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I have to post the final 3KCBW this year tonight. It is early, but I will be sleeping all day tomorrow after working night shift. I am delighted to have completed the week. So Balance......do I strike a crochet and knit balance???? No way. I'm always the knitter and very occasionally the crocheter. I do like to crochet edges for softness. I also will crochet a bag to felt over knitting it, due to the speed of the process. My Irish Nana taught me crochet. Friends taught and re taught me to knit. Crochet hurts my hands/wrists. Knitting feels great. Balance. is ...what I am always striving to achieve in the philosophical sense of the word. How do I try to stay balanced? I nap. I pray. I try not to over think life.... and I can still stand on my head for a good long time...... when you are short, it is easier to balance.

Today'a KCBW topic is Improving Your Skill Set. *I think you'll all roll your eyes if I say it one more time: Reverse Shaping ...someday. I have yet to find pattern that is completely written out for me involving reverse shaping. I've offered to pay someone to write it all out; I realize this must be a huge pain in the arse because no one has taken me up on the offer yet! Of all the skills I want to learn, that is truly the ONE. I do have another goal.....I want to knit a Barbie outfit....I am not kidding.... It's been a fun week of different kinds of posts. I've met some new bloggers thanks to 3KCBW. More news from this week: I knitted a big old lace scarf. Really. I did. Katherine had given me the Skydive Stole pattern a ways back. The angora that I indulged in last year came to mind when I was leafing through patterns. Voila! This baby is so soft. I adore the color. Some things just take a year.....almost like having a baby.... Al is i...

My Perfect Knit Day: sleep late (I know this cuts into the knit hours, but sleep trumps all when you work night shift) Log on to computer. Coffee.....(maybe with a pinch of sugar since it is a perfect day) Write Blog Post Read your blogs and leave funny comments. More Coffee Yarn store trip. Local 3 Bags Full Shop. Find great new inspiring pattern. Fountain Coke. Nap. (I realize I haven't touched a needle yet...) Awaken after just 45 minutes completely refreshed. Pick up needles mid project. Project is effortless and a bit fun. Yarn is most likely Lorna's Laces. Oh, did I say knit on screened porch? Did I say 80 degrees in shade? Slight breeze? Did I say thunderstorms expected? Friends or my kids drop by to knit and/or chat while I knit. Laugh. Fireman brings out guacamole and chips. and makes me a Mai Tai... Check the blogs etc again. Storms getting closer. Cats nearby. Thunderstorms begin. Still knitting effortlessly. I tak...

Karen inspires me. No, silly readers not the Bloody Mary, but Karen who is behind the Bloody and the knitting, inspires me. Over and over again. Karen is a natural knitter, I think. She laughs in the face of poorly written patterns. She teaches, she coaches, she knits. She is always picking up our dropped stitches when we get together to knit. Someone is always having her put down her own knitting to rescue ours. And she does. Over and Over and Over again. Karen has a dozen projects going at once, always. If you don't think you can knit that, well she, like Mary Poppins, just pulls something else out of her bottomless Knit bags. She makes you believe you can knit too. Karen's knit brain is never not knitting. Even when she is texting! She has a wonderful family, friends and a thousand other things pulling at her, but her needles keep going. Karen, You Inspire me. Thanks.

Blooming Markers

(Al's got the color gene...her new dining room lavender and living room purple!) - I don't know why BLOGGERS new format won't let me make paragraphs. Somebody help me please!!! - Today's topic for the 3rd Annual Knit and Crochet Blog week is: COLOR.- I went to these new blogs for some color inspiration: - I love finding new blogs to read. ...... wooldurham a pile of sheep whatzitknitz ripitgood and figheadh.com. From Fig's blog I was able to find a great free cowl neck pattern that I will be knitting soon. - Irisheyes Lynn must have known that there was NO pink in my stash. She graciously found me at 0650 this morning at a patients bedside and gave me two luscious skeins of pink Lorna's Laces....just because. She's tired of them in her stash.....Oh Lynn. I think this was the best moment of my today. - So it is suggested we talk color today. Well here's my thoughts on color. I go in phases...like everything else in my life. I WORRY...

