Chronic Ennui

Happy New Year!

 

Bu-bye, 2010 - We won't miss you...

Best wishes to you all for a happy 2011!

So Guess Who I Ran Into The Other Night?

Okay, I won't pretend that I just ran into him on the street or that he phoned me up and said, "Hey, I'm in town; let's meet for a drink."  But I did, in fact, speak to him.  Me, the shy one!

See that little 8pm on the sign?  Yeah, well, I didn't bother to look at the tickets when I confidently told Jim that the show was at 7pm and we definitely needed to leave the house no later than 5:30.  No time for a real dinner or anything.  Must.get.there.pronto!  Which, in hindsight, turned out to be a very cool thing because the seniors in the lobby informed us (as we were the FIRST two people into the place) that if we wanted to just purchase books and stand "right here," that David would be out to sign both before and after the show.  Well, yay us! 

Soon someone handed us a slip of paper and said, "Write on this whatever you want him to write in the book," which is when I got sort of squirrelly and unsure whether this was something I truly wanted to do.  Jim, who had been rehearsing in his head for two weeks what he wanted to say when he got up there, turned to me and said, "Stop being stupid!  My God, give me that paper!"  And just as I started to panic, out came David, who looked at us and said, "May I sign your book for you?  It would be my pleasure." 

This is the point where upon hearing his voice (after listening to all of his audiobooks for the past couple of months), Jim (you know, the confident one) was struck dumb by this surreal moment.  And I (you know, the shy one) jumped into action.  "Jim, he's talking to us!"  (pushing him forward). 

What I didn't know is that he purposely throws questions at you apparently so that he can control the situation and you don't ask HIM anything.  I dunno.  But the next thing I know, he's asking me if I'm an allergy sufferer.  Why, yes, in fact I am.  

"Is Springtime worse for you?" 

"Uh, yes it is!"  

"And what is it you are allergic to?" (all this while he proceeds to draw a picture of Abe Lincoln's head on the back of a turtle).  I was completely mesmerized.

I hand him the next book, this one for my mom.  "Who is JoAnna?" he asks.  "My mom.  I want her to experience your humor."  

"And does your mom suffer from allergies?"  

Laughing, "No, she doesn't.  So, can you sign her book a certain way for me?" 

"Certainly.  What do you want me to write?" 

"Your name and 'not an asshole.'"  This, from one of my favorite chapters of "Engulfed in Flames" where a woman on a plane calls him that.  He smiles, draws a little picture of what I assume is himself, and in the bubble next to it writes, "Not an asshole." 

How cool is that?!  And how cool is the mute guy who bought the tickets? 

While I'm ranting about how awesome Jim is, I should show you the nearly-completed window seat that was put together (I kid you not) in about 48 hours.  It sat like this for about a week.

 

Then went to this:

 

To this:

Another coat of paint, some balloon curtains, a cushion, and I believe it may be the best spot in the house.  If you look closely, you can see the flooded river through the window.  Speaking of which, I am amazed at the amount of water that is gushing down the river the last couple of weeks.  On a favorite jaunt, I stopped to take some pictures of the water that was rushing past a normally sedate area.

 
They got hit really hard with flooding in the past couple of weeks

 
Next time, some knitting.  For now, I'll leave you with a picture of my cousin's baby in an Easter hat I sent them.  Isn't she sweet?

Happy weekend!   
  
 

Game 2 - 2nd Half

It was bound to happen.  I mean, you knew it would, right?  When you're over 40, the germs kick your butt almost as soundly as the dudes down at the Community Center.  Jim is sick. 

Don't worry about him too much.  I am now about 80 percent and will make huge vats of soup and toss warm blankets over him.  He will not go unattended.  Thank you all so much for your well wishes and for making Jim feel so welcomed as my guest blogger.  There was a day or two there where I got just the tiniest bit jealous that he may be funnier than I.....  Nah! 

Can someone tell me why it seems that facial hair seems to grow more/faster/thicker when you're sick?  Is it just me?  It is? 

During my convalescence, I managed to squeeze out one of the most satisfying, little knits ever.  I had been saving one precious skein of Schoppel-Wolle Naturbelassen Baby Alpaka that I purchased at Stitches East.  Oh, how I lament my own stinginess now because, folks, this yarn?  SO NICE!  Big, thick, worsted, baby alpaca in respectable yardage in all of the lovely neutral colors I adore.  What was I thinking buying only ONE SKEIN?!  Crazy! 

When I saw the Scrumptious Neck Warmer pattern appear on Ravelry sometime last week, I knew that this was the pattern for my one skein.  

Although I only knit maybe two or three rows per day, I finally finished it sometime at the end of week and lovingly wore it all weekend.  And I mean ALL weekend.

We also had a little photo shoot this weekend, although I was not allowed to come within five feet of Gianna per her grandmother's strict orders.  Nor was she allowed inside my biohazard dome.  My favorite non-knitting coworker took some awesome pictures while I entertained her vaccinated children with Oreos and water.  That's right Oreos and water, I said it.  I was sick!  Had I been game on, I assured her that there would have been hot cocoa and homemade cookies (sure there would....).

And look, we even got her to wear the hat!

 
 

Second Verse - Same as the First

We're at it again.  After a short break, we are tiling.  This time, it's the mudroom.

We expected to be done by now, but after chipping up the hideous, old tile, we had cement stuck to plywood and no good way to get it up short of putting down a new sub floor.  Instead we chose to put down two bags of self-leveling cement.  Which, by the way, is a bit of a misnomer since you actually need to spread it around.  There is no apparent "self leveling" going on of any kind.  We gave it a couple of days to dry and set before we were able to get to the business of actual tiling.

