PennKnits & ...

BIG WIND + BIG OLD TREE = BIG MESS

2009-06-06T11:36:00.001-07:00

Thursday night we had just a little wind storm. Our neighbor's big old tree decided to pay my back yard a visit.

Monday Madness

2009-06-01T17:53:00.001-07:00

This morning I got in the shower. (Now before any wise cracks happen, I will let you know that I shower daily. Well, almost daily.... you know camping trips etc.) I turned to grab my wash cloth.... it was gone. So out of the shower I got, dripping wet and all, off to the closet to get a new one. (Yes, I put on my robe.) Back in the shower I go. So I'm doing my thing, soaping up and all. I then went to wash my hair. DH used all of the shampoo. So out of the shower I got, dripping wet and all, off to the the other bathroom to get a new bottle. Back in the shower I go. Onward I push through my morning. I go to put on deodorant. The plastic thing that pushed it up pops off... because it is, like the shampoo, out. The plastic casing doesn't feel to hot on a freshly shaven armpit. By this time my temples were bulging.....

Okay, now I'm about ready to head out the door. Go to the fridge to grab my lunch. It's gone.... I know it was in there. I put it there. I am not crazy. Or am I? Apparently the teenage decided to have a little midnight snack. So I grab one of those frozen dinner things. Yum.

On the way to work..... I find myself having to take a detour. Did I allow time for this? Nope... Was being 5 minutes late worth stopping for Starbucks? Hell yes, need a physical and MENTAL pick me up!

All of this before 7am! How was your Monday?

How does your garden grow?

2009-05-31T09:53:00.001-07:00

The summer blooms are finally here!

Best Son Ever.....

2009-05-16T07:05:00.000-07:00

Huba is such a little sweetheart. Last year he got me a drop spindle for Mother's Day. Over the past year he has seen the girls spinning on their wheels. He was quite vocal about how I should get a wheel also. Well, for Mother's Day we went to the local Spinning thing at the recreation center. Huba decided I needed this for Mother's Day. Thank you son! I have already filled two bobbins and need to order a lazy kate. The first project is pencil roving, a dark and light natural,that will be knitted into a hat or scarf for my Huba.

Ashford Traveler

Dawn Feather & Fan Mother's Day Scarf

2009-05-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

Right after Christmas when I was complaining about how crazy things were, I mentioned to my Mother-in-law that I didn't even do any Christmas knitting. She responded with, "I know." and that look that said she was a little disappointed. I usually knit for her at Christmas. I guess I never realized how much she liked the hand knitted gifts and how she become accustomed to looking foward to seeing what I made for her that year. None of this is the "I expect you to knit for me attitude." So, Mother's Day she recieved her belated Christmas gift.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T07:45:00.000-07:00

A special Mother's Day wish to a very special mother.

You are always in my heart!

HUBATuesday

2009-04-28T14:27:00.001-07:00

Last weekend I was visiting with Huba about hobbies. I made mention that he was getting old enough that he could try some things out and see if something caught his interest. We talked about how I am my knitting and how I enjoy it. I offered to teach him how to knit..... he declined. None the less, he put some thought into the whole hobby idea. He decided that he wanted to try some woodworking. So, he visited with his dad and then they talked to Grandpa. (Grandpa has an old lumber mill) Grandpa said Huba could pick out whatever wood he wanted. So Huba and DH went to the Lumber yard. DH helped Huba pick out some cedar and oak. So what did Huba decide to do for his first project? I can tell you that it wasn’t the old stand by bird house. Huba decided to build a Catapult. Yes, you read that correctly. Now I don’t know what he is going to fling with this thing but right now it is sitting over 4 feet high.

The catapult is now finished and can launch rocks that go up 40yrds. Huba says that this was a tester and knows what he needs to improve on.

Rice Custard Pudding & Lemon Meringue

2009-04-26T18:12:00.000-07:00

Sunday was spent in the kitchen. Baking. I don't do this very often as the boys will come to expect it and start putting in orders. That would take all of the fun of things. This way it stays a treat for all.

Grandma's Rice Custard

1/2 c. cooked rice

1/2 c. sugar

3 eggs well beaten

3 c. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Mix cooked rice well with other ingredients.

Bake in well greased dish at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Lemon Meringue Pie - Betty Crocker

Home sweet Home

2009-04-13T07:15:00.001-07:00

The past three weeks in Montana have been bittersweet. Last night I slept in my bed for the first time in what seems to be forever. It felt so good. Soon I should be back in my normal routine and hopefully getting some much needed knitting time in.

