Pischi Days

DeStash No More

Once upon  a time two knitters, who had nothing better to do (they must have been out of stuff to knit), decided to get the rest of us knitters organized by setting up a site where one  could display their unwanted, unused stash for other to purchase and love. All the knitters rejoiced and proceeded to their closets to clean out old patterns, books, notions and yarn. After they photographed and posted a short description of their unwanted treasures, floods of other knitters flocked to the sight and bought up the goodies. On the knitter's side, things were going smoothly. The word spread and soon yarn was flowing back and forth across the country and sometimes around the world.  What the knitter's didn't know was the enormous amount of time that it took our two heroines to maintain this wonderful site.  Alas and alack, all wonderful things must come to an end. Our heroines must have found a nifty pattern to knit instead of ministering this site because they have decided to bring the curtain down on "Destash - Cash for Your Stash".
A collective moan was released when the knitters everywhere clicked the links on their sidebars and found this sad message.

Thank you so much, Susan and Terri. It was great while it lasted!

Now if we could all just get our Ravelry invites...

Nothing Says We're Back Like a Load of Laundry

I have unpacked and waded through endless piles of laundry, washed, dried, ironed, and folded my Saturday away. Now I can comfortably say, "I'm back."
Our trip to Maui was, as all vacations are, too short. I had never imagined myself ever making the journey there. My flights always take me east to Europe. This was my first experience going the other direction. Our sortie was non eventful and long. We flew into the small Kahului Airport on Tuesday and boarded the bus for the hotel. I was bleary eyed and  stared out the window at the endless sugarcane fields. All of a sudden the landscape changed from agricultural fields in immaculate landscapes filled with plumeria, bougainvillea, ginger, and all types of tropical plants. We had arrived at the Grand Wailea Resort. Spectacular. The Grand is a five star resort that sits on the western edge of the island. The grounds are lushly landscaped with water features, amazing plants, and lots of sculptures among the brooks, lawns, and gardens.
Unfortunately, the resort is far flung from all the cultural sites and local flavor. That didn't stop us. We picked up the local bus schedule and headed out into the real world of Maui. I have posted pictures on flickr and will be spending time updating the titles and descriptions.
As I had hoped, the knitting came in very handy. I was seen knitting at the pool, in the lobby, in line while waiting for a table at breakfast, and on the bus. The results were the completion of one of the "Marble Arch" socks from STR and a partial "Hurricane Sock Party" sock. I shamelessly used one of the countless Botero  sculptures as a foot model. Regretfully her feet were a little too broad.
The completed sock.
Yesterday I cast on the new Six Sox pattern, "Victorian Lace." I am using stash, Lorna's Laces Baby Stripe, yarn that I purchased from Olga on the DeStash site. The pattern uses a melon stitch that I have not tried before. I like the results.
The rest of our first Sunday home started with another great waffle breakfast, courtesy of Tom Terrific, blueberries handpicked last week, and souvenir Maui Gold pineapple.
Today the boys are in the garden, happily spreading mulch and taking frequent catnip breaks.

Baby, Baby and a Good Recipe

Happy Easter Monday

Sesame Lemon Cucumber Salad
Serves 4

¼ cup rice vinegar
1  tablespoon juice from 1 small lemon
2 tablespoons Asian sesame oil
2 teaspoons sugar
1/8  teaspoon dried red pepper flakes plus more to taste
1  tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted in a small skillet over medium heat until golden, 4 to 5 minutes
3 medium cucumbers, sliced salted and drained, peeled and seeded

Whisk all ingredients except cucumbers in medium bowl. Add cucumbers; toss to coat. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Tastes great days later as the cucumbers marinate further.
Recipe courtesy of Cook’s Illustrated

I am trying to play catch up after a particularly busy workweek, spring break, and a foray to the west coast for an overnight/baby shower/family reunion/Easter celebration. Toms family is experiencing more new growth with the addition of a baby boy. Our contribution was a sweater that I made. The yarn is Elann’s Sonata, the pattern, Knitting Pure and Simples Top Down Sweater, a combination that hasn’t failed me yet.
The recipe above is another no fail winner. It was our family’s contribution to an Easter meal. It may not look glamorous but the taste wins over many who tried it.

 
Incidentally, I purchased a shuffle, my new baby. This, filled with podcasts make my hours on the elliptical more bearable. My precious Nano died (don’t wear into the sauna) and I am trying this smaller version. Conclusion: I want my Nano back!