These are my new little jelly shoes. It seems Jelly Shoes came to be during WW II when shoe leather was scarce. My Al loved her jelly shoes as a little girl. Chan??? Did you take notes? You'll never guess where I bought them..... Go ahead, guess. I've abandoned all my shawl plans for Sirenetta , skacel. What was I thinking? I was thinking soft and comfortable, but I forgot how cotton yarns hurt my hands. I quickly decided all the increases required for the shawl were going to do me in. It is now morphing into a simple cotton/acrylic baby blanket. I hope it is something some little one can carry around until it shreds into little strings. (Zach's blanket was reeduced to strings by year 4) Much like the children's book OWENS BLANKET. I had the best massage of my life yesterday. If you want a great referall let me know. The only problem was I realized every single muscle in my body was tense as the massage progressed. I'm sure there was not o...

Meredith sent me two of these fun summery dishcloths. Also in the box that arrived yesterday were cute stitch markers, and a darling shamrock pin. It was sunshine on a cold spring day, thanks Mere. The sunsetting over Lake Delevan on Wednesday night was another treat this week. I think I've told you before that we don't see many sunsets in my neck of the woods due to a lack of unobstructed west views. I treasure sunsets on the horizon. I have to repeat this story that I heard over the workend. Rem, a nurse I work with, was telling us this story. Her dog was about 10 months old and she returned from a long stretch of work hours to find that they kids had fed themselves while she was away, but ignored the dog's needs. They also had left the remnants of dishes and pizza boxes for her to walk into that morning.. Rem called her 3 girls into the kitchen. When she asked who was supposed to feed Rocky, the finger pointing began. "Enough!" she silenced...

First off Kathy C. shows us her FO. It is so darn soft. It is all knit in one piece with just one seam to finish. I love the collared look. Kathy is also making darling coasters for a girls weekend. They are little flip flops for your wine glass to wear....I'll try to snatch an image of them next time. We were celebrating a very special birthday for Joany B. Joany is an amazing woman. I think we all draw from her strength. She just had cataract surgery with some not so great results. She could use a few prayers for her eyes if you can spare a prayer. The Cake was from 3 Tarts in Northfield. Chocolate with Chocolate Mousse and strawberry filling. I had to leave before we cut the cake....but I enjoyed looking at it! ( and watching Joany make a wish when we sang to her. ) ) ON tap for todaY: Just finished at Spay Neuter Clinic. Adorable pups and kittens...... Paying the bills Getting a massage! Cannot wait for it! My back has been sore. This is strictl...

Who is the Yarn Store owner on Jeopardy yesterday? Why did Kathy B buy the yarn in yesterday's post? What is: because she got talked into it YEARS ago when she was still being talked into yarn purchases. What is Kathy B. Knitting with the above yarn? What is: Life Is Good Shawlette Number 2 Kathy B. for 600...... The coffee in this morning's mug: What is: Walker Brother's Morning Blend. Let's try Fireman for a thousand...... He is cyclist, handyman, harmonica player, firefighter and this: What is: A LURKER Yes, good for a thousand. Potent Potables for 200: Name of Joany's B's favorite lunchtime thirst quencher: What is a Bloody Mary Let's try Geography for 200.... Uh oh.....it is the Daily Double... I'll wager a thousand...... This Knitter's warmest friend the llama, originates from: WHAT is Peru! any questions?

