tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91951379543905770162024-02-20T22:53:21.217-08:00no-blog-rachel's blogKnitter/Spinner. Cancer Survivor. Button Pusher.(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-22428443341303599632011-02-27T22:33:00.000-08:002011-02-27T22:33:41.327-08:00Check Please<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #666666;">Check It Out...</div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For those interested, the haul above clockwise from upper left: Brooks Farm Duet, Lisa Souza Petal in Pesto, Redfish Dyeworks Yak/Silk, Tess' Designer Yarns Microfiber Ribbon (enough of each color for a sleeveless shell), Lisa Souza Cashmere/Silk lace weight, Tactile Silk lace weight, Tactile Superwash Merino, Tactile Yak sampler, Tactile Superwash/Cashmere/Nylon, Rabbitworks Toe Jam, and Sanguine Gryphon Gaia Lace. </td></tr>
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So - yeah - Stitches. Quite a weekend! I spent most of it helping out in the <a href="http://www.tactilefiberarts.com/">Tactile</a> / <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Rabbitch">Rabbitworks </a>booth. Wild times, I tell ya - check out the evidence:<br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">Check It Off...</span><br />
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This has been a weekend of gettin' it done. Housework - check: the laundry's done, as is the vacuuming (my least favorite). The kitchen looks better than it has in weeks, plants are watered, the bathroom is clean and while it's far from perfect, the house looks pretty good. <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">But I haven't just been tackling the boring stuff.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Workouts - check: I got two of them in this weekend - we took the dogs to <a href="http://www.ebparks.org/parks/sunol">Sunol Ohlone Regional Wilderness</a>. Nothing terribly strenuous, but it was a nice 3 hours getting some fresh air, exercise and unfortunately a bit of sunburn - doh!</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took the Road More Traveled this time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random enormous boulder</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Yosemite at Sunol Ohlone</td></tr>
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Knitting - check, check, checkity check check check. I've been busy!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Pretty Thing #3A</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Pretty Thing 3B</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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No I didn't accidentally post the same picture twice - I made two of them. But forgot to take a picture of the 2nd one but it looks exactly like the first, so.... Anyway. These are Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's A Pretty Thing in a Cascade Silk/Merino (?) fingering weight. Pink isn't my color but it's perfect for the two friends who received these. And the yarn no matter what the color is lovely! Soft, non-splitty, and a great value.<br />
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I also got started on my afghan:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-LiC7ARVFQ-Nuk-X8qU6zf4C2ykNdgKH7-LQ32vgSzUUAIPI4W0cJkny-X0S2e01RRau9GzI6rNkPasX53JOyZMS1-vbH3minSWFLJd48PJo6GpATCU5XSYyR5LOPfEjzk51QKcnOpw/s1600/DSCN4084.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-LiC7ARVFQ-Nuk-X8qU6zf4C2ykNdgKH7-LQ32vgSzUUAIPI4W0cJkny-X0S2e01RRau9GzI6rNkPasX53JOyZMS1-vbH3minSWFLJd48PJo6GpATCU5XSYyR5LOPfEjzk51QKcnOpw/s320/DSCN4084.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afghan Square #1</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afghan Square #2 (it's really greener than that)</td></tr>
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I love alternating these squares with other projects - it keeps things interesting and hopefully will prevent me from burning out on this huge project before it's done.<br />
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I finished my Fenimore Hat:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm finally cold enough to knit myself a hat</td></tr>
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This is a fun pattern by Jared Flood. Interesting enough to keep it fun, but not so complex as to make my head explode. The yarn is Cascade 220 Superwash.<br />
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I've also been spinning a bit - one of my favorites, Crown Mountain Farms Superwash Merino in Stand By Me, destined to become a 3-ply sock-weight.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3n3bTnUWgFIfhB5gYhSsBI5rJUmYhcEWimeCw7WPqGItXF-ADYXbDtN5AfQ2U9C5YQO4qadC_Q63Myk27oJxp06jtHjDtqR88twAeped1eyfAogNXD10wLwMm3VlGpNQuvnH6nw8miA/s1600/DSCN4047.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3n3bTnUWgFIfhB5gYhSsBI5rJUmYhcEWimeCw7WPqGItXF-ADYXbDtN5AfQ2U9C5YQO4qadC_Q63Myk27oJxp06jtHjDtqR88twAeped1eyfAogNXD10wLwMm3VlGpNQuvnH6nw8miA/s320/DSCN4047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crown Mountain, how I love thee!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8R1Y923QotaCnw3Vwn8VVo_8PTfyLnf7JXDXNYgBnnJ40lNwgI7YZijs2UR5WpFJyNCq3fi3blpjwJn52thSYbD3QeTIntLSvwM-tWBOvOi37O6-ICl26ROi0OGoNdnfdxGYNLrPa6U/s1600/DSCN4071.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8R1Y923QotaCnw3Vwn8VVo_8PTfyLnf7JXDXNYgBnnJ40lNwgI7YZijs2UR5WpFJyNCq3fi3blpjwJn52thSYbD3QeTIntLSvwM-tWBOvOi37O6-ICl26ROi0OGoNdnfdxGYNLrPa6U/s320/DSCN4071.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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And I have knitting in process too - this is my second Simple Things Shawl, this time in Lisa Souza silk lace-weight in Sedona (held double). Nearly done!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL71P9wZWa-kT9K5l57HaKFrxyc9ahF2eZzv48CMvwY9EHvmQEs3XWJHt1nxys240egB4C9OK8pWHVrBD7B2Dmbcm1ZGM55T5vKZJpmk2FQ9_SeN335OEkl56sMqEGffQ4qjdiOUbabB4/s1600/DSCN4147.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL71P9wZWa-kT9K5l57HaKFrxyc9ahF2eZzv48CMvwY9EHvmQEs3XWJHt1nxys240egB4C9OK8pWHVrBD7B2Dmbcm1ZGM55T5vKZJpmk2FQ9_SeN335OEkl56sMqEGffQ4qjdiOUbabB4/s320/DSCN4147.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Next on the list - another Clapotis using the Brooks Farm Duet that I picked up last week at Stitches West. Pretty, no? I'm hoping to cast on this week.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlA7caOA1BOHxFVMIkw4325V7Ctr_IHtqsXzLRaiuGc7fAY03jxNjuzjtJmZoe-EPM-cqttLmyrmnsM8RizcpppJz4mc7O2im8er8b3A_sRtjtvJeDEPVDNSyir5PnLQ-4P_iiG2VgmY/s1600/DSCN4099.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlA7caOA1BOHxFVMIkw4325V7Ctr_IHtqsXzLRaiuGc7fAY03jxNjuzjtJmZoe-EPM-cqttLmyrmnsM8RizcpppJz4mc7O2im8er8b3A_sRtjtvJeDEPVDNSyir5PnLQ-4P_iiG2VgmY/s320/DSCN4099.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clapotis-to-be</td></tr>
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Here's another thing I picked up last week - not quite as exciting as yarn but at over 68% off, still worth gloating over. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Y_xIN6x8BYHzxX9ErsSOmC8MOepEXWLO42EcqSOno1wQM5t7hrhed-yRFjc8bu9YjKiRpaJjJ3UAqSI2gfWG1n5DIu6MvuDhfC9apdQ9jer7FlakNszn6cUj29jZ0HwacDbvU4e2heM/s1600/DSCN4130.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Y_xIN6x8BYHzxX9ErsSOmC8MOepEXWLO42EcqSOno1wQM5t7hrhed-yRFjc8bu9YjKiRpaJjJ3UAqSI2gfWG1n5DIu6MvuDhfC9apdQ9jer7FlakNszn6cUj29jZ0HwacDbvU4e2heM/s320/DSCN4130.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cole Haan's at over 68% off. Jealous?</td></tr>
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Neener, neener.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yowza</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</a></div>(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-4934892828224459122011-02-06T17:32:00.000-08:002011-02-06T17:32:49.713-08:00Why Not Make 'Em Four Deep?Some of you will remember when about four years ago, I participated in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer - 39.3 miles over <a href="http://no-blog-rachels-blog.blogspot.com/2007/07/so-yeah-i-took-little-walk-this-weekend.html">two</a> <a href="http://no-blog-rachels-blog.blogspot.com/2007/07/so-back-at-it-lets-see-if-blogger-will.html">days</a> (note to the squeamish; the 2nd link has a nasty picture of my blistered foot - you might not want to cursor all the way down). I managed to do the entire walk, and it wasn't until a week or so later that I realized I had blisters on blisters on blisters. No wonder I limped to the finish!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMRng9RB_NeF3ApMNgVvWaEUzol07cB6ZfMFESro6L-KiyQ-PBMxQlCsVKvq2jUDt7z3EuSxiD11rvvboNmsqHYKBqY9xNSKrcm0Z5Q0cRsujGiS8fFW692VvTmk6h0R4Pn2t7Diaico/s1600/Rachel+and+Tony.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMRng9RB_NeF3ApMNgVvWaEUzol07cB6ZfMFESro6L-KiyQ-PBMxQlCsVKvq2jUDt7z3EuSxiD11rvvboNmsqHYKBqY9xNSKrcm0Z5Q0cRsujGiS8fFW692VvTmk6h0R4Pn2t7Diaico/s320/Rachel+and+Tony.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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But I healed up quickly, and much like childbirth (ok not at all like childbirth) I've forgotten about the discomfort (did you ever notice how often those in the medical profession use that term? Just say 'pain' damnit!) and I've decided to give it another go. But do the same thing again? Noooooo...that would be too easy - I know I can do that. I'm bumping it up a notch - by doing the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure. 3 days of walking - 60 miles. Yep - that should add another layer to the blister pile! I signed up yesterday, committing myself to raising a minimum of $2,300 in order to participate. However, my personal fund-raising goal is $5,000. <br />
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So I'm ready to go - I've got a new iPod, some new gear, and my walking partner from the last walk. Anyone else want to join me? C'mon - it'll be fun! Or, if you don't want to raise the funds by walking yourself, will you support me? Just click on the Donate button in the sidebar. Thanks so much!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZE9sc2fk-L49U4hRR0f1la59NT1LLrMleTTJvf4J7ook_-AbcFXp627ODkKesn9R9qeoWdNk6dpxbF0MuX30gyjQOCB4nOB2OISp3AgSnyK_R2G8CiTrN2rPdjTnvAKVna07GNHAYAA/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZE9sc2fk-L49U4hRR0f1la59NT1LLrMleTTJvf4J7ook_-AbcFXp627ODkKesn9R9qeoWdNk6dpxbF0MuX30gyjQOCB4nOB2OISp3AgSnyK_R2G8CiTrN2rPdjTnvAKVna07GNHAYAA/s320/photo.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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My new training buddy...(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-83604001973896488522011-01-25T20:40:00.000-08:002011-01-25T20:40:02.959-08:00Oh! My.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh lookie - a package for me!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4nUj5kZ_SQWHraMG-EKL2covd-4B_XUO5F-MSE1zehfAMkoyHJf2ttxdBq4xB1VxgvdaQdfY7U5ljGv3gHFTnG3LzFXnZjUMi1nUqGH6ohF4DxQBmJCEHI6VJMF6mkmlpfbNVPHy3UQ/s1600/DSCN4014.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4nUj5kZ_SQWHraMG-EKL2covd-4B_XUO5F-MSE1zehfAMkoyHJf2ttxdBq4xB1VxgvdaQdfY7U5ljGv3gHFTnG3LzFXnZjUMi1nUqGH6ohF4DxQBmJCEHI6VJMF6mkmlpfbNVPHy3UQ/s320/DSCN4014.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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What could it be?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHiy6z2HZZPjbJgo7X0QPrIOIBVVOUzaJHCPquG4hwBXHTWF7xW0bulb6iyEH0fTQ8Sy4AIU4-bI_YIukHDNpZFWOVuYjG8gZjuO6MHg4J00rW2BUJm7mU98Vh1oWwbzYdhgNCuaUHnU/s1600/DSCN4015.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHiy6z2HZZPjbJgo7X0QPrIOIBVVOUzaJHCPquG4hwBXHTWF7xW0bulb6iyEH0fTQ8Sy4AIU4-bI_YIukHDNpZFWOVuYjG8gZjuO6MHg4J00rW2BUJm7mU98Vh1oWwbzYdhgNCuaUHnU/s320/DSCN4015.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Something from the <a href="http://www.cupcakefiberco.com/">Cupcake Fiber Company</a>! Is this not the most fab packaging ever?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimf7EudHAWlgH7JH1a1OVOBN9_uynoMavv2bDrVh-RNk5rSxyJa-oEt2uZOmP22qEwH4CpcP60qQzLOJf15-HT0HTUqYqqSBu5EEGu3O1WK_X0ESJ6L00jei-6whaGbkiXJ_5i03fIK4/s1600/DSCN4016.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimf7EudHAWlgH7JH1a1OVOBN9_uynoMavv2bDrVh-RNk5rSxyJa-oEt2uZOmP22qEwH4CpcP60qQzLOJf15-HT0HTUqYqqSBu5EEGu3O1WK_X0ESJ6L00jei-6whaGbkiXJ_5i03fIK4/s320/DSCN4016.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Fluff!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhyphenhyphenouy4gy5ZJtlhOacw16oomjQRknFXY8Njz16MiVEWoXfCDCyptSLp9JR-A0is11eU2AoFb0wstqE8vuG3liqYZaQztmEaqcyd8WhSkwnD4qhEY0DYWyXZsYrz8I-mvzH-qxhfIv5UU/s1600/DSCN4038.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhyphenhyphenouy4gy5ZJtlhOacw16oomjQRknFXY8Njz16MiVEWoXfCDCyptSLp9JR-A0is11eU2AoFb0wstqE8vuG3liqYZaQztmEaqcyd8WhSkwnD4qhEY0DYWyXZsYrz8I-mvzH-qxhfIv5UU/s320/DSCN4038.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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Close up fluff! Oh! My....<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjY0h8fWPHT-zu1t-WFL-J2YqRQOvhyphenhyphenAi5z3q4I7w1qJPyuZva8A-TFzMF7E0hyphenhyphenaEwiktjQZIJf7NpDswIYCIHyyiqdZcEqO1BvUlzNZv8WndHo5UOXI0RD5HsrMCd3WO6Unw610TuHT0/s1600/DSCN4030.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjY0h8fWPHT-zu1t-WFL-J2YqRQOvhyphenhyphenAi5z3q4I7w1qJPyuZva8A-TFzMF7E0hyphenhyphenaEwiktjQZIJf7NpDswIYCIHyyiqdZcEqO1BvUlzNZv8WndHo5UOXI0RD5HsrMCd3WO6Unw610TuHT0/s320/DSCN4030.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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This lovely stuff is the creation of <a href="http://thejoyofsocks.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/01/happy-birthday-cookie.html">The Fairy Godknitter</a>. It's 6 beautifully carded one-ounce batts created for spinning sock yarn. You spin each batt separately, then ply two 3-ply skeins of sock yarn from them. There's plenty for a pair of socks - even knee highs! I'm not one to jump in and buy something the minute I see it, but the Fairy Godknitter posted about her new venture and I couldn't resist. So lovely - and the packaging is pure genius. I can't wait to finish my current spinning so I can get going on this!<br />
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<div style="color: #666666;">Meanwhile, back at the ranch.... </div><br />
There's been knitting. I seem to be all about the small stuff lately. I finished my afghan square (picture some other time) and then started <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fenimore">Fenimore</a> by Jared Flood. When we were at the zoo I felt really chilled for the first time since moving here about 5 years ago. Maybe I'm finally acclimating! Anyway, feeling cold for once game the urge to make a hat:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQrv61vTTfpJ5rUNqibWQIEKVY9h2FoDoBcySgx4Xm58C29Z-bYkyg_6kKk00JIQ6KJVkmYT9jjidjJxKwfQZ68K_yNGTp5nAALdeSKZeet2cxVo_JDdy1tTphQ5akq3iBN24kcXbJBk/s1600/DSCN4004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQrv61vTTfpJ5rUNqibWQIEKVY9h2FoDoBcySgx4Xm58C29Z-bYkyg_6kKk00JIQ6KJVkmYT9jjidjJxKwfQZ68K_yNGTp5nAALdeSKZeet2cxVo_JDdy1tTphQ5akq3iBN24kcXbJBk/s320/DSCN4004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Here's what it'll look like:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpsak8mQr0BolRENoQoCNUHi2tCj9ge_p6UdcDnxZqS6xgd_OJ1NdFSbdSpfaq77U6s3PNK68wCixRx0UMNrxRN_ztC9uEuHWHmKr45JYZuVCi2L0y_ugLA0RSh_Bx0qxyRs22ajN0GA/s1600/DSCN4006.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpsak8mQr0BolRENoQoCNUHi2tCj9ge_p6UdcDnxZqS6xgd_OJ1NdFSbdSpfaq77U6s3PNK68wCixRx0UMNrxRN_ztC9uEuHWHmKr45JYZuVCi2L0y_ugLA0RSh_Bx0qxyRs22ajN0GA/s320/DSCN4006.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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Both pictures are pretty sucky, but I hope you get the general idea. I'm using Cascade 220 Superwash in a heathered dark purple. I also continued on my socks. I'm now done with the heel flap and I'm ready to turn the heel.<br />
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But first, I had to stop everything to make this for a post-holiday gift exchange at work:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNykL61hjSrP7nn6r7EyX3x1CKFPnfA58-AKeqfykACreLp5aeXMuCuh7lk34tPAmW_eyq-vcOyHdZZe65BoepAIIJfJ1NPBrtMVUnMMw_3m6ROGIbGwbOaXlYkOjr7t3M_TIVfrLsvM/s1600/DSCN4003.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNykL61hjSrP7nn6r7EyX3x1CKFPnfA58-AKeqfykACreLp5aeXMuCuh7lk34tPAmW_eyq-vcOyHdZZe65BoepAIIJfJ1NPBrtMVUnMMw_3m6ROGIbGwbOaXlYkOjr7t3M_TIVfrLsvM/s320/DSCN4003.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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This is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pretty-thing">Pretty Thing</a> by Stephanie Pearl McPhee out of 'Baby Twist' Alpaca.<br />
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And I had to make this too: a friend of mine at work asked me if I'd make her a headwarmer and brought me the pink one in to copy:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbcfTdNluZ1VcPf23NMcX63Oc0cV9uFbtoJ2dyYQadrTQ7mNP35Femw4HxaKRpwvigXYtJV9KLPVE5z7BO8T4nsCy4l1qnFnSFPJS3XYEZ8r3Zc5C7NvmUgkIFOh-bgqcKogGCfQTwR0/s1600/DSCN4043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbcfTdNluZ1VcPf23NMcX63Oc0cV9uFbtoJ2dyYQadrTQ7mNP35Femw4HxaKRpwvigXYtJV9KLPVE5z7BO8T4nsCy4l1qnFnSFPJS3XYEZ8r3Zc5C7NvmUgkIFOh-bgqcKogGCfQTwR0/s320/DSCN4043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I don't know what it was about this project that excited me so much, but I did it in a day. It's so girlie, and so not my style - I couldn't put it down! I stayed up past 2:00 am to teach myself how to crochet the flower.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKP1aZELC1ZjP0YdTWW-Kgi4yRx8wYoW-vAolT_MeW-o_qIJGRs0bIM1j1vDGjdJyyBYgFCMffFxBVVp3onX8BuvDu7Lvg8lRQAmuNkXVJ6nfsjW4Fojz6BKubAAwKvzGwyJUlq8fqQP4/s1600/DSCN4041.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKP1aZELC1ZjP0YdTWW-Kgi4yRx8wYoW-vAolT_MeW-o_qIJGRs0bIM1j1vDGjdJyyBYgFCMffFxBVVp3onX8BuvDu7Lvg8lRQAmuNkXVJ6nfsjW4Fojz6BKubAAwKvzGwyJUlq8fqQP4/s320/DSCN4041.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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And I found the perfect buttons. <br />
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnLFxZboj87qXz2EcOqekbYkOSlvT3KVTeWDH36wTf3m-vHGs8ryEiG-ve78moGBH0Pxt9zBJO4GimtdvRXiEH5jQW9u-MAYa5DrV9Wo0Nqh3FKUzSRBLeoyQdAIEO_mthyot-Kjnn-U/s320/DSCN4040.JPG" width="240" /><br />
I love it. And my friend does too.<br />
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And Miele loves Trouble. A little too much for Trouble's liking...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wuY1k_l5tGcZrZ2FrrBlImpsv2RWalAGOuprNTZ-N4XTZ6rkGTyakKYG30x30marhyphenhyphenWitK1Tg74D87jWHiSTVQDIi5A8qvx9n5sHIjwNW2Mnktk_qGEc3Pb61CJgaRE3GHcqhGS3LWc/s1600/DSCN4000.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wuY1k_l5tGcZrZ2FrrBlImpsv2RWalAGOuprNTZ-N4XTZ6rkGTyakKYG30x30marhyphenhyphenWitK1Tg74D87jWHiSTVQDIi5A8qvx9n5sHIjwNW2Mnktk_qGEc3Pb61CJgaRE3GHcqhGS3LWc/s320/DSCN4000.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYxv9vB_GRcVUBJnFM0q2oxdjjK70tyxpETt6huesHwBwXMdYxJNW1RVDkiMWLZeNjGVQQ55R2ZozMRTtS8nKidBeUsPmowh8Be3X9UzWhSUj0JYPGkWaOZC5WtPRwsyMerNl4tJ8Igc/s1600/DSCN4042.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a>(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-20039716912834956782010-12-31T18:14:00.000-08:002010-12-31T18:16:06.087-08:00I Am On Fire!<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGfV4OvA8XwpXcZZYz9CuvQX6zfdYMvZv4x4ZUwpN1jNoO2PLqF_VJnP16Hr2v5jGB2YnUanZrcdMiBqAkdolV_OB0Ky_tVKSfyRh9z6ciV_VAZWzDPcZQQOhQ9owXxON9l71Gyv5-Ng/s1600/DSCN3965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Simple Things is done - it took only 3 days! It's a nice pattern, great for social knitting as you don't have to keep track of too much. I'll make it again sometime - maybe out of handspun?</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-yq67H9wVuGCS8BT4VdK8_bw46Cdn4mRJScgQ14lTaBCVGJiGQDPgU11npXcGfw_lJbBU6QQglwsneicu9lNL_jtdrjlvOFiiSohAROexELKoVDW8g5tDpjcVmc1P7bZiI6KqjAb0bk/s1600/DSCN3985.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-yq67H9wVuGCS8BT4VdK8_bw46Cdn4mRJScgQ14lTaBCVGJiGQDPgU11npXcGfw_lJbBU6QQglwsneicu9lNL_jtdrjlvOFiiSohAROexELKoVDW8g5tDpjcVmc1P7bZiI6KqjAb0bk/s200/DSCN3985.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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Brian and I went somewhere today we've been meaning to go for quite a while - the Oakland Zoo. We've been to the San Francisco Zoo a few times but wanted to check this out - it's smaller, but you can get a little closer to the animals, which is nice.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGfV4OvA8XwpXcZZYz9CuvQX6zfdYMvZv4x4ZUwpN1jNoO2PLqF_VJnP16Hr2v5jGB2YnUanZrcdMiBqAkdolV_OB0Ky_tVKSfyRh9z6ciV_VAZWzDPcZQQOhQ9owXxON9l71Gyv5-Ng/s1600/DSCN3965.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGfV4OvA8XwpXcZZYz9CuvQX6zfdYMvZv4x4ZUwpN1jNoO2PLqF_VJnP16Hr2v5jGB2YnUanZrcdMiBqAkdolV_OB0Ky_tVKSfyRh9z6ciV_VAZWzDPcZQQOhQ9owXxON9l71Gyv5-Ng/s200/DSCN3965.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
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This is a lousy picture but this tiger was asleep with his (her?) paws up in the air. So cute - and a bit undignified. :)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61iPWEcYY0JYGDWS8u9hnTjC9Hx_CbD2NyK_N2WKHZla_BM2rfyvRx5Ndiw4Nj0Z7wyqwf-e-12IsLXniKWwcj8yd4pyDMRCx_4NKdDlTAC0Pf3GSpS_Xn1gOTiuJYrV9HtESwDlhmKM/s1600/DSCN3972.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61iPWEcYY0JYGDWS8u9hnTjC9Hx_CbD2NyK_N2WKHZla_BM2rfyvRx5Ndiw4Nj0Z7wyqwf-e-12IsLXniKWwcj8yd4pyDMRCx_4NKdDlTAC0Pf3GSpS_Xn1gOTiuJYrV9HtESwDlhmKM/s200/DSCN3972.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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The elephants were pretty funny. These two were 'having words' - though it looked more like playing around than anything combative. The plaque indicated that the one on the right was their 16-year-old male who is very playful and likes to get into trouble. That's what you need - thousands of pounds of trouble. We've got about 25 pounds of our Trouble and she's plenty, thanks!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvnwuFfoLKMFO6yEtxzyW1bdL9BKAlBllufsbeoxMHR9d0cA8aNb7yz3jmXJU3AIHA0LADRTA24BUnSzWHnLlrPUbk5Kpf-xs-h564KzHjTGHc9Op_SNr_m5_k6cXcmxbFpVGRhSvJuc/s1600/DSCN3969.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvnwuFfoLKMFO6yEtxzyW1bdL9BKAlBllufsbeoxMHR9d0cA8aNb7yz3jmXJU3AIHA0LADRTA24BUnSzWHnLlrPUbk5Kpf-xs-h564KzHjTGHc9Op_SNr_m5_k6cXcmxbFpVGRhSvJuc/s200/DSCN3969.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
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And my favorite - I definitely have a thing for giraffes. The one on the left is the 'grandma' - she's about 22. Feeding time was listed at 11:30 this morning, but all that happened was a woman came out with some carrots - and most of the giraffes ignored her. We got cold waiting for more excitement, so if there was a feeding frenzy, we missed it. It was still nice to see them though.<br />
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There were plenty of other animals but those were the best pictures. I didn't get any pictures from yesterday when we went up to the city, where we had roasted crab (oh.my.GOD.good) for lunch and then picked up some nice treats at <a href="http://www.redblossomtea.com/">Red Blossom Tea Company</a> in Chinatown. However, as we took the train, I did get going on a new project:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5652K3PXfno906fonkGmB1VXaNzSKei3Cu9y0RICywBzCy82P14ukmtS_TNUIZNmCtwJ3cB_03g8ap2K3zr3iFhXqfO_K-J_L2tGZ8389YpAIdBJT42XD7rLIONYKP2YE0EODEt7RGY/s1600/DSCN3991.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5652K3PXfno906fonkGmB1VXaNzSKei3Cu9y0RICywBzCy82P14ukmtS_TNUIZNmCtwJ3cB_03g8ap2K3zr3iFhXqfO_K-J_L2tGZ8389YpAIdBJT42XD7rLIONYKP2YE0EODEt7RGY/s200/DSCN3991.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
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This is a garter-rib sock (Sensational Socks) out of Rabbitworks Fiber Studio's Toe Jam in the Revenge colorway. This is the same yarn as the Simple Things shawlette, just a different color way, both purchased at Stitches West last year.<br />
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The sock is my mindless knitting - I also started my Great American Afghan:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IEprq6iaCcFTHOCUzTjZRgVIzR_cFO3EHzewb_q2gYdJv6w9mCPHth3wvdi-SYt2tkCHNs-f4G6V-p3iq9vuG2Ys_1CHMR0z2EoCOSwusiLDsSzlot11uOXXMS9gTd5lWX4Liw80U3Q/s1600/DSCN3994.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IEprq6iaCcFTHOCUzTjZRgVIzR_cFO3EHzewb_q2gYdJv6w9mCPHth3wvdi-SYt2tkCHNs-f4G6V-p3iq9vuG2Ys_1CHMR0z2EoCOSwusiLDsSzlot11uOXXMS9gTd5lWX4Liw80U3Q/s200/DSCN3994.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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This should keep me occupied for a good long time. So I don't get frustrated with knitting this and only this for months to come, my plan is for every other project to be one of these squares. Once this is done I have a gift to make and then a few UFOs to finish up.<br />
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Wow - blogging 2 days in a row. Don't expect it to become a habit. I just happened to have progress to report, an FO to show off and time to post about it. Hope it all comes together like that again soon.<br />
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Happy New Year everyone!(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-85060056435454903992010-12-29T22:40:00.000-08:002010-12-29T22:47:15.070-08:00Tappity...tappity...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well! Now. Where was I? Anyone still out there? My silence has probably lost me at least half my readership (which brings it down to about...3?). Well if any of you are still out there...Hi! How are you? </div><br />
Things have been fine here in no-blog-land. Work has been insane (in a good way, most of the time) and I spent a few months at either the office or crashed at home and not a whole lot else. But I'm back (kind of), socializing and knitting again after not having done much of either for a while. Well comparatively 'not much' - I've still accomplished a bit:<br />
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First, a final report on Tour de Fleece (in which I actually exceeded my goals, thankyouverymuch):<br />
