Saturday's Rain = J's Quilt

If anything, this machine stitched, reversible quilt helped to totally clear off my work table.

I had this brainy idea yesterday morning, while shopping, that I should come home and make a reversible quilt for J's dorm room. Starting at 10:30 a.m., completed the top by 4:30 p.m., with the binding completed on the one side. I proceeded to watch three movies in this time with the family as it was raining "buckets" of water. I finally put it down at 10:30 p.m. and got some sleep. I have about 1/3 of the binding to finish hand stitching down.

What ever possessed me to spend the day sewing is beyond me. I actually wanted to knit a bit last night, but just kept on hand sewing on the binding. I'll finish the quilt before I pick up the knitting again.

Taking my darling children (they are in no stature the size of children or have the mentality of children) in to see their father today. Good ol' dad is giving J a much needed haircut. DH says to hit him up for college money. I think we will just discuss the cost and where we all stand for helping J out.

One Cable Scarf

Finally...J's One Cable Scarf, completed. Just as we finish signing the Financial papers for college, chat about how we will pull this off and the first thing he has to comply with is that the girls and I will be visiting in October on our day off from school. He was agreeable. Oh, and he digs his scarf too.

One Cable Scarf stats:
Pattern from: One Skein by Leigh Radford
Finished Length: Approx. 53 inches
Started: April 9, 2006
Completed: April 26, 2006
Needles: US 9
Yarn: Patons Merino Wool in "Smokey Grey"
Having my son go to college and be a brave mom: Priceless

Nummy...

Teabird17 wrote, including a line of "just had a piece of homemade maple walnut cake". OMG...it sounds so heavenly. Darn diet. I will keep peddling my tricycle. LOL

FairIsle...I'm four cards ahead of the game, feeling confident that I, for once, will not be in "panic mode" come Thanksgiving weekend (US in November).

Jenni...I love my BagSmith bag. I only have one project in at this time, with a bit of this and that in the pockets for supplies always needed (seaming yarn needle, crochet hook, stitch holders, yada-yada).

My knitting is still extremely slow, at least in my book. I am capable of getting about four repeats in on the One Cable Scarf at lunch.

Along with my brussel sprout craving, I have a craving for books. I still will read the books chosen for each month over at KTC, but I have been craving small, little books, with lovely, happy endings of love and happiness. Yeah, yeah, stop snickering. I'm a romantic at heart and sometimes I just need a little surreal romance that I can't quite obtain on my own. LOL

Saturday's read was "Manhunt" by Janet Evanovich. You know, the author that writes mystery, with the numeric order in her titles. Well, she's written a bit of romance...and since I love the rugged outland, it was perfect with Alaska as the scene.

Are you still there...are you still coming back to read my blog now that I have let the cat out of the bag and have admitted to being a "dime store novel trash girl"?

Next in my evening reads before bed it "The Little Dragon". A quick read...enough to keep my mind satisfied.

Whew...what a day!

A lot of things done, none at this time, knitting. I read Janet Evanovich's "Manhunt" yesterday (love it when I find a book I will read in an evening), woke up and headed out with the girls to work on Mr. E's yard, spreading out six yards of soil. Headed home to mow, but struck a deal with "A", she didn't want to clean the chicken coop and move the baby chicks, so I did the coop and she did the lawn. I got the better deal, at least I think so. I did a load of linens and hung them to dry, worked in the garden, walked back and forth, doing this and that. I should sleep really, really good tonight.



Here's a couple more cards, I made them tonight, in about 15 minutes. Not much too them, very plain, but good mailers. Ok, I now have four Christmas cards done. I need to think about what I am giving or maybe making this year for gifts.


Here's the OSW I finished yesterday. The pic probably will not show up detail too much, i.e., ribbing, it's a ragg brown/white, in a cotton blend. Very soft and comfy. The OSW is ok...if I get my poundage down another 10 or 15 pounds, it will feel better on...I have this illusion that all my fat is hanging out from under it. Maybe this in not an illusion...LOL

I have a new knitting bag. I love my Lantern Moon Rice Basket that Debbie gave me for my birthday last year, but I am finding my knitting needles are poking through...so I purchased a BagSmith. A bit spendy for the size...but it will do everything I need it to do and I can tote it to work. I never leave home with out it (knitting that is).

Next FO soon to come, J's One Cable Scarf...because then I have to make another for A, who thinks she needs everything. I love her so.

FO's

My OSW is now complete, just minutes ago. The batteries in the ol' camera said "charge me, NOW".