The tile is the same one we used for the kitchen, except these are 20" x 20" which is nice because the job takes much less time, and there is a lot less grout.  Grout.  I am SO dreading the grouting.

Oh, and remember those columns?  Except for the crown molding, they are finished.

\

Ooops.... forgot that little bit of blue tape, didn't I?
 
 

Time to ponder some goodies I found at the yarn shop today and dream good knitting thoughts...

Now where is that heating pad?
 
 
  
 
 

Gnarly

Jim and I went antiquing yesteday.  Well, not really, but we went to a very large antique store that was extremely well stocked.  I am not really that into antiques, but occasionally there are things that speak to me, either through nostalgia or just because they have that "old world" feel.  Things like chippy-painted corbels or French mirrors can send me into a tizzy.  My mission yesterday?  A slate chalkboard I've wanted for the mudroom we're redoing.  It had to be real slate, and it had to be a good size. 

I remembered seeing one at this place we'd been to recently.  So, we put aside our tiling job to drive the hour's ride.  We were on a mission.  I hardly expected to find so many other great things.  Don't even get me started on the little leather tatting box with the tatting and pin cushion still in it or the black corbel that I passed up.  Cuz I found the chalkboard and a coffee table for the den and an antique hammer for Jim and, um, this:

Okay, I know I'm barely (just barely) middle aged, but I loved this walking stick I saw sitting in a bucket.  Jim thinks that it looks like an old hip joint.  In fact, what I think he actually said was, "Dude, that's Gandalf's walking stick."  I can see it as either a curtain rod or next to the bench in the mudroom.  I just love the way it twists and gnarls like a piece of cauliflower.  And I can look forward to actually using it when I'm an old lady.  I can be that crazy, old lady who shakes her walking stick in anger from her front porch.  Or something....  

It's gnarly!
 
 

All Hallow's Eve

You knew I'd have to have a Halloween post, didn't you?  Not because I love Halloween so much but because it presents an opportunity to post pictures of my favorite trick or treater.  I am actually not too enamored by Halloween.  Sure, I love the pumpkins and some of the decorations, but the strangers knocking on my door and driving the dogs into a barking frenzy?  Well, I can do without that for sure. 

I finished this little hat last night for my little munchkin.  When I saw the Hannah Newsboy Pattern on Ravelry, I thought back immediately to last Summer when Gianna insisted on buying that little boys' hat from Gap.  This has a little bit more of a feminine feel to it, and she really seemed to like it.

We somehow coerced her into wearing the hat by distracting her with a chalkboard I bought this morning.  I've been searching like a maniac for an authentic, slate chalkboard and finally found one at an antique shop, where I quickly scooped it up for much more than it was worth.  It seems that I am not the only one who loves it though.

Isn't she a little lamb?

Happy Halloween! 
 
 
 
 

Acorns

A friend recently reminded me how much I love acorns when this arrived unexpectedly on my doorstep. 

The lovely quote (naturally) says, "To give without any reward, or any notice, has a special quality of its own." --Ann Morrow Lindbergh.  How true and how completely thoughtful.  Thanks, T.

I gave these little beautiesto a friend's mom who wanted them.  It just gave me an excuse to buy the fake Pottery.Barn ones I had been eying for weeks.

 
Don't they look real?  And that is precisely why I love them so.  They look real, but they are not dirty and buggy.  See that little felted pumpkin?  Tracymade that one.  Last week at Stitches, I thought she was slightly insane for buying a bag of fluff purported to be a "kit to make pumpkins."  But lo and behold, a short twenty-four hours later, she had made an entire mantle full of the little buggers.  Pretty cute!  

And since it's been a long time since I've done anything really creative, I decided to make these Acorn Magic Delights.  I'm quite sure that I saw these on someone else's blog, but I don't remember because I printed this recipe over a year ago.  Was it Leslie's cookie of the week?  Or Mary's?  I dunno, but yummy!

They sort of look like acorns, don't they?  Well, who cares.  They taste delicious.

Have a ghoulish weekend!
 
 

Our Little Pumpkin

 
Gianna had a little play date at the pumpkin patch last week. 

Her expressions never fail to crack me up...

 
 
But her smiles make me even giddier...

 I love this age, where the entire pumpkin patch is hers!
 
 
 
 

My Night Job

I was on such a roll there for awhile and then the days just seemed to get away from me.  I mean I wanted to post when we tiled the kitchen, but then someone I live with said, "No!  Wait until the columns are finished."  And I'm all like, "Okay, so now you're going to tell me what and when I can blog?"  And so I waited.  But we're still working on the columns on account of some design changes; and after puttying my fingers raw, I still have not painted them white.  But I MUST show you the before and after shots of the floor because it is just that awsome.

When we moved in, the tile was cheap and really, really shiny.  So much so that my mom kept asking if my floor was wet.  I could have lived with it, but when the columns presented a floor dilemma, I practically jumped into my car and made a bee-line for the tile store.  I mean, wouldn't you?

 

I knew exactly what I was going to get.  It was the same tile we used in our last kitchen; it was from Italy; and it looked like limestone.  Thank God they still had it and remembered what it was.  So, chip, chip, chip, up came the shiny gray, only to find.... More tile!

 

In the meantime, the new dining room set arrived; my oven was on a dolly in my living room; and the fridge was in the dining room.  scrape, scrape, scrape -- we decided to tile over the tile just like they had, considering the old tile went under the cabinetry. 

