Snuggy Day

It sleeted off and on all night and then there was freezing rain and thunder! Finally that's stopped and the snow has arrived. It snowed briefly earlier...big, pretty, fluffy flakes but then it went back to sleet or else really sharp, tiny snowflakes. I was just getting ready to go out and see how slick my steps were when I was called and told the office was closed. Most of the people there are out on the roads all day and I guess they maybe were worried about liability. Works for me! I was hoping that we that stay in the office would be declared non-essential.

So...I've baked another batch of dog cookies and read and finished this hat. It's sorta wonky I think. I've never made a hat before so I'm not sure what it is supposed to look like but I thought it would be flatter at the top. The white yarn is waste that I used to tie up the last stitches. I'll try it on The Girl and then decide what's up.

I think the blue socks that were put in time out are going to turn into a present if I can get them finished. Now I have to remember where their time out is. I think they are in the cedar chest. It's not really lunch time yet, but I'm hungry and I've made some potato soup and I think it's going to be just great after I chunk up some cheese in the bowl before I pour in the soup. At this rate, I'll be ready for supper by 3:30. *G*

Brrrr

Baby, it's cold outside! and the north wind is blowing and the sleet or freezing rain is falling. Sounds like sleet but I can't really see it yet. It just started here, but I understand that it's been going on sometime at Laura's house. Allegedly this will go on all night followed by snow. I'm hoping that the snow gets here sooner because it doesn't take out the power lines. It's rather exciting though (well it is if you don't have a very exciting life) and I'm tired from running from the front door to the back. As if it would be doing something in the back yard and not the front. The weather man said that the cold front that preceded this would arrive after lunch today. I got up at my usual 5ish and it was 64 degrees. When the dog made her 2nd trip outside at 6 it was 42. I'm thinking they were a bit off on their predictions.

The cats have been a bit wonky tonight. Hershey decided that I needed my hair groomed. Mercy decided that it would be really nice to crawl into the plastic bag that held my yarn and wrap her self around the skein and growl at me. And Mary was awake! She's a member of the geriatric cat group and like Cookie's kitty, she likes to sleep. Zoey the wonder dog just passed gas all evening. And I didn't even give her any turkey. It was an interesting if somewhat malodorous evening.

In spite of that, I am way into the decreases on The Girl's hat...and I may just finish it up in the morning and wear it! I've finished my other Irish Hiking fingerless mitt but I'm thinking I'll have to wear them under my gloves.

The snow brush and the de-icer are sitting by the door, and if you are wondering why I am just babbling along..well, it's because I'm waiting for the last load of laundry to get dry. Having been through a power outage that lasted for days, I really want to have all the underwear and jammies clean. Or maybe it's because my back is telling me that the second front is getting closer and I want to go catch snowflakes on my tongue. I could watch tv but it's difficult to see David or Jay when there's an orange map of Oklahoma comvering the top right quarter of the screen. It's not like there is anything on the map...it's just there to let us know that we are in a winter storm warning.

OK enough of this. I shall go browse through Martha Stewart's Holiday Handmade Gifts and see what all is in there that I don't have supplies/time to make. Good night all.

I'm Not an Orchid..

I am a Petunia What Flower Are You?

You are a tried and trusted friend who will be there for your friends when they need you. But you have a tendency to be nervous about doing things that go against the norm.

The text didn't post with the pic so I had to go back and get it and paste. That's why it looks sort of homemade. It is ;-)

What Saturday Sky...I forgot.

A day at the mall. What fun we had! Amazingly, when we got there a little after 10 there were lots of places in the parking lot...the mall or the stores weren't really crowded and although it did pick up, it was never crazy. Guess all the Friday shoppers were sleeping it off. Build a Bear was lots of fun. The little guy was so serious while he did all the 'heart' stuff. Concentrating hard as he rubbed it on his cheeks and tummy and gave it a kiss before it was stuck inside his new..uhh frog (who he named Seth). I didn't build a bear but I did get my old bear some new clothes and shoes. Once a kid, always a kid? Free catalogs were picked up at Pottery Barn (oh how I want one of their leather chairs!) and Eddie Bauer (I want everything in the book). I saw a great Christmas tree at American Eagle (I think) decorated in yarn balls. We were basically through and the little guy was getting tired when I went on one last hunt. All I needed to do was to dash in the Hallmark Store and grab a couple of cards. Unfortunately I got direction turned (and there really should NOT be two Dillard stores at opposite ends) and lots and lots of steps were wasted. Finally with it in sight, I suggested that my friend and the little guy just sit down and relax while I finished up. And they agreed and found themselves a good spot.

