Zeneedle...needleart as life

Coming Back to Life

My immune system sucks...it seems to have abandon me and taken a holiday this year.  The last few days I've been too ill to think, to write, and yes, even to knit. Monday I thought I might die, yesterday I knew I'd live. Improvement has come rather quickly.  There is an ABC Along post almost ready to go (because I worked on it last weekend) and only if improvement continues will there be another post this week.

Let's finish up some movie business.  Amazingly, many of you knew the movie quotes from my list, however there is one quote that no one knew. I asked several people if they'd even heard of the movie, and no one had.  It's obviously a sleeper, but one you should see.

The movie is Smoke.
Quote:  If you can't share your secrets with your friends then what kind of friend are you? (Smoke -1995)

Hopefully tonight I'll feel like picking up the knitting needles again as I'd like to cast on for Miriam's new scarf, Persephone.  The pattern was part of the last fiber from  Wooly Wonka's Exotic Fiber Club.  Since it will be awhile before there will be a chance to spin up the luscious angora/silk I've opted for Judy's new yarn.  Persephone will be available mid-April and if you've been waiting for Aspen Grove the wait is over. 

Can you see the subtle color changes in the yarn?  It's rather exciting to start something new.  (You don't need to remind me just how many things are already on my needles. Thank you very much.)

Well, that's all I've got in me for today.  I'll be back!

Not Quite Spring

Thank you for the birthday wishes!  The day was all the more wonderful because of you.  The office celebrated by serving our traditional birthday cake from Café de Normandie. This is chocolate to live for, the only chocolate cake I truly love.

Friday night we had dinner at the Silver Fork (our favorite spot), where the snow was lightly falling and we were treated to a spot by the fire place.

Saturday I was treated to a pedicure and lunch by sweet Camille and, yes, it snowed that afternoon.  Sprinter reigns, but my toes are ready for Sprummer.

While sitting in front of a little heater, to keep my bare toes warm, I finished Aspen Grove. (More to come)

The mail arrived while I was knitting and it included the funniest card ever.  It shouldn't be too hard to guess who it's from as you've surely read the pee break posts.  It's even more funny in light of Terry's recent post.  Good grrlfriends share everything, eh?

Inside it reads:

Friends like you
are few and far between
Just wanted toilet you know.

I laughed for an hour and then called Norma. She's a peach.

Sunday morning we woke to a winter wonderland.  I look on it as a gift from nature, as Pisces love their water. More snow in the mountains means enough water this summer, HOWEVER,  I am ready for some sun and warmer temperatures...you hear me Mother Nature?

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

You Say It's Your Birthday

It isn't your birthday?  Well, it IS MINE!!

In my first year of blogging I decided to ignore my birthday. It was on a weekend then and I wasn't sure how to handle it anyway.  But, by 2005 I was over that and hung upside down in a swing to celebrate. In 2006 I hid behind a TON of candles and last year I pretended to be young again. This year well, I just wasn't sure what to do.  After a rough winter, I just feel lucky to be here at all!   This week is even more special because  Miss Meli came into the world on Tuesday. The world needs more Pisces!

The celebration will be low key, a nice quiet dinner at our favorite spot and time with grrlfriends on the weekend.

Here's looking at you my friends! Thanks for hanging around with me!

All About Me

As I step into my fifth year of blogging, I still find myself in awe at the wonderful comments you have shared.  The places you enjoy are as varied as you are, and each place sounds like a bit of heaven.  Thank you for taking time to comment and tell your stories.  If you haven't joined the party, please do so. I'd love to hear about your place of peace and joy.

Much of my weekend was spent coming back each day to read the comments and set aside some of the them to read again.  The random number generator will be helpful in picking the 3 random winners, as well as helping me choose from the special stories you've told.

The weekend was relaxing, obligation free and full of self-indulgences.  Saturday started out with the beautiful sunrise (as you see in Saturday's photo) and turned into a day of wind, rain and snow.  March came in like the proverbial Lion.  A trip to the grocer made the day a little brighter because of a beautiful, bright, bunch of sunny daisies.  Every time I see them they bring a smile to my face.

