Photos

First off, big big big big thanks to my Lime & Violet Secret Sibling Pal - I think I know who she is (am I right, Melissa?) The box absolutely rocked!

There's a ton of sweets (all of which I have been craving! Couldn't find them on the trip!): jelly jolly ranchers, mike & ikes, peach rings, Sponge Bob Crabby Patties, cream savers, pralines...drool! Then there's a great selection of yarn - purple and white cotton (I'm big into the Mason Dixon baby bib's / burp cloths and other baby things now - perfect colors!!), thicker purple /magenta yarn for house socks (maybe thuja??) and Lisa Souza yarn (Red Devil!) awesome! The pattern is "Twist and Lace" - made to use with the Lisa Souza yarn - excellent! There's Burt's Bees goodies too and a chibi (don't have one yet!!) - so so very excited!! There's even a package of treats for Jackson! Thank you for spoiling me so very very much!!

Here's a short sample of Ireland:

Slainte! At the Guinness Storehouse.



Sheep!


Blarney Castle



Cliffs of Moher - my favorite!


At Blarney Castle - I swear this coat was made out of electric blue fun fur!

Ireland (Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Castle) part 4

On Wednesday, we again drove a bit, took a ferry across the River Shannon. Our destination was the Cliffs of Moher - my favorite part of the tour - absolutely breathtaking!! And it was still a beautiful sunny day - warm even!!

That evening we dined at Bunratty Castle for a medevial banquet and enjoyed the after party at Durty Nelly's Pub - which has been around for 200 years!

Thursday we began our long trip back home to the states...we were at the airport by 10, the flight was at 2, the travel time was 7 hours (we were back by 4)...

Friday and Saturday have been very low key - I'm exhausted and not to keen on the idea of going back to work tomorrow...

I will have to post again to show the fabulous box of goodies I got from my Lime&Violet Secret Sibling - love it all!

Ireland (Ring of Kerry & Skellig) - part 3

On Tuesday, we set out for the ~100 mile drive of Ring of Kerry - absolutely striking - beautiful! This included Gap of Dunloe and Macgillicuddy's Reeks - you don't usually think of Ireland as being "mountainous" - but it is quite rugged and rolling! At one photo stop you could hold a lamb! I missed out though, because my camera battery died! I had my camera on all day - you just want to photograph everything!! We did buy a disposable for a backup at a later pit stop. The only part we didn't like was the Skellig Experience...

We took a Jaunting Car ride through Killarney National Park with a very chatty and knowledgable driver :)

For dinner, we went to Hannigan's - I lucked out again with a good tortellini dish, and Dan struck out with whatever he got :) We strolled around a bit checking out a few pubs looking for Irish music. We heard a bit that was just instrumental, a bit of ballads, and then ended up at the hotel bar and talked with the bartender there.

Ireland (Blarney Castle & Killarney) - part 2

On Monday, we left Dublin and made our way through the countryside. We had a stop for tea and scones at a working farm - delicious! And they had hundreds of sheep and lambs! We drove by Cashel, saw lots and lots and lots of sheep and cows in the fields. Eventually we ended up at Blarney Castle and Blarney Woolen Mills (shopping!). As we dove into the grounds, there was a boot sale!! Didn't have time to go check it out though. I almost didn't go up to the top of Blarney Castle - you have to go up a very narrow sprial staircase - I don't do to well with small enclosed spaces, but Nana did it, so I could do it! The view from the top was worth it! I did pass on kissing the Blarney Stone though!

We continued our drive to end up at Killarney - dinner was at the hotel with the tour. I had a pasta dish which was good, Dan struck out again!

Ireland (Dublin) - part 1

First off, thanks to everyone who left comments / sent emails regarding my Nana. She is a very special person to me and I will miss her tremendously. During our Ireland trip, we had not one drop of rain! I think that Nana pulled some strings on that one, and smiled down with sunshine on us.

Ireland was fantastic! I have over 300 photos, so I won't be overloading this post with them (or even flickr, though I'll probably find a few to share). We went through CIE tours, specifically, the Taste of Ireland tour. It was a true taste - we saw a little bit of everything!

We arrived in Dublin a day early (Saturday). We didn't know if we would be able to check into our hotel room early on in the day or not, but we were! We checked in and immediately took a nap. I wanted to get to the stitch 'n bitch in Dublin, but we were just too tired! After our nap, we took a cab to the Guinness Storehouse - it's all behind walls, like Willy Wonka's factory! We did the tour and enjoy a sip at the Gravity Bar. We had dinner at Foley's - I had lamb stew which was really great, Dan's filet however was less than what he was expecting. We walked back to our hotel and hit the hay for about 12 hours!

Dublin is a neat city, but the streets were confusing to me. They are not in a grid like New York, or main streets leading to a central point like Providence. It's kinda like Boston.

On Easter Sunday, our tour started. We got to tour inside Dublin Castle, very striking. We drove by a lot of places like Trinity College, Doors of Dublin, St.Stephen's Green, President's House, Temple Bar area and more. We had time after the drive by touring, so we took a taxi back down to Temple Bar and walked around a bit. We saw U2's Clarence Hotel, and had a snack at a pub.

In the evening, we went out to dinner with the tour to eat and enjoy the entertainment of The Merry Ploughboys - they were awesome! There was even dancing / step dancing (my favorite!)

When it rains...it pours

As if today wasn't already off to a crappy start. My Nana passed away.

