Last night we decorated our Charlie Brown tree. I realized its really
hard to get ribbons to look just right on a sparsely branched tree. We
bought it all bundled up at Menards. I have been a lot less picky about
some things like trees, while pregnant. Usually I would look them all
over and pick. This year I looked around and said, Hmm, let's get that
one, and get out of here, and be done shopping! Merry Kitschmas.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Thursday night, 15 weeks 6 days
Thanks BFF for the fabulous skirt and sweater for my Christmas present!
I love it and am wearing it now on my real birthday.
I love it and am wearing it now on my real birthday.
Today's my b-day!
And baby is officially 15 weeks on the dot. Week 16 starts today. Last week DH planned me a special b-day getaway- he put it on my pda a few months ago so I wouldn't schedule any appts. on that Friday. I only knew we were going on a plane, then driving somewhere, and the temp would be the same there as here.
I fantasized about what we were doing, and then I firmly decided that we were going to stay in a Motel 6 in Hopkins and see a High School play. I had to tell myself something. Even though I was pretty sure the plan would be grander than that I didn't want my imagination to run away from me, as it is prone to do.
Well, we woke up at 5am Friday to fly to Chicago. There DH had his first intro to the Windy City, and to Giordano's stuffed pizza. MMM. We ended up winging the day's other activities and stumbled upon a "Crocheted Coral Reef" exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center. We also ended up in Bucktown at night, at Hot Chocolate and ate warm Brioche donuts with hot chocolate sauce, and I drank a Mexican cocoa with yummy homeade marshmallows. I had wanted to go to Bucktown for a few years since the Keyboard Biologist had blogged about it's trendy boutiques. We found a trendy boutique and I had to buy 2 little books for our baby, "Urban Babies Wear Black" (don't worry I am not about to have a goth baby that wears skull clothes- nasty) but baby's mommy may be found pushing the jogging stroller with a latte in its cupholder. The other book was "Mommy Loves". It has all kinds of baby animals with their mommies as well as the proper names for all the animal kin. Like baby hedgehogs are called hoglets.
The next day we drove to Cincinnati, OH to see our fave band, Over the Rhine do their big annual Christmas show. This had been a dream I had to see it one day- and then we did. DH did an awesome job orchestrating the whole plan in secret, and it was a wonderful memorable birthday event.
Today, weather permitting, as I typically say on my birthday, we will go out to eat with my fam, and my bro is flying in at this moment from D.C. I usually pick a trendy Mpls restaurant with lots of atmosphere (like Zelo, last year) but this year I chose Fasika in St. Paul. Supposedly it has good food, with no atmosphere. I want to eat beef wat! I also have to get to Caribou for my free b-day drink, and to Borealis for some yarn for an heirloom baby sweater. I was going to knit it out of washable acrylic, but the thought of it, and the feel of it in my hands was enough to make me cringe. So I think I will be returning it to the store soon. Yarn snob? Yes I am.
I fantasized about what we were doing, and then I firmly decided that we were going to stay in a Motel 6 in Hopkins and see a High School play. I had to tell myself something. Even though I was pretty sure the plan would be grander than that I didn't want my imagination to run away from me, as it is prone to do.
Well, we woke up at 5am Friday to fly to Chicago. There DH had his first intro to the Windy City, and to Giordano's stuffed pizza. MMM. We ended up winging the day's other activities and stumbled upon a "Crocheted Coral Reef" exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center. We also ended up in Bucktown at night, at Hot Chocolate and ate warm Brioche donuts with hot chocolate sauce, and I drank a Mexican cocoa with yummy homeade marshmallows. I had wanted to go to Bucktown for a few years since the Keyboard Biologist had blogged about it's trendy boutiques. We found a trendy boutique and I had to buy 2 little books for our baby, "Urban Babies Wear Black" (don't worry I am not about to have a goth baby that wears skull clothes- nasty) but baby's mommy may be found pushing the jogging stroller with a latte in its cupholder. The other book was "Mommy Loves". It has all kinds of baby animals with their mommies as well as the proper names for all the animal kin. Like baby hedgehogs are called hoglets.
The next day we drove to Cincinnati, OH to see our fave band, Over the Rhine do their big annual Christmas show. This had been a dream I had to see it one day- and then we did. DH did an awesome job orchestrating the whole plan in secret, and it was a wonderful memorable birthday event.
Today, weather permitting, as I typically say on my birthday, we will go out to eat with my fam, and my bro is flying in at this moment from D.C. I usually pick a trendy Mpls restaurant with lots of atmosphere (like Zelo, last year) but this year I chose Fasika in St. Paul. Supposedly it has good food, with no atmosphere. I want to eat beef wat! I also have to get to Caribou for my free b-day drink, and to Borealis for some yarn for an heirloom baby sweater. I was going to knit it out of washable acrylic, but the thought of it, and the feel of it in my hands was enough to make me cringe. So I think I will be returning it to the store soon. Yarn snob? Yes I am.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Been busy and tired
So, this is what I've been up to. Sleeping for 12 hours a night,
resting lots in between. Other than that, I haven't been up to too
much. Just letting the baby do what the baby wants to do. Today I had a
fun day of shopping for maternity clothes and a stroller with my mother
in law, and my pregnant sister in law, who is due in February. I found
a pair of brown dress pants, and this dress/shirt, and five or so other
shirts, and a puffer vest with faux fur trim at Gap. I am due in June.
Can you believe I am at the start of 14 weeks-? Hmm...am I showing yet?
resting lots in between. Other than that, I haven't been up to too
much. Just letting the baby do what the baby wants to do. Today I had a
fun day of shopping for maternity clothes and a stroller with my mother
in law, and my pregnant sister in law, who is due in February. I found
a pair of brown dress pants, and this dress/shirt, and five or so other
shirts, and a puffer vest with faux fur trim at Gap. I am due in June.
