Friday Fill Ins & Some Knitting!!

And...here we go!

1. The last thing I ate was oatmeal and fresh blueberries.

2. Yarn is something I recently bought.

3. When it rains, it makes me feel very mellow...LOVE the sound of rain!!

4. My Hubby was the first person I talked to today.

5. Hugs are the BEST.

6. We can all use some extra comfort.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to attending a pre-wedding dinner, tomorrow my plans include attending my nephew's wedding and Sunday, I want to KNIT (of course)...but will be visiting with family from out of state.

Off The Needles:

Dash socks. Koigu yarn....LOVE this super fast pattern!!

Happy 4th of July!!!!

I hope that everyone has a WONDERFUL 4th of July and keep in our hearts and prayers all our soldiers and their families, especially today!!

Friday Fill Ins!!

And...here we go!

1. When I heard Ginger's description of a potential funeral for Michael Jackson I about fell out of my chair.

2. Love and laughter truly is the best medicine.

3. It's late, but NEVER too late to do the right thing in any situation.

4. I try to do the right thing always. (note...I said TRY).

5. My eyes have seen a lot that I wish I had never had to see.

6. I believe in God strongly.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to knitting and watching a movie, tomorrow my plans include hopefully not much and Sunday, I want to do my usual, knit and do some baking!

Summer Knitting

It is hot here......really, REALLY hot!!! Heat index is in the triple digit, humidity is 1% shy of rain....yet the sun shines!!

In other words.....it is like a sauna..truly!!

We went from Spring to Summer overnight!! UGH!! Needless to say, the AC is working overtime. I do NOT like to sweat...so the air is down to "ice cube" temps!!

I M.A.Y. have turned it a bit too low......poor Heidi....I found her wrapped in her favorite towel playing with her toy! If you look close....I believe she is sticking her tongue out at me...or perhaps licking the ice off her nose! LOL!!

Knitting:

I have competed the first Dash sock, knit with Koigu yarn and well underway on the second one.

I stopped the pattern at the beginning of the foot portion as I was afraid it would be too thick to wear with my shoes...but will definitely make a second pair in a lighter gauge yarn and continue the pattern to the toe.

Sock for the Hubby...who was complaining that I had knit myself WAYYY more socks than I had for him.

Wah, wah, wah!!

Last but not least: I made a quick peak at the nest in the fern and was surprised to see very active baby birds!! The pic is a bit fuzzy....didn't take time to adjust the shutter speed, just snapped.

What a vision of sweet uglies!! LOL!!

I am still driving to the Post Office daily to pick up my mail as the wrens are still in residence in the mailbox.

Friday Fill Ins!!

And...here we go!

1. All children alarm their parents, if only because you are forever expecting (I don't have kids so I can't answer).

2. Show me a good loser and I will show you a good actor.

3. Finding a GREAT yarn sale is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs at one time.

4. Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are not politicians and have no clout in Washington!!

5. I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine cooking and keeping the house clean!!

6. It is impossible to think of any good meal, no matter how plain or elegant, without butter or cheese in it.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spending an evening with my DH, tomorrow my plans include a bit of coffee drinking and knitting and Sunday, I want to finish Ophelia!

Weekend In Review

There was a Birthday Celebration!!

My Mother turned 76...can you BELIEVE it?? I am SO lucky to have a wonderful mother!!!!!

AND she he has NO wrinkles!! (click the pic to enlarge....you'll see I am NOT joking)!! Sure hope I received that gene...guess time will tell!! We all went out for lunch then home for Birthday cake and a great visit!!

I finished a pair of socks for the Sock A Month KAL

Trekking XXL in the Twin Rib Pattern

AND.......after a conversation with my friend Laura ...(who needs to update her blog with all her fabulous socks and updated pics of Master Coal)...but I digress..........during the course of our conversation we naturally came around to the subject of knitting.

