Wanderings

Yes, Again

2011-10-04T20:19:00.001-08:00

We moved.

This summer has been non-stop. It started with packing up our house and sticking everything in storage, and then a quick trip to the lower 48. We flew to NC and I stayed about a day before getting in my little red cherry drop and heading west. I got to see my dear friend's there, and wished I had more time to spend with each of them. I drove to CO and got to see my family there (miss you all!), and after a night, drove to Utah for a couple of days to visit my mom, grandma, and sister. Then I flew back to Alaska. I had a three week, eight hour a day, very intensive 5 credit hour class that started the next day. After that was over, I had a brief Saturday and Sunday break, and then started my new job in Anchorage. I also took another two classes totaling ten credit hours this summer, bought a new car (I spent a lot of time fixing my other one up, but no one ever actually got it to run correctly and it kept dying.), bought a new house, moved everything from storage to the new house (thanks mom and sis for coming up and helping!), did some sight-seeing with mom, and phew! Now it's time to unpack! I have been in the house about a week, and it is still complete chaos. I could also rant a bit about how hard it is to find someone that does their job well (like aforementioned mechanics, the remodeling done in this house, or the repairs to said remodeling, or the skipped things that no one will notice until you move in, or lawn maintenance, or cleaners who don't know the difference between polyester and cotton...).

Haha - now I have been here a month...not much has changed. Still upside down and crazy. :)

Bitterroot Shawl

2011-04-11T11:39:00.001-08:00

IMG_0860, a photo by hickorie on Flickr.

Knit with Handmaiden cotton - silk - love their yarns and colors!

Ishbel Shawl

2011-04-11T11:37:00.001-08:00

010, a photo by hickorie on Flickr.

Knit with the most lovely Handmaiden Bess yarn...so soft!

Spring!

2011-04-11T11:34:00.000-08:00

During which time we awaken from our hibernation and try to start EVERYTHING again. ☺

Here's what's been on my needles:

Several quick hats, two shawls, and a mobius scarf. Sharing some pics with Blogger - hopefully they will show. They are also on my Ravelry projects page: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/hickorie

There is a contest over at A Playful Day (and also a new knitting podcast) - worth mentioning because the prize is a pattern by the lovely Asa Tricosa designs. I'm so enamored with sideways shawls right now - I foresee one on the needles very soon!

Christmas Jello

2010-12-29T15:02:00.000-09:00

Every year, my mom made a layered Jello salad for Christmas. This is about the only time I eat Jello. (I know it's one of Utah's main staples, but I just get grossed out by it.) But, I do indulge at Christmas, and so this year made my own version. Here's the recipe:

First Layer
1 lg package lime Jello - make as directed on package, for bottom layer. Let set most of the way and then add second layer.

Second Layer
Blend one small container cottage cheese and one drained (set juice aside for later) can of crushed pineapple. Set aside.

Boil one cup of water - add one large packet of lemon Jello and dissolve. While still on heat (lowered), add 1/2 package miniature marshmallows and 1 eight ounce package cream cheese (I cut the cream cheese into small cubes). Stir and allow marshmallows and cream cheese to melt. Remove from heat, add pineapple juice and cottage cheese - pineapple mix. Spread over green layer. Let set most of the way before adding third layer.

Third Layer
Make one large package red Jello as directed on package. Add one package frozen raspberries and then pour over second layer. Let set and eat!

Cool Site of the Day - Gapminder

2010-10-21T08:45:00.003-08:00

I am getting back into the swing of things, shifting from a very-low tech classroom to teaching online again. Keeping up with what is going on online, what tools and sites are out there, etc., takes so much time. So, as reference for myself, and to share, I am going to start posting cool sites I find. A lot of them are related to education, but some are just cool in general.

I love looking at figures and comparing changes between areas and time. This site is perfect for this - it has statistical data from around the world available. I love that you can select variables, countries, time span, etc., and actually play it to watch the changes over time. http://www.gapminder.org/

Cranberry Happiness

2010-09-12T12:43:00.005-08:00

The week was rather dreary and rainy (I am not a rain person at all!), but we were rewarded with a spectacularly glorious weekend. Yesterday, I went cranberry picking with my friend Kenna and her dog, Attie (who had the worst gas! ACK!). We found a ton of cranberries, and they were riper than when we went last time. We didn’t stay for too long, maybe a couple of hours, and I got about a gallon of lovely berries. I’m so excited! I already made some cranberry pecan bread with a few from the last batch. I also have a recipe for a yeast bread made with pumpkin, nuts, and cranberries that I want to try, and a recipe for cranberry salsa. Cranberry scones, in carrot cake, and just sauce for turkey! Do you have any favorite cranberry recipes or uses? (Haha – although I don’t think I will be using them to make “hootch” as one of my co-workers suggested.)

One of the coolest things while we were out picking was the cranes flying overhead. They kind of circle around, squawking their way along. I have a short video – if you turn up your sound you may hear them.

Fall in My Yard

2010-09-11T11:54:00.002-08:00

I also have a bunch of quick pictures that I took of my house before I moved in, posted to flickr, if you are interested in seeing the purple house. Yes, it really is purple. You can call it lavender or lilac, but really, it's still purple. ☺

I Prefer to Be Called a Pioneer, Thanks

2010-09-10T15:10:00.002-08:00

Someone out exploring, trying new things, seeing the world, adventuring, breaking new path, starting new projects...not the settler that comes in afterwards and makes it habitable. In other words...could I possibly have any more projects planned and started? All my goals of last spring to finish projects has been seriously ridiculed by my need to cast on, or cut, or buy supplies. And, moving to a new state, new house, means lots of newness needed. I no longer need a cute summer top - I need a comfy cardigan! A new scarf! And leg warmers! Must make rugs for the very bare and empty house! Quilts for the guest beds! Wall hangings! And a king sized, lots of little pieces, quilt for my bed! Gifts for new babies (oh - and as a mother, would you prefer machine or hand wash? Do you prefer gender colors, or something more neutral?)!

Ha! Progress pending...

My Summer - Seriously

2010-08-24T13:44:00.004-08:00

Ok, so I had all these big plans to blog and such. And then it was the whole end of the school year craziness, personal craziness, and just general stuff. I really don't remember what happened to June - I think I was working in the store a lot, oh, and getting the new website ready. (It's not too exciting, but it was up). And then at the very end of June, I went to Germany for three weeks.

I had plans to blog about Germany and share photos and such (and I may later when I have taken a breath), but then...

I had been home from Germany for a week and got a job offer. My old teaching job at Cyber School in Delta Junction, Alaska. Madness and packing ensued.

And now here I am again, in beautiful Alaska.

May Goals

2010-05-06T10:01:00.002-08:00

The past couple of months have been life-crazy. It seems everything kind of turned inside out and changed, and yet everything is still the same. And through all that, I did a bit of knitting and got some stuff done. However, it seems I have settled a bit, a bit hopeful, a bit calmer, and ok. But I don't have a huge desire to knit. I've found myself forgetting to take one knitting project with me, where I usually have two or three. I don't even feel like adding to the stash, or even petting new yarn. Thinking of selling my spinning wheel and not replacing it right now, even though I have the money saved for the one I want. Reading a lot (Terry Pratchett kick right now), and playing more music. Practicing guitar, and learning bass. Feeling more in the mood to just do a row or two here or there, and still knitting, but less frantically maybe? Too much contemplation going on right now...waiting/wanting some major changes in life, but thinking I may have to be ok where I am for now.

So, May Goals are more UFO related, but not as strict. In April I wanted to cast on like crazy, but I'm not feeling it right now. Here's where I want to focus:

Finish Deb's sweater
Finish Great North Bear
Finish Coffee Mitts
Finish Grandma's Purple Socks
Finish Merlefest socks
Finish Farmer's Market Bag
Continue on Coraline
Continue on Autumn Leaves Scarf
Continue Ymer

March Progress

2010-05-06T09:59:00.002-08:00

April was a successful UFO month. I worked on and FINISHED projects. I did allow myself to cast on one project at the very end of the month. Here is the status of my listed goals.

1. One Row Lace Scarf (blue one) - done
2. Deb's rabbit (project to finish for someone else) - done
3. Deb's baby sweater (project to finish for someone else)
4. Grrrr! - lion washcloth for Spin -done
5. Last seam on garter stitch jacket & buttons - done
6. Jacques Cousteau hat - done
7. Turn a Square hat - done
8. Sock head hat - done
9. Think North bear
10. Grandma's purple socks (one done, heel and foot needed on second)
11. Love This Yarn hat - frogged
12. Black Ridges Socks
13. Ymer Sweater
14. Nutkin Socks - progress, almost done with one.
15. Mitts for Sarah

Longer Projects

1. Short & Yellow - frogged
2. Coraline - alpaca cardigan - added a few rows :)

More Progress

2010-04-10T18:16:00.002-08:00

Today was a great day for finishing projects! I finished the hat, finished a bunny (someone else's project that I finished for them), and finished seaming and sewing the buttons on a little sweater. I love finishing things! I keep looking at all my yarn, however, and itch to start another project. Not this month - I can make it!

Garter Stitch Jacket from The Baby Knits book by Debbie Bliss in Mission Falls 1824 Cotton

The bunny from Last Minute Knitted Gifts

Finished Object!

2010-04-10T09:31:00.003-08:00

We have a finished object! I know, hard to believe...but it is only a hat. I have made good progress on another hat, but not much else. Still, have not cast on any projects this month. :)

Here are the details on Ravelry: Jacques Cousteau Hat

April Goals

2010-04-01T07:03:00.002-08:00

Don't even ask how I did on my March goals - I am not sure casting on tons of projects, getting lots of new yarn, and only finishing one very little project that is likely to be too small for the recipient, is anything worth revisiting. So, on to April.

It has officially been declared, and has officially begun - April is UFO month (and only UFO month!)

Here is the list, in order of wanting to finish first, although the longer projects are in-betweens.

One Row Lace Scarf (blue one)
Deb's rabbit (project to finish for someone else)
Deb's baby sweater (project to finish for someone else)
Grrrr! - lion washcloth for Spin
Last seam on garter stitch jacket
Jacques Cousteau hat
Turn a Square hat
Sock head hat
Think North bear
Grandma's purple socks (one done, heel and foot needed on second)
Love This Yarn hat
Black Ridges Socks
Ymer Sweater
Nutkin Socks
Mitts for sweater

Longer Projects

Short & Yellow
Coraline - alpaca cardigan

March Knitting Goals

2010-03-01T06:03:00.000-09:00

Stash

No yarn purchased
All projects knitted from stash

New Projects

Short & Sweet crochet sweater - part of a crochet-a-long (CAL)
Fetching Mitts - Swap gift
Woodland Shawl - part of a knit-a-long (KAL)

WIPs

continue Ravelympics cardi - Coraline
finish sockhead hat
finish Grrr! washcloth

I have a huge list of WIP's to work on, and so can always add to the list if I finish some things. April is going to be a Work-in-Progress month - time to get some of these projects done!

February Knitting Update

2010-02-28T16:09:00.004-09:00

I had big knitting goals for February, but didn't get a lot done. Here were my goals and the results:

February 2010 Goals

Stash

Continue Cold Sheeping (no personal yarn purchased for January - I don’t count gifts, coming or going) - I am allowed to purchase one ball of yarn needed to finish a project. - bought the one ball, but then also 6 more balls for a crochet-a-long I am starting for March.
All new projects knit from stash - DONE!

