Another Rainy Day in NJ

I understand the need for rain BUT it is getting to be too much here in NJ. We have hardly had any great beach days AND now that we are getting ready for my daughter to have a Christmas in July party which I really wanted mostly outside we are being slammed by rain again. I'm full of hope for a rainfree night Friday!!!!

I went to knitting this afternoon, worked on a swatch for my Adult Surprise Jacket and then my Baby Surprise sweater. Nice afternoon, then Caroline's friend and her baby came for dinner. We had fresh tomato and mozarella cheese with basil from the garden, fussili primavera with alfredo sauce. I made a fun dessert. I poached some fresh nectarines then made a packet of Bird's custard. I filled cake dessert shells with the nactarines, covered that with custard then topped it with a hot chocolate sauce. Just some melted bittersweet chocolate melted with a bit of heavy cream and butter. I don't cook very often but when I do I really enjoy it! After we ate the girls decotated the house with Christmas decorations and I cleaned up. Now for the fun on Friday.

July 14th

Today is a beautiful day here in NJ. I spent my morning in the yard and doing chores.I think that I am going to love being retired but not just yet! Yesterday, I spent the day in NYC taking a class that will let my school pilot a new program in assessment of K-2 math. It was exciting and I'll miss this when I retire.

Today, I'm still feeling the effects of a sinus infection. I plan to do some quilting and napping until knitting this evening.

I thought I would miss my son while he is on tour BUT so far due to the wonders of the Internet I am talking to him more then when he is at home. He is in Scotland right now and then will have a short break on Rome with the girlfriend! then home in early August.

a dog story

I really never tell cute stories about my animals but today is my exception. For a few days I noticed that Gizmo did not seem to be eating his usual Milk Bone dog cracker. There was always one in his usual snack spot. So the other day I was sitting on the couch and I saw Giz eat a milk bone. I anticipated his whining for another one and was waiting for him to start when I saw him walk over to the box, and grab it with his teeth. He had ripped part of the box away, and was able to shake out a milk bone for himself. He took one, ate it in the usual spot and repeated it a few times. When he was satisfied he took one extra and left it in his snack spot. I guess it is like leaving the table set!

We have new neighbors moving into both houses that border on the back of our backyard. Gizmo exhausted himself yesterday and over the weekend barking and watching one family move in so today all he is doing is sleeping. The second owner who is a friend of my daughter is moving in on Wed so it appears he is resting to resume his supervision! I just hope these new people are more friendly them the fussy women who lived there before!

Noro Silk Garden Chunky Vest

I love working with noro. It just makes me feel good. I did this vest very simply. I knit a tube, steeked it open into a back and two sides. then I picked up stitches and knit the connecting pieces on the sides, sewed the shoulders together and did an i cord trim. It has not been blocked yet or had the ends woven it. I may do another row of i-cord to leave loops open for buttons or I may do i-cord loops. I'm just going to think about it. Any suggestions?

Secret Pal 14

What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely not like?

I love to knit with wool or a blend of wool and silk. My two favorite yarns are anything Noro makes and Malabrigo.

What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have a nice crock and several zippered cases.

How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I learned to knit when I was 5 years old --- I'm 57 so I've been knitting for a while! My grandmother taught me and I consider myself advanced because I've had experience with lots of different types knitting BUT I still learn from others all the time.

Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No, I don't. Whatever I want I usually just get for myself.
What’s your favorite scent?

I love patchouli, lavender and vanilla in that order and any combination.


Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

I have set of sweet teeth! Dark chocolate with any type of interesting add ins, or black licorice or caramels are the things for me.

What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I quilt, do redwork embroidery, make cold process soaps. I can spin but I don't have a wheel right now.

What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I enjoy classic music and old favorites like Paul Simon, the Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor and some newer artists like John Mayor, Jack Jackson.

What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand?

I love red, blue and green in just about all their variations. I do not care for yellow or orange especially mustardy or yellowish green colors.

What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I was widowed a few years ago and I have two adult children a son, 26 and a daughter24. We have two cats and a dog.

Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I wear scarves,mittens but NO hats or ponchos!

What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Right now I love to do sweaters and vests. In the past I had a three year obsession with socks! I have since recovered :).

What are you knitting right now?
Right now I'm working on a vest of my own design from Silk Garden Chunky.


Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

It is so so nice to receive a handmade gift. I love handmade gifts.

Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I use both straights and circs and usually match the fiber and project to the material of the needle. I have just about every type of needle! I really like the tips of bryspun needles. The only kinds of needles I still want are bryspun circs in sizes 5 to 9 29 or 40 in.
Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

How old is your oldest UFO?

At least 20 years old!

What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?

I really enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Is there anything that you collect?

I collect blue polish pottery, yarn, stitch markers knitting books, fat quarters.

Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I have a few subscriptions, Interweave Knits and Verena.

Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?

I'd like to make a Bohus sweater.

Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

My foot is about 8 1/2 inches wide and 9 inches long.

When is your birthday?

August 5th

Are you on Ravelry? If so, what’s your ID?

Franhaz

First Week of Vacation

It is hard to believe that the first week of my vacation has already passed by! I've been working on my silk garden chunky vest. I just love it. Now I have miles of I-cord to knit. A good beach project! Pictures as soon as I get around to it!

I've been keeping to my schedule of one bag of junk daily from the spare room and it is getting thinned out. Lots of the obvious junkola is gone and I moving into the someone could really use this. So I may be taking some trips to the Goodwill boxes or the Thrift Shop a local church runs. AS LONG AS IT IS NOT HERE!!

I'll be at the beach the next few days, sitting in the sun with friends and family. Knitting, reading, swimmng, relaxing (probably eatting more then I should) being around friends and family ---Who could complain?