In a nutshell, Laura feels that knitting needles are lonely when not in the presence of yarn....and feels that it is better to have lot's of UFO's/projects on the needles/new cast ons than to have needles languishing away. (Me thinks she doth justify too much).........

So I cast on 7 pairs of socks!!!!!!!!! (A pitifully inadequate number considering there are SOME with socks in various states in the DOUBLE DIGITS).......but anything to help out a friend to feel better!! LOL!!

L to R: JoJo Land, Mystery yarn, Supersocke 100, Koigu

L to R: Colinette Jitterbug, Fleece Artist, Fortissima

I may need to order more needles!!!! LOL!!!!!!

Friday Fill Ins!!

And...here we go!

1. I grew up thinking that life would just evolve...I didn't "contemplate" my future much.

2. MSN was the last website I was at before coming here.

3. Why don't you pick up after yourself?

4. Knitting helps me relax.

5. Thanks for the many, many, many friends that I have!!!

6. People that aren't comfortable with themselves and feel they must try to make themselves better than others is very off-putting.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to knittingtomorrow my plans include taking my Mom to lunch and celebrate her birthday and Sunday, I want to do NOTHING....but I am helping give a bridal tea!

Whiskers On Wednesday, Feathers and Socks!!

Now that the hot weather is here....the kitties are doing a lot of sleeping interspersed with a lot of terrorizing each other.

Here are a few of Heidi's napping places and positions.

Her go to place......love of her life.....sheep rug!!


















Dead to the world.....bird watching is VERY tiring!!


















Holding Max's bed hostage!


























Now.....I know this has got to be a birds nest....but does that look like a bird to you????
























Sort of looks

like a Chipmunk...









Trekking XXL socks....hope to finish tonight!!

Bird News

Nest-O-Birds, ready to leave......





By 6:00 a.m. this morning there were two.







By 6:05.....all gone. The cats are really ticked too....they were thoroughly enjoying the constant "show"....by 8:00 they were completely bored and taken to stalking each other for entertainment.




Other Bird News: Yesterday afternoon I spotted a wren in the mailbox....of course once I got back to the mailbox with camera in hand, she was gone. BUT.....we have EGGS!!!


I called the post office......I put my mail delivery on hold until further notice.





Ahhh......the joys of a fertile Spring......now if I could only get a money tree to grow in the yard!!!

Knitting News: started on the foot of the second Trekking XXL sock, will post pics and once completed I will deal with Ophelia.

Weekend In Review

Bird Update:



No eggs in the mailbox nest....if there aren't any by this afternoon, I'll probably clean out the mailbox and have the mail delivery started back.



The Baby birds by the back porch are just about to leave the nest....I am guessing they will be gone one day this week.






I thought to check my Boston Fern prior to watering....and sure enough.....





The new beginnings of another nest........ we are nothing if not fertile ground for birthing birds around here!! LOL!!'



KNITTING:








Despite my intentions to finish Ophelia, I didn't knit a stitch on it. I did finish up a Prayer Shawl for donation to a local Hospice.



I kitchnered the toe on a pair of socks......that I don't like. (I can't believe I'm even saying that)!





I have never.....EVER wanted to throw a project in the trash....I H.A.T.E. this yarn!!! Noro sock yarn.....this yarn was so thin in places, just pulling from the ball would break the yarn!!! I am a HUGE fan of Noro yarns and understand completely single ply yarn, don't have a problem with vegie matter, etc. But this yarn was just aweful. I tried several times to chunk the whole project....but the "thrifty" part of me just couldn't let myself throw away yarn.

I have a skein of Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn and I sure hope it won't be the nightmare this was!!


So they are completed and will now be shoved to the bottom of the sock drawer.

I also finished the cuff on a pair of Trekking XXL socks........

Soooo.........that was my weekend!

And...here we go!

