Halfway Down the Stairs

Six Things Meme:

Tonyia over at Twenty Acres tagged me with the Six Things Meme.

These are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random, arbitrary things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

1. I am a video game addict - I love RPG's most of all. I used to play in the mornings after the kids left for school. I had to buy my own Gameboy so I could play Pokemon.

2. I have a collection of Madame Alexander dolls started by my Grandmother and Godparents when I was five.

3. I hate posting without a picture of something. ANYTHING.

4. I lived by myself from the age of 25 to 30 - adjusting to family living after marriage was difficult. I still treasure my moments alone.

5. Motherhood did not come easily to me. I was used to having problems with a solution. Sometimes with babies and kids there are no solutions, only hugs.

6. I used to HATE hockey.

And now, I tag:

Courtney over at Yarn Tootin',
Rani - just because,
How about Carrie?
Valerie
Jill

Hope.

Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving! We made a 20-lb. turkey for 20 people! There was a touch football game out in the yard and lots of hot, sweaty, and hungry people after that. I put out a basket of 8 pair of socks (they've been piling up for gift-giving), I was astonished to see that every single pair was gone in no time. (My brother and SIL's exchange student from China even took a pair - I guess she's always cold here! It pleased me to think of her having some hand-knit socks from Minnesota.)

Hope my hubby likes his new Malabrigo hat.

Our 12-year old has been sneaking away with it - I may have to make another.

Hope the Wild can keep on winning!!! This afternoon's game was fantastic!

Hope Puck's team can win their first game of their Thanksgiving tournament tonight.

Hope they all like the brownies I'm baking for them.

Hope the start our President-Elect has made, continues to turn this country in the right direction.

And I am thankful for it all!

I'm Breaking My Own Rule Today.

Nope, it's not showing you the latest sock in progress. Conversational. Prettier in Person.

Nope, it's not showing you my latest FO, either. However, here it is anyway:

Pattern: Duckies from Aquaknits Yarn: J. Knits Superwash Me Socks Needles: Knitpicks Harmony DPN's US 3/3.25 mm Started: November 9, 2008 Completed: November 21, 2008.

Note: My start and end date on these are deceptive - they actually only took about four days. Pattern is very easy and just flies on these needles with this weight of yarn.

Nope, THIS is the rule-breaker:


I had my boys outside for a "photo shoot" - I had to get those Christmas card photos taken and I really have to catch these guys "on the run". I love this because they're really just chatting with each other and trying to lay claim to the best snowboard EVER!

Life is feeling a little surreal. The Vikings just won, and not by accident. Now we're off to a hockey scrimmage.

Miscellanea...

(Or, how to cram three days worth of posts into one!)

I have to say I was thoroughly bored, and slightly dismayed by Twilight, this weeks latest "pop culture" sensation. I could hardly contain the eye-rolling, and I LIKE most of the vampire/werewolf/wizard genre. That book was another creature altogether.

So, to cleanse the palate, I loaded this onto my Kindle:



I have not finished it yet, but this is a well-written and fascinating book. I have been intrigued with the Mormon/LDS religion for quite a while now (I've been a Scrapbooker for the last ten years or so and I do believe Utah to be the Mecca of all Scrapbooking...), the few facts I've gleaned often had me drop-mouthed. I mean, holy underwear? Two wedding ceremonies with two wedding dresses, with a bunch of other couples at your church ceremony? I've often been left thinking, "Huh?" This book has had me riveted for the last four days. It's the combined story of a young man excommunicated from one of the polygamy cults that is an offshoot of the original LDS religion, combined with the story of Brigham Young's 19th Wife, Ann Eliza, who was instrumental in the discontinuation of Polygamy as practiced by the Mormons. This is fiction, but it contains quite a bit of history in it. I'm not a great book reviewer - so check out what they have to say over at Amazon. It's a nice change from sparkling vampires - ugh.

La La's Simple Shawl



Pattern: La La's Simple Shawl by Laura Linnerman (the link is to Ravelry - but it's a free download Yarn: Some handspun Alpaca Blend that I bought at the Cranberry Festival this Fall in Stone Lake, Wisconsin from Rollingwood Farms. Needles: Knitpicks Harmony Circ's US size 7 Started: November 7, 2008 Completed: November 17, 2008.

Note: This will be lovely and warm. I could have made it quite a bit larger, but I just wanted it big enough to wrap around my neck with my winter coat.

