JoKnitWit's Funky Life

Moving Along

2012-01-17T20:04:00.000-06:00

2012. Twenty-Twelve. I think I like even years better than odd. Don't know why; it just has a better feeling to it. Anyway. Two weeks into this new year and I have completed 2 projects, and started another 2. I'd like to start more (and have plans to do so), but I want to get established into the new ones first.

First completed project of 2012 is my Dickens Vest. Photo taken in my workplace bathroom, of all places.

... or I can wear it like this (after I get some sort of shawl pin to hold it together)...

Yarn - Blackstone Tweed Chunky. LOVE this yarn!

65% Wool

25% Mohair

10% Angora

These socks flew off the needles during that sad, sad Packer game Sunday afternoon. I think that's why the 2nd sock got done so fast, was that I was so nervous and anxious while watching, my hands needed something to do.

Yarn: Handmaiden Casbah sock yarn -

80% Merino

10% Cashmere

10% Nylon

These feel like butter on my feet.

Now on to the NEWly started projects of the New Year. I finally gathered up my big girl panties, decided on what yarn to use and delved into..... Beatnik I love the cables! (and this girl's hair). It's now my goal to grow out my bangs (which I've had all my life) and get to this style by summer. I don't think I can say the same about the sweater; I'm sure it will take me all year to complete. I'm well into the 2nd repeat of cables (photo taken before that point) and have not encountered any problems. I do have to say that it took me longer to put together this chart to work off of though.

Yarn: Blackstone Tweed (65% wool, 25% mohair, 10% angora)

Color: Clover

I've also started a cabled scarf for my sister, but haven't had a chance to take a decent photo of it yet.

Also, my LYS is planning on having a class this spring to do Jared Flood's shawl pattern, "Rock Island" and I think I'm going to be brave (again) and attempt this one also.

So, 2012 will be an interesting year to see if I can master (or just muddle through) some new knitting skills in the areas of cables and lace. With an occassional pair of stockinette socks thrown in when my head and eyes need a break.

Happy Knitting ~

Counting Down

2011-12-21T20:58:00.000-06:00

The cookies are baked and frosted, the tree is up and decorated, presents are bought..... but not wrapped. Ah, there's still time, right?

I just wanted to share with you a gift for my neighbor, Pam. I had so much fun knitting a Traveling Woman shawl for myself last spring, that I knit another one for her. It's been completed since summer. No Christmas knitting worries here.

My Loopified Socks are coming along nicely also. One done and one to go....

Yarn: Hand Maiden Casbah - 80% Merino wool, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon

This is a one-of-a-kind hand dyed yarn made exclusively for The Loopy Ewe 2nd Anniversay back in 2008. This yarn did come with a pattern, but it was too lacey for this busy yarn. I decided a stockinette sock would be best. The cashmere in this yarn gives the full "ahhhh" feeling when worn. Better get busy and start the 2nd one then!

We are having a brown Christmas here in Wisconsin this year - no snow. The last brown Christmas was in 2002. We have had one good snowfall, but some "warm" temperatures and rain has reduced it to crusty white remnants. It just doesn't feel that Christmasy without snow!

I have two different sweater projects in mind after the Dickens vest is completed. I just started the 2nd front and then it can be sewn together. I'll share those 2 possibilities with you in the next post.

From my home to yours - May you have a blessed Christmas.

Happy Knitting ~

What the Dickens?

2011-11-30T07:38:00.002-06:00

Ha! I'm on a roll. I would have posted last night, but Blogger was hiccuping and kept giving me a service error when I tried to start a new post. Oh well, I'm here now.

The project I'm currently working on is a vest I've had in my queue since last winter. I even bought the yarn last winter, but I was so intent on getting "Acer" completed that it just had to wait until now.

It's just a simple vest, but looks to be very warm. The back is done (plain stockinette) and this is the left front. Chunky yarn + Size 10's = A fast finish? Let's hope so!

Berroco Pattern: Dickens
Yarn: Berroco Blackstone Tweed Chunky; Needles: Size 10

I'm not sure if'll I'll be belting it or not; we'll have to see how it looks on me at that point. If not, I think it will look OK with it just being open.

And here's another little diddy I finished last night - we all need those simple, mindless projects right?

Pattern: Chinese Waves Dishcloth (no purling involved - 4 row repeat)
Yarn: Sugar'n Cream

This was the perfect project to take on the road now that Gus has started traveling every Sunday for high school bowling league, or watching intently Season 2 of "The Walking Dead" (it's on AMC Sunday nights). Gus and I are now avid WD fans. It won't resume new episodes until February, so we had to resort to re-watching Season 1on instant Netflix.

There's no snow here yet, but it certainly is getting colder. It would be nice to have some white stuff when I buy the Christmas tree this weekend. Be careful for what you wish for, right?

Happy Knitting ~

Fair Isle Hats

2011-11-28T20:45:00.000-06:00

I'm not usually excited about knitting hats. I just don't look good in them, and personally, I'd rather do socks or sweaters. But when Beth at The Black Purl (my LYS) held a class back in October to knit a Norwegian fair isle hat, I thought, "Why not?" It had been a long time since I did any 2-stranded knitting, so it was an opportunity to re-learn that skill. And re-learn I did.

We did the Fair Isle Hat (#8) from the Fall 2011 Vogue Knitting magazine. It was a bit clumsy at first holding a strand of yarn in each hand, but soon I was speeding along, following the pattern.

.... and pretty soon, it was done!

Yarn: Classic Elite Fresco (60% Wool, 30% Alpaca, 10% Angora) - Chocolate Brown and Robins Egg Blue

Very soft and lightweight; perfect for this time of year. Not a below zero hat by any means, but then, what is?

After posting this hat on Facebook, a good friend of mine chimed in that she'd appreciate it if I made her one also. She wanted Wisconsin Badger colors, so red and white it was. Same Fresco yarn.

Except it looks a lot better on Kelley...

So two hats is enough for this knitter. If you're not shocked already at seeing 2 posts in 2 nights, wait till you see what I have for you tomorrow...

Icey Acer

2011-11-27T19:52:00.002-06:00

I have finished "Acer"! I accidently found out about this sweater when reading The Yarn Harlot's blog last winter where she mentioned she was knitting it. After finding it on Ravelry and viewing the 200+ knitters who have knit this sweater, I decided to throw my needles into the ring also.

Acer wasn't as intimidating as I first thought. It was knit on circular needles, all in one piece. No side seams to sew, which was really nice. The sleeves were knit on double point needles, so they were the only pieces to sew in. I'm a chart knitter, and the chart was easy to follow from front to back.

Yarn used: Sublime Organic Merino Wool DK

This yarn is so very soft and very warm. It was pleasure to knit with. It will be one of my most favorite sweaters to wear now.

The buttons are my favorite. They seem like they were meant to be on this garment.

I started this sweater January 2011, but it was well worth the wait. I'm always nervous when knitting and sewing a sweater together, and always wait until it's all sewn up to try it on (ok, I may try certain parts on to check length & width), and I was very happy when this fit like a glove.

A HUGE Thank You to Ravelry knitter, katika-imani. I ran out of yarn while knitting the last sleeve. Everything else was done, even the button bands. I needed just one more skein to complete the sleeve cap. I searched Ravelry for the Sublime yarn I needed in the color and dye lot I needed, and came up with about 6 other knitters who had what I needed in their stash. I sent them all a message asking if they'd be willing to sell me one of their skeins. Some needed their yarn for projects and a couple offered to sell me one. Katika was the first to offer me one of hers and within a week, I had it and finished my sleeve. Knitters are so cool that way!

I am happy to learn that blogger.com has improved it's way of you inserting photos. One reason for my sparse updates was that it was always a hassle that it took so much time to get photos into my post. I hope to update you all more on current (and completed) projects.

Knit On.....

We Begin Again

2011-09-01T22:23:00.001-05:00

Beginning 8th grade. At a new school. A school just a few blocks away. New teachers. Cool teachers he reports. No more riding the bus. Biking or Walking is his new way of transportation.

Official summer growth - 1" since the last day of 7th grade on June 8th. He's now 5' 5 1/2", 140 lbs, and size 11 feet. Amazing.

... but he'll always be my little boy.

Loved ones were guinnea pigs at the dining room table tonight. This dish was a hit and I'll be making this again as cold weather comfort food.

Ree Drummond's Peach-Whiskey BBQ Chicken

It was easy to make and it make's a lot - great for next day leftovers. I served it with mashed potatoes, not grits.

Off to the the Black Purl tomorrow for a day of knitting and visiting with knitting friends. Waiting patiently for the fall yarns to arrive.

Stranded in Limbo

2011-08-29T21:32:00.000-05:00

My niece, Ava, will be getting this "Watermelon Sweater" once I get all these ends woven in. She is starting Kindergarten in a few days. Hopefully she won't be in 1st grade by the time this is done. Due to this time-sucking task, other projects are being put on the back burner.

I have, though, finished, what I dubbed, "Cotton Candy" socks. Stephanie, Greg's niece, is in her 20's and loves pink. I just knew this yarn was for her.

Recently purchased from my LYS, The Black Purl, is this afgahn kit. I am resisting the strong urge to whip out my winder and start playing with all these wonderful fibers.

We are having a good friend over for dinner this week, and I'm going to be brave and try a new recipe. I'm a big fan of Ree Drummond, AKA Pioneer Woman. Ree was on Good Morning American last Friday and demonstrated this dish. Sounds too intriguing not to try. I'll let you know how it goes.

In an earlier post this spring, I had a photo of Gus and Grandma L. planting his gladioulus bulbs. Here he is with all of them blooming. He was able to enter 2 of them in our county fair and won the Youth Division with one of them. Gus starts Junior High this year (8th grade). He has grown quite a bit this summer and his first day of school measurements will prove interesting. He hit the size 11 mark in shoes already.

And I leave you with one of my dependable perennial plants, the Purple Coneflower. I don't cut these down for winter, but let the birds feed on the seed heads over winter.

Happy Knitting!

Garden Colors

2011-07-10T16:12:00.003-05:00

After a slow start to summer (cold & rain), it's now the getting towards the middle of July. FINALLY! The heat and humidity have set in. I have been knitting various projects in a wide range of colors. Sort of like my "backyard playground"...

I finished "Early Girl". This sweater was a great knit and I'm VERY happy on how it fits. I love the lace part on the bottom, and then the stockinette on top. I was actually getting bored with the stockinette. This must mean I'm moving up, and enjoying more advance patterns.

Yarn: Classic Elite - "Cricket" (50% cotton, 50% linen)
Pattern: Early Girl, a Classic Elite pattern

I've started a pair of socks for our oldest niece. I acquired this yarn in a Wool Girl "Alice in Wonderland" sock club kit. This yarn was for Cheshire Cat pattern. It's not a color that I would ever wear, but it's right up Stephanie's alley. I was brave and attempted a picot cuff that really dresses it up.

The other project I'm working on is a cute little cardigan for my "little niece", Ava. She'll be starting Kindergarten this fall and I thought I would make her a little sweater to start the school year off right. She helped pick out the colors, and with a little assistace from "Miss Beth" at my LYS, we got the right combination of bright, fun, girly colors. I'm not looking forward to weaving in the ends though... (I hid them for this photo).

Off to my cool spot ~ Happy Knitting!

Still Here

2011-05-21T20:01:00.002-05:00

Well, it's after 6:00 on Sunday, May 21st, and the world did not come to an end. Good, because I have unfinished knitting to complete and many more projects I would like to start. Can I knit in heaven? Hmmm, that's something to ponder isn't it?

Progress on Early Girl: I've completed the back since this photo was taken. I just wanted to give you an idea of how the lace looks.

Spring is slow to arrive here in Wisconsin, but one nice day Gus was able to get his gladiolous bulbs in the ground. Grandma Nola came over with bulbs he planted and will enter in the County Fair in August. He's won ribbons the past few years.

It's still May, so I feel I can post (although belated) a photo from Gus's 13th birthday. He's growing into such a mature, independent, young man. We're very proud of him and can't wait to see what God has in store for him in the future.

Today, we celebrated with Family and Friends as Gus was confirmed at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. There were 69 young men & women in his class. The pastor's message was based on the bible verse John 15:1-8, "I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." It's a very meaningful message for them to hear as their spitural journey is put into their hands now.

Till next time ~

Projects Galore

2011-05-01T17:56:00.002-05:00

Well even though I've been absent for awhile during tax season, and now trying to get into the groove of regular hours and my Fridays & weekends off; I have been knitting almost every day. Here's what's off the needles (finally) and still in progress...

Hubby's Sock's. This is Greg's first pair of socks.
Pattern: Thuja
Yarn: Spirit Trail Fiberworks "Helen"
Colorway: Thunder Mountain
Size 2 DPNs

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn - Mushishi (95% wool, 5% silk)
Needles - Size 10

In March, my LYS, The Black Purl, had a Knit Along with this yarn in the Traveling Woman shawl pattern.
I made this to keep my shoulders warm while knitting at night. It was a fun lace pattern and I would enjoy doing this one again. In fact, I bought another skein (blue-green color) to make one for my neighbor next Christmas.

I started Acer sweater after seeing that the Yarn Harlot was making one, and fell in love with the cables. I'll be working on this throughout the summer months and hopefully complete it by fall.

Yarn: Sublime Organic Merino Wool DK - A VERY soft and easy to work with yarn; love how the cables pop with this.

.... and last, but not least,

I'm making the sweater pictured on the cover - Early Girl.
Yarn: Classic Elite "Cricket" (60% cotton, 40% linen)

This is proving to be a fun and fast lace pattern. I have about 9" of the back done, but now that daylight is being uncooperative, I can't get a decent photo of it.

I hope you enjoyed the slideshow.

Knit on...

Out of Hibernation (sort of)

2011-03-28T19:18:00.003-05:00

Sorry dear blogger friends for being absent since the Holidays. It's been a long, cold, snowy winter, and all I've wanted to do is hibernate and knit. Also, working for a CPA firm, I'm working longer hours, so my ambition level is nill once I get home. But now that Spring is here (according to the calendar anyway), and April 15th is 3 weeks away, I feel I can slowly get back to the Blog World. The Rhododendrons are slowly making their way back to greet the sun... The Rusty Frog still has a way to go before being able to swing that club in my garden... Mr. Robin is trying desperately to find worms amongst all the snow. Even though..... I keep the bird feeder full at all times. Sawyer and I have started walking again to wear off our winter weight and to get the joints moving again. I really did do a lot of knitting this winter. One project I just finished are these felted scuff-around slippers. I used 2 skeins of Noro Kureyon, size 10 DPS, and then felted them to fit. I used Soak while felting them which resulted in them being very soft. I will be back soon to share other projects and hopefully, warmer weather. "That sun sure feels good on my face"

Getting Caught Up

2010-12-20T20:00:00.004-06:00

The end of the year is fast approaching and I'm trying to tie up loose ends. The project list is finally dwindling down, leaving me ponder on what to start next.