Now some of you..like Laura..know I'm a big football fan. And maybe you remember that I dreamed that Boomer Esiason was my best friend. And I sometimes pretend I know this guy that played for the Giants and Tampa Bay...well ok, so I don't...but I 'know' his delightful and creative wife and occasionally I read about something he did/said.. But still... So if you aren't the least bit interested in football, this will be really boring. Forewarned.

So I hustled down, got the cards and headed back. They were sitting on a bench gazing across the space and there were a lot of people in line for something. I glanced over, and sucked air. Because this guy looked so familiar. and then I realized two more of them looked like ... Steve Owens and Billy Sims and Jason White. OMG! Not only were they amazing OU players and Heisman winners but Steve and Billy (of course, we are on a first name basis) went on to play for the Detroit Lions before their knees got the best of them. Poor Jason's knees left before that. NFL, folks! Was this football nirvana?? I almost ran over to get in line for autographs but decided first to figure out just what was happening. And a good thing I did. Because it cost money to get the autographs even if you didn't buy one of the footballs. And I just didn't have the extra cash. So I was content with just watching and snapping pics. (which are not blog worthy due to the lighting but a still fun). The Girl needed to run into Claire's and while she was gone I realized that the line had cleared and they were just standing there talking. So, courage in hand, I went over and asked Steve about his younger brother Tinker, who was a wide receiver for OUand played for New Orleans for awhile. He very calmly and with a straight face said "Oh he just got out of jail". And then laughed..thank god! White was drinking out of a water bottle and almost spewed. Sims laughed uproariously. And then Steve went on to say that Tinker had just become a grandpa and had just turned 50. My god, I'm just older than dirt cause I remember him as such a young kid! They were really nice and friendly even if I didn't have cash in hand and I know I just grinned big like a dummy while they chatted with me.

But alas, laden down with free catalogs, body cream and bear clothes it was time to leave. And a good thing. Because even though I only played football for a brief time, my knees and hips were really really tired.

Came home and crashed on the couch to watch...football LOL. And then Mac called and asked "Are you rested? Want to go to Kohl's?" Well yes! And besides, she'd let me go on and on about talking to the guys. *G* So off to Kohl's and then even to Big Lots.

Total score of the day ...several Christmas gifts...and for me..body cream, bear clothes, a new shirt, a new sweater (Kohl's had some really great prices!).

knitting? Umm a few rounds on the hat once I got it transferred to the smallest circ cable that came with my Knitpicks needles. And that was a relief since the stitches kept falling off the dpns. And then bed.

Today is going to have to be really busy. The house is a mess, I have a turkey breast to cook, no Christmas decorations got put up yesterday, laundry is piled up, and there's a really cold front coming and I need to make the other mitt.

So...laters

Look, look , look!!!

My package arrived from Devorah today. I'm a prize winner for almost guessing exactly how many miles she and her family would log on their bikes this summer. I must admit that thinking about pedaling that many miles makes me weak.

First...there are squids on the package! How cool is that? And inside, was a box with a picture of an aquarium filter. (great box will be recycled with a christmas present inside)

then...for the goodies inside! Do you see all this? I do hope the 'clickie on the piccie' thing works because you must really see all this goodness. First, the yarn for all the fiber junkies. Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn! No color name on the band so I shall have to make one up. Hmmm...Oh you know what? It would go really well with that scarf I made for my friend. So I should keep it? Oh...I guess not *G* I have never seen this yarn in real life before and what a treat. It's very, very soft and I really like the twist (if that's what it's called) of the strand. I have to go find out what size needles to use. There's 420 yards of wonderfulness.

She had mentioned that there might be other little goodies in the package so I asked her if she could send me a NYC souvenier...a magnet or sticker or something. Way back in the day, I got to spend a week in her city and fell in love. So that little box looking thing is my souvenier. If you are old like me, you might remember those Viewmasters with all the little discs of scenes from other places. Well this is like a tiny Viewmaster with pics of NYC inside. There are 12 pics in there! Must be magic. And I love, love, love the card. NYC and snow! Probably a nightmare for the cabbie, but here it's more magic. I have it on my desk and have already imaged up a little story involving me, and the cab, and some new yarn. heh..a mind is fun thing to play with. The chocolate is to die for. I was good and took the picture before I had a nibble. I really want it to last awhile, but it's going to be sooooo hard.

And Hershey would like to say thank you too because he's had a great time playing with the tissue paper.

Thank you a bazillion, Devorah and daughter (who helped her figure out what to get)! And if I had a mirror that would work, I would take a pic of it around my neck. *G* It's certainly worthy and I'm sure I'll enjoy it more than a diamond pendant.

