Here is my big highlight. I made a friend 14 years ago online and we’ve emailed back and forth, kind of lost and found each other once or twice. We did talk on the phone a few times….but we had never met face-to-face. I can’t say that anymore!
We left home early so we could get here early enough for us to visit. She came to get me and we went to Starbucks for a few hours. It was a beautiful day so we sat outside.
Notice the Hannah Montana shirt, that’s a big thing in our house, too.
Isn’t it funny how you can make a friend online like that and just know you will click? We were right, we did. The time went way too fast!
We’ve been at a conference. Guess who else got to come….
We thought she was so cute with her hands…even if the picture is blurry.
I’ve been really lax at taking any pictures.
I get so lost around here. We drive back and forth to the church but I haven’t figured it out. I do have VZ Navigator on my phone right now, though, and that lady is really good at giving directions so I could actually venture out!
We ate lunch today at Sweet Tomatoes. It was great! We filled up mostly on salad…a huge buffet line…and then found out there was pasta, bread, pizza, soups and fruit as well as dessert. Good, too! We didn’t eat dinner tonight so that was kind of nice.
After the evening session, we had a great dessert at the reception. Some of our group went to Applebee’s but we really just wanted to grab a little something from the dessert table and head back home.
I finally finished sweet pea’s little hat again.
I’m having a heck of a time getting the football on it to look decent. I did finish it and they came down to our room to get it…but she was having NOTHING of that business of trying it on!
At the suggestion of my friend, we snuck over to a little yarn store after our morning session. We really didn’t want to take much time because we needed some down time after all we’ve been hearing at the conference.
Look what I got!
A Dream in Color Tulip sweater kit for sweet pea! I’ve always thought it was cute and they had one made up that was a little cuter than what I thought they were. I know, I know….I need to start finishing some of these projects I have bought or started.
We’re heading home tomorrow.
Tomorrow I start the 31 for 21, I’ve loosely committed to doing it…I’m not going to beat myself if I don’t get it done, but it should be fun!
Sometimes it just seems like the days fly by. If you’re here for knitting content there is a tiny bit at the end.
A few days ago, the little imp walked into the room. Heyyyyyy……..
Hi Mom!
Hey, little guy, have you been eating chocolate by any chance?
Whoops! Caught ya!
At least he didn’t casually say no.
Last night, I was vegging out on the couch and the door opened up. Look who came to visit!
Out for a walk with Mom and Dad.
I am so overjoyed these days with this little one. There is just nothing like watching your children become parents.
Walking home in the dark. Gotta love these kids. They’re such a great little family.
I am so grateful for the people at our church who take time to make a difference in the little imp’s life. He was invited today to do the offering.
Here he is waiting to go down the aisle. I did the same job last week and found out it’s harder than it looks!
And knitting? I started the knitting bag shown in the new Debbie Bliss magazine.
I’ve knit at least one bag so far in the process of getting through the first side. I read the pattern wrong the first 3 times…lol. I was attaching color A, B, C, &D with the wrong yarn. Don’t ask. I am always talking while knitting or reading a blog or something. I could not figure out why it didn’t look like the picture. Welllllll. Enough said.
Back to life. I have to admit, it was a little tough to get back to work, but I had a fun day ahead so it made it easier.
Before we came home, we parked the RV on the street and drove to Astoria for one last fling. They were having their street market and we’d always wanted to see that. It was closing time so we didn’t really get to see much but it was incredible.
There wasn’t a way to really capture it, but there were 3 blocks of little booths on both sides of the street! Plus there were food tents and music. Our little town has tried to get one up and running but evidently has met with a lot of resistance. There have been a few people who have faithfully been there every week, though, and you have to start somewhere!
When we got back to the RV, we ate and thought maybe the little imp better eat the rest of the ice cream before it melted. His favorite food!
I did get a little bit of knitting done…this is my Noro sock yarn and I thought I would knit from both ends. I think I am going to have to stop and re-wind the yarn because it is tangling like crazy on itself.
I really love the colors!
When we got home…we had to go visit that little sweet pea! Her mommy and I started trying on all the hats I have made her.
Hmmmm, not too happy.
This one actually fits! Good thing since Daddy is already watching football!