York

2009-02-09T08:42:00.001-08:00

York
Cast on: 11/19/08
Cast off: 2/8/09
Yarn: Noro Kureyon 163B
Needles: US 7

Fun to knit. The striping of the Kureyon made the 2x2 rib interesting. Still undecided if going to add a zipper. Sleeves a little on the long side.

A Sinful Delight from the Past

2009-01-26T20:04:00.000-08:00

One of my fondest memories of going to Grandma's house was her cookies. Grandma knew how and made every cookie under the sun. I tell not a lie when I say she had an upright freezer full of cookies at any given time. My all time favorite is her homemade Oreo Cookies. Before yesterday when I went to baking it had been about five years since I had one of these sinful delights....

I caution you! These are not for the figure watching dieting individual!

Mix together with hands:

2 Chocolate Cake Mixes

4 Eggs

1 1/2 c Crisco

Form small balls and back at 350 for 10 minutes.

Filling:

3 1/2 c. Powdered sugar

1/4 c. Margarine

8 oz. Cream cheese

New Adventures

2009-01-25T07:05:00.000-08:00

Friday Susan from Kitkatknit and I took a road trip! Not just a lazy Sunday drive.... we had a purpose. We were off to Goldendale (about 230miles round trip) to pick up a Leclerc Artisat loom. We not only just picked it up but we stole it! I purchased it off Craigs list for a measly $200. Yes can you believe it?!?!? Susan was the expert as I knew nothing about looms. On the way up I kept asking Susan questions and she tried to show me pictures and explain. I say tried as I was driving so it was the most efficient show and tell not to mention not the safest. The loom deal was quite the steal. Besides the loom it came with the warping board, bobbin winder, two shuttles, and a couple of other accessories that I haven't put the name with the face on. There was two bags of yarn that came with it but I am finding out that it is very old and brittle. So I am reading the Learning to Weave book to try and figure out how to warp it. (I told you I new nothing.) While in Goldendale we went to an Art Studio, Art Gallery, and met a really cool dog. I'll let Susan tell the tale on them as she has all of the pictures.

The beginning of Lace......

2009-01-11T05:44:00.000-08:00

Everyone claims that a new year is great for changes. Most usually set resolutions. They start and stop things in their life. Some may be small changes others may be life altering changes. This past week I've had a change. I have changed my knitting desires. This wasn't something that I had planned to do. It just happened. And all it took was one skein. One skein of Cascade's new Alpaca Lace Yarn. It is so yummy. The colors, the feel, the everything. Now I how I met my new love is quite the tale. I went to my LYS to grab a single skein of Cash Vero (yes I know it is generally just the intent to grab one skein) and there it was on the back table. I couldn't avoid color 1401. It was still in the plastic waiting it's turn to be put out with the rest of the lace. Jimalee, the owner, is always very good at showing and telling new yarns. So she popped opened a bag of 1401 (the blue one of course) and said here touch. And it was over. All over. I hurried and grabbed my one single skein of Cash Vero so that I wouldn't forget it. And turned to Jimalee with the alpaca in hand, "I must have this...we must find a pattern." I gave the details of what I wanted. A stole was my only requirement. So we happened upon Best of Interweave knits, Forest Path Stole. "Can I handle this? I explain. Having more faith in me that I did Jimalee assured me that yes I could. Yardage? How many did I need. We took a quick glance, 875 yards. So I grabbed 3 hanks and walked out the door smiley. I was immediately on the telephone with Pink-n-Sparkly telling her of my new found love and what I was going to do with it. By the end of the evening I had her casting on for the stole and she didn't even have the pattern in hand. Cast on 141 and do the moss stitch for so many rows. We will do a knit-a-long.... It was great. I went to sleep dreaming alpaca, leaves, and stoles in my head. The following day at work I showed Pink-n-Sparkly the pattern. I found out that last night she didn't remember the pattern (even though it was her book) and that she just trusted me. So at lunch we planned out our little knit-a-long. Oh it was going to be great fun. Pink-n-Sparkly already had a couple of rows done and I finished casting on in our 30 minute knit fix. That evening I jumped onto Ravelry. Checked to see the erattas and what everyone had to say about the pattern. I kept noticing that everyone's yarn requirements were around 2000-2500 yards. I just couldn't figure it out. So I joined the group and posted the question, "why does the pattern call for 875 yards but everyone is using 2000-2500 yards?" The following day I got my answer.... Are you ready for this one? Now I do have an education and I can read. But the pattern calls for THREE 875 yard skeins. Go figure. I was crushed. I loved the alpaca but could not and would not afford the total cost. I mean that would be $135. Yikes!

