Traditional Turns Twenty

A week ago this past Sunday, Sheryl came over for a quick spinning lesson on my Ashford Traditional. She then went home with the said Traditional and has been playing with it when she can. It was fun to see the spark of having "got" it while she was practicing. It took me back to my own first lesson on the Traditional 20 years ago this past Friday. What a difference spinning has made in my life and how I react to different situations in life.

Spinning has been a mainstay in my life for the past 20 years and I am glad that I have this quiet, peaceful time to meditate, calm down from daily stresses, and NOT kill my kids when they got me so riled up. On the plus side of spinning, I get to create one of a kind yarns which I can make into one of a kind garments for my friends, family and me to enjoy for years to come. And I can share my interests with others and get them "hooked" also.

So thanks, Bud, for buying me the Traditional for Christmas all those many years ago. He never thought it would still be in my life all these years later and he was surprised to see the spinning wheel still in my home when he visited for the first time four years or so ago.

Even though the Traditional isn't my daily spinner now, it will always hold a special place in my heart.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Christmas Giving

Now the Christmas is over and the kids have opened their hand knits, I'll show you some of the socks I knit for all the kids for Christmas. I completed 11 pair of socks over the course of the year!
I am still working on one pair for ES, they could have been done in time for Christmas, but I had to rip them - twice! I am now on the cuffs, toe up, so it won't be long until he can start wearing his.
The last pair here, with the darkest background, was actually my first pair completed. I finished them back in February. The orange pair was the pair knit from the Soctober pattern from Through the Loops and it took me two months to get them done! The self-striping pair was knit in April.

I'm glad this project is over with, maybe now I can knit a pair of socks for myself. At least, that can be the plan until I find something else I want to work on. Next, more socks and the wedding shawl from October.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Happy Holiday

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Our day was quiet, the first one without any kids around. My mom has talked about not opening gifts until 10 or 11 in the morning and I used to think, "how could you wait that long'. But today was just that sort of a day.

Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday!

Happy knitting and spinning.

New Job

Just a quick note to let you know I'm still here. I'm working on Christmas, but have started a new to me job. Orientation was last night and my first real day of work is today. Talk about scary! I worked at me last job for 22 1/2 years and knew just about everything to do with the company in one way or another. Now I am starting all over again and I think that is scary. Instead of khaki and blue, I'm now wearing khaki and red. Won't the red look good with my red hair? I've never been much of a red wearer, so this will be a change. I only own two red shirts so a shopping trip is in order before very long. And I really love shopping---NOT!

Happy knitting and spinning. Next post will have pictures, I promise.

Happy Belated E

I was remiss yesterday in not mentioning that it was "E's" 23rd birthday. I can't believe that that much time has passed since I became a mother. E was a very good child. In fact, I have said on numerous occasions that it was a good thing he was first in the birth-order or I would never have had the others. He isn't perfect, but then none of us are. He has turned into a wonderful young man, husband, and father. I'm glad he's in my life, even if he is 2500 miles away.

Happy Belated E!

And happy birthday to E's uncle Alan. Nineteen years apart to the day. Alan called when I went into labor with E on the 10th and said, "wait until after midnight to have that baby!" Granted, he called at like 11 pm on the 10th. Yes, Alan, I'm glad you're in my life too. But, I am glad that most of the teasing is over with. You're better to live with when your not a teenager!

Happy knitting & spinning.

PS. Just a note, I will be posting pictures of finished projects on Ravelry soon. I know the people they are intended for aren't on there. And no, C you can't cheat and get on there to tell people what they are getting.

Christmas Cactus Blooms

For the past couple of mornings, I have watched the morning sun shine on this Christmas cactus. It has been a beautiful sight to see. The cactus has this halo around it and I thought it was time to share the blooms. I gave a start to ES's step-sister and she even has buds on her plant. But then, I did tell her the best kept secret of the castor oil.

It seems fitting that we should have the cactus' blooming, seeing as how we had a Christmas party last night. ES and I were in charge of the church Christmas dinner/party which was held last night. It went off very well, at least I think so. We did run out of meat, but not until close to the end. I think everyone that wanted meat got some. We had lots of potatoes left, so divided them up and sent them home to different people. We spent more than we probably should have, but isn't that what happens at Christmas time anyway. Now that this party is over, I think I can get my own home ready for the season. And finish up that Christmas shopping and get things sent back to the kids.

I have been busy working on Christmas knitting and it is coming along fairly well. I have to get it done soon so it will be at the respective homes to open on Christmas day. Only a few more things to go.