The Pursuit of the New

We began the year a few new experiences. In the order to promote a communal social outlet for us, a couple together for 26 years, we tried out hand (feet, actually) at Contra-dance. For those who have no idea what this is, don’t despair, we didn’t either. You can read about it here. I’m here to say that it was a lot of fun, poor dancing aside. We learned that we need to pack a cooler of water and Tom needs to pack an extra shirt. It was quite the workout.

Erik has passed his exam and now holds a restricted license to operate a motor vehicle. He has had a lesson in the Ford F150 and our very patient neighbor, Kathy, has offered to teach the finer points of driving a stick shift. This is my transmission of choice.
As for the knitting, there has been much. I have completed the sleeve for the Split Cable top. I ham happy to report that I was able to track down 5 balls of DB Cotton Silk Aran, courtesy of a yarn shop in the UK. I am probably the future proud recipient of the last 5 balls of the color needed on the planet! So, there will be a completion!
I knit on the Lady Eleanor when in transit or at the movies. I am ashamed to say that I cast on another sock, albeit it is sock 3 in the 2006 STR subscription, Tatiana’s Revenge. I have questions but unfortunately it will cost me $200+ to get them answered. That is the price to knit socks for a year if you want to be in the “club”. My logon for the KAL information was quickly revoked upon the expiration of the 2006 membership. (Pssst, maybe they know that I joined Petals...) So, no questions can be posted. I’m on my own and Blue Moon is experiencing tech issues and throwing rubber chickens at the back of my screen.
My cynical tone to this post comes courtesy of Scout. Her Cosmopolitans are truly “kick-ass”. The recipe made 2 (all mine) and just a bit more to top off the second glass. Scout, I salute you and my liver thanks you. Actually, I think my writing improves when under the influence...at least I amuse myself.
A special thank you to Lisa for going Geocaching with me this morning. Fun fun.

When on the Weekend...

As I was driving to work on Friday  I passed a garage sale and was compelled to stop. Evidently an estate was bought out and the goods available were in insurmountable quantities piled everywhere. I ferreted out these hand colored postcards. The artist is Douky and all I find is that the cards are French and from the Edwardian era. The pen sketch of the Spanish Dancer is numbered and by an artist named Rothe with a first name that I can’t read. Anyway, I was pleased with my find.

Erik and I spent out allowance on books at our libraries book sale. We lugged home a box filled to the top. On the way home we stopped at a friends newly opened vintage store called “inventory”.

 

I bought this Saks hat and dressed it up with on of Terri's silver pins with vintage beads. Terri has a nice collection of vintage stuff that is artfully displayed in their renovated space that was once a hardware store, a joy to browse through. In addition to the hat, I took home a vase for my burgeoning basil cuttings.

I have been doing some knitting as well. The Candle Flame shawl has a second repeat to it and the Iris Garden socks are also receiving my attention. There has been some talk about a knitter’s thimble on the 6 Sox site. In my investigations into purchasing a thimble online I tripped across the Sundara Petals Collection sock club that has reopened and promptly joined. What a segue!

Saturday Sky

Really a Sunday mornig, 6:30 AM sky. I was getting the newspaper and, yes, the clouds were really that pink.

Saturday and Summer's Over

I usually am one to get up and fetch the paper on weekend mornings. I was stopped in my tracks on the door step by a pile of dirt with an “S” scrawled into the middle of the pile. A gang sign! Erik’s friends were over last night. That was it, a prank. Then I spy movement. An industrious roach-like bug is backing out of the tunnel into the “S” pushing a mound of dirt with its back feet. He disappears under ground and about 5 minutes later repeats the performance. Tom can’t stand it. He has visions of giant underground termites sinking the house. I won’t say more. The pile is no longer.

I treat myself to a pedicure as often as I can carve out time on a Saturday to do so. My salon of choice is one of the many Vietnamese shops that offer their services for $20.00 plus tip. This particular shop offers O·P·I polish and a hell of a leg massage. Bliss.

I always take my knitting. As always I sat in the cushy chair, submerged my feet and pulled out the DaCrapo sleeve that I am currently working on. Every now and then I get a comment from the neighboring chair. Today I actually had an avid audience of one. She asked good questions and I gave good answers. Good. Toward the toenail dying portion of the treatment, she actually said that we should meet up on the second Saturday of October, just to see the progress of the jacket. I was really touched.

