Just Enough Sugar

Sugar cookie baking gets better and better every year. "This one is almost ready, Mommy. It needs some more 'ellow' on it" Have you ever baked cut-outs with a toddler or two? Oh, how sweet it is.

And just when you're wondering if you've had enough sugar, you find that recipe for the tree Mom made every Christmas morning.

It is made of a yeast-risen sweet dough. Use butter and green sugar on the limbs, form a tree shape, use butter, cinnamon and nuts for the trunk and top it off with a maraschino cherry. I can't remember a Christmas without one of these! Of course there was enough sweet dough to make sticky buns as well. And did I mention Aunt Ruth's toffee?

Beyond Thanksgiving

Since our table of twenty for Thanksgiving, my girls have come to the conclusion that three toddler chairs are not enough at their table. Today I walked into the living room and found seating for nine. Cute, huh?

In knitting news, progress continues on the Christmas stocking for my youngest. All other knitting projects have been set aside in hopes of finishing this by Dec 25. I've abandoned the idea of adding a beaded snowflake to the brim of the hat. I had completed it and frogged it - looked nothing like a snowflake. I will probably end up adding the girl's names in duplicate stitch in order to distinguish between the two socks. But, I'd be happy to entertain more creative ideas.

Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving by eating a huge feast at Mom and Dad's with a table of twenty guests. The meal was great. The turkey was tasty - of the fresh, grain-fed variety. I contributed mashed red-curry sweet potatoes - a recipe Mom found in Martha Stewart Living Nov 2007. They've got coconut milk and Thai red-curry paste in them. Believe me, these sweet potatoes are absolutely incredible! Try them sometime. Find the recipe within this article.

I can't talk about Thanksgiving without mentioning Uncle Bob. I see him about once a year - at Thanksgiving. Uncle Bob is a loud, obnoxious sort of guy, but this year he did not get on my nerves as much as he usually does. I could more easily shrug off his comments. One of our conversations went something like this:
Bob: Do you have a job now?
Me: Yes, I work all day long.
Bob: Oh, you're home with the kids. What, you can't get a baby sitter!?

I just left it at that and next thing I know he's asking about the marital status of my parents' minister and shouting about how all divorced clergy ought to be kicked out of the church.

By the way, I took this photo in my folk's yard. I really like the way it shows the fall color.

My Oldest WIP

My Oldest WIP (work in progress) got a facelift. If you remember from a previous post, I knit this sweater back in October 1988 for my niece (now 21 years old!) My sister-in-law kindly found it and sent it to me for my girls to enjoy. I tried the sweater on my youngest the other day and realized I better get to work if I have any hope of her wearing it. She is growing so fast!

Fairly immediately (that's as immediately as a mother of two preschoolers can get), I set to work on salvaging as much yarn as possible from the neck placket. When I frogged the stitches I had picked up for the placket, I discovered that the neckline was still beautifully intact. Believe it or not, I still had the instructions for the sweater, so I was thinking I'd reknit the inset.

While I was working on the sweater yesterday, Marsha was with me and suggested a more up-to-date ribbed v-neck instead of the placket. That sounds easier, will use less yarn and ought to look great I thought. Let me tell you, it's a good thing I hang out with such brilliant people.

I ran with the idea, adding two rows of contrasting color at the border and cranked out the updated sweater last night. What do you think?

A New Tree

This past weekend we planted our new tree - a Bloodgood Japanese Maple. We also put in a couple perennials: a Spirea and a Nandina Domestica. I had tons of fun getting my hands in the dirt and I was reminded just how good that outdoor work feels. I enjoyed the dirt up under my fingernails, the smell of the soil and the cool autumn air under which we worked.

Our landscape plan around our new porch and walkway is finally taking shape. There are alot of plants I want to put in, but we'll take our time and do bit by bit.

Welcome To The World, Little One

I just found out that my friend became a grandmother (for the first time!) earlier this week. He was born on Monday, prematurely weighing in at 4 lbs 10 ozs. Mother and son are doing well, though still in the hospital. I forgot to ask his name.

It's time to knit a baby hat!