The Teen

Teen auditioned for the Wind Ensemble at the High School this year. He is required to wear a tuxedo for all performances. This is a picture of their first performance this year - he is the Tuba on the left. I know, you can't see him, he likes it that way. Take my word for it, he looked quite dashing. He is the only new Tuba player in the Wind Ensemble this year.


Lush and Lacy Cardigan



What do you think of this one? This is over at Sweaterbabe.com and I quite like some of the other examples I've seen on Ravelry. I might leave the pockets off.

Do I have startitis? Why, yes, you might say that.



I've got some of Terry Ross' Simple Pleasure socks ready to cast on from some JoJoland Melody. I know, I should stop, but I am finishing things too! As a matter of fact, the Duckies are ready to come of the needles this afternoon. Really.

I Pre-Ordered,

and today it downloaded.

I highly recommend it.

I sing along while I have my Ipod earbuds in. My husband hates it.

Sorry honey, not gonna stop.

Progress Report.

Puck had three hockey games in the last four days. Thursday night was a tie 2-2 (against Prior Lake), Saturday night was a tie 3-3 (against Edina!), and last night they won 3-0 (or was it 2-0?) against Apple Valley! Puck had 4 shots on goal on Saturday night, he was on fire! Last night he played Defense, lots of skating backwards, but they helped the Goalie get his shutout. In the meantime, there has been knitting:

I cracked into the fifth skein of yarn on this sweater:


Which is going to look like this someday:

As soon as I make my way through the miles of stockinette that is the lower half of the body.

My LaLa's Simple Shawl is blocking:

I bought this Alpaca directly from the farm, it was very loosely spun and had quite a lot of bits of straw in it. The water that I soaked it in was VERY grey. We'll have some beauty shots later this week - hopefully the sun will stay out. I have 5 oz left of this yarn - I am thinking of knitting the ariosa neckwarmer from the (doubled)leftovers.

I've shopped the stash and pulled out some Berrocco Peruvia in a pretty blue color. I plan on casting this lovely sweater on next.


This is from her Custom Knits book, which has multiple sweaters that I hope to knit. I do love her tendency to design top-down sweaters. It's not that I can't seam, it's just that I have very little patience for it.

Kids' sports are in a quiet stretch for the rest of the week, that means I have to start making my list for Thanksgiving groceries. I wonder if I can sneak a nap in somewhere? In the meantime, Bloglines has been goofy all weekend so I am going nuts trying to figure out what I am missing out there in the Blogosphere...

Oops,

forgot I had homework this weekend....

1. Who was Tom Riddle Sr.'s girlfriend before Merope gave him the love potion?
b. Cecilia

2. What does Luna say floated into Harry's ear when he was in the train car that supposedly caused him to lose focus?
c. Wrackspurt

3. How much do the primary Apparition lessons cost?
d. 12 galleons

4. What is Professor Merrythought's first name?
b. Galatea

5. What Hogwarts club was Eileen Prince captain of?
b. Gobstones Club

6. Who is head of the Goblin Liaison office?
b. Dirk Cresswell

7. Mrs. Weasley offers Fleur a goblin-made tiara for the wedding with Bill. What family member is currently in possession of the tiara?
a. Aunt Muriel

8. How many points does Snape take from Gryffindor for Harry's late arrival and muggle attire?
b. 70

9. When Profressory Slughorn first meets Hermione, he asks her whether she is related to Hector Dagworth-Granger. What society did Dgworth-Granger found?
d. The Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers

10. Which of these describes Golpalott's Third Law?
d. The antidote for a blended poison will be equal to more than the sum of the antidotes for each of the separate components.

Still Life Friday.

I have a tendency to multi-task. That is my Kindle, the LaLa Shawl, my phone, my finished socks, Interweave's Favorite Socks book, my portable DVD player and the remote for my little office TV. The only thing missing is my iPod (I took it off the desk so I could go hop on the treadmill.) The shawl is growing and will soon be my favorite new knit thing to bring to the hockey rink. (Puck's team tied their game last night 2-2; it was a scary thing.)


Yet another cast on - I'm back in the blues again, can you tell? Bulky Boot Socks. More details as we go along...I'm too distracted right now by this!