That's an old picture, but really the only one I could find - our house warming party, summer 2005 - back when she was starting to loose her hair from chemo...look at how tiny Jackson was (9 or 12 weeks, maybe!)

She hadn't been doing well for a while. We all knew this. And she stopped the chemo treatments around Christmas. We all knew this. I'm glad she doesn't have to deal with the side effects and not feeling well and all that cancer crap. I'm glad she will be with Grampa again. But it still sucks. We were close. I respect her so much, even with her quirks about leaving appliances on and how much she worried. She was a role model for me - strong, stubborn, independent Irish-American gal. She read, she cooked, she got herself into the digital age (she was on email and netflixed with the best of them!) and was not afraid to have fun or let Grampa talk her into doing something silly.

Services won't be until next week. Nana is a "sponsor" of our Ireland trip - she made it possible, so we're still planning to go. It will be bittersweet. I feel bad about not being there for the services, but I think she would want us to go.

This seems to be the nutmegknitter's blog of doom lately.

Working for the weekend

Vacation cannot come soon enough - Friday night (weather permitting!) we're off to Ireland - and while that in itself is fabulous, I may get to attend an Irish Stitch and Bitch!! My Knitter's Tea Swap pal was Isobel and she's in Dublin! We've been in contact and I think I have talked Dan into going as well - we'll be wandering about anyway since we can't check into the hotel until later in the afternoon, and we could get a bite to eat! I'm sure we'll be dazed and fazed and even more out of it American tourists, but I really think it's such a neat plan!

Today in school, the first five minutes of class, I was told the following:
"If you snatched anything away from me I woulda punched you in the face"
"I aint chewin anything! Get your eyes checked"
"You're racist, picking on us kids" (said by a white girl. I fail to see how, as a white woman I was being racist or sexist even towards her)

Now, I understand kids say things as a defense mechanism or to show to others they are tough, but now this is just harrassment. The same white student who said all three of those quips also has other issues so she was not immediately suspended, but should any other incident happen today she will. I hope she starts her spring vacation early. I'm tired and fed up. Again. (that seems like all I ever write in here anymore.)

Pooped.

In a week a lot has happened.

Between personal stuff and work stuff (we've been in the news at least 3 times in the past week, none of it good - threats of closing the school and state meetings on top of students that give zero respect (which I also don't understand. they gave me more respect last year and the year before. why the change? one student, obviously displeased that I asked her to get to where she belonged during dismissal referred to me as "that chick" when she eventually started to leave...and the admins are ineffective...supposedly yesterday when one kept her door closed, refusing to see students for 4 hours while she got her hair braided...currently i despise my job) I'm exhausted at the day's end. Falling asleep by 7:30 kind of tired.

I'm trying to knit some baby gifts for friends, and I don't even have enough energy to do mindless garter stitch on a mason-dixon bib for more than a few rows.

on the brighter side of life...the Ireland trip is just about a week away!

and i luv the "I can has cheezburer?" site...

Is this a private fight, or can anyone join in?

Happy St.Patrick's Day! My dad kept saying that quote at breakfast this morning. I thought it was from but apparently it's just an old irish saying (so says google). Anyway.

We're snowed in. Dan's off having a boy's weekend. I'm enjoying being by myself, but I do wish I was able to go out to some stores. I did shovel yesterday, but when I was done all my hard work already had a dusting on it! And this morning everything is iced over. No way I'm getting out of the driveway! And with I did go out and try to shovel again, but the ice is just too much! I called a plow service, but I don't know when they will get here. Not a huge rush, either way. They arrived as I typed this - took all of 5 minutes then he's gone... guess I'll get a bill in the mail! So, now I'm free, but probably won't go anywhere until tomorrow. No need to be out with the St.Pat's partiers. There's always online shopping, right?

I'm working on a sleeve for the Hourglass Sweater - can't seem to locate a 12" US 7 needle - so I took my 16" and Betsy's 14" and am working it as two circulars - it's a little mucky, but overall alright. Mindless stockinette.

Seems like I've been up for ever. Several times last night Jackson went into a barking "rage" - he was hearing the wind / sleet, but when he jumped out of bed and ran down the stairs and I can't figure out why he's barking, that makes me nervous. Meeting my parents for breakfast was early too...

I was looking for some other Irish things to post here and it struck me that when I hear elvish the picture I get in my head is Gaelic.

"May you get all your wishes but one, So you always have something to strive for."

"May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past."

"As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point the wrong way."


**Edited to add the following exchange:
Yesterday I shoveled some of the driveway, and when I came in my wrists were sore. I sent an email off to my bestest knitting buddy Betsy saying that I needed a project on larger needles due to my sore wrists. She immediately called me to comment on the fact that I wanted a project that was merely on larger needles instead of resting up... Amusing!

Swaps

We got packages! yes, yes we did!

On Friday I recevied a magnificent box from Sharon (she's blogless I think!)

I'll be set for a while - there's sock yarn and cotton yarn and a mohair (I think) wound with something else - and needles and chocolates! And a whole bunch of stuff that I wished for~!

Music and books and soap! I love everything - after such a crappy week, thank you so very much - it truly brightened my day!!!