Due to rain and an overactive internet connection, I fixed my account issues at KnitPicks and bought several skeins of “Gloss” for Susan’s "Victorian Diamond Top" socks, Pallet for the "Tulip Socks" and Shimmer for the "Candle Flame" shawl. Then I thought that 1 skein of Handmaiden’s Sea Silk was not enough to make a decent project and found another Berry skein along with the Storm Water Shawl pattern. It’s great to have work to pay for these trifles!

Speaking of work, I work in the kitchens and bath design industry when I’m not knitting. I was amused to see  BHG designed a “Knitchen” for their latest kitchen and bath issue. Very cute, I want one!

Susan Watch

Her husband reports that she has gotten out of bed and walked around today and is somewhat out of breath. Very encouraging!

Saturday Sky

Before the storm

After the storm

Sunday, Again

Nothing throws my day off kilter more than traipsing outside to the street and finding that the paper has not yet arrived. On a Sunday, no less and it is after 8AM. The sky is sufficiently cloudy as to indicate rain for the rest of the day. Perfect, had I had the paper in hand!

I headed for the bright screen of my computer to catch a little news only to find that Ernesto has become a category 1 hurricane. Floridians were giving up hope. It has been such a peaceful summer, dry but peaceful. The much needed rain is a blessing. I just don’t want to revisit the stress and angst I felt the last two years that were record breaking storm seasons.

My knitting has been a constant. I am working on 2 projects, the Thuja sock and the Top-Down Sweater. Both will be off the needles today. Unfortunately I will not have the socks flying off to Italy until tomorrow. Hopefully they will fit and be loved in spite of their tardy arrival.

Yarn has found its way into my house even though I joined the “Summer of Stash”. I have publicly flogged myself and apologized for my transgressions. I present to you a few of my latest acquisitions.

Habu silk mohair

Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn

Off the needle are Thuja Sock in Trekking XXL

Knitting Pure and Simple’s Baby Pullover in Elann’s Sonata

Just for fun...I finally hung the watercolors that i bought last November and still have a huge blank spot over my buffet.

Finally, the elusive bee in the hibicus. I caught her/him fleeing the scene.

Another Hot Weekend

The dog days of summer are definitely still here. Our household has slowed to a crawl from the heat. One has to complete outdoor chores by 6 AM or risk heat stroke. Just kidding. My once beautiful front garden is starting to become parched and brittle. The petunias are drooping, the geraniums, normally the hardiest things out there are spindly and the leaves are turning yellow. Even the sun flowers have hung their heads forever. I should be ashamed to complain when it’s in the 100’s in Idaho. I corresponded a bit with Susan out in Utah this weekend and her temperature gauge read 104. At least we have the ocean to cool us down. Thank you for air-conditioning!

On the bright side, I organized all my circular needles. I wanted to start a baby sweater and needed a couple of 16” circulars in a size 3 and 4. Of course I dreaded looking for these in my box o’needles. A few months ago I bought a 13 pocket file from Target and to sort all the needles by size. Here was my big opportunity. As I sorted, I made hashmarks on a sheet of paper to determine the size and length of my needle stash. I determined that I had to buy the needed 16” circulars in the sizes that I needed but I have7 circ’s, size 7, 29” in length. What’s up with that?

One the mindless knitting front (as if I don’t have enough WIP’s) I had to touch those 3 balls of Plymouth “Sinsation” also known as the poor mans “Touch Me”. I was headed to a kitchen design seminar held in Orlando and during the blah, blah blah, I felt that some mindless stockinet was in order. Perfect. Since Connie, my trusty colleague, was at the wheel, I cast on. By the end of the meeting I had demolished all 3 balls. I hated the width and the length. It was too wide and too long. So a ripping I did go. I found a little gem of a pattern online for a “Sinsation Scarf” using 3 skeins and employing a cable pattern down the center. The needle size increased from an 8 to a 10. I cast on again. No more mindless knitting though. Now I had to pay attention. The results are much more satisfactory. The scarf is still too short but as the fates would have it, I found, bid and won 2 skeins on eBay. The yarn should arrive this week. I hope the dye lot is not too far off the mark.

Here is my Saturday Sky submission. This is a glimpse of sky as seen from in my kitchen looking up through the skylight.

Home Again

I have my boy back! Someone to argue with again! He’s grown a few inches and we’ve got a few weeks to regroup before school starts again. It’s so good to be home again. I’m drowning in a pile of smelly camper clothes but the older I get the more I like to just be home.

