Random Thought Thursday

There has been much knitting and cruising for patterns here - I haven't chosen a baby gift pattern yet - there are way too many choices. But am loving a few of the Dale of Norway outfits here. I've always wanted to do a Dale of Norway - so this is a good way to start. I spent Tuesday cruising our LYS's -Gossamer and Juniper Fiberworks. Picked up a few things, including Knitting Workshop. Even though I had already ordered the pattern for the Baby Surprise Jacket from Schoolhouse Press - I was too anxious to get started....as usual! So I started and ripped and started. I finally figured it out - but then saw Margene's comment on her post about matching decreases - makes perfect sense to me. So am considering ripping again and doing matching decreases - like for a raglan sleeve? I've got tons of stash to try this with so it's no big deal.

I also finished these socks while being discouraged at WW. I gained a friggin pound!!! I have not cheated, I have been below my points almost every day - have never used all of my bonus points...but am not drinking enough water and I struggle getting enough dairy and veggies every day....I just don't eat that much!! (But then why am I on this new regime?) But I will keep on trying. At the meeting there were three other knitters - cool!

Since I finished my WW socks - I'm back working on these...they are really wild. I seem to have a problem choosing a stitch pattern that is appropriate for the yarn....this is pretty busy. I just can't do plain jane socks. So in the future I'm going to only pick yarn that I have the correct pattern in mind.

Next week I'm trying to plan a mini yarn tour through the Willamette Valley. I've always wanted to go to Woodland Woolworks. It is only a few miles from where DD2 is going to school - so the plan was to go there first and then stop and take DD2 and roomie out to dinner and then head up to Portland. Do a few LYS's in Portland - including the latest - Twisted. I will stay with my Sister for a few days and attend a fund raising function for the Boys and Girls Aid organization that my mom was very involved in. Then on Saturday will be the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival. I'm definitely meeting up with Roxie and hopefully Judy and any other knitbloggers I can find. I'm really looking forward to this trip - because it will be my last opportunity for awhile because.......DRUM ROLL

It looks like my long awaited job is going to happen. We received a change of opinion from the county legal department, a positive opinion from the judge in our suit against the State of Oregon and best off all - unanimous approval by the county! Of course we still have a two week appeal process - but it seems doubtful that anyone will appeal at this point - we have too strong a plan and a beautiful development that will be a huge asset to the community!! I'm tickled to say the least. I'm still going for an interview for another opportunity when I get back. You never know and I don't want to burn my bridges! But it looks like things are looking up and I am so glad - I am getting bored. I 've learned that I will have to really work at some kind of productive projects if I ever retire. You can't just knit all day!!

Hey Pat - did you see the Today show this morning? It was all about your favorite place!! My favorite place was second! OK - you win this one!

Oh Baby....Help!

Well it finally happened...there is a grandchild on the way in my group of friends (NO NOT MINE!) This is a pretty momentous event. Grandma and Grandpa (oh my gosh!) have been a great friends for years and her eldest daughter is expecting in February - so I have lots of time. But as is my way - I have spent the last 4 hours searching for the perfect baby sweater pattern...of course I've got Baby Surprise on its way. But am thinking something more heirloom like. Maybe in some Mission Falls colors with a Log Cabin Blanket from Mason Dixon Knitting to match? Don't know if it's a Boy or Girl - but don't want the traditional white, pink or blue - something more earthy I'm thinking. Babies like color!

I know I saw something in the last few months on someones blog that I really liked...colorful, interesting....and now I can't find if for the life of me. I'm also liking the Cardians for Clark and Lily from AlterKNITS

But this isn't quite baby enough. There are all those cute Dale of Norway patterns too.....I'm going to make a trip to the LYS and check patterns out - are they open on Sunday? Already went to the library - but someone else had beat me to all the knitting for baby books except for Knitting for Baby!

The trouble with today is I "Looked" at all my knitting books and magazines and the hundreds of pages I've printed off the net (You know - in case I forget where I saw it - there is just not enough time in my lifetime to knit all the things I liked- I had no idea I had so many sock patterns....what's going to happen when more Grandchildren come my way. Instead of looking a drooling I better get started knitting!

Harvest Time

Yum...a little rain in the High Desert does wonders! Veggies are so in for Weight Watchers!

