How do I do what I do? A ramble on creativity...

Here is the question that was posed to me by Dominique...

"How can you, as a creative person, find the right balance in doing many projects simultaneously? How do you manage to complete many projects while keeping a healthy body and mind?"

I've been thinking about this question for about two weeks now. Pondering the question of creativity and how I shoe-horn it in to my life, made me question...what the heck am I doing? The answer slowly revealed itself to me. How do I do what I do?

I make multitudes of lists. While I am sitting in class at school or waiting for a computer to reboot (endlessly) at work, I make lists. Lists for arts/crafts/ideas I want to try. Lists for books I want to read. Lists of upcoming knitting projects. Sometimes I make the same list more than once but making the list multiple times takes me that much closer to fruition. Having such limited time means I need to distill the idea until it becomes very clear to me what I want to do. Once I'm there, I can execute it in fairly short order.

Be satisfied with small bits of progress. I find I just about lose my mind if I don't take time to knit at least every other day, and I'm better if I can get a few rows in every day. While I'm not adding a huge chunk onto my project, at least I have touched it and that soothes me like nothing else.

Finding creativity in the most mundane things. I carry my camera everywhere and try to keep my eyes tuned to the easily overlooked. I also try to look at activities that wouldn't be considered artsy in a creative light. Making bread. Digging a hole for a plant. Even cleaning the house with an economy of movement and a song in my head can be satisfying (well, not as satisfying as making a collage, but I try!).

Taking it all less seriously, although this is not easy as art has always had an elevated status in my mind. Somewhere inside me, I feel like I need to take it seriously, as if some collector was going to come across a pile of my stuff and say "Oh! You undiscovered genius! I will be your patron!" and shower me with accolades and cold hard cash. I need to remember that I'm doing this for myself, and that is all.

My creative life is quite limited right now. I have so many obligations: a full-time job, part-time school, full-time mama/wife/family member...I could keep going but won't for fear of overwhelming myself. I'm finding that I like to work on several things at once instead of slogging through one project at a time, despite the fact it feels counter intuitive (wouldn't it be faster to concentrate on one thing? for me, the answer is no). Despite lack of time, I still manage to end up with finished objects and I think that creativity in my life is one of the few things that keeps me sane (sane-r?). I also look ahead to the future for when I might have more time to undertake larger projects or expand my arsenal of the crafts that I do.

Thanks so much, Dominique, for bringing this question my way. It's been quite enlightening and cleared out a few mental cobwebs.

A Dilly of a Day

Despite starting out with a humdinger of a night the night before we left (Chest pains, anyone? 3 hours of sleep due to the lovely anxiety attack? Sheesh...), we had a fantastic day out of town yesterday. The weather was amazing, right around 70 degrees. Flowers of all hues and forms were in great abundance. It felt so good to be out, running around like a kid at Fairytale Town and being full of wonder at the Zoo (Ahh, the zoo. Such mixed feelings about zoos).

Some of the best...Hubby and I sharing thoughts and plans on the drive down. Running the Crooked Mile with our friends (who joined us for the Fairytale Town portion of the day). Watching the vulture spread his wings, Kidlet and I whisper back and forth about how amazing and beautiful he is. Eating veggie burgers and sharing milkshakes.

Hope your days were just as lovely. Back later this week with more knitting and some thoughts on creativity that I didn't get to relate last week (sorry I'm taking so long, Dominique!).

We'll show you the way...

Map to Fairytale Town, by Kidlet. We're finally going this weekend, yay!

I'm just going to pretend the weekend starts right this minute, despite the fact I still need to make crepe batter for dinner tonight, mop the floor, take a shower, take Kidlet to school and take myself to work. That's right, the era of happy relaxation has begun. The weekend is merely a state of mind.

Have a lovely one, friends.

My LYS away from Home

A week ago (just a week ago!) , I put out the feelers to find a good sock yarn for hubby. Raina voted for ShiBui, a brand I had not tried but I was intrigued. My beloved LYS has a large inventory however, ShiBui is not a part of it. Away to the web I went. The Loopy Ewe showed up in my search and as I had seen their name around on Ravelry, I thought I'd give them a go. Lovely folks and the fastest shipping EVER, definitely recommended. And the yarn, like butta'. Can't wait to cast on...just need to decide on the pattern.

Pleased to Meet'cha!

I have had the pleasure of meeting two lovely ladies through the blog, Ms. Noodle and now Crafty Bean. It's been great fun to put words out in the land of bits and bytes and have it turn out that I can meet flesh and blood people.

All Sunday morning, Kidlet's mantra was, "is it time to go meet our new friends yet?" After much stalling until our appointed hour, we finally got to meet up with perennial friend W and new friend, Annabel (Bean's daughter). The small girls had a good time romping about the park, as did the women who met and munched snacks in the sunshine. We have tentative plans for more meet-ups and camping. I can't wait! (Please tell me we really are going camping!)

And the photo has nothing to do with our meet-up except I thought it was pretty. :)

"You have a choice every day...will you do everything, despite the circumstances, to generate love and light or will you give in to the darkness around you?"

--Mayor of Newark, NJ, Cory Booker
as heard on Bill Moyers' Journal podcast, episode "Race and Politics"

Cast Your Nets

What shall we find?

Discovering new desires, finding new hope.

1. I want to write poetry. Don't worry, I won't burden you with youtube videos of me wearing all black, reading some supremely awful drivel that I've written in a dark mood during a thunderstorm. I think I need to read a whole lot more poetry before I even start, but the seeds of desire have been planted.

2. Also, I want to write a children's book. I have thought about this pretty regularly for several years (with my mom) and I think I (we) need to get rolling. Mama, get ready!

3. I believe I will finish school. I believe I will finish school. Repeat for the next 4 years.

4. Trying oh-so-hard to not be so high strung. Deeply grateful for hubby's hand signals to calm down when I am starting to get wound up. Maybe I will be more even tempered one day. I will keep striving (as long as hubby continues to make hand gestures...ha ha ha...remember, Boo?).

5. I love spring. Spring = hope + renewal.

Will be back shortly with my answer to little meme-y/question that Dominique posed and some words about the weekend (Hi, Liz! Hi, Bean!).

Dreaming in Yarn

I finished another project last night (Kidlet's dresser scarf) which has me down to two projects. My clapotis is almost half done but I haven't worked on it in almost a month in the interests of finishing my other 3 projects. And I still have the sneaky project to finish up (which is probably two nights away from completion). I'm really happy with my knitting skills lately. I feel like I've progressed quite a bit in the past year. I can now weave in ends without it looking like a big mess (thanks, Knitty!). And I'll have to post later the brilliant blog that I use to refresh my memory on seaming techniques (because I don't have the link with me).

