Lucky Knitter

On Saturday I received the best mail EVER.  I was ever so lucky to be a winner on a giveaway at Baby by the Sea.  The giveaway was a beautiful luscious skein of yarn from Free Range Chick.  Camilla sent the skein wrapped up beautifully in tissue paper. So so pretty.

On her blog, she has a post for her spring yarns, here is a little peek.

Thank you both!!!

Weekends

This is not my front door, in case you were wondering.  On Saturday we went to a craft fair in town.  Since everyone and their mother was there as well, we had to park three blocks away from the event.  Funny, we have lived here for almost 18 years and it was the first time we walked on this street.  When you drive everywhere, I think you sort of miss seeing what is around you.

My husband insisted that no one lived in this house.  It's in pretty bad shape.  I thought maybe someone did.  There was garbage outside, hence a sign of life.  I really got him though.  I asked "how do you explain the old lady in the window looking at us?"......it creeped him out (and me too).  I made the old lady up, I'm not making up the creepiness of the house.

I digress.  My weekend was fabulous!  I wanted lotion bars and I found lotion bars at the craft fair.  Locally made!  We ran into many friends and chatted.  The weather was beautiful and the rain never materialized.

We had pizza and donuts (I know, it's not healthy) for dinner and watched two episodes of Star Trek.  Hilarious and fun!!  Giving him a Star Trek DVD collection for Christmas is a gift that gives all year round.

There was: knitting, knitting with friends, wrapping a knitted gift, and too much time on ravelry looking at patterns.

How was your weekend?

Joining Amanda

This Moment

joining amanda

Candlestick Holders

These candlestick holders were bought at a garage sale a year ago by my husband.  He bought them for me and I think he paid maybe two dollars total.  He is thrifty that way.  I have them lined up in the dining room on the organ.  I love how matchy matchy they are.

Of course I had to move them to my family room for their photo shoot.  It's a little too dark in the dining room. I wonder why someone decided that they didn't need them or want them anymore.  That's the best part of second hand stuff.  "One man's junk is another man's treasure" as the saying goes.  So I am treasuring someone's junk.

Joining Lady Cordelia

Yarn Along

Last night I created a ridiculous goal of finishing this baby sweater by tonight.  The chances of that are slim but I do have a crazy kind of fun making silly goals.  You see, that lady who was due "any day" now for about two to three weeks had her baby last Friday.  We ran into the new dad at a local restaurant so I heard the news straight from a reliable source.  So wouldn't it be nice for my husband to have a wrapped up baby sweater at Thursday's racquetball game???  (there should not be a letter "c" in racquet, looks weird but spell check is telling me I'm wrong).  I just started the first sleeve ...time is ticking.

I finished those sparkly socks on Monday night and the post is here.  I think through the summer I will always have a pair of socks on the needles.  I would love to knit two or three pairs for my husband.  His current hand knit socks are looking pretty "loved".

I continue to read The Lace Reader and it's a really good book so far.  I'm half way through it.  I love that the story is told in the first person and sometimes in the third person.  Switches it up a bit.  There is a mystery and of course I want to know every single detail so I keep on reading.  That is a good book!  I also have started Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.  I so enjoyed her other book that I'm going to read all of hers.  She has a refreshing raw voice and writes things I think about in my head.

So what are you knitting and reading?

Joining Ginny

Pixie Dust Socks and a Ramble

Last night I finished the socks that I worked on in the car on Saturday.  How appropriate that I finished them on my daughter's birthday!  I know she will love them.  They are brightly colored and there is sparkle. For some reason the colorway reminds me of Nemo from Finding Nemo....I think it's the orange and black placed together.  I love that movie :)

I have been into making smoothies!  Who knew that they were super easy to make?  Even my husband is enjoying the tasty treat.  I've been using almond milk, frozen peaches, strawberries, a banana and because of the sweet tooth, some honey to take the tartness away.....mmmm.  Delicious!

Yesterday it rained all day, thank goodness it did not snow-I was not in the mood for it.  I love winter weather but to be honest I've been enjoying the mild temperatures, the walks and yep, no snow on the ground.  Flakes can fall down from the sky seven months from now.  

