Knitting Grammie

Wow Time has flown bye!

2010-06-16T15:26:00.000-07:00

Time has flown by. The last year has seemed so busy and I have been so distracted with work and other life issues.

Update: Oldest Granddaughter now lives in a group home in VA. I got to visit her there and see her new residents. It is a busy active place and yet she has her stuff around her and seems very comfortable. Oldest Grandson graduated high school and moved to Oregon to start his college life at University of Oregon in Eugene. He just completed his freshman year and is home for the summer. Second Granddaughter started high school, played Soccer and had a busy year. Third Grandson, started Roseville High School last fall and is also out for the summer and sometimes I get to see him at work. Fourth Grandson is in middle school in VA and is now playing Lacrosse. I got to watch one of his games last month when I visited in DC. Youngest Granddaughter is now as tall as me, and will finish up her schooling at Roseville Community School this next year. She is so pretty. And last but not least, the baby is now 2 and very busy. He is full of words and is a great little traveler. As you can see in this posts photo, he and I visited FAO Schwarz, in NYC. I have lots of photo's to post and more to tell about our trip later.

I am still working after 2 years at Filati Fine Yarns in Rocklin. I do love the job and work about 12 days a month. Lots of yarn and so little time!

If it can go wrong it will

2009-06-24T17:41:00.000-07:00

I would usually be uploading a picture or two cuz I know you hate reading books with out them, but since my windows program is all screwed up I won't be doing that today.

I will just be using my words. I wanted to post photo's of grandson's graduations. Julien graduated the 8th grade this year. Shelby also graduated but they did not have a ceremony. The oldest grandson, Mason, graduated from high school in VA.

His duty during the ceremony was to introduce the guest speaker. I have now seen a video of this and he did a terrific job. The guest speaker was one very important person in our recent lives. Colin Powell!!! It was just so terrific to see the video and I can't even share it with you.

Tis the season, if it can fall apart it will. First: The airbag light is on in my little car. I can not get it in for repair till next week. Which means I am traveling this weekend to see Mother, with out airbags in my little bug.

Second: My computer has burped or something, and my windows program is not working well at all. I will have to bribe Mr. "T" (for techno) over to help set up a new hard drive and see if he can retrieve what ever it is that got lost.

Third: My I pod laid down and attempted to die on me. Now I can't do yard work with out being plugged into tunes, it is just miserable not having something pleasant in my ears when I am cussing loudly at all the huge thorns on the bushes I am trying to get rid of.

Fourth: The shawl I was trying so hard to finish to take to Mother, had a problem. A BIG problem. I tinked back 4 rows, and I finally bagged it up and went to 'Filati's' while the boss was in today. She spent 2 hours correcting the errors of my way. Janice is an amazing knitter and I can vouch for it after her work on my mess today. Janice, THANK YOU!!

I am one lucky person to work with someone that is that good at a hobby she loves so much, she has a business to bring the outstanding yarns to others.

Returned

2009-06-02T07:20:00.001-07:00

Home from a great trip. Actually am slow in writing, but have been home now for a week. See the above photo. That is 5 grands from the east coast and some old lady in the photo, taken Mothers Day. I had such a wonderful time. Weather was just perfect. I got lots of time to see kids and the little guy and I did just great together for days while I watched him. We went for lots of walks, down to the LYS and also down to Dad's office. Ever reluctant to leave there, this time I got a 2 day delay as I got some bug. Daughter in law took charge, sent me to Kaiser and got me a new flight home. Not a good way to prolong a vacation, let me tell you.

Had great visits with the girls at DC Stitches, and found a comfortable place to sit down and knit. My friend named "Knittingcats" on Twitter, needs to venture to the shop. And the weekend Craft Fair and Flea Market is always an enjoyment to wander thru. Even had a fruit crepe that was outstanding for breakfast one morning.

I can check off one more site in DC that I finally got to visit. Talked son into going up to the National Cathedral. I have always wanted to see it. Much bigger than I had thought it would be and it has been a work in progress for many many yrs. The windows were beautiful, the marble floors outstanding. There were reg tourist groups visiting. Jeff, Jackson and I just wandered and looked. Then we went up to visit the towers with such outstanding views of Washington DC.

Am back home and at work on both jobs again. The sixteen yarn shops in this area are holding a 'Yarn Shop Hop' starting tomorrow, June 3rd. We will be busier at work. Right now going into the summer season things quiet down some during this time of the year. Yarns, books and new buttons beeing ordered for fall.

Happy Birthday Mason!!

Jackson below looking as beautiful as he alway does. He takes sign language classes with his mother every Sat and it is so sweet watching him doing his little signs.

Mothers Days

2009-05-12T07:21:00.000-07:00

Had a wonderful Mothers Day!!! Its nice to be with son and family for Mothers Day. Usually I go to see my Mom. This year but I traded the holiday out for a trip east to see the 5 grands living here, and their parents. I got to have a photo taken of the grands and myself. Now while I don't usually care to be in the photo's, this was an easy do and I paid the guy extra to remove at least 75% of the wrinkles out of my face and like magic it worked. Have been down to DC Stitches once since I have been here. Seems like the days go by fast and not as much gets done as I think I should do. I did meet a lady here that I need to go see again. She is excited about the knitting world and I offered a few tips. I would like to see her get started on a top down sweater. Have given her the suggestion for Knitting Pure And Simple pattern. They are great starter sweaters as you don't face a bunch of seams to put together and a knitter can see some instant rewards after the sweater comes off the needles. Maybe we should walk to DC stitches with a stop at Eastern Market for some dinner supplies today. I might be able to check out patterns and get this person started on a sweater before I leave here.

What knitting I have gotten done is on a sweater from the new Interweave Knits Magazine, summer 2009. Sweater is called Elemental Boatneck and I am doing it in yarn called for,Elsebeth Lavold's Hempathy yarn. I got the yarn on sale at Filati's Fine Yarn. It had been dropped down again in the Spring Sale we had in April. Colorway is Black!! (don't tell friends but BLACK is a color)

Here I am!!

2009-05-08T16:18:00.000-07:00

Here I am, in Washington, DC, being a Grammie. I love it here and was asked to come back and take care of the now 15 month old baby while his reg nanny goes on

a vacation. We have lunch dates scheduled, yarn shops to visit and serious fun for the 2 of us next week. I also get hugs and love from the 4 older kids. Mason leaves soon for college, Shelby is getting taller and still loves soccer, Harrison also plays soccer. Lindsay is the same. Love her lots. I will come up with a few new photo's soon of Jackson's California/Oregon travels. He was a very busy boy for a few weeks traveling.

I also hope soon to get an external hard drive for my computer so I can again download some knitting photos. I have finished a Noro, top down, cardi that I really like. I finished it up in time to bring with me east. Also finished up a pair of small socks. Half sock for myself done at LAX Weds nite as what was to be a 2 hour lay over became a 5 hour lay over. I am know knitting on a summer top from the new Interweave Knits. Using Hempathy Yarn and love the feel of it knitted up. Met a new knitter here in DC. Met her first time yrs ago but didn't know she knitted. I hope to get her started on a cotton sweater, top down before I leave. In today's age I am just a phone call away. More to be posted later.

Once a Month

2009-04-02T07:46:00.000-07:00

It appears I am posting once a month. Mostly cuz I can't download photos from my camera as I need to clear out my files to give myself room on the hard drive. BUT this picture arrived in the mail this morning. Its Mr. JST in person. Don't ya love the dirty sock and saggy diaper. I believe he is headed upstairs to get dressed for the day. I will be flying back on May 6th, to take care of him for a week while his nanny is on vacation. Not going to be the tiny baby I took care of a year ago, I feel this is going to be a work out following someone this busy.

I have been knitting as fast as I can. Trying to finish up the wool projects so I can move into the area of cotton before the heat arrives.

For those of you that have not visited Filati's lately you will be in for a delightful surprise!!! The 'real' Janice has done a whole new lay out of the yarn. And does it ever look GRAND! We are gearing up for our sale which starts April 16th. Put it on your calendar. We will be ready for you.

Stitches and Stuff

2009-03-03T08:04:00.000-08:00

Stitches was great!!! And no I didn't get any photo's. The yarns were wonderful, button booth with great buys and seeing that many people who have the same addiction I have, is always a thrill. Seeing so many in items they have created is like a knitting fashion show in its self. Felted wore her new red sweater and looked very sweet in it. Turned out great Felted! I wore a shawl I had made last summer and saw plenty of other shawls wandering the market place.

My purchases consisted of buying the 'Simple Style' book, 3 patterns for little jackets, buttons, and of course yarn. I finally settled on my yarn for the 'Lady Eleanor' Shawl and yarn for a cardigan. I don't believe that sales were as high this year as others. The lines for check out at Webs didn't seem as long and same for the Yarn Barn. I was told there were 10% fewer vendors this year. All in all we had a great day.

The only photo I have this writing, is of our Monday Knitting Group. That is me in the center front trying to figure out what knitting is. I always have that puzzled look on my face. Ok girls pick out which looks like yourself!!

Road Trip and....

2009-02-25T18:14:00.000-08:00

This Friday is the annual trip to Santa Clara for Stitches West. There will be 4 of us on this trip. MM and the Head Frog will be joining Linda and I as we race down the road to get in line for Market Place. I have my bag all packed, including patterns that I may want to look for yarn for. An extra bag to carry all purchases, snacks, camera and such. This is such a fun day. We will leave at 7 AM and return home long after my bedtime!!

Next is guess who on his first birthday. Here he is wondering why his cake is on fire and how is he to ever eat it like that. I think the hat is adorable and I am thinking his mother blew out the candle.

At the end of a week of birthday parties Jackson has his jammies on ready to climb the stairs to bed. He seems like a happy baby so all the parties and gifts must of been great. Daddy will be the one to end the day by tucking him in.

Have a great week and maybe next writing I will have photo's of Stitches to share.

Catching up!

2009-02-15T13:26:00.001-08:00

Been awhile hasn't it. Time flies when you are having fun. Working 2 jobs and attempting to knit maybe 10 rows on a sweater in a week. I am sorry I seem to be falling behind. Do you realize I have been keeping this blog for 2 yrs now? That is a huge commitment..... and surprisingly you are not all bored yet!!!

The above Mr. Teddy is one I knitted for Jackson's first birthday which was Feb 7, 2009. Yes the little guy is growing. I was thinking I would have a couple birthday photo's to share with you but not yet. The sweater was also his birthday present. I do have photo's of him with these items but for some reason, in my very limited ability, I can't get them to transfer from the Kodak acct son sends them to. The little sweater and bear were fun to create. I have little blue ladybugs for buttons on the upper shoulder for easier access for his head. Why is it babies have such big heads when they are so small yet.

Jackson is now walking and I received 2 darling video's of him doing so. Such a star!!!

Other grandkids are all doing great. Mason, who is now 18, has applied to 7 colleges and as of this date has been accepted to 4 of them. Two of the colleges are on the west coast but in the state of Washington and Oregon. Shelby seems to keep getting the best ever grades and has 4 yrs of high school ahead of her. Harrison is busy being Jackson's big brother. Its a job he takes very serious and will be the one to teach him the important things. Soccer and such. Julien turned 14 last week and I had a great time taking him shopping for his present. What does an old lady know about buying clothes and such for a 14 year old. Kelsey as always is the family artist. She is so easy to shop for.

Last but not least I leave you with 2 photo's of Jackson. He got his first car for Christmas this year. This is one that doesn't go out on the highway. Just bulldozes everything in the house.

Mason is teaching Jackson all about opening gifts. First you have to read who the gift is for then who sent it before shredding the wrapping paper. Jackson is listening to every word his brother tells him.

I will update with birthday photo's soon!!!!

Ok Felted you can stop with the nagging now.

Whats Its All About At Holiday Time!

2008-12-24T12:06:00.000-08:00

The family from the east coast. Son, daughter in law and 5 grands. Am guessing you know which one is Jackson!!

Daughter, granddaughter, grandson and granddog.

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!

It Fits!!!!

2008-11-29T07:39:00.001-08:00

Long before Jackson was born I knitted 3 sweaters, a collection of little hats and a few pairs of socks. I tried to gauge when he would wear these items as I didn't wish for them to be the right size in the middle of July in Washington DC. The above picture is Jackson and his Mommie. JST is wearing a sweater I made in size 9 months and fits right on time. He looks so sweet, and so does his mother. I love seeing these items on him. Yarn is Encore that wears like cast iron for baby items. Easy to knit with and great colorways.

All dressed and ready to go to day care, but time for one more bottle. Such a little man with his bluejeans and sweater. Jackson has 2 teeth with 2 more soon to be in, weighs 17 lbs now and is pulling himself up to everything. He wants to walk and is very close to doing so. His personality is now so cute, I am only sorry I don't live near him to see all these changes. His brothers and sisters are doing fine. I get updates as they are busy teens and almost teen.

I posted these photo's as I can't discuss what is currently on needles they are Christmas gifts. Yesterday was Black Friday and for the first time I can ever remember I worked retail. Now granted there were not mobs lined up at the door when we opened but the shop was very busy. Lots of yarn for scarves, mittens and socks and other fast knit little items went flying out the door. I sold knit kits, the book on 'Beginning Knitting', needles and a skein of yarn. I think those are great get started gifts. In a time of financial crisis we don't seem to see a cut back on buying wonderful yarns. If a person is going to spend hours creating something they want good yarn.

Knitting and such!

2008-11-16T13:32:00.001-08:00

Its that time of the year, when a person should be outside cleaning up all these freakin leaves, but why do that when a person could knit? Knitting wins out. I did mow the front yard and clear up a few leaves there this morning but didn't want to over do it so left all the leaves hiding behind the shrubs in the backyard. The above I refer to as the Green Monster. I shall not say more but it feels like I have been knitting on it for 1/2 of my life. It is daughters Christmas present. I am slowly making my way to finishing it.
The next photo is a mitten. I got this urge last Friday at work, to knit mittens, when one friend came in the shop and said she was making Smittens. Smittens is a darling little booklet we have that shows creative mittens. I thought heck I can do that. So I bought some Elsebeth Lavold yarn off the sale rack and came home and poured over Ravelry till I found a great free pattern and yesterday while knitting at "Its A Grind" I got this much done. I will do my own little creative stitching on top of the glove. This one I refer to as the 'Green Thumb Mitten'. The yarn is wonderful to knit with. 50% baby alpaca, 50% merino wool.

The above photo is mothers scarf. I did a stitch called 'Simple Lace' by Ann Norling. Moves along fairly fast and you don't even need to haul the pattern around with you. It sticks in your mind after 2 rows. The yarn is cashmere and silk.

Yesterday was a fun last minute thing where several of us were determined to find some quiet spot and work on Christmas presents. The Head Frog, who is whipping out lace a mile a minute, and Courtney who does socks in her sleep, (that girl can knit faster than lighting!!) enjoyed a quiet corner of 'Its a Grind' out on Sunset and Park. The coffee shop was very quiet for a Sat. afternoon, and as we sipped our coffee the stitches moved along fast. Thanx Girls.

Last but not least, I have a great photo of Jackson. He is at Ihop waiting for his first sampling of Pancakes. "What are pancakes, Grammie? Doesn't matter they will go in my mouth like everything else does!"

PS: Happy Birthday Jonna Kay!!! I am very proud of you and love you.

Fast Trip

2008-11-02T12:24:00.000-08:00

As you can see my fast trip was back up to Mothers. It was near her birthday and I had not been up to see her since July. I wanted to share views that she sees daily from her front room. Of course above is her favorite view, Mt. Shasta. This is from her new front room windows. She watches the mountain change with the seasons.

The above pictures are also from her huge front room windows. Across the canyon she sees the trees change to gold each fall. It gives new meaning to there is gold in "them thar hills". The road is from is at her house. When I tell you she lives in the mountains I really mean the mtns. Her location is about 8 miles out of town in the forest. The winters bring up to 10 feet of snow at her house to fear of wild fires burning through the canyon each summer. Somehow she and Dad survived nearly 36 years of living at this location and were able to live with the extreme seasonal concerns. I could not do it. My brother now spends most of his winter plowing them out and during the summer clearing near the house so the fire crews will help if such a terrible thing happened.. I couldn't live with it. I fear the fires when I am there in summer time, and I don't drive in the snow during the winters. I never thought of myself as a city girl but guess I am.

On the knitting side of life I seem to be not getting as many stitches done as I should. I am working on daughters Christmas gift. I have all the items I need to ship back east for Christmas to son and his family. I will have them all in the mail in next couple weeks. I have a front to finish on Jackson's sweater.