I also finished one Gold Club Cover yesterday, two more to make for the Friends of the Arts Golf Tournament on May 6th. I was asked if I would knit some up as a prize.

Watched two movies last night, "My House in Umbria" with Maggie Smith...I just love her and "Last of the Dogmen" with Barbara Hershey and Tom Berringer. Both good "knitting" movies.

Off to collect clothes off the line...

Contest at Kat Knits

Heide always finds the fun things to do...so check out Kat-Knits Contest.

Name 5 places other than your house or a knitting store where you have knit...

Post your list on your blog & put a link to it in the comments of her blog entry. Whomever has the most original place as picked by her DB will get a little knitting gift packages from me. She'll pick a winner on Friday, April 21.

Where I've knitted:

1: A two hour walking tour of Fort Worden Military Bunkers (with cramps)
2: On the ferry to Victoria, BC and back
3: Movie Theater
4: Bonfire at neighbors
5: Work

Scrubbies, very scratchy

I am knitting, while I peddle along on my tricycle. Here is a quick look at J's One Cable scarf from One Skein and my OSW...someday I will have these little items done, hoping for this weekend. Low 70's on Sunday...wow! My garden will love it.



A parent at school asked for my help in getting her started in crocheting scrubbies for the kitchen, as a fundraiser for her daughter to go to Washington DC next year. She brought one in that she got from her Gram's from Iowa. I can't let a chance to help a crafter in need go by, so I headed up to JoAnn's and purchased some netting. I should have purchased it on the roll, but I thought I would try the flat fold first. This may be a item for a portion of gift bags for my neighbors, with embroidered towels and handknit dishcloths, maybe a few cloth napkins, sound good? The Scrubbies are easy, it's the scratchy netting that is hurting my index fingers...tensioning the fabric like I do yarn as it slips over my fingers...OUCH!

Notice the two Christmas cards in the photo? I made those last night while you were all singing the Queen song. LOL

While at JoAnn's, I browsed the sewing catalogs and found the perfect skirt for me, me, me. I want it long for fall/winter, with pockets and quick to sew up. It lists fabrics that I would like, about a dozen different options which makes this skirt very versatile. I'm thinking a black tweed skirt, with a crisp white long sleeve buttoned down shirt and a lovely handknit cable vest over it. Gotta stay ahead of the seasons, right?

Mr. Sandman...is that you? You're looking awfully good tonight. Wait, Mr. PMS is lurking around too. What is the deal? Ah, only two days left of school this week. Saturday morning will be here before we know it. Only 39 more school days left. Only 39 more school days plus one day and my oldest will be in the graduating Class of 2006. (sniff, sniff, snort) Whew, time flies.

Nighters...

I'm on my tricycle, don't let me fall off...

Ok...you know the old saying "Fallen off the wagon", well my old friend of 30 years (this summer) has always said, "Mind your r's and s's" instead of "mind your p's and q's", just to be different.

Well, I don't feel like falling off the wagon with my new little "gotta shed 27 pounds" theory, so I'm on a tricycle for this one...trying to keep balance and keep peddling at the same time. Not as easy as it looks, but I'm giving it a try.

I figure if I use the "Yarn Diet" or the "Wagon" metephor, I am setting myself up for big trouble. You all know you will buy that knitting book or that skein(s) of yarn that you "just have to have" without blinking an eye and so will I, hence the yarn diet really doesn't not work. As for the Wagon, darn if one can't just sit on the wagon that will hold ones rearend while you just keep tossing back the high calorie goodies. Hence, the tricycle. I hear Queen in the back ground with "Fat Bottom Girls". LOL

You ask yourself, "What is she thinking, what outfield did this pop-fly bounce out of?" Well, I guess I'm not thinking, having just finished mowing the lawn, about an hour of pushing a lawn mower that is NOT, I repeat, NOT self-propelled. Whew, but I feel good now and after about 15 roasted brussel sprouts with my turkey for dinner, I'm not tired one bit. Craving brussel sprouts for about two weeks, think I'm in need of iron or whatever those little cabbages give out?

Other Crafting: Maybe a little Christmas Card stamping to see if I can come up with a card to mass produce for this years mailings or maybe not.

Knitting news: Still working on J's One Cable scarf, haven't worked too much on it the past two days, really need to get that project done and out of my knitting basket.

Knitting on my OSW in the brown ragg color during lunch, but won't have it don't to wear for another few days, only getting a half hour or so in on it a day. It took me an average of four hours to knit them last summer, after four of them, I got pretty fast on knitting them up.

