Yes - I do knit and blog

This has been my carry with me project - bad idea. The Ene shawl has taken me for a loop - I've ripped it out way too many times. But now am moving forward and almost finished with the last repeat of the major pattern! Yea. It will be awhile before I take another shawl on. But this is proof that I still knit.

This weekend we finally had decent weather - summer is really here. So in celebration of my staying at home for a change - I read two books and didn't knit a stitch. The Highest Tide was great and True North was sad but engaging. I'm afraid I'm into my reading stage!

Life has been so busy recently. With the passing of my Dad I've been in Portland most weekends since March. First looking after him along with my sister and brother and then getting his house ready for sale and dealing with all the estate matters. My brother and sister did most of the work - it's incredible what a pack rat my Dad turned out to be. He was a computer nerd - so there were 10,000 pounds of computer parts and manuals - no kidding - we weighed it at the dump!! We found lots of fun stuff too - old movies that were taken in the 20's - we still had the projector to show them on. Lots of family documents and boxes of photographs. Wish we had known at that stuff was there - we could have asked lots of questions.

His Celebration of Life event was great. I was so honored by some of the people that came - including one of my high school teachers!! She was one of my favorites so it really was special to see her. It was fun to see many of my parents good friends - but so sad because many weren't there. We are losing them now. I always loved my parents friends - it was like having lots of moms and dads!

On my Birthday weekend I stayed home and the girls gave me a day of gardening. We got the pots planted, the weeds pulled and the lawn fertilized. Decided not to plant a veggie garden - but have a few things in pots on the patio. The big garden is just too much work. The next day we did this....It was a great day!

The best part of the past few months is the return of The Man...turns out he never left. Just trying to do the right thing. Very complicated - but wonderful!! He was a great friend over the years to my Dad and he was there for me during the past few weeks. I'm very appreciative. Hurry - we have lots of adventures!

One last question - does anyone know how to make the post editing window in Blogger bigger? It's so difficult to maneuver pictures!

Great Birthday Cards

Just had to share - the big 6 oooooh!!!

Too Busy

Sorry I haven't posted. Been too busy driving back and forth to Portland, cleaning my Dad's house, worrying about getting everything completed, planning the service and what I'm going to say, trying to keep both my jobs and somewhere in there trying to get some sleep. I'd be even more overwhelmed if it weren't for my great sister and brother. They are doing the bulk of the work and I am very grateful. Am slowly working on the Ene shawl - one of these days I'll get it done.

The Best

Dad - you are the best! Thank you for sharing your life with us. We will miss you. We'll keep going for one more cast. I hope your dancing with Mom. We love you both.

Finished

Finally - picked up today - Straps finished. The leather guy did a great job. Now I can use it. Love it!

Sorry I haven't posted recently - life is very challenging. My Dad is passing and I've been going back and forth to Portland to help look after him at home. What a journey.

Work is crazy - new owners start tomorrow - don't know if I even have a job - but I think so!

Am working on a shawl and the baby sweater - pictures one of these days.

Knit Peace

Check this out!!

Truckers pick up knitting!

Knit on!!

Lace?

Oh my gosh I finished it! I should have done the Olympics - if I had started this at the opening ceremonies instead of half way through I could have medaled!! This was much easier than I anticipated. I did put in two life lines, but didn't have to use them. I am way proud of myself!




Now on to this little project - design a Fair Isle baby sweater with stash yarn - do I have enough? That will be the big question. I'm planning on putting the Fair Isle only on the cuffs and the hem. The main color will be the light orange and the Fair Isle the rest. Have to get out my colored pencils and thinking cap!!

Please note bone stuck AROUND Jaw - behind canine teeth. This was a round bone (you know the butcher cuts big ones into little donut shaped treats. After a trip to the Vet ER and part of my tax return (No new tires for me) she is just fine. A little drunk last night - that was entertaining.

Remind me - must go back on Weight Watchers!

The Thrill of Victory!!!

I have been having major problems with my laptop for a long time...but just didn't want to deal with it. Recently I tried to install Turbo Tax (I've been using it for years) and it wouldn't install. Support couldn't help, it was so frustrating. So I borrowed The Geeks portable hard drive, copied everything I wanted to keep and reformatted my drive - scary times - but it worked!!! Whoo Hoo - everything works better, faster. Turbo Tax loaded just fine - of course now I've got to do my taxes. But this was a victory for sure!

