tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139085212024-03-07T11:31:29.459-10:00bits of knitsa mother of three in her quest for zen and peace in a sometimes contrary world.chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-85598500578680681132009-11-05T21:07:00.006-10:002009-11-05T21:42:49.307-10:00halloween 2009After much frantic late-night crafting/sewing/knitting/felting of the I-decided-to-wait-till-two-days-before-Halloween variety, all costumes were mercifully completed before the big night. May I present: Harry Potter,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SvPNPRrVd9I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/bMJdo_HeE1o/s1600-h/20091031_0628.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SvPNPRrVd9I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/bMJdo_HeE1o/s320/20091031_0628.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400886040474253266" border="0" /></a>Colette, the chef from Ratatouille <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SvPNPMNc9wI/AAAAAAAAAEI/CZ63uvympkY/s1600-h/20091031_0626.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SvPNPMNc9wI/AAAAAAAAAEI/CZ63uvympkY/s320/20091031_0626.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400886039006738178" border="0" /></a>and Yoda. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SvPNP5MrffI/AAAAAAAAAEY/I2kCWu5GKdk/s1600-h/20091031_0638.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SvPNP5MrffI/AAAAAAAAAEY/I2kCWu5GKdk/s320/20091031_0638.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400886051083091442" border="0" /></a>Trick or treat, <a href="http://acornbudsyarns.blogspot.com/">Aunty Acornbud</a>! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SvPN6N0fYHI/AAAAAAAAAEg/DxKO1a4myLY/s1600-h/20091031_0640.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SvPN6N0fYHI/AAAAAAAAAEg/DxKO1a4myLY/s320/20091031_0640.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400886778173284466" border="0" /></a>We had a grand time strolling through the neighborhood, procuring candy, listening to live bands (Who knew we had such rockin' neighbors?) and visiting haunted houses. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SvPP57jkI0I/AAAAAAAAAEo/zAjTodPQmMU/s1600-h/20091031_0641.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SvPP57jkI0I/AAAAAAAAAEo/zAjTodPQmMU/s320/20091031_0641.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400888972293710658" border="0" /></a>Did I mention that Lord Sidious and Master Yoda have seemingly formed an odd alliance of sorts? Certainly not the strangest sight of the day given the one that greeted me at breakfast. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SvPP6BoR-nI/AAAAAAAAAEw/M5ZGe7x7oS0/s1600-h/20091031_0580.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SvPP6BoR-nI/AAAAAAAAAEw/M5ZGe7x7oS0/s320/20091031_0580.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400888973924104818" border="0" /></a>Apparently, Harry and Colette were chugging the Polyjuice Potion again. Mad Eye lives!chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-9048781972798141642009-10-05T22:35:00.001-10:002009-10-05T22:50:28.362-10:00slipping through my fingersMy relationship with Sweetie is a challenging and wonderfully complex one, as I suppose all mother-daughter relationships are. That she is my middle child exacerbates the situation, no doubt. She is at once headstrong, yet needy, fiercely independent, yet clingy; a dichotomy that constantly challenges and often exasperates me. Officially a big girl kindergartner, no longer my baby girl- we both struggle to come to terms with this unexpected metamorphosis and often find ourselves at odds, emotionally exhausted and at the end of our ropes.<br /><br />And yet, this sweet and funny little girl inspires and humbles me in so many ways. To share unselfishly without any thought of reciprocation, to love with great faith... she unknowingly offers me these gifts. Watching the joy in her eyes as she gives her whole portion of her favorite snack to Bug to cheer him up or the way she borrows Star Wars books at the library for Ace simply to make him happy, I know that I am privileged to be on this path with her.<br /><br />It is so easy for me to fall into the practice of focusing on flaws, rather than seeking the perfection that exists. (A foible I chalk up to my Virgo stars, I might add.) There is so much hidden treasure to be unearthed, if only I remember to be mindful and open to the possibility.<br /><br />On that train of thought, some funny snippets from a recent conversation with Sweetie about why she wishes she were a grown-up that I want to savor and remember:<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Because I want to drink coffee with you from the press pot, Mom. I want to cut apples with a sharp, big knife instead of the white plastic one. I want to stay up late and drink wine with you and have that cheese you eat with the wine. I want to watch Harry Potter Six and even the scary parts in Harry Potter 4!!"<br /></span>There will be plenty of time to do all these things and more, I promise you, so stay five just a bit longer, my funny little girl. <span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SssC66orNyI/AAAAAAAAADo/geBNB81K3ds/s1600-h/sept_09+037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SssC66orNyI/AAAAAAAAADo/geBNB81K3ds/s320/sept_09+037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389404590274459426" border="0" /></a>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-36335174848926490742009-09-29T20:21:00.003-10:002009-09-29T21:07:00.669-10:00hogwarts styleAce has decided that he wants to be Harry Potter for Halloween, which secretly pleases me to no end. A dedicated HP fan myself, I get to live vicariously through him and maybe even dress in a supporting role (McGonagall? Umbridge?) to boot. What could be more fun? Ace picked up The Sorcerer's Stone late last school year and has since steadfastly soldiered through the series; he's now in the middle of #5 and spellbound by the idea of legilimency. This, of course, means daily wizardly discussions and duels- shouts of "Avada Kedavra!" and "Crucio!" (he's enamored of the Unforgivable Curses, as any second grader well should be) are pretty standard around our home.<br /><br />Being cheap, I just can't bring myself to pay forty bucks (!!) for a flimsy Harry Potter costume. Besides, back in my day (I can't believe I just said that), half of the fun of Halloween was <span style="font-style: italic;">making</span> your own costume... deciding what materials to use, thrifting for accessories and finally, constructing the outfit. Luckily, Ace and Sweetie are way on board this train of thought, so it didn't take much convincing to ditch the store-bought variety. Ace is going to recycle his Jedi robe from last Halloween into Harry's cloak/robes and use Dad's old frames for his signature glasses. I'm leaving the wand construction up to him, which I'm sure will involve endless amounts of tape and paper towel rolls. Or course, the knitter in me jumped at the prospect to knit him a First Year Gryffindor scarf, as seen in the first movie. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SsMDOhdYQ2I/AAAAAAAAADY/AAV2c9BXqhk/s1600-h/sept_29+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SsMDOhdYQ2I/AAAAAAAAADY/AAV2c9BXqhk/s320/sept_29+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387153127299892066" border="0" /></a>I'm kind of wishing I'd thought to make the scarf on size 13 needles or something, though, as it's mind numbing stockinette in the round on size 7's, but still- <span style="font-style: italic;">it's Harry Potter!!</span>- so no complaints here.<br /><br />After contemplating being Hermione, Tinkerbell, a veterinarian, Cinderella and a vegetarian, Sweetie finally decided on being Princess Leia. I was slightly relieved, as I really wasn't sure how I was going to pull "vegetarian" off. I have some white fabric that can be fashioned into Leia's gown, but I'm concerned that Sweetie's hair may be too short to pull off the signature braided buns. Luckily, we've got a month to figure it out... or um, let her hair grow. Whichever happens first!chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-40803026363445522172009-09-28T21:13:00.008-10:002009-09-28T22:09:15.550-10:00twoA certain Birthday Bug turned the big T-W-O this past weekend and much merriment ensued. There were birthday balloons (or "<span style="font-style: italic;">My birthday ball</span>!" in Bug-speak, with much emphasis on the word, "<span style="font-style: italic;">my</span>"), <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SsG8G7UwdzI/AAAAAAAAACo/ww7KOAVJgpg/s1600-h/sept_27+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SsG8G7UwdzI/AAAAAAAAACo/ww7KOAVJgpg/s320/sept_27+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386793456501815090" border="0" /></a>Yogurtland goodness laden with blueberries and strawberries, singing Star Wars cards, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SsG8nLRtekI/AAAAAAAAACw/_pBADzEHi_Y/s1600-h/sept_27+033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SsG8nLRtekI/AAAAAAAAACw/_pBADzEHi_Y/s320/sept_27+033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386794010539817538" border="0" /></a>Star Wars books, Star Wars cupcakes with ice cream <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SsG9BdPUKZI/AAAAAAAAAC4/q6QDv2EPFiE/s1600-h/sept_27+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SsG9BdPUKZI/AAAAAAAAAC4/q6QDv2EPFiE/s320/sept_27+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386794462038206866" border="0" /></a>and candle almost-blowing. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SsG9ZQ02ngI/AAAAAAAAADA/l3O_UZJ3HUc/s1600-h/sept_27+043.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SsG9ZQ02ngI/AAAAAAAAADA/l3O_UZJ3HUc/s320/sept_27+043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386794871022853634" border="0" /></a> It was near-heaven for this Star Wars (<span style="font-style: italic;">Die-Yo</span>, in Bug-speak) fanatic. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SsG9zLfzPRI/AAAAAAAAADI/Rjv94THX6h0/s1600-h/sept_27+049.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SsG9zLfzPRI/AAAAAAAAADI/Rjv94THX6h0/s320/sept_27+049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386795316268973330" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SsG-Umi2BvI/AAAAAAAAADQ/vT7Ke9dIQKk/s1600-h/sept_27+053.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SsG-Umi2BvI/AAAAAAAAADQ/vT7Ke9dIQKk/s320/sept_27+053.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386795890465179378" border="0" /></a>May the Force be with you, Youngling Bug!chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-10463729293029352292009-09-23T21:32:00.007-10:002009-09-23T22:45:07.922-10:00i swear i still knit, but....I kinda sorta got sucked into the cute Halloween bento craze over on Flickr. And on the topic of bento, I know it's completely irrelevant, but I never know whether 'bento' should be pluralized as a regular noun with an 's' or if it instead falls into the irregular identical singular/plural category as "sheep" and "deer." Really, it's all kind of moot as bento is not even an English word, but still. These are the kinds of things I worry about.<br /><br />So anyway, I got sucked into the Halloween bento craze and you know.... lemming. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SrsnDGlQsfI/AAAAAAAAACA/FTkPqDA1kA8/s1600-h/sept_23+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SrsnDGlQsfI/AAAAAAAAACA/FTkPqDA1kA8/s320/sept_23+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384940713711546866" border="0" /></a>I realize the ghost might have been more effective on white bread, but c'mon, you've got to have some nutritional standards, right? I'm glad to have had a chance to use my holiday cookie cutters for more than just cookies and can definitely see more holiday themed bento in the coming months!chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-34819613731626223152009-09-20T20:33:00.009-10:002009-09-20T22:05:07.440-10:00journeyI know it sounds hopelessly cliche, but I can't believe how fast kids grow up. So many interminable stretches of days go by, mired in the hustle and bustle of this stuff called "life." In all the craziness that life presents, it seems the weekend can't arrive fast enough, that age 2 can't be outgrown soon enough, that the sassy first grade attitude can't be rid of quick enough. The great irony, of course, is that it is exactly in these seemingly endless stretches of days that life truly occurs. For in the blink of an eye, the weekend yields to Monday, age 2 gives way to 3 and that first grade sass finds itself subdued in the throes of second grade. In a society so focused on anticipating the future, we neglect the present, enjoying our lives in retrospect, rather than in the moment. Realizing how much of my kids' lives I tend to appreciate after-the-fact, it became my New Year's resolution to live presently. Being that I've failed MUCH more than I've managed to succeed, I will admit that I probably should have just committed to eating more beans or something more manageable like that, but hey, it's the effort and mindset that count.<br /><br />Friday night was one of those rare but precious successes that I'm so grateful to have experienced. Ace and I went on a Cub Scout night hike up on Tantalus with his pack. Things didn't start off so happily, as I pulled into the campground after 20 minutes of kamikaze winding roads only to realize that I'd forgotten our flashlights. Not a big deal, unless you're crazy anal and just finished driving 20 minutes of kamikaze roads. I started to unhinge (my characteristic autopilot response), until I looked in the rear view mirror and saw the saddest look on Ace's face- he had been so excited about his first night hike, and I could tell that in one fell swoop, I had blown it. I resolved to pull it together and apologized, determined to salvage the evening and be in the moment. We joined our den with smiles and had the <span style="font-style: italic;">most </span>fantastic time. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SrcyEqDhuuI/AAAAAAAAABw/D8b7A_7Y6Gk/s1600-h/sept_18+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SrcyEqDhuuI/AAAAAAAAABw/D8b7A_7Y6Gk/s320/sept_18+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383826935134665442" border="0" /></a>We took in the stars and Jupiter and then embarked on our hike, which was pretty challenging for the little guys as it had rained recently and the ground was muddy and slippery. Along the route, Ace took a tumble over some overgrown roots, but he got back up, grinning, just loving every moment of his adventure in the night, fall and all. Kids have such a natural ability to be in the moment. (Just a side note about proper protocol upon scout's fall: do NOT, under any circumstances, shine someone else's flashlight into the steep embankment and ravine one foot away from where your child is treading, as it may incite profanity-laced exclamations about what would possess your cub master to choose such an insane trail of death.