VACATION!

This will probably be my last post before I go on vacation. I'm trying to tie up loose ends before Saturday.

I've gotten the place tidied up for the cats temporary roommate. A good friend is coming to stay with them while I'm gone so they won't be sooooo lonely (although as those of you who are owned by cats know I'll still be in for it when I get back). I got a big bag of food for them so they'll won't even have to think they're going to starve. Well, ok actually so my friend won't have to worry if they'll have enough or not.

Also while I was out I stopped at a big box store music place (which shall remain nameless so no one gets in trouble). I have an remote starter on my truck. It's a little old and I don't know if that was the reason or someone else was just on the same frequency as I am but the truck kept starting on its own. :( After much searching and an hour on hold with so called "tech support" my step dad and I gave up even trying to find the box. So I stopped at the store to see if they could help me. This absolutely wonderful installer stopped what he was doing and listened to my problem, asked a few basic questions and walked out to my truck with me and 30 seconds later handed me the fuses. I thanked him profusely and (despite my icky afternoon and the feeling that he truly did save me) I did not tell him I loved him. :) He made sure my truck started and sent me on my merry way. And thats why I don't want to say where he worked because sometimes big box companies, don't like a super kind employee. Its not something I understand, but I know it exists.



I finished up my Gunner's cap. It could be a tad longer but thats OK. I like it and it'll keep my little ears warm just in case it gets too cold in the desert. And I should say an extra special thank you to Mom, who sewed the ends up while my step dad and I went crazy looking for anything that may give us a clue as to where the remote starter was installed. :)

Thanks, Mom!

SP9 Random fact contest

My hostess for SP9 is having a contest. We have to post (and email her) a random fact and then we'll all vote on our favorite. So here's my fact:

I learned how to knit earlier this year and encouraged my mom, who's knit for 30+ years, to take up sock knitting, now she's knit more pairs than I have! I still haven't finished my second pair.

I'm right happy for Mom, but I wish I could get motivated to get on these socks!

Secret Pal 9

OK. I am just totally lovin' this whole Secret Pal thing and I haven't even gotten a package yet! :) I was tickled when they let me in. I was excited when I got an email from my loverly hostess. I was about to bounce off the walls waiting for my match. Then, it happened. I sent an email as required to my spoilee and they're just the loveliest thing EVER. I am so totally excited about buying things and spoiling them. In fact, today at lunch I did a little yarn shopping. Some for a project, some for sending.

And the person who has me, my spoiler, is just every bit as lovely as my spoilee. I got a little ecard from her (I hope you're a her and if not then I'll apologize in advance because I'm planning on calling you a her. Its just easier and I can't be but so "PC") this morning and it just was so nice to see.

I'm so glad I'm part of this, I can't even think about what's gonna happen once it kicks up and really gets going and presents start flying back and forth! Y'all all will probably be able to hear me squeeling for joy!

things I've learned

I've learned that I'm SO very glad I learned how to knit! I also learned that I'm not a fast knitter and I'm OK with this. It seems to have taken me forever to knit a not very large piece of the back of the sweater I'm making.



I'm still happy with the progress though. It'll take me while to knit it and thats OK. I'm really excited about making something for me. That has to fit. That has to look good... that won't be hidden under shoes :)

This is the last basket we made in class.





Yes, those are cans in the basket. Its to hold the parts down that want to spring up and make it less heart shaped. It will go to a good home this Christmas. I made it with someone in mind and can't wait to give it to them. I think I'll probably put a few dishrags in there too.

Chili time!

It's that time of year again! I have two friends who have an annual Oktoberfest party. It really is a good time and watching people ride - or well fall off - of the mechanical bull is mighty fun. As I have a couple times in the past, I am making chili for this grand party.



Here's a pretty bad picture of the chili before it brews tonight. Why you ask am I cooking it tonight when the party doesn't start until tomorrow? Well, cuz it makes it taste better. That's why. Will I share the recipe? Well, no. It's a family recipe that only one person who's not related by blood or marriage knows and well, she grew up with me and is all but family. However, I'll give you a helping hand with your chili. Drag out the ol' crock pot, you can do it in a regular pot but it's just better in the crock pot and so much easier. Brown your meat, or do whatever you need to do to prepare TVP. Dad and Pat have used TVP in this recipe and honestly you can't tell the difference in taste for those who have an aversion to meat but do like their chili. Put the browned meat in the pot. Put in some thing tomato-y. Now open up your cupboards and dump what spices you feel are appropriate. Fresh veggies? If you like. Beans? Why not? (OK. So I could do a whole long post and bore the hell out of some of y'all on why not but I won't. This isn't for competition so if you want beans have beans.) Just have fun. Remember what you dumped in and how much of it you dumped in so you can sorta replicate it or if by chance you came up with something bad, never do again. OH and don't forget some kind of chili powder. That should do it.