Last night our knitting group got together and started putting together the relay squares we knit during the Olympics. It is so exciting, 15 ladies knit these and we finished 2 days ahead of schedule!
Last night we got the squares laid out and the strips sewn. Now they have to be sewn together…it was so much fun!
When I got up yesterday morning, I was amused. When the little family was here the other night, the little imp and his brother in law went to the store for snacks (after a big dinner). They brought home cookies. When they left, we had two sitting on the table. When I got up…
Hmmm. At leas he was honest about where it went. He just smiled and pointed to his tummy.
The original plan was that they didn’t have spaces available in this park on the weekend because of a big car show so we were going to move to Astoria Friday. That wasn’t a bad plan other than using a lot more gas (it’s about half an hour from here, maybe). But right after we’d finished eating, the park manager came over and told us they did have a cancellation and we could stay, we’d just have to move to another space today. She no sooner had come to tell us and rvs and trailers started pulling in on both sides of us and all around.
One of the newcomers was not a happy camper, to say the very least. She was mad about how they were expected to park their trailer holding their car, she was mad about the space, she was mad about all kinds of things. Evidently, the other park manager had said, “You’re going to move that trailer, aren’t you?” because of the way they had it…she said, “Yes. And *you* will find us somewhere to park it!” Wow. These park managers are awesome and go out of their way to make sure everything is fine.
But, I digress. As all this craziness was going on all around us, the manager came over and asked us if we’d mind moving then instead of waiting until today. Gladly. It’s funny how what had been so relaxing and peaceful suddenly had become uncomfortable because we’re right in the middle of a party. The manager also told the unhappy camper that they could not move their rig one more time since they’d been in 3 spots already.
Before we could take our new spot, we had to go get propane a block and a half down the street. It’s so amazing that to move a few feet or go home, you have to prep everything the same way or the first bump and everything scatters. Once again, Dad had help driving there.
He did NOT like the sound of however they pump in the propane so we took pictures.
That’s bamboo. It entertained him for about 3 min. and that’s all we needed.
We got a great new site.
(note the driver)
We actually have a little more room. The people on the other side of us told us to move towards them about 8 feet because they didn’t need the room. We don’t feel like we’re in a full park at all.
We drove to Seaside in the afternoon. Here are a few pics from our day.
Because of the car show, beauties like these are all over the area.
We can’t pass the carousel.
For some reason, he thinks he is not supposed to smile. (this is thanks to big brother!)
Puppet show in the toy store.
Homemade ice cream at the ice cream shop.
And yes, I started a little bit of knitting.
Today was a nothing day for me. I didn’t fall asleep until about 5. It was the 2nd bad night this week so I haven’t done much at all today. I did get a good nap in and then decided to get productive.
I brought this project with me. I never have found the first doll I made for Sweet Pea. I was making a 2nd one but had the grand idea to add arms. Well, that was fine but then I had to add length to it because it wasn’t easy to get ahold of. I thought I’d add on a skirt and then figure out what to do with the underside but I wasn’t liking it so here it has sat for a week or so.
I had finally gotten the bug to figure out how to finish the doll when hubby came back from downtown with a treat for me. They make the best elephant ears here! I don’t think I’m going to be able to eat dinner tonight but it sure was good!
And while they were downtown, I did figure out the dolly. I like it.
We’re still alive and kicking here. We had company all weekend, my in-laws came to see little miss Sweet Pea. It’s been fun. The parents are tired but happy. Tomorrow is the new mama’s birthday….their birthdays are one week apart! August used to be our easy month but now we have the new fiance’s birthday, little Sweet Pea’s birthday, a wedding next summer and the new mama’s birthday. July was already a mess! No rest for this mom!
Here’s a little snapshot of the new little family…
Daddy loves her little fingers.
Here’s the new uncle taking a picture of me taking a picture of him…
When big brother came home from Mexico, he brought something fun for him, can you guess what it is?
Daily, I have to act surprised at Spiderman in the midst of our house!
I loved the sunset the other night!
We’ve had alternating days of sun and wild rain. Yesterday we had deep water running through the streets on our way home from church. It was dry when we went there and pouring buckets when we came out.
And I actually have some knitting content.