Strolling through

These lovely gentlemen have been hanging out at the neighbors off and on the past few days. Neighbors came home one afternoon and didn't even notice them snoozing in their front yard. The bucks don't seem to be wary of much - they stayed put while cars were unloaded etc. Neighborhood pets?

Since finishing my Forest Canopy Shawl (Which I'm still in love with) have also finished one sock...am liking these too. I'm really liking the TOFUtsies sock yarn - it is really soft. As I think I mentioned before - the pattern is just like the now famous Monkey Socks - but I found it in my Barbara Walker book - wierd huh?

I also picked up the long lost Celtic Cardigan - I looked at the cuff of the sleeves and decided they are way too big - I'm going to next temporarily attach the sweater parts and try it on for size...it's felt big for awhile. The thought of frogging the whole thing is sad - but I'd not wear it, so better deal with it now!

The best news of the week - Five Pounds Lost- yea for me! Luckily at this time of the year eating lots of veggies is pretty simple - walk outside and pick. For some reason this year I have a bumper crop of Tomatoes - oh too bad! They are so good! Lots of salad fixings, beans, cucs, corn, eggplant, onions, carrots, zucchini, its fun.

Hope everyone is enjoying the wonderful fall weather - not too hot, but still warm and comfortable!!

Knit Peace

Hold on to your sticks

Can you believe it - I have a finished object!! The Forest Canopy Shawl. There are three things I really loved about this project - The pattern itself - and I thought I couldn't do lace. This was an easy 8 row repeat. I wish I'd done more repeats, I certainly had more yarn. I think I used about 450 yards of Blue Moon Seduction for 17 repeats. The pattern is written for sport weight and had 9 repeats, so I figured 17 was plenty with this weight yarn.

I also loved my addi Turbo Lace needles - they are wonderful. I will be getting more of these in the future for sure!

I'd been reading about blocking boards and the suggestion to use exercise mats - what a perfect idea. $15 at Target did the trick. These are wonderful wonderful wonderful!

I will definitly do this again - luckily I'm going to the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival later this month so will hunt for the perfect yarn. I'm sure I'll have trouble choosing!

Since summer is now officially over, this will be a week of job hunting, Weight Watchers management (Yea I'm doing good - I can feel it!) and I don't know what else.......Summer may be over but we are still in fire season and Redmond is totally smoked in from a small 3,200 acre lightening caused fire in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness. Black Butte Ranch (beautiful destination resort) is not far from Camp Sherman where I used to work, is only a mile from the fire - so they are under pre-evacuation. What a way to tie up the highway for the hordes of travelers trying to get back to the west side! Such is life in paradise - just glad I'm not driving, although daughter has to join the traffic to get back to school today.

Today

This all happened this afternoon - after Roxie left - she probably had a prettier view of the beginning of the storm - the thunder was just starting when she left this afternoon! The first picture is after the first cell went through - on my way home from a very short 1/2 hour of work. The next few are my drowned patio - that is actually under cover!! And the last is out the front door. I was afraid that the patio would get so deep it would come in the house - but it passed just in time. We had to move all the boxes stored in the carport - including a mattress that is now resting on top of my car! A little excitement to make your day! My poor vegtable garden looks like elephants walked through it!

Roxie and I had a great time looking at our old yearbooks - I was feeling pretty old. I'm glad we've gotten together. Although we were not best friends in High School - with only 26 girls in our class we have a lot of shared memories and it was really fun to revisit them! We're going to meet up in September at Oregon Flock and Fiber - should be fun. Can you believe she finished the Baby Surprise jacket so fast - she'd hardly started when she was here on Monday!

The storm is now east of me and still lighting up the sky - but I think it will be quieter so it's off to reading and bed.

Can you believe it - two posts in a week!
It has been an exciting time around this house.

Roxie came to visit! I don't know if you remember - But Roxie and I are high school classmates who rediscovered each other through our Blogs! What a small world. I now live in her old home town and she lives in mine! She is here visiting her family and came over to my house to use the 'internet cafe'. I haven't seen here since graduation - almost 40 years ago! She hasn't changed a bit! It was fun to visit and knit with an old friend. Wish I had taken a picture!

