Where does the time go?

I swear, I mean to blog. Really, I do. I think of things to blog about while I am driving all over northern Indiana back and forth to school. Then I come home so beat that all I want to do is sleep.

I did have really great plans I had to blog this weekend, but I threw my back out for the first time ever. I highly suggest you all miss this experience if at all possible. The good part is the lovely medication the nice doctor gives to you when you are screeming in pain! It still hurts, but I'll live.

So, since photos are really important to a blog, I thought I would share a photo my mother sent to me in e-mail a while back.

Yes, gentle reader, that is actually a picture of me at my first birthday. There are no pictures of me in color before the age of 2. Color photography existed, but it was expensive.

There is knitting to talk about, mostly socks, but I am too lazy to take a picture now.

I promise to post this weekend.

Happy knitting!

I am still here

I always seem to drop off the face of the planet when I am in school. Working on a master's while working at a high school does keep me on my toes. I love that I get to do lots of reading (since I am working on becoming and English teacher, it is expected), and work gives me time to do some mindless sock knitting (I plan it so that I am doing plain St st legs or feet at work).

What I don't have lots of time for is blogging. I have plans to share bits of my knitting and life with you all, but my plans are dashed by changes in assignments and plain being tiered all the time.

Last weekend, Sly and I were able to get away for the long weekend. We took our RV to Spring Mill State Park in southern Indiana. It is really wonderful there. We explored caves, visited the pioneer village (I swear I took pictures of EVERY spinning wheel and quilt in the place), and saw the Grissom Memorial (very nice but small to someone who has visited the Space Coast in Florida as much as I have). So, here is a small selection of my photos from last weekend. Enjoy!

Me knitting outside of Granny White's house. I actually met one of her descendents while sitting here. BTW, see my project pouch from Piddleloop? It is my all time fave knitting bag.


A wonderful little scene with a knitting basket. I did get to talk with the woman who made the quilt as well.

The best spinning wheel picture I took all weekend. I think it is just charming. :)

Another "traveling sock!" Not to mention the charming Midwestern town in the background. I don't remember where I took this. Indiana small towns all have the same feeling to them, and after a while, you can't tell one from another.

I also worked on my Irish Hiking Scarf. The thing I hate about scarves is that after about 4 feet I get a little tired of them, but a 4 foot long scarf is just too short.

Just in case any of you were wondering, this is what I do with my ball of yarn while in the truck.

That is all for now, happy knitting!

Over the hill, stitching, and yarn sales

First, I must give a shout out to Sly. It is his 40th birthday today! Happy birthday dude; I love you!

Now, for the crafty stuff. I haven't been doing a whole lot of knitting (I have been making slow progress on my Cozy and my Irish Hiking Scarf), but I have continued to practice my stitching.


I was having so much fun that I decided to add some interest to a denim jacket I bought for less than $10 a while back.

While I haven't been doing much knitting, I have been using up all those tiny little balls of cotton left over from a dishcloth blitz. These are ugly as sin dishcloths, but what the hell? I am going to use them to do DISHES, so who cares how ugly they are?

In other knitting related news, I have been doing some serious yarn shopping. I bought Noro from Webs because they are having a sale. It is unlikely that I am going to find Kureyon cheaper than $6 anywhere else. I also got 10 skeins of Lamb's Pride on eBay for $50 (including S&H). Between these two good deals, I have all the yarn I need to make the Sandy Cardi from Big Girl Knits!

There is actually a color in the Noro that matches the Lamb's Pride, but the photo doesn't do the color justice. I am very happy with the color choices. I am also happy that a sweater I was sure was going to cost around $130 to make is going to be more like $90.

I also bought this vintage red wool from England on eBay. I am not sure what I am going to use it for, but 26 ounces cost $21 (that is including the S&H). Erin told me about this charity, so that is a good use for the wool.

Well, I am off to go make frosting for Sly's cake!

And Now for Something Completely Different

In the past, I have used this blog to demonstrate my complete and utter nerdiness. I have posted a love of Mythbusters, James Bond, Harry Potter, and Star Trek (while that post was pertaining to the more acceptable Star Trek the Next Generation, I am in fact, a walking storehouse of totally useless knowledge on the Original Series, which is the only REAL Star Trek).

I own up to my nerd status. I am comfortable with my completely un-cool nature. I am the antithesis of hip. I married a comic book geek who surprises me with the depth and breadth of his knowledge of Spiderman, X-men, and the Fantastic 4 (to name just a few of the fictional worlds he is well versed in). I am, however, just not sure why he should spend good money on totally useless plastic dolls (I mean action figures). We are a family of nerds.

