Merry Christmas!

I'm sitting here, just finished the last Christmas scarf! It's A Wonderful Life is on. aaaah that's nice.
DS and I went to my sis's house for dinner tonight...(her homemade soup and rolls yum!) and did the gift exchange! She and her DH got me a winder and swift, and I got her a winder and talked her DH into getting her the swift....So, we literally exchanged gifts really....the same gifts pretty funny. So Long story short...we're happy knitters tonight!!!!

Tomorrow.... a nice quiet day with my son, more gifts, movies, dinner with son and brother!!!

Hope everyone else is having as nice a holiday as we are!

Happy Holidays!

dang sidebar

for some reason, my sidebar starts where mine main blog ends at the bottom of the page. I don't know why, nor do I know how to fix it. Any ideas?

on a good note, the internet and cable are back on. The company (who shall remain nameless) disconnected the wrong house....yeah.

Darned Cable Internet

So, I came home for lunch today, turned on the TV to find that my cable is all messed up. I'm hesitant to say it's "out" because, there is some semblance of some sort of signal there, but that's it...fuzzy, black, menu, no menu...what the #@$%^&*&*? I have no idea....and why are the first four symbols a link? A link to where??? Probably a link straight to hell.... don't click on it my friends don't do it!!!

Anyhow...if the cable is "out" my internet is also out. So I am right this minute sitting at Barnes and Noble (it's ok to click on this one...I think), sipping a pumpkin spice latte which will no doubt fuel my all night knitting. And, I had to PAY for internet here.... 3.95 for 2 hours!!! And it keeps disconnecting!!! Damn the cable company!!!!

Ok, I'm over it.. hehehe. I'm going home to knit!!!

OH.... and one more thing.....Please my friends... Pay a little visit to www.yarnharlot.ca and read todays blog post....don't forget your tissues.... I think Ms. Pearl-Mcphee is a wonderful person! Can you give?

Happy weekend everybody!

Busy Busy Busy

Well sorry it's been a while since I last blogged (Teri)!!! Like everybody else out there...I've been busy!!! Working, Knitting, Shopping, Playing! Yay...

THANK YOU Secret Pal!!! Today, I received an audio book from my secret pal. It's "Next" by Michael Crichton. I can't wait to get started on it...while I finish knitting Christmas presents!! Yay thanks!!!! What a great gift!

Also along the SP9 line....I sent off my pals December/Christmas package... she should get it next week....weeeeee.

And....Happy Birthday to Pseudobunny, my SP8 spoiler....watch your doorstep tomorrow! UPS Rocks, next day delivery! Of course it helps that we're in the same state!

Yesterday.... I went winetasting with a friend. We went to Amador County. Favorite of the three we visited was Montevina in/near the little town of Plymouth on Hwy 49. I highly recommend it for those of you who like wine.
Favorite Montevina Red: Barbera, no, Syrah, no Barbera, ooooh they were both really good!

Tonight...my DS came over, he helped put up my Christmas Tree and helped decorate it too. it's very cute! Thank you DS.

Hope you all are having a great week! Thirteen more days people!!! Yikes....knit away!

aaaahhh the weekend

Yay, the weekend is here! I'm trying to decide which UFO to finish first. I was going to spend Saturday morning raking leaves in my yard, but... when I got home from work tonight there was my nice nephew Jesse in my front yard, raking! Yay, I don't have to rake tomorrow... So.... I'll be knitting, and Christmas shopping, but mostly knitting.

I have two scarves to finish, slippers to felt, an afghan to finish, a sock in progress, oh... and a sweater to finish, and another pair of socks to start and finish. hmmm think I'll finish all that this weekend???? Me either. But....that's ok.

Home Sweet Home

I'm baaaack! Took a quick trip to northern Idaho to see the folks for Thanksgiving. Up on Tuesday home today! It's always frickin cold up there... snowed a little everyday....pretty but cold. Anyhoooo.... good to be home! Here's a pic of what it looks like where they live.

This picture was taken from inside the house and looks out past the back deck, there is actually a huge snow covered mountain past the trees here...but I was too lazy (and warm) to go out into the cold to get a better picture sorry!



Oh wait...found this in my picture folder from a few years ago.... same view, better pic...

And these pics are just a little way down the road from where my folks live....again taken out the window of the moving pick-up....window up of course....brrrr.






Anyway... you get the idea...it's pretty there and uh .... cold.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! gobble gobble!

Craft Harvest

This weekend my sister took me to Sacramento to a harvest festival. It was held in one of the huge buildings at Cal Expo (where the state fair is held). That place was packed full of crafts and their vendors. When we left that place, we realized we'd spent 5 hours looking at artsy craftsy stuff. It took that long to get through the whole place. It was great fun.

And then....we went to Elk Grove to check out the LYS there "Knitique". It was cute, small, nice yarn and nice knitters there but....I guess I'm just spoiled by my LYS's and that's all I'll say about that.

So, after our day in Sac, we came back to my house and .... knitted .... and .... knitted .... and .... knitted. And then, we got up this morning and knitted all day again.
She worked on her first sock and made it through the 2 in of ribbing (Yay) and then she cast on for a neck down cardigan!!!

I...well ... I worked on my trekking sock (with yarn from my sp9 pal) and started a Christmas present so I can't show it...but I can show my sock so far:


I started it on my new knitpicks double points but my guage was a little too loose on them so I switched to these generic bamboo needles, they say they're size 2 but they're actually a little smaller than that. Anyhow I'm happy with the way it's turning out...the colors are wonderful!

Sewed the sleeves on the nieces sweater.... almost done with that, think I'll take it with me to finish over the holiday!

And speaking of holiday, in case I don't get to post again before I leave.....Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

It's Here!!!!

Today I received a package from my secret pal. And I'm speechless...(I know, I know...that's never happened before) but I am!

She asked me to complete several additional questionaires, and now I see why! She put A LOT of thought into this package!!!! Thank you Thank you Thank you!

