feeling a little springlike

I know that it is only January but this morning the light and the air felt a little more like spring. Maybe it is just the Hope of spring, but I'll take it. Sometimes January is so cold and dark that I wonder if spring will ever arrive. Today tells me that it will. Our family holidays were just about the best I can remember. Everyone home and healthy and laughing and relaxing together. We are so grateful for the family we have and so proud of everyone and the lives they are living. Our house was full of people and dogs. We have 4 grand pups and 3 grand kitties. Only the pups came for the festivities. On Christmas day after everyone had left for home I traveled to see my sister and my Mom. It was such a nice quiet visit. I am so grateful that Mom is settled in and happy with Nancy. Only one little moment gave me pause. Mom came out from the bedroom after her nap and when she saw me she got this look of panic for a moment and I knew that she was not certain of who I was. I had been there the week before, but perhaps the haircut I got in between was just too much for her. Tea and Christmas cookies smoothed everything over. Now we are into winter for sure. Ski season has begun for everyone but me. I never know if I will manage to wrestle those boots back on my feet but I have not lost hope. It could happen. In the meantime I run around in the canteen at the ski area at least once a week. By the end of the 6th hour I am ready to be home with my feet up and a lovely glass of wine in hand wondering if I am getting to old for this stuff and praying that I am not. In the meantime, I am knitting and sewing a bit here and there. I finished a wonderful shawl/cowl; a knit a long with She-knits Mystery KAL's from Ravelry. Very happy with the results. I am also knitting a pair of fingerless mitts for myself. I did a pair for Cecily for Christmas and loved them so much that I want a pair for myself. Complete with vintage buttons, they are perfect for taking the dogs out in style. There is still a shawl with beads to be finished so I am never bored. Aprons for the gals at the canteen at Otis Ridge as well. I sewed them from home dec fabric of which I have more than I will ever need. And a lesson learned about trying to knit a gift in secret. DON'T. I spent night after night trying to knit up a vest in a great basket weave design for Larry for Christmas. The resulting vest is so huge that three of him could wear it. We had a huge laugh and I learned my lesson. This sort of thing is just not a good surprise, just a surprise. I'm thinking of a cool belt and leggings and I could wear it as some kind of funky dress. I am sure my daughters will steer me away from that idea at their first opportunity. Happy New Year one and all.