I’ve started a Baby Surprise Jacket 4 times now!
This is 2 of the starts. Actually, I started one before baby came. It was in generic colors. As soon as she came, I started one in the same yarn as the hat a few days ago. I loved it in the hat, hated it in the BSJ. So I started one out of this yarn. The first one I think the needle was just too small and the fabric felt so tight so I went up a few needle sizes and am much happier with it. I am almost to the end of one skein and will knit from the tight one next. I’m sure it will work fine and I’m too lazy to rewind it. I have been enjoying the knitting, though.
Do you remember my mystery stole from last summer? I had never blocked it. I wasn’t too thrilled with it and it just meant a lot to me that I actually finished it. The pattern itself I wasn’t too wild about. Well, one of my friends was with me the other day as I pulled it out to show someone and then stuffed it back in the bag it has lived in for this past year. She said she felt it had too much meaning to me to be stuffed away so she took it home and blocked it for me!
I have to admit it looks a lot nicer blocked, but it’s still a strange pattern.
Hmm, I should have checked to see if it was right side out….I’ll look tomorrow.
The significance of the whole thing to me is it marked the end of a long period of time that was very difficult for me emotionally and I was determined to stick with something and see it through to the end. I did it even when I realized it wasn’t going to be something I liked and that has a lot of significance to me. I am very grateful that my friend insisted on doing the last step! Thanks, Lauri!
As soon as I finish the BSJ, I’m going to make a few Saartje’s booties now that I have a little girl to knit for! Oh, the endless possibilities now!!!!
The due date hasn’t even come yet, but it’s funny how we all are so expectant. Things are slowly getting ready and that could change at any minute. But still no little sweet pea. You can actually watch baby moving around in mommy’s tummy and even can tell what’s what (well, little feet and the little “hiney”…..but the little sweet pea isn’t ready yet to make an entrance. I’m just feeling wildly excited to meet the little one, but not until it’s time.
In the meantime….I made a little hat. I just had new yarn, I have no idea who will get it but it was a fun, quick project.
I kind of made it up as I went along. I just wanted to get through all the colorways.
I got a fun package in the mail the other day.
All the way from Austria! Look at the fun little surprise inside.
I love looking at it so I haven’t opened it yet to taste. I am quite sure I’m going to love it. This was from a sort-of trade. A friend on Ravelry wanted an Elizabeth Zimmermann book so I sent her that and some other things and she sent me some yarn and candy!
I got my coffee delivered from the Caffiene Addicts swap, too! It’s so good! Peet’s coffee. I’m not sure I’ve ever had it before but it was roasted on Aug. 12 so it couldn’t be any fresher!
The other night we met up with the kids after they’d been to the midwife. (very little progress in a week)
They’re so much fun!
When we left, I was so taken with the clouds in the sky.
All the way home, the colors kept changing but it’s really hard to get pictures while the car is moving. This one is the best I managed and it was only about 3 minutes after the first one which I took in the parking lot before we left.
I’ve gotten my mindless knitting started so when the big call comes, I can just grab it. I started socks out of the yarn from Austria….it’s Lana Grossa Meilenweit Cotton. I’m using 000 Addis. I am so not thrilled that my gauge has gotten so much looser so I went down another needle size and I’m liking the fabric but sheesh. I was concerned about it but when I read on Ravelry about people’s frustration, the clear message was…. don’t try to change your gauge, change your needle size. I knew that but really. I used to be able to knit on 0s and get the same gauge. Before that, I was happy knitting socks on 1s.
I also started a Baby Surprise Jacket. I bought a kit in February, but it was 4 colors and I really don’t like to stripe the way they planned it and for the life of me, this wasn’t making any sense to me so I decided to use some Poems yarn that softly changes color itself and after I’ve made one, I can figure out if I want to make one striped or not. Everyone says you pretty much need to make one before it makes any sense. I’m getting to where it’s pretty easy now to knit almost mindlessly but I do know there are a few rows that everyone seems to get confused on. I’ve got to find the notes everyone seems to be referring to before I get to that point.
