Stretching the Mind

I'm not sure if most parents think about stretching their kids minds, but I sure do. I'm always thinking of different ways to have my son experience life and all it has to offer.

Growing up and through out my life I've met handfuls of kids and adults who haven't learned or explored. I mean come on.. who doesn't learn to ride a bike? or swim? or do their own laundry. Believe me folks, there are tons of them out there just wondering around the world. How do they get through the day?

Which brings me to my latest attempts to enlighten my son's palate. We sit down and go through cookbooks and choose something to make on the weekend. I would prefer the "choice" to be a nice one dish thing, but it's really up to him. His first pick was a lemon rice soup.

I don't love lemon and actually prefer to stay away from it unless it involves a dessert, but it's his pick and so I support the idea.

It's a simple dish and really not hard at all to make. We pick up eggs, chicken stock, lemons and get to it. Mr. E is all excited about this dish and is cracking eggs like nobodies business. I explain why we temper the eggs with some of the hot stock and slowly whisk the soup together. Before you know it we have with yummy soup all hot and bubbly on the stove. His smile is from ear to ear.

That is until we taste it. Dudes. We put in to much lemon juice. sigh.

I say, We can fix it...and I go to grab some sugar ... and lets just stop right there because the flash backs are tingling that sour taste reflex on my jaw.

A whole batch of soup. dead.

~~~~Let me distract you with the Leafling socks~~~~

Mr. E has now excluded himself to his room and is highly disappointed in cooking. Not wanting his first recipe to stop him from trying another, I check the amount of ingredients and plan a redo on the recipe. Everything is looking great. I temper the eggs with the hot broth. Then slowly add it to the rice broth and all of a sudden I got egg drop soup. dudes, it curdled.

Me and my iron stomach couldn't even look at the thing without gagging. Oddly enough my husband had some and said it was delicious but strange.

~~~~Again, another distraction. Fulmar is back in my hands.~~~~

Do you have a recipe that is MUST? Any ideas would be welcomed. I would hate to let the Rice Lemon Soup day take my son out of the kitchen.

I Learned Something New

When I was first interested in playing with yarn, I had a choice: Knit vs. Crochet

Not knowing really the full difference between the two, I picked knitting as my path. This choice was based on the amount of knitting books available, so when I was looking for a book to learn the craft I went for the two sticks verses the hook. Not that I have anything against crochet...it's just that I've always had something else going on and not a particular pattern that would push me forward into that world.

That all ended when a fellow SnB (Yarnorgy on Ravelry) started making these adorable toys. She would pop these suckers out like the wind and when I saw this:



How freakin' adorable is that? A girl frog with kissable lips and everything. I just had to know how. This past Friday (Harlot Day), I sat down with Miss B and she walked me through the steps. You know I was hooked, right?

I'm proud to introduce...



Mr. Octopus, he was made from one skein of Knit Picks Sport Shine. The last of the icord legs was put on Monday night and then he was let loose into the house.



Things got a little crazy but nothing to out of the norm for us;)



Here is my Wicked #2 progress shot taken this morning. I need to do some sleeves and then it's another finished object. I think I'm just lucky my son didn't give me bunny ears... you don't think he likes the camera much do ya...oh yeah he does.

Dear Harlot,

Chicago knitters came in full force on Friday. We came, we knit and we called it Harlot Day (isn't there someone we can call about making this a holiday?)



Books were bought and pens were ready.



We had cute babies.



Alcohol was consumed.



There was plenty of Knitting Fashion.



The only thing missing was you.

I'm sorry you had such a horrible airport experience but just know we had a lovely time on Harlot Day. I only hope we can locate some Official Holiday Namers and make it a permanent day on the calendar.

FO: Pea Pod Baby Set

Pattern: Pea Pod Baby Set by Kate Gilbert (Ravelry link)

Yarn: 4 skeins Knit Picks Shine Sport in the Terra Cotta colorway

Needles: US 6

Start Date: April 8, 2008

End Date: April 21, 2008

Comments: I wish I had a six month old baby just sitting around some were to model this sucker, but unfortunately it will be gifted before that ever happens. This item is so quick... got the yarn on a Tuesday and cast-on that night. Come the following Wednesday I had seamed my last tail. And dudes...I didn't touch it all that weekend. Talk about fast. The hat is just as quick. Come on...seriously, the hat took only one day. Shine Sport is super fabulous to work with...I'm wondering if I could possibly make a summer tank. opps. I digress.

Don't you just love it when you find the right buttons?



Okay, lets get closer:



I've been extremely lucky to have found likable buttons at Hancock Fabric. They're the only place with a wide selection. These buttons in particular have a pearl shine and hard to photograph, but you can kinda see the swirly design on that bottom picture. Love It!

Count Down to Friday

This Friday is going to be FAB-U-LOUS. Do you want to know why? Well, hell I'm taking the day off of work and plan on knitting every stinkin' moment I can with my bitches;) Hollar!

