knittinggenes.blogspot.com

Every day He speaks to me if I would only listen....

It has been pretty much forever since I thrust yarn at someone and asked to take their picture.  This is Misty from the Bier Garden in Portsmouth, Virginia.  We spent the week with Al.   Don't get me going on how much we laughed all week or I'll start boo hoo ing. Misty knew her beer.   They have over 400 beers on the menu. This is the mohair all wound up looking at the Atlantic Ocean. We saw dolphins frolicking in the waters, we  saw many Military Vessels, we saw surfers in wet suits, we saw the sunrise and the moonrise too. All in all it is such a beautiful place. So good to see my girl. So easy to laugh with her. She's happy.  Her Nathan is wonderful. I think Virginia is beautiful! As for my knitting, today I'll keep at the cabled baby hat that Al and I sort of made up this week.   Who do you laugh easy with?

So, I post without a picture and you all give me more comments than with one.    Go figure, I thought the pictures made all the difference. Well tomorrow I will be back to posting pictures, ha ha. I Would have cast on for mohair socks if all of you were not so wise.  Thanks!  As it is I just frogged the green socks.......I was afaid I would runoutat the toe of  sock two.   It must be the year of the  frog  for me , personally.   Thing is, I don't mind  one bit. I used to become so upset with myself when I failed or frogged, now I just rip and move on.    Now The yarn may get to be hats for a co worker expecting twin boys.    I've got a super busy day today but it is all good.   I am not dying any eggs this year, but the great news is I am off for Easter.   Are you coloring eggs?    

This is a picture less post.   Do not pass go Do not collet 200 dollars I need suggestions from my smart knit pals.... -I wound the salsa mohair by Dancing Leaf Farms just know.....It has the rainbow of colors dyed into it.  The colors change quickly.....like every 12 inches.... This could get very busy, So. Would knitting socks make it more stripey or would a shawl stretch out the color changes? Inquiring minds want to know.....help More questions If you have to hand wash an article and let it air dry, how do you make it soft again.....??? And finally Do you get up early to knit or do you stay up late to knit?

I HAD THE CHANCE TO STOP INTO A TEA SHOP THIS MORNING. GRACE, ALL THE TABLES WERE SO LOVELY, I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT OF YOU.  i REALLY LOVED THE PURPLE BUNNY ON THE DARK TABLE CLOTH.   MR BUNNY IS HOLDING A CHOCOLATE EGG IN PURPLE FOIL. THE WAY THE TABLE WAS LAYERED IN SEVERAL CLOTHS AND THE LITTLE ROUND TEA CUP MATS REALLY WORKED.  ONE OF MY SISTERS ALWAYS DECORATES HER TABLES FOR EVEN THE SLIGHTED SNACK AND DROP IN AT HER HOUSE. WE ARE VERY DIFFERENT.   YOU ARE LUCKY IF YOU GET A PAPER NAPKIN AROUND MY HOUSE.  I DO MANAGE TO GUSSY IT UP WHEN IT IS A MAJOR HOLIDAY OR CELEBRATION.  IM KNITTING THE SECOND SOCK ALREADY THIS MORNING.  IM HAVING A LOVELY CUP OF COFFEE TOO. I FOUND SOME CLOTTED CREME AT THE TEA SHOP AND I THINK IM IN HEAVEN.  HOWS YOUR DAY GOING?  

The gorgeous green yarn from Ria is quickly knitting up into heavy socks.    These soft beauties will be a treasure to someone.   Tonight the second sock begins......when I knit with heavier weight yarn socks just fly.   You know what else flies? Me.   I actually enjoy flying now.   Of course I knit in the plane so that's part of the enjoyment.   I didn't fly for many years.  people ask me what made me get on a plane again and you know what?     It is odd, but once Huck died, I felt like I could fly again.  I can't explain it, but shortly after that dear amazing dog died, I told Fireman I would fly again. I took Xanax for the first few flights and it really helped me.   I think having successes in the air and having the Xanax calm me down gave me confidence.  When the pilot got on the overhead once and said to expect turbulence....I actually said to Firemen " I'm sure they know what they are doing." I don't need th...

  My snowdrops brave the snowy spring.    My Tank appears Content  Baseball seasons starting soon and its the end of Lent.  (that's all I got this morning... knit on my friends, knit on)

  This adorable baby cake was in our lounge at work the other day.  What did we do before fondant?  Truth be told I prefer the taste of regular frosting.  Has anyone tried the Cool Whip Frosting?  Al is a Pampered Chef consultant now and I just got my order. I think my cake pans were the same I bought when I got married 30 years ago... I ordered new cake pans and they are wonderful.  There is a layer cake in my future.  Did you see these wonderful new real life sized woman mannequins?   If I stop eating cake I could look like the fuller figured woman in no time.  Now that the kittens and mamma have graduated I have our room back.  This means I have the nordic track back too.. and it's calling my name. As for knitting: I'm on a sock roll.  I'm casting on a two row repeat new sock today or tomorrow because the other ones I have on the needles are flying along... Happy SUNDAY.   It is gr...