I keep packing and re-packing my knitting bag so when we get to go to the hospital, I’ve got everything I need…..mindless project, BSJ, extra camera battery and charger, iPod (if it makes it into the bag). What else is important? We have a bag in the trunk that has munchies and water…but I keep joking that if Sweet Pea doesn’t get here soon, I’m going to have to buy more water. The rest I am staying out of. yea, me!
I have the best sp12! I know she is leaving on a trip, but she still took time to spoil me
.
Chocolate once again…yum. She got me the most beautiful, soft yarn, I love it! She also got me this fun bag, I turned the edges down so you can see the inside of it. The yarn looks great with it! I also love the cherry blossom note cards. One thing I do know about her, she loves pink. I like it, too…so it’s fun. I think it’s going to be fun finding out about her after we reveal who we are.
Isn’t the bag pretty? I love pink and red together and it has this bright green cord to close it with … I love it!
Yesterday felt grueling to me. It was really hot outside, it was hotter inside and I felt like I just got wiped out. Right after I got to work, I heard sirens and more sirens but I was busy with someone then. Afterwards, I found out that there was a rollover accident a block from us on the main street! Evidently a car was trying to change lanes, clipped the back of a little pickup and flipped over onto the top and came to rest with the hood on the ground and the back end up in the air. The driver was still inside, upside down. I did have to watch them take her out, I don’t think she was hurt badly. Bizarre. All day we kept hearing squealing brakes. I was happy to come home.
I was so overheated, I took my knitting and Ravelry and sat on our deck until the wind came up and I was cold.
Today was hotter but for some reason, it didn’t get as warm inside. I had 2 fans going and that must have helped.
The sp12 question of the week is:
What Olympic event would best describe you knitting/knitting style?
I am at a bit of a loss. I finally looked up the Triathalon and this is exactly what I’d been thinking about:
The very first triathlon was in California in 1974. The Olympic committee announced that the triathlon would become an Olympic event in 2000. Triathlons have three parts swimming, cycling, and running, and they happen one right after the other.
To be in the triathlon you need a swimming suit, a pair of swimming goggles, a bicycle helmet, a bicycle and a pair of running shoes and a running vest. Some athletes also wear a wetsuit and cycling shoes.
The Olympics triathlon is a distance triathlon. The athletes swim for about one mile, cycle for about 25 miles, and then run for about six miles.
That’s all you need so … Swim your best! Don’t give up onSwimming! You also have to run up the mountains. Run your best! Don’t give up on Running!Cycle your best! Don’t give up on Cycling!
This is what kind of knitter I try to be. I try to do my best, I try not to give up. Sometimes I fall down, sometimes I get stuck….but I’m always up for the challenge and I like to push myself in a variety of “events” … but all I have to do is do my best and don’t give up!
Yes, I have done it! It was totally painless. Of course, it was a sock and not a fair isle sweater….but how fun to have tried it and had it work! I started Cat Bordhi’s Houdini sock at Stitch n Pitch and hadn’t worked on it since the game. Tonight I finished the “footprint” and inserted the needles for the steeking.
Then I snipped and unravelled.
The sock fits! I knit the inch before starting the pattern on the cuff of the sock which was to use another method (the name escapes me right now). It took me so long to do 3 stitches even though I knit the previous row very loosely as she suggested but for all that work, I wasn’t horrible fond of the look so I’m going to find another cuff pattern. I’m thrilled, though!
I got my Olympic knitting done….my share of the Relay blanket. I think we decided to call ourselves the Friendship Knitters. We are so far ahead of schedule. I was 3rd on the list and the knitting started at 5 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 8. I got my call to start my block at 12:35!!!!!! I was no where near ready to start. I had gone to get my hair cut and foiled and had barely gotten to work when I got the call. #4 on the list was knitting there already so I traded places with her. She, too, is a fast knitter so she passed the needles to me again in the early afternoon. By then I was ready and got mine done that night. I think we are on number 8 now. Such fun! I think we’ll do it again but maybe in a different format.
I love the color of these blocks. We had 6 colors I think. We each got to pick a page of patterns. The garter stitch was my warm-up event. The first square (triangles) was my relay block, and the checkerboard is my final event. These aren’t blocked yet, but I’m happy with them, they are the same size and so far every one I have laid it up against it has been the same size!
Tonight I got to deliver a baby gift for Sweet Pea.
