Finish the sentence meme

Saw this twice today, and thought it was neat. Take if you like and share!

1. My uncle once worked at the zoo

2. Never in my life will I give less than my best.

3. When I was five my parents sent my dog "to the farm" and they still won't tell me what happened to him. I also went to Disneyworld. Being 5 had it's ups and downs :)

4. High school was where I met my best friends and my husband.

5. I will never forget the day Lorelai was born.

6. Once I met Anthony Rapp. Twice actually.

7. There’s this boy I know who is new to the world and I would really like to meet him. (Hi Will!)

8. Once, at a bar,a guy took my hat - it was St. Patrick's Day in Worcester, MA. I think I got the hat back. Don't remember that part.

9. By noon, Lorelai and I are usually out and about.

10. Last night I got to spend too short a time with one of my brothers.

11. If only I had a dog that didn't bark so much.... (I swear, dachshunds are GREAT watchdogs. A dust bunny scurries and they bark. Chipmunks fart and they bark. Don't get me wrong, I love love love love my dog. When he barks there is no changing his mind!)

12. “Next time I go to church” is not a phrase I say often, but probably should.

13. What worries me most the health of grandparents, aging parents, my brothers decisions and Lorelai's happiness.

14. When I turn my head left I see a door.

15. When I turn my head right I see twilight and trees.

16. You know I’m lying when..... Why would I answer that?

17. What I miss most about the Eighties is the music. And how my dad and I would rate hair do's with how many cans of hairspray were needed for the do.

18. If I were a character in Shakespeare I'd be (oh god, Betsy? VIK? help?) Who was the shrew, maybe her? Maybe a queen from Midsummer? I am not up on my Shakespeare.

19. By this time next year I might be working outside of the home?

20. A better name for me would be - Rachel? That's what some people think my name is, but it's not. I was so close to being a Molly or Sorcha, but Dad squashed those. I currently also go by "mommy" even though my daughter can't get past "mmmm".

21. I have a hard time understanding people who lack common sense. Or common courtesy. Or a sense of humor.

22. If I ever go back to school, I’d take an art class. Photography maybe. Drawing perhaps.

23. You know I like you if I respond in sentences and converse, not just "mmm-hmm."

24. If I ever won an award, the first person I would thank would be my parents probably. They've instilled all that is award worthy in me I think.

25. Take my advice, never forget to say Thank You.

26. My ideal breakfast is blueberry pancakes.

27. A song I love but do not have is that song from a LimeNViolet podcast that referenced Shakespeare and The Princess Bride.

28. If you visit my hometown, I suggest that you visit the trails.

29. Why won’t people use common sense? Think about others? Think about the planet? Think someone else might be right?

30. If you spend a night at my house you will be barked at by Jackson if you use the guest bathroom and you will either a)share a wall with the baby or b)share a room with yarn.

31. I’d stop my wedding for nothing short of the groom not showing (which he did. no worries.)

32. The world could do without drug advertisements all over the tv.

33. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than sing in public.

34. My favorite blondie is a type of brownie?

35. Paper clips are more useful than staples.

36. If I do anything well it’s word puzzles. take photographs. make Lorelai smile. science.

37. I can’t help but shop a sale.

38. I usually cry when I think I've let someone close to me down.

39. My advice to my nephew/niece is will be Conduct and Effort are what count for everything. And someday you'll appreciate how cool your parents are.

40. And by the way, Have a Nice weekend!

More on Crochet

Photo proof of the crochet-in-progress on the turtle-in-progress:


I'm so excited with myself that I immediately cast on for a crochet-dishcloth (baby drool cloth) because I can.

I think it's working! The edges seem a little bit wonky to me, but I'm not going to worry about it, since there is also a border of some sort in the pattern. I have been now holding the hook in my left hand and that works a little better. I'm sortof making it like knitting in that while I've got the hook and yarn in my left hand, my right hand is holding the work / manipulating the loops as needed. I've got the book "Cozy Crochet" and my plan is to do the dishcloth (in progress) and then coasters. Then amigurumi, watch out! I'm just giddy with this. (Cross one more thing of the 101 / 1001 list!)


Not to leave out the knits, here's one of my latest FOs.

9 months today!

9 months today!
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter

I can't believe how fast time has flown. Everyone said it would. And I politely listened, and I have no regrets, but I will say that I miss how you would fall asleep on me or Daddy. You are so much fun - you laugh so often (it's a great laugh, by the way) and you babble about everything - even in the middle of nursing you, you'll pause and look at me and scrunch your nose up and make a "mmmmmmmm" sound.

Daddy and I are so impressed by your ability to scale the stairs and the step in front of the fireplace. Today I watched you several times balance on your own two feet, not holding on to anything! Amazing. You are enjoying feeding yourself - stuffing as many cheerios or puffs or mandarin oranges into your chipmunk cheeks!