ES got us tickets to see The Polar Express in 3-D at the IMAX theater in one of the museums tonight. We are taking my sister, who is visiting, with us. We are going to ride the metro down and it should be a fun night. We might even go see the National Christmas Tree, but won't know until we get down there and start doing stuff. We took Beth to the Udvar-Hazy museum when we picked her up Friday night. She had fun seeing some of the planes and kept saying, "I'll have to bring the boys now." Their little ones are really into planes, space shuttles, and they know all the stats on the different planes which is really amazing for ones so young.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Monday Sunset

I just thought I would share today's sunset with you. The picture was taken with my phone camera, so it didn't turn out as pretty as the real thing. The orange was just radiating upwards and looked so cool! I kept looking at it as I was driving home from the library. I finally had to pull over and take this picture. Sunsets are one of my favorite times of the day. I love the watch the colors as they parade across the sky. I guess that is why I like sunrises also.

I've been busy working on Christmas stuff today. I might get everything done in time, but will have to wait to find out for sure.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Random

I thought I had downloaded new pictures, but I guess not. So no pictures today. I guess it will be a random post.

I have finished the knitting on the November sweater. I haven't blocked it yet or done the embroidery which I want to do. I think I will get those done when the Christmas knitting is done. I think it counts if I got all the knitting done during the month. Besides it then gives me something to look forward to when I'm done with Christmas knitting.

We are busy working here on plans for the church party which is to be held this next Saturday. I have been busy getting people to volunteer to bring salads and bake potatoes. We are planning for 150 people and I've never done a dinner for that many people. I am also not very good at delegating jobs to other people. I am a control freak, I guess. After next Saturday, I might have a meltdown.

My Christmas cactus is closer to blooming! I even have buds on my second cactus. I look forward to them blooming every time they do.

I am looking forward to knitting a new shawl after the first of the year. I would like to make shawls for all the women in my family. That will be quite a few. This will be my new challenge this new year.

Thanks for reading. Happy knitting & spinning.

Fun Little Quiz

I haven't done one of these in a while so I thought I would. I don't know if it's very accurate, but it was fun.

you are lightblue #ADD8E6

Your dominant hues are green and blue. You're smart and you know it, and want to use your power to help people and relate to others. Even though you tend to battle with yourself, you solve other people's conflicts well. Your saturation level is low - You stay out of stressful situations and advise others to do the same. You may not be the go-to person when something really needs done, but you know never to blow things out of proportion. Your outlook on life is bright. You see good things in situations where others may not be able to, and it frustrates you to see them get down on everything.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

Not much going on here lately. Still knitting and working on Christmas things and getting ready for the church Christmas party ES and I are in charge of.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Sweater Progress

I thought I would show you the sweater for November. It is from stash yarn and the yarn Catherine sent me in September. It is a top down raglan. Yeah, no seaming! And is working out very nicely. I am on the second sleeve and should be done before the end of the month. This sweater has been my computer knitting, because there is lots of stockinette stitches. I think that is why it is getting done so quickly.

There hasn't been much happening around here lately. I haven't heard back from any of the jobs I've applied for yet. I haven't gotten the Christmas shopping done yet and I haven't finished the Christmas knitting yet. So, not much getting done.

I did have fun last night at knitting night. I really like going and seeing what everyone is working on. Last night I took the Hitchhiker with me to get some spinning done. I got almost a whole bobbin spun and everyone liked the roving. Judy does a good job with her dyes. They are always a joy to spin with, although this that I am spinning now has a little of the purple dye bleed while spinning. Not too bad though.

Well, off to get something accomplished. Happy knitting & spinning.

Traditional Still Spins

I don't think I have posted about this fiber that I purchased at the Montpelier Fiber Festival. I bought this four oz of Mohair/Cormo blend in this green and orange colorway. I then spun it on the Ashford Traditional, plied it into a two-ply and ended up with 360 yards of lace/fingering weight.

I think I have enough to make the Forest Canopy Shawl, but will have to play with it to see.

But first I have to finish up the sweater I am working on--it's half-way thru the first sleeve right now--and the two pair of socks that are on the needles too. One pair is just about done, probably about two hours worth of work. The other pair has a bit more than that to go.

I started the Christmas shopping yesterday! Not my favorite thing to do, but I need to get it done soon. I would like to get everything mailed by December 5, so I know it will be there in time for Christmas and "E's" birthday.

