Brodie's dirty little secret.

So -Getting ready for work the other day, I am standing in my blue work shirt half dressed (please don't visualize that part) and decided I should probably lotion my legs before putting my pants on. I grab the lotion and I go to pump it from the bottle, completely miss my hand and spews all over what was a clean work shirt!!  Just Flippin' Great! Here I am, pushing the envelope for time already and I have to change into another blue work shirt!! And first...I have to find one not in the laundry!!

My dog has a fetish for lotion, he tries to lick the lotion from my skin *shudders* or he licks it from the floor if I drop some *shudders again*. It is very unfortunate but I can't seem to break him from the habit of licking lotion. Yuk I know but there it is. Never fails, just when I think I have him broken from the habit, I come home to find current lotion bottle on the floor with Brodie's little teeth marks in it. Double yuk! Maybe it's a way of marking his territory- he only does it once per bottle.

This makes it a wee bit difficult to pump lotion, it tends to go it's own direction. Memories...he is making memories for me. Yeah... that's it.

Anyway, how could I stay mad at a face like that!

I haven't been completely idle since I have been in the tropics. I had this pedi sock on the needles when I left Chicago. Easy ribbed pattern and I stopped just short of my toes ( I think this is a Lorna's Laces yarn, but lost that particular label long before the move) This one is also cousin to the yoga socks I made but probably never blogged about. I finally decided it was cool enough to knit the other night and finished it the other night.

Of course when I went to cast on the second sock I discovered the other ball of yarn disappeared into a black hole. So for now, I guess I'll have to hop around on one foot.

Said cousin yoga sock...Sarah's foot. Same mystery yarn. Better picture. Looking like she's hopping on one foot.

Comments always welcome :-)

No Idle Hands

Even though I have not been blogging, my hands have not been idle. I have not been as productive as I might have been, but non the less, I do have something to show for my current absenteeism.

This is from Clara Parkes' One- Skein Shawl pattern. I followed her basic shawl pattern and added more repeats at the border. You know me...always gotta change up something.

The picture never seems to do the colors justice! This "mystery yarn" is from Stitches Midwest a couple of years ago. I want to say it was about a 1000 yards or some craziness like that. I still have tons of it left. Pre-wound photo here. Naturally I have lost the label so I only have a vague idea of the weight. I'm gonna go with that cobwebby lace weight!

I also finally finished the Van Ness Scarf. This was supposed to be a quick use of a couple of stray balls of alpaca...emphasis on quick... Riiiiight!

A couple more pictures of Niagara, for your viewing pleasure. This is the Horseshoe Falls up close and personal! This I believe was the last picture I was able to take before I had to ditch my camera under my poncho to save it from being wet! Hindsight of course makes me realize that I could have taken pictures through the transparent blue poncho. Duh, would have made for some interesting pictures. I believe at this point in the boat ride we were actually in Canada.

Raine on the phone with her mother of course...blah,blah blah ,blah blah...blah blah!

Scariest rapids in the world...'most deadly' I believe is what the guide told us!

I did a couple more pattern uploads to Ravelry this past week. Easy Peasy Charity Hat (PDF download), which is also free here on my blog, and Petunia Socks.

I am proud to say, Easy Peasy seems to have generated a good amount of interest!

Next time- I'll sneak ya a peak at some other stuff completed while I was away.

Little bit of this...

...and that.

I decided to dress up my deck a little bit this year. I bought four fuchsia hanging baskets to last weekend, and made myself and herb planter to sit on the table out there. Of course there is a dual purpose for the herbs naturally. Not only will they smell nice but hopefully keep me in enough fresh snips from time to time. Maybe I will have some to dry.

And the fuchsia to hang from the rail on the deck. But it is always so windy out there I may have to move them to the front of the house.

I also tackled my basement. I don’t know how they even classify this room as a basement. I guess it is an “English Basement” you know, the kind where most of it is above ground- whichever! I had wanted to paint it this sage color when I first moved in, and I let Mark talk me out of it (he thinks it is too dark) What ever! It is a dark color but I have 9 foot ceilings and I felt the room could handle a dark color. I still have to finish the doors and rehang them and touch up the boo-boos.

