February??

Is this really February? Granted, this is the worst time of winter for me. We've gotten NO snow to speak of. Everything has been Drab, Dead and Dank for so long...I'm in serious need for some other for of Vitamin D. That came this weekend, finally -- 60 degree temps has lifted my spirits, I sat on the deck yesterday knit while Rudy had his "play date" with Milo and since cleaning my fiber room I found some UFO's of different sorts that I started working on (more on that later).

I even told Hubby to "go fly a kite"...and he did!





Yes, that is The Red Baron!


Where's Snoopy?


I'd love to find the kite that looks like Snoopy on his doghouse!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Dogs on Thursday

...otherwise known as "RudyDay"!

The dryest part of winter is upon us, everything I touch is charged and I shock the crap out of myself and anyone else who comes near. Apparently I'm not the only one who's having problems...




Poor Rudy has static too! Ace walked by him the other day, Rudy shocked him on the butt! Talk about a surprised cat...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

WoW~~

Today's Whiskers on Wednesday is a VERY special one! Ace is in the "Spotlight"...that's right he's the Featured Whisker of the week! Go on over and check it out!






"I'm ready for my close-up Mr. Deville....I mean Mom!"

Do you know how hard it is going to be living with him now? He'll be ordering his meals in bed!




If you haven't already done so please go vote for my Little Brother! He is a cute little thing, now if I can just figure out how to play with him and not get hurt...I have to protect these good looks since I'm now famous!

Vote for Rudy in the BISSELL MVP Photo Contest 2009!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!

Please Vote For Rudy!!

I'm So Blue....

What is it with all the baby boys these days? Of course, blue is one of my FAVORITE colors!


Two gals in our knitting group are having little boys in just about a month, these are so cute and a quick knit! Blue Steps is the pattern name (Rav Link) it's a German translated pattern and a great way to use up some leftover yarns. I used double point needles rather than circular simply because...




Found this picture I forgot to post about--

They're almost gone now but I bought a box of Honeybell's from Florida...If you've never experienced this orange you've gotta try them sometime. They're only available in Jan & Feb I buy mine HERE Some people call them tangelo's but I can tell you these are NOTHING like what you'll buy in the grocery store. They are still taking orders through this week...go ahead give them a try, I promise you they are well worth the money.
My grandparents used to stop at this store when they took us to Florida, and if we weren't with them they always brought us back something from the store.

I'm bummed the groundhog saw his shadow, I'm SO ready for springtime!

AND....drum roll please......I've narrowed down my favorite Super Bowl Commercials down to 2:


AND



Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Music Monday

Something that's been on my mind lately, and this song does a good job of summing it up....



This month brings me to thinking about the passing of my Granny, a lady who was spoken so kindly of (I know of NO ONE who's EVER said a bad thing about her)...I want to be like her.

Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow today? I hope he doesn't...I'm ready for springtime myself!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Rafa Wins!!

Here in the US the Australian Open just ended with...




Hunka-Hunka...Rafael Nadal winning!!! This is one of those match-ups that you simply don't care who wins. Though I think Rafa is HOT!!
Courtesy of Australian Open Tennis Channel


I felt so bad for Federer, a heartbreaking loss for him.

Now....ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL???? And--are you in your Pajamas? It is Super International Pajama Day you know!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

DOT~~

What comes after WOW (Whiskers on Wednesday)?

Dogs on Thursday!!

If you've been reading for a while you know all about Rudy...get ready to hear more about our fur baby each Thursday.

Don't you wish you could sleep like this?



Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Whiskers on Wednesday~~

Geez...2 weeks went by without a WOW post...sorry!

Mr Ace is a much happier cat these days...no meds involved. He's a part of the family again...he and Rudy have these funny conversations. They just sit about a foot apart and just stare at each other...telepathically chatting. I really think Ace wants to play with him only he's afraid that it's "uncool" to do such a thing. He'll play with his ball in the hallway, while Rudy looks on...and he watches Rudy play fetch. They drink water at from the same bowl at the same time. Of course, Ace looks at him like "Hey...THE King goes first"! -- and Rudy says "I'm just makin' sure it's okay for THE King to drink"!
He's been getting up at night running through the house...sounds like a herd of elephants (our house is on a cement slab)! He comes to my bedside every morning before the alarm goes off, and greets Rudy as I open the crate. It's hilarious when Rudy comes in from his morning "business" so excited for himself the has to run up to the "kitty" and tell him all about what he did. It puzzles Rudy when Ace goes tot he litterbox..."Hey Ace, whatcha doin in there?"
It was really funny this weekend when Milo was here, the three of them just sat and looked at each other for what seemed like forever.



