Washington Whirlwind Weekend

Can I tell you how happy I am to just sit for a moment? This weekend was so much fun, but such a blur at the same time. Friday, the day I departed, Lorelai was sick - constantly runny nose, interrupted sleep at night, fussy fussy fussy, overtired, teething... So I was more than a bit nervous about leaving her for the weekend (she improved drastically Fri-Sat night, so I was able to relax). I brought Loopy along for the ride.

I took the train from New Haven to Washington, DC on Friday afternoon.

I knit, caught up on podcasts, knit, knit, knit. I finished & started swiffer covers (pdf link), and worked on a sock. The colors threw me a loop though, it was all muddy colors, not the fun blues / pinks I see on the outside of the skein. The blue started to come in after the photo was taken.


Saturday was the big day. We had the baby shower - there was an general literary theme going on and we all contributed books for baby's new library. I went with a Maine / Lobster theme, so you know I had to make a lobster.

Big hit! I used cotton, so baby can get his first "taste" of lobster too. That was a fun knit - everyone smiles when they see it!

Betsy and I ventured out after the show for a yarn shop. It was Knit In Public day - we made certain to knit each place we were throughout the day:
Breakfast:

Afternoon DC Metro ride:


Loopy looks for the Trolley to take us to the yarn shop.


Knit Happens is a gorgeous store! It's so cute - even on the outside (Alexandria is a place I would like to visit again!)

The inside is laid out very nicely, "green" planet friendly yarns are indicated, as are "Local Dyers" I really like that part, becuase I did buy two "vacation yarns" from NeighborhoodFiberCo - they are local!! And other "local" yarns I didn't get this time, I have only heard about online, but now know what they are like :)
And the gals working were awesome! Isn't it funny how knitters can now introduce themselves with, "Are you on ravelry? What's your ravelry name?" and then "oooh! I know you!". That happened at the store - then knitgirl pulled up the ravelry page with my user info on it!



We also knit on the way home, the woman I asked to take the photo perfectly held her finger over the flash ::rolls eyes:: oh well.


It was a late night, followed by an early morning, and a long train ride home. I finished another baby burp cloth and started "Get Ziggy" for Lorelai.


Today I had a job interview, but it was just ok and really don't feel like it merits much blogging about.

Baby Food!

Baby Food!
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter

Inspired by this book and a stick blender that is waiting to be used, I decided to make a batch of sweet potato for the baby, affectionately referred to around here as "The Lorax". The book is great, takes you through every detail as if you have never cooked or even eaten! Anyway, making baby food appeals to me for several reasons. I know exactly what my daughter is eating. 3 sweet potatoes filled two ice cube trays (28 servings!) - I could have added more water and maybe even squeezed out a little more, but this is good to start with. No extra chemicals or anything like that. It's so crafty - now when I walk by the baby food aisle all I think of is "I can make that" - really, I can stick everything in the blender or stab at it with the hand one. This is way better for the environment - the dog can eat it, there's new material for the compost pile, no extra containers needed - after freezing these "cubes" they are stored inside the freezer. I think we'll try applesauce this week.

Considering glee

My Glee swetaer is 98% finished - it needs some hook and eyes clasps and two ends to weve in. I really pushed myself to just get it done, and I'm quite proud of the fact that I did. Love the zephyrstyle pattern - well written, and construction-wise - top down all in one piece - that is the way to go. Ravelry details are here.


Slightly blurry photo. While I'm thrilled with the fact that I made my first "Big Girl Sweater", and that for the most part it fits, I'm not too excited about the body portion - I didn't try this on as I went. I made the medium size to account for the *bewbs* I now have thanks to the little one. I think I maybe should have then followed the directions for the smaller size for the body. Pre-baby I had started wearing clothes that fit to my body more, so maybe that is what my hang up is here.


I'm so very proud of how I picked up stitches on the neckline!


The yarn is elspeth lavold silky wool - wonderful to work with, and light, but very warm! I do think I will get the hook /eyes and follow this through to the end. I set out to make this sweater and I did it! Yay me!