The book: Knitting for Peace. well...she knows why, and I'm touched.

The Yarn: Malabrigo, Holy Crap! This may just be the softest yarn I've ever touched....Kettle Dyed, worsted, in the Velvet Grapes colorway, "butter" soft as butter is right secret pal! It's beautiful, and I'm thinking it's way too soft not to end up around my neck! I'm going to search for the perfect stitch pattern to show off it's rich colors. (it would be perfect for the "My So Called Scarf" pattern, but I'm going to look for something new first).

Yarn #2: Trekking Sock yarn YAY!!!!!! I too have seen socks knit from Trekking on a bunch of different blogs.... And I just love the way they turn out. And this color is perfect!!! I really really like it....

And....the needles.... size 2 US double points (for my socks of course), metal, slick, quick and sharp sharp sharp!!! OMG, she's a mind reader this woman. I have looked at the knitpicks sight so many times, hmmm haaaa hmmmm haaaa which should I get....the options kit???? The double points??? aaaah I can't decide..... afraid to start ordering....afraid I'd fill more than one shopping cart.... I might never stop!!!

And... I'm racking my brain now...did I say anything on my blog about flying somewhere soon? No, I don't believe I did....then how did she know that the yarn cutter pendant would be another perfect gift? Well I am flying somewhere soon, and it is ANOTHER perfect gift.

Girl, when your hot your hot.... You done gooooood!!! woooohoooo! I love everything in this box LOVE IT!!! Thank you sooooo much.

last but not least....this is simply the sweetest card ever! Thanks so much pal.

Have a great Holiday and safe travels!!!

ps to pseudobunny.... I love the new ride! Love it! I'm hoping to make it down to your area really soon, maybe the the weekend after Thanksgiving. I'll let ya know if that happens!

Back to our regularly scheduled program....

which is knitting of course! Hmmm I've been working on a little something for my niece for
X-mas. And something for my brother too.
And I started a new pair of socks a few days ago...got this 100% Merino sock yarn from Claudia hand painted yarns at my LYS (Heartstrings Yarn Studio). I'm loving the yarn and the colors.... And I picked up some new double points size 2 bamboo (Clover Takumi), I like em. I think I'd like to try some metal double points though, so that might be next.

And this....this is a very patient (ok, sorta patient) knitting companion...she's too old and tired to chase my yarn or needles...but she does like to get in my lap while I'm knitting, especially with black yarn, and that's just wrong!!

I'm back on my walk to the border, just not on the treadmill, I think I've finally left Durham!!! Yay, you can only spend so much time touring Durham before you've seen it all. So, I'm headed south like the birds.

On the sp front... I got two very nice pals, staying in contact with both, I'm getting ready to send off the second package...maybe this weekend.

Happy Knitting

SOLD

The truck is SOLD....Color me HAPPY!!!! That's right, 24 hours after listing it on craig's list, she drove away from my house with her happy new owner! Yay! I'll kinda miss the old truck but the stomach ache I've had since I bought the new ride is gone gone gone! :)

Cate- before I bought the SUV I put the back seat down and crawled in there to make sure I could lay down comfortably...perfect!!!! Room for me and an air mattress!! And it should be way warmer and less dusty! woohoo a campin' we will go!!

My poor sister fell down today .... she has a boo boo on her knee!!! I think she was very brave for her stitches though! And got to go home early from work....hmmm I wonder if she knitted while having that leg elevated????

On the knitting front....Sunday our knitting circle got together, celebrated Lynn and Linda's birthdays...yummy chocolate cake!!! And....Heatherly helped me cast off on that "my so called scarf" that I've been trying to finish but couldn't quite be happy with my cast off. If anyone is wondering...from the right side she purled the cast off which is what I was trying to do but she did it with smaller guage needles and it's perfect!

Thank you Heatherly! Happy Birthday Ladies!

Wanna Buy a Truck?

I'm hoping to find her a good home...she's been a great truck! And she still has a lot of yarn haulin miles left in her!

wicked wicked socks!

The socks are evil....they possess powers....they make the wearer do things she's knows she shouldn't do....they made me lose my mind (but I love them anyway).

The day after I finished the socks... I had big plans....I was going to run out to Starbucks, grab a chai tea and come home and paint my bedroom and bathroom. As soon as I put those socks on, the phone rang...my friend is inviting me to meet her for coffee.... despite the afore mentioned good intentions... I say "SURE! I'll meet ya for coffee!"....but hey, maybe an hour of painting time lost right? And that would be true if I hadn't made a detour to the Auto Mall on my way home...so .... 7 hours later.... I own this:



What's the problem you ask??? What got painted???? NOTHING!! Did I actually sell my old car first? NO. Did I trade it in? NO. Did I do careful research and comparison shopping like I normally would...NO...well some but not nearly enough!!!!
(Ok, I have been thinking about it...looking a little) But I had no intention of doing what I did this weekend!
And worst of all... my poor sister was waiting for me to help with her socks... instead we drove this baby to lunch and over yummy pasta on the patio we stared at this thing until we'd convinced me that it was pretty enough to buy. Not to mention how nice it drives and.... oh my lots of room for hauling yarn around in!

Which brings me back to the beginning.... it was the crazy chocolate socks that made me do it!

ta da....chocolate socks!

So, today I was supposed to get a lot done around the house.... I didn't really do that...but I did get a lot done on that second sock!!!

Thanks again Susan for the chocolate yarn....these socks are just yummy!

I ordered the ChaCha sock yarn by Susie that is advertised on the secretpal9 blog it's it's beautiful, can't wait til it gets here!

Next.....

I actually took this picture a couple of days ago.

Must not succumb to the second sock syndrome!!!!

Indiana U!

I received a postcard today from my Secret Pal!!! Yahoo! It is of a very cool painting and came from an art museum at Indiana University. My Pal...(you go girl) is touring grad schools!!! Wow! YOU GO!

Thanks so much, I love the card!

Rats!