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (aka: Yarn Harlot) will be in town for a book signing. I have my book and reserved ticket all ready to go for the event hosted by Nana’s Knitting Shop. Hope to see you there!

~:: ::~

I do have to apologizes for my last post referring to actually finishing of something or Anything over the weekend. I'm so damn flighty when it comes to projects. I tell myself: Hey Self, why don't you work on This? Nope. Don't wana. – Wonders never cease to amaze me that I finish anything at all.

I did buy buttons for the pea pod sweater and now both the hat and cardie are blocking away. By my calculations, I knit that set up with only 4 skeins of Shine. I bought 6...I'm pretty blown away by this. With the left overs, I'm thinking maybe a cute toy to join the set.

Hey! Miss B (aka: yarnorgy) do you think I can crochet a octopus using the extra yarn?

My other project has been the Wicked (#2) done up in the Nature Cotton. I had some issues with color differences in the dye lots, and lucky when winding them all up together only discovered the one odd duck in the bunch. I'm pretty far on the main body and about 5 skeins in. I'm not sure how long I want the sleeves, so I'll just play it by ear. I love that I can toss the whole project on some waste yarn to try it on. Here is a picture:



So far the only modification I've done is cast-on for the smaller size. I then followed the instructions for the larger size. I was worried about the neck being really dippy and with cotton it will most likely stretch out.

Random Thursday

I'm happy to announce that the Baby Pea pod cardigan is off the needles. I need to find cute little buttons this weekend before I do the big Finished Object (FO) post, but because I know you want to see a sneak peak...



I do have to give a quick shout out to Trish at Nana's Knitting for showing me the light. Thank you so much for your Finishing Class. I'm proud to see my seams turning out like they should. Now, when I give this away I wont feel this over looming "Yeah, it's handmade... aww, isn't she cute how she does that thing...whats it called knitting?" – instead I will be able to hand off something that I feel is precious.

The next piece for this "set" is the pea pod hat and if it's as quick as the sweater, then I'll have that done over the weekend.

I also started on my March club package for Socks That Rock. The pattern name is Leafling and as I was waiting on my needles from Knit Picks I saw several other members having difficulty getting sizing right even when accomplishing gauge. I'm attempting to knit this pair in a size small to compensate for these concerns. So far I've finished the top rib and now moving on to the pattern.



In other random news, I had briefly considered joining the company softball team. I don't think I was thinking clearly. Lets call it peer pressure and move on. With good weather comes outside responsibilities... or like others would call: lawn care. I used to have this romantic idea about how I would putter in the garden...yeah, not so much. Reality can totally blow up these images of laying in a hammock under a shade tree while slowly being rocked by the sweat smelling wind. Especially when weeds wont stop growing from your stone landscape and why does half of my grass have either poky things or just dead? sigh. Gotta love it.

Something to be proud of...

Eric is off punishment. Or should I say the family activities can go as normal now. He came home on Friday with his report card... three B's and four C's. sigh. Thank G-d. So, we went out for dinner to celebrate.



You'll notice that he has his cell phone in hand, right? One of many electronic devices that have been reinstated. Now he can't get enough... he has even gone to bed at 10 pm every night (which is not his normal thing) because Wii is giving him a workout. Hahaha.. I find that completely hilarious.

FO: Gator Beach Lagoon Socks

Pattern: Mine

Yarn: 1 skein of Jitterbug - Lagoon Colorway

Needle: US 1's on two circular needles

Start Date: March 24, 2007

End Date: April 11, 2007

Comments: This particular cable is something I've been obsessed about. When I bought this yarn on vacation I knew I had to cast on immediately. Doing toe-up was the smartest decision, even if it's my favorite. The skeins are on the small side (320 yds) and cables eat up yarn like crazy, so that is why I also choose to do the short-row heel.

Within moments of updating my Ravelry projects, I had gotten a comment to write up the pattern. Since a lot of you seem interested in this, I don't see how I can resist. Bare with me as I'm new to pattern writing, but hopefully will have something soon for you all to cuss me out on;)

What Gives?

I've been spending quite some time on Ravelry and I'm seeing a huge trend in Debby Downers. You know, the people who make complete asses of themselves while trying to do What? I don't get it. Why would you enter into a Fan group and go on an on about how the world doesn't revolve around you! sigh. Not to say I'm all Pink and Blue Happy Thoughts, but sheesh get over it.

It reminds me of the commercial on TV now days. It starts off with a guy messing with a printer in a generic office. He gets frustrated that the printer doesn't work and goes storming off in a huff. A woman then passes him by and says "How's it going Frank?" all chipper and upbeat. Frank then reacts with a very sarcastic ton "How's It Going Frank!"... then next couple of scenes are the office going ballistic.

That my friends is how some forums go on Ravelry. I'm not downing Ravelry...just some of the crybabies members.

Okay, I'm now going to distract you with knitting.



My latest obsession. I blame Tangled. It's the Pea Pod Baby Set (Ravelry Link) The set contains a sweater and hat. Since my Knit Picks order came in on Tuesday, I haven't put it down. It is definitely a fast knit. At first I was all "why do they call it pea pod"... but duh! the lace pattern has little pea pods..come on everyone, say it with me...awwwwww.