Children's Indoor Garden

Saturday we went to Longwood Gardens for the grand opening of the children's indoor garden. The garden was lovely with a childsized seashell-lined passageway and a childsized winding staircase. The children were intriqued by a fountain which was fed by bronze animal mouths from above. That fountain also spewed upward with small blurbs of water which little hands and teenaged-hands found fastinating in their attemt to catch. Occasionally, a child would lean out and look downward, getting gently splashed in the face.

The grand opening of this amazing addition to the world famous Longwood Gardens included a fun-filled schedule: juggler's performance, bubble show, dancing rainforest creatures (by Annie Hickman) and kitemaking. We had a great time! My girls say they liked the insects (rainforest creatures) best!

It is Majestic

My knitting buddies sure like the color of this yarn. Gina, remember when we looked at the ball band for this yarn and it had a name of #589? Your remark was something like "Oooh, aaah, that name does it justice, yes, # 589, drool." Whatever you said had me rolling on the floor with laughter. I've just learned now, that according to Rowan's site, this lovely color #589 does have a name - Majestic.

I finally knit a Moebius I like, color name - Majestic!

Pattern: Cat Bordhi, Simple Moebius from A First Treasury Of Magical Knitting

Yarn: Rowan Kidsilk Haze, #589 Majestic, .75 skein

Needles: US 2, 26" circular

Start Date: 9/09/07

Finish Date: 10/24/07

Notes: MCO 360 sts, it is more narrow than I'd like; next time knit the whole skein.

It is the correct length for twisting and coming up over the ears - just as I intended!

I may add an edge to make it a bit wider.

Next time I'll knit, then purl so the scarf does not do the center switch from knit stitches to purl stitches. My knitting buddies think that may make the loose centerline less obvious.

Ta Da!

Finally, at the sewing machine, I made the mate to match the first. I'm happy with the result and what a sense of completion!

Morning Glories

For the past couple years, I've planted morning glories in the corner of the yard. This year the plant did particularly well; the opposite side of this fence looks just as lush. Against the fence hangs a rusty old bike frame that I pulled out of the creek (drainage ditch) that runs by our home. I'm an avid bicyclist in my past life and was intruiqued with the piece. My MIL and husband did not share my enthusiasm for the find and as a joke, nailed it prominently to the corner of the fence. "That looks great - perfect!", I said. Now the joke's on them. The bike frame has been hanging there ever since; you just can't see it this year due to the prolific morning glories.

See those ugly white lamp posts behind the beautiful morning glories in the photo to your right? You can't? Good! I hate those posts and I've hated them for the past four years. Thanks to another great idea from Marsha (Marsha has great ideas), this year I planted morning glories to hide the post. Why didn't I ever think of that? I thought to put morning glories in by the fence which now cover my beautiful bike frame.

The first time I planted them from 4" pots, I put them right into the ground at the base of the post. Little bunnies had a feast overnight, next morning, no plants! So, I bought new plants and put them in large pots thinking that maybe having the delicious plants up off the ground would deter the rabbits. I don't know if that's what did it or not. But, it worked.

Astrogeology

Today's commemorative link on Google's home page celebrates the 50th anniversary of Sputnik. It reminded me of my work as a cartographer for the USGS in Flagstaff, AZ from 1986- 1992. I worked in astrogeology mapping Mars using imagery from Viking missions. NASA's Viking Project found a place in history when it became the first U.S. mission to land a spacecraft safely on the surface of Mars and return images of the surface.


Our team was working on a control point atlas of Mars. I have no idea if that atlas has ever been published. Someday I should contact some of my colleagues there and find out the status of that project.

Checking out USGS's Flagstaff website allowed me to reminisce about the folks I used to work with there. Many of the people are still there. My closest friend at the USGS works with planetary nomenclature. She names new stuff being discovered out there: planets' moons, other small bodies orbitting the sun in our solar system (yep, small bodies is the technical term for stuff such as astroids and comets) and beyond (nebulea and stars) How cool is that?


I worked with an amazing group of people there including Carolyn and Gene Shoemaker - a very kind and lovely couple. Carolyn is the most successful "comet hunter" to date.