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SrczLVwk0sI/AAAAAAAAAB4/zd-bCVFjVk4/s1600-h/sept_18+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SrczLVwk0sI/AAAAAAAAAB4/zd-bCVFjVk4/s320/sept_18+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383828149457179330" border="0" /></a>Ace and I savored the moments. It was amazing to experience everything for the first time through his eyes. Looking down upon the city lights, discovering constellations, watching his wonder as the campfire was lit and slowly burned down to embers over the course of an hour for S'mores.... I felt seven and a half again, giddy and so honored to have journeyed with him that night. Most of all, I'm so glad it was not just a fuzzy, distant experience to scrapbook and deem a happy memory. Life is most delicious when lived with the consciousness that happiness <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span>.chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-90583920208319336232009-09-17T19:32:00.007-10:002009-09-17T22:13:50.429-10:00cans of a different varietyI opened up a can of whoop-ass on Sick.<br /><br />See, Sick, with a capital "S" is not your generic, self-limiting head cold. It's the vicious cycle of seemingly endless contagion that plagues our house at least once a year for weeks and sometimes months on end. This current back-to-school variety of Sick has volleyed back and forth among the kids and J for about 6 weeks now, and that was all well and good, until the little tickle I felt in my throat last week rudely morphed into a hack that decided to make house in my chest.<br /><br />Well, enough is enough and this mama has had <span style="font-style: italic;">enough</span> of Sick. Fantasizing about Healthy, there seemed nothing better than to serve up a can of nutritional whoop-ass in the form of homemade chicken soup, replete with kale, onions, garlic, tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, whole wheat pasta and black beans.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SrM_SG0-2aI/AAAAAAAAABg/v648YpVFGHM/s1600-h/sept_17+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SrM_SG0-2aI/AAAAAAAAABg/v648YpVFGHM/s320/sept_17+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382715559940905378" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SrM_dxC5OlI/AAAAAAAAABo/4Hk7Th6uRQ4/s1600-h/sept_17+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SrM_dxC5OlI/AAAAAAAAABo/4Hk7Th6uRQ4/s320/sept_17+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382715760252107346" border="0" /></a>Finished with a sprinkle of parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil and a side of corn muffins to sop up any leftover bits in the bowl. Here's hoping that Sick is down for the count!chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-10068487025101009992009-09-15T21:44:00.003-10:002009-09-15T22:29:08.119-10:00easily amusedIt doesn't take much to make me happy. Simple minds are easily amused, as the saying goes. Ace, Sweetie and I were coloring a Peanuts Christmas coloring book yesterday, a stocking gift from Santa. Coloring is one of those things I suspect I enjoy far more than the kids do; the smell of crayons transports me instantly to the happy, safe times of my childhood. I can tell that their interest starts to fade after about a half hour, but I often plead with them to linger longer, busting out the big gun bribes of messy oil pastels and fancy schmancy Prismacolor pencils. Luckily, they took the bait yesterday, and we enjoyed a full hour of Charlie Brown coloring. Talk about old school fun! I have so many fond memories of watching Charlie Brown specials- The Great Pumpkin, Merry Christmas Charlie Brown, the Camp Special... And do you remember those Dolly Madison commercials that preceded each special? My sister and I were convinced that they must have been the most delicious treats on the planet, having never tasted or seen any Dolly Madisons in real life.<br /><br />Yesterday's fun inspired today's Snoopy bento for Ace and Sweetie. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SrCg-9bQAbI/AAAAAAAAABY/_DbDCSp654o/s1600-h/sept_13+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SrCg-9bQAbI/AAAAAAAAABY/_DbDCSp654o/s320/sept_13+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381978558208934322" border="0" /></a>I know there are actual Peanuts bento cutters for sale, but the ghetto bento-er in me can't justify paying that much for a single-use gadget... how I covet, though! So, freehand it was, which is why Snoopy's head looks deformed. Oh well. Cheap is as cheap does.<br /><br />Further in the 'easily amused' department- yesterday, I had my first pumpkin spiced latte of the year. Oh. my. goodness. That first sip was a positively transcendent revelation. All year I wait for this particular Starbucks offering. I know there are a gazillion DIY recipes out there, and- see previous paragraph- I am cheap as heck, but there's just something about this version that signals fall to me in a way that nothing else does. Living in a land where fall means turning off the air conditioning at 7 pm instead of 11 pm, you take your cues wherever you can. I confess to borderline fetish-izing all things pumpkin, as the season is all too fleeting and the flavor so intoxicating. Pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin crunch cake, pumpkin risotto (blissful shudder).... bring it on!chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-55791013081173508222009-09-13T13:46:00.006-10:002009-09-13T14:24:35.385-10:00of cans and dreamsWhen I ever-so-eagerly planted my first organic container garden late this spring, I dreamt of unimaginable bounty, having to pass off bags filled with zucchini to unsuspecting neighbors and casually walking to my porch to harvest an armful of herbs for a bouquet garni, Ina Garten style. Fast forward three months later and um, not so much. Sure, there were a few zucchinis (and I mean that in the literal sense of "few," as in two), a couple of cucumbers (cough, three), enough basil for 2 cups of pesto and maybe even 30 or so grape tomatoes. Lest I forget, there were even several salads' worth of arugula, swiss chard and kale. But the bounty I'd imagined that would require me to put up for the winter? Not even close. Nonetheless, my obsession with the gentle domestic art of canning never waned and when I realized that there really was no more to be had from my garden, I took matters into my own hands and bought some ingredients for homemade jam.<br /><br />Though the peaches I bought were not as fragrant or juicy as I'd hoped (how I envy you, <a href="http://theknittedbrow.blogspot.com/">K-Brow</a>!), they were acceptably soft and un-mealy. I had frozen a batch of organic strawberries bought during a Safeway rampage this summer (hello? a pound of organic strawberries for $2?! I may have bought 12 pounds. Maybe.) and decided to mix them with the peaches. I made just a small batch- the yield was probably no more than 3 cups- but I didn't want to be stuck with more than 3 cups of salmonella jam if I didn't follow the canning directions correctly. The process was pretty straightforward (though I'm sure I missed many of the subtle nuances that experienced canners are familiar with) and in the end, we got a pretty tasty jar of jam!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/Sq2MdjWe1II/AAAAAAAAABI/2W4YEFXdbag/s1600-h/sept_13+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/Sq2MdjWe1II/AAAAAAAAABI/2W4YEFXdbag/s320/sept_13+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381111569111241858" border="0" /></a><br />Having survived the experience without any bouts of botulism, I'm excited to try my hand at other prospects, namely marmalade and other citrus blends.<br /><br />On the knitting front, I'm in the middle of a Think Pink KAL begun with <a href="http://theknittedbrow.blogspot.com/">K-Brow</a> and <a href="http://acornbudsyarns.blogspot.com/">Acornbud</a> before K-Brow's departure to Georgia. Ariann (Bonne Marie Burns) is on the needles in Screaming Fuschia SWTC Karaoke and about 30% or so complete.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/Sq2MoP2BMMI/AAAAAAAAABQ/AOnm6fm3EVo/s1600-h/sept_13+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/Sq2MoP2BMMI/AAAAAAAAABQ/AOnm6fm3EVo/s320/sept_13+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381111752853369026" border="0" /></a><br />I'm enjoying the rhythm of this knit, though I get too easily impatient with the length of the rows. I have to remind myself that it seems to grow slowly because the back and front are knit at the same time. This yarn is delicious to work with, though I suspect the finished product may be entirely too warm to wear, save for the coldest of days here. Nonetheless, it's an entirely enjoyable knit, cozy and comforting; not altogether a bad gig at all.chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-39264896959627271892009-09-11T15:47:00.009-10:002009-09-11T17:24:04.532-10:00tap, tap, tap...is this thing on?I suppose you begin simply by writing <span style="font-style: italic;">something</span>, anything. Having fallen out of the habit of blogging for quite some time, I'm not sure where or how to "pick up" again. All I <span style="font-style: italic;">am</span> sure about is that I would like to begin blogging again; to capture moments in time that bring a smile to my face and to reflect on those things which bring me happiness. Entirely for myself. Selfish? Well, very, yes. But I'd like this endeavor to be truer and more real than my last effort. I know from experience that I am easily sucked into the community aspect of blogging and commenting. And while it may allow for interpersonal connection in an otherwise devoid medium, I am striving to find a better balance this time around.<br /><br />So, there have been several big changes around these parts over the past few years. Bits of Knits is now a household of five instead of four!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SqsUD2kMaMI/AAAAAAAAABA/FjFUMn80U3c/s1600-h/sept_09+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SqsUD2kMaMI/AAAAAAAAABA/FjFUMn80U3c/s320/sept_09+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380416236243675330" border="0" /></a><br />Ace (formerly, "Bossy") is almost eight years old and in second grade now. Sweetie (formerly, "Stinky") is five and a half and starting kindergarten. Bug (formerly just a wishful thought) is our soon-to-be two year old son, exuberant and full of mischievous plans. He loves ABBA and sings songs from "Mamma Mia," which I have to document here so that I have recorded blackmail material for when he graduates from high school.<br /><br />Packing bento lunches has become a recent interest of mine, partly utilitarian in nature because of the money saved by bringing lunch from home, but also for the aesthetics involved. My mom gifted me with a copy of <span style="font-style: italic;">Hawaii's Bento Box Cookbook</span> this past Christmas, and I just fell in love with it. I mean, how could you not? Everything in it is so darned cute! Ace and Sweetie got a hold of the book and after that, it was pretty well decided that neither of them could bring just a plain ol' turkey sandwich to school anymore. So I've been trying to up the cute-factor a bit, with varying degrees of success, but it's all good. And fun! Here's a pic of today's lunch.... a Sanrio Cinnamoroll on fried rice for Sweetie and a boy on a turkey sandwich for Ace (in second grade, it can't be overtly cute, so I walk a fine line with that boy).<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SqsObeb8d5I/AAAAAAAAAAo/H94Gn1yNr9s/s1600-h/sept_09+049.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SqsObeb8d5I/AAAAAAAAAAo/H94Gn1yNr9s/s320/sept_09+049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380410045013718930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SqsO32HZHMI/AAAAAAAAAAw/NuYMWTBta1I/s1600-h/sept_09+051.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0l0eS5mx_cA/SqsO32HZHMI/AAAAAAAAAAw/NuYMWTBta1I/s320/sept_09+051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380410532406303938" border="0" /></a>I think the little umbrella apple far right may have been a bit much cutesy-wise for Ace as it was left untouched, but it's also possible that it was left in artistic protest, as that apple looks nothing like an umbrella!chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-1145498368587015522006-04-19T23:05:00.000-10:002006-04-20T00:16:50.020-10:00movin' on upPoor little Spherey. He was just born yesterday and already, he seems to be in way over his head here at Bits of Knits. Besides cramming for finals ( he's quite the prodigy, less than 24 hours old and already in grad school!), Mom's been cracking the whip to get him to write her 40 page paper for her. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_3072.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_3072.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Ever the obedient scholar, he obliges, always with a smile on his face. Between school projects, he even tends to the children of the manor, who mysteriously morph into <a href="http://www.generationkikaida.com/">demented Kikaida monsters</a>, a.k.a. Bossi<span style="font-style: italic;">ER</span><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> and Stinki<span style="font-style: italic;">ER, </span><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font>during the countdown to finals week.<font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> <font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_3068.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/200/IMG_3068.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_3056.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/200/IMG_3056.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font>He know<font>s that their sweet smiles <font><font><font><font>are<font> actually their ultra deception/distraction superpower and remains unfazed by their attempts to infiltrate as he reigns them in with his twisted charm. When not occupied with his<font> superhero duties, he attempts to conjure up recipes for boiled eggs that don't involve mayonnaise or dry mustard, <font><font>but is all too easily distracted by the sweet siren song of shortbread cookies and tea, much like his mom. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_3026.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/200/IMG_3026.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_3064.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/200/IMG_3064.