What a Weekend

First off, Saturday was filled with plenty knitting. Nana's Knitting hosts a knit night every first Saturday of the month. I LOVE this...as on some weekends when the kids are away with Grandma, I'm home knitting on the couch anyway. So, why not join along with others?

While there I got the chance to pick up the book: Things I Learned from Knitting by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (AKA: Yarn Harlot). Yeah, we're all pretty psyched that she'll be in town for the book signing on April 25th. Party Time!

Afterwards I headed to Becca's for another knit group meet up. What fun it was to fall in love with the new house and also to visit with Mo (AKA: Mother-In-Law) and Baby M. I came home with new yarn...which I will gladly share with you soon. I would like to give them the full attention of a single post instead of just shoving them along with a weekend update. They are yummy and deserve it.

While Saturday was filled with yarn and visits, we had a few visitors of our own this weekend. Guess who?



These little tykes are going on 6 months come the 16th of April. They are very serious and are truly unique and different. While sleeping they look very similar but once up and at'm they bloom into their own.



Nanaidia and Tyrin are coming along great and most certainly know how to run the show. After having them over, I can't honestly see myself having another. What energy it takes...I think as time goes on and kids get bigger, you forget about all the little stuff. Like spit up down your shirt as you do "bouncy, bouncy baby up". sigh. And I'm okay with all that. That is, the spit up and not having more kids.

I hear you! You say, With all these knitting session you must have progress? Of course my pretties. My "Gator" beach socks are on their way off the needles. Some of you had mentioned a possible pattern for this, as I really have just pulled it out of my arse... I don't see why that would be a problem. I can easily write up the notes from what I'm using now and post a PDF link to download. I do know however that this wouldn't fly on a Knitty submission as you can't blog about the project before or during submission.

I've also been concentrating on this:



Nothing like reading the Stitches Midwest 2008 brochure while knitting with Nature Cotton. This yarn is very lovely and super soft for a cotton. I just don't know what garment will work best and unless I try, I'll never full know. I had intended to knit the Cozy V-Neck Rib sweater from the Fitted Knits, but I just don't see this yarn working well for that. I had caved and figured I like the Wicked pattern so much, that why not try it out.

I've Survived

It's Friday ya'll and I've made it. I'm like a little school girl filled with thoughts of freedom. I can almost hear that last bell ring right before everyone dashes outside.

It's spring time and that means warm weather, chirping birds and little buds blooming... right? Not so much here in Chicago. The drizzle of cold rain falling this morning made for a frightful commute. It certainly was worsened when the Pace bus came early and all I saw was the tail end trailing away down the street. But it's okay. Because it's Friday.

My mood brightened when I escaped into my little knitting world. Sipping my coffee filled thermos, ear tuned to the Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and my beach socks growing ever more in hands.



What really pull at the designer in me, is that the toe needs to have part of the cable on it. In stead of this rope cable just popping out of know where, wouldn't it be nice to see some sort of starting point?



They are turning out really great and I would definitely put this yarn into the category of Socks That Rock. I'm knitting on size US 1's and it's producing a fairly dense fabric. I would be curious to see how these would respond to a larger needle.

I find if I look outside and all I see is gray, I just open this photo and it puts everything back into prospective.

**SPOILER ALERT**

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The Rockin Sock Club is super awesome (now you have to say that with a "Valley Girl" accent..like totally) and one of those special treats that I'm happy I was able to afford this year. March's shipment is every shade of green you could imagine and appropriately labeled Lucky. The pattern again is not something I would have swooned over, but I'm pushing forward with combining the these two beauties.

The Sunny Side

The only bad thing about vacation is that it all eventually ends and life goes back to a regular routine. I was super lucky that I had my Rockin Sock Club package waiting for me at work. Monday didn't seem so bad knowing I had fiber waiting for me.

While I think back to all the great moments from my visit I'm providing a
LINK TO VIEW PHOTOS from the trip. Go check them out, some are seriously funny. I don't think I've laughed that hard since my last SnB meeting.

Here is just a quick look at what fun...



I love that shot... in fact I have it as wallpaper on my computer.

Can you tell I'm still on vacation mode? I like feeling like that. Not stressed out ready to go postal on the next victim to enter my office. Now, I just smile and say "suuuuure"..."nooooo, problem". Will it last? Not much longer.

So you might have seen me mentioning knitting on The Fulmar over holiday? Sure did, so much so that I started another yarn cake. You want proof? Sure, nooooo problem;)



And I can already hear you. "What's That There?" Yes, a new bag. I LOVE it. One of the places we visited was the Renaissance Fair in Tampa.



It's fully lined with a zippered pocket on the inside and small outside pockets. The vendors name is Gypsy Wings and unfortunately their website doesn't have the stuff I saw at the booth. Going to the Fair has really made me want to set a date for the Wisconsin Fair coming this summer. Now, where did I put my 1800 century French inspired Bodice;)