No Report

After the premature announcement yesterday, I’d best note that we haven’t been to visit any doggies today.  We had an appointment to meet an outdoor, kennel-kept, young, female Jack Russell today, but after much soothing and chatting with good, sage friends, I realized I’m not up to another JRT.  There was a back-up plan that I thought the Knight had bought into, but it seems not.

Sissy would like a canine sister, and we want her to have one, but it has to be a fit for all three of us.  Wish us luck, because in the end, I am certain the right dog will find us.  It’s just that being patient isn’t something anyone in this house does well…

Because 100 eyes are better than four, here’s where we are in our thought process:

• MUST be female (the Knight’s choice)
• must NOT be an aggressive breed, as Sissy is very meek and sweet, but not likely to give up her princess ways
• no wirehair or broken coats – smooth hair only, although the Knight does think Golden Retrievers are beautiful
• no terrier whiskers or bearded breeds
• nothing fine-boned (the Knight likes to wrestle, as does Sissy)

The Knight says he’s not stuck on a purebred, but he’s only looked briefly at a couple of mixed breeds.  However, we’re very, VERY open to a rescue, and this is the ASPCA’s adopt a shelter dog month. 

I also reserve the right to end up with another JRT, a house pony (aka: very large breed, which I’ve said I’d rather not have), a male, etc.  This is after all, a matter of the heart…

TGIFO

Another FO report already!?  Haven’t you noticed that my FOs seem to come in clusters? 

But first, Happy Birthday Kathy!

Sissy is modeling Abby’s fall ‘08 sweater, because you know that in our house, it’s all about Sissy.  Just like a human kid, when I WANT a photo of her, she won’t cooperate, but when I’m trying to take a photo without her help, no such luck!

Pattern:  Dandy Dog Coats in the mock cable variation.  This is the third time I’ve done this version (always for Abby), and the fourth time I’ve used this pattern.  It’s basic and quick, and easy to adapt to the wearer’s needs.  (And yes folks, I’ve requested a shot of Abby sporting her new coat!)

Yarn:  Simply Caron in a nice “woodland heather” shade.   It’s a great yarn for a dog coat, but the more I knit with wool and wool blends, the more I miss that wool “sproinginess”.  Acrylic stretches, but that’s just not the same. 

Needles:  #6 bamboo straights and #5 bamboo dpns.

Verdict:  I’m tired of this pattern.  It sounds like I might have another LITTLE girl to knit for soon, so all those doggy sweater books I have will get a workout! 

(And yes, that’s all I’m saying.  I’ve spoken with the owner of a young lady we’re going to see tomorrow, so stay tuned…)

I also owe you a Wednesday afternoon update.  Bec (blogless) found me in Pins ’n Needles, the new LYS, *MY* new LYS.  I should have asked if I could take photos for you.  It’s bright and cheerful, and when you walk in, there’s a big, comfy sofa just begging to be flopped in for some leisurely knitting and chatting, but I bet it would also host a patient knitter’s knight with his own book or PDA or…

In the back, there’s a nice table for a small class or just for those who like to knit at a table.  In between is a nice selection of yarn, some of which are new to me.   The owner and sole employee right now is just the personality I desire in a yarn shop.  Kathy greets you pleasantly, offers help, and then leaves you alone until you do ask for help.  It’s also a great sign when the other customers are friendly, I’ve learned, and you’ll see one of my purchases that was motivated by a sweet lady who shared her mitts in progress in said yarn with me…

She also carries just about all the Bryspun needles.  Now, if you think Bryspun is nothing but resin, think again.  The new lace needle love of my life is also by Bryspun, in a rosewood that has a sharp point, a pretty blunt end, and sticky, grippy prettiness in between.

The yarns I couldn’t leave behind?  This incredible red actually does some subtle stripes.  It’s what the mitts were being done in, and it’s soft as puppy fluff-fur.  It’s Berroco Jasper, and see THIS Ravelry photo for the most accurate color.  (It’s a bit richer, deeper…)  Any non-mitt ideas?  I just got two skeins.  I was thinking hat for me at the store, but??