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In spite of his foibles, Spherey's quite a cultured fellow who appreciates fine craftsmanship, like this beautiful postcard from his mom's <a href="http://www.lollygirl.com/project_spectrum.html#ps_postcard_swap">Project Spectrum Postcard Swap</a> partner, <a href="http://unwindknitting.net">Stephanie</a>. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_3058.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/200/IMG_3058.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>He wistfully admires the beautifully embossed flowers and vibrant colors (Thank you so much, <a href="http://unwindknitting.net">Steph</a>- I love it!) and daydreams of a better life. "It's funny," he muses, "It's like I'm trapped in a box." And then reality rudely awakens him as he remembers that he IS, indeed, in a box, in the midst of the packing job from hell! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_3051.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_3051.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>He sighs with the realization that even superheroes need to know when to cry uncle, and so he does, ever so quietly, in a shroud of packing peanuts. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_3050.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/200/IMG_3050.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>As much as he dreams of sitting at the computer connecting with his intergalactic fiberly roots, he is deterred by the merciless packing gods.<br /><br />Yes, friends, the Bits of Knits household is embarking on a new chapter in our lives... in two weeks, we'll be moving to a new home! Not to worry, this has nothing to do with the dirgeful post of several weeks back. This has been in the works for quite a while, and while we're all really excited about the move, the prospect of packing and moving during finals is a little daunting. I know I invoke the "blogger hiatus" clause more than is reasonably prudent, so what's one more infraction right? ;-) I hate to do it again, but I think I'm going to need to take a one month break from posting and commenting while we ride out finals and settle into the new place. While I still love blogreading, lurking may become the order of the day until we're all settled in. I'm so sorry- I feel terrible that I've gotten so behind on reading and commenting. I'll miss you guys, but I'm looking forward to seeing you again in a month. Take care, everyone and please send poor Spherey good packing peanut vibes! :-)<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com66tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-1144737990199781942006-04-10T23:35:00.000-10:002006-04-10T23:45:16.123-10:00public service announcementFirst of all, <span style="font-style: italic;">thank you</span> so much for all of your sweet and encouraging comments and emails this past week! I can't tell you how much your good wishes and positive thoughts mean to me. I am overwhelmed by all the love out there in knit blogland and am so grateful for your friendship and support. You guys truly are the best!! Things are much better now and I have all of you to thank for that! Your good vibes made it priority mail all the way to the islands and made a world of difference. I know I've been MIA, but I anticipate being back with a little more regularity now. Unfortunately, my online time may be curtailed due to a different craziness of a more mundane variety, known as the end-of-the-semester crunch, but I still hope to be able to pop in from time to time.<br /><br />Yes, there is knitting to be had in this post, but it comes in the form of a PSA: Knitting violence is <span style="font-style: italic;">wrong</span>. My friends, it is with a heavy heart that I must confess to you that I am a former perpetrator of knitting violence. My name is Chris, and I am an abusive knitter. My story, unfortunately, is not all that uncommon; perhaps you might even recognize yourself in my woeful tale. Like every abuser before me, I blamed the victim. <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">%$&*@%* </span>I mean, <a href="http://eunnyjang.com/samplerstolekal">Beautiful</a><a href="http://eunnyjang.com/samplerstolekal"> Sampler Stole</a>- it was all her fault. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_3001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_3001.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We got off to a less than stellar start with the invisible cast-on. The splitty hairiness of the alpaca during K2tog added to the friction, and unable to decipher the elusive directions in Row 6, I found myself increasingly on edge. After the second frogging of the night, I completely lost it. In a fit of complete and utter knitterly rage, I flew my size 2 Inox circs and Alpaca Cloud across the room and screamed sailorly potty-mouth obscenities, the likes of which you've never heard. Novel combinations of adverbs, adjectives and nouns that have yet to find their way into our modern lexicon. I could see the fear in Mr. W's eyes when I grabbed the disavowed circs by the cord and proceeded to hurl the needles against the wall again. and again. and again. Looking at the limp remains of frogged alpaca, gnarled in my sweaty, clenched fists, I realized that I... I had a problem. Surely, no knitting deserves this kind of abuse! Luckily, remorse set in and redemption was found on the <a href="http://eunnyjang.com/samplerstolekal">KAL page in the form of collective wisdom and Row 6 help</a>. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2999.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2999.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Though I'm now 1 repeat away from finishing the central panel, I recognize that I'm still at risk for future violent behavior, especially with the impending border panels looming in my future. Knowledge is power and awareness is key; "Stop hitting the knitting!" has become my ardent mantra during these trying times.<br /><br />I realize that March went out like a lion while I was AWOL, but I don't want to let another moment pass without sharing the beautiful postcard I received last month from my wonderful <a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog">Project Spectrum</a> Postcard <a href="http://stressreaction.com">Swap partner, Leah</a>. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_3003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_3003.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>She's such a sweetheart- she even enclosed yummy chocolate (which, unfortunately, never stood a fighting chance of making it to the photo shoot) with her card. Thank you so much, <a href="http://stressreaction.com"> </a><a href="http://stressreaction.com">Leah!!</a><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_3006.jpg" alt="" border="0" />I absolutely love the card- the vellum envelope, beaded lettering and dimensional paper crafting are just gorgeous and it has been such a pleasure getting to know you this past month.<br /><br />Finally, I thought I'd end with some gratuitous Bossy and Stinky pics from an early Egg Hunt this past weekend at <a href="http://www.waquarium.org/">The Waikiki Aquarium</a>. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2991.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/200/IMG_2991.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Bossy was a little miffed about why the eggs weren't hidden and instead, just dumped onto the grass like chicken feed. Thanks to some quick and resourceful finagling on my part, I was able to explain that the Easter Bunny has to hire people to help him, especially in the week preceeding Easter, since he's obviously gearing up for The Big Egg Hiding Day. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2976.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/200/IMG_2976.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2985.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/200/IMG_2985.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Luckily, this resonated with 4 year old logic and Bossy was ultimately stoked to "find" his eggs. I worry for Stinky, though. Her ability to "smile and show me your egg at the same time" doesn't bode too well for her simultaneously chewing gum and walking in the future!chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-1143999866276692142006-04-02T07:35:00.000-10:002006-04-02T07:45:51.290-10:00radio silenceI'm still alive, but haven't really had the chance to get on the computer since Wednesday night as I've been tending to some personal matters. I won't bore you with the gory details, but I do want to take a moment to apologize. I'm so sorry... I know that I owe many of you comments and emails, and I don't want you to think that I'm ignoring you. Please forgive me for the delay- I promise to get around to returning emails and blog reading just as soon as everything gets resolved- hopefully by Wednesday or Thursday at the latest. Looking forward to making the rounds and seeing what all of you have been up to in a few days!! Thanks, again and take care!chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-1143078963276014052006-03-22T23:35:00.000-10:002006-03-23T00:04:18.156-10:00furry basket shawl<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">What?? Two posts in one week?! </span> I know, I almost need smelling salts myself! But there's no time for fainting now- I have something I want to share with you!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2961.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/400/IMG_2961.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.fibertrends.com/viewer/patterns/S2014.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fibertrends.com/viewer/patterns/S2014.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Flower Basket Shawl</span></a><br /></div></div><a href="http://www.straw.com/cpy/yarns/kid_merino_card.html">Yarn: Crystal Palace Kid Merino in Blush</a><br />Inox Size 4 circs & Grandma's vintage aluminum circs<br />Started: 3/10/06 Completed: 3/21/06<br />Blocked Dimensions: 72" X 36"<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Modifications: None; 11 repeats of Chart 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2965.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/400/IMG_2965.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This was such an enjoyable knit! The <a href="http://www.straw.com/cpy/yarns/kid_merino_card.html">Kid Merino</a> was an absolute joy to work with and I loved this pattern. I have to say, my relationship with FBS went a lot more smoothly than <a href="http://candsmom.blogspot.com/2006/01/eye-of-tiger.html">my tryst with Kiri</a>. With all of the leftover baggage after <a href="http://candsmom.blogspot.com/2005/09/such-sweet-sorrow.html">being dumped by Kiri the first time around,</a> though, I couldn't help but be paranoid in a new relationship. Like a jilted ex, I was always looking over my shoulder for warning signs of trouble ahead with FBS. I think I grew wiser after courting Kiri, though. I didn't allow myself to fall blindly this time. I wasn't deceived by promises of perfect row counts. No, this time, I over-analyzed every stitch like a paranoid freak, checking the alignment with previous rows and never letting my guard down. FBS grew patiently and indulged my crazy compulsions. She never betrayed me, though I tested her many a time. In fact, I even learned to trust again- trust in my ability to analyze how each row was built upon the last so that I could catch mistakes several stitches later, rather than several rows later.<br /></div></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2966.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/400/IMG_2966.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />In the end, we really hit it off! Overall, I'm really pleased with FBS. It actually initially blocked out a little larger than what's in the picture, but lost about half a foot in length and width after unpinning, presumably because of the high nylon content (44%). Nonetheless, it's the perfect size for a vertically challenged gremlin like me. I could actually see myself wearing this one... you know, with my scintillating social calendar and myriad of formal engagements to choose from! That's okay. Even if it only serves as my princess-in-training diva costume at home, I'll wear it! This was a fun <a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog">Project Spectrum </a>knit and a great warm-up for <a href="http://www.eunnyjang.com/samplerstolekal/">the big-gun, the Sampler Stole</a>, which I'll be casting-on for tomorrow. Uhm... yeah, okay, seriously, that wasn't a punch line, so you can stop laughing hysterically now. Yes, let's try to remember to laugh <span style="font-style: italic;">with</span>, not <span style="font-style: italic;">at</span>. Aww, who am I kidding? Even <span style="font-style: italic;">I'm</span> LMAO right now, so you may as well, too!! Start tuning up the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00007GZM1/ref=pd_lpo_k2a_3_txt/002-5024449-7432026?%5Fencoding=UTF8">Man of La Mancha</a> chorus for <a href="http://www.reelclassics.com/Actors/O%27Toole/impossibledream-lyrics.htm">The Impossible Dream</a>!<br /><br />One of the aspects I liked best about working on FBS was <a href="http://www.straw.com/cpy/yarns/kid_merino_card.html">the yarn</a>, which was soft and cuddly. You can't really tell in the pictures, but it's also actually quite, well... furry. In a good way. Like stuffed animal furry. Or like domesticated animal furry... you know, the usual, dogs, cats and the like. Not to be confused with <span style="font-style: italic;">bad </span>furry. Because there's definitely bad furry. Like <a href="http://www.dictionary.net/orthoptera">orthoptera</a> furry. (<span style="font-style: italic;">This one's for you, Aloha Knitter Michelle!!</span> :-)) Better known as <a href="http://www.hawaii411.com/articles/cockroach.asp">B-52 Flying Cockroaches</a> to you and me. Back in my swinging bachelorette days, I had my own little pad near Waikiki, just me and my cat. I was used to him falling asleep near my leg, and his furry little presence always brought me comfort. So, one night as I was drifting off to sleep, I thought nothing of it when I felt something furry on my thigh. I insticinctively reached down to pet what I'd presumed was a little furry paw. Of course, just then, that little paw crawled up my shorts and my eyes flew open as I realized that something was terribly amiss. That furry little paw was about to scamper into the unmentionables when I grabbed it and hurled it against the wall for all I was worth. I ran to turn on the lights and saw the biggest, nastiest, furriest, Chibi needle sized-roach you've ever seen, kicking futilely upside-down on the floor! Like a twisted gladiator overseer, I loosed the real furry paw to take care of the imposter furry paw. Natural insecticide, if you will. Revenge is sweet!chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-1142801405672345722006-03-19T11:45:00.000-10:002006-03-19T14:50:13.703-10:00this weekend in paradise... <a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog">Project Spectrum</a> <a href="http://www.fibertrends.com/viewer/patterns/S2014.htm">Pink Flower Basket Shawl</a>, sans edging and blocking. Knocking on wood, crossing my fingers, clicking my heels three times and throwing a pinch of salt over my shoulder- there may be an FO post later this week!