Anyway, with all this finishing at hand, that means I'm going to be ready for new projects. Woot! Of course, I'll keep plugging away at the clapotis but it's about time for me to embark on some socks for hubby (still looking for the perfect yarn, any suggestions?). Also, I'm going to knit a little bird and nest for a little one's birthday in August (need some yarn for this too, but I've got ideas). I feel like I want to start another project too...but not sure what. It seems silly, but I feel I knit faster when I have several projects going at once. I used to be one of those folks that would dedicate all their time to one project and not start another until it was completely done. It was miserable, slogging through the one project, all the while staring wistfully at piles of patterns and scribbled ideas that I wanted to start. Now I can knit on whatever appeals to my mood, within reason, as I think 4 projects is my maximum load. I want to try a sweater but I have a phobia. Maybe I should take ol' Daisy out of hibernation and get a few more inches along until something else grabs my fancy.

And this concludes our knitting update for today. Feel free to wake up at any time!

Renewal

And here I am...one small person's stomach flu, tons of knitting, not-so-great nights of sleeping, a lasagne, a holiday, and one trip to the nursery later. As crummy as the tummy flu was for the little one, it made for forced relaxation (and knitting!) for me which was desperately needed.

We had a pretty nice holiday and renewed (at least in a small way) our Easter tradition of going to the nursery after Easter breakfast. It was an amazingly warm Spring day. Perfect. I couldn't resist picking up a container of icelandic poppies. I adore poppies; I think they are my favorite. Sure, it is scheduled to get cold(ish) again but I'm a sucker.

Things have been awfully quiet around here on the blog but to be honest, I'm not expecting a whole lot of pick up in activity, despite having some quiet time after an insanely hectic week. I haven't been taking many photos and don't have a ton to say. I think it's that time of budding before the blooms emerge where I go all quiet and just need to do some mental digestion.

Upcoming and what I'm 'mentally digesting'...I'll do a big knitting progress post in about two weeks (after my Mama's birthday so I will be able to officially reveal that super-secret project). Here's what I'm reading (very interesting, I'll save a post to talk about it when I'm deeper into the book). Thinking about my vision and photography (or lack thereof). The desperate need to learn to sew so I can use these fabrics. More dreams of new shoes. In other words, nothing new. Hope Spring is starting to sprout in your neck of the woods. Hugs!

Today is the Day

Four years ago...

I had to decide whether to be induced or be on bedrest for 3 days and then get induced.

I finished knitting a scarf for hubby with an IV in my arm, pumping in the drugs of induction.

A Brownie troop that was touring the maternity ward visited me about 3 hours into labor to 'see what a lady in labor looks like'. I smiled and was friendly. The nurse couldn't believe I didn't have any pain meds because I was so calm.

I watched the opening rounds of the NCAA basketball tourney, checking my bracket in between gritting my teeth and doing yoga breathing through contractions.

I remember thinking about 8 hours after being induced, after a particularly strong set of contractions, "Damn. If this was anything else in the world, I think I would throw in the towel and say I would try again another day." I kept the image me running long distances in my head. Push on through. You are strong.

Pushing was hard. Hubby was a blessing (as was the dear nurse).

I was gifted after 11 p.m.. I gasped, "She's beautiful. She's perfect."

And she is.

****

I went to Kidlet's birthday celebration at school today and it was so sweet. They place a work mat on the floor, light a candle and place it in the middle of the mat. Next, they surround the candle with little 'sun rays' (triangle shaped pieces of paper); each one has a month of the year printed on it. Kidlet was told to bring the globe and put it in front of March. Her teacher showed photos of Kidlet from each year that she's been on this earth. After each photo, she was told to walk around the 'sun' and then the children would do a handclap for the number of years being represented. Then we all sang Happy Birthday and Kidlet blew out the candle. Next, the children were allowed to raise their hands and say something nice about Kidlet. She passed out the muffins I made and we ate.

She's such a serious student! It was fun to see her in her school environment. The only bad part was that she got sniffly when it was time for me to leave.

****

I'll be back soon with a regular update. Things are just so freakin' hectic right now. But soon, my life (for a week, anyway) will be full of knitting and other happy things. Spring break, anyone? Heading to Mexico? Not me, just heading for work but at least there's no school in the picture.

This just in...

One of my favorite bloggers who went on hiatus over a year ago has returned to blogging...Loobylu! She was one of the first blogs I started reading four years (can it really be that long?) ago. Enjoy!

Wish me luck...

as I am still feeling worked over by this cold/flu thing and I've got an overflowing list of 'to-do'. I was trying to keep it together, but I have officially just stepped off into the region of 'oh dear, I still need to do what?!' (i.e. overwhelmed). In short, you won't be hear a whole lot from me for about a week until this 'house cleaning-home birthday party-school-school birthday party-school-and oh, don't forget you have to work' thing is all done.

Right now, this is test study avoidance tactic number 3. I should either just skip it tonight and try to sleep or get on it. (cough, cough) Nighty night, sweethearts.

And this was the good part of going to lab today...

There were only a couple going and I worry for their health with the upcoming cold snap. I will check on them next week.

Last night was so warm, we were outside in just long-sleeved shirts (well, I was in a light sweatshirt because I am always cold). Despite having been pile-drivered by this cold-flu thing, I suddenly had the urge to start cleaning the garden. Y'know, doing the tasks that should have been done in the fall: pulling dead morning glory vines off the pointiest rosebushes in the land, raking leaves, pruning (I'm never quite sure when this is supposed to be done but my lack of knowledge has yet to hurt me). I only managed to clear 3 rose bushes of the twisty twiny morning glory skeletons and pulled out one dead bush, but it definitely is a start. Of course, right before the big party weekend and a planned pre-birthday jaunt to Fairytale Town, it supposed to start raining and possibly snowing. I'm basking in the warmth while I can...that is, between running back and forth between work and school (oh how I love lab week, not at all).

This week is a one giant list, done with one hand behind my back that has its fingers crossed, hoping no one else gets sick or relapses before the party. Food lists and recipes need to be finalized, the presents wrapped, the decorations finished, reminders to be put out that 'yes, we are having a party this weekend', house cleaning and oh yes, don't forget to write your lab report and study for your exam coming up in a week. Also, get together the supplies together for Kidlet's birthday-at-school celebration. I might sleep a few hours in the night too. Maybe. It hasn't worked well for me lately so it would be a novelty.

Despite the fact I may sound a little harried or bitter, I am not. I love lists, hustle-n-bustle is my middle name. I can't sit still. Even in the depths of illness last week, I was busy building Kidlet's doll house and cleaning the house. The emergence of spring is making me think about not only clearing out the dead wood in the yard and the extraneous junk from the house, I'm thinking about cleaning out my head too; the bad patterns and attitudes that seem to seep in during the dark winter months need to be tossed. I feel the change coming and I say it's all right.

Green Friday

So, when I took my green photos last weekend, this is what I expected to post today...