Much time was spent with my knitting, so much so the second chart of Aspen Grove has been finished.  Because this shawl is a half circle the number of stitches per row grow to what seems like insurmountable numbers.  It's taking longer and longer to knit my way across.  Also, because Mim has a way of creating interesting lace, there are subtle changes that keeps a knitter on her toes.  The second section is representative of aspen tree trunks, the knots, twists and turns are captured very well in the lace.  This section was very entertaining, but also a relief to finish.  The next, and last large area, represents the roots of the aspen colony and while it becomes easy, comfortable knitting, the rows are ever longer and the finish line is far from near.

The second sleeve on EPS was finished and the body united on March 1st!  The sense of accomplishment felt so good, but there is much more knitting before the finish.  More details will follow this week.  Hopefully she will be finished in time for my birthday celebration.

My self indulgence continued when the mail was delivered.  A new issue of Piecework revealed a lacy, beautiful sock from Nancy Bush and I found a beautiful blue yarn (in my stash) that should work up nicely.  The mail carrier also brought a new orifice hook from Kyra's Chiwawa Etsy Shop  The handles are styled from a piece of wood, hand painted and etched.  I love the bright colors and the copper hook.

Because of the new hook, which hangs on my wheel from its leather loop, the second bobbin of Cormo was finished and the third bobbin, which is a Cormo angora blend, is coming along nicely.  The Cormo/angora is much easier to spin as it seems to have more body.  In any case, it was nice to spend a relaxing weekend, spinning, knitting and indulging myself.

Done!

Do it TODAY!

MLK Day Project

Usually my commute is under 3 miles, but on the snowiest day of the year (12" at my house) it was a 10 mile drive into downtown SLC.  My office donated our day of work to the VOA of Utah. Our goal was to get their new digs ready to open within the week.  We did some demolition, building, cleaning, painting and organizing. 

It was an awesome day of service, a perfect way to celebrate the life of a great man, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   

NOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooo

My guy...just how I like him.

What Who the hell is this!?!?!

Sob...heartbroken am I....bring it back!

The Year in Knits

Knitting in 2007 started out rather slowly, only socks and scarves on the needles for several months. I just couldn't seem to get any knitting momentum.  Socks were the main distraction, 18 (two were small) pair knit this year and that's pretty much a record. The 2007 Photo Album shows off the years knitting results.  The year ahead holds more desire for sweaters and shawls than socks, at least sitting here, just days before 2008 begins.

Today seems as good as any to review my  favorite knits of  2007.

The sock that's at the top of my favorite list is Anne's Ceilidh Lace Socks.   I love the yarn, the color and the pattern.  They were fun to knit, the leg is nice and long, and they feel wonderful on my feet. Despite all the Monkey Mania, Thelonious is my second favorite pair for the same reasons as Ceilidh, great yarn, great pattern, great fit.

Blueberry Scoop has the distinction of being my favorite sweater of the year.  It's been worn more than any other sweater. The reason may be it's a cardigan and perfect for this time of year. I do wear the other sweaters, but not as much. Blueberry is perfectly versatile.   

I'm very partial to the Mitered Mittens and Bird in Hand. Mittens have rarely been part of my winter wear...I like my fingers individually clothed, for the most part. But, I do enjoy the warm, thick fabric of a worsted weight mitten and how perfect they are for snow.  Both pair were fun to knit and they are both special to me for different reasons.  It makes me smile just to see them sitting there ready to start a snowball fight!

Hands down, my favorite knits of 2007 were Langsjal Jóhönnu and Hicote.  It might be that both photo shoots involved traveling to exotic locations.  With the cold weather I've been wearing Jóhö more, as she's knit with warm, soft wool, but Hidcote is a favorite for cool summer evenings.

