So, I’m back. I’m tired. Exhausted even. But this is actually a good thing. No, really, a good thing.

I’m physically exhausted. But I’m not soul tired anymore.

So, holidays!

First, I went home, where I got to see my little brother, who rocks. He works for Google in San Francisco these days, so I don’t get to see him much. I got to play frisbee with him and geek. Much fun.

The hat fit. Better than that, the hat was loved. He didn’t even take it off much. Yay.

Mom loved the marled scarf, and thought it was plenty soft for wearing. It’s my first yarn ever, and second knitting project ever, with fiber from the same sort of sheep we used to raise (Corriedales).

Dad’s sock… didn’t quite fit. He could have worn it, but it was a bit too short so he would have busted it too quickly. No biggie. I’ll make him another. Likely out of that Moose Creek I showed you earlier…

Which is now actually in a yarn cake, ’cause I have a swift! (More pictures forthcoming).

I had to give Mom her birthday present early because I was leaving for my New Years trip.

White and Dark chocolate, filled with gnomemade pomegranate-blueberry syrup and blueberry-plum jam. Was a pain in the butt, but totally worth it. They came out beautifully and were delicious. Mom loved them. I made 40, 10 of each type.

And then it was 12 hours of driving to Outer Banks, North Carolina.

To spend a week with some of the best guys I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Where I did a lot of healing, relaxing, and laughing. Yeah, still tired, but much better.

Finally, it was time to head home. To be greeted by a whole pile of love from literally all over the world. Norway, New Zealand, Canada, the UK, and all over the U.S. A good way to come home.

More to follow, including swag photos, the finally almost done Dionysus yarn, and some new things for the store.

It’s good to be back.

~The Gnome