Imagine my surprise when I opened the Kidlet's blinds Thursday morning and I spotted a very small point of yellow on the hill.



Eeeep! The tiniest, earliest daffodils emerged. It's official, Spring is here. True, this photo is less about the green and more about the yellow, but I couldn't resist.

Thank you, Emily, for hosting a lovely week. I found many new blogs to explore and enjoyed all that green. Sigh.

"He who searches for spring with his knees in the mud finds it, in abundance."

--From A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold

Green Wednesday

I picked up this little pot at the farmer's market last summer. She had such wonderful items; I wanted to buy them all. It's holding some silky green yarn too. Just filling my life with green, eh? Love it.

The embroidery is from my Grandma. I treasure all the pillows, tea towels and dresser scarves that she's made for me over the years.

Totally off topic but interesting. I was listening to Talk of the Nation the other day and they had an interview with these two folks that compiled this book, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure . I can't come up with my life story in six words today, but I can come up with one that sums up today...

Feeling rather sick, sadly must work.

What is your story today?

Green Tuesday

Turning seasons turning wildly
away, morning's majestic calm

unfolds. Out in spring clothes,
I cross eastern fields. A few

clouds linger, sweeping mountains
clean. Gossamer mist blurs open

skies. Feeling the south wind,
young grain ripples like wings.


--From the poem "Turning Seasons" by T'ao Ch'ien found in The Selected Poems of T'ao Ch'ien

More green here...

Green Week...Monday (really Sunday)

This weekend was full of errands, cooking, knitting and one small, yet extremely snotty nose. I didn't get anything done that I had originally planned to get done (ie. start cleaning the house for the big shindig later this month) but it was good, nevertheless. We went to lunch yesterday at a local California-style Mex joint. They have super yummy lemonade (seen here). The salsa verde you see in the corner of the picture is quite tasty too, but the crazy unnatural green puts me off. No need to worry though, the restaurant makes its own chipolte salsa that's so good that I could drink it (and end up coughing and crying due to spiciness).

Also, I apologize for the kind of weird processing on this photo. I didn't process it at the perfect processing hour on my laptop (2 pm). If I try to process photos at any other time of day, they end up with weird colors and are really dark (no matter where in the house I try to move the laptop). Ahhh, the pleasures of my dear lappletop. Hopefully my greens for green week will be better for the rest of the week.

Is it a list if there are only two things on it? I think so.

Today's topic, films. And since I don't get much time to watch, there are only two on my radar at the moment.

1. Juliet of the Spirits had been sitting in its little red Netflix envelope for about a month. I finally broke into it last weekend. I loved it, as I knew I would. I don't love it as much as Fellini's earlier black and white, less surreal films but Giulietta Masina is a brilliant actress and anything she does...well, I'm there to love it. The over-the-top 60's Italian fashion vibe was great fun too.

2. Next up on my queue is Jules et Jim. Never seen a Truffaut film but I'm looking forward to it. I'm a little ahead on my schoolwork so I'm hoping to start it tonight, while I wind a couple skeins of yarn into balls.

Have a lovely weekend, all. Next week: green.

Today I'm Thinking About...

1. This photo from last year. I thought this image was appropriate for today, which is wonderfully warm. All we are missing are the blossoms.

2. Coming up with ideas for Emily's week o' green.

3. Dinner. Shrimp with soba, asparagus, broccoli and green onion with some sort of soy ginger sauce that I haven't figured out yet.

4. Vacation. Gotta finalize the plans.

5. Need to start my seeds and find my forcing vase for the bulb that Alicia sent with her photo swap package. Love it, Alicia! Thanks!

What I am Thinking About Today..Books

1. Heard about Roberto Bolano on the NY Times Book Review podcast. Hoping to find his books in our library.

2. Also thinking about the Mitford sisters. Would like to read this or this.

3. Hubby said I need to read Pale Fire. Which I think I will as soon as I finish rereading...

4. Breath Sweeps Mind

Sigh. I love books. I went through a brief phase a few years back where I just didn't read much at all. I can't tell you how happy I am to be totally back in it...reading, reading, reading.

3 Weeks Off...The Party List

1. Theme officially decided...garden party

2. Puffy ball tissue flowers to hang from the ceiling are in full production. Idea found kicking around on flickr sometime last year and it lead me to Martha Stewart's site but I can't find the instructions anymore, only kits that you can buy.

3. Ideas for the three goodie bags are set. Happily (actually it's a mixed blessing), Kidlet hasn't asked for any of her schoolmates to come to the party so I only need to make three goodie bags. I kind of wish she did want to invite some schoolmates so I could spend some time with them but it does make the party smaller. And that, my friends, is a good thing in our tiny home.

4. Food. This year, I decided to not cook through the entire party (I've done pancakes for the past two years) and I'm not sure what to do. Kidlet has requested fruit salad, but a bowl of fruit salad does not make a party. Of course, we will be having cupcakes. Any ideas for easy brunch finger foods?

5. Eeep! The invites! I've got to make the invites!

6. The presents are arriving in the mail. I went for this with a bunch of these little guys. I am having mixed feelings because it is a 'Made in China' product with plastic bits mixed in. However, they haven't had any recalls and they use their own factory. When I looked at more natural options, I wasn't overly enamored of the blocky, all-wood house-and-people sets I saw. To be honest, I don't even know if Kidlet will dig this stuff. She latches on to things for a week or two and then drops it. Except for her pinata. She'll play with her pinata anytime. Amazing that's it's been a year and it still is in one piece.

7. The weather. Must send a note to those in charge of the weather to make it blissfully warm so the plum blossoms on the tree will be in full bloom mode.

The Midweek-Weekend Wrap

Today is misty, with a chill in the air. Snow is dusting the hilltops. Am I sad that winter woke up again? Nope, it's refreshing. And there's still a touch of that fresh, green spring in that breeze.

I enjoyed a three day weekend that actually felt like three days. I managed to get a lot done, without hearing that little voice say "hurry, do more!" However, I did have a lot of anxiety/panic issues. I am going to start charting when they happen so I can start getting a handle on the problem. I know many of the root causes (having too many responsibilities, hormones, grief) but I want to see if there is a pattern and perhaps if I can recognize the pattern, I can figure out some tactics to fight it. It ain't fun. 'Nuff said.

I made some incredibly yummy pizzas this weekend (bbq shrimp, veggie and pesto, for those keeping score at home). I've been working on tweaking the recipe for some time and I think I finally have it just right. Yay!

In knittingland, I have officially reached the halfway point on my mom's birthday present (and it's awesome), did my first dropped stitches (that's a good thing, in this case) on the clapotis, and started the dresser scarf for Kidlet. We went to the yarn store to pick up the yarn for the dresser scarf and well, we had some trouble at the yarn store. No, it wasn't just the fact that I splurged (via a gift certificate) on one skein of this (color 158) but Kidlet picked up a huge glass vase that was on display and dropped it. Yeah. I turned my back for...yes, you guessed it...just a moment and then I heard Kidlet say "Look, Mama!" and crash. They were very nice about the whole thing but ugh. I still feel terrible.

