What? No html!

For some crazy reason, my blog won't allow me to use HTML computer language today. What that means is that I can't hyperlink to websites, and that my pictures are kind of random. But stick with me here, we've got a lot of ground to cover.

First of all, you can see by the randomly placed button at the top of this post that I have joined Dish Rag Tag (http://yarnmiracle.com/2007/06/12/dish-rag-tag/) is the best I can do for you at the moment. Is anyone else having trouble with their html? I posted on the sock a month knitalong blog with no issues, but this one just is not having it.

Anyway, I am captain of Team #4 (our default name until we decide another, much more clever name). The competition (see, there's that word again) will start in August. Emily will mail boxes out to all the 11 team captains, each box containing a finished dish cloth, two balls of kitchen cotton, and a little treat or two. When we receive the box, we will remove all of the contents, eat the treats, put one of the balls of cotton in our stash, and knit (quickly, I hope) a dish cloth with the other ball of cotton. Then we will fill the same box with the dish cloth we have just knit, two balls of kitchen cotton of our own selection, and some goodies and mail it to the next person on our team. Teams consist of ten players each. Since we have over a month before the competition begins, we are still strategizing over the best route for our box to take. The tenth and final person on the team will mail the box back to Emily. I'm excited already. And NO knitting on your dish cloth until your package arrives. There's no other way to put this mildly, so I'm just gonna say it: I hate cheaters. I hope nobody cheats. That ruins it for everybody. And for what? A coupla skeins of yarn for your ill-gotten prize? I just know that yarn karma would kick in and bite you big time for that. No cheaters.

Since I haven't posted for a couple of weeks, I've got a lot to catch you up on. First of all, my little ZimDee graduated from preschool:

Despite his rather blase' expression, he loved it and it's all he's been talking about ever since. In fact, when I do something that pleases him (like getting him some juice) he'll tell me how proud he is of me for graduating. I love that guy. The ceremony was adorable--you can see they had the children wear caps, and they even played "pomp and circumstance" when they walked out. So cute.

Next, this little dawg turned two years old. Where has the time gone?

A word about my Sproutie: he is the sweetest bundle of naughtiness you ever did see. He's so naughty that it's almost funny (most of the time). Here he is with some of his presents. Think he was mad at me for making him wear the hat? After all, you only turn 2 once. Indulge mommy, sweetheart: With Auntie and brother (and cousin Natey in the background) with his cake. What a sweety pie.
And all of a sudden, my little baby boy is a big little boy. How does that happen? And why so fast?

Ok, before I get all verkempt, I need to distract myself with some yarn. Nothing spectacular, but something I dyed myself.

I had a very specific idea in mind that I wanted green and pink and white. I just love when hand painted yarn keeps lengths of white in it. I used Dalegarn Baby Ull. I wound it by hand onto my umbrella swift. I tested a lot of colors I had around the house (Kool Ade, etc.) until I found the colors I wanted to use. I had visions of dyeing yarn all day, but it was so involved and so much work that I was exhausted after finishing these two skeins.
My hats off to all the indie dyers out there who dye yarn into beautiful colors for us to enjoy. I'd like to try my hand at dyeing more yarn in the future, but I would have to invest a little bit of money to get the right stuff. Someday...

Now on to the knitting. Remember the socks I started for my mother-in-law last fall? (I'd link to the post, but remember my html issue...) Well, I finally finished them. Here they are:

They were my May entry for the sock a month knitalong. There's a lot to be said for a knitalong that keeps you accountable to finish at least one pair of socks a month. I'm pretty proud of myself for finishing a pair of socks every month since February. For me that's quite an accomplishment.

Here are the specs:

Pattern: Just plain stockinette, baby.

Yarn: Regia 4 Multi Effekt Color, #5385

Needles: Knit Picks size 1 circular, using the magic loop method.

Comments: I'm so proud of myself for getting the stripes to match exactly on both socks. It involved using up quite a length of yarn (a couple feet) but it was worth it in the end to have the socks look the same. I love how this self patterning yarn works up. Added bonus: my mother in law thinks I'm a genius. Let's not correct her, shall we? I will give her these socks when we visit her sometime this summer.

Next is the sock I knit for my Sock Hop Sock Swap pal. I love the idea of this swap, in which you knit one sock for your partner, and send them the yarn and pattern to finish the second sock (along with some goodies, of course). Here is the sock I sent to my pal: Pattern: Acorn Lace socks by Fiber Trends

Yarn: Lorna's Laces shepherd sock in the Aslan colorway

Comments: My spoilee Cary said her sock fit her perfectly. I will probably knit this pattern again for myself or someone in my family in the future. Lorna's Laces was a dream to work with, as always.

