Aw its so nice to be with you!

I sat down tonight to knit for the first time in a long time!  Wow, I'd forgotten how much I love to knit!  Things have been busy lately and I have not worked on anything at night, instead going to bed reading, catching up on emails or just watching whatever hubby had recorded the day before on TV.
Tonight I had the chance to just do my happy thing - knit!

My old friend, the LL Bean Boat and Tote

Last week I ordered and received some degummed silk cocoons from Paradise Fibers in Spokane.  They can be dyed or spun.  I wondered if I needed to re-wet them and stretch them into hankies, but I think I'm better off just drafting from straight from the cocoons.  I love a challenge, or at least a chance to learn something new and this is one of those times! Woo Hoo!

Over the weekend we helped my son and his wife paint and move.  It was so fun to see their new place as they'd left a somewhat undesirable apartment.  We've all been there, all paid our dues.  There's nothing worse than living in a crummy apartment, and nothing better than a new place to call home!

Over the weekend we also picked up a chest of drawers for my father in law and I spent Monday putting it together.  When we bought it, my husband and I together could not lift the box and DH is twice my size.  For a small piece of furniture from Target, it was awfully substantial!! I'm guessing it weighed about 1 1/2 to 2 tons.  Maybe more, I'm not good at guessing weights.

safety additions

I took everything out of the box and looked it over with the directions.  Feeling pretty good about it all, (how hard could this  be?) I grabbed a screwdriver and went to work putting the chest together.  OMG!  Regulations regarding safety, and all the little doo-dads that come with it are intimidating.  I never knew how dangerous a chest of drawers could be!  And there were so many parts. Good grief, I never!

lethal furniture and unsuspecting t-shirt on top

About two thirds of the way through the project, my husband rescued me with the power drill and the strength of an ox.  I was "give out"! He finished putting it together and we carried it into the bedroom, safe and sound.

Last night we had dinner with friends and I took a photo to post on Instagram of my friend's tea pot collection. The letter "P" doesn't always work on my cell phone so my caption originally read, "A small part of my friend Debra's teat collection."  Auto correct once again doesn't save the day!

Today I worked on cleaning the garage, sweeping and de-cluttering until I had moved all the Christmas decorations to the side wall and purged a good deal of junk. Hallelujah! That feels so much better! 
So now you know why sitting down on the couch tonight with my knitting bag was such a treat.  That's TREAT I said!

Dream Weaver

The last few days I've been weaving on my rigid heddle loom.  I bought the loom years ago for practically nothing.  By that I mean that it was used, at about $25 - a steal if you compare that with the price of rigid heddle looms today and perfect for my purposes.  I only wanted to try it out and see if I even liked weaving, and then maybe use up some of my stash.

It has been well worth it, and I have made lots of little things on this frame style loom.  I have

• one heddle or reed, 
• one shuttle, 
• a small tool for picking the threads through the reed, 
• and the loom itself.  

I use dime-store crochet thread for the warp and whatever leftover yarn I have laying around for the weft.  That's it.  So I guess it makes me a weaver, sort of! 

I've also been washing fleece on the sunny weather days and I'm spinning  very little lately.  Once the weather turns nice, I tend to stay outside a lot.  Unless I'm out running errands, shopping, etc.
Which brings me to two unfortunate events that I have to share.

One happened on Monday when my husband Jamie took me to replace my cell phone battery.  The phone's about 2 years old,  but the girl at the counter looked at it like it was a See N Say and you'd think I had asked her to replace the string with the ring tied to it.

It was not a See & Say and it was not even a rotary dial cell phone.

Geez!  Well anyway, they didn't carry the battery I needed but suggested that I go someplace that carries batteries of every shape and size.  Okay, fine.  So we left and went to the other store, and they didn't have my battery either but could order it from the North Pole (not really) and it said should be here by Christmas (okay that was close to the truth).  Actually it will be here on Thursday afternoon.

The other unfortunate event happened right before Easter when we were at the mall in the men's cologne section at Nordstrom's.  A very nice lady from the make up dept. walked over to me and suggested I try their eye cream which was great for puffiness and dark circles.  Really?? You came over to me, at my age, without being asked and made that suggestion?  Really? I thanked her for the sample and left.

Oh, I almost forgot one more. And this one's good!  I was checking out at the grocery store the other day, when the boy behind the cash register, who was about 8 or 9 years old, hit some keys towards the end, that started the receipt rolling like a slot machine.  Finally he rolled up the receipt with all the coupons generated, handed me the receipt and said thank you ma'm, have a nice day.  When I got to the car I looked to see what he'd done. He'd gone back and given me the Senior discount on every item.
I really did not care to get that 10% discount, but thanks for noticing, young fella!

