I Was Knit Together In My Mother's Womb

so this is what I've been doing....

Christmas Stash Enhancement
Does it count as stash enhancement when the yarn purchased is for gifts? I found some lovely things which I envision as snuggly gifts, especially for the daughters in my life. (I dare not go into much detail here, since all three read this blog) My Mom and I went on a road trip to visit my daughter and grandchildren in Central New York. Of course, we made a stop or two along the way.....you know, I have something to say here. We went to a Yarn Shop in Fayetteville, very excited to spend our money. They have a great bunch of store patterns, which are free with purchase. Now, this is my third visit to this store, and the second time that I was willing to buy the yarn for a project made from the store pattern. But, guess what? They do not have the yarn to support the pattern! How frustrating! They did offer to order the yarn, if I ordered a color that they could use in the shop. If it was not a color they would choose, then I would have to buy the whole bag???? Consequently, I left, and spent my money at the next shop. You know, that also happened at a store that we visited this weekend. Might I suggest that you pull the project off display until you dohave the yarn to complete the pattern?
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When we arrived at Meghan's house, we had a delicious lunch prepared by my daughter the wonder chef, played with JonJ and Augie, bailed water from a flooded basement into the sump pump, played play-doh, played smoochies, (did you catch the flooded basement part? fortunately, only a few damaged books) and made these pretty little beaded stitch markers. After the kids went down for their naps, we knit, of course. I worked on the now imfamous vest and started a new mystery project for one of the girls. Can you guess what it is? No, not a pretzel.

I was issued an ultimatumon Sunday, by my romantic husband...the one I went on the boat with? Gardens or Knitting! How could he? Expect me to chose between one hobby which brings me joy, makes me smile, brings color and texture into my life and is relaxing for another hobby which brings me joy, makes me smile, brings color and texture into my life and is relaxing? I worked on the gardens today....and knit. So there.

KNIT KNITE KNEWS
Our local group meets Thursday night at Lakewood Village. Doors open at 6:30, so see you there!

a most enjoyable weekend...

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Friday was a surprise trip, born of cancelled plans with friends
My sweet, wonderful creative husband took me on a mystery trip which landed us at Conesus Lake, where we rented.......a party boat............yes, a party boat. This was a first for us. The two of us, bobbing along, sailing along the beautiful Conesus Lake with the other party-boaters. Just the two of us, on a party boat. Well, since it was the only available boat left for rental, we took it. We swam. we sunbathed, we swam some more, we talked. Captain JR did a fantastic job of docking this monstrosity and off we went for a Friday night fish fry. Do you remember the old movie theatres in small towns? Well, there are a few left, and since it reminded us so much of one we used to have in our home town, we decided to end the evening with a movie at the Star. Well, much to our suprise, it was just $5 a ticket! Isn't that wild? We had Raisinettes and Milk Duds, and saw "Bourne Supremecy." What a great day.

Saturday was shopping day.....
Mary, Lisa and I went yarn shopping, (and secret pal shopping!) We had a great day, visiting Karma and A.C. Moore. We enhanced our stashes, got ideas for new projects, oohed and ahhed over the most wonderful Lantern Moon needles and cases, and all around had a great day. Check out Lisa's blog for I'm sure, what will be a wonderfully humorous commentary on our day.
Lisa and I knit, while Mary drove back and forth through construction....thanks Mary, for letting us get these urgent projects closer to completion!

AND I finished my mittens, here being modeled by the " man who can do anything well."

The cutest guy in the world....

A few days ago, I mentioned the "cutest guy in the world", for whom I am knitting the most boring vest in the world. OR is this the cutest guy in the world?

Meet Moses, just a dog.
OR is this the cutest puppy in the world?

Meet Augie, the cutest thing on this blog!

(thank you Labradorable for your email help with the images!)

A Secret Pal Surprise! A Secret Pal Surprise!

Look what arrived today from my Knit Knite Secret Pal! Thank you, Secret Pal. The card is adorable.

