Memorial Day and Then Some

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

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

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

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

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!!!!

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day Mom

Because I feel that, in the heavens above

The angels, whispering one to another

Can find among their burning terms of love

None so devotional as that of

'Mother'

Edgar Allen Poe

Teaz2Pleaze

This was last nites Chicks with Sticks. Two groups got together, at a great resturant that also had great food and wonderful Teas. I enjoyed meeting new knitters and actually seeing Violet sitting down and knitting. Now we are no longer meeting at her shop she gets to be one of us. More even showed up after I took those pictures. And a couple threatened me if I put their picture on here again, 'specially when they had a mouth full of food. (right Felted)

Summer time has arrived, and I think it would be a grand idea if you all sent me money so I could buy this car to cruise around in with the top down. It just happens to be the same color as my hair. I will await the arrival of your checks before I sign the dotted line to bring this car home to replace my other little beetle.

On my personal knitting front, I have decided to use up some yarns on a skirt for my youngest granddaughter and knit her a summer skirt with a ruffle. I think of it as a 'Girlfriend' skirt. I just know all her girl friends will want one. I have finished 3 of the 4 mitered corners and looked today for some fabric to back a pillow of these. I forgot to take pictures (again). This weekend will do. This is a weekend of yard work and getting this place under control. I will also get plants to put in front of house. So much for the thrills and chills of my life.

More of an update on life with no photos.

A post with no pictures. That is different for me. I have not had time to take pictures lately. But I did finish the OOOOlala socks. Finished 2 of the one skein shawls from Knitters Review. Ok Ok, I cheated I used a skein and half as the yarn I bought on sale was less yardage than the one Clara used. I also downsized the needles to a 13. I love the mindless knitting of this pattern. I can do this while in group knitting. I am always amazed at those that knit lace. I can't do it. Lace requires a closet, alone, no phone, no cat, no TV, no distractions. I am currently carrying around 3 items in my basket. The last 1 skein shawl, a pair of socks from Lorna's Lace yarn. The tops have cables and lace. That even may be the name of the pattern. The third item is the mitered squares from Mason Dixon. I am hooked on these. I bought some of the new Cotton Ease from Lions Brand. Well really only 2 sks. I hope I can make a pillow top for my new studio, and in doing this, the illness of mitered sqs passes me. I just loved following Cara from Januaryone.com. Her blogging for last month has been all about making these. Her 85 color choices are beautiful. But I have way to much other knitting to do to take on her project. One pillow will be it I am thinking. We have been 1 week with out the Frog Pond Knitting groups. So far its all worked out great. We were at Starbucks today, last Weds we went to the Head Frogs house and knitted and again Tuesday we will be at Quarry Pond.

I have finished painting windows, baseboard and door frames for studio. I am loving putting the room back together and arranging it 'my' way this time. I haven't started moving the 'stash' back in yet. That is coming around slowly. Books are all put away. Magazines all sorted by dates in holders. Awwwwwww organization is always good!!!!! Now to keep it this way. Last thing I need for room is curtains. New windows are on the south side and soon I will fry with sun most of the day here. Winters will be lovely as the room will warm up with the sun. I have picked out some roman shades at World Market. I am waiting for a coupon so I can go get them.

Pictures to follow of both room and knitting.

The Last and the First

The last Chicks with Sticks or in my case Old Hen with pointy things, was held last Weds nite at the Frog Pond. The sale continues. People never stopped buying. I was amazed to watch them. I don't think the Head Frog got out from behind the counter one minute the entire evening. I can't remember the last time I saw her with knitting in her hands, unless she was fixing someone's problem. The rest of us continued to knit and shop.

Good bye to the Frog Pond. We will all miss you and miss the hours of knitting we accomplished there. April 30th was the last day.

