Happy Holidays

I am a very lazy blogger.

I have a few lame excuses ready.

1. I had eye surgery. It went very well & I can now see out of both eyes.


2. I went on vacation. Had a wonderful time in Nashville. Saw the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman 3 times! Visited the Country Music Hall of Fame, Cheekwood Gardens, Dickel Distillery, Opryland Resort, Ai Nashville, the Hermitage, and only got really lost twice.


3. Family visiting from Wisconsin. Okay, its only one person , my brother. But he is family.


4. Finally, I forgot.
   

I do want to post some holiday cheer. I have had a Christmas cactus for about 8 years. It is a huge plant. Nearly every year the blooms have changed color from the previous year. It has been red, bight pink, striped, and white. This year I made a point of snapping a few picture as the blossoms developed. So here are the results;

Ready:

Steady:

Bloom:

Best wishes to one and all.
P.S. Happy Boxing Day to my knitting friend in Wales.

Happy Happy Me!

Thanksgiving was very nice.
I went to my sister's and ate entirely too much turkey.
Unfortunately my Dad was down with a cold, so did not join us.
But my dear sister took him out a load of leftovers the next day.

The Sunday after the big feed I went up to the Texas Renaissance Festival.
It was cold, wet, and windy, but I had a nice time with a good friend.
The day ended with a warming meal at Macaroni Grill - Yummers.

Yesterday two great things.
The first I survived my annual job evaluation & will be getting a pay increase.
The second I got confirmation for my vacation to Nashville in December.
I have never been there before.
I plan on taking in all the holiday events & shows I can.

High Stepping

This is the amazing sight I found this week.
The intersection is of two major roads.
It just makes you wonder how & why.

Open wide!

For a big surprise. A very sweet(heehee) student and one of our chef instructors gave this wonderful & yummy little cake last night.

I work in a very special place.

Happy Halloween

Something for the day. Our school held a pumpkin painting contest. After the contest the pumpkins were taken to our local Ronald McDonald House, to help decorate for the children & families.

I'm on the far right holding Jack.

On the subject of yarns

I have actually gotten some knitting done. Mainly I have been working on the mermaid gloves.

Not too far along, but I'm beginning to get the pattern.

In fact I even have a very dedicated friend to encourager me.

I have also pulled together my yarn for my November sweater project. I will be using Berroco's Calico, The colorway has green, yellow & blue.

The real challenge is still trying to remember where I safely put the pattern. If I can't locate it soon I will wander through my knitting books & magazines. I hunt down patterns the old fashion way since I am not in the Ravelry club. One last picture today. I'm ending with her ownself - the Cat of cats.

It all adds up

Time is slipping away.
I can't believe the year is going by so fast.
It seems every time I blink another deadline or event is sneaking up on me.

I decided to take the plunge and take part in NaKniSweMo 2007.
This is challenge to knit a sweater of at least 50,000 stitches in one month.


This will help to whittle down my stash, and if I'm lucky give me a confidence boost.
I have enough yarn, & I thought I had a pattern. Unfortunately my lack of organization is working against me. The pattern was not where it should have been. Looks like I will be ransacking all my boxes and drawers. Dust bunnies be warned!

That is about all for now.

A nip in the air

Houston has finally gotten a cold snap.
I may actually be motivated to really knit again.

I have been busy thought gathering up more goodies for my spoilee. She does charity blankets. I am planning to send her a large box of washable yarn and a wonderful baby blanket pattern I found. To keep smiling I have also gotten some chocolate treats.

No pictures today. My camera's batteries are dead, dead, dead.

Boo - It's a new look

I've change the template on the blog due to chronic sidebar drop.
Hopefully this will allow some stability. Unfortunately it also resulted in losing my SP11 button link. But since my mind can't handle any more html, I am stopping now.

Looking for an above average treat for Halloween.
I have to recommend the chocolate ghosts from Burdickschocolate.com

Last year I sent my sister their penguins for her Christmas goodies.
They were the big hit with all the family.
This time I maybe getting the ghosts for my own self.

Filled with spooky goodness

My dear SP spoiler is the champion of holiday themed boxes.

Here's the box. And look what's inside.