First of all, here's an adorable photo of my Niece, Reese (at Thanksgiving). She has finally grown into the sock yarn sweater I knit and gave to her Easter of 2010. She will be 2 yrs old in January. The sweater fits her like a glove and she was very comfortable wearing it.

Off the needles about 2 weeks ago is my first shawl. I really enjoyed knitting this and learned a lot about patience, markers, life lines and yarnovers. I'm much more comfortable with all them now after finishig this. Sorry, no photo of me wearing it.

Pattern: Dane Shawl
Yarn: Handmaiden Mini Maiden - 50% wool, 50% silk
Colorway: Peridot

Next off the needles is a scarf that will go to my backyard friend and flower-growing neighbor. I had started this in July just as something to do in between projects. It wasn't until late November that I decided it would be a good Christmas gift and then kicked it into high gear to get it done. The scarf was knit as long as the skein of yarn took me: 400 yds. It was a Loopy Ewe Sock Club kit that included either a pair of socks or this scarf.

Pattern: Cassarah
Yarn: String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn: Caper Sock
Colorway: Bye Bye Blues

And last, but not least, an update on my Francesca Vest. The 2 fronts are done and I've started the back. I'm happy with how the colors are turning out.

I leave you with our fresh cut Wisconsin balsam Christmas tree. May you and your family enjoy the Christmas Spirit. May you find some quiet time during the hectic holidays for some quiet knitting time.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ~ JoAnn

Noro Update

2010-11-18T19:16:00.002-06:00

I've knit the whole left front on my Francesca Vest, and cast on for the right front immediately. I'm liking how these colors all blend together. It's hard chosing a Noro color to knit with. You see all the different colors in the skein, but can't imagine how they will all look once your piece is knit up. I'm finding this colorway a pleasant surprise.

My friend who is allergic to wool is giddy with excitement to be wearing these bamboo/nylon socks ...

This week I received a Loopy Sock Club installment and I'm very happy with its contents.

The yarn is Madelintosh (colorway "Green W/Envy"). Patterns included are a choice of socks or fingerless mittens. Also inclded was the awesome messenger bag. Sheri, from The Loopy Ewe, never ceases to surprise us with such thoughtful kits.

~Knit On!

Finish One Project, Start Another

2010-11-07T19:20:00.002-06:00

I finished painting my kitchen/dining area yesterday. Last weekend I did one wall and finished this weekend with the 2nd wall. The paint went on very well and I did 2 coats for a better finish. I used Benjamin Moore Eggshell in color "Mexicana".

Everyone in the family is happy with it and it really does "warm up" the area quite a bit.

In my last post, I mentioned a vest pattern I would like to start. Well, I got scared and backed away from it. Maybe someday. Soon. I promise. I came across the pattern below while paging through some new books at The Black Purl, my local knitting store.

I've never knit with Noro before and the store had just got in a large selection of colorful skeins of Noro Kureyon. That was enough for me to put the cabled vest on hold for awhile.

You can't see all the colors in the skeins above, but they include varying shades of purple, pink, gray, black, blue, green. I can't wait to see how they all blend together in this long vest.

Time to cheer on the Packers against the Cowboys!!

Knit on....

Not a Pro

2010-11-03T17:08:00.005-05:00

Well, I'm not exactly a professional model, or photographer. I had Gus re-take a photo of my coat with me actually wearing it. The photo I displayed a few posts ago, was taken without a flash and wasn't the exact color.

Here I am actually wearing the coat so you all know that it fits just fine and have gotten many compliments on it already. A nurse at the doctor's office today led me up to the 3 receptionists and said, "She MADE this sweater!"

Not much else to report.... the last wall to be painted red will be done on Saturday when I have the most daylight. Then that project is done.

I finished Sock #1 for my friend who's allergic to wool, and cast on the 2nd right away. The Bamboo/Nylon is very soft and she will like them better than if she would have broke out in a rash.

Now that the coat is done, smaller projects can be finished before heading on to more complicated ones. Like this vest. Is this over-ambitious of me?? There's about 4 charts, and I have no idea how to organize them in order to knit the front/back without confusion. All in due time, I guess.

We'll see you on the flip side....

Happy Knitting!

One Hint

2010-10-31T17:12:00.003-05:00

I finally decided on a red.....

"MEXICANA"

The Coat

2010-10-25T20:23:00.002-05:00

Heeeere it tis!

Two months of power knitting and it's finally put together. It feels wonderful to wear, and the yarn isn't as scratchy as I first thought. Instead of the large hood, I did a collar and I'm very happy that I did as it's less bulky in back.

The horn buttons I picked out:

Pattern: Clasica Coat, Interweave Knits magazine, Fall 2009 issue
Yarn: Cascade Yarns - Ecological Wool (colorway 9012) 100% Undyed Peruvian Highland Wool
Needles: 8 & 9's

Now that the "Beast" doesn't hog all my time, I can make a pair of socks for a friend. She's allergic to wool, so the that yarn I'm using is bamboo and nylon. It's very soft, and slippery to work with and I hope they will wear well without bagging out.

So, what's on your needles?

Ready for Red

2010-10-20T20:09:00.010-05:00

RED. Who knew there were so many choices? I'd like to add some pizzaz to 2 walls in my kitchen. At first I thought I wanted this happy, modern color (below) of a limey green, but it just didn't jive with the warmth of the cabinets and backsplash tiles.

So now I'll be weeding out the red samples while viewing them at different times of day.

I'VE FINISHED THE COAT!!

This is a pretty poor photo, but you can tell it's put together. I need to get some large buttons yet. They should be arriving at my LYS the end of this week. I will post a photo with the coat actually on me very soon.

I really enjoyed knitting this coat. It wasn't as intimidating as I first thought. I'm just glad I kicked butt and completed this in time to actually wear it yet this fall.

Next, I'm hopefully going to finish my Dane Shawl and then start a pair of socks for a friend.

Happy Knitting ~

Smile!

2010-09-17T18:03:00.008-05:00

I just thought this little video would make you smile also.

What's making me smile today though is that I just finished the Right Front of the Clasica Coat! 4 pieces down, 2 to go (Right Sleeve and Collar). I've kept track of the start & end dates on each piece, and it's taken me 26 days to knit the back, fronts and 1 sleeve. At this rate, I should be able to wear it this fall. I'm already thinking of what's next on the needles so that's a sign I'm nearing the end.

That's all for now - I have Guinness Beef Stew waiting for me in the crock pot and warm apple crisp.

~Happy Knitting.

Random Stuff

2010-09-12T15:14:00.002-05:00

Well, Fall is now in the air here in Wisconsin. That heat and humidity was sure getting old. It's nice to now have the windows open for fresh air during the day and at night. It also makes knitting with heavy wool a bit nicer also.

Gus started 7th grade on September 1st. I apologize for the bad picture quality. I blame it on 1) the earlieness of the morning: 6:20 am (his bus comes at 6:30) and it's not as light out anymore in the morning and 2) I do need to get a new camera.

.... And, of course, we can't forget to include Sawyer...

Just to update you on the progress of the Clasica Coat, I now have the Back, Left Front, and Left Sleeve DONE. I'm about halfway through the Right Front right now. It's not a difficult pattern - you just need huge chunks of time to knit on it. Hmmm, guess that doesn't say too much about my life at the moment (or why my house looks the way it does). I just want to be able to wear it this Fall & Early Winter. I don't think it's designed for below zero Wisconsin winters.

Pictured are a sleeve and a front. The back was in my previous blog post.

This is a skein of Wendy Happy yarn. It's 75% bamboo and 25% nylon. I have a friend that would like me to knit her a pair of socks, but she's allergic to Wool! Of all places to have that allergy, Wisconsin is not among them. She was very happy to learn that this skein would not make her break out. I'm going to use some restraint in starting them until my coat is just about done. I don't need any more distractions.

I went to our local Art in the Park this weekend and just thought I'd show you some unique things I found. Above is a bird feeder made out of an old tea kettle. It goes perfect in my eclectic garden out back.

And these two rings were made from old silverware handles. I bought two different sizes to go on these two fingers.

So, that's about all for now. Enjoy your Fall wherever you are.

~Happy Knitting!~

On To The Coat

2010-08-26T07:23:00.004-05:00

Well, I've decided to tackle the Clasica Coat! I cast on the back August 13 and finished the back August 24th. It's not a hard pattern, just time consuming. I've decided not to do the hood (gasp). I know, many people think it's the best part of the coat, but I'm not a "hoodie person" and find it cumbersome. I will probably do some sort of large collar instead. I'll keep you in the loop as to my progress.

Yarn: Classic Elite Eco Wool
Colorway - Brown/Gray Twist (#9012)

This is a closeup of the TSP (Textured Stitch Pattern). It's an 8-row repeat that's not at all difficult. Except when it comes row 8 when you have to knit 6 stitches from one. I'm always glad when that row is done. If anyone sees me with my tongue sticking out of the corner of my mouth and counting, that's where I'm at in the pattern.

This is the back, but I only had 3 "pillows" completed of the TSP as I was decreasing for the raglan sleeves. It ended up to be about 7 "pillows". I call them pillows because they kind of poof out as a result of the decreasing & increasing of stitches.

And just so you all know ~ I did finish my Marlene socks.

I ran out of yarn towards the end of the toe decrease. I searched Ravelry for people who used this colorway of Madelintosh and found a kind lady who sent me her leftover skein so I could finish them. Bless her heart. It was a titch darker, but no one will ever know. Ravelry is a wonderful place and has come in handy for so many different questions I have had.

I am officially caught up on my socks and do not plan on starting any more until the Coat is done. Taking the place of socks, though, are a pair of cabled mittens. Photos of that will have to wait until I get further into the cabled pattern.

School starts for Gus next Wednesday, so I hope to post his "First Day of School" photo in the same place I've taken one since kindergarten. He starts the 7th grade this year. Halfway there...

~Happy Knitting!~

Progress & Pondering

2010-08-02T15:39:00.005-05:00

First for the Progress ~

Pattern: Marlene
Yarn: Madelintosh; Tosh Sock
Colorway: Tern
Needles - Size 2

This is the mate to the one I finished awhile back. I'm working on the heel right now, then the long-drawn out gusset, and then it's on to the home stretch of the foot. I sure hope I have enough yarn..... I've already started searching Ravelry and other knit sites to see if I can still get this color.

Now to the Pondering portion of this post.

Beth, owner of my LYS The Black Purl, is going to be doing a KAL for anyone interested in attempting this

I'm still looking over the instructions and may knit a swatch of the 8-row texture pattern to see how it looks. My concerns are - 1) feeling overwhelmed with it once I start and thus never finishing it, and 2) it'll end up too large on me. I guess I'll never know if I don't start, right? I'll keep you up-to-date on my decision. I'm not too crazy about the huge hood though and I'm not sure if any modification can be made to leave it off. Any thoughts?

Since I really like working with the above yarn (Madelinetosh), I purchased another skein in Colorway "Tart".

Along with the yarn, I also purchased the pattern for Lucunae, also from The Loopy Ewe. I think this yarn would be perfect for these socks.

Today when I drove in the driveway after work, my head spun around once I noticed that my hibiscus had opened. What a coincidence that the inside of the flower matches the yarn above.

Happy Knitting ~

I'm On a Roll

2010-07-29T10:31:00.002-05:00

Yup. Another project Off the Needles!

Before I started this sweater, I had been on a sweater hiatus. The last few were either too small or too baggy. This one fits just right. The pattern was free, the directions were clear and it was a fun, quick knit. Ok, it still took me 3 months of knitting on and off....

Pattern: Ari
Yarn: Classic Elite Solstice

Happy Knitting~

Now I'm Getting Somewhere

2010-07-27T19:19:00.009-05:00

Things got done while we were on vacation last week.....

The Monkeys are D.O.N.E.
Yarn: Dream In Color Smooshy, Colorway: November Muse, Needles: Size 2, 2-circulars. I really enjoyed the pattern. but I don't think I'll be doing another pair anytime soon. There's too many other unique patterns out there.

I started a new book....

I'm a big Stephen King fan. Have been since I first read "Carrie" when it came out while I was in high school. That's all you need to know. I have just about every one of his books packed away in boxes. Except the Gunslinger series; I just couldn't get into those. Anyway, "Under The Dome" is 1067 pages long and I'm half way through.

Gus fished a lot......

...... and golfed with Dad.
Time was spent getting together with friends we haven't seen since last summer. Three boys each with wrist rockets = scary. No one was injured though.

And, of course, enjoyed the Northwoods Wisconsin sunsets just about every night.

And when we returned home....

we found our kitchen backsplash had been tiled by my very talented brother.

I think I need to take a vacation more often. It's the only way things get done.

New Projects

2010-07-07T14:30:00.011-05:00

In a few weeks, these lovely tumbled pieces of slate will be brightening up my kitchen backsplash. My talented brother
will be tiling it while we're on vacation. Last summer, he re-tiled our bathroom. I love coming home to something new, professionally done and not having to hear any four letter words.

My black/red hollyhocks are sure going to town. I'll be very sad when their bloom time is done.

I've started a new project (recipient unknown at this point). It's a scarf pattern by Sheri Berger from The Loopy Ewe. I did not get into their sock club this year, but as a consolation kit for those who did not, she put together a wonderful "Sock Club Lite" kit. This is the first of 2 kits and included a pattern of a scarf ("Cassarah" written by her) and a pair of toe-up socks (pattern written by Wendy Johnson).

Yarn: String Theory Caper Sock (80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon)
Colorway: Bye Bye Blues - Size 6 needle

To end this post, I'm showing off my newest garden "decoration". My brother (as mentioned above) gave me one of his old, worn out steel-toed boots. He took the steel part out for a small "growy" to poke through. I found the perfect salmon-colored verbena plant a good home for the summer.

