TeachU TeachMe

Gratitude

This morning I awoke to the sad news that a friend's grandaughter, Florence McDow, had passed away at age 6. Today I am reminded of the need for gratitude and to remember that each day is a precious gift. This short video is an incredibly beautiful reminder.

Saturday Stash

What happened? I was supposed to have two wonderful weeks between the end of summer school and the beginning of fall semester. I am sure that they occurred, but I am not sure why I don't feel as if I had a vacation. 

Since beginning the fall semester my knitting time had all but disappeared. Lots of meetings, but not of the type where I can knit w/o unwanted attention. So I have only one finished object and three works in progress, plus some new stash. 

First the stash. I need to make some Christmas gifts; I can't keep sending checks or gift certificates. So this year many will be receiving hand-mades. So the new stash is for gifts. I am such a fan of the Noro fiber (all of this was purchased on-line via Jimmy Bean), so I bought some Kureyon Sock (Color S221) and some Silk Garden Sock (color S273)

and some more Kureyon Sock (Color S102) that is a work in progress, a slouchy hat by bohoknits that I like to make. This is my meeting knitting for now.
Other works in progress include two baby sweaters ~~ some sweet folks I know are having "bebes" in the future. I am making the same sweater for each, but one in pinks and blues (Berroco Weekend) and another in darker tweeds of burgandy and blue (Berroco Remix). All purchased at The Yarn Shop in Pineville. I have the back done on each one. Fiber is washable cotton for both.

 

Finally, I am happy to report that I have finished the socks from the last post. Here they are

                                      

click on photos for larger image

That's it for the knitting report. I will be back on Monday with a report on the four-legged child, Buddy and his progress from being a Cujo to Good Dog.
      
 

 
  

 


 
 
  

Good Grief!

Back in January i thought that I would be able to keep this blog on a daily basis., but then life happened. So here is the first day of a new month, so I can start again --- new starts. I do have some knittery things to show. Hats for Sailorsare ready to go into a box this week and off to the depotistory for hats waiting for shipment.  Here are photos of three of the four --- #4 is red but no sun on the deck since I finished it. All of the caps were made with Cascade 220 Superwash.  First is Top Down Cap, middle is Waffle and last is Sailor Watchcap. All are free patterns on the Hats for Sailors Ravelry page and details can be found on my Ravelry page.

                                   

I have two projects on needles right now. A new pair of socks using Blue Moon Sock Candy and a scarf with Noro Silk Garden. I tried to take photos a few minutes ago, but it is too dark for my little camera. So as soon as we have some sunshine you will get photos.

Meanwhile, Buster just wants me to quit with the flash.  

Foggy New Year's Day in Rock Hill

 
We woke up this morning to dense fog, not so good for taking photos of recently finished knits. So I will share a "Buster Brown Christmas Story". 

First: his primary Christmas (actually his only) present was purchased by his dad at PetSmart. 

 

Second, Buster so loved this "friend" that he carried him everywhere.

 
and he cuddled him as often as possible,

 
HOWEVER. . . (isn't there always a however?). Just one day after getting this stuffed animal, Buster began to cough and cough all day long. He began making noises like an old man with flem. He occasionally spit up, something he never does, and had another response best not discussed .

So after much discussion about possible causes for Buster's behavior, we took his friend away and put the innocent looking toy in a closet. Within a few hours Buster stopped coughing and spitting, as well as not doing the other thing.

Now I know this is not science --- but I think there is some evidence of a strong relationship.  If "made in China" toys are potentially dangerous to our children, those items may be potentially dangerous to our pets. Just sayin', and  so you know PetSmart had absolutely no response when we told them what happened. Got a shoulder shrug.

Buster is fine now.  

**you have to do that double click thing on the photos to make them bigger. Sorry.

Christmas is here!

The photo says it all! The child is born to bring joy and salvation to us all.

Our best wishes to each and everyone of you for a joyous Christmas. We hope that 2011 is all that you need for it to be and that you have health and happiness.

 

Thanksgiving 2010

 

Whew!

1. house cleaned before parents arrive. . . check;
2. laundry done . . . Check;
3. wine opened/consumed . . . check; 
4. distant relatives called  . .  check,
5. thanksgiving dinner cooked/eaten . . . check;
6. knitting out, dog snoring at my feet, and EAT, PRAY, LOVE in dvd player . . . check.

It has been a good day for us --- hope the same is true for you. 