Open the floor for discussion

Lately it seems there has been a firestorm about the topic of women, working outside the home, inside the home or both.  I'm sure you have an opinion, but that's not what I want to talk about right now, so just hold that thought. 

What I want to talk about is the amazing speed at which I can knit baby things!!  I wasn't knitting when I had my kids, and over the years I have made a few things here or there, but lately, I am finding all sorts of things to knit for wee little ones!  And they all go so fast.  So much faster than socks or shawls.

Look at what I made in an afternoon!  I hate to think what this would have cost at Baby Gap.  Its made of silk, handspun and handknitted on size 15 needles at 2 stitches per inch.  That's some honking big stitches compared to the little booties on size 2 needles!!  Can I get an Amen?

I woke up super early today, as I always do, and I decided to do some spinning.  I have this leftover cedar colored wool that I'm spinning super fine on my Kromski. 

When I don't know what else to work on, I find spinning to be one of the most relaxing and meditative activities around. 

Another thing I love is going outside and yesterday I spent half the day at a local botanical garden, walking the trails and enjoying the early spring blooms.  There are all sorts of man made sculptures and art pieces, but nothing improves on nature if you ask me.  I have to share a few pics!

This is so therapeutic for me, especially when I have a lot on my mind.  Thoughts run together sometimes and I have a hard time sorting out the difference between
a) my hormones,
b) life in general, and
c) other people's problems. 

They all look like like a mess at first, until I have time to clear my head and think straight.   Peace and quiet  help me put things in their proper category, so that I can label the stuff and not touch it if its not mine.

*Other people's problems are none of my business, so I'm best just to leave well enough alone. 
*Hormones can be adjusted with chocolate and caffeine, so that's easy. 
*And then there's life in general.  Things I want to do something about, but have no real  means to change the situation. 
At those times I  pray and wait.  Yesterday was one of those days when I had to let the quiet seep in and do its work.  By the end of the day, nothing seemed as bad as it did in the morning. 

Family Affair

Grandma's china and silver

I love special occasions and this weekend I had the chance to feed my family on real china and real silver, a first for me! The china belonged to my mother in law.  Her brother was stationed in Japan during the Korean War and he brought her back this beautiful set of Noritake dishes. Our Easter dinner was simple but got rave reviews which is a lesson for all young cooks out there.  Tried and true, traditional dishes are good for family events. (Save the experiments for small affairs, don't ask me how I know this!)

I have lots of memories in my small mind, of family dinners with and without drama.  My three most vivid are these:
1. Broccoli casserole topped with potato chips made by my grandmother back in the 70s, which I  lost later that night calling Ralph on the big white phone.

2. Biting into a piece of buckshot,  eating what must have been deer meat; I'm supposing someone tried to pass this off as beef, but I made the deduction that this might not be true, thanks to my handy-dandy Nancy Drew detective skills.

3. Playing outside with my cousins and running inside for a quick drink from someone's large red Dixie cup. It was not watered down coke or iced tea as I presumed,  but instead was Boone's Farm Strawberry wine. I know this because of the warm feeling I got once I swallowed approximately 4-6 ounces in a single gulp.

Papa, Josh and Amber

Betsy and Adam

Our discussions are lively these days and I have a tendency to change the subject like a crazy lady, whenever I feel the topic has strayed into inappropriate territory.  I got this skill from my mother, and I'm sure she got it from her mother.

My garden is growing very well, in spite of the unusual weather.  Here is lettuce, spinach, kale and Swiss chard.  I also have planted turnips and sweet potatoes, they're doing great too!

spring garden greens

I washed and felted the booties for my future grandchild.  Love them!

wool baby booties

And I'm plugging away with the pink shawl.  No hurry here - the priority is low until next fall.

Rorschach Booty

With all the opportunities I have to learn, this one takes the cake . Or the booty if you will.
I started to make the first of two baby booties and found no diagram on how the thing would be put together.  Usually when you buy something that has to be put together, you get a little picture, even if its in Chinese and the grammar is wrong. At least there's a picture, for goodness sake!

But when I had made over half of the first little shoe, it was looking strangely like one of those Rorschach ink blot images.

I had to really turn it around a few times to figure out what went where.  I have made clothes and have some idea how to fit pattern pieces together, but I haven't made any shoes lately.  (Where's Gepetto when you need him?)

Somehow, when I turned it about the fiftieth time, I saw where the toes would go and how the back of the heel sections would need to be sewn together.  Voila!