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2955.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2955.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>... More <a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog">Project Spectrum pink</a>- in the form of our <a href="http://www.50states.com/flower/hawaii.htm">State flower!</a> Technically, the yellow variety is the "official" bud, but these pink ones are my fave.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2936.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2936.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>... <a href="http://scoutj.com">Long overdue</a>, but during our 12-hour reprieve yesterday from the month-long rain, I snapped these photos of my "backyard" from high atop <a href="http://www.hawaiiweb.com/oahu/sites_to_see/tantalus_lookout.htm">scenic Tantalus. This spot at Pu'u Ualaka'a</a> holds a special place in my heart as it's where Mr. W and I exchanged our marriage vows, overlooking the island of O'ahu. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2949.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2949.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Infamous <a href="http://www.hawaiiweb.com/html/diamond_head.html">Diamond Head</a> . <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2945.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2945.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The <a href="http://www.backyardoahu.com/index.html?geog.shtml">beautiful Ko'olau Mountains</a>. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2946.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2946.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.hawaiiweb.com/oahu/sites_to_see/punchbowl.htm">Punchbowl Crater</a> of Hawaii Five-O fame. The sky and water weren't blue yesterday, but I'm hoping to rectify that soon. With any luck (and a dose of Blogger Metamucil!), I'd like to make "This Weekend in Paradise" a monthly feature to showcase the beauty that is Hawai'i.<br /><br />... My ongoing <a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog">Project Spectrum</a> "WIP's!"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2941.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/200/IMG_2941.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2939.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/200/IMG_2939.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Stinky in Pinky and Bossy in Bull-Headed Red. And who could resist hanging out in our fave red monster's room at <a href="http://www.bishopmuseum.org/">Bishop Museum</a>? Project Spectrum pink and red abound in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmo%27s_World">Elmo's World- just ask Dorothy!</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2928.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/200/IMG_2928.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2929.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/200/IMG_2929.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-1141969681345895742006-03-09T22:45:00.000-10:002006-03-09T23:10:05.310-10:00warm and cool<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2914.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/400/IMG_2914.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://chicknits.com/catalog/ribbycardi.html">Ribby Cardi</a><br /></span>2X2X3X1 all-over rib; collared version<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Knitpicks Wool of the Andes Natural-4 hanks<br />Size 5 Clover Circs, Size 6 Addi Turbos<br />Started: 2/23/06<br />Completed: 3/8/06<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I know nobody believes me, but it actually gets cold in Hawaii occasionally! Take this past week, for instance. We've had torrential downpours and flashflooding all across the state. It started raining so hard this morning that Bossy turned to me, eyes wide with wonder, and asked, "Is God going to flood the whole world again?" We've been reading a children's version of Noah's Ark at bedtime, so I think the concept's been weighing heavy on the poor little guy's mind! I had to chuckle at his remark, but after listening to the thunder rumble for hours, I could certainly see how he might start to wonder about that covenant. Granted, even with all the rain, the mercury has yet to dip below 70, but trust me, by Hawaii standards, it's chilly!<br /><br />Enter, <a href="http://chicknits.com/catalog/ribbycardi.html">Ribby Cardi!</a> I saw this pattern and knew it would be the perfect solution for staying warm and looking reasonably cool. "Reasonably" is through no fault of the pattern's, mind you... "reasonably" cool is just a best-case scenario for a harried mama of 2 who just as often as not has clean and combed hair with graying patches and remnants from Stinky's breakfast crusted on her clothes. I'm sure that others with combed, un-gray hair and clean clothes look fantastically cool in this cardi! Overall, I'm very pleased with the way this cardi turned out. I went with size 5 and 6 needles rather than the 6 and 7 called for in the pattern since I knit loosey-goosey. I knit a size 36 bust as I didn't want anything overly-fitted, but I'm kind of wishing that I'd stuck with a 34 instead. I think a 34 would still have been large enough to accommodate thick shirts underneath and not appear overly-fitted, without being as loose as this 36. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2915.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/400/IMG_2915.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In any case, I still love it! (PS: Note my little flash of <a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog">Project Spectrum</a> March Spirit under the cardi!)<br /><br />The zipper installation was tedious but not nearly as bad as I'd anticipated, thanks to <a href="http://acunningplan.typepad.com/andsheknitstoo/2005/09/zippers_101.html">a wonderful tutorial link</a> from <a href="http://bulldogknits.blogspot.com">Amanda</a>. Thank you, <a href="http://bulldogknits.blogspot.com">Amanda!</a>! I went with a heavy-duty Coats & Clark zipper designed especially for jackets, so it's sturdy and zips well. Next time, though, I'd love to try a custom zipper, just to compare. Do any of you have recommendations for any fave online vendors that you'd like to share?<br /><br />In the end, I found the zen in all the ribbing and grew to love it. Plus, I'm happy with the finished look of all that ribbing. Actually, the worst part in making this cardi was waiting for the blocked pieces to dry so I could start seaming! Patience is a virtue and all, but with all of the recent rainfall and humidity, I had to wait a full 48 hours for the pieces to dry. Which wouldn't have been so bad in and of itself, except that I had to police Stinky, who kept threateningly hovering her foot above the drying knits, Karate Kid style, all the while giggling an evil laugh. Had it come down to it, I would've chosen the cardi pieces in a heartbeat. Now that the cardi is done and keeping me warm and cool, I can finally cast-on guilt-free for <a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog">Project Spectrum</a> and <a href="http://www.eunnyjang.com/samplerstolekal">the Sampler Stole</a>. Stay tuned!<br /><br />Lest you think I've forgotten, I know that <a href="http://www.scoutj.com">I owe some of you</a> outdoor Hawaii pics on threat of bodily harm. As soon as the weather cooperates, I promise to hold up my end of the deal! And finally, I was tagged for a meme by <a href="http://knittogether.blogspot.com">Lynda- thanks, Lynda!</a> Get ready for a voyeuristic experience because here, ladies, is where all the hot action takes place... knitting action, that is! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2924.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2924.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>That's my half of the bed where I sleep-knit most nights till the sleep half finally takes over. And I'm a very lucky girl because that's the beautiful Elizabeth Austen knitting bag that my sweet mom gave me for Christmas. Now you've got the down and dirty on my late night escapades!<br /></div></div>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-1141280927792705542006-03-01T23:45:00.000-10:002006-03-01T23:33:21.746-10:00hodge podgeI'm running on a bit of an adrenaline rush right now and lack the focus to find some witty way to connect all the topics I want to blog about... so a hodge podge post in list-n-pic format it shall be!<ul><li> My best friend (<a href="http://candsmom.blogspot.com/2005/11/by-hair-of-my-chinny-chin-chin.html">of Crunch Ali Om Yoga Bag fame</a>) just gave birth a few hours ago (hence the adrenaline rush) to her second child- a baby girl!! She opted not to find out the sex of the baby, so we were so thrilled to find out that it was, indeed, a girl! (Oh, the Debbie Bliss baby girl knits to contemplate!) Mom and baby are doing well and the next few days promise to be busy ones as I will be babysitting her older son (Bossy's best bud!) while she recuperates. (Sorry, I kind of feel like that was an <a href="http://www.faqs.org/faqs/tv/sat-night-live/characters/">SNL General Subliminal</a> paragraph!)<br /></li><br /><li>The <a href="http://www.chicknits.com/catalog/ribbycardi.html">Ribby Cardi</a> of <a href="http://candsmom.blogspot.com/2006/02/whose-bright-idea-was-this-anyway.html">blog harakiri fame</a> is progressing well. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2900.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2900.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The back is completed, as are the two front panels. I'm working two sleeves at once on circs and am about 1/4 finished. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my next post will include pics of a completed and modeled <a href="http://www.chicknits.com/catalog/ribbycardi.html">Ribby Cardi!</a> That, of course, is barring any unforeseen disaster with zipper installation, which I am a little apprehensive about. Any suggestions or advice (other than, "better you than me, sucker!") would be much appreciated!</li></ul><ul><li><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/jefbutton_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/200/jefbutton_2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>On a more serious note, if you have the time, please consider knitting an 8" X 8" blue afghan square for <a href="http://weinerwraps.typepad.com/my_weblog/">Christine's</a> brother, Jef. Jef is battling cancer and this afghan, infused with so many knitters' support and love, will be sure to bring him warmth and comfort during this difficult time. <a href="http://weinerwraps.typepad.com/my_weblog/">Christine</a> is such a sweetheart, and it breaks my heart to think about what her family is going through. Please see <a href="http://weinerwraps.typepad.com/my_weblog/">Christine's blog for further details</a>.</li></ul><ul><li><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/button_march.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/200/button_march.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Today is the kick-off of <a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog">lovely Lolly's Project Spectrum</a>!! Pink and red fever are spreading through Blogland like wildfire- it's infectious! I set this yarn aside especially for Project Spectrum March and hope to finish at least one of the two intended projects before the end of the month. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2906.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2906.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The red Cascade Sierra is for a <a href="http://handworksgallery.com">Vittadini twist top</a> and the pink Crystal Palace mohair/merino is earmarked for one of those ubiquitous Flower Basket Shawls that I just can't resist. I've also hauled out my cardstock, scrapbooking embellishments and papercrafting supplies to get started on my postcard for the <a href="http://www.lollygirl.com/project_spectrum.html#ps_postcard_swap">Project Spectrum Postcard Swap</a>. I'm really looking forward to exchanging crafty snail mail with my <a href="http://stressreaction.com">swap partner</a>! I also have another pink project planned for tomorrow... but more on that at the end of this post!<br /></li></ul><ul><li><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/chrisbitsofknits.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/200/chrisbitsofknits.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>After almost half a year of blogging (tempus fugit!), I finally have a blog button, thanks to <a href="http://www.thegivingflower.de/">wonderful Kimberly over at The Giving Flower</a>. She creates such fun buttons and beautiful crafty items that I joked with her about making a blog button for me, not expecting her to actually take me seriously. What a sweetie! Thank you, <a href="http://www.thegivingflower.de/">Kimberly</a>!<br /></li></ul><ul><li>Several weeks ago, I was lucky enough to win a contest over at <a href="http://plushknits.blogspot.com/">Plush Knits</a> and received this wonderful prize package from <a href="http://plushknits.blogspot.com/">Michelle</a> this weekend. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2901.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2901.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Art Yarns Supermerino (in a gorgeous <span style="font-style: italic;">red</span> colorway....hmm, potential 2-for-1 <a href="http://lollygirl.com.blog/">Project Spectrum</a> and <a href="http://knittinmom.blogspot.com">Sock-A-Month KAL</a> material!), <span style="font-style: italic;">red </span>Ghiradelli chocolate (which I'm hiding from myself), a wonderful Green Canyon Spa face care kit and beautiful stitch markers. I love it, <a href="http://plushknits.blogspot.com/">Michelle</a>!! Thank you so much for the lovely and generous prize!<br /></li></ul><ul><li>Finally, tomorrow, March 3 is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinamatsuri">Girl's Day or <span style="font-style: italic;">Hinamatsuri</span></a>, a day to celebrate girls in Japanese culture. Traditionally, parents or grandparents present dolls to their daughter or granddaughter at birth, which are then displayed annually during Hinamatsuri. My granparents presented me with a doll, and likewise, my parents presented Stinky with a doll just days after her birth. (Pink and red everywhere, <a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog">Lolly</a>!)