Burrito eaters, turn back!

After Mary Beth calling me sunny, or something like that, "somethingsomething optimist" something. Yes, I could look at the comments my self, but whatever. :) I saw this quiz, and not being able to resist..

You're My Little Pony!! Sweet and innocent and
happy, you make people want to spew burrito
chunks. Even a Care Bear could kick your ass.

What childhood toy from the 80s are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Now, most of this doesn't bother me much. Except for the part about ME making people want to spew burrito chunks. Ouch.

Very timely, though, don't you think should I take mean lessons

HEY! have a sunshiney day! and be sure to tune in to see if I actually decided to take Charlotte apart and start over.

Please, don't eat any burritos before reading my blog! You have been warned!

Fun stuff

Thank you to Andrea!

A big knitters Thank You to Andrea who was kind enough to send me these wonderful surprises, which include?a personally signed copy of? Knitted Sweaters For every Season, by Nancy Wiseman and this book, Daybook, the personal diaries of artist Anne Truitt.? My book barometer tells me that it will be a good book. My book barometer? It's when I read the first page and instinct kicks in whether or not I'll like reading it. Or not. It is a system that hardly ever fails me. While I am not particularly a fan of her art, I can appreciate her stuggle and her expression.

See the center bottom picture? The girl knitting It is a notecard, with the nicest note. NO! You can't read it! :)? I have put the notecard in a place of honor amongst the "Special Shelf". I love the picture and it is a keeper!?

Now, Andrea, please, please, update your blog. For me. :)

Had a near fatal disaster last night with Charlotte. There I was, knitting happily along, proud as a peacock with myself (that should have given me the warning right there. Nothing good ever comes with that feeling)? when I had to unknit a couple of stitches. No prob. I have probably Un knit as many on Charlotte as I have knit. All of a sudden, something happened. A hole in the time warp continuum Perhaps. But in reality it was the dropping of some stitches. There is no reasonable explanation for what happened. When I looked down, I saw 2 long loops of yarn, stretching back 5-6 stitches. I went cold. What the I could not for the life of me figure it out. You know what that means, right Must Tink at least 3 rows to get to the bottom of this. The thought occured to me to grab the camera, but I was rooted to my spot. I couldn't move, think, breathe until I had this figured out! This little story does have a happy ending. The spot is out. Fixed. But, it remains true that last night, I made more progress going backwards, than forwards. And I feel lucky for it too!

Speed blogging

Thought I'd try a speed blog entry today as I am hurried/hassled/too busy for words.

Charlotte, I've got it: thunderstorms all night: headache in morning: laundry up the wazoo: No knitsmiths: again:? probably kicked out anyway:):? boohoo:? spaghetti and meatballs simmering on stove: Yum:? bought more yarn: What else is new: come on, join charlotte, you know you want to.

Got it?

There you have it.

Two prom teens and a charlotte

Let's take a look at Charlotte, shawl we?

Row 88 and she is looking not too shabby. Too bad I couldn't get one stinkin' day of sunshine to show you her real colors. Instead, we have a picture taken in a drab and dark room with artificial light. Meh, better than nothing.

? Derek and his date, ready for her senior prom

Can't help it. It just brings a tear to my eye!? Prom, graduation, college. Where has the time gone?

By George, I think she's got it!

Charlotte, Route, er...Row 66

The rain in Spain falls mainly on my plain, baby! I have got the hang of Charlotte and there is not stopping me now!? Many much thanks to Uli! Without her magical spread sheet, I wouldn't know if I were coming or going. Stitch Markers! Use them. You will think, like I did at the beginning, that you do not need them. You DO!? Charlotte is just a repeat of those 8 stitches. It helps to only see her as 8 stitches. Not so intimidating. Once you get the rhythm going, it is clear sailing. If I can Charlotte here, I can Charlotte anywhere!? I do have to admit to having to start over, let's just say, more than 5 times. In reality, probably more like 10 times. 10th time is the charm. But, it gave me lots of practice. And to start over with Charlotte isn't very painful in the beginning because there is only 7 cast on stitches. If there were 300 stitches, I would have thought twice about restarting so many times.

