New York Sheep & Wool, here I come!!!!!

I am so very excited, I feel like a 5 year old on Christmas Eve. Finally, I am getting to go to the Sheep & Wool Festival . It is only about one hour from where I live but it seems as though something always comes up every year and I cna't go . Well, we stayed home from the lake this weekend to catch up on the leaves and yardwork so tomoroow we are free and clear. I am taking my husband with me so that will put a hamper on my stash enhancement. Hmmm, maybe I can ditch him for a while. I sincerely hope all you knitters who attended today left some nice hand dyed/ homespun for me. I can't wait to see the Llhamas, Alpachas, goats, bunnies, etc..... Can ya tell that tomorrow's post will be picture laden!!!

More Saturday off-roading pixs!

From Vermont! Saturday Sky!

We spent the day today off-roading in our Jeep through the Green Mountain State Forest in Vermont. Wow, I really had a great time even though we were so high up that the leaves were gone, it was still breathtaking!

Stash Flash Wednesday

Well, the Noro is done all sorted and packed up! Want the tally??? It is 306!!! Yikes, maybe a Noro house cozy is in order!! Boy, Jodi you were pretty darn close in your guess , that's amazing.
What got me going on this clean up binge was when I saw the scarf CURVY on Anny Purls blog & she was doing it in Noro. I have made CURVY but I knitted it in DB Cashmerino in an orange colorway. But it knocked my socks off when I saw it in the Noro....so on my list it goes. I was horrified when I saw my beloved Noro in about 10 different bins so began the organization!
Well I have to finish my ISE 3 scarf this week then maybe I will begin.

My Tea Swap package came today. My "PAL" is Alyson from sunny Florida.
Thank you so much for all the goodies I feel sooo spoiled!! I do not know which cookie or tea to try first...maybe I will just stare at them for a few days. Oh, my, the yarn!!! DB PURE SILK I have never felt anything like that before! Then there is the Cashcotton with the angora and cashmere in it...yummmmm.
Lastly, Alyson read up on my blog to learn more about me and saw my post about Brian's Half Marathon in my sister's memory...she made a pledge for this, I am so very deeply touched that I cannot begin to tell you how I feel. HUGS , to you Alyson...

My Knitter's Tea Swap Came Today !

Saturday Sky-- a day late

We have just gotten back from a few days of repairs & raking at the lake...My camera went with us so here is my views of the Saturday Sky From The Lake!!! Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Now off to unpack and get back to catagorizing my Noro ( smile )

Stash Flash Wednesday

I have taken on the task of organizing my stash. I am sure it will take me at least a month as I have a stash of yarn that will last beyond my life expectancy. Today I am going to tackle my Noro stash. I will catagorize it and list it all on a spread sheet by color/dye lots...here is a photo of the Noro Kureyon only. I am guessing there must be aproximately 275 skeins(????) Anyone else gander a guess? I will let you all know what the total is as soon as I get done counting.... ( this is sad )

A Simple Message

A few years back I lost my sister to Multiple Myeloma, she was too young and it hit her too quickly. My Nephew ( her son ) is running a half-marathon with sponsorships going to cancer research. Please see more information here or here

The Swaps & the Soup

Mmmmm the only time of year I love to cook is when the weather starts to get cool. Here is a photo of some things I cooked-up this past Sunday. One is apple pie...this time of year screams *apple-pie* loud and clear!!! The Other is just some fishy thing I threw together and it came out quite good! I have been vegetarian for the last ten years and while I have never really been very good at thinking up vegetable recipes I have become ingenious with ways to use fish. This just started with vegetables, tomatoes and fish stock ( natural fish stock as I cannot handle preservatives ) then I added 2 large pieces of Cod cubed, a pound of fresh clams, and a pound od baby scallops topped it off with some freshly grated Locatelli.....yummmmm.

AS you can see from my side bar I have joined some Secret Pal Swaps. I have just posted today my package to Stephanie of the Mason-Dixon Swapcloth. I am sure she will laugh when she see my Linen Towel, as you could tell from my previous posts the Linen & I did not get along , hence no photo of that baby ( it was fun nontheless )!!!

The Knitters Tea Swap I had a good time with also. That one is all packed up and ready to go to Sarah H. in NC tomorrow, hope she likes it. I still do not know who *my pal* is but from her e-mails she seems quite nice--*waves* to you :)
I am putting all my attention now on the International Scarf Exchange III gift. I am using a color I usually do not knit with and that keeps it interesting, maybe I will have time to finish 2 scarves, there are 2 other patterns I have been dying to try. Please check out the ISE 3 blog, some of the scarves are magnificent!!! Drool...
When that is done I will get me some RED and work on the Red Scarf Project...be sure to check that one out on my side bar!!
Later All!!