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2910.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2910.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The Japanese kanji next to Stinky's doll can be read as either "beautiful blossom" or "she will blossom in beauty." I guess my mom felt Stinky needed extra assurance, as the coned head and lack of hair didn't bode well for her after birth. I think Stinky's finally living up to the second kanji interpretation. ;-) It is said that it's unlucky to leave Hinamatsuri dolls on display past the 3rd, as it may forebode a delay in marriage. Growing up <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sansei">sansei </a>(third generation Japanese-American), we celebrated Hinamatsuri with many traditional treats, such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mochi">mochi</a> and <a href="http://web-jpn.org/kidsweb/calendar/march/hinamatsuri.html">hina-arare rice crackers</a> (pictured next to Stinky's doll). Following suit, tomorrow, Stinky, Bossy and I will be whipping up some pink mochi for Hinamatsuri- sticky, sweet, yummy fun! We'll enjoy eating and sharing it... especially with Crunchy Ali's beautiful new baby girl!! Happy Girl's Day, everyone! <br /></li></ul>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-1140749211212756002006-02-23T23:30:00.000-10:002006-02-24T00:04:08.493-10:00whose bright idea was this anyway?There are some ideas that <font>sound really good in theory, but in reality, really, <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> aren't.<br /><br />Like deciding to take the kids out to eat a "nice dinner." This is an oxymoron in and of itself. Having had to make a beeline exit out of a restaurant recently with a screaming Stinky in tow (restrained via football hold, pining for the butter knives I cruelly refused to let her shove down her throat), I know that "a nice dinner" is as elusive a species as jumbo shrimp.<br /><br />Then there are those ideas that fill you with dread, but are probably in your best interest.<br /><br />Like pap smears. I start dreading my annual appointment a full 6 months ahead of the fact. Between that medieval speculum cranking device and the awkard conversation, it's hard to keep "early cancer diagnosis" in perspective. Seriously. <span style="font-style: italic;"> Seriously. </span> Why does the midwife insist on being chirpy as she's scraping your cervix? Are you supposed to act all normal and maintain your end of the conversation as she does a bimanual exam? Because I have a hard time discussing the pros and cons of my cell phone plan as she simultaneously proclaims my cervix to be in "magnificent shape!"<br /><br />Like <a href="http://lauraknitting.blogspot.com">being convinced</a> to<a href="http://eunnyjang.com/samplerstolekal/"> join a KAL</a><a href="http://eunnyjang.com/samplerstolekal/"> that is <span style="font-style: italic;">so </span>out of your league</a> that you can't even see the playing field, much less who's on first! I know this lace stole is going to open a major can of whoop-a$# on me, but I'm convinced that I'll definitely learn an invaluable thing or two in the process. Which will <span style="font-style: italic;">almost</span> make up for having all the other KAL'ers pointing and laughing at my comic attempts to knit this stole!<br /><br />Like deciding to knit an entire cardigan in 2X3X1 rib. And while <a href="http://www.chicknits.com/catalog/ribbycardi.html">I absolutely love this cardigan</a>, I detest ribbing, ironically enough. However, the final product is something I'll make a lot of use of, so I'm plugging along and have made pretty decent progress for 2 nights' work. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2889.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2889.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I know that knitting a cardigan in plain rib in a <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/itemid_5420101/yarn_display.aspx">plain cream color</a> is pretty much akin to blog harakiri, but the mama in me needed a pragmatic and practical cardi. Then again, going AWOL on your site for a week and a half can pretty much seal the blog harakiri deal, too. I'm really, <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> going to make an effort to blog with a little more regularity. I know I post with the frequency of a blogger in need of blog laxatives, but I'm going to try to up the fiber (wool, that is!) to get back on track.<br /><br />Thank you so much for all of your sweet and encouraging comments about <a href="http://candsmom.blogspot.com/2006/02/ella-by-any-other-name.html">Ella</a>, <a href="http://candsmom.blogspot.com/2006/01/eye-of-tiger.html">Kiri</a> and the <a href="http://candsmom.blogspot.com/2006/02/my-funny-valentine.html">sample sock knitting</a> I did for my <a href="http://knittinmom.blogspot.com">talented designing blog buddy, Chrissy</a>. Although the socks are finally done (as of Tuesday, yay!) and enroute to Chrissy, the whole horse's head in my bed dilemma precludes my being able to post pics of them. All I can say is that I really enjoyed knitting these socks and that I hope <a href="http://knittinmom.blogspot.com">Chrissy</a> is still my friend after she sees them! The thought of a TKGA master knitter examining socks which she designed fills me with trepidation beyond compare!<br /><br />Last, but certainly not least, a huuuuuuuge thank you and hugs to <a href="http://lauraknitting.blogspot.com">Laura</a> and <a href="http://k-knit.blogspot.com">Karen</a>, who sent some <span style="font-style: italic;">serious</span> mail love to the Aloha State yesterday. <a href="http://lauraknitting.blogspot.com">Laura</a> RAK-ed me with this absolutely breathtaking and perfect Koigu KPPPM. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2893.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2893.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lauraknitting.blogspot.com">Laura</a>, I am so blown away by your generosity and kindness- thank you soo much!! I haven't been able to stop fondling this Koigu and the beautiful green colorway... oh, how it sings to me!! These are destined to become Elfines... someday, when I stop molesting the skeins, that is. And while I was lucky enough to be one of the winners in <a href="http://k-knit.blogspot.com">Karen's Show Your FO! KAL</a> contest, what she sent was above and beyond anything I could have ever expected. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2884.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2884.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://k-knit.blogspot.com">Karen</a>, thank you soo much for the gorgeous Trekking, Lush, Sock Landscape and the adorable tin of mints!! (There was also some yummy chocolate which never stood a chance against the 4:30 PMS craving.) Your generosity simply blows me away and I can't tell you how grateful I am for your kindness and thoughtfulness. <a href="http://lauraknitting.blogspot.com">Laura</a> and <a href="http://k-knit.blogspot.com">Karen</a> are among the sweetest people I know, so please be sure to hop on over and say hello!</span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-1139898568723065512006-02-13T23:05:00.000-10:002006-02-13T23:26:51.040-10:00my funny valentineObserve my sleight of hand as I do my Sesame Street Mumford Ala-Peanut-Butter-Sandwiches routine to distract you from the fact that there is no knitting to be found here today. That's not to say that there isn't any knitting to be had. On the contrary, I've been knitting frantically to complete the sample project I'm doing for <a href="http://knittinmom.blogspot.com">designer extraordinaire, Chrissy</a>. Since the knitting is for one of her recently accepted designs (Yay!), all I'm allowed to tell you is that the project is a pair of socks. And that the pattern is very nice. Aah! Already, I feel that I've revealed too much. Any more and I fear that I may wake to find a severed horse's head in my bed tomorrow morning! Mum's definitely the word on this one, but I'm halfway through sock #2, so it shouldn't be too long before I can return to other projects on the needles. What other projects, you ask? Hmm... there may be a <a href="http://chicknits.com/catalog/ribbycardi.html">Ribby Cardi</a>, <a href="http://handworksgallery.com">Vittadini Lace/Ruffle Cardi or Twist Front Top</a> in the works... stay tuned!<br /><br />There's been a lot of controversy as of late about the posting of gifts on knit blogs. Having thought about the issue long and hard, I agree that gifts are best acknowledged with a heartfelt and private message of gratitude, but I also believe that it's okay... and desireable, even... to publicly post those gifts as an added gesture of thanks and gratitude. I would never post gifts to be exclusionary and say, "Hey! It's all about me! Mememe! Come check out my loot and be jealous that you didn't receive any because you're not part of my circle!" Rather, by sharing the gratitude I feel for someone's unexpected act of kindness, I hope that other bloggers will feel more inclined to reach out and meet people they may not have otherwise, thus always expanding the circle ever outward. I especially hold this sentiment in the case of RAK's, where the giver gifts without reason or expectation, which is such a pure and beautiful gesture. In the world we live in today, there can be no such thing as excessive gratitude, purity or beauty of spirit! In that spirit, I was so fortunate to receive two RAK's this past week- one from <a href="http://naturallyknitty.blogspot.com">Jessica of NaturallyKnitty</a> and the other from <a href="http://aswiminknits.blogspot.com">Danielle at Aswim In Knits</a>. Jessica was so generous to send a set of handbeaded stitch markers and 2 sets of knitting note cards- so adorable! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2816.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2816.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://naturallyknitty.blogspot.com">Jessica,</a> your sweet note and gift made my day- thank you so much! <a href="http://aswiminknits.blogspot.com">Danielle</a> compiled an incredible dye-your-own theme package with 3 skeins of gorgeous Colorado merino from WEBS, a set of instructions and enough kool-aid to dye the whole batch.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2817.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2817.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> She even enclosed dyeing gloves, a postcard and stickers for Bossy and Stinky! Thank you so much for your sweet handmade card and generous and wonderful pacakge, <a href="http://aswiminknits.blogspot.com">Danielle</a>- I couldn't be more thrilled! Now, hop on over to <a href="http://aswiminknits.blogspot.com">Danielle </a>and <a href="http://naturallyknitty.blogspot.com">Jessica's</a> blogs, tell them that Chris sent you and make a new friend! :-)<br /><br />I leave you now with some Valentine's Day images from the Bits of Knits household. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2809.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2809.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Note the cute little sprinkle faces that Bossy made! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2830.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2830.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2828.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2828.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Yes, love is in the air, and it even flourishes occasionally between Bossy and Stinky!<br /><br />Finally, do you remember what you received two years ago on Valentine's Day? Chocolate? Jewelry, perhaps? Two years ago, we received the most precious and memorable gift of all.... Yes, little Stinky turns "No!" today!! Here she is, hamming it up on her last day of being one. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2823.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2823.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Happy Birthday, Stinky! And Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!<br /></span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-1139383995734575862006-02-08T00:05:00.000-10:002006-02-07T23:35:07.540-10:00ella, by any other nameRemember that pretty little laceweight Gossamer I <a href="http://candsmom.blogspot.com/2006/01/eye-of-tiger.html">mentioned in the last post</a>? (Thank you, <a href="http://kniterrant.blogspot.com">Allison!</a>) Well, it gave birth to this pretty little number:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2796.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2796.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTella.html">Ella Shawl</a><br />Knit Picks Gossamer, Caribbean Colorway<br />Size 7 Addi Turbo 24" circ<br />Started: 1/31/06; Completed 2/06/06<br />Modifications: 3 repeats of Chart 1, modified into triangle shaped shawl</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Blocked Dimensions: 54" X 23"<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTella.html">Ella</a> was a satisfying and painless knit. I wasn't sure how this shawl would knit up in a laceweight yarn, but overall, I'm pretty pleased with the result. Since the pattern is mostly stockinette, I thought it might work well with the variegation. I adore this colorway! It reminds me of the beautiful Lanikai Bay in Kailua at sunrise. Which, to me, might have been a more apt moniker, but I suppose that may have cost a wee bit more to print on the yarn ball band. When I first read this pattern, I had my doubts about the designer's claim of how speedy a knit Ella was- especially since the pattern was over 9 pages long! However, with two sick kids and still a completed Ella in a week's time, I can now attest to its speedy claim to fame. (BTW, for those misguided souls who have images of Hell as fire and brimstone, I'm fairly certain that a scenario with kids who aren't sick enough to be in any imminent danger, but sick enough to whine and whimper incessantly for 3 days straight is probably more accurate.) Although her blocked dimensions are just a tad <a href="http://candsmom.blogspot.com/2006/01/eye-of-tiger.html">smaller than Kiri's</a>, Ella somehow seems a little more "sparse" as a shawl, though I'm not really sure why. In any case, Bossy enjoyed converting her into a poncho, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2799.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2799.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>and I'm kind of partial to the scarf look myself. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2806.