WIPS

Garter Stitch Jacket - less than one ball left to knit - DONE!
Sockhead - portable project - have about an inch left and the i-cord tie
Grrr! - 1/4 complete - simple washcloth - no progress
Funky Sweater - bulky yarn, almost done with back - FROGGING!

New projects

Mittens for mom’s b-day - simple pattern w/ worsted yarn on US 6 needles - Done!
Ravelympics sweater - the big YIKES! fingers crossed - I’ll be happy with some good progress on this; I really need to knit a sweater for myself! - Started, but have only finished about 50 rows - slow
Mobius cowl - fast, portable project - started
Swap Project - another fast project, bulky yarn - DONE!
Green fingerless mitts - Started
Ymer Sweater (I just wanted to knit this yarn, it’s so lovely…Misti Alpaca Baby Suri Alpaca & Silk - Started

Black Bean Tomato Soup

2010-02-21T17:30:00.003-09:00

A lot of my soups seem very similar...imagine that. ☺

2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cans tomatoes
2 heaping tsp. chopped garlic
1 tsp. chipotle in adobe (I feel a bit of heat, but didn't get enough flavor from this - I should have added 2, but they can be too hot)
chicken bouillon
2 bay leaves
small chopped onion
salt

I cooked all this for a bit, then added some shell noodles, and then some fresh, chopped cilantro at the very end. After taking the photo and eating a bowl, I decided to add about a cup of cooked pumpkin. I have been adding pumpkin to a lot of my soups and really liking it. It really doesn't change the flavor much, but makes it a bit richer and thickens it up. I baked some pumpkin last fall, pureed it, and then froze it in small portions in Ziploc bags. I just pull out a bag and throw it in whatever I am cooking, and it has been great.

Pintos

2010-02-13T15:09:00.004-09:00

This is my version of pinto beans. Well, they're really different every time I make them, but usually this is the base. I may also add tomatoes, squash or pumpkin, or whatever I happen to think of at the moment. I just used canned beans; I have a lot that need to be used, and it is easy for when I am in a hurry. I also use dehydrated onions and the pre-minced garlic to make it even faster.

two cans of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 chopped onion, or a few Tbsp. dehydrated onions
couple of cloves of garlic, chopped
about 1/2 roasted red pepper (I add some type of pepper usually, whether it is just a green one, or canned roasted red)
bouillon to taste
oregano
water

Cook and let the flavors blend. I add more water or cook it off until it is the thickness I want it. At the end, I add just a small splash of vinegar, maybe a tablespoon, usually apple cider. I like to eat it over rice usually, but also sometimes diverge and eat it with polenta or cornbread.

White Bean Soup

2010-02-10T15:18:00.004-09:00

White Bean Soup

carrots
onions
celery
white beans
shell macaroni
chicken stock
salt & pepper
red pepper flakes
marjoram
spinach

Back to Blogging

2010-02-10T13:55:00.002-09:00

I haven't been blogging for awhile - not sure why, just have gotten out of the habit I suppose. But, I miss it some days, so this is my attempt to pick it up again.

I have been knitting a lot. A lot of hats for charity - trying to use up stash, I like to knit hats, and it's cold outside. I imagine someone could use some warming up. I have also been doing a lot of gift knitting and knitting some baby sweaters, trying to learn and practice sweaters. I'm going to try and knit a cardigan for Ravelympics (start on at the beginning of the Olympics and hopefully finish by the time they are over). As usual, though, I have multiple projects going on, and will start posting on here again as I finish and such.

We are getting a nasty storm here right now - very windy. I am not a fan of the wind and do not enjoy watching large trees swaying so violently. The snow is making me happy, though.

Randy has declared that he could eat beans and rice everyday and be happy. I am going to try and test that a lot this year. I will be posting recipes of what I make with beans, legumes, and whatever else I find in the cupboard. I would love it if you would share your recipes with me, as well. I am especially looking for recipes using black beans, pinto beans, butternut squash, and pumpkin.

Five....Five People

2009-03-29T15:01:00.001-08:00

The first five (5) people to respond to this post will get something made by me.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. Whatcha get is whatcha get.
2. What I create will be just for you, with love.
3. It'll be done this year (2009).
4. I will not give you any clue what it's going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. It might or might not be edible. I may even create something totally unbelievable and surprise you at work!! Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something strange or quirky, but I promise not to embarrass you in public ... well, no more so than usual. I also reserve the right to do something fairly predictable and boring, but with, you know, thought and love.
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text into a note of your own and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your note.

IMPORTANT: This offer is null and void if I do not see you post your own note to pay this forward. In other words, you gotta make something for other people, too. It's like a chain letter only better. Call it a pyramid scheme if you want. It's a pyramid of crafty goodness!

SP Thank You!

2009-03-27T18:07:00.004-08:00

I am tardy in thanking my wonderful secret pal, kozykitty. She has been a great secret pal, and finished off with sending me one more wonderful package. The package included a recipe for crab cakes with an Old Bay Seasoning mix, some really yummy pb cups - they didn't last long at all, the One Skein book, some nice wood needles that are already in a project, a couple of Soak samples, and my favorite...
. . . kitty stitch markers.

Thank you so much!

Snow Day!

2009-03-02T12:45:00.003-09:00

Yay! It actually snowed enough that school was canceled, even down the mountain where I work. Lovely to have a day off, but it would be even more lovely if I didn't have a horrid head cold.

I have been knitting a bit - working on a vest for Randy. It zip

s up in the front like a cardigan, and is knit in one piece until you get to the armholes. I measured the length a couple of days ago and realized I was ready to begin the armholes. I was a bit surprised because I had thought I would have five pattern repeats and another skein of yarn used before I hit that point. I bet you can already see where this is going, huh. So I bound off for the armholes, and then decided to hold it up to Randy to see if the length was ok. The length was ok, but the width....so big it looked like he should have had a Santa belly in order for it to fit. My guage changed from the beginning of the project at 21st/4" to 18st/4". Just a slight difference there. I am using an aran sized yarn on size US 5 needles - should be a tight fabric...but some how...

Can it be fixed? Or must it be frogged? I am thinking that I will bind off more stitches for the armholes, knit the two fronts and backs with the fewer number of stitches, and then cut out the excess side panels and seam up the sides. I am thinking that while I would lose the side panel pattern, this would be the least disruptive to the fit. I could do four seams to keep each of the side panels in, just cutting out from each side of the back and the fronts. Any thoughts? Ideas? Brick walls?

Mondays

2009-02-23T10:06:00.002-09:00

Why are Mondays Mondays? The days when you get to school, have two hours of class before someone tells you your zipper is down.

Burned Out

2009-02-15T16:34:00.002-09:00

Maybe it's the weather, the long commute, the repetition of material, whatever...probably mostly just stress about money and everything....I think I have found the antidote....

Found this on KnitPurr's blog:

I am passing this on to you because it definitely works, and we could all use a little more calmness in our lives. By following simple advice heard on the Dr. Phil show, you too can find inner peace. Dr Phil proclaimed, “The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you have started and have never finished.
So, I looked around my house to see all the things I started and hadn’t finished, and before leaving the house this morning, I finished off a bottle of White Zinfandel, a bottle of Bailey’s Irish Cream, a package of Oreos, the remainder of my old Prozac prescription, the rest of the cheesecake, some Doritos, and a box of chocolates. You have no idea how freaking good I feel right now!

Pass this on to those whom you think might be in need of inner peace…

Secret Pal Thank You

2009-02-07T16:11:00.005-09:00

I got home today to a wonderful package from my secret pal. She puts together really thoughtful packages; I can tell she has spent a lot of time getting to know my likes and dislikes. In this package she sent some Numi tea, a chocolate Art Bar, a bunch of patterns for mitts and mittens - the top one pictured is one I have as a favorite and that I already had in my mind to knit - and some ChiaoGoo double pointed needles. I really like the 5 inch length needles she selected for mittens and socks. If you haven't tried ChiaoGoo, they are a good bamboo option. I recently just got a set of circular ones, and was surprised and pleased with what a nice point they have on them. I know how everyone loves Addi's, but unless they are the lace Addi's, they are so blunt and difficult to work with. My favorite needles would probably have to be the KnitPicks for circulars (haven't tried any of the straights) and then Inox circulars. I have only ever seen Inox in one store, and I picked up a couple pair while I was there last time. For straight, I love hardwood needles, like the Lantern Moon ones, but since I don't knit a lot with straights, I don't invest in them. And as for dpns, I really like the Knitpicks (I've only tried the nickel-plated), and Brittany hard wood needles. The KnitPicks, however, don't come shorter than 6", and I prefer shorter needles. Also, I don't really like knitting with metal, so am pretty excited to try the ChiaoGoo dpn's - they look like they might have the qualities I like in needles - feel good to the touch and a point that lets you do all kinds of stitches with ease. That was a bit of a long-winded way to say thank you! I am really excited about the needles. (Seriously, I don't think I will ever have enough needles - it seems I always need a set that is in use, or hiding, or that I just don't have.)

When Randy and I were driving back from Utah, we stopped in a yarn shop in Salinas(?), Kansas. We were wandering around the shop (yes, Randy will go in with me), and Randy called me over to show me some yarn. He has most excellent taste, and had found some Frog Tree yarn. It was lovely, and I had actually been admiring some in one of the stores I visited in Utah. But, I was being good, and didn't buy any. But, I have still been thinking about how lovely it is...and then my secret pal sends me some. ☺ Thank you for some lovely, lovely soft yarn!

Animals

2009-02-05T06:42:00.000-09:00

Knitting

2009-02-04T10:27:00.000-09:00

I have been doing a bit of knitting - slowly working on Randy's vest (about 3 skeins or 600 yards into it - about 8 skeins total). I have also finished a hat for my mom, a hat for my brother's gf, and a couple of gifts for swaps (pics of completed items below). I also began a knit-a-long/class on the Great North American Afghan, so have a block started with that. And last night, I started a hat for Randy because he likes the one I made for myself a lot and wants a similar one. Maybe I can finish that this weekend - it's a quick knit - and it snowed! so it's a good time to have a new hat.

Washer

2009-02-04T06:35:00.002-09:00

Saturday our washing machine died. Randy bought it used almost ten years ago, so it had a good life. We went out Sunday and found a "dented" new washer (dent is on the side). It seems to work well so far, I have only done two loads of clothes. I selected a Maytag 3000 because of the price, the size, and the energy savings. I wanted/needed a large machine, and it was the best deal. And yes, it does fit a king size quilt - washing one right now (Petunia decided to pee on ours. I think she was sick; it was just after she got some shots. Our old machine wasn't large enough, and I hadn't had time, or desire really, to go to the laundry mat.) Not sure how well it works on wool yet, or felting - those are my next experiments. If it felts sweaters on delicate, I will not be happy with it. I have too many hand wash items to not have a machine that will wash them.

Great Weekend

2009-01-25T10:51:00.003-09:00

Another busy week, crazy new kitty adventures, ending with a visit from my friend Mary. It was so great to have her here for a visit - lots of yarn talk, a bit of knitting, and a lot of great visiting. On Saturday we went up to Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia, saw the "wild" ponies, and went for a short hike. It was great to have you here - I hope you come again soon!

