Blogging from Vermont

26 06 2009

Attempt number two – remote blogging from Vermont. Bear with me as I don’t have control over photo uploads or for that matter- getting the damn post to show up!

First up – an FO – the Campfire Socks. Plain ole toe ups from STR medium weight – they’ll come in handy as sleep socks this winter.

The next photo should be my haul from the Knitting Studio in Montpelier, Vermont – On-line sock yarn, Cascade Heritage and a skein of Silky Wool and a Lavold book to make the Trym mittens. I really like visiting this shop – they’re in a new location which is in town and the shop is nice and light-filled. They’ve always been so welcoming and I have never regretted making the drive to visit!

We’ve had decent weather – not much rain except for a quick shower – today the threat of storms is all around so our luck may not hold out much longer.

Next Blog post should have an update on Nantucket Red….if the Internets cooperate , that is!





Car Knitting

20 06 2009

we’re on our way! But I think the rain is following us….





Beary Weary

1 06 2009

bear again

Sigh.  Stupid Bear.  He was here Friday – Tim had to chase him away after he took out a sheperds hook with a decorative, empty feeder on it.  Then this morning, just after Bob left for work I hear the big garbage go over and hit the driveway – and I know enough what the sound means, enough that I grab my camera because I’m going to at least try to get another shot of this, which turns out to be one fast Bear.  Another blurry photo.  I’m thinking I need to keep the big camera ready…..

He’s really starting to get on my nerves.

Don’t misunderstand – we love where we live.  We love how rural and unspoiled it is.  We love that we are pretty much protected from any big developments being able to go up around us.  We love that we live on a Mountain.  We even love the fact that there are Bear, Deer, Fox, Coyote, Bobcat, Bear, Birds, and Bears.  Racoons and Oppossums and Bear.  We love all that.  I just wish this Bear wasn’t so close to our “dwelling”  We have eliminated feeding the birds.  The garbage was also empty.  I think we’ll have to move that into the garage – oh, yay, smelly garage.  We have talked about calling Fish and Game – but we know what they’ll do.  We just want to deter the Bear, keep him and us safe.  I don’t especially like the idea of having a huge bear trap around us and our neighbors – too many little kids around.  I’m hoping when more natural food becomes available for the pretty young Bear, he’ll be more drawn to the good stuff, than to us people stuff.  We’ve really enjoyed creating a Backyard Habitat for the birds we have nesting around here and it just sucks that we can’t keep feeding them, and their chicks through the nicer weather.  For the first time ever, we have a Baltimore Oriole’s nesting in one of the trees in our pasture – it’s awesome to see the Orioles quietly go in and out.  We have another nest of Blue Birds this year – very, very close to the house and we can watch them come and go with food for what is a new clutch of baby Blue Birds that we can hear already!  We have nesting Cardinals, that would usually bring their chicks to the front feeder and feed them on the rail.  I’m sure they’ll find plenty of food on their own, but Mr. Bossy Bear is really bullying the rest of the wildlife around – which I guess is the way it’s supposed to be.

On the knitting front, I’ve made progress on Nantucket Red…..

Nantucket REdI was able to work on it quite a bit at Knitting Group Saturday – it was such a beautiful day, we all sat outside and enjoyed the weather, sat, talked and knit.  It was great to see everyone and I’m looking forward to the yarn crawl we have coming up!

Today is a big day – our youngest is taking his Drivers License Road Test – and I’m going with him – nervous is an understatement – me, not him.  He’s fine.  We had to borrow a car because none of our vehicles have an emergency brake that the tester can get to – ain’t that a kick?  We’re fortunate to have good friends that are generous enough to loan us theirs.  So, by noon today, we will know if we have another licensed driver in the house – I can’t believe it – I am more nervous about this one that when our oldest took the test.  We may just have to go play golf this afternoon to settle my nerves….

We’ve managed to play once a week and I think I’m getting better at it – I know I’m having fun and I’m not “swinging and missing” as much – and yesterday was probably the first time I didn’t hurt my hand by pummeling the earth with the golf club!  I have one last lesson to arrange and then it’s play and go to the driving range till fall – then I might enroll in the Golf Clinic at our County College.  We’ll see – we took some friends yesterday that were pretty new to it and they ended up joining, too.  What a great way to get exercise, get outside and just relax and have fun!