My Sock Hop Swap pal sent me the most wonderful package with a sock of my own to finish. I will post a picture and details soon.

Next is my June contribution for the Sock a Month knitalong. These socks are for my Sockapalooza pal, and I'm so proud of myself for having them done early (they're not due to be mailed until August).

I chose the Conwy pattern from Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush because my pal had travelled to Conwy, Ireland, and has fond memories of her trip. As an added bonus, this was the sock I was knitting on when I saw the Yarn Harlot a couple weeks ago. Here she is holding the beginning of the sock:
And a close-up of the stitch pattern:
My pal specified that she liked patterned socks, but didn't want one that had a lot of yarn over holes that would easily snag. I think the faux cables in the Conwys worked out spendidly.

I used Sunshine Yarn twist in the Tulip colorway. (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=4375) Dani is a very talented yarn dyer, and is very nice on top of that. I would highly recommend her yarns if you haven't seen them before.

Finally, what is this yarn? No, I didn't dye it myself (even though I have three willing helpers at the ready at all times--one of which is pictured in the photo). I left that to the masters at Blue Moon Fiber Arts. This is the Sherbet colorway. Wonder what it is destined to become? It's the project I'm working on now. Details to follow.

My love to all. I've missed you.

Legacy

My love of all things crafty stems from growing up around both of my grandmas knitting, crocheting, beading, painting, writing, sewing, and quilting. I remember at Christmastime my Grandma Hasel would set out beads at the her round table and make Christmas ornaments. There was always a crafty project afoot whenever I was at either of my grandmas' houses. If I needed a dress for the singing program at school, Grandma would make it.

I've dabbled in many crafts throughout my life, but knitting is the one that has completely captivated my imagination. Its meditative nature has a real calming effect on me.

Sometimes the thought has crossed my mind of what kind of legacy I will leave behind. What will I be remembered for? How did I affect my corner of the world? Does everything I knit really make a difference, or am I wasting precious time?

First and foremost, I'm working very hard to raise healthy, loving, responsible children. I consider that to be my best contribution to humankind.

My family and friends are very important to me, and I hope this is always clear in my words and actions.

But what about the things I knit? Will that all be a waste of time?

I only have to look at the items around my home that were made with loving hands to know the answer to that question.

ZimDee's favorite pillow case is one my Grandma Hasel hand-painted for me when I was ZimDee's age. The artwork is of a little girl (she is supposed to be me) sitting down with a kitty among flowers. Grandma wrote my name in cursive above the picture. Her handwriting was exquisite, and I think about her every night when I tuck my little boy into bed. I nursed all three of my children with with this same pillowcase on a pillow cushioning my sweet little babies. I don't know if Grandma ever imagined that when she painted this pillowcase for her 5-year-old granddaughter that it would also become a favorite of her great-grandchildren as well. I'd like to think that that's what her hope was.

All three of my children sleep under hand-sewn quilts. Girlie and ZimDee sleep under quilts knit with care by my Grandma Lyn. Sproutie sleeps under a quilt that his Drammies, my mother Karen, sewed for me.

Though both of my grandmas are now in heaven, their love for me lives on in the items made especially for me, the same items now treasured by my children.

So am I wasting my time knitting things for the people I love? I think not.

A Night With The Harlot

The Yarn Harlot came to town and once again did not disappoint. Just like last year, my sides hurt again from laughing so hard.Here we are posing with each others' socks in progress. She's gotten a lot further on hers than I have on mine, especially since I had to frog the whole thing 50 rows in this morning. I'm knitting "Conwy" from Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush for my Sockapalooza pal. I think I'll send my pal this picture along with her socks when they're done so she can see that they were actually held by a celebrity.

Stephanie was as funny and witty as ever. I always enjoy listening to her speak. By the way, she did finish her sweater. She wore it tonight and it was gorgeous.

It was good to see Chrissy, Chris, Amanda and her mom (and sweet baby Everett!). Donna (who is blogless despite ever-mounting pressure) and I rode together and had a great time. I'm already looking forward to next year. Thank you, Stephanie!

When the Wind Blows

Thank you to everyone who wrote sweet words of welcome for my sister and her family regarding their move back to Oregon. I wish I could tell you that it is all going smoothly, but I can't. The sale of their house in Chicago fell through and it puts everything in a precarious position. Please keep my sister and her family in your thoughts as they deal with this challenge.