Knitting!!

Okay, so I spent the entire (well, almost) summer knitting dishcloths/facecloths. The good thing is that I have gotten some homemade soaps and I am good to go for Christmas gifts/stocking-stuffers!! But now, boy do I feel the urge to finish up some of my *real* projects. First we have Ali's Afghan from Beaverslide done in double strands on size 13's in " Cottontail". Wow, is that yarn to die for, very soft with a gorgeous halo. Next up is the solid and reversible college afghan that I am making for my daughter, again, double stranded on size 15 needles. This is being done in acrylic as she has been known to throw things in the machine and (gasp) shrink!! Thirdly, I am thinking of making the DewDrop scarf...I have been considering some 100purewool I had gotten from ebay last year. I have pulled it out and put it on the top of my television to stare at for a while...I don't know why but I always have to think about a yarn and the pattern together for some time. So, as I am knitting on one project I will be thinking of another while staring at the yarn to be sure of my choice.Hmmm, I suppose there is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness (grin)!

Saturday Sky

I have just recently joined the Saturday Sky ring & I am proud to announce that this is my first photo. This was taken this morning looking out my front door, it is overcast today with a chance of rain and was a brisk 35 degrees at 6 a.m. when this was taken.
I am lovin this weather but not lovin the raking of leaves. We live on 6 *wooded* acres and we love the leaves in the summertime but curse every fall. Now that my father in getting on in years we also have his leaves to contend with. But all in all this is still my fav time of year!!

Yea, knitting content

On the knitting front I am still pluggin away on my Mason Dixon Exchange linen towel. God, I hate the linen, I just can't get into a rhythm on knitting this thing & I hate the way it looks it is definitely the worst piece of knitting I have ever done....Sorry Secret Pal I will make up for it with extra goodies in your box. On the other hand the towel I received from my pal is magnificent. Thank you Joni ! Look at the photo, this is what it is suppose to look like and NO I will not post a photo of mine.

I'm Baaaacccckkkk !

So sorry to anyone who reads my posts. I ended up at my father's longer than expected and was swamped at work by time I got back. I know that is no excuse but it sounds good. So hopefully I will be back on a regular blogging schedule.

The most wonderful time of the year

I just love the fall. I seem to come alive, maybe it's because I'm a fall baby. Who knows, but I adore the cooler temps and it just makes me feel very *nesty*. It is the only time of year I love to cook & bake, clean and knit and read!
I am looking forward to a few days R&R next week at the lake. I'll bring along my knitting and a few books that I had to put on hold for the summer.
I am in the middle of two books right now...the first is Sword and Blossom by Peter Pagnamenta & Momoko Williams, I started reading this in the spring but it was put on hold & I am looking forward to rejoining myself with it. The other my daughter gave to me yesterday and I began it last night...to my surprise I am enjoying it, which is truly a surprise as my daughter & myself are on opposite ends of the spectrum. It is Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner. I am also looking forward to reading The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell.. that will be the next on my list. Give them a try!

On My Wish List !

...if I win Lotto someday...it never hurts to dream....sigh
Lamborghini Diablo...drool
V12---530 bhp !!! Bet it can move pretty d*mn quick :)

Euroflax Linen, how do I hate thee, let me count the ways

UGH!!! I have had this Euro Flax Linen in my stash that I have been longing to use. I have also been longing to try the Mason Dixon handtowels...so what better way than to join the Euro swap exchange!! I happily cast on for the Moss Grid hand towel that is Mason Dixon..happy dance. Well it is stiff but I know it will soften.
Boy #5's just don't cut it...so rip it back & try again. Hmmm, looks better with #4's but these blasted bamboo needles are difficult, just don't like the stitch definition. RIP again...try my Knit Pick interchangables...great...ooops mistake...RIP again. By this time I am sick of the Moss Grid pattern so I cast on for the Chevron Stripes....hmmm change of scenery...nice....hmmm pattern doesn't seem to be working correctly. RIP, cast on again...hmmm, correct # of stitches still not right. RIP...DUH, maybe I should check with computer, maybe there is ERRATA....YEA there is!!!! Cast on AGAIN!! Hmmm....I still am not getting a full set of repeats by the time the end of the row comes along before the last K5... but I do have the correct 87 stitches.
Anyways I am off of work today so I am going to try another repeat row and hopefully I will not be RIPPING again.
If there are any knitters out there who read this blog I will gladly appreciate any and ALL input....But never fear dear secret swap pal you WILL get your towel by the deadline...I just may not have any hair left on my head!

