Tea with Sarah McLachlan

Well, kind of anyway. Yesterday I met with Carrie and Rebecca for tea and knitting at Queen Mary's Tea Room and who was sitting at the very next table? None other than Sarah McLachlan! I thought she looked familiar but didn't quite recognize her. After she left, Rebecca leans over and says, "I think that was Sarah McLachlan!" Then the waitress and the owner came running over to us and said, "Oh my gosh! You guys practically had tea with Sarah McLachlan!" Our tables were so close, I could have reached over and borrowed her cream and sugar! After she left, we got down to knitting business as we all began casting on for socks! 2007 is the year Rebecca is determined to make us learn how to knit socks! After a shaky start with mine, I think they are coming right along!

(See that guy over Carrie's shoulder? That's where Sarah McLachlan was sitting!)

Goal Reached!

This year my Christmas knitting goal was not to be knitting gifts at 1 a.m. on Christmas morning. And I'm happy to report that I finished the gaiter at 11:15 p.m. on Christmas Eve while watching (yet again) the TBS marathon of A Christmas Story. While I didn't take too many pictures - very rare of me I know - I can report that all knitting gifts were treasured. My sister loved her wrist warmers; dad loved his gaiter and wore it part of the morning, but the big hit - at least for my dad - was the beer cozies in University of Idaho colors for Matt and Boise State University colors for my dad. He's thrilled because his beloved Broncos are going to the Fiesta Bowl and he'll be using his beer cozy for the party. Now it's back to the baby knitting grind.

A knitting miracle...

This may just be possible!


The wrist warmers are done! (No, you're not seeing things, one is slightly bigger than the other. The pattern was very large and didn't fit right. I may redo the larger one if that is what the giftee would like.)

And the gaiter is back on track! I haven't measured it yet but am almost finished with the first skein! Lots of time at the airport tonight to keep working on it!

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas! I'm off for a family visit and sadly, they have dial-up. So unless one of the unsuspecting suburban neighbors has unsecured Internet access for the lap top, there won't be any posts for a while as I don't have the patience for blogging with dial-up!

Happy Holidays!

It's someone's birthday...

Happy Birthday Supergirl!

Some tough knitting decisions

In the effort to not stress myself out this holiday season with all of my Christmas knitting, and with the little "Mancho" incident, I've come to a knitting decision: I don't think I can redo the gaiter for my dad. So instead of frantically trying to finish up my other projects - 1 more wrist warmer and the beer cozies - and redoing the gaiter, I'm just going to concentrate on getting the rest done. If I have time to start the gaiter, I'll try it. Otherwise, it may sit and wait until next year because his birthday falls in the middle of summer at a time when one doesn't really need a gaiter.

Knitting Guild Christmas!

Wednesday night was the Seattle Knitters Guild Christmas party! We knitters know how to live it up! The food was yummy, company fabulous and the gifts - well - they were great! I was very lucky and scored in the raffle drawings and gift exchange!

I got some beautiful wool yarn (perfect for felting) in deep orange and fall colors. Plus I got some tea and a yarn calendar and I won a book from our guest speaker Anne Bartlett. I'm very excited to read her novel "Knitting." She autographed it and I picked her mind about writing as I'm always in awe of someone who actually writes a book!

(The little devil ripped out the Mancho for me. She seems to be enjoying this.)

While the party was fun, the knitting was not. The Mancho lived a good life, but it came to an end tonight as Rebecca pulled it out and wound the yarn back up for me. As she did this (I couldn't look) I cast on for the second wrist warmer. On the 3rd row I realized I made a mistake, knitted back, fixed it and carried on. On the 4th row, I realized I made another mistake and decided - who the hell cares and kept going. On the fifth row, I found yet another mistake and this one wasn't to be ignored. Exasperated, I yanked the damn thing apart and threw it in the bag. I concentrated on the party at that point. Aside the from the knitting, it was fabulous night!

The Mancho

Now what is a Mancho you ask? Lemme tell you. It's when you get Rebecca and I collaborating on a pattern. She may have given me wrong info about how many stitches to cast on (I was using different needles and yarn than what the pattern called for) and I may have not checked my gauge - neither of us are taking full responsibility/credit for the Mancho which is why we're friends. So then you have this:

A gaiter that is way to big, possibly the beginnings of a poncho except for the fact that it's for my dad. One suggestion at knitting last night was from another fabulous knitter named Rebecca. She thinks like me and how can we salvage this and not have to rip out. Her suggestion: to add a ribbed collar to the Mancho to give it a tighter feel around the neck and a flare around the shoulders. While that is a fabulous style idea for the Mancho, I informed everyone that my father isn't a gay man, but rather and outdoor-Idaho-let's-go-fishing/camping-and-build-stuff kind of a man. Needless to say I provided the group (and myself - more so myself) with a good laugh. Now comes the next day sobering part: what the hell do I do with the Mancho two weeks before Christmas? I think it's time for a little holiday frogging.