I believe we have achieved harmony!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

On a Happier Note ~

Milo came to visit us this past weekend...well, really he came to visit Rudy -- we're a side note now. They played, and played, and played until both literally collapsed...snoring...loudly!!




We're all grateful for the kind thoughts from Dolly's passing. I tell ya, it's hard to lose a "furbaby" and I KNOW it's not going to be easy when Ace, Rudy & Milo's time comes. I CAN tell you this...our furbabies will have the BEST life we can give them while they are here with us -- And my parents did no less for Dolly.

She was a rescue dog from a very bad situation at the age of 8 mths old. This young couple got her because she was such a cute puppy (as all bassetts are--something about those ears), they spent no time with her...no training...no playtime, then their baby arrived. Dolly was relegated to a much worse existence, tied with a 3 ft. rope to a pole in the basement of their house. When Mom found out she made them an offer...thankfully they took it (or it would have gotten ugly). Dolly was Mom & Dad's 3rd Bassett Hound. Now of course the pain they are feeling now is the obvious..."I'm not going through this again!" -- but I tell you I've heard that before. They've NEVER been without a four-legged furbaby! Hopefully Rudy & Milo (oh and Daisy & Duke aka The Terrible Twins -- my brother's 2 boxer puppies) can give them some healing and love till then.

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

She's no longer in pain or suffering...however, the pain and suffering is transfered to those who loved her. Dolly left us early this afternoon, I thought I'd share with you the last picture we took of her.

Music Monday...Sad Edition

Keep my Mom & Dad in your thoughts today...I think today (I'll know more later)~



...is the day that Dolly goes over the Rainbow Bridge, she's had a very rough 24 hours. She will no longer be hurting and Hank, Molly, Muffy, Red, Dixie, Ruff, Dutchess & Bonnie...will all be waiting for her.

I'm sorry for the sad post....I had another post ready but feel this is more important for my parents.

Music Monday

My yoga classes start back up today (yipee~I'm dancing inside), so I thought I'd share a Sun Salutation and some relaxing music with you. Oh, and the warmth of the beach at sunrise (or sunset if you're on the Left Coast) helps during this weather we're having!

Enjoy...

~Namaste~


Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!

Do You Have A Life?

BlogFodder warning...on a 2 degree day what do you do? Me? I'm wrapped up in a wool blanket on the couch waiting for the temps to warm up! Hmmm~maybe I'll watch a movie! GEEZ...if it's gonna be this cold I WANT SNOW!!

SUPPOSEDLY if you’ve seen over 85 films, you have no life.

There are 239 films on this list. Copy this list, go to your own blog, paste this . Then, put x’s next to the films you’ve seen, add them up, change the header adding your number, and click post at the bottom. Have fun.

(x) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest
( ) Boondock Saints
( ) Fight Club
(x) Starsky and Hutch
( ) Neverending Story
(x) Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane
Total: 7

(x) The Princess Bride
(x) Anchorman
(x) Napoleon Dynamite
(x) Labyrinth
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
( ) White Noise
( ) White Oleander
(x) Anger Management
(x) 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
( ) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Total so far: 14

() Scream
() Scream 2
() Scream 3
() Scary Movie
() Scary Movie 2
() Scary Movie 3
() Scary Movie 4
() American Pie
() American Pie 2
() American Wedding
() American Pie Band Camp
Total so far: 14

(x) Harry Potter 1
() Harry Potter 2
() Harry Potter 3
() Harry Potter 4
() Resident Evil 1
() Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
() Little Black Book
() The Village
() Lilo & Stitch
Total so far: 16

(x) Finding Nemo
( ) Finding Neverland
() Signs
(x) The Grinch
() Texas Chainsaw Massacre
() Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
() White Chicks
() Butterfly Effect
() 13 Going on 30
() I, Robot
() Robots
Total so far: 16

(x) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
() Universal Soldier
() Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
() Along Came Polly
() Deep Impact
() KingPin
() Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
()Eight Crazy Nights
() Joe Dirt
(x) KING KONG (The Original)
Total so far: 20

