Wednesday, June 29, 2005
You say it's your birthday!
Today is a double birthday--my Mom and my Daughter. I couldn't have planned that if I tried!Mom--Thanks for everything and have a great day! What an awesome Mom. When do we get a picture of that finished Manos Scarf?
And Anna when she was one month old (oh so long ago):
Last night we were preparing the cupcakes for Anna's school buddies. She was the sprinkle girl:
When you are three you get to lick the frosting off the cupcakes:
The cake isn't too bad, either!
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Ariel
It is so very hot here that it is difficult to figure out what I should knit. I'm think tanks, so I decided to work on this:
That's Ariel from Colinette's Akashya Book. I just love Colinette's yarn and design. This is made from Giotto in Venezia. Giotto is a loosely woven ribbon, so splitting the ribbon is a bit of an issue. Love the colour, though:
The ribbon yarn is knitting up to be really springy and stretchy, which is a plus. I did find what I think is a mistake in the pattern. The numbers don't add up, so I have to spend a little time trying to figure out where this is going. But, a quick, easy summer knit--and something I can wear in the 100 F weather...
Monday, June 27, 2005
Spinning Yarns
When I was away I did manage to hit a number of yarn shops. I don't have pictures of the spoils, as they didn't fit in my suitcase. My Mom ended up mailing the multiple skeins to me, and I'm hoping they arrive shortly.I did get a chance to go to a number of yarn stores in the New Hampshire/Massachusetts area. I've already let you have a look at Charlotte's Web in Exeter. I also was able to go to Dover, New Hampshire's Spinning Yarns. Maureen recommended this shop, and I have to say that this was my favorite shop that I was able to visit.
Here's my Mom buying me my very early birthday present--yarn.
The store owner was very friendly and helpful, offering suggestions about yarn choices. The yarn selection was not huge, but it was nice--lots of Rowan, Mountain Colors, Jaeger, and more. The best part? Toys to keep Anna amused while I poked around:
What a pleasant store!
I also visited two stores in Massachusetts. First I went to Needle Arts in Concord, Massachusetts. I really liked the woman who was working at the store. She was really friendly, enthusiastic and helpful. We were able to chat about all of the gorgeous Colinette yarns that they had in stock, and I left with a pretty ribbon yarn (pictures tomorrow). Their prices were high, but it was Massachusetts...
The final store I went to was Wild & Wooly in Lexington, Massachusetts. This store is really large--two floors. They had the remnants of a huge sale in the basement and there looked to be big bargains. The prices seemed pretty good, and I succummed to some Rowan Cork for a pretty cabled sweater. The woman who helped me was very nice, though the other worker seemed fairly cranky. But, I think you could find some nice things in the shop with a little looking. It seemed to be fairly difficult to find things for some reason, but I would head back again for the big sale!
Friday, June 24, 2005
What time is it?
I'm still having a hard time adjusting to the day/time shifts. You would think I was abroad, but no--just tired from the long time away.I did finish up my lovely socks on the trip. These are the Mountain Colors socks that Tami from Zipa-dee-doo-dah day sent as a Secret Pal gift. These are just the nicest socks. Thick and stable, yet really pretty with the patterned ribbing.
When I was visiting my Mom I found an old picture album from 1974. In it were some pictures from when I visited Storyland, in New Hampshire, when I was a child. I cut the images together.
Here is Humpty Dumpty. He looks exactly the same--even the button to push to get the nursery rhyme recited is the same. What do you think? Mommy, Anna and Grandma with Humpty on the top, me at 4 with Humpty on the bottom.
This is the carousel that I rode as a child. It seems exactly the same. That's me with the big smile on the top, Anna, me, and Mom on the bottom.
Funny huh?
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Back to Texas
I'm back in Texas. It is incredibly hot here... and we are having a bit of difficulty with the time change. I'll post more tomorrow, when I head back to work.Monday, June 20, 2005
The Sock Visits Stanford
I've been at Stanford for a Computers and Writing Conference this past weekend. The great part of this is that the family gets to visit with my sister-in-law and brother-in-law while I head to the conference. My paper went well, and the papers I heard were interesting.The sock had a great time tooling around the campus. In homage to the Yarn Harlot, I want to include some of the images of the sock at play. Note the sock in repose:
Need a close up?
I actually finished the sock during the conference. The toe needs to be grafted, but I don't have the right size needle here, so that will have to wait until later. I love conferences where you actually get to knit. When I knit it is so much easier to focus on what the panelists are saying. Usually I get some strange looks, but this academia--we are all a bit off... What's a sock knitter in that bunch?
One of the nicest things about this conference is that they had our reception and outside dinner for the conference main speaker in the Rodin Sculpture Garden.