Hollyhocks & Lace

2010-06-27T10:37:00.008-05:00

These days I'm trying to divide my time between my garden and knitting. While I like spending time outside, I also like to take a break from the heat & humidity and keep plodding along on my knitting projects. I have to show off my new hollyhock plant I put in my garden last summer. I've waited patiently since then, and now it's finally showing off it's unusual color. Which is the main reason I bought it. The name on the tag is "Nigra", and it's mostly a black flower with a titch of dark red.

This is a variety of Hens & Chick - "cobweb". This year, they're sprouting upwards into funny spirals. A couple dark purple delphiniums grace the garden for the first time this year also.
My clematis is growing crazy on my antique garden garden gate and iron bed frame. I had to add another trellis to accommodate a few wandering vines to the right (hollyhock plant is to the left of the light purple clematis)Now for my most ambitious project lately. I'm attempting a lace shawl. Now don't all gasp at once..... I've been a terrible scaredy cat about doing one; even trying to tell myself "where would I ever wear one". But after viewing so many beautiful shawls on Ravelry and reviewing countless shawl patterns, looking for an easy one to start with; I found Dane Shawl.

I may have been a bit too confident (for a first-timer) in starting this - working without lifelines or markers. I got to row 25, discovered a mistake was made but couldn't find where. I just cut it off and started again. This time I have lifelines in place and markers. So far, so good.

Yarn: Mini Maiden (a lace yarn by Hand Maiden)

50% Silk, 50% Wool

Colorway: Peridot

Looks like this day is turning cloudy and rain is on it's way - I guess putzing in the garden is out.

Knit Away!

One Down, Two to Go

2010-06-20T20:12:00.007-05:00

Remember these photos? Four lonely socks w/out mates?

I did finish the mate to the blue sock, but just never posted the finished pair.

Well, I finally got on the stick and finished Nanner Socks. A pattern by Wendy D. Johnson. Nothing hard; but other things kept getting in the way.

Fun pattern found here.

Just letting you know that I'm still knitting and not slacking just because it's summer and there's time to be outside and in the garden.

Now..... I have to decide which pair to finish next; the brown Monkeys or the gray Marlene's.

Sawyer's 1st of 9 Lives

2010-06-04T15:44:00.006-05:00

Do Dogs have Nine Lives too? I sure hope so. Or maybe the Dog Gods were with Sawyer last night.

Greg and I were cutting up a large tree branch that fell on our boulevard the other day. We were then going to load the brush in the truck to take to the yard waste site. Greg went to back the truck out of the garage and bring it to the side of the road to load the brush. At the same time, a lady was walking a cute young golden retriever puppy past the house. This also caught Sawyer's attention and he didn't see Greg backing the truck out of the garage. Greg assumed Sawyer heard & saw the truck backing out and was out of the way. He wasn't. I turned my gaze away from the cute puppy only to see the inevitable. Sawyer's cable got caught under the truck tires and pulled him under the truck. All I could see was his head by the back tire and a loud crunch. As I'm screaming and running towards the truck, Sawyer got up and ran away into the yard. At least he was walking/running and not laying in the driveway. After he let me near him (he was very afraid of me and wouldn't come by me), I started moving and pressing limbs and bones. Sawyer did not yelp at anything which was a good sign. But then my had had blood on it, and I couldn't figure out where it was coming from. After further examination, I discovered the crunch I heard wasn't his head, but his top canine tooth breaking off.

I watched him carefully the rest of the night and he seemed fine. This morning I took him to the vet and he needs the rest of the canine tooth extracted because the nerve is exposed and will get infected. He also lost some fur on his foot, which will grow back in time.

It was very frightening to know I almost lost my best friend as I watched helplessly.

Sawyer can still smile, but it's now a crooked smile.

Don't Be Alarmed - It's Only Me

2010-04-28T13:37:00.013-05:00

Sorry for the long absence. There's this pesky job I have working for a CPA firm and an irritating thing called Tax Season that got in the way of keeping you up-to-date on my knitting progress. OK, Laziness was also a culprit.

I finally finished Reese The Niece's baby sweater. I used sock yarn to make this and it sure turned out cute! I made a size 2, so she won't be able to wear it until (maybe) this fall. She'll turn 2 in January 2011. This took me about a year to make, so it's a good thing I didn't make a smaller size! The pattern was very easy, it was The Knitter who couldn't stick with it for any length of time to get it done. I kept telling myself that it wouldn't fit her yet anyway and had all the time in the world to get it done.

Yarn - Classic Elite Summer Sox

Needles - Size 2 (don't remind me)

Pattern - Stripey Toddler Cardigan

Next up is a pair of socks that I made for a friend. She witnessed me knitting at the local bar one night and asked how much I would charge to make a pair for her. I told her I wouldn't charge her anything, knowing she's a very appreciative person.

I got the idea for the homemade label from a fellow blogger a while back and like to use it when giving socks as gifts. I include the yarn content, washing instructions, and a cute name for the socks - usually the colorway, as in this case. I also try to include a little sample of Soak for them to wash them in.

Pattern: Winterscape

Yarn: Rio De La Plata, colorway "Garden Topiary"

Needles - Size 2 DPNs

Unfortunately, I still have 3 lonely socks without mates. I intend to make those over the summer. My objective is not to start a new pair of socks until that is done.

So - I don't start a new pair of socks, but I DO start a little shrug for myself. The pattern is Ari

I'm using Classic Elite's Solstice - organic cotton (70%) and merino wool (30%) yarn in a lavender color. This yarn is very nice to work with. The pattern appealed to me due to it's simplicity and also the fact that I don't have something "light" to put on during the cool summer nights or days with irritating air conditioning at work.

Other Non-Knitting News

Gus had braces put on his teeth in February. He just has them on the top right now until a cross-bite/over-bite problem is resolved and then they'll go on the bottom teeth later. His first set of eye-teeth are impacted way up into his upper gums, so the 1st set of pre-molars had to be removed last week to make room for the eye teeth to come down.

Gus has traded in a bowling ball for a baseball bat. He has moved up to the Majors this year and it takes things up a level from what he's previously played at. His first game is this Thursday.

We have a family trip planned for June 10-17th. We will boarding a plane for balmy Phoenix. We'll be staying with my cousin, Lynn and her husband Mark. Just relaxation, golf (not me) and swimming will be done. It's been 12 yrs since Greg & I have visited them there and 6 yrs since we've gone anywhere by plane. Gus is looking forward to swimming in a backyard pool and hitting the Arizona links with Greg. We also have a Diamondbacks/Cardinals baseball game planned.

Sawyer will be vacationing at Pet Lodge during the time we're away in June and also during our week we spend up North in July. He looks forward to seeing his dog-friends again.

Next post, I'll share with you 2 awesome sock club kits I've received from Woolgirl. The theme is Alice in Wonderland. Jen puts together some really nice kits complete with a lot of extras.

Till then,

Happy Knitting.

Happy Love Day

2010-02-14T13:56:00.009-06:00

I Love my newly finished Peppermint Mocha socks........

I Love my Loopy Ewe Valentine kit which included Fiesta Baby Boom yarn (colorway Chocolate Strawberry Ganache), a 3AM Enhancement sock project bag, and Loopy post-it-notes.....

I Love making heart cut out cookies with frosting & sprinkles....
I Love making Pioneer Woman's Best Chocolate Sheet Cake. Ever.
I took the cookies & cake to work Saturday morning and they were Loved by everyone there also.

I Love (another) finished project - Rotini Scarf.....

... though it looks better on me than on a winter-dead burning bush....
I Love my new necklace, designed by Lorelei. You can read about the whole story on her blog as her photos and story are much better than I could ever produce. Please take the time to read about this special keepsake if you have the time. Thank you again, Lorelei! I've gotten many compliments on it.

And, of course, I Love Sawyer's smile. It makes me smile no matter what my mood is.

I hope this day brought you many Smiles and Loves also.

Knit Away!

Doggie Daycare Dropout

2010-01-08T20:21:00.003-06:00

Does this look like the face of a trouble maker?

I went to pick up Sawyer from Noah's Bark today. After discussing Sawyer's day with the owner, she gently and kindly led to the fact that Sawyer would not be able to come back.

He's a very sweet dog. A very energetic dog. A dog that listens very well and obeys.

A "policing dog" as she put it. The herding instict in him.

Whenever he see's other dogs playing and having fun, Sawyer runs in the breaks it up. Butts in and has to be in control. The alpha male. Once they stop, he trots off happy as can be.

So, in keeping harmony amongst the other dogs and not ruining their time there to romp and play, she had to let him go. It was hard for her also as she's grown fond of Sawyer.

I guess this means more walks at night. In the cold.

We still love you Sawyer. You're our vigilant protector.

Playing Catch-Up

2010-01-05T19:25:00.015-06:00

It's 2010 and I'm still here! (in case you were wondering) Time just gets away from me, or I'm in between projects, or I figure I just don't have enough blog-worthy material to post. I'm not one to bore you with trivial stuff, so I wait until I have something interesting to share with you.

My newest pair of plain-Jane socks.

Yarn: Claudia Hand Painted Yarns, Colorway: Peppermint Mocha

This was one of the first skeins of yarn I purchased from The Loopy Ewe about 2 years ago and with the Holidays, seemed appropriate and fun to work with. This is really nice yarn (100% Merino Wool) and feels lovely. I can't wait to get them on my feet.

I also started a scarf....

Yarn: Manos Silk Blend (30% silk, 70% Merino Extrafine Wool)

The pattern I have is called "Rotini Scarf", but in viewing others on Ravelry, it also goes by Twisted Scarf
It's a fun, short repeat and easy to memorize pattern. It also travels well to bowling tournaments and down to the local bar where I just can't sit without doing something while relaxing with a beer. They've stopped making fun of me, and ask me with interest what I'm making.

Some of you have expressed an interest in other hobbies that have fallen by the wayside in recent years, so I'll share those with you too.

My most recent piece is hanging in my kitchen window. It's just a geometric pattern, using clear glass bevels and leftover red/green glass from a hanging lampshade I did BG (before Gus).

I apologize for not taking these with the sunlight streaming through, but a) it's winter (short days), and b) I was in the mood to blog NOW and didn't want to put it off for another day.

The lampshade as mentioned above...This chili pepper panel was my first big project after my beginning class in stained glass. It hangs proudly, along with the lighthouse panel below, in my living room window.

My most prized piece is hanging in Greg's office down in Milwaukee. It's titled, "The Wizard". When I locate my brag book (someday) I'll scan it in another post.

Speaking of long-lost projects..... there's this. I started it in March, 2000. I really have the itch to start working on it again. It's titled "Santa in the Forest".

Where I'm at so far~ I leave you with this Snow Baby figurine(a gift from my mom), "Hooked on Knitting", that is on my knitting table the rest of winter.
Sawyer says, "That doggie-daycare place sure wears a guy out"!

Old and New Projects

2009-11-29T17:06:00.008-06:00

Finally!

A pair of finished socks. Ya, so what if they are the easiest ones first? I have 3 more mates to complete, but they're patterned and don't travel well..... or can be done while watching TV very closely. Anyway, these are on my feet and have been all day today. I'm milking it for all they're worth...

Simple Stockinette pattern, cuff-down (cuz that's the kind of gal I am), Sundara yarn, Marina Over Icicles colorway.

From the comfort of my warm Lazyboy, to the cold depths of my glass workshop; I've got the glass itch again after "assisting" Gus with his pyramid project a few weeks ago. By the way, his group got an A for their project.

I wanted to do a small project so as not to get overwhelmed and never finish (similar to the 3 mates as noted above). This is just a simple geometric sun catcher for my kitchen window. I get a lot of sun through it during the winter, and the glass bevels will reflect the sunlight very nicely. I just used scraps of colored glass from other projects in the past. They're red, green and yellow tones. Today I finished grinding the pieces to fit and will foil & solder it together soon.

We had family over for a Black Friday dinner. I made 2 pans of Pioneer Woman's lasagna and her Red Velvet Cake. Both from her new cookbook. So far, everything I've made of hers has been simple and delicious! If you're looking for a great Christmas gift for some one who likes to cook, or needs a little more explanation (step-by-step photos), I would highly recommend her cookbook. Because then you can make this crowd pleaser below...

Tonight's challenge: Cutting this last chunk 3 ways...

My 2nd Favorite Spot

2009-11-17T20:59:00.011-06:00

Welcome to My Kitchen!

As mentioned in the blog title, this is my 2nd Favorite Spot in the house. The 1st is my Lazyboy where I do my knitting.

In addition to reading knitting blogs, I've also started reading food blogs. One of them is Lake Lure Cottage Kitchen. Today (11/18/09) on Penny's blog, she's have a kitchen reveal and readers can share their kitchens. I'm happy to participate. By the way, Penny, you have an awesome kitchen!

We had our kitchen remodeled 7 years ago. It's a small area, so there wasn't much they could do to the layout; i.e. the stove still had to stay next to the refrigerator. We had the soffits torn out so the new cabinets could go to the ceiling for extra storage. Previously, we had cabinets from the ceiling hang over the peninsula which were also torn out so we could put recessed lighting above the long counter. The pantry cabinets to the left of the pocket door helps with storage also. My talented brother tiled our kitchen floor and mudroom. He's also the one that re-tiled our bathroom this past summer. That's our mudroom entry beyond the pocket door. (ignore the mess on the counter; the photo was taken at a different time than the one above.)
My Favorite Appliance.....

My 2 cast iron pans I'm starting to get seasoned just right and use more. My other pots and pans are Calphalon.

This plaque was my mom's long ago, and now it hangs next to my stove....

Below is my newest cookbook by another food blogger, The Pioneer Woman. This cookbook will certainly get lots of use. There's a lot of practical, delicious meals in there, one of which I made tonight and was a big hit. The white binder holds all the recipes I print off from other food blogs and hope to make one day.

Thank you for visiting my kitchen. I'll leave you with these yummy bars I just made. The recipe is from Taste of Home, Best-Loved Cookies & Bars 2009. They're fudgy brownies with a topping that tastes just like chocolate chip cookie dough.

Two-Tone Fudge Brownies

1 c. semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 c. butter, softened

1 c. sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/4 c. flour

1/4 tsp. baking soda

3/4 c. chopped walnuts

Cookie Dough Layer:

1/2 c. butter, softened

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1/4 c. white sugar

3 TBS milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. flour

1 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a microwave, melt the chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the melted chocolate. Combine flour and baking soda; gradually add to batter. Stir in the walnuts.

