Dogs on Thursday

"Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you." ~Maori Proverb






Oh Momma...I is shweepy...





Put away the camwa...



Goodnight Momma...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Whiskers on Wednesday

"It's snowing still," said Eeyore gloomily. "So it is." "And freezing." "Is it?" "Yes," said Eeyore. "However," he said, brightening up a little, "we haven't had an earthquake lately." ~A.A. Milne



Anybody else tired of winter? --besides me??


Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

FO Friday

~~a day late!!

"Physical strength is measured by what we can carry; spiritual by what we can bear." ~Author Unknown





...and the baby knitting continues! From the stash of course--this is a fun pattern to knit. VERY quick, can you say "instant gratification"?




You remember this post Well...my hairdresser LOVED THEM! She's going to send me pictures of the "baby girl" wearing them, of course we have a little bit more to wait before she arrives.

I have been sewing too...I couldn't post this till the gift had been "gifted"--but as you've probably read my favorite cousin had a birthday this week. I have had these items stashed away for quite some time now so the idea came to me to make these--


Can you tell what it's made from?



I know it may seem "garish" but these ties belonged to her father (my uncle that just passed away last month)and our grandfather. There's just more sentimental value to these than anything else.
I had intended (and still do) to make myself a "tie vest" but I thought it be more fitting to make Kim one first.

Are you ready for the Super Bowl?? My menu is set...started cooking today...it's all about the food, commercials and OF COURSE----FOOTBALL!!!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

新年快乐 and Dogs on Thursday

"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." ~ Buddha

....translated simply as Happy New Year!
This is the year of the Rabbit, Rudy and my Chinese zodiac symbol. I have a favorite Chinese restaurant (25+ years....) that we won't get to tonight to celebrate but maybe over the weekend. I personally, know the owners well...I should the entire time I was pregnant with Chase I CRAVED one of their dishes, ate it at least once a week.
They've had the same placemats as always...the ones with the Chinese zodiac on it.

I'm glad some things stay the same...

So, what does it say about me?

Occupying the 4th position in the Chinese Zodiac, the Rabbit symbolizes such character traits as creativity, compassion, and sensitivity. Rabbits are friendly, outgoing and prefer the company of others. They also prefer to avoid conflict. In confrontational situations, Rabbits approach calmly and with consideration for the other party. Rabbits believe strongly in friends and family and lacking such bonds can lead to emotional issues.
(FYI-the last sentence rings SO true, part of the reason why things have been so bad for me lately)

Will you celebrate the year of the Rabbit?






Rudy got a haircut yesterday! Mr Handsome!! ...looks like I'll be knitting more out of my baby yarn stash--his groomer is expecting, a baby girl!!

AND

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FAVORITE COUSIN...KIM!!

You are the best!!

....no I didn't drop her! Looks like her diaper leaked...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Whiskers on Wednesday

"Why not learn to enjoy the little things - there are so many of them." ~Author Unknown



Here's a RARE photo...they were both heads down before I picked up the camera. Ole Ace was too slow to get up before I took the shot. They snuggle often, it's just too hard to get the picture! Ace loves his canine brother...he really does, but if you ask him....

Moving Day...

"Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come." ~Chinese Proverb



We have a new residence being set up in our backyard...noticed them Saturday morning.
It's a pair, but you can't tell male from female but they do take turns working on the nest.



...and as I watch them...



...they keep a close eye on me! I hope they do move in...it'll be fun watching the babies grow up.

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Music Monday

Today....was Monday HELL!!

"I've got dreams in hidden places and extra smiles for when I'm blue." ~Author Unknown



Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Oh....So True~~

"Good fortune shies away from gloom. Keep your spirits up. Good things will come to you and you will come to good things." ~Glorie Abelhas




I saw this on Juniper Moon's blog...and had to share myself from THIS BLOG--
OH so true, except for me the three distractions would be email, facebook and ravelry!

Head on over to Sandra's blog and enter her contest!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Dogs on Thursday

"When you feel dog tired at night, it may be because you've growled all day long." ~Author Unknown





Under the baby blanket is the bed I spoke about yesterday...amazing how big that bed was.




Seems he is always "falling out" of his bed!



