Friday, November 30, 2007

I do love the white oak studio's TVyarn!

This is over in her shop right now. Ten dollars for each purchase of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" tvyarn goes to those in need in the dyer's local community. The funds will be administered by her church, Hope Community Church at http://www.gethope.net/. Check it out!

I believe her base if very similar, if not exactly the same, as Koigu. Really.

(Forehead is now down on desk.)

Well, remember how I was really excited about this guy yesterday?



Well, seems we can hardly afford to keep this guy:


Yes, I made another trip to the vet yesterday. Not just any vet, the Emergency Vet. Kona sat and watched me eat my lunch yesterday (a rotisserie chicken drumstick). He watched me throw the bone in the tall garbage can next to my desk. Last night I went to the Annual EPLA Board Meeting - for one hour. I came home and my garbage can had been tipped over, and spread out on the floor, there was no chicken bone in there. None. Guess where it was. The X-RAY showed it snapped in half in Kona's stomach. Guess what. Dogs can't digest snapped in half drumstick bones. He got to go the vet and be made to throw up.

This was all very irritating in very many ways. But the actual trip was so sad. They were very, very, busy last night. I watched a lab/pit bull mix come in after he had been hit by a car. I watched a family with two young kids come in to say goodbye to their family's Golden Retriever, when the kids ran out sobbing, I actually got see the body of their pet. I watched a poor woman my mom's age come in sobbing with her rag doll kitty, and then watched her leave after she'd said goodbye to kitty. I sat with another woman who had brought her Golden in having seizures, she also saw the body of the Golden who had been euthanized, and broke down sobbing. Seriously, one of the saddest nights ever. I was grateful to leave with my idiotic, yet realatively healthy, dog.

Next post: we return to the regularly scheduled knitting content!

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Hello!I am waiting to come and hunt the beeeg birds!

I'm getting a little bit excited about bringing this little boy home the week after Christmas! I don't know why, I'm going to have to start the potty training all over again.

By the way - he is coming from this kennel - the same place as Kona.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Wednesday, already?

Knitting Progress:

Well, I started out the month of November just going great guns. I was blogging all the time, I was throwing those FO's and WIP updates up like crazy. Then I woke up on Monday and I was tired. Snow White is still in a time out. I am going to try to email the pattern writer directly - I didn't hear back on Ravelry. In the meantime, I've been knitting away on socks and hats. DH has now requested a black and red malabrigo hat (he tried on the Teen's). I cast on a pair of socks for my Apres Sock Pal (we are swapping knit socks after Christmas), so I can't show you or tell you - it's a secret! Then the Hourglass Sweater by Joelle Hoverson has inched it's way to the front of the queue since I can make that with some malabrigo from the stash.

These are finished! Pattern: Gentleman Socks designed by Kristi Schueler (it is rumored she is going to be in our neck of the woods this weekend) Yarn: tvyarn by white oak studio, ETA: This is the Frasier colorway! (and she still has that Buffy colorway, which I covet). Needles: Knitpick's US 2.5mm (pattern called for circs, not me, I like the porcupine). Started: November sometime, 2007 Completed: November 2, 2007.

Note: Easy peasy pattern and I love how it handled this variegated yarn. I went back and purchased two of her other patterns because this one fit my style quite nicely.

Hockey
Well, Puck's team put up a valiant effort on Sunday. They tied up the game right until the end, 2-2 (with an assist on the second goal from our Puck - he likes to park in front of the net). Our goalie stopped 33 shots during the main part of the game. We went 4 on 4 in overtime - no goal, then we went 3 on 3 in double overtime. Our goalie stopped 7 more shots. Edina scored three minutes into the double overtime. So our boys took 4th in the tournament. Another day would have brought a different outcome, we are convinced! Also? Yay goalie! I'd say letting in 3 shots and stopping 40 makes him our hero (The Goalie's mom? She punched me in the arm every time he stopped a goal - she almost took out my knitting arm!)

