Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Ten for '10, the New Decade

I guess maybe I could come up with some resolutions. Since I am not good at New Year’s Resolutions, maybe I can do better if I make them for a whole 10 years.

1 Live long enough to retire.
2 Get a job I can retire from.
3 Make a sweater or shawl—a big project--out of homespun yarn .
4 Make another.
5 Try to get Hubby into something hand-knit.
6 Blog faithfully, at least 2 weekly/8 times a month minimum.
7 For every project I buy yarn for, make another out of stash yarn—at least sometimes, until stash gets low. “Low” being determined by my own judgment.
8 Continue to use crock-pots for meals.
9 Spend time with yarn every day—knitting or spinning or both
10 Become a grandma. I think ten years should be enough time for the boys to find someone nice and settle down. I won’t hold my breath on this one though.

Well—that sounds like a doable list, especially if I stretch it out over ten years. No one will remember after that much time what I resolved.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Nine from '09

Here is a list of movies I discovered and loved this year. All old and mostly thanks to Turner Classic Movie channel. Nine from 2009.

1—Roberta. It’s a musical with Fred Astaire and Randolph Scott. You got to love a movie that has that macho cowboy as a romantic lead, and the owner of a Paris fashion shop.
2—Golddiggers of 1933. Again a musical. Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell and with Ginger Rogers singing “We’re in the Money” in Pig Latin. Hilarious, even in today’s economy. I especially love when a friend comes over to borrow the “good dress” and silk stockings for a job interview.
3—Wuthering Heights. I read the book years ago and had trouble understanding it. I understand it better now, and love Olivier in it. A perfect Heathcliff.
4—Now, Voyager. I generally am not a fan of Bette Davis. Too tough for me to enjoy. But in this role she is much more sympathic, and I love her transformation.
5—The Man Who Came to Dinner. What a romp! Again, a Bette Davis I can love. During the intro, they say that she is playing opposite the role she usually plays, and its true. No wonder I like her in this.
6—Dinner at Eight. Another old ensemble piece. The different guests with their own agendas. Such fun to watch.
7—Key Largo. Wasn’t what I expected, but loved every minute of it. A great surprise. I almost changed the channel, and am glad I didn’t.
8—The Private Live of Henry VIII. From 1933 and a great film. Elsa Lancaster tricking Henry to divorce her is a riot.
9—Captains Courageous. I was delighted with this one. I knew it starred Tracey as an Latin fisherman, but it wasn’t what I expected. Freddy Bartholomew almost made me change the channel early on, but I held on and loved the piece.

There they are, my favorite “new” discoveries from this past year. And not a new movie in the bunch.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Greening the Church

Sunday was the last Sunday in Advent, so we greened the church following the service. The kids helped set up the manger scene.
Others decorated the gree. Dawn put the angel on top and decorated the high spots from a chair.

And others decorated down low while Lindsey "fluffed" the branches. This is our first artificial tree. It does look nice though. I miss the candle sconces on the walls though.

Another One Off the Needles

I finished Younger Son's Very Warm Hat. He tried it on yesterday, and approved the fit, so picked up the lining and finished it this afternoon. Bulky wool and double layered. No way he should get cold ears in this one. After finishing I weighed the left over and should have enough for another whole hat without even starting the second skeins of each color.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Toasty Fingers

I finished my red mittens last night and tried them out today. Warm and toasty fingers. And since the fleece that I lined them with still had the lanolin in it, they make my skin soft.
And since Younger Son finally showed some interest in having his own wooly warm hat, I started his own Very Warm Hat. It is bulky wool, in charcoal and medium gray.




I have the outside almost done and should be able to start the inside tomorrow, if it fits. I decided not to cut if off until he tries it on. Gilbert the wonder dog just says "Knittin', Schmittin. Move those needles Mama so I can sit on your lap."

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

And Counting

As near as I can calculate, there is 1 month and 29 days until the next Daytona 500.
Go Mark!!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Yet Another Finished Project

Let's face it. Lately I've been a knitting fool. This is the Milkweed Shawl by Laura Chau. I started on November 30, and frogged the next 2 days, so this took less than 2 weeks. It is made of Alpaca Sox.

