C's Found a Friend

I love this picture which was taken on Thanksgiving. We went to ES' sister's house for the afternoon. They have a couple of birds that C fell in love with. After we had been there for a couple of hours the birds decided we could hold them. Jewell found her favorite spot on C and kept migrating back there whenever she was moved. The best spot in her opinion, the spot between the collar of his shirt and his neck. C now says he wants a bird like Jewell.

There is lots of Christmas knitting going on here. Things are being blocked and readied to be shipped to their destinations. After Christmas, I will have lots of pictures to share.

Happy knitting and spinning.

How Did It Know

My horoscope for today:

Though life can be rather stressful today, you need to respond in thoughtful ways if you don't want to make things worse. Your left brain is your best asset for the time being, so make the most of it!

It already knew we were going to be a person short at work today on our busiest day of the week. I am so looking forward to coming home tonight and doing some knitting or even some spinning. I received some fiber in the mail this week and I am anxious to start spinning it. I might even get some pictures before I start that spinning.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Spinning Update

I have been spinning, but definitely not dusting. My self imposed spinning for ten minutes on a couple of wheels a day is going fairly well. The first picture is the second two ounces of Yarn Pirates Heart of Gold fiber. This fiber has been my main focus when sitting down to spin each day. It is being spun on the Traditional and shouldn't be too much longer until I will be plying it. I am pretty sure it will be a two-ply for a shawl. Shawls are becoming addictive and I don't have to worry too much about gauge if I start top down.

The Scholar is being used to spin the Crosspatch Fibers which I bought in Logan. I really like how it is turning out. I like the nubbies of the silk noil and all the sheen of the silk that is carded in with the wool. I don't know for sure what I will make with this yarn, but I am sure it will be pretty.

Not much else is going on around here, although ES and I celebrated our anniversary last Friday with a special meal out. It was very good, but I don't think we will do it again anytime soon. There was so much food. Neither one of us slept really well that night.

Well, off to get ready for work. Enjoy your weekend. Happy knitting and spinning.

New to Me

Today was a good day. I knew there was a reason why I would remember 8-9-10. I have missed having a piano in my home and have haphazardly been looking for a keyboard/piano since we moved to Virginia. Last night while browsing Craig's List, I saw a keyboard which had just been listed at a price I could afford and it looked like it would serve my purpose. I called and we arrange to meet today. I got to bring her home and have had the chance to sit down and play with her for a little bit. I don't play very often and very seldom in public, but now my desire to play sometimes can be met. She doesn't have the weighted keys, but for me to relearn hymns it will be just right. Besides there is a whole slew of songs on there, I can use it when I want music to spin by and don't want to use the MP3 player.


I also had the opportunity to purchase a used Kiwi, about two weeks ago. I really like how she is spinning. The Kiwi is a little harder to cart around than the Lendrum or the Scholar, but she fits really well in my spinning wheel circle. I am working on my second four ounces of fiber on her. The first fiber I spun on her was a bump of fiber from Notlwonk Springs (second section down on that page). I think it was the last bump of prepared fiber I have from them. The second four ounces is some Polworth I purchased from Misty Mountain when I went up there with Sue three weeks ago. The Polworth is spinning up very nicely. It's that pretty blue on the bobbin right now. It's called Water's Edge and I'm pretty sure I know what I want to make with it.

I have been pretty consistent at sitting at one of the wheels each day and getting some spinning time in. It has helped relax the tension in my shoulders to spend that time at a wheel and on top of that I am getting a lot of spinning done. Before I know it I will have spun up all I had set out to accomplish in my own personal fiber club. There are only three bags left.

Happy knitting and spinning.

8-9-10

I have been looking forward to this day for a few days. There isn't anything really special planned, but who can pass up a day that will never come again. It's 8-9-10!! Have some fun today!

This plant was hanging right above me the last time I went to the Botanical Gardens. I love that place and is a must see each time I go downtown.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Happy While Waiting

The other night as I came home from work, the gladiolas had started blooming. I love this picture. If you enlarge it, you can see the ant on the middle bloom.

I have been busy the past few days getting ready for my trip out to see the grand-babies. I am so excited. I started packing my bag two days ago, as I was getting laundry done. No waiting for the last minute for me. No sirrry, Bob, or in this case, ES.

With my week off of work, I have been sewing, two skirts for work. I have been spinning, completed the Lambspun fiber on the Hitchiker and started some Yarn Pirate fiber on the Traditional. I have even done some knitting, but nothing finished to show yet. This week I've even taken C and myself for physicals. I'm doing my bloodwork this morning then heading downtown to have lunch with ES. All this just ties into the ending thought from TUT this morning.........