Why I am Tired (besides hockey)
Christmas gifts have been purchased (one in particular that required hunting high, and low), the Teen has had his first heart break, the village has been raised, and outdoor decor has been installed, Lacrosse Board meetings and scheduling school conferences. Also? Orthodontists, music lessons (x2) and haircuts. That is in one week.




Sunday, November 25, 2007

The Teen Dream Snowboard Cap


Last February, with much Teen guidance, I knit up this hat for my eldest. It became welded to his head until the snow melted. It came out again this Fall and has been worn daily until last week when it got balled up into a hoodie pocket and washed. It is now a very tiny felted beanie.

Yarn was ordered, and I wracked my brain to recreate this hat. Somehow it wound up just a little bit bigger (which is okay) - and here he is modelling the Teen Dream Snowboard Cap II.

Now Puck wants one. Good thing they only take two days.

Pattern: Improvised by Teen and Myself Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Tuareg. Needles: MeiMei 5.0 mm US8 dpn's. Started: November 22, 2007 Completed: November 24, 2007.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

But they are so darn CUTE!


Well, they won the first game of their tournament 3-1. They were short three of their players, but they skated well with no penalties. Then one of our most aggressive players had a head-on collision behind the net - poor guy. His mom had to wake him up every two hours to make sure he didn't have a concussion.

So, we come into the game today, and within two minutes our team scores a goal - by PUCK! Things looked good, but that was as good as it got. The other team answered the goal before the end of the first period. Second period, no scoring at all. Puck took a check to the back right before the buzzer, into the boards, head first. So, Collision Boy from Friday night is exhausted and skating in slow motion, Puck is out of the game for a couple of line changes and we are still missing three kids. (Evidently, Eagan refs don't call back checking penalties - or any other penalties.) All excuses aside, the guys couldn't finish it off and lost 1-3. Tomorrow, we play Edina (which means, if we win, coach has to burn his old Edina jacket along with his green pants!)

And of course, our EP HS team ruled the field and demonstrated the depth and breadth of our Football program, which starts in third grade, believe it or not. That team is a well-oiled machine.

Friday, November 23, 2007

Very Mermaid-y



I hope you all are having fun shopping the Black Friday. After cleaning up the turkey remains from yesterday, I finished up these babies.

Pattern: Tessellating Lace Socks (PDF) designed by Kat Haines Yarn: RubySapphire Panda Sock, (which hello! 40% off if you are on their mailing list right now! Also - Yarn4Socks carries their yarn if you can't find a color you like on their Etsy store). Needles: Knitpick's US 2.5mm (pattern called for 2.75mm). Started: November, 2007 Completed: November 22, 2007.

Notes: This pattern was very FAST! I completed 1 1/2 repeats on the upper part of the sock, and by the time I finished the gusset - I only need 1 1/2 repeats to start the toe. Love the frosty shine of this yarn, especially with the color combination.

Well, off to the Orthodontist this morning, paintball and hockey this afternoon, and the EP/Cretin-Derham Hall football game tonight (televised locally - if anyone cares - should be a MONSTER football game.)

Smooches!

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Let's start Black Friday early shall we?

Val from Yarn4Socks has commented on their sale: "Hello! Yup, we're having a sale! 15% off on sock yarns containing pink or blue on Friday and 15% off on sock yarns containing green or brown on Friday (Oops! We meant Saturday)" Hrrm - what shall it be? Hi Val!

The emails have been fast and furious today. Ruby Sapphire is offering 40% on their sock yarn if you are on their email list - join the list and take advantage of this! That blue/green sock I showed you earlier was their Panda Sock.

Spritely Goods is also offering a discount on her website: "I can't believe another year has sped right on by already! To give thanks to all of you this holiday, I'd like to offer you 10% off your purchases* through the end of this month by using the code: "GobbleGobble07" when you check out." Her Fey yarn is what I used for my Elegance socks.

*Coupon good once per customer, through the end of November 2007. Not valid on Gift Certificate purchases.

We went to see Beowulf tonight. Hmm. Weird.

No FO's for me.