And HA! Guess what Mark...I was right, I think it looks terrific, in spite of the fact that I am clearly not the most talented painter in the world. In fact, I downright suck at it. But I still love the room!! Not that I actually use this room. Naturally I had to go and buy too much house. Left over syndrome from living with Mark I guess...he always has to have the biggest and best.
So anyway Brodie’s room looks darn good to me! I’m thinking of moving all my craft crap, things down there. It has a nice big window for light. Next step- sew lace curtains.

I swear my socks are getting shorter and shorter... or am I getting lazier and lazier? But in any case here are the completed Faceted Rib Socks. (Rav link)

And the next pair....Zauberball Slouch...previously frogged Broadstreet Mitts...

And Welcome to Lake Flood?? This was this morning - 8 feet of water folks, under that bridge, and that was just a small part of the flood we had in town. Took me over an hour to get home from work this morning. What possesses people to try to drive through something like that???

Let the good times roll!!!

A better month I've had!

Isn't it so true that you never really appreciate someone until you no longer have them, or almost don't? It kinda puts your own life into perspective when someone you love almost dies. It is frightening to think that a man barely in his 40's would need a second bypass. But there you have it, after 12 years those damn arteries failed again, gotta watch that cholesterol. He is doing much better but still has a long road to recovery, but after the 5th he won't need a chauffeur anymore so that is progress.

So anyone would think that if a knitter spent better than a week at hospital beside, a whole lot of knitting would be going on. Not so much in my case. Oh I did knit! However I am still working on the same pair of socks I started while Mark was in surgery, almost a month ago.

Out of my Little Box of Socks comes this little beauty, the Faceted Ribbed sock! I'm really diggin on those slip stitch patterns! So easy yet they have such beautiful patterns. I'm diggin on that Cherry Tree Hill yarn too!

You'll notice, as usual I made a pattern mod...my sock feet must be in stockinette...pretty much always or it really bothers me to wear them. Otherwise I followed the pattern as per written, with no design features ;)

And in all actuality, I did complete sock #dos while I had movie fest with myself tonite...completed pic next time.

I did consider giving up my blog since this nursemaid stint with Mark kept me away from it ( and just about everything else) for so long, but tonite I reconsidered since I figured there could be a couple of people that might object to a defection. So here I am, back again, same bat-channel.

Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Here I am!!! I dressed as a freelance photographer for Halloween, could you tell?? Ok maybe not really freelance since the Chief requested my presence at the annual Hot Dog Roast to take pictures, but hey, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Note that I am all bundled up in my newly completed Noro Beret and Noro Stripe Scarf and my new fingerless gloves. Not so much a fashion statement since the gloves don't match my hat and scarf but it was darn cold here today!! And of course I had to stand outside (miss going trick or treating a-gain!) freezing my patutie off taking pictures of the hordes of masked masses coming for their free hot dog and chips.

When all that was said and done, go back home so I can sit and veg for a couple of hours before going back to work for my regular shift and ermmm that extra hour while ya'll got to sleep that I got to work.

As you can see, I am on a Noro kick. I picked up some Noro sock yarn on Ebay about a week ago and I am naturally diving right into yet another pair of socks. I don't want to get to crazy or anything but I am trying to be more like TN Dawn and shakin' up my sock knitting with a little stitch pattern. True to Jeanne fashion however, this Twisted Sock pattern (Rav link of course), had to have change up in it. I didn't care for the cuff so I used my standard cuff, I also found that the first few stitches in the pattern aggravated me. It had some purling in the set that make it look like it has a seem...um no! Isn't that the whole point of knitting in the round? Anyway I took out the seamy purls and continued in a smooth twist ;)
Here is my completed Beret

Pattern Scoop:Pattern:Last Minute Purled Beret
yarn: Noro Silk Garden (worsted weight)

Needles size 6
(I used 80 stitches to cast on but I think in this yarn I could tighten it up a little for my head)

Poor Sarah had surgery on her ears A-gain! The poor kid has been chronic with ear problems since she was about two and her right ear was severely damaged. So on Monday we all spent 11 hours waiting in the hospital (fun times) for the doctor to work his magic on her - while I knit away on my wimple...slow going for me and slow recovery for Sarah.

