Labels: christmas shopping, free knitting pattern, holidays, pets
Have yet to knit-
A hat (copy of a Hollister Co. Hat ) (already started...fingers crossed, which makes it hard to knit, I'll tell you that.)
Tiny little ballerina slippers for my niece.
Have yet to do....
Oh- way too much to list here. Let's just say I have 3 spreadsheets I'm working from...
Christmas Spreadsheets: (yeah, I'm crazy like that)
1) Christmas gifts- bought to buy and wrapped columns.
2) To do list- cleaning
2) To buy- cook/bake list for parties- (Christmas Eve and Christmas day)
PS- have to make a trip to the vet- our girl Sami (aka: bad dog Sami) had another (much smaller) seizure this morning... please pray for our girl. thnx.
Labels: free knitting pattern, learning new techniques
I always think I can't do new things... until I try. For as long as I've been knitting- I've avoided colorwork. As in- run from it like it's on fire... avoidance.
Then, I found this hat pattern. Too perfect for my little guys Christmas . I had to at least TRY.
Now- I've less than 10 rows to finish the colorwork. And- I'm still in shock. I can do this! It's no where near as hard as I'd thought it would be. Sure- it's slower than straight knitting , but no more so than lace.
I have to say- one of the things I like about knitting- is facing a challenge- and conquering it. Often-one challenge leads to another. Next up for me? The hat is too long- (actually an adult size pattern. So, I'm faced with a big challenge. To rip it all out- and start again... or- to CUT through some of that knitting at the bottom, pick up stitches around the brim.. and knit back down.
The idea of cutting my first colorwork makes me feel like throwing up. But- I'm not the first to do this, and I won't be the last. I'm planning on using this tutorial from Knitty. I'll finish the colorwork first- and will post the process.
For now- Imagine me here- knitting on the couch this afternoon- then cutting up the same knitting... chanting, like the little engine that could "I think I can, I think I can...."
Sure- it's knitting- but I take that confidence gained into other areas. I'm always amazed that God can take even the most mundane and secular of tasks and use them to help change and grow me.... and you - too.
Is there something you're afraid of trying? Something you'd like to be able to do-- but might fail at?
Say it with me---"I think I can, I think I can... Oh Lord- please help me not wreck this..." 
I received my PIF pkg from- T---- Oh how cute! A purple (yes- one of my fav colors) felted bag- stitch markers for the Cat Bordhi sock book--and the cutest little roving sheep! THNX so much for a great pkg!
Labels: cooking, dead microwave, flower basket shawl, free knitting pattern, humor, Lace, random domesticity
It's just one of the many things I am culinarilary (just made that word up- I like it) dependant on.
It takes up my counter space and requires constant cleaning. (Why can't ANYONE put paper-towel or a napkin over what they are cooking???? Including me:()
Like a magic black box- (sometimes considerably brighter than me) it heats everything from spaghettios to cold coffee-it has faithfullyu served.
In addition- as a SAHM- it is one of my few and much trusted friends/co-workers. The microwave- has just been so close to me- being in the kitchen and all--- where I spend so much of my waking LIFE!) (along of- course, with the washer-dryer, the stove, dishwasher and fridge- we also chat- but they tend to be more reserved.)
At least- it was. Until Sunday night.
When my microwave gave up the ghost.
We (ok- maybe it was just me) quickly went through all the phases of grief:
Shock- (WHAT? Something is wrong with my microwave?)
Denial- (It's just a fuse- it'll be fine)
Bargaining- (Maybe, if I clean it- it will work...)
Guilt- (maybe I worked it too hard...I should have cleaned the vent more often.. it's all my fault.)
Anger- (I can't believe I ever bought such a piece of crap!)
Depression- (I have no microwave. *sniff* )
Acceptance/hope- (I can get another microwave... maybe it will even be better! I CAN live without a microwave!)
By Monday night- I could stand it no more. There was no popcorn... I am incapable of cooking vegetables on the stove-top and I had a pile of pans with burnt spaghettios begging to be cleaned (that part isn't true- I swear FlyLady!- but sounded funny) ...so I trudged off to Walmart- in search of a replacement.
