuter than the front sometimes.

Anyway, I'll be back soon with more. Have a wonderful weekend, Knitters.
xo ~ susan

Monday, December 05, 2016

Snow Day


Hi, Knitters,
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Ours was filled with family time, fires in the fireplace, and good food. Before I start I want to give a quick reminder that today is the last day for my holiday pattern sale which is a discount of 20% off my entire Susan B. Anderson Ravelry Pattern Store (click here to see the pattern shop).
The discount code is: HOLIDAY2016
The sale includes all of the pattern and ebooks in my shop at the link above.

Now onto the topic of the day.

It finally snowed yesterday. It was exciting and extraordinarily beautiful outside. The snow came down most of the day. I couldn't wait to get out for a long hike with my husband and daughter and then later for a good run by myself. I stopped a lot to take photos during these two ventures out in the winter wonderland and I want to share them with you today. 

It was quiet and so was the color pallet. I soaked it all in.

 

I was struck by the birds flitting about so actively in the dried prairie grasses. I'm sure they were eating the seeds. Rarely do you see birds like this in December but they made the view incredibly pretty. You have to look kind of hard to see the birds but there were probably at least a dozen of them. 

The rest of the photos are from my snowy outings yesterday and I thought you might enjoy them. It was so quiet and gray outside that when you look around it makes you feel like you have a filter on your eyes. 











Have a great Monday and week ahead, friends. I'll be back soon with more. If you live in a snowy area, has it snowed yet? I look forward to this time of year and I hope you do, too.

One more question, how is your holiday knitting going? I am not able to devote a lot of time to gift knitting this year but I keep thinking about it so maybe I'll squeeze in a couple of gifts yet. 

I'd love to hear how you're doing out there. 
Take care and I'll be back soon with more.
xo ~ susan

Friday, December 02, 2016

Holiday Love 2016 Sale!


Hi, Knitters,
I hope your December is off to a great start! We are doing well over here with lots and lots of knitting and pattern writing and packing orders and making plans. We are loving every minute of it. 

We went to a new tree farm this year and it was the most pleasant and fun experience I think we've ever had when picking out our tree. We were the only people there when we went, no battling crowds and parking at all. We picked out our trees pretty quickly. There was sprawling countryside and a pond and rolling hills. There was a campfire burning with hotdogs for roasting. My husband couldn't pass that up. 


But I think the best part was that there was wreath making at the end. There were big tables set up with clamps. The clamps were operated with a foot pedal and they closed the wire rings around the pine branches. We kind of paired up and went to town making wreaths. We just had so much fun. I think we made five wreaths with all sorts of varieties of pine branches. We were only charged an extra dollar for the wreaths. It was all-around fantastic!

I hung my wreaths right away and put a red bow on each. They look great and I love them even more because we made them together. Yesterday I finished decorating my house for the holidays which is always fun. 

Anyway, what are you up to this season? I'd love to hear about it. 


Lastly, I am having a store-wide pattern sale with the theme Holiday Love 2016, for my Susan B. Anderson patterns and ebooks, starting today and ending Monday, December 5th, 2016.


Everything in my shop is 20% off using the coupon code: HOLIDAY2016

Thank you for the support and love! I'll be back soon with more.
xo ~ susan

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Chunky Harvest Hats ~ free pattern!


Hi, Knitters,
I hope you are having a great Thanksgiving weekend, or a great weekend in general if you don't celebrate. We are having so much relaxing family time together and that is always a good thing although there has been far too much eating. We'll get back on track today with that!

I have a little present for you today. I released my first free blog pattern on the Barrett Wool Co. Journal. That is my blog over on my new website if you don't know yet. I wanted to start with a free pattern that is a real go-to pattern that everyone needs at one time or another so I thought of the Chunky Harvest Hats. After knitting a couple of these hats you will have it memorized.



The pattern has 6 sizes, to fit from newborn all the way to adult sized heads. I held two strands of the Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight together throughout the hat to make the fabric extra-squishy and also so it would work up incredibly fast. These hats are addicting for sure. The hats are knit at 3 stitches per inch on US size 10.5 needles. I'm telling you in an hour or two you will have a finished hat.

