knittinggenes.blogspot.com

  Here in Kitten/Mitten land, the lilies of the valley are blooming. Oh, they smell so perfect.  Night blooming jasmine is my favorite flowering scent, followed by lilies of the valley and then lilacs. Looks like the lilacs are about to bloom in the alley too.    My mitten is finished and I've started the match. I have to block them as the fair isle portion is of course a bit tighter than the rest. I'm at that place in knit land where you are content and interested at the same time. It is my favorite knit place to be.  All things kitten are making me smile today.  Fezzik is adorable.  Pie and Tank have both come upstairs and met him without so much as a hiss.  Beatles, predictably, is staying away and timid.  All in good time, all in good time. 

  Having just bought the hibiscus tree with blossoms, I can hardly take credit for this morning's bloom, but I will... Nature seems a buzz with energy this week. We have had goldfinches in their glorious yellow return to the yard feeder, a new white crowned sparrow pair came to the yard, (a first for us)  two rabbits in the yard, the cardinals, chickadees etc.  We have these enormous bees that look like blimps. They are harmless and good for flowers.   I've been sleeping with our new baby Fezzik.  Last night, in the quiet of a warm and wonderful night, we were awakened to animal screams and something that can only be described as the circle of life... not sure if I'm happy for the winner or sad for the prey.    It took Fezzik no time at all to find the sunshine to lie in. Zachboyerphotography duly credited! 

  Yes, I know it was Fireman's birthday, but the breeder asked me to pick up Fezzik a day early.   He's Here!!!!!   He's a huge kitten.  I love that. He is very sweet.  Had the kitty crazies right before he fell asleep last night.  Zach's photos of him will be better than mine, but I had to show him to you! Fezzik, named for Andre the Giant's character in the Princes Bride, is a Maine Coon.  I met the breeder at a crazy cat show last year and knew I had to have a maine coon.  Oh, and Fireman had a great day. Thanks everyone for the wishes.   We introduce the cats very slowly here... so It will be a few days.  Tank and Pie have already snuck upstairs and I think they KNOW Fezzik is here The bedroom door was closed where he was, but Tank always knows when Im fostering kitties.   Such fun. Oh and I hope to knit today!

  We've got a new pair of mittens on the needles here at Irisheyes. I'm mixing these two yarns up for some fair isle fun.  No real pattern, just K2 in solid followed by k2 in color and then the opposite on the next round.  Miss Pie is in the shot but would not look up.  I think she's still a bit mad that we tag teamed and cut her nails yesterday.  The little tool in the image is bike tool for Fireman's birthday.  It is made by Spin Doctor. It is for minor adjustments on the road.  It hardly takes up any space.  IE: if your seat or handlebars are loose, you can use the Allen wrench to fix it on the fly... (Fireman's middle name is Allen...we just figured out why)  Senor Boyer, Zach, had a good Cinco de Mayo because the Hawks won again last night.   He is growing a playoff beard.  Aren't his eyelashes great? How come boys get those eyelashes?  Happy May 6th.  It is a BIG day her...

  My Uncle is downsizing so he asked if I wanted his horse painting. Of course, a horse is a horse of course of course. I love the painting.  It does not have non reflective glass, so you see a bit of the window in this image, but that's ok.   I love it.  Thank you Tio. Fireman painted the walls yellow this spring. I think it is perfect for the painting.  I finished the sparkle children's mittens last night. I am going to donate them to a good cause.  I have to find just the right charity. I'd like to see them worn by a child who needs them in Chicago. We have such cold winters.  For Cinco de Mayo I'll mention my favorite things Mexican: Their Coffee!   Guacamole.....I love it without onions.  Their family oriented culture. Their devotion to the Blessed Mother. Dia de Los Muertes, also Zach's birthday Mole Margaritas Guys with long straight black hair....hee hee. Just love...

Those mittens are still growing on my hibiscus tree.  I started a child's pair with the sparkle yarn Katherine sent me recently.  I've made the executive decision that afterthought thumbs are fraught with danger for me.  I have the cashmere mittens in a timeout.  The thumb can wait until winter...if need be.  I much prefer the gusset thumb join.  I am having a blast with mittens.  I also had a blast at the racetrack like so many others this weekend.  This is me and my Uncle Bill.  He has such great family stories.  He never married and is such a wonderful person.  We had many laughs at the Arlington race track.  The crowds were scarce on Sunday and I was happy about that.  I don't like crowds much anymore.  The ponies were pretty and the weather was warm and overcast.  Riders UP!! Hoping for a Triple Crown winner! Happy Monday.  This week is Fireman's birthday ...

  Tanks' coat sheds the most.  It sheds daily.  He's the biggest cat and he cant reach his back too well. Good thing Allison groomed him as a kitten.  He likes to be brushed.    Chewy.com does not pay me for this review. I have to say that :) It is true, though.  The brush they sent is actually for dogs but works very well on Tank's cat coat.  He likes the pin side and the soft bristle side. I like Furminator products.  They do a great job and I think they are all they are cracked up to be . They are not cheap, but the are well made.  Fezzik's breeder says,even though her Maine COons have fabulous coats, she doesnt routinely brush them.  I plan to brush Fezzik.   We are talking 4 more days.  Lynn, who adopted Fixie and Bonk, has been helping me run through the list of things I need. She's a doll.  Kittens are all fun and no work.  Bring on the fun!