tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36792010929423533722024-03-13T04:17:45.324-07:00little lady knitsfrom me to youUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-17665623638326295702010-02-16T10:16:00.000-08:002010-02-16T10:28:10.947-08:00good food<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/S3ri4slElgI/AAAAAAAAAMA/lQEkCVhZ0s4/s1600-h/watercress.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/S3ri4slElgI/AAAAAAAAAMA/lQEkCVhZ0s4/s320/watercress.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438908963670496770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Watercress & 'pasture' butter on pumpernickel.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-31021375719140890882010-01-27T19:09:00.000-08:002010-01-27T19:30:07.434-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/S2EAql8NWQI/AAAAAAAAALw/P87ifqv8DDQ/s1600-h/IMG_0051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/S2EAql8NWQI/AAAAAAAAALw/P87ifqv8DDQ/s320/IMG_0051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431623357324679426" border="0" /></a><br />Following the recipe of Elizabeth Zimmermann, I knit this seamless raglan.<br /><br /><br />Rather pleased with myself for making such a solid garment in just a few weeks, but truth be told EZ's pattern was easy as could be.<br /><br /><br />The size is a bit small for the recipient, but it'll work!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-9652906184934424612010-01-08T08:39:00.000-08:002010-01-08T08:44:17.174-08:00These are few of my favorite things...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/S0dgMsLBy6I/AAAAAAAAALo/Tv2jIW4xy9M/s1600-h/IMG_0007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/S0dgMsLBy6I/AAAAAAAAALo/Tv2jIW4xy9M/s320/IMG_0007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424410047323163554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/S0dgMNH6zBI/AAAAAAAAALg/RK0uaqGv4c0/s1600-h/IMG_0034.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/S0dgMNH6zBI/AAAAAAAAALg/RK0uaqGv4c0/s320/IMG_0034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424410038988622866" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-45195313018523510122009-01-22T11:04:00.000-08:002009-01-22T11:10:33.302-08:00Forever and a day . . .. . . since I've posted, and not for want of anything to share! So many changes, and more and more to come in the next few months. For now, I'll post a photo of Wyoming in July, as a reminder of green days to come!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v308/58/72/33102693/n33102693_31251742_6328.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 604px; height: 453px;" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v308/58/72/33102693/n33102693_31251742_6328.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/CM0387%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-27632427479842667222008-05-05T04:33:00.000-07:002008-05-05T04:44:09.152-07:00I have a new plant fetish.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/SB7w826ztMI/AAAAAAAAAIE/t26xF3bipP4/s1600-h/100_1497.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/SB7w826ztMI/AAAAAAAAAIE/t26xF3bipP4/s320/100_1497.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196855948357121218" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sedums, succulents, stonecrop, I'm falling in love with them all. They cling close to the ground, thrive wherever they like and are happily easy to grow from the smallest of cuttings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/SB7yBG6ztNI/AAAAAAAAAIM/qKGV5cSWtpo/s1600-h/100_1491.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/SB7yBG6ztNI/AAAAAAAAAIM/qKGV5cSWtpo/s320/100_1491.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196857120883193042" border="0" /></a><br />And their (and any) heliolatry makes my day.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-88238261760133755132008-05-04T06:41:00.000-07:002008-05-04T07:18:27.895-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/SB29Pm6ztII/AAAAAAAAAHk/4fmIblCxh1E/s1600-h/100_1485.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/SB29Pm6ztII/AAAAAAAAAHk/4fmIblCxh1E/s320/100_1485.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196517620898313346" border="0" /></a><br />My turn to bake cookies! Thanks for the recipe, <a href="http://millieandelsie.blogspot.com/2008/04/wax-on-wax-off.html">Wendy</a>, but I ask you this: why are my cookies so flat?! My cookies should be "moist and delicious!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/SB29726ztJI/AAAAAAAAAHs/wgNq4b8wSLc/s1600-h/100_1500.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/SB29726ztJI/AAAAAAAAAHs/wgNq4b8wSLc/s320/100_1500.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196518381107524754" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />And proof that spring has finally arrived!<br /><br /><br />Roma recently encountered a snake in her yard, and now treads (and sniffs) more carefully.