I had a job interview on Thursday. We'll see how that goes. The only thing about it is, I would be driving for 30 minutes each way to and from work. Not sure I like that idea too much. And it is back in retail again, so there will be some nights involved. But it will be nice to be working again. Not as much crafting time though.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Stitches Purchases

Guess what? One of my Christmas cactus has buds on it. I am so excited to see it blooming again. I checked the older cactus also and I think it has a bud. I'll have to wait a couple of days to see though. It makes me happy to see the Christmas cactus in bloom. Plus having moved it clear across the country, it's still blooming. The move didn't hurt the plant.


Yesterday I spent some time plying the fiber that has been sitting on the Scholar for the past 8 to 10 months. It is some superwash that I dyed last winter, the same fiber I used to ply with my silk challenge fiber last spring. I have 90 yards of a lace/fingering weight to do something with. I don't know what to use it for yet, but I'm sure something will come to me. Maybe a cowl.

I also have pictures of the fiber I bought when Sheryl and I went to Stitches East. I bought two 4 oz bumps of fiber and two skeins of sock weight yarn. The dark skein has 436 yards and I'm not sure how many yarns are in the other skein. The second from the left is fiber dyed by Lisa Souza. Lisa is the dyer that Alison talks about in Wrapped in Comfort and on her blog.

I have fiber on three of my four wheels. All from different dyers and all different colors. It is interesting to watch how each of the fibers are spinning up. I have been spending at least ten minutes daily doing some spinning which is helping me get some fiber spun and keeping my stress level manageable.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Wedding Shawl Pictures

Yesterday, Sheryl and I headed to Baltimore to the Stitches East market. It was a very fun day. We spent a number of hours in the market wandering around and looking at all the fun sweaters, shawls, fiber, yarn and books. We both bought plenty of everything. I'll show pictures in the next couple of days or so. The best part for me, was sitting at the same table as Alison and getting her to sign my book. She had three friends with her and all of them had on shawls that Alison had made. It was a memory I hope to remember for a while.

Speaking of shawls, I thought I would show you my Adamas shawl that I made to wear to the kids wedding reception.
Here it is blocking and then with me wearing it that night. I wore the shawl tied behind me, because I didn't own a shawl pin at that time. It is a fun shawl and turned out really well, in my opinion. But then I like all my shawls.

(If you click on the picture, it should make it bigger so you can see the pattern.)

My sweater is progressing, as are the socks currently in progress. I am working at least four rows a day on the sweater and will spend more time on it in the next day or two. After attending Stitches, there are so many things I want to make and spin. Now there definitely isn't enough time in the day.

Happy knitting & spinning.

"K's" Shawl and Upcoming Plans

The leaf pattern shawl done in the Brown Sheep Cotton Fine modeled by my new DIL, "K". She was very gracious in receiving this shawl. Don't know if she will wear it often, but it would be great for taking to church when the chapel is a little chilly. The color looks good with her blond coloring, to add to the appeal.

Last night at knit night Sheryl and I arranged to attend the Stitches East market on Saturday. This will be the last time it, Stitches, is held in Baltimore. We would like to go and Sheryl has never been to a market before. I've never been to Stitches, but I've been to SOAR. We are leaving early Saturday, so we can get lost without any worries about being too late. Neither one of us has been to Baltimore, that I know of, so this should be interesting. I'm taking the GPS just in case.

My sweater is progressing very nicely. It's a top-down raglan and I'm past the arm divide. I still like how it is coming out, but now I am to the boring stockinette stitches which sometimes takes forever.

I went for a job interview yesterday, but the lady doing the interview had to leave on a family emergency. Don't know when that will be rescheduled. Can I tell you? I hate looking for a job that I will like and I'm not very good at talking about my achievements and good points. Oh well, the search will go on.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Great Falls Pictures and Catching Up

This is "C" and I the day we went to Great Falls to wander around and do some spinning with Esther. You can read her account of the day here. My account of the day is here. I just didn't have my camera when I wrote that account and I had a few other things on my mind. So here are a couple of the pictures. They also show my hair when it was long. While I was in Idaho a couple of weeks ago I got it cut.

Here is not the most flattering of pictures, but it shows my hair shorter. I got to spend some much needed time with Master "B" while in Idaho. Here he is wearing an outfit that his daddy wore over 20 years ago. Yes, for my siblings, I do have some of Mom's tendencies to keep stuff! That little outfit was fun to see again and getting good use. Master "B" is now a little over 10 pounds and is such a cutie.