If I hear any more thunderstorms in the wee hours of the night, I may just scream. Bethany is very afraid of thunder so she hasn't slept in 2 nights. Makes a cranky Mom, I'll tell ya!? Poor thing starts shaking and trembling. There was a lightening incident when she was about 6 that is burned into her psychi. I understand, but it so hard to be continually understanding every night at 3 am!?

the calm after the storms

I had a LYS gift certificate burning a hole in my pocket and me needing a LYS trip for Miss Charlotte stitch markers. After much fondling and drooling, I came out with this

? Rowan calmer, colorway JOY

A more perfect name couldn't be had. I also got this pattern that I have been eyeing for quite a while. I think the two will make a perfect couple!? I will not start this new project until I finish some of the many that I have on the front burner. But I keep the calmer near me to touch and oddly enough, it does make me calm. Hmm..Rowan is on to something here.

Charlotte is into the third colorway and row 78. She is looking fine, but not that much bigger than yesterday. Each row, of course is taking longer and longer to complete. I find knitting her very soothing and addicting. Watching the way the koigu colors blend together is like watching a masterpiece take shape. Bravo!

We got a full night sleep last night without waking to thunder crashing and lightning zapping. It was my pleasure!

blogpatrol

Q & A and general stuff

Christine asked where to place the markers on Charlotte. Please head on over to Kerstin's place and see her tutorial on stitches and markers. Her May 18th entry also includes a marker tutorial. Thank you for sharing, Miss K.

Uli has created a spreadsheet that is, I'm told invaluable as a Charlotte tool. Go ahead and beg ask her for one. I need to get myself one, I must go email her now!? Thank you, Uli!

There is no time limit for joining the Charloteers, so come along!? With all the complaining, I do believe that people are enjoying the charlotte ride. Repeat after me. I will become a stronger knitter. I'm good enough, I'm strong enough and doggonit, I will knit Charlotte!?

If I have forgotten you on the Charlotte women list, please gently remind me. I have the memory of a .......what was I saying Oooh, is that a puppy :)

Thank you, Dahling!

Flowers from my honey!
What is the equivalent of flowers for men? My husband can bring home any size bouquet of flowers and I will be a happy woman. What can you quickly pick up for a man to surprise them and make them happy Only clean minded proposals will be entertained. I have been married for 20 years (to the same man, yet! )? and I have yet to find the perfect man happy gift. Please share if you have found it!? I did give him his unfinished anniversary hat and he got that it was a gift made with love. Isn't that great when they get it?? He was grateful, though, that he would not need it for awhile, the cold weather having retreated for a couple of months.

Not one stitch was knit last night. We have very good friends who share the same anniversary with us. We did not know them at the time, but we got married the same day and same year, so we celebrate together every year. We all went to dinner at Yanks Restaurant in the exclusive Beverly Farms (or as some residents say, Beverly FAHMS!) where we wined and dined in elegance and were a tad surprised by the hefty check at the end. Good thing for charge cards!?

Tonight I have a date with Charlotte. No flowers, no dinner (okay, some dinner) just me and the koigu!

Holes

Wow!? Our little Charlotte is a popular gal! Have you seen all the Charloteers Room for more!? It helps to know that others are struggling along with me. But we can do it!? We shall overcome!? I gathered from yesterday's comments, that stitch markers are going to be my salvation. Okay. Get out the unused stitch markers. I have 2 sets of them, I believe. I look in the usual knitting place, none there. Okay. I looked on the coffee tables. Not there either. I break down and look in the cushions of the couch. nope. Under the couch? Ick. Nope. At this point, I decided that it would just be faster to take quick ride downtown to my LYS. When I pulled up, the closed sign was on the window, but 2 women were standing right there. I quickly contemplated whether I would stoop to pressing my nose against the window and beg and plead to let me purchase stitch markers. It seemed like it was a do-able option. Good sense overcame, though. I did not think that the owner would be thrilled about unlocking the door to sell me a $1.99 set of stitch markers. I could be wrong, but....
Home again, with a desperate sense that I needed stitch markers. Good old Yankee ingenuity comes in handy in times like this. I spied these

?The lowly hole reinforcers? Or stitch Markers You decide
I stuck 2 together so they wouldn't stick to the knitting, and they worked well in a pinch.