Spread into greased 9x13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 16-22 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

In a small bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in milk and vanilla. Gradually add flour. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoons over the cooled brownies; carefully spread over top. Cut into squares. Store in the refrigerator.

Enjoy!

Future Artisan

2009-11-13T21:42:00.009-06:00

Gus has a class this year in 6th grade called Ancient Civilization. For the past few weeks they've been studying the Egyptian time period. Their project was to build a 4-sided, enclosed pyramid, wrap a "doll" in gauze for a mummy and place it in a "casket" with it's treasures. When Gus first told me about this project, he was thinking about using cardboard to make his pyramid (which had to be at least 6" high). I went beyond that and suggested using glass. He jumped at the idea.

A bit of background here: In another lifetime, my hobby for a number of years was doing stained glass. My brother built me an awesome workshop bench down in the basement, I took classes, bought all the tools and have quite a nice collection of glass. I've since moved on from stashing glass to stashing yarn, but that's beside the point.

Once Gus was committed to doing this pyramid in glass, he just happened to mention that it was a group project with 2 other kids. Great. Well, it ended up that one of them made the mummy & casket, and the other kid made the platform for the pyramid - Gus had most of the work to do.

So after an hour of cleaning off my workbench (including a dead mouse) from years of accumulated junk, we got down to business. Since the triangles needed to be pretty exact in size to fit together right, I cut the glass. I did show Gus how to cut glass with a glass cutter and use the breakers to break the glass on the score line. He thought that was pretty cool how all that worked and experimented on some scraps.

Once the triangles were cut, then his participation started. I showed him how to grind each piece of glass on the grinder - he did that wonderfully with no problem.

Then I showed him how to wrap each piece of glass in copper foil (to which the solder would then adhere to). He mastered that pretty good for a first-timer also.

Next came the intimidating part - the soldering iron. I showed him how to apply the flux to the copper foil and how to hold the roll of solder in the left hand while melting the solder with the iron in the right hand. That was tricky for him, but he marched on like the awesome trooper that he is.

All in all, his project was a one-of-a-kind, and his teacher was impressed because he had never had a student use glass for their pyramid before. The pieces of paper taped to the glass were the 3 student's names written in hieroglyphics which was also a requirement of the project.

One of the sides is a pinkish-clear glass, so you can see the mummy inside (which we super glued to the glass bottom so it wouldn't spill all over the place inside).

He asked me, "Does this inspire you to start doing stained glass again"?

I'll have to give this some serious thought.

Notice Anything?

2009-11-06T19:53:00.011-06:00

Ok. I think I have a problem. What's wrong with these next 2 photos?

Any idea yet?......

Yea, they're kind of missing their mates.
I hope to get that problem resolved this winter. Luckily I do have other socks to wear in the meantime.

In my defense, I have been working on other projects also ~

This little girl's shrug I completed for my niece, Ava's 4th birthday. We're going over to Woodbury, MN next weekend to celebrate. I hope she likes it. She's such a sweet girly-girl that I can't imagine her not liking it.

I'm also working on this for Ava's new sister, Reese.

This is the back (which has been completed since I took the photo awhile ago). Reese will be 1 yr old in January, and this is a size 2. I hope to complete it by her 1st birthday. (Those socks may have to wait a bit longer...)

OK - Cousin Lynn - if you're reading this, you may not want to look any further. This is your Christmas present you asked me to make you.

This is a wrap that Lynn saw in The Black Purl (my LYS). The one she saw was a different color and she asked me to make her one in blacks and grays. It's various weights of yarn, knit on size 11 needles, garter stitch. I completed this in just over 1 week (and I can't get a matching mate done??? FPS)

My last installment of The Loopy Ewe Sock Club arrived today. I have been in this Club for the past 2 years. I just may throw my name back into the hat for a chance to get picked for next year's club. The patterns and yarns that Sheri from TLE chose were awesome. I received colors I would have never chosen on my own. There were a lot of nice patterns, but a few that I know I'll never do (cough. toe-up. cough).

This yarn is "the usual" by numma numma. The colorway is red bartlett pear. I love this color and the yarn is one I didn't have. The pattern is cuff down and one that I would like to do. What a nice way to end a 2 year stint in my first sock club.

OK - I think that's all the knitting news I have for you. I know I haven't blogged in awhile, but I really have been knitting on various things (except for the mates of those pesky socks).

Here's a photo of Gus carving his pumpkin last week,

..... and I never did share with you the sheep footstool I found at our local arts and crafts fair back in early September. I was so undecided about getting this and just stood in the lady's booth for awhile before breaking down and bringing him home to put in front of my knitting chair.

And what post wouldn't be complete without Sawyer's smiling face....

Do you have the One Sock Syndrome, or is it just me?

Show & Tell

2009-09-14T17:42:00.019-05:00

Because this was intended to be a knitting blog and a then a miscellaneous family blog, I'll start out with THREE finished projects that I finally wrapped up recently. The two sweaters I started last fall/winter and the socks I started in July. Just to grab the attention of you knitters out there...

Pattern: Winterscape Socks by Kay Redding
Yarn: Shibui Knits, colorway: Seaweed

I made these for Gus's best friend's mom who has witnessed me knitting socks at our boys' baseball games for the past 2 years. She finally mustered the courage and asked me if I would knit her a pair. I graciously obliged and let her pick out the yarn she liked from my stash.

Pattern: Twist by Chic Knits
Yarn: Cascade 220

Modification: This pattern called for either a hoodie or collar. I'm not a hoodie kind of gal, so I did the collar.

Problem: It's too small for me (arrgghh!!)
Solution: Great Birthday gift for my sister (fits her perfectly)

In case you're wondering, Beth (owner & good friend of Black Purl, my LYS) is displaying this for awhile in her shop. It's much more flattering on the headless mannequin than on me.

Pattern: G'Day by Berroco, Book #276
Yarn: Berroco Jasper

Modifications: I did seed stitch instead of ribbing on the bottom, collar & cuffs

Note: This one fits me just fine!

Next time I'll let you know what's in the works now. Let's just say I'm giving sweaters (for me) a rest for while. I need to finish some mates of socks and a baby sweater. My big ambition for this winter's project to start (and hopefully complete) Girasole by Jared Flood. I have the yarn bought, so I'm pretty much committed.

Non-Knitting Stuff:

August 8, 2009 - Greg and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary by driving to Big Bay, MI and stayed at the Big Bay Point Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast . Big Bay, MI is 25 miles north of Marquette, MI. Way up in the UP ya der hay. It was a pretty drive (5 hours of knitting time for me) and this cozy room awaited us for 2 nights.

It was pretty cool, because we could go up onto the balcony right below the light, and also into the enclosed glass room where the light is. This is still a working lighthouse. The lens is owned and maintained by the Coast Guard, but the residence is privately owned and there are 7 rooms in the Bed & Breakfast.

The Happy Couple

Gus has been growing gladiolus for the past couple years. Grandma comes over and helps him plant the bulbs and then he's responsible for watering them until the County Fair arrives in early August. It's a matter of timing. A certain number of florets have to be open in order to enter. He won with 2 different glads this year. Below (the red glad) is the ribbon winner.

And to round things out for August, Greg turned 50 years old. The day was celebrated with good friends, adult beverages, a backyard fire and a 6 pound tenderloin on the grill.

And because the title of this post is Show and Tell. What do you think this is?...

Answer: Gus's upper back molar which got stuck in a Jolly Rancher and came out when he tried to pry it off with his tongue. Yes, the tooth semi-loose already.

September 1st: Back to School. Gus started 6th grade at a new school this year. He's now at the Middle School (6th & 7th graders). The next 2 years he'll be an early riser as his bus comes at 6:30 am.

Sawyer says, "It's too early to smile"

(knock, knock) Helloooo, Still With Me?

2009-09-02T20:07:00.018-05:00

Ok, chalk the absence up to laziness. I'm guilty. Normally when I take on a project I'm pretty much gun-ho and don't waste any time in getting it done. I've even been chastised and ridiculed about this. But everytime I thought about blogging, it seemed like such a chore. I'm not short on topics, I just made it seem like a lot of work to sit down, upload photos, write text, tweak things, and post. What's so hard about that? Well, now it's September and I have to play catch-up.

I guess after July 4th, came our week-long vacation in Northern Wisconsin. St. Germain to be exact. A quaint little, woodsy town, away from the hustle and bustle of Central Wisconsin. (I see you snickering). We've rented this same cabin at the Cedaroma Resort now for 4 years. And we've booked the same week for next year also.

Our quaint home away from home straight up from the dock.

Gus fished....

and played golf with Dad....

.... and relaxed. Because that's what a vacation away from phones & computers is for.

And Me?....

This was my spot. In the screen porch. Out of the sun and away from the bugs. Here I read "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" and knit on various WIPs. The whoooole week.

While we were away. My loving, talented, generous brother, Mike, demolished and re-tiled our bathroom and we came home to this....

A million thanks again, Mike.

And what would July be if I wouldn't include some Flora

and Fauna....

Next post - August (includes our 22nd anniversary weekend, An 11 yr old gladiolus grower, a 50 yr Old Fart and a Finished Pair of Socks!) I have your interest peaked now, don't I?

Socks & A Salad

2009-07-04T10:50:00.007-05:00

TA DAAAAA!! I kitchnered two toes last night. One pair is completed, and the other still needs a mate.

These I called my Baseball Socks because I knit on them at Gus' baseball games. His games are now all done, and so are these socks.

Yarn: Misty Alpaca, Colorway #10; 50% Alpaca, 30% Merino Wool, 10% Silk, 10% Nylon

Needles: Size 2 DPNs

Pattern: Plain ole' Stockinette

One Marlene sock is done and I'll probably knit the mate while we're on vacation in a few weeks.

Yarn: Madelintosh, Colorway: Tern

Needles: Size 2 Addi Turbos, 16"

Pattern by: Cookie A (featured in Fall/Winter 2008 Knit 1 magazine)

We're going to a friend's house later today for a 4th of July party. I volunteered to make my Fruit Salad, and thought I'd share the recipe with you.

1 small pkg Vanilla Pudding (NOT instant)

1 large can Pineapple Chunks (save juice)

1 large can sliced Peaches (save juice)

1 can of Mandarin Oranges (save juice)

1 jar of Maraschino Cherries (save 1/2 the juice)

1-2 Bananas, sliced

Green grapes (whole or halved, whichever you prefer)

Save all the fruit juices together and measure out 1 1/2 cups. Add juice to pudding mix in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring & cooking until thick. Cool slightly. Slice bananas into pudding, mix and stir to coat. Pour over drained fruit and gently mix together. Bananas will not turn black. Keeps for 3-5 days. Refrigerate until cold enough to serve.

Here's a colorful photo of the bowl I made this morning. I doubled this batch.

(Sneaky 11 yr. old boy's hand not included)

Monkey Off My Back

2009-06-21T20:26:00.013-05:00

Well, here is a finished sweater. OK, I'll give you time to recover..........
I started this March, 2008. Simple stockinette. Knit 6 rows of sage, 2 rows of brown. Not rocket science.

After I started it, other projects crept in and it kept getting shoved further and further down the line. I vowed to wear it this summer though, and finally pulled up my big girl panties and got down to business. Now that it's done, I really don't like how it looks on me. There wasn't any shaping on the sides, and I didn't know enough to PUT some shaping in there, I just followed the directions as written. Also, the neckline lays really nice when standing up straight. But if I have to bend over for whatever reason - HELLO! Not nice.

Pattern: Square Neck Top (#9 in Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2008)

Yarn: Classic Elite - Sundance (50% cotton, 50% microfibre)

Needles: Size 6

Gus has started summer school in the mornings. He's taking a Tech-Ed class (like a shop class) and Sports for Life (a glorified gym class).

Wednesday mornings I drive him out to Trappe River Golf Course where he's doing his 2nd summer of Junior Golf League. It consists of an hour lesson and then about 4-5 holes of golf on the course. It's about a 20 minute drive out there, so I just stay in the clubhouse and knit for 2.5 hours. I'll be making good progress on the other 2 winter sweaters I have to finish in order to wear them this coming fall/winter.

My garden is exploding. I tried so hard in previous years to get some Lupine growing. Now it's finally taking hold and is looking just beautiful. Too bad it doesn't smell. I never knew that until I poked my nose on a flower and took a whiff. Nothing. Something so pretty should have a heavenly smell to it, don't you think?

This is a "Cobweb" variety of a Hens and Chicks plant that I just couldn't resist. Isn't it cool?

Here's my rhubarb leaf bird bath that my brother and I made. He made one for himself also and I made another for my sister. However, hers has a small leak in it. Here's a link on how to make one. There's other links out there, as well, if you Google "cement rhubarb leaves".

My 3 clematis plants are going to town on my rusty old garden gate I picked up at an antique store 2 summers ago. Greg thought I was nuts when I brought it home, but he humored me and helped me put it in the ground. Now he thinks it's pretty cool once it's filled with flowering vines.

And here's another old, painted chair I picked up last summer from the same resale shop I got the red painted chair in a previous post.

The rustier, worn, paint-chipped, the better.

Catching Up

2009-06-07T15:17:00.014-05:00

I know I haven't been checking in with you all for awhile, and I apologize. Life just keep getting in the way.

Well, in a nutshell, here's what's been going on lately:

GARDENING NEWS

These empty deck planters had to be filled with these;

So now I have something pretty to look at out my kitchen window;

I started growing some herbs in pots this year: Basil, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme, Parsley and Cilantro (for my salsa in August). I found this cool red chair at a resale shop for $10. It makes a nice garden prop.

KNITTING NEWS

Here's and plain stockinette "Baseball" sock I worked on at Gus' baseball games. The yarn is Misty Alpaca - very soft and snuggly! The mate is not cast on yet. Gus has 3 more games left. Oh well, a nice mindless sock is good for anytime.

Here's my progress on Marlene. I'm working on the gusset decreases now and then I'll be in the home stretch. I couldn't follow Cookie's directions for the heel flap part, so I just did the best that I could and made it work. I'm back on track now and enjoying this pattern more and more.

SCHOOL NEWS

Gus had his 5th Grade Graduation Friday, June 5th.
Another Milestone.

Goofy 5th Grade Boys......

Proud Parents.