I have been reading tons this summer...ALL the Harry Potter books, about 4 other good ones, but am now reading my favorite. If you are interested in Natural History type things this is wonderful - Margene are you listening - Hawk's Rest - A Season in the Remote Heart of Yellowstone. A hike from Red Lodge Montana to Yellowstones Thorofare - which although on 28 miles from a highway is considered the most remote spot in the lower 48. The book is wonderful. A quote from one of the hikers..."Out in mature you've got 4.6 billion years of sucess-the best of everything, the finest the world has come up with, all around you, night and day. Go for a stroll in the woods and you walk amoung champions." That says it all!

Today on the "Today" show they are highlighting the most beautiful places in American - Tom Brokow presented Yellowstone....I just happened to have it on to check the latest weather and got to watch...made me cry.

Central Oregon got a bit of lightening last night - of course centered over Redmond - so it was quite loud here and sparkely! Smells smoky this morning and we are under a Red Flag for the rest of today. Kinda scary because it is so very dry this summer. I'm sure the tankers will be flying this afternoon.

I have been plugging away on my Forest Canopy Shawl - turns out my Sockapalooza pal is working on one too - again a small world. Again I really like the pattern - it's easy to remember and looks great.

Hope everyone enjoys the last summer long weekend. College daughter is coming home - 3 days why not! It will be good to have a full house for a while!

Knit Peace

Remember me?

I actually am still here – just been very busy. So in chronological order….

1. Went to Portland to see Body Worlds 3. It was fascinating and beautiful and weird. Had a short visit with a high school buddy (didn’t have time to meet up with Roxie- but more on that later). Had the big “What if” talk with my father. Had a great visit with the family – fun to watch two of the cousins compare what they think will happen in the coming weeks as they go off to college!

2. I did not go yarn shopping while in Portland – can you believe it!

3. Started the Forest Canopy Shawl in Blue Moon Seduction color Footzey Foo… I know lots more repeats. I have two skeins so can make it plenty big. I’m liking it! I also am loving my addi Turbo Lace needles. I got some for socks and am now hooked on them.
4. Still working on socks mentioned in previous post – like them too! I finally figured out that although I had picked the stitch pattern out of Barbara Walker’s A Treasury of Knitting Patterns – it’s basically the same as the popular Monkey Socks! Who would have thunk!

5. Got youngest daughter settled in school – Oh my gosh it took two car loads to get it all there. (My sister and I have been laughing about this – when we went away to college we had two suitcases and a plane ticket! – Her daughter is off the Southern California and she too is driving her down.) Marianne is on the third floor of her dorm (a HUGE room – how did she luck out) so there was lots of stair climbing – but the college planned ahead – buff fraternity boys unloaded both cars way too quickly! She is now settled in and I know all about “How to be a good college parent” Parents are sent home early and students have a few more days of orientation before classes start on Wednesday. Of course today I’m going to the Post office to mail off a few important items that she must have!

6. I did discover a Yarn Store in McMinnville – I already knew that Woodland Woolworks was nearby – but am saving that till I come over for Family Weekend in October. Very nice store and I will be back.

7. Yesterday I splurged big time….I have never had a coordinated bed – it was always the on sale stuff, try to get it to match, hand me downs – you know.

Well a few weeks ago I bought a new bed (not just new to me but a new bed – this is a big deal) and needed new linens for it-so found the perfect combination. I had been searching on the net for just the right duvet cover and hadn’t found anything….but at the local Bed Bath & Beyond I found it. With great silk down pillows from Ross (OMG they were so inexpensive but look so great) – I now have a comfy, inviting cocoon. Deep chocolate duvet that has a terracotta stitch pattern in it with taupe pillows and a terracotta pillow to match the walls. It’s wonderful and slept great last night.

8. Today while trying to get caught up on my blog reading – I discovered that Roxie is here visiting her mom – so called a likely suspect listing in the phone book – first try I got her!! We are getting together! Since I have WiFi she may come over to my house so she can post her latest!

9. Tomorrow I’m attending my first Weight Watchers meeting. Molly and I are going to lose some very extra pounds. By Christmas I’m going to be another size smaller. Was making steady progress last spring – but summer has not been good to my figure – so am at it again.
10. This week I’m also starting the job hunt again – Oh I hate this. But will not settle for second best this time – but only a fun stable position!

So I’ve been busy and will be keeping busy, although without Marianne here it will be different for sure. Just gives me more time to knit doesn’t it?
Knit Peace

The Coolest Heel

Check this out - this is the coolest heel - my sockapalooza pal did these - Oriel from Sensational Knitted Socks...I've got to check it out!

