Knitterykate

Gramma's Mittens

2011-11-15T20:25:00.008-08:00

My Gramma taught me many things. She taught me how to make an apple pie from scratch and she taught me how to make a delicious roast from onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup and a roll of tin foil. But the most useful thing she taught me was how to knit. My Gramma made tons of mittens. The neighbor children would pass by her front porch and Granpa would look for a child without proper hand protection and call him over for a pair of "Gramma's Mittens". So in the early 70's Gramma taught me how to do it myself. My very first project was a pair of mittens for a Mennonite friend who was one of seven or eight children and only had mismatched mittens to wear. I had enough yarn left over to make myself a pair and I still have them! I can't believe they are not long gone. I have no idea how they made it this far in my life - from Pennsylvania to California to Canada. Over 40 years! But they have made it and I still use them. My girls are always clamoring for new mittens or socks or finger-less mitts and I often give them the pair fresh off the needles but I haven't parted with these old faithful yet. And I don't think I will.

Not only have the mittens made it to the 21st century so has the instruction book she and I used! It was falling apart back then but with the help of some sticky adhesive clear plastic we managed to salvage the book for posterity. Yes, I think it may last at least another 40 years.

So when someone needs a pair of mittens out comes "the book". I usually follow the instructions for 2 needles but just noticed last week that you could use 4 needles and knit in the round. Having tried knitting this pattern on four needles I think I prefer it. There's no messy seaming up to do at the end and when you put in that last stitch at the tip you are done... unless someone's fingers are longer than you thought.

Thankfully, there's no side seam to take out.

Scraps ~ I Mean Old Scraps

2011-11-01T19:14:00.010-07:00

Take a ball of yarn ~ any old yarn. Preferably, a ball that has been hidden in the deep dark recesses of your yarn box(es). Yarn that has already served its purpose in another project or two. A scrap that is no good for any project ~ not even a woven square.

Then take some more yarn. Something that has no purpose either. Make sure it's junk. I mean something that's been in the bottom of the box for quite some time. Ugly, scratchy stuff.

And finally, take a third skein of unwanted variegated 100% acrylic yarn that you just want to get rid of but don't want to throw away since you've saturated all your friends with unwanted yarn and they can't/won't take ANY MORE!

Mix.

And knit.

Linen Stitch Scarf

from scraps

linen-stitch-scarf

Aspen Yoke Pullover

2011-10-20T21:58:00.012-07:00

I wanted to make myself a wonderful-wallaby and had the sleeves done and sitting in my knitting basket. But when I came across Meg Swansen's aspen-yoke-sweater I had second thoughts. Besides, I really didn't think the pocket in the front would be too complimentary until I had lost some weight. Even then... the jury is still out. But in the mean time I finished the Aspen Yoke using the wallaby as a guide and modifying Meg's sweater. I'm really liking round yoked sweaters and plan on making more and have found some interesting patterns. Olive is one of the prettiest I've found but I'm not sure of the yarn to use. We'll see because it's about #30 on my list of things I want to make.

Other news: I'm making great headway on my "free the needles" campaign.

Just a close-up of the latest until I give it away and then let you know what it really is.

I have a stack of books on my end table but the one I'm really interested in is the one on the bottom.

Can you believe that someone would actually sit down and spend the time to figure out how to make these socks? And then have the nerve to wear them? I must admit, they are intriguing.

And fun.

Moving Right Along

2011-10-17T13:23:00.008-07:00

It's not as if I have nothing to say. Those of you who know me also know that I'm rarely without something to say - often saying too much. But since Ravelry was introduced to me I found it harder to post since all my knitting projects went there. If you haven't checked it out and you like to knit or crochet, it is definitely worth a look -- if only for all the free patterns and the beautiful projects some have come up with.

A very respectful horse. Or a gluttonous one. LJ taught Gypsy how to bow and Gyps gets a carrot when she does it correctly.

Knitting Toys

2009-11-19T07:30:00.000-08:00

lamb knitting

Now how cute is this?

Purple Mist

2009-09-14T10:42:00.004-07:00

Hi Mom,

This is the yarn that I was telling you about. Is it the same one that you mentioned to me? Anyway it is 100% acrylic and, as you know, I like to work with yarn that has some wool in it. But this one is okay to work with... Then look at Lion Brand wool-ease. I made Keren's latest socks out of that...the ones she had to pull off immediately after putting on because it was so hot!!! (Note to self: never try on wool socks in the middle of the summer) It has 25% wool and 75% acrylic. Washable too. Don't worry too much about it. I will be glad to work with the 100% acrylic

Fair Isle Bag - Interweave

2009-06-25T15:59:00.001-07:00

Fair Isle Bag - Interweave

Shared via AddThis

Feather and Fan

2009-05-04T21:05:00.007-07:00

Lest you think I have a too much spare time to knit let me tell you of an incidence that happened to me last week. I was sitting at a stop light on the way to the store and I looked over at the car next to me only see a man, woman and young girl laughing and looking at me! All I was doing was knitting - taking advantage of the spare minute the red light afforded me.

But I do get more done if Bruce is driving. And he doesn't knit so I might as well be in the passenger seat when we are together. I love long road trips for that reason and often plan what I am going to bring to knit before I decide what I am going to wear. Clothes? Pack a few skirts, a few tops, a sweater or two and some clogs and off I go.

I'm already thinking of what to bring for my trip to California later this month to visit Mom. I'm flying and as you know the airlines are very particular about what they allow through security...at least the security company is. Some knitters suggest bringing wooden circulars in your carry-on and then packing the rest. I've never had a problem and have even forgotten about my very pointed scissors in my knitting case and they let me through. They were more concerned about the unopened can of coke! (I ended up throwing that away since I didn't relish having coke for breakfast.)

As I've said before, I can do a lot of knitting while I'm waiting and it makes it so I don't get impatient. I guess it's a therapy too. There's the rhythmic back and forth and the click, click of the needles that relaxes me. Very soothing. And a very useful finished product in the end. Usually.

So there you have it. It's finally done except for the weaving in of the loose ends and the blocking. I'm ready to cast on for another one of these. To knit in the car, of course.

Felix loves yarn. And is looking for a ball to steal.

Nan, modeling the shawl. Laughing A in the background eating dinner. (Poor color, I'm still trying to figure out Corel Paint Shop.)

March Madness

2009-03-24T12:40:00.001-07:00

I told Aunt P that I thought I would not start any new projects in the month of March. I would just work on the ones that were under construction. Never, never, never put yourself under law. That being said I did finish two projects.

This is my version of Elizabeth Zimmerman's Pi Shawl. I had a lot of fun making it and experimenting with different stitches. The concept for making this was to double the number of stitches on the needle every time you doubled the rows. So after casting on nine stitches and joining in the round I knit for two rows then doubled my stitches by doing yarn overs to 18. Knit for four more rows and doubled my stitches to 36 and so on til I got to 576. I could have gone on to 1000 something - I had enough yarn but I had been working on this long enough. Looking back I kind of wish I had since the finished shawl is a little small.

For the edge you just cast on eight or so stitches and work back and forth catching an edge stitch on the "forth" for 576 stitches. This makes a nice garter stitch band that doesn't pucker - the bane of a lot of bind offs.

One more large project done.

This wallaby was made from Briggs and Little yarn. I was afraid I wouldn't like it as it was very scratchy as I was working on it. Only when I washed and blocked it did it lose its roughness. Nice yarn. I was ready to cast on right away for another wallaby with this yarn in another colorway. But did refrain. Prudence won.

And since I finished two huge projects I gave myself liberty... to experiment.

I thought I would experiment with some yarn that has been bugging me for a long time. Now experimenting is not the same thing as starting a new project. (Do you get the idea that I'm trying to convince myself?) I have tons of this Paton's crayon looking yarn. I've tried cardigan sweaters, pullover sweaters, scarves, shawls, and socks (with minimal success for Chuggy). I've even made a bunny sweater which has probably been the most successful for this yarn. But what to do with 18 other balls?

Every time I decided to make something out of it I would get part way into the project only to decide I didn't like it. Well, I've been looking at shawl patterns lately. Believe it or not I've been enjoying the warmth and coziness of a shawl over my shoulders this winter. Our house is quite drafty, not unlike an old war house that's seen too many damp Vancouver winters. And a shawl is perfect to ward off the chill. This pattern looks great in this yarn so I've now got this on the needles:

This is a version of the popular feather and fan pattern. It's been around so long that you can't go very far surfing the Internet without coming across it. In fact, Bruce's aunt made a baby blanket for LeAnne 25 years ago and used this stitch pattern.

And I think it is going to stay until I finish.

Another experiment I've been working on is dish scrubbies. Someone gave me one and I thought it looked cinch to make. So voila! The first side is cotton and the second side is scratchy acrylic. Perfect for scouring pots and pans. So this experiment turned out to be more like a finished project. Or two. Or three. (They are very quick to make. Say 15 minutes?)

I found one problem with the yarn though. It could be annoying. When the plastic gets wet it smells! Then I read the label. Apparently, you need to wash this "yarn" in a pH balanced soap. Does anyone know a dish soap that is pH balanced? Do I need to give a bottle of it every time I give a scrubbie away? We'll figure it out.

And finally, a note LeAnne left on our kitchen cupboard doors:

"Due to rising energy costs the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off." (Anonymous...to me)

At least Gypsy agrees!

Cheers!

Pheasants, Peacocks and Sunny California

2009-02-12T12:13:00.008-08:00

Ha! And you thought I was never coming back. Well, I told you it was a long winter. It's not over yet. Yesterday (or was it the day before?) we had some more flurries but they didn't stick.

On the way to work from downtown Bruce drove down our old street to bypass the train we didn't want to get stuck waiting for. Well. We drove by the house and I said, "They have peacocks!" When we lived there it was not unusual to see pheasants meandering down our 200 foot driveway so Bruce told me I must mean pheasants. "No, back up." And this is what we saw.

I remember it being unusually warm on this side of the house. That must be why he is here. On a sunny day in the middle of winter you could sit out here, close your eyes and dream you were in sunny southern California.

And guess what? We didn't miss waiting for the train.

The Long Winter

2009-01-03T19:29:00.000-08:00

Yep! It's snowing again. We woke up to snow and it's still snowing now. And winter only started two weeks ago! Check out Laura Ingall's Wilder most boring book: the long winter You will find that book perfectly describes the long winter they had where she lived that year. Just like the book itself - long, tedius and boring. (By the way, I really did like her books for the most part and read through them several times). And that describes what we are going through right now only to a less severe degree.

"Startitus"

2009-01-03T18:55:00.004-08:00

I have "startitus". Now, before you get the crazy idea that I have some terrible terminal disease let me explain. It's not a physical ailment, it's more mental. But it is an ailment. Maybe it is incurable. I don't know. I'm working on the cure right now. The major symptom is this: An incessant desire to start a new project (be it knitting, in my case) without finishing previous ones. Now, does that sound too bad?

Let me tell you my reasons for this "startitus":

1. There are too many cute patterns out there. Too much temptation.

2. There are so many different kinds of yarn that one must try a skein of each.

3. There are so many projects that beg to stay on the needles because of a dilemma or problem that needs to be figured out. Left to simmer on the back burner.

4. Some huge projects do get boring.

5. Some projects are more portable and thus more suitable to working on in the grocery line. I mean, you really don't want to see me knitting away on an afghan at Safeway, do you?