Today, Jackson got a swap box! On swap-bot we played in the "I love my dog...your dog is cute too!" - Look at his treats:

Robin (also blogless I think) made him a bandana and blanket! You rock! And Jackson has been enjoying everything!
Checking out the blanket:

Strutting his new bandana:

Sitting nice in his chair, with his new blanket:

Weekend Whirlwind

On Friday I was way too tired to post. I did get a great swap box and took a photo of it, but it's so great it really deserves its own post. (To-do tomorrow).
This weekend, Dan and I went into NYC to see My Fair Lady at the NY Philharmonic - it was excellent! We stayed over in the city, at the W Hotel and bar hopped around a bit. Good times.

I started my sock madness sock yesterday, worked on it on the train:

and actually turned the heel tonight. They are moving along and I like them... just wish I were a faster knitter! People are already done!!

Movies (and rants)

Rants:
1)My dog is not chubby. He may be a breed known for looking like sausages, but he is lean and athletic! The dog sitter called him chubby. They have a beef going - he doesn't like her at all, and she tries to hard to get Jackson to like her.
2) I would never tell a parent I don't have time to tutor their child. However much I do not plan to stay after school (The dog needs his potty break! I have to excape this place!) if a child really did need it I would help. I have been burnt in the past though - one mother took advantage and it turned into basically babysitting of her 4 kids. Anyway, I'm not going to tutor a B student who is already overbooked in her scheduled social life. And, if she doesn't a) do the study guide b) tell her parents she has an extra credit opportunity c) study for the test then yes, she earned her D, making her grade C+ (79, and I'm not rounding that.) I don't care if baby is an honor student. She messed up. She didn't do the work. Not my issue anymore!

Okay, onto this movie meme that I spotted at Yarn Utopia
As seen at Ma Hatfield's blog:

"It’s been alleged that if you’ve seen over 85 movies you have no life. Mark the ones you’ve seen. There are 239 films on this list. Copy this list, go to your own blog, paste it in and put x’s by the ones that you have seen. Add them up, figure out whether you’ve got a life or not, and post it."

(X) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(X) Grease
(X) Pirates of the Caribbean
(X) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest
( ) Boondock Saints
(X) Fight Club
( ) Starsky and Hutch
(X) Neverending Story
( ) Blazing Saddles
(X) Airplane
(X) The Princess Bride
(X) AnchorMan
(X) Napoleon Dynamite
(X) Labyrinth
(X) Saw
(X) Saw II
( ) White Noise
(X) White Oleander
(X) Anger Management
(X) 50 First Dates
(X) The Princess Diaries
( ) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
(X) Scream
(X) Scream 2
(X) Scream 3
(X) Scary Movie
( ) Scary Movie 2
( ) Scary Movie 3
( ) Scary Movie 4
(X) American Pie
(X) American Pie 2
( ) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
(X) Harry Potter 1
( ) Harry Potter 2
( ) Harry Potter 3
( ) Harry Potter 4
( ) Resident Evil 1
( ) Resident Evil 2
(X) The Wedding Singer
( ) Little Black Book
(X) The Village
( ) Lilo & Stitch
(X) Finding Nemo
(X) Finding Neverland
(X) Signs
(X) The Grinch
(X) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
( ) White Chicks
(X) Butterfly Effect
(X) 13 Going on 30
( ) I, Robot
( ) Robots
(X) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
( ) Universal Soldier
(X) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
( ) Along Came Polly
( ) Deep Impact
( ) KingPin
(X) Never Been Kissed
(X) Meet The Parents
( ) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
( ) Joe Dirt
(X) King Kong
(X) A Cinderella Story
( ) The Terminal
( ) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
(X) Dumb & Dumber
( ) Dumber & Dumberer
(X) Final Destination
( ) Final Destination 2
( ) Final Destination 3
(X) Halloween
(X) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
( ) Surviving Christmas
( ) Flubber
(X) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
( ) Practical Magic
(X) Chicago
( ) Ghost Ship
( ) From Hell
( ) Hellboy
(X) Secret Window
(X) I Am Sam
( ) The Whole Nine Yards
( ) The Whole Ten Yards
(X) The Day After Tomorrow
( ) Child’s Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
( ) Bride of Chucky
(X) Ten Things I Hate About You
( ) Just Married
( ) Gothika
(X) Nightmare on Elm Street
(X) Sixteen Candles
( ) Remember the Titans
( ) Coach Carter
(X) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
(X) The Mask
( ) Son Of The Mask
( ) Bad Boys
( ) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride
(X) Lucky Number SlevIn
(X) Ocean’s Eleven
(X) Ocean’s Twelve
(X) Bourne Identity
(X) Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
(X) Bedazzled
(X) Predator I
( ) Predator II
( ) The Fog
(X) Ice Age
( ) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
( ) Curious George
(X) Independence Day
( ) Cujo
(X) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
( ) Christine
(X) E.T.
( ) Children of the Corn
( ) My Bosses Daughter
(X) Maid in Manhattan
(X) War of the Worlds
(X) Rush Hour
(X) Rush Hour 2
( ) Best Bet
(X) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
(X) She’s All That
( ) Calendar Girls
(X) Sideways
( ) Mars Attacks
( ) Event Horizon
( ) Ever After
(X) Wizard of Oz
(X) Forrest Gump
( ) Big Trouble in Little China
(X)The Terminator
(X) The Terminator 2
(X) The Terminator 3
(X) X-Men
(X) X-2
(X) X3
(X) Spider-Man
(X) Spider-Man 2
( ) Sky High
( ) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
(X) Catch Me If You Can
(X) The Little Mermaid
( ) Freaky Friday
( ) Reign of Fire
( ) The Skulls
(X) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
( ) The Hot Chick
(X) Shrek
(X) Shrek 2
( ) Swimfan
(X) Miracle on 34th street
(X) Old School
( ) The Notebook
(X) K-Pax
( ) Krippendorf’s Tribe
( ) A Walk to Remember
( ) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
(X) The 40-year-old Virgin
(X) Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
(X) Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
(X) Lord of the Rings: Return Of the King
(X) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(X) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(X) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
( ) Base-ketball
(X) Hostel
(X) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
( ) Devils Rejects
(X) Elf
( ) Highlander
( ) Mothman Prophecies
( ) American History X
( ) Three
(X) The Jacket
( ) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(X) Monsters Inc.
(X) Titanic
(X) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
(X) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willard
( ) High Tension
( ) Club Dread
( ) Hulk
(X) Dawn Of the Dead
(X) Hook
(X) Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
(X) 28 days later
( ) Orgazmo
( ) Phantasm
(X) Waterworld
(X ) Kill Bill Vol. 1
(X) Kill Bill Vol. 2
( ) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
( ) Kingdom of Heaven
( ) the Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave
( ) The Last House on the Left
( ) Re-Animator
( ) Army of Darkness
(X) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(X) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(X) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(X) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(X) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(X) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( ) Ewoks: Caravan Of Courage
( ) Ewoks: The Battle For Endor
(X) The Matrix
(X) The Matrix: Reloaded
(X) The Matrix: Revolutions
( ) Animatrix
( ) Evil Dead
( ) Evil Dead 2
( ) Team America: World Police
(X) Red Dragon
(X) Silence of the Lambs
( ) Hannibal


