WoW-Zorro

Here is my big boy. As I look at my garden (weeds) he will follow me around and stop me so he can get attention.

The last of my Peonies. I was able to get a better picture once the sun came out to show you the hand blown cobalt blue vase.

FO- The Forever Socks- Forever done!

Thought you would never see this day-- well, neither did I. I would have had them done on Friday night if I had not confused myself with the Kitchener stitch. I tried to tink back but and ended up ripping back to where the toe started! I have also tried creating a mosaic in Flikr. I spent hours reading help. Uploaded the pictures, deleted them and uploaded a second time. Well, I did manage to create one but have not figured out how to upload it to my blog. It is in my collection on Flikr if you are so inclined to see them again. I copied it to my computer and it is really tiny. So I am just going to show you all the views individually.

This is the 2nd sock.

Detail
This is sock #1
Detail
The #$@^% pair together!!

OK, now that you have seen all the views you can see that while they were knit from one skein of Misty Mountain Farm Jubilee- Crimson Tide, they do not match. When I started the 2nd sock I matched up my cast on using the tail from sock 1's cast on. I have never had this happen before. I did not realize the difference until I started the heel. Once sock 1 was done it was put it in my bag. It did not see the light of day since April when I started sock 2. I double checked the amount of stitches for each sock. Check, 72 stitches divided between two needles 36 per needle. I checked this 4 times for each sock. I used a size 2 Addi 24" cable.

I have cast on for a new project. Something simple. It is from the Itty-bitty Nursery book that I received last week. While I was there I could not help but add in two skeins of Felici Self Striping Sock Yarn in the Gelato color way. I am going to try and figure out how to substitute yarn and make something for a baby. Don't have one to make it for but we never run out of babies and I am never ready for when one comes along.

Now if I could figure out how to add a slide show, cross out type and so much more that I see other blogger's do on g00gle blog. I really do not want to change sites at this point.

I hope your Memorial Day weekend was a pleasant one. I know mine was quite and I was really glad to see the rain today. Yes, Lynn, I was glad. It kept the millions of kids I have in my community in the house. The past few years we have had little turnover in families, which is good, but the kids are getting bigger and louder each year. I have lived here long enough to see them from toddler to college.

I am now going to watch a movie "The Secret Life of Bees", I listened to the audio book and loved it and knit my new project.

BTW, I am still fighting ants. I went to Wal Mart on Friday and got Taro inside and outside traps. I went again this afternoon and picked up two gallons of the super duper spray for in & outside. I am so over these little creatures. I hate not being 'green' but I am at my wits end. I hope the product does what it says it will do and I can get a friendlier product to use as a follow up.

Susan Boyle - Semi Final 1 - Britains Got Talent 2009 (HQ)

Her she is. A bit jittery at the start. One of my fav songs.

Diversity - Semi Final 1 - Britains Got Talent 2009 (HQ)

This is my second pick for the winner. These guys are so much fun to watch. Wish I had seen it in person. Next up Susan Boyle

WoW-Sissy

Here is Sissy in Stanley's bed. It was the 2nd time I found her there.

I took this picture of my roses and peonies this past Saturday. I cut off most of the Peonies because of the rain we has Saturday night. I knew they would be goners. Today I still have roses and more peonies. Wild weather, late snow, very hot August weather, lots of rain and now cold mornings...this is the best show of my roses than I ever had.
This is just one in a beautiful cobalt blue vase I own. Since there was no sun and I could not bring the flowers into the house, ants, I could not get a good vantage point to show the vase/flower combo. They are still sitting on my patio along with others that broke that as sitting in a bucket. Definitely the cool weather is helping keep these going.

I interupt regulary programming

just received my mail and now have in my hand Knit Picks new catalog. Just go and look. Now.

Keeping busy

I upgraded my Internet Explorer 7 to IE8. I love it. The best feature I like is when I open a new tab you can set and see your bookmarked pages. I can now just click on a thumbnail of pages I frequent. Like the Panda at the National Zoo, I just saw her snuggling with a ball. I have my Facebook page, Google Reader, my YouTube account, Race for the Cure Team Ratner. I sent emails to my family, Friends and Knitters and have received my first donation from a special knitting friend!! I love this community. All who read, follow or comment on my blog have become friends. We have found out that we have so much more in common than knitting. I love traveling around the country as well as the world.

I know there might be issues about using our knitting blog for causes but that is all part of what we are. We share our ups and downs. Our dogs and cats. The gifts we make, knitted or not. The prizes we win from contests. The goodies we receive from swaps. If we do it, care about it, make it, we share. That is why we keep up with one another.

When my friend made a donation and all the people in my office saw it and I told them how I reached out they was surprised. I was so proud to say it was from a knitting friend. To them it was a 'hobby' thing. Then they thought about it and figured out that they too would reach out. So another race is on! To encourage the "home office" to join they are offering two lunches. I forget what we need to do but it will be Pizza and Super Chicken. I think I am the only person in the office who does not like their food or I am the only one who openly admits it! OK, I'm getting carried away!

