Sahara

Did you notice?

On the sidebar?

Yep. Sahara is out of Jail and back on the needles. It was convicted of holy-increases. Yes, you will go straight to jail for being to holy... hehe. I know, I'm still 12.

Anywho... the increases I was making left huge holes and so I frogged it back and have now started back up again. My increases look amazing and I can't wait to have this done.



I wonder if I could possibly have this done in time to wear it sometime in June!! Perhaps for Harlot Day Part II.

Guess What Happens When...

You bring a three-year old to SnB?



They practice fish faces with ShopDaughter. Then the "oh-so-cute" little monkey takes pictures for mommy to blog. I have more, but I'm withholding until you give me all your Malabrigo;)

I walked outside this morning to check up on plants...



(Click Picture to see it big) Just blows me away that I haven't killed anything yet. Only time will tell.

On some bad / weird and just gross side of things. I was taking pictures to update my Ravelry stash and this little bugger crawled out of the middle of a yarn cake.



I have no clue. I don't think it's a m-m-m-moth, but needless to say I tossed the yarn into a ziplock bag then into the freezer. It's smaller then a grain of rice and has me just a little concerned about the rest of my stash.

Jump On In

If it wasn't 56 degrees today... then sure, I'm jumping in. We had perfect pool opening weather this weekend and boy I'm happy it's done. It feels like we are ahead of the game this season.

How Sweet It Is

I hope you have done a little of this:



I sure did. Plenty of brats, steak, corn and a little asparagus. Yum. Then of course I did a little of this:



Nothing like Red Mulch to make things look sweet. All of these things combined with this:



Sweet Fulmar sleeves (two at a time) were cast-on Thursday. They have surly grown fast and it makes me not want to put it down.

I would also like to point out that when you hand over laundry responsiblities to a almost thirteen year old boy it tends to lead to NO Laundry being done by the thirteen year old boy.

Seriously... 9 loads of laundry and I'm not done.

Another piece of random news... I'm still in love with Indiana Jones. sigh.

Just Keep Knitting...

Do you see?

Oh Yeah Baby!! We're talkin' both the FRONT and BACK are off the needles for Fulmar. I've cast-on for the sleeves. Two at the same time and I'm really getting excited to see this getting closer to the end.

The sleeves will be a bit tricky as I have to pay attention to increases over set number of rows. Which of course changes as the sleeves get longer. sigh. I see some swear words in my future;)

I'm off work tomorrow and I'm still not sure how I want to spend my day.

I do want to put out a small shout-out to all my SnB gals who celebrated our 3rd Anniversary last night. I'm sure it wouldn't surprise you to know that the amount of chocolate consumed kept me up till 2 am. It was fabulous to have you all over and I'm blessed to have each and everyone of you in my life.

Kisses and Cookies!

So Proud

I just want to climb to the top of my building and scream to all of Chicagoland that my Cable Lagoon is being test knit by Raverlry Members.

Then I think about that statement. Do I really want to do that? Heck, I'm still proud but I think people view me as odd enough already.

I posted on the Test Knitters Forum on Ravelry and dudes... I got some serious responses. So far I have 8 people request the pattern and one knitter is showing her progress on her projects page,

::squeal::

I love the idea that my little socky-pattern is out there in the hands of another. So don't fret my friends. Soon there will be a link here to download the pattern for all to share. It will be free because god-for-bid I let anyone pay for my writing and if your reading this going...it's okay send it my way, I'll try test knitting it. Just put your email address in the comments and I'll forward it on over.

In other Knitty goodness, tonight we are celebrating the 3rd Anniversary of the South Suburban Chicago SnB. I will be surrounded by my fiber loving friends tonight and I can't think of a better way to spend my evening;)

Green Thumb

You asked for it...



Yep, she's totally ready to dig dirt. We bought some pretty stuff at the nursery on Saturday and did some planting Sunday afternoon. It was really sunny out and with the cool breeze perfect for working outside.



