KnittnFool

I've moved

2007-04-02T08:14:00.000-07:00

I have moved - check me out over here:

http://missscarlett.wordpress.com/

Flash Your Stash!

2007-04-01T19:35:00.000-07:00

Where did the time go? This time last year I was pretty new to blogging and joining Flash Your Stash really expanded my blog connections -- also my knitting horizons! I had no idea the amazing stashes out there...such as TurtleGirls. Seriously, go check it out. Totally incredible.

I decided to just Flash the Stash that I have aquired (and not knit) since last year.

Starting with my Sock Yarn. Here is my sock yarn from Spunky Eclectic's Sock Yarn Club.

Here is the rest of my sock yarn. Various gifted skeins from generous Secret Pals and contest prizes (thank you). Some of my own hand dyed. 1 skein of Stitch N Snitch. 2 skeins of Sundara. 1 skein of Sunshine Yarn and 2 of Perchance to Knit. Fabulous stuff.

And here is all the rest. Mulder couldn't resist the photo op!

A little closer here. The big difference in my yarn purchases is that I now buy enough for entire projects - no more skein at a time buys. Or loads of acrylic because I don't think I know how to knit properly.

When I gathered the yarn all into one spot I noticed that I was really into tweedy yarns this last while. Hmmmm...and yet I have made nothing other than a pair of slippers from tweed yarn. Interesting.

This comes right on time for the colour change at Project Spectrum 2. Now I have all mine yarns located and projects ready to begin. See all that tweedy pink on the left? Destined to be the Stacy Pullover from Big Girl Knits. Time to start!

In Other News

We have our winners! Big thank you to all 33 of you who commented at my site this month - your support and insight is very appreciated!!

Charity is our 200th comment winner.
Deb is our 201st comment winner.

And for the draw...

If you are one of the winners please send me an e-mail at lmartin7@shaw.ca

Lucky Me!

2007-03-29T20:22:00.000-07:00

This arrived for me in the mail today!

I won a contest at Jessalu's blog and this was the generous prize package I received. My very first skein of Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn in a fabulous purple, blue and red colourway - hmmm all the colours of royalty... Some truly yummy treats and a great card with yarn and a kitty in the picture. Thank you Jess - you are too kind!

Seems the Spring pics just don't stop around here - these are from our walk this evening.

Oh, and the Hummingbirds are here!!

I know I am a strange one - I love, love, LOVE the smell of Skunk Cabbage. If I could find away to grow it in my backyard I truly would. Fortunately for me, it grows all over town. Ahhh.

ETA: Ummm yeah. The stripe is GREEN not blue. What am I? colourblind??

And it is also Poetry Thursday so here is one of my favourite poems to share with children. The fun language! Runcible spoon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Owl and the Pussy Cat
by Edward Lear

The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar,
"O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!"

Pussy said to the Owl, "You elegant fowl!
How charmingly sweet you sing!
O let us be married! too long we have tarried:
But what shall we do for a ring?"
They sailed away, for a year and a day,
To the land where the Bong-tree grows,
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood,
With a ring at the end of his nose,
His nose,
His nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.

"Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
Your ring?" Said the Piggy, "I will."
So they took it away, and were married next day
By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.

The sweetest sound

2007-03-27T23:38:00.000-07:00

I just took Kira out and....the frogs are singing!
It is a clear, cool night. Lots of stars in the sky.
And now the frogs are singing.
Magical.

I am so excited!

2007-03-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

I am hosting a contest!

This little blog is very, very close to receiving it's 200th comment!! Let me tell you, I did not expect that to be happening - and certainly not before the end of this month...I thought maybe mid-April. But readership and/or commenting has grown over the last few weeks and the time is now.

The lucky people who leave the 200th, and then the 201st comment, will win some knitting swag!
200th Comment: Oregon Felted Tote pattern and yarn.
201st Comment: Scarf or Sock Kit - pattern, yarn and needles - your choice

And, because I appreciate all the commentors who visit, I will place everyone's name from this month, in a draw for 2 seperate sock yarn or felted bowl projects (winners can choose!) I will even give you a choice of colours.

Here are some of the items you may win:

If you have been reading here for awhile, you know that I refer to myself as a Slow Knitter. Am I? Really? Perhaps I am just a considerate knitter?

This was how we spent much of yesterday - lounging, finishing Season 3 of the Sopranos and trying to get some of my Ravenclaw House Scarf done. I am sure you can imagine how difficult it is to knit with a pup sleeping under your arm! But she was too cozy, not to mention cute, to move. So little progress was made - just a 2nd set of silver stripes.

I did cast with my PS2 dyed sock yarn, you know since there are like 5 days left in the month. :-D
I am going to try Grumperina's Jaywalkers. I know, I am pretty late jumping on that wagon (ummm...2005?) but they look like fun.
I hope to get more done tonight - another cheesy episode of 24 is on and we are going to start Season 4 of Sopranos. (our plan is to catch up before the final season starts April 8th -we're enjoying it - though our language has really taken a dive!)

Good luck everyone! I can't wait to announce some prize winners!!

ETA: 200 and 201 have been written! I will contact the winners shortly. I guess I shouldn't really hold the draw until Sunday morning to be fair to everyone, I did say 'all the commentors this month'. Why must I be so impatient! What do you think?

Ok. All winners will be announced on Sunday, April 1st. -- no mention of Fools --

May I Present...

2007-03-23T19:33:00.000-07:00

The Oregon Felted Tote

Pre-felting - for an idea of the size. Look at that bit of wool - that is all that was left after making the 2nd tie!

Drying in the sun (temporarily behind a cloud)

Dried and ties woven in.

I plan on learning needle felting to embellish this bag. Maybe some embroidery and beading as well. It is lacking something.

This is my 1st true felting project. It is such a remarkable thing. To have this huge, floppy bit of knitting become this sturdy, yet malleable, fabric. I would totally do it again. In fact I am making my cousin some felted bowls with the leftover yarn - using a pattern from One Skein. I plan on filling one of them with some of those delectable Mini Eggs...Mmmmmm. I also have a lovely hat pattern I just might try one day soon.

I leave you with a few other pics from our walk last night. Spring-y!!

When these flowers open the Hummingbirds will be here!! That is less than a week away. Glorious Spring!
This is how my baby looks after the rain - she curls up like mad. Doesn't that wool look like it could be spun into something lovely?

You should see her when we get back from our walks. She runs around the house like a crazy thing, with her rear end tucked in, skittering all over the hardwood. It is a total riot. Though I do tend to be easily amused!

Poetry Thursday

2007-03-22T22:15:00.000-07:00

my spring is just this:
a single bamboo shoot
a willow branch
Issa

It may be hard to tell in this picture but it is raining.

It has been raining for 3 days and the ground is quite marshy.

Kira has a thing about sitting on the wet ground.

She won't. She hovers - as you can see.

(I didn't want you to think I had taken an indiscreet photo of the lady!)

Progress...of a sort.

2007-03-19T19:16:00.001-07:00

Some of you may recall that I signed up for Stashalong on January 1st. Well. It has been nearly 3 months and here is how far I have gotten.

1)Sizzle: DONE - even though it didn't fit : -(

2) Anemoi Mitts: 1 DONE

3) Baby Blanket: No progress

4) Shae's Darling coat: DONE

** 5) My stinkin' Noro hat already - Since the weather has changed I am going to switch this winter project out with 4 dishcloths: 2 DONE

6) Severus Snape Socks: 1 DONE

7) Mary Janes: DONE

8) Absorba the Great: DONE

9) The felted Oregon Tote that kickstarted my knitting frenzy 4 (I think) years ago: Felting as I write!! so...DONE

**10) The project that started the Blog: The Ravenclaw Raglan. WILL NOT BE FINISHED - does not even begin to fit so I will choose a different UFO
I am going to switch this out with socks 3 pairs as I have a LOT of sock yarn: 1 out of 6 DONE
(this might seem like an uneven switch - but actually the only thing left to do on the RRaglan was to attach the sleeves and knit the shoulders/neckline - total bummer)

11) Bejewelled: No progress

12) Purple Roving Scarf: DONE

13) Le Slouch: DONE

14) Uniscarfity: DONE

15) Surprise Baby Gift: 1/3 done

I have 1 strike at this time - which is fairly impressive for me!
I think this has been a great excercise in self-restraint for me...but I am not sure if it is something I want to do again!
Next time I am going to choose a method that allows me some free shopping days. This has been much more difficult than I anticipated - but has saved me money!
:-D

As it stands I have: 1 mitt, 1 baby blanket, 2 dishcloths, 6 individual socks, 1 scarf and 1 baby gift to go.
Or: 10 items before I can buy some yarn.
Aaaarrrghhh. Just when I thought I was close to home free!

The socks will be perfect for PS2 since I had decided that I would dye sock yarn in each sections colours. Now I just have to get back into my socks. Shouldn't be too hard.

ETA: Friends of another knitblogger lost their child in an accident last week. If you would like to help make a square for a comfort blanket please visit YarnIt.

Some Fo's

2007-03-18T23:10:00.000-07:00

It certainly took long enough - here is Uniscarfity blocking in the sun. (well, it was in the sun earlier)

After FINALLY finishing the Endless Scarf, I cast on for the new pattern at FunDishCloth KAL.

It was a quick easy pattern - a welcome treat after the tedious boredom of the ES. These were so fast to knit up - one in the morning, one in the afternoon. Excellent knitting for Rome and Season 2 of the Sopranos (finally in @ the library).

The yarn is Peaches & Cream in an unknown colourway (ball band disappeared prior to posting!) that was gifted to me from the author of Unravellings.

This is the first time I have used Peaches & Cream cotton - it seems like a nice thirsty yarn, perfect for a dishcloth. Slowly, slowly there will be no more storebought dishcloths here. Then...the face cloths are next to go!

I saw Zodiac this weekend. It was very long - but maintained the tension and interest throughout. Pretty high praise, since I had already seen the documentary on A&E last year. Robert Downey Jr. does brilliant work - there are quite a few famous to familiar faces in this film. I would recommend the film without a soda! I love Dennis Fincher's films (maybe not Panic Room so much...)

I also got out in the garden to cut back some old growth and dead stalks and check on what is growing. Looks like 2 of the 5 raspberry canes I planted last year have survived the winter. 1 is really thriving. Could have some better fruit this year! Yum.

Up next: The Oregon Tote and Baby Surprise Gift

Thanks for all the congrats for my brother - really we don't know who to be congratulating. His fiance is the best woman - we are all so happy!

YAY!!!!

2007-03-15T20:31:00.000-07:00

My brother got engaged today!!!!

Poetry Thursday Etc.

2007-03-15T19:19:00.000-07:00

Tension? What tension? We are the best of friends. We're just waiting to eat.

Mmmmm. My soap arrived in the mail today. It smells so heavenly! It is the Earth Spirit soap from Good Soapworks of Athens. I cannot wait to open this tomorrow morning.

This is what I see while I am blogging. She is always keeping an eye on me!

A special thank you to everyone who stopped by and left a comment on my last post - my blog reached a new milestone: 1st time I've had two digits worth of comments!

___________________________________________________________________

Unlearning
by Yvette F. Hanrath

I had this carefully laid-out plan
That by no small measure should succeed
Tuck you deep into the recesses of my mind
Store you in a shelf in my heart.
Keep the warmth but not the burning passion
Keep the memory without the pain
Keep the melody and not the haunting strains
Then walk, and go on with my journey.
So have I spent my days learning to unlearn
As I keep walking down this road.
But as I pass the fields of corn
I remember the softness of your hair.
I stop at a wooden bridge
Over the sparkling waters of a brook
And I remember
The touching of fluted glass.
The smoke billows from a cabin in the woods
And I remember a fireplace
Two shadows
And a white-colored mountain.
I watch the seasons change
And things green- turn brown
And I remember
A pair of chameleon eyes.
Perched on the slope of a hill
The zephyr softly brushes
Against my skin
And I remember a gentle touch.
The heavens deepen
Into orange and red
A flaming ball of fire
And I remember a passion, strong.
The silver moon rises
Amid a blanket of stars
And I remember two souls touching.
The stars frolic
As they beam their light
And I remember the smiles and a sweet joy.
I gaze at the ocean
These waters that binds us, yet, keep us apart
And my soul cries out for you.
I dance with a man
And follow his steps
But my soul wouldn't dance in the fire.
Will I ever forget
Or will I forever remember
Will I ever be free
From you.
Will I ever unlearn
What my soul wants to keep
Will I ever find
Another you.

De-nied!

2007-03-12T21:00:00.000-07:00

Still no luck getting a picture for you.
Who knew getting a photo of a child in a handknit would prove as elusive as Big Foot or his ilk? Certainly not me. I had this idea that you would just say, Here put this on and I will take your picture, and all would fall into place.
You would think I would know better, having worked with young children for over 10 yrs. Apparently, despite all evidence to the contary: I am an Optimist!

Model clothes? Nope. "I'm goin' fishin'."

I then thought "Oh, I can be clever-er than that. I'll turn it into a game." And let the subject use the camera...

We got pictures of "sharks & whales 'tackin us" (we're on the boat - didn't you used to play that? I know I did)

Spiderman

Ligons

"Ahh. Let the sibling use the camera..."

Nope. You can see, if you squint just right, Darling on the couch behind us.

The best shot all night was this Self Portrait.

Not to worry. Her Grandma is on the case. She has some serious powers of persuasion. We'll get a picture.

It is kind of fun to see from another perspective here. There were a lot of delted pics - mostly of Kira. A pretty popular subject for more than just me! She eats it up. But let me tell you, she is sleeping hard after this visit!

Have you heard the news?

2007-03-12T13:33:00.000-07:00

Eunny Jang is the new editor for Interweave Knits!!!

Her patterns are so inspired and inspiring. Seriously, if you haven't done this yet - you need to go check out her Galleries. Gorgeous knitting.

And if you are an Interweave Knits fan, you might like this KAL.

Another one bites the dust

2007-03-11T21:58:00.000-07:00

Just when I was about to give up myself...another UFO is completed. Phew.

Behold: Sweet Mary Janes

They are so comfy cozy too. They will be my new work slippers since my Gorillas tore open on the bottom. :-(

These are a little more dignified anyways.

I had to take a sanity break from Uniscarfity. Trust me. I started a little gifty. It will be a baby toy for a fellow blogger who wished her children had more handmade toys. I found this lovely hemp and cotton blend in that soft green I knew what needed to be done. Keep watching for more details.

But what is everyone looking at?

SQUIRREL!!!!!!!!

Can you see my Muldy up in the right hand corner? That is her newest perch. She looks so snuggly doesn't she?

Kira was so good. She didn't bark or growl once. Her heart sure was racing. But our little friend was able to eat his peanuts and carry some away.

And to finish: Overheard at Work

4yr old to 3 yr old: "I want to share, but I want to go 1st."

3 yr old: In a tired voice "That's most obvious."

3 yr old girl watching the goldfish eat from the bottom of the tank. "Look him's bouncing on him's lips!"

6 yr old after school. "And, and that 5 yr old bully? He got detention. And his teacher told him that he had to do homework. High School Homework. And his parents can't even help him. And it's Math."

Oh yes - the force of imagination is strong with that one!

5 yr old to Teacher. "My teacher told me about these little men who like to trick people. They lie to them."

Teacher. "Yes. I've met men like that."

(Kinder class is learning about Leprachauns.)

Darling Details

2007-03-10T21:10:00.000-08:00

Still no model shots but we are 2 steps from having a completed FO - just switching the direction of the buttons and a quick press!
I thought it was time to show off some of the embroidery added to Darling.

The Hem

The Collar

The lovely wooden bead-buttons

A closeup of the back of Uniscarf.

I have completed 72 repeats of the pattern but it still seems short. So the endlessly dull, repetitive knitting continues into the night. Again.

And here is a fun little thing I found. This is a pic of my blog's code in a pictograph (or some such)

I could not work out the html codes so here is a pic of the pic!

If I had a Soundtrack to My Life...