Three down, one to go!

The third of the baby sweaters is done! It's the Baby Bolero from One Skein. It's for a little British baby who is due any day now! I hope he/she likes the sweater! It was made with lots of love - and to be honest a little bit of profanity when I thought I was finished yesterday be instead, about 10 stitches from the end, I realized I had made a big ol' mistake and had to rip out pretty much then entire ribbed finish! But, alas, it's done and that's all that matters. That and hopefully it fits the baby. Now I have to start another baby sweater for a little boy due the end of February!

Inspiration with Leigh Radford

Last night I took a creativity class with Leigh Radford. It was all about thinking outside of the box and just what I needed. We had several creative exercises including grab bag knitting - we had to knit whatever was in the bag - wire, tulle, tinsel, the tape out of a cassette tape. It was very inspiring to hear about her designs, where she gets her ideas and what she's working on next. She also had several examples of needle felting projects. I'm taking another of her classes at the Madrona retreat next month and I'm so excited about needle felting. I feel it could be my next knitting obsession!

P.S. Be sure to wish Mara a happy belated birthday! I meant to post yesterday but that was the class! Sorry Mara, but happy birthday!

The shirt for me!

Jessica sent me the link to this site - Cafe Press - that sells these shirts "Football is more fun now that I know how to knit!" So true....so true. I do get a lot of knitting done on Football Sunday as it's known around my house! Thank goodness the Purly Girls meet on Monday Nights!

One down, one to go!

It was a little unnerving ripping out the live stitches to add the thumb...

but I think it worked out just fine! Now the big question remains: Can I finish the second one by the 25th? Stay tuned...

Knitting Check-in: 5 weeks until Christmas

Thanks the long, slow, snowy drive back to Seattle from the Thanksgiving weekend, I got a lot of knitting done. But I still have a ways to go.

Here's the update:

Baby Bolero (not actually a Christmas gift, but a 'Welcome to World Little One' gift) - One sleeve done and about 1/2 inch away from finishing the second one. Then it's all about seaming and the edging.

Gaiter - several inches into it and almost done with the first skein. I'm not letting myself even get a measuring tape near it until I'm halfway through the second skein.

Other projects - still the same. Nothing new to report.

Memory Lane

We may not have known each other while at college, but we both remember the freezing cold Moscow winds!

This past Thanksgiving weekend, while visiting Matt's family, we decided to take a quick trip south to Moscow, Idaho - home of the University of Idaho Vandals! It was fabulous and the first time I had been back since the sis graduated in 2001! I loved it!

We hit the bookstore for a new sweatshirt, took a stroll across the campus, checked out the new buildings and took in the last Vandal football game of the year. (It was yet another loss, but its a rebuilding season!) It was fun to talk about our Moscow adventures and eat at our favorite places. Even though we both went to school there at the same time, we didn't know each other. Funny how life works out.

Happy Early Thanksgiving!

What am I thankful for?
- loving, healthy family
- fabulous fiance
- my great friends
- and quick, easy, beautiful knitting patterns that knit up quickly with soft, luscious yarn I found on sale!

Happy Thanksgiving!
(this is being posted early as we are leaving soon to drive over to N. Idaho and we won't have Internet access for a few days - gasp! It'll be like the olden' days I guess!)
P.S. Be sure to wish Supergirl good luck on the 1/2 marathon she's running on Sunday! Go Supergirl go!

Helpful words of wisdom

As I continue to suffer from my holiday knitting syndrome - the one that has me constantly looking through pattern books to see what else I can "whip out" - I laugh as I type this as those in the knitting circle know I don't "whip" anything out - I came across this little gem in HandKnit Holidays,
"Holiday Knitting Strategies:"
"1. Prioritize - choose one person on your list to knit for this year and focus on that project alone" - I did that, my dad's gaiter - the project that is still in its original skein form!
"2. Start early -Why scramble make gifts in December when one can start in August or better yet, in January!" Who the hell does that? Isn't this part of the stress, I mean fun?
"3. Think easy but personal" - what is easy?
Hmmm, maybe I should have actually read the book instead of just looking at the pretty pictures when I bought it back in July!!!