Meet Petunia

2009-01-14T16:23:00.003-09:00

I have several friends that attract stray cats, and as a result, I am continually being offered cats. And for some reason, this time we said ok, we'll try it out (with the option to return her if the other animals didn't get along). And it is working out, even though our other cat, Utah, is still a bit scared of her. Petunia is very friendly and loves to play, loves to be petted, loves having a new home. She's still not sure what to think about Sally dog, but Sally is kindly giving her a bit of space.

Thank You!

2009-01-13T18:46:00.002-09:00

I received a fabulous package from my Warm Ewe Up Winter Swap Pal. I am a very lucky girl to have such wonderful swap partners! This is a lovely, thoughtful package that suits me exactly.

First, a lovely card:
My pal wrote, "The handmade mug is from a new Etsy seller - this was her first sale. I always think that brings good luck to the owner of the object - so I'm passing that good luck on to you!" What a kind and generous sentiment to match a fabulous mug. Also some super tasty looking (haven't indulged yet, but it is supposed to get cold here this week, so I'm thinking it will be calling my name tomorrow night) dark hot chocolate, and some snowflake stitch markers. I love snowflakes - even more so if they are on something I can use!
And then there is the super soft, lovely, lovely, lovely Rowan Cocoon yarn. A yarn I have been wanting to try, and now I can't wait to knit it. Thank you again!

Warm Ewe Up Winter Swap Questions

2009-01-12T17:26:00.002-09:00

I received a fabulous package from my pal for this swap (thank you!). I have to charge my battery and then will post about it tomorrow. I have lots to blog about this week...after my package, I have another very exciting post. And, I might even get a knitting update in this week!

A bit behind on the questions...

Question 1: Why did you learn to knit?

My aunt knits beautifully - most sweaters. And I love sweaters, so decided it would be good to be able to make my own. Ironically, I have yet to knit myself a sweater. But I own a lot of sweaters, that while years old, are still great, and so I still wear them. Most of my knitting ends of being gifts.

Question 2: If you could only knit or crochet with one brand of yarn for the rest of the year, what would it be and why?

Wow, what a difficult question, I have a couple of favorites. I have a current love for Malabrigo, but am so loyal to Blue Sky Alpacas - I want to buy ALL of their yarns every time I see them. And there is a lot of variety, cottons, wools, etc. But, no sock yarn, and I do like to have a pair of socks going (although my current ones are going very slowly). Overall, though, I think Blue Sky Alpacas would win. (Still vacillating - may change my mind in a couple of minutes - I haven't even mentioned others, like Rowan. Maybe that is why I have so many yarns in my stash, I love them all and you can't make me choose just one!)

Secret Pal Thank You!

2009-01-06T13:52:00.003-09:00

I received another wonderful package from my secret pal. She sent a note printed on paper with seeds in it - after you read the card you can plant it and wildflowers will grow (I use some face cleanser that uses similar packaging - what a great idea).

Some goodies including festive holiday tissue, a cowl pattern, the most fabulous smelling candle (birch and peppermint, I don't think you could get a better combination), and some tasty chocolate (about 1/3 of it is already gone).

And a great project bag filled with a skein of super soft Schaefer Yarn Judith - so pretty. Randy commented that he wanted to be surrounded with it, so soft and warm.Thank you again pal! What a wonderful package!

Freezing & Such

2009-01-06T10:07:00.000-09:00

I am freezing! Seriously, hit cold and snow out west, I was fine. Here it is 45 degrees, and I am sitting in the house with long underwear, wool socks, and a hat - and the extra heater turned on. I hate humidity - where is my snow?!

School starts tomorrow...another six classes, but no lab hours. That means I will only be working two late nights a week instead of three. That is why I thought to torture myself with lots of knitting classes. I have met some great people in the classes, but I would rather just hang out with them and knit instead of having to be teacher and plan things and such. Knitting is becoming a bit of a chore sometimes. So many projects I need/want to work on, and now I am starting more classes. Debating how many knitting classes to teach - they are more stressful than they are worth, I think. But, I know I will be doing one, a technique class where we knit afghan squares using various styles and methods. Don't know whether to do this as a class, or more of a knit a long. But, I am collecting worsted/aran weight wool to knit with. I was thinking of using the Lamb's Pride Worsted that I have, because I have 16 skeins of it, but after working on Randy's vest with said yarn, I am not sure it would show the different patterns and stitch definitions well enough. I do see one blanket on Ravelry that used it and looks great, so perhaps it's the small needle size and/or moss stitch pattern. And, it's not the softest yarn for a blanket. My colors are very dark, as well - navy, burgundy, charcoal, brown, and oatmeal. I think I will just use whatever worsted/aran I have in my stash - hopefully a very good stash buster.

I did find some new yarn that I love (color, feel, appearance) that I wish I could do the whole blanket out of. It is Shepherd's Wool (Stonehedge Fiber Mill - Made in Michigan). I wanted to buy a blanket's worth, but decided on two skeins. So soft, so pretty. I am thinking I would like hats made out of it - one red, one brown. I wonder if I could get three hats out of it.... I've decided I really like hats.

Ok, back to cleaning, blah. I did manage to get rid of the pool table yesterday. It was busted, but too heavy for me to lift. So, I got a bit for my drill to undo all of the screws, and then used my small saw to cut it into pieces I could manage. I took it and a load of other stuff to the recycling center yesterday. Today I was hoping to get rid of the stuff we have been storing for a friend (seriously, it has been here for over 9 years), but the rain ruined that. I have been trying to get rid of it since I moved in (takes up a ton of the basement and renders it useless), but it has taken me a year of pleading to even get him to broach the subject with the storer. He finally called them and has called a couple of times, but there has been no quick action on their part, imagine that... So, I am storing the stuff we brought back from Utah in the truck until I have room to move it inside. I have offered to take it to them, take it to the Goodwill, give it away, whatever. But it still sits there. Yeah. Didn't want to use the basement or garage anyway.

Home Again, Home Again

2009-01-03T18:26:00.003-09:00

We made it home again, and I have to say, 4000 miles of knitting does not produce much. Ok, so I did drive about a third of that, and slept some, and got distracted some, but still. Randy even got me a headlamp for Christmas so that I could knit at night. Not one finished project. I almost finished one of the mittens for my mom, almost finished two hats (one got added to the list of projects - my mom decided that since she didn't get her mittens, a fast hat and matching mittens would be good), and worked on Randy's vest. I have figured out that I am not a very fast knitter. More on the knitting when I get photos.

Here's a photo in Colorado that I took with my phone as we were driving. We had great weather almost the whole time for driving. We had some snow in Utah, but mostly it was nice. We didn't do much, mostly just spend time with my family. Oh, and visit a bunch of yarn shops. ☺ We even stopped in one on the way home in Salina, Kansas. So, um, new years resolution is about all kinds of diets - perhaps I shouldn't be buying myself any yarn for a while. Haha, we'll see how long that lasts. Maybe I'll put up a ticker, or just frequently look at my bank statements for encouragement.
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday - Happy New Year!

Utah

2008-12-28T07:05:00.002-09:00

We made it to Utah and are enjoying a relaxing time with lots of snow. I spent a lot of time knitting on the way out, but didn't get much done. I was working on the mittens for my mom, and my attention strayed frequently. I am almost done with one, but stopped to start working on other things (like a fast hat and mittens for her - she even bought the yarn for it). I have been visiting a couple of yarn shops, and buying a bit of yarn - mostly for swaps and secret pal. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so no photos from the trip.

Warm Ewe Up Winter Swap Questionnaire

2008-12-20T18:16:00.002-09:00

Do you knit or crochet, or both? How long have you been at the craft? mostly knit - I think about crocheting, but don't ever get very far

Do you spin? yes

What yarns/fibers are your favorites? I love soft, natural fibers, especially merino.

What yarns/fibers do you not like? synthetics, scratchy

What yarns/fibers would you like to try but haven’t? bison, quiviut, Rowan Cocoon, really I love soft, pretty yarns, and love to try new types

What are your favorite colors? Colors that you don’t like? I love earth tones and blues. I also seem to get a lot of red. Natural fiber colors. I don't really care for bright rainbow mixes, or neon.

What are your favorite types of projects to knit/crochet? I kind of like a lot of things, just depending on my mood. I usually have a bunch of projects going on. I do a lot of gift knitting.

What are you currently working on? See previous post.

What is your favorite FO? (Please post a picture if you have one.) Maybe the purple branches scarf - I don't know that I really have a super favorite

Are there any techniques that you want to learn? top down raglan sweater

Do you have a yarn winder and/or swift? yes to both

How do you store your needles/hooks? several cases

Do you collect anything? yarn, fiber, books. I like boxes that I can fill with stuff, hand made soaps (especially peppermint), hand made mugs

Do you like sweets? not so much - more cookies or cake, dark chocolate (especially with mint or nuts) - but it takes me a long time to get through anything. I would rather have one really, really good small something than a lot of something that is everyday.

What are your favorite scents? peppermint, citrus, cinnamon apple (cannot handle vanilla at all, and try to avoid anything flowery or sweet because they make my head unhappy)

Are you having a birthday during this swap? no

Do you have any online wish lists? (Amazon, Loopy Ewe, etc.) Please include a link for your pal. Amazon

What is your living situation (Are you married? Do you have kids, pets, or both?) married, one dog and one cat

Are you allergic to anything? strong scents, smoke

Is there anything else that you would like your pal to know? I love to get to know my pals and find out about them - meeting new people is a lot of the fun of swaps for me.

Secret Knitting & Destash Plans

2008-12-14T07:46:00.002-09:00

I decided this year to do more holiday knitting. I think I have a pretty good chance of getting it all done, although the mittens for my mom may vex me. But, I am going to have a lot of car time, which should equal a lot of knitting time. So, I have my knitting list, but I also want to get a few bigger projects done and get rid of some serious yarn. Randy is great and not only doesn't complain about my yarn acquisitions, but gets excited for me when I get new yarn because he knows how much I love it. So, although I didn't have any knitting for him on my list, I am going to try and sneakily add a bunch. And some things I will be able to knit right in front of him and he either won't know it's for him, or he already knows about it so it will distract from the real surprises.

Here's my list:

Green Autum Druid Mittens from the last Vogue Knitting. These are for my mom, and the pattern requires a lot of attention. I think if I work on them for a bit so I get all the symbols memorized, they will go faster. But, I am making them out of sock yarn, and while it is a color she will love, it's not so soft. I am planning on knitting a second, plain mitten out of a strand of cashmere (very weak) and a strand of lace merino as an inner lining. (2 skeins)
Cat Mittens for a friend at work (2 skeins)
Thrummed Mittens for Randy's mom (1 Skein)
Hat for brother (4 skeins)
Hat for another brother (2 skeins)
Hat for brother's girlfriend (1 skein)
Hat for Randy (he really liked the one I just knit for myself - he loves those earth tones, too) (2 skeins)
Finish Randy's socks that I started forever ago - magic loop, two at a time, and they just seem slow even though I am just doing a basic rib pattern (2 skeins)
Fargyle socks for Randy out of the pokeberry yarn I dyed - he claimed that yarn for something for him, loving the color and the process (he's starting to sound like my mom, "Is that for me?" "I would like something out of that..." ☺ but, to be fair, I don't do a lot of knitting for him, and he loves it. So nice to give to people who love that you made them something and appreciate the work in it.) (2 skeins)
Finish Randy's sweater - this will be a diversion, but hopefully I can finish it as well (10 skeins)
Zipped Vest for Randy - this will be the main surprise, and I should be able to get it done. (8 skeins)
Secret swap item (2 skeins)
Secret gift item (4 skeins)

Ok, that's all I can think of right now. But, if I can get it all done, that's 48 skeins destashed. Time to wind some yarn, gather patterns, and start knitting! I need to get the thrummed mittens done before we leave, but should make some good progress on them today. I think maybe I like planning projects better than the actual knitting!