2007-03-10T01:30:00.000-08:00

Opening Credits - The Flower Duet: Lakme - Delibes
Waking Up - A Day in The Life - Beatles
First Day of School - Inana - The Tea Party
Fight Song - Daughter - Pearl Jam
Breaking Up - That Song - Big Wreck
Happiness - Mia Babino Caro - Puccini
Life's Okay - Today - Smashing Pumpkins
Mental Breakdown - Scentless Apprentice - Nirvana
Driving - This category is way to big! Driving music goes with the mood and location you're heading to - sorry, leaving this one blank.
Flashback - Just Like Starting Over -John Lennon
Getting Back Together - With Or Without You -U2
Wedding Song - Love Song for a Vampire - Annie Lennox
Birth of First Child - Ode to Joy - Beethoven
Final Battle Scene - Jungle Boogie - Kool & The Gang
Death Scene - Blackbird - Beatles
Funeral Song - Piano Concerto in D Minor, K466: 2nd Movement - Mozart
End Credits - Clarinet Concerto in A Major,K622: Adagio - Mozart

As found at zeitgeist

And here I thought I was going to get some sleep before the Madness descended!
Oh, and before File 2 was uploaded!

ETA: Apparently I was accepted as an observer for Sock Madness , not a contestant! Annnnd Round 2 doesn't start until NEXT week. Oops. Looks like I will have a quieter day than expected!

Speaking of Bono...

2007-03-08T00:25:00.000-08:00

Step out of the driving rain, maybe
Run from the darkness in the night

Sweet the sin
Bitter taste in my mouth
I see seven towers
But I only see one way out

You got to cry without weeping
Talk without speaking
Scream without raising your voice

You know I took the poison
From the poison stream
Then I floated out of here

She runs through the streets
With eyes painted red
Under black belly of cloud in the rain
In through a doorway she brings me
White gold and pearls stolen from the sea

She is raging
She is raging
And the storm blows up in her eyes
She will...

Suffer the needle chill
She is running to stand

Still.

excerpts from: Running To Stand Still - Joshua Tree

I am still wading through the Participants List for PS2 - I'm at Pa now!
Here are some gems I discovered over the past few days:

If you have not seen this video yet - you have got to go now! I promise you You Will Laugh. And if you don't...well, you must be a crocheter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZcUjYpjKZs

Bella Knitting - Yarn pRon, pets and the cutest Viking Hats you will ever see. oh and a Scavenger Hunt.

Knittymama - The Horror! Preschooler attacks yarn! not for the squeamish

Little Purl of the Orient - Whoa: Crochet, Knitting & Quilting in one blog!

Pikku-Kettu puuhailee - You have to see this gorgeous knitting - blog is in Finnish and English.

On and Off the Needles - Lots of sock knitting here.

Baking Sheet - Can't quite remember how I got here...but Yum.

She Knits Shizknits - Mom isn't the only talented craftster - check out her son's telescope!

Sarah's Journal - Knitting, Music, Photography and the cutest toddler quotes online.

Have fun!

Surprise!

2007-03-07T16:03:00.000-08:00

I received the nicest surprise in the mail today!

What the? I haven't ordered anything for myself...Burlington? Isn't that where...?The lady I was assigned to spoil in SP8

sent me this fabulous calendar full of dishcloth and towel patterns with a much coveted ball of Peaches & Cream yarn. The 'much coveted' may sound funny to some but I haven't found it here on the Mainland of the West Coast -- maybe when I am in Victoria to see the YarnHarlot!!!!! but I digress

D and I have really become friends and that is the best part of this exchange program! Check out her blog if you haven't been there before - she has the most beautiful family and some adorable doggies. Thank you D!! And what is this? Her boy is knitting?! This is the 2nd post - sounds like a convert to me!

Back to the YarnHarlot...yes sirree, she is coming to the West Coast of Canada. To Victoria in fact! Beautiful town and just so happens to be where my brother and his fabulous girlfriend live. I am so excited - this is how I used to feel when I knew Bono was coming to town (well minus the overpowering physical attraction - no offense YH!) - and Stephanie, that is saying something!

A word to the wise - if you are planning to go you have to sign up for tickets - the admission is free but you need a ticket to get in. If you need more information head here - and it is actually a Fibre Festival! I am dying to get in on one of those spinning lessons - but I am scared too. Every blogger I've read buys a wheel after learning to spin, and this house really doesn't have much more room...

Here is my Uniscarfity in all it's lack of impressive progress - since I am now officially out of the running I can finish at my leisure.

Yep - we had a stunningly nice afternoon here after a rainy morning - ah, but the rain is so good for the garden!
One more sign of Spring - some sort of bee was buzzing about while I was taking pictures! Yes!!

Dribs and Drabs

2007-03-05T22:39:00.000-08:00

This is a pic that didn't make it into yesterday's post. But I really like it.

This post is going to contain a little of everything - 'signifying nothing'.

1st let me just say what a difficult time I am having with this tragic news-story. When I first saw her missing person's report on Nancy Grace I already knew how this was going to end - that it already had ended. Who didn't know the outcome before we heard the entire report?

It infuriates and sickens me that women are brutally slain by the people they should most be able to trust. There is nothing wrong with divorce. WALK AWAY. Her children were upstairs for goodness sake. It is just dreadful because there is never any punishment that can recover what has been lost. Despicable. Cowardly. Selfish. There isn't even anything more I can say.

Sorry - usually I don't post about things that upset me. But this, this is a big one.

Anywaaaaays.

I am out of the running in the KnitOff. What a relief. I was not making quick progress with this scarf at all. I do think, however, that it will be perfect for my cousin Richard. Just his colours. Here is Kira letting me know how she feels about me spending another afternoon with needles in hand! Edited to preserve her dignity!

I watched the Queen yesterday. I really enjoyed it. Initially I had no interest, but so many people I trust loved it, and Helen Mirren did win an Academy Award...I quite liked it. It is so hard to believe it has nearly been 10 yrs since Diana's death. So sad. I distinctly recall all the negative press directed at the Royal Family. I too thought the Queen should have spoken up sooner, but I really felt for her in this movie. She reminded me of my Nana a little - same generation. I loved her line to Tony Blair about the press turning on him one day. If she really said that, how right she was.

I ordered some soap from here. Go check out the shop - all of the soaps sound delightful. And she is thinking of adding bath salts and teas - if you haven't tried a bath tea, you really must. They are heavenly.

A pic of my loony cousin playing around with my camera....shhhh. She doesn't know about this blog! She hates pictures of herself. I love them.

My Mom and I watched Lifeboat. A Hitchcock Oscar winner. It was so good. Riveting from the outset. I highly recommend it. I grew up on the Hollywood greats and I was sure I would be one of those tough talking ladies who could put everyone in their place, down two fingers of scotch and then apply their lipstick just so. We've come a long way baby! ;-D

I also read a book. I didn't love the book, in fact I had some real problems with some major parts of the storyline, but I did read it in a day and a half. I cannot recall the last time I read a book so voraciously. Apparently I needed the distraction! I have a major craving for Cinammon Rolls too...they are mentioned perhaps more often than vampires in this book. Please do not take offense if you are a fan (I know there are a lot of you) but this book really reminded me of This Book - which was a very painful read for me.

Perhaps it has become clear why I was not a real contender in the Knit Off? It was fun and I will definitely check out the patterns for the next few rounds. Thanks YarnMonkey!

Spring continues to make itself known. On Thursday I saw Robins! Lots of Robins. In the morning the birds are chirping before my alarm clock goes off and...nestled next to our living room window in a sheltered spot we have this:

Flowering Plum! Check out those leaves!!! Let the gardening begin!

Just realized that yesterday was my 200th post! How cool is that? Soon I will be announcing a contest for the 500th comment...stay tuned.

My Week in Photo's

2007-03-04T21:13:00.000-08:00

Saturday - The 1st Thing I Saw My bedroom becomes a bit of menagerie by early morning. This cheeky number sleeps up near my face, when he joins us around 4:30 AM. He is a loud purrer who demands to be acknowledged. He, however, hates to be disturbed.

Sunday - Something I want to remember always

My brother was here for a 4 day visit. We do not get to see each other as often as either of us would like. He tried his best to make peace with Kira during this visit - she has a deep mistrust of him and the loud noises he makes! I had intended to take pictures at my dear friends Oscar party for this heading but...there just wasn't enough time with all of the eating, gossiping and chatter.

Monday - Random Stranger

I nearly forgot this one! I was in Vancouver (I stayed over with my family after the Oscars) and my cousin and I were on our way for Viet Namese food. I was trying various pics through my car window, as I was driving. This one worked out well, as the gentleman waiting for his bus was backlit by the blazing lights in the gallery behind him.

Tuesday - My Feet

I'm at work, wearing my slippers. They can be quite a topic of conversation - especially when we read Goodnight Gorilla.

Wednesday - My Lunch

Mmmm. A new discovery. Instant Thai Hot & Sour Soup. Really quite good for instant soup. Not pictured: A blood orange and my dessert - Cinammon Dolce Latte!

Thursday - The Sky
For this late in the year we woke up to snow 3 mornings in a row this week - but no accumlation to speak of. There were a lot of low lying clouds while it snowed on the mountains around us - as seen from our backyard.

Friday - Self-Portrait

This felt the most difficult part of the assignment - I think this is one of 8 tries!

Saturday - Last Thing I Saw

This one is a bit of a fudge. I didn't leave the house this whole weekend. I do this about once every month and a half. I stay in my jammies and knit, read, surf, blog and bake to my heart's content. It is quite therapeutic. So this is a pic of the last thing I saw as I got into bed. The top quilt is an heirloom made by my Nana from scraps. I have had it since I can remember. It is the warmest thing as it is filled with heavy sheets and not batting. My Nana was famous for using things at hand and not following any proscribed order in her crafting. Sometimes the result was beautiful - such as this treasured quilt.

Thank you Dawbis for hosting this fun photo project!

Of virtues and vices

2007-03-02T20:19:00.000-08:00

Patience is the most oft mentioned virtue. It is also in rather short supply here this evening.
I joined YarnMonkey's Knit Off and Round 1 begins on March 3rd. For some reason I thought sure it began from her time and so expected the pattern to be up when I got home from work this evening. Ah me. Still no pattern. But here is the yarn I will be using - and you can also see a sneak preview of a little sewing project that has been in the works the past few days - just a peek because my virtuously patient SP9 recipient will be receiving one of these projects.

Reading, commenting and posting on blogs takes time. Time that some of my pets would like to share with me. This is a common sight while I am on the computer.

The blur is becuase of Jeeksy's rapid movements - he is truly an energetic beasty.

You can see right above his head, the sliding thingy that our keyboard sits upon. The other day I was typing away and talking on the telephone when all of a sudden...

No more waiting! Time to play.
Jeeksy had reached his paw up from behind the sliding thing-a-ma-jig and 'caught' my hand. A noisy surprise that sent him flying out of the room.

Persistence led me to knit on though injured and here is a pic of my Ravenclaw House Scarf in all it's rolling glory - yes, those are straight pins you see holding it in place - I had no choice or you would not be able to see how much I had actually knit.

Gee - only 11.5 more sections to go! Talk about a fast knit.

While I await the release of the pattern I have been blog surfing. I found this Meme that clearly highlights the vice I most often give in to (2nd only to peanutbutter and chocolate in all it's various forms). Movies.

It’s been alleged that if you’ve seen over 85 movies you have no life. Mark the ones you’ve seen. There are 239 films on this list. Copy this list, go to your own blog, paste it in and put x’s by the ones that you have seen. Add them up, figure out whether you’ve got a life or not, and post it.

(X) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(X) Grease
(X) Pirates of the Caribbean
(X) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest
() Boondock Saints
(X ) Fight Club
( X) Starsky and Hutch
( X) Neverending Story
(X) Blazing Saddles
(X) Airplane
(X) The Princess Bride
(X) AnchorMan
( X) Napoleon Dynamite
(X ) Labyrinth
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
( ) White Noise
( X) White Oleander
(X) Anger Management
(X) 50 First Dates
() The Princess Diaries
() The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
(X ) Scream
(X ) Scream 2
( ) Scream 3
( ) Scary Movie
( ) Scary Movie 2
( ) Scary Movie 3
() Scary Movie 4
( ) American Pie
( ) American Pie 2
( ) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
( X) Harry Potter 1
(X ) Harry Potter 2
( X) Harry Potter 3
(X ) Harry Potter 4
( ) Resident Evil 1
( ) Resident Evil 2
(X) The Wedding Singer
() Little Black Book
(X) The Village
( ) Lilo & Stitch
(X) Finding Nemo
(X) Finding Neverland
(X) Signs
(X ) The Grinch
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
() White Chicks
(X) Butterfly Effect
(X) 13 Going on 30
() I, Robot
() Robots
(X) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
() Universal Soldier
(X) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
(X) Along Came Polly
( ) Deep Impact
(X) KingPin
(X) Never Been Kissed
(X) Meet The Parents
(X) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
() Joe Dirt
( ) King Kong
( ) A Cinderella Story
(X) The Terminal
( ) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
(X) Dumb & Dumber
() Dumber & Dumberer
( ) Final Destination
( ) Final Destination 2
( ) Final Destination 3
(X) Halloween
(X) The Ring
(X) The Ring 2
( ) Surviving Christmas
( ) Flubber
( ) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(X) Practical Magic
(X) Chicago
( ) Ghost Ship
(X) From Hell
() Hellboy
(X) Secret Window
(X) I Am Sam
() The Whole Nine Yards
( ) The Whole Ten Yards
() The Day After Tomorrow
( ) Child’s Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
( ) Bride of Chucky
( ) Ten Things I Hate About You
( ) Just Married
( ) Gothika
(X) Nightmare on Elm Street
(X) Sixteen Candles
( ) Remember the Titans
( ) Coach Carter
( ) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
(X) The Mask
( ) Son Of The Mask
( ) Bad Boys
( ) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride
(X) Lucky Number Slevin
(X) Ocean’s Eleven
(X) Ocean’s Twelve
(X) Bourne Identity
(X) Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
( ) Bedazzled
( ) Predator I
( ) Predator II
( ) The Fog
(X) Ice Age
( ) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
( ) Curious George
(X) Independence Day
( ) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
(X) Darkness Falls
( ) Christine
(X) E.T.
( ) Children of the Corn
( ) My Bosses Daughter
() Maid in Manhattan
( ) War of the Worlds
() Rush Hour
( ) Rush Hour 2
( ) Best Bet
(X) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
( ) She’s All That
() Calendar Girls
(X) Sideways
(X) Mars Attacks
(X) Event Horizon
(X) Ever After
(X) Wizard of Oz
(X) Forrest Gump
(X) Big Trouble in Little China
(X) The Terminator
(X) The Terminator 2
(X) The Terminator 3
(X) X-Men
(X) X-2
() X3
( ) Spider-Man
( ) Spider-Man 2
( ) Sky High
( ) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
(X) Catch Me If You Can
(X) The Little Mermaid
(X) Freaky Friday
( ) Reign of Fire
( ) The Skulls
(X) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
() The Hot Chick
(X) Shrek
(X) Shrek 2
( ) Swimfan
(X) Miracle on 34th street
(X) Old School
( ) The Notebook
(X) K-Pax
( ) Krippendorf’s Tribe
() A Walk to Remember
( ) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
(X) The 40-year-old Virgin
(X) Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
(X) Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
(X) Lord of the Rings: Return Of the King
(X) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(X) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(X) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
( ) Base-ketball
( ) Hostel
(X) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
( ) Devils Rejects
(X) Elf
() Highlander
( ) Mothman Prophecies
(X) American History X
( ) Three
( ) The Jacket
( ) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(X) Monsters Inc.
(X) Titanic
(X) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
( ) Shaun Of the Dead
(X) Willard
( ) High Tension
( ) Club Dread
( ) Hulk
( ) Dawn Of the Dead
(X) Hook
(X) Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
(X) 28 days later
( ) Orgazmo
( ) Phantasm
(X) Waterworld
(X) Kill Bill Vol. 1
(X) Kill Bill Vol. 2
( ) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
( ) Kingdom of Heaven
( ) the Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave
( ) The Last House on the Left
( ) Re-Animator
(X) Army of Darkness
(X) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(X) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(X) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(X) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(X) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(X) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( ) Ewoks: Caravan Of Courage
(X) Ewoks: The Battle For Endor
(X) The Matrix
(X) The Matrix: Reloaded
(X) The Matrix: Revolutions
( ) Animatrix
( ) Evil Dead
( ) Evil Dead 2
(X) Team America: World Police
(X) Red Dragon
(X) Silence of the Lambs
(X) Hannibal

Total: 124 movies out of 239. Apparently I do NOT have a life. Since I have seen over half of these films. You would kind of expect me to have more FO's wouldn't you? But then you are not taking into account one of my other vices - procrastination combined with a short attention span when it comes to projects!

