Knit Happened

Firstly, thank you for all of the kind words and wishes on our new addition.  I just snapped some really cute photos of the “siblings” snuggling on the Knight’s recliner.  (No, they’re not posed.  Sissy just really is into Mugsy, and he’s tolerating her better than we’d hoped.)  I’d tried to get him a large, leather recliner last year for Christmas, and I’m sure by Father’s Day, it will be a necessity.  Sissy is much more of a snuggler than Fred was.  There will be lots of Sissy posts to come, but this one is about a couple of finished objects you’d not seen.

 Well, you’d seen Mugsy’s new coat, but he wasn’t interested in modeling it for you.  Friday, it was cold enough he wasn’t even keen about posing outside, so this is as large as we can go without blurring.   The shot happened in part of our normal, morning routine at work.  Mugsy is the mayor, and he must greet all of the employees as he trots inside.  (Hence, the need for a coat.  He doesn’t just run from the warm house to the warm vehicle to the warm office.  Being popular has its price.)  In case you’re wondering, I intentionally altered the design to leave his chest somewhat open.  He has a lot of scar tissue in the center of his chest, and I didn’t want the bit of negative ease applying pressure in the wrong place.  (Ah, the joys of hand-knit fashions.  Too bad I can’t knit a harness.)

Then, there’s the big mystery lace scarf.  It was for my sister’s birthday, so now that it has been gifted, you can see it.  Blocking this one was a piece of cake; a warm iron, set on the lowest heat setting that still provided steam with extra mist all the way did the trick.  It then finished drying on the pantry door, which also made a decent photo location.

Pattern:  Paws to Remember (FiberTrends)  I’m not sure I’ll do this pattern again.  The “wordy” version made me want to poke a needle in my eye, and the charts had to go to work and get magnified 154%, or something like that so I could read them, and I’m near-sighted.  Anne noted very early on that the paw print isn’t quite canine, and sure enough, my sister exclaimed, “Cat paws!” and I’m not sure she really believes that the pattern was for canine prints, but whatever, because she’s had cats she loved dearly too who are on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge now.  It’s definitely not mindless knitting either.  A simple exchange with the Knight had me frogging back if it wasn’t an even row.

Needles:  Bryspun straights, size 6.  Love ’em for lace…

Yarn:  Crafty in a Good Way.  Colorway - Pines in the Dark.  (Appropriate, because my sister loves dark greens, and Mollie’s favorite potty spot was a row of pines, most often in the dark…)

Needless to say, there’s been no knitting here the last two days.  I did open my fantabulous Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap box yesterday, and that deserves its own post.  Stay tuned…  Even blogging is slow with Sissy in the house.  She likes to help, but right now, poor Mugsy is nannying again.  He just looks at me every time she repositions ON him, and I assure him that very soon, he’ll be able to use *HER* as a pillow. 

Coffee and Talk

No photos, folks.  This is just one of those posts where several things need to be shared…

Firstly, so my dear friends and hosts of the WWCS don’t have to hunt around, this week’s topic:

For many people, Winter is a time of cold weather and snow - and many fun outdoor activities that can only be enjoyed during those times! What’s YOUR favorite activity in Winter, and is it even outdoors??

Well, I was really into figure skating at one point.  I’ve always enjoyed a good snowman-making, but there’s very little I can do outside these days.  I can still make snow angels, if someone’s there to help me up, and that’s always been a favorite thing.  But honestly??  There’s nothing like a snowball fight!  I love it.  Mugsy can’t make snowball to throw back at me, but he really enjoys snow fetch, and without the Page (look!  a new character for my no-real name family! my stepson, obviously…) around, I guess snow fetch is the outdoor game of choice. 

How could I forget sledding?!  On into my early 20s, sledding was *IT* for me.  I wonder where the Flexible Flyer of my childhood went? 

Oh - and just to tease - my downstream coffee swap pal is someone I know reads here sometimes, so I mailed your package yesterday! 

Next, today’s a significant day in the life of a knit-blogger I really admire.  Nancy was “real” enough to share a painful anniversary with us, so please stop in and read, reflect, and give her some love!  Nancy inspires me, because I have some big physical limitations of my own which I don’t talk about, and try not to acknowledge too often.  Nancy keeps it real, and in doing so, makes it almost impossible for me to grieve for what I CAN’T still do.

You also need to drop by Crimson Purl and check out her list of knitting stereotypes and misconceptions from the ignorant.  It’s a very nearly complete list, but I had to share with her that strange as it sounds, the rough and tumble guys in my life are MUCH more accepting of my knitting hobby/skills than they were of scrapbooking, card making, needlepoint or cross stitch.  Interesting, huh?