And you though I only started projects...

2008-12-13T16:49:00.003-09:00

A cowl for a swap -
Hat for one of my brothers, modeled by Randy, more of the gray and green -
A Christmas stocking, I did a class, will embellish later -
A scarf for a gift -
And best of all, a new hat for myself out of the Malabrigo my secret pal sent me. I love this yarn; it is so soft! I wore it all day today - Mostly have a lot of gift knitting to get done. But, I started my Christmas baking today (finally!) and now it smells like Christmas in our house. (You really couldn't even tell it was before I started the assembling the ingredients). I'd post photos, but I am making stollen again and it looks pretty much the same as last year.

Thank You!

2008-12-09T05:50:00.003-09:00

I received a super package from my secret pal yesterday - full of hat patterns, some lovely, lovely, super soft Malabrigo yarn, a cute card, US 10 DPN's, and some tasty, organic treats that are so good. This package is fabulous! Thank you pal! I think Malabrigo is becoming one of my new favorite yarns - it is so soft! I can't wait to start knitting it - and I was just thinking that I need a few more hats. Randy likes this yarn, though, too, so it may be a hat that we can both wear. ☺

Knitting Meme

2008-12-07T07:13:00.002-09:00

Taken from Mrs. Q's blog...

What is your all time favorite yarn to knit with?

Hmmm, probably Misti International Misti Alpaca Suri Silk, although I like a lot of yarns and I haven't really knit a lot with the Misti Alpaca. I love soft yarns, natural fibers, and I love trying new yarns. I just like yarn.

Your favorite needles?
the Knitpicks interchangeables - especially the Harmony wood ones - so lovely and pointy.

The worst thing you've ever knit?

Probably a felted bag - the pocket didn't really come out, the color wasn't happy, didn't felt well.

Your most favorite knit pattern? (maybe you don't like wearing it...but it was the most fun to knit)
Maybe the Milano Scarf. I enjoyed the finished product - almost wish I had kept it instead of gifting it (one of those don't really think they appreciated it). I may try to find interesting yarn one day and make another.

Most valuable knitting technique?

picking up a row of stitches so that you can rip back to that point

Best knit book or magazine?

I love books and magazines. A couple that I recommend to people are the Getting Started Knitting Socks and the first Stitch 'N Bitch. I also love my Interweave Knits subscription.

Your favorite knit-a-long?

Haven't really done one - well, more than sign up. Not so good at staying on one project. Am supposed to be doing the Forest Path Stole, but I want to dye the yarn for that and I just haven't taken the time to do that yet. Maybe after the holidays.

Your favorite knitwear designer?
No one favorite

The knit item you wear the most? (how about a picture of it!)

Probably a beanie - and I don't have a photo. I think I need to knit another hat or ten for myself, more colors to match.

I Almost Cried...and I Still Might...

2008-11-21T08:39:00.002-09:00

Received in the mail today...

"Congratulations, you have received a passing score on your Master's Comprehensive Examination!"

Still not sure if I believe it...I passed the test! Hallelujah!

Oh, and to make this day even better - it's snowing! I suggested and yarn celebrations, but my husband pointed out that I kind of already did that last weekend. I thought it was a good excuse. ☺

The Big City

2008-11-15T18:00:00.002-09:00

We went down to the city - I can't even remember the last time I was down there. It was a fabulous day with some good yarn shopping, Indian food, and then two bookstores.

I wish I could knit yarn as fast as I can buy it. But it was a good sale, and I got some really good deals. Like 50% + 20% off Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk DK. Lovely stuff. All 25 balls of it. Had my husband not returned to the store as I was getting ready to check out, I probably would have ended up with at least three more types of yarn. At least yarn (well, and books, but not as much) is about the only thing I shop for. Imagine if I also was into clothes and house stuff and such.

I think I am addicted to lovely yarn.

Oh, and on the knitting front, about ten projects started, nothing finished. Must finish something, anything.

Secret Pal 13 Questionnaire

2008-11-13T05:52:00.004-09:00

Yes, I have decided to do Secret Pal again, so here is my questionnaire.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? I love soft, wool yarns. Natural fibers. Color and feel are very important as well. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? really don't care for synthetic fibers (although I have some in small percentages of blends that are ok), and especially am not a fan of "fun" or flashy yarns. More I like natural - color, fiber, everything.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Have multiple cases - two for straights, one that holds circulars & dpn's, and one that holds my Knit Picks interchangeables.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? About 4-5 years. I learned from my aunt as a child and picked it up again recently. Probably intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Amazon

5. What's your favorite scent? peppermint! (really am sensitive to scents, especially vanilla, can't handle it at all)

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? not really - I like a bit of dark chocolate (especially with mint or nuts), but don't really eat very much of it. I like baked things more - but am trying to be good and not eat many.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? spin, quilt, learning to dye, learning to rug hook and braid rugs, cook, garden

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Americana/folk/bluegrass/singer-songwriter

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I like most colors, especially robin's egg blue and earth tones. I don't really do well with neons or mixed bright colors.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? married, 1 dog, 1 cat

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? yes, yes, yes, no

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I almost think I like planning more than knitting! I like knitting most everything, but tend to work more on portable projects.

13. What are you knitting right now? what am I not? 3 sets of mittens, one hat, one scarf, two sweaters, 1 basket, a couple of toys, a blanket, I can't remember everything. Maybe I should finish some.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? yes

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? hardwood, circulars - no plastic or aluminum

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? yes

17. How old is your oldest UFO? 4-5 years

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe? not really a favorite. I celebrate Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect? yarn, books, maybe hand potted mugs - not really a collector, I hate to dust

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I have a couple in my wishlist. I also really like Dalegarn/Dale of Norway, Elsebeth Lavold, Jaeger. I subscribe to most of the Interweave magazines, also Vogue Knitting, Knit Simple, and Rowan

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? always, but nothing at the top of my head. I just pick it up and try it when I want to knit a project

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? yes, size 10

23. When is your birthday? April

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? hickorie

A Tuesday Evening

2008-11-11T18:45:00.002-09:00

Not at home watching television. I work three nights a week, and Fridays are often busy and exhausted, so Tuesdays are kind of my night at home. And, to make Tuesdays even better, House is on, so I can actually watch a show I like. Tonight, however, we had tickets to a concert at the Civic Center. We debated going, for we didn't know the band or their style. (The tickets were free, so we weren't feeling a loss - more like, oh yeah, that concert is tonight.) With only minutes before it started, we decided to go. It was fabulous, I am so glad we went. And now, I have some new music to enjoy. Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem

I'm so excited...

2008-11-09T19:16:00.002-09:00

I can't wait to get home and dye.

We went to SAFF this year again and I was so good - I did not by any fiber or yarn! But, I did buy a lot of stuff to dye with. And, am really excited to begin a massive dyeing project. I have been playing a bit with some natural dyes, well, as much as time allows. I have a bunch of yarn coming so that I can start doing some serious dyeing, though - hopefully fabulous colors and yarn are coming!

Here is my first bit of natural dyeing. I used pokeberries - mashed and soaked in vinegar for a couple of days. (It took me that long to get back to it after I mashed them. I wasn't planning on leaving them in longer than about a day.) Then I added some water and boiled them for a bit - outside. They are seriously nasty - must be toxic to breath that in. After that, I strained the berries and such out, and then added some alum and the yarn. I forgot to soak the yarn before putting it in they dye pot. I added one, remembered to get the second wet (but not as good of a soak as it should have had), and then added it. Cooked for awhile, and then let them cool.
After rinseing them out in some Soak (just what I have right now), I let them dry.
Can you tell the difference between the two skeins? The picture above is a bit truer. One is a bit more brown than the other. I don't know if that is the one I stuck in dry or the other. They are more salmon/orange than pink. So much fun. I am getting a dyeing shop set up. Slow progress on the basement for all of my plans, but it is progressing. And then, or even before then, dyeing maddness!

Next to dye (as soon as I have time to pull the hulls off) - black walnut.

Falling, Falling, Gone

2008-10-27T18:08:00.003-08:00

Flaking a bit out there tonight - did it really get cold this fast? I think we only just turned on the heater last week. Maybe two weeks ago. The leaves have been falling quickly, carpeting our yard. Lovely, but also a bit messy. Our whole yard, and porch, and deck look like this.
I took these pics yesterday. Randy decided he had been cooped up in the house long enough and despite only having one arm to use (surgery went well and recovery is good), he went out to clear a bit out of the garden. Sally helped.
Seriously happy dog.

Getting Away

2008-10-05T17:57:00.003-08:00

We finally had a weekend with nothing else planned, no work, and so we escaped.

Randy was supposed to have had surgery on his rotator cuff, but the scheduling got messed up. When you call to schedule a surgery, doesn't that mean you are scheduling the surgery and not just the pre-op? Grrrr, made me very angry because we had cancelled all of his lessons already, and it sets back the recovery time so it means he is out of work even longer. So maybe next week, or maybe the next. Oh, and did I mention expensive? Seriously, the doctor charges $5000-$6000 to do the suregery. The hospital? Around $17,000 on top of the doctor. It's an outpatient surgery - what the heck is all that money for?

Anyway, since he was free, we packed the little car and drove south. It was perfect weather, and we went to the Smokey Mountains to camp and listen to the elk bugle. They imported some elk there in 2001 and in the fall, you can go and see them and listen to them bugle. There is an area right by the road where they just hang out and graze, and you can watch the power play between the bulls as they try to manage and control a harem. We heard a lot of bugling, but didn't see much locking of horns.

"[M]ale elk make their legendary bugling calls to challenge other bulls and attract cows. Their calls may be heard a mile or more away. Large bulls use their antlers to intimidate and spar with other males. Most encounters are ritualistic and involve little physical contact; only occasionally do conflicts result in serious injuries to one or more combatants. During the "rut" in September and early October, dominant bulls gather and breed with harems of up to 20 cows." (from the National Park Service: Great Smokey Mountains, Elk)
We got up this morning and saw a bit more and went on a couple mile hike, then headed home. We stopped in Asheville for some coffee and chocolate and got a tasty baguette at the City Bakery & Cafe. Tasty good - I wish we had someplace like this in our town. We really have nothing here. All in all, a fabulous and much needed weekend.