Okie Notes

Back on Sept 3, I posted about visiting the Express Clydesdale Ranch. Yesterday in NYC, the Oklahoma float called "Oklahoma Rising" was pulled by these same Clydesdales. I was inordinately proud. I know them! :::laughing at myself:::::

It's a big year for Oklahoma. Our 100th anniversary of being a state. Isn't that weird. To think that in such a world we are such a young state. There are lots of people here who are older than the state. I saw an interview with one very well groomed and attractive lady who said something to the effect of ...Well, yes I am older by just a bit. There's not a lot of ME left. I have false teeth, new knees and a new hip. But, I'm ready to go and can do most anything I want. ... I loved that!

I don't have the day off, but my brain must think it's Saturday because I haven't even begun the morning routine yet. Time to get off my butt! Byeeeeee.

Empress?

I borrowed this from the Farm Witch. I'm not sure if being an empress is a good thing but I thought sure I'd end up as a Jester. Shows what I know.

You are The Empress

Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.

The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents,
beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home
decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.

The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Happy Thanksgiving

and thanks for putting up with my pity party. I must have just needed to write it down because the rest of the evening was nice. Watered my neglected plants and started knitting on The Girl's hat.

and that's another story. Once the black Cascade was put to the side, we decided on camo. Found camo yarn at Walmart...cheap...and I got it. Oh ick! It was sort of like knitting with macrame cord except it split like crazy. I wasn't expecting wonderful, but I did expect it to be a bit nicer.

So Wednesday, I got off work a bit early and we went to Hobby Lobby where she picked out some other camo yarn..Bernat. It's still not what I would call soft, but much better than what I had. I got the ribbing done and as soon as I finish here and have my bath, it's knit till lunch time. Or...at least far enough along so that I can try it on her and see if it fits. Parade knitting!

So far this morning, the kitties had their Thanksgiving (Fancy Feast!) and Zoey had hers (Mighty Dog on top of her crunchies). Zoey doesn't routinely get wet food so she was ecstatic, plus she got to lick up a few bits that the kitties left. Me? I had oatmeal and a Moon Pie! We are soooooooooooo gourmet!

Sent out some cyber cards and the rest of the time has been spent reloading Dave's page. I want to see the yarn! But in the meantime, I've enjoyed all the changing photos on the banner.
The nice thing about not cooking is that I don't have to rush around doing anything. And that's a good thing to be thankful for, especially when it would normally be a work day when, at this time, I should be dressed and ready to head out the door!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! And to think that except for Paris, I didn't really *know* any of you at this time last year. I'm really a lucky one!

A bit of color on a not-so-great day

Yay...finally got a picture of the scarf I just finished. It was hard actually having enough sun to take it. Not that it's been cloudy but the sun comes up so late that by the time it gets over the neighbors' trees, I'm on the way to work. And by the time I get home it's too dark. It was almost there this morning so I took this on the way out the door. The wheel in the upper left hand corner is an artistic statement *L*. The person who will receive this lives in a place with a lot of snow so I figure if she gets lost in it, they'll be able to find her by looking for her almost day glo scarf. In a way, I hope she hates it and sends it back because I've become attached to it.

Pattern: None. 9 inch seed stitch followed by 3 inch garter stitch bands.
Yarn: Plymouth Encore Color Spun 75% Acrylic, 25% wool. I've used this on several projects including my first socks...well not these colors. And it's definitely a good workhorse yarn. I like it for things that really need to be wash and wear.

And that's where my good day came to a halt. Updating of software at work just made my work much...not harder...just inconvenient. For no apparent reason. Previously, I could work for a long time and move around in the program using either the enter button or the escape button. But now, for some unknown reason, I have to keep stopping and using the mouse to get from one place to the other. Sucks.

Then, I'd gotten up really early this morning and made 2 big batches of my infamous cranberry salad. One for the dinner tomorrow and one to trade. One of the members of my family of choice makes these scrumptious sweet potatoes. I love them, and usually have seconds for dessert. And she loves the cranberry salad. So a couple of years ago we started trading. I'd make an extra salad and she'd make an extra batch of sweet potatoes for me. It's great fun and good eating for both of us. So anyway, I get home and decided to have a couple of bites of the salad (I always put some in a little sandwich box for me). Ewwww...it was so runny. Nothing jelled. How weird. But maybe the big ones were ok since the proportions in the sandwich box aren't quite right. Nope....like cranberry/vegie slush. SDF! I have NO idea what happened. I even checked the trash to see if I'd used the right amount of jello etc.