DOG STUFF This is the farthest Sawyer will lay on his dog bed. Not sure what the problem is; he's had it for about 2 months. Maybe in another 2 months he'll be on the whole bed. Or not.

I'm Not MIA

2009-06-04T11:24:00.002-05:00

Just a note to say I am still on this Earth.

Spring chores and gardening have kept me busy, and nightly knitting time has been limited due to exhaustion and an earlier bedtime.

Progress has been made, though, on Marlene. I'm now knitting the heel flap. Lovin' it!!!

A simple stockinette sock has been completed at a baseball game, but I haven't photo'd it yet, or cast on the mate.

Tomorrow I get 4 yards of mulch dropped in my driveway, so I will have to get that spread onto my 3 flower beds by Saturday night so I can park in the garage again. They're also predicting rain for Sunday, and who wants to haul wet, soggy mulch. Not me.

I'll be back soon with, with pictures, so don't give up on me yet.

Have a great weekend!

Boys & Baseball

2009-05-19T22:41:00.013-05:00

Gus' 2009 Little League Baseball Team (NY Mets) - posing for their team photo with a professional photographer (you didn't think I got them to pose like that, did you?)

Baseball is: Good Friends on the Same Team,

Baseball is: A Solid Hit,

Baseball is: Scoring a Run,

Baseball is: A Good Fast Ball,

Baseball is: Practicing Good Sportsmanship,

Baseball is: The Treats After the Game,

Baseball is: Proud Parents Coming to Every Game.

A Good Knitting Day

2009-05-17T15:40:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I knit. And knit. And knit some more.
I didn't do much else. I just didn't feel like it.
The weather was cold (40's), and there were gale-force winds outside.
So I snuggled in my chair. And knit.
Just to show you the progress I've made on my Marlene Socks - here's the proof~

Yarn: Madelinetosh (superwash merino wool)

Colorway: Tern

Needles: Size 2 on two 16" circulars

This pattern has a 10-row repeat and I did 3 yesterday. Which doesn't seem like a lot to some, but for me it was a good day. I have about 2 more repeats on the leg before starting the heel.

This sock requires: No TV distraction, soothing music in the background, and getting up & away from it once in awhile to clear my head. I really like how this color is shading. It shows off the pattern real well.

Today is laundry day and because the weather has improved since yesterday, I took advantage of the sun and mild(er) breeze and hung some clothes outside. Love the outdoorsy smell!

This morning, in the quietness of the house, I baked this Big Crumb Coffee Cake with some rhubarb from my garden.

This recipe is from Smitten Kitchen's blog that I've recently started reading. I've gotten some good recipes from there, and her photography work is awesome!

By the way, the coffee cake was delish (served with vanilla ice cream, of course).

I Like Red

2009-05-15T16:47:00.011-05:00

Lately, Red seems to be my favorite color. I'm not sure if this has something to do with my frequent purchases from The Loopy Ewe, or what. I used to be partial to navy blue, but my taste has changed. Has this happened to you?

I had a very nice Mother's Day weekend. Gus spent all day Saturday helping out at a Breast Cancer benefit at a local bowling alley, and then went to a friend's house for a birthday sleepover. Egg spent Saturday in a golf tournament. Too bad the weather was cold and misty, so I couldn't get out in my garden. No worries, I baked some cookies and a loaf of banana oatmeal bread and of course ~ knit. That night I watched The Secret Life of Bees. What a great movie. I read the book a few years back, but the story came right back to me.

Sunday, we had my parents and Egg's mom, brother & family over for pizza in the afternoon and it was a nice visit.

Egg & Gus gave me these roses for my Mother's Day present. I also received a mother/child pendant and 4 new charms for my Pandora bracelet.

Look what we I got this week!!! This shiny, red, much easier to start lawn mower!!! When I started threatening not to cut the grass anymore due to a 10 year old finicky lawnmower, Egg agreed, and we picked out this bad boy.

It was "Junk Day" in our community today, and I loaded up the truck with some miscellaneous stuff that was cluttering up the basement & garage (yes, the Red KitchenAid mixer was included). A man who helped me unload my junk asked if he could have our old Craftsman mower and I gladly pushed it over to him. If he can fix it up and make it run better, more power to him.

I am working on two pairs of socks these days - this pair I named Baseball Socks. They're just a plain pair of stockinette socks I can take to Gus' baseball games and work on without following a pattern.

I don't have a photo of the Marlene socks yet, as I've only finished one 10-row repeat. I'll wait until I have more done, so you can get a better idea of what the pattern looks like. I had to rip out, and start over with those as I messed up on the pattern. I just became more frustrated at not being able to figure out how to fix it, so it was just better to start all over again.

This week I received the 2nd Loopy Ewe Sock Club kit. The yarn is various shades of green (ok, doesn't fit the red theme going on here) called Shades of Ireland, by Dye Dreams. The pattern is written by the very talented Monica Jines (I knit her Swirls socks last year - great pattern!). Also included is this lime green tote/knitting bag (to add to my ever-growing collection) and a cool Loopy pen.

I leave you with this promise - (probably thought up by a man).

Where Has 11 Years Gone?

2009-05-03T17:38:00.011-05:00

This weekend we celebrated Gus's 11th Birthday. Eleven Years. He's half-way grown up and we're so ~~surprised~~ proud (well, most days anyway) at what an independent, responsible and fun guy he's turned out to be. Who'da thunk. It took Egg and I 10 years to even decide if we wanted to make it "3" and now we can't imagine those days it was just us 2. (the dogs don't count).

Friday night Gus invited his 3 best friends over for a sleepover. They were well-behaved ~~young men~~ 5th graders who still developed a case of the sniffles at the end of "Marly & Me".

The evening began with a Silly String War (in the front yard - mind you, I'm not that stupid)

Their appetites were met with grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. (There wasn't much for leftovers).

Then they moved on to the Video Game Marathon which lasted until about 2 AM.

The next morning, I made them a pound of bacon, a box of frozen sausages, 16 scrambled eggs, 1 dozen mini frosted cupcakes, and a half a loaf of toasted bread. (Egg wasn't quick enough to get any bacon or sausage with his eggs before going out golfing). The moms of these young men were prompt in picking them up at 11 AM. All in all it was a successful sleepover.

Today (Sunday) Gus invited 6 other buddies to ~~our watering hole~~ Coral Lanes for a bowling party. They had a great time bowling, eating pizza & ice cream cake, and just being boys.

Of course, there was then the opening of his presents, which mostly consisted of $$ and Target gift cards. This is a good thing as Gus needs a new bike. His was stolen 2 weeks ago. (Did I mention he was "responsible" up above?) He was partly at fault because he neglected to put the bike lock on it. He also received a pitching net so he can practice his baseball pitching without breaking any windows or hurting anyone.

I leave you with our Family Royalty (only for a day). Happy Birthday, Gus. We Love You.

What Is A Thuja??

2009-04-29T21:12:00.003-05:00

Here they are. Two Thuja socks. On my feet. This yarn by Creatively Dyed Yarns feels soooo good on my feet. It's a shame I have to wait until fall to wear these.

On a different subject. Gus (formerly R30-Boy - he now wants his real named used) and I spent time in the basement tonight - cleaning. We threw out a large garbage bag of old, broken toys and other miscellaneous junk. This Friday he's having 3 boys sleep over, and his area downstairs is where they play video games. So we tidied up, swept up dog-hair-bunnies, Wet-Jet the Pergo floor, and vacuumed the area rug.

All nice and clean for four 11 year old boys to get dirty, so we (I) can do it all over again after they leave on Saturday.

I Can Always Use Another Bag....

2009-04-28T20:20:00.009-05:00

I splurged on myself recently and purchased this awesome knitting bag from my LYS, The Black Purl. The bag is from Offhand Designs and is the Zhivago style. It has 5 inside pockets and a lot of room for various projects. I also have a smaller bag in the Zelda style which is nice for a few sock projects. They are very well made and decadent as far as knitting bags go. I will get a lot of "miles" out of this one.

I also purchased 4 skeins of Summer Sox yarn for a "wee one" project. (Heidi: don't click on the link if you don't want to see) The smallest size is for a 2 year old, and considering that Reese The Niece is only 4 mos. old, I can take my time and enjoy knitting this project.

I finished the Thuja socks last night, but forgot to take a photo today on my feet after work in the sunlight.

I wound up 2 more skeins of sock yarn last night also. #1 is another simple sock to take to Gus's baseball games. I'm using Misti Alpaca, colorway HS10.

Skein #2 is the Madelintosh from an earlier post to start the Marlene socks by Cookie A.

What happened to the sweaters (located on the right side-bar of this blog) you ask? Well, they're in various stages of completion. The Vogue square-neck sweater is almost complete. I had a little "set back" and had to rip back part of the front, but it won't take long to re-knit and the sew together. I'm hopeful I'll get to wear this one this summer (I started in March, 2008). I had knit 1 stripe too many, and the front/back side seams didn't match up. DOH~!

Tonight I took Sawyer to the dog park and he ran his little heart out. He's such a social dog; he'll run right up to anyone and want to be petted. He loves it when he finds another dog that also loves to run and play chase.

Knit On!...

Cake, Tea and a Sock

2009-04-26T14:17:00.014-05:00

What else can you do on a 45 degree, rainy Sunday in Wisconsin? Not much. So, out came my apron, a comforting chocolate cake recipe, a cup of tea and maybe finishing up my 2nd Thuja sock.

(Sorry I didn't get a photo of the actual frosted cake, but I wanted to post this before that point.)

Cinnamon-Chocolate Snackin' Cake

2 c. all-purpose flour

2 c. sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 c. miniature marshmallows

3 TBS baking cocoa
1 c. cola (Diet cola is not recommended for this recipe)
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. butter, cubed

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 c. buttermilk

1tsp. vanilla extract

FROSTING:
3 TBS baking cocoa
6 TBS cola
1/2 c. butter, cubed
3 3/4 c. powered sugar
1 c. chopped pecans, divided (opt.)

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Stir in the marshmallows; set aside.

In a small saucepan, bring the cocoa, cola, oil and butter to a boil. Pour over flour mixture; mix well. Stir in the eggs, buttermilk and vanilla.

Pour into a greased 13x9 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes - do not overbake. Cool on a wire rack.

For frosting, in a large saucepan, bring the cocoa, cola and butter to a boil. Remove from the heat. Stir in powdered sugar and 3/4 c. pecans (opt) until blended. Spread over cake; sprinkle with remaining pecans. Cool until frosting is set before cutting. ENJOY!

And now I'm going to enjoy my Almond Cookie tea and knit. Gotta love these rainy days (once in awhile....)

Addition to Earlier Post: R30-Boy gives his opinion on the Snackin' Cake:

Well, That Sucks...

2009-04-20T19:18:00.009-05:00

Meet the pride and joy of my kitchen for the past 2.5 yrs. I finally bit the bullet Dec. 2006 and purchased the KitchenAid mixer that I longed for in Empire Red. It shined so brightly under my under-cabinet lights and was a workhorse at Christmas cookie baking time.

Now it's broke. All I did tonight was beating ONE egg white at the highest speed on High, when I heard the sickening sound of metal breaking inside. I quickly turned it off, but it never revived. It's dead. Nothing. Complete silence.

Of course, it's past the one year warranty. I called KitchenAid directly, and there's only one Hobart company in Wisconsin that services them and it's in Madison (2 hrs away). I'm sure it'll cost close to, or more than the price I paid for it. Not to mention the money in gas there and back, or the shipping costs.

I called a local, reputable hardware store in town just to see if they would have any answers. They didn't - nothing I didn't already know. But, she said, they do have 3 Artisan mixers that are being clearance out because of their discontinued color. One of them is Gloss Cinnamon. Close enough for $200. Guess where I'm going on my lunch hour tomorrow.

I really love this mixer and don't want to go back to a hand mixer, spend more money on a more higher end mixer of a different company. So, I'll give this model one more try.

I need to knit now.

Sighs of Relief

2009-04-16T21:10:00.008-05:00

Well, my 27th Tax Season at my place of employment has come to a close. As always, it's a big sigh of relief to walk out that door on April 15th and breath the cool spring air instead of stuffy office air and know that the overtime is done. Now I go back to my semi-part-time basis. I'll work Monday-Thursdays now until R30-Boy is done with school, and then I'll go down to 3 days a week until September. Then it's back to 4 days until January 1st. It just goes round and round and round and....

Even with the longer work days, I managed to finish one Thuja sock. I just love this yarn by Creatively Dyed Yarns. Too bad I have to wait until fall to wear them.

This is one pattern I may do more than once. I consider it one step above plain stockinette. It has just enough pattern to make it look interesting, but is easy on the brain at night. Just a 2-row repeat.

Oh! Look what's popping up in my garden. Tulips! Finally something green is showing some life amongst the brown, dead landscaping.

I've been so jealous when reading other (southern) Blogger's reports on their gardens. Their rhododendrons are blooming, the daffodils are done and they're heading into summer. I just wish our growing season was a bit longer. You can also tell by the gray cedar mulch, that it's my year for another dump truck load of new stuff. About 5 yards is what I need for all my gardens. That's a project for the end of May. I have to wait until most of my perennials have poked through so I don't bury them in mulch.

My first free weekend from work will be spent in St. Paul visiting my sister, Heidi and her family. Mom and I will get an early start on Saturday for the 3 hour drive. Mom has graciously offered to stay with Heidi's 2 little ones while she and I do "girly-sister things". She's not a knitter, so I don't think I'll get in any yarn stores on this visit.

Today was a beautiful, sunny day - perfect for grilling some steaks for supper. So when I stopped at the local meat market to pick them up, I couldn't resist the large beef bones they had out for dogs.

Sawyer was in heaven.

Have a great weekend!

Odds and Ends

2009-04-09T20:26:00.007-05:00

I wanted to mention some of the following tid-bits in my last post, but it would have gotten too long. The end of Tax Season is a week away and it can't come soon enough. There's so much that has fallen by the wayside as far as house-stuff. The yard also needs to be raked, and I'm itching to get to it.

I've been reading rave reviews on other knitting blogs about a very nice sock yarn; Madelintosh and I was very intrigued. Since the Loopy Ewe doesn't carry it, I went to my back up site, Woolgirl. It's Tosh Sock in the colorway, Tern. When looking over my yarn stash, I realized that I didn't have any black or gray colors. When this arrived, I understood what all the hoopla was about. This yarn is "melt in your hands" awesome. Then I was stumped as to what to make with it - plain stockinette or a well-deserved patterned sock. Then, along came Monica's blog post about her Commuter Socks, and I knew I had to make Cookie A's Marlene socks.