6. Some projects are just too challenging for my poor tired brain and need to mellow before I tackle them again. Think: kate, the kitten .

7. There are so many women having babies that one must stop all projects in view of the upcoming arrival of the little one. Actually, this problem helps alleviate "startitus" and kills two birds with one stone, so to speak. You get to try that new ball of yarn (a baby sweater only takes two) and they usually have a deadline (ie, a baby shower).

My cure is this:

(And it sort of sounds like a new year's resolution.)

Finish two projects before starting another. Simple. Clean. Easy.

Maybe that's another symptom. Putting yourself under unnecessary pressure for no good reason at all.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T08:24:00.009-08:00

Happy New Year!! What better way to celebrate than with a new batch of snow?!! Yep, it happened again last night. This morning we woke up with a new blanket of the white variety. I love it.

After meeting last night there was a new year's celebration of a sort. Most of the ladies brought goodies and those with kids brought games. We did eat our selves silly but the games stayed in the boxes. The kids had more fun with charades. Brought back memories of our young peoples' celebrations in the 70's. Only they played a very modified version. Example: Bethany stood up and hugged herself and you were supposed to guess "Hugging". Tara put her two fingers up to her hair and you were supposed to guess "Hair cutting". All fun. Those girls are dramatists for sure. And then ladies all brought out their yarn. Check out Chatty's blog for photos.

Bruce and I stayed at the meeting room as long as he could stand being awake. (I had my knitting so I was prepared for the night). That ended up being around 11:15. Even the four year olds had us beat this year.

Even though we got to bed at a decent time I still heard the revelers at midnight. It made me smile as I looked at the clock and rolled over and went back to sleep.

And finally, finished for Shy Guy:

A little big but that's the beauty of knitting for babies: at some point, sooner or later, it will fit.

Vans and VW's

2008-12-30T18:44:00.004-08:00

We sold our van. We now have one van and two cars among the five of us. In the very recent past we were trying to park three vans and three VW's in our driveway and along the street with not much success. We usually ended parking four in the driveway and two on the street. Invariably the vehicle that was parked closest to the house had to be the one who had to get to work first. And then it was time for "musical cars". What fun.

Snow and More Snow

2008-12-24T16:44:00.002-08:00

Okay I give up. The snow falling here has been incessant. It won't let up. Therefore I give up. So here are my snow pictures for the year. The news says that this will be the first year since 1971 that all of Canada will have a "White Christmas". Except for a little patch of green in Halifax where you would expect tons of snow.

The van on the right has not been driven for awhile, but the van on the left was driven yesterday - last night, actually. So the accumulation is for less than 24 hours. Bruce finally did go out and shovel that snow. You can see the broom on the hood where he left it to tend to more important parts of the driveway. He wanted me to come and help. Hah. I told him that I would when the snow stopped...

Just a view from the back porch going down to the patio:
Not going to be shoveled until the girls come back from CA.

B and I drove by the meeting room yesterday on the way to visit his mum and the parking lot has two feet, if not three feet, drifts. The entrance is totally blocked from the last snow. Last night and now there was (is) another dump. I doubt there will be meeting tonight.

A lot have gone south for the conference so who knows how many would have showed up anyway. We may have had just a handful even if the weather was good.

We took LJ and Heidi to Jacobsens' on Monday night to spend some time with Betsy before they flew out of SeaTac. The J's took them to the airport around midnight where they spent the night since their plane was to leave at 6:10 AM. They wanted to make sure that they didn't miss their flight. I heard they were going to pull an all nighter and not sleep at all. I wonder if the airport Starbucks closed down before they could get that last Venti to get them through the night. They must have done okay since I never heard from them after Emily called to see what flight they were on. She would have called if they hadn't made it.

The temperature went down to -12 degrees on the way back home.

A pair of fingerless mitts made from the GAS yarn LK brought back from Belgium last year. For her, of course. Too bad I finished them hours after she left for her trip south. I didn't think she would need them in Mexico but it ended up she drove down the coast instead of flying because her flight was cancelled on Sunday night. (Snow conditions)

Wasting Time

2008-12-24T13:21:00.003-08:00

We're home today. Can't get out of the driveway because of the snow drifts. Bruce has a great idea of "walking" up to the Safeway. He also wants to shovel the front (which we already did on Monday). I say stay home and look at youtube videos on knitting.

Some people have nothing to do. Maybe she ran out of yarn.

what to do with your left over ramen noodles

What she going to do with it? Eat it?

Snow

2008-12-19T22:32:00.001-08:00

Every blog that I've visited recently has posted about the weather. This will be no different. Since you all know what snow looks like, I will spare you the pictures. We've had snow and it has "stuck". None of this here today, gone tomorrow stuff as we have had in past years. It seems the Arctic has shifted south.

Our van came equipt with an outside thermometer. It was intriguing to watch the temperature drop by degrees as we drove from Vancouver to home. I don't remember it ever being this cold. Have you ever heard of -11 C much less felt it? And they (the weathermen) say there's a blizzard coming on Sunday.

Knitting Tubes

2008-12-12T17:27:00.006-08:00

I found these at knitpicks and knew they were just what I was looking for. My knitting kept sliding off my double pointed needles because the yarn was too fine for the needles. They are actually ingenious.

All you do is grip the needles together and slide them into the blue end.

Then the red end slips over that.

Give the tubes a little twist in the opposite directions and you've got your knitting secure. Works well. The only thing I don't like is the price. Even though I received two sets, cardboard should not be that expensive. But then, they are light weight and if I take care of them, they should last a long time.

Thanksgiving Feast and Fingerless Mitts

2008-12-05T14:42:00.002-08:00

Because we don't celebrate Thanksgiving in November (when it's suppose to be celebrated!) and because you all live so far away (Union City was far enough to go for the week-end) we often go to Tacoma to "celebrate" (read: eat ourselves silly). This year was no different with no less food and all delicious!

Noah and Heidi

Hannah

I brought my own stash for the trip down:

These are new in Canada. At least I've not seen them before. They are chocolate coated mint kisses. I thought they would be mint flavored chocolate. And with a mocha I was set. To knit, of course.

Here's what I finished on the trip. Don't be fooled. With a mocha to power you and lots of down time you can get some serious knitting in.

Heidi liked them so well she wanted a pair for her birthday. Which happens to be tomorrow!!! Today was going to be my day off to stay home and knit but some problems with our US bank account warranted me coming into Richmond for the day. With that taken care of - at least as much as I can do (including a trip down south) - it was too late to go back home. Thankfully, she wanted Greek food for her birthday dinner and there's a restaurant conveniently located up the street from our house. As for the fingerless mitts? How fast do you think I can knit?

At the Driving Range and Ubiquitous Knitting

2008-11-19T15:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes after work Bruce and I go to the driving range.

No, I don't hit golf balls. But I usually grab a cup of coffee and a sweet treat. (I know, I really shouldn't. Starting tomorrow.)

So there I sit.
I can wait. I can wait for anybody. And I can wait for a long time.
But only if I have my knitting with me.

Now, to find someone to fit this...

More Pictures of Our 2nd Trip East

2008-10-27T14:38:00.014-07:00

Just pictures (mostly). No time to write and/or think. Be forewarned. My last post was so long I thought I would quit before an epic novel was written. Not that any of it was made up--more like a coffee table book--oversized. Jered at the sing. His sister Bethany behind him.

Before the sing began. (I think Will is tying his shoe--or something)

Jennie H. and Joann B. at the conference Jan B, Phil and Pam B.

Abby and JoAnne

(Another three year old) Hannah

Willy and Wally

Some of the young people

More Cottage Pictures:

The path to the girls' dockMore of the path to the girls' dock. (It was a long way from the cottage.)

The girls' dock (to the right of the cottage)

The back porch--where we spent our time on rainy days at the cottage.

Three of Gordon and Pearl's guests of the past:

More beautiful colors of the Eastern Fall

Outside the rest home where Jan's father lives

2nd trip east in five weeks

2008-10-26T20:40:00.003-07:00

Flying use to be fun. In the past I looked forward to getting on the airplane and enjoying the experience. Not anymore. The seats are too small and your neighbors are too close: front, back and sideways. If you want something to eat you either have to bring your own food or buy it from the airlines. For eight dollars. For a just warmed up sandwich. Non-alcoholic beverages are free. If you take advantage of that you end up using the washroom three times in a 5 hour flight. (Ask me.) Now all you want is for the flight to be over. Especially if you travel with someone who has never liked flying...even in the glory days...and just endures the five hour torture chamber and who chalks up the experience as another test in the pathway and knows he will be a better man for it in the end. I guess I could go first class. Hummm. Novel thought. Too bad even economy class costs so much.

Enough of my complaining.

They said we missed the real show. I say the show we saw was spectacular.

We passed by so many lakes while we were in Ontario. I could have spent all my time by any one of them. They were so peaceful. They skies were clear, the water smooth and the weather was just perfect.

We're just not use to all this color with our evergreen trees predominating here in the west.

We stayed with Rob and Jan who also had their grandson with them that week. I called him my "little alarm clock". His room was right next to ours and every morning before his feet hit the floor I heard, "Granny, Granny, Granny, I need you!" And then pitter, patter down the hall to Granny's room. It's a great way to wake up. I highly recommend it. It makes getting use to the three hour time change a little easier. (Notice, I said a little easier. I don't think I really got use to the change until it was time to go home. Even then, I slept in til eight the day after we got home. That would be noon in the east!)

Rob offer to take us to Gordon and Pearl's summer cottage the day after we arrived. Needless to say he did not have to ask twice. Both Bruce and I spent many happy times there when we were young. Too bad we were never there at the same time! That would have been the best!

We spent a good while contemplating the times we spent with G and P and the happy fellowship we had with so many other young people back in the 70's.

A view of the lake from the right side of the cottage. You can see the remnants of the ping pong table at the bottom right. This is where we and 39 other young people spent many hours breaking the ice and trying to get to know one another.

In the early mornings you could hear the loons calling across the lake. I had never heard them before coming to the cottage.

This is what use to be the girls' outhouse. No, there were no facilities in the house, that I know of. And there was no electricity. Imagine doing without a hair dryer, electric curlers and a curling iron for one whole week. Perhaps the most important week of your life since your future spouse may have been at the cottage with you!

Gordon's old car that they used to go "touring" throughout Canada and the US.

Beyond the car is the (now) overgrown field where we spent hours playing softball.

That little bit of land in front of the mass of trees is the Girls' Island. Only the brave dared to swim there and then only with a rowboat escort (of girls and by rule).
Reminiscing at the main dock.

On the next to the last day we had canoe races here. This was one of the only times the girls and boys were in the water together. The other was when a young man wanted to take a girl for a canoe ride.

One year some of us girls gave Robin an early morning dip off this dock for her birthday.

The meeting room where we went while visiting Gordon and Pearl. This is also where the conference was held just recently.

We were able to visit with many friends at this conference. Some we hadn't seen for years and some were new acquaintances.

Jim H. and Carol S.

Mark and Marion S.

After the Conference--Jamming at the Dock

Just another peaceful, tranquil scene on one of Ontario's thousand lakes.