Fall Break

It was fall break at the University --- Friday and Monday classes cancelled. Thought I would get lots done, but by mid-afternoon on Friday I knew it wasn't going to happen. So I went to Blockbuster and exchange mailed DVDs for three Mad Men DVDs. Yeah, I love this show. Last night I finished Season 2 and this morning I went back with a coupon and real money for two DVDs of Season 3.

Despite of it all, I did some knitting. I love Thea Coleman's designs. This is the second design of her's that I am knitting; the Golden Vintage Cardi. Here is my version. I am making it for Mom --- no one tell her, okay?

  
This is a Sport / 5 ply made of Linen, Acrylic, & Cotton. I have no idea where I got or when I got it. . . but I have had it for at least 20 years in a box --- in the basement for the last 15. But it looks great and the color is fabulous and just perfect for the Golden Vintage. 

f, I am working, sort of, on a sock from another blogger I love to read. . . Wendy of Wendy Knits. Maybe it is the long hair Siamese seal point that reminds me of my dear sweet Cressida. Wendy has a great toe-up pattern that I use over and over... and the pattern is Dead Simple Lace on page 47 from her book Sock from the toe up. I have several other patterns in line for knitting.

 Finally I have a finished project to show as well. I started this in July and it was put on hold for work and it as a whole lot of knitting.It is the Daybreak by Stephen West. it is terracota and abrol by Malabrigo, This was lustous fiber to knit and very soft in the hand. Love it. Now just need for it to be cold enough to wear it.

They're back!

All those lovely students. It was so much fun to go to my first class this semester to see so many students I had last spring. So we spend some time catching up on news of engagements, weddings, and a birth and trips to fun places like Paris. WU-COE students are so very special.

But doggone it, opening week bit into my free time and now the second week, there are classes to be taught, meetings to be attended, and thoughts to be had. Yesterday was convocation followed by the WU Picnic See the photos on Facebook. Tonight there is a Cook-Out for WU students at the church and I am the potato salad. . .it will be fun.

Knitting has happened and some will be on display before the end of the week. Two more Haiti baby sweaters, two baby hats, and most of a sweater for myself (just have the front bands left to do). Hard to keep my hands off the Daybreak Scarf; I have the first section done and a few rows of the second section. Loving it!

Photos soon! Meanwhile. . .

Whew!

I think that I am all set and ready to go on vacation. I am off to the Georgia woods for a week with 11 of my nearest and dearest family members --- actually there are only 13 of us all together, but Honeybunch can't travel so only 12 of us are reunioning. It should be fun --- look for lots of photos on FaceBook and Flickr.

Update on the "Oh NO" --- repairman should be returning tomorrow with parts to fix the refrig.

Knitting has been happening after dinner every night and in between errands to get supplies and cooking/baking for the trip. I promise photos while away, there will be at least 3 laptops among the group and we have wireless at the cottage --- so Facebook and blog up-dates will happen.

Travel day tomorrow, see you Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Buster Brown is not terribly concerned about my pending departure.

O, NO!

When you hear the words, “Honey, I need your help. We have a problem.” at 1:00 a.m. it is never good. That was how my Tuesday began. The obvious “problem” was water on the floor of kitchen in front of the frig. Sigh. The actual problem was that the ice maker was leaking and there was ice covering the food on the top shelf. So we took out the drawer that holds the ice. It was a block of frozen water.  Sorry, at 1:00 a.m. I did not think to photograph the inside of the icy freezer.

 

So yesterday we took turns emptying a pot that caught the drips (side by sides doesn’t have enough room for the soup pot!) and trying to find a repair person. The shop where we bought the frig went out of business years ago and we could not find the slip of paper with Eddie’s phone number (the great guy who worked there as repairman). How do you find a “competent” repair person? I called several friends to find a repair shop --- but of course, since this shop is so good they are very busy. Wednesday will be another day of emptying the pot --- good thing hubby never sleeps for more than a couple of hours at a time.

 

Otherwise, I took a quick trip to Michael’s for craft supplies for the upcoming week in mountains with two precious great-nieces . . . Getting together activities to do when heat, rain, or lack of energy bring us to sit on the porch.  Going to teach some knitting skills, starting with a Wonder Knitter, read some books, make some paper crafts, and play some games.

 

And  yes, there was knitting. . . Bought yarn for a hoodie for Haiti knitting and more Cotton Ease to make two more striped cardis ; making both in size 6 months for older and/or larger babes. Both are quick and easy knits; usually 3-4 short nights of TV watching or two long afternoons. Promise photos later or tomorrow.