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I finished spinning the green Meriboo (Merino Bamboo) into a 2-ply lace weight:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWH_8YDY-yr6fPQ4dExYjdtQONLbAXgO2cPV3qQ1bUYze-axXkLp4I32EGNaGdN6osLffAzmmvLKxgR911bks2OlVMtoSUHKnUqG4qrUQ91EZrsmFOLliMwX7I6wIZc97Q0-D5i07Nvko/s1600/DSCN3650.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWH_8YDY-yr6fPQ4dExYjdtQONLbAXgO2cPV3qQ1bUYze-axXkLp4I32EGNaGdN6osLffAzmmvLKxgR911bks2OlVMtoSUHKnUqG4qrUQ91EZrsmFOLliMwX7I6wIZc97Q0-D5i07Nvko/s200/DSCN3650.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">I also spun up the Camel/Silk from Redfish Dyeworks. It's a 3-ply dk weight. I loved spinning it so much I may have to buy more of the same fiber so I can make a lace weight with it the next time.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMVbOTSJPB-x0b3fpL3t7yl_JYrGSgkkNhklH4Bg2TYq4m2HSU7R0mYtEXyArnDnXJxXgkwWLPz0zY67TXmgiEoL8FIaPxtyIaaZajeN8ivndDxeX1x4YImea99qRNZJd3pRDddV9d9g/s1600/DSCN3896.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMVbOTSJPB-x0b3fpL3t7yl_JYrGSgkkNhklH4Bg2TYq4m2HSU7R0mYtEXyArnDnXJxXgkwWLPz0zY67TXmgiEoL8FIaPxtyIaaZajeN8ivndDxeX1x4YImea99qRNZJd3pRDddV9d9g/s200/DSCN3896.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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Late in the summer, <a href="http://queenofpurpleyarn.blogspot.com/">The Queen of Purple Yarn</a> and I each raided our stash and spent a fun afternoon at her house playing with color.<br />
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My handspun Cormo from Tour de Fleece went from this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPCiPw8ZerxnsrArao60gYMGr_LBLejR20SAdsKB3YFGaTeoaMNb1v174awLGYmPSHVoEFsHqujfEw3N0kvyQILayU8fWkPTb7HRRR-eKT3goEkItsdnLgcrJAKZn9K0XD6LkRjIopdc/s1600/DSCN3636.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPCiPw8ZerxnsrArao60gYMGr_LBLejR20SAdsKB3YFGaTeoaMNb1v174awLGYmPSHVoEFsHqujfEw3N0kvyQILayU8fWkPTb7HRRR-eKT3goEkItsdnLgcrJAKZn9K0XD6LkRjIopdc/s200/DSCN3636.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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To this:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4K88Si47cXqrDawc0Bf9N2aCxtjay6Nsge_rQzpMIPt0SEc-clPI-KLcGQepTSOYYWYIHv7JkXTeg19ehVaekqWZTR-bPO2W2cNrAx_4usHNo_Akg3jzIgJ_x2xUnPaTycJNauN1Y9cs/s1600/DSCN1554.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUgp4ci7BRqvvYXKJUrWOJT5kxeOEf8xs6s2mQhvEmJsrT-jvQiT4jg0cqntgDdgdT0hJYaARtbkGNXGIsz65cnzS4fH72iyk17sLSF5zjqzgE6Wi5DWorQ8LaTYnOtDZer3DBuGCsdo/s1600/DSCN3954.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUgp4ci7BRqvvYXKJUrWOJT5kxeOEf8xs6s2mQhvEmJsrT-jvQiT4jg0cqntgDdgdT0hJYaARtbkGNXGIsz65cnzS4fH72iyk17sLSF5zjqzgE6Wi5DWorQ8LaTYnOtDZer3DBuGCsdo/s200/DSCN3954.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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I over-dyed some nice (but incredibly garish) Alpaca that I'd found at a yarn swap:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4K88Si47cXqrDawc0Bf9N2aCxtjay6Nsge_rQzpMIPt0SEc-clPI-KLcGQepTSOYYWYIHv7JkXTeg19ehVaekqWZTR-bPO2W2cNrAx_4usHNo_Akg3jzIgJ_x2xUnPaTycJNauN1Y9cs/s1600/DSCN1554.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4K88Si47cXqrDawc0Bf9N2aCxtjay6Nsge_rQzpMIPt0SEc-clPI-KLcGQepTSOYYWYIHv7JkXTeg19ehVaekqWZTR-bPO2W2cNrAx_4usHNo_Akg3jzIgJ_x2xUnPaTycJNauN1Y9cs/s200/DSCN1554.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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It's now a bit more 'me' (as in, I'm now willing to be seen near it):<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB78sokROeRXo0alG6tBbvWbIrwAnoS1ff0nlmz9-M0-EKoO6fUzcxOb7OxUZHjFSlnhVtVS1iglbZGZKFWPzouPaiaczif6PWS6ANKTWLXdIFPXrnF_SM3NVGPgFXb-XfqEyTyTzWTR4/s1600/DSCN3841.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB78sokROeRXo0alG6tBbvWbIrwAnoS1ff0nlmz9-M0-EKoO6fUzcxOb7OxUZHjFSlnhVtVS1iglbZGZKFWPzouPaiaczif6PWS6ANKTWLXdIFPXrnF_SM3NVGPgFXb-XfqEyTyTzWTR4/s200/DSCN3841.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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And another 2 crazy-loud skeins from a different swap went from here:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRhPhAlshDUvb4S0aYZCxCneaL0Diz2mL62V3ZaIxx5W3LHVK3IkiQ0n4GbZpCWhqrPi60AjpCa0qhZMmZT12SaRlUsKDvE5Q_oen1xJtqzFyHkxF_dCsV1DvpQPkcs5y1bkvUweDbTc/s1600/DSCN3829.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRhPhAlshDUvb4S0aYZCxCneaL0Diz2mL62V3ZaIxx5W3LHVK3IkiQ0n4GbZpCWhqrPi60AjpCa0qhZMmZT12SaRlUsKDvE5Q_oen1xJtqzFyHkxF_dCsV1DvpQPkcs5y1bkvUweDbTc/s200/DSCN3829.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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to here (embiggen to really see the color):<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJGxPBOuqp78UJbNbtHULbJP5OVpm7E9AIAQRR1I77m0c5p9Bnn0znNqQOzH4el-K-SrIkS5hKlmaLpZUNEay_0RMsMIAiJI2VmJxZVc_t5GK7qTCRAm_T_8blgCZgzc8QHouuw6xp-Q/s1600/DSCN3835.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJGxPBOuqp78UJbNbtHULbJP5OVpm7E9AIAQRR1I77m0c5p9Bnn0znNqQOzH4el-K-SrIkS5hKlmaLpZUNEay_0RMsMIAiJI2VmJxZVc_t5GK7qTCRAm_T_8blgCZgzc8QHouuw6xp-Q/s200/DSCN3835.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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Here are some more shots/results of that afternoon - it was a lot of fun - sunshine, friend, fiber (and a goofy dog) - what more could you want?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-9aYTGZkRVbtMP-YQ0x9N7i4W4-zHWm_uGQhUkB2dqrhqRhwrJEuLK92Z0DKhCdlDSvioH9La8cCdGqcoMewaOreWBYykTocU8TwhSG4DAcNYKZu8SXRTht3AO81uMf-OK-1cupiCmw/s1600/DSCN3834.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-9aYTGZkRVbtMP-YQ0x9N7i4W4-zHWm_uGQhUkB2dqrhqRhwrJEuLK92Z0DKhCdlDSvioH9La8cCdGqcoMewaOreWBYykTocU8TwhSG4DAcNYKZu8SXRTht3AO81uMf-OK-1cupiCmw/s200/DSCN3834.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQE5rs2FoM32z7DtesUeKqYmbhF8spasCJwi6N7Jz0KLde3see-sNBWB_z2zF29ua1qTRWnujWQqZRE5x1M1mS1DPedDNeZ-7gOWoey3EQJUSfpgNEXEYAJczaMzBBop-SDv8gWL7beyw/s1600/DSCN3893.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQE5rs2FoM32z7DtesUeKqYmbhF8spasCJwi6N7Jz0KLde3see-sNBWB_z2zF29ua1qTRWnujWQqZRE5x1M1mS1DPedDNeZ-7gOWoey3EQJUSfpgNEXEYAJczaMzBBop-SDv8gWL7beyw/s200/DSCN3893.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsel_Qr0k8Ucupo-usaYlf1LZB2etPuIg3iT9XT5M9QrPVtFU3U35F-2pD8BM7igsC1TVMc_dMfGbAq4N0oFqleDZhXIuEQ6_M8klXvEcuXQoDOT3bXNQz-f6pYWJOSveZr8DEV0d59E/s1600/DSCN3881.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjpV7B3djYTPibuGEaUCg_RvgrTzp2xhT4XdbVdsH4YWOz3qFMcdO6ypmtMQsZ4Q_u_WbdJqQEWGPznVKQzvHJ1sZHffWRHYQil0T_0Bb0X83-TzRyoIoikHoWeu1jGzXZ5PJNYYXneg/s200/DSCN3889.JPG" width="200" /></div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsel_Qr0k8Ucupo-usaYlf1LZB2etPuIg3iT9XT5M9QrPVtFU3U35F-2pD8BM7igsC1TVMc_dMfGbAq4N0oFqleDZhXIuEQ6_M8klXvEcuXQoDOT3bXNQz-f6pYWJOSveZr8DEV0d59E/s1600/DSCN3881.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsel_Qr0k8Ucupo-usaYlf1LZB2etPuIg3iT9XT5M9QrPVtFU3U35F-2pD8BM7igsC1TVMc_dMfGbAq4N0oFqleDZhXIuEQ6_M8klXvEcuXQoDOT3bXNQz-f6pYWJOSveZr8DEV0d59E/s200/DSCN3881.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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We also took a short vacation this summer to the Mendocino coast. The dogs came with us (they deserve a vacation too!).<br />
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Brian showed Miele the ocean for the first time:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixI3S4xUqxqG7zq4c-R5M4RG75jlgs_0TJSZOYJw80OeOUglYdmoIJ0HgBH6-_HFaAO-MIuOSOWSgXJu27GWoDc10n-ajBQwqKLX9thtUfgUWxDOI9wg4O6gEsbJQVtwwXDnyhDPJSIZY/s1600/DSCN3700.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545203023706450274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixI3S4xUqxqG7zq4c-R5M4RG75jlgs_0TJSZOYJw80OeOUglYdmoIJ0HgBH6-_HFaAO-MIuOSOWSgXJu27GWoDc10n-ajBQwqKLX9thtUfgUWxDOI9wg4O6gEsbJQVtwwXDnyhDPJSIZY/s200/DSCN3700.JPG" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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She did a good job being brave!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ABUeNB8jpYvlJnrVPIR3ogoFdPKnb8Uz-GdRSCG7xztVhY9oaZlYFYrG790yie2o0lpQJ2kGCFr3kcyDtYukDui9L4ij0ShXmMqCrnvTgWRsFv-wRguABu_Mdd30ITuFsO0NFsXHAO0/s1600/DSCN3693.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545203020061233746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ABUeNB8jpYvlJnrVPIR3ogoFdPKnb8Uz-GdRSCG7xztVhY9oaZlYFYrG790yie2o0lpQJ2kGCFr3kcyDtYukDui9L4ij0ShXmMqCrnvTgWRsFv-wRguABu_Mdd30ITuFsO0NFsXHAO0/s200/DSCN3693.JPG" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" /></a> <br />
She and Trouble also explored the beach together:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApji5Iuj1GQWsr-zEU5Zgsi2JyvoTE45qU010EZ5r334thLygAva2q59ll-YMjVrEOWQzk-pdTQyi5Tx9jy6dbte5akTuWjtXoJNdUxB2pwBxlkxItEHxJx7Hpb5PivcBZyVd3QQ9WgU/s1600/DSCN3684.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545203048151955954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApji5Iuj1GQWsr-zEU5Zgsi2JyvoTE45qU010EZ5r334thLygAva2q59ll-YMjVrEOWQzk-pdTQyi5Tx9jy6dbte5akTuWjtXoJNdUxB2pwBxlkxItEHxJx7Hpb5PivcBZyVd3QQ9WgU/s200/DSCN3684.JPG" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
And napped together at the end of each day.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfEvbv0sOzOAHpoWJgXMaydiuEIflJTB376NIeL7uSyvQqv65R-hJThvM-paNqR54VNKrtRfmdtG-jYVVqEZAccQidEnuSggzQbE2qqJvTT0JywsiVrER31M5QU-1mRcsrfJH6JOAmsc/s1600/DSCN3716.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545203055411748594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfEvbv0sOzOAHpoWJgXMaydiuEIflJTB376NIeL7uSyvQqv65R-hJThvM-paNqR54VNKrtRfmdtG-jYVVqEZAccQidEnuSggzQbE2qqJvTT0JywsiVrER31M5QU-1mRcsrfJH6JOAmsc/s200/DSCN3716.JPG" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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(being on vacation is hard work).<br />
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It was also The Summer Of Giant Garden Produce:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQ4r9sGLzVPYkRmOFmEZCjq62bOWeYDu9q8g-M7SsozZvWrdAmupRwn_HDvZqM5tT2t9w-bzVOYM__lSlcRhF9eq0NKm5uY74aCPRoc08uzoYMNOlZUlzt4bUnJtMB8eEw6cQ0Wy62M0/s1600/DSCN3727.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQ4r9sGLzVPYkRmOFmEZCjq62bOWeYDu9q8g-M7SsozZvWrdAmupRwn_HDvZqM5tT2t9w-bzVOYM__lSlcRhF9eq0NKm5uY74aCPRoc08uzoYMNOlZUlzt4bUnJtMB8eEw6cQ0Wy62M0/s200/DSCN3727.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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That's one (elephant) garlic clove that's half the size of Miele's head. A <i>clove</i>!<br />
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The figs that ate San Jose:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioofhw_N1Qvx7K6tWyhRTPPns4Dhi9rZlzCoiZEYeB13uWaeYyJ3JubOyqSmS8XneqvsPTmnYjuMKGRPHyU5fj4k7l4utp8Ih0k_vlLGVIX4X0Ov11S0Wa4QYVe5-qbll_tfHW_jNC_Ks/s1600/DSCN3721.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioofhw_N1Qvx7K6tWyhRTPPns4Dhi9rZlzCoiZEYeB13uWaeYyJ3JubOyqSmS8XneqvsPTmnYjuMKGRPHyU5fj4k7l4utp8Ih0k_vlLGVIX4X0Ov11S0Wa4QYVe5-qbll_tfHW_jNC_Ks/s200/DSCN3721.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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Got eaten by us. Arugula, fresh figs, fresh mozzarella, a touch of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice. Try it!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hwH7PwUrgfzOuMPSBTH1TqqV_MvXzpgK6S7P75WoVLpDSBhqDkDv-I8JF5ghK4P4oayHDtif5_-IifDYKeCjgW-Phbm1hTJYeplcG3LGFfBRKC-_AlnaFrNQVoFyLvCbGlF6PRmCHaQ/s1600/DSCN3724.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hwH7PwUrgfzOuMPSBTH1TqqV_MvXzpgK6S7P75WoVLpDSBhqDkDv-I8JF5ghK4P4oayHDtif5_-IifDYKeCjgW-Phbm1hTJYeplcG3LGFfBRKC-_AlnaFrNQVoFyLvCbGlF6PRmCHaQ/s200/DSCN3724.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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And this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCSpZZF5TXaJCoC8DSskQX5INkhyphenhyphenucZR8uauc3lf-XKsNnyX82WoWicQKI6bIJMvSmGNgLvppnNwlDs6eanrHfnWXvJMVpr7ptyGa9m8yV5x2Uiz6kT5J0emFX7VCGvC0dvDbxV4MeeY/s1600/DSCN3673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCSpZZF5TXaJCoC8DSskQX5INkhyphenhyphenucZR8uauc3lf-XKsNnyX82WoWicQKI6bIJMvSmGNgLvppnNwlDs6eanrHfnWXvJMVpr7ptyGa9m8yV5x2Uiz6kT5J0emFX7VCGvC0dvDbxV4MeeY/s200/DSCN3673.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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Turned into one of these (the largest came in around 102 pounds - the smallest nearly 90, if I recall correctly):<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSzYbbrCJQ4h_lRF7zWm9zlM58wcmDJ9JW781feiIm78jcQPxh4KPHbLAWJKDisJKHpZv90dbsY_wK_8sdd3Ulbohj64vPTX7UKReyqXtNEDPHshw1UMNTzyXrgy3-hqhQj2aWPg0StY/s1600/IMG_1407.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSzYbbrCJQ4h_lRF7zWm9zlM58wcmDJ9JW781feiIm78jcQPxh4KPHbLAWJKDisJKHpZv90dbsY_wK_8sdd3Ulbohj64vPTX7UKReyqXtNEDPHshw1UMNTzyXrgy3-hqhQj2aWPg0StY/s200/IMG_1407.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmR7PHASHCMiTJwLyz1S2rHgzjH8xexMfyYlnR7zti1qdq6Rvx5j8c_7FeTn1pK_nIM8uI0VLTTERJ_80QczDfhKoLZw3mt0ZgG-_Rf3o-FF_sniEUH5N9Tn0DsbbrXPNFHjLsN9WNEz4/s1600/DSCN3855.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmR7PHASHCMiTJwLyz1S2rHgzjH8xexMfyYlnR7zti1qdq6Rvx5j8c_7FeTn1pK_nIM8uI0VLTTERJ_80QczDfhKoLZw3mt0ZgG-_Rf3o-FF_sniEUH5N9Tn0DsbbrXPNFHjLsN9WNEz4/s200/DSCN3855.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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And now we have a freezer full of pumpkin (and a whole one still left to cut up).<br />
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In spite of losing the mojo but good, there has been knitting:<br />
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During my least-productive time, a tea cozy requested by my husband, out of some of my first hand-spun:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnNtf68gp39T2k2BEkgY_mbyBO0viOoewfsj2TrLBApA7RrfQbhTWlm7lALEUO_hXX4xwCguM1iPTuP02U1nVmBfUwkiitrmDehoMQH48zOFH4sRBxMYL0tagCQaTWs-RoW0ACWRDd8w/s1600/DSCN3853.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnNtf68gp39T2k2BEkgY_mbyBO0viOoewfsj2TrLBApA7RrfQbhTWlm7lALEUO_hXX4xwCguM1iPTuP02U1nVmBfUwkiitrmDehoMQH48zOFH4sRBxMYL0tagCQaTWs-RoW0ACWRDd8w/s200/DSCN3853.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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This small thing took me nearly 2 months to complete. Yeah, mojo-deficient. Sad.<br />
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Fortunately, things picked up. I knit my 2nd Girasole (out of Cascade EcoWook in Natural) in about 6 weeks:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIt012Zv96nBWrM3H0HnXi11Rl5eONJc4yArwJibCmzSDc3hpXmx3fGDYcErsq3VTt4q1AT7cTgkcZ-TpdlCOelqbv5bOmxq9gedehg4QpwFxgOYfd6e7G7ANJugsw-St-SnUfsyzDZo/s1600/DSCN3941.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIt012Zv96nBWrM3H0HnXi11Rl5eONJc4yArwJibCmzSDc3hpXmx3fGDYcErsq3VTt4q1AT7cTgkcZ-TpdlCOelqbv5bOmxq9gedehg4QpwFxgOYfd6e7G7ANJugsw-St-SnUfsyzDZo/s200/DSCN3941.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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This hat (Cascade 220 Superwash) took 2 days:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oEi2nYEVxORNYvIRkbwmucLmeKwMFX_yt_j6SEMOizGLGMF83InpJsAK029k7lvazY0up0Zc54pw22sZqSUUjO4ws_sOhoxk9eu1YHfeqroZa9llsGm1tKi8AWu90Vpz7ejWYjqUFWk/s1600/DSCN3943.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oEi2nYEVxORNYvIRkbwmucLmeKwMFX_yt_j6SEMOizGLGMF83InpJsAK029k7lvazY0up0Zc54pw22sZqSUUjO4ws_sOhoxk9eu1YHfeqroZa9llsGm1tKi8AWu90Vpz7ejWYjqUFWk/s200/DSCN3943.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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This is '<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/noblograchel/snowflakes-on-mulberries-hat-worsted-weight">Snowflakes on Mulberries Hat</a>' (worsted weight version) by <a href="http://spinalcat.blogspot.com/">Amy Klimt</a>. Super easy, nice looking, and free - thanks Amy!<br />
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Yesterday I started <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simple-things">this</a>:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXG-MAmJgaNd5nG91l6qT_ungW4-Qo7OlMW0JEhgu3Up2C2mveN1tE6QWV0uepu_z1KllXFR5ZxByQ1ZFh99eFgqn9y8-hCvrcth_HIktaMUSQzsDl9KnB6u11ZMmIrW3EINnFi3LxNc0/s1600/DSCN3949.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXG-MAmJgaNd5nG91l6qT_ungW4-Qo7OlMW0JEhgu3Up2C2mveN1tE6QWV0uepu_z1KllXFR5ZxByQ1ZFh99eFgqn9y8-hCvrcth_HIktaMUSQzsDl9KnB6u11ZMmIrW3EINnFi3LxNc0/s200/DSCN3949.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
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And a day later, I'm here:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAipmnEB2a04aLXNRnspJIKdkmi8C9XHmYuMHQrUVBGpWf4wABCe8xvV6-ZiASZkt19CJLHgGNNDkbBFEglz4g1XKvAsPcXFEoXdAFTJlX-kxJiRB-lBerGatKWjPT8d6befogK5GZ4Nw/s1600/DSCN3963.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAipmnEB2a04aLXNRnspJIKdkmi8C9XHmYuMHQrUVBGpWf4wABCe8xvV6-ZiASZkt19CJLHgGNNDkbBFEglz4g1XKvAsPcXFEoXdAFTJlX-kxJiRB-lBerGatKWjPT8d6befogK5GZ4Nw/s200/DSCN3963.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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I should be finished within a day or so.<br />
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Next in line:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PDrWCcSfNMQRxzj2-NJ13escTE5bXWSyrl7fTdTZLB8stwNA_fZprLfJ4vzlyY_6TVaLnJ8TcIl38w65X2OKMGPXQmhG93qdDbS8V5tj1sO6lcQzKJZMbOS_vzR1Z9TTJd_TZFsVmGM/s1600/DSCN3856.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PDrWCcSfNMQRxzj2-NJ13escTE5bXWSyrl7fTdTZLB8stwNA_fZprLfJ4vzlyY_6TVaLnJ8TcIl38w65X2OKMGPXQmhG93qdDbS8V5tj1sO6lcQzKJZMbOS_vzR1Z9TTJd_TZFsVmGM/s200/DSCN3856.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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This will become <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-great-american-afghan">The Great American Afghan</a> - it was requested because the new leather couch can be cold. See how uncomfortable Miele is?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4q7SegndteyuBeZLZ6b6_IZH0Ohioj7tRq2_zVvdznnTA0EgqivXEGN9VBWbno2ZXyXpExrAlJ3e1BhfISWRvlHj-RcEa9qE0NarHyS7xiqTU1cubNlWsaruXwBKaFSwDGEO2eYk0FDs/s1600/DSCN3641.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4q7SegndteyuBeZLZ6b6_IZH0Ohioj7tRq2_zVvdznnTA0EgqivXEGN9VBWbno2ZXyXpExrAlJ3e1BhfISWRvlHj-RcEa9qE0NarHyS7xiqTU1cubNlWsaruXwBKaFSwDGEO2eYk0FDs/s200/DSCN3641.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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Trouble wants me to hurry up and knit it already.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTj2xp3zVP7WiMLdcSb2wPKkG4Tfc9dpda7OQKPLcNa9Dcdzh4ZjrsHUYpdyg3AQK-QcpaH5bhHnRbQW3mkfdYXy1aJAU5vCGjZLMSuTK1waegh3-GydnAqWN-09ssVDcmCuzqd_yi7eA/s1600/DSCN3711.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTj2xp3zVP7WiMLdcSb2wPKkG4Tfc9dpda7OQKPLcNa9Dcdzh4ZjrsHUYpdyg3AQK-QcpaH5bhHnRbQW3mkfdYXy1aJAU5vCGjZLMSuTK1waegh3-GydnAqWN-09ssVDcmCuzqd_yi7eA/s200/DSCN3711.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWH_8YDY-yr6fPQ4dExYjdtQONLbAXgO2cPV3qQ1bUYze-axXkLp4I32EGNaGdN6osLffAzmmvLKxgR911bks2OlVMtoSUHKnUqG4qrUQ91EZrsmFOLliMwX7I6wIZc97Q0-D5i07Nvko/s1600/DSCN3650.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-18282115629107235042010-07-12T20:29:00.000-07:002010-07-12T20:56:19.618-07:00It's Baaaack....The Spinning Mojo - I think it's back.<br /><br />Exhibit 1: Merino/Silk Laceweight in Chocolate Cherries, fiber from A Verb for Keeping Warm. 387 yards of 2-ply.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSLpJL37SORNCMMT-_GeZ3H53IAY8ji0qsd-Cxssk0mFVeUfacLgbCfG1SRVwuyx_BQ6nawD9TeSKndK0XDFoSJlLBl_6BafLaJRBQ8sOUCRab-tJ0t_erERiGIIcXX0Qf0Jv68blJD8/s1600/DSCN3609.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSLpJL37SORNCMMT-_GeZ3H53IAY8ji0qsd-Cxssk0mFVeUfacLgbCfG1SRVwuyx_BQ6nawD9TeSKndK0XDFoSJlLBl_6BafLaJRBQ8sOUCRab-tJ0t_erERiGIIcXX0Qf0Jv68blJD8/s200/DSCN3609.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493228779494344082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-i-wYgWQgRQSgaN0dcFCnHkMO98qXmycyAZuTPHe4A_JeTtb5HwimkdRxcpJEWiyLNpVGvxrfavJEkoXHCJVMMgMPPXQjhyphenhyphenmQssiKKOx1QU2rPvK4YjhjAMbi3aSIb3KY3dFQpissfs/s1600/DSCN3616.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-i-wYgWQgRQSgaN0dcFCnHkMO98qXmycyAZuTPHe4A_JeTtb5HwimkdRxcpJEWiyLNpVGvxrfavJEkoXHCJVMMgMPPXQjhyphenhyphenmQssiKKOx1QU2rPvK4YjhjAMbi3aSIb3KY3dFQpissfs/s200/DSCN3616.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493228787067002290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbpvUjcX1DWAr2PowqhkWthEq3AaBZV69pzsnMwyJOLBUU47IQiaPtPUpw_LLfiQmxVG_Of3zKO3p8jHuHzmJPPv4ly2VmOvvGgwrxd6ySiw4daH8GVrlz47UuiYJj52226aNkl9B_z8/s1600/DSCN3625.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbpvUjcX1DWAr2PowqhkWthEq3AaBZV69pzsnMwyJOLBUU47IQiaPtPUpw_LLfiQmxVG_Of3zKO3p8jHuHzmJPPv4ly2VmOvvGgwrxd6ySiw4daH8GVrlz47UuiYJj52226aNkl9B_z8/s200/DSCN3625.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493228766569579298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Next up: Cormo (spin-drafted by Morro Fleece Works); 745 yards 2-ply laceweight.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PBno-lED8Dj62fyJXtQ0k1wciGm731L3qK0Fe8lZW1bVPxffk_SWObuaf4S2XJuW0YZAyMZ2SzyInZY3FCOF1tu1dqDpOpTJ7RNxhlIh0Kumt_mf94LqRSOgPZ7eIHwh1Z9FaqOM_GQ/s1600/DSCN3601.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PBno-lED8Dj62fyJXtQ0k1wciGm731L3qK0Fe8lZW1bVPxffk_SWObuaf4S2XJuW0YZAyMZ2SzyInZY3FCOF1tu1dqDpOpTJ7RNxhlIh0Kumt_mf94LqRSOgPZ7eIHwh1Z9FaqOM_GQ/s200/DSCN3601.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493229829205368114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMRO_TlDystt7FAW_F0eNASTnC9lJE8JOUv-Cyj2Hb4PURVOTO6ctUThIYdnYwE5WpAP9VZDgkAPLC1BDtJoqRF0HerqiKgtUFnf6jbxTFSaLp9iWZnD-KNhpYMYVfFfmlOlIfpE5794/s1600/DSCN3627.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMRO_TlDystt7FAW_F0eNASTnC9lJE8JOUv-Cyj2Hb4PURVOTO6ctUThIYdnYwE5WpAP9VZDgkAPLC1BDtJoqRF0HerqiKgtUFnf6jbxTFSaLp9iWZnD-KNhpYMYVfFfmlOlIfpE5794/s200/DSCN3627.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493228796274844754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAfRB5Bo8DN7Gxn1nWAY_yl1ciOGXWdwrabt8uwu5qUYoiYlbvByoyJh0tCY8uVIRf9mURotyYhT6IFx_vaqe92LvtH0NbURXajJDFy20TR7fCx-VEDEjXboobn5svaNQtRqXjMgGmrQ/s1600/DSCN3636.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAfRB5Bo8DN7Gxn1nWAY_yl1ciOGXWdwrabt8uwu5qUYoiYlbvByoyJh0tCY8uVIRf9mURotyYhT6IFx_vaqe92LvtH0NbURXajJDFy20TR7fCx-VEDEjXboobn5svaNQtRqXjMgGmrQ/s200/DSCN3636.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493228805491792242" border="0" /></a><br />Fluffiest stuff I've spun, EVAR.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFwxZVHxhxQL85tvkl79vv8l4ELST-g_fucXndBt8DowiRXMhwA4KYI9wBaSrauJWKqZs6K3TbNvEByC6aFc5F_bIWz4oshwKKbMO-NQ4B16Mm2JivZq7qRu2bsnBPVfhDrQqzoSUNEI/s1600/DSCN3637.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFwxZVHxhxQL85tvkl79vv8l4ELST-g_fucXndBt8DowiRXMhwA4KYI9wBaSrauJWKqZs6K3TbNvEByC6aFc5F_bIWz4oshwKKbMO-NQ4B16Mm2JivZq7qRu2bsnBPVfhDrQqzoSUNEI/s200/DSCN3637.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493229841468213810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Up next: Meriboo (Merino/Bamboo)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-C0TUPpv-ka-gFxZfYsN6OoQrsC5hNAYfJ8Zjx6w4phYXNHeoTDXCX_iFOTmoz5lMWv1Lgcp-kNruRV1xNmyRTDC1b0jOdpei4zNr_tr8yYghhghc0N1mWVSC305ADuV_BN6FykJ0wA/s1600/DSCN3544.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-C0TUPpv-ka-gFxZfYsN6OoQrsC5hNAYfJ8Zjx6w4phYXNHeoTDXCX_iFOTmoz5lMWv1Lgcp-kNruRV1xNmyRTDC1b0jOdpei4zNr_tr8yYghhghc0N1mWVSC305ADuV_BN6FykJ0wA/s200/DSCN3544.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493229846066666786" border="0" /></a><br />And since I'll clearly exceed my original goal, I'll take a stab at this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJcjbfkS1yUO9_42yCb4hihamE_3zB-oJ3F8s6nWdfq9AGGkf8Gwl_ahjJW2vmdd4pToUEI_75kSFfrAP-VoYIdxe3yWasNMA2CjfzcVNZ1P3k_E8b-W5QXa4f9p5vuckV0juO6GGwss/s1600/DSCN1686.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJcjbfkS1yUO9_42yCb4hihamE_3zB-oJ3F8s6nWdfq9AGGkf8Gwl_ahjJW2vmdd4pToUEI_75kSFfrAP-VoYIdxe3yWasNMA2CjfzcVNZ1P3k_E8b-W5QXa4f9p5vuckV0juO6GGwss/s200/DSCN1686.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493229856059379986" border="0" /></a><br />Camel/Silk from Red Fish Dyeworks, picked up at Stitches West 2009. Enough marinating in the stash; I'm dying to spin this.<br /><br />However, today is the 12th and a day of rest for the Tour de Fleece. And I've worn a smooth spot on my finger from all the spinning. So, I'll pick it all up again tomorrow; I can't wait!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkbYHZisX3e9GRbGY2Wfe2EUS7PTo3GO2ml1HHw1DnFzCpJN3VpcmjpPhvBGnmzasgJSHfYDzgXkE_KnjOEE_Xlb7qsSBuctyqSsqZx3KjNBWauRVZk8Djb3An3qjCzSOf4-dtGSXcSE/s1600/DSCN3641.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkbYHZisX3e9GRbGY2Wfe2EUS7PTo3GO2ml1HHw1DnFzCpJN3VpcmjpPhvBGnmzasgJSHfYDzgXkE_KnjOEE_Xlb7qsSBuctyqSsqZx3KjNBWauRVZk8Djb3An3qjCzSOf4-dtGSXcSE/s200/DSCN3641.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493233691815286594" border="0" /></a><br />Miele needs her rest too.(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-71006280580023074272010-07-03T07:51:00.000-07:002010-07-04T06:48:25.216-07:00Le Tour de FleeceToday is the first day of the Tour de Fleece. For those of you know don't know what that means, it's a 3-week spinning journey; we spin every day from Saturday July 3rd through Sunday, July 25th. There are two days of rest: the 12th and 21st, and there is the day of (greatest) challenge, Thursday the 22nd.<br /><br />I hear there's a <a href="http://www.letour.fr/indexus.html">little bicycle race</a> fashioned after the Tour de Fleece; they ride their bikes somewhere in France on the same days we use our spinning wheels. Cute, non?<br /><br />Last year, my theme was to <a href="http://no-blog-rachels-blog.blogspot.com/2009/07/rebel-rebel.html">finish up some spinning WIPs</a>, and as the-job-that-is-now-fortunately-in-my-past started during the tour, I pretty much failed miserably at completing my goal. This year my theme is the unknown; fibers and fiber blends I haven't experienced before. Some are WIPs, some are new projects.<br /><br />This is a Merino-Silk blend from A Verb For Keeping Warm that I bought at Stitches West this year (color way is Chocolate Cherries):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxglKhNp9mKz_eBBBqjnkGM5kib4dxK6mW8mPGCszgGIpjYGSQuenzpMgbvgivyPF-Zxbn-2W9JW9ohlA0Ui-m8ucqCGRhas55jfhjjy49LayyJ94SS-Hc-POnWtgfb5lmvV3tLIRVhfc/s1600/DSCN3304.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxglKhNp9mKz_eBBBqjnkGM5kib4dxK6mW8mPGCszgGIpjYGSQuenzpMgbvgivyPF-Zxbn-2W9JW9ohlA0Ui-m8ucqCGRhas55jfhjjy49LayyJ94SS-Hc-POnWtgfb5lmvV3tLIRVhfc/s200/DSCN3304.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489715556571188162" border="0" /></a><br />I've spun up about half and want to finish this ASAP.