Finished any projects yet?  What do you put into a smoothie? ( I might steal your ideas)

A Weekend Visiting

My weekend was full, full of goodness and traveling.  My husband and I left yesterday morning to first visit our daughter at her campus.  We took her out for a pre-birthday lunch (birthday is officially tomorrow) followed by some window shopping.  I did not buy one thing, imagine that.  I'm sure you have deduced that there wasn't a yarn store :)

After that venture, we drove to our son's campus.  Right off I have to say he and his roommate cleaned their room and bathroom.....spotless!  I sat and solved word puzzles while my husband and son worked on a computer math program (budding collaboration)....I heard the word derivative about a bazillion times.....boring.

Oh, I managed to knit half a sock in the car!  I feel so accomplished.

Anyways, after the computer math program chat, we all went to a student awards ceremony.  The dinner was really nice and the guest speaker moved me with her personal story of destiny and facing changes in life (I'm not very good at change).  It was a lovely evening and I enjoyed seeing all these future budding graduates to be recognized for their academic efforts.

Once it was over, we drove all the way home.  Today is a lazy day with yawning and sitting around, but it's completely different than sitting in car. How is that?  The rain has arrived and I think I heard the word s-n-o-w in the forecast.

How was your weekend?

Joining Amanda

This Moment

Joining Amanda

Keeping the Old

This is my coffee table in my family room.  Back in the day when my husband was getting his doctorate and we were freshly married and young, friends of ours were moving and gave us this coffee table.  That was around 25 years ago.

This table has seen two children who would take their very first steps around the perimeter and bang whatever toy was in their hands on the table top.  My daughter loved Sesame Street weebles (they do not fall down) and my son loved his plastic hammer.  I cannot count how many drinks were spilled.  That is how this lovely table inherited it's distressed lived in look.

Our previous dog, Zoe, loved to lay under it and cool off on a hot day throughout the summer. We have thought of replacing this table, but I just can't do it.  There are too many memories and gosh, it's solid wood!!!  Our dear Frodo "hides" under the table when we are trying to catch him.  How could I possibly take his safety zone away?

Joining Lady Cordelia

Yarn Along

Last night while I was trying to sleep, which lately is almost every night, I was thinking about two things.  My first thought is how I will never eat cheese again (lactose intolerant).  I always have this resolution when I am NOT eating.  I think for today I am writing it boldly where I can see it so I do not forget!  My second thought is my yarn along post!!  Yep at 1-2 a.m. I am thinking of the my post.  I did fall asleep so I wonder does this post contain a drowsy factor?

I am reading The Lace Reader and it's a different kind of book.  I can say I am unsure of what is exactly going on, the narrator starts the story by declaring herself a liar.  Well now, I just do not know what is reality or fiction.  I love it!  The unpredictability of the narration has me eagerly reading and page turning.

The ball of yarn to the left is the beginnings of a featherweight cardigan.  I know I swore I would not make another one, but I thought a summer one was in order.  This yarn is Claudia's hand painted silk lace and it is extremely soft and oh so lovely.  It's been in my stash for quite a while.

My other knitting project is another baby cardigan for one of my husband's racquetball friends who is having a baby any day now for the past two weeks.  Men.  I bet that baby was already born.  They are having another boy so I chose some light blue cotton from my stash.  I am doing the old stand by pattern of Elizabeth Zimmermann   Not in the photo are the sparkly socks.  I just started the second sock!

I finished a sweater yesterday that I posted about here.  What are you reading and knitting?

Joining Ginny

Hawthorne Cardigan Complete

Do you see that?  Finally my sweater is done!!  The only aspect that I am unhappy with is that I am not going to be wearing this sweater until the fall.  Yesterday it was hot and yet I decided to model the sweater outside. I braved the heat and an impending hot flash for the best photos ever.

I love this pattern and have made it before here.  I wear the gray sweater all the time when it's really cold out.  Now I have a tweedy brown one.

This photo above is just an overall view of a beautiful day outside (but too hot).  I picked up the buttons when I was visiting my sister over Easter. I love them!  I did not have a yarn sample with me so all the matching was done in my head.  So talented.

This sweater is a top down construction, as you know I love top down.  The finishing is minimal and NO seams!  I buried a couple of ends and sewed the buttons on.  Now that I am done with this sweater, I am already thinking of what sweater to make next.....
 