I'd blame it on Mel...or Kramer (Did he lose it big time or what?) but I think I'll blame it on Christmas advertising. I really enjoy the holiday season; the lights, the hustle and bustle, the baking and wrapping, and even trying to come up with good gifts on a small budget. But never ever ever, even when I was 'partnered' did anyone ever awaken me by putting a diamond pendant on my throat. Or gave me a Forever anything in a box that had the lid wrapped separate so that you didn't rip the paper and ribbons off. There is a really good reason for this. First of all, nobody close to me ever had enough money to buy diamond pendants. And second, I really don't wear much jewelry and would probably strangle myself. And thirdly, never ever did my wish list have diamonds on it, and I was gifted with a lot of nice things. But after awhile, those commercials kinda get to me. Between them and the 'lovey' Christmas songs, I start feeling all whiny and pitiful and have not-really-serious thoughts about eating worms ;-0.
I'm thinking that perhaps I shall wrap one of the nice envelope boxes from work..with the lid separate of course. And buy myself a skein of Socks That Rock or Lorna's Laces since, like diamonds, I've never had any. And after I open it and ohhh and ahhhh over this gift to myself, I shall untwist the skein and wear it around my neck. Maybe?

Christmas Baking Part 1

Those Susie Homemaker genes...(or is it Mrs. Santa?) genes kicked in this morning so I've started baking for Christmas. Although not for humans, it does count as I love giving these to my canine friends every year. And since the list keeps growing, I really need to get an early start. I love making them, and although I haven't tasted the dough, The Girl always manages to eat quite a bit of it. Once they are baked though, they're a bit hard for her to chew *L*

So tying on my yellow flower-dy apron (I guess I need to get a more festive one) , out came the flour and the molasses and the spices and the big crock bowl and the wooden spoons. The kitchen smells wonderful and the first batch of medium size are in the oven. I like making that size best. The wee little ones seem to take forever, between cutting them out and then flipping each of them over after part of their baking time.

I did knit last night on one of the Christmas scarves and have 2/3 of it done and hope it gets finished today. I'm sorta tired of it although since part of the yarn is multicolored it's not totally boring. And maybe after a birthday dinner for a friend, I can get started on my other mitt.

Weird..

So, I was commenting on Dave's blog when the door bell rang. It was a friend here to check out my old lady car. Of course, first thing I am to do is try to start it. So...it started right up! WTF??? I've tried to start it numerous times since the other day with zilch results. Battery seems to be charging nicely when it is running. Who knows? We cleaned off the battery terminals and since it's a battery that isn't sealed (I didn't even know they made those anymore), some distilled water was added. And let it run for a while and restarted it. And so it goes. I figure if there is more trouble, I'll be in the City haha. Now that I can run errands, I can't. Because I've dumped out the contents of 2 cedar chests and I can imagine the fun the fur babies could have if I left. And it all needs to be sorted. Maybe later.

Saturday Sky, Saturday Street

The sun is shining on a bit of repairs in front of my house. Fortunately my water isn't affected. Apparently there is something wrong with the line that goes to the house across the street. The guy that drives this backhoe is quite the artist. ermmm can you be a back hoe artist? artiste? At any rate, he can surely manipulate this beast. I knew that there were 'feet' that they could extend in order to give them sure footing if they were on unlevel ground. What I didn't know was that they could, with the feet down, lift the back hoe up...turn the wheels and put it back down in a different position without moving around on the street. Well..I found it fascinating. And he must be good since that digger part seemed to be awfully close to the other guys' heads but they never flinched. My driveway is blocked but that's ok too since the car won't start. I'm thinking battery and I'm hoping that's right since that would be pretty easy to deal with.

My friend Mac took me to the grocery last night so there is milk and oatmeal and cat litter and dryer sheets and oh yeah, little smokies too. *L* So all is well, and maybe I'll get a lot done since running around town isn't an option so far. Maybe I can even cut back the frozen flowers. or..maybe not.

How are things in your world???

Just a little story..

No knitting content. I spent the evening chopping up stuff for the cranberry salad. Well not the entire evening. Much time was spent cleaning up my mess. I am a messy 'cook'.

Yesterday Zoey went for her occasional professional haircut. I enjoy doing her, and enjoy the fact that I'm not spending the $$ but she was just looking pretty raggy and needed a real 'do'. So when we walk into the groomer's, a little cat met us. Gray, half-grown kitten actually. Zoey lives with cats who basically ignore her so she just took notice and then went on to be her usual pet slut self. And the groomer really makes over her so she was happy. The groomer told me that this little cat really thinks she is a dog. Doesn't want anything to do with other cats, but loves dogs.

"Well, what happens if a dog comes in that hates cats?"

"She gets the hell out of the way...she's not stupid"

So, we're visiting and she puts Zoey in her huge cage thingy. As I get ready to leave, I notice that the cat is in there too, rubbing up against Zo's legs. Zoey moved and stepped on her tail and just stood there in spite of cat wails. But the cat made no effort to scratch her and Zo moved. How the heck did she get in there? Well, it seems there are small holes in the screening, that are just big enough for the kitten, with little pieces of wood that can be moved so that a small dog couldn't get out.

