Badass lace knitter!

I am so proud of completing my first lace project -- the pattern is Tilting Ladders and I found it via Knitswreck's Ravelry page. It's from the Barbara Walker Treasury of knitting patterns. Details are on my ravelry page, but it's knit in Rowan Wool/Cotton on Size 7 needles. It took me a while to get the pattern working correctly (mistakes and ripping out) but once I did, I was cruising. This scarf will be used for a Silent Auction at my son's school and I hope someone takes a liking to it! Given my propensity for starting things and giving up when they get difficult, I am very pleased that I stuck with this. It's inspiring me to consider more lace knitting.

I haven't been posting much. My knitting output is not very high although I am always knitting (or buying yarn)! I just bought a kit to knit the Blooming Cotton Scarf in teal and am looking forward to that. I also plan to knit myself a good looking and good fitting cardigan that will flatter my figure. If you have any ideas, please let me know.

Some knitting and a new family member!

I found some Noro Silk Garden Chunky on closeout at Webs and decided to knit myself up one of those cool, colorful Noro striped scarves! While some of the colors in the two different colorways blend together in spots, I am still very fond of the outcome. Here's a closeup:



And, introducing our latest addition to the family, Mia.



Mia is a 14 week old lab/shepherd puppy. We got her from a rescue group in Massachusetts that "imports" stray dogs from down south. Mia is from Tennessee and I think she is in complete and total shock going to pee and poop outside in the ice and snow. Not only that, she has been through a lot of transport and unfamiliar places in the past week, so we are giving her time and space to get used to us. She is very sweet and loves to lick hands. We think once she feels more comfortable, she will want to play more. So, hi Mia and welcome to Massachusetts!

Holiday knitting

Here's a Fair Isle Christmas ornament I knitted for my brother and s-i-l, from Moth Heaven's pattern. I used worsted instead of DK weight yarn, so I got a ball that fit the width of the styrofoam ball you wrap it around, but there sure was some extra height at the top! I stuffed that with a plastic bag or two. It's a bit lumpy but attractive. I'd say that it's a success, only it should probably go on a big branch not a flimsy one!

Also made some more Calorimetry head wraps for various members of my family. They were a big hit. Some people like them for neckwarmers instead, which is fine with me. I'm still working on the the So-Called Scarf (the one that looks woven). I couldn't resist some Noro Silk Garden Chunky that was on sale at Webs to work up a quick scarf. The colors are luscious. As usual, my plans exceed my capacity to turn it out. I was telling DH that if Armageddon comes or some big storm, I'll have enough yarn to live out my life knitting. Of course, there may not be enough food or coffee or other essentials. But, damn it, I'll have yarn!

Vacation time = fun. Lots of food, wine, seeing friends. It's been so nice to slow down and not have to rush places. Of course, preparing for Christmas was exhausting, between the last minute shopping trips thanks to bad weather, the wrapping (got up at 5 AM on the 24th to start it) and the getting it all ready. It all turned out well and turned out to be fun, well worth it. And no whining about presents.



Happy 2009 to all!

I'm Thankful For.....

• The skunk in our basement that was removed by an exterminator yesterday. Now all we have to do is remove the smell!
• The broken water main pipe in front of our house that was fixed quickly today and didn't cost us big bucks.
• The wonderful Boston Symphony concert I went to lastnight with my fantastic brother.
• Good friends
  
• Seeing family at Thanksgiving

Have a wonderful holiday.

In the dentist's waiting room

I'm waiting for DS #1 to have his braces put on. While I am knitting, there is a woman next to me yammering on her cell phone to a friend about a party she is having and how to get to her house (on a really nice street in Brookline). She turns to her daughter (about 12-ish) and says, "Did you tell them you were here? Don't be a milktoast!" Between that and the cellphone chatter, I had already formed lots of opinions about this woman. So after giving her friend directions and assuring her that "my driveway can hold 30 cars", she gets off the phone. She berates her daughter for not speaking up (though the daughter did), then goes to the receptionist and tells them how they've been waiting for 10 whole minutes, that she has to be somewhere in 45 minutes and they are holding her up. "You people always give me a hard time if I'm one minute late." She just lit into these nice people for no reason at all. Then, she turned around toward the waiting room for, what, sympathy? Bad move.

