YAY, IT'S FRIDAY!

There's been two pieces of sad news in the nautical world in the last 24 hours . First of all, Jeanne Socrates, the British grandmother who left Victoria in the fall to sail around the world, has had a knock-down less than 200 miles from Cape Horn. She's fine, but there's too much damage to the boat for her to continue, so she's heading for a harbour in Chile as we speak. You can read the story, and see pictures here .

Closer to home, a serious fire in the Ladysmith Marina has left one man dead, shattering the dreams of a young couple about to go sailing around the world -- and there's extensive damage to the marina in general. That story is here.

I wanted to show you some pictures from River's birthday, but again, most of them didn't turn out very well -- the lighting at Mischa's is not great. But River did enjoy the cell phone we got him ...

We told him that even though we get that he'll be texting all his friends all the time, we really bought him the phone for his own safety -- he has increasing freedoms now, so we want to have the ability to get messages to him wherever he is, and for him to be able make contact with us if he ever needs to. He's texted me for the last two mornings to say "Good morning, Grandma." I love it!

I went out to Wendy's studio for the spinning group yesterday. I managed to get a few rows knit on a sock, but I mainly spent my time ogling everyone else's projects -- just look at the talent in this group! First up is Alice, wearing a ruana and showing a scarf she knit. This woman processes all her own fleece from scratch!

Then we have Jane, who owns and raises her own Icelandic sheep, and does most of her own processing, too. This sweater is one of the results!

Here's Laurie with a Fleece Artist shawl/scarf her daughter-in-law made her for Christmas.

And then there's Monike (current prez of the Victoria Hand Weavers and Spinners Guild) showing the sweater she made her guy for Christmas from her own hand-spun, and the pair of thrummed mittens she finished over the holidays, too.

 Finally, our host Wendy and member Gail model their 'first-ever' woven scarves -- completely different styles and both equally gorgeous!

No wonder I like to go there on Thursdays, huh?

Today is Knit'n'Cafe, but I won't be taking this project there.... see this heap of stitches? It's a shawlette being knit in laceweight baby alpaca (read: delicate as hell) on SIZE 5 MM NEEDLES.

... and there's over 300 stitches on the needles! It's a challenge, I can tell you that, but here's what it'll look like when it's done: 

I think it'll be worth it, don't you? :)