When I got home a week ago, I had a package in the mail. It was from Vicky and I couldn't imagine what was in there. I opened it to find my new favorite t-shirt in just the colors I like. This shirt has already seen a bit or wearing time. Thanks, Vicky, I love it! Vicky is a very talented lady.

My sweater for the NaKnitSweMo is coming along nicely. I'm still liking the way it is working up and the colors. I have found that my left thumb is hurting a little on the knitting of this sweater, so I have changed needles. I'm hoping this will work, but only time will tell.

I have the pictures of the two shawls I completed. That will be the next post. I got a couple of good pictures with "K" in her's and I have some of me in my shawl.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Sorry it's been so long

I can't believe it has been about three weeks from my last post. I have a lot of pictures to share of the wedding and the trip to IF. But those pictures are on the camera which is upstairs and you know--I'm lazy and don't want to go get it or I won't get this done today.

I started the November sweater challenge. I have a basic pattern that I am kind of following, but I have to make some changes and make the sweater my own. I am using the skein that Catherine sent me as an accent and I really like how it is turning out so far. The main color is some 100% Galway yarn color #106 that I have had in my stash for over four years. Yesterday, I almost bought some Lion brand wool yarn which is on sale at Michaels. But I talked myself out of it and am really glad that I did, because I like the way the yarn I have is coming out so far.

Even though the link is from 2006, I know there are quite a few people doing the challenge this year. I see a lot about it on the different blogs I read.

I haven't gotten as many socks done during the month of October as I had hoped to get done. I still have a number of socks to finish before very long. There are too many un-paired socks on the needles, to let it just drop. But, I am getting tired of socks, just to let you know.

I bought some fun yarn while in Idaho. It is yarn I have never heard of before, but then I am finding that I haven't heard of a lot of yarns. I'll get pictures in the daylight tomorrow and share with you then.

Ok, I think I'm done rambling now. I will get my act together and be a little more consistant with my posting from now until the end of the year. After that, who knows.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Don;t Enjoy the Day Too Much, Something Might Happen

On Wednesday night at knitters, people were talking about going to Great Falls. I thought "C" and I would enjoy that, so I said we would go. When we got to the "meet up" place no one was there who was going. Esther and her husband, David, had already left for Great Falls. So "C" and I headed on up there. We had a mini detour along the way. I took the I-66 instead of I-495, so we had to get off, turn around and retrace our route, taking the right turn instead of the wrong one. Esther and I had a good time sitting out by the visitor's center spinning and talking with the people asking questions. There were a number of people that wanted to know what we were doing and where we got our supplies. It was fun to share what we know!

This Great Falls is nothing like the other falls I am used to, like Yellowstone or the falls in Idaho Falls. "C" did say that the falls at Great Falls did kind of remind him of the Idaho Falls falls. We spent some time watching five kayaks as they played in the water under the falls. That was fun to watch. "C" got some pictures which I should have brought downstairs with me, but I didn't.

On the way home from Great Falls, I got a call from ES. He and "A-b" had had a roll-over. He said that and then his phone went dead. I didn't know whether they were ok or not. I couldn't get him and neither could "C". ES called about half an hour later to say they really were ok and it was their car that had rolled-over. ES had over corrected! He says "A-b" will need some stitches on his forehead and in his hand. ES is just shook up and his elbow hurts. Thank goodness they are ok. There was all kinds of thoughts going through my head when I couldn't get ES on the phone.

I have pictures to show of FOs. Although one is still drying and I only have a "blocking" pictures. Should have photos tomorrow or Wednesday morning before leaving for IF for "J-b" and "K's" wedding on Saturday and "A-g" and "G's" sealing on Thursday.

Happy knitting & spinning and tell someone close you love them!

Tag Five Things

I know that this 'tag' has gone around before, but my sister just tagged me (again) and I really should respond to her. It's the 5 Things.

Tag - 5 Things.......

5 Things I was doing 10 years ago:

1. Separated from husband.
2. Raising four boys on my own.
3. Working three jobs at once.
4. Planning a trip to the Grand Canyon with the boys.
5. Buying my first newer car by myself.

5 Things on today's to do list:

1. Take A-b to Battle of Bull Run civil war site.
2. Finish laundry.
3. Work on 2nd clue of Mystery Sock.
4. Make dinner?
5. Plan tomorrow's sight-seeing.

