News From The Nest

Another Weekend - phffttttt - Gone!

Why do the weekend days pass by so much faster than Monday through Friday??  Although, those days are passing pretty fast, too.  I can't believe it's almost September and 4 months from today will be the day after Christmas! 

I have worked all weekend to try and avoid the end of the month madness later this week.  I did make time to play a bit with the yarn for the wedding sweater.  I also played with my Sweater Wizard.  I have had the program forever but this is the first time I've really used it.  I did my swatches and have tried out different stitch patterns - making the stockinette the right side, making the reverse stockinette the right side and then doing about 3-5 vertical knit ridges, garter stitch, etc. 

The yarn is Colinette's Giotto Toscana 55.  I LOVE the color (or colors) of this yarn!  I finally found a pattern that I liked - Rossella.  It's just a boxy very loose sweater and is on the back cover of the Colinette book - Catalan.  The right side is garter stitch with a knit vertical ridge.  (I know this probably doesn't make much sense unless you're looking at the pattern.)  But, looking at the two swatches above, I prefer the stockinette one.  I think the colors and the yarn show up better.  Plus, the stockinette stitch side looks more vertical.  I was going to do a few rows of garter stitch at the hem and the sides (going to do side-vents) but Pam suggested seed stitch instead.  I love seed stitch so will do that instead of garter.  So, I guess I'll strive for the shape of the Colinette pattern but just do plain old stockinette stitch.  Loose sweater - seed stitch at hem and a couple inches up side to edge the side-vents, and at the ends of the 3/4 length sleeves, stockinette stitch everywhere else.  Any other suggestions??? 

George and Gracie spent some time today looking for bugs and catching a blue tail skink.  (More skink info here.)  If you look closely at Gracie in the photo on the left, you'll see that she is very gently holding down a skink.  A blue tail-less skink!  I found the blue tail about 2 feet away!  Gracie, always the lady, is just patting the skink.  It would get away and she'd find it and just pat it. 

At their vet visit last week, Gracie had gained 0.4 lbs. for a very dainty total weight of 4.4 lbs.  George, on the other hand, had gained 1.2 lbs. for a manly total of 6.4 lbs. 

Gracie has really come around.  She isn't skittish with me anymore and loves to have her back scratched.  She's starting to curl her head around my hand so I'll rub the side of her head.  She is sooo sweet and dainty compared to George.  George remains as curious as ever.  He is going to be a big kitty - big paws and legs.  He's also very sweet and loves to be held.  Just purrs allll the time!

Well, Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap is coming to a close.  My pal, the one whose name I had, is Nichole from New Hampshire.  She is going to the Commonwealth of Virginia for her virtual vacation.  Her box of goodies is in the mail and I'll show pictures once she receives it.  Don't want to spoil her surprise!

Where Have I Been?

Forgive me father, it has been days since I've blogged........

The days just zziiiiiippp right on by!  I'm having a very hard time believing that it's almost September.

I drove back from Maryland last Sunday.  The traffic was horrible!  There were back-ups just south of Washington, just north of Fredericksburg, and just north of Richmond on Interstate 95.  I don't understand -- the traffic was backed up as far ahead and behind me as I could see.  However, I never saw a cause for the traffic jams.  No accidents, no state troopers, no anything.  So, why does the traffic slow??  I know one thing --- I could NEVER do this on a daily basis!!  I'd be on medication after a week of trying to get to appointments in this kind of traffic.

I headed to Richmond by way of Colonial Heights late yesterday afternoon.  I stopped in Colonial Heights and met with the knitters at Panera's.  I love their Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken so ate a salad and visited with them a bit.  Pam, Emmy, Becky, Sandy, and Judy were all knitting away.  Sandy was showing off her handcrafted jewelry.  Very pretty!!  Had to purchase a cool pair of sterling earrings.  I had soap and jars of cream lotion for everyone to sample and sniff.  Cleaning the world - one knitter at a time!

Then, I hopped in the car and headed to Richmond to meet some of the knitters at Barnes & Noble.  There, Deb, Robin C., Mary Jane, and Cathy gathered to knit with me.  Their usual knit night is Tuesday but they joined me since I was in town.  It was really great to see them!!  My oldest, son, Brian came to deliver some stuff to me.  He stayed to enjoy a coffee drink and visit with the knitters.  It was great to see him - however briefly.  He only lives 2 hours away but has only managed to get home twice   this year.  Is this a son thing? a 25 year old thing? or what??