() A Cinderella Story
() The Terminal
() The Lizzie McGuire Movie
() Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
() Dumber & Dumberer
() Final Destination
() Final Destination 2
() Final Destination 3
(x) Halloween
() The Ring
() The Ring 2
() Surviving X-MAS
(x) Flubber [the original]
Total so far: 23


() Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
() Practical Magic
() Chicago
() Ghost Ship
() From ***
() Hellboy
() Secret Window
(x) I Am Sam
() The Whole Nine Yards
() The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 24

(x) The Day After Tomorrow
() Child’s Play
() Seed of Chucky
() Bride of Chucky
() Ten Things I Hate About You
() Just Married
() Gothika
() Nightmare on Elm Street
() Sixteen Candles
(x) Remember the Titans
() Coach Carter
() The Grudge
() The Grudge 2
() The Mask
() Son Of The Mask
total so far: 26

() Bad Boys
() Bad Boys 2
() Joy Ride
() Lucky Number Slevin
(x) Ocean’s Eleven
() Ocean’s Twelve
() Bourne Identity
() Bourne Supremecy
() Lone Star
() Bedazzled
(x) Predator
() Predator II
( ) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
(x) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
() Curious George
Total so far: 30

() Independence Day
(x) Cujo
() A Bronx Tale
() Darkness Falls
(x) Christine
(x) ET
() Children of the Corn
() My Bosses Daughter
() Maid in Manhattan
(x) War of the Worlds
() Rush Hour
() Rush Hour 2
Total so far: 34

() Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
() She’s All That
() Calendar Girls
(x) Sideways
() Mars Attacks
() Event Horizon
() Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
() Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
(x) The Terminator 2
() The Terminator 3
Total so far: 40

() X-Men
() X-2
() X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
() Sky High
() Jeepers Creepers
() Jeepers Creepers 2
(x) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday (the original)
() Reign of Fire
() The Skulls
( ) Cruel Intentions
() Cruel Intentions 2
() The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
Total so far: 47

() Swimfan
(x) Miracle on 34th street
() Old School
(x) The Notebook
() K-Pax
() Krippendorf’s Tribe
() A Walk to Remember
(x) Ice Castles
() Boogeyman
(x) The 40-year-old Virgin
Total so far: 51

(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
() Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
() Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 55

() Baseketball
() Hostel
() Waiting for Guffman
() House of 1000 Corpses
() Devils Rejects
(x) Elf
() Highlander
() Mothman Prophecies
(x) American History X
() Three
Total so Far: 57

() The Jacket
() Kung *** Hustle
() Shaolin Soccer
() Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
() Shaun Of the Dead
() Willa74
Total so far: 60

() High Tension (Haute Tension)
() Club Dread
() Hulk
() Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
() Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
() 28 days later
() Orgazmo
() Phantasm
() Waterworld
Total so far: 61

() Kill Bill vol 1
() Kill Bill vol 2
() Mortal Kombat
() Wolf Creek
() Kingdom of Heaven
() the Hills Have Eyes
() I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
() The Last House on the Left
() Re-Animator
() Army of Darkness
Total so far: 61

(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(x) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(x) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
() Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
() Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total so far: 67

() The Matrix
() The Matrix Reloaded
() The Matrix Revolutions
() Animatrix
() Evil Dead
() Evil Dead 2
() Team America: World Police
() Red Dragon
(x) Silence of the Lambs
(x) Hannibal
Total: 69


I probably have seen more than 85 films....there are many in my collection that aren't listed here! But I do have a life....I think!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'....and KEEP WARM!

B-B-B-Brrrrrrrrrrr!

I know many of you in the Midwest will laugh at me for complaining about our temps but hey...we haven't had single digit temps in 25+ years! So I'm a wimp, but 7 degrees this morning with below zero windchill and it's gonna be worse tonight!

My fish are safe in the bottom of the pond but THIS makes me glad I'm not a fish.



Lil Rudy doesn't understand why we aren't going for a walk and Ace hasn't left his bed...well, except to eat -- gotta keep that "fat reserve" up!
I slept very little last night, our furnace decided to NOT work properly. The repair man's trying to put the "sell" on me by saying it needs to be replaced. It's forced air heat...the main part is original but all the heating element including the electronic ignition is new. This usually only happens when the temps get below freezing, most of the time it's perfectly fine. I'd love to have an old fashioned cook stove in the kitchen. There's nothing like wood heat...