This and the matching siblings will become my Cables & Spice vest, or maybe the Back to School U-neck vest…??  It’s Tahki Yarn’s Sedona, which speaks to me on so many levels.  Sissy and the Knight made me love purple (or maybe it was Anita, Jessi and Mary?), the Knight and I honeymooned in Sedona, AZ, and this stuff is soft…

She’s going to offer fixed, alwaysthesameday, beginner classes, but she has some specialty classes planned too.  There’s an entrelac on November 22nd, as I recall.  She’s also having a great Grand Opening Sale, but that ends today.

I hope each of you has a friend like my Bec.  We stood up for each other at our weddings, we buried each of our fathers too soon, we did countless band trips together from seventh grade on…  I’ve seen her Walk Like an Egyptian, and we have a special You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling memory shared with another dear friend too.  There are countless road trip songs and laughs from the 1990s…  Sometimes, I think she knows me better than I know myself.  Time and distance don’t really impact our bond; we always pick back up as though we still live one street apart and spend 8-10 hours each day together.  I’ll leave you with a self-portrait of the two of us.  

Tell me what your weekend holds too.  Any new dogs or yarn coming your way?

DOTFO

Or, all about acronyms…

Today’s Dogs on Thursday post also doubles as an FO report.  I wish I had better photos for you, but MJ is off and the Knight is foul-tempered this morning, so I went to the ladies room and did the best I could.  I suppose I could have held off for better photos, but honestly, in my world, this is probably as good as it gets, and I’m ready to share my first raglan sweater!

Pattern:  Plath Cropped Cardigan.  What a great pattern!  It was well-written, was just interesting enough to keep me going and could have been a quick knit if I hadn’t been afraid to separate (and then put all those stitches back on needles) the sleeves from the body in the car.  If it wasn’t such a distinctive pattern, I’d be tempted to say I’d make another…

My only complaint is the yarn-over button hole.  Won’t EVER do another of those on clothing, or perhaps not at all, period.  This is really my first button hole on an FO, so live and learn.

Yarn:  Whooohoo, three cheers for me, Cotton Fleece from my stash!  (The color is most accurate in the first photo.)  My first really big yarn purchase was well over a dozen skeins of CF for an afghan for the Knight, over 18 months ago.  I got burned out on baby blankets and never picked it up, and in the meantime, reading the comments on Ravelry, I learned that CF BLEEDS when used for color work.  Ugh.  I had no fewer than six colors for said afghan, so I found the above-mentioned pattern around the same time I discovered this little CF issue, and thus, I had my first not a one skein project knitted from my stash. 

The colorway’s called My Blue Heaven.  Because I discovered that right after Mugsy had moved on, my mind made this his sweater, despite the fact that blue was one of Fred’s colors, not Mugsy’s.  It’s a perfect blue, and I predict many years of regular wear for this sweater.  CF’s wool/cotton blend makes it a true three-season yarn here in Central Virginia, and despite being very loosely plied and thus splitty, it’s not a bad yarn to work with.

Needles:  The trusty Knitpick Options in Harmony Wood, sizes #5 and #6.  I magic looped the sleeves, so the two pairs of tips, the little tightening tool and my 40″ cord were all I needed for the whole project.

Accessories:  A new category for me!  If you’re a regular reader, you know I agonized over the button selection, but since this sweater did make me think of Mugsy and was worked on at his beloved beach, these little silver-tone terriers are the perfect touch.

Verdict:  My favorite FO to date.  It’s still too warm to wear it today, other than for the photos for your viewing pleasure, but starting tomorrow, it’s supposed to be rather cool.  I expect lots of wear for this one.

I was finally able to look at some photos of Mugsy without crying earlier this week.  However, I cannot look at Jack Russell Terrier puppy photos without crying, so I don’t think we’re getting another one.  That, and Sissy’s incredible activity needs make getting another dog with intense exercise requirements seem less than ideal.  Sure, we want someone to play with her, but we know from raising Mugsy and Fred together that a calmer dog can help a wild child find some balance.