Well my knitting friends, thanks for tuning in....

I love a good quiz.

You scored as Elizabeth Bennet. As one of Austen's most beloved characters, Elizabeth Bennet represents what most women would like to become: strong, independent, and loyal. Of course, she has her faults including a stubborn will of iron and a clinging to first impressions. Overall, Lizzie is bright and lovable...something to admire and aspire to. Elizabeth Bennet 81% Emma Woodhouse 53% Marianne Dashwood 50% Elinor Dashwood 47% Lady Catherine 47% Jane Bennet 38% Charlotte Lucas 34% Which Jane Austen Character are You? (For Females) Long Quiz!!! created with QuizFarm.com

Debbie Stroller will be in Seattle

Debbie Stroller's Calendar.

Just a tid-bit of info. for folks in Seattle area or even Portland, she has a few May dates where she will be there as well. If anyone attends, let me know, so I can link to your blog when you write about the event. I'm not up for the mass crowd of knitters, I'll just enjoy her books from afar.

Dinner was wonderful. It was so good, I gave myself a headache from eating too much ham, all that salt. Water, I need water.

My knitting, well, what there was of it while we watched "Walk the Line", was on the OSW. Think I might try to finish it by Tuesday night to wear to work on Wednesday with an outfit I picked out for this OSW. I'm on the hunt for the most perfect skirt pattern for myself, for work. I have a minds-eye picture of it...now to see if I can find a custom made pattern online somewhere.

As for "Walk the Line", it was enjoyable. I didn't think I would like it, but it was good. It gets a 7 out of 10. Though I grew up with Johnny Cash playing, along with Glen Campbell in my house, not on my top ten list for artists. I guess old country never sat well with me.

Stephanie has given me hope for being ready for the holidays this year, not to be a hum-bugger and just enjoy. If I start working on my cards now, I can then do a bit of crafting or knitting for Christmas gifts too.

So, what's on your list to make for gifts this year? Let me know...we need to inspire each other.

Happy Easter to all...

Have knitting basket, will travel...

across the road to Randy's. I have the One Cable Scarf for J, my Side-Ways Rib sweater and a OSW in a ragg brown/creme color I just started a couple of minutes ago, to work on while watching movies over at Randy's after we sit down to feast upon Ham and all the fixin's.

Stamping News: I made six b-day cards, four will go to work with me for co-workers celebrations. I'm already thinking Christmas cards...don't laugh, I hear you...:)

Eat Local Challenge (baking): If you can bake it, make it. My little extra for the ELC. Today I made banana choc. chip muffins for kiddo's breakfast tomorrow morning, two pumpkin pies from scratch, a loaf of Oat Bread, thank goodness for my KitchenAid, it can knead dough wonderfully with the breaddough hook. DH asked why I was making the bread, I told him due to the price. He would roll his eyes at me and snicker if I told him the other reason.

Gardening News: Planted my starts for squash this morning. Yeah. In my new little tabletop greenhouse.

The Winner is....

Stephanie

Good job. WalMart is the answer. My MIL refers to it always as Tramlaw...gives it a pleasantly, ritzy name. I have pretty much stayed away from the store, just a few times have I visted it in the past six months or so. We will see how the new one takes over, or how trashy the parking lot gets. Besides, don't we all have enough "stuff" by now?

Managed to get my major overhaulin' done on my craft loft...DH is mad at me now, I complained enough he had it and moved his computer out to the gameroom, and telling me that the gameroom is now his. We will see how long he stays mad at me.

Gardening news: Found a 3 in 1 Asian Pear in the FM nursery at 7 am this morning. The bonus, 50% off, uh, yeah, that makes it a whopping $9.98 for my tree. Will have to call the nursey and tell them to cancel my hold. It's already planted and enjoying life out in my garden.

Please...tell me, what was I thinking?

I'm learning how life will be as the kids grow up and move on. Tonight, A went to friends for a sleepover. J is at work then the usual movie night at friends house. K is with me, eating dinner (pickup up a burger on the way home) and big K is on his way home. The place is extremely quiet. Wow! I may get use to this.

So, I have this list, a grocery list, I have things to make for Easter dinner at the neighbors (remember, we spend alot of time together). So...please tell me what the h#&* was I thinking driving to Fred Meyers to get my shopping done, at 5 pm, Friday night before Easter? Has the world gone mad? Is it payday for everyone? The parking lot was so full the only parking was way out in the back forty. Now imagine how packed the store is with that many cars parked outside.

