A Bit of Frost - but a lot of heat!!

OK - I apologize for being so absent...but with The Man here at last, life is much more interesting and wonderful - what can I say! We've had a great time together - road trips up to some Cascade lakes, checking out pontoon boats and kayaks, and fishing-camping spots, cooking amazing meals together, enjoying the reconfigured patio (including TV for summer baseball games). The weather has been perfect (smokey from local wildfires - one at 100,000 acres!). We've been busy combining our households and finding room for everything. Already house improvement projects have begun - things I've not been able to do are now getting accomplished.  My life is much improved, I'm being spoiled every day and I'm loving every minute of it.

The Garden is growing - despite the frosty night early this week. Luckily it didn't touch the tomatoes - I even ate one standing in the garden the other night - yum. I've had lots of the little grape ones! We've been eating out of it nightly. Beans and corn or coming on next.

I have actually been knitting a little. Doing a lot of planning for Christmas knitting - it's just around the corner and I've got a long ways to go. Trying to find projects that don't require me to think much - it's hard to count when with the knitting ladies on Monday nights...too much conversation! 

We are planning a big 10 day adventure in Montana at the end of the month... fishing and camping and two nights of luxury at Big Sky. Oh I am liking this new life!

Summer time and the livin is easy!

Still a blog slacker....

A knit slacker too by the way. But my garden does grow!!

Been reading a lot too - hanging out on the patio enjoying a little summer. Luckily I was gone this weekend when it poured rain - but my oh my my garden sure liked it. I good rain seems to be much more beneficial than my daily watering. Everything grew noticeably in the two days I was gone. Went to Portland to celebrate Niece Ameila's graduation - fun as always to have the whole family together. The kids did a Tree-to-Tree adventure and my sister and I got very soothing pedicures - thanks sis it was wonderful!

Have been very busy moving things around making room for The Man's stuff, his house is sold and he's moving here...OMG what a new adventure for me. I can hardly wait! After all these years to have this new life before me - pretty incredible!

I haven't been knitting much - too nice outside - but have been slowly working on socks - needed something small to take to Knitting Group. Remember when we all said we'd start Christmas knitting early - right that's not happening. I think about it and that's about all! But really must get started.

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer - send some of the heat our way!

Blog slacker

OK I've been really busy...my veggie garden is planted, I've completely dug up and redone a major flower bed, my lawn patches have been re-seeded, I replaced the inners of my toilet, I've fertilized the lawn, moved tons of plants around and knitted a little and read a little.

I had to take a break from my Dakota Dreams sweater - so I did this....Undergrowth from Knitty. Fast knit with KnitPicks. To the gift basket.
I have started the sleeves for Dakota Dreams - but it's not something I can take to Knitting Group - takes too much concentration, so thinking I'll do some new socks for me....get a head start on the winter. I'm also considering a shawl from Folk Shawls - oh they are so pretty, but maybe not so good for knitting night either. I'll think of something.

She did it!!!

The Nurse

I want to announce to the world how extremely proud I am of my youngest daughter Marianne a.k.a. The Nurse. Next Sunday she will Graduate from the Linfield College-Good Samaritan School of Nursing with her BS in Nursing. (I will post a photo later). She did this -- she got the scholarships, she worked hard, she pulled the all nighters, she worked the 12 hour shifts in her Labor and Delivery Practicum, she had the determination and focus. She had a lot of support from her family - but when it comes right down to it - she did it. She will be a compassionate, respectful and knowledgeable Nurse. She will be the Nurse we all want to have take care of us. I couldn't be more proud! I am blessed with awesome children and now we celebrate The Nurse!

Consequently as I write this I am enjoying an adult beverage and showing off my latest finished object -I used this pattern and the elephant pattern from Kathleen Taylor's Tam It all worked out great!! Just finished it tonight at Stitch n' Bi*ch - a great group.

Have planted my vegetable garden - don't know why because the weather is way below average and it's cold and raining - will the sun shine in Central Oregon again? But I made mini greenhouses out of tires and plastic. Now that's recycling!

I'm a happy camper!

P.S. - after watching SNL the other night (it was one of the best) - I'm hooked on Lady Gaga's "The Edge of Glory" - what happened to me? Am I 16 again - yep that's it!

Oops....

