Tempest ina Pot of Tea

Trying to Love Hats, or What I Have Been Knitting

2012-01-21T15:11:00.000-06:00

You know I have been whining about knitting hats. I have complained endlessly about not getting the nuances of making a well fitted hat. I have even taken to calling knitted hats, hates. But with Nietzche ringing in my ear, "Was uns nicht umbringt, macht uns stärker" or in English, "What does not kill us makes us stronger," I have knit on in the land of hats.

I fell in love with a be-tasseled hat pattern called Capucine, remarkably the first pattern written by a new knitter, (http://navlne.blogspot.com/2009/12/knitting-pattern-capucine.html) and decided as soon as I could I was making me one of those crazy toppers. Anything with excessive tassels has to be mine. I made three of these over the top things out of alpaca and alpaca blend yarns. The pattern was fun and making tassels is never a chore so these were done in short order. Granted I have only one head so wearing all three of them at time would be difficult so I am giving two of them away to people who I know will wear them with dignity and pride. Or should I say with the crazy abandon those kind of tassels deserve.

I then had a Boho Beret pattern (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/boho-beret) that I wanted to knit for a birthday present. This pattern started with the yarn. I had the yarn to match a scarf I made as a Christmas present (see not so straight scarf: http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2012/01/end-of-year-knitting-wrap-up.html). Ravelry (my favorite social network) has an awesome feature where you can look at pattern suggestions for yarn and I found the Boho Beret design. Again this pattern was some much needed fun knitting. I really loved that the beret is wide at the top to accommodate big hair. When I finished the beret I wanted to knit another one, but stopped myself with the thought that I will knit another one later. I gifted this brightly colored beret and it was well received accept she wanted a pom-pom instead of a stem. I had to tell my friend, I DON'T do pom-poms, ever. You can quote me on that if you like.

Finally, last week with my three day weekend, I decided to treat myself to a hate, I mean hat, of my own. I checked out a book from the library (my library, not the one I work for). I was attracted to the title, Stashbuster Knits by Melissa Leapman. The book was full of hints for projects of the stray ends of yarns. One project was the Urban Knitser Slouch Hat. I saw the pattern and thought hey I have some left over yarn from the Capucine-apalooza which would make a lovely Urban Knitser Slouch Hat.

I would like to say that knitting this pattern was fun and as the pattern says, "You can easily knock it out the morning of a bad-hair day." Sorry Melissa Leapman, but that was just not the case for me. It took three days and two trips to the frog pond of rippit out. The size 9 needle band was too tight, and the size 10 needle too loose. In the end I went with the 10 needle and decided loose was better than too tight. I also used up my scraps and needed more so back to the bowl of scrap yarn I went and came up with a very bright top. The hat turned great and with the cold weather I have worn it all week and loved it. I wore the hat Friday to work with one of my tie dye t-shirts and a co-worker called me a hippie. Yikes that was not really the look I was going for, maybe it was the t-shirt? Okay, I hope it was the t-shirt and not the hat.

When all is knitted and done, I am still going to call hats, hates, but I will say it with love.

Quip Me

2012-01-18T21:34:00.000-06:00

I don't watch shows about hoarders, because it strikes way to close to home. However, I caught the last 5 minutes of one of those shows tonight, just enough to catch the happy ending. The woman had placed a sign on her kitchen wall to encourage her to not hoard. I was amused because the sentiment is in fact my New Year's resolution. The sign read, "Find joy in your journey." I guess you never know where you will find inspiration.

Trying to Enjoy the Journey Tested

2012-01-16T21:19:00.000-06:00

My New Year's resolution this year was to focus on my journey, not the destination. However, Thursday morning I was sorely tested. It snowed in the wee hours of Thursday and we had maybe an inch or so of accumulation on the roads. I had heard the forecast and thought I should leave early to make it to work on time. I left over a half an hour earlier than usual thinking I would not be late.

First fail was one of the highways I take to work was closed, as in no access, only surface roads for me. I skipped two of my three interstates going for highway 64. Second fail, after two minutes on 64 everything stopped, and I do mean stopped. It ended up taking me an hour to go probably 3 miles, making me exit with concern for my battery on the car dying. I would like to say I took that hour to listen to music, talk to a love one on the phone, or contemplate the meaning of life. Oh no, I spent the time freaking out about being late, obsessively checking the bars on my hybrid battery, and wishing I had something other than John Lennon's Mind Games in the CD player. I was down to one bar of energy when I finally was out of that concrete hell.

I thought once I was off the highway to try another surface street. This plan seemed to be working, than I hit my third failure. I was in the wrong lane and had to make an unfortunate left turn. My car was wanting me to just go home and temptation was hard to overcome, but I got myself back on the westerly route to work.

Forth fail, I had spent so much time in my car that I had to find a restroom. I skipped the White Castle because I did not want to smell like a belly bomber all day. This decision was a bad one, there was nothing on the right side of my car for many, many, many minutes. After an eternity in bladder holding agony, I stopped at a McDonalds and relieved myself.

I finally arrived at my destination 2 and a half hours after I had left my home, 5 times my normal commute. I was emotionally and physically fried. Failed on resolution. Lesson learned, next time call in late and enjoy a cup of tea before braving the elements.

New Year, Same Addiction

2012-01-08T21:45:00.001-06:00

In the enjoying the journey category, I have some new Fiestaware, I want to share with you. I went to Cornucopia with a friend and while he picked out some new serving pieces I picked out a few things for me too.

I picked out two pieces in the new marigold, a ramekin and a cereal bowl. I am not sure if I will buy the place setting in marigold yet, but I have at least a few items in this bright cheery color. I also was tempted by a clearance sale on the seasonal dishes and bought a platter.

I have guilt about buying a piece of Fiestaware that I will maybe only use for the month of December, but the clearance price was just too tempting to pass up. Please don't judge me too harshly.

And the final piece in my Fiesta round up was a Christmas present, one of my co-workers bought me. A lemongrass spoon rest. It is so unexpected and awesome.

Yes, I see my journey, as a very colorful one surrounded by much dinnerware.

Lucky 21 and Now We are 12

2012-01-02T23:28:00.000-06:00

My New Year's Resolution for 2011 was to be lucky. I re-checked my blog and saw that I tagged 21 of my posts with lucky and to be honest I felt lucky most of the year. I saw many old friends in 2011, I went to weddings, including my own, and most importantly no one close to me died. So to 2011 I say lucky me! I will take that good luck with me the rest of my life and always know one can truly resolve to be lucky.

As for 2012 I had thought of several resolutions: saving the planet, fixing the financial crisis, not mooing at cows when I see them by the side of the road. However, I wanted something I could actually achieve (not mooing at cows is hard). In the end I notice that I tend to focus on the end product without enjoying the process of getting there. I want to slow it down and enjoy my journey instead of rushing to finish line. There it is, me not wishing my life away to get to the weekend, but me taking pleasure in eating my apple on the way to work, savoring every bite, and living my life more fully.

As I do every year, I read my tarot cards and discovered this year will definitely be a year for a journey. I will be traveling through the terrain of growth and self awareness. I would say wish me luck with my resolution, but I think I already have that one in the bag.

End of the Year Knitting Wrap Up

2012-01-01T00:10:00.000-06:00

The holidays are over and a new year minutes away so I am posting the last of the my Christmas knitting on the blog. I have above the Not Quite Straight Scarf, I knitted for Cynthia, she looked awesome in these colors.

My mom in the Mixt Cowl. She has been after me to knit her the perfect scarf/cowl. I keep knitting different designs for her and she keeps telling me what she wants different in the next one. I am holding back the scarf love and refusing to knit for her for awhile.

The Provence Cloche was another of those hats (hates), I knitted this year, let's just say enough said on that subject.

Four very lovely diagonal scarves in a bamboo blend for some of my co-workers. And I say next year I am going to spend some time knitting for me. As much as I love gifting knitted items, I want to be knitting more for the adventure than the end product. And as the fireworks and gunshots ring in my year maybe that should be my goal for the year to enjoy the journey and not worry about the destination.

That's Where Jewelry Comes From

2011-12-27T00:19:00.002-06:00

Recently, I have been obsessed with the sell of Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry in mid-December. I had my eye on the Bulgari Diamond and Emerald necklace. I was happy to hear that Bulgari bought the necklace back for $6.1 million. However, can I just say OUCH, that is much bucks for your bling. I kept teasing my friends that I wanted the necklace for Christmas and if they all went in together they could probably get me a parking space to the auction.

However, all that necklace lust went out in the universe and I got four new, beautiful necklaces, and a kit to knit my own sparkly bauble for Christmas. I think I am so lucky to have friends who know and love me so well. I cannot wait to wear my new pieces of jewelry, I am just perplexed on which one to wear first.

I love the Heat Miser

2011-12-24T11:51:00.001-06:00

I am not a Christmas person. I don't like carols and dream of snow. I do love spending time with my family and friends and having the day off from work. As you imagine I am not checking the TV schedule in search of any Christmas specials. However, there is one number in The Year Without a Santa Claus that I do love, the Heat Miser song. I think I love the flaming red hair of the Heat Miser and his minions. I thought now would be a good time to share this clip with all the joy of the season. I'm too much!!!

Compromise or Dinner with My Wife

2011-12-18T01:02:00.001-06:00

Tonight I really wanted sushi. Specifically, I wanted the volcano roll at Cafe Mochi on Grand. My wife wanted Vietnamese from Mekong on Grand. We were doing that usual, no it is okay we can go to your pick , no-no-no let's go to your restaurant dance that we do when we parked at Jay's. I needed Ting Ting ginger chews.

Tangent: I love Ting Tings. They are these spicy little candies which are the consistence of stale taffy and once soften just gum up your teeth. I can only get them at international groceries and I am almost out. Our goal was to pick up a few bags and then get dinner.

We walked back out to the car and I noticed Wei Hong, a Chinese Restaurant, across the street from Jay's. We were, in fact, midway between Mochi and Mekong. I looked at my wife and said, "How do you feel about Chinese instead?" I pointed across the street.

My wife cocked her head and gave me one of those pirate smiles of hers and said, "Why that is an excellent compromise." And so I had hot and sour soup and many smiles from my wife as she ate her shrimp fried rice. A happy medium was exactly what we both wanted for dinner.

Not Forgotten or Love and Hate

2011-12-10T13:47:00.000-06:00

Loved Yoga Socks.

I have not forgotten my blog, I have just been very busy with Christmas knitting. However, I did have three knitted items which were gifted on St. Nicks Day. I knitted two pair of yoga socks, which were a free pattern I love (http://www.plymouthyarn.com/index.php?nav=cPatterns.freePatterns&pattern_id=000031). The sweet stitch pattern was just fun to knit. I made a pair for myself (http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2011/07/i-needed-yoga-socks-because.html) that I just love them to wear around the house. Co-worker Angie said she wanted a pair and my work bff, Cynthia, needed a pair too. Both projects turned out great and I loved the knitting.

Right Twist Stitch Pattern

Okay back to Angie, she wanted a hat and with trepidation I found the pattern and did the knitting. The end results were not my favorite, I really don't like knitting hats and I think it shows. First hat had issues so I decided to try again. The second hat turned out much better, but trust me on this, it did not make me love hat knitting at all. I have started calling hats, hates. Note to self, STOP knitting hates.

Angie in the Dreaded Hate

Holiday Weekend or On My Own Schedule

2011-11-27T00:17:00.000-06:00

I have said this many times before, I really do love being on my own schedule. A holiday weekend with four full days off, is amazingly brilliant. I have been trying to shove as much me things as I can in 96 hours.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Thursday was of course the whole family thing. So off to Hermann MO I went with my much requested sweet potato casserole (http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2009/11/day-twenty-fivegratitude.html). I came home with homemade (by my niece and nephew with the help of their Mimi) chocolate turkeys. I had a nice day and was glad to be with those I love.

Chocolate Thanksgiving Turkey

Friday it was off to lunch and a pedicure with my work bff, Cynthia in the hinterlands of South St Louis County. This area is a bit of mystery to me, but the food was good (Frankie G's) and the sparkly Fresh Frog of Bel-Aire OPI polish on my toes was very worth the trip. Natalie went with us and we both enjoyed spending the afternoon with the always amazing Cynthia.

The Knitting Patterns Mess, Before

Saturday I decided it was time to finish the a project I started on my last holiday weekend (Labor Day). I have been wanting to get my knitting patterns in order. I had previously sorted the patterns, but hit a wall of not having enough notebooks and then space for the organized notebooks. It took me three months to get myself together enough to finish the project. Of course I needed the help of the always organized Natalie to reach my goal. We spent the afternoon together sorting patterns. I told her it wasn't fun, but it was alot more enjoyable with her sitting across from me.

Knitting Patterns in the Drawer After

Sunday is at this time unscripted. All I am hoping for is just one more day of sleeping late, knitting, and of course doing whatever I damn well want.

Rolling in the Deep Christmas Knitting

2011-11-18T23:10:00.000-06:00

Here I am again, looking at the calendar and panicking. It is Christmas knitting season again and I am rolling in the deep yarn knitting like a fiend. I promise myself every year to not over reach my knitting ability, but here I am feeling guilty for blogging when I should be knitting on project x for person y. The absolutely worst part is I cannot post lots of photos and brag on endlessly about my knitting prowess. You will have to wait until after Christmas to hear the post season wrap up, I know you will be waiting with bated breath to hear the final score. Until then think of me knitting on until the wee hours of the night watching Top Gear.

The amazing Adele, Rolling in the Deep

Happy Birthday to My Wife

2011-11-12T18:51:00.000-06:00

Birthday Girl with Fried Cheese Cake Dessert

Today is my wife's birthday. Unlike me, my wife does not like to be the center of attention. She truly is a no fuss kind of person. After having such an awesome birthday this year (http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2011/03/lucky-in-iowa-or-how-i-got-married.html), I was at a loss as to what to do to make her day special. After much discussion we decided to just go out for sushi and invited anyone who wanted to join us to show up, keeping it very casual. And show up they did; we even had to move up to a larger set of tables to accommodate the crowd. Much sushi was ordered and consumed, much birthday love shared, and a few silly cards enjoyed. I looked around and felt the love, I know she did too. At the end of the meal I headed down to pick up the check and Knitter Man had swooped in and already taken care of business. Shocked (it truly was much sushi), I can only say thank you to Knitter Man and thank you to everyone who made this birthday lunch so special. We are lucky to be so loved.

THE SUSHI (California Roll, Crabsticks, Salmon Roll, Scallops, Caterpillar Roll)

Fried Cheese Cake (So Yummy)

Count Cross Stitch Scooby Wall Hanging From the Kluesners

Handmade Thread Ornament from Lenore

I Don't Like Monday

2011-11-08T00:29:00.000-06:00

In a nod to Bob Geldof, I don't like Mondays. Not my A day of the week. I think it is because the dream is over and I am back at the grind living by someone else's rules. Today at work was the usual mundane stuff that just wears me down. Once I was out the door at 5:15 the night was mine and things improved. I improved.