I usually shop at 7am on Saturday or Sunday, when NOBODY is in the store. Too bad FM wasn't 24 hrs like that big, huge business will be that is going in, right down the road from FM, TramLaw. You figure out what store I'm talking about and I'll send you a skein of my handspun yarn (not a ton of yardage, but it's a cool little gift for the challenge). First one to email me with the right answer gets the prize. Make sure to include your email so I can write you back to get snail mail addy. K? (inspired by HeideHo)

What will I do with myself tonight since I am not going shopping, 2/3 of kids are gone and DH will most likely be hanging with the neighbors? I think the craftloft could use a Spring Clean overhaulin' evening. Then I can get back to knitting, spinning, stamping and much, much, more!

Garden news: Called around, found a 3 in 1 Asian Pear, semi-dwarf for the orchard that I may go get tomorrow, after grocery shopping.

Kitchen news: Will be calling Schulz Farm to see when local asparagus will be available, time to get some pickled.

Baking news: How does a loaf of Boston Brown Bread sound? If it comes out good, I'll post the recipe, it's a quick bread, great for toasting.

Home Recipe news: Took small container of handcream into coworker who has very dry hands. She liked it plus several other coworkers. Cool...I just ordered some containers to make a few more batches, plus some lip balm for J as well.

Eat Local Challenge while you knit

The month of May will be another Eat Local Challenge.

Calling all knitters, homesteaders, greenliving folks and just about anyone else that wants to make a difference, check out the above link.

I've been thinking about how I will be able to meet this challenge. I think I'm alread half way there.

What I get at home now:

Milk delivered from a local dairy farm every week

Eggs from my chicken coop (I'm getting six a day from seven layers right now)

Lettuce from my lettuce bowls I have outside on the deck (keep the ducks, chickens and slugs away from them)

Beef from my own town, within 8 miles (purchased a side last year)

To make it even better, I will challenge myself to:

Make my own bread for sandwiches (just picked up the Weekend Baker from the library)

Continuing through the summer:

Pickling cukes from my own garden

Put up Salsa from my garden tomatoes

Put up fresh jams and fruits from my fruit trees

Freezing veggies (brussel sprouts, carrots, peas, beans)

Now the other part of this:

Homemade personal care products

Now to find other locals to barter with....

In Knitting News: Still knitting on the One Cable Scarf for Jake. I'm about 36" into it. Will go to about 50" - 52".

In the Kitchen:
Two containers of handcream made tonight...al a' Natural at the Cabin.

Journey & Lavender

Can you hear it? That's my surround sound rocking the world back and forth, as K just got the Journey 81' DVD from Netflix in the mail...my windows are shaking. Mind you, I was a Junior in HS when it was recorded, the first concert aired on MTV, per K. He's in heaven...

So...as he rocks his world and everyone elses, I finished another Candywrapper Sachet, though I went much smaller in size, then stuffed it with lots of lavender. This will be a b-day present for co-worker. Usually I add a birthday candle and a BlowPop sucker to the envelope, but I think I will start making this for the girls at work. Good little gift, from the heart and hands.

Spent a little time at d-made's blog. She is such a grand knitter...she can whip out a sweater in what seems to be not time flat. I'm always in awe when I read the wonderful things she has completed. Check out her blog, as she has some great patterns available to make too.

Ho Hum

Not much to show for my knitting, other than the One Cable Scarf I am working on for DS, J. The perfect college attire. Bellingham was cool and a bit windy on Saturday. Walking all over campus, all I could think about was what clothes he will need in his closet. We are both a bit off-kilter with the college thing, only five months and he'll be there. Maybe scared is the right word.

Until then, I will just enjoy my time with him, knit him things that I believe he will wear and enjoy the moment.

Hey: Bellingham yarn shop, 1.6 miles from campus, called the "Wool Station". Bonus for my visiting days with darling J.

Working hard at hardly working

I'm taking a bit of a break from my Oneskein book to work on my Side-way Ribs sweater. While doing so, I watched two movies yesterday, "Charlotte Gray" and "The Last September".

I loved Charlotte Gray...Kate B. is a beauty in my books and the storyline was excellent.

The Last September, well, with all the "visitors" for my kids (three teenagers, all whom had someone either here or stopping by), I had to keep stopping the movie. I finally did finish it, though I would have enjoyed it a bit more with a straight-through view of it. A bit on the depressing side for me, so I spent my evening reading the rest of Gabrielle's Angel by Nora Roberts to lighten myself up.