1. There TRULY is no place like home.

2. My favorite thing for dinner lately has been anything quick and easy and gets me out of the kitchen quickly!!

3. Max says bark! bark! bark! but not like he used to!!

4. A nice long walk is good time to talk to God.

5. Our family could use some good news.

6. When all is said and done, it isn't about what you had or where you went, but rather how many people you loved along the way

.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to chillin with my DH, tomorrow my plans include catching up on some housework, get to work hand carding some rolags to spin, and Sunday, I want to hopefully finish Ophelia and get that off my list!

Whiskers On Wednesday!!!

Does this table make my butt look big???
















Poor Heidi, she obviously thinks she is about two sizes smaller than her actual size....she is forever going places that are simply too small to accommodate her....girth.

Birds, Birds, Birds

It has been quite a busy time around here!!

We are on the SECOND set of baby birds.....different mother, different species, same nest oddly enough!! If you clicked the link and look R.E.A.L.L.Y. close you will see some fuzzy white at the top of the nest...that would be roving that I placed on the tree branches several weeks ago.

We did a bit of yard work this weekend and despite digging deep into the bushes to be sure there were no birds nesting we found this nest AFTER cutting the bush down.....no eggs, thankfully!!

When I rounded the corner to the mailbox this morning I saw the door was open and the mail was half out of the box!! I have a VERY sweet mail lady and I know she wouldn't just throw my mail in the box like that unless there was a reason......imagining a snake I was surprised to see this:

Which interestingly, was NOT there on Saturday when I got the mail!!! This has been one busy bird!!! I guess I'll head down to the post office to have them hold my mail......not sure what kind of bird is making this nest.....guess word is out....baby birds welcome!!

And...here we go!

1. It's cold and wait, this is Alabama and it is May....so it is HOT and HUMID!!

2. I love the smell of tomatoes, right as they are pulled from the vine.

3. My favorite health and beauty product is Philosophy Supernatural tinted foundation primer. LOVE all the Philosophy products!!

4. I enjoy getting away for a nice long ride. (Primo knitting time)

5. Well, first of all, I shouldn't have worried!!

6. Me and someone I didn't recognize, those were the cast of characters in a recent dream and it was GOOD!!!!!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, watching the final Tonight Show with Jay, tomorrow my plans include hopefully a bit of yard work and Sunday, I want to knit (of course) and bake cookies.

Socks.......AGAIN!!

I just can't stop with the socks.....I am totally hooked on socks. I think about other knitting....quite frequently...but just keep coming back to socks.


Here are My Top Ten Reasons for knitting socks.

10. They always fit!! (Compliments of Laura)

9. Shopping for sock yarn is stress free....you typically buy one skein, no calculating yardage, weight, etc.

8. Portable, you can shove in your purse and take ANYWHERE.

7. There are unlimited sock yarns available.

6. There are unlimited sock patterns available.

5. Shopping for a new sock project is WAY cheaper than shopping for a new sweater project. (Edited 5-27-09, Emily brought up an EXCELLENT point......MORE opportunities to wear socks in Alabama than sweaters)!! SO TRUE :) :)

4. Socks save energy.....wearing woolen socks keeps your feet warm and warm feet = warm body = lower thermostat setting!

3. The money you save on your power bill allows for extra sock yarn purchases!

2. Knitting socks in public creates quite a stir.....especially when knitting with DPN's.

1. And the NUMBER ONE reason I like knitting socks........it makes me happy!!!!!.





Nutkins knit with Frances Patrick sock yarn, Deepest Forest color.




















Bubblewrap socks by Sock Bug!! What a FUN knit!! Knit with The Unique Sheep sock yarn, Geranium color.

Friday Fill Ins!!

And...here we go!

1. Moving on/forward is the best direction to go.

2. I wish yarn were free.

3. My best quality is ...hmmm....do I have any??? LOL!!

4. It is all in the details.

5. In nearly 10 years, I have lost and gained the same 20 lb. MANY times!!.

6. Winning the lottery is what I need right now!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to having a nice dinner at home , tomorrow my plans include coffee and knitting with some buds and Sunday, I want to knit or SPIN if my fleece arrives in time!!