I had dinner with a good friend and as always it was a good time. We ate at Lulu's Seafood Restaurant (http://www.luluseafood.com/) in University City. Tonight the dinner was capped by the most awesome fortunes in my cookie. I was so lucky I ended up with two fortunes.

My Monday was obviously looking better and with fortunes like these, I was smiling all the way to my car.

Immediately, my fortunes started coming true. My friend gave me a new pair of size 7 knitting needles and a hug before we said good-bye. I stopped by another friends house on the way home and she gave me a gift she had seen on vacation and knew it had to be mine. As soon as I saw the satin and sequined flamingo box, I was so touched. Finally, the sweetest thank you card was waiting for me when I walked in the door. So much good fortune on a Monday night might make me reassess my opinion on Monday, sorry Bob.

Kimono for Me, Or What My Wife Knitted

2011-11-01T20:17:00.000-05:00

As I have mentioned before we are a two knitter household. Just a little over three years ago I taught my wife to knit. Knitting is language, and since she has started speaking in a language I understand, she has amazed me with how skillful she has become. We have learned and grown together as knitters. However, like so many things, we have both grown in other areas of knitting. Natalie prefers large projects, with chunky yarn and big needles. I like smaller projects, and have yet to knit on the scale on which she envisions projects. So while I think in socks and scarves, she thinks in blankets and sweaters.

Early on she became fascinated with a book called Knit Kimono by Vicki Square. Square's kimonos are based on rectangles and Natalie knew she could knit a rectangle. After many days of painstakingly studying the book she ask me to pick a kimono and she would knit it for me. We labored over which pattern would be the most flattering, and what yarn, then came the color choice. I, of course, chose a green palette. Natalie began on the project and I left her to knit on.

Front View of Kimono

Fast forward to this September and our plans to go to Iowa in October. I ask my wife if she thought the kimono might be done for the wedding? She mulled on this idea and one night came down with the finished product and said, "Here you go." Of course it still needed to be blocked.

Back View of Kimono

I went to my knit family and the always wonderful Tammie took on the challenge of making the cotton beast look very square and perfect. I dug through my closet and in my opinion a stunning outfit was put together. I hope the photos show off all my wife's hard work and my love of the beautiful kimono. As I have previously said, the wedding was wonderful, and I only hope I did not outshine the brides.

Southeastern Iowa Yarn Crawl or Abusing My Credit Card

2011-10-26T12:15:00.000-05:00

The best thing about traveling is getting to shop at exotic yarn stores and the southeastern corner of Iowa was very exotic, indeed. We found several string emporiums vying for our attention, but in the end only 4 made our iteneary. I see another Iowa yarn crawl in my future.

Immediately on our arrival in Iowa City we were on the look out for a yarn store and in three shakes of lamb's tail we found ourselves at Crazy Girl Yarns ( http://www.crazygirlyarnshop.com/ ). Crazy Girl Yarns has two locations, one in Coralville and one in Cedar Rapids. We went to the Coralville location, because Coralville is a suburb of Iowa City. I didn't know Iowa City was so cosmopolitan. Crazy Girl was a nice yarn store, large with a good selection of Noro, Cascade, and Mirasol yarns among others. The store had lots of space and tables to sit and knit. I was very impressed by the variety of knitting books as well, they even had one section of books labeled "SAUCY." I bought some Noro and a book called Knit Green. A very determined woman was knitting at one of the tables with the help of the store clerk. The woman was chatty and I even helped her fix a mistake. We spoke the language of knitting like we were old friends and that made me feel good about Iowa knitters.

Next we headed to The Knitting Shoppe ( http://www.knitmap.com/locations/the-knitting-shoppe ) and trust me we would have never found it if we had not had a garmin to guide us. The parking lot was very full and the car next to us had two adorable little knitted critters in the backseat that I had to ogle.

Once inside I asked who had the animals in the car and a woman told me her latest project was to work through Knitted Wild Animals: 15 Adorable, Easy-to-Knit Toys by Sarah Keen. She almost made me want to knit a purple rhino. The shop was very crowded with loud friendly knitters. Yarn was in shelves almost all the way up to the top of the 10 foot ceiling. It was a little overwhelming to know where to look and I kept tripping over other knitters. The shop felt more like a party than a business, and we were hail knitters well met, I LOVED the atomshere of this shop. I bought Liberty yarn and Natalie bought some delicious alpaca yarn for a sweater pattern she als bought at the shop. She loved the yarn so much she went back the next day and bought more.

We did wedding stuff and on our last morning in Iowa City we went to Home Ec Workshop ( http://www.homeecworkshop.com/ ). What a sweet shop! The shop has, a fabric room, a yarn room, craft lab, and snack counter. The selection of yarn was smaller than the other shops, but they had chosen well. The Madelinetosh and clearance Mirasol Tupa kept subliminally saying, "Buy me." I spent most of my time digging through the clearance bin finding green Tupa (9 skeins) making sure to get it all so no other knitter would be tortured with only one lone skein of the perfect green color and not another to match in sight. I would also like to say the couch was particularly comfortable there.

We also were able to stop by R. Rabbit's Fiber Studio in Cedar Rapids. I have to say this shop was very small. They had packed the shop with yarn, fibers, looms, spinning wheels, books, and state winning knitted items. One of the State Fair 2nd place winning shawls was hanging on the wall. The yarn had been hand spun and then knitted into a very complicated lace pattern and only won 2nd place. I can only imagine what won first. As with every shop we had been to the knitters were so welcoming and ready to start talking yarn. I will say it again, I think a second Iowa yarn crawl is in order.

Wedding Number 3 or Iowa Revisited

2011-10-19T23:29:00.000-05:00

Johnson County Iowa Court

Once again my wife and I found ourselves on the way to Iowa for another wedding. This time the wedding was not ours, but our good friends Kim and Barb. Kim has been someone I have known from many years back. One of the truly lucky things about my time in North County was reconnecting with her.

The soon to be newlyweds

Kim and her very witty partner, Barb, decided to make the trek to Iowa and make their 18 years together official. Natalie and I decided that a return trip to the mid western state where gay marriage is legal was in order. The added bonus of 3 days off from work and spending time with good friends sealed the deal.

On October 13 we stood in the same courthouse in the same courtroom with the same judge watching our friends get married. It was nice to actual hear the marriage vows that I sobbed through. It is also good to finally know I did not agree to "Obey" Natalie. I had just agreed be her partner in life. Their ceremony was beautiful, Barb was radiant and Kim all smiles.

The good people of Iowa did us proud. They were so welcoming and pleased that we came to their state for a wedding. Judge Karen was happy to spend time in her busy day to perform nuptials for two people so obviously in love. She told us that she enjoys marrying people and this year she has married about 75 gay and lesbian couples. After the ceremony we all left the courtroom smiling.

The wedding party

To Kim and Barb I wish many years of love and happiness. Thank you for letting us share in your joy. For the rest of us I wish all states would open their minds and hearts to allow this equal right to all of their citizens.

$200, 2 Hours, and 1 Broken Nail Later, Or Going to Costco

2011-10-15T19:31:00.001-05:00

I know I owe you dear reader the final chapter of 3 Weddings and a Trip to Iowa, but I just got back from Costco and feel a little careworn. Let me outline my excursion to Costco and you may feel I have earned a brief respite from responsibility.

I needed to go to Costco because I am running a little low on essentials and they kindly sent me a coupon flier. With my paycheck recently deposited I headed to the warehouse of wholesale prices, my shopping list engraved on my brain.

Trying to think smartly, I decided to gas up first because I know I will be too exhausted afterwards to save 7 cents a gallon on gas. After waiting my turn I fill up and move on to parking. I parked about 20 yards from the pump because the lot was packed. I knew this was going to be a busy day for warehouse shopping.

Sighing, I grab my enormous shopping bags and go. I no more than flash my membership card and my bladder decides I need a trip to the women's room which is of course on the other side of the store. Leaving my cart I take care of business and of course have to go back out and get a new cart because my old one is gone. To get back in I have to flash my membership card again.

Hardcore grab and go shopping is on my mind, I head immediately all the way back to the cheese section and then move on to fruit. Just out of fruits I start looking for the coupons. No coupon book. Yup, I left it in the car. Leaving my cart I run back out to my car, pick up the coupon book, head back in, and of course flash my membership card again.

And you guessed it I go back to my cart to find it gone (glad I took my shopping bags with me). There I am back to go, collect another cart, and of course flash my membership card again.

Back to cheese and fruit and on to freezer section for me. After dodging other shoppers, small children, and the very friendly demo staff I have finished my scavenger hunt for couponed items and I am in line to pay. Of course I am in the wrong line. I always pick the wrong line. I notice my error about halfway through unloading my cart, that was the moment when I notice my clerk has his arm up the money tube. Apparently, the plastic money bin is stuck in the tube. After he and another clerk use a stick to unwedge the bin my clerk has to walk it to the office. (I am not kidding folks). The other clerk finally logs in and starts to finish with the customer in front of me. I try not to judge people, BUT the customer in front of me waits for a total and then pulls out a check book. Say what you will about debit card fees, but they are quicker.

So with purchases in cart I head to my car. I bag up the items fill up my hatch and realize, yes I have to go to the women's room again. I debate with myself and then back to the store I go. And again I am asked to show my membership card. I make the long trek to the facilities feeling like every employee there is thinking, "When will that bitch leave?"

At last I found myself at home parked and looking at the long walk to my house with enormous shopping bags full of army of children sized portions of bread and milk. Somewhere on this shuffle inside I managed to break a nail and snag my shirt on the door.

So I feel I have earned a respite from my chores to watch Top Gear and blog.

Have I Mentioned I Like Fiestaware?

2011-10-08T23:32:00.001-05:00

No wedding this weekend, I have the joy of working instead of celebrating with people I love. Don't despair dear reader, next week I go to my final wedding of the season and I will report with joy for the newlyweds. In the meantime I will gush lovingly about my latest Fiestaware acquirement.

I have been working on getting a complete set of Fiestaware mixing bowls, five in total. The problem with getting the set has been I wanted each one in an individual specific color. Homer Laughlin decided to retail these in blocked sets. Initially it looked like I was going to have to purchase either one color set or buy multiple sets to create the set I wanted. The later being a very costly endeavor. So I was a little sulky about the whole thing.

My sulk actually gave me time to accept that I am powerless to powers of brightly colored dinnerware and with my credit card in hand found myself at the local place where Fiestaware lives, Cornucopia ( http://www.kitchencopia.com/ ). As I stepped into the liar of Fiesta I was happily surprised to see that they actually had individual bowls for purchase! If there had not been so many breakable things around me, I would have danced for joy. Three of the five bowls went home to live with the rest of Fiestaware family.

Three down, two more to go. Getting the last two was trickier, they also were a two piece set. Utilizing patience, resolve, and much time spent on the internet at last victory was mine. The set was complete in all the colors I wanted: Evergreen, Shamrock, Lemongrass, Marigold, and Ivory. Once I had all my bowls, like a possessed thing I stacked and restacked them, lined them up on my table, rubbed them down with a towel, and general stared at the glory of my new set of mixing bowls. I swear I heard angels singing at one point.

I told Natalie about my quest realized. She snorted and said, "So when are you actually going to use those to cook with?" I think my face fell at the thought of actually using a hand mixer in my new bowls. Natalie just looked at me and laughed. "That's what I thought," she said shaking her head and walking away.

Oh well, did I mention Homer Laughlin has put out a new 75th Anniversary soup tureen? It is stunning with a ladle and a tray. Sigh, I know where my next quest will take me and trust me it isn't making soup.

Wedding Number 2

2011-10-02T00:21:00.000-05:00

Today I went to another wedding, these nuptials were a family event. I got to see cousins, aunt, uncles, nieces, siblings, and my wonderful mother. I wore a my birthday dress and my beautiful wife wore green. The weather was lovely and the caterers were awesome (granted they are also family, but the food was still very good). Basking in the love of my family and a radiant pair of newlyweds does much to warm your soul.

Mandy, the radiant bride

I remember Mandy being born when I was 12. She is my first cousin once removed, one of the earliest of that generation. Today she and her three children joined another family of three, so like the Brady Bunch they became a large family over night. I really liked that all of the children were in the wedding party. To show their commitment to the new and improved blended family they each poured colored sand in a large jar. I thought it was a brilliant way to show unity.

The Newly Blended Family, All Smiles

I can only wish them all the best in their new life, with the hope for more smiles and few tears. I would like to say I prefer family get togethers which include weddings over less joyful events. Even more I prefer events which include my wife; having her by my side always makes everything better. My family gets kudos for all the congratulations and hugs I received about our recent nuptials. My Aunt Maryann, the family matriarch, made it a point to come over and tells us how happy she was for us. I thought it was another beautiful wedding and I am so glad I was invited to celebrate.

Yes, I do Love Green Taco Sauce

2011-09-22T22:50:00.000-05:00

I love La Victoria Green Taco Sauce. In my opinion if I am going to slather something on my tacos this green goodness is what I crave. I have tried many other green and some red taco sauces and nothing can even compare to this brand. My wife introduced me to the condiment in the first year we were together. My commitment to both have withstood the test of time. While we lived in Rolla, La Victoria was a staple on our shopping list and easily acquired at Kroger's. Of course there are no Kroger's in St Louis anymore and with much search I have discovered only international grocery stores carry the stuff. Weird considering the company is owned by Hormel, but I digress.

Because La Victoria Green Taco Sauce is scare in St Louis, I have taken to hoarding the stuff. Whenever I find some I clear out the shelf. However, I must be one in a small minority because most places that do carry the stuff only carry a couple of bottles. Last week I proudly paid for five bottles and told the cashier I had cleaned them out. She looked at me like I was some freaky green taco sauce eater, which I am. I was almost giddy as I walked out of the store fondling my bag.

I love the green taco sauce on Mexican food, but it is yummy on baked potatoes, eggs, all kinds of sandwiches, and my favorite grilled cheese. I often toast bread put on slices of cheese and spread on the sauce to nuke later for my lunch at work. That little spot of green in the middle of my work day makes me smile like I have a secret ingredient on my toast. Just thinking about it makes me want to have that sandwich right now...

Wedding Bells and Old Friends

2011-09-18T01:53:00.000-05:00

The Newlyweds

I have a trio of weddings coming up in the next weeks. They run the gambit from old friends, family, and another trip to Iowa. I went to the first weddings today. I was lucky (my word for the year) to be invited to the nuptials of a woman who I have known since kindergarten. In other words most of my life. She has always had the prettiest hair of anyone have I known. I can remember sitting behind her in class and always wanting to touch her hair.

Toothy Grins Were the Accessory of the Day

With my family in tow we went en mass to Ozark Outdoors (http://www.ozarkoutdoors.net/) for a very simple, but lovely afternoon wedding. The bride was radiant, her dress perfect, and those gorgeous tresses of hers beautifully arranged. I saw my friend smile like I have never seen her smile, she truly glowed with love. Her new husband beamed with happiness as well. I can only wish the two them the best in their new life.