**Wow, 123 out of 239?! 51%... that's just this list. There are so many more movies I've seen / want to see!

Are you ready to rock?

Jackson is.

The shirt (from Target, where else?) is great. It even has zippers on it! If I could keep a bandana on his head (a la the guy from the e-street band, sil!) and add a little guitar, I'd have his halloween costume all set!!

He's now pouting at my feet. Dude, you don't get used to clothes unless you wear them! :) Dan needs to see this, so just a bit more.

Also at target, I find I have a deep love for any product in their kids garden line, especially this:

It could totally work as a project bag!

I tried to get an "in-motion" photo of Jackson jumping the step, but I didn't have it set right on my camera:
but I like how you can just barely make out those two little eyes in the distance!

I need more time for yarn

It's appropriate that the page in my Stitch 'n Bitch calendar is for "Socks that Rock" today - the package from the Rockin' Sock Club arrived! The binder is huge, the emergency sock yarn mini-skein is so cute! I've yet to knit on 0's, and I hate swatching, so it may be a while before I cast on for those... but I'm still thinking about it! Sock Madness starts this weekend though.

And yeah, it's not like I don't have 2394857203948705293847 other projects going on right now.

I started a scarf with the yarn I just got in a swap, but I don't like it - I think it's the wrong pattern... I need something for a yarn that is kinda thick / thin...
Maybe this?, Harlot's scarf (again), or....

How did I not know about the Rachel Carson yarn? She's my hero!! And it is Women's History month!!

Catch-Up (FO & Swaps)

It's been a while, but life back at work following a vacation and a snow day just makes everyone crazy. Not to mention it is report card time. And they didn't get started on knocking down the wall in my classroom either, so it really looks like a bomb went off.

Anyway, I finished the Peekaboo Mittens from Magknits. I used the colorfullife yarn that I used in the nipple-ish Fake Isle Hat

They are a little small, but they'll do just fine!

I got package from my candy swapbot partner this week - let me tell you - she sent the best package of Jelly Belly Jellybeans - there are amazingly no icky ones - usually in a mix bag like that I have to sort out the buttered popcorn and coconut and the like, but I have eaten my way through most of the bag already - it's all yummy!

I also got a package all the way from Chile for the swapbot Winter Scarf Knit Kit - there's a gorgeous greeny-bluey-brownish skein (and she hand wrote a pattern!!), little fairy mug and some drinks - so neat!

Earlier in the week Dan brought me a present from Target:

I do need the help. But I know where everything is in my chaotic mess. Messy desk equals organized mind right? We're going to Ikea today to look into getting me a desk / office space.

After he showed me the Target present, he says 'Oh, and I got this for me'

Hehe. He has yet to ask for needles / yarn or to play with some of mine, but it's a positive step I think!

To quote John Stewart, here's your moment of zen:

Gamer

Here I am, Friday night.

My husband is busy playing Gears of War.

I have found a game from my youth, and way more my speed: The Adventures of Lolo.

We're content.

For my L&V Pal / And a stinky day

My Lime&Violet pal left me an anonymous comment that I'm answering here...

"Okay, I have a few questions of my own for you.... Fire Away!

1. What colors (shirts) do you wear most often? I just looked in my closet and drawers. I have button down shirts that are striped (blues, greens, some pink) and my knit tops / t-shirts are purples, blues, brown, black, green. I rarely wear yellow, but there seem to be hints of all sorts of colors!

2. If you could pick any 3 colorways from each of the following websites, what would they be? (1) Blue Moon Fiber Arts (2) Lisa Souza (3) Scout’s Swag.
Excuse me while I drool over Lagoon, Chapman Springs and Love in Idleness over at Blue Moon, Little Devil, Sapphire and Black Purple by Lisa Souza, and Almost Glam, Vangogh, and Prepster that Scout whips up!