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUb8iTZVA4G7YcuH2utniwh9Xl7TXzQGMeUXfg8KNVQtBMtKwNet501hqCgTWYnZII_o9JpbbfQd38EPfskf8NedQLTcCQF3w6nfg1PmfsSVVVdpiRbB9vMtP74L6SxZojM0D5UGFsdI/s1600/DSCN3585.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUb8iTZVA4G7YcuH2utniwh9Xl7TXzQGMeUXfg8KNVQtBMtKwNet501hqCgTWYnZII_o9JpbbfQd38EPfskf8NedQLTcCQF3w6nfg1PmfsSVVVdpiRbB9vMtP74L6SxZojM0D5UGFsdI/s200/DSCN3585.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489716582770380690" border="0" /></a><br />I also have some gorgeous Cormo. Spinning all-white isn't that exciting but my intent is to dye it after I finish spinning it. I want a semi-solid but no barber-poling.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGy06HreeqcgOHl_h_BXvtxwmbjoUMldl9nUqXE3pkUACcUR7-WsrctEAEsJNWsX7_M2e0szht8OShsy3-CazaohcFP1XzzTJEfrhNUx_BqzOa1P1Mtv7i3M7HhyphenhyphenatQ4anp15G7-HI1E/s1600/DSCN3527.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGy06HreeqcgOHl_h_BXvtxwmbjoUMldl9nUqXE3pkUACcUR7-WsrctEAEsJNWsX7_M2e0szht8OShsy3-CazaohcFP1XzzTJEfrhNUx_BqzOa1P1Mtv7i3M7HhyphenhyphenatQ4anp15G7-HI1E/s200/DSCN3527.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489715547860897602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3gDzHwYWOu-6rzVgv-yONhi0ZGDg2KoJg2CeSOZsOTMlHFEZtoPe11ad5t7_lyXkJIJ87h8cAAP2qOtM2u2BRa8pZ04qU5xziSmO8faVsGFcI5TR4gmSRJo5sP4yUOUiYm86pQIDfv4/s1600/DSCN3553.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3gDzHwYWOu-6rzVgv-yONhi0ZGDg2KoJg2CeSOZsOTMlHFEZtoPe11ad5t7_lyXkJIJ87h8cAAP2qOtM2u2BRa8pZ04qU5xziSmO8faVsGFcI5TR4gmSRJo5sP4yUOUiYm86pQIDfv4/s200/DSCN3553.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489715517592736226" border="0" /></a><br />Behold the <a href="http://www.thewooleewinder.com/">WooLee Winder</a> Brian got me for my birthday! Love, love, love it already and I've only spent a few hours with it. I hope it's not considered an unfair advantage during the tour and I don't eventually get accused of doping by <a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/cycling/7092860.html">Floyd Landis</a>.<br /><br />Here's another fiber I have yet to experience - 'Meriboo' - a Merino/Bamboo blend, that's destined to become a fine two-ply laceweight.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RuWUFTQWz7AsargITfiC0ZytOAlRFNAz_99zLK1XTfd7zRb4e0VHer6K070IGO2BClfAha2TFZCsZrEbTVlIYS4FPsbD5dzL5gIWgL56qEA3Q5TqaZ3aFhBwWsQyWOlfeagXSQkQoEY/s1600/DSCN3544.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RuWUFTQWz7AsargITfiC0ZytOAlRFNAz_99zLK1XTfd7zRb4e0VHer6K070IGO2BClfAha2TFZCsZrEbTVlIYS4FPsbD5dzL5gIWgL56qEA3Q5TqaZ3aFhBwWsQyWOlfeagXSQkQoEY/s200/DSCN3544.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489715536185662242" border="0" /></a><br />I have some other things I'd like to spin up but we'll see if I get that far.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Meanwhile, Back At The Ranch....</span><br /><br />I turned another year older on June 10th, and I think it was one of the nicest birthdays ever. No giant bash or anything but a lot of acknowledgment, a lot of good wishes, and lots of (3 guesses....) fiber.<br /><br />Cashmere from <a href="http://queenofpurpleyarn.blogspot.com/">Kathy</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_RaMAX3tKSsh6U8GZTnqfgF_xZEwp0_TdZQ5LHN7fX9YPi3C2uGde1kkp7xziZ6YLfggPGTkqXB9e1Y0j8IGeFVFDot5xzgsQ1vMg9UCYFnrWIwYNsXFzbZdSAVEiS431NYQZw3rvJk/s1600/DSCN3587.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_RaMAX3tKSsh6U8GZTnqfgF_xZEwp0_TdZQ5LHN7fX9YPi3C2uGde1kkp7xziZ6YLfggPGTkqXB9e1Y0j8IGeFVFDot5xzgsQ1vMg9UCYFnrWIwYNsXFzbZdSAVEiS431NYQZw3rvJk/s200/DSCN3587.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489722183625427730" border="0" /></a><br />Some cash with which I've purchased these:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sEAYNUf6ytnfGLizkEbiSYNelXGoynQHpBB69Jgz9V-53-86KX0KQjX7PvmvhZDXKjSrMTz-knj-TkbkYcT0AsPDsk7BCIYjQsmP9Bngnt8C2iMNpXgxKfoavk4dlVBU4I5IsAgdtLw/s1600/DSCN3543.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sEAYNUf6ytnfGLizkEbiSYNelXGoynQHpBB69Jgz9V-53-86KX0KQjX7PvmvhZDXKjSrMTz-knj-TkbkYcT0AsPDsk7BCIYjQsmP9Bngnt8C2iMNpXgxKfoavk4dlVBU4I5IsAgdtLw/s200/DSCN3543.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489722215114483010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MFIsis0qdsHw7goj9kVExBdbFbnZcfP1xjenFKPUQZ7L0QaNR4SKFPIcRRt9Z5hyphenhyphenCvenElu5E4ZT5tbJwR1JFLC8v0tbkbqOPS6kHtlylyHLpFk0N-_3WaN2ZlXYFVPqUkHzfoYSqvM/s1600/DSCN3546.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MFIsis0qdsHw7goj9kVExBdbFbnZcfP1xjenFKPUQZ7L0QaNR4SKFPIcRRt9Z5hyphenhyphenCvenElu5E4ZT5tbJwR1JFLC8v0tbkbqOPS6kHtlylyHLpFk0N-_3WaN2ZlXYFVPqUkHzfoYSqvM/s200/DSCN3546.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489722202827666818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEr8X3z4963gxrNkcJPKJOg-gYtVFu3LClJUCM_VremkazsIKlNluJ7CZrn-ufm4MiJ1OvUXgiWOcXHBn14eF-B_SKeGGV7bEDcQW_kEpjAo1gk3dM_rtp-orG4fSlDa46B9gTHzaOTlY/s1600/DSCN3548.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEr8X3z4963gxrNkcJPKJOg-gYtVFu3LClJUCM_VremkazsIKlNluJ7CZrn-ufm4MiJ1OvUXgiWOcXHBn14eF-B_SKeGGV7bEDcQW_kEpjAo1gk3dM_rtp-orG4fSlDa46B9gTHzaOTlY/s200/DSCN3548.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489722193237027650" border="0" /></a><br />I also decided to try out some Polwarth from <a href="http://www.crownmountainfarms.com/html/animal-fiber/polwarth-handdyed.html">Crown Mountain Farms</a> (The top one is Silk Road the other, Shadow on the Wall)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVY8TpU-yOrW8ggWVoP_vs7rYelqtKTtSFO93csUbPfOLp2G6MPVO0K-VVnR-WSFmWqICxMYybs0u7b0FHxdXOYk4S1OlQXVKCWyA5Uy3lkVHp4SMY1EMQNhbVeyvHeBPy7evrg_MyLo/s1600/DSCN3591.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVY8TpU-yOrW8ggWVoP_vs7rYelqtKTtSFO93csUbPfOLp2G6MPVO0K-VVnR-WSFmWqICxMYybs0u7b0FHxdXOYk4S1OlQXVKCWyA5Uy3lkVHp4SMY1EMQNhbVeyvHeBPy7evrg_MyLo/s200/DSCN3591.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489853480626507570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdPC6lyZXlYWBPKlF6ShXkS41-6vJdVLLsSPrHwtnyOX3L-odMbBLD589ZoxU79OYZdfhIgPGjIlPpc27-YKFFhCai07lLm1k7vrh-uyV3-BiqWMKiUWrwFJCiOmoHllbCncT43R93zU/s1600/DSCN3589.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdPC6lyZXlYWBPKlF6ShXkS41-6vJdVLLsSPrHwtnyOX3L-odMbBLD589ZoxU79OYZdfhIgPGjIlPpc27-YKFFhCai07lLm1k7vrh-uyV3-BiqWMKiUWrwFJCiOmoHllbCncT43R93zU/s200/DSCN3589.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489853489383359618" border="0" /></a><br />And this, the aforementioned WooLee Winder from Brian; something I've been dying to have for a while now. Pretty sweet, huh?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2FGvRCMY60fNr__3MPXzvHusX0V2wajnkQsZ5AhuXuvyGlSQgI5lD89RGQmwuj4xxJpdEzU8edW1UXb7h93dGKXSCc0mGZQYA6jIrSXaT93sA9ZYXUD_NVGD3icFCMpTE9iEahKUnYg/s1600/DSCN3534.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2FGvRCMY60fNr__3MPXzvHusX0V2wajnkQsZ5AhuXuvyGlSQgI5lD89RGQmwuj4xxJpdEzU8edW1UXb7h93dGKXSCc0mGZQYA6jIrSXaT93sA9ZYXUD_NVGD3icFCMpTE9iEahKUnYg/s200/DSCN3534.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489725190541600002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I've been busy with other things too: In spite of crazy amounts of overtime at work (it's all good), I've managed to knit a bit:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ylJoRDK-3NL2yUaTztlQg9skBpT1rC_0wIgDOXg4EmXN4asxiEPmfliaYscC0ynVRKouVi6Vdra17DU1oGOyuQs_6tI1kLXwMjAnFaQtl5p3979JwnR115g9iIrMZKtm2zTH7f9VPsA/s1600/DSCN3569.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ylJoRDK-3NL2yUaTztlQg9skBpT1rC_0wIgDOXg4EmXN4asxiEPmfliaYscC0ynVRKouVi6Vdra17DU1oGOyuQs_6tI1kLXwMjAnFaQtl5p3979JwnR115g9iIrMZKtm2zTH7f9VPsA/s200/DSCN3569.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489716605415735922" border="0" /></a><br />Continued progress on Madli's Scarf<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhB_BJ4pVkZq8MxNSoINcogI5UXGP8W68ZB08mPMVTvitb8mjbk_JEUScWBeAJAnhugC3hRS2JOz1ZbWTzJMjQ0fQ_3CbUqaPM92B3_ELlwBfiyQZHBJ5hGf8pQYxXm76eAjEPlhINALs/s1600/DSCN3568.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhB_BJ4pVkZq8MxNSoINcogI5UXGP8W68ZB08mPMVTvitb8mjbk_JEUScWBeAJAnhugC3hRS2JOz1ZbWTzJMjQ0fQ_3CbUqaPM92B3_ELlwBfiyQZHBJ5hGf8pQYxXm76eAjEPlhINALs/s200/DSCN3568.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489716589485917650" border="0" /></a><br />On a quick business trip to Omaha last week I got a start on Flutter Scarf by Miriam Felton, using some silk/merino laceweight I had in stash (from Pigeonroof Studios).<br /><br />Last, I recently finished this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhhk_QB363VqHssMCG4tVKH0rf9ATxdAsC3r_g5txOY77P_nvLVFgMhtq1YYfT1vFwSzyAeHpsb_dHy4iyb-fVkATcknzPUfk8BCblzZ9n5U-nNjtOAaKKLV8H8t-RuuX4bruhvOApdM/s1600/DSCN3573.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhhk_QB363VqHssMCG4tVKH0rf9ATxdAsC3r_g5txOY77P_nvLVFgMhtq1YYfT1vFwSzyAeHpsb_dHy4iyb-fVkATcknzPUfk8BCblzZ9n5U-nNjtOAaKKLV8H8t-RuuX4bruhvOApdM/s200/DSCN3573.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489716621301808258" border="0" /></a><br />And felted it last night.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlJOlZSfQlIhjdb9VMzVsn14mjUzo5YY3oc4w-XO-M9Y1fpVvPQt75G4icodGPw3qo7EFYL_JRX5QGUUfv_KKJwx12owF7-exitIctLn6LpgXbVL2EUu_UV53rEgjA9Z5JugczS1SGZA/s1600/DSCN3579.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlJOlZSfQlIhjdb9VMzVsn14mjUzo5YY3oc4w-XO-M9Y1fpVvPQt75G4icodGPw3qo7EFYL_JRX5QGUUfv_KKJwx12owF7-exitIctLn6LpgXbVL2EUu_UV53rEgjA9Z5JugczS1SGZA/s200/DSCN3579.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489716630580227810" border="0" /></a><br />Another Booga Bag; this one is a late birthday present for the lovely Hannah (no blog so no link), in her colors. I love this pattern and it's great for using up project leftovers. One of these days I'll make one for myself.<br /><br />In other wildly exciting news, we got rid of our old couch and got a new one:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrtQIeVt9Rd-tDk9rZ3m1UO3cYN_eTvfQF8AY0GCYpq_W5UKqUt9kxfKk6zIjLCoweCduS_EPUPgIkH4rbE7Mf1vcp_AVe84SyjiSgHZyEZ58fPp_-WeTNX4iFYZ997EcXXTEwXbnhe4/s1600/DSCN3556.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrtQIeVt9Rd-tDk9rZ3m1UO3cYN_eTvfQF8AY0GCYpq_W5UKqUt9kxfKk6zIjLCoweCduS_EPUPgIkH4rbE7Mf1vcp_AVe84SyjiSgHZyEZ58fPp_-WeTNX4iFYZ997EcXXTEwXbnhe4/s200/DSCN3556.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489857390751503122" border="0" /></a><br />I've always wanted a high-quality leather couch and it's nice not to feel a wood frame digging through the cushions. It has a slightly smaller footprint which opens up the room a bit, and the leather smells nice. But best of all,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqnNVxJhbwx7AB1XWV8WgNAiu0I7t7b0Pjwj3zIVUGvtQfUv6aDNF_aHwUnzXSUDOw3QF6a_-UzhB5vjw5Z_r33MacsCOFFUJVtrHuw7Ujm3JbgcQsHtQeHDMQhmDZBhXHlKx6xOaHCc/s1600/DSCN3574.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqnNVxJhbwx7AB1XWV8WgNAiu0I7t7b0Pjwj3zIVUGvtQfUv6aDNF_aHwUnzXSUDOw3QF6a_-UzhB5vjw5Z_r33MacsCOFFUJVtrHuw7Ujm3JbgcQsHtQeHDMQhmDZBhXHlKx6xOaHCc/s200/DSCN3574.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489715568567269442" border="0" /></a><br />The doggies like it.(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-5295042010766254352010-06-06T22:55:00.000-07:002010-06-06T22:55:35.265-07:00Speed BloggingThere's so much catching up to do, there's no space or time for details. So here is the past 2 months in a nutshell. A BIG nutshell with lots of pictures.<br /><br />1. I've always considered Administrative Professionals Day (or whatever PC term they change it to each year) to be something dreamed up by Hallmark and the floral industry. Apparently it's kind of a big deal at my company. We got these:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSW7Rr5siSy5NQJyr8bfiDOY3yk1nM-XXET9-lnPUstPvjMHcoYC5KaqKI78ISNPRTwQEidmnkX-EH5qlisgvnIUeeddZvsMz1QqmvHHAn3nRUFwJnULfVA9El1D95HJVUhXThtuhdRY/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSW7Rr5siSy5NQJyr8bfiDOY3yk1nM-XXET9-lnPUstPvjMHcoYC5KaqKI78ISNPRTwQEidmnkX-EH5qlisgvnIUeeddZvsMz1QqmvHHAn3nRUFwJnULfVA9El1D95HJVUhXThtuhdRY/s200/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466809695614180674" border="0" /></a><br />And my boss gave me a gift card which I used toward this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmlAnaxKRoNYxHzXheJ8rOOtt6QNHAOMrgjwueXRaU7uFl0MqmLuehnPhoF3TUiEH_ylkqnfIvuYGrqQCTeFi1oi0JPvanLd6rdyOocx9-X0ZtF-mVns2xav1zBB6k5MdIXiDn6dAEsw/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmlAnaxKRoNYxHzXheJ8rOOtt6QNHAOMrgjwueXRaU7uFl0MqmLuehnPhoF3TUiEH_ylkqnfIvuYGrqQCTeFi1oi0JPvanLd6rdyOocx9-X0ZtF-mVns2xav1zBB6k5MdIXiDn6dAEsw/s200/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466784069116058882" border="0" /></a><br />Hannah pointed out that the interior went perfectly with my work cell:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1zJWtLGZ-A3sIOhHif2S4pXyQ2A1Jmo_edcXmRvmeMvMHz6VDNDJ5zm7gQvii8h4jL097uN99P6cRpk8t9Z1x9rz_zwxBFLJAxxxlsC1-FGp4vJIeDu9hQiNSyhwgisIzOr14FfxO2M/s1600/DSCN3402.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1zJWtLGZ-A3sIOhHif2S4pXyQ2A1Jmo_edcXmRvmeMvMHz6VDNDJ5zm7gQvii8h4jL097uN99P6cRpk8t9Z1x9rz_zwxBFLJAxxxlsC1-FGp4vJIeDu9hQiNSyhwgisIzOr14FfxO2M/s200/DSCN3402.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479884071799536162" border="0" /></a><br />(Now I can sleep at night...)<br /><br />2. A bunch of us left town for a girls' weekend in Tahoe. We shared a couple of heavily discounted suites. Which were nicer than my house:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2whQwb-enYtDE1S1AwTnzYl6NEZOotrUydjg3fkvmKejsBJX7-J_NQL9oIJCdaBKNrFcjhXKNOcrfKM6aiyRmZCAvy11-SOGqI5X6XbGPd4kuhd6OAZPiaNuIjhUnJQxY94l-T1AWlc/s1600/DSCN3433.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2whQwb-enYtDE1S1AwTnzYl6NEZOotrUydjg3fkvmKejsBJX7-J_NQL9oIJCdaBKNrFcjhXKNOcrfKM6aiyRmZCAvy11-SOGqI5X6XbGPd4kuhd6OAZPiaNuIjhUnJQxY94l-T1AWlc/s200/DSCN3433.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479887881960626226" border="0" /></a><br />Cushy<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyttycUqtbM2F22cx7ud77vyl-Po1NEOapuBYVp2l4oVSunL31bll4tj9lsQXIBzVOOCsWF3jkS7-QxFY54zAiZYHbN9M-nVaRETyznkMyog9JbHrgKWVyYMwWaLZXarFx_kgOAQ6IyU/s1600/DSCN3435.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyttycUqtbM2F22cx7ud77vyl-Po1NEOapuBYVp2l4oVSunL31bll4tj9lsQXIBzVOOCsWF3jkS7-QxFY54zAiZYHbN9M-nVaRETyznkMyog9JbHrgKWVyYMwWaLZXarFx_kgOAQ6IyU/s200/DSCN3435.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479887887522637186" border="0" /></a><br />We got a...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPdaD8a9GZkxvYUyIcgVtQvCjGtd5YPfzR0nW-p3oOtwX2_W8rY8VcVSm9r9NbV3xb01dLmcIYgxzpaBbjF3DGT2CPbicVKKHBACAQWMVUjvSd8yjuDZzLPIXY5oKtF8owiJeKTLkGHo/s1600/DSCN3443.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPdaD8a9GZkxvYUyIcgVtQvCjGtd5YPfzR0nW-p3oOtwX2_W8rY8VcVSm9r9NbV3xb01dLmcIYgxzpaBbjF3DGT2CPbicVKKHBACAQWMVUjvSd8yjuDZzLPIXY5oKtF8owiJeKTLkGHo/s200/DSCN3443.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479887148355232626" border="0" /></a><br />little...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbbCIhZZGJiUv3zrWzEzVAtiy8ezXXujJmoaH5dI0XUf2PK8tPkHuOUUo6wdsy7manTh6ticA-dKNsOJvJ7Wt3N1TZ8MtcRfGeIg1M0SP83hA_cbHlx_U3KYPncd2khuXbpNhG71C8zs/s1600/DSCN3438.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbbCIhZZGJiUv3zrWzEzVAtiy8ezXXujJmoaH5dI0XUf2PK8tPkHuOUUo6wdsy7manTh6ticA-dKNsOJvJ7Wt3N1TZ8MtcRfGeIg1M0SP83hA_cbHlx_U3KYPncd2khuXbpNhG71C8zs/s200/DSCN3438.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479887151686835650" border="0" /></a><br />silly.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImPpfy8juM2gzS9Li04x4DKmuMPktCRt9QA4Nni5rpHZ3ALUpD6ca2rAmyQKrJ6KhGdLJkO8o95pRhNmsp_alpC75h7FrOGNYPwkiJCB5enLtSedRlhOKk4X03MA2EqiLRp8sbazJrYc/s1600/DSCN3446.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImPpfy8juM2gzS9Li04x4DKmuMPktCRt9QA4Nni5rpHZ3ALUpD6ca2rAmyQKrJ6KhGdLJkO8o95pRhNmsp_alpC75h7FrOGNYPwkiJCB5enLtSedRlhOKk4X03MA2EqiLRp8sbazJrYc/s200/DSCN3446.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479887138129708930" border="0" /></a><br />And we found time to get out a bit too:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSyrID8C9kDgf1qUWGDoc3x3TWbapYnjug3jibPu1MzMxfkAMHm7_alD78qZxhKPPPfPG72QeTiy4M5t1RmjmV7hbKxmDmZwU7w56Pbt1YuOinkFhSGAMOPJqI5cl9L8kHZzdNd3iieU/s1600/DSCN3451.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSyrID8C9kDgf1qUWGDoc3x3TWbapYnjug3jibPu1MzMxfkAMHm7_alD78qZxhKPPPfPG72QeTiy4M5t1RmjmV7hbKxmDmZwU7w56Pbt1YuOinkFhSGAMOPJqI5cl9L8kHZzdNd3iieU/s200/DSCN3451.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479887161527667202" border="0" /></a><br />And of course stop by a yarn shop. I picked these up in Placerville:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtgteJoBoSRdI0ZzflLZPjMsfW_2LH_hbsK-snPmobCegtviP336-h-QQc0i6vOnhxpnJnrOrD2XEQb4S-txd-Yn3Uua_ih0ryRhJYM28mHYDEtcVsNhjKWg6wq52qTspaR5-gFL5CYY/s1600/DSCN3493.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtgteJoBoSRdI0ZzflLZPjMsfW_2LH_hbsK-snPmobCegtviP336-h-QQc0i6vOnhxpnJnrOrD2XEQb4S-txd-Yn3Uua_ih0ryRhJYM28mHYDEtcVsNhjKWg6wq52qTspaR5-gFL5CYY/s200/DSCN3493.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479887903475469586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsBCt3IWpPqzQ3zKkK__sxlHqdFhKsBwK8n2T9Ao6O03kBnDnadASJImd1VOBunM40TnoSD_85AwSnMYFwYupGain8FwHsCCPnRtpXZEtSTdWW91ifAjtw89QcwWbJ8vvTT0s7Rcujts/s1600/DSCN3495.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsBCt3IWpPqzQ3zKkK__sxlHqdFhKsBwK8n2T9Ao6O03kBnDnadASJImd1VOBunM40TnoSD_85AwSnMYFwYupGain8FwHsCCPnRtpXZEtSTdWW91ifAjtw89QcwWbJ8vvTT0s7Rcujts/s200/DSCN3495.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479887918247151762" border="0" /></a><br />That gorgeous green stuff is alpaca/silk from Abstract Fiber, and the cream colored yarn is 400 yards of cashmere lace weight, just waiting to become a lovely scarf.<br /><br />3. Brian has been insanely busy in the gardens:<br /><br />A. Proof of growth: Potatoes<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4a-7HH6CgQ6iAw7dXvxHc8MduTzKjeWlxZAYe-TV0daSiL-AuyVg2nmjZD9JMQqZESJNsZh7DNmCYdaUInfWdkT-JxMaPxhgFhQOGm0UnI03k_F49-mXcoMBp3y6r1WzAhF7oFR_t-L0/s1600/DSCN3470.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4a-7HH6CgQ6iAw7dXvxHc8MduTzKjeWlxZAYe-TV0daSiL-AuyVg2nmjZD9JMQqZESJNsZh7DNmCYdaUInfWdkT-JxMaPxhgFhQOGm0UnI03k_F49-mXcoMBp3y6r1WzAhF7oFR_t-L0/s200/DSCN3470.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479889437932137954" border="0" /></a><br />Citrus:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO77PFLT12jGQK0hXAC7nSIu_Yq22adzwNk-QOmGSMNvAPwBi73f50L8mXobfeEfqJL2-TnFfEZvkBTtawkfgDFZ8U23Xf_9QAylZKTajjJPK9eiC3pKfQzaQDbbVnfsXkjQ3mSkgcryY/s1600/DSCN3459.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO77PFLT12jGQK0hXAC7nSIu_Yq22adzwNk-QOmGSMNvAPwBi73f50L8mXobfeEfqJL2-TnFfEZvkBTtawkfgDFZ8U23Xf_9QAylZKTajjJPK9eiC3pKfQzaQDbbVnfsXkjQ3mSkgcryY/s200/DSCN3459.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479887928323089810" border="0" /></a><br />Figlets<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZt394TXaTDAdvYHXWuSz9U0l5yTR6swhbKafyfO9Gk5lS7k_ODJWMBAuHutBBTShDeboHWJC0WK2z2b-Pftz3qEMs6BQ6dGouz1tuggTTTUTUH9g1UC531rwYgGrcGqi6lEDAWYkthIA/s1600/DSCN3467.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZt394TXaTDAdvYHXWuSz9U0l5yTR6swhbKafyfO9Gk5lS7k_ODJWMBAuHutBBTShDeboHWJC0WK2z2b-Pftz3qEMs6BQ6dGouz1tuggTTTUTUH9g1UC531rwYgGrcGqi6lEDAWYkthIA/s200/DSCN3467.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479889421969925026" border="0" /></a><br />Beets<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEDscf88MeQ675FI6mGZQ3isP6U7nIDJ1x_HJ6l9gCYdR2bIe1XgrdSyk0hCZApYZ6Mo2lBw8612Dyet0IVm4SlOOptlD53y6FMUChUUWhblXnhCHsvdCNx1PVjkaOoQ0yeY9n-SCj6U/s1600/DSCN3462.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEDscf88MeQ675FI6mGZQ3isP6U7nIDJ1x_HJ6l9gCYdR2bIe1XgrdSyk0hCZApYZ6Mo2lBw8612Dyet0IVm4SlOOptlD53y6FMUChUUWhblXnhCHsvdCNx1PVjkaOoQ0yeY9n-SCj6U/s200/DSCN3462.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479889411374577570" border="0" /></a><br />Cherries<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92l36aJVYvD2gLLkf5Uph8LpTDroZ2ROSOFdm_cHKvildpDDK7W5y-mjo203cLNzhxfYNguEurNNj_1UMFNUacHKR72CNpyk7Z1xkgYyRUjpl9BxET7vONkEJGRfwjz8T9mwGqfQCOLE/s1600/DSCN3465.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92l36aJVYvD2gLLkf5Uph8LpTDroZ2ROSOFdm_cHKvildpDDK7W5y-mjo203cLNzhxfYNguEurNNj_1UMFNUacHKR72CNpyk7Z1xkgYyRUjpl9BxET7vONkEJGRfwjz8T9mwGqfQCOLE/s200/DSCN3465.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479889420574506482" border="0" /></a><br />and Roses<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkf-a3iEB22MP3f5RolvbtS0uepC5fHbboDe3zCktx0MPV7mriWuE7wW7BMqAvAEjfZBeRatLwCwXcgb3xdVsu6d25pXALOn0eyoMYOcq8Y1RfcYOVFv8AfS6nMFOVq2IR1erOrVl__Ak/s1600/DSCN3472.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkf-a3iEB22MP3f5RolvbtS0uepC5fHbboDe3zCktx0MPV7mriWuE7wW7BMqAvAEjfZBeRatLwCwXcgb3xdVsu6d25pXALOn0eyoMYOcq8Y1RfcYOVFv8AfS6nMFOVq2IR1erOrVl__Ak/s200/DSCN3472.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479890048279277538" border="0" /></a><br /><br />B. Proof of Harvest:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZf6KCkY1pWA3XolNUxqbw_fh9l38wkKJyyeTD4jkElLM4MANYtsNM0yHI9N-DTzfAf9bgkNN6gMHejn8hzP1tUDGGC_vnPwUCc-kEG39pgoHrG323aaCDexoEmvHlQei5WQi9jK9h6Hw/s1600/DSCN3480.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZf6KCkY1pWA3XolNUxqbw_fh9l38wkKJyyeTD4jkElLM4MANYtsNM0yHI9N-DTzfAf9bgkNN6gMHejn8hzP1tUDGGC_vnPwUCc-kEG39pgoHrG323aaCDexoEmvHlQei5WQi9jK9h6Hw/s200/DSCN3480.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479890057839645106" border="0" /></a><br />Beets and greens<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPwG7e1HZeRoho_LfF3ABWh2LL4nx3mBqZBm301brXWzAZ0CWZA26c4aO7QeRVv8Tx0m6b9GatacpV6a_j_prER6UL8fPfC7AAQhVHNnNPd2m-Ho9-Wnp6TcFI4L_GguBKnoGPyvE4dQ/s1600/DSCN3403.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPwG7e1HZeRoho_LfF3ABWh2LL4nx3mBqZBm301brXWzAZ0CWZA26c4aO7QeRVv8Tx0m6b9GatacpV6a_j_prER6UL8fPfC7AAQhVHNnNPd2m-Ho9-Wnp6TcFI4L_GguBKnoGPyvE4dQ/s200/DSCN3403.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479884085022969538" border="0" /></a><br />Fava beans<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aCLaygUzqyaFjwINbb9zgjaPpit0xF49B96MIAHvM-ApQJTQtLnm75OMVyDUSOki7cDkYtb4k7hBxBE_3bY03zn5SLwpagTGOeLrcs0tXU6HyONgNKVIERdXDUXZJ_V23Z8umAAbQh8/s1600/DSCN3484.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aCLaygUzqyaFjwINbb9zgjaPpit0xF49B96MIAHvM-ApQJTQtLnm75OMVyDUSOki7cDkYtb4k7hBxBE_3bY03zn5SLwpagTGOeLrcs0tXU6HyONgNKVIERdXDUXZJ_V23Z8umAAbQh8/s200/DSCN3484.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479890060895484178" border="0" /></a><br />Broccoli and garlic<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNz0zZ6VvFhFTh0rEwsm4PAmenervIMXlE7AV8zdnvRx7EKcbJQWmND0k4ZOZwh0523hy7hOYA1l1Rz8pcpGEpE7qbyWwuhbgTc7r3uMwxmNO7Pnhh3O4t4-fAcB_7vKsV7Rnp9eV3pdw/s1600/DSCN3509.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNz0zZ6VvFhFTh0rEwsm4PAmenervIMXlE7AV8zdnvRx7EKcbJQWmND0k4ZOZwh0523hy7hOYA1l1Rz8pcpGEpE7qbyWwuhbgTc7r3uMwxmNO7Pnhh3O4t4-fAcB_7vKsV7Rnp9eV3pdw/s200/DSCN3509.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479890076444272098" border="0" /></a><br />Apricots. Eight pounds in one picking. We have a <span style="font-style: italic;">lot</span> of apricots.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAFD8mOg7OUCwmJYQbELoz_92fYavJf0iPgfjadQzl8Rvpeq2qyzuds5apgUZtdxtpaP6vph3__I7sEqGtU23EPRZ7ByYDqg8ocGX5R9l2tEaT1NmjO8IiEmZrYQw9Xhrt3xERWkzZvI/s1600/DSCN3513.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAFD8mOg7OUCwmJYQbELoz_92fYavJf0iPgfjadQzl8Rvpeq2qyzuds5apgUZtdxtpaP6vph3__I7sEqGtU23EPRZ7ByYDqg8ocGX5R9l2tEaT1NmjO8IiEmZrYQw9Xhrt3xERWkzZvI/s200/DSCN3513.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479890084925893474" border="0" /></a><br />Apparently Brian's plot at the community garden is well suited to grow Elephant Garlic. Freakin' enormous.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIp3tFbwsJCNVgorH5yFNH_rfqNEfUq98E1Df00wfaHUMldc5tKMYwJgRqvpXP2bAI8JfFlkWtbd6-uZWSceAJJtOFBqGlnXWX69nRoqd8YLMK4xPfGsjlaUzZwlgvftNkgirYK1lWdPo/s1600/DSCN3399.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIp3tFbwsJCNVgorH5yFNH_rfqNEfUq98E1Df00wfaHUMldc5tKMYwJgRqvpXP2bAI8JfFlkWtbd6-uZWSceAJJtOFBqGlnXWX69nRoqd8YLMK4xPfGsjlaUzZwlgvftNkgirYK1lWdPo/s200/DSCN3399.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479897643344978626" border="0" /></a><br />Actually, just about everything seems to grow well in that plot.<br /><br /><br />C. Proof of cooking (some of this we grew, some we purchased):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBBeDYEf9XFTQlZvCm8iiQsKUY7bErvLAldurCnOc1VQ0TJuFrtNp7eaHjOc1Kd07Zqk5j3lSCJb6AVL50BscXTV5WaNP8v7myD5m2VWE6eP9YyqrHFq5-0Hxh7CE67kkE45ElPcbBfA/s1600/DSCN3483.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBBeDYEf9XFTQlZvCm8iiQsKUY7bErvLAldurCnOc1VQ0TJuFrtNp7eaHjOc1Kd07Zqk5j3lSCJb6AVL50BscXTV5WaNP8v7myD5m2VWE6eP9YyqrHFq5-0Hxh7CE67kkE45ElPcbBfA/s200/DSCN3483.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479890586322181154" border="0" /></a><br />First batch ever of homemade sauerkraut. Yum.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCYDuduxzRlr6u8fvRPgqyZvTHxoLoh_Vn3azOaQFGcWELX3Gh76XDtvLBVfgYUm0DUp0ummCZ9VnFPN8ZtA0uMXMuFbatBwh6Nee1y_kjPLwy5Cf3wJ1blri57gjNh8ue4t5nRTKC5k/s1600/DSCN3400.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCYDuduxzRlr6u8fvRPgqyZvTHxoLoh_Vn3azOaQFGcWELX3Gh76XDtvLBVfgYUm0DUp0ummCZ9VnFPN8ZtA0uMXMuFbatBwh6Nee1y_kjPLwy5Cf3wJ1blri57gjNh8ue4t5nRTKC5k/s200/DSCN3400.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479897638328498098" border="0" /></a><br />Favas and greens<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5A40W9WPDBG793uAwiV_QvHd70VIhtjXLHztEfWmQQP0oQowCFI2vIC-vJsO3QqCLUWaH0tEi05D1qWonKthJvqwsf9A6TsOVw__J1BdVqrGwUFE131V-h0czTJ2hBF8pdqmBrsoTrc/s1600/DSCN3405.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5A40W9WPDBG793uAwiV_QvHd70VIhtjXLHztEfWmQQP0oQowCFI2vIC-vJsO3QqCLUWaH0tEi05D1qWonKthJvqwsf9A6TsOVw__J1BdVqrGwUFE131V-h0czTJ2hBF8pdqmBrsoTrc/s200/DSCN3405.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479897625042893794" border="0" /></a><br />Greens (and purples) over rice<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdl9HHOpGEHwsmauXdDrNxueoTfPDz-c98DVZrps6NTfh0koF9q3YhjlSFe6FKdcIIiPsme_k6uPFXx6N26xuPvsf10H6paE3c1YxNaQmdSOPtUZwbofbBaCVBA_3NKgQ4F4b09DY2-1Y/s1600/DSCN3482.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdl9HHOpGEHwsmauXdDrNxueoTfPDz-c98DVZrps6NTfh0koF9q3YhjlSFe6FKdcIIiPsme_k6uPFXx6N26xuPvsf10H6paE3c1YxNaQmdSOPtUZwbofbBaCVBA_3NKgQ4F4b09DY2-1Y/s200/DSCN3482.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479897618151066626" border="0" /></a><br />Beets, greens, and quinoa polenta<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVmg2J1NU7JoHn_0PZ4FO3S1U9FVmXg1_SgdCgSKhSravSg7gWgUgBaXWQA688MQ0j2fSCM7o-PEQpmxMrzVb0C0ZZnG6nBLhWjhbMVfokyYKaTMiTAr2pwWFnGCFmnrgxzrCFpIeXx4/s1600/DSCN3511.