Tuesday, September 26, 2006

29 days and counting....

My blogiversary is fast approaching...and I think a contest in in order! So, I'm cooking up an idea. I'll post the contest on or about the 18th, that's 1 week prior to the big day! This may be a little different from other blog contests out there, so read up and be prepared!

Crazy Aunt Pearl asks readers to send her pictures of "Your Favorite Kniting Spot"...for me it's anywhere my butt lands! But I guess this is my most favorite spot to knit:

I'm getting ready for the Hawks Nest Retreat, you can also find pictures here...leaving on Thursday!!!!
The spinning wheel is oiled and ready for 4 days of almost constant use! Mr. Simpson will also be there...I don't know where I'm going to put any more fiber, but where there's a will...there's a way! Then the next weekend we have the Fall Fiber Festival in Orange, Va. I think I've decided to enter a skein of my yarn for judging...kind of a scary thing when you get right down to it. So the long & short of it is...after tomorrow I will NOT be near a computer...no updates till I get back.
Woo-Woo!
I'm working on the fronts of Mom's sweater, starting a shrug for my son's girlfriend (the good one) and yet another pair of socks!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Monday, September 25, 2006

Blog Fodder...

I'm not so sure this is me....

You Are A Poplar Tree

People tend to look up to you, and it's a bit lonely at the top.
Inside, you are not always self confident, but you show great courage.
Mature and organized, you are reliable in any situation.
You tend to have an artistic or philosophical outlook on life.
You are very choosy in love and take partnership seriously.



The being looked up to part? I don't feel loney...
Mature...organized...HAH!
I agree with the artistic/philosophical part...or at least I try!
The last sentence...ABSOLUTELY! Though I have had my moments of bad judgement!




I am an
Echinacea


What Flower
Are You?


Sunday, September 24, 2006

Sorry....


I don't know what kind of maintenance they performed on Friday but for me it has screwed up my template. I apologize if you are getting this screwy stuff...it's nothing I did!
If you do see something weird please let me know...

Thanks

***UPDATE***
Okay..so I think I know what happened!

I updated to IE7 this morning then my blog went bonkers...since I was planning on doing a "Blog Make-Over" next month anyway I decided to go ahead and fix it all now. I couldn't stand the way it was looking after the update, so Sangeeta this may help your problems with reading my blog, I would be interested in knowing if you were viewing my blog with IE7.
This is a work in progress...so bear with me!

Friday, September 22, 2006

Hi Y'all---I'm back!

Not that I really when anywhere....I've been having problems with my "new" DSL service, I think all the wrinks are finally ironed out...we'll see!




The Dolphin Dance is finished...but it's still holding secrets, it hasn't yet spoken to me to tell me what it wants to be?!? Sorry about the picture, I didn't set the depth of field as I should have...but I wanted everyone to get an idea of the beautiful color.



A recent post on Spin-List posed the question if anyone had heard of this series of books...my answer--'YES I HAVE'! The Foxfire series. There are 12 issues (I think) and I'm missing the last 6 volumes, and honestly I'm not sure of how many their are. These books are really wonderful...all about Appalachian life...all the things my grandparents used to do. Some not so pleasant and let me tell you when they made lard---the smell was horrible! I knew when I pulled in the driveway what was up but by then it was too late to turn around and leave, they'd already seen me. I can remember as a child my grandfather took me to a hog slaughtering house...YUCK! Though it may seem awful...these memories I cherish...because people lived hard and poor in these small Appalachian town, villages and spots on the map. I remember going to the country where I learned to milk a cow, gather eggs and slop the pigs. The cats would sit in the doorway of the barn with their little mouths open waiting for you to squirt milk into their mouth...he I became a pretty good shot at the tender age of 8! I remember how sweet and cold the water was when you pulled it out of the well...I remember Mrs. Cox canning sausage in her kitchen--and the HUGE kitchen sink she had. All of these things are talked about in these books along with knitting, spinning and quilting. All the old crafts that are forgotten or the knowledge is simply no longer need in out modern age. I miss my grandparents...they are a huge part of who I am today!



Check out this lazy cat...I wish you could hear him--he's snoring! That's what I call asleep! Oh and by the way...my granny's quilt--again!





If you don't like bugs...look away--


And while I'm on my childhood...I mentioned the other day the fact that I don't see any Praying Mantis' anymore. This proved me wrong--I was walking in the back door yesterday when this one was perched on my Avacado tree! He/She even posed for me! I used to keep them during the summer as a pet...remember I was a tomboy--bugs, snakes, etc.

Okay...I've got to get back to my knitting, I've got to find some what I can do all my 'computer stuff', read, knit and spin at the same time!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Monday, September 18, 2006

Weekends Are Simply Too Short...

I could have done this all weekend long...




Why do the weekends come a go so quickly?


Okay...on to other stuff,
In an attempt to come into the modern age I finally gave up the old dial-up connection for DSL...I installed it on Thursday...It died on Friday! So I was without a computer to read all my blogs...and I ask myself, "What did I do before I started blogging??"
Obviously DSL is back up and running...


