Friday Update...

It's been a good week around here.  My youngest son's anxiety regarding school seems to be better, I've been pretty productive on Christmas decorating/shopping/wrapping, and my knitting is coming along nicely, with few hiccups.

Finished Objects:
I actually finished two additional projects for my MNY Swap package, but was so excited, I boxed it all up and sent it on its way before pictures.  Those projects were an owl puff and a Christmas bell dishcloth.  In addition, I made these two dishcloths to add to gifts for people who are important to my kids:

for my youngest son's school guidance counselor

for my oldest son's piano teacher

And, of course to feed my Dr. Who addiction:

one Tardis sock

On the Needles:

One of my in progress projects will look very familiar.  One of my dogs, Penny the insane beagle girl, decided to have a look on my Hogwarts Express and removed it from the needles.  So, I started that one over.

Hogwarts Express for the Knitabulls December KAL

A Rasta Hat for a friend of my husband's

I also started a Rasta Hat for one of my husband's friends who really doesn't believe I can make one (oh, ye of little faith!)

I will also cast on the second Tardis sock later today.

Stash Enhancement:

my final Zen Yarn Garden sock club skein

this from Spinning Fates

and always something from Fibernymph

I really didn't need any stash yarn (and have already ordered more and am awaiting Fibernymph's update this afternoon!), but there it is and I think they're beautiful.

In other news, I was so disappointed not to get into the Fibernymph Dye Works yarn club, but Lisa is so sweet, she's offering those of us who didn't get in a "consolation" skein.  Really, there's no such thing as a "consolation" skein from Fibernymph Dye Works!

I rarely get comments on this blog, but if you're reading, thank you.  I've considered going the video podcast route, but am really not sure about that.  Maybe this blog will serve as an explanation to my kids as to where all my time and money went!

Friday Update...

Since it's been 3 weeks since the last Friday Update, there are some finished objects, WIPs, and Stash Enhancements today.

Finished Objects:

My Beagle Brown Vitamin D  

Knitabulls KAL Cowl

Dad's Christmas Vest

I also knitted a washcloth and an owl puff for my Mommy Needs Yarn swap pal, but didn't take any pictures.  I was so excited to get the package together and in the mail that it totally slipped my mind!


On the Needles:

Tardis Socks

Knitabulls Dec. KAL Hogwarts Express

I also want to participate in the Mommy Needs Yarn/Knitting Blooms KAL, but I need to remember there's Christmas coming this month.  SO, if I get my shopping/wrapping done and plan all the other Christmas related chores, I might just squeeze that in, too.

Stash Enhancement:


While in Nags Head for the Thanksgiving holiday, I visited Knitting Addition (my favorite LYS, despite it being 3 1/2 hours from home) and purchased some yarn and this cute bag.  If you can't read the outside, it says, "Life's too short to knit with ugly yarn."  LOVE IT!

For a planned Sothia

Spud and Chloe Fine - hippo

Spud and Chloe Fine - sidewalk

For a planned Thin Ice:

Spud and Chloe Fine - dolphin

Thanksgiving's over, bring on Christmas!

I've been missing a few weeks.  It's been busy!!!  My son is still having anxiety issues with school, there was the planning/packing/going/staying/coming home of the Thanksgiving holiday at the beach, Christmas decorating here and at my in-laws (my mother-in-law is being treated for cancer for the third time in three years and had decided decorating was too much trouble), and, of course, knitting.

My sister and I are blessed with an absolutely wonderful relationship.  Her kids are mine and mine are hers.  We truly enjoy being together.  She works and I've kept her kids (still put one on the bus in the morning and fill in at the elementary school events neither of her parents can make).  Our families vacation together in the summer at the beach in Nags Head, NC and again over the Thanksgiving holiday, mostly to escape our parents and their issues.  The kids are like siblings, so there've been tussles here and there, but mostly, it's just heaven.

This year was no exception.  I visited my favorite knitting store, Knitting Addiction, ate wonderful food, and relaxed.  I finished several big projects and started new ones.  It was also nice to return home to our greeting committee of four - my son's cat really couldn't care less if all of us fell off the earth.

We have two Christmas trees and they were up before we left.  Saturday night, I decorated the family room, but still have the living room, the window candles, and the outside to do.  We spent 3 1/2 hours at my in-laws house doing their decorations and next weekend we'll help my father with his.

Friday Update...

I can't believe it's Friday already.  I guess the kids being out of school Monday and Tuesday made the week go by faster.  So, here's what happened this week in knitting:

Finished Object:

Heidi's Christmas Hat - to match her fingerless mitts

On the Needles:

Dad's Christmas Vest

KAL for the Knitabulls podcast

Stash Enhancement:

Fibernymph Dye Works Bounce in Peanut Butter and Jelly

That's it for this week.  My Christmas knitting will be finished with Dad's vest and then I can get back to my Vitamin D sweater for the Loopy Ewe 4th Quarter Challenge.  I'm in two swaps this winter, The Loopy Swap 9 and the Mommy Needs Yarn Podcast swap.