Suffering from Knight Art

 

Guarding a Christmas treat

Oh, what love and laughter you brought to our lives, Prince Mugs!  Poor Sissy believes all JRTs are you, which is making life interesting in our JRT-owning neighborhood.  I’d forgotten how quickly he declined, and that he did play with Sissy and Shadow for a few months before the beginning of the end.  What a grand dog-boy you were, for very nearly 13 wonderful years!

Amazing Autumn Coffee Swap Questionnaire

About Your Yarn Passion

1. Do you knit, crochet, or do both? When did you first learn?

Both.  I learned to knit as a youngster, but just reconnected with my inner knitter a couple of years ago.  I just started crocheting a few months ago.

2. Do you like using a particular type of needle or hook? (wood, metal, straight, circular) Is there something you’ve been wanting to try, or a particular size you always seem to be short on?

Knitting?  No.  I use something different on every project it seems.  Crochet?  Yes.  I like Boye hooks, but I think I have one of just about every size now.

3. What kind of projects do you enjoy making? Any types you just haven’t ever gotten into as much as others?

I love lace, socks and right now, raglan sweaters.  Knitting a blanket or anything with too much garter or stockinette is painful.

4. What’s on your needles\hook right now? What’s your oldest UFO (unfinished object)?

Several lace projects, a pair of socks (two at a time, magic loop), a chevron scarf, a crochet hat…

My oldest UFO is Fredfoot, a very special lace wrap that I plan to finish next.

5. If you were going on vacation tomorrow, what project(s) would travel with you?

Socks, definitely a pair of socks or two.  Fredfoot, and my guild’s mystery KAL.

6. What are your favorite types of yarns? Any you’re allergic too, or just hate working with? Anything in particular you’ve been dying to try?

I like different yarns, but I seem to have a thing for soy.  I also love alpaca-silk yarns.  I’m not allergic to anything, but 100% cotton and 100% acrylic hurt my hands.  I’m looking forward to finding some of the new Classic Elite Fresco.

7. What sort of colors do you love in yarns? Brights? Pastels? More muted colors? Variegated? Are there any you can’t stand?

Brights, brights and more brights.  I don’t know that there’s anything I really dislike; every color has its place!  

Your Coffee Passion

1. Do you prefer caffeinated or not?

Caffeinated, thanks much!

2. Whole bean or ground? For what type of pot or press?

Either.  I have a great little french press and the rather standard electric coffee maker.

3. What types of roasts do you enjoy? Are you more the light and lively or dark and robust type?

Nothing too dark.  I really don’t know much about what I prefer, I’m afraid.  (See, I’m a tea girl at heart, but I’ve been won over for that cool weather coffee in the morning or with dessert at night.)

4. How do you ‘take’ your coffee? Creamers? Sweetener? Other add ins?

Cream or creamer, some sweetner (yellow, if it’s available), and if there’s a mint chocolate flavoring of some sort around, I’m all in.

5. That first morning cup – is it about the taste, or the caffeine?

Um, yes??  I need both, thanks. 

6. Do you enjoy going out to coffee shops like Starbucks? What are some of your favorites?

Mint chocolate mocha.   Do they sell anything else?

7. You’ve just made the perfect cup of coffee – is it in a thick mug, or a thinner cup? Where would you sit to drink it?

It’s in a honkin’ big, thick mug.  I’d sit on the sofa and just hold the mug and inhale the aroma between sips…

8. You’re enjoying that perfect cup, and have a magic cabinet in your kitchen – when you open it, magically, your favorite treats will appear to enjoy alongside the coffee – what are they? Are they sweet? Crunchy? Soft and flaky?

Since I only drink ONE cup of coffee (in a giant mug) first thing in the morning, or one PLAIN cup with dessert, I’ll take a crumbly coffee cake in the morning and the perfect tiramisu or cheesecake at night.

All about YOU!