I kept looking at the sock...and the directions...and thinking, huh, something doesn't seem right with the gusset decreases.....Well....Duh!!!! Now that I'm almost finished with the dang thing it hits me.... I decreased every round instead of every other round! Wellllll I do believe I'll leave it and call it character! hehehe And then I'll try to get it right on the second sock unless it looks too weird then I'll do that one wrong too! :)

must pay closer attention to detail! hehehe

from the leg....

we move to the heel flap...

and the heel turn....

And....on to the foot.... and almost done!!!!!

sock update

Well, after knitting the cuff, and the leg and a few rows of the heel flap, I decided to check size to see if this baby would fit...baggy at the ankle!!! Dang. So I ripped....I ripped all five inches of that thing. And after about 10 attempts at casting on (because by then I was just tired and being picky), I finally was happy with it and continued.... tonight I have almost finished the heel flap...and, I'm happy with the fit so far.... (I decreased my cast on from 64 to 60 and I think I'm knitting a little tighter). Here's what it looks like:

I love the colorway...
and the yarn!

Today, my sister cast on her very first pair of socks... it was sock lesson day! Well, it was shop for pals day too...and so, we did... SOOO much fun!!!!

What do ya think she's thinking here?

I think she's had just about enough of the knitting/blogging .... "Please mother, please get me a snack"

Happy weekend!

I liiiiike it!!!!

This: is my newly cast on sock....with my yummy chocolate colored yarn which my very nice chocolate swap pal Susan, sent me. I absolutely love it already!




Yes, you see it right, five double points....I'm used to using two circulars for my socks, in size 5. these are like size 2 1/2 us....yikes! But... I love it! I might switch and work it on 4 dbl pts...but...we'll see how long it takes to get used to all these sharp pointy things. My cat, obviously elderly .... came dangerously close to losing an eye last night when she jumped onto my lap!!!! double yikes!!!



This is a dilemma for me....I love this stitch, I love this yarn (manos del uruguay, my so-called scarf on US 11.) But for the life of me I can't happily bind off... I mean, I'm happy to bind off...but I haven't been happy with my bind off...not any of the 5 or 6 times I've bound off....only to undo my bind off. Does anybody out there have any ideas? I know it's best to bind off in the pattern stitch....but I'm not sure how to make that work...so I tried to bind off in knit then I tried to bind off in purl...and visa versa and versa visa and it just looks like doo doo.
Any ideas? Please?


So, that's what I'm working on.

Ok,I'm also working on this: A Christmas present




And this: Another Christmas present


And I finished this....


and....after taking half of these pictures, I got tangled in my sock yarn and jammed about 3 of the pointy little things into my foot....ouch.... ok, not clear into it... but it still smarted...
so take my advice....know where those pointy sticks are at all times!!!!

happy knitting.

patty's contest

My Favorite:

Actor - oooh I guess it depends on if we're judging on acting talent or just raw attraction....at
any rate I think Denzel fits the bill for both pretty well. But I like the Doctor on
Lost (Michael Fox)...and Michael Scofield's brother on Prison Break too hehehe (I'm not
that picky any of the three will do), oooh Gerard Butler, Phantom
Actress - hmmmm toughy... Meg Ryan, Shirley Maclaine, Joan Allen, Diane Keaton
Animal - I have a cool cat, and a cool dog and even a pretty cool goldfish...don't make me
choose.
Band - hmmmm jeez don't make me choose....I like Bob Seger, Bruce Springsteen, etc...etc..
Tim McGraw, etc...etc... no rap, no hiphop.
Beverage - hot: Starbucks non-fat Chai Latte with one extra shot of Chai
cold: Diet Cherry Coke (for now)
Book - Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter
Bubble Bath - citrus scent in the hot tub under a starry sky! Not a big bubble bath person.
Candy - Do I have to choose? Can't I just love them all?
Color - Blue or Purple or Burgandy, or Green, or....are ya starting to see a them here?
Flower - for scent Gardenia, hehehe "Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower?" - Meg
Ryan, You've Got Mail.
Food - Do people really play favorites here??? hmmm my grandmother's lasagna or anything
she ever cooked for that matter.
Lip Balm - Burts Bees cherry flavor is nice.
Lotion - mmmm Citrus scents from Bath and Body
Movie - Something's Gotta Give, Family Stone, As Good As it Gets, Terms of Endearment,
Phantom of the Opera
Song - Cheryl Crow's version of Sweet Child of Mine (Is that the name of the song or just the
chorus, I'm not sure.)
TV Show - right now....Lost, Prison Break, Without a Trace, Law and Order
Vacation Spot - I'm still searching for it.

Ok....I admit I hate to choose.....I've have a 20 year career which requires me to make a lot of big decisions...and I have no problem with that...but don't make me choose a restaurant, or a favorite color...etc. I don't know why. :)

sp9sp9s9sp9sp9

I heard from my pal yesterday.....ha ha....ha ha....and, I got my pals info too. That makes it official! It's almost started hehe. I'm so excited...and I don't get excited!!!! Yay!!

My spoiler wants to know if I want hints about who she is.....I'm going to try...so...hard... not to go looking and trying to figure it out!! I did so good last time, I didn't try to find out...honest, but ...I figured it out by accident just before the end of sp8. (sorry Rachel hehehe)

Must. Not. Blog. Snoop!

heatherly's contest, jody's questions, tali's birthday...yay

1. Where is your favorite knitting spot?
I curl up on my oversized chair or loveseat! But... I'll knit anywhere, anytime.
2. If you suddenly could never knit again (shudder) - what would you do instead?
First, I'd probably cry a little .... then I would probably start reading more, and getting a little
more exercise!! hehe
3. If you could travel anywhere in the world - where would you go and why?
I think Italy.... or any and all of the mediterranean countries... I don't know why, I'd just
really love to go there. I love the architechtural style.
4. When you were little - What did you want to do "when you grew up?" Are you doing it?
I always thought of some sort of medicine, either human or animal. I thought I'd be a nurse
or a vet. I'm a PA so I guess I am.
5. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
mmmm I like the maple nuts, or butter crunch....and rocky road. Yummy! (oops that's more
than one isn't it)

Block!?!