Here are a few things that I have purchased since the beginning of the year. I will spread them out over several posts because seeing it all in once place overwhelms me. I know that when I buy online that they are my treats to myself as I believe one day at a time. I know that I can spend too much but...

This is a book I swapped at the 2009 Knitters Retreat. I have had it in a stack of things to take pictures of! Check it out at Knit Picks.

More from the retreat. You can read about Mary's art at Robin's post here mid way down the page. The wine ring was made by Robin but I am using it as jewelry.
All this highlight tape came in the mail yesterday. Run don't walk and get these. It only took one day to receive them!

I mentioned in a previous post that I spent March and April on Ancestry.com. I have so many records of my Great Grandfather, Abraham Isherwood and family who immigrated from England between 1905 and 1916. So far, I've only printed out a few pages at work as they need to be 11 x 17. (Work or print out, what a choice!!) I did save all the jpeg as pdf's at work. I have Adobe Pro at work. I will use these tapes to highlight the family members for my Mother & Aunt to read. I also hooked up with a relative in California who is the grand-daughter of Abraham's son Abraham. That's correct, Abraham my GGF, father was also Abraham! Talk about confusing trying to make sure I attach the correct record to the right Abe.

Panda check. Mei Xiang does move slowly but she has been moving around. There are two cams Cam 1 is Mei Xiang, Cam II are the boys. You have to watch her. Panda fever here in DC.

I started this post about 2 hours ago, yikes! Not all in one sitting but you can tell I'm on a role. Which for me is a good sign because it means I am busy around the house.

Later, enjoy the weekend. I'll have pictures soon of my roses & peonies. It is cloudy and misting rain so I plan on cutting all the peonies. Jeez Louise, I sure am on a roll. Could it be the 4 cups of coffee? lol

Killer Weed

What is this? I went through all my garden books,searched on-line and did not find a picture. I have now cut them down so the pods won't open. With the rain these grew to 3'. If the rain didn't stop they could have turned into Jack's bean stalk. Although, I would hate to see poor Jack with prickly things stuck all over him, LOL.

I picked up the lawn paper bags when I was at Safeway last Monday. They are the cheapest and best way to recycle yard stuff. I will fill up a bag later when it is cooler. We are having beautiful weather again today. Breezy and sunny. The neighborhood kids have not come out yet to make me close up the house and Zorro is behaving himself by not clawing in the screen on the patio door.

This is the only Lilac's that I cut off my bush. This is a 18 year old plant and only blooms every other year. 2007 the landscapers cut it back. Which is OK to do but then you have to wait two seasons for flowers. I hope they leave it alone this year.

Least we forget why I started this blog, here is another purchase fro Jimmy Beans Wool. This is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Limited Edition April 2009 Robin's Eggs. Thank goodness I did not like the other months colors. The colors just grab me and before I know it I hit the purchase button.

I have pulled out all my spring and summer clothes and moved back the fall/winter to the walk in closet. I have quite a stack of clothes to try on and I believe most will go to charity.

Edit: why is it that some pictures you can make bigger and others not?

Race for the Cure

Yesterday I sent out an email letting you know about Team Ratner. I have never reached out to my Family, Friends and you my fellow Knitters before and I hope I did not intrude. Here is the link to my Personal Page. My goal is to raise $125. If you are reading this and can make a donation as little as $5.00, I will reach this goal. You may select to keep your donation private.

As I mentioned in my email, I have signed up for Sleep for the Cure and I would like to be at the Mall to support my co-workers. After my shopping spree yesterday I know I can not manage the walk. Anyone have a Segway I can borrow? LOL

Thank you.

Busy Saturday--Sunday off to a bad start

I was up at 5 and weeding by 6 am. The horrible prickly weed that has taken over a part of my garden will require digging out. So I cut them down so the buds would not bloom.

1:32 a.m. Sunday--I woke up with a Charlie horse in my right calf. I laid there flexing and stretching my leg. Pain is terrible. Finally had to get up and walk it off. that is working but muscle still wants to cease up. While I was shopping yesterday my left foot was cramping. Completely twisted my toes.

Back to that weed. I am searching the net and not finding out what it is. OK, leaving to look in my garden books. More later. 2:05 a.m--later! my left calf wants to cramp.
2:17-I'm now drinking coffee and I will be up for awhile. Watching last episode of CSI-NY. Baby just born. Wandered over to Ravelry. Took a couple of Va1l1um. Thank goodness it is Sunday.
OK posting this, more posts to follow...

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Bear in Sheeps Clothing

This past Monday I went to my local Safeway. I needed that all important staple-- Kitty litter. I hesitated going in but I had a $1 coupon. Well, $108.00 later, I had two weeks of lunches for work and other staples..like Edy's Peanut Butter Choc ice cream. Everyone on the store was nice and the whole experience went well. I do have a question, why is it that you have coupons and can not find the damn things! Also, how in the world do coupon clippers spend $108 and only pay $4? Do they use expired coupons. I digress, as usual. As I was leaving the girl who works the Starbucks kiosh offered me a small paper cup of Carmel Frappuccino. It was left over from the last customer. While I was standing there look what I found! Isn't he adorable. Plus he was on sale! I have two others at work. I'll have post a picture soon. It is amazing the details they put into these little bears.