Better

2008-09-30T05:04:00.002-08:00

The little nut is doing better. Actually a ton better in the past couple of days. It has taken him this long to really get back to his crazy self. He went to the vet a couple of weeks ago and got all his shots. He had gained a pound since last year. Must be all the cheese he likes to eat. He loves dairy, not meat so much. And he is such a beggar - every time I am in the kitchen he is there hoping a cheese shred will fall. And, of course a couple always do. ☺ I asked him to pose for a photo for you this morning.

How Does Your Garden...

2008-09-29T18:13:00.004-08:00

Fall?
And this was before it rained.

Super-duper Fabulous Mail Day

2008-09-22T18:39:00.004-08:00

Knitting magazine and two packages! Yay! Today, a super thank you to my secret pal. Guess where she's from?
Goodies including herbal teas and Burt's Bees.
And...some cotton yarn goodness...
My pal was KnitKnitMama. A super huge thank you for being a fabulous pal!

Is it really almost the end of September?

2008-09-21T18:34:00.004-08:00

I can't believe how quickly this month has gone. This work stuff really eats up a lot of time. Most of my time is just working. Taking another class, which is also a bit busy. Started banjo lessons - really need more practice time. And knitting. Working on Randy's sweater again, not much progress. Started a pair of socks for him. Working on some mittens, a lace scarf - kind of slow, in the background projects. Knit a baby tunic that I thought of using as a gift, but it is not as soft as I would have liked, and just not happy with how it turned out. It was a fairly quick knit, though, and I really like the pattern, so may do another. And, I have been working on a Bobby Bear. I have had the yarn for awhile, and wanting to use some of my stash for quick projects, decided to start the bear. I think it is only going to take 4 instead of the 6 skeins of yarn the pattern calls for. I just need to stuff it, knit the arms and ears, and finish sewing it together. I am thinking of felting it a bit, not wanting the stuffing to show through as is typical of a lot of these bears. Don't know yet. And, that means I need to get some polyester fill stuff because the wool I have would felt. Any thoughts?

How I Got To Alaska

2008-09-16T17:44:00.001-08:00

komodo.utsystem.edu/med/rmckinley/NorthtoAlaska.wmv

Improving

2008-08-17T07:38:00.003-08:00

Utah is doing better, moving around a bit more, but still not eating much or drinking. He has started walking around again, though, and his face isn't as swollen. He has also started going outside again this afternoon - huge improvement over this morning. I wish he would drink a bit and eat more. He has only eaten a bit of the gravy off of his soft food. I guess that is a bit of liquid. I don't know if I should give him some water with a dropper or just leave him be. I hate for him to be so dehydrated.

School starts tomorrow. Mondays and Wednesdays are my really long days - teaching from 9-9. I am working the same amount of hours (29 because they don't hire a lot of full time employees), it seems a lot more because I am teaching six classes and only working four hours in the help lab. Last semester I taught three classes and worked 15 hours in the lab. It is going to be some heavy grading this semester. I am looking forward to going back to work, though. I rather enjoy it. Well, most days. ☺

Worried

2008-08-15T19:38:00.004-08:00

My cat hasn't been around all evening. I called and called, but nothing. He usually hangs out in the house in the evenings, a bit in and out, but around. After not seeing him for a few hours, I got a bit worried and I took our dog Sally out to look for him. Nothing. More worried...we get home and I decide to look under the porch, his hiding/sleeping spot when he can't get inside - and there he is. But he won't come out, won't really move. He stands up for a second and then lays back down, just looking at me. I try getting his toy that always rouses him out of hiding, canned food, calling him - nothing. He's still there. I don't know if he is scared or injured - but he's been under there for a long time if he's scared, and what is he scared of? He usually comes out when Sally is outside, but nothing. My husband said he didn't show earlier, so he has either been under there or gone for about nine hours. It's amazing/crazy how worried I am and how much this little guy means to me. I don't know what else to do but just wait for him to come out.

Update: 8:22 am - We weren't able to get him out last night, but Randy got him out this morning. He let me hold him and pet him for awhile - unusual behavior. But he didn't seem to have any injuries. He hasn't eaten anything, even wet food, and is just sitting in a room - not sleeping under the bed like he usually does. I don't know what is up with him, not his usual behavior. Maybe he ate something bad? Maybe he got stung or bit by something? Keeping a close watch on him today...

Update: 12:31 pm - Took him to the vet - dehydrated, constipated, temp of 105 degrees F, and some swelling on the one side of his head. She thinks it's an abscess forming, so hopefully some meds will help it.

FO's

2008-08-12T18:27:00.004-08:00

I finally finished some projects - and yes, I have already cast on for more. Here is the Milan Sweater - I did buy one ball of yarn to finish it. I still need to get some toggle buttons and do the loops, but there really is not a place near me to get any. Maybe I will get some when I go to Utah next time. Sad that I get to Utah more often than I do a major city around here (well, I go to the cities to fly out to UT ☺).
And my retro rib socks - first toe up, and did two at a time on one circular until I hit the heels. I liked the toe up, still so frustrated with the short row heel. I am going to have to find a different heel for the next toe up socks. I really don't like the socks, but I was too far in knitting two at a time to rip them out.

Cherry Drop

2008-08-12T18:23:00.003-08:00

So, with gas prices so crazy, at the end of the school year in April I was paying over $400 a month to get to work and back. My vehicle gets horrible gas mileage, so we decided to get a commuting car. We got a really good deal on a new, very basic (manual, no AC, no CD player, etc.) Chevy Aveo - my little cherry drop, aka "Bing." We put over 400 miles on it in the first week.

Visit

2008-08-03T17:44:00.003-08:00

It was great to have my mom and grandma out here to visit. We got a ton of stuff done, they helped me out in the yard, and we went lots of places. They were also able to go to two of Randy's shows (as part of Amantha Mill):
My mom even tried the Virginia Reel with a friend of ours:
One of the highlights of the trip - my mom and grandma conspired to surprise us with one of our favorite dinners - rolanden. It is easier to get the beef cut correctly out there, so they bought the beef, made the roladen, froze them, packed them in a disposable cooler with some ice packs, and put them in a suitcase. A couple of days later, they had thawed, and we warmed them up, made gravy, potatoes, sauerkraut, and red cabbage and had a fabulous dinner. We even got out the china that my grandma gave us, and used the beautiful new tablecloth that Mary gave us for a wedding gift when I went and visited her in May.

Thank You!

2008-08-03T17:38:00.002-08:00

It has been a while since I last posted and I have lots to write about. First, and most importantly, is a big thank you to my secret pal - she's fabulous! In addition to sending a lot of good communication (even though I am a slacker), she also sent a wonderful second package. She sent some great soap (look how cute the Mary Engelbreit packaging is!), some yummy snacks, and some new Knit Picks needles - size 2 & 3 circular. I have already cast on some socks using a pair - I love these needles. Wood is my favorite type of needle to work with. And these are so smooth and have great points. Thank you pal!

Busy Week

2008-07-23T18:58:00.002-08:00

End of semester + cleaning house + lots of yard work + mom & grandma visiting = minimal blogging for the rest of the month. Cheers!

Happy Monday!

2008-07-14T11:56:00.000-08:00

Fabulous

2008-07-11T08:24:00.002-08:00

Randy's birthday was a couple of weeks ago and he requested carrot cake - his favorite. I am always looking for that really, really good recipe, and this time I found one that ranks pretty high from The Pioneer Woman site. I think next time I will add the nuts to the cake instead of the frosting (it added a nice nuttiness to the frosting, but it masked the cream cheese taste that I love too much), and add perhaps a bit more spice. Yum!
When I was in Utah, we went to a gallery show for one of my sister's friends, Randi Lile. She had some fabulous work, and I loved her cats. So I decided to take one home with me (well, he flew out after the show was over). Meet Fang.
And, there was an extra surprise in the package - my own personal mug. She makes mugs to sell at the coffee shop where my sister works, Alchemy, and she sent me one.

Knitting Progress

2008-07-09T08:03:00.003-08:00

I am almost done with the Milan Jacket. I ripped out the front and the sleeves and redid them on larger needles to get the gauge to match the back. All that I need to do is sew the seams, add the button loops, and find some buttons and add them.
However, I am out of yarn - this is all I have left:Do I buy another $14 skein, or seam it with another yarn? If I did a three needle bind-off, the substitute yarn would not be seen, but it might give really bulky seams. Also, I have never sewn sleeves on before - will the seam yarn show on the sleeves? Suggestions?

Secret Pal Question Week 5

2008-07-09T07:55:00.002-08:00

1) Where is your favorite place to go for vacation/holiday? Really, I don't go on a lot of "vacations." It seems most of my traveling is to see family (or to come see Randy before we were married). It's hard for Randy to get away in the summer, and hard for me to get away during the school year, so that adds to the difficulty. We go see my family over the winter break, but I don't think that really counts as a vacation. I love going to the mountains, and just traveling in general. Thinking about this makes me just want to take a trip!

2) Where is one place you’d like to go? Just one? One of the top places on my list is New Zealand - mountains, ocean, beauty, and I am sure there is some incredible fiber there. ☺

Chivo Anyone?

2008-07-06T15:41:00.003-08:00

Randy had a show today over in Blowing Rock. It is pretty touristy, expensive, kind of a bit of a resort type area. It was pretty cloudy and overcast, threatening rain. The guy who had hired the band tried to get out of the deal, saying he didn't have room for them to play inside (he has music inside on weekends, and had just been bragging about the acoustics inside when they played there on Friday. But, they kept playing, hoping to miss the rain, and it ended up being a beautiful afternoon. They stopped at 4, and it started raining about 4:30. But, I got a couple of inches done on my sock (I have ripped these socks out over and over, trying to get the short row heel. I just left a very ugly heel on the one and finished it, and while the heel is better on the second one, it is still not very good. But, I am just going to finish them and stick them in some shoes!), listened to some good music, and got to sit and talk with the fiddle player's wife. A good afternoon, with a sideshow.

The rain threatened a bit, but people still sat outside to eat - especially if they had their pet with them. Friday, there were three dogs at the restaurant, and today there were four dogs, and one goat. Yes goat. And notice the rather full red geranium in the background? By the time they left, it was a very bare pot of stems. The goat also ate leaves, hamburgers, French fries, and whatever other leftovers they came up with.

Secret Pal

2008-07-03T09:54:00.003-08:00

Thank you to my secret pal for a package! She sent a note with a notepad and some stitch markers she made. Thank you!
Also, I have been a bit of a slacker and haven't been answering the secret pal questions, so here are the first four.

What is your favorite summertime drink? I drink a lot of water, but other than that, I love good lemonade - heavy on the lemon, better made with honey than sugar.
As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation/break/holiday? Besides the obvious no school, probably being able to go to the lake.
What would you consider the perfect amount of stash? Hmmm, a yarn store would be good - a very well stocked yarn store.
1) What yarn (that you don’t have/haven’t used) would make your stash “complete”? I don't know that any one yarn would make my stash "complete" - can it ever be complete? I would like to try Rowan Cocoon, I love the Bluemoon Socks That Rock Silkie Sock Yarn, and I have been eying some in the Raven Clan colors. But there are so many yarns that I haven't tried - never complete. 2) What yarn do you never want to be without? Misti Alpaca Suri Silk - love this yarn, can't get enough of it.

Finally growing!

