Yarn Along--Why can't I spend all my time knitting?

Hello again!  I am here for another Yarn Along, hosted by the multi-talented Ginny of Small Things.

 Una's cardigan is coming along nicely (Ravelry notes here).  I am a bit sad to be done with the lace bit, as I was just getting the hang of it; of course, now it is at the point where I can go ahead and do some mindless knitting.  This is the first top-down sweater I have ever done where you knit the sleeves before knitting the rest of the body.  It seems very odd, and I am not sure I like it.  If I do the pattern again, I think I shall so it the traditional way and finish the body before doing the sleeves.

Because I know it will be a while until I finish with Una's cardi, I decided I needed some instant gratification and cast on some baby shoes.  There are suddenly bunches of babies about, (none of them mine!), and so I have no shortage of tiny feet for which I can knit.  This free pattern is the easiest pair of Mary Janes I have found, and I am just using some acrylic stash yarn, which is a good choice when you know the mommy probably doesn't do a lot of hand washing of woolens (and I have no superwash merino on hand!)

There has been a bit of a chill the last couple of days.  After having hit 101 degrees on Friday and Saturday, yesterday was only a high of 60 degrees!  It rained from Sunday afternoon until sometime last night, and I have kids with colds.  It felt like time for hot soup and tea, and holing up with lots of knitting.  Whenever I feel a bit stressed (and this week, due to several factors, I feel very stressed indeed), I just want to hide away and knit.

I am not reading much right now.  I continue to read scripture and Divine Intimacy in the morning, but my bio on Elizabeth Ann Seton is gathering dust.  Last week we finished The Penderwicks at Point Mouette, and we loved it.  I really wanted to read Swallows and Amazons next, but it has such a summery flavor to it, and I may just force myself to wait until next summer to read it.  I have picked up a book on Erik the Red and Leif Erikson to read aloud to the boys, as a start to our study of American History this year.  If I can get it from the library, I would like to pick this one up as well.  I read Sea of Trolls to the kids last year and we all found it wonderful.

So, what about you?  What are you working on/reading this week?  Are you getting some Christmas projects on the needles?  For a whole lot of inspiration, check out Ginny's Yarn Along.