The latest picture (I posted it up the other day) -- same bed, flipped inside out. That's something he's mastered when he romps & plays with his bed...and when he's really tired he chews on the inside corners.
Just like Linus and his blanket, Rudy loves this bed. When we travel, the bed goes with us...when we go camping...the bed goes with us, not so much that he actually sleeps in it...he just has to have it. I've sewn and repaired it several times. Oh, I can get him another but it won't be the same as this one. Let's hope it doesn't simply disintegrate to ash...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Whiskers on Wednesday

"Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts. It's what you do with what you have left." ~ Hubert Humphrey


Well, it's been a while but Ole Ace is doing VERY well. Seems Rudy has been a GREAT brother for him. He's livened up, actually plays with Rudy in the morning....for about 1 minute. He makes a mad dash through the house to get Rudy to chase him and then he's off to his bed to sleep for the rest of the day. That's about it for his boost of energy. Besides the fact that Rudy keeps him young when I discovered the perfect food for Rudy, Nutro Natural Choice, I decided it must be good for Ace too. Well, has it ever...he's gained weight, his coat is shinier than ever (he still sheds like crazy but that's just a cat thang) and he has these little energy boosts. Dr. says he'll be around for a while...

About the picture--that's NOT Ace's bed...



...that's Rudy's bed--his security blanket...his bed he's had since he was a wee thing (watch for Dogs on Thursday tomorrow). He's trying to "tattle-tale" on his feline brother. Can't you just hear him now---Momma, Ace is in my bed...and stealing my sunbeam!



....and Ace says....(I'll let you fill in the blank)

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

See....I've been knitting!

Babies are bits of stardust, blown from the hand of God.-- Barretto







My hair stylist is having a baby in March, and for a change someone's going to have a little girl!!! Needless to say I'm very excited, this pattern has been one that had to be for the right baby. Knitting from my stash...yep, still on the "yarn diet"...I had this nice fingering yarn that would make the perfect heirloom bonnet. At what little girl goes without a nice pair of booties? If you haven't knit this pattern yet, it's a must for instant gratification!!!

(wow...I still need to post up the pics of my Christmas knitting...I'm so behind)

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Can you spell Cabin Fever?

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart" ~ Confucius




UGH...I'm so tired of winter...I'm tired of being cold...I'm tired of being cooped up in the house...I'M TIRED OF WINTER!!!

Okay, that was the negative--here's the positive ~

Today we went for a ride to Floyd, VA. For those of you who are not familiar with this Town/Community it's such an eclectic and interesting place. Hubby and I have been making this a regular stop since we started dating (I remember as a kid being in LOVE with the hardware store--but then again I've never grown up). There's lots of artist owned shops including the famous Floyd Country Store, it's on the Crooked Road Trail, Schoolhouse Fabrics (3 floors of FABRIC-some of which has been there since the beginning of time--I'm talking double knit polyester) funny I still like going there--hearing the sound of the wood floors creaking underfoot as you move from room to room, the Jacksonville Center for the Arts, also the new Shooting Creek Brewery and Hubby found Mitchell's Music-they want to sell some of his dulcimers! Down the road a bit are the Villa Appalaccia and Chateau Morrisette Wineries, Mabry's Mill and the quaint little town of Meadows of Dan.

Today I made a new discovery! Woolly Jumper Yarns....YES, a yarn shop! I met the owner Michele, who's your "A" typical Floydtonian - if that's a word...anyway Floyd is well known for it's friendly people. I explained to her that I was currently on a yarn diet but asked if I could still "pet" her yarn. The store is small but it has a very good selection of what you might need for a new project. I know I'll miss something but I noticed Rowan, EcoWool, Cascade, Debbie Bliss, and some local yarns I know as well, Alpaca from Ed & Joan Kinser and Greenberry House in Meadows of Dan. The have knit night every Thursday night from 6-8pm -- too darn bad just like The Crooked Stitch, it's so far away from me! I'm very ashamed to say that I haven't gotten to The Crooked Stitch yet...even though one of my knitting friends works there...yes, I'm hanging my head in shame.

If you are in the area or if you decide to make a special trip you've gotta check out Floyd!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Turning the corner??

“Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.” Zig Ziglar


Maybe my positive thoughts are working...I have a job interview on Tuesday!!
(oh please--oh please let me get this job)


Do you see Mr & Mrs Snowman? When we visited my Uncle while he was in the hospital, my aunt took us to the Phipps Conservatory. Their Christmas display was amazing...there were these types of snowmen -- and evidence of where some had been all throughout the MANY rooms, one water feature just had a couple of hats and scarves laying beside it--leaving you to ask is the puddle the snowmen? or are they skinny dipping? The orchid room caused my camera lens to fog up but I did manage a few shots...check out the color on this one:




Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Renewal

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Winston Churchill




Every day is a promise of a better day...(see I'm being positive)

I'm SO tired of this winter season...the dreary and bareness of the trees. I'm ready for the renewal of Springtime. What brought all this on? My new heirloom seed catalog came in the mail. I'm planning out my garden already, I only have a very small space so I'm trying to put as much as I can in.
I'm playing with the idea of creating a greenhouse so I can have some veggies (or something GREEN) over the winter months.

I miss my farmers market!!! Oh, we have a group that comes every 2 weeks with farm fresh eggs and root crop but it's not the same as seeing all those fabulous colors and hearing the hustle & bustle of the people at the market.
Oh, I've been doing pretty good on my 3/50 Project The only items I have to buy from the grocery store are cleaning supplies & paper products...oh and bananas--I've yet to find Virginia grown bananas.

I think Rudy's even tired of winter....



Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Just Maybe~

Things are beginning to turn around? I won a blog comment contest...and how appropriate a prize. A book mark with this poem:

~ The Weaving~
"My life is just a weaving
Between my Lord and me.
I cannot change the color
For He works most steadily.


Oft times He weaves the sorrow
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.


Until the loom is silent
And the shuttle cease to fly,
Will God roll back the canvas
And explain the reason why.