Sockapalooza WOW

Look what I found in the mail today - Beautiful socks and a Pirate Bag! This is the best!!

Thanks Sheryl - I love them and they are so me!

Before - After - Macros

Fun with pictures....Before After




Oh yea - Knitting! Yes I still do that - but have been very busy reading all of Harry Potter - I'm on the second to last book and totally into it - not getting any sleep and not knitting much...unfortunately I can't just read all day - have been working full days and it's good! An income! Short lived - 6 more full days but better than nothing!
Weather has been enjoyable too - so spending the evening outside reading and enjoying the flowers. Just thought I'd share!
Hope everyone enjoyed the weekend - too short - I've got reading to do!

I HAVE been busy - not really productive but have been enjoying life. Molly and I decided to read all the Harry Potter books - neither of us had before and now we are into a marathon. I've finished the first three and am now into Goblet of Fire.....now I get it - they really are a delight to read. Sunday we're going to have a movie marathon and get caught up!

I also have been knitting occassionally - Notice the color on this side...

And now the color on this side....

Please ignore the Sock holder - it's only a prop - it's too hot out for wine - now Mojotos are a different matter! Back to the sock - I'm doubting I'll have enough yarn to do this - so am going to contact the manufacturer and see if I can get another skein - but as it's hand dyed I doubt it. As you remember I've tried many different combos trying to figure out how to use this. I actually even tried to start a toe up - but didn't have the concentration to be successful at something new. Another option would be to do only three repeats around of the pattern - but at 16 stitches that's quite a lot! OMG I'm doomed with this yarn! I could do different cuff and toe maybe - I'm sure I've got something that will match in the stash or left overs. The trials and tribulations we go through.

The next few weeks will be too busy to knit or read much - am working full plus time (Yea - an income!) and getting Marianne ready for school. She got her roommate assignment and so now is finally excited. Today we started - you may know the drill - bathrobe, sheets, blankets, bookcase, storage, micro, etc., etc., etc! I think we may have put it off to too late - trying to find a duvet cover that she likes is a challenge. But I've been browsing e-bay tonight and there are more choices there than in our area. It was fun and we'll go out again tomorrow and tackle more of the list.. slippers, shower caddy, school supplies, first aid kit, laundry soap....good thing I'm working.

Hope everyone is staying cool - been hot here. My garden is producing. Picked tomatoes, lettuce, cucs and zucchini last night. Yum. The raspberries are being eaten on the vine - we have to share with the birds!

Knit Peace

See previous post comments first...

Good ideas - but you can't felt superwash! I was thinking of a baby hat, but I'm selfish - I like this yarn too much to use in on someone else - It's for me!! But thanks for the great ideas!!
Knit Peace

Well Shucks!

When I was at Black Sheep Gathering last month I got this great yarn - (Duh isn't almost all yarn Great?) from Capistrano Fiber Arts Studio and I had this great pattern - Diamond Patch Socks from Heartland Knits.

This is the result - pretty - but it's not going to work! I thought my gauge was right on - but put them all together and it's way too big. Now I've cut up the yarn into all these short lengths and hate the thought of weaving them all in on another project....but the yarn is too pretty!

It's raining today - Yea I don't have to water and can sit inside and contemplate a new project!

The View from the Patio

The new bird bath - how long before they see it? I suppose it doesn't help that someone is occassionally lurking near by!

The best part - picked while listening to the Quail family - (Dan and Marilyn as they're known in the neighborhood). Now ready for a little vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. This is heaven.
Yea it's cooler tonight and guess what - my bike actually still works. A half hour ride this evening - more tomorrow!!

Too Hot to Knit

Really – up in the high 90’s during the day and still 75 at 11:00 pm – so too hot to sleep too. It’s also too hot to do anything outside but water the garden at least twice a day! (and dead heading the hanging baskets! Every year I say - No More Petunias!!! But see I've got them again!)

I have AC – but hate being inside all the time! With all this time off you’d think I’d be riding my bike or walking or something – but it’s too hot and I’m tired of it. We have spent a lot of time out in the shade on the patio – now the outdoor living room – where I’ve been reading but not knitting. I’ve read Two Cups of Tea that I mentioned in a previous post, Visible Bones – short interesting Natural History essays about the Columbia River country, Heart of the Beast – about a ranching family in eastern Oregon and now am now into Prairie – fictionalized story about the life of C.B. Irwin during the turn of the century in Wyoming.