  Outside my window: Those crazy squirrels are nesting and multiplying.  I am thinking:  I better keep my windows up all year round to keep those varmints out.  I am thankful: the predicted 14 inch snowfall for Sunday seems to be called off. In the kitchen: the sun is streaming through the skylight but I know better, It is a freezing out there still!   I am wearing:  Dove deodorant.  Nuff said.  I am creating: a little monster in Beatles as he loves his cat treats more than his food. I am reading: the fine print on everything I buy that is electronic or  cyber-worldly.   I am going: to give those adorable squishy kittens back to the shelter..... I am wondering: what my next knit up should be?  I am hoping: to see flowers sprouting up and blooming soon. I am looking forward to : walks on the beach  I am hearing: Elton sing Levon Around the house: we a...

  I like to start the days at the shelter with some coffee and some munchkins for the staff.     We nurses know the value of supporting the staff, and on this morning, Lucy Lou's kittens were having surgery.   Momma Lucy Lou went back as well, but the kittens come back with me for 2 nights to recover in familiar surroundings.   It has a been a great 9 week ride...and I know all 5 of them will make someones very happy.   The gorgeous green variegated yarn , that Ria sent me, is knitting up beautifully.  I'm enjoying every stitch.    Have you noticed anything about my photographs lately? I'm using a new camera.  Yup I succeeded in breaking the old new one.   So I bought the cheapest camera I could find at Target.  I got a sony cybershot for 54 dollars on clearance.  I'm out to prove that I can take as good or better shots with a cheap camera as the expensive one....  It would just hurt too m...

Let there be no tears,  no second guessing, no Monday morning quarterbacking....  What took over a week to knit up,  was frogged in 4 minutes. Yes, I did time it.  There were too many mistakes to carry on with the finish. What  I learned:  I Love the size of the finish.   My wrists hurt even when I knit using wooden circs. Hhmmmm any thoughts on this?  I  think that while I love the jeweled tones of the Casbah, I may knit the next try up by alternating my ocean colored Casbah with this skein.   I'm onto the gorgeous green Miss Babs yarn from Ria. I'm knitting up some socks.. I'm not following any pattern. I'd like to throw something into the body of the sock like a few purls here and there...will that work? HAPPY SPRING.   

  Grace organized a Green St. Pat's Day Knitters swap. I'm so glad I played along. If you have never swapped, it can be so fun.  My box arrived, from Ria.   You often don't know who your SENDER is until the Box or bag arrives.    It is a bit of a gamble as you may get some things you don't need or like, but for the most part I've had great partners over the years. So You get someone to send to and someone gets you. Sometimes you send a list of likes and dislikes to the Swap co-ordinator and she passes it to your secret swapper.  I do think this is a good idea as it can be a bummer to get things you just cannot use due to allergies, skill level etc.  Usually the swap participants are to put their packages in the mail on the same day.   I had such fun yesterday unwrapping my swap toys!  This particular swap was unique in that we were to wind the gift yarn around trinkets so the recipient doesn't just open ...

  The weekend was what I imagine weekends should be: Family gathering for a little one's birthday, meeting old friends for lunch and some time to knit.  I have started the ruffle part of the shawl in Casbah. The kittens are almost ready to go back to the shelter.  They have outgrown the NURSERY and rarely go to their momma for anything.  Lucy Lou is ready, after 8 weeks, to get out of that room.    Oh boy!  More snow and clouds today...... Oh Spring Where For Art Thou?

  I have nothing but good to say about Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn:  Pebble Beach. It is magic yarn..it makes my stitches look even.  It was great to have a finish last night.  This yarn was from Santa Claus.. and he and Fireman were in cahoots, I just know it.  My adopt a soldier sent me a postcard from her location. I pray for Jackie's safety and I ask you to do so too, IF you are as they say in Virginia, IF you are a prayin person.   The weather is bleak here in Chicago. These are the worst weeks of the year around here.  It is grey almost all of the time. The trees remain leafless.  It snows then it rains then it sleets, then it fogs... If we can just get through to the 20th things do improve...historically that is.  It is a good time to foster adorable kittens.  Soon:  Baseball begins Easter arrives The Sun comes back The forsythia bursts and blooms The porch gets ready to open for month...

Or I could title it :Fabulous Feline Fixie's Friday     Here are my current socks drying on the radiator... I am going to finish my first pair of 2013 this afternoon.  Friday's fun ...it is all good!~

I love Kathy C's new sweater.  She knit up a real beauty.  It was from a kit called Dawn. I want to knit this sweater...someday.   The Drape is just lovely.  We were all knitting together when we heard there was white smoke from Rome.  We hurried home and got the wonderful news of a new Pope.   This St. Francis fan is thrilled.  Perhaps this Pope will let CCD teachers tell children animals go to heaven. My children were very upset when a teacher told them their pets don't go to heaven.     Karen is selling these locket necklaces.  I want to buy one and put a piece of my wedding dress lace inside it.....(saw that on Pinterest) and I loved it.   I love having gone back to knitting my socks yesterday. I had to take a break from the shawl as the metal needles were hurting my hands/wrists.    As soon as I picked up the tiny size 1 wooden double points my whole body relaxed.... I felt it ...seriously. ...