Holiday Knits

Here's progress so far on the Christmas stocking I'm knitting for my youngest daughter. There are about 120 charted rows and I've completed 20 rows. It makes the greatest snowman stocking. This post shows the same stocking I made for my older daughter. I want to incorporate some sort of change in the second stocking. I'm thinking a colorful stripe in the hat or a beaded snowflake added to hat brim.
I've got several gifts I'd like to finish in time for Christmas (in order of priority):
This Christmas stocking
Hat for my husband
Miniature stocking ornaments (3 of them!)

Celebrate Socktoberfest 2007

I found Socktoberfest 2007 and count me in. It sounds like fun, huh? Besides it is just the excuse I need to buy yet another skein of sock yarn. I visited BunkyBoBo's shop on Etsy. The seller is new to Etsy and I met her through blogging. She is a great correspondent, fellow knitter and now new found friend. Her handdyed yarns look luscious; I'm eyeing up Pumpkin Patch and Basilisk. For socktoberfest it has gotta be Pumpkin Patch. don't you think?

Ravelry Invitation

I just received my invitation to Ravelry! I'm psyched. I can't explore it now - headed out to enjoy a beautiful day at a fall festival.

100 Things About Me

This is my 100th post. It's going to be 100 things about me, I first saw the 100 things posted at Gina's blog. Here goes:

1. I think way too much. Therefore, it'll take me forever to do this.
2. My goal is to complete this list in 100 days or less.

Terrible Twos

My baby will be two years old on Saturday and it feels terrible. I'm not ready for it. I'm just not ready for her to be out of diapers and wanting to do things all on her own. I don't want her to grow up.

While in Burlington, VT this summer a man in a parking garage saw us, smiled and commented "The twos are terrific, all that discovery of independence!" I think I'll always remember him saying that. Think about it. It is an amazing time. Right now, it feels painful.

Maybe if I never finish the 2T-3T sweater I'm knitting for her, she'll never grow up.

Cloth Baby Shoes

I have not sewn anything for a long time, but when Marsha turned me towards this pattern for Cloth Baby Shoes, I pulled out the sewing machine. They are so cute, I just had to make 'em. I don't even have a baby in mind for these.

"It's Art"

Today my four-year-old painted this, "It's for you", she said excitedly, running up next to me, painting in hand. I stooped down next to her for a closer look.

Me: Tell me about it.
T: It's Art.

Baby Socks

The baby socks are done. I think they turned out great and pair nicely with the simple hat. Not much else in knitting news, progress is slow on the Debbie Bliss jacket. It's alot of stockinette stitch with baby cashmerino on size 3 needles - a dream to work with, but it's taking me forever.

Sorry, Nikon

I have a friend who once took his older car to have the air conditioning fixed. The service department contacted him to explain that his car is not equipped with air conditioning. Tell me, do you have any stories like this? Here's one of mine.

Today I'm sure I was the laughing stock of Nikon's Customer Service Department. My Nikon D50 works fine and I feel like an idiot because it was never broken. I hate to admit it, but I thought there was a problem with the monitor. Wake up, Beth, the D50 is an SLR! Perhaps it time to read the manual or take a photography course.

My Camera Stinks

See that Nikon D50 pictured above? It is not working - again! How did I get the picture you ask? I took it with my Canon PowerShot SD450 which has never given me any problems. Take that Nikon! Because I've owned it less than one year, it is still under warranty. I will call them tomorrow, they owe me a replacement.

The last time it stopped working I called and they talked me through fixing it by pressing the hidden reset button on the bottom of the camera base. Tomorrow I will refuse to reset again. I've got important photos to take: birthdays coming up, first day of school, Halloween, Christmas...

Am I Four Yet?

We celebrated T's fourth birthday with family members yesterday - lots of food, swimming and presents. I told T. it was her party day and her birthday was coming up soon. This morning when she woke up, the first words out of her mouth were "Am I Four Yet?" How cute is that? On opening most every gift, she got this big smile on her face and said - "Just what I needed on my birthday!" She sang along to "Happy Birthday" and had no trouble blowing out four candles. You have no idea how much this enthusiasm means to me.

The celebration will continue this week as the four of us go out for dinner and as we get together with a small group of T's closest friends.

Knitting Meme

Here's a fun meme I found from friends: Gina, Katie and Marsha.