Charlotte, Chapter 2

The stitch marker holes work well enough, but I will be visiting my LYS for the more conventional kind today.

And speaking of today (we were, weren't we?)? 20 years ago today I was a blushing bride saying "I do!".

?? I'd do it again, too!

Happy Anniversary* to my wonderful husband, my groom, my love!? Thank you for so much!

*and me, with no finished anniversary hat!? Scheez.

I'm stuck in the web

Charlotte.

Charlotte's meagher beginnings
I believe, to quote Charlotte's words, "I'm done for". I tried 3 times to do the next row and I have an extra stitch. I can't figure it out and it is frustrating me. There?are a couple of mistakes so?I am thinking that it would be good if I took her apart and started over. I hate to do it, but...what must be, must be.

I am quite nervous about the pattern too. I am a visual kind of gal and the pattern stops at row 50, with 100 more to be had. Instructions say to continue. I'm not sure I can. I wish they charted out the whole pattern.

Yes, that's right! This is Monday Morning complaint time. Anything else Not that I can think of right now.

Almost done with the anniversary hat.

20th anniversary, warm heads?

It has a bucket hat type flair at the edge, doesn't it

happy monday to you!

This IS a knitting blog, isn't it?

I'd say it's about time for an actual knitting update, no It's been a while. I have to admit that I thought I lost my knitting mojo. I have been half heartedly knitting lately, picking up only the most simple of stockinette projects. Don't get me wrong, these projects serve their purpose, but not for everyday. Even though it IS the everyday cardigan. So, let's begin with that. Here is the buffalo brownski EC progress.

?Buffalos have never looked so good!

As usual with peace fleece, the colors in this are wonderful. A pleasure to work with. However, it wasn't cutting the mustard keeping me fullfilled.

? Dad's Sea Socks. Oh-oh!

Don't look now, but Dad's sock has a problem. A dropped stitch!? No biggie. Get out the trusty crochet hook, who feels very neglected now that she only gets out to pick up stitches once in a while. Okay. Seems simple enough. Let me give you a word of advice. For all you forty-somethingers...Don't try to pick up teeny tiny stitches on dark blue yarn at night. Not gonna work. So, it waits for the light of day.

Hat for my honey!

This is the project to spice up my life. Just what the knitting doctor ordered. The prescription for my lagging mojo. Doesn't look like much right now, does it. This is the warm a** double knitted hat from Alison. I have always wanted to try double knitting. There is no time like the present!? This is destined to be an anniversary gift for dear hubby. I am trusting you not to tell him. This is knitting on the sly!? It gets brought out of hiding when he is not home or firmly asleep. Okay, Okay, sure....our anniversary is in May. 13 days from today. Plenty of time. It's not rocket science, just knitting. Okay, yes, you are right. Not much need for a warm a** hat in the summer months. BUT...here in New England, winter is never far away. This hat will be on his head in no time flat. We think we are headed into summer, and sure, it will feel it for a while, but the northwind will be blowing again and the snow will fly. You have my word on it. And when it does, my husband of 20 years (gasp)? will have one warm head, covered not only with a double knitted hat, but with love.

Whether he likes it or not.

I'm a Charlotte woman!

Secret Pal Surprise

A package arrived in the mail yesterday. Nothing better than that, is there I did not order anything from those Threadbear guys. Hmmm... package IN a package. Even better, no What do you think is inside? ~waiting for guesses~ Give up?