I stood in the microwave aisle like a deer caught in the headlights of oncoming traffic. I had no idea there would be so many demands on me so soon after my grief. Overwhelmed, I looked from shiny microwave to shiny microwave.
There were: White ones. Black ones. Stainless steel ones. Microwaves the size of my first car. Microwaves barely big enough to make a bag of popcorn. Microwaves with grilling capabilities and microwaves with more buttons and options and computer memory than my laptop.
I settled on a (cheap) stainless/black model with a grilling capability. (Which I will probably never use- but- my kids (probably to bring green army men to a painfilled, melting doom) will.
As you can see in the pic above- she now proudly sits on the countertop. Maybe, a little too proudly. Although, she's already proved competent in the cooking of last nights green beans, I have a concern. She seems to be glaring at the toaster and cavorting with the coffeepot. I think she is unhappy with the cultural diversity on the countertop.
Apparently the toaster is not of their "ethnicity". White plastic is frowned upon by the much prejudiced stainless crew. Too bad. It's my house.
I like cultural diversity.
I think I need to get out more.
Instead- I'll distract you with my shiny pretty current knit:
In a fit of unoriginal hat overload rebellion- I cast on a new piece of lace that I plan on wering for Christmas.
It's the Flower Basket Shawl- from Fibertrends/ interweave press. A very simple 10 row repeat. I love the yarn- Zephyr silk/wool laceweight- 2 strands held together- Ruby and Garnet. I'm knitting on US size 5 Addi Turbo Lace Needles.
Maybe this will calm my Christmas cleaning- shopping nerves.... more pics are on flickr.
Personally- I think it's mis-named. To me- it looks like angels with their wings raised over their heads.... like this- but then- I think I need to get out more--- or maybe use less fumey cleaning supplies;)
And now- to work on painting the trim where the bad cat has scratched away the wood AND the paint....
Labels: cranberry, free knitting pattern, holiday recipes, unoriginal hat, Yarn Harlot
Ingredients:
2 - 12 oz bags fresh cranberries
1 1/2 Cups sugar
1 giant (Christmas stocking type) Navel orange- zested- then pith removed and cut into large chunks
1) Wash- pick over cranberries (It's our traqdition to have the kids do this part)
2) Zest orange (I use a very sharp peeler- make sure you there is no pith- it's nasty-bitter)
3) In Food processor- pulse the sugar and orange zest together
4) Add your cranberries- pulse to a coarse chop
5) Add the orange chunks- pulse till your preferred consistency.
Caution- my oldest has been known to eat this by the bowlful. (SO has my step-dad) Also great with pork- and chicken. My FIL requests it.... He's diabetic- and I've subbed in splenda for him- it works- but isn't quite the same.
I will be making 3 huge batches.
Refrigerate over night. Serve with turkey n trimmings;) & a side of handknits if you got em;)
At the bottom of the mosaic you can see 2 more Yarn Harlot's Unoriginal Hats- one in Ironstone Orange yarn and one in Malabrigo Chunky- Snowbird... the CHristmas knits continue;)
Tomorrow I'll be baking my "famous" apple pie- want a tutorial? *** my guys call my simple apple pie famous- what can I say;)
Labels: deer season, free knitting pattern, hunting, Yarn Harlot
It's that time of year. When the men of my home and heart- leave each weekend (though this week for most of the week) and become one with the woods. It's weird.
It starts in October. With "archery season". For which- our yard is graced with a 3-d deer target. The neighbors probably think it is some strange very early Christmas decoration. Until- the arrows fly. My guys then stand on the patio- and proceed to shoot Rudolph. Which- is probably payback for the whole "santa" thing. (ummm will refrain from explanation- but suffice to say- they finally figured it out;)
Arrows often also land in the pond/swamp behind our yard. Once convinced they are "on target"- they drive an hour and a half before dawn to sit in the dark in a tree and wait to see if a deer comes out. They sometimes fall asleep, but don't admit to it. (One can only wonder how one falls asleep in a TREE... but will I not ask.) After dark again- they drive home- eat the chili that has been cooking all day- a fall into a stinky deer riddled sleep.
They have survived Archery season. And- at least in regards my hunting men- so have the deer.