How I spent my knitting time

Frogging an entire mitten. Yes, that's right. It was just too big, and since I am new to the mitten business, I really didn't mind. I decided to do a K1P1 rib and decrease the number of cast on st. and I think it will be just fine. Spent the day also baking cookies and cooking up some jambalaya from one of my favorite restaurant cookbooks.

And, visiting around the blogs, I found Elizabeth, a brand new blogger. I hope I was some help today, Elizabeth, and I look forward to reading your blog.

Out of the mouths of Babes....

During a long and laughable phone chat with my babe, Kate, she was able to see my blog for the first time. Her observation....."You talk alot about food." Thanks, Kate. I love food.

Seeya.

what's the buzz, tell me what's a-happenin'.....

Meet Guido, the Mosquito...a little friend I whipped up last week. He's here to give the buzz. Yesterday was a very busy day, Absolutely no knitting...well, I knitted a row and got car sick on my way to Niagara on the Lake to spend the day with my pals. First, we had a lovely outdoor lunch at The Queen's Landing and what did I order? A burger. Mostly because I always try to stay away from menu options which include the words "pumpkin seed emulsion" or "soy tomato." I do have to say it was a great burger. Desert was incredible. A coconut macadamia tart with coconut ice cream. It came exquisitely garnished with sharp cookie objects which could put your eye out, and with a caramel/lime "emulsion" to finish it off. The coconut canceled out any fear of "emulsion" on this menu item!

Then we went to the spa where I really did "envelop myself in luxury and pure relaxation." Scott, the massage therapist really worked out the kinks!

The day wound down with a little window shopping and a treat for my secret pal, then back across the bridge to real life.

I finished my mitten the other day. I really want to get this mitten thing down. It's a little big, but I do love the yarn combo. ( I am really trying to figure out this insert image thing. How in the world do I get those images where I want them?????)

And, I heard from Meghan, freshly back from the Poconos. She finished her birthday wrap and it looks so funky and cool, knit from Noro Lotus. That would be the Grand Eyelet Wrap, the free pattern from Karma, which I am delighted to share with you now.

Needles: size 19 and 35

This Grand Eyelet lace is extra-large. CO Multiple of 4 sts plus 4 edge sts. I did did 28 for my wrap and Meghan did 48.

Row 1 P2 *yo, p4tog; rep from*,end p2
Row 2 K2, *k1, (k1, p1, k1) into the yo of previous row; rep from *. end k2
Row 3 Knit (with larger needle)

Repeat rows 1-3 until desired length.

(if 16 stitches are cast on, it will make a scarf approxiamtely 7 inches wide and 48 inches long)

So, knit your self one! It really is the ultimate in cool.

Gotta go, I am headed to lunch at Penny's house on the lake today for some serious introspective talk.
I guess I better choose the Marykay Waterproof Mascara

GOOD MORNING, SUNDAY!!!

So much to write, so little time....

what do you think of my mittens so far? They are a quick knit, for sure.

I HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR....

Church was great, we got a new digital camera, the sun is shining, I am going to the spa tomorrow, family is good, I joined the Secret Pal 3 ring (I am so excited!) JR went to the auction on Friday night and brought home a few goodies. Don't you love the print? I hung it in my kitchen.

What a great night at the pritchard's last night, pizza, movie and 90 minutes of knitting for Lisa and I.

JR, Ben and I are just going to take a drive, eat at Schaller's burger place and hang out while I work on JR's vest...one more project to finish before I start the aforementioned "5" I'd like to do. So round and round and round the circulars I will go.

Have a great Sunday.

Some Interesting things about me....questions courtesy Lisa's blog
What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
mohair and wonderfully soft wool
What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
wraps, wraps and more wraps
What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
probably scarves and hats
What are you knitting right now?
an end to end wrap in luxurious soft blues, mittens with mohair and kureyon, a vest for my husband, socks,and a Jo Sharp mohair wrap

What do you think about ponchos? (this is really a curiousity question for us)
ponchos are awesome. I already knit one, and want to do another, and some for Christmas gifts

Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
depends on what I'm doing

How did you learn to knit?
my mom, in October 2003

How old is your oldest UFO?
unfinished pair of socks, started on my Florida trip in February