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVmg2J1NU7JoHn_0PZ4FO3S1U9FVmXg1_SgdCgSKhSravSg7gWgUgBaXWQA688MQ0j2fSCM7o-PEQpmxMrzVb0C0ZZnG6nBLhWjhbMVfokyYKaTMiTAr2pwWFnGCFmnrgxzrCFpIeXx4/s200/DSCN3511.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479890580376832242" border="0" /></a><br />We didn't grow anything in this salad but it's one of my favorite summer combos; cucumber, tomato, feta, and kalamatas with a squeeze of lemon juice.<br /><br />4. There has been entertainment of dogs:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_8L633oA4rU5vrPIgn2CG8L49j4oy22ALkwNlayicUlUggN0wCQTgWo95Tf0nnyoFtN-w2D_jHTTzDV5X6f8n80oSBJMLyBzgMO9fhANxoyrY6uM1O-gjhXIOTcCelyhZ7uhCtPSoBA/s1600/DSCN3324.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_8L633oA4rU5vrPIgn2CG8L49j4oy22ALkwNlayicUlUggN0wCQTgWo95Tf0nnyoFtN-w2D_jHTTzDV5X6f8n80oSBJMLyBzgMO9fhANxoyrY6uM1O-gjhXIOTcCelyhZ7uhCtPSoBA/s200/DSCN3324.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479903659748058866" border="0" /></a><br />They have enjoyed helping with the compost.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GuIk4_ImAcCQdDSaDWJLaeVct6Jv4J3zDNIgLkAwcLyRYDuoWn20Nr4zk_aU24KT7L_hyphenhyphen9uEGs90EE0yw9QI3onr8d4nfWb519SsBCkL9DKd8OVUmlvF6uU2Uxuh1FpkANMBfA6gklU/s1600/DSCN3491.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GuIk4_ImAcCQdDSaDWJLaeVct6Jv4J3zDNIgLkAwcLyRYDuoWn20Nr4zk_aU24KT7L_hyphenhyphen9uEGs90EE0yw9QI3onr8d4nfWb519SsBCkL9DKd8OVUmlvF6uU2Uxuh1FpkANMBfA6gklU/s200/DSCN3491.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479890568170293314" border="0" /></a><br />And went for a nice hike last weekend.<br /><br />5. And there has been knitting:<br /><br />A. Another friend had a baby so naturally I had to dress her (the baby, not the friend) up as a pumpkin:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL9OY5st707-nk2HM88nD0A1igGr0H01Ufd3urzPlrTB9bkvZvX30ntkJ4lbG3SxSMok6dXKqhrlLylgZaRmV_JL957yBP_oHpClfiZdK4Fs7rkiEAVdlB5Awh3d2tIXsxmFABQoGoJ8/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL9OY5st707-nk2HM88nD0A1igGr0H01Ufd3urzPlrTB9bkvZvX30ntkJ4lbG3SxSMok6dXKqhrlLylgZaRmV_JL957yBP_oHpClfiZdK4Fs7rkiEAVdlB5Awh3d2tIXsxmFABQoGoJ8/s200/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479888607995461538" border="0" /></a><br />B. I started to knit a wrap with this (Lisa Souza Silk Lace Weight in Sedona). I had to start over about 4 times due to a few errors and experimenting with needle sizes in my effort to get the fabric I wanted.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvC1ymYjpi83OZ_L0TFOS6K0JoacCA-7TIM2XDNvx5jLzAUj3fU5bgDpMFUmDO-3mCqISY_TdQv0gKXWwZ99NdF8YtFpifh4eY9-QJiMCclreFdh7WMDlwlSowX4nJiIwYvr-LO_UBSGQ/s1600/DSCN3418.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvC1ymYjpi83OZ_L0TFOS6K0JoacCA-7TIM2XDNvx5jLzAUj3fU5bgDpMFUmDO-3mCqISY_TdQv0gKXWwZ99NdF8YtFpifh4eY9-QJiMCclreFdh7WMDlwlSowX4nJiIwYvr-LO_UBSGQ/s200/DSCN3418.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479884108938081650" border="0" /></a><br />Miele decided the wrap was not meant to be:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDnZY029aOk4bFUFR0wJ__YCb6fIz6115IID1ASrQr3Kodsba8TLbb5A6nnO0OxQhNzQ3ppSoFZFpv6YDj5VPaNr7hmR2C1lbHgxyGS8T-T9cUHZgg9LXUAxnV3lS6hsDv9xgXnsqwqc/s1600/DSCN3431.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDnZY029aOk4bFUFR0wJ__YCb6fIz6115IID1ASrQr3Kodsba8TLbb5A6nnO0OxQhNzQ3ppSoFZFpv6YDj5VPaNr7hmR2C1lbHgxyGS8T-T9cUHZgg9LXUAxnV3lS6hsDv9xgXnsqwqc/s200/DSCN3431.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479887125899919410" border="0" /></a><br />Pretty, huh? It was even prettier festooned across the living room. Fortunately, shiny silk untangles pretty easily. It is now wound back up and waiting for me to decide what it's meant to be.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3QBmu8jBSognzWKRChAG8AD2cMkMZsLqwdEUP1r8KXlSYZO9f07GU745DcskqWGtWuD7NjOTk7hMIXkIIu75Dyoue9LRNt5qeNkyXrmaXZqM0zPmGiqZrPadYLM8quJRUaraY6iH7o4/s1600/DSCN3406.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3QBmu8jBSognzWKRChAG8AD2cMkMZsLqwdEUP1r8KXlSYZO9f07GU745DcskqWGtWuD7NjOTk7hMIXkIIu75Dyoue9LRNt5qeNkyXrmaXZqM0zPmGiqZrPadYLM8quJRUaraY6iH7o4/s200/DSCN3406.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479884094201173122" border="0" /></a><br />C. I finished the Lace Ribbons Scarf<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJVj5h1jXBPf6LcT9bfyMlaGlpuaBV1f6Smt0qJztWhxZWpRyuK_sVVayyBjGTTGy6UjweIM3056e_5yZH9VA8XzoG-IXXzH-KBaenCtmM9eSMF0w4fYZKsW_k1EDF940nIl1lx1qrZE/s1600/DSCN3408.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJVj5h1jXBPf6LcT9bfyMlaGlpuaBV1f6Smt0qJztWhxZWpRyuK_sVVayyBjGTTGy6UjweIM3056e_5yZH9VA8XzoG-IXXzH-KBaenCtmM9eSMF0w4fYZKsW_k1EDF940nIl1lx1qrZE/s200/DSCN3408.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479884103286057778" border="0" /></a><br />Which I love.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDFAvV0WVyLsfNAKiKjjkY_61u60ApNNSVy-lgO5DsNa6G04U9yPSEZL4N6TP0gNIQ4Xpuh5FzbtzQ-xLi4JNowQsaX5iv0fNPWL5kmaKTKL1L4wkxwt9vHmQ7BEhzEAXm8CwisFvIAw/s1600/DSCN3498.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDFAvV0WVyLsfNAKiKjjkY_61u60ApNNSVy-lgO5DsNa6G04U9yPSEZL4N6TP0gNIQ4Xpuh5FzbtzQ-xLi4JNowQsaX5iv0fNPWL5kmaKTKL1L4wkxwt9vHmQ7BEhzEAXm8CwisFvIAw/s200/DSCN3498.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479888571798107714" border="0" /></a><br />D. Then I waffled for over a week over which yarn to use to make Madli's Shawl from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knitted-Lace-Estonia-Techniques-Traditions/dp/1596680539">Knitted Lace of Estonia</a>. The cone on the top right is Colrain Lace Weight. The green below it is Hepburn (colorway - Alfalfa) from Abstract Fibers. The ball at the bottom is Graceful from The Yarn Place, and the rust-colored yarn on the left is Alpaca Cloud (from KnitPicks) in Autumn.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gGMCRsSeVOpgdOlyzHJGO2Dn3YKngnftAULEa1axSGQgG3wCG1rY7Cq0shv9uILGXzA3otPNLMCJCjcTtQKt8hFqtqlhRrF6BuJI4VKzxy9lOE_eFRywHbmMYN85ZLeC7S3Zw5ptjtw/s1600/DSCN3502.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gGMCRsSeVOpgdOlyzHJGO2Dn3YKngnftAULEa1axSGQgG3wCG1rY7Cq0shv9uILGXzA3otPNLMCJCjcTtQKt8hFqtqlhRrF6BuJI4VKzxy9lOE_eFRywHbmMYN85ZLeC7S3Zw5ptjtw/s200/DSCN3502.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479888581016706482" border="0" /></a><br />I opted for the Hepburn from Abstract Fibers in a lovely semi-solid green.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-J1iICoY5YIYezerZ4mmvdiDoHZZuF8FcEbL-9nV5Xv1XhKoQnsynS5hQcn8KbL9N081-a-lffe1h2cgA8NLCKJiUefjiadCQXEIOwbQCqeTF_88pJldB-5hhDIrkwC5Nqe4p_-C8NI/s1600/DSCN3516.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-J1iICoY5YIYezerZ4mmvdiDoHZZuF8FcEbL-9nV5Xv1XhKoQnsynS5hQcn8KbL9N081-a-lffe1h2cgA8NLCKJiUefjiadCQXEIOwbQCqeTF_88pJldB-5hhDIrkwC5Nqe4p_-C8NI/s200/DSCN3516.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479888591780352210" border="0" /></a><br />And it's going very nicely so far (and even better, Miele has left it alone). She is however, helping me knit this (F):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHrf42-j9-KxaVoOj9NDAIqejWbCQTevFBiuTfH7fX0bhoswpO7MmUDi5vRfWW0RAGRpeRtzisPP_yUD_U7dV5m3SxGxuz5TgXXS7sE0s2nfY2uYJP91lZaK4xVS-Wu5lVtsvhEVlHqY/s1600/DSCN3477.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHrf42-j9-KxaVoOj9NDAIqejWbCQTevFBiuTfH7fX0bhoswpO7MmUDi5vRfWW0RAGRpeRtzisPP_yUD_U7dV5m3SxGxuz5TgXXS7sE0s2nfY2uYJP91lZaK4xVS-Wu5lVtsvhEVlHqY/s200/DSCN3477.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479888599014450514" border="0" /></a><br />A <a href="http://www.blacksheepbags.com/booga_bag.html">Booga Bag</a> in the girliest colors ever.<br /><br />Trouble didn't think Miele should be the only subject of a gratuitous cute-doggy picture, and wants you all to know she's the best snuggle-beagle ever, even without modeling knitwear.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyl7lUZdJke47sGc0eODQ9BUK_t-Ph-6C8bX8eFCkMxl7PCHOKaS_ODfAHy3QRkzho1TjjiTgP8PbWeBSemH3n1Se_QHjoyoYeiUbRBWIog_TnhyphenhyphenWr69Vmi31pGR77ellI-XKVbOH12o/s1600/IMG_0016_2.jpeg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyl7lUZdJke47sGc0eODQ9BUK_t-Ph-6C8bX8eFCkMxl7PCHOKaS_ODfAHy3QRkzho1TjjiTgP8PbWeBSemH3n1Se_QHjoyoYeiUbRBWIog_TnhyphenhyphenWr69Vmi31pGR77ellI-XKVbOH12o/s200/IMG_0016_2.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466784046152771138" border="0" /></a><br />It's true.(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-76294385434512357872010-04-11T17:29:00.000-07:002010-04-11T19:24:18.467-07:00Early Morning Rain*Fortunately there was very little of that when <a href="http://queenofpurpleyarn.blogspot.com/">Kathy</a> and I did our weekly workout/walk this morning. It was a little chilly and a few drops flying here and there, but that was it. Now the temperature has dropped significantly (for CA) and it has been coming down hard for hours. I'm pretty thrilled; we need it!<br /><br />I also like it because I've been able to spend the day in relaxation mode. I've watched the ballgame (Red Sox won - yay!), napped, caught up on blogs, and done a bit of knitting. In my quest to have different UFOs at the end of this year than I did at the beginning, I have picked up a project I started last summer.<br /><br />This is Veronik Avery's <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring08/PATTlaceribbon.html">Lace Ribbon Scarf </a>from Knitty (Spring, 2008) in Handmaiden Sea Silk. Lovely stuff, and the plant fiber/silk blend makes for smooth knitting. It also makes for smooth unraveling so be careful not to drop stitches!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnr8Ii658t-8nhIYLwL_fDzcdO-i-_gk0VBb6B_IbpQ7rRLSuLFe2pMH3LD33xlTFP-weNA1Y1gbcHv8aH8kCLDDxcy3x3CN9neWKVROarkAa9F5qY0iM-IB6TfLFmvNpd4fza6JKyLs/s1600/DSCN2570.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnr8Ii658t-8nhIYLwL_fDzcdO-i-_gk0VBb6B_IbpQ7rRLSuLFe2pMH3LD33xlTFP-weNA1Y1gbcHv8aH8kCLDDxcy3x3CN9neWKVROarkAa9F5qY0iM-IB6TfLFmvNpd4fza6JKyLs/s200/DSCN2570.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459051274515619282" border="0" /></a><br />I think my lace mojo may have come back; Earlier this week I suddenly got the rhythm of the pattern and it's moving along pretty quickly.<br /><br />Actually I think the knitting mojo in general may be on the upswing. Thursday night, I finished my Olive <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/peasy">Peasy</a>. It's a great pattern; the only thing I changed was to use an applied i-cord edging on the sleeves and bottom, as I thought it would be more flattering. Here it is drying (Miele is playing guard dog):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-UsZza81lhlq6ZvwP64ujWyKnLdSrW3UPCr3JNidjl86NpYQpoome3mxO_pBhJ-MpcApGhzAI-Xl_PnqKKvE-1ELXqTqCufF7yjW_1XRkzrXlzzFvyPfLzJF14qonBknJ5icaOQl-PQ/s1600/DSCN3377.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-UsZza81lhlq6ZvwP64ujWyKnLdSrW3UPCr3JNidjl86NpYQpoome3mxO_pBhJ-MpcApGhzAI-Xl_PnqKKvE-1ELXqTqCufF7yjW_1XRkzrXlzzFvyPfLzJF14qonBknJ5icaOQl-PQ/s200/DSCN3377.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459051293723451682" border="0" /></a><br />Sleeve finishing detail (and probably the most accurate color shot):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18XirTabOMDHAJQLrD7sIZtoB3V38guiGhnFZiAo_rEnGy7-1eL1dwufDiXK3OeEMUuthjxbpjFtq0X7QCbLGSK35pTfs1RnEarL8kCzZFLx_w9gNk_oCKSxo4ThK_Ypelng7C_VEyFo/s1600/DSCN3375.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18XirTabOMDHAJQLrD7sIZtoB3V38guiGhnFZiAo_rEnGy7-1eL1dwufDiXK3OeEMUuthjxbpjFtq0X7QCbLGSK35pTfs1RnEarL8kCzZFLx_w9gNk_oCKSxo4ThK_Ypelng7C_VEyFo/s200/DSCN3375.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459051318822170210" border="0" /></a><br />Buttons on the card:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvSIjtASx-dJyd7zDtCuEM2HonNJ9dUm5u3QoDBPgCd8fWXb4cGL6mvXE8V63e_ptcI_WaB99fh1Vzz9R1E8mOiZdw34yO9O7qBUAa2znLkcE-p8KiAx2YrjAXYjHLEZWWTHZ9jM5DXs/s1600/DSCN3302.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvSIjtASx-dJyd7zDtCuEM2HonNJ9dUm5u3QoDBPgCd8fWXb4cGL6mvXE8V63e_ptcI_WaB99fh1Vzz9R1E8mOiZdw34yO9O7qBUAa2znLkcE-p8KiAx2YrjAXYjHLEZWWTHZ9jM5DXs/s200/DSCN3302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459051818020982562" border="0" /></a><br />And on the sweater:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishs7kIE3DPYYJbOPrdF0_no74u-PI_Z9p39liayMayn7C1bxQhnqZwBM5hkCSI5YrkUwZGqykm1D9GEsnwB1BmJk8B7kWFwQLMoraVh4vaiZzCJY3kNq469xm1UHu_lfeAQ4RNSPq4O4/s1600/DSCN3373.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishs7kIE3DPYYJbOPrdF0_no74u-PI_Z9p39liayMayn7C1bxQhnqZwBM5hkCSI5YrkUwZGqykm1D9GEsnwB1BmJk8B7kWFwQLMoraVh4vaiZzCJY3kNq469xm1UHu_lfeAQ4RNSPq4O4/s200/DSCN3373.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459051311368846738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And here it is on me. Whaddya think?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYBHZC3OsUMxHglCiO1ZwF7tajQVE-S6JPoLMkjKbnmnZyggGZMpgElqvIuRIKvuDvvDKYj_gE6ogi_6HFXFsY_5nvq4-tplE9epU8_khkBC2UqJuobgVhC6NedVONAnI23r1l1J5shI/s1600/DSCN3390.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYBHZC3OsUMxHglCiO1ZwF7tajQVE-S6JPoLMkjKbnmnZyggGZMpgElqvIuRIKvuDvvDKYj_gE6ogi_6HFXFsY_5nvq4-tplE9epU8_khkBC2UqJuobgVhC6NedVONAnI23r1l1J5shI/s200/DSCN3390.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459051286123287746" border="0" /></a><br />I'm very happy with it. The yarn (Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool) has a great drape and is light-weight enough so that it's not too warm for this climate. It's a perfect office sweater and I have a lot of DK-weight in my stash, so I may have to make another some day.<br /><br />In celebration of the return of the lace mojo, my next cast-on (once I finish Lace Ribbon) will be a wrap (pattern undecided) using one of these two beautiful lace-weights I picked up at Stitches:<br /><br />Lisa Souza's 100% silk in Sedona<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJiTV60_bm8nTFQt8PrBrdEVXt6X7phR7GKmH13QwM97e-arKzZyPQI0wJpBrLhh5G8e0f8DbVe3uA6T3rlY3ME4KevhqdHSZ6985g2YagjzPRYdkP5h1y322phsge-6nLN1ruZvoC8c/s1600/DSCN3287.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJiTV60_bm8nTFQt8PrBrdEVXt6X7phR7GKmH13QwM97e-arKzZyPQI0wJpBrLhh5G8e0f8DbVe3uA6T3rlY3ME4KevhqdHSZ6985g2YagjzPRYdkP5h1y322phsge-6nLN1ruZvoC8c/s200/DSCN3287.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459054491345476082" border="0" /></a><br />Or Abstract Fibers Hepburn in Alfalfa:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLIFSjBx8wtJfs5kpmwMK1htkBAbo-p-ztcqC-WZy1_wP8sByZwXDoi4d06cf3PVrSA1cj-ltGFbdV9FTbi19aU_zn3WWahmpbDC0k3h82TdyzwCQMnvs1ZLMWAxEv93lN1Wds00jSaA/s1600/DSCN3296.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLIFSjBx8wtJfs5kpmwMK1htkBAbo-p-ztcqC-WZy1_wP8sByZwXDoi4d06cf3PVrSA1cj-ltGFbdV9FTbi19aU_zn3WWahmpbDC0k3h82TdyzwCQMnvs1ZLMWAxEv93lN1Wds00jSaA/s200/DSCN3296.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459054503486024130" border="0" /></a><br />Any preference or suggestions? I definitely want a rectangular wrap not a triangle; other than that, I'm open.<br /><br />Miele spent a lot of time yesterday guarding the sweater.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvd3_jxKk9oOUCVCoDVFXquzw70muk-gUuJ0NspkPLp_EuPzN6ZKBxVzNaxIMxkeuI7dMwL-xp5qYb38moiVolMHIldSDRTtwutHPrAs1yIpx3bLXY8eRLP1H-c7GHjKjyl7-jLbc3Jxk/s1600/DSCN3385.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvd3_jxKk9oOUCVCoDVFXquzw70muk-gUuJ0NspkPLp_EuPzN6ZKBxVzNaxIMxkeuI7dMwL-xp5qYb38moiVolMHIldSDRTtwutHPrAs1yIpx3bLXY8eRLP1H-c7GHjKjyl7-jLbc3Jxk/s200/DSCN3385.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459051826699977858" border="0" /></a><br />Trouble prefers to keep an eye (and a butt) on Brian.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix30gdHc875Nrxf-MLS0SlBTizatvXYbA-yX0vVFFnCtc_ilN2ptMWvGbDZv5bl5gatiCIE5cwIQQPCHEedX5aHOPVwntXl0PH5Hdg3AzdZTUPUPffK4wnktDitNKeMkdEy4ni5tVm0tg/s1600/DSCN3387.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix30gdHc875Nrxf-MLS0SlBTizatvXYbA-yX0vVFFnCtc_ilN2ptMWvGbDZv5bl5gatiCIE5cwIQQPCHEedX5aHOPVwntXl0PH5Hdg3AzdZTUPUPffK4wnktDitNKeMkdEy4ni5tVm0tg/s200/DSCN3387.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459051833451744082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:85%;" >*is anyone reading this old enough to remember that song?</span>(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-41978516856466548172010-03-27T18:52:00.000-07:002010-03-27T19:49:25.137-07:00No More PuppyWe are now a puppy-free home. No, we didn't boot anyone out the door (though she has tempted us numerous times). We're puppy-free because a certain little fuzzy someone had her first birthday last weekend and is now officially an adult.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrulHXS4OgT8vZuKXV7gE_LNt28sOJRtWmEtbN8GsWm2mSMbdw-ZSjxJM41I2TQBkx0h8NvDTTqRG-L8hBuzZqh_ZWmB2knJt0hCEb8JB7EwoBgT7lXznaCb2_eUK4zstdAWSSFkHkkU/s1600/DSCN3347.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrulHXS4OgT8vZuKXV7gE_LNt28sOJRtWmEtbN8GsWm2mSMbdw-ZSjxJM41I2TQBkx0h8NvDTTqRG-L8hBuzZqh_ZWmB2knJt0hCEb8JB7EwoBgT7lXznaCb2_eUK4zstdAWSSFkHkkU/s200/DSCN3347.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453497070315042242" border="0" /></a><br />See? Doesn't she look mature? We had a little party for her that included pizza and ice cream. Someone decided to decorate:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaTNmTadkdVSsHXSWtQ-u6bStDU3D2GusDXPzGLH8-hykL_CdiEnxKyCC9cIjI4C3eYO2lYh54UJF-O2a8VdRNyzgnytyjc5dPgCiEfGcZ7vU0jJGZZm1C-LDlYEfHmToA_KvhzMQCdM/s1600/DSCN3350.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaTNmTadkdVSsHXSWtQ-u6bStDU3D2GusDXPzGLH8-hykL_CdiEnxKyCC9cIjI4C3eYO2lYh54UJF-O2a8VdRNyzgnytyjc5dPgCiEfGcZ7vU0jJGZZm1C-LDlYEfHmToA_KvhzMQCdM/s200/DSCN3350.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453497088207509522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlFrWn7qga0m8rC0qrq0lcb4uWZBODZhodq3NntnhvtzOhukzFvnfWqPwHkxFM-D7KGSOBi6EFWtyohcvZ7d1mA3vld5luvFVtkT_9eTVYmdLbgU2OQ2CRqRSaASS_eqic0b7xv28A1Y/s1600/DSCN3352.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlFrWn7qga0m8rC0qrq0lcb4uWZBODZhodq3NntnhvtzOhukzFvnfWqPwHkxFM-D7KGSOBi6EFWtyohcvZ7d1mA3vld5luvFVtkT_9eTVYmdLbgU2OQ2CRqRSaASS_eqic0b7xv28A1Y/s200/DSCN3352.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453497100526525762" border="0" /></a><br />I'm pretty sure it wasn't Brian.<br /><br />We're actually not sure exactly of Miele's birth date; but when we got her from the rescue league they indicated she'd probably been born in March, so we chose the first day of spring as her day.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And Boy Has It Sprung...</span><br /><br />It's spring in California and now that I've been here four years I can actually tell the difference between the seasons - it's subtle, especially compared to Vermont. Lots is happening in the garden:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYfc5uA273mCABBFe3YNx41XCyd4EFSrgfWVvKwKCFG2pf8qoSuDnQFTW6FZOzcUh5eHYnDlsiFe1vL1OaD-z88uLYVzgBiaxvxyTIEka8G7Ra6foBp9bhdGQ1PuqMwSOqct2se7TkYk/s1600/DSCN3311.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYfc5uA273mCABBFe3YNx41XCyd4EFSrgfWVvKwKCFG2pf8qoSuDnQFTW6FZOzcUh5eHYnDlsiFe1vL1OaD-z88uLYVzgBiaxvxyTIEka8G7Ra6foBp9bhdGQ1PuqMwSOqct2se7TkYk/s200/DSCN3311.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453498893631769826" border="0" /></a><br />Rosemary is flowering.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiDECpmCAe-TTm7TLeouYjV_8pzIuN8B6ICx3CpvFbVCqgPNTnGYwXU463MAvcTe7crFU2giNSN0XPjs88lNdFKq3amzIq_8eVQpm-kncGUqzmo_9oibRV8VLJFlVxT266DihVbef_uI/s1600/DSCN3361.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiDECpmCAe-TTm7TLeouYjV_8pzIuN8B6ICx3CpvFbVCqgPNTnGYwXU463MAvcTe7crFU2giNSN0XPjs88lNdFKq3amzIq_8eVQpm-kncGUqzmo_9oibRV8VLJFlVxT266DihVbef_uI/s200/DSCN3361.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453498903808850898" border="0" /></a><br />So are the fava beans (if my husband picks up a bottle of nice Chianti I'm going to be nervous).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeuQtmZcjUC2Oos_N-UxVizm1pA9sIyoIhDeo6wZR8ZhMiFQc_5NzVgk9DX8Yx7FX3DKS60iJIyxcJCmjM_opGci2v41YLbZiCMtfuVfJoWuLZ7zuV7v-05s_ESRPn7UwqaXOb_6_Lh8/s1600/DSCN3314.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeuQtmZcjUC2Oos_N-UxVizm1pA9sIyoIhDeo6wZR8ZhMiFQc_5NzVgk9DX8Yx7FX3DKS60iJIyxcJCmjM_opGci2v41YLbZiCMtfuVfJoWuLZ7zuV7v-05s_ESRPn7UwqaXOb_6_Lh8/s200/DSCN3314.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453498884458100786" border="0" /></a><br />Figs are getting bigger.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-Q0HgNVtUMu98puscowVWb__MQ_y4NyMoAha7DjAAVvqvnnlyyAkWasRFW1cNdX6vYTSzMqNjfrF8ZayOlGjVW7j-paj4XX3VE2fH5kdeA4u4tbtwmx4U-__QH32bHTXhB3rozB-mog/s1600/DSCN3339.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-Q0HgNVtUMu98puscowVWb__MQ_y4NyMoAha7DjAAVvqvnnlyyAkWasRFW1cNdX6vYTSzMqNjfrF8ZayOlGjVW7j-paj4XX3VE2fH5kdeA4u4tbtwmx4U-__QH32bHTXhB3rozB-mog/s200/DSCN3339.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453498877610166434" border="0" /></a><br />And the apricots are going nuts!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyb4VOZtlxuhio8zNU7HEi1813e6HsxyW5jsDgCh9mIOpEZZTMSyMSkWHqtR87JX745sY9KqqglFiZv5-0S8h_GyS9AZeBafW46F7CpsM0n-2njQVg7f-kTIGcc2GnxxbEd2ss2ECm-yY/s1600/DSCN3324.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyb4VOZtlxuhio8zNU7HEi1813e6HsxyW5jsDgCh9mIOpEZZTMSyMSkWHqtR87JX745sY9KqqglFiZv5-0S8h_GyS9AZeBafW46F7CpsM0n-2njQVg7f-kTIGcc2GnxxbEd2ss2ECm-yY/s200/DSCN3324.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453497081148517970" border="0" /></a><br />Trouble and Miele like to help with the compost.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDh1qCrx9clFeCq-Ib6LGIE52gNI1kIao1Dm-wZ0K-YJZn98ONdE_szT4f0cBdL6_1TsGJMMpd6siaudS2ochlTmO1zABy_4PEL31pspoo7YW10RRwvUKaJNUyBCrUITH1U_kDdJEIzOo/s1600/DSCN3365.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDh1qCrx9clFeCq-Ib6LGIE52gNI1kIao1Dm-wZ0K-YJZn98ONdE_szT4f0cBdL6_1TsGJMMpd6siaudS2ochlTmO1zABy_4PEL31pspoo7YW10RRwvUKaJNUyBCrUITH1U_kDdJEIzOo/s200/DSCN3365.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453498076806989858" border="0" /></a><br />There has been harvesting too! I just pulled these radishes about an hour ago.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AdIqM2w-YjqVbKVNDFNPrIOd7bFh0bc-UbYNVElwXu7T6gYPGx-fDhzFyJ_DN37IMVhK9CPNR9z8fw3nlrSUpY8ETfYhxp8OwmipV3JbbuKqx5i4dPEI6HvUqyphSxslTPx1CHixSoA/s1600/DSCN3367.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AdIqM2w-YjqVbKVNDFNPrIOd7bFh0bc-UbYNVElwXu7T6gYPGx-fDhzFyJ_DN37IMVhK9CPNR9z8fw3nlrSUpY8ETfYhxp8OwmipV3JbbuKqx5i4dPEI6HvUqyphSxslTPx1CHixSoA/s200/DSCN3367.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453498067772825698" border="0" /></a><br />Peas, carrots and spinach...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9KyA4CkCxWp55-nBP0TEwTl2AQWMa2f2e0ojaHJSejg83d3TXdcdngjgHDnzhIerZEEf8kYG0JLet5GN0a33outS0KWwLlx1g3-IYlXiigaZxzOxW79HTbJLJWnfV7wEFwl3-_pC4r0/s1600/DSCN3368.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9KyA4CkCxWp55-nBP0TEwTl2AQWMa2f2e0ojaHJSejg83d3TXdcdngjgHDnzhIerZEEf8kYG0JLet5GN0a33outS0KWwLlx1g3-IYlXiigaZxzOxW79HTbJLJWnfV7wEFwl3-_pC4r0/s200/DSCN3368.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453498058722092338" border="0" /></a><br />And around December sometime, Brian found a potato that had started sprouting. So he cut it into chunks and planted it. This is only part of what he brought home; over 5 pounds of potatoes so far! If you've never had a home grown potato before, you have to try it. I didn't see the point of growing one's own for a long time - it seemed like a lot of garden space for something you can buy pretty cheaply. But the difference in taste is <span style="font-style: italic;">amazing</span>. So worth it!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Attitude Adjustment</span><br /><br />I've been at my job 3 weeks now and I am happier at work than I have been in years. I have been putting in as many (if not more) hours than I did at my last job but how I feel about them is completely different. I'm no longer taken for granted, I'm not expected to sit around for extra hours to be at someone's beck and call (and then told, after waiting for 2 hours, 'oh no, we can do that tomorrow'), and the fact that I'm now hourly, so any overtime brings in extra cash doesn't hurt either. And, my boss is great and seems as happy with me as I am with him. I hope this one lasts! The job I mean - I'm pretty sure the boss will last a while; he's young.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnvjTANKzZjMApe5AilMaEEesVLD1PhoZkuccTi8WJiYxn-zyMRETTrJsLT-ZOXoP7nBLAzk_kdX1ofhVoj-01FgD3G7jlgKLnwOr2Z-xa4eC_HO0UXGRQPFFWwBsBmuNhAXyZALNf0g/s1600/DSCN3366.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnvjTANKzZjMApe5AilMaEEesVLD1PhoZkuccTi8WJiYxn-zyMRETTrJsLT-ZOXoP7nBLAzk_kdX1ofhVoj-01FgD3G7jlgKLnwOr2Z-xa4eC_HO0UXGRQPFFWwBsBmuNhAXyZALNf0g/s200/DSCN3366.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453498052195486594" border="0" /></a><br />See these? He's not the only one at work who makes me feel appreciated. These were sent to me by someone I hadn't met - but had helped set up a meeting on short notice. Nice, huh?<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Slowly But Surely...</span><br /><br />I have been chipping away at the Olive Peasy Sweater. I'm actually almost done; maybe an inch or so more to the body, then I just have the neck button band to go.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrfKiMHVjZ2MfQu7DyEJ2FfKtyLrcZUgBqymocGSslDvI5Zpq_BeEp3CM6kUdsLNxh37ya1ai_N4jiDbD5wdU6H62uYv2lBPYupQhFNhg4VSas0x6PkGp1kG61Swml9ALhvadMn8cuYg/s1600/DSCN3334.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrfKiMHVjZ2MfQu7DyEJ2FfKtyLrcZUgBqymocGSslDvI5Zpq_BeEp3CM6kUdsLNxh37ya1ai_N4jiDbD5wdU6H62uYv2lBPYupQhFNhg4VSas0x6PkGp1kG61Swml9ALhvadMn8cuYg/s200/DSCN3334.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453498042238463746" border="0" /></a><br />This actually shows it a few inches shorter than it is now. If I actually concentrate and knit instead of falling asleep on the couch maybe I'll be able to bind off before Monday. Who knows - maybe my next post will be about an FO; it has been a while since I've been able to do that.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAIS77r4ZbFT8yofwzA-u2be1OSAzge4d_uQlievE50g4FbVtXc0-C7Mek14s3SUfSm4FcTf7G6YNiQ9yaD408vd6Vg1T0FNLTmR5fuU7Zmc65Up1pNF0gpEIQrclhKPZz61PStieJak/s1600/DSCN3333.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAIS77r4ZbFT8yofwzA-u2be1OSAzge4d_uQlievE50g4FbVtXc0-C7Mek14s3SUfSm4FcTf7G6YNiQ9yaD408vd6Vg1T0FNLTmR5fuU7Zmc65Up1pNF0gpEIQrclhKPZz61PStieJak/s200/DSCN3333.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453509318689797970" border="0" /></a><br />Miele liked this shot better as it shows off her feathery tail. I had no idea she was such a girly girl.