knittinggenes.blogspot.com

  It's a drizzly rainy cold Halloween in Chicago. We lit our pumpkins outside last night so the neighbors could enjoy them. We will try again today if the rain lets up.   Kim organized a traveling scarf and it arrived today.  Perfect day for me to look for the sock yarn I want to contribute to it.  She sends the needles along...very smart idea.  She also sent me a lovely blue project bag. I LOVE tie dyed anything. Have you tried Lux Luxurious Lavender Lotion. Thanks to Kim, I have and its thick and wonderful. Love the scent too. Thanks for putting up with all my Halloween posts.     There was a TRICk this week that happened.   I was stopped at a busy intersection on a rain afternoon.  Suddenly I heard loud popping sounds hitting my car.  I thought , WHat in the world? A flock of scared geese had flown over and pooped ALL over my car.  I mean ALL Over it.  I had to laugh. It was ...

  The generosity of blog pals is always overwhelming to me.  Deborah of Araignee's Tangled Web sent me a big surprise.  I opened a box this morning with a drop dead gorgeous drop spindle and roving and homemade soaps from Deb.   I'm going to be a spinner! I thought I wasn't ready, but if she thinks I am... I am!  You know how I fall hard for all things knitting.... I expect spinning for knitting will be the same.  Tips for me?  This is going to be so fun.....

1. This photo won't win any contests, but the cake is to die for.  Someone posted it on Facebook:  spray your crock pot or line with parchment  Cut up two sticks butter add 2 packages yellow cake mix add 2 cans apple pie filling Cook on low for 6 hours.  It is amazingly good.  Perfect with a cuppa coffee.   You could glaze it for a better look.  I didn't use parchment so mine isn't shaped too well.   Doesn't matter. It's amazing.  2. Tank says, don't even think about dressing me up for Halloween.  He is a cat's cat.  and that's that.  3.  HIS AND HERS FURNITURE REFINISHING on Facebook is my nephew and his wife's site.  They make unwanted furniture charming. Go see!

  My neighborhood is haunted. Here are the last of this year's images for y'all. One street in particular is amazing. House after house is lit up and spooky. It is Henley Street in Glenview if you want to drive by, if you are local.   Boo   Boo   Wink   See Dracula is dead   A couple of houses have these lights that throw witches and ghosts across the garage...very cool I've yet to have a candy bar.  Oh Butterfinger Oh Baby ruth how I love thee  What's your favorite Halloween candy?   

  It was warm last night so Fireman and I walked after dinner. I got this shot of the Hunters Moon. Spooky!  I think it will be this year's Halloween email to friends.  I treated myself (pun intended) to a pair of Karbon lace tipped needles.  Oh my.  OH MY!  They are wonderful.  I'm in love.  They are making my lacey knit such a joy to create.  Did you see the moon last night?  

  Made Zach a Rowan hat with mistakes. Ripped it out because he wore it with mistakes and it drove ME crazy. Reknit the hat in Rowan with a perfect crown. Zach prefers slouch hats.  Gave that one to Fireman.  Went to My LYS Saturday. 7 photo texts later Zach and I agree on a yarn color.  Green. Rowan Alpaca.  SO SO warm.  Knit Zach another hat.  Good to go!    

  Teresa asked to see the yarn knit up.  So here you go! Can't put my finger on what I don't like, but my eyes don't like it. We are so lucky that we have so many wonderful choices in our craft! More Decor from my town.  It just gets better and better!   Makes this Halloween week so fun!   I may Get out this evening to see them in the dark .    Love the little dog skeleton!

    The first Jack O lantern has been carved and lit. Change of plans: No Cubs theme for this years pumpkins..dont' want nightmares     The Downey has been visiting the suet feeder daily.  Change in plans, keep buying suet from Aldi, they love it.    Originally loved the look of this yarn. Change in plans, not planning to buy it.  Didn't like the way I saw it knit up. Can't resist Leslie's Halloween stitch markers. Change in plans: will have to buy some! Any change in your plans today?

  Notes to Self:   (and to you ofcourse) 1. The Two Harbors Poncho knit up in Extra's Baby alpaca and merino is very popular at my LYS.  Seems everyone is knitting it....except me 2.  I'm Late to the Bateaux party. I cast on yesterday in an icy blue.  Note to self: need Sharper point needles as I continue this beauty.  3. I reknit Zach's hat.  I found a double decrease crown pattern that makes the hat fit like a glove at the top.  Note to self: Zach prefers slouch crowns! 4. I've joined Amy's Christmas card swap.  Must find adorable card. 5. Note to self: All of September and October have been picture perfect in my town this year.  Outside every day and loving it.  What's your NOTE to self today?