Learning to be happy while you wait, Laura, is worth learning. And to help learn this, just keep yourself busy.

Happy knitting and spinning.

New Glasses

I don't do pictures very well, but thought I would share this one of me wearing my new glasses.

About a month ago, I decided I could not wear my old glasses anymore. The nose piece would not stay where it was supposed to and it kept digging into the bridge of my nose. That was it! The first pair of glasses were purchased in July 2008 before we moved to DC. It had been two years and I thought it was time to get my eyes checked again. My eye sight had definitely changed and a new set of glasses ordered. I've been wearing them now for about three weeks and really like them. They were not as hard to get adjusted to as the first pair and the best part is..........no nose piece.

On the knitting front, I finished the baby afghan for J-b and K's friends baby. By the way kids, I need their address. I will have a picture up in the next couple of days. It was too dark last night by the time I finished the bind off.

Concerning the AC, it is FIXED and working well. Am I ever glad to have that working again. Just to think I went over 40 years without any AC at all and to be without it for one whole day was agony. How did I ever survive without it before? Oh yeah, it was NOT humid where I lived for the first part of my life.

Happy knitting and spinning.

P's and Q's

Hi Laura! Here is your Daily Horoscope for Saturday, July 3 Your anger is a little closer to the outside world today -- but that can be a really good thing! Make sure that you're firing only at the right targets, though, as you don't want any collateral damage. I better watch my P's and Q's today especially since we will be short two people at work and expect it to be pretty busy. I bought meats, cheeses, crackers and fruit to put in the backroom, in case we miss our lunches. That will help avoid the collateral damage, I think. I need to also take this into account at home. A-b is here for a few weeks and all he does is stay on the computer. I can't even use my own computer without a big hassle! Hence no post yesterday which I had been planning. I am still working on my gift knitting project. At least, the end is in sight. I will be sure to take it with me tonight when we go to watch the fireworks in Fairfax. Tomorrow night, I might take the socks that have been on the needles since oh about January. I don't want a big project on the metro with all the people expected in DC. Enjoy the Fourth of July weekend! Happy knitting and spinning.

TUT Notes

I like to see what the message for the day will be and once in a while it really hits home. Kind of like today's note:

One of life's great ironies, Laura, is that very often the "stuff" you're trying to avoid right now is the same "stuff" you're going to miss most once you move on.

Ha, ha... Oh, my -
The Universe

Thoughts become things... choose the good ones! ® © www.tut.com ®

You know, Laura, like challenges, responsibilities, and boredom. True.

I guess this hits because yesterday morning and this morning we were up wayyyy too early getting one boy off to see his grandma and the other boy off to Youth Conference. Both of the nights before all of us were up wayyyy too late. I know eventually I will miss this hurried 'get you out the door' moments, but for right now I have a headache and it isn't even 8 a.m. yet!

I have spinning progress and even some knitting, but not much. Off to get ready for work. Happy knitting and spinning.

I am Still Around

I figure it is about time to let you know I am still around and knitting. I am really enjoying my one full-time job and am getting used to a set schedule with two days off a week.

On Halloween we had a going away party for Carri. I presented her with this scarf which I spun and knit for her.

I forgot to take a picture of her in the scarf, so am hoping she will send me one. She is heading back to the Utah area and will be sorely missed by all at work. I will be calling her often though and asking for advice and instructions, I'm sure. And I am sure that the scarf will get plenty of use. She is always cold.

I also decided I was tired of spinning what I have been working on. I pulled out a 4 oz bump which I got in my fiber club installment from the Yarn Pirate and I am about half way done spinning it.
This colorway is called Haunted and I am really liking how it is spinning up. It is a superwash and I am spinning it in my usual modified long draw way. I think this will make a really pretty three ply and will make a good hat for one of the boys. I will show pictures of the spinning and finished yarn when it is completed.

I have also gotten to attend knit nights on Wednesday night again, one of the perks of the full-time---no more 9 pm closing shifts either--job. Granted, I won't get there until after 7 pm, but I get to interact with other knitters on a weekly basis.

Maybe I can get back into regular posting mode, also. But that might be stretching it. Oh well, off to enjoy my day off and meet a friend for lunch.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Random Thoughts

There has been a lot going on around here during the past two weeks. Not much in the way of knitting or spinning has happened.

There are a lot of random thoughts running around in my mind and so my brain isn't shutting off like it should at night. Let's see if I can name some of them:

• What have I gotten myself into with taking on new responsibilities at work?
• Why haven't I started some Christmas knitting?
• What should I knit for Christmas?
• Will I ever learn this new job?
• Will I ever relax again?
• Only four more shifts at the old job and working two jobs, then down to one job.
  
• What am I doing?
• I know life goes on, but
• When will I be comfortable again?