I think I'm having a blogger's block....keep thinking I need to post...but don't quite know what to say.... those who know me will be dumbfounded with this. I don't usually have a problem with speechlessness :-).

Anyhoo.... I'm still here....knitting a bit but .... having a bit of a block here too I think... another first.

I am looking forward to receiving my pal's info for sp9 though....hopefully soon. I've been shopping....now I just need to know who my pal is and what she likes hee hee.

SP9 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I do believe I like the "natural fibers" the best....but it depends on what I'm doing I guess. I'm not into the strictly acrylic or eyelash types. I like Manos Del Uruguay ALOT, also Cascade. I'd love yarn that's local to my pals area, I love the hand-dyed/homespuns etc.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? My SP8 pal made me two cute fabric needle rolls, my long needles are in a cute vase.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I learned briefly as a child, picked it up again last January, self taught via Knitting for Dummies and a lot of help from my knitting friends and lass's. Maybe an intermediate beginner.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I recently started an Amazon wish list but haven't added much to it.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) I love the pumpkin spice/cinnamon type scents for this time of year for candles. Orange/mandarin bath products are nice, lavender anything that's not overpowering and not baby powder scented.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? hammy with the exception of licorice I never met a candy I didn't like! I do prefer milk chocolate over dark....However I've recently tried some very nice dark chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? It seems that knitting has taken over my spare time...I sew a little (mostly little knitting related items) and I don't spin yet....But I do want to learn to spin!

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MPH? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I like anything but rap or hard rock, and yes it can play MPH.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I don't wear a lot of the bright reds or bright orange, Burgundy is ok and most other colors are fine too. Nothing that I really hate, but I'm not all that into the nouns. My house is in green/purples and neutral shades.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I'm a single mom to a grown son. I have an elderly Siamese cat who recently moved indoors because she's not handling the weather very well anymore. Oh and I have a goldfish that the cat has her eye on.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or pinches? Scarves....Gloves (not mittens), not a hat person but I like to knit them for others, and uh...yeah not a poncho person.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? So far, I seem to like it all! I've knitted felted bags/purses, a couple of sweaters, a few washrags, a lot of scarves, and 4 or 5 pairs of socks. And hats...hats are fun to knit!

13. What are you knitting right now? finishing up an enterlac scarf, the "my so called scarf" (herringbone stitch), an afghan, a sweater, the UFO mentioned below, and I always have a sock in progress!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Oh yes....yes I do. Handmade is best!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I'm learning that I like the Addi turbos, and I like bamboo and I like both, straights and circulars depending on what I'm knitting. I really like a pointy end on my needles though.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Oh I wish. I really am starting to need a winder.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? maybe a couple of months...it's a sweater tank that is a little smaller than I'd like it to be...so I haven't finished the last crocheted row at the bottom.

18. What is your favorite holiday? I like them all I think. But Christmas is the one my family usually gets together for... so I probably like it the best. And, I love making/buying gifts!

19. Is there anything that you collect? Yarn....needles

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

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

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

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) Feb. 7th.

Glorious Chocolate!

Just look at what my Chocolate-Swap pal sent:
this box looks different now.

That's a skein of 100% Merino sock yarn from Fleece Artist (if you click on that link expect to be mesmerized by the beauty of the fiber there) and absolutely scrumptiously elegant chocolates from Ethel's Chocolate Lounge in Chicago....(road trip ... road trip!!!) In addition to what's in the box, she sent a bar of Rasberry Creme in Dark Chocolate.... oh my...:) I'm thinking...hot tub on cool autumn night (as much autumn as it gets in Sept in Calif.) glass of red wine and ....smooth dark chocolate....yikes!!!!

I think I'll be forever ruined by my pals....Rachel from sp8 sent some cute little bars of very fancy bavarian dark chocolate... I have never .... ever .... tasted such smooth yummy chocolate! Holy Crap!!! Like I said, I'm ruined. And then..... I opened this box from Susan....equally smooth....equally fancy and yummy .... Ruined...just Ruined! (Thanks ladies!!!!)

I was thinking about lunch but I think I'll just eat chocolate!!!!
THANK YOU SUSAN!!!! You Rock!

Life Before the K-Word

Does anyone remember what I used to do online B.K. (before knitting)? I vaguely remember a time when I had other things to look at online...but I can't remember what they would have been. Medical sites ok...yeah...e-mail...yeah... but what else? Seems like pretty much all I look at now are my blog, my friends blogs my sister's blog, yarnharlots blog...hmmm sp9 & chocolate swap blogs. Yeah that's about it. yikes.

I'm sitting here waiting for the guy to get here to replace the springs above my garage door. A word of advice my friends....when the first spring breaks (don't ask me how this happens those are dang big springs)....replace it....replace it when you notice that your door opener is complaining, (and it will). Don't wait for years....making it open with just one spring...because eventually...that spring will break too. OH and don't think that when that happens...you'll just open it the old fashioned way....you can only do that when both springs are intact. Just trust me on that. (Unless you have the incredible hulk or some other hulk with superhuman strength lurking nearby)

Yes here I am at the computer.... when I should be crossing things off this list (only after they're completed of course):
1. clean off back patio
2. buy a new wheel barrow
3. use the new wheel barrow to haul dirt from side of house to front planter
4. plant new plants in front planter before they too die like the many others that have been
purchased before them.
or
5. do the many projects you have lined up to do inside the house....like
5a. paint the bathroom
5b. paint the bedroom
5c. paint the spare room
5d. finish painting the kitchen ceiling after replacing kitchen light fixtures
5e. replace the kitchen light fixtures....

or better yet....knit or sew! Now see that's how my lists stay so long.

Life is short.....work hard, play hard! Have a great weekend!

The Happy Box!!!!