Saturday was a good mail day in terms of yarn. I received a skein of Blue Sky Dyed Cotton that I swapped for with another Ravel-er. I also received an order from the Loopy Ewe - I ordered two sock patterns, pattern keepers, dpn holders on Thursday and received my items on Saturday! That's so beyond awesome :) And now, since I have spent enough over the last year or so I now also have a credit! One more order and I get to be a Loopy Groupie - don't think that credit isn't burning a hole in my virtual pocket!! Sheri is just awesome, I would totally push for you to buy from her!

Necking

My "Glee" sweater is almost finished! At SnB this week I finished the bottom ribbing and a sleeve. Friday I finished the other sleeve and last night I started on the neck ribbing. I concentrated so hard on it - and today finished that part! So, all that's left is the other half of the neck ribbing and then to locate / place hook'n'eyes. I may be able to wear this sweater when I go off to DC next week (though, it may be too hot, it is a wool / silk yarn!) or for my birthday dinner! I need a new skirt or new jeans to wear with it. My favorite pair of jeans sprang a hole in the knee this week - I haven't worn out a pair of jeans like that since I can't remember when. And I dread shopping for jeans. It just takes forever!

Looking at my friends activity page on Ravelry today, I saw many many people have queued the February Lady Sweater (Ravelry link). So I go to FlintKnits - it's really cute! I think I'll add that to my queue as well - along with the other 371 projects I have in mind to knit. And I have been sorting through some of them, honest!

The heat wave has started - temperatures are in the 80s, but it's hazy and hot! Summer has come early I think!

Dr. Oliver Spags' Oral Histories - Episode 3-15

A little levity for your Monday - my brother and his comedy group. Be advised, there's some harsh language.

My colors are 'Blush' and 'Bashful'....

Her colors are pink and pink! Those lines from Steel Magnolias so aptly describe the color scheme in this house. It seemed to me that each room had somewhere some shade of pink or lilac in it - for crying out loud, even our sun porch has peachy-pink blinds. Soooo not my colors. Anyway, over the 3 years we've been here I've altered the color palette. First to go was the master bedroom - that went from pink to "deep smoke signal" (a deep grey-purple). The kitchen went from pink to "water spout" (kind of light apple green). Dan's old room was turned ultra pink when he moved out is now also "deep smoke signal" with a burgandy rug (ugh, but I can live with that for now). The baby's room got a stripe of green that looks great but also kind of looks like baby food.

Lately, the guest bathroom has been bothering me. Nothing matches. I hate the shower hooks that are shaped like something - while cute and decorative, they are as annoying as anything when you're trying to pull the curtain across. The hooks here are shell shaped. There are shell stickers on the top row of tile in the shower. They are coral colored. The shower curtain rod is pink. The paint, you guessed it - some other shade of pink. It became my mission to fix it. I started on Memorial Day weekend and Dan helped me finish it up this past weekend.

Before:


(These photos were taken after I started taking down the shells. I was still trying to decide on a color.)

Then we went to Tar-jhay! And I loved the shower curtain I found there, which helped me pick out a color - Monterey Bay - now I've never been there, but this color to me is Tiffany Box Blue. I love this room.

Stash Surprise

Stash Surprise
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter

I was digging through a stash box - it's mostly yarn I'm not wild about and / or leftovers - and I found this. It's a ribbon-yarn-scarf - I think the yarn is Plymouth Eros. It just needs a few more ends for fringe. Thing is, I hate it - I'm never going to wear it. I realize it's spring and wamring up, but would anyone like a ribbon scarf? Or know of someplace I could donate it?

The photo is a little dark, but it's blues (like a turquoise / teal and sapphire) and green (mild lime..)

6 Months!

6 Months!
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter

I can't believe that Lorelai is 6 months old today! Especially touching as other friends of ours had their baby (a boy) today - they are just starting out.... Seems like so long ago that everything was so new and we had no idea what was in store for us. You keep changing it up each day, so we still don't know what's in store, but I would bet it's great!

In the last month you've pulled a lot of tricks - teeth have begun to push through your gums, you can sit up without support, you're working on that crawling thing but are usually content to roll to where it is you want to be. You "talk" more and drool less. You've started solid foods (cereal, bananas, watermelon, english muffins and a teeny tiny piece of pancake). It's about time for another hair cut - gotta trim those bangs!

Love you and every little squiggle!