And, for the record, here, now, we know you're bright. You made the "mmmm" sound when I asked you about the cow in a book we read. You put your head down, with your fingers in your mouth when I asked "Show me tired" and then put both hands up in the air when I asked you "Show me So Big". You did it several times. Soon we'll teach you "Show me sand the floor. Show me wax on wax off." You'll love it!

I've also noticed you like animals - we visited with your friend Addison and she has a Husky. You looked like you would burst with excitement - what a big dog! You liked her cat too! Super :)

Love you tons little bug - here's to the next month of fun!!

I'm Crocheting!

You know that scence in the movie What about Bob?, where Bill Murray's character is tied to the mast and he's screaming "I'm sailing!". Yeah, that's how I feel about crochet right now. I'm working on a sheldon for Lorelai and attempted the crochet edging on the shell attachment. OMG, I *think* I get it now. I can't see getting really fast at it (I've got the hook in my right hand, I'm a lefty) but there's hope for the amigurumi of my dreams!!!

Peek!

IMG_5600
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter

We tried going for a hike this weekend - Lorelai in the baby bjorn on Dan's back. The weather was perfect but one of us was teething (L.)and one of us had taken allergy medicine and was feeling very sleepy (me). It was a good weekend otherwise and I can't believe it's Monday already.

In thinking back over my ravelympics experience, I'm glad I did it. I completed a WIP that was started over two years ago - I am going to undo the bind off and lengthen it - I tried it on again over a long tank and I just am not the sort of person to pull it off. I'm thinking I'll enter it in the local country fair, so I am in no rush to lengthen it. I'm also going to keep on knitting Hemlock Ring. I've got plenty of yarn for it, so I might as well.

At the same time, I'm so glad that the olympics are over. I focused on just those projects plus one for Schaerfer yarn (which was finished yesterday, blocked and all - I should have made that a ravelympic project!). I want to work on something else! I've been looking through my project bags (all over the house) - I'm now going to focus on knitting stuff for a local craft fair I'm apply to (with peacefulknitter!). But it's more relaxed because those are smaller, easier projects and I can continue to work on things as needed (for test / sample knitting) or as I want!

Photos

There's some knitting progress - I'm still plugging away on the Hemlock Ring. I've slowed down a bit because I'm almost out of written instructions and the charts are consfusing to me. But I'm going to have to work with the charts in another 8 rows or so... My Schaefer project has 10 more rows or so and then blocking. I started a new proejct for Lorelai - a little cape / wrap / shrug sort of thing. It's cute. Until the knitting is more interesting, here's what we've been up to:

"C'mon Jackson, let's go!" (taken on the iphone)


"Buddies" (also on the iphone - it's a good quick camera, but hard to take a non-blurry shot of constantly in motion subjects!)


"New 'Do"


"Seriously?"

Obviously, Mommy needs to practice on hair-dos - she has enough trouble with her own! It's cute and stays a little better than barrettes, so this may be a new do for a while.

"Shoes!"

One of my aunts gave Lorelai a bag of shoes at Christmas - her feet are still really tiny, but yesterday was cool, so to help keep the socks on we put on these cabbage patch style shoes!

How I spend my days

Here I go
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter

Lorelai has discovered her Everest. The stairs.

I think this is my new favorite photo, but it's so sad at the same time - she's growing up so fast and soon she'll be doing who knows how many things and headed away from me!

The stairs don't end where she's headed - that's the landing - there's another set of stairs before you reach the second floor. She's so determined - she'll crawl out of our family room, up the step into the kitchen, through the kitchen to the hallway and start up the stairs. I know it's a path we walk daily while holding her, it just seems funny to see her do it on her own. She loves climbing, pulling herself up. We're not cruising yet, but it's coming. Now that she's this mobile it makes knitting while she plays more difficult - I can't be ready to catch her with pointy sticks in my hands!

Speaking of the pointy sticks, last week at SnB (which had to be the biggest one yet - 20 people?) I thought I was golden with the knitting rounds on the Hemlock Ring. Well, I got through those then started the next pattern row and I didn't have enough stitches! GRR. I let the project sit all weekend and I picked it up on Monday - I undid 2 knit rows, and threw in some increases to get the # of stitches right. Knock wood, we seem to be smooth sailing now. I'm up to row 72. So, if I go until row 121 (I think I've seen most projects go that far) then I'm more than halfway done! Yay.

L and I took Jackson to the vet today for a Lyme update / physical. He's 13.5 pounds - a pound heavier than last year. I know he needs more exercise and probably a few less treats. I have no shame in bribing my dog around the house to stop barking or to reinforce good behavior, especially around the baby. Poor scaredy-cat though, while we were waiting to pay he threw up all over the place! Nerves I guess.

