tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-304544492009-11-12T17:11:28.996-08:00I read about E.Z. and Kaffe Fassett sitting at a table, needle to needle, sharing ideas. This is what the online knitting community is to me. It is a conduit of inspiration flowing from needle to needle.Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.comBlogger309125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-51709340971306601752009-11-08T16:33:00.000-08:002009-11-08T16:44:05.645-08:00

The Pioneer Woman Cooks inspires and entertains me daily. Today I was inspired to make squash, carrot, and curry soup for dinner. Mmmm, the taste of autumn. This pot of soup has a full tablespoon of curry in it, and I agree with The Pioneer Woman that it defines this soup. Yum.The Lacy Baktus is off the needles. I think I ran out of light for pictures. I am looking forward to when the days

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-71632808777278168912009-11-06T15:52:00.000-08:002009-11-06T16:45:06.521-08:00

Trying to make stitches where there was only a gaping hole.Evidently I am guilty of sock neglect. This has been a sturdy pair of socks, but when the hole happened it took out the whole heel from the bottom of the heel flap to the gusset. Ugh. Learned my lesson. Catch it before the hole happens.I made a grid out of sock thread (wooly nylon) to stabilize it, and then I began to recreate the heel

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-37052210961515520972009-11-05T10:17:00.000-08:002009-11-05T10:24:40.235-08:00

Done! It is like coming to end of a great adventure and seeing home in the distance - very satisfying and happy to be done. I made designer notes as I went along so that I could write the pattern. I am a little intimidated by pattern writing. Hopefully, I will eventually be able to share with those who are interested.

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-3078564125221873552009-10-23T15:03:00.000-07:002009-10-23T15:20:52.468-07:00

A lovely friend brought pumpkin presents yesterday. These are Harry and David pumpkin spice maltballs. Each one is coated with a rich, creamy coating that lasts a long time in your mouth before you get down to the maltball center. Yummy!Harry and David's original store is in this area. When I was a child, they had a reject stand where they sold their blemished fruit. The quality standards on

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-30004545752521614722009-10-22T13:23:00.000-07:002009-10-22T13:27:39.236-07:00

I was at the store buying a pie for my birthday when I came across this dvd. Wallace and Gromit!! with Shaun the Sheep. hee hee hee. what fun. I don't have television service, and so little things like this bring a lot of pleasure.

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-10235429116270355382009-10-16T20:17:00.000-07:002009-10-16T20:35:44.443-07:00

An unimaginative picture of no-frills socks.Started a few years ago , one finished one sock sat alone in the project bag waiting to be a pair. I didn't like the feel of the yarn. Not wanting to be wasteful, when I came across it recently I forced myself to finish the other sock. I originally liked this color because it reminded me of wool plaid shirts. Now this pair can enter into service

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-72249025242182398362009-10-13T14:42:00.000-07:002009-10-13T14:46:43.202-07:00

Windstorm. Leaves from my neighbors' trees are blowing into my yard. I like the riot of color it creates. The dogwood wears pink in autumn.

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-34118641356711806402009-10-08T20:28:00.000-07:002009-10-08T20:43:37.124-07:00

This is the first of the fingers (the pinky) and it has given me a little trouble. I tinked it back once and this is my second attempt. I like glove needles. Using glove needles allows me to knit the fingers while leaving my regular dpns in the stitches instead of putting the stitches on waste yarn.I needed to order a couple of extra needle tips, and wouldn't you know they had this book at

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-1197161247499763862009-10-04T16:05:00.000-07:002009-10-04T16:18:43.819-07:00

I have only 6 rows left before I can cast off my cardigan. Then pick up stitches and knit the neck band. Then done! ( aside from weaving in ends, etc.) Only 2 short seams , one in each armpit. It is my own design - an A-line cardigan. I will see how well I did once I get it off the needles and try it on.I changed my mind on the yarn for my lacy baktus. I switched to Posh yarn. I had been

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-22725689040975500972009-10-02T15:29:00.000-07:002009-10-02T16:44:29.544-07:00

The 1st of October signals the beginning of my month-long Pumpkin Quest.I like to enjoy pumpkin in its many forms in the month of October. I kicked off my pumpkin-mania today with some pumpkin ice cream. Other possible pumpkin treats on the month-long pumpkin quest include: a pumpkin pie blizzard at Dairy Queen, a pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks, a pumpkin muffin with cream cheese filling,

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-63040710742547755312009-09-24T11:08:00.000-07:002009-09-24T12:05:17.313-07:00

I have an even deeper appreciation for what I see Californians facing during fire season.My neighbor sent me these photos of Monday's fire near our neighborhood. The pictures I took were of the fire before it swept across the hill. These pictures were taken later after the fire crossed the hill and was ravaging this ridge. I am grateful to the person who keeps the field in this picture mowed.

