Sorta Secret Project......

Well, I was asked to proof a kit for a friend of mine-and, of course, I jumped at the chance. I can tell you it is a sock kit. But from there on in- lips are sealed. I CAN tell you that this yarn is "like butta". The colours are really wonderful- warm, shade on shade of colour-very, very appealing. So that is going very well. Annie is in heaven today-as is the big Bear-Sean's sister and children are coming for a visit. The kids always have fun together. And I am going to get in some knitting time! And Ruby- da package is in da mail!!!

What is happening chez ici.

One day, Bear found some interesting looking big black things out in his yard. "Hmmmm-," said he. "I wonder what the Daddy Man is up to today."

So he looked up on the roof, and, lo and behold! There was his beloved Daddy Man! "Whacha doin' up there, Daddy Man?" he asked in his most precise Poodle-ese. DaddyMan hollered down- "Yer Ma wants a warmer pool. So she's going to get a warmer pool."

"Far out," said the Poodle.

Later in the day, the "little sister who must be avoided at all costs unless she has food" said-"Hey dad. The pool temp is 85 degrees F."

(Please ignore the crazed look in the eyes and the attachment of the hand to a water gun. They are both figments of your imagination. And the picture taker did not get THAT wet)(Although the kidlet was told to walk away from the water pistol. Quietly and without any sudden movements.)

Even the gigantic dragonflies seemed to like hanging out with the new warmer temperatures in the pool.

Gee, solar heating for the pool is nice. 85 is such a nice number.

I love these questionnaires.....

you are turquoise #40E0D0

Your dominant hues are green and blue. You're smart and you know it, and want to use your power to help people and relate to others. Even though you tend to battle with yourself, you solve other people's conflicts well. Your saturation level is higher than average - You know what you want, but sometimes know not to tell everyone. You value accomplishments and know you can get the job done, so don't be afraid to run out and make things happen. Your outlook on life is bright. You see good things in situations where others may not be able to, and it frustrates you to see them get down on everything.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

I found this from Wanietta's blog (see sidebar)-and of course, it is soooo true to life (yeah, right!!!) But I do get a kick out of them anyway!

My knees and hips are killing me today-I usually don't let it get to me, but wow- it is a real problem. I have housework to do and all matter of things to finish- but what am I doing instead? Oh, knitting and watching old movies. But it does make my joints feel better- truly it does. So knit I will!!!!

For my friends, Abby and Gusmeister

Dear Gus and Abby,
I was starting to look too shaggy- kinda like these guys........

And da Big Bear was getting too hot!

But I is way too tired to show off my new do.

I is dreaming of romping around with two bulldog peoples. I promise I play nice!

Love,

Bear

PS- My momma says I is way too big for this girlie little rocker, but I promise- I very comfortable!!!!

Musings......

There are times when I wish that I either 1)didn't sleep at all (I already sleep shortened hours-much less than anyone I know); or 2) had 6 arms so I could knit multiple projects at the same time; or 3) had a magic wand so that the boring parts could go ever so quickly and I could concentrate on the fancy shaping/design parts. I am almost finished my Filatura di Crosa 127 Print sweater. I LOVE this yarn. It is soft, lovely to knit up and has surprising colour changes to keep things interesting, but long runs of solid colour to keep things flattering on this body. This yarn needs to be knit in solid stockingnette stitch, or else the patternwork would get lost.

Please excuse the poor quality of this photo-but it is to try to give you an idea of the beauty of this yarn. I used the same yarn (in the wine colourway) for the sweater in Big Girl Knits-this is from the book.

I am very proud of this sweater-it isn't showy, but it has some very flattering elements in it for larger ladies-and it also demonstrates a way to use self-striping yarns in a different way. The centre panel is knit in cables, in the traditional bottom up. Then side panels are picked up and knit towards the back (back panel is plain, with ribbing at the waist to cinch it in a bit, although one could simply knit another cabled panel). There are gussets in the armpits to give extra "give" in the bust area. There are also instructions to add short rows to the hip area, should one need extra space there. And a funnel neck is so much more tailored than a cowl. (one needs tailored with so much else going on!) I have 20 balls of this yarn in black, and I was playing around with a short row design (thinks lots of triangles that fit together). I really am not sure what it wants to be yet. But the red (above)? That is going to be my "long, roomy, wear with leggings on a Saturday or on a dress down chilly day" kind of sweater. I considered purling all of the coloured bits to make them stand out, but I didn't. (although I think it would have looked very neat). But an extra set of arms or a magic wand would be great to zip through the finishing, or the plain bits, or the blocking. I am also working on the Goddess Knits Mystery Anniversary Shawl KAL- great fun.

Now to go and grow that extra set of arms.....maybe I need to go hang out at a nuclear waste site..........

