Some more trip photos and well, some knitting content. I have an almost FO to show you (will prob'ly be done tonight --- minus buttons) and some "WIP" to update you on. I am still unpacking. I did all the laundry the first night home (yup, i'm that girl), but it's everywhere. Last night, there was some quality knitting going on, some re-prioritization also of knitting projects. More about that later.



Les Baux de Provence. Or, the road leading up to it. Just another great sight on my whirlwind weekend tour of Southern France in between horrifically boring training sessions. *yawn*
Have I mentioned that I am so not over jet lag yet?

Pont du Gard. An amazing 2000+ year old aqueduct. It's amazing. It's huge. It's breathtaking and awe-inspiring. I used to be only interested in "natural" art and design. (i.e. nothing made by man) but lately, I have been finding large amounts of inspiration in man made structures. Funny, am I growing as a person? Am I gaining a new perspective? Natural art (leaves, trees, landscapes) will always be a first love, But I am starting to see the beauty of a clean line. Speaking of which, these arches caused me to fall even MORE in love with something I saw in Marseilles. In true knitting-geek fashion, I took a picture.

How do I make this? I am LOVING everything about this sweater! I still have the rust silk that would make this go "ooooohhh".

is it short rowed? look at the attachment of the border! oh, FYI: it's 630 Euro, which is ~$815 USD. and it's a wool/acrylic blend. anyone who wants to help me with this one--- i will even pay/trade for design help!

Wanna see what PC gave me for my b-day? It's ONE of my presents... and oh, it's going to keep me busy. It's the kit to MAKE the quilt in this picture! How cool is that? PC rocks!

Happy Knitting Wednesday!
~mini

Home Sweet Home.... finally!

So, I got home Friday night... what a project. But, Saturday was my pre-bday with PC- the circus in Boston and then dinner at Gargoyles (i'll try to find a link) in Davis Sq. Yummy. :)
Sunday was the actual b-day and Monday was the obligatory family dinner. Pics of presents and other stuff later this week.


So, this is what I saw when I walked out my hotel room. Yup, just my room. :) We stayed at the beautiful Hotel St. Laurent (in St. Laurent), about 20 minutes west of Avignon. It was gorgeous. Our hotel was run by two men, Christoph and Terry. They were like family... and the dog, Noie. So, seeing this alot made the business trip almost worth it. (notice i said "almost").

Like my castle? Yup, just next door to the hotel. Now, if PC said I was a "princess" before I left... well, there's no stopping me now!

Palais de Papes. Words cannot describe the beauty and emotion that this place conveys to my heart. One evening, there was a gentleman singing in the plaza. It was beautiful. A truly amazing accomplishment of man. As a Catholic (ok, slightly lapsed, but I keep my faith), this was quite the sight to see. It was also amazing to be with non-Christians and hear their take on the opulence of the building. more about that another day.

My all time favorite photo: this quiet little street behind the Duke of Uzes's castle in Uzes (on the way to Nimes from Avignon). I love this street. I love that people live here. A few moments after this photo was taken, 5 boys and 1 girl came runnign after a soccer ball. :) *grin* someplace where kids can be kids!

And lastly, a little contest: a prize (to be determined, sock yarn, me thinks) if you know where this last photo was taken. :) If more than one answer, PC will draw a name out of a hat. :) and yes, a new hat...not his stinky one.



More each day this week! Travels and knitting.... I promise!
Happy Knitting Tuesday!
~mini

hi ho, hi ho, it's off the France I go!

Last night, we went to the Deuce is Wild tour (Brooks &Dunn, Big &Rich, Warren Brothers) and it was fantastic! I have been waiting forever to see Brooks &Dunn in person and it was so totally worth it!