Can you believe I am at the start of 14 weeks-? Hmm...am I showing yet?
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
going crazy!
So, today I drove for a LONG TIME in the snow. I was driving a drive that should have taken 30-45 min. on a good day, 1 hour on a snowy day. Instead it took a maddening 3 hours!!!
Yes, it is past 7pm and I haven't had dinner yet. I had some yummy fudge for the third time today, but not dinner. Seems our little grocery store doesn't have Buitoni tortellini- they have some pasta kitchen kind. It had better be good is all I can say.
Three hours! At what point am I permitted to completely lose my cool? Because watchout, I am far past my boiling point.
My solace is- that soon- within a month and a half I will no longer being trampling all over the cities and 'burbs- since I am opening my own practice. And baby, it's time!
Yes, it is past 7pm and I haven't had dinner yet. I had some yummy fudge for the third time today, but not dinner. Seems our little grocery store doesn't have Buitoni tortellini- they have some pasta kitchen kind. It had better be good is all I can say.
Three hours! At what point am I permitted to completely lose my cool? Because watchout, I am far past my boiling point.
My solace is- that soon- within a month and a half I will no longer being trampling all over the cities and 'burbs- since I am opening my own practice. And baby, it's time!
Thursday, November 08, 2007
I worked on the quilt top last night
This quilt mostly uses Free Spirit and Michael Miller fabrics. The last
step on the top is to sew on a 9 inch border of the main fabric,
located on the upper right hand side. Can you see the pattern in the
quilt? I owe a great deal of thanks to my Aunt for helping me cut and
sew a bunch of this together. And for letting me use her floor which is
big enough to spread out the king size quilt/duvet top.
step on the top is to sew on a 9 inch border of the main fabric,
located on the upper right hand side. Can you see the pattern in the
quilt? I owe a great deal of thanks to my Aunt for helping me cut and
sew a bunch of this together. And for letting me use her floor which is
big enough to spread out the king size quilt/duvet top.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
NU's free scarf pattern models
I don't like the pink one, but I like the others a lot. Especially the
yellow and blue one. It looks like that famous one from Sheep In the
City's blog. The red one is a reversible cable.
yellow and blue one. It looks like that famous one from Sheep In the
City's blog. The red one is a reversible cable.
Buster helper
Buster did not drive the car, as he would like to have you think. But
he did guard the floormat well while DH ran in to grab smoothies at
Camille's in Hopkins.
he did guard the floormat well while DH ran in to grab smoothies at
Camille's in Hopkins.
I got all the tools!
saturday afternoon I turned in my completed postcard to the Yarnery. I
have been entered in the drawing!
have been entered in the drawing!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
first year clematis
I planted this plan this year, and it has been blooming nicely. I think
I have seen 5 or 6 blossoms on it thus far. Another nice treat for an
October day.
I have seen 5 or 6 blossoms on it thus far. Another nice treat for an
October day.
Mystery flower
This is blooming right now! next to our rain garden. What a pretty
flower for October. I am not sure what it is. It looks kind of like a
dahlia or a daisy-type. I think it was the only flower that bloomed
from a pack of bulbs I planted in the spring.
flower for October. I am not sure what it is. It looks kind of like a
dahlia or a daisy-type. I think it was the only flower that bloomed
from a pack of bulbs I planted in the spring.
mutant koala
Watch out- Stitch is on the loose! Dh gave me Stitch for a present one
year for Christmas. I think it was our first Christmas together. He's
right at home here, in Hawaii. While we were in Kauai, I actually saw
an animal shelter that looked just like the one from movie.
year for Christmas. I think it was our first Christmas together. He's
right at home here, in Hawaii. While we were in Kauai, I actually saw
an animal shelter that looked just like the one from movie.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Anasazi pottery shards
These are some pics of authentic pottery shards from 1200 AD or so. I
put them on my new favorite sweatshirt for an interesting contrast of
new meets OLD. These are legal to touch as they were found on the
property of our tour guides' house/field. They let us take some pieces
to keep, and a little card that documents where they were found and who
gave them to us. The tour guide company was "Talking Stones." We met up
with them in Cortez, CO.
put them on my new favorite sweatshirt for an interesting contrast of
new meets OLD. These are legal to touch as they were found on the
property of our tour guides' house/field. They let us take some pieces
to keep, and a little card that documents where they were found and who
gave them to us. The tour guide company was "Talking Stones." We met up
with them in Cortez, CO.
Garden of the Gods, CO Springs, CO
This morning I was here. Now I am here, in front of my computer. Crazy
how airplanes can make that possible. This was one of my favorite rocks
there. I call it the "Lord of the Rings" rock, but I think it is called
"cathedral spires" instead.
how airplanes can make that possible. This was one of my favorite rocks
there. I call it the "Lord of the Rings" rock, but I think it is called
"cathedral spires" instead.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
love this way to live
I have been living under a rock, that doesn't have wireless, thus am way behind on my blogs. That makes me think of my mom and my aunt who still read their hometown newspaper, of Kanawha, IA. They call it "the ripper" or even if feeling sassy, they call it the "ripper-snorter." I don't know why, that is just what they do.
So, in my limited blogreading, I found this great way to live, I call it semi-sustainably. Now, I'm not going to go all Walden, (Henry David Thoreau's Classic book) and be a hermit in a little wood shed, but I am trying to make some concerted, or perhaps, concrete, changes to support the environment.
From a Christian religious, Biblical perspective, Genesis 1:1 speaks loud and clear about God creating the heavens and the Earth. Later, we are told to be fruitful and multiply. I'm pretty sure God wasn't telling us to consume, consume, consume, but to support and encourage sustainability. Rob Bell says, "(taking care of the earth) is not a Democratic issue, it is a Genesis 1:1 issue."
For this reason and because it is a good thing to do, I suggest you visit this blog and take your own similar challenge.
Oh, and keep knitting, you know your stash can support itself.