Knitting Accountability

As the days draw closer to Thanksgiving, its giving me time to reflect on a few things, like how freakin' far behind I am on my Christmas knitting! And since I seem to be suffering from holiday stress knitting, which in my case, makes me deviate from the original holiday knitted gift lists and start other projects, I thought I'd just lay it all out right here on the blog to force a little accountability on myself.

Here I go:

Wrist warmers for a certain someone one made from Lamb's Pride and Kid Silk Haze (both from the stash, thank you very much). This wasn't a pre-planned gift, something I just decided to whip up when I came across the yarns in the stash. There is a 95% chance she'll only get one in her stocking come Christmas morning.

Beer Cozies for Matt and my dad. Matt cozies' are in Idaho Vandal colors - black and gold (GO VANDALS!) and my dad's are in Boise State Univ. colors - blue and orange (WHO DO WE HATE? BOISE STATE! - yeah, only Sara and Matt will get that and the latter doesn't check the blog.) Another last minute gift idea tossed into the mix - also stash yarn, but did have to buy the black. Thought it would be funny for them to open them at the same time on Christmas morning. (Editor's note: BSU and UI are big ol' rivals).

This is the yarn for the only pre-planned knitted holiday gift this year - a gaiter for my dad. Note how it is still in the skein form. Gunna work on that this weekend, hopefully.

And the baby bolero. It's not a Christmas gift, but needs to be ready to give to mamma on Dec. 13th. And yes, this is the same picture from earlier this week as I have not touched the project in a while. Please feel free to nag (don't get too carried away there Supergirl) me on these.

Meeting the French Girl

Yesterday, I braved the wind, rain and Seattle rush hour traffic for knitting. It was the Seattle Knitter's Guild meeting and local designer Kristeen Griffin-Grimes, a.k.a. French Girl, was the guest speaker. She was fun and fabulous with lots of energy and creativity. It was interesting to hear her design process, where she got her start and what is next for her! She was also showing off her designs and selling her patterns for a discount (gotta love that - I bought two: Oceane and Zia.) Now I'm waiting for Chantelle to come out sometime soon! That may be my first big girl sweater - unless I decide to give Rosie one more try.

Interesting developments on the home front

I just got an email from my mom, it seems my sister has finally seen the light and wants to learn to knit. My mom went over to teach her and a friend how to knit the other night and apparently the sister was knitting on large plastic needles using acrylic yarn. It didn't go very well - gee, I wonder why. Not to be a yarn/knitting snob here - ok, I am but it's my blog! I'm thinking the sister is going to get a fabulous knitting package for Christmas! And if knitting just doesn't stick with her, I'm taking her gift back.

Finally a few F.O.'s

(That's finished objects for my non-knitting readers - Hi Sara & April!)

I'm pleased to announce, after three attempts, the hat is finally big enough!

While it may look small in this picture, it's actually just right. I made him close his eyes and try it on. He's a good sport, especially considering I made him do during Sunday Night Football.

Pattern: Hot Head from Stitch N'Bitch

Yarn: Nature Wool Chunky from Araucania in Blue and Red

And I know I've mentioned it before, but here's the picture: The Purl Scarf is finished too!

I didn't make it as long as the pattern calls for (102 inches) but mine is about 64 inches and I really like it. This is my first project with fringe as I've stayed away from it in the past because it scares me, but I have to say, I do really like it. However if I start talking about getting a bedazzler (also something that frightens me) - please shoot me.

Pattern: Purl Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts

Yarn: Manos del Uruguay, Rowan Kid Silk Haze and another kind that I forgot the name of in various pretty berry colors.

Madrona Classes

For once I was on top of something these day! I signed up early and got all the knitting classes I wanted for Madrona! I had to get to work early to get some stuff done and ended up registering - didn't get any work done for the first 30 minutes, but I got my classes so that's all that matters!
I'm taking:

• Saturday morning - Twisting with the Cable Girl - Fiona Ellis
• Saturday afternoon - Needle Felting - Leigh Radford
• Sunday morning - Sweaters that Fit - Secrets of Sizing and Gauge

I'm very excited about the Sunday class as I'm the worst at gauge! And speaking of gauge....the hat for the fiance continues to frustrate me! I finished it (for the second time in case anyone is counting) and I had him try it on and it's still too small! So I've ripped it back (again) and I'm planning on adding another 2 inches before I start the decreases! I've decided the problem is not me, it's just a small pattern and that he has an unusually large head. I'm seriously rethinking giving birth to his children.