A marathon audio book session seemed to be the ticket after that ordeal. I downloaded Nora Roberts Sign of Seven trilogy for my little lazy fest. OMG! That series was so intense that I could not make myself turn it off to go to sleep! I went right from one to the next, and was damn annoyed when I had to stop to take a nap before going back to work. Usually Nora Roberts books don't intrigue me but this was these had me from the first.

So while I had the crap scared out of me I managed to finish my no name slip stitch sockies. Pretty pleased with how they turned out I might add.

Project Scoop

Pattern: My own no name socks... ;)

Yarn: Zen Yarn Garden Art Walk sock yarn - Petunia (very very nice to work with)

Needles size 2

I gotta tell you- I have had more trouble getting this post out. Is it me...or Blogger?? 3 times I have had to re-up load my pics...WTF! Lost all of my links I pain stakingly put in, had some wonky stuff happen with the font formatting....and lost my sig!!! It has taken me two days but here it finally is sans sig ;)

You move your car first!

I rarely do this, but at the Mall the other day I found a parking spot right up front in the second row in front of Bed Bath and Beyond. Generally speaking I park as far away from other people as possible. Having spent so many years living with a man that always parks in the back 40, it is pretty much second nature to me to hike my way through the parking lot.

This particular day, however I whipped into a closer-and more crowded spot. I really don't like when other people park next to me, I am not a big fan of door dings you see and I find most people are ignorant in public places. Coming out of the store with my cart full of my sale bounty I run into a couple who was trying to force a baby carriage through the barricade opening. Really??Laughing at the dad I tell him "hey, if you just walk 10 feet that way it will fit". But no, He was trying to prove a point... What ?? that he was too lazy to walk the 10 feet?? I'm thinking.

As I walk to my car the parking lot sharks are circling...I take my time and stow everything into the trunk, as a car waits for my spot, looking at me like I am wasting her time. Now that really tweaks me! I turn around, give the driver my best disparaging look and continue to sloooowly rearrange my trunk, muttering to myself.

Really?? You can't drive you lazy ass over two freakin rows?? and you're going to look at me like I am wasting you're time??? Piss off!

( I understand now how it is I hear so many altercation calls at the Mall over the police band) I take my time putting the cart way ( it is my day off after all, and shopping is my therapy), and leisurely get into my car, make my self comfortable and turn to back out and that lazy biotch is too close for me to get out!

Are you kidding me??? I put my car in park and waited.

Naturally we have the stare down, and eventually she backs up to give me room ( I got all day honey). Don't mess with me today, it's been a baaad week at work and I am not in the mood for your ignorance!

I slowly drive out of the parking lot and back to my sanctuary.

Given the ugliness of my work week, it is no wonder I did so much knitting! My Noro Stripe scarf seems to be growing by leaps and bounds and is nearly finished. I have to agree with TNDawn, it is not a comfortable yarn to with, definitely on the scratchy side, but the end results are worth it. And it does wash up very soft. I find that using two Noro colors is a bit of a pain however, they like to grab onto each other and I am constantly untangling them.

But like I say, the end result is worth it!

My lace wimple is even growing! I am taking my time with this one since I am not a lace knitter and really need to pay attention to what I am doing...

This is my favorite this week. I dug out a ball of yarn I bought early in the year, from Zen Garden, Artwalk sock club. You might remember this one, Petunia. I couldn't find a sock pattern I liked for this yarn so I improvised. Ya'll know how I like to improvise. Not that I am a pattern designer or anything like that, But I am really pleased with how this sock turned out. I think the slip stitch pattern is just enough to shake up the colorway so.