Isn't this the cutest thing.....Elephants on Parade....gleaned from Dakota Dreams Elephant Tam. Baby sweater for a friend of the Nomads (OMG are they old enough to be having babies?) Only problem is I ran out of yarn - KnitPicks Stroll in Blue Topaz.

This is all that's left and I have another sleeve and the raglan to do. How could I be so stupid? So I've sent the 911 to everyone on Ravelry who has it listed in their stash. Oh this is because KnitPicks is out until August. This will not do!

So am back to this sweater - love it.

Have been trying to get my yard in shape - its a little difficult when we are having "Thunder Snow" seriously I don't think spring is coming to the High Desert. But between the snow, sleet, rain and cold, I've got my yard pretty much cleaned up. Wednesday they say it will be decent - so in goes the veggie garden. The Man requested (!!!!!!) Zucchini, so of course I had to oblige. I'm trying a new approach this year - we discussed raised beds but there isn't time, so I'm going to use the old tires that I've never gotten to the recycle place. Hopefully this will temper the effects of the cooler weather. I got everything tilled so planting is next. Also am totally redoing the front beds - bring on the bark dust. Nothing grows well there anyway so I moved what was left to the back yard where they will get better care.

I've been busy! Tomorrow I'm starting the adventure with Weight Watchers again. I tried the quit smoking business - but the meds just flipped me out, can't take them. So lose some of this extra weight and then try again. Wish me luck. I'm trying to be good to myself! Maybe I should just go buy more yarn??

Better than perfect

This is the cover for my nook. It just came today - I got it here...Ginny did an exceptional job. I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!

Once again, the more I play with this the more I'm loving it. I often chart out color work in Excel Spreadsheets..saved it as a PDF, loaded onto the Nook, zoomed and put it landscape mode. Now I just scroll up or down to the next row...how cool is this. Also if I take a break and read a book (Novel idea) then come back to my chart - it's just where I left it. I'll keep you posted on more cool tricks as I find them...Oh yea - it's SpringPad not Springit I mentioned in last post. I'm going to put all my needles in there - I wrote it all out the other day, it's sad what a long list there was!

So are you staying up tonight?

If I'd only known

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new NookColor!!! Not only for reading - but since it can view PDF files - think Patterns, scanned charts etc....it is a great knitting tool. PDF files can be viewed in Landscape and you can zoom in on them. This is really handy. So now I have a book shelf on the Nook just for Knitting.

The NookCOlor runs on the Android platform and a limited number of apps are available - one called Springit which organizes lists and saved web pages etc. I'm using it for recipes that I can download from the Web into this app....then when I'm at the store I've got my list. It really is a super charged organizer for any kind of lists you keep or stuff you want to remember. I can't wait for more apps to be available.

Of course the best part is reading books. Last night was book club and we choose to read, River Town. I got home and downloaded it right away. How convenient is that - plus it is less expensive than the paperback!

This is a win win tool for me.

On the knitting front - I've put the Dakota Dreams sweater aside for a few days to work on a Baby sweater for a friend. I'm using KnitPicks Stroll sock yarn - OMG I didn't know it was so soft. Pictures when I get further along. One of my Book Club pals had the Cheryl Oberle Folk Shawls book - I'm afraid I need this, there are some really beautiful patterns.

Spring is here today - but the weatherman insists it will be leaving tonight and may return this weekend. They were predicting a foot of new snow at the mountain - come on it's the end of April! I shouldn't complain - we don't have tornadoes!

Hope all is well!

Knitting Interrupted

No pictures today. My Dakota Dreams is still WIP - but was interrupted by the purchase of a NookColor...now I've got books in my stash! Just one more thing I really need.

Since the weather has definitely not been cooperating with any outdoor opportunities (in other words all it's done is rain and blow) I have been reading and knitting when I'd rather be weeding and raking. What a life!

A friend posted this on her Facebook page and I just had to share with all!

Normal boobs ( . )( . ), Silicone boobs ( + )( + ), Perfect boobs. (o)(o). Some boobs are cold. (^)(^), and some boobs belong to grandmothers \./\./ And let’s not forget the very large boobs (o Y o), and very small boobs (.)(.), and lastly the asymmetrical boobs. (•)(.). We love them all!. Post this message on your wall and say ┌П┐(◉_◉)┌П┐ to breast cancer. Save the ta tas, find a cure!