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />But, those familiar with my hometown know that spring brings more than new plant and animal life. The melted snow and the frequent thunderstorms add up, and the muddy waters of the mighty Miss find their way into the city.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/SB3Cc26ztLI/AAAAAAAAAH8/QeAE1U5XCj8/s1600-h/floodseats.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/SB3Cc26ztLI/AAAAAAAAAH8/QeAE1U5XCj8/s320/floodseats.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196523346089718962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />These seats accompany an ornate bandshell in a riverside park. You can see that this year's flood is relatively minor. I can remember much worse.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(photo Jeff Cook/QCTimes.com)</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The dramatic presence of flood waters always raises the issue of flood walls. The city across the river has one, and each spring is spared from the flood threat. Maybe a flood wall would be best for many businesses and residents here, but I can't shake my instincts that flood walls are terrible inventions.<br /><br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120942722557351193.html?mod=googlenews_wsj">Here is an article on the issue</a>, which made its way into the Wall Street Journal. (We midwesterners are news makers!) What do you think?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-33193732940387209532008-03-30T22:28:00.000-07:002008-03-30T22:37:06.376-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/R_B2izIYT-I/AAAAAAAAAHc/b0-EPVi40kk/s1600-h/100_1210.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/R_B2izIYT-I/AAAAAAAAAHc/b0-EPVi40kk/s320/100_1210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183773511316426722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Another (fuzzy) photo to prove my Roma-love. Her appearance in my life was an utter surprise, and I can't believe my luck. She may be a little more responsibility than I expected to have on my plate for a while, but she's just so lovely and worth it.<br /><br />And now, she has the jingling tags to prove it (appropriately enough, I think, in the shape of a big, red heart!)<br /><br />Someone has a new owner, and it might be me...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-44512280111932953532008-03-28T07:41:00.000-07:002008-03-28T07:49:05.389-07:00New HuesThe return of color is evident from my recent photo-posts. Despite yesterday's sudden, strange thundersnow, blue and green are making a big comeback. As is pink, in the form of rosey-glowing cheeks.<br /><br />I'm feeling healthy, and have things to look forward to (as well as a lot to get done in the present.) What more could a girl ask for? ( . . . maybe a little time to knit, walk the dog, and set up the sewing machine on my beautiful, refinished cabinet - photos to come . . . )Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-62745305025393583422008-03-28T07:20:00.000-07:002008-03-28T07:25:08.113-07:00Up the garden path . . .<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/R-z_ozIYT5I/AAAAAAAAAGc/svfte9LH8BQ/s1600-h/100_1441.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/R-z_ozIYT5I/AAAAAAAAAGc/svfte9LH8BQ/s400/100_1441.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182798347581804434" border="0" /></a>I just want to grow stuff.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-91910106869169930692008-03-26T16:08:00.000-07:002008-03-26T16:18:19.504-07:00Ciao, nuova amica!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/R-rX1DIYT3I/AAAAAAAAAGM/nxyQnfulSTE/s1600-h/100_1223.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/R-rX1DIYT3I/AAAAAAAAAGM/nxyQnfulSTE/s320/100_1223.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182191627616669554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Meet my new little gypsy, Roma.<br /><br /><br />She's so photogenic, if a little wiggly.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />If anyone out there knows Italian, please excuse my poor guess at it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-80466121716647550502008-03-26T10:10:00.000-07:002008-03-26T10:17:40.525-07:00Just lovelyThis morning, I woke to a lovely sight:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/R-qD5DIYT2I/AAAAAAAAAGE/h21Ezz9HZ1A/s1600-h/100_1434.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/R-qD5DIYT2I/AAAAAAAAAGE/h21Ezz9HZ1A/s320/100_1434.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182099337359413090" border="0" /></a>These daffodils were bought yesterday as a bunch of unpromising stalks. What a difference a day makes . . .Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-53858257246572981432007-11-20T13:22:00.000-08:002007-11-20T13:35:42.022-08:00Another F.O.!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/R0NQhn-4svI/AAAAAAAAAE4/WYb71hDVLZg/s1600-h/100_1102.