(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-21040485864045267682010-03-15T22:02:00.000-07:002010-03-15T22:21:38.061-07:00Twenty Questions With Scintillating Answers; Woohoo!<p>Totally lifted from <a href="http://knotmuchofaknitter.wordpress.com/2010/03/15/twenty-questions-anyone/">Nora</a>, <a href="http://shutupandknit.typepad.com/knitgirl/">Cookie</a>, and a bunch of other people:<a href="http://caroleknits.net/2010/03/15/a-meme-for-a-monday/comment-page-1/#comment-47088" target="_blank"><br /></a></p> <p>1. <strong>Explain what ended your last relationship?</strong> Decided I didn't deserve abuse and being alone was preferable to being in that marriage. I have since found a good one. :)<br /></p> <p>2. <strong>When was the last time you shaved</strong>? My head? 2003.<br /></p> <p>3. <strong>What were you doing this morning at 8 a.m</strong>. I'd already been at work for an hour.<br /></p> <p>4. <strong>What were you doing 15 minutes ago</strong>? Reading blogs.<br /></p> <p> 5. <strong>Some things you are excited about</strong>? New job! Awesome.<br /></p> <p>6. <strong>What is your favorite flavor of JELL-O</strong>? Don't normally care for it but craved it during chemo. Then my favorite flavor was red.<br /></p> <p>7. <strong>Your prom night, what do you remember about it</strong>? I went to a very bohemian private boarding school; we didn't have proms.</p> <p>8. <strong>Do you have any famous ancestors</strong>? Not that I'm aware of. Lots of crazies though. Surprised?<br /></p> <p>9. <strong>Last thing received in the mail</strong>? Makeup from Paula's Choice.<br /></p> <p>10. <strong>How many different beverages have you had today</strong>? 3. Coffee, water, fizzy water.<br /></p> <p>11. <strong>Do you ever leave messages on people’s answering machine</strong>? Ummm...yeah (if they still have one)<br /></p> <p>12. <strong>Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach</strong>? Nope. I have drawn cartoon turkeys though (Karen, if you're reading this, whatever happened to Mig?).<br /></p> <p>13. <strong>Any plans for Friday night</strong>? Probably park on the couch and fall asleep. My life on the edge...<br /></p> <p>14. <strong>Do you like what the ocean does to your hair</strong>? Yeah - coarse and frizzy totally suits me.<br /></p> <p> 15. <strong>Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different popcorns</strong>? Could a question be more random?<br /></p> <p>16. <strong>Do you re-use towels after you shower</strong>? Yup.</p> <p>17. <strong>Describe your keychain(s)</strong>? It's a carabiner that I attach to another carabiner that's hooked around the strap of my purse. I also have an emergency whistle attached.<br /></p> <p>18. <strong>Where do you keep your change</strong>? Wallet. Though it often falls out and ends up in the bottom of my purse.<br /></p> <p>19. <strong>When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group of people?</strong> Don't remember - rarely do it.<br /></p> <p>20. <strong>What kind of winter coat do you own</strong>? Burton Snowboards (Formula?) jacket. I used to have about 10 (since I worked at Burton for over a decade) but I gave away most of them before and after my move to California. I'd rather someone really use it than have it sit in a closet.<br /></p>(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-85948235905416664412010-02-28T20:36:00.000-08:002010-02-28T22:15:50.825-08:003 + 1 = 11How does that work, you ask? Well. Allow me to explain (it's the new math):<br /><br />Stitches West 2010 took place this weekend. I took Friday off so I was able to be there nearly the whole time. All year I'd set aside the small bits of money that I had left at the end of the week and saved it for Stitches. I ended up with a nice, guilt-free pile of cash; no withdrawals from checking and even better, nothing put on a credit card. Yay me! Over the course of the long weekend I traded it all for fiber in various and sundry forms.<br /><br />Some consider this to be the <a href="http://www.chinapage.com/newyear.html">Year of the Tiger</a>. For me, it's the Year of the Laceweight. As I did at Stitches last year, I <a href="http://no-blog-rachels-blog.blogspot.com/2009/02/so-far-so-very-good.html">had a list of a few things</a> I wanted to make a point of finding at Stitches, and I took care of those on Thursday night at the Market Preview. Lisa Souza <a href="http://lisaknit.typepad.com/tiltawhirl/2010/02/happy.html">had blogged about dyeing up a batch of silk laceweight</a>, and I'd been lusting after it since she posted a picture.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswZWCGpYw4TcrXvQhyphenhyphen94punay2M2dG1mnAf2ZDFxfCCUiMw5bIa5TQvwYpEDYJdRfOEFk2MjqRkJZNR3LThsTUzqj_x3s3q-hSeJdlP7r8pjtjB54CrqwizIQaz_L8okrBIH8nz6-IcE/s1600-h/DSCN3287.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswZWCGpYw4TcrXvQhyphenhyphen94punay2M2dG1mnAf2ZDFxfCCUiMw5bIa5TQvwYpEDYJdRfOEFk2MjqRkJZNR3LThsTUzqj_x3s3q-hSeJdlP7r8pjtjB54CrqwizIQaz_L8okrBIH8nz6-IcE/s200/DSCN3287.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443521585045443922" border="0" /></a><br />100% silk in the Sedona color way. Lisa does gorgeous work and I was really excited to snap this up as there weren't very many!<br /><br />Another pre-planned purchase was this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhQNGA_l2FegaRg468UzP-ceYW-yc-WXQjWrEtjCyjp3uLJKmhCWCskjC5cdlbfibL0M6FtPESoTGVAhKUtt7kqYWnXi4lcUWRxMIeIuzZriIPBT-Li1gZiz4iwCcHrCs4dBw9ygCfXY/s1600-h/DSCN3296.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhQNGA_l2FegaRg468UzP-ceYW-yc-WXQjWrEtjCyjp3uLJKmhCWCskjC5cdlbfibL0M6FtPESoTGVAhKUtt7kqYWnXi4lcUWRxMIeIuzZriIPBT-Li1gZiz4iwCcHrCs4dBw9ygCfXY/s200/DSCN3296.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443521663054336290" border="0" /></a><br />This is <a href="http://www.abstractfiber.com/zencart/">Abstract Fibers</a> Hepburn in Alfalfa. I'd seen <a href="http://betterthanyarn.blogspot.com/">Jasmin</a> preparing to test-knit a skein of a different colorway and when I commented on it she told me it also came in a gorgeous green. I wanted to make sure I got some so I pounced as soon as I saw it. It's an 80/20 Merino/Silk and it's a generous 1000 yards per skein. I don't have a particular plan for it other than I know it'll become a wrap at some point. In the meantime I'll just sit and pet it.<br /><br />I also had wish-listed this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyqDxUXT7GUWXekWsPPb1DvrRmuARXeOxt4-poZv3jD3JPnP4Ug2h_-o4bT5svvjxBfewtV0l1kAy1mlFA-l2kLdci5gP8PvF0fu2GJGxNuCpkYsr2rRMPUf0HM-tqRtBlfcbxAVd8AY/s1600-h/DSCN3290.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyqDxUXT7GUWXekWsPPb1DvrRmuARXeOxt4-poZv3jD3JPnP4Ug2h_-o4bT5svvjxBfewtV0l1kAy1mlFA-l2kLdci5gP8PvF0fu2GJGxNuCpkYsr2rRMPUf0HM-tqRtBlfcbxAVd8AY/s200/DSCN3290.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443521614286051346" border="0" /></a><br />A generous cone (over 1500 yards) of Valley Yarns Colrain Laceweight (Merino/Tencel) from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.yarn.com">Webs</a>. I'd seen the color on their website but had wanted to wait to confirm it really was as gorgeous as the picture indicated. Well it is. I'm not completely sure what I'll use it for but I'm leaning toward the <a href="http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/2005/12/print_o_the_wave_stole.html">Print O' The Wave Stole</a>.<br /><br />Those three finds made up my purchases for Thursday night. Friday morning started somewhat early with a pre-Stitches breakfast (it's important to build up one's yarn-shopping strength) and then onward to the market floor. I found a few more treasures:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VEitdUjKJoe4sriBTamqdKCmohZp7CQ0pFCNfGPVH8rSldetOj9C3qsWsPq2WdoJ4Djsz9sbdYkDjw9gNabtZStogP1tYp-IrCWXnHEZFitm56VNwN1p6v8huPY1P1o9f_OwuniSRHA/s1600-h/DSCN3294.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VEitdUjKJoe4sriBTamqdKCmohZp7CQ0pFCNfGPVH8rSldetOj9C3qsWsPq2WdoJ4Djsz9sbdYkDjw9gNabtZStogP1tYp-IrCWXnHEZFitm56VNwN1p6v8huPY1P1o9f_OwuniSRHA/s200/DSCN3294.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443521646206799778" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks to <a href="http://knitflix.blogspot.com/">Janice</a> who blogged about it Thursday night, I found this Louet Gems sock yarn at a ridiculously low price. I think everyone who read her blog made a beeline for it Friday because I heard that by the end of the day, the vendor had just about run out. This is really nice sock yarn that shows cables off beautifully.<br /><br />I found a new vendor I really like (I'm not sure if it's their first year at Stitches or not, but I certainly hope they return). The two yarns below are from <a href="http://knittingnotionsonline.com/">Knitting Notions Online</a>; it's hand-dyed yarn of various types in beautiful colors.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZquyb7h84MWgr_wfYWG2eWuiUd_kHZ_uH9QvL6vsjDk9GK_JudrIaqcDI3G2ibyDniAHRnyj0q34E9JA8mTVcvcbg77s18XLs5s3WN0FSjceLCM1V5XNfgTmPiURGfX_kZhmuYqts7s/s1600-h/DSCN3283.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZquyb7h84MWgr_wfYWG2eWuiUd_kHZ_uH9QvL6vsjDk9GK_JudrIaqcDI3G2ibyDniAHRnyj0q34E9JA8mTVcvcbg77s18XLs5s3WN0FSjceLCM1V5XNfgTmPiURGfX_kZhmuYqts7s/s200/DSCN3283.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443521267770612274" border="0" /></a><br />This is their Classic Merino Bamboo in Ironstone. It's 490 yards of fingering weight, and it's just gorgeous.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBB80T3xvUiIRZI56wrnXk3kI3hXUZQSU8Z-r4xYZmXPDHCb02Xsf-7b0gfbPZsDjsoA_RhG42wxwYZiY-nq3pkclKrH4JpK1G05f7G4hLnopUI3WESnS74yv9xafhE9XS7wvPyzoSo8w/s1600-h/DSCN3286.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBB80T3xvUiIRZI56wrnXk3kI3hXUZQSU8Z-r4xYZmXPDHCb02Xsf-7b0gfbPZsDjsoA_RhG42wxwYZiY-nq3pkclKrH4JpK1G05f7G4hLnopUI3WESnS74yv9xafhE9XS7wvPyzoSo8w/s200/DSCN3286.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443521284344781714" border="0" /></a><br />This is their Classic Merino Lace in Stormy Seas. Ditto (except that it's lace weight, not fingering). Beauteous.<br /><br />One of the best things about the weekend was that I got to meet one of my favorite bloggers (and indie dyers), <a href="http://rabbitch.blogspot.com/">Rabbitch</a>. She's snarky, insanely smart and sometimes hysterically funny. Now I know she's like that in person as well as in her blog. She also does wonderful dye work, and I picked up a skein of her Toe Jam sock yarn:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOq3kjSTBiqFnRJkAt-Gh2P5psu4cv-xVoGi5NWZXKhDxG9rvHVJSKFU1HYsMUyMhlxBAUfB8_e3OXeLbi-ZdTG_2FzCDjhtzlZIieOYd9kcErBn8qyii-_xOsbIElDjA4SDyo5BCHkeg/s1600-h/DSCN3292.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOq3kjSTBiqFnRJkAt-Gh2P5psu4cv-xVoGi5NWZXKhDxG9rvHVJSKFU1HYsMUyMhlxBAUfB8_e3OXeLbi-ZdTG_2FzCDjhtzlZIieOYd9kcErBn8qyii-_xOsbIElDjA4SDyo5BCHkeg/s200/DSCN3292.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443534234204786578" border="0" /></a><br />All of her colorways seem to have a story to go with them; this one is called Cryptic Notes.<br /><br />Less cryptic but equally lovely in a different way was some Belisa Cashmere:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6HtIixSCcYMvtVoA045128J5r9vwI9uS7Getrn1_Mys_taYsO8kAr3NqhaBRHzkhOXSXjYYcEGRrM_iPsqKBDLaYFKa2imPgzDyspjzZOUJB9iehH_d_9eGsbuP2nrrGA2_QmWQfh9E/s1600-h/DSCN3282.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6HtIixSCcYMvtVoA045128J5r9vwI9uS7Getrn1_Mys_taYsO8kAr3NqhaBRHzkhOXSXjYYcEGRrM_iPsqKBDLaYFKa2imPgzDyspjzZOUJB9iehH_d_9eGsbuP2nrrGA2_QmWQfh9E/s200/DSCN3282.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443521254850249522" border="0" /></a><br />I think this is the first cashmere yarn I've ever bought and I love that they include a choice of pattern with the purchase. I already have two other colorways I'd like in this yarn, but I have to wait until next year to act on that.<br /><br />I had eyed some of this last year, but didn't get any. This year I picked some up:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHd6qw-Mluqopg66HN2FuOvJoemJo8a5ifgKdL6zqCz2IxOvDKV1RibY09kuefREouvUrUs0354poGQRj_l8hgz1WM78-b6P8VVj8wtl58-gN3mwr0ysV2yWKHXM5JXeruaD-3c6MYdVA/s1600-h/DSCN3277.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHd6qw-Mluqopg66HN2FuOvJoemJo8a5ifgKdL6zqCz2IxOvDKV1RibY09kuefREouvUrUs0354poGQRj_l8hgz1WM78-b6P8VVj8wtl58-gN3mwr0ysV2yWKHXM5JXeruaD-3c6MYdVA/s200/DSCN3277.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443521240337192754" border="0" /></a><br />It's natural-colored charcoal alpaca from <a href="http://www.cheryloberle.com/">Cheryl Oberle</a> in a light DK/Sport weight. It's going to become a light, office-appropriate sweater. Each skein has 650 yards and it is soft, soft, soft!<br /><br />I left the convention center early that day to join some friends from high school at an event in San Francisco. It was great fun and I got home quite late, but managed to drag my tired self back to Stitches on Saturday morning (am I a trooper or what?). I think the yarn fumes revived me.<br /><br />The last thing on my Stitches wish list was some spinning fiber; it had to be 50/50 merino/silk, and it had to be exactly what I had in mind, though I wasn't sure what that might be. Luckily, I found it anyway. Two ounces of merino/silk fiber from <a href="http://store.averbforkeepingwarm.com/yarn.html">A Verb For Keeping Warm</a> in Chocolate Cherries.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_d6g2ry3l59kdc6nn04DIs5w005ha9wcUkv7A9NjSUOEY8B3m39O35AU7rISuA6lqWCUUyWbfBOaqhm-P9A-Ekp-6WjoQQZR4o7jXmEjwB5GwXjOAMdzvEfGreopdevYs0qbCS0JEM4/s1600-h/DSCN3305.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_d6g2ry3l59kdc6nn04DIs5w005ha9wcUkv7A9NjSUOEY8B3m39O35AU7rISuA6lqWCUUyWbfBOaqhm-P9A-Ekp-6WjoQQZR4o7jXmEjwB5GwXjOAMdzvEfGreopdevYs0qbCS0JEM4/s200/DSCN3305.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443520357737962242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I also picked up some merino/silk heavy laceweight from Pigeonroof Studios:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OX_CXEotqtpeEdDIz_u5pr4ujATEkSFAdVVTJbzoRv_leJtOtPeD1v55X_Qcigv9C4HcxdTNfrN6ElU3BWuJx91YJbd6dk1YGawKt33iHAwQ8zU-GzX_9-_Pq0KCSfi2ozylCNvWcHA/s1600-h/DSCN3303.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OX_CXEotqtpeEdDIz_u5pr4ujATEkSFAdVVTJbzoRv_leJtOtPeD1v55X_Qcigv9C4HcxdTNfrN6ElU3BWuJx91YJbd6dk1YGawKt33iHAwQ8zU-GzX_9-_Pq0KCSfi2ozylCNvWcHA/s200/DSCN3303.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443520350604418610" border="0" /></a><br />Noting kind of a teal/blue gray color trend here? I think I felt the need to break away from my standard olives and rusts.<br /><br />So there you go. Three days of yarn-fume madness and one hell of a good time brought in the makings of 11 new projects. Understand the new math now?<br /><br />The last thing I bought at Stitches was a set of buttons<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRi2UP_sopi3sKrRUqDbitU9htbE06Eut4Fat22sQzxI0cOP7SR483RaIwxT6So9nNSFZzLHDyumHxZdJUAomuh_s4MfQdi0X2CIuysGNtQyptxTp1vcYzeOMQsXFNY80SC5Dy9X4C84/s1600-h/DSCN3302.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRi2UP_sopi3sKrRUqDbitU9htbE06Eut4Fat22sQzxI0cOP7SR483RaIwxT6So9nNSFZzLHDyumHxZdJUAomuh_s4MfQdi0X2CIuysGNtQyptxTp1vcYzeOMQsXFNY80SC5Dy9X4C84/s200/DSCN3302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443520321536204434" border="0" /></a><br />for<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/peasy"> this</a>:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28LigeeP3BGVodekbteoaHeyfzOt_DCL6v18aGDDlUj-MuLnzkIibZ8gK5ZtQHDSQ1ZzNu0J0CNa6v1q88f2_8NchiSYFE3FUoYnkXycLLCcywKFlhkcA_OfgH87Kx2YivhuRNCS4lTg/s1600-h/DSCN3269.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28LigeeP3BGVodekbteoaHeyfzOt_DCL6v18aGDDlUj-MuLnzkIibZ8gK5ZtQHDSQ1ZzNu0J0CNa6v1q88f2_8NchiSYFE3FUoYnkXycLLCcywKFlhkcA_OfgH87Kx2YivhuRNCS4lTg/s200/DSCN3269.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443520312200748306" border="0" /></a><br />which is coming along nicely! I just need to do the body, and then around the neck.<br /><br />I went back to Stitches today but purely for social reasons. It's a great place to hang out with people sharing the same interests and to see friends who aren't conveniently close by. I'm pretty much exhausted and my stomach hurts from laughing, but it was awesome. I'll be dragging tomorrow morning, but who cares? I only have two days left at this job, and I can certainly caffeine-power my way through that.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjioJ_v4j6m2u7qURtCcJH3HfTzoxVJRd1FVhHshtiwoZalse5vOd0bEB3ktMZu5BP5EvAbBMQOT7bz46tsasmpGdK4sSMHp8Tzh3nHDJbBh05bRgsTlysx-XvJKSEe5_2yQrJoVMTGcEg/s1600-h/DSCN3273.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjioJ_v4j6m2u7qURtCcJH3HfTzoxVJRd1FVhHshtiwoZalse5vOd0bEB3ktMZu5BP5EvAbBMQOT7bz46tsasmpGdK4sSMHp8Tzh3nHDJbBh05bRgsTlysx-XvJKSEe5_2yQrJoVMTGcEg/s200/DSCN3273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443521223132123986" border="0" /></a><br />Apparently Miele had a tiring weekend too.(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-60567238850176247242010-02-16T22:39:00.001-08:002010-02-16T23:00:06.359-08:00Life Balance, I Hardly Knew Ye (But I'm About To)In my last post I mentioned something that I hoped to be able to share soon. Some of you have noticed that I haven't blogged nearly as often the past 6 months. Those who are local have heard me talk about it. Work has been completely wearing me down, both physically and emotionally. I had great hopes when I started, but it became clear pretty quickly that it wasn't the right place for me. While the reverse commute was awesome (17 miles in 20 minutes going 80 mph down 101), the location placed me nearly 40 miles from my favorite knitting meet-ups which much of the time was just too far, so I haven't been able to see my friends as much as I'd like. Most of the time I've come home, eaten and fallen asleep on the couch. Not good.<br /><br />Well in two weeks, that will all be behind me. It's time to share. I have a new job! I got a freakin' fabulous offer today, which was so good it didn't need negotiating. I like my about-to-be boss and his direct reports, the commute is a touch shorter (though more traffic), 11-12 hour days will no longer be the norm, and the compensation is a lot better. Best of all, I'm positive it will be a much better, much happier fit. My last day at my current job (unless they walk me out the door sooner) will be March 2nd and I start the new gig on the 8th. So I even get a little bit of time to decompress in between. <br /><br />Anyone local wanna come out and play while I'm off? I'm back!(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-25958922297133917652010-01-31T15:40:00.000-08:002010-02-07T16:57:54.642-08:00Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon**Oh, I wish! While the dogs seem to be practicing their relaxation technique:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Tu5AvRq53rRUtZzWJVXvuAKUMy3Qe6DldWTJ2vJ87ZthLHmdl5_isJnGaTdsZ3dM56WDKt927k4RnbNlxWebQ21YwoBU5KX_tvjvuoD8AVCTkcUPDlzgbdXDQVqh7NJ3Rr3ho8ef54Q/s1600-h/DSCN3249.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Tu5AvRq53rRUtZzWJVXvuAKUMy3Qe6DldWTJ2vJ87ZthLHmdl5_isJnGaTdsZ3dM56WDKt927k4RnbNlxWebQ21YwoBU5KX_tvjvuoD8AVCTkcUPDlzgbdXDQVqh7NJ3Rr3ho8ef54Q/s200/DSCN3249.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435631249664958050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKpCi9mXWiYPeRA_sHYNFsBUh0nOZVt-I6hUpL0waf5hOCxr5oeP38Y5bfaM1MoT9gu5jaTMH5KZE4m6sCP5AezqqcTlNBaUjS-5f59HUpjidPke12YottHyumDPiLtnVEF1O9ToorYM/s1600-h/DSCN3250.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKpCi9mXWiYPeRA_sHYNFsBUh0nOZVt-I6hUpL0waf5hOCxr5oeP38Y5bfaM1MoT9gu5jaTMH5KZE4m6sCP5AezqqcTlNBaUjS-5f59HUpjidPke12YottHyumDPiLtnVEF1O9ToorYM/s200/DSCN3250.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435631239423669506" border="0" /></a><br />I've been busy. There's one big thing brewing that I hope to be able to share soon, but even without that, there is plenty afloat.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Stash Out, Stash In...</span><br /><br />I took part in two yarn swaps recently. I love yarn swaps; it's a great opportunity to cull the stash of project leftovers and things that are no longer wildly loved, and trade them for something new, bright and shiny. This is what came home with me:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyGXVhFatFPZ8iqCakFCvEMnPEhg_w37yGqOWLPY_McumSywEuzHPFTuFThrZfwwGrJ-IbTKjm0zpX4s6JR6dTJud5ScXXRwxSccunKxLkHMetrVeWI_cL3krvXcJ1Bp_yYLcyHV4gxs/s1600-h/DSCN3234.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyGXVhFatFPZ8iqCakFCvEMnPEhg_w37yGqOWLPY_McumSywEuzHPFTuFThrZfwwGrJ-IbTKjm0zpX4s6JR6dTJud5ScXXRwxSccunKxLkHMetrVeWI_cL3krvXcJ1Bp_yYLcyHV4gxs/s200/DSCN3234.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433054005287312562" border="0" /></a><br />This is the only one that actually <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> shiny. A good project's-worth of what I think is a silk/mohair blend from Artfibers. The rest are a little more muted, but still new and full of possibility. Any suggestions?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfNNZZDc4fM4vJ4WnkrukJm3T5wSwjyQ7SOarTODBnrwmA7EaTdWbzGzHnen8dCO1RRDTlTUa6lvhqVxMwJCeQiXDOhv7QAVvebFUH4U113AXagU3nlJFYYWDkzbYX2SFe3ZGgpVtR28/s1600-h/DSCN3194.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfNNZZDc4fM4vJ4WnkrukJm3T5wSwjyQ7SOarTODBnrwmA7EaTdWbzGzHnen8dCO1RRDTlTUa6lvhqVxMwJCeQiXDOhv7QAVvebFUH4U113AXagU3nlJFYYWDkzbYX2SFe3ZGgpVtR28/s200/DSCN3194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433054637076709138" border="0" /></a><br />Some Yarn Place Graceful. I couldn't for the life of me get a focused shot, but this one shows the color pretty accurately.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrnpVrhuF0DFm5IVLmEBdVCZvMiCgKZ8BDB7GLjBeyq-SOWnwXuc4er8p2BMt-JD3MeUdF1dZxyz3eP4jM6whCB9QYsow00NU-Zs5yKGJQ7PdhLEYk8Hx0lNgAkjbcqiEXvtoF0w3LGA/s1600-h/DSCN3225.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrnpVrhuF0DFm5IVLmEBdVCZvMiCgKZ8BDB7GLjBeyq-SOWnwXuc4er8p2BMt-JD3MeUdF1dZxyz3eP4jM6whCB9QYsow00NU-Zs5yKGJQ7PdhLEYk8Hx0lNgAkjbcqiEXvtoF0w3LGA/s200/DSCN3225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433054037664682850" border="0" /></a><br />Alpaca Baby Twist<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTM7imfi0Ro0U5mbi6c1teokFGR56qpNClyP2V8tuTMDi-nCYzudthZuMMT6hsxoktz7l82J0kg47sInRwpuDMG3C4zG5PxbuBlxaX4gm2x1_Rq9LsBh7kFN3TPdOPaq1WhyphenhyphenVRO61JKg/s1600-h/DSCN3226.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTM7imfi0Ro0U5mbi6c1teokFGR56qpNClyP2V8tuTMDi-nCYzudthZuMMT6hsxoktz7l82J0kg47sInRwpuDMG3C4zG5PxbuBlxaX4gm2x1_Rq9LsBh7kFN3TPdOPaq1WhyphenhyphenVRO61JKg/s200/DSCN3226.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433054028626429042" border="0" /></a><br />Koigu...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBKJK7qeZEqdadq8ZkZDqTX9Pk-JmuOmREkGeP64r3JrKml0bttEZK-BL5D1zeO_Tx75JZPuasTO6XeDgWVcyu7OXPIhAG2zdoEP41ywikq18juWwu-3rgkmUdBwiGQ1mA2Z5AesoNWs/s1600-h/DSCN3227.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBKJK7qeZEqdadq8ZkZDqTX9Pk-JmuOmREkGeP64r3JrKml0bttEZK-BL5D1zeO_Tx75JZPuasTO6XeDgWVcyu7OXPIhAG2zdoEP41ywikq18juWwu-3rgkmUdBwiGQ1mA2Z5AesoNWs/s200/DSCN3227.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433054021452438658" border="0" /></a><br />...in two pretty colorways!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzwJKHLKx65n24mhXkxUTmzW2TvdTJp1Yj8OemdSlHvLpTKVQDWqXhW7X5SumdG3JsfbVZe1T1bgvFB73wm5Mm9COeBy_1-zl5l6sV-vuBsAOi65J52AmoEBJmeqrBzWEluwYldu-TP8/s1600-h/DSCN3228.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzwJKHLKx65n24mhXkxUTmzW2TvdTJp1Yj8OemdSlHvLpTKVQDWqXhW7X5SumdG3JsfbVZe1T1bgvFB73wm5Mm9COeBy_1-zl5l6sV-vuBsAOi65J52AmoEBJmeqrBzWEluwYldu-TP8/s200/DSCN3228.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433053991507231186" border="0" /></a><br />I have no idea what this is, but I liked it so I let it follow me home.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNu4jrHIXH627ICZ8pt0expxXcLq5822iOFSOG5tcY8Pbz4QIy8nUK3sIG_cY0EjCI6b-uSprOPh5zdYpGqOWc_-3rOUIXOimEsCgmOc9TX9K6ct8KK_obnfCs7sHhizsbI7QHwsB2XV0/s1600-h/DSCN3197.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNu4jrHIXH627ICZ8pt0expxXcLq5822iOFSOG5tcY8Pbz4QIy8nUK3sIG_cY0EjCI6b-uSprOPh5zdYpGqOWc_-3rOUIXOimEsCgmOc9TX9K6ct8KK_obnfCs7sHhizsbI7QHwsB2XV0/s200/DSCN3197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435641859004402658" border="0" /></a><br />And, as I was actually getting a little bit low on plain cotton, I picked up some more for dishcloths. I lurve hand-knit dishcloths!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch...</span><br /><br />I couldn't help myself. Yup, more brown. I took some fiber from one of these:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6WyB5gttWFzQrzyUbIBgl_qVzqSn5ceNhJwZYkVG8mreGBlszpZD53uYKGetmQF6yYXMwV17QawQbKbzY8DHJKOCbzGw1OI2kZEhlaRWWUfd2fzd5w8wt8bGd30U4aanDUPYn5qU3WI/s1600-h/DSCN2351.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6WyB5gttWFzQrzyUbIBgl_qVzqSn5ceNhJwZYkVG8mreGBlszpZD53uYKGetmQF6yYXMwV17QawQbKbzY8DHJKOCbzGw1OI2kZEhlaRWWUfd2fzd5w8wt8bGd30U4aanDUPYn5qU3WI/s200/DSCN2351.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435646036280406002" border="0" /></a><br />Spun it into this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmO4mclsDoX31txBUrEDt9CRS3_qPy4toYOigXh5cnnuI3_-8naVOI1O8uXzUVvwSxRCnD4uqsamH_zsBQMGVs1sUA0IxWQuzOFAwECEtqBvMTv-_PC2CV4LIsejUZLMtDDmpcGlK4urA/s1600-h/Alpaca.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmO4mclsDoX31txBUrEDt9CRS3_qPy4toYOigXh5cnnuI3_-8naVOI1O8uXzUVvwSxRCnD4uqsamH_zsBQMGVs1sUA0IxWQuzOFAwECEtqBvMTv-_PC2CV4LIsejUZLMtDDmpcGlK4urA/s200/Alpaca.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435656081963098546" border="0" /></a><br />And last weekend I turned it into this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HHEoXsKXFC7bUZ7Diao1n27nKsAcH12X60HAXsSvYJIjRSxv9cFVJ9a3avLCepCNJjPaOIt8FJit0pGShAnygHXvITNPn7eUx4hoQ-rdx9oeJnt1LB4a4GbMqK3TqEpra6kK8UM1jfo/s1600-h/DSCN3246.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HHEoXsKXFC7bUZ7Diao1n27nKsAcH12X60HAXsSvYJIjRSxv9cFVJ9a3avLCepCNJjPaOIt8FJit0pGShAnygHXvITNPn7eUx4hoQ-rdx9oeJnt1LB4a4GbMqK3TqEpra6kK8UM1jfo/s200/DSCN3246.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435631258605459058" border="0" /></a><br />It's <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2009/01/09/pretty_thing.html">Pretty Thing</a> by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. This yarn was a little heavier weight than what's called for so it doesn't look quite as delicate as hers, but I think it still works. I did however, totally space at one point and all of the decreases in the middle section lean the wrong way. So it's not perfect, but the reversal didn't turn it into Ugly Thing by any means, and I'm happy with it. It's a great and easy pattern (especially if one actually pays attention - ahem...) and I'd make it again in a heartbeat. It's going back to Vermont as a gift to my friend who owns the alpaca; I thought it would be cool to send her something made from one of her own.