I have seen the Head Frog another time. I am glad she has the time to come back to our world of knitting. She is a talented knitter. We have talked the Real J. to teach one more 'finishing class'. I hope to fill the class up so I can also attend. She is so full of knitting knowledge that it is a joy to work for her. If any of you that follow this attempt at blogging, are interested in the class call the shop and sign up before its full.

BOO!!!!

2008-10-20T17:46:00.000-07:00

Shhhhhh its me Jackson. I am giving y'all a sneak peek at my halloween costume! Do you recognize me. Dad says I am some foghorn guy from his cartoon days. I just think I look funny. But at least I have my brother and my Mom laughing. Are they teasing me? Do I have to go out in public in this outfit.
Grammie will be back in a few days. She is knitting Christmas stuff and won't talk to us now.

Yawn!!! Why did you wake me?

2008-10-12T14:23:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a nap! Bought a new chair, sat down to knit and fell asleep mid stitch. The nagging of a few friends woke me. They had some problem with seeing the same blog date and picture of a new chair everytime the checked up on me. Most people are very happy when a friend doesn't talk all the time. I tried to give you all a good break from me, but a few of you are great with the nagging, poor husbands. (you know who you are)

I don't know how life got so busy that 6 weeks have flown by. I guess I didn't have anything to say. I have done a little watching of the world pass in front of my eyes with great wonderment where its all going to lead. Wall Street in free fall, and nobody owning a parachute is enough to scare a me. Then the election mess. Lordy Lordy, did anyone else know that Mr. McCain was so nasty mean? I missed that about him. He seems to be lacking some gray matter which they say dimishes with age. Seventy two must be an age that it is noticable. I started noticing how bad off he was when he brought someone down that was safe guarding our border with Russia, and gave her a mic. She has struggled with learning the english language, but seems to have a grasp on how to stir a crowd into a near riot.

For us locals who just can't see enough of hand dyed yarn at the local shops, we gathered up our tools, bought some bare wool and a few dyes, some containers to put it all in and below is the results. M. had dyed one other time so we selected her our leader. She made us dress up in masks and gloves and there we were in Felted's back yard looking like very scary scientist's from a poorly made Mel Brooks movie. We could dress like this for Halloweenie and scare small children.

This is 3 skeins of lace weight yarn. I thought I was using a dark gray, light gray and some brown. What I got was dark blue, light gray and chestnut brown. Now this is not what I visulized as I was laying this all out. But I like what I got. You all know how I am about blue and gray. The brown is a much different brown than I first thought. But someday I will reach for it and have a shawl

The below yarn is a sock yarn. Tell me friends, who nag I don't wear enough color, will this work for you. I will be ask to remove my socks at a movie theater, as they glow in the dark!!!!

The experience of dying was great. I learned alot about mixing colors and how much of the dye you use has a great impact on items that you choose to wear and not stand out like a neon sign!!

The Queen of Gauge and myself had lunch the other day with the Head Frog and her side kick MM. It was great catching up with them. Both are busy and its not often we all click on a day that we can take 2 hour lunch and knit together. MM I am so thinking of you this month and know the time is moving fast towards your wedding. I will be waiting for photo's. My hugss and best wishes to you and S.

What is a posting to my blog without an update on the man in my life. He is now 7 months old and sitting up. Here he is with a new friend. I just know he is asking his father, "How do I know she is a girl and does she like me?"

Returning to Regular Schedule Knitting

2008-08-31T08:02:00.000-07:00

Ah at long last!!! A new knitting chair for me, thanks to Felted and her hubby Mr. T. A fast trip to Ikea, and a car that everything fit into allows me to introduce you to my new knitting corner of the world. I have already enjoyed a short evening of knitting after putting this together. The chair was easy. Add legs, put cover on cushions and sit down. Ottoman different story!! It was a puzzle, of which totally confused me but with some assistance its done and ready for my use.

I am sailing along, almost 1/2 way done, of Mothers scarf. It is a simple Ann Norling pattern called..... Simple Lace. Its so simple I don't need to have the pattern with me even. I can knit on it and even watch TV. Well...... as long as I don't watch the DNC. I had to stop and tink back as I watched BO speak last Thursday night.

Am off to knit knit knit!!!

Heat and Christmas!!

2008-08-24T08:11:00.000-07:00

The above is the start of Christmas knitting. Yes I am starting in August with hopes of no last minute crazy panic knitting!!!! The red scarf on the left is a cashmere scarf for mother, and the one on the right is another small object for a small person. In the heat of August, I have cast on the smaller items, and the one larger item will come along as the temps drop and a person living in California can honestly feel fall coming on. Fall is normally my favorite time of the year, but it does come with pressures, when a person is making gifts for the holidays, and a gazillion leaves are falling outside and need constant clean up for a couple of months. Unless I choose to just stare at them in hopes they vanish with out me going out and rounding them up. I love my 2 big trees on the west side of the house, but 3 months of the year, they do cause work.

Knitting life has been slow, as working in a yarn shop tends to slow down needle time at home. I love working there but admit to nights when I get home and the most I do is look at my needles and not touch them. I do love "Fondling the Cashmere", which is my job title at the yarn shop, but like so many I see so much yarn and know there is so little time. The shop I have been working at for past 2 months is Filati Fine Yarns. It is a beautiful shop full of some of the most beautiful yarns a person could ever wish to see and fondle. The staff is experienced with any knitting tips a person could ever wish for or need. AB is wonderful with lace and inspired me to knit the red scarf for mother. The Queen of Swatch, is a total math whiz and stretches my mind to look at options when it comes to knitting. Both have made things, that take your breath away. Then there is the owner, I call her the Real Janice. She is at ease with yarn and needles, as most of us stumbling through the yarn world, wish to be. Her knowledge on her shop is amazing. She knows every yarn and can pull a pattern, from the past published ones and current publications, that amaze you. This week we have a new person joining us, and as excited as I am to have her working with me, the fact is our schedules are opposite each other and I will probably see less of her. Fall goodies are being ordered and their arrival to the shop will be an early Christmas for us to open and stock. The fall colors are breath taking. The new yarns and colors will be a delight to 'fondle' as I help put them out. Publications coming in, will inspire anyone who likes sticks and string.

So if you missing me in my usual knitting groups, you know where to find me. The schedule should be established in next few weeks, and I have great hopes of returning to some of my knitting groups. Patience!!

The Chair!

2008-08-15T07:33:00.000-07:00

Little knitting content today. I have had a major fall out here. The chair that sits in the corner of the studio, with the good light to knit by, has fallen down on me. I kept wondering why I felt like my butt was sitting on the floor, why I struggled to climb up outta the chair. I only learned why about 2 weeks ago when I dropped a stitch marker and reached down and under the chair searching for it. Something was blocking my reaching under the chair. So setting the knitting down, I got up and turn the chair over only to realize, all the springs had fallen out. They were flat on the floor. Now this chair was a prize when I found it. Old, yard sale and dragging it home trying to clean the upholstery should give you a clue how old it is. I am guessing 1920's. I drove by a yard sale one Saturday and there it was on the curb, with its thumb out trying to hitchhike home with me! I turned around and found parking and quickly parked myself in it so nobody else would get this treasure. Now 25 years later, I realize I don't think anyone was fighting me for this chair!! I loved it. Paid for it and raced home to get the pick up to take it home in. This chair has been my reading cozy spot, knitting comfort zone for all those 25 years. I think it was tired. I think it said enough of your butt, ENOUGH I say!!!!

Last week Felted and I did what was called a short road trip. We went to Ikea. Now that is enough distance away from home for me to claim it a road trip that needs plans.... maps, someone leading me there so I find my way back. We found just the chair I wanted, along with a super size ottoman that is a BIG storage factor. What knitter doesn't need storage.? I had to think it over but now realize I am not doing any knitting as I can't find a comfort zone. Time to replace the old girl and give her a quiet trip to chair heaven. I will be shopping and bring home my new knitting zone chair as soon as I have time and transportation back to Ikea.

I have finished another pink t shirt type summer top. I haven't had photo's of it but will try for one later today as I am wearing it to work this afternoon. The summer sale at the shop has kept me very busy so coming home and fondling yarn has not happened. I do have my Christmas knitting plan in place and yarn waiting for me. Daughter, Mother and grandson are the winners of this year's knitted presents. Grandson's gift has the back done and a good start on the front. It is perfect knitting in the over 100 degrees we are having. But I am ready to pull out the wool and do sweaters again, mainly starting on Daughters gift.

Its All About the Mush!!!

2008-08-07T19:50:00.000-07:00

Jackson says "If the mush is that good the bowl has to be better!!!"

Lavender

2008-08-02T07:28:00.001-07:00

I have written several times about my trips up north to Mom's. This last trip was the exception to the rule of following Mt. Shasta home. The fires in California were so bad as I started my drive north, that the valley was filled with smoke. Seeing the mountain was not an option. When I got to Redding the smoke was only worse. By the time I got to Shasta Lake and was driving across the bridges, I could not look down and see the water. Not only was the lake very low this year, the smoke had floated in and it felt like strange to not be able to see the earth below me. I spent the entire week at Mom's with out seeing Mt. Shasta once.

One day I was determined to fine the Lavender Fields. I had heard of a farm near Mt. Shasta, and got some general driving directions and started out. As I drove through Grenada, and on out to Big Springs I begin to wonder if there was really fields there. Smoke was again very bad, but as I drove along looking for the right turn off I was not sure where I was. Then I saw the 'Grenada Bridge'. A place where we went to during the years of High School. On past I got to Big Springs, and did not remember there was actually one service station there, defining a small country town. Driving on I found a US Mail Lady and stopped and asked her for directions to the Mt. Shasta Lavender Farm. I followed her directions, turned on another country road, going a certain distance and found a small sign directing me up dirt/rock road. You could only drive at a very slow speed and kept rounding around some scrub trees. I kept thinking I had taken the wrong road. How could anyone have a 'farm' up here in the rocks. The valley was lush and green with farm land and here I was climbing up a rock pile. I realized how far 'up' I had come when I first saw a vineyard and a building came into site with expansive views of the valley below. This is a fairly new farm and turning the last curve brought me into the magical view of Lavender fields. Except for the smoke I would of also had a breath taking view of Mt. Shasta. This picture is the view you first see. It was amazing!! As soon as you exist the car you inhale the wonderful smell of lavender. I also felt like I had entered another country. It has a French country side feeling. The above photo is one that I bought in their small shop. I could not of taken a picture like this as the smoke had filled in around the place. The views would be spectacular if only I could see this.

I did buy some Lavender as it is a great thing to put in with your wool yarn. Deters moths and is much nicer when you pull out a skein of yarn with the smell. Beats using moth balls!!

This farm is open from June 16th till July 20, this year. They close it to the public at that time so they can harvest the lavender and dry it. Groups of painters come to paint the views and the art work is hanging inside the small building. As you enter the building you are handed a cup of Lavender Tea. In the last year they had a wonderful write up in Sunset Magazine.

Now if I had been prepared I could of taken a basket and gone out to cut my own Lavender. I was not! So I purchased some bagged and some lavender still on stems. There is a wonderful fountain there and tables with lavender umbrella's to sit under and enjoy the view. Next time I go I will be prepared with my lunch and such items I need to walk out and cut my own.

The link to this place above, shows you some other amazing shots of the fields and of course the mountain. I bought the small picture I posted above as there was no way I was bringing home a photo of smoke to post.

me

2008-07-28T08:41:00.000-07:00

Guess Who Child

2008-07-19T17:53:00.001-07:00

For those of you looking for yarn content here, sorry!!!!! I just got some proofs of profession photo's of Jackson.

This one says " I am posing naked. Will these photo's come back to haunt me someday?"

I have discovered my feet also.

Fires, Crops, Knitting and Guess Who

2008-07-13T12:45:00.000-07:00

We all have been suffering from smoke here along with the heat. In the past month we have seen very few clear blue sky's. Some days we see some blue if we look directly up. But the horizon is grey with smoke. You can look directly at the sun as it sets, the smoke has so filtered it. The only thing worse is those who are losing homes and living in evacuation centers only to return to where their homes were to find their lives changed. The above photo was taken by a newspaper and shows the down town area where I use to live. Can you imagine seeing that huge fire storm and being able to close your eyes that night? This is down town Grass Valley.
For those of you that worry we may not have food, these 2 fields show a very green rice field along with a field of sunflowers. Both of these fields are close to where I currently live. Yes I drove north to Mothers again for a very busy week. I visited the most beautiful Lavender Farm but was unable to take photo's as it was shrouded in smoke. I did not in 7 days lay eyes on Mt. Shasta. Sad to say it was also covered in smoke and hard to believe not visible once time during my visit.

I also got a very fast trip to Ashland, Oregon and a small shopping trip to Web-sters. I managed to find 2 kinds of yarns that are not sold at the yarn shop I am currently working at a couple days of the week. One was Noro Sock Yarn. I got two grey/brown/tan skeins, thinking they would make a nice light weight shawl. Have no pattern in mind.

The second purchase was 600 yards of Schaefers Nancy. This is completed as you can see by the photo below. I do have to block it yet. But it is off the needles and ends woven in. I like this pattern and the casual shawl with a ruffle around the edges. It was a fast knit.

While at Mothers I finished up my cotton top. I like this sweater, but it turned out to be just a little to heavy to wear in 100 degree weather. I will be wearing it this fall when the world outside cools down somewhat. I spent last Sunday sewing it together.

And for my final picture of the day it is the Guess Who child. He took his second airplane trip down to the Outter Banks to someones wedding. He also had new outfits to travel with. One being his dress up outfit for the wedding, but the cutest one is his "surfer dude" swim suit. I do have pictures to show later where his father took him in the water. He was not fond of it and the wind that kept blowing in his face. Remember how it takes baby's breath away when the wind blows on them? Here he is being rescused by his Mother.

Some friend has been nagging for me to update blog. I know I have been slow but have been working some extra afternoons a week and my body and mind are numb when I return home. I have much more to post about my trip north and my mini reunion with friends. I will get photo's together and have a little 'friend' post soon.

Keep those needles moving!!!

Still Knitting After All These Years!

2008-06-24T07:48:00.000-07:00

I am stilllllllll knitting on the cotton top shown in the previous blog. I am almost done with the sleeves. The back and front have been seamed together so I could measure for the length of the sleeves. I will have the sleeves done tonight. Finish the neckline on sweater and I hope to have the top finished this weekend to take to Mom's with me.

I have one new photo to update you all with. This is Jackson on the right and his friend Langston. The parents have been friends for years, so Jackson and Langston were 'born' friends. They are just a couple weeks apart in age so they will be a joy to watch grow up together. That Jackson knows how to flirt with a camera. He always smiles when he sees one! Langston looks scared of them.

Signs of Summer

2008-06-16T06:37:00.000-07:00

Signs of summer comes with lots of visuals. Like swimming pools, shorts, no school for grandkids. But as life gets older (note I said life, not me) mine comes in the forms of what I am knitting when the heat arrives. Above is a cotton/acrylic t-shirt style top I am knitting for myself. Its Berroco Calico. Bought on sale. Love that sale yarn. The back is completed and the front is about done. Then all is left is sleeves and sewing it up. I was looking for something I could knit and stand to wear in the summer heat here. I have some cotton that I found in my stash (it was well hidden, from myself I guess) That in my mind I am trying to figure out what kind of top I can knit with. I bought it in 1989. It is time it surfaced and was put into use.

I have also started another part time, temp job. I am work 2 days a week with friends at my LYS, giving the owners time to search for a full time employee. I like this job, maybe because I know its temp and its only 2 afternoons a week. But by Friday afternoon I can feel those hours. I do enjoy watching others shop and what they are knitting. I am also taking this job as a short semester at the college of knitting. I am learning that gauge thing better and also taking in all the colors possible in the world. I also like to think of it as 'Fondling the Cashmere'.

This last photo is of a plant which has bloomed in last few days. My Knitting Guru's husband has this terrific green thumb and he gave this to me a week ago....... Look Guru and Hubby, its still alive. But I forgot the name of it!! Help remind me the name. Does this all give you a clue about my 'green thumb'? It falls in there with my gauge issues on knitting.

I am off to meet up with the Lawn Mower. Another sign of summer!!!!!

Guess Who?

2008-06-05T19:57:00.001-07:00

"Hey Bro, is that my prom date or yours?"

Questions of Life

2008-06-01T07:20:00.000-07:00

No photo's in today's blog. They would frighten you if I had had enough nerve to even have taken one.