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2806.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Stinky wanted to make a cameo appearance, too, but the remnant cold boogers stuck to her face precluded her inclusion this time around.<br /><br />The name "Ella" takes me back to my pregnancy with Stinky, when Mr. W and I were contemplating names for baby. Deciding on a name for your progeny is one of the more pleasant aspects of pregnancy and childbirth, as opposed to oh, say...an episiotomy, for example. As with Bossy, we opted not to find out the sex of the baby, so we had to come up with possibilities for both genders. Ella was one of my preferred names for a girl, but that got shot down before Trimester One was even over. Mr. W said it sounded like a farm animal's name. Of course, farm animals are <span style="font-style: italic;">just </span>what you want to be thinking about when the mere thought of drinking water makes you want to upchuck your cookies all over the sidewalk. Who the hell names their cow, "Ella" anyway? Then there was Emily... inspired by Ms. Bronte and Ms. Dickinson, I pictured a demure and gentle girl with a passionate and expressive soul. To Mr. W? A meek, mute pushover who gets her lunch stolen everyday in kindergarten. (Uhm, no, that would be me. Couldn't blame Ruben; my mom made some kick-butt bologna and cheese!) Then there was Analise, to which Mr. W countered, "What the hell kind of Japanese is named Analise?" Okay... I concede, he might've had a valid point there. Zoe got shot down for conjuring up images of a roller-skating ballerina monster with a pet rock as her best friend. Next in line was Aubrey, inspired by one of my favorite songs by Bread... "Aubrey?! What is that? The dyslexic version of Audrey?!" But my favorite, by far, was Laurel, symbol of virtue, sagacity and victory. What more could you hope for in a child? It was the perfect name, but count on Mr. W to find the loophole..."Laurel?!! Hello! Laurel and Hardy?!" *Sigh* I'm hoping that Bossy inherited his mama's sense of culture with that one functional X chromosome of his. Damn that useless Y!!<br /><br /></div></div>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-1138686615679464642006-01-30T22:35:00.000-10:002006-01-30T22:36:59.396-10:00eye of the tiger(Indulge my inner '80's child for a moment and insert <span style="font-style: italic;">forte</span> syncopated synthesizer notes here)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Rising up, back on the street</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Took my time, took my chances</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Just a knitter and her will to survive. . . eye of the tiger<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2783.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/400/IMG_2783.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2780.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/400/IMG_2780.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://alltangledup.com">Kiri Shawl</a><br />Knit Picks Shimmer in Happy Dance<br />Size 7 Addi Turbos, 24 "<br />Final dimensions: 60" by 30"<br />Successful attempt: 1/20/06- 1/30/06<br />Modifications: 11 repeats of Chart 2 instead of 12<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />After all the tribulation, I feel absolutely giddy to be ending the saga of Kiri on a high note! Watching that awkward, jumbled mass metamorphose into a delicate shawl during blocking was amazing. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2782.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/400/IMG_2782.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2779.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2779.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I am absolutely hooked!! More lace is definitely on the horizon. The only thing I'm not too thrilled about is the yellow pooling, but I suppose it adds some interesting character. I haven't much to complain about, though, as this was a <a href="http://skeinalong.blogspot.com">one skein</a> (read: $5!!) knit. Even better, this qualifies as another 3-fer KAL deal: <a href="http://skeinalong.blogspot.com">What's Your Skein</a>?, <a href="http://knitnlit.blogspot.com">It's NOT a gift</a>! and <a href="http://k-knit.blogspot.com">Show Your FO</a><a href="http://k-knit.blogspot.com">!</a> Overall, I would say that I'm pretty pleased with Kiri and am even more pleased to finally be done with this shawl. She even gets a thumbs-up Fonzie<span style="font-style: italic;"> "Aaayyy!"</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2787.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/400/IMG_2787.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>By nature, I'm not a very competitive person, but having tasted the agony of defeat several times, finally finishing Kiri was especially sweet. Now, board games with my family however, are an entirely different issue. Bring it on, baby! Pictionary at our home is cut-throat, dog-eat-dog insanity. Once that sand hourglass runs out, boom, it's over. In the blink of an eye, you're being heckled by the masses, with tomatoes being pelted at your pathetic attempt of a drawing. Those "all-play" cards are the worst, with both teams going for the kill simultaneously, no holds barred.<br /><br />This past Christmas, the six of us played, with The Mercenary and Fredo on my team. (Darn straight I made sure to pick the resident artist for my team! Cut-throat, remember?) Anyway, one of those notorious all-play cards came up and The Mercenary and Mom decided to tackle the beast head-to-head. Determined, they steeled themselves for the challenge as the hourglass was inverted. The Mercenary begin scribbling furiously. . . Fredo and I peered over her shoulder to see unmistakable pictures of flags. "Canada!" I yelled. "Japan!" Fredo chimed in. As Mexico and the UK joined the picture, it became clear that individual nations were not the intended answer. With The Mercenary gesturing wildly and circling all the flags, my train of thought turned. "Global!" I screamed. Nodding <span style="font-style: italic;">yes, yes</span> so vehemently that I thought her head might break off, I tried again. "International?!" More maniacal head nodding. Then the unavoidable and desperate stream-of-consciousness spewage as the sand trickled faster. . . "Worldwide, transatlantic, Meridian line, equator!" Eyeing the last grains of sand, the Mercenary drew two distinct pictures separated by a plus sign, in one last desperate attempt. It was clear that the second picture was a tree. But the first? My face contorted as I took my best guess at the crude depiction before me as the hourglass stopped. <span style="font-style: italic;">. . . Ass-tree?!</span> The Mercenary started laughing so hard I feared she might pee her pants, but Fredo and I had the last laugh when she finally managed to yell out, "<span style="font-style: italic;">Country!!</span>"<br /><br />Pretty offensive and crude, I know. I'm sorry if I offended anybody. Trust me, we're pretty straight-laced girls and it never occurs to us to even think that word, much less use it, which was made it all the funnier at the moment. And hey, if you're going to play Pictionary, you play to win!! Eye of the Tiger, baby!<br /><br />And finally, I've been working on a little something in <a href="http://candsmom.blogspot.com/2005/11/by-hair-of-my-chinny-chin-chin.html">this pretty little number</a> gifted to me by the <a href="http://kniterrant.blogspot.com">lovely Allison over at Perknitious</a>. I've been saving it for something special and I think I may have finally found the perfect knit for it. Keep your fingers crossed for me. . . I hope to have pictures to share by next week!<br /></div></div>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-1138174103080932012006-01-25T00:05:00.000-10:002006-01-25T00:33:10.650-10:00can you hear me now?Search and Rescue: <span style="font-style: italic;">Dispatch, this is Search and Rescue, come in Dispatch.</span><br />Dispatch: <span style="font-style: italic;">This is Dispatch. We read you Search and Rescue, go ahead.</span><br />Search and Rescue: <span style="font-style: italic;">We've recovered the missing knitter, I repeat, we've recovered the missing knitter. She is alive and well. She seems to be in shock, muttering something incoherent about slk2togpsso, but seems otherwise well. </span><br />Dispatch: <span style="font-style: italic;">Good work, team. Have you recovered any personal effects?</span><br />Search and Rescue: <span style="font-style: italic;">Just one item, Dispatch. We found her cradling it like a baby, cooing,</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> "There, there, Kiri."</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2757.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2757.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>After a near catastrophic turn of events and a successful Search and Rescue effort, I present to you my unblocked <a href="http://www.alltangledup.com/movabletype/my_images/my_patterns/kiri.pdf">Kiri</a><a href="http://www.alltangledup.com/movabletype/my_images/my_patterns/kiri.pdf">!</a> I still have 8 rows of edging to complete, but barring any unforeseen disasters, <a href="http://www.alltangledup.com/movabletype/my_images/my_patterns/kiri.pdf">Kiri</a> is basically (and finally!) done. Right now, she's measuring about 3 feet wide and close to 2 feet long unblocked, so I'm hoping for something near 5 feet by 3 feet after blocking. And the "near catastrophic turn of events, " you ask? Well, after posting last Tuesday, I cockily went about knitting Chart 2 without a lifeline, only to realize that I'd made an egregious error about 3 pattern repeats back....read: <span style="font-style: italic;">2000 stitches back!! </span>Realizing that there was no way I could frog without losing the correct placement of the stitches, I had no choice but to tink back. Yes, you read that right folks, <span style="font-style: italic;">I tinked back</span> 2000+ stitches!! Only to realize, after 2 nights of tinking, that Kiri was ultimately unsalvageable. After much profanity, I tearfully tossed her in the Frog pond. Fortunately, that evening I happened upon <a href="http://zeneedle.typepad.com/zeneedle_process_of_art/2006/01/there_she_goes_.html">Margene's beautiful post</a> (thank you for the link, <a href="http://lauraknitting.blogspot.com">Laura</a>!) and managed to compose myself long enough to cast-on again. With the help of a few judiciously placed angels watching over me (Thank you, <a href="http://acornbudsyarns.blogspot.com">Barbara</a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2762.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/200/IMG_2762.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>and <a href="http://alohanoreos.blogspot.com">Jill!</a>!), <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2766.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/200/IMG_2766.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>and with <a href="http://knittinmom.blogspot.com">Chrissy's</a> (my awesome Secret Santa!) beautiful stitch marker <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2767.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/200/IMG_2767.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>to yell my name and snap me back into concentration mode whenever my mind would wander, things proceeded smoothly. Dare I say, it was a blessing in disguise, as Version #3 looks much better than my <a href="http://candsmom.blogspot.com/2006/01/lets-make-deal.html">previous two</a><a href="http://candsmom.blogspot.com/2006/01/lets-make-deal.html"> </a><a href="http://candsmom.blogspot.com/2005/09/such-sweet-sorrow.html">attempts</a>. With size 7 Addi Turbos, the lace looks much more cohesive this time...not to mention all the grief saved with that snag-free join!<br /><br />I'm still not sure about the exact nature of the egregious error in Version #2. I can only assume that I misread the chart. Now, I know my hearing's going, but I didn't think my vision was going, too! I have a mild (15 dB) hearing loss due to recurrent ear infections during grade school. It's nothing too major; I've tried hearing aids, but they just make people sound like they're mumbling loudly. I've learned to compensate instead by quasi-lip-reading and watching for visual clues when people speak. Which kind of doesn't work when you can't see the speaker, like with, oh, say, songs on the radio, for instance.<br /><br />My baby sis, the Mercenary and I were driving around in Hilo this past summer, listening to one of those "I Love the '80's" shows on the radio. Remember that song, <span style="font-style: italic;">Hands to Heaven</span> by Breathe? Total late '80's classic, right? I like it well enough, but one line in the chorus has always disturbed me. We're both singing along when the chorus starts. Flustered by the lyrics, I just can't contain myself any longer. "Hey, you know I'm all for gender equity and everything, right?" Hesitating nod and quizzical glance from the Mercenary. "Well, I'm trying to be open minded, but I just don't get why this guy can't call his chest a chest, rather than breasts! Don't you think that's kind of a gross image?" Total what-the-hell? look from the Mercenary. Exasperated, I sing along: <span style="font-style: italic;">Tonight I need your sweet caress, hold me in the darkness. Tonight you call my breasts love's nest</span>... A moment of silence and then deafening laughter. "You DORK! It's <span style="font-style: italic;">Tonight you calm my restlessness!</span>!!" Oops, one of those lightbulb moments, folks. Remind me to look into a pair of glasses when I go to pick up those hearing aids!<br />*******************************************************************************<br /><a href="http://cottage46.blogspot.com">Sonya</a> and <a href="http://unfinishedobject.blogspot.com">Jenn</a> tagged me for this meme a while back- thanks for the tag, ladies!!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">4 jobs you've had:</span><br />Speech/language therapist working with students with autism<br />Waitress at a Japanese pub and at KC Drive Inn<br />SPED instructor at Easter Seals; adults with severe developmental disabilities<br />Entomology Research Assistant (aka Termite Terminator)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">4 movies you can (and have) watched over and over:</span><br />The Godfather<br />Gone With the Wind<br />Pulp Fiction<br />As Good As It Gets<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">4 TV shows you love to watch:<br /></span>American Idol<br />ER<br />Barefoot Contessa<br /><a href="http://www.takizawa-hideaki.net/yoshitsune/index2-frame.htm">Yoshitsune</a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">4 places you've lived:</span><br />Hilo, Hawaii<br />Kailua, HI<br />San Jose, CA<br />Seoul, Korea<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">4 places you've been on vacation:</span><br />Kaua'i (for our honeymoon!)