Whiskers On Wednesday AND FO!!

A Whiskers On Wednesday post.......by me.......shocking I know.

Seems as though the cats haven't done anything (or sat still long enough) to get any pics for this post in awhile.

This picture just seems to describe these two to a "T".

Heidi being...well Heidi, just a big old duffus cat....doesn't care what she does or how she looks doing it....Bella (aka QUEEN Bella)...on the other hand is FAR too superior to be caught...ahem.....grooming any of the "unmentionable" areas....you might occasionally catch her delicately licking one of her dainty paws...but that is it. She is WAYYY too regal to indulge in anything so mundane as bathing in public....EGADS!!

Bella prefers to bask by herself in the sun, although Heidi frequently bashes her quiet time with such vulgar, public displays as below!! LOL!!

(Click on pic to enlarge for full effect)

AND.....there's a new Baby Mama in the hood!! Shortly after the baby birds left a NEW Mama bird staked her claim to the abandoned nest. She did a bit of housecleaning, brought in a bit of her own nesting material and has been on the nest ever since. Considering how high in the nest she is now sitting, I'm betting the eggs have hatched!!

Off my needles: The Nutkins socks.......still slowly, ever so slowly working on the Ophelia....but I am just not enjoying this knit!!

I'll post pics later.

An Unsolicited Plug For Woolgirl.Com

Indulge me.....because sometimes a girl has just got to share!!


First of all......If you haven't heard of Woolgirl.com...Bless Your Heart and get over there ASAP!!!


I am not sure if I found Jennifer's blog first or her shop ,Woolgirl.com, but both are so wonderfully entertwined I guess it doesn't matter which came first!!


I have shopped a lot.... a LOT..... I meant to say a LOT of yarn shops in the past few years.....and just felt like I would be remiss if I didn't take a minute or two to share what a wonderful experience it is to shop with Jennifer!!


Jennifer's blog is a joy to read, her pictures are always very enticing, her photographic skills show yarn, knittng projects as well as non knitting related subjects all to their best advantage!! Not to mention, as a Schnauzer owner ....I am always tickled to see pictures of Abby, Jennifer's schnauzer!!


Don't get me wrong, when the mailman throws a box of yarn on the front porch and rings the bell.....my heart always picks up....YARN.....at my DOOR...Woo Hoo!!! BUT......when you order from Woolgirl you are always in for a treat!!


Despite knowing what I have ordered, it is so much fun to open the box!! Everything is individually and carefully wrapped in colorful tissue paper, enveloped in a clear plastic sheath and tied with ribbon....like a colorful, shiny, classy gift, waiting to be peeled open, layer by layer!!


The joy I get from "opening" a package from Woolgirl just can't be beat!! There is always a hand written note and a special "treat" included with the order....it might be wonderful chocolates, a beautiful stitch marker, but ALWAYS something yummy and/or useful!!


Despite the state of the economy, I am blessed enough to be able to indulge my desire to buy yarn from time to time....(albeit not like I have in the past)...but you can rest assured that when I buy....Woolgirl.com is my first choice to shop!!! The obvious care and time that goes into each package I have received is GREATLY appreciated and should be duly noted that this is one business that truly cares about their customers!!


Today I received a surprise package from Woolgirl.com!!!


The Woolgirl Club!!!!! You won't believe the page long list of "perks" of being a club member!!

A really GREAT bag!!! (And what knitter doesn't love a bag??)....tape measure, sticky pad (great for holding your place in a pattern)....highlighter/ink pen, note cards, stitch marker, AND.......Unique Sheep sock yarn with pattern!!! OH MY.....the yarn is the most BEAUTIFUL shade of periwinkle which just happens to be my most favorite color!!!!!!

Now.....GO.....SHOP!!!!!!!!!!! Do your part to stimulate the economy!!

Friday Fill Ins!!

It has been a week........not a lot of knitting, thank goodness for Friday Fill Ins!! LOL!!

And...here we go!