Also, I just spoke with the insurance company, and my vehicle was totalled.  The police officer friend, the Knight, and our fire chief all need lose their appraisal privileges.  They were off by about 500%!!!  Sigh.  Anyone have a mid-size SUV they just LOVE and think I would too??

Favorite Things

Last night, Anne bought a Christmas CD.  “Favorite Things” from my favorite musical, The Sound of Music, was on it.  Today’s been a day of favorite things for me, aside from hugging Anne good-bye this morning.

(Note to other SoM fans - you NEED the 40th anniversary DVD!  The Knight got it for me, and it has a Karaoke section, along with everything else!)

The Knight had to work today, so he missed lunch with my favorite cousin and her parents, who are conveniently, my favorite aunt and uncle.  We gathered because we never can see too much of each other, but also because we’re in the habit of getting together on the weekend after Thanksgiving to celebrate Nannie’s birthday.  On the way down, I jammed to XM’s Christmas music, and they seemed to be playing all of my favorites, so I sang along, and was feeling rather festive when I arrived.  (In case you care, I dined upon another favorite - a black and bleu salad.)

Surprise!  There weren’t just hugs and food and good conversation.  My aunt found one more of her mother’s jewelry boxes, and there were four items up for discussion.  We’ve been very judicious with my grandmother’s possessions, so all of her remaining children and grandchildren have something that was meaningful to her.  However, this most recent find held some of the greatest treasures.  My mother, a nurse like her mother, had wondered where the nurse’s pin (kinda’ like a portable diploma for nurses, it would seem) was.  It will soon be on its way to her, as a big Christmas surprise.  My aunt had missed their mother’s wedding band.  It now resides immediately adjacent to her own, and will be handed down to Favorite Cousin (FC) in due time.  There was also a pretty little ruby ring, and it is headed to another girl cousin.  Since I’m the one who lives in the shadow of UVA, I was gifted with my grandmother’s nursing school ring. 

Of course, just as the worn wedding band fit my aunt’s finger perfectly, this one slipped onto my ring finger and will stay there indefinitely.   (Yep.  Class of 1927, she was…)  I didn’t inherit my mother’s coulda’ been a hand model hands, but this is important, so ignore my stubby fingers and just look at the ring.  It’s well-worn too, and that just makes it feel better.  It’s ironic how similar it is to my own class ring from high school, but trust me on that one, because I’m not inclined to go try to find it, and taking more ring photos is out of the question.

Here’s another shot.   That ring will make the next week a little easier, as Nannie’s birthday slips by.  I’m so grateful that my aunt is so kind and generous; she knows we need our tangible reminders too, and she’s willing to share. 

Oh - and I got some shopping done too.  Thanks to a great find in a catalog this morning by the Knight, my inlaws are done, and so are my sister and her hubby.  I picked up a few things for my Winter Wonderland pal too.   

Which reminds me…  This week’s question:

What is the ideal setting for enjoying the perfect cup of coffee? Who would be there - or would you be alone? Inside or out? Morning or night? With food or just the steaming cup of joe?

Well…  Since I’m more of a tea girl, coffee is generally a social beverage for me.  Prior to Anne’s visit in June, I don’t think I drank coffee unless I was cold, needed a jolt, or wanted an after dinner non-alcoholic sip.  My favorite coffee memories come around a table at a nice restaurant, with a fine china cup in one hand and a smile on my face.  There’s laughter, and my friends and family are there too.  I also enjoy it when the Knight makes a Starbucks run on our way to the firehouse (which for the record is ALWAYS between home and town).  Again, it’s me at the big round table in the bay, with friends and maybe even my nephew hanging out. 

So, no on being alone, inside - check, and it seems that despite my recent cravings for morning java, my *IDEAL* cup comes at night, either with dessert or in a Starbucks mocha that qualifies as a dessert AND a coffee.  Interesting.  That all kinda’ surprises me…

Coffee, Anyone?

The Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap has these weekly questions…

The Thursday upcoming is Thanksgiving in the U.S., so let’s all - American and not alike! - just share a post with what it is we’re thankful for. A wonderful thing to do any time of year, I thought it’d be a nice thing to share for this week with the group! 