I am sure believing this to be funny is uber-nerdy; however, being able to identify the title of each episode involved (I love that "Operation Annihilate," aka Attack of the Flying Boogers, represents Spam but "Devil in the Dark" for jam is a bit gross, and I won't even discuss "Journey to Babel" for ham), the names of ancillary characters (isn't Trelane a great dancer? And did you know that William Shatner played the dead body of Kirk's brother, Sam? Christopher Pike is NOT in a pram!), and relevant dialogue ("Aye, they're in the machinery" and "Bunk bunk") makes me so nerdy that nerds look at me and say "whoa, check out that nerd!"

I am also sure that taking the time to find all those relevant links is over the top nerdiness too!

Majorly HUGE Edit:My son has informed me that this post isn't nearly nerdy enough, so I offer you all this, and that!

Okay, so fess up! What is your nerdiest moment ever?

Embrodering the Truth

I know I haven't been a good blogger the past few weeks. It's not that I am not working on my knitting. It's just that I am working on *big* projects, and no one wants to see pictures of the nanometer of progress that I have made on everything anyway. Constant WIPs photos are just boring. I should just set aside a day that I post WIP photos.

Sly and I went shopping yesterday. He needed underwear, socks, and shoes (I am sure he is happy that I am writing about his underwear). While rooting around in the Bargain Books store, I found the Stitch It Kit by Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching for $8 (and a Miss Marple).


The kit was pretty complete, with floss, hoop, booklet, reusable transfers, needles, and fabric. I added the mini pin tomato, scissors, and Altoids tin with needle threader. Since I had everything, I thought I should start to stitch. Now, I did do some pretty ugly embroiders when I was younger. I have also stitch a few knitting totes recently, but I was pretty rusty at the time. I think I have got the rust pretty well oiled now, what do you think?


First, I did this sweet little strawberry.


Then I did the cute coffee pot and cup. I think both turned out really great, and neither took long to do. I was in need of some instant gratification crafting. Knitting is all about delayed gratification.

After my success, I bought this:


Good ol' Walmart, more floss then I'll ever use for $10!

I also ordered new Sublime Stitching patters: Krazy Kitchen, Day of the Dead, Craftopia, Pinups, Gothic, Om Sweet Om, and Dainty Days.

I have a black hoodie that I bought on sale for $5 a while back. I am going to start stitching all over it tomorrow.

That is all for now,
Happy Crafting!

Socks, RVs, and Jeeps

Here is my version of the Harlot's traveling sock. It is the Vine Lace sock from the Socks, Socks, Socks book in Koigu. Sly and I went away to Michigan for the weekend. We had loads of fun, and it was good to get out of the house for a while. The heat has kept me inside with the AC for two weeks, and I was in need of some fresh air.

We stayed with some friends who have a weekend place near Irons Michigan. There are motor sport tracks all over the place up there, so Sly and I got to do some Jeep-ing. We were able to use this red Jeep for the weekend. I have never done any kind of off road adventure before. It was like hiking without all that pesky walking. We turned down dirt roads to get to two track roads, and finally, paths! After a while, I wasn't even sure I was still in Michigan any more. I wish I could remember this little guy's name. Everybody had *D* names, and I just can't make myself remember. He's a funny little guy who can drive a tractor all by himself, at the age of 4! I mean a real tractor, not a ridding lawn mower.

I did plan to go to yarn stores, but the two we past on the way up were closed. Saturday, my shopping time was spent trying to find a new LP tank for the RV. It was $70, so shopping was a no go for the weekend. I don't really need the yarn, but a LYS that I had never been to before could have been fun. Instead, we drove all over Cadillac Michigan trying to get propane and propane accessories. Where is Hank Hill when you need him?


Buddy had the time of his life! He was able to run around a bit off his leash with Buster the boxer. Buddy couldn't help himself. He ran 2 miles down the road and then went 2 miles the other way. Silly dog. BTW, his tongue really is black and red like that, and even his vet is not sure about what breeds Buddy can claim. He is listed as a chow mix because of the tongue.

He is Sly after a bumpy ride in the woods and a nice hot shower (thanks to the $70 LP tank). Isn't he cute?

He is my sock just before we left to go. As you can see, I didn't get much done. I was pretty sure that Jeep would not have been safe with metal DPNs.

So, what did all of you do for the week end?