Two of My Favorite People

I spent the late afternoon surrounded by my family, and other guests, basking in the celebration of two lives. Other then the beautiful dresses and happy couple, I think the thing I liked best was the fact that everyone brought their dogs with them and with the doors open the canines came in and out of the reception enjoying the festivities as well. I left the party feeling happy for my friend and glad to have had such a wonderful afternoon with my family.

One down two weddings to go.

Dreaming About My Dad

2011-09-13T22:32:00.000-05:00

As you dear reader know I have been working very hard to deal with the grief of losing my father. I feel I am doing better. So much better that I stopped seeing a therapist in June. I am remembering my dad and talking about him more without my throat starting to close up and tears springing to my eyes. If I were to give myself a grade, I was say I am at a B.

That is not to say I don't think about my dad and miss him, I do everyday. I can still see his face and I remember the sound of his voice. I think the problem is sometimes I forget that he is gone. Last night I dreamed about my dad. I dreamed my phone rang and when I answered the phone I could hear his voice saying my name over and over again like he could not hear me. The dream was so real I woke up crying, "Dad, I'm here!" I was startled and immediately grabbed my phone to call him back. It wasn't until I got to my contacts list that I discovered I had no listing for "Dad." It was then I remembered I would need a much more powerful network to call him.

Those moments are hard. Very hard. I have to re-experience the trauma of loss all over again. I feel like all the air has rushed out of my lungs and I can't breath. I think it must be the same for most us in dealing with grief. As much as it hurts today I got up and went to work and pasted on that fake everything is good smile and went on with my life. However, a part of me wishes I hadn't woke up and I could have just heard my dad talk to me just a little longer. Yes, I still miss my dad.

The Woman Who Loved Scarves

2011-09-08T00:58:00.000-05:00

Trillian Scarf for my mother

Lately, I have been knitting scarves lots of scarves. Scarves for me, a scarves for others, long ones and short ones, elegant and crazy scarves. I dream about scarves, count them like sheep to help me sleep, and right now I trying to decide which one to knit next. I guess you could say I like scarves.

Trillian scarf for me

Before I started knitting I collected scarves of all sizes. I preferred the really long ones that I could swish around my neck in a knock things off tables kind of way. It is no surprise that when it comes to knitting projects I am known for super sizing everything often with tragic (in a mock epic kind of way) results. One of my recent knitted scarves, a luscious bamboo blend diagonal pattern, was almost half done when I decided it was not going to be long enough. I ripped out the scarf and started over again with fewer stitches so I could have a longer end product.

Bamboo blend diagonal scarf

The diagonal scarf in the end was 58 inches, but it just seemed too short for me. With this in mind I started on an ambitious project using all my various stashed sari silk and ribbons and a funky yarn I had scored at Tuesday Morning. I did not swatch, it was after all a scarf. I knitted through my three day weekend while watching Top Gear. I think the end product is fabulously sumptuous. Colorful sari ribbons and recycled silk running in vibrant colors the length of my creation. I refuse to divulge the actual end measurement, but between friends, it is about double the diagonal scarf.

Sari Scarf

I know when I am gone they will find cabinets, wardrobes, drawers, and closets full of scarves. I just hope they understand that I was a woman who truly loved scarves.

Happy Half-iversary To Us

2011-09-04T21:00:00.000-05:00

Today my beautiful wife and I have made it to the halfway mark of our first year together as a married couple. Granted we have over two and half decades of experience together, today we are still technically newly-weds. I think about that game show, The Newlywed Game, and wonder how we would fare. I have to think we would do just about as well as the other couples. There are so many things we still don't know about each other and we still disagree about many things. I wonder if even a life time together will be enough to share with Natalie. Or if one day I will just snap and kill her (I know, but the more you love someone, the more you want to kill them does have some relavance).

Photo by the talented Sungazing Photography

I also think about how far we have come from the two teenagers from Crawford County struggling with our feelings for one another. I can remember being shocked that ever time I saw her my heart beat faster and how she would give me a lopsided grin and my knees would turn to water. Time and familiarity does change some of those the feelings, but then she will give me another of those lopsided grins and my heart still thumps a little harder and my knees weaken. And I think maybe I don't want to kill her, just yet.

Three Days Off

2011-09-02T22:27:00.000-05:00

I feel a deep sigh of relief as I sit here on my futon with my feet up, blogging, and watching Top Gear. I have three whole days off. No library, no crabby customers, or annoying phone beeping in my ear. I will spend the next three days knitting, hanging out with friends, sleeping late, drinking ice tea, and starting to feel like my real self again. I have really only a few goals. I will do laundry, take out the trash, update my checkbook, and organize my knitting patterns. Yes you heard me right. I will drag out a stack of patterns organize them into neat little categories and file them in color coded notebooks. Yup, lucky me, I am living large. Don't envy me too much.

I Heart Top Gear

2011-08-29T21:47:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite things to do on Monday night is knit and watch Top Gear on BBCA. I really can't explain it, but I will try. I am not a car girl. I bought my last two cars without even cracking open the hoods to check out the engines. If you started to compare the merits of Toyota to Chevy, I would probably stare at you blankly. However, Monday nights I rush to be in front of my tube just in time to see what craziness is going on across the pond. These guys do the stupidest things with cars, things that make me laugh, things that make me wonder how these men made it to middle age. They push campers off cliffs, ride vespas across Vietnam, and cause general mayhem wherever they go. I can't wait to see what stunt will be on next. It truly makes no sense to me.

I have described the show as Master Piece Theatre meets the three stooges. I think the key is the British accent. Somehow, the accent makes the show funnier and more intriguing. Why would Brits want to trash vehicles in ridiculous displays of idiocy? I mean, parking a truck on the roof of a sixty story building that is about to be blown up just to see if the vehicle will still run once it is dug out of the rubble, is insane (the truck drove away). I am often dumbstruck by the things they get away with each week. I find this show and Parking Wars to be my two favorite things to watch while I knit.

The rub is though the American version of Top Gear on the History Channel is not much different, I just don't like it. The presenters are uninteresting and obvious hipster dudes in love with how cool they are. And you know they don't have British accents. Apparently, I prefer goofy, middle aged, British guys talking about cars, not the dude that could be sitting at the next table in a restaurant talking about his weekend 4 wheeling. Presentation is everything.

Feeling Very Metaphysical

2011-08-21T22:30:00.000-05:00

I have always loved the poetry of John Donne. For some reason the last couple of days I keep thinking about his imagery of the compass. For him the compass represented his love for his wife and how though he was often parted from her, they would always be connected like two legs of a compass with one head. I know it is terribly sexist, but her leg was the stationary one and his leg of the compass was always in motion. The image remains for me one of the most beautiful things one spouse can say to another (accept maybe John Cash in I Walk the Line). Read for yourself and see what you think.

A VALEDICTION FORBIDDING MOURNING.
by John Donne

AS virtuous men pass mildly away,

And whisper to their souls to go,

Whilst some of their sad friends do say,

"Now his breath goes," and some say, "No."

So let us melt, and make no noise,

No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move ;

'Twere profanation of our joys

To tell the laity our love.

Moving of th' earth brings harms and fears ;

Men reckon what it did, and meant ; 10

But trepidation of the spheres,

Though greater far, is innocent.

Dull sublunary lovers' love

—Whose soul is sense—cannot admit

Of absence, 'cause it doth remove 15

The thing which elemented it.

But we by a love so much refined,

That ourselves know not what it is,

Inter-assurèd of the mind,

Care less, eyes, lips and hands to miss. 20

Our two souls therefore, which are one,

Though I must go, endure not yet

A breach, but an expansion,

Like gold to aery thinness beat.

If they be two, they are two so 25

As stiff twin compasses are two ;

Thy soul, the fix'd foot, makes no show

To move, but doth, if th' other do.

And though it in the centre sit,

Yet, when the other far doth roam, 30

It leans, and hearkens after it,

And grows erect, as that comes home.

Such wilt thou be to me, who must,

Like th' other foot, obliquely run ;

Thy firmness makes my circle just, 35

And makes me end where I begun.

Source:
Donne, John. Poems of John Donne. vol I.
E. K. Chambers, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1896. 51-52

A Tisket, A Tasket, A T-Shirt Basket or Market Bag

2011-08-16T00:09:00.000-05:00

On the yarn crawl a couple of weeks back we fell in love with this upcycled t-shirt yarn we bought at BAH! Yarns in Washington. Natalie and I thought we would both do a knit along with the yarn. Well, that didn't happen. Natalie is deep in knitting vintage acrylic yarn into "tushie cushies" for her dogs. I wanted a quick knit so I decided to make mine. I followed the pattern and was surprised to find that three spools was not enough to finish the pattern. I modified the pattern, and though I liked the basket, it wasn't quite what I had in mind. I swiped Natalie's spools and tired again. I made a smaller basket/bag which I liked much better. I gave Natalie the first try basket and kept the second round market bag for me.

I really do love the idea of making yarn out of old t-shirts, I googled "t-shirt yarn" and found several links as to how to make your own yarn. I liked this one ( http://www.craftpassion.com/2009/05/recycle-tutorial-making-of-t-shirt-yarn.html ). I think this yarn would make great bags and rugs. The yarn is a little hard to knit with, I would use slick needles. I also found dpns to be really impossible to use with this particular pattern. Circular needles are the way to go. So to the t-shirts in my my wardrobe I say beware of an upcycle.

Shameless Stitching

2011-08-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

Tonight a group of us got together at a local coffee house, Shameless Grounds (http://shamelessgrounds.com/ ) for a R-rated fiber group. Many from my knitting tribe showed up, and several new fibernistas joined as well. It is always exciting to meet new people, but to meet people who share a common interest is extra special. I have found in these networks of people not just great teachers, but a network of amazing men and women who have helped me with more than just a few dropped stitches. If you knit, crochet, needlepoint, spin, or just like to fondle fiber, you should look around and find your tribe. Most yarn stores have an open knit night or day. Shameless Stitching meets the second Monday of the month from 6:30 till 9:00 know you will be welcomed.

Scrappy Bag, Warning This is a Very Knitty Post

2011-08-05T00:03:00.000-05:00

I have loved the Plymouth Earth, Oceanside Organic yarn I used to knit the yoga socks. The yarn and the pattern made a very soft, but elastic fabric. I had two small balls of yarn left over and wanted to knit something fun out of the leftovers and decided a small bag would be nice.

With my limited amount of yarn I cast on 60 stitches on 3 size 6 dpn. I knitted about an inch and then did a double yarnover after the 5th stitch and a knit 2 together after the double yarnover. The next round I opened the yarnover making it just one stitch. I knit for about another inch and then I did the classic knit 2 together yarnover combination for a row and followed it with a knit row until I had the length I wanted.

Once It started to look like I was running out of yarn, I knitted a row and then quickly went to decreasing the bottom. I knit 8 and then did an knit 2 together, repeating to the end of the row. The next row was a knit row, followed by knit 7, knit 2 together, repeating until the end of the row. The next row was a knit row, followed by a knit 6, knit 2 together, repeating until the end of the row. The next row was a knit row, followed by a knit 5, knit 2 together, repeating until the end of the row. The next row was a knit row, followed by a knit 4, knit 2 together, repeating until the end of the row. The next row was a knit row, followed by a knit 3, knit 2 together, repeating until the end of the row. The next row was a knit row, followed by a knit 2, knit 2 together, repeating until the end of the row. The next row was a knit row, followed by a knit 1, knit 2 together, repeating until the end of the row. The next row was a knit row, followed by, knit 2 together, repeating until the end of the row. I was left with 6 stitches and very little yarn. I put 3 stitches on one needle and 3 on the second needle. I very gently turned the bag inside out with the dpns still on the stitches. I did a three needle bind off and wove in the ends.

I have found that bamboo I-cords make the best drawstrings because the slide very easily. I made approximately a 24 inch cord and double threaded it through my eyelets and knotted the ends together to give it a good closure. I think if I had more yarn I would have knitted another inch on the top so the it had a taller opening. In the end I had a 4 inch tail, so I was sweating having enough yarn on the bottom, but the goddesses of knitting smiled on me and I have a great bag for carrying fruit to work.

Yarn Crawling

2011-07-31T18:47:00.000-05:00

1 Yarn Crawl, 2 Women, 4 Days, 12 Shops...Epic, Absolutely, Epic. Each day we picked an area and focused on those yarn shops, With 80s rock in the CD player we brought along the Garmin for help locating some of the shops (you really do need to update those things occasionally). We put almost 200 miles on the car and did our best to help kick start the fiber economy,

We meet so many wonderful fiber enthusiast and shop owners. I was surprised by all the cool things I saw. I promised myself this year to focus on notions and not be seduced by green sock yarn. At Loopy Ewe I was sorely tested, but held on to my goal and bought sock blockers, pattern tamers, and a cute notion bag. At Meyer House I got an adorable pair of tiny scissors shaped like a puppy. Today at the Bead Store in Fairview Heights, IL I even got a hairpin lace loom. Okay, as much as I tried to resist, yarn was purchased. Just for the record I did not buy any green sock yarn.

After 4 days and much debit card abuse, I am reflecting on my what was the best part of the yarn crawl. I like all my new fiber stuff, but the time I got to spend with Natalie was my favorite part. I always love doing things with her and this weekend was perfect. We talked, we laughed, we ate pie, and just enjoyed having a good time. The word lucky comes to mind, damn lucky.

The 1970s Are Calling

2011-07-30T00:43:00.000-05:00

My lovely spouse lucked into some vintage 1970s yarn in some very vintage 70s colors. She brought home six large containers of these man made fibers. The skeins ranged from white and crunchy through the rainbow of technical color scratchy acrylic. Each box has been an assault on the retinas and in many ways a crime against the dinosaurs who gave their lives for petroleum products that made the yarn. I nabbed some bright colors for some possible guerrilla yarn actions and well beause, darn it, some things are just too ugly to force anyone else to take.

As we have sorted these assaults on the senses we talked about what we could knit out of the bright array of colors. The always resourceful Natalie is planning puppy and kitty pads for our critters. I watched her sort and think and sort some more as she discussed Ria's, one of our dogs, new blanket. In the beginning of this haul I was less than excited about the edition to our constantly growing stash. However, tonight as we went through the colors I must admit her excitement and planning drew me into the fold. You know as crunchy as some of this stuff maybe in the end dogs and dreamers just don't care.

Oh Grammar you are a Bitch

2011-07-25T23:45:00.001-05:00

I was rereading though some of my old posts and groaned at some of the atrocious grammatical errors. I hate that I have an English degree and still stumble through a sentence making basic mistakes, it is humbling. I, always, did preferred reading Victorian novels rather then struggling through diagramming sentences. The worst is that I do edit my blog posts. I do, just as my high school English teacher suggested, reading everything aloud to better hear my mistakes. I rewrite anything I stumble over. However, despite my best efforts there they are those glaring mistakes. The truth is I just can't seem to edit myself (Unfortunately, that is a problem in all aspects of my life). I fix the mistakes in my head never seeing the botched tense or the mismatched pronouns or wiley run on sentences or well I think you are getting my point. I freely admit commas are my enemies. I subjectively pepper my prose with the rascally little slices whenever I think I haven't put one in for awhile. I hope you patient reader and friend will just politely smile and shake your head at my grammar, saying in your kindest voice, "Well, at least she has style!"