2008-07-02T06:33:00.005-08:00

A bit more productive this last week...
We got the garden in...Randy did a great job on the retaining wall. We only did one this year, and we'll do another level next year, then the next, etc. Hopefully we will eventually have veggies growing all over the yard - well, at least where there is even a bit of sun.

I am also trying to grow some veggies and herbs in pots.Not much knitting, at least it doesn't feel like it because I am knitting the same thing over and over again.

I've been reading a bit, too. I read a couple of books by Harlan Coben. I always find it interesting to have someone ask me what I am reading, and then ask if I like this author or that, and then look at me like I am so ignorant when I haven't heard of them or read them, especially in the mystery genre.

Another Week

2008-06-22T10:13:00.002-08:00

Another week has passed and I am not sure what I did. Not much apparently. Randy had a couple of shows, I worked a bit on my socks, cleaned out one closet, and got some containers filled with soil and plants. Other than that,

I redid the front on the sweater, and almost done with the other front panel. The gauge now matches the back and what the pattern calls for. I am still debating redoing the sleeves.

My computer is just sitting in the corner. They are sending me a new video card, and hopefully that will take care of the problem. I would put XP on it but I am not sure that all of my hardware would work with XP. I'll have to check into that if the new card doesn't work.

Maybe this week I will actually have to get something done. I think I looked at paint last week, selected some colors - that's some serious laziness. Here's a pic of my help - I'm sure he'll help me clean and paint and such. ☺

Argh.

2008-06-15T11:04:00.003-08:00

The only thing compatible with Vista is a shotgun.

After months of suffering and really wanting my computer to work, I wiped everything and reformatted. And it worked. For a day. And then the computer crashed and it once again rejected my video card. Downloaded the new driver. Worked. And then...black. Not even a blue screen of death, just nothing. Restart - ah, something now, the option to start over and reformat, again. Should have bought a Mac.

I started working on the Milan Jacket again. I had finished the back, and was almost done with the sleeves, and then I took a break from it to get some things ready for a couple of classes and finish some socks. So yesterday I picked it up and started knitting it again.

The pattern calls to repeat rows 1 & 2 of rib pattern 8 times. I stopped at 6 repeats for a total of 12 rows for the bottom ribbing on the back. Finished the sleeves and started on one of the front pieces. Had almost 7 inches, and realized I had followed the pattern and done 8 repeats instead of 6. Ripped it out, and today, started again. Thought I was getting close, so counted my rows on the back and then counted my rows on the front piece. Same number of rows, but my gauge is tighter. Do I rip out the front, and try and fix my gauge, or just knit a few rows more so the length is the same? Oh, and the gauge on the sleeves matches that of the front, not the back. Maybe I should rip out the back and reknit it.

I guess I'll go do some homework, that should round out the day nicely.

Ridiculous

2008-06-09T12:22:00.002-08:00

Over six years ago, my husband cancelled a phone account with AT&T. There is a credit on this account of $26.82 (notice the present tense). Instead of cutting a check and closing the account, AT&T has sent him a statement, three pages long, telling him he has a credit, every month, for the past SIX years. I called the company today, and after being disconnected once, then transferred twice, I got a recording that told me that my husband's company has to send a fax to them requesting a refund. Musician my husband is, but not a very good secretary. It is not surprising that in six years he has not sent an official fax but has just thrown the statements into a pile. Think of how much paper, ink, postage, etc. that AT&T has wasted in six years. When a customer closes an account, end it then! Why does he have to send in a fax? They owe the refund, they should just automatically pay it. They have spent far more than the amount of the refund on paper and postage. Ridiculous!

Mosaic

2008-06-08T08:33:00.004-08:00

I saw this on a couple of blogs and thought it looked like fun.1. Rebecca, 2. Breakfast, 3. Taylorsville, 4. Robin's Egg Blue, 5. Brett Farve, 6. Water, 7. New Zealand, 8. Black Forest Cherry Cake, 9. Sheep Herder, 10. Randy, 11. Random, 12. Hickorie

Created with fd’s Flickr Toys.

If you want to play:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

The Questions:

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Your flickr name. (kid version: favorite animal?)

Secret Pal 12 Questionnaire

2008-06-07T04:55:00.002-08:00

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I love natural fibers, especially animal fibers. There are so many great fibers out there, though, and I have been on a cotton kick lately. What I really look for is feel - how soft it is, and then color. I really don't like knitting with acrylic or other synthetics.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have several cases: two for straight needles, one that holds circulars and dpns, and one that holds my Knit Picks interchangeables.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I learned to knit from my aunt when I was young, but didn't really get into it. My stitches were a mess, and she always wanted me to knit slippers that I thought were so ugly (like great-grandma slippers!). I picked it up again when I was in Texas, but really got into it after I moved to Alaska. So, I guess about four or five years by now. My skill level would probably be intermediate, there are still a lot of techniques out there I haven't tried and don't know how to do.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Amazon

5. What's your favorite scent? I am really sensitive to scent and so am pretty particular. Peppermint is my hands down favorite, and pretty safe, as are citrus scents. I prefer natural scents. Nothing floral, no cucumber, and absolutely no vanilla.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I don't really have a sweet tooth, although I love cake. But, I am trying not to eat sugar, and don't really eat candy anyway. A good piece of dark chocolate, especially with nuts, can also be a temptation, but then, possibly not the best option for a summertime swap.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I started spinning this year and I love it! I have a Louet S17, probably the ugliest wheel out there, but very easy to use. I also have a lovely drop spindle that I haven't really used much. I also quilt, although I have to admit I haven't pulled my machine out since I moved to NC. I have purchased some fabric, though. ☺ I also just got a bunch of fabric to hopefully begin rug making.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) My computer can play MP3s. I like the folk, Americana, bluegrass, singer-songwriter genre. (I know it's not one genre, but they all blend a lot). Think Folk Alley or summer festival stuff.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I love color! I tend to buy a lot of earth tones, a lot of blues. I also really like natural colors, undyed. I really don't care for super bright colors or something with tons of different colors (like sock yarn that looks like a rainbow sherbert).

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Married, no kids yet. One dog and one crazy cat.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Hats and mittens. I like the idea of scarves, but don't wear them a lot. And I don't need any help looking fat, so ponchos are out.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Don't really have a favorite, although I tend to get through portable projects more quickly. I tend to take my knitting with me, so socks, hats, and scarves are pretty easy.

13. What are you knitting right now? Three sweaters, one hat a pair of socks, and two bags. Oh, and a never ending scarf.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Wood or bamboo. Don't like plastic or aluminum. Love my Knit Picks Harmony interchangeables.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Probably about 4 years old.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving and Christmas - I like the thought behind those the best. But, I don't really get into holidays that much.

19. Is there anything that you collect? Yarn, fiber, fabric, books, music, plants. I don't really collect anything, too much dusting! But I do like sheep, and cats. One day I would like to have sheep...

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I really like Dalegarn books, and also have a few other books listed on my Amazon wish list. I subscribe to Interweave Knits, Crochet, Spin Off, and Piecework. I also subscribe to Vogue Knitting. I would like some of the Knit Picks Harmony circulars in sizes US 1, 2, and 3, especially in the 40" size.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? There are tons of things I have yet to learn, but I just learn them when I get to a project that uses them. I can't really think of any in particular right now.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yes! Size 10, narrow.

23. When is your birthday? April 12

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? Yes! hickorie

One Year!

2008-06-06T06:38:00.004-08:00

Flying home from Utah, I brought some crazy things back on the plane. Like a couple of plants, and, my wedding cake. My mom had kept the top layer in her freezer since the wedding, and I brought it home for our first anniversary. It was still in pretty good shape, considering.
And, it tasted really good still!For our anniversary, Randy surprised me and took me to Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia. We saw a great performance of Evita, and then went to dinner. We went on Sunday because Randy had to work all day Monday. So Monday, I made dinner (I made pasta sheets, spread them with a cream cheese veggie mix, rolled them up, then baked them with sauce and cheese on top. Also a salad, some bread, and fresh green beans.) and then we ate our cake.

Blink!

2008-05-31T06:52:00.005-08:00

I really can't believe it's the end of May. This year seems to have gone by so quickly! And it seems that I am getting farther and farther behind in my posting. In April, we went to Merlefest. It's actually held on the campus where I teach, so school was closed for those days. It was great to be outside and listening to good music - it got me all excited for the summer music season.

I have also been busy knitting and spinning, finishing two pairs of socks and starting too many new projects. Hopefully I will finish some soon.
I also finished spinning some merino and silk roving I had - it is about a lace weight, 2-ply, 490 yards. I am ready to start spinning something else. And, I have a lot of lovely fiber because at the beginning of May, I drove to Pennsylvania (five states in one day! Not in the West anymore!) and Maryland to pick up some wool for making braided rugs (14+ kitchen garbage bags full!), and to meet Mary and go to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. It was great to meet Mary, and the fiber festival was huge. I bought a lot of fiber, and of course a bit of yarn. It was so big I think we only made it through about a third of it.

School ended, and about a week later I flew to Utah to hang out with my family. My mom, sister, and I drove to Colorado over the weekend to see my brothers. We took the scenic route on the way home, driving through a lot of beautiful desert and stopping to look at very vandalized petroglyphs. I really hate how people just don't respect and care about things. I also got my hair cut while I was out in Utah (oh, and I got some new specs in April).

Happiness Comes in Fiber

2008-04-16T05:35:00.004-08:00

Yes, a happy birthday it was.
I got some Cotton Silk that I have already started knitting into the Milan Jacket. It is going fairly quickly, and I am almost done with the back.
We went into Boone (one of the nearby towns that has a bit more) and had a late breakfast, and then went yarn and fabric shopping. I got some books, the new Rowan and a couple of others, and I found some fabric on sale for 50% off, so I bought a bit to make a bag.And then some yarn - Mission Cotton.
And some roving...
In other news, we have had temps in the 70's, and also had some snow this weekend. I have been reading a bit (spinning wasn't good when my head was splitting), and knitting socks. I finished one of my socks, and have started on the leg of the second. Also, I am kicking myself again and again, because I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A MAC! I hate Microsoft. And no, my very expensive, new computer is not working because Vista had and update that puked in my computer. My monitors won't work because Vista thinks the video drivers are malicious. I think Vista is malicious, evil, spawn of all that is greedy. I have tried everything I can think of, and the only options left are shooting it or reformatting it. Evil, evil Microsoft. BUY A MAC.

Remembered

2008-04-08T05:02:00.003-08:00

When I was posting yesterday, I couldn't remember what I was going to post about. I remembered. My haircut. And yes, that's how memorable it is. I went to a new stylist, really wanting something fresh and new and ready for summer. I got suburban mom blah. I gave him carte blanche; he gave me a trim. Made it even, that is good. During the cut I even told him, "You can go shorter." Nope. The radical change? Parting my hair on the other side. Or maybe he didn't notice which side I parted my hair on. Definately not picture worthy. And yes, all of this was worthy of a blog post.

Still waiting for the sun, furiously knitting socks.

Sun Please

2008-04-07T13:12:00.002-08:00

I would like to see some sun, please, instead of this continual rain and gray. Oh, and I mean sun on a day I don't have to work - how about this Saturday, please!

I've been sick. Sinus yuck where you want to drill a hole into your head to relieve the pressure. No spinning, little knitting, a bit of knitting. What a waste of time. Better this week - so really, I am ready for some sun.