My grand plans for finishing the cable top in the car went awry when I realized that I left all the skeins at home. We had just been on the road 30 minutes when my ball ran out at the Edgewater exit. Lucky for Tom, I had an extra sock project in my bag of tricks. I finished the first Rock and Weave sock by the time we hit Macon.

This trip was planned with some sight seeing in mind. We had an extra day to tour some of the antebellum houses and look at the neighborhoods. What stuck me was the sheer quantity of historic real estate in great condition. Homes that would sell for millions here in Florida are a fraction of the price. If only we could just move our jobs a few hundred miles northwest, we would so be there! I fell in love with a little house on College Street. Hard to believe that Macon has only one Bed and Breakfast. Me thinks they need some competition!

We had taken a side road through Cordell and bought some Georgia peaches and yellow watermelon at the farmers market. The flesh of the watermelon is yellow and sweet as can be. When we arrived home I baked a wonderful Peach Upside-down cake in my trusty cast iron skillet. The recipe is in Cooks Illustrated Best Recipe, my favorite cookbook for the moment.

I discovered a new yarn shop in Macon, Creative Yarns on Vineville. Either I’m deprived or this store had one of everything (that I wanted, anyway). I could have stayed for hours and spent a fortune…but I didn’t. My small haul included a new knitting basket, some Plymouth Sinsation in a rich red. A skein of gorgeous mohair/tape yarn in a shade of sunset and a skein of Trekking XXL. I guess I didn’t meet the Summer of Stash requirements. I just couldn’t help it. The fact that I have no shopping opportunities here makes it very difficult to have restraint when the chance to browse among the bins instead of online comes around. Christy, the shops owner was very kind and in the year that she’s been in business, is already packing up to move to a larger location a few doors down.

Here is my Saturday sky shot, albeit, 2 days late. A typical balmy Florida evening.

Bon Voyage!

I have been catching up on my blog subscriptions. One of my favorite reads is Fluffa. In my mind she leads a charmed life, living and studying fashion in France. Her knitting and sewing is frequently reported on, edgy and modern, and always seems to fit. She wrote about a favorite snack that she currently is hooked on. It consists of a buttery cookie and a cherry jam combo. As I traipsed through my local grocery aisle and rounded a corner, I spied a huge endcap of just these cookies; I grabbed a box and a .40 coupon and made my way to the jam aisle where the exact jam was to be found! Sacre bleu! I checked out and when I arrived home, I decanted the jam, opened the cookies, spooned some cherries onto the biscuit, closed my eyes and bit in. A "sensation de gout", a little taste of France. As I sat on my porch and pretended that I was gazing across the Parisian skyline, I was immediately homesick for Germany. Back to reality…

Tom and I are leaving for Georgia to retrieve our son who has been at Camp Winshape for the past month. In that time I have receive only 2 postcards, both sparsely worded requesting money and candy. I smiled and sent books instead. Last Sunday was spent diving into his room and cleaning it floor to ceiling and back again. This state of organization will undoubtedly last for an hour or so after he arrives home and dumps the laundry on the floor, grabs a snack and either flops onto the bed or deposits himself in front of the computer. I have captured cleanliness in photo form to remind myself that, yes, the room does have a blue rug.

I am planning to visit a new yarn shop (for me, at least) Creative Yarns in Macon. I know that it’s the “Summer of Stash” and I’ve been very good and have not purchased anything. Still a look around can’t hurt. A trip through some of the antebellum houses is also on the itinerary as is another trip to IKEA. I can’t resist! I am taking my cable top and hope to complete the front. Socks that Rock are also coming along, just for knitting variety. I managed to complete the Jaywalkers last trip, so anything’s possible.

Summer Swelter

July heralds the dog days of summer here in Florida and the sultry days will last well into September. The air is thick with humidity and that morning’s shower fresh feeling wears off the minute one steps outside. The change from the frigid air conditioning in cars and buildings to the actual outside is dramatic as well. Everything seems to progress at a slower pace. The rains are finally here but they pour down in such sudden torrents that the ground cannot absorb the water fast enough. Streets flood, retention ponds brim over and the gutter overflow spill forth their stream resembling waterfalls. After the rains the asphalt gives off a sauna-like steam. Air conditioning is as necessary as food and water. My enthusiasm for anything remotely taxing is dampened for the time. I yearn to nap, read a little, knit, and repeat in no particular order. Most meals are of the cold variety and light if possible. Salads in all variations, cold cuts, grilled and chilled things in small portions.