Maybe now I can sleep for another couple of hours.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Montpelier and Family

I thought I would share pictures of some of the fiber I purchased at Montpelier this year. I had a very good time wandering around the fiber fair looking at everything and not having to worry about keeping family members entertained. ES went with me, but spent most of the time watching the sheep/dog trials. I got to spend about three hours just looking, eating, purchasing, and enjoying.

The first and second pictures are showing the fiber I purchased from River's Edge Weaving Studio. I really liked the Fall colors in their booth. The first one is the Maple Leaf color and the second is the Indian Paintbrush color. They are a blend of merino and seacell and they are very soft. They are 4 oz each.

I think she has some really pretty colors in their dying. I realized when I got home that I have purchased fiber from them and spun it. I picked up a couple of ounces of their fiber when Sheryl and I got to go to Stitches East last year. I really liked how it turned out, so I am excited to try these two colors.

The River's Edge booth was about the last one I bought any fiber from, so I am working backwards in purchases for the next couple of posts.

The last photo is some superwash Merino that I got from the Wild Hare fiber studio. It is a 4 oz top in the Grateful Dyed color with two full color repeats in the roving. C saw this and claimed it for himself. He wants me to make him something from it. I told him I already had plans for it and he said, "Well, I get it first. You can use what's left for what you want to make."

In other news, our family has increased by one more. K and J-b had their baby yesterday morning at 2 am. We now have three grandsons. And in other news: Au and E's preemie came home from the hospital on Tuesday. Both babies are doing well and the parents are excited to have them to hold in their arms. I can't wait to see them when we fly home in November. ES says he likes the way they are named. The boys initials are A, B, and C. ES says the rest of the kids will have to name their kids in order on the alphabet so he can keep track of them. Yeah right!!

ES is planning on running a marathon on Saturday. I will have plenty of time to do some knitting while watching for him. I don't know my way around Baltimore, where the race is being run, but am going to try and find a place half-way through to watch for him and cheer him on and then get back to meet him at the finish line. I hope he does well, he woke up yesterday not feeling well and isn't any better this morning.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Weekend Fun

There was a lot going on this past weekend, besides working both Saturday and Sunday. To start it all off, C and I got tickets to attend a Washington Redskins preseason game at FedEx field. It was a fun experience since neither one of us had been to a professional football game before and didn't know where we were going, anything about where we were sitting, how to get there on the metro, or how to get home. The other boys, when finding out where we were, were really jealous and wished they could be with us.

We left the house at 6 pm and got home at 1:30 in the morning!!!! I had to be at work at 8 am, so didn't get very much sleep. I did go to bed early on Saturday night, though.

C's comment when I took this picture: "Mom, you're weird. Why do you need a picture of me at the game?" Why for the blog, of course. Silly boy!

Sunday, after work and dinner, it was so nice outside (no humidity) that I spent an hour on the balcony with the Scholar and some merino roving in the Coral Bells colorway from Misty Mountain. I have four ounces and am hoping to spin enough for a scarf or shawlette. I don't know which one I want just yet, so will wait until the fiber is spun and plied before I decide. Then I can see how much yardage I will get, before deciding. It is turning out mostly orange, with the purple and yellow and a splash of gold peeking through. I am thinking of someone specifically as the intended recipient, but haven't decided for sure. I might decide to keep it for myself.

There was a small amount of knitting, this weekend. I completed and knit another baby bib, while at the game and on the metro. Started a third bib on the way home and have that one almost finished. It is my stuck in traffic knitting, so will be finished today.

To top off the weekend, I got to see this beautiful sunset as I was heading inside last night. Now that makes for a good weekend, even if I did have to work the both days of the weekend.

Happy knitting and spinning.

It's Been Too Long

Just a quick note to let you know, I am still around. I have been busy knitting. No pictures, no time to shut the computer down to upload the pictures. We have done some traveling. Went to Minnesota last weekend and back home. Great seeing family!

I have a plan to get back to blogging! See ya soon.

Buzzards in Virginia?

This was the weirdest sight today. I was taking "C" to young mens, a church organization, and saw this bird. It looked like a buzzard of some kind and it was eating road kill! After dropping "C" and a friend off, I drove back the same way to see if it was still there and it was. I got this picture with my cellphone then, I didn't think I had my digital camera with me, so the picture isn't too good. "C" wouldn't take the picture when we were heading down the road together, so I HAD to go back. When I first saw the bird it was in the middle of the road stopping traffic. When I went back, it had moved the road kill to where you see the bird now. I sat a watched for about five minutes and then had to head home.

I have to wish ES a Happy Birthday. He turns 50 years old today! I asked if he felt old and he said he didn't yet, but he's sure that will come in about 20 years or so.