These make the perfect gift! And it's a great way to try out my new yarn if you're interested.




Grape Hat in Bluff and Grassland.


Yellow Squash in Humble Gold and Ellie Gray.




Eggplant in Pepin and Grassland. 


I hope you enjoy knitting your Chunky Harvest Hats. 

Keep me posted if you do!


The holiday season has really snuck up on me this year in a way like I can't remember before. Maybe it has to do with the extremely warm weather. Although, it is finally getting colder. I think we are getting our tree at some point this weekend. How about you? 

I'll be back soon with more.
xo ~ susan

Monday, November 21, 2016

Baa ~ new pattern with tutorials!



Hi, Knitters,
I just finished filming five video tutorials for my new lamb pattern called, Baa. I am so excited to be able to provide pattern specific tutorials now. I think it will be super helpful and a good resource.

First some links:
Pattern: Baa (click here to find out more)
Yarn: Barrett Wool Co. Home Fingering Weight 
Baa #1: Colors: Picket Fence, Peppercorn, Red Flannel and Ellie Gray
Baa #2: Colors: Priscilla, Bear and Picket Fence

I am doing these videos in a bit of a different way. Since the tutorials are so pattern specific I will be providing a link for pattern purchasers to get access to the videos. The videos will be available through this link on my Barrett Wool Co. YouTube Channel. Please go subscribe! I'd love to see you over there. There will be lots of other videos available without a link, too.

If you already purchased the pattern, no worries, as soon as the videos are available I'll send out an update to you. For new purchasers, the link will be included in the pattern for you. All of the new patterns are available on both Barrett Wool Co. and on Ravelry. The link to Ravelry is always on the pattern page for easy access.


I just had to share this beautiful shawl being knit by Olivia of @thishandmadelife on Instagram. It is the first photo I've seen of Barrett Wool Co. being knit up in the wild and it made my heart stop. 

Olivia's shawl is being worked in the Field colorway of the Barrett Wool Co. Home Fingering Weight. 


This is one of my favorite colorways and it took quite a few dip dye tests before it came out exactly right. And here's what Olivia of @thishandmadelife had to say:

"I am absolutely loving your yarn @susanbanderson! This color, the squish, the way it knits.. everything! Knitting up my third half hansel a pattern by@gudrunjohnston "

Thank you so much, Olivia! What a thrill to see something so beautiful being knit with our new yarn and then to read such kind words..... it makes me happy. 


Field was inspired by the prairie grasses at the end of the summer, in late August and early September. The shades of green turn more golden and subdued. There is also that golden hue in the air that is indescribable. That time when the wheat grass is so high that it hovers overhead when walking down hiking trails. 

Field is this color exactly. It evokes feelings of fall, leaves, brisk temperatures, and cozy nights by the fire. It is warm and friendly and it mixes so well with other colors. 

I really want a new pair of socks in this colorway. 

Anyway, I just want to mention one more fun thing going on quickly.


I'm teaching a Vogue Knitting Live New York! Registration is open and I hope to see you in class.


Thank you so much for all of the love last week and now this week. Barrett Wool Co. had a fantastic start and we are thankful and happy to see the warm reception. Lots more in store!
xo ~ susan
p.s. Can you believe it's Thanksgiving week? I can't, but I'll be ready somehow.

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Skating Hat & Barrett Wool Co.wl and more!


Hi, Knitters,
I have so much to share with you all today. 

Thank you for the huge response to my new yarn and pattern line over at Barrett Wool Co. We have had so much fun this week packing orders and hearing from knitters some I've known for many, many years and I've heard from many new friends, too. I really appreciate the support. We feel very excited. And when I say we I mean my oldest son and me. Evan Anderson is my business partner and co-founder of Barrett Wool Co. Some of you may remember Evan from Corcoa a couple of years ago. It was the coaster project to end all coaster projects. Ha! You were all so much fun. It still makes me smile.

If you want to find out more about our new family owned company click here! We have so much planned in the coming months. One thing I want to emphasize on the new website and new blog is that everyone is welcome, all knitting levels, shopping or no shopping, and it is a welcoming place for learning and exploring knitting. 