Today, I had a work appointment in Richmond and then headed to Williamsburg on my way home - well, kinda-sorta on my way home.  I had soap to deliver to Knitting Sisters.  They said they sold all the "Ewe Love Lavender" and all the "Mitered Mint" within the first week after I delivered it last month.  So, they ordered more of both of those fragrances and added "Knit 'N Bloom" and "Loop-de-Lemon" to the mix.  They sold a bar of lemon before I left today!  They also have a few bars of "Aran Apple" on hand for sale. 

With Meg's and Cat's help, I think I've finally am ready to start the wedding sweater.  I bought two more skeins of yarn to have on hand just in case.  I also purchased several books including three new books - Knit Kimono, The Twisted Sisters Knit Sweaters: A Knit-To-Fit Workshop, and Folk Style: Innovative Designs to Knit Including Sweaters, Hats, Scarves, Gloves, and More.  They are all great!!!  The kimono book -- LOVE IT!  The Twisted Sisters looks great, too.  Lots of nice basic patterns with good info on designing and measuring to do/adjust patterns.  In the third book, Folk Style, I fell hard in love with the Modern Quilt Wrap on page 25!!  I called Meg over and told her "THIS IS GORGEOUS!"  She said that was funny because she and Cat had just pulled all the skeins needed to knit it up as a store sample.  Well, that decided that - the skeins were already in a bag ready to go!  More later on what snuck into my car and traveled home with me.

It was finally time to leave for home.  I stopped for a coffee and then boarded the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry to cross the James River.  The ride is FREE! and it's so relaxing.  It gives me 20-30 minutes to read, knit, whatever - just relax and watch the water. 

It was very overcast today.  All my pictures turned out blue-gray in color. 

The ferries are escorted by seagulls.  They don't allow people to feed the seagulls from the front of the ferry.  But, you can feed them  from the rear of the boat.  You can imagine their reasoning!  As soon as we were underway, one family left their car with a bread bag in hand.  They came prepared.  To t he rear of the ferry, they went.  And, feathered chaos ensued!

Thanks for reading!! 

Hopefully, I'll have some wedding sweater progress to show soon.  Stay tuned!

Wedding Day

The deed is done!  Jane and Don are on their way to happily ever after now.  Everything was very nice.  Sally and I had breakfast this morning (the 18th) with Jane and a friend of hers.  Then, off to the church for the ceremony. 

Following the ceremony, we headed to Jane and Don's house for the reception.  It was so nice to meet both of her sisters, several of her nieces, her brother-in-law, and her friend, Peggy -- all whom I've heard her mention numerous times over the last 20 years.  Also, wonderful to see her mom again after many years.   

The Main Ingredient was in charge of the food for the reception and  everything was absolutely delicious!!!  They served  shrimp cocktails, tortellini, roast beef, chicken, small quiche in phyllo shells, brushcetta, etc.  The final bits of yumminess were chocolate strawberries and the wedding cake.  The wedding cake was carrot cake inside.  Delish!! 

Did I mention there was a margarita machine???  Yes, there was a machine that steadily churned out frozen margaritas -- wonderfully cold and slushy margaritas! 

Flowers for the day --- Jane carried a bouquet of gardenias (pictured above) and the special folks for the day wore gardenia corsages.  Jane's father passed away within the last several years - can't remember the exact number - and his favorite flower was the gardenia.  So, these were in memory of him.  The tables were decorated with gerbera daisies and they were spectacular!  Jane said she got them at the grocery store!  The cake was decorated with fresh flowers and was just lovely.   

After the reception, Sally and I drove to St. Michael's.  To get to St. Michael's we had to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.  The traffic was HORENDOUS!  What should have been a 45 minute drive took us almost 2 hours.  We made it though -- just in time to close the knitting store. 

We quickly located a parking spot across from the store and made a bee- line for Frivolous Fibers.  Frivolous Fibers reminded me that Maryland is not just the land of crab cakes --- it's also the land of Blue Heron Yarn!!!!!!!!  There was a gorgeous display of Blue Heron goodness right in the middle of the knitting store. 

