Felt Like Knitting

WIP Wednesday - Abyssal and Sassymetrical

I have two projects currently getting knitting time - a shawl and a sweater.

Abyssal

This is a feather and fan crescent shaped shawl/scarf that I'm knitting from Berocco Ultra Alpaca Fine.  I like how light and airy it is.  I'm knitting this with opportunityknits - a friend I made through a fabric swap several years ago (hosted by Iris).  She posted about her shawl yesterday so you can see her beautiful project.

This was getting a lot of attention during the earthquake/tsunami coverage.  Then I needed to finish a lap blanket for someone and I started a sweater.  It's amazing how easy it is to put something aside and forget to work on it!

Sassymetrical

I rarely knit sweaters because:

1.  I don't want to knit them for my current size since I am not happy with my size.  And even though I'm losing weight I still don't want to put time into a sweater I may not get to wear.

2.  It takes more yarn to knit for the size I am now.  There are so many beautiful yarns to turn into sweaters but I don't want to use Emma's college fund to buy them.

3.  I couldn't find the "perfect" sweater.

Well, I found the Sassymetrical sweater pattern and decided to just jump in .  This sweater should be fine because it's rather adjustable depending on how it's worn.  And I already had the yarn (Classic Elite Premiere).  I really have nothing to lose and I'm excited to be knitting it.  I hope to have enough yarn to lengthen the body and the sleeves.

What are you knitting these days?

Ten on Tuesday - 10 Reasons to Use the Public Library

What a great topic!  I love the library!  I used to work in a library when I was in high school and I still find myself re-shelving books if they're out of order.  :)

1.  Books, books, and more books!  Where else can you get this selection and all for...

2.  Free!  Instead of just wishing you could buy a particular book, you can check it out at no cost.  It makes me feel like I'm shopping and getting a fabulous deal.

3.  Audio books - These are a really great deal because they are so expensive to buy.  I always see books I'd like to listen to but Steve is rather picky in his listening so we usually end up listening to science fiction when we're on a trip.

4.  Movies - There is such a great selection and again - for free!  The other day I checked out My Fair Lady, Gigi, and A Streetcar Named Desire.

5.  Story Time - I went to Story Time when I was little and I took Emma when she was little.  Great memories!

6.  Computer services - I don't have to use this service often, but it's nice to know I have a backup if my computer at home goes down.

7.  E-services - Another great thing and you can use it from home.  There is  more here  than just downloading e-books and it's an area I need to utilize more often.  I also love the fact that I can access my account online.  That saves so much time!

8.  Music and art - When I was growing up, you could check out CDs and artwork.  We would check out a painting and hang it up in our house for a month then go get a new one.  Interesting idea.  I wonder if any other libraries did/do that.

9.  Special events - The library in my hometown had a little art gallery attached to it and there were always neat displays to look at.  Another library I used to use offered a service where patrons recorded books for adult learners so they could hear the words as they learned to read them.  The library system I use now has book clubs, lectures, book sales, etc.  Each library offers more than just books.

10.  Helpful people - I have always had a great experience with the people who work at libraries!  They are kind and knowledgeable.  I've had excellent reference help, heard great kids stories, and gotten some wonderful book ideas.  The people at my library always seem to be a happy bunch!

Why do you use the library?  I'm sure there are many more reasons - like those comfy chairs, study rooms, etc.  To share your list, visit Carole's blog.

Soggy Monday

Hey there!  Things got kind of busy and I'm way behind on my blog reading - and writing!  We had a really rainy weekend and it's a little soggy outside.  

While I as away from my blog, I celebrated a birthday.  It was so nice and relaxing!  Steve and Emma gave me a Bluetooth headset so now I can talk on the phone and knit at the same time.  Love it!  Of course, I could also do chores when I talk but that wouldn't be nearly as fun.  ;)  My friends made me feel so loved, too.

About the same time I started worm composting.  After a day thinking that I was killing them, I can say now that the worms are doing well.  My mom and I keep joking around about her "grandworms."  Below are pictures of their house, their bedding, and the worms at work under the bedding (sorry for the blurry photo!).

          

I have a ton of things to catch up on today so I'll close.  Later this week I'll share what I'm knitting - a shawl and a sweater.  A sweater?  That doesn't happen very often!

