Spring is finally here - in full force

Apple Blossoms - it is really too windy for pictures - but Spring is finally here!!
Not much knitting today - the garden is calling. Burning, triming, sweeping, weeding, mowing. Hurray I got a bunch done and lots more to go - but a big blister is in the way!

My Knit Picks yarn came yesterday - Chocolate!! I swatched for my Celtic sweater - 4 times so far...the XL is too big and the L isn't big enough - so trying to get the needle size to give me the correct gauge to fit. The recommended needle is an 8 and I think the result is too loose - I'm thinking that a 6 needle will work fine - but MUST make sure with more swatching. Boring!

I am liking my new job - have been working on Excel programming - lots of fun of course - it's been awhile since I've done this so am a little slow still - but have almost got it!! The setting is just so spectacular that the day goes by pretty fast. Although the drive is long - it's me time - and am enjoying that! My other part-time job pays for the gas to the full time job and gives me a little latte change - so all is well!!

I got my Sockapaloooza socks sent on Friday! They have a long ways to go! It was fun putting lots of Oregon Goodies in the box - lots of great postcards too.

Hope you all enjoy the weekend!

Not much knitting

I have been not been knitting much - but today while waiting with Molly in the doctor's office I did get some done on my latest socks - don't love waiting at the doctors! Molly has a slipped disk and of course this morning while everyone was rushing to get ready for work - out it went - try helping your 21 year old off the tiny bathroom floor while she is trying to hold still in extreme pain - now on all those fun sleepy meds. So instead of work I did the grocery shopping and mowed the lawn. Tomorrow is burn day so still have to do the trimming.
New job is great - the atmosphere is wonderful and the work will be challenging - if not intense at times. Have spent most of the time reinstalling all the software - hard drive crashed just before I started. It looks like Quickbooks missed a back-up so will have to recreate a day or two - but not much. Boss is gone all next week so will have time to explore stuff and figure out where I can have the most impact. I am a happy camper!
These are typical views......sorry the picture of the mountains isn't better....it is Mount Washington - it has another name but isn't proper for blogging!!

This big buddy and his mate and thier relatives are always near by. I haven't seen the Osprey yet - but I know they frequent the neighborhood - especially because there is a big fish hatchery just down the river. Bald Eagles hang out there too. This is opening weekend of fishing season and it is sort of bitter sweet for me - The Metolius River is a world known fly fishing river and my dad would always be here for opening day - with three of his best buddies - two are gone now and Dad is still in California -waiting for the good weather to come home for the summer.
Here I am spending every day on the Metolius. When we were kids we'd spend part of every summer here and always the long New Years weekend in the snow. My parents brought us over here to get away from the big partying in Portland - little did they know the trouble we got into in Camp Sherman! Stealing half empty drinks from our parents to make a concoction that we took up to the mountain the next day when we went skiing....OMG - how we survived I wonder. The risks we took!! But wonderful memories!

Am off to get Videos for evening knitting time!!
TTFN and Knit On!!

Too Bad

The Drive View........
The Post Office

More tomorrow - I forgot The Desk View - you'll all hate me!

First Day - 71 miles later

A long drive - but as I've said it is beautiful. Great time for NPR listening and just for myself time!
Job will be great - interesting, challenging and the real opportunity to make a difference! I am in for the long haul!
Thanks to all your supportive comments today - I really appreciate them - especially since I came home to an empty household because everyone else is now at work!!!
Also met a new knitter today - a part-time employee - so will have lots to share with her. Promised to teach her how to do socks - since I had my latest on I had to show them off!!
I think I decided on my next project - the Celtic sweater with Wool of the Andes - this way I can afford it now - I'm bored with socks for the moment - even though I cast on another pair last night...will show when it's worth the picture.
Hope everyone has a great week!!

Happy Socks

Happy Easter all!!
Finished these today - just in time to wear to new job tomorrow!!! Color isn't true at all - they are much darker!!! I'll update more after the first day jitters are over!!