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/R0NQhn-4svI/AAAAAAAAAE4/WYb71hDVLZg/s320/100_1102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135036538731148018" border="0" /></a>Look look! It's the <a href="http://pepperknit.com/patterns/anastasia.html">Anastasia Sock</a> from pepperknit.com, knit up in Knitpicks' <a href="http://knitpicks.com/Essential_YD5420133.html">Essential</a> in Ash. They are beautiful, and are my first pair of socks to actually fit and function like socks should! I've worn them even, and more than once.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/R0NQW3-4suI/AAAAAAAAAEw/RrV54JnufqI/s1600-h/100_1100.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/R0NQW3-4suI/AAAAAAAAAEw/RrV54JnufqI/s320/100_1100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135036354047554274" border="0" /></a><br />A few weekends ago, my Anastasias made it to the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/heho/">Herbert Hoover National Historic Site</a> in West Branch, Iowa. Here's a clip from the website:<br /><br /><b style="font-family: courier new;">Did You Know?</b><br /> <span style="font-family: courier new;"> Herbert Hoover's vice president Charles Curtis was of almost half American Indian ancestry? Curtis’ mother was one quarter Kaw, one quarter Pottawatomie and one quarter Osage.</span><br /><br />I didn't.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-66221348833797415572007-10-23T16:48:00.000-07:002007-10-23T17:07:39.286-07:00Ahoy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/Rx6J-lL5oMI/AAAAAAAAAEg/l4PE5phldoA/s1600-h/100_0999.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/Rx6J-lL5oMI/AAAAAAAAAEg/l4PE5phldoA/s320/100_0999.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124685134221123778" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My sweater and I have washed up on shore after a long battle at sea...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/Rx6JjlL5oKI/AAAAAAAAAEU/FvxhivXWRvY/s1600-h/100_0995.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/Rx6JjlL5oKI/AAAAAAAAAEU/FvxhivXWRvY/s320/100_0995.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124684670364655778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Okay, maybe that's a little dramatic, but after a few false starts and a long separation, Snow White is ready to be revealed.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/Rx6I4FL5oJI/AAAAAAAAAEM/lx8fJyzbA9E/s1600-h/100_0994.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/Rx6I4FL5oJI/AAAAAAAAAEM/lx8fJyzbA9E/s320/100_0994.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124683923040346258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />She is perfect. <a href="http://ysolda.com/wordpress/">Well designed</a>, <a href="http://www.yarnmarket.com/images/art_Aurora201.jpg">yarn of my dreams</a>, coming to fruit at the right time of year.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/Rx6Ki1L5oNI/AAAAAAAAAEo/lHXgtylbx3M/s1600-h/100_0996.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/Rx6Ki1L5oNI/AAAAAAAAAEo/lHXgtylbx3M/s320/100_0996.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124685756991381714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I can promise better shots of the whole sweater, once I finish weaving in the ends and blocking. (and recruit my photoman.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-21326126357236711102007-09-19T04:58:00.000-07:002007-09-19T06:00:33.478-07:00An Old F.O.As the days are shortening and the mornings at staying darker longer, I am finding that I am not as much of a naturally early riser as I have thought. Over the summer months, you could find me awake and cheery at five a.m. doing homework and housework. This was good. This meant that by the nighttime, I had free time, for knitting and getting enough sleep. Not so now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RvEPQyeGOsI/AAAAAAAAAD0/0mymItZooIY/s1600-h/000_0132.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RvEPQyeGOsI/AAAAAAAAAD0/0mymItZooIY/s320/000_0132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111883833142557378" border="0" /></a>So, here is an old F.O. since there are no new F.O.'s.<br /><br /><br />This is Annie Modesitt's "Backyard Leaves," from <a href="http://www.interweave.com/knit/books/Scarf_Style.asp"><span style="font-style: italic;">Scarf Style</span></a>.<br /><br /><br />The yarn is Karabella Aurora 8, in color 575 (pale yellow.) It was bought in my first yarn shop spree during a visit to California to see my beautiful sister. In fact, it was my first visit to a yarn shop, ever. And, no kidding, the whole store was on sale, half off, making room for new inventory. One hell of a way to start splurging on beautiful yarn (and Lantern Moon needles. Swoon.)<br /><br />I love this yarn. To me, it is perfect, except expensive.