Maybe We Need More Rain.

So happy Mother’s Day was spent in the sun.  When I look at the forecast for the next few days - it really doesn’t seem to be drying out much.  More knitting time, you say?  One can only hope that it would be the perk to getting more rain.  It is now intensely green outside, everywhere.  All different shades and tones.  There is, of course a lot of Pink and Purple in all the flowers out in the yard - the Iris’s are blooming and fading just as fast as they do.  The birds are LOUD and many. 

This has been a real Rat Bastard of a week - I know I must say that sort of thing a lot - but damn.  You can certainly tell in the energy that works it way through the who population of school that the “end” is near and summer vacation is almost so close you can touch it - or at least make annoying noises till I wanna help you get there.  Thanks to our Spring Book Fair - I’ve three new books to take along on summer vacation in Vermont and Maine.  I’ll be planning the knitting projects soon too.  But first - I am going to make a wonderful welcome home dinner for our college boy - he’s home!  Everyone benefits from that one.  Then, I’m going to sleep long and late tomorrow - or at least force myself to stay in bed later than 6 am.  I am going to tidy up the house and catch up on laundry this weekend.  I feel a very distinct urge to get things uncluttered and cleared out.  That Spring cleaning out type of thing.  I’m going to knit.  I’m going to have dinner with some friends.  I’m going to relax and spend as much time as they’ll let me, with my family. 

These are good plans.  I hope you have some, too. 

Inspiration

Bleeding Hearts, Waterloo Village, Stanhope, NJ

After finishing the Diagonal Cross Rib Socks, I knew I wanted to start another pair - of course.  How can you not have a pair of sock on the needles?  What would I do when I’m waiting in the doctors office, or at Motor Vehicle? 

Funny how Nature Inspires…………….

Ancient Threads Farm - Tri - lac, longwood gray - purchased at Rhinebeck, 2007.

Of course, those bleeding hearts colors just stuck in my head, and after the other socks were done - I quickly cast on for these - Undulating Rib Socks from Favorite Socks.  Again, I really like this book, very glad to have finally purchased it.  The pattern is very simple and not easy to see here due to the glaring sunlight.  The colors are a little more gray than the photo shows.  The knitting has come in handy as I’ve had a bit of time here and there at work where I must be present, seen but not really heard.  I would absolutely go stark raving mad just sitting and doing nothing.  One repeat takes about 30 minutes or so. 

Still on the other needles - Gale and Twinings - not forgotten at all, just savoring the knitting and frankly, I’m not in a rush - these stoles will be worn many times and I’m actually preplanning what to take on our vacation in June - the stoles would make great vacation knitting - but I just might be finished with Gale by then. 

Where do you find your inspiration?

Lonely Never More

Done!  Fini!  Completo!  How in the world can it take nearly a month to knit one sock and three days to knit it’s partner?  I don’t know.  I was very motivated to finish these and I really love them.  There a little too blue in this photo - Jessi’s yarn is just wonderful to work with - I highly recommend you add at least a few skeins to your sock stash.  I will certainly be going back for more. 

I had a lovely Mother’s Day.  I hope all the Mom’s out there were doing what that wanted with their families.  I am missing my oldest - who has finals and is coming home for the summer this Wednesday - I totally get why he couldn’t come home, but I miss him just the same.  My DH presented me with a one of a kind, upright swift - specially made with brass hardware!  I now have my own and shall not be coveting or accidentally not shipping someone else their swift so I can keep one!  Youngest son presented me with Mario Kart for WII - which is a riot and so much fun - plus, I get to spend game time with my kids.  We spent the earlier part of the day wandering around the run down park that used to be Waterloo Village in Stanhope - I hadn’t been there in a few years and the last time I was, it was a fully functioning village restoration that was just a great place to take your family and friends.  Now it seems it’s fallen into disrepair and the only thing open was the church for Sunday services.  What a shame.  I hope the state gets their act together and works towards preserving the history we have here.  We were able to walk around and get some nice photo’s of wildlife - a LOT of snakes are in and around the water - the nasty ones that aren’t poisonous but will bite you and hang on.  Black snakes?  I don’t know but we lost count how many we saw.  We had a nice ride and ended up at Gunnar’s Landing for lunch - sitting outside on the deck and enjoying the beautiful day.  The rest of the day was spent on the patio, finishing up that sock and playing with the bunny. 

I’m looking forward to seeing College kid on Wednesday - the weeks are starting to fly by - we have less than a month of school left before summer vacation.  This has got to be the fastest school year on record!

Enjoy the rest of your day and have a great week!!