"Sometimes there isn't anymore"

I have been very lazy about posting lately as it is my busy time of year at work, and frankly I am exhausted by the time I get home from work. But I feel compelled today...
My nephew had posted on his blog today & it was something that struck a cord with me. I will quote it partially, "...the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more. Sometimes what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away...never to return. So... while we have it...it's best we love it... and care for it ...and fix it when it's broken... and heal it when it's sick. "
Powerful words, these can apply to anything, the world we live in,loved ones, people we have a hard time getting along with, a jar of mayonaise ( well, maybe not mayo ) !! Naturally I think of my Mother & Sister & my husband's good friend who we lost in 9/11.
It also brings to mind a trip we made to Lancaster, Pa shortly after 9/11. We had stopped by a Mennonite woman's house as she had a Quilts For Sale sign outside...there was no way I was going home without a traditional quilt. She was a friendly woman and I commented to her that her flower garden was gorgeous! She went on the explain to me that they believe that they do not *own* the land they live on, just *rent* it from God and it is their JOB to keep it beautiful and fruitful so as it will not be 'all used up ' but rather kept in pristine condition for the next *renters* to come along.
Well, I think that I am very tired now and not making very much sense...but I still think about that old Mennonite woman and her words, sometimes I can see her face & I wonder if she is still enjoying her flowers like I did that day. I also wonder if she even knows how important those words she said were to me , part of me hopes she did!
Yup, Brian, somethings we keep because they are worth it 'cuz maybe someday there just isn't anymore !

Along with everything else I do in my crazy life I breed Angora and MiniRex rabbits.
Three weeks ago we had a litter of baby Rex, just thought everyone would enjoy a photo of one of the babies, they are just so cute at this age.

Yesterday I was e-mailed on who my Mason Dixon exchange partner would be. This was so exciting now I can finally begin work on the towels I have been wanted to start!! DH just doesn't understand...he wants to know why I would knit something for someone I do not know and then have someone else I do not know send me the same thing as what I sent to someone else...wouldn't it be easier just to knit it and keep it for myself and save the postage???? Men, they just do not understand !!!
I explained to him that I get great joy knitting for another knitter just for the plain fact that they appreciate the time and effort that goes into these things.( insert looong sigh here )
We are taking a day trip tomorrow ( sshhh...this trip is a secret between DH and myself ) and this will be a good project to begin on the long car drive, can't wait!

It's been quite a while

...since I have purchased some new yarns AND since I have last posted.
This is my crazy season at work & it just seems as though there is not even enough time to breathe let alone post.
But here I am!! I placed my first order with Knitpicks . I am most likely one of the few knitters who hasn't done so till now. I ordered their interchangable needles and some lovely colors of Shine. I was quite impressed! Most definately I will be ordering from them again. Although from the size of my stash I should NOT be ordering from anyone at any time...Someday I will post a photo of said stash...it will probaly take up at least 6 photos.

Almost Finished!!!

Just a few points to go !

cone flowers & the butterfly

Just having a little play time with my camera this morning, thought I'd share!
Anyone know what kind of butterfly this is?

what I did on my summer vacation

Phil and I took 4 days and made a visit to my father. We did get some time to relax and enjoy the lake but it was mostly a work time. While Phil managed to put new seamless gutters on the house and replace the brown soffits with the new white, my father and I tackled his breezeway porch which has been collecting *garbage* for the last few years rendering it not very usable. We carted off to the dump old magazines, newspapers and many old televisions that he has not been able to get out due to his age....although at 85 he really is quite spry and doesn't look a day over 70.
We have been having trouble keeping him off of the roof, every time we go up he has a ladder up on the front of the house. The house has a new roof and Phil was just up there about 4 weeks ago to clean the gutters ....now he has new seamless gutters on and I'll bet he will have that ladder up there again within a week trying to clean out the gutters!!! Maybe he is a little OCD, ya think.....
Also while there I surprised him with an early Christmas gift. I had a dish installed-photo above- so he doesn't have to suffer with one t.v. station anymore!!!

I managed to get in some knitting time. I began a new Irish Hiking scarf with Schaeffer yarns Marjaana which is silk/merino mix that is like butter to work with.


