Day 2

This my first day out of surgery. My friend took me back to the Doctor's office to speak with the Nutritionist. Now I'm exhausted and all I want to do is rest for the rest of the day.

The song of the frog was here again and the Swallowtail shawl was frogged yet again. When I'm feeling better I WILL find a way to knit this thing!

Stubborness Wins

I started the Swallowtail Lace Shawl a few years ago. It was right after Bob passed and my mind wandered too much. BUT I had it in the back of my mind to do it again. So Friday, I cast on again and knit but I was having such trouble understanding the pattern. Over Friday, Sat and now Sunday the froggy song of RIPIT< RIPIT was heard over and over! Finally I went to Ravelery and looked at other's people's work and READ their comments. Now I get it. The chart I'm following only gives the six stitch repeat and only the six rows of the pattern. I realize that I just was not seeing the pattern from the chart. The chart shows the repeat which is the second half of the pattern and then the first half. Once I saw that it all made sense! I will get this done!!!!!

Some FO's to show!

I finished a few projects recently. I started a Damson Shawl but did not have enough yarn so I finished it without the lace pattern border.The yarn is STR med weight. I love the colors. I also finished a ruffle scarf that looks like it is quick but is really LOTS of knitting.This is a fun easy pattern with short rows making the scarf twist and turn. It is my new walk around knitting so I immediately cast on a new one.

On Monday I am having elective surgery. I should be home for a week and a half and I am almost giddy with the idea of so much knitting time! Let's hope I feel well enough to get in lots of knitting!!!

finished Black Shawl!!!!

It still needs to be blocked and have the ends tucked in and there are a jillion mistakes and it will be A LONG TIME BEFORE I KNIT IN BLACK AGAIN!!!!!!

More Hospital Knitting

Thursday had to be one of the worst days I've had recently! In the morning I found out that my insurance company is dickering around with an elective surgery I have planned for next Monday. Without going into all the gory details this is why people HATE their insurance companies. ?More drama will follow next week!

Then I found out that my son had his debit card cloned and his bank account emptied out. Fortunately the bank picked up on it and called him and most of it has been replaced but not all.

Then the worst news. My 97 year old grandmother fell and broke her hip. So yesterday she had surgery and did as well as anyone her age can do. Now on Sunday we will be looking at rehabs for her. So I've gotten in lots of knitting on my shawl, finished my ruffly scarf and snapped ANOTHER needle working on the Damson shawl. Pictures will follow when I can get to it!

Tinking Black Lace

I have knit most of today and I am about 2 rows behind where I started. I was just rolling along on this project. I had the lace rows memorized, the chart was making sense and I was thinking "Why don't I do more lace?". Yes, pride goes before the fall. All of a sudden I realized that I had a bunch of extra stitches that the knitting devils must have stuck in while I was gloating about how nice this was coming along. SO I tried to pull out a patch and re knit the mistaken part. I just was able to make a much worse mess and then in true knitter's denial I knit two more rows as if a huge combination blob and hole right in the middle of the shawl would just blend in! Not only would galloping horse's rider notice it, they could disappear in it. So I had to pick out TEN rows which took me about the same time it took to knit them!!!! So I guess it is a good thing I love the process of knitting because I have no product to show!!

Picture Catch Up

I finally took some crummy pictures with my cell phone. Here is my latest Secret Pal Box. Now I can use the stitch markers!!! I'm not sure that you can see them but they are a lovely pale blue and silver.


Here is the shawl. I'd like to retire from life for a while and just work on this! Well, I go back to work on Tuesday so there is no chance of that! I'm off to the movies then an end to summer dinner with my daughter. Although I love my job I don't want to go back to work!

Black Lace

I have not felt very productive knitting wise this summer.BUT for the past few days I have just given into knitting the shawl Clothitde in black Nashua Ivy. It is a blend of alpaca and Merino with a bit of silver sparkle. No picture yet but I'll try the cell phone when it is light out. I'm on row 17 of the third repeat of a 20 row gull wing lace pattern. One more of this 20 row pattern then about 50 rows of spearhead lace. We'll see when I get this finished!

Yesterday I went to the 1st birthday party of the son of one of Caroline's friends. I got to visit with the quilt I made for him. I love seeing the quilts I make for these kids being used!

Today was I spent the day at the beach with my family. The last beach day of the season.

Thanks Secret Pal

I received a great box from my secret pal. I always feel sad at the end of the summer and this box was a welcome treat. I will post a picture ASAP but here is a description of the contents:
Two skeins of blue Ambrosia yarn - new to me a blend of alpaca, silk and cashmere (yum)

four beautiful blue stitch ,markers

a chunk of handmade soap

fall gel clings for the window

a cute potholder and towel set

101 Designer one -skein Wonders

a Go Red Love your heart pin

Thanks so much,

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?