So, in my limited blogreading, I found this great way to live, I call it semi-sustainably. Now, I'm not going to go all Walden, (Henry David Thoreau's Classic book) and be a hermit in a little wood shed, but I am trying to make some concerted, or perhaps, concrete, changes to support the environment.
From a Christian religious, Biblical perspective, Genesis 1:1 speaks loud and clear about God creating the heavens and the Earth. Later, we are told to be fruitful and multiply. I'm pretty sure God wasn't telling us to consume, consume, consume, but to support and encourage sustainability. Rob Bell says, "(taking care of the earth) is not a Democratic issue, it is a Genesis 1:1 issue."
For this reason and because it is a good thing to do, I suggest you visit this blog and take your own similar challenge.
Oh, and keep knitting, you know your stash can support itself.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
freaky Wednesday
In you live under a rock, which none of you must do, 'cause you are reading a blog now, the 35W bridge by University Avenue collapsed today. I was in a session nearby and heard numerous sirens and wondered what was going on. I wasn't exactly looking forward to going to my car post-session and checking things out.
I first learned what happened when I heard a voicemail from my mom, calling my cell to see if I had made it home ok. I hadn't, because I was still en route. I drove on Washington Ave near 35W and was diverted in the opposite direction of home. That made for a fun, though not too busy ride (since I was on all back roads from that point on).
Well, I am fine, but a bit uneasy and shook up. I am an overly sensitive person and I instantly felt as though my heart was really heavy and sad, for the loss of lives, and the trauma of the bridge collapsing.
I am looking for a way to help out, but I haven't decided how yet.
For now I will just knit on, and pray for peace and comfort for those affected by this tragedy.
I first learned what happened when I heard a voicemail from my mom, calling my cell to see if I had made it home ok. I hadn't, because I was still en route. I drove on Washington Ave near 35W and was diverted in the opposite direction of home. That made for a fun, though not too busy ride (since I was on all back roads from that point on).
Well, I am fine, but a bit uneasy and shook up. I am an overly sensitive person and I instantly felt as though my heart was really heavy and sad, for the loss of lives, and the trauma of the bridge collapsing.
I am looking for a way to help out, but I haven't decided how yet.
For now I will just knit on, and pray for peace and comfort for those affected by this tragedy.
Hedgie and Weasel, pre-felting
The "managemints" container is about the size of an Altoids tin, I used
it for scale. The Hedgehog is quite big pre-felting. I almost stayed up
later to felt him, but that would mean a bedtime around 1ish by the
time he was all stuffed with temporary stuffing to dry, and done
felting. I was responsible, and went to bed instead.
it for scale. The Hedgehog is quite big pre-felting. I almost stayed up
later to felt him, but that would mean a bedtime around 1ish by the
time he was all stuffed with temporary stuffing to dry, and done
felting. I was responsible, and went to bed instead.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
yes, I'm still here
Brief little run-down.
I walked in the Relay for Life with my Knitter friends
I was baptized in the lake
We are still building a deck, it's half done
Most of the rain garden plants are growing big, the others seem to be on pause, for who knows what
I've been knitting my Aunt's sweater, the back and pockets are done
Also knitting an EZ Elizabeth Zimmerman seamless sweater, sleeves are done, need to join them to the sweater body
Hedgie is all knit up, but not felted, he is 12 inches long and 14 inches wide
I am up too late now because I ate some yummy Chocolove dark chocolate with raspberries when I should have been eating my dinner, because we were working on the deck till 9ish
whenceupon we heated up super yummy cheesy artichoke tortelloni
I ran into a friend at the yarn store, whom I had seriously wondered if she'd fallen off the face of the planet- she almost had
did I say it was bedtime? Well, I'm pokey.
I walked in the Relay for Life with my Knitter friends
I was baptized in the lake
We are still building a deck, it's half done
Most of the rain garden plants are growing big, the others seem to be on pause, for who knows what
I've been knitting my Aunt's sweater, the back and pockets are done
Also knitting an EZ Elizabeth Zimmerman seamless sweater, sleeves are done, need to join them to the sweater body
Hedgie is all knit up, but not felted, he is 12 inches long and 14 inches wide
I am up too late now because I ate some yummy Chocolove dark chocolate with raspberries when I should have been eating my dinner, because we were working on the deck till 9ish
whenceupon we heated up super yummy cheesy artichoke tortelloni
I ran into a friend at the yarn store, whom I had seriously wondered if she'd fallen off the face of the planet- she almost had
did I say it was bedtime? Well, I'm pokey.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
big projects
DH and his Dad created this deck foundation together, in one day. Now
DH is working on setting up the stairs that go on the left side. They
will be 4 ft. wide and attach near the concrete steps (which will be
covered by the new deck. The little brown circle on the ground shows
where we had our old fire pit.
DH is working on setting up the stairs that go on the left side. They
will be 4 ft. wide and attach near the concrete steps (which will be
covered by the new deck. The little brown circle on the ground shows
where we had our old fire pit.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Hawaiian Plumeria
Also known as the Pua Melia. At Hilo Hattie I bought two cuttings of
these to grow my own back home. They have been planted for a few weeks
now, and I just noticed them beginning to grow tonight. These were in
the front yard of the home we rented in Waimanalo, Oahu.
these to grow my own back home. They have been planted for a few weeks
now, and I just noticed them beginning to grow tonight. These were in
the front yard of the home we rented in Waimanalo, Oahu.