And the good news keeps coming in!

It finally happened - Rummy resigned! Happy Day.....Happy Day!

Smart Decisions

On this Election Day 2006, I'm happy someone has made a wise decision - Britney Spears has come to her senses and file for divorce.

You're on!

A comment left this morning on the previous post by Rebecca:

I hereby challenge to you a knit-off beginning on January 2, 2007 with the project of your choice. Signed,
Speed PICKER!


I am so bringing it!

Speed Picker strikes again!

Damn it! Speed Picker has once again beaten me! I can't let this happen again! I started the project first, I was ahead for the majority of the race, er....scarf knitting. But at the last minute, - she jumped on the fact that she requires less sleep then I - she raced towards the finished line and seized it! Must go finish in second place....but at least I'll look good. (We both will, I guess...)

The Heating Quiz

This week's Carbon Diet focused on reducing the carbon emission from heating the home. Since I'm a renter, I didn't do too well. I couldn't honestly say that I would replace my single pane windows in the front of my place (believe me I'd love too) or that I'd double check the insulation and replace it if needed. I did pledge to reduce the thermostat - and that is a big challenge for me! So far, it's working, but it's been pretty cold these past few days!

Noteworth Dates

October came and went so quickly, I didn't get a chance to celebrate two big dates on the blog! First - Oct. 9th - my two year anniversary of moving to Seattle! And second - the blog Knitting Knot is one year old this month!

Trick or Treat!

Happy Halloween from 60's Girl and Annoying Man!
(He decided to be annoying man after a guy at the gym was working out next to him while talking on his cell phone the entire time. He's sporting 3 cell phones, one with an ear piece, a retractable ID badge, a water bottle clip belt with a travel coffee mug, a leatherman and wearing his biking clothes - which for some reason people wear around here in Seattle - and his biking shoes. For safety's sake, he removed the clips). And he wouldn't dance with me because of all of the gadgets. Very annoying.

Brrrrr...it's scarf season!

The latest on my Purl scarf from LMKG: it's 64 inches. Take that Supergirl.

Mad for Madrona!

I'm so excited - the class schedule for the Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat is out! There are so many fabulous classes and talented instructors! I don't know how I'm going to choose which ones to take! Plus I can only attend two-days of the four-day retreat! I must cram all of it in in 48 hours! Off to read the schedule again!

Environmentally Friendly

Rebecca's post from the other day got me thinking about my energy consumption. I've been noticing over the past few months, I've been becoming more aware about my energy use, recycling, etc. I do think part of it stems from some projects I've been working on at work. So I decided to sign up the for the Eight-Week Carbon Diet by Slate Green and Treehugger. I took the test and learned that my household uses up 22,488 lbs of carbon emissions a year - about the same as 2.21 passenger cars (btw - it's way less than Rebecca's usage - but who's counting). I think I do my part:

1. I ride the bus to work every day
2. I recycle at home
3. I've started to wash all of my clothes in cold water
4. I do all my laundry at once to save on energy from the dryer stopping and starting throughout the week (actually, I've always done that but it was because I just wanted to be done with the laundry at once and not drag it out all freakin' week.)

But there is still lots of room for improvements - to be honest, I'm sitting in my home with all the heaters in each room running because I'm tired of being cold all the time! And yes, I'm wearing layers! It's just day one of the challenge I guess - long way to go!

(Sara, I see you eagerly clicking to this challenge, April, you're rolling your eyes and laughing at us greenies - but you still love us!)

Finally part of the cool crowd!

Yeah! I made it into the Knitting Ring! Check out all the other fabulous knitting sites!

The Great Pumpkin

Yesterday was the perfect fall day to head out to the pumpkin patch at Biringer Farm! It was sunny, cool and the company was fabulous! We all picked out perfect pumpkins.

Matt and Rebecca were quite happy with all the pretty colors we selected.

Carrie was sporting her new Irish Hiking Scarf made from the Magic Yarn Balls Rebecca and I put together for her out of Cascade 220. It was some magic, because not only did the scarf turn out beautifully, but she and Kevin also got engaged!

