Simple Woman's Daybook for February 9, 2010

FOR TODAY
February 9, 2010

Outside my window...
Another cold gray dreary morning. Rumor has it, though, that it'll be a bit sunny later today.

I am thinking...
that if I want some coffee this morning, I'm gonna have to go to the kitchen and get it myself. Rats! Be right back....

I am thankful for...
Drip Coffee makers. Remember what it was like before we had them? You had the percolator coffee pot. Fill the little doohickey (I never knew what it was called) with coffee grounds, and water in the pot. Then heat it on the stove. Wait and wait and wait until it was brewed-and God help you if you had the heat too high. Boil over anyone? Then picked the grounds out from your teeth while you drank it and wondered why on earth you like this stuff. Ah yes, the good ol' days.

From the kitchen...
I think I'll make Mustard Tarragon Chicken for dinner tonight. Emeril was making it on Good Morning America this morning. I make mine a little differently, a lot healthier. I don't put whipping cream in mine. I use white wine. Good heavens! That guy is gonna die of a heart attack some day!

I am wearing...
my jammies at the moment. Later I will put on jeans and a t-shirt of some sort.

I am creating...
not quite sure. I am at a spot where I can start something new, or finish something that's been languishing away hoping for my attention. I am still working on the second Bamboo sock. In fact, I worked on it yesterday at the doctors while I waited for them to call my name so I could get my monthly blood test (which was fine, btw).

I am going...
no where. I'm gonna stay home all day. I shall putter in the house, and figure out what knitting project I'm gonna attack with gusto.

I am reading...
I finally finished People of the Silence. I didn't expect the ending it had, which is nice. I like a little unpredictability in my reading. Now I'm reading Star Trek: Mere Anarchy. Purely for entertainment.

I am hoping...
for a nice Valentines Day.

I am hearing...
the clickety click of Morgans toenails on the kitchen floor. He's on his way to the water dish. I also hear the whistle of the Towhees calling to each other. They haven't come to the feeders yet this season. Soon, I hope.

Around the house...
My goodness but Morgan has a lot of toys! Aside from those scattered all over the place, the house looks really really good right now. So nice and clean, and organized-more or less. I still love the new floor.

One of my favorite things...
is chocolate cake, which I got over the weekend. My friend, Phyllis, brought a wonderful chocolate cake complete with birthday candles to our Super Bowl party. Mmmmm...caaaake.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Make some posters to advertise a beading group I'm going to attempt to start up in Post Falls. We'll meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, 10:30 am, at the Bead It store. I talked to Gail about it yesterday. I am going to give up the teaching. It's a lot of work for hardly any reward. I didn't even have half a dozen students last year. Anyway, I don't know if beaders get together just to bead and chat like knitters do. I guess I'll find out.

I need to get busy on the knit theme Christmas tree too. I sure hope I haven't put too much on my plate.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...

Playing Farmville is exhausting.

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Have a good day.

Aran Baby Cardigan is Done

Aran Cardigan for Ethan

Pattern: Baby cardigan from McCalls Knitting Book 5 (1972)
Size: 6 months
Yarn: Plymouth Encore Tweed #2334 Sea Foam
Content: 75% acrylic/22% Wool/ 3% Viscose
Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 6.
Cast on: December 30, 2009
Bound off: January 29, 2010

Comments: This is, of course, my favorite baby sweater pattern. I think I should use a larger needle next time though. Like a size 8, perhaps. Wouldn't have to stretch the pieces as much when blocking.

The buttons came from my stash of antique buttons that I 'inherited' several years ago.