I have another skein in a soft mauvy pink, the same yarn to knit one up for the fair's silent auction. Since the pattern asks that it not be used for commercial puposes, I wrote and got her permission to use for the auction. I only have to list the pattern name and designer name and website. If any of my readers want to get one the lazy way, be sure to come and bid at fair time.
If anyone is inspired to try this pattern, I want to warn you that I upsized the needle to a size 7 to get the size I wanted. I also used almost all of the yarn and this skein had 100 more yards than the pattern called for, since I did use a larger gauge.
I also finished the first mitten of the pair of red thrummed mittens.

It does look better on the outside than the inside I showed in a previous post. I have a bunch of thrumms ready to knit up into the next mitten. It is really warm.
On another note, I went in to sit with a phone rep to see if I am still interested in trying for the job I was contacted about last week. I am and hope to hear more from them. They are looking to start people the end of January or so. But first I have to take a test tomorrow, online and then make it through the interview.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Now This Is More Like It!

I was greatly dissappointed with the storm yesterday. Even though all the schools were closed, by the time I drove into work yesterday, the roads were not bad. They were empty. As a result I was able to stop and take some great pictures on my way to work. The snow had mostly stopped by the time I went in.

By this time the road was wet and sloppy. It did make for some great pictures though.
This was taken off the back porch today. While we aren't getting the wind for a blizzard, we are windy and snowy.
Just as a comparison--this is looking over the pasture to the back woods yesterday in the heavy wet snow, early in the morning.

This is almost the same view, taken from the same place. With windy lake effect, dryer, finer snow.

Neat, huh?

I love winter. I think I'll go knit.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Knit Knite Knews

I was afraid that we wouldn't be having Knit Nite tonight, but so far, the winter storm is, as I said before, a bust.

We had a smaller group, as Christine lives a little south, and the snow started earlier there. Bonnie came and has almost knit up her entire skein. She is even looking toward her next project! She wants some Fun Fur or eyelash yarn to knit another one. Sandy was finishing some socks for her great-grandsons in Maine. Flo was working on a Christmas present--an afghan in sherbert orange.
I was there working on my red mittens. Instead of knitting in a lining, I am lining them with Lincoln locks, in the grease. The white are when I knit in the bits of "thrumms" that I make from the carded locks. They are really going to be warm and hopefully a little waterproof with the lanolin still in the locks..
Because, as you see, the inside looks like fuzzy throat of an exterrestial. But once the fuzzies felt down, won't they be warm?
The highlight of the evening whas when we coerced our priest Duncan to come in. The vestry met tonight, and because they met extra early, they were done before we left. When Duncan came in, Flo showed him the hat she had made him. It was a superwash, self striping sock yarn, but in a worsted weight. He wanted an earflap hat that wasn't too tight. When he saw it, he lit up like a little boy.

He pronounced the fit perfect. Now he can ride his bicycle all winter with warm ears.

Farmers' Woes

It sure has been hard around here for the farmers this year. 
First October was cold and wet.  Frigid even.  Because field corn had not yet ripened, the ears of cor were pointing up. So all the rain and snow ran down inside and accumulated inside the husks. 
Come November, warm and practically balmy.  Once the farmers were finally able to get into the fields, after the ears finally started to turn downward, they started picking corn.  Problem is, now the corn after sitting in the damp husks, and after the wet, cold and then warm weather, has started to mold on the cob.
Rain, mud, mold and now, the combine on the farm where Oldest Son works, has a broken transmission.  By the time they get done, if it snows, the snow-covered ground won't freeze solid so they can get in the fields.
Plus we are supposed to be under a blizzard/winter snow warning. 
(Doesn't look much like snowy weather to me.  I'll believe it when I see it.)

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Other Knitting Knews

Update time. I have made great progress on the two at a time socks. These are the ones from a kool-aid dyed sock blank. They started live on 2 circular needles, but I didn't like that method. After switching to double points (luckily I had 2 matching sets of Knit Picks double points) I have made better progress. Since that picture was taken I have done heel flap and turned the heel, and started the gussets, on both socks. I try to knit one, then the other to keep the surplus yarn even.