Well, I wish I could say I was snuggled in front of a fire surrounded by my knitting projects and birding books, watching the birds come to the feeder but no. Today it's work and then it's studying for an exam tomorrow. Wish me luck and spontaneous deep knowledge of volcanoes, the rock cycle and plate tectonics.

A Dozen Bits of Randomness on a Friday

1. Books Kidlet has been reading nightly:

Barkley by Syd Hoff (I love the illustrations.)

Mr. Tall by Roger Hargreaves (I've purchased many of these books. I usually buy the ones I think pertain to Kidlet (ie. Little Miss Contrary, Little Miss Bossy).)

Thanks, Mom by Ed Emberley (Kidlet loves Ed Emberly)

2. I think I am getting sick before a gorgeous 60 degree-ish 3-day weekend. Uh huh.

3. I have to study for my midterm and finish my lab paperwork.

4. I sent off my taxes. Horray!

5. I am getting a cavity.

6. Buying yarn for a project for Kidlet this weekend. No, she does not want me to knit a sweater, socks or a toy. She wants a dresser scarf. I'm thinking of doing something like this.

7. Trying to decide what my next book to read should be. Almost done with Dharma Bums (loving it) and one of the books I'm most interested in right now isn't at the library. Any suggestions?

8. Feeling the desire for new shoes. Trying to shove the desire out of the room.

9. One of my favorite podcasts that I've just started listening to is Radiolab.

10. I'm obsessed with the color green right now. Mmmm, green-y goodness.

11. This weekend, I think I will make waffles.

12. How come I can't find a decent a-line skirt?

Hope you get a dose of spring this weekend. Enjoy!

Mud, Yarn, Mourning and a Sighting

The ground is coming out of its seized up state. The yard is still a safe harbor for a 10' x 20' island of snow, but the rest of it is mud or dirt hiding a mushy subsurface. Grape hyacinths are poking up as are the frighteningly large populations of irises and white onion-y things. Go to sleep, fellas. This is Nevada. This is the land of Memorial Day snows after February 'springs'.

Took advantage of the 60 degree temperature to trim the hedges so they no longer scratch at the windows like a gnarled fairtale monster. Made a lovely bowl of soup and some of the best bread I have ever baked. Also, baked some chocolate chip cookies for our Sunday morning guests.

And I spent a lot of time screwing up my knitting. I finished my Jaywalker sock. I wove in all the ends and then tried it on my right foot. Too long for my foot, strange bunching about the ankle and too tight around the calf. And my calves are not that big. I went to bed, woke up for a couple hours in the middle of the night and tried to assess the situation. What do I do? Start over? Make a second ill-fitting sock? I am honest with myself and decided that I'm so sick of this yarn and pattern, I will rip it out in the morning and make a scarf out of the yarn a few years in the future when I can stand to look at the yarn again. In the morning, I try the sock on my left foot. It fits better, but the calf is still stretched thin. I decide to not rip out the sock right away and I start working on my Mom's birthday present. I am groggy (note that I said I was awake for a couple hours during the night). A few wrongly placed yarn overs later and I'm cursing my knitting. Sigh. It took me about an hour to 'fix' it, but it's not the perfectly knit item that it once was. I work on Clapotis and as I am about to start the meat of the pattern, I realize I did some seriously funky yarn joining. At least that was easily remedied. Oh, Clapotis! Have I told you how much I adore you?

And mourning? Yes, but nothing too serious at the moment (although I did feel choked up when I was sweeping under the couch and found about a dozen of Nora's tennis balls). Kidlet has officially given up her nap. My two hours of peace in the middle of the weekend have been rudely and abruptly stripped away.

The sighting: spotted towhee. I love bird watching. It feels good to get back to it. I used to be obsessed with birds when I was very young. I would pour over the bird section in the encyclopedia, memorizing the birds and the motions required for flying. No, I didn't not stand on a chair in the spare room trying to move my arms in the same manner as the birds in the hopes I would fly. Nope, that wasn't me. Ok, it was.

Design Element

You probably can't see it, but there is a mistake. A few rows away from finishing sock 1 and of course, we have a misaligned pattern. Now the question comes, do I drop 6 stitches down to the offending row and attempt to knit back up, even with all the decreasing that needs to go on or do I just soldier on and hope no one (including myself) ever notices it? I am tempted to fix it, but my dropping/fixing skills are...well...null. What if I completely mess it up? I usually 'unknit' all rows back to the problem and fix it that way (or just rip the whole thing apart). The problem is so far back that unknitting isn't an option this time. Shall we just call the offending pair of stitches a 'design element'?

Everything has been pretty mundane. I've only taken about 1/2 dozen photos in the past week. I've been reading my school assignments and knitting Clapotis. Planning Kidlet's birthday (still over a month off). Finally watched the Herzog documentary that has been lounging about the house for over a month. Started reading The Dharma Bums. Trying to decide if I want to make the (longish) trek to Stitches West. Did the taxes. Paid the bills. Planning the summer Disneyland vacation with the tax refund. Made a veggie pie. Curry tonight.

Is it just me or is February made for slogging through as quickly and painlessly as possible? They even made the month shorter because it feels like it's a million years long. Ok, that's not true but I just feel so uninspired by February. I was going to try and come up with a February project but...well, it's the 6th of February and still nothing. I guess I've got a million years left to go.

A Baker's Dozen plus 5 more

I've been tagged by Ms. Cathy for "6 things you may not know about me". You all probably know a whole lot about me since I've been spewing a lot about myself for almost two years in this virtual journal and from a couple of other tags. But as I've been a weak bloggger as of late, a framework assists me in the writing department. So, 6 more things about yours truly...

1. If I wake up for even a moment during the hour of 2 a.m., I'll be up for at least the next two hours. I (inadvertently) tested this last night when Kidlet cried out for me to be her potty escort.

2. A perfect day starts with one of the following combinations: coffee and a bearclaw, coffee and a maple bar, or coffee and yogurt with granola and honey. Of course, pancakes are in the mix too (but not made from a mix. The horror!).

3. I like to pick towns and 'shop' for early 20th century/late 19th century houses. A few towns I have recently 'researched': Portland, ME, Sacramento, CA, New Orleans, LA and Albuquerque, NM.

4. I am painfully shy. I'm getting better at hiding it.

5. I wish I needed glasses for reading because I think I look cute in glasses.

6. If I knew how to sew, I'd make myself 'uniforms' that were kind of like apron dresses or smocks. They'd be kind of like these or the beloved smocket. And yes, these are for todders but really, I think I could pull it off. Really! Now to find a pattern for someone my size...now that's another story.

