Pie!

I don't know if it's the chilly weather, the brightly colored leaves plastered on the wet pavement or the impending arrival of the holidays (yay Thanksgiving!), but I've been in a pie mood lately. I made a quasi-successful peanut butter pie (my fault, not hers!) from a recipe I found at Homesick Texan's blog the other day (meringue and I have issues...I've yet to master the concept of "peaks") and an out of the park sweet potato pie last night. Last night's pie was from the masterful smitten kitchen and it has turned out brilliantly! I'm definitely more of a fruit pie person, but the warm cinnamon-y, nutmeg aromas partnered with the flaky buttery crust...to die for. Literally. This could be my last meal on earth, or at least the dessert. If you have to make a pot luck dish for the office or for your Thanksgiving meal, I would suggest this one! I left out the lemon juice, but it tastes fantastic. Next up, cherry and apple pies for a wedding this weekend, then pecan, strawberry rhubarb (we'll see how the out of season fruit issue works out...), and pumpkin for Thanksgiving! Not to mention, I still want to try Carole's cranberry pecan. Nom :) Now that I'm not intimidated by pie any longer, the sky's the limit! Yum!!!

Knitting Frenzy!

Do you remember that list I made awhile back? The list that outlined all of my unfinished works in progress that I was trying to finish up? Well, I've definitely made progress! I've finished 3 of the 5 items on the list, not including the pair of Bella's Mittens that I made for my friend Jill's birthday. Granted, they weren't completed by her birthday, but they're done now, only 3 months later and it's still not cold enough to wear them. So a small measure of satisfaction for me!

1. Mosey - I finished these up last weekend and wore them out and about. So cute! I felt literally like a child of the 80s (which, granted, I am...but I wasn't old enough to pick out my own clothes then, so does it really count??) and with denim shorts and a green tee from American Eagle, I was rocking out! I will wear these again, especially as the weather gets cooler. I think I need another pair of legwarmers...now I just have to find a pattern or come up with something on my own!




2. Dream Swatch Head Wrap - I was tired of looking at this in the knitting basket next to my couch, so I whipped it out over the weekend. Not difficult at all! It turned out beautifully, but since I don't have the bangs to make this flattering, I gave it to my fashionable friend Anna! She looks tres European, don't you think?





3. Horcrux Socks - I finished these a good while back, but haven't worn them yet due to the ridiculously hot temps and high humidity we experience here in the South during the summer. When wool sock season comes along, I'll break these bad boys out!

I'm still working on the Circles Scarf (the plan now is to give this to my mama for Christmas!) and have to finish up the majority of the little suction cups/circles. The Wild Stripes blanket is in flux as well, but I'm thinking about co-opting that yarn for use in the Rebecca sweater. We'll see though. In the meantime, I'm going to start Ysolda's Urchin so I have some portable work knitting with some yarn that my mama got me awhile ago...Ironstone's Fun Wool. So pretty! Let's hope the productivity keeps up, especially over the holiday weekend!

This weekend, I'm off to my alma mater, Clemson University, for the first football game of the season! Go Tigers! Then we'll spend the rest of the weekend lounging at Lake Wateree. Bliss! After that, over the Patriot's Day weekend, I'lll be catching a quick flight to Chicago, the Windy City, to visit my dear friend Jill, along with her sister Becky and our friend Devon. Should be an exciting time filled with pizza, baseball, a wine festival in Oldtown and good times with good friends!

Rome (Finally!)

Hey folks! I know I've been gone for awhile, but you know me and blogging...I can't ever seem to find the time to write an interesting post! So, on to Rome!

Getting to Rome was an experience in and of itself. Friday morning, Becky and I took the Metro, then the RER to Charles de Gaulle Airport to catch our Lufthansa flight to Rome. Not a direct flight though...we had a stopover in Milan. Just to warn you though...Milan looks the same from the airport as any other place in the world does. Lots of tarmac, planes and towers. The only really unusual thing was the Lego Hagrid in the corridor and the American dude we met in the terminal that does advertising for Tampax. Lovely.