I feel a little funny, answering this while I sip my afternoon tea, but Anne and Holly know how I roll, so it’s not like I’m being unfaithful.  I did have three servings of coffee yesterday, all of which were way more than 8 ounces each.  I tried the Pumpkin Spice creamer in the first “cup,” only to find that while I love pumpkin, that’s just too sweet for me.  So, onto the second mugful, for which I used my Chocolate Mint Truffle creamer.  Yum.  Then, I’d mentioned to the Knight that Starbuck’s reportedly has a WHITE chocolate peppermint flavor this season, so surprise, surprise, after dinner and the grocery store, he popped into Starbucks.  He’s becoming such the regular, but I’ll stick with my usual, thanks much.  (And *YOU* are a regular, Anne, the Knight or maybe my coffee swap pal if you know what that is!)  The Knight came out of the restroom just in time to save my Grande Skinny Peppermint Mocha no whipped cream from the ready to dispense whipped cream dude.  That’s why he’s the Knight… always saving the day.  (Like now.  He’s going to be late to his get together now, because I forgot to pick up the creamed corn last night for the corn pudding tomorrow.)

Oh yeah.  The answer to the question.  Sorry.  Clearly, I’m thankful for the Knight, who *IS* my knight in shining armor.  I’m so thankful for his dog-loving family, so that I’m rarely separated from Mugsy, the prince of our household.  I’m thankful for the prosperity we so often take for granted, which allows me to build my stash, almost with reckless abandon.  I’m thankful for friends who inspire me and then lift me up when I’m feeling down, many of whom are new friends, met through this online community. 

 I could go on forever, but there are three things, for now.  Time to top off my tea mug and start getting ready for tomorrow, the first of the holiday meals, with the Knight’s father’s family.

Second Wind

For those of you dear souls who actually read all of my posts, this is really a continuation of the Marathon post below. Otherwise, jump in! There’s actual knitting content here.

First though, we have to take care of some coffee swap business. Holly wants to know:

As the cold of winter approaches, do you change the projects you work on? Do you work on gifts for others or do you continue working on projects for yourself?

You mean other than socks?! I’m supposed to be doing some lace and other holiday knitting, but there are November/early December birthdays that require some knitting too. I’m not working on anything for me right now, and the goal is to not knit for myself until after the holiday knits AND my Pay it Forward knits are complete. As this was my first calendar year of knitting, I did find myself picking non-wool, smaller items in the heat of summer, save socks of course.

No, I haven’t finished the Jaywalker yet, but thanks for asking. It seemed like a good plan at the time to knit my child-footed mother inlaw’s socks on #0s, but - DUH? - little needles mean little stitches, which all adds up to taking forever to knit one friggin’ sock. I do love the pattern, so that helps, but after whipping out the Knight’s pair in no time, this is a humbling reminder that even short woman socks can take a long time.

So how ’bout those finished Fred socks? They’re lovely, the really are. (And yes, the Knight wanted them that short.)

Details:

Pattern - Beaded Rib from Sensational Socks.

Changes - I’m in love with the magic cast-on from Cat Bordhi, so that’s what I used. Yes, toe-up, with a short-row heel.

Needles - Size #2 circs, my Harmonys.

Yarn - Alabama Fiber’s custom, Fred’s Yarn

And now, those pesky, tiny Jaywalkers. They’re being done in KnitPicks’ Felici, in Hummingbird. I am in love with this pattern. It might replace the Monkey as my favorite sock pattern, but you know I’m fickle. I’m almost done with the foot decreases now, and with a not quite size five ladies shoe as my goal and a 2″ toe, I really think I can finish them tonight. That is of course, if I quit blogging and return to knitting, but a girl’s gotta’ eat, right? I can blog and eat, but I can’t knit and eat, so cut me some slack, will ya’?

The other thing that slows me down on these socks is about every ten rows or so, I have to stop and admire ‘em. If I didn’t know that I’d get to see them nearly every time they’re worn, I don’t know if I could give them up. Soft yarn, pretty stripes… Yeah, that’s why they call it yarn porn. I do have more Felici for the Knight - in the Firefighter colorway! - but I’m thinking I need another colorway for me too. I might not get around to knitting them in the next decade, but when I do, I’ll love the way this yarn and this pattern groove together!

I’m doing beach laundry and missing the sound of the waves breaking. So to console myself, I offer this:

It’s the view off the front porch on a clear day. I miss you, OBX. The good news is, we’ll be back. My aunt and I spent 40 minutes on the phone today, talking about the beach. They’re headed down tomorrow for a couple of days.

Last, but hardly least, I offer some evidence of non-knitting crafting. I’ve mentioned before that a group of us gathers monthly to scrap and stamp. Last night, they got all organized and we had both a scrapping “take away” and a stamping workshop. I know some of you enjoy those crafts too, so here’s what we did:

Creative Memories door journal box:

Stampin’ Ups gift tags and card:

Please note all of the purple. Gah! It’s growing on me. Especially when paired with a green, I’m starting to like it. Not that I had a choice; these colors were pre-selected for the mini workshop.