I finished the rest of my "Dolphin Dance" fiber...and a new problem arose--What color and/or fiber do I want to spin next? Decisions-Decisions!!

The Enabler...yes I am! I have managed to bring more "into the fold"--The Wonderful World of Knitting! A co-worker, dealing with some family issues "needed" to learn to knit...so who helps?? ME! A new volunteer at the library...somehow learns about the
Knitting Group that meets there once a month...who told her? ME! She wants to learn to knit socks...who's gonna help get her started...ME!!

A shout out to
Kimberly--GO BIRDS! I know it's late in the season...no chance of winning anything...but SHE WENT TO A GAME!! Read her yarn shop reviews!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Thursday, September 14, 2006

WIP's and Future WIP's

Works in Progress...at least a few of them...
The red is my son's Durrow that I need to sew together...along with the baby sweater and my backpack (which I forgot to photograph)--and before you say anything, you'd think that a seamstress would sew these things together but that's the part of knitting I put off doing! I figure that can be the thing I'm working on Christmas Eve! The blue is my Mom's sweater, I know, I know...it's the boring back (sorry Melanie, nothing personal)--all stockinette stitch but it's the mindless knitting I can do anywhere...I love leaving the fronts, and on this one the sleeves, for last because the pattern keeps my interest and goes a lot faster and the 2nd sock of the pair (see the Sept 9 post).





Here's my spinning that I've been neglecting, but like I said before my spinning foot is twitching so I'm going to get this (the color is called Dolphin Dance) finished up and get onto the next color--but what color will that be...decisions, decisions!





And...a peak into the future...Lammie Ewejean can't wait!



Here are just some of the things I have planned for the future...socks, socks and more socks. The fiber color is called "Firestorm"--Oh, don't fret...there's more fiber where that came from!


Check out the quilt...I'm trying to rotate my displays, this one may not last out too long. My grandmother made me this quilt when I was a little girl...it's WELL loved--very tattered and torn and stained...like I said well loved! It's the Dutch Girl pattern. Miss you Granny!


I'm thinking about you
Spinning Fishwife...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Remembering….

Yesterday was a very sad day all over the world, though that tragic day happened here…at home…on our soil---Many, many lives were touched by it. Employees of the World Trade Center were from all over the World not just American Citizens. I didn’t feel much like writing this yesterday but I do feel that I need to put into words some of my feelings.
I guess you might say I’m a fortunate one…no one from my family was lost by this terrible act, BUT I think we were all touched by it.

I don’t think anyone alive will forget what he or she was doing or where they were when they heard about the attack on America. My day had just started at work, when a courier came in and said a plane had just hit the World Trade Center…we were always joking so I thought he was just pulling another prank on me. To my horror…it was true…and that truth only got worse.

Let me go back to late August of 2001. My hubby works for the Dept. of Technology supporting Police, Fire & CAD (Dispatch) for the City of Roanoke. That August we had attended a Fire Expo Conference in New Orleans, we both were amazed at the camaraderie of the Firemen and Firewomen from all over our great Nation. Our plane trip home we were surrounded by Firefighters from New Jersey & New York, I think we were the only “civilians” on board…we joked and laughed with them, their antics kept us entertained all the way to Pittsburgh where we changed planes for home…
When we learned of the numbers of those heroic firefighters lost that day took me back to that plane ride home…how many of those faces we laughed with were…gone?? We never learned their names…but I will ALWAYS think of them every 9/11.
It was later that I learned that one of my very good friends sister, a Lieutenant with the Navy, was to be at the Pentagon that day for a meeting…but she had been delayed. She saw the news and immediately called her brother to let him know she was okay.

One other thing I can remember about those days following the attacks was the fact that it was so quiet…the birds weren’t singing. There were no planes flying which also gave a very eerie silence. It was about 10 days later or so that I think planes began limited flights.

We were scheduled to go on a business trip to Los Angeles in early Oct. 2001 and, of course, that was postponed for obvious reasons. We decided to take a little time away, because those days following had been so dark…I, like a lot of others, couldn’t stop watching the recovery efforts on TV…and quite honestly I was feeling very depressed. We took a trip up to Antietam/Sharpsburg Battlefield in Maryland, which is only about an hour from Washington, DC. At that time planes had just started flying again and around the DC area they were being escorted by fighter jets (I don't remember but I think they were F-18)…




This picture will forever be a reminder…I didn’t know that Jack had captured it until we got the pictures back (yes, this is a pre-digital age photo), while he was taking this picture I watched a plane be escorted by a fighter plane on each wing.
The sound of fighter jets...unmistakable! Pretty amazing photo...to most it will just look like a black dot, but I remember what I saw and heard that day.

On the Knitting & Spinning front--
I started my second of the purple pair, and I started my Mom's sweater! My spinning foot is beginning to twitch...I think I'd better exercise it!
I have SO many projects in mind that I need more time to knit...darn it!

Monday, September 11, 2006

A Day of Reflection, Remembrance & Patriotism

To all those we lost 5 years ago....



New York, Washington, DC, Shanksville, PA

Saturday, September 09, 2006

100th POST!