My thoughts ramble to what life must have been like here in the days prior to paved roads, air-conditioning, refrigerators, mosquito repellent and the rest of the comforts that we take for granted. PBS could consider a program akin the 1900 House or Texas Ranch House set here in Florida . The setting could be the life on the St. Johns River at  Blue Springs and the Thurman House with a focus on the steamboat landing. I would watch, I don’t know if I would volunteer.

My Saturday sky was captured on route from Orlando shopping trip. I had decided to bequest my 21” Trinitron monitor to my son. It weighed 40 lbs and took up so much space. He has been squinting at a 15” for far too long and he has a huge desk area to accommodate it. I found a 21” flat screen that I can live with.

My knitting has only encompassed the cable sweater. I now have 3 cables going up the front. The increases don’t quite match those on the completed back piece but I think that will not matter.

I have some guilt for not having knit along with the 6Sox group. The thought that I could still manage to make the color block sock in the last few months of July have crossed my mind. I just haven’t acted upon them yet. July is not over yet.

July 4th Fireworks

Another glorious weekend is reaching its end. We were lucky enough to be among those who had 4 days off. I am writing this moment after Space Shuttle Discovery launched on a picture perfect July 4^th afternoon.

As I was baking apple pie, I was also listening to WMFE’s Pat Dugan counting down. At 10 seconds I shook the sugar and flour off my apron, ran my hands under water, grabbed the camera and rushed outside to see if I could capture the launch. Tom had left about 10 minutes earlier to drive down to the river and get a little closer. He ended up in front our little riverfront apartment on St. Johns Street. It was packed.

Backtracking to yesterday’s aqua knitting, we took the boat to River Breeze Park and cruised toward Ponce Inlet. We never quite made it to Ponce due to possible storms but we beached on one of the many hidden islands on route. I knit on my split cable top and when it got to be too hot, jumped into the water, swam around, dried off on the swim platform and resumed knitting. It doesn’t get much better than this.

Happy Independence Day!

Saturday Sky July

My first installment of Saturday sky should have contained the space shuttle STS-121 Discovery with a contrail in its wake. Unfortunately this did not come to pass due to poor weather conditions, anvil clouds and thunderstorms within 20 miles of Kennedy Space Center. Today doesn’t look much better.

Our town of 40,000 is entwined with the activities across the Indian River. Driving along US 1, which runs smack through our fair city and parallel to the river offers a pretty good view of the VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building) ,a constant reminder of the source of our prosperity. There are many nervous engineers, techs, administrators and worker bees losing sleep and hoping that this flight goes well. The news is mixed with a slightly negative slant towards the possible abandonment of the shuttle once it reaches the space station. Feelings run deep here. The current generation remembers the tragedy of Challenger and Columbia, the loss of lives and the resulting loss of how we view every launch with bated breath. Or collective fingers remain crossed that all goes well and the astronauts arrive safely and also will have a safe return.

Socks, Zucchini, and a Mystery

It has been a drowsy weekend with rain threatening to soak but just teased us with a few short cloudbursts. Not enough water to keep us from having to pull out the hose and water the garden.

The weekend gave me to opportunity to be lazy, read, nap, and do a bit of knitting. Since the completion of the Jaywalkers last week, I took a look through my stash and pull out some yarn for a portable project. I decided on the Blue Moon Fiber Arts Fairway yarn and the accompanying Rock and Weave pattern. Friday evening had me untangling the hank and winding it into a ball with one eye on “Brokeback Mountain” in the DVD. I have started sock 1 and am knitting the cuff in the linen stitch, new to me. Its slow going and the short circulars are fiddly in my hands but I love the resulting pattern and color play that the yarn creates.

When I tire of the cuff kntting action, I break out the Debbie Bliss sweater whose back is close to completion. The PBS pledge drive has mercifully ended and I am looking forward to parts 1 and 2 of Mystery…”By the Pricking of my Thumbs”. Tune in at 9PM and knit along with Miss Marple.

Here is a favorite summer recipe that was 1979 Pillsbury’s bakeoff winner. I made some modifications to it by using olive oil instead of butter, fresh garlic and basil instead of dried. This is a great quick fix for dinner and tastes great the next day too. I was thinking about Beth's garden of plenty and made this recipe in solidarity.