I do have a pile of finished, single socks sitting next to me - but no pairs to show. Snow White is still Sleeping Beauty - I'm going to have to find another contact for the lovely Ysolda to see if she can help me with my sleeves (Yvonne?)

I am gearing up to cook the 20 pound gobbler that is thawing in my refrigerator. (There will be 9 kids - 5 of them teenagers - to feed!) Puck has volunteered to help make the dressing (hah! Subsitute "sample" with "make" in that sentence and that's what's happening there.)

Then, for the rest of the weekend, THIS is what we are doing:


This is last year's photo - but it's one of my favorites - look at that poor goalie giving Puck the evil eye. Luckily my sock projects all will travel well.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Ennabling - Ennabling - Ennabling:

Carodan Farms is having a 1 day sale on 11/23. 25% off everything!

Brooklyn Handspun has all her yarn marked 10% off to clear out the warehouse.

Scout has received a shipment of a new Haiku bag - REALLY cute. She's got a bunch of other stuff in now too.

ETA:
Chris reminded me that Yarn4socks is having a sale too - but I can't find the details in my email. As soon as I know, you will know!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Not The Daily Show, With Some Writer

Will you miss your television shows as much as I will? Come on studios, pay the writers so they can go back to work!


Saturday, November 17, 2007

Socks in the Background:

So, Snow White had to take a turn as Sleeping Beauty for a short while. Somehow I messed up when I was trying to attach the sleeves and removed all my stitch markers. Hmmm, I have an email in to Ysolda through Ravelry - I am hoping she can help me find the proper placement for these sleeves. Once the sleeves are on, this sweater is almost finished.

In the meantime - socks:

I was invited to this mini sock swap and I have been picking up skeins of yarn and patterns and casting them on, and finding them to be "not quite right" for this partner. So, mom's getting the blue-green pair (which is Ruby Sapphire's Merino/Bamboo in the Carlton colorway.)
The other pair is the Gentleman Socks pattern (made in my size) knit in white oak studio's tvyarn, colorway: Frasier. I am loving her Buffy and Survivor colorways she has up on her Etsy shop right now.

Puck and I watched Shrek 3 tonight, it wasn't nearly as bad as I'd heard it was. Certainly not as delightful as the first two, but we laughed outright occasionally.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Surprise!



If you ever feel the need for a day-brightener, wander over to bellamoden's etsy shop and snap up one of her "Surprise Me" yarns. Not only is she the cutest thing, she dyes simply lovely skeins of yarn. The Mistress of the Chaos & Mayhem's homestead pointed me in her direction, and now I am passing it forward. Her shop is empty right now, but she sent some yarn over to The Loopy Ewe recently - I'd keep an eye out over there if I were you. Oh, and she sent chocolate! Love that!

(Pssst! Puck's hockey team won ANOTHER game! 4-3 and no majors! Woot!)

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Regularly Scheduled Yarn Pr0n:




The Woolgirl Sock Club second shipment has arrived. Some tea (& honey), a little lavender soap from www.naiad.etsy.com (smells heavenly), a stitchmarker made from Unakite and Copper from Spindle Cat Studio (her shop is pretty awesome). Here is a set of these stitchmarkers here. These stitchmarkers are very clever as they are dual sized! Last, but not least, a skein of Superwash Sport in the Super Nova colorway from Spunky Eclectic. This may make a pair of hockey socks. Oh - and the magnet is hysterical - Baaad Girls! The pattern is called Irish Dreams - I will definitely make this pair. I placed the stitchmarker down there so you could see what it looked like.

(Oh, and for those of you who made fun of Kona for the toenail - he didn't tear it off deliberately - he was chasing up birds for his Guy and hit some rough terrain - the toenail was a casualty. Rolling in the cow silage later was deliberate and REALLY stupid. Wow did he stink.)

Also, in case I don't brag about my boys enough - the Teen finished Q1 with a 3.83 GPA. Phew! Only 11 more quarters to go until graduation!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Pathetic.