I’ve tried knitting – did finish my sockapalooza socks – plain Jane with cable cuffs. I also tried the Montego Bay Scarf from this season’s issue of Interweave Knits. I was using the Blue Moon Seduction that I got awhile back – even ordered another skein to do the fringe. I’m not a yo person – I miss them and then of course the pattern sequence is messed up – so rip. After 5 tries – and I think I’d like to try lace? I don’t think so! Now what am I going to do with 880 yards of Footze foo! I will probably try again because I like this scarf!

Then while browsing around I found this great sweater pattern – Salt Peanuts – but they don’t make the yarn anymore and I think I’d like it in lighter weight yarn anyway – so may spend some time figuring that out. I like sweaters that have more drape – any suggestions for great draping yarn?

So life around here has been pretty boring. The girls are never home at the same time so we can’t plan any family activities either – I know I’m really complaining today – that’s what boredom does to you. I can’t wait to go back to work – August 1st for at least a full two weeks to fill in while the boss’s other assistant is on vacation and then hopefully the new project will have gotten approval and we will be on the way – yea!
Hope everyone is staying cool.

Monkey See

Monkey Face - Smith Rocks State Park. Can you see him? Middle daughter has a friend who lives adjacent to the park and can't identify Monkey Face - so while at work today (my office is a stones throw across the Crooked River) so that he could find it next time......open your eyes!

While at the library today doing some historical research - I checked out the knitting book selection - just in case there was something I needed to look at. I found AlterKNITS by Leigh Radford and Sally Melville's Book 3:Color. Since it is so so hot here (103 this afternoon) I decided that browsing for new ideas was a great idea. Fun books and lots of inspiration. I'm going to copy "Cardigans for Clark and Lily" for future knitting - it's just too cute!

I've been getting up very early these days (my bedroom faces west - so by the middle of the night the heat has seeped in the walls and it's just too hot and I don't sleep well) and have been working on two pairs of socks....I've got one of each finished and have half of the others complete. I'm getting tired of socks and it's just too hot to work on my cardigan (yes I will finish it). There is a great scarf pattern - Montego Bay Scarf in the new Interweave that came last week. I've got some Blue Moon Seduction in the Footzey Foo colorway that will be perfect. But I don't have enough - so ordered another skein to use for the fringe - I should have plenty to make it really long that way. When I buy yarn that I don't have a particular project for, I've got to remember to buy more quantity - my stash has so many singles, enough for socks but nothing much bigger. The log cabin afghan comes to mind....

Spent a very uneventful - but not quiet - 4th of July. The girls were all doing their own things (Oh yea - Molly is moved home and I've lost my parking space in the garage) - and I was home babysitting the dog...is there anti-anxiety meds for dogs - next year.

Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday!

Three Cups of Tea

There are not adequate words to describe the story I have just finished reading (hence no recent knitting to show). Please read Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. It is the most remarkable story of one man's successful efforts to establish schools (particularly for girls) in Afganistan and Pakistan - "One man's mission to promote peace...one school at a time" This story takes place in the years leading up to and following 9/11. It will bring tears to your heart. It is an adventure, a romance and an inspiration - all a true story of the power of one. Visit the Central Asia Institute for more information about the mission.
Knit Peace

Black Sheep Gathering 2007

It was overwhelming to say the least! Only in the Northwest would you find a wool sculptured Salmon - complete with fly!! It was stunning....

This felted purse was pretty niffty too - very creative design I thought.
All you spinners out there would have been in hog (or sheep) heaven. Very few booths were yarn only - of course Blue Moon was there - but I restrained myself and bought these instead.

The camera doesn't do the colors of the two on the right justice - they are great. I'm going to "Pink Ribbon" socks for my sister with the Pine and something for me with the other. I just liked the other two and don't know what they're for other than to look at! The TOFUtsies is an interesting combo - superwash, soysilk, cotton and Chitin (Shrimp and crab shells!) I think this too is for socks for me!
Then I had to have this book - have always wanted it - it will be my sock design source for awhile I hope.
I've been looking for a daily use purse that I can store all my stuff - planner, camera, iPod, and of course Knitting (Duh) and this was inexpensive and I think will fit the bill. Plus some of the money goes to Guatemalan orphanges....so a good thing all around. But this was my best find - I swear they made it for me. I don't usually wear pins - but this was just irresistable. Had to have!
A very good day.