Remember all those robins I told you I saw last week? Think I should start knitting them little sweaters? I bet there's a few of them that would like to strangle the one that decided it was time to migrate north again!

Keep warm....and Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Oops, I Did It Again...

(besides missing a few days blogging) I acquired more spinning fiber! A VERY precious fiber ~ Cashmere? Vicuna? Quiviut?




Oh no...more precious than any of those! This is about 1 oz of Rudy hair, the only "puppy hair" he'll produce! In another month or so he'll start getting his adult hair.
I'll have to blend it with something probably Angora. But isn't it purdy?!
The groomer didn't even bat an eye when I asked for the clippings, I guess there are other spinners out there who do the same thing.





Here he is on "Daddy Watch"!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Music Monday

My taste in music is quite diverse, but I don't know anything better than a melodic, soft voice and a guitar! This is one of my newest favorite artists, I discovered him this past Spring. This one happens to have a beautiful video along with it.

Be sure and watch it all the way to the end.



Iron & Wine

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Special Day...

Today's a very special day~~




It's my Momma's Birthday...Happy Birthday Mom!!
I would sing but the dogs will start howling, and Ace would probably attack.


Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

January??

This is January...right?

Besides reporting that my Winter Jasmine is blooming now, my daylilies, columbine & freesia are popping up too....

NOW, today while walking Rudy in the park I hear a very familiar sound -- song to be exact. I swear I thought I was hearing things, then I saw with my own eyes...not one...two...or three, but 6 (SIX) robins!! I wish I'd had my camera with me. Did I just wake up from a 2 month sleep? They're not supposed to be here until March! THIS really makes me wonder what Ole Punxsutawney Phil's gonna predict in less than a month.

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

They're Ba-ack!

THIS is such a nice sight...



My Winter Jasmine is blooming!!

If you remember last year they were blooming in February and encrusted in ice. We've had some very mild temps as winter goes...my daylilies are even beginning to peer out! Could this be a sign to an early Spring?

Flowers blooming in my garden...the wind and rain have finally stopped...Knit/Spin night is tonight...ahhhhhh!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Whiskers on Wednesday~~

With the wet-soggy weather we've had for the past couple days...





This is all any of us wants to do...well, except for Rudy!


Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

So Wrong...

OMG!

THIS is just SO wrong!




This is SO right...


BEFORE~~




AFTER~~




Is this not the most adorable face? I think so...



Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Music Monday

A "Monday song" that maybe will help me get through...especially since this is the first 5 day work I'll have worked in 3 weeks!

Happy Monday~~(grimace)

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

**WARNING**

...RANT AHEAD! No knitting content...

First and foremost most everyone who reads knows I'm an animal lover, I donate to the ASPCA and every Christmas I donate dog & cat food to our community animal shelter, so don't jump me for my next comments.

I have a neighbor who's creating a MAJOR problem in my neighborhood...now it's escalating out of control. She's been feeding a family of feral cats (5 of them to be exact) since the summer. I, in fact, tried to catch one of the kittens so I could domesticate it to no avail...that little sucker was fast! She told me a couple months ago that there are now a family of skunks & raccoons eating at the cat food she puts out...one raccoon was seen in the middle of the day and we all know that's not a good sign, several rabid animals were found in the city during the summer.
Where do these cats use the litter box? In my flowerbeds and backyard where Rudy finds the "yummy" snacks and of course does what a dog does...eats them! My concern here is the fact they have not been vaccinated nor wormed -- will Rudy get worms from this activity?
Everything around our house smells like cat spray, it's worst on wet days like today.
I'm missing 4 fish from my ornamental pond...no floating carcasses were found so I'm sure you'll come to the same conclusion as we have.
I recently discovered they are getting up inside our canoe (which is place upside down 3 feet off the ground) and tearing up the webbing on the seats and knee pads inside, I've scared them out of it more than once.
Now, for the past couple mornings during the predawn hours when Rudy's outside doing business I hear that familiar "yeowing" of a female cat looking for love! So...she's accomplished getting them healthy enough to breed but still possibly carry disease! Luckily Ace is an indoor cat. But I have other neighbors with outdoor cats who I hope they have them vaccinated for feline leukemia, distemper and other dangerous diseases these ferals may be carrying...simply because she thinks she's doing the right thing.
Oh, I've talked to her about this problem only to hit a brick wall in getting any action done. I've spoken with our local animal control who, I have to say we have a fantastic caring group of individuals who want the best for citizens and pets. The law here states that if you feed a feral cat YOU become custodian and responsible for them and their damages, but that would require civil suit on our part which I'm not prepared to do at this time. However, if you are feeding more than 3 cats you are breaking the law...she's feeding 5 cats, now possible more if this female gets pregnant. Animal control also told us that we can legally trap these cats and they will see to it they are fixed, domesticated and adopted out. What if they're too smart to catch? If they continue to breed she becomes the next "cat hoarder" in our town...there was one discovered a few years back that was really, really bad. Animal control found 52 cats in one house, both dead and alive...the floors were so urine soaked that eventually the house was torn down and HazMat had to be called in to treat the land the house sat on. I was going to talk with her again to try to reason with her only to find out that she isn't the only neighbor putting out food for the cats, which creates another issue.
We've fenced off my flowerbeds, I've put out mothballs (in vented cans so Rudy doesn't eat them), sprayed ammonia on other areas to hopefully deter them from the yard. Hubby's even had to put chicken wire up to keep them from under his workshop. What more can I do? How can I keep peace in the neighborhood and keep my stuff from damage? Does anyone else know a deterrent I can try?