<br /><br />In keeping up with work on UFOs I've been working on Lady Eleanor as well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ovmvXMicMD0myXkTIvTKQAVj2ZoER6DEywPOW7_cyagkD_I9XaphvCah25bB2Q-NydL9Vg3knlOCMJfM1KJnSyKWc9_PgxrLg9FXc3923qdC_qXSu3D65L9lUTQs3m56aT77Hqtfqnk/s1600-h/DSCN3231.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ovmvXMicMD0myXkTIvTKQAVj2ZoER6DEywPOW7_cyagkD_I9XaphvCah25bB2Q-NydL9Vg3knlOCMJfM1KJnSyKWc9_PgxrLg9FXc3923qdC_qXSu3D65L9lUTQs3m56aT77Hqtfqnk/s200/DSCN3231.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433053548572779234" border="0" /></a><br />I'm closing in on this one - it's nearly 4' long now. Not too much more to do! But I doubt it'll be finished soon; I've swatched for this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzl282UPsW8GnV59Z9FvzmzMRZJO4wseclbjTCNjiSDsxS1iwLO86Ivo1sF2adtd0MkYn5Ux2vSClFNW8SXtlSWCX5dH5U1MlbHSYAXUltT7b5IDG6VusUbRE22WQebkcYtOflTqXrfI/s1600-h/DSCN3187.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzl282UPsW8GnV59Z9FvzmzMRZJO4wseclbjTCNjiSDsxS1iwLO86Ivo1sF2adtd0MkYn5Ux2vSClFNW8SXtlSWCX5dH5U1MlbHSYAXUltT7b5IDG6VusUbRE22WQebkcYtOflTqXrfI/s200/DSCN3187.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433053529368276498" border="0" /></a><br />(that's rust damnit, not brown!) I still have some math to do but I should cast on for the <a href="http://chicknits.com/catalog/sandrine.html">Sandrine</a> cardigan soon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHB47cD8Zaxc7zGy6sHzBCChe0XxKIWsVTvKn0vbgLwuV_Vgus3GQZaJcvOtv2VXGr06mx7DmT18PS2OzJiliCDxFn-HnvZ1t_TYujznfZkpclfIY9gmOjFG5UY7NSmaqezGNCwsxX1_o/s1600-h/DSCN3238.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHB47cD8Zaxc7zGy6sHzBCChe0XxKIWsVTvKn0vbgLwuV_Vgus3GQZaJcvOtv2VXGr06mx7DmT18PS2OzJiliCDxFn-HnvZ1t_TYujznfZkpclfIY9gmOjFG5UY7NSmaqezGNCwsxX1_o/s200/DSCN3238.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433053507870978786" border="0" /></a><br />I swatched and actually did cast on yesterday for <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/peasy">Peasy</a>, using some Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool left over from a long-finished project. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTmETyV2XAa2r1PPPHVnya_osf3ajUVdw_sMkWB5FiEQh18d6PIvvSetNnN9_iUdICELaz9-Nj1lZ_qROiDDek1v69yBXFFwPvd6F95etyO17jLqQ19MhUN7pdQAirv3KgDNeCZ_Ygjw/s1600-h/DSCN3251.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTmETyV2XAa2r1PPPHVnya_osf3ajUVdw_sMkWB5FiEQh18d6PIvvSetNnN9_iUdICELaz9-Nj1lZ_qROiDDek1v69yBXFFwPvd6F95etyO17jLqQ19MhUN7pdQAirv3KgDNeCZ_Ygjw/s200/DSCN3251.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435631231058756034" border="0" /></a><br />There's a lace panel in the front that will require some concentration, and I will need to alter it a bit, but I still think it should be a fairly easy knit. I hope those aren't famous last words.<br /><br />I've spun a little too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW85Vu7fDFM9ZcQmCALRUckqP42PhxePqdobMK724zN-jm_38FOLa1g5rMAexdN7ARasg_wMPB_HZlncOOvpD2nF2gsq0DJzsRkKhBe027t9SNmg544pGSSUAhtXZT5KbrqhqXPNesSzs/s1600-h/DSCN3236.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW85Vu7fDFM9ZcQmCALRUckqP42PhxePqdobMK724zN-jm_38FOLa1g5rMAexdN7ARasg_wMPB_HZlncOOvpD2nF2gsq0DJzsRkKhBe027t9SNmg544pGSSUAhtXZT5KbrqhqXPNesSzs/s200/DSCN3236.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433053515984436818" border="0" /></a><br />This is some Ashland Bay Merino <a href="http://no-blog-rachels-blog.blogspot.com/2009/02/so-far-so-very-good.html">I picked up at Stitches last year</a>. I have a sweater's-worth, and decided I wanted to get going. In keeping with my <a href="http://no-blog-rachels-blog.blogspot.com/2010/01/ooh-look-shiny-new-year.html">New Year Plan #1</a>, I'm not in a rush to finish this; it'll be spun a little at a time. Ideally I'd like it completed in time to knit something for next winter, but we'll see how busy I am in the next few months!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Obligatory Food Porn (if you're not a vegetarian)</span><br /><br />Here's another thing that took a long time. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHH6lGbVH0N8BWvQ9NeEHPsWebWDia_ByUSRQ-JdUZdevGTCe6b3-lwtOxjoscGE-rqllGDGivv9BoTdrBI3b9jOq7XKNrLlENK625Qlbo7QY0dIt84N3-cWguDzY144tv0paC86Vt9M/s1600-h/DSCN3200.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHH6lGbVH0N8BWvQ9NeEHPsWebWDia_ByUSRQ-JdUZdevGTCe6b3-lwtOxjoscGE-rqllGDGivv9BoTdrBI3b9jOq7XKNrLlENK625Qlbo7QY0dIt84N3-cWguDzY144tv0paC86Vt9M/s200/DSCN3200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433054613221544786" border="0" /></a><br />I roasted beef bones, then simmered them with carrots, onion, garlic, celery and home-grown herbs.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DugeNXgKaT0VYvtrg_38KLVbAEkC1IM37zG3sOFJG8uFjteyWUrQGxQL8WCVlqbDcJWppTcE0pMhuh0flNeKniMVzFcisLpi8qaDCClP_ZrDh3qKAlRm4V2i-e4yHZsSk7fD_HDS8lA/s1600-h/DSCN3209.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DugeNXgKaT0VYvtrg_38KLVbAEkC1IM37zG3sOFJG8uFjteyWUrQGxQL8WCVlqbDcJWppTcE0pMhuh0flNeKniMVzFcisLpi8qaDCClP_ZrDh3qKAlRm4V2i-e4yHZsSk7fD_HDS8lA/s200/DSCN3209.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433054623154318114" border="0" /></a><br />This is what it looked like after bubbling on the stove for five hours. The next evening I froze half of it and turned the rest into onion soup.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJClUG9-1UESyrp_E7PN4l4BkaYDsXq-V6cMOC9XxwpcK2knH1fb_eL4C7ezNt34ERhVibxVl05dyxnLYwBF8sFlufJkaHcSGvQWFaXqup6YEqDDQ7hesxmHHjxmUU_RK6yGHTapCKDr0/s1600-h/DSCN3215.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJClUG9-1UESyrp_E7PN4l4BkaYDsXq-V6cMOC9XxwpcK2knH1fb_eL4C7ezNt34ERhVibxVl05dyxnLYwBF8sFlufJkaHcSGvQWFaXqup6YEqDDQ7hesxmHHjxmUU_RK6yGHTapCKDr0/s200/DSCN3215.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433054628200658162" border="0" /></a><br />Soooooo worth the time.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">**Points to you if you can identify the artist!</span></span>(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-18468020281082384052010-01-17T20:22:00.000-08:002010-01-17T21:37:43.954-08:00On Epiphanies and Monochromy<span style="font-style: italic;">So Is That How It Happens?</span><br /><br />Every Sunday, <a href="http://queenofpurpleyarn.blogspot.com/">Kathy</a> and I get together to go walking; we usually do a couple of miles, talking all the way. This morning we discussed how we'd each had recently had the same epiphany: projects get completed when you <span style="font-style: italic;">actually work on them</span>. Wow. Who knew? <br /><br />I have been an accomplishing machine:<br /><br />I started the Haruha Scarf in June 2008. I used Lana Gatto VIP (wool/cashmere blend) that <a href="http://no-blog-rachels-blog.blogspot.com/2007/05/i-won-i-won.html">I won a million years ago</a>, and <a href="http://http://no-blog-rachels-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/post-plague-productivity.html">dyed about a year later</a> in a fit of productivity. I'd completed about six inches and then it sat marinating in the UFO bin until two weeks ago.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDtnCLINjqgI52qd979IzYDYCcQVkxrWjZGQkHkLJh61V5f7chAfOpSYmgMV3y990CVO_stFKS1nDIQPYi0WLT6Exdx93p4xGnR32-m8sy7vb2e9vHeKucrw4uCs99HCQQthiM9LE6P0/s1600-h/DSCN3138.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDtnCLINjqgI52qd979IzYDYCcQVkxrWjZGQkHkLJh61V5f7chAfOpSYmgMV3y990CVO_stFKS1nDIQPYi0WLT6Exdx93p4xGnR32-m8sy7vb2e9vHeKucrw4uCs99HCQQthiM9LE6P0/s200/DSCN3138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427931071430220930" border="0" /></a><br />Once I got going on it, it sped right along. Two days ago it looked like this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIW9103eo5v6EspDSNn-L6aJDdmgAxOJfsNDKE5SG2DqCwFuoyUlubrxn_S-Q6Len2cGO5yc9LgWdix9EmCctFvnjMuLcMKH51NL890XQqRHZyQnOPAJ_1PnFYea-ItdExl5UeqyffzPQ/s1600-h/DSCN3160.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIW9103eo5v6EspDSNn-L6aJDdmgAxOJfsNDKE5SG2DqCwFuoyUlubrxn_S-Q6Len2cGO5yc9LgWdix9EmCctFvnjMuLcMKH51NL890XQqRHZyQnOPAJ_1PnFYea-ItdExl5UeqyffzPQ/s200/DSCN3160.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427931083071645682" border="0" /></a><br />I was so anxious to finish it I stayed up 'til 1:00 this morning to finish it, and blocked it before I headed out to walk:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaF4ctPuh26vK0QZfMJ6eena3Pw6X1FIPoUQ6Ct91CvV-OUwMDJjuLWfja4KuYML8sN-nFi5SzayB0yK3QlmP32rEDvQM3NvUd0I7FMcWcxWEX5JwElGpdokQ2xa-fx__7qMHSI_N9xM/s1600-h/DSCN3172.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaF4ctPuh26vK0QZfMJ6eena3Pw6X1FIPoUQ6Ct91CvV-OUwMDJjuLWfja4KuYML8sN-nFi5SzayB0yK3QlmP32rEDvQM3NvUd0I7FMcWcxWEX5JwElGpdokQ2xa-fx__7qMHSI_N9xM/s200/DSCN3172.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427931089204323042" border="0" /></a><br />Close up:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1PRgEm91UFFwnyAPsWZHwwwzlW4Q07VusWBpdpbxJJBvWbFTuBIlGZUX50eMU52xbnXhdJnMpsuGUGfiUxhmtXHGdUpv9nTk6uUaxt9xjBrpipCF3ymVGga2KF4OLCsHeoqSBsghPTc/s1600-h/DSCN3173.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1PRgEm91UFFwnyAPsWZHwwwzlW4Q07VusWBpdpbxJJBvWbFTuBIlGZUX50eMU52xbnXhdJnMpsuGUGfiUxhmtXHGdUpv9nTk6uUaxt9xjBrpipCF3ymVGga2KF4OLCsHeoqSBsghPTc/s200/DSCN3173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427931097519796594" border="0" /></a><br />And here it is, done! I have no idea why I let it sit for so long - it's an easy pattern and the yarn soft, not-splitty, and completely faboo.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4GSAtpdOrl4N6Bg8bxuQMKcE42cAQkEK_GZedfwPDMrC_L3kRQ0ObKIJoCS4VjQgyO_xfk8c2hH4j2q1Bryb73U21k5QSRFv73A-SqyeiOsD2P3UOmCLf-OkODqLgE2B67x8x2qg5II/s1600-h/DSCN3180.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4GSAtpdOrl4N6Bg8bxuQMKcE42cAQkEK_GZedfwPDMrC_L3kRQ0ObKIJoCS4VjQgyO_xfk8c2hH4j2q1Bryb73U21k5QSRFv73A-SqyeiOsD2P3UOmCLf-OkODqLgE2B67x8x2qg5II/s200/DSCN3180.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427931063277104258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I finished another project as well; one I started in July. <a href="http://spindyeknit.com/">Alison</a> had given me some Qiviut, explaining that she couldn't spin as fine as that particular fiber required. I started it in July as part of my Tour de Fleece project, but abandoned it due to finding a job and subsequently losing any semblance of life balance. Part of my resolution to finish some projects included getting back to my spinning wheel again; I hadn't spun in months! This was a good project to pick up; it had to be spun pretty fine, but there was only one ounce of the fiber, so how long could it really take? <br /><br />Well I went from here:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofKojmco6n0Jgld9pOBm_J_jwMtWWyXChwsrVn5TpscUhoVCInThnp3cJRXCEkNpy8leY2wzsxW2P8V0Xql9iV3AT9qatmXQZgubi8PETzNaA0k6X66Qu1cDW0Zxvploebja4RDtI22E/s1600-h/DSCN2523.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofKojmco6n0Jgld9pOBm_J_jwMtWWyXChwsrVn5TpscUhoVCInThnp3cJRXCEkNpy8leY2wzsxW2P8V0Xql9iV3AT9qatmXQZgubi8PETzNaA0k6X66Qu1cDW0Zxvploebja4RDtI22E/s200/DSCN2523.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427931590620059778" border="0" /></a><br />to here:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QL9A41OB17bLjRMFe7_O4uOoUAupghjgkrXWQGHhdXOFtS7T58si2ZtOSnibadrqJ6Dq_2enIcan_k-vZc7nBzg5EAZzOGjmR1ynS4LdmuyRi0YELqz3fk64LgzzJsXmUoAhvFmnIN8/s1600-h/DSCN3124.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QL9A41OB17bLjRMFe7_O4uOoUAupghjgkrXWQGHhdXOFtS7T58si2ZtOSnibadrqJ6Dq_2enIcan_k-vZc7nBzg5EAZzOGjmR1ynS4LdmuyRi0YELqz3fk64LgzzJsXmUoAhvFmnIN8/s200/DSCN3124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427931597851102194" border="0" /></a><br />to here:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUQ1j2gUGV5c9dcYe9MhBvSQjzj2KjHmgoxEEtT2YGWWuUpQAFB1xmtny3ch0rVOiUE0Xjyr3s-QskEbrsW88HKN4U0Tl42ioxMLDUAU2lQ7hk6ahdys2SgSGj4rN8TQ0p7xwDFsMvHE/s1600-h/DSCN3128.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUQ1j2gUGV5c9dcYe9MhBvSQjzj2KjHmgoxEEtT2YGWWuUpQAFB1xmtny3ch0rVOiUE0Xjyr3s-QskEbrsW88HKN4U0Tl42ioxMLDUAU2lQ7hk6ahdys2SgSGj4rN8TQ0p7xwDFsMvHE/s200/DSCN3128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427931605951419938" border="0" /></a><br />to here, in about a week.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XgwnnR_lHrqgHZbN-RMN3Supqkx_n6385TvlvvRA5paQxr4VhxEaYmFKgMiDLPjaAw2NNfrz5SJJoJBlTi-MENHTW-6A7uD-3zHYDwBxq_r7-9cmNoBfhRZCAfMKec4k2EjI4YTqMZk/s1600-h/DSCN3137.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XgwnnR_lHrqgHZbN-RMN3Supqkx_n6385TvlvvRA5paQxr4VhxEaYmFKgMiDLPjaAw2NNfrz5SJJoJBlTi-MENHTW-6A7uD-3zHYDwBxq_r7-9cmNoBfhRZCAfMKec4k2EjI4YTqMZk/s200/DSCN3137.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427931616455163650" border="0" /></a><br />Upon which I promptly ignored Alison's orders to keep it and gave it back to her so she could knit it into something lovely to pass on, as is her way. I can't wait to see what she makes with it!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It's Looking a Little Bland Around Here...</span><br /><br />So that makes two formerly-stagnated things completed this month so far, and three projects total for 2010. My goal was to finish one UFO per month, so I'm ahead of the game. I'm not sure what I'll work on next, but after looking through the pictures I've posted today so far, I think whatever it is, it won't be brown. Browns in the scarf. Brown Qiviut. My obligatory food picture of the day (home-made chai) is brown:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJy0roXOHwTk_w4MpR6RpBjz4VDLCubQA1ZdTJqOUKXFx-55yXXqaWMqRANvOF0wVEC7qnGWe4gFd36UZLRwRccqVUQ921i85ax1A3nx7CzEqCyIQmaLoYVx6ev1S0QFnriHd6DA1XxM/s1600-h/DSCN3178.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJy0roXOHwTk_w4MpR6RpBjz4VDLCubQA1ZdTJqOUKXFx-55yXXqaWMqRANvOF0wVEC7qnGWe4gFd36UZLRwRccqVUQ921i85ax1A3nx7CzEqCyIQmaLoYVx6ev1S0QFnriHd6DA1XxM/s200/DSCN3178.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427932087115899586" border="0" /></a><br />Even Miele's nose is brown. Thank goodness there's the blue of my jeans to liven up the shot...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hyphenhyphenzcrcopwhfEzWRg11nCHNdhaaT90fp0Zhro5TPBlG8_l6NmnAdskyzVhHohRCczSl52kdGCgrkfH_xBEyRsRjyIPqwTck0fPUyymfFZVSVBavn9FB0mX52R6cyy47ReNAW9aFB8Mlw/s1600-h/DSCN3166.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hyphenhyphenzcrcopwhfEzWRg11nCHNdhaaT90fp0Zhro5TPBlG8_l6NmnAdskyzVhHohRCczSl52kdGCgrkfH_xBEyRsRjyIPqwTck0fPUyymfFZVSVBavn9FB0mX52R6cyy47ReNAW9aFB8Mlw/s200/DSCN3166.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427932077170710002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Next post's pictures will be livelier. I promise. Maybe I'll knit something black.(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-30328289868982977462010-01-03T19:10:00.000-08:002010-01-03T21:20:59.569-08:00Ooh Look! A Shiny New Year!We weren't very fond of 2009. It didn't go well for us, and there were some losses and disappointments that just weren't much fun, so we were more than happy to usher it out the door on Thursday night. Welcome 2010!<br /><br />I'm not a big one for lots of New Year's resolutions. I used to promise myself all sorts of drastic changes and of course most of the time it would all be too much. They would then fall by the wayside within months, if not sooner. So instead I am planning smaller goals in hopes that a more moderate approach will allow me to actually reach them and develop some new good habits.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Plan #1:</span> Instead of embarking on major (and exhausting) projects, try chipping away at tasks a little at a time. Get into the habit of doing a little every day rather than wearing myself down in a monumental burst of effort. This applies to housework, creative projects, job hunting, whatever.<br /><br />Ok, well I kind of missed the boat on that one for my first finished object of 2010 - I made a mini version of Clapotis in 2.5 days - not exactly 'chipping away' there, but it was fun. The yarn is Manos de Uruguay Silk Blend, which was a birthday gift from <a href="http://knitflix.blogspot.com/">Bogie</a>. Lovely stuff - great to knit. It grows like <span style="font-style: italic;">crazy</span> - after soaking it was at least a foot longer than the original knit length, if not more. Good thing it wasn't a sweater!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYC00g8HmG0Eq4bSY8s5I2XYqcFjWj8O_ZY2LSEHSOGv0P1n2GYgZKPGSddIVdeiYEx4sI-6X6CMEhSnSo18jh3od3WK7eWfwtgRHWlg4g1rdWr7-YG12wf-ItS0EZ9B5pcOlT3lJ9r4/s1600-h/DSCN3113.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYC00g8HmG0Eq4bSY8s5I2XYqcFjWj8O_ZY2LSEHSOGv0P1n2GYgZKPGSddIVdeiYEx4sI-6X6CMEhSnSo18jh3od3WK7eWfwtgRHWlg4g1rdWr7-YG12wf-ItS0EZ9B5pcOlT3lJ9r4/s200/DSCN3113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422717921263902770" border="0" /></a><br />As you can see, the extra length is fine, even on a short girl like me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqr9xPzdCjxFl8eTWk69xjc4VB5RGyituTYUat2X0lis3x6wtc4fL0qpXX1ppCHjw3PgXQEUXSK-ohPpBXrna-VPYln1wtzPpJO_BWhUyuiv0a67mqXtBwOVfDwzrUmbf5puZU35pMLmw/s1600-h/DSCN3122.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqr9xPzdCjxFl8eTWk69xjc4VB5RGyituTYUat2X0lis3x6wtc4fL0qpXX1ppCHjw3PgXQEUXSK-ohPpBXrna-VPYln1wtzPpJO_BWhUyuiv0a67mqXtBwOVfDwzrUmbf5puZU35pMLmw/s200/DSCN3122.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422719489032715458" border="0" /></a><br />Now that I finished that speed-knitting project, I am working on reducing my pile of UFOs. I have two pairs of socks, 3 scarves, a sweater, a Lady Eleanor wrap and a top to finish - along with a couple of pieces that need to be frogged and the yarn reclaimed. I've joined the UFO Smackdown 2010 group on Facebook, and if I can complete (or frog) one item per month this year, I'll be done with everything by 2011. Of course, I have some new things I want to knit as well, so I'm pretty sure I'll still have a UFO pile at the end of the year - but perhaps not <span style="font-style: italic;">the same</span> UFO pile. One recent Christmas purchase that has been tempting me to cast on is this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjK8dU-IglFr_zOtEQRqmE56K4z4VmT5cOGnU_XFFDFQWv3pZa_R0bmUyTtmZogYzs_86IY1Y5bRIVqOuf7z8pCM0suNslT5pGLAcDfIYU0t1dxOTtn0pdT6oMfsJ8BlgFh2QcJ8dfYYs/s1600-h/DSCN3115.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjK8dU-IglFr_zOtEQRqmE56K4z4VmT5cOGnU_XFFDFQWv3pZa_R0bmUyTtmZogYzs_86IY1Y5bRIVqOuf7z8pCM0suNslT5pGLAcDfIYU0t1dxOTtn0pdT6oMfsJ8BlgFh2QcJ8dfYYs/s200/DSCN3115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422719477392119506" border="0" /></a><br />That's eight skeins of Rowan Felted Tweed in the Cinnamon color way; enough for a sweater. It's a DK weight and shows off cables beautifully. Any suggestions for it? I definitely want to use it for a cardigan, but otherwise haven't committed to anything. If you have any ideas let me know.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Plan #2:</span> Get out and play. I tend to feel an obligation on weekends to stay home and take care of the house. Brian spends most of his time building his business. Consequently we've been working our butts off for the past few years and not indulging in a whole lot of fun together. We plan to get off the couch this year and enjoy ourselves more.<br /><br />The first thing we did toward this goal was to get rid of cable TV. Not just downgrade - it is <span style="font-style: italic;">gone</span>. This was mostly a financial decision - even though we didn't have premium channels or HD, our cable/internet bill was ridiculous, and by eliminating the cable TV portion we'll be saving over $100 a month. We've still got our Netflix membership (Yay for the Roku box) and there's always Hulu for when I need my Glee fix! However, I'm really looking forward to spending more time doing more knitting, reading, and stuff that I sometimes put aside in favor of NCIS re-runs (I hope Mark Harmon isn't too disappointed that I'll no longer be watching him every day).<br /><br />We took another step toward more fun on Saturday when we spent the afternoon at <a href="http://www.ebparks.org/parks/sunol">Sunol Regional Wilderness</a>. It's not far away but it feels very isolated and it's just beautiful. We took the dogs with us as they need to get out and have fun too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKSF2m4o8yK0VRBhyXAy618jXvuy42B1e1LlzE3Mrzs9eRwn8CyCpYWFcGCH662o6n6y45pyXAw9pzQlAFF29dGi-HYmuLMuEcD3So-AQuJQmEKnbZLIkg9nM7thX43l_9PYxNEzwKzU/s1600-h/DSCN1648.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKSF2m4o8yK0VRBhyXAy618jXvuy42B1e1LlzE3Mrzs9eRwn8CyCpYWFcGCH662o6n6y45pyXAw9pzQlAFF29dGi-HYmuLMuEcD3So-AQuJQmEKnbZLIkg9nM7thX43l_9PYxNEzwKzU/s200/DSCN1648.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422717337076020370" border="0" /></a><br />It's one of the few areas where you are allowed to let your dog off leash, so once we were away from the main parking area we let them free. Trouble, who is completely nose-driven, took some nice deep sniffs of something on the ground then took off like a freakin' shot through the underbrush and across a running stream. We weren't too worried by this but we did need to keep an eye on her so we ended up doing some pretty serious bush-wacking to keep up with her. Miele helped too, and as a result had her first experience with water that wasn't a bath. She did great - still hasn't figured out that puppies can float so she avoided the deeper spots but she did splash around and seemed to enjoy it.<br /><br />There is cattle in the area so as we got closer to a potential bovine encounter, we got Trouble back on her leash and headed up the hills. Miele got to stay off leash as she was timid enough to want to stay close by.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTY7jlMvNswfDs9bHHKjNCycDVmFDGBypRYQgKBHgxG3Vn4dXflp5E7vE7nbJg_yADCLBgDEhRSx7iZC1Jj3lFweoq_-kmRUB9JuejaPfMdYctcEl04iGVEhxXmQP2InaFvkIC_J5UBI/s1600-h/DSCN1656.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTY7jlMvNswfDs9bHHKjNCycDVmFDGBypRYQgKBHgxG3Vn4dXflp5E7vE7nbJg_yADCLBgDEhRSx7iZC1Jj3lFweoq_-kmRUB9JuejaPfMdYctcEl04iGVEhxXmQP2InaFvkIC_J5UBI/s200/DSCN1656.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422717323956872914" border="0" /></a><br />The color in these shots isn't quite right - the rocks here were actually quite blue! I'm not sure of the mineral content but the blue combined with the orange lichen was positively garish.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWholCC38XAlAQXxxi3e7uIfiKmjPCgdOc0wo9Wm7aOehrtiSaD9AzjDYGCNGoy764q1ywdwFivpUiXi6NdTs8poxp32HgFaY2FFnKcTxCt_Rk2t8IqJ6ca-fopSbOC8h684A9zblBh0/s1600-h/DSCN1658.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWholCC38XAlAQXxxi3e7uIfiKmjPCgdOc0wo9Wm7aOehrtiSaD9AzjDYGCNGoy764q1ywdwFivpUiXi6NdTs8poxp32HgFaY2FFnKcTxCt_Rk2t8IqJ6ca-fopSbOC8h684A9zblBh0/s200/DSCN1658.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422744772749680450" border="0" /></a><br />These are a little farther away but the color is a bit more accurate:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQx5YEJ54b4g16zOIVBvhzAZ2ICsi7eHHdEPsfWuOIKLvrP9CHJaWi1BJnVDjRhaPis1TVS8qMjWCANwrUOZaK8ESbahjE5G9MBKAImomH54oNxOniiso-c5qulul4qScGogwD-u8hBxo/s1600-h/DSCN1660.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQx5YEJ54b4g16zOIVBvhzAZ2ICsi7eHHdEPsfWuOIKLvrP9CHJaWi1BJnVDjRhaPis1TVS8qMjWCANwrUOZaK8ESbahjE5G9MBKAImomH54oNxOniiso-c5qulul4qScGogwD-u8hBxo/s200/DSCN1660.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422744759380595826" border="0" /></a><br />It's gorgeous out there. There are some steep grades but the climb wasn't all that difficult. We'll probably return some time to do some of the more challenging trails, and possibly to see how well the dogs take to camping out.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93RVBpxUXWHbcU7_5grmyOBZt7Vx7V9xzyXdhq5TpNNIN90vMqG2ayc6byfYBoLS40wx9ue02gh-X1ealmmnEUO6q3yminc7HkXQMZTlOlR9Mx3C0vXUYjLUpp-WQuoR2Ta-g8VnlFLg/s1600-h/DSCN1651.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93RVBpxUXWHbcU7_5grmyOBZt7Vx7V9xzyXdhq5TpNNIN90vMqG2ayc6byfYBoLS40wx9ue02gh-X1ealmmnEUO6q3yminc7HkXQMZTlOlR9Mx3C0vXUYjLUpp-WQuoR2Ta-g8VnlFLg/s200/DSCN1651.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422717332997108274" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Finally, Plan #3: Develop better sleeping habits. Getting lots of exercise helps with that. Here's Miele, demonstrating how it's done.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Z4tAOI10wtNBxooFBgr1hTnlkpZ2wIjMBzyHB00MPGwbsjbUkI1Wmwc5TYf0z0fi98JoFUyCeOcXkT0nk8U8qNOKnGR684QVcLAWYCH_avxnGjb65Hf6Bc37EY04rrhn1OPva0A4oCw/s1600-h/DSCN1662.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Z4tAOI10wtNBxooFBgr1hTnlkpZ2wIjMBzyHB00MPGwbsjbUkI1Wmwc5TYf0z0fi98JoFUyCeOcXkT0nk8U8qNOKnGR684QVcLAWYCH_avxnGjb65Hf6Bc37EY04rrhn1OPva0A4oCw/s200/DSCN1662.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422717312896332482" border="0" /></a><br />She's good at it.(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-45267015141180359322009-12-28T21:13:00.000-08:002009-12-28T23:02:52.972-08:00Pass The Catch-Up Please...I feel as if I've been in a fog for the past month or so. Between losing Miguel, general holiday madness and work being all-consuming, I've completely lost track of the blog. I kind of woke up this weekend to realize that damn I'm behind...apparently on everything! Good thing I have some time off to catch up. First of all:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo91Wk5-_7DSvenZnsw-O0OTQ7gzfXD1sCTtKt6qCuQAlNwrM7QlA3GVX27w6DC7PovBZDVNAkB-RPYx7cNkjPJyvv-YIkdnL5zsNwvMz7GOGpYCZHXWIrE108qy-ugqpSOZ74Q4j2LzM/s1600-h/ChristmasOnePage2009.jpeg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 189px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo91Wk5-_7DSvenZnsw-O0OTQ7gzfXD1sCTtKt6qCuQAlNwrM7QlA3GVX27w6DC7PovBZDVNAkB-RPYx7cNkjPJyvv-YIkdnL5zsNwvMz7GOGpYCZHXWIrE108qy-ugqpSOZ74Q4j2LzM/s200/ChristmasOnePage2009.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420523533158479890" border="0" /></a><br />and...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Txrcz-iUMRo9okZWlhicFGHj8f6RT7gShNHIyuY1XyOYAFSAXBXcf46iRlA6yczx4osUS0mGda7090AiEyjCd2ri_fvU0fyokQWbxtm68fkJr9n0_EuJrbwsVMMyIZ79ZWM2EkQIa3I/s1600-h/DSCN3052.