Score 1 for Me!

Another FO - yes, it feels good. The Angel baby blanket is finito! I used a blue and white yarn, big needles and it really goes QUICK with this pattern. I like it. It's very soft and the blue & white yarn together gives it a little sparkle.

America's Next Top Model?

I swear I think Winnie posed for this:

Look at those eyes. That expressions that screams "Welcome." That has to be her. Except for the chest. She's quite a prude, so I think she had a stunt double come in for the "chest shot." Why look, she even has a bad, smoking habit, just like the other models do to keep the weight off. Good kitty. American's next top kitty model? What do you think:

Thank you secret pal!!!!

Sorry it took so long to get this picture up. Look at all the goodies!! It's amazing! The colors are beautiful. I hope they come out well in the photo. I've got 1, 2, 3 skeins of Cascade hand-dyed yarn. I have no clue what to make with it. I'm sure something will pop up. I got a bunch of needle tools (like the little needle holders that I can definetly use), a bookmarker (that you can't see because I'm already using it) and some lovely soap. Hmmm, I think I'll try that in the jacuzzi bath! I love it - love it - love it!! Thanks so much!

Happy Father's Day & Bon Voyage!

Had a fun father's day celebration for Seymour.


Unfortunately, Yuwanna (in right) wasn't around much because she's leaving for France for 3 weeks! She's visiting her foreign-exchange friend. Which is why I knit a scarf for Hermes! I made her a fun yellow scarf (which I copied from a blue scarf that I already had). I think it will look la magnifique on Hermes and - FINALLY - another FO for me.


But, let me tell you about Seymour's gifts. This may be the best thing since sliced bread. I bought him this steamer. And it can steam clean & sanitize ANYTHING! It can steam clothes, hub caps, grills, windows, shower doors, toilets, bathtubs without any scrubbing. It is truly amazing - maybe the 8th wonder of the world. Hmm, or was that Sugar Hill? Maybe the 9th wonder of the world. I would show you how quickly, easily and lovely it made our grout in the kitchen floor, but I'm afraid the "before" picture is just too scary & embarrassing.

And what else did he get? That's right, he's offically an old man, because he has one of these on the front porch:

Ah, paybacks!

I got a package from my Secret Pal! This is so cool! It's filled with all kinds of great STUFF!! I'll get a picture up here quick. I promise. It's packed with so many goodies that I can't think to list them all.

An Interruption to this Knitting Blog to discuss Knitting

It may not seem like it, but I have gotten my head on straight and I'm hitting the needles again. I've updated my "Current Meds" (in the sidebar). I've got to make another freaking baby bonnet/bootie and hopefully a baby blankey too (patterns TBD-suggestions welcome). I think I have a month to crank it out. I've started a birthday present for AM my Irish bud whose birthday is at the end of this month. So, I'm making her a little "Wearing O' the Green." I really LOVE the pattern and the yarn. I found the pattern in the 24 hour Book or Things to Make in a Weekend or something to that effect.

It said 14 hours - mmm, how do they time that? Is that in wo-manhours or sitting still without moving? I've been working on it for about a week and it's coming along nicely - but I AIN'T finished! Here's a peek:

It's hard to tell by these pictures, but the yarn is a pretty green with a few yellow specks. I have to add some glass beads to the fringe once it's done (never worked with beads before - should be interesting). But, I like the way it's looking so far and I think it will look MAHRVAHLOUZ on her. If I have time, I'll try to squeeze in the matching hat. I'll keep you posted. It's so nice to be knitting again. It's a little tough with everything else going on (still fixing the house, working on the yard, flowers, plants) and the wonderful weather that we're having. But, oh, once you start, you wonder why and how you could ever let it lapse ...

I'm also ordering my stash for the Tempting KAL that's starting up. I'm really, really, really going to do it. Seriously. I AM! Just watch and see ...

Had a lovely birthday! The BnB was great! It was beautiful weather and Charlottesville is a beautiful part of the world. So relaxing. Didn't do much. Walked around UVA, did a little reading, carried my knitting around and had a wonderful 3 course breakfast! MMmmmmm ... Has anyone every had broiled grapefruit? Wow - truly wonderful. Who knew?

Did I tell you what I got as bday gifts? Loads of stuff: iTunes gift card, STARBUCKS CARD, mani/pedi gift certificate, Red Door Spa One Hour Massage (oh, force me to do that!), a plethora of homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (bad people), and - what I have always, always wanted - a rocking chair! Yes, I guess I am an official old-woman-who-sits-in-a-rocker-and-knits.

AND guess what I found when I got home? A cute card from my secret pal!! It said a package is on the way. Can't wait!!

NaNa NaNa Nah Nah – It’s almost my birthday!!

I’m so excited and I just can't hide it. I'm about to lose control and I think I like it. Okay, enough of the 80s flashbacks. The weather has been awesome here and we’ve been doing a lot of “house work.” Over Memorial Day weekend, I think I - oops, WE - planted over 30+ flowers in the front yard, put up a mailbox, flag, flower beds, etc. The place is shaping up quite nicely, but we still have a ways to go.

I’ve been quite the knit-slacker lately. But, I am ready for a new challenge. I have some beautiful yarn that I bought with a Christmas gift certificate but I’ve been afraid to dive into it. (It’s just TOO PRETTY!) I’d really like to make a summer tank/t-shirt type top. It has to be very cool to wear because – “It’s not the heat – it’s the humidity.” (If you’re from the Right Coast, you know EXACTLY what I mean!) It also has to be an easy pattern because I don’t want to screw up the yarn. I need something that will fit and look flattering on a Big Girl (tall, broad shoulders, endowed). We don’t use the “p-word” around here much (i.e. “petite”). Does anyone know of an easy 1st tank/t-shirt to knit? I could use all the help I can get.

We’re planning a little trip this weekend. Seymour and I are going to Charlottesville and staying in a BnB. I’m really looking forward to it. It’s only for the weekend, but it should be a nice break. I’m hoping that we get to Skyline Drive and do a little hiking. If it’s not too hot, it’d be SWEET. It will be nice to get away from work, town, house, cats, dog and kids and just spend some time together. Just the two of us .... (man, more 80s flashbacks. What's up with that??)

Hope yall have a GREAT weekend!!