I needed yoga socks because...

2011-07-25T00:19:00.000-05:00

So I went to one of the local yarn stores and fell in love with this pattern for Twisted Rib Yoga Socks that was free with purchase of Plymouth Earth Oceanside Organic cotton yarn. Free pattern, awesomely soft cotton yarn, and the desire for socks without toes and I was suddenly driven to make them even though I have never, ever done yoga. I get that way sometimes, driven to do something that has no purpose. At least in this case the mistake of knitting something totally frivolous and pointless made me smile. So though these socks will never see any yoga classes, I will see them warming my feet and making me amused for months maybe years to come. I am so lucky, I may not do yoga, but I know how to knit myself into happiness.

Oh Technology You Are a Bittersweet Princess....

2011-07-10T13:36:00.000-05:00

I know I have not posted much lately. I do have some really good excuse, if you want to hear them? I am struggling through a technological crisis. I have a old laptop (2003), and a newer netbook (2009) and neither of them is functioning well. Actually in the case of the netbook, it is only good for playing solitaire right now. My laptop can go the distant, but like a Model-T Ford, it is very bumpy and takes a long time to get there. Many nights I just don't have the patience to wait. I did just buy a smartphone to help as a patch until I improve my situation. I tell you that was a colossal mistake. I am more vexed then I have ever been with the electronic and this includes the time my car refused to start in -5 degree weather. Yesterday I was explosively pissed I am surprised the Discovery Channel didn't report a volcano eruption in St Louis. I know woe is me.

The plan is to get a new computer, but time, money, and indecision has left me still at square -5 (Notice I am transitioning with the previous paragraph by using the same negative number, clever me). I have yet to decide what I want. After much thought and discussion I know I don't want an Ipad. However, I may still want a tablet. I want a new computer that I can stream on and at least attach a regular sized keyboard to it. I am not made of money so I want something that is reasonably priced. After lugging around a laptop and then having a netbook, I do indeed want a skinny model (my fat girl heart just hurt a little at that statement, because size, in this case, does matter). I refused to be tricked by any description that has MS Office on it to only later to find out I have half-ass demo versions of MSWord. Finally, and I think most importantly, I want a computer that can read my mind and do exactly what I want it to do on the first try.

So I think you see my problem. As is always the case with me, my expectations are far exceeding the possible. However, NASA maybe having an online garage sale soon and I just might find the computer of my dreams. I do like the idea of having a computer named HAL.

What Came in the Mail Today!

2011-06-28T23:36:00.000-05:00

Today the postal carrier showed up with some wonderful new editions to my Fiestaware colllection. I got two new bowls and a mini disc pitcher in the latest color, marigold. I actually am not a very big fan of the color, but you know a have to have a mini disc pitcher in all of the colors. And I think the color will look very bright on the table next to the shamrock and lemon grass pieces. I also, finally, tracked down some of the teaspoons and bought four. I don't know which I liked more the teaspoons or just the fact that I got fiesta love in the mail.

Trying Not to Bore You, But...

2011-06-12T23:52:00.000-05:00

I have not blogged because other than the invasion of cicadas, I have not been inspired to blog. Though hearing all those bugs pleading for sex is interesting in a Wild Kingdom kind of way, I think that is really all I can say about it. Besides red-eyed bugs are just a little creepy for some people.

I have had the same kind of problem with my knitting, I am really not feeling inspired to knit. I have been knitting, but not in that obsessive, MUST KNIT, kind of way. Maybe the passion I experienced for making shoelaces just tapped me out. I mean where do you go after making your own shoelaces?

I decided to make a few washcloths just to knit something. I used up the cotton yarn I had purchased for the shoelaces and went to town. Nothing goes together better than hot pink and lime green as far as I am concerned. Not only that, but I love how a hand knit washcloth looks after a couple of washes. I am hoping my knitting mojo picks up soon, or I may have to change hobbies and start bug watching.

Because I Could

2011-05-31T20:18:00.000-05:00

Because I could I make another set of shoelaces, I did. This time they are for my lime green hightop converse tennis shoes. These lace are 60 inches long and instead of the four stitch I-cord, I used three stitches. I think they make my shoes look snazzy. One of my friend saw me preening in my new hot pink laced hightops said, "You know I have a shoelace maker at home?" I guess knitting shoelaces is not as impressive as I thought.

Pink Shoelaces!

2011-05-23T20:46:00.000-05:00

Pink Covington Plymouth Yarns

I think everyone who knows me knows I love bright colors. I can't help but notice pops of color whenever I am lucky enough to spy the bright hues. Wednesday night my friend Chris showed up in tennis shoes with bright pink laces I could only say, "I wish I could find some hot pink shoelaces too." The laces reminded me of the eighties when neon bright laces were all the rage. Nostalgia and envy fueling my wish the words would be pushed out into the cosmos and the wish granting fairy would wave her magic wand and make it so.

Friday one of the knitting newsletters that shows up in my email sent out a pattern for shoelaces ( http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/friedrich/friedrich.html ). I am sure Berroco had a call from the wish granting fairy ordering them to fulfill my wish. By Saturday night with needles and cotton yarn in hand I set out to knit myself some hot pink laces for my beloved lime green chucks (I told you I like bright colors). The hardest thing about the project was trying to decide on an aglet or not. After trying it both ways, I decided against the aglet. Just in case you don't know what an aglet is, it is that little plastic tip on the ends of your laces.

Lime Green Chucks and Hot Pink Laces

I am so happy with the outcome, I am convinced I need a second pair for my hightopped chucks.

Though I am pleased with the wish granting fairy, I can't help, but wonder what if I had substituted the words "Million dollars," instead of shoelaces. I just might have been posting to you from Paris instead of St Louis, MO spending hot pink money. Are you still listening wish granting fairy?

Mother's Day and Sungazing

2011-05-17T20:09:00.000-05:00

Some days it just does not pay to be my friend. My poor, wonderful, friend Sungazing of Sungazing Photography ( http://sungazingphotography.com/ ) knows the truth of that statement. Mother's day I had lunch with my mom and sister in Eureka. I looked across the table and not only did they look fabulous, but we were all wearing shades of brown. I couldn't get the coincidence of color choice out of my mind. I do not think we could have planned to match so well. On a hope I called Sungazing and she graciously took these wonderful photos of us.

My mother's photo practically glows. I can't get over how beautiful she is at 69. She has been beautiful most of my life, but that she still retains that vitality and spark after the last 3 years is an inspiration to me. Sungazing did a wonderful job of capturing that essence. I also like the photo of my baby sis and I together because she is smiling. I like it when she smiles, it reminds me of what a cute baby she was.

I just can't thank Sungazing and her husband enough for taking the time out of their busy Mother's day to give me images that I will treasure for the rest of my life. I am so lucky that she is my friend. I can't really say she is so lucky to be my friend, but I hope that she thinks she is a little lucky to know someone who has such a pretty mother.

Lady Alice, Or One Damn Big Apple

2011-05-10T19:57:00.000-05:00

I love apples. If I could, I would eat one everyday with my lunch. I am a Granny Smith apple girl preferring the tart firmness of that variety to the mushy sweet of the delicious family of apples. My wonderful friends at Rivendell happened across some enormous apples last weekend and brought one home for me. The apple was destiny for my lunch this week and today I packed the apple with some cheese and crackers for lunch. I really only needed the apple.

The lovely apple in queston is called a Lady Alice apple. I am not sure on apple naming conventions, but I would have called it the Brunhilda the Valkyrie apple because they are so big. And from one big girl to another I liked it. This apple would be perfect for that day when you want a self-contained, healthy meal to go. I did do a little research and discovered that these are fairly new apples. A farmer, Don Emmons, discovered the apple tree between his red and golden delicious orchards in 1979. This parentage explains the red/yellow color of the apple's skin.

I am not a red or golden delicious fan, finding both to be too sweet and lacking in the crispness that I love in an apple. This apple laughs in the face of wimpy apples, each bite resonated with crunch throughout the lunch room at work. I got a few sidelong looks from co-workers, I like to think they were jealous because my apple was so large and beautiful, not because it was so amazing loud. (Note this is not a stealth apple, so don't sneak it in your bag when going to a movie theatre, you will get caught). The apple was sweet, but not overbearingly sweet. Oddly enough, I did notice that it was more tart on the yellow parts than the pink parts.
I also liked that it was juicy and overall a very good lunch.

Keeping My Pants On In Hancocks.

2011-04-30T20:01:00.003-05:00

Some days I wonder that I am even allowed out of the house. Today while looking at magazine in Hancocks with my lovely wife I felt something weird in the right leg of my pants. I did that test twist of my shin in the pant leg and I could distinctly feel something alien caught between my flesh and fabric. I didn't know what it was, but was almost certain it was a bug or worst yet a spider. My heart skipped a beat and I said to Natalie, "There is something in my pant leg."

She gave me the are you speaking in tongues look and said, "What?"

My voice went up an octave and I repeated, "There is something in my pants."

Natalie heard the panic and was on her knees feeling my pants for the offending lump in a second. I held still, afraid whatever it was would bite me, pleading, "Get it out."

Natalie found the lump and was squishing it up against my leg, I felt something pokey on my right chin. "Natalie," I wailed. "Get it out before it bites me."

"I'm trying baby, but it is stuck I can't get it out." She was trying to reach up my pant leg, but I could feel more pokiness.

At this point I envisioned a spider taking a chunk out of my skin and I wanted it gone, RIGHT NOW. I looked around and Hancock's wasn't that busy and I thought, well if I drop my pants, we can get it out quicker and I won't get bit. I had my pants unbuttoned and unzipped ready to drop trou, deep in panic mode.

"Got it!" Natalie said and then I heard her laugh. "What is this doing in your pants?"

I looked down and she was holding one of my green point protectors and laughing at me. Yes I was about to show off my tighty whities for one green knitting needle point protector. I refastened my pants as I began laughing too. I have no idea how the item got there, but you know I was very relieved it wasn't a spider and that I can still show my face to the good people who work at Hancocks.

I Know You Are Tired of This But...

2011-04-23T11:15:00.001-05:00

I know you are all tired of hearing my go on and on about my change in maritial status, but I just can't help it. It is the weirdest thing, and I would have never believed it had you told me, I love being married to Natalie. I look at her and still just smile, I am so lucky to have found her. Okay, call me silly, I don't care, I love my wife.

Rewind back to 1992, we did have a big union ceremony with a preacher, a flower girl, rings, and lots of wonderful people around us. We planned and saved up money for the event, my mother made me (don't laugh) a teal dress and I had shoes dyed to match. There was dining and dancing, it was all very wonderful. But you know it was just the two of us committing ourselves to each other. There was no commitment by our government to protect that bond and help us to maintain it. Society as a whole did not even recognize we existed as a unit. I remember going back to work on Monday and being asked how my weekend went, and replying nothing special.

Fast forward to the present and I have done everything, but blow up the license and put it on a billboard. Thankfully, times have changed. But not our rings. During our vows we exchanged the wedding rings we bought in 1992. On our last trip into the Recorder of Deeds in Iowa City Natalie asked if I wanted a new wedding ring. The thought of replacing my old ring seemed unheard of to me. All the history and love in that little band of gold make it worth so much more. However, an improvement could be made on the ring. We decided to get our wedding rings engraved with the date. I am very pleased with the results. Somethings do make a difference and to me being able to get married has meant the world. Thank you for indulging me on this point.

Photo by the Always Amazing Sungazing Photography

Lagniappe or Oh Katia

2011-04-17T02:20:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you just fall in love with the novelty of a yarn and just have to have it. I saw this Katia by Triana at Knitorious and wanted to make these lovely ruffly scarves. Fortunately, my wonderful friends Tammie and Fiona had birthdays coming up. Though I already had presents for both of these lovely ladies, I decided they needed birthday lagniappes.

I love the word, lagniappe. A lagniappe is a Cajun/Creole word meaning a little something extra. I like getting those unexpected bonuses in my life and so do be able to do that for someone or someones I love, is almost like getting a lagniappe for myself.

The yarn has at the top a little slit which is the opening used for knitting. When knitted up the yarn makes this awesome ruffled fabric. I discovered the yarn in a half knitted scarf laying on the table at the lys and said, "What's this?" Of course I picked up the scarf and the needle fell out. Whoops!!! Sadly, this is tricky yarn and once you drop a stitch, it is very hard to pick it up again. Sandy, the owner of Knitorious, had to start all over again. It is a good thing Sandy likes me and I bought some yarn from her that day 'cause I was in the dog house on this one.

With my novelty yarn in my knitting bag I began on my lagniappe scarves. I knitted up the scarves and had bonus round presents for two of my favorite people. As you can see from the photo of Tammie in her gift, she looks FABULOUS!!!

Fiestaware and Me, or What Came in the Mail Today

2011-04-09T00:58:00.000-05:00

You know I love fiestaware; okay you know I love fiestaware almost as much as I love my wife. Today I got a special package of love from the good people of Norby's in Minnesota. Long have I coveted a set of fiestaware backing bowls (because I bake so much). Sadly, the set usually is available only in one color. Now I like lots of color in my life and I have been longing for the set in greens. I even wanted it to go from darker greens to lighter greens because I am picky that way. A very tall and pricey order, but with patience, time on the Internet, and of course a credit card number the set of my dreams is now part of my fiesta hoard.

I have the 6 quart in evergreen, the 4 quart in shamrock, and the 2 quart in lemongrass. I am feeling the love here. Makes me almost want to bake, almost. The evil fiestaware designers at Homer Laughlin have also added a 2 piece smaller set of bowls that will nest snugly with the others. I am still wavering on color choice, but in time I will have the whole 5 piece, because fiestaware is my drug of choice.

In my quest for the baking bowls, I discovered my lovely Masquerade Mirro flatware set had an additional party set available ( http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2010/03/catching-up-again.html ). I was like "What? What?" I chewed on the idea of buying the set and after 5 minutes of internal dialogue with my superego, id hit the buy button. Superego can chastise me when I get the credit card bill, but oh are they lovely.

The set has cocktail forks and spoons with a very small spreader. I need to make it a point to find more reasons to use all colorful accouterments. If nothing else, just to show everything off. And just to keep with my theme for the year, I am just so damn lucky to be surrounded by so much brightly colored dinnerware.

Alice in Luckyland

2011-03-27T19:01:00.000-05:00

My friend Mindy at http://craftyandcrap.blogspot.com/ gave me a box of vintage Alice in Wonderland note cards. I am kind of in love with the beautifully tinted Tenniel reproductions. I am torn between using them to send out charming little missives to my friends or hoarding them away for my viewing pleasure only.

Even the little box the "correspondence notes" came in is adorable. I just love the bright vintage colors of the box. The note cards were from Mindy's grandfather's estate, so eight of the cards were sent out to eight of his lucky friends. There are six of the original designs left. As happy as I am with the thoughtful little gift there is one lone thing niggling at my brain. I know it s silly, but I can't help wondering what the seventh image was?