How sad is a dog who can't lick himself - anywhere? This Sad Sack ripped one his toenails off (eeeewwwww!), right at the base, and to prevent him from licking at it constantly, he must wear The Cone of Shame. Have you ever seen a sorrier thing? Okay, it's kind of funny when he runs into the doorways, but, awwwwww.

I'm not feeling much better. Puck's Croup from a week and half ago has manifested in my throat and, owie. However, I am knitting. I am half a sleeve and much construction away from finishing Snow White! Yay!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

So bright, I've Gotta Wear Shades...

...so, you remember I mentioned that Ruby Sapphire was having a rather nice sale a week or so ago? (20% off AND free shipping? Pick me!) Well, I had to pick up a few skeins at that price:

This is Thankful in the Treadsoft base (100% Merino).


Priya in the Sapphire Sock yarn - 75% Merino/25% Nylon. Last night mom requested some warm socks for those chilly hockey games - so guess she's next in line for socks.

Puck's team had a banner game last night. Only one major this time around for the team, and they beat the coach's alma mater - heh - now he has to burn his GREEN pants! (Guess which TC high school he went to!!!)

Also, I haven's shopped at Sonny & Shear yet, but I am on their email list. Evidently they are having a sale through November 17 - if you enter the code VETERAN upon checkout, you will receive a 20% discount.


Monday, November 12, 2007

Lunch at the 318

I don't know about you, but meeting new people almost paralyzes me. Once I'm in my seat, I can start chatting away and I don't have any problem. It's that first, "Hello, I'm ...." that nearly makes me crawl into the smallest hiding space I can find. Seriously. It has been very easy to hide behind the blog.

So...it takes a pretty friendly person to just say to me: "Meet you there." No questions, just boom, there it is. So meet Deb, the first person to yank me out from behind the blog:

I know! Isn't she funny?
(Sorry Deb - I maybe should've taken another picture? Chris has a much better one.) So, I met Deb in August, much to my delight. Then, Chris had a little work break and I had a family break and she thought I should meet them for lunch at the 318. (Gulp) Okay, I knew Deb, I practically knew Chris from her blog, I could venture out again. So look what I gained from taking a chance! I got to meet Chris, Val and Kelly!
Isn't it nice to see her lovely smile? Those are some lucky kitties! Even though you have to go back to work, I'm so glad you are healthy again.


This is Val - she has a really cute blog and she works at an excellent sock enabling website! Y4S is carrying that Auracania Ranco, which I am really kind of loving right now. Val and Kelly were going to brave the Mall of America after the yarn store. Brave girls! (I am telling you right now, they are waaaay younger than I am - they can handle the MOA.) She is knitting with some Lime & Violet yarn, the colors were really pretty.
This is Kelly. Hi Kelly! She was knitting with some yarn that she really hated, so I didn't take a picture of it. She is blog-free, but she likes to visit so say hi!


Remember I mentioned that Ranco yarn? How pretty is this? We went across the street to Coldwater Collaborative and this little gem made it's way into my bag.

It was a really fun afternoon, and possibly the longest "lunch" I've had in years!

More pr0n to come!

Sunday, November 11, 2007

NaKniSweMo Weekend Progress:

This is the body of Snow White.
No, I did not murder a fairytale character. For this sweater you just knit a really long tube and then you stop. Then you start knitting two more, skinnier, long tubes. I am halfway through the first sleeve. I think I shall be able to finish this sweater in one month. Cross fingers!


And yes, that is some pretty Tweedy Cascade 220 perched next to the Snow White. I have been petting it and contemplating which project shall move off the queue next.

Also, I listened to the Eden Prairie HS football game on the radio last night. Does it make anyone else slightly uncomfortable when a team keeps scoring after five touchdowns? Still, way to go boys. Not sure anyone can stop them on the way to this state championship. The Cretin-Derham Hall game should be awesome if we make it past Eastview.

So, which would you rather have tomorrow, yarn pr0n or lunch pictures?

Saturday, November 10, 2007

A Gorgeous Coffee-Themed Surprise!