5 Snacks I enjoy (unhealthiest to healthiest):

1. Skor or Heath bars.
2. Any chocolate/carmel combination.
3. Popcorn.
4. Red grapes (frozen).
5. Homemade smoothies.

5 Things I would do if I were a millionaire (you mean "when"):

1. Pay off debts.
2. Put money aside in investments.
3. Travel to Australia and Ireland.
4. Buy another spinning wheel.
5. Help kids.

5 Places I've lived:

1. Pocatello ID
2. Dayton OR
3. Portland OR
4. Idaho Falls ID
5. Fairfax VA

5 Places I've worked:

1. Home - as a mom - hardest job (Sorry Anita - had to copy cuz it's true!)
2. Pharmacy Tech
   
3. Albertson's as a lobby manager, bookkeeper, customer service booth, video counter - that covers just about 20 years, don't you think it's enough? Oh, okay, two more----
   
4. Restaurant bookkeeper.
5. Medical office help

Okay, I hope you've learned something more about me. Anita, I'm not doing anymore tags! At least for a while.

If you are still reading, here's a picture of the fiber I bought this past weekend at the Fiber Fair at Montpelier. I am taking pictures of the fiber separately and will tell you a little about it, the fiber, as the days go by. I am spinning the fiber in the middle on the Ashford Traditional. I haven't spun on that wheel in a while and I thought it was about time to get her out, dust her off, and give her a good workout. It is spinning up nicely and I'll have pictures on the next post. I'm too lazy this morning to go get the camera and download the pictures right now. I have to have this fiber spun by the first of December, because I have promised to loan the Traditional to a lady who meets with us Wednesday nights for a beginning spinning class. We are going to get her hooked on the spinning also!

Happy knitting & spinning.

Shearing Demo

Saturday while attending the Fiber Fair at Montpelier Station, we watched a gentleman shear a sheep. It was interesting. I don't remember if I have ever watched a shearing before, I don't think so. I know I have heard about it and talked with Ora about how Irv would shear. But I enjoyed watching someone actually shearing. It was a good interlude to shopping and keeping track of everyone.

I spent a bit of time spinning yesterday and continued working on socks. "A-b" and I also went to a couple of museums: the Udvar-Hazy and the National Firearms museum. "A-b" was ready to leave both museums way before I was. We started taking the free tour at the Udvar-Hazy and "A-b" only lasted about 15 minutes before he was complaining that he was hungry and he couldn't stand there any longer. I think I need to go back without children and take the tour again. Today is slated for the National Zoo, but then "A-b" and ES stayed up way too late and I don't know when we will get into the Zoo.

Happy knitting & spinning.

DC Last Friday

There has been a lot going on these past few days. There might be enough to keep me going with blog fodder for a day or two. On Friday "A-b" and I headed into DC so that "A-b" could be introduced to ES's co-workers. The other purpose behind the trip was so that father and son could spend some time together in our new area of residence. "A-b" and I wandered around the Jim Henson exhibit and then met ES for lunch and a walk through the moon garden. This hibiscus picture was taken there.

After lunch father and son went to the American Indian museum and I got to visit my favorite place, so far, in DC-The botanical gardens. That is where this yellow flower picture was taken. It was so nice to just wander. I didn't have to worry about where anyone was. I could just sit and look and relax all I wanted to. There were more begonias this time than the last time I went. There are so many different varieties and I keep thinking I would like that plant at home. But then ES is glad I don't have them all at home.

I finished one spinning project and started another. This fiber on the Lendrum is from Judy's Novelty Wool in the Spring Fling color. I picked it up at the Idaho Falls Fiber Fair this past May. Imagine that, spinning a fiber the same year I bought it! It's a good thing to spin this, as I bought more fiber this past Saturday. But, more on that in another post. This bobbin is now almost completely full. And it holds almost one complete 4 oz bump of this fiber. I have two bumps of 4 ozs for spinning. I really like how the colors are coming out.

Well, off to plan the sight seeing trip for "A-b" today. If you haven't already, go back to this post and guess how many socks I'll get done in Socktoberfest. You could get some sock yarn if you guess correctly.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Can You Hear Me Now????

There hasn't been a lot going on around here. We did go yesterday to get "C" a new phone. His quit working about a week ago and it was time that I could get a new one, so I did. I got a newer version of my old phone, but this one is in purple. "C" now gets to use my old phone which is pink. He doesn't like that too much, but if he wants a phone he has to go with it!


