It's OFFICIAL!!!!

It's Officially The First Day Of SPRING!!!! YIPPEE!!!!

It's also Tonni's BIRTHDAY today!!! Not sure how old she is.....just that she is YOUNGER than I am.....but I won't hold that against her!! LOL!! If you get a chance hop over to her site and leave her a Birthday wish!

Also, while you are traveling....how about stopping by Cindy's Blog. We are slowly getting her blog up and running so please tag it to check back often as it will be changing all along. Cindy is working on her first pair of socks (I saw them yesterday and they are FLAWLESS)!!

Also, I have another friend that we are going to get her blog set up this week and I'll be posting her link when it is up and running.

Knitting: I am half way finished on my second St. Patrick's Day sock, will post a pic tomorrow. As soon as I finish this sock I'll get started on my second Bloomin Feet sock!!

Wee Tiny Sock Arrives!

I was out running errands when my BF phoned to tell me she had received her Wee Tiny Sock!! I couldn't wait to get home and check my mailbox.

Sure enough, there was an envelope waiting in the mailbox. Enclosed was THIS.....thoughtfully wrapped....further prolonging the mystery of what my Wee Tiny Sock might look like!! And who doesn't just LOVE opening presents????

Talk about a ray of sunshine on a MONDAY!!! Isn't this the most happy, cheerfull color???

I LOVE IT!!!

I was so tickled when I saw WHO my secret pal is!! It is GREAT GRAN!!! (O.K., well, she is actually Emily's

Great Gran)......but I think anyone that reads Emily's blog feels the wonderful sense of family that comes through and feel like I know Great Gran as I do Emily!!!

I am SOOO going to come down and meet you both one of these days!!!!

Thanks Emily so much for a wonderful swap, and a very special thank you to Great Gran for such a cheerfull Wee Tiny Sock! I will think of you both every time I look at it!!!

Wee Tiny Sock and Others

Ta DA!!! My Wee Tiny Sock......destined to go on a LONG trip today......all the way to ICELAND, from Alabama.....hmmm....wonder how long THAT trip will take!! LOL!!

SUCH a cute idea this was and Kudos to Emily for such a great swap!

Here are a couple of socks I am currently working on: The green sock is in a mock cable stitch the other sock is a K3, P1 rib. I will finish the green sock tonight, put the other sock on hold and cast on for my Bloomin Sock Pal's second sock. The green yarn was purchased on Ebay, vendor is Oldfield Creek Sock and Yarn. This is VERY nice, soft yarn and VERY reasonable. $ 14.95 for 440 yards, 80% Merino, 20% Nylon. He has a lot of really nice yarn listed on Ebay right now. I'll have to hunt up the info on the other sock and will post when I have another sock update.

Wee Tiny Sock Pal Assigned

Emily has assigned all the "Wee Tiny Sock" pals....and I have mine in hand!! Hmmm.....guess I'll plunder through my left over sock yarn to see what I can find for my Wee Tiny Sock! PRESSURE....must finish the sock and put in the mail this coming Friday!

Great times and Sock Yarn For All!!

WOW.....what a day!!! Tonni and I had the WONDERFUL opportunity to meet Laura today and what a day we had!!!

We met at P.F. Changs for lunch, barely placed our order and we were all chatting away like three old friends!! Isn't it wonderful when you can meet someone new and feel so comfortable around them that you can truly be....YOU?!!

THEN we hit the yarn stores!!!! (Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy).

First in line was In The Making where many lively discussions were had regarding the wonderful selection of yarn, lot's of "ooooohing and ahhhhhhing" could be heard!! Seems we have the same taste......as all three of us chose the very same sock yarn!!! (I believe a challenge was thrown out for all to make socks and meet up at a later date to compare said socks)!

Next stop was Knit Nouveau....where believe it or not......MORE sock yarn was acquired!! (Gotta love a fellow knitter who will tell you all the reasons you NEED more yarn!!) LOL!!!

A mere 4 hours later we were ready to head to Tonni's for an evening of good conversation and knitting!!

What a PRECIOUS person Laura is and how lucky we are that she was able to spend a bit of extra time in Birmingham.......just wishing she lived closer!!!

