raindrops on pansies and whiskers on kittens

This yarn seems a bit impossible to catch the inner beauty of the colors. Shy colors, as reds tend to be. I am loving working with this yarn, which is Dalegarn Tiur. However, I am knitting according to Priscilla Gibson Roberts short row heel as seen in Interweave Knits Favorite Socks.
This is my first time doing this type of heel and well, it's not going well.

Besides a dropped stitch (#&$&^@*%^#*%@*) it just looks like...well...ass. There's no other way to describe it. Ug. Ly. I'm at a loss. I really would like to do this type of heel. Norma has a plan for me. I guess it's a 12 step plan for short row heels. Or something.

The other side is acceptable. Non-ass like.

Is it just me? Or is that Santa Cloud?
~~~
as always click any picture to go to the flickr page. Does anybody notice how I spell flicr diffent everytime?
Weird.

This and That for a Thursday

The wonderful pink sock? Artyarns supermerino? The second skein is missing in action. It is here in this house, SOMEWHERE. It hides well. So, pink sock is stalled. Which is okay because there is always something going on, isn't there? I have never been a single project kind of gal and don't intend to start now!

Flyingdales (which, by the way, will be in Lisa Lloyd's book and not available for general sale once it sells out. If you have thought about knitting this pattern, pick it up now. RUSH! GO!) The yarn? Beaverslide. I feel like I should be cheering that word.
Okay, let's just do it and get it out of the way then.
Give me a B. Give me an E. Give me and aver. Give me an S. Give me a slide. BEAVERSLIDE, BEAVERSLIDE, YAHHHH!
~Insert cheerleading jump as necessary.
Okay, now, can you tell how much I love that yarn? Don't make me write a love haiku, cuz I'll do it.
Colorway Huckleberry Heather, in case you are wondering. Go ahead and do a cheer for it at your leisure. No one will hold it against you.

And soon I will be casting on for a pair of socks for my Hogwarts Sock Swap partner. Magic spells cannot make me tell who my secret person is. Don't be flinging your spells over here. They won't work. I put up a Protego Charm on you.
As a bit of an aside, I am now rereading Book 6. I stand here to proclaim now, Snape is innocent. You heard it here.
~~
Spring visited here for 2 days this week and I am grateful. No sooner had it arrived in the form of warm weather, flowers started blooming. There is nothing better than flowers blooming outside. Nothing. Here's some of my favorites from the photo shoot. (click any photo to go to the flicr page. Go ahead. Try it)


And my favorite:

For Cookie. This one's smiling for you. That little daffodil is loving that beam of sunshine.
As anyone would.
With sunscreen, of course.

Grow things, don't wrap loved ones in bubble wrap: sage words of advice

I have had a bit of a hard time dealing with the happenings of the world as of late. This happens every so often to me. The VT shootings. And then this weekend a car accident locally that killed 4 teens, one of them a classmate of Bethany's at UNH. I did not know any of them but I have an extraordinary sense of empathy that is sometimes not healthy for me. If I let it, this fear could paralyze me. I don't know how those parents go on. I don't.
I won't let it, paralyze me. I will concentrate on the positive. And growth. Growth is life. (my kids highly frowned upon having to wear a bubble wrap suit for the rest of their lives. Selfish brats! :)
Growth? Did I say? I do believe that it is time for an AVOCADO CAM since the Amaryllis cam was so wildly popular. It was, wasn't it? (So, now in addition to being known as the knitting lady, the sky lady and the cat lady, I can add Plant lady to the monikers. Another reason my kids will be proud to bursting)
Many times over the years, I have tried to grow an Avocado plant from the seed in the guacamole plant. I know, it's not a guacamole plant, but it should be. So, I eat the guacamole and then stick the toothpicks in the seed and suspend it in the water. Over and over I've done it and just for the record, I do not own an avocado plant. But I am stubborn. And I all of a sudden find myself in dire need of an avocado plant. Who knows where these inspirations come from and who am I to question them?
I do think I have it figured out now, though. With the help of our local newspaper columnist who answered my plea with extreme detail.
This is what she told me:
~use a ripe or overripe avocado. No guacamole this time
~fill the jar with warm water
~change water daily with warm water
~patience, patience, patience
That is where I went wrong, I think. She told me that it could be 4-6 weeks before it sprouts. This avocado cam might just be a bust. Guacamole on my face. Avocado shame never before seen on the blogs. It's the chance I take. For entertainment. And science. But mostly, a good looking avocado houseplant.
So, here's the first installment of AVOCADO CAM:





Click any picture to embiggen
The one in the red vase? That one was started 2 or 3 years ago. I am a very patient avocado grower. Not. NO! Not years. It only seems that long. It is about 2-3 weeks. The papery coating fell off. Whoohoo. It's a naked seed. I hope it did not offend. No sign of a root.
What do you think? Plant or BUST?