The Very Patient Bear

Hoo-ray! I finally finished the Bobbi Bear that I started back in 2005!!! All he needed was ears and a face. At SnB last week I was talking with others about finishing, and I challenged myself to get it done by the next SnB - and I did it! Go me!

He's huge. And the yarn is fuzzy, so while L. can have this bear, it is going to be more of a decoration than a huggable toy for a while. I have complained about how big he is, but last night I couldn't stop squeezing him and walking around the house! I hope she loves him forever, and can't you see a college kid taking this off to school? Maybe not, but he'll be there for her. I might make it again in a more kid-friendy-drool-proof-yarn...

L. has quite the 'do this morning - it's kind of like "Flock of Seagulls".






On to the next project...

Baby sweater!

Finally, I've got photos of my knits! This weekend I made pretty good progress on all my knits - I finished Lorelai's sweater, a market bag I'm test knitting, I pulled the Bobbi Bear out of hibernation, and I've just about finished one sock (the toe needs kitchnering). The Seamless Baby Kimono was made using Tahki Cotton Classic that I had in my stash. Hot Pink. I dig it, and I think Lorelai does too. I used two skeins and a little bit of a third one. As I'm left handed, the front crosses from the right and ties on the left. I enjoyed knitting this - seamless is the way to go!


L. learns how to take a "knitter's self portrait"


Don't I look smart?


Drool proof.


This photo shoot is over!

Good Eats

I did say my next post would have knitting - it's all being worked on. Certainly I can distract any blog readers with Lorelai's adventures into "solid" food? She had her first cereal today. She went at it like a champ!





It might not look like it from that last photo, but more food went in than came out, really!

About Mememememe

I'm behind on taking photos of my knits, and don't have much to show for them anyway right now - maybe this weekend. Last night I did get out to the SnB and felt so charged up when I got home - silly I know, but to spend ~ 2 hours with other knitters is a rush :) And I got to see people from the Monday afternoon group I used to go to (Sonia, Nancy) and I got to meet some people I only know from online / ravelry (Kelly, Jenn) - so cool! My family is very supportive of my knitting, but it's just not the same. I was telling some people about local gourmet cookies - find them here: Red Rooster Baking.

Peaceful Knitter tagged me - so, stuff about me will have to do until my next post....

The rules: Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.


1) What was I doing ten years ago?
Let's see, May 1998 - I finished my sophmore year of college...I was probably already back at work at The Paper Trail. I wasn't knitting! Dan & I were together at that point (a little more than 2 years).

2) What are five (non-work) things on my to-do list for today:
Go to the farmer's market.
Take the kids (Jackson & Lorelai) for a walk.
Pick up photo prints.
Locate my copy of the Bobbi Bear pattern (I am challenging myself to finish it for next week - all he needs are ears and some embroidery...)
Seam up the project I'm test knitting.

3) Snacks I enjoy:
Jelly beans, mike & ikes, air heads, (I've got a sugar addiction, I'm trying to detach myself from high fructose corn syrup....) fresh fruit - I can not wait for the berries to come back in season - we're almost there!

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Travel
Go back to school - for what? photography & languages
Purchase shares in a local CSA
Make sure Lorelai has a trust of some sort set for college / grad school (if she wishes) / car / travel
Buy & Live at the beach (Rhode Island beaches!)

5) Places I have lived:
Born in Rhode Island, lived in New Jersey for a few years, moved to Connecticut, went to college in Rhode Island and spent 10 weeks in North Dakota, and went to graduate school in Syracuse, NY. ND and NY were ok, but I'm a New Englander at my core and here is where I plan to stay!

6) Jobs I have had:
paid: babysitter, retail sales, 1-hour photo developer, lab assistant, teaching assistant, middle school science teacher, mom, sister, daughter
volunteering: hospital escort, beach monitor for bird nests, Big Sisters, local women & family support center

7) Peeps I want to know more about:
theatreknitter
knelleyknits
mad-knitter
firemanshunny
ibunnysavetroy

Knitting in Public

I forgot to blog about Macbeth (with Patrick Stewart) - we went in to New York back on May 3 to see the show.