ETA: Boo ya! The pattern is up. And boy it looks like something I would never have done - let the game begin. It is only 3:48 am --- don't worry I am not knitting yet, I just had to take Kira out and thought I would check!

All About the Knitting

2007-03-01T22:22:00.000-08:00

1. I've been hooked on the needles since: A family camping trip along the Oregon Coast. I was browsing in a store that carried some great wool and suddenly I had to knit. (I had learned as a child)

2. I'm still a virgin, but not for long: Maybe lace, maybe a lace shawl??

3. She's crafty - she gets around...to : Knitting, Reading, Gardening, Writing, Walking, Creating, Sewing...Oh, I guess shopping should get an honarable mention!

She's crafty - she's always down...for: Coffee, books, yarn, family, travel, sweets.

She's crafty - she's got a gripe...about : Today...slow drivers who don't signal!

She's crafty - and she's just my type. What type of knitter are you? I really don't know...I hold my arms level with my waist and my needles are sort of pointed upwards, my right hand does most of the work...anyone know what that technique would be called??

4. I'm dying to try: Euroflax Linen

5. I gravitate towards colors like: Blue, pink/red and lately I keep picking up skeins of green - haven't bought any yet though.

6. My most cherished possession (kids, pets, family don't count) is: My family photos. Without a doubt they would be what I would most miss if I lost everything.

7. I'm stuck on an island, what am I reading? The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - he has it all: laughter, tears, intrigue, insight, poetry, love, hate, fairies...

8. If I were about to be executed and I was offered a last meal , I'd be dining on: Carpetbagger Steak from Toasters!!

9. Music to knit by: I really haven't tried that - kind of funny to realize. Probably anything that is relaxing...Mozart or something I can sing to but wouldn't want to move to.

10. I have a crush on: Our water Deliveryman. So cute and really nice. We should really drink more water at work - we only get deliveries twice a month.

11. Least favorite celeb: Paris Hilton - come on, enough already.

12. Choose:

Brad Pitt or Johnny Depp? Johnny Depp

Madonna or Janet Jackson? Janet Jackson

June Cleaver or Peg Bundy? Ooookaaaaay - June Cleaver

Jackie or Marilyn? Marilyn

Love or Money? Love

Brains or Looks? Brains

Math or English? English

Cat or Dog? Dog - sorry kitties

Leader or follower? Leader - though I try to hide it

Beer or Champagne? Champagne

13. My favorite smell? School hallways. I do not know why it is, but I love it.

14. Not many people know this about me: I shouldn't be trusted ;-D

15. My hidden talent is: Discerning the motivations of others.

Poetry Thursday

2007-03-01T18:11:00.001-08:00

I am taking a risk here - part of the whole reason I blog, I guess, since I am a reticent person. This is a poem I wrote some years ago.

Averted

begging yes
and breathing no

words filter back
misshapen
shrinking spiraling dread
fluttering within
a lightless web
wave them away
batting carelessly
they contract :.: flatten
blink once and disappear

Feeling Sassy Anyone?

2007-02-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

You come across these random online tests all the time. Usually they are fun and more than a little ridiculous.

Check this one out:

Your Stripper Song Is

Closer by Nine Inch Nails

'You let me violate you You let me desecrate you
You let me penetrate you You let me complicate you
Help me, I broke apart my insides Help me, I've got no soul to sell Help me, the only thing that works for me Help me get away from myself... Help me, you tear down my reason... Help me, you make me perfect Help me think I'm somebody else'
My whole existence is flawed You get me closer to God...

When you dance, it's a little scary - and a lot sexy.

What Song Should You Strip To?

During my wild and hedonistic youth Closer was MY SONG! Anytime I hear it, it takes me right back. I cannot sit still when this baby comes on. I did not expect this song to be on the test though.

Here is another fun blog test:

Your Personality Profile

You are elegant, withdrawn, and brilliant.
Your mind is a weapon, able to solve any puzzle.
You are also great at poking holes in arguments and common beliefs.

For you, comfort and calm are very important.
You tend to thrive on your own and shrug off most affection.
You prefer to protect your emotions and stay strong.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

PS I only post them when they feel accurate!

PSS Thanks for all of the compliments for the FO's. I am hoping to have Darling completed and modeled by the end of this weekend.

Headway is being made!

2007-02-24T23:24:00.000-08:00

Ta Da!

Honestly, this pattern is so adorable it should come with a warning. Wait until you see it on the recipient - we had a fitting the other day, and while she was a blur of motion, it was a charming blur.

Darling is nearly complete, still needs: Belts sewn on, embroidery added, loops and buttons, ends woven in and blocked. Not too shabby for a knitter of my speed.

The whirlwind that is my Mother's talent, resulted in this sweet vest. (intended for the same recipient - which means we will have to start something for her brother right away!)

This evening I began my Ravenclaw House Scarf while watching GoF. See the nearby Kleenex? My eyes were 'glistening with the ghosts of the past' - so recently past. Poor Cedric.

Notice how all of these items fall into the current PS2 theme?

It has been a busy weekend. My brother is visiting - so lots of catching up, visitors, visits and phone calls. My Mom and I drove in to the city to pick up some yarn for a project of hers. While there I bought some yummy yarn for my SP9 - that's right folks, I am still shopping: Late much? I also found a fantastic sewing project that will premiere here shortly.

I saw The Number 23 - people save your money! Fortunately we used free passes and our popcorn was fresh, so not a total waste. Really, really bad movie.

I finished a great book, Animal Dreams - now to get through the stack on my nightstand...

Oh, and I found a cool photo game - check it out here.

The Signs are Everywhere

2007-02-22T13:31:00.000-08:00

SPRING

Sound the flute!
Now it's mute!
Birds delight,
Day and night,
Nightingale,
In the dale,
Lark in sky, -
Merrily,
Merrily, merrily to welcome in the year.

Little boy,
Full of joy;
Little girl,
Sweet and small;
Cock does crow,
So do you;
Merry voice,
Infant noise;
Merrily, merrily to welcome in the year.

Little lamb,
Here I am;
Come and lick
My white neck;
Let me pull
Your soft wool;
Let me kiss
Your soft face;
Merrily, merrily we welcome in the year.

William Blake

Strike One!

2007-02-20T19:15:00.000-08:00

I have to apologize for the pic - it is not the best light (maybe click on it to get a better view) today.

What you see on the left is 10 balls of hunter green Lana Gato that Cindy generously gave away! When is green part of PS2? Hmmmm....lots of time to come up with the perfect pattern.
It's a very soft wool-acrylic blend.

In the very front you can see the 2 skeins of hand-dyed sock yarn that I won at KnitPastis' contest last month. Beautiful wool just right for making some much needed ankle socks.

On the right there are 4 balls of dk. blue and 2 silver/grey Merino Superwash that are destined to become a Ravenclaw House Scarf over at the Countdown To Harry KAL. They also just happen to fit right in with the PS2 colour theme. The only thing is I will have to take a strike at Stashalong - 'cause I bought these ones.

In lieu of a project pic -- Darling is coming along; I should finish the body tonight and hopefully do the collar while I 'get my Lost on' tomorrow night -- I will leave you with a few links to some great blogs I found through PS2.

Fat Chick Crafts - some gorgeous Kool-Aid dyed yarn

FrickKnits - Knitting and books: a winning combo

The Knitting Philistine - come on, that title alone is worth the visit!

The Stitchin' Wench - check out her Peapod set

Thee Handworks - incredibly beautiful quilting

Tiennie Knits - stranded colour work

Turtlegirl's Bloggy Thing - Yarn Pron Fridays!

Velma's World - Scrumbling - I would love to try that.

Alphabet Meme

2007-02-19T22:44:00.000-08:00

The Alphabet Meme:

A - Available or Taken: Available

B - Best Friend: Kira

C -Cake or Pie: Cake - chocolate of course!

D - Drink of Choice: Water - ice cold and with lemon if I can

E - Essential item you use everyday: Moisturizer

F - Favorite Color: Blue

G - Gummy Bears or Worms: Worms

H - Hometown: Prince Rupert, BC

I - Indulgence: Ben & Jerry's 1/2 Baked

J - January or February: January - so many possibilities

K - Kids & ages: NA :-(

L - Life is incomplete without: Laughter

M - Marriage Date or Most Memorable Date ( and why): May 4th, 1991 (baptism)

N - Number of Siblings: 1 sister, Jen & 1 brother, JD

O - Oranges or Apples: Crispy, crunchy apples.

P - Phobias or Fears: Whoops - Spiders

Q - Fave Quote: 'Maybe, maybe not, maybe go....' The Departed (just at this moment)

R - Reason to Smile: Family

S - Season: Spring

T - Tag 3 or 4 People: You wanna play? Go for it.

U - Unknown fact about me: I have had vegetables caught IN my larynx...twice. yep. See X

V - Vegetable you don't like: Mushrooms!

W - Worst Habit: Procrastination

X - X-rays: Really? Ankle, Knee, Throat (carrot in the larynx, yep - no voice whatsoever - and there were med students so I got the whole Barium experience), Chest.
The reason I hesitated at the start of this is 'cause I have broken my ankle twice, had multiple x-rays for a severe knee injury (and then 4 yrs later for a re-injury), and had chest x-rays many times too (pneumonia - twice).
Apparently if I am going to sustain a bodily injury/illness serious enough for X-Rays, I will do it twice!
Oh forgot teeth - do I glow in the dark yet??

Y - Your Fave Food: Thai

Z - Zodiac Sign: Scorpio - watch yourselves!

I found this at Studio T
One of the many cool and inspiring blogs I have discovered so far at the Project Spectrum Participants list.
I am trying to check most of them out. Shouldn't take long...there are only 1131.
But hey, I am at Ta now!

Oh - and I changed my header to reflect the current PS2 colours.
I am going to try and come up with some creative ways to do this....if I could only find some more time in the day...

All things Potter

2007-02-19T06:05:00.000-08:00

As the countdown to Movie 5 and Book 7 continues I have discovered some truly magical things online.

Are you looking to catchup or re-read before the final book? Then Knit Down to Harry might be the blog for you! Book discussions, knitting projects and contests - a sort of Knit the Classics for Junior Fiction.

I have pre-ordered Alison Hansel's, of Blue Blog fame, Charmed Knits.

I read the most enchanting blog entry over at Lickety Knit.

And I took a fun Which-Character-Are-You sort of test; results below:

You scored as Ron Weasley. Though you may not be very academically astute, you are definitely witty and make good points that most people overlook, mainly because you often tend to be a bit stubborn and lack confidence in situations. You're surrounded by people who have thus far outshined you, and this makes you irritable to where you put yourself in a low place; though you shouldn't. You're a great friend to have as you're loyal and caring and would do most anything to save your friends from harm.

Ron Weasley

75%

Hermione Granger

66%

Luna Lovegood

63%

Lord Voldemort

63%

Albus Dumbledore

63%

Severus Snape

63%

Harry Potter

53%

Sirius Black

53%

Bellatrix Lestrange

47%

Remus Lupin

47%

Oliver Wood

47%

Neville Longbottom

44%

Percy Weasley

41%

Draco Malfoy

16%

Harry Potter Character Combatibility Test
created with QuizFarm.com

I have to say, I don't really think that this is too accurate - I was sorted into Ravenclaw after all! So not academically astute? Maybe in math...

I only posted this because I like my 3rd place characters - notice the tie? Between Dumbledore,Luna, Snape and Voldemort?! I do adore Snape, but I think it is a funny combo of characters to meet in a 63% tie.

Does anyone else think it is a little funny that Oliver Wood is listed? Also, please note: this test is for comBatability not to be mistaken for comPatability. ;-D

Oh goodness, and in case you haven't seen the pics of Daniel Radcliffe for Equus...let's just say shocking!

Next up: Some knitting content and maybe a little bit of yarn. I have been working away at Darling all week and I nearly have an FO!

10 Weird Things

2007-02-16T18:31:00.000-08:00

Finally, this could quite possibly be the slowest response to being tagged...

1. I am quite confident when it comes to public speaking - but to speak to individuals whom I don't know? Terrifying.

2. I will go to ludicrous lengths to avoid spoilers for shows/books I am excited about: eg. Deathly Hollows - when I get it at 12:01 AM on July 21st I will be in total seclusion until I have finished it - no phone, no tv, no internet, NO friends who might have read faster/heard something

However, if it is something I am not that keen on I will search for info and speculate away - eg. There were absolutely no surprises for me during last night's Grey's - although the show is the buzz everywhere and I have heard reports of people being devastated and trying to reassure each other that they didn't pronounce so Meredith is fine.

3. I collect utterly useless things that even I don't know what value I originally saw in them. eg. Postcards, letters, photos with or about times, people or places that only have bad connotations. Why??

4. I can't stand to have my food mixing on my plate. Imagine the horror of a buffet or potluck dinner! Yes, yes I know. It is all mixed once eaten. Isn't that what makes it weird?

5. I have no tolerance for fiddling or chatter - though I have been known to chatter - and is knitting a form of fiddling?

6. I would much rather eat most food with a spoon.

7. Eating with plastic utensils and dishes gives me shudders. Ugghhhh.

8. I generally view housework as monumental tasks that require Herculean effort. Once I tackle them I am surprised at how simple they are and vow to do them more often. EVERY WEEK people. Every week.

9. I can't bear to use the same towel, face or dish cloth twice. The idea makes me physically ill. You should see my bag for camping!

10. If the laundry doesn't get into the dryer within a 3 hr time frame, I rewash it. With more soap. Even though I hate to waste water. It is an inner conflict. And if you consider #9 you will realize I do a substantial amount of laundry.

Yikes - once you get to 6 the list just kind of flows ~~ What does that say about me?

And now a picture that could go on our neighbours List of Weird Things:

Click on picture to view in a larger window - this one needs to be seen up close!

And just for the h*ll of it. Kira @ work.

Poetry Thursday

2007-02-15T09:16:00.000-08:00

Jabberwocky

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought -
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.

"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
He chortled in his joy.

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe

Lewis Carroll

Dabbling with Dyeing

2007-02-11T13:01:00.000-08:00

I decided to dye my own sock yarn for PS2 this colour round. Mostly because I couldn't find anything that really suited me.

I picked up some dye - the kind you need to cook for 20-30 minutes [what was I thinking about?] - and started with KnitPicks Bare.

I have seen people doing this online - well, like most things it looked a lot easier to do than it proved to be.
I used one pot of Royal Blue and one of Black - watered into a grey.

See those yellowy brown spots? Yeah. That was me, cooking the yarn. I wondered what that smell was.

After those 2 colours were done I placed the other end in a pot of Navy Blue - which totally looked purple and had me a little worried initially.

Not taking a lesson from the yellow spots I left the room to check blogs. Another 20 - 30 minutes watching wool sit in dye did not appeal. Well...I came back to find that the Navy Blue had seeped its way throughout the yarn. No more White and no more Grey. As pictured above.

I considered leaving it that way but I really wanted grey. So I went back to the plastic wrap and microwave method and overdyed the center yarn. Which resulted in this:

It is now drying and waiting to be wound and knit into fabulous PS2 sockies.

Next time I am going to skip the entire pot experience and stick with the plastic wrap and the microwave. Cleaner. Easier. Clearer colours. Faster. Much Faster.

Still no White - but I am considering using a colour remover which I also bought along with the dye.

Next Post: 10 Weird Things About Me
It would appear 5 are not enough as I have been tagged!

Posture

2007-02-10T21:23:00.000-08:00

One doesn't generally think of a slouch as a good thing. But when it is a jaunty cap, it is a very good thing indeed. Here is my 1st PS2 project.