Sometimes I wonder if I am aging gracefully. Which I see so many doing so well. I see whiter hair, a wrinkle here, a sag there and say, 'ok I can deal with those' I won't turn on the light in the bathroom and they almost don't exist. I dress age appropriate, I believe. I don't wear cut off jean shorts where the bottom of my bottom can hang out. I am smart enough to know that slapping sound I hear behind me when I walk is that bottom and it can't be a pretty picture. I have learned to not be afraid to ask for my senior discount. (fixed income ya know) I try hard not to offer my 'wise' advice to the younger generations. But yesterday I saw something that really brought all these little things to light and wonder if I am doing the right thing or not.

I went knitting with friends, and stopped at In N Out for my weekly burger fix sitting quietly at a table reading my book and savoring every bite of my meal, when I hear this loud voice at the door. I have to look up to see what is happening. Standing in the door way is a sight that made me lay down my burger, stop dipping the fries in the catsup and stare. I mean stare. It was impossible to turn my head and be polite even. I was so involved in my stare I didn't even think to take out my phone and snap a photo!! Standing there was a woman wearing very tight leopard spotted shorts.... short shorts. A black skin tight tank top. Bleached out white hair pulled up in a pony tail. Long dangly earrings that brushed her shoulder tops. Bright red cheeks and eyes that I couldn't even focus on for color as the round black circles around them stunned me. Now I realize maybe this doesn't seem the most outrageous thing. But the final straw was the black fish net leggings that just set this outfit off. Yes I said fish net. Bright red (I think they matched her cheeks) toenails. In some wedge kinda thong shoes. She was actually yelling at someone that she had found a table outside, like maybe if anyone in the restaurant missed her, they would notice after the shout out!! To fill in the rest of this image is... she was not a dainty small lady, nooooo. She was maybe older than me even. There I sat feeling so under dressed to be in the public. I was wearing denim cropped pants, a plain yellow t shirt, with some sandals. I could easy of blended in with the wall paper if in fact In N Out had wallpaper. Now the question to all of you, who follow my extremely exciting thrilling life on this blog, am I not dressing right? Do I need a wardrobe consultant? This is your chance to tell me the truth. Go for it!

On the knitting side of life I am fighting with the GAUGE issue. Just when I think I understand it and knit along, I go outta gauge. I had this idea from watching the Queen of Cables, that a few cotton t shirt kinda tops would give me something to wear in summer months, and they have to be easy to make up. Right? .....NOT!

Cotton knits so different than other yarns, that you have to go back to bamboo needles to keep the stuff on the needles even. Well that gauge didn't work either, so back to the Options. I cast on for the 4th time at 10 pm last nite, in bed and knit 4 rows. I have made up my mind. This is it no matter what this 'cute' little t shirt looks like or who it will even fit.

KNIT ON!!!

In Order To Not Annoy My Few Friends...

2008-05-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

In Order to not annoy my few friends, by filling their email with pictures of the darling grandson, I will add them to the blog where I can fill in my perfect comments. You know the ones that are like cartoon captions! Above is Jackson and his beautiful sister, the soccer player. Jackson, being almost 4 months old has already attended more than his life time share of soccer games between this sister or his brother. Some weekends it means 3 to 4 games. Jackson is having a look like..... 'How come S. has teeth and I don't?' And she has brand new shinny braces to add to them. They look swell!!!

Below is a picture of Jackson looking shocked to realize he has more hair than his Dad. See what you have to look forward to Jackson? Not to worry dear Grammie will knit you a wig.

Who Knew? Buttons!

2008-05-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

Who knew that there was a Button Society, Button Clubs!!!! Serious people with magnifying glasses, small flashlights around their necks, searching boxes, cards of buttons. How was I to know there were antique buttons selling for huge amounts of money! Felted and I attended a Button Show on Saturday morning only to discover this was serious collecting. We went with the intentions of finding some unique buttons to use on our knitted sweaters and/or make some easy jewelry.

The above button is a one of a kind. I just love the curves of it and the neutral color. I bought it with the intention it would make an outstanding statement on a swing jacket. Something simple. Yesterday afternoon I found the yarn (but did not buy) that matched this and a pattern of a seed stitch swing jacket!! Perfect. I am just not in a yarn buying frame of mind. But the plan is there in my mind.

This set of buttons are old, made of celluloid. They are very light in weight which would be terrific on a sweater. I have a vision of a simple black sweater, with 6 of these down the front. The buttons would be the statement of the sweater. The one large button on upper left corner again would be a great single button on a jacket. These buttons are pre plastic and are probably from the 30's.

The buttons to the right are plastic, most probably from the 40's. There was enough for a sweater and at 6 for a dollar or 25 cents each. How could I go wrong at the price. It beats buying new buttons. The color is very accurate. Not sure what they will show up on but I love them. Mainly that they came from my 'era'. Beings a 40's child I can relate to them.

These 3 buttons are nicely stacked to make a broach or pin which ever you choose to call it. It is a matter of finding some buttons of different shapes and sizes that stack together to make designs. These came from a 10 cent 'poke' basket as the collectors call them. All in all it was an interesting venture, with minimal costs and fun finds.

Am Knitting but........

2008-05-22T17:34:00.000-07:00

I am knitting..... garter stitch...... lots of garter stitch. I can't tell you or show you as it is a gift for a baby shower. I will take photo's and post after the shower. I just want you to all know the needles are not resting.

So instead of showing photo's of what I am currently working on, I give you one of my most beautiful granddaughters. This is the youngest granddaughter. Last Friday nite I attended the annual Author's Night at her school. On the first day of school they are given a year long study of writing books. They can write as many as they want, doing their own art work along with the stories. Then at the end of the year, they select one of their stories to read to parents and families who are invited to attend. Ms. K. made us all smile and laugh with her story. And her art work is outstanding. Isn't she beautiful? Hard to beleive she is going to be 10 soon. She looks so grown up. I still see her running out the front door of her house when she would see me drive up and leap up for me to catch her. She was about 3 last time she tried that. I would not be able to do it anymore.

Road Trip!!!

2008-05-18T11:45:00.001-07:00

Another road trip back to Petaluma! We found a very sweet little yarn shop there last June when we went to hear the Yarn Harlot speak. The Knitterly is a great little shop full of great yarn. Even the sale baskets were full of good stuff. The staff is also just super and right there to help you. This trip to The Knitterly was for a Habu Class. On this trip was our very very good driver, Felted, seen here on the right.

And on her very first road trip with us is Auntie M. By attaching a link to her blog and with her very new lap top computer, I have now put the pressure on her to keep her blog up to date with great photo's and stories of her knitting. She does some beautiful stuff. I am happy to

report that Auntie M survived the trip and even held her own with the rest of us.

Somehow in this busy busy day, I missed a photo of SSChar who also was present and acted as the official assistant to the driver. Reading maps and the first to inform the actual driver she was going the wrong way and was lost!! She took a lot of pressure off those of us in the back seat that were just along for the ride. Please forgive me SSChar for no photo, I think it was cuz you were always hiding out in the restrooms.

Now you ask about the class, I just know you are. Habu yarn is fairly new to the market and slowly coming into being in more and more shops. I first saw it about a year and half ago in Washington DC. Nice colorways that come on cones or small fluffy tiny bundles. But along with many, I wondered what does one knit with this? The Knitterly had a short class along with their trunk show which was full of great samples that anyone could try on. Breath taking sweaters and coats. Even a few dresses that were very lacy and cute. The above yarn is on the left Linen paper, on the right is silk. The 2 cones make up a cute small bag that is so sweet. I got the small one, Felted got the bigger size in same colorway.

The class consisted of learning to read Japanese patterns which come along with these yarns. They are very simply defined patterns and once you understand the concept of reading one it leads to simplified knitting. Any pattern could be converted to one page if written in this style. Below are the samples of a jacket pattern. ALL of the pattern is one page with the second page being a work sheet of rows. You write in when the increases and decreases are. THATS IT!! The drawing of the item has all the wording a person would ever need. I wish I could explain this fully to you. I grasp the idea but not how to share it.

After a few hours at The Knitterly, we found a wonderful tea room for lunch. The food was yummmmmmy and the setting was so sweet. I had a great egg salad sandwich on a croissant with Raspberry Ice Tea!!! Fresh fruit was also on the plate. All of it was great.
Last but not least the rest of our shopping for me was 2 balls of Kidsilk Haze. This will make up 2 scarves. I say for me now, but am betting someone will get one for Christmas. I got this at a shop in Sonoma called Bella. She had some great sale prices on yarn. I know someone else got some Rowan also on sale. Another cute little knitting shop with the owner right there to assist us.

This Merlin is a yarn by Louet. Linen and Merino lace weight. I got all 3 skeins on sale with a total of 750 yards. Not sure what is in my mind for this but at the price it captured me. This yarn came from The Knitterly.

It was a great day for a drive to the wine country. The country side was beautiful to see. Vinyards and more vinyards. Both Petaluma and Sonoma are great little towns with lots of history. We stopped at a couple other shops in Sonoma and ended the day with Ice Cream and Geleto. Sigh, Got to love a good road trip where you get to knit coming and going, someone else does the driving and there was loads of laughter.

This and this and more of this!

2008-05-16T06:05:00.000-07:00

Some of this,

Alot of this,

More of this,

Because of this!

And most of all fear of this!!

Temps setting at 100 degrees for a few days and its only May. Current life in Sacramento!

Once again THE mtn

2008-05-12T15:14:00.000-07:00

Once again, I share a photo of Mt. Shasta. I am attempting to learn to use my camera for some better pictures. Since I have had it I just point and click. That sounded like it is a Smith and Wesson, not a Cannon camera!!! I tend to do the easy way out, but am going to expand my horizons. I spent this weekend in Yreka with Mother. We had a nice time with just us girls. My brother and his wife take a weekend away when I can get up there. On the way home yesterday I stopped in Dunsmuir to take care of my Grandparents grave site. It is important to mother that we do this each May in time for Memorial Day. On Sat we drove out to Little Shasta Cemetery to check Dads family plots. The valley is so green and pretty. Wide open pastures with old ranch homes.

On my drive north I noticed Shasta Lake was so low, I understand better now we are headed into a drought in California. The lake is only 1/2 full. It will get very low before October rains start again.

Knitting content: none!!!! (I need to get back to the needles)

Knitting, babies and such

2008-05-03T08:57:00.001-07:00

Knitting along as fast as I can on a baby blanket for a friends shower!! I am doing the corner to corner thing and I am almost down to the decrease side. On Weds while shop hoppin yarn stores, I found the perfect contrast color for border so am looking forward to when I can start it. Something new, and I am always will to attempt something new.

As I said on Weds we did the Yarn Shop Hop. Felted, The Swatch Queen and myself traveled to Nevada City to Meadow Farms Yarn Studio, with a stop at the best Ben Franklin store after. They have an amazing yarn section with lots of great yarns to check out along with patterns, and other important things to the knitting world. Then it was on to Fibers. Each store has its on special yarns and great owners and employee's. I was happy to see Ellen at Meadow Farms again. Starting at Babetta's yesterday, the same threesome then traveled down to Elk Grove to see Knitique and then over to The Yarn Shoppe. Each day the driver was bought lunch by the other 2. Yesterday's lunch had enough left overs I got dinner out of it. Saw beautiful yarn, great knitting bags (which we all know is my thing)! The shops are all unique in their own way, lay outs, staff and little knitting corners where a person can sit down and actually put the yarn on the needles. Had a great 2 days with 2 great friends.

The last thing of the day is my newest picture which is called:

Mommie just washed my hair and I can't do a thing with it!!!

Knitting Pictures - New Model

2008-04-29T15:30:00.000-07:00

Remember this sweater?? I just looked back at my Ravelry list and see I called it a size 3 months. How right on I was. Below is the new model wearing the EZ Baby Surprise Sweater. Jackson will be 3 months in one week and below is him modeling his sweater. And I had added a hat out of the left over yarn. Makes me smile to see him wearing this. The only other things he wore were little socks home from hospital and a couple newborn hats.

Isn't he just the cutest thing ever. (You have to know he is cuz his Grammie is telling you)

This wonderful photo is Jackson modeling his Bib Coveralls. I believe he looks a little like my father. Dad would of loved to have seen this great grand child. I hope this summer he is able to travel out to California to meet his Great Grammie B. She is wanting to hold him before he gets to big to snuggle with.

Attempting to Return to the Knitting Side of Life

2008-04-24T12:45:00.001-07:00

This was a wonderful neighborhood to visit, I hated leaving. You can walk so many places, catch a Metro ride if you want to go further out then the local neighborhood. I would walk most days and only used Metro once. You can walk to the market, couple good book stores and just about anything else you wanted to see. I did go down to the Library of Congress one Sat. They were opening an the Thomas Jefferson Library. Was beautiful, well done with most of his books reclaimed or replacements found. I also went to the Newseum that opened the second week I was there. It is a will laided out Museum of the history of the media. Great exhibits and I really enjoyed it. The 3 weeks I was there went very fast and before I knew it I was back at the airport on my way home.

This little guy was the main focus of my visit. Here he is saying "pardon me but who are you again". Such a serious look. It was most difficult leaving him behind as I know how much they grow and change in just a few weeks. The other kids are much like they were when I saw them last year. One of the teens is driving now and the other is in the 7th grade discovering the start of the teen age years. I spent most hours with the baby and he was learning to recognize me. His biggest smile was for his mother when she came home from work. Meal time ya know!!

I have gone back to a few of my knitting groups. Tuesday we had a special gathering as Little Kathy had gotten married while I was gone. So there was gifts for her to open. Also CC had returned from her Paris trip and we needed an update of all she saw and did on her trip of a lifetime. I think she enjoyed herself even though she said she didn't see ONE single yarn shop. Who wants to worry about yarn when in Paris. Plans were made for some of us to go to the Yarn Shop Hop. Next Weds we shall go to the 2 shops in Elk Grove and the following Friday we shall be going up to Grass Valley and Nevada City. I always get very homesick when we go up there. Last night I went to Chicks with Sticks and we had a nice turn out. I am waiting for my body to adjust back to west coast time. I was dragging myself home and to bed at 8 pm..... so knitting is slow. I do have a baby shower coming up and trying to figure out if I have time to do a blanket. Hmmmmm do I commit to starting this or just shopping for a gift?

Am also back to work, and playing catch up. Desk was stacked and am glad to know business is picking up somewhat. We need that. Things are bad all over and I see doors closing on the small business man again and again. I am also playing catch up on yard work. Dayum stuff grew like someone fertilized the entire place when I wasn't looking. Spring time always is a race to keep things cut back before it takes over the house. I see a decline in knitting time till we move into the heat of summer and things struggle to survive. I will also be making a trip back up to Mothers over Mothers Day weekend. Lots to do. Have fun and keep those needles moving, (even if I am not)!!!

Yes I have returned...... sort of!

2008-04-20T17:49:00.000-07:00

I have returned home. Well I staggered in sometime in the middle of the night last night. I had a lay over in Chicago as our plane was delayed. Daughter was there to pick me up at the airport and bring me to my front door. Then I opened the front door to see where one Duncan (cat) partied the weeks away. MESSY!!!!!!! he moved on to my new couch in the living room and took over. I spent an hour today trying to clean the mess up. Then there were just a few places where he threw up on the carpet. One or 2 new places, on the fairly new carpet, he is using it to sharpen his nails. All in all he is ok and I shall let him live longer. This is not the cat I first had. He has had a personality disorder for the last year I believe. Bi-polar cat maybe. Maybe something evil has carried the real Duncan away and is paying me back for some thing I did in another life with this imitation Duncan. I believe I shall start a new business. One week with Duncan living in your home you are guaranteed to NEVER get a pet. You can get this 'I wanta pet' cure for only $100.00 a week. I will deliver him to you at no extra cost, and pick him up one week later for the low price of a hundred bucks. If I fail to appear at the appointed time to retrieve Duncan....... good luck. Don't try to find me I will be in the Witness Protection Program, living on some warm beach holding a big drink of something that has a cute little paper umbrella sticking out of the top and waiting for the pool boy to rub my back with tanning lotion.

Then very very early this Sunday morning I dressed in the ugliest of sweat suits I have, donned a baseball cap, put on my largest dark glasses and was to sneak off to the 24 hour grocery store to get some half and half so I could start the day with coffee. There I was in my best disguised climbing in the car, keys in the ignition..... silence. Try this again, turn the key.... more silence. DEAD BATTERY!