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Txrcz-iUMRo9okZWlhicFGHj8f6RT7gShNHIyuY1XyOYAFSAXBXcf46iRlA6yczx4osUS0mGda7090AiEyjCd2ri_fvU0fyokQWbxtm68fkJr9n0_EuJrbwsVMMyIZ79ZWM2EkQIa3I/s200/DSCN3052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420522701361395458" border="0" /></a><br />Slightly belated happy-whatever-it-is-you-do/don't-celebrate. I grew up Jewish but really like Christmas trees so I celebrate whatever I happen to feel like celebrating each season.<br /><br />Christmas Eve day Brian an I took a drive to the <a href="http://events.mercurynews.com/san-jose-ca/venues/show/1285445-historic-orchard">Historic Orchard</a> in San Jose to check out the lambs. They'd arrived recently to help with weed control and fertilization. I'm sure the cute factor helps improve the health of the trees too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5OBzTR-LZgreTPUB4WeMTnkvM_rrYhaZ-D3eMAqL5g7tefsPwEeBfg_5DfcnC_BfQWeSN8t73y8JgFyYWr0agQB9lQbjUERvbuod3fiuXMvkx9lGoy-ZNKzpxmVm30PBFHNbZp8w6nM/s1600-h/DSCN3057.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5OBzTR-LZgreTPUB4WeMTnkvM_rrYhaZ-D3eMAqL5g7tefsPwEeBfg_5DfcnC_BfQWeSN8t73y8JgFyYWr0agQB9lQbjUERvbuod3fiuXMvkx9lGoy-ZNKzpxmVm30PBFHNbZp8w6nM/s200/DSCN3057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420522710585001970" border="0" /></a><br />I even got to pat a few fuzzy noses; a nice way to start a long, lovely weekend.<br /><br />We kept Christmas itself pretty simple; I made most of the gifts we gave and we traveled all of two miles down the road to spend much of Christmas day with the nieces (and their parents). We also took the dogs to the dog park, where they got to meet Tonka, our niece's dog and their new giant best friend.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCRR-LJM9P4HPWwW_l41gTQegZw9Np981Yr89Af1ckJ0Fm62qBJtxecoH10le0BPDc9Ug8jfh2QU-gqJ_nMfqp0PW56oGcwIn7-_9iFiZK9IL-EDq1f6Li4CFZBX9RfwhJPeRnlzoir4/s1600-h/DSCN3081.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCRR-LJM9P4HPWwW_l41gTQegZw9Np981Yr89Af1ckJ0Fm62qBJtxecoH10le0BPDc9Ug8jfh2QU-gqJ_nMfqp0PW56oGcwIn7-_9iFiZK9IL-EDq1f6Li4CFZBX9RfwhJPeRnlzoir4/s200/DSCN3081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420522720311076194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm off for much of this coming week and if the activity level I've maintained so far continues, I should be able to churn out a ton of projects. Here's what I have so far:<br /><br />I had some fabric from a previous life hanging around and decided to finally make use of it. I had Hannah come over for moral support as I'd never made a tote bag before. It turned out so well I had to make a second one. Here's Vanna - I mean Hannah showing off my first completed bag.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmeYHeRs_uC5B5Vrhx3kQCHDVcXx29yY0vY4eW5r5lUlv5zMo5RSxQW6BazTO6_gKHKCXF1ornjovHUDblTPkmYJDMF733IA-mpakeHd3yHsZGH4jn8LZwaVLA-2OfoQP1_VfI9_daq8/s1600-h/DSCN3082.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmeYHeRs_uC5B5Vrhx3kQCHDVcXx29yY0vY4eW5r5lUlv5zMo5RSxQW6BazTO6_gKHKCXF1ornjovHUDblTPkmYJDMF733IA-mpakeHd3yHsZGH4jn8LZwaVLA-2OfoQP1_VfI9_daq8/s200/DSCN3082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420522726654481202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEYHT7dgXKZa6dtX9N0NI1eQlFoxLLk04Qcb-u3bXPidzJSeBWl5Ed_eGXIRsMb3l6eBj2vlMcSIoqoFuv2-Tk3zk4WqC6IBHomWCoXpoSIUrxdqcJfPTkPnJ-oyB4XIEH8bEO0r5PMA/s1600-h/DSCN3102.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEYHT7dgXKZa6dtX9N0NI1eQlFoxLLk04Qcb-u3bXPidzJSeBWl5Ed_eGXIRsMb3l6eBj2vlMcSIoqoFuv2-Tk3zk4WqC6IBHomWCoXpoSIUrxdqcJfPTkPnJ-oyB4XIEH8bEO0r5PMA/s200/DSCN3102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420522733730588194" border="0" /></a><br />Here it is paired up with the 2nd, larger one. I really like them but now that I've used up all of the fabric, I doubt I'll be making more. I'd definitely rather knit than sew.<br /><br />I also made a pair of fingerless gloves for a friend:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3w5E28nL-u9_0QdCLbK0YLG4z-fiuJVp8hE08YRcJvIm2P5I_S_d0SEucll8xLZoxoMVZTPXx3BdBRwp-b3D04jmaElRCAChosD8rcdFpwMfSEtwuYdGxsnBspUO5YzoX506wZDvTAU/s1600-h/DSCN3044.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3w5E28nL-u9_0QdCLbK0YLG4z-fiuJVp8hE08YRcJvIm2P5I_S_d0SEucll8xLZoxoMVZTPXx3BdBRwp-b3D04jmaElRCAChosD8rcdFpwMfSEtwuYdGxsnBspUO5YzoX506wZDvTAU/s200/DSCN3044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420523300851066018" border="0" /></a><br />These are Staghorn Mitts by Tera Johnson made from some leftover Dream in Color Classy (Black Pearl color way). I also made some fingerless gloves for me:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvqwGsz_oqqrJYsO6VjxjZNcRGzH-HpjWJlFhs0nzvrtQFZOWkgY_51uoTp4zS-0NVXrM-3X72EEI-vdGh4rnspg55Eq0O0i83mUy-foOok8U-44XijaaoWVw_66Z9zQl12SUQIG_eOY/s1600-h/DSCN3086.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvqwGsz_oqqrJYsO6VjxjZNcRGzH-HpjWJlFhs0nzvrtQFZOWkgY_51uoTp4zS-0NVXrM-3X72EEI-vdGh4rnspg55Eq0O0i83mUy-foOok8U-44XijaaoWVw_66Z9zQl12SUQIG_eOY/s200/DSCN3086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420523281274169282" border="0" /></a><br />These are <a href="http://knittywhipped.blogspot.com/2008/01/new-pattern-mitt-envy.html">Knit Envy</a> knit with part of a skein of Koigu that I had in stash. <a href="http://queenofpurpleyarn.blogspot.com/2009/11/sigh.html">Kathy</a> had made some that were absolutely gorgeous and I got all envious so I had to make some of my own.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-csQgfhM15tbX53lz6dtnnD6LnVDnRw5MQPnMQMQvGtY41LXqPK9gIal-InsbPR5rbCSgCTpAt5x3eB4GPkrNl2Eq3u3nVcjn4Dbr8gP-ftkStNbnQoJywsrFaSPrP0Ro_X4siAVurks/s1600-h/DSCN3095.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-csQgfhM15tbX53lz6dtnnD6LnVDnRw5MQPnMQMQvGtY41LXqPK9gIal-InsbPR5rbCSgCTpAt5x3eB4GPkrNl2Eq3u3nVcjn4Dbr8gP-ftkStNbnQoJywsrFaSPrP0Ro_X4siAVurks/s200/DSCN3095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420523289638653586" border="0" /></a><br />I'm in lurve and may have to make more.<br /><br />I also made this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqoHFE3WwBDovHrcPBPrdWHa9CNYTzhc8xM6VA9pj1QtPj7XAv_fZbxXDQerP5RvWeah9Xcuw3VFCB39d7XmgmAalcI3jyLXMe7Wo65FTeSHEhR-qE6dfoDDwnZoAYjD4kkkpCsRFCL4/s1600-h/DSCN3085.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqoHFE3WwBDovHrcPBPrdWHa9CNYTzhc8xM6VA9pj1QtPj7XAv_fZbxXDQerP5RvWeah9Xcuw3VFCB39d7XmgmAalcI3jyLXMe7Wo65FTeSHEhR-qE6dfoDDwnZoAYjD4kkkpCsRFCL4/s200/DSCN3085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420523273266630322" border="0" /></a><br />A skull cap for my brother-in-law out of the last of the Dream in Color Classy; I finished it this evening with only a few yards to spare.<br /><br />And this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBwL0qXkyxS_xYyzHb1N6kJtvTyc5Y855vzia4M3CTvxjk4s_fv0epf19wZ75rhYiicCOdv0spTbmkNOo0ojOaWPPuCH2uRdDKJPTnVntomVSvvhnWCtCFiUjBAqmiLEVN9zLVBHqa2Y/s1600-h/DSCN3108.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBwL0qXkyxS_xYyzHb1N6kJtvTyc5Y855vzia4M3CTvxjk4s_fv0epf19wZ75rhYiicCOdv0spTbmkNOo0ojOaWPPuCH2uRdDKJPTnVntomVSvvhnWCtCFiUjBAqmiLEVN9zLVBHqa2Y/s200/DSCN3108.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420523295435586594" border="0" /></a><br />Yep. Another dishcloth. I did a bang-up job cleaning the kitchen (as well as the rest of the house) so I decided I needed a shiny new dishcloth to go with my (temporarily) shiny sink.<br /><br />So...I have nearly 6 more days of vacation. I wonder what else I'll be able to make before I head back to work? It's definitely nice to feel productive again.(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-43414137446686012192009-12-09T20:54:00.000-08:002009-12-09T21:34:49.660-08:00Another GoodbyeWe had to say goodbye to our angry 20-year-old kitty Miguel tonight; it was time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PH-ZLIEP5LnTa0kTQd8dUrLd7zFI2ngcKqPrU7cMnsh0YOXAtcSJ76pUxfqU1rIan2vOWwUs1n0e3lOv6YHkx6LgIe59GEP6F5kKozeTSrHfquGptneXB6fBEY26d_UN7Xpr_opWiPc/s1600-h/DSCN1305.jpeg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PH-ZLIEP5LnTa0kTQd8dUrLd7zFI2ngcKqPrU7cMnsh0YOXAtcSJ76pUxfqU1rIan2vOWwUs1n0e3lOv6YHkx6LgIe59GEP6F5kKozeTSrHfquGptneXB6fBEY26d_UN7Xpr_opWiPc/s200/DSCN1305.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413474500728064578" border="0" /></a><br />We actually thought we would have said goodbye quite a while ago. He was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2003. Four years ago our vet in Vermont told us he probably didn't have much time left. My husband was convinced he'd actually died a while ago but was walking around out of habit. This cat just kept hanging on, sleeping next to my leg on the couch every evening and near my head most nights, and trying to beat the snot out of the dogs several times each day. Even at 140 kitty years and pretty much senile, he was still loaded with attitude.<br /><br />But he was ready; life was getting harder and it wasn't going to get better.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XvuMAUTp8MjNVcxS8MyEhcFoUGlLaiwboom_8TkR5-CDWaNBKXeWQZOEfNW40BgJ4olPMMG8oAZ_IaHejuFYUs9oyHZz6wPGWOwu4JGMAOWybOA3Pn0ySoJMI56TZq8GF7vOE2XD4eM/s1600-h/DSCN1441.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XvuMAUTp8MjNVcxS8MyEhcFoUGlLaiwboom_8TkR5-CDWaNBKXeWQZOEfNW40BgJ4olPMMG8oAZ_IaHejuFYUs9oyHZz6wPGWOwu4JGMAOWybOA3Pn0ySoJMI56TZq8GF7vOE2XD4eM/s200/DSCN1441.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413474495563137202" border="0" /></a><br />Goodbye old man. You were a good little buddy and I'm going to miss your grumpy old self.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAudkA0Zm6LrgYe9ZfLEk3eMC2uFVA6zPl351ZUd_G9rWkUyIj59GuhAVjP-_L_sRmWDfJoHOFsi4fO5yTWptTw6H1greYUPH1hnXJtaqLu22bBupjF71r7WKR-rp67sp8h2KaIr0plQ/s1600-h/DSCN0946.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAudkA0Zm6LrgYe9ZfLEk3eMC2uFVA6zPl351ZUd_G9rWkUyIj59GuhAVjP-_L_sRmWDfJoHOFsi4fO5yTWptTw6H1greYUPH1hnXJtaqLu22bBupjF71r7WKR-rp67sp8h2KaIr0plQ/s200/DSCN0946.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413474484361734770" border="0" /></a>(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-89371229299529553902009-11-30T19:06:00.000-08:002009-11-30T19:16:42.862-08:00No More Monkeying AroundBecause they're done!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuY3ccBS0RU7WFCW57YAByC2oOdXxGmQg6r1jMvhDuufq9CHP2wxY5WrZnvS5MyUK2o_dkaT5jabXQ8hLjNgUDJjNMSyElOeSxew2VPRWQDpD1SdXn9SLVZ1fK-lJkFAOvYU4iZhtznQ/s1600/DSCN3041.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuY3ccBS0RU7WFCW57YAByC2oOdXxGmQg6r1jMvhDuufq9CHP2wxY5WrZnvS5MyUK2o_dkaT5jabXQ8hLjNgUDJjNMSyElOeSxew2VPRWQDpD1SdXn9SLVZ1fK-lJkFAOvYU4iZhtznQ/s200/DSCN3041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410099390414007346" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTmonkey.html">Monkey</a> - by <a href="http://www.cookiea.com/">Cookie A</a>. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylXhyphenhyphenYlBPYo6vlCAE-YHUzaQlFFAorvOkAOnmZ4Zm5r_BVW7SHUgDDa8mhYV-jB15uIeAH68hnI0OhrgFmbLzo2QfRE3dAEtoTo_sJUJLx1zkYQTC3MmymTZkpTro3fouJ9GECXP3R0w/s1600/DSCN3038.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylXhyphenhyphenYlBPYo6vlCAE-YHUzaQlFFAorvOkAOnmZ4Zm5r_BVW7SHUgDDa8mhYV-jB15uIeAH68hnI0OhrgFmbLzo2QfRE3dAEtoTo_sJUJLx1zkYQTC3MmymTZkpTro3fouJ9GECXP3R0w/s200/DSCN3038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410099418173102242" border="0" /></a><br />From my own hand-spun - Superwash Merino from Crown Mountain Farms in the Aqualung colorway. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3Xip3gK8WOw5Xn4OMD4Aw_vaqNtGHU1KZ5AAnMdfjlbZwc0T3r4de4t6KXrmpduvfkqjamj10qaHGK88vhR56ndW3GpQIM8dDfzHw2pGQ8J0c9INCvSeT1XBY2nXQaGCJ9FdXlZJwHg/s1600/DSCN3042.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3Xip3gK8WOw5Xn4OMD4Aw_vaqNtGHU1KZ5AAnMdfjlbZwc0T3r4de4t6KXrmpduvfkqjamj10qaHGK88vhR56ndW3GpQIM8dDfzHw2pGQ8J0c9INCvSeT1XBY2nXQaGCJ9FdXlZJwHg/s200/DSCN3042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410099401484811698" border="0" /></a><br />Cookie's patterns generally run a little big for me (I have a narrow, 6.5 foot) so I just knit at a smaller gauge and it worked out perfectly. I like how the subtle color transitions let the pattern show through.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcBUALvZnOUdBA5h6mGW47UZIKNmWj-2yNn_U0CGksRezc5we6r0UzKGe9f40CZpyrHRtEB2luF1xDCHl3PxGPxuo3zRnz7W5lhhwiYhQH5s25GvF06UgbujiDAAkYYnSLivNsDipcu0/s1600/DSCN3039.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcBUALvZnOUdBA5h6mGW47UZIKNmWj-2yNn_U0CGksRezc5we6r0UzKGe9f40CZpyrHRtEB2luF1xDCHl3PxGPxuo3zRnz7W5lhhwiYhQH5s25GvF06UgbujiDAAkYYnSLivNsDipcu0/s200/DSCN3039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410099408600446818" border="0" /></a><br />Miele finds them fascinating!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcyTEM7ZIf41bBwh-AYqw-RMsWLMxYhCZDJm0_gJpwLfoFohefLUqMkLYvQQ4llKj6d0456XdSFglmkpDSYgDiGVcYA1tMRj8km23zkdGWOBD14fyiR-qBbBY7coe7yKYekQVFXL-jH8/s1600/DSCN3034.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcyTEM7ZIf41bBwh-AYqw-RMsWLMxYhCZDJm0_gJpwLfoFohefLUqMkLYvQQ4llKj6d0456XdSFglmkpDSYgDiGVcYA1tMRj8km23zkdGWOBD14fyiR-qBbBY7coe7yKYekQVFXL-jH8/s200/DSCN3034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410099426033635058" border="0" /></a>(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-6473939877012575752009-11-26T11:35:00.000-08:002009-11-26T20:41:03.921-08:00Instant GratificationThe knitting ADD continues. I've mostly been working on my Lady Eleanor wrap and February Lady Sweater (what is it with these Lady things?), but I have strayed a bit for some instant gratification.<br /><br />Remember this?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wDpNyNyuOHFKDwO6LBQTzIJPujISqnSfkMNuPpvV91__f-6F0PHJVEpDg3Wa12CTqoguW70-xlFknOSSD6lNjz6vbAKiHY06sV1Lt9l-ZOupVakVqCnoyR1EoWpdEZoujFKr3ou7cXg/s1600/DSCN2835.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wDpNyNyuOHFKDwO6LBQTzIJPujISqnSfkMNuPpvV91__f-6F0PHJVEpDg3Wa12CTqoguW70-xlFknOSSD6lNjz6vbAKiHY06sV1Lt9l-ZOupVakVqCnoyR1EoWpdEZoujFKr3ou7cXg/s200/DSCN2835.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408501219996896082" border="0" /></a><br />It's my <a href="http://no-blog-rachels-blog.blogspot.com/2009/07/huh-what-just-happened.html">Corriedale handspun from Grafton Fibers</a>. Well I decided on short notice that a non-knitting friend needed a birthday gift so I made her these:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1PgI4Tj2BdjcbSr1FUpqTtjkr5U-WNCJMVr810AkjcjbMfEJ1cra3O_RkI_YG5QL6tfVA8dKut49gz5c0g8FY3A9X21JHE4mWG6c3t_l708YZxL_blGgmIy0usgrEcb7E-xgpXYRArY/s1600/DSCN2838.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1PgI4Tj2BdjcbSr1FUpqTtjkr5U-WNCJMVr810AkjcjbMfEJ1cra3O_RkI_YG5QL6tfVA8dKut49gz5c0g8FY3A9X21JHE4mWG6c3t_l708YZxL_blGgmIy0usgrEcb7E-xgpXYRArY/s200/DSCN2838.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408502526694552258" border="0" /></a><br />They're <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/PATTfetching.html">Fetchings</a>, modified slightly with a longer cuff and more length in the fingers as well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkg7LxbZMf4ZvC4XByAwui6mCo_0tuMn4a6cAPhYFr_hjU2eEpR6UnN_Kf60hmf56X5AixxPJ-DlhHSLqHulFD3kOMeCQY1qSY6YPA8pLfazWWFwrms7WmCEd8Ytjw0goOqomL8dSBGNw/s1600/DSCN2847.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkg7LxbZMf4ZvC4XByAwui6mCo_0tuMn4a6cAPhYFr_hjU2eEpR6UnN_Kf60hmf56X5AixxPJ-DlhHSLqHulFD3kOMeCQY1qSY6YPA8pLfazWWFwrms7WmCEd8Ytjw0goOqomL8dSBGNw/s200/DSCN2847.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408501228957372786" border="0" /></a><br />I chose this particular yarn because this friend and I went to school together in southern Vermont and Grafton Fibers isn't too far from there. So, a Vermont gift for a Vermont friend (even though she lives in CA). And super quick! I started them one evening and finished them in time to meet her and her husband for dinner the next day.<br /><br />Last week it finally got a little chilly around here; enough that my feet were actually cold and I realized I didn't own any slippers. So I made some.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fwxTXfxrUzvFbitD-55mWWKqNzoa7NhfsaxJSgf3040Dij3bl6qKQGpX0vexaGGFj5HA_X11u_EudChkJiqVN7zF8D1z1dO2sMDhiFr8qtjLRMPpmdP398a6JcCUOSvsz0fjNCXXTWE/s1600/DSCN2992.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fwxTXfxrUzvFbitD-55mWWKqNzoa7NhfsaxJSgf3040Dij3bl6qKQGpX0vexaGGFj5HA_X11u_EudChkJiqVN7zF8D1z1dO2sMDhiFr8qtjLRMPpmdP398a6JcCUOSvsz0fjNCXXTWE/s200/DSCN2992.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408498868176539522" border="0" /></a><br />These are essentially socks, knit at a huge gauge and felted. I think the pattern is from Knitting at Knoon Designs. I have knit this pattern so many times that I barely look at it. I used less than a skein of Malabrigo in the Stone Chat colorway that I had left over from another project. Yay for stashbusting!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwX0crXXNWv1gy7M11D5OXm0IWxAG1RZ6FOAggsTIuZhq1DPNr2y5I5M1Tk0jRJayDVjNKMWyxpTA7itNKVZfJifRrR0-8VOHij0XXZ8LIsiiQS9E6Eq1SZV4cz6ygVtvbhYT2-J9hMc/s1600/DSCN2993.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwX0crXXNWv1gy7M11D5OXm0IWxAG1RZ6FOAggsTIuZhq1DPNr2y5I5M1Tk0jRJayDVjNKMWyxpTA7itNKVZfJifRrR0-8VOHij0XXZ8LIsiiQS9E6Eq1SZV4cz6ygVtvbhYT2-J9hMc/s200/DSCN2993.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408631502259888434" border="0" /></a><br />Holy cow could my legs <span style="font-style: italic;">be</span> any whiter?<br /><br />After I felted them I put some puffy paint on the soles to prevent them from slipping.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQh14d89kMv6qhpZpCsFo-xNOD-AxnevdsdfJt7dDK72bS-BnKA73UCpKK4gTk4ipKBuGwR9-u-Y_qlhHOU8KATeJ30giEKfGnEqkFNW_B3pop2jji-PPzOpNSGSCWY7qNV4D_aXXs7yo/s1600/DSCN3010.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQh14d89kMv6qhpZpCsFo-xNOD-AxnevdsdfJt7dDK72bS-BnKA73UCpKK4gTk4ipKBuGwR9-u-Y_qlhHOU8KATeJ30giEKfGnEqkFNW_B3pop2jji-PPzOpNSGSCWY7qNV4D_aXXs7yo/s200/DSCN3010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408498887904411650" border="0" /></a><br />Would you believe the cashier at Michael's insisted I show my ID in order to buy this? Who knew puffy 3D paint was a controlled substance? <br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Back to (Monkey) Business</span><br /><br />I've now picked up an old project that had been stagnating since the summer; my Monkeys made from my own handspun. When I started them I just couldn't get the pattern to flow in my head and constantly had to check the chart as I went along, which made for slow progress. That kind of surprised me as the general consensus on Monkey is that the pattern is pretty intuitive and moves along quickly. This time however the pattern stuck right away and I only have to check the chart every so often. Now they're moving right along and I love them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEm2O5jYuNI1dC_0lE-3oJJn5iE2tTJN-4Cf0tnxCEuaP5TpfI40KvaMb0sMGWBE8UMRtRngP5TAyE-GqMrew9y60f1Wkev9uypcxYbZ5hjfb65HjZ8GIPNRAZXohZ30YVLbBrUcVCCk/s1600/DSCN3018.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEm2O5jYuNI1dC_0lE-3oJJn5iE2tTJN-4Cf0tnxCEuaP5TpfI40KvaMb0sMGWBE8UMRtRngP5TAyE-GqMrew9y60f1Wkev9uypcxYbZ5hjfb65HjZ8GIPNRAZXohZ30YVLbBrUcVCCk/s200/DSCN3018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408498896530910194" border="0" /></a><br />I have finished one and have one more pattern repeat to go on the leg before I start on the heel flap. Here's the finished one on my foot. Again; holy crap I'm pale.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHW2EKKHrcGtb8T0nLlwd39eCAb0l6SZYYCEqDJ-Bl8BDCyGe-2BcwAB4tpUAZNeQZKX4Ji_Kt5qYi7oQD2-YiT69ChQTIj4NScSV6admXbhR8IgXLVG_hV7w3ZfWO7JKTUnElo_cr0I/s1600/DSCN3013.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHW2EKKHrcGtb8T0nLlwd39eCAb0l6SZYYCEqDJ-Bl8BDCyGe-2BcwAB4tpUAZNeQZKX4Ji_Kt5qYi7oQD2-YiT69ChQTIj4NScSV6admXbhR8IgXLVG_hV7w3ZfWO7JKTUnElo_cr0I/s200/DSCN3013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408500286925519442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Happy Thanksgiving!</span><br /><br />We just got back from Thanksgiving dinner; I'm still full and it has been a very nice, relaxing day. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecm-LIJQaSGtEmxRfKstTBYYbaeFP2Z875Yy5MSL-u-Qjt33TboSuV9L3AH55rj_MyEuvkDqLCHhEDh-DwPqMPI9Wp2IsCTJEpElAovMa19GF0wRZI_xI8T-bKTMZvhfJtAoniQtfxFM/s1600/DSCN3017.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecm-LIJQaSGtEmxRfKstTBYYbaeFP2Z875Yy5MSL-u-Qjt33TboSuV9L3AH55rj_MyEuvkDqLCHhEDh-DwPqMPI9Wp2IsCTJEpElAovMa19GF0wRZI_xI8T-bKTMZvhfJtAoniQtfxFM/s200/DSCN3017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408500277431961330" border="0" /></a><br />I made cranberry sauce among other things. This one is easy; for every bag of cranberries you use one navel orange chopped (I use the food processor) and sugar to taste. Toss it all in a pot with a smidge of water, heat it until simmering and the cranberries are popped, adjust sugar to taste and then once it's cool toss it into the freezer. Let it thaw for a few minutes before serving. Delish.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMZF4f1QqtfqQB445HGhT2civcoVhdyOYRIZmgo1wcyf47GOHR7wEHQu3k5o3dunUfQGBoPl0rPhoBjDHDr3CyDzCQMxqgW1Nd9TmZoUMBJaPatL4oxCdtb00pewesh4wFa5Bf_pFR9s/s1600/DSCN3019.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMZF4f1QqtfqQB445HGhT2civcoVhdyOYRIZmgo1wcyf47GOHR7wEHQu3k5o3dunUfQGBoPl0rPhoBjDHDr3CyDzCQMxqgW1Nd9TmZoUMBJaPatL4oxCdtb00pewesh4wFa5Bf_pFR9s/s200/DSCN3019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408500280328180114" border="0" /></a><br />I also made glazed sweet potatoes with bourbon (toss bourbon on anything and it's good) and a salad but never got around to taking pictures. I am lame. And stuffed.<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope yours was as relaxed and enjoyable as mine.(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-74959177577103062052009-11-10T20:48:00.000-08:002009-11-10T21:50:16.932-08:00Another California Invasive Pest WarningAnother warning from the <a href="http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/invasives/">California Department of Food and Agriculture</a>: Beaglus Gluttonious.<br /><br />She is <span style="font-style: italic;">so</span> busted.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrZvMEgpb__jvJWH0n_Z9cBoiyNao_A0s0mHPZfQeVwKFZEGGVtmlEDT3Q-NsYCZ-jLMdGot1uhDkCTcaun68E80ZQqyzMzgUmEpHDoWgUketf1AC0Zn5Fmzd3ErvUJPD3-595x6IL6E/s1600-h/DSCN2963.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrZvMEgpb__jvJWH0n_Z9cBoiyNao_A0s0mHPZfQeVwKFZEGGVtmlEDT3Q-NsYCZ-jLMdGot1uhDkCTcaun68E80ZQqyzMzgUmEpHDoWgUketf1AC0Zn5Fmzd3ErvUJPD3-595x6IL6E/s200/DSCN2963.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402704915438448386" border="0" /></a><br />Damn dog didn't even bother separating the muskmelon from the vine before she dug in.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_7C8GLTeMZhpeMVhDWIzHCndqJQ5XM4o4wWOyeNgvvB1lG2KAhYCFWij_PpuYtvWiUkZHelZLMxQlyv4G_wlWr7ryiKUetuAxcfuUdH54cMjeykFy3XA41zQciR__wKhS4j3YsWLxuw/s1600-h/DSCN2967.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_7C8GLTeMZhpeMVhDWIzHCndqJQ5XM4o4wWOyeNgvvB1lG2KAhYCFWij_PpuYtvWiUkZHelZLMxQlyv4G_wlWr7ryiKUetuAxcfuUdH54cMjeykFy3XA41zQciR__wKhS4j3YsWLxuw/s200/DSCN2967.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402704921734265298" border="0" /></a><br />Here she can be seen teaching Miele the joys of really, really fresh produce.<br /><br />Miele was busted recently too:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tnDZQ5iK2NSpQwpMqR-490Py28FRvumbVZR3n4OMeMIxQ4uoeR3Td69zEm2qyzAlabgIxBLOSucXMXHpMXOuZ3jfaUnuDGSVlp85UGoTuWpPqINTR5Idi82g0lDslvFuNR2SPLKZohI/s1600-h/DSCN2958.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tnDZQ5iK2NSpQwpMqR-490Py28FRvumbVZR3n4OMeMIxQ4uoeR3Td69zEm2qyzAlabgIxBLOSucXMXHpMXOuZ3jfaUnuDGSVlp85UGoTuWpPqINTR5Idi82g0lDslvFuNR2SPLKZohI/s200/DSCN2958.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402704902898889362" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4q44-xCQauaWBoXm3D4Qg1Aj8idoC00-4_fsQoDssrgjFlSbOq4mF3IQ7N7rlOnN0mXpY6DChB-_U7t1K-kRMdIYVcMPqN9d6GGPeI2TsJ3LWewhPyMRnkXzOEeplSg1EaPwue_y3Eg/s1600-h/DSCN2960.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4q44-xCQauaWBoXm3D4Qg1Aj8idoC00-4_fsQoDssrgjFlSbOq4mF3IQ7N7rlOnN0mXpY6DChB-_U7t1K-kRMdIYVcMPqN9d6GGPeI2TsJ3LWewhPyMRnkXzOEeplSg1EaPwue_y3Eg/s200/DSCN2960.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402707587730126610" border="0" /></a><br />Is there a doggie reform school anywhere nearby?<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Remedial February?</span><br /><br />When not occupied with documenting the bad behavior of the resident hairballs, I've been knitting. Or trying to. I seem to have developed a severe case of knitting ADD. I have a whole list of new things I want to start - a couple of different lace projects, toe-up socks, gifts, some dish rags, an afghan and of course there are always a few sweaters in the queue. And that doesn't even count the things I have in progress.<br /><br />Despite the distractions, I've managed to focus on two things. First, I started another <a href="http://www.flintknits.com/blog/?p=151">February Lady Sweater</a>. I'd made one <a href="http://no-blog-rachels-blog.blogspot.com/2008/10/february-in-october.html">about this time last year</a>, but a combo of it stretching and me shrinking a bit made it necessary to come up with one that is slightly smaller. Then I started another February Lady Sweater. And after that, I started another February Lady Sweater.<br /><br />Sigh...<br /><br />Why when the first one was so easy do I keep on screwing up this one? The gauge in the swatch was different from the gauge I actually knit. So I frogged the entire thing. Then I found an error way back that couldn't be fixed any other way than frogging. Again - all the way back. Then I happily sailed two inches past where I should have put buttonhole #2. Oy. More frogging. My latest attempt seems to be working okay though:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9K4ni4tIOSyoEy5_1CD0nhiPr9e-2c4NtI8sBTsr1s1mHmIRFweHRXSw1pBSo_8po4wTKtqenReGCf5jejfPU5LXplL8T0WmhShrrIlsgiLDtTO-o-IENQwXWpr4KIylUQsAKnEP1CTQ/s1600-h/DSCN2981.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9K4ni4tIOSyoEy5_1CD0nhiPr9e-2c4NtI8sBTsr1s1mHmIRFweHRXSw1pBSo_8po4wTKtqenReGCf5jejfPU5LXplL8T0WmhShrrIlsgiLDtTO-o-IENQwXWpr4KIylUQsAKnEP1CTQ/s200/DSCN2981.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402705470091517042" border="0" /></a><br />This is Dream in Color Classy in the Lagoon colorway (I think). I lurve this color! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpJcj0mzin0kfzFYfThpKPbPI1DfP-eIopJMR75HtROECSmOdM9CWQBBzqMmhlJl2Q8YGobAaHFC4xXNPRZoBe2KRxATsH5U1W_53i5fDPPJKGKxXn-QZO2yovnIuiMTqQu_DzQUU4Z0/s1600-h/DSCN2984.