Lace Class

My LYS has asked if I would teach a lace class, in the fall, and, of course, I said yes! I like teaching (good thing, too- since I have been teaching full time since 1981!!!) But teaching knitting is a bit different. I understand that the class is going to be made up of newbies, some middle of the road knitters- the ones who knit very well, but need a little push to get started on a lace project, and probably some veteran lace knitters. Soooooo-what to teach to that group??? I will probably have 2 hours-enough to intro the stuff, talk about different types of lace, demonstrating usual symbols on charts and a typical cast on-but they might want some kind of hands on activity. But in 2 hours????
Anybody taught one of these workshops, or have been to one and can suggest ideas? (or flame others?)
Email me (debDOTseanATsympaticoDOTca -just change the words to symbols- you know what to do).

Woolmeise

Okay, it's official- there's a new kind of crack cocaine in town. It comes up to you quietly, slinking into your neighbourhood without too much excitement. They call it Woolmeise. Yeah, I'm sure you've seen all the craziness on Ravelry-why is it so addictive, so smooth, so rich in colouration, why oh why do we want it so?


Be prepared- the images following are not for young children, faint of heart, or those weak willed in the audience (ask me how I know that last one). I got up at an ungodly hour, I started the vigil to the posting of the yarn, I had my Paypal and credit card all lined up and ready.....and ......and....and....one week later, I have the makings of a beautiful shawl/wrap, or else I have a lovely "reach out and touch me" display-if I don't ever get the right nerve up to crack open one of these babies- and please, keep in mind, that my camera does not like to catch "red" in its images, so multiply the beauty of the yarn that you can see by about 72 jillion (that's a technical knitting term)-
And yes, the blurriness does exist- but it is the truest colour of all my shots. (These babies, by the way, are resting comfortably on yet another red loveliness- my Filatura di Crosa 127 Print "Boyfriend Sweater"- for me. It still needs a sleeve- but it is truly an amazing yarn, in an amazing colourway.)
Why not go over to the Wollmeise website, click on the different yarns, and go and drink in some yarny goodness. Ya know ya wanna.

The Homestead......

Lately, we have been working like crazy to tidy up and clean up the yard. I have noticed that now that we have a pool, there are many more requests for visits. Oh well- that's part of having a pool. I just want to make sure the yard looks nice. I don't have a bright green thumb, so my gardens will never be spectacular. But we manage. See for yourself! (sorry about the weed eater lounging on the swing-there should be a cushion there instead!)

I have taken on a challenge- the "Goddess Mystery Anniversary Shawl Knitalong". It is a circular pi-type shawl, and I wanted one with a bit of weight for the winter (love the look of a wooly shawl wrapped around one's coat!)so I went with Fleece Artist blue faced Leicester 2/8 (sort of a light fingering weight)in a hot pink/blue/greeny colour- I think it might be "Jester" or a forerunner of it (it has been marinating for quite some time in the stash!!!) But I am almost done Clue 3, and Clue 5 comes out on Friday. So I had better get cracking!!!!

I am not sure how to properly take a photo of it- I might take it off the stitches after Clue 5 and put it on a thread- just to look at it. I will take a photo then.

Looks Can Be Deceiving.........

My next door neighbour is having a birthday-and I made cupcakes.
These are the cupcakes (No kidding!!!)
All instructions are in a great book called "Hello, Cupcake!" by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson. Worth a look!!!

Bear says he no like dem boom booms

BOOM BOOM! Ta Ta Ta ta BOOM!

We, however, really did. We went over to RMC and watched them over the water. Great Canada Day!

This is our "group".

And our view (isn't Kingston lovely?)

And THIS is the amazing basket that I got from a student. I just LOVE it. It is lightweight, large enough to carry a book or two, some knitting, the telephone- whatever! And I could even put a picnic in it (as it was meant to be).

And today is the day to sit and knit a bit until the rain stops, then go out and weed!! (should be a major job)

14 Years ago today......

I was out buying a pair of shoes and finishing off a headpiece- I think I even cooked a couple of things- for the big event that changed my life (for the better!!!) I married Sean.

We got married in the evening, in his parents' backyard, with about 40 people. We didn't have a head table, I had new white Birkenstocks, the weather was fabulous, Sean wore a tuxedo (whoo baby-what a hunk!), and we both cried (I would have been okay, but he started first- and well, that broke me).

Here's to another 14 years, at least!

I love you, honey!!!!

Happy Canada Day!!!!!!!

And here it is again- a beautiful day, weather-wise, I am on holidays, life is good! And here are 10 best reasons to love Canada (courtesy of sympatico) http://lifestyle.sympatico.msn.ca/100+reasons+to+love+Canada/Living/NEWContentPosting_HM?isfa=1&newsitemid=258711&feedname=TRANS-HOMEMAKERS&show=False&number=0&showbyline=True&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc&date=False
Interestingly enough, the tenth good thing is actually Tim Horton's!!!! (Since I am a teacher, there are always gifts at the end of the year-I feel kinda funny taking them, but at the same time, quite honoured. Anyway-this year, I got $35.00 (!!!!) in Tim Horton's gift cards (among other things) Oh my! I usually start the day with a thermos of coffee-I guess the kids were paying attention!)
I also got the neatest thing- it is a storage basket-given to me as a picnic basket-and since I can't seem to get Blogger to insert picture here- you will have to wait until Blogger is over its hissy fit!
Off for a swim-Gee I love summer holidays!!!