"She's been a real help", says the groomer. Dogs that have to stay all day get really bored, so she (kitten) goes visiting and helps them pass the time...or take a nap with them. When I went back after work to pick up Zo, she was playing around in the waiting room with the cat. The groomer said that she was the last one there and it's no fun sitting in a cage so she just let her out to play.

They were having quite a good time, although Zo was a bit dismayed when she came home and 'her' cats were less than excited to see her. She asked if she could go every day..it could be her daycare center. LOL

I had the groomer basically give her a buzz cut as her hair grows really fast so right now she looks a bit odd, but I love feeling her hair afterwards. Just as soft as velvet.

And fortunately that's the most exciting thing I have to report. We are having really high winds and rain here today...more wind than rain with sustained winds around 50 mph and already there are people who have lost power due to downed lines. I'm happy to report that nothing like that has happened here obviously. :::crossing fingers::::

One Warm Hand

Tada! Finished! And what a fun knit. I loved doing this and am excited to get the other one going but I've promised the Christmas knitting that I'll spend a block of time on that first.

Made with Cascade 220 superwash, and as always, a joy to work with. I sort of wish I had put a band of ribbing around the wrist too. Maybe next time.

Funny story. Mon. afternoon I had an appt at the chiropractor's. Waiting room was packed with one empty seat. It was right in front of the window so excellent light and I pulled this mitt out of my bag and started knitting the ribbing. All of a sudden I was quite the deal! I showed them how it would end up being more of a wrist warmer, leaving my fingers free. A guy that works in the oil field doing something I didn't understand was quite impressed, stating that he bought regular gloves and cut off the fingers. A couple of people were amazed that I could visit and knit at the same time. I was feeling quite clever until I discovered that somewhere along the line, being so impressed with myself, I had switched from the ribbing pattern to seed stitch. Gah! So I started tinking. OH my, now they were really impressed. I don't think anyone realized what I was actually doing...but how talented I was to be able to put everything back the way it was. I was glad to hear my name being called before everyone realized I was a goof!

Wish I could continue to go. The 3 visits I've had have really, really helped. But at this place, there is a "Plan of Care" in which the whole plan is outlined including how many visits for how many weeks yadda yadda. Like for the first month, you'll go 3 times a week for 4 weeks. But here's the kicker. You have to pay for it all. Well of course you do, but what I mean is that you have to agree to a payment plan to get it all paid off as written. I can't explain this. Except to say that there is no way in hell I can come up with the money. Push to shove it would mean that me and the babies would have to quit eating so I guess that will be my last visit. My insurance will pay $500 and that's the lifetime limit (I'm thinking they don't like chiropractors) and that would only leave me with a little over a thousand dollars or $168 a month and there is not that much left over in my paycheck. Even if I don't order knitting magazines from Great Britain. :-) At least I do know that there is something wrong, I'm not just a back wuss and that, amazingly enough, was a happy new moment of knowledge.

On a brighter note, Wed we are having a potluck at work. It's actually a soup meal. I love this and we do it every year. But there are always lots of other things besides 3 or 4 different soups. And by popular request, I am taking my jello based cranberry salad. I love making it and I love eating it and apparently so do a lot of others. So, I'm off to get a bit of the chopping up done before work so it will go faster this evening.

See ya. Hope your day is everything you want and more.

Anybody for Cookies?

Funeral attended. It was very different. I have never been to a service that was sort of blended in with the regular Sunday fare. Did get to see a former co-worker that I hadn't seen in a long time so that was fun. That concluded, I headed to the City.

Alas, my Borders didn't have the new issue of Simply Knitting. I thought perhaps it would be coming later, since it just went up on that website this week. But, apparently there was nobody in the store who knew anything about what magazines they did or didn't get. So I indulged my need to spend money...can't waste all that gas...on a magazine full of cookie recipes. Which was rather silly since the majority of my coworkers are on diets and I don't really want to eat them..I just want to make them to satisfy my Susie Homemaker genes.

And I got Sting's new cd. Ohhhhh I just love it! So not like anything else I've heard from him. (Ack...I should have driven down the street to Barnes and Noble, I could have gotten it cheaper with my membership there) So, with Elizabethan lute music in the background I knitted more on the Irish Hiking mitts and got this far. I've done one row of ribbing with 7 to go, then it will be sew up time. There are some rather wonky cables there, but ya know, I'm just pleased as punch and can't wait till I can start the other one! I didn't, however, do a bit of knitting on the Christmas stuff. Last night was all about me! *G*

Books and Magazines

I LOVE to read. I LOVE to knit and craft. So combine the two and I am one happy girl..or woman..or old lady, whatever!