Rob and Jan have this view off their back porch every day of the year. I suppose that sometimes there is snow and ice.

madaline's coffee

2008-10-23T12:02:00.000-07:00

When SAJ blogged about madelines a while back I had to google it to see what she was talking about. I still don't know what it was that she was referring to but I came across this. Now this is some kind of espresso stand! I could use one of these. Maybe I can get one of my four kids to convert their VW's into something like this.

Do Not Leave Home Without It

2008-09-08T09:50:00.002-07:00

By that I mean "knowing how to connect to the internet while in a Starbucks while you are away from home"! Bruce just asked me if I'm on yet. Yes, but it took me an hour and I JUST GOT ON. Whew. Now that our trip is just about over I can go to any Starbucks and get on-line and use their connection for two hours for free. (I wonder if my first hour trying to log on counts? They kept saying I was logged on to AT&T but I just couldn't get on-line.)Well, I guess it will be a short work day today.

We came from Scranton/Montrose Conference this AM. It was great! Not as small as I thought it would be and I knew a lot more people than I knew in St. John. It was good to see so many familiar faces and make connections with new ones.

We're going back to Vestal tonight for dinner at Mark and Marion's and then meeting Then we leave from there to go home on Tuesday. I'll have pics by then. You'll see a lot that you know.

Massachusetts

2008-09-03T07:09:00.003-07:00

I think I'm in Massachusetts. At least that's what all the signs seem to say. It was so late last night when we got in to the motel that we just didn't really know. We are on our way to New York and are on the 90 going west. That's another story--when you travel in the east bring a bag full of change for the turnpikes and then once you get on don't expect to get off in a mile or two--try 30. We got off the turn-pike to check out a (too expensive) hotel and got back on the pike to check out the next exit. Wrong move. We were already beyond tired and couldn't get off the turnpike even if we wanted to. Thirty miles later we drove up to this dive where I now sit (at least they have Internet connection!). All we wanted to do was sleep. Good thing. It's not a place you want to write home about. Why am I?

Just to let you know where we are. And where we are going. We should be in Scranton/Montrose by Friday. But today we plan on getting a real cup of coffee in Albany, NY. We're hoping for a Starbucks there but I don't know if Starbucks is as serious about these Easterners as they are about us there in the West. We'll see. I'll keep you informed. Definitely.

Born Free and Christian the Lion

2008-07-24T14:41:00.003-07:00

Does anyone remember the film from the sixties called "Born Free"? Basically, it's the story of George and Joy Adamson who tamed some lions and then set them free in Africa. Well, some Britons did the same thing only in the heart of London! Actually, they set him free in Africa as well, but did raise him for one year in London. This is one incredible story! It brought chills to my spine! Perhaps this is what the Millennium will be like. Enjoy.

Christian the Lion

Coffee Slide Show for Chuggy

2008-07-21T14:07:00.000-07:00

Let's have coffee.

For the Feet--But Not Socks

2008-05-26T04:45:00.000-07:00

Forgive me for not posting this sooner. I wanted these slippers to get to the recipient before I posted. Even so, they probably will not, because of the Memorial Day holiday. Then again, if she made it to "the Sticks" this week-end she probably already has them!

Below is a finished pair of socks I told Heidi would be good for the barn. She replied that they would be good around the house, too! Who am I to complain? I'm just glad she's thrilled with 100% wool socks--even though summer is on the way.

Because our basement is so much cooler - (you can go from the top floor to the basement and feel the air cooling as you go) than the rest of the house I walked outside from the basement and got in the car wearing my 100% wool sweater and my
boots. I thought it was a little warm and then checked

the thermometer we have in the car.

See that little 'c' after the 27? That means it's not cold enough for 100% wool sweater or boots!

I would say this is California weather--beautiful warm and sunny.
Even Mo complained in his own way. Imagine a coat like this in the heat. And, no we don't shave him because his fur would grow in funny. Thankfully, we only have a few days a year that are this hot. Besides, if he was smart enough he would stay in the basement.If only it had stayed that way. Bruce and I took off on Sunday afternoon for the Oregon Coast. As we got closer to the shore the wind picked up, the sky darken and finally dropped wetness. Actually, the first day there we had no rain. It was cool but not too bad. By the evening of the second day it had started to rain. Have you ever walked in the rain on the beach at night? On your 25th wedding anniversary?
Our view from the resort (thanks J and H!) where we stayed.

I don't really care what the weather is like on the Oregon Coast. As I said before I really like going there. If the weather is warm and sunny, it's a bonus. If not, that's okay. One hearty singer who didn't mind the wind and the rain.

"Spicy" Quesadillas

2008-05-16T10:06:00.003-07:00

Long ago I use to babysit Bren. She would stay for dinner and I would give her my favorite treat to eat.

I thought I was giving her mild taco sauce, but from her reation you would have thought I was giving her habanero!

This, from a California girl who should have been enjoying the hottest of hot chili peppers by then.

Perhaps her heritage (pot roast and potatoes) and the fact that her dad had ulcers prevented her from enjoying or even tasting such delicacies!

Then again, she was only six.

Burgundy and Emeralds

2008-05-15T15:30:00.000-07:00

There are other things to do with yarn besides knit.

Kedge made me a Bible case a number of years ago that held up really well. Except for the handles, it's in very good shape. I had contemplated having her make me another until I remembered my burgundy yarn and the "blanket stitch". Worked well. You have my recommendation for repairing handles on a Bible Case.

You knew this was coming, didn't you? As you know the birthstone for May is emerald. There will be two of these and so far one is done. Guess. And they're not socks.

A Little Update

2008-04-17T11:24:00.004-07:00

Some may be wondering where I am. I think my wheels are spinning and like my knitting, my life has been "tinking" or knitting backwards. If not in reverse, at least put on hold. You see I had oodles of time yesterday where I had nothing to do but wait and, of course, took my knitting with me. What a wonderful opportunity to knit and not feel guilty! I had nothing to do. But by the time I came home I realized my project had not progressed even though I knit for hours. When you make a mistake in knitting it is sometimes better to knit backwards and take the stitches out one at a time. If you don't and just rip it out by pulling free all the needles you can lose the pattern and then are in a big mess. So "I tinked" But the problem loomed large and I did eventually pull the needles out and just ripped.

Some may understand the metaphor and how it applies to our lives here. If not, forgive me for not explaining. Let's just say things can only get better.

The Last Snow ?

2008-04-02T18:31:00.001-07:00

View from the back porch:

Yes, it's still possible. We got snow on Friday, March 28 and as you can see by the last picture the flakes were enormous. Needless to say, it did not last long...about two minutes.

Besides that I was hoping to coerce Jailgy to come to visit once she saw the pics. My backyard desperately needs some kind loving care in the way of gardening. So does the front yard, for that matter. As for my thumb, by now you must know it's purple.

Done Socks

2008-04-01T01:25:00.002-07:00

Purples and blues are some of my favorite colors to work with. If I really believed what they say about color I may be worried. If your favorite color is purple, so they say, you are probably a 14 year old girl and living in a fantasy. Blue? I'm not quite sure but Navy Blue is a color that you can hide behind. Maybe it means you're dignified and regal? A combination of the two probably means I want to hide and be a princess in a fantasy life. Hmm. I don't think so.

After that I like pastels. Then I like deep rich colors. Now, is there any color I left out? To tell the truth, I really like to work with all colors.

And since April's birthstone is a diamond it's appropriate to have an "all color" project. Diamonds, as you know, refract all colors. At least my diamond ring does. I enjoy holding it up to the light and watching the colors swirl and sparkle. I have no idea what my ring is worth but just because it refracts all those colors I think it the best. I don't know what makes a diamond valuable and I really don't care; I like mine.

This scarf is a project from the past and I only show it to let you see what inspired me to change my pattern for Chuggy's surprise-which is no longer a surprise. (I figured that I would rather make something that someone liked rather than surprise her with something that she didn't like. Besides, surprises are over rated.)

I started out making a cardigan sweater in a straight stockinette stitch. Since I knew I wouldn't want a sweater that accented "broadness" in the wrong place, I didn't think she would either. Off it came from the needles. Next, I thought maybe a shawl would be better and thus tried my hand at this pattern stitch which is the same in the scarf above as well as in my Jaywalker socks from yesterday.

Yes, I liked it much better but would she wear or even need a shawl in a sunny California desert? There was only one way to find out. After a call to the desert I found out a shawl she would like but I could tell that a cardigan sweater would be much more appreciated.

Hmm. Now to see if I can find a pattern that works with this design. Dare I make one up? Kind of a leap in the dark and into unknown territory. I like a challenge. What do you think?

Aquamarine is for March

2008-03-31T10:45:00.002-07:00

Aquamarine is such a pretty stone. It so much reminds me of the ocean and because of that, my childhood. The browny sand and the blue, blue sea. I've often lived by the ocean. Seven and a half years in Hawaii. Four years in Japan. Even when we lived in Maryland for a year and a half we took time to go to the ocean--Rahobath Beach, the Chesapeake Bay. While visiting Gramma in Pennsylvania on vacations I remember going to the Boardwalk by the Jersey shores. Perhaps these socks reflect those colors a little.

These socks are certainly ubiquitious! They have been with me since my very first post back in 2006.

There's a reason for that. Even though they look like they would be fun to knit, I'm not so smart to figure things out.
I've had a real bear of a time with these socks. I put them down for awhile and lost my way. I forgot what to do next. Then when I finally figured it out I realized I lost a stitch somewhere back about 20 rows. Have you ever "tinked" for 20 rows? Takes about two hours and makes your already bad eyes go "badder" (Thanks Jailgy, for that liberty!) Whew! I'm glad that's over. Now I'm on my way again and will try to finish these socks shortly...but not for March.

Three Down, One to Go!

2008-03-08T11:40:00.007-08:00

Yep, she passed. Heidi has her driver's licence. Now my days to chauffeur my girls to the barn are all but over. There may be times when I need to help out but they will be few and far between. It's already been a relief. Just this morning they were up, out and off to the barn with only a phone call to figure out which van to take. Next week should be easier since the plan is to import their already bought VW Rabbit.

There's a progressive program here for getting your driver's licence. First, as in every other place, you have to pass a written test. That allows you to display a huge "L" on the back of your vehicle. A lot of kids have a word they use to say what it stands for but the DMV says it stands for "Learner". And for the next little while, is it two years? you practice driving. Sounds like what most DMVs require. Next you take the road test and if you pass you get to display an "N" which stands for "Novice". (Most kids have another name for that too.) This is where Moms everywhere start to sweat. That's because your child now has the power to drive without you calling out directions from the front passenger seat. If you're a praying mom, you start to pray even more.

A Little fortification before the actual test.

One more try at parallel parking. Yes, I mean parallel parking. We do that in a parking lot here. The examiners don't even want you to attempt getting between two parked cars and on the test will have you parallel park behind one parked car.
The coveted "N" sign.

The police don't really care how you display the "N". They just want it displayed.

You have no idea how great this is for me. It seemed such a big hurdle for her to get over and now that's done, I feel such a relief.

LJ is next.

Wallaby Again

2008-02-28T12:36:00.003-08:00

I didn't get a picture of the latest wallaby before I gave it away. But since you've seen others like it you probably can figure out what it looks like. If not just click on the wallaby link to the right to see others. I've said before that I really like this yarn. Plymoth's Encore is 75% acrylic and 25% wool; just enough wool to make it soft and plenty of acrylic to make it washable. Perfect for a baby sweater. Enjoy, Lisa.