So the totals go like this:
Sweaters – 5 (including BJS a baby sweater)
Socks – 18 (two small size for charity)
Scarves– 4
Shawls/Wraps - 4
Bag – 1 Crochet
Mittens – 4 (two small size for charity)
Mitts – 1
Gloves - 1 (the Woolen Gloves WILL be finished before NYD)
Secret Project - 1

Now, onto 2008!

What We Did over Christmas Vacation

Smith and I are enjoying one more day of vacation.  It will be so nice to work only two days this week and then have four more off.  It would be very easy to get used to this sort of schedule, but we know January will prove, long, break-less and dreary (to say the least).

Over the years our holiday celebration has turned into a non-commercial, non-consumer vacation.  We relax, renew, rethink and rejoice the past year.  An addition to this year, inspired by mamacate’s solstice post, we also considered what our intent for 2008 might be.  The decision was made to make the year ahead more meaningful.  The plan includes doing with less and continuing to work harder on our non-commercial, non-consumer ways.  This will be a process that will take practice, the intent is to carry it on into the rest of our years.

Vacations have a way of slipping by too quickly, so our intent was to do something special each day. Saturday the special 'thing' came to us serendipitously. As we drove home from a delicious dinner we came upon a cemetery covered in paper luminarias. Every grave, and there were many, had paper bag with a candle flickering inside.  The ground was covered with 8" of snow, the trees, both pine and deciduous, were draped in white, and the snow covered mountains made a ghostly appearance in the background.  Rolling hills of lights and small wreaths dotted the landscape, along with the luminarias. It was truly beautiful and amazing.  Often I have wanted to take pictures of the winter ghost mountains, because we can see them so clearly...the white against the dark sky. That night the opportunity was there and I hope you can see, even just a little bit, how wonderful this evening was. (Make bigger.)

Sunday we had breakfast at Snowbird and watched as the skiers scampered towards the lifts.  Wintry, snowy conditions produced new powder for the slopes, and that's just what brings a skier to the Bird.  For us, the food is good, the air is crisp and clear, and the trip is a mini-retreat from our daily routine.

The winter wonderland of the last week had disappeared with warming weather, but on Christmas Eve mother nature brought snow, and we woke Christmas Day to another delight...a white Christmas, complete with clear blue skies.

We hope you had a delightful Christmas, too.

How To Spot An Obsessive Knitter

When I leave the house on cold wintry days, you can bet I'm dressed for the weather.  This is the time of year that is most fun for an obsessive knitter grrl.  The first knit item I happen to don is a pair of socks...only socks that are knit by hand touch my toes...they are the best way to stay warm (and happy).  Since I've been knitting socks for about a dozen years it is easy to get through a month with a fresh pair daily. 

Dressing for the out of doors is the best, if you're an obsessive knitter.  First I  slip on mitts, to add a layer of warmth, under my sweater (hand knit, of course) or jacket (because I don't have a sweater for every single day.   If it's especially cold a pair of gloves (hand knit, too) slip easily over the mitts and I could win any snowball fight because of the extra layer of wool. On many winter day, the addition of a scarf is the only other thing needed to keep me warm and cozy.

Since I'm not a fan of heavy winter coats, the mitts, scarf and a vest (microfiber in this case) take me through the milder days of winter. (Don't you think a nice  hand knit vest, like this one, would be just the thing to add to my queue?)  On occasion, if one spends long periods of time out of doors, the addition of a hat is nice to protect the ears.   

For an bit of elegance and warmth, I wrap up in a and beautiful, long stole and I'm ready for anything the weather can dish out.  Go ahead...call me crazy, eccentric and/or obsessive... I can handle it. I am warm and happy!

Now for a few words about some of my pals.  Carole has done so much for KUO as I've been too busy to help.  Thank you, Carole!  Make sure you let her know if you knit for charity during the two weeks of KUO. You could win a prize!
It's Birdsong's Blogiversary and she's giving away wonderful, fibery goodies. Make sure you comment... you could win!
Chris is having a contest and if you write the best Personal Ad for her you could win a music mix. She mixes up the best CDs!  Chris challenge me to have a martini and enter the contest. I did....she might be a bit sorry.