Pattern: Le Slouch, by Wendy Bernard
Yarn: Lang Tosca -- about 1 1/4 balls

I really enjoyed this simple pattern and I plan to make another in a neutral, solid colour soon. The best part of this for me was that for the first time ever I used my gauge to adjust the pattern and it WORKED. How long have I been knitting again? Never mind.
Very hard to get a photo I liked - mostly because it was moments from GA and I did not want to be bothered doing my hair or putting on makeup - result: I looked sheer exhausted. Not something you want to post online is an understatement.

I finished this hat at work, while the children played tag. Not something I do often but it did lead to this the following afternoon:

"Can I yarn something - I know how to knit." 5 yr old boy who demonstrated his ability to knit by intertwining his fingers and twiddling them quickly while moving his elbows up and down [not my knitting style in case you are wondering - he might just know another knitter].
I then spent an hour 'teaching' 3 5 yr old boys to knit.

It was too fun. They were so excited. 2 of them worked really hard at it too - their attention span was much lengthier than I expected. I plan on bringing in some needles to keep on site - we had one pair and lots of wool.

Here is an excerpt of some of the conversation:
"I'm going to make this into a sweater for my Mom." boy A
"I'm going to make my baby a shirt" boy B whose Mom is pregnant
"What about pants?" asked boy C
"Oh I'll make pants next time" boy B
"I chose Army. I am going to make a Army sweater for my kitten." boy D who had olive green and cream yarn
"I'll be done my baby shirt in about an hour" boy B "Then I guess I should make pants, but what about a sweater too?"

With one pair of needles the plan was to knit 4 sweaters, a pair of pants, a shirt and a blanket before we went outside - about 40 minutes altogether.
Boy C worked about 3 rows and then looked up to ask "When is it going to turn into a sweater?" I was torn between being honest and keeping the experience enjoyable.

Clearly this is something we are going to have to do more of. These are some hyperactive guys who stayed with it for 40 minutes - some sitting on chairs and watching their friends knit. I am sure knitting is good for all sorts of brain development. Could I be any happier to add this component to our day? I just hope none of them get hassled by their Fathers. It happens with dolls and dress up clothes - as if they are never going to be fathers themselves!

Last Sunday was my cousin's 1st Anniversary. Her Mom had an appy night to celebrate. Somehow I failed to take a picture of the happy couple...whenever there are children/babies you will be upstaged!

Here are the girls getting ready for some 'Su-see beans' [edamame].

I am amazed at how universal this is: Young children will put anything in their mouths -- except edamame - they always need an adult to squeeze the beans out for them. Why is that?

Here is Kai-Kai looking desperate to escape another set of arms. I took some video of him trying to walk but I didn't know that you cannot edit video with our HP program and I was holding the camera sideways. So, the picture is sideways. Not the best for ease of viewing.

Poetry Thursday

2007-02-08T19:19:00.000-08:00

The Lady of Shalott

On either side the river lie

Long fields of barley and of rye,

That clothe the wold and meet the sky;

And through the field the road run by

To many-tower'd Camelot;

And up and down the people go,

Gazing where the lilies blow

Round an island there below,

The island of Shalott.

Willows whiten, aspens quiver,

Little breezes dusk and shiver

Through the wave that runs for ever

By the island in the river

Flowing down to Camelot.

Four grey walls, and four grey towers,

Overlook a space of flowers,

And the silent isle imbowers,
The Lady of Shalott.

By the margin, willow veil'd,

Slide the heavy barges trail'd

By slow horses; and unhail'd

The shallop flitteth silken-sail'd

Skimming down to Camelot:

But who hath seen her wave her hand?

Or at the casement seen her stand?

Or is she known in all the land,
The Lady of Shalott?

Only reapers, reaping early,

In among the bearded barley

Hear a song that echoes cheerly

From the river winding clearly;

Down to tower'd Camelot;

And by the moon the reaper weary,

Piling sheaves in uplands airy,

Listening, whispers, " 'Tis the fairy

The Lady of Shalott."

There she weaves by night and day

A magic web with colours gay.

She has heard a whisper say,

A curse is on her if she stay

To look down to Camelot.

She knows not what the curse may be,

And so she weaveth steadily,

And little other care hath she,
The Lady of Shalott.

And moving through a mirror clear

That hangs before her all the year,

Shadows of the world appear.

There she sees the highway near

Winding down to Camelot;

There the river eddy whirls,

And there the surly village churls,

And the red cloaks of market girls

Pass onward from Shalott.

Sometimes a troop of damsels glad,

An abbot on an ambling pad,

Sometimes a curly shepherd lad,

Or long-hair'd page in crimson clad

Goes by to tower'd Camelot;

And sometimes through the mirror blue

The knights come riding two and two.

She hath no loyal Knight and true,

The Lady of Shalott.

But in her web she still delights

To weave the mirror's magic sights,

For often through the silent nights

A funeral, with plumes and lights

And music, went to Camelot;

Or when the Moon was overhead,

Came two young lovers lately wed.

"I am half sick of shadows," said

The Lady of Shalott.

A bow-shot from her bower-eaves,

He rode between the barley sheaves,

The sun came dazzling thro' the leaves,

And flamed upon the brazen greaves

Of bold Sir Lancelot.

A red-cross knight for ever kneel'd

To a lady in his shield,

That sparkled on the yellow field,

Beside remote Shalott.

The gemmy bridle glitter'd free,

Like to some branch of stars we see

Hung in the golden Galaxy.

The bridle bells rang merrily

As he rode down to Camelot:

And from his blazon'd baldric slung

A mighty silver bugle hung,

And as he rode his armor rung

Beside remote Shalott.

All in the blue unclouded weather

Thick-jewell'd shone the saddle-leather,

The helmet and the helmet-feather

Burn'd like one burning flame together,

As he rode down to Camelot.

As often thro' the purple night,

Below the starry clusters bright,

Some bearded meteor, burning bright,
Moves over still Shalott.

His broad clear brow in sunlight glow'd;

On burnish'd hooves his war-horse trode;

From underneath his helmet flow'd

His coal-black curls as on he rode,

As he rode down to Camelot.

From the bank and from the river

He flashed into the crystal mirror,

"Tirra lirra," by the river Sang Sir Lancelot.

She left the web, she left the loom,

She made three paces through the room,

She saw the water-lily bloom,

She saw the helmet and the plume,

She look'd down to Camelot.

Out flew the web and floated wide;

The mirror crack'd from side to side;

"The curse is come upon me," cried
The Lady of Shalott.

In the stormy east-wind straining,

The pale yellow woods were waning,

The broad stream in his banks complaining.

Heavily the low sky raining

Over tower'd Camelot;

Down she came and found a boat

Beneath a willow left afloat,

And around about the prow she wrote
The Lady of Shalott.

And down the river's dim expanse

Like some bold seer in a trance,

Seeing all his own mischance --

With a glassy countenance

Did she look to Camelot.

And at the closing of the day

She loosed the chain, and down she lay;

The broad stream bore her far away,

The Lady of Shalott.

Lying, robed in snowy white

That loosely flew to left and right --

The leaves upon her falling light --

Thro' the noises of the night,

She floated down to Camelot:

And as the boat-head wound along

The willowy hills and fields among,

They heard her singing her last song,
The Lady of Shalott.

Heard a carol, mournful, holy,

Chanted loudly, chanted lowly,

Till her blood was frozen slowly,

And her eyes were darkened wholly,

Turn'd to tower'd Camelot.

For ere she reach'd upon the tide

The first house by the water-side,

Singing in her song she died,

The Lady of Shalott.

Under tower and balcony,

By garden-wall and gallery,

A gleaming shape she floated by,

Dead-pale between the houses high,

Silent into Camelot.

Out upon the wharfs they came,

Knight and Burgher, Lord and Dame,

And around the prow they read her name,

The Lady of Shalott.

Who is this? And what is here?

And in the lighted palace near

Died the sound of royal cheer;

And they crossed themselves for fear,

All the Knights at Camelot;

But Lancelot mused a little space

He said, "She has a lovely face;

God in his mercy lend her grace,

The Lady of Shalott."

Alfred Lord Tennyson

Things, Theories & Themes

2007-02-06T21:53:00.000-08:00

Brought to you by the Letter: R

Read

[reed] –verb (used with object) 1.to look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of (something written, printed, etc.): to read a book; to read music.

Since the earliest age I could be found with a book in hand. I was given the gift of being read to as an infant. Over the course of my childhood I learned the power of the written word to lift you out of your life, to show you what is possible, to teach you to dream and to share your dreams with others.

I work with children and I try to instill in them a love for books, for writing and reading. We read together and often and our classroom is filled with books of all kinds.

Some of my fondest memories include the presence of a book.

Record

[rek-erd] –verb (used with object) 1.to set down in writing or the like

Akin to reading, I have experienced great joy in writing. I have kept a journal - online and on paper - for many years. Some of the funniest to re-read are from Elementary school!

There is something so freeing in pouring words onto paper.

Drawing, sketching, painting and photography are the same for me. Any tangible, physical expression of an event or emotion captured for posterity.

Relative

(rěl'ə-tĭv) adj. 1. connected or related

My family is a huge part of my life. We are close - sometimes suffocatingly - we enjoy many of the same things. We love, we laugh, we cry and we grow together.

Included in my family are many dear, longtime friends - family means so much more to me than mere blood relations.

Religion

[ri-lij-uhn] noun 1.a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

Like books, religion has always been a part of my life: my spiritual heritage. My beliefs are the hub of the wheel; they keep me moving when my inclination is to stop.

Remove

[ri-moov] –noun 14.a mental distance from the reality of something as a result of psychological detachment

I often find myself experiencing life as a spectator. A coping mechanism leftover from childhood that sometimes gets in the way. However, the capacity to remove myself also allows me to do my job and to provide for children in want without subjecting them to my emotional reaction to their need.

Repose

[ri-pohz] –noun 2.peace; tranquillity; calm.

I tend to require a lot of quiet time. Time spent reading, knitting, gardening, outdoors or with Kira provides me much needed rest and rejuvenation. Rescue

[res-kyoo] –verb (used with object) 1.to free or deliver

Over the years many of our best loved pets have come to us by being rescued. I am a little notorious for taking in strays of all kinds - from gerbils to cats and everything in between.

Rhyme

[rahym] –noun 4.a poem or piece of verse

Poetry moves me - whether I am writing or reading it, I find poetry to be an exhilarating experience.

Ridiculous

[ri-dik-yuh-luhs] –adjective Origin: 1540–50; LL rīdiculōsus: laughable, droll

I have a loud, unique laugh and it is heard frequently.

Rythm

[rith-uhm] –noun 2.Music. a)the pattern of regular or irregular pulses caused in music by the occurrence of strong and weak melodic and harmonic beats.

3.measured movement, as in dancing.

Nothing delights me more than to dance. I could "dance and dance to my heart's intent" and still want to dance some more. I spend hours listening to music, from Mozart to NIN's. I also like to play music and wish I had time to study it more.
Thank you Dipsy Doodle for this Alphabet meme.

If you would like to play, leave a comment requesting a letter and I will send you one.

She only looks cute

2007-02-05T23:50:00.000-08:00

Inside beats the heart of a vicious beast!

You're too kind to have viewed these dark videos. I am just learning how to use the camera to film. I have to find a way to tape more than 27 sec worth! Sorry for the 3 seperate clips.

This is what I did while waiting for 24 to begin. I tried to get Kira to run like crazy ('cause I think it is so funny to see her try to gain ground on the hardwood! what can I say...small minds) maybe another time.

BTW - there is a lag with the sound. I am really not that slow to react to her!

BTW2 - we filmed because this kind of growly play is quite rare for her - don't worry, we are not training her to be viscious - we know that whole tug of war=mean dog thing!

And now - here is a preview of my PS2 project:

It is nearly finished. Look for it to be modeled soon.

Grey's Fans

2007-02-04T09:12:00.000-08:00

Come on over, we really want to hear from you. Yes you!

The Anatomy Lab

A great site that discusses plot threads, characters, actors and social issues. Seriously. A fun place to be.

In a bloody big nutshell

2007-02-03T22:18:00.000-08:00

(warning - link heavy post ahead)

I have had a week.

Work. Let's just get that out of the way. I don't like to gripe on my blog much so I will give you the very short, short version. Last week I began a part-time medical leave. I have been called in repeatedly to work while sick since then. My employer is being quite difficult. End result: A meeting with my Union Rep and then a meeting with my Union Rep, Manager and HR lady. Ugly. Ugly. Stressfull. And we all know how much stress helps you get better when you are ill.

Plus we are working with the Ministry to protect a child who may soon be apprehended. Heavy, heavy stuff.

Now for after work: I have been on a theatre binge this week!

1st I saw Blood Diamond. Whoa. Intense. Unbelievably well acted. Djimon Hounsou is utterly shattering in his role. DiCaprio is superb. Quite a violent and terrifying movie -- then again, I could be more sensitive because of my stress level -- I was torn about going. I actually thought I was going to have to leave. I regretted my choice in movie during the 1st scene. I have to say though that I am glad I stayed. It is an incredible film. And I have never felt better that I have no diamond on my hand!

Oh wait - I nearly forgot - ummm aside from DiCaprio finally looking like a man in a movie (doesn't he have a babyface?) the very delicious Arnold Vosloo had a feature role. Thank you!

Last night I saw Babel. Now that movie is one of the best I have seen in I don't know how long. Thoroughly riveting. I cannot recall ever speaking to the screen in a theatre before! Seriously. I was talking to (whispering - I tried people!) and gesturing at the actors. Visceral film. I do have to say that I was warned not to see it by 2 of my cousins and their warning actually made the film easier on me - I kept thinking much worse things were going to befall the people than did.

{Incidentally the same thing happened to me when I watched Band of Brothers. A good friend told me the last episode was going to leave me distraught. It turned out she thought that the 2nd to last episode where they encounter the concentration camp was the last episode. The whole time I was watching feeling nauseous and steeling myself for the next episode, terrified about what could possibly be worse than what I was watching. What a relief that last episode was after that! It did spare me some emotional agony since I wasn't as in the moment as I would have been without her warning.}

Back to Babel. A film worthy of its Oscar nominations. Highly, highly recommended.
Ok and honestly, how do those Fannings keep having such vivacious children?

Finally today I went to see Jesus Christ Superstar: The Farewell Tour.
I had never heard the music before - just the title song. I have to tell you that I thought the words were: 'Jesus Christ, Superstar. Who in the h*ll do you think you are?'
Pretty funny. But those words are sticking in my head even after seeing the show.

The production was fabulous. We had the greatest seats, quite close to the stage - though that served to show us why it was the Farewell Tour! Ted Neeley is looking like an incredibly Old Messiah - though clearly a great talent, I do think it takes a particular ear to enjoy that sort of screechy, hard rock voice; he made me think of Jack Black quite often. Here is a video from his 1973 movie role - you have to wait until 2:07 to hear what I am talking about.

Judas' voice was goosebump-raising phenomenal. Mary was excellent - her voice was sweet without making you cringe (if you know what I mean).

True to Lloyd Webber form the songs are catchy, fun and singable. I had to download much of the soundtrack while I am posting. Go here for a sample of the old ALW magic. I had been worried that it was slightly blasphemous to see a religious musical, but then I remembered how much I enjoyed Joseph & The Amazingly Long Title (Donny Osmond - I saw it as a cynical teen and was blown away) and am glad I went.

Pretty crazy week - I am looking forward to a much quieter week with more time to knit!

PS2

2007-02-03T21:41:00.000-08:00

A little late but nonetheless...I am very excited about this creative assignment!

Look for a post with my new PS2 project.

Again? Poetry Friday

2007-02-02T08:14:00.001-08:00

it is at moments after i have dreamed it is at moments after i have dreamed
of the rare entertainment of your eyes,
when (being fool to fancy) i have deemed

with your peculiar mouth my heart made wise;
at moments when the glassy darkness holds

the genuine apparition of your smile
(it was through tears always)and silence moulds
such strangeness as was mine a little while;

moments when my once more illustrious arms
are filled with fascination, when my breast
wears the intolerant brightness of your charms:

one pierced moment whiter than the rest

-turning from the tremendous lie of sleep
i watch the roses of the day grow deep.