My sister's setback and some confusing emotional stuff of my own this week have caught me off guard and really knocked the wind out of me. I tend to pull deep within myself when things trouble me, but my friends aren't allowing me to do that this time. They're dragging me out to see the Yarn Harlot tonight. We're going to start out with dinner at Henry's. (I'm not much of a drinker, but a beer is sounding pretty good right about now.) Then we're going tomake our way over to Powell's to listen to Ms. Pearl-McPhee tell us funny stories about knitting. I'm going to sit and knit with friends and laugh tonight.

That's just what the doctor ordered.

Dreams

I had the best dream.

In it, my sister Angie came to see my for my birthday. Her husband decided to fly out too to go on a job interview here in town. He was trying to find a way to somehow move their family back to the Pacific Northwest. It would involve much sacrifice, but it would all be worth it in the end to have us all back together, where we belong, with each other. So important, now that we have painfully learned how quickly our lives can turn on a dime.

In the dream, it happened so fast. They flew back to Chicago. Then there was a teary phone call saying that there was a job offer, and it had been accepted. Like magic, their house in Chicago was sold and the perfect little house was found and purchased here in Portland.

I have dreamed some form of this dream many times in the five years since they moved away. It never failed to bring tears to my eyes and a long sigh over what could have been...my children growing up surrounded by the love of their Auntie and Uncle and cousins; unhurried time that a rushed week once a year of trying to fit everything in before you go can never, ever begin to cover.

Except this time I didn't wake up.

It really did happen.

Welcome home, Angie. You are right where you belong.

Now, what are we going to do today?

Seven Random Facts About Me

This is a fun meme that's been circulating around blog-land. I may very well be the last one participating. Here are 7 totally random facts about me:

1. You will never find me setting foot inside of a bank. I'm terrified that I'll be caught in the middle of a stick-up. I do all of my banking at the drive-through or ATM.

2. I'm not a vegetarian, but could easily become one. I think most meat is yucky and will pick around it if it's in a dish I'm eating. I seriously could live on Jamba Juice alone for the rest of my life and be quite happy with that.

3. Thinking about pretty yarn never fails to cheer me up.

4. I despise seafood. That sounds really odd coming from a girl who was born and raised in a coastal town. The smell, the texture, the taste...intolerable. On a good day I might be able to choke down some salmon, if it's not too "fishy" tasting.

5. One of my biggest pet peeves when eating out at a restaurant is to get a fork with even slightly bent tines. Can we say "OCD" (obsessive/compulsive disorder)?

6. I am a complete germophobe. Elevator buttons, ATM buttons, hospital rooms, hotel rooms, anything on an airplane or public transportation gives me the absolute willies. Kind of puts a damper on travelling, wouldn't you say?

7. I still believe in ghosts. Even more so as I get older.

I tag whoever else has not participated yet and wants to.

Then & Now

Thank you all for your sweet comments and loving thoughts during the aftermath of my Washington DC trip. Many of you emailed me asking about the beautiful shawls I wore during National Police Week. Weren't they lovely? I had never worn shawls before, and now I want to wear them with everything. They kept me surprisingly warm and comforted, which was the result intended by the givers.

The tan shawl I wore to the candlelight vigil and at the Peace Officers Memorial wall was a birthday gift from my dear friend Mamma. Sharp knitterly eyes recognized it as the Pacific Northwest shawl from Fiber Trends, which carries a lot of meaning for me since that is where I live, and I was missing home. This shawl was knit with love, from her heart to mine, and I treasure it.

The purple shawl I wore to the memorial at the capital was knit by Tracey, my most gracious sp9 spoiler. She said she knit it with prayers of comfort, peace, and God's love. It's the Forest Canopy Shawl knit with Kidsilk Haze. So soft. I'm a lucky girl indeed.

And as a knitter, I appreciate every stitch, every row, and every hour put into making these beautiful gifts. My heart is full.

Kimberly at Woven N Spun has issued a challenge for those who choose to accept it. The task is to find your high school senior picture and post it on your blog with a current picture of yourself. Since my *gasp* 20 year reunion is scheduled for this summer (and NO, I am NOT going) I thought I'd play along.

Here I am 20 years ago, Class of 1987:

My face just says it all, doesn't it? I remember purposely choosing a picture for the yearbook in which I was not smiling, to show how I felt about the whole small town high school experience.

And here I am today. That's better.Life since high school has been very, very good.

I'd love to see anyone else's then & now photos, if you so choose. Be sure to leave me a comment when you've posted your pictures so I don't miss them!