Tears for a horse

I'm enjoying my time away from work, sprucing up the house a little, actually cooking meals (WOW) but oddly enough, not much knitting is going on. I hope today....

Last night I went to see the Movie Seabiscuit. I have to admit to having little interest in the movie beforehand, but that is what my friend wanted to see, so, "meh". I LOVED IT! Go to see it if you get the chance. Of course, I will be buying the book now. The book is always better than the movie. That means it must be one darned good book! I have to admit to shedding quite a few tears for that horse! That's a new one on me. Crying for a horse. Everyday brings something new.

rodents

There is a mouse in my house. I saw him run across the kitchen floor last night. EEEEEKKKK!!

And we are not talking computer mouse here. A real life, furry, quick, squeaky mouse. The kind that has lots and lots of extended family come to live with them once they get settled in a comfy place.

Now, you would think having a cat would take care of this problem, wouldn't you?

Yah, well. So much for that theory. The mouse and his family could do a conga line in front of sleeping beauty here and it wouldn't wake the kitty!

Hubby is in charge of mice removal. Thank goodness. I don't want to hear or see what is going on. It's best that way.

Knitting? Yes, I knit on the I can smooch 2 tank last night. It looks just like the back so, I will spare you a look. Here's the link to it, if you want to gaze at it lovingly. http://sandysknitting.blog-city.com/photo.cfm?WF_WAID=144&WF_ID=8887 Please don't drool on it. :)

Where to find the crazy daisy

Hey Blog Readers

Are you trying to find that Crazy Daisy, At my Wit's End, Kerstin herself? Here's the address of her new blog! Go check her out!

http://www.crazydaisy.us/

More later.......

Take a peek

Like a mother of a newborn, I expect to fall in love with a knitting project immediately: fully and unexplicably. I was worried when it did not happen with the lazy falaise-y sweater. But, like the mother of the newborn, it was bound to happen. How could I not love it? The texture is unique, the color vibrant, the stiping is so fun, and well.....sassy! What's not to like?? I will definitely be noticed while wearing a sweater of this color, that's for sure.

After today I am on vacation for 2 glorious weeks! YIPPPEEEEE!!!!!

Again, please swipe the "Are you Kind" button on the left. Spread it around, please.

Are you kind?

Check this out....http://www.girlfromauntie.com/journal/030621.asp

And then check out my new button! Swipe it if you wish.

Two entries in one day....continue reading....

thunderboomers and earthshakes

Bring it on, Mother Nature! And bring it on, she did! We started the day yesterday with an earthquake. Yes, that's right. My house rumbled and vibrated and there was no loud teenage music in earshot, no big truck zooming by or any body running up and down the stairs. It was a 3.6 in magnitude. Hey, California, you can keep the earthshakes.

Then, so we don't get bored, we move on to the extreme thunderstorms. 3 of them over the course of the day. And night. I happen to like a thunderstorm, but not the kind that you swear just hit a part of your home. Loud and scary these were. EEK!

Shortly after the earthquake and right at the start of storm number 1, poor Figgy hid under the chair. He shared his hiding space with a remote control car. Here's the fraidy cat exhausted from staying here all day. He fell asleep on the car, with paws under it. Believe me, if there were more room under there, you'd be seeing a picture of Bethany too. Her lightning phobia is kicked up a notch now. Well, the good news is that there are more on the way today. Get the hiding space all spruced up for the chickens.

Okay bloggers, the family and I are taking a drive up to Toronto Canada for our family vacation. On our way, we will stop at Niagra Falls. Toronto is the hockey hall of fame, just so you know the point of the whole trip. What else should we check out? Any ideas?

suki knit along buttons

are you kind

button by Gib

here's a song to stick in your brain..

Monday, Monday...so good to me

Monday morning, it was all I hope it would be...

Where did the weekend go to? Did I have a weekend? Oh, I must have because I have this to prove it...

Yes, that's right. The beginning of the lazy falaise-y sweater. Tres orange, no? I told you that I had it bad. I just HAD to start this. It's a sickness. It's looking a tad curly right now. I'm hoping it's the needle, not the knitting. I am using a circular inox. Pardon me if these are your personal favorite, but I dislike it very much.

So, there you have it. knitting and a song stuck in your brain. What more could a person ask for??

A story

Yesterday went something like this...