This gal put a party in a box.
First there is a great set of cookie cutters and Halloween sprinkles:

Then the right party flare to set the mood. A mug (must buy some cider), party napkins (who's been reading my blog) and very clever dish towel:

For party 'games', DIY pumpkin kit with yarn & pattern:

Finally a card with scary sounds and a special pumpkin ornament:

What else can I say but - THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

Gifts from the Great Pumpkin via my Secret Pal

It came Friday. Sporting a sassy and cute pumpkin on the label.
A box of wonderful surprises from my dear SP11!

Unfortunately I am at work this Saturday - so pictures and details of all the goodies will not be posted till this evening.

Friday also brought the good news that my spoilee finally laid her hands on the package I sent. I tried to be cleaver and used FedEX, so that there would be less worries. Ha, Ha, Ha. I ended up playing junior detective via phone in tracking down its touch down site.
Let me warn everyone phone calls to FedEX will cause your mind to numb up. In the end it turned up in an apartment complex's front office. I plan to send out a bonus gift to my spoilee to make up for all the upset she went through.
More on the box of joy later.

Who are You

Normally I don't take any of the 'Who are you' quizes, who can pass up an Jane Austen one?
I turned out to be:
Take the Quiz here

At least I'm not Mrs. Dashwood.

Toasty Cat

Yesterday I mentioned Katrina's new trick.
This morning I played paparatzi and caught the girl in the act.




She had no comment for the press.

Change will do you good

What a way to start a day.

I had to wrangle my cat into the bedroom. My landlord is inspecting all the apartments today so the Cat of Cats had to be confined for her own good.

She has been quite a handful lately. I got a new rug for the living room & she does not like change.

Nor is she happy about the fact that I am finally getting around to the last boxes from our move. They made up her cardboard tower.

She surprised me with a new trick. She plays peek-a-boo from behind the toaster. I guess it’s nice and cozy there after my breakfast.

On the knitting front, I am only bringing "potato chip" projects to work. Just light no thinking knitting. This week I'm working on a scarf of soft and fluffy novelty yarn. I am still using my baseball needles, even if I am heartbroken over the Astro's season. Ah well, there is always next year.

Swap-bot joy!

These are the wonderful stitch markers that came winging their way to me from Down Under!
The colors are just perfect for the current projects I'm working on.
I am just about ready to ship off goodies to my two spoiliees.
Isn't amazing how one small package can brighten a day?

SP11 Questions

I racing just under the wire with this entry.
I had to deal with blog layout issues. So I switched back to the classic set up.

So here are the Qs and As for SP11

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
My stash is open to any and all items in the yarn universe.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
About a 3 or four tin boxes and a large plastic container.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I describe myself as a six year knitter with an intermediate skill level.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No

5. What's your favorite scent?
Vanilla.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
A very well developed sweet tooth. Almost all chocolate goodies, I am also extremely fond of caramels.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Origami, and puppet making.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Jim Brickman, show tunes, classical. MP3 is no problem. Not only for the computer but I seem to be developing a small collection of players.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I like greens and blues.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Just me & the cat of all cats.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Oh yes. But Houston weather limits the amount of time I can wear mittens.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Currently I am on a sock binge. My other favorite items are scarves and hats.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Gryffindor socks.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Oh yes, please.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
No preference, I usual decide based on the yarn & size of project.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
A shameful four years old.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Milk glass chickens, Donald Duck, and wooden Easter eggs.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I don’t subscribe to any publications.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Not that I can think of.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Socks are GREAT! I usually fit a women’s medium.

23. When is your birthday?
May 3

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
No, I am not one of the chosen.

Now I am going to zip this off to my spoiler, so that all bases are covered.

Life rolls on

I'm part of the gang! Just got my confirmation for Secret Pal 11!
No assigned pal yet, but I am browsing through the participant list. Looks like a lively group.

This weekend I will be keeping my eye out for nifty stuff to send off.

My main mission Saturday is to get material for making 10 stitch makers for a swap-bot group I'm in. I think I will track down some luck charms. Four leaf clovers, horseshoes, and the like. I figure every knitter needs a little extra luck now & again. Maybe a Las Vegas theme?

I was very sad to read about Tom Synder's death. He was always one of my favorites. Not only for his TV shows, but his call in radio show too. I especially enjoyed his stories about his Mom. I think I'll mix up a colortini this weekend.