Solo Day Trips

2008-02-25T17:48:00.000-08:00

Going over the border just got easier. For me, at least. Yep, finally got that NEXUS card that helps you get over the border faster. Sometimes it's not that much faster but still minutes count when you're living in the fast lane! (Pardon the pun. It really was unintentional.) On Friday I went to Blaine by myself. No one else in the family but Bruce has the pass. Besides they were all working. Heh. One of the benefits of working from home and being your own boss (sort of).

LJ and Heidi wanted me to pick up some horse stuff they had mailed to Hagaan's mail outlet. After paying all the fees (phone calls, storage and collection) for the goods I wonder if it's even worth the trouble make the trip. It is, I've concluded. For one having the NEXUS does make it faster getting over the border. Plus I get an afternoon out by myself and when there is no pressure to get back it's very relaxing. And I get a mocha (Snickers this time) out of the deal. Not bad.

Since there was no pressure for me to get back any time soon I did a little exploring in Blaine to see what had changed since I had been there last. Such a warm sunny day-about 66 degrees F.

There's this little thing about declaring everything you are bringing back. I don't know but I suppose you get charged duty for everything you declare since it's all computerized and computers don't think to give you a break as a real live border official might when you declare things verbally. We'll see about that. It will be interesting to find out.

The line-up coming back to Canada confirmed the wisdom in getting the NEXUS. I forsee a difficulty in the future. What happens when everyone gets NEXUS and they still only have one lane?

Memory Lane

2008-02-18T13:25:00.003-08:00

Remember Cessy's in downtown San Leandro? They had the most delicious (and most expensive) sandwiches. What a treat to take a lunch break and splurge...on a sandwich? Yep, they were worth it. Because I'm remembering 30 years ago my recollections may not be accurate. But I do try to replicate one of their sandwiches in my own kitchen. It's a variation on my personal all time favorite-tomato with mayonaise, salt and pepper. Cessy's had all kinds of add on's to their vegetarian. I remember them slicing the beautifully ripe (only in California!) avocado right on a slice of whole wheat bread. They would add cheese, maybe, and then top the whole thing with a wig of alfalfa sprouts.

Fresh spinach does it for me. Now I feel healthy.

"Purple Passion"

2008-02-18T12:29:00.003-08:00

Amethyst for February

It might be a stretch to call the color of this yarn amethyst but it really does come close.

" Purple Passion" is not the name I gave this project. I should be so creative! When we were in So. Cal last December Chuggy, T and I went to Lazy Daisy. As I always do when I go into a yarn or book store, I grabbed all that appealed to me - books, yarn and pamphlets. Then when I had thoroughly scoped the store I sat and I went through all at my leisure and asked myself if I really need (read: want) this yarn or this book. After all that time enjoying myself in the store I sometimes only buy one skein or nothing at all. (Good thing the library has a book on "One Skein Wonders" I can justify buying one skein thinking that I can always make another pair of socks and they don't take long.) Well, T found a book that had a sweater she liked and I gladly helped her choose yarn to go with it. Plymoth's Encore in a rusty color. Well, the title of the sweater pattern she chose was "Purple Passion." Probably because the sweater had been made in purple yarn. As I drooled over her book she told me she wouldn't mind at all if I chose one of the patterns from her book to make. Not even if it was the one she was going to make. So here we are with February's amethyst project :

This is the waist in a rib knit that goes the whole way up. Cables start after about eight inches of the ribbing.

And because I like to have a pair of socks on the needles:

Tulips!

2008-02-13T14:27:00.008-08:00

I've been sick...again. It feels like the same cold I had a month ago. It must be making the rounds again. To get back to health again I decided to take it easy. Doing nothing extra. No more than I have to.

Last night Gramma C came over and brought some cheer! Beautiful tulips! Spring has got to be around the corner. As soon as Bruce saw them he told me to put corn starch in the water. Huh? Yep. He said it makes them stand straight up. I tried it and it really works. The stems had started to droop just a little since I wasn't able to get them in water right away. But this morning I found them straight as soldiers on guard.

Ice cream helps too. Moral support only.

Happy Birthday, Dolly! or All Things "Pink"

2008-02-08T11:26:00.000-08:00

On Saturday there was a "birthday bash" for Dolly. She received all manner of wondrous girly things. All of which she was totally thrilled. So as not to duplicate any offerings her great aunt gave her a set of blocks. So. There you have it. Nothing girly about blocks but something that the whole family can play with together. I think PC was more interested in them than Dolly. That's to be expected when the girly things were vying for her attention. All I know and remember about blocks is that ALL kids have a hoot of a time playing with them. I might know. We had blocks very similar to these in our house for years and every child visited us had to be torn away from them.

Finally, Emma's Wonderful Wallaby is finished. Even though this is more of a boy's colored sweater I think it suits her. Besides, ioi wanted rainbow colored sweaters for her kids. Now she's got a blue one to go with the red and yellow. Hmm. What's next? Green? Purple? or Orange? Thankfully, ioi's hubby said there was no rush!

These are the greatest baby sweater to make. There's always one on the needles at this house and always one or two in the back of my mind waiting for some free needles.

Note the elastics around Emma's ankles. They're handy for when her hair comes in. Right now she's pretty bald--but really cute anyway!

Garnets For January

2008-01-31T16:15:00.001-08:00

I know. I barely made it. Today is the last day of January. And if it weren't for the fact that I have forced myself to post a birthstone colored project every month I wouldn't be here. But just for kicks here's the garnet baby sweater I've been working on since last summer. Just so you know (as if you couldn't tell!) my camera takes awful pictures of things red.
Good news! Emma's Wonderful Wallaby is finally finished. Pics later.

Have you ever noticed how cold your right hand gets when you've been working on the computer all day?

Of Nori, Chopsticks and Pickled Ginger

2008-01-30T11:48:00.000-08:00

On Friday we had a delicious Japanese Dinner at the meeting room. RB was in town for a special meeting and we always like an excuse to get together! So Lily came up with this brilliant idea of a meal from Japan. Turned out great, as you can see.

European Yarn, SS Verses, Wallabys and Scraps

2008-01-22T10:47:00.000-08:00

My "girl" in Europe came home Sunday night, none, the worse for wear. Thankfully, no Italians nabbed her. Her horror stories were worse than the blog let on, though. Ask her what they really went through in Barcelona...really. I guess they didn't want us to worry.

Among many other things this is what I got from Italy! Yummy yarn, unfortunately, not one of my colors. Um, I wonder whose color it is anyway? I have one "autumn" daughter and this yarn looks like it's an autumn color. And she went to Europe. If not a hat, it will end up being a scarf--for the next trip to Europe?

I'd say they have interesting names for their yarn. It's probably not a name they would get away with in the States or Canada. At least with the younger set.

Finally! Emma's wonderful wallaby is just about done. The hood, the underarm seams and the loose ends are all that are left. I think she'll still fit it. Good thing I make the small size--they are much quicker to make. If you look at the underarm you'll see six stitches on each stitch holder. That and the hood are the only "seams" that are in this sweater. If you look at it when it's done you would be hard-pressed to even find a seam. That's because it's sewn up with the "kitchener stitch"--a technique well worth learning. It appears that the sweater is actually seamless. I highly recommend learning it.

We were over at G and D's last Saturday nite and as everyone knows this is the last chance to practice your Bible verse before you say it in Sunday School.

Good thing big sister went first!

Sometimes I think the kids saying their verses is to give us adults some much needed humor.

Everyone needs some mindless knitting. I mean really mindless knitting. Not something that has twists and turns, shaping, cables and even counting. Something you can do at stoplights while driving and even in the dark. And something that uses up all those skeins and parts of skeins that you've been collecting for 25 years.

Some of my yarn I bought but most of it has been given to me. And a lot of that is scrap--left over from some long forgotten project that some gramma discarded years ago. Some I picked up at the Thrift store. Who can resist a bag of yarn for 25 cents? Especially when you're a yarnaholic. The purple in the middle is the only yarn in the afghan so far that I remember buying... I think.

This afghan is so much fun! I really like to play with color and I love stripes. This afghan is the perfect project to use up all (read: some--I have enough scraps to make 10 afghans as well as oodles of sweaters!) of my scrap yarn. Sometimes I choose the color to go next; other times I just reach into the bag and chance it.

Gotta go knit, I mean, go eat lunch.

Getting Bored

2008-01-07T18:03:00.000-08:00

I was getting mighty bored working on the on-line catalogue and thought I would clean up my photo albums a bit. Here's what I found that may or may not be of interest.

The one in europe.

"Peter, James and John": A Sunday School Favorite.

Perhaps I can finally finish these. My January 2008 project: "Jaywalker Socks". I think January is Aquamarine. Close enough then.

He works near Tom.

"Barn Shoes"

What to do with all my scrap yarn:

The unfinished hat that went to Europe with LeAnne: (finished)

Trying my hand at sepia:

An 80's sweater that I took apart: 100% wool!

Nephew antics: Aren't we clever?

My early morning "work station number one"

From our meal preparation for our last conference

One of the many kitchen helpers:

Nuts for the salad:

Cranberry Bogs near the barn:

My favorite knitting helper:

A Saturday afternoon ritual: (almost)

Gotta go get a pizza.

"While They're Young"

2007-12-17T13:18:00.000-08:00

Whatever could it be to make these kids sit for close to an hour without getting off their chairs?

Listen to find out.

Four of the girls sitting in the big kids' circle are a few of the original singers. Since this tape was made about 13 years ago that makes one of them only three years old. Note: Chloe, the girl in the pink hat, is the daughter of one of the original singers.

The only disclaimer we have is that they were very young and not professional--please excuse the off-key singing. But if you want a copy of the tape let me know.

While looking for another ball to break up a fight, this very old and archaic tape was found in the meeting room closet. Our resident DJ Jonathan thought that it would be simply fabulous to play this over the PA system.

Apparently children like music, any kind of music and they flocked one by one into the main room and found chairs for the performance.

Enjoy!

PS: LK was my guest editor today.

Working on Topaz - November's Replacement

2007-12-10T10:38:00.000-08:00

You can tell by the sense I was making on my last post just how sleep deprived I was. I don't go to sleep at night until all my kids are home. If I manage to drowse off while waiting up, I often start myself awake just listening for them. So I do like it if they all get in before midnight. I would do better just to stay in bed because once I'm on the computer there is so much that "needs" attention that it's hard to get off.

On the way to the barn last Friday Heidi needed to buy feed for her horse. I'm never one to miss a golden opportunity so took out my hank of yarn to wind into a ball. The rearview mirror, as you can see, has more than one use.

When we got to LJ's work, yet another barn, I kept Heidi busy helping me to wind it all into a ball while waiting for LJ to finish work.

I've been thinking that it seems I spend a lot of time knitting but really it is just taking (or seizing!) the opportunities I have - the spare moments - that would otherwise be wasted just waiting.

On the needles is another sock.

A little more "On the Way to Europe".

Coming up next: Turquoise.

Midnight

2007-12-09T00:08:00.000-08:00

Since the cat got me out of bed by scatching and meowing at my door I thought I would hand deliver him to Heidi and let her take care of him. So down the stairs I came. (He just gave me the eye). The computer was on....

Tom just got home from work--the driving range closes at 11:00 or 11:30. I hear his boots upstairs. Poor kid. He's been working since 8 this morning.

My November project was a flop.