Tonight is a "Fish Fry" at Randy's...our neighbor. There is a group of us in the neighborhood, about six of the houses, that get together through out the year...sometimes it's every single weekend for a month, then maybe once or twice a month. Be it a BBQ or just a night around the bonfire...we usually spend New Years Eve, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Labor Day, Memorial Day, yada-yada-yada together. Safer to walk home than to drive, right? One New Years Eve was at Greg & Sheryl's place. We stayed outside all night around the bonfire, a beautiful clear night, slightly nippy, but perfect with the fire. One of the most memorable New Year Eves in a long time.

But tonight everything will be fried...oh, lovely. DH seems to think I have a problem with this, uh, no I don't. But it will be fattening, with deep fried cod, fries, onion rings, poppers and moz. cheese sticks. Yuck, I won't eat the last one...ew! I may have to have a beer with my fish & chips...haven't had one in quite a long time.

Today I plan to listen to Moll Flanders (or part of it) on Ebook for KTC...while I knit on my Side-Ways Rib. Tomorrow is up early and on the road with my oldest, J, my son. It's preview day at the college he has been accepted to. This will an all day event, we'll leave at 6am and hope to be back by 7 pm, just in time to finish one more day of Spring Break before going back to school/work.

The "Bathmat"

Yep, another "Oneskein" book project done. I'm lovin' how my stash drawer is dwindling and trying out new patterns, just too fun.

Here's the stats:
Yarn: DiVe Bolivia, 100% cotton, just under 6 balls
Started: 4-3-06
Completed: 4-5-06


Oh, did I mention that I purchased the Mountain Stream Scarf today. Check it out, Mountain Lace KAL. There are some beautiful pieces of work on here. I do believe I have the Rowan Kidsilk Haze for this project too. Must dig in the stash...

To the garden...

A little sun, a lot less headcold and to work I go...I'm goofy, but this is me "pre-splattered with stain".


After running out of stain on the last few boards, I had to pickup another gallon this morning. But hey, it was on sale for 50% off the price I paid for the first can...so at least I will have some for touchups. Now to get a quart of green paint to touch up the trim. My garden house (shed) is now six years old...it was the first thing we built on the property a year after acquiring it. Built all by hand, as the land was still raw (no water or electricity) and K found that adorable window at a garage sale that year as we were driving out on one of the weekends to work the land. It was out of a very old barn.


I have lots of starts in my little greenhouse, though they are far from ready to come out to plant, I did have some flowers I started last year that wintered over quite well and I picked up a few more perennials (buy two get one free sale) to tide me over till my starts are ready to go out.

Just about done with my Bathmat from the book, Oneskein, in crochet too!

1 year blog anniversary

What do we do when we have blogged for a year, to the day? Just keep on knittin' and keep on bloggin'.

It's been a good year, having hooked up with many knitters, participated in many Secret Pal events and joining in on alot of KAL's.

Thank you to all that have left comments, that have been inspirational in the blogs that I have visited and for just being there...

Wow...a knitter out of control...

Well, I'm not really out of control. I'm just on Spring Break and doing those farm chores as needed, so I was able to get my errands ran this morning after posting the Spiral Bag.

Since EE and I cancelled our roadtrip to the Yarn Garden we had planned today, I was able knit up the Baby Hat from Oneskein while I waited to see if it was going to rain. Sure enough, it's raining now. Who would have thought? LOL Looks to be Wednesday or Thursday before the sun comes out or at least no rain in the forecast. I will plan on starting on the Garden House siding with the brush then.

I kept on knitting while the kids finished their wood moving chore (Bay #2 of the woodshed is now cleared and cleaned, awaiting this years cut and stack that the whole family is involved in, this June or July). No guilt on my end while I was knitting away as I was up feeding the chickens at 6:30 a.m. while they were all still fast asleep.

Baby Hat Stats:
Yarn: My own handspun 100% Angora (I believe this was from Daisy, bless her little rabbit heart)
Yardage: I believe it was under 60 or so yards.
Needles: DPN's US 7

Spiral Rib Bag

Tada! Yep, I'm a knitting fool. Ok, so I'm really diggin' my new book, OneSkein by Leigh Radford. Here is the Spiral Rib Bag. I started it yesterday afternoon, the pattern just flowed so well. I finally decided that I could wait to finish the I-Cord this morning. Another stash reduction has taken place. (kickin' up heels and doing the stash-reduction dance).

I have a stash and I know how to use it...lol. Do I really know how to use it? If I did, would I even have one? I do love orange, so stop saying "ewww". Somebody has to love orange, right?