Next is a new project I started this past week, after finishing the sweater. I am using a light/dark blue and brown sock yarn--Alpaca Sox. The pattern is Laura Chau's Milkweed Shawl and it is more of a sholder shawl.
I have restarted it 3 times, to get the right needle/gauge, but am happy with it now. It goes fairly quickly too.
Next is mittens. I started a couple weeks ago, but then rethunk them. I decided instead of using the cream alpaca, I am going to use bits of fleece knit along at a regular pace to give a tufted wool lining that will felt to my hands with use. I found some raw fleece so the lanolin will help make them waterproof as well. I hope
And here is something that has been on the back burner, but is still a great travel project and has been traveling to Knit Night, as backup when I run into some problem on my main knitting. I have been describing this Pi Are Square shawl to people as the knitting equivelant of a crazy quilt, with my use of the mill ends, but I really do love it.
And I promise, I will return th the February Pink Lady sweater and the Lady Eleanor entralac shawl.
Soon.
Maybe next month.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Sweater Girl

Here, as promised is the Old Jeans Cardigan. Finished and I am loving it. It is so comfortable, warm and I love how the cables turned out.
Here is another shot with it laid out on the table.
The cables show up better here, as do the pewter buttons. Did you notice the cables are mirrored?

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Shades of Mark Twain

I did get pictures of my sweater at Knit Night last night and will be posting them soon.  I also got a couple updated pictures of the warm fuzzy mass that is my Pi Are Square shawl.  I have started new knitting, the Milkweed Shawl in alpaca sock yarn.  I have frogged and changed needle sizes upwards once, and may decide to to it again.  I am debating that issue in my head.
 
The funny was that one of the gals was telling me her husband that I had died.  He was reading the obituaries in the paper and told her that lady you knit with died.  You know, Bob A---'s daughter.  She looked at it and said, no she's married and her name changed.   We got a good chuckle out of it last night. 
 
So when I looked through the local paper today, I checked out the obituaries as usual.  This time I was startled to see my name, from my hometown.  Whoa.
 
Wait, it was my maiden name, and I am still here after all.  It is a strange experience to see your own name in the obituaries when you live in a small town and know so many people.  The strange thing was that I didn't know this woman whose married name was my maiden name. 
 
I feel like Mark Twain today. It seems that reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Old Jeans Sweater--FO

Yup, the blue grey Old Jeans Sweater is finished. Last night actually and I am wearing it today. I will get a picture of it tonight at Knit Nite to have one to post.

I think the gap in front is a little bigger than I would like. I think blocking/steaming the cables out flatter would have helped that. The cables do pucker up the fabric and I didn't allow extra ease for that. But the sleeves are wonderful and the cables to look delightful.

My boss Sandy says it looks alike a "real sweater".

I think that was a compliment. I'll post a picture and let you decide.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Apples Galore

My Aunt Glenna--the crazy one, lives surrounded by fruit orchards. This year, because of a bumper crop the owners have run out of storage crates and even room in their cold storage buildings. As a result, the owners told my aunt and her family to help them selves to what is left.

She has been telling everyone at "Dinner with the Aunts" (a weekly lunch with my last 2 remaining aunts, a couple cousins and another friend of the family) to come down and get some apples. So a week ago, I and Gilbert the wonder dog trekked down to see her and pick apples.
I had planned on filling one of those $1 reusable bags you get at Wal-Mart with some yellow delicious for pies and applesauce. However, Aunt Glenna didn't know when to stop, and she didn't listen when I told her I had enough. I had an almost full bag, and she had a generously full bag. Sigh.
Then she asked if I wanted to visit my cousin Judy because she had red delicious and Ida reds across from her house and they weren't going to be picked either. So off we went and ended up with a bag of each of those. Probably 2 bushels of apples all together.
When I got home, Hubby thought it quite funny that I ended up with so many apples. I told him that Aunt Glenna didn't know when to quit, even when I told her too.
But, we have had 2 pies and 2 batches of applesauce so far. Yum.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Knitting Inventory

Well, I do have a good excuse for not posting much. Really. I do.
Reason # 1--The blue gray Old Jeans sweater. I have one back.
Two fronts.
And two sleeves. So I have started....
the button band. I just may have this done soon.
Reason # 2--EZ's Very Warm Hat. I finished this last Monday night. Its handspun red Icelandic and creamy white handspun alpaca.
And it is VERY WARM.
Reason # 3--I finally finished the 2nd gray chevron sock.
Reason # 4--I also have started the heel flap on both of the kool-aid dyed socks I am knitting from the sock blank I dyed. No recent pictures, but if I am on the heel-flap, that means I am half done. Whoo Hoo!
So see, I have been busy.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Hey--I'm an Award Winner

Some of my readers here may also occasionally peruse the blog I co-author with my supervisor at t the local history room, The Cemetery Divas. We have had a lot of fun with it even though it is less than 2 months since we started it. To our great surprise this past week, we were nominated by a reader for the Kreative Blogger award. If you haven't gone to my sister blog, check it out.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

The Season Ends

It was a great race, but Mark still only finished 2nd for the season. The 5th time he was shy of being champion.
But I have best wishes for Jimmie and the fact that the top three were all teammates still was great. I only wish the top two places had been reversed.
But now, alas, no more races till February. I believe they said 84 days away.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The Gauge Lady

How did I get to be the Knit Nite Gauge Lady?