Sorry, Soup. This yarn just did not work for me. I tried to make it my November-topaz project. The yarn was just too thick for the size needles I needed to make the socks.

It's really too bad because it's such a pretty yarn. See how the strand just kind of seized up? It got worse as I knitted along. It just was not fun.

So instead I have this yarn on the needles. Believe me 100% wool is much more fun to work with.

Now, off to bed I go lest you think I spend all night on the computer ... and before Bruce comes looking for me. The cat started it!

Getting Ready For Europe

2007-12-07T15:08:00.000-08:00

Been working on a hat for LeAnne to take to Europe. Can you believe it? All she wanted was a black hat to keep her ears warm. I almost got to the finish line and realized it was too short and too loose. The looseness I could have tightened up with elastic but the shortness needed me to rip back to where I started to increase and then add on two inches. But when I ripped back that far I decided to go the whole way back. And start again. Now the cuff is nice and stretchy - knit one, purl one for rib instead of knit one, purl one for seed stitch. Plus, I took off five stiches for the circumference. Should fit. Too bad if it doesn't. I'm not making a third hat. Out of black. It's too hard on my eyes. Especially at stop lights in the dark.

Coffee in the Window

2007-11-29T11:55:00.000-08:00

Sorry for leaving you hanging off the cliff but for those of you who were wondering... The Internet problem was fixed. I guess I yelled loud enough. They actually had two teams working on it over night. I'm just glad it's up and running. Maybe I could send them a box of cookies. No, maybe they should send me a box of cookies!

Our conference is over and the last of the guests are (is) leaving today. It's been a long two weeks...or was it only one week? Thankfully, things went really well. It was nice to have just a two day conference this time. I thought I would miss having that third day. But I don't. I suppose it's the stress of it all that makes us tired. Just trying to make sure everything goes smoothly. And it did. They meetings were great. A lot was said about having "stuff" in our lives. And getting rid of it. The question was raised, (in essence) "Are we living in Jericho, or just passing through?" Jericho being a type of the world in all its finery....living the good life. Do I have to have the best or is mediocre just as good? Do I have to have it at all? Searching questions. So, needless to say, I have been cleaning out my closets, cupboards and pantry all week. And making progress. Somewhat.

Anyone want a puzzle?

"Coffee in the window" refers to this guy in the picture. I think it would be kind of neat to be able to relax that way. Maybe I will today. Drink some more coffee, that is. Not sit in the window.

Yahoo!

2007-11-15T08:55:00.000-08:00

Yes! I can't believe I did it! I actually hooked up the printer on our home computer. You may think this is a small thing (it is) but for me it was a big surprise. So easy too. After the CD wouldn't work to upload info I finally went on-line to Epson and downloaded a printer driver from them. The really surprising thing is that it was B that told me to try finding something on-line! He who knows nothing about computers! Anyway, we are off and running. Heidi will stay home today and can finally get back to her customers after a week away. Me? I get to go to work to figure out that internet access thing. Hmmm.

October's Opal Socks are almost done.

Life Goes On and On and On

2007-11-14T17:02:00.000-08:00

I won't go there. My inbox has over 400 new messages. Where do they all come from? I don't have that many friends! If you have emailed me in the last day or two this is your answer. Yes, we need help with the conference food. Sign up and make your four dozen cookies. Sign up and make your cheesecakes. Come to the meeting room and help us cook. (You get free lunch!!!!). Yes, Christina is on her way here. At least that is the last I heard. Our conference starts next week and she's suppose to be here according to her blog and according to ioi. Yes, I will take care of the catered meal for Saturday night. I will be sure to tell them to give us EXTRA peppers and pickles. Yes, I did photocopy the cheesecake recipe. Last night as a matter of fact. I am slowly drowning in sea of "to do" lists. I don't even remember where I put the last one down. Maybe it's in my purse. I really should be invoicing a customer from this computer. The one at work will not let me access the internet. Someone hijacked our IP address (or something like that). Even though Telus told me that was not the word to use (I told them) I still cannot use the internet at work to invoice customers. The internet access has been down since the power went out on Monday. Telus assures us that it has nothing to do with the power outage. But they still cannot fix the problem. They said for me to fix it myself by 1. going out to BUY a modem or something. 2. I could access the internet and get a new Mac address. (Duh, how can you do that without internet access?) And 3. I could BUY a new card thingy to replace the one in my computer. Which would mean taking the computer down to London Drugs and having them do it. I asked if I could deduct all the costs from my next bill. They didn't answer. Why can't they just cancel the hijacker's service? Or just give me a new access address or whatever they call it? Why is this so difficult? The techy could not, for the life of him, figure it out. (He was the second one I talked to.) He told me that his manager would get back to me. Next week? I could work at home from this computer but our printer is not hooked up to this computer and refuses to be hooked up. Touchy. H needs to invoice her customers too and needs the printer. I figure this is all a lesson in patience. And I'm learning how not to complain. (I guess I still need lessons in that last one.)

BTW There are exactly 430 unread messages in my inbox.

On the fly...

2007-11-13T22:38:00.000-08:00

Hi Mom,
Yah, been super busy. Work in the morning until noon or even one. Today was 1:30. Then to the farm market with LJ and Heid. To the barn then home. Picked up A at 4:30. At 8:30 Debbie and I went to Starbucks to plan the food for conference. Home to the computer and found over 300 new messages!!!!! Do I have time for all of that? If I don't log on to the computer will it all go away? Huh. Leanne is breathing down my neck. She thinks I've been on the computer too long -- like, all of 5 minutes. I've just gotten to your email after only deleting 10 of the 300. Oh, well. Maybe I'll do a blog tomorrow when I get home from work - after I clean up the house. We shop next week for the conference food on Tuesday. Then cook on Wednesday. Off to Tacoma for Thanksgiving on Thursday. (Picking up Robert and Jonathan B and Jesse B on Wednesday for conference but are arriving early to go to Tacoma with us.) then Friday we do the last minute cooking, ie. dinner that night. We're having shredded beef, (ie, sloppy joes - but don't tell any one- we want it fancier than all that.) with sour cream, salsa and cheese all on a toasted bun. My recipe: 1/2 C each of barbeque sauce and catsup and 1/2 pkg of onion soup mix with 1 lb. of beef.
Gotta go before leanne passes out.
Oh, and our power was out for over 12 hours yesterday so I had to go to starbucks for breakfast and we had pizza for dinner. I suffer.
Lots of love,
Katz

LadyBugs Socks (Topaz):

Emma's wallaby (Sapphire):

My splurge from Urban Yarns:

Projects to Be

2007-10-24T14:42:00.000-07:00

See the sweater on the left? It's made from one of my favorite variegated yarns. Chuggy saw it once and thought it would make a great "big people" sweater. Even though it's a baby yarn I thought so too. Right now I'm trying to find a sweater pattern to go with the yarn. It knits up to 5 and 1/2 stitches per inch. I'll probably make it a cardigan, though instead of a pullover.

What is is called when you have a cough that won't go away and gets worse every time you try to speak? It did not start as a cold as bronchitis often does. Maybe it's just a chest cold that hurts. (My lungs are sore.) On second thought, I think it is bronchitis. (The trouble with the internet is you often get conflicting information. If not, you can't read it right because you're so out of it).

I often thought that if I got sick it would relieve me of my household and work responsibilities and that my family would feel sorry for me and pull up their collective socks to pitch in where I left off--leaving me lots of time to knit. Ha! Try knitting when you're feeling "blah" and hacking away because of a persistent cough. All I can do now is sit and watch my yarn. And hope that my family will still feel sorry for me, enough to make dinner tonight--especially since I can't even knit.

Sapphires and Opals

2007-10-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

Vancouver in October:

When I think I may have a minute to post I do. You would think that Saturday mornings are perfect for sleeping in, having a lazy breakfast and just puttering around the house. Not here. Teege wakes me up last night and asks when I will wake up in the AM. I think, "What do you mean in the morning? I'm already awake and it's morning!" I "sweetly" reply, after great mental exertion, "7:15, why?" He needed someone to wake him up in the morning to go to work. What's wrong with an alarm clock? Apparently, he doesn't know how to reset it since I heard it go off at 9:22 this morning. So, do I sleep really well last night? No, because if I don't set my alarm to go off I'm always afraid I'll oversleep. And I hate alarms. I really was looking forward to sleeping in since LJ had begged off her Saturday job. She was planning on going to Richland for the Harvest Party but Gypsie got sick. Next, I try to clean a very messy house that has been the bain of my existence ever since we moved into the warehouse. So far today I've cleaned my kitchen. That doesn't include the fridge but does include the stove and all counters. (Note: the flies are gone!!)

Enough complaining. I promised pics of my projects last night but last minute plans changed that. Soon enough I'm taking LJ driving. Then she has to be at the barn to meet the vet at 12:00.

Now for the September Sapphire Projects.

These socks have been done for a while. I think they're being worn. I couldn't find the ball wrap that tells how to wash them so I would just tell the owner to wash them in cool water and air dry. (Are you listening?)

My other Sapphire project in the works: the beginnings of another wallaby. Even though the baby it's intended for is a girl, the mom can put a pink ribbon in her pigtails when they go out. After a red and then a yellow wallaby, blue had to be next to round out the color scheme of primary colors. I keep teasing her that we're going to have to move on to the secondary colors and then after that the tertiary. Maybe they'll go for a volleyball team. And I don't mean two-man.

For October I couldn't make up my mind. Both are going to be socks and I started with the black.

So far, just one sock to show even though the other is on the needles. You may wonder why I always choose socks for my monthly projects. Well, wonder no more. Socks are easy. Socks are fast. And they are fun. They are the only thing I can think of that I can make that will take me less than a month to make. For all other projects, the bets are off. They may get started. They will be worked on. But there are no promises that they will get done. And I do like success. Socks are very portable, too. And at this stage of the game (and the hectic-ness of my life) they are the one thing I can do mindlessly...and at stoplights.

And finally, a treat:

Emma

2007-10-19T16:04:00.000-07:00

Since October's birthstone is Opal I thought I would do an on-line search for some pictures of this beautiful stone. I found lots and these are just samples of the various kinds of opals there are. I was amazed at the value these stones have. I had no idea they were so expensive. This one is worth $3990.00.

Because these stones are so colorful finding a project for the month of October was fairly easy. Plus I just "love" variegated yarn. The crazier the better. Every time I go to any store that carries yarn I usually come away with at least one skein of yarn--enough to make a pair of socks or a few baby hats. More often than not it's variegated.

I'll have pics of last month's "sapphire" project as well as pics of this month's project later tonight when I upload my pictures.

aussie treasure chest

Of Sisters and Bugs

2007-10-06T08:48:00.000-07:00

I got a call from Kedge this AM and since I'm a school teacher at heart and by practice I have a lot of patience. (Having kids helps too). She was having difficulty getting links on her page. This is the result of her lesson.

https://www.paypal.com/
http://www.onetitaniclady.com/
onetitaniclady
https://www.paypal.com/
one titanic lady

Hopefully, she took notes.
Go check out her blog.

In other news... The warehouse and its showroom are coming along nicely. We've got all the shelves (bookcases) in the warehouse and all the racks in the showroom. The racks are almost full and we're adding product daily. We've had some long days but hopefully that's all coming to and end. Whew! I'll know what it is to once again cook a meal for the family! And maybe we'll have some clean clothes. And just maybe I'll get those cobwebs out of the corners!