Relaxation

After last weekend of driving around seeing the kids and family, this weekend was filled with nothing eventful.  We went out to dinner on Friday and caught up on each other's days.  The weather has steadily warmed up and it's a little shall I say "humid"? out there!  I'm not a big fan of humidity-remember, my hair looks horrible.  The brilliant sun shining makes it all worth while.

Yesterday I made some significant progress on my knitting.  I hopefully will be blocking a sweater some time tomorrow.  Yay for me!  My husband spent almost the whole afternoon and early evening fixing his riding lawn tractor.  He was successful in the end, but it was no easy task.  So for now we are not buying a new one....

I walked, breathed in the fresh air, enjoyed the ducks (not mine, a neighbor's), and snapped some photos.  I did not stress, worry or fret- that to me is the "bestest" weekend.

Joining Amanda

This Moment

(resuming my walks)

Joining Amanda

Book Discoveries

A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I went to a university used book sale.  It was very overcrowded with many people and not enough room to squeeze through the packed aisles. I was able to shop anyways.  I lasted longer than my husband, he hates crowds (and possibly humans).  How does one push anyone out of the way politely?  Also if I see a group hovering over a section, I need to see what the fuss is about. The grass is always greener on the other side.  Every one knows that :)

My number one area to scan is the classics (not many people there!).  Once I'm finished, I go to fiction which has the crowds.  After that, I leisurely browse everything and anything.  I paid $2 for hardback covers and $1 for large paperback covers.  Please do not be impressed with the math book.  My son is a math major and it's for him.  I'm lucky I can add and subtract. Did you see the top book by Tennyson?  No copyright printed in book but my snooping around the internet is saying 1900ish printing.


Joining Lady Cordelia

Yarn Along

Do all of you get a thrill turning a heel like I do?  I bet the answer is 'Yes!'.  I believe that's the best part of sock knitting besides casting on and casting off.  I am thoroughly enjoying the colorway of this yarn as well even though the socks are for my daughter.  It's a good thing that this project is fun because my hawthorne sweater is going ever so slow in my mind.  I managed to finish both sleeves last week and started on the collar.  Then, poof, my motivation dwindled and it sits in my basket mocking me.  I decided to leave it out of the photo.

I also finished my personally designed hat which is free on my patterns page or as a ravelry download. The cowl is also available as a ravelry download too!

My reading has been abundant!  I finished my Mr. Pettigrew's Last Stand book and it was very very good.  I recommend it!  I loved the way it was written and the story line and the sub plots.  A sweet love story.  I also finished Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott.  Another very good book that had me laughing and smiling.  My son was VERY colicky and I could so relate to her plight.  I am currently reading How Reading Changed my Life by Anna Quindlen-almost done with that.  And I just started The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry.

What are you reading and knitting?

Joining Ginny

Potpourri Fusion Hat

I have completed another project and it's a simple hat pattern that I designed.  This pattern uses up those pesky odds and ends of yarn that you just don't know what to do with.

I had a little bit of left over Ultra Alpaca and Ella Rae Classic.  That was the inspiration for this hat.
Potpourri Fusion hat is a simple stockinette beanie design that knits up quickly.  Unless you're like me and are working on lots of projects, then it takes just a little bit longer.

The photos are with the ribbing folded up but you could wear it slouchy and unfold the ribbing.  Below is a very talented self portrait :)  I think I am getting pretty good at this!  Pattern is available here.

Gathering

Filled to the brim.  That is what this weekend was for me.  My husband and I left Friday afternoon to first pick up our daughter, then we drove to pick up our son, and finally arrived at my sister's house to start off the Easter weekend.

I knew for quite some time that I wanted to spend Easter with my kids.  It was just a matter of how to execute the wish.  To spend Easter at our house would have meant even more driving time and less celebrating time.  So being sisters I asked "can we celebrate at your house?"  Being sisters she said "yes".

My sister is a fabulous cook and hostess.  We had a whirlwind of seeing relatives, eating, talking, eating, shopping, eating.  I think I'm done with food for now.  Driving home yesterday (and dropping each kid off at their campus), my husband and I have sworn we are eating salads for at least 48 hours to detox from the sugar.  Yep.