<br />Disneyland<br />Japan<br />London<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">4 websites you visit daily:</span><br />My Yahoo<br />Bloglines<br />Ebay<br />elann<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">4 of your favorite foods:</span><br />french fries<br />corn chowder<br />mom's banana cream pie<br />fettucine alfredo<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">4 places you'd rather be right now:</span><br />LYS<br />at a coffee shop, knitting with the yarn purchased from LYS<br />at the beach, drinking coffee purchased from the coffee shop and knitting with the yarn purchased from LYS<br />using the bathroom without a 2 year old or 4 year old giving running commentary alongside me!<br /><br />I'm pretty sure that I'm the very last person in the blogosphere to do this meme, but if you're still waiting for a tag, consider yourself "it!"chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-1137483662685348172006-01-17T00:35:00.000-10:002006-01-17T00:21:11.460-10:00let's make a dealI'm a sucker for a good deal. Some of you may remember my <span style="font-style: italic;">Knitting Without Tears</span> purchase for $1.75 at the Friends of the Library book sale last summer. I think I did a jig heel-click when I found that morsel nestled amongst the other dust covered books in that 25-year old dank and mildewed box. I probably inhaled mold spores up the wazoo dusting that puppy off, but for $1.75??! Well, plague be damned! I also regularly test the bounds of <span style="font-style: italic;">E. coli</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Listeria</span>, buying reduced-price- about-to-expire beef and pork at the market. (But never, ever expired chicken. <span style="font-style: italic;">Campylobacter</span> is horrific crap. Literally.) So far, we're all still kicking and we've certainly saved a bundle. But in terms of dining savings, you just can't beat Chinatown. And as blog luck would have it, my dad was in town this past week for work meetings. Oh yes, my dad and Chinatown!<br /><br />Of course, my dad couldn't leave Honolulu without dining on his favorite Chinatown dim sum for breakfast. The poor waitress had barely managed to wheel the dim sum cart to our table before my dad anxiously blurted out, "Chicken feet, please!" I could barely repress the giggle as my jasmine tea threatened to spray out of my nose. Watching him contentedly gnaw on the talon webbing did my heart good. After breakfast, we took a stroll through town and you should've seen the way my dad's eyes positively lit up when he saw the "Live Animals" sign in the butcher's lane. The man could barely contain his glee as he pushed his way through the crowd. I think he was a little disappointed to find that there were only frogs and lobsters in the macabre aquarium of sorts. I'm honestly scared to know what he had hoped to see, but he took consolation in a couple of splayed pig carcasses and duck heads. Yeah, my dad's wired a little different than most.<br /><br />So as I was saying, I love a good deal. And what could be better than a 4 for 1 KAL deal?? Well, that's what this little pair of footlets in Knit Picks Sock Garden Geranium is giving me! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2748.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2748.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This humble 4 day knit counts toward the <a href="http://knittinmom.blogspot.com">Sock-a-Month KAL</a>, <a href="http://countyoursocks.blogspot.com">Count Your Socks KAL</a> (bringing my total to a whopping 2!), <a href="http://knitnlit.blogspot.com">It's NOT a Gift KAL</a> (because they're definitely for me, me, selfish me!) <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> <a href="http://skeinalong.blogspot.com">What's Your Skein KAL</a>, since they were knit out of less than one skein of yarn (What did I say about good deals?)! I adore these socks! I've barely taken them off since casting-off a few days ago. And the whole time I was working on the second sock, I wore the first one by itself, a la Diddle Diddle Dumpling. This was my first (successful) toe-up knit, and my first short row heel and toe. I also gained confidence with provisional cast-on and I have to say....I think I may be a toe-up convert! At least for stockinette or self-patterning yarn. I love how no pattern is necessary with toe-up, once you understand the general principles and construction. Since I vowed that 2006 would be the year of rut-upheaval, I think I'd like to up the ante and try 2 circs or even Magic Loop toe-up for my next self-patterning sock. (But don't anybody call me out on that one!)<br /><br />One of my other knitterly resolutions for 2006 was to stop being such a wuss and tackle more challenging knits. On that note, I dragged out ye ole Kiri. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2753.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2753.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Some of you may recall how I got dumped by Kiri last fall. I refuse to be dumped by my knitting anymore! It's far too humiliating to get rejected by a pile of yarn. Acting desperate by constantly frogging and crying, however, is just as humiliating, so I'm playing it cool this time around, using lifelines and stitch markers to keep Kiri in line. With our tenuous past, I'm scared to jinx myself, but I think we may have a future together. Right now, I'm 6 pattern repeats into the 2nd chart (about double what the picture shows), which puts me at almost a third of the way through the shawl. I know the variegated Knit Picks Shimmer was not the best choice for this lace, but this is more of a 'process knit' to help me overcome my fear of lace. I'm using Clover Size 7 circs, but I'm definitely investing in Addi Naturas if lace remains in my future...that snaggy join with laceweight yarn is driving me bonkers! I'm resolute about not posting again until I'm done with the pattern repeats for Chart 2. I'm estimating that should take me somewhere near a week, but if you don't hear from me in 8-9 days, someone send in the Search and Rescue Squad!<br />*******************************************************************************<br />I was tagged with two memes by <a href="http://knitmamaknit.blogspot.com">Jennifer</a> and <a href="http://cottage46.blogspot.com">Sonya</a>- thanks, girls! I'll do one now and the other on my next post, assuming I make it out of Kiri alive. ;-) I was asked to list 5 quirky habits about myself....hmmmm....things you wish you never knew....<br /><br />1) I don't do runny eggs. Ix-nay on the sunnyside-up, over-easy and poached. Major double blech on those nasty soft-boiled eggs that they present all genteel-like in those china egg-cups. Chicken periods are not meant to be eaten runny!! Once that yellow goop touches my pancakes or french toast, it's game over. Scrambled HARD, please. The rubber-ier and browner the better.<br />2) I can't sleep facing the open end of my pillowcase. I need to be facing the enclosed end. Or something very bad will happen.<br />3) When washing my face, I need to splash an odd number of times, never even. Or something very bad will happen.<br />4) One of my guiltiest pleasures is watching really bad infommercials late at night. The E-zee Rotisserie, The Pasta Maker and The Food Dehydrator- all hail Ron Popeil!!<br />5) When riding in an elevator, I will shove little old ladies over to make sure I stand in the corner of the elevator. Because, you know, if the elevator should ever start free-falling 45 floors (seriously, am I the only one who thinks about these things??!), the corner is <span style="font-style: italic;">clearly</span> the safe spot to be.<br /><br />Let's see, who to tag....if you're willing to bare all, <a href="http://lauraknitting.blogspot.com">Laura</a>, <a href="http://yolatejo.blogspot.com">Olga</a>, <a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog">Lolly</a>, <a href="http://mylittlemochi.typepad.com">Myra</a> and <a href="http://tightlywoundlooselyknit.blogspot.com">Cathy</a>, you're it!chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-1136924945276508382006-01-10T21:28:00.000-10:002006-01-10T23:51:29.030-10:00are you there god? it's me, chris.First lesson learned in 2006: Don't go looking for blog fodder where none exists, or it will surely come to find you in the worst karmic way possible! There I was, smug as could be, anticipating tales of the fam and the outhouse, totally unaware that <span style="font-style: italic;">I </span>would become the subject of my own blog, thanks to my vanity. Now, I'm not a very vain person by any stretch of the imagination. As far as physical appearance goes, I'm a low-key Gap/Old Navy on-clearance, touch of lipstick and newly black roots courtesy of Loreal Excellence kind of gal. As a mom, I don't have the patience for fussy routines; that said, as a mom, I do have a few new "needs" that seem to have come part and parcel with the mom territory. For example, sneezing and laughing have now become mini-Russian Roulette games. (All you moms out there, can I get an <span style="font-style: italic;">amen</span>, please!) And after three years of nursing two children, the sisters don't revel in anywhere near the glory that they used to. Having literally had the life sucked out of them, they need a little assistance to achieve A minus status. (And why is it that the same status used for school grades doesn't apply to bra cup sizes?) Assistance presented itself in the form of leftover Curity Nursing Pads remaining from my nursing stint, so I figured, why not? and took a little help in the form of....well...stuffing. This was not the stuffing of middle-school yesteryear, but rather, the dignified post-partum alternative to plastic surgery. (Justification, clarification, denial, whatever.)<br /><br />Anyhoo, Fredo, Mercenary, Bossy, Stinky and I were at the Hilo Airport, making our way through security. I'm grateful for all the security measures, but lemme tell you, going through the whole rigamarole with kids SUCKS. Breaking down the stroller, wrestling 3 tickets, taking off 3 pairs of shoes, trying to send scared kids alone through the security device while simultaneously having your diaper bag searched for embedded bombs is a little tricky. We finally made it through security when I was accosted by one of the TSA guys regarding the number of people in our travel party. I was flustered and a little worse for wear after all the hustle and bustle, but I tried to answer him as politely as possible. It was then that I noticed his furtive glances at my neckline. Not my chest, mind you, but my neckline. You know that sick feeling you get when you've eaten sushi and you start noticing people staring at your mouth and you just know that you have gobs of green nori stuck to your front tooth? I started to get that same sinking feeling as I saw the guard repeatedly looking and eventually, outright staring at my neckline. We cleared up the "travel party" matter and I walked away quickly, head held high, as I sensed the inevitable humiliation that was to follow. For as I glanced down, there, proudly displayed on my collar bone, was my handy-dandy nursing pad stuffing hanging in plain view out of the top of my t-shirt for all the world to see. Beam me up, Scotty! I had a momentary altercation with myself as I tried to determine whether stuffing it back in my shirt or sticking it in my bag would be the lesser of two humiliating evils. I opted for the former, deciding that walking around half A-/ half B- would only add to the jackass factor.<br /><br />So, instead of starting 2006 with outhouse lore, it seems that self-deprecation is the name of the game here at Bits of Knits. Thankfully, that doesn't apply to the knitting....yet, at least. As promised, here are pics of some Christmas gifts given to family. My baby brother, Bozobana, modeling the ubiquitous I<a href="http://helloyarn.com">rish Hiking Scarf</a> in Austermann Naturwolle from <a href="http://elann.com">Elann</a>. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2705.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2705.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Knit with Clover size 8 circs, 7 inches wide and 65 inches long, post-blocking. He seems to like it, though I don't know how much use he'll get out of it in Seattle. The Naturwolle is a tad rougher than the Peruvian Highland, but not overly unpleasant to work with. At less than $2 a skein and 4 skeins total, I really can't complain. And here's a pic of The Mercenary, modeling <a href="http://knittingforboozehags.com">Lelah</a>. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2703.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2703.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>As it turns out, she likes it as is without straps (thank goodness!), and I'm quite pleased with the fit. Here's another pic of her posing with one of the paintings she did last summer. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2701.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2701.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Did I mention she was disgustingly talented, too? Yep, I hate her. :-)<br /><br />Time spent with the fam was wonderful and it flew by entirely too fast. No knitting was accomplished at all, but I know it's a good thing when you're so happily involved with life that you don't have time to knit. I'm sure it'll take me a couple of posts to recount those two weeks, but I'll try to give you the highlights now. Bozobana and Bossy bonded, and Stinky got very attached to Fredo, as you can see.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2707.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2707.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2743.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2743.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>My dad is a fantastic cook, so my body has reaped the lovely blubbery rewards of overindulgence. But they were certainly delicious pounds!! Kalbi (Korean style short ribs), shrimp scampi, sushi night (you can bet your suction cups that there were tentacles involved!), ozoni (traditional mochi soup), barbecue spareribs, seafood salad...the list goes on. And that was just dinner!! The snacks deserve a post of their own someday. Homemade hummus and salsa, cookies up the ying yang, Filipino desserts like cascaron and suman (he may be Japanese, but my dad's a Waipahu boy through and through!), and these ono-licious Mrs. Prindable's candied apples that my mom ordered from QVC for our reunion. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2650.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2650.