Oh Happy Day!
I'm listening to the Cleveland Indians on the radio.
and
My latest purchase, 40-inch circular needles in sizes 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 arrived in the mail today.
I can listen to the game while completing the button band on my Audrey cardigan. Hooray!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Spring Snow
Yesterday and today we have received heavy, wet, spring snow. The kind that is good for packing and building. The kind that is heavy to shovel and will not sweep at all.
The Engineer does not know what he is missing, and that is by design because his lungs are still too touchy and not up to exposure to the cold. The Artist went outdoors to enjoy the snow by herself. She began to build a fort, but dinner and darkness descended upon her around the same time so operations were suspended.
Over night the amount of snow doubled, so when she is able to get out there today she should have her work cut out for her! Appointments are cutting our school day short. If I'm not stuck in the car too long she should make some great progress. 
The Engineer does not know what he is missing, and that is by design because his lungs are still too touchy and not up to exposure to the cold. The Artist went outdoors to enjoy the snow by herself. She began to build a fort, but dinner and darkness descended upon her around the same time so operations were suspended.
Over night the amount of snow doubled, so when she is able to get out there today she should have her work cut out for her! Appointments are cutting our school day short. If I'm not stuck in the car too long she should make some great progress. 
Monday, February 25, 2008
New Footies
These new footies are no masterpiece, but they are warm and they fit the bill as a quick project for me. This photo is not so hot, sorry! They are not much to look at anyway -- K1P1 ribbing and all the rest plain stockinette. 
I found the circular needles I needed to finish the Audrey cardigan, and they are on their way to me now. I also took a quick look at the buttons in one store and was encouraged that I will be able to find the right buttons for this project. Next time I'll have to bring the sweater with me so I can be sure I'm pleased with the look before I buy. In the meantime, when the needle arrives, I can knit the button band.
When the Audrey cardigan is completed, I think I'll begin the Millicent socks by Cookie A. next. I've been looking forward to them for a long time. Don't you love the anticipation of the next project?
School is all off schedule again, meaning that I'm working without lesson plans this week as I have not had time to make them out. Rick took the day off today so we could take the Engineer to the doctor again. His asthma has been so severe this winter we need to find new ways of working with him to keep him out of the hospital.
I found the circular needles I needed to finish the Audrey cardigan, and they are on their way to me now. I also took a quick look at the buttons in one store and was encouraged that I will be able to find the right buttons for this project. Next time I'll have to bring the sweater with me so I can be sure I'm pleased with the look before I buy. In the meantime, when the needle arrives, I can knit the button band.When the Audrey cardigan is completed, I think I'll begin the Millicent socks by Cookie A. next. I've been looking forward to them for a long time. Don't you love the anticipation of the next project?
School is all off schedule again, meaning that I'm working without lesson plans this week as I have not had time to make them out. Rick took the day off today so we could take the Engineer to the doctor again. His asthma has been so severe this winter we need to find new ways of working with him to keep him out of the hospital.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Oven Fresh
Mmmmmm....
This morning we are enjoying home made, whole wheat sourdough bread for breakfast. I have enjoyed learning how to make the bread and working with several variations.
Today's bread features cinnamon as its new ingredient. The verdict is -- it needs some tinkering. I like the cinnamon, but it could be better if the whole loaf had some more sugar in the recipe.
This web site has been a big help, and trial and error have helped too. Lately I've been trying to make a less dense bread. Sometimes it turns out soft and delightful. Other times it is soft and mediocre. I might need to go back to using actual measuring spoons and keeping notes on how much of this and that I toss into the recipe.
The whole bread making experience is made most pleasurable by this one great tool.
My grandmother's large stone wear bread bowl is old and chipped and all the more loved for its imperfections. It makes stirring up a loaf easier than pie.
This morning we are enjoying home made, whole wheat sourdough bread for breakfast. I have enjoyed learning how to make the bread and working with several variations.
Today's bread features cinnamon as its new ingredient. The verdict is -- it needs some tinkering. I like the cinnamon, but it could be better if the whole loaf had some more sugar in the recipe.This web site has been a big help, and trial and error have helped too. Lately I've been trying to make a less dense bread. Sometimes it turns out soft and delightful. Other times it is soft and mediocre. I might need to go back to using actual measuring spoons and keeping notes on how much of this and that I toss into the recipe.
The whole bread making experience is made most pleasurable by this one great tool.
My grandmother's large stone wear bread bowl is old and chipped and all the more loved for its imperfections. It makes stirring up a loaf easier than pie.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Vote
As I write my ballot is traveling through the US mail to the board of elections office.
I do enjoy being able to vote from home with the internet at my disposal. Especially when it comes to all those judges on the ballot. I'm so unfamiliar with most of them there is nothing to go on, not even something as unreliable as name recognition.
I noticed the ballot instructions showed how to vote for a write in candidate, but the ballot did not contain any portions corresponding to the example in the instructions. When I called to inquire why I was told there were no write in candidates declared for this election. So, Quipper, and any others who may be wondering, that is why! Rats, I forgot to ask about the None of The Above option.