May 1st, HELLO to the new groups springing up !!!! We had our first,out in the open, shopping for new knitting locations, today. We gathered at Peets Coffee Shop at the new Quarry Pond Center. It is right next door to where I work. I can actually walk there across the parking lot. There is some great food for lunch. We even had some new ones join us and for the time being this will be the new Tuesday knitting group. I have named us the 'OC Knitters'. Most of us are slightly obsessed with yarn. I think this will be fun. The Swatch Nazi has joined us. The Sunday afternoon knitting group will meet at the Starbucks. I think we are all slightly determined to not lose contacts with new friends. It was a great afteroon. (to bad I forgot my camera)

Hand Painted Sheep

Awww sheep already in colors. Now that would be a great way to pick your yarn for next project.

Yesterday was our last Tuesday Knitting group at the Frog Pond. We sat amid boxes of yarn, and shoppers filling bags of sale yarn. The shelves are starting to look empty. But the Knit Pit, where we sit and knit, looks the same. We are busy with plans to move to other locations and knit. Some for evening knit alongs and some for the Tuesday afternoon group. Next week we shall be meeting at the Quary Pond Mall. Right next door to where I work. I think it was planned as all the reg knitters know I can't drive far with out getting lost. I only hope everyone continues to search us all out so we won't lose contact. I beleive Judy, AKA the swatch nazi, will even be rejoining our group. I think of her more as the Queen of Cables. The more cables the happier that lady is. Miss Violet will actually be able to sit and knit with us instead of working. Wonders if she will be handling my 911 emergency knitting snafu's. The Weds nite group meets for the last time tonight at Frog Pond. Next meetup night will be at Miss Violets house. (guess I can't refer to her as the Head Frog anymore)

I ended up buying some Noro Sakura on the 50% off rack and have been using 2 skiens of this to knit the 1 skien shawl from Knitters Review. (go figure 2 for 1) Easy knitting, great gifts. So I purchased enough for 4 of them. For me these are great group knitting projects. You can't hardly make a mistake and at that price you can't go wrong.

Strange that I am leaving this Friday to go back north to Mothers and my knitting is packed, but I havn't a clue what I will take for clothes. I am always more worried about arrive somewhere with out yarn than if I end up naked after I arrive, or worse yet wearing dirty clothes for days on end. Car will get serviced today and I will do some laundry and pack some clothes..... promise not to shock the world.

Happy Earth Day and Some Knitting

Happy Earth Day. This sign is in my back yard. When I moved from Nevada City 2 yrs ago, I brought this sign with me. I see it out my kitchen window when I look at the roses each day. It makes me smile when I think of Vik, Ani, Denis and Jane. My friends who have all moved from the apartment units also. Life does move on. They were all there for me. My family, my support system. A picture of some green outdoors to share with you today. I do recycle plastic, alum, and this month managed to get a free month of natural gas from PG&E. This is for saving so much on my winter usage. Second year in a row I have gotten a free month. Makes me feel good the money is in my pocket and not theirs.

I would like to introduce you to Duncan. He is a 30 lb cat who's house I get to live in. As long as I bring home food and kitty litter. He has been with me for about 7 years now. Also he has been on a diet for 7 years. His day is spent following me from room to room attempting to beg for more food. I have tried to teach him to read the clock so he can see its not 5 pm, time for second helping of food. Just isn't working.

Knitting on these fun fun socks. The have gone fairly fast as they are on a size 3 needle. I think the pattern came off the internet in 2001. But I managed to find a kit for these socks at Stitches West in 2006. Most socks I knit are on size 1 or 1 1/2 size needles. I hope to finish them up tonight. Then I will go back to my sweater. I need to learn how to finish off the shoulders with short rows so I can do a 3 needle bindoff. Its lays so much smoother than binding off then sewing the front and back together later. I also have pictures of windows and the part of studio that has gotten painted. I will share next time.