Italian Zucchini Zucchini Pie

4 cups thinly sliced, unpeeled zucchini

1 cup coarsely chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

¼ cup olive oil

1/2 cup chopped parsley

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

2 eggs, well beaten

8 oz. (2 cups) shredded Muenster or mozzarella cheese

8-oz. can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Heat oven to 375° F. In 10-inch skillet, cook zucchini, garlic and onion in olive oil until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in parsley and seasonings. In large bowl, blend eggs and cheese. Stir in vegetable mixture.

Separate dough into 8 triangles. Place in ungreased 11 inch quiche pan, 10-inch pie pan or 12x8-inch baking dish; press over bottom and up sides to form crust. Spread crust with mustard. Pour vegetable mixture evenly into crust. Bake at 375°F for 18 to 20 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. If crust becomes to brown, cover with foil during last 10 minutes of baking. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Cut into wedges to serve; serve hot.

6 servings.

Presidents Day Out and About

I treated myself to a day off in honor of Presidents Day. Two of my neighbors and I decided that we needed a day out, so we drove to Leu Gardens in Orlando. The camellia season is coming to a close and the azaleas are beginning to bloom. The day was a foggy mess at the onset. The fog burned off and soon the sun was giving off the accustomed heat. Lunch was on the terrace overlooking the lake and consisted of what cold cuts, cheese, fresh strawberries and brownies. Yum. The gardens seemed to have made it through the few frosty days that killed quite a few plants in my yard. That’s Lisa and Cathy in front of a giant fig tree.

After lunch we hit Joann’s. I needed some more knitting needles. I bought my first aluminum dpn’s, a Susan Bates set of 5 sizes. I think that I like them alright. The price was surely right, 5 sets for what I usually pay for a set of bamboo needles. I also picked up my first issue of the Vogue's "knit 1" magazine. Most items are too out there for my taste. I bought the magazine for the skull sweater, something I think Erik would like to wear. It seems that this is more of a Lion Brand publication

judging by the yarn requirements.

Onward ho, on through the new Stepford-like Baldwin Park, what was once the naval base. Here homes are only feet apart and pricey. This is a mini city on the edge of Orlando that is a mix of town house, brownstones and palatial homes. All surrounding a budding central down town, somewhat populated with shops, parks, and restaurants. Our trip to the big city ended with a big strawberry purchase on the side of the road. The berries taste incredible this year. I also just bought a new Waring blender, something I have wanted for quite a while. Smoothies are on my breakfast menu again!

Knitting has been sporadic at best. I have been rotating through the DNA scarf, DaCapo and my sock o’ the month. I really need to work on the scarf as the deadline is May. It’s a tough pattern to knit. One has to keep a sharp eye on the chart at all times. Hard to do while chatting with friends or watching the Olympics!

Rainy Day Gardening

There’s nothing like waking up on a Saturday morning and finding a downpour outside your windows. As goes the weather, there goes the weekend. Luckily I signed up for a container gardening class at the best nursery in the county. My friend Lisa and I left early to tank up on coffee and a smoothie for our trip to Rockledge. We drove through the pouring rain and arrived safely along with 15 or so classmates. The class building overlooks several acres of annual and perennials in all species and colors suitable for our area. We quickly chose pots from a selection of various shapes and colors and were sent back out into the rain to make our selections. Anything goes! Wow, talk about kids in a candy store. What to do? Lisa went in for the funky, a burgundy and lime green leafed geranium, a strange looking wire plant what looks like black-eyed-susans. I stuck with the tried and true salmon geranium/alyssum/salvia/viola combination. We all trooped back inside and proceeded to arrange our plants. We were supplied with river rock, soil and fertilizer. Here are our creations. We couldn’t leave until we made another round pulling Flexible Flyer wagons and quickly filling them with more plant to take home.

After class we hit Cocoa Village and the Knit and Stitch for the February/March 6Sox yarn that I need. I had already placed an order with Rae’s in Lansing . I just didn’t want to wait. The selections were slim picking and I left with some Wildfoot marled yarn in a lavender/pink/white combination. Not my colors! I purchased milky white beads at a bead shop across the street. I strung my beads and cast on. Wouldn’t you know it…the pattern is wrong. There are probably too few beads on my string! I haven’t knit a pattern with this group where there hasn’t been a correction week into the patterns release. I guess that will teach me not to jump right in, rather let the kinks work themselves out in my favor.