The dark threads are as needful
In the skillful Weaver's Hand
As the golden threads of silver
He has patterned in His Plan."

~~~~Author Unknown ~

Thanks Sandra! She's dealing with some difficulties of her own these days...if you have a chance stop by and give her a cyber-hug!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

I'm trying....

Really-really trying to be positive. With all the negatives that have been happening here at The Coop lately I'm working really hard to find a positive each and every day.
I found this article in a Richmond online article--which reinforces the things I've been doing at work...and believe me I work with some of the MOST NEGATIVE people in the universe! With that said I don't need anymore negativity. I know this is going to sound negative but I've been kicked in the ankles, knees, gut, teeth & head these past 7 months I'm working to try a positive quote each day.

"When life knocks you down....only YOU can choose to get up"

On the knitting front, I am working on some things. I knit up a baby bonnet & booties for my hairdresser's baby shower in a few weeks. I have some socks on the needles...OH, Celtic Vest is still hibernating--I just can't wrap my brain around it right now.
I'll try to get some pics up soon. I'll leave you with this one:



My little male bluebird sitting in my dogwood tree. Boy nature can paint some beauties!

Thank you all for the kind thoughts after the passing of my Uncle...he fought such a hard fight.

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Goodbye....

This was the last time I saw my Uncle (over Thanksgiving)



We had one more birthday, Thanksgiving and Christmas with him...I just wished he would have made it home.

R.I.P
Earl Wayne Fields
Nov. 20,1945-January 3, 2011

Happy New Year

Today's not only a new day...but a New Year!

Happy New Years!!!


Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Promises....

...are made to be broken just like resolutions! I'm going to take my queue from Carole and make my "intentions" for 2011:

Spin more, read more, sew more, remain steadfast in my efforts to knit through my stash...yes, I'm staying on "The Yarn Diet", maybe I'll get that tattoo I've been thinking about, continue to run (training begins in May for my next 1/2 marathon), improve the "inner" me, change what I can and LET GO of what I can't (I'm horrible at this), (and borrowing from Carole) live in the moment and be joyous at what each day gives me...and allow myself to be happy--2010 has been a VERY hard year on me. I'm sure I'll think of a few more along the way but there's plenty of time till next year to keep improving upon.

Making "intentions" will help me keep from feeling like such a failure than making resolutions! (goodness knows I don't need to feel like a failure anymore!)

Here's to finally saying goodbye to 2010...and HELLO 2011!!

OH...and I'll try to blog more!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!

Baby....It's cold outside!

I love Loreena McKennitt...and I love the photography in this video...



BUT, I don't love it being so cold. How long till Spring?

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

WHY?

Do I feel like this in every aspect of my life?

Merry Christmas Everybody!

This morning we woke up to a White Christmas!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Blue Christmas

I love a Blue Christmas...but how do you get rid of the Christmas blues?

I've found my song



...now if I can just get to the last part of the song and "find my Christmas"

It's Not Even Winter Yet......

.....IT'S FRIGID.....

And I wanna go back here~~



Call me "Dorothy" cause I'm clickin' my heels!!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinniin'!!

Emotional High....

I DID IT!!!!





What can I say, 4 1/2 months of training and a purpose for this race left me on an emotional high when the race came to an end.

....and of course my little cheerleader was there~~

(funny, one of my running partners here in Roanoke found me after the race because of Rudy -- She saw him before she saw me!!)

The morning started off VERY frosty & cold, I was up at 4am to start my day...yoga, breakfast...and lots of coffee!! Thank goodness there were LOTS of port-a-potties available! I met up with the Donate for Life team for our team picture.



You can't see (of course, I'm behind everyone...check on the right side) but I was wearing my "I'm Running In Honor Of..." banner on my back.

Though I was very nervous, time flew by...before I knew it -- it was 7:40 and my starting corral was off. Now back in June when I started this journey I estimated I could possibly finish in 2:30, as I trained I had it in my head that I could possible do better than that. So I set a mental goal of hitting 2:20 for my finish time...



Of course, I kept my uncle close in thought the whole race long but as I turned onto Cary St headed for the finish I started to get emotional...the tears were unstoppable, even though I kept telling myself that there were cameras taking pictures...(I kept saying to myself) SMILE DAMMIT SMILE!! I guess it was a good thing I was sweating so bad, the tears can be mistaken for sweat! You can check out my "Official Pictures" here! There's even a video.

OH....my finish time? I finished in 2:19!!!!!!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

A Day Late and a Dollar Short?

....Behind the times? or Timeless??

So, 2 years ago Starbucks had THE Christmas wreath after a knitters heart...I wanted to make it last year---didn't get it finished---SO, I finished it today!

drum roll please.....





I'm doing my best to get into the Christmas spirit...nothing seems to be working right now.

I have so much catching up to do, I promise I'll get pictures from my half marathon and the Drumstick Dash, along with pictures from my Thanksgiving trip to Pittsburgh to see my Uncle.

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Pikermi~~

A running I will go...a running I will go...

Well, for most of you by the time you read this I'll have finished my race. I've trained hard and I WILL win today...
In my mind I will win simply by finishing the race, no matter what my time is!!

Title confusing you? Well, it's a greek word used to describe a half marathon...an I think it's SO cool--oh, and it's a community in Greece. But it's such a cool word!

I'm running a "Pikermi"!! Pikermi~Pikermi~Pikermi~Pikermi~Pikermi~Pikermi
Sorry...it just rolls off the tongue!

I'll have pics later.

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Keeps you Runnin'

