Take two aspirin and call me in the morning

I survived the Monday from HELL at work, only to endure an hour long train ride home that had me contemplating jumping off the moving train... or... using my dpn's to force all the rude, ignorant cell phone yakkers from the train instead. When I finally got home I was forced to stretch out on my sofa in the quiet of my living room for an hour, with a skein of Manos Silk Blend on my forehead. AHHH... sweet relief!! Thank you Rosie's!

Yes, jennygirl, my skein of Manos arrived today in the mail. A bright spot in the day. Now I can finish my Little Arrowhead Shawl.



And I'm sure by tomorrow or Wednesday I'll be sufficiently recovered to tell you all about my trip down to Maryland Sheep and Wool.

Goodnight!

Late Saturday Sky

So this was my Saturday.
I had a casual breakfast with my Mom, my brother and his girlfriend. Brother and GF were in town visiting for the day. They brought coffee and donuts from Yum-Yum. Best coffee and donuts ever! Better coffee than Wawa. My Mom provided the kitchen. And I whipped up my famous scrambled eggs. According to my family, I make the best eggs in the world. No secret, I wisk them up really good, add just the right amount of water (maybe that's the secret) and the hot pan.

When I got home I did just enough cleaning inside to get by, and then headed out. Even though the sun played hide and seek all day, Spring was in the air, so I hosed down the deck and outdoor furniture, swept the front porch, and weeded a little bit. I have some mint that I've been trying to eradicate for several years. It sounds cruel but if you've ever had mint take over a flower bed or border you know what I'm talking about. I didn't plant it. It was here when I moved in and every year I do battle with it. I have to admit, most years I lose that battle around July when I realize there aren't enough hours in the day for me to do all I'd like to and spending 2 hours a day pulling up mint runners is really not going to happen. It's early yet, but the mint is already making a stand, so I pulled a bit at the one end of the border where I typically let it get away from me.

Then after all my hard work I settled down on the deck, with a cup of tea, wearing my fresh off the needles Sweet Feet socks, and knit a little bit.

I cast on for the Little Arrowhead Shawl, a free pattern from Interweave Knits, with my Manos silk blend.










All things considered, a pretty satisfying Saturday.

Coming up for air...

I'm feeling like a very bad blogger. Things have been a bit more busy than usual at work and consequently the blog, among other things, has been neglected. I haven't even made it to knit night the last few weeks.
So here's a quick update of what's on and off my needles!

I'm knitting myself a pair of socks with the Hill Country Yarn that my friend, Knittng Novice gifted to me on my birthday. Spring just doesn't want to come to us, here in Philadelphia. It's been a very gloomy March, so I cast this on in hopes of coaxing spring out of hiding. It reminds me of those early spring days when all shades of green shoots are poking up through the dirt and buds are starting to pop out on the bare trees. The yarn is really lovely to work with. This is my daily train knitting project so I'm further along then this picture demonstrates. I'm actually working the gusset of the second sock. I don't seem to be afflicted with SSS.

Yarn: Sweet Feet, 100% merino by Hill Country Yarns
Colorway: Pecan Orchard
Pattern: Plain Ole Sock top down on size 1 US dpns

I'm also making slow but steady progress on my cardigan. It's my knit night project because it's back and forth stockinette and great for knitting and talking. But since I haven't been getting to knit night you get the picture...
Yarn: Ella Rae Classic 100% wool in color 109
Pattern: Knitting Pure and Simple Scoop Neck Cardigan #278

My Celtic Tote has come out of zzzzzzzz..... and I finally finished the first side and am ready to start the handles. It's my 'evenings at home' knitting project.

Yarn: Lion 100% Wool (main color is Cocoa with cables outlined in Lemongrass)
Pattern: Celtic Tote by Jennifer Tallapaneni in Winter '07 Interweave Knits

I had some yarn leftover from my Foliage Hat so I made a Foliage scarf to match. I did get to wear it once or twice, but now I'm ready to put it away for next winter!

Yarn: 1 and 1/2 skeins of Araucania 100% Nature Wool Chunky
Pattern: The leaf lace pattern from the Foliage Hat by Emilee Mooney
Needles: 10.5 US

I don't think I shared any of the goodies I picked up on the yarn crawl last month. Our stop at Rosie's Yarn Cellar resulted in this score... 2 skeins of Manos Silk Blend. It's been calling my name ever since. So I wound it up and I think I'm going to give in soon and show it some love.

And just in case you were wondering.... I blocked my clapotis and it's officially a FO. I still am not sure I can pull off wearing it, but I enjoyed knitting it, I enjoy looking at it and I'll probably make another one.


Whew!!!