I am pleased with how easy this has been and I realize that making a few pair will be a lot of fun, adding little touches once I find out if the baby is going to be a boy or girl.  Not too much bling, mind you.

Last week, I had a little friend come over for a knitting lesson.  She is a natural and after we'd looked at what she'd made since the last time I saw her, I asked what she'd like to learn.  She said she wanted to make a hat for herself.  Now flat knitting is one thing and I figured that wasn't what little V was looking to do. I knew this would mean knitting in the round, which is a big jump for a beginning knitter.

Well let me just say that before the hour was up, she'd made two little practice hats.   (I told you she was a natural!)

Great Expectations!!!!!

 Okay, I can finally say it, on national TV, or at least on my blog.  My son and his wife are gonna have a baby!!

Wow!  I have waited to post this, waited to start any knitting projects, and waited to go baby yarn shopping until now.  Today it became official, i.e. the internet, that I'm gonna be a grandma, so I can now officially begin posting baby knitting!

One of my favorite books is the classic Debbie Bliss Baby Knits book and my first project will be a practice pair of the Garter Stitch shoes.  I don't know the gender of the baby yet, so I'm just starting with some gray wool and a very basic bootie pattern.

But I WILL be yarn shopping very, very soon!  We have had some car issues the last few days, but as soon as we are back in business, I'll be at my LYS making a real yarn purchase for a real baby, that's due around the end of Sept. or the beginning of October.  I think I can knock out a pair of booties by then. Whaddya think?  

Southern Girl

Apple tree gifted from my parents the year my youngest graduated

Sitting indoors on a very warm March afternoon, wearing some flip flops and trying to get in some more rows on the shawl, I owe you at least a couple of pictures! 

foggy bottom camera lens

I will probably think of the Deep South every time I wear this, because I'm listening to The Partner by John Grisham while I knit.  I also have been reading Ford County Stories by the same author so the South is on the brain.

Shawl gettin' squishy on the circular needles

Yesterday I went to get my annual patio umbrella.  I also picked up some cushions for the chairs as well.  Every year we have at least one good storm that tears the tarnation out of the umbrella.  I used to have a glass top patio table and it got flipped more times than I care to remember, so now I have a black wrought iron table that's only been flipped once in about 5 years.  I try to close or completely remove the umbrella whenever there's a storm, but sometimes I'm just not quick enough.

Summer cushions and my favorite clothing catalog

It feels like summer outside already and I am downright itching to plant some vegetables in the garden.  Eighty degree temps everyday does that to a Southern girl.  I was sure we'd get another cold spell and maybe some snow before Easter, but I admit I must be wrong.

Snow Ball tree from my master gardener friend, Mary

I bought my new flip flops and a few other items at Old Navy when I got the patio stuff.  We're taking a trip to California in a couple of months, so I couldn't resist buying some beach-y clothes before the stores get all picked over for Easter.  One white peasant skirt, one white cotton drawstring dress, two very lightweight cardigans and a couple of colorful sleeveless tops.  Now I just have to toss about a bazillion black tops from the past five years.  Black is out, you know, and color is IN!

I'll take your word for it

The weather lately has been more than unpredictable, but I am neither complaining nor rejoicing in the weather we've had today.  Mostly because it has run the gamut all day long.  Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and bright, but I have my doubts.

Today was the Cherry Blossom Festival downtown but I didn't even consider going because rain was forecast for the day. And it did in fact rain.  Then it stopped. Then it rained again. Then lightning popped twice so we unplugged everything and the storm passed in seconds, it seemed like.  I'm not making any serious plans for tomorrow afternoon to grill out. 

What does all this have to do with knitting and spinning?  So glad you asked.  Nothing whatsoever.

Picnic basket repurposed for yarn stash hiding

 I did clean out the garage this week, though. (Including some of my stash!) I reorganized and collapsed boxes and sorted tools back into the tool box, and tossed some icky paint cans that have seen much better days.

I did all this because we had to have our air conditioner fixed Thursday and I had to clear a path to the attic.  The repairman came in at one point grinning, it seemed like, with the news that we probably would have to get a new unit.  To the tune of 7 grand.

Seven thousand dollars?

 Then it looked more like $1,700 which was still a lot for a repair.  And then after much prayer and offering of sacrifices, he got it down to $700 as he only had to fix a leak in a pipe. That is still a boatload of money if you ask me, but it sure beat the first figure.

 We are now prepared for replacing two units in the future, one upstairs and one downstairs.  I am still praying that it will be at least a few more years, but who can tell?