PC will tell you, I usually request very few musical things--- I like most of his music and he's much more into the whole "live" thing than me. So, asking to go to a country music concert (PC's SOOO not a country fan) was a big deal. :) But, the seats were great, the music was rockin' and well, I was just so damn happy! :)

In a little over 8 hours, I will be in the air... at 30,000 feet (or 10,000 meters) on my way to Paris. From Paris, I hop the TGV (the French amtrack) to Avignon and then off to my hotel to sleep off a "plane hangover". I won't be home for 2 weeks. :( No remote blogging, no email access. No PC. :( If anyone wants to feed him (and you know him), please feel free. He's gonna be a lonely guy these next few weeks.

I'm learning more about me than I ever expected while traveling. One thing: i'm a home-body.

More when I get home!
~mini

This one's for Sandy....

I am posting two sky pictures (is this cheating?) for Sandy's contest.

Photo #1:
At the DeCordova Sculpture Museum and Park near my home:














Photo #2:
the sky at 6:00 a.m. (GMT+1) in the French Alps:

I am posting two sky pictures (is this cheating?) for Sandy's contest.

Photo #1:
At the DeCordova Sculpture Museum and Park near my home:














Photo #2:
the sky at 6:00 a.m. (GMT+1) in the French Alps:

Socks, cheese and Geneva

Well, I have returned from Geneva and Annecy, France as a new woman! I am a woman with a stamp on her passport! :) I had always said, I wanted one stamp on my passport before I turned 30 and dammit, I was ready to drive the 4 hours to Montreal to get it too, if need be. Nope, work did it for me.

But you want knitting stuff, right? Ahh...so many projects underway, some being re-thunk and some are "will post when it's done" b/c it's progress is yawn-inducing.

My sock pal socks arrived! My sock pal was Kira and I have to tell you I love them! Her kids picked out my colorway and they are perfect for the autumn girl in me! Stop on over and tell her hello! :) They are Lorna's Laces and the pattern is Broadripple... they fit PERFECTLY. And they are an international knit: California to London to English countryside to Edinburg... These socks and I have the same amount of international flight miles! :) Kira sent me a calender from Santa Cruz and an adorable picture of my "color consultants" (her kids)--- Kira, I put the picture up in my cubicle at work... :) Their grins make me smile! Tell them to look for a little "boomerang" for being such great color consultants!


So, here is where my conference was:
Le Baie des Voiles (Sail Bay)
Lake Annecy France, in the town of D'Uginet, at the foot off the Alps, about 50km from Mont Blanc. Yup, I know, my life is hard. There were 20 of us from all the teams: French, US, and Japan. It was a good conference for our company and much was accomplished. I also learned that once you start drinking everyday at lunch, that whole 'no tolerance' thing gets tossed out the window. I also learned a hard lesson in friendship during this trip. Tomorrow I will tell you about white water rafting in 28 deg F Alpine water and how my colleague saved my life ( I still have a rather large egg on my head from the trip).

PC started a brand new job last week and he's really excited about it.

I also got my SP6 assignment and this is going to be fun! My SP already stopped by to say hello! :) I can't wait! I have a few surprises up my sleeve!

And now, I leave you with a few pictures that I took from my room in Annecy... yes, this is the view from my business trip:



These are from Geneva and the 1st is the view from the Best Western in Port Sud Geneve:





Happy Knitting Tuesday! More info tomorrow!
~mini

Secret Pal 6 Questions

Dear SP6-
I will be out of the country (Geneva!) until 9/19/05, so my apologies if I don't respond if you email me!
~Mini


1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
kinda snob--- don't like acrylic, but like "low end" wools and wool blends--- knitpicks is a good thing!

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
used to crochet, but don't spin

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
not a big fan of cat hair or any pet dander on items, but can hang it out in the cool New England air if necessary

4. How long have you been knitting?
off and on-- 20 years
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
knitpicks, but can't figure out how to link to it. :(

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
pumpkin! apples! fresh cotton!