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />At first, the pattern was a challenge (it was only my fourth project or so) and the concept of a lace chart was a real mind-bender. But, by the time I was a few repeats into it, it got to be the<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RvEWUieGOuI/AAAAAAAAAEE/JOMvI7Aqwb4/s1600-h/000_0140.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RvEWUieGOuI/AAAAAAAAAEE/JOMvI7Aqwb4/s320/000_0140.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111891594148461282" border="0" /></a> kind of breezy but interesting project that you know you'll be sad to bind off on. And, oh my, there are some gorgeous elements to this pattern, my favorite of which is the ingenius slip-stitch border along the sides. Wow.<br /><br /><br /><br />I think I will revisit this pattern again. And, with the fall setting in, I can give up my sunshine mornings if my consolation will be finally getting to wear some beautiful wool like this.<br /><br /><br />Also, Annie Modesitt's blog can be found <a href="http://www.modeknit.com/blog/">here</a> and is really worth a visit, for several reasons. She is a goddess of knitting design, lives in the Midwest (Minnesota), chronicled her <a href="http://www.frenchgirlknits.com/chez%20french%20girl%20tours_1.html">French knitting tour</a> there (!!) and reading about her husband's blood cancer and <a href="http://www.anniemodesitt.com/patterns/rcc.html">what it inspired her to do</a> is a beautiful thing to me. I do, I love Annie.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-32584213088732514202007-09-18T15:10:00.000-07:002007-09-18T15:27:11.472-07:00World's Best Turtle<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RvBNWib19NI/AAAAAAAAADk/-ZKLFRWZMcI/s1600-h/000_0151.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RvBNWib19NI/AAAAAAAAADk/-ZKLFRWZMcI/s320/000_0151.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111670626661561554" border="0" /></a>This is Tommy. Handsome, ain't he?<br /><br /><br />He is also very brave. He's recently gone "cage-free", but we are still working out the kinks...<br /><br />Like how to keep him from getting his claws caught in the carpet. He had a traumatic (at least for me) incident a few days ago that left him with three toenails on one foot instead of four (as pictured.)<br /><br />Turtle and foot are now doing fine, after a little bath, and little tea tree oil and a LOT of food to fuel recovery, like cantelope, pear and scrambled egg. Poor little turtle guy.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RvBQVib19OI/AAAAAAAAADs/jc01Ur-gMp4/s1600-h/000_0153.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RvBQVib19OI/AAAAAAAAADs/jc01Ur-gMp4/s320/000_0153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111673908016575714" border="0" /></a><br />I'm not sure, but I think he blames me...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-5763055093408288252007-08-30T04:46:00.000-07:002007-08-30T05:17:11.386-07:00Here We Go Again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RtayrKvSAtI/AAAAAAAAADA/p1Ndt9wWZWM/s1600-h/000_0020.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RtayrKvSAtI/AAAAAAAAADA/p1Ndt9wWZWM/s320/000_0020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104463682357822162" border="0" /></a><br />I've never really been grateful for not needing glasses, but with all the reading and knitting I do, it finally occurred to me that I'm really lucky. Still, my eyes are tired almost all the time, and I kept getting a tick in the corner of my left eye. I don't think it's visible, but then again, I don't think I'd want to point it out to anyone else if I saw their eye twitching anxiously.<br /><br />My classes are great, a lot of history, and some very dynamic professors. I am well on my way to graduate next winter, unless I want to make room for . . . oh, i dunno . . . a term abroad, perhaps? I'd like that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/Rtaz5qvSAuI/AAAAAAAAADI/2qCX9p2VfPw/s1600-h/DSC03503.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/Rtaz5qvSAuI/AAAAAAAAADI/2qCX9p2VfPw/s320/DSC03503.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104465030977553122" border="0" /></a>Since Gita has squeezed herself behind my computer again (eating power cords. how cute.) I am reminded that I should post a flattering portrait for her.<br /><br /><br /><br />Here she is a few falls ago, in lioness/cat show grand prize winner mode. Ain't she a beaut?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-31753991783745561882007-08-26T17:01:00.000-07:002007-08-26T17:04:54.126-07:00Livin' for TomorrowMy day hasn't turned out how I had wanted it to. But, isn't that the problem with making plans?