On the needles right now are Horcrux socks in red & gold. I'm doing them toes up. The yarn is a wool/alpaca blend. They are definitely winter socks.

It came from far far away . . .

My swap-bot package from Singapore arrived!

The napkins have a very cute bunny busts (statues) on them. I was very tempted to brew up the tea right away. But now I plan to consider it a reward to be looked forward to after a hard task or bad day. With that plan I may have some tonight. I spent a good part of the morning in the dentist chair. My jaw is sore but I have a shinny new crown in my mouth.

I have decided to sign up for Secret Pal 11. I hope this time I have better luck in a match. The person who was to send me goodies when I was in SP8 sent me a few emails and one package and then disappeared. After some digging I believe I found her blog. The last entry on it announced: “I am a rubbish blogger, I am sending myself of to blogcamp to try and rectify this. I may be a while.” Nothing on the blog stated that she had mailed out a last package. Ah well, I had great fun sending off surprises, so I have said I would be willing to be an angel if needed for SP11.

I am also making plans for some fun in August. I am going to attend a science fiction event in Austin, Armadillo Con. Some good friends are going to be there along with a few of my favorite authors. I also plan to go to a "Stitch & Pitch” at a Houston Astros game. Summer fun here I come.

Take care & keep cool.

Happy Birthday USA!

I hope everyone is having a glorious fourth.

Instead of grills & fireworks, its rain & laundry here.

Having the holiday in the middle of the week is very different. Slept in till about 10 a.m.

Last night went out to celebrate my Dad's 78th birthday. Joined my sister, her partner & Dad at a French restaurant. Had some wonderful lamb chops and a sinful bread pudding.

Dad's bday was the day before, so I surprised him with a gift after work. I got him one of the large square Euro pillows and a nice sham. He had been thinking of getting one so he could sit up more comfortably in bed. He was very impressed by the gift wrap. It was done by the shop I got the pillow from. The gift looked like one of his favorite blue stripped shirts. It even had a pocket with a button for the gift card.

Heard for my swap partner - she really liked the package. As of yet I have not gotten my swap gift. But its early days yet. The mailing deadline was June 30th, so it is probably on its way.

The good, the bad & the chicken.

The students are still on break here, so weeding and reports rule the day.

I cheered up my indoor view with some glittering window flowers.

They are getting a lot of smiles from co-workers. Had special delivery today, an item I got on Ebay. I have increased my flock of milk glass chickens. Isn't she a beauty!

I also managed to send off my swap package. With one glitch - the card I had planned to enclose managed to leap out. I will send that on separately & include a bonus gift as well.Oh, here's what the mosaic socks are looking like:

I' m very glad the yarn is not a heavy as it has gotten rather warm. In fact the cat act like she wants to store her fur till fall.

That's all for now. Take care. P.S. The bad new is that I am now facing cataract surgery & getting a crown for a cracked tooth.

It's swapping time again.

It's the quarter break at the college where I work. That means the library is actually quiet.

I am catching up on reports and cataloging. But best part is that with fewer visitors, I can set my own pace.

So in between paper pushing, I'm clean up my office space. Tossing out dated materials, scrubbing down desk & computer surfaces, & hauling home some of the "stuff" that has piled up.The cat has been very entertained by the bags of strange things coming through the door.

I have just signed up for a new swap on Swapbot. This one involves hot beverages and paper napkins. Yes really. It should be fun. I know a great store for unique napkins.

On the needles right now is a pair of socks in a multi colored yarn of purples, greens, & blues. It is knitting up almost mosaic like.

Take Care.

Look what the cat dragged in!

No, I am not gone for good. Unfortunately my dedication to this blog has not been very good.

Since October last year:
I have a new apartment
Went back to WDW
Said farewell to 2 co-workers
Hired 2 new librarians
Presented 2 puppet workshops
Acquired a new computer
Attended 2 seminars
Survived a nasty birthday

All in all rather busy.
On the other hand I have also been very lazy on the knitting front. Only one or two projects finished, several floating in limbo, and others remain only a twinkle in the eye.

So with the steady nudging of the cat herself, I am gearing up again.