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
yes, but WW says I need to lose that. :( allergic to Splenda products
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I quilt! and sew bags

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love country! and rock! nope, no MP3s... sorry :(

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love fall colors-- burgandies, rich reds, pumpkin oranges, and forest greens. Am really getting into jewel tones too!
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
don't live with PC (soon though!)--- no pets, unless PC counts.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
to be a mom, a wife, and a good person. Knitting wise- i'd like to learn fair-isle and intarsia

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
i really like wool blends... have been petting cashmerino for about a year--- still haven't purchased it

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I am not a fan of anything without "stretch"...like linen.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
sweaters! i am working on Kepler and will start the newest Knitty.com version.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
mittens, socks, hats (quick and easy)... really love sweaters!

17. What are you knitting right now?
Kepler, sweater for PC, sweater for PC mom, 3 pair of anklets for my mom

18. What do you think about ponchos?
umm... great for my 8 year old cousin... not so great on me.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
circulars! and I am really getting into bamboo... I don't have alot of bamboo circs.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
bamboo.....

21. Are you a sock knitter?
yes!

22. How did you learn to knit?
7 or 8... my godmother taught me, my grandmother tried, but lost patience.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
8 months?
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
love giraffes! and eyeore...

25. What is your favorite holiday?
christmas or thanksgiving.

26. Is there anything that you collect?
yarn? Nope, working through my stash...so, probably books, music boxes, and compliments!

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I have Rowan and that's it.
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Plus size knitting! and the knitter's handy book of sweater patterns.

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another??
hmm... there are so many, but i have quite a few. It's really hard to find good plus size knit patterns that aren't "geeky"

Dolphins and cougars and socks oh my!

My sock-pal 2 socks are DONE! All washed and smelling fantastic. :) I wrapped them up with a sock band with a wee little dragon on it. :) They are on their way to Omaha, NE. I hope she likes them. This was one of those projects where somedays I liked the yarn, some days I hated it. Lorna's Laces is tricky. I bought the same color, same lot and the socks look different. Not even in that kitchy "oh it's cute they "kinda" match " sort of way. The purples are completely off one shade. Oh well, they are adorable.
They had to be mailed today (early) b/c of the trip to Geneva this week... So, my sockpal will have it by the "mail date."

Anyone I owe an email to: I am sorry. It might be until October when I get back to you. Tomorrow I leave for Geneva (the Alps!) for a business trip- global conference with the WHOLE company. Then I am home for a week- working a 70 hour week to catch up on all that I missed here... then off to Avignon, France for a two week training at our "home base" there. Yes, I know rough life. But, I really don't like traveling that far from home, alone for so long. I will live, but I am hoping that this doesn't become a "normal thing".
So, anyone want to guess where I saw this:

and this:

and this:

Why only here of course!


It was PC's birthday over the Labor Day Weekend, so we headed out west (longest plane ride for him so far!) to the land of Lost Wages and had a weekend of fun! We stayed at the Imperial Palace (that they are going to implode!) and had a blast playing blackjack with the "dealertainers". We had blackjack dealt to us by Reba McIntyre, Toby Keith, Billy Idol, Little Richard and the girl from Blondie. Also there was Dolly Parton, Ricky Martin, Elvis (young) and Stevie Wonder.

Question of the weekend:

How does STEVIE WONDER deal BLACKJACK?

So, for all my hard work, organizing, fretting, and stressing... On Tuesday, these arrived at work:

The card said "thanks for the best birthday ever." PC rocks. These smell awesome! A girlfriend from work needed a ride that evening and she rode in my car hanging onto them. For scale, they are about 28 inches off the top of the dresser. :) So, since I found out today that I will be checking a bag for Geneva (I need to shave my legs while there, so the razor needs to be checked)- I will probably pack a little knitting. :) We'll see. I have tons more pictures from Vegas... and now, I will have more from Geneva!
Happy Knitting Monday!
~mini

new button

I'm not dead.

Nope, really I am not. I am trying to do laundry, pack, work and get all my sh*t together before Vegas this Friday.