Rome itself is a beautiful place! Warm and inviting, full of yummy food, awe inspiring sights, amazing shopping, and of course, gelato! Yum! We spent our weekend in Rome at the Hotel Eden, which was a nice hotel, but the front desk staff was a tad bit stiff. Loved the rooftop bar though, what a view! It was nice after a long day of walking, shopping, and sightseeing to relax with a single glass of Pinot Grigio up there!

On Saturday, after the rigors of travel the day prior, we set out early for the Vatican. Although you would think it was obvious, you need to be wearing something that goes to at least your knees and have your shoulders covered to get in here! I didn't consider myself inappropriately dressed, but it is a church after all, and so we had to purchase some lovely scarves in order to get a peek at Saint Peter's Basilica. We saw the Tomb of the Popes, including Pope John Paul II's tomb, the beautiful gilt and artwork inside St. Peter's, and the grounds of Vatican City. Pictures really can't do it justice! And everywhere were these really good looking, uber chic Vatican security guards looking all James Bond-ish. Intriguing!

While in Rome, I also managed to see the Victor Emmanuel monument, Ancient Rome and the Coliseum (the outside of it, anyway), the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish steps. We managed to do some serious damage to our budgets with the shopping too! I couldn't pass up the cutest spring weight purple trenchcoat, a pair of cream suede boots, or a lovely black dress and contrasting red bag from Habana! I paid for this later (literally) when I got my Visa card bill. Yikes!

Did I mention the food? We had some fantastic water buffalo mozzerella, grilled salmon to die for, and yummy ravioli! I feel like I didn't gain an ounce in Rome though from all the walking. Even though I walk at least 2 miles a day, I was not prepared to travel close to 5 to 10 miles while carrying shoes in the heat of the Roman summer. Although it did rain the last day we were there. Thankfully, there were umbrellas for sale in the park to save me from a complete drenching!

Rome, I loved you! Once day, I'll be back...or so says the legend of the Trevi Fountain!

Itty Bitty Kitties!

I still have so much to tell you about my Europe trip! It's just a matter of finding the time and the energy. I drank some caffeine yesterday, which I never do, and it wreaked absolute havoc with my sleeping last night. In other words, I may have gotten about 3 or 4 hours in. Le sigh, so sleepy at work today! Sweet tea, I'll remember you for this...

In other news, please go over and donate to the Itty Bitty Kitties' Fundraiser for the Tacoma/Pierce County Humane Society! Think of all the good your donation will do for the homeless kitties there! To read more about this wonderful cause, check out the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee's blog. So cute!

France: Day 2

Have I ever mentioned to y'all my love for all things Band of Brothers? I know that loving a WWII miniseries is a little incongruous with my other hobbies...knitting, reading, shopping for shoes (and lots and lots of clothes), getting pedicures, etc. I just can't help myself though! It's a riveting and engaging looking at the 101st Airborne's Easy Company from the start of their training to D-Day to the end of WWII. The acting is fantastic and the cast is even better...David Schwimmer as the tyrannical Sobel, Damien Lewis as the stalwart and courageous Dick Winters, Ron Livingston and his classic sarcasm as Lewis Nixon. Even Donnie Wahlberg gets in on the Band of Brothers action! Anyway, since Becky was the one who turned me onto Band of Brothers, it was only fitting that she and I make our way to the Normandy coast and the site of one of the most critical military battles of all time...Omaha Beach.

We started off the day early, leaving our hotel in Paris and walking to Montparnasse Gare (curses for still not figuring out how to use the Metro until later this afternoon! We turned a 3 minute Metro ride into a 45 minute walk). After renting the Fiat from National Car Rental, we hit the road...in Paris morning rush hour. Let me warn you, this is not for the faint of heart. As the designated driver, given that I am the only one of us two that could drive a 5-speed, I almost broke down into tears. This is the worst traffic I have EVER encountered, worse than LA, worse than New York, and the first time I've ever been the driver in such conditions. It's not like the traffic wasn't moving, but there were so many lanes (but yet, no lanes on the actual road) it was chaos. Motorcycles weaving in and out, aggressive drivers, we couldn't find the street signs...getting onto the Peripherique, four directions of cars converged into one little 20 foot ramp. I ate my Bueno Bar and tried not to think about the cost of denting the rental car...in Euros. Once we were on the highway though, it was just like driving back home. Only better. I do so love roundabouts and France is full of these. So much safer and quicker!