Your mission should you choose to accept it: continue the meme. Or just have a nice weekend, k?

Dreams

Sorry I'm so quiet. I've been caught up in my head again which seems to happen before a flurry of activity. Not sure what that activity will be but I hope it will be good.

Dreams I've had lately....

--Hubby got a tattoo of a big old oceanliner and it had 'Terran' written across it
--Nora visited but as she was 'on the other side' her eyes were sealed shut (horribly sad)
--Brioche stitch! Two nights ago, I kept waking up thinking about brioche stitch. I know it's because I covet this sweater but brioche stitch seems impossible to my wee skills.

I'm having daydreams of moving into an old house (impossible in this market).

I'm dreaming of new careers. Got any ideas that don't require me to finish school? Ha ha.

Spring. This spring will be a gorgeous riot of full blooms and bright, juicy green due to all the precipitation we've been receiving. Makes me wish I had done a lot more fall prep so I'd have bushes with a good head start. But I'm still dreaming of planting with Kidlet all the seeds I just ordered and watching their daily progress from the warmth of the kitchen.

Sleep well!

Reflective

Been quiet here in Pancakeland lately. I've been thinking (too much, probably). I have been in my semiannual 'I feel like I'm soaking up too much from flickr' mode. I'm taking photos and when I go to process them I say "Huh? This isn't me. This isn't mine." I need some space, but I'm not sure how I want to achieve it. I was thinking of forbidding myself to look at flickr for the month of February. Then I thought, 'Hmmm, maybe I glean too much from blogs'. Maybe I need to ban myself from the internet for the month of February (aieeee! the horror!). Maybe I need a project to work on? Still thinking...

School started this week and it looks like it may be less intrusive than I had anticipated. It starts an hour after I drop off Kidlet so I get a little bit of time to knit and sip a coffee before the class starts. It's a 'geology for dummies' class and I'm almost wishing it was a little more intensive so I could learn more, but I'm certainly not complaining. Easy is a good thing at this point in time. The hard stuff will come soon enough with the graduate level classes. Sigh.

Thinking about the weekend. What do you have going? Me...I'm hoping to knit on my CLAPOTIS (hearts and butterflies, smooch smooch). I started it and it's just a tiny little triangle of softy bliss. I am so very, very happy with the Malabrigo silk-wool blend. I can't wait to wrap myself in it (most likely in about a year, when I'm able to actually finish it!). Still working on the secret project and it's about 35% done and looking oh-so-nice. Jaywalker number 1 is about 2 inches away from the toe and I'm getting nervous about running out of yarn. Ahhh, the 'pleasures' of having size 11 feet. I'm already making some tentative plans to do the toe in a different color. Oh yeah. Gotta do schoolwork. And if I can find 'pretzel salt', I'd like to try my hand at pretzels. Maybe make some sort of stew or chile on Sunday night? Hope your weekend is full of softy bliss and yummy food too.

Little Mama Homemaker and Sparkling Snow

She helps with the baking. She washes the floor. She folds laundry. She scrubs the bathtub walls while she takes a bath. However, she resists straightening up all the toys that she drags out during the day.

Some days, she doesn't nap.

This makes big mama kookoo.

My weekend was full of emotional turbulance, baking (pie and failed bread), cooking (curried pumpkin soup, muffaletta mix, corn fritters, pancakes), errands, some sock knitting, and watching the Packers lose (poor Brett Favre).

I awoke this morning to a dusting of snow that sparkled brightly and covered the grey, dirty leftovers from two weeks ago. I need a little snow dusting in my head to cover my stress with something sparkly to distract me from my worries. Don't you worry...I'll snap out of it as soon as I can get my car into the shop to find out what is wrong with it and make it through my first week of class.

Thinking about some new projects, details to be worked out while I daydream during data entry.

Sweet dreams!

The Rambler

I've been wanting to post something, anything, to move on from my previous post. A huge thank you to all of you that commented, emailed about Miss Nora. She is definitely missed.

So in the interests of posting something, here's a long rambling account of some sock knitting. Feel free to skip it.

We are photoless but I've had intended to take a photo of the cute little heel portion of my Jaywalker sock, but the sock and I are rarely in natural light together. That sock and I are starting to have a bit of a tumultuous history. See, I'm such a slow knitter that I actually get to have a history with a sock. Since I've restarted them, I had a mistake here and there, but nothing worth fretting about ("nothing that you could see while riding by on a galloping horse" as my Mother-in-Law would say. Thank goodness for Mother-in-Laws.). Well, I've been working on some troublesome computers at work and while I wait during the endless rebooting, I thought it would be a keen idea to do a little knitting while I waited. Sounds good, right? I think I've made more mistakes on this tiny portion of sock than...well, I don't know what. I've had to unknit rows when I knit the wrong pattern on the wrong needle. I somehow forgot how to do the double decrease (hence, there are still a few wonky double decreases that I'm trying to ignore). I had to pick up a mysteriously dropped stitch from 8 rows back and do lots of snugging up of stitches. Yeah. These socks better fit like a dream and make me feel like I'm floating on little clouds. That being said, I'm still in love with the little heel.

The weekend is rapidly approaching and I look forward to it with a bit of dread. Next week, I start school. I did not do even a quarter of all the things I wanted to do on my break. Once school is in session, even though it's only one class piled atop my other responsibilities, I can pretty much say goodbye to most of my knitting and movie watching opportunities. Sigh. And the caucus? I still don't know who to pick! Aieee!

Ok, enough rambling. Maybe I'll be a little less prickly and a little more cheerful tomorrow. And I'll think about pie. Yes, I will make pie this weekend and that will make everything better. Right? Right? I thought so.

It was almost 6 years to the day from when this skinny little dog put her head in my coat when I bent down to greet her at the SPCA to when she left us. Excuse me for a few moments while I babble on about my Squizzy-Roo...

We brought her home and in the first week, she managed to find a trove of mini airplane-flight-sized booze bottles (some glass, some not) that we had received as a gag gift for our housewarming. We came home to the reek of booze, the detritus of broken glass and chewed up plastic and a wiggly pointer dog. I still don't know how she didn't cut herself with the glass bottles.

We gave her the back story of a washed up movie actress from the 20's and 30's who made some appearances on the Love Boat in the 70's.

She'd only come when you called her in a high-pitched sing-song manner.

She loved to daintily eat tomatoes off the vine and roll in the catmint.

She was a champion snuggler.

She was always cheerful, a comedienne, and quite the dancer.

I'm glad that we were able to make her acquaintance and give her a good life until the end. And mercifully, the end was brief.

An ear skritch, tennis balls, filets and martinis to Nora...cheers!