I absolutely LOVE this. The pattern is “Moonbeam” and it’s an adorable little cape with a hood.
I love the little wall plaque. This baby is fortunate to have 2 very wise parents….but I am so happy that this new father is going to make us very proud.
Isn’t the card cute?
And I love the little label inside. The designer is Kim Hargreaves. I want to knit this myself.
Another friend gave her a copy of this drawing from the 40s.
I also wanted to show the little bear that daddy’s grandma made him when he was a little boy. She just passed away so it is even more special. His mom put a very sweet card on his neck. I could just cry it’s so sweet.
#1 son and his fiance leave in the early morning for their mission trip to just south of Tijuana, Mexico. They have been to the same village several times. In fact, mama-to-be went down there and stayed for 6 weeks all by herself because she wanted to experience life in a village without having the comfort of her friends and team. She stayed with a missionary family that our church as come to know quite well. The kids are going to build a home for a family. The only hard thing is they are sad to possibly miss the arrival of the baby that will make him an uncle for the first time. God knows the day and the hour and He knows they were going to be on this trip so it’s all in His hands.
It’s been so crazy busy here. Here’s a long, picture-heavy update.
Last Saturday, the mama-to-be had a shower on the daddy’s side of the family. I couldn’t go because I have been missing so much work and will miss more when baby comes. Here she is with a gift from a knitting friend of mine that I gave her before the shower.
These are little leggings from Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitters Almanac. How cute are they! They’re made from sock yarn. What a treasure.
I’ve been trying to get myself prepared for that big trip to the hospital. We got some snacks to leave in the car. Now it looks like there will be more of us headed to the hospital than I thought. #1 son is going on a mission trip next week and is really hoping baby makes it’s appearance before that. He and his girlfriend want to be there even if it’s in the middle of the night. I’m thinking we may fill the waiting room!
Things are definitely progressing…she went to the doctor today and she’s beginning to dilate and all those good things. She continues to swell terribly but so far no sign of danger there.
She was horribly disappointed that she didn’t get to go to Stitch n Pitch this year but when the time actually came, she was happy her hubby said no….she can barely walk because of the swelling.
But….we all took off for a day of adventure.
He’s ready.
We stopped to fill up….we actually got 30 cents off with our Safeway card. Who’d ever think it would be exciting to pay only $3.89 for gas!
We got there early and got a great parking place a block from Safeco Field.
I always get excited walking up to the ballpark.
It was especially fun to see Shanda and Julie standing there in front. Right after I snapped the picture, Shanda tried to call me not realizing we were waiting to cross the street. Shanda managed to disappoint a little lady who was excitedly running around the stadium looking for the ballplayers who were signing autographs. She told her they were Devil Rays, not Mariners. lol She wondered why the poor lady had walked right by the ballplayers a few minutes before and wasn’t interested then. Methinks the Mariners wouldn’t be hanging around outside the stadium before the game.
We always end up waiting outside, the first ones to get through the doors. It’s all because we don’t want to pay for parking.
On the first leg of the trip to the 3rd level…we found all the escalators, including the one that almost did me in. It was 2 stories high and me with my fear of heights was getting pretty shaky by the end of it.
The family.
The first pitch was thrown by Larissa Brown, author of Knitalong. She said she practiced a lot but was really nervous when she got out there.
I started the Houdini socks by Cat Bordhi…a great mindless project for the game. I’m almost ready to close the heel.
Ichiro in his famous stance.
and Raul Ibanez, my favorite Mariner (who happened to win the game for us once again!)
We walked down and got our books signed by Larissa Brown. Isn’t her pinwheel blanket beautiful? She’s so sweet.
It was such a beautiful day and evening.
Here’s the little bride with her knitting….she’s making leg warmers.
I always love the people who come out and rake the dirt. They didn’t dance for us this time, though.
It was pretty exciting when JJ Putz came out to pitch.
And then the best part of all….and unfortunately, my memory card filled up….but this is when Raul hit the homerun that won the game.
I bought a new memory card tonight…this is so ridiculous how often my silly card is full. I need to figure out how to auto-delete on this camera, I’ve only had it a year! I had meant to buy a new card on the way to the game, though…and forgot every time we went into a store that would have them.