Hemlock Ring - WIP

Hemlock Ring - WIP
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter

Here's my second Ravelympic "event" - the Afghan Marathon. I'm working on the Hemlock Ring afghan, using Berroco Pleasure yarn (same yarn I used for my tilted duster, only in blue). I'm 42 rows in. So far it's ok. I'm on the center doily-lacy part and am having some difficulty keeping track of my stitches. Yes, that's a cookie sheet - I've got the magnetic pattern tamers (which are awesome, and they match my Vera bag nicely).

I want this project to be gifted in the end, so I'm being very particular about getting it right. Last night I spent 45 minutes looking for 2 missing stitches! Then after I finished row 41 (and went on to knit row 42) I notice that I think I have 1 extra stitch? But where? My brain boggles at it. So it's resting. I tried watching the olympics while I knit last night, but as I was paying attention to my stitches, I mostly listened to the synchro divers "Ready, Up, 1, 2, 3,...... splash!"

I will be starting some baby hats just because they are EASY and not to fussy! My other current project is for Schaefer and that is driving me a little bonkers with the stitch count as well. Too many yarn overs.

I also may have done a little retail therapy at theloopyewe - they have TEAL sock yarn! I want to do the Hibiscus for Hope - an honor Nana sock (Nana's name was Hope, and teal is the color for ovarian cancer awareness). I'm probably overboard in my attachment to "Hope" but there it is.

WIP Wrestling - Event Completed!

First off, thanks for the comments re: Dan's interview - he was happy to do it, he fully acknowledges that he doesn't read my blog and he was interested to know if he was right about my favorite yarn and the swatch :)

I'm a "Ravthlete" - I competed in WIP Wrestling for Team New Haven

And I finished!

I pulled my Green Gable out of hibernation. I had started this top at least 2 years ago and was knitting along just fine, and loving it! I used Knit Picks Shine Sport, Hyacinth. I stopped because I was concerned I would run out of the yarn. I was able to score more through peoples stashes on ravelry, so yay on that. I actually didn't have that much left to go, so that made it an easy "event" for me.


The arm is a little snug, but I can live with that.


I made the medium size, which probably would have fit a little bit better pre-baby-boobs. It's snug and form fitting, but I am mostly ok with that.


It's the length I can't live with. Dan thinks it looks great (he's so sweet. and a guy. for me to show any skin is a big deal - it took me years to be comfortable in a tank top!) All the ends are woven in, so it is truly a finished object. I am letting it rest from "competition" and I'm trying to decide to either a) go back and lengthen the body - I do have yarn for that. or b) gift it to one of my tiny aunts / cousins.

That's two "big girl" knits that haven't come out quite right. Could be the post-baby body, could be my knitting, could be the pattern, could be some sort of combination of all. I'm hoping my Central Park Hoodie doesn't give me the same grief when that's done! It's hibernating for the moment, as I have another Event for the ravelympics - Afghan Marathon! And a project for Schaefer that does require my attention.

Interview with my husband

I saw this on another blog this morning. I figured I would send the questions to Dan and give him something to do if there was any down time at work. What a guy, he had the answers done and back to me within the hour! :) Interesting - I'm going to challenge those of you who read my blog to interview someone you're close with (sibling, spouse, partner, parent, kids, pets, whomever!) about your knitting habits!

1)What is your favorite thing about my knitting?
-The knitted gifts that I have received over the years

2)What is your least favorite thing about my knitting?
-The way it has completely consumed your life, not mention an entire bedroom, the dining room table, the kitchen table, numerous bookshelves, your desk…etc.
-A close second, the fact that the knitted gifts you make cannot be passed off as though I helped in their making in any way. When you give a knitted gift it is clearly just from you, rather than being a gift from both of us.

3)What is something I have knitted, that you recall is good?
-So many from which to choose……you are the Queen of socks, the caution tape scarf, gloves for the brothers, the batman baby hat, fruit hats, and my all time favorite baby alpaca scarf.

4)Do you think knitters have an expensive hobby?
Yes, in both time and money

5)Do you have a stash of any kind?
no

6)HAve I ever embarrased you, knitting in public?
never

7) Do you know my favorite kind of yarn?
Cashmere, baby Alpaca, or Lobster pot

8) Can you name another blog?
no

9)Do you mind my wanting to stop at knit shops wherever we go?
No

10) Do you understand the importance of a swatch?
I used to know this…isn’t that when you test a piece of the fabric by knitting a little piece?

11) Do you read nutmegknitter? (my blog)
no

12) If I didn't knit, what would be different?
Without a doubt you would channel this energy into something more annoying and less constructive like beading.