1. Do you have other hobbies like spinning or scrapbooking?

Spinning, stamping, scrapbooking

2. Do you collect anything?

I have in the past, but I’m really trying to de-clutter…

3. What is your favorite part of Autumn?

Being able to wear sweaters and socks again.  Going on walks down our tree-lined road with Sissy.  Pumpkin flavored anything and everything.

4. What sort of scents do you enjoy? Any difference in what you like for your house versus what you like for your body?

Oh yes.  For the house, we enjoy apple scents this time of year.  For me, I like a soft floral that isn’t too sweet or strong.

5. Are you allergic to anything?

Not that matters in a swap.

6. Are you on Ravelry? What’s your ID?

Sure am!  Chanknits

7. How would you spend an ideal fall afternoon/day?

On a long walk with Sissy somewhere with a great display of changing leaves…  We’d stop off and buy some apples (because really, picking apples with a wild hound wouldn’t be fun), and then we’d hit a pumpkin patch and come home and have all kinds of pumpkin baked goods.  There’d have to be a great bowl of a hearty soup or chili in there somewhere too.

Feel Like a Woman?

Is there a club for middle age women?  If so, someone show me the secret handshake, because I think I’m there.

I thought I was swinging in to my doctor’s for routine bloodwork.  Ha!  Keep in mind, my doctor is a cute, perky gal, just a couple of years older than me.  She’s awesome, so much so even the Knight goes to her.  I first saw her about fifteen years ago, when she was rather fresh out of med school and working at the holistic place the City had a contract with for general practice type stuff.  So, we understand each other.   

So, imagine my surprise when I left her office with a flu shot, and a pending mammogram and a colonoscopy.  Hrmph.  (And no, I’m not 40 yet, but thanks for asking.) 

On that happy note, I’m off to explore a new yarn shop and wait for my long, leisurely chat with the one person not related to me who has loved me in spite of myself for well over two decades.

Change of Plans

I think those are the ones I’m sewing on tonight.  I didn’t sew them on last night because it is a little “cutesy” and I wanted to sleep on it, but I feel even stronger about them this morning.  While blue was Fred’s color, everything about this sweater made me think of Mugsy, but I’ll explain more about that in the FO report later this week.

The pewter knots are just too big.  I’d cut them off (or worse, rip them off) the first time I tried to wear it.  It was one thing to manipulate the sucker for that one photo, but not for regular wear.  So, I went to a fabric store yesterday…

No, not all were purchased as contenders for this project, but it appears I have a button problem.  I’m sure I’ll be stuck with these twosies, but honestly, I’m not built for button the length of the front cardigans, so maybe they’ll all see use at some point…

Now, to do a bit of work before the doctor and then to try to not act like a three year old on Christmas Eve as I wait for time to head to the new yarn shop and more exciting still, for the moment I get to squeeze my childhood best friend.  (And since she’s generally a good sport, there will likely be a photo or two…)

An Older Man

Sissy and I have really been enjoying our afternoon walks.  The past two days, a delightful old guy has been hanging out at the “turn-around” point in our walk.  Sunday, he walked about three houses down with us but turned around when a very fiesty female Jack Russell came flying through the thicket at Sissy.  (And poor Sis…  Generally very shy with a strange dog, JRTs must mean Mugsy to her, because even with that beast snarling, hackles up, Sissy was trying to lick her.)  Yesterday, he walked us all the way home, and I finally remembered that my cell phone has a camera!

He’s a fat, happy, old dude, and he lives on a farm further down the road.  He seems very car-aware, so I wasn’t too worried when he trotted back in the direction of home after we went inside.

Thanks for all the input on the buttons.  The pewter buttons are my favorites, just to look at the buttons as stand-alone items.  There was a smaller size, so I’m going to see if I can find those – or something VERY similar – locally, this afternoon.  If not, I’ll just block and stretch, and make the ones I have work.

Maybe there will be an FO report on this great sweater tomorrow, but no promises.  I have to remember to fast in the morning too…

Which Button?