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-30069694626761748832009-09-21T19:21:00.000-07:002009-09-21T20:04:40.632-07:00

This isn't California.An afternoon packed with awe and angst. This 300 acre fire is a little less than a mile from my home as the crow flies. The hill that you see in the last picture is "my" hill. I gazed at it out of the front window of my childhood home, and I enjoy gazing at it out of the front window of the home I own now. I have never seen it burn. I have had the sound of helicopters

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-29317273977583099972009-09-17T20:34:00.000-07:002009-09-17T20:42:00.301-07:00

Sad and glad. Sad = a dear friend has to quit knitting due to physical ailments.Glad = she generously passed along a sweater's worth of yarn to me (part of it knitted). It says it is 100% American Wool. I am not sure what kind that is - maybe a mixture (?). It is not next-to-the-skin-soft wool, but it feels sturdy and will make a nice outer garment. I offered to finish the sweater for my

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-74196225703488769272009-09-14T17:18:00.000-07:002009-09-14T17:31:06.249-07:00

A mushroom tubby.Mushrooms have a different meaning for me since my adventure in mushroom dyeing (April 15, 2008). There is so much to learn. I think the mushrooms are safe this year, though.A lot of knitting going on but not much to show for it right now. I am excited about the change in weather. Temperatures have dipped below 50 (F) at night. I get up early and open the patio door to let

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-73531296677642692602009-09-11T23:24:00.000-07:002009-09-14T17:38:28.184-07:00

Today is significant for 2 reasons. One is that it is my mother's birthday. The other is the trauma inflicted on people of several nationalities at the World Trade Center 8 years ago.I prefer to focus on my mother's birthday today. I do not want to think about the other too much.But as the day closes I find myself thinking of the people in those buildings this day 8 years ago, and those who

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-26376516682962097792009-08-14T15:57:00.000-07:002009-08-14T20:52:43.350-07:00

Sock Summit continuedChelsea brought Voodoo Donuts before classes one morning. Such a sweety. I wish I had a better picture of the lace top that Sonja is wearing. It is lovely.Terri and Sonja...My first class was with Amy Singer of Knitty.com. At this point I suddenly forgot that my camera takes pictures and stores them. I must have forgotten, because I stopped taking pictures and did not

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-4526850734082801932009-08-13T14:08:00.000-07:002009-08-13T19:09:25.902-07:00

Sock Summit, continued...After I registered, I sat outside Starbucks and watched people/knitters come and go. I saw Anne Hanson walk across the street and I wanted to jump up and say hello. Fortunately, I remembered that, although I knew who she was (I have been following her blog for 3 years), she did not know me except through comments on her blog. So I remained in my chair and marveled at

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-65443671660591604282009-08-11T11:49:00.000-07:002009-08-11T16:33:08.897-07:00

August 6, the day of Sock Summit, started early. Actually, it was a continuation of the day before because I did not go to bed after I got home from work the night before. I had to be up at 3:30 a.m. to get to the airport at 4:00. (I bought the cheapest flight I could get).This is what 5:00 a.m. looked like as I boarded my flight.I arrived in Portland an hour later. This is what 6 a.m. looked

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-17491149363252161792009-08-04T16:12:00.000-07:002009-08-04T21:16:19.584-07:00

We had a tsunami warning on the television's emergency broadcast system today. I was surprised, so I watched to make sure my county was included in the announcement, and it was. What makes this remarkable is the Pacific Ocean is about 3 hours west of here on the other side of the Coastal Range. That is one big tsunami.1 and 1/2 sleeps until Sock Summit. It looks like I will be going even with

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-49401033312739997042009-07-31T10:38:00.000-07:002009-07-31T13:00:12.456-07:00

My plans for Sock Summit are tentative at best. I will have to see if I can get refunds on my travel arrangements.A family member just lost her battle with breast cancer.My sister-in-law chose to be practical about making plans, and so I know she prepared herself and my brother for this. It doesn't make the loss easier, though.

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-15374956661179530152009-07-28T16:50:00.000-07:002009-07-28T16:55:59.324-07:00

107 degrees.This weather is good for drying laundry on the clothesline. That is about all I can come up with.

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-25475682457033773572009-07-25T13:30:00.000-07:002009-07-25T13:35:28.936-07:00

Monkey monkey monkey project bag for socks.Tapestry crochet bag using a cotton/linen blend DK weight yarn. It is a small project bag big enough for socks. The design is my own - I made it up as I went along.

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-14980260654454142742009-07-24T13:26:00.000-07:002009-07-24T14:07:25.445-07:00

Sock Summit. The signs are out on the streets of Portland. (Picture by "We Do Not Have a Knitting Problem") The period of time when it was possible to cancel has passed, so there is no turning back. It is full steam ahead now. 'Self-employed' equals no paid vacation, so I have to work extra hard these next couple of weeks. I ordered some "Bare" fingering and DK highland wool yarn from

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-89459214353038044412009-07-21T16:21:00.000-07:002009-07-21T16:24:30.600-07:00

I fell off my wheel in the Alps. This means I am off the Tour de Fleece. I will still be following along, though. The Tour de France is very exciting. Go Lance!!

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30454449.post-71372200633534001942009-07-17T19:34:00.000-07:002009-07-18T00:07:15.476-07:00

Poor eyesight is good for dieting. At least that was the case this evening.I stopped at the store today to get the ingredients for homemade cookies. I don't often bake anymore, but this was to be a treat. I quickly mixed up the ingredients this evening so I could get back to my transcription work. I scooped up some dough on my finger to make sure it tasted right. Mmmm good. It is a Mrs.

Punkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11009133880399146011noreply@blogger.com0