I have no idea of what I'm doing, but it's fun. I picked up some Day Lilies, Hostas and some pretty grassy-flowery things too. Like I said, I have no clue. I like these and I know I can't kill it too easily. Hows that for strategy?

Here is before:



And After with Mac giving the plants some water. She's a serious trooper. She walked back and forth from the patio to the kitchen sick filling her little can up. After awhile I thought it would be nicer to just give them a bath with the good-old hose.



I'm planning on picking up some mulch and we've since added some wild flowers in the bare spots just to see what happens. The worst part of this whole area is the rocks. We have rocks EVERYWHERE and when you think you've gotten them all, think again.

As for Knitting...


Much as been done on the Fulmar. I'm on the last repeat round and the back will be complete. Then of course there are sleeves.

Meme

I was tagged by A:) at Knit and Run to play in a meme.

The rules: Are posted at the beginning. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you've posted your answer.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago? I was working for a local newspaper and hating my 30 cent raise. Decided that was it and put my resume out there in the world. Several months later I was working downtown at the same office I am now. Mr. E was 3 at the time and I was just beginning my relationship with my now husband Daddy E.

2. What are 5 things on my to-do list today - not in any particular order? Get some new plants into the ground, BBQ some ribs for dinner and cut up the batch of strawberries for dessert...can you say yummm to strawberry shortcake. Mop the kitchen floor. Take a nap. And yes a nap is always on my to-do list;)

3. Snacks I enjoy: Smoked almonds. Toffee. Cinnamon Raisin Toast. Bagel & cream cheese...this could go on and on.

4. Places I've lived: Home town is Auburn Mi...then moved with parents to Hinsdale Il. Lived in Bolingbrook IL for a few years until I moved out into my first apartment in Woodridge Il.

5. Things I would do if I were a billionaire: Besides building a house around my knitting and spinning love? Travel to all the places I've been dreaming about... Rome, Alaska, Eygpt and New Zealand and so much more.

Here are the six people I'm tagging:
Knitterary
K2P2
Kung Fu Knitting
Dreamsweaver
Purl Talk
Tangled

For The Love of Strawberries

Back in March, our family had visited the Sunny side of the States. Spending a glorious week in FL with both relaxing and rewarding. One of the highlights of our visit was indulging in the local farmer's market. The smells and tastes are fabulous and to some surprise the kids were in heaven. I know my kids love fruit, but I'm talking refusal of apple pie verse the overflowing mixing bowl of strawberries.

We visited the market on several occasions and always to replenish the strawberry supply. Why breakfast / lunch / dinner and desert just wouldn't do unless there were strawberries. I guess there are worse things to get addicted too!

So why is it that I laughed my arse off when I received this. Well not that exactly, but something very close. A package of stackable planters to grow your own strawberries. Live strawberries with roots, dirt and all. Thanks Mom!

And just look how well there coming along:



We'll be doing some major gardening this weekend and Little Mac is eagerly waiting with garden gloves on and shovel in hand. Seriously. I used to hate it and now with her enthusiasm it's really starting to bring me around.

5:27 a.m.

Every morning for the past week I've woken up at that exact time.

Why?

I have no idea. I'm not a morning person. My alarm is set for 6:25 a.m. - and I sometimes have to hit the snooze at least twice.

So, why is it that I wake up suddenly with worry that I over slept. Grab the alarm clock and pull it close enough to see and BAM... 5:27

Does not matter if I went to bed at 10:30 or Midnight. Same thing for the past 5 days. If anything it's bizarre and it's really starting to piss me off. I love sleep. I make a point of taking naps on the weekends because I love it so much.

Unfortunately if it happens again, I think I'll be forced to get out of bed and I don't know... exercise. gosh... the horror of it all;)

The only change in my life as been an added medication from my doctor. Went in awhile ago for that yearly thing we do and I spoke about my hormonal issues. He then put me on a med for PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). If you click on the link the site has a "quick screener" test to take in order to see your chances of having it. Dudes...I clicked every single symptom. Each symptom has varied degrees, but I find the week before the Big M...is a very difficult roller coaster ride.