Well……wish us luck………..I’ll update later with results of the test.

Update: Poor Schmoo……hit the cone in parallel parking – he now refers to himself as “the cone killer” and will be re-taking his test in a few weeks – he has a good attitude about it.  It was a little heart wrenching to watch him do it, but he’s a trouper.  Afterwards, we brought the car back to our friend who lives two houses up from us.  As we headed down her driveway, there was  a Really Big BEAR in front of us. (I knew it wasn’t our regular visitor because it was just too BIG)   We stopped in our tracks to see if the bear would turn and leave – but instead, she turned and faced us.  Then I saw a little black thing jump out of the tree the bear was next to – which at first was so small I thought for a split second – wow – what is that CAT doing chasing after that bear???????  Good thing it was a split second because as soon as I realized it was her CUB, I yelled for our neighbor, and told Dan to run back to the house – we high tailed it back inside – at which point she was trying to get her double screen doors shut because Mama was still right there, on the other side of the drive, waiting.

Waiting for what you ask?  Well, she had three more cubs to go with that tee-tiny one that jumped out of the tree – we didn’t see those three and our neighbor drove us home – waited for us to get into the house – and then called me when she got home to tell me the three little bears were headed our way.  They didn’t come up to our house, but were across the street as my neighbor was banging pots and beeping car horns a few minutes after that call.

I definitely know enough to get away from a Mama and her cubs and I’m just so glad my neighbor was home so we could run back to the house!

We’re all Beared out today.





Just Yesterday….

23 05 2009

It seems like he was a toddler……

Dan 52209

Time passes so quickly!

Aside from Dan going to the prom, it was a busy, but good week.  The TaxMan fixed the Tax problem and surprise, surprise – the I*S made a mistake – and we’re still getting the refund we should get.  Wednesday Bob was able to get home a little early and we headed out to play our first round of 18 holes – we had a lot of fun and a delicious dinner afterward.  We’re totally going to use our membership to the fullest!  And 4 hours of golfing with riding around in a cart?  Burns around 12o0 calories!!!!!

The yarn for Nantucket Red arrived….again….this time, it’s the right yarn…

yarn for nantucket red

I’ll be casting on for this over the weekend!

And I was lucky enough to stumble across this in a destash…..

yarnchef buttercream whimsy

YarnChef Buttercream in Whimsy – it’s a light greyish lavender color which is going to look great in a shawl – what shawl?  Don’t know yet, but I really couldn’t pass this up.

m-edge cover and box bag

M-Edge Prodigy cover and Box Bag.

Third times a charm for the Box Bag – this one came out perfectly!  I was having a little trouble trying to get my angles straight on the “box” part – and figured out a way to cut the angle before I sew it – this way all four corners are exactly the same and they are all straight!  Makes a perfect “box”.  I’m really happy with this one and I plan on making more.  I don’t know that I’ll sell them – I’ve had a few inquiries – and the thing that has me hesitant about it is that I haven’t figured a way to finish the inside seems – they are trimmed and neat, but still seams and I’m wondering if that would be a deterrent to people?  I just don’t know.  I don’t mind it – it sure would keep the cost down because of the time not spent covering up the seams….

My cover arrived for the Kindle and it’s perfect!  I highly recommend this series of covers – it comes in many colors, leather, synthetic leather and the kindle sits nice and secure inside…..

003

The skin from Decal girl – it’s almost fully protected – the only thing I need to so is figure out a sealed bag to take along camping – the cover is great but it is open on three sides – I want something to keep the dirt of camping from creeping inside it.  I will probably sew something up myself since I can certainly take measurements and feel reasonably sure of putting a zipper in now!  I do love my kindle – it’s gone pretty much everywhere with me since I got it – with the exception of the Golf Course!

Well, there are a few yard sales to get to this morning – Bob was lucky enough to score a full set of Callaway Big Bertha Irons last weekend for 30 bucks!  A few errands to run – a 21st birthday party tonight, a confirmation tomorrow and hopefully some knitting and golfing squeezed in there for good measure!  Whatever you’re up to this weekend, I hope it’s fun!