I am happy to report that my sister is doing really well - she is one of those people who can't stop moving - she used to knit but it's too sedentary for her - you'd hardly know that a week ago she had an 15 hour surgery. She now is cancer free, has perky breasts (or will when the swelling goes down and darn it - has a flat Tummy (they used the tissue for the reconstruction). She absolutely made the correct choice with the mastecomy and the reconstruction procedure. She doesn't have to have chemo or radiation or yearly checkups - she's done and has a new body to boot! What a deal. In the last year she has also lost a ton of weight - so was well on her way to a new body - but this takes it up a big notch!

I'm glad to be home - now I can play with my new toys for a few days before all ***** breaks loose again - my 16 year old neice and two of her swim team buddies are coming next weekend for a meet and Molly is moving home - if she can find someone to move her...hopefully her dad will step in and give her a hand - otherwise she'll have to wait til week after for me to have time. It will all work out I'm sure. I brought a load home today - but of course there is lots more including furniture that won't fit in anyones car - moving van time!

Gotta go - have a great rest of the weekend!

I Told you so...

Sockapalooza - I'm working on them. Plain Jane to show the color - but with a cable rib cuff. Not very exciting or challenging - actually the challenge was to find a pattern that didn't muddle the colorway - it's just too busy! But this works and it's easy conversation knitting.

I am so excited about my Clematis - I've always wanted one and finally broke down this spring - look at those blossoms and this is only the first year. I may have to seek out some more. Now to figure out where to prune to continue blooms all summer.

Lots of watering and weed pulling to do today before heading to the big city tomorrow....maybe I'll get a little shopping in while I'm there - for sure at Black Sheep - oh I can't wait!

Roxie - I'm going to call you if I have a chance to escape from nursing duties! If not this time - in a few weeks when I come back to take Marianne to see Body World at OMSI.

Later all!

Once again - I do knit

See I told you so - just not much these days. I want to carry my camera in my purse and a regular case is just too bulky - so I knit this up - works just great! Now on to my Sockapalooza socks!

It has been a busy week. Actually not that busy as I only worked in Camp Sherman one day and maybe a total of 10 hours on the other job. But there was a lot going on here at the girls house. The Backpackers came back - they had a blast in the Trinity Alps, sore and blistered - but tons of fun. Molly decided that it was time to come back to Central Oregon (we have way more backpacking opportunities than the Eugene area - the Three Sisters Wilderness is within a half hour drive!). So she will be packing her stuff up over the next few weeks and moving back home. Her goal is to have her own place by September. She's already arranged to transfer back to the Bend REI - so all is in motion.

I was planning to change bedrooms this summer anyway - move to the bigger bedroom at the front of the house - thought being there would be more comfortable than sleeping way in the back of the house after Marianne is off to college - so to make more room for Molly's stuff - I moved my stuff on Thursday. I love the room, (It's the one I just painted a great terra cotta color) but am a little disoriented waking up in the middle of the night. Privacy is an issue too I discovered - the family bath is in the back of the house! I knew there was something I wasn't considering - oh well we'll see how it goes. Once nice thing is all my knitting stash and stuff is neatly stored in this room - I can sit in bed, read knitting catalogs and stare at baskets of yarn and shelves of books!

My sisters surgery was yesterday - and I mean yesterday - all day - she was under all day and half the night!!! She went in at 6:00 AM Friday and got to her room at 2:00 AM Saturday!! I talked to her for a few minutes this morning - all seems well. I'm going up on Tue or Wed to look after her for a few days. I also get to have lunch with my mother's best friends - Auntie Mina and Aunt Maggie - absolute dears - second mothers to me. Am looking forward to seeing them. Hopefully I'll still have time to get to Blacksheep. I feel bad about leaving Marianee home alone that long - luckily the boyfriend is out of town with his family so don't have to worry about that! ( I wouldn't anyway - but you know!) It will be a busy week...but I must get serious about my socks. I've started them 5 times and not been satisfied. The color is a beautiful green - but I'm beginning to think a plain jane stockinette is going to be best - doesn't seem very special! Once again I'll try it and see. Should have lots of sitting around knitting and visiting time at my sisters, so hopefull there will be progress!!

Hope all is well!