I hope to delve into Marlene once my Thujas are done; which are coming along very nicely. Tonight I hope to work on the heel and go on to the foot.

Last Friday, R30-Boy was invited to a birthday bowling/sleepover party. He and the birthday boy were "challenged" to stay up all night. So they did. Then R30-Boy had to leave at 9:30 the next morning for the last day of his Junior Bowling League. When he got home at 1:00, he headed straight for the couch and slept until 7:00 pm, got up, ate a muffin, and then went to bed to sleep away the rest of the night. The silence was bliss.

On a recent trip to Katzenbarkers, the place I get Sawyer's dog food from, I bought him this new starfish toy. Of course, he had a hole chewed in an "arm" in no time, and stuffing pulled out. Once that was done, he was satisfied and hasn't done any further damage.

We're taking the "lazy" way out this year and going out for Easter Brunch. I just don't have the energy or gumption to make a meal.

Happy Easter to you all. Time to knit....

Chain Knitting

2009-04-04T18:38:00.007-05:00

You've all heard of chain smoking. Well I chain knit socks. I finish a pair and before the needles have a chance to cool off, I cast on for a new pair the next night.

These are finished and ready to travel to St. Paul in 2 weeks. My sister, Heidi, asked me to make these for her good friend, Jess. I guess Jess was drooling too much on the pair I made for Heidi - which is a good indication that she would like a pair of her own.

I want to thank Heather for giving me the great idea of the sock label. It just puts a more finished look to the gift. It's also informative as to washing instructions and fiber content.

Yarn: Cascade Heritage

Colorway: Indian Sunset

75% Merino Superwash, 25% Nylon

Size 1 1/2 Crystal Palace DPNs

Simple Stockinette Sock, knit cuff down

Note to self: Get more of this yarn for and make a pair for myself. It was very nice to knit with and with the nylon in it, will wear very well.

The next night, I cast on to knit Thuja. It's a simple, 2 row repeat. Knit 1 row, Knit 3, Purl 1 on the next row. Still mindless knitting, but the result looks more than that.

Yarn: Creatively Dyed Yarns

Colorway: Winds of Change

Size 2 DPNs

Modification: Using smaller needles and fingering weight yarn, I cast on 64 stitches instead of the 44 stitches (and size 4 needles) in the pattern.

Can you tell I'm glad it's spring and the snow is gone so I can photo outside on rotten tree stumps?

Wonder what the neighbors think?

Putting Winter Away

2009-03-29T10:13:00.005-05:00

My objective today is to FINALLY put all these winter decorations away. I got as far as getting them off the walls and tabletops, but then I got stuck. Trouble is, all the other Christmas decorations are already packed away, so these things need their own container. That's where I got stuck. I didn't have any boxes to put them in. So now I've brought some home from work and I don't have any more excuses. I'm getting tired of them sitting there. Laughing at me. Taunting me. Teasing me because Spring is taking it's good-ole-time in getting here. Well, they won't be laughing once they get put away in the 90 degree attic!

On Friday, we met Egg's niece, Stephanie and her daughter, Cloe, at a local establishment (bar) for a Friday Night Fish Fry. They're from Milwaukee, so we haven't seen this little peanut since Christmas. She sure has grown! Cloe is now 7 months old.

On the knitting front...... One sock done. The 2nd one is in the home stretch! The sweaters have been put on the back burner for now until these are done.
Once tax season is done, hopefully I can get those finished and put away. Then I'll have a few new sweaters for next fall.

Back to my Sunday routine of laundry. I'm also going to make a pot of chicken noodle/dumpling soup and a batch of cookies.

Have a good week!

Dreary, Dismal Days

2009-03-24T20:45:00.007-05:00

Well, this is R30-Boy's Spring Break week. You know, boys outside playing, riding bikes, golfing with Dad..... Instead, it's a week of rainy, gloomy yuck. Not fun. Because of tax season, we'll never get away to a warm place during this icky transition time of year. One good thing about the rain is that the snow is slowly disappearing.

R30-Boy was in a bowling tournament last Saturday and did real well. This is his first year bowling, and he's really taken to it. He's met a lot of new friends and is dedicated to improving his game. He just has to know when to quit. Today he bowled 11 games in 2 hours and is now nursing a blistered thumb.

Yes, he did pick up the spare and ended his first game with a 171. The next game he had a 134, and then a 104.

Bowling season will be coming to an end soon, and then the golf courses will open.

We have R30-Boy signed up for golf lessons again this summer. I enjoy those Wednesday mornings because it's quite a drive to the golf course, so instead of driving all the way home, I bring my knitting and sit in the clubhouse or out on the deck for 3 hours and knit away.

Speaking of knitting...... Surprise Sock #1 is done and Sawyer was a good sport to help display it.

Kick Start

2009-03-13T18:04:00.004-05:00

The other day, I was asked to make a pair of socks for a Special Occasion. I will not give any other details in case that person reads this Blog (which I doubt), but irregardless, I don't want to spoil the surprise.

I leaped at the request, mulled over skeins of yarn to use, and was chomping at the bit to start something new. Sometimes even a pair of plain, simple, stockinette socks can be refreshing. New colors to take in, new yarn to feel, and just a break from the sweaters that are taking all winter to complete. I have 2 weeks to complete these socks - think I can make it?

Yarn: Cascade Yarns Heritage Hand Painted Sock Yarn
Colorway: #9931, Indian Sunset
75% Merino Superwash, 25% Nylon
Size 1 1/2 DPNs

Look what came in the mail this week! The 1st of 5 Loopy Ewe Sock Club kits. This pattern is called Under the Sea. The yarn is Casbah by Hand Maiden (81% Merino, 9% Cashmere, 10% Nylon) Very squooshy. Don't the colors remind you of the Caribbean? Nice shades of teal, royal blue and dark blues. The pattern is a toe-up, so we'll see if I attempt another one of those again.

Well, time to settle in with R30-Boy for a Netflix that's been sitting here for close to a month. Tomorrow night Egg and I are having a Grown-Up night and going to a nice, quiet restaurant. Can't wait.

Do Not Disturb

2009-03-05T19:20:00.002-06:00

Thank you. Don't mind if I do.

February Lady (just in time)

2009-02-28T17:21:00.010-06:00

It. Is. Finished. My February Lady Sweater is done. The fastest sweater I've ever knit is done and worn in the month intended. After work on Friday, I stopped at my LYS, The Black Purl, and Beth took my picture. I'm very happy with how it turned out and it's a very comfortable sweater to wear. Yay me.

My sister, Heidi, has taken a new photo of Reese The Niece wearing the hat I knit for her. And she's in a smiley mood!
Ava and Reese are ready to go out in the Minnesota cold.

And I leave you with my project I mentioned in my last post. I emptied my Rubbermaid container of sock yarn and pondered. And got re-acquainted. And remembered why I bought each one. Then I had R30-Boy pick out a skein that he liked - not for himself; just one that he liked best. What he chose is a hand dyed skein by Creatively Dyed Yarns, colorway Winds of Change, 80% Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon, 360 yds. I just need a simple stockinette sock for those nights when I don't want to think about knitting.

Sawyer is confused by so many choices.....
(or the fibers are just tickling his nose)

Friday Knit Night

2009-02-21T20:40:00.015-06:00

As I mentioned in my last post, I was contacted by a fellow-Ravelry knitter that she was trying to organize a knit night at our local Barnes & Noble. Several people responded that they also would attend and there ended up to be 5 of us. We're going to continue meeting there every Friday and it should be fun to see who will be able to join us next week.

Starting from the left is Maude, Kristyn, Me, Erin and Margaret. Maude came from Stevens Point which is 30 miles away from the south, Kristyn came from Minocqua which is 70 miles from the north, Erin, Margaret and myself live in town. We all had various projects to work on while we drank yummy concoctions from the coffee bar. Maude was working on an awesome cabled headband and an adult Surprise jacket for herself using yarn from numerous other projects, Kristyn was working on a mitten, I brought out of hibernation a spring sweater, Erin is starting these cool fishnet stockings, and Margaret also had a sock to work on. We all had fun, chatted and got to know one another all while doing what we love. I didn't leave there empty handed, though. I bought the Yarn Harlot's newest book, "Free Range Knitter". I may just save it for our weeks vacation up at the lake in July.
I have to share with you my latest purchase off Etsy.com. It's a small sock project bag made out of an Amy Butler fabric. I've seen her fabrics on other knitter's/quilter's blogs and really like the patterns and colors. These bags come in small and medium sizes. There's a drawstring to close it shut, but what I really like is that these bags have an inside lining with sectioned pockets for a tape measure, extra needles, scissors, etc.

You can find these bags for sale here. She's also from Wisconsin, so I received this bag in 1 day!

Today's quote from the Yarn Harlot's Page-A-Day calendar 2009 - "Weekend Chores. Stash Care: Make a plan this weekend to unpack, organize, shake out, and air your stash. It reacquaints you with what you've got, lets you revisit some treasurers you might have forgotten you had, and best of all, helps you spot developing trouble. There's nothing potential pests hate more than fresh air and the light of day."

Can you guess what I'm doing tomorrow?

This is Getting Old

2009-02-18T19:35:00.005-06:00

OK, Mother Nature, we know you're still in charge.....

Woke up this morning to find 4" of heavy, wet snow clinging to everything. After some decent thawing and 40 degree temps recently, it's easy to forget it's only February. So it takes seeing this to jolt you back to reality and realize this can still happen in April also. Sigh.

I'm grabbing a hot cup of tea now and settling in to knit like the wind on my February Lady Sweater.

Speaking of knitting, I was contacted last week from The Wisconsin Group on Ravelry by some one who was trying to get fellow-Ravelry people together for a Central Wisconsin Knit Night. It would be great to finally meet people in person rather than in cyber-space. We're meeting this Friday night at the Wausau Barnes & Noble to settle in their comfy couches, drink some coffee, knit and get to know one another. How cool is that?! I hope to attend and will let you all know how it went.

Family Fun & FO's

2009-02-16T20:24:00.014-06:00

This past week has been busy, sad, and fun. My work week is busy - that goes unsaid. We received sad news last week that my Uncle Chuck died unexpectedly from a stroke. He was 71 years old. I went out of town, with mom & dad, on Friday for his funeral. Since mom drove, it gave me some quality knitting time there and back. I finally finished Nanner Sock #1. Sawyer helped me tonight and acted as my prop. As you can see, he'd rather be doing someting else. Now I should cast on for the mate lickety split. Right?

In my last post, I was vague about the tilli tomas yarn I pictured. Well, I whipped up a simple hat for my new niece, Reese. It was a fun hat to knit, but it took about an episode of Lost to push all the glass beads to the outside of the hat so they won't irriate a little infant.

I had planned on mailing it to St. Paul, MN as her Valentine Day present, but then my sister, Heidi & Family decided to come visit all of us instead, so we could meet 5 week old Reese. She doesn't look too happy modeling her new hat, but I'm sure it wasn't because she didn't like it.

When R-30 Boy wasn't busy playing Uncle Scot's Wii (boxing and bowling, he sat still long enough to introduce himself as the Big Cousin.

This is my sister, Heidi, and Reese's 3 year old Big Sister, Ava.

Sunday we took the kids to the local indoor waterpark. Heidi and I opted NOT to put on swimming suits, and observed from the sidelines. Another good opportunity to make some progress on the G-day Sweater. I have 2 sleeves done and have started on the left front. I'll try to get some good photos in real daylight - whenever that may be.

We're expecting some "measurable" snow this week. Just when things started to thaw out a bit, Mother Nature hits us again. Well, it is only February. Wishful thinking on my part. I have heard the cardinals singing in the morning, and I've filled out R-30 Boy's Little League sign up sheet. A good sign of warmer days ahead.

Now if I can only get my February Lady Sweater done in the month of February.....

Old and New

2009-02-03T19:36:00.006-06:00

First, for those who don't know much about me, I work for a CPA firm. Thus, this time of year is busy for me. The few hours a night I have to knit are all I have these days. I'm working 8-10 hrs a day and on Saturdays, I'm in the office about 6:00 am until Noon. This year, I'm trying to have some Me Time and go to my LYS to catch up on the knitting store goings-on and relax with friends. So, I'm trying to devote my time to each project I have a little at a time.

This sock project I started last summer and I finally dug it out, vowing to finish it before my first Loopy Sock Club kit arrives in March. The pattern is called Nanner Socks. It was written by Wendy D. Johnson, a very talented knitter whose written books on the very subject. She is due out with another book on toe-up socks this April and I already have it pre-ordered through Amazon.com. I am a daily reader of Wendy's blog, and I thank her for this pattern.

Yarn: Tempted, Glam Grrl
63% Superwash Merino, 20% Silk, 15% Nylon and 2% Silver
Colorway: Black Velvet
Size 1 DPNs

You can't see it very well, but there is a fine stand if silver running through the yarn which makes it sparkly. I'm being a rebel and not doing this pattern toe-up, going with a heel flap and not doing the pattern on the foot. That's just me and the way I like my socks though.

This next project is a surpise for a certain little wee-one.

Yarn: Flurries by tilli tomas
100% Austrailian Merino Wool w/glass beads

I hate to cut this short, but my nightly knitting time is slipping away and my glass of Merlot is awaiting me.

Making Progress

2009-01-27T18:54:00.008-06:00

I have a FO (Finished Object for you non-knitters) to show you! These are my mom's Milky Way Socks. They are currently wrapped in tissue paper - I just haven't had the chance to take them over to her yet. I will get her to pose with them when I do.

I finished a sleeve on my February Lady Sweater last night!! One more to go and sew the buttons on, and it's another one I can check off my On The Needles List.

I've really enjoyed knitting on this sweater. It's actually my first lace project. I still have no desire to knit a shawl though.

I am alone tonight. Just me and Sawyer. Egg went to Milwaukee today thru Thursday for work.

R30-Boy has been at the School Forest yesterday and today with his 5th grade class. They're staying overnight 2 nights. They will return tomorrow. It's been very quiet here without him - kinda weird quiet. But that won't stop me from enjoying every minute of it though.

Which, by the way, Sawyer is warming up my knitting chair for me. Better go make some more progress on a few more projects On The Needles.