I had two goals. Get to the yarn store in the next town to buy an addi turbo to replace what is now Alison's Inox needle and knit on the crazy falaise-y. That was all it was going to take to make me one happy camper. So, I rushed home from work to give Derek a ride to work. This is where I snuck the trip to the yarn store in. And promtly got stuck in traffic. Drats. Salem is a bear in the summer. Danged tourists! Okay, patience is tested, but not strained. Got the needle (hallelujiah!) and rushed off to the post office to get that errand done. Blasted off to the grocery store, which seems to be my local hangout lately. I spend more time there than with my husband. I could actually walk in at Stop and Shop and say, "honey I'm home!" Bomb home to cook dinner. baked ziti by the way. Yes, I know it was hot and humid, but this is the fastest easiest meal I could deal with yesterday. While it's baking, Bethany calls from the movies for a ride home. I tell her she has to wait until the supper comes out of the oven, in essence, stranding my daughter and her friend at the mall for about 45 minutes. She'll get over it. Hubby has a softball game, he smooches me and saunters out the door. Ziti out, me in car. Drive Bethany's friend home, we get to eat dinner. Barely. I get to knit about 1 and a half rows at this time. Heaven. Oh, my! Look at the time. Time to pick up Derek from work. I slip on my fuzzy slippers. Yes, that's right. My slippers. Why? Well, because previously I had driven with sandals or barefoot and my poor tootsies had that end of the day whining starting. I think to myself...."should I bring my knitting in case I have to wait?" Nah, he always is waiting for me. I pull up at Shaw's. No Derek waiting. Okay, I park illegally in front, car running to signify to all who care that I am, indeed waiting for someone. I wait...I wait....I wait.....7:45pm.....7:50.....SIGH....I'm feeling like I want to go into the store to find out what is going on. But remember what is on my feet? Yes, that's right. Fuzzy slippers. Okay, I say to myself. I'll wait until 8:00 then leave. He can call me. Okay, I'll just wait until 8:05. That's it. I drive home. Guess who is there to greet me?? Yes, that's right. Sweetie Pea Derek. He says, "Oh, I got a ride from someone." OH. Well. That explains it then.

I have been reduced to this. It was bound to happen!

But then, I did get some quality knitting time in. Blissfully. The addi turbo is working out much better. Thank you for your advice. Do you all work for addi? :)

Come swoon with me

I have so many irons in the knitting fire. But that did not stop me from starting this...

This is the Friday Harbor sock from Nancy Bush's Knitting on the Road in Mountain Colors, red tail hawk color. I love this yarn so much. Why don't I marry it? Maybe I will. I've been a little obsessive about this sock this weekend. This is the sock that I tried a couple of months ago but could not figure out. I threw my hands up in disgust at it, as a matter of fact. The thing that was giving me trouble was this stitch....P2sso. pass 2 slipped stitches over. The first failed attempt had me passing only 1 stitch over, so obviously, I had extra stitches at the end of the row. Now I get it! (slaps forehead) It's really pretty, in my "Gestault" style to borrow a phrase from Stonering.

I am also currently swatching for the Becky wannabe phildar sweater. All together now....."What!!?? Sandy is swatching???" Yes, I am swatching. Unbelievable, but true. The falaise yarn is quite, well, funky. It is stretchy, which I did not expect. It is a very different experience knitting with stretch. Do I pull it? Do I let it slack? No, I suspect I have to use it "perfectly". Whatever that it. Hence, swatching. Better known as experimenting.

I am listening to a wonderful singer named Michael Buble. Savvy longtime Sandysknitting readers will remember me mentioning him in the past. (All 2 of you!) I feel compelled to mention him again. Please, if you like big band/jazz music, smooth voiced handsome singers, please go to this website and listen to his songs...especially Come fly with me. <swoon> http://michaelbuble.com/home.php I was born too late to swoon over Frank Sinatra, although I do swoon to his younger self. Go swoon yourself.

You old bag!

Hey Sandy! What's in the bag?

Want to see?

Some lovely Phildar falaise yarn. And it's patiently waiting to be made into the Becky Wannabe sweater. It really is all Becky's fault. I casually, innocently mentioned to her that I liked the sweater, and before you can say SHAZAM, I am the proud owner of 11 skeins of falaise yarn winging itself to Massachusetts from France. So, thank you, Becky. I have already said, Merci Beaucoup to the yarn. I want it to feel at home. When, oh when will I find the time to do everything I want...and to FINISH them?? Maybe the genie will help!

Happy Friday. Enjoy the beauty around you today. It's there. Sometimes you just have to look harder to see it!

Do you believe in magic?

I got a response to my email to Virtual Yarns regarding the status of Glenesk, my dream sweater. It should be available by the end of next week! WHA?? Ask and I shall receive?? Wowza! I am one happy knitter!

Now.....it's finding the $$. oh Magic lamp??