New Fun!

There are over 30 Circular needles of various - but organized - sizes in this little 8x8 package. I love this! I got the one without the numbers printed on the tabs because I don't have any 11's or bigger - so wanted to do my own numbering. I have enough 2's and 3's to fill two pockets each. Once I've had it around for awhile I'll do the numbering. This is exactly what I was needing. See more options for Della Q here. I'd love to get another one just for DPN's - but my Mason Jar works just fine!

The good ol' days

We were such fashionistas!!

Dakota Dreams - lovin' it

New toys

Oh I can't wait to get this. I've done some investigating and this is exactly what I want. Not only is it better than the one I've seen in stores - but it was on sale. So even with shipping I got a deal. I'm just tired of trying to find the correct circular needle size...measuring the length, what size is the needle? Now I can have them all organized in their little labeled pockets!!

I've started the Dakota Dreams sweater - it's coming along nicely. When I get a little further I photograph.

Spent the weekend in Portland - a little mom time for The Nurse. We had a great time visiting with the family and of course shopping...after all it is the big city and there are real stores there, like Nordstroms! Danger! The daffodils were blooming - and it rained and rained - duh - it's Portland.

I'm told the weather is going to get positively spring like by the end of the week. Does that mean I get to work in my yard. I hope so because it looks pretty bad right now. Lots of downed branches, cones and junk. Lots of raking ahead for me.

hope all is well with your world!
ttfn

Baby Mitts and the last of the big mitts!

No more Mitts for me - I've made enough pair! Hopefully my order of Palette will come tomorrow and I can start the Dakota Dreams sweater - I can't wait. I'll be doing the hat of the same pattern - someone I know wants one! Once again how did I luck out to find a best friend who loves knitted things. Pinch me!!

Just in case I'm the only one, let me say I am sick of this weather - I know, I love the snow. But I hate the wind when its cold too. Spring - hurry up, I've got a yard to clean up.

Road trip was shortened due to icy highway - but it was a great weekend. Did the above baby mitts for The Nurses suite mates little sis. So I was productive despite distractions.

Big News - The Nurse got her perfect senior practicum - Labor and Delivery at the hospital that does all the high risk deliveries and babies......her last term will be the best!! Her sister (The Nomad) says she will be a perfect L&D Nurse! We're going up to see her next weekend - can't wait!
TTFN

Gathered Pullover

So where is the picture? Sweater is finished - a little roomier than I expected - but it's warm, very soft and comfortable. Details here. Picture is terrible. Color is correct on swatch - but not on sweater picture. When someone comes to visit me I'll have them take a better picture.

Just purchased Fearless Fair Isle Knitting - wonderful book. I'm starting on the Dakota Dreams sweater as soon as I can order the yarn - naturally - since I already have a huge stash of Palette - I have to order more because I don't have any of these colors!

One night road trip heading east this weekend. Just need to escape. Looking forward to not being at home! Have small knitting projects ready.
ttfn

Knitting Groups

Central Oregon has many Knitting groups. The Bend Knitup meets Wed. 5:30 pm at Dudleys Bookstore downtown and Fri. 10 am at Barnes & Noble.

The Redmond knitting group meets Mon evenings at 5:30 pm at Green Plow Roasters downtown. They also meet on Saturday's at Ray's market for a lace KAL! Both groups are a great way to meet new people, enhance your knitting skills and have a great time.

Next weekend (Saturday March 26th) is the High Desert Wool Growers Fiber Market Day at the Crook County Fairgrounds in Prineville from 9-5. There will be fiber vendors, spinners, dyers, fiber animals and other booths. The Redmond Knitting group even has a booth. I have to be in Portland - the Nurse needs some mom time (and her tires) so will be busy elsewhere.

Mitt Frenzie

The High Desert Wool Growers is having a Market Day the end of March at the Crook County Fair Grounds. My knitting group has a booth and I will be selling these...had to do some major stash busting and clean out - so these were perfect. Hopefully I'll get more done in the next weeks. Maybe I can then buy some new yarn...novel concept!

Spring is coming...lots of birds at my feeders. I'm hoping!
TTFN

Ask and you shall receive!