Well, dinner’s done, so that means I should wrap it up here and return to the sock. Thanks for reading!

Smack!!

That’s me hitting myself in the head. As I rushed out of town Friday, I left Cass’s 333 Contest in limbo. Of course, y’all are all reading her wacky, funny blog anyway, but…

Then, there’s the coffee swap. I actually *DO* have some coffee here at the beach, thanks much. It’s in a bottle, in the refrigerator, with Starbucks on the label, but that counts right?? There’s a topic of the week, and you know I’m a team player and a contest junkie, so:

When did you first start drinking coffee? What age were you? Was it about the caffeine, or do you love the taste and smell? Tell us how your passion began!

Firstly, I’d hardly call it a passion. That’s the cold, hard truth. Tea is a passion, but I’m learning to like coffee. LIKE. Just enough to think it’s fun to be in a swap.

My start with coffee had me gagging and spitting. Not pretty. That’s pretty much how I reacted until one of the other female firefighters ground some for me. I don’t recall the first flavor - hazelnut? - but once I learned that I didn’t loathe ALL coffee, I very slowly began testing the waters. So for the sake of the contest, let’s say I was in my 20s before I was able to actually swallow a sip of coffee.

I’ve always loved the smell of coffee though.

And no, Mugsy isn’t sure about the waves. He likes the little ones that lap at the shore best, thanks.

Maybe knitting content will happen in the next post.

FFBE Final Question and More Again

Have you noticed that it’s feast or famine with my posts? Hope that doesn’t bother anyone. It’s a matter of time, and it’s a rainy, boring day in the working world.

How was your experience in the exchange? Did you enjoy the folks you met? Did you just love the bag you received? Please share any thoughts, criticism, and things you loved!

Well, I just sent out my pal’s package yesterday and haven’t received mine yet, so there’s little to report. My upstream pal has been in touch and has asked questions so I know she’s reading up on me, which will lead to a great bag, I’m sure! My downstream pal has been a royal pain in my rear, trying to solicit information about her bag from mutual friends… Oh yeah. Wait. That’s YOU, isn’t it Miss Question-asker? SNOL!! Seriously though, I had great fun spoiling you, although I do think YOU have more fun when you have a co-host, so I’ll be mindful of that next time I decide at the last minute to be less than helpful.

I will of course, go on and on when my package does arrive. But you already knew that, didn’t you?

And since I keep forgetting, I really need my SNOL button out in plain sight!

Also, if you’re like me (forgetful), you need a reminder that the Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap is open for registration. Get that questionnaire posted though!

Y’all Call Cleatis…

He ain’t never seen nuthin’ like this. (And yes folks, we have a family friend named Cleat, and he most certainly would be interested in knowing that I’m suddenly into coffee. I’m also sure that Cleat thinks that any of that fancy stuff is stupid; Folgers is ritzy by his standards.)

I’m looking forward to Anne and Holly’s coffee swap. (Even my mother inlaw glanced at the computer screen and remarked, “You’re doing coffee now?!”) Um, yeah. But please, pal o’ mine, please don’t try to broaden my horizons too much!

Sign-ups begin October 24th. (Anne’s birthday, just so you know.)

So, here we go with the questionnaire:

I happen to love lengthy questionnaires, and obviously, my friends the hostesses do too, but if you don’t, there will be another post sooner or later, so it won’t hurt my feelings if you don’t read along!

Coffee

What are your favorite kinds of coffee? (Brands, Roasts, anything at all you’d like to share!)

Iced. Mochas. If it’s hot, I need it to not taste like coffee so much. If it’s cold, add milk and a touch of Splenda or a flavoring syrup, and I’m good. Seriously? Starbucks peppermint mocha was my first clue that I didn’t hate coffee. For summer, it’s been McDonald’s Iced Coffee. Large, plain or hazelnut.

Do you prefer whole bean or ground coffee?

Now, don’t laugh, but whole bean is good. I actually own a grinder, although I use it for flax seed.

This time of year, there are often Holiday Blends available, and many flavored coffees - do you drink flavored coffee? Do you enjoy special blends?

See above. If it’s hot coffee, it has to be flavored. I don’t like vanilla, but my mother inlaw does. I like chocolates, mints and nuts.


How do you take your coffee? Cream and Sugar? Straight up? Decaf?