Sprinklers and Smirnoff
I just came in from mowing our yard. Granted, with a rain garden there is less to mow, which is really great. It took like 3 minutes to mow the rain garden side, compared to about 10 or so to mow the other side. This summer in the interest of eco-friendliness we have made some yard-related changes. We created and planted our rain garden, and we bought a manual lawn mower. The second change was mostly due to DH's poor luck with our new and rarely used mower. We bought it new when we moved here about four years ago. For the first year it worked ok, but shortly it developed a revving type sound, that was most annoying and ineffective for lawn mowing. At this point we hired local help in the form of our neighbor boy, and paid him to mow the yard. We figured this was a nice way to keep the neighborhood busy, give him a chance to earn some money (he's 12 or 13 I think), and build some relationships with our neighbors. But this spring DH took the plunge and overnight we acquired a manual mower. I used it for the first time last Friday, and found it to be a very good stress reliever. It was relaxing to be physically active while completing a chore, plus I liked the tangiblity of effecting visual change in our yard. I was inspired by the challenge these mowers present- you must keep up with the lawn- because it won't wait for you to mow it. It'll keep on growing.
So tonight I took the challenge, to mow the yard. This time I mowed all of it- not just half like last time. And after that I watered all my plants, herbs, peppers, flowers, lilies, plumeria, hibiscus, etc. And then I watered myself and that was the best. I hung our sprayer for our hose from an old clothesline pole that is in our backyard creating a fun little sprinkler. Then Genevieve and I ran through it, over and over again. After that childish pursuit I came in and drank some Smirnoff Pomegranate Fusion- and was and adult again. It was delightful, and one of those special things that only summer can afford.
So tonight I took the challenge, to mow the yard. This time I mowed all of it- not just half like last time. And after that I watered all my plants, herbs, peppers, flowers, lilies, plumeria, hibiscus, etc. And then I watered myself and that was the best. I hung our sprayer for our hose from an old clothesline pole that is in our backyard creating a fun little sprinkler. Then Genevieve and I ran through it, over and over again. After that childish pursuit I came in and drank some Smirnoff Pomegranate Fusion- and was and adult again. It was delightful, and one of those special things that only summer can afford.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Mario Batali's chocolate biscotti
I made this one Friday night. I had this insatiable desire to bake
something I had never baked before, and settled on this recipe from
Food Network. It was a big sticky mess to roll out the dough so I used
two layers of parchment paper to sandwich the dough, while I rolled
over it with a rolling pin. I had to keep asking DH to flour my hands
every time I touched the dough, but it all turned out really well and
very yummy. I brought a bunch to a supervision meeting I have twice
monthly, one such time is from 8-noon on Saturday mornings. It was
popular and a good way to snack through a meeting.
something I had never baked before, and settled on this recipe from
Food Network. It was a big sticky mess to roll out the dough so I used
two layers of parchment paper to sandwich the dough, while I rolled
over it with a rolling pin. I had to keep asking DH to flour my hands
every time I touched the dough, but it all turned out really well and
very yummy. I brought a bunch to a supervision meeting I have twice
monthly, one such time is from 8-noon on Saturday mornings. It was
popular and a good way to snack through a meeting.
Yummy thai chocolate River Chocolate
From the Farmer's Market. It had ginger, coconut, lime, and chili in
it, all under a thick outside coating.
it, all under a thick outside coating.
I got a new sewing machine!
On the left is my new Singer machine, on the right is my Aunt's old
Singer machine. Mine is all electronic, and it is wonderful. The fabric
samples demo what all it can do. The coolest things it does are thread
the needle automatically, and it measures buttonhole sizes
automatically to create the perfect fit buttonhole. Oh, it sews on
buttons too. Now I can do some mending and altering that has been
waiting for 1-3 years since my other two sewing machines refused to
work for me.
I did open pant surgery on some coffee print flannel pj pants that I
made a few years ago. Their elastic had worn out elastic. I opened up
the casing and reinstalled new elastic. I also found about four holes
that I was able to mend with the multi-stitch zigzag on my machine.
Singer machine. Mine is all electronic, and it is wonderful. The fabric
samples demo what all it can do. The coolest things it does are thread
the needle automatically, and it measures buttonhole sizes
automatically to create the perfect fit buttonhole. Oh, it sews on
buttons too. Now I can do some mending and altering that has been
waiting for 1-3 years since my other two sewing machines refused to
work for me.
I did open pant surgery on some coffee print flannel pj pants that I
made a few years ago. Their elastic had worn out elastic. I opened up
the casing and reinstalled new elastic. I also found about four holes
that I was able to mend with the multi-stitch zigzag on my machine.
Getting it all laid out
The biggest part of the project was removing the grass. That part was
really hard work. It took us a few days of work to get that part done.
Then we had to dig a few inches down, I think 4-5 inches, to allow for
three inches of mulch of wood chips. For the plants we went down to the
Farmer's Market and found two different places that sold native plants,
and we cross-checked their suitability on our two lists of rain garden
plants. Two main type of plants are required, super hardy drought and
wet resistant plants that go near the top of the rain source (gutter)
and at the lower point marshy type plants are required.
I was trying to attain a natural kidney-bean shaped planting, and it
turned out to look more like a koala head, or Stitch's head from Lilo
and Stitch. This week I added three coneflower plants along the upper
back to create a little backdrop for the garden. It's been fun to watch
the rain collect and absorb, and the little plants are growing a little
bigger day by day.
really hard work. It took us a few days of work to get that part done.
Then we had to dig a few inches down, I think 4-5 inches, to allow for
three inches of mulch of wood chips. For the plants we went down to the
Farmer's Market and found two different places that sold native plants,
and we cross-checked their suitability on our two lists of rain garden
plants. Two main type of plants are required, super hardy drought and
wet resistant plants that go near the top of the rain source (gutter)
and at the lower point marshy type plants are required.
I was trying to attain a natural kidney-bean shaped planting, and it
turned out to look more like a koala head, or Stitch's head from Lilo
and Stitch. This week I added three coneflower plants along the upper
back to create a little backdrop for the garden. It's been fun to watch
the rain collect and absorb, and the little plants are growing a little
bigger day by day.
storm
The left side shows the hail that went down the gutter, and the big
back-up it is causing. To the right is our newly planted Rain garden.