Since Caroleknits is vacationing I've made up my own 10 on Tuesday today: *Keep Calm and Take A Nap *"Creation is a better means of self-expression than possession; it is through creating, not possessing, that life is revealed," - Vida Dutton Scudder *The smallest Feline is a masterpiece" - Leonardo Da Vinci *If you're on a plane and get horribly stuck on a pattern, you can always ask the captain to make the announcement, "Is there a knitter on board? Tracy Ullman *"Our Lady is not some magical being out there somewhere, like a fairy godmother. She's not the statue in the parlor. She's something inside of you. Do you understand what I am telling you? "August said, From the Secret Life of Bees *"So we have to come to understand that happiness is not only in our power to attain, but our DUTY to attain." The Monks of New Skete *"You can get as much as you want out of knitting." Mel Clark *The senior...

We are in for some rocky weather. Looks like most of the midwest could be have a stormy weekend. Be safe, blog friends. Take cover. My mom says never shower during a thunderstorm. Keep your weather radio or something on to alert you. Im in the mood to watch the Wizard of Oz...... whilst knitting of course. IS anyone still knitting the 365 day sky scarf? I think Grace is...

I've bleached the shawlette scarf. I got the effect I wanted. The yarn change is less dramatic now that the whole thing was bleached...When it dries and I put it on, I'll decide if it was the correct course of action. I wish it would have bleached out more. Why is it than one drop of bleach can ruin a sweatshirt and a bucket of bleach water barely does the trick? The flowering trees in Chicago are amazing this week. This Spring has truly been like a fantastic painting. Well that came out wrong. A painting is supposed to mimic real sights, not the other way around! You know what I mean.....the beauty for the trees and flowers makes even the tiredest alleyways look lovely. It is the workend. I am ready. Sometimes the focus required at work is a welcome relief to a mind that wonders with worry at home. It has been a tough two weeks. I'm seeking calm. I'm seeking focus. Doing my job well is a great reward in many many ways. The quiet of the night sh...

My friend Helen always says WE make our OWN luck. So make your own wonderful luck today. Kiss a black cat. Or just tell me to kiss mine for you! No new knit news. Much family drama yesterday that rendered me sort of spacey. This too shall pass. I;ll be reading your blogs today, they always lift me up!

Here is another shot of my finished Life Is Good Scarflette. You can really see the different yarn join in this image..... I'm going to bleach it today. Seriously. I get very disappointed when I go to other's knitter's blogs and they list other knitter's blogs, that are no longer active. I wonder if we could do a little spring clean up and make our lists more current. ???? I Read everyone who comments regularly on my blog. So: Grace's Loving Comforts Jennifers Major Knitter Stitches of Violet Chan knits Seduced by Yarn Tangles up in Sticks and String Wonderfully Made Comfort Zone Quiet Life Wyoming Breezes Fiberitis Carole Knits Mereknits Perknitious GMarie Life's a Stitch Hedgehog Knitter Pomogo lightly Woolen Rabbit Hippy Chick Work knit Study Handeye Crafts Bubble knits Teresa Kasner I forgot Lynn from A Friend to Knit WITH! Thanks Lynn! Did I forget someone? I bet I did. Im' so sorry. Please add yourself. ...

I promise better images soon. The great thing about Janet Avila's design is the keyhole slit that lets you tie the scarf fashionably. I'm horrible at tying scarfs and shawls. I will knit up another one of these beauties. It was a mindless garter project. I used sock yarn from Major Jennifer's stash sale and she gifted me a similar skien too. I have one problem or challenge as my dad would say: The tones of the different skein lots are noticeable. I may have to over dye the entire scarflette...Any suggestions for me? Maybe I should bleach the entire thing. Life is Good because Fireman found the missing Library book last night. It was Mostly Mittens and now I have a good twenty bucks coming back to me.... I dont' want to keep the book. IT seems I should recycle the money into a yarny purchase, don't you think? Life is Good because I get to cast on anew today. Life is Good because my LYS starts a big anniversary sale today. Life is Good because m...