Bold for stuff you’ve done,
italics for stuff you plan to do one day, and
normal for stuff you’re not planning on doing.

Afghan/Blanket
I-CORD
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting (modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
Knitting with DPNs
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards huh?
Machine knitting
Knitting with self-patterning/self-striping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm warmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair (never, but I know someone who has!)
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

Bouncing

Today I took T. to a birthday party at one of those a local BounceU. There was a family party at the same time, so we met up with Dad there later.

Dad: How was the party?
T: Good, I bounced all over the place!

Thanks Again, Shawnee!

Many thanks to Shawnee who has spoiled me rotten in the No Sheep For You Swap! Look what I got in package two: 2 skeins of Pakucho 100% organic cotton in lovely green tones, a tube of Udderly Smooth cream, notepad and candies. Shawnee hit the nail on the head with this yarn selection for me. I'm wild about the color. The last time I knitted with organic cotton I made this sweater/hat set for A. I have no other organic cotton in my stash, so I'll be picking up this Pakucho soon!

Now, more on the candies. I've eaten Pop Rocks before, probably back in the 70's and I've had Tootsie Rolls since who knows when, but where was I when Nerds showed up on the market? I eagerly opened the candy's clever packaging - grape packaged on one side and strawberry on the other. You slide a little piece of cardboard back and forth to close the box or dispense the candies. How fun is that! Let me tell you, these little crunchy candies are packed full of flavor! I love them. And here I thought my husband was the only nerd I loved!

Thanks again Shawnee for a lovely package and for introducing me to Nerds.

Simple Hat

Pattern: Debbie Bliss Simple Hat from "Baby Knits For Beginners"

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, color # 005 - 1 skein (50g)

Needles: US 3 dpn

Mods: I used a smaller gauge yarn (pattern called for Debbie Bliss Cotton DK) .

Mainwas knit in the round, when 9 sts remain, made I-cord thingy at top.

Finished size Head Circumference size 17-18 inches, 6-12 month old.

Start Date: 6/6/07

Finish Date: In Bethany Beach, DE - June 2007

Toe-up Socks Complete

Pattern: Combination of P's toe-up class and Joy's generic sock pattern

Yarn: Panda Cotton (55% bamboo, 24% cotton, 21% elastic nylon) color #0432 - 1 skein

Needles: US#1 dpn, gauge 7st/in

Mods: I CO fewer stitches than pattern suggested due to elastic in the yarn.

I used # inches around ball of foot X sts/inch X .75 (so, next time use .90 as suggested)

Start date: 4/17/07

Finish date: 6/24/07

Thank you, No Sheep Pal

A lovely package arrived awhile back. I think it was right before the 4th of July and our second trip to the shore for this Summer. It was a busy time and I have not been up to my usual tricks on the PC since. Poor excuse I know.

Anyway, did I mention it is such a lovely package from my No Sheep For You Pal? See in the photo, I got two skeins of Bouton d'Or New Bamboo (color 078), which I already have on needles. I'm making a pair of baby socks as a gift for my friend, A. Along with the yarn I got ladybug tissues and a little ladybug handwritten note.

Thanks again, No Sheep Pal.

Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit!

On this the first of July, I remembered to say Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit.

On researching why I am getting the "err" message on my Nikon D50, I found this and this to be most helpful. I've tryed a different memory card, a fully charged battery, removing and replacing the lens and none of those worked. Besides Jonathan Ryan suggests if the message has appeared for a third time, as mine has, it is time to return the camera. I only hope my husband saved the purchase receipt.

Pirates

The last time I was in the theatre my husband and I saw Babel. We got popcorn*. Last night I saw Pirates of the Caribbean At World's End with two girlfriends. We did NOT get popcorn*. They talked me into to going, it did not take too much talking. It was the first I had seen of the Pirates movies. Yes, I really am that out of the "in"!

Now, I so want to see the first and second movies and now I may have to add these to my "to knit" list.

*I was not allowed to get popcorn or buy anything at a movie as a kid. So, having popcorn at a movie always reminds me of going on dates. I actually remember saying on dates, "you mean I can get popcorn if I want it"!