E.E. Cummings

A Total Pro

2007-01-28T21:31:00.000-08:00

Look at Debbie go! One 15 minute knitting lesson in the backseat of a car while traveling HWY 99. Come on!

'Born ready for' it.

'Armed with will and determination
and grace, too.'

1 Cotillion Sock down - 1 to go.

ETA: Uh-oh. I didn't mean to mislead anyone - my Mom actually gave Debbie the knitting lesson while we were heading to the ferry. Sorry about that. She is still a remarkable knitter, is she not?

Whoops, Poetry Saturday

2007-01-27T07:15:00.000-08:00

T.S. Eliot

Mr. Apollinax

WHEN Mr. Apollinax visited the United States
His laughter tinkled among the teacups.
I thought of Fragilion, that shy figure among the birch-trees,
And of Priapus in the shrubbery
Gaping at the lady in the swing.
In the palace of Mrs. Phlaccus, at Professor Channing-Cheetah’s
He laughed like an irresponsible foetus.
His laughter was submarine and profound
Like the old man of the sea’s
Hidden under coral islands
Where worried bodies of drowned men drift down in the green silence,
Dropping from fingers of surf.
I looked for the head of Mr. Apollinax rolling under a chair

Or grinning over a screen
With seaweed in its hair.
I heard the beat of centaur’s hoofs over the hard turf
As his dry and passionate talk devoured the afternoon.
“He is a charming man”—“But after all what did he mean?”—
“His pointed ears…. He must be unbalanced,”—
“There was something he said that I might have challenged.”
Of dowager Mrs. Phlaccus, and Professor and Mrs. Cheetah
I remember a slice of lemon, and a bitten macaroon.

Someone Got Their Haircut

2007-01-25T20:58:00.000-08:00

And someone else finished an Anemoi Mitten.

I am just plugging right along with my Stashalong goals lately. What is that about?

Kira had her haircut yesterday and she has been freezing ever since. My Mom snugged her into one of her sweaters and she has been cozy as can be today.

Here's the money shot! She's been given the tail of a lion! Hilarious.

Look at that Spaniel-ly little face. I love it when her ears are like this!

Absorba Complete!!

2007-01-23T18:40:00.000-08:00

Ahhh. Finally. It does need some blocking but I figured since it was a bathmat...it really wasn't a high priority. ;-p

Here you can see one of our cats, Scully, thrilled to be modelling my Purple Roving Scarf.
She wants to be ON the handknits - not IN them apparently.

I used a simple drop stitch pattern on large needles. It was a fun knit I completed while watching The Ghost and The Darkness. Still scary that movie. Yipes. The explanations do help, I was convinced they were monsters!

ETA: Sorry 'bout that! The bathmat is Absorba from Mason Dixon Knitting and dunh dunh dunh I used up some nameless acrylic from the stash for it. Absorba is a log cabin pattern that I am not sure I would use again - I think I would rather just knit one big rectangle - I think it would lay nicer. However, I think it doesn't lay nicely because I must have made a mistake picking up stitches on one of the sides. Not too sure blocking can fix that! It was knit with 3 strands together and therefore: Absorba.

My weekend

2007-01-22T16:23:00.000-08:00

I finished the Purple Roving Scarf last night and took some really great pictures. Some really great pictures that I can't share because...the Memory Stick was not IN the camera. Ahhh yes. Planning at its finest.

I also found Absorba and made some progress with that. Nothing too exciting but I've had to get serious about this Stash busting promise I made - without being fully informed, but a promise nonetheless.

Tonight I might just work on Darling to change things up a bit. I just can't keep my focus on a project these days at all. There is something to be said for variety though ;-D

Last night I watched Ocean's Deadliest - Steve Irwin's last documentary. It was excellent. It was quite hard to watch at times, knowing how things ended. It was followed by a heartfelt, upbeat Tribute show - that I am very glad I watched. Such a tragedy. The world's loss pales in comparison to what a fabulous Dad these children have lost. What a gift to have shared him with us all.

"I've made a huge mistake."

2007-01-19T21:18:00.000-08:00

Tell me how I failed to notice this:
With OPTIONS 2 and 3: No days off until you finish.

Oh boy. This is going to be a lot harder than I thought~! The irony is that I was feeling all, "I don't need to use my free day in January, hey maybe I won't even need it in February." Now. It is all I am thinking about.

Here is the start of the Purple Roving Scarf.

It is a good thing I ventured out in my jammies in the wee smalls because, as it is wont to do here, it rained after the dump of snow we got.

Now all that is left is a slushy mess. Not to be gross but...it reminds me of the state of my lungs these days (the slushy mess that is - sorry - morbid sense of humour). Yep. Still coughing. Or as it was previously known: breathing.

Poetry Thursday

2007-01-18T08:45:00.001-08:00

Beneath My Hands

Beneath my hands
your small breasts
are the upturned bellies
of breathing fallen sparrows.

Wherever you move
I hear the sounds of closing wings
of falling wings.

I am speechless
because you have fallen beside me
because your eyelashes
are the spines of tiny fragile animals.

I dread the time
when your mouth
begins to call me hunter.

When you call me close
to tell me
your body is not beautiful
I want to summon
the eyes and hidden mouths
of stone and light and water
to testify against you.

I want them
to surrender before you
the trembling rhyme of your face
from their deep caskets.

When you call me close
to tell me
your body is not beautiful
I want my body and my hands
to be pools
for your looking and laughing.

Leonard Cohen from "The Spice-Box of Earth"

I can Blog again!

2007-01-18T00:31:00.000-08:00

Now if only I didn't have to breathe through my mouth...

I hope to post some progress pics tomorrow from my night of television knitting. Thank goodness I got that knit-a-thon in while I could - I haven't been able to knit, read, or watch tv for 3 days. Stunning isn't it? A head cold the beautiful doctor informed me. Ah, yes. Of course. Not humiliating enough to look as haggard as possible, I must also appear to be an imbecile who doesn't recognize the symptoms of the common cold. Seriously though - I could have sworn it was something much worse. I have been sleeping for 3 days and you should see the bags under my eyes - why is that? (Also - this used to be a 3 doctor kind of town and this is about the 4th time I have caved into going to the Walk In Clinic only to be seen by a young, incredibly handsome doctor I have never met before. What the??! The cruelty of it.)

If we are lucky, the recipient of the Anemoi Mittens will be here for a fitting tomorrow. Right now it is snowing and she does live at the top of a rather treacherous hill...so we might have to wait a day or two.

Until then here are some more things my Mother has made - one day I will break down and help her set up her own Blog! But isn't this just easier?

She created a bank for our Preschool's Coin Drive to help Restore Stanley Park - cleverly using some of our own downed tree bits from the windstorm and windswept lettering.

And somehow I failed to post a pic of the Cookie Monster Style Tea Cozy she made over the holidays. I have really appreciated how long it keeps the tea hot these last few days. It is amazing how restorative a diet of tea and popsicles can be!

And here you have this incredible yarn from Yarn Rescue, ordered mere days before the start of Stashalong.

As I opened the package my fever addled brain said "Oh no! I ordered Roving." and I nearly teared up. Fortunately logic is making a return and I thought, wait. look again. before dissolving in tears. The things exhaustion can do to you! Exhaustion after 3 days of sleep yet?!

Had it been roving I would have had to send it off as a reward. Sadly, it is yarn and I will be forced to knit something gorgeous and utterly selfish from it. It will be difficult I am sure. Somehow I will have to do it. I will not be able to wait until it is appropriate for Project Spectrum 2 however - that is too much willpower.

If you haven't visited the Yarn Rescue shop you need to go there.
Feathers. They have feathers woven into the yarn. Or is it spun into the yarn?

Earlier I mentioned not being able to read. I FINALLY received my Barnes and Noble shipment with the next 2 months of
Knit The Classics selections. Why, why does this months choice have to be over 600 pages long?! I despair of catching up.

Television Knitting

2007-01-14T12:46:00.000-08:00

It is another crisp, clear day here on the West Coast. Took Kira for a run at the track. We also played a bit of fetch with a humongous stick of her choice.

Her version of fetch is to bring the stick 2-3 ft away from me and flop down to chew it for a few minutes. If I don't go retrieve the stick from her soon enough she loses interest. Fetch generally lasts 3-4 tosses with this one! She has the same attention span I bring to my knitting projects!

But tonight, tonight will be different. I plan to get a lot of knitting done.
24 begins with a 2hr premiere - as much as I mock it, and as often as I complete the lines before the actors - it can be good. There is something comforting about that ticking clock - but I do wish all the Palmers were dead! I'll give it a chance. Though I do hate when television shows dominate more than one evening in a row - seriously, 2 2hr premieres in 2 days?! FOX - could you be feeling a little desperate?

Then the 2nd Season of ROME premieres tonight!! This series is incredible, I can hardly wait to see Pullo and Lucius again. It is an odd experience seeing history as drama - knowing the ultimate end of the main players does detract on some level. This was the 1st time I ever felt truly badly for Caesar as he was murdered in the Senate - {boy was I glad they did not script in "Et tu Brute?". I even felt a little badly for Brutus - his mother is a hag!} His death was unexpectedly moving. Possibly influenced for my feelings for Ciaran Hinds as an actor? No, couldn't be. :-P

And then - the old standby - Desperate Housewives. So here we have it - a minimum of 4 hrs of knitting time today. Thank goodness I joined Runagogo - who knows what all this knitting and viewing could do to me otherwise!

Two of the cutest things on the Internet!

2007-01-13T08:23:00.000-08:00

That is my little Po from TADworks! You have got to visit this adorable Etsy shop. Honestly, could it get any cuter? Maybe...

The darling things! A Mama and baby taddie. They have little chains so you can dangle them from your knitting bag. Mine are siting atop my computer desk so I can see them all the time.

If you look over their left shoulder you can see Po's true size - and his incredible detail. 100%handcrafted people!

Sampler

2007-01-11T23:26:00.000-08:00

I have won my 1st contest! Over at KnitPastis there was a contest and I am the lucky winner of 2, 2 skeins of gorgeous personally hand-dyed sock yarn. Thank you KnitPastis!

Here is the little bib my Mom crocheted to go with her latest baby blanket.{I know - she's a machine.}

Have you read this yet? I cannot even believe it. It makes me crazy. What, I ask you, WHAT were these people thinking of? No one would want to be in a sock club, indeed! I find it odd that they are accusing these women of defrauding people without involving the police or a police investigation. I wonder if the instigator is divorced from a Knittress and has some misplaced anger! Just when you think you have heard it all...

As you can see by my sidebar I have recently joined a number of blogging projects. I decided against joining Poetry Thursday for fear of not being able to do it each week. I would however like to share some of my favourite poems/poets here.

This is the 1st poem I remember reading in school (Grade 5). The imagery has always stayed with me. I spent a lot of time in the forest as a child and so this poem resonated with me.

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost (1874–1963). Mountain Interval. 1920.

What would a post be without a pic of my beloved knitting companion! I swear she is going to figure out a way to use those paws...

at the very least to free her from her perpetual yarn tangle!

Check this out!

2007-01-08T03:48:00.000-08:00

No. I am not running - but I do hope to walk/cycle my way to as close to 100 miles as I can get.

I just started back to the gym and am feeling ready to commit myself to being more active.

If you're looking for a healthy break from your knitting - Runagogo could be the blog for you!

(For any of you noticing this post is made at 4 AM - yep. 10th day in a row I have woken up at 3. Ahhhh. The glory of insomnia. And I get to go back to work in less than 4 hrs. Yay for me!)

So this is why I should swatch...

2007-01-07T23:35:00.000-08:00

I had a feeling this was too big for blocking to fix but, I gave it a try anyways. Apparently I just had to learn the hard way. I will say that I am relieved it doesn't fit. I know I have some sizes to drop but when I was working on the back it was killing me to see the sheer blanket-ness of the piece. Phew!

Before I tried it on I was sort of wondering if deeper seams would help. Clearly that is not the case! Moving right along...

I have much higher hopes for this little number below.

In fact, if it is comfy, I might just share the pattern. A total 1st for this knitter.

I think I am going to stick to accessories and a few projects on the sidebar before beginning Wicked - recycling Sizzle's yarn and carefully knitting a SWATCH. Wicked is a top down, in the round pattern that will be easier for me to track how the sizing progresses.

Ah well. You win some, you lose some.

Wintry Weather

2007-01-06T17:32:00.000-08:00

Finally! This is what I woke up to this morning:

Here is how I spent the other afternoon:

Those are the beads that I am now not sure of. If I get a little more knitting done I will post a progress picture and get your opinion. I am so disappointed I took a break from Bejewelled and now am working on my sock. It's a good diversion.

Looking for a little Eye Candy? Check out this little gem.

I am off to take a 2nd fitting/trying on of Sizzle. I'll let you know how it goes.

Hodge Podge

2007-01-04T22:44:00.000-08:00

Prepare yourself for a disjointed post tonight. So much is going on. Like this:

I am really excited to take part this time around. I am going to have to think of some ways to extend myself. I had started thinking of a few projects but they weren't very expansive so...3.5 weeks to contemplate...

Yesterday I went shopping and passed my first Stashalong test. Michael's is suddenly selling things like 100% wool and soy yarn. They also had some clearance yarn I could have found a use for but...I held out! And bought beads instead. Ha!

I had this vision of my Bejewelled Scarf aglitter with beads. The reality is not turning out as I would like so...back to the drawing board. Which is extra disappointing because it was some work figuring out how to get those lovely beads onto my thick and thin homespun. Ah well.

I came home to the nicest surprise yesterday - (talk about a knit geek) I had an e-mail reply from a comment I left the Yarn Harlot! Honest to goodness - I don't think I would fawn over her in person - but here I am blogging about this, all agog. My point was, I went back to her blog and what do I read? Who else was shopping for beads and then struggling to get them strung on her yarn? It is a small community, this.

Here is a pic of my baby racing to me just 'cause!

I do not recall ever reading this before and I found it quite moving, so I thought I would share it with you.

To me, fair friend, you never can be old,
For as you were when first your eye I eyed,
Such seems your beauty still. Three winters cold
Have from the forests shook three summers' pride,
Three beauteous springs to yellow autumn turn'd
In process of the seasons have I seen,
Three April perfumes in three hot Junes burn'd,
Since first I saw you fresh, which yet are green.
Sonnet 104 - William Shakespeare
Borrowed from A Mingled Yarn

And to end on a light note:

Overheard on the News: "We weren't expecting this level of comprehension." Park Official regarding the downed trees in Stanley Park. (Oh it feels mean to mock this poor man)

Talk about new!

2007-01-02T23:30:00.000-08:00

I cannot tell you how very excited I was this evening. My knitterly heart was seriously pounding. For the more experienced knitter - and for the Muggles (as per the Yarnharlot's perfect descriptor) reading here, this will not be of great interest.
However, I learned....wait for it...the Mattress Stitch tonight!

It is stupidly easy and works like a voodoo charm. I mean, can you spot the seam?

That's a macro shot baby!

I shudder to recall the haphazard no-rules approach I took to seams before tonight. Debbie Stoller! What would I do without you? Honestly, Stitch 'N Bitch is like a Bible for me. The explanations are so clear - the language so casual it is immediately obvious what you should do. I also find that you glean from it what you can take in at the time, and later readings, with more experience under your belt reveal more complex ideas.

Granted, the Mattress Stitch is not complex, but it was new to me and I no longer fear making a mistake. I have frogged enough now that taking those loops off the needles doesn't drain the blood from my upper body. Previously when I had looked at trying some seaming I panicked at the description and handed the project off to my Mom for finishing.

This is probably the long way to go about letting you know that I have very nearly finished Sizzle. From 5:30 pm to 11 pm I finished the knitting, the seaming and the blocking. This is also the 1st time I have ever blocked something. Wish me luck - 'cause that baby was loose on me!

After the blocking I will see if there are any further adjustments that need to be made for a better fit. Boy I hope not! Then I just have to do the Seed Stitch borders on the underarms and the neckline and voila: an FO.