But wait...there's more.... Adamas Shawl - I'm on the 9th repeat!! Only 6 more to go and then the edging repeat. This is my real thrill of victory!!

I've got a baby pattern to figure out next. I think I'm going to design my own. I've got tons of washable sock yarn and want to do some color work and I've got the new book...so my creative (we'll see) juices are active.

I've really enjoyed watching the Olympics - but tonight hated to see Lindsey Vonn fall, poor thing. Go Team USA!

Look What I Found...

Bombing Yarn over Bend...."Lantern Rouge" Bend is big on Bikes that's for sure.

The Agony of Defeat

This was not the thrill of victory - This sweater just was not meant to be. The pattern was full of errors, missing sections and the stitch count didn't work for the raglan decreases....I ripped out to before joining the sleeves and the body - reknit and made some adjustments and still couldn't get it to work. When I had it all apart I put the body piece around me - too big even though my gauge was right on...it would have been too roomy for me. So into stash the yarn goes til I find something more suitable. What a waste of time - but actually I've learned a lot and it is the process! Just wish I had a finished project.


This skein was a very appreciated and totally unexpected Christmas gift from my co-worker. I'll wind it tomorrow and start a shawl. Maybe Adamas Shawl? Or Ene's Scarf. I'll have to pick soon because I have nothing else on the needles and I'd suffer from withdrawals!! Knitting deprevation!

How did you like the Opening Ceremonies? I loved it and marveled at the technology! Fun and entertaining.

I had Cedar Waxwings in my yard the other day...does that mean spring is coming? We haven't had much of a winter really - it was 58 today - I want cold and snow! It has snowed everywhere else, why not here where it's supposed to snow in winter! At least for a little while?

The Stage is Set

I've had plans for tonight for months - Opening Ceremony! I've got my knitting all organized (I've ripped out both sleeves and the top half of my sweater and am starting anew- the raglan decrease just were not working out - the pattern is poorly written....I'm going to get this right! )

I have hot toddy fixin's, the TV screen has been dusted - amazing what a difference that makes!

Go Team USA!!! and Happy Knitting to all!

Stop Knitting?

The Nurse sent me this.....thanks daughter. I've had a great time with you the past few weeks - I'll miss you lots!

Opps I did it again

I strayed from the pledge not to start anything new...instead I took a break from the sweater and clipped these out....Another pair of Serpentine Mitts.
These are such a fast knit. Might have to do a pair for me.

Went to the Bookstore last night - had no intention of buying anything - went with REI Girl. But this just jumped into my arms....Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting....Oh it's beautiful. AFTER the sweater and AFTER the shawl - then a Fair Isle Project.

Maybe something like this....
This is from this site Beautiful things - but in Swedish. I just like the colorway of this...so may use the new book to design my own!

I also started a quick hat for REI girl out of the left over Noro from my bag - it matches her jacket perfectly so I just had to do it...duh.

I have an empty house today so will knit and stay warm by the fire!!

inquiring minds

Anonymous wants to know what the bag shrunk to....

It started out at 35 inches across and now is 20....so a third? Just right.

Haven't even had a chance to call the leather strap guy yet...eventually. Have been working on the Shawl Collar Lacy Rib sweater - finding errors in the pattern but figuring them out. Almost finished with the first sleeve. I might actually get to wear this this year!

College Girl (AKA The Nurse) has brought home the new BF - I think I'm going to have to find a blogging name for him as he fits right in the family!! A Hugger to boot! Oh gosh the kids are growing up on me...

REI Girl is having a thriving time...world is looking pretty good for her these days. Moving out was a good thing. Her new house is just perfect and she is totally enjoying her independence.

Don't ask about the Geek - he has his own life - boys - what are you going to do!

I'm thinking of my frigid friends in the east - sorry it's so cold. But now you really get to put all your efforts to good use!! We've had freezing fog/rain - which I really hate because it's dangerous and dreary - especially for sunny Central Oregon. The sun will return!!

Second Post of the Day...

I'm just whipping out these WIP's - only two more projects left on the needles. It's the sweater next - more about that later. But here's the Stitch and B*tch socks - the yarn was a wonderful gift from my knitting group....OK - I'll come next week - I've been really busy with kids home etc.

Part 2

OK - this is the next stage. It will be awhile before I get the finished product. Leather straps are next!