The area beside the conference had Rodin's Burghers of Calais in the Memorial Court:
Rodin was commissioned to create this sculpture to commemorate the Burghers of Calais who willing went to their death to save their village from attack. I've seen Rodin in Philadelphia as well. Many of the sculptures are from the same molds, but it was nice to see the sculptures in a different environment.
Tomorrow we head back to Texas! I'll see you on Wednesday.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Bi Coastal
This trip is bi coastal--the entire family regrouped in Southern New Hampshire on Wednesday evening, packed way too many items from my Mom, and headed for the Boston/Logan airport on Thursday morning to catch our flight to San Jose, California. I'm finished the research/hobnobbing section of the trip (in Concord). The trip was successful, and I was able to talk to many important people who are related to my project. My husband finished his Clay Mineral conference at Burlington, Vermont and made it back to NH by 11 pm. Let's just say that we are all pretty tired...I have lots of other knitting store pictures to post, but that will have to wait until I have a little more time. I'm at a Computers and Writing Conference at Stanford University through Sunday. I'm giving a paper on blogs and my Technical writing course, so I suppose it isn't too far afield to be working on my knitting blog before the session...
I'll get some pictures tomorrow--probably of the sock reposing in the gorgeous California weather!
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
I'm Working!
Really. I am working. I've been driving to Concord, Massachusetts this week to work in the Concord Free Public Library Special Collections.
I really enjoy spending time in Concord. I've been working on my 19th century Concord project, taking images for VR 360s (those images online that you are able to walk through), meeting with the various folks, and transcribing and collecting information. This is a very long term project, but enjoyable.
That doesn't mean, however, that I have forgotten about knitting... I visit a yarn store or two along the way. Here's the first
This is Charlotte's Web in Exeter, New Hampshire. They have amazingly gorgeous yarns:
Fun, huh? The prices are a bit high, but they will have what you want. Plus, Tom, here knitting away and generously answering questions, is a nice and helpful guy!
Thanks to all who recommended this store! Did I mention that I haven't stocked up on yarn in a while? Hmm. I did find a few things:
That's last year's spring/summer Rowan and some lovely blue and purple Rowan 4-ply cotton yarn to make this super cute top:
Of course, I found a few other things, including some Addi needles, two more skeins of Cotton Fleece for another Loop-D-Loop T shirt, and that mysterious hank of way too expensive yarn:
That's Blue Heron hand dyed yarn from Easton, Maryland. I just couldn't resist its soft, shiny lure... Who knows what I will do with it. I rarely buy yarn without having some soft of plan for its use.
And, like a great kid of a knit blogger, Anna sat with Mommy's yarn and camera supplies while I snapped pictures:
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Hot Time in Storyland
Ok. Would you tell me why it is so hot and humid in New England? I left the Texas heat and humidity to come to cool New England...yeah, right.So this weekend we decided that a little kid fun would be good, and we braved the heat to head to Glen, New Hampshire's Storyland. I remember going to this amusement park when I was about 5 and having big fun.
Anna's a daredevil and always wants to head for the roller coaster. You see Mom, Anna, and me in the middle car:
We drove the cars (daredevil):
We rode the carousel (notice that my interpid husband always gets out of the rides by "taking our picture.) Hmm.
The ball room and the jumping part of the park were Anna's favorite (far better than the spinning turtles which almost made me loose the soft serve ice cream....)
Storyland was a hit with Anna. Very fun!
I managed to find a few yarn shops... I'll have some pictures in the next post!
And, really, I'm working. Need proof?
Friday, June 10, 2005
Fun in New Hampshire
We are having a lovely time in New Hampshire visiting my Mom and her guy Jim. Need proof? How about this crazy family:We are having big fun!
The first day we were here we took a tour and sampling at Red Hook Brewery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It was neat to see how they made the beer, and we all enjoyed the tasting. Anna was busy scoping out the flower beds because she found they had planted strawberries in them--let's just say that the brewery has lost a few strawberries to a hungry 2 year old. We headed out to the Kittery outlets, as well, since they have some stores I love, including Hanna Andersson. I'm not talking about purchases, ok?
Yesterday we took a boat ride in Portsmouth, NH on the Isles of Shoals tour boat. What were we looking at? Well, the husband was enjoying the boats, since he is obsessed with building a wooden lobster boat (yes, we live in Texas--let's not talk about why that is strange....)
Boats for Bruce
It was a little grey and hazy, but we enjoyed the tour. We cruised by one of my favorite lighthouses, Whaleback Light, in the Portsmouth Harbor.
Whaleback Lighthouse, Portsmouth Harbor
We cruised around the islands at the Isles of Shoals ( history here). I like that lots of 19th century authors visiting the Shoals: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and others. Celia Thaxter, writer and gardner, lived there during the 19th century as well.
