Major Knitter

M is for Mr. Met

M is for our favorite mascot of our favorite baseball team:  Mr. Met

Isn't he just a doll?  I haven't knit anything Mets related for a little while.  I should probably dig through my yarn stash and start something.  Afterall, it is baseball season.

L is for Lessons at my LYS

Today I took another kind of lesson at my LYS - Knitting Central.  And it didn't involve a single stitch of knitting.  I signed up for Ravelry 102 - an advanced class for using Ravelry.  It was amazing.  Pam is spectacular!

Pam is on the left  (LifeLaughKnit on Ravelry) and Lisa (MamaBearKnits on Ravelry) on the right.  We learned many wonderful tips and techniques.  As always, I come away from a class at Knitting Central learning all I didn't know I didn't know.  It was fantastic.  I'll be cruising Ravelry this week to employ many of the new tricks I learned. 

Oh, by the way, I'm MajorKnitter on Ravelry.  Won't you be my friend?

National Knit in Public Day

Today was National Knit in Public Day.  Not only did I NOT knit in public, but I also failed to knit a single stitch today.  Hmmmmm.  Do you think this is some sort of boycott?   Some sort of act of defiance?  Or is it just end of year busyness.  I think that's it.  I really wish I had knit in public.  It's something I really enjoy doing.  How about you?  Did you knit in public today?

Me from A to Z

Here's a meme that comes via J Strizzy.  I found it while visiting her blog and it intrigued me.  I generally don't do memes - but I thought this one was kind of fun.  So, without further ado, here goes.

ACCENT: Midwest accent.  I say certain things with a funny accent despite having departed the midwest at 21 - Here's the list - pop, you guys, roof (sounds like a dog's bark); root (rhymes with foot)

BREAKFAST OR NO BREAKFAST: I'm definitely a breakfast gal - decaf coffee and either eggs, pancakes or yogurt with granola.

CHORE I DON'T CARE FOR:  I don't file.  I really hate it.

DOG OR CAT:  All Dogs.  All the time.  Wiiiiiiilllllllllllllllllma!

ESSENTIAL ELECTRONICS:  computer, cell phone and digital camera.  I carry the last two with me whereever I go.

FAVORITE COLOGNE:  BF's allergic, so I don't wear perfumes.  I do like honey orange blossom liquid soap

GOLD OR SILVER:  I'm allergic to most metals - so I'm a silver girl.  I usually have to downgrade nice earring posts from platinum or gold to silver.  Sigh.

HANDBAG I CARRY MOST OFTEN:  Does my knitting bag count?  I don't switch my pocketbook (too much work) so my current favorite is a red patent leather Coach handbag.  It's big enough to tuck my sock Know Knits pouch inside.

INSOMNIA:  Very rare.  I suffered from terrible insomnia from 1997-2004 and rarely slept.  Thank goodness for BF.  He's my soulmate and a very calming influence in my life.  Now I'm back to sleeping like a rock.

JOB TITLE:  SAHM; blogger, knitter, Scoutmaster, Major, US Marine Corps Reserve, volunteer, philanthropist

KIDS:  2 great boys - Primogeniture (nearly 14) and Secundogeniture (9)

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS:  I live with my husband - BF - and my two sons - and our beloved English Bulldog named Wilma. 

MOST ADMIRABLE TRAIT:  I really like to help people. 

NAUGHTIEST CHILDHOOD BEHAVIOR:  Insisting on doing things my way.  I've always been headstrong.   

OVERNIGHT HOSPITAL STAY:  2 babies; kidney stone; childhood surgery, adult surgery.  I just have one question about hospitals:  Why is hospital food the un-healthiest food on the face of the earth?

PHOBIAS: Acrophobia.  I developed this after having children.  It's not paralyzing (which would not be a good thing for a Marine) but I prefer to avoid glass skyscrapers and scenic look-out points.

QUOTE:  "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."  This is one of the best quotes I took away from my Mother.

REASON TO SMILE:  See Living Arrangements.  : D

SIBLINGS:  I am the youngest of 5 children (yes, we were the Jackson Five)

TIME I WAKE UP:  I naturally wake up between 5:00-7:00 a.m.  Being a Marine just made sense to me.  I've always been a morning person. 