It acts as a reservoir to contain excess rain water instead of taking
it down the yard to the sewer system, thus preventing run-off of lawn
chemicals and fertilizers and such, from polluting our streams further.
It's an eco-friendly yard solution you can do at home in your own yard.
back-up it is causing. To the right is our newly planted Rain garden.
It acts as a reservoir to contain excess rain water instead of taking
it down the yard to the sewer system, thus preventing run-off of lawn
chemicals and fertilizers and such, from polluting our streams further.
It's an eco-friendly yard solution you can do at home in your own yard.
hail storm #2
A few Saturdays ago, I think it was the first Sat. of the month, there
were two hail storms within a few hours' span. The second storm had
slightly more hail. I was talking to my Aunt on the phone about sewing
machines and virtually shopping for them with her when the storm came.
These are my basils, 2 sweet basil, and one thai basil, they looked
salted with really big Kosher salt, or water softener salt but it's
actually hail.
were two hail storms within a few hours' span. The second storm had
slightly more hail. I was talking to my Aunt on the phone about sewing
machines and virtually shopping for them with her when the storm came.
These are my basils, 2 sweet basil, and one thai basil, they looked
salted with really big Kosher salt, or water softener salt but it's
actually hail.
because I just hadn't posted this yet...
It's been done for awhile now. It is warm and wearable, and mostly
fitted and shaped, though I over-flared the bottom part. I
overestimated my hips. oops. The neckline is doing something a little
strange that I haven't figured out yet. I am trying to think of it as a
design feature, rather than a flaw. Maybe more blocking could help it
out.
fitted and shaped, though I over-flared the bottom part. I
overestimated my hips. oops. The neckline is doing something a little
strange that I haven't figured out yet. I am trying to think of it as a
design feature, rather than a flaw. Maybe more blocking could help it
out.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Candy shop with koalas, and palm tree reflection
This is at the Aloha Towers shopping area in Honolulu, the first place
we went after we landed. There was a cute candy store there with
chocolate, and koalas.
we went after we landed. There was a cute candy store there with
chocolate, and koalas.
boredom- problem solved
I knit this uber stylish bracelet (thanks Shelly for the yarn) while
waiting for a delayed plane trip to the Big Island. I had all my other
knitting in my checked luggage- for fear they'd be taken away, so all I
had to knit with was this mechanical pencil (thanks Elzbieta for these
cool pencils- they were a party favor at my grad party for my MA
degree) and this sparkle pen. I thought it turned out pretty well,
though it wasn't very easy to knit due to the dull points and the
plastic ridges.
waiting for a delayed plane trip to the Big Island. I had all my other
knitting in my checked luggage- for fear they'd be taken away, so all I
had to knit with was this mechanical pencil (thanks Elzbieta for these
cool pencils- they were a party favor at my grad party for my MA
degree) and this sparkle pen. I thought it turned out pretty well,
though it wasn't very easy to knit due to the dull points and the
plastic ridges.
Will's foot post sea-urchin
Way back in April, of 2007, I know, not so long ago, we were in Hawaii
with Will and CarrieAnn. DH got to know Will at college, Michigan Tech,
and they've been friends ever since. Will married CarrieAnn, and DH
married me, so now all of us know each other. We went to Hawaii with
them for about 10 days. Will's main goal was to go surfing. He both
learned to surf, and stepped on his first sea urchin in Waikiki Beach.
What a souvenir! He had to have the big spine removed via microsurgery
in a small clinic in Waimanalo, and most of the other spikes have been
working their way out on their own. CarrieAnn also went surfing, but
fortunately didn't step on a spiny beast.
with Will and CarrieAnn. DH got to know Will at college, Michigan Tech,
and they've been friends ever since. Will married CarrieAnn, and DH
married me, so now all of us know each other. We went to Hawaii with
them for about 10 days. Will's main goal was to go surfing. He both
learned to surf, and stepped on his first sea urchin in Waikiki Beach.
What a souvenir! He had to have the big spine removed via microsurgery
in a small clinic in Waimanalo, and most of the other spikes have been
working their way out on their own. CarrieAnn also went surfing, but
fortunately didn't step on a spiny beast.
Monday, June 04, 2007
I've been tagged
Connie tagged me, once upon a time, so here we go.
Rules:
1. Each player starts with 8 random facts about themselves.
2. People who are tagged write a blog post about their 8 random things and post the rules.
3. At the end of your post you need to tag 8 people and post their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment and tell them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
Eight Random Things about Me:
1. While my husband and I were dating I journaled on each day I spent time with him. I gave him all those journals on our wedding day.
2. I learned pretty much all I know about gardening with a retired police officer, Larry McDonald, who taught Rebecca Kohls about how to maintain her rooftop garden. Remember that piece on the news when she'd give the weather report from the top of the roof? Oh, and I ran into her at the Yarnery in St. Paul, buying yarn for her next knitting project.
3. I have swung from a vine, eaten "lemon ants" and swam in a pool at the base of a waterfall in the Amazon Rainforest, in Ecuador near the Napo River.
4. I have seen Blue-footed Boobies, and the elusive Red-footed boobies while studying ecology and biology in the Galapagos Islands.
5. When I was a kid I got the back of my earring stuck in my earlobe, and my Mom and I had to go to urgent care to get it fished out on a weekday night. And my Mom couldn't believe the back of my earring was stuck in there!
6. I have walked on crumbly lava, warm with underground activity. I also steamed my leg by accident while I was there in Hawaii on the Big Island. This was one of the most exciting things I have ever done, and I plan to do it again sometime.
7. I have pretty good intuition. I dreamt my friend had her baby and woke up mad that she hadn't told me. I got to work that day and got a call from her around 10am saying that she'd gone into labor in the middle of that night *while I was dreaming in my bed.* Another time I sensed another friend was going to have her baby, and she declared she was fine, and comfortable that evening when asked. About an hour later she went to the hospital and the nurse checked her and found that she was in labor already.