<br /><br /><br />Here's another piece of summer, some California plums bought yesterday at the market:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RtIU8avSAsI/AAAAAAAAAC4/lVeJU9mnO10/s1600-h/000_0017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RtIU8avSAsI/AAAAAAAAAC4/lVeJU9mnO10/s320/000_0017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103164355966534338" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-67692922257378961362007-08-26T08:17:00.000-07:002007-08-26T08:28:10.252-07:00Where Napoleon Keeps His Armies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RtGaCKvSAqI/AAAAAAAAACo/0Tf-lLT52mU/s1600-h/000_0011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RtGaCKvSAqI/AAAAAAAAACo/0Tf-lLT52mU/s320/000_0011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103029214820565666" border="0" /></a><br />Why, in his sleevies, of course. One sleeve is nearly complete, which leaves me with the other sleeve and the task of joining arms and body. Hopefully I will be able to wear it once the weather starts to cool.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RtGbAavSArI/AAAAAAAAACw/tHngFDDSE58/s1600-h/000_9.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RtGbAavSArI/AAAAAAAAACw/tHngFDDSE58/s320/000_9.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103030284267422386" border="0" /></a>Here is my devoted assistant, Gita, who would surely find this photo unflattering, especially with that unsightly little eye boogey. I'll be sure to do a proper "glamour" shot of her soon.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Oh, and this is my LAST DAY before school starts. Quelle horreur!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-32998670684628720802007-08-25T13:34:00.000-07:002007-08-25T14:53:27.621-07:00A Sheep Named Daisy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RtCbSKvSAmI/AAAAAAAAACI/411bbFpGvz4/s1600-h/000_3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RtCbSKvSAmI/AAAAAAAAACI/411bbFpGvz4/s320/000_3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102749114233389666" border="0" /></a><br />A picture just can't express how thrilling I find this yarn to be! My lovely mother bought these two skeins for me this morning at our local farmers' market, where I have never found yarn before! I gasped when I saw the basket full of wool!<br /><br />This yarn is handspun from sheep that the vendor raises herself, and this yarn, she told me, comes from a sheep named Daisy! You can visit the vendor/shepherd, Corinne, and her sheep at <a href="http://www.crosswindsshetlands.com/">crosswindsshetlands.com</a>. Now, to find a project worthy of yarn I am already so fond of!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RtCgCavSAoI/AAAAAAAAACY/w3lOu80ay2k/s1600-h/000_0011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RtCgCavSAoI/AAAAAAAAACY/w3lOu80ay2k/s320/000_0011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102754341208588930" border="0" /></a><br />Another market find are these "sweet pears":<br /><br /><br /><br />Locally grown and charmingly rosy, but rock hard. I like the look of them so much, I hope they take their time ripening!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-58322696261039841352007-08-24T08:31:00.000-07:002007-08-24T09:11:28.676-07:00Countdown to SchooltownMy goal of finishing Snow White and a pair of socks before Monday's classes, well, it just isn't gunna happen.<br /><br />But, I am happy with how the sweater is fitting. Plus, I'm getting enough cleaning done around the apartment so that it might withstand the inevitable, ensuing chaos.<br /><br /><br />Speaking of chaos, here's one of my sweet havoc-wreakers:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/Rs8CX6vSAlI/AAAAAAAAACA/wRUdiZYgAmI/s1600-h/100_0835.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/Rs8CX6vSAlI/AAAAAAAAACA/wRUdiZYgAmI/s320/100_0835.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102299512761877074" border="0" /></a><br />Puck is now web-famous!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-87258659578147430162007-08-22T10:13:00.000-07:002007-08-22T11:05:45.628-07:00Progress!My fingers are weary from 2 x 2 rib, but I've finished the body for Snow White, <span style="font-style: italic;">again</span>. And, she fits! Beautifully.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/Rsx2RavSAkI/AAAAAAAAAB4/yH6_DWPh2i4/s1600-h/100_0913.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/Rsx2RavSAkI/AAAAAAAAAB4/yH6_DWPh2i4/s320/100_0913.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101582519511417410" border="0" /></a>My, oh, my, it is difficult to get a good photo of yourself wearing a half-finished sweater! Neither the mirror, nor the camera were quite ready for today's photoshoot, and I think I should have stretched my arms out before beginning!<br /><br />But, here is the best, albeit foggy and distorted, photo of Snow White so far!<br /><br />I am completely pleased with the shaping across the bust, and I think the ribbing pattern is perfectly fluid and was easy knitting. I didn't do any added bust shaping, but considered it. I am, as you can see, fairly top-heavy, but, having knit this thing twice already, I wanted to keep it simple.