On Saturday night, we celebrated the Easter vigil at the "mother house".  I wish I could remember the name of the convent.  I'm going with Sisters of the Holy Spirit.  Anyways, the service was beautiful even though it was long.  I also ran into my 7th and 8th grade principal.  I thoroughly enjoyed seeing her and remembering fondly my elementary school years.  Seems like yesterday for me.

How was your weekend?

Joining Amanda

This Moment

Joining Amanda

Finding a Treasure and a Memory

My find this week is the lovely blue and brown vase.  I love it!!  I paid a whopping .99 cents and it was worth every single penny.  Love finding thrifty finds?  Then check out Lady Cordelia and see what others have unearthed.

I had to show you the most GLORIOUS sunrise this very morning.  Yep.  I grabbed the camera when I took Frodo outside to get the paper.  Let me tell you, photographing, holding the paper and the leash is getting to be a skill I have honed.

I was thinking about why I love mornings so much.  To me they are full of a day's hope.  I have the many hours ahead of me to accomplish what I want to get done.  I am quite scheduled in my life, always have been.  I need a plan, I want a plan.  So every morning I grab a cup of coffee and write my list for the day.  With the kids away at universities my list is quite short and simple.  I'm enjoying that immensely!

I've always been a morning person. As a kid, I remember getting up around five a.m. when visiting my grandparents so I could catch a snuggle from my gram.  I would sit quietly and just be with her.  I also played a game of sneaking drinks of her coffee without her knowing.  As an adult, I realize that she pretended to be shocked and surprised that her coffee was gone :)  How sweet!

My gram was the queen of thriftiness.  She shopped at thrift stores, many times I was her side-kick.  I went straight to the party gowns!  No matter what I found, she would buy it for me.....I loved that.  Later in the evening I would play dress-up and twirl around and around in my "dance" clothes.

So are any of you morning people?  And who was your "thrifty" influence?

Yarn Along

I want to so desperately start a new project, but if I don't finish these current projects they will just haunt me all summer long.  So I am doing forced knitting, not my favorite kind of knitting.  Above is a hat I started a couple of weeks ago.  I am using two different yarns and creating the pattern as I go.  I have no idea who it's for.  Could be me, or anyone!  Here is the project page.  In the background is my sweater that I posted about yesterday.  I have the first sleeve nearly done!  My socks from last week are at the heel flap stage.

I'm still reading Major Pettigrew's Last Stand.  It's a pretty entertaining book.  I really like the main character and his aside remarks to the town's people.  He has a dry sense of humor that makes me smile. I also started Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott.  I'm not too far into the book.  I tend to read one book at a time.

Joining Ginny

Knitting the Hawthorne Sweater

I have been diligently working on my hawthorne cardigan this past week.  My goal is to empty out my knitting bag of all the wintry items.  This is the last project to finish.  I consider it a winter garment because it is 100% alpaca.  Who doesn't love alpaca when they're freezing?

I'm on the first sleeve but really when you do top down construction, sleeves go lickety split-at least for me.  I also place clip-on stitch markers for every decrease row so I don't have to count over and over again.  They are purposefully color coded as well.

Green for every 10 rows, peach for every six rows.  There's a system to my madness!  This also aids me in making my sleeves identical.  I am into symmetry and guessing is not my forte.

 I've mentioned this before that I do not keep track of my rows on paper.  It just doesn't work for me.
When I was a teenager knitting an afternoon away,  I would always second guess myself.  "did I write that row down?"  "what row am I on?"....so I quickly learned to read my knitting and know where I was in a pattern.  Markers help me with that.

Weekends

My weekend contained:

-a visit to the local library
-mailing this sweater, yep got the address from my husband this week!
-watching two star trek episodes with my favorite trekkie.  (He knows every episode and he gives a pretty good synopsis of each-quite humorous!)
-getting ready for next weekend's festivities
-the possibility of decreasing my medicines for my rheumatoid arthritis (dr. approved)
-facing unwanted symptoms after only ONE day of decreasing meds......SIGH.
-eating CHOCOLATE (can anyone eat too much?)
-oh and the evil donuts.....
-chatting with both kids and enjoying their slice of life where they are
-sleeping really really good last night!  That hardly ever happens :)


How was your weekend?

Joining Amanda