Sad puppy eyes

Poor little Brodie, He knew something was up when his momma packed his living room bed. Not that he is shy about laying on the couch or anything but you would have thought his little world was turned upside down when I packed his little bed and blankie. Not that he still doesn't have another bed and two blankies in his kennel, and he is hardly neglected. But he is sad about it and has been nine miles up my butt ever since!

I tried to tell him how he was going to have a much bigger place to run around in, and stairs to run up and down, and a really long sidewalk to take his walks on, but he is not having any of that. Poor guy, moving will be tough on him, no Abby and Jeebs right next door anymore.

I on the other hand am very excited! 4 more days and counting! I have everything packed but 1 cup, 1 glass, 1 cereal bowl and the coffee pot!

Sarah and Raine came over Saturday and helped me with the last of packing.  Seriously, you would have thought I was the child they way she kept scolding me! "Mom...how many hair brushes do you need?? "" Mom...how much hair product is really necessary! Mom...are you going to use this hair dryer over the next couple of days? (I never dry my hair, but now that it is packed I want to)." "Mom I am packing your curling iron and straightener (but I might need that)" Mom...why do you have so much make up? you never wear make up!" and on and on it went.
                                                           (Kaitlyn's Sock)

I still manage to knit some, even though I had one of those nasty EMG tests on my arms, you know the kind where they stick the lightening rod in your muscle and turn on the electricity? Then they go, " yup you have a pinched nerve"...duh "in C6." Just flippin' Wonderful!

And I got a whole 4 squares done on my mitered afghan, and Raine's leg warmers are complete...Oh, she needs wool leg warmers in 80 degree weather!

We had a really big blow on Friday? I think. I thought for sure we were going to have a tornado. I was outside taking pictures of course. You can kinda see how fast the clouds were moving. For a while there we seemed to be in the eye of the storm, and I tried to get a picture of the tail that was starting to form but I had my damn camera settings wrong. 

Then just as the down pour started I turned to go inside and walked right through my patio door! Owwww, who would have thought a screen door would hurt so much, like my arms didn't hurt enough from the torture doctor as it was. Now of course I have to take it in to get it fixed before I move....In Four Days! 

Well...there we have it.

You know what they say about best laid plans of mice and wo-men.  I was all set and ready to move but I must have peed in someones Cheerios because the builder farted around getting my signed contract back to me...resulting in, you know it, a later closing date! So now it is the 24th and I want to move, like yesterday! Grrrr....I really gotta stop wearing pink on Wednesday's (Mean Girls)

At least until I move, this is all about bad karma I'm sure because I have been a little more than sassy about a certain supervisor at work. 

On the up side, I found this fantastic yarn artisan on Etsy...and now she is my Rav buddy too! 

Twilight Knits made me a special order neon self striping yarn that has turned out so fab!  When I was in Tennessee, I promised my cousin Robbies girls that I would make them each a pair of socks. Kaitlyn had specific colors she wanted, to which I said "I can get anything you want honey" ! And so I did...I just love the fiber world!!

Little Hannah liked the pair I was working on so I decided to make them in her size. These are my "Twice Liked Stripes"...Why twice liked you ask? Well you ever like a yarn so much you liked it twice? That is what happened here. I was surfing Knit Picks and had one of those impulse moments... you know the "oooh I really like that colorway" , Martinique...I keep reminding myself now because when it came in the mail, I realized I already had a pair of socks in this color! Go figure! Lucky Hannah like them ;)

Project Scoop

Pattern: My Own Socks

Yarn: Knit Picks Felici Martinique

Needles : Size 2

Because I have two thirds of my life packed I am starting to get a little bit bored,  and I was waiting for Kaitlyn's yarn to arrive, I dove into a box with yarn and pulled out two colors of who knows why I bought it in the first place yarn, and started a pair of leg-warmies for Raine. One down and one to go.

Another washcloth off the needles. This one in a reverse miter. 