Knitting Envy and Rebecca's Tortuous Ways

Rebecca has knitting envy for a my Purl Scarf. After talking about how fabulous my beautiful berry scarf is that I'm working on, she decided it was time to buy the yarn to make hers! We met at Hilltop last night where I helped her find fabulous colors for her scarf. She was a bit excited (who can blame her, making a scarf like me) so I had to have her calm down and concentrate on the colors. I know Rebecca, a.k.a. Speed Picker, I know her ways, I know her competitive edge towards knitting (may I remind all my faithful readers about the Grommet Bag Knit-A-Long?) so I knew she's run right home and start knitting in an attempt to beat me to the scarf finish line. Around 10 p.m. last night, the picture and text emails over the phone started. And they continue to taunt me on her blog. The worst part about all of this; she's off of work today and I'm stuck here at the office without my knitting!

Knitting Envy

And it's not from me. It's about one of my projects for a change. Rebecca has knitting envy over my fabulous Purl scarf in the beautiful berry yarns I'm working on. In fact, just last night I met her at Hilltop to help her pick out yarn for her own Purl scarf. She now has her own fabulous colors. But I know Rebecca, a.k.a SpeedPicker, and I know she'll whip it out before I'm done to flaunt in my face - not that she's like that or anything... And the worst part is, she's off of work today, totally enjoying a knitting day, working on her Purl scarf while I'm stuck here at work!

(Editors Note: This post was written Thursday night for posting first thing Friday morning. After I wrote in, Rebecca began sending taunting text messages and pic via the cell phone. Is there no extent to her torture?)

Another Knitting Group

Last night I was finally able to check out the Seattle Knitters Guild. Jessica did a fantastic job with her first month of the presidency of the guild. I met several new fabulous knitters including Ryan and learned more about The Dulaan Project. I've decided to sign up to knit five objects for her cause! It's the least I can do since charity knitting was one of my goals this year and so far I've knitted one baby hat (that was originally a gift until I decided I didn't like it too much) and a hat for a teenager. I also volunteer to knit squares for blankets for homeless people and received a free skein of yarn for the project - that was in July. So far the only thing the skein and I have produce is guilt. But I'm excited to make that change for children!

My knitting style

I've come to a realization lately about my knitting. It's a lot like my eating ways. It's not that I'm slow, it's just that I'm savoring each stitch. I'm enjoying how the fiber feels between my fingers, the soft sound of the bamboo wooden needles gently clinking together through each knit and purl. The way the colors of the yarn stash look so pretty sitting there in bin in the living room. Or in the rubbermaid box (ok, boxes) in the spare room closet. Or in the top drawer of the extra dresser. Or in the extra big bag from Hilltop Yarn in the closet. Or in the knitting bag.

For baby

I've finished the Baby Bolero from One Skein. It turned out pretty cute if I do say so. I'm still not thrilled with the design on the back, but I think it'll look pretty cute on baby Cameron Lee.
I also found out today that one of the babies on my Baby Knit List is going to be a boy! I'm very excited to knit for a boy as all the baby knitting has been for girls! This will require a trip to the yarn store!
Until then, I'm still working on the Purl scarf for me from Last Minute Knitted Gifts! I just love the berry colors!

Bah Humbug!

That's right. Bah Humbug! After getting all excited about my holiday gift projects, I ran out, got yarn and started. It did not go well. Turns out there was a measuring issue with the gauge swatch for Matt's hat that (Miss Rebecca, any ideas there, hmmmmm?). I started and ripped out three times before I threw it in the knitting bag for a time out. I then picked up the yarn for my dad's gaiter. I started the gauge swatch and two rows into it I realized, the yarn was so fine, it was going to take me freakin' forever to do the pattern. So out of disgust (and possibly very little patience) I tossed that into time out too. So what does any knitter do who is bent on holiday knitting? That's right, start a great project for herself! I'm working on the Purl scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts in three great shades of pink and berry! It'll be an early holiday present to myself! Picture to come later....

Tis' the Season

Fall has arrived in the Pacific Northwest and it is beautiful! The leaves are beginning to change into a rainbow of colors. The air is crisp and cool. And I'm ready to pull out my scarves and even start making a few more. But it's time for me to start working on my knitted holiday gifts! My original plan was to start working on my holiday gifts on August 1. However, I got a bit distracted on July 29 (that's when I got engaged) and haven't given much thought about the projects until now. So with two months of knitting time gone, I've drastically reduced my knitted gift list. I've decided to knit something for my dad for the first time. I'm thinking about knitting him a gaiter that he can wear while working in his shop or doing some winter fishing. Whatever pattern I decide to go with, I need to get on it! Other items keep creeping on the 'To Knit List'!