Sorry to go on with this but I need to get this out! Any other suggestions as to what I can do??

Thanks...

Really???

I'm a Balanced Yogi!

A Balanced Yogi You love your friends unconditionally and accept them for who they are no matter what their yoga style preference, religious beliefs, or spending habits. You focus on the good in people and would never try to change them. Almost everyone feels comfortable in your presence. You live your yoga. You are an inspiration to yoga students everywhere!

Yoga Journal Yoga Snob Quiz!

Like I said yesterday...3 weeks and counting till Yoga classes start up again, I need to hear my Yogi's gentle voice encouraging me through my poses and meditation.

Whole Lotta Knittin' Goin' On!!

Me stop knitting after the holidays?? NEVER! How else do I keep my sanity through all the "family togetherness"? It's either knit or read a book...knitting is a little more "social" than curling up with a book.

I started this a couple months ago but when the holiday knitting intervened I had to set it aside...then all the packages were wrapped and ready for the various gatherings~~I got sick!

Catch up time!


I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE cables, this project has just enough to keep me going. Aran Wrap Cardigan (RavLink) from Vogue Knitting Fall 2008, designed by Angela Hahn.
I fell in love with her designs back in the summer when I knit the Dayflower Camisole. Since then I've queued several of her patterns. This one hasn't disappointed me in the least...so easy to follow.
I'm using the handspun from Eva Braun, (read more here) remember her?

I'm getting ready to start the first armhole, it's going fast...that's why I love cables, you can see the pattern emerge with each row. I find myself saying - "Just one more row" over and over again!

What are you knitting on? Did you burn out from the holidays?

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Fibery Goodness~~

With the rush of the holidays and me getting the stomach flu on Christmas Eve...traveling to Williamsburg to visit family and relax (ha!), hubby getting sick on Saturday (yes, while on a relaxing Christmas vacation)...I think you get the picture. I failed to post the good things that happened through all the muck.

A few days prior to Christmas a couple packages arrived, which I used great self-control to save until Christmas morning to open. This was probably the only real bright spot to my Christmas...this had to be the worst ever. Hugging the toilet and feeling so green isn't much fun.



First from "Down Unda" came a very "squishy" package from my Buddy Terri. How awesome is this? An Australian Yoga magazine, which I'm loving and making me anxious for yoga classes to begin (I'm on the count down 3 weeks...I'm not disciplined enough to take the time to do my yoga and meditate alone--weird huh?)
Also 2 great yarns to find patterns for, Live2Knit (now known as Wired for Fibre) - I love the soft muted colorway and from The Knittery (I love what they have to offer, Terri has sent me yarn from them before) this luscious purple sock yarn...I'm thinking either a cabled sock pattern or maybe a lacy scarf??!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH TERRI, I love your choices...you know me so well! I'm sorry I'm so late in posting.