First FO of The New Year

2009-01-04T17:19:00.000-08:00

And it doesn't even get a photo shoot. I finished a pair of Fetchings yesterday. These are for no one specific. Just the Christmas/Birthday pile for 2009. My mother-in-law's birthday is the 15th and seeing how I didn't do any knitting for Christmas (she politely reminded me of it.) I casted on another pair of Fetchings this morning in a Red Cash Vero. These one 's will have fingers so guess they would be considered Fetching Full Fingered. Susan from Kit Kat Knit also sent me a list of cowls to check out. I'm not a huge scarf knitter but I think that the cowls would be fun. Especially the ones with the elaborate cables.

Tomorrow the entire house goes back to the grindstone. Christmas break is officially over. I don't know how the boys will survive. Getting up early has been around 10-11am for the teenager and about an hour earlier for Huba. Hube is also starting YMCA Basketball on Monday. Practice two nights a week and a game on Saturday. I am prepping myself for an grumpy house until they get back into the grove.

Birthday Pie

2009-01-02T11:05:00.000-08:00

Ever since I can remember my mother always has made me my favorite Eggnog Pie for my birthday. This year we went home for Christmas instead of mom coming out. Now mom made me Eggnog Pie at Christmas. But it wasn't the same. So instead this year I made my own Birthday Eggnog Pie.

1 tsp gelatin

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup sugar

3 eggs, seperated

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 small carton Cool Whip or 2/3 cup whipping cream

2 graham cracker crusts

Soak gelatin in 1/4 cup water for 5 minutes. Scald 1 1/2 cup milk. Blend egg yolks, sugar, salt and nutmeg. Add to scalded milk, cook until coats the spoon. Add gelatin and vanilla. Chill until cool. Beat egg whites until stiff and fold in cool whip and cooled mixure. Pour into graham cracker crusts. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Chill until sets.

KNITTERESOLUTIONS

2009-01-01T20:51:00.000-08:00

2009 Knitting Goals

1. Have no more than 5 WIP's (I think I am currently at 12 YIKES!!!)

2. Knit socks and socks and socks (okay so maybe just a few pair)

3. Christmas knit (tire of being dubbed the "selfish knitter.. starting off with about 4 pairs of Fetchings to do)

4. Build stash (yes you heard me...... need small project yarn)

5. Knit Intarsia (haven't done it yet.....)

New Year's Eve Dinner

2008-12-31T19:15:00.000-08:00

We decided to have a little Octopus and Seaweed.

Merry Christmas to all!

2008-12-24T16:06:00.001-08:00

November's Sweater: Ambra

2008-12-07T10:13:00.001-08:00

Name: Ambra

Pattern: Ambra, Ella Rae Book Nine

Yarn: Ella Rae Palermo, 100 Wool, 18 sts + 24 rows on 4.5-5 mm, Color 8, 9 skeins

Size: Small

Started: Feb 2008 weekend to Portland

Finished: Nov 2008

Ambra is a very quick knit. Actually time spent knitting was probably a 3-4 weeks. It is straight stockinette but the color variation of the yarn makes it fun. I've already worn it 3 times and have recieved major compliments. The fabric ends up being a very warm cozy material and I just want to wear it everyday..... with jeans, slacks, pj's, you name it!

Quilt Show

2008-11-22T09:38:00.000-08:00

This is the quilt that my nephew made my mother. His work is impeccable! He used a long arm and quited items like their names, the date, and a house. My mother was in tears of joy when she recieved it.

I made this quilt a couple of years ago for my mother. We had it machined quilted but the binding was never finished. Until my nephew shamed me into finishing it.

Chemo Hats for Mom

2008-11-09T08:27:00.000-08:00

As many know my mother was diagnosed with mastatic cervical cancer last month. Her treatment... chemo.... her side affect... loss of hair. Mom had decided that she was not going to bother with a wig or scarves... but wanted bright fun colorful handknits hats. So the needles went to clicking..

The turquoise hat is a petal top hat made out of Knit Picks Merino style. The pink hat is made by Michelle over at Pink-n-Sparkly. The last two I made out of Butterfly 10 while in Montana. There is one more (actually the coolest one) but I failed to take a picture before I mailed it. i'll either have Mom send a picture or get a snapshot during Thanksgiving.

Mom had a chest xray Thursday and she is responding to the Chemo with great results! A full scan at the end of the month will tell us more.

Stay tuned for the Quilt my 11 year nephew made my mom.... You will be in total amazement!

The everything post.... (babies, homecoming, sweaters.......

2008-10-05T10:02:00.000-07:00

I finally downloaded a bunch of my pictures off my camera. And boy is there a lot to show and tell.....

I started the Caberet Raglan Sept 4th and was blocking it Oct. 4th. It is in the Best of Interweave and a super fast knit (I worked on other things during that time period also.) I used Cascade Pastaza, which had been dubbed as a new favorite yarn. I super pinned it to somewhat stretch it as my guage was a little off. Oops!