After what seemed an incredibly short time I had to leave! Laura is Tonni's guest for the evening and considering what a sweetie Tonni is I know Laura will be in for a treat!! Of course, I am terribly jealous that they will have all night to knit together.......but I see a get together in the not so distant future for the three of us!!!

Isn't it wonderful when three folks who previously never knew the others existed could meet through a blog, become friends and that wonderful friendship carry over to meeting in person!!

Already looking forward to next time!!!!!!!!!

Wee Tiny Sock Swap....DO IT!!!

HOW FUN IS THIS??????

Check out Emily's Blog for the details.....but in a nutshell: Do you have scrap sock yarn? Got a 39 cent stamp? Got an envelope? THAT'S ALL YOU NEED!! Emily even has the wee tiny sock pattern on her site!!

This is a NO STRESS sock swap!!! Check it out and sign up today, Friday is the deadline to sign up!!

Blue Moon Sock Club...FINALLY!

I received my Blue Moon Rockin Sock Club kit today and I must admit, I am a bit underwhelmed....maybe the anticipation for so long caused me to have visions of grandeur that no one could possibly provide!?! George Clooney showing up at my door to present a box so heavy with free yarn that even he could barely hold up??? Rountrip airfair to the Blue Moon facility??? Oh the possibilities!! LOL!! (visions of grandeur here I'm tellin ya!!).

When I was contacted by BMFA to sign up for the second time, following their bank debacle, I was told there would be a very nice gift enclosed with the first shipment....their way of compensating everyone for all the trouble they went through. For some reason I was dreaming of yarn (reference above visions of grandeur)......but the 10% discount coupon will come in handy when I get ready to place another order....which will be soon I am sure!! (who am I kidding.....I'm already making my list!!) LOL!!

The pattern is one I will have to work/study on....a toe up pattern, but, I have been wanting to learn to do the toe up socks so this may be the nudge that I needed to get going on learning something new.

To date, I have only knit the most basic of socks and this pattern is going to require practice on my part before attempting to use my designated yarn. A lot of knitting terms that I haven't used in the past....but I am ready for a sock challenge!!!

I love the little emergency sock yarn keychain!!! Too cute! Mine needs a bit of work on it (loose yarn tucked underneath)...but maybe in doing a bit of repair work, I can figure out how to make them and use my scrap yarn to make matching keychains for all the future sock kits!!

In closing, IF George Clooney couldn't PERSONALLY deliver my Blue Moon Sock Kit......then I guess that is O.K. I'm glad to get my first kit and already looking forward to the next one!!!

Ode 'To Peeps and A Bloomin Sock!!

Ode To Peeps

Oh, how I love your smooshy, gooshy goodness.
How you glisten, all lined up in a row!

In perfect attention....just waiting....
for me to bite your little heads off before devouring your smooshy, gooshy little bodies!

(What could be better than your mom sending you home from a day of visiting with a THREE pack of PEEPS!!!!) Ahhhh........

AND.....ONE BLOOMIN SOCK IS COMPLETED!! Well....I am having a bit of difficulty with getting the toe finished....I seem to have a tiny bump on one end......I have left a long tail of yarn attached and will work on getting this issue resolved. Worse comes to worse, I'll tink the Kitchner and close the toe with a drawstring toe.....but I like the look and feel of the kitchner toe.

21 Years Ago Today!!

21 years ago today I married the greatest guy in the world!!

After our first date, I knew we would be together forever. Not that I decided to "rope him in" mind you, but just an incredible peace in my soul that I didn't need to worry....that he was the one...... that we would be together forever!!

21 years is a long time, but it has FLOWN by and it makes me incredibly sad that it has gone by so fast!!! I want to go back and do it all again......and ANOTHER 21 years to boot!!

DH took off from work today......we were planning a day....but weather is bad, so we will enjoy a day together doing nothing here at home, part of which I am sure will be spent in the basement listening to the weather radio.....but that's o.k. too....just being together is enough for me!!

I'm one lucky lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you and Knitting Content

Sometimes, the thoughtfulness of others brings me to tears!!