<br /><br />The sleeves are up next! Hopefully I can get her all off the needles before Monday. The school year seems like a knitting-wasteland to me, with no time for spare time. I want this done soon so I can wear it and not find it half-finished in my closet come January!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-21108948025058283082007-08-17T18:05:00.001-07:002007-08-17T18:11:26.315-07:00When will I learn?Snow White is too big. Much too big. Baggy and bunchy. But obviously a beautiful and flattering design none-the-less. So, I think it's time to frog and re-do. Sigh...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RsZHFavSAjI/AAAAAAAAABw/P2BVNdjX47Y/s1600-h/100_0840.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RsZHFavSAjI/AAAAAAAAABw/P2BVNdjX47Y/s320/100_0840.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099841786446217778" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />But don't be too disappointed. Here's a little gem to cheer us all up.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-70761704202062418322007-08-16T08:24:00.000-07:002007-08-17T09:02:54.955-07:00My professional traveller momma has been stuck at home with a belly bug, so I went over yesterday for a comforting visit. I brought her all the essentials (I hope): green jello (her favorite), chicken soup, company and these lovelies from my garden:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RsRtIavSAiI/AAAAAAAAABo/5bSc_v6owB8/s1600-h/bouquet.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RsRtIavSAiI/AAAAAAAAABo/5bSc_v6owB8/s320/bouquet.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099320669474259490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The body of Snow White is nearly completed, which has me in a panic! I ordered the dpns I need for the sleeves, and they haven't arrived yet. With no knitting to do for a few days, I guess I'll have to concentrate on my other projects, like cleaning house and gathering school supplies!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-82236009926151890592007-08-14T09:22:00.000-07:002007-08-14T09:46:35.397-07:00G is for Gauge, which I always regret...All my life, I've been one to start projects at top-speed, sparing no time to make necessary preparations. As a knitter, that means my gauge is almost never right on. Combined with a tendency to knit too tightly, this has kept me from attempting any kind of garment that depends on gauge for wearability (at least since <a href="http://millieandelsie.com/blog2/2007/04/23/lovely-sweater/">my first sweater</a>, which combined the perfect yarn with the perfect pattern to make a teeny washcloth with buttons and armholes.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RsHas1KRo3I/AAAAAAAAABY/AETjKtiFJ0Q/s1600-h/snowhite3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RsHas1KRo3I/AAAAAAAAABY/AETjKtiFJ0Q/s320/snowhite3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5098596716879389554" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Despite all this, Snow White seems to be coming out exactly the size I want it to be! The ribbing makes her look a little skinny on the needles, but I think she'll be just right for wearing.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RsHbQFKRo4I/AAAAAAAAABg/1Y5BtROUeo0/s1600-h/snowhite2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RsHbQFKRo4I/AAAAAAAAABg/1Y5BtROUeo0/s320/snowhite2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5098597322469778306" border="0" /></a><br />I'm on to the shaping today. My stitch markers are nowhere to be found, so I improvised with some smooth twist-ties that I usually save as cat toys. I was worried they might snag my yarn, but they are working out pretty well.<br /><br /><br />Maybe frou-frou stitch markers will be my next knitting indulgence.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679201092942353372.post-91391584521334272892007-08-13T08:36:00.000-07:002007-08-13T08:53:26.052-07:00Whistle while you work . . .A friend I work with recently commented on how well I whistle, and since then I can't seem to stop, especially on the drive home. How strange I must look, whistling my little heart out while driving!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RsB-QVKRo2I/AAAAAAAAABQ/olJtldsZFZc/s1600-h/snowwhite1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gXqz622yYhQ/RsB-QVKRo2I/AAAAAAAAABQ/olJtldsZFZc/s320/snowwhite1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5098213597206651746" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My "Smudge" has arrived, which means, of course, that I stayed up until two last night getting acquainted with <a href="http://www.ysolda.me.uk/wordpress/index.php/products-page/?product_id=6">Snow White</a> and the tubular cast-on. After a few attempts, she's flying off the needles now. The pattern and the yarn are delicious, so I don't expect to get much else done in the next few days!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1