That reminds me of the gnat/fruit fly infestation we brought home from meeting. They seem to be under control at the moment, but for a while we had these little bugs all over the kitchen. Several friends of mine had the same problem and gave me advice on how to get rid of them. Both said to block your sink drains, keep your counters clean and set a trap. I set two traps. One trap had juice and yeast and the other trap had juice and honey. My yeast trap didn't work too well. The other trap attracted the flies but they only stayed for supper and flew off again! What worked the best was using the vacuum cleaner. We kept it out for hourly use and (just in case) kept a piece of plastic wrap over the end. (B thought that the flies flew back up the pipe and we kept getting the same bugs back again. I say they multiply rapidly.)

Does anyone else have any suggestions? These bugs seem harmless but I don't want my kitchen to be the latest breeding and feeding ground for fruit flies.

The BIG FIVE OH!

2007-10-05T09:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Kedge!

Have the shrimp dinner at Mimi's tonight and it's my treat.

I hope you have a great time in Hawaii!

2007-09-27T16:43:00.000-07:00

Red Spot Jade
Citrine
Bi-cone Crystal
and Lapis Lazuli

2007-09-26T10:06:00.000-07:00

We're in! And working. More pics of the warehouse and showroom to follow. (The pics I want are on the home computer, of course.) Instead of 12 hour days we are now doing seven. Not that we can take it easy now. We still have a lot of stock to bring over but a little of everything is now here. But it does mean we can stop to eat lunch and actually not feel guilty for taking coffee breaks. Gotta go!

Moving

2007-09-19T10:29:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post while I'm taking a rest from moving boxes from the basement to the front door of our house.

The electrician arrived last night just as we were leaving to put up even better lighting than he had before. I'm anxious to see what it looks like today. Hopefully, we'll see some "color"!

2007-09-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

I need to write down what I have been doing. If I don't I won't remember where I've been or what I've done. There will be no pics because at this time the camera stays in the house and will be operated here or at the warehouse. That's until the kids get their own.

At the beginning of the month of August B and I drove to Regina for the yearly conference. If you don't know what Hebrews 1 and 2 are about I suggest you listen here. It is unbelievable what is in store for us.

A week or so after we got back I hopped a plane (or two) to California. You all know about that trip. I just sat and knit and it was so relaxing. I would do it again in a heart beat. We were able to go out to dinner several times, eat See's candy and even lose weight doing it!

Less than a week later B and I and the girls drove to Denver for their annual conference. If you don't know what "abiding in the vine" is I suggest you listen to the tapes of the reading meetings from that conference. It was one of the best conferences I have been to in a long time.

I can't say our trip home was uneventful because it wasn't. We didn't stop for the night because it didn't seem as if we had gone very far when it was bed time. When we got to Echo, OR though we stopped to refuel the van and ourselves. I got in to drive and the van wouldn't start. To make a long story short it ended up being a broken fuel pump. We had to replace it so had to spend 6 and 1/2 hours there to get it done. There was a cafe across the street from the service station that the town folks believe to be "yuppie" The only thing yuppie about it was their prices. I hate to think what the down home cafe was like. Probably grits and peas. Last time I ate that kind of thing was in North Carolina at the Crackle Barrel and I ended up gaining 5 pounds in one week-end.

Now we are home a will be for quite a while. The warehouse calls.

Peridot to Sapphire

2007-09-06T11:02:00.000-07:00

My August project is done. A matching pair - identical twins, actually. More often than not socks made with variegated yarn end up being fraternal twins. That's because it's hard to figure out where in the skein to start the second sock. Perhaps that's one of the reasons why there are so many SSSs. (Second Sock Syndrome).

Even though they're not "peridot" through and through I think you can see a little of that color in the middle.

September's stone, sapphire brought a dilemma. I wanted to start the misty mountain shawl but have other projects to finish. If I couldn't find a "sapphire" unfinished project I would start the shawl.

Sure enough, I have an unfinished pair of socks - one sock to be exact, in that bright sapphire blue color suffering from SSS without the excuse of variegated yarn. And to tell the truth, I probably have unfinished projects in all the colors of the rainbow, if not the birthstone colors! So my aim is to finish unfinished "works in progress" (WIPs) that have been plaguing me for so long for these "birthstone" projects.

(Now to sneak off and work on the socks I started on the way to Denver last week-end!! Wait til you see. They are black with all kinds of color in them. My excuse for this? I need the needles to finish the sapphire socks.)

Peridot Are Green?

2007-08-27T21:56:00.001-07:00

If you read "CrackerCrumbs" in the last few days you'll notice that she and I came up with a plan on the way to the Ontario airport. At least part of a plan anyway. She actually added a very interesting twist. Every month is a month to start, finish or work on a project that is the color of that month's birthstone. Since peridot is August's birthstone and is green, our projects should be green or have some green in them. Good thing I had this yarn in my carry-on luggage! It's kind of a sickly, sand in your eye green, isn't it? I was able to start socks in Salt Lake while our plane was in for maintenance.

I think it's too easy to write about something that is green. It will be much more of a challenge to come up with a colored project each month. We don't care if it's knitting, quilting, crochet, scrapbooking or anything else. As long as it's something that you are working on making. So if you want to join us please sign in on her blog or mine to let us know what you're doing.

Out the Door

2007-08-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

We're going out the door. It's my birthday and we're going to Kelowna for the night.

I've been super busy lately. Here i am on the computer uploading pics.

See you later!

New Camera

2007-08-08T14:54:00.000-07:00

It was an expensive lesson but I think we learned it. Just to make sure, B made a new rule for the camera. No rain and no bike races. Do not take your camera to a bike race when it is raining. Otherwise you will get water in it when the lens retracts. We thought we could get it to work by drying it out but now realize that when we heard a final dying high pitched gasp it was breathing its last. We took it to be fixed but it would cost twice as much as it was worth when new! Now to learn how to use a new camera. These shots are all experiments. I'm suppose to be working--and I guess this constitutes work, doesn't it?

Cupcakes

2007-07-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

Someone has a lot of time on their hands and it ain't me.
cupcakes

EZ Baby Sweater

2007-07-13T10:00:00.001-07:00

It was. Easy. I made this sweater in three days. And in my spare time. It was that easy. EZ stands for Elizabeth Zimmerman...a great innovative knitter in her day.

Three New Dresses!

2007-06-20T22:16:00.000-07:00

Can I ever get them to look in the same direction?

Last Lord's Day three little girls came to my class with identical dresses curtesy of Gramma C. She would object to my telling you that unless I also mentioned that I gave her the material. So there you have it. I thought they turned out well. And I thought they looked adorable!

Final Concert - Guitars

2007-06-13T14:27:00.000-07:00

You can hardly see her but Laura is sitting in the back row wearing a hat. She just had gum surgery and thought she could hide. Um, Laura, nice try but it didn't work. Poor girl. She was in misery and then to have to perform for her final mark was not fun. To top it off we said she looked a bit like a chipmunk. That didn't help her "self esteem" one bit.

There must have been about 25 guitars playing all at once in this program. I must say it sounded pretty good to my tin ear. Either that or I'm deaf.
I'm not so dumb as to embarrass my high school senior. Thus the very bad photos. In order to get good ones I would have had to stand up and move closer to the front. And I was already in the 2nd row.

Or maybe I didn't want to embarass myself?

The rest of the concert was a little entertaining and definitely loud. I guess the louder you are the better you are.

B and I were very glad to finally get out of there. Minus our hearing which was already poor to begin with.

Ooops!

2007-06-08T01:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I said I was putting an "after thought" heel in the Cat in the Hat socks. But while lying in bed last night I realized that it was not an "after thought" heel after all. What was I thinking? With the ATH you have to actually cut the knitting right where you want to start the heel. I'm not so adventurous. I would rather rip. So I did. Out came the yarn to the heel spot and in went three needles with a 4th to knit. Maybe some other time I'll try the ATH...when my mother is around to hold my hand as I snip that one stitch. Ouch!

Now this is an after thought heel! It's a patch to go on the heel of the socks I made Kedge...after she wore them out. And I thought about it.

The thin blue yarn is knitted in with the main yarn to (hopefully) help strengthen the heel and make it last a little longer.

And then there's always the thief that is there to help out!

They Come Back

2007-06-07T16:30:00.000-07:00

What is it? And what can you do with it? It's a sock. One of a pair.

I kind of like these socks. They remind me of the Cat in the Hat. You know the story. The one in the book we didn't have to read. At my house it came in the mail along with The Cat in the Hat Comes Back and with One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. About 45 years, or more, ago. Whew! That sure dates me! And I still like the Cat in the Hat.

These sock were actually made for Laura. When she put them on we decided they were too short. They also needed a heel. I thought I could get out of making heels by knitting up a tube but it looks too strange.

So, what's being added is an "after-thought heel". Great name, so creative, but yes, that is actually the name E. Zimmerman gave it. If you knit, her books are some of the ones you ought to have in your library. She has a lot of great suggestions. Even though her books were written years ago and the models are all out dated the techniques still apply.

So these socks, much like the Cat in the Hat, came back for another round (Pun unintended. Just the second one.)

I Finally Found Them!

2007-06-04T14:21:00.000-07:00

Before our anniversary B asked where I would like to go for a few days. Without missing a beat I responded, "To the Oregon Coast!"

There's no doubt that this is one my favorite places. There are so many good memories there for me.

We left Sunday afternoon and ended up in Cannon Beach the next morning. For lunch we enjoyed a small bowl of clam chowder at this cute little restuarant.

Later we happened along this candy store that must have had every candy known to man in it. At least when I asked the clerk for two specific candies she was able to direct me right to them. That brings me to my great find. I have been searching for these candies for ages! My grandmother use to keep lemon candies in a little candy dish by her front door, (handy for those on their way out!) Sweet on the outside and very sour on the in.

For years the only place we knew to get them was at Gramma's house. Once in a while she would take us to her source--under the terminal of the Philadelphia Train station at 30th Street . We would hop the train in Paoli where she and Granpa lived and ride to Downtown. There at the terminal under the tracks we found a small little shop that sold these wonderful candies. She would buy enough to restock her candy dish and then some. I don't know if they still sell these in the train terminal of Philadelphia or not, but I would love to find out. Until then, I'm content with going to Cannon Beach...for more than one reason!

Here you see my stash. I had a much smaller amount piled on the scale but both B and the clerk persuaded me to add more. I didn't need much arm twisting! There's enough to share so if you email me I'll send some to you. If I run out I guess I'll have to go back to Cannon Beach!

Another favorite candy I found there is one I've only been able to find in Leavenworth. They're like malted milk balls but much more chocolaty and with a mint flavor. No, H, they do not taste like toothpaste!

If you have a favorite candy that you can't find, this is definitely the place to go. They will even let you taste test to make sure you're buying what you want.

Here's Haystack Rock and B on the way from a restaurant that sells delicious desserts!

Birch Bay

2007-06-02T15:37:00.000-07:00

We couldn't ask for more beautiful weather. It's been warm and clear for about a week here-- a perfect excuse for a holiday.

On Friday B decided we needed a day off. When he said he wanted to go to Birch Bay I immediately thought of the yarn shop there. I hadn't been for a long while and was not disappointed in the least. There was so much there that I would have liked to buy. But this girl has enough yarn to last three lifetimes! Even still I did manage to walk out with some reinforcement yarn for the socks I'm working on. (Kedj, two months is too short for socks to last. Send me your holey ones.)