This is a small store with a big bang!  They have a great selection of yarns and accessories available.  They also have a knit night if you're going to be in the area at night during the week -- I think it's Tuesday night but you better call the store to make sure.  The front of the store, Artiste Locale, features pottery, artwork, great earrings and other jewelry, etc. 

St. Michael's is a wonderful little town to park your car, get out and putz around for the day.  You can find cafes for lunch and ice cream parlors for dessert / treat.  I assure you, along the main drag is something for everyone!

Sally and I headed back to the hotel and made MUCH better time coming back over the bridge.  We stopped at the Yellowfin again and I had Seafood Bisque and the Wedge Salad topped off with the Chocolate Mousse.  Sally had some Insalata Caprese and Crab Dip in Artichoke Cups and Creme Brulee.  Again, the food was delicious but it was so noisy, we could barely hear each other from across the table. 

August 18th was not just Jane's wedding day - it was Sally's wedding anniversary, too!  She called John and wished him a happy one from afar and we went out to dinner to celebrate!

Tomorrow is the drive home.  Wish I could just click my heels! 

Across State Lines

I'm in Maryland!  Land of the Maryland crab cake. 

I arrived late this afternoon and met my friend, Sally, at the hotel.  Sally flew in from Portland, ME.   Why are we here???  Our friend Jane is getting married tomorrow.  The day of festivities begins at 8:00 AM with a brunch and then the wedding is at 11:00 AM.  After the wedding, Jane and Don are having the reception at their house. 

Sally and I went to nearby Edgewater, MD for dinner tonight.  We ate at Yellowfin which is situated on the South River.  We hit it in time to watch the sun set. 

Our dinner was wonderful!!!  Sally had an appetizer - the smoked salmon with chopped eggs, onions, and capers.  I ordered the wedge salad.  Then, she had the coconut shrimp and I ordered the crab cakes.  The crab cakes were delicious!  Served with grilled cornbread and brocolli, the cakes were a combo of yellowfin and lump crab with only very slight filler.  We were too full even to look at the desserts --- darn it! 

Tomorrow, after we attend the reception, Sally and I hope to have time to go to St. Michel.  It's such a cute little town.  AND, they have a knitting shop!

I want to thank everyone for all the well wishes!!  The insurance company's appraiser came to look at my vehicle today and to obtain a copy of the estimate.  The have now put me in a Nissan Murano and I feel so much better.  Getting up out of a little car is hard on old knees - that's why I got the Highlander to begin with.  Rebekah commented to the August 15th post and gave great tips we all should read and know while out there driving with tractor trailers.  Thanks, Rebekah!!

More later!  Thanks for reading AND commenting. 

Could Have Been Worse

Thanks to all of you for the comments of concern you left!  Before getting this Toyota Highlander, I drove a Nissan Maxima.  I don't think I would have fared as well in that low a vehicle.  It was just plain creepy sitting in the driver's seat watching those huge wheels and trailer coming towards me. 

I went and took pictures today for the insurance company and picked up the estimate.  They estimated about $3000.00 worth of damages.

The black you see on the car is from the truck's tires.  He also hit my side mirror popping it inward toward the window.  It scuffed the paint off of it and the paint is off the edge of the driver's door where the front side panel was pushed back against it.  The impact bent the support that holds the radiator and broke the brackets that hold the light assemby in place.  The light assembly is bent downward.  The supports holding the bumper/fender on are also broken on the left side.   

I gave my recorded statement and faxed a diagram to the insurance company with the estimate.  She said that it seemed like they would be liable ------ thank goodness!  As I finished typing this, I received an email stating that they are accepting liability!!!  Yeah! 

Could have been sooo much worse!  Again, thanks so much for all your comments.

Been Run Over By A Truck

Yes, literally! 

I had stopped at the Subway for lunch in a local shopping center.  Finished my lunch and got back in my car to go to my 2:00 PM appointment.  I was sitting about 3 car lengths back from the corner (facing west) where I needed to turn right to allow a tractor trailer to turn left (facing east) - into the lane beside me.  Well, turn he did --- right over top of me!!!  I tried to put the car in reverse but I couldn't back up fast enough.  So, I just sat there with my foot on the brake and sat on the horn! 