Happy knitting!

Cooking, baking, and sewing -- OH MY!

So, I do more than knit. While I have been knitting everyday (despite the stoopid hot outside), I don't have much to show but progress on WIPs. WIP pictures have got to be the most boring thing to put on a blog, so I am showing what I did today BESIDES knit.


I made this little quilted books for Jess, Erin's daughter. She is turning 5 this week!


I made zucchini bread from my mother's recipe. MMMMM, this is a real recipe made back in the days before the low fat police spoiled all cook books. It is downright yummy. I am going to wrap several in my heirloom aluminum foil and take to S&B tonight.


And last but not least, turkey stock. The stock will be frozen and used for various soups and stews. The turkey breast will be cut up and turned into delicious turkey salad for lunch. The veggies will have spent all of their goodness into the stock and be tossed out.

So, that is my day. What are the rest of you up too?

Bombshell

I wanted to post these pictures a couple of days ago, but I needed to wash and block the sweater. It always takes a while for things I block to dry because I don't have a screen. I have to flip things over and wait for the other side to dry.

Here is my finished Bombshell from Big Girl Knits. It is made from Debbie Bliss Angora Cotton in rose. I am totally thrilled with the results. The yarn is soft and light, the color is lovely, and the fit is fan-freaking-tasic!

This picture shows off what Sly likes best about the sweater. It is rather flattering to the twins. Actually, I have a really heavy duty bra under there that helps a bit. Still, the sweater doesn't hide the girls. It allows them to be seen in the best possible context!

Because I totally have knitting ADD, I cast on the Irish Hiking Scarf from Hello Yarn before I finished Bombshell. I have a basket full of WIPs, and I have to go and start another one! I need therapy. The picture doesn't really do the cables justice. It is made in some of my sale/birthday Philosopher's Wool. Just two odd hanks of this totally fabulous lavender color, but at $4.20 per hank, I think I am getting off cheap.


It isn't like I don't have enough knitting to keep me busy, but new ideas just pop into my head. These are some cute little wallets I made up this afternoon. I was avoiding going outside to hang the wash on the clothesline. It is freaking HOT out there.

These are just the proto-types. I used my credit card as the guide to make these. In the future, they will have three pockets. I still need to add snaps to the flaps as well.

That is about it for now. Happy knitting!

More of what I have been up to

Today I have some pictures of what I have been knitting. Nothing really grand, but I thought I should prove that I have been doing something.

These are the baby hats I did for the Harlot's WIC/breast feeding project. I think they look like candy.I have been a dishcloth knitting fool the past few weeks. Here are few; I gave 6 to my sister for her house warming.

Sly airbrushed another bag for me. It is a line from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: "I do love knitting patterns." Yes, that is a yarn ball with a magic wand through it!
My flowers that are in bloom at the moment. I love the purple color, but I can't remember what this little dude is called.

Well, I guess that is all for now. My Bombshell from Big Girl Knits will be done in a day or two, so look for that!

So, where have I been?

Frankly folks, I haven't been doing much of anything. It is the summer, and I am out of work. The hazards of being a substitute teacher. I just don't have much to report.

I spend most days reading, knitting, and doing house work. I am a regular Suzy homemaker. Of course, being out of work makes me very short on cash, so there isn't much I can do.

The big business around here has been the clog in our kitchen sink. The clog led to the discovery of holes (not leaks, HOLES) in our rather old plumbing. My house was built in 1893. I have no idea how old the plumbing is, but it is old. The rust is the only thing holding it together.

Poor Sly! It was dirty, smelly, and nasty. The gunk in the drain was black, and it smelled as if something died down there. Fixing the pipe was no fun either. He has to go down into the basement (a brick lined hole in the ground) and crawl through a hole in the wall to work on the plumbing. It is a small crawl space with dirt, spiders, and octogenarian plumbing (I doubt my house was built with the indoor verity).

I have been knitting. I need dishcloths, and I made some for my sister as a house warming gift (15 total). I have been knitting baby hats (6) for the Harlot. My Bombshell sweater is nearly complete. I just have to finish the sleeve and neck trim (in seed stitch).

I did manage to make it to the LaPorte County Fair (the oldest county fair in the state of Indiana). Sly, being a city boy, has resisted going to fair over the years. I finally got him to go this year. I like looking at the animals and other exhibits. I promised Sly the animals would all be clean and pretty for fair, and they were. He still insisted that they smelled bad (I didn't notice). He liked the horses and the dairy cows seemed to impress him. I did get to visit the sheep. They have been sheared, so I didn't get to see all the potential sweaters. I also saw angora and cashmere (I mean rabbits and goats). There were a few knitted items entered, not much. Frankly, after seeing what won, I am going to enter next year.