One night of tiling, another night of fitting in all the pieces that needed to be cut, another day of grouting and cleaning the tile, another night of sealing the grout and Voila!  (Please ignore the unfinished carpentry; there will be time for that later).

 
 Now, if I could only bring myself to take the plastic off the dining room set, we'd be in business...

Although, honestly, Maggie doesn't seem to mind one bit...

 

A Hunting We Will Go

Happy Fall, everyone! 

 

I know that technically it isn't actually Fall just yet, but I am feeling it.  Yesterday we drove up to Brimfield, MA to the overwhelmingly-massive, mega antique show.  We had only been once before on a rainy Sunday when everyone was already packing up their wares to leave.  We found that by Saturday, the prices are quite reasonable, and given that the weather wasn't perfect, it was not overcrowded and annoying. 

There were definitely items I drooled over.  Drooled!

 

I love, love, loved this framed grain sack, which I found impossible to photograph without glare.  (No, that is not my butt; it's my bag!)

 

I was thrilled beyond belief when I actually met, in person, a woman I'd had bookmarked on the net forever!  She had tons and tons of authentic grain sacks from Europe and was so nice and welcoming.  Check out her site at www.textiletrunk.com.  She is the real deal.

I picked up some fun things for myself...

 

Some that cost next to nothing... (hating those counters)

 

A bench for the mudroom that I can see with baskets under it and grainsack pillows... (That floor has GOT to go!)

 

And Jim got an antique level (you know, for all of his stellar column work)

 

Brimfield was everything and more than I imagined it would be.  So much fun, which was much needed.  Hopefully, I will have more column pictures for you later this week.  I am completely amazed at what a difference trimwork makes to a house.  Joey is still terrified of the nail gun, but progress continues.

I am close to finishing the Etole pattern but have run out of mohair and am waiting on the mail.  Soon.

 

I hope you are all having a warm and relaxing weekend.

Our Old House - Episode 1

The do-it-yourself projects have been ongoing and endless.  I promised pictures when they were worth showing.  I have a few from one our most satisfying project to date.  It's our fifth time doing this type of project, having done two of them at the condo and two at my sister's house.  We get smarter, braver, and a little bit more professional with each attempt. 

First the boring part.  Painting.  Endless, endless painting.  Then the chair rail and base trim.

 

 

Once that was done, it was time for the fun part - picture frame molding!  First the kitchen nook...

 

Then more around the corning into the dining room.

 

It makes everything look so neat and clean!  There is a lot of work ahead.  Wood puttying all the holes, touch-up paint, crown molding, and, um, this....

We will be boxing in those hideous beams, making them look more like square columns and less like Howdy Doody lives here.  That is if Joey doesn't have a nervous meltdown from the sound of the nail gun.

 

 

Whole Lotta Nothing Goin' on

I mean it.  I plan to do nothing this weekend.  Well, not nothing.  But I plan to do whatever I please.  Jim is away, and I am alone with the dogs, running with scissors.  I expect the glee to wear off about the time I finish this post. 

So, hey, wanna know what made me livid today?  This...

 

WTF?!  THIS is how I found my brand, new magazine in the mailbox!  Now, if you know anything about me and are keeping track, so far you know that a) I love buttons and b) I LIKE.MY.MAGAZINES.PRISTINE!!!!  At least until I've read them.  Oh, and I don't like people taking my mags before I've read them and then pointing things out to me.  Oh, no!  That will bring me to the brink of insanity. 

Mr. Mailman, I don't blame you for parking in front of my house and making my yippy dogs bark while you deliver the entire street's mail; I choose to ignore the fact that you talk on a wireless headset the entire time you deliver the mail; and I almost forgave you for losing my package from Australia.  But if you EVER bring me another knitting magazine in this condition again, I will have your job!  Are we clear?   (He is sooo lucky this was not a Fall/Winter edition!)

And since we were mentioning my love of buttons, check out these adorable ones I found on Etsy from ButteredParsnips.  Even the name is adorable!

Does it seem like I'm stalling a lot, saying a whole lotta nothin'?  Well, I did give you the heads up with the title, didn't I?  I have been knitting a lot; but, alas, I have not finished a thing.  Nothing.

My friend's baby shower is looming in the distance, and I have nothing completed.  It's not like I can just go to Babies R Us and purchase something from the registry like everyone else.  No.  She is expecting handknit items from me.  So, she gets half a cabled baby blanket and this cable and lace all-in-one from Baby Knits by Lois Daykin that I started.

Won't that be cute if I ever finish it?  So, what do I do when I already have two projects half done?  I start another, of course!  A scarf, one I've already made twice but that makes for great gifts and calm knitting.  Wavy Razor Scarf - the one with the buttons sewn on the edge.  I think it will make a nice Easter hostess gift.

 

So, that's about it for the knitting.  We brought Gianna to the mall last week for her Easter pictures.  Live bunnies - totally unphased unfazed (Thanks, Barb!)

And then to the quaint, little ice cream shoppe in town the other night.  This is the look I get when I've taken too many pictures.

 

Her new thing, though, is that she cries when I leave.  I have to say, I don't hate it...

Happy weekend, everyone!

Hey, You Like Pictures, Right?

Wow.  Is 2009 the year of non-blogging?  If so, it has been unintentional for me.  Just when I think that maybe things are starting to slow down a bit, they decide to monitor internet access at work.  So, yeah, um, no more trolling Ravelry and Flickr during momentary downtimes.  When I look at my bookmarked Bloglines, I want to cry.  I really am reading all those posts; I just can't always comment! 