Last Days of the Frog Pond

Last night was the next to last Chicks with Sticks group to meet at the Frog Pond. Also only have one more Tues afternoon knit out at that location. We are going to continue to meet at some different places till we find a resturant or coffee place that won't kick us out after a couple of hours. Strange how this knitting group of friends have all settled into our favorite chairs at the Frog Pond. The panic of losing contact with each has passed, and now its where and when for most of us. Those that work need at least one nite a week to meet and those of us that work from time to time, like afternoon meet ups. It will all fall into place. The shop appears to emptying out of yarn. Sale has continued since the announcement. But as some bins empty out all eyes turn to somewhere else with some other idea in mind to knit. The Cascade wall is narrowing down on colors. The felters have grabbed alot of it. I have only 2 more felted bags I want to try and now have yarn for both. I am almost done with second sock. (that in its self is amazing for me) I havn't had the second sock sickness with this pair for some reason. I doubt there will be enough winter left to wear these socks though. This weekend is about painting the window casings in Studio and moving the last of the stuff back in here. I do want to search for some different kind of shelving. Cheap, easy to move, easy to lift and all those kind of things. And now we will return to our regularly scheduled knitting.

April 16, 2007

Virginia Tech

Yes it is spring

Yes, it is spring in some parts of the world. This was taken some weeks ago in Dunsmuir, CA at the park. I am using it today as I am not sure some of you across the country really beleive spring has sprung. The snow storms continue to pound areas that must of given up hope of hanging up the winter jackets, putting away the scarves and gloves and seeing flowers bloom and sun shining.

Thursday, Friday and Sat saw me with paint brush and roller in hand. I finally have finished all this room except the woodwork. I can do that in small hours this week after work. I have also been shopping for shutters for the new windows. When the room is done and back together I will then post a photo. Mean time imagine. I love the color daughter picked out. Its bright clean and the entire room looks larger than it did before. I am shopping for an old piece of furniture to store yarn in. I know what I want and can see it in my mind. That doesn't mean I can afford it. I will send my search team out to the flea market next weekend on a mission. The contractor has completed this round of household remodel. Now I need to do the finishing touches and start saving for my next plans for house. By the time I finish this place I won't want to ever move from here. Its getting to be more and more my secret hide out from the world. The peace and solitude I have always wanted to escape to. I am even finding the planning and working for each step exciting.

Knitting Content: I am working on the fingerless glove for the young girl at work. She bought the yarn and asked nicely. She is also learning to knit but doesn't feel she is ready for DPN's. I will finish the first glove tonight and get the second cast on. I can probably finish it up one evening this week. I want to get back to my sweater. I want to work on it when I go back up to Mothers.

Friday the 13th and Painting

Happy and Safe Friday the 13th. Watch those ladders and black cats. Stay safe. I havn't posted much as I have been busy with the studio/office. By busy I mean painting, taping, cleaning up after contractor. I can hardly stand to walk through my living room to get here. The computer is the only remaining item here. Which I cover with lots of plastic, then uncover read a few blogs and email and back under the plastic bags. The new windows are wonderful. (pictures to follow later) The white primer that is currently on the walls makes this room look twice the size and sooooo nice and bright. I will stop today and get the paint. It will be a nice French Vanilla flavor..... errrrrr color. The built in desk/cabinets will remain wood color or what ever this paneling is on it. I can't tell you the difference in this room. It feels so solid now that I know wind and rain can't enter it. I have beautiful 4 inch wide baseboard around the floor and nice window casings with great trim. Its amazing the change here. Have a great weekend..... I will be the one on the ladder with roller in hand. OH and yes this is a knitting blog, I did finish one sock this week and did cast on for the second one.

Very Little Knitting Content

I give you sheep for Easter. This is such a novel sculpture that I couldn't resist sharing the picture. Check the sheeps feet and legs. The thought that went into this is amazing. I could have a few of these sheep around, they don't require much care. But sadly they also don't produce any wool. The photo is entitled "Phone A Sheep".

There has not been much knitting the last 3 weeks. I have been dealing with some other issues and also the contractor was finally ready to put the 3 new windows into the front of the house. Of couse when you do one project it leads to others. So the front wall inside was replaced as there had been some water damage. The sheetrock is dry and textured. Next step is mine. PAINTING !!!! This is going to take me a while. Daughter and I picked out paint colors today and I will make a trip to pick up paint tomorrow and start the process. This room is my studio/office so I want it bright and fresh looking. My computer has been under plastic wrap for days.