  Let's not dwell on that silly game of Baseball on this glorious fall morning.   Time to embrace football, hockey and basketball.   My knitting was as wonky as the Cubs last night. I ripped out Zach's hat because I couldnt live with how it looked when he wore it.  Hat remake: in progress. Are you moving on?   

1. Sdyney At Chewy.com is a wonder.  Everymonth we select some goodies to try.  They send them to us and we give a review on our blogs. There is no payment for this review or the products.  2. Sydney sent Primal treats along with cat litter this month.  None of my cats were interested in the least, in these treats. A big old turn up of the feline nose ....followed by a  walk away.  3.  My cats Love Beachside Crunch treats. THey act like it is an addictive treat.   4. I had an order with Chewy that involved a bit of customer service assistance and I was 100% pleased.  I ordered a cat crate and it arrived with a wheel broken.  Chewy immediately told me to keep it and donate it to my shelter which I did. Within two days I had a new crate and the wheels work perfectly.  When you have a 20 lb cat, his security and my back both need a wheeled crate.  I love it.  So thanks Chewy.com.  We'll...

The losses have been brutal. It is do or die tonight. Nervous knitting....

  I was surprised that so many of you don't get to enjoy Halloween Decor in your area.  So here are some more images from my neighborhood.   This family has made their front lawn a grave yard for years.   It takes them weeks.  They add a car accident with skeletons driving the vehicle.  Kids come from all around to see their spooky house lawn. Every once in a while I have the itch to head over to our stables and see the horses and riders.  They had a small competition going on on Sunday and the ring was decorated in flowers and pumpkins. I did not knit one stitch yesterday.  I looked at many patterns though, because I want a new project.  Haven't found it yet.    The Cubs better win tonight..... that's all I can bear to say.... No tricks about it. Treat us to a win!      

1. The Unintentional Christmas Fingerless are done. 2. I loved knitting them. 3. They are not a 100% match. 4. I know better than to frogg in fairisle. 5. They are ready to be blocked.  6. I have a friend in mind to give these to 7. Or I may keep them 8. Two color rows are my favorite.  9. Holly Jolly oh it is only Halloween 10. I love that these became what they wanted to be...I had no intention of knitting Christmas knits, but the colors kept saying, stay with white green reds, so I did.   

  This month Chewy sent us 30 Day Never Scoop.  The cats liked it.  I just can't get past knowing there is urine in there for a month. I'm a diligent scooper.  I liked its NON smell.  We may try this again.  You only scoop stool and you don't scoop urine.   The price is right at the store.  I dunno. THe nurse in me has to let it go. We've tried litters in the past. We usually use easy scoop Arm and Hammer. I just don't like the smell of it even unused. So THanks Chewy. I think I'm going to be a believer in 30 Day Never Scoop.  This boy is feeling 100% again after his nuetering.  We missed his chirping for a whole week.  He never started marking and he made it to 8 months before we altered him.  We hope his growth plates were give ample time to  close.  His breeder says he will get even bigger now.  He's just a big hunk of sweetness. 

  I'm completely free lancing now.  I like how it is knitting up.  I hope to finish this one today.  Our neighborhood is lots of fun for Halloween.  It comes alive at night.  Fireman and I donated blood yesterday.  They asked us if we wanted to give double red cells. What? Never heard of that.  Well I was too short. You have to be 5 foot 5 to give.  Fireman gave double red cells. So They put in one catheter and it feeds saline in and red cells out.  Big machine.  30 minutes.  He cannot give again until February.  You also need a really good Hemoglobin to do this.  I gave regular red cells and they always treat me like a queen because I am O negative.  That's the vampire round up here

  I decided to knit some fingerless mitts in Fair Isle. I didn't intend for them to be Christmas mitts, but it looks like that is what they want to be.  I'm having fun using the colors I have and somewhat following the pattern.  I'll keep the designs for sure, but my colors will be my own.    Halloween and Day of the Dead decor is all around us.  Zach bought theses sugar skulls in Pilsen.  Even our Walgreens is carrying Day of the Dead things this year. It is a wonderful Holy day in Mexico.  Hope we dont' commercialize it too much.  Look what my pal Linda brought to me ! She visited Villalobos of Pitbulls and Parolees fame. I think I'll be Tia for Halloween.  Happy Friday.  What Holidays are you working on ?