Regardless of what that final images was I am just so lucky to have a friend who salvaged such a sweet little gift for me. Thank you Mindy, maybe I will just have to send you a little "correspondence note" to let you know how much I appreciate the thoughtfulness.

Water Bottle Sling, Or More About My Knitting

2011-03-21T21:45:00.000-05:00

To say I have an excessive personality is an understatement. Sometimes I just don't know when to say when. Case in point my new water bottle sling. I have for years now taken a 32 oz Quiktrip cup full of tea to work with me every day. Suddenly, the gods of grace cursed me with a string of teatastrophies. I kept spillng all 32 ozs on some important piece of work property. When a manager saw the damage and said, "Clean-up in aisle 7," I knew I had a problem. My friends decided to help me out with a state of the art tea go-bottle.

But even state of the art has a drawback. The darn thing was too big to fit in the cup holder in my car. Aha, I said, I am knitter, I can knit myself a solution. With the help of ravelry.com I found a pattern and cast on with some sock yarn I had in my stash. I noted that the designer even commented on the pattern to not over knit the strap. I am a big girl, I thought, I will need a longer strap. I added about four inches to the 34 inch strap. I mean if 34 is good 38 will be better. Just like my long scarves, more is, well more.

The strap is too long, way too long. Once my 32 ozs of tea is in my go-bottle and it is snugly slung in the sling it hangs almost to my knees. I know I could have unraveled some of it, but instead I knotted the strap and called it good enough. So far, I have no complaints and no spills. No clean-ups in aisle 7 for me.

Quilting Bee, Or Lucky Me

2011-03-15T22:40:00.000-05:00

I know I keep pushing the luck thing, but you know I have been especially lucky since my birthday. Not only did I get a beautiful wife, but my wonderful mother gave me one of her freshly minted quilts. I spent the last year seeing this quilt lay around in various stages and then to see it in a big bag with the word "birthday" printed on the side, I was dumbstruck. I know the hours and thought that went into such a lovely creation. I could describe the quilt, but a photo is truly worth a thousand words.

Birthday Quilt

The blocks of flowers set with the pinks is so lovely and sooooo my mother. The oval printed fabric in with the pinks and the flowers sooooo not my mother. She in not an abstract oval print person, but she told me this fabric just jumped out at her and she thought it would be a good contrast to the pinks. I say, and you can quote me on this, mom was right. The quilt is a stunner.

My mom has been working on quilts for years. She is actually what she calls a topper. She loves the process of finding a pattern, picking out the fabric, tweaking the pattern, and doing all the piece work. Once she has the top pieced she usually sends it out to be machine quilted. I love watching her as she goes through the stages of putting together a quilt. She can hand quilt, but says for her the magic is in the piecework. I don't care how we get to the end product I just love the results.

This quilt is the second one of her creation I have blogged about ( http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2009/11/day-twenty-seven-gratitude.html ). To be the recipient of another quilt is as I have said before, humbling. All the time, money, and labor to hand something so precious over to another is a gift which has no price tag.

Mom's signature on the back

As much as I love the top of my quilt; my favorite part is on the back. My mother has started to "sign" her quilts. I love that she is so ingenious to put her unique hallmark on the back of something I will cherish for the rest of my life.

And the Party Continues

2011-03-10T23:42:00.000-06:00

Everyone and the Newlyweds!

As I mentioned I got married on my birthday (just in case you missed it). My birthday didn't stop there, my dear wife (and I mean that when I say it) threw me a small birthday party with some of my knitting buddies at the London Tea Room http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2010/04/downtown-adventures-or-how-i-found.html ). Since it was a formal tea many of the guests wore hats and came prepared to drink tea and celebrate.

The Dapper Mr Harrison

Amy Looking Lovely

And of course we did drink tea, but none of them were prepared for the our surprise announcement of our recent nuptials. I thought about making everyone wait until after we had tea and scones, but I was about to burst with the news. Keeping a secret is not one of my strong points. As soon as everyone was present and accounted for I stood up and told them about the best birthday ever. I even brought the marriage license to pass around so everyone could see, we weren't fibbing. Cheers of joy went around the table and more than a few cups of tea were salted with tears of happiness. I am proud to say I didn't cry, I just bask in their love, beaming. Who knew getting married would make me this happy?

Julie and My Beautiful Wife

My friends showered me with amazing gifts. I must admit I am like a kid about getting a present, love it! I got books, yarn, a stunning new quilt from my mother, a hand knitted capelet, wrist bands, and so much more. I feel so lucky to have such wonderful friends, I only hope that I am worthy of their friendship. I also want to apologize if anyone felt left out by not being invited to the party. I am so sorry, we were limited by size and finances as to how many we could invite. I am so lucky to have so many wonderful friends I feel bad not inviting everybody I ever spoke to. Next time I will think of a place better suited for a larger crowd. We will have a free for all and 50 (omg I can't believe I am saying this) is only 5 years away!

Birthday Swag

Lucky in Iowa, Or How I got Married.

2011-03-06T02:07:00.002-06:00

I never thought I would be legally married, never. But I am in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, District of Columbia, and Iowa. How you might ask did such a thing happen? Well sit back and let me tell you a story. A good story about love, luck, and a trip to the great state of Iowa.

Wednesday my much beleaguered life partner, Natalie, called from Washington D C and said, "Since we both have Friday off, what do you want to do?" Granted it wasn't just any old Friday but Friday, March 4, which has the distinction of being my birthday. My 45th birthday if you are counting. And if you are counting, the last two years my birthdays have been days marked by grief. I wanted to do something special, something memorable, something to mark the change of luck in my life. I really can't fully explain why, but as soon as I heard this question I only had one answer.

"Let's go to Iowa and get married," I said.

I heard Natalie say, "B...b...B..." Silence and then, "We will talk about this later."

Later came and after much discussion (we are lesbians after all and nothing is ever decided without much processing), reflection, and a text message at 4:50 am eastern standard time that read, "Yes. Why don't we go to Iowa and get married? I love you." We decide to do the deed.

But sometimes it takes a village or in this case a very persistent co-worker to make a wedding happen in 48 hours. The great state of Iowa has rules for a marriage certificate and some counties are not as compliant as others. Hurdle number one is the need for a justice of the peace in Iowa to do the joining. Hurdle number two is the need for a witness that knows both parties. Hurdle number three the three day waiting period before you can get married (so not giving Natalie the opportunity to change her mind).

Hurdle number two was easy my mom was enlisted to be our witness. Hurdles one and three were a little more significant. Thanks to the powers of google and fellow library assistant, Kim, it can be done. After failing with one county to get the desired answers, she and I looked until we found my new favorite county in Iowa, Johnson County. In the county seat of Iowa City, Iowa we found a Recorder of Deeds who had a great web page and the helpful suggestion of how to get pass the three day rule plus a list of judges and phone numbers. A few calls and a few squeals later a plan was laid. It was Iowa or bust.

Friday morning with my mother (and her white mini-van) in tow we hopped on highway 61 and headed north. I will admit to you my friends, I was positively simmering over with excitement. I know my two favorite ladies in the world (mom and Natalie) were ready to make me ride on the roof to get me to shut up. However, happiness brooks no deterrent, so they suffered my gushing patter on the four and half hour drive to Iowa City with no incident.

The very awesome Carrie

We hit the administrative building at about 11:30 am central standard time like kids hitting the gate at Disneyland. Our clerk's name was Carrie and she was everything you don't expect from a civil servant. She was cheerful, helpful, and downright giddy to help us achieve the goal of getting us married on my birthday. The day truly was a group effort with the employees of Johnson County doing most of the work. Every time we showed up at the recorders office (a total of three times) Carrie was there to make our dream come true.

This trip also required three trips to the county court house too, an awesome old building with old woodwork, vintage tile, beautiful stained glass, and stairs, lots of stairs. We met an amazing bailiff named Sue who made sure everyone knew we needed extra attention. Sue kept the machinery of county bureaucracy moving for us. By 2:00 pm central standard time Natalie and I were spouse and spouse.

Judge Karen performed a beautiful and simple service, which I cried through. We exchanged our wedding rings we bought for each other in 1992 and kissed in front of Judge Karen, Sue, and my mother. Hugs went all the way around the court room and there it was we were after so many years MARRIED. On our last trip to the Recorder's Office we picked up the actual Marriage Certificate and I said to Carrie, "I am so excited."

Carrie gave me a smile and said, "Do you think?" I just can't thank the wonderful civil servants of Johnson County enough for all the help and attention, they truly were my heroes on my wedding day.

Judge Karen, Mom, and the newlyweds

On the four and half hour drive home my beautiful wife (and I mean that when I say it) asked, "Do you feel different?"

I could only say, "Yes, I feel empowered!" What I didn't say then and I will say now, I feel lucky. Lucky Natalie would have me. Lucky my mother was with me. And very lucky we live close enough to make it to Iowa in a day to get married. I wish all non-traditional couple could be this lucky.

Vacationing on Dauphin Island

2011-02-27T03:54:00.000-06:00

Last week I was on a much needed vacation to Dauphin Island Alabama. I went with my baby sister to see my mother who had been wintering there. I love Dauphin Island. Actually, I love any place that is warm and welcoming in the middle of winter. I am sure there are more posh warm weather destinations, but the slower pace suited me fine. Our hotel overlooked a bayou and at night I could walk over to dock and watch the stars while enjoying a night breeze. I loved the break from my life.

The island has a civil war fort, a bird sanctuary, and lots and lots of gulf views of gulls, breakers, ferries, and oil rigs pumping up black gold. Some places you could even see large pieces of equipment working on cleaning up some of that black gold that wrecked so much havoc on the gulf last year. A part of me would love to live this kind life, but I know within a week I would feel trapped by this thirteen mile strip of land.

To break up the monotony we went to Mobile for a Mardi Gras parade. The floats were wonderful as they rained beads, cups, masks, toys, and moonpies down on the crowds. I caught many beads and a few moonpies. This parade was probably the largest parade I have ever been to and honestly it wasn't really that big. Mobile is very serious about their Mardi Gras season, apparently this parade was one of several.

I made it a point to get into the party celebration and be-decked myself with beads and a very fabulous pair of shades.

Parades and sandy beaches aside the best thing about my trip was spending time with my mother and baby sister. They are two of my favorite people and hanging out with them is always fun. We shopped, we ate good food, and just enjoyed each others company. Mom came home from her winter break and we are all at our respective homes with memories and some fun photos to remember our good times. I love vacation.

And the Stars Fell on Alabama

2011-02-21T23:37:00.000-06:00

I am home from my brief trip to Daulphin Island, Alabama. I have so much I could wax on and on about, but I need to unpack and get ready to go back to work tomorrow (yuck). But right now, I am thinking about the stars. At night I would sit on a dock or the back porch of the hotel listening to the surf, enjoying the night breezes, and just stare up into the starry sky and dream. I made up a new constellation of a man on a motorcycle riding his heart out. I would name that constellation Vernon. Tonight at home I am missing those stars.

2011-02-20T14:39:00.001-06:00

Bought out outlet mall n gulf shores

2011-02-18T19:46:00.001-06:00

@ mardi gras parade n mobile great spectacle & lots of moonpies.

2011-02-17T13:33:00.001-06:00

Wellslee's all strung out in mobile nice but going out 2 just online next month,

And the Beat Goes On

2011-02-13T13:10:00.001-06:00

This year one of my goals was to blog at least once a week. Well, sometimes goals aren't met and life goes on. Everything goes on, there is just no holding it back. So it is with me. The world keeps revolving on it axis and I am forced to continue with my struggle with grief. I am looking at the one year anniversary of my father's death and I feel as if I have spent the last year watching him die everyday.

Somedays, like today, it is the thought Dad will be out on his motorcycle enjoying the strawberry spring today. Then like a blot on the day, I remember he is gone and his motorcycle lives under a tarp. Other days it is the memory of an event like this time last year my dad held my hand and told me he loved me for the last time. In either case it is a tailspin into grief.

I do try to put things in perspective and recognize this is the way of life and that nothing I am going through is unique. These feelings and situation are all apart of the human condition. I am on my journey and I though I am trying to take the route of acceptance and peace, somedays, I just make the wrong turn and end up here. Stalled out, wishing my dad would come and pull me out of the mess I have got myself in.

Wrist Buddy, or Everything In Its Place

2011-02-01T22:38:00.000-06:00

I have mentioned this before I have been working on a design for a pair of wristwrappers. I am almost done with that project and in the process I have started working on a second design for a wrist buddy. I am defining the wrist buddy as a cuff that I can use to hold my dpns (double pointed needles) and any other knitting notions that needs holding. I don't know about anyone else, but I always have my notions strung out all over my futon. This situation has caused many lost items and on occasionally a dpn poking me in unkind places.

Wristwrapper Prototype

My wristwrappers design produced these little cuffs. I picked up stitches on the back and then stuffed the cuff. This method was probably the hardest way to do anything, I have an idea on how to improve this design and make it simpler. So I am still working on this design, but I am pleased with the idea of the end product.

Wrist Cuffs

The wrist buddy gives me spots for dpns, stitch locks, stitch markers, stitch holders, tapestry needles, and with a safety pin a row counter. I felt really clever creating my little cuff, and when I look down at the cuff while knitting I know the joy Batman must feel every time he reaches for his utility belt. Check back I promise to post the pattern for my wrist buddy as soon as it is done.

Wrist Buddy Prototype

Texting Catapillar,R Slacking on Youtube

2011-01-23T15:12:00.000-06:00

I can get lost in youtube for hours watching videos. Today I was in a Disney mood. This clip is one of my favorites from Alice in Wonderland. I love the smoke letter blowing caterpillar. I was surprised by how similar to texting some of those smoke missives were. I also adore his little, pointy-toed, slippers and the elaborate hookah pipe; the items are just too decadent. I am sure there are parents who might be offended by him blowing smoke letters in her face, but I love how the "C" becomes a bracelet on Alice's wrist. When I first saw this movie I loved the multi-colored smoke and felt very smart that I recognized he was singing out vowels. I can remember wanting to sit through the movie twice just to see this scene again. Today a few clicks on youtube or with a DVD player and I can watch the wonderful philosophical exchange between a caterpillar and a little girl ad nauseum. On a day that is so cold and snowy, I am very lucky to be able to do just that.

Putting Away 2010

2011-01-17T22:50:00.000-06:00

This time last year my life was very full of those things none of us like to confront. Watching my dad's life slipping away, I just could not be bothered to worry about the growing stack of papers with 2010 printed on them accumulating on my desk. Somewhere in late April I noticed the mess, but by then I just did not even care that the stack was growing larger and starting to take over. By October I was starting to care about the size of the stack, but I thought I would just put it off until the end of the year. The end of the year came and I was looking at an organizational mess. I dreaded even looking in the general direction of my desk.

This weekend was one of those amazing longed for 4 day weekends. I set my mind to it and with much determination set about getting this paper monster tamed. On some level, it was filing bank statements and receipts, boring, but not emotional. On another level it was almost as painful as reliving the last year. Sandwiched in between phone bills and pay stubs were condolence cards and photos of my dad. Little emotional hand grenades making me tear up and sometimes cry. I stayed resolute and soldiered on.