8. On 9-11 I woke up and for some reason felt like I should wear black. I usually wear more than 2 or 3 colors at a time, and seldom wear black. I dressed in black and felt like I was dragging through the early morning. Then I heard the sobering news.
9. That was such a downer I had to add a ninth post to the eight post meme. Hmmm. DH and I used to exchange e-mails with large vocabulary words as their subject. Often the words we selected were totally unrelated to the e-mail.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Excuses
Why I haven't been blogging...
been knitting-lace leaf socks, an Elizabeth Zimmerman percentage system sweater (raglan-style) of Patons *washable* red tweed yarn, the body is knit to the armhole, and one sleeve is up to my elbow, and swatching for my Aunt's cable Araucania nature Wool Cable cardigan
finishing- the blue sweater- finally done a few wednesdays ago
cleaning- the linen closet with all my bath, body etc. products, let me tell ya' I have a stash full, just where do they all come from?
planting- three kinds of basil, sage, rosemary, oregano, osteospermum, coral bells,
digging- to put a rain garden in our front yard
recovering- from a nasty virus/cold/cough that nearly kicked my butt, I even went to the Dr. to confirm it was a virus
watching- Season one of Gray's Anatomy (I hadn't seen it before), the new version of Pride and Prejudice
drinking- Sierra Mist, tea, water, more tea, more water
researching- cable-system deck railing, oh, the kitchen on this page is quite like ours, even has the same wall paint color the text just kept highlighting so I left it this way
planning- to build a new deck this summer to replace our existing/rotting/too old deck, dog park date with friend and Golden Retriever, Sydney
composting- compostable stuff
exercising- on our new elliptical machine (this one is way better than the last)
working- on paperwork, it never ends
painting- my toenails red
going- to church and Jimmy John's- that was all the energy I had due to aforementioned *virus*
frustrating- that I had to write this post in words instead of pics as I'd planned, due to the fact that my computer e-mail sending program is refusing to send pics to my blog!
been knitting-lace leaf socks, an Elizabeth Zimmerman percentage system sweater (raglan-style) of Patons *washable* red tweed yarn, the body is knit to the armhole, and one sleeve is up to my elbow, and swatching for my Aunt's cable Araucania nature Wool Cable cardigan
finishing- the blue sweater- finally done a few wednesdays ago
cleaning- the linen closet with all my bath, body etc. products, let me tell ya' I have a stash full, just where do they all come from?
planting- three kinds of basil, sage, rosemary, oregano, osteospermum, coral bells,
digging- to put a rain garden in our front yard
recovering- from a nasty virus/cold/cough that nearly kicked my butt, I even went to the Dr. to confirm it was a virus
watching- Season one of Gray's Anatomy (I hadn't seen it before), the new version of Pride and Prejudice
drinking- Sierra Mist, tea, water, more tea, more water
researching- cable-system deck railing, oh, the kitchen on this page is quite like ours, even has the same wall paint color the text just kept highlighting so I left it this way
planning- to build a new deck this summer to replace our existing/rotting/too old deck, dog park date with friend and Golden Retriever, Sydney
composting- compostable stuff
exercising- on our new elliptical machine (this one is way better than the last)
working- on paperwork, it never ends
painting- my toenails red
going- to church and Jimmy John's- that was all the energy I had due to aforementioned *virus*
frustrating- that I had to write this post in words instead of pics as I'd planned, due to the fact that my computer e-mail sending program is refusing to send pics to my blog!
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Shepherd's Harvest Sheep and Wool
Is today! This will be the nicest day that I have seen for the S &W Fest, on the Lake Elmo Fairgrounds. The last two years it has been rainy, and quite mushy and wet in the grass, which is where most of the knitters trample as there are few gravelly paths.
Last night while watching Gray's (what a cliffhanger BTW), I completed sock number 2, just in time for a typical cold sheep day. But it looks quite pleasant out there. Like all socks that I make I feel like they have stretched longer than my foot, the longer I wear them the longer they get. Does that happen to everyone?
My sweater is done, minus the sleeve border, and the buttons. I have to find a suitable button-sewing on acrylic yarn to sew them on to the button band. Then, it will be done. It is wearable now, though. At long last. Next project will be my Aunt's cable cardigan. I have a pattern this time, and I want to sit down my my TI-85 and block out all the measurements on graph paper first, so I can make it best fit my Aunt. She gave me another sweater she likes to use its measurements, but I am trying to encourage her to make it a little more fitted to fit her better.
Well, it is time for me to go, I have to get to the ATM and get spending money for all the yarn and roving I'll buy. I plan to get colors to coordinate with my dogs, and do some type of needle felting of them, whether it is 2d or 3d I am not sure yet.
Oh- the Segways were great, and so were the Anniversary lunch and dinner out. Lunch was at Jax Cafe on their garden patio surrounded in tulips and a small stream, dinner was in a glass-blocked and White cement walled restaurant, JP Bistro. For dessert we had chai tea creme brulee. Yummoliscious is my new word- and it was for sure.
Last night while watching Gray's (what a cliffhanger BTW), I completed sock number 2, just in time for a typical cold sheep day. But it looks quite pleasant out there. Like all socks that I make I feel like they have stretched longer than my foot, the longer I wear them the longer they get. Does that happen to everyone?
My sweater is done, minus the sleeve border, and the buttons. I have to find a suitable button-sewing on acrylic yarn to sew them on to the button band. Then, it will be done. It is wearable now, though. At long last. Next project will be my Aunt's cable cardigan. I have a pattern this time, and I want to sit down my my TI-85 and block out all the measurements on graph paper first, so I can make it best fit my Aunt. She gave me another sweater she likes to use its measurements, but I am trying to encourage her to make it a little more fitted to fit her better.
Well, it is time for me to go, I have to get to the ATM and get spending money for all the yarn and roving I'll buy. I plan to get colors to coordinate with my dogs, and do some type of needle felting of them, whether it is 2d or 3d I am not sure yet.