 

 

One is The Loneliest Number

For socks that is.  No worries - I’ve already cast on for the mate - but haven’t had a chance to knit past the cuff.  I plan on hunkering down with that one tonight.  Sometimes, my socks are on the needles a lot longer than I planned on, and this pair is becoming one of those.  I’d really like to finish these up by the end of the week - totally possible but not entirely probable.  These are the Diagonal Cross-Rib Socks from Favorite Socks.  Love that book.  I’ve got quite a few patterns in it queued up and I’m looking for a nice light color to knit on the next pair.  I have to say, my sock pattern books are some of my favorite books to thumb through and I wouldn’t trade a single one in.  They are definitely my most used resource when it comes to my sock-knitting.  I know there are so many resources on the net - tons of free patterns even - but something about paging through a book laying in bed, lounging outside with a few pattern books at my side or just putting one in my knitting bag to look through in a spare moment here or there - you just can’t  do that with the internet.  I have a good amount of knitting books on or near my bedside table - and it’s perfect reading for winding down before bed, or for those sleepless times encountered. 

Thanks for all the comments on the know-it-all problems and young drivers.  I shudder a little at all the stories you wrote about the drivers you encountered!  Pretty scary times.  I wish people would just slow the heck down, take a minute and a breath - being a few minutes late is so much better than causing an accident.  And the know-it-alls?  Apparently they don’t know it all - or else they would know they were a know-it-all! 

Tomorrow is Friday.  Blessed, blessed Friday.  It’s sorta like a cool drink of water after a long walk through the week.  Who decided work weeks should be longer than weekends?  It really doesn’t seem fair. 

Sprung

The last two days have been sooooo wonderfully springy!  I could absolutely get used to this weather - 70’s, breezy, pleasant all around - and forgo the summer heat.   Sitting on the patio, knitting while the bunnster is in his “playpen” is just a little bit o’ heaven here.  Makes me kind of lazy.  But in a read a book, knit some on this shawl, kick back and relax sorta way.  It’s nice to see the sun, even if there are a few showers around.

While I find the weather outside so pleasant, I’ve had a few encounters with  ”persons” who just seem to do their darndest to piss me off.  Maybe it’s the pollen?  Maybe it’s just spring fever.  I don’t know.  I do know, no one likes a know-it-all.  Hardly anyone I know appreciates unsolicited advice followed by a “why would you do any different???” type of comment.  And I especially didn’t appreciate getting cut off by a teenager today - who decided that turning into 50 mile an hour traffic was a really good idea - you’re lucky I’m the kind of driver that anticipates assholes like you.  And I know for a fact - if your mother just saw what you did - she’d kick your ass right after taking your car keys away from you. 

I think I’ll just keep a low profile and enjoy the nice weather!

‘

Instead of Sheep and Wool…..

Max……..

Sock and Beer?

Honestly - that was my one beer after getting home today.  DH took me for a ride down to Greenbrook to Beach Camera…………and I finally have the lens of my dreams!  Taking photo’s all day sure did keep my mind off the activities that are going on south of us.  It seems like the weather did hold out for us up north, but we were just too lazy after last night’s banqueting to head out for 7 hours of round-trip car ride.  Instead, we headed out to the patio to watch the bunny, knit and play with the new lens.  It’s so birdy outside today - bluebirds, indigo buntings, robins, grosbeaks, finches of all kinds and the wrens are back.  We also see quite a few cowbirds, and DH told me he’ll be checking on our nest boxes, making sure they aren’t doing the ole’ switcheroo with their eggs. 

I found a very interesting site yesterday while doing a search on grooming angoras - Garden Girl.  I really enjoyed watching her video’s and she’s going to be on Farmers Almanac TV starting this month.  While I was a little sad to see recipes for chicken and….gulp…..rabbit……..I’m going to turn my eyes away and just learn what I can from her very informative site.  I’ve been trying to make an effort to not waste as much, not use as much and just be more aware of what we consume and what we contribute to the waste we have going on around us.  More than ever I’m so aware of all those plastic bags, toxic cleaners and the effect it has on our lives.  We do have our own chickens, garden and composting has always been part of my routine - i collect it and the guys go do the dirty work.  But I would really like to be more aware in the other aspects of our daily routine.  I’ve purchased those re-usable shopping bags - and so far, I’ve remember to put them back in the car both times I’ve gone food shopping.  Every little bit helps. 

What are you doing?  And good tips or ideas you’d like to share?

Now, it’s time for that walk to the pond down the road……….have a great night!

New! At The Shop!

The New Upright Swifts - I love these.  By far, my favorite swift that the hubster has designed.  Sadly, I do not have one of my own - but you can!  I just listed 3 at the shop. 

The Sun Does Shine

Or at least it was shining this afternoon - after torential rains yesterday - Poor Max - we had a break with some sun.  But I don’t think it’s going to last long.  So gaze upon the beauty of it, with Gale and my Prize Yarn from Rox for now. 

I have been knitting on Gale - because I do want to finish this.  Selfishly, so I can cast on for another project.  I just can’t allow myself to cast on for another Stole, when I have two in the works, a shawl that’s totally being neglected and contemplation of a spring cardy.  Right?  But I really enjoy these stole’s so much - the patterns are really enjoyable. 