So this week has indeed been a special one.

First of all the magazines. You may be one of those who visit Pat Winter's crazy quilt site. If you aren't, you should be LOL. She does the MOST incredible work. My eyes and fingers ache just thinking about all those stitches! And she dyes, and and and. She's also a truly nice person, and the one who sent me all the incredibly wonderful snips of trims and pieces of fabric so that I too could try out crazy quilting. alas, I am still trying to get up the nerve. I don't want to mess any of them up. Of course, I've fondled them so much they are probably all worn out already. But here's the thing. She's an entry in the $100,000 Quilting Challenge. And I just could not find the most recent issue of the mag so I could see her entry in all it's non-blogged picture glory. But finally, at Hobby Lobby, there it was. Was it silly to tell all the people in line that they must go vote for her? I even showed the checker her entry! So, in case you haven't seen it, here's the cover..go look. AND VOTE.

Her entry is on the right hand side and is called Life Within a Garden. If I could, I'd hold your hand and help you vote LOL.

Second, I was intrigued awhile back when Cat posted about a British knitting magazine called Simply Knitting. I love all things British and this was just so cool that this magazine was available at Borders. But um, not at mine. At least I never found it. I looked all over the internet thinking surely some of the big yarn places would carry it, but nada. Recently though I discovered Angel Yarns which is a British yarn company, and shazamm they had it!!!! And thy have wonderful yarns too, with magical names. Doesn't Fairy or Folly sound like magical yarn?So through the wonder of Paypal I ordered it. And it arrived this week. Oh what fun! Wonderful patterns, an additional little magazine from Rowan and a knitting calendar for the new year. And wonderful yarn stores that I haven't seen before. Of course, they are across the sea LOL
Lots of patterns...even a hedgehog in a bathrobe and slippers and carrying a hot water bottle! And it's BIG..big pictures make me happy! So, just now, when I went to get the link (and they have some great yarn too, I discover that there is a new issue. I have to go to a funeral at 10:30 (how strange is that timing on a Sunday morning) and then I shall head off to the City to check my Borders and see if they have the new one. If not...I guess it's back to Paypal! Must have.

And last, but certainly not least, is a new book. Crafter's Companion. This was truly a strange buy. I was at work one day, surfing during my lunch time. It had been a horrid day, and a not very good week and I was feeling quite put upon LOL. So when I saw a notice about this book, I ordered it. Having no real idea of what it was, who did it yadda yadda. I just wanted something for ME. And it arrived this week too! All of the participants are young (to me)bloggers, and some of them were even blogs I have read. It has projects, but the most fun for me was reading about how they each got started, what them, and where they create. Great fun for a craft voyeur. If you get a chance to see this, check it out. You may not be interested in the crafts shown, but it's still fun.

Knitting? What's that? Just kidding. The seed stitch scarf goes on slowly and I think I shall start another Farrow Rib for a Christmas gift. I was doing it in a 4x4 rib but the thing was curling way too much and shhhh it's acrylic. No comments, it just needs to be. So I couldn't block it. It's now unraveled and napping in the Hobby Lobby bag. And since I needed to rest my wrists from the seed stitch madness, I started a Irish Hiking wristwarmer/mitt for me last night. I didn't even know there were mitts to match but thanks to Victoria I learned better LOLHave only gotten through the first repeat, and I must say I need to not chew on my bottom lip so hard when I do the cable LOL. Maybe pics of my progress when I'm a bit farther along.

Saturday Sky

A bit of the Saturday Sky taken in my little downtown. They've made a small park to honor those lost in war. Wouldn't it be grand if there was never again a need to add to it?

Comments and Random Babble

I love, love, love comments and look forward to each of them. But this week got a little weird and I didn't get this last group answered promptly. I do apologize.

So, I'm borrowing this idea from Ragan. I don't have her eMail addy so I have no idea if she knows I talk back to her. Thanks for the idea!

Cookie, Dave and Cat...the awws have it! When Hershey was a kitten he was very blonde and his little foot pads looked like tiny drops of melted milk chocolate. Hence the name. He's the loviest of all my babies and only asks that he be allowed to at least touch me, if lap sitting isn't an option. The paw you can't see is just touching my pj clad leg. And normally the yarn stays in it's plastic bag, but I was changing colors and needed it to be up out of the way. He was only too happy to keep it safe.