Oh- the Segways were great, and so were the Anniversary lunch and dinner out. Lunch was at Jax Cafe on their garden patio surrounded in tulips and a small stream, dinner was in a glass-blocked and White cement walled restaurant, JP Bistro. For dessert we had chai tea creme brulee. Yummoliscious is my new word- and it was for sure.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
The Corgi Masters are four today!
The posts have been few and far between. I mostly finished my blue sweater, it fits pretty well, better than before. I have to sew on the buttons, and do a little knit trim on the sleeve hems, then it will be done. While I was weaving in the tails I was already thinking aboug what sweater to do next.
I am still working on my second sock, but that is nearly done too, just a few inches of the top ribbing left.
This week is the Shepherd's Harvest Sheep and Wool fest. My mom came last year and enjoyed it, and she wanted to go again- so we'll be going to that Sat. Perhaps it will be the best weather for it in the last 2 years that I have gone.
Work is pretty crazy as far as intensity of the people's experiences that I am working with. That is pretty much all I can say, but most of it makes the Dr. Phil show people look like a walk in the park. Especially when Dr. Phil can hook them up with their own therapists, and just follow up on them until he decides to give them a free vacation, or a diamond ring, or whatever. I just work with what I have, and it can be quite stressful. I want my kids to do well!
Last but not least- DH and I are celebrating our four year anniversary. We are going on a Segway tour in St. Anthony. He hurt his ankle Tuesday, so I hope it won't be bothering him much. It looks like a beautiful day. A great day to work for the morning only, and have fun in the afternoon which is what we will be doing.
I am still working on my second sock, but that is nearly done too, just a few inches of the top ribbing left.
This week is the Shepherd's Harvest Sheep and Wool fest. My mom came last year and enjoyed it, and she wanted to go again- so we'll be going to that Sat. Perhaps it will be the best weather for it in the last 2 years that I have gone.
Work is pretty crazy as far as intensity of the people's experiences that I am working with. That is pretty much all I can say, but most of it makes the Dr. Phil show people look like a walk in the park. Especially when Dr. Phil can hook them up with their own therapists, and just follow up on them until he decides to give them a free vacation, or a diamond ring, or whatever. I just work with what I have, and it can be quite stressful. I want my kids to do well!
Last but not least- DH and I are celebrating our four year anniversary. We are going on a Segway tour in St. Anthony. He hurt his ankle Tuesday, so I hope it won't be bothering him much. It looks like a beautiful day. A great day to work for the morning only, and have fun in the afternoon which is what we will be doing.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Hi from HI/MN
HI,
I am no longer in HI, Hawaii, but I was. But not before I got sick. It was a little bit of a whirlwind trying to get my work done before I left on a Wed. while I was battling a virus. But I did it. It just meant that there wasn't much blogging.
I have been back from HI since a week ago Monday, and it was a great trip. I will have lots of pics to share.
Some highlights:
-visiting Aloha Yarn and meeting Nanea, and getting materials to crochet a lei
-eating at Todai, and eating too much sushi after hiking and doing some swimming to get extra hungry before the huge buffet
-Finding the secluded Polihale Beach in Kauaii by driving down a narrow visciously pot-holed road surrounded by 12ft high sugar cane
-Watching the "Spouting Horn" dragon sounding blowhole shoot water 20 ft up in the air
-Hiking on one of the few active volcanos of the world, Mt. Kilauea, and seeing steam vents surrounding me and feeling the heat of the ground change as we hiked closer and closer to the lava
This is my first full week being back. I did some sock knitting while I was gone, and have been working on sock #2 to match the other toe-up sock. I am not sure if I will like how they feel on my feet, since I am used to cuff-down socks. They might grow on me though once I finish the second one, and can wear the whole pair at the same time.
Also, I am still, yes, still knitting on the blue sweater, it must be invincible to keep surviving all this time and energy. I pinned the first sleeve into the armhole, and it fit great. Then I compared sleeve two to it, and found that sleeve two was 2 inches longer than sleeve one (the one that fit really well). So there was frogging in order, and I ripped back 2 inches before the sleeve decreases, so I could add the 2 st increase that the other sleeve had, and documented all the pattern for the good sleeve. I am either 12 or 16 rows away from the end. Then, I will actually have 2 sleeves to set in, and then sew on the buttons, weave in the tails, and I will have a new sweater, ready early for fall. Next fall that is, or one of these cold evenings.
I am no longer in HI, Hawaii, but I was. But not before I got sick. It was a little bit of a whirlwind trying to get my work done before I left on a Wed. while I was battling a virus. But I did it. It just meant that there wasn't much blogging.
I have been back from HI since a week ago Monday, and it was a great trip. I will have lots of pics to share.
Some highlights:
-visiting Aloha Yarn and meeting Nanea, and getting materials to crochet a lei
-eating at Todai, and eating too much sushi after hiking and doing some swimming to get extra hungry before the huge buffet
-Finding the secluded Polihale Beach in Kauaii by driving down a narrow visciously pot-holed road surrounded by 12ft high sugar cane
-Watching the "Spouting Horn" dragon sounding blowhole shoot water 20 ft up in the air
-Hiking on one of the few active volcanos of the world, Mt. Kilauea, and seeing steam vents surrounding me and feeling the heat of the ground change as we hiked closer and closer to the lava
This is my first full week being back. I did some sock knitting while I was gone, and have been working on sock #2 to match the other toe-up sock. I am not sure if I will like how they feel on my feet, since I am used to cuff-down socks. They might grow on me though once I finish the second one, and can wear the whole pair at the same time.