This weekend is THE weekend.  You know.  The Sheep and Wool.  But I’m thinking I probably won’t get to go.  We have a Banquet to attend Saturday and I’m thinking my driver is going to be too tired to chauffeur me to the festival.  I could drive myself, but what the heck fun is that?  I’m going to really miss it this year, though.  I might have to sooth my sheep deprived soul with some online aquisitions.  You know, yarn shopping.  Or fiber shopping.  Or both.  But I know DH has been talking about getting “his” rabbit, so maybe he’ll have the energy after all? 

sigh. 

I have to say, I’m really looking forward to summer.  Not so much to the warmer, even hot weather.  Not for the beach or pool going.  Not for the BBQ’s or parties.  Nope.

I just can’t wait till School is out. 

Damn, it is kicking my ass.  On my way to the car this morning - I actually got exhausted from punching in the code to open the garage - really.  I stood there for a minute and just felt like I could walk back upstairs and climb back into bed and sleep.  And it’s not a physically hard job.  No.  It’s just mentally exhausting sometimes.  I’m sure you know what I mean.  I just so wished I could have just called in this morning. 

But the sun is shining!  And I’m sure my funk had a lot to do with the weather.  And the bunny?  He is doing good - although yesterday, with all the bad weather, he was hunkered down and not really eating or drinking.  Today?  He’s doing fine.  But he had me a bit worried - wool block and all that.  I’m hoping that it was just the bad weather affecting him like it was probably affecting the rest of us. 

Enjoy the Sun!

Winding is not Fun

Isn’t that a beautifully wound ball of yarn?  Handmaiden Sea Silk in Cornflower.  Just gorgeous.  Really.  660 yards of silky wonder.

What a pain in the ass. 

Guess how long this took me to wind?  No.  Guess how many times I had to TRY to wind it? 

Four.

The first time, we were winding along, minding our own business, contemplating yarn patterns - Montego Bay or Clapotis?  wind, wind, wind.  I had this much left to wind………………….and POP!  The ball just jumped the hell off the skein winder.  The jumbo Skein winder.  Just jumped.  I’m not kidding.  It was like some kind of rocket booster launched the ball off the skeinwinder.

I was amazed.  Perplexed even.  But I returned to the task at hand.  Wind the yarn.  By the way, how do you spell WIND?  WINED? 

Hmmm, maybe a glass of wine will help. 

Anyway, back to the yarn and winder.  Second time - the ball looked like someone had inflated, then let the air out of it, and it slumped down the base of the winder in a heap.  Silky stuff indeed. 

The third time - that’s when it got dark, and hell arrived.  And the knots.  And the tangling up of the yarn.  Oh, then the cursing started.  DH said - do you need help??????  That’s what the cursing did - it made him ask if I needed help - from the other room, of course.  Because the room I was in - not safe for entry. 

Time out - had to leave to meet Jeanne for lunch before group - 15 minutes ago.  Issued a severe yarnstorm warning - Nothing and No One to enter the room and touch the yarn that is everywhere on penalty of torture. 

Lunch was great - Group was fun!  Came home and remembered.  That mess in the yarn room.  Remembered I had already worked on this bleepity bleeping bleep ball of yarn for over an hour.  Realizing it’s going to take me probably another hour to sort out the knots and get the yarn wound into something resembling a ball.  Considered taking Jeanne’s advice about hand winding it.  Considered letting the dog in the room and letting her “take care of it” for me. 

Ten minutes later - that ball was the result.  Beautiful, isn’t it?

I’m not making Montego Bay or Clapotis.  Nope.  I’m exhaused.  But I did find another pattern I want to make and I have to tidy up a few projects before I start it because……….It’s another of Anne’s wonderful patterns and I have two on the needles already.  So stay tuned. 

See.  I promised some yarny photo’s and there you have it.  I don’t see a bunny in it, do you?

What?

You mean I can’t keep posting pic’s of the new bunny or else you’ll totally bail on me and not come here to this blog anymore?

I can’t believe that - he’s too cute.  He’s a blog magnet.  He is MAX! 

I’m sorry - but I just had to make sure you know all about him - and that wild stripe he has going on down his back - because I know you were wondering what the arse end of him looked like, and I wanted to prevent any further sleepless nights you might be having because of it. 

I swear - I’ve been knitting - I did quite a bit on the sock and have almost turned the heel and I’ve done a few more repeats on Gale.  Swear.  Have so. 

I promise if you’ll just let me get over the rabbit photo taking - for now - I’ll post some knitting pics later this week. 

And for those who were wondering - the photo in the last post of the big SHED with the rabbit hutch IN FRONT of it?  The Shed is not the hutch.  Although, I’m thinking Max may be thinking we ought to re-think it and expand his new digs.  But it is an awesome hutch.  Without a porch.  Honest.