The icing on the cake ----- he didn't stop!  I put my flashers on, locked my car, called 911 and took off across the parking lot on foot.  Finally, he slowed down to avoid hitting the crazy lady waving her hands while talking on her cell phone.  I said, "YOU HIT MY CAR!!!"  He said, "Nonononono I didn't hit your car."  I said, "YES YOU DID AND I'M TALKING TO THE POLICE RIGHT NOW!"  Then, he started driving off!  I just knew he was going to leave.  To his credit, he pulled over down near where he had hit me and waited for the police.  He also apologized and said he didn't see me. 

Now, I've never driven a tractor trailer truck but 1) wouldn't you see someone when your driver's side window passes right by their driver's side window and 2) wouldn't you feel it if your rear tires crunch the front bumper, side panel, front light assembly, side mirror, etc. of a SUV?????

Just saying.

Now, his insurance company said they haven't accepted liability - I will probably find out tomorrow.  It occurred on private property and in VA, that means no formal police report.  The police filled out Non-Reportable Accident Forms so I have his info and he has mine (I guess).  They did take pictures of my car.  And, there's my 911 call.  Cross your fingers that he tells the truth to the insurance adjuster who's going to call each of us tomorrow to record our accounts of the event.

I tell you, if it ain't one thing, it's another! 

Now, I'm toodling around in a PT Cruiser.  Not bad, but not me.  Pictures tomorrow - possibly.

R & R

There's nothing more relaxing than a boat ride on the lake.  We usually try to go out on the lake every Sunday in the late afternoon - often packing supper to take with us.  Today was the first time in a couple of months that we've been able to go out and I had really missed it. 

We put in at Longwood Park - just south of Clarksville, VA on Route 15.  Longwood is such a nice park.  It has a campground, picnic area with swimming area, and the boat landing.  It always amazes me that we don't see more boats.  We very seldom see more than a dozen boats during any trip we take out on the lake in this area. 

It is a beautiful area of the lake - very peaceful - with some homes built along the shoreline but still a lot of wooded areas, too.  We cruised up to Clarksville and along the shore of Occoneechee State Park (more info on Occoneechee) and then headed back toward Longwood.

I knit a little bath poof and will take a picture of it to show you soon.  I think it will go well with a bar of my soap!

Wishing everyone a great week!!

Birth, Hookers, and Handspun

Today's temps were in the low 90's.  I never thought I'd be glad to see a gray overcast low 90's day.  After the skin searing, hellacious 3-4 days this past week of 104-106 actual temperatures (up to 115 w/ heat index), the low 90's almost made me want to run for a sweater!  Well, not really but still the lower temps were a relief.  Now, if we could just get a few really good rains.  We had a storm during the night last night but it was just a small drop in the bucket where our drought is concerned.

First, here's the birth of a new sock.   I love this yarn!!  The colors are just great for a summer sock knit.   The name of this yarn is ONline Supersocke 100 and the name of this color is Tropic.  One skein will do a pair of socks.  This color-way contains every color imaginable!  So pretty.  I purchased this a few months ago -- from either Yarn Circle or Knitting Sisters.  I know I saw this yarn in action at knit night at Yarn Circle while I was down there for the week at John C. Campbell Folk School.  Please note, I'm knitting from my sizable stash.  I figure this will be one less skein I have to enter in Ravelry!

Today was our first rug hooking meeting for the 2007-2008 meeting year.  We had 16 members in attendance.  It was good to see everyone again and catch up from our couple of months apart.  I am either the youngest or the next to the youngest member of this group.  I know that's hard to believe!  Mary, who is in her early 90's, is our oldest.  Mary can hook circles around us.  Her granddaughter brings her and she really seems to enjoy our company. 

Nina was working on this really sharp black and white six-sided geometric rug.  The rug is also six feet in diameter. 

Chloe was working on a very pretty Spring-like floral rug.   

Mom worked on her angel rug from the HOOKIN' at the LAKE 2007 workshop held a couple of weeks ago. 

Fran was hooking a pattern of her house.  She had include Pearl, her cat, in the design. 