UNUSUAL SKILL OR TALENT:  I can sleep any time, any place.  (standing up, in the rain, with tons of noise, etc).  I can thank the Marine Corps for helping me perfect this skill, too 

VEGETABLE I REFUSE TO EAT:  Eggplant.  It's one of the rare foods I won't eat.  It's a texture thing.

WORST HABIT:  I'm a fidgety person - I never stop moving.  If you know me personally, you're probably saying "duh".  I find that knitting gives me something to do and keeps my hands busy.  Otherwise I'm running my fingers through my hair, twiddling my thumbs, or drumming my fingers.  I only have 2 speeds - on and off.  When I'm on, I'm on!  I've been known to fall asleep mid-sentence (and I was the one talking).  I realize that this means I tire other people out.  In my family we refer to it as "being Jennifered" when you run into my storm path.

X-RAYS:  Sure - all the time. 

YUMMY STUFF:  I'm avoiding sugar - so all the usual stuff is off the list.  I now enjoy cashews, fresh berries, Bear Naked granola, Gala apples and Trader Joe's creamy peanut butter. 

ZOO ANIMAL I LIKE MOST:  Napenda twiga.  Bonus gift to the first person who knows what that means (Family members not eligible)

ACCENT: Midwest accent.  I say certain things with a funny accent despite having departed the midwest at 21 - Here's the list - pop, you guys, roof (sounds like a dog's bark); root (rhymes with foot)

BREAKFAST OR NO BREAKFAST: I'm definitely a breakfast gal - decaf coffee and either eggs, pancakes or yogurt with granola.

CHORE I DON'T CARE FOR:  I don't file.  I really hate it.

DOG OR CAT:  All Dogs.  All the time.  Wiiiiiiilllllllllllllllllma!

ESSENTIAL ELECTRONICS:  computer, cell phone and digital camera.  I carry the last two with me whereever I go.

FAVORITE COLOGNE:  BF's allergic, so I don't wear perfumes.  I do like honey orange blossom liquid soap

GOLD OR SILVER:  I'm allergic to most metals - so I'm a silver girl.  I usually have to downgrade nice earring posts from platinum or gold to silver.  Sigh.

HANDBAG I CARRY MOST OFTEN:  Does my knitting bag count?  I don't switch my pocketbook (too much work) so my current favorite is a red patent leather Coach handbag.  It's big enough to tuck my sock Know Knits pouch inside.

INSOMNIA:  Very rare.  I suffered from terrible insomnia from 1997-2004 and rarely slept.  Thank goodness for BF.  He's my soulmate and a very calming influence in my life.  Now I'm back to sleeping like a rock.

JOB TITLE:  SAHM; blogger, knitter, Scoutmaster, Major, US Marine Corps Reserve, volunteer, philanthropist

KIDS:  2 great boys - Primogeniture (nearly 14) and Secundogeniture (9)

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS:  I live with my husband - BF - and my two sons - and our beloved English Bulldog named Wilma. 

MOST ADMIRABLE TRAIT:  I really like to help people. 

NAUGHTIEST CHILDHOOD BEHAVIOR:  Insisting on doing things my way.  I've always been headstrong.   

OVERNIGHT HOSPITAL STAY:  2 babies; kidney stone; childhood surgery, adult surgery.  I just have one question about hospitals:  Why is hospital food the un-healthiest food on the face of the earth?

PHOBIAS: Acrophobia.  I developed this after having children.  It's not paralyzing (which would not be a good thing for a Marine) but I prefer to avoid glass skyscrapers and scenic look-out points.

QUOTE:  "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."  This is one of the best quotes I took away from my Mother.

REASON TO SMILE:  See Living Arrangements.  : D

SIBLINGS:  I am the youngest of 5 children (yes, we were the Jackson Five)

TIME I WAKE UP:  I naturally wake up between 5:00-7:00 a.m.  Being a Marine just made sense to me.  I've always been a morning person. 

UNUSUAL SKILL OR TALENT:  I can sleep any time, any place.  (standing up, in the rain, with tons of noise, etc).  I can thank the Marine Corps for helping me perfect this skill, too 

VEGETABLE I REFUSE TO EAT:  Eggplant.  It's one of the rare foods I won't eat.  It's a texture thing.