Second, you remember back in September I met up with one of my BlogBuddies? Anita sent me a fabulous homemade package of lightly scented "smelly jellies" and Snowballs for a luxurious bath! I want to learn how to make these for myself, what a great idea for gifts! Thanks so much Anita! It's very sweet of you to think of me.




While in Williamsburg I did visit Knitting Sisters and made a very small purchase, I'd love to have bought more but I'm seriously needing to cut back or knit up!
I bought the only 2 balls of Rowan 4ply Scottish Tweed, had there been more I would have bought more.

I love the color and thinking of maybe a fair isle tam or mittens?


...oh, and some more sock yarn--but sock yarn doesn't count--right?



We made a trip to Yorktown only to find that Hubby's favorite restaurant as a child is no longer (we knew that already, he just wanted to see it)...instead there are all these really neat shops along the river, including a cute little shop called Colonial Fiber Arts. I bought an extra spool for my Sonata!



Ummmm....and....well, I sort of broke my "I'm not buying any more fiber until I've spun up some of my stash" rule. But how could I not?? ...this bag of Bluefaced Leicester locks kept calling out to me!!




Last but not least...Rudy had his first experience in the sand while we were there, he found out sand isn't good to eat!


I'm going to have to contact the breeder and ask for a commission on the next litter of pups he has...SO many people asked where we got him!!

Well, looks like after this post I'm going to have to get busy...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Party till the sheep come home!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

2008 - Looking Back

Wow, can you believe a year has gone by?

Something that's never done here is a "Year in Review" so here goes...

January brought new adventures & new "fur babies" to the family - I challenged myself to a steeking project in 2007, this month the time came to actually CUT MY KNITTING!

February more steeking, mailbox surprises and new dyeing adventures...remember Eva Braun?

March button adventures (for Kauni), "grandpuppy" sitting, grandson visit, my favorite season...BASEBALL is back...renewed hope for a better season (only to feel like the rug has been pulled out from under you by June)! AND...as every March brings our semi-annual trip to Hawks Nest for the Spinners Retreat!

April the beginning of growing season, camping - including "false Bigfoot" and scary, bad news about my brother's health, but it turned out fine.

May more camping, fibery stuff, another month of sadness with the passing of my 4 legged nephew, Hank...and our trip to Kentucky, where Hubby made local headlines!

June WWKIP Day and our first Stitch & Pitch at our local Minor League baseball park, lots more stuff from our trip to Kentucky, our "Top Secret" Anniversary trip I had planned for Hubby, the dreaded Friday the 13th included me wrecking my truck, still more fibery goodness going on...and Hubby's birthday!

July my post remembering the 145th Anniversary of Gettysburg, lots of Ace & Milo antics, garden shots, knittin' with my niece and that video that brought everyone to tears in 2008!

August brought my birthday...and my very first 5K race! Milo came to live with us for a couple weeks (we were so sure he was going to stay for good) it was so sad to see him leave, sad news came from a friend afar-my thoughts and prayers are still sent to her on a daily basis, lots more fibery goodness...including an eye opening realization I have a HUGE stash issue, putting up for the winter (which we are still enjoying today) and Ravelympics. August 20th became a very special day in our lives...you learn later what that's about.

September still more fibery goodness goin' on, Landon's 1st birthday - which meant literally driving through a hurricane to get to his party! Finishing a very special project for my very special friends wedding day! The long awaited beach trip where we met a camping buddy and a blogbuddy!

October the big news this month was the introduction of our new "fur baby" - Rudy (who was born on Aug. 20th--see August)

November brought the loss of my blogging mojo...but thankfully not my knitting mojo (otherwise known as my sanity), Milo's birthday and baseball news that is very exciting (okay so maybe I'm the only one excited) and my second 5K race on Thanksgiving day.

December found my blogging mojo (or I made myself do it), more knitting projects...of course! Found a new use for Youtube--Music Monday's and I entered the "digital age"! Yet again we lost another neighbor.
I can't say that Christmas was the best...a VERY unwanted visitor came on Christmas Eve that pretty much put me out, good thing I had all my stuff done...the family just had to wait on me. I got well enough to go to Williamsburg only to have Hubby come down with the dreaded bug on Saturday while we were there!! Rudy had a blast and thought that it should be called "Rudyburg"! I think I'm going to have to call the breeder and ask for a commission, I gave out his name so many times!

Here's to a fantastic 2009, I raise my glass to everyone in a toast -- "In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, never in want"!