Yay....The Happy Box arrived today from Rachel (sp8). I love it, love it, love it!!!! Look:

It was packed full of Sugar 'n Cream cotton yarn in 9 colors...yep NINE yikes Rachel!!!! :) And... A pattern for soap sacks and doily shaped washrags for the stork yarn she already sent me...and she already sent me the ballband dishcloth pattern to use for this yarn!!!!

In the can on the left...I is all the fixins for a plant...I love it! In the two little boxes next to it... mmmmmmchocolate!!! There's a tube of lotion and a little bar of soap in the same flavor....and just behind the boxes of chocolate...a very cute little mirror with a pic of a girl standing in front of a big flower... so cute!!!!

And the bumper stickers... Bella's gentlman's club ahahaha.) I'm pretty positive she picked up on her trek across country with her husband, baby son and their puppy dog!!!! (Very brave woman!) Check out her blog for all the details of that trip!

Thanks Rachel!!!! You've been a great pal... I AM SPOILED!!!!

Also....GOOD NEWS ..... I heard from DS tonight.... he's been on a strike team on the fire in Ventura County....sounds like he will probably be on his way home tomorrow..... all in one piece...so far so good!!! YAY!

My friend Julie came over tonight to finish up her soon to be born first grandchild's little hat. She did a great job, it's so cute.....Julie you need to post a picture of that on your blog! And she started some cute little booties that look like ugs.

I've been working on a few scarves...and a few Christmas presents....I'll try to post a few pics this weekend...

One more thing....Check out the Yarn Harlot's blog....she's got a link to a great little cartoon/video...it's pretty cute!

Have a great weekend everybody!

What a weekend!!!!

It was a working weekend around this place and I'm pooped!!!! I spent most of the day Saturday doing yardwork....mowing, trimming, weeding....drained the hot tub .... walked my son's dog....knitted all evening with my sis and niece Lindsay. Then I got up this morning and started in the house...yikes... where does the dust come from??? Does anybody know? I cleaned all day....you'd think it was spring or something. Then I had to finish with the hot tub, clean it, fill it... Then, I invited my brother over for dinner, so we barbecued moose and tri-tip cabobs, fresh pineapple yummmm. And did I mention the laundry?! I'm thinking all this cleaning should grant me a fair amount of knitting time this week!!! Yay!!!

Hope you all had a more relaxing weekend! ta ta.

Chocolate Swap....yummmm

Ok, so first of all the Chocolate Swap has started....yay!!!! My pal is Susan! Susan is from Chicago! Hi Susan!!

So my plan was to go shopping tomorrow for .... chocolate and all things chocolate...but it turns out I will be working tomorrow instead....but Wednesday....Wednesday is wide open.... woohoo!!

The questions

Do you like to eat chocolate cookies and what kind do you like?
I like chocolate chip cookies or white chocolate/macadamia nut cookies....oh yum!!! (But I'm not all that fond of cookies made from a chocolate dough)
What kind of chocolate do you like?
hmmm I like milk chocolate the most...and then white and I don't care much for dark chocolate (but if it's the only chocolate around...oh I'll eat it!)
Milk, white, dark.What are your favorite brands of chocolate?
I don't think I'm a brand snob when it comes to chocolate...except for the cheap stuff that leaves a waxy coating in your mouth...that just takes all the fun out of chocolate ya know?
Do you enjoy chocolate covered candies, pretzels, fruits, coffee beans, cream filled, caramel, nuts etc? I think I like most things covered in chocolate!!! I love those chocolate covered dried fruits and I'm a nuts and chews kinda girl.
Do you like fudge with nuts or without? With please :)
Do you like solid chocolate bars with or without nuts? With but again.....not that picky.
Do you like hot coco mixes? Yes uh huh....I sure do.
Is their any particular chocolate treat that you would love to try? Hmmmmm is there some secret kinda chocolate out there that I haven't tried???? Cause if there is...well then hand if over!!!!
Do you have any food allergies that your pal should be aware of? No....not a problem
What kind of yarn do you prefer?cotton, wool, mohair etc.? Yes... I like all of those... not all that fond of Acrylic...but I have to say I've seen some very nice acrylic blends...those are fine.
Do you have any fiber allergies that your pal must be aware of? Uh...Nope don't think so.
What small knitted items do you prefer to knit?Socks, scarves, hats, mittens etc. I haven't tried mittens or gloves yet but plan to soon....I do knit socks (love it) and scarves and hats!!!

On another note....I'm feeling much better now.... I'm sure Susan will be happy to know that I'm over my cold before I shop for her chocolate!!! hahaha I'm over it I promise!!!

Ok gotta go...prison break is on soon.... I love that show!!!

Just a heads up....

Look out my friends...take your vitamins, get your rest, try some Airborne, and WASH YOUR HANDS!!! There's a cold going around and it's a doozy! I've been home for two days, have to go back to work in the morning and am not looking forward to that! Snot, Fevers, Aches...just plain yuck! I haven't even felt that much like knitting...hard to believe I know! But I have "forced" myself to knit a little. I've been working on the Enterlac Danika Scarf, see:


I like it...it's cool, but I'm ready to move on...or... I'm just ready to feel like movin on again :).
I spent part of my morning watching online clips of the Stuart skits from mad tv. See, I've lost my mind!

Wash your hands and hope you don't get it! Gotta go...fever breaking...sweating...gross!!!!!

In the Light of Day

Funny how some things just look better in daylight. Yesterday the lovely Heatherly taught me how to do the Enterlac Danika scarf. I'm using some silk garden that I had (though I am a skein short I think) and after working on it awhile last night, I just wasn't all that excited about it. I love the pattern, and of course with Heather's instruction it's working up nicely, but I just wanted to see more in the way of color change (aka: instant gratification). However....in the daylight.... I really like what I see:


Of course after it's blocked it will lay a little flatter, and the edges will be straight....I hope :) It is a fun pattern! Pattern: Enterlac Danika Scarf
Needles: size 7 Addi circulars (worked like straights)
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden (should take about 2 1/2 skeins without fringe)

off to finish yardwork so I can watch movies and knit later!!!! Happy Sunday!

if at first you don't succeed....