? Looks like a lot of koigu to me!

Not just any koigu!? It is the Charlotte's web Koigu! Specifically, the charlotte's web colorway that I inquired about to the guys about a week ago. Sold out, he told me. YIPPPPPPPPEEE! I'm a charlotte woman!? *

Thank you yet again, Secret Pal for a wonderful wonderful surprise. I'm trying to be strong and finish up some of the WIP's before starting this, but you all know how weak I am. I started rolling the koigu. Starting can't be far behind!?

Is there anything better than koigu to brighten your day

* daughter, Bethany, is appalled that I would even consider wearing a shawl. teehee!

hanging out

? Koigu temptation

I decided to put some of the koigu on display. Some could argue that it is teasing me, tempting me. Perhaps. But it also inspires me and encourages me. The koigu is saying, "get through the anniversary hat and then I am yours!" Who am I to argue

My wonderful sister in law, Cheryl, brought this wonderful site to my attention a while ago. The sale of the scarves benefit breast cancer research. They are looking for volunteer knitters to knit up scarves. If you are thinking of doing some charity knitting, give this a look!?

Happy Friday. May the koigu be with you!

cw

Beauty emerges

?

I saw the first butterfly of the season. Reason to celebrate!? Butterflies are welcomed here!

Son fun

Last night I scheduled a long session with the anniversary hat as hubby was out for the evening, but as often? happens, life intervened. I had just gotten into my "comfies", you know, the ungodly sweatpants and slippers, when the phone rang. Never a good sign. It was Derek, on the cell phone of 2 young men (STRANGERS!!) who stopped to help him when his car broke down at a busy intersection. Why is it that the car always breaks down at a busy intersection and not out of the way He has been having some battery trouble and was hoping it was not alternator. Which of course, it was. So, out of the comfy pants and slippies and drive over to where he is. Luckily I took the AAA card and phone. And there we sat for a little over an hour for the towtruck. Me. With no knitting. It was a great way to spend an evening though. Derek is so busy lately that I hardly have time to connect with him. The only conversation we have lately is me nagging at him as he is going out the door. This unexpected hour was spent talking, laughing and reconnecting with my rapidly growing son.

I guess the anniversary hat will wait another evening!

cw

?

New England Knits

<< New England Knits >>

blue

Here are the current projects that have moved onto the front burner. They both have a time limit, so they must take precedence.

? anniversary hat and dad socks

Blue enough I'm a little frustrated with both because of the stalling. I found something wonky on the hat and couldn't find out how to fix it on the double knitting, so I had to rip 3 rows out for a do over. 3 rows. Which is a lot of double knitting. Wasting valuable time. Maybe you remember the dropped stitch on the sock? I fixed it. And in the process, apparently dropped another stitch. Grrrrr!? No prob. Just get out the trusty crochet hook and fix it, right Um. Where did the crochet hook go Dang it!? I can't seem to locate it. I should just break down and look in the cushions of the couch. Isnt' that where things always hide? Don't you hate to put your hand in their blindlly Never know what may be lurking.

And in the background, Charlotte is singing. Pulsing. Calling me. I'm trying to be strong. What I would really like is for you to go buy a kit too and knit with me. Go ahead, you know you want to.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

?
?Lilacs are my favorite flower!

Happy Friday! Are your lilacs blooming yet?

The view from my window

Mother's day is nice. But then again, it's just another day. The best thing about mother's day was this little surprise.

? Sure, it says Cranberry Quilters, but they do yarn too!!!

This is a great gift on so many levels. First. I get to buy yarn without putting forth any money. Or at least less? money!? :)? But the best thing about this gift is the nod of acknowledgement from the family that knitting is important to me. Yes, they would like to contribute to this hobby 'o mine, but they don't know what to buy. And who could blame them If you are not a fanatic yourself, then it must be hard to keep up!