I'll post pictures sometime this weekend. Tomorrow is Family Fun Day at my uncles house, so look for more on Sunday.

I also have a pattern to share; as soon as I figure out what the heck I wrote on the back of that napkin.

I am a Friend of P

Several of my knitting needle rolls are now available at Piddleloop.

More needle rolls and two sizes of totes will soon be available. I will keep you all posted.

The Promised, but Very Late Photo Heavy Post

I am sorry I haven't written in a while. It has been very busy around the casa. Tony and Michelle (not to mention yours truly) are all preparing to attend college in the fall. Tony had orientation yesterday. After being a student for only 6 hours, he has managed to earn credit! What a nerd.

Anyway, on the the WIPs!

Here is my Bombshell from Big Girl Knits. I am working on it for the KAL on the Big Girl Knits Group. I need to do the bust short rows, then I do the middle ribbing. It should be done by now, but I started so many other projects, that I really haven't worked on in much this week.

This week has been all about *Cozy!* Remember the Philosopher's Wool I bought on sale for my birthday? Well, here it is again. This wrap should be perfect for fall with a pair of jeans.

Since I am talking about birthday yarn, here is the yarn I bought with the gift certificate from Erin and Jen, and some of my gift money from my mom. 4 Lorna's Laces for socks (which was 10% off) and more of the sale Philosopher's wool (I loved the color but they only had these two).

My Pie Shawl made from the discontinued Lion Brand Imagine (a mohair acrylic blend). Yes, it is very bright. I actually decided to make it a bit bigger than the pattern (since I am a big girl), so I frogged my first wedge, but mohair is a pain to frog. Now the cats have a fluffy new toy!

Sly's Denim Style sweater. Don't ask when the last time was I worked on it. I really don't remember.
Another sweater I haven't touched in AGES! The front is done, and I am just finishing the neck, so I really just have to do the sleeves and I am done.


Just some dishclothes I am doing for my sister. She just moved into a new house, so I thought I would knit a small house warming gift.

I will close with a glimpse of the needle/hook/dpn rolls that will be available for sale here.

meme from Jen

There will be a photo heavy post very soon. I have a great many WIP issues that I simply must deal with. In the meantime, I got this from Jen, and it seemed like fun.

Please leave a one-word comment that you think best describes me
— it can only be one word long. Then copy and paste this into your blog so that I may leave a word about you.

THANKS!

Birthday Surprises

Yesterday, I went to my LYS to meet some friends and then go to Barnes and Noble for an evening of knitting and goofiness.

My talent of finding sale yarn came in handy. Erin walked by the lovely Philosopher's Wool several times and never noticed that it was 40% off. Since Sly told me I could spend $20 on yarn for my birthday, I bought 5 hanks a really fabulous blue color. My plan is to make a wrap for the fall to wear with jeans. I am thinking of this one.

While Erin, Jen, and I were at the LYS, the other girls were acting a little odd. They were both trying to keep me away from the cash resister. I just couldn't understand it.

After making all our purchases, we all went to Barnes and Noble, and they surprised me with birthday treats, yummy chocolate truffles, brownies with CREAM CHEESE frosting, and a gift card to the LYS we were just in (they were trying to buy it without me noticing). Check out the totally goofy pictures on Jen's blog.

I am off to enjoy my 16th 22nd birthday!

Good Luck Tony!

June 11, 2006 Anthony Sylvester Cotto graduated LaPorte High School with an Indiana Academic Honors Diploma. Way to go Tony!

Open House

Today was my son Tony's open house for his high school graduation. So, I have a picture heavy post of the party.

Here is Tony on his big day with my mom.

Sly did a super job grilling burgers and hot dogs for everyone.

Tony and his friends play are rather intense game of Frisbee after the rain let up.

More Frisbee action.

Little Cindy stole many hearts!

Michelle (my daughter) and Randy (her boyfriend)

Aunt Barb, Mom, Uncle Carl, and Aunt Diana

Uncle Porter, Sharon, Aunt Dorothy, and Dad

Well, that was the party today. While the day started with rain, it did manage to get nicer in the afternoon. We all had a good time, and we are all very proud of Tony. Tomorrow is his actual graduation ceremony. See ya then.