So, we only got lost (or confused, as Becky put it) a couple of times and eventually made our way to Sainte-Mere-Eglise, where the Airborne troops landed early in the morning on June 6, 1944. This was at the time occupied by the German army, but it quickly fell to the Americans. The Normandy coast is actually one of the most American-friendly areas of France because of the D-Day liberation. Not that we encountered any unfriendly people though. Here we visited the Airborne Museum, saw tanks, gliders, large mortar guns, and the weirdest mannequin soldiers ever. I think they were female mannequins dressed up as men. Strange. But still, a very moving exhibit and an interesting movie that told the story of Sainte Mere Eglise and D-Day that lasted about 15 minutes.

Next up, Omaha Beach! It was a beautiful sunny day with a bit of a breeze, definitely jacket weather. It surprised me that there were a few people out in bathing suits. Whooo, chilly! The English Channel was a bright, lovely blue and the memorial at Omaha was very sobering. Think about it. 65 years ago, hundreds, if not thousands, of soldiers died on this very beach fighting for freedom and trying to overthrow Nazi oppression. It was hard not to feel very moved. Plus, we got to see the amazing Les Braves sculpture on the beach. I wonder if they'll have something like that for the World Trade Center when it's completed?

Just down the road from Saint Laurent sur Mer and Omaha Beach, is the American Military Cemetery at Colleville sur Mer. We hopped in the Fiat (can I take it home with me??) and made our last stop of the day here. This was truly the most breathtaking part of our entire trip today, and maybe of our whole European experience. Here, overlooking Omaha Beach and the English Channel (La Manche), are the graves of all the American soldiers killed on D-Day. I'm sure this must be what Arlington Cemetery looks like, but this was incredibly powerful. There's just this peaceful silence and serenity in the air and all you can see are white crosses and Stars of David for what seems like miles. There were a bunch of visitors there the day we went, but still, everyone was respectful and appropriate. I'm sure I took about 100 pictures there and would've taken more if my batteries hadn't died. As an aside, battery death was an ongoing saga until I finally, finally found lithium batteries in the airport in Milan. I love plain old Duracell nickel cadmium batteries, but lithium is the way to go in digital cameras.

Our trip to Normandy was one I think every American should make at some point to learn more about our history and how powerful a group of individuals can be who believe in doing the right thing. It was definitely the trip of a lifetime and even though we had many adventures in the Fiat (finding gas stations, finding lunch, getting lost in Paris, eating sandwiches from gas stations), it was still a wonderful, amazing, unforgettable experience!

Next up, our weekend in Rome!

Paris: Day 1

So after leaving home on Tuesday, June 16 and meeting Becky in Charlotte, she and I had a flight across the pond to Paris! Let me say, it's always better to travel with a friend on long trips, especially one of my best friends! After a diet of whole grain Goldfish and Fiber One bars (note: these are full of fiber, as promised), it was nice to set down in Paris and have a real meal. But first, we had to take the RER and the Metro from Charles de Gaulle Airport into the 14th Arrondissement to our hotel. This would have been easy-peasy, minus the 200 lbs of luggage we brought. Did you know there are very few escalators in the Metro? Only stairs? I still have bruises on my legs from the suitcase. Next time, pack lighter!

After that harrowing adventure, we made it to our lovely hotel and in order to avert the jet lag, we changed clothes, grabbed the Metro map and our lovely Steve Franks guidebook and headed out to Versailles! Not a bad little trip, although I didn't realize there was graffiti EVERYWHERE in Paris, some of which was very artistic. Our first stop upon arriving was lunch at the only place we could easily identify...McDonalds. Not my first choice for a French meal, but when you're starving and in a touristy area, it worked. I still wanted a nice, leisurely French dinner, but that came later.