From time to time someone will send me an EM asking about Gracie...... I don't post very often about her...(she didn't like her picture taken at ALL)! I felt the need to post yesterday.....to let folks know and for myself as well.

Later in the day I received these most BEAUTIFUL flowers and the sweetest card from Tonni!!!

Anyone that has ever lost a pet knows it is such a helpless feeling and Tonni knew just what I needed yesterday! Thank you my dear friend!!

Thank you so much for all your kind comments.....I received so many emails and calls!! What a wonderful group of friends that I have....both far and wide!!!

I did finish a pair of socks for my sister for her Birthday on Sunday. I told her to "strike a pose" and model. (I told her not to quit her day job as I don't think Milan is going to come calling for her anytime soon)! LOL!! These socks were knit with 100% Alpaca, VERY soft, plain knit stitch with a K2,P2 rib at the top. I think she was pleased with them. We both love socks!!

Again, many thanks for all the thoughtful comments, emails and phone calls!!!!! I am blessed with friends WAY beyond what I deserve!!!

Gracie Kitty

Gracie was a unique kitty no doubt, she had her "ways" about her! She was full of odd thoughts and ideas, a plethora of idiosyncrasies.

She was not a "normal" cat if there is such a thing....she was frightened of most things.....yet pawed at the door to go out in the midst of storms and would get downright nasty if you didn't do as she requested. She loved anything sparkly.....I have several single earrings that can attest to that fact.....all I had to do was say the words "sparkly ball" and she would come running...as she loved nothing better than batting around a tinsel ball around the floor.

She cared for none but me....and not even me unless it was at a time that she chose....but when she came close, she was very loving, she didn't purr until the last year or two.....but when she could get into that mood she enjoyed being loved on.

Generally, she enjoyed a bit of quality bird watching time first thing in the morning but yesterday morning there were dogs loose in the neighborhood. I got to her within moments.....rushed her to the vet, but her injuries were too severe. She died in a morhpine induced haze, hopefully chasing little moles in her mind.

She wasn't your typical cat.....she was crazy to a large degree.....but she was my crazy cat and I loved her.

Tete-A Tete Daffodils and YARN!!

On The Way to the mail box to retrieve THIS:













I saw THIS!!! Aren't they pretty? The yarn AND the flowers of course!!! I am SOOOO ready for Spring to "officially" start!!!

Buyer Beware!!

Please allow me a moment to share my thoughts regarding Best Buy. No Knitting content on this post.

If you are contemplating purchasing a desk top computer (and/or possibly a laptop).....you might want to consider buying directly from the manufacturer and NOT Best Buy!

We purchased 2 Gateway desk top computers a year ago this month from Best Buy. These computers had the most current operating system, dual large monitors, the works!! Fast forward to one year and 8 DAYS past the date of purchase and the mother board goes out on one of the systems.

I phoned Gateway tech support to see about purchasing a part and was informed that Gateway contracts with Best Buy to sell "end of life" computers with current software. These computers ARE new computers, NOT rebuilt.....but the "guts" of the system if you will is "end of life" which means Gateway no longer supports, nor does the manufacturer of the internal components.....this is NOT a software issue, but rather an issue of the unit itself.

We did not purchase an extended warranty as when put to the wall, Best Buy admitted that they do not service their own extended warranties.....but it is marketed out to a third party company.....out of state and would require us sending in our entire tower (which contains all of our work info and we were not willing to let strangers have access to sensitive account information). It is amazing what you learn when you push the sales person to "show you in writing"!!!

While I do realize that technology changes almost daily it seems like, but the physical components of a unit (i.e. boards, etc.) are not ditched and new parts manufactured daily....remember, we are not talking about the software.

I was sick to know that the SEVERAL THOUSAND dollars we spent on computers was for systems that no one supports!!! The manufacturer no longer makes parts for these computers.....remember, these were purchased one year and 8 DAYS ago!!

In our business we do not sell "end of life" equipment as the manufacturer can no longer supply parts! Gateway should not sell "end of life" equipment unless they have some kind of disclaimer alerting the customer.....but then again, I don't imagine someone would actually purchase these computers if they knew they were end of life. In my line of work we do have a lot of 3rd party companies that manufacture parts for equipment....."generic" parts if you will, at a considerable savings over the manufacturers parts, so I researched and discovered that Gateway has their units configured so that the "generic" motherboard will not fit their units.....so they "have you" more ways than one.

