September Already

i can hardly believe that there are only a few more days of freedom for me! This has been a quiet summer for me, and a fast one. I made a few quilts ,did some knitting but finished just about NOTHING!!!
i am behind in keeping up withthis blog SO I will try harder -- just not today!

Summer just rushing by!

I can't believe that summer is almost gone! I've been spending the last few days with my mother who had her gallbladder removed on Monday. She is doing great and I've gotten in some quality knitting time on my adult surprise sweater. I would like to have it finished by the time I go back to school.

Friday, I'm going to bring her up to my sister's house in CT to see my grandmother wh is in the hospital recovering from pneumonia. Never a dull moment around here. I still need to finish my friends's daughter's wedding shower quilt by Sunday! She may get a semifinished quilt and an IOU.

My son is off to work on a show in Canada. The secretary in his office mistakenly booked him a ticket to Ontario, CA instead of Ontario, Canada so he will be getting in late without car or hotel plans set up!

Monday, August 17

I had a nice weekend, spent Friday at home while my friend's husband installed my new diningroom chandelier, it sounds so pretentious but it is a very simple one and coordinates with the inverted pendant in the livingroom.

Sat. I was up early for a class at my doctor's office and then spent most of the day napping, cooking and knitting.

Sunday, I got together with some friends and we went to Belmar to have lunch and see a play. A friend's sister and brother wrote the music and script and a group put it on to benefit the St Vincent de Paul Society.

Today my mother is having gall bladder surgury. I'll probably get in more hospital knitting with this! I certainly hope this is the LAST of my hospital knitting for a LONG time!

Three Years Today

Today is August 14th and three years ago my husband, Bob passed away at age 56. It feels like forever and also just a moment! i'm glad he is finished with pain and suffering but I wish he could see how our children are doing,how his constant companion Gizmo the dog is and all the work I've done in the house. Dealing with Bob's disability and terminal illness changed me. First I was a much more angry person but I've become much calmer and understanding and I hope less quick to be judgemental. It's been a while but I really miss him.

August 13th!

I can't believe that I let so much time pass without a post! I had such plans for posting very often this summer. I've been very busy with stuff that needed to be done, of no real interest to anyone but me and my family. A good friend was sick, I was sick, my mother was sick etc.

My evening knitting group has been working on knitting the E Zimmermann's Surprise sweater, either the baby or adult version. It's been lots of fun. It is so interesting to see the same pattern is different colors, textures.

I have received wonderful swap packages from my secret pal 14, Ravelery My Other Hobby Swap, and Swap-bot My LYS Swap,and Summer Apron. I took no pictures and by now the swap items are being used and read etc. Everything was great and gave me a lift when I needed one. I apologize for being such a crummy swap partner.

I am back to work in a few weeks and I feel like I've barely gotten a break. I know it is greed to want more vacation when I have so much BUT I just do.

Next Monday my mother is having her gall bladder taken out. She is very anxious and worried so please keep her in thoughts and prayers. I'll be with her for as long as she needs so who know how often I'll get to post again.

I saw the movie Julie and Julia. A young women turning 30 decided to cook her way through Mastering the Art of French Cooking in one year and blog about it. It was very good and maybe I need a project to spark blogging. What could my project be? Knitting my way through the Knitter's Almanac? Knitting a sweater a month (already pooped out on that one!) but to do her project she had to be selfish. Can you be as selfish as she was if you have a family? would I even want to be?

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?

Day 2 Vacation

As do most teachers I wait all year for summer vacation, sometimes patiently --sometimes eagerly but it is that carrot at the end of early up every day and drive in to work etc. So here I am at the second day of my summer break and I have made progress, yesterday I was up at six today at seven! I might have slept later but my darling daughter asked me if I had really intended to leave the sprinkler on ALL night? Now, the question I would like to ask her is why this did not rate a middle of the night wake up or are those strictly reserved for Can you iron this for me, or I need a ride or I'm short of cash! Well, our flowerbeds had their own private storm yesterday and I guess that it what they have gotten used to here in NJ.