Finally

This has been the longest project - started June 2008. Now it is in the finishing process. This is before felting...you'll have to wait for the after. I finally figured out how to make my washer use all hot water - switch the hoses and tell the washer to use cold - fooled it - it's all hot. (Thanks Paul) So now the felting is in process and it's actually working. I'll have more pictures later. I think I'm going to have leather straps put on it - take it to a saddle maker (there are many around here). I'm glad to have this off the WIP list.

I had a great Christmas - lots of heart felt gifts that were really appreciated. My best partner in crime at work (a man no less) even gave me some new yarn - alpaca silk lace weight - Oh I can't wait to get started on a shawl. My boss got me a great Audubon print of a Great Blue Heron (which we have on the Ranch) - it is framed in a wonderful old frame that sets it off perfectly. Both these presents took time and effort - I was really surprised and really honored by their efforts.

Being with the kids was lots of fun. REI Girls roommate was with us too - what a silly girl - she fit right in! I am a very lucky mom! We did things a little different this year. Traditionally we have our big Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve - but we all worked that day. So instead I made homemade clam chowder. On Christmas day we cooked the big meal together. I've always thought cooking on Christmas day was too stressful - too much going on - but this worked out fine since it was just us.

The drama at work is almost over....decisions are being made. I do know that I'm in for at least three more months - then things may change - but I bet it works out for me anyway! So am really looking forward to a positive New Year. Cleaning up my WIP list and starting a new shawl - maybe this one - Ene's Scarf - I think it's more shawl like...we'll have to see when I get at least one more WIP out of the basket!

Hope everyone's Holiday was merry and best wishes for the best New Year!!

I lied...or changed my mind

OK - I decided to do one more gift. I had the yarn, the pattern and luckily it turns out the time! Now everything is finished and everything is even all wrapped. I rock! Details in my Ravelry projects. Eight gift items finished since Thanksgiving. All from stash but one!

Am looking forward to the holiday - I sent an invite to the kids to bring their favorite jammies and their ugliest Christmas sweater (I'm the only one who has those). All the food is ready to be prepared, the house is clean and Christmas is two days away. Again I rock!

Check this out

Merry Christmas to all!!

Done

Actually finished - (isn't it cakes that are done?) But I can't talk about them...so you'll have to check out my Project Notebook on Ravelry...skip the WIP's (I am now working on them) and just go to the next 6 items. Whew - it was a race but I did it! All started just after Thanksgiving - see what you can do when you don't have a life?

All my gifts are made or bought - nothings wrapped - tomorrow. I've even done some of the grocery shopping. We are doing things a little different this year. Usually we have our big Christmas dinner on Christmas eve...but since most of us are working that day (and need to work..) there just isn't time. So we're making a big pot of homemade clam chowder for Christmas Eve and will do the full on Turkey dinner on Christmas Day. It will just be me and the kids and I thought it was time they learned how to cook this meal - they do know the family tradition parts - homemade cranberry sauce and Satin Sauce for the pies. It will be a fun day of old movies and good smells from the kitchen. It will be good to have all three of them here.

REI Girl moved into her new place last weekend. She has a great roommate and a darling little house. She can walk to work and to school. She is in heaven. It is quiet around here but I'm enjoying it. Will enjoy it more when the Nurse comes home next week. It will be nice to have her around for 6 weeks!! I doubt she'll be able to stand the quietness of life here so will probably run up to Portland a few times to see her friends (including a new beau!). But I am looking forward to having her around.

Here's to a wonderful Holiday and a much better new year!! Knit on!!

Help!

Christmas mittens - but a litle too big. I only have part of the ball band, but it says 83% wool, 10% mohair and 7% Acrylic - so do you think it might felt a little if I threw it in the washing machine? I won't start the second one until I decide - don't really want to frog it all!!

Life is as always interesting. The drama at work continues, but might be over soon. Hopefully because I'm really tired of it!

Family is good. REI Girl is moving into her own place - hopefully Saturday - but snow is in the forecast and I don't want to pull the trailer in those conditions.

The Nurse was home last weekend and will finish up the term in a few more weeks. Her Christmas break is 6 weeks...it will be nice to have her around.

The Geek continues to hang in there and keep his job - good thing.

I have been knitting of course - but can't show my progress - Santa knows.

The relationship? I don't know what to say - but I think it went by the wayside. There hasn't been any communication in a few weeks - I feel pretty foolish - but what can I say, I trust everyone! Especially someone I've known for 30 years. Men are such cowards.

Christmas tree is up, no packages wrapped - or purchased for that matter! Lot's to do.

Happy Holidays to all