After finishing the “Standing in the Shadows of Love” sock, I abandoned all other projects in favor of completing the Kaleidoscope scarf for my aunts April birthday. I pleased to say that I am in the home stretch and on my last skein of Noro Silk Garden . The entrelac pattern has become a favorite of mine and I will miss working on this scarf. I have vowed to complete my “Double Helix” scarf next and then work on the DaCapo with renewed vigor. I would love to jump into the Knitting Olympics but just cannot bring myself to cast on any more projects right now. I will have my own Olympic goal to finish off some of the things that I have started!

Dreaming Spring

It was pointed out to me that my projects are growing in number and those items in progress are not being completed. Not a singular problem faced alone but I am in good company according to other sites that I read. The joy of finding something to knit from a new pattern or finding yarn that hasn’t been tried before is just too seductive for me to leave be until something has been completed. The urge to cast on is too strong. I know have the following on the needles, listed in no particular order:

1. Amble sock a 6 Sox project, cast on in July, 1 sock complete
2. Fast Florida Footie, cast on in September, 1 sock complete
3. DaCapo jacket, back in progress
4. Double helix scarf, due for a May graduation
5. Kaleidoscope scarf, due for an April birthday
6. Standing/Shadow, a 6 Sox project, this one is almost finished
7. Tasseled shawl, Mango Moon, almost done

I wanted to knit a pair of socks for my sons 15^th birthday, but I don’t dare to add to the growing list garments. I am in awe of those whose projects seem to progress from neatly wound balls to outfits in a matter of days. These are busy knitters, people who hold down jobs, have kids and other interests. It seems that I lag behind. Maybe its just my view of the knitting universe. In my mind, living in Florida poses an additional problem in that the weather prevents one from staying indoors. We have been blessed with balmy temperatures that other only dream of. A knitters curse. My garden and my hammock call out to me to plan for spring plantings, broken up by frequent napping and reading under the oak tree. I love to lay and watch the brightly colored birds visit the feeder and then nod off in between chapters my book du jour. My friend Julie reminded me that camellia season has started. Spring is my favorite time of year in Florida. Soon after the camellias bloom, we start to see orange blossoms, then azaleas followed by the gardenias and the crepe myrtles. All this interspersed with honeysuckles and hibiscus. Walking in the evenings is especially intoxicating. The air is scented with orange blossoms, honey suckles, and confederate jasmine. Well, I’m rambling…and I think that I will stray to the gardening section of my book shelf.

Knitting and Watching

The first few week in January have flown by. Christmas has barely past and the Valentine’s décor is on everyone’s store shelf. Here in Florida its time to plan the spring garden. Citrus trees are ripe for picking and we’re all looking forward to the smell of the new orange blossoms, a scent that is becoming infrequent as developers plow old groves and raise mega developments.

We made an excursion to the big city this past weekend and Tom was gracious enough to wait while I made my first visit to a yarn shop in Maitland called the Sip & Knit. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular. Just an understanding of the yarn brands and knitting accoutrements that I read about online. The shop sits behind a vintage Publix and is made up of several rooms all filled with yarns, accessories and books. I could have spent a whole afternoon there. As it happens I came away with a few patterns for future projects and a new row counter. Pretty tame plunder. One of the patterns is for a shawl. A friend thought enough of me to have purchased a few hanks of Mango Moon silk and a lot of thought had to go into what to knit. I had Googled patterns for a while, none particularly pleasing. Most were for impractical ponchos, bags or garments using so many more hanks that I would have to mortgage the house. I started the shawl Sunday using #17 needles and some stretchy yarn that runs along side of the silk to give it body. I guess I’ll just keep knitting until it’s a size that pleases me.

I finished one sock for the December 6 Sox group. I enjoyed the techniques in spite of several rough starts. The hearts really aren’t my thing but I really like the heel and the cuff is nice too. I am starting to amass several pair of socks and I read an article about a knitter that puts here project in a basket at the front door and offers them to friends and family. What a neat idea.

DaCapo just keep going. I’m in an area of the back that is tomato colored and requires one to just knit, knit and knit some more. I should have the back finished by the weekend. Knit and sip had some Hanne kits that had me drooling. The price brought me back to reality.

I caught a program on PBS’s Frontline last night. A film called “Country Boys” by filmmaker David Sutherland. This documentary follows the lives of 2 teenage boys living in a small town in David, Kentucky. The circumstances under which these boys live are eye-openers. Erik was riveted to the program which will air again tonight and tomorrow night. This is a story that is a must-see for anyone especially raising teens.