~~~~~~~
Now for the really GREAT NEWS?
CLICK HERE to see how much money was raised for Bethany's Relay for Life! I bow down to your generosity.
Take that, cancer!

Or do I?

Life is bugging me lately, I am having trouble dealing with events of late. So, for now, one of my favorite songs from a simpler time. (more later, I promise. I need to get my thoughts straightened out first)

Smiles and laughter are good for us

Because it's Friday and that is a good thing.
Because the sun is shining and that is a good thing.
Because this is funny and that is a good thing.

Cartoon by Doug Savage, found here http://www.savagechickens.com/blog/2005/12/read-my-blog.html
Enjoy your weekend!
:D

Making a big deal out of one finished sock because I have nothing else. Nothing.

Sock

heel

Blurry pattern
Any questions?
Yarn: Artyarns supermerino
Pattern: garter rib from Sensational Knitted Socks
Status: endangered, at least the toe. The sock is about 1 inch too short for me so I must rip it. Rip it good.
I really have nothing. Just one partly done sock.
Sad, isn't it?

Pioneer living is for the birds

Living like a Pioneer!
Question: How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
Answer: Most likely a lot
Question: How many times would a family flip light switches if those switches do not have electricity?
Answer: Oodles and oodles
Electricity is our friend. Frankly, my knitting friends, I would have made a stinky pioneer. No computer.No television (and therefore, no dancing with the stars. No washing machine. No stove to cook dinner. No cold food in the refridge. No Bose stereo filling my life with wonderful music. NO email. (I know that one goes along with the computer one but it's so traumatic, it counts twice). And there is only so much reading one can do by lamplight. I did, however, get a good night's sleep so not all was lost.
26 hours of no electricity has given me a newfound appreciation of power.
The storm that started Sunday has battered us with extreme high winds, lots of rain and tried everyone's patience. We have fared well compared to some of our neighbors in the city. But I am glad to have the television blaring and the heat warming me once again.
The ocean was churning and spilling over at the local beach. Waves this big are unusual here as our ocean is actually a harbor that is protected from the open sea.

Mother Nature is quite beautiful as well as awe inspiring and a bit scary as well.

~~~
As I wrote my last entry, I did expect a conversation to ensue about the benefit of being polite in life. What I did not expect was the Sandy love fest that happened. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It was quite heartwarming and while wonderful, not expected. Or necessary. But who wouldn't love to hear good things, huh?
~~~~
My heart and eyes can't see to stop crying for the beautiful young adults that died while attending classes at Virginia Tech. Having both of my beloved children in college, how can I not feel that it could have been us affected. Those children, WERE our children. I'm just sick to my stomach over it all. I am hoping that you and your loved ones are safe. Please let me know if you have been affected by this tragedy. Let me know that your children are safe.
Let's hug all of those children. Even if, and especially if they will squirm and be uncomfortable with it all.