It's March 1.  A new month, a new outlook, the promise of Spring is in the air (you know, with the exception of the monstrous Nor'easter that's coming tonight!)...  A certain little girl celebrated her first birthday last weekend. 

Can you even believe it?  I can't!  There were actually TWO parties - one on her birthday and another on Sunday.  I'm not sure if she really liked the cake or not.

But Dora got into it...  Do YOU see a soapy wash cloth?

Oh, and I've been knitting.  Quite a bit actually.  I started one of those projects that you know is going to be long and tedious but so worth the effort.  It's a cabled baby blanket made from -- brace yourself -- Jo-Ann Sensations Kashmira!  I swear to you that this yarn is great!  It's sproingy, DK weight; the color is creamy vanilla; and the yardage can't be beat (284 yds/skein). 

I spent almost two full knitting nights agonizing over which aran patterns I was going to use for this blanket.  I cursed the gorgeous Japanese books that are unavailable here (and that I'd be unable to read even if they were).  I finally decided on a simple, Debbie Bliss Cabled Cape pattern.  It works!  And what is this new thing with people not wanting to know the gender of their baby before it's born?  Don't they know how difficult that makes things for knitters?!  Here you go, little "it"; enjoy your gender-neutral-non-specific gift!

I just hope it blocks out nicely; otherwise, it's going to be about two-feet wide.

I found some Malabrigo-like yarn (Plymouth's Trabajos Del Peru) that I could not take my eyes off of.  It was around Valentine's Day, and the yarn was red with hints of pink variegation.  I bought one skein, thinking I'd find a project to use it on.  Then I just had to make something with it and decided to get two more skeins to make a chunky, plain cardigan for Gianna.  I found the Ragman pattern and had it knit in two days. 

I became memsmerized by the thick and thin of the wool, the subtle color changes, and the soothing stockinette stitch.  Is there anything easier than a raglan knit?  You gotta love the lack of seaming.  I'm trying to find just the right button, but it is eluding me.  I know this one isn't it.  I also know that pictures won't do this sweater justice because I can't capture the color; it hasn't been blocked; and it's one of those that just needs to be modeled.  Of course, that's easier said than done.

I tried very hard with the Little Rose Cardigan I made....  I even used the lure of balloons.... 

She really wasn't having it..... 

Yeah, so I told Auntie over here, "If I don't get more face time on your blog, then don't think I'm posing for ya!"

Have a great week!

Gifts from the Heart

This year I have been fortunate to receive so many gifts of kindness ...

and friendship...

that have touched me more than I can express.  I'm not fond of the "look what I got" posts, yet it would seem wrong to not acknowledge all of the special work....

 

and loving stitches...

and thoughtful gestures....

 

that have made this holiday so special... 

Wishing you all thoughtful acts, good friendships, and loving hugs this holiday season...

  

Who You Calling Peony Head?

When Is it Too Much Crochet?

Well, if you were to ask me, I'd probably say, "when it goes beyond fixing a pull or edging a garment."  But the real answer is "when you get Kinneared at TJ Maxx." 

 

That is A LOT of crochet, people.  And if this is you or your aunt or your mom or your sister, please do not write me to tell me that I am mean.  If I were really mean, I would have mentioned the hair or have waited until she turned around and showed her face.  But I'm not mean.  I'm merely judgmental in the nicest of ways.  Cuz, ya gotta admit, that is one crazy, fugly outfit. 

Disclaimer:  Crocheters, don't be hating on me.  This was merely my attempt at funny.  No disrespect to the craft was intended (okay, it was, but, again, just to be funny).  No acrylic was harmed in the making of this photo. 

Wrap and Turn...

I am not fond of the short rows.  Never have been.  Don't see that changing in the foreseeable future.  So, when I was clipping along on the Twisted Vines Cardigan and reached the part where I was supposed to "insert a 1-stitch, 2-stitch, or 3-stitch short row," my knitting came to a screeching halt.  Wha?  Where?  How am I supposed to do that? 

So, hey, let's try something else.  How about the cute, little Huckleberry Ascot from IK's Holiday 2007 issue?  I found some nice Olympus Make Make yarn I had tucked away in my stash that would be just perfect for a mindless, garter-stitch project that uses ... short rows!  UGH!  Does anyone else sing the Alley Cat song when they're knitting short rows?  "Wrap and turn..."  No?  Well, anyway.... it wasn't so bad, and I found that I actually loved working with this gorgeous yarn.

And check out my favorite part - Bobbles!  They remind me of little raspberries.

I'm going to pick up the cardi again tonight.  This time, I will concentrate really, really hard and try to figure out what the heck I'm supposed to do (still no effin' clue). 

I have decided not to attempt a third Chick sweater.  I don't think I can stomach it.  Instead I have chosen Little Cable from the Sublime #611 book -- unless Rachel comes through with something even cuter. 

And thank you to all you well-wishers who knew I'd survive the marathon babysitting last weekend.  Baby G only had one really fussy spell.  But thanks to Tracy's sage advice, I put my sister's pajama top over my shoulder, and the baby nuzzled it and fell right to sleep.  Genius!  Most of day, she was just bored with me and gestured her feelings of love to me....

Happy Father's Day....

To the new ones....

To the ones who have been at it for awhile....

 

To my Dad and two Grandfathers who made my childhood so sweet...

And to all the fathers out there - Happy Father's Day!

More Frenetic Knitting...

So, does anybody else hate the new and 'improved' Typepad as much as I do?  Do they know that by definition of the word, upgrades are supposed to be better?  Anyway...