Now, I'm not a huge Shakespeare fan, but as I have gotten older I have come to appreciate it more. Seeing it performed makes a world of difference than just reading it aloud in high school english class. Let me say that Patrick Stewart is outstanding! We were maybe 25 feet away from him - he's a tremendous actor! The whole performance was really interesting - the witches were nurses / servants, there was a lot of blood, and I recognized one of the actors (before reading his Playbill bio): Scott Handy - I remembered him from "A Knight's Tale" - he was one of the "announcers" at the jousts.

I did bring my knitting, and KIP on the train ride in, and then at the theatre waiting to be seated / during intermission:

Blueberry cake

Blueberry cake
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter

A recent issue of Cooking Light magazine had a recipe for "Blueberry Coffee Cake" - I gave it a whirl. Granted, I didn't have the pan they said to use, so my end result doesn't look like the photo. Also, all the blueberries sank to the bottom of the cake! It was yummy, but I don't think I'll make it again. I'll hunt for some other blueberry treat.

Me & My Girl

Me & My Girl
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter

Happy Mother's Day!!

Kisses

Trying to make one post to cover everything. First, it is Thursday, so there's a Jackson spotlight for Dogs on Thursday:

He's been pretty good since we returned from vacation. Only one accident in the house (we give him one free pass when he comes back to us) and he's uber-affectionate. Kisses all around, especially for the baby:




She doesn't seem to mind too much:


Yay for harmony in the house.

There is knitting in this post too - seems like it has been a while, but I've mostly been knitting baby genius burp cloths a la Mason-Dixon - it's now my easy, mindless, grab and go project!

(gosh, Lorelai looks like a little kid here!)

I'm just about done with a sweater for Lorelai too:

(More kisses!) I knit and finished the first sleeve, then last night I was working on the second sleeve and realized I didn't decrease enough times. Whoops. So, I plan to un-do the left sleeve bind off and work back about 8 rows to redo. At least it's not a huge mistake. The sweater is maybe a 6-9month size, so I do have a little bit of time.

Other bits about my life recently - the ants seem to be taken care of - had tons last night at the baits, cleared out the counter and put out new ones last night - nothing this morning, and I put out new ones this morning - so far, nothing. I'll give it another day still.

My favorite band, Barenaked Ladies have put out a children's cd - "Snacktime" - it's really cute. Totally "them" and nothing so annoyingly catchy that I'll be humming it all day. Love it!

Today out at knitting with Mad-Knitter I got to meet another blogger-knitter: Wifemomknitter - so much fun!

I'm also loving:Motherhood Uncensored

Whelmed

I've got upwards of 50 family and friends coming over this weekend for Lorelai's baptism. Not a big problem, but a lot of prep work. This morning we found ants all over the garden window / kitchen sink window. RRGGH. Can't find where they are coming from - see nothing under the sink, there are cracks around the window frame and the window is actually a second story window. Ick ick ick. I've put out Terro Liquid Ant Killer / Bait - they are having a little feasting party. That's how it works, but it's driving me mad!

This makes me laugh however:

see more dog pictures

Earthy Mama

What a great Earth Friendly giveaway!


I have two of the wrap-n-mats that I used almost daily for my school lunches last year - I got Dan to use them too - they are great! Easy to clean and they hold quite a bit of other items, not just sandwiches!

This caught my eye too - granted it is easy for me - we're going to NYC for the day to see Macbeth (with Patrick Stewart!)
Instead of leaving my computer on while we're away, I'll be turning it off! This is something I need to work on anyway - turn it off at night, turn it off when I leave the house, turn it off for the afternoon...

Proof

Crying
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter

I take zillions of photos. That is the only way really to get good shots - especially with kids and pets! This isn't the best picture of Lorelai but it is the most accurate reflection of her mood this week - it's been a bit of a bumpy ride getting back into our routines!

Reaching and Grabbing

Reaching and Grabbing
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter

5 months and a day! Since we were away it's taking a while to get back on track and I missed that yesterday was the 30th! We can't believe how fast you are changing - reaching and grabbing for everything! You always want to "pet" Jackson, you watch our food and how we eat (your turn will be soon!) and you roll over and around the floor like a pro! You've recently been a bit more fussy than usual - is it that you're taking shorter naps? or is it teeth? Time will tell - on to the next month!