WORST HABIT:  I'm a fidgety person - I never stop moving.  If you know me personally, you're probably saying "duh".  I find that knitting gives me something to do and keeps my hands busy.  Otherwise I'm running my fingers through my hair, twiddling my thumbs, or drumming my fingers.  I only have 2 speeds - on and off.  When I'm on, I'm on!  I've been known to fall asleep mid-sentence (and I was the one talking).  I realize that this means I tire other people out.  In my family we refer to it as "being Jennifered" when you run into my storm path.

X-RAYS:  Sure - all the time. 

YUMMY STUFF:  I'm avoiding sugar - so all the usual stuff is off the list.  I now enjoy cashews, fresh berries, Bear Naked granola, Gala apples and Trader Joe's creamy peanut butter. 

ZOO ANIMAL I LIKE MOST:  Napenda twiga.  Bonus gift to the first person who knows what that means (Family members not eligible)

K is for the Kiddos' Socks

My niece and nephews were so thrilled to get their handknit socks last week.  They received their package in the mailbox just as they were heading out the door for a Memorial Day Weekend trip to the Black Hills.  Here they are in their cabin, modeling their new Aunt Jennifer socks

Look at those big smiles on these Kiddos in the Cabin!

This looks like a great loft for a mini-vacation.  Don't you wish you were spending your family vacation in the Black Hills with handknit socks?

J is for Jennifer Jackson

Well, that was silly.  I actually said to BF (using my external voice) "I'm not sure what to post for the letter J."

He looked at me and said, "Hmmmm.  How about Jennifer Jackson?"  Well, duh.  I supposed since the blog is all about me, it would be appropriate to post a picture of me.  But wait.  Which picture would you like to see?  There must be some good ones out there.  Hmmmmm.  This could be interesting.

Here's an official portrait.  But I'm not sure if that's the best shot.  How about a fun Scouting picture?

Here I am getting ready to go whitewater rafting on Mother's Day this year.

 

Here's a picture of me holding a copy of The New York Times when they did an article in the Connecticut Section about blogging. 

And here's the typical scene you'll see of me in my house knitting on the sofa.

There you have it.  J is for Jennifer Jackson. 

J is for...

For some reason I'm having a really hard time coming up with just the right thing for the ABC Along for the letter J.

I is for Imagine

I is for Imagine - the mosaic tribute to John Lennon in Central Park's Strawberry Fields.

H is for Honeymoon

BF and I just spent a dreamy ten days in Italy for our honeymoon.  It was everything a honeymoon ought to be.  I can't limit my ABC-along to one picture - so here are a handful of honeymoon images.

A gondola docked for the night on Venice's Grand Canal

Colorful houses on Burano Island - without a doubt this fishing and lace-making island was one of the highlights of the trip

A young boy feeding the pigeons at San Marco's square in Venice

Gondolas parking for the night after romancing tourists all day long

The Duomo in Florence.  Yup - we thought it would be a good idea to climb the 450+ stairs up the dome.

Ponte Vecchio in Florence. 

The food market in Florence.  The fresh food markets with all the sights, sounds and smells are always one of my favorite places to visit when I travel.

Rome's Trevi Fountain - If you throw a coin over your left shoulder into the fountain, it's guaranteed that you'll return to Rome.

Words can't explain what it is like to visit Rome's Colliseum.  I think I'll have to watch Russell Crowe in the Gladiator again.

   

The Forum.  It's amazing to see these thousand-year ruins standing right next to homes, busy streets and hot dog vendors all in the heart of Rome.

The opening at the top of the Pantheon - when it rains, it pours.  Fortunately for us, this was the one day of our honeymoon that it didn't rain.

Our morning in the Vatican City - which ended here in Saint Peter's Square - was the highlight of our trip.  It was everything I always thought it would be and so much more.  I think we were very fortunate that Pope Benedict was in the US while we were in Italy - as it meant about 1/3 less tourists.

Finally, Alitalia canceled our flight home without informing us - so we were stuck in Ostia Lido (if you're a New Yorker - think Queens).  Rather than go back to Rome and get our hotel back, we decided to explore Ostia.  We ended up having a relaxing 24 hours touring the town and meeting some locals.  We even got a recommendation for this great seafood restaurant - Rucula.  We ended our honeymoon with nothing but more great Italian food.   