I was only gone 3 weeks. Batteries die that fast? I suppose to add to the recent car drainage on my yarn funds, tomorrow I will have to go out and purchase a new battery. So I had black coffee, accompanied by no breakfast. Did that help my ever so pleasant personality you ask? Yes!!!!!!! It made me so cranky I came in the house, unpacked both suitcases and had laundry going by 7:30 AM. Then I vaccumed, took the entire fridge apart and filled a garbage bag and cleaned it. (it wasn't this clean when I bought the house) After I regained my sanity, I phoned a neighbor and begged a ride to the grocery store.

Now I ask you, why did I come home? I had a wonderful time in Washington DC.

Grammie's To Do List Before She Leaves

2008-04-14T12:35:00.000-07:00

1. Hold me, Rock me.
2. Feed me a bottle
3. Hold me.
4. Read "Babar" to me again.
5. Change my diapers.
6. Hold me.
7. Take me to the Yarn Shop so everyone else can hold me.
8. Feed me a bottle.
9. Read "Mother Goose" clear through.
10.Hold me.
11.Feed me another bottle.
12.Push the stroller to the used book store, again.
13.Rock me to sleep
14.Change my diaper.
15.Read "Goodnight Moon", again.
16.Feed me a bottle.
17.Take me to Eastern Market while she has a breakfast crepe at Sat. Market.
18.Rock me to sleep.
19.Change diapers... AGAIN.
20.Quit tryin to stuff me in her suitcase to see if I fit!!!!

signed/ Jackson S.T. aka JST

A New Reg at the LYS

2008-04-10T07:32:00.000-07:00

I am happy to say that Jackson is now a reg at the LYS. They know him by his name even, and fuss over who will hold him next. Little do my kids know I have franchised this babysitting thing out to other knitters. And I actually got about 8 rows knitted yesterday. It is a walk, 8 long blocks, with Jackson in a sling around my shoulders and carrying a knitting bag, stopping at Eastern Market on way home to get groceries for dinner. By time I get back to house I wonder what I was thinking. It is going to be difficult to leave this baby next week. I wonder if United Airlines will be canceling flights around the 19th of April?

Who am I?

2008-04-07T17:52:00.000-07:00

I may be changing the blog name soon. I haven't knitted a stitch in 4 days!! Who has time when they are struggling to remember how to speak to adults. I am loving this day time job with such a great lookin guy to spend a quiet day with in my room. Sounds good huh? Brunch out on Sundays. Shopping with a bunch of grand kids. Life is great! I went for an hour walk tonight just looking at all the houses on the Capitol Hill. Most are way over a 100 years old. This place just brings out the history buff in me, and I am so lucky to have a son who has taken the time to know the city he lives in and can tell me about most old places we see as we are riding around, taking kids to soccer, piano lessons or what ever. The family here is watching a series on HBO called John Adams. I am now hooked on it and of course the last in the series is the day after I leave to go home. Another good reason to stay here. LOL. We have had some great family dinners this weekend with all 5 grandkids here. They are the best ever kids. H. is doing so good at school he got an award for outstanding grades. S. always excels at every thing she does. and M is such a good looking guy, driving his own car now. I can't believe he is old enough but he is. L. is just about the same. She holds my hand as we walk along, but never says my name anymore. I think I have only recognized about 3 words she said this time. All in all A GREAT FAMILY!!!!

Day 3 & 4......oh gawd they are bleinding together

2008-04-04T17:53:00.000-07:00

Oh I realized I did not write this morning, and I know some of you are unable to start your day with out coffee and an update of my life. The thrills and chills of it all. Day 3 started out very much blending into day 2. I fed Jack about 3 in the after noon and he appeared to not be much interested in a nap so I put him in the Sling bag, which looks like a large Messenger bag. Jeff went out one time and was chatting with a friend when Jackson let out a yowl in the bag, and the guy Jeff was talking to jumped back and asked what he had in his bag. Jeff showed him and he was startled to see a baby!! Ok, back to me, I thought how hard can it be to carry a 7 1/2 lb baby in this lovely man messenger bag, and wander up to Eastern Market and buy a few groceries and fix dinner? Its only 2 1/2 blocks... So off we went. The left shoulder was carrying the weight, with the neck helping. And snug in his bag wrapped in a cozy blankie his Grammie made for him, Jack went out like a light. Well folks the 24 lb kid really started getting heavy about a block out. Now this is disgusting. I can't be in that bad of shape, can I? On I marched, Jack snoozing in his nest... and by the time I reached Eastern Market, that kid had to weigh in at 47 lbs. I wanted to purchase some stuff that wouldn't weight a lot to carry back. 4 chicken breasts, l 1/2 lbs of stew meat. A few small red taters, and a couple small scones. I stashed the wallet back in the bag with the baby, knowing it was weighing in lighter now and started home.. I beleive this kid must be big enough to start Kindergarten now. And dayum who knew 1 1/2 stew meat could weigh up to 9 lbs or more. After the 11 mile hike back home, up hill both ways, I was glad to see the front door of the house and hear the dayum dogs barking at me even. I started dinner. I fed Jack his last bottle. His mother was due home soon. SURPRISE! The Senate was in session till very late last night and his mother/father and couple brothers and sisters didn't show up till 10:30 PM. Yeah I told Jack, the milk supplier was going to be a no show for his dinner. He didn't believe me, so at the appointed time he was to have a bottle still no Mom and milk. He let me know how mad he was at them all wasting tax payers money, and let go with a good healthly lung excercise. I made one of them thar Executive Decisions. (Lots of those happen in DC, believe me) and I searched and found a can of formula.... yes Jack had a meal in a can..... not a boob. So far he has survived this trauma!

Today was the day I had all 5 grandkids, son and daughter in law at home. I cooked, I baked I acted like a real Grammie!! Imagine that.

Day 2

2008-04-03T04:57:00.000-07:00

Day 2 was much more organized!! I finally am caught up on time zone and sleep. Showered, dressed and had breakfast before Jack arrived down in my part of the house for the day. He is bathed and smelling so sweet and looking so darling, dressed in the cutest little outfits all matching right down to his socks. Stack of diapers, and bottles also arrived. I seem to be getting ahead of this somewhat. He can now focus on you and even give you little smiles and 'ooooo' back at you. He holds complete 'oooooo' conversations with his father. We had a great late morning nap and then Mom came home and fed him lunch. After a short afternoon nap, his father came home to take Dogs, Grammie and Jack all for a walk. Where did we walk you ask? Down 8th Street to DC Stitches, A YARN SHOP, of course. Then stopped back at Eastern Market for some groceries for dinner. Home and had a great meal. Dad is a super cook. I managed to knit about 10 rows on a sock yesterday. Full time knitting doesn't happen when you have a choice of holding a sweet little one or some knitting needles!!

Day 1

2008-04-02T04:36:00.000-07:00

Wow, I survived. Flight was crowded. I had this wild idea that a red eye on a Monday night would not be crowded and there would be a slight chance I could sleep. Even with a couple of Tylenol pms..... no sleep. Landed in rain here and son was there waiting. Home in commute traffic. Its worse here than Sacramento's. Just glad I am not driving in it. Held the baby and had my first cup of coffee. He is so tiny and so adorable. Very snuggly, and I love snuggly babies. My little world is like a studio apt of my own down here. One window allows me to see outside at the world walking by, the trees, the sky. I have a computer of my own even. The only thing this little world is missing is a microwave and coffee pot and I would be staying here. I also forget how much I love Washington DC, till I return each time. I could live here and love the life. You don't need a car, when you have the Metro system, (so clean and easy to use). Yarn shop within 5 blocks, Market places all around on the hill. Son, Grandson and myself loaded up the stroller and walked over to Eastern Market so I have what food I need, back home and his parents were gone to work 2 hours after I got here. We were on our own!!!! After a few bottles, a few diaper changes, we both crashed for a 2 hour nap. I slept 10 hours last night and am ready for my second day as a Grammie/Nanny. Could this be a full time job for me??? will let you know after 3 weeks.

So what would you pack?

2008-03-30T08:33:00.000-07:00

Ok you have 3 weeks away from home, you do not know if you will really get to leave the house other than a grocery store shopping, and you get to hold this little guy above all you want, WHAT would you pack for knitting?

Do I want to do small projects like hats and such?
Socks?
More Socks?

The Oblique gets to stay home!! The knitting on it with following pattern and being able to lay it down fast, doesn't work for a Grammie who needs no interruptions while completing this. Just when I think I have settled on one thing another item pops to mind. I guess what ever goes in the suit case before the top slams down and locks.......... will be it. Maybe, I will be surprised when I open the suitcase in DC. LOL

2008-03-29T08:59:00.000-07:00

What Janice means

You are fair, honest, and logical.

You are a natural leader, and people respect you.

You never give up, and you will succeed... even if it takes you a hundred tries.

You are rational enough to see every part of a problem.

You are great at giving other people advice.

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.

You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.

You have the classic "Type A" personality.

You are very intuitive and wise.

You understand the world better than most people.

You also have a very active imagination.

You often get carried away with your thoughts.

You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy.

You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound.

It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.

You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly.

You don't stick with any one thing for very long.

You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time.

Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are very open.

You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily.

You are a naturally creative person.

Ideas just flow from your mind.A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life.

You are very adaptable.You are friendly, charming, and warm.

You get along with almost everyone.

You work hard not to rock the boat.

Your easy going attitude brings people together.At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible.

But for the important things, you pull it together.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Women

2008-03-27T17:28:00.000-07:00

"A woman has strengths that amaze me, she can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens, she holds happiness, love and opinions. She smiles when she feels like screaming. She sings when she feels like crying. Cries when she's happy, and laughs when she's afraid, her love is unconditional, there's only one thing wrong with her and that is that sometimes she forgets what she is worth."

What Knitting?

2008-03-24T09:26:00.001-07:00

I ask you, does this look like a 5 week old baby? I don't know what happens to them on the east coast but this baby looks ready for pre school. It appears I will be leaving next Monday for my trip to visit Jack. I was told the 31st. but have yet to see the ticket. I fly to LAX, then grab a red eye to DC. I was told to take a Valium and a shot of Jack Daniels so when I arrive at 7 am Tuesday I will be alert and ready for my Grammie duties. I will probably fall off the plane, stagger around looking for luggage, and smell like I spent the night in a jail somewhere getting sober. The baby will only cry when he sees me. "please Daddy this can't be MY Grammie" Or maybe worse, I will still be drunk from my big shot of Jack Daniels, I am not a good drinker. One shot could cover a week long nap for me!

It seems I knit, but have not got a thing to show for it. I was with Mother for 4 days and I don't know why I think I will have time to knit while with her. She is a full time job. Cooking, cleaning, doing her laundry, dressing her, undressing her. She can not even walk around the house alone any more. You must assist her doing everything now. I don't know how my brother does it. I give him a huge hug for his commitments to Mom. He is so good to her. The grand kids had fun, Grandson didn't want to come home. He drives the ATV around the property and loves it. Daughter rode with him. They all hiked, played in the snow there, dug around some old abandon sheds on the property and found some treasures to bring home with them. It was fun to wake up and have the kids around me all day. With limited luggage on airplanes now, I am thinking only thing I can take with me in the way of yarn and needles is sock yarn. I have one pair of socks on the needles and maybe will be packing two skeins of sock yarn to work on there. I don't know, I am trying to figure out this mid season clothes packing. Off to clean house, and run errands its that day of the week!!

Its my blog and I will post more pictures of Jack

2008-03-11T11:24:00.000-07:00

Alright!!! I have bedhead that can match my Grammies, and could you turn that flash off and outta my eyes please.

Do these sucky things come in assorted sizes? This one seems rather big! Hurry up Grammie I need your help with these improtant things. My trip is not going to happen on the 22nd. Am waiting to hear from son on date yet.

Help Me Decide

2008-03-03T09:07:00.000-08:00

I need all the help I can get. Now Now, don't agree with that statement to fast. I am headed back east to Washington DC to meet one small man. His name is Jack. Son seems to think I should stay 2 months!!!! That request made me homesick before I even leave home. I can't imagine being gone that long. I will be playing the role of Grammie while the family settles back into going to work and such. I think we have settled on me being there 3 weeks. After all what woman wants her mother in law to live in her home for 2 months..... really.

Your duty, as my faith few readers, is to help me decide what knitting to pack. I haven't thought of clothes yet, there is never a problem there. BUT knitting must be thought out. Do I take the yarn I have for a Lady Eleanor Entrelac Shawl? Do I take yarn I have for another sweater? Do I take all the yarn, like in my wildest dreams I will complete one item while there? ohhhhhhh the stress of it all.. What yarn to pack!! I of course will take a pair of socks to work on the plane trip as they never argue with me over 5 little bamboo needles. But the big piece will have to go in suitcase. Now we must also remember that airlines are limiting large pieces to 1 suitcase or they charge. Alright the choice is up to you guys. I expect answers and not laughter here. This is serious stuff.

The Little One

2008-02-29T07:54:00.001-08:00

The small one, fed, dry and sleeping. Oh the peace in seeing a small one sleep so contently!! I love the innocence. I will be going back east next month to meet Jack. I can't wait.

Home after a successful trip to Stitches West 2008

2008-02-24T11:43:00.001-08:00

The road trip is over, the day of recovery behind me and now to reap the rewards and enjoy the goodies of Stitches West 2008. We arrived a few minutes before the doors opened and got in line with the rest of the power shoppers. You could hear everyone counting down the seconds till the doors opened...... 5.........4........3.....2....1 and the doors opened. With in seconds we were all inside. Which way to go, what to see first?? We went to the Ravelry Booth, signed in for our passport books, and a Hello button we put our name on. They were so swamped right off, we didn't have a chance to tell the girls what a fab job they have done with the best ever Knitting Community. The above photo is the yarn I bought. Bottom left is Peruvian Tweed 100% Alpaca bought from the Yarn Barn, in a brown/gray/blue colorway. 600 yard per skein. This is for a cardigan for myself. The yarn on the right is 70/30 Fine Wool - Bamboo called "Willow" from Brook Farms Yarn. 400 yds per skein. Beautiful feeling yarn. On top of the pile is some Socks that Rock from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. In the colorway Rare Gems. I have always wanted to try some of their sock yarn but in most cases when you get to market there is none left. We went directly to the Blue Moon booth as soon as we left Ravelry's booth. I think this was the same path most were running to. There was a line already started here. The skeins hanging on the wall of the booth were breath taking. I had always wanted to see what colorway I was wanting before I bought. Somehow buying off the Internet was just not the same. I love the colors of this skein they will make up in some bright socks. (for myself of course) Everywhere you looked there were yarns, designs and gadgets to amaze. Some new designs in jackets, felted items.... it is sensory overload!
This is the 'goodie' photo. Booths that gave away free buttons got collected. Then I purchased one pin in the shape of a sweater. It has the words Hand Knit on it. Very cute item to wear when out to catch the eye of other knitters. I bought the DPN sock holders. They came 2 to a package and were at the Yarn Barn booth. Have only seen them one other time when a fellow knitter had some. I also bought a pattern for a knitted bag from La Lana Wools of Taos This a booth I had bought patterns from 2 years ago at Stitches West. My last purchases of the day was a knitting satchel bag from Jordana Paige . I first saw this bag 2 years ago and drooled over it then. Since that time have seen several knitters using the bag. I could no longer resist. We got to meet Jordana Paige at her booth, and I have to say she is a smart very pretty young lady who is out dealing with the business world and I hope she makes it. Very sweet lady.

The difference in this visit to Stitches and my past 2 visits, is I went with a plan. I had 5 patterns that I had taken the info on, such as gauge and yardage, and thought if I see what I want for any of these that will be my yarn purchases. No more just seeing yarn and buying with out a plan. I found yarn for 2 of the patterns and that was just right. I did know I wanted some Brooks Farm... just not which pattern it would go for. I like to touch and see the colorways before I buy but I also like to get something 'special' that you can't buy at any yarn shops.

All in all it was a great day, and considering how sick I had been for the week before, with a cold, I did well. We drove off at 4:45 pm after spending a day wandering thru every booth we could. There were several spinning and fiber booths, buttons and beads, leather and wood handles for bags and any imaginable thing you could think of there. As for what I saw other shoppers wearing this year seem to be mostly mitered square items, shawls, sweaters and vests. I also saw a lot of lacy shawls. I will be following other bloggers reports from Stitches West 2008. I know I missed seeing lotsssssss!!

And away we goooooooo !!!

2008-02-21T18:39:00.000-08:00

And away we go..... off to Stitches West at 7 am. I am riding with
Linda and Felted and SSChar will be driving down also. The 4 of
us has serious plans for seeing all we can see. It is yarn overload
for all of us. I am looking for some Noro and of course the Socks
that Rock Booth. Also Brooks Farm. Don't know why but guess its because those are items we don't see a lot around here in the LYS. Noro we do but not at the price they claim to have at the Market Place......... Wish us luck... this time tomorrow night I will be ready for a lonnnnnnnnng nites sleep!!