Thar Be BEARS

17 05 2009

It’s a shame I didn’t have a web cam in the front yard……

Bear Breakfast 51709

This is about 25 feet from my front door.  It’s blurry – taking photo’s in low light through the glass door wasn’t going to give me a clear shot – when I opened the door, he ran.  Bob and I had heard a “bang” about 20 minutes earlier – we thought it was the wind blowing a door shut since it was really windy after last nights storms.  I went to let Bailee Dog out the back door and Dan yelled “don’t let the dogs out!  Bear in the front! He was clearly enjoying our garbage (that was the bang) and when I opened the door to get a better shot, the click of the door spooked him.  I’m glad he’s so nervous and jerky – a bear that would have stayed would have been getting a visit from Fish and Game.  As it is….I think we have to add our phone call to the list of callers.  The funny thing is….I usually let Mikey dog out first in the morning – and he’s blind and he goes out the front.  I’m so glad for whatever reason I had changed my routine.

Bastard Bear.   He was all Over the back yard too, because when I did finally let Bailee out, she traced a path over much of the backyard and then stopped and looked at me as if to say “See, that bastard bear was back here too!”   He’s young, looks to be maybe a little over a year or so old, but big enough to keep me from just waltzing out either of my doors – and he’s definitely our feeder stealer – he plopped himself down with the garbage bag in the exact spot he plopped the feeder.

nefertiti chart 5

Nefertiti is getting a big bigger – I’m in the middle of chart 5 right now and still loving it.  What a great pattern!

Jeanne and I went on a little shopping trip last Tuesday and it was such a tough job to find something or two to buy….

jknits roving

J. Knits Merino Roving – I’m loving the color combintation and I’m wondering how it will spin up.

Mountain colors lace

Mountain Colors Winter Lace in Red Tail Hawk colorway – love it!  Jeanne and I never fail to find some really nice things at Down Cellar – it really is a great store and I would have to say one of my favorites.  I’m glad Jeanne called!

It’s another wacky weather pattern – yesterday was warmish but not as warm as friday – today is downright chilly!  We have golf on the schedule this afternoon, since Bob did mostly all the spring plantings yesterday while I was at Knit Group.  This weekend has really flown right by!

Later that same morning…….box bag

box bag inside

I made a Box Bag!!  I think this is my second ever zipper I’ve put in.  I know what I would definitely do differently next time – smaller width handle with interfacing in it.  But I love it! I’m pretty proud of myself – it’s been awhile since I’ve sat down at the sewing machine and constructed anything – now that the machine is back, all cleaned and serviced I’ll be using it more – I’ve already got a pajama pattern ready to go, and another type of zipper pouch I want to make.

Now….I just need more hours in the day!





My New Bad Habit

11 05 2009

My new bad habit the last two nights….waking up at 3:30 and not falling back asleep.

Oh boy.

Other than that – what a nice weekend.  Up until Dan came down with being sick.  Poor kid.  But before the sick….there was Star Trek the movie on Friday night with Bob and Dan.  We think it was so good… Dan and I are going to see it again when Tim gets home.  Saturday Bob and I ran errands.  And ran some more errands. We finally dropped my sewing machine off to get repaired – I’m pretty sure the timing is off and therefore, the bobbin thread doesn’t get picked up – which makes it very, very hard for you to sew.  As in, no sewing anything together.  I’m really hoping to get it back during the week – I’m behind on mending (har har) and I’d really like to give a try to making some pajama pants.  I have a fabric stash that I could certainly dig into for that!

I did finally cast on for a new project

Nefertiti

That is the first chart of Nefertiti in Zephyr Wool-Silk – I’m really enjoying knitting this and have just started chart 3 today – I’m taking it slow trying not to abuse the arm.

I was also able to drag out the spinning wheel Saturday and start on this….

Spring Spinning

I think that is some BFL – I started spinning this last summer on the Hitchhiker wheel – finished off one bobbin and decided to spin the other bobbin on my big wheel – the wooley winder just makes things go so much smoother and faster.  We’ll see what spinning on two different wheels does to the end product, but I’m guessing it won’t be too bad.