I do have the back of my sweater done and have started some fingerless gloves for a girl at work. She is getting them at the start of the HOT HOT HOT season here. Its like summer already. I will try to post a few knitting pictures next time.

Off to get ready for Night Time Needlers.

Exploding Stash

First to the nice news. The picture is of redbud bushes blooming along Interstate 5 near Corning, California. If you look in the back ground (may strain your eyes) you can see some mountains off towards the west with snow still showing. There for I named the picture Redbud n' Snow. Original isn't it. I took this picture as the car was moving and yes I was driving, on my last trip north to Moms.

Next to 'splain the title of the blog. This weekend I am due to get new windows put in my studio/office. The contractor doing said job, ask that the yarn all be removed along with a few small quilting projects that are on the UFO list. Well I thought this would take a few minutes to stuff in plastic bags and store in spare bedroom. WRONG!!! This tells me I have been out of control again. So I am planning this afternoon to lay out all the UFO's and put them in a Que. Most important to..... maybe frogging even. There should be a rule (ok, maybe a law even). Everyone has to pack up and move all hobbies annually. Along with changing batteries in smoke alarms and that sort of thing. Living alone nobody notices or says anything about my explosions of items. But families might like this rule/law.

No I did not take a photo of this before. I may do an after as I also plan on painting this dark paneled room. With new windows and lighter color walls things will be easier on the eyes. I have a large living room, dining room, kitchen with a small breakfast area, but I find I spend more time in this room than any other. Its comfortable, cozy, and has a huge old old old arm chair that is use to my body. The footstool is storage for scraps of yarn. To say it all ITS MY ROOM. The cat can have the others.

Sad Yarn Content

Its a sad day in yarn land. People are quickly exchanging emails and phone numbers and buying yarn like there won't be any yarn in the world after April 30th. Sad day. Where will we go, what if we don't see each other again? Questions questions. I fear for who will handle my 911 knitting emergencies. Its a sad sad day. Some tears come to the eyes of people who have been there from the start. Or people who found their way in life again after some set backs, while knitting at the Pond. The people who came together under the guise of knitting.... knowing they would of never meant each other if it was not for the Frog Pond.

I guess you can tell. Frog Pond Knits is closing. The store has been a success, a big success for a new business, for almost 2 years. But family does come first. That I understand. Its just still a sad day.

I remember having days I wanted to pull my hair out while having teenagers at home still. So I understand. I also remember the silence when it was over and they were on their own. I remember worrying how will they survive with out my direction, out there in the world. But they did.

I only hope that the Head Frog, as I think of her, will keep her dream of a yarn shop going in her head and open another in a few years. I know she is planning on selling on line. Opening her own site. But its not the same as sitting in the knit pit with your friends and touching the yarn, watching new boxes of yarn coming in and oooooooing and awwwwwing over it. I will even miss Tink, the resident cat.

I will feel homeless.

Home With Photo's

Warnings of a heavy photo post today.

I last told you about my drive north. As I left the next morning I grabbed my camera and ended up taking 60 some pictures on my travel north. I have some great pictures of the Sacramento River. On the left is the headwaters of the Sacramento River. You can see where the water comes out of the mountain. This is at the base of Mt. Shasta in a small old park in the town of Mt. Shasta. People stop to fill water bottles. It is mountain fresh water. Better than any bottled water in in store. I dumped out store water to fill up the 2 bottles I had in my car and enjoyed every drop of it. The fresh green you see in the water is watercress which will grow to cover the whole opening into the moutain. Another treat people come to collect.

On the right is the city park in Dunsmuir, about 15 miles south of Mt. Shasta. The river continues through Dunsmuir and down the canyon into Shasta lake. Right now the lake is low. We have not had storms much needed this last winter. In the background you can see a faint outline of Mt. Lassen.

The next photo is of the Sacramento Valley where the river widens out and moves peaceful through the farmlands. There is lots of water sports, including water skiing, fishing and tubing.

And finally the river arrives at the Pacific Ocean. This River has always been a part of my life much as Mt. Shasta has. I am only posting this for those of you who have not seen the wide open lands of Northern California and think of us as all freeways and crowds.