Versailles...what can I say? It was so much larger than I could ever have imagined. The scope was just incredibly vast. The golden gates definitely create an imposing sight. Although we didn't feel up to braving the lines and going inside (by this point, we were hitting our "up for over 24 hours" phase), we did decide to tour the gardens. I love gardens. I just find them so peaceful and serene. Even when they are filled with hundreds of tourists. They were manicured to a tee and just so intricate. It was like a huge park, really, more so than a garden. Foutains and statuary dotted every corner of the landscape and the weather was just perfect. Coolish, but not cold, and thankfully, not too hot for two tired and footweary travelers.

After our tour of the gardens, we decided to head back to our hotel in Paris and find a nice little place to eat dinner. We found this adorable restaurant packed with people on the sidewalk, although we had no trouble getting a table inside near the window. I ordered steak and mashed potatoes, which tasted lovely, but not quite like I expected. All in all, it was a pretty good day, but by this point, we were beat and wanted to get a little bit of sleep before our next adventure: Normandy!

Summer's Here!

Sorry for the long absence, but work's been crazy, and as the title says, summer is here in NC! With a vengeance, I might add...it's been in the upper 90s/low 100s and just killer hot here. I wonder, where does that brief two-week window of spring go? Can't complain though, summer means the lake and the beach and lots of vacations!

Anyway, I've just returned from my trip to Paris and Rome, and it was fantastic! Expect a post later this week full of pictures and commentary. I'm definitely going to have to break it up because we crammed a lot into seven short days, two of which were spent traveling. I can't wait to go back, but it is always good to get home!

In other news, Diana of Simple Elegance is having a contest! Just leave a comment on her blog by midnight, July 4th and you'll be entered to win an awesome blue silk scarf! After my trip to Europe, I've been buying and drooling over every scarf I see...especially the bright ones!

Here's a preview, with more to come!

In Which I Accidently Discover Hidden Features on My Camera...

So while fiddling with my camera on Saturday during the great storm of 2009 (perhaps just the fifth one that week), I discovered the "macro feature." Way better zoom capability, though still not as nice as my film camera. Nonetheless, the perceived lack (i.e., my ignorance of this) of this feature almost sent my scurrying for a new camera before France. Good thing I waited! Here are a few of this weekend's test shots:

Ten on Tuesday

As inspired by Carole, here are my top ten favorite places to shop! Even though I am currently on a shopping hiatus, I dream easily and often of frequenting these stores again!

1. Amazon: I'm sure this is where the majority of my non-clothes purchases come from. I buy all of my hardback books from here and some paperbacks as well. Not to mention DVDs, digital music, my vaccum cleaner, and my suitcase for France. Addicted much? I just can't help myself!

2. Target: I have to make a conscious effort to stay away from the clothing/accessories/shoes these days. It's almost painful to go in to get conditioner and not to even look! But looking for me is akin to buying and when it comes to shoes, I'm weak...

3. American Eagle: The only place I can find jeans I like that fit well.

4. Express: Most of my work clothes come from here. If you catch their sales (which they always have), you can get their Editor pants for uber cheap. Plus, they have cute skirts and tops as well!

5. The Limited: Are you sensing a theme yet??? I love to shop for clothes! I get most of my dresses here because I think their styles are so classic and classy. And yet, they are still reasonably affordable.

6. Petsmart: I have to stay away from this store, because every time I go in, I come out with too much! Wally just got a new collar and leash, not to mention new name tags (his old ones were getting worn out). Plus, I have a little thermos for water in the summer so he doesn't get too hot!

7. Food Lion: I shop here often, according to my bank statement. Even though I do not like to cook all that much, I buy a lot of salad vegetables and chicken. And the occasional bottle of Kendall-Jackson chardonnay. Yum.

8. Barnes & Noble: I love this store! I love to wander around, smell the books (is that just me?), look at all the words and pictures...it's sensory overload! I mostly buy paperbacks and gift certificates for my mom here. She's totally addicted!

9. Banana Republic Outlet: Only an hour from my house, maybe less so. Good thing it's not closer or I'd defintely be poorer! Such chic and trendy clothing...at much better prices than the real store!

10. Knitpicks: Although I don't spend as much here as I used to, I still rely on Knitpicks for fabulous prices on nice yarns when I need something in a large quantity. I have yet to knit my first sweater, but they've provided me with lots of nice yarns when I do get started!