1. If we had no winter, how could we possibly appreciate the miracle of Spring?

.

2. PEOPLE are a perpetual astonishment.

3. If I had my life to live over I would have taken better care of myself!!

4. A lot can be accomplished inside of four and twenty hours...(if one isn't interupted).

5. If you've never been thrilled.....then what is the point???

6. To be interested in the changing seasons is exciting...I love the anticipation of all that comes with each season...the holidays, the weather itself. I love it all!!!!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to knitting on a vest that I am not interested in knitting, I want the vest, but tired of knitting it , tomorrow my plans include working on the abyss we call a basement and Sunday, I want to veg out, and try to knock out a large portion of the vest I am so not enjoying knitting!!!

Weekend In Review

Or maybe this should read.....Socks in Review:



One Nutkin down, one to go.




















One Twin Rib sock, knit with Trekking XXL, been marinating in my stash for at least a couple of years!!
























Garter Rib Sock, knit with Noro sock yarn...which I H.A.T.E., but for whatever reason, will not allow my self to get rid of!!






















Bubble Wrap Sock Pattern, knit with Unique Sheep sock yarn, Geranium color.













IF it will ever stop raining I will take some pictures outside as opposed to being forced to make pics in the kitchen, with the awful under counter flourescent lighting!!


Ophelia: She is still in the basket....I just do NOT like knitting garments. I guess I am going to have to force myself to knit one row a night...FIRST thing before allowing myself to pick up the socks!!

My sweet sister told me the Kitties and Max
enlisted her help in getting me a Mother's
Day Gift!!


Apparently my "furbabies" have good taste as my
sister said they told her I needed another Vera Bradley
knitting bag....something "Sunny" they said!!


What a sweetie to help out the pets this way!!!! MWAH!!!

I LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Thank you VERY much....totally NOT necessary....but VERY much appreciated)!!!!

Whiskers On Wednesday!!

Well.........it's no Pile-O-Kitties, but it is the closest these two have been for more than just a second or two. (Not that this heart warming scene lasted very long). Bella didn't immediately realize that Heidi had assumed the "superior" position ....but didn't take long!! Bella IS the Queen after all!!

Heidi LOVES my light cube!!!

I HATE that Heidi loves my light cube!!

I generously gave up some of my knit time to acknowledge

Cinco de Mayo!! Ahhhhh......I do love the Holidays!!! LOL!!

Weekend In Review

It was a funny (not in a ha ha kind of funny).....sort of weekend. Like being here....but not really....just a strange feeling.

We attended a wake for a friend we had not seen in several years, on the very day he would have turned 55.

Dodged some very bad weather on Sunday.....with a bit of knitting thrown into the mix.

Nutkins Socks: Knit with Frances Patrick sock yarn in Deepest Forest (HA....bet you thought I had already lost the ballband)!

And NEVER underestimate the amount of time it takes for an old, arthritic, BLIND, dog to sniff out the bag of trash and COMPLETELY destroy it!!!!

Thank goodness for floor steamers!!!

Friday Fill Ins!!

And...here we go!

1. The first rule of working in an office and getting along is knowing who to give the cookies to.

2. I have never eaten fresh clams.

3. When I think of carnivals I think of how excited I was when the County Fair came to town.....the thrill of seeing the lights glowing in the sky long after driving away.....how many poor goldfish I "won" by throwing a ping pong ball into a bowl of water and how I don't think a single fish ever lived beyond a day....cotton candy.....corn dogs....corn on the cob!!

4. Jonquils (as my grandmother called them) are my favorite spring flower.

5. Things on my desk include, glasses (reading), zillion patterns scattered about, stapler, bills...uhmmm this could get long if I include everything on my desk.

6. People that waste their entire lives never able to look past themselves to see how truly blessed they are makes me wanna cry.....especially when they had a good life ....and then they die young.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spending some down time with my hubby, tomorrow my plans include chilling, cooking some comfort food and Sunday, I want to spend the day knitting!