I did start knitting a market bag; I'm really tired of the mounds of bags that collect from groceries even when I try so hard to not get any or get as few as possible. I have one reusable bag, but seriously, only one bag of groceries? I really don't like shopping, so try to load up when I go. That may be from growing up in a large family - it wasn't really stocking up as much as filling up.

I think of all kinds of things to writing about until I actually sit down to write, so am really feeling more and more random lately. Hmmm, good movies we have watched recently: Into the Wild and August Rush. Fabulous. Both made my cry. Both have great soundtracks.

I bought the spinning wheel. I think spinning appeals to me because I am still not sure what the end results are going to be, and they can be so easily changed and manipulated. Keeps me interested.

Recycling tip - Reuse the cotton that comes in your vitamin bottles. Not sterile or really super clean, I know, but certainly very good for things like removing nail polish. Ok, so I don't polish my nails, but there has to be some use for it. And, I read somewhere that OPI and Sally Hansen are taking one of the really bad things out of their polishes. Still, I am pretending to play the guitar, so my nails are really short. Actually, some polish would probably help.

Must get healthy. A lady I know got diverticulitis. Yep, I need to eat more greens. Oh, and that whole exercise thing. That, too. Anyone want to share some motivation with me? I read in a magazine as I was standing in the grocery line that you can lose 20 pounds in 30 days. The trick? EXERCISE. Walk 50 minutes, good exertion, a day, every day. Oh, and eat better. I really could have told you that, don't bother to buy the magazine. What I really don't do is bother to do it. Tomorrow, really.

Another random side note. I have been looking for podcasts, getting back into being online a bit more (what else do you do when you're sick?). I opened the blog associated with one, and there was no capitalization. Well, there were areas that showed a good command of basic grammar skills. The actual post about the show, in fact. But the other posts in between? Nothing. I don't mind errors unless they are excessive and interfere with reading. But deliberate slaughter - what a turnoff.

Joined a pair of socks a month challenge on Ravelry. I love sock yarn, and I love to buy it. But, I don't knit it very quickly. I have two different socks on the needles right now, and enough sock yarn to make about 14 more pairs. So, since I have been having sock yarn cravings (I blame Kati because not only does she quickly knit fabulous socks, she makes me drool with all of her fabulous sock yarn acquisitions), I thought this might be a good way to get through some of my stash so that I can justify buying more.

Ok, off to fiber night, and I will be working on knitting socks!

37 with a Wintry Mix

2008-03-30T07:58:00.003-08:00

Yes, it's the weekend again, cold temperatures with rain, sleet, and a chance of snow. Ah, well, it's a good excuse to stay inside and spin. ☺ Here is my first bit - it really is a mess. I wound it into a hank so that I can whack it, and there were parts that weren't even plied. I have learned a lot about spinning from reading posts and just practicing. I am really enjoying spinning, but wish I were better. I want instant perfection.Yesterday we went up to the maple festival and had pancakes with fresh maple syrup and sausage - yum! We didn't stay for long (well, the wait in line to get the food was long enough!) because of the cold and drizzly weather, but we took a very scenic route home and enjoyed the ride.

Yesterday evening, we turned off everything: television, lights, computers, etc., lit some candles, and spent an hour of Earth Day trying to save a bit. It was a really lovely evening - I spun and Randy played the guitar, and then we played a bit on the guitars together (that never lasts for long because I am not good and get distracted!).

I spun up some pencil roving I had. I love the colors, but am not sure how successfully it spun. I was trying for a not over spun, more of a worsted weight. Some of it's spun, some not, some over, some under. It's an art yarn. ☺ I also made it through some merino I had, and got it plied. I need to whack and shock it and stuff, and then perhaps it will make a lovely pair of mittens.

Busy, Tired....Random

2008-03-27T14:49:00.003-08:00

Too tired to do much - I think getting back to work is wearing me out. That and all the sugar I have been eating lately. I have such a hard time avoiding it - but I need to. So, goals on eating and exercising starting next week - I'll have more energy then, right?

I did get a bit done during spring break - mostly working on the baby blanket I was finishing for someone. Also finished the scarf for my mom's relator. And that is about it for knitting. I have been busy, though, learning to spin. I actually spun enough to ply it together and make a ball. I am not very pleased with the result, but I have been reading posts about how I need to get it wet and whack it to loosen some of my over-spinning and make it poof a bit. So, pics after the whack. I am using a Louet S17. And, though I really don't care for how it looks (I love the traditional, pretty spoked spinning wheels, not the big piece of plywood wheel), it really is easy to use, not tempermental, easy to adjust, easy to move around, and, I have heard, nearly indestructable. That is my type of equipment. Oh, and it is a lot more reasonable priced than some of the wheels. I was waiting for a wheel to be made locally, a Saxony style out of black walnut, but, I think the Louet has won me over. And, because it is just ugly plywood, I can have a lot of fun decorating it. ☺ I really want to get better at spinning, and not over-spin so much so that it doesn't have to be plied. I want to spin yarn like the Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride - a lovely worsted single ply. Something soft, that feels like yarn, not like some harsh rope. Must practice more...but more practice over-spinning does not better make - any one know what changes I should make?

I feel so random when I don't post to my blog very often. Like, I could talk about how hot it was today and why that is so wrong, but it would make more sense to complain about 70 degree weather if I had posted about the snow on Monday. Yes, snow. Did I miss spring? It must have happened on Tuesday when I was working all day.

Is it already Thursday? This week seems to have just started, and now it's almost over. Summer activities and festivals starting...actually going to have a bit of activity for a change. Tomorrow night we are going to actually go out to a restaurant with my co-workers. I am trying to think of the last time we did something that seemed like a social occasion...maybe the concert in January. That seems so long ago... Saturday is the Maple festival on White Top Mountain. Pancakes and sausage and real maple syrup. Of course, though, since it is my day off, they are predicting rain. Soggy pancakes and sausage...reminds me of a book I had when I was a kid where it rained food, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. Funny where our minds can wander. And then next week is April.

As I said, random.

Must Finish Projects

2008-03-16T07:15:00.004-08:00

I like starting projects. And I like finishing them. It's the in between part that slows me down. On the needles, I have:

sweater for Randy
sweater for me
socks for Randy
socks for mom
scarf for mom
scarf for mom's realtor
mitts for sister

And, I have another scarf that needs to be blocked, and a baby blanket that I am finishing for someone, so don't count as one of my projects. Some of these projects are very close to being done - like finishing the thumbs on the mitts and weaving in the ends. Hopefully I can finish the white scarf and the mitts today. And hopefully a lot more knitting this week - it's Spring Break, yay!

I did recently knit and finish a Booga Bag. This was knit for display in my newish LYS - they are just starting, and I want them to be able to sell lots of yarn because I love have such a close LYS. It was knit with Louet Riverstone; this yarn felted really well, with minimal shedding.

In the South

2008-03-09T10:47:00.004-08:00

I live in the mountains of NC, and the area is not as "Southern" as other parts of NC. Sure, you can find livermush and grits on most breakfast menus, but it is still more bluegrass and mountain folk. I think, however, that it is more southern than I realized. Driving around Wilkesboro (the town where I work) the other day, I found this advertisement:

No, I did not go there for lunch. Nope.

Kitty Knits

2008-03-06T05:24:00.003-09:00

I am part of the blog tour for the new knitting book "Kitty Knits" by Donna Druchunas. I was really excited to see this book, because, although I have a sweet dog, I am really a cat person. And I always get grumpy that there are so many dog patterns, but not very many cat patterns. It's a lot of fun reading the blog tour, as well - yay kitty knitters! You can stop by Donna's blog and read about the other blog stops, as well. Here's a brief description:

Kitty Knits is the first knitting book entirely devoted to the funny, furry felines in our lives. Discover creative ways to knit up practical projects for kitties to love and cat-themed designs for
owners to enjoy. Just like cat batting at a ball of yarn, it's a perfect match.
Over 20 projects feature items for cats, their people, and their homes -- along with adorable photos of cats with their knitted treasures.

Choose from toys, beds, mats, and more for cats, plus feline-inspired sweaters, hats, pillows, and bags for cat-loving knitters. Find projects in a variety of styles and skill levels, from felted
designs to Fair Isle patterns.

http://sheeptoshawl.com/kittyknits.html

The book is great, with a variety of projects. There are a couple of cat toys (door hanger, felted catnip mice), several cat beds, a place mat, and then there are a bunch of for human projects as well including hats, sweaters, socks, slippers, socks, bags, and a pillow and blanket. I love the little embroidered baby blanket, and want to make the felted appliqué pillow.

And, in honor of kitties, here's my little nut, Utah, posing for ya all.

Seeds of Spring

2008-03-04T02:48:00.003-09:00

I bought a bunch of seeds this weekend and had fun planting them last night. One of the trays is all herbs - those will probably all go into containers on the deck. It was so fun to play in the dirt for a bit, limited as the dirt actually was. I can't wait to see sprouts! And yes, that is a knitting needle I used as a digging/planting tool. ☺

Knitting Away

2008-02-27T10:01:00.003-09:00

I started a knitting class and it has been a lot of fun. For the first project, we did a simple beanie hat. Almost everyone finished their hats, and they looked great. It was a fun project to begin with, not just a scarf or a potholder or something. I had four class sessions, and they could come to as many as they wanted. My next class is going to be a sock class. Kati shared an outline of what her sock class had been like and that helped so much to know how to set it up - thank you! And, after that, maybe a bag class, maybe some open knitting help days, and maybe then some lace for spring/summer, or maybe a tank. Just whatever everyone wants. It's a lot of fun. We are also going to start a prayer shawl knit a long, so maybe the classes will just morph more into a knitting group. Yay! More knitters!

I am itching to knit - knit something that I want to knit, vs. something required. I am working on another scarf for my mom's realtor, a felted Booga Bag for display in the local store where I teach my knitting classes (and that will probably double for display for the bag class), a sock for display for the sock class, finishing some mitts for my sister (must finish tonight), need to knit some mitts for my mom, finish Randy's second sock, etc. I really want to be working on Randy's sweater. I also brought home a spinning wheel to practice on (spinning class was canceled because of the weather, so I borrowed a wheel). But, I really should be cleaning and grading and doing homework and blah. And, I need to get some seeds planted so that I can have some sort of garden this summer.

We live on a hill, so I want to do some terracing of the little area (of course it's the area considered the "front" yard, so it has to try to look good) that gets sun, but it is almost overwhelming to even figure out how to begin. I am thinking maybe just one step this year, and then another next year, etc. Any ideas? Mostly I think it will be container gardening on our deck, and maybe a bit in our friends' plot again. Not enough sun on the deck, really, and a bit of a drive to the friends', so not ideal for my garden dreams. One day I will be the farmer, rancher, hippie, baker, quilter, spinner, knitter, geek, musician girl that I want to be.