Blogging today is from my heart or ME, on who I am OR: Sandy gets all emo

Cara is my springboard.
Blogging. The whys the whats the how comes. It's all quite a mystery to me. I read many many other's blogs and love the details of the everyday life. I love the mundane. I do. But when it comes to MY mundane, there is a voice in there that thinks, "WHY? Would anyone want to read what I have to say?" that still is a mystery to me. I am grateful for every single person that reads my words and shares my life but honestly, I don't know why you do it. I'm no one special. I'm a middle aged overweight woman who happens to love knitting and living a totally boring existence. And I like it that way! I don't travel. I don't meditate. I am not famous, nor beautiful and sexy. And yet. You read.
A true mystery.
And rarely is there negativity here in the comments. Oh, sure, there has been some over the 4 years of blogging. Some hurtful experiences that still pull at the heart but overall, no negativity and that's the way I like it. Am I negative? Of course I am. I have a negative side that I rarely let seen here because it is not who I like to be. In real life as well as my blog life. I like to concentrate on the postitive. I subscribe to the "If you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all" philosophy. This is not to say that if I am quiet, I am thinking trash. Not true. Quiet is one of my life's ROLLS. It happens to me. Like clockwork.
Negativity is something we see and hear everywhere. Turn on your local news. Will they have one positive story on tonight? I doubt it. Newspapers, some blogs and many people (my mother included) can't stop being negative. Real life is like that. There is PLENTY to BE negative about. I choose to live my life positively. I see the beauty. I try to create beauty. I see the good in people. (Oh, don't worry, I see the bad in people too, but I don't surround myself with those types. I can't). I Do have a side to me that is not postitive. I have jealousy. And bitterness (Oh, lots of bitterness sometimes). And pettiness, sarcasm and downright hatefulness. I do. (I don't kick puppies, though, Cara, never).
I choose to do positive. I have been called to the carpet on some occasions for it. And I can think of (at least) one blog friendship that ended because of my inability to show more of that side of myself.
But it won't happen. I can't. If I wallow in the negative, it is an ugly place for me to be. It gets deep and ugly. I occasionally read some of the negative blogs and I can't do it. It fills me with anxiety and depression. It's not a place for me.
I do not ever expect you to love everything I knit. Or say. Or do. And if I do something horrible, you can call me on it. And express your opinion. But do me a favor? Do it nicely. Tell me I suck while being nice. Possible?
Perhaps.

Some good clean fun, a day in pictures (I HOPE, fingers crossed) If you see photos, this means I have had success with flickr. If not, pass the tissues

New washer

Fig says, "too much washing going on, how about some tuna?"

Tomorrow it is supposed to snow, but for now, I see blue.
Can you see pictures? Are they too big and distorting this blog's view?
Do you know the way to San Jose?
And
Do you think Sanjaya will be voted off American Idol tonight?
Hmm?

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Pink sock

Pink sock


Originally uploaded by Sandy's Photos.

Test blog entry with pink sock

Pink sock

Pink sock


Originally uploaded by Sandy's Photos.

Test blog entry with pink sock

Pink sock (a blog entry on small)

Pink sock


Originally uploaded by Sandy's Photos.

Small amount of knitting going on.

I'm testing my new flicr account. A small test

Pink sock (a blog entry on small)

Pink sock


Originally uploaded by Sandy's Photos.

Small amount of knitting going on.

I'm testing my new flicr account. A small test

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Living Large

A HUGE Thank you to all who donated to Bethany's fundraising for the Relay for LIfe!
She raised
$425!
To quote Bethany, "WOW".
Wow, indeed.
29 people donated. Good karma going out to you all and some yarn going to ELISA! I assigned a number to all the donaters (except for those who opted out of the prize) and asked Bethany to choose a number between 1 and 26. She chose 10, which was Elisa. Yes, we are very scientific around here!
And while we are talking HUGE, I must mention a HUGE thank you to JUDY who donated a wonderful skein of her hand dyed sock yarn in the colorway maple. You should see it! And you would if I could have taken a decent picture of it. The cloudy (and cold) sky is doing nothing for good picture taking today. Or yesterday. Or tomorrow perhaps.
Is there anything else LARGE we should talk about?
Hmm.
There is a large hole in the place that should be my knitting.
The knitting has been Not Large. Very small in fact. Turtle like.
And if I can ever figure out how to post with my new PRO flicr account, I'll show you.
That would be a LARGE promise.

what are you, chicken? And a questionaire.

It's Easter Sunday and I have no chocolate eggs to hide. That is one of the things I miss the most about the kids being little.
I had fun playing with these though: Found at Maryse's. I warn you, they are addicting and a time suck. here's a couple of my favorites!
Play for yourself at http://www.dumpr.net/

Artyarns chicken

Chicken full of bubbles!

This little guy? Icicle chicken? May be my favorite of all!

Tulip chicken. See? See how hard it it to stop? They are worse than peanuts!