The faster WE make a decision, the sooner YOU get an FO report on my favorite FO to date…

The buttons range in size from 3/4″ (the white ones) to 1 1/8″ (the pewter look and the tan flower), and while the two larger ones are a stretch, I haven’t washed and blocked said sweater yet, so there’s that…  Also, there are two buttons, as shown in the one photo…  Don’t critique my knitting, because I didn’t block, didn’t “stage”. I just want to know which buttons best suit the sweater!

Or

Or

Or

My favorite?  Whichever one I’m looking at.  The white’s rather simple, but honestly, I will most likely wear this with a white shirt 99% of the time, and this sweater was knitted with Mugsy on my heart and mind, and he was mostly white.  I like how closely the blue matches, and I like that size.  But I have a thing for pewter and for knots, so that makes THAT one nice, and Mugsy did have that spot of tan on his ear, and aren’t flowers always a nice touch?

I don’t know when I’ll make a decision and sew on the two buttons and call it an FO.  It’s supposed to be in the 80s tomorrow, so no rush there.  Wednesday is supposed to be warm too, I think, but Tuesday night is my last evening at home this week.  (Friend is giving my report for me, in case you care.  I actually bothered to call and ask more than 24 hours in advance.  Maybe my old ways are finally coming back to me and I won’t be so scattered for the rest of my life.)

So, let’s say that if you really want to have input, you’d better comment by 4pm ET Tuesday, okay?  Otherwise, I’m interested in your opinion, but the buttons might already be in place…

Oh!  And if you need an idea of what it will look like in the end, go HERE.   Thanks in advance.  In my next life, I’m going to be one of those stylish dames who looks like a million dollars in jeans and a tee, and I’m going to be decisive.

Easy Like Monday Morning

Oh, the line’s actually SUNDAY morning, but there’s nothing like a holiday Monday.  Sure, a lot of my friends and family are at home, perhaps just waking up, but I don’t hate them for it.  No mail, no bank, so it’s a very slow day here at work.  I’m going to type up a couple of sets of minutes (two different organizations), and then piddle, I think…

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz…

You Are a Bette!

You are a Bette — “I must be strong”

Bettes are direct, self-reliant, self-confident, and protective.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Stand up for yourself… and me.
• * Be confident, strong, and direct.
• * Don’t gossip about me or betray my trust.
• * Be vulnerable and share your feelings. See and acknowledge my tender, vulnerable side.
• * Give me space to be alone.
• * Acknowledge the contributions I make, but don’t flatter me.
• * I often speak in an assertive way. Don’t automatically assume it’s a personal attack.
• * When I scream, curse, and stomp around, try to remember that’s just the way I am.

What I Like About Being a Bette

• * being independent and self-reliant
• * being able to take charge and meet challenges head on
• * being courageous, straightforward, and honest
• * getting all the enjoyment I can out of life
• * supporting, empowering, and protecting those close to me
• * upholding just causes

What’s Hard About Being a Bette

• * overwhelming people with my bluntness; scaring them away when I don’t intend to
• * being restless and impatient with others’ incompetence
• * sticking my neck out for people and receiving no appreciation for it
• * never forgetting injuries or injustices
• * putting too much pressure on myself
• * getting high blood pressure when people don’t obey the rules or when things don’t go right

Bettes as Children Often

• * are independent; have an inner strength and a fighting spirit
• * are sometimes loners
• * seize control so they won’t be controlled
• * figure out others’ weaknesses
• * attack verbally or physically when provoked
• * take charge in the family because they perceive themselves as the strongest, or grow up in difficult or abusive surroundings

Bettes as Parents

• * are often loyal, caring, involved, and devoted
• * are sometimes overprotective
• * can be demanding, controlling, and rigid

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

You know, I love TAKING quizzes.  It’s the results that sometimes leave me less than happy.  I must admit though, this little two-question number comes closer to the truth than perhaps I should admit. 

Anne is having a contest too.  She’s out in Colorado, a place that really resonates within her being, and I hope she’s getting recharged out in that mountain air!

Bet you thought you were getting an FO report today, didn’t you?  Ha!  No such luck.  My knitting mojo has packed up and gone on vacation.  I did maybe five or six repeats on Abby’s winter coat, and never did carry myself to buy buttons.  So, while in a superstore last night, I found several buttons that MIGHT work.  Maybe I’ll take photos this afternoon and y’all can help me choose. 