I also brought along some dishcloth patterns and completed two. One pattern was the dolphin from the Monthly Dishcloth KAL that was from early July.
The second cloth is a feather and fan pattern, it was so easy as I have done 2 or 3 F&F blankets and I think I can do them in my sleep at this point.

30 Things About Me

1) My husband is my soul-mate
2) It has been a long haul, but I love my daughters with all my heart
3) The other man in my life is my 4 year old grandson
4) I miss my mother & sister everyday
5) I have reached the top of the ladder in my career, and now I am tired of working
6) I want to retire
7) I love a good German wine but I hate beer
8) I want to live on a farm and tend livestock and put-up jams and jellies
9) I want to see Alaska/the grand canyon/ and take the train ride across Canada
10) I am afraid of heights
11) I will not wait on a long line for anything...nothing is that important
12) Mentally I still feel in my 30's & get scared when I look in the mirror
13) I am not a church-goer but worship God everytime I see a butterfly or the wind blowing thru the trees
14) I am too complex
15) I would love to race a modified dirt car
16) I cannot accept the fact that my life is 3/4 of the way over-still too many things I want to do
17) I still cannot accept the fact that I have Lupus and RA
18) I want to be able to wean off all the drugs I have to take to function
19) I AM thankful that my health is better than some people
20) I have trouble dealing with the fact that I cannot do all the physical things I used to do and need to ask for help
21) I do not need friends around me all the time- I enjoy being alone
22) I will never be at my goal weight
23) I love chocolate--hence # 22
24) I would love to take my Corvette on the track just one time around
25) Hmmm. I would love to own a Viper or maybe just drive one once
26) I am tired of cooking dinners
27) I wish I had a higher IQ
28) I love to knit and collect fine yarns
29) My favorite song is It's A Wonderful World
30) I love Sushi

more FO's

It has been a busy few weeks & that is my excuse for not posting. We had another dog show weekend and I will be leaving again this weekend...this time to visit my father. We are going there to put new gutters and toppers on his house in an attempt to keep the 85 year old man from climbing up onto the roof to get the leaves out ;))) Don't know if it will keep him off as he is very determinded man...

I did though manage to finish and block my Irish Hiking scarf and a round dishcloth. I am hopeful to get some easy relaxing knitting in this coming weekend while I am away & will post some more detailed photos when I return the middle of next week.
On the dog show front Jeter obtained his last major win so he only has a few minor wins to complete his Championship...we are giving him -and me- a 4/5 week break right now for R & R . These photos are from his last wins the weekend before last. New photos of this weekend's win I will post when photo arrives. A BIG thank you to Alessandra for handling him to that win this weekend!!!

This is cute

You Have a Phlegmatic Temperament

Mild mannered and laid back, you take life at a slow pace. You are very consistent - both in emotions and actions. You tend to absorb set backs easily. You are cool and collected. It is difficult to offend you. You can remain composed and unemotional. You are a great friend and lover. You don't demand much of others. While you are quiet, you have a subtle wit that your friends know well. At your worst, you are lazy and unwilling to work at anything. You often get stuck in a rut, without aspirations or dreams. You can get too dependent on others, setting yourself up for abandonment.

What Temperment Are You?

Here is one of those cutsie things I found on someone's blog. It was fun & surprisingly 'almost' correct...now, if only my computer can predict the future...

More dishcloths !

Wow, I can't get over how addictive knitting these dishcloths are! Here are some that I whipped up this past week. Two are the DW cloth which really shows off the definition of varigated cotton, they are mindless knitting which is a good thing during the busy summer months. The orange cloth is a simple stockinette stitch eyelet. I must admit though, I haven't had the courage to use them yet-don't want to mess them up...I have been told that they are the best thing for the kitchen & that once used I will never want to use a store bought cloth again...maybe someday, but right now they look really pretty stacked on my kitchen hutch!!

a good show weekend....

Well, we just got back from a 3 day dog show weekend...it was pretty good!!!
On the first day our Pup 'Jeter' took Best of Winners for 2 points, the next day Reserve Winners and on the third day, which was a Specialty Show, Jeter took winners dog for a 4 point Major win !!!! Go 'Jeter-bug'...I have uploaded some of the action from the show. Professional Win Photos come in the mail in about a week.

another FO

We had a rainy evening last night so I sat down and finished the Monthly Dishcloth KAL project...here it is waiting on the ironing board to be blocked. Looks like I did not pull in the center stitches tight enough...oh well, next one I will.
I am begining to work on the Mason Dixon handtowels in the linen, not lovin' knitting with the linen. I will post my progress shortly & I will be looking for suggestions!!!