Sunflower sprout chicken

Let's not forget about the amazing circles! Those are fun too!
Which is your favorite?
And a Hogwarts Sock Swap Questionaire:
1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into? I am a Hufflepuff. I can live with that!
2. Shoe size? Women's 8 US
3. Foot Length? 9 inches. But they say size doesn't matter!
4. Foot Circumference? I am not going to answer this because I don't like my socks loose and saying that I have a 9 inch round foot makes a bigger sock. :) Snug but not blood binding. You know?
5. List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length.
~Crystal palace bamboo size US1 in 6 inch size
~Brittany size US1 in 5 inch size
~that's it. There is no 3rd
6. I've never tried Pony Pearls and I hear people love them. Or any bamboo. Size US1 or 2, any length. Honestly, if it's a gift, I will love it!
7. If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference? If I were a Ravenclaw and I'm not, I would like the book colors better. Sure, the point is moot. But I have opinions.
8. Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal? I am.
~~~~
There you have it. Everything you wanted to know about my hogwarts sock yearning and were afraid to ask!
:)
Hope your Easter (or just your plain old Sunday) is as BLUE SKIED as mine!
P.S. The astute among you will notice that not a peep (easter word) has been mentioned about knitting in quite a few days. And days. Keep your needles crossed that I get some quality time with some yarn soon!

P.S. I'm a Hufflepuff!

I bow to your generosity. Bethany's total so far for the Relay for Life is $325!!!
You can donate by pushing the paypal button in the previous post or directly on her Relay Page. all of the raised funds to this account sometime this weekend.
She is shocked and pleased! We need to make an ending for our yarn prize though (Which is one skein of the wondiferous Ball and Skein Sock yarn, thank you JUDY)
Let's see. The winner will be chosen on Monday, April 9th, 5 pm EST. Thank you for your donations. (Still time!)
~~~
AND
One more thing before I have to go running off to work, I have joined the Harry Potter Sock swap, a fun figment of Rececca's imagination. I am looking forward to the final Harry Potter book and thought this would be a fun way to control the anticipation. Or perhaps enhance it. (and in a way, I'm not looking forward to it being the end of the series, but....)
Check out the Hogwarts Sock Swap Page and maybe you'd like to swap along with us!

~~~
AND.
It's funny Friday!
Here's the second part of the blog cartoon of last Friday!

Relay for Life

We kid with each other a lot around here. We laugh and we knit like there's no tomorrow together. But today it's time to get a bit serious.
Cancer.
Just the word sucks, doesn't it?

On April 28th, Bethany will participate along with her roommate and other friends, in the annual UNH Relay For Life. Our family has been remarkably untouched by the tragedy of cancer. But we have dear friends who have suffered emotionally and physically as I'm sure you have too.
As part of the team of fundraisers, Bethany needs to raise $200. Being poor parents of 2 college kids, I wondered if you'd like to help. Every penny put together helps immensely.
If you'd like to help, click the button below to donate through paypal. If you don't have paypal, we can work something out I'm sure. For every donation (leave a comment here so I know you donated) I will enter your name in a raffle for yarn. One skein of luscious yarn (I don't own the yarn yet, but I'm thinking it will most likely be Judy's wonderful handdyed yarn, if she has any more to sell me)
~scroll down please, I can't figure out how to pull the button up~

I couldn't come up with an April Fool's joke if my life depended on it!

So, Funny Friday? Is it going to be a THING?
Don't we bloggers LOVE our things?
(she says with a totally straight face knowing how bad it sounds)
First up today?
It is Kim's Birthday. And this is NO JOKE. Kim is one of the most kind, considerate people I know and I am proud to call her my friend. Please go over there and bombard her with birthday wishes. Go ahead. I'll wait. (you ARE coming back, aren't you?) You DID go, right? Bombarding takes alot of time and effort. :)
Secondly:
I wanted to have a blog April Fool's joke today. But I'm plum out of creativity.
Here's my ideas, all nixed:
~quitting blogging: so obvious really
~I'm really a man: hey, it could happen
~I am getting a divorce: It's kind of cruel, I couldn't say it
Not a one of them funny.
I admit it.
~~~
While I am being so random (perhaps it's only in my brain)
how about a bit of movie and book chat?
Movies I have seen lately:
~Big Night On the recommendation of Norma. I loved it. I especially loved the last scene which had no speaking at all for quite some time.
~Bewitched Being a huge Bewitched fan from way back, I had to see this one. I liked it. It was an amusing movie, not one I'd rush to see again. I did not LOOOVE it. I did not hate it. It was enjoyable.
~Joyeux Noel I liked this sappy movie very much. Gives me hope that even the enemy are people just like us.
Books
~The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint Even though this book felt a bit long in the middle (a bit too much torturing and bullying in great detail for me) I ended up loving this book. Author Barry Udal's style is one that takes a bit of getting used to (he shifts between tense but it works) and reminds me of a cross between Annie Proulx (The Shipping News) and John Irving who is one of my favorite author's of all time.
~Empire Falls by Richard Russo. This is one of those books that you hate to see end. I feel a bit lost without having it as part of my day. I wish it extened on a bit more in time, I would have loved to see where the characters ended up.
No jokes here. Move along.....
:)