The Dogs...

I've had questions about the dogs.  Like, "There are dogs in your title, but I don't see them.  Where are they?"  So, I decided to introduce the pack.

This is Penny.  She was adopted at 9 months from a rescue and we were her third family.  She's very high strung, to the point of having to be on a chain in a fenced in yard.  She will dig her way out just to run and run.  I do feel sorry for her being cooped up in the yard, but we have leash laws and, more importantly, cars in the area.  She's so very sweet, but when the other dogs or the cats upset her, she will speak her mind.  She is now 2 1/2 and not mellowing like most beagles do...

This is Shiloh.  He is 4 1/2 and a total sweetheart.  He loves to dig moles out of the ground and actually finds and kills some.  Mostly, we have a backyard full of tunnels!  He's definitely a mama's boy and would eat himself to death if allowed.  We have to watch him or he'll eat his food, the cat's food and the people food if we don't!

This is Clover.  He's 9 1/2 and is a miniature wire-haired dachshund.  He's had a few health problems and so is very attached to me.  He had surgery to correct an umbilical hernia as a little fellow.  He's been stung in the lip by a yellow jacket, actually had tonsillitis, and this summer was diagnosed with a hernia in his diaphragm.  The hernia enlarged and allowed his liver and gall bladder to move into his chest cavity, smushing his heart (not a medical term!)  So, instead of new family room furniture, we spent a small fortune to have this surgically repaired.  He's great now, in fact tried to climb the outside steps the first day home...

So, that's the herd.  Oddly enough, the little old man is the alpha and generally tells the others what to do!

Friday Update!

TGIF - and boy, do I mean it.  It may be chilly and raining this morning, but it's Friday.  My family (husband, kids, sister, her husband and kids and my parents - who don't speak, at least to each other) are going out for my birthday dinner tonight.  We'll catch up with the in-laws this weekend.  My mother-in-law is dealing with her third round of chemotherapy in as many years and can't go out right now :(

On to the knitting update:
Finished Objects:

Heidi's Fingerless Mitts

One of my niece's Christmas fingerless mitts

My sister's Christmas hat

Jennifer's Hat

On the needles:

The other fingerless mitt is almost finished...

Vitamin D received zero attention this week:

My Vitamin D

Purchases:

Malabrigo Silky Merino
4 skeins Purple Mystery

Beautiful bag from Knitting's my Bag

Bounce in Golden Brown
by Fibernymph 

Sunshine in Faded Royalty Lt.
by Fibernymph

Another beautiful bag from Knitting's my Bag

That's it for the week.  I have big plans to finish Heidi's fingerless mitts, a matching hat for her and begin my father's Christmas vest.  I will also be working the polls during our local elections on Tuesday!

Life's little trials...

Sometimes life doesn't go as well as we'd like.  Nothing tragic, just not what we want.  I'm going through a trying time and I'm not liking it at all!

I was an anxious child, it's throughout my family on my mother's side.  I dreaded the transition from elementary school to middle school as if I was being sent to battle.  I had stomach issues for most of the first two months of 6th grade.  Over the years, I've dealt with anxiety off and on until I am now, through medication and changing my mindset, at a good place.

Now, it seems, my youngest son has inherited the anxiety gene.  He's almost 14, in the 8th grade, his last year of middle school.  His issues were there last year, but bearable.  This year, they have gone from bad to truly awful.  Tears, insomnia, true panic attacks.  It's so awful to watch someone you love struggle so.

Part of his problem is a result of his middle school being closed due to a decision by our local school board.  Although I, along with a large group from our community, opposed the decision, it was made and he had to attend a different school for 7th and 8th grades.  It didn't help that many of the kids at the new school weren't too happy to have the "new" kids there.  He's had some minor bullying, nothing violent, but just making him uncomfortable and unhappy.  This year, it continued with some physical poking and verbal abuse.  Although the perpetrator has been talked to and moved away from Michael, he seems unable to rebound.  He hates the school.  He's that type of kid - I shouldn't have to be here, so I won't be happy here.  Same as his mom.  It took me quite awhile to incorporate the whole "if I can't change it, I have to deal with it" attitude to my life.

Anyway, we are seeking help from a psychologist and the guidance counselor has been wonderful to him.  It just makes for stress and unhappiness all over.

Stash Enhancement with a Purpose

Yesterday, the mail carrier brought a box of goodies.  Ten skeins of Cascade 220 Heathers in a beautiful dark red color.  I want to make the Rocky Coast Cardigan, but didn't have the needed yarn in my stash.  So, after perusing many people's stash for sale, I found these beauties:

and I think it will be beautiful.  I love red, especially deep red.  I can't wait to get started, but I won't even cake this until I'm finished with Christmas knitting, my Loopy 4 Quarter Challenge, and a baby gift I need to have ready in early January.  

The Cold October Weekend

We central Virginians are used to some cold weather in October.  I've sat at my sons' baseball games bundled up with wool socks, mittens, coats and blankets.  But this weekend was abnormally cold and wet, as it seemed to be around the United States.

