A quick way to Remember Knitting

So I was excited on Monday evening because a new book I wanted was coming out on Tuesday so about 10:00 I set my knitting down and went in to check to see if it was available at audible.  Never even though of my knitting again.....

Until the following morning when I woke up to this:

Yes, the knitting was in one place, the ball of yarn in another and the piece in between.  :-)  Thankfully the monster kittens did not harm the knitting or the needles so they live to play another day! :-)

1st Quarter Socks - FINISHED!!

I finished my first quarter socks with a weeks to spare. :-)



Ravelry link for those that can see:


When Worlds Colide

I really enjoyed these making these socks. I made both at the same time using a circular needle. It got a little hairy since I was using the same ball of yarn, but turns out I have enough left over to make a pair of fingerless gloves.



My next sock project will be knitting a pattern called "Stacia" how could I no purchase that? Pictures will be forthcoming of the pretty pink yarn I'm going to use.

March 24th

March 24th is a day forever etched in my heart.  It is a day that my Mom & I honor with a trip to Buhl, Id with flowers and loving thoughts in our heart to remember my Gram.  It's been 7 years since she's passed and I still miss her so much.

I was the youngest grandchild in the area when I was growing up, my Grandfather had passed away before I was born so I had the special honor of getting to sleep with my Gram when we'd go visit.  Although I'm sure it wasn't her honor to sleep with me, there are many pictures with me spread across the bed sleeping.  :-)  There was also the times of sitting on one of the dining room chairs helping in the kitchen, or getting to sit on the old yellow metal stool, or playing with the ceramic pig pitchers on the shelves. 

Probably the most common memory of my Gram is the first thing we did when I (or any of her grandkids) got there.  She's have her arms open for a welcome hug and after a squeeze we'd see where we measured against her top button.  As the years went by and I grew it changed to where she measured on my top button.  Always, every time I'd see her we measure that top button.  I miss my Gram's hugs and her laugh and playing card at the table trying to teach me games.  I miss talking about her childhood, and her kids growning up.  And I'm SO THANKFUL that she was in my life.

Her last couple of years were rough for her, she was moved to Boise to be in an assisted living home with trepidation.  I'm so thankful for that last year.  I'd swing by and pick her up to take her to my Parent's house on Sundays and we'd watch NASCAR and eat dinner and just be a family.  I can remember the last Christmas, she was at my Mom's house helping out getting ready for Christmas Eve and I called for some reason and she told me, in no uncertain terms, to get my butt over there to help my Mom. 

I treasure the memories of that time.  The last time I saw her before the hospital we'd stopped at her place to check in and see how she was doing and drop something off.  I was the last one out the door and she was ironing.  I had the door closed and for some reason I opened it up and told her that I loved her very much, gave her a hug and ran out to the car.  I'm so glad that I acted upon that instinct, it is a great last memory.

Hanging out at the hospital is another story for another time, but there was so much laughter that the Nurses requested that we close the door so as not to disturb the other patients.  That's the kind of family I have, a loving, story telling, happy family.  And I'm so blessed to be a part of them.

January in Pictures

I didn't get many pictures taken in January.  I've not found much to inspire me outside. I cannot wait for spring!!  However, I did take some, so here is my January in pictures:

First new recipe of the new year.  Will be made again.

Coalie's favorite place to relax.

A sleeping Belle.

Second recipe of the year.  One that will not be made again.

Best Friend's birthday present as modeled my the Mom and sewn by me.

Socks and inquisitive cat.

Whatcha doing? Am I bothering you?

First finished pair of socks for the year.

Hopefully February will be a more exciting month.  I'm taking a photography class and am very much looking forward to it.

Goals - Progress Check

Let's revisit the 2011 goals now that we are a month and change into the new year.

1. Focus more on my health:
        Well I did sign up for the Treasure Valley Weight Loss Challenge with my Mom and I've added exercise to the formula.  So I suppose this one is going okay.  It would be better if I had added the exercise before this week.  But a girl has to start somewhere!

2.Get my finances in order:
         I've decided that one week a month I will not spend any money.  This is my 2nd time doing this and it's going well.  I don't quite feel the satisfaction I thought I would so I may revisit this in the future and define it a bit differently. 

3  Finish all knitting projects currently on my needles:
          As demonstrated by my previous post, I have done that with one project.  This leaves me with two projects still on needles and I am very much thinking that one is going to get frogged before too long.  It has been on my needles since 2008 and I'm just so not into it.  We'll see how I feel in a bit.  In other news I also wanted to complete a pair of socks every quarter for 2011 and I've cast on and knit the ribbing for the first pair.  Go me.  :-)

4. Try at least one new recipe a month:
          This has very much been a success.  In the month and 10 days since the beginning of the year I've done 3 new dinners (maybe 4) and only one has not passed muster.

As for the other goals, they are moving along at their own pace.  I've been quite focused on my new business but that will be it's own little post when everything is all squared away! 



 

First Finished Object of 2011

One of my knitting goals this year is to complete the projects that were on my needles at the end of 2010.  I've cast off one.  My 2nd pair of socks.

These are called May Flowers (ravelry link) and the yarn is from The Loopy Ewe.  I was in a sock club last year and this is one of the packets.  I refer to these as my Pittsburgh socks because I started them when I was traveling back to Pittsburgh and they are yellow which is one of the colors of the Steelers.  Though I must admit I'm rooting for the Packers in the Super Bowl.

Since I've finished these, I've cast on my 1st quarter socks Worldly Socks (another ravelry link).  I'm in a knit-a-long so I aim to have these completed by mid-March. A lofty goal with everything else I have going on, but I'm gonna try!

Some additional pictures of the sock.  On the front of the leg is a tulip and I think it's interesting how each sock had a different pooling effect (the stripes or how the colors came out).  I love them though.  Great fit and lovely yarn.

Coalie looking at the socks.

And deciding that they looked to comfy to not lay on!

A Lazy Sunday

It is needed every once in a while, that day that you do nothing strenuous.  Today consisted of going to church, changing into my comfy close, watching playoffs and knitting.  The kittens have enjoyed quite the lazy day as well....