HOW much??

Reader asks: I can't believe you spent so much money!

Yah, I know. Three hundred and fifty bucks is a lot of moolah... but up here? Well, it sounds quite reasonable.

First: The mitts. I'll have to take a picture of them some time. But they cost me a hundred dollars. Now, when you think about it without REALLY thinking about it, that seems disgusting. I would NEVER spend that much money on mitts if I were down south. Probably because the mitts that I'd be buying would be store-bought, not home made. And these are really well made - double seamed in the same way they make kamiks. My coworker, Betty, says they probably should have been sold for $150, rather than a hundred. So I think I got a good deal. Also, I only buy one pair of mitts a year. And hold on to them for dear life. I'll wear these every single time I leave the house for the next 6 months. Not many articles of clothing you can say THAT about.

Second: The fabric. Well, it was on sale. 30% off. I don't think I could have done better than that. I even went to the Co-op today (they were having a 20% off fabric sale) and I didn't see any nicer colours, or better prices, so I'm satisfied I got a good price. I would have spent less if I bought it down south, but it's hard to explain what kind of fabric you need to someone who doesn't know what you are talking about.

Third: The drawing. Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And I am STILL thrilled with my piece. And I don't care that I spent 70 bucks on a drawing. I'm going to frame it, and keep it forever, and it's totally one-of-a-kind. I'm smitten.

So yah, it was a lot of money. But that's the story of life in the north. You buy things. You often spend more money than you 'should' but as long as you are happy, it doesn't really matter... right?

Here's hoping.