I think I finally have the Smoke Ring thing out of my system.  I got a bit too cocky and made several mistakes on this one, forcing me to rip back at least three times.  By the time I cast off, I was oh-so done with it!  But that seems ages ago...

I tried to focus as much as possible on the Sabine, which did not get any less 'fiddly' as I progressed.  I frogged to the beginning and started again using bamboo straight needles, which helped only slightly.  Like anything else, once I got focused, I was in the zone and just forged ahead.  I just started the decreases for the front and then only the sleeves will remain.  I still can't see how this lightweight fabric is going to come together, but I'm trusting the pattern.  Also, I don't want to let Rachel down since she already bought the yarn.  Although, I must say, this gorgeous yarn would make for one soft and luscious scarf!

One last knitting thing.  As soon as I saw this pattern was available, I had to order the kit.  I love this sweater, and I think it could be a wardrobe staple (especially in grey).  But now I'm done buying yarn for awhile.  I mean it.  Shut up, I'm serious!

There was not a lot of knitting time this weekend, mainly due to this:

Baby G's Baptism.  She was such a good girl in church too!  The most difficult part was sharing her with other relatives...

Panicky Good Times

Whatcha been up to?  Nutkin.

It's been awhile since I've made socks, so I figured it was time to give it another shot.  Besides, I'd gone as far as I could go on the Garter Stitch Jacket for now, and I needed a quick-fix.  Oh, yeah, that and I went to WEBS to see the Yarn Harlot on Sunday and felt compelled to bring a sock. 

"Huh?" you say.  "But where are the pictures?"  Uh, yeah, I got so overwhelmed and panicky that I completely forgot to take any.  Not one.  You would have been sweaty and gaspy and forgetful too if you'd been there.  On a normal day, WEBS is rather overwhelming with it's massive inventory.  When you add over a thousand knitters into the mix, it takes it to a whole new level of "Holy shit!" 

Tracy, LYS Judy and I arrived at 11:30 and found a parking spot surprisingly quickly, which fooled us into thinking this would be no big deal.  We immediately found MadMad, which is when I think I began to hyperventilate.  All of a sudden, my imaginary internet world collided with real life.  Yes, of course we had discussed this for weeks on end.  But here she was in the flesh, and I was completely dumbstruck.  Rachel was pretty and nice and welcoming and even pointed me towards the yarn I needed.  Had I known how long it would take to get through the lines, I might have given up.  But I followed the lemmings through the maze and watched the ceiling swirl a few times.  Water bottles were kindly provided by WEBS, and that made things a bit easier.  I wasn't even that embarrassed when a rogue mannequin tried to wrestle me to the ground.  Tracy swore it wasn't my fault, and I choose to believe her. 

We met up again with MadMad and her group for lunch where we met Persnickety Knitter and Amy from Rhode Island and Suburban Correspondent and a table full of other very nice knitters whose names blurred past my spinning head.  Starting to calm a bit, I somehow managed to steal Rachel's fork and embarrass myself yet again. 

It was just a quick jaunt up the street to the theater to listen to the Yarn Harlot.  The lights were left up so that people could knit while she spoke; and she was even more animated and delightful in person than she is in print.  I also learned that despite my many idiosyncrasies, knitting may actually prevent me from losing my shit as I age.  Which is good thing because I wouldn't want the little peanut to have to deal with crazy Auntie Kimmie in my declining years, would I?

See what I did there?  I worked in a baby shot! 

One of the best parts of the entire day?  When I got home, Jim had vacuumed and dusted for me!  Dudes! That is huge!  At least in my little book of crazy... 

Nothing in Particular

Wow, so I really didn't mean to be away for an entire week, but you know how it goes.  First there was the whole congestion/achey sick feeling that just set my week off, and then I was playing catch up for the rest of the week.  Briefly, my week went like this... Monday/Tuesday sick, blah, blah, blah...  Tuesday night, dragged myself out to pick Jim up from the airport and was presented with scads of lovely yarn.  Can you even believe this guy?  It seems like a nice gesture, sure, but I asked for an actual alpaca! 

In keeping with my scarf obsession, I bought more of the Berroco NaturLin -- this time in blue -- and started another Razor Shell Scarf.  Because, as we all know, if one is good, then two is even better!

Friday, when I finally felt well enough, I got to visit the peanut (after my sister said, "Um, why don't you give it one more day....").  She naturally slept the entire time I visited.  Apparently, the girl needs her beauty rest...

But seems to perk up just fine whenever I'm not there...

Then there was a very relaxing weekend with some of this...

Oh, and finally, remember when I thought that Tracy might just take pity on me and sew that beast of a scarf together for me?  She did!  Now that is friendship!

And that brings us right back to Monday.  I promise my next post will be more interesting.  I swear!  Don't be hating!

Marcello's Competition

I'M AN AUNTIE!!!!! 

She came a bit sooner that we expected - and then made us wait a good long time.  I'd say she is already taking after our side of the family.

Her name is still unconfirmed, although my guess is "Gianna."  After all, we can't keep calling her "Baby G" forever. 

Seven and a half pounds....

Eighteen and a half inches....

of squeaky clean goodness!

The Viral Tag

MadMad has tagged me for this silliness.  I am a joiner.  What can you do???  DO NOT JUDGE ME!

If you are one of the carriers of this story virus (i.e. you have been tagged and choose to contribute to it), all you have to do is copy it into your post, add your piece and tag five others in hopes at least one will keep the story going.