Back From Bethany

We had a wonderful family time at Bethany Beach in celebration of my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. The damper was that my father ended up being admitted to the hospital the Thursday night of our stay (June 21). He was showing signs of a mini stroke (TIA) and after a serious of tests that turned out to be the diagnoses. On a good note, he was discharged this morning, has no lasting damage and can resume normal activity.

As far as knitting is concerned, I got alot done there. I finished the Panda Cotton toe-up socks and the Simple Baby Hat from Debbie Bliss Baby Knits For Beginners. I'll be posting photos as soon as I can get rid of the error message on my new Nikon D50. Urgh!

SP10 Has Done It Again!

Start with a lovely handmade card, add bamboo yarn, cotton yarn, painted egg leaflet, lavendar sachet, measuring tape, pins, Mitchell's Fat Wool Soap, topped with chocolate (some for the girls and some just for me) and you've put together the perfect parcel.

So, my SP10 remembered I wanted to try some bamboo yarn and spoiled me with some. She thought of me when in an antique shop and spoiled me with a painted egg leaflet from there. Somehow she knew I was in need of something to keep the moths away and spoiled me with the lavendar sachet. You did make the card right? I like it best of all the items in the package. I have it displayed prominently in my kitchen to remind me to get knitting!

I have been so well spoiled. So fortunate am I to have been paired with you for this exchange. You've put together packages as if you've known me forever, really!

Thank you, Crafty Drama Queen.

Mango Moon

This post is especially for you, Marsha. You asked for pattern suggestions using a single skein of Mango Moon Recycled Silk. A few years ago I saw scarf in "Unraveled" (a lovely local shop which unfortunately had to close) made with the yarn, admired it and jotted down the pattern on a scrap of paper. Of course, now I can't find the scrap of paper.

But, I just e-mailed Joy who used to work at the shop and she knew exactly what scarf I was talking about. She wrote to me in reply:

"Yes, I remember the scarf and the pattern. Her Aunt Carol had made it using “purse stitch”.

On an even number of sts.
K1, *yo, p2tog* rep between *s, end k1.
Rep this row.

Happy knitting."

Strawberries

This morning the girls and I headed out early to pick strawberries at Highland Orchards. We went out to the fields just behind some other pickers who looked much more experienced than us. I overheard them in line talking about what type of leg wear was most appropriate for picking and one woman asked me "are THEY going to pick too?" I simply replied "yes".

The girls did a great job. It did not take us long to pick 3 1/2 lbs of berries. We remembered to take our carton from last year and got a 35 cent discount on our total. The berries cost about $8.00. It was sunny and hot in the fields, next year we'll have to remember our hats!

Knitter's Day Out

Today I signed up for Knitter's Day Out (KDO). I've been there twice before. It's a great opportunity to spend the day with others who share my passion for knitting and to take some classes at a very reasonable price.

Now look at the photo. See the lady in pink? I was sitting to her left.

Why?

M: Good night, I love you.
T: Why do you say that?
M: Because I want you to know that I love you. And I want you to remember that you are always safe here.
T: Are you talking to me?

Wallaby Progress

Here's the progress on my Wallaby. I'd better go hit the needles because this baby was born yesterday!

I couldn't help but use the forget-me-nots in the yard as a backdrop. They match well with Knitpicks, Shine, Bachelor Button yarn. Don't you think?

Another Parcel From SP10!

I received another brilliant package from my SP10. The latest issue of Simply Knitting, needle case, lady bug buttons (oh, so cute), knitting needles and a skien of lovely Hip Knits silk yarn in 'eat your greens' shade. You've gotta love it for that name alone. Trust me, though, it feels great. The yarn is hand dyed 100% silk, 180 metres to 100g, recommended needle size - 5mm/US8. It's available at www.hipknits.co.uk. They say that one skein is perfect for a hat, scarf or small bag. That suits me just fine. SP10 even thought to send a scarf pattern my way - I'll get that via e-mail.

Your parcel arrived just in time to bring a smile to my face on a difficult day.
Thanks so much!

SP10 Parcel Continued

Along with the great yarn are some yummy candies local for my SP10, a bar of chocolate orange soap and a postcard from her recent trip to Scotland. Is she aware that I save every postcard I receive and of my fondness for maps? In my life before motherhood, I worked as a cartographer.