One year ago today, my Mother, Ann, passed away from Breast Cancer. She was first diagnosed about 5 years earlier – but with surgery and chemo she survived well for three years until the cancer was found in her liver. Then she started a intensive chemo treatment that left her uncomfortable and limited in her activities. Ironically she was scheduled to have a cutting edge treatment where they inject her liver with radioactive beads that goes right to the cancer. But she was not healthy enough at the time and was unable to have the treatment. She died peacefully in a wonderful hospice facility that took care of all of us. It was a long journey for all of us.

She was an especially well loved woman – with an incredibly large group of friends – a few that she’d had since kindergarten! They were the ‘naughty nine’! When she married my dad and moved to Portland her circle widened to include my dad’s childhood friends. They were married for over fifty years! (This picture is from the 50th Anniversary Party) This huge group of friends is an amazing thing to me – a huge group of people. I do not see this phenomenon today – we are all so mobile we don’t seem to make these long lasting relationships.

I also believe that it was my mother’s personality that fostered these relationships – she really was a good friend to all. A great listener, a supporter of many causes – especially those involving less fortunate children. She was a nurse who spent years volunteering at the hospital – including making weekly batches of cookies for the cute young interns! Many of whom she adopted for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

She created beautiful needlepoint and made every new baby that she knew beautiful cross stitch quilts – I bet over 100 of them over the years. I have an unfinished one that someday I will complete for my daughters to pass on. She taught me how to knit when I was a teenager and I use her needles everyday – they are my favorite double points.

I’d like to share this poem that was read at her family service.

Let Evening Come

Jane Kenyon

Let the light of late afternoon
Shine through chinks in the barn, moving
Up the bales as the sun moves down.

Let the cricket take up chafing
As the woman takes up her needles
And her yarn. Let evening come.

Let the dew collect on the hoe abandoned
In long grass. Let the starts appear
And the moon disclose her silver horn.

Let the fox go back to its sandy den.
Let the wind die down. Let the shed
Go black inside.Let evening come.

To the bottle in the ditch, to the scoop
In the oats, to air in the lung
Let evening come.

Let it come, as it will, and don’t
Be afraid. God does not leave us
Comfortless, so let evening come.

I miss her and am honored to have been part of her life!!

Mittens and New Job!

Caryn's Mittens as promised - I know she'll like them!!

OK – new job starts week after this – yippee! I’m going to be the Assistant to two guys who have been in business separately for years – both very successful. They are business consultants – you know budgeting, staff management, business plans, acquisitions, mergers, marketing, capital…..one guy has been in the local market and the other has big international clients so has been overseas a lot the last few years. They are joining forces and hope to concentrate more on our local area – but also more regionally. They are great friends, have wonderful families (mostly grown up), they are a lot of fun and very professional. I’ve worked for them together (one recommended the other to consult at a previous job I held) and I’ve worked for one separately on a part-time project. So I know them both relatively well and am very comfortable with them – although this may be a little intimidating at first until I get settled in. Central Oregon is pretty casual business wise and I’ll be calling clients by Mrs….or Mr….. – this will be a change for me, but one which I grew up with. I still call my parents friends Mr. and Mrs. – and get scolded for it every time!

The one downside of this job is the drive – 45 minutes one way. A long way for me – but through the best part of Central Oregon. I won’t be able to run out and pickup Marianne from school and stuff like that – but we are car shopping now. How did I luck out – I now will be working two jobs located in the most beautiful places in Oregon – Camp Sherman on the Metolius and Smith Rocks on the Crooked River – it makes me dizzy!

The other downside is health insurance – I’ve got to pick it up myself (I’m the only employee) – which I have to investigate next week. I’m really healthy (I’m going for a mammogram Monday) – but as I get older Health Insurance becomes more important. I bet I haven’t been to the Doctor twice in the last five years! I could do the COBRA deal with my current insurance – but it’s too expensive – would eat up a big portion of the extra I’m going to be earning – so am shopping for high deductible, low premium!