I also found stacks of birthday cards and notes from my friends. Colorful little missives that I could hardly bring myself to open let alone read when they arrived. I threw them into the stack of papers and forgot them. This weekend with time and distance the thoughts of love and good wishes actually could seep through and warm my soul. They made me feel really lucky (my word for 2011) to have such wonderful friends.

Project: see the surface of my desk and be able to start organizing my life again is a success. I have a clean surface, Files are boxed up, given a disposal date, and neatly stacked in the basement. It is a small start, but a start. I can control the space around my desk and from here I will be able to start putting the other pieces of my life together. Things are improving, my desk is all the proof I need.

Luck O' the Irish, Or Potato Pancakes Realized

2011-01-15T22:31:00.000-06:00

I love potatoes baked, boiled, fried, mashed, nuked, and even occasionally raw, I like them all. I have always dreamed of being able to make perfect potato pancakes, however I have had no success. The pancakes have come out in pieces, burned and stuck to the bottom of the pan. Once it was like an horrid liquid that cooked up like really bland scrambled eggs. In the past I have tried shredded boiled potatoes mixed with eggs and milk and then mash potatoes with eggs and milk both methods produced less than stellar results. This morning I tired something different. I coated mash potato balls in flour and then fried them in my cast iron skillet with a little olive oil. At the very end I put a sliver of cheddar cheese on the top. Eureka, luck was on my side! Success at last, I paired my pretty little pancakes with strawberries and I shared them with my lovely spouse. Lucky in the kitchen me.

Black Swan, Or Having a Good Day

2011-01-14T22:06:00.000-06:00

Today I was off from work. I had some things I needed to do, but mostly I wanted to be on my schedule, not someone elses. I have come to treasure time I spend not at my job. I was lucky I had an extra day off left over from the New Year's day holiday. I have a glorious 4 days off (okay now it is really 3). One of my goals for today was have bacon and eggs and see a movie. Little luxuries maybe, but today I felt downright decadent having a leisurely breakfast and then buying a movie ticket at noon.

The film, Black Swan has intrigued me. A film about ballet, with Natalie Portman, and rumored to have lesbian content, count me in. I have wanted to see it for weeks, but my schedule has not had much room for a movie. Unfortunately, everyone has been blabbing about the movie, people I work with, facebook friends, and literally people on the street screaming out the ending. Grrr. I went anyway, because I wanted to see it myself and not wait for the dvd.

Put a check in that box, film watched. I am not going to make the mistake of giving away any of the secrets, but I think Portman gave an Oscar worthy performance. Her Nina made me weep with sadness, on some level I identified with elements of the character. Because secretly I am a prima ballerina in my spare time. Stop laughing it could happen, in my next life maybe. Regardless of the differences between the graceful, waffish Nina and the solid, klutzy me, the film made me walk away thinking I should learn to be kinder to myself and accept my flaws. I love it when I walk away from a movie with new insights into my own character. Black Swan definitely gave me that opportunity for self-examination, and made me nervous I think I am sprouting black feathers on my shoulder blades too.

Pulitzer Prize, Or Knitting in Style

2011-01-10T00:27:00.000-06:00

Some days I am very lucky, Saturday was one of those very lucky days. I had the good fortune to spend my day doing what I wanted to do, which was going to a knit in at the Pulitzer Museum. Saturday was cold, but the sun came out and made me want to spend sometime walking around the Grand Center taking photos before the knit in. There was an old roofless church still standing despite its lack of amenities. No windows, no floor, no roof, but still standing waiting for parishioners to come along and make it whole again. Around the corner from the church I was surprised to find Sitting Bull staring back at me.

The cold eventually drove me into the Grand Center, City Diner. I took a seat at the counter and enjoyed a good meal and very cool restaurant. I have been a long time patron of the City Diner so to experience my usual Ruben in a totally different location was a treat. Sitting at the counter had the added bonus of being in the thick of all the activity.

After a brisk walk through the theatre crowd going to the matinee of "Spamalot" I headed to the Pulitzer. I have never been to this museum before and I thought going to a knit in there was the perfect introduction to the place. I was one of the first to arrive and the staff kept asking me if I was a "Knitter," like I was some sort of exotic creature. Of course I brashly said, "Yes, you can tell because I have two bags." After wandering past a very long bank of shelves with hundreds of paper mache hands on its multiple cubbies, I picked a location and began knitting.

I was soon joined by an interesting knitter and spinner named Pam. She was very smart and was making a hat for her husband out of her own handspun yarn. Later we were joined by her friend, Sarah who was very vivacious and then some of my own knit night buddies, Eva and Mike. I was there about two and half hours, knitting, talking, meeting people, checking out other peoples' projects, and just enjoying the hell out the event. I love knit ins. Everyone is eager to show off their projects and talk yarn. I just wish we had more events like this one.

I felt so invigorate (and it wasn't just the cold) by my day. I felt lucky. Lucky to have the day off from work, lucky to know how to knit, and lucky to always meet such amazing knitters. In other words rresolution still going strong.

Lucky in Love

2011-01-02T19:52:00.000-06:00

So my resolution to be luckier in 2011 is off to a great start. I got to spend the beginning of the year with one of my favorite godsons (OK my only godson), Jase, up from Florida. Jase is such an amazing godson, he is a world traveler full of love and energy. His passion for life is infectious and I always feel so alive when he is around. I have watched him grow from an energetic young adult to a compassion man out to make a difference in his life and the lives of those he touches. I always get excited when I get the opportunity to spend time with him.

This trip we ate at some of our favorite restaurants. We shopped, bar-hopped, saw the city, and just enjoyed the comfort of spending time with someone you truly love. I talked about how difficult 2010 was and about the loss of my father. I was surprised by how patiently he listened, and how I kept my tears to a minimum. He talked about his job and his new passion for marathon running. We shared pieces of ourselves without fear of judgement or disdain. I needed that and I hope he did too.

Today we left our beautiful boy, now a man, at the airport this evening. I felt a little twinge, not knowing when we will see each other again. However, I feel lucky for having been given the gift of these last few days with Jase and Natalie. Resolutely, I remain lucky.

New Years Resolution

2010-12-31T12:38:00.001-06:00

I know I have been a bad blogger this last month. It has been a tough month. This first set of holidays without my dad has been so very painful. I just miss him so much. My goal has been to survive this holiday season, and so far so good. With this in mind last night I laid in bed (staring at the ceiling like always) and thought about my new year resolution. I thought about all the things I wanted to improve about myself, all the things I wanted to do, and where I want to be at this time next year. I came up with only one possible resolution that fit the bill. My resolution for 2011 is: To be luckier in the next year. I already feel like I am working to achieve my goals, luck is just oozing from my pores. I promise to update you on all the good luck I am going to have in the next year!!!

Much Sorriness, or Elvis sighted on my Blog

2010-12-18T00:12:00.000-06:00

I am so sorry I have not blogged lately. I find myself having the proverbial blue Christmas. I am hoping after the new year things will improve. So I thought why not really go for the seasonal pity party song, sung by the King of pity parties himself. (This video is actually exceptional in video quality and Elvis croons out the ballad with much heart and soul)..

Did I mention I like scarves?

2010-11-29T00:34:00.000-06:00

I have been working on a pattern, yes I am designing a pattern. I got a little bogged down in the process and had to put it down to clear my mind. I cast around and with a little stash diving and a wonderful new knitting book I found just the thing. If you remember I went to the Midwest Fiberfest last summer ( http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2010/07/midwest-fiber-folk-art-fair.html ). I bought some crazy thick and thin merino yarn from some sweet ladies hailing from Minnesota. It was in fact taking a lot of space up in my pie safe o' yarn. I knew from fairly early on I wanted to make a scarf out of the yarn.

Flash forward to my new book. Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders by Judith Durant. The book is brilliant, packed with patterns for gloves, bags, scarves, shawls, lamp shades, and of course socks. There is a Noro scarf that I am so going to knit. Anyway, the "19th-Century Honeycomb Stitch Scarf" caused my little felted heart to go pitter-pat. It was exactly the pattern I wanted for my thick and thin yarn.

My first cast on was on 9 straight needles and it was just to tight. I frogged my first attempt and pulled out the big guns, a set of 11s. I also decreased the cast on by 7 stitches. In four short nights I had a new, wildly garish scarf. I am in love with the silly thing. Trust me you can't miss me flying my new green scarf, I love scarves.

Smitten by Fingerless Mitts

2010-11-21T02:44:00.000-06:00

One mitt from each of Bob and Greg's pair

I learned to knit because I wanted to make myself a pair of fingerless mitts. I bought the yarn and the pattern for the mitts, but I have yet to actually use that yarn to make those mitts. However, I have knitted lots of fingerless mitts over the last three years.

My beautiful wife modeling Barb's pair

This year our household has been the fingerless mitts knitting factory. Using a pattern from a ballband of Artful Yarns I have made five pairs that I have given away. My wife however is dropping pairs off her needles, like leaves from a tree.

Mom's Pair

She has tweaked the pattern and worked it into her own. She actually gave me pointers on how to attach the gusset to the rest of the mitt. Yesterday I nearly tripped over a big bag of mitts in her living room. Sometimes it is good to share a home with another knitter.

Kim's Pair

The Letter

2010-11-08T23:21:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

My fortune cookie tonight read, "You have a charming way with words. Write a letter this week." The advice of a cookie seemed like a reason to write a small missive to you. I feel cookies don't lie. I say that to you and then I remember that I did have a cookie lie to me once.

A sad tale of losing cookie confidence that has marked me as a person who will in fact spit out a cookie in front of a room full of people. So let me begin with once upon a knit night I showed up at my usual tardy, last half hour. Now the women and men I knit with are some awesome bakers. If I see a plastic container on a table with napkins, I know goodness is to be had. On the table was just such a container and some of the most perfect looking snicker doodles I have ever seen. My inner cookie monster was about to put her face into the container and eat some cookies. I waited, was polite, and took only one. Cookie conversation swirled around me as a generous bite settled on my tongue.

Okay, there is something you should know, I really don't like most tropical fruits. The most heinous of the bunch is bananas followed closely by pineapples. I don't even like the smell of either of those fruits. It may be a character flaw, but I will not deny my abhorrence of these things. This truth revealed, I sat there with a mouth full of pineapple flavored cookie growing in my mouth. Talking around the cookie, I asked the room, "Whaa kinda cooookie is this?"

"Pineapple cake batter," the proud baker said.

The group must have registered the complete look of disgust on my face, because a chorus of, "Just spit it out." went around the room.

I felt bad, but I just could not bring myself to swallow. With a mumbled "Esqoose me," I spit the cookie into the napkin and ran from the room to get a drink of something to wash the horrid taste of pineapple out of my mouth.

The moral of this story is always ask before biting into any cookie, pineapple cake batter could be hidden in even the most delicious looking morsel. The moral could also be forget the fortune, this letter is not charming. Or maybe the moral is skip the fortune and stick with the lottery numbers on the back (2 7 22 33 46 47).

Sincerely,

Tempesttea

Cool Friends

2010-10-24T16:45:00.003-05:00

I think I have some really cool friends. My wonderful photographer friend, Sungazing, ( http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2010/07/new-look-or-showing-off-my-fiestware.html ) has sold some of her photos for the covers of books. Two to be exact. One of the photos was snatched up by Random House and used for the cover of Kelley Armstrong's Industrial Magic.

I think what gets me so excited about the cover is that the photo is one of personal favorites. A couple of years ago I was so excited by the photo she gave me a framed copy of the image. The image of the leg with the chess pieces makes me think about an adult Alice going through the looking glass. The photo is sexy and intelligent. I also wonder how the hell did she take the photo and keep those chess pieces from falling off her leg?

Friday night I was at Borders and I kept seeing Sungazing's leg everywhere. I just kept thinking I know that sexy leg. I bought my own copy, not even because I want to read the book, but because Sungazing is so cool. Her other cover for the Pigman and Me
( http://www.flickr.com/photos/sungazing/5094293141/ ) is out but I have yet to find a copy. Pretty soon bookstores everywhere will be show casing her sexy gams. You go Sungazing!

Tempest in a Pot of Reality

2010-10-14T22:51:00.000-05:00

Thursday is always my favorite night of the week. As I have mentioned before my Beloved Cuz and I always get together and spend some time together having dinner, knitting, and enjoying each others' company (http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2009/11/day-fivegratitude.html ). Over time we have stumbled into all kinds wonderful things. Tonight it was reality TV! No kidding when we showed up at one of the coffee houses we frequent they were filming a reality show for HGTV. Bright lights, lots of extraneous people, and cameras littered around the otherwise subdued setting.

I know, you think I am exaggerating, but the producer, Heather, made us sign a release to be part of the video landscape. The reality show was about people buying their first home. Apparently, they are filming a whole season of the show in St. Louis. Beloved Cuz and I were kind of excited to have something different happen on our Thursday.

So it was lights, camera, action and here we are trapped as knitting background props. I am not worrying about how my hair looks or whether I am making a stupid face. No I am worrying if someone will see this episode and critique my knitting. Will someone see my knit front back and think, "Oh my god, why is that woman strangling her Cascade Magnum?"

I was glad when the filming stopped so we could pack up and leave. I was also surprised reality TV was not that real. They made the couple repeat their surprise on the contract offer four times, it felt forced. It was also weird to see these men shouldering around heavy cameras and zooming in on the couple through a pastry case. I am not even sure what the name of show is and I will not be on the lookout for my debut. However, my final comment on the whole thing is if you see a woman strangling her Cascade Magnum on a reality show, please be kind, you may know her.

Fiestaware or the Multi-Colored Monkey on My Back

2010-10-11T23:15:00.000-05:00

Being the woman with the multi-colored fiestaware monkey on my back literally ( http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/search?q=fiestaware+tattoo ) it is not surprising that I get excited everytime a new color is put out by the good people at Homer Laughlin. This fall the new color is the aptly named Paprika. I am not a warm hues kind of girl, but you know it is a color I don't have.

Paprika Tower of Fiestaware

Excited I went to my favorite place to buy fiestaware, Cornucopia in Kirkwood ( http://www.kitchencopia.com/ ). I went alone with intent to buy some colored dinnerware. I was not disappointed. I bought a paprika mini disk pitcher, gusto bowl, and a fruit bowl to add to my rainbow collection of dishes. I am going to ask my mom for a place setting of the paprika for Christmas.

Paprika Mini Disk Pitcher Joins the Herd

I also found a new addition to the fiesta family, a jam jar. Forget the fact that I don't routinely keep jam in a special jar. You know I had to have one. I even bought the new design in the last new color, lemon grass. I left the store poorer, but with a bag full of pretty pieces of pottery going to a good home at my house.

Lemon Grass Jam Jar

Rockin' the Blue Sky Alpaca

2010-10-05T01:05:00.000-05:00

I love the color green, I find it really hard to resist anything in a showy, bright green and one day I found myself fondling this very supple, chunky, blue sky alpaca in the most beautiful shade of green. In a fit of green envy I bought 5 skeins of the yarn. I knew I wanted to knit a beret with the yarn, but it took me forever to find just the right pattern (OK nine months), bulky beret from Vogue. Once I had the pattern and the yarn I needed the time.