Thought I'd try to post the pics again...don't know what the problem was the other day but I couldn't get all of my pictures to post.
This is a picture of the town of Anacortes on Fildalgo Island, which is where I stayed last weekend. (see previous post for details if you're really bored or suffer from insomnia)


And this...is the other side of the island Beautiful isn't it? They tell me Anacortes is known for being an island with an island and here it is.



I'm all signed up for SP9, and I also signed up for a chocolate swap!!! yep...we swap chocolate and chocolate colored yarn...yum! I'm excited for both to start....AND.... I'm really excited to learn how to knit the enterlac scarf this weekend....(less exciting will be the mopping and the mowing that is sure to be in store this weekend as well)

Have a great weekend ever-body!!!!

My Trip

Hi All! I just returned from a quick trip to the Pacific Northwest! I went to visit my friend Tina who lives in Anacortes, WA. On the plane I knitted most of this: well, from the heel flap on anyhow. And on the way home I grafted the toe and cast on sock number two!


Anacortes is a town on the island of Fildalgo which is one of the San Juan islands very near Seattle. The weather was beautiful, temps in the 70's and 80's. We spend the first day in Anacortes and a few of the little towns on Fildalgo. At the Anacortes farmers mkt I found this little steal

It's homegrown, homespun alpaca. 160yars of it! yum!! I bought it from a very nice lady who has a sheep ranch (and obviously at least one alpaca) she also had wool there but I had to show some restraint (it was still early in the shopping day!)

On Sunday we went to Seattle, I apparently am a poor planner because I didn't realize until the night before that the Harlot was in Seattle Sunday and Monday, as was I! However this trip it just had to be enough to be in the same city....I'm working on my friend but she isn't quite hooked on the way of the string! But....we did have fun even without the Harlot!!! Right Tina??? Tina's daughter Kirsten was with us and she did her shopping for school clothes, we looked in a lot of cute little shops with artsy stuff in them...and we ate dinner at Benihannas (I'm sure I've butchered the spelling on that) which was really fun (everyone should do this at least once). Our chef at this Japanese steak house was from Mexico City!!! Pretty funny, and he did a great job. oh dang no pics what was I thinking....he was cute and I love a spanish accent!!!We spent the night in Seattle and did more of the same on Monday. We drove back through a little town called La Conner. Very cute, if you ever find yourself on Fildalgo Island, it's a must do! Lots of cute shops, and most of their back doors open onto little deck/patios on the water! Very cool. And on Tuesday we found our way to a yarn shop in Anacortes where I made this purchase (and I just want to say that I showed great restraint here because I could have done alot more damage in the sock yarn department):

This is 60% wool, 40% recycled sari silk from Himalaya Yarn Co and is made in Nepal (though the company is in Vermont. It's called Tibet. And I did not limit myself to two skeins (175 yds each) I bought seven!! Yep, it's gonna be a sweater. Sorry the picture is blurry....it's beautiful just take my word for it!

So, we shopped by day....and in the evenings, I finished this: It's a beanie for my neice Lindsay, she'll be living in Cincinatti this winter....it's cold there.

Yarn: the new Cascade (thick and thin I can't remember the name) and Optique by Berocco

the pattern is by Mountain Colors, and the needles: cast on with 8 or 9 circ for the ribbing and then switch to 11's.

And this....I worked on some in the evening and mostly on the plane....and in the airport...did I mention 5 hour layover in SF? (with delays) I could have rented a car and driven home faster! But I couldn't knit and drive so not all was lost :)

Yarn: again Optique and HipHop both from Berocco, knit on size 15's. By the way, it's a scarf!!!

So, it was a fun trip....and productive to from a knitty standpoint!!! But now I'm home and there's work to do.

I have a few pics of Anacortes, but I 'm having trouble getting some of them to upload, I'll try again later!

Happy Hump Day everybody!

objects....finished or otherwise

I have been knitting like crazy lately....late into the night with burning eyes and cramping fingers...when I start nodding off (or Letterman ends) I figure it's time to quit and go to bed. Today I'm supposed to be taking a few hours to catch up around the house....does blogging count I wonder? Well I did need to catch it up too, so today it counts!!

I have a lot of projects I've been working on. But I realize as I type this that I can't really blog about most of them! Christmas presents. It's not that I think all of the recipients will read my blog, in fact most of them won't. But, I don't want to risk it....I mean, what if...the girlfriend looks as my blog while DS is looking over her shoulder...then, the smartypants will know a few of his presents....can't have that... I just hate when that happens. So, in order to keep the secrets of Christmas.... I must not blog about them, until after the holiday....or my will power breaks down whichever happens first!

But I can show you this: My herringbone stitch scarf in progress



Heatherly taught me this last weekend. I love it. It's a fun stitch, but it does require one to pay a little more attention than stockinette or garter stitch, it's worth it though! And ... it is really a pain to frog or tink. (but Heather... I do believe I've conquered that too!)

Alright, I just learned I'll be having company at my house tonight...so, I'd better go and use this time as it was intended for catching up the cleaning and not the blog!

ta ta.

Secret Pals

I heard from both of them tonight!!! Way cool! It's late, and I'm tired, and have to been in the office early (early for me) tomorrow so this will be short!
1. Please check out my secret pals blogs....there are links on the right hand side of this page! Cate has information on her blog about knitting for charities, so if you're interested...check it out. Sound like good causes, and nice things to do. Rachel has cool pics of her cross country trip, if for no other reason than to see the human crabs, you must click on the link to her blog too!!

2. Pics of recently finished quicky projects:


first pic: 4 seasons by King Cole 50% cotton 50% acrylic the booties pattern is from Knitter's Bible, the hat...yikes I borrowed it from a knitters blog, can't remember which one but basically, it started out like the blue one....sort of but I adapted it...quite a bit I just used their cast on number for the baby size and used their decrease instructions, the rest I winged it!