I don't know if I want to take knitting with me or not. There is places to stop the crazy shopping and actually sit down with needles and yarn.

This is nice that my 100th post to this blog, 13 months later, is about a road trip to Stitches. More to come after we survive this.

Moving On with Error

2008-02-17T08:07:00.000-08:00

Seeeeeeeeee the error of my ways? Yes I have done a major booboo on my Oblique. It is on the left leaning ladder and its way down on the back of this sweater. I found the error and sort of froze the action. I put the knitting back in a bag, and sat it next to my knitting chair. It has stared at me for almost 2 weeks now. Time to face the monster and FROG!!!!

So in place of knitting on the Oblique and the complaint of a few friends, I knitted this mindless scarf. My friends have pointed out that I seldom make myself something with color, and that gray is not a color. I do always tend to choose dark or gray colors. I think I might be blending in with the wallpaper of life and never stand out. Mindless knitting seems to be my strong point. Why oh why can't I knit lace projects? Why do they seem to always get the best of me.

This scarf is my new mindless project. This is the Noro scarf from Brooklyn Tweeds collection of patterns he has wonderfully shared with us on his blog. Four skeins of Noro, 2 each from different colorways. I am loving this easy, tv watching, knitting and my friends can no longer say I don't have 'color'. Although I am not going to tell them this secret so please keep it quiet, but this is probably my first Christmas knit of 2008.

The baby is growing, life has settled back down for son and family. The older grandkids are adoring having a small bundle of joy to hold and love. I hope it last throught the years when they are ask to babysit!!

I had a wonderful day with my 9 year old granddaughter, we all refer to as Roo, yesterday. We went bead shopping, for a long walk, watched a movie and had a great dinner. Love my day with her, she is so sweet and artistic.

This coming Friday is Stitches West Market day for a few of us. Leaving early on Friday morn, shop til we drop, then return home. I am this time going to Stitches with a plan. I have a couple patterns picked out and if I find the yarn for them there better yet. I went on Yarn overload at my first stitches a couple years ago. Hopefully with a 'plan' I will remain calm and collected. We shall see huh Linda.

Again!!

2008-02-11T14:13:00.000-08:00

I can't help myself. Another photo of the new baby and his daddy!!....... Deal with it. This is my last grandchild and I am not there to hold him yet. So you all have to see the picture.

Baby Update

2008-02-08T12:08:00.000-08:00

Meet Jackson Scott!! I have to post photo, I have waited 24 hours to see him. His hair is reddish brown and his expression says it all "It was a rough trip getting here."

Baby Jackson

2008-02-08T07:38:00.000-08:00

Jackson Scott was born Feb. 7th, 2008 at 12:26AM. Baby is doing great! Mom and Dad are exhausted after 48 hours of labor. You thought I would have a picture of the new guy to post, but so far I have not gotten one. Son has tried, but I think exhaustion has over taken and the pictures are not arriving to my email as he sends them. What did I do for the 48 hours of labor you ask? I made him a blankie. Five skeins of Katia, cast on 1 stitch and increase every row until half way thru the yarn, then decrease every row. I backed this small blankie in some nice soft fabric. Babies like to feel that. I finished knitting this blankie 4 mins after Jack was born. I am guessing he was waiting on me to finish the blankie...... and held on as long as he could!!! I should of knitted faster.

This and That

2008-02-04T08:54:00.000-08:00

First I need to thank Caren for a wonderful gift I received during our late holiday gift exchange. My favorite color all the way around. A wonderful blue bag, sock yarn in my favorite colors, a great toe up patter from Hand Jive Knits, beautiful stitch markers, needle point holders, and best of all a gift card from Panera's, which is where we meet on Weds nights. OH!! and those special yarn bra's!! Thank you Caren! I had a great person to shop and plan for, Dana, and so enjoyed it.

The next photo is of a package I have started to put together for the new baby, who is now named Jack. I got him the standard "Mother Goose" book and then one that I had read to me as a child. "Meet Babar" is a story that my mother read to me. I loved Babar as a child, and hope this new guy enjoys the story also. Then all grand children should have a bib that says "I love my Grandma" lol I don't want him to forget me till I get there to meet him in person. I will be going back later this spring to have a week of cooing and hugging. I so look forward to this trip. I am finishing up a small white blanket to send also.
This photo is of the back of the Oblique sweater. I have knitted and knitted and knitted on and am only to the armhole decrease on the back. The reason for all the knitting is I have had to tink back several times to correct errors. I tend to forget a yarn over here and there, to add to the trauma of knitting this sweater.

The knitting Guru is finishing up her sleeves. She has enjoyed this pattern and not had to make as many 'fixes' I have had to do. I see Cara has finished her sweater and posted pictures. She is a beautiful knitter. I also see this pattern comes out larger than planed. I am glad I went down a size for mine and all those that have knitted this sweater have given out tips for adjustments.

To comment on my last post, I waited 2 weeks to hear from Russell, but alas it did not happen. I also did some checking on line and it is a posed picture, the guy really doesn't knit!!!! Just when I thought there was hope for the perfect guy!

Perfect Man

2008-01-18T12:29:00.001-08:00

I can only say I have found the perfect man. He knits, he acts...... and oh yeah he is easy on the eyes!!!! It must be love.

Fun Fun Fun

2008-01-16T08:07:00.000-08:00

I am here today to report I am really a knitter. After days of doubts and confirming those that thought I was really faking this knitting thing, I am off and running on the Oblique pattern. I had the assistance of the 'Knitting Guru' and things fell into place. She saved me again. But I think her driving force was my comment that I would be selling my stash on the curb as I was a failure. I have to say I am enjoying this sweater now and have passed the first decrease. Everything is coming together. I know I will stumble again, lots of pattern to keep track of, but I am enjoying it today.

Yesterday was fun, I took the 'Knitting Guru' to lunch and knitting with Felted, the Gauge Queen and our long lost missing knitter CC. Little Cathy we missed you. We were very happy to see CC as she has been missing for a couple months now. She also announced she is headed to Paris, France this spring and how did she locate yarn shops there. Well CC your first option is GET A COMPUTER. Then you can check on line! She is one of the last hold outs in this world on going techno...... but I know she has heard this from all her friends and rolls her eyes at us when we suggest it. We also stopped at the local Library to check out books on tape. Since TV sucks so bad, with the writers strike, and there are a few long Sundays of knitting at home, I will start listening to some books I have not had time to read. My first choice is James Patterson's Beach Road. Looking forward to this as it is 7 hours long. That should count for lots of stitches on the Oblique.

I have no pictures to post as again I haven't gotten batteries for camera. I promise its coming. SOON

We will now return to our regularly scheduled program

2008-01-13T11:28:00.000-08:00

Yes I live and breath. I am excited as I cast on last nite, for the Oblique. Back to knitting items for myself. Does that sound selfish? Maybe, but you never know how the gifts you knit will be taken when received. So you get more comfort knitting stitch by stitch for yourself. I am using same yarn I used on son's scarf he received for his birthday the first of Dec. Queensland Kathmandu Aran. Love this stuff, easy and feels good to knit with.

A few items I did for myself right after the holiday knitting was completed was the hat I call "My Hat"..... original would you not say. I was happy to have this fast knit up. Pattern came with purchase of yarn from Auburn Needleworks. The yarn is the bulky from Brown Sheep. Let me tell ya when its windy and chilly out you can feel the warmth in this hat. Love'n it.

The second item I finished, but had started in early December, were a pair of Monkey Socks. Great pattern from Knitty.com. These were designed by CookieA and seem to be appearing on all blogs. Of course I have to try things that others are talking about. I want to test myself on these new items. At times its a good thing at other times I wonder a lot 'WHAT WAS I THINKING'.

The bottom two photo's here are the sweaters I made for Granddaughter and Daughter for Christmas. I made GD's out of some very strong Lions Brand yarn. Sometimes kids items end up laying around a lot on the school play ground. I wanted this sweater to survive!

It will survive and it fit her perfect.

The last is the Flair sweater from Knit and Tonic.
Sweet little sweater that was an easy knit and Daughter says people stop and ask her about it. Even when she is working in a dress shop. Surprising!

Now you ask, did I make resolutions for the New Year. NOPE. Will knit what I can when I can. I do intend to knit out of stash as much as possible and will keep let you know the few items I have planned already on next post or so. No commitments here..... nope. might break them again.

I also will be posting a picture of the cool gift I got from my exchange partner at Chicks with Sticks. I had fun putting my package together for Dana and even baking for her. My camera is currently out of batteries so these things shall wait.

Hurry up Felted, swatch and cast on for Oblique!!!! Am waiting.

The Revolt of Duncan

2007-12-09T10:29:00.000-08:00

Meet Duncan!! He has been with me for 6 years now. I adopted him when he was 5. As life goes on, he has been a fairly good cat. He seem to understand that he was to large for furniture leaping, counter top crawling and lap sitting. Duncan weighs in at about 28 lb these days. He has been on 'catkins' for several years with out much change in his weight. I feed him what the vet recommended in the amounts the vet told me to give. Does this please the 28 lb flying cat? Not always. He wants more. If I fill his bowl in the morning its gone by 9 AM.... so his feeding schedule has been little bits all day long so he doesn't throw up all over the house by one feeding. We have worked this out between us and until about 10 days ago we have done ok.

10 days ago you ask? Well the war began. Duncan decided he would take over the house. It was his domain to control. He leaped to the counter tops... walked around till he came to the breakfast table. (a small drop leaf table that is very old) If he got a fast enough run on the counter top he would leap to the table. Five or so flights like this and the table folded up on him..... crashed down to the floor taking a chair with it. Before the table folded up on him he could then leap to the bar between the kitchen and the dining room.... then on over to the dining room table. I ask WHO of you told him he was supercat? He has no leotards with a big "S" on the chest! I thought I had groomed Duncan quite well. Brushing almost daily. But he tended to leave some ugly stuff all over the counter tops. Kitty litter caught in his paws and I won't describe what else!!

I covered the counter tops with everything I could find that he could not push off to the floor. But no, that wasn't enough. Off goes the butter dish. If I turned my back the 1/2 and 1/2 carton would be leaking out all over the floor. I was sick that my cat was turning into a monster..... sweet little Duncan was no longer the cat I had lived with for 6 years.

Yesterday morning I got up and found he had climbed over everything to get to the coffee pot and it was full of fur and what ever. I had it... I was as mad as hell!! You can do alot to me, but if I can't have coffee as soon as my eye lids open, the day is going down hill fast. I looked this cat in the eyes and told him "the war is on Duncan'. I sprayed him with a spray bottle, he ran to hide. As soon as I cleaned one small section of the counter in order to make coffee he was back. That is when I moved his bowl of water, food and bed to the laundry room. I was mad as hell and wasn't going to take it any more!!

Duncan is now given a spray of water and locked in the laundry room. I now refer to this as Duncan's room. Yes am sad to say we do 'Duncan Time Outs'. The strangest thing happened. Duncan likes his room. Now when he comes out he follows me around for a bit, and goes back to his room. I am not sure I am allowed in to even do laundry. I am determined to win this War!!!! Anyone want to place bets?

Yarn Life:

For my birthday I received 8 skeins of the most beautiful pale blue baby Alpaca from Son and family. He actually went to his LYS.... which is where I go when I am at his house, and picked this yarn out himself..... I was amazed, happy and giddy. I spent hours yesterday pouring over my knitting books, on line, in Ravelry seeking out the perfect pattern. I have narrowed it down to 3 and will do gauge and see what I work out!!! Thank you son, daughter in law, and 4 beautiful grandkids.... you are all the best.

I have no pictures to post as they are all secret things that can't be revealed until after Christmas. I have 2 items to finish. One is 3/4's done and the other just started. Knit Knit Knit.... as fast as I can.

I am going to leave you with a beautiful picture of my favorite mountain, Mt. Shasta. I did not take this one but enjoy this mountain so much I have to share it with you.

Knitting and more Knitting

2007-11-27T20:35:00.000-08:00

I have no pictures to post as all my knitting this time of the year is for Christmas. I have the largest knitted item off the needles, waiting to be blocked. The second largest is about half way complete, and hope to have it done by the weekend. I then have 2 small items to complete. Wow, every year the same thing, and I swear I will not over commit myself to holiday knitting again. I want to get back to knitting for myself.

I am dreaming of casting on for the following :

This is a sweater from Knitty.com . A great pattern that Felted and I are doing as a knit along. That is the formal name for it, really its a support system to make a person complete things with in a timely manner. That is what I need most. I have gotten the yarn. Katmandu in the same color way, browns, blacks, that I knitted up one of my Christmas Gifts out of. Great feeling yarn and works up well.

Felted has to order her yarn yet, but there is time. We have 3 weeks of December to finish Christmas items.

I also intend to pick up the Doctor's Bag and finish it. One side of the bag is completed the other cast on. I am so familiar with the pattern now it should knit up faster. I have not bought the lining for this bag yet but there is time during the January sales to do this. It feels good to getting back into the UFO's and think of a sweater sitting here bagged up and waiting for me.

We had a great time at Felted's house last Sunday. "Scones and Skeins". Good food, lots of laughs and a good deal of rows completed on one gift. We talked patterns, things we all dream of knitting and poured over a stack of her knitting books. Its fun to see others books and patterns. Ideas just accumulate on projects.

Today we had 3 of us at the Tuesday knitting meet up. The Swatch Queen, Felted and myself. We need to get our others back into the groove of meeting. We miss CC and Little Cathy, MM and the Head Frog. Today we were actually able to sit outside in the sun and relax in the great weather.

Keep those needles going. Three weeks left!!

In An Attempt........

2007-11-18T12:19:00.001-08:00

In an attempt to enter the holiday spirit, when mine is not real high this year, I will be listing my knitting projects. I will be doing this so as to be committed to do all the possible speed knitting I can accomplish between now and Christmas. Have some of you heard me say in the past I won't be doing this anymore? Well I guess I fibbed cuz here I am the weekend before Thanksgiving attempting to do the impossible. (from this you can easily guess what my New Years Resolutions will be once again on Jan 1st.)

1. ________ for Mother. Yarn in stash.
2. ________ for Son. Completed (yippie)
3. ________ for Daughter. (3/4's done)
4. ________ for Granddaughter #1
5. ________ for Granddaughter #2 (yarn purchased)
6. ________ for Grandson #1 (haven't a clue what it will be)
7. ________ for
8. ________ ENOUGH!!!!!

Ok this isn't working. I can add this up already.... I may be praying for out sourcing to compete what I do have planned, and I realize now I have nothing planned for those not getting any knitting. Do you realize why so many people get so depressed at holiday time?? We try to do to much. I will continue this post on News Years Day with a list for next year and what I won't be doing again!!!

May I wish you all a wild shopping adventure next weekend! If you are attempting to go to a mall, be sure to take sleeping bags, food.... it may be a long day.

It Fits!!!

2007-11-07T14:42:00.000-08:00

I just received a photo of my daughter in law, modeling The Bump Sweater!! Am very happy to say it fits and she loves it. I am so pleased, as she lives 3000 miles away and I had no idea as I was making it if the fit would be ok.

They also unwrapped all the baby knitting that I completed over the summer and early fall. We know that they will fit as the baby grows.

Tonight is 'Chicks with Sticks' night and I will be working on my second Christmas Gift. Can't say what it is here in case someone stops to read this. But its family.

I have so many plans for knitting this winter and they are, for the most part, from my stash. This is good news for me. I love looking around and making a plan and being able to reach out and have the yarn on hand.

I spend last weekend organizing my needles. They are all in needle cases and labeled with sizes. I still dream of getting the Option Needle set from Knit Picks. But its always a good thing to dream of something.

How Time Flys By

2007-11-05T10:38:00.000-08:00

How time flys I didn't realize how many weeks it has been since I last posted. Life throws us lots of lemons at times, and not being a great cook, I forgot how to make lemonade.

On to the knitting front at my house. I cast on last night Monkey Socks. Now I did this so I would have something simple to knit on when meeting up with other knitters. I find I am not able to knit in pattern..... WHAT was I thinking?? These will be done at home also, and for a change I am doing 2 socks at once so I don't catch that dreaded 'second sock syndrome' illness. I just have the worst time with a second sock. I want to move on to something new and exciting. well this way I am planning on doing section by section and both socks at once. This is a Colinette Jitterbug yarn. SOOO nice to knit with.