I do not know if all Gateway computers sold at Best Buy are end of life, just desk top models, etc.

The tech support department at Gateway actually suggested that I complain to the corporate office as this was a procedure that he personally did not agree with!!

In closing, I would like to strongly urge you to consider buying a computer direct from the manufacturer. I don't know if there is a price difference, you may end up paying a bit more.....but the small amount saved purchasing retail from an "authorized" dealer.....is NOT worth it. The fact that you can walk into a store and actually see what you are purchasing definitely has it's good points over ordering "sight unseen" but still not worth the risk in my opinion. Had we of been informed that this was the case with Best Buy we most CERTAINLY would not have purchased these computers! I don't believe that the sales staff at Best Buy is aware of this issue. When I spoke with the service manager at Best Buy, he was not aware of the issue with the parts no longer being manufactured.....but upon investigation admitted that I was correct.

Please feel free to pass this info along to anyone you choose. I would like to let other unsuspecting consumers to be privy to this information.

Bloomin Feet Update & Surprise!!

Know how some folks are just so thoughtful and kind that it makes you want to do more for others???


I present you with Exhibit A:


How cute is this?????










I was checking out the Bloomin Feet Bloggers last week and saw a post that contained a Brie Baker! I thought I had every single kitchen "gadget" known to man.....but somehow I manged to miss this:














I LOVE Brie cheese!!! I think this is absolutely the cutest piece of pottery I have ever seen.....and I have a lot of pottery!!!


Wendy, you are so very thoughtful!! I know you are incredibly busy, yet you took the time to spread the sunshine my way and I can't thank you enough!!! I had a co-worker once tell me that sometimes I just need to say "thank-you" and let it go......but this time I can't do that......so I have a little something that will be on it's way to you shortly!!! (Besides, after this weekend you deserve a little something more than your newest badge!) LOL!!!


I also have an update on my Bloomin Feet Sock!!!
I HAVE been working on a sock!!!


I'm disappointed that the yarn is virtually solid....I spent a lot of time looking for "just the right" yarn for my sock mate. While the yarn is nice quality, the color is very dark with little variation in the color way. The website showcased a yarn that had several different shades from light to dark.


I'm a nervous wreck about knitting a sock that will fit a foot that is MANY miles from my knitting basket....my socks to date have all been made for those close enough that they can try on periodically and I can adjust as needed.

The pattern is a fairly simple pattern.....from Charlene Schurch, hopefully with enough stretch that it will make up for my lack of knitting skills!!!!

I WON!!!!!

I WON.....and I NEVER win ANYTHING!!!

Aren't these absolutely BEAUTIFUL??? The pic of the bracelet does NOT do it justice as these are Austrian Crystals......and MAN do they S.P.A.R.K.L.E.!!!!! Best of all the bracelet is completely waterproof, has a magnetic closure and can be worn in the shower as a reminder to "check yer boobies" monthly!! The stitch marker set is definitely going to be put to good use!!! They are just the right size to use while knitting socks and the colors are so very pretty!!!

Several weeks ago I was checking out some blogs looking for socks and stumbled across Deb's Blog . What a great blog......sock knitter and dog lover....good combo!!! Deb was featuring a contest so I threw my name in the hat. I never win ANYTHING so you an imagine my surprise when I received an email stating I won second prize!!!

Deb went WAY out of her way to send a second pkg. to me when the first one never showed up.....but I'm thinking considering how the second one arrived that someone in the post office somewhere between here and the Great Frozen North is enjoying the first pkg. Check THIS out!!!

When you get a chance check out Deb's blog, start at the beginning....she has some great socks to share.....oh....and send some warm thoughts her way.....she lives in Minnesota......a bit colder than here in Alabama!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!




The day is off to it's usual start for Valentine's Day.