I'm feeling annoyed with the local school district. I know they told all the voters in 2006 they would not ask for another levy for some number of years (I can't recall if they said three or five) if voters would grant one in 2006. I was very disappointed to see two school tax levies on my ballot. Since there was no campaigning for these levies I imagine they were put on the ballot to fail on purpose. That way when they try again in May, or August, or November they can claim crisis and blame the voters for not passing a levy for X number of years.
I do enjoy being able to vote from home with the internet at my disposal. Especially when it comes to all those judges on the ballot. I'm so unfamiliar with most of them there is nothing to go on, not even something as unreliable as name recognition.I noticed the ballot instructions showed how to vote for a write in candidate, but the ballot did not contain any portions corresponding to the example in the instructions. When I called to inquire why I was told there were no write in candidates declared for this election. So, Quipper, and any others who may be wondering, that is why! Rats, I forgot to ask about the None of The Above option.
I'm feeling annoyed with the local school district. I know they told all the voters in 2006 they would not ask for another levy for some number of years (I can't recall if they said three or five) if voters would grant one in 2006. I was very disappointed to see two school tax levies on my ballot. Since there was no campaigning for these levies I imagine they were put on the ballot to fail on purpose. That way when they try again in May, or August, or November they can claim crisis and blame the voters for not passing a levy for X number of years.
Tutorial
The first footie is finished. I've come to think of this as my tutorial pair of footies because the method of creating the heel is different from the heel flap methods I have used previously. On the photo that came with the pattern it looks very nice. On my sample, it needs a little tinkering. Even with picking up two extra stitches I was left with a sizable hole on one side of my foot. On the other side I did a little better. Instead of a large hole there are two smaller ones. 
I'm not motivated to rip back and repair these, however. They are 100% wool and low enough on my ankle that they do not itch my skin. They probably will not fit inside my shoes. They are not for showing off, they are strictly for function, to wear inside my slippers or to wear to bed.
All in all, not a stellar project performance here. I do hope I improve on the second footie. So far, I'm only half way through the ribbing on that one, but it does move quickly.
I received Mason Dixon knitting from the library a few days ago and I had a chance to crack it open yesterday. I'm getting some ideas for replacing my kitchen curtains. Nothing definite yet though.
I'm not motivated to rip back and repair these, however. They are 100% wool and low enough on my ankle that they do not itch my skin. They probably will not fit inside my shoes. They are not for showing off, they are strictly for function, to wear inside my slippers or to wear to bed.All in all, not a stellar project performance here. I do hope I improve on the second footie. So far, I'm only half way through the ribbing on that one, but it does move quickly.
I received Mason Dixon knitting from the library a few days ago and I had a chance to crack it open yesterday. I'm getting some ideas for replacing my kitchen curtains. Nothing definite yet though.
Monday, February 18, 2008
While On Hold
The Audrey cardigan is temporarily on hold. I have picked up all the stitches up one side of the button band, around the back of the neck and down the other side of the button band. And that is where it will rest until I can buy a pair of the correct size circular needles. At a little over 200 stitches, there is no way I can fit them onto any needles I currently own. I picked up the stitches with a needle one size too small, but I don't want to knit with that one.
So for three days I hardly knew what to do with myself! I read a little, and did some puzzles and felt that I missed knitting something awful. I checked my supplies again to be sure I didn't have another circular needle hiding anywhere. Nope.
My big stein-o-needles still has plenty of room for more!
Then I was inspired by Hakucho to fins some leftovers yarn and make a pair of footies. She has some lovely sock pictures posted lately using a heel method I've been hesitant to try. The one heel I've turned so far does not have the nice finish that Hakucho's photos show. I have some uneven gaps that I need to work on on one side and some ugly-looking wraps on the other side. Maybe I can fix some of that on the second sock. I know I'll be wearing these footies until they get holes in the soles anyway.
I had purchased a sock pattern from Cookie A last year, but I didn't, at the time, have the needles to make them either. I'm looking forward to the big challenge they will be for me. And then there is Cookie's 2008 to beguile me too.
Well, when I do get the opportunity to shop for that needle to finish Audrey I'll look for some buttons for her too. I'm curious to see what options are out there.
So for three days I hardly knew what to do with myself! I read a little, and did some puzzles and felt that I missed knitting something awful. I checked my supplies again to be sure I didn't have another circular needle hiding anywhere. Nope.
My big stein-o-needles still has plenty of room for more!Then I was inspired by Hakucho to fins some leftovers yarn and make a pair of footies. She has some lovely sock pictures posted lately using a heel method I've been hesitant to try. The one heel I've turned so far does not have the nice finish that Hakucho's photos show. I have some uneven gaps that I need to work on on one side and some ugly-looking wraps on the other side. Maybe I can fix some of that on the second sock. I know I'll be wearing these footies until they get holes in the soles anyway.
I had purchased a sock pattern from Cookie A last year, but I didn't, at the time, have the needles to make them either. I'm looking forward to the big challenge they will be for me. And then there is Cookie's 2008 to beguile me too.
Well, when I do get the opportunity to shop for that needle to finish Audrey I'll look for some buttons for her too. I'm curious to see what options are out there.
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