The Thaw

The weekend has arrived along with sunny skies. This means last weekend's pure snow has now melted into a sludge-y, muddy mess and the streets are covered in gravel and dust. It also means that I won't be confined to the house. Already I've made a list of imaginary errands that really don't need running. We'll see if I can keep the spirit of hibernation going and make some more progress on my knitting and bake something with the giant can of pumpkin that is taking valuable shelf space in my cupboard. I also need to settle on a recipe (or two?) for Vanessa's cookbook project. So many possibilities!

I'm feeling the need to get as much 'pleasure time' in as possible since next weekend is the caucus (I just gave away where I live, eh?) and then it's back to school...not online but in the REAL WORLD. I have to go to a giant classroom with people half my age. Not looking forward to this but if I want to continue my scholastic career, I have to finish up these basic requirements that I've put off for close to 20 years. And I'm not exaggerating on the 20 years part either.

Fit in as much 'pleasure time' as you can this weekend too, k? And if you have a yummy recipe utilizing much pumpkin puree, let me know.

Hibernation

This weekend was wonderful. While I did not hibernate in the 'go to sleep for a long time' sense, I was snuggled down in the house, knitting and baking, broken up by walks out in the snow and games with Kidlet. There was no rushing about here and there, running errands of dubious importance. It was all about the small things. The shadows of the drifting snow. Figuring out the best way to shore up the snowman so he wouldn't fall over. The scent of yeasty bread and chili. Meanwhile, the snow piled up outside and I was happy in the hopes that our usual drought conditions might not be quite as desperate this summer.

There are a couple more days of snow in our future, according to the forecast, but then it is back to our typically mild winter conditions. And back to our usually scheduled program of running around. I'm hoping that the lure of my latest knitting project (yet another secret project) will keep me home, hibernating.

Fresh

I love the feeling a new year brings. It comes to me in colors: cold, clear sky blue, seafoam green, lemon pie yellow. Being a list maker and organizer by nature, I revel in brushing off the darkness of the longest night of the year and the clutter that the holidays seem to drag along with them and putting everything in its place.

The resolution? Same as last year. Simplify and sit/stand up straight. I failed miserably at the latter but did pretty well with the first through about July.

The new tradition? I'm going to make pie on New Year's Day from here on out. This year's edition was lemon meringue. I think it went pretty well, particularly since I've never made it before and only half followed a recipe.

We are swimming in meyer lemons over here, fresh from California trees that belong to the family of one of my mom-in-laws. Love! Lemon Cranberry scones. The pie. Soon, pudding cake. And crepes with blueberries and lemon sauce. Sigh. Suits my mood perfectly after all the ubersweet chocolates and candies of the holidays.

Ready to brush myself off and start all over again. How about you?

See You Next Year, M'dears...

Going to take a little bloggy vacation, even if I'm not taking a 'real life' vacation.

I'll be thinking about new books, new knitting projects, the start of my seasonal 'I gotta organize this house' busy bodyness, watching documentaries and films, and starting a new New Year's Day tradition (baking pie).

And a belated thank you for all the birthday wishes and for sharing your thoughts with me over the past week. Sending you hugs across the miles (or just across town!).

Stay warm next to the fire and have some tea, cocoa or hot toddies.

Three Little Birds

Woke up this morning
Did not smile at the rising sun

I was feeling most melancholy about my Dad not being here to enjoy Kidlet and Christmas. When opening presents, he was always the one who would say or do some silly thing that had you laughing until your belly hurt. Luckily, he was here for Kidlet's first Christmas so at least I have the memory, even if she doesn't.

I poked my head outside, as I do every morning to take a few deep breaths of the cool morning air. This morning, there was a lovely breeze that made my Dad's wind chimes sing gently. A few raindrops fell and the yard started to turn rosy. I looked up. The sky was a brilliant pink and powdery blue. I looked to my right. I saw three little birds on the power line. Behind them, a rainbow. The rainbow got brighter and bigger, reaching all the way across my yard. It was almost ridiculous how perfect the display was; it felt as though it all for me.

So in short, every little thing is going to be all right.

38...and 39. The Birthday.

I was going to try a Hula-esque list of "39 things to do before I'm 40" but I topped out around number 17. And then I also realized it conflicted with my New Year's resolution to 'Simplify'. And so...this year I will eat more pie, go camping, grow more plants from seed and read more poetry. There. I think that just about covers it.

My sweet hubby threw a birthday party for me today (my first!) and it was nice to catch up with folks I haven't seen in a while. Another old friend will be stopping by tonight with a bottle of wine and after I put Kidlet to bed...if I can manage to keep my eyes open, I will do my annual watching of my favorite movie, The Thin Man.

I'm sure this will be my last post before the holiday so Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Just had to let you know...

I've been reading Orient Express by Graham Greene (one of my fave authors) but I've had such trouble making any headway in this slim novel. I feel like I've been reading the same half dozen pages over and over again until I hit page 140. My eyes drift across the bed to the wall of books (our bedroom seconds as a library). I see a Christmas collection, a pair of books by Charles Dickens. I start right in on A Christmas Carol. Really enjoying it!

Oh yeah, it's THAT time of year.

The tree has arrived to much celebration on the part of the tot. There was crying at the nursery when we were trying to pick out our live tree (why the crying? why?) and absolute jubilation when we arrived home. Kidlet even kissed its prickly needles. She launched a full ornamental attack upon me, attempting to put the ornaments upon the branches and then two seconds later passing them to me ordering me to "do it", followed by her rounding up another half dozen ornaments passed over to her by her Daddy. I finally had to say "enough" and "let me finish what I already have." But the halls are now officially decked.

Now as for what goes under the tree, that's another story. I had a small(ish) freakout this morning when I was trying to consolidate the presents in to one place so I can attack the wrapping operation tonight. Missing present: the lace for my Grandma. Yeah. Something small, dark and featherweight went missing. Something that could not be easily recreated in the week. But it was found in a zip lock DEEP in the craft (crap) closet. Deep breath. And I'm now second thoughting my minimal-Christmas-present philosophy for Kidlet. I have two presents for her and a few stocking stuffers. To add to this number, the Grandmothers all have presents for her. I don't want to overwhelm Kidlet with a bunch of junk. Also, I want to teach her lessons of non consumerism, of finding plenty in what you have. However, in the past week Kidlet has told me all the things she wants for Christmas, none of which are what I have for her. I don't want to disappoint. But I don't want to run around like a lunatic either. And I definitely don't want to just throw money (that I don't have) at my insecurities. So we will see what happens this week. If the giant snowstorms that have been promised us do not appear, maybe I'll go out and buy a couple small things to round out the selection. But if that storm comes, well, someone will learn a lesson, but I'm not sure who that person will be.

