Phinally ! ! ! !

Sorry, but words just can't describe the pride and happiness I feel right now. Gotta go!

This election has gone to the dogs...no, really

Bea from Baa Baa Blacksheep is having a presidential voting contest with her two dogs. Go to this post, read and follow the rules to enter. And please mention me so I can have an extra entry. I would greatly appreciate it, since I'm always thankful, and not good with the guessing regardless of who is picking and what it is being picked.

Thanks Pumpkins!

TTFN!

12 days to go

In 12 days I will be on this beautiful lanai looking at the Pacific Ocean from the Isle of Hawaii. I have been planning this trip for about a year and half, and it's almost here. I really need some rest and relaxation. And knitting time.

That being said I have spent a lot of time trying to decide what to bring to knit. I have lots of airplane time to and fro, plus while I'm on Hawaii. I won't be knitting by the pool or at the beach, but at night while relaxing I need a little something.

So here is what I'm bringing:

1. A pair of house socks for my father-in-law.


2. Scarf for my Dad. The poor guy needs a new scarf. Nothing fancy, but something along the lines of my comfy scarf (Ravelry link), but made from acrylic, so he can throw it in the washer. He uses it at dialysis to keep his neck warm.


3. Leaf T-shirt (Ravelry) in red for myself. Knit in the round and seems pretty easy.


4. Some wash clothes and a back scrubber for a co-worker.

I think that's about it. This should tide me over for two weeks. Lets face it, I'm not knitting while driving in a convertible in Hawaii. That just seems silly to me. Besides, JB thinks if we get into an accident, God forbid, he will be impaled on my knitting needles. He's crazy obviously.

Maybe I'll throw an extra pair of socks in for myself. Just in case. I'll also have some books with me, one of which I just won from Jill at Romance Rookie. She was giving away a copy of The Darcys and the Bingleys. Jill reviews romance books of all kinds, and there are quite a few that look interesting. Who doesn't love a good romance book once in a while? I stumbled onto her site from someone else, and I'm glad I did.

I also downloaded two audio books I'm interested in as well. Two classics, Lady Audley's Secret and ....the other one is escaping at the moment. Either way, I think I have the important bases covered. Don't you agree?

TTFN!

My Tarot Card

You are The Empress

Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.

The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents,
beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home
decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.

The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

OMG! YEA!

World Series Baby!!!!!

Citrus Yoke sweater update

So I haven't been knitting this sweater for too long. I showed Suzy Girl my progress and she thought I was nearly ready to separate for the sleeves. Mind you I was following the directions for size B, but where I was in the pattern was for size A.




Yes, I did a gauge swatch for this project. I was falling in between needle sizes 10.5 and 11 with this bulky yarn. It is Wool of the Andes Bulky from Knit Picks, and I really like knitting with it. Back to the swatch, I washed and blocked and still in between sizes. So I went with an 11, because I didn't want the neck to big super tight against my neck, and from the picture the necks looks close fitting. Well as you can see, I am ready separate.

This will lead me to follow the directions for Size A. When I explained all this to fellow knitter Cattywampus, she gave me a look of concern. She is quite knowledgeable;e when it comes to knitting and sizing. She just didn't want me to be disappointed with my mistakes later, which I completely understand. However, I am stubborn and if this doesn't work out, I will learn from my mistake. It's a sweater I know, but it's only stockinette stitch from this point on. I will just frog, live and learn.


Besides, I think this sweater is going to be okay. And I actually did measure myself as a result of this. So something good to come out of this. Not something I wanted to do, but I did it. And i survived.

TTFN!

It is time for the bathing

This event actually occurred a few weeks ago, before I knew Indian summer was going to happen. The bathing of the dog. It is a big to-do and dramatic event for the doggy. Lucky does not like baths. As soon as she hears me cleaning out the big metal tub, Lucky runs upstairs and hides on my bed. Then you have to fake her out after you get all the gear together. I usually wait 5 minutes and call that its okay to come down. then you can hear jump off the bed and down she comes. But Lucky knows all is not well.

Over the years it has gotten a little easier, but in the beginning she would stick out all fours so you couldn't carry her out the back door. Nowadays by the time you get her to back door, you have to put her down because she is heavy. Then she gives you a dirty look and saunters out the door to her doom.

