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!