Thank you all for continuing to read my blathering!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Music Monday

Since Jesus is the reason for the Season my last Music Monday will be my favorite Spiritual songs...but again, there are so many to choose from~


Who doesn't love Andrea Bocelli?



I love this version...a blending of new & old voices (well way back when, I remember watching this special when it first came on).


Again, my celtic roots choose Enya singing in Gaelic!


I don't just love Kenny Rogers because he looks like my Dad.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Merry Christmas!

Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Mine didn't start out so well yesterday...I have a stomach bug. I'm having an impromptu Pajama Day(s) till I feel better!

We're supposed to be leaving for Williamsburg in the morning, I seriously need to feel better.

Merry Christmas everybody!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

WoW~~It's Christmas Eve!

Scrooge Kitty is now living at our house...His stocking is hung but with this attitude will Santa leave him anything?



On that note, lets have a little Kitty Christmas Music to lighten his spirits~~~






I couldn't choose just one, lets just hope that something happens to change his outlook...maybe a V-A-L-I-U-M

Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'...

Happy Little Accidents...

Years ago I dabbled in oil painting...loved to watch Bob Ross, hear his soft voice, hated his hair but loved when he referred to those "happy little accidents" that happened when freehanding a painting.

Now a "happy little accident" has appeared in my knitting! I've been working on knitting from my stash...had some leftover Patons Decor (yes, I know it's acrylic, actually it's a wool/acrylic blend...but it is soft) and started another last minute Christmas gift. Darkside Cowl (rav-link)~another fun cowl to knit. Little did I know that the yarn would knit up this way...like I painstakingly used 4 different colors to spiral this cowl! How cool is this??



Are you ready for Christmas? Have you been watching Holiday movies? Does this remind you of anyone?



Check out those eyelashes! Through the holidays he'll be known as Rudy Lou Who!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Music Monday

Pop/modern music

Christmas in Dixie

...we may not have a white Christmas but it's still Christmas!!

Wintersong by Sarah McLachlan


Another Sarah favorite


I won't say it was a mistake but I watched this movie for the first time on Saturday and now I can't stop crying every time I hear this song (I think I'm going to have to fa-la-la when I hear the song come on the radio). I've always loved the song but now I have the movie in my head. It ripped me up when she asked her husband to dance with her one last time.
Yet another movie that shows how we may touch some one's life and never know it.

What are your favorites?

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Celebrations, Traditions & Rituals

I was on such a roll, I can't believe I missed a post yesterday!




Happy Winter Solstice! Today marks the day that the days begin to get a little longer as each day passes...meaning Spring is right around the corner.







This is a fantastic little video, beautiful music as well (R.Carlos Nakai is a favorite of mine):








For those of Jewish faith tonight is the beginning of Hanukkah

What ever you celebrate here's wishing you the Happiest & Healthiest!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

FO Friday!

HP is GREAT! My laptop made it's way home today...fixed! Yipee!! What a turn around, I sent it off this past Tuesday!!

Now, on to the order of the day, without having the computer around I was able to get some knitting finished!! These are Christmas gifts so I will not say who they're for, since these days you never know who's lurking! (All pattern links are RavLinks)



This is Noble Cowl, a fun, quick knit.
I may have to make one for myself.





This is Scrunchable Cowl, which I'm sure you will notice looks like it's still in the WIP stage...well, no it's finished only I wrapped it before I took a final picture. Maybe I can get the giftee to model it for me...






The Norwegian Star Hat (I didn't do the earflaps...I don't think the recipient would be real fond of them) I LOVE this pattern, a great stranding project...especially if you want to learn how to strand knit. I want one of these too, this one's made from pure alpaca yarn.




I'm so happy I found this pattern, what do you do when you need a quick project for an unexpected gifting need? The 75 yd mitts !! You'll notice that it's made from the same yarn (Patons Classic Merino--Palais colorway) I still had a little left over after both projects.

I have one more project on the needles.

Whew...5 days away! Are YOU ready??

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Work Bloggin'

...and I'm not supposed to!

I just wanted to ask for thoughts my Mom's way, her 10 year old Bassett Hound isn't doing well. The test results come back this afternoon...it's not looking good.

Thanks....

M-I-A~~

No post today...I'm computerless! It's sick and has gone to TN for fixin'!

This does mean I have more knitting time!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'