Twist Collective - Winter '08. I want to knit Heroine, Sweet Pea Jacket, Gytha, Ariosa Cowl, Licorice Stick Socks, Garbo, Rebecca, Vaila and Kingscot. That's just the first time through! Hmmm. That's almost $60 in patterns, I better re-think my plans. There were definitely one or two that made me catch my breath. I have been waiting for this issue to go live for the last three weeks or so, and I must say, at just a quick glance this morning, it did not disappoint. I especially loved the Heroine jacket knit out of Cascade 220.

Duckies!


The newest cast-on from yours truly. I really should think about a few pictures from the life besides knitting. I've become just a little monotonous. These are the Duckies socks from Samantha Hayes. It's a free Ravelry download, but you can also get it from her website aquaknits. I am using J Knits Superwash in the Alaska colorway. You can see it's sitting right next to my LaLa's Simple Shawl on my desk, which is the next project due to be picked up.


Scrolls Socks

Pattern: Scroll Socks by Anni Design (I got the pattern through Sockamania - but the pattern is available for purchase through her Etsy shop.) Yarn: Cider Moon Blizzard in the Apple Crisp colorway. (Cider Moon yarn is no longer available, but the color half of that former dyeing duo now sells yarn through their Etsy store. Her Etsy name is Yarnzombie - but the store is called Gaslight Dyeworks.) Needles: Knitpicks Harmony DPN's 2.5 mm Started: November 4, 2008 Completed: November 12, 2008.

Note: A typical Anni pattern cute, stretchy, easy to remember the repeat.

Now I have to go pick up skates from being sharpened because we have Hockey tonight, and tomorrow, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If I bring my knitting, how many project do you think I can finish?

"Radiance" and "Rosebud"!
The Secret Service gave the Obama girls the cutest nicknames - I'm waiting for someone to make a kids' pattern to knit and wouldn't that be a great name? - because - why not? Malia is "Radiance" and Sasha is "Rosebud". How fitting. (Not sure about Mama Obama's nickname...Aaah - the Google Fu is powerful today - Barack is "Renegade" and Michelle is "Renaissance".) I think someone in the Secret Service has a longing to be a poet.



Can you even see these cute little stitch markers that I picked up off of Etsy last week? Clicky to see a better view - mine is kind of tiny. These were from Three Fates Knitting and they are currently adorning this project:


This project? Needs to get done really quickly, because I am freezing my hinder off here - already. Lala's Simple Shawl is a free Rav download. This is my Wisconsin Alpaca yarn and so, so, so, so soft.

Production.

This weekend on my own has been very relaxing and very productive. Two socks came off the needles yesterday. That's the first Scrolls sock and the pair of Seaweed Socks from Wendy Johnson. I'm getting much better on the toe-up cast-on (though still not my favorite).

Pattern: Seaweed Socks from Wendy Johnson (that is a free PDF). Yarn: Unwind Yarn Company Handpainted Superwash Sock Yarn (that is Craftygirl83 - she has an etsy shop here). The color is called Sarasota. Needles: Knitpicks Harmony DPN's 2.25 mm Started: October 27, 2008 Completed: November 7, 2008.It's been a weekend of sports, knitting and movies, all sorts. Mom and I went to see Changeling on Friday night, very excellent movie. I have to say the treatment of the women in this story had me FURIOUS. (OK, Angelina needs to gain some SERIOUS weight, her arms and hands are grotesque.) Our EP Eagles lost this week - guess they had to lose sometime. There was some great hockey to watch; Gophers and the Wild, though the results were mixed. The Vikes are actually looking like they know how to play today. There is some leaf-raking on the agenda for later this afternoon. Really, what more could a mom ask for?

Grades.

How about good grades (from my kids, I mean.)? The Middle School and High School quarters ended this Friday, the Teen turned in one of his best performances so far. Educating our Teen has been a delight and a challenge. I feel like we've been pushing him in one of those Flinstone cars with the stone wheels, and he finally put his feet down and started moving on his own, and I can't keep up! He's a Junior this year and he's become obsessed at looking at colleges. He and his dad went down to Madison over MEA, but he wants to go out and visit John Hopkins and Duke University. When I think of the struggles he's had to get this far, and I see his hopes and aspirations - well - I couldn't be more thrilled. (I'm not giving Puck short-shrift here, I'll brag on him at a later date, but frankly, his challenges have been different than his brother's.)

Whatta Week!!!