I have four new patterns which were published this week through my new company, Barrett Wool Co. I am going to spend a little time on here introducing each pattern to you. Today I am starting with the Skating Hat and the Barrett Wool Co.wl.  

First, let me quickly share some links. Please join me and subscribe on these new venues if you are so inclined! I'm going to share tons of tutorials and blog posts and knitting information in general. I'd love to see you there.







Let me introduce you to two my new patterns today. The first pattern is called, Skating hat. This is a fun to knit and versatile hat. The pattern offers instructions for both a fingering weight and a worsted weight version. The hat is sized to fit a head from 20 to 23-inches in circumference. This will fit an older child through an adult sized head. 



The photo above is of Mrs. Molly and she is wearing the worsted weight version. 




The top of the hat is fully-fashioned and carries on with the broken line motif that is in the body of the hat. I love the way it looks. The colorwork is very simple and charted. The motif is an 8 stitch repeat which works out well for hat numbers. 


TC is wearing the fingering weight version of the Skating Hat. It is the exact same colorwork motif as in the worsted weight version only I added in stripes for the background colors. It gives the fabric a different dimension that I love. You could work the entire hat in two colors like the worsted weight version.


You can see that on both hats I added some French Knots in three lines of the motif. I have a new French knot tutorial coming up on our YouTube Channel. Once I mastered how to do a proper French knot I wanted to put them everywhere. You might feel the same way.



Here are the hats side by side, fingering weight on the left, worsted on the right. It is a fun, sweet and quick hat pattern and it's a great place to work on your simple colorwork skills. You are only using two colors at a time on each round. 

And by the way, don't you love those poms? I have a color block pom-pom video tutorial coming soon if you are interested.


And quickly, so you don't miss out the Barrett Wool Co.wl is being offered as a free pattern for signing up to my new newsletter. When you sign up you get an email that includes a download link for the new pattern and a Ravelry free download code so you have the pattern stored in your pattern library. 

I've already posted a new video tutorial for the Fisherman's Rib stitch that is used in this pattern. 



Click here to watch the new video tutorial on YouTube! I have many more of these little tutorials in the works.


Click here to see the Barrett Wool Co.wl on Ravelry!


The cowl is squishy and stretchy and can be worn multiple ways as you can see. Plus, the size is easily adjusted. It is a fast and fun project that is a great introduction to the new yarn and the fisherman's rib stitch. You need two skeins in contrasting colors of the Home Worsted Weight yarn.


If you are looking for color combination suggestions here are a few. There are many more that you choose from but these are some of my personal favorites. This project makes the perfect gift for the upcoming holidays.



Also, I am adding a new technique option to the Smooth Operator Socks pattern later today. I have figured out a new way to close the gap that occurs on both sides of the heel when you remove the waste yarn to work the afterthought heel. You don't have to pick up ANY stitches to close the gap with this technique! There is no guessing at all and no stitching up after you are done.

Click here for more information or to purchase the Smooth Operator Socks pattern!

I'm calling it the No Pick Up Gap Closer. The new option will be added to the addendum of the pattern. I will be sending out a pattern update for all past pattern purchasers and it will be included for all new pattern purchasers.

The sock in the photo is worked in Barrett Wool Co. Home Fingering Weight yarn in the Humble Gold and Bluff colorways. The needles are from Signature Needle Arts, US size 1/2.25mm, 6-inch length double-pointed needles. The sock blocker is from The Loopy Ewe.

The pattern in the photo is the Smooth Operator Socks with a stitch pattern twist. I am working on a little collection for ways to spice up your socks. This will include some stitch motif, lace, and cable options and more color work fun. This collection won't be out for awhile as this is only my second pair for the collection.

Well, that's a lot of information for today. I will be back with details on the other new patterns but in the meantime if you'd like to check the other two patterns out now....

Click here to see the Baa pattern!

Click here to see the Snowy Pine Shawl!

Both of these pattern use fingering weight yarn and I'll share more details in the days ahead.

I'll be back soon with more. Much love to you all. I heard a rumor that it's supposed to start getting colder around here. I have blooming buds on my geranium plant from last summer that's sitting in the yard, in mid-November! So strange.
xo ~ susan