All in all it is a wonderful opportunity. Two great bosses who I really enjoy, interesting and challenging work for which I will be compensated for by those who will appreciate my efforts. Lots of humor. The opportunity to earn more for clients I personally do work for….. And I still will have my other job that I love! OMG!!!

The other downside is less knitting time because I’ll be driving…so I’ve got to get an Ipod or check out books on tape at the library!

I actually have to keep pinching myself – I’ve waited a long time for the perfect job and this is probably it and my last chance!!

The rain is back so no gardening this weekend - quality knitting time instead. Maybe I can decide on which sweater - yea right!!

Happy weekend to all!

Book Club

Well I tried to post a picture of my finished fingerless mitts - but you know blogger!
Had my Book Club last night - lots of fun. Carol our hostess had been to China this summer so cooked Chinese - was really yummy!
Book for this month is Gonzalez and Daughter Trucking Co. by Maria Amparo Escandon. I zipped by Barnes and Noble to pick it up on my way home and also got Classic Knits for Real Women - oh I like both books! Which sweater do I do?
I seem to have a problem picking out my next project - I just need to go to a great LYS and check everything out!!!
6 more days of the yukky job - hurray!
Spring arrived today - Saw the Osprey with fish!!
Will try to post pictures again tomorrow!!

The winner is Organized!

I drew a name for the “Let’s get organized” project – and the winner turned out to be Rhonda – good thing because I would have sent her something just for effort. She has been organizing like mad – it’s looking good girl. You are now ready to dazzle us with knitting achievement!!! Rhonda - Send me your snail mail address and I’ll send you a custom row counter!!!

Jenn – I need a picture of the ‘wine bottle’ case – No wonder you’ve lost your sanity!!

This was fun to see how everyone keeps organized – like minds I guess – we’ve all got notebooks, all have containers ranging from lined wicker baskets to Rubbermaids. Ziplock bags are a big essential.

Blogs, Journals Excel and Delicious (is it that good?) keep all our records straight – the key here I’ve found is you have to keep it up to date!

This has been fun – we are an organized group!!

Grey's Anatomy Rocks!! Izzy is a speed demon!

Knitting Everywhere

I got up this morning - ready for a few moments of coffee, the news and knitting. Instead I found knitting everywhere!!
This little cherub had decided to have some fun with my basket.

Now it is all cleaned up and pretty for your viewing pleasure. This basket sits under the table next to my chair and currently contains four stash busting projects. Navy & Copper Nordic Mittens, Iris Fingerless mittens, Red, black etc Entrelac scarf, and Trekking socks. This picture actually shows the colors pretty well....
I am having fun with all of these - have never done Entrelac before - I like it. Maybe someday that beautiful scarf in Scarf Style?

On the organization front - You've got to read Rhonda's notes - she is totally into getting organized - of course it looks to me like she has a lot to organize. Good Job!!!

Now Julia on the other hand - had to bring things home - so she has another challenge - where do I put all this stuff!!! She keeps an Excel spreadsheet about yarn purchases - way too organized for me! I just don't have the time!

It looks to me like we all equip our knitting chairs with all the necessary tools - including wine and chocolate!! Our storage methods are varied - plastic boxes, baskets, drawers, shelves etc. Everyone seems to have a notebook or notebooks with info we collect. Rhonda (see above) keeps her book info in del.icio.us - great idea. Maybe we could use it to keep track of yarn purchases?

Julia makes book marks from yarn ball bands - I put them into my journal of knitting.

We all seem to be able to find the things we need - but Jenn has lost her sanity....
"Patterns are in a binder and are sorted by type - baby knits, sweaters, socks, scarves/shawls, and misc.
Mags and books are on top of two bookcases in the living room - divided into patterns and reference. I can't find my sanity yet.
I have a few ziploc bags full of left overs - I have a secret plan for them though." Yea right!!