So The Nurse requested fingerless mitts...done. Then this afternoon she sent me a photo of some Coffee Cozies...done. Now I'm going back to my own projects.

I finally made it to a Knitting Group Night - Oh ladies it was soooo nice to see you all. Next time I'll bring a project I can actually see!

They say we're going to get another snow storm and a deep freeze - as always - bring it!! I'm prepared.

It snowed ALL day

So I had a blazing fire, a hot adult beverage and plenty of yarn. Finished this...
I copied the pattern from Alice Starmore's book Fair Isle Knitting. I love this book. I think I'm finished with hats for a little while - we'll see.

It's still snowing so I'll work on some mitts for The Nurse - she thinks she doesn't get enough knit wear because she's not living at home anymore. Looking back, she actually has the biggest collection...deprived child...

As far as the snow goes - BRING IT!

Be careful of what you wish for...

So this morning I commented "Bring it" on my Facebook page. And I got what I asked for. Much of it melted during the day but as you can see below I've got a broken tree - actually it's not my tree but my neighbors that broke in my yard. Hope they'll clean it up.
I had planned on getting a few chores done yesterday, but decided to knit instead. So today after work I had to slog around getting my hair cut (thanks Kimberly) then go to the store. I wasn't about to be snowed in without coffee - duh. Am home safe, it's snowing hard again and I still say bring it! Just hope I don't lose electricity as many have - the snow is very wet and heavy. Ruby Suby loves it!

Not working tomorrow so I can enjoy the wood stove (yes I brought in lots of wood) and knit away. I got another order of KnitPicks palette today, so will be working on a hat for a friend. More about that later when I actually have something to show. Do not let me purchase any more yarn - I know that KnitPicks is economical but still!
ttfn

Hand Heaters

The Geek posted on Facebook....
"Does anyone make a hand heater for a desk or heated keyboard? Typing with cold hands is hard."

How stupid and I'm a genius!

I cast on for my Gathered Pullover sweater on Thursday...knit a bunch on Friday and wasn't to sure about it. My gauge was right on, but I didn't like how the rolled edge was going to work and it seemed really really big. Mind you I'm making the large - but this was..really large. Took it off the needles and counted stitches before I ripped it out. Funny - I'd cast on at least an extra hundred stitches. How did that happen - I used markers every 50 cast on stitches. Stupid. So I cast on again and decided to do a cable rib instead of a rolled edge. I like it much better.

During the Super Bowl I made The Nomad some new mitts. The was accomplished because on Saturday I cleaned out my yarn baskets. Took all the miscellaneous won't use again stuff to the Good Will. (Saved all the sock yarn ends for a blanket someday). In the process of course I found some usable remnants...Mitts seemed the perfect thing. So knitting was my friend again!



Sunday was not a computer day - for some unknown reason my router stopped. Computer would connect to router, but wireless wouldn't connect to internet. I could connect via cable to router and to modem, but not wirelessly. So today I spent an hour on the phone with a very nice girl who didn't speak English and knew less than I did. Eventually I updated the driver for my wireless adapter, reset the router, reinstalled it and what do you know - it assigned us the network name of BigMoose (very appropriate in my house) and now it works just fine!! Whew! I love computers.

He Likes It!!

That's what I hear anyway! The Geek's hat spells part of his name in Binary numbers! Fun!

Have started the Gathered Pullover, but am not sure of the yarn choice. Plymouth Alpaca...looked on Ravelry and couldn't find many sweaters made from this. But it was in my stash from another sweater that didn't work out. So we'll see!

Will spend this weekend packing and organizing The Nomad - next weekend she'll be moving. Sad but good! I also plan on reorganizing my stash better. It's just all thrown into various baskets and draws. That will be fun to see what I really have.

I ordered a little more Palette for some more hats - they are quick and fun.

Hope all is well.

Help

I am doing a simple hat - only a small border at the bottom. Decided to do the body with a S1 K1 stitch to make a thicker fabric.

Now I'm getting ready to do the decreases for the crown....but since my stitch pattern is two stitches I will have to decrease twice in a row in order for the pattern to continue correctly. I have 165 stitches - Can I do a K2tog and a SSK right next to each other?

Any suggestions would be very appreciated. I'll post the hat when I'm finished!!

Edited: I figured it out - I did double decreases - S1 K2tog PSSO....worked perfect

Done - Finished!!