Another Drive

Another drive up Interstate 5. So many people out there never think of California's farm lands and how wide open the spaces are north of Sacramento. By August, I will be driving thru rice fields, tomato fields, sun flower fields and on and on with the crops. The trucks will be hauling in produce, fruit and all sorts of things those same people will be eating throught out the winter and never realize where it came from. About half way between where I live and Mom's house there are even groves of olive trees, walnut orchards and peach orchards. Something you don't see in to many parts of the country are olive trees. I will be driving by Shasta Lake. A huge body of water that will be so low yet this year as we are not having the winter storms we normally have. The Sacramento River is dammed up at Shasta Lake. The river actually starts at the little town of Mt. Shasta, in a small park. The river from Mt. Shasta to the lake, looks much like any mountain river. Flowing over rocks down through canyons, along the railroad tracks. Beautiful country. After the water flows through Shasta Dam, it becomes a big wide calm river flowing down the valley through so many small towns. By the time the river reaches the Delta it starts to spread out more. Driving this trip I cross the Sacramento River 7 times. (the details I count on this drive) I will make every attempt to take photo's along the way to post. I will be gone for a few days, taking care of Mother. Keep knitting and enjoy the sunshine.

Day Off

This is going to be a busy week, with a past weekend also busy. Cleaning up yard and patio seem to be Saturday job. I filled my large garbage can and will reload it after today's pick up. Yesterday was tearing down some old mini blinds that were hanging in kitchen over glass door. I thought I could live with them till I redid the kitchen in this house. Decided I was sick of looking at blue mini blinds. Yuck!!!!! So down they came and off to the dumpster this morn.

I have done very little knitting since Friday. So the back of my sweater is moving slowly along. I guess this will be a sweater for next fall by the time I get it done. I spent some time yesterday going through my Grandmothers Button Box looking for 4 large buttons. No such luck. Two weeks ago daughter dear was snowed in up in the Sierra's. Interstate 80 was closed. We were having one of the most intense rainstorms of winter here. Yesterday my grandkids were in the swimming pool along with the dog. Two weeks of weather heating up to 85 today. Al Gore, you are right !!!!! I am glad to have the good weather as I leave this Friday Morning to go back north to see Mother. I always worry about snow around Mt. Shasta. I will be ok this trip.

I am off to get the most out of my day off. I am in hopes I can even make great progress on sweater.

Knitting is Good

I am loving knitting this sweater. It is Sensational Shirttail from Arans Celtic Knitters book. I am using cascade 128 and it is soft and feeling very good. I went in search of buttons today, but did not hit on just the right ones. I have time and will continue my search. Tomorrow is actually the first meet up for the KAL on this project. I am ahead of the game by getting about a 5 inch start on the back. This KAL is all about cable knitting which I have done before and now have picked an easy one.

I went to my other LYS's sale today and found some sock yarn, and some other other buttons on sale. There was some great yarn out there for sale. I resisted. I just do not need another protect on needles. I am swearing on my stack of Knitting books, I will not buy more yarn till I knit up the 2 other sweaters worth I have.

Knitting vs. Yard Work !!!!

One Jaywalker done, and second on the needles. I am liking this pattern as I can do it almost in my sleep. I also like the fact I can pick up and do a row as I have time. I have enough yarn to make a couple more pairs of these socks.

I have also cast on for The Sensational Shirttail sweater, from the Arans Celtic book from Knitters. I have carried this pattern around for sometime wanting to do it. We are suppose to be doing a Cable KAL and the LYS... this covers that project. I think it is more to encourage newer knitters to try any cable pattern of their choice. Between these 2 projects I have plently on the needles to keep me busy for some time. Along with this I like doing some smaller items for a baby we soon hope to have in the family.

An update on Mother. She has been home, at my brothers, now for 2 weeks. The six feet of snow they received has kept her very house bound. Brother has to bring the care givers in and back out to the main road. I do worry she is not walking enough. I have asked for an update assessment from her Nurse but to date have not received one.