3. What subject(s) do you teach? I try to teach science to middle school students, grades 4 - 8. Right now I'm covering cells, microscopes, DNA, ecosystems. I love all sorts of nerdy science stuff, I'm an environmental analytical chemist by training.

4. Are you a Harry Potter fan?
Not so much - saw the first movie, saw part of another one, have not read the books though I did pick them up at a library sale.

5. What are 3 of Jackson’s favorite doggie treats?
How kind of you to ask! Jackson likes things he can chew on (like rawhide), cookies (like >milkbones) and smelly chewy treats (like snausages or beggin' strips)

I hope that helps!


Today at work was just all sorts of icky. I'm glad this week is done. I still have quite a bit of work to do this weekend.

There was good mail though yesterday and today - yesterday, my candy swap came, today stitch markers (from weeones on etsy - they are modeled after jackson (so you know they are cute!) and sunshine yarns latest sock club yarn :Fresh: it's awesome!)

Note to self

See, the thing about hound dogs and dachshunds is that they are all nose. Putting the treats in your back pocket (while initially a good idea - you have them ready to practice some training without Jackson seeing them) will leave the scent there. Even when they are gone. That's why he's sniffing / nosing / pawing at your behind! Make a pouch / external pocket...

Lime&Violet Exchange

posted at the message boards too...
1. What kind of fibers do you prefer?
I love alpaca, and any blend thereof. Natural fibers are preferred over acrylics.

2. What kind of weight do you prefer (sock, worsted, bulky)?
Sock or worsted. Bulky has its place too.

3. Do you spin?
Not yet - maybe this summer I will try it

4. Do you crochet?
only in my knitting fantasy life - I want to do amigurumi! I have yarn and hooks!

5. Are there any books, patterns, magazines would you like to own that you don't?
I like the rebecca magazine, and I haven't gotten that in a very long while. I would like the baby+kids that rebecca comes out with too. I really like the zephyr patterns (wicked or glee), chicknits (ribby cardi), stitch diva (simple knitted bodice)

6. Are you participating in any themed a-longs like the Project Spectrum?
I am "involved" with Project Spectrum and the Sock Marathon

7. Do you have a wishlist on Amazon.com or Half.com? (provide a link)
amazon is here

8. Any Etsy stores that you would love to get something from?
I like the stuff at these shops: fluffington, chewy spaghetti, skeintilyclad, snailmailcreations, pigeonroofstudio

9. What other crafty things are you involved in (quilting, drawing, painting)?
I'm working on my photography and I'm a doodler

10. What is your favorite sort of scent?
light, not overpowering - clean, citrus, light florals,

11. Do you have a sweet tooth and what kind of sweets do you like best?
jelly beans, mike & ikes, gummy stuff, hard candy

12. What kind of music do you like?
I like a little bit of everything,

13. What do you like to knit? And for whom?
I've been knitting a lot for me lately. I enjoy socks, hats, working on a sweater, blankets (in my knitting fantasy life)

14. What sort of things do you like to collect?
I love hello kitty and the muppets, I unintentionally collect dachshund stuff because of my dog, Jackson (the dachshund)

15. Do you want needles? And what kind do you prefer?
I prefer bamboo, I can't think of anything in particular that I need right this moment - but I don't have a problem having dupicates of anything!

FO! Hat attempt

I had been working on a Fake Isle Hat from magknits. I used some Lamb's Pride and yarn that I received in a swap from colorfullife (on etsy) - love love love the yarn! So I knit:

and it fits - quite exciting, Jackson was sad to learn I would model this one, not him! However, there is an issue:

It's a nipple at the top! Groan. I'll deal for now and just wear it inside I guess.

I got a really cute swap package today from the Sanrio swap on swap-bot:

There's gum and stickers and pencils and little notebooks - perfect for keeping in the knitting bag! I love all things sanrio and san-x and Kawaii.
Currently my favorite is tenorikuma - cute baristas! Look at all this stuff! and sanrio.com has a cute travel mug - "Hello! I'm Latte!"

New York New York

Last night we went into New York to visit a brother, his girlfriend and the other brother. We ate at Otto - and oh, wow - was it delish!! Cheese plates are brilliant. And a cheese with honey? And another with cherries? Inspiring!

I finished one Peekaboo mitten on the train there / back.

I'm pooped right now as we didn't get back until 2:30 and Jackson woke us up around 7:30. Today will be a day of lounging around, though I do have to work on school related stuff (yuck).

America's Sweethearts is on right now - great movie! ("Kiki!!") I love John Cusack

Company Store

Keep this in your "Inspiration" File - along with MasonDixonKnitting and their log cabin / mitered squares goodness... I was flipping through The Company Store catalog - love, love, love these:

Go Mets!

Jackson was found via flickr and he's now the met pet of the week! Check it out!
brooklynmetfan.com

FO! but defeated. (Project Spectrum woes)

I finished the Santa Cruz and I just love this photo detail of the stitch pattern on the top:


I used Wool of the Andes in the Rain colorway. I like the pattern, but the hat it does not fit. Well, it doesn't fit me. Of course it fits Jackson:

A few people at work just had girl babies - maybe they would like it.