There may be pictures from the party. There may not be. Depends on how much fun I'm having, how much I'm drinking and if I remember to take the camera.

Y'all have a good weekend! I gotta get some knitting in before bed.

ah... home.

Well, I fixed whatever was wrong. Don't ask what was wrong or how I fixed it because I just don't know. I think it was the cussin' and the multiple calls between me and Daddy.

Pennie, you'd asked about my basket weaving supplies. I haven't bought any yet. I'm almost to the end of my class and the teacher had provided our supplies for the 3 baskets we're making. She did give us a few online resources to check out but recommended that we google basket weaving and check out different sites. She said she almost never buys anything full price that she can almost always find a sale somewhere. I hope that helps. If you'd like the sites she gave us please just let me know. I'll be happy to share them. To answer your other question, yes those are two i cords on my purse and just twisted together before grafting the ends to the body. And thank you for your nice comments!

Knitting wise, I'm stuck. There are a few more things I'd like to get completed before vacation but if I don't it's not going to upset me. I would like to finish my sock and start on its mate but there are now 3 sweaters on my list I'd like to make. Do I have yarn for these? Well, I do the most difficult of the three. Do I think that maybe trying to make an easy sweater (such as this one) would be advisable before trying to make a wrap around sweater? Yes, I do. Do I want the above mentioned sweater from those lovely ladies at Mason Dixon? Yes, I do. Is it taking a lot not to run out to my LYS and buy the dern yarn for the previously mentioned sweater? Yes, it is. Anyone wanna place bets on whether or not I venture out there sooner rather than later to buy the yarn?

It seems there were other things I was going to say but I have no idea what they were. So I leave you with a picture of my babies snuggling up. It's happening more often now but not so much that it doesn't make me smile and feel good when I see it.

catching up

It figures with all the things I'm managing to complete and with the secret pal swap just getting started that I'm having a spot of computer troubles.

 

I'm hoping it'll all work out and be fixed by tonight but I thought I'd do a quick post.

 

I finished my hat. Well, I need to sew the bands up and still do a tie but all the knitting is done. woo hoo! warm noggin' in the desert!

 

I have been matched and have a secret pal. I'm really excited about that. Now I get to go shopping. Yeah!

 

Pennie asked me about a few things in the comments, I haven't forgotten your questions, I will get to them when I'm back on my computer and have time.

Link list and WIP update

I've added a list link to the sidebar. I did this for several reasons, one being it's always nice to see what (or who) people are reading. Also, if I find something on the web that I'd like to have I'll add it to that list too. That way if my secret pal gets stumped there are more ideas there.

Now, I must get back to knitting. I'm going on vacation at the end of the month and have a few things that I need to have done to take with me. Some as gifts (so they will remain mysterious until later) and some for me to have. Like a hat... thing. It very much reminds me of one of those Survivor Buff's. I have something similar to that and love it out in the desert (and it came in very handy at a race once too!). So I'm knitting a Gunner's Cap. I'm using wool and a denim blue and natural color. I'm looking forward to having it to keep the ol' noggin warm on those cool nights and in case it gets windy again like it was a few years ago. I haven't decided what kind of tie I want to make yet. I kinda like an i cord but being wool, it'd be fun to felt it or I could felt a braid or just braid it or... I don't know. I'm open to suggestions...



this is how it looks now. I need at least 10 more inches I think...




Pepper and Bartholamew don't much care. All they're concerned about is staying warm and dry - and asleep - on this chilly rainy fall day. I'd call them silly kitties but honestly, curling up and sleeping on days like this is right nice.

socktoberfest

I have unofficially declared Mom the blogless as part of Socktoberfest. She finished her first pair of socks recently. She's been off work this week and each day I get to hear about what she did that day. Including trips to AC Moore (had to have more yarn to felt a purse. She knits bigger than I do and I can't help it I made my purse out of one skein and she needed two...). This trip to AC Moore involved buying yarn that "I think could be used for socks. what do you think?" she said. A trip to the LYS which did not involve buying yarn for a sweater pattern that she took from me but did involve yes, thats right. Sock yarn.

Today I get a call while slaving away the work hours "I had to go by AC Moore for more yarn and bought some more of that stuff for socks. I found a pattern that I think will really work for it. OH and I need size X double pointed needles too. Or was it size Y. well, I may buy both". And for the record I don't remember what size X and Y represent but it doesn't matter. It is expressly Not Nice to call someone who is working - and can't knit on the job - and tell them all about your yarn adventures while you're Not at Work. It is acceptable to call the person at home after non knitting work hours to tell them this information.