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>So. Darned. Good!!! We celebrated a belated Christmas and New Year's Eve on the same taxing day, which rendered only my dad and I conscious at midnight to watch the proverbial ball drop. We rocked in the New Year the way we always did growing up, with Dick Clark and a bowl of soba noodles at midnight.<br /><br />We (Fredo, Mercenary, Bozobana and I) surprised our parents on the 2nd with a belated 35th anniversary celebration, complete with a surprise vow renewal ceremony and anniversary rings. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2679.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2679.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2688.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2688.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2686.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2686.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Fredo was in charge of everything and she really pulled out all the stops with the Martha Stewart decor and place settings. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2691.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2691.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We even had our family portrait taken at Sears, which <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> deserves a post in and of itself. Imagine getting 10 people to smile at one time when everyone's annoyed, hot and hungry. Definite blog fodder, but for another day, once I get over the sting of my <span style="font-style: italic;">Are You There God, It's Me Margaret</span> incident.<br /><br />The semester began again for me tonight, so I'm glad that I managed to squeeze in a little knitting yesterday after arriving back in Honolulu. Along with my sight, hearing and ahem, other parts, my circulation is slowly going south, so my poor toes and fingers are always freezing. Yes, it's the tropics, but darn it, it's getting pretty nippy these days! So I set straightaway to work on a pair of anklets for myself. I opted for some Knit Picks Geranium, not wanting to screw up the beautiful sock yarn I was gifted with at Christmas. One of my knitting resolutions this year is to be more adventurous in trying new techniques. Although I finally threw out the big hair Aqua Net spray and blue eyeshadow, I still tend to get stuck in ruts, like knitting socks from the cuff down. Having failed at toe-up socks before, I decided to give it the old college try once again...this time to success, much to my delight. I'm thrilled to have finally done a short row toe and heel! With one down and one more to go, I hope to have a finished pair to show by the next time I post.<br /><br />Whew!! If you made it all the way through this interminable post, I thank you for being a true blue blog pal, indeed! I promise to get this long-windedness under control by next time. See what happens when you deprive a gal of internet access for 2 weeks?? Hilo was wonderful, but it sure is good to be home. And in the spirit of Jack Handy (thank you, <a href="http://yolatejo.blogspot.com">Olga</a>, for reminding me of how much I love him!), I leave you with the moral of this post and my new personal proverb: Dont count your outhouse stories before exiting homeland security!<br /><br />BTW, it's De-lurking week, so if you've been lurking in the shadows, it's high time to come into the light and give a holler! I'd love to "meet" you!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/delurk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/delurk.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13908521.post-1135753655278696402005-12-28T00:45:00.000-10:002005-12-28T01:07:26.113-10:00in with the newHope you all enjoyed wonderful holiday celebrations with your loved ones! While the four of us enjoyed a relatively quiet and mellow Christmas, we'll actually be flying to the Big Island on Friday for 11 days to celebrate New Year's with my family. The extent of my cheapness knows no bounds, as I'll be rousing two sleeping children at <span style="font-style: italic;">3:30 am</span>, my friends, in order to take advantage of the first flight of the day reduced airfare. I may need to have some Holy water on hand to deal with The Exorcist proceedings that are sure to follow after waking two deeply slumbering kids. Yes, I am cheap beyond reproach and sanity. This is actually going to be a family reunion of sorts, as my younger brother lives in Washington and hasn't been home in over 3 years. This is the Kinda-Sorta <a href="http://helloyarn.com/">Irish Hiking Scarf</a> I've been working on for him <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2642.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2642.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>(Kinda-sorta because I twisted the cables the wrong way and was too lazy to frog, as you can see)- I'm about 3 feet along now and insane enough to think I may be able to finish before leaving on Friday morning (Seriously, is 3:30 considered the "morning" or just a really late night??) My sister, Fredo and her husband will both be flying home for the holiday, too, for the first time in 5 years. And since The Mercenary will be graduating from college in May and may be moving to the mainland, this may be the last chance we'll have to all be together for a while.<br /><br />That sounded all warm and fuzzy, right? C'mon now, this is my demented family we're talking about!! (And I truly mean that in the most loving way possible.) Now here's the <span style="font-style: italic;">real</span> low-down. There'll be <span style="font-style: italic;">ten</span> (count 'em!) of us living together in cramped quarters- 3 bedrooms, 1 functioning bath and NO internet access. This is the stuff MTV's Real World is made of!! Fredo, The Mercenary, Bozobana (longtime nickname for my little brother), Chicken Feet Dad, Coleslaw Mom and me....throw in a little Bossy and lots of Stinky, and you know you've got the makings of some seriously crazy blog fodder. Of course, <span style="font-style: italic;">crazy</span> is all a relative state of mind. Literally- a RELATIVE state of mind! And did I remember to mention the outhouse?? Oh yeah, baby, the <span style="font-style: italic;">outhouse</span>. Hilo is a town untouched by time, progress and ....well, plumbing, apparently! Stay tuned- you won't want to miss the upcoming <span style="font-style: italic;">Lord of the Flies</span> post!<br /><br />But first, I wanted to share with you some of the unbelievable Christmas gifts I received. I think Mr. Wonderful was a little bummed that I seemed so much more excited about all the fabulous knitting gifts I received than I was about the gifts he'd given me (which I honestly loved, too, but I just couldn't repress the squeals of joy when I opened all the knitting gifts!). I'd been admiring the many beautiful needle cases that <a href="http://acornbudsyarns.blogspot.com/">Acornbud</a> had been making on her blog, and lo and behold, this amazing and talented lady surprised and gifted me with a custom-made case in my most favorite color! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2623.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2623.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I <span style="font-style: italic;">love</span> it, <a href="http://acornbudsyarns.blogspot.com/">Barbara</a>!! The inner lining has adorable green froggies on it, and she sewed vinyl zippered pockets (and while I'm not an accomplished seamstress, I remember enough from sewing school to know that must've sucked eggs for her!! That's real aloha!) to make it more durable and allow access to see inside the pockets. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2624.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2624.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Having seen everything up close and personal, let me tell you that her stitching is just impeccable!! And look at all the fabulous and generous goodies she enclosed! A Chibi, a needle size check, beautiful Angel stitch markers, a fishy pin cushion and my favorite....my very own Ghetto Knitter card! How awesome is that?? I'm now an official card carrying Ghetto Knitter- I love it! She also gifted me with the Knitting Pattern a Day 2006 Calendar, which I could not be more thrilled with. Thank you <span style="font-style: italic;">so</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> much for all the wonderful goodies, <a href="http://acornbudsyarns.blogspot.com/">Barbara!</a>! I'm so moved by your thoughtfulness and generosity and I absolutely cherish my beautiful needle case- you made me feel so special!<br /><br />And look at what arrived unexpectedly from <a href="http://alohanoreos.blogspot.com/">Keohinani</a>! (Seriously, how generous and awesome is this girl?? You may recall that <a href="http://alohanoreos.blogspot.com/">Jill</a> <a href="http://candsmom.blogspot.com/2005/12/making-list-and-checking-it-twice.html">just RAK'ed me</a> not even 3 weeks ago!) <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2628.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2628.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Is that not the most beautiful sock yarn you have ever laid eyes on?? That Vesper Yarn is sheer and utter perfection; I just can't stop fondling it! All of the most gorgeous shades of my favorite color in one beautiful hank of self-striping goodness. You are <span style="font-style: italic;">too</span> generous, <a href="http://alohanoreos.blogspot.com/">Jill!</a> And look at that awesome Jess Hutchison book- I love it! I've been secretly coveting that book for some time now and spent most of Christmas night reading it cover to cover- it's as if Jill read my mind. I can't wait to start knitting some sweet toys! She also made the most adorable angel stitch markers and a fabulous flower pin, too, that crafty girl. Thank you <span style="font-style: italic;">soo</span> much, <a href="http://alohanoreos.blogspot.com/">Jill</a>, for the incredible gift of joy in a box! Your amazing generosity and kindness just Blows. Me. Away!<br /><br />As if all this wasn't enough to spoil a girl rotten, look what arrived from my Secret Santa!! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2638.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2638.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>You are <span style="font-style: italic;">too</span> kind and generous, Secret Santa! <span style="font-style: italic;">Knitting Vintage Socks</span>, which I have been coveting for ages- it's almost surreal to see it sitting on my desktop, and I could not be more ecstatic about it! I'm probably the last knitter on the planet not to have read Yarn Harlot's infamous <span style="font-style: italic;">Meditations</span>, (though I've tried to read it covertly in snippets and portions everytime I visit Borders-that's why I'm Ghetto, people!); I'm so thrilled to finally have my own copy! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2640.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2640.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I adore my very cool Kirigami calendar (as does Bossy, though the thought of my four year old wielding scissors frightens the hell out of me) and cannot wait to indulge in that chocolate bar and bag of gourmet Guatemala Roast from Ristretto Roasters. And saving the best for last...Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Safari- such a rich and beautiful colorway! <span style="font-style: italic;">Thank you</span> so very much, Secret Santa for your amazingly generous and thoughtful gift- you made me so very happy!<br /><br />And last, but certainly not least, look what my lovely girl <a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog">Lolly</a> sent me!! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2634.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2634.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Holy yarn gorgeousness! Man, I sure hope <a href="http://yolatejo.blogspot.com/">Olga</a> isn't patrolling this post; I'm going to get my Ghetto status revoked for sure! Lamb's Pride is like gold in Honlulu because the only LYS that sells it is on the Big Island. And that Trekking sock yarn and Noro Silk Garden are more beautiful than I can begin to describe. As if all that gorgeous yarn wasn't outrageously generous enough, look at all the other goodies this wonderful lady enclosed! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2637.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2637.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>White fudge covered pretzels (Hello!!) and chocolate covered mint cookies (!!!) that I promptly hid from both Mr. W and myself (trust no one!), a Washington D.C. mug, monogrammed stationery, a photo magnet, crafts and pencils for Bossy and Stinky, and my very favorite- the very beautiful <span style="font-style: italic;">Last Minute Knitted Gifts</span>! There's such a plethora of gorgeous projects to knit from this book and I couldn't be more thrilled to have been gifted with it. <a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog">Lolly</a>, I am so moved by your amazing generosity and wonderful kindnes- you're such an incredible person! You made our Christmas more special and joyful than you can even imagine- from the bottom of my heart, thank you <span style="font-style: italic;">soo very much</span> for everything!!<br /><br />I've said it before and I will say it again- Knit bloggers are the most incredible and generous people there are!! I'm so grateful to count all of you among my friends- <span style="font-style: italic;">thank you</span> for all the joy and happiness you bring to my life everyday! And as our family gets ready to ring in the new year, I leave you with 2005 Christmas Eve and birthday images of the three blessings in my life I am most grateful for.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2555.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2555.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2583.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2583.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/1600/IMG_2584.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/827/1242/320/IMG_2584.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I'll be without internet access (I'm hoping the withdrawal shakes won't kill me!) from Friday till possibly the 9th or 10th of January, but I'm looking forward to catching up with all of your wonderful blogs as soon as I get back (Bloglines, be merciful! No quadruple digit feeds to read, please! ). Bits of Knits will be on temporary hiatus, but I hope to return with some FO's and of course, as promised, tales of the outhouse. Wishing all of you the best in 2006- Happy New Year, everyone!!chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231712575528439554noreply@blogger.com40