The best part of this week was Friday afternoon when I had the chance to meet a friend for a bite to eat.  We originally met as participants in a ladies' support group, that reaches out to wives of men in ministry.  My friend and I hit it off right away and have kept in close contact ever since we met online last fall.  Yesterday we met face to face for the first time.  She and her husband were traveling through our area on their way to another city.  My hubby came along and the four of us had a wonderful, wonderful little dinner together at a country restaurant on the edge of town.  She made me a beautiful wreath and I hung it on the front door as soon as I got home.

Easter wreath

It inspired me to do some creative stuff today, so I made two aprons this morning, before doing some alterations on my husband's blue jeans.

apron strings are ribbons from my daughter's wedding flowers

 They both turned out great and I think I may be going to the craft store before Easter gets here!  Not to make an Easter dress, but definitely to make something for the table, maybe a flower arrangement ??

Its in the bag

*Update on wisteria in the back yard.  Looking so good!

Lately I've gotten pretty good at keeping only certain items handy in my knitting bag.  Trying to be concise, precise, using my noggin, I've whittled it down to some pretty basic things.

• A gadget box, which in my case is a tackle box, serves me well every time I go to knit. I always need stitch markers, and I am way too lazy to traipse upstairs to get a few extra markers when I'm knitting in front of the TV at night. 
• Scissors are a must have.   Nothing replaces them, not nail clippers, knives or sharp pointy teeth. 
• Needle gauge, because it seems like I am forever checking the size of the needle for some strange reason. Don't ask me why, I just do. 
• Sticky note pad.  You can use these for so many purposes, but mostly for taking notes or marking my place on a pattern row. 
• Pen/pencil. *See above.
• Ruler or tape measure- for checking stitches per inch and for checking progress on a project. Like making sure the arms of a sweater will stretch from the ceiling to the floor, that kind of thing.
• Reading glasses.  Usually I have already grabbed a pair, but just in case, its good to have them already in the bag. 
• And last but not least, Ziploc bags.  Great for taking projects on the go, in the car or packing in a suitcase.  Some people will begrudge me for using the brand name, but its just how I roll.  Like Kleenex or Duck tape or Tide.  So leave me alone on this one - okay?

The best kind of bag is big enough to hold the pattern, needles, and yarn for the project. Maybe not all the yarn, but at least a skein/ball or two.  I don't see the need in taking 12 balls of yarn everywhere I go, and its really just a waste of space, no matter how much you like the yarn.  IMHO.

In the midst of the storm

In the midst of the storm, we take comfort in knowing that it will pass.  Whenever we see the rainbow afterward, we are reminded of this fact.  There was a storm.  It passed. 

did not see the rainbow till after I took the picture

I am so thankful for the rains we've had.  They are necessary and since I planted a bunch of flower seeds in the yard this week before we got the big storm, I am especially grateful that the Lord did in less than a half hour, what would've taken me a couple of hours or more to do. Plus it was free. I'm talking about watering the flower seeds and soaking all the flower beds and vegetable seedlings. 

Can you see the frown it's making?

One thing I wasn't so thankful for, was the judicious pruning my next door neighbor did to my just-budding wisteria bush. I realize their house is on the market, and it was hanging over their side of the fence, but really. Really?? Right when its about to bloom?  Right when its about to look amazing and spectacular? 

Wisteria after un-wanted pruning

So I rounded up a lattice, some nails and re-routed the whole thing.  I'm happy with how it turned out, and frankly, like it or not, it probably needed the pruning it got.  So, enough of my whining.  Enough of that pouty attitude I've been carrying around.  Later I realized the neighbor had also dug up her beautiful roses as well. The ones that hang over my side of the fence.  I can't seem to grow roses and she's from Texas and keeps them looking great.  I don't know why she dug up the roses, but it probably gave her a lump in her throat to do it. 

And speaking of roses, (what a segue-way!), here is the progress on the rose colored Swallowtail shawl.

I've upped my needle from a 24 inch Addi turbo to a 32 inch Knit Mates combo made from two 16 inch cords.  I don't like these as much, but its all I got!! I needed the extra length to accommodate the extra stitches.  I think I'm up to 124 stitches at this point and it will only get bigger.  When I block it and stretch it out, it will be pret-ty darn big.  I cannot wait!

Pattern is easy and so far, so good.  No complaints and I've done 6 repeats of the 6 row chart after the initial cast on, top to bottom.

I've never done the crochet cast on, so I learned another new trick. So proud of myself!   And doesn't the model look calm and peaceful in this photo?  Don't you think I'll look calm and peaceful when I finish mine?  I will probably take a trip to the Middle East when I'm done and talk to those guys over there who are always fighting.  If they wore shawls like this one when they were throwing those rockets, they'd probably think twice. I know I would!