Here goes:

I woke up hungry. I pulled my bedroom curtain to the side and looked out on a hazy morning. I dragged myself into the kitchen, in search of something to eat. I reached for a jar of applesauce sitting next to the sink, and found it very cold to the touch. I opened the jar and realized it was frozen. (Splotchy)

My first idea was to put the applesauce in the microwave. Hey, I was still tired. Could I scoop some out and put whipped cream on it? No, too solid. Why was it so damn cold in here? I walked over to the thermostat and saw that the heat hadn't clicked on all night and the temperature had dropped substantially overnight. Now, tired and hungry, I opened the access panel on the heater. There's the problem: why was someone cooking a duck in here? (SamuraiFrog)

I bent down and scooped up the uncooked duck carcass. There was no way I was going to let it go to waste, especially considering I had applesauce on hand. I placed it in a roasting pot and went back to reset the heater. As I continued to wake up, I realized that my roommate had spent the night at his girlfriend's place and couldn't have put the duck there. "How the hell did it get there?" I wondered. Just then, an already odd situation became even stranger. The lifeless duck animated, flapped its featherless wings, and began to speak. (Some Guy)

I had a choice to make: do I go along with this impossibly reincarnated duck drama that's unfolding before me, or do I phone Dr. Leary and get my prescription changed? Feeling more comfortable believing the Chemical Dementia theory, I pressed Dr. L's speed dial button. That's when I noticed that the duck was wearing my watch. And he had a knife. And he was telling me to lie on the floor. (Cooper Green)

Dear God, how much wine did I have last night? I asked myself. But being my usual doormat self, I lay - or is it lie? I never ever get those right. So much for being an English major. They weren't kidding when they said it wouldn't pay. I can't even speak correctly, let alone compose sentences that require only one short breath to complete - on the floor. (MadMad)

It wasn't until I felt the heavy string being tied around my limbs and noticed the huge bowl of Apple-Cranberry stuffing on the counter that I knew I was really in trouble.  My mind was racing.... I quickly thought back to all those nights of WWF Smackdown I'd seen... I gave him a quick eye razor with a combination belly bounce and made a run for the door.  I think I remember screaming, "Afflack! Afflack!".... (Kim)

I tag:

Tracy

Nora

Leslie

Heather

Nicole

(If you want and IF you even see this....)

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Okay, so things didn't go exactly as I had planned with the New York City trip, but they never do.  Luckily for us, the weather was on the milder side (upper 40's) but very windy.  I wore my Dashing mitts and my new Malabrigo Neckwarmer and gave another one to Jim's sister as a small birthday token. 

The bus dropped us off around 10:00 am, but we really only had three precious hours to ourselves before getting to the show.  Jim and one of his sisters took the kids ice skating at Rockefeller Center, and I went off with his other sister and her two girls to shop.  Macy's had not yet unveiled all of their window displays, but some of the Christmas decorations were up and ready.  In my own passive-aggressive way, I managed to convince Jim's sister and two teenage nieces to go to Tinsel Trading where I bought some adorable "handmade" ornaments.

And, oh my, when I just happened to stumble upon MJ Trim!  Amazingly, I bought nothing - not one button!  Like Webs, it was too overwhelming, and having no particular project in mind, I left.  Sigh. 

We were running out of time and trying to decide if we could get to Canal Street and back in time for the show.  In the end, we decided lunch was more appealing and we would save that for another trip.  Sigh.  There was just not enough time to do everything we wanted in three short hours; it was almost a tease. 

The Christmas Spectacular was, well, spectacular!  I wasn't really expecting much as I have been disappointed by shows in the past, but it was truly a great show with live animals and phenomenally synchronized dancing.  Unfortunately, pictures were only allowed in the lobby...

The highlight of my day, however, happened on the bus when Jim's 16-year-old niece turned to me and said, "Kim, can I ask you a favor?  Do you think you could knit me some leg warmers...in grey?"  And the stars shone and the angels sang....  "Of course I can!"  She then followed up with, "Um, do you know what they are?"  Hello?!  I lived through the 80's!  I guess my old lady was showing.  So, I think I'm going with this pattern from Drops.  Somehow a knitting project can even be worked into a bus trip to New York.

In Which I Reveal What an Old Fart I've Become

Jim and I went to a Counting Crows concert last night.  We usually go to one or two concerts a year, choosing the three or four bands we love and making a point of obtaining tickets whenever we can.  I'm finding, however, that the older I get, the more I'm wishing I were home knitting.  And this is where you younger knitters have it made.  If you bring your knitting to a concert, you are edgy.  If I bring my knitting, I look like a ridiculous geek.  But I digress...

It's not that I don't enjoy the concerts, but I find myself doing more people watching than anything else.  And I develop unrealistic expectations.  For instance, while I enjoy the diversity of characters I find at a concert, I want all the people in my immediate area to simply disappear.  I do not want to be inconvenienced eleventy-hundred times by Dumb Dora and her already-drunk-off-her-ass friend to go to the concession stand and/or bathroom.  How sloppy does one need to be before the concession stand people say "No"?  Seriously, aren't drunk girls the worst?  You know they're going to either a) be sick or b) go home crying.

If you came to the concert purely to drink and socialize, then again, see my above comment whereby I kindly ask that you get out of my immediate area.  I would much rather hear the band sing than you.  Oh, and don't even get me started on the people who insist on standing up and dancing because that's another whole rant unto itself. 

I knew that society was doomed when I saw the Starbucks-Hat Brigade -- three boys with coffee-cup hats.  Can you see the one overachiever with four cups of coffee on his head?  Yes, yes, I know.  I'm sure there was a great explanation.