Annnnnnnnd.......some yarn to make this! Don't expect to see results any time soon. Maybe by the end of the summer because I'm still working on my pi shawl: (from this book).

It's taking longer than it needs to because I keep having to "tink" and, alas, "frog" which is worse. Last night I visited Gran and while there got quite a bit done. Or so I thought. When I got home I picked it up again to work on it and saw that I had a HUGE loop a couple of rows back. I was hoping it was only one row, but nope it turned out to be three! What's the big deal, you say? Well, each row has 576 stitches! (plus or minus--I can't keep track properly. --i.e. I can't count.) So I painstakenly, started to take out each stich. One by one. When I realized it was several rows back I had no choice but to RIP!!! And I did. And it hurt. I worked for over two hours and finally couldn't take it any more. I quit and went to bed only to finally finish in the AM. Now I'm ready to go again and I'll be upstairs if you call, enjoying my mocha on the back porch (which only has five boxes on it now.)

We Go Mad Straightening Pins

2007-06-01T16:00:00.000-07:00

After the gospel meeting people often end up at our house because there is nothing else to do. We usually sit around the dining room table and just talk. If they are like me, and most people are, believe or not, they can't sit still and just do nothing. So we put them to work! Why sit around doing nothing when you can be counting beads, folding pamphlets or even straightening pins! Yep. Pin Straightening is the lastest in the entertainment department around here. So that's what we had our company do the last time they were here.

You take a pin and hold it in one hand while you pull it straight with the other. Often it doesn't get straight til you do it several times. Your fingers and hands gets sore and dirty. You get weak in the knuckles (and knees). At the end you promise yourself that you won't ever visit the A's again until all the pins are straight and out of the house! It's that bad.

Each bag has about 1000 bent pins in it. Don't ask why the factory sent it that way. They knew we had bored company? The tediousness got to someone eventually.

We only got one bag done before C went mad.

(But it was only a trick to lead us to think that she went mad.) And happily she has been back since. But not to straighten pins.

2007-05-30T11:58:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post because I'm really suppose to be working! I commented on Mom's blog how I can't blog every day because life is too busy. I have a lot of things stored up in my mind to blog about: our anniversary trip, the police visit to our home while we were gone (nothing serious), a great find of something I've been looking for for ages, Heidi's new acquisition, knitting progress, etc. You get the idea!

This morning at 5:55 I woke up with tons of energy! Instead of rolling over and going back to sleep I told B that I was going to the meeting room and could he take LJ to school? Well, he heard the school part but thought I had said I would take her! I guess he was half awake. She did get to school o.k. but I think there were a few minutes where the two of them were looking at each other and wondering where I was. I almost always take LJ to school so it left them puzzled for a bit.

I've started to walk again. The weather has been just too beautiful to stay indoors all day. The girls do a lot of running and a lot of horseback riding but those things just aren't for me. I would rather walk. Sometimes I take the Loop which is about 3km (2mi) and is just about right for me. Other times I walk to Starbucks and reward myself with a latte.

But my best walk is the one to the lake by our house. I can do this walk in about 20 minutes if I walk around the lake twice so it's not a real invigorating jaunt. That's why I take my knitting and my crossword puzzle book along with me. You see, benches have been placed strategically around the lake inviting you to rest. Even if you don't need a rest. And no, I didn't time the 20 minutes while I was sitting down! I did the walk first and the next time I went out took advantage of the benches. While sitting there this last time an old man and his wife sat down next to me. I scooted over to give them room and he thanked me. They were so cute! He in his turban (they were East Indian) and she in her sari. When his wife was situated he got up and made a jaunt around the pond, and after checking on her, made another loop.

You see she was quite ill and had to use a walker to get around. Even with the walker you could see that it was a struggle. It was very touching to see the concern that old man had for his wife and the concessions that he made for her.

On Monday we had Lily's three girls for supper while Lily and Biker went out. The littlest one is in my Sunday School class and started to sing "Who Did Make the Flowers Grow?" (complete with actions) when we placed the Legoe flowers by the path to our Leego house. Can she sing! I guess only in the privacy of a home! I could have used some of her volume a couple of weeks ago when I felt I was singing a solo with a backup of three little mimes.

So this didn't end up being a quick post. And it's almost lunch time. So much for work. One needs a slave driver for a boss or at least a time card.

Saturday Barbeque

2007-05-27T22:19:00.000-07:00

A while back Doc and Bashful had a barbeque and invited us to attend. They had just set up a new trampoline and wanted to try it out. The kids had a blast and even some of the parents took a turn. Doc showed us some flips--Yikes! Everyone gasped when he nearly fell over the edge! Thankfully, Dave promised to put the safety net up for them later that week.

Poor Little Guy cried every time his dad got on the trampoline and jumped. To help him overcome his anxiety Doc took him on the trampoline. No, he didn't attempt any flips but did bounce a little while with him.
Some of us stayed inside to enjoy the peace and quiet.

Lily had enough of me taking pictures and my, "I'm only practicing!"

Note the message on the cover of the magazine. Not so subtle, is she? I finally got the hint and moved on to subjects who were a little more fun.

Check out the latest entertainment. This little guy finally figured it out but not before he attempted the one handed clap. (I wish I could figure this video thing out. I've spent too much time loading this one up to the blog. So I'm going to have to be content with just the one.)

One Handed Clap

2007-05-27T21:00:00.000-07:00

one handed clap

I Think I'm Going to Buy New Walking Shoes

2007-05-16T15:42:00.000-07:00

No, this is not a good price since it's in litres and not gallons. I figure that when it's translated to gallons it's over $5 per. With the $US/$CND exchange so close these days you can figure out how much we're paying for gas.

Do I want to eat or do I want to drive? I think I'll drive since I need to go on a diet anyway. But then again if I walk I probably won't need to go on a diet. Maybe I should do both!!

Speaking of which I need to go pick up LJ from

school. I should walk.

There was a mother's day tea last Friday. All the moms got a rose at the end. I didn't have my camera so check the chatty housewife blog for May 14.

What's the Resemblance?

2007-05-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

Here's an update on the bangs situation: They're not quite as long as I led you to believe by posting the picture of the horse yesterday. But almost. When she pushes them to the side you can see her eyes.

There are advertisements by Fido (a wireless phone company) and Fido that are being circulated here in BC that use pictures of dogs that bear a resemblance to people or the other way around, maybe. Not saying that the people look like dogs, mind you. Yet the hair and fur are often similar. The face shapes are often the same, too. You be the judge and let me know if you think Laura and the horse's hair is the same. That's all.

We had a Greek dinner for Laura's birthday yesterday. Gran came over for the evening and helped us to celebrate. The cheesecake was not Greek--her choice. We could have had baklava but that would have entailed a trip to Vancouver and that would have added another two hours (round trip) to my already very busy day. Now I remember why I don't cook a meal like this but five times a year. It takes a lot of time.

2007-05-14T11:38:00.000-07:00

Happy

Birthday,

Laura!!!

A Sunday School Treat

2007-05-11T04:19:00.000-07:00

A recital of many, many verses. (The most I have ever heard any one recite!)
"Dorcas Had a Needle, David Had a Sling"

Bethany, Abby, Morgan, Tara, Josiah

"This Little Light of Mine"

Hannah, Melissa, and Chloe

Just a few pictures from our Sunday School Treat. As you can tell it's not only for the kids! I think the parents had fun too.

I Think I Have Too Much Time on My Hands

2007-05-03T11:07:00.000-07:00

A Change of Pace

2007-04-27T12:50:00.000-07:00

I don't always knit, eat, drive girls to the barn or work on an on-line bead web site. Sometimes I crochet too.
A crochet pattern of "Grandmother's Flower Garden"
(a favorite pattern among quilters)

Horses, beads, food and knitting

2007-04-24T13:36:00.000-07:00

My life these days revolves around knitting, food, beads and horses. Or so it seems from all the pictures on the camera. It probably is a pretty accurate "picture" of my life. But my kids play a huge part in what's going on too. It's just that they don't want me to blog about them ... too much. So I don't and then you get horses, beads, food and knitting.

This is the food part.
Our favorite Mexican restuarant.

This is the horses and knitting part.

And these are part of the beads. (Red Jasper Round Faceted 8mm)

Conference 2007

2007-04-18T13:25:00.000-07:00

I wanted to get these pictures up without delaying any longer. So busy. So little time. You'll have to be content with short blurbs.

Technical difficulties. We blew a fuse. Has to happen at least once. (Don't ask about the food mishap. But I will say that everything worked out fine and no one the wiser. There are tricks when you cook for 250--Sort of like "Rob Peter to pay Paul"?)

A sisters' meeting.

A happy baby. (meeting is over?)

And another one.

Time out for the kids.

A very serious talk?

Time for meetin'.

Fresh air. (It must have been over 90 degrees in the meeting room!)

Break Time!

Espresso Bar

2007-04-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

To speed up the slide show click on the + sign. Otherwise it's way too slow.

One of the perks at our conference was the espresso bar (courtesy of Wayne). These young sisters willingly offered their time and energy to provide us with exactly the coffee drink that we wanted. They were able to make us hot espressos, vanilla lattes, iced mochas or anything in between. Now that it is all over they should be pros. They think they made about 900.

Richmond Conference

2007-04-10T16:53:00.000-07:00

You've probably noticed that all of us Canadian bloggers have not posted for over a week. Our conference is just now over and it's been a really busy week for all of us. I have been so glad that we were able to get it done with no difficulties. Everything came together really, really well. All of us work well together too which makes it a much easier job. There is so much that goes into putting on a conference and I have more appreciation now for others who have invited us to their confences. I hope I never take for granted again all the hours of preparation that it takes to do it. There are so many things to consider. I know that Shadow Hills has a list of things that they go through every year to make sure that every area is covered.. and they keep adding to it. I don't know how many items are on their list but it must be in the hundreds. I was only in on the food part but there's also the sound system, recordings, the baby room, the supplies for the bathrooms, hotel accomodations, ordering of extra chairs and tables. The list goes on and on.

On Tuesday of last week we did major grocery shopping at Costco and Superstore. And then we were in the kitchen on Wednesday cooking up a storm. We got it all done with plenty of time to spare. A break for a lunch of sandwiches from Subway energized us. And then a run to Starbucks by Gran and LeAnne in the afternoon helped to kick us into gear to get our second wind. It was nice to not have to make lunch for ourselves on top of all the cooking we had to do.

On Thursday guests were arriving and we promised them dinner. That and the marinated chicken from Wednesday was the only cooking we did on that day.

Friday morning as soon as we arrived at the meeting room the ovens were turned on and the Timbits were delivered. And we were off.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAVE!!!!!!

2007-04-02T20:41:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE!!!!!

YOU DON'T LOOK A DAY OVER 80!!!!!!

Snow In April!

2007-04-02T18:43:00.000-07:00

I've never seen snow in April before. Not that I can recollect. Yesterday was cold and I thought it would be nice to have snow again. But I was really thinking about next year! This morning when I got up snow was flying. Sadly, it didn't last. In fact it's sunny and warm right now. But it was cold enough to make me want to knit again.
Here's what I've been working on lately. Guess what each is going to be?