The blue beanie is definately from that knitter's blog, it turned out cute and if I can find it again I'll post it and give her credit because I think it was her design! oh and it's made from a little bit wool and a lot acrylic from plymouth...and I can't find the band!!!

All I have left to do on my purple tank top is....do one row around the bottom of reverse crochet, which is the reason I'm online...I'm supposed to be finding instructions on just how to do that!

good night all....

knitty knitty knit knit....

That's pretty much what I've been doing...(have the messy house to prove it too)! That and working...today I did get out there in the yard for a little while...but was planning to go back out and finish up this evening...that plan was foiled by my sister (who is just looking out for me :)) when she came over to hang out for a few hours to KNIT. She's finishing up her "sweater/jacket" in seed stitch...it's looking great....she's sewing side seams tonight!

I have a few finished objects to show for my wasted day.... I made a pair of booties...working on a matching hat. And last night I finished a beanie for my great nephew (3 years old) for Christmas. Yep, trying to get Christmas going and finished early!!!! (and don't I just say that every year?) I'm off to a pretty good start though... I've really done a good job of enhancing my stash with just that purpose in mine :) (that's my story and I'm stickin to it). OOH and I cast on another pair of socks from fixation in a rose colored colorway!

I'll post pics when I'm not to lazy/tired to get out the camera!

hope you all are having a great week! Knit on...

weeee're baaaack

Just got back from our quick weekend getaway....my son and I. Mendocino was wonderful as usual. Much cooler than home. (a little too cool at night ) Here's a picture of the coast near the campground where we stayed.
Looks nice and cool doesn't it?
It was a little overcast this morning...as usual, but it cleared off nicely as you can sorta see here: This is my handsome son and myself...we aren't really standing in the water. We are standing on glass beach in Fort Bragg. In between the taking of these two pics we went into the little town of Mendocino, got a yummy "organic" mocha at the local cofee shop and then walked around and browsed in the shops and galleries. I did buy a postcard and mailed it to my sp and then went to the LYS, yes there is a Mendocino Yarn Shop yay!!!! And my son was very good...he was very patient....and when I tried to get him to pick a color and yarn for a sweater...he said " mom, I'm not really a sweater guy" so, I didn't force the issue!!! He'll just have to be a beanie and slipper guy!

It was a nice road trip, it's going to be nice to sleep in my own warm bed tonight too!

on the sp front.... my sp revealed herself!!!! ThankYou Thank You Thank You Rachel!
Her blog is www.whitecowboyhats.blogspot.com she's a kick!!!

Have a good week everbody!

e-cards

My sister sent me the funniest e-card I've ever seen.... and she's sent some funny e-cards!
Check it out:
http://www.hallmark.com/ECardWeb/ECV.jsp?a=1679161972074M128001158Y

Finished Objects!

Hello my bloggy little knitters ... or is it knitty little bloggers??? uh.... as you like! As I write this... I should be mowing my lawn...and since I sat down at this computer, starbucks in hand, I've lost 4 degrees of coolness...meaning... it's now 78 degrees and it was 74 darn it...so I'd better hurry... heaven forbid I should have to work up a sweat! Have I mentioned that I bought a new lawn mower last week??? Well yes I did....not only is it rear wheel driven as in SELF PROPELLED... which is the best kinda propelled because it was killing me to propell my old mower ... but...it also is key start!! Yep, just like starting the car I love it!!! The only thing better would be if some shirtless hunk was out there mowing for me. yeah yeah, I can dream.

So, I finally finished my sleeveless sweater/tank whatever:

Pattern: Jat Top from Karabella
Yarn: Touche from Berocco
Needles: size 8 circular
fit....just right. :)
the pattern called for a higher, rolled neck
and rolled hem...but I crocheted around
neck, armholes and hem... I like it.

Next.... Socks from fixation...yes I can get two socks from one ball of fixation...they're ankle height and I knit with a little stretch in the yarn but they fit fine...they don't cut off the circulation so I'm happy! These were done on two circulars size 5 US Addis... which is the easiest kinda sock knittin ever!




what else...oooh I'm working on a baby blanket for a lady in my office who's baby girl is due in December....and it's just about done. Ran out of green yarn just short of completing this last stripe so it's a bit narrow and I haven't decided quite what to do about it....my plan was to do a white border around the whole thing anyway to increase the size just a bit...any suggestions???
Pattern: just garter stitch 8 rows of green 6 rows of white with cast on 54.
Yarn: Heaven by Plymouth
Needles: Size 13 US circulars


Did I mention I'm headed to the beautiful Mendocino Coast this weekend? Yep, leaving tomorrow to camp for the weekend with my son. We are meeting friends there, they do the ab diving thing and Sat night....yummy ab feed. I hate fish but I like abalone when it's deep fried and tastes like chicken! hahaha. We'll also visit friends that live in Fort Bragg....it's always fun... oooh oooh it's a 4 hr drive in the car visiting with my son...and knitting!! Yahoo!!

ok... I've got to get outside...or put it off til tonight perhaps...hehehehe

Have a great weekend my friends!

wow

I received TWO postcards from my pal this past week!!! The one of Utah sent from Kansas....and the second one is of the Atlantic Beach, postmarked from North Carolina! Way Cool! Thanks SP!!!! Hope you're having a great time on your trip and arrive home to some nice cool dry SF bay area weather!!!!

ps.. to my sp: I saw some fabric the other day with ice cream cones...that said I scream, you scream etc.... It made me think of you and smile!!!

post card....

Got a postcard today from my secret pal!!! It's a postcard from Green River Utah, but she sent it from....Lucas Kansas....The Garden of Eden .... oooh aaaah!

Have a safe trip home sp.....stay cool!

Not Sleet, nor Rain, nor even HEATWAVE.....