Martha worked on a group of animals while Donna started a long skinny pumpkin.  Mary worked on a great geometric scrap rug which is just a terrific way to use up your wool scraps.  Katie was hooking a leaf trivette / tile.  Pat and Nancy were both working on Orientals.  Now,  what was Betty working on??  Was it an Oriental, also???  All of a sudden, I can't remember!

Helen is almost finished with her flower rug.  She designed this piece herself!  Do you see the green catapillar in the lower left?  If she doesn't watch out, she just might finish this rug!  Helen has more energy than a 2-year old and we tease her because she it constantly out of her seat helping someone or visiting.  But all this rug needs is the background and she'll be done.  Great going, Helen!

I'm the president of our rug hooking group and I do the monthly newsletter.  I keep asking to see if anyone else wants these jobs but no takers!  I am a certified teacher of traditional rug hooking but haven't picked up a hook in months.  It's just not as portable as I need right now.  Hopefully, I'll get back to it sometime in the future.

So, what did I do today while everyone else was hooking??  I was plying!  Here you can see the skein hanging out to dry on the porch.  This is the blue-pink Australian top I purchased at Holly Spring Homespun a while back.  This was definitely not my best spinning.  Had some overspun kinky spots and a couple of breaks which I couldn't get joined again very smoothly.  I probably should knot them.  Oh well, it will knit up OK and no one will be the wiser! 

This yarn reminds me of red grapes and blueberries --- thus, the fruity art photo!  This made a bobbin full using the Lendrum plying head and bobbin.  I still have some singles left so I need to go ahead and find time to finish plying.  Then, it will be on to another roving.  I love the part where you go through your roving stash and look for just that perfect next project.  The one that hollers at you ---- Do me next!  Me next!  Hey, Me, Me, Me!!!!!!

Sunday will find me working and hopefully, we'll have time to take the boat out.  It's been months since we've been on the water.  Can't wait to go!

TA DA!

I finished my wild socks!  I love this yarn!  It's Opal and the whole ball band is in German.  This pair of socks has been sooo much fun to knit.  So much fun to see the colors knit up.  These are definitely HAPPY socks!

I had a wait today for an  appointment and was able to finally knit a swatch with the Colinette Giotto Toscana.  I purchased this yarn to knit a sweater for my older son's wedding in October.  I still haven't made up my mind what pattern to use.  I found this one and it's very pretty BUT It's a little fancy for me.  I envisioned just a plain scooped neck sweater with 3/4 sleeves.  I think it will show off the yarn better.  And, I REALLY love this yarn.  Love the colors!  All my favorites.  I want to look for pants - out of a very drapey material - in an olive green or a chocolate brown.  I think either one of these colors would make the sweater 'pop'.  Now, I need to get hopping on this!!!

What else have I been doing with my time???  Well, I got my invite to Ravelry.  What a time sucker!!!!!!  It is simply amazing!  There are now 7,162 users and there are still 15, 432 on the wait list.  The people are from all around the world. 

To the right is my set-up while entering my knitting library.  The majority of the books were in the Ravelry database so all I had to do was type in a title and wwait.  There were some I wasn't able to enter because they weren't in the database.  It was fun looking through them all.

Today the weatherman said it was 104  - 115 wih the heat index.  Toooooooooooo Toooooooooo hot for me!

Thanks for reading!

Lazy HOT Saturday

It's just too hot to anything useful today!  I'm trying to catch up on some work today.  Later, I'll go down to the studio and pack soap orders to mail out on Monday.

I checked in on the bluebirds as I walked down the hill.  I've been worried all week that the bluebird carcass I found on the studio porch might belong to a parent of these babies.  But, the baby birds seem to be doing just fine!  I know bluebirds are very territorial during nesting season but I'm not sure if the same bird uses the same house all season.  If they do, then the parents of this house have been very busy this year!

We have two bluebird houses up -- the one that is so active has been up and in use for years.  We added a new one this year and I think we're going to have to move it to a better place.  The active bluebird house has hatched 3 clutches this year - 14 birds total.  The mother laid 5 eggs, then 4 eggs, and now we have 5 birds that have hatched.  I use a little nesting cup inside the house.  When the babies have fledged, I take the cup out, wash it, and then put it back inside the house.  Well, momma bird was in a hurry with this last  brood!  I had taken the cup out, washed it and set it out to dry.  When I went to put it back in the nest the next day, there was already a partial nest in the house.  I scooped it up and put it in the cup and placed the cup inside the house.  They didn't seem to notice or at least if they did, they didn't mind.  Within a day or two, there was the first egg.  Bluebirds lay one egg a day - usually 4-6 eggs per clutch. 