This is how exciting the evening was for Not Me.

This is what Blocking Sizzle would look like if you were a Mermaid from The 'Bove.

This is what you would look like if you were a Mermaid floating in our dining room. (don't ask - there is no explanation)

Here is the 2nd baby blanket my Mom has made over the holidays.

Hee hee! You know this means 2 things:

1) Already making measurable progress on my Stashalong promise!
2) I get to do something elllllllse now!
( at least until the blocking is finished)

Whoa. Almost forgot to tell you: I found the most delicious tea today. Pomegranate Green Tea. We already had 2 pots of this nectar. You should really try it.

I promise...

2007-01-01T20:34:00.000-08:00

I don't really understand the need for resolutions on the 1st of the year - it is not something I have really ever done. Mostly I find that when I make a resolution I feel nearly compelled to NOT live up to it. What is that about?

The conveniency (is that a word?) factor is there for me though. I mean Stashalong is beginning again and I certainly need an outside curb for my wayward yarn purchasing ways. I have been shopping up a storm online in the last few months. My purchases far overtake my knitting progress and something has got to give. I mean, I need to be a little more rational about my spending habits. Seriously.

So...I have joined Stashalong again. Since I have so many projects on the go, waiting, or wishing (I have an entire shelf of knitting books - nevermind online patterns held in queue) to begin I thought I would take Option #3.

"Choice 3: The WIP/UFO Numbers Game

This one will really put you to the "get it done" test. Here's how it works:**choose how many WIP/UFOs you want to finish in an increment of 5(5, 10, 15, 20, etc.)--your minimum choice for this is 5.

**You can list specific projects if you like OR if you are like most of us you can leave a couple slots open for the "screaming stash" projects. (Example: You choose to finish 5 things. You have a sweater, a hat, a scarf on the needles, BUT while working on those you get bored so you "stash dive" and you find you have a enough stash for another sweater and a pair of socks--those are your "screaming stash" projects and they round out your required minimum for this choice. Does that make sense?)"

So here goes:

1) Sizzle - so close to finished it almost doesn't count

2) Anemoi Mitts

3) Baby Blanket

4) Shae's Darling coat

5) My stinkin' Noro hat already

6) Severus Snape Socks

7) Mary Janes - I have had the yarn since when? Oh. August/September

8) Absorba the Great (if only I can find it)

9) The felted Oregon Tote that kickstarted my knitting frenzy 4 (I think) years ago

10) The project that started the Blog: The Ravenclaw Raglan. I mean, I only have to complete the sleeves for goodness sake! Oh, well. And the neck/collar as well. I am just so intimidated by the thing for some reason.

11) I did join the Bejewelled KAL so: Bejewelled.

12-15) This is for wiggle room. Likely projects to make from my stash: Endpaper Mitts, dishcloths, socks - maybe even Lucy Lu.

Good god. Even as I write this lengthy and intimidating list I am remembering other projects I want to make NOW. What is this? Crafty ADD? I guess I'm just a knitter who Cain't Say No.

Here is how I spent the 1st of January.

Welllll...use your imagination since Blogger won't upload photos AGAIN.

That is what chatting until 12:30 will do to you when you are a tired little knitter.

3 Things Meme

2006-12-30T05:15:00.000-08:00

3 Hobbies
*Knitting (duh)
*Reading
*Gardening

3 Things on my to-do list
*Exercise
*Organize spare room
*READ

3 Unique traits
*Innate capacity with languages
*Sympathetic - perhaps, too sympathetic
*Ridiculously muscle-y

3 Favourite drinks
*Gin and Tonic
*Pumpkin Spice Latte
*WATER

3 Passions
*Working with children
*My family
*Literacy

3 Good Bands
*NIN
*Depeche Mode
*U2

3 Things I am anal about
*Food
*Public washrooms
*My privacy

3 Random men
*George Dubya
*BONO
*Cary Grant

3 Bad habits
*Procrastination
*Judging others
*Lying

3 Painful experiences
*Tearing my ACL
*Leaving home
*Losing my grandparents

3 Treasured memories
*Learning to ride a 10 speed
*Family Summers
*Cruising to Alaska

3 Goals before 40
*Become a mother
*Lose weight
*Be a better person(how about 3 Dreams before 40?)

3 Biggest Fears
*Spiders
*Public Humiliation
*Insects

3 Favourite desserts
*Tiramisu
*Peanut Butter & Chocolate Ice Cream
*Xocaltl Triple Chocolate Mousse

So much to learn

2006-12-27T09:08:00.000-08:00

Lessons. There have been lessons happening all over the place.

First of all Kira is learning to share her home and her beloved people. We are dogsitting - though we keep forgetting it ourselves. Cleo is such a good dog, she has fit right in. The cats aren't bothered by her at all - and she doesn't mind them.

After the 1st night Kira and Cleo are acting like old friends. There was the initial gaurding of food and warning growls when space was invaded, but after that they just co-exist peacefully. They even go out together to do their 'business'. In fact, last night Cleo turned and waited for Kira to finish before coming in. Come on!

I thought I would take them for a nice romp down at the river. It was a beautiful late afternoon, the eagles were whistling, I had the time. So off we went. When I stepped out of the car the smell hit me. I really should have just turned around then, but then there would have been no lesson learned, would there?

Anyone who lives near waterways during spawning season knows the smell I am talking about. Foolishly I thought, I'll just stick to the higher path and not go near the water edge - that will keep the dogs away from the dead fish. And it would have worked too if it wasn't for that pesky 60mm of rain. The fish are everywhere - way, way up from the water.

It was so nice out I thought - well, a few minutes will be alright. I can keep an eye on them.

This is generally as close as Kira ever gets to the salmon. She's 5. I know her. So I am walking around enjoying the crisp air and this view:

And I suddenly remember Cleo's owner having a lot of stories about her ROLLING in dead fish. Ugh. Better get out of there now. I call them both and they obediently start heading up the path with me. I keep a keen eye on Cleo and the ground - the fish are everywhere, remember? We are rounding the last corner and I turn to check out the view one last time and What The? Kira is rubbing herself on a filthy fish corpse!

The horrifying smell cannot be conveyed through writing. So overpowering. Yuck. I don't even like writing about it now!

I took the dogs to the track at the High School (we had only been out for about 10 minutes before the fish rolling) and let them run around. Kira was confined to the backseat for the drive - a new experience for her. She listened but she wasn't too happy.

Kira had a shower with Oatmeal Shampoo and baking soda when we got home. A spritz of her fabulous Kiwi-Mango coat conditioner and she is better than clean.

One final lesson: On the way to the Ferry Mom taught Debbie to knit. She is a very quick learner, I think she could be a natural. "I'm stitching!" she cried from the backseat.

Ahhhh. Another knitter is born.

Hee Hee! Anemoi Mittens!

2006-12-26T19:34:00.000-08:00

Can I tell you how much I am loving these Mittens? I. Love. Them.

They are so much fun to knit. This is the first time I have ever tried stranded knitting. It is great. I am pleased to say that I didn't have any trouble with it. I am holding both yarns and alternating fingers like some old pro. Not meaning to brag, just blown away. It is a great discovery.

I am really enjoying the chart too. It is so like my old X-Stitching days - but much better.

Take a close look at that chart and you will see the most difficult part of this whole project. Yep. I had to colour the whole thing in by hand. For some reason my printer wouldn't print the dots in the squares ?!? so the charts all came out blank. That was a time consuming endeavour let me tell you. It did however give me an overall view of the patterns within the pattern.

Here is a peek inside the glove (Thanks Jason for teaching me that little flower on my camera means Macro - all this time I thought it meant Outdoors!)
Isn't that a cool shot? Look at those woven threads of yarn. I just love it.

We picked up my brother and his dear girlfriend from the airport today and drove them to the Ferry. And wouldn't you know it - the battery died on the camera just as I was about to take the 1st picture. Sadly then, no pics of them. Which is quite sad - the last time they were here was July. Ah well. We have made a pact to visit every 2nd month from now on. Time just goes by too quickly.

I made them some Butter Tarts and Chocolate Pretzels for the Ferry ride. Mmmm. Thanks to mystery blog that I can't find again...for the Pretzel recipe. Next time I am going to melt the chocolate and drizzle it over top - better for presentation. Boy were they delicious! I alternated White, Milk and Peanut Butter chips - so good.

In the meanwhile here is an older picture of them.

Ambition

2006-12-24T17:24:00.000-08:00

Ambition can be inspiring. The force that drives us onward to success.

Sometimes ambition is foolish -- case in point: Kira.

Ambition certainly leads us outside our norm, pushes us out of our comfort zones. Which brings me to my newest project Eunny Jang's Anemoi Mittens.

They are so beautiful, so elegant and so full of new techniques that this is quite a challenging undertaking for me.

I made the trip into West Van for just the right yarn, despite weather warnings for extreme snowfall hazard (and yeah, it only rained the whole time) and having barely recovered from a wicked case of food poisoning. (I know. The very day I started my vacation. And blowing my 7 year record to smithereens!)

I am so eager to get knitting these!

I know this can be a busy and costly season for people out there but (if you haven't already visited the Yarn Harlot's site) I wanted to let you know about her Knitters Without Borders challenge. Please go check it out. A little can go a very long way!

While you are in the giving mood pop on over to Knit, Perchance to Dream and see if you can help another knitter cover her soaring medical costs.

Here is a pic of a blanket my Mom crocheted for new baby boy Rhett.

Somebody Tagged Me!

2006-12-20T22:16:00.000-08:00

OK - Don't take this the wrong way but I am having a hard time coming up with a list of weird things about myself. I AM weird. I know that - but my mind is going blank.

I will try.

1. I am thoroughly impatient with adults. Children on the other hand...

2. As a child, all of my books were shelved in alphabetical order by author and seperated by subject. My brother, sister and friends had to sign out books that they wanted to read. I had actual old-school library slips, a date stamp and everything. I was generally 'open' on the weekends.

3. I had imaginary friends until I was a teen. My imaginary friends had complex lives with family histories etc. They frequently accompanied me wherever I went and they were almost always the most interesting people I spent time with.

4. I have the unfortunate ability to remember conversations verbatim, even over a decade later. Did I say conversations? Oh. I meant arguments.

5. Aside from a scant dozen people, I have no recollection of who I went to school with. {probably I was distracted by the Imaginary friends} Talk about awkward! Living in this small town and working with children, I have faked more friendly conversations with people (read: Complete Strangers) who know me and my family than I can possibly count.

6. My biggest life decisions have all been made in bathrooms.

I am sure I am one of the last bloggers out there to do this Meme. If you are somehow behind me, consider yourself tagged!

PHEW!!!

2006-12-16T15:21:00.000-08:00

Can you guess what this is?

Answer at end of post.

Ahhh. It finally came to me. The camera was at my Aunt's house. Thank goodness because we had exhausted every last crook and crevice in this house and the car. I even looked at work - duh duh dunnnnhhhh. That is a job and a half, let me tell you.

Here is an example of the vibrancy that is Cotillion:

When I saw how very flamingo/electric pink this yarn is I thought it would be perfect for my other Aunt (pictured at left). And then once the sock was begun I suddenly thought "Does she wear socks?" I have asked about 5 family members and none of us can remember seeing her in socks. Don't get me wrong - she is not some sort of animal, or preternaturally hot being - she simply wears high heels and bejewelled sandals at ALL times. I wonder what she did when it was snowing in Vancouver?

I am still going to knit the socks and see what to do with them when they are
complete.

It feels so durned good to have a camera again. I was really feeling out of sorts with my pictureless blog. (Pssst - if you think you might have the answer to my plaguing questions, post a comment...Richard!! You cheeky rogue!)

It was a macro of Luc's Bubble Kimono.

Finally on the home stretch with this thing. Garter stitch is torturously slow progress. Honestly, I WOULD rather watch paint dry. This little sweater has felt interminable.

Who are you?

2006-12-14T21:56:00.000-08:00

I am a
Nasturtium

What Flower
Are You?

Honestly, the things you resort to without a digital camera! (Post title is in honour of Kira's favourite song, and why we don't answer the phone during the opening of CSI Las Vegas.)

Things you cannot see pics of that came in the mail today:

*My Knitpicks order came with feltable wool, Simply Baby and a few other items for my SP recipient.

The yarn I purchased over at Destash for Cash came - it is lovely! My first Bartlett's yarn.

My Cotillion arrived today!

Sheesh - can you guess who went overboard with her new Mastercard? I knew ya could.

Another book Meme

2006-12-14T13:07:00.001-08:00

How it works: bold the ones you’ve read, italicize the ones you might read, cross out the ones you won’t, and underline the ones on your book shelf.

The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy - Douglas Adams
The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J. K. Rowling
Life of Pi - Yann Martel
Animal Farm: A Fairy Story - George Orwell
Catch-22 - Joseph Heller
The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
Lord of the Flies - William Golding
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen1984 - George Orwell
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J. K. Rowling
One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel García Márquez
Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
Slaughterhouse 5 - Kurt Vonnegut
Angels and Demons - Dan Brown
Fight Club - Chuck Palahniuk
Neuromancer - William Gibson
Cryptonomicon - Neal Stephenson
The Secret History - Donna Tartt
A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess
Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - C. S. Lewis
Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides
Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien
Jane Eyre - Charlotte Brontë
Good Omens - Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman
Atonement - Ian McEwan
The Shadow Of The Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway
The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
Dune - Frank Herbert

Ok - what the?? I can't underline things on blogger?? How did I never notice that?
Whatever. I don't know how to cross things out either.

Of the books I have not read I won't read Life of Pi. I have tried. Three times. I can't stand it. I also won't read a Clockwork Orange. All I needed to see was a human eye held open by some sort of torture looking device and I am sworn off of it forever. Ugh. Horrific. American Pyscho was as close as I ever want to get again to reading about twisted minds on drugs.

Some of the others I haven't heard of or know enough to decide if I would read them or not. Some of the italicized ones I own, or have borrowed from the Library and have simply run out of time for reading.

I am greatly looking forward to some time off work so I can read again!
In other news: Still no camera to be found. The weather report is calling for 35-45 cm of snow. Let's hope they are right for once!

Secret Pal!

2006-12-11T19:11:00.000-08:00

My package arrived today from my Secret Pal!! So exciting.

I cannot find my digital camera anywhere - just a little worrying...

She sent me: Knit Picks Simple Stripes Sock Yarn (fun!)
Kitty Cat Stitchmarkers that she made herself (so cute and I love cats)
The most incredible smelling Dulce De Leche Hot Chocolate mix in a cool canister
Pepperidge Farm melt in your mouth Sugar Cookies.

Thank you so much Secret Pal! I love everything. I just might have to curl up in my jammies with knitting and some of the decadent cocoa you sent! In fact - that sounds like a perfect evening. I am off to do that now!

Where does the time go?

2006-12-10T21:54:00.000-08:00

So I haven't posted in a while...but I have been ridiculously busy...so...there's that.

We finished our High Scope Training yesterday!! Feels good but we have grown so close to our trainer over the last 2 years that it is mostly sad. We should be seeing her again in February but after that? who knows.

After every training session I have so many ideas swirling around in my head, I barely know which to begin with. It was a very active training session so I didn't accomplish much knitting. I made up for it tonight though.

Progress is being made on the Kimono Top for Luc as well as Darling for Shae. I haven't been doing quite as well with the Blankets but what can you do? Also, I need to get to the 2nd Severus Snape sock. Good thing I am coming up on some holidays soon. Ahhhh - in that department I got myself some great cozy jammies. Flannel. Such a delight to wear. Looking forward to some serious couch time 10 days from now. Let the countdown begin!

A great deal of progress was made on food consumption and personal shopping this weekend as well! That is a whole other story, but I have to say we had some incredible and diverse food while meeting in West Van. All I can say is Baked. Goat. Cheese. & Roasted. Garlic.
Outrageously good.

Sorry 'bout the lack of pics - project pics coming soon.

Meanwhile...

2006-12-01T18:00:00.000-08:00

I've been sick and we had this:

Kira loves the snow almost as much as I do!