SP10 Parcel Continued

SP10 even thought to send gifts for my girls. They were so excited to share in the opening of the package. Of course we read the book right away and we tryed on all the fancy hair accessaries. It was so thoughtful of you to think of them and to individually wrap and label their gifts!

By the way, this idea of several posts in a row is my feeble attempt to get around the fact that when I try to write a post and include multiple images it always ends up looking awful.

The Lanyard

In celebration of this Mother's Day, get out your tissues and read The Lanyard, by Billy Collins.

My Total - $16.00

While walking around town today, waiting for the Grower's Market to open, I stumbled upon a garage sale. I don't think I need to justify these purchases, do I? My favorite item is hard to see in this photo. It's a small blue enamel pot with lid, just the right size for a child's kitchen - price, 5 cents.

Watering Cans

Completed Gifts

This week I've got two FOs (Finished Objects)to share with you. From the colors I chose, it looks like you ought to be washing your dishes in your thong huh? I sent off the dishcloth to my SP10 and the thong to my sister-in-law.

It feels so good to have these two smaller projects completed. I told myself I was not going to CO my next Wallaby until these were off the needles. Yesterday I started, I CO the Wallaby sleeves for a friend's new baby. She's due in 3 weeks, my goal is to have the sleeves done by the time the baby arrives. I'm making a 2T, so baby will have plenty of time to grow into it.

Off, On and Frogged

Off the needles:

The Moebius scarf - it needs work! First of all, it's not a real moebius - mine has one and a half twists. Secondly, it needs to be blocked. It is alot more narrow than I want it to be and very long.

The toe-up-sock - this is a small sock to be used for my "adventsocken".

On the needles:

A thong (a gift for my sister-in-law), a pair of toe-up-socks for T., and a dishcloth for my SP10.

Frogged:

The toe-up socks for myself. I realized a did not have enough of the solid blue yarn (used above in the small sock), so I've decided to use that blue as toes and heels in combination with this yarn.

Pysanky

I learned to knit back in the 1970's. For several years during the 80's and 90's I did no knitting at all. In my free time, I enjoyed making pysanky, Ukrainian Easter eggs.

My good friend, Lisa, taught me how to make the eggs. We did not have any Ukrainian background, just a how-to book and a keen interest. My now husband and I shared this pasttime while we were dating. I taught him how to make the eggs and we'd make them as Easter and Christmas gifts.

This year at Easter time, I dug out the old box of eggs and displayed them. The eggs in the ceramic egg crate (a gift from Mom) are large chicken eggs and the egg on the left is a peewee egg from a farm in Arizona. In storage I also have goose and ostrich egg shells waiting to be dyed.

If you ever want supplies for making pysanky get them here.

Six Weird Things

Marsha tagged me for this back in December and I'm finally getting around to it. I must be feeling particularly weird today.

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with "Six Weird Things About Me." People who get tagged need to write a blog entry about their own six weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to tag six people and list their names. Don’t forget to write "You are tagged" in their comments and tell them to read your blog to find out what that means.

If you are sure you really want to learn six weird things about me, read on.

1. I watch very little TV, but when I do I like watching those Texas Hold 'Em poker tournaments.

2. I like to wash my feet before I go to bed.

3. My career in the fast food industry lasted 12 hours at McDonald's.

4. I don't have any fillings in my teeth.

5. This one is hard to explain. Here goes. When I eat from my plate, I eat around my plate so as not to complete any item entirely. For example, if I have chicken, potatoes and peas on my plate, I would eat some of each until only a bite of each remains. If I start to look low on potatoes, I either serve myself more or take an extra bite of chicken and peas to catch up.

6. I hate hearing the sound of people misusing the words: "fewer" and "less". Off the top of my head, I can't explain the grammatical rule, but I swear I can hear the misuse and it really is annoying to me. It's like hearing fingernails down a chalkboard.

Do I really have to tag six people now, I hate chain letters?