Editors note: I came up with the plan to start knitting holiday gifts on Aug. 1 while frantically finishing a scarf for last Christmas at 12:30 a.m. Christmas morning. I seem to be heading down that path again.

The little dancing sweater with a voice

Yesterday I met Rebecca for a little afternoon knitting at Third Place Books. It was good to sit, chat and knit with her. I was starting a new project and as usual, she forced me into making a gauge swatch. I'm making the Hot Head Hat from Stitch n' Bitch out of Nature Wool Chunky for Matt. The swatch turned out perfectly and I eagerly cast on the 64 stitches and began the k2 p2 repeat pattern. However, somewhere in row 1 I got a little distracted and was off on my pattern. I tried ripping out, but being the "special" knitter that I am, got all messed up. Rebecca was kind enough to immediately rip out all that I had done - but she did cast on my 64 stitches for me so all was quickly forgiven. As I started the pattern again, I told her she couldn't talk or stare at me while I got the first row of the pattern down (I'm not so sure why I was having difficulty with this - I guess that's the beauty of me - screw up the easy crap). So while I'm carefully knitting and purling, Rebecca took her project - the Egg Warmer Sweater from Weekend Knitting (it was really cute and she started and finished it while we were there) and began to make it dance and have a little annoying voice. When I cast a withering stare at her over my knitting, she simply laughed and said. "You never said anything about voices and dancing sweaters." True, I didn't.

This is the reason I need to knit guage swatches: Here is the Irish Hiking Scarf Rebecca and I are both working on in the same yarn. She is on gauge, I am not.

Public Transportation

I like to take the 7:03 a.m. bus on Rte. 17. It usually hits my stop between 7:10 and 7:15. It's nice, quiet and not crowded at all, giving me a seat by myself. This week, however, it was unusually full. On Friday morning it was standing room only although I was lucky enough to snag the only open seat right behind the bus driver. As we pulled up to a stop just in the downtown core area, this woman got on the back of the bus at the second entrance (it was one of those long buses) and started screaming "I've been stabbed. That man stabbed me! Bus driver call the police!" Because I was at the front of the bus, I couldn't see all the commotion going on at the back. I could see part of her as she stood on the steps of the bus and she looked a little disheveled. As she continued screaming, people from the back of the bus began streaming out of the front of the bus. I couldn't get up because of all the people and I still couldn't see what was going on as she continued screaming. What did freak me out was the look on many of the women's faces as they ran towards the front of the bus. Finally the woman jumped off the bus and took off with some man following her. Another man who had been sitting at the back of the bus got back on and wanted to know if the bus driver was going to continue on the route. She said no because she was calling the cops and had to wait for them. He replied to that with a loud "F&^% You!" and stormed off the bus. At this point I think, it's time to get off the bus. So I did and started the 20 minute walk to work from that part of downtown. As I walked along 4th Ave. I saw the woman. She was standing with 2 police officers and an ambulance and two fire aide vehicles were racing down the street towards her. I called Rebecca to tell her about my morning adventure (all before 8 a.m.) and we had a good laugh. Later that evening, Rebecca called me back to tell me that the man who yelled at the bus driver was her coworker! It just makes me laugh about what a small world this is and the joys of public transportation.
P.S. Rebecca's coworker saw the entire thing and said the man didn't stab her, it was only a paper cut.

Back in the real world

I guess after nine days of laying on the beach, snorkeling and drinking Pina Coladas, one has to return to the real world. Maui was incredible! Beautiful beaches, clear blue water and fabulous fruity cocktails with pineapple and umbrellas! A lot of snorkeling was accomplished on the trip, but sadly, no knitting. So I guess it's good to be back in someways. Instead of boring you with all 100-plus pics of the week, here are a few of my favorites!


A Hawaiian rainbow

Shelly & I learning how to hula dance

The main Hula dancer signals the beginning the Luau (he later picked me out of the audiance for a hula....good thing I learned earlier in the evening)!

We saw lots of giant sea turtles on a boat trip. I also saw a big one up close and personal while snorkeling a few days later! No camera with me though.

Aloha!

• Beach bag - check
• Beach towel - check
• Magazines - check
• Library book - check
• Hawaii tour book - check
• Hat - check
• Snorkel gear - check
• SPF 50 - check (please stop laughing Rebecca)
• Knitting project (Irish Hiking Scarf that's been in the back of the closet for months) - check
  I'm ready for Hawaii! Aloha!