Maybe because everytime someone starts a project and says something like "I hope this will fit," or "I hope this yarn will work ok instead," I say, "Did you knit a swatch? Are you matching the gauge?"

We know we take our knitting sanity in our hands when we try to knit a worsted pattern with chunky yarn, or when we use handspun and aren't quite sure of the weight, and yet we blindly cast on the stitches specified in the pattern with the suggested needle size and knit forth.

Maybe it is all the Elizabeth Zimmermann and Stephanie Pearl-McPhee that I have read, but I constantly find myself asking that same questions. And the funny thing is, by swatch standards, I knit very inadequate swatches. I may knit a couple inches on about 25 stitches, and if it is on my circs, I slide the stitches to the cable, put them on a flat surface and measure in several places. If I have match stitch gauge, I call it good. Or if I am off, I calculate the desired size I want and then recalculate the stitches I need to cast on for my project. Occasionally I will try a smaller or larger needle, but mostly if I like the way the swatch looks, I jumble figures.

Of course since I am rather ample in size, I usually need to up-size a pattern, so I have to recalculate anyway. What is a little more figuring?

But once I have established what gauge I will be using, I check it repeatedly while knitting. Have you seen the little brass gauges, shaped like a sheep? You can check your needle size on them, and they have a 2 inch L shaped window cut-out to use for counting your stitches. But what I find most useful is the fact that the feet are exactly 1 inch apart. I can take the little sheep, lay its feet on the project and count the stitches between the feet at a glance, and over several areas.

So easy. So I guess in a way, my project is also my constant ever-growing swatch.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

When It Rains, It Pours

Anyone remember the old Morton Salt girl, walking in the rain under the umbrella, with the salt still freely pouring from the canister? 
Well, at times her slogan seems to fit our family. 
As you probably know, Hubby was let got from his job back in 2006, and was never able to find a job.  Since he is totally computer illiterate and since even general labor factory jobs require a computer test, he finally gave up and went on unemployment.
My full time job once gain moved out of state. That's the third time that happened to me, and Hubby had it several times as well--the state of Michigan jobs for sure. 
The best and only job I have been able to find is a 15 hour a week job, funded by a grant.  Not the most stable, as my 3 months off this summer proved.  I love the work, but not really enough hours or money to live on.
And now Younger Son who moved back home this summer, has lost his job.  Granted he only was working part time, but usually 7 days a week, on a 4 hour shift milking cows.  With the price of milk, they were laying off several of their milkers.  So now he has to job hunt again.  Hopefully, some area farmer may be needing someone, even if this isn't planting time, they are all working great guns to pick corn and soybeans.
Anyone know of a way to find (and keep) work in Michigan?
I'm sure glad the farm is paid for, if only they don't tax it away from us.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Knitting Knews

Knitting has been progressing during my week. I mentioned that I got a lot of knitting done last Saturday at the genealogy seminar. I had gotten to the purple on the ribbing when I had switched these to the double point needles from the 9 inch circular. (Side note--what kind of fiendish mind came up with 9 inch circs, with toothpicks for the needle part? Sadistic!)

Anway, I got lots of knitting done enroute, as Sandy usually prefers to drive, and I usually prefer to ride if given the option. And during the talk itself, I also knit lots. I always find I can concentrate on a speaker better with simple knitting going on. It also helps me keep my mouth shut. And i even managed to start the heel flap by the end of the day.
Earlier last week, I had also dug out my red Icelandic handspun, as well as some creamy alpaca handspun. I had been thinking about making Elizabeth Zimmermann's Very Warm Hat. I cast on and started, with the intention of taking this to the seminar, but decided the sock, being more compact, made better sense.
However, on Monday, not being quite so concerned with room, as we were taking a 12 passenger van, I opted for the hat, as well as my Pi Are Squared Shawl for travel knitting. I worked on both and was just starting the color work when we left. by Wednesday, I had started on the lining.

I am still undecided if I want color work on the lining. I had planned on it, but think that I would rather have less bulk there.