Overall I'd say we are an organized group! Busy lives and lots of knitting!!

Speaking of - my life is going to be really busy with this new job - I'll have almost a 45 min communte each way - I know it isn't that far - but compared to 2 minutes it's far! Camp Sherman is on the Metolius River - one of the most beautiful spots in the State of Oregon - how did I get so lucky. I'll drive through the little town of Sisters every day - no LYS - can you believe it! But home of a huge quilt show.
The two guys that I'm going to work for are old friends - it will be fun, challenging and interesting - I am so honored to be a part of thier team. They are business consultants - with a growing local market and some international clients - so it will be interesting for sure. I've got a lot to learn but am up for the challenge. The best part is now I can get my sweater yarn!!! Not quite yet - but sooner than I had anticipated!!

This is a gardening weekend - have to get the free pickup stuff out to the street - rain or shine!!
Have a great weekend!! I'm going to!!

Do the Happy Dance

I got the job!!!!! I now work two perfect jobs - lots of travel time involved (means being away from Home longer during the day - too bad I can't knit and drive - but will have to get an IPod for books!!) but everything else is so perfect it is sinful!!
Will write more and update my knitting....I'm doing something new!
ttfn - and KNIT ON!!!

Look what else I found

So these were my favorites - Cherry Tree Hill - I've fixed the heel where they wore out - twice already - so this sock yarn will not go into socks again - it just doesn't hold up!!

Have taken the day off from work today - to go to a JOB INTERVIEW! Will keep you posted!!
ttfn - Knit on!

Look What I Found!!!

Help

Edited - I found it here!!

Some time ago I saw a 'trick' for the kitchner stitch - where it doesn't leave those little ears.....can't remember where now - If anyone has any ideas where it was - let me know. I'm almost finished with new mitten number one.
Would show a picture but blogger isn't letting me upload.....
ttfn

Foiled again

Is that how you spell foiled - as in my plans are shot?
I had planned on working outside today - week after next is free yard debris pick-up - so was going to get started.....but this is what I woke up to - Hate it when that happens! It's pretty wet and won't last long - but still won't be a gardening day.
So in the spirit of 'Let's get organized' I'm cleaning house - boring boring boring.

Luckily my knitting storage is organized - the dresser holds needles in one drawer - just in there, not organized - all single points and circulars. The circulars are in a plastiz zip lock - but I still have to get them out and measure them each time I want one! Most of them are from my mom's supply - old but very usuable.
The other drawers have ball ends of all my past projects - organized by type mostly. Sock yarn in one, worsted in a few etc. The baskets on top are not yet used stash - about enough for maybe 5 socks and some stuff I thought I'd use for scarves - odds and ends. I think the big basket has almost a skein of Manos left from my sisters vest - need to find a project for that - the colors are so great. Maybe I could use it for a felted bag with something else?
The selves have knitting books, patterns, junk, etc. I need to get some of those shelf magazine holders - it would be much more convenient.
I found a great basket the other day at Target - but unfortunately didn't buy it and when I went back of course it was gone - it was big, smooth sided and Red. I wanted it to put behind my chair with my sock stash - I thought it would be colorful.
Someday when I find the perfect bookcase for next to my chair - I want one shelf for the knitting books and one shelf for baskets of yarn and stuff. But that's not high on my spending list at the moment
I made a few beaded row counters last night - didn't do a lot of knitting. But looks like today there will be progress!!

This just jumped in my stash

OK - I'm supposed to be saving for a sweater...but had to go to town to drop things off at the Engineers and a LYS is next door - so went in just to peek and look what I found. Lorna's Laces in Iris - the two small balls are my leftovers from another project - will combine them and hope I have enough for fingerless mittens.