G is for Girly Girl

G is for Girly Girl

Wilma has a few nicknames.  Her official nickname is The Wilm.  My personal favorite is Girly Girl.  Everything about a female bulldog is in direct opposition with being a girly girl.  But Wilma is so adorable with her tongue hanging out, her heavy breathing, her unladylike sprawl, her snoring and oh so much more, that Girly Girl is just the perfect name for my bully.

E is For Envelopes

I couldn't quite figure out what to share with you for the letter "E" and then BF suggested envelope.  Perfect!  I made all my stationery for the wedding - and even lined the envelopes with various shades of purple envelope liners.  Today is the day that I have set aside for writing my thank you notes - so envelope is the most fitting word of the day.  Here are some pictures of the envelopes and thank you notes.

D is for Diamonds

Diamonds are a girl's best friend.  That being the case, I felt obliged to share this one with you.

Sorry.  I couldn't resist.  This was a prop at the bridal store and I just had to snap a shot with it.  I think it's really a paper weight ring, but it sure was fun to try it on.  I really meant to share the knitting diamonds with you.  Here's an update on my diamonds in my Argyle Socks

I'm really happy with the way these socks are turning out.  I didn't make as much progress as I wanted to this weekend because I was knitting Sadie's baby booties and cap.  Unfortunately, the forecast didn't cooperate and we had to postpone our day trip to Boston due to the snow and weather advisory.  Here's a sneak peak at the baby booties.

C is for Charity Knitting

There are so many wonderful things that start with the letter "C" that it was really difficult to choose just one.  I finally settled on something that defines me - My Charity Knitting.

This is one of my favorite donations received from Tracy of Wool Windings several years ago. She took the time to knit so many wonderful swatches for Warm Up America and then neatly blocked them, stacked them, wrapped them and tied them with a bow.  The best part was the heart felt note she included.  Tracy has been one of my closest blogging buddies ever since.  Sometimes it feels funny that I have never met her in person.  I feel like we've been friends forever.  See how nice charity knitting is?

Bloggers Silent Poetry Reading

This is the 3rd annual Bloggers Silent Poetry Reading and my first time participating.  I give you my very favorite poem.  It's by Edna St. Vincent Milay, and oddly enough it's fibre related.  My sister Ellen introduced me to this poem when I was 13 years old.  I think I can still recite it from memory (but don't take me up on that bet).  I hope you don't cry.

"SON," said my mother,
  When I was knee-high,
"You've need of clothes to cover you,
  And not a rag have I.

"There's nothing in the house
  To make a boy breeches,
Nor shears to cut a cloth with
  Nor thread to take stitches.

"There's nothing in the house
  But a loaf-end of rye,
And a harp with a woman's head
  Nobody will buy,"
  And she began to cry. 

That was in the early fall.
  When came the late fall,
"Son," she said, "the sight of you
  Makes your mother's blood crawl,–

"Little skinny shoulder-blades
  Sticking through your clothes!
And where you'll get a jacket from
  God above knows.

"It's lucky for me, lad,
  Your daddy's in the ground,
And can't see the way I let
  His son go around!"
  And she made a queer sound.   

That was in the late fall.
  When the winter came,
I'd not a pair of breeches
  Nor a shirt to my name.

I couldn't go to school,
  Or out of doors to play.
And all the other little boys
  Passed our way.

"Son," said my mother,
  "Come, climb into my lap,
And I'll chafe your little bones
  While you take a nap." 

And, oh, but we were silly
  For half an hour or more,
Me with my long legs
  Dragging on the floor,

A-rock-rock-rocking
  To a mother-goose rhyme!
Oh, but we were happy
  For half an hour's time!

But there was I, a great boy,
  And what would folks say
To hear my mother singing me
  To sleep all day,
  In such a daft way?

Men say the winter
  Was bad that year;
Fuel was scarce,
  And food was dear.

A wind with a wolf's head
  Howled about our door,
And we burned up the chairs
  And sat upon the floor.