2006

 

New Years always brings with it a flurry of resolutions, endings and new beginnings, the thoughts that things will be better this year. My 2 day dreams for the New Year are the following:

• The troops pull out of Iraq, the elections are over and the Iraqi’s will now govern with wisdom.
• The hurricane center miscalculated the number of storms coming our way this year

I have some personal goals for this year.

• More patience and control; over my sometimes acid tongue. My son will be turning 15 soon and a learner’s permit looms on the horizon.
• Better use of my time. I want to read more books, finish more projects, and attend more community events. As I have grown older the time has just flown by.
• Tolerance toward all those not sharing my wavelength.

I cleaned out my guestroom this weekend.

This is the room that holds the iron, ironing board, sewing machine, wall of books, unseasonable clothing, all my yarn, needlepoint supplies, fabric, boxes upon boxes of photos not in albums and a wall of books. It was an intolerable mess, ignored since the summer. Now that I am in my late 40’s and revisit the closet filled with stuff, I realize that I will never complete the number of projects that I have managed to accumulate. It’s just not realistic and too look at all the stuff is overwhelming. So I purged some more. I feel so much better now.

In between this cleaning exercise I have been working on my sock. The “Eye of the Partridge” heel, simple as it is gave me more trouble than I deserved to have. The trouble is that I can’t remember which of the 4 rows I’m knitting. I know that I’m on the right of the wrong side but not if I’m supposed to knit 2 or 4…1 or 3. It does make a difference in the dimples that show up in the heel, hence the name. I’m not disciplined enough, that while lying in the hammock and knitting the mere 32 stitches, to keep track. My mind wanders too much. I just forget. I should add discipline to the little list above.

After tiring of that exercise, I finally tried the “Reverse Bloom” cloth in my “Weekend “Knitting” book. I actually purchased this book for the pattern alone. I must have started and ripped out the first petal 8 or 9 times. The reason was the same as above. My mind couldn’t keep track of what I knitted 6 rows ago. I persevered and finished my flower at midnight. It’s made from leftover Sirdhar chenille in a particularly vibrant watermelon color. Not very easy to work with but the results pleased me. I found some Lily cotton in my closet and will try another one.

Today is the end of my winter vacation and it’s back to work. Erik has 1 more day to play before school starts tomorrow. Oh, to be 15 again.

Day Tripping

A trip to St. Augustine sounded great. Tom was going to take the boys to the fort and I would track down the yarn shop on 77 Saragossa. The weather was great and so were our moods.

Here are the boys, Erik and Michael, my sometimes son.

I knitted a ton of rows on the DaCapo as we plowed through holiday traffic up 95. After driving in circles until a parking spot opened up we went our separate ways. Saragossa is a quaint neighborhood street filled with quaint old houses all in various states of repair. As I trudged, the numbers started at 1, 77 seemed quite a ways. It was! After my effort all that was left of “Material Things” was an empty building. NO YARN SHOP. I walked back and found a book store, looked up “yarn” and “Knitting” in the phone book. There are no yarn shops in St. Augustine. Just lots of ticky tacky stores selling tourist crap. Most of which are made in Taiwan. The rest of the town is pretty good to tool around in. There’s the Lightner Museum, Flagler College, Castillo San Marcos, Oldest House…Drugstore…School and so forth. Plenty of history to last, no yarn though. Oh, and did I mention all the restaurants? No lack of food. As a matter of record that’s all I spent money on. Empanadas, spicy hot chocolate mix, chocolate covered ginger, chardonnay smoked sea salt and tuna rub. At least I have my shopping priorities straight. When I got home I compiled a list for Rae’s Yarn Boutique in Lansing. Guess I’ll have to send my money out of state.

While watching Hilary Swanky in the “Affair of the Necklace”, (more history, French), I finally cast on the December sock for the 6Sox group. I’m using JaWoll in a Navy and Cream. I’m not crazy about the hearts but I ‘m ready to learn a new technique, shadow knitting. I am also using some new DPN’s, Brittany Birch. What a treat. The yarn just flies off the needles! Just what I need to ring in the New Year, another project on the needles.

Winter is wotka and OJ season, at our house anyway. This years brand is Iceberg with plenty of fresh squeezed citrus. The best part...lots of Vitamin C to ward off colds and no hangovers!

Here is my favorite knitting spot, right in front of the fire.

Unfortunately, I have had to compete with Kittywitz for this spot.