Happy Mountain Colors day!

In my opinion, there's nothing that a little yarn buying won't cure.

These are the most brilliant colors and I am in love with them. The one on the left is called Moose creek. It is coming off a little more purple than it is in reality. The one on the right is named Red Tail Hawk. Which one do I love better? Oh, come on....Like a mother, I love them equally, rejoicing in their seperate beauty! Really. Oooohhh, I can't wait to start on them!!! Geez, startitis is bad this time! Please, do yourself a favor. Head on over to http://threadbearfiberarts.com/ and get yourself some Mountain colors yarn! You'll thank me. Oh, and Thanks to the Threadbears themselves, Rob and Matt! You're the greatest enablers around!

I have a dream

I have startitis. I believe it is catchy. Be careful. I have a dream and the dream is of me doing fair isle. Once the seed is planted, there is not turning back. In particular, I'm dreaming of THIS fair isle. I have been having a secret love affair with Glenesk for quite some time. But it has always been from afar! At knitsmiths on Sunday, May was working on Glenesk. That has added fuel to the dreaming fire. Of course, there is a kink in the plan. Glenesk is not being offered at virtual yarns at this moment. Do you think an email from me begging the Starmore family to Pretty please get the kit back in stock will make a difference? Nah, me either. But I can dream, can't I?

Oh my, here I've gone on and on and I haven't told you what you are seeing. The startitis. This is the beginning of the Canada sock from Knitting on the Road. It is the closest I could get to fair isle knitting without having to break out the credit card. So, here it is. My first attempt at color knitting. And I'm loving every minute of it! So, poor Mima mound socks....aka Free the Croc socks...have been gently put aside. Poor croc.

Stay tuned to find out if the pattern on the Canada sock actually looks as it's supposed to look...

Will Sandy get her wish and get Glenesk?

Will Sandy's family have to go hungry in order for her to buy Glenesk?

Stay tuned to find out the answers to these burning questions!

time

Well, Daphne, you'll be pleased to know that I held a spindle in my hands last night. Yes, that's right. You have a co-conspirator. It's all a plot, I swear! :) I attended Knitsmiths (knitting group in Brookline, the greatest bunch of knitters I ever wanted to meet!) and happily met fellow blogger Claudia (among other great non bloggers!). She said, do you want to try spindling? (Or something like that) and I said "NO!". This was the look she gave me.......

I swear to God! So what's a girl to do? I spindled! Maybe someday, I'll even learn the correct technology for it and everything! So, thank you, Claudia, for teaching me something new. In all seriousness, it is a fascinating experience, albeit one that made me feel as if I had 10 thumbs on my hands. Can you say UNCOORDINATED and CLUMSY?? It is still hard for my mind to comprehend.....this piece of batting (okay to this ex-sewer, that's what it reminded me of....only softer and most wonderful) can become yarn! It is a wonderful thing. Could I be hooked? Of course, silly. I seem to have that kind of addictive personality. But where would I find the time???

Like sands through the hourglass, these are the days of our lives! How will I fit in everything? Oh, poor me! See Daphne? Happy now?? ;)

Being with a wonderfully creative, talented bunch of knitters is a wonderful soul filling experience for me. So, once again, Knitsmiths, Thank you for making me feel so welcomed! How much knitting do you think I got done the whole 2 1/2 hours I was there? Oh, about 5 stitches. I'm not kidding. I spent so much time talking and being inspired, I couldn't concentrate! I can knit at home! I'm around knitters now! Must pick brains!!!

Happy Monday. Enjoy it whatever you're doing today!

Get your Shizznit

Yo, Dawg! it's time again for some shizznit. You know you want to!

Go here and find your Rock Solid Ghetto shizznit name. http://rumandmonkey.com/widgets/toys/ghetto/Oh, yeah! Get the bling, bling! Cuz I am now known as the........

Ass Machine Shizzlemah

Ya, that's right! I've been ghettified. Now I'm one bad mama.

Peace out!

Sincerely,

Ass Machine!

steeky goodness

Now that we're all ghettified, lets get dignified, shall we? nah!

Here is what was sitting in my mailbox when I got home yesterday. It was a great mail day!

A postcard of Steek from my knitting friend, Chris. He has buffed up, no? Thank you, Chris! Conversation heard at the Hurley home......

Sandy to hubby: did you see my postcard?

hubby, struggling to find the spot of clear vision since he is denying he needs glasses: yes

Sandy: It's from one of my knitting friends

hubby: Oh, ya right. I think that knitting group is all a front.