Rain and Roses

This was going to be a post full of beautiful pictures of the roses outside of the North Carolina Governor's Mansion (aka, best place to find free all-day parking spots during the week). However, the gray and overcast skies have me postponing my morning photo session with the flowers until the sun peeks back out. I missed the tulips due to the relentless thunderstorms we've been having lately, but I think the roses might be a little bit hardier!

Over the weekend, I really took time to think about the events of last week. Right now, I'm feeling peaceful about what happened and I know I have to be patient with God's timing, instead of expecting things in my own timing. I could definitely feel the prayers of everyone lifting me up, so thanks! I'm really making a sincere effort to focus on all the many blessings and positive aspects of my life, including my friends and family, my job, travel opportunities, and of course, Wally!

On that note, I know I've mentioned my Paris trip coming up in the middle of June. But have I told you about our dilemma? I'm traveling with two of my closest friends for a week to Paris because my friend Jill has to work over there for a month. Hard life! During the week, her sister and I will be on our own in the City of Lights, probably making day trips to Normandy, perhaps Grenoble, or just around Paris. However, we're planning on taking a weekend excursion to a non-France location so that we can all enjoy Europe together. The dilemma? Where to go. Becky is pretty set on Rome, but Jill's just been there recently. Me? I'd like to see Berlin, Barcelona, maybe Zurich. Have any of you been to either of these places? I'm open for suggestions or recommendations to help us make our decision!

If I haven't told you already, I love to travel, so wherever we go, I'm sure I'll have a blast! I'm not only excited about this international opportunity, but I'm also starting to plan my domestic summer trips! I'd like to visit at least one place every summer that I've never been to. Last year, I went on a mission trip to New Hampshire and ended up getting to visit Boston, MA and the Maine seashore as well! I also road tripped from NC to Michigan (long long long) and took my second trip to Chicago (FYI, beautiful in October!). We also made an autumn visit to Texas by way of San Antonio and Austin. Best trip ever! This year's top destinations are Seattle and Salt Lake City. Why, you ask? Seattle, not only for its proximity to Forks (ha, I'm a crazy Twilight fan), but also because of the wild, hip culture, the Space Needle, ferries (a la Derek Shepherd!), and Puget Sound. I would just love to go whale watching! As for SLC, I'm captivated by this book I found as a teenager. The images are just stunning and I've heard it's a very beautiful and interesting city.

Boston skyline from the ferry

Sunrise over Lake Michigan

Becky & Jill strolling along the Riverwalk in San Antonio

As for my knitting, I so want to start something new (i.e., Owls), but I still have to finish the Circles Scarf for my mama. Hopefully this weekend I can get to work!

Sigh

So, it's been a rough week. I've been trying to be a little better about posting, but this week has just been not so good. Boyfriend and I broke up, and even though I see that in the long run, this is for the best, it still doesn't make it easier. I know 28 isn't old, but sometimes it's difficult not to feel scared when you're single and all of your friends are getting married and having babies.

Enough of the pity party for now though. Today was a pretty good day, with nice weather and plenty of free time to finish Verity. I need to fix the tab part on the front, but otherwise, I think she's perfect! Now, back to the Circles Scarf for my mama's birthday...

Any prayers and good thoughts would be appreciated, especially since I may have to see the boy tomorrow at church. Sigh.

Faux Friday

Today is my Friday! Yay! Last day of work for the week, then I'm off to visit friends in beautiful northern Maryland. Plus, the boy's been working in PA for a month and I'll finally get to see him too! I'm not sure the weekend could get much better and it's not even here yet!

I've been a little Twilight obsessed lately. I read the books late last year in record time, even for me (and I read pretty fast). I saw the movie twice in theaters, then pre-ordered the DVD nearly two months early. Obsessed much? I'll admit it! So I've been watching the extra features and deleted scenes and it seems like the movie is just perfect as is. Not quite as good as the book, but still...very close. I wasn't disappointed. Except maybe with Rosalie. She didn't look like I expected and her dye job? Ick. I wish they could have found someone naturally blonde, if not naturally pale. Oh well, I still really enjoyed it and can't wait for New Moon! I just hope that the change in directors and the time frame they plan to release it in won't compromise the quality.