It’s a good thing I started all that on Saturday, because on Sunday I was totally distracted by this…

Kindle Mothers Day Gift

My Mother’s Day gift from Bob, Tim and Dan!  They really outdid themselves and I’m thrilled – I’ve been wanting one for awhile and really couldn’t just plunk the money down on one – they all went in on it together and that means so much to me!  Whenever you put it to sleep, it has these neat screen savers.   This is the perfect size for me – I wanted something compact and portable.  This takes up less width than a book!  I have it living in that black case to keep it protected.  I’m so excited to not have to pack a bazillion books on vacation this year – I can just download them all on this one device and I’m set. I’m going to re-read all of Diana Gabaldons Outlander books before September when her new book comes out so that should keep me well stocked. And there are tons of free books to be had.  It can keep a charge for two weeks without the Whispernet on, too!  Thanks guys!  If you’re thinking of a Kindle and just need one more recommendation – go for it!

I had a wonderful Mother’s Day – we all missed Tim and we’ll see him on Wednesday when he comes home.  Bob and Dan took me golfing and we had a good time – poor Dan was getting sick and we came right home afterwards.  He stayed home today and after a trip to the doctor this morning, he has a nasty upper respiratory thingy.  No Strep….and no Flu – they checked for both of those right away – which was my number one reason for taking him.  Bob has a “special” procedure tomorrow  and then it’s back to work on Wednesday.

And hopefully, back to my regularly scheduled sleeping habits!





Happy Mother’s Day!!

10 05 2009

Reach for the Light

To all the Wonderful Women out there…Have a Wonderful Day!

It’s a Beautiful, Breezy day here….I’ve had a wonderful morning and I’m being pampered beyond my wildest expectations – we’re off to play Golf, which should give my very generous Mother’s Day gift plenty of time to charge!  Enjoy your day – I hope that you all are spending it exactly how you want, with the people you love!





I Think I Need a Ripper-vention

8 05 2009

yarn formerly pacific islands

Yarn ball…..Formerly Known as Pacific Islands.  I think I’ve developed a ripping addiction.  I ripped Pacific Islands out – gone.  Undone.  De-Knit.  I dropped a stitch and just kept dropping and dropping and then there was a hole.  And then, I thought – I’m so bored with this.  If I wasn’t I would’ve finished by now.  Just rip it!

The Celebrate Spring socks – ripped.  Too big.  I mean, I have cankles, but it was way too big.  So, rippppppp again.

old vs. new

The Yarn Ball….with new Yarn Balls as yet un-named.  I’m thinking the pink might become Nefertiti.  I’m still waiting on the yarn for Madli, which is probably lurking in the bushes outside, too scared to even come into the house – see ripping problem above.

Speaking of lurking in bushes outside – take a look at this, my favorite bird feeder…

bear vs. bird feeder 2

Do you notice all the smashy-smasherton going on all over it?

This is not normally what this feeder looks like – no – that bird feeder has been dragged.  Dragged off the porch, around the house, up the hill and almost to the neighbors driveway.  Twice.   Yesterday, it was hanging up when I left for work.  Right where that red arrow is.

Bear Vs. Bird Feeder

My front porch.  Which is about 1 story off the ground.  My bay window is to the left, not much further than the edge of the photo.  To the right, is the rail and probably a 3 foot drop to the small patch of ground we have before the 13 steps that go down to the driveway.  Can you guess what’s been running around with my bird feeder?

I’ll give you a minute.  Really.  Just think about it.  That porch is maybe three feed wide.  The rail was completely bowed out yesterday until Bob fixed it.  I would really love to put the screens in my Bay window – but I’m totally unprepared to have a 300 pound BEAR in my living room when I come home from work.  This is going on apparently in broad daylight – because, as I said before – the bird feeder was hanging up before I left for work in the morning and was down, across the front lawn under a pine tree when I arrived home yesterday afternoon – now he’s not even bothering to go around the house and HIDE his shenanigans – he’s setting up and having a meal on my front lawn.

I believe we can most certainly consider this Bear aggressive since Fish & Game say within 100 yards of your house is the “aggressive zone” – he’s pretty much ON my house.  And now -No more bird feeders -  the bird feeders go away.  I think we may even have to call and let Fish & Game know about it – I just can’t believe this Bear is that close to us and our house, and apparently not deterred by the dogs or us. (not that either dog has made a sound in any of the dozen visits we have had in the past from bear)  If I can figure out a way to set up my lap top webcam in the front window on motion sensor, I might just be able to get photographic proof.