I'm headed to Mohegan Sun tonight with some gals from work. I was going to swing by Saybrook Yarn to get the needles that I need, but I was asked to carpool, so that got kaboshed. I tried to go to Yarns, Yarns, Yarns after picking Jackson up from the groomer (that's why he has on a heart bandana) but they were closed too - unexpectedly due to a family death. I'm just not meant to get the needles. Maybe tomorrow. I really should get on my grading / report card stuff.

Impatience

Since I don't have the shorter needle that I need to continue on with the Hourglass Sweater (I'll get it today), I cast on last night for Santa Cruz from magknits. I'm using knitpicks Wool of the Andes in "Rain", so it works for project spectrum.

I found out that my cousin Jaimie is engaged! I am very happy for him, and am excited to meet his fiance (she wasn't able to come to the family Christmas Eve event). Now I'm obsessed with the idea of making an afghan / blanket for them. Cables are a must, irish inspired also. I'm thinking white / cream colors (as I know nothing about their home) or maybe grey with an accent color... Ideas I have already bookmarked:
St.Patrick's Day Afghan (maybe good for others in my family? One square for a pillow??)
I really like this Celtic Knot Afghan - it looks like hearts!
Aran pattern stitch info
Although I also really like this: Wooly Thoughts Tilting at windmills
And I think I like this: Lion Brand patchwork sampler
It would be great to somehow work in "the clan" patterns: Donnelly....

When I went out shopping with mom yesterday I picked up this Mets winter hat - Jackson is the best model ever, when properly motivated...

More Planning Ahead

Ok, so I decided today to go through the copies of Interweave Knits that I have and make a list of what I would like to knit from each issue. The list has been written down, but I want to use this space as a sort of research tool for me to keep track of alternative yarns to use / inspiration from others who have already done the projects.

Making this list I realized that I keep gravitating towards patterns by Veronik Avery - classic looks, not too fussy!

Summer 2003: Shimmer Aran, Merino Lace Socks
Winter 2003: Dolman Updated (in Noro)
Spring 2004: Waving Lace Socks
Summer 2004: Victoria Tank
Fall 2004: Syncopated Ribs (I actually have this yarn!), Pooling Colors Scarf
Summer 2005: Sleek Ribs Tank, Go with the Flow Socks
Fall 2005: Veste Everest (I like the colors of elann's peruvian highland wool!), Rib & Cable Socks
Winter 2005: Fickle Fingers Scarf(also consider this), Embossed Leaves Socks
Spring 2006 Waterlilly Top, Trellis Scarf, Aran Rose, Simply Lovely Lace Socks, Rib & Cable Mitt, Wobbly Circles Tote (I have yarn for this), Pullover Flair
Summer 2006 Marigold Tote, Penobscot Silk Scarf (maybe), Little Arrowhead Shawl (maybe)
Fall 2006: Gatsby Girl Pullover, Supernova Pullover, Target Wave Mittens
Winter 2006: Arctic Diamonds Stole, Cardigan for Arwen
Spring 2007: Dollar and a Half Cardigan, Keyhole Top, Roza's Socks

Saturday Sky & Other

I've never done a "Saturday Sky" before, but I liked how this picture came out:


I'm on vacation! Yay!

My projects are a little bit in a stuck place - I did finish Sock #1 of the socks for Dan:


I need a shorter needle for the sleeves on the hourglass sweater.

I signed up for SockMadness, I may be crazy.

We watched Open Season last night - it was really funny! Of course, we are partial to anything with dachshunds...

Doesn't that look like the sweater I made him??


Stay Warm & Toasty!

Knitted Toys

My hubby is the best. I repeat, the best!

The other day he was doing some online retail therapy - he got a video game. I passed as I have next week off and figured I would do some retail therapy then. Today his box from amazon arrived and he announced that he had a present for me! (sweet - it was a crappy day)
Knitted Toys (Zoe Mellor) - this book is soooo cute!!

Indigo Girls

Any CT knitters want to make a day out of St.Pat's day? We could go to Yarns Down Under (Deep River) and then out to dinner at Mohegan Sun and then see the show??
Indigo Girls at Mohegan Sun

Delayed opening

After yesterday's "First Serious Winter Storm" aka "The Valentine's Nor'easter" a ton of schools had a delay this morning. My school gets children from two school districts and in the case of delays, you follow the shorter one. So, while one district had a 90minute delay, the other had nothing. I drive in to school for the usual time and no one is there! strange. So I call home and Dan looks on the list again and lo and behold, my school is now on the delay list (90 minutes). So I've got a little bit of time to kill.

I went to starbucks. I've got my first Caramel Macchiato.

I don't have any knitting with me. How annoying. :^(

Thought about going to Joann fabrics, but they don't open until 9. s'okay though - i'll go next week - I do have a $20 card to use there...

FO! Scarf #3 and other projects

First off, Happy Valentine's Day - smooches all around from Jackson:


Second, thanks for the comments about the graffiti - in short it's annoying and kids are mean (which apparently will continue on into their adult years). Today is a snow day - it's been sleeting but there is snow accumulating. Yay! The pup is not such a fan of the snow and sleet, even though he's got a jacket:


That gave me the chance to finish "My So-Called Scarf" which is for me! I had bought 2 skeins of malabrigo in "Little Lovely", but decided to stop at the end of the first skein - the scarf is about 53" long. I started around Jan.24 (I think) and worked on / off. Fairly quick knit! Jackson approves, naturally!

and proof that I do wear my knitted things:


For Project Spectrum, I've made some progress on the Hourglass Sweater:

I had gauge issues with the Hopyard Summer Spun (blue) and didn't feel like doing another swatch so I jumped in with the Rowanspun DK (grey / blue)...I think it's going ok:

and I'm still working on Dan's socks:


I think I may have found a potential Christmas Project... keeping it a secret as I'm still undecided - but it I start now....