As for knitting, I've been working steadily on the Circles scarf for my mama's birthday. The tube part is just about done, only two inches of stockinette to go and I'm sure I can knock that out later tonight. Then on to the circles. I'm hoping these won't be eternally fiddly. I might have to take alternative plane knitting for tomorrow if so. I'm going to give it a shot tonight and see, then make a decision. I'm itching to start on Owls and Verity, but this might be the perfect time to get the last Horcrux sock finished up. Mindless ribbing all the way until the toe almost. Don't want anything too complex or bulky on the plane. Plus, that'd be right in line with my goal of finishing up all those WIPs!

Ready. Set. Circles!

Finally, a taste of spring! My plants are thriving in the sun and it's getting really nice and warm here, almost 80 degrees F today. Love it! Hope y'all enjoy the weekend!

What Awaits

What awaits me today when I leave the day job for the weekend? Glorious blossom-filled landscapes to view on my walk with Wally, a bright sunny day to enjoy, more knitting on the Circles scarf (it's easier and faster than I remembered!), a nice, lazy nap, yummy things to eat (peanut butter cookies with Hershey's Kisses!), fuzzy snuggles from a sweet yellow lab, and of course, two days of uninterrupted bliss to do what I want (or even things that need to get done).

Not even the thought of chores can bring me down this Friday! I plan on spending a good bit of time outside tomorrow since the forecast is sunny and high of 79 (yay!!). I'll probably be working in the yard, but still...if you're not at work, almost anything can be enjoyable!

Hopefully I'll get lots of knitting done too. I'll be out of town for a 1-year old birthday extravaganza next weekend, so time will be limited then. If I want to get this scarf finished for my mama's birthday, I'm going to need all the knitting time I can get.

Hope you enjoy your weekend as much as I'm planning to enjoy mine (T-minus 2 hours, 17 minutes and counting until it starts!!)!

Green grass = yard work, but Sperrys tossed aside in lieu of bare feet heralds the coming of summer!

Spring Has Sprung!

Ah, springtime! Isn't it lovely? Especially here in the South, where it comes a little earlier than most places. Azaleas are in full bloom, daffodils have come and gone, tulip magnolias have bloomed and been battered by the rain, dogwoods turn their creamy faces towards the sun...what more could you ask for? Today is splendidly crisp, with nary a hint of rain. The sky above radiates a cloudless, azure glory for all to behold. I love spring!

With the return of spring comes my knitting mojo...where have you been, my friend? During the dark, gelid months of winter, I tend to hibernate. I go to bed early (7:30 or 8:30), bring Wally in to snooze in his crate, and it feels like all the daylight hours are spent at the day job. Even though I love my job, still...it doesn't hold a candle to knitting, walking Wally, or reading a good book. Except maybe in the paycheck department! Now, with what seems like exponentially more daylight hours, warmer temperatures, and a lighter heart, my love for knitting has been rejuvenated!

As per usual, I have numerous UFOs and this nags at me. I can't stand things to be unfinished. It's either time to fling them into the frog pond or get them finished posthaste. Some of these WIPs have been sitting around for a year or more! Yikes! In order of age, here they go:

1. Horcrux Socks: I don't see myself becoming a prolific sock knitter, because knitting one thing, then knitting it again...not for me. I get bored too easily and my attention span flits from one lovely project to the next. Still, I am already nearing the heel and the foot of the second sock. I just need to crank it out!!

2. Wild Stripes Baby Blanket: I think the endless stockinette stitch has gotten to me. Although changing colors so often does help. I have recently picked this back up and added several more rows. Now I just have to keep on keeping on.

3. Mosey: I am on the cable section of the second legwarmer. The cables make these a little slow going for me and there's a lot of counting. Plus, I think I'd like them more and want them done faster if I had chosen a different color. Maybe an oatmeal or a heather gray. Winter white isn't really doing it for me. Still, these aren't too far from being finished.

4. Dream Swatch Head Wrap: I started this in a fit of pique one day, bound and determined to find a use for some bamboo yarn I purchased at SAFF. It had been sitting around in my yarn wardrobe for so long and I just longed to use it up. I think I'm about eight rows into it and that's as far as I've gotten. It's not complicated, I just have to find the time.