I was hoping I might spy him and get Fish & Game on the phone – but not today.  Today he must have taken a personal day, just like I did.  I’m betting he didn’t have nearly the amount of stress I had this week at work, either.  So glad to have today off – did a bunch of errands, lost an hour going to a yarn shop that should have been open, but wasn’t, spent some time in a bead shop, and mananged to pay more than I planned for some Zephyr yarn (lesson learned – you can’t beat Sarah’s for price or service).  Since the yarn for Madli isn’t here yet – sigh – and since Jeanne suggested I give it a try, I’m going to cast on for Nefertiti today, to keep Jeanne company while she’s home recuperating – Feel Better Jeanne!

Tim can’t make it home this weekend and I’ll miss him – but he’ll be home late next week for the summer.  We are probably going to see the new Star Trek movie tonight, tomorrow I’m hoping to get my sewing machine into the shop for repair and Sunday is Mother’s Day golf!

Have a Great Weekend!





Rippity Do Dah

2 05 2009

No….I am not remote blogging from the parking lot of MDS&W.  Sigh.

Instead, I’ve opted to stay home and go through the knitting basket…

formerly-known-as-the-woodland-shawl1

Yarn Formerly Known as the Woodland Shawl.  I just wasn’t feeling it.  I love the yarn.  I love the pattern.  But together – meh.  I don’t know what I want this yarn to be.   I was pondering on the Foliage Shawl.  But I do have some Great Adirondack yarn that I was wanting to bust out.  I did a little pattern shopping and I could realistically start three projects today.  This may not be such a good idea.

Lest you think I’m all about the starting and ripping, I do have proof that I finished something.

eagles-flight-complete

Eagles Flight – complete.  Loved that pattern.  Enjoyed the yarn -Zitron Trekking Pro Natura – the second sock was completely knit using Continental and believe it or not – the cast on edge is tighter than my first sock.  Wearable.  But tighter.  That’s ok.  I’ve also decided to throw myself on Weight Watchers, so I’m hoping the calf area slims down.  Nothing like surprising yourself looking in the mirror and having a good gasp at how-the-hell overweight you really are.

Even though I’m missing one of the best festivals – I can get my fiber fix in my studio and as for fiber tools – I have a lot of in-house access…

dans-purpleheart-whorl

Dan’s Purpleheart Whorl.  This is just beautiful and spins like a dream.  Purpleheart is a heavy wood and he did such a great job of balancing it out – I’m really going to enjoy spinning on this!  I think purpleheart is one of my favorite woods – and it’s interesting that after you work with the wood, you have to expose it to light again for it to get it’s beautiful color back.  Dan is taking his SAT’s this morning, but he’s planning on getting back in the shop and turning more soon.

So instead of taking the drive to Maryland, I’ll be poking through the stash, sifting through some patterns, and testing out some fiber – it’s like being at a festival, but without the crowd.  Or the food.  Or the noise.  Or the atmosphere.

No….I’m not crying.  Really.

If the weather holds out, and our energy holds out – there may be golf later.  It’s weird out today – the kind of funky light that strange weather brings – the sky could open up any minute with a downpour or the sun can come out.  I’ve had two golf lessons - Jeanne and Larry were nice enough to take us Golfing for the very first time a few weeks ago – we had a lot of fun and I can’t thank them enough.  Bob and I took Dan last weekend and I totally sucked after taking a lesson.  Jeanne says that happens.  LOL – but I still had so much fun – and you burn quite a few calories even  if you use a cart instead of walking – so I’m happy getting some exercise and fresh air, spending time with family and friends.  Getting healthier is one of my priorities and I need to take it seriously.  I think I’ve found an nice activity in Golf – it’s not crazy dangerous (unless you stand too close to someone swinging a club), you are outside getting some fresh air and moving around.  And two hours of golf burns 891 calories!  I’ll take it!

Ok, so now I’m off to scrutinize a few other projects – some that may get ripped in hopes that I’ll cast on a smaller size and some that have just been lying around a little too long.

Have a Great Weekend!





Don’t Mess With Me

15 04 2009

001

Or this could be you!

Oh, alright.  I didn’t do that to him.  Poor guy had his eye surgery this morning and his shiner is really getting to be quite spectacular.  The good news – his Thyroid eye disease has burned itself out and he’s able to have his eye fixed to look like his other eye – more importantly – his lid will shut all the way and he’ll be more comfortable.   But still – if you messed with my yarn or my knitting needles………………..