Last week the trifecta of knitting goodness came together and I knitted out the beret of my dreams. Surprisingly I was left with two extra skeins of alpaca. I thought, whatever shall I knit? Inspiration came in the stitch pattern on the beret. The bulky beret pattern had a twisted cable stitch, very easy and a whole lot of fun (if you get off on knitting). I decided on a gaiter with a twisted cable pattern to match the beret. I busted the gaiter out in record time and was left with a little more than half a skein left.

I thought if only I had a little more I could make wristwarmers. I abstained from going to the yarn store and putting myself further into a yarn debt. Instead I decided to try and knit little mitts. Okay, bulky little mitts. After a few false starts I came up with silly mitts to match the whole ensemble.

I am so kitted out for cold weather, I am thinking I should move to Minnesota. And in the end I was left with maybe a yard of the Blue Sky Alpaca. In my attempt to use up all the yarn I almost (almost) made a tassel to go on the top of my beret. Good sense prevailed and instead I put the dab of yarn in my pot of stray pieces. I may one day decide something else needs a tassel.

Tank You, Or My First Garment

2010-09-29T01:29:00.000-05:00

I have been knitting for just over three years and I have made scarves, wash cloths, berets, wristwarmers, coasters, socks, throws, and gaiters. I have avoided making a sweater or clothes of any kind for fear of badly botching the job. I have toyed with making a tank because it would be less of a commitment, no sleeves. I only toyed with the idea until last spring a good friend ask me to make her a top for her. I would have liked to put her off instead of failing at the task, but she had been so supportive last winter when I was struggling through my father's illness. She sent me cards, flowers, and photos of her dog, making me smile when smiles were few and far between. If anyone was worth the challenge, she was.

I found a basic pattern in KnitSimple (http://www.knitsimplemag.com/node/183 ) and thought maybe? In late may I started knitting, and knitting, and knitting. Somewhere on the front V neck I started to be wracked by doubt. I the neckline looked weird and if I failed, I was afraid she would think I was an awful knitter and an ungrateful friend. My knitting confidence was at an all time low, I found working on the tank to be an exercise in failure. This pattern was never going to look right, I told myself. I even quit knitting for a couple of weeks because I just knew this project was a fiasco.

Finally, I gave up on the doubt and my mantra, "Just keepon knitting!" Once I sat down and started again, I decided if I just do this project I can get on with my life.

After much forced knitting and many mental pep talks, I finally had both front and back pieces were done. Sandy at Knitorious helped me sew my pieces together teaching me the mattress stitch. I picked up the neck and armhole stitches followed by I-cord bind offs. I had some problem with armholes they were just too big. I decreased to cinch them up, but in the end I think I should have decreased a little more.

Tank on fabulous supermodel, Beloved Cuz

The tank is done and the garment given with all my hope and fretting knitted into each stitch. I have no idea how the item was received or if it even fit (cross your fingers for me). I can only say that I have completed my first piece of clothing and like so many other things it was a life lesson in perseverance.

Finding Piccadilly at Manhattan

2010-09-23T22:39:00.000-05:00

As I have mentioned before Thursdays are special nights for my beloved cuz and me. We like to eat good food and unwind from our work week. Both of us keep our ears open for any mention of good restaurants and this week we found a keeper. One of my most annoying customers was talking about this place, Piccadilly at Manhattan ( http://thepiccadilly.com/ )on the edge of the county and city line.

He told me I could never find it so I would have to take him. Silly customer, I work for a library, I know how to find things. The gauntlet was thrown down and good food as my prize, I was up to the challenge.

With a little care reading street signs, we found ourselves standing outside this charming, clematis covered, neighborhood restaurant. I stepped inside and felt as if I had stepped into a the Ellendale Neighborhood's private little Brigadoon. I saw people step out of their homes cross the street and walk in to be greeted as if they were family. The restaurant was clean, bright, and very welcoming. We were told to sit anywhere and choose the Bob Dylan table next to the window.

The menu was simple, unpretentious and full of reasonably priced comfort food. I chose the fried chicken with mash potatoes and green beans. Cuz decided on the meatloaf. We sipped our freshly brewed ice tea, knitted a row on our projects, getting excited as we saw our fellow diners meals come out. The special was a Fred Flinstone sized rack of ribs, and the cheeseburger was a beauty of two stacked patties and lots of melting cheese. Our food came out fairly quickly, steaming and smelling like heaven. I am very picky about my fried chicken and I was stunned, I had four very crispy pieces. The breading was not too salty and the meat tender and moist. The mashed potatoes were the real mccoy and the green beans just like my grandma use to make. I fell on that plate like a wild thing. Cuz was equally as enthusiastic with her meatloaf. I am not a meatloaf fan, but I am here to tell you that was some awesome meatloaf. The slice had a good savory flavor with a firm, but juicy texture. The only complaint we had was that we both wished we had a biscuit to sop up all of your very tasty gravy.

With such a good meal we decided on a very decadent dessert, chocolate cheesecake mousse. What a little luscious dish that was. We left the restaurant feeling full and very happy. I kept turning around as we walked to the car, expecting the building to disappear into the mist. Wonderful meal, and after all that food we spent just at $30 for both of us. Definitely the sort of evening that sooths away some of the rough edges of the work week.

Cleaning Out My Closet

2010-09-12T00:53:00.000-05:00

Last weekend sucked. I felt since I was at a low point I should dig down and really wallow in my misery. With gritted teeth and a mobile clothing rack I plunged in cleaned out the closet. I tried on almost every piece of clothing I owned. I managed to get rid of a significant mound of clothes that no longer fit my curvaceous frame.

I found this process so very hard, this purge was a painful trip down memory lane. My leather mini skirt that Natalie had made for me, my cream lace shirt I wore to the bar that turned heads, stacks of pants and shirts all removed. I had to let it all go, I needed the space, I needed to not think about all the clothes in my closet I could no longer wear.

The deed is done, the items dispersed, and I have space for new clothes. However, I don't want new clothes. I want the space, I want to keep things simple and uncluttered. Okay, maybe a little less cluttered. If only I could keep my life a little less cluttered.

Grasshopper 1994-2010

2010-09-03T14:21:00.000-05:00

Last night when I heard her cries of pain, I knew it was time to let go of my cat, Grasshopper http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/search?q=grasshopper. Like everything else about her nothing was ever easy. She was and remained to the end a difficult creature. I knew this from the first day I got her and after sixteen years she went to the great kitty beyond pissed off and ready to do some serious damage.

I have always loved cats and it is a rare thing for a cat not to like me, so it is with heavy heart that I confess Grasshopper only tolerated me. I was the person that feed her, gave her water, and when she was in the mood I was allowed to rub her behind the ears. She did not like people, other cats, dogs, loud noises, the vet, wet cat food, and just about everything else. I tried over the years to ingratiate myself to her, but only when she wanted something would she even consent to recognize I even existed.

The staff at the vets knew her as "that scary cat." They could only work on her after she had been knocked unconscious. Any treatment was done very quickly so they could get her in a cage before the anesthetic wore off. This morning they all came through to pay their respect to the cat that always got the "use caution" sticker on her kennel. I heard her howls of anger as they prepared her for the end, it only made me sob harder.

Despite her prickly behavior and aloof demeanor, I loved her very much. She made me work harder to be a good pet parent. I had to learn to give with no expectations of any return of that care. I was her companion, not the other way around and I am humbled by her spirit of independance even to the very end. Her chair, the only thing I think she really loved, sits empty, I will miss the indifferent presence that sat there, not needing anything, but herself to be content.

Knitting can be Funny.

2010-08-31T20:46:00.000-05:00

Today I got a pedicure. My toenails are now a very bright green. I liked to knit while getting a pedicure, it makes me less self-conscious about my feet. The women at the pedicure place, all make over my knitting and it does give me a tiny (really) ego boost.

I was knitting along and doing fine and then, as it often does, calamity ensued. I dropped a stitch on another pair of the lacy summer socks, I keep in my car for outside knitting. I knew I would need a crochet hook to fix the mistake, so I packed up my knitting and put it all away. My pedicurist looked up and said, "Why did you stop?"

I gave her a chagrined look and said, "I can't I dropped a stitch."

She immediately began looking around on the floor, and then before I could stop her she starts splashing around in the foot bath looking for my dropped stitch. I must admit I laughed out loud when I told her to it was okay. I explained the stitch was in my sock and not something that fell on the floor. She smiled at me, but as a non-knitter I don't think she ever got that nothing was actually "dropped." What she did get was a good tip for being so concerned about my knitting.

What next, flip-flops?

2010-08-24T19:57:00.000-05:00

To prove I have indeed fallen into the world of rubber footwear, I exhibit the Crocs Suede Alice (Ruby). I have been wearing it all day. So far it has been very comfy and much fussed over.

These are the bad, the Crocs Malindi. I paid $20 for them and I am unsure if I am going like this expensive version of the 80s Jellies.

The ugly, the Crocs Celeste shoes, I paid a whooping $5 for these homily step-sisters in cotton candy and ruby. These babies are not the prettiest things I have ever seen, but they are way comfortable. Judge me if you will, trust me I did all the way out of the mall carrying that big green bag proclaiming "CROCS." I am sure I will lose diva points everytime I slip a pair of these on.

2010-08-23T20:15:00.001-05:00

Oh how the mighty have fallen. I just bought 3 pairs of crocs! What next? Tube tops? (shudder)

Dim Sum or Tasting Chicken Feet

2010-08-22T17:41:00.001-05:00

I love good food, and it shows when you see me. I am not an adventurous eater, but I do like to try new things within limits. I have always wanted to do dim sum, but with no experience in Chinese cuisine and a complete idiot with languages I had yet to try one of our many wonderful restaurants which serve dim sum.

Once again the world of string brings me to new frontiers of experience. One of the women I knit with had put out the call for yarnies and dim sum with the added bonus I got to meet her hubby and her mother. So with Semperfiona and knitting tribe around me I got to try so many wonderful new things which have names I will never remember or be able to pronounce. Thankfully, the organizer of dim sum and her amazing hubby or very seasoned dim sum eaters. They directed us to some very yummy stuff.. The pot stickers and sesame dessert balls were not new to me, but the fried shrimp balls were attractive and very tasty.

I loved how the items came in little steamers which were put on the ubiquitous lazy susan. I kept having issues with the lazy susan because I would move it just as someone else was trying to get something yummy. Then I whirled the thing and a plate knocked over one my co-patriots tea. That is me making a buffoon of myself in front of such nice people.

My fellow knitter's hubby, who was just awesome at picking the yummiest stuff, kept the food coming. He even made sure chicken feet were on the lazy susan. I like chicken and have tried just about every part of the chicken except the head and the feet. I find all but the gizzard palatable. And now I can say I am not crazy about the feet because I did try a toe. It was weirdly chewy and other than the sauce not very tasty. I am doubtfully I will eat chicken feet again, but I was very happy to have such a wonderful opportunity to be able to come to that conclusion from experience.

Once again I think thank you my tribe of knitters for bringing so many wonderful things to my life.

Sorry No Pictures

2010-08-15T14:25:00.000-05:00

I have not blogged for two weeks and I feel bad about that. I try to blog at least once a week, but lately I have been struggling to find things I want to blog about. I am knitting, but I am in the middle of two projects (one at work, one at home). Both are progressing at a sloth's pace. I want to be knitting socks, but I need to finish home project before going back to my sock pattern that I am currently obsessed with (lacy summer socks). So nothing really to blog about there.

My large seven year old computer Penelope is not doing well. She is not even moving at sloth's pace either. My fears are that she will go to that great technological landfill at the base of Gasconade Street very soon. I will be left with my little Penny, a netbook, which I am typing on now. She is very portable and easy to use, but hard to use for photos and forget about installing MS Word on it, not enough memory. I am struggle with inertia on this front and wonder, if one day I will come home and find Penelope has walked into the sun to end the misery.

My Mom has taken off to Sturgis SD on the back of one of my Dad's buddies motorcycle. She has been gone a week, to camp, ride, and experience the things my Dad did on his motorcycle runs. I can't imagine her camping and spending that much time on a motorcycle, she always hated doing those kind of things. I will admit I was a little stunned by the plan and tried to talk her out of it. She stayed strong and said she was going through with the trip. After all these years my mother still confuses me. I am left wondering why she never did this trip with my Dad, and why she wants to do it now. Mothers are mysterious.

I think you can see why I have been so lax lately. I will work harder to have a more interesting life in the next week. Wish me luck.

Yarn Crawl or Doing My Part for the Economy

2010-08-01T00:08:00.000-05:00

This weekend is the St Louis Area Yarn Store Crawl, where the owners lure the yarn heads in with the promise of free patterns and prizes. With my debit card in hand, Natalie, Lenora, and a full tank of gas we were off making the loop around St. Louis. The night before I gave it some thought and came up with a master plan for the trip and a list of things I am looking to purchase. I packed my bag and I was ready by 11 to start doing some crawling. I promised myself to space out the purchasing and try to buy something at 5 of the 6 locations. I played the part of the Garmin. Natalie was the chauffeur, and Lenora was, let's just say the rock star knitter in the back seat of the Ford Focus wagon.

We started at Hearthstone Knits and immediately I ran into a woman I had not seen in at least a year. We chatted and caught up a little and before I knew it yarn was purchased and we were off to another location. Knit and Caboodle in the bustling St Charles historic district was the most expensive stop of the day I fell in love with the drape of some gorgeous sea silk and well had to have it, in green (of course). I found a lovely one ball knit lace scarf pattern for the very dear yarn. I blame the evil Ariel at Knit and Caboodle for this purchase, not my own lack of control.

We ended at Knitty Couture in University City. We got very lucky and were able to park right in front of the store. I can't tell you how exciting it was to get all 6 spots stamped on my little passport or how awesome it was to get 6 free patterns by 6 designers that I knew. But I think the most exciting thing was that we had the rock star knitter, Lenore with us. Everywhere we went people knew her and clamoured to talk to her about hardcore knitting issues and yarny gossip. She knew everyone and I felt like a yarn groupie hanging out with her. We rocked the yarn stores, and I think more than a few of them were glad when we took our rowdy selves out of their shops.

I came home with haul of magazines, yarn, and accessories, see the picture of haul at the top. Keep your fingers crossed that one of us wins a prize (that bag at Hearthstone Knits was a stunner) and if we blazed across your trail Saturday I hope it was as much fun for you as it was for us.

New Look, or Showing off My Fiestware

2010-07-24T00:44:00.000-05:00

Back in May I crowed on and on about my wonderful friend at Sungazing Photography taking tea party pictures of my beloved wife and I in the briar's of Eureka. The sweetheart gave me a disk of digital images of the tea party so I could spruce up my blog. As you can see I am like a proud parent showing off new born pics. Just look at my lovely pieces of fiestaware pottery. I can't get over how cool the colors contrasted and I especially love how everything is set up on the funky little table. And can I just say those orange daisies are the bomb!