I hid ALL my DH undies and left a single pair available.....RED....with WHITE hearts on them!! (....all those early childhood warnings of wearing clean underwear in case you are in an accident has carried over to).......But honey, what if I'm in an accident and have to go to the ER.....what kind of care will a man with valentine's boxers receive? My standard answer: Why dear, you'll receive the attention of ALL the nurses!! LOL!!!

I will make it up to him with his favorite meal, grilled steak and steamed shrimp, fluffy baked potato, salad, and for dessert I think this year I am going simple with a hot fudge brownies.


My Sweetie started off my day with this:



Hastily arranged by me!



YUM Ferrero Rocher candies!!!!






AND......just in time for Valentine's Day I received THIS:



Chocolate Covered Cherries from Yarn Ahoy!!! Best of all.....NO Fat and NO Calories!!

Bloomin Feet Update!

FINALLY.....I have made my decision on which yarn to use for my Bloomin Feet mate!!

I was so excited when I found the Sweet Georgia Yarn site (click on link and scroll to see the Viola yarn).......but quite disapointed when I actually received the Viola as it is N.O.T.H.I.N.G.
like the picture posted on their website. What I received has VERY little variation in the color, pretty much solid and VERY dark....although still pretty! I was planning on knitting a simple K2,P2 pattern and was counting on the quality of the yarn in addition to the beautiful variations of color making up for my basic stitch pattern.

The Wildflower is pretty, but with so many different colors I'm not sure how "busy" it might look. The Wisteria is pretty also but very, very light.

SOOOOO......having looked at all the options I have decided to go with the Viola by Sweet Georgia Yarn. The quality of this yarn is very nice....reminds me very much of Blue Moon Fibers, I am even contemplating a pattern that is NOT my usual K2,P2 pattern!! I'll be going over patterns tonight and will have a decision made later on. I haven't knitted any patterns other than straight knit stitch or K2,P2, so this will be a challenge!!!!

(I would have posted pics of the above mentioned yarns but "new and improved" blogger wouldn't allow me to post any of my saved photos, yet allowed the Bloomin Feet Logo.....don't you just LOVE the New and Improved Blogger??)

Bloomin Feet Update!!

The pic is a tad blurry for some reason but don't these colors make anxious for Spring?

Sunshine Yarns is a vendor that I found on Etsy and if I'm not mistaken was one that was recommended by Lime & Violet. I have ordered one other yarn from this shop but haven't had time to knit it just yet!

This yarn is SOOO soft......you just can't help but pick it up and "pet" it!! LOL!!!

This is the second yarn I have purchased in anticipation of making socks for my Bloomin Feet secret pal. I do have one other skein of yarn in mind that I am going to order today. I have read several blogs and there are quite a few of you out there that have already completed your pair or at least one.....and here I am still ordering yarn!!! I will have my decision made this weekend and get something on my needles in the next few days!!!

My other 2 choices are: Wisteria

And Viola

Sheep To Shawl

If you live anywhere close to Montevallo, Alabama, I HIGHLY recommend visiting this shop!! Elizabeth of Trailing Yarn had a post on her blog (Janury 24th entry) about her visit to Sheep To Shawl.

I had not heard of this shop and decided I had to get myself to Montevallo ASAP!!! I picked up my dear friend Cindy on Saturday morning and met up with Tonni to check it out. (Check out Tonni's blog for some additional pictures).

I could NOT have been more impressed!!! The owner and her daughter were both as kind as they could be to us.....letting us ask a lot of questions yet gave us all the space we needed to browse without feeling any pressure!!

There was a table set up with four different felted sheep.....I didn't think to take my camera but they were SOOO cute!!! This was the only duplicate so the owner allowed me to buy it, otherwise you can place an order for one. In addition to the brown she also offers white, black and gray!!

The owner's daughter has the job of assigning a name for all the sheep, so she took this little fella into the back for a moment of quiet to see what name came to her and low and behold.....BROWNIE it was!!! I couldn't have chosen a better name myself!!

The shop has a lot of roving, raw fibers and yarn that you don't see at other yarn stores, which was so nice to see yarnsI had never seen before, as well as some favorites such as Trekking and Step sock yarn to name just a couple. (And Thank-You Tonni for giving up the Trekking.....was it the drooling part that got you to hand it over or the fact that I couldn't keep my hands off it!!) LOL!!!