 

Enough of my rant.  After the two mediocre warm-up bands (that's two hours of my life I'll never get back!), I really did enjoy Adam Duritz and his melancholy musings.  For as much of a curmudgeon as I seem, you know what I won't do?  I won't leave the concert before it's over just to get out of the parking lot sooner.  I have to draw the line somewhere...

The Twelfth Week

I've been just about bursting at the seams for weeks now with some very exciting news, but I was forbidden from saying anything to anyone.  Well, okay, so maybe I spilled the beans to one or three of you, but I was uncharacteristically trustworthy this time.  Who knew when this picture was taken in 1978 that 29 years later, this adorable, little imp would be making me an AUNTIE!!!!

I'm not sure who's more excited--my parents or me.  But I DO know that this baby is going to have the best knitted goods in town!  And I know just where to begin (undyed merino/cashmere sock yarn from The Knittery) - Thank you, Nora!

Oh, and, Heather, don't think I won't be telling my nephew/niece that his/her little Holly Hobby mom asked for a pineapple for her sixth birthday....  Unlike Mom and Dad, I'm still relatively young, and I remember all the stories!

Just Plain Nuts

Do you know what these are?

These are the last of the pistachio nuts that Jim left in cabinet for me.  Isn't he the sweetest?!  What's that, you say?  But they are the ones that can only be opened with a jackhammer?  Well, apparently, as Jim informs me, they are just "locked."  And because he has "manly finger nails," well, he figured I might fare better with them.  Thank you, Baby!  And they say chivalry is dead. 

Short, Sweet NYC Trip

Jim and I got up this morning and decided on an impromptu trip to "the city" - New York that is.  It wasn't something I was particularly keen on, given that I am a control freak who likes to plan things and am not known as a "spur of the moment" gal.  But it was a nice day, we had a free train ticket, and it seemed like it could be a fun adventure. 

As soon as Jim said the word, "go," Joey freaked out and followed me around the house, carefully inspecting my every move.  He gave me the nervous look that said, "Um, hello, don't even think of leaving me on a non-workday."  But I knew this would be a short day trip, and we'd be back early. 

First stop was ABC Carpet and Home.  Have you ever been?  It is incredible in a number of different ways.   Most appealing to me was the children's section.  I swear I am not lying when I tell you they were selling crocheted baby booties for $55 US.  Don't believe me?

But they were oh so adorable!  Not so adorable as to make me rethink the crochet that I long ago left behind.  But you cannot deny their cuteness.

And check out the antique crib with one of their infamous chandeliers over it.  Doesn't every child need a chandelier?  C'mon!  I have always wanted a home with exposed brick.   So cozy!

On the second floor I saw this:

I have no idea what it is, but I wanted it.  And the linens.  Oh, the linens.  I didn't take pictures, but I know for sure that one of my first sewing projects will be to try and copy their coarse, linen pillows with mother-of-pearl buttons sewn on them. 

And since I failed so miserably on my last trip, guess where I made sure I went next?

What did I buy?  Only the ingredients to make a Habu Kusha Kusha scarf in brown tones.  I also meandered over to the fabric shop and even touched that beautiful felted wool.  It was so soft and tempting, but since I am not (yet) a sewer, I left empty handed.

I also managed to knit up a huge portion of my second sock on the train and made it home to Joey and Maggie by dinner time.  A pretty nice Saturday, I would say...

On the Street (Near) Where I Live

This morning Jim and I went to our favorite local diner for breakfast.  Sure, I can whip up some eggs and toast, but there is something about this diner that makes us feel like we're on vacation in a faraway town, even if only for half an hour or so. 

I touched upon our quaint little town in my last post, noting how I'm within walking distance of one of my favorite LYS's.  I realize this may sound a bit bragadocious, but bear with me; I'm getting to something here.  Our LYS is located on the second floor of the local nursery on Main Street right next door to the little, homemade ice cream parlor.  Can you picture it?  No?  Well, here you go....

And it was on this sunny Sunday morning that we drove down Main Street after the diner and met this fine and jaunty gentleman:

When we stopped to ask if I might take his picture, he looked at my camera and asked me what it was.  I just love it when people can stay in character - Hah!  He told me his name was John Callahan a.k.a. "Welcome Jones" and gives historic tours at one of the museums in town. 

And lest you think It's all ice cream cones and characters dressed in revolutionary-war-era garb, it's not.  There is plenty of knitting going on in our little town - plenty!

Some Powerful Sucking!

I came home from work on Monday with a splitting headache.  I figured I would just take a little nap and barely heard the TV warning of severe thunder storms until the water alarm in the basement started blaring and the dogs began their ear-piercing yipping.  Down I ran to the basement to find water gushing from the windows.  Up I ran to grab towels and make a feable attempt at damming up the water that was pooling on the newly-tiled floor.  Panicked calls to Jim-- who is miles and miles away on a business trip--ensued, and it was decided that I must run to Home Depot for a wet vac.  Into the car, dressed in a manner in which I would normally not be caught dead, I raced through the rain and lightening to the Depot.  Ten minutes later, I was vacuuming the basement, cursing my plight.  I must admit, however, that there is something very satisfying about vacuuming up water with a powerful machine.  By 10:30 pm, I had finished my job, thrown all the towels in the laundry, and still had time for a bit of knitting.

When I saw the sun shining yesterday morning, I was just thankful that it wasn't raining and knew it would be a better day.  And it was!  My LYS called to tell me that my Noni bag was finally finished.  There's nothing like a finished project to perk up one's day, no?