So, my little world here in Boston has been pretty much- Hi, I live in Boston. Born and raised. Multiple generations living in the family house, etc... I love it. And for the month of Sept, I will be in FRANCE. (cue: cheesy French music)

Work has dictated that I spend one week in France (in the Alps) for my corporate meeting. Then I am working here, stateside, for one week... then BACK TO FRANCE. For two weeks. My flight for my return from trip #2 is October 7th. Yeah... umm, what happened to September?

On top of all of this: I am knitting. Well, trying to.

Updates:
1. Kepler... back almost done- this guy is going to France for second trip--- hotel room knitting
2. Sockpal2za- one sock down, at the heel for #2 (will turn heel tonight while laundry rocks)
3. PC's sweater...oh, will restart when I get home from French trip 2.
4. a request from a very cute and doens't-ask-for-anything-8-year-old: can you make me a poncho? yikes. yup, can do.
5. 2nd request from 14 year old: i want a shrug.

I need a vacation where I don't do anything.

Oh, in case I wasn't clear- all tests came back negative from scary B-day.

Oh, and PC got a new job! :) Everyone leave him a comment and tell him"congrats"! We are off to Vegas on Friday, back on Tuesday night--- i will try to post next week. Knitting photos- I promise!
:) Mini

One Brave Little Toaster...

that's me! I went to the doctor Tuesday afternoon (with my mom). After a very nice visit with wonderful surgeon, I am off to the "biopsy room." My technician is rocking out to the Rolling Stones (this is SUCH a good sign... nothing bad can happen if Mick's in town,right?). Now, there are several things they want to do, in order, as an example "if this is X, we'll do Y." Ok, so start wtih X: needle aspiration biopsy.

DID I MENTION I AM TERRIFIED OF NEEDLES?

I spent an ENTIRE year, sacrificing poor little defenseless mice (~50 per day) and I have seen the insides of a human, alive and deceased....but, put a needle in front of me and it's like instant nausea, waves of it... feeling lightheaded...panicky... and I am NOT a good patient.

Back to the Stones... the radiologist and technician put me at ease. I look away whilst they plunge 3 needles of lidocaine into me to numb me. This hurt the MOST. I watch the monitor with my "little"black spot on it. Then I see something attacking my little black spot. It's the needle for the biopsy. When did they do that? My inner scientist comes out: "wow... that's cool" The radiologist who just spent 20 minutes calming me down says "cool? ha ha ha... what do you do for a living?" I explain the whole biochemist thing and he says "and you are afraid of a NEEDLE?"

Ok, I never said I was a RATIONAL biochemist.

Onto knitting:
Oooo...first- presents!

I know, crappy blurry photo... but these are BEAUTIFUL stitch markers from HAWAII. Yup, my swap partner came from HAWAII (the only state I haven't driven through or flown over).
They are perfect for socks!
Thanks Debbie!

This is the cable for Kepler. Or it was. Nope, no frogging... but I did make major progress but finishing off the back cable, and picking up stitches for the body. :) The pattern says to make the cable bands all at once, but I really wanted to make each piece as I go. :)

Not too shabby, eh?

On top of all of this: I LEARNED TO CABLE NEEDLE-FREE.

I just thought of something... I am knitter that is afraid of needles!
happy knitting Thursday

It's "B" Day....

Nope, not a birthday- Boob Day. :)

Today is the "big scary doctor" appointment. I am going to the best place for my tests today and I am getting a little bit nervous. So, it's something they saw on the ultrasound of my breast and they need to biopsy it. Today.

PC is forever my rock. He's been great throughout the whole thing and I would like to publicly tell him: I don't know how I would get through this without you.

No results for a few days and probably no blogging. I will be knitting. And some sewing if I feel up to it. :) Lots of Tylenol and ice packs. And ice cream. (honey, don't forget the ice cream!)