The island that most people are interested in is Smuttynose:
Smuttynose Island, Isles of Shoals
You might know this island because there is a beer named after it, but the island is also famous for a double murder.
I'll post more soon!
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
I'm in New England
We flew into Logan/Boston yesterday afternoon. The flights were fine, the rental car place a bit nuts, followed by a nice drive to New Hampshire. It is warm here, but cool compared to Texas. We are off to do some shopping (Kittery Outlets), touring (Red Hook Brewery, and eating (Warren's for lobster).Thanks for all of the yarn shop suggestions. I will head to a few of them and take some pictures! More tomorrow...
Monday, June 06, 2005
Hot--Time for New England
Yeesh. It is hot and humid here. Yuck. I think it is time to take a few weeks and go where it is cooler(er). My mother says it is hot in New Hampshire, but it isn't 98 degrees and humid, so it should be great!I had a great weekend, though I hate trying to think about all the things that need to be taken care of or packed before we leave. Always much too much.
I finished a super fast knit this weekend: The Ballerina T Shirt from Loop D Loop:
Isn't it cute? It was so fast to make--knitted in the round of double strands of Cotton Fleece Brown Sheep yarn. I'm tempted to make another one soon...
Here's our old dog, Jessie, hanging out on the deck with me:
Sorry for the wet hair pictures--I was dashing out the door when I took the pictures. I did get new glasses--can you tell? They are Teflon coated, so I hope that they last longer than the last ones.... They fell victim to a big scratch from being thrown in my purse.
I did get a chance to take a picture of the lovely purplish Angel Trumpet plant that is prospering in our garden:
Our gardener neighbor gave us this plant. The blooms are so pretty with their layered petals.
In other news--we lost a tree this weekend:
We had lost a branch of this one the other week, but the top came out of it. Bruce did a decent job dropping it. Notice he only hit one branch of the blooming Mimosa. Adios, lovely tree!
Friday, June 03, 2005
Here we go again....
This summer looks to be just as wacky busy as the spring semester. How did that happen? While the visit to the Caribbean was just plan rest and relaxation, the rest of our trips have a work component.We leave this coming week for a bi-coastal trip. First stop--New England. We are coupling a visit to my Mom's house in New Hampshire, a conference for Bruce in Vermont, and a research trip in Concord, Massachusetts. So, my first thought is--which yarn shops should I hit? I've been really good about not buying yarn, so a few more projects for the stash won't be awful, will they? Any suggestions?
Then we head to California for a visit coupling a conference at Stanford (for me) with a nice visit with my soon to be baby niece, sister in law and brother in law in Los Gatos/San Jose. Again, any great yarn stores?
I will be blogging along the way, so you will be hearing from me shortly!
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Baby Sweater
I finished the other small project that I worked on while away. This is the baby sweater, part two of three in the baby set that I am making for our soon to show niece.
I washed and blocked the pieces before they were put together. I didn't think my sister in law would appreciate the sun block, ocean, sweat smell... It smells nicely like Eucalan now!
The sweater needs buttons yet. There are three large holes across the right shoulder and a smaller hole at the neck. I think I will wait for the buttons until I finish the booties. They need buttons as well, and it would be nice if they matched in some way.
I just didn't feel like completing any other knitting. Laying around in the pool and resting was about what I could handle on this trip!
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Miss D is in residence!
I did complete a little knitting when I was away. Say hello to the Divine Miss D:
I used the Knitty pattern Miss Dashwood, which is just too cute and fast to knit. The needle sizes are as suggested in the pattern, using a size 3-6 month. The yarn is Elann bargain yarn--Dive Cotton Clubat 60% Cotton, 40% Acryllic. I mostly like the yarn (color and texture) but it is a very loose wrap and can get splitty.
The bobbles were not as painful as I had feared:
I hope that you will start to see nicer pictures on the blog--I bought some new lenses for my camera in hopes of getting better close ups. This set up pictures seems a bit better than the old ones...
And a RIP: My favorite T-shirt is getting close to its last threads....
This is the front of my threadbare T-shirt from high school (think early 80s). I originally took this from a boyfriend skate punk with multi colored hair... For those of you who were in the DC area in the early 80s you might recognize the Commander Salamander store name. The store was a funky, punky place in DC, christened by Andy Warhol and frequented by punk kids. And remember, the 80s were still the time that body piercing was shocking and dyed hair scared the locals... We listened to the Cure, Manic Panic, and the local underground scene on 99.1 (when it was still a college radio station and not commercial alternative...). Ah. Progressive music. What was that, exactly?
I think the store is still there, but it isn't edgy anymore (goth, perhaps, with designer clothes.... Not the original, 60 different ways to wear a safety pin through your ear). Look at the rip!
I love this shirt because it reminds me of my high school rebellion. So sad that it is nearing the end, though my daughter tells me it is kinda scarey looking...