Blogs & old friends

The thing that I love about blogs is that everyone seems to be doing them! Recently two dear friends of mine started blogs. These friends, April and Sara and I have been friends for a very long time. We casually knew each other in high school (we went to rival schools but knew each other through a church youth group that I sporadically went to). But during freshman orientation, July 1993 at the University of Idaho, as my mom and I got of the car in the University Inn parking lot, who pulls right up next to us with their moms, April and Sara. And that is where we truly became friends. Through out our years at the University of Idaho, we became close friends; time spent studying, going to the movies, shopping, eating dinners and just hanging out together. We all remained friends after graduation and moving to Boise and getting "real" jobs. Over the years our lives have gone in different directions. April is married and has two beautiful little girls. Sara was busy dedicating her time to her students, and then to her husband Shawn a few years ago. Now they just moved thousands of miles away from friends and family to the D.C. area so Sara can go to graduate school. I'm in Seattle, planning my wedding and working for another t.v. station. I think it's funny how our lives have taken all these different turns for us, and even though we don't talk very often, see each other even less, with our blogs, it's like we're still gossiping in the dorms. So check out their blogs (they are both new to the blogging world): Shawn & Sara's Moving Adventure and Idaho Girls

In another flashback moment, Sara found this old picture on line at the UI. This is me (in the Idaho sweatshirt) and my roommates Liz and Renee and Liz's boyfriend Jason. We were posed for a picture advertising for the oh' so spacious and glamorous dorm rooms of the Wallace Complex. That pink rug still cracks me up. I wanted to buy a rug and my roomie Liz said get any color but pink. I was annoyed with her, so I came home with the pink rug. Ah, the good ol' days of Wallace Complex Houston Hall!

Goodbye ol' friend

I've attached the sleeves the to baby bolero and I have to say, I'm not really loving this sweater. I don't think it's that cute. I look at it and all I can see are the mistakes! After consulting with Rebecca - who also made this sweater - she said she didn't like hers either until she did the finishing edging. Apparently that is key. I've decided to put the sweater away until after I get back from Hawaii and then finish the edging. I'm thinking the time apart and the edging will help with the love process between me and the sweater. If the love still isn't there, it doesn't really matter because I'll just get a cute onsie and a toy, stick it in a box and ship it off to the baby mama. She and baby-to-be will love it!


In other knitting news, a few have asked to see the knitting bag that was doused with tea. It looks alright from the picture (I tried to spruce it up for its last showing) but the inside fabric is hard and crusty in places and I'm afraid some of the tea leaked through the lining to the depths of the bag that I can't reach to clean. So alas, this cute pink knitting bag will be retired to the bag heaven of great bags who've lived past their prime. We had a good knitting journey together. Through good projects and projects that well, lets just say, will remain between me and the bag. So long old friend, I'll miss you.

P.S. If you think I'm crazy for my attachment to a bag, check out what Rebecca did to a tree!