All that was left us
  Was a chair we couldn't break,
And the harp with a woman's head
  Nobody would take,
  For song or pity's sake. 

The night before Christmas
  I cried with the cold,
I cried myself to sleep
  Like a two-year-old.

And in the deep night
  I felt my mother rise,
And stare down upon me
  With love in her eyes.

I saw my mother sitting
  On the one good chair,
A light falling on her
  From I couldn't tell where, 

Looking nineteen,
  And not a day older,
And the harp with a woman's head
  Leaned against her shoulder.

Her thin fingers, moving
  In the thin, tall strings,
Were weav-weav-weaving
  Wonderful things.

Many bright threads,
  From where I couldn't see,
Were running through the harp-strings
  Rapidly,

And gold threads whistling
  Through my mother's hand.
I saw the web grow,
  And the pattern expand.

She wove a child's jacket,
  And when it was done
She laid it on the floor
  And wove another one.

She wove a red cloak
  So regal to see,
"She's made it for a king's son,"
  I said, "and not for me."
  But I knew it was for me. 

She wove a pair of breeches
  Quicker than that!
She wove a pair of boots
  And a little cocked hat.

She wove a pair of mittens,
  She wove a little blouse,
She wove all night
  In the still, cold house.

She sang as she worked,
  And the harp-strings spoke;
Her voice never faltered,
  And the thread never broke.
  And when I awoke,–

There sat my mother
  With the harp against her shoulder
Looking nineteen
  And not a day older,

A smile about her lips,
  And a light about her head,
And her hands in the harp-strings
  Frozen dead.

And piled up beside her
  And toppling to the skies,
Were the clothes of a king's son,
  Just my size.

B is for Brasilia

 

I had a hard time choosing something for the letter B.  Of course, there's BF - but he's not on the blog, so I couldn't do that.  There's Wilma, the Bulldog, but I think I'll save her for W.  Of course, there's my Boys.  So many choices.  I finally decided to share some pictures of Brasilia where BF and I were a few weeks ago.  We stayed with friends and did some touristy things.  I am sharing with you some pictures of the famous architecture of Brasilia as well as the sights from the local arts and crafts fair.  I threw in one of me knitting for good measure.

Click on each individual picture to see a close-up of Brasilia.

   

Knitting Central Sock Club Skip Along Socks

My February socks arrived in the mail yesterday.  I was so excited to see the return address - Knitting Central.  I could scarcely believe it was already time for the next socks - especially since I never managed to knit Lynn's lovely Bed Socks (they arrived December 1st during the holiday knitting frenzy). 

George is holding the yarn and Laura Eckel's pattern for the Skip Along Socks.  The yarn is Mountain Color's Bearfoot.  I received the Indian Corn colorway.  It's scrumptious.  The best part is that I also have a skein of Steelhead from last summer in a blue/green/purple colorway.  This might just be a double sock once again.  Cynthia always includes a little gift in each package.  This time our gift was a Mini Bamboo Crochet Hook by KA.

Since I only have 2 pairs of socks on the needles right now (the neverending Almost Argyles in red Lorna's Laces and the steel gray Lobster Pot sleeping socks for BF), I could understandably cast on for a third pair of socks without raising any eyebrows, right?

Blog Every Day and You, Too, May Win!

Remember way back in November when I participated in NaBloPoMo?  Well, I won a prize from Melle.  She made me a customized Sock Monkey and it arrived today in the mail. 

I've never owned a Sock Monkey before and this one is just dandy.  Thanks so much Melle.  I'm so impressed with the construction of the Sock Monkey and your handiwork.  The colors are beautiful and the buttons are the perfect accent!  I'm so happy to own my very first Sock Monkey... and me, a mere 40-something-year-old.

ABC Along

This is my first time participating in Vicki's ABC-Along 2008.  I thought that I'd start with the ABC Crayons & Chalkboard vest that is Abandoned. 