Paris, I'm so glad to finally have a digital camera so I can take eleventy seven cat pics and not have to pay to have them developed only to discover they are all out of focus LOL

Laura, my guys have identified the sound that the ziplocks with 'real' zippers make and it must tell them that I'm gonna be sitting down for awhile with yarn because they come running. Zoey, the dog, however identifies that sound with me getting ready to give her her meds which are wrapped in hamburger balls. So for a few moments her head is in my lap looking for something to eat LOL

Dear Oyoyo...err Ann. Do you think that was a hidden message????? And I'll accept any and all help I get cause I truly need it *G*

I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday after work for a knitting aid. I've disovered that prolonged seed stitch knitting makes my wrist hurt. And since the current scarf has much seed stitch that could have become a real problem. So I went to purchase some of those stretchy glove thingies that are supposed to help with that sort of thing. They only had medium size and since medium size rubber gloves fit me I thought I was in. So I came home, ate a quick bowl of oatmeal and put one on. Tight but I guess that's how they area supposed to be. Instead of immediately starting to knit, I had some magazines that needed looking at so I wore it as I read. Hmmm, my fingers are itching. OMG they are red, and swelling a bit. It seems I need a size Large. So instead of being clever and taking it off and putting it in the envelope for return, I snipped it with scissors. Feels a lot better now. And yeah, on the back of their packaging there is a size chart. Did I check that out first? Nope, of course not. I didn't even turn it over to realize there was one. Duh Anyone need one size medium Thergonomic Hand-Aid? Cause my left hand doesn't need one.

Will post later about the magazines! It's pretty exciting but I have a cat that is having an upset tummy so I need to do some clean up. See ya!

Cat Talk

"Are you sure you really want to spend your precious free time paying bills? ", asks Mercy
"Make you a deal. You can blame not paying the bills on me. And all I ask in return is a little bit of REAL tuna. Deal?"
Hershey has a better idea. He thinks knitting is just the best thing going, unless of course, I need to pull on his pillow.

My 'House'

The sorting hat says that I belong in Gryffindor!

Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those with brave deeds to their name."

Students of Gryffindor are typically brave, daring, and chivalrous.
Famous members include Harry, Ron, Hermione, Albus Dumbledore (head of Hogwarts), and Minerva McGonagall (head of Gryffindor).

Take the most scientific Harry Potter
Quiz ever created.

Get Sorted Now!

Camo!

I just had an almost brilliant idea. She loves camo so what about a camo hat? I've googled a bit and so far all I have found is a Bernat acrylic. Does anyone know about camo wool? Preferably superwash but heck if it's regular merino I can just volunteer to wash it for her? And now it's off to work to dream about knitting a hat that I can actually see. And, if I find something else to use this Cascade 220 superwash black can be yours for the asking! Love ya!

TriColor

Saw this on the way home from voting. What a treat!

And now some questions for hat knitters. I was looking at a magazine last night that had a number of hat patterns. In many of them it said to cast on and start/do the ribbing with a smaller size needle than you used on the main portion of the hat. Is this a standard thing?

Cookie, I've forgotten what you call that cast-on that starts with crochet.

and finally, will you still love me when I've gone blind from knitting with black yarn? Sheesh! I thought if I worked on it in the dining room where there is more light it would be fine. I think I'm going to have to drag the Ott light in there too. I wonder if I could convince The Girl that what she really wants is a white hat?

Yay!

Farrow rib is off the needles; ends woven in and blocked...and now even put away for Christmas. I finished it about 11 AM and decided it called for a celebration. I discovered that I get really sick of the same stitch, same color over and over. Even when I have to rip back *G*.

I washed it in some lavender soapy stuff (what do you all use to wash your woolen things?) and pinned it out to dry. A bit later I heard this funny "popping" noise, like little tiny hail. But no, it was Hershey, who was very industriously pulling out the pins and then (fortunately) spitting them out. Thanks cat! So I turned the ceiling fan on high and babysat the dang scarf until it was dry

So, anyway, I slicked up (translated: took off my jammies and put on real clothes) and headed off to the City. I'd thought about making several stops but on the way over, a semi cut in front of me so close that I couldn't even see the mudflaps!!! Scared the S*** out of me and all I wanted to do was be home *G* So I narrowed down the shopping to Barnes and Noble (needed a birthday gift) and the LYS.

WARNING: TOTALLY INACCURATE COLOR REPRESENTATION

I got some Cascade for a scarf for me later on, and I got some yarn for a new Christmas scarf. See above where I lamented one color? Well that's sure been changed. I'm sort of using the pattern that Ann used for her Red Scarf Project. Seed stitch sections divided by knit rows. The idea was that the knit rows would be the solid color because the yarn is so busy that you'd never see them otherwise. However, after swatching I've decided I need to do something else. Like make the sections much wider because...well that's a lot of ends to weave in. But...it's not boring LOL.