5. Circles Scarf: I was making this for my mama for Christmas. Obviously I did not make that deadline. While her birthday is coming up next month, I don't see myself making that either. If I crank it out, MAYBE. But we'll see. I was really intimidated by this scarf at first because I kind of stink at starting things out on dpns. I had a little bit of a ladder problem between the needles, but once I got past about an inch and a half, I figured it out. It looks a tad wonky at the bottom, but only I will ever notice. I guess practice makes perfect. This is what I am working on at the present moment, mostly because I felt guilty about missing her Christmas deadline. Cross your fingers that I can get it done by May 18!

So in light of these terribly unfinished objects, I have vowed not to start anything new until they're done. Yikes! So hard, especially when there are so many great projects and yarns calling my name! However, since I just booked my trip to Paris (big news, so exciting, yay!!!!) for June, I've gone on a spending freeze. Nothing non-essential AT ALL, except birthday gifts. So that should help with the non-buying of new yarn, needles, or patterns. We are spending a week in Paris and I want to be able to shop a little and travel around without feeling guilty about my spending. I've never been and I can't wait!! Any suggestions on must-visit sites from those of you who've been there?

P.S...Before the non-spending freeze kicked in, I purchased all the supplies for Owls! I am so excited about knitting this sweater! I have several sweaters' worth of yarn and all the intentions in the world to knit them, but I've been hesitant. What if I can't do it, what if it doesn't fit right? But you know what? Who cares? I can always frog it if I hate it and start over. So first sweater, here I come!

Have a fantastic Thursday! Wally says "Don't forget to get your walking in today and enjoy this beautiful weather!"

(Can you tell how much rain we've had? Wally's igloo is uber muddy!!)

Saturday Stash Giveaway!

I'm in the midst of decluttering my stash, my house, my life. This means cutting back on some of the stuff I know I'm not going to use, including some lovely yarns! The first person that expresses interest in this small stash giveaway can have it all, free of charge! I need more space and less stuff in 2009...so on to the good stuff!!

Here's a group shot:

2 balls Filatura di Crosa Cambridge (black with pink and orange)

2 skeins (one rolled up) Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille Solid (light pink)

1 skein (rolled up) silk ribbon (pink, pale yellow, and mint variegated)

1 cake random boucle yarn (fuschia, teal, and purple)

These were all gifted to me, but I've been on a wool kick lately and will probably never use them. If you want them, please leave a comment and let me know! Happy Saturday!

Inspired

Although winter is a fantastic time to sit indoors, watch some Dog the Bounty Hunter reruns, sip hot chocolate, and knit to your heart's content, I find that my knitting time is so limited now. Sad! When it gets particularly chilly, I bring Wally indoors and he sleeps in his crate in the living room. This requires me to get up even earlier than normal (normal being 4:30) to take him back over to my parents' house before I go to work. So in the pursuit of 7 to 8 hours of sleep, I have been going to bed lately between 7:30 and 8:30. Uber early!! But it helps when the alarm goes off at 3:30 and I have to take an excited yellow lab out for his morning walk that I've actually slept.



So, knitting time is less than normal. Yet, inspiration and desire to knit is skyrocketing! Lately, as I peruse other people's blogs and Ravelry, I see scads of patterns I'm dying to get to work on. As evidence, I present to you my list of inspirational knits I've spyed on my travels. It takes some serious willpower not to A) run off to the nearest website and buy new yarn, or B) cast on RIGHT NOW!


1) Carole's Furrow Mittens (pattern by Kirsten Kapur)

2) Erin's Bella's Mittens (pattern by Subliminal Rabbit)

3) Sarah's February Lady Sweater (pattern by Pamela Wynne)

4) Owls by Kate Davies

5) Happy College Knitter's Wham Bam Thank You Lamb (pattern by Insaknitty)

6) Twist Collective's Vivian


I wish I could invent a machine that would instantly pack more knitting hours into the day! That'd be an investment for sure! For now, bit by bit, piece by piece, I'll start on my projects. Hopefully soon I'll have some FOs to show you!