The Rush to Quiet

I'm feeling the wheels spinning faster and faster, pushing me toward the holiday and I'm trying to find quietude wherever I can. Now when I get into the car after I drop Kidlet at school, I turn off the radio and drive in silence, hoping to calm my mind from its endless litany of 'to-do's'. Late at night, after everyone else has gone to bed, I work at my desk, listening to the sound of the heater kicking on and off and tinny classical music coming from my laptop. I admire my tidy seaming. I pop a treat into my mouth. I am making progress. I awaken in the morning and the 'to-do's' crowd my head once again and I think up more projects I'd like to do ("Oh no! Kidlet says she wants a baby doll? How will I pull that off?"). I'm looking forward to meeting the night with yarn and needle in hand.

Now back to the list-making...

FO's (that's finished objects, for you non-knitters)

I made a little table scarf for my Grandma. I'm feeling wishy-washy about it since it's really just a little section of a shawl that I adapted to make something table-toppy. I wanted a zig zag out of it, but I only got a zig. Although if you look at it from this angle, it almost looks like a pine tree (which is good).

I also finished up another project (the project that shall not be named until post-Xmas) and I'm pleasantly pleased with it. I thought I was going to have an awful time with the seaming and while it is not perfect, it's pretty darn good. It's funny, I realized while I'm working on the 'finishing' of all these projects (seaming, pressing and pinning, weaving in ends) that I choose the majority of my projects according to the level of 'finishing' skills required, ie. none. I make socks, hats, scarves and they all do not need this level of care. Last year's lacy scarf got me to be unafraid of lace and to try more complicated patterns. This year, I think I'm conquering my fear of seaming. Woot! Bring on the sweaters (maybe)!

Here's the only other photo I can show at this point, the cabled arm portion of a pair of fingerless gloves I'm making for an old friend. Love this pattern. So easy and it looks pretty fancy when finished (I made a pair for myself last year).

Well, that's about all I'll be able to show for the knitting until after Xmas. But after I try my hand at a felted bowl (for the other Grandmother), then I'll get to start thinking of knits for me.

Snow Day (Sorta)

I never could get an answer at Kidlet's school today so she is enjoying the day with an old friend. Me, I'm at work, wishing I was sitting by the fire, working on the holiday knitting, cocoa within arm's reach.

But before all that, at 7:30 this morning, after a half-assed breakfast ("Mama, can I have a snowman Peep?"), we bundled up and built a muddy little snowman. The dogs were bounding around, even our little shorthaired-always-chilly cancer patient. Cold air in the lungs is so refreshing.

Not looking forward to the drive home tonight, with the possiblity of these slushy roads turning to crunchy ice. But once I get there, I'll start a fire and snuggle down with my little family. Hope y'all have a cozy, sparkly, chocolatey weekend.

Good Morning, Gorgeous

Amazing morning. Cool, damp air cleansing the lungs, fog hanging about the mountain tops. Wish I was staying home today, opening the windows to let it all come in, despite the fact its chilly.

Been making my lists, checking them twice, and picking myself up off the ground when I realize how much I need to do before the holiday. At least I found the yarn that I purchased this weekend and thought I had lost. But another trip to the yarn store is in order (darn...ha ha) as the stash yarn I thought I had oodles of, I have only skimpy amounts. Tonight, this elf is about to jump into production mode. Mattress stitch, anyone?

I've been receiving swap goodness and it's wonderful. Unlike the postcard swaps in which I have participated where everything comes in a glut, this swap is coming (beautifully) bit by bit. Liz's sage bundles tied with red string (smelled so good when I opened the envelope) and the red road, Nina's fantastic cards and my fave yellow door and boots (and that bike photo, eep!), Cathy's uplifting tunes and a favorite spot...it's wonderful. Thanks for sharing yourselves.

And hey, if you get a minute, send a few peaceful, loving thoughts toward my Mom. She's having to work 7 days a week for the next few weeks and she's tired.

yfwd, K2tog, K1* repeat

Sorry it's been quiet on the western front here. I've been so wrapped up (yarn over, knit 2) in this knit for my Grandma that I don't want to think about much else. I'm making a (very) abbreviated version of River (just one pattern repeat) to make a table scarf. I'm looking for more knitting podcasts to listen to (beside my beloved Stash and Burn) so that while I'm at work doing data entry, I can listen to people talk about knitting. Knit! Knit! Knit! I wish I had more time to do it. I've got so many projects in mind but I just don't forsee knitting a sweater, a pair of socks for hubby, another pair of these for Xmas, and these mitts before school plunges me back into knit-a-row-a-week mode (in a month and a half--eeep!). Oh yeah, still need to finish the Jaywalkers (resurrected) and the two Xmas presents. Don't forget that.

My photography is in hibernation and the few photos I've been taking look just like photos I've taken before. I must admit though, it's been nice to not feel the urge to whip out the camera all the time. I say all this as though I haven't taken a photo in months. It's been a few days.

I'm starting my annual work load increase but luckily, it isn't going to be as bad as usual this year since I pawned a big monkey off my back to another department. Whew. This is giving me a little more time to consider what holiday fun I want to concoct for the family. Ummm...I pretty much have every weekend between now and Xmas jam packed with festivities. Yeah. This weekend is a popcorn party premiering Rudolph on our small screen. Maybe Pipakuks. Unpacking the decorations. Planning what other treats I want to make later in the month (the weekend of the 15th and 16th, so it says on my list).

I've also been enjoying peeking in the mailbox. Day before yesterday, I received my y'at pack from Cathy. It has been tonic for my overstressed self. We're still juggling Nora's condition, with its roller coaster-y nature. The good and the bad. Cathy's mail reminded me to look for the good.

Take care, gang. Posting will probably be somewhat sporadic until after the holidays, but I'll be around. Snuggle down and drink some cocoa/tea/coffee/booze.

Yeah, you right!

You get the picture. Oh, yes! They are now skittering their way across town, the country.

And now for something completely different. Seasonal confusion.

Still blooming. Despite the below freezing temps at night.

Sorry for the maudlin post earlier. I guess it's my way of coping. But the message remains: I'm thankful.

Thankful...Sad, but Thankful

I have received word that our sweet Nora dog's cancer is taking a tour through her body. Her days are limited but she still does her tap dance and wags her tail. She eats her food (and all the fancy food that I'm sneaking to her so our other dog doesn't notice). And she's still a champion snuggler.

I'm thankful that we chose each other, saving her from doggie death row six years ago.

I'm thankful we've been able to provide her with medication to ease the pain of her rickety hips.

I'm thankful she had another summer so she could bask in the sun.

I'm thankful I've been able to experience her cheerful disposition and dancing on a daily basis.

Sigh. I'm not good at this.

Ode to a Fish Tank

Oh, Fish Tank. How grateful I am for thee. When the wee tot awakes at 1:50 a.m. and is inconsolable, refusing to go to sleep unless she is allowed to sleep in our tiny-for-our-amazonian-size bed, I thank you Fish Tank for providing a diversion. Something to stop the wailing and to incite yawns.