2008-02-19T14:52:00.002-09:00

I've been tagged by My SP11 Partner, Kati to participate in a random things about me tag. Here are the rules, and they must be posted to your blog:

Link to the person’s blog who tagged you (see above).
List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself.
Tag random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog and also so they can look at your blog and not tag the same people all over again

7 Random Things:

I hate editing (and I'm and English teacher).
I have never lived in one house longer than three years (not military).
I hate shaving my legs and rarely do so, especially in winter.
I always wanted to go to Cornell, but didn't even apply to more than the one university I attended (BYU).
I used to do math worksheets for fun when I was a kid.
When I was growing up, I wanted to be 5'10". I still do.
I fell asleep through most of the operas I have attended.

People Tagged:

A Bit More...

2008-02-17T06:46:00.002-09:00

So I realized that because I had started my last post a bit ago and finished it today, that even though I had changed the content to suit today's date, the date posted didn't change. Really, though, my life has been the same for several weeks. Very blog worthy. ☺

I also realized that I forgot to brag a bit about my best V-Day gift ever received. I really am not a big fan of the day, although I have to say it was tons better celebrating it being married, just has a different feeling and meaning. Anyway, I really didn't want anything (although truthfully, I do love receiving stuff, and any excuse is good), but my husband assured me that I would be getting something in the evening - I had to wait until I got home from work that night. On Thursdays I work until 9 pm, which means I don't get home until almost ten (yes, it is a horrible commute, but what do you do if that's where you find a job?). So after I got home, I walked in the door and immediately, a warm, cinnamon aroma washed over me. (A couple of weeks ago, we had gone out to dinner and I got some bread pudding. It was really good, and my husband filed away my affinity for this dessert.) He went completely out of his comfort zone and baked me some bread pudding for V-day. Warm, tasty treat for a cold, late night. He got me a couple of other things (some soap I love and a few tulips), but really, what more needs to be said than bread pudding....yum! (Yes, he did find a mix; he is branching out in his cooking experiences.) I hope you all had a wonderful week. Back to my knitting - I will finish some projects!

2008-02-04T04:48:00.001-09:00

This last week has been busy, but I haven't really accomplished much. Mostly it is just going to work - it seems that I spend most of my time driving back and forth. A couple of weeks ago I started attending a spinning class (forgot to take pictures), and I started teaching a knitting class (forgot to take pictures). The weeks are just crazy. I have the knitting class on Mondays and Saturdays (there were a lot of people, so I split it), Tuesday and Thursday I work until 9, and Fridays, after I get done teaching, I started working a couple of hours in my husband's store. At least that is over at 6. I am ready to go back to bed...

I have been slowly knitting, mostly on one of the "volunteer" scarves. I made it through one skein. I have also been slowly working on a sweater...slowly...but, my gauge seems to be pretty good, and I like how it looks so far. I also had one of my knitting students ask me to finish some of her projects. She offered to pay, so I now have an almost done French Market Bag in my queue (all that was left was the handles and felting), and a baby blanket that is going to take a bit more work to figure out what the pattern is, rip out past her mistake (which is why she didn't want to finish these - she had made mistakes and was tired of the projects and just hated them hanging over her) and finish knitting it. Pictures of everything soon.

Should Have Bought a Mac...

2008-01-27T11:25:00.000-09:00

I just got a new computer. I have had my laptop for about 3 1/2 years and it is slow, doesn't run the programs really well, etc. Still good, but, not fabulous. So, I had a bit of a tax rebate from last year (I filed late, so it was a late in the year return) and decided to get a computer with it. I really wanted a Mac, but they are more expensive. And last time I had one, I was always having to find ways to go around and fix things in order to get everyday processes to work (mostly online things, which probably just aren't problems any more since so many people have Macs). Also, my husband has never used a Mac before, so he wasn't really excited about the idea. And, I got a pretty good deal on a pc.

I get the computer, unpack it, am all excited, and, after consulting with a friend, figure out that they didn't think about the second monitor when building the computer so didn't give me the right video card or cables to connect them. So, I have to buy another video card, increasing the overall price (yep, getting much closer to Mac price - and have I mentioned how much I like Macs and how beautiful they are?). Ok, not that big of a deal. But, I also got Vista. I've had my computer all of what, two days? and I've already had to find fixes. So frustrating. I should have bought a Mac - I hate Microsoft.

Ok, enough blah. It really is a nice computer, and it's great to have a desktop again. Dreamy.... ☺

Snow Day

2008-01-17T17:46:00.000-09:00

Yay! It finally snowed here! We had received a dusting or two earlier, but this is really the first thick snow of the year. We got a couple of inches, maybe around three. And, that meant that schools were closed today - a day off of work! Nice. Not that I got anything done, I just hung around in Randy's store all day. Getting out of the driveway was a bit interesting; we live on a very steep hill, and we were only able to get one vehicle out of the driveway and up the hill. The hill scares me - I can just see my vehicle sliding down it out of control and into the neighbors yard or house.

I started knitting another sweater. Because I still haven't finished the last one. And I am supposed to be knitting some scarves (someone volunteered me to knit them a couple of scarves, for pay, of course, but seriously, no one would pay enough for a scarf to cover my time) and I also need to knit a couple of pairs of fingerless mitts. More on the new sweater later, if it progresses (it's already been frogged a couple of times and then a new pattern chosen because the gauge just was too far off. But, at least maybe I am figuring out that gauge thing. ☺).

Fabulous Surprise

2008-01-13T08:37:00.000-09:00

Imagine this...your husband conspires with a friend to surprise you and friend's wife. You wait all week, not knowing...and then on Saturday, you start driving. Several hours later, you are in Knoxville, Tennessee. After some great Thai food, you get to the surprise at the Tennessee Theatre...

Thank you sweetie - a super fabulous surprise! It was a fabulous concert.

picture and text from http://www.tennesseetheatre.com/

Happy

2008-01-11T18:45:00.000-09:00

Pics and Such

2008-01-05T16:04:00.001-09:00

The trip to Utah was pretty quiet. We didn't really do much as most of us were sick. I did start a sweater using my new KnitPicks Harmony wood needles (my fabulous, fabulous gift from my sweet husband. He knew I wanted the wood tips, but the sets were sold out. So, he bought the metal set, and the individual wood tips - now I have a double set!). My gauge was off, so I ripped it out and started again, but hopefully there will be some updates soon. I was also volunteered to knit a couple of scarves for someone, and I need to make another pair of fingerless mitts. But, here are some pics of what I did manage to get done before Christmas.

Simple garter stitch scarf for MIL.
Hat for SIL.
Blocked a scarf I finished a bit ago.
Falling leaves scarf out of bamboo for SIL.
Fingerless mitts - "Fetching" given to brothers gf.And here we were making stollen - it came out really well! Randy is using our ulu, a type of Alaskan knife sent to us by my friend Sherry in AK. It worked great for chopping.
Yes, it was a big batch - starting with five pounds of flour.
And the finished product.

Fast

2007-12-27T03:20:00.000-09:00

Wow, I can't believe December is already gone - I am still stuck back in June, I think. Things have been quiet around here, seemingly busy, but thinking back, I am not sure with what. Once school and work were over for the semester things got a lot lighter, but then I started some frantic gift knitting. Nothing like being told a week before the holiday that we needed gifts for everyone in his family. I managed to get a couple of scarves done and a hat for the MIL and two SIL's, and I finished some fingerless mitts for my mom. I should finish those up today. I also made some stollen by myself for the first time - and, I am happy to say, it tastes just like my grandma's. Pictures of all later - we are in Utah right now visiting my family. It's cold and snowing here - wonderful! I wish you all a happy New Year!

Happy December!

2007-12-02T17:18:00.001-09:00

I celebrated the first of December by going to Miss Babs' open house and buying some lovely yarn and roving. I really want to learn to spin...I so want a spinning wheel. And, we have put up a couple of Christmas decorations, although we are really low key. The first is a nativity set that my mom made (poured and then sanded the ceramic pieces) back in the 80's. She made two sets, one for herself and one for my grandmother. My grandmother has been getting rid of, so when we were there in June and she gave us some of her china, she also gave us the nativity set, and then I also asked for her Santa mug set. She hasn't used it since I was just little, and was happy to get rid of it. Not as happy as I was to get it!
And last, I found a cute little rosemary tree - it smells great, and I can always cut some off to cook with. ☺ I love plants, and I have been adding to our collection.

Out of Touch

2007-11-29T13:52:00.001-09:00

I feel so out of touch with everyone and everything.

It was a great holiday, busy with my mom and sister here. We did a bit of shopping - I even hit two yarn shops! And, impressing myself with my incredible control, I only bought one skein - and it is a skein of roving, so that doesn't count, right? ☺

We also cooked a fairly traditional meal on Sunday - and my husband was so impressed with the apple berry pie he took pictures. It actually tasted pretty good, too.I have been busy trying to get homework done, have a ton of grading to do, and then got sick this week - hopefully soon this will be over and things will calm down, right? I hope you all had a fabulous weekend.

Week

2007-11-19T07:31:00.000-09:00

I have so much to do, but it seems that not much is getting done. Most of Saturday was spent at a show of my husband's that was an hour drive away and ended up taking most of the day instead of the couple hours it should have. I finished knitting the scarf I have been working on, so now just need to weave in the ends and block it. I tried to work a bit on the socks, but I was sitting outside and the metal needles got a bit cold. I also did a bit of cleaning this weekend, but again, not enough. I swear, it seems like all I ever do is vacuum dog hair.

I am pretty excited for this week, even though I have a ton of homework to do for a deadline, and more homework and cleaning and such. My mom and sister are flying out, however, so not only is it a bit of break from work and some tasty food, but I get to see them, as well. We aren't cooking a big dinner on Thursday - we are going out to eat. Randy is playing at some restaurant/resort place, so we will eat there and listen to him play. Randy and I did the same thing last year, and it was great. We had really good food, and I got to sit and listen to them play while I knit. ☺ Fabulous! I don't know what we are going to do the other days they are here, maybe go down toward Asheville for a day and visit the Folk Life Art Center (or whatever it's called, I never remember).

So...before they get here...lots to do. I hope you all enjoy the holiday week and have a good time with family and friends.

Work, work, work....

2007-11-12T14:06:00.000-09:00

Work, and homework, and housework, and yardwork...not much knitting or anything else. Well, a bit of stress...the semester will be over soon, right? And then a bit of a break before the craziness begins again. Finished the baby beanies, and made them a little big, I hope. I want to do a sweater for another friends' baby out of the left over yarn. I am also almost done with my scarf, but nothing else. Ok, time to make some dinner...blah...and then some grading or homework.

Updates and Such

2007-11-01T16:10:00.000-08:00

First, the winner of my contest is Jen with 23 miles - congratulations!. I think I need to start knitting faster.

I did work a bit more, and also started a baby hat. I don't really know how big to make the hat - I need two, by Saturday, for a shower. I just got the invitation, so fast knitting. I am making it out of this lovely Island Cotton that I purchased at SAFF this last weekend.
I didn't buy a ton at SAFF, a bit of yarn for my secret pal, the cotton, some soap, and a bit of roving. I really want to learn to spin - this is good incentive. I've got a spindle, and some regular wool, so as soon as I spin that, on to my new merino (blue) and Bluefaced Leicester (s0, so soft! the brown).
We also walked around a bit and saw the animals - I enjoyed seeing the animals, but really wished they had labels or signs posted saying what breed they are. One day I will have some fabulous wooly animals that will provide soft yarn.

We drove home along the Blue Ridge Parkway - incredibly beautiful!