When I get home, there's a link to Blue Moon in my mail box from Mom. I sent her the link for Simply Sock Yarn.

Also for Soctoberfest, I told a friend at work who wanted me to teach her how to knit socks but on 2 circs instead of dpns about Cat Borhdi's book "Socks Soar on Two Circulars". I like my dpns, but I had to enable, er, uh, encourage her. :) Talking about knitting with someone who also can not knit at work is acceptable in case you're keeping track.

Maybe for Soctoberfest, I shall actually knit on my socks too and start another pair out of some of the loverly sock yarn I have stashed away from my visit to my Aunt's earlier this year.

OH and now that I've figured out buttons, could someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong that my links don't work? - Nevermind, I've got it figured out now. woo hoo!

YEAH!

It really was a good Tuesday. Despite feeling less than wonderful yesterday, today started off pretty good. Work went well, went to my basket weaving class.



I finished the other basket and made this one. All in about 2 hrs!

I found some more info (thanks to the secret pal blog) and I think I actually got buttons. :) They show up in the preview so I'm hoping they're really there.

And I'm actually going to go to bed at a reasonable time.

I love fall

I was just going to post one long post but thought it'd be easier for my secret pal to find the questionnaire if it was all by itself so here's the post that was originally going to be today's post.

I love fall. It's cool and warm and breezy and rainy and bright and sunny and the leaves are changing and blowing around everywhere. :) and here in the mountains its just so damn beautiful. I love living here and count my blessings regularly but on a day like this after it rained last night with the air crisp and the sky a gorgeous blue with the leaves just starting to change. It just makes me one happy girl.

SP9 questionnaire

Welcome to SP9!

Below is the questionnaire for this round.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I’ve found I’m more drawn to the natural fibers. lately it’s wool and cotton. I certainly don’t mind acrylic as thats what I crocheted with for years. I haven’t used many of the eyelash/specialty yarns.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

right now they’re all in their original packages in one of those sterilite “drawers”. DPNs are in a ziplock back in their containers

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I taught myself to knit this spring. I would consider myself an advanced beginner but Mom would say “intermediate”. She told me last knit she thinks I knit as well as she does and she’s been knitting for a while.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

not yet but if I start one, I’ll post it.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)

I like the fruity and flowery scents. I’m not so fond of the ‘vanilla’ scents. I also like “clean” smells.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

I do have a sweet tooth! Right now I want to say my favorite candy is candy corn but thats just because it’s out right now! :) I love M&M’s - any flavor. I like those Take 5’s chocolate in general. Because of jaw issues I can’t chew gum or things really chewy but I do like hard candy as well.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I crochet and am in the middle of taking a basket weaving class that I’m having a great time in. I don’t spin. I wouldn’t mind learning but right now I’ve got very limited space.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I listen to mostly country but do enjoy plain ol’ rock too. I can play MP3. I have an iPod shuffle and iTunes.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

my favorite colors are purple and green. I’m not so big on yellow and orange by themselves but combined with other colors they’re fine.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I am single, no kids and two cats who are very spoilt.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I do wear scarves. I’ll wear a hat when it’s cold enough and don’t have any mittens. I wouldn’t mind having a pair though.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I’m on a huge dishrag kick right now but I have enjoyed making socks and plan on making more.

13. What are you knitting right now?

dishrags, socks, and a purse to be felted. I also have a sweater I want to make.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

yes.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I prefer circular needles. I don’t have a preference yet on the bamboo, aluminum or plastic yet. I’ve only used wood on the dpns so far.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

no.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

knit - early summer
crochet - 6-7 yrs old?

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween. but Christmas is a very close second

19. Is there anything that you collect?

build a bears, Happy Meal toys, beanie babies.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I’m looking forward to the next Yarn Harlot book but I don’t think there are any others I can think of right off. I don’t have any knitting magazine subscriptions.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

intarsia (Oh, I hoped I spelled that right)

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

yes, I think these are what’s needed (my socks are the oldes knitting UFO)
bottom of calf muscle to floor 6 3/4 inches
around leg at that spot 13 1/2 inches
from top of sock to the top of the heel about 3 7/8 inches (not quite 4 in)
base of foot (from heel to beginning of toe decrease) 7 in.

i hope that’s all of them. it ‘s what I wrote down before I started my last sock.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

8/13

Dang. I had answered them all in whatever Appleworks calls "word" and had all the answers all underlined but that didn't come across and quite honestly, I want to go knit so I'm not going back and underlining all the answers again.