WE all three fell in love with a scarf that the owner had on display so much so that we all left with enough yarn to make the scarf and hope to have some free time to get together in the near future to work on this project!! The owner designed the scarf and was gracious enough to jot the pattern down for us!!

The owner also has a lot of her pottery on display and it is absolutely beautiful!!!!

If you make it to the shop be sure and save time to stop in at the local coffee house/bar/restaurant/hang out spot......named the Eclipse. Right on main street, can't miss it! Lunch was outstanding!!!!

Birmingham News did a great article on this shop:


Montevallo mom, daughter have learned to spin a yarn
Wednesday, January 17, 2007

NANCY WILSTACHNews staff writer

Fingers figured prominently in Rae Jean Flatt's switch from clay to yarn, because the Montevallo woman cannot abide hers being idle.
Stripping off a white cotton glove from her right hand, Flatt displayed her puckered fingertips. "It is hydrosis," she said, "from too much water."
When doctors told her to lay off making pottery for at least six months because contact with wet clay exacerbated the condition, Flatt took up another interest - fibers. Now she's spinning, weaving, knitting and crocheting hats, vests, scarves, socks, placemats, belts, purses and shawls.

It all happens at Sheep-to-Shawl, the store Flatt has opened on Main Street in Montevallo.

Baskets and bins:

Stepping into the little shop is like entering a kaleidoscope. Baskets and bins of yarn in all colors and textures line the walls, interspersed with baskets of, yes, unreconstructed sheep's wool. There also are spinning wheels, looms in various sizes and a bouquet of completed garments.

Flatt is particularly tickled with her "felting" projects. "This came from across the street," she said, referring to the Twice As Nice Thrift Store. She held up a white hat adorned with Impressionist-fuzzy flowers. The hat once was a stretchy wool toboggan cap until someone put it in the washer.

Now it's a thick, solid white with a texture similar to felt. Flatt fashioned the suggestion of a garland of flowers from colorful yarns and affixed them to the hat with a felting tool. The result is a designer original from a 25-cent, thrift-store find.

Flatt's sidekick in this woolly business is her 28-year-old daughter. Marissa Flatt is almost blind and suffers from neurofibromytosis, a disease that has caused fibrous tumors to grow on various parts of her body, including her brain. A series of brain surgeries when she was a little girl left the young woman with the symptoms of traumatic brain injury.

Although she has a high-normal intelligence, she has trouble with short-term memory. However, her mother has taught her to spin. Marissa saves hair from her angora rabbit that she spins into heavenly soft yarn.

She is working in the shop with her mother and delights in showing customers the funny sheep, llama and coyote puppets that are part of the decor.

For Rae Jean Flatt, the store not only feeds her own need to stay busy, it provides her daughter with a measure of independence and a downtown social network.

Sheep-to-Shawl offers an array of classes in beginning and advanced knitting, weaving, felting and spinning.

Store hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. For information

Apologize For Blogger

For SOME STUPID reason the new blogger will not allow anyone to comment on my blog, despite the fact that I have not changed the settings and comments were allowed just yesterday.

If you try to post a comment today and are not able to do so please feel free to contact me direct radhouse@mindspring.com until I can get this situation cleared up.

Blogger has turned into a temperamental thing!!!

Bloomin Feet Yarn Update!

I have been looking at various yarns to use for my Bloomin Feet Secret Pal....my theory was if I chose a yarn that was not the "every day" variety it might make up for not being able to knit something fancy.

In my search, I ran across Sweet Georgia Yarn. I have not heard of this particular yarn and discovered that this is a "Canadian" yarn, only carried in about 5 stores in the U.S. I was disapointed to discover that most of these shops didn't carry much in their inventory. Apparently, Sweet Georgia Yarn is dyed in small batches and sells out incredibly fast!! I was able to find one shop, Dublin Bay, in Portland, Oregon and spoke with Tricia, who was so gracious to check her inventory to see what she had in stock with enough yardage to make a pair of socks and this is what we came up with......what do you think? The yarn feels really nice!! I also received a sweet little thank you note as well as a stitch marker!! I am also looking at some hand dyed yarn and I am waiting on some swatches to be mailed to help me with my final decision on what yarn weight to go with. I also have some GREAT yarn that I recently purchased that fits my pals color preferances......Ah.....so many choices!!! Stay Tuned.........