Lost Again

2009-01-21T19:48:00.004-06:00

Ahhh - I've missed that face!

For those of you who aren't Lost fans, that's Sawyer. The good-looking, bad boy. No, we did not name our dog, after him, but it's ironic they share the same name. Both are easy on the eyes.

As you can tell, I'm a die-hard fan of Lost and it's on for 3 hours tonight! The first hour is just recapping all the characters and then a 2 hour new show. I've watched this from the very beginning and love all it's twists and turns. Which brings me to the knitting - I need a very simple, stockinette sock to knit while watching Lost - nothing complicated that involves keeping track of a pattern that would distract me, thus, inevitably, messing something up.

Mom. You may have a complete pair of socks very soon.

New Addition to Our Family

2009-01-18T08:26:00.004-06:00

I would like to introduce you to my new niece, Reese Noelle. She was born Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 6:25 pm in St. Paul, MN. She weighed 6 lbs, 12 oz; 21 inches long.

Ava is happy to be a big sister now.

For more information on Heidi & Scot's wonderful miracle, pop in on their blog to hear it in their own words.

I hope to meet and hold this little bundle very soon.

As If I Need More...

2009-01-15T19:20:00.004-06:00

As if I didn't have enough yarn in my stash already, and decided that I'd go on a yarn diet.....

This beautiful skein screamed at me and jumped in my cart on the Loopy Ewe website. Not wanting to be the only item to be shipped, it also screamed at Yarn Ball Earrings and Bee Bar. They arrived in my frigid mailbox today. I want to thank Cousin Lynn for the Loopy gift certificate she gave me for Christmas, as this helped in my decision to give these nice items a home.

Yarn: Loopy Legends (by Zen String), colorway "Beth's Love for Caspar"

Any ideas on what kind (pattern) of socks would look best with this yarn?

Maybe by February...

2009-01-11T18:06:00.004-06:00

This is the recent progress of my February Lady Sweater. I started it in a class at my LYS and have enjoyed knitting this sweater. Other people are having problems, but I seem to be sailing along. I don't do a lot of it at a time - maybe one 4-row repeat a night. I have my markers every 14 or 21 stitches, so I know if there's a problem if my counts don't come out when I get to a marker. Better than realizing something is wrong at the end of 184 stitches. I did not do the eyelet increases as the pattern called for, but I kept doing my raglan increases until it was big enough for me.

I think I'll do one more repeat and then start the garter stitch border on the bottom. Our last class is tomorrow night and we'll be shown how to pick up the stitches to knit the sleeves.

I'm using Cascade Venezia Worsted - 70% merino wool and 30% silk. It's a nice soft, drapey yarn and I'm excited to soon wear it. Hopefully by February.

...Let's Try This Again

2009-01-08T19:47:00.004-06:00

Remember this?

Well, now it looks like this...

It used to be the sleeve to the G'day sweater I started New Years Day. 6 inches of seed stitch and another 8 inches of stockinette, and I discovered that it was too tight around my arm. So, under the expert advice of Beth at my LYS, I unraveled it all tonight and will start over again. This time I'm going up to size 8 needles (from 7's) and casting on few more extra stitches. That should give me 2 more inches in diameter. I hope.

Now I know why I like knitting socks better.

Something Fun

2009-01-07T18:05:00.004-06:00

A fellow blogger led me to this site to create something fun. It'll be staying at the bottom of my blog page because it's too big for the sidebar. I'll pass the link along. Scroll down until you see the Family. Have fun!

I'm On A Roll...

2009-01-06T21:05:00.004-06:00

I finished another sock tonight. This is Mom's Milky Way sock (yes, I know I still have to do the mate). I think there's something to be said about a simple stockinette sock - they go so much faster than the patterned socks knit from a chart. But in all honesty, I've learned so much, and gained more confidence in simple lace knitting by doing various patterened socks that I shouldn't complain. I just wish they wouldn't take me so long.

The yarn is hand-dyed by Melissa at Keegan Lane Yarns. Hopefully she'll have another batch available through The Loopy Ewe again soon.

One Monkey Down

2009-01-05T20:48:00.002-06:00

It's been awhile since I've posted a completed project, so here's one Monkey Sock finished. The yarn is Dream in Color Smooshy, in November Muse. Let's hope the mate doesn't take me another year....

Back to Reality

2009-01-03T09:02:00.021-06:00

Well, the holidays are coming to close, and I go back to work full-time on Monday. So today is the day the presents get put away, the lights come off the tree, and the ornaments go back into their boxes. Before I do that, I want to share with you some new ornaments I added to our collection this year.

I couldn't resist this ornament from a fellow Loopy knitter, Melissa. She sold it on her Etsy site. Thanks again Melissa! (there's a tiny skein of yarn inside with a note: In case of emergency break glass)

I try to get R30-Boy an ornament every year also. He has a large Tonka Hallmark ornament collection, and this year they came out with a steam roller. In 2008 though, he became a more avid golfer and bowler.

And, of course, what would 2009 be without this?

2009 also brings a new sweater project. I spent part of New Years Day working G'day. I started with a sleeve to see how the yarn colors would pattern out. The pattern calls for ribbing on the bottoms of the sleeves and body, but I decided to do seed stitch instead. I just wanted a different texture instead of a 1x1 rib. I'm also using Berroco's Jasper yarn in Mochica Blue (#3844) instead of their recommended Geode brand. Soft & Lovely 100% merino wool yarn!

I did make a lot of progress New Years Day, in my jammies, knitting allllll day. Well, OK, I did get up to graze at times. Egg brought home a pizza from "the watering hole" and then we watched the Dark Knight from Netflix. I made progress on Mom's Milky Way Sock, my Monkey sock, the February Lady Sweater and then I started the G'day Sweater.

Yesterday, I went to my LYS to knit with Beth and the other regulars. It was one of the last Me Days there before tax seasons starts. Then, I won't be able to spend much time there until after April 15th. I'll be so out-of-the-loop with what everyone is working on.

Well, that Christmas tree isn't shedding it's trimmings by itself. We're expecting 1-3" of more snow today. A good day to spend indoors.

2009 - Ready, Set, Go...

2009-01-01T08:33:00.006-06:00

Happy New Year!! I hope you all enjoyed the New Years Eve festivities safely. Yesterday I took the day off from work to run some errands and to get my New Years meal ready. We have eaten out some years, and other years Egg grilled some tenderloin steaks on the grill while I prepared lobster or shrimp inside. This year I suggested something different instead of Egg standing outside in below zero weather, grilling steaks.

I've recently discovered (thanks, to my sister-in-law) a wonderful recipe website Recipezaar . I often lose track of time viewing new recipes to cook or bake. So after a lot of searching, I put together our New Years menu.

I decided that roasting a prime rib, inside the house seemed more appealing. I found a recipe called Drowned and Massaged Standing Prime Rib Roast It was heavenly!

Then I thought I would try something different than the usual baked potato, pasta, or rice for a side dish and found a recipe for Shrimp Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms. They were delish also!

I chose this Asparagus recipe for our vegetable. The only alteration I made was that I used only 1 tsp. of thyme instead of 2.

These three recipes worked well together because during the 3rd hour of cooking the roast at 325 degrees, I was able to put in the stuffed mushrooms at the same temperature. Then, after the roast was done, and resting for 15 minutes, I put the asparagus in the oven for their time of 15 minutes at 425 degrees. Timed out very well.

And for dessert, we made Grasshoppers. Sorry. No photo as they were gone before I remembered to take a photo.

Today will be spent in my Jammies and try to give each one of my knitting projects (4 sweaters, 3 pairs of socks) equal knitting time - all while watching the Twilight Zone marathon on the SciFi network. Time's a wasting....

Wenzel Christmas Recap

2008-12-29T18:41:00.016-06:00

Wooosh - another Christmas is done and I'm already looking forward to cooking our New Year's Eve meal. We had a nice holiday visiting with friends and family and Santa was good to one and all. Here's Egg & I enjoying time with friends down at our local "watering hole" (bowling alley/bar). The owners throw a family & "frequent customer" party every Christmas Eve day. We qualify as the "frequent customer".

I want to mention that Mom, R30-Boy and I did attend a Christmas Eve service before this.

Gus enjoyed the free bowling while Egg & I enjoyed Christmas "spirits".

We then had Egg's family to our house for a Christmas Eve meal and gift exchange. Christmas Morning, R30-Boy was ecstatic when he opened Rock Band, and the complete set of Band of Brothers DVDs. Sawyer shows off his present from Santa also.

Christmas Day we went to my parent's for a nice meal and more gift exchanges. R30-Boy shows off his new throw quilt that Grandma made for him. The one he had since birth (10 yrs old) is falling apart, so this quilt has squares of all things that he's interested in: Dogs, WI Badgers, Golf, Guitars, Football, and Fishing.
I also gave my mom a skein of yarn so I can make her a pair of socks with. She was very happy with it and I've already started them. I'm enjoying my time off this week and the long New Year's weekend because then I go back to work full-time. Jammies and Knitting; here I come.

Next post - My New Year's Menu.

Merry Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T08:19:00.009-06:00

Upon waking up this morning, I opened the "shutters" to see what was the matter! It's snowing!~(as if we haven't received enough this past week) - But it REALLY has to snow on Christmas.

Christmas preparations are close to done, presents are wrapped, house is cleaned, and R30-Boy is shaking his gifts under the tree. All set to begin...

Merry Christmas to you

and Your Family

Christmas Greetings

2008-12-22T18:55:00.013-06:00

Our Family Christmas card we sent out to family and friends. I hope you have a Merry Christmas, full of family and fun, safe travels, and good health.

I have picked up a sock project I started last fall. When I got into the Loopy Ewe Sock Club, it got put on the back burner. These are my Monkey Socks being knit in Dream In Color Smooshy yarn, colorway: November Muse.

The backdrop of the Money Sock is my new apron. I've started wearing aprons a lot more recently. Reasons of nostalgic and remembering my grandmother always wearing one, and also the fact that I'm a slob in the kitchen and I'm tired of trying to get grease stains out of my clothes. The apron was purchased from this Etsy shop, and I really like her choice of fabrics.

Sawyer went to the groomer's today for a bath and a trim. When I picked him up, it looked like they forgot to trim his toenails. Upon closer inspection, I noticed they trimmed the fur all the way up his toenail instead of trimming the fur around his whole paw. I'm not sure I like this "look" as it looks like he has huge claws. I'll have to make a mental note to ask not to have this done again.

Getting handsome is such hard work.

Have a Good Night.

Finally. It's Done.

2008-12-21T14:51:00.007-06:00

I started this sweater last February. Why it took me so long, is anybody's guess, but it's done. Just in time too, because when my Dear Hubby took this photo (after snowblowing the driveway. Thank you dear), it was about -9 with windchill.

This sweater was knit with Unikat yarn, a product of Skacel. It has a nice cabled design on the bottom of the sweater and sleeve edges. It's very warm and snuggly and I'm glad it's done. Now I can concentrate on 2 other sweaters I'm working on that would be nice to wear this winter yet. The 3rd sweater is for summer, so I have time yet.

My Christmas preparations are pretty much done. The tree is up & decorated, the cookies are safely tucked away in the freezer downstairs, presents are wrapped, and the one package I mail to Arizona is hopefully headed in the right direction. All I need to do is clean & dust a bit.

I'm off to knit on my February Lady Sweater. I'd like to show you progress on that, but it would mean running a scrap piece of yarn through it all and taking it off the needles. Something I don't want to do just yet until I have more done. The lace pattern is a 4-row repeat and I have 5 repeats done so far.

I leave you today with this poor little chickadee outside my bedroom window this morning. He looks like he's deperately trying to stay warm in this bitter cold. How they can survive with what little they have, and we need layers upon layers to stay warm is beyond me. My birdfeeders are full and I saw he was taking advantage of them. Poor guy, just the same.

I'm Cookied Out

2008-12-14T18:08:00.006-06:00

I am officially done with Christmas cookies as of today. This year I kind of cheated and went to UBake. I bought frozen cut-outs, plopped them on my cookies sheets and called it good. Oh. Except then they all had to be frosted and sprinkled. In between mixing up different colored frostings, I had a "Quality-Control Tester" who had to make sure they're edible. While frosting, sprinkling, and "kindly reminding" the Tester to get his cotton-pickin' hands off the yultide sweets, I had a 13 lb. turkey cooking in the oven. I then had to then switch gears and pull turkey to freeze so I can make hot turkey sandwiches for Christmas Eve.

The Quality-Control Tester doing his job.

So, now if you'll excuse me, I have to go put my feet up and continue on my February Lady Sweater. Our second class is tomorrow night and I need to get to where the lace starts.

Cold is Cold

2008-12-12T21:48:00.009-06:00

Last night, R30-Boy (top row, on the end with the Santa hat) had his last Christmas concert at the elementary school level. This group is the two 5th grade classes at Schofield Elementary School. They sang really nice Christmas songs (and didn't leave out the religious aspect of the holiday), and played on xylophones. It was a short program; only 20 minutes. How time flies. In more ways than one.

No knitting to be photo'd these days. Stuff is in progress (and not exciting to look at), or on hold.

My garden sleeps.

Winter is here to stay for a long while.

Drizzling & Dipping

2008-12-07T09:47:00.010-06:00

The Rolo Cookies are Drizzled,

The Gingersnaps are Dipped,

Sawyer is finding the Sunshine

in the Warm of the House,

and now, Today, we must make this

Tree look Festive.

Minimalist Christmas

2008-12-05T17:42:00.015-06:00

Today I started my Christmas baking.

In years past, I've made about a dozen different kinds of Christmas cookies. I usually start baking after Thanksgiving. I have the annual favorites, and new recipes that either get the thumbs up or thumbs down for the next year. I send a tin of cookies to R30-Boy's teacher, make up a huge plate for my neighbor with 3 teenage boys (and no time to bake), share with my family as my mom doesn't do holiday baking anymore, and another large plate usually went to my office for my co-workers. Whatever cookies were left at the end of Christmas, stayed in the deep freezer and we nibbled on them till February.

This year, however, I am trying to downsize the cookie list. I'm making only the tried & true favorites of everyone. My goal is to only make 6 different kinds. Egg does not think this is possible and I hope to prove him wrong. I felt I was stressing too much in other years to get that many cookies baked, and it wasn't fun anymore.