Graffiti

Part of my rant yesterday was about graffiti outside my classroom, here's a photo:

Next to it today I see that it has been added to - it also says "Yep she ugly"

meh.

Mr.Clean Magic Eraser took it right off. Kids are mean.

The snow is supposed to be coming...

This is my life

Want to know what love is? Love is something like this:
Supposedly there is a big storm heading to New England (finally!). Yesterday, Dan asked if I had scapers in my car for the windshields - I told him that yes, I do - it stays in my car all year. Later on in the afternoon, Dan tells me that he got the scraper in my car for me. I was confused as I already have one. He says he pulled it out for easy access (I tend to toss things in my car, the backseat is a mess). Ok, thanks that's nice. This morning I go to my car and start to put my school stuff in the back seat when I see not my usual ice scraper, but three scrapers - two different sizes and something called an "ice bulldozer"?! So, in case the storm does come and dump ice or snow on us, I'm prepared :)

Today at school I walk in and learn that we are now trying Parliamentary Procedures with my homeroom. It went over like a lead brick. Oh and I now have to keep track of their individual point plans...(my desk is still a mess)...and I found grafitti on the wall outside my classroom that says I "suck butt"...and supposedly next week the lab will be renovated....and I provided book covers for the students and was told that they might be too small for the books (um, the principal is helping the kids cover their books in math class, he of all people should know to just fold them differently!)..

...dreaming of snow...and vacation

Books To Be Read

I received a comment from my pal for the Favorite Colorswap asking about books I've read - so I added a book badge to my blog from Librarything.com and I'm adding in my "To Be Read" list for 2007, but I'm going to list them here as well. Hey I just noticed the librarything has knitting books too! Good way to keep track of the library.
Anyway, in no particular order, this year I'm planning to read these books which are already on my shelves:

Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult finished, Jan.2007
Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
Killer Angels by Michael Shaara (Dan's choice for me)
Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult
Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult
Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult
naked by David Sedaris
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank
Secret of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig
Dog is my co-pilot
Dog Department by James Thurber
Cesar's Way by Cesar Milan
Another Bullshit Night in Suck City Nick Flynn
Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk
In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
Case Histories by Kate Atkinson

And I'll give myself extra credit here and there too.
Good quotes:
"In the case of good books, the point is not how many of them you get through, but rather how many of them get through to you." Mortimer Adler
"Beware of the person with one book" St. Thomas Aquinas

Sick Day

I requested a sick day yesterday at the end of school. There are already 3 other people out and we don't have any subs. But, I stuck to my instincts and I am not feeling bad about taking this day off. I. Am. Not.

I've been walloped by a cold, and haven't even knit the last two nights. So, while i sit on the couch today I'm plugging away at the LMKG Hourglass Sweater. I'll probably kick myself later, but I'm saying "Screw gauge" and just started knitting. I want to make a sweater, I'll learn from mistakes... maybe I'll get lucky and it'll fit.

Pictures later. I just don't have the energy right now.

Favorite Color Swap Questions '07

Favorite Color Swap Questionnaire

1. What are your top three favorite colors? blue-green-purple

2. What crafts do you really enjoy? knitting, I'm slowly teaching myself how to sew, I enjoy looking at amigurumi (though I can't yet crochet)

3. What products do you really covet? I have an amazon wishlist, and I do frequently lust over things in this blog

4. What other activities do you enjoy besides your favorite crafty things? playing with my dog, photography

5. Is there anything you collect? I used to, but have tried to avoid collecting anything else but yarn, needles and fabric!

6. What is your zodiac sign and/or Chinese zodiac symbol? Gemini

7.What are your favorite…

…scents/smells? fresh / clean (like Clean Cotton from Yankee Candle), citrusy

…types of music and/or bands? I'm open to new things, I avoid country, I listen to everything from U2, Barenaked Ladies, Indigo Girls, Dave Matthews Band to classical and hiphop.

…authors? Right now I'm big into Jodi Picoult, I love Laurie Notaro and Jen Weiner too

…animals? dogs (dachshunds especially), penguins, frogs (no cats)

…places to shop? target

…season? fall

…yarn/fabric/paper/other craft supplies? non-acrylic yarns, retro designs

…candies or goodies? Jelly Beans, mike and ikes, coffee, tea,

8. Do you have any wish lists? yep, it's linked at the top of the blog (amazon)

9. Are you allergic to anything? not really - I'm not a smoker though - smoke tends to bother me

10. Do you have any pets? What are they? 1 mini-dachshund, Jackson

11. Please include anything else you would like your secret pal to know about you- anything that would be helpful in finding you little gifts that you will really enjoy. The best thing about these swaps is the surprise factor!

Patterns (planning ahead)

New Magknits! - I really like the Santa Cruz hat - especially with options for all different yarn weights! I really could use a pair of the Peekaboo mittens as well...

I also really like Thermal from knitty.com's latest winter surprise and I think I like the Elbac scarf - emphasis on think...

Smokin' Sock from knitspot.com also looks good...