Secret Pal stuff:
My "spoil-ee" is the amazing: BloBerry. Go say hi! I have been spoiling her and her kiddos all summer and I have to say, it has been an honor and a whole lot of fun! :)

My Sp5--- I haven't heard from you this summer too much. I hope everything is going ok. Email me if there is anything I need to know.

I have signed up for SP6... I am more the "better to give than receive" kind of person, so I am going to try this one more time. One of the things I LOVE about Jan (BloBerry) is that she always posts when I send her a package. She also has sent me some funny pics of her kids in a water balloon fight with the balloons I sent them. That really made my day! She has been a someone that I am happy that I am getting to "know" and I hope she'll continue to be a good friend. She amazes me with all the charity knitting she does and it inspires me to be a better person and to start making my own things to send to charities. She is a wonderful single mom and one "crazy cat lady" (ha ha ha). Jan, it's been a pleasure!

More knitting last night, but the cabling was going slow. I am trying to do it "sans needle" now.

Happy Knitting Tuesday!
:) Mini

...I need your help...

All of you, please.

My name is Mini and I have a problem. PC's sweater sucks. No really. It's a HUGE problem. The Cotton Ease has no bounce, no "oomph" for the cables, doesn't "hold" a rib and well... it's just a PROBLEM. yes, could completely switch out the yarn (no prob, it is a worsted sweater--- there are a few brands that might work... ha ha ha).

But, right now, I hate the pattern. He still likes it. I don't. At all. I have some red Cotton Ease to go with the black. Rip back and make a "baseball" style with the "andre" logo on the front?
TRANSLATION---> Learning Intarsia

Or, does anyone have a great sweater for guys pattern that has the following:
1. v-neck
2. cables or something, but not "busy"
3. all one color
4. no bulky or chunky yarn
5. comes in a 44" chest?

EMAIL ME... I beg of you. Save our relationship! He already waited for the quilt for like 8 months longer than he should have. "The quilt" almost ended us. Now I am so afraid the sweater myth will materialize before my eyes!

Sockapal-2-za.
No photos, 2nd sock definitely cast on. And I need to finish it ASAP, b/c after I get back from Vegas, I am at work for a week, then off to France. Not a lot of knitting time! Yikes!

Kepler... have you seen this? I started drooling immediately and then said "mine!" I am using the Lana Grossa that I got at the W&W sale this spring. Purple eggplant color that will just be "wow" on me. :)
This my first "real" attempt (i.e. successful) attempt at cables. And did I just pick plain old cables? Nope a gaelic style plait. In a 16 row repeat. :) I love it. I already memorized the chart!
1. Never knitted from a chart
2. Never knitted a real cable
3. Never knitted a garment for me.

I think I'm in love. But, I got to work on the sock! Sock will be worked on while 13 year old cousin gets hair cut and new highlights for back-to-school. From hair to her butt to chin length. Saturday at 9. :) I can't wait. New school (high school) needs new hair.

Very Little Knitting....

But a WHOLE LOT of sewing!

Some of you know already that I sew. Actually, I specifically "quilt" more than I sew. But, I've made myself some pretty cute little project bags over the past few years. But, now that I have made this:


I want one for me. Oh? I didn't say? It's not for me. It's for someone else. It will be popped off in the mail tomorrow with some other treatlets for this person! :) Lucky chica, huh?
They are also getting these:

for regular knitting needles:

for circular knitting needles:

Yup, that's one lucky person!

So, what's this?

Oh, I missed my friend's birthday--- so I am knitting a Sophie for her very quickly. Have the perfect button for this one too!