I took George and Gracie to the vet this morning for their second visit.  They weighed in at 5.2 and 4 pounds respectively. 

Dr. Kellam said that George is a Flame Point Siamese cat or at least has a lot of that in him.  I had never heard of a Flame Point Siamese but when I went GOOGLED Flame Point Siamese, the pictures looked just like George!  Flame Points are recognized by their orangeish-beige noses, ears, marking around their eyes, and rings around their tails.  George's mask around his eyes and nose is getting a little more noticeable -- the orangeish-beige nose coloring is extending up the bridge and onto his head.  George continues to be a HOOT!  He is so playful and very affectionate.  Loves to be held. 

Gracie is so dainty and sweet!  She's come around a lot but still is a little shy.  She comes when I call her but then stops about a foot away from me.  If I start petting her, she doesn't want me to stop but she flinches or sometimes runs away when I first reach out for her.  She is beautiful!  Her markings are so pretty.  The two are so funny when they're eating!   George opens his mouth just as wide as it will go and kind of scoops his mouth through the food.  He just gobbles his food - pushing his bowl across the porch as he eats if I don't put if in a corner.  Gracie, on the other hand, sits a nibbles her food politely - very ladylike.  When I pick her up, she just curls into a little ball.  She feels so much smaller and more delicate that George.   

You may be wondering what Earl Gray has been doing since the kitties have been here -------- the answer is --------Nothing!  Earl Gray is sleeping when he's not trying to scarf up the leftover Kitten Chow!  I have to confiscate the kitty bowls as soon as they seem to be finished or Earl will come and clean the bowls!  I'm so proud of him -- he's been exceptionally well-behaved with the kitties -- even when they play with his tail!

While I was waiting in the Vet office this morning, there was a man sitting nearby with a BIG dog.  I was working on my wild Opal socks using the Magic Loop.  He commented on the yarn and said the socks were beautiful.  We got to talking and come to find out, he has knit socks out of heavier wool and larger needles.  How about that!  I told him how much I like the Magic Loop method and showed him how it worked.  He liked it, too, saying that he found that DPNs hard to manage and very difficult not to get ladders.  Again, how about that!!!

I played a bit on Ravelry this morning - going through all the groups!  Wow!  What a mix!  My name is RobinsNest if anyone wants to look me up.  If you are on Ravelry, please let me know so we can be friends!  I need to upload a profile picture and start putting the mountains of stash in.  Now, I don't want anyone commenting on the size of my stash.  Remember, it is my retirement plan.  When I'm on a fixed income which doesn't include yarn splurges, I will be able to go down to my studio and help myself!  That is if I can get my Jazzy to maneuver the step -- may have to have a ramp! 

The garden is sooo dry.  Some of the plants have just dried up to nubs.  The @*%^ Japanese beetles haven't given up yet!  My fifth beetle bag is almost full and I continue to catch and drown the hellish little creatures daily in a cup of detergent and water.  My roses look pitiful!  It's been too hot to work on them lately but I'll get back to them soon.

I have no knitty pictures other than the same old tired stuff you've seen before!  Wild Opal socks and cotton tote (I have done a little more on that, though).  This weekend is the weekend that I decide what pattern to do for my wedding sweater.  I need to get off the stick and make up my mind!  October 13th will be here before I know what hit me.  The sweater isn't the only thing I have to get done.  Somehow, I have to find/have made pants that match the yarn.  And, then there's the matter of shoes for size 10.5 feet with Achilles tendon problems. 

I'm trying to figure out how to offer my soaps, creams, lip butters, stitch markers, Daddy's baskets, etc. to you all via the blog.  Typepad offers extra pages now or photo albums.  If any of you have had experience with using these for showing things for sale, please email me.  I would love to hear what you think.

Thanks for reading and hope you have a GREAT weekend!  Stay cool!