It has been awhile since a PEEP stepped down.   At the beginning of history The Just Born Candy company announced the First Peep. It was , what is now known as the Tradtional , Yellow Peep.  However,   White and Pink Peeps soon followed. Most Peeps are conservative and prefer the traditional Easter Basket calling it home.  In 1998 the BLUE peep was voted in as the world watched and white smoke poured from the factories.  As recently as 2002 a chocolate Peep was voted in to Candyland.   While black smoke can occur when Peeps are used around campfires in the non-traditional mode of  S'mores making..... no smoke at all is preferred.   So we watch and we wait in this Season of hope.... for the announcement of our new Peep.   Some feel it is time for a more radical Peep.   Many candylovers have left the Basket in recent years turning to the Cadbury caramel egg, for comfort and solace.   IF th...

Steph from:  INITTOKNITIT blog , gave me a Liebster award.  Thanks Steph.   You sent me these questions.... And here are my questions: 1. What is your favourite holiday destination? 2. What is your favourite type of food e.g. Mexican, Italian, etc...? 3. If you had an elephant what would you name it? 4. If you could do any job for a day what would it be? 5. If you had to change your name what would you change it too? 6. Do you play nay sports? 7. What is your favourite item of clothing you own? 8. Do you play any instruments? 9. Can you speak any other languages? 10. What is your favourite dessert? 11. Fruit or vegetables? 1. church.  As crowded as they get, I do love holiday Church Music 2. Chicago food: Hot dogs and fries 3. Doris 4. Job for a day: fortune teller 5. Isaiahlove u.  (except its already taken according to AL)  6. nay but I love to watch sports 7. Blue jean jacket 8. nah 9. Spani...

Before you can enjoy the most beautiful spring and summer in the USA in Chicago, you must endure a rotten transition out of the clutches of Winter's gripping hand.   Many a woman has lost her head during the Ides of March in my neck of the woods.   The days are dark and grey. The snow is dark and grey.  Our thoughts turn to pedicures and haircuts and beautiful umbrellas.   Yes we value beautiful umbrellas.  In order to leap into the next season around here, you need some tough stuff.   And you need some Irish Soda Bread.    My recipe book is exactly as I like it.  Go ahead, ask me for a recipe and I know EXACTLY where it is in this pile of paper.   I would be lost if I "organized" it.  It is organized already.    Here we have my Nana's Irish Soda Bread......ready to be devoured by the men in my house.  They act like it is candy.  Fireman feels the need to put a good 1/2 inch of butter on each...

The Sexyknitter at thesexyknitter.blogspot.com Is giving one of her fabulous patterns away to YOU. All you have to do is go to her blog and read or find her on Ravelry by the same name,  and choose 5 out of her many patterns To FAV on Raverly. THen:  From those 5 she chooses one to send you for free. Thanks Sexy Knitter, I cannot wait for my free pattern.  What a great way to start my Sunday in March.  Allison's new kitten Minion says its a great deal.

  Tis' daffodil time here in Chicagoland.... in the stores that is, not outside yet.   That won't happen for at least another month.  Al shared some stories with me this week: A mom came to the ER with her child and told Al she had a fever of 114..... and that her daughter vomited "The size of a queen size sheet."  What lack of rest and quiet will do to a mother's brain eh?    On the knit front the shawl is so nice to knit...I love the colors.   I finished another drop stitch cowl this week.  Kudos to whoever made a drop stitch error part of a design feature.  It works!!!! Yes we SPRING forward tonight and in my mind I still gain 23 hours because I'm not working night shift!!! Oh it was so fun to push that clock ahead at  0200 ... but I don't miss that magic... I'll be in my bed this year when the TIME changes  HOORAY and Happy Birthday Barbie...I still love you. 

Bridget was selling some of her stash.  I was interested in a box that had 2 skeins of charcoal grey in it.  She sold the whole kit and kaboodle for 25.00 Yesterday these yarns and more arrived at My Yarn Garden. This is the best deal I've ever made in my knit life. There is Alpaca, Mohair, Merino and Silk in the box. Having pretty much knit down my stash last year, this is very exciting!   Such a surprise.  I had another surprise yesterday; friend Linda came to visit the kittens and she discovered Fixie is a boy..... so 3 boys, I girl.   Another friend and neighbor Sharon, arrived with daffodils for me last night.  Hey opened up this morning and they are so cheerful. Have you had any surprises this week? 

  Sprocket....defining pretty  Oh if I could only see her in a year. She'll be a beauty.  My new shawl.  I am on row 38 and loving it.  The sock yarn and small needle size are perfect for my hands/wrists.  There you go.. today's Eye Candy (Irisheyes Lynn is having back surgery today;  please keep her in your prayers for a full recovery)