I was on the meds for all of 6 days when I stopped taking them. The doc suggested I go for at least 3 months, but I can't handle it. The last 4 days I had a continues migraine and don't wont to be pain anymore. The only ideas I'm thinking about is perhaps going the vitamin route. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

On To Knitting.



Fulmar has been in full swing since the socks came off the needles. I'm just inches away from being done with the front...this means I'm totally past the half way point of having this project done.

I've been having mixed feelings about starting anything new as I don't want to slow this great progress down. Yet I can't help but skim through magazines and day dream about the next big thing? Wow...what will I do after Fulmar?

Summer of Socks 2008

Why not join? You've got till May 15th.



If your not familiar with it, it's pretty simple. You sign up and knit socks during the summer. Well... it could be much more. I just don't see my self winning The Most Socks Knit category.

So, want to know what I did today? I did the kitchener stitch today. Which means...



I finished the March Rockin Sock Club package... Leafling.

I had no clue how, although I've done it before. So I went searching for a tutorial and just about spit my coffee up this morning when I saw this. How are you suppose to see the "how to" beyond the huge size 15 needles? Found a great video at Knitting at Knoon and watched it over and over and a third time just to make sure.

I think I should take a break from socks...work on the Fulmar, perhaps pull out that Sahara I shoved in the back of my closet.

Happy Friday!

Happy Wednesday!

You can't possibly understand how happy I am that it's Wednesday.

I always look forward to my SnB night. To hang with some awesome, funny and inspiring Stitchers. I don't have to much progress on any one project to post about. Mostly moving head on the Leafling socks, tackling the Fulmar row by endless row, or screaming at the Wicked #2 for allowing the new skein on the arms to provide yet another strip effect. Damn dye lot. It's okay...I've got more yarn for this project.

About a month ago, I was invited to participate in a Hand Dyed Sock Swap on Ravelry by a friend ...the infamous Kung Fu Knitting. Before you know it, I've been given a name and foot size of another swapper. It's a pretty cool swap, but I have quickly found out something about myself. I don't like knitting for other people. Now, I'm not going to back out of the swap, I signed up and I will go through with it. In fact I plan on swapping the Leafling socks, as I'm not sure if I will have time to knit another pair before the deadline.

I would also like to clarify that knitting for "others" means knitting for strangers. I certainly don't want you (meaning mom/friends) to think that I hated knitting stuff for you... I feel a very strong connection with the items that I've produced... is that odd? Like little babies going out into the world. And obviously this person connected with the swap is a knitter and will love and cherish the socks.. Oh hell, I guess I'm just a selfish knitter.

So much of my life is for other people that when it comes down to it I feel like... What is left for me? and I've found that knitting is ALL for me and if I plan on knitting something it will be on my terms and not on anyone else. So There. humph. I kinda feel childish saying it, but what can I say... it's the truth.

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Or Happy Birthday to dear Hubby!

We keep it simple in our house. You get to pick what's for dinner or on the TV... but birthdays are just not really exciting anymore. Heck sometimes I have to remind him how old he is ...and I'm getting just as bad. If you think about it, after 21 the birthdays just go from bad to worse. The only thing worth looking forward to is the senior citizen discount...and Who Wants That?!!

The weekend was lovely. Got a lot done, yet still have tons more to do. We've been spring cleaning in the house and I was happy to unload 7 full garbage bags of E's old clothes off with Grandma. With 3 boys over at her house on any given weekend, she could use it.

The only unfortunate thing about spring cleaning is that those measly 7 bags didn't even put a dent in the mount. I think I'll load up the car and do a drop off with Good Will. Should only take about 7 trips;) At least it will be out of my house ... to make room for more yarn. Yeah, I wish.

The Leafling socks are past the heel and on to the foot.



The pattern has an interesting way of making the slip stitch heel. You work increases as a way of creating the heel instead of a picking stitches off of a heel flap.



It also has you continuing the slip stitch pattern on the bottom of the heel while decreasing. This is something new for me and can see how doing it on DPN's would work really well, however the construction while on 2 circular needles made it tricky.