I think I know why this vest has been abandoned.  I'm loathe to ever say anything negative - let alone on the blog, but I believe that the pattern is poorly written.  It's fine if you're a Fair Isle wiz... but if you need clear instructions (like me) - this is what you get:  "Consult knitting reference books for steek stitching methods, or do an online search for further instructions"  Excuse me?  That's not very helpful at all.  Forget the fact that I bought the pattern - and then more reference books, videos, took a class, etc.  Sigh.  I'm not the only one who abandoned this project.  Check out Ravelry

Blog 365

Norma decided to do it.  She seems like a sane, rational person.  Claudia and Kay endorsed it.  They seem like sane, rational people.  Why not take their advice and give it a try myself?

I'm going to attempt to blog every day in 2008 as part of Blog 365.  Want to give it a try?   

PS.  This is what happens when you surf the internet in the pre-dawn hours of the night.  You find new knitting things to join.

Socks That Are To Die For

I love it when knitting makes news.  I especially love it when it makes the front page.  I am generally flabbergasted when it makes the Wall Street Journal.  But what's not to love.  We all know that knitting is big business.  Check out this article in today's WSJ about the Sock Wars where you "kill" your secret pal by finishing your sock and shipping it off in record time.  It's Sockapalooza / Knitting Olympics meets Assassin.

For more information about the Sock Wars, check out Julie's blog - Yarnivation.  You can also find the link for the Scar sock pattern here.

I'm a NaBloPoMo Winner!

Wowza!  I never expected to actually win - but guess what?  I did!  Yippy!  Check out the National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) prize page.  I'm mentioned in prize number 56.  I won a wonderful Sock Monkey from Melle.  I always admired sock monkeys as a child, but never actually owned one myself.  I guess I am reliving my childhood now that I'm in my 40s. 

Life is good.

Thanks Melle! 

I Can't Believe I Blogged the Whole Month!

I managed to post at least once every day for the entire month of November for the NaBloPoMo otherwise known as the National Blog Posting Month.  I know.  You're probably thinking that the world would have been a better place if I had skipped a few days rather than leave you with some of my less knitworthy posts.  But I made it.  Whew!  How did you do?

NaBloPoMo

I've joined the National Blog Posting Month group where I'll commit to blogging once a day for the entire month of November.  Wish me luck.  Want to join?

Can I Just Say...

that I took a 3.5 mile walk today and it put me over the 100 Mile Mark. 

Yippy!  It has been so much easier to get out and walk and walk and walk since spring has been nice.  January to April was very challenging due to the weather.  I feel so much better all around now that I'm getting out more.  How about you?  How are you doing?

Run-a-No-No

Oh No!  I have been really slow these past 4 weeks on my Run-a-Go-Go.  I just walked 3.5 miles with Joanne today and 1.5 miles on the treadmill on Thursday.  That puts my grand total at 35 miles.  Yeah me.  The bad thing is that I'm supposed to be at the 100 mile mark in just 19 days.  Uh Oh.  That sounds overwhelming.  Maybe I can just get in a super 10 miles walk in here or there and catch up.  Or maybe I can become a sudden exercise fiend.  Anyway you slice it, it's 2 months of walking/running in just 19 days.  Maybe I should do some biking.  I could definitely add the miles that way (I think)?

The good news is that I'm not giving up.  I love walking and it's been such frigid cold weather that the sudden respite has been delightful for walks along Westport's Compo Beach.  I will continue my walk-a-go-go and see how I do. 

A Brisk 3.5 Mile Walk

I just got back from a brisk and chilly 3.5 mile walk to the beach.  I'm up to 23.5 miles for the 100 miles by April 1st.  I've only got 76.5 to go.  Yes.  I know I'm still a little behind the power curve, but I feel confident.  Better yet, I feel good about walking and getting a bit of fresh air and some exercise.  I have work to do now, but I just got my Netflix - Wuthering Heights with Ralph Fiennes.  What shall I do?  It's a tough call.

Decisions.  Decisions.

Seventeen is Fine By Me

I went with Elizabeth for a 3.5 mile walk down by the beach today.  Right after that, I went to the gym for a work-out session which included another 1mile on the treadmill.  That puts me at a total of 17 miles for Rachael's 100 Miles By April 1st.  I'm still behind the 33.33 miles per month rate, but I'm pleased with my progress.