The yarn is wonderful to work with.

~~~~~~~~~~

This is what I'm working on now.


Three more unfinished items were donated to Knitwits-all with no patterns accompanying them, so I've been assigned the task of finishing them. This is a child size sweater. It came to me with half the bottom band done, and still on the needles, which made it so convenient for me. (I don't have to guess or swatch). I'd say this project was probably started close to 30 years ago, maybe more. I'm just going to do what will look good since I have no idea how it is supposed to be finished.

There is quite a bit of the green yarn left, and just a bit of the cream. It's a very old Bucilla yarn no longer being made, Bucilla Civona-Sport. It has an unusual hand. Sort of feels like soft nylon that is very stretchy, but it's 100% Orlon Acrylic. I like it. It's soft to the touch.

I've finished the bottom band. It needs button and neck bands now. I've got the buttonhole side done, and the button side just has 2 rows left.

As I was working on this yesterday I wondered who started this project? Was it for a grandchild? A friend? I wonder what they would think if they knew I am finishing it in the year 2010? It will be worn by a child who really needs it. I think they would like that.

I dug in the stash of antique buttons and I've found some that will match it quite well.

Yesterday was my birthday. I had a very nice one too. I got presents (more details on that later), and taken out to dinner. I was craving Mexican so we went to Toro Viejo here in Rathdrum. I love their Enchiladas Rancheras. It is sooooooooo good! My daughter slipped it to the waitress that it was my birthday. So I ended up getting to wear a huge purple sombrero while everyone sang Happy Birthday, and they gave me Flan for dessert. Mmmmm, flan......

It's absolutely beautiful out right now. Blue sky and sunshine. I hope I can spend a little time out on the deck knitting in the sun before the game. We have folks coming over to watch the Superbowl Game. A little party, if you will. It's the only football game we watch. I'm not sure why we watch it. We're not football fans. Doug says it's an American tradition, and he thinks it might be against the law to not watch it. (LOL!) I've got Dilled Pot Roast in the crock pot. I need to get the dip made and set things up in the kitchen for a buffet.

Have a good day!

Simple Woman's Daybook for February 2, 2010

FOR TODAY
February 2, 2101

Outside my window...
Dripping wet and gray. No snow, just rain. The tractor is the brightest thing out there with it's green paint job and bright yellow trim.

I am thinking...
I need to get busy in the kitchen soon.

I am thankful for...
scotch tape. It really is a remarkable invention if you think about it.

From the kitchen...
I'm baking a cake today. It's my turn to take dessert to the Knitwits meeting. It's also my birthday week, so I'm going to make my favorite-Velvet Spice with cream cheese frosting.

I am wearing...
blue jeans and a purple top.

I am creating...
the second bamboo sock. I'm well into the leg now.

I am going...
to Rathdrum Knitalong this afternoon. It will be interesting to see how the sock knitters are doing.

I am reading...
old beading magazines of late. I'm looking for a ring pattern. I can see it in my mind, but I can't remember what issue it's in.

I am hoping...
to finish the baby cardigan today. I'm taking it with me to the Knitalong meeting to work on it. All I have to do is sew in the sleeves and the side seams, oh, and put on some buttons. I need to dig in the button box and find something appropriate.

I am hearing...
Sigmund Freud trying to tell Data what his nightmares mean. He's failing miserably. Yes, I've got Star Trek The Next Generation on. Syfy is having a marathon today. Woot!

Around the house...
there is a marked decrease in the number of boxes stacked around here. Ruth is making good progress unpacking.

One of my favorite things...
When all the fur kids are asleep. They are all quietly snoozing right now. Chenille is curled up on my lap. She looks so sweet and innocent when she's sleeping.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Lets see, tomorrow is Knitwits, then my knitting class on Thursday. I'm going to finish that baby cardigan for certain. I also want to get back to work on the Mystery Shawl. I've decided to frog it and redo it with darker colored beads. It's become quite evident that the beads need to show up in the design.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...
BAZINGA!!!



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Have a good day.

I Blocked the Baby Cardigan

Over the weekend I finished knitting the second sleeve.


Then I blocked all the pieces. They are all made with Plymouth Encore, which is 75% acrylic/25% wool. I pinned out the back and two front pieces to size first.


I steamed them. Then, while they dried, I pinned down the two sleeves. I was extra careful with the measurements to make sure they'd both be the same size.


Here's an artsy shot showing the texture on the back.


The front and back after blocking.


The sleeves after blocking.