It has actually stayed cold here this week so the snow has stayed. Of course I have been sick all week so I haven't been outside myself but Kira enjoyed it. I have felt a pressing need to watch homey, snowy, family movies. So I am sending my Mom out to pick up The Family Stone. I love that movie. My brother is planning to bring it for me when he comes over on the 21st but that is so far away...

These are some of the goodies that have come in the mail this week. (The post does seem to be taking extraordinarily long which makes me think people are getting a jump on sending their X-Mas packages out.) You can see some lovely handpainted sock yarn in Hedwig, from Sunshine Yarns.(check out Cup o Joe!!) I also have my first ever Lorna's Laces in Baby Stripe AND my Foxtrot!! with matching stitch markers from Sheby B's Designs and my 2nd pair of sock needles from Supercrafty and a little gift of knitting pins. The one that says: Ask me about my stash - totally made me laugh. I have to think of a way to use them in public. Might mean I will have to treat myself to one of those fancy corduroy Namaste knitting bags I like so much.

To be continued...

MonoMeme

2006-11-28T14:36:00.000-08:00

1. Yourself: Funny
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend (spouse): who?
3. Your hair: curly
4. Your mother: here
5. Your Father: history
6. Your Favorite Item: Shoes
7. Your dream last night: Jungian
8. Your Favorite drink: Chai
9. Your Dream Car: hydrogen
10. The room you are in: kitchen
11. Your Ex: Loser
12. Your fear: spiders
13. What you want to be in 10 years? Mom
14. Who you hung out with last night? Chelsie
15. What You're Not? punctual
16. Muffins: chocolate
17. One of Your Wish List Items: pinch-knitter
18. Time: pressed
19. The Last Thing You Did: Sudoku
20. What You Are Wearing: jeans
21. Your Favorite Weather: SNOW
22. Your Favorite Book: ChildoftheMorning
23. The Last Thing You Ate: pretzels
24. Your Life: overfull
25. Your Mood: antsy
26. Your best friend: Kira
27. What are you thinking about right now? Lunch
28. Your car: Cavalier
29. What are you doing at the moment? shopping
30. Your summer: brief
31. Your relationship status: looking
32. What is on your TV? Nothing!
33. What is the weather like? -20
34. When is the last time you laughed? earlier

Cuteness Follows

2006-11-26T22:34:00.000-08:00

Still no knitting pics - can't be bothered to get the camera out (talk about lazy Sunday!)

Lately I cannot stay focused on a project. I mean, don't get me wrong, I do have a habit of beginning things frenetically and then abandoning them when they take too long. But I mean, I am getting about 3 inches in and casting on for something new. What is that about?

I started crocheting this blanket today. I hadn't crocheted in about 2 years. This blanket suits me just fine since I don't really have to learn anything or follow a pattern. Plus I am using up all sorts of extra yarn bits. I am not sure if I can bring myself to use that many colours though. We'll see.

I have got to get cracking on a few things but in the meanwhile...I was wondering if maybe I used my dayplanner and scheduled projects in. Maybe that way I would see things through? Now if only I can find the blasted thing! Can you tell I am not big on schedules?

I recently started going back to the gym and that is seriously cut into my knitting time. However, the chick with the baby
and the double chin? That's me. How weird do you think it
would be to knit while on a stationary bike? Yeah. That's what I thought.

If I could just carry the little one around with me - doncha think he distracts from the double chin?

In other news: I watched Hard Candy today. I loved it. I laughed aloud - though it is dark and controversial. The subject matter may be sensitive for some. Sheesh I sound like a disclaimer. Really though. I almost reccommend it. But then, I don't know what kind of movies you like!

Quiz Show

2006-11-25T22:22:00.000-08:00

We had a family dinner tonight for our Aunt and Uncles 34th Anniversary.
My cousin made a delectable turkey - stuffed with apples and garlic - YUM. Her gravy was really quite fantastic and I am not much of a potato person.

After dinner and dessert we played Celebrity Taboo and gave up on that for Trivial Pursuit.
TP is a game better played when there are less people and no small babies around. It is too hard to drag your focus away from the cooing, laughing, drooling bundle of joy to answer trivial questions!

For the first time ever I used our camera to film video. Here you can see Kai is riveted to his Great Uncle who has been quacking like a duck. GU is having a hard time answering our team question as he keeps turning to talk to Kai. Kai is just waiting ready to laugh, intently watching every move on GU's face.

Our question was: What has been called Barndoors, Crockery, Ivories and Snappers?
Listen to our intense discussion in all its ridiculousness!

If you think you have the answer post a comment. 1st right answer wins a knitting prize. This is the honours system - please don't google the answer!
PS. We went with my answer and I was right.

Prize: Your choice of *Handpainted Yarn *Bamboo Needles *Silk Blend Stash Yarn
Hmmmm...Maybe there should be a runner up prize. What do you think?

First Snowfall!

2006-11-24T13:18:00.000-08:00

I love snow. I really, really love the 1st snowfall.
It was however, Grey's Anatomy night which meant I did NOT go for a walk in the snow at night. This is usually a tradition for me, but it did also rain last night. So I am thinking it wasn't really the 1st snow I go walking in.

It made work fun too. Our power went out. Mercifully for only about 15 minutes. Picture 17 excited children barely contained while playing inside (because why would parents send children to school with coats or boots at the end of November? they wouldn't) and then...the power goes out. It was 5:10 - less than an hr from GA (PANIC!) and extremely dark out already.

So we had a superfast cleanup and then gathered everyone's belongings while our emergency lights were lasting. Once that was accomplished we gathered together and one of the older children began to read aloud to the group. Most of the children's parents began arriving just before power was restored.

Honestly, I think it was fun and kind of cozy. The 1st 5 minutes were a little chaotic but after that there was something quite nice about being gathered by the light of the halogen (gone the day of candle - until the emergency lights give out that is) and reading Hans Christian Andersen.

Power failures were my favourite when I was a child. I actually prefer candlelight - doesn't everyone and everything look just that much nicer? Not to mention cleaner! It is just not a good thing when you depend on your electricity for heat and phone - like we do at work.

We are supposed to get more snow and temperatures up to -14 in the next few days and I am looking forward to that walk!

Calendar Call

2006-11-23T00:04:00.000-08:00

I finally got around to this post! Nearly the end of the month...but here it is.
2 work and one home calendar. November is not too shabby this time around. Some years are really bad. Of course March this year had the most stunning picture in the Real Estate Calendar. A tent pitched in the middle of this serene, mossy, green, tree filled forest clearing in the rain. Incredibly tranquil.

I went to see The Fountain tonight. Visually one of the most stunning films I have ever seen. Images of breath taking beauty. Incredible.

Shock and Awe

2006-11-21T06:53:00.000-08:00

Thank goodness for this decision. I cannot possibly imagine a more despicable subject matter (or individual really) to air on national television. Fictionalized drama is one thing but Ron Goldman & Nicole Brown deserve some dignity and respect since they are never going to see any justice in this world. This man should not be allowed to profit from their deaths, either financially or socially (being in the limelight again).

And that is where I had better stop. The OJ case makes me crazy. Furious and crazy. Rhyming is an important tool when learning language, it is not something to base life-altering decisions on!

Ok. This is where I'll really stop.

Some of you have wondered how SSGFS managed the other post. Well, in FOX tradition, here are his secrets:

He is knit in a 10 row alternating series of K2 P2.
His pattern is from Knitting Vintage Socks.
His picture was upside down.

Behold!!!

2006-11-19T23:38:00.000-08:00

The death-defying action of my Severus Snape Gentleman's Fancy Sock

aka: Actual Knitting Content on my knitting blog

When all else fails...

2006-11-18T21:59:00.000-08:00

fall back on a game!
I read about this @ Hell & High Water.

Here are the contents of my purse - in no particular order (which is just like my purse exactly!)

* Wallet (this is actually surprising - usually I can't find it)
* Bottle of water
* Relora
* Handcreme
* Sunglasses (really funny considering our weather lately!)
* Digital Camera
* Paystub
* Receipt from Knit & Stitch
* 2 broken bamboo dpn's
* 1 beaded stitchmarker
* 3 pens
* 1 pencil
* Wite-out Tape
* 1 paperclip
* Empty package of gum
* 1 Sour Chiclet
* 1 Rum Butter Lifesaver
* 1 Krinos Ouzo candy
* Sterling Silver Turqouise ring
* Sterling Silver Raven Earrings (so that's where they were!!)
* Nail file
* 2 bottles of nail polish
* Mascara
* Eyeshadow
* Tinted lip Juice
* Secret Invisible
* 2 tampons
* CG loose powder
* Burt's Bees:
Marshmallow Vanishing Creme
Milk & Honey Body Lotion
Blushing Creme
Lip Balm
Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme x 2
* $3.05 in loose change

Judging by the contents of my purse you would think 1) I wear makeup 2) I do my nails 3) I have a serious moisturizing issue

Well...1 out of 3 ain't bad!
I do apply a lot of moisturizer to my hands - mainly my cuticles. I did so even before I began to knit regularly.

My nails are so short it is silly to have either nail polish or a nail file in my bag - I am thinking they are leftover from a wedding or similar event.

I keep making it a goal to wear more makeup but I couldn't tell you the last time I put it on before work. When I do wear makeup I put it on in the car (gasp!) so that is why it is in my purse.

What's in your bag/purse?

Oh- I also love Burt's Bees!

The Rain Still Falls

2006-11-17T00:02:00.000-08:00

Some of us don't mind.

Then again, we don't need to boil water or see by candlelight.

I have been knitting up a storm (no pun intended - sorry about that) on my Severus Snape Gentleman's Socks. I will post a pic tomrrow. I am really afraid that the sock bug has taken a firm grip on me. What will become of me? What of my other projects?

Speaking of other projects - while searching for inspiration I stumbled upon this site: GarnStudio
If you haven't been there you should really check it out. There are oodles of free patterns of all kinds. Not a few of them are fabulous. (Is it me or is that an odd sentence? Ah well, I'm gonna leave it.)

C is for...

2006-11-15T18:16:00.001-08:00

You Are Cookie Monster

Misunderstood as a primal monster, you're a true hedonist with a huge sweet tooth.
You are usually feeling: Hungry. Cookies are preferred, but you'll eat anything if cookies aren't around.
You are famous for: Your slightly crazy eyes and usual way of speaking
How you live your life: In the moment. "Me want COOKIE!"

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

The Great Inland Sea?

2006-11-15T11:58:00.000-08:00

Another rainfall warning has been issued for Howe Sound. Hey - I am not complaining, remember I love the rain! And at least there was no tsunami in the end.

We've had a few flickers here and the power has gone out in our Industrial Park where my sister is working/was working. Ahhhh. A perfect day to stay home - which I did!

Yesterday I went to the fabulous LYS and we bought this for Luc's meet the family kimono set.

I haven't been able to get a pic of him awake in his kimono - so here he is.I'd better make him a hat to match don't you think?

Please help

2006-11-14T08:08:00.000-08:00

One of my blogging friends alerted me to this woman's need.
I know making a square for a blanket does not feel like a lot but perhaps we can make a small difference by letting Jenn know she is cared for.

Please go here to read Jenn's story. You will also find the details about the blanket there.

Thank you.

Bit of knitting news & Another Meme

2006-11-13T21:39:00.000-08:00

Little knitting news: The Kimono Jacket fits perfectly! I am so happy. Picture tomorrow.

ALSO: Luc's Mom asked me to knit a kimono jacket in white for when he meets his extended family next month. We are going tomorrow to find some luxury yarn at my favourite yarn shop

A Stolen Meme

1. Flip to page 18, paragraph 4 in the book closest to you right now, what does it say?

Welsh Heels: etc. etc. It's a pretty long paragraph!
It is Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks

2. If you stretch out your left arm - as far as possible, what are you touching?

The wall.

3. What’s the last program you watched on tv?

Oprah - how to interpret baby cries.

4. Without looking, guess what time it is.

9:25 pm.

(It's actually 9:33)

5. Except the computer, what can you hear right now?

Nothing at all and it is bliss!

6. When was the last time you were outside and what did you do?

About 45 min. ago. I cleaned out the trunk in my car and set the battery up on a trickle charger (it's been off the road long enough to be totally dead)

7. What are you wearing?

Jeans and the comfiest burgundy long sleeve v-neck shirt.

8. What did you dream last night.

Honestly I can't remember which is odd for me - usually I recall in technicolor...

9. When was the last time you laughed?

I laugh all the time - so it's hard to keep track.

10. What’s on the walls, in the room you’re in right now?

Tonnes of little blue and white Dutch items - my Mom loves the Dutch kitsch.

11. Have you seen anything strange lately?

Sure have. Why do you ask?
Tonight at Starbucks the oddest young guy with cornrows (looking all Federline) came in all dozy and confused and stopped to admire my friends baby. He was pretty out of place for this Starbucks and I was really surprised how into the baby he was.

13. What’s the last film you saw?

Borat!

14. If you became a multimillionaire, what would you do with the money?

Set up my Mom and my siblings with great homes and some savings. Take my entire family on a trip somewhere (which would be a logistical nightmare but I am stubborn.) Head back to school OR maybe open a book/yarn shop - with great coffee. Oooh both!

15. Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.

I had imaginary friends until I was at least 12.

16. If you could change ONE THING in this world, without regarding politics or bad guilt - what would it be?

Children woud be safe the world over.

17. Do you like dancing?

I LOVE dancing.

18. George Bush?

No thank you.

19. What do you want your children’s names to be, girl/boy?

Ok. My kid would hate me but I love Leia. A son would definitely be named for my Grandfather, Kenneth. Maybe Kenneth Ian, or Ian Kenneth.

20. Would you ever consider living abroad?

Yes - but only as a dream. My family is too important, I couldn't stand to be so far away from them.

21. Who should do this meme?

Anyone who wants to.

Anniversary

2006-11-12T23:53:00.000-08:00

It's my cousin's 5th Wedding Anniversary today - Kai's parents.

Look at him! What a dolly.

My Aunt & Uncle had a dinner for them and then had most of their friends over for dessert.

Too funny. My cousin is about 6 years younger than me and I used to babysit some of her friends - well they were all there with their children and their babies. Yep. More babies - I am telling you, if I believed in signs...

Here are my niece and another little one dressing up as 'costumes'.

I got a gift!

B-Nessa's husband, Aaron
got me Touring with the Angel.
The DM DVD of the concert series!!
I am so excited. I know what I am knitting to tomorrow.

Kira was so happy I was home she just had to get in the picture. Belly rub anyone?

Knitting, Yarn & A New Look

2006-11-11T22:03:00.000-08:00

I am still playing around with things but what do you think? I was getting a little tired of the colourless template. This began as an attempt to add a picture to my banner - look where it ended!

Finally some fibre related content:

Here you see some of my latest Sock Yarn installments from the Spunky Eclectic Sock Club.

Luc's Kimono top is ready and being blocked as I write. Tomorrow should see it seamed, beribboned and wrapped for delivery.

Perhaps I will even persuade him to model it for us!

Sexy Back

2006-11-10T22:57:00.000-08:00

This is one of the funniest things I have seen in a long, long time. I hadn't noticed how often they dance around on The Office.

Speaking of funny...I went to see Borat tonight. I was laughing so much I was crying. But there were a lot of times where I was covering my face. Some things I couldn't believe I was seeing and some things I did NOT want to see. That man has no limits! How he can not break character with some of the responses he gets? How he has the audacity to ask some of those questions? It is staggering.

I know I promised a knitting post but...I didn't knit once today! It is awful. I did however, work, have a meeting, do laundry, walk the dog, nap, workout @ the gym, see a movie, pick up my sister, read blogs, comment and then post here. So...better luck tomorrow?

The Power of Community

2006-11-09T04:52:00.001-08:00

I have been blogging for just under one year and I am constantly amazed at the beautiful people online who provide community for one another.

You have met Luc already. You didn't know that his parents had great difficulty conceiving. With medical assistance his parents have a healthy and happy 2 yr old girl as well as Luc.

As someone who dreams of having her own children I would like to share this with you. I have been reading Starfish's blogs and feel a strong connection to her. In her honour I share this excerpt with you that she posted from another blog (the title will link you directly to the original post at The Stirrup Queen's site):

Please note: This is an excerpt from another blog - it is not me speaking! I apologize for any confusion.