Please keep my Uncle in your prayers....he's been moved to ICU yet once again.

I have this on my MP3 player for the race tomorrow, one of his favorite bands!



Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Happy Veteran's Day

I LOVE this song...John McDermott (same fella who sings one of my favorite Christmas songs--Christmas in the Trenches)



Salute to all our Servicewomen & Servicemen!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Funday!!

Yesterday I had some fun! A couple months ago Hubby and I answered a casting call for a new movie (Alone Yet Not Alone due out latee 2011) being filmed at Explore Park, our old playground...that we hope will come alive again after all this.

I GOT THE CALL!!! So, after doing the essential job at the library I headed on out to the park...and along the way the view was fantastic!



Then the WOW factor hit...the upper parking lot to Explore Park was FULL--like I haven't seen it in quite some time!



I reported to the staff...was logged in...sent to wardrobe (of course I came with my own)...and then to make-up--to get "dirt" & hair. Upon receiving the call I was told that we'd be portraying 1760 Philadelphians. Now, I have NO fancy clothes since Hubby and I only portray pioneers (1750-77)--so, I started to panic. Oh, I know they have wardrobe but I really wanted to wear my clothes. (note to self--time to make fancy clothes) I took the best outfit I own and the rest of my clothes. The costume director didn't like my best, saying it looked too good! Good thing I brought the other things...the ratty clothes I wear for dyeing demos & cooking!




Will anybody recognize me??

We filmed in front of a "green screen" which should make the final product interesting. I'm very anxious to see how it all comes together. I'll keep you posted as more info becomes available with the movie.

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Dogs on Thursday

Okay...so I have to share this link~

Why Dogs Hate Halloween

Boy...I got some ideas for next year!! Rudy's going to be a lion this year--and I'm the lion tamer!! RAWR!!! Pics to come....

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Whiskers on Wednesday--Dogs on Thursday Combo

I got in trouble for this photo! Mr Ace doesn't want anyone knowing he really likes his canine brother...but getting a picture is just too hard, when the opportunity arises and Ace doesn't run before I can get the lens cap off the camera I have to grab it!



Rudy looks worried huh?

OH and.....Happy Birthday Julia!!!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Spinning with Balls!

NO...not those kind of balls!! Check this out--spin and get a workout at the same time!!



Boy, Cat Bordhi can come up with some stuff!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Just a Small Space

(I tried to post this yesterday but Blogger was "having maintenance"!)

Look at the new "Runners Corner" I made in my new fiber room!!





I saved the sign that my buddies Pam, Nikki, Steph & Dani brought to my first ever race! AND...for some crazy reason all my running shoes that have been retired! Yeah...I'm a packrat!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Yeah...Like I Need More Fiber!

But I love pretty fiber!!

Yarnahoy's Etsy

....and I love color!!

You can enter her contest too!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!

Start Your Engines!

(I know...I know....it's been a month. Finding time for blogging is getting harder and harder)

Oh...about the title---Start your engines and heat to the nearest Goodwill! A friend posted a project idea and I couldn't resist! I LOVE this pumpkin!


(Thanks Jenn!!)

I happened to have a sweater in the "going to Goodwill" pile. Boy, I grabbed that sucker out quick when I saw this craft idea. It's so quick and easy, I want to make another. Gee, I guess I better get to Goodwill before everybody else does!

One more picture with my favorite model...



Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!

Gone-gone-Gone...

Well...FINALLY the time has come! I hope to have pics and maybe even a video from our trip.



Anita.....Anita.....Hurricane Robin's coming to town!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

To Crochet or Not To Crochet?

I learned to crochet when I was 6 years old at my Great Grandmother's knee. I really don't crochet much anymore, though it seems to be making a comeback...but do you think Rudy would like one of these?

Puppoose

Somehow I think....NOT!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

SQUIRREL!!

From the files of "What a Runner Sees" I have a funny and yet a little morbid tale from yesterdays run.

I don't know if anyone else has experienced this....but are you familiar with the "indecision" of a squirrel? It happens in the fall and spring A LOT while driving...squirrel runs out in front of you and as you near he dashes from side to side---either to dare you to hit him or out of mortal fear, who knows. Here lately it's been happening to me while running...not only do I have to worry about the unevenness of the sidewalks in the one particular neighborhood, now I have squirrels to worry about. I'm sure his friends are up in the tree watching after daring the little sucker to see if I'll fall!

Well...today it happened again only "little squirrel" was to worried about his new nut to give me much grief. However, I believe a runner before me had an encounter with one of the "bushy tail buggers" -- but it didn't turn out so good for the squirrel. Keep in mind I'm on the sidewalk, not in the road (where I prefer to run) there lay a squirrel, nut in mouth and (sorry to be so morbid) footprint on it's head....I SWEAR IT WASN'T ME!! Poor little guy...maybe he zigged when he should have zagged?!

Maybe I need a dog like this~~


(I LOVE this movie!!) Rudy's doesn't think much of squirrels...in fact, he doesn't even pay attention to them while on our walks! So even getting Rudy a collar like Dug's wouldn't work.

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!

What a Runner Sees...

"Running long and hard is an ideal antidepressant, since it's hard to run and feel sorry for yourself at the same time. Also, there are those hours of clearheadedness that follow a long run." -Monte Davis


Well...this one I can show you, I couldn't help but stop long enough to take a picture.
Yesterday I saw~~




Probably this biggest snapping turtle I've seen in quite some time! I know it's hard to tell from this picture but it's head was as big as my fist!!

Oh...I'm still seeing all sorts of strange stuff too!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!