The flowers are a bit big, but I think Amelia Bedelia would love this bag!  Check out the little beads the woman put on the inside pocket.

Last night was much, much better.  Dry basement, no headache, plenty of knitting time.  That's what I'm talkin' about!

Day Tripping

I re-started my monkey sock on the way to Newport this morning.  This is the bridge I dread every time I go to Newport.

The weather held out; my sister took the dogs; and we spent most of the day touring the mansions.  I hadn't done that since we were kids and my parents dragged us reluctantly because we were "going to have family fun, Godammit!" 

The new thing at The Breakers is that as they parade you past a bust of one of the young Vanderbuilts who died of typhoid during his freshman year at Yale, they casually note, "If he looks familiar to you, it may be because he resembles his nephew Anderson Cooper...."  (Actually, he did resemble Anderson, but it was a blatant and pathetic attempt at bringing a tired tour up to date. 

This little guy was just waking up from his afternoon nap outside the mansion (notice the resemblance to Anderson Cooper?)

I enjoyed the Breakers, although I've seen it twice before.  But Chateau Sur Mer should have been called "Chateau Sur Merde" cuz it sucked, and it smelled like shit, and the doddering, old tour guide who could barely remember his spiel, kept asking if it was "hot in here," which it wasn't.  I think he needed a fainting couch on account of the vapors.

All in all, it was a lovely Spring Sunday in a  beautiful little town.  What a stark dichotomy it was to see this on the ride home.

If you look closely, you will note that this vehicle has every modern convenience, including air conditioning.  That is indeed an air conditioner installed into the back window of the vehicle, giving new meaning to "living out of one's car." 

And now, I must watch the final episode of "The Soprano's."  I so hope Tony whacks AJ! 

Sunday Picture Highlights

It's been so nice and relaxing having this long weekend to finish up projects....  Here is my unblocked Juno.  Please tell me it's going to look alright when the buttons are sewn on and it's had a bath.  Please!

We celebrated my mom's birthday at my sister's house today.  Family get togethers always yield great dog pictures (and remarkably few human ones). 

Here's my sister with Joey who detests the camera and will not be fooled ever!

Missus Bluebird's on my shoulder...

BIL with Marcello:

Mags - "I'm ready for my close up":

Cello - a very cute fellow:

Tired out:

PS>  Yes, it IS a rule that we wear black t-shirts - ALWAYS! 

Because That's Just the Kind of Jerk I am!

One of my favorite things about Sundays (not!) is that Jim enjoys watching reruns of "The New Yankee Workshop."  He enjoys it maybe just a little too much.  In fact, I believe his dream is to be adopted by Norm and live in his workshop.  One of my small pleasures is to interrupt his viewing with comments like, "He said screw."  Puerile?  Perhaps, but you have no idea how excited I get when Norm says "butt" and "joint" in the same sentence! 

He said "poker"

See ya later, Gator!

My brother-in-law opened a car wash and this is how I spent my morning:

Reprise

This is where I will be tonight, and I could not be more excited.  Well, I suppose I could be... if I were in Boston and my seats were better.  But still....

And here is my favorite picture from his website:

I'm just hoping I have a better view than the last concert I went to (business in the front; party in the back):

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Boston was great.  Of course, I knew it would be.  We did a lot of walking around the city in the cold, which under normal circumstances would have made me cranky and whiny.  But because we were in Boston, I was merely whiny. 

We took pictures in the Common of the Bronze ducks for which someone, in honor of St. Patrick's Day, had knit little green hats and scarves.

And we ate at our favorite Italian Restaurant on Hanover Street where someday I’m going to convince them to sell me this picture:

And then we took a cab to the Orpheum to see James Blunt with whom I am now completely infatuated.  You know, me and the 4,000 teenage girls less than half my age who sang along with every song and screamed, “We love you, James!” ad nauseum.  I did, however, resist the urge to buy a $40 T-shirt because I believe there is something icky about a 40-something-year-old woman in a baby-doll T with a pop star’s head emblazoned on her breasts. 

What I did not manage to resist was a Ralph Lauren, Pink Pony black pocketbook.  Naturally, the non-threatening store in the mall was all sold out (as was the website), so I had to force myself to go into the snooty Ralph Lauren store on Newbury Street, where I felt completely dirty and unworthy.  But I wanted the bag, and I wanted it bad.  So, I propelled myself onward even though I was reminded of the scene in “Pretty Woman” where Julia Roberts goes into the store on Rodeo Drive and the sales lady informs her, “I don’t think we have anything for you here, Dear.”  But indeed they did have something for me there.  And off I walked with my black and hot pink, overpriced canvas bag.  Of course, what I really wanted was the $798 leather bomber jacket, but I digress….

All in all, it was a fantastic weekend; but it’s always nice to come home to this:

Blunt Objects

So, do you know who James Blunt is?  Because if you don’t, I’m spreading the gospel of Blunt.  Me loves me some Blunt.  I have been listening to his CD (Back to Bedlam) for the last two months.  So much so that I am beginning to think that I just might have an unhealthy infatuation with this unkempt mophead.  But I just love his music.  And, naturally, that silly Oprah had to go jump on the bandwagon, but I saw him first! 

So, can I just tell you what my awesome boyfriend gave me for my birthday?  Two tickets to the sold-out James Blunt concert at the Opheum in Boston.  BOSTON!  I loves me some Boston even more than I loves me some Blunt.  So, we are heading up to Boston this weekend to shop and eat and see the concert and do whatever it is that hip Bostonians do.  I am so excited with anticipation, I might combust -- but definitely after the concert.