Sandy:Oh, come on, he looks just like you! (doesn't hurt to suck up)

hubby: well, if I look at the picture close up, it really does look like me.

Sandy: hysterically laughing

That's right, peeps, my hubby thinks you are all a front. For what? I guess for all the handsome men in my life. Do you all look like Steek here? hmmmm?

For a change, here's some actual knitting content! Wha?? yup. Tiffany threatened me with some ghetto action if I don't show the I can smooch 2 tank. I'm afraid.....very afraid....so here it is. I present you with ......the front

I'm digging it. A front does not make a comfy garment though. I must get my act in gear to finish. Focus. Geez...my head is SPINNING!

I thought I would leave you with a link that (hopefully) won't offend. You never know, though. Do you like muffins? This is a must see. http://muffinfilms.com. My personal favorite is the Muffinale. This film has singlehandedly been responsible for Bethany begging every day for me to make muffins. Today is the day. I just hope we don't have to break out in song because of it!

Is it chilly in here?

It's funny how knitting is weather related. Lately, it has been very hot and humid here. Uncomfortable to say the least, and during that time,socks were all I could bear to knit. Or the I can smooch 2 tank with the cotton yarn. Last night was wonderfully cool, with a stiff ocean breeze blowing in. Get out the sweatpants and fuzzy slippers baby! We are knitting! Inishmaan was sitting lonely on the couch, untouched and unloved for quite a while. It started it's siren song last night. "Sandy.....it's cool out. Fall is coming soon and you'd like to wear me......knit......" Really. It actually talked to me. Weird? Probably. But I picked it up as instructed and knit on. Loving every chilly minute of it! All to the beat of the movie Drumline. I really enjoyed the movie. I am not a band groupie, but since my kids have been in the BHS marching band I have realized how enjoyable it is. Will I attend the marching band when my kids are not members? Probably not. Fair weather fan am I. The music in the movie was lively and great to knit by. The photography of the bands was stunning. It was worth my time. Which is a good thing.

Being chilly is a good thing!

the streaker

Kerstin, I'm sending this guy over for you. Everything should be fine with him around.

As I mentioned in blog a couple of days ago, I had my hair highlighted. I'm loving it. Aren't I so vain? Mother nature helped the cause along this weekend after sunning myself. At the time that I mentioned the streaking, Pioneer Melissa wanted paparazzi photos. She suggested that my blog is an imagination blog. I realized she is right, at least where pictures of myself come in. So, I invited the paparazzi in and this is the result.

It's a great picture of me, don't you think? I think I'll have it made into Christmas cards! Can you see me streaking? Subtle, yes, but I like them too. It's a temporary distraction from the grey hair that are setting up camp in my head. Denial is more than a river!

Blogging is educational. For me, anyway. And although I may catch more flack from this, I dive in anyway. I'm like that. Mima mound. Do you know what they are? If you do, you get a gold star! Maybe even two gold stars. Thank you to Fillyjonk for setting me straight. I thought it was just a name of a sock that annoyed me. Alas, wrong again, streaked wonder. And I quote, "Mima mounds are piles of soil up to 46 feet (14 m) across at the base and more than 3.3 feet (1 m) high. How they originated is not clear. These mounds are found in the eastern portion of Texas Blackland Prairies." Well, isn't that interesting? Now if you live in Texas, you're probably thinking what a boob I am. That's okay. I live in Massachusetts. No mima mounds in sight. I have learned a new thing today. Have you?

Did you get to see some fireworks over the forth? Are you clamoring for more? Here's a link, lifted from fillyjonks site. http://www.fireworks.com/interactive/fireworks_show/default.asp. Go see some fireworks.

I must streak off now. Happy Tuesday!

no achy breaky heart here

What I did on my 4th of July weekend.....by Sandy

reading, swimming, sunbathing, napping, cooking, eating, knitting, yacking, laughing, roasting marshmallows over a campfire, swimming, watching fireworks, tyedying tshirts, scrubbing fingers and toes that were inadvertantly tye dyed, yacking, swimming, kayaking, swimming, and more swimming. That about covers it. It was a blast! Wish you were there...

I got the front (or back, doesn't really matter since they are the same ) on the I can smooch 2 tank. It looks cool, no pictures today because I am feeling lazy. It's that post long weekend energy crunch. Why is it that you can spend the whole weekend doing nothing but relax and have fun and you still come home wiped out? And I hate to complain, but I am so achy today. It actually started before I went away. Aching joints and muscles. blech. This weekend my arms and hands started to hurt big time. What the heck could that be all about?? So, I will take a moratorium on knitting for a couple of days to nurse the sore hands and wrists back to health. blech. blech.