I had another moment of Knit Picks yarn porn weakness and bought 12 skiens of Swish to make a mitered throw for my new place. 

Moving day cannot come soon enough!

Going Home Again

I know, I know, I have been MIA again. But I was on a trip home to Tennessee, Sorry Dawn, I was going to call you and let you know I was in the area but time got away from me. 

I was going to post before I went, I swear, but again, time got away from me. 

Here is what I have been up to, I have half hearted-ly been working on a drop stitch scarf out of some yarn I got for Christmas. This is a crinkly cotton/linen blend which quite frankly I have not been digging working with. Hence the half hearted effort. It just plain isn't pleasant on the hands when you knit so I only work on it a couple of rows at a time, then I have to put it down. I have quite a bit of it and don't know what else to make out of it. 

I finished my purpley socks that I have had on the needles for ever- and even worn them once already ;)

Projects Scoop:

Pattern: Basic ribbed sock pattern

Yarn SWTC Bamboo 

Needles Size 2 DPNS

I have been on a dish cloth kick, easy take along projects. I adore the Darrell Waltrip Pattern! This is my new favorite pattern!! So easy to do and the difference in the designs is astonishing to me. All three of these cloths have been done in the same pattern. Same Peaches N Creme yarn, but look at how different the designs came out!!  The difference is from the length of the variegation of the colors themselves.

I have come to love watching the cloths take shape from this pattern. I even went out to buy a few more skeins of yarn just to make more with- so prepare yourselves for the pictures of "yet another Darrell Waltrip Dishcloth"...LOL

Project Scoop:

Pattern: Darrell Waltrip Dishcloth

Yarn: Peaches & Creme Variegated

Needles:Size 7 (Harmonys)

Now on to my trip home- I think I mentioned to you about my younger cousin who was diagnosed with cancer. I was going to put off going to see him until I have my life here settled...yah when the heck is that ever going to happen. So as an almost last minute decision, I felt I should go now rather than later. Robbie feels good now and I wanted to spend time with him while he still does. 

I left on Wednesday almost immediately from working. After packing up the truck with mine and Brodie's paraphernalia, I met with my realtor to look at 3 Model Homes before hitting the road, then straight to Peter's house who not only babysat for me but let me use his little Ford Focus for the trip (32 mpg versus 15). So by 9 am I was on the road home! 

Normally I would make the trip in one day, but having been up since 4pm the previous day I decided to stop in Frankfort Kentucky for the night. It Freakin' monsoon rained through the entire state of Indiana, then the blasted rain found me again in Kentucky after a brief ray of sunshine! 

One of my more quirky traveling habits is to take pictures out the window as I am driving. I often times get lots of pictures like this one... which I keep because they tickle my funny bone.

Then there are the beautiful shots like this one near my cousin's home.
...and the more quirky- missed the boat altogether ones like this!

I naturally had to take a picture of the rape of the hillside behind my Auntie's farm. I was none to happy to see the trees wiped away like that. But change is inevitable when when a farm changes hands I suppose.  But this is the only place I know of that basically stays the same. I could feel the stress that I didn't even know I had slide away from me the closer I got. 

Even though I was born in Illinois, I call this going home. My parents and my brothers and sister, were born in Tennessee. There is a certain level of comfort there for me, and I am always welcomed with open arms. I can remember playing with my cousins on the farm, and getting my butt whooped for bad behavior. I also lived in Crossville when I was in 3rd grade with my brother and uncle, and have some fond memories of my great aunt's home churned butter and some not so great memories of her mean ole rooster chasing me around the house.

I definitely need a GPS to find my way back from roaming the hills! Every time I try to find my way to the cemetery where my Dad, brother and sister are, I get discombobulated and well, just plain lost! I had a good time visiting people I was semi related to, shooting up old buckets and frying pans with Robbie in the mountains, and generally driving around looking at the gorgeous and sometimes unusual scenery.

I can see why my brother is fixin' to move back when he retires...maybe I will join him there.