Wow, Elections, end of school quarter, winter weather, getting the household males out the door on a hunting trip. Phew! However! It's all finished now and I've got the house all to myself. All. To. Myself. That leaves me about 72 hours to cook my own meals, watch what I want to watch, work on my projects and NOT go grocery shopping for three guys! Very nice to have a weekend like this once every little while.

Hey look!


Scout J club yarn. It's so very pretty on the skein. Problem is, I've knit with this color combination before and I've not been very happy with the finished item. Maybe I'll just have to put this one in a jar and admire it on a shelf. Ach. Who'm I kidding? This is a pair of socks and I know it!

Hey, did anybody else get in on the Malabrigo Sock Yarn at The Loopy Ewe this week? There were some really gorgeous colors!

I voted at 8:30 this morning, how about you?

I love how everyone has a story, an opinion, or inspiration. One thing we all seem to share this year is our determination that our voices be heard. My friend Yvonne in Amsterdam emailed me this morning, I could tell she was hesitant to voice her opinion directly to me, but she sent me a website and said, "Look here what we would vote:" www.voteforpresident.com

The world has hope for us, people.

Another thing I hope we all are sharing is a prayer or a thought for Barack's grandmother, may she rest in peace.

And, finally, speaking of hope,

isn't this Cider Moon pretty?

This one is already finished!

We'll see you all on the other side!

Socktoberfest Mystery Socks - Done!

She actually wrote this pattern in a couple versions with a cable, but I just happened to choose the one size that she did not write the cable version for, so just little wigglies all the way down.


Pattern: TTL Mystery Sock (that is a Ravelry link, if you're not a Ravelry subscriber, the pattern is also here.) by Kirsten Kapur Yarn: Knit One Crochet Too Ty-Dy Socks Color: Green Needles: Knitpicks Harmony DPN's 2.75 mm Started: October 5, 2008 Completed: October 31, 2008. Note: This generous yarn makes for fantastic, soft socks. Perhaps a little splitty with all the yarnovers in this pattern, but very comforting in the finished product. Also - with the exception of the cuff, I may have even achieved enough matchiness for Chris!

Anyway
I survived a weekend of sports, next weekend I get to be the only person in my house for three whole days. Yes, it's the annual South Dakota "Yute" Hunt (spoken with a Lawrence Welk accent - cause they-re hunting where he was born!) I plan on much finishing of projects.

PSA
I plan on voting tomorrow. I'm going to get in my car the minute kids are out the door and drive over to the church where I cast my vote. I don't care who you vote for (well, I do, but it's none of my business), but I want everybody I know to vote. Please. VOTE! If you're still undecided - go visit my friend Cursing Mama - she's got lots of information to share.

On a pause-inducing note. My Teen gets to vote in the 2010 election. Gulp.

Speaking of The Teen...
Also? The Teen has been volunteering at a local place called the Vail Place (his grandma volunteers there and he likes her a lot so it was easy to convince him it would be a good idea to volunteer as well.) I got feedback yesterday on how wonderful and mature he is with the clients there, they all love him to pieces and have adopted him as their mascot. Now, if I could just get his grandma to quit calling him her "Doogie Hauser". Click over and read about what they do there - it's pretty cool.

What You Have Here...

Is a still-life of my desk on any given day. This day I received one of my club-type goodie boxes! This is the Madelinetosh gorgeousness. It's called Nocturne Pastoral, a 50% Merino wool/50% silk worsted weight. I am thinking a cowl of some sort because this is just too soft for my feet. I'd also like about a million yards more because, yum. That other glow-y skein back there is some Araucania, because I just don't have enough sock yarn. See my desk supply of hand lotion? I have the most miserable cuticles this side of Autumn and the lotion is the only thing that saves me.

Puck and I made it through a very sad Wild game on Thursday night, and we couldn't even watch tonight's game because, "No TV". Bah!

But, I got to hand out the M&M's last night and listen to the EP HS Football game. What a great game, they were neck and neck with Hopkins, but pulled it out in the end (I think they won by 9 points), now they get to play Blaine on Thursday in the quarter-finals. I wandered in to watch the Gopher's play Hockey against MSU, a crazy tied-up game! Saturday night was no contest - 6-3 Gophers! Of course, the Gophers Football team was not so lucky against Northwestern. I actually finished up my Mystery Socks last night! We'll have some pictures tomorrow when I have some daylight.