When I started this blog I had no idea how it would grow...and it has just grown to 100 posts! Unbelieveable!!



And there's even some KNITTIN' content...

Here is the first of the 5 pair of socks...does that make sense? The pattern I'm using is from "Sensational Knitted Socks" by Charlene Schurch. Using the 4 stitch pattern chapter, this is the Baby Cable Rib pattern...VERY easy!

I have about 4 more pair to finish by Christmas! I ordered some yarn for the cardigan, I mentioned before, for my Mom. Since her birthday falls in January if I don't finish it for Christmas...hopefully she'll get it for her Birthday!

Notice something about this picture? Guess who thought he was going to get in it?! I was preparing everything for the picture when "HE" decided to lay down knowing Mom wouldn't want to rearrange everything...little did ne know I could "crop" the picture! Another sign humans are smarter than cats! I tell him all the time that we are smarter...we can do more...WE HAVE THUMBS! Oh well...






Since he was ready for his close up...I couldn't resist!






WARNING FOR MARY---Close your eyes or don't read any further...Don't look...I'm warning you....


Football Season began Thursday night...MY team plays on Sunday----
GO COWBOYS!

When I met Mary for the first time this summer, I had been reading her blog for some time and became aware of the fact she's a fan of my teams rival! (I can't believe I just typed in that link) I think I scared her over fondue when I told her that there was something I must confess to her...she probably thought I was some sort of AXE murderer! The Cowboys home opener is agains...her team!

Now...about my team...I've been a fan since...well as long as I can remember, but I AM NOT happy about their spring time acquisition! My brother is elated...I like winning, but I am so hoping that this "player" (that's what "Big Tuna" -coach- calls him) screws up...again...and is gone!

Okay...I've gotta go chase the cat with the vacuum cleaner!

OH--Happy Birthday Miss Rose!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Is This Cool or WHAT??


My SP8 Spoilee, Aileen (and others I've been reading lately)have been posting about an event in Ireland...The Electric Picnic! I've been reading various blogs about the event--with pictures! Look here, here and here...and I'm sure you are going to find many, many more links...I am. Check out the past photo links from the main event page...really cool! Reminiscent of Woodstock--Irish style! I'm kinda blown away by the TeePee's!
Anybody wanna go next year??

Here in SW Virginia we have a similar event called FloydFest...CALLING ALL KNITTERS & SPINNERS--Maybe next year we should organize something like this?!?! Anybody listening??

Floyd is a very small community that has really turned into sort of this bohemian-hippie town! On this link you can find many music links...including a couple of our favorite bands--Naomi's Fancy & The CeltiBillies. Friday nights are really big at the Floyd Country Store.

Well...the house needs tidying and I have a sock calling my name, Oh--I got the mess straightened out and have started the heel flap!

My sanity is back--as sane as I've always been, you make the call!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Home again...Thank God!

Happy September...HELL...who said that?!

Rain, miscues and screw-ups!

But there was a "Sheepie" sighting:


Look even two of the sheep couldn't take it anymore!





We left in the rain...though it had cleared up where we were going...we packed up in a drenching...downpour! I was up in the wee hours of Monday morning rescuing items from the rain...no sleep for me, 'cause everytime I laid down I thought of something else that needed to be brought in. Weathermen...suck! There was no forecast for such rain when I checked! Now we have rain coming from Hurricane John...apparently, and a new storm brewing in the Atlantic...whoopie! My BIL in Eastern Virginia lost property...again! Ernesto was supposed to hit during lowtide, "with minimal coastal flooding"...NOT, he had just as much water as during Isabel 3 years ago.


Onto other subjects...I forgot my mushroom identification book that I use for finding mushrooms to use in natural dyeing...so I took some great pictures...example;




I counted over a dozen different varieties of mushrooms...but had no idea which ones to pick and take home...so I let them be and took pictures instead.









We had a glich in our plans for Saturday night...college football night...the one game we were all geared up to listen to wasn't broadcast on my XMRadio! So what does my brother do? I was hoping for a win...but not against Pitt.



I did a lot of reading...a little knitting, because I fell into knitters hell--I dropped a stitch on my latest pair of socks...oh you say no problem...it's a patterned sock! I decided I'd worry about that later...
I'm still waiting till later...



LOOK--Flower of Scotland!


More later when my head stops hurting and my mental state returns to normal!

Friday, September 01, 2006

Happy September...

Can you believe that it's September already? The weather gets cooler....yipee...and the Fall Fiber Festivals start up.....YAHOO! I'm planning on attending Montpelier's Fall Fiber Festival this year. There are some planning gliches though! --always--

Ernesto or not...we are going camping this weekend after all! I don't mind, I can sit and listen to my XMRadio, knit (my projects are the first thing I pack--who needs a change of clothes?), read (books get packed second), do some fishing and sleep! Sounds like a plan to me! I always miss reading all my blog buddies, it has become such a habit for me, and I hope I have some Knittin' Coop groupies out there too! Stay tuned, as my Blogiversary aproaches I'm planning something special...

I'll catch up with everyone on Monday--In the meantime...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'