I have completed son's Christmas present. A nice scarf made of Kathmandu Aran yarn in browns,tan, gray and black tweedy yarn. I did it in a herringbone pattern. The texture shows up so nice and I am very happy with this. Finished this Sunday nite and it will be blocked this afternoon. Picture will follow after blocking.

Flair for daughter is cast on. I picked a brown yarn for her also as it seems to be her favorite color. This yarn is Paton's with some orange and yellow flecks in it. My Flair sweater has been set aside till I complete 3 Christmas gifts. I am attempting to avoid last minute panic..... or as I did one year, "out sourcing' my knitting to make the deadline.

My package of baby items including a 'Bump Sweater' for daughter in law was shipped last Monday and due to arrive today in DC. I wish I could see their faces when they open the package. I managed to get 3 sweaters, 3 hats, 3 pairs of socks, along with a few items I bought for the soon to be newest member of the family.

Finally... what you see to the left is myself and Franklin Habit from The Panopticon Blog. The Camellia City Stockinettes, contacted Franklin and invited him to Sacramento to photograph knitters in this area for his book "1000 Knitters". Not only am I please to possibly be part of this book, I was delighted to meet the nicest man who I felt I knew very well from 2 years of reading his blog. This yarn world is strange. When you know someone knits, and you follow their fiber lives on a blog, you have an immediate comfort when you meet. Franklin you were just great. I am only sorry Dolores had a touch of illness,(Franklin mentioned her and something about the bar at the hotel the night before), hope the flight home made things better for her. Next time Dolores!!

Put it in Writing, does it really happen?

2007-10-19T10:54:00.000-07:00

The Bump Sweater is almost complete. About 4 inches left on sleeves then sewing up and dealing with all the little ends.

That will end my finishites for the time being. All other projects will be put on hold...... see the picture here. It shows holidays coming at us in warp speed. That means I am selecting which small projects I will be knitting and who they will be for, has to be decided this weekend. I think I have already selected the 3 small items I will be knitting....... and 1 large one. The large one will involve me putting aside my Flair and Doctor Bag. I will add them back to the line up around my knitting chair. Soon I will be unable to leave the chair and someone will have to pipe in some food to me. I will stumble and fall and break a leg trying to escape the chair.

One project is in the new Holiday Knits, Interweave Mags. It is a small teddy bear for youngest granddaughter. The other a scarf for son.. something in heather tones.. I have it visualized in my mind. Then the large one is for daughter dearest. I think I shall be doing the Flair for her.. I like top down knitting and she likes things in brown tones. Yarn is already sitting here waiting to be made into something.. perfect!!!.... I refuse to have to out source my hobby like I did 2 years ago when my holiday knitting was out of control. How many of you out there in blog land over commit yourself to holiday knitting? How many of you have wrapped up yarn and a picture of what you intended to knit? By putting this in writing to you all I am committed to start early and finish what I have stated., I can do this! I can do this! I can do this.....Its in writing now.. will that really make it happen?

I challenged my Weds night knit group to add up all their sock yarn..... how many pairs of socks do they have still unknitted...... Confession time next week girls.. don't forget it! I will be rounding up all my stray sock yarn this weekend and pictures will be taken. Be interesting to see who ...........

Things that go bump in the night

2007-10-15T08:01:00.001-07:00

Remember this? The bump sweater! Well I got a case of finishitis and drug it out to finish it up. Its always a good thing to finish up a project before the expectant mother delivers the baby. This is for my daughter in law. Two things sort of hit me while making the first half of the sweater. One DIL is very tiny and am not sure even making the small version is small enough for her. Second: Making short rows make me nervous. But am back on track and almost have the front finished and will cast on for sleeves by tonight I hope.

I intend to drag out every thing that is setting on needles and line them up around my chair where most knitting is accomplished. I think the chances of me either tripping over them or frogging them will clear up this issue. I am focused on completion now.

The few small items that I have planned for Christmas will also find themselves in the line up for completion.

The new rule here!!! Keep those needles moving.

Friends and one more done!!

2007-10-09T18:37:00.000-07:00

We had a great knitting group this afternoon. The Gauge Queen, Felted, Little C, MM and the Head Frog., oh yeah and myself. We haven't all managed to get together for some time for a Tuesday Knit Group. It was nice to see so many of us together again. And of course, see what everyone is working on. We managed a lot of catch up.

My knitting news consists of finishing the EZ Baby Surprise Sweater. Yes, another one done for the soon to be new addition in our family. I love the buttons they are little mittens. And what does a Grandmother knit if there is left over yarn? Another hat of course! This baby will be warm living in cold Washington D.C. Next project is the last hat to go along with the other sweater I knitted earlier this summer. THEN I AM DONE WITH BABY KNITS!!!

Time to move on to other projects I have on needles. I am anxious to finish up my Doctors Bag and my Flair sweater. Then I have a few small things I would love to get done before the holidays. I said I wasn't going to knit for family this year. But I can't resist a few things. And 4 other Grand kids in D.C. think they need hats now. I have received my orders, without even asking for them. Its going to be a busy winter with needles.

2007-09-30T12:22:00.000-07:00

Where have I been for a week you ask? No where, but knitting lots. Hot on the needles is Flair. This is a pattern from Wendy @ Knit and Tonic. This is an easy knit top down cute little jacket. Am ready to put sleeves on waste yarn and start on body. Knitting this out of stash.... Araucania Nature Wool Chunky. Colorway teal. Mindless knitting is just what I need lately. My mind wanders to far from home to take on detail patterns. This is so fast and easy I do have another one in mind for a Christmas present. Wendy writes a nice easy to read pattern, and has a few she has written on her blog. My next show and tell for the last day of Sept. is this Cascade 128. Its in a dark gray colorway that is being discontinued by Cascade. I love knitting with this yarn works up easy and fast and feels like a dream. Not sure what sweater this will be yet but couldn't pass up the great price at my LYS. Its alway nice to find enough for a sweater on a sale table.
The last two items for new baby. Hat to match the already posted sweater. I seem to have not realized I had another skein of this yarn as it yelled at me from my shelf.... HAT HAT HAT..... so that is an evenings knitting this week. The box of goodies to go back east to the new baby is just about complete. The sock pic is the last little tiny pair of socks to get knitted for him. Again this is a fast one evening knit.

The final picture of the day is my real find of the week. The neighborhoods semi annual yard sale was Friday and Saturday. I work in the mornings and thought it a relief I would not be shopping at the sales. As I returned home at noon I figured it would be safe to make a couple stops at houses. Well first stop and with in 3 mins I had bought 2 trunks for $10.00. One very old covered in canvas with some of the leather straps missing. But otherwise in great shape. The second is a metal small newer trunk. Both are good for Yarn stash storage. As I made 2 fast trips around the neighborhood bringing home the trunks I made a terrible find..... the above 2 wicker chairs. These are vintage I would say. Some glue, to refasten the wicker and lots of white paint will be required. I took them out of the garage this morning and sprayed them down good with some bug stuff. I know wicker can carry bugs around. I will not be finishing these up till I get the roof on the back deck. Then they will be there along with a small white table that also needs painting.... working and putting this house back together seems to never end.

I had a great dinner last night with my 2 grandkids and son in law. I always love my time with them. Then Shelby turned 13 today. She lives on the east coast and also lives for soccer. She ordered a hat for her birthday. Now to find out what style and what color and of course it won't get delivered today. Happy Birthday my soccer playing granddaughter.

The Wheels On The Bus Go Round n' Round

2007-09-21T15:09:00.000-07:00

The wheels on the bus go round 'n round. Gee, thanx Cher, I am glad to be done with this sweater so I can quit singing the song. It is a top down pattern of Ann Norlings, and I do love doing the top downs. Easy knitting.

I have yarn in my stash for 2 nice cotton t shirt type top down sweaters for myself. They will go great with jeans for work this winter. Very easy knitting.

Next photo is of the newborn hat and socks. I am sending these with a note that the baby better wear them home from hospital, cuz they won't fit much longer than that time line.

The bottom photo is of EZ Baby Surprise. I am doing it with my Friday Nite Knitters in a small KAL....I will be back knitting on it tonight.

I also want to start the Flair sweater from Knit and Tonic's blog site. I have some Paton's shetland Chunky Tweeds, in a charcoal colorway. The weather has changed here and some mornings a sweater is needed. The weather has changed enough that its time to dig out all the larger items I had started and do some serious finishing. My list of to do can wait.

Car Cover anyone?

2007-09-16T19:15:00.000-07:00

Not a lot of knitting this week. Seems I have been side tracked with painting, deep cleaning of closets and kitchens. I do miss my knitting and am just sure this car vest will look lovely on my VW bug when I get around to it. I probably have the required yarn around the house here and won't have to buy much more. The buttons may be a problem, finding them the right size.

I did manage to bind off on the top down cardigan for baby. I now refer to this as the wheels on the bus go round and round, as this is the sweater with the cute little bus buttons. Someone mentioned reading that and the song has been floating around in my empty head for a week now.

I have also cast on for an EZ baby surprise sweater. The whole pattern looks confusing to me and I think I may of made 3 attempts at starting this and ended up frogging them all. This time I am in a small KAL with the Friday Nighttime Needlers group.

Since the extreme temps have dropped here I am wanting to finish up all baby knitting and move on to some things for my self, sitting on the shelf here starting at me. I so far only have one reasonable size project in mind for Christmas knitting. But first all baby items finished and in the mail. Then back to our regular schedule knitting.

Please Remember

2007-09-10T11:37:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the 6th year since 9/11. Please do not forget to fly a flag and remember all those serving in the Middle East and other nations. We have been safe from attacks for the last 6 years due to the military and others protecting us.

On the knitting front, I have finished another small hat and socks set for the new baby. They are so cute and miniature looking I don't want to even send them off. I just want to look at them and how tiny they are. On the needles now is a top down cardigan for a 9-12 month old. I am knitting this in a dark blue with the cutest little school bus buttons. I am trying to plan for a early spring baby, so he will have something to wear the following winter. This is the new Cotton Ease yarn, which is great and easy to knit with.

The pattern for the top down sweater is an Ann Norling. I have done 2 small top downs, this one and another that was a Pure and Simple pattern. I have to say I think both patterns are great. The Ann Norling for the multi gauge sizes the pattern gives you to seek out different yarns. The Pure and Simple patterns are much easier knitting and I think I will be sticking with them in the future. I have a couple of the Pure and Simple sweater patterns for myself. Great easy knitting.

Pavarotti

2007-09-06T08:04:00.000-07:00

Luciano Pavarotti left the world with more fans than Opera ever had before. I was lucky enough to see him perform in 1996 at UNR in Reno. Was an amazing voice.

Hot! Heat! and Socks

2007-09-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

My only completed knitting in over a week. Blue for a baby boy. This was a fun knit for a couple days. Just a basic little hat and some small socks to match. Mindless knitting in the heat.

During the heat wave I was scheduled to have windows replaced in the kitchen. On the day the largest window was removed we hit a high of 106 degrees. Yeah!! I did alot of wandering around the house...... mumbling, moaning, and am sure whining out loud. So knitting was not getting done at this house. I did catch up on some blog reading and want to send out congrats to Cara who is has announced this morning she is to have a new little one. Her excitement for knitting spreads over all who read her blog. I hope she finds the same excitement in knitting for a little one.

Windows are in, the finish work needs to be done and I am back on track with knitting small items. Nothing for me, as those are big projects are on hold till the heat wave passes. I do tend to be moved by Brooklyntweed's Hemlock Ring Blanket . This man has so much talent its impressive to follow his knitting. Jared has also had his first pattern published in the Fall Interweave Knits.

Leaving you with the next small hat and there is enough yarn for small socks to match. Like I said at the start.... Nice Mindless Knitting at what I hope is near the end of the heat of summer.

Results are in !!

2007-08-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

Results are in and I am not good at remembering to take pictures! I can't hardly even remember to take photo's of completed knitting projects.... so on that unhappy note I only have words to discrib our Thursday Road Trip.

Felted, SSChar and myself made the trip up Hwy 49 first going to Nevada City. It was fun to see Meadow Farms Yarn Shop again, even if they had moved. I don't know that they have as much space as they did before. Maybe a little more space for the back room. I did violate the look only, no buy rule I had set for myself. I got some sock yarn for a baby boy. 1 small skein of Panda Cotton from Crystal Palace Yarns. Colorway is shades of blue for a boy. Have not knitted with this before so will be a test drive for me. I also bought Knitting Pure & Simple Neckdown Wrap Cardigan pattern. This one is fairly new and I am so addicted to top down knitting. This will be my third sweater knitted top down.

Next stop was Ben Franklin. They still carry a good supply of yarn. Lots of Lions Brand, and of course the standard Red Heart. They also carry Berroco but mostly in the ribbon type. I am not much into ribbon yarn knitting. We did find the little leg posts for our Doctors Bags. Before we had to order them on line.

After lunch we moved on to Fibers in Grass Valley. This shop has also moved since I was last up in Nevada County. It now is on Mill Street and about the same size as before. Felted was on a search for the Mano's yarn for her Doctor Bag. She found her color but not enough for the bag. I again bought a pattern from Berroco for Yin & Yang, a little sweater that is asymmetrical. Very cute.

We also made a stop at Auburn Needleworks. This shop now has a new owner and a change over in yarns is being done. Lots of Cascade, some Mano's and small lots of kinds. Nothing purchased.

Was a fun trip as we always have plenty of laughs to go around. The heat was not enjoyable for me, as it never is. I think the hardest part was not getting homesick seeing Nevada County again. I know I miss living there still.

FO's include a Premmie Hat for a baby shower today. Fast knit and easy in the heat when you don't want to hold 5 lbs of wool on your lap. I also knitted a small pair of baby socks out of some left over sock yarn. I have cast on a small hat in Rowan's Cotton, color blue !! I will be tired of my favorite color after knitting for the new one. I need to get back to my Doctors Bag knitting. One side is completed and have cast on for the other side. Its wool and hot. I am ready for fall, or at least some kind of cool down.

Pictures on next post, as I also need to do some photo's for the Ravelry site. I spend more time there than I should...... whoa is me !!! So much info so little time.... when your yarn stash is threatening to fall over on you.

Yarn Crawl

2007-08-22T15:39:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I am going to Grass Valley and Nevada City to visit both yarn shops there. Both have moved to larger locations since I last visited them. Meadow Farms Yarns is in Nevada City and was my LYS for a couple years and it will be great to see Ellen and Eileen again. Fibers is in Grass Valley and I had only visited it once but will look forward to seeing their new location. The other place for good yarn is Ben Franklin. Before I moved from Nevada County this store had expanded into some great yarns and patterns.

The trip is being taken with Felted and SSChar.... which will involve a lot of laughing.

Being I am still recovering from bailing the car outta Auto Jail. I will be going as an observer.

Update on how much Felted and SSChar spend on Friday !!!!!

Not One Stitch Knitted !!

2007-08-19T12:50:00.000-07:00

Not one stitch was knitted on this trip to Mom's. I have been spoiled by son and daughter driving and me in the passenger seat knitting the miles away. I didn't take the usual token photo of Mt. Shasta this time as I had a shock when I got to Shasta Lake. See the water level? In all my life I have never seen Shasta Lake this low. About the middle of the below photo you can see a boat loading road that ends at least 30 feet from the water line. Does that mean these boats are there till the rains start again? I am guessing so. When I pulled into Bridge Bay Resort to actually see the water levels I was stunned. First off there was actual parking there. Hardly anyone was there. The low water level has destroyed the tourist industry. I went by this lake the end of June and the difference between then and now just amazes me. The widest part of Shasta Lake now looks like a river. There are a few boats on but there are signs that they can not go over certain speed limits. Water skiers have run out of places to safely water ski.
The above photo is the Pit River Bridge. After the bridge collapse in Minn. several weeks ago I developed a fear of crossing the bridge. But then when I arrived I was just spell bound looking at the lake. Standing down closer to the water and looking up at the bridge did nothing to stop my fear of the bridge falling down. First of all I didn't realize that trains were crossing on the same bridge right under the deck for auto's. Yikes !!!! Maybe I shouldn't of looked at this bridge from this angle.

Back to knitting. Still working on the doctor's bag, which I finally got a part of a picture posted on my Ravelry profile. I do love that Ravelry site but it sure can eat up computer time when you are surfing around on it. I have several WIP, that I am promising all you readers, that are on my completion list. If I promise here is that like taking a oath and do I hold up 2 fingers like I did in Brownie Scouts? If so I am so committed. The Motto for Knitting Scouts should be 'KNIT ON'. (so glad there is no uniform involved) Thank you one and all for holding my feet to the flame on these items.