And there has been work on the sweater fronts as well. I have started the front decreases for the v-neck and have about 50 or so rows before I can start the sleeves.
Maybe I can be done by Christmas, depending on how distracted with the other projects.
I hope to go back to the February Pink Lady when this is done. Then I want to finish the Lady Eleanor entralac shawl. That has lanquished for a couple years I think and it is time to finish.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Road Trip--Frankenmuth

Since I am still playing catch-up on my week, I better mention the road trip the Spin Guild took Monday.
We had planned to take a trip to Frankenmuth nearly a year ago, especially when the group learned I had never been there. Frankenmuth is home to a Bavarian themed downtown, with the best home-style chicken dinners, fudge shops, a huge year round Christmas store and Zeilinger Wool Co. Several of our guild members have taken fleeces there to be processed into roving. I have both sent some and dropped off others at their booth at the Michigan Fiber Festival.

A couple of our members had to withdraw at the last minute, so we were a smaller crowd than we had planned originally. But a great time was had by all.
We at chicken dinner, and Dawn, who lived near by joined in for our day of fun. We wandered the downtown area, as well as Michigan's biggest bead company. I found baskets in one of the stores like the one I looked in vain for at the West Branch festival. One came home with me.

When we discovered we only had an hour left before the wool mill closed, we scurried over there and delivered our bundles. I had 2 bags of llama fleece, thanks to Meeko and Tillie, as well as a bag of alpaca fleece in a charcoal color. Kelly dropped of some fiber of her's that needed de-hairing. We went into the shop area and paid for processing and then, after deciding we were all pooped, decided to head for home, instead of going to the Christmas store. We were so busy and had such a good time, that I even forgot to bring my camera with me. Hence the pictureless post.

I guess, when my fleece is done in 3 months, we may just have to go back. And maybe hit the Christmas store then.

Genealogy Seminar

Last Saturday was the "Got Ancestors?!" event hosted by the Western Michigan Genealogical Society in Grand Rapids. Sandy and I both attended for the day, and had a great time. Learned lots, laughed lots, got some forms and a magnifying globe.
The speakers were George Morgan and Drew Smith, the Genealogy Guys who even taped their podcast as the last session. Seriously: educational and fun time.

And I also knit a lot on my travel sock. Went from about an inch of ribbing to the heel flap. Nothing like knitting for focusing on a speaker.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

NASCAR Is a Chase Again

Remember the old Rowan and Martin Laugh-In show? Occasionally they would award someone the Flying Fickle Finger of Fate.
If they were still around, and racing fans, they would have presented it to Jimmie Johnson this past week. After the standings shakeup that was Talladega, along came Texas and suddenly there is a Chase again.
The Texas race virtually undone for my man Mark, what was done in Alabama. And although I do admire Jimmie and feel he is almost as honorable and nice as Mark....All I can say is;;
Wooooo Hoooo.
Go Mark!!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Veterans Day -- 2009

I want to once again on this Veterans Day, salute those who bravely fought four our freedom. My grandma was lucky that all three of her sons who enlisted in World War II, including my father (center) who was her baby boy, all survived. (Aren’t they a handsome trio?) This picture was taken in 1945 or 1945 on Memorial Day, showing Dad and his two older brothers.
For all those who came back and for those who did not, my prayers and thanks to you all.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Knitting Trials

It was a good thing I did not have my camera at Knit Nite last night. It may not have survived. So obviously, there are no pictures of my tribulations.

I was working along on the two fronts of the Old Jeans Cardigan. I brought socks, as back up knitting--just in case cables and friends didn't mix. But, securely resting in the confidence of a cocky, oops, I mean knowledgeable "Knitter" I went on.

The first sign of trouble was when I discovered that I had carried the left front yarn over to knit the right front over and back. Drat. Tinked that back. Then as I started knitting on, I again reviewed the last cables that I had done just after arrival.

Wait a minute. Is that cable in front, when it should be cabled in back? A moment of silence. Then the bright idea arose. I have seen other blogs where the Knitter just drops the stitches involved in the cable and then knits them back up.

Sounds good, although scary in theory. Not so brilliant in practice. I dropped the 8 stitches down, first taking a spare needle and picking up the cable stitches with that to avoid dropping too far back.

I managed to knit half of the cable and decided it wasn't going to work after I used the wrong loop of yarn to knit the other half. I didn't want rip that far back, so.......I ended up tinking back about 4 rows. Luckily the left half stayed as is, and I was able to just tink back the one side--stitch by stitch until I was back to the cable. And, luckily, the cable stitches were still waiting on the spare needle.