Bloomin Feet Swap!!!!

I received my match for the Bloomin Feet Swap!!

Now the pressure is ON!! I am perusing yarns right now, I have several choices in mind....just haven 't made up my mind yet.....hmmmm, may need to check out the LYS, just to be sure they don't have something new!! (O.K. I know it is just an excuse to go shop!!) LOL!!

BUT.....the REAL pressure is that I have only knitted socks for feet that I have easy access to.....like MINE and my DH!! It didn't hit me until the other day that I am not so sure that I can make a sock to fit a foot that I can't try it on while knitting!!! I do have my pal's foot dimensions.....and I do have a pair of sock blockers that are that approximate length....but STILL......Oh the PRESSURE!!!! I am starting to stress out about this!!! I have checked out the other members blogs and they are AWESOME sock knitters!!!! My socks are of the very basic variety......guess I better come up with some fantastic yarn to compensate for my lack of skills at this point!! LOL!!!

Stay Tuned!!

Darlene Arrived....With Goodies!!

Darlene Arrived Today!!!

I had about talked myself out of buying anymore sock yarn till I had knitted up a portion of what I have in my stash....so it's all Paula's fault that I bought this yarn!! (Like I needed anyone to talk me into buying more sock yarn!!) LOL!!

I ask....could you POSSIBLY turn down the VERY LAST Skein available....especially when it is your name sake yarn??? No, I didn't think so!!!

If you haven't checked out Paula's blog please do...she is working on an incredible vest...started out as TRIANGLES....you need to see this!!

Sweater Update And Other Knitting

SWEATER UPDATE!!!

O.K. If you squinch up your eyes and use your imagination.......you can ALMOST imagine this as a sweater!! Can't you??

This is SLOW going for me!! I knit a few rows and find myself getting "fidgety" to get back to sock knitting!!

I have made a bit more progress since this picture was taken....but not much! It seems like I knit, and knit and KNIT and I'm not really getting anywhere!!! But.....I know slow and steady gets the sweater finished!!

I am also working on a couple of pairs of socks. The purple pair is knit with Blue Moon Fiber Arts which was a gift from Tonni awhile back. I wanted to make a few more pairs of socks before I knit with this....I have to admit I am SOOOO in love with this yarn!!!














I am calling this my "swamp" socks.....the pic doesn't show the true color....but picture the green slime that grows in slow moving water and THAT is the color of this yarn! This is yarn that I purchased from Fearless Fibers, which is an Ebay seller. I have bought 3 skeins of yarn from this seller and have been pleased with all three!




















Updates to follow at a later date so check back!

What $521.00 worth of Love Looks Like

Poor Max!!

Yet ANOTHER surgery!! This is Max's second surgery for bladder stones....despite being on a special diet which costs $41/month!

Ahhh....the things we do for love!!!






OH.....and let's don't forget the prescriptions!!










But....what can I say? He's worth it and as long as he isn't suffering and I can pay the bills we'll do what we have to!!

Nothing like the unconditional love of your pets....unless of course you own a cat (which I do).....and we ALL know their love comes with a plethora of "conditions"!! LOL!!! (But worth it too)!!

NEW Sock Yarn!!

I have gotten SOOOO hooked on the Lime N Violet Podcasts!!! Miss Lime and Miss Violet are absolutely the funniest, raunchiest, bawdiest, "ladies" I have ever heard!! They are a cross between NPR and a Saturday Night Live skit!! LOL!!

Their Yarn Porn report is great.....they find all these wonderful folks that spin and/or dye their own yarn and here are two they reported on.

First: Sunshine Yarns This particular yarn is 100% Superwash wool, 450 yards. The picture doesn't do the color justice!! SOOO soft!!

Second: Spunky Eclectic 100% Superwash, 550 yards. Again, the picture doesn't do justice to the actual colors. Spunky Eclectic will let you choose your weight and custom dye for you!! Click on the link "Order a color or yarn that's sold out" section.