Could stop the USPS from their duties... Yay! My secret pal received her package this week....and she liked it!!!! Can't say what it is...cause that could give my secret identity away now couldn't it....or ....maybe I've already said too much!

Happy weekend everbody!

all better

Yep....at 0500 this morning, the cat proclaimed herself mostly healed and proceded to scratch and bang at my bedroom door until I got up and got her some fresh catfood! And by this afternoon she's pretty much back to her normal gait....leading me to ask myself....was she really hurting or is she a big faker!!!! Alright I'm sure she was sore but she's getting around fine now but none the less grouchy. Geez what was in that injection anyway!

Hope you all have a great weekend.

SP-- oh my gosh, no craft stores???? only walmart???? what kind of black hole did you get sucked into anyhow....you must get on a westbound freeway immediately! Travel safely!
(do you need me to overnight some yarn to you somewhere or are you well enough supplied til you get back home or at least to a decent walmart :))

knitting bags

OK FINE!!! Here's my messy pile of knitting bags. Most of my stuff stays in my constant companion bag...or a yarnshop bag while I work on it. But I have to say... I'm really loving my small project bags that my secret pal made me. That's one right there with the circles on it....it has a sock in progress in it as we speak. It's perfect to take to work. Absolutely perfect!!



My elderly lady cat has recently moved back in the house. She's always been at least and indoor outdoor cat...but for quite a while now more outdoor than in...allergies ya know. But...with all the heat we've had and her getting old old old...she's back inside. Took her to the vet yesterday and she got a rabies shot....and she's dang sore today. Anyone have a kittycat weelchair or walker? Cause she's needing one today. Did I mention how much I hate cat hair??? uh yeah.

Works been busy but mostly the fact that I've worked everyday this week...I have brain strain. Isn't that awful? I've gotten so used to my light schedule that I've turned into a princess I think. Yeesh I hate that. But the week is almost over... and I'll survive I'm quite sure hahaha. Next week, back to our normally scheduled programming!

Dang Hot

Oh yeah, it's hot out there. It's 9:30 PM and it's 95 degrees out still. Supposed to hit a chilly low of 79 at about 5 am for a couple of hours or so and then it will soar to 109 AGAIN. We actually hit 111 today. Course, I barely noticed...I spent the weekend dinkin around the house. (that's right, I said dinkin). That and letting the cat in....and out....and back in...then back out. Yeesh I think she has dementia. She's 16 and moving pretty slow these days, poor old girl. She's not a house cat but it's way too hot out there, but she doesn't want to stay inside either, that's were the dementia comes in I think.

Anyhow, I didn't knit all weekend, (well on Friday night I did finish the front of the jat top and worked on an afghan) ....and don't have alot to show for my time either...well I might, but I can't say what here, birthday, Christmas etc.... but now, I need to block the sweater, the sleeveless and the baby sweater actually, so that I can finish them up and be DONE with it! Yay!!

Hope you all had a great weekend.

Color me SPOILED

Yep that's right...today I received in the mail not one...but two, count em TWO packages from my Secret Pal. My very astute Secret Pal. I think one of my friends must be sneaking her hints or something, nobody can be this good....or can they?

First...two brown paper wrapped boxes....not plain brown paper...highly decorated by my sp...she addressed them to Mother, Friend, Knitter then corrected that to Knitter Mother Friend ha ha ha. Then under the brown wrapper....she made boxes...yep she MADE them...out of old record album covers....the first was the album cover to the soundtrack from Shaft! Gotta love it (and she tells me that after she cut up the cover, her man tells her it's selling for $60.00 on e-bay OH Crap!) And at that point when she could have had an expensive decorative box for herself.....she continued to fill it with goodies and send it to me....awwwwwe.

And the second album cover box is titled The Solid Bluegrass Sounds of THE KENTUCKIANS!


Very fun! Now....the contents:


Snacks: (she says she traveled the world over for my gifts...and by the packaging...it looks like it...or she lives near a Chinatown (japantown?) hehehe One cup of Hello Kitty biscuits with chocolate cream
(hey it just occured to me...are these cat treats???
too bad, they say chocolate, I'm eaten em)
One box of Pocky chocolate covered biscuit sticks....( a product of Japan), one box of Botan Rice Candy, with a free sticker inside!!! Yay!!! An eight pack of Marukawa Orange bubble gum...yummy also made in Japan, a package of much needed Miffy wet wipes... I'll need em after eatin all that chocolate!
Two packages of Coasters, one with a maple leaf on it and the other with a Sumo Wrestler on it woooohoooo! ;P

Fish....she sent me blow fish hehehe they are made of paper and you blow them up and hang them from a string....very cute! There's a red one, blue one, and a yellow one.
Knitting paraphenalia ... she's a sewer that one... hehehe not a sewer but a Sew-er. She made me two small project bags, see they are the perfect size to put a sock in progress or other small project in. And because she pays attention to detail, she knows I've been knitting socks, and just started on washrags. So she sent me a pattern for each, they are laminated so they'll fold and fit nicely in my small project bags. AND:

yarn... She sent me yarn...wonderful, glorious YARN....four skeins, count em 4! they are Stork sock weight, 100% cotton perfect for socks and or washrags!!! Imported from Norway no less.
Two skeins are in a beautiful turquois blue and one in bright pink and the other in light green...Tell me SP who told you that I have 3 gallons of green paint just waiting to go on the walls in my bedroom and bathroom that should go very nicely with the green yarn????

What a wonderful day!!! What a glorious Secret Pal!

Now please everyone...think good thoughts for my SP, she commented on my last post and said she's on a car ride across the country (assuming she's living on the west coast like I am supposing she is :)) with a small teething boychild, a dog, and a man who likes to drive through the night! But, staying true to form she's not dwelling on her problems, she tells me to watch for postcards!!! Is she a great spoiler or what? Wish for a safe trip and low humidity for her...she's going to N.Carolina ....OMG can you say sticky?

Thank you Thank you Thank you sp, you're the best!