I am trying to work about an hour n' half a day in yard. But it is always a slow process in spring to clean up. I will have to take a long weekend and go back north to see Mother in next week or so.

Knitting My Life Away

The skys are clearing, the sun is brightly shining, you can actually go outside without getting a major attack of goosebumps. Its time to put down the needles and face the weeds, leaves, winter mess. I don't want to. I miss winter already. Where the rains poured and a good day off meant sweats, good snacks and needles going. I went to meet a friend yesterday for lunch. We sat in the resturant from 12:30 PM till 4:15 PM, knitting along with the quick bite to eat. I got home about 4:45, checked the mail, looked at a quick round of news on tv, ate a half sandwich and left to go to Nighttime Needlers. (My usualy Friday Nite Knitting group.) I came home fell into bed and got up this morn and made a trek out to another LYS to see what is going on sale next week. In the last 24 hours, other than sleeping, has been all about knitting. I was fighting the spring weather I beleive. I was pushing back the possibility that yard work would be calling my name. I even stopped at another friends house coming home to avoid seeing the weeds. I pulled into the garage and was going to quickly shut the door before I could hear the yardwork calling my name. I could no longer delay so I did spend 30 minutes pulling some weeds a bit ago. Then the yard man drove up and I was so happy to see him I came in the house. I didn't want to over do Spring here by pulling to many weeds, and heavens forbid, not have any for another day. I leave you with a picture of the moon I took last nite walking to Nighttime Needlers.

A Little of This and a Little of That

To go along with 2 posts ago. Knitting for the war. The news is not promising on that front today.

BUT... knitting: I have been knitting away on the Jay Walker socks. They tend to move slow. I don't remember socks taking so long before. I also read others blogs where they whip out a pair of socks in a weekend. Maybe I need to stop eating, cleaning house and quit my job. I am currently sitting on about 8 pair of socks yarn. And to add insult to injury, spring is around the corner and in this part of the world, wool socks are not needed with sandals. Maybe it would help if I cut back on reading a slew of blogs. But as the "Zenneedle" blog states you feel like you know them. I have not been as lucky as she has to have gone out in the world and meet up with bloggers. But I do take in all the bloggers write. The knitting tips, the saddness, and the joy of their lives.

I am off this afternoon to learn the ins and out of my LYS, so I may be of more help to her. Yes, you are reading this right. I will work for yarn!!!!! I have been searching for the perfect cable project. There is a cable KAL being formed at LYS. I am not always up on the actual appearing on a date, time and location for a KAL, but I like the inspiration they give me. There is always so much to knit out there in the world, I need the push to revist something I have done before.

I have been hearing everyone's adventure at Stitches West. I don't think I will be missing next years. I am hearing it was even bigger this year than last. I wish I was brave enough to drive to the bay area. But we shall see next Feb. Train or Car! Car or Train!

Saving Money the Hard Way

Its Stitches West weekend and I feel like I am missing out on fun, yarn, laughter and all the excitment that comes with attending Stitches. Last year on Friday, a group of 4 of us rose in the dark early morning hours and prepared ourself for a Yarn Frenzy. We were at the train depot at 6:50 AM. As daylight came into being, we saw others standing in small groups and we begin to see a pattern. Women with knitting were silently gathering to board the train to the big yarn event. I had not been on a train since I was a small child, so the train trip held as much excitment for me as the yarn market heaven. I saw parts of my own community that I had never seen before, as the train moved down into Sacramento and on to the Bay Area. Somehow we found ourselves in Emeryville and someone said Oakland. We thought we had reached the station where we changed to buses. So this 4 some climbed off the train. Imagine our shock when the train pulled out of the depot and the sign DID not read Oakland. The station people were wonderful to us and found us a cab driver who agreed to drive like the wind, so we may catch up with our bus. Once on the bus I saw more knitters. In fact the bus was totally knitters except for 2 passengers I think. The bus driver was so good he drove us to the front door of the convention center and we lined up for Market. I looked around and soon realized I had not come prepared. Women had HUGE suitcases on wheels they were pulling into the market place. This was some serious yarn shopping I could see. The doors opened and I felt like a 4 yr old in a candy store. I split off as I was sure I could see more faster and didn't want to miss one skien of yarn or one book in the place. About 3 hours later I actually stopped long enough to eat a sandwich and find the others. It was thrilling, it was exciting, it was blinding, it was breathtaking, it was just flat magical to see it all. Everywhere you looked were people knitting, people selling supplies to do more knitting and color..... lots of color. By late afternoon people were slowing down. Me among them. We got back on the train, found a table with 4 spaces for us, and shared all our purchases. Then it started to get dark and I watched lights out the window. I had not seen these sides of the small towns the train raced through. Some were beautiful, with re furbished Depots, others were in scary not so nice parts of towns. All n' all it was a great day. I also attended Stitches East last Nov. 3, 2006, in Baltimore, MD. It was a great Market Place. My son took me up from D.C. but it didn't hold the magic as the first one on the train did. I skipped this years Stitches West. I will go next year.