WORK:
Is going very well. Scary well. I know, don't jinx myself. But I have to say this; my first ever business trip is here:

http://baiedesvoiles.com/site_baie_des_voiles_en/

I leave in September (a Tuesday overnight flight) and get there a day ahead of the meeting. My boss decided that I needed some time to "adjust" to traveling abroad. So, Wednesday morning- arrive in Geneva, picked up by driver, carried over to France through the ALPS (!!!) to Lake Annecy. Will be there by noon. Sleep a bit. more of a nap. Hang out in the ALPS for the afternoon. Dinner with colleagues. Thursday a.m. sleep, hang out in the ALPS, short conference meeting in the afternoon. Friday, small meeting in the morning, afternoon off. Saturday: PLAY DAY. With the boss on the French side, this could be anything. We heard a rumor that we might be getting HANG-GLIDING LESSONS. Sunday, back to Geneva, through Paris and back to Boston. :) I love my job! Next trip: off to the South of France (Avignon) to train with some French colleagues for 2-3 weeks. The training is set so that you train 4 days, have 3 off, etc for several weeks. So, I will be exploring southern france 3 days a week!

PC and ME:

Hmm... so, somebody has a b-day coming up. It's not the big 3-0, but we are celebrating it anyway! It's 29 and it's PC's. So, I thought a few months ago: everyone makes a big deal about 30. Why not celebrate 29 and kick off the last year of being in your 20s in style? So, what are we doing?
Viva Las Vegas!

PC's never been... so, I am taking him for his 29th b-day (go ahead.. wish him a happy b-day!) We are actually arriving in Las Vegas on his birthday and we'll be there for all of Labor Day Weekend. Leave Friday, back on Tuesday. He's excited. That's good... it's sometimes tough to find him something he'll like. This trip thing seems to be working!

It was also our anniversary on Tuesday. We had gone away this weekend and then out to dinner on Tuesday night. 3 years. Damn... somedays it feels longer, some days it feels like we just met. It doesn't hurt that we are still completely madly, truly, deeply crazy about each other. :) My mom always told me I will be very lucky if I can find a man who makes me smile, gives me goosebumps and loves me unconditionally. Yup, got him! Love you PC!

happy knitting thursday!
~mini
PS- if anyone wants a bag or a needle case, let me know... nominal fee... will help me bust through some fabric stash. (i.e. the material is free... only the labor cost involved--- make me an offer!)

wow... a Quizilla that is right on the money!

What color of sock yarn do you prefer?
brought to you by Quizilla


Anyone who knows me, knows that I am THE AUTUMN BABY. I firmly believe that the season you are born in is the season you are MOST comfortable in. I am a fall baby (October 9 for anyone who wants to know). I love fall. Apples. Leaves. Football. Sweaters. Crispness. Cool air. Pumpkins....oh the pumpkins!

I think in a former life, I WAS A PUMPKIN. Anything pumpkin-orange makes me smile. My fave dinner is pumpkin raviolis with pumpkin seed sauce, a pumpkin beer and a slice of pumpkin pie with pumpkin ice cream on the side. Favorite snack? Toasted pumpkin seeds of course! So, is it any wonder that I am considering making ERIS in pumpkin? Nope, didn't shock me either. I love all things fall and pumpkin. I actually detest summer (well, if not for camping and lake swimming.. this would be a useless season). This summer hasn't been that bad... this morning I had something on my car that I have been waiting for (impatiently):

FROST

It was a beautiful thing!

Another Monday?

Already? huh... 24 hours ago, I was in NH, with the adorable PC, working up a sweat.

...taking down a tent. dirty, dirty minds people!

:)

So, what did I come home to this weekend? Umm.. how about 4 new stitch markers and some homegrown-handspun-hand-dyed yarn? This is the same yarn that I was drooling over at the League of NH craft fair last week. I broke down. I bought it. Alot of it. But, it's going to be used almost immediately!
I have an unknown yardage of this...
210 yds + 93 yds + 176 yds = 476 yds

I am thinking of the brioche stitch raglan from IK Fall '05 for this yarn... but, i think i need more...
Stitch markers from Uta If you are reading:
I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really think they are going to be perfect for socks. Oh, about socks. One down, one to go on my SockPal socks. I am *hopefully* going to start them tonight. I have a secret project (one involves a sewing machine and pins...) for my SP5 for her last parcel d'art. (ha ha ha).