Yesterday was a delightful day. I met with my group of Monday friends and we went out to lunch. I had a California burger with all the stuff that makes it delicious and so bad for you BUT I really enjoyed it. Just cottage cheese and fruit for dinner!

I have a goal this summer of cleaning out my "spare bedroom" on my main floor. I can't call it a guestroom because the guest would only have a choice of sleep under tons of stuff ( aka junk) or draping themselves over it. There is a speculation that the rug in there is green but I have not seen it in years! As I have cleaned out and sorted over the past three years this room has become the resting place of choice for those things I just can't throw away. It also has all the stuff aka junk that supported my craft fair shows. All I've done to it in a few years is throw more stuff in and keep the door firmly closed! this summer I am going to get this room pared down to a reasonable amount of stuff aka junk. I'm going to use a modified flylady approach. Every day I will go in and clear away a garbage bag of stuff. It has to be thrown away of PERMANENTLY put away. NO MORE piles anywhere. Yesterday I filled the garbage pail and now I am sorting through a pile of patterns etc. (sad to see the names of so many places not around any longer) I want to be able to have a picture of this room on this blog by the end of the summer! I will not even CONSIDER a before picture. You have to come to my house and knock me down to see in there!

Just Relaxing in Yarn Heaven

Yesterday, after I spread out my new yarn purchases to take a picture I just sat on the couch in the middle of all this yarny goodness and logged in my purchases in the stash section of Rav, then I started working on a new sweater for myself from the silk garden! I LOVE noro silk anything and it just jumped the line of all the other yarn waiting more patiently to get knit up. Both Katie (my associate daughter) and Courtney (my niece who is semi staying with us) ran in and said the same thing---"You look like you are in yarn heaven." Well they got it right but today instead of going to the beach I moved yarn heaven headquarters out to my backyard. I always seem to only go out at home to work in the garden or clean up etc. so today I went outside with coffee, a bagel, my Sunday NY Times, my laptop, the knitting and the dog. I'm going to stay out here all day and just veg out. Caroline and Courtney went to the beach, Katie went off to do errands so it is just me and Gizmo. I may even head over to the hammock soon!

retail therapy takes care of the blues

I woke up feeling a bit weepy and blue. School ended yesterday and while I know teachers are required to love the summer vacation (AND I DO), I am not doing any school work this summer, not going on a real vacation or doing anything big in the house AND I went to say good bye to my son who is going away until August. So I woke up feeling kind of blue and unfocused. I have about 4 or 5 years until I should retire and I was feeling a bit useless. THEN I went to meet a few yarn buddies. We met at B&N so after a quick latte to go, we headed out for a bag sale at a local yarn shop. OMG, I am so out of my feeling at loose ends. Now I know what I can do for the rest of my life, I can knit the yarn I got today! The deal was that you can stuff as much yarn as you can in a bag they give you for $25. I got 5 bags of STUFFED yarn. I am on Noro overload. 26 skeins of silk garden chunky, 10 skeins of matsuri cotton wool blend, 4 silk mountain, 11 skeins of colinette cadenza in 2 color ways, 44 skeins of RY Classic Yarns Natural Silk Aran!!!!!!!! If I had paid full price I would have spent $957!!!!!! (which I never would have spent in a million years. And 4 skeins of a new to me yarn from The Fiber Company, Terra in Acorn.

We had a nice brunch at a new restaurant then I found out about a local store with Birks on sale so I was required to head over and they had a sale BOGO 1/2 . So I got 2 pairs of Birk sandals for $105!!!

So here I am listening to Bruce Springsteen on my Ipod and looking forward to going to the beach Sunday. It will be a good summer!

The End of the Weekend

For whatever reason this week end seems to have gone on forever! Friday I had to go from Brooklyn to PA for the funeral of the father of a friend/coworker. He was a good man who died too early.

Friday evening I went to see The Taking of Pelham123. Good movie --a bit too violent for my taste.