Sungazing took so many wonderful photos, it was so hard to chose which ones we just had to have. In fact it took us almost six weeks to decide, but we decided on an official photo of the two of us, with three individual ones to go underneath.

Sungazing gets many thanks from me. She brought out our personalities in a way which makes me not care that I am the size of a barn and no longer the spring chicken running around the a fore mentioned barn. We look good, flaws and all and still in love with one another.

If you scroll down to the bottom of the blog you can see even more of my adorable dishes. As and added bonus you can see my wife and I acting like buffoons, but you know what can I say who cares as long are entertaining somebody.

Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair

2010-07-21T00:36:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I went with my mom to a fiber event in North Chicago. My mom came to me with this event and asked if we could go together. Mom is one of those people with the itch to always be on the move. The last two years she has spent a significant time at home taking care of my dad and their life. Now she wants to go...just go about anywhere. At first I said no because I had scheduling difficulties, but with a thoughtful co-worker I was able to say yes. My wife, my mom, and I took off Friday to experience fiber together.

The fair was fun with lots of fiber, accessories, and all things yarny. I especially liked that the fair was in a very large air conditioned building. It was a little overwhelming at first, but with a game plan we attacked the fair like seasoned fair goers. We looked first and then went back to buy, at least that was what we tried to do. I saw so many cool things. Spinning wheels with cool space age knobs, handmade soap in wool sleeping bags, triangular knitting needles made from old broom handles, pottery bells, buttons, public knitting projects and yarn. Lots of yarn.

Needless to say I bought yarn, I bought buttons, I bought needles, I bought earrings, I bought. My mom, who is not a knitter, enjoyed herself, but was ready to go after half a day. I would have liked to stay and done some of the lectures, but mom was ready to find some quilt shops. So off we went. We had a really nice time together.

The trip home included a side excursion to my favorite place on the planet, IKEA. We wandered through the beautifully arranged rooms. I long to be the kind of person who could have all those clean clear surfaces uncluttered by a lifetime of junk. So of course I felt the need to buy stuff to further clutter up my life, but you know that new green rug in my bathroom is beautiful!

I wish I could spend more time like this with my mom and my wife. They truly are my favorite traveling companions.

2010-07-18T11:26:00.001-05:00

Ikea done. Want a million $ & an ikea less than 10 miles from me. On way home now, bye chitown.

And Yet More Furniture Comes to Live With Me

2010-07-13T22:55:00.000-05:00

Before I could even read, I loved books. The colorful pictures, text crawling so orderly across the bottom of the page, and the way my golden books looked lined up neatly on my little house bookcase. Every time I got a new book I would take it to the shelf and judge the size finding the perfect position on my shelf. My brother would come in and knock the books off the shelves destroying my system. As soon as he was gone I would start all over again putting everything back in order.

I learned to read, I got bigger books, and outgrew my little house bookcase and it disappeared. As my mother releases furniture old friends keep showing up. My little house bookcase is back and I am once again lining up my knitting books by size to live on its shelves. Of course my cat, Seven, is disagreeing with me on what should be placed on the those shelves. His vote is fluffy blankets or a stash of catnip, not boring old books.

Puzzle Furniture

2010-07-09T00:47:00.000-05:00

My mom has started to think about downsizing and has been letting go of some of her favorite pieces of furniture. When she asked if I wanted her antique oak knockdown wardrobe, I said let me make room.

I was excited, I have loved this wardrobe since we brought it home in pieces when I was ten. It went to live in our garage for many years to be a home for motorcycle helmets and several generation of spiders. In the late eighties my mom evicted the spiders and had it refinished (I know that ruins the value, but it looks so much better and it got to move into the house).

A few weeks ago all twenty-seven pieces came to live with me. Of course it came knocked down in all of its separate pieces. My wife, bless her occasionally cranky heart, with some effort put all the pieces together into one whole wardrobe. I am fascinated how all the pieces slide together and like magic make an impressive piece of furniture.

I have all this potential storage space. I imagine putting all my yarn in it, books, quilts, or even, heaven forbid, clothes. I am giddy with all the things I just might store in the wardrobe. My cat, Seven, has ideas of his own. He thinks with a few rugs, he just might get his own room. I think he is wrong.

I Miss My Dad

2010-06-23T01:19:00.000-05:00

I miss my dad, I know that is not a surprise for anyone who has been around me of late. Today it is particularly hard, today he would have been his 69th birthday. My dad hated his birthday, he hated getting older, and he really hated us reminding him of it. On his 40th birthday the neighbor lady helped me make him a blackberry cobbler and I made a big sign and put it up over the door so everyone would know it was his special day. I waited impatiently to surprise him with dinner and cobbler. He drove up in his big tool truck and got out looking up at the sign. I saw the look on his face and knew I had made a terrible mistake. The extra large 40, mortified him. I saw him swallow his humiliation and eat my horrid dinner followed by the cobbler, my only success that night. I never made birthday signs or cobbler again.

I think the birthday sign truly does epitomize the relationship my dad and I had. We just never really understood each other. I thought he would love the fuss over him, because I do. Dad never wanted to be at the center of the party, he wanted to stand on the porch and drink his beer. Me I love to be in thick of it, laughing the loudest. My dad and I were just so radically different from one another. I don't think my dad ever really had a clue what I did for a paycheck. He also never understood why I would grow up to be a lesbian. But like the sign he would notice the difference and then choose to ignore it. He loved me and that is what mattered to him.

We worked at finding that middle ground and avoiding those moments of oppositions. When we first found out he was sick all we could say to one another was how much we loved each other. I made sure to tell him what a good dad he had been and how lucky I was to have had him in my life. He looked at me with tears in his and eyes and I knew for once we understood each other nothing more needed to be said.

Today I am sad, trying to accept my loss. My life goes on, I pay bills, go to work, knit, and participate in a world that continues to revolve ignoring my petty struggles. I just keep looking for a place on that common ground, a place where my dad and I found peace.

Again I say Think Pink Flamingo

2010-06-14T23:22:00.000-05:00

Lately, I have not been up to blogging. I could rant about the injustices and cruelty of the world, blah, blah, blah. But I don't even want to listen to that so instead I want to talk about my flamingos. Cause I have a lot of them.

I especially like my skeleton flamingos, so much so, I have two pairs of these ghastly babies. I look at them and think, black is the new pink. My only complaint about the skeleton flamingos is that they don' t glow in the dark. Darnnit!

This large lovely is one of my newest flamingos, I call him Triplett, after my three friends that gave him to me. Triplett rode around in the back of car for over a month just because it made me smile. So today rather than moan about the bad stuff in my life I am going to look at my flock of pink flamingos and hope for days when I am more in the pink. Pink is the new black.

2010-05-23T14:16:00.001-05:00

Renfaire with wife good, but a kilt would've been cooler.

Cindersocks, or Why Gauge Matters.

2010-05-15T12:18:00.001-05:00

As I have documented before, I am not a sock knitter. I try, really try, but you know I just have not found the sock love thing going on for me. But does this stop me from buying sock yarn? No, in fact with each sock yarn purchase I say to myself, maybe with yarn I will find my sock knitting grove. And so far that has fallen into the dream on category. But I solider on.

Last summer when I was in Florida I bought some Lorna's Laces Shepherd yarn in rainbow and a pattern, Lacy Summer Socks, to knit a pair of anklets. The pattern looked fairly simple and well not a commitment to a time eating project off knee length socks. I cast on and well let the project sit in a cute little bag for months. Recently, I knuckled down to finish the damn socks with the idea that I would give them to my mother for mother's day. Let's just say that would have worked out if my mother had bound her feet at the age of 3.

The pattern said the socks would fit a size 7 to 9, in their dreams, even with the gauge issue they would have never fit a 9 and only a 7 with some extra repeats of the pattern. Frustrated with the tiny socks, I decided to try again with my friend Rachel's Dyeabolical Yarn. She gave me a test color, Flamingo on a Croquet Lawn, in a sock weight yarn. I nixed the size 1 needles and moved up to size 2s and than added a few extra rows to get my size 11 canoes covered.

And low and behold a sock was knitted that I actually liked the! And there is even a little baby lace going on the top. I can't wait to knit the second one so I can wear them around and say, "Look, lace!" while pointing to my pretty socks. I just can't get over the difference needle and yarn size make. These two socks were knit with the same pattern (except for 5 extra rows at the toe) and look at the difference of about 6 sizes.

So now I must match my small pair of socks to a worthy pair of very tiny feet.

2010-05-04T10:56:00.001-05:00

Noticed my piggy bank was a little heavy last night found out today she was $85,O6 HEAVY!

Downtown Adventures, Or How I Found the London Tea Room

2010-04-24T14:50:00.003-05:00

I decided today my beloved wife and I needed an adventure. I love tea and I love London so I thought a place called the London Tea Room ( http://www.thelondontearoom.com/ ) might be the sort of place for me. I said, "Let's have an adventure today." My wife went along with her usual stoic countenance. I gave her direction and after the hunt for a parking spot we were off to the tea room.

From my first glance I was excited, the large open room full of everything tea took my breath away. I ordered quiche and scones from the menu marked "Eat Me" and lavender earl grey from a menu marked "Drink Me." My wife had organic vanilla, which I picked for her, and a grilled cheese sandwich. The tea, the clotted cream, the scones, everything was lunchalicious!

We sat at a table close to the windows watching the downtown dwellers walk their dogs, smoke cigarettes, and go about their urban lives. We castigated ourselves for not bringing our knitting so we could linger over our tea and each other in such a fun place. We decided the next time we would be more prepared for a return adventure.

We even made some new friends. Next door to the London Tea Room were two lions standing sentinel over the 1500 block of Washington. Looking fierce and stoic they reminded me of my beloved wife. My stoic wife said with a grin, "Good adventure." And the whole London experience was completed with a rain storm as we walked to the car.

I even brought a little of downtown home with me: chai tea, a Mars bars, and one for the road ice tea. All adventures should be this yummy.

A Tale of Two Scarves

2010-04-18T23:55:00.004-05:00

It was the best of knitting, the worst of knitting. Our heroine, me, bought some Cascade Pearls from the clearance bin at the old curiosity shop with the greatest of expectations that I would knit something fabulous with the yarn. After an initial project I thought wow this stuff knits up like the dickens it will make an awesome scarf.

Plan one was to knit a scarf with a purple and green side and a pink and green side. I started with 24 stitches in the purple and green. After much knitting I decided I had a scarf without the pink side and bound off. I liked the scarf, but like Oliver Twist the thing was annoyingly rolly.

Sighing, over these hard times, I moved on to another project quicker than you could say Martin Chuzzlewit. I started knitting scarf two, the pink and green one. I decided to not be a Scrooge with the yarn and cast on 30 stitches. I knew the pink wouldn't make it all the way around so I decided to do ten stripes on each end. I liked this scarf so much better, it lays a little flatter and looks much better to protect our heroine from the chill of a bleak house.

My Unbirthday Present

2010-04-12T23:25:00.004-05:00

Like my inspiration, Alice, I got to celebrate my unbirthday this year. I must admit this was the perfect year for an unbirthday. My friends Rachel and Deborah asked me early in the year to join an Alice in Wonderland swap. Though the swap sounded fun, I had to pass, my life was just not conducive to the whimsical mood of the swap. But not to despair the wonderful ladies decided I deserved an Alice in Wonderland present anyway. And oh my little White Rabbits was it fun.

I got Alice in Wonderland books, buttons, cards, postcards, stitch markers, posters, quilt pattern, bookmarks, bag, yarn, and mitts (whew). I was overwhelmed by the bounty in my bag. I just kept expecting the Mad Hatter to jump out and proclaim "Clean cup move down."

Deborah made me the bag (with awesome inside pockets) depicting beautiful scenes from the original book. She also made me lovely bookmarks that are delightful to behold. Much love, Deborah, much love.

Rachel, yarn dyer extraordinary gave me some of her luscious creations, Hookah You and Flamingos on the Croquet Lawn sock yarn. Gorgeous! And as if not enough Rachel knitted me a pair of Pretty Lace Hand Warmers ( www.purlbee.com/pretty-lace-handwarmers/ ). Every item out of the bag got an ooohhh and an aaahhh, and filled my heart with love. OK I am verklempt all over again.

Thank you ladies, this was the best unbirthday presents ever!

RIP Lantern Moon #10 Needles

2010-04-08T22:12:00.004-05:00

So early this morning about 4 AM I rolled over and heard something make a large crack sound. I went from barely conscious to wide awake in a second. Things shouldn't make loud cracks in my bed (or anyone's bed for that matter). I sat up and felt around in the dark for the source of the sound. After much effort and illumination I discovered my rosewood #10 Lantern Moon straight needle in my bed with a splintery crack in it. I had been knitting in bed before lights out and must have forgot to put it in my bag. After much gnashing of my teeth and rending my clothes I went back to bed to dream of broken needles. I am 3/4ths of the way through a project and this my only pair of size 10s. Whatever shall I do? I tried to file the crack down, but all I did was leave a rough divet in my needle. $6.50 later I have a pair of Clover Bamboo Takumi needles to finish my project. Call me shallow, but I just don't look as cool knitting with plain old Takumis.

Laumeier and Mark Newport

2010-04-04T01:13:00.005-05:00

First I don't know some of these people in the photos, they are random people at a very full artist talk at Laumeier Sculpture Park. So sorry folks if you did not sign a model release, I forgot the form at home. Now back to the our not so regularly scheduled blogpost. In what seems like a life time ago I went to an installation of the Mark Newport knitted superhero costumes at Laumeier ( www.laumeiersculpturepark.org/newport ). It was an interesting exhibit and the organizers promised a second event in April which would include not only an artist's talk in the gallery, but a knit-in.

Newport talked about his inspiration for the costumes and how he came up with his patterns. I learned much about his artistic process and found Newport to be a delightful speaker. He obviously enjoys what he does and his energy on the subject of knitting is infectious.

I am including photos of his Captain America, Argyle Man, and the Flamer Costumes. Each had a cute story or observation from the artist like, why would anyone put yellow, orange, and red colors together for a garment. Or the Argyle Man was inspired by living in a very preppy New England during the mid-eighties.

After the talk we sat in the park, knitted, spun, talked about knitting, and meet a whole bunch of knitters. My beloved wife joined the party and she did not even seemed creeped out by the large eye watching her.

And I even saw a few yarn bombs at the park. A very beautiful spring day was enjoyed by all.

Breaking the Rules, or Toyko I Love You.

2010-03-19T22:05:00.002-05:00

Late last year I went to lunch with my friend Liz in Rolla. Before lunch we stopped at the lys, Uniquely Yours, I fell in love. I fell in love with Toyko by Feza, a very fussy and difficult yarn to knit with. But you know how love is you always overlook the flaws. So with my credit card in hand I bought four balls and decided on a drop stitch patterned shawl.

My friend was a complete enabler. "Buy it," she encouraged. "Once you are done you can wear it to my lecture in March," she suggested. In my mind's eye, I saw myself