Also, I am still, yes, still knitting on the blue sweater, it must be invincible to keep surviving all this time and energy. I pinned the first sleeve into the armhole, and it fit great. Then I compared sleeve two to it, and found that sleeve two was 2 inches longer than sleeve one (the one that fit really well). So there was frogging in order, and I ripped back 2 inches before the sleeve decreases, so I could add the 2 st increase that the other sleeve had, and documented all the pattern for the good sleeve. I am either 12 or 16 rows away from the end. Then, I will actually have 2 sleeves to set in, and then sew on the buttons, weave in the tails, and I will have a new sweater, ready early for fall. Next fall that is, or one of these cold evenings.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
The Yarn Harlot's new book, with my sock
Yesterday I was supremely frustrated with this sock. It has a short row toe- which I completed, and then knit on to the heel. Then I was stuck, over and over I tried to pick up the wrapped stitch and got a hole in my knitting. Over and over. Kelle tried to teach me a short row with a backwards yarnover, and I almost caught on. Almost.
Last night I tried again, giving myself one last try before bed. No luck. This morning I tried again, before going to work. No luck. Same pesky little holes. I would have left them and kept on with the sock but I wanted the sock to last longer than that, and to be knit right.
I went to the dentist this afternoon, then napped. When I woke I tried again on the short row. I ripped back to the start of the heel, rearranged all my stitches on the needle, then gave it another try, slowly doing all the wrapped stitches over again. Then, magic happened when I picked up my wrapped stitches (while carefully reading the directions, one time for every wrapped stitch). And then, it clicked, and I sighed a big sigh of relief. I had made it happen after try after try, it clicked.
Last night I tried again, giving myself one last try before bed. No luck. This morning I tried again, before going to work. No luck. Same pesky little holes. I would have left them and kept on with the sock but I wanted the sock to last longer than that, and to be knit right.
I went to the dentist this afternoon, then napped. When I woke I tried again on the short row. I ripped back to the start of the heel, rearranged all my stitches on the needle, then gave it another try, slowly doing all the wrapped stitches over again. Then, magic happened when I picked up my wrapped stitches (while carefully reading the directions, one time for every wrapped stitch). And then, it clicked, and I sighed a big sigh of relief. I had made it happen after try after try, it clicked.
To ooh and ah at the Harlot's magnificence
She knit this, on very small needles I might add. Pretty much breath-taking. It's called Bohus.
Look! It's a Yarn Harlot!!!
Not a monogamous knitter- project wise. She is married though. She just can't keep her hands off multiple knitting partners, I mean projects.
And she came to St. Paul last night.
I told my Chiropractor I was going to see the Yarn Harlot. He seemed amazed that there could exist such a person. He also laughed at the amusement of going to see a Yarn Harlot, as the world of knitting knows no boundaries. My Mom and Aunt came too, and had some good laughs. They also enjoyed the eye candy- knitted amazing sweaters, shawls, berets, socks of course, but I did not see any ponchos. Hmm. I wore my Vogue Knitting purple sweater with the mohair ruffle trim. I was roasty, toasty warm in a room jam-packed with knitters in costume.
And she came to St. Paul last night.
I told my Chiropractor I was going to see the Yarn Harlot. He seemed amazed that there could exist such a person. He also laughed at the amusement of going to see a Yarn Harlot, as the world of knitting knows no boundaries. My Mom and Aunt came too, and had some good laughs. They also enjoyed the eye candy- knitted amazing sweaters, shawls, berets, socks of course, but I did not see any ponchos. Hmm. I wore my Vogue Knitting purple sweater with the mohair ruffle trim. I was roasty, toasty warm in a room jam-packed with knitters in costume.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
The new faucet
We love it, and I especially love not having a big pool of water on the
counter which was provided by our leaky faucet. Cleaning the sink
pre-small group tonight was a breeze. Thanks FIL and Dh!
counter which was provided by our leaky faucet. Cleaning the sink
pre-small group tonight was a breeze. Thanks FIL and Dh!
new knit 'baby' sweater
It's done!
I knit it on size 4's, using Bravo Fun by Schachenmyr Nomotta. I gave
it away tonight to a church friend's baby from our church small group.
It was admired by all, including the recipient. She had been tired and
fuzzy till she saw it and then she smiled a big smile and held it. It
was really sweet to know that it is already appreciated by the 6 m
baby!
Now one of three projects is done, and my sweater is really close to
completion. I sewed in a sleeve but I don't know if I did part of it
right. I am not sure how it is supposed to look. I am also still
working on my sock #1, and soon that will be my only project- sort of.
There are others waiting.
I knit it on size 4's, using Bravo Fun by Schachenmyr Nomotta. I gave
it away tonight to a church friend's baby from our church small group.
It was admired by all, including the recipient. She had been tired and
fuzzy till she saw it and then she smiled a big smile and held it. It
was really sweet to know that it is already appreciated by the 6 m
baby!
Now one of three projects is done, and my sweater is really close to
completion. I sewed in a sleeve but I don't know if I did part of it
right. I am not sure how it is supposed to look. I am also still
working on my sock #1, and soon that will be my only project- sort of.
There are others waiting.
Dirty dog Sydney
This is my friend's dog at the dog park near the airport. It was our
first time going to this park and it was really fun. It was like dog
world with dogs of all breed, shapes, and sizes. Sydney found some mud-
our dogs stayed nearby us and remained clean.
first time going to this park and it was really fun. It was like dog
world with dogs of all breed, shapes, and sizes. Sydney found some mud-
our dogs stayed nearby us and remained clean.
new colors
the blue curtains are actually sarongs I bought in Australia on our
honeymoon. They were put back up for the time being until I decide on a
different type of curtains for this room. I was thinking maybe
chocolate brown to add some subduedness to the the room, or pink or
orange to spice it up. Any suggestions? The colors are very true to
life in this pic.
honeymoon. They were put back up for the time being until I decide on a
different type of curtains for this room. I was thinking maybe
chocolate brown to add some subduedness to the the room, or pink or
orange to spice it up. Any suggestions? The colors are very true to
life in this pic.
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