Sat.morning I was up early, took the dog to the groomer, ( he looks so much better now--smells better too )and then went out to breakfast at a local Friendly's. This was a restaurant Bob and I went to very often when the kids were young. What a disappointment. It was run down, empty and looked like it was about ready to close.

While Gizmo was gone I popped into Home Depot and picked up my Father's Day gift to myself. I got a copper "thing" that waters the lawn. It is about 3 feet high and has two spinning wheels that are spin around powered by the water. It really looks nice. I also got myself 4 hanging baskets for my black iron hangers. I'd like the rain to stop long enough that I could spend some time outside!I spent a few hours weeding and cutting back some "stuff" which is trying to take over the driveway fence.AND the rain started again!

THEN,I was off to getting a manicure and pedicure. Nicely relaxing. I picked up a pizza and a quick grocery shopping and spent the rest of the evening reading a good book.

Today was cleaning and laundry and sorting and tossing. How did all this junk that I'm tossing ever get into this house? I spent the rest of the day reading a book by a young man with Aspergers. JUST 5 MORE DAYS OT GET UP EARLY FOR WORK!!!!!!!!!

NJ Guild's Quilt Show

Yesterday I had a busy day. Up early, did some quick housework then off to meet my friend to go to the quilt show. I did observe Worldwide Knit in Public Day by knitting in front of Zebu while I was waiting for my friend. We grabbed coffee and a quick snack to go and we were at the quilt show before it opened. I love this show, I've been attending for years. The only two years I missed were when Bob was in the hospital and the year after that. There were beautiful quilts both new and old. I am so amazed at beautiful work done by women who live in NJ! I make quick fun to make quilt but some of these are really works of art and just wonderful.

Well, there are vendors of course and I brought home another dozen fat quarters, a great apron themed applique quilt pattern,a ruler and rotary cutter to make circles, a small red work flower kit, and a roller kit to pick up hairs and lint etc. This I already used!

I spent the rest of the day reorganizing, doing laundry and really giving my downstairs a good spring cleaning. Got that in just at the end of spring! This morning I washed all the floors and now my back aches and all I want to do is go back to sleep! Another rainy day here in NJ.

Where is Spring?

12 days until Sumer vacation and it is cool, rainy and foggy in the morning.I could use some nice sunny weather! I did some knitting last night at our knitting group. I'm working on a short row scarf, relaxing and lots of fun.
I've made plans to go to the NJ Guilds Quilt show Sat. morning. I only hope I can look and not buy! Well, we will see!

June 9th

Not much new going on around here in knitting or quilting. I was too tired when I got home last night to do anything with the fat quarter land downstairs. I've been drooling over two quilting books in my spare moments at work.

I want to make a quilt from 60' degree triangles and just have fun with it. I also want to make a quilt for my friend's daughter's bridal shower and so my friend and I have been looking at books and planning.

Just 13 more days of school before I have LOTS of knitting and quilting free time.

Fat Quarteritis

I went to pick up some thread that I ordered at my not so local but regular quilt shop on Sat. They were having a fat quarter sale. So, naturally I had to get a few or 63 to be exact. Sunday morning, I decided to put them away and somehow, I realized that I have a few more fat quarters then I thought, so I decide to fold and iron them and in general organize them. Easier said then done, at last count I reached about 400 of these little suckers. AND that's just the intact ones, not the ones that are cut into and have turned into Fat Eighths or just a great scrap or my bolts of backing or the 100s of jolly packs (4 or 5 inch squares), or the jelly rolls or layer cakes or even the few honey buns or the few charming jelly cakes or just plain yardage etc.
My clean from Sat. family room now looks like a fabric explosion. I want to really find a way to organize and store them because I have so many duplicates and some gaps!

Well, only 14 more days of school after today!

Back Again!

No excuses, I just blog when I think of it. I've been a quilting fool. Not as much knitting as unual but a few nice quilts, both baby gufts.
My son is on tour in Finland with Bruce Springstein and his band. He is working with the generators to power the tour. I hope he enjoys it.

We have about 18 days of school left then TWO MONTHS OF PEACE at home.