Fish Tank, if you could only make our bed bigger so that we didn't even have to have this fight for 45+ minutes in the middle of the night, I'd kiss you. Or something else that you might appreciate more (scrubbing? more fish? more regular feedings for your inhabitants?).

So tired. Yawn.

Emerging from my mental cocoon for a moment for five things

1--Finished knitting on two major holiday presents. Photos, sadly will need to wait until after the holidays.

Now it's on to the finishing portion which is something I always seem to rush through, willy nilly. I hope to sew 'em up this weekend and then consider my next move. The table scarf/doily thing is just not happening so far for the grannies. I've cast on lace from about 4 different patterns and just can't concentrate long enough to not make a mistake. Maybe I'll try a different yarn that isn't lace-weight, although I was trying to knit from my stash.

2--Ok, how cute is this and this and this from the evil store that seemed to be created especially for me to drool over? Argh! Well, at least it gives me inspiration for fun future projects (far, far into the future when I'm an applique queen...).

3--The photo swap is finished in my mind, but I haven't actually done the printing and assembling of packages yet. It's funny how I feel like I can cross it off my list since I know what I'm sending, what I'm writing and how it's going to look. I also feel like I need to tuck an extra "+1" in my packages although I'm not sure what. I'd better hunker down and work since I'm feeling like I want to send these out into the world next week.

4--Sweetie Nora. I'm worried. She's having some issues and I'm wading through the test results that all seem to inconclusive, but still nudge us toward her cancer. We've been extremely grateful so far since they said that the life span post-diagnosis was 2 years at the very lucky end of the spectrum. We're at about the year and a half mark.

5 or 1.5--Slowly getting ready for the holidays. I'm mostly done with Kidlet's presents (just on to stocking stuffers now) but that wasn't too difficult as I only bought two presents! I'd kind of like to knit something up for her too, but whatever I knit seems to end up at the bottom of her stuffed animal pile (and then I save them and move them to my desk). I'm really trying hard to make a homemade holiday to the best of my ability. I still have some ideas I'd like to pull off, but I'm not sure if they'll happen. Last year, I made one present. This year, (fingers crossed) at least half of my presents will be homemade. Next year? Ooooo...all?

Ok, back to the cocoon...have a lovely weekend, folks!

Feeling quiet. Have so much planning, making, worrying, cooking, reading, sleeping (oh wait, no sleeping), compiling, and work to do that I need to take a wee break.

If you get a chance to check out this book, do. I need to become more "Moomin-minded". I am tempted to get a tattoo on my arm just to remind me to let the housework go and make work a game.

Cheers! Back soon...

A Musical Interlude

Seeing The Darjeeling Limited (yes, I'm still thinking about it) resparked my interest in a favorite Kinks album that I had forgotten about (Lola versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One). In the film, they featured three songs, "Strangers" (my heart swells whenever I hear this song; it's an all-time fave), "Powerman" and "This Time Tomorrow". The past two mornings after I drop Kidlet off (and that has been hard this week), I blare the CD in my little car as I zip down the highway. This morning, "Lola" came on as I pulled into the parking lot at work and I was singing at the top of my lungs, accompanied by hand gestures. Man, that song is brilliant. I loved it as a kid for the novelty factor, but it's brilliant. Anyway, had to share. I may be alone here, but hey, it's in me.

Plodding and Plotting

Thanks for all the well wishes, my friends. Kidlet is still having some ear trouble but is now on antibiotics (I hate 'em, but I'll embrace them for a good night of sleep). Me, I'm just plodding along through the snot and scratchiness.

Meanwhile, I'm starting to think of Thanksgiving. How can you not think of Thanksgiving, after watching "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" for the 32nd time with a sick Kidlet? I am a bit (ok, more than a bit) of a control freak. I have to have everything planned, listed and purchased well ahead of the big day. Today's dilemma is "shall I bake a pumpkin pie or buy it from my favorite baker, Franz?" I'm leaning towards purchasing if only for the 'ease' factor, even though I finally feel confident in my pie crust skills. Do you have any favorite holiday recipes? There's a rustic porcini onion stuffing on epicurious (for some reason it won't allow me to link directly anymore) and my cranberry recipe (look in the comments for the recipe).

Here's a little daydream for knitter Ani...this made from this.

morning reflection

Last night, I was able to dream because I was finally able to sleep. My dreams were saffron colored. Kind of wonderful, really. The movie still is in my thoughts. Yes, I actually went this weekend. It wasn't my favorite (the story being wealthy Americans trying to muscle their way through a foreign land and spirituality) but it lingers with me. That's really about all I can say about it right now until I've digested it more. Oh. And that Adrien Brody is still a dish.

The past several days have been a roller coaster. I was fevered, shaky and dizzy on Thursday. Coming out of it Friday. Still recovering by Saturday. Then I barely slept a wink on Saturday night due to the tot not sleeping. She did not go to bed until 1:30 a.m. She tossed and turned, and poked and prodded me throughout the night. We really started sleeping around 4 a.m., just in time for me to wake at 6:30 a.m.. She's been complaining about her ears so I get to drag her, kicking and screaming, into the doctor's office in about an hour. I will have to get her up in the middle of her nap for this. The nap that she fell into a blissful snooze in about 3 minutes flat, perhaps a new record for her. Things have been better.

My knitting has gone from the heights to the depths in record time. I finished (well, I still have some kitchner-ing to do, but the knitting is finished) Holiday Project A and it looks quite sharp. Avoiding my colorwork dilemmas for Holiday Project B, I went to Projects C and D. These I can actually talk about because Kidlet's Great Grandmothers don't touch computers. I decided to make a little lacy doily-table scarf type item for each of them. I started with this pattern, Branching Out. I started and restarted. Seven times. Every time, I ended up with one stitch too many. Except the last time when the pattern came out just right. Then I got to row 3. One stitch too many. I gave up. Being so close to hitting the heel on my Jaywalkers, I decided to work that instead. Lately, I have had a couple of incidents where I ended up one stitch short on stick number one. Fine. I figured I had just forgot an increase here or there. Cruising along. Then I started to study it. The double decreases were wonky as hell. I started counting extra stitches on other needles. If this had been last year, I would have shrugged it off and continued. This year, I've started to be a little more critical of my work. I spent five minutes yesterday zipping the yarn from its (partially) tidy zig zags and now it is back in ball form. At least today I have started back on Projects C and D and am having greater success. I'm using the Sugarplum Shrug from the new Interweave Holiday edition for the motif on the table scarves. So far, so good.

Ok, wish us luck at the doc's office. Oh, the misery. She hates the doctor more than anything else on this earth. More than lions and bears. More than being potatoes (unless they are french fried, the only acceptable means of eating a potato). Sigh.