I have spent quite a bit of time lately looking out the front window. I have enjoyed watching the birds land in the tree right outside. It has given me something to watch as I have sat at the spinning wheel for my ten minutes a day spinning time. During my ten minutes daily I have been able to spin a number of fibers from the stash. I latest has just been washed and when its dry I'll take pictures to post. Now to go stash diving again for something else to spin on the Lendrum.

"A-b" will be here this evening for a ten day stay. He is out of school for spud harvest and hasn't been out here yet. He is flying by himself, don't know how that will go over-but will find out tonight. We have trips to DC planned and battlefield to visit. Don't know how much we will do, we have to save some stuff for his next visit. ES will be working so the sight-seeing will just be the two of us. "C" will be in school daily, so he can't come.

I started a new sock for Sockotberfest. I kind of want to see how many pair I can get done during this month. Anyone care to guess how many I can get done in October? Remember, I am taking a trip back to IF for ten days! I will send sock yarn to the one how guesses the closest. Okay, if it's one of my family members ( I know you don't knit!) I'll send you a pair of socks.

Well, today I will become an official Virginia resident and get my Virginia driver's license. So off to accomplish this.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Lunch with ES

On Wednesday I went into DC to have lunch with ES. After lunch I had the chance to wander around a couple of the museums by myself. I wandered where I wanted and stayed as long as I wanted in any one place. I think my favorite place that day was this waterfall on the mall side of the building. I hadn't seen this when the boys and I were there in March. I took the time to listen to the water rushing over the rocks. It was a quiet sound when compared to the people and the traffic. Wednesday was also my first time getting out of the metro in the wrong spot too. ES had to come find me. Luckily I was only a few blocks away from where I was supposed to be and I probably could have found my way around, but I just kind of froze and had to call. The lunch was outside the Hirshhorn building where it was really windy. We had hamburgers, chips, pop, and dessert. Not the best of lunches, but the company was good.

My shawl project is almost done. Only about three more rows and then the bind off. The next project is planned and ready for the needles. I bought the yarn for it Wednesday night at Knit night.

"C" had his first accident since moving here and consequently the first trip to a doctor here. He either broke his thumb or has a very bad sprang. We took x-rays yesterday, so we will know in a couple of days whether it is broken or not. For right now it is in a splint and wrapped pretty good. Not too bad, six weeks or so in between visits to the doc. Pretty good for him.

Off to finish the shawl. Happy knitting & spinning.

Surprise in the Mail

Friday in the mail, I received a package from Catherine. It is 236 yards of 2-ply Monadale which she hand-painted and submitted at the fair. She received a third place ribbon on it! It is so pretty. I will have to find a project which will show off all the colors and what a nice job she did on the spinning.
When "C" saw this he said, "I thought you weren't buying anymore wool." I told him I didn't buy it and that it was a gift. He just rolled his eyes and walked out of the room. He doesn't care for all the yarn in the house, although he likes the items he gets when I
make something for him out of that wool.



The other project that I wanted to show you were the prayer flags I bought from Linda Wolfe during the past two seasons. The colored ones had been hanging up between my entry and livingroom at the old house. When we moved to the new house I also wanted to display them and found the perfect place for them in the kitchen. The colored ones hang above my sink and greet me each time I walk into the kitchen. The white flags are above the stove and can be seen from the balcony when I look in through the kitchen window. I am glad I have the flags where I can see them and brighten my day each time I see them.

Not much else is going on. There is progress on the shawl for the wedding and I have half a pair of booties done for Master "B's" blessing outfit. "Au" called and asked if I would make a pair to go along with his little tuxedo which she is making for him. I hope they will be what she wants.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Spinning is Happening

Spinning is happening again. I couldn't stand it anymore and dug out some fiber I ordered from Zarzuela just before leaving Idaho Falls. It is in the Thinking of Fall color which I don't see on her etsy shop right now. It spun up really fast and beautifully, I think. This skein ended up with about 160 yards of navajo plied fiber. I am thinking of making a cowl with this, but my mind could be swayed in other directions.


These are just my colors.


I couldn't let the Lendrum stay empty for very long. So the same day I plied Thinking of Fall I rummaged around in the stash. I started spinning this fiber which is five ounces of a merino/columbia blend. I bought this blend at the Idaho Falls fiber festival in 2007 from the Going to the Sun Fiber Mill vendor. It is spinning up very nicely, but has a little bit of a greasy feel to the fiber. It has been prepared as a pencil roving which is very nice as I don't have to do very much pre-drafting. I already have one of the three bumps spun and just need to take some time daily to do some more spinning. It has felt good to be doing some spinning daily again.