PS - My husband does not have a blog. Shucks - I would definitely tag him. You know that dangly thing at the back of your throat, your uvula. He has two. Now wait a minute, I just checked the spelling of "uvula" and learned that some people have a forked uvula. Maybe his is forked and he's not so weird afterall.

ooh, la, la

Today a package arrived from my Secret Pal. It made it across the Atlanitc, through a mid-April snowstorm and safely to my mailbox. Lucky for me! Look at the contents: cashmere yarn, size 1.5, 5" dpn, "Knitting" magazine from the UK, Belguim chocolates and cookie cutters? Did I mention the cashmere yarn? It is the only cashmere yarn I have ever owned and it is oh, so soft. Take a look at the colorway, it's perfect for me. I just want to keep touching it - I will definitely make something for myself with this yarn. SP10, is the cashmere you sent the 4-ply sock yarn you mention in your note? Have you made socks with cashmere?

I broke into the chocolates so fast, I forgot to photograph them before eating the milk chocolate covered whole hazelnut, see the crumpled foil wrap?

Thank you SP10, I hope you are being well-spoiled by someone.

A Thong!

I've never worn a thong in my life. So, what was it that struck me about this Lacy Thong in my Interweave Knits Spring 2007 issue? Maybe it was the thong as a quick knit. Or more likely, it was the fact that I recently had some corrective surgery and feel ready for a little lacy, sexy boost.

For whatever reason, I love the result.

Pattern: Laura Rintala, Interweave Knits, Spring 2007

Yarn: Wildflower D.K., col #24

Needles: US 5 and crochet hook D

Start Date: 4/11/07

Finish Date: 4/14/07

The Moebius Revisited

Friday morning I sat down to CO a moebius scarf. I frogged the first moebius scarf, when my Denise needle came apart and I dropped a bunch of stitches.

I picked up my new 52" Denise cable and carefully followed instructions for the CO. It felt so wonderful. The stitches seemed to take to my needles like soft butter to fresh warm bread. I was in the knitting zone. Oh, yea. This is why I knit.

Finally, It's A Hat!

I've been looking at my artyarns supermerino all winter and finally finished a hat, just in time for spring! I am most proud of this hat for the way I completed the top. After knitting the hat once, I realized it was too short to fit down over the ears. So, I frogged the top 1/3, planning to finish off the top with a good length of Knit Picks' Andean Silk, chocolate.

After a few rounds, I saw how the Knit Picks chocolate blended so nicely with the Artyarn that I ended up striping the chocolate with the Artyarn for what I think is a beautiful finish. Now that the hat is all said and done, the remaining artyarn measures only about 20 inches - that's calling it close!

Pattern: Barbara Albright, Ooh La Loopy Hat, Interweave Knits Gifts Holiday 2006
Yarn: Artyarn Supermerino #114 and Knit Picks, Andean Silk, Chocolate #23514.
Needles: US 5 dpns
Note: I did not do a gauge swatch. For this hat CO 88 sts, K even to 71/2" fits a 20" head.
Start Date: 3/09/07
Finish Date: 3/24/07

Economics 101

Today at the grocery store a man stopped me as I was choosing a cantelope from the display at the front of the store. "You don't want that cantelope. You don't know anything about Economics. The cantelopes in the back are better. They put the lousy looking ones up here. Let me tell you a story, I'll keep it short. I used to work for Pep Boys and one day the manager had me bring some ugly looking sunglasses from the back. We put them on display up front and jacked up the price and they sold like hotcakes! That's Econonmics 101." The man walked out of the store.

Yes, I went to choose a different cantelope.

3-29-07 Post updated to show actual photo of actual cantelope purchased.

Farm Visit

Today we visited Springton Manor Farm, a lovely county park that always feels like an escape from the hustle and bustle around us. When we go, we usually find just a few other visitors there. In the barn we saw piglets that were 10 days old and kids that had been born the night before. What a treat! The kids looked much older to me. They were already walking around and had their eyes wide open.

I did not take my camera, so I'm not posting photos today. If we go back soon, I'll be sure to take my camera.

Writer's Block

I'm experiencing a bit of writer's block. Is there such a thing as blogger's block? Maybe if I just get on here, it'll come back to me. Recently, my time has been spent toying around with some new-found interests: my iPod and the NYT crossword puzzle.