The giftee was going to get a felted bag, but then in a convo she mentioned that she had just about quit carrying bags sooo. She also told me once that she was tired of classic looking things and wanted wild. And since knitting with those novelty yarns makes me shiver this is what she is going to get..and it's not classic, that's for sure. And if she ever gets lost in the snow, she'll be easily found.

This yarn is Plymouth Encore Colorspun, color 7137 (you can see it if you click on the color card) that is a mix of bright orange, pink, lime green, yellow and the solid color is 9623...ack it doesn't even appear on their color cards...it's bright orange. My pics turned out horrid and I can't fix them to be true. Will have to wait for daylight.

Coming home it started pouring down rain. After the truck incident, I really didn't want to be on the interstate again, especially with the rain so I came home on old Hwy 66. The Mother Road was full of places to hydroplane so it took awhile but finally I was home. And, as I pulled in the driveway...it stopped raining LOL Guess the weather goddess showed me where I needed to be, eh?

And now it's Monday again. The day will be broken up by a visit to a chiropractor just for kicks. I just want to know what he thinks.

Saturday Sky

A cool blue day today until late in the afternoon when clouds rolled in. I love seeing all the fall colors and wish that the wind would allow the leaves to stay on the trees for a long time. But in Oklahoma no wind is almost an oxymoron. Of course, the leaves on the ground make the most delightful noises as you walk through them, so I should thank the wind for that. This afternoon, as I went about my errands, I saw a young man raking up great piles of leaves in his front yard. And, wait..what's that? Well it's a little boy covered in leaves with only his happy, giggling face sticking out! What a happy thing to see!

I can remember, when I was young, making great piles of leaves in the yard and they became all sorts of mysterious places. Fairy houses, Indian teepees...who knows what all. My favorite was made a bit more sturdy with the help of some old boards and a cardboard box with the leaves heaped around it. It rained and the leaves became quite sodden. The boards helped keep the box dry so it still remained open to me. And the leaves were almost plastered. Some of the top ones dried out fairly quickly so they looked more like leaves. Quite camo...although I'd never heard of the word. And inside the box, I thought I must be visible only to truly magical things and birds and mice. It was a good time.

Word of the Day

I love words...especially if I can understand where they come from. So I subscribe to Merriam Websters Word of the Day and every day I get a new word. This one seems especially timely.

The Word of the Day for November 02 is:

perseverate \per-SEV-uh-rayt\ verb

*1 : to repeat or recur persistently
2 : to go back over previously covered ground

Example sentence:
To ensure the accuracy of his or her data, the scientist necessarily perseverates, repeating each experiment many times and comparing the results.

One knitting rule that I seem to follow closely is to only notice a mistake after I'm way past it. Sometimes, like a dropped stitch, I can fix. Others, I don't even know what happened.

So it is with Farrow Row scarf. I was admiring how far I'd come and planned on a Criminal Minds/CSI NY farrow marathon. However, when I spread it all out, there it was...back about 1o rows. Looked like maybe I had somehow snagged the yarn so there was this little pouffy thing just sticking out. I tried stretching, hoping that it would str8n itself out. Nope. I tried ignoring it. Nope. So...rip it went. And then back in it's bag and instead I ironed. Well at least there's some ironing done. Bah!

Need a Kiss?

or a Pixy Stick? Or a snack size 3 Musketeers? When I got home from work the adorable little ones were out with their mommies. By the time I got my clothes changed and shoes off the grade schoolers were out. But after dark, I had only 2 kids! Now the age level of the kids in the neighborhood have changed with many of them at least in middle school. And my coworkers kids are growing up too. :-( I miss all those little ballerinas and ghosts and tigers.

Even the rowdy older ones were absent. Zoey didn't bark even once. Weird!

When one of my coworkers kids was small he accidentally discovered that I startle rather easily. So his delight when he came to the office was to "scare" me. Now granted, when you see the child coming, and he closes HIS eyes so you can't see him, it's not too startle-worthy but I played along and would yelp and jump when he said Boo. So when he arrived at my door on Halloween I sort of knew what was expected. He stood there in his little costume and just said Boo repeatedly then would almost collapse in giggles. He was so proud of his scare-ability that he didn't even want candy.

Another time, I friend was helping me with some house woes while his partner and daughter trick-or-treated in the neighborhood. It was wicked cold out, so they would go a little ways, come back and warm up and set out again. I noticed that Jazz (the little girl) was followed by a couple of cats. Every time she returned there would be more cats. By the time they left for home there were 16 cats of various sizes and colors sitting on the porch and in the driveway. Cats I had never seen before...or since. I still think she must have rubbed tuna on her costume!

So now, time to load up the leftover candy and take it to the office...ok so maybe a few things will stay here *G*