I always fill the tub with warm water, and talk to her the whole time she gets the rub down with soap. I spoil the crap out of her actually. Usually I have to keep her between my legs because she tries to escape. But this time, it was different.

We were in the yard, and she just looked at me. And sat down. Albeit with a dirty look, but she sat down. Lucky has finally resigned herself to bath time. It made me a little sad, because it means she is getting older, and is too tired to fight with me. You think they are going to live forever, and then before you know it years have gone by, and they get a little slower and sleep a little more.

Oh well. All I'm saying is enjoy your pets and the time you have with them.

And give them extra cookies after bath time like I do. I am such a soft touch, and Lucky knows it.

TTFN! And happy knitting.

Go check out this contest!

Adrienne from Knitting in the bellybutton of California is having a contest on her blog to belatedly celebrate her 100th post. All you have to do is stop by and leave comment, and if you mention on your blog, you get an extra entry. Please stop by and tell her I sent you. Who doesn't love a contest :)

Tasty recipe for those in a hurry

Grilled chicken only tastes good for so long. You can bake chicken. Or grill it with different spices or rubs, but after a while, you need a little something different. So the other night, I had some grilled chicken left over from the previous night and made this:

The recipe is Tomato Basil Chicken from All Recipes. And it's pretty damn good. If you don't have grilled chicken on hand you can use those Perdue shortcuts or bags of grilled chicken from Trader Joe's. They would work just as well. This recipe is fast, easy, and delicious. And it makes for good left overs too.

Less time cooking = more time knitting

TTFN! Happy cooking :)

NLCS Baby!!!!

Game 1 Thursday against the Dodgers. Go Phillies!

Late report on Knitting in Public Day here in Philly

Better late than never, here are my thoughts on knitting in public in Philadelphia. The weather was beautiful, I met a few new gals, and got one of my languishing projects done. Specifically, the multi directional scarf done in Classic elite's Inca print.

I like the yarn and the color. I was just so over and done with this scarf. I like boring every now and then, but this was too boring for me. And it took me forever.

Back to knitting in public.... sorry but I didn't take any pictures of the crowd or goings on. I didn't know anyone and I didn't think they would like their picture being taken for my little ole blog. There were about maybe thirty people who showed, so it was a decent turn out, I think. I heard later in Rosie's that the one in June had a lot more knitters show up. Either way, it was a beautiful day to be out, and any day spent knitting is good with me :)

(Next time I will make sure at least one my peeps comes with)

TTFN! Go Phillies!

Jenny Girl is ....

You Are Australia

You have an a great life, and you consider yourself very lucky. Although you're thankful for what you have, you know you're also a bit of an underdog. You are modest, authentic, and sincere. You don't boast... if anything, you're self deprecating. You aren't formal, and people consider you to be very approachable. You remain relaxed and casual in any situation.

What Country Are You?

Tag! I'm it!

Dustinac from A Mountaineer Knitter tagged me today. So here it goes:

7 Random or Weird Facts About Me

1. I would love to be on the Amazing Race. I mean like, if I had a partner, i would do it tomorrow. I have printed out the app, and thought about my application video. It's that whole sense of adventure/discovery thing. JB is so not down on being on TV.
2. Peanut butter and chocolate are my favorite candy/ice cream combo. Hot fudge sundae with peanut butter ice cream, if you are wondering.
3. I love roller coasters. Drove to Cedar Point, just for the roller coasters. If I had my way, every vacation would be centered around an amusement park.
4. I'm pretty sure I would or could live in Europe. Never been there, not exactly sure what I would do for a living, but I'm pretty sure I can figure it out.
5. Have considered becoming a librarian or museum worker or curator. (This is in case i never open a yarn store someday.)
6. I can get totally lost in a good book. I mean totally, totally lost. Like lay in bed all day and read.
7. I am an optimist. I try to always look a t the bright side of life. Most of time anyway :)

Not sure who I should tag, and since I'm behind on my blog reading, consider all of yourselves tagged :)

P.S.

Phillies won today! First playoff win since 1993. Game 2 tomorrow. Have a great night everyone!

TTFN!