I'm Back!

I'm back from the weekend away with my bookclub. We had a great time! We went ice skating instead of snow-shoeing because the snow shoes we were going to rent looked a little on the tricky side. It was the first time I've been ice skating in a very long time. The weather was perfect, in the mid 20's and sunny. We played tons of games, drank martinis and ate pizza. Oh yes, we discussed the book too. I actually didn't knit even ONE stitch! I know, it's a shock but we were so busy doing so many other things the knitting took a back seat. Once again I didn't take any photos mainly since I didn't pack my camera.

I'm settled in for the evening now, watching TV and knitting!

Meanwhile...
My craft basket has undergone a change from this...


To this...


I will have more details mid-February.

I'm Leaving Again

I am going out of town again this weekend, this time with my book club. We're heading up to a lake house of one of the members of the club. We plan to do a little snow shoeing, eating, martini tasting, and game playing. Oh! And knitting.

I finished up my wavy scarf last night at Crafty CHIX. I have to get someone to take a photo of me with it so you can see it!

See you Sunday!

Scarf 2

I started the lace scarf on Monday night while watching The Bachelorette. I am pleased that Jerry is still in the running. And I'm a bit disappointed about Lori & Bolo being eliminated from The Amazing Race 6 last night. This is about as far as I am on the lace scarf because I've really been concentrating on finishing up the wavy scarf...almost done!

Long Time No Blog

We made it to Ely safe & sound thanks to Kyle and his crazy yet safe driving. I requested we head directly to the liquor store as we entered town. Friday night we played Scrabble and Cranium and then a bunch of us 'younger' folk walked to one of the many local taverns. We played a dice game (name?) in which I won $21. I wanted to go back the next night but a couple of my cousins said "no way". I think they were a little bitter about losing $3, oh well. Saturday we went to breakfast and to the local yarn shop Sisu Designs & Weaving. I picked up this pretty green merino wool for a pair of socks and this Brittany crochet hook, because you never know when you'll need a giant crochet hook.


And this organic cotton. I'm not sure what I'll knit with this yet but I couldn't pass it up.


Saturday afternoon I went cross-country skiing with my aunt Debbie. We had a great time, the snow was fresh and sparkly and the sky was SO blue. We skied 5 miles while all the way blazing our own trail. My quads are still a little sore. Saturday night everyone went to dinner together and back to the motel for gifties. The uncle I knit the Hayden hat for gave me this yarn!!! The off-white hank on the left is 4 1/4 oz of home spun mohair and the grey hank on the right is 5 3/4 oz of home spun wool. I'm thinking the grey wool would make nice mittens although I'll have to figure out if there's enough for a pair.


Uncle Roger loved his Hayden hat and so did his wife Debbie. In very short order she had it on and didn't take it off the rest of the weekend. I guess knitting another Hayden hat is in my future. Debbie loved her mini-sweater ornament and hung it on her tree straight away.


Sunday morning we packed up and went to breakfast. I had a Walleye filet with eggs and canadian bacon, SO GOOD. Then we hit a few local shops and headed for home. I am already looking forward to going up to Ely this summer on the motorcycles!
**Sorry about the lack of vacation photos, my camera never made it out of the bag.

Off to Ely

We're in the middle of a winter storm watch and we're headed north to Ely for the weekend. Lovely. See you Sunday!

Cool

My mailbox was full of yarn today! I ordered these 2 hanks of Lorna's Laces from my favorite on-line yarn shop Jimmy Beans Wool. I can't say enough good things about this site: quick shipping, good prices, huge selection and they even sent candy along with the yarn, yum!
This yarn is going to made into a gift for a certain special someone who may have a birthday in the next few months. Since this colorway is named Cool I thought taking the photo in a snowbank was in order.

More Yarn?

Yes! I bought more yarn. The two pink hanks of Cascade 220 are destined for a striped, felted iPod mini cozy...I know I could have dug something up from my stash but what fun is that? The Cherry Tree Hill merino is for a lace scarf that was so pretty and soft at the store I just couldn't resist it. I enjoy knitting scarfs on short, straight needles so I picked up a set of size 5's for this project. I WILL make progress on both of these projects over this next weekend.


Hallelujah! Jonathan & Victoria have finally been eliminated from The Amazing Race! The reality TV world is a much better place.
I missed The Biggest Loser, does anyone know who won the $100,000 last night?

Happy Birthday Mom!

Sushi-nery

While out with friends the other day I picked up this cute sushi-nery set with intentions to use it for snail mail letters, one of my new years resolutions.

Work In Progress

My three current projects. I'm nearly to the decreases on the Hayden hat and like I said yesterday, 7 repeats left to go on the wavy scarf. The book is excellent although I haven't read much since the weekdays. I tend to read more during the week and mostly before bed. See the little monkey bookmark making an appearance?

It's Just Me

First things first, it's been really cold here this week. Right now it's -2º which is warm compared to where it's been. This weather makes me not want to leave the house which is the exact opposite of what I've been doing, until today. Thursday night I went to Crafty CHIX and worked on my wavy scarf a bunch. I have 7 more repeats to do, it's a really neat scarf but it's a bit monotonous so I hope to finish it soon. Lara made really good tortilla soup and then bananas foster for dessert. Yesterday I hung out with a couple of friends and last night Kyle and I ran a couple errands. I picked up Stitch'n Bitch Nation with a little Christmas $$ I had. I needed another knitting book like I need more yarn but it was on my 'I want' list so I figured what the heck.