I think I talked about this project a couple months ago. Someone asked me to finish this sweater. It didn't have the button/neckband on it so I put one on. I finally got around to sewing the buttons on it. I will turn it in to Knitwits later this week.


We had some snow over the weekend, but by this morning it was gone.

I can't believe it's February already. That first month of 2010 went way too fast.

Have a nice evening.

Snowman #9

Only 3 more to go. Hurray!

(Yes, I do know there's a stain above his head. Coffee. Not worried. Can you say Oxyclean?)

Have a good day.

Simple Woman's Daybook for January 26, 2010

FOR TODAY
January 26, 2010

Outside my window...
It's gray and dreary, but I see a brightness in the clouds. They say it's supposed to be a sunny day. Maybe they are right?

I am thinking...
that I am an idiot for not taking Beano before eating last nights 15 Bean soup for dinner. What was I thinking, or rather-why wasn't I thinking?

I am thankful for...
my daughter Ruth. I know she's been going through a tough time lately. Even still, she is full of kindness for others. I'm also thankful she knits now so we have something in common to share.

From the kitchen...
No more bean soup for me! I'm making meatloaf tonight. My meatloaf is good. One of my best dishes. My kids have told me I make the best meatloaf in the world.

I am wearing...
Believe it or not, my purple fuzzy bathrobe and night gown. I know, it's after noon! I'm being a lazy one today.

I am creating...
as always. Couldn't have a day without digging out something creative to do. I am now to my favorite part of the cross stitch snowman-back stitch outlining. Yes! I get all excited when I'm doing it. Most stitchers hate this part. For me, the picture comes to life at this stage. My little snowman's personality is starting to show.

I am going...
no where today. I suppose, if that sunshine actually comes out I might brave the cold and go sit on the deck to soak some up. I actually got to do that last Thursday. I sat in the sun and knitted, until the sun went behind the house. Then the deck got too cold. It was the best 20 minutes of the week.

I am reading...
all the time. Not just novels, but non-fiction too, and magazines, internet articles, blogs, Facebook. I'm so glad I know how to read. I can't imagine living without that ability.

I am hoping...
I remember to take a fork to the Yarnies meeting tomorrow. I hear there will be peach pie for those who do.

I am hearing...
The yowling of two female cats trying to be top Diva in the house. Girls! Girls! This has GOT to stop. I'M top Diva in this house!

Around the house...
Doggy chews and cat toys. My goodness, it's like living with five 2-year olds. I will be so glad when spring gets here!

One of my favorite things...
Sitting in my favorite chair and browsing through my knitting books. I get so inspired. I looked through Viking Patterns for Knitting yesterday. Love this book!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
The usual-Yarnies, Knitting class on Thursday, laundry, cleaning house, finishing the snowman so I can start the next one, finishing sleeve two for the baby cardigan. No boredom in this life!

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...
A poem to go with it:

Sock one
Is done

Have a great day.

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Snail Fiddling is Not an Occupation I'd Be Proud Of

The title of todays entry is a quote from a blog I found this morning that is hilarious. Sleep Talking Man is about the things Karen Slavick's husband says when he's asleep. If you need a chuckle, I recommend a visit. (Be warned, some of his night time language is not G-rated.)

You know what's even funnier? I was reading the blog this morning. I looked up at the TV and there was the blog on Good Morning America, along with Karen and her husband. Talk about coincidences!

The new washing machine was delivered and installed. I haven't tried it yet. It was delivered when I wasn't home, so the daughter got to try it first. I'll be getting good use out of it today.

I have finished the first sleeve of the baby cardigan.


No one showed up for my knitting class so I worked on it until it was done. Then I went grocery shopping at Walmart.

I went there because there was a particular item I wanted. Something my local grocery store just doesn't carry. A little piece of heaven that came out last month but I hadn't got around to getting it.


I picked up Susan Boyle's first CD, I Dreamed a Dream. It is awesome. Her voice does something to me. It soothes my soul. When I hear it an immediate peace and tranquility just come over me. Doesn't matter how stressed, sad, angry, frustrated I might be, her voice releases it. I can not stay mad when I hear her. Not very many singers can do that to me.

I also picked up some spring while at the store.


I'm anxiously waiting, though, for the daffodils. They should be hitting the local stores soon.

My snowman has a face!


Tommy was sitting on the couch looking elegant last night. I had to take a pic.


Last, but not least, I found this bib in my knitting room. I'd forgotten about it. It's a model one of my employees, Loretta Smith, stitched for me when I had my shop. I think I'll send it along with the baby sweater when the time comes.


That's all for today. Have a good one.