Off to catch up on laundry and figure out where I am with the sticks and string.

Knitting Continued, Car out of Jail

2007-08-15T13:59:00.000-07:00

Remember this little sweater I started back in June? Sure you do, cuz I am just sure you retain every exciting, thrilling word I write on this blog!! Well I can now tell you I am ready to complete the front of this sweater as I know which sides to put the button holes on. I will be putting them on the........ (should I really tell em?) Ok...... we are going to have a little boy. Exciting, that will give me 4 grandsons and 3 granddaughters. I will be glad to do the 2 fronts then sew this together. I have yarn for some small hats and some baby socks. That should finish up small people knitting for the summer.

I am also working on the Doctors Bag and loving the yarn and the texture. My Henley sweater is comfortable, but will wear more of it this fall. I forgot to tell you I found some sweet little buttons in my grandmothers button box. They look great on there and I love using old items. Still no pictures of it as I can't seem to remember to buy batteries for the camera.

The last bit of news is...... see the photo above.... yes! I am back on the highway to Mom's tomorrow. I always show you Mt. Shasta because that is my destination and I start watching for it about 150 from there. In clear weather you can see it first from Corning, California. Will be a short trip this time, just long enough to take care of Mother's business. See ya next week. Maybe have pictures even.

I am happy to report the car is out of jail, and almost off probation. The drive north will tell me how it goes.

No Picture Post, Stash and Cars

2007-08-13T10:27:00.000-07:00

This is going to be Stash Knitting month for me. Not that I don't have it to knit, cuz I do. I completed the top down Henley with yarn that I got free from a Yarn Frenzy we had last fall, I have also made a Constant Companion from the same stash. I am currently working on the Doctor's Bag, which I posted a picture of last month or so. I have one side completed. Am making this from Malabrigo, Black Forest colorway, 2 strands of yarn held together. This is not going to take long to finish. Why you ask????

The reason is, along with the stash knitting faze, my car is in car jail. Knitting time really adds up when you can't leave home. Some small red light came on Friday, and I was a half block from home. I hurried into the garage and got the auto manual out. Now reading these manuals are not as easy for me to wade through as a good knitting pattern is. But I did find that the reason the light was on as I needed coolant added. Well that sounds simple does it not? hmmmmm I got up Sat morning called my regular garage and they said come over right now and we will check the coolant levels. $1,400.00 later I will be bailing the car out of their custody. Seems the water pump went out, which leads to new belts, which leads to brake pads being replaced which leads to a general service I knew was due.... which leads to................ on and on and on!!!!!!

So the moral here is to HUG your car today. Give it lots of respect and love. Cuz if you ignore it matters only get worse. I have always been one to stay on top of needed service for the car, baby it with new tires and such. But I have to wake up to realize the little blue bug is 10 yrs old this year and in car years...... thats really old!!!!

The reason no pictures you ask? Need new batteries for camera !!! It just never ends.

Finally!!!!

2007-08-08T12:55:00.000-07:00

Finally I got my invite to Ravelry !!!!! What an awesome site. Am still learning my way around and continue to find new things. I have started listing my needles and realize how many I do have. If you havn't signed up yet there is a long waiting list, but it is worth the wait. I have linked the site that gives you an overview. Go check it out.

Under the Influence

2007-08-05T10:06:00.000-07:00

How's that for a title. It was sale week for one yarn shop. I restrained myself and bought yarn for one sweater. Like I don't have 2 others here to knit already, and some yarn stash that is, in my mind, planned for a couple sweaters. Felted, SS Char and myself had a grand time digging through the yarn bins, planning and then off to Starbucks to actually do some knitting. Now we have to come home and face a few dozen yards of more yarn. I am currently looking for a speed knitting class out there in the yarn world. Anyone know of one?

But I felt better after I saw the lady with all the Koigu yarn stacked by color out on the floor. Now Koigu was not on sale, but this young lady is from Ohio and unable to locate Koigu yarn in any of her yarn shops locally. I was a little taken back on a busy shopping day, first day of yarn sale, to see all this yarn stacked and laying out on the floor. I felt like Paul Harvey, I had to know the REST of the story, so yesterday I went back out to this yarn shop and my first question was........ what happened to the Koigu Lady? Well it turns out it was a great sale for the shop. The lady bought 50 skeins of this yarn which is 175 yds for about 13.95 a skein. Now that is a purchase!!!!! I felt much better knowing I had bought far less. The arrangements for this yarn are to be shipped to her home.... arriving a day her husband is at work, I am betting.

I am close to finishing the Henley Sweater. The top down from Knitting Pure and Simple. I am still very happy with the ease of knitting this sweater is. Which since I was on muscle relaxers and pain meds for about a week, was a good thing. So the point here is, Knitting under the influence can be done with right pattern and yarn. I am finishing the second sleeve, and neck band today. The sweater has been tried on so I could measure to make the sleeve 3/4 length. I have plenty of yarn and will like that length better. I love the fit. I am ready to start something else and am waiting for Felted to finish her shawl so we can cast on for the doctors bag. That will be a good portable travel project for next week even if it is wool.

Time to pick up sticks, stitches are waiting to be made.

Nottin' of Importance

2007-07-29T10:08:00.000-07:00

Strange week. Doctor said take it easy and so I did. I was working on Pure and Simple top down Henley pattern with some Paton's Cotton Top yarn (that I got free at the yarn frenzy last fall). I was knitting the body part in the round and it was great mindless, pain medicated knitting.

Friday Nite Needlers are talking of doing the EZ Surprise Baby Sweater as a knit along. The Guru will be leading us in this and gives everyone a chance to use up scraps of yarn. For others it will be the first sweater of any kind. This has minimal finishing so a great place to start learning to advance past scarves and blankets. A couple of our people only seem to crochet so we are encouraging them to take on the Larger Than Life Crocheted Bag. Have found a CAL on line that they can refer to and see if they can find the pattern.

Last Tues 4 of us got together and went to see one LYS, Babbetta's, new store. She had moved over the 4th weekend to a bigger place in the same complex. The lighting is better and it appears the amount of yarn has grown or maybe its just easier to see. Since they have no drop in knitting place we went over to the coffee shop and knitted for couple hours. I miss knitting in the store.... so many times you sit there with others and see things you want to try and wander store and end up shopping instead of knitting. Seems to be a good way for shop to make more money but this appears to not be of concern here. And on the other hand........a desperate knitter doesn't spend more money!! The positive side.

Am waiting to hear from Felted regarding Lambstown gathering from yesterday. I couldn't handle the car ride or heat to go... She will most likely come home with great yarn and make me feel worse for missing it !!!!!!! again a money savings for me.

I promise to get up to speed soon. Maybe even picture of FO.

knitting

2007-07-26T18:07:00.000-07:00

Knitting around and around and around and around. Am dizzy !!!!!

Knitting Friends

2007-07-21T15:30:00.000-07:00

A while back I wrote about childhood friends. Another group of people have entered my life. Knitting Friends. I have to say since moving down to Roseville from Nevada City, I have joined a rather large and interesting group of Knitters. The first friend here, I met through a Forum called Knitters Review. She later went on to own the LYS and had to close do to family demands. I still think of her as the Head Frog. At her shop I met other knitters, some knitting for years, some beginners. I think I was in the middle range of knitters. We 'ran' into each other every Tues afternoon. Would knit and laugh together for hours. Days moved into weeks and then into months and as you went in and out of the LYS, you met others. By the time the Frog Pond closed its doors there was a good size group of knitters tied together by a common thread........ Yarn. Nothing more just yarn. We come in all ages, sizes, shapes, from assorted backgrounds. Some we learn first names and never last names. A few of us struggle to keep knitting groups going. Sometimes it succeeds, other times it flounders. We just have not found our little circle of chairs and sofa that we had at the Frog Pond, with the right light, within a comfortable to all driving distance.

On Friday nights, we have the neighborhood knitters, or as they are formly known as the Nighttime Needlers. Again all ages. We share yarn. A few do a great deal of charity knitting. Some use that single hook and crochet. I go all week and maybe see one other of these ladies, but on Friday nights there we are. The Knitting Guru keeps us all on track and fixes our boo boos. We just celebrated one of these beautiful ladies 90th Birthday. At her party we had almost 2 tables of her knitting friends. Made her happy to see us. Her family were so wonderful to us, and we were told how much we are a part of their Mothers life. Feels good to have that kind of needlers for friends.

Today a few of the former Frog Pond Knitters met up. Another LYS has the table, chairs, and today they had the right combo of people laughing and knitting together. We had 4 of us from the old Tuesday group. Two new ladies who work at this LYS. And doing a drop in Guest Appearance was Lou. Lou is the king of lace knitting. An amazing man with small needles and 1000's of yards of tiny lace weight yarn. He pulls up a chair and fits right in with us. We had lunch, back to the shop for a few more rows of knitting and sharing this new bond, again Yarn. We will continue to search for the right group of friends, the right location, winter months approaching and all will be right again in the with a circle of knitting friends.

P.S. Knitting Guru, Lou said to tell you hello

Back on Track

2007-07-18T14:48:00.000-07:00

Back on track with the bump sweater. Took a while but have gotten the one edging done and ready to start the short rows. This time in the right place at the bottom of sweater and not at the neck line. This is my project of the week. The sleeves will go very fast as they are knitted from seam around. I do think I need to shorten them. I have to remember how small the Mom to Be is.

The rest of the knitting sits here and stares back at me. So many thing I want to make. I do have some stash cotton yarn I got in the yarn frenzy at the knitting guru's house last fall. I am eyeing it on the shelf for a top down Henley Sweater for myself. A free sweater. I do have some other yarn from that day that I need to sort through and lay out some plans for.

The heavy yard work is finally a thing of the past, now its maintain. The huge thorny shrubs out back are way down and cleared up underneath. Walking along the house in the back is not long a tortured trek. For that am glad. We woke to clouds today and a sprinkling of rain. Its only about 85 degrees today. It makes me long for fall and hope we don't go back into the 100 plus weather that makes you want to hide under the bed with little or nothing on to maintain your sanity. I guess I will never get use to the heat again. I am also busy working with the contractor to replace 4 more windows before winter. One is extremely large and is a whole wall from counter to ceiling, in the kitchen. I am loving home more and more with each project completion. I still have painting I need to do in places but it will happen when the mood so moves me.

I am back to giving grandson a ride home from work each day at noon. I can't tell you how sweet that 20 minute commute is with him. Little short chat that makes me feel like I am apart of his life. The best kid ever. The grands on the east coast are going to summer camps. I hope I see them again before the end of the year. They have grown up so fast on me.

Mtns, Babies and old Friends

2007-07-13T13:26:00.000-07:00

As promised, a picture of Mt. Shasta taken last week. There is little snow left on the mtn and the summer climbers have started to scale the 14,162 ft mtn. My brother has climbed Mt. Shasta several times, and friends from work have also climbed both in summer and in winter months. Through out my life I have heard many stories of the climbs and of the folk lore surrounding this beautiful peak. I am happy just driving to it and looking at its beauty.

I have finished my first top down sweater and made it in mini style. This is for new grandchild and I am looking at doing a couple adult versions. What a relief to not have to seam one part of this sweater. When it comes off the needles you have a few ends to weave in and its over. I used Plymouth Yarn, Encore Colorspun. For a baby its perfect, 75% acrylic/25% wool. I hand washed it in some dish detergent and blocked it last nite. It was dry by noon today and feels so soft and sweet. Again I have no idea if we are having a boy or girl but think this sweater would look great on either.

The small bootie shoes above were a fast to knit up once I had my favorite knitting guru go through the instructions with me. I was having trouble translating the pattern through my brain to my fingers. (also known as operator error) These were made on size 10 double point needles. I may try another pair on smaller needles.

I have frogged and re casted on for the front of the bump sweater. I want to finish this up so I can start a top down summer sweater for myself. By the time I finish it, I will wish it had long sleeves!!

Last nite a few retiree's from the Sheriff's Office had dinner at one of my favorite places outside Nevada City. I didn't hear about it till 3 PM yesterday and the almost 100 mile round trip was just a little much for me to do alone at nite. I hope they do something again soon on a nice fall afternoon. I do have to make a journey up there soon. I miss Nevada City so much and know I will be pulled back into a beautiful place I spent almost 28 years of my life in. There are lots of friends left up there. Plus a storage place holding things I need to deal with. On the bright side there are 3 great yarn shops up there.

Re entry to my life

2007-07-08T18:08:00.000-07:00

Check this knitting out. Izzy is knitting on the set of Grey's Anatomy. I knew she was one of my favorites for a good reason. Now if we could get her to visit Sacramento and a knit group here. I wonder what she is making?

I have returned from trip to Mom's. Was nice there as house finally has A/C after all these years. Son divided up the time with me in taking care of mother and cooking meals. AND........ I got to sneak off one morning to Ashland, Oregon, for a visit to Websters. First class shop. Plus what ever it is you buy there has no sales tax added. Sort of like getting an extra skein of yarn free. I got one more of my Rowan Books to add to my collection. They are all $20.00's there with, again, no tax. Got to love shopping in Oregon.

Time at Mom's goes fast with taking care of her and the house. I forget how use I am to being alone and doing nothing more but dust a kitchen. We did get Mom down to get her hair done and had lunch out. Son took her to lunch one day, while I made my fast trip over the hill to Ashland. One day we packed a picnic lunch and took Mother down by the Klamath River for a picnic. Made her happy to be by the water.

Knitting consisted of making one small pair of baby socks, Casting on for a EZ Surprise Baby Sweater, not sure I won't be frogging that though. I also frogged the front of the Bump Sweater. Was having trouble getting the short rows going the right direction. Coming home Friday was so hot (106 degrees) that I just couldn't handle yarn while sitting for 5 hours in the car.... wasted time that could of accomplished so much. I also think I was worn out. I slept most of Sat after I got up at 3:30 am to take son and granddaughter to airport. Tomorrow is back to norm and Tuesday back to work. I did take a photo of Mt. Shasta with out much snow on it. But have not downloaded yet. Maybe next post.

Can ya hear Willie Nelson singin.....On the Road Again

2007-06-30T08:02:00.003-07:00

Can ya hear me singing? On the Road Again..... or better yet just listen to Willie Nelson singing it. Easier on the ears. I am picking up son at noon at airport, along with grand daughter and we are driving north to see Mt. Shasta and take care of Mother for a week. The knitting is packed, the clothes almost packed. I am dreading the heat of the valley and if my air conditioner in car will hold up. I can survive around here without AC but a long road trip is another story. It is to be 106 upon our return next Friday.
I am sending you fireworks early as I won't be posting from Mom's. I havn't moved that side of my family into the techno stage of life. My brother does not know how to make a cell phone work, and the computer sitting in the basement came over on the Mayflower. Happy Birthday America, and Happy Birthday tomorrow Roo.

Bump Sweater (close your eyes Kim)

2007-06-26T13:59:00.001-07:00

Knitting along on the 'Bump Sweater' from Natural Knits for Babies and Mom's. This is a Lousia Harding book with great simple but cute clothing for both Mom and Baby. I have also done the Kimono Baby wrap in some teal colored yarn that will be easy to launder and is a contemporary color. Most yarns I have purchased for the new one will go either on a boy or girl. But it will be fun to find out. As to the Mom's sweater, it is an easy knit also done in neutral color to go. I will finish the back this afternoon and cast on for the front. The front part is short rows to give the 'bump' look. Sides are laced up to give some room to adjust as the tummy grows. I have not seen to many patterns for Maternity clothing. This seems to be a wide open area for new designers to look at. Hint Hint. I realize its a short term wear for some but every woman needs to feel good and look her best.

I hope to finish front of sweater on trip north to Mothers on Sat. Thats a good 5 hours of non stop knitting. The sleeves are knitted side to side as is the top.

I didn't make it to knitting group today as I was to have the kids but that didn't work out. I will make it to Teaz tomorrow night for the Chicks with Sticks Meet up. Then Thursday is road trip day with Felted and SSChar. We are going to take in the 2 Elk Grove Yarn Shops and one in West Sacramento. Two of the 3 shops I have not been to. This is not a sit and knit day this is a see and wish day for yarns. I am looking for buttons for my next sweater. I just about know what I want and guess I should take the yarn with me to make sure. I also have my cable sweater to finish this fall and it will need 4 large buttons.

I am soooooo sure I am going to finish this 'Bump' sweater in next 8 days that I have packed up my Doctors Bag yarn and pattern. I would love to have that cast on by time we return.