I have to tell you going shopping after work is not one of my favorite things, yet better than going on a weekend. I came home in a better mood because of the find and the people who were so helpful and nice. That included the other people shopping. Rare indeed!

I am still knitting on the darn sock!!

Have a great day.

WoW- Gift for Mom

On Sunday 3/29/09, I looked out to see Zorro bringing home his conquest. Not on your life was he getting in. The last time he did this, he paused and set the bird down and it flew off. As you can see this did not happen in my presence so I do not know the fate of this bird.

I have lots of pictures and only one knitting up date to come and I WILL update as I do not want months to go by like I have been doing of late. If you want to keep up with the other WoW kitties, click on the WoW picture above.

WoW- Flash back

Well, a lot has been going on and I miss blogging so I am going to try and keep up. With the 90 degree weather we have had for the last 4-5 day here in NoVa I thought you would enjoy this.
Please stop by and visit WoW

Adele - Chasing Pavements

Here is another wonderful voice with a haunting video. Click the X to minimize the ad. I love the choreography.

I heard Gabriella Cilmi singing on a commercial and had to track her CD down.

I have been around but was sucked into Ancestry.com. Script runs out this month. I'll share some interesting things I found out about my family soon.

In the knitting news I have been working on the Forever sock. My knitting mojo is in the dumps. I am on the second sock that I started in January at the retreat! Pictures to come soon.

Knitting on the Lake 2009 Part 3

Stash enhancement and door prizes. Oh my. In addition to seeing knitters new and from last year one of the fun things that Robin spends a lot of time on is getting door prizes donated and vendors to come on Saturday. So I am going to post a lot of pictures~

This is the Needle Holder I won that was donated from the Knitting Sisters. It is made with Kaffe Fassett fabric.

But I do not knit with straight needles so when I saw this circular needle holder by lexie barnes I could not to myself from buying it. It was only $35 so... it is the only that gets you. No shipping etc.

Mary Jane was the vendor from KOTL 08 has closed her business and on Sunday she brought in box after box of yarn and a few notions. I have no idea what the buttons are going to be used for but for $1.50 I could not pass them up.

The Lion Suede was on the table that people brought in for the For Sale table. I thought it would be good for another Dolores Park Cowl. Like the one I made here.

Left: Andes Color 08, 5 skeins, 825 yds. I plan on knitting the February Lady Sweater. Read a tip somewhere to alternate a skein every two or 4 rows to help (eliminate) pooling. When I get these on the needles I will actually make swatch. On the left is a pretty Cestari Lilac Heather 2 ply I have no idea what to do with yet but the price was right.

The pink/purple is Blue Heron Beaded Cotton/Rayon that was also on the For Sale table as well as this Cestari Tye Dye. Of course I'm still thing cowls but I will be going through some of the books I have.

Next is Diane's yarn from Creatively Dye Yarns I took a close up but if you go to her site you will see how she dyes her yarn.

9:07, 3/21/09: I started this post on 3/2/09. I signed up for a month of Anstry.c0m. I already has a program and had 4 generations. I have so much I want to share am will try to be a better bl00ger.

Early blogs

'nuff said. LOL TGIF

WoW-Finally

I have been so bad about keeping up with this. Here I share two shots taken in the last few weeks.

I mentioned in my snow post that Stanley had a new bed and you had seen what it replaced. Well, I realized I never shared the picture with you. He has now moved up to the dining table and was sleeping in a t-shirt. Saw a sale and the boy got a new bed.

Pia is a camouflage in fur. She matches my couch throw. I did not see her right off.

Be sure to check out WoW to see what or who is being highlighted.

Finaly Snow!

I have so many, well too many posts to update my blog. As it looks like I can get a snow day today I have taken a video of the boys usual routine of going out after breakfast. I will be taking videos later on. Our company had a 2 hour opening delay at 6:00. They said to call back at 7:45. My usual routine is to get up at 5 am and leave the house at 6:45. For those of you have ever used the mixing bowl at Springfield 95N you will understand this. I live down near Ft Belvior and only have one way to get to work is to drive south to Rt 7100 Fairfax County Parkway, I then merge onto 95N at the Newington ramp. I go for about 2 miles to take the fly over ramp to head to Tyson's Corner. They have already have had an accident on that ramp. The roads do not look good and because the snow is still coming down it fills up right after they plow.

For your viewing pleasure...I can only take the video and not direct so it's all up to what the boys will do. Zorro came through. 7:27 am.

Edited at 4:31 pm EST--I am pleased to report that at 8:13 am Zorro was at the door!

This is Stanley in his new bed. Now he knows how to spend a snow day!

Knitting on the Lake 2009 Part 2

I have had trouble uploading this video so I am going to make it a post by itself. Robin let the gals try out her new swift. I have tried uploading from flIkr but what is on there is not the full video. Please visit by Y0uTube to watch the video