I also completed Kate Gilberts Peapod Baby Sweater. Just 2 skeins of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino and bang there you go a very cute baby sweater. I still haven't found any buttons.... but guess that would require me to go button shopping. But as far as I know I don't have any baby girls being born so I'm good. I still have to complete a neutral and boy baby item to have in the stash...

My nephew was born September 27th at 11:53 am. 7lbs 6 oz and 19 1/4 inches. Huba was quite nervous holding him. He is quite the cutie and according to the mama he is sleeping well and very quiet. Not for long though he has 6 older brother and sisters!

This is the baby sweater we delivered to J- and baby in the hospital. It was the one I had finished for quite some time.... It is a Sidair snuggly pattern and yarn...

The teenager went to homecoming. We had never met his date before but I believe that they were just friends.

Caught With My Pants Down.......out came a Surprise (the story behind my EZ Baby Surprise Jacket)

2008-09-08T20:54:00.000-07:00

My brother-in-law and his girlfriend got pregnant about 7 months ago. I found out mid July. Due to the fact that I found out from a friend whose friend is not so friendly with my brother-in-law it was not a subject that DH and I discussed outside of the home. And it was never really announce either. But Huba spent 3 days a week at my brother-in-law’s house this summer for golf. Well, when Huba came home saying, “J____ is pregnant. And Grandma is hot because she wasn’t told in a timely fashion.” It confirmed the rumor. Then also with J showing it was something that became quite obvious. But still something that we didn’t talk about. So off to the yarn store I went. Red, White, and Blue Real Wool for EZ’s Baby Surprise Jacket. And I started working on it. I was rather resistant to working on it as I really didn’t know J, I like Grandma was a little bent that we weren’t properly told, and for other unmentionable reasons. (That I will not mention) Beginning of August Huba came home and told me that J was having a baby boy. Well, we all know how many projects I always have going. I had a baby boy sweater made and sitting in my stash waiting for a home. So I stopped working on the BSJ. Easy as pie. Crossed it off my list. Yep..... Well Labor Day Weekend it was announce that there is was going to be a baby shower for J the following Saturday. (this weekend past.) Well, I let the week pass without much thought. I had a knitted boy sweater and a crochet afghan that was already to go. Well, Friday morning I made mention where I got the information of the sex of the baby from. DH decided to leave a message for his brother that morning. Friday afternoon I rode my bike down to the LYS and as I was sitting there visiting I got the phone call. “They don’t know the sex of the baby.” Up from my chair I went panicked all the way home. Which luckily was downhill as I was on my bike. I drug out the Red, White, and Blue EZ BSJ and went to knitting. I only had about a quarter finished. DH went to a friend’s son’s high school football game. I guess jokes were made about sparks and smoke coming off my needles in my panic. I knitted into the night and fell asleep with cramping fingers. I woke up Saturday morning, fingers still sore, and hit the needles again. The shower was at 3pm. About 1230 I finished the sweater. I had to create a pocket to cover the area where you picked up the stitches because the red and white were not playing well with each other. A quick little wash and outside it went to air dry. Of course it was still damp when I went to leave so it rode shotgun to the baby shower......

So of course last night I vowed that I would never get caught with my pants down. I will always have a boy, girl, and it baby sweater completed and ready to be gifted. I casted on for Kate Gilberts Peapod Set in the Peach Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.

A Picture Can Say a Thousand Words

2008-09-07T10:40:00.000-07:00

Socks....and my take.

2008-09-05T07:22:00.000-07:00

Last night I finished my 2x2 rib socks. For most that isn't a huge accomplishment. But for me.... well I love my handknit socks, I know how to make them, but they don't motivate me to knit like most. Now don't get me wrong there is so many wonderful things about knitting socks.
1. Portable
2. Inexpensive
3. Easy to alter pattern
4. Once you made a pair you really don't need a pattern.
5. Yummy sock yarn (and that is an understatement)
6. Great gifts

I could go on and on about the pro's. But I don't get excited about them enough to knock out pairs upon pairs like others. I usually keep a pair on the needles at all times. Toss them in my purse when I go places like the doctor's office or when my current sweater project is too big to carry around. They are wonderful for stoplight knitting and those huge traffic jams that we don't get here. But they just don't get much dedicated knitting time. But if I had a choice I would knit a sweater over socks any day of the week. Hmmmmm..... maybe someday I'll get the spark and not socks like a crazy woman. But for now I should probably cast on for the camo socks huba has been asking for (for like the last year.)

ps. started another sweater last night. yep right after I grafted the toe on the sock. more details later