 

Ten on Tuesday - 10 Favorite Kinds of Pie

Busy day today, so this is just a list in no order and no picture even...

Pumpkin

Chocolate

Pecan

Cranberry Pecan (Carole's recipe - delicious!)

Apple Crumb

Peach

Cherry

Banana Cream

Key Lime

Lemon Meringue

But really,  I have never had a piece of pie that I didn't like!

To share your favorites, head over to Carole's!

Garden Time!

Yesterday we put in our cool weather garden.  I think we're a bit late for some of the seeds but I'm hoping for the best.  We planted two kinds of lettuce, two kinds of spinach, beets, green onions, and carrots.  We also put in some cauliflower plants.

Steve and I had a good chuckle over our all natural, biodegradable, earth-friendly  row markers.  We wondered if someone could market sticks.  :)

Are you going to plant anything this year?

 

FO Friday - Hats for Haiti

I woke up this morning to read/hear about the terrible earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan.  What does one say in a knitting blog when this happens?  It seems a little odd for me to ramble on about what I've knit or cooked or read.  So I will just leave you with the photo above of some of the hats I'll be sending to Estella.  Doing something for those in need (even in a different part of the world) in a time like this feels like a good thing to do.  Prayers going to all those in Japan and around the world who are affected by this latest natural disaster...

 

 

 

WIP Wednesday - Lap afghan

I'm trying out mobile posting for the first time. Since I don't see a way to save the post, I guess I'll be posting without editing!

I'm working on several things this week but this lap afghan feels the most urgent right now. It is for a young man at our church who has been medically fragile since his childhood. He is currently going through more difficulties and I'm hoping this lap afghan and the prayers that accompany it will be comforting.

What do you have on your needles today?

Ten on Tuesday - 10 Favorite Smells

Here are some of my favorites smells...

1.  Rain in the woods - I love this smell!  It reminds me of being at summer camp when I was younger.

2.  Baking bread - Possibly everyone loves this smell!

3.  My mom's spaghetti sauce  - Not only do you get a wonderful smell, you also get a delicious meal.  

4.  Clean house - I like the smell after I finish cleaning my house.  Granted, this isn't a smell I often get to enjoy.  :)

5.  Flowers - My favorite flower scents are lilac, lily of the valley, peony, lavender,...

6.  Clean laundry - I don't use scented detergent but the clothes still smell so good when they come out of the dryer.  

7.  Soap/shampoo - There are some soaps and shampoos that smell really nice, too.  My daughter's shampoo and the bayberry soap I bought at Williamsburg are two good ones.  I even like plain old gold Dial.  What is it with the "clean" smell?!  :)

8.  Grilling out - I love when it's finally getting warm again and you walk outside and smell people cooking dinner.  It's even better when it's your own dinner and you're not having to cook it.  :)

9.  The ocean - I wonder if I'd like the smell of the ocean if it was in a bottle like a perfume?  Maybe not.  What I like about the smell of the ocean is being there.

10.  My dog after a bath - Not right after a bath but when he's had a chance to dry off.  I love to hold him then - he smells good and he's really soft!

I know I've forgotten a bunch of good smells.  What are your favorites?  Head on over to Carole's to share your list.

Hats for Haiti

I hope you all had a great weekend.  Mine was fine and I did manage to get some knitting in.  I worked on some hats to send to Estella of Just One More Row, Please.  She has a friend serving in Haiti who has requested knitted or crocheted hats for children because it can get cold there at night.  The hats can be knitted or crocheted from whatever yarn you wish.  All the details are on Estella's blog - and she's hosting a contest, too.  The deadline to commit to participate is March 15 and the hats need to be received by March 25.

I had some hats finished already that just need the ends woven in and I have a lot of yarn odds and ends to use up.  I'd like to finish up a few more hats this week.  It will feel good to use up my yarn and to help someone else in the process!

 

FO Friday - Colchicaceae

Going on the road trip last weekend allowed me to finish Colchicaceae.  I'm so glad I finished it!  It is the softest shawl I own because of that wonderful Sublime yarn.  (Although I will tell you that the yarn is a bit splitty.)  The shawl isn't as long as I had hoped so I can't really wear it as a scarf.  But it is very easy to wear with the ends tossed over one shoulder.

Time to get Friday started.  Are you looking forward to a nice weekend?