Knitting Swatches

2007-03-27T20:27:00.000-07:00

When things get too hectic around here I pick up my knitting needles and just knit. Cast on any old number of stitches and knit til I develop a rhythm that relieves my tensions. Sometimes I'm so tense that my knitting gets tight and I have to concentrate on working a little looser. Usually, noticing the tight stitches is all it takes.
I got this yarn last spring at the open house at the winery. And I've been itchin' to knit with it ever since. It's a sturdy 100% wool, hand spun, hand dyed and 2 ply yarn called "Fundy Fog" that I thought would be too heavy to make socks.

But after knitting my swatch I think that's what it will be.

I took it to meeting last week to unwind the skein--it came in a hank. I had used some scissors to cut off the very sticky tag. Because meeting was starting soon I left my half done skein, the wound up ball and my scissors on the table knowing they would be there when I got back.

What I didn't know (and really should have remembered, being a mom) is that you don't leave scissors lying around where there are oodles of kids under the age of ten. Well, guess what happened? Yep, that's right. Those scissors proved to be too tempting for some little person and when I came back my yarn had been snipped right in between the skein and the ball! I did want the yarn cut in half eventually but not just yet.
Not until I had divided the yarn exactly in half and weighed each ball on a balance scale so that when I knit the socks I wouldn't knit too much on the first and not enough on the second. Oh, well, I can console myself with the thought that I do know how to add on in the middle of the row and not leave a hole where I switched yarns. And yes, the little one did confess (in a whisper), "I did it."

I Love My Kids

2007-03-23T11:54:00.000-07:00

We were in Kirkland last Lord's Day for the all-day-meeting. We haven't been for such a long time. I really noticed a change in the people there. Not personality or anything like that. It just seemed like there were different people than before, that's all.

The adult bible class was very good. They were in Ephesians 5. Very, very practical advice for parents of young children. And very, very sobering for those of us whose children are grown. Four or five things to remember in raising children.

1. Do not discipline in anger (I often put my children "in ward" until I could figure out what to do with them and until I could simmer down. "In ward" was their bedroom. )

2. Don't "roast" the brethren. (Criticism of the people you really do love is deadly).

3. Be in agreement as parents. Forbid them from playing one against the other.

4. Have rules with relationship. The kids need to know that there is love behind the rules and that they are not arbitrary.

5. Let the children know that ultimately they have to do with God and are responsible to Him.

Well, that about does it for me. I feel slain.

Spring

2007-03-22T20:18:00.000-07:00

Spring is here finally. And I think it's about time to cut the grass.

You've been tagged!

2007-03-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

I was suppose to tag someone at the end of my last blog. Since I don't think many will read it again I decided to post anew. "For those of you in Rio Lindo" and others who have asked, it is the same as it is in the kids' game of "Tag".

You are it. You get to do what the last person did. In the case of the kids'game that would be to tag another person by running after them. In this case it means that you get to write five interesting things about yourself. Because I want to hear from my family, I tag gramma, kedj , the brother, and jailgy. You guys can tag your family members. Except Bobby. On second thought, I would like to hear interesting things about his life.

I'm having fun teaching two and three year olds...again. Poor picture but the only one LJ took that day.

Tagged!!

2007-03-10T14:26:00.000-08:00

I've never been tagged before but this week chatty tagged me. She said to write five interesting things about myself but I don't think of my life as really interesting. Maybe unusual, but not interesting. I hesitate to write anything at all since I really can't think of much. It has taken me all week to even come up with this list.

The five "interesting" things I can think of are:

1. I use to race on a swim team and it made me a nervous wreck.
2. I lived in Japan for four years and learned to speak Japanese. My sisters and I still speak it to each other once in a while. And I yell at my kids in Japanese (nothing bad!)
3. I went to 11 different schools before I graduated from high school. And 13 schools in all.
4. I have five, not four, sisters as everyone who knows me assumes. The one I never met died before she was born. I'll see her one day.
5. I have had four C-sections in less than four years...and I think I'm sane again. (You be the judge.)

6. If I could have a sixth, you might be interested in knowing that I made a poi pounder in 2nd grade at St. Andrews Priory when living in Hawaii. (The first of three schools that year). That's it in the picture above, right next to Harvey. I don't like poi, either.

There you have it. Nothing like blabbing about yourself on the internet. You all know the quote: "He that speaketh of himself..."

Snow Again

2007-03-02T20:22:00.000-08:00

When we woke up yesterday there was at least 8 inches of snow on the ground. Unusual for March 1. None was predicted. In fact our usually accurate weatherman said it was going to rain. I suppose it did in some parts of the lower mainland but I don't think anyone got snow like we did. Even friends who live just two miles away didn't get any.

The snow reminds me of the first time I remember visiting my grandparents in Pennsylvania. While there the snow fell. So much fell that they closed the schools. An unheard of event where I had come from in Hawaii. It was the first time I ever saw snow. I was seven and had only experienced walking barefoot in the warm rain. I thought snow was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Of course, it was novel. I had lived in Hawaii since I was a year old. But the memories that snow evokes now, bring back thoughts of that trip to PA and all it entailed: Gramma's house with its clanging radiators that gave off absolutely no heat (or so we thought until we stepped outside), Grampa's outside fire pit where he burned the weekly garbage; the hot sweet tea served after supper that was mostly milk and sugar; getting a spoon from the glass spoon holder Gramma kept in her corner cupboard; lemon candies that were super sour in the middle that Gramma kept on her entry table; my first sight of chickadees (now my favorite bird); jenny and jack wrens feeding from the bird feeders set up out side the kitchen window just for our enjoyment; feeding squirrels on the enormous front porch; watching Grampa call to the neighbor kids (from that same front porch) who had no mittens and then having them pick a pair that Gramma had knitted just for that reason; Gramma's "never spent a dime" jar where she saved and banked every dime; red boots and a red toy chest on the back porch; never realizing that the red toy chest was just for us kids (I thought it was only for the good kids); the dime cemented in the steps off the back porch just for fools to bend down to try to pick up; and making snow angels for the very first time.

Reading all the above makes me realize the tremendous influence my grandmother had on my life. I loved her dearly and even today she affects me. I still love snow and enjoy its silent falling. I suppose it reminds me of childhood innocence and carefree days.

Although I can't say, "I never spent a dime," I collect them just as she did in a tall glass vase and then take them to the bank rolled, and deposit them in my account.

I'm still searching for those lemon candies that are sour in the middle and sweet on the outside. Just two days ago I bought two different varieties hoping again that they were the ones. (They weren't.)

I knit and knit constantly. Although I haven't knit mittens in awhile (see KJ's blog for the last pair) I sit in the passenger seat of the car and pass the time knitting, just as Gramma did, on long trips.

I had Mom get me some spoon holders just like Gramma's and often use them when company comes over and I'm serving buffet style.

But I don't have a dime stuck in the cement in my back porch. I think that was actually Grampa's doings.

Having lived in super humid Hawaii I still remember the blast of cold, crisp, dry air as we walked outside to play in the snow. And inside again to warm ourselves by the scorching warmth of the crackling wood fire. We could hardly stand the static electricity in our hair as we tore off our hats and stomped the snow from our boots. What strange phenomenons flyaway hair and shocks were.

This is actually an old picture of our first snow. The snow disappeared so quickly this time, that I didn't even get a chance to take a picture. These pumpkins have long gone the way of all November pumpkins.

You Can Pass Me the Checkbook

2007-02-26T11:40:00.000-08:00

This has been a very eventful day and it's only 11:30. Mum called this AM. Aunt Ruth had passed away. Go here for a piece on her life. It's a very nice tribute to a wonderful woman.

While I was searching for my dental office's phone number, they called. I told them to cancel tomorrow's appointment. I'm too busy--but I said there was a death in the family. We have our web designer coming tomorrow any way and I wanted to get out of going to this dental office. They were/have been really pushy. And I don't like to be pushed around.

I'm planning on leaving in about 20 minutes to pick up Teege at the airport. He said he gets in "around one". So that's when I plan on being there. "Around one". (It's an hour away.)

We've had customers in this AM and they take up so much time and space.

We've had several long distance phone calls--nothing to do with Aunt Ruth. One was a suggestion about pricing in our catalogue $US vs. $CND. Another was a question for B. The other was about a fax machine that doesn't work properly. And B and I are trying to get an order together for Aristo.

Meanwhile, I'm trying to fill some internet orders for CTP (or at least, write them up), fax Jailgy a pattern for an afghan that she asked for, work on Da's pamphlet and one for B as well (formatting). Whew!

I usually make lists of "Things to do Today". This is my list.

A Scarf and Some Beans

2007-02-21T14:00:00.000-08:00

We were in W2 a week or so ago. While traveling I was able to work on my Irish Hiking Scarf and actually finished it while there. It sort of matches the coronet hat . The yarn is the same anyway. You wouldn't be able to tell that the difference between the patterns unless you really looked carefully. So don't.

The reason I was able to make so much progress on the scarf is because Tami and I were able to knit all Saturday afternoon. She wasn't planning on making dinner (we went to Homestead) but in between making pastries and muffins she got a few rows in too. She's more adventurous than I am because her latest project is an intricate sweater pattern that involves lots of color change. My mind can't get around that just yet. I need huge blocks of time just to figure out where I am in that kind of pattern. And she's raising four boys.

The oldest made breakfast for us on Lord's Day and helped his mom make the beans for supper that night. "More garlic, Mom?"

No double dipping, E.

Don't Throw Them Away!

2007-02-20T09:26:00.000-08:00

If you were here earlier and wondered what I was talking about, wonder no more. Blogger was having difficulty putting up posts and uploading pictures this morning. So when I wrote and rewrote and tried to post all that would show up was the title. Aw, well, I thought. I'll just leave it. When I finish you'll know what I was talking about. You see, Kedj has a pair of socks that are worn out in the heels. On her blog I told her that another pair was coming. Then this morning as I was rummaging through my stash I came across the left over yarn from the worn out pair. I think I can knit a patch and graft it in the spot where the hole is. So I don't want her to throw the old pair away!

I was at the Abbotsford airport tonight. Teege is on his way to Calgary to meet some of his buddies from Regina. They plan on going to Banff to go snowboarding for a couple of days. We had bought him a ticket for his birthday to go where ever he wanted (within reason, now come on!) He was planning on going to St. Thomas conference and already had his ticket, but the conference was cancelled. He still needed to use the ticket because the last time he was in Regina they lost his luggage and gave him $100 when they found it (if he would pick it up at the airport instead of them delivering it). The $100 had to be used within 3 months and that time was approaching fast. So he's off. It's still hard to see any of my kids go even if only for a short time. As I write--he just called from the Calgary airport--. He was airsick and is really hungry. Thanks for calling.

Sorry I'm Late

2007-02-16T16:55:00.000-08:00

I said I would post a pic of the last yarn on yesterday's post. We're super busy working on our catalogue. It's endless. So much info to put up. I told B that I was in the S's of the gemstones--pretty near the end of the alphabet, I thought. Well, guess what? There are quite a few gemstones that start with S! Also the title "Assessories" is driving me crazy! I can't go into the template or whatever to change it. We promised our programmer that we would call him with all the changes when we were done but this is too much. I'm going to call him on Monday with that one change if that's all we have. It really makes us look ignorant. Maybe I can chalk it up to Canadian/American differences in spelling?