Both of these yarns are INCREDIBLY soft and I can't WAIT to get started on them!!!

I AM still working on my sweater......M.A.Y. post a pic tomorrow of my progress.....which of course isn't nearly as far along as Tonni's!!!

If you haven't seen Becky's latest blockers.....Oh My!!! The "Three Little Fish" are absolutely AWESOME....she is so very talented!!!!

A Connection To My Past!!

Awhile back, my mother mentioned to me that she remembered my Grandmother, along with several other ladies in their town, meeting once a week at the local doctor's home to knit socks for the troops!

I never knew my Grandmother knew how to knit, much less was involved in a project such as this! My Grandmother taught me to crochet but I don't recall her mentioning that she knew how to knit!!

I was so intrigued by the thought that ladies across the U.S. were meeting in homes to make socks for the troups....rather than the socks being machine made...... that I decided to do a search for vintage sock patterns to see if I could find any patterns such as might have been used.

I was so tickled to find that the Red Cross had this commemorative kit for sale along with other "vintage" style items. The kit is $25 and comes complete with a copy of the 1942 pattern that was distributed across the U.S. along with the wool and needles.

The presentation was really nice!! Everything wrapped in tissue paper! "The Humble Sock" printed on the inside of the lid was so interesting to me! Apparently the socks were knitted, turned in to local chapters, each sock was checked by hand and if it was found "lacking" in any way it was ripped out, re-wound and re-distributed for another go round!

If you are a sock knitter I would highly recommend spending the $25 to purchase this kit.....if for no other reason than you are helping the Red Cross!!

I just think it is so cool to know that in 2007, I can sit down and knit the same pattern that my Grandmother knitted in the early 40's!!

I'm All Signed UP!!

I DID IT!!!!

I signed up for the Hurricane Sock Party 2007!! I'm not a GREAT knitter but I think with the right yarn I can manage to produce ONE decent sock to swap with someone! This will be my VERY FIRST Swap and I am VERY excited!!!

Also looking forward to receiving my first Socks That Rock yarn from the Rockin Sock Club!

In addition to the above......I am working with Tonni....(well, Tonni is working with ME) to knit a sweater. Tonni, is a phenomenally fast knitter and is WAYYY ahead of me! I plan to knit tonight and have a pic to post tomorrow!! (Feeling the pressure here....check out Tonni's blog!)

AND......last but not least......I have plans to make my first lace shawl!! Becky brought me the pattern (written out in format for dummies...oops...I mean for beginners).....and I truly think I can make this!!!

I finished one sock with SRS yarn from Tonni, have casted on a sock using some Fearless Fibers yarn (yes.....BEFORE I finished the SRS mate).

Whew!!! I'm out of control here!!! This is SOO unlike me!! I don't have any more time to knit than I did last year......but hopefully as my skills are improving....EVER SO SLOWLY......I am able to accomplish more in the same amount of limited time.

I just LOVE to knit!!!!

Coffee Anyone?

You Are an Espresso

At your best, you are: straight shooting, ambitious, and energetic At your worst, you are: anxious and high strung You drink coffee when: anytime you're not sleeping Your caffeine addiction level: high

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

What I Did Today!

I'm not a lush....REALLY!

I LOVE New Year's Day!!! I stay in my P.J.'s all day, drink Mimosa's, eat whatever, whenever, read a bit, knit a bit and generally end the day with a long hot soak in the tub and a good book!! Ahhh.....heaven!!! If only every day could be so wonderful and stress free!!!

I thought I might finish this sock......I'm almost down to the toe decrease.....I am SOOOOO loving this yarn!!! It is Blue Moon, Socks that Rock yarn and there is just no comparison between it and the Knit Picks Parade and Simple Stripes I have used in the past! Love it so much I joined the Rockin Sock Club. First shipment is in February.....I sure hope I am going to be able to follow the patterns that accompany the yarn each shipment! I'm still pretty much a beginner! Thanks Tonni for leading me astray......um.....I mean for sharing this great yarn with me and telling me about the Rockin Sock Club!! LOL!!!