So as of today, I have 4 of the 6 recipes completed. I still need to do the final touches tomorrow (i.e. drizzling and dipping of white chocolate.) And what Christmas would be complete without cutouts. Those will be done another day. Photo of today's confectionery marvels is included for you to drool over.

After the last batch was done and dishes washed, it was time to pick up R30-Boy from school. We then stopped at the Christmas tree lot a block away from his school and picked out a nice, small tree. I needed it to fit into the back of the Explorer, otherwise it wasn't coming home with us. It's probably the smallest tree we've ever had, but I didn't want to deal with a monstrous one this year.

It's now in the house, in a stand of water, relaxing in the the warmth of our house and we will decorate it sometime this weekend.

Are you detecting a theme here?

Smaller cookie stash, cute little tree = more time for knitting! I started the February Lady Sweater class this past Monday night at my LYS. The next class is in 2 weeks, and I have to get to a certain point by then. So the less time I spend baking & decorating, the more time I have to knit. This is as far as I've gotten. I'm not liking knitting this on bamboo circular needles and have ordered some Addi Turbos from The Loopy Ewe. Once those arrive, things will go smoother and faster.

I leave you today with Sawyer, who was so hoping I would drop some sugary morsels his way today. No such luck.

Yarn, Chili & Snow

2008-11-30T17:32:00.013-06:00

What could be better on a snowy day than to knit and watch the snow fall. Unfortunately, I had some errands to run which took me out into the white stuff. I did have time this morning, in my jammies, while watching "Hancock" to knit on Twist - and this is how it's waiting for me to get back to it. I'm very happy with this pattern and the yarn. I'm also excited with the prospect of actually wearing this sweater this winter. I'm usually off by a season as that's how long it sometimes takes me to finish a sweater. I purchased another Chic Knits cardigan pattern along with this one. Cassidy seems a bit more advanced than what I'm used to doing, so that's why I started with Twist - to get my confidence up. Cassidy may be next winter's sweater at this rate though.

Tomorrow I start a sweater class at my LYS, The Black Purl. The sweater we'll be knitting is The February Lady Sweater. I'm excited to start and have chosen Cascade Venezia in this beautiful red color.

I have been on a hiatus from socks since completing 2 pair as Christmas gifts. I'm trying to get ahead on these sweaters, but it's always nice to have a small sock project going to take places. So over the Christmas break, I'll start a new pair with this wonderfully soft yarn by Keegan Lane Yarns. The colorway is Milky Way and was purchased from The Loopy Ewe. Also, Meliabella is so kind to include a hand-made stitch marker with her hand-dyed skeins of yarn.

So now we come to the Chili part of my blog. This is Egg's favorite version the 3 chili recipes that I make. It's called Joan Lundin's Chili. Which goes back to when Joan Lundin was a host on Good Morning America. The cool ingredient in this chili is beer. Part of it goes in the chili, and the other is for me while making it. What a deal, huh?

Joan Lundin's Chili

2 lbs ground chuck

1 lg onion, chopped

1 lg green pepper, diced

1 28 oz. can stewed or diced tomatoes

1 14.5 oz. can tomato sauce

1 can kidney beans

2 packages of chili seasoning

1/3 can of beer (or more if you like)

2 TBS honey

4-6 cloves garlic, minced

Cayenne pepper to taste

Brown ground chuck and transfer to dutch oven. Saute' onion & green pepper. Add to beef and add all other ingredients. Heat through. Serve w/sour cream & shredded cheese on top - optional. Easy, Peasy and very good on a snowy day.

And now I leave you with Sawyer getting re-acquainted with this cold, wet stuff. He's not liking it much either.

A Day of Thanks

2008-11-27T21:31:00.013-06:00

Another Thanksgiving has come and is now ending, but not without realizing all what I am thankful for:

1) I made it out of bed this morning, which means I'm thankful that I got to live another day.

2) I baked a pecan pie, and I'm so thankful for the love of baking and creating good things to eat.

3) I walked Sawyer, and I'm thankful for a peaceful neighborhood in which to do so, and 2 good legs to get me around to where I need to go.

4) I picked up Egg's mom from her apartment, and I'm thankful for her good health at 80 yrs old and that she could celebrate this day with us.

5) We drove out to my brother & sister-in-law's house, and I'm thankful to have a family that is happy and healthy.

6) We're back home, safe & sound, tummies full, and I'm thankful we have a warm home and a comfortable place to sleep.

So, I leave you to ponder what you're most thankful for and to make the most of each day.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Shave and a Haircut...2 Bits

2008-11-26T20:49:00.003-06:00

Well, OK. He's too young to shave, but the haircut is a must. He's gone from hating the curls and trying to straighten them out to wanting his hair long. But with the holidays coming up, it was looking a bit ragged. He and Egg went to the Barbershop for Men today for shearings.

I finished a pair of socks the other night, but don't want to post them because the recipient may check in here and see them. But, if you're on Ravelry, you can see them here

I've picked up Twist again tonight, starting on another front. Once I stay with it, I should be able to wear it soon.

With any luck, the outdoor lighting will be good tomorrow and I can photo some yarn eye candy for some future projects once Christmas is over.

Looking forward to Family, Turkey, Stuffing, Wine, and of course, a relaxing day tomorrow.

Tea For Two

2008-11-22T16:08:00.013-06:00

Today my friend, Lisa, took me to a very cool place for my birthday lunch. It's a tea room called Johanna May's Fine Teas. It's a small place with only 6 tables to have a nice relaxing cup of tea or small lunch. All the tables were full today with deer-hunting "widows". The tables are set with linens, china tea cups, rock sugar cyrstals, a teapot of hot water, paper tea bags, and all the niceties for drinking tea. Mary, the owner, brought over a basket with about 12 tins of various loose-leaf teas and after smelling them all, we picked out 4 different ones we liked. She then brought those 4 loose leaf teas out in glass cups and we were able to enjoy our tea and relax. The lunch was excellent. Lisa had a Feta and Dill Greek Scone and I had a Cranberry Champagne Salad. We also had Petit Fours for dessert. I couldn't leave without purchasing a cute teacup & saucer with snowmen on it, 4 bags of tea, some rock sugar cyrstals, and some paper tea bags. I'm all set now to snuggle in my Lazyboy, knitting in hand, and hot tea on the end table. Thank you again, Lisa, for taking me there.

After lunch, it was such a beautiful, sunny day today that I couldn't waste the rest of the afternoon, so I took Sawyer to the dog park. Our dog park is a 40 acre former landfill. There are metal boxes scattered around to ventilate the methane gas. Sawyer loves the dog park; he's such a social butterfly. He runs to one dog, plays for a bit, then runs on to the next, even it it's all the way across the park.

R30-Boy joined a Junior Bowling League this fall. He bowls every Saturday morning. He now has his own bowling ball with fingertips. He's really into it and always wants to go practice. It's nice to see him so excited and dedicated to a sport (and anything that gets him off the couch is a good thing).

Well, it's a Family Movie Nite for Egg, R30-Boy and I tonight. We're either watching Ironman or the newest Indiana Jones movie.

Keep warm and try a cup of tea!

I'm Ready; Bring on Winter

2008-11-20T18:40:00.008-06:00

The cold wind was blowing tonight when I got home from work, but, I pulled my big girl panties and changed into my walking attire. Sawyer is cooped up all day, and at his young age needs to walk off some energy and I need to clear my head and breath fresh air after being in an office environment all day. It takes longer to get ready for our walks now due to the layers of clothing. I purchased 3 important items from LLBean; first off are these warm, fleece-lined jeans. They take the brunt of the cold wind pretty well. They're too warm to wear in the house, but if you're going to spend any time outside shoveling, sledding, etc. these are worth the money. These snow sneakers not only keep my feet warm, but they're not clunky or heavy and they don't slide on the ice. I can walk at a pretty fast pace with these on, wearing only a pair of athletic socks. The down jacket was my newest purchase early this fall season as items in my size sell out quickly the further into winter you go. This also keeps the cold wind out pretty well too. Even though I start our walk at almost 5:00, it's dark by then. My WH (Egg) insisted last year that I get some type of reflective vest to wear. Our neighborhood only has street lights at the corner of every street, so it's pretty dark in between. I also found Sawyer a reflective vest at Petco.

So, that's my endorsement for LLBean products. I'm sure I'll order more clothing items from them in the future as they're very well made.

No knitting to report today. I kicked some butt last night on the Mountain Barefoot socks I posted the other night. Tonight I can probably complete the heel. Friday is my knitting day at Beth's, so I hope to get closer to completing some other projects.

Sawyer is glad he's back from his walk, fed, warm, and curled up watching his favorite show - K9 Cops.

Keep warm!

SSS Conquered

2008-11-18T21:45:00.004-06:00

Second Sock Syndrome. Something we sock knitters know all too well. We can't wait to start a new pair of socks, squooshy new yarn all wound up, anticipating how the colors will pattern out, and we gloat when that first sock is finished. Then. It. Happens. Weeks go by and you just can't bring yourself to do the second sock. The recipient of this gift would appreciate two socks for her feet.

So tonight, I cast on the mate to Cousin Lynn's Christmas gift. She picked out the yarn when she visited in October and even saw how the first sock looked at about 4", so this isn't spoiling the whole surprise.

Yarn: Mountain Colors Barefoot

Colorway: Grey Wolf

Needles: Size 2 DPNs

Pattern: Plain Stockinette

I Love Etsy

2008-11-17T20:21:00.008-06:00

Today flurries blew around outside and the cold North wind was pretty chilling. No accumulations, but it's right around the corner. Signs of Christmas are showing up everywhere. Which brings to mind two of my favorite Etsy shops. Etsy is a website where you have a "shop" if you make any kind of craft - i.e. pottery, jewelry, photography, sewing, quilting; you get the idea. The first Shop is this . Lorelei makes awesome, eclectic jewelry and I've purchased numerous pieces from her for myself and gifts.

The second shop I would recommend for unique, inexpensive gifts is GudonyaToo . They make their own soaps, body washes, shampoo, etc. I purchased this and this . They really go a long way and smell wonderful.

Beth, owner of The Black Purl, has been a long-time friend and was nice enough to let me chose yarn for my next project as a birthday gift. I know I have several unfinished projects and wasn't going to rush into anything new - just yet. And then I caught a sneak preview of the Winter 2008 issue of Interweave Knits and saw this sweater I'd love to do. The cool thing is that it's done up in Classic Elite Portland Tweed. Beth just happened to get this yarn in last week and it's awesome. So, this will be my next project - once I get caught up on others. Ya right.

Sawyer says, "What does a dog have to do to get his tummy rubbed"

Happy Birthday to Me

2008-11-15T17:03:00.018-06:00

Well, another year has gone by and I don't feel much different. I may be getting to be more of a homebody, if anything. We celebrated my birthday by going out to Hereford & Hops last night. It's a brew pub in Wausau where you can grill your own steaks at large grilling stations within the restaurant. Today mom brought over my favorite - banana cream pie fresh out of her oven. Thanks Mom! The other desserts I made are for my co-workers tomorrow. I also spent the day making chicken dumpling soup for Egg (wonderful husband's nickname-don't ask) because he has a horrible chest cold.

I'm not quite done with my scarf, but I wanted to take a photo of it today during the daylight. I love how the colors gradually shade from light to dark gray. I should have enough of the 2nd skein to maybe make a pair of matching mittens. We'll see how far I get with those.

I did go to Black Purl on Friday and got help with my Unikat sweater and made sure I was on the right track with Twist. The socks have momentarily taken a back seat to sweaters these days, and I should finish a mate to a pair that are getting mailed out as a Christmas present. After Christmas, I'm going to make an effort to continue with the Loopy Ewe Sock club kits. I'm 3 behind right now and have decided to stay in for 2009. I can't wait to see what Sheri has planned for us next year!

I also wanted to share this nifty kitchen gadget with you. I love kitchen gadgets, and my sister Heidi knows this - that's why she gave it to me for my birthday. I used it today to clean the carrots for the soup. Well, it's been a long day of cooking and baking - it's time to kick back, relax and enjoy the rest of My Day.

Warm Fuzzies

2008-11-13T16:56:00.013-06:00

I'm making myself a new scarf for this winter season. My old one has seen better days. The yarn I'm using is Cascade Rustic. It's 79% Wool, 21% Linen. This yarn is very soft and when knit together with other yarn shown (Douceur et Soie, 70% Baby Mohair, 30% Silk), is very soft against my bare neck. The pattern is a simple 2x2 rib. I will show you the completed scarf when I can photo it outside to get a decent picture, and also so you can see how it shades from a light to dark gray.

Tomorrow I plan on going to The Black Purl to relax with my knitting friends and get help on a sweater I've been working on since last February. I spent a lot of money on the yarn and when it was done, it was too big. So it's been taken apart and re-knit to fit better. It's not that bad as it's heavier yarn, knit on size 11 needles, so it's going pretty well. I hope all this extra work will be worth it. Stay tuned to see the finished product - someday.

Oh, and Sawyer wants to share with you his new toy. It's pretty cool; made out of tennis ball material, hard, and bounces off the tile when you throw it. The little pink spot on the tip of his nose was caused by him trying to lift the gate latch at the kennel and he rubbed it raw. We kenneled him 2 consecutive weekends in October - apparently, he didn't want to be there. Hopefully it'll heal back to black.

Off to put a pizza in the oven for R30-Boy and I. Those of you who know me, know my 10 yr old son's name. Those of you that don't - that's the blog name he thought of to be referred to.

Have a good night!

Ribbon of Hope Socks

2008-11-12T18:47:00.006-06:00

I am proud to start off my new blog with Ribbon of Hope Socks. These are a Christmas gift for my neighbor, Mrs. K, who underwent chemo & radiation for breast cancer this past year. I found the pattern on Ravelry by Phyll Lagerman. It was a well-written pattern and I enjoyed doing them very much. The only alteration I made was that I did stockinette on the foot. I used Araucania Ranco Semi Solid purchased from my LYS, The Black Purl. I will add that Mrs. K had her 6 mo. MRI after completing radiation, and was given a clean bill of health.

(I'm still new at this blogging, so I haven't figured out how to make links to the above information.)

We have gotten our first dose of snow last night. Commence hibernation.

Testing.... testing...

2008-11-12T11:10:00.000-06:00

Welcome to my Blog. I hope you find it - interesting.
This is a new experience for me - kinda scary, but fun.

I will have to ponder where I want to start.