'For anyone who has ever had a miscarriage, struggled with pregnancy, and all things infertile...there is a movement upon us that you might want to join. It's rather simple actually: a discreet ribbon on your right wrist to signal to others that they are not alone in their struggles.

As someone who has had 5 m/c but am currently 5 months pregnant (YEAH), I wonder who looks at my big belly with sadness because they are in the month-to-month struggle. I mentioned to a friend that I wished there was some secret nod or international sign as if to say, this belly was hardwon. Well, she posted this quandary on her blog (http://www.stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/) and the response has been quite overwhelming...and a movement has been born!

The pomegranate-colored thread holds a two-fold purpose: to identify and create community between those experiencing infertility as well as create a starting point for a conversation. Women pregnant through any means, natural or A.R.T., families created through adoption or surrogacy, or couples trying to conceive during infertility or secondary infertility can wear the thread, identifying themselves to others in this silent community. At the same time, the string serves as a gateway to conversations about infertility when people inquire about its purpose. These conversations are imperative if we are ever to remove the social stigma attached to infertility.Tie on the thread because you’re not alone. Wear to make aware. Join us in starting this conversation about infertility by purchasingthis pomegranate-coloured thread (#814 by DMC) at any craft, knitting, or variety store such as Walmart or Target. Tie it on your right wrist. Notice it on others. Just thought I would pass the word along!' Quote from: Stirrup Queens (blogspot) - September 2006

If you would like to do something you can post a link to the Pomegranate Bracelet on your blog.

* I promise, I promise to have some knitting pics up tomorrow night. I really have been knitting!

If you have a young person you like to read to, try this book: Ruby Lu, Brave & True

It is laugh out loud funny, it's sweet, you'll learn some Mandarin and...the girl's father KNITS! Knits fabulous things like magic capes for all the children in their Seattle neighbourhood.

We talked (Out of School Care Group) about people we know that knit and the list was quite long. At the end of our chat one of the boys said "And Michelle. We all know you! We can't forget your knitting." The little charmer.

Heartbreakingly Cute

2006-11-08T07:35:00.000-08:00

At the moment I am working on a blue HC Kimono of Mason Dixon fame.
It is such a fast and easy knit. Its fun that it is knit
all in one piece too - though I do have to say I am
not such a fan of seams, but who is?

Overheard at work:

"You should have the ugly boyfriend whose also kind of mean 'cause you're bossy most of the time."
4 yr old girl

"I have 9 dice. How's that for a reasonable amount?"
4 yr old boy

"Is tomorrow Halloween? (asked for the billionth time IN A ROW on Monday, Oct. 30th) Oh! I am going to be so surprised!!"
5 yr old boy -- I know, kinda sad

"Is this horse a boy or a girl? (a pink My Little Pony) Oh. I know how to tell. Nope. No penis. It's a girl. What about this one? (checks 7 MLPonies) No penises at all. They are all girls. (looks over to where a group of boys are building with blocks) Well there are a lot of penises on the carpet over there."
3 yr old girl

"I had a bad day at Kindergarten. I thought I was havin' a good day 'til the Prince came and told me I wasn't."
5 yr old boy who was spoken to by the Principal

After being told that we only call people by their own names at Preschool:

"I'm just gonna think to myself that that guy is a LOSER."

3 yr old boy

When told Inspectors were coming to see us & our building we were asked:
"What if he's cute?" Giggling with hands over mouth and eyes rolling
5 yr old boy
YEP! Same kid asking about Halloween

Playground or Swimming Hole?

2006-11-07T18:16:00.000-08:00

Here are the pics of our playground yesterday.

Luckily the rain has tapered off somewhat. We even saw the sun a few times - which made my co-workers happy!

The water has receded from
beneath the swings a little -
they still can't be used.
Maybe tomorrow.

Kira was wearing a sweater to keep her belly dry - she gets chilled when her tummy is wet. The children were a little worried that she wasn't protected from the rain enough. One girl ran inside and came back with this for her:

Doesn't she look thrilled?!
She won't admit it but she
was drier than usual when
we got inside.

Watery Deep

2006-11-06T22:29:00.000-08:00

I am one of those people. The kind that loves the rain.

We have had an unseasonably (and I think unreasonably) sunny year. I'm talking sun from April to October. That is too much. I was disconcerted. I mean, I was waking up and saying in a morose tone: "Imagine. It's sunny. Again." It was ruining my day to wake up to the sun! What is that about? I think it is because I was born in Prince Rupert - and while we moved when I was 10 months old, I was already programmed for the rain. 100" is the annual rainfall average!

{We inherited this pic from my Nana. You can see she sketched in a border around me - and labelled me. She wasn't the classiest of artists but she loved me. }

Well, we have been getting some rain around here! Finally. But let me tell you. Instead of steady rain - which would be normal for our coast - we are getting torrents of rain. Torrents.

There has already been flooding since Friday. Not here yet - but check out these pictures from this afternoon.

This is about 4 blocks from our house. It is the spot at the dyke where they measure the level of the water. On a typical day you would have to get out and walk right up to the edge, lean over and then you would see some water. There is a measuring line that goes up to about 10-12 ft and right now, right now you can't even see that measuring line. That is a lot of water.

Tonight they have two municipal workers on flood watch. They are leaning over that rail with their flashlights on the water. Not too sure what they are accomplishing doing that all night. But hey, it's overtime I'm sure!

Our playground at work is a water park. Pics of that tomorrow.

What's in a name?

2006-11-05T07:29:00.000-08:00

Sorry - Blogger is not uploading photo's AGAIN.

There seems to be a profusion of babies everywhere I go. Co-workers having babies, friends having babies, relatives having babies, acquaintances and parents of children in our daycare & preschool having babies. Whew. That is a lot of babies. For perspective I know 7 people who are pregnant at the moment, 4 people who just had babies and at work 5 of our families have new babies.

So let me tell you, there have been a lot of names flying around. Naming a child. What a responsibility. Names carry so much weight. They influence opinion before you are even introduced.

Case in point - one family was seriously considering Kiki Snow for their new daughter. What sort of career options are open to a girl named Kiki Snow? In the end, after 9 days of having no name, they called her Grace Deni. Close call little one.

Here is a partial list of the babies recently named:
Frost (m)
Samia (f)
Cameron (f)
Strykker (m)

How difficult for people naming their babies to always be confronted by the opinion of others. 'Cause we have opinions! Even if they aren't voiced, they may be betrayed by a long pause, a flinch, a stifled smile. How awful for a new parent.

But I have to say this, we were relieved the baby's name was Samia, we thought she was called Samuel. Yipes. And do you really want to be encouraging domestic violence? (Strykker)

Oh. We have a parents group that meets each Friday for breakfast and then we have workshops/presentations for our Preschool families. At this weeks, Strykker was there with his mother. When the presenter heard the baby's name she said - "I have cousin named Strykker. Our family thought his parents were on drugs. I mean what kind of a name is that? I have never heard anyone else with that name before. Weird."

Seriously. To her face. Before a group of parents and professionals.

The Mom laughed it off after the lady gave a half-*ssed apology. But this is my point. It must be very difficult to name your baby. I think you must just have to be sure for yourself and forget everyone else, because there are going to be reactions, and uncouth people who will tell you publicly what they think of your choice.

Incidentally, when I was naming Kira, I was SURE I made the name up.

For those of you who have asked the latest dishclothes were knit using Amazon DK 100% mercerized cotton. It comes in some pretty fabulous colours. At my LYS I paid $3.49 per 50g ball - not too sure if that is a good price, but there it is.

Nearly Blogless

2006-11-04T08:18:00.000-08:00

Where have I been? Nowhere. What have I been doing? Nothing really. Doesn't that make for interesting blog reading?! LOL

Really, I can't think why I haven't been able to blog lately. I have barely even been reading other blogs. Today I made up for that - for the reading at least. I discovered some great things that have been happening while I was preoccupied with the minutiae of my daily life. One of which, though I am too late to officially join I will participate in nonetheless. I think if might be good for me.

While I was away Fall, and by Fall I mean Winter arrived. Ummm -6? Yep those Kureyon mitts have been used!

This is the view from my sisters work:

You can sort of see some Fall colours on the mountains. But really, it was quite warm here until it was freezing, so there was not a lot of colouration here this year. The leaves changed and promptly fell off the trees. Maybe next year.

I finished one washcloth and am nearly done another. I have barely even been knitting - what is going on? I am going to have to get myself in order here!

Here is a pic of something Kira has been up to.

We used to find these constellations of kibbles on our carpet all the time - ESPECIALLY after we vaccuumed! This is the first time she has left one on the hardwood. Ahhh. Life returns to normal.

Wash it away!

2006-10-29T23:02:00.000-08:00

I'm into dishclothes again. I just stopped into our LYS for cotton to match the pink I had and...picked this up instead.

This is the 1st time I am doing a 2-tone Ballband cloth. I love this pattern. It is so simple but looks so tidy and neat.

In other news: Majeeks was in a fight Wednesday night. He got away with just a scratch below his right eye. By Thursday night his little face was a mess. Infection had set in and his nose had doubled in size and his eye was nearly swollen shut.

Having paid hefty vet fees in the past (and since it was nearly midnight) I thought I would just look online to see what sort of natural solution we might have on hand.

I found this site and we started treatment right away. Friday morning we thought he looked a little better. 3 applications later, he was completely himself! Unbelievable. I am still washing his scratch with ACV and warm water until all trace of the scratch is gone. We may well have saved ourselves $300 (or more) and a longer recovery time.

Alive & Kicking

2006-10-28T10:44:00.000-07:00

It has certainly been awhile since my last post - sorry about that!

Work has been really busy. When I am home there has been a lot of what you see to the left and some knitting on the baby blanket - which I forgot in my office last night so...no update pic right now.

I'm going to try and get in a decent post this weekend.

Knitting right along

2006-10-22T23:45:00.000-07:00

Look at my baby modeling the blankie. Awwwwww. The little ham.

Since I suddenly know 3 new babies, 5 pregnant people, and 2 people planning to be pregnant, I think this could be a knit I repeat! Perfect for baby's naps - or walks in a stroller to keep the chill off. Great stashbuster too.

Special Note: My trial with the No-poo is just that - a trial. It seems to be working right now so I will keep it up. BUT if my hair goes greasy or smelly (like some reported in their trial) I will use shampoo! Trust me. I am just aiming to reduce chemicals in my life - not eradicate them totally.

Tonight I tried the Apple Cider Vinegar rinse after the Baking Soda wash. My hair feels really soft and it dried with body.

You can see it is a little frizzy - I am going for a trim/cut on Wednesday 'cause I have some dead ends. If the frizz doesn't decrease after that I will try something new.

Time to Change

2006-10-21T23:31:00.000-07:00

Stop washing your hair with shampoo!!

I read about this seeming radical change in personal grooming from Haley Alaska - just one of the tips I've gleaned there. Can such a small change lead to larger changes? Attempting to go shampoo free is one of many little choices I try to make to lessen the amount of chemicals in my body and home. So far I am 5 days in and my hair is actually curlier and much easier to manage. I am hoping this continues to be true. It feels good to do something relatively healthy for myself - if I can just stop hitting drive-thru's again! My non-existent waist would thank me!

Now I am going to leap from this little change to global change - I know what you're thinking: Did I just stumble upon a socio-political blog? It's called Knittnfool but...?

I just finished watching An Inconvenient Truth. Talk about food for thought - I have some personal reviewing to do in the next little while. If you haven't seen this film you really should. Its simplicity and clarity are remarkable. I found it upsetting during the film that there seemed to be no suggestions to combat global warming - wait for it. The closing credits are brilliant. And effectively motivating.

IN OTHER NEWS: I also watched The Illusionist today. ("Illusions, Dad. You don't have time for my Illusions.") Beautiful film. Annnnd I watched the orignial debut movie for Trailer Park Boys (who knew they were pet assassins?!) & the Conky episode {my 3rd favourite - the carts episode where Ricky keeps falling down the hill? and the gasbar where he falls with the patch on? Deadly funny. This glut of viewership let me knit about 4" of the baby blanket while I nursed my fever and sore throat.

It also let Kira do this:

Oh Baby Oh

2006-10-19T22:29:00.000-07:00

Look how big already! Where does the time go?

My cousin and Aunt stopped in this morning with 2 of the little ones in tow. Kai is such a happy baby. Each day that goes by he looks more and more like his father.

Shae-by loves Kai sooo much! She cannot stop talking to him, playing with him, dancing(read: hovering while bouncing) in front of him and she always, always reads to him. Cousins. Too precious.

In yet more baby related news: I
cast on for my friends baby
blanket today. Her shower
is on Saturday, what do you
think?What's that? Yeah.
No chance this is making the party!

Actually when I found out that Kai is soon moving for up to 18 months, I started thinking he might have to take this blankie and I will buy a baby gift for the shower.

Where the Wild Things Are

2006-10-17T22:49:00.000-07:00

So, we are known to be a little soft when it comes to animals around this house. I regularly purchase seeds and nuts for the wild life that are rapidly losing habitat - even though that's on the strata no-no list, shhhh.

We are rewarded by frequent visits by birds, squirrels, raccoons, frogs, bees & yellowjackets and bats. Great for the garden and for our love of creatures. Taunting for our house pets who aren't keen on sharing their space (read KIRA).

On Sunday we were visited by a particularly pushy squirrel. (Incidentally I think it is the one who has been visiting for 2 years - but what do I know?) I have a planter on our fence that I use to hide nuts in during Fall & Winter, the squirrel emptied the planter 2x and he was fighting Stellar Jays the whole time. Kira was hyper alert and straining every muscle in her tiny, quivering body.

No lie.
On his hind legs.
Looking in the window.
Hitting the glass with his paws.

I tried really hard to get a pic of that - and of the window peeking - but it was pretty hard to control Kira and get a non Sasquatch-shot of the jumpy squirrel at the same time. The best I could get was one of him on his hind legs checking for Jays before burying a nut under my lion next to the Lavender.

Oh - and you have got to go here to watch this video. You really have to.

FO's Buddy!

2006-10-15T22:50:00.000-07:00

The day I thought would never
arrive! SS Socky III is complete!

They are pretty comfy too.
I have to make some notes about
what needs changed for the next
pair.

I am going to be attempting a blend of 3 patterns for my next socks - MADNESS is it not?

I was thinking of casting on tonight but...that is starting to seem truly foolish.

And here you can see that I also
finished the Kureyon Seed
Stitch mitts! They are snug
babies. I am not sure what
was up with that pattern - then again I don't ever check my gauge so...

I had started a seed stitch scarf as well but the Kureyon knits up too sturdily. It was like a flap of fabric with no give at all. Not a pleasant thing to have draped about your neck let me tell ya!

Favourites Contest: SP 9

2006-10-14T09:06:00.005-07:00

List your favorite:
Actor - Johnny Depp
Actress - Rachel Weisz (at the moment)
Animal - Kira
Band - U2
Book - Child of the Morning
Bubble Bath - AVON's Kids Scent - seriously, I know
Candy - Peanut Butter M&M's
Color - Blue
Drink- Pumpkin Spice Latte!! Starbucks - OR Creme Caramel @ the little shop behind my house
Flower - Hydrangea
Food - Thai
Lip Balm - Burt's Bees
Lotion - Body Satin - Melaleuca
Movie - Amadeus
Place - The forest
Song - With or Without You
TV Show - Grey's Anatomy
Yarn - Severus Snape Sock Yarn made by Stitch N Snitch - it is the softest stuff
Vacation Spot - Salt Spring Island

Comfy Cozy

2006-10-13T19:19:00.000-07:00

Aren't these socks lovely?

THEY KILLED ME!!!!!

Yep, I finally received my Sock Wars Socks of Doom! My poor assassin sent them off 2 weeks ago - she is only a border away from me. It is very odd that they took so long to arrive.

She made a lovely label for them and sent me a 2nd gift. Handmade stitch markers! How wonderful! Thank you.

I also received my Spunky Eclectic Sock Yarn today. Such yummy colours. I am going to have to get cracking on sock knitting now...