I'm working on another Hayden hat which I'm planning to give to my uncle next weekend at our extended family Christmas at his motel in Ely Minnesota. It will be even colder there than it is here...Brrrrr. The Hayden hat is grey, black and orange to match his Harley Davidson motorcycle. I think he'll like it a lot.

I'll try to get some photos up tomorrow, Kyle had the camera all day today plus I was a bit lazy.

GO VIKINGS!!!

Cool stuff today...drinking chocolate...yummy...must.get.some...

More Reading Less Knitting

I started reading The Time Traveler's Wife and I CANNOT put it down. I gave it to my sister-in-law for Christmas and we are reading it together as a sort of mini-book club. Paula, I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am!

Mystery Project Revealed!

Thanks for all the guesses, very interesting!

It's a handle cozy for pots, pans, teakettles or anything else with a hot handle. For mine, I used Lamb's Pride Worsted in the color M-100 Supreme Purple. This yarn was leftover from my 1st pair of felted slippers. While watching the Vikings kick butt Sunday I knit 2 more handle cozies using leftover Noro from my 1st Booga Bag.

For the record, I thought Randy Moss' antics were hilarious...lighten up people!!
Who watched The Bachelorette Monday night? I'm cheering for Keith the welder or Jerry the artist. Hubba hubba.
Yay to Ryan for winning The Biggest Loser! One of the best reality shows on TV!
And...with any luck...maybe Jonathan & Victoria will be eliminated next week on AR6.

Cool stuff today...There's a new blogger in bloggerland!

Toys

Guess what I get to knit a cozy for????

My new iPod mini!

O Brother

My brother nicely reminded me there are actually 101 things about me-see this post for the 1st 100.

101. My brother saved my life.

One summer when we were up to our cabin, my brother Chris & I were out on the dock one cold, early morning. I was wearing a pair of his boots (I think) and I fell into the water. Since the boots were extra big for me (but not big enough to slip off), they instantly filled up with water and pulled me to the bottom. Chris saw me go under and pulled me to the surface by my hair! Thanks Chris.

Cool stuff today...handblown art glass objects from my brother's neck of the woods...North Shore Hawaii. My favorite? The purple Happy Hawaiian Fish.

Mystery Project

This is the quick stash-busting item my friend Lara designed. What do you think it is???

I'm hoping to start something new & exciting soon (I have no clue yet what this will be) so I actually have something interesting to blog about. Until then...

Wednesday

It was back to work for me today, feeling much better but still not 100% obviously. I started a quick knit tonight and worked a little bit on my wavy scarf, I will have photos this coming weekend I promise.
Can I just say that Jonathan from Amazing Race 6 needs to be eliminated NOW. He is the most irritating player EVER on that show. What a jerk. I had to laugh when the band member at the restaurant gagged last night when everyone was puking. Gross but funny.

Today I'll leave you with my 10 minute pillow. Not my best work or too exciting but a photo none the less.

Cool stuff today...Another daily doggy fix.

Flashback

Since I don't have anything new to show besides 2 more mini sweaters -the LAST 2- I thought I'd flash back to my favorite on-line knitting pattern. Best of all, it's FREE! It's the Booga Bag. I knit the first one with Noro Kureyon color #131, I'm not too crazy about the colorway but it was a good experience.

The second one I knit I liked MUCH better. Too bad it was a gift...

For this one I used Plymouth Galway Highland Heather color #732 with Crystal Palace Fizz color #7119 along the top. It felted really nicely. Maybe I should use Galway for my next set of slippers?

Cool stuff today...My favorite dog related website...I get a daily fix of Oliver (and his pal Hugo) here. I *heart* Weimaraners!

Siiiiiccckkkk

I stayed home sick from work today and even took a trip to the Doctor. I learned I have a sinus infection so hopefully after a few days of Zithromax I'll start to feel better. Needless to say I haven't had much energy to do anything other than flip channels on the TV so my scarf still looks pretty much the same. I did manage to knit myself a mini sweater, this pattern has itself engraved in my brain. I'll try to post some photos tomorrow. I did make a few changes in my side bar, you can now email me if you would rather not leave a comment and my likes & dislikes have been scaled back and refreshed. I will be adding new likes & dislikes every few weeks to keep things interesting.

Day #1

I hope everyone rang in the new year safely! Kyle & I ended up going to a Mexican fiesta which was a blast. Lots of great food and fun. We played Cranium Turbo and the girls beat the guys without a fight. Good times.

Now is the time to set your goals for 2005! I don't really like the term resolutions but it's customary so here are my New Years resolutions:

*Reduce clothes in closet by 50%!
*Exercise at least 3 times per week
*Cut back on clutter in the house
*Finish one project per month (this must be a project I already own most of the supplies for)
*Set aside reading time each week
*Get taxes done early
*Start 2005 Christmas shopping and crafting early
*Write more snail mail letters

Remember, if you don't write your goals down they're just dreams...

I plan to follow these goals and now I have to be accountable for them since I told all of you, right? What are your goals?

I've spent the day putting away my holiday decorations and also spent some time with a good friend. Since the weather is NASTY right now, freezing rain and wind, I think I'll knit a little bit. Want to see what I'm working on?

It's the wavy scarf! This is the yarn Kyle put into my stocking this year. The scarf is beginning to look like denim and I really like it.

Cool stuff today...Knitters helping with Tsunami relief
stitch markers $5 from the sale of each set goes to CARE USA
Hugs and Kisses sock pattern all proceeds go to Oxfam
Eyelet Rib Wristlets pattern all proceeds go to Unicef