A near knitting disaster

Today started out like any summer Sunday here in Seattle. It was beautiful, sunny with a cool breeze coming off the lake. Matt was very excited because today is the first full Sunday of Football Season. At 10 a.m. he was all ready for a day of football. I was in the kitchen when it happened. I heard a crash, then Matt yelling my name. I ran into the t.v. room to see his full glass of ice tea on the floor. I just looked at the spill when he looked at me and very quietly said, "It's in your knitting bag." I ran over to my bag which was sitting next to the table, and there, on top of the bag, is the cream baby bolero from One Skein that I'm almost finished with. I had been working on it last night and instead of sticking it back in the big Ziplock I normally keep it in, I just tossed it on top. I picked it up and could feel the wet ice tea on the project and in the skein of yarn. I ran into the kitchen where I gently began blotting the ice tea off the sweater. Matt was in mass clean up mode as I quietly worked at getting the potentially staining liquid out of my beautiful sweater. He quickly mopped up the rug and then began bringing the rest of the contents of my knitting bag into the kitchen. I had been so preoccupied with the baby sweater, I forgot about the rest of the knitting: my pink tank sweater that has gone untouched since the many baby announcements, my bag of knitting needles, several knitting shop flyers of upcoming sales (luckily those got most of the tea). Once the bag was emptied, Matt brought it into the kitchen where he turned it upside down over the sink and tea just poured out. I just stood there and stared at the large puddle of tea that had acquired in the depths of my bag. Matt felt so horrible about the ordeal and I was just so quiet (I was trying to remain calm and I think that freaked him out)! After I blotted the baby sweater to death, I set it aside to asses the rest of the damage. The pink tank was fine. The Ziplock baggie was open, but none of the tea got in. Tea got in the needle bag, but after dumping them all out and wiping everything, no harm was done. The knitting bag however, is gone. It's not the type you can wash or rinse out. I tried, but I think the lingering scent will always be there. I just can't put my beautiful yarns in it anymore. I do believe the baby sweater will be ok. I'm hoping I won't find any lingering tea stains as I continue to work through the skein.
On another disturbing note, I was telling this story to a good friend of ours when she confessed up to this little tale: Last weekend when I was in Boise, Matt has some friends over after a night out on the town. He had gone to bed while his friends continued to drink at our place. Apparently one of his friends (who I have never met) spilled their vodka drink in my knitting bag (luckily, all the projects were in a different bag and in Idaho with me, but there was still the needle bag in there). My dear friend (thank God she was there), even though she was a little toasted, knew the importance of the knitting bag, ran into the kitchen to get a towel. As she did that, she hit her toe on the corner of the wall and broke her toe. That is a good friend. I'm now moving the knitting bag - although when Matt's friends come over for drinks, I normally move the knitting because I knew something like this would eventually happen from one of his friends. Moral of the story folks, always keep projects in Ziplock baggies and make sure they are closed!

Cascade, Idaho

The Lake Cascade boat dock just across the way from our place. The water is a bit low this late in the season.

This Labor Day weekend, I went back to Cascade, Idaho where my family has a place just off the lake. My grandparents owned the property for years and years and I remember going up there nearly every summer growing up. It's not fancy, it's not big, but to me, it's just perfect. I used to go there to play. Now years, later, I still go there to play and to recharge my batteries! It was a fun weekend, just my mom, dad, sister and myself! I sat out on the deck, soaked up some sun, read books, knitted, went for walks and our cousins Holly and Trena treated us to a boat ride in Lake Cascade! We drank margaritas as we cruised around to check out the big ol' "cabins" around the lake. Lindsay even tried water skiing for the first time! She did pretty good and almost made it up a time or two! Being the good sis, that I am, I promised her those pics wouldn't end up on the blog!
It was sunny and warm, but the smoke from forest fires in the area made it a bit hazy and smokey. All in all, it was the perfect summer weekend. I wish it hadn't taken me two years to get back up there since the move, but it certainly won't take me two years to get back there!
I snapped this photo from the drive home along HWY 55 along the Payette River. The haze in the picture is smoke from wildland forest fires in southern Idaho.


Even Hailey enjoyed some serious R & R, taking in the view as she relaxed on my mom's hat.

Back in Knittin' Mode

With less training this week - or none at all - I was able to pick up the knittin' needles a bit more! I'm working on the Baby Bolero from One Skein and decided to throw caution to the wind and not do a gauge swatch. So far, the front right side is on track, but the back is a bit wider than it should be. Since it knits up so quickly and easily (so far anyway) I'm hoping to keep going and that it'll all come together and still fit Baby B. once he/she makes his worldly debut!

P.S. My friend Jen who is getting the sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts called me today to say she's having a girl! Time for some pink yarn shopping! I can't wait to make Anouck from Knitty! I've been waiting for someone to have a girl!

Race day victory!

The victorious Danskiners; Julie, Rebecca, me, Lindsay (my sister) and Carrie! We rock!


After months and months and countless hours of running, biking and swimming, it all came down to yesterday: the Danskin Sprint Triathalon! My first ever triathalon! I gave myself the goal of finishing in under 3 hours. Not only did I make that goal, but I was completely shocked and amazed at my time! My official Danskin time: 2 hours, 1 minute and 36 seconds! I did the swim in just 21 minutes!That's four minutes faster than my lap pool time and 10 minutes faster than my best open water swim! Talk about kickin' it into gear on race day! The best part about the race, with over 5-thousand women of all shapes and sizes on the course, I was able to spot several of my friends along the way for support! Plus my mom and dad came in from Boise to watch my sister, Lindsay and I do the race together! Enjoy the pictures & thanks for your support!
Lindsay crosses the finish line minutes after me!

A little race day prep fun with Lindsay, me and her friend Angela who came in from Boise for the race too!

There were a lot of bikes out there!