Back to the grind, people!

Free the croc

This is the sock I started on hen fest weekend. It is a pattern called mima mound cable sock. The yarn is Opal crocodile 2. I hate the name Mima mound. I can't bear to call it that. Frankly it sounds vaguely pornographic to me, so I have dubbed these Free the croc socks. (They were started in Freedom, NH, just so you get it!) I'm pretty bad about following patterns sometimes...what? an extra stitch? Oh, I'll just knit it. So, the pattern, I'm sure will have my creative embellisments. I hate to rip. And only will if absolutely necessary. I'm thinking that the pattern may be more work than it's worth because I can't really see it yet. But, really, with the confession of not really following it that closely, what did I expect, anyway???

As I was leaving for the weekend, I wanted to bring the I can smooch 2 tank to do the ripping and knitting back up. I hunted and hunted for the book and could not find it anywhere. Did you ever do that? You know it's there, but can't put your hands on it?? It frustrates me to no end when that happens. It is one of the only things that can really make me grumpy. Not just grumpy, VERY grumpy. So, I searched and searched and finally gave up because I felt the black cloud of gruminess descending. The night I came home, there it was on a chair. Right in PLAIN SIGHT! Now, I ask you. How does this happen? Is there someone playing tricks on me? Hubby? Nah! He wouldn't know a knitting book if it bit him. Son? Please. Daughter? hrmph. CAt? maybe.......No, it's me. My mind plays those tricks on me and I am not appreciating them one bit. Well, the good news is that I found the book. So, the ripfest can begin in earnest now.

And in sad news, I'd like to report the demise of my favorite bowl. Yes, that's right. The orange pyrex bowl that is the perfect size jumped to it's death last night. Clean up took a while, with the millions of shards of glass. I am mourning the loss to my home. I used that bowl for everything. I've had it since the day I got married, and I don't know what I will do without it. But I have a clue that I MAY look on ebay for one exactly like it! hee hee! Doncha just love ebay? It's like a yard sale on my desk!

The Daphne and Sandy show

I have a picture of Daphne! Want to see it?

And here is an updated picture of me!

You see, what's happening is this......

Yes, that's right. That's me on the tracks. That's Daphne in the spinning wheel. Oh, it looks like a train, but it is a wheel. She is happily spinning yarn and trying her darndest to reel me in. She is sending spells to me. She is somehow hypnotizing me from wherever the heck in the midwest she lives. She sends subliminal messages. She sends me taunting emails (okay, she really doesn't actually stalk me.....but you know......figuratively) And there is poor me. Tied on the tracks of life. Staring into the jaws of the spinning wheel. Frightening, isn't it?

Foiled!

Here's the latest update on Free the croc socks. But I'm not really showing you the socks. See what happened to my Brittany needle? Boo Hoo! I knit on with the bigger piece. I think I'll try to sand off the sharp edge and continue on.

Yesterday I had my hair highlighted. Foiled. That's an experience. But it came out great! I'm loving it! Hubby came home from work and took a double take at me. That is a rare phenomenon, to really look at me. He stared for a minute, then said, "Did you have your hair cut?" Which I didn't. I said, "yes, something like that!" Best to keep our beauty secrets to ourselves. :)

Foiled again!

Don't you just love to google? When I searched for Dudley Do-Right, I found this

Now, THERE is a healthy cereal if ever I saw one!

Have a great long weekend if you are lucky enough to have one. We are leaving tonight for Freedom, NH . I will be on the lake, swimming, floating, sunbathing and no doubt knitting. Be home sometime on Sunday. I'll miss ya!

hen fest palooza

Poor, poor me! This is the view from the porch of the home I stayed in all weekend.

My friend's home on the lake is ten times better than my home not on a lake. This is her personal beach area. Looks a bit tropical with the trees at the tip, there, doesn't it? Those specks under the tree are daughter Bethany and friend's daughter, Megan. They are looking good, eh? (no, silly, they are too far away to see them!:) Wondering what we did all weekend? Here's a hint!

That's right! Some knitting, baby! Megan, aged 17 wanted to learn to knit socks as she has already whipped up her requistite number of scarves. My friend Gail joined the fray. Bethany resisted, but while we had sock fest, she made this little ditty out of jenga blocks. What a sweetie! Oh, and that's wood jenga blocks, not the trash jenga of the past!

We knit, we read, we swam, we sunbathed, we ate sinful things, we laughed and even cried (that was just me though!!) We talked, we sat silently blissful. Overall, hen weekend was wonderful! Tomorrow I'll show you the sock I started!

I'm glad to be home!