Life Repeating Its Self

Its true. Life does repeat. During the 1960's and early 70's I had a framed print hanging in my home. It looked just like what you see to the left. There was a war called Vietnam. It was the first war ever to be televised. It was scary as I had a son that was moving closer to the age to registar for the draft. I wanted peace. It saddened me each night to see Walter Cronkite give the total of lives lost each day. Imagine the families suffering those losses. Once again we are in a war. Once again we are losing lives and families are suffering. Is there ever an end? 33 Americans died this week in the war.

Stitches West is this weekend. Help me out here. Do I want to get up at 5 am and take the train to the Bay Area? Shop Shop Shop, and take the train back arriving home at 9 PM? Please feel free to vote in the comment section. Today I will REALLY talk about knitting. I am up to the heel on my Jay Walker sock and am impressed how it lets the colors strip. I think I will be doing this pattern again with other sock yarn that I currently have in stash. I have managed to take a photo of some of my sock yarn stash, and wish I could remember where I 'stashed' the other!!! This weekend we are looking at stormy weather so it will be a wonderful pajama/knitting weekend. I need to get these UFO's finished so I feel like I actually accomplish something with sticks and string.

Fat Tuesday

Its Fat Tuesday!!!!!!!!! Eat, Drink and be Merry!!!! The design to the left I borrowed from the Times Picayune Newspaper. I love those masks. Then I have some Red Beans and Rice for you to feast on and some beads to toss around your necks as you party till midnight. Then Lent begins.

I Have Returned

Another view of Mt. Shasta means my return from seeing Mom. She has been in a Hospice House since Dec. 8th, and is doing so good she will be a graduate on Weds Feb. 21st. This time we are taking her home to live in her house with my brother and his wife. They both work so we have caregivers coming in to take care of her during the day. We will judge from there how much more time we need to have caregivers in. Her friend of about 50 years was in the room next to her. She lost her fight last Weds and services were this morn. The friends daughters and nieces were all my friends yrs ago in school. Its a small town and the support system for all of us circles us with hugs, while one goes through difficult times. There are not enough words to discribe the people who work at Hospice House. They are angels. Loving people who care for us family, as they do their patients. It was difficult to say good bye to them this morning.

On Sat. I took Mother for a ride over the Siskiyou's into Oregon. She loves the park in Ashland and it was such a beautiful day that I parked her by the creek and she could hear the water while I snuck into Websters. Websters is a wonderful yarn shop in Ashland. I got needles, new Interweave Knits Magazine for spring, and 2 needle cases. My treat to myself was some Colinette yarn for socks. They seem to have a new sock yarn called Jitterbug. Feels yummy. I also recast on the right size needles, the Jay Walker socks out of the Treking yarn. That about sums up my knitting time.

This last picture is coming down the south side of the Siskiyou Summit looking out over the valley towards Hilt and in the far background you would usually see Mt. Shasta from the north. The clouds block it. This is the highest summit on all of Interstate 5. I am off to unpack, relax and find some dinner.