Tomorrow night is my graduation from PT!  I’m glad it’s going to be over.  Although I’m told that I have to do my stretching exercises for a full year from the time I’m not “in pain” anymore – I think they are a good thing to keep doing – stretching is a good thing, yes?   I’ll have to show my therapist my new way of knitting – which is getting better and better – but she’s already advised me to switch between methods so as not to injure my other arm.  I know what she is saying….but my initial injury was not due to my knitting, so I would say – I won’t mess with my washing machine anymore with EITHER arm.

Anyone else out there being bothered by the STINK BUGS.  I’m about to do something I don’t do that often on this blog.  I hate them.  I take that back.  Hate would be a warm feeling towards these bastard bugs.  I don’t think there is a word stronger than Hate – but I more than hate those fucking bugs.  It’s not bad enough that their Indiana Jones type exodus from my suitcase while I was packing for Rhinebeck traumatized me so much – I forgot my underwear.  No.  That’s not enough.  The are invading.  Invading our home.  INvading everywhere.  They are places I didn’t know were places.  Last night was the last straw.  I settled down to watch the premier of the Deadliest Catch when…..well….there was something that I was pretty sure of was a STINK BUG crawling on the TV screen.  Now…you probably thought I was going to say there was something crawling across the blanket towards me – been there, done that.  Or maybe something flew by my head and landed on my pillow – also, been done.  No….this was on the screen.  So I get out of bed and walk over to the TV and…..I’m thinking – the Discovery Channel must be pulling one of those bug-walks-across-the-screen gags they do on Dirty Jobs.  But then I get to looking at this bug…which isn’t on the screen.  It’s IN THE FRACKEN SCREEN.

I’ll wait a sec while that one hits home.

Yes.  I said IN.  As IN the TV.  INside.  I called Bob over and he was telling me just what I had first thought – it’s gotta be the TV show.  I’m thinking – Damn….that outline looked just like a Stink Bug.  Bob….he thinks I’m looking just like a crazy person.

I get back in bed – the bug had crawled off the TV screen so…..but wait!  They’re back….this time I yelled for Bob- come quick! Bob is all – I’ll be Damned.   See we have a projection TV.  You know…the kind that projects the picture onto the screen from the back.  Projects.  Projects the picture….or anything walking across the projector.  And guess what is in my TV, walkin all up in my projector?

I hate those bastard bugs.  I wish I could reach in the back of the TV and just smash the living, stinking, crawling daylights out of it.  I’m hoping that it’s found it way out, because I’m telling you – I know this Stink Bug.  I watched that son of a buggin thing crawl back and forth for an hour last night.  And I’m pissed OFF!  This bug?  This bug better watch it’s Stink Bug ass – I’m after it now.

How the hell do we get rid of this invasive bug that has made itself such a nuisance without poisoning ourselves, our kids, our houses, our yards?  Tell me!  I don’t even care that they stink when you smash them.  I don’t care – I smash the shit out of them and THEN flush them down the toilet. Please, no comments about how I’m a Stink Bug murderer- if  you love Stink Bugs – just come on over here and move them all to YOUR house, mmmkay?)

Tomorrow is back to work – not a bad work week in my estimation.  In fact, I don’t think I’d mind going to a 4 day school week like a lot of school’s have apparently already done.  I don’t know any school’s around here that have done that, but it was on the news, so it must be true, right?

The knitting – the second sock is almost done.  I’ve crossed the heel and I’m into the footal area…..these socks just might be done for the weekend.  And, based on how Bob’s eye is doing – we just might be golfing for the first time on a course this Sunday!  I’m nervous and excited.  I’ve got a call into a local instructor, who happens to be a female (I don’t know why that matters, I’ve really no preference – if you’re a male golf instructor, no offense intended – the Golf Course I called mentioned that I might want a female instructor and after I thought about it – I’m thinking I need some tips on how to play around the breaticle area getting all up in my swing)  and I’ve also discovered a clinic at the local community college – which is really reasonably priced so I might just sign up for that – if it’s not too late – I think it starts next Wednesday.  I did offer to knit Bob some Golf club Head Covers but he really wasn’t too keen on them……..

Have a great week!