Hope all is going well... wish me and PC a very HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! 3 years and still madly and truly in love with each other! If we are anything like our parents, it'll be 40+ years of this! :)

happy knitting monday!
~mini

Monday, Monday....

Mondays are not so bad, especially for bloggers like me (y'know: the M-F bloggers) b/c it makes our weekends look exciting!

Friday, I came home and these were waiting for me:

Isn't the giraffe just the BEST? I LOVE HIM! Actually, I love them all! Thanks to Lea over at KneeDeep, part of the Stitch Marker Mania.

Saturday, me, mom, PC's mom and a co-worker (S) went to NH for the annual League of NH Craftsman's Fair. This is my all-time favorite craft fair of all time. It has everything- woodworking, textiles, pottery, jewelry... Well, you have to see it to believe it! It's held every year at the Mount Sunapee Ski Area for one whole week. We did the fair in 6 hours. Here's the haul:
1. brown leather bag (last year it was $80, this year $39)



2. gorgeous silver bangle and kinda-matching silver earrings (from two different vendors!)

3. handmade buttons for me to use on felted bags- S picked up a pink one for me to put on her bag that I made for her... will do that tonight!

4. WOOD earrings. the pair on the left, my mom (your the best!) bought me last year and I wear them alot in the fall (they match everything!).... so I bought the pair on the right for me this year to wear with everything else! hee hee... less than $20, what a deal!

So, that's my haul. There was a great little demo booth with handspun yarn, but they couldn't sell me any b/c of the "rules" for the fair.

More knitting... I will keep you updated!
Happy Knitting Monday!
~mini

Not so much idiosyncrasies....

but more of "what mini does that's weird." (PC might not even know all of these).

1. I talk to myself. All the time. People catch me doing it all day. I look crazy, but I think it's a science thing--- I talk myself through my work throughout the day.
2. I live in constant fear of losing my job. Now there's a history here... i have been unemployed more than employed lately. Current job= 100% job satisfaction.
3. I can't sleep in an unmade bed. At all. It's hospital corners or nothing!
4. I love all things pumpkin... pumpkin beer, pumpkin ravioli, pumpkni yarn and pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice and pumpkin... well, you get the idea.
5. I hate summer. If it weren't for cool lakes and camping, I would never leave the house in summer.

I had seen this meme and thought it was cute.

More knitting content later.
~mini
PS_ has anyone knit with Rowan Kid Classic?

When Life Interrupts Knitting....

I get angry. Well, actually- frustrated. But we have been doing GOOD things instead of knitting. An example: finally catching up with old friends and having dinner with them. Doing laundry. Eating dinner. Getting presents. Hitting the gym.

Oh, wait. I said presents, didn't I?

these dazzling beauties came from KnitWitMomma via our "just us" stitch marker exchange. OMG! I think I should send her more, b/c mine don't even COMPARE to hers! Yikes! No seriously, Jenn... they are awesome! (and currently in use!). :)

So, what else is new? Today, I went here. Yup. Scary.AND I have to go BACK. Double yuck. Have to say, for a very scary "reality check" doctor appointment- these nurses RULE. What class and sensitivity! They took a very scary thing and treated me like a human. I love them. I thank them. I thank them for taking me seriously and treating me with respect and NOT dismissing me b/c of my age. I am still scared, but at least now, I know I am in good hands. Capable hands. Caring hands.

Knitting stuff:
1. sockpal socks... almost done with sock #1--- camping trip next weekend should finish off sock #2.
2. PC's sweater. Well, I am 5 cable repeats into it and it looks great. And I was right, with my "gauge growth" i am at the "right" size. :)
3. pattern picking... what's this? I have some yarn from the W&W sale that is calling my name! I need to knit it!
4. making the "realistic" X-mas list.

So, what's new with you? Leave me a comment and let me know!
Happy Knitting Wednesday!
~mini