Unlike my normal, somewhat lowkey self, I said, "Maybe you should get off your cell phone and tell them you're here." She said to me, "My daughter's old enough to speak up for herself." Sure, whatever. Her daughter was mortified, I'm sure. The receptionist said, "We'll be ready for you soon." I said, "It's not their fault if you're yammering on your phone -- why blame them if you're running late?" Then, the dental hygienist came down to get her. She said to me, "This is none of your business." I said, "Good enough. Then don't talk on your cell phone in here." After she went upstairs, I said, "What a b*#ch!" We all agreed it's the daughter who loses out here, having to deal with such an embarrassing mother. Wow. People are amazing.

When I Grow Up.....

You Should Be a Doctor

You are practical, sharp, and very intuitive. Optimistic and energetic, you are a problem solver who doesn't get discouraged easily. You are also quite compassionate and caring. You make people feel hopeful. You're highly adaptable and capable. You do well with almost any curve ball life throws at you. You do best when you: - Are always learning new subjects - Use your knowledge to solve problems You would also be a good therapist or detective. Well, I was a social worker for a while, so maybe this thing isn't a crock.

What Should You Be When You Grow Up?

Introducing the new bed!

Thar she blows, the new bed and mattress! First real, grownup purchase we have made for ourselves in many years. The bed actually overpowers the small room, but I don't care. It's worth it for the comfort and size. It's so great to have a headboard, when you are reading or watching TV in bed! It's much higher than the old one, so I feel quite elevated, like I'm in a pickup truck as opposed to my Subaru wagon. But I'll get used to it. The good thing is that my back doesn't hurt as much in the morning. I'm hoping this helps lessen my sciatica problem.

Still working on those mystery socks and not getting very far. I restarted the So-Called Scarf, now that I've got the hang of the stitch pattern and don't keep dropping stitches, creating uneven ends. I also, even in these economic hard times, ordered some sock needles from Knitpicks, as well as the Chullo Hat kit. It just sang to me!

Just got over the endless birthday celebrations, including mine, 2 birthday parties for son #2 and my brother's Oktoberfest party. Enough already, with the parties! I'm ready to do something else, like rake leaves!

Endings, birthdays, beginnings

Today's my 48th birthday. Can't believe I am this age, although I do like even numbers and 48 is divisible by many numbers. In the picture above is the hemp ponchette that I knitted this summer and finished in September. It's supposed to have the ends sewn together to make a poncho but so far I haven't sewn it together and am not sure I'll do so. I have to say, the hemp gets softer as you work with it. I will ravel the details 'cause I can't remember them all now. It was a fun and easy knit, once I got the lace pattern figured out.



Above is the broken bed....it's an old platform bed from my early 20's that came with me to lots of places. But the particle board started ripping and THAT explains why I was sinking into the bed at night!!! The new bed is a real grownup bed, made of cherry in the Mission style. I'm amazed at the idea of us being real grownups. Pics of the new bed once it is in place.

Son #2 turns 6 tomorrow. He is already so excited about multiple birthday parties (the family party and the friends party), gifts and being a big boy. He can't stop talking!

And, lastly, my favorite jazz pianist in the world, Dave McKenna, died over the past weekend. Dave was a special guy, a humble person who could spin out the most amazing webs of music on the piano. He was a pianist by ear only, had never learned to read music. Somehow, he could shift major and minor keys, and adjust all his songs. He created medleys of songs with similar names (with "snow" or "winter" or "delight" in the title) and would weave them together like a magician, with no sheet music to guide him. Dave used to play at different places on Cape Cod, as well as at the Copley Plaza hotel in Boston, where I would see him. I was a college student then. The Oak Bar had no cover, free hors d'oeuvres in the early evenings and expensive drinks. My friend Barbara and I would arrive at 5:30 or 6 for the opening pianist, order one drink and get a good spot. Then, we would stay for the headliner at 8. I never knew how lucky I was, listening to Dave and all the great songs that he played. It was so much fun to guess. "No, it's 'I Can't Get Started' or 'My Ship' or 'What Am I Here For?'! I can certainly recommend many of his albums, including one special one with vocalist Teddi King called "This is New" with accompaniment by Dave. It's all Ira Gershwin songs and they are lovely, including some piano solos by Dave. I urge you to listen to them. He was a very special musician and there won't be another like him, ever. Rest in peace, Dave. Your music has provided a lot of joy to people.