I had four balls of this yarn left over from making my Hourglass Sweater and what a better way to use it than to make this little gem. I plan on using it for a small knitting project tote or possibly for holding my stockings in my sock drawer.

Yarn: Gedifra Luisa (55% cotton, 45% acrylic)
Amount: 60 m per ball, used 1.5 balls
Needles: US 10.5 16" and dpn's

A bit of a change in the gift...

Since I have this small, tiny, itty-bitty take-out box, I decided only to make one candywrapper sachet. She's a knitter and will want to know how I made it.

Time to either move back to my Side-Way Rib sweater or pick another project from OneSkein, though I'm feeling very, very sleepy. Time for a cup of coffee.

A Box of Candywrapper Sachets

I finished the three for this box of Candywrapper Sachets. It will be gifted for M.B.'s birthday. Off to the postoffice on Monday.

I plan to make three more and put in a take-out box for another upcoming birthday. It only takes about an hour to make one, uses up my cotton yarn stash and doesn't cost much, doesn't collect dust as it will be placed likely in a sock drawer.

Pattern Note: I used DPN's US 5, 6" length and cotton yarn. Cast on 45 sts and follow pattern as written in book.

After three tries Friday night, casting on 81 sts constantly was driving me nuts. 45 sts just seemed to work for me...and so quick to finish.

Two Candywrapper Sachets

Two done and one to go then I can gift them out for M.B.'s b-day. Having just woke from a THREE hour nap, I don't take naps, they cut into my nighttime sleeping, but I guess I really needed this one. Family was great, no loud music or t.v. blasting through out the house, all is quiet and peaceful.

Dinner in a few hours, now we are are taking the girls with us, J has to work, so to bad for him. I'm sure A will love checking out some of the "greek" men at the restaurant, I know she was digging the looks of the Brazilian exchange students on the Emerald Ridge Soccer team. I'm thinking she's not totally into being the Boy's JV HS Soccer Team Manager just for the game, what do you think?

Will post pics once candrywrapper sachets are done.

I will not admit defeat...

Give me the splendid silent sun with all his beams full-dazzling.
Walt Whitman (1819–1892)
Leaves of Grass (1855; 1891–92)

Yesterday, March 31st at 3pm, I started Spring Break! Oh, my plans to be productive and to enjoy each and every minute of this time. No, I have not admitted defeat, hopefully not yet.

Can you say "cold", a dumb, never get them, blasted, cold. I at least stayed up till 10:30 pm, watched "The Winter Guest" an Alan Rickman film, worked a bit on my Side-Way Rib Sweater, read some of the patterns in my newly arrived book, One Skein by Leigh Radford, had a spot of tea, ate a cinnamon roll, not that the taste of it was totally available to myself. Then, at 10:30 pm, I hear the first drops of a still continuing event, rain, rain, rain.

Mind you, I have a metal roof over these logs, it can be sometimes calming and sometimes irritating to listen to. I woke every few hours, having to breathe like a bad-crank-caller through my mouth in the night, listening to that blasted rain. I have plans of painting/staining the chicken coop and garden shed...I did see a spot of sun in the weather forcast, please keep your fingers crossed for me.

In knitting news: I want to make the Candy Wrapper Sachet, stuff it with lavendar and send it off to M.B. with a coffee card for her birthday. I did try last night to get this quick project going, but that one I will admit to three starts and nothing to show for it. Will try again this morning, with a different yarn and a different set of dpns.

In SP news: Sent in my participation info for SP8. I also sent in my info for One Skein Swap...both will be about the same time this summer.

Tomorrow is "K's" birthday. 44 yo. I need to feel better as I made reservations for Spiros Greek Island for dinner...the bellydancer starts at 6:45 pm and I made reservations for 6:30 pm. I hope he likes it.

Last tidbit: Three new chicks have arrived here at the farm. DD#1, A, was the name giver this time. We now have Ellie, Grace and something that starts with a D, more of an action name, like Droopy or something. They are in with the Smokey, my angora rabbit, out in the garden house. Smokey has the run of the house, so I don't know how she will like have been intruded upon. She's a good girl, doing her "business" in her little house, leaving the door open for her to run about. I just know she loves it way better than that hutch K had made for her. Now she has to listen to chirp, chirp.

Off to knit, have a spot of tea and recover from this nasty cold...which, by the way, I never truly get sick...so it's just ironic that I get this for my time off from work. (Four years with the school district, I've never taken a sick day...I'm weird about that).