I’m glad today is a slow and easy day, because my evenings this week are jammed-packed full.  Tonight is my night with Sissy.  We’ll go for a long walk, make some dinner and hang out on the sofa together.  I need to knit on Abby’s sweater, because the latter part of this week will be rather chilly for a little dog with a single, thin coat of fur.  Tuesday, I should make a budget presentation at the firehouse Board meeting, but instead, either the Knight (as ASSt. Chief Knight, making his own plea for funds) or our friend (who needs a cute name of his own) will have to make it for me, because I’m staying home to watch House.  Wednesday, I’ll leave work very early, go to the chiro, go to the new yarn shop on the north side of town and wait on my childhood best friend.  We’ll eat an early dinner, I’ll get some carryout for the Knight, and head to our Board of Officers meeting, which is sure to be a doosey.  Thursday night, we have the firehouse business meeting, and I hope that’s it!

Luckily, the way the calendar falls this moth, I only have one short meeting next week, and two the last week of the month.  The Knight and I are meeting’d to death, but we must like it that way. 

So, I guess I hope to have two FOs to report this week.  The cardigan is done, but I’ve been waiting on those buttons, so maybe Wednesday, after y’all help me pick the right ones?  And Abby’s sweater just has to get done, so maybe that for Friday?

Then, I’m going to try some project monogamy.  I want Fredfoot done…

Anything exciting ahead for you?

Friday Goodness

Goodness, where did the day go?  Heck, the whole week was a blur.

Firstly, the funeral was quite lovely.  It was simple and straightforward, as my friend’s father (or my father’s friend, if you prefer) had planned.  It only ices his cake as a great man; he had made his wishes for his funeral known well in advance, and he wanted only a graveside service with no extras, save a line of firefighters saluting as the casket moved from the hearse to the grave site.  Why?  To spare his family and his friends the prolonged grief that comes with multi-faceted funeral proceedings.  Daddy has another friend to talk with, but we’ve lost another great man.

Oh, but it’s been a week of thoughtful gifts at my house!  Dear Amy was even thinking of me on her honeymoon! 

Yes, yes, the dog treats in the back were opened before the photo!  It’s the price of having a precious, precocious scent-hound princess around.  Sissy knew there was something in there for her before I did, so how could I not immediately treat her?!  And those socks…  I hope I made the photo large enough you can see the trademark on the bottom.  Cute, no?  Now…  Do I wear the cuffs up, so you see the pretty JRT head, or down, so you can read the writing?

There’s the yarn.  What Amy had no way of knowing is how many times I picked up this yarn, in this very colorway, and petted it, and put it back.  I’m going to have to make myself something lacy and wonderful with this!  (Suggestions always welcomed, you know…)  Thank you Amy, not just for your thoughtful gifts, but for thinking of Sissy and me while you were honeymooning!  We need to get together again soon.

Oh – and Sissy loves the cookies.  I guess that means my smart pooch loves cranberries too…

Yesterday, another package arrived.  I was expecting a CD (of Sissy photos, if you must know) from Anita, along with “a little something” else.  Oh boy!

Isn’t that the best photo of Sissy, strutting her stuff in the driveway?!  I think that one is coming to work.  The one next to it is a shot of Anita and me, but I liked her card so much I just dropped that over us, and then there’s the group shot from Knitters Day Out.

Aren’t they cute kitties?  Thanks so much, Anita!

So, what’s up for your weekend?  I’m finally going to make it to a scrap ‘n stamp night tonight.  I had hoped to start Sissy’s album, but I didn’t get her “baby” photos printed, so I might just make cards.  Tomorrow, I’m going to go find some buttons for my cardigan, so I can show you an  FO.  That’s about it, I do believe, unless we do dinner Sunday night with our friends (his father’s funeral was today).  I’m skipping a stamping workshop tomorrow, because we just haven’t been home enough this week.

Whatever you do, make it great!