Today as the Olympics started, a group of us started our Olympic event. We’re doing a relay, knitting squares for a blanket to be donated to a women’s shelter here in our community. Each person gets a “training” square that could be started during the opening ceremonies. (5 a.m. our time). I know of at least one person who actually got up at 5 to start knitting. Then they can start their “relay” block when they get the call from the person before them. We had 2 very fast knitters in the front of the line. I suspected I’d be getting the call sometime today because I was 3rd in line, but imagine my surprise when that call came at 12:30 this afternoon!
I had such a crazy morning. I went for to get my hair cut and foiled at 9 a.m. and got out of there at almost noon. I wasn’t ready for work or anything so I was late getting there. One friend was there working on her training block and when I got my call, I switched places with her. In no time at all, she finished hers and I was back in the starting gate. I’m afraid I have slowed up the progress…lol. I feel for the person following me because I’ll call her in the morning and I’m sure she expected she’d be doing hers next week sometime! I’m sure things will slow down at some point, but it’s so exciting to see the enthusiasm. I was reading my Knitalong book while knitting this evening and I get to frog back a few rows as a result..but I’m really pondering her insight on knitting together. Lovin’ it!
When we finish our relay block, we have our final event….our last block. When we’re all done, we’ll get together at knit night and assemble the whole thing.
And now, I must get this block done and get to bed so I don’t end up being a very tired Grandma when I get to meet my little sweet pea!
We are halfway through sp12. I have a great secret pal who has made it a lot of fun for me because she really tries (and succeeds) at doing things that I love. That makes it fun and I do hope to make it more of a 2-way get-to-know-you after this is over. She’ll be fun to stay in touch with.
Here’s this week’s question….
Have you ever entered your knitting (or anything else) in the fair? Would you ever consider it?
No, I have never entered anything in the fair. I think I never think my finished objects are really good enough. I know I’m a good knitter, but I am so critical of my mistakes. (aren’t most of us?)
I have watched a good friend of mine with delight as she knit the yarn that she spun into a shawl and entered it this year. I guess I will vicariously live through her fun. She finds out today how she did because the fair opens today. She’s headed right after work.
Sadly, at our fair you see mostly Red Heart projects….pot holders, afghans, those dish towels with crocheted tops, and many, many stuffed animals.
It is my hope that the judges see the worth of my friend’s project. If they do, I think it will inspire other friends of mine to participate again. In the past some did but clearly the judges were on another wavelength. I don’t mean to sound critical but a very intricately knit shawl of one’s own design really does not compare to some of the things they were put up against and the comments were heartbreaking.
Ok…this is making me think.
I never realized before I started knitting again what a huge world it was as far as how endless the opportunity to learn is. I realized early on that one could knit socks for the rest of their lives and never learn it all. There is top down, toe up, short-row heels, standard heel flaps, lace, plain stockinette and endless patterns. Then if that isn’t enough, you get Cat Bordhi coming up with her new pathways methods. You can use double-points, 2 circulars, magic loop. Then if you think you got that all figured out, Cat comes up with her Houdini sock (have you seen that? wow!) I could go on and on, but do you get my point?
From the beginning of my return to knitting, I somehow caught the vision for the opportunity to learn. A friend recommended “Knitting Without Tears” and that blew my mind wide open for opportunity to understand knitting in a whole new way.
I would never have thought socks would become a mindless project for me. I was one who couldn’t knit 2 stitches without constantly checking out the pattern. I was nervous and terrified of errors. Now it doesn’t scare me at all…anything is fixable or so what if you have to frog it all and find another project for the yarn?
It’s really funny how some people look down their noses at knitters. When people ask me, “Do you ever do anything but knit?” I’ve learned to respond, “I bet you watch tv at night, too.” Knitting gives us a way to redeem the time. I am almost never worried about having to wait for something if I have my knitting along to fill the time. I love that it has taken the edge off my fidgeting. I’m almost disappointed if I don’t get a few minutes when I have to wait for the kids or an appointment.
So…I didn’t expect that this simple question would get me thinking so much….but there you have it.
Today I’m trying to plan my Stitch n Pitch knitting for tomorrow!