I hope these questions give my Secret Pal and my blog readers a little more insight into me :)

Answers for My Secret Pal
Questions for your Secret Pal
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high-end/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I LOVE the texture of fine yarn. I don't like yarn that squeaks
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
nope
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
can't wear perfume, poison ivy
4. How long have you been knitting?
since October of last year
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I don't, but I should.
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
ummmm, peony, lily of the valley, lemon, old roses, casa blanca lilies
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
yes, a sweet tooth, followed by a salty, crunchy tooth, followed by a sweet tooth
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
read magazines, decorate, entertain, gardening
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if you want to make her a CD)
mostly oldies, Christian music....what's an MP3?
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?
pink, red, black
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
a husband, five kids between us, two are married, two are in college, one at home, two grandchildren, two dogs, two cats

Oh happy day...

I think today is the day JR and Lynne get a digital camera! I can't believe he suggested it! Maybe because I spent the morning trying to get images from my mom's camera, being unsucessful, whining, complaining...you know, the usual girl tricks.

I haven't knit a thing since yesterday. Last night was great at The Chapel . We had a wonderful time, had alot of laughs, some inspiration, and pastries. Now that was a ladies night out.

Lisa has invited us for pizza and wings later....maybe we'll get to try out the new camera. And thanks Auntie for all your help this morning.

So, I expect the next time, I will have lots of fun things to show!

I have alot on my mind today

of course, doing a very introspective Bible study can get that going, for sure.

I am also wondering these days, do all dogs stink when they get old? This is maggie, the stinkpup...She's a gorgeous thing, but her breath will kill ya.

I haven't talked to Meghan in a few days, for that matter JonJ, either, and I miss them.

I had a great call this morning from my friend Sonya at church. Lo and behold, there are four of us being treated to an entire Spa Day at Niagara on the Lake (compliments our good friend Amy, for whom we put on a great baby shower)! Now I'm thinking...if we go Monday, does that give me enough time to get my feet looking good, to get my body in shape, and for my cuticle scabs to heal?

the more I knit,
the longer I sit.
the longer I sit,
the biggger I get.

Speaking of Knitting,

KNIT KNITE KNEWS

This is a copy of the email I sent everyone with email:
" I hope I remembered everyone. Of course, remember that Lisa Foster , Sandy Morales and Lois Ormond do not have an email address. Some of us are secret pals, some of us are not, but I thought it would be nice to be able to keep in touch or share a pattern or some encouragement from time to time. We are also trying to come up with a reasonable, regular schedule to meet so there isn't a question about when and where. That way, people can feel free to drop in to knit any time they are able, knowing it is on certain days of the month. I liked the set-up at my mom's place last week. How I love knitting in my home and having you all there, but i want to tell you, it sure took the pressure off being able to meet in such a large space!How do any of you feel about it?
The only other awesome option would be a local yarn store or coffee shop (which I don't think is available any more)

Just wanted you to know, also , that Sandy has finished her first scarf!! And a reminder that the next time we meet, Mom will be supplying a little door prize. Wasn't that fun?"

I have gotten some feedback. Mom has been so generous to offer every other week at Lakewood Village, starting Thursday night, September (SEPTEMBER????) 2nd. Of course we may have to have an emergency knit nite next week, you know. I should mention also we are doing charity mittens for Lois.

IN OTHER NEWS
Today, I borrowed my mom's camera, and started taking pictures of stuff...finished stuff, unfinished stuff...and since I brought up finished stuff,

I FINISHED ANOTHER PROJECT! The grand eyelet scarf/wrap, whatever it is, is complete...I will get that loaded, along with the Free from Karma pattern, which went along very quickly.

I am so wanting to start 5 more things... oh, I can't stand it , however, tonight I will be a greeter for the first time. With my very best smile, saying things like, " Hi, Welcome, Glad to see you, Welcome to the Chapel, How nice to see you, hello, hi, welcome."

And finally, I am feeling Lisa-dependant with this whole blog thig. I just wonder when I will push her buttons to insanity with all my questions.

Enjoy a lovely day...