We got rain and 35 degree weather during the day Saturday, while other areas of the state got some snow.  This is really early for such cold air.  But, I loaded up the crock pot with beef stew and spent the day knitting and recovering - from the Cardinals winning the World Series!  Our family are Cardinals fans and had all but given up hope that we'd be rooting our team on after September.  Those guys (and us) never gave up and here we are - basking in an almost sleepless night and the glory of the championship.

So, I worked on my Vitamin D, my sister's hat, and shopped on etsy.com.  I really don't NEED anymore project bags, but Knitting's My Bag has some really great ones.  I've got one already and ordered two more over the weekend.  I also ordered yarn from Fibernymph, but you really have to be fast.  Her yarns sold very quickly.  So, the knitting was productive, the spending - well, it depends on your definition of productive, right?

Friday Status Update

Many exciting things have happened this week.  My family are huge St. Louis Cardinals fans, despite the fact that we live in central Virginia!  We see them play at least once a year.  In August, we were despairing that their season would soon be over, but they made an impressive run and are one game away from the World Series Championship!

In knitting news, I received this:

and I'm so excited.  I have also found some  yarn in a revelry destash to knit the Rocky Coast Cardigan.

I have finished the sleeves on my Vitamin D

and I'm really loving the color.  I lovingly call it Beagle Brown, since it matches the top of my beloved Shiloh's head!

I began a hat for my sister (although I've already knit a shawl she ordered for Christmas), since she loved the hat I made her daughter.  It's the Hermoine Hearts Ron hat in Knit Picks Shine Sport.

And, I swatched for my Dad's Christmas Vest and I really love the pattern.  This is the first item I've ever knit for him and I really think he'll be surprised.

I hope to have the hat finished very soon, followed closely by the Vitamin D.  I can't wait to start that cardigan!

Oh my goodness, it's been awhile!

Not that anyone is really reading, but it's been such a long time.  Life has been rolling on and I have just not taken the time to update.  The kids have had summer break and been back in school for about 6 weeks. I've been knitting along, some for me, some for the Loopy Ewe's camp loopy, and some for Christmas gifts.

Finished Objects:
I have made two pair of fingerless mittens, one for me and one for a friend.  Our sons play baseball together and it's getting chilly on those weekend mornings.  I like to knit during the games and she keeps the scorebook.  So, we were both in need of some hand warming while allowing us to use our fingers -

Mine are the top ones and my friend's are the bottom (I actually like her yarn selection better.  I may let her choose for all my projects!)  They are Berry Hill's Fingerless Mittens with Malabrigo Silky Merino. Here's my project page..  

That's it for now.  I'm really going to try and keep up, at least weekly...

My Sweet Boy

On Sunday, Shiloh, our 4 year old beagle who is sweet as can be, broke his dew claw (his thumb nail).  This requires a trip to the doctor, or since it was Sunday, the emergency vet (cha-ching).  It's quite painful - they have to pull the nail out and he has to keep a bandage on for 2 days.

It would be impossible to guess the  number of times he got that thing off and I had to re-bandage it.  He's better now, but that chasing and repairing really cut into my knitting time!

Roxanne KAL

The last 2 weeks have been busy.  School, orchestra concerts, baseball games and, of course, knitting.  For some reason, I stumbled across a KAL for a shawl by Liz Abinante called Roxanne.  My non-knitting friends (which is all of them around here) are always interested in what I'm making, but never seem to understand why I would knit something before I know what it will look like.  While waiting for the last clue, which was a bit delayed due to the designer's cross country move, I decided to make a second one.  So, here we are:

Moving on to Clue #3

Previously, I mentioned jumping into a KAL with a few people from my favorite Ravelry group, Knitting and Tea and Cookies.  I've depended a great deal on lifelines through clue #2.  I've ripped and knitted and ripped and knitted so much, that I'm very far behind.  Clue #3 came out over the weekend and I just finished Clue #2 on Wednesday evening -

I'm very happy to move to Clue #3, although it's very long.  Hopefully I won't have to rip so much with this one!

Harry Potter Yarn Club

On Monday, the mailman brought a surprise, my installment of the  Winding River Harry Potter yarn club.  Each skein is based on something related to the Harry Potter books.  In fact, my KAL is the Severus Snape color.  This one is called Horcruxes and is going to be a great pair of socks.

A little gift of a cake of bath salts was also included.  I can't wait to use that, especially after working on this KAL shawl!

The Mailman was very kind...

Today was the jackpot in the mailbox.  I expected to get my order from the the Loopy Ewe.  I just love that place.  You always get a little surprise with your order.  My order was the yarn for my future cardigan, pattern still undecided, Amy Butler Organic.  It really is lovely, if only I could choose a pattern...

Besides my order, I received the cutest little sock pattern and a tiny ball of yarn to make it.  A great idea for a Christmas decoration or gift topper.

I am still working on my KAL, but having to rip out so very much.  Again, I give thanks for my lifeline. I am definitely making slow process, but really have to make a conscious effort to knit alone so as to be as focused as possible.

Tomorrow, my other package...