I've also been taking a look at my eating habits and drinking habits (not alcohol, mind you, my other vice - Diet Soda!).  I'm trying to alter little pieces of my diet so that I can make life changes rather than some sort of quick fix.  After my workout, I stopped by my local Bridge Market to pick up a salad, corn chicken chowder and a half dozen Naked Juices.  The real thought with the juices is that I might actually get Primogeniture to DARE Secundogeniture to drink some vegetables in the form of The Green Machine.  What have I got to lose?

Ten Miles Down; Ninety More to Go

I got on the treadmill this afternoon for 2 miles.  I know.  I'm a little behind, actually, I'm a big behind, which is why I signed up for the 100 Miles by April 1st KAL in the first place, but I digress.  As I was saying, I'm behind the power curve, but I've gotten into a rhythm now that I think will keep me on pace for the next 90 miles.

While I was walking/jogging today I watched the Dog Whisperer.  I thought I might learn some tricks to teach Wilma how NOT to eat my knitting.  Seriously though, I have a great dog trainer, Heather Witt, and she's been a godsend. 

What a great combo - exercising and learning new dog training skills - at the same time.

I'm off to log in my progress on Rachael's site now.  How is your New Year's exercise plan coming along?

Exercise and Moderation in Technicolor

I've done it.  It's not even the end of the first week of the new year and I've joined three KALs (Knit From Your Stash in 2007, Project Spectrum 2.0 and 100 Miles by April 1).  Well, technically, this last one doesn't really have anything to do with knitting, but it was started by Rachael - a knitter - so I guess that counts for something. 

I've signed up to Run 100 Miles by April 1st.  The good news is that I already ran 2 today.  Want to join us?

Project Spectrum 2.0

Yeah!  Lolly is the best.  Really.  She's organized Project Spectrum 2.0 for a second year.  And this year is even better than ever.  Read all about it here.  In the meantime, in order to comply with Knit from Your Stash 2007, I'll have to start getting myself organized.  Don't worry, it won't be too difficult as the stash has taken on epic porportions!

February / March
Blue, White, Gray

April / May
Green, Yellow, Pink

June / July
Red, Black, Metallics

August / September
Brown, Orange, Purple

A New Year's Tradition

JenLa has published their annual list.  Ah... it is another Happy New Year.  Thanks JenLa for all the hard work you put into this amazing list.  YOU deserve an award for the best post of the year. 

Oh, and it's Cara's birthday.  Stop by and wish her a happy birthday.

Best wishes for a very healthy, happy, and prosperous 2007.

A Proper English Tea

Saturday, our final full day in London, and BF, CB and I had brunch with friends in the morning, walked around London after that mostly visiting Harrods, and topped off the afternoon with a proper English tea at 4:00 p.m. at Liberty where we met my Project Spectrum Postcard Pal - Jane - for tea.

The first thing we did was swap our postcards. Jane made me a postcard with a parade of origami cranes in yellows and oranges.

I made her two of my knit notes - one in yellow and one in orange - plus a little spot of chocolate from our earlier stop at Harrods. It was so nice to see that we each handmade our cards. I just love that about knitters.

Jane was such a sport, answering our questions about London and all. With very little encouragement, we indulged in scones, clotted cream (I'm completely and utterly hooked!), jam, tea with milk and LOADS of sugar, meringues with berries (I put chocolate chips in my recipe) and of course, a taste of cucumber sandwiches. At our prompting, Jane told us all about the Rowanettes who meet at Liberty every Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. (although they advertise the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month). It's official. I could live in London, easily.

After tea, Jane showed us Liberty's haberdashery with a marvelous selection of Rowan yarns. I purchased some souvenir yarn (2 skeins of Regia blue sock yarn to knit up some London souvenir socks) and some Rowan Summer Tweed. The Summer Tweed is going to be knit up into a scarf for our host CB. I also purchased some 4.5 mm straight bamboo needles. I cast on 31 sts and will knit in mistake rib until all four skeins are used. I think it will be approximately 6 feet long and 6 inches wide.

Project Spectrum

I'm joining Lauren in her Project Spectrum.  This month I'm knitting a pink Curly-Q scarf.  I'll probably create something that will combine both pink and red soon.   Maybe it will be something pink with a red heart (and orange accents somewhere) for the American Girl Doll.  She's been neglected lately and hasn't gotten any new designs.  Poor girl.

Wanna join Project Spectrum?