Happy knitting & spinning.

What Color are You

So I couldn't resist taking this quiz when I say it on Terri's blog. I didn't know I would be Black.

You are most like: Black
You are bold with a dark side. You make clear lines wherever you go, though you color outside of the lines. Many people may just see the surface of you and think you are merely plain, but you have a lot of depth to you as well.
Take this quiz: Which Crayola Box of 8 Color Are You?
Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

Not much progress here. Still just plugging away on my current shawl and take along socks. When I get the current pair of socks done, I'll take pictures.

Progress on Ravelry's Library

I have been knitting, but most of my time has been taken up with putting books and magazines away. I have also been entering my library on Ravelry. It has taken quite a bit of time, as I have a lot of magazines. Not all the magazines are in the library, because they are not listed in the library yet.

I'm guessing that many of you have read about Hannah. We felt the effects on Saturday. There was a lot of rain which caused flooding in the creek down the hill from our home. No worries of flooding our house, but we did have a leak around one door which we found out about during the storm. ES had to go to DC Saturday for a fire test so missed most of the rain here. He did have to take some detours to get home. Quite a few roads were flooded.

My pile of empty boxes is getting taller. It seems like I will never get rid of all the boxes though, I am seeing progress which helps with the feeling settled now.

Next time some pictures. Happy knitting & spinning.

Finally Getting Things Together

Yesterday I had the house to myself. Some projects that have been waiting around finally got to me. I hung pictures down the staircase. Don't look at them too closely, I don't think all of them are hung evenly. This isn't all the pictures, just the ones I have unpacked so far.

"C" put together the bookcase on the left yesterday afternoon after school. Today I put the one on the right together. I had to wait until "C" got home to be able to stand it up though. They are really heavy bookcases. And yes, those are boxes in front of the bookcases. We put these downstairs in the family room. We also put together two bookcases in the living room and one in "C's" room. I think we may have enough bookcases now! In our home in IF we had built in bookcases, so we never had to worry about where to put books. Now we have to worry about it.
It will be good when all the books and magazines are put away!

Yesterday afternoon, I went to the knitter's group again. I even kind of knew where I was going and didn't need the GPS when it told me to go straight, I knew I could get there faster if I turned. It was really nice to get together and just work on some things around other people. I worked on a pair of socks. They have only been on the needles since July and I needed to get them done. Since the socks are now done, today's knitting has been all about the shawl I started on Tuesday.

Next time knitting pictures. Happy knitting & spinning.

Lazy Labor Day

This morning ES, C and I went to a run/walk that was put on by our ward. It was a fun way to go and enjoy the morning and get to know people in the neighborhood. The run/walk was held at the Sully Plantation. This is one area I would like to go back to and wander around without "C" and even ES, mainly because then I could spend as much time as I wanted without having to worry about them wanting to leave.


I also thought I would share the picture "C" took of himself. This was taken on our trip to Virginia and shows a portion of the plants we came out here with. All of the plants made it ok and seem to be doing well in their new home. Although one plant doesn't like the air conditioner and I have had to move it a couple of times hoping to find a place it does like. I think I found the place for it and we will see if it starts to grow again.

I finished the orange shawl. It isn't blocked yet, but it won't be long until it is. I also started the second shawl and we will see how it goes. So far so good, but I'm only into it by about 15 rows.

So far it has been a quiet day, but there is still this afternoon. We still have a lot of boxes to unpack!! And I hope to get some of them done today.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Back with Pictures

Seeing as how this is the first post with pictures in such a long time, I thought I would show you my recent purchases. The most recent is the book which I got from Nature's Yarn. This yarn store is pretty close and is open on Wednesday nights for knitting. Guess where I spent a couple of hours last night? I picked the book up yesterday, also. There are a number of patterns in this book that I would like to knit up. While reading through the book, I saw that I knew one of the test knitters. I have even taken a class from her at the fiber fair in Idaho Falls many years ago.


The purchase before the book are these three skeins of Mountain Colors Bearfoot in the color-way Moccasin Trail. I believe there will be enough to make a shawl to go with my dress for the wedding in October. This fiber is s-o-o-o-o soft. The colors aren't really true, go check out the website for more accurate colors.


This bright orange is my purchase from Brown Sheep Wool Company from when "C" and I visited their place on our trip across the country. I purchased two skeins of Cotton Fine in this color, because I thought it would make a pretty shawl for "J" and "K's" wedding in October (this is one of "K's" colors that she had chosen for decorations and flowers). She now wants the Mothers in the maroon, so that's why I get the Bearfoot now. "K" is going to get the orange shawl to remind her of the wedding day.

