Ranger the Betta fish has died.  He was lethargic yesterday, and I was worried, then after the State of the Union I found him dead. Maybe he realized who our President was? He was a very friendly fish, and I'll miss him.

There  he was, making a brief appearance in coffee pot for a contest.

In other, less sad, news, my beginner knitting class ended yesterday and I released 7 new knitters into the world. Welcome to the crazy world of knitting obsession!

Recently, I finished the giant, never ending purple afghan.

Here's a close up of the stitch pattern:

Here's a view of the entire afghan (ignore the mess. Please.):

And then, despite the numerous projects already on the needles, I cast on for a fairly easy, light project to carry with me, Ribbon X-Back from Knitty. I'm knitting in Moda Dea Ticker Tape yarn, which I got on sale for 70% off and have bought enough to make 4 in various sizes and colors. Beccause I love the yarn THAT MUCH.

Here's the beginning of Ribbon X-Back number 1:

And finally, here's a picture of my birthday cake from Sunday, which I decorated all by myself. It was my first foray into cake decorating, and I thought it turned out fairly well. It certainly tasted yummy!

Mmmm, cake: