Last Train Home

Yes, that’s right, I’m finally writing a new post. Try not to faint. Things have been a little crazy around here lately. My ears still hurt from the ear infection I got over the 4th of July weekend. My little brother in law was hospitalized, and I’ve been working crazy hours. Honestly? I think I’ve only knit about 10 rows since my last post. I’m not even going to waste time with a progress post. My plan is spend the weekend knitting. We’ll see how far I can get.

Needless to say, I haven’t even started the Mitt-A-Long. Got the yarn, got the thimble, still haven’t picked a pattern. Sweater first, then the mitts. I love the colors of the yarn I picked out. They are just lovely.

So, hopefully next week I can join, but I doubt it.

I haven’t been doing much cooking/baking, either. My heart just isn’t in it. I did find a slab pie recipe I’m dying to try, I just need to find the time. We’ll be moving in October, but we’re already packing, sorting and the like. That’s were alot of my stress is coming from, too. I’m so excited, but there is just so much that goes into moving. G-funk is already picking out what colors she wants in here room. Probably pink and purple. I told Chris we’re getting a parakeet. I love birds, I would love to have a parrot. An eclectus or a parrotlet, but I have neither the time nor the money. A parakeet will be lovely.

Have to admit, I’m pretty upset about Happy Housewife being unavailable. I’m almost out of Day of the Dead, I don’t know what I’m going to do when it runs out.

But, I made a run up to Ulta, needed to pick up more shampoo and conditioner. Lo and behold, they were having a sale! I got my favorite shampoo and conditioner for 36.00. I know, expensive, but I feel that since I only cut my hair once or twice a year, I can splurge on products. Well, not really products as those two things were all I bought. I’m pretty lame and unfeminine. So be it.

Well, that’s all folks! Unless you’re curious about what I’m listening to. Arcade Fire, Matt & Kim, She & Him (love that they rhyme!) and Ryan Paul & The Ardent.

 

Rebel Diamonds

This has been a long week. I have a cold and swimmers ear. Nasty, I know. But I got some baking in:

The recipe is Blueberry Boy Bait. I love this recipe. I love it so very much, it will be made as often as there is fresh blueberries. My hubanero and lil’monster had a little death match over it. Forcing me to promise to make more this weekend. There is something so amazing, and incredible about cooking/baking for my family. It fills me with a joy and satisfaction that is indescribable. Especially when it’s something that they love and enjoy so much. Watching their reactions the first time they ate this is somethin I won’t forget for a long time. And neither will huband’s waist band.

There are things about being a mother that fill me with wonder. Like, how does she see the world? Why does she enjoy the things she does? How does she decide she likes them? Sometimes, I just watch lil’G. I watch her and I wonder. What’s going through her mind? Do I really want to know? (More often than not, the answer is a definite “No.”) I want to keep her like this always. Naive and innocent and full of wonder. I want to keep her safe from everything that will hurt her. But I know that I can’t. No one is capable of that. And even if I could, would I really want to? How would she know true joy without the pain?

Right now, I really am listening to a mix of things. Brandon Heath, Chasen, Robby Seay Band, Paolo Nutini, Shakira…..oh! And Sondre Lerche! How could I forget him?! He is simply divine.

 

This Makes For Hysteria

Got my yarn today.

I will be making this pattern.

And this is pretty much how I’ve spent my day so far. (Well, since 4:00 when my yarn arrived.)

I changed it to 3 inches of 2×2 ribbing instead of 2 inches. I’m powering through the two inches of stockinette right now. Thank goodness for Deadliest Catch marathons. Perfect for knitting.

When I’m not watching DC, I am listening to Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. I could listen to his voice all day, everyday.

 

Last Call For Sin

Today marks the second day of my vacation. And oh, my, yarn god, did I need this! Saturday was filled with allergic reactions, it was just crazy.
This weekend was bad in another, yarn-related way. I discovered (to my horror) that the yarn I bought for the Owls KAL was splitty, easily broken, and did not soften after a good soak. Not. Sweater. Material. Instead, I have cast on a blanket for my peanut. Just a real basic pattern. Seed stitch border, half stockinette, half reverse stockinette.

Whatever yarn isn’t used up in this blanket will be used to make a small matching one for G’s babehs. She’s very happy with it so far. I order new yarn from Knitpicks, I chose Cadena in the Peat colorway. It’s a little upsetting, I was trying to stay away from browns and grays. Ideally, I wanted something a little funky. But, in the end, Peat is what I chose. A deep, chocolately brown. The button eyes will most likely be light wood, and I think it’ll look quite lovely when I’m done. Even if it isn’t exactly what I wanted.

This week is going to be wonderfully relaxing. I intend to spend most of my time with G, knitting, and listening to audiobooks. We went to the library. I picked myself out two books, one on Monet, and the other on Salvador Dali. Thursday we’re meeting Grampy for lunch, and then we’re going to see Ice Age. And yes, little peanut is all a-quiver with happy excitement. We’re also planning on baking some cookies. Chocolate chip and butterscotch oatmeal. This will be a very good week.

I am listening to Cage the Elephant (Hell. Yes.) The Killers, David Jordan, and Dolly Parton.

Oh, and yes, the pictures are smaller than usual. The computer and I are having a disagreement.

 

Into Our Mouths the Tears Crept

Hit a wall, hit a wall, hit a wall wall wall, hit a wall, hit a wall, hit a wall wall wall. IIIIIII, I hit a wall wall wall. Yep, progress on Aphrodite has been sloooow. I’ve gotten through the first repeat after a week of working on it. Basically, for the last two weeks I’ve been working six day work weeks. I pick up G, go home, make dinner, do dishes, laundry, pick up/clean, get G ready for bed, and then I try to unwind. Oh, and Tuesdays and Thursdays lil’G has t-ball practice. So. I’ve been busy. The pattern is amazingly written and easy to follow. I just can’t seem to motivate myself to do more than about three rows at a time. Some nights I barely made it through one row. But it looks great so far, these pictures don’t do it justice.

I think this is going to take me awhile to complete. Ah well, it will definitely be worth the effort when I finally finish.

We went to the zoo today, it was a blast. Hubanero got to pick the days activity since it was Father’s Day. It rained a little off and on, but we powered through, refusing to be defeated.

I love those two so much, it hurts! But in the best way possible.

I’m listening to all kinds of things. Bat for Lashes, Cage the Elephant, Imogen Heap, Vampire Weekend and Dolly Parton.

 

Beast of Burden

Eh, just a quick one this time. Last Friday was Lil’G’s dance recital. So cute!

I cast on an Athropologie Inspired Capelet for G, I’m using up some Cascade 220 I have. Still haven’t settled on a pattern for my laceweight, but I will eventually. In July, the Knitscape ladies and I will be having an Owls KAL. I’m really looking for to it, and also to yarn hunting.

I am listening to Seether, dredg, and James Morrison.

 

You Could Be This Tremblin Voice

Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day weekend. The little family went up to Alexandria, MN to visit huband’s grandparents. (and no, I didn’t spell husband wrong, that’s what I call him. Or hubanero, as in hot hubby.) The inlaws joined us, so it was a nice little gathering. They all went out fishing, but I stayed behind. Why? So I could sit under this tree:

With this dog:

And knit this shawl:

I only have a few rows left, I’m on row 6 of the edging chart. These pictures don’t do it justice! It’s a beautiful teal, for some reason they just kept coming out blue! I really wanted to do an extra body repeat, but I’m afraid of running out of yarn. Aw well, maybe next time. Still not sure what I want to knit next… maybe Gail. We’ll see.
The day went great, and we all had fun. Just relaxing, chatting and spending some time with each other. The neighbors gave lil’G some sparklers. That all went well until she decided, after the last one went out, to grab the sparkle part. A few tears and ice cubes later and G has learned a very important lesson. Fire hurts. I’ll include some more photos here at the end, I think I took some really good ones. Just my opinion.

I am so deeply in love with Matthew Santos, I can NOT stop listening to him. I’ve also been listening to Bat For Lashes, Oh No Oh My, Ray LaMontagne, and Thomas Cunningham.

 

Closer To Love

Best Mother’s Day Ever! Me and my little family went to the Shepherd’s Harvest Wool and Fiber Festival. I met up with Becca and her friend Janelle. I forgot to take a picture! It was great to finally meet her! We walked around together awhile. I was on a mission to find teal/turquoise lace weight yarn.  No dice! Becca is a horrible enabler, “Oooh, look at this! Ooooh, feel that!”  They left and the wonderful George family showed up.  We ate lunch and then Anne and myself took off to leisurely explore the fibery goodness, while our menfolk entertained the children.  (Not easy with two high-strung five year olds!)

OH! When walking with Becca and Janelle, I found the most amazing magnets and hair clips:

Those are from JL Yarnworks.

It was amazing, walking around and talking to someone that shares my passion for fiber. Having someone who gets just as excited as I do when I find just the right shade….

Beautiful, isn’t it? This will be a Shetland Triangle. Anne found a beautiful variegated green, so we plan on a doing a little knit-a-long. And then we made it to the Yarn Garage.

I. Want. Those. Needles.

I also bought a new drop spindle while I was there. And when I came home, I did this :

Yep, I had a great day. I have been working on Ishbel. It’s going great. I’m using Malabrigo, it’s so loosely spun, it’s more of a DK weight. I love the pattern, and I love the way it’s coming out.

So, yeah. I had an amazing weekend, which I spent with amazing people, doing amazing things. I couldn’t have asked for a better Mother’s Day. Ok, fine, a spinning wheel would’ve sent me through the roof, but we can’t have everything we want!

I’m really loving the new Matt Wertz song, and the new Matt Kearney song. Yes, I have a soft spot for Matts.

 

You Are My Voice, My Microphone

Amused? Done! Finished and worn today.

Took that in the bathroom at the Raptor Center.  We were running out the door as I was weaving in my last end.  How do I feel about my First Ever Adult Garment?

Now I need to wash it, block it, blah blah.  I love it, I love it, I love it!  I have no idea what’s going to be on the needles next.  There are so many beautiful patterns, and not enough money!  My plan right now, is to save up my allowance (yes, I’m 26 and give myself an allowance) and buy the knitpicks Options cable needle set.  I think I will also purchase some of their silk blend (can’t remember the name at the moment) and make Springtime Bandit, or I want to make Lake of The Woods.  Those are both Ravelry links, so if you aren’t a member, you won’t be able to view them.  Soooo, I think I’ll have enough saved up in about three weeks, I have no idea what I’ll do until then.  Probably find three hundred more patterns I can’t live without.

Hopefully, on tuesday,Beeca and I will be able to record another episode. She’s been on a craft retreat, and I’m sure she’ll have plenty of amazing things to tell (and show) us. You can catch us here.

I haven’t been listening to anything new. (I know, boooring!)  Dr. Dog is amazing, so chech ‘em out.

 

Lace Up Your Boots

I started this blog with the best of intentions.  I was determined to blog, diligently, every week.  Mmmmm, not quite.  Aw well, such is life. 

Yesterday, after months of searching, I found my missing dpn.  Hallelujah, let the angels sing!  I’ve knit a whopping 10 rows on the sleeve so far.  The goal is to finish the sleeve by the end of the week.  After that it’s the collar, and weaving in ends.  Also, on saturday, I finished my Nutking sock, www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nutkin. I love the way it turned out. I didn’t take any pictures, the camera is still tickin me off. I already started the second one. The cuff is finished and I’m half way through the first repeat.

The weather her has been BEAUTIFUL. Lil’G and I have been taking full advantage.

She’s a little ham.
Sooooo, other than that……Becca, from www.sheepishlittleblog.com, and myself have taken on a new adventure. At this very moment, we are uploading our very first podcast. Knitscape With Beeca and Betty. More details coming soon!

Musically, I’m really not listening to anything new. Metisse, Zap Mama, and the usual of April Smith, The Fratellis, blah blah blah. I’ve been in a bit of a rut lately, I don’t know why. I did rediscover Abra Moore. Her song Four Leaf Clover is ahmazing.