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpJcj0mzin0kfzFYfThpKPbPI1DfP-eIopJMR75HtROECSmOdM9CWQBBzqMmhlJl2Q8YGobAaHFC4xXNPRZoBe2KRxATsH5U1W_53i5fDPPJKGKxXn-QZO2yovnIuiMTqQu_DzQUU4Z0/s200/DSCN2984.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402705458779516466" border="0" /></a><br />This the color in this one is probably a little more accurate.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNhofka17WiC3ulC5vtJGvhK3lhWsDIA9X1i5NLwuJr9AVnP7ZUu8R4AZHEEOWB0CDJT1iSOyqOx9HeFegms7hw8D4atUUTG8UXJ90SO9p2g8bsxMNNyW1D3ik6oPMwMpgwbE7zoDM9k/s1600-h/DSCN2983.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNhofka17WiC3ulC5vtJGvhK3lhWsDIA9X1i5NLwuJr9AVnP7ZUu8R4AZHEEOWB0CDJT1iSOyqOx9HeFegms7hw8D4atUUTG8UXJ90SO9p2g8bsxMNNyW1D3ik6oPMwMpgwbE7zoDM9k/s200/DSCN2983.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402705469223473250" border="0" /></a><br />I'm making the same changes I made on the last one - a stockinette stitch yoke instead of garter stitch, and I'm doing yarn overs for increases. I also don't do that row of eyelet increases - I just keep on going with the yarn overs on either side of the shoulder increase for a few more rows. At this point I probably have 2 -3 more plain rows to go before I start the gull stitch for the body.<br /><br />I have also picked up the <a href="http://www.figandplum.com/archives/000623.html">Lady Eleanor stole</a> that I started in March. It's actually going to be more of a couch throw than a wrap and given the number of dog and cat claws around our house, I think I'm going to pass on the fancy fringe. It's just asking to be snagged.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47i2Jd3CV-CHpraJkTgNxEEZKFlCkZYp4z3zaLeU2H65k1ElIOk6b1EEez3n3TCngShQ69gUUeGw797Bc7G448AtdKVvy9a7AoXBxf6ptmuSOCXd8xaLs-Q1IQLf1Uk0EYLSqZuJ58yc/s1600-h/DSCN2986.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47i2Jd3CV-CHpraJkTgNxEEZKFlCkZYp4z3zaLeU2H65k1ElIOk6b1EEez3n3TCngShQ69gUUeGw797Bc7G448AtdKVvy9a7AoXBxf6ptmuSOCXd8xaLs-Q1IQLf1Uk0EYLSqZuJ58yc/s200/DSCN2986.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402712193630938450" border="0" /></a><br />This is Noro Silk Garden (Colorway 88) that I got from <a href="http://www.yarn.com">Webs</a> a few years ago at a kee-rrrazy close-out price. Actually that's about the only way I will buy Noro. The color changes are pretty but there are a lot of knots as well as vegetable matter, and I think the regular price for what you get is outrageously high. On sale however - that's another story.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KU412fhfIkZ0VvFHIOP9YOHs3Kz6xpqcc1aSMixsQU5oKu4Q65LcEe8f4R-2LKt2NSGc-3Ia7PWKw93wyRwOc-kLJDhEqQ07HPrXXztIGhFHn4WTywkpm_f1g2700fGgxHblwWMvUYA/s1600-h/DSCN2988.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KU412fhfIkZ0VvFHIOP9YOHs3Kz6xpqcc1aSMixsQU5oKu4Q65LcEe8f4R-2LKt2NSGc-3Ia7PWKw93wyRwOc-kLJDhEqQ07HPrXXztIGhFHn4WTywkpm_f1g2700fGgxHblwWMvUYA/s200/DSCN2988.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402712200253546674" border="0" /></a><br />And they sure do know how to put colors together.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Closing Shots...</span><br /><br />Look who got her first haircut!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00m5NuoNzLwvwxWMS3Kbpt7iARH2gWxj0xk8ypDuLCK74KGbLvJcmYQcVWtkouL3B-rRJ2vS8N0xoIrK5KeR8RLH_HeFVYZyalOuziEgpwSor97U7KLrOKqN9n_I2wCSnjyBMVvwSA7o/s1600-h/DSCN2974.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00m5NuoNzLwvwxWMS3Kbpt7iARH2gWxj0xk8ypDuLCK74KGbLvJcmYQcVWtkouL3B-rRJ2vS8N0xoIrK5KeR8RLH_HeFVYZyalOuziEgpwSor97U7KLrOKqN9n_I2wCSnjyBMVvwSA7o/s200/DSCN2974.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402705448420247298" border="0" /></a><br />She was traumatized only slightly by the scary clippers. Here she is being comforted by clipper-man himself.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotE4oCQN0efoyVP1EgY_xL-M9BOGJKzJEa5ONaE85xiOZZTAr4Bq3-YraTfl3wSjPpAHKaZGfQjlZ-O-BvZvfnuJLPi77fPfEV29h8Ev3WJxVPyqdDuFSs0GAtKFoXwdTd_xlRWhba0w/s1600-h/DSCN2980.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotE4oCQN0efoyVP1EgY_xL-M9BOGJKzJEa5ONaE85xiOZZTAr4Bq3-YraTfl3wSjPpAHKaZGfQjlZ-O-BvZvfnuJLPi77fPfEV29h8Ev3WJxVPyqdDuFSs0GAtKFoXwdTd_xlRWhba0w/s200/DSCN2980.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402705444070953298" border="0" /></a><br />Does this girl have long spindly legs or what?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9BebQ5Mk79YZ14fO8zk-pf87D2EQlSCeZ4Kefr6IJ8llmbdgW4r8tFS3kL6NwmyXY0_FxHlbIf7ILpla5fJwsi9ZjQm_Ij_zABF7-vCZuzVHoY0Y0sp5fnNSZP9joDnowDQDaU8fcZ8/s1600-h/DSCN2977.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9BebQ5Mk79YZ14fO8zk-pf87D2EQlSCeZ4Kefr6IJ8llmbdgW4r8tFS3kL6NwmyXY0_FxHlbIf7ILpla5fJwsi9ZjQm_Ij_zABF7-vCZuzVHoY0Y0sp5fnNSZP9joDnowDQDaU8fcZ8/s200/DSCN2977.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402704928224411090" border="0" /></a>(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-16689757577517833942009-10-21T21:20:00.000-07:002009-10-21T21:39:19.824-07:00Girasole e FinitoGirasole<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIDOVAD1k3j3f7h5eBr7Gst64CeMUGrBCv603d9HPi3fdtKvFteHYr1_46sxIW30FwBQ6HT5twanyQ7SUedd44N7Ed2JfBqDfSFzFkJChQX7_wLwzclPxdOG8_Qx_KDbqX9ETTWWY_iE/s1600-h/DSCN2921.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIDOVAD1k3j3f7h5eBr7Gst64CeMUGrBCv603d9HPi3fdtKvFteHYr1_46sxIW30FwBQ6HT5twanyQ7SUedd44N7Ed2JfBqDfSFzFkJChQX7_wLwzclPxdOG8_Qx_KDbqX9ETTWWY_iE/s200/DSCN2921.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395275800096457506" border="0" /></a><br />Design by <a href="http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/2008/12/girasole.html">Jared Flood</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXf1PNQMUZVTHl0SMjg2JHFUMs_8Mh8BIgH2AO7BeCcxpno4lTHdizsXOFgiFRdZK7bHrUWCOhGJ6Qv3KUXePU2oD-2tLq7WSB5QBNlqCiElU6oiuvGj6Us4DzaXHNHxA_c2LEnuA9kMg/s1600-h/DSCN2923.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXf1PNQMUZVTHl0SMjg2JHFUMs_8Mh8BIgH2AO7BeCcxpno4lTHdizsXOFgiFRdZK7bHrUWCOhGJ6Qv3KUXePU2oD-2tLq7WSB5QBNlqCiElU6oiuvGj6Us4DzaXHNHxA_c2LEnuA9kMg/s200/DSCN2923.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395275793414938674" border="0" /></a><br />Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Luscious Single Silk in Blech colorway. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuc49fNYsulgVtFDD9K82-fRqmpzn3KeZdwterF8qhaPJv0t0uWv5HOSiwyDj75XfSGxpi98t0SeDPrDg7Tetq1xy-XTwKCExHSXB3ny1Jmo9a2z91tM5fmoSUk1fW-TPOLsE_qDg3AU/s1600-h/DSCN2926.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuc49fNYsulgVtFDD9K82-fRqmpzn3KeZdwterF8qhaPJv0t0uWv5HOSiwyDj75XfSGxpi98t0SeDPrDg7Tetq1xy-XTwKCExHSXB3ny1Jmo9a2z91tM5fmoSUk1fW-TPOLsE_qDg3AU/s200/DSCN2926.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395275789099858098" border="0" /></a><br />I used a little less than 3 skeins.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVSclZcnKQTmqK6PdCFzDmcf2SpndamV2LO8vdGFDzYPhLkAiWxkHxMWiwtOFhIyZd9Qnc-i1X96wt2co9t9sgADvhRX9j5lN471-r8HMX9pGszggUaje_eAcwTcPuI-Hm4kPlEQ7Ybg/s1600-h/DSCN2927.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVSclZcnKQTmqK6PdCFzDmcf2SpndamV2LO8vdGFDzYPhLkAiWxkHxMWiwtOFhIyZd9Qnc-i1X96wt2co9t9sgADvhRX9j5lN471-r8HMX9pGszggUaje_eAcwTcPuI-Hm4kPlEQ7Ybg/s200/DSCN2927.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395275778258272306" border="0" /></a><br />Cast on August 21st, completed October 21st. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhWPnf4IxZNhgwuzN3QMO_9FsRm7naWcpYouU90-5mdyP-WNkEA5r3uG6un0RuXRYF_m2AEhhyphenhyphenlZXzy9NG9yE86m94J9uNdztee3t8b-CJtX3Sz-NlLPVAKEOTIvKnfFLfLdkKHLZsAk/s1600-h/DSCN2928.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhWPnf4IxZNhgwuzN3QMO_9FsRm7naWcpYouU90-5mdyP-WNkEA5r3uG6un0RuXRYF_m2AEhhyphenhyphenlZXzy9NG9yE86m94J9uNdztee3t8b-CJtX3Sz-NlLPVAKEOTIvKnfFLfLdkKHLZsAk/s200/DSCN2928.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395275770585403842" border="0" /></a><br />It would have been finished a lot sooner but I slacked off on more than a few occasions. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Lr4zlmdGAqm-yQtuZDlvoOWIzTV1EGzZCdHA9ZiD2vjL91tjArPhSjtEoAdetblg0uUyd0KxQX_8e31c7WxtG2jeBGPdqEnlb93E1qcbmpeZ16ge1HcmJDKxEPOHjOmn4fJUN4TeAyE/s1600-h/DSCN2929.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Lr4zlmdGAqm-yQtuZDlvoOWIzTV1EGzZCdHA9ZiD2vjL91tjArPhSjtEoAdetblg0uUyd0KxQX_8e31c7WxtG2jeBGPdqEnlb93E1qcbmpeZ16ge1HcmJDKxEPOHjOmn4fJUN4TeAyE/s200/DSCN2929.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395275429979383314" border="0" /></a><br />It's a big project but a really fast knit. I'm in lurve and hope more of my friends get married so I can have an excuse to make more.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKnQlhYFmp0pbCktZF5qVl_icDQM000EcgCKFGqsz03h6NBWeZidRORbrHWuV-kiH5qKp1fOIopQKeOlXc3Scghmlpmo-zPgJi2RksXfQ107VSq2W_puWA6aqocu64dya63_oGJVRt5Q/s1600-h/DSCN2893.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKnQlhYFmp0pbCktZF5qVl_icDQM000EcgCKFGqsz03h6NBWeZidRORbrHWuV-kiH5qKp1fOIopQKeOlXc3Scghmlpmo-zPgJi2RksXfQ107VSq2W_puWA6aqocu64dya63_oGJVRt5Q/s200/DSCN2893.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395275429656828002" border="0" /></a><br />Miele's not the most enthusiastic model:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj3a92rj7y5avb5UsxiZM8ExRKrxzCKk0h8UWbEUjj9SWqxx5vH5-ujLNOvsJeH6Z4SgMWrqlR1D_3Rfc6XN_PXusGBM8zJv5Tj1UglkODyk8zZ2u1Bdzf_b10VqlzqiYR0tEqcx1q6Y/s1600-h/DSCN2890.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj3a92rj7y5avb5UsxiZM8ExRKrxzCKk0h8UWbEUjj9SWqxx5vH5-ujLNOvsJeH6Z4SgMWrqlR1D_3Rfc6XN_PXusGBM8zJv5Tj1UglkODyk8zZ2u1Bdzf_b10VqlzqiYR0tEqcx1q6Y/s200/DSCN2890.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395275403193432930" border="0" /></a><br />Trouble's not too excited either:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_-Tfkl9uxp4Ls_wJRTJR7ik3MtZqdGqbJGazqtABFLhsvdPa7ruPsiOGz6GnYEK2z7uIeCXkbpb1wEH4EE6sHZ3ypHj13xOpYQWXApb5ZGVlvSXeqWsmVW7GPUtQ5ZkZ2HttgULPAa8/s1600-h/DSCN2891.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_-Tfkl9uxp4Ls_wJRTJR7ik3MtZqdGqbJGazqtABFLhsvdPa7ruPsiOGz6GnYEK2z7uIeCXkbpb1wEH4EE6sHZ3ypHj13xOpYQWXApb5ZGVlvSXeqWsmVW7GPUtQ5ZkZ2HttgULPAa8/s200/DSCN2891.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395275409502334898" border="0" /></a><br />Brian needs to learn how to be unafraid to express his true feelings:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASDvqlLIHEZMZKjTDu5nSEhTt8m9dX-whiMvN645y6MQYhEG6gh2e0uV5OOEnn6RrlBFwgC1ppXOzumEPNJj5C3ZFnMwAZ0dz-62pOQJ9aepL90mbZh8Qws__YgmuZFyBgyy3xy2XA8Y/s1600-h/DSCN2892.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASDvqlLIHEZMZKjTDu5nSEhTt8m9dX-whiMvN645y6MQYhEG6gh2e0uV5OOEnn6RrlBFwgC1ppXOzumEPNJj5C3ZFnMwAZ0dz-62pOQJ9aepL90mbZh8Qws__YgmuZFyBgyy3xy2XA8Y/s200/DSCN2892.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395275420594671682" border="0" /></a>(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-88188046837495232782009-10-16T06:03:00.000-07:002009-10-16T06:11:26.369-07:00New Invasive Pest Plagues CaliforniaWarning: <a href="http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/invasives/">The California Department of Food and Agriculture</a> has issued a warning about a new highly energized invasive pest, Puppius Dementedus, now threatening to take over California. The population of this pest isn't high but what it lacks in numbers it makes up for in its ability to [appear to] be in 14 places at once, and raising hell in all of them. This pest persists in rocketing around the living room like a freakin' pinball, thinks that jumping the cat is great fun, and has no sense of personal space.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-r8HMhzF8N5QDgW-09CECNf4WyU_F4R46ZywFNm6Y89gZ422IhxiuQ2GcukD7F3niL26BGdw2UJWhbKnddGQRQ7_srtnygOl9qUxKMsytFBra4I1yNR-gDuQPSuJArpqZrQrDTxBnTbw/s1600-h/DSCN2871.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-r8HMhzF8N5QDgW-09CECNf4WyU_F4R46ZywFNm6Y89gZ422IhxiuQ2GcukD7F3niL26BGdw2UJWhbKnddGQRQ7_srtnygOl9qUxKMsytFBra4I1yNR-gDuQPSuJArpqZrQrDTxBnTbw/s200/DSCN2871.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393184299810119858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZv6MVpII0ceO49yPIdm99rmOA0BfSEUxTQhzyytSSya9SAOnOed2mfNVt-WLFXCkSTjRcIOGx9G8QChos8vk81_FcSYPUztKomi_3L-0z-jPikqaBlalI0LP7WrpMHdwQ628qAxCLfg/s1600-h/DSCN2870.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZv6MVpII0ceO49yPIdm99rmOA0BfSEUxTQhzyytSSya9SAOnOed2mfNVt-WLFXCkSTjRcIOGx9G8QChos8vk81_FcSYPUztKomi_3L-0z-jPikqaBlalI0LP7WrpMHdwQ628qAxCLfg/s200/DSCN2870.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393184307189634994" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Be afraid...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_v4sP4NKNM8u4w3xPhD4mQ2Q1BSHCFptiLHZO5GvbfEwOrt4uNWPmHkStHOBRLUb3C-RWQaetYhyu05kegYWmiFV1UuUDTamX1LkuBOr7ltGS6u7x2ouFLPHodgk0fO3p86BoSbGFS0/s1600-h/DSCN2878.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_v4sP4NKNM8u4w3xPhD4mQ2Q1BSHCFptiLHZO5GvbfEwOrt4uNWPmHkStHOBRLUb3C-RWQaetYhyu05kegYWmiFV1UuUDTamX1LkuBOr7ltGS6u7x2ouFLPHodgk0fO3p86BoSbGFS0/s200/DSCN2878.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393184315020557026" border="0" /></a>(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195137954390577016.post-64951150943298306212009-10-04T21:27:00.000-07:002009-10-04T23:08:49.549-07:00Oh Hai!Wow. Well. Here I am and I survived. Right now I have a big meeting to plan and prepare for and compared to what I've been doing the past two months, it's a piece of freakin' cake. As of two weeks ago, I'm back to relatively normal work days, I am no longer getting up at 4:00 am and I'm feeling pretty human again.<br /><br />What had me so busy? Well I was in charge of planning and organizing this.<br /><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MKVt8jyA7Ek&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MKVt8jyA7Ek&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object><br /><br />We sent 32 riders and a bunch of support people on a ride from our office in Morgan Hill to Las Vegas. Here's a bunch of them at the office just before we sent them off:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XAS7aeQKekuAu6n9fWTJtPF-J5N1k2mM84C6ZXSw7WxNrIs6YGSRx7fdwsdu-VAVwpw-Qn8tnxeCqP4v5UvefuYS53rlEwchOzCymxWj670Clzr93WIaeOl9b_uIGumXbaOhuXJ8Fn8/s1600-h/DSCN2813.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XAS7aeQKekuAu6n9fWTJtPF-J5N1k2mM84C6ZXSw7WxNrIs6YGSRx7fdwsdu-VAVwpw-Qn8tnxeCqP4v5UvefuYS53rlEwchOzCymxWj670Clzr93WIaeOl9b_uIGumXbaOhuXJ8Fn8/s200/DSCN2813.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388971547177930210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDBau7Oc_lo-fbC7Jk0YB1QKDfX4O-fBROwfNjd7KNlMk19ZmdE-UoTgfnIr_m4L68jphkUbLPJ3ScQuN9VSGaVXK4DexlCTcrCSYS9Km_CvrFSRPR6CzS-dNVJVjQCn1AGxoai8zIDk/s1600-h/DSCN2815.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDBau7Oc_lo-fbC7Jk0YB1QKDfX4O-fBROwfNjd7KNlMk19ZmdE-UoTgfnIr_m4L68jphkUbLPJ3ScQuN9VSGaVXK4DexlCTcrCSYS9Km_CvrFSRPR6CzS-dNVJVjQCn1AGxoai8zIDk/s200/DSCN2815.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388971554290470018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcnJv7pwzu45EYlYPzKSvnMcC6OSWaJn5-kvE70bi4aFYSbHe3G_5uerR9k6Qbc34gJWpZiscAAP2mIN471Mec_S3WrP1Y7RyH-IJuzs11qVujMkKKCIN7QyT7lGltZEHHsfb8gwQiGQ/s1600-h/DSCN2819.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcnJv7pwzu45EYlYPzKSvnMcC6OSWaJn5-kvE70bi4aFYSbHe3G_5uerR9k6Qbc34gJWpZiscAAP2mIN471Mec_S3WrP1Y7RyH-IJuzs11qVujMkKKCIN7QyT7lGltZEHHsfb8gwQiGQ/s200/DSCN2819.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388971567483476098" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They had some wild days including crossing Death Valley in 116-degree heat. Here's a <a href="http://actionwheels.com/page.cfm?pageId=425">link</a> to Patty's blog - she was one of the riders and she can tell it a whole lot better than I can! From what I've heard from those who were there, it went well, and it was worth all of the time spent. So yay. First big project at the new job accomplished.<br /><br />Now that it's not all about work I've regained some energy. There has been knitting:<br /><br />Girasole continues to grow. I'm nearly halfway through chart F (the next-to-last chart before the edging) and I still love it. It looks kind of crappy here but I'm blaming that on the fact that there are nearly 650 stitches in each round and I'm limited to a 47" circular and can't spread it out. And the fact that my photography skills are seriously lacking (that includes the color - it's more lavender and less grey than in this shot).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWO3TopZ1LACsOzjIZeRfKIKhOsJBpKtP2eoUihytSgKBHIkg6EiMzsGDccJI5HG5ekHmLPmLfMms15Y6nE6YepbaeaDFdkh-CdZCYWi8nlP2Rc3eTyd31VdWZrIJFBLkqNLcnBJJdUXM/s1600-h/DSCN2853.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWO3TopZ1LACsOzjIZeRfKIKhOsJBpKtP2eoUihytSgKBHIkg6EiMzsGDccJI5HG5ekHmLPmLfMms15Y6nE6YepbaeaDFdkh-CdZCYWi8nlP2Rc3eTyd31VdWZrIJFBLkqNLcnBJJdUXM/s200/DSCN2853.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388973181307159042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvXJ28JAEaIokRtp93_KYqEdBYIbyZYJeFQz5RKZEhd9pQuOF4Tlfe3Bilz4d-rbIFWOsZzCkAoxFFKE7hGFC9u4xYCdkm6u-qnuuPzC46vg_a-ttFuUh4LxVA0KW_Z8s75e-lAi_YtA/s1600-h/DSCN2856.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvXJ28JAEaIokRtp93_KYqEdBYIbyZYJeFQz5RKZEhd9pQuOF4Tlfe3Bilz4d-rbIFWOsZzCkAoxFFKE7hGFC9u4xYCdkm6u-qnuuPzC46vg_a-ttFuUh4LxVA0KW_Z8s75e-lAi_YtA/s200/DSCN2856.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388972939415505074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KyXgs3RNTSIGrqWGsawosMkTJOc4Q4Ke8gPw4om8ADq5uriVK6yFHlqA7nixUJWyuh39jYjafFJYTS7CJ_gIlIC4YdY8eRPNVLBcXkKweXXoByvQxVhsypHrxZtcuzQHSiX09zXYgss/s1600-h/DSCN2855.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KyXgs3RNTSIGrqWGsawosMkTJOc4Q4Ke8gPw4om8ADq5uriVK6yFHlqA7nixUJWyuh39jYjafFJYTS7CJ_gIlIC4YdY8eRPNVLBcXkKweXXoByvQxVhsypHrxZtcuzQHSiX09zXYgss/s200/DSCN2855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388972501725498242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I also pulled out the <a href="http://no-blog-rachels-blog.blogspot.com/2009/07/huh-what-just-happened.html">Grafton Fiber I spun during Tour de Fleece</a>:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzJnNqMrUgmUvUMMhQedDYXSNmdC0F06jjL5MWzcDTbHGZ1baQxi9nruT4IHFE7Y6KhhJ9uesR44xIY5lJOLVGEhM4XeB5R7YNkMyuZiViw-EVq06LvIWek-bJk_kGPm-dXTuF6CVSc8/s1600-h/DSCN2833.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzJnNqMrUgmUvUMMhQedDYXSNmdC0F06jjL5MWzcDTbHGZ1baQxi9nruT4IHFE7Y6KhhJ9uesR44xIY5lJOLVGEhM4XeB5R7YNkMyuZiViw-EVq06LvIWek-bJk_kGPm-dXTuF6CVSc8/s200/DSCN2833.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388972088108938994" border="0" /></a><br />And made a pair of Fetching (Fetchings?) for a friend.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FYMDnvw1-1ilZdo0KFrQqfMB5ekONDAdbftELyyiheKFprln-wY8wB9o62WdsmvQDqQbbr5-d99x5FJlVfMQA-1FNFj9Z-v3metLa9VaTJ37RJx3v3Og6sl_lItGOr0HM4v6j92slIo/s1600-h/DSCN2841.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FYMDnvw1-1ilZdo0KFrQqfMB5ekONDAdbftELyyiheKFprln-wY8wB9o62WdsmvQDqQbbr5-d99x5FJlVfMQA-1FNFj9Z-v3metLa9VaTJ37RJx3v3Og6sl_lItGOr0HM4v6j92slIo/s200/DSCN2841.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388972480019032098" border="0" /></a><br />The color below is a little more accurate:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3KGSMe7RCADtUiOicJ25APAJlkZQQ5jM5s2-uPtypC7fN4R9PTNRA61wGt5i9LJ-PKZ7-D_b9eosFKa6QIo0Ha_BujKIJD1gr-Ufr6CM7qrM6cQG4opcqkjG9xeE6dX2_ImcOZsJ42s/s1600-h/DSCN2842.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3KGSMe7RCADtUiOicJ25APAJlkZQQ5jM5s2-uPtypC7fN4R9PTNRA61wGt5i9LJ-PKZ7-D_b9eosFKa6QIo0Ha_BujKIJD1gr-Ufr6CM7qrM6cQG4opcqkjG9xeE6dX2_ImcOZsJ42s/s200/DSCN2842.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388972488938848834" border="0" /></a><br />It's a nice pattern but I find if knit as written they're too short. So I added an extra cable repeat on the cuff and another at the fingers and an extra 2 rows on the thumb. Easy peasy.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Mom, Those Things Have Been In Trees!</span><br /><br />A few weeks ago my youngest niece decided she wanted to go apple picking for her birthday. So we spent the afternoon <a href="http://www.gizdich-ranch.com/index.php">here</a>. At one point while we were in the orchard she wanted an apple so her mom wiped one off for her. She wouldn't touch it until it had been rinsed in water, saying 'Mom, those things have been in <span style="font-style: italic;">trees</span>!' Oh the horror. Cracked me up.<br /><br />Anyway, we came home with this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUv01jaKPagL9qjFSKV4GFzNQOqn8bnSmCoa0gZz9JQY1r0SGfKXoQguoBivi7LQhIdBhNCZMiuVS5Zd5y2ez-D30_jX48fKVkhxRfCiazLMo-2MR4bdZx18sdk-USLVXXYXhM4yd17Y/s1600-h/DSCN2828.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUv01jaKPagL9qjFSKV4GFzNQOqn8bnSmCoa0gZz9JQY1r0SGfKXoQguoBivi7LQhIdBhNCZMiuVS5Zd5y2ez-D30_jX48fKVkhxRfCiazLMo-2MR4bdZx18sdk-USLVXXYXhM4yd17Y/s200/DSCN2828.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388972044258139970" border="0" /></a><br />This is about 17 pounds. The niece and her family went home with nearly 70. Yikes.<br />A tiny portion of the 17 pounds was turned into Norwegian Apple Cake. Apparently it smelled too good to wait to get a picture before we dug in.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGa7giC9qQ0C4woqjsHK7o3po87ZiL-eF8SskxI7EdRYQwC4brBL6R75bLQpM9ZbNcH99xWt-o6Sseb13CsZx_m0XFc8Ic6JettdIJ98lc6n-Yki1DUkrKnjv1FGSyNgXQQAsrR-Iq30/s1600-h/DSCN2830.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGa7giC9qQ0C4woqjsHK7o3po87ZiL-eF8SskxI7EdRYQwC4brBL6R75bLQpM9ZbNcH99xWt-o6Sseb13CsZx_m0XFc8Ic6JettdIJ98lc6n-Yki1DUkrKnjv1FGSyNgXQQAsrR-Iq30/s200/DSCN2830.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388972057975614754" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The following week we had an influx of figs from the tree so I made the same recipe again, using figs:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8ghDTe4k-hOoMYNFffKhc6gW5BDilnhor-VBnJ_uCWkjZm7PxLqHd5vosdixufEA-ZG8GEQGRA6SuMIjjHwM4JXgWjTVyo-E6xmfoM9dva9OA_yfe80o9fSY6Kp6AgEWWJRDdGNQb-8/s1600-h/DSCN2832.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8ghDTe4k-hOoMYNFffKhc6gW5BDilnhor-VBnJ_uCWkjZm7PxLqHd5vosdixufEA-ZG8GEQGRA6SuMIjjHwM4JXgWjTVyo-E6xmfoM9dva9OA_yfe80o9fSY6Kp6AgEWWJRDdGNQb-8/s200/DSCN2832.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388972077461224386" border="0" /></a><br />It was good but the apple version was better.<br /><br />The garden is slowing down but I made tabouleh using some cherry tomatoes and parsley which are still doing well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2E2z51Q1D8LW7egBsU_WM_09BzcmcBL5H1KmZHAgBEoR6bS4VI3hdyEaxUUwvG6Qe5dF4rulsAXpSXhFeudd6gh9nlf2zHizkfAJSI4lzyjmC5YVwCNJiZDpxTnIqRNh1yWiFAqv0AqE/s1600-h/DSCN2831.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2E2z51Q1D8LW7egBsU_WM_09BzcmcBL5H1KmZHAgBEoR6bS4VI3hdyEaxUUwvG6Qe5dF4rulsAXpSXhFeudd6gh9nlf2zHizkfAJSI4lzyjmC5YVwCNJiZDpxTnIqRNh1yWiFAqv0AqE/s200/DSCN2831.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388972066826857778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Today's cooler weather sent me into a cooking frenzy. I made beef stew, baked some spicy drumsticks and made some chocolate peanut butter cups this afternoon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZvxGlrDPXPViTa8aiBizseibcZrwvTQCw8cy2W-xwwsxTSvyCahT3u5X9GSe9r9fFkyeBP_m8qFB-Yq5Y0RVwm-u72JTiC-0z9k956nxmGnGZEva9Usx2gN2cifDBy0QMnFnzIuZCzQ/s1600-h/DSCN2861.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZvxGlrDPXPViTa8aiBizseibcZrwvTQCw8cy2W-xwwsxTSvyCahT3u5X9GSe9r9fFkyeBP_m8qFB-Yq5Y0RVwm-u72JTiC-0z9k956nxmGnGZEva9Usx2gN2cifDBy0QMnFnzIuZCzQ/s200/DSCN2861.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388987543501945266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6y3TlyyCt3eTiV0hfg9rUINNqcO2TWPM9SdbwGVunmCaOTrx0MgbTj1I9_vEZMAXzUrYegK6sEtu5wh-JrNEv7234kifpzsYDtdtRcm_9qZ4vY8ycXIqWIrAUpfiWQhw2ljYb7F1kPE/s1600-h/DSCN2862.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6y3TlyyCt3eTiV0hfg9rUINNqcO2TWPM9SdbwGVunmCaOTrx0MgbTj1I9_vEZMAXzUrYegK6sEtu5wh-JrNEv7234kifpzsYDtdtRcm_9qZ4vY8ycXIqWIrAUpfiWQhw2ljYb7F1kPE/s200/DSCN2862.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388987553319654098" border="0" /></a><br />The stew isn't pictured and you can thank me for that later. It has been in the fridge for a while and cold stew looks well...gross. Anyway, it was nice to have it cool enough to want to use the oven again, and the house smells great.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Obligatory Puppy Pictures</span><br /><br />Miele continues to grow. She has learned how to play and here she is trying to teach Trouble to do the same:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9dT_2ujuPNNbRtpJqsf9CpT3azEFwRzmEaXdlq8HjoTzoq7H8qjPm2U7O02xW6WX7fdkNqjn72RWKi57ulYVyy-55N7qDQXNfnZiJxgZwIZQffFKnNMp5UXHF7so2P9H9s_J8gvFMqQ/s1600-h/DSCN2822.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9dT_2ujuPNNbRtpJqsf9CpT3azEFwRzmEaXdlq8HjoTzoq7H8qjPm2U7O02xW6WX7fdkNqjn72RWKi57ulYVyy-55N7qDQXNfnZiJxgZwIZQffFKnNMp5UXHF7so2P9H9s_J8gvFMqQ/s200/DSCN2822.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388971574851391202" border="0" /></a><br />She's developed this lovely habit of bringing stuff into the house and chewing it all over the rug. Here she'd decided to drag the entry rug from the kitchen into the living room and use it as a placemat for her dried corn snack. So sweet that she likes a proper table setting.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaed6Vlnk5BpgGqaRF7Ky8enHvyNp7b_o-jlpJHbK0Groa8itQcDlvtafcV9z-yjsW2pUjtKnHbtEQYSogw9AG1-zvU_1sm6gs8VQbsQRAxcPtyb0aZeqd747qZdMYYEeoEM8S_U_sfwQ/s1600-h/DSCN2824.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaed6Vlnk5BpgGqaRF7Ky8enHvyNp7b_o-jlpJHbK0Groa8itQcDlvtafcV9z-yjsW2pUjtKnHbtEQYSogw9AG1-zvU_1sm6gs8VQbsQRAxcPtyb0aZeqd747qZdMYYEeoEM8S_U_sfwQ/s200/DSCN2824.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388971583455726242" border="0" /></a><br />Tearing the house apart each day is exhausting!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcF6DUOeteri669l0mU7Fzlv6I6QKTsDc2memXzGLs6IOF8_pNGczUql7NUczvHiRViR_D2dN48Xe13BEaI5fBz4coKsoOeWKLi4nVODMWtApGyY26ybuXNbMVFrWqDCsZaqKvRnm1EcQ/s1600-h/DSCN2857.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcF6DUOeteri669l0mU7Fzlv6I6QKTsDc2memXzGLs6IOF8_pNGczUql7NUczvHiRViR_D2dN48Xe13BEaI5fBz4coKsoOeWKLi4nVODMWtApGyY26ybuXNbMVFrWqDCsZaqKvRnm1EcQ/s200/DSCN2857.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388972934175947954" border="0" /></a>(formerly) no-blog-rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850761547755786771noreply@blogger.com5