Books & Sock Yarn

Yesterday when I got home there were two packages waiting - the first was sock yarn from the Knitting Sunshine Sock Club - soooo pretty!! And there were little treats too - candy / mints / stitch markers!

The second box contained books from crafter's choice - Stylish Knits for Dogs to Knit in a Weekend, Doggy Knits, and Men Who Knit & Dogs Who Love Them - all are so cute and a good source of ideas. I think I'll make Jackson another sweater - maybe the grey cable one with a matching vest for me (not Dan - he's not really a vest guy)... Adorable pups!!

This weekend we're in transit - down to Long Island today, east to Rhode Island tomorrow.

School is crazy still - supposedly the wall in my lab will be knocked out to make it bigger, and a widescreen tv for computer / internet stuff, and saturday school for my homeroom kids. Promises and ideas, but I have a feeling that follow-through will be lacking.

Two-fer Tuesday

Three posts, but two good things -
A new Lime'nViolet podcast and new Gilmore Girls.

And we've settled into Veronica Mars too.
So, good on that.

Resolved.

I paid my library fines.
I was heckled by the librarian.
I don't like my local town library.

I propmptly requested several items through interlibrary loan, including Oddball Knitting and Knit 2 Together.

Science Nerd

In a break from the knitting stuff (which of late is small. I'm trying to get a guage swatch for the hourglass sweater using some yarn from hopyard; making Dan a pair of socks - I made him try on the monkey socks and told him I wanted to make him a pair - he's gung-ho for them now! and i finished a scarf for him out of misti baby alpaca chunky - yummy!) today I'm indulging my inner science nerd. I'm coming around on my decision to get out of teaching and shift focus to science museums as a creative educational opportunity... or go back to entry level science lab jobs. Either way, I've seen some good stuff today 'round the web, thought I'd share:
**My graduate work utilized Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to study particulate matter on tree leaves. Maybe I should have looked beer?
**The SEED: ScienceBlogs are great to have in bloglines - a taste of science each day. Like this gem, that Dan and I were just talking about - caffeine in food: Buzz Donuts
**Cafepress has some great items for science nerds and a cute penguin graphic that shows the penguin wearing a shirt that says I Love Pluto and holding a sign that says next they'll be saying I'm not a bird... (um,here it is
**Love these bumperstickers (also found via the SEED:ScienceBlogs):




I miss the lab.

FO - Monkey Socks

Monkey Socks
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter.

These are currently my favorite socks ever! They knit up really quick - I did the legs of each first and I really think that helped! The pattern (found on knitty.com) is great - I used Fleece Artist Basic Merino yarn in the "Rainforest" colorway - love it!! I also did them on two circulars, which for me really is fast fast fast!

Plus it helps that on Friday I didn't have school because it was too cold! So, I finished them up on Friday and wore them out on Friday night.

Two pairs of socks in a month, wow.

Work Rant

I'm a teacher. I teach middle school students science. For the most part I enjoy my work. Today, I don't. Rude rude rude behavior. Entitlement issues. Whining. Bad parents. Threats.

And all I can do? Repeat my directions again. Clearly. Calmly. Never let them see you cry. Today just sucked. And I'm at the end of my rope. I am not cut out for this nonsense. For the amount of positive feedback and interactions I do have I don't know if it's worth it to continue.

And I can see the side of things that it sucks to be a kid in middle school. Minority and economic issues aside, being a kid is no treat either.

I want to do something different, but am afraid that I will look to be the selfish one for leaving kids in need.

ick.

Me and My favorite scarf

Me and My favorite scarf
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter.

This photo was taken in the car with my cameraphone. I took it so I would have proof of actually wearing hand-knitted items! Actually, I'm still at work now and am still wearing the scarf!

Doesn't it look like I'm daydreaming about knitting? I was listening to a knitting podcast.

Last night I finished one green sock (yay!) and completed the heel flap and turning-of-the-heel last night. Tonight I think I'll be working on the gusset. But, I have big dreams of organizing my stash by potential project - maybe over my Feb.vacation (can't come soon enough!), but that may prove to be too much. I am now convinced myself of the idea that I must make blankets as gifts! Use the cotton classic for one, noro for another, and the bags of yarn from the Hopyard Spinnery sale and third! Log cabin, mitered squares and maybe lizard ridge?? And, an Arwen Cardigan - I have an abundance of Berrocco Pleasure yarn in a beautiful blue.... Gah. Overambitious? me? Always.

FO! and a Swap

I was successful in my intentional sweater knitting for the dog:



I followed the pattern / chart from a Japanese dog sweater book that I linked to in a previous post. The yarn is Lamb's Pride Worsted in Limeade, Persian Peacock and #18 (it's a softer sage-y kinda green), knit up on size 7 needles, cast on Tuesday (I think) and finished it up Saturday night. Of course, he doesn't like to wear it - he sulked at my feet, but I think it looks good on him. I have tried to make him wear much worse!! :)

Friday was a rather crappy day at work, so it was nice to come home to a package from Jennifer who was my swap partner for the Knit Mitt Kit Swap. Look at these goodies:

She sent so many goodies, including a fabulous bag that I have hanging on my chair already full of a few projects, that I forgot to take a photo of. She included 3 skeins of her yarn which is just stunning! And directions to make fingerless gloves, thrummed mitts (including the thrums and extra!!), candy and pez, and the Stitch and Bitch calendar which I really really wanted but haven't been able to find anywhere! She rocks!! Thanks so much!!