I can't believe I finally finished and love wearing the sweater. Isn't the button great!
The hat's for me - I get cold in my old age.
I've started another small project - but as its a gift you'll have to wait.
I want to make this sweater - but want to modify it. What I actually want to make is a raglan sleeve crew neck with that design in the middle....the patterns says it pulls in about 5 inches ...what does that mean? I'll have to figure this out!

Back at it!

Back at it on two fronts. Back to the blocking board. Took me hours to do the seams - I was careful about each stitch - had to be perfect. Got it all finished and guess what - it didn't fit!! Whenever I make a size XL it's too big - so I did a large and the arm holes are tight and the front is snug (since I am missing essential parts that's amazing). So back to the blocking board. Hopefully this will solve my problem.

Yes my needles were empty for a few hours - but just a few. I know - how boring - another hat. But they are fun!

Spent a lot of time organizing The Nomad this weekend. She is moving into her own place!!! Empty Nest for me! Emptied boxes, cleaned storage room out, went to the dump, reorganized boxes, etc. Satisfying to say the least. My quest for more room will soon be realized. But it will be quiet around here - I won't know what to do with myself...oh I'll think of something!!

Quick Update

I'm almost ready to have nothing - see that "NOTHING" on my needles. I've had a challenging time putting together the Girl Friday. Picked up stitches for the wide button band and the collar - never seemed to get the correct numbers each side. Finally decided I was close enough. Did the bands, button hole, collar etc. Looked totally wrong. Band didn't hang correctly, bunched up. Took it out and finally realized that the front pieces where different lengths - although I had ended on the same row in the pattern - turns out I did an extra pattern repeat. Why didn't this show up when I blocked it! Stupid.

Took out the shoulder seam, and ripped back to where it belonged. Redid the shoulder seam. Picked up stitches at a different rate than suggested in pattern - they had 2 to 3 and I went with 3 to 4.....all is now well. I'm actually on the home stretch and it looks so much better!
I vow to finish this before I start something else - which will be a hat for me!!! I haven't had empty needles for years. Before I started blogging I always finished a project before I started the next one and I never had a yarn stash. My how things have changed!!

I'm into Hats!!

I'm liking knitting hats!!

Primarily because I'm stuck on other projects. I finished blocking my Girl Friday - picked up stitches for the collar and wide front band as instructed - 2 for every 3 - but it just didn't work out - wished I'd taken a picture before I ripped it out. The first and last stitch at the bottom of the front bands were picked up at the last possible stitch - yet the bands are shorter than the front pieces....so I'll try again. I must finish this as I found the best button ever! Pictures I promise.

Wednesday is book club and I'm making split pea soup with a honey ham bone - yum! Perfect for the wet and windy weather we're having. I get to pick the book for next time and I can't decide. I had planned to suggest "River House" - local author, local story, but I started it early and just finished it. Now I've have started "Loving Frank" - about Frank Lloyd Wright and his love affair with a married woman. Fascinating story...kinda sad. We'll have to vote. Both are good and interesting.

Speaking of weather - I heard on the news tonight that the Sandy River has changed it's course near where I vacationed in November....it washed out a major road (which we drove on) and about 50 homes are stranded! Not exactly where I was - but pretty close. That would be scary to say the least!

Hope everyone is safe, warm and dry....

Blocking!!

Oh my gosh - I just might finish this!!!

But then while it was drying I started this - The Nomad picked her colors - does this mean she's going to Sweden next?

Resolutions?

These (and a bunch more) were a Christmas gift from my kids - aren't they great. We had a lot of fun doing them on a cold Sunday morning!

Since it is the season for resolutions - I've got a few...
1) Lose weight - doing Weight Watchers at home with the Nomad
2) Read more - since I'm not working I've got tons of time
3) Declutter and empty closets....what do I get rid of?
4) Knit, Knit and Knit some more. I've got so many projects in mind I hardly know where to start!!
5) Sort through the huge boxes of family photos from my parents house. Once they are sorted what do I do with them? Same goes for boxes of documents etc...What is important to keep?

I've got plenty to do that's for sure.

Sister is coming to visit for the weekend - so will be doing some kind of activity - plus eating too much I'm sure!!

Oh look who came to visit....