The adjustment to the DC area has been gradual. I am learning new things every time I go out. I can find a few places without the GPS system all the time, but I keep it handy just in case. I think that once I get a job that will help also.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Regular Posting Resumes

It's hard to believe I've been gone from here for 15 days. So much has been going on and we haven't had internet hooked up yet. The living room finally looks presentable and the kitchen is fairly well put together. Now just tackling the basement and bedrooms. We have way too much stuff!!

I have been busy knitting though. I take a few minutes to knit every day, just because I need the unwinding. I started a new shawl. Surprise, surprise. This one is for the wedding in October. I actually am going to try and get two shawls done before the wedding, but we'll see how that goes.

We've celebrated "C's" 17th birthday and are now getting him enrolled in school. He starts here a week from tomorrow. There are still some things we would like to see and do before school starts, but I don't know how much we will get done.

Next post I will have pictures! Happy knitting & spinning.

We Have Arrived

We arrived in Fairfax last Wednesday afternoon. What a long drive! But also pretty fun. We stayed two nights with my sister and family in Minnesota, stayed a night with my SIL and family in Indiana and while there got to experience a tornado warning, lots of wind and about 10,000 lightening strikes in an hour. "C" and I also went to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and took a tour of the track and wandered around there for a few hours. We both had a lot of fun there and "C" picked up some memorabilia.

Tomorrow, we will actually be able to move into our new townhouse. I am so excited to be back in our 'own' place. I have a general knowledge of where I want most of the stuff to go, but it will be better once things are in place, I think. The plants all looked like they survived the move, although I haven't taken them out of their moving tubs yet. I did have to transplant the aloe while at my sister's. It looked as if it had gotten sun-burnt so I transplanted the little ones and rearranged the tub placement in the car and it seems to have survived so far.

"ES's" favorite place to check out is the local library. A library card is one of the first things he got when he moved here. A couple of days ago we went and I picked up a couple of knitting books to read in my spare time. Surprise, surprise!

In the past few days I have even been able to get some spinning done with the drop spindles I brought with me. It felt good to spend even a little time participating in my favorite hobbies.

Happy knitting & spinning.

Tour Today

Just checking in and letting you know we are half-way to our new location.

Tonight we are in Pierre, SD. Last night it was Casper, WY. Tomorrow it will be with my sister and her family in Manakto, MN.

Today, "C" and I got to have a tour of the Brown Sheep Wool Company. Man, what a fun time. "C" even enjoyed the tour and was caught, by Sherry, looking into barrels and touching fiber. He didn't like the time I had spent in their shop, but we were only there for about an hour and a half, so he doesn't have much to complain about. He says I have t-o-o-o-o much yarn as it is. I say, 'we can never have too much Brown Sheep!' I will show pictures of all I bought when I am in Fairfax and have my own computer to use. There is quite a bit of fun stuff. I only bought what I could fit into the car and you have to remember it's f-u-l-l. Alan says I have a "fricken" jungle in there. I'll have pictures to share of that also. I hope the plants survive the trip.

Better go check on "C" who happens to be in the pool tonight.

There is Progress

The stress is getting to the highest limit. ES says it won't get done in time. I say it will, when we can move things out to see the progress. The trailer is here and we can start moving things tomorrow. This is the moving room yesterday evening and the second picture is from just a few minutes ago. We have people coming in the morning to do some painting for us. And along with that we have to rip the carpet up tomorrow so the new carpet can be laid on Tuesday.

There is getting to the point that we don't have everything available that we need, because it has been packed. And NO we are not buying something new to do the job. We are doing an awful lot of borrowing. There is also a-l-o-t of garbage to haul to the dump. I am getting to the point of saying, 'just get rid of it!'

It was hard at church today to say good-bye to my nursery kids. And to a lot of the parents. I know we will be back in the area for visits, but it is not the same as living here.

My niece, Steph, married Brock yesterday, so I did take time to relax and enjoy the family who were in town. It's not often that we have the majority of the family together.

As Mom, Aunt G, and I left the reception last night, I took time to enjoy the sunset. Isn't it gorgeous?

This will be the last post from this computer in IF. The next time I post it will be in our new location in VA. At least a post with pictures. I might sneak a picture-less post from my sister's, half-way through the drive across country.

Happy knitting & spinning.