Lots of cream or milk - I’m not choosy. Splenda over sugar if I have the choice, and you can hold the decaf. I like caffeine.

Do you prefer drinking from a nice thick mug, or a matched cup and saucer?

I love the *IDEA* of a dainty cup and saucer, and I enjoy using a fine china cup when I get the chance. However, for day to day life, I’m a honkin’ big mug kind of girl. (Here’s the truth; if I’m acting like a lady, seated somewhere, bring on the cup and saucer. But if I have to TAKE my hot beverage somewhere, like to my desk, the living room, etc., it needs to be a mug, not quite filled, and there’s still a chance I’ll slosh.)

Winter and Holidays - PLEASE be descriptive! Your pal will need this information to be sure to put together a package you will enjoy!

What is your favorite part of Winter?

The cold part? Right now, I’m looking forward to wearing my sweaters, jeans, knitted socks, etc. I also love nothing more than a pretty, fresh snow first thing in the morning, or under the moonlight.

Do you celebrate a holiday in December, and if so, which holiday?

Christmas, in the rather traditional fashion. However, I have friends with a vast range of beliefs and practices, and I like to learn about different traditions and such.

If you celebrate Christmas, do you put up a tree?

You bet! It’s the extent of my decorating most years.

Would you enjoy items related to the holiday, or would you prefer a Winter themed package?

Either, but please, no angels. I’m an open-minded Christian, but I’m not a big fan of angels as decorations.

Do you collect anything?

Dog ornaments, specifically jack russell or heck, even still a basset hound. I also like stars, pewter or brass ornaments, and the Knight has almost enough fire department ornaments for his own tree.

I also love holiday dishes. Anything with red, green and gold fits in with my dining room plans. I have a wild notion that mismatched holiday/winter tea cups and saucers would be fun so that I can start the tradition of a holiday tea.


Are there any holiday or winter-themed items (Snowmen, Angels, Snoflakes, Santas, etc) that you collect?

Stars. I love stars. I’m not sure how holiday themed they are, but they’re easier to find around Christmas…

Do you wear scarves? Mittens? Hats?

Scarves and hats. Can’t drive in mittens, can’t hold onto a dog leash too well in mittens…

What is your favorite holiday or winter treat?

Pumpkin or peppermint anything. ANYTHING.

Please share a favorite Winter or Holiday memory.

Food. Family. Laughter. There’s the year my mother inlaw and my brother inlaw’s now former mother inlaw got into the wine and wandered around in the snow. I have an assortment of memories with various parts of my family, but they all involve food, family and laughter.

Winter? Playing in the snow. Good times. Fred loved to snort snow.

Yarn and Crafting

Do you Knit or Crochet?

Knit. I can’t even do a great single chain in crochet.

For how long?

11 months and counting… Let’s just say a year, okay?

Do you like wooden, metal, or plastic needles\hooks?

Depends on the project. I’m loving my Knitpick Harmonys right now, and I think I have just about every need in metal, so let’s say wood/bamboo.

Circular or straight?

Circs, almost exclusively. I don’t use straights for much other than dishcloths, but there are some pretty wooden ones out there! DPNs are good too, but I think I have at least one of every size of those.

What sort of projects do you enjoy making?

Socks. Felted bags. Socks. Anything new. Socks. Lace. Socks.

What are your favorite types of yarn to work with?

Unless I’m felting, I like wee little yarns. For socks, Tofutsies are my favorites, but I love trying new yarns too. I’m getting interested in lace, so that’s a whole, new ballgame. I especially enjoy wool-alternatives or blends.

Do you spin or dye?

As a child, I spun in circles and my family called it “Going to the Baldwin Sister’s.” Fans of The Waltons will know what they meant.

So the short answer is no. And I never will, because my friends humor me and spoil me with their own efforts.

Do you do other crafts such as scrapbooking or needlepoint or anything else?

I used to, before I became consumed by knitting. Scrapbooks and stamping are the only things still on my radar.

General

When is your birthday?

July 1

Do you have any children? (Furry kind count!)

Just one very rotten Jack Russell Terror. I doubt that will change before the end of this swap, but if it does, you won’t be able to miss it. (And that would be another dog, not a baby. There will be no human additions to our household.)

Oh - and Flipper. Poor Flip. I forget to feed him, I forget to mention him, and yet he lives and seems happy enough.

What are your favorite colors?

You know, I hesitate to answer that question because even the colors I say I don’t like show up in the right combinations, in the right projects. Green, red, blue, brown and pink are always safe.

Do you have any allergies?

Not yarn or coffee related.