I am lucky this trip that Jeff will be with me to help on a couple fronts. One Mother and her business that he can do. The other to give a slight break from time to time. I hope to sneak over to Ashland for a quick run through Websters. I love buying there as there is no tax in the state of Oregon. I should remember to make a list of needles and items I can purchase.

The below cartoon sort of expresses how I feel some days. Getting ready for subdivision inspection is driving me nuts. I just think I have the place ready and the wind blows leaves down, the shrubs decide to grow more for re pruning. Never ending!!!!!! How dare they. Ok, Kim you can open your eyes now.

So much yarn so little time

2007-06-20T13:23:00.001-07:00

Am still knitting stuff for the small one and have a sweater on the needles for daughter in law. But I am dreaming of knitting the above bag from Tracy Ullman's book Knit 2 Together. Its called the Doctors Bag. I also had scored enough Malabrigo Yarn in the above color way to do it in. I think this was purchased for a sweater but turns out to be perfect for this bag. Piled on top of yarn is handles that I had bought at Knitterly's in Petaluma. You know a girl can never have enough bags. Also Bags always fit no matter what you eat or don't eat. Another plus for bags. On an emergency road trip last Friday, to a yarn sale in Elk Grove at Knitique. I bought a Namaste bag. Very nice and a great color. I have so many ideas to knit the rest of my life would be needles in hand.

In 2 weeks I will be going on another road trip north to Mothers. As it stands at this time, son will be flying out and driving me up and back. And that means 10 hours of free knitting time. That will get me some serious stitchin done. Plus the time at Mom's when we are just sitting around.

Today was a great day. Grandson is back working with us 3 days a week. It means Grammie gets to take him home at noon and we have commute time together. Next week is birthday shopping day and a trip to the theater with Granddaughter to see Nancy Drew. She is reading the books now I read as a child. My has Nancy grown up. She nows drives a fancier car, has a cell phone and uses a computer. So unlike the Nancy I remembered that just relied on Ned and Bes to help her solve the best mysteries. I am so proud of this Granddaughter. At 8 years old she and 2 of her friends had their long long hair cut off to donate for wigs for cancer patients. Pretty good for a small group of small girls. Granddaughter on east coast is playing soccer like a champ. You go girls.... love it!!! Sad to say only one of the two knits though.

Born Friends

2007-06-17T14:58:00.000-07:00

In previous posts I have told you about growing up in Northern California. I actually moved to Yreka when I was three years old and had a built in group of friends all waiting. We were born friends. Most of our mothers were friends before our birth and it was a natural in a small town that we would all become friends. What a person doesn't know at that age, and if you don't ever move away, these are the faces and people you will spend the first 18 years of your life with, and what an amazing experience.

You also don't realize till later in life how important these people are to you. Above is the photo of most of us in Mrs. Newton's Kindergarten Class. I was lucky. This is a group of small people who you really want for lifetime friends. Kindergarten was amazing, once I stopped crying that is. I was scared. I started when I was 4 1/2, having never been to what is now commonly called pre-school. We had stay at home Mom's. This fantastic group had been play mates and birthday party friends. Now I was in a strange place with a stranger in charge. It was flat out scary. My first memory of school was half way through the year and the day Mrs. Newton announced to the class "Isn't it nice that Janice doesn't cry anymore." I had been crying non stop for months. That teacher deserved a metal. My first boyfriend was Jim B. I saw Jim B. last week and all these years later we look at each other and laugh over this time. He arriving at my front door for Valentines Day with the biggest heart shaped box of chocolates a girl could ever wish for. While his mother and my mother smiled at each other over the tops of our heads. In the second grade we had Miss. Lilly. I have heard Jim tell the story of the day he kissed me on the cheek during the Pledge of Allegiance, and Miss Lilly picked up the yard stick and cracked him over the head, never missing a word. Most of us girls joined brownies about the 3rd grade. I still have pictures of us in our little uniforms. Some of the school pictures through out the years show us still in scouting. My new friend from Dunsmuir was Fran. She moved to Yreka when we were 8. Her mother along with mine became our scout leaders. There were others but I can't remember them all.
I remember play times with Susan T., Nana W. Danny B. They were not called play dates, they were just playing outside after school. The other activity I did was take tap dance lessons. My father alway referred to me as 'half step' cuz I was a half step behind the rest during dance recitals. We went to day camp in the summer, swimming lessons at the pool run by Sheryl's mother. Every day at 3 pm the pool would be cleared for us to get out and lay on our towels to prevent us from getting polio. It was a frightening time for this illness.

Other kids joined our class during all of grammer school. They moved from smaller towns into the 'city' of Yreka and stayed to finish our the school years. Alas, I lost Jim as my boy friend around the 4th Grade when the girl I was most afraid of took him away. We laugh so much about this today.

Mother has told me so many times when I was in the 5th Grade Mrs. Lange would call her saying she didn't know what to do with me. Mother said if she heard Mrs. Lange say one more time ' Janice just doodles the day away' she was going to move me to another class. I think a few other mothers heard the same story. We went on to finish grammer school and graduate to Yreka High School. My father had attended school here and the building was still standing. (amazing, huh Dad ?) My new locker buddy was a friend from Grenada who had come into the 'city ' to high school. Evie and I remained locker buddies for the entire high school years, I beleive. She joined our group of life long friends.

The social life went into full swing in high school. How could anyone be expected to study when there were football games, basketball games, drill team, and so much to do. We would go to the old gym at noon and pour change into the juke box and dance. Life was good!! The afternoons that we raced to Sondra's house to watch and dance to American Bandstand after school. There were White and Gold's Year Books and getting as many to sign your book as possible. Not only do I have mine I have my Dad's White and Golds. Mine still sit here in the studio on a shelf, and every so often someone mentions a name I have to look up.

After graduation, most went off to college and a few of us choose to get married and have children. I choose the last. All in all we are a lucky bunch of people. We have all attended the reunions, and somewhere along the line about 10 years ago decided that wasn't enough. We needed to see more of each other. So about every 2 years we meet at Daralyn's home in Yreka. We laugh, we talk, we remember and we hug alot. What a group and what a lucky person I am to have them around.

The second picture posted is Fran, Susan T. and myself. I have several group shots of this kind. I also have one of me in my LIME green satin accordian shirt. Jim S. and I laugh when we think of us wearing those in public even. And yes, I still have my accordian even.

This is just a small part of the years of us that were 'Born Friends'.

Happy Fathers Day

2007-06-16T08:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Fathers Day Dad, I miss you still !!!!!

GUESS !!!!!!!!

2007-06-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

Ok. Guess whats new in my life?? Go ahead. Try to figure it out. If you can't guess by now check the photo's. Does that help you?

YES!!!! An new grandchild. This makes my 7th. This is my Mother's 10th GreatGrand Child. I hope Grandma B gets a chance to hold the tiny one. I am so excited I am checking out all the following. I got this book on Sat. Its full of cute little mini items. I am guessing this will be great summer knitting. I will be thrilled when I find out if its a boy or a girl. Not for the Pink or Blue factor, but I have to know which side to put the button bands on.

The above sweater I started last night. I will hold off on the fronts till I know which way the buttons will go. I guess in my excitement I will be posting about the knitted items. Close your eyes Kim, so you don't see till I send them to you.

I also have itty bitty pieces of yarn to make the booties at the top. Are they not the cutest things ever, and so small. I will use left over yarns for several pairs of these so that their little feet will stay warm. I have already knitted one small hat but need to search my baby hat book for more ideas. These baby things are so small you only knit about 4 inches before you are cutting in for the sleeves. Now that is fast knitting.

Kim are your eyes still closed? Ok...... I also got yarn to make her a sweet little sweater to be worn this next fall and winter. Very cute. I won't post pictures till its done and on its way. I am very excited about this new little one.

If you see me this summer with a smile on my face knitting away. You can bet what ever I am working on will be for the new one.

Yarn Harlot

2007-06-09T07:24:00.000-07:00

ROAD TRIP !!!!!!!!!!

To see who else......... THE YARN HARLOT.

This trip was all about the laughter. It started 3 blocks out when while waiting in line at fast food to get us fuel for the body. Felted drove the 'Toaster' and did a wonderful job. We arrived in Petaluma at 2 pm, only to discover the line had started into the book store already.
Picked up our tickets and did a little walk around the area shopping. We found the LYS "The Knitterly" and what a sweet little store this is. The help was happy to see us. The yarns looked wonderful. Great place you have ladies. We walked away with our shopping bags full of some great local sock yarn, in a great color way. Same Sock Char and myself bought the same colorway. She will probably get hers knitted up before I do. We made a speedy trip to Whole Foods for some dinner to go and back in line in our chairs. Once again, I have managed to photograph Felted in the process of eating. This time I am posting it.

We were seated at 5 pm, left our knitting bags and off to find a Starbucks to load up on fuel we knew later would be needed to get us home. Back in time for to see Stephaine Pearl-Mcfee start right on time at 7 pm. I linked her blog to let you see her side of the evening.

Stephaine was everything funny and more. A more down to earth lady I have never seen. She had 200 plus people laughing from the opening till the end. During the book signing portion, she took time with each person. We felt like the special one for that moment. Stephaine you are one of a kind and I hope to see and hear you again. I will be first in line instead of 12th. Thank you for being all we were told about you. You instilled the fact we are a strong community in everyway. A group of knitters that are to be acknowledged for being a caring giving group of people. Who knit for charities, who face the world one stitch at a time and prove who we are.

The photo of SSChar, Felted and Stephaine is blurry. I tried to edit it and this is the best I could get. Sorry girls am posting it anyway. Live with it!!!!

Stephaine's current book of which my signed copy is sitting on my nightstand as knitting reading is required in bed when you can't be actually knitting. THANKS Felted, SSChar and Stephaine for a day and evening well enjoyed by me. Thank you to Copperfield books for being ready for all those knitting persons.

Socks, Shawls and Whales

2007-06-03T12:05:00.000-07:00

One Skein Shawl from Knitters Review. I took her idea but used 2 skns and dropped needle size down to 13. I like the slightly more solid look of this. Yarn is Garnstudio's Silke-Tweed, I also like the way it drapes. Probably going to wear this on Thursday when we go to see the Yarn Harlot in Petaluma, CA. This is a fast knit up, about 2 evenings, and was on the Knitters Review News letter, about six weeks ago. Have another being blocked for a friend in SOCAL. Socks on the left are toe ups I have started. The color one is because Felted wants a 'cute to my taste' sock to have on Thursday. I have no idea if this will meet her standards. The sock on the right are the top down. I can stand both ways of making socks but tend to like the fit of the toe up better.

Life has side tracked me a bit for last 10 days or so, reason for no current posting since the 25th of May . But am back on track and going great. Rest of my time has been spent working in yard. I should stop and take a picture. I cleared front flowerbed and got 4 English Lavender plants in the ground. Good thing too cuz I had bought them on Mothers Day and they had out grown their containers. I have front yard pretty cleared up and just need to get some kind of edging around the flower bed. Side yard is slow but getting there. Heat is starting and I don't do heat. So the little time I have is in mornings when I am not at work.

For those that don't live in area but read this blog, the Whales moved out to sea last week and are on their trip north. They vacationed here for a little over 2 weeks and are healthier after a couple doses of antibiotics. The were unable to tag them so we will never know their ventures from here on out. I was amazed to see the changes in their skin texture when they started to move back into the salt water. The skin smoothed out and we were told the water would also help their wounds heal. Interesting what we learn when these things happen. Some are glad to have the port and Sacramento River back for recreation and fishing. Coast Guard Boats kept everyone with in 500 feet of the whales for safety.

Have a great week. Promise to try to post more often, maybe!

Memorial Day and Then Some

2007-05-25T13:55:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day. A day of reflection for many. For those that have served us in wars, and for those now serving in a war that continues to tear the world apart. Please take a moment, in what most of us think as a HOLIDAY, and thank them all. Their service to protect us was not a holiday for them.

Wednesday nights group was all about putting MM's lizard afgan together. It was fun for all of us to have a last minute invovelment. This was made for her parents for a anniversary gift. The colors are great as only Noro can be. I know this has been a long process for her but know also the great feeling of accomplishment. (pattern is on knitty.com free)

Knitting life for me has been slow if any at all. Maybe its the change in seasons. The heat. The what ever.......... its not happening. Maybe over the weekend I will try to play catch up. But next month we are off on a road trip to see the Yarn Harlot. I have enjoyed everyone of her books and look forward to hearing her in person. She does have great humor about knitting and life.

Tonight is school night with the grandkids. I always enjoy hearing them read their writings of the year. Grandson will graduate the 6th grade this year and it won't be long before he will be a teenager.

WHALE UPDATE:

They are still attempting to move the whales south and out in to the San Francisco Bay. They need the salt water to survive and heal wounds they have gotten from boat propellers. They have tried so many ways to attempt to herd them but they seem to stay up river in fresh water.

Whale of an Update

2007-05-21T08:33:00.000-07:00

A brief update. The whales turned and started down the Sacramento River yesterday afternoon late. I am glad to know they picked Sunday to start their return trip. Today the plan was to start herding them with ungodly noises. They have been a thrill for all those that followed them along the banks of the river. So many had the chance to see a sight they otherwise would never enjoyed. It was a nice treat besides nothing but bad news on TV. So thank you Delta and Dawn, (their names on local news).

Whales, Walls and Miters

2007-05-19T10:38:00.001-07:00

The Whales are still swiming in the Sacramento River. The crowds are turning out to cheer them on. So far those in charge seem to think they are doing ok health wise. It is a guess their radar is just messed up. They have tried sounds effects of whales to try to draw them back to the Bay near San Francisco and out into the ocean. If this doesn't work they will try herding them with boats behind them making dreadful loud noises. I fear that may just frighten them. It is amazing to watch these huges animals surface and spout water, then back under the water. I think there is concern for food for them.

Last nite I finished a miter. This is from the "Mason-Dixon Knitters" book. I have followed Cara through her 120 or so knitted miters. I had this urge to try them after reading her blog for a month or so. I had to try ONE sq. This was to keep me from buying yarn for many more. I figured one would make a great pillow top. I am almost finished sewing the sq. together. I am so glad to get that out of my system. I will continue to admire Cara's and not be doing as many as she did.

My wall of old boxes is coming along. It will hold alot of yarn when done. It is about half really old boxes I have collected for years and some new ones I have bought recently. I will not post a picture till I have some idea if this is going to work or not. Its going to be a great weekend weather wise here. Everyone enjoy!!

Molly and Me

2007-05-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

This is the grandmother who taught me to knit. I should remember her this month of Mothers Day. Without her all you knitting people out there would not know me. I wouldn't be part of your knitting groups.

I need to thank the HEAD FROG, for the button you see over on left side. She made that for my blog and also taught me how to do links last nite. I won't do any of those this morning as I am at work and just needed to thank her for being a friend and a knitting/computer guru. Since closing the shop she has managed to keep our knitting Tuesdays, Wedsdays and Sundays groups going with her Meet Ups. Plus setting up her new business, yarn online. I will think of her today as she is going back to high school and classes today. I will also give you a link to that later. It was good to see my friend last nite, who is also starting to quilt..... you know who you are. I need to call you Lady In Red, which is so your color. Have a great day everyone !!!

Family and Friends

2007-05-14T16:18:00.000-07:00

A lovely Mothers Day. My kids are the best. They married great people, have busy full lives. I have 6 super Grandkids. I couldn't be prouder. Yesterday was about family for most I beleive. I had great Ommpa Loompa made by Son In Law. Its a favorite from when my 2 were small children. We ate out by the pool in the new backyard they are working on. I had a lovely time. I got the above plant, lavender, which I just love and some fresh lemons off a tree in their back yard. Then daughter, granddaughter and myself were off to the nursery to select plants for both of our yards. I had such a nice day. Son called just before we ate. I talked to my Mother and she sounds stronger each day. I will so go back north to take care of her for a week. Family is all GREAT !!

Friends is a differnt story, I made a new friend recently only to have the friendship go poof with out any explination. Feels strange at this age to have that happen. Guess we don't always understand.

These are the windows I promised a picture of. Yes the new windows were for the stuido. I love all the light this room has now. I am slowly putting the room back

together again. I like the looks. My wall will soon be done that is maked of boxes. Old and new. I am sealing some of the older ones now so they will be safe to store yarn in. I promise soon another photo of a completed room. I am also working on the Girl Friend Skirt for the small one. It is cute and I held it up yesterday so know it will fit. Also intend to block some completed projects this week.

Have a good one!!!!