My husband returned from a business trip with a present for me, an iPod shuffle. The shuffles were given to all attendees at the conference, he already owns a nano, so I got the shuffle! I have finally broken into this whole new way to experience music and other downloads. I'm still in awe that it's so small. I can't wait to clip it to me at the gym.

The idea of doing NYT crosswords came from wanting to exercise my brain more. I did the local crossword for a day or two then we watched "Word Play". After seeing that movie, I wanted to do no puzzle other than one edited by the puzzle master, Will Shortz. I'm starting out slowly, so as not to fry my brain. I buy the Monday NY Times. Once I master Mondays puzzles, I'll move onto the puzzles later in the week that get increasingly more difficult.

SP10 Questionairre

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

My favorite yarns to knit with are soft cottons, merino wools or cotton/wool blends. I’d like to experiment with yarns of unusual fiber content like bamboo. I do not like eye-lash or bulky, fluffy yarn.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

My circular needles are in a zippered case, my dpns are in a manila envelope and my straight needles will hopefully find a new home in a felted case that I intend to make (see my Nov 1, 2006 post)

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been knitting for about 35 years. I first learned English knitting from my mother and later my aunt taught me the Continental style of knitting. I consider my skill level to be intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

No, but if you need ideas, I could give you some via an e-mail message.

5. What's your favorite scent?

I like lemon and lavender.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Yes, I have a sweet tooth. My favorite candies these days are malted milk balls and Belgium Chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

Though I haven’t made one for a long time, I like to make Ukrainian Eggs. I do not spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Joan Armatrading, Joni Mitchell, The Indigo Girls, John Prine and Cowboy Junkies are some of my favorites. I like being introduced to new artists, so go ahead and send some if you’d like - my computer can play MP3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

My favortie color is green. Hey, I like purples and orange too. I really can’t stand teal.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I am happily married to a great guy and have 2 amazing daughters. We have a dog, he is a big Akita who is 14 years old.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I do like to wear hats and mittens and an occasional warm scarf. Ponchos? No.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I really enjoy knitting socks - the turning of the heel seems like magic to me.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Last night I just binded off my red scarf project. I will have it all ready for the 2008 collection.
I’m knitting my first toe-up sock.
I’m knitting a hat for my husband that doesn’t fit his head yet – after 2 attempts!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Oh, yes.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I prefer to knit on bamboo needles, straight or circular are fine.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

A child’s sweater in need of repair – I knitted it 20 years ago and 5 years ago it resurfaced in need of repair.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

I enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas very much. But as for a favorite, I’d have to say Groundhog Day. I like that you don’t see Ground Hog Day displays in the stores. On that day, I like to bake spicy ground hog cookies and watch the movie, Ground Hog Day. Some day I’d like to have a GroundHog Day Party – would you like to come?

19. Is there anything that you collect?

I collect cookie cutters – some old, some new, some metal, some plastic and all fun!

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Someday I hope to add Cat Bordhi’s Second Treasury of Magical Knitting to my collection. I'd like set of wooden or bamboo size US 1.5 double pointed needles. I subscribe to Interweave Knits.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I’d like to pick up an old project from a class I took awhile back to relearn fairisle and a steek. The instructor had us make wrist warmers to learn these techniques and the concepts never really sunk in for me.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Yes, I knit socks. My shoe size is US 8.5 with medium width.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

03/17

The Gift of Yarn

I asked my loving husband for some soft sock yarn for Valentine's Day. Look at this lovely yarn he chose for me. My intention is to knit socks with it. I think I will use the skein on the right as a pair for me and the skein on the left as a pair for him. However, I like the idea from a fellow knitter tonight to use both skeins together in a pair of socks. That would be interesting.

Happy Groundhog Day

February 2nd is significant. The date is the approximate midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox - the start of Solar Spring as described by the Weather Doctor in an article on Celebrating Groundhog Day.

Punxsutawney Phil, the weather predicting groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pa., did not see his shadow today which, according to German folklore, means folks can expect an early spring instead of six more weeks of winter.

Celebrate today. At least watch the movie, Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray. Watch it once or go to The Colonial Theatre's special event - they are showing the movie over and over again.