So I got home from my (extended) lunch yesterday, and found my coffee goody-box on my front steps. (Maria - yours was posted today!)

Shall we take a look? First there was this, and boy, it smelled really good - I wonder what could've smelled so good?


Could it be this? It certainly smelled delicious.


I don't think it was this (holy cats - chilis in my chocolate? Yowza.)

Shall we take a closer look? I think I mentioned this little lovely in an earlier post - that pal of mine was very sneaky. A row-counter bracelet - gorgeous. Now I have to figure out how to use it.


It wasn't this - but look how cute - and she made it herself!


This may have been the delicious smelling culprit right here - and no, I do NOT mean the yarn. Some delicious Koigu KPPM. I am a lucky girl. But, do you know when I felt REALLY lucky?
When I opened these:


And this to go with it - you can guess what I did. Immediately.


I'll tell you all about the lunch and yarn pron and knitting progress later this week - I have some cookies to hoard.


Oh! Puck's Peewee C team kicked some serious patootie on Thursday night! Yay first win! Now, if they could just get those major penalties under control...

Friday, November 09, 2007

The Northeastern/Southwestern Socks


So, I actually finished these on Monday, but I haven't gotten around to posting about them 'til now. Pattern: Southwestern Socks by Wendy Johnson Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy Sock Yarn in Good Luck Jade from The Loopy Ewe. Needles: US 2's dpns. Started: October 28, 2007 Completed: November 5, 2007.

These are the perfect socks for me - perfect pattern (easy to keep track of pattern), easy yarn & fast to work with!

Today, I get to go have lunch with some bloggy friends, Chris and Deb and I get to meet a new friend Val. Yes, I will bring the camera.

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Hey - just a quick drive-by posting to say this:

Remember this?

There's more.

Knitterly Things updated at 8:30 am today.

See you there.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007


Ten Years.



Has it really been ten years? You are the person to whom my inner voice always speaks. I only wish you could still answer me. I love and miss you dad.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

snow white


Well, I finally decided I should get around to this NaKniSweMo project. Look! My first tubular cast-on! So. Cool. Slow and putzy, but so cool! (Ysolde has the instructions on her website, otherwise I never would have winkled this out!) I have 15 skeins of KP Wool of the Andes to knit this up and it should be plenty. I have 24 days left in November - if I can get through a skein every two days - I'm golden! The reason I'm really confident about finishing this is 'cause I've already knit 90% through the first skein. Of course, there is the fact that DH and the boys are heading out to South Dakota this weekend for the annual Yute Hunt, so I finally get my three days of uninterrupted peace and quiet.


Oh, and meet my husband's anniversary gift:
He'll be coming to our house after Christmas. Whattaya think?

Monday, November 05, 2007

Hello Friend!



I took a walk outside this morning (seeing as the treadmill is on hiatus), and nearly froze my hands off. It was sooooo worth it. See my friend there? THAT, is a ten point buck. He walked by me twice this morning, I had to tell him to be very careful, there are a lot of cars in our neighborhood that will not be on the lookout for him. We saw him again tonight on the way home from the Teen's quarterly concert. He was standing near the entrance to our neighborhood. We stopped for a few minutes to admire his beauty. He obligingly stayed in place for quite a bit. I also saw a flock of over 40 Canadian geese flying against the wind, in V formation - I think they were trying to out pace those heavy, snow-filled clouds that came blowing through the Twin Cities today. Just as they passed, a red-tailed hawk circled over my head, searching for snacks along the path. Imagine what I would have missed had I been on a treadmill this morning!

No yarn pr0ny treats today, or even an FO to show. Tomorrow, I promise new beginnings and maybe an FO!

Sunday, November 04, 2007


Hockey Parents' Party (or the ode to the Lemon Drop Martini)


Who'd think you'd find such a likely compatriot at a parents' hockey party? Peewee hockey season has started and evidently some teams like to have the parents bond as well as the kids. A party was suggested and our house was offered up. I took no pictures to protect the innocent.
There was a lot of (yummy) food, not provided by me! Well into the evening one of the Mom's showed up with the makings for Lemon Drop Martini's. It just so happened DH received a Martini Shaker for Christmas last year - we were in business! Dare I say, yum? LD Martini mom and I definitely bonded!!! Thank goodness when it was time for bed, it was time to "Fall Back".