I'm not forgetting my standed color mittens - just think these are better for my Wyoming friend because she is also a bird watcher - so while she is walking and watching she can just pull the mitten tops off and adjust her binoculars as necessary!!

Since Blogger seems to be posting pictures again - here is my wonderful knitting bag...

I've only got three responses for Let's Get Organized!!! Come on lets get commenting!!

Lets Get Organized!!!

In my last post I talked about my organization attempts and what I use – notebooks, baskets, new bookshelf etc. I’ve gotten a few comments from others about what they do…

Plus there has been lots of info going back and forth about ‘Stash Busting” ….

So Let’s Get Organized!

Pass on your comments to me and the first week of April I’ll put them all together in a post – I’ll try to only put unique ideas – no repeats in other words. We should have quite a collection of great ideas!!

Where do you keep your stash?
What do you keep by your knitting spot?
How do you keep all your needles and notions organized so you can find them?
What about all your patterns and printed materials?
Magazines? Books? Sanity?
What do you do with all the end of project balls of yarn?
Do you keep a written journal of Finished Objects – other than your blog?
You get the idea.

Tell you what – many of you have seen my beaded row counters for circular or DPN projects – I’ll draw a name out of the respondents and make a row counter just for you!

Deadline will be April 1st (No April Foolin!)
Knit on!

Weekend Update 2

It was a productive weekend…..knitting wise anyway. Didn’t do much else but knit and watch movies – Harry Potter-The Goblet of Fire and Pride and Prejudice. I enjoyed both, Pride and Prejudice was slow, but beautiful to see the English countryside.

I did restart my Nordic mittens – I like them much better. I was doing them with a size 1 needle – but they were too small and the fabric was too tight – it they weren’t stranded color it probably would have been OK – so switched to a 3 – and they work great. I am much happier with the results.

I also found a quick knit pattern for my Trekking socks – totally easy to remember so this is my ‘carry with me’ project. I’m really loving the colorway – wish it showed up better on this picture. Any ideas about taking photos? Flash or not – inside or out? Natural light is probably better. But there isn’t much of that late at night when I finally remember to take pictures!!

Julia commented recently about my “Knitting Notebooks”
– I have two three-ring binders that I keep all my info that I’ve printed off the Internet, single patterns, tips& tricks etc. I have one for socks and one for everything else. They have the clear plastic sleeves on the covers so I can put pictures or notes or anything in them. When I’m working on a sweater that I’ve figured out the sizing on – I put in the page I did the calculations on. (I’ll have to write about that someday – I have an Excel spreadsheet that does all the work for me based on gauge – based on the percentage system – works great). Now I’ve got a full 8x11 picture of my wish list Dale sweater in it – motivation to save the money!!

I really need to stay organized. I have a magazine rack next to my knitting chair that holds these binders and a few other things. Trouble is I am always pulling out other books or supplies – so my space gets overwhelmed at times. I need to find a small bookshelf to put there instead of the rack – then I could have most of my books and a basket of yarn. I actually have a basket under the end table that houses all my paraphernalia.

One of my favorite and best knitting organizers is my pencil box – I got it in the school supply section and it is double sided. It holds all my DPNS, markers, cable needles, crochet hooks, the works. It has divided compartments on one side and a full size compartment on the other. It’s small enough that if I’m traveling I can put the whole thing in my knitting bag.

Oh my knitting bag! – it is my favorite! Daughter M2 brought it back for me from Jackson Hole last summer. I’d been lusting after it for a long time. It is a Pendleton bag – made here in Oregon. (I've tried to upload a picture - but you know Blogger - sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't - so you'll have to wait. ) Pendelton Blankets are real collectors items - so this is really special since I can't collect blankets - more on that subject at another time - I do have a wonderful Trade Blanket that belonged to my Great Grandmother.......another time for that!

Centered

So how did all my posts get centered Text? All of a sudden they just appeared this way?
More to come tonight or tomorrow I promise to get busy writting - but I actually have work work to do!!
ttfn