However- archery is not the end of the "season." November 15 started "gun season."
This is counter intuitive to everything that is within a mother. A mother is wired to protect her babies- never mind the fact they they may be the size of a full grown grizzly bear. (Have I mentioned that my oldest is a rather big boy?) A mother is wired to teach her children to stay clean, not to touch hot stoves, or play with dangerous things. We teach them to be kind to animals- not to pull the dogs tail chase the cat or burn ants with your glasses or magnifying lens.
Then-in November out come the guns. Not toy guns. REAL guns. (No target practice in the yard for this one- the neighborhood association would frown on that idea;) They sit in the kitchen, cleaning them. Every "ch ch" of the empty guns being cocked, makes me cringe. "Don't point it towards ANYTHING!" I yell. They shrug. They are well trained in gun safety. I am not. They know it.
They look at me as if I am - both crazy and lame. (Including the Daddy) I keep the youngest in the livingroom. I knit. FAST. A LOT. The youngest proceeds to turn the dog into a deer and make every toy he owns into a gun. He stalks her. He shoots her. She licks him. I finish hunt hats.
They prepare to leave for the "hunt trip." Packing who knows what. For hours. I put their hats on their heads. I tell them the hats are my protective, warm (trying not to be smothering) love- following (stalking) them into the woods. They acknowledge my craziness. They leave.
I knit. I clean. Two of my favorite coping skills. Along with prayer and cin'ocolate. During deer season- I combine them all. I knit more hat's from The Yarn Harlot's Unoriginal Hat pattern. I knit LOTS of hats. 8 so far.
I remind myself that God is sovereign- even in the woods. I remind myself that this time together with their Dad is good for them. I remind myself that knitting is just as crazy to them. I remind myself that they will mess up the house when they get home. I remind myself of the hunt camp stinkin laundry about to arrive in my laundry room.
I savor a few days of eating off of "zoopals" with the little guy. We watch Shrek the Third - 497 times. We eat popcorn, drink cocoa and use FIRELOGS. (the men around here think wood is much better.) We stay in our jammies. ALL DAY. WE play with the tangrams for homeschool. We try not to miss the big guys. We pray they get a deer- and we pray the deer escape;)
Conveniently coinciding with deer season-The Christmas knit season of 07 has begun. Aside from the ocassional accidental falling asleep with a cable needle in my cleavage.... (ummm... it happens to be a rather convenient place to stow it between cables.....) it is considerably safer than deer season. At least in theory.
To answer the question- "Does Harlot's Unoriginal hat fit in the woods?" The answer is yes. In orange. The oldest called me to say his hat was "Perfect" And toasty. And awesome.
Score. ;)
Labels: free knitting pattern, knitting, prayer request, Yarn Harlot
My I present the first set of "Unoriginal Hats"
In my artistic series- titled "unoriginal hats for all."
Sounds so much better than admitting to my OCD like tendancies are once again running free... but count them- 6 hats done! (bring on the Christmas knits!)
Clockwise from the top- Malabrigo Chunky in Olive for my middle son. (US size 10.5)
Malabrigo Worsted held doubled for my niece. (US 10.5)
Berroco Ultra alpaca haled doubled for hubby.
Paton's classic merino camoflage for my oldest. (size 11 he has a pumpkin sized head;)
Jaeger Natural fleece- for my FIL- us 11 should have gone down a size on this one.
And Lion brand chenille- size 11 should have gone down a size here too.
More hats in the queue- Malabrigo chunky in teal for my step dad....etc....these are quick and simple- but cute- sorry no one would model for me-- and well- I look like a dork in hat;) (hair too short- none sitcks out- makes me look bald;) which would be fine if I WERE bald... but I'm not and I have too much invested in hair dye to not let it be seen;)
Can you do me a favor- I have a few friends (a bunch actually) with health issues that could use prayer -- a young woman, a new mom, a dad, a pastor.. my SIL and well my hubby too--- seems like when it hist the fan--- it really hits the fan and spreads. thnx
ps the boy's face is still healing- looks like he's a foot ball player now- down to dark marks under his eyes a aross his nose.... what a month!
