Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Finally Socks That Rock















Kelly's Christmas socks in the "County Clare" colorway. I picked that color because she spent some time in County Clare two years ago and I thought she'd like that. Knit with two balls of yarn at the same time... never again. Just a pain. I say let 'em pool from now on.

I started another pair of socks in superwash worsted weight for my son. I usually don't knit for him because he's famous for losing things but I broke down this year. I should knit some computer chip into them for tracking purposes. I know I'm going to regret this. But, he is in the middle of remodeling one of our bedrooms for Colin when he stays so he deserves another chance. I hate to paint and he volunteered to do it as well as repair the walls and strip and stain some of the woodwork. The least I can do is knit the kid a pair of socks.

This will be my last Christmas project and then I intend to dig into the lace shawl. Or Colin's hat. Or another Clapotis. Or socks for Colin.

I need to quit work.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Friendship

Such an interesting thing, friendship. When you think of your friends, you realize that your friends came into your life in so many different ways. Some were co-workers, some you have brought with you from childhood. Some friendships are formed as a result of having kids in the same school or dance class. I have a few very dear friends who were my kid's teachers. But no matter what, the people who you consider your true friends have earned that distinction in one way or another over time. If they have stood the test of time, they are worthy of being called good friends. You know who your friends are.

At least you think you do. I always thought I did.

When someone who you thought was a good friend does something that proves they weren't such a good friend, the disappointment that you feel is so incredibly intense that it's like someone just stabbed you in the heart. You can't imagine that your friends would use you. Not your good friends. I've had a friend use me before. But she wasn't such a good friend. I knew that going in. I wasn't so surprised. That one made me mad. Furious even. But this good friend thing that happened today makes me sad. Mad is bad. But sad is worse.

I guess when you can sit and think ..wow, I can't believe she did that me, I would have never, ever done that to her.. you know it's a friend worth losing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well it seems like yesterday I posted a photo of a turkey on my blog for Thanksgiving. Really... like YESTERDAY. And here we are again. So soon. Crazy.

I like Thanksgiving. I'm not such a huge fan of Easter. But I like Thanksgiving. Maybe because I don't do the cooking. I'll bake pies, and bake corn, and buy the wine. But I don't do the hard stuff. My daughter, for some reason, likes to cook. She has taken ownership of this meal. God bless her.

I was just sitting here thinking of all the things I have to be thankful for. There are many.

I'm thankful I got those kids back from Delaware just in time to allow me to spoil my first born grandchild.

I'm thankful I have good kids.

I'm thankful I still have my parents.

I'm thankful my family is close and there is no hostility. A lot of families deal with that.

I'm thankful I like my job.

I'm thankful I have good friends who don't knit and good friends who do.

I'm thankful my sister began to knit again this year. It gives us a reason to spend more time together.

I'm thankful for yarn. :-)

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Holy Busy!

I've been working 12 hour days and totally crashing after walking in the door at night. No knitting lately at all. I did manage to finish these before the real craziness began. They look a little deformed in the photo but they actually look OK in reality.
















I even managed to put a few rows on Colin's hand spun hat a few weeks ago. I think I may put this thing in a frame and hang it on the wall when I'm finished with it. (just kidding) I'll really have a great feeling of accomplishment when it is finished though.

















Crazy weather lately. I forget what day it was last week that had a few hours of every season in the year wrapped up into one day... but I got this shot outside my front door that day.

















We had torrential downpours, snow flurries, sunshine and a rainbow. Weird.

I can't believe it's Thanksgiving and Holiday time again. Time is just flying. I think it's true that the older you get, the faster it goes. I wish it would slow the heck down!

Thursday, November 16, 2006

I'm Still Alive!!!

Ok. I admit it. I've been a bad blogger. And a bad knitter. On the other hand, I've been a great realtor. This Howard Hanna thing has really taken off. It's keeping me too busy to knit, too busy to cook, too busy to clean... but how can you complain about success? On the knitting bright side, I am getting together tonight with my sister and a friend to knit. I have managed to finish the hunting socks and I have half of the second STR sock completed. So I have been knitting a little here and there. When I get the second sock finished, I'll work on Colin's hat to match the brown sweater. Then the lace... I can't wait to get my hands on that again. I miss it. Who would have thought??

I am also still spinning the wool with the drop spindle for Colin's other hat. What a slow process. And I'm almost out of wool. So, Shelly, if you're reading this, I'm going to need more!!!

Thanks to Jackie for the sock help. I will be making some little worsted weight socks for Colin. What's better for babies little feet than heavy, thick socks? I'm such a GRANDMOTHER!

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

single socks...















I have two socks finished for Christmas. Not a pair mind you, just two socks. I guess I'm suffering from the single sock syndrome. This is the hunting sock made with Kraemer superwash worsted. I'm tempted to keep these for myself. I won't, but I might just make myself a pair with this yarn to keep my feet warm in my barn of a house. They feel awesome. Actually the second one is almost finished. They whip up fast as I said earlier. I'd like to make Colin a few pair with this yarn but I've never seen baby socks made from worsted weight. If anyone has seen a pattern, let me know.

Lousy, yucky weather here today. Good knitting weather. I should have stayed home. I think I feel a headache coming on.... Yeah, right.

Monday, November 06, 2006

Nemacolin



I'm still trying to figure out what made me think I'd have time to knit. No knitting was accomplished. They kept us busy and entertained. I feel like I packed an entire week into three days. I'd love to go back to this place in the summer. It's awesome.

I did finish one of the hunting socks yesterday at an open house. If you haven't tried the Kraemer Yarns 100% wool superwash worsted weight yet, check it out. These socks are going to be so warm and comfy. And washable! And knitting socks with worsted weight is really instant gratification. So speedy. Photo tomorrow... hopefully.

We did a whirlwind trip to Grove City and Butler on Saturday to visit Cate. Now that she's a working girl she doesn't get home much so we have to go to her. The outlets in Grove City were NUTS. Let the Christmas shopping season begin I guess. We had to drive around to find a parking space and there must be a gazillion of them. We did get a few good gifts though so it was worth the madness.

Tomorrow is knitting night. I'm looking forward to it. I haven't had any real quality knitting time in a while.