There was lots of football to be had yesterday, and the Vikings even made a decent show for themselves - All Day Adrian! I managed to finish up my KP&S Wrap Cardigan!

I think Chris put it right when she said wearing this yarn is like wrapping yourself in a hug!

Pattern: Knitting Pure & Simple Neckdown Wrap Cardigan Yarn: Queensland Collection Kathmandu DK. I bought it on sale at Coldwater this Fall, but WEBS has it on clearance right now, there are still a few colors left. Needles: US 7's and 8's as designated in the pattern. Started: September, 2007 Completed: November 4, 2007.

Oops! I forgot my daily dose of tempation! Emily at Sophies Toes is updating today at 7:00 PM Central Time. White Oak Studios has updated with the TVyarn (LOVE the Survivor!) don't forget she includes the Swarovski Crystal stitchmarker. AND if you are on the RubySapphire email list (you can join immediately) she is offering 20% off PLUS free shipping! If you are making Christmas socks or lists check them all out!

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Walk in the Woods

So, the treadmill has bitten the proverbial dust, and until I can get it repaired, I have taken to walking the bike path that runs through our neighborhood. On Friday, I thought to myself, "Self, you should try to take some pretty yarn pictures out in The Nature." So I tried.



I guess I need to read my camera instructions again, but the color in these pictures is just wrong. The Nature and my camera did not like each other on Friday, not at all.


You cannot see how very pretty this yarn is, how soft and appealing. So I brought the poor thing home and took a proper photo.


This is what happpens when a $25 credit is burning a hole in your pocket at the Loopy Ewe. This is the Bamboolaine in Turkey. (The website says Turgey, but that's not what my label says. What is a Turgey?)

And then, remember last week when I was taunting and misleading you about Knitterly Things' shop update and The Vesper? Well, I was taunted back and I could not resist. (Sigh) She actually has one skein of Astro left this morning. I am telling you, I have not seen a BAD colorway from her.

This is Serendipitous and Trick or Treat - I won't say which - but I plan on tucking one of these into a little package I am sending out this week. I am sorry to say, the other is mine. MINE I tell you!

Let's see - tomorrow we have "Hockey Parents' Party" or "Let's All Act Like a Bunch of Kids" held chez Guinifer.

Friday, November 02, 2007

Pure & Simple


Progress on my KP&S Wrap Sweater. I am knitting with the speed of an Addi Turbo on this. I took this photo yesterday and I am already finished with this sleeve and 1/4th into the second. This yarn is wonderfully soft and squooshy. This yarn is Queensland Collection Kathmandu DK - this yarn is currently on clearance over at WEBS. I may need another sweater made from this cuddly stuff. It is 85% Merino Wool, 10% Silk, and 5% Cashmere. It's $4.29/ball right now (147 yards/ball). I am going to use 11 balls in this sweater and the sweater is going to be long (the back from neck to hem is 29 inches long). I am also knitting on 7's and 8's if anyone needs to know.

Tomorrow: Yarn Pr0n

Thursday, November 01, 2007

NaNoSweMo (National Sweater Knitting Month)


DSC02064
Originally uploaded by lilbobo_stpaul

I know I am a day late getting started, but I am hoping I can fly through this sweater. I am casting on Ysolda's Snow White out of this KP Wool of the Andes. I really love the color. We shall see, in the meantime, I have been knitting furiously on my KP&S Wrap Cardi - I have a sleeve and half and the ties to finish - should be a weekend's worth. I'll try to post a photo later - Blogger is not letting me add photos to a Flickr post.

I am still working on the second Southwestern Sock (mostly mornings and late evenings so it's just putzing along, but I should at least have an FO or two to show you soon.


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