I played with this image of some tulips this morning. I'm sorry if my Pickmonkey editing gives you a headache this morning. You may have to put on your sunglasses to read the post... Speaking of: I scratched my cornea last week amid all the rest of the commotion. Wowza that hurts. Have you ever???? Sunglasses are so soothing to tired eyes. This is my new yarn from KnitBin. Kind of a boring image, but you don't' need sunglasses to view it. It is a cotton blend for a summer shawl that I will knit next. I am bound and determined NOT to show you my current shawl image until I finish with it . I'm hoping to finish this week. I ate too many malted milk eggs this weekend. The bunny apparently came to our lounge at work and left more goodies than necessary for the staff. Did you eat too much of anything this past weekend?

Grace sent me this darling Knitted Bunny. He fits right into the arrangement Fireman sent me the day Radar left us. We are still tearing up about Radar, but I am one to focus on all the fun we had with him. Having a little one, Beatles, around certainly helps distract us. Working this weekend as usual, but I really don't mind the Holiday work. Because my job involves so many tasks and so much caring, working a holiday seems necessary and good work. Most families are very grateful. My father is having Easter at a local skilled care facility and should be home in a week. Thanks so much for the caring and prayers. My sister came in from Minnesota and took some of the pressure off this week. Thanks Goodness. She is a veterinarian and so supportive of our Radar decision. Great timing for her visit. I have to praise Debbie from the KnitBin. I ordered those adorable puppy scissors and some yarn this week and they've already arrived. Wonderful customer service. Knitb...

Radar we will miss your funny ways. We were so lucky to have you with us for 10 years. The kidney stones were many and his pain was visible. It was time. Thankfully we could end his suffering sooner than later. He's with Hucky now, and Fiona too. The thing about getting all young animals at once, is, as you know, they leave you all around the same time..... but there individual quirks and love remain in your heart. Rad Man, although you never heard us, you knew you were so very loved.

#1 My father did well in surgery yesterday! Let the healing begin. #2 Joanie found the shawl her aunt made her over 60 years ago. Garter and feather and fan. A real heirloom. #3 Let's Play Ball......Go Cubbies.....whatever #4 Karen says I wasn't knitting my shawl/neckercheif incorrectly after all! #5 My hoola hoop has arrived.....let the workouts begin #6 I've ordered some puppy scissors #7 My sister is in from Minnesota taking over for a few days...the relief is palpable #8 Our Dairy Queen opens today #9 Calista the survivor kitty is well enough to be up for adoption now #10 Ready to start Al's blanket in soft grey DO you have good news?

My friend Kathy showed us her puppy scissors. I think it is they cutest knit tool I've ever, and I mean ever, seen. She thinks she got them at Patternworks. My friend Karen is knitting a blanket in warm colors. She is knitting a series of panels. This blanket is already cute as a WIP. Sweet friend Joany B knitted 3 premie caps for me to take to work. A baby in a little hat is always super cute! Donna Boucher's daughter was given flowers in a vase filled with jelly beans and bunny peeps. 110% cute. Go to her Quiet Life blog to see the vase. Everything about Easter baskets is cute to me. Pastels colors scream cute to me. Bunnies cannot be anything but cute. Seen anything Cute lately?

http://yourkickasslife.com/blog/49-ways-to-live-a-kick-ass-life

Isn't it amazing? We turn String into Sweaters, and shawls, and socks and scarves... Do you compost? We only compost yard waste and vegetation, no food scraps. I am always amazed in the spring when the we have rich loamy soil to build our beds up with. In the space of our little compost pile we heap leaves and grasses. We leave Mother Nature to add the rain and warmth and then the magic happens. Do you have bulbs blooming? I love my double bloom daffodils. Work in Progress pictures tomorrow. I swear.

*Dad: 36 hours from surgery....keep those thoughts and prayers coming please... *Radar: not fur pulling today *Me: rooting for Kansas tonight *Al: all moved in *Fireman: has the itch to golf *Zach: studying in Guanojuato next year *Me: still shawl knitting *My sister Michelle: arrives Wednesday to help with Dad *YOU: fill in the blank