?The view from my kitchen window

Which is not spectacular in itself, except for the clever placement of a beautiful lilac tree.It makes me happy looking out at it. The smell works its way into the kitchen on the breeze. Can life get any better than this

Enjoy your day!

bewitched

? ?

MaryBeth mentioned "Bewitched" in her blog entry and? I can't resist taking that ball and running with it a bit.

When I was younger, this was my favorite show. I didn't miss a twitch!? Every summer, my Dad would ask us where we wanted to go for vacation and I always said, "Salem, Massachusetts!". Witch city. Salem was shown in some of the Bewitched episodes. We never went to Salem, I was always outvoted. Now, I live in the next town and do you think I've finally visited the witch attractions? Nope. I know that I can't go back. They will not be as I dreamed they were. I will leave them alive and extremely interesting in my childhood memory, where they belong!

As a child, the opening music would fill me with excited anticipation. I liked the music so much that I put words to the instrumental song. That's right! I am a multi talented person! You did not know that I was a songwriter, did you? Well, "songwriter" may be way too generous a term for what I did. Check out this page, full of fun Bewitched stuff and it includes a link to hear the theme song. And scroll down on the page to see that it really did have lyrics, although never used. I like my version better. Wanna hear them Okay.....ahem.....

Bewitch, Bewitch
Bewitch-itch is a witch
Bewitch, Bewitch
Bewitch-itch is a witch
Bewitch is a witch, a wi-i-i-i-i-i-i-ch.
Be-e-e-e-e-eeeeeeeeewitch!?

Thank you! Thank you!!? Stunning, isn't it I sang this particular version every episode. A song writer. ME!? I even shared it with my family. They were thrilled. Um.. after all the laughing stopped! :)

So there you have it. A piece of my childhood. Aren't you glad you came to visit today? Hum along, will ya?

P.S. Despite some people's worries, Bethany is not, or never has been an actual pothead. She does not use drugs. She only puts cooking pots on her head. Well, not any more. She thanks everyone for the great birthday wishes! She was thrilled to keep checking my blog all day long to see the wishes rolling in!?

Happy, Happy Birthday, baby!

? It's a girl! 7 lbs. 2 oz.

16 years ago, this was the day of Bethany's birth. Right from the start, she played things her own way. She decided to be born by c-section at the last minute by turning around. A couple of tense moments in the operating room while we waited for her to breathe, the longest moments of my life. She did breathe. When she was good and ready. She did not like to keep her arms bundled up in the wrap. She did not like to be held and cuddled when she was tired. She marches to the beat of her own drummer and I admire her for that. No one will push my Miss Bethany around. Shall we take a picturial walk through her childhood?

There is always the chance that your children will grow up to be potheads, no matter what you do. Love them, give them a good home, but still. Pothead.

This picture is a rare and treasured one here in the Hurley home. Bethany is wearing a turtleneck and she has her hair up. This was before she realized that turtlenecks choke her. No, no. More dramatic than that!? "IT"S CHOKING ME!". yes, that's more like it.

Thanksgiving would bring crafts as well as thanks. There is lots to be thankful for. Just look around you.

Thirsty I think they made almost a dollar and a half that day!? They were thrilled!? But the thing that thrilled me more is that they gave a lemonade to a woman who stopped and then did not have any money on her. They wanted her to have the lemonade. 2 kids with big hearts. The years have not changed this. It just comes out differently now. They don't give lemonade away anymore. Figuratively anyway.

Is there anything better than a cozy story after bath? I remember the smell of their hair!? I miss that. If I try to smell her hair now, she gives me the evil eye!

Bad eyesight runs in families, no

16 years old. She is a wonderful young woman. She will be learning to drive this weekend, pray for me!

The requested menu? Marinated steak tips, salad and Ice Cream cake! I will throw in some cukeberry salad, ala Miss Kerstin!

Happy Sweet 16, Beth!? You make me proud!

round and round she goes, where she stops, no one knows!

I have been inspired by Kim and her moving furniture around. I'll be back with details and pictures....ACHOO!? dusty around here!