MS&W and Other Ramblings

I was going to put pictures of the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival up, but for some reason I can't get the computer to download the pictures!!

It has been a long time since posting and the time just seems to get faster and faster with no reprieve in sight.

MS&W was fun. It was good to be among the fiber festivals again. Liz and her husband picked me up early and we headed up I495. It was a really pretty drive and we didn't get lost. Although at one time we wondered if we were on the right road, but we came around a corner and there was a line of cars miles long. We were in the right spot! For my Idaho friends, the fairground is similar to the Eastern Idaho fairgrounds at the animal section. The big white building at East Idaho is the same size as the animal buildings, plural, here. The rain held off for most of the day, we did have a little early on. I'll post the pictures from there, when I get ES to figure out what I've done to the picture reader.

MS&W wasn't the only thing happening this past weekend. ES ran a half marathon in Frederick MD on Sunday. We left the house about 5 am to get him there in time! He ran his personal best at 2:33. He came in about four minutes before the first marathon runner and I thought that was really, really good. I'll have pictures of that also, if you want.

I have spent the week, for my spinning time, with the Lendrum doing a lot of plying. So far I have plied six bobbins worth of stuff. I am ready to be spinning other fiber on a couple of wheels now, the Lendrum and the Hitchiker. By the way, at MS&W I was able to see and test Merlin Tree's new wheel, the Roadbug. I am seriously thinking about that as a double treadle! I'll have to save my pennies until next year though.

Well, until next time--with pictures-- Happy knitting and spinning.

No Pictures, But I am Finishing

So today while reading blogs, I stumbled across this contest at Lisa's. She is giving away a couple of Nantucket Baggs. I have seen pictures of these and the youtube video, but have never really seen them in person. They look like they would be the ultimate knitting bag. Lisa says if I announce this contest on the blog and link back to her, I could get two more tickets in the drawing. Wouldn't that be a fun prize to win?

This morning I pinned out the test knit scarf. It looks really pretty, if I do say so myself. Yesterday I bound off one sock and started the bind off of the second, but work and sleep got in the way of finishing it. I finished spinning the fiber on the Traditional and will have pictures of it plied before the end of the week.

I want to start something new. I want to cast on for the Forest Canopy shawl and the Baby Surprise Jacket, but I need the pattern for that first. Maybe I could borrow it from someone I know. Liz?

Well, off to work (again). Happy knitting and spinning.

Just Monkeying Around

There is only so much I can get done in the day. But lately, I seem to be "monkeying" around. I thought this background would go well with what I've been feeling lately. Not really wanting to do anything, there isn't any finished projects, and there hasn't been much going on around here, except for work. The weather has been nice and I've been planning what to put in the planters, when I buy them, and I've been watching the trees bud out every morning on my walk with Cleo, the dog.

I am on the last repeat of a test knit project. I am on the last bump of fiber on the Traditional which has only taken me three rotations of the spinning wheels. I am on the last knitting of a pair of socks and I am so on the last of winter. Thank goodness it is officially the first of Spring.

I'm off to finish the test knit and watch the race from today. Happy knitting and spinning!

New Computer Woes

I thought I would be showing you pictures of the spinning on each of my wheels. But I have a new computer and don't know how to get the pictures here. Yes, I am computer illiterate in a lot of ways.

There is a lot to do today before heading to work. Have to find out about AAA here in Virginia and definitely need to get my car serviced. Too much to do and not enough time to get everything done.

Hopefully the next post will have the pictures I wanted to show you.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Sorry it's Been so Long

I can't believe how fast this month has flown by. I was talking with one of my bosses and I had to turn the calendar page over, she couldn't believe that it is almost March. She thought the month of February had flown by also.

I have to show you a small skein which wasn't a skein too long ago. This fiber had been sitting on one of my Ashford bobbins for the past FOUR years. Yes, you read that right! Four years is an awfully long time waiting to be made into a skein of yarn. This is a combination of a brown fleece purchased from Fred and Jo and some mohair locks I picked up from somewhere. I thought the yarn turned out ok. Not the best plying job, but then when I set the twist I didn't really whack it too much. I haven't decided what to do with it yet, so it will probably sit in the stash for a while.

My begonia from Catherine is blooming very nicely. I have had blooms on it for most of the month. I like to check it out every day to see how it looks.

I have been busy knitting, but it's not my place to show you what I have been working on. I am planning a number of baby projects. I have two new grandbabies due this year, so I'll need to get working on little things soon. It may take me most of that time to get knit what I want to for these little new babies.

Not much else is going on here except for life. It gets really hectic sometimes! I will try to keep in touch more often.

Happy knitting & spinning.