13) Anything you would like to add?
I can’t imagine your life without knitting!

yarn crawling

Betsy is back up north and we took full advantage to embark on a Yarn Crawl. These are fun - if you've never gone on one, what it is is you got to several yarn stores in one day. We try to hit a new place each time, but will also usually hit a favorite store as well.

Our first stop of the day was at Madison Wool. Love this yarn shop! Michelle is so friendly and it is just a cozy place to go! We poked around a bit, chatted for a bit, drooled a bit (Lorelai too! Gotta start 'em young!) and purchased. Betsy went for the Cascade 220 and stocked up. I bought some "Soft Cotton" yarn intending to knit Baby Merry Janes (Ravelry link). Red mary janes with white socks, should be cute. Though, the yarn is an aran weight and the pattern calls for DK... I might need some math help there.


Our second stop of the day was a short drive up to Old Wethersfield for Sit'nKnit. Ok, if you like bargain shopping there is also a GREAT Marshalls that you pass on the way there (and a TJMaxx across the street) so if you need more of a reason than just yarn to head up there... It's a cute street, similar to what you would find in Essex - very quaint New England. Sit'n Knit, too is above a garden place. It was a little tricky to get the stroller up the stairs, but we did it. Inside there was plenty of room for the stroller so yay on that. What a great shop - a fantastic selection of all kinds of yarn (from acrylics to the fancy stuff). There is also a great room they call "The Bridge" - fantastic sales! Betsy again did fabulous - she got Lobster Pot Yarn for 50% off! I didn't do so well with sales, but I did find a little kit to knit Bramble the owl from knitwhits. So cute! They had the penguin too - tough choice! I also fell in love with this pattern: a neckwarmer - their sample was knit with Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk (which, BTW, they had on the bridge, on sale! Betsy scored again, but I passed as the colors didn't grab me. I'm thinking that Schaefer Esperanze in Pomegranate that I have coming will work...)


Our journey continued on to Branford's newest offering, The Yarn Basket. I picked up a skein of Berroco Sox to make aCelestine Sox toy for Lorelai. I've been keeping my eye out for a ball for her, but they all seem to be too big / made in china / dog toys, etc. So I'll knit one eventually. I also couldn't resist a very new Noro (it's only in 4 stashes on ravelry? What is up with that? People, it is GORGEOUS! and mostly solid!!) - info here. I think it may be a hat - wonder if it would work for the hat in the new IK? Only bought one skein, so I'm limited, but it is gorgeous!


Highly successful day. The funny thing is, we both went out with a list and were very project specific. That kept my spending in check and the items I bought that weren't on the list were small (the yarn for the ball and merry-janes were on the list, the owl / noro and pattern were all impulse).

I finished one front of my CPH at SnB last night, so I feel I'm in a good position for taking up my ravelympic projects today. I'm in the Afghan Marathon and WIP Wrestling. I've worked on both already and will get back to them after I post. Yay teams!

Local Yarn Shopping

So Lorelai and I ventured out to our new yarn shop -
The Yarn Basket, 288 East Main St. Branford, CT 203-208-3288 (no website yet)

I was given quite a warm welcome and shown around - it's a great space, bright and open. Yarns are arranged by weight. They carry Sirdar, Berocco, Brown Sheep, Noro, Debbie Bliss, Plymouth, Encore, ella rae. I did support the local business and bought some berocco inca gold and noro silk garden (projects to be determined). They do have a "yarn club" card - spend $200 and get $20 off your next purchase. Very friendly. They also have needles and patterns. They were stocking the shelves still and more is on the way!

We also went to Madison Wool - love that shop! She had cascade 220 on sale for $5 - thought about picking up more for a sweater or vest, but it was too hot for wool. So I picked up some Cascade cotton - a hat or vest for Lorelai maybe....

How did it get to be August already??

Sharing the love

If you've ever thought about knitting the "Central Park Hoodie" I would like to push and nudge you to do so. This pattern (so far) rocks. I love the pattern, love the yarn (Cascade 220 Heathers), and could keep on gushing about it! I finished the back at SnB last night and have started the front (left front directions, but will end up being my right front). No new photos of that though.

I made an etsy purchase yesterday because I fell in love with a design in a pattern booklet - LeahSutton's baby Gifts - look at the stork!! That is the one that won me over! There are only a few more babies arriving this year, so I don't know if I'll knit from this for them (but maybe the toothfairy pillows?) but I will be using these patterns for the next round of babies / kids. So sweet! And Leah has been wonderful to work with - not that it was a difficult transaction or anything, but she was quick to make contact with me that she would send the booklet later on in the evening and it's just nice to know that!

There's a new yarn store in the next town over - "The Yarn Basket" - Lorelai and I will go check it out today and report back on it. Wonder if there's any hiring possibility? That's in Branford. Madison is having sidewalk sales so we're also headed over there, and that includes a stop at Madison Wool, a LYS that I adore!