I knit, cabled, and knit onward. After arriving home I even managed to advance both left and right sides to the next cable. I am now about half way to the arm decreases/neckline on the fronts.

Maybe I will rethink the idea of cabling the sleeves.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Racing Against Fate

While I haven't mentioned it lately, I have still been tuned in and on the edge of my seat every week, watching my NASCAR Sprint races. 
 
While "my man Mark" remains in second place, he is steadily losing ground to the annointed one--Jimmy Johnson.  Now I do like Jimmy, he is also a nice guy, just like Mark.  But he doesn't have the pizazz of some of the other drivers.
 
But what can a guy do when even the fates seem lined up for Jimmy?
 
After hanging out near the end of the race all day, through the mysteries of pit stops, running out of gas, and "moving up" all of a sudden, there was Jimmy nearing the front.  And when the wreck happened on the last lap?   It occured just BEHIND Jimmy, and right in FRONT of Mark.
 
I ask ya, what's a driver or fan to do?  

Persistance of Flowers

After the lousy weather we have had here recently--warmish, but very wet and VERY windy--it was rather inspiring to see these flowers still hanging on. They were on the east side of the church on Sunday, protected by the wall, and buried in leaves as you can see.
But aren't they lovely?
And so inspiring for a November morning.
And after all the recent wind.....
......it is amazing to see them hanging on when the trees are so bare.
Ahh, can snow be far behind? I hope not.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Two at a Time Fronts

I am experimenting on my fronts for the Old Jeans sweater.
Having finished the back of the sweater, I started the fronts. Yes, I said fronts, plural.
The experiement is that I started both fronts on one circ at the same time. I have read other knitting blogs where they do that and I decided to give it a try.

The main reason for trying the two at a time technique was that I was doing cables up the front, next to the button bands. I wanted to make sure that I don't mis-count and that I mirror the cables. Well, I can still mis-count the rows between twists, at least I can make sure that both fronts are mis-counted the same amount. Hopefully that won't be a problem, since the little pink and blue markers are being moved as I work each cable and enable me to accurately count the rows from the last cable.

Now I just hope and pray I don't run out of yarn. I have more than enough from what the pattern calls for. BUT--I have looked at several other patterns for similar styles, and they call for much more. At least I don't need very long arms. And I could always sew the shoulders and work the button band before I knit the sleeves. I like 3/4 length sleeves. On me, they usually feel full length anyway.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

For All the Saints

All Saints Day at my church is a special occasion. Over the years we have submitted lists of those saints from our families who have passed away. We read the names of each families saints and light a candle for each family.
It is a very moving ceremony.

We recently had the dedication of our new stained glass window that is located between the nave and the narthex. It is behind the baptismal font. And although it has been dedicated already, next week, we will be "baptizing" it.

We will be having a baptism next Sunday. So exciting.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Oh Oh, I Did it Again

I was wondering around the wool room the other day, just touching and getting high on the fumes. Then this pile of skeins hypnotized me.

Next thing I knew the skeins were on the swift and spinning around on the ball winder. And before I could say "hand-dyed wool", it was all wound into neat little balls, and had leaped onto my favorite needles.
Upon counting the skeins, I discovered to my delight that I had enough to make a sweater for me. It is some of Jane's old handdyed Peruvian wool, worsted weight in a colorway called old jeans. And the best part is just a hint of shading to give it a slight kettle-dyed look.

So far I have 10 1/2 inches of the back done. This will be my first sweater made in pieces that will need to be sewn together.
I love it.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Changing Seasons

As I try to finish the Flying Geese Shawl--those rows of the triangle top are getting longer and longer--I have been enjoying the cool weather we were having. I say were because it was in the 60's today. First time all month I think. I much preferred the snowflakes I saw flying on Saturday.
But cooler weather is coming. I am counting on a cold winter--lots of reasons to use wool.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Daughters of the King Assembly

My chapter of Daughters of the King hosted the diocesan Fall Assembly. We didn't have a huge group, but had a great time. We had a wonderful speaker, speaking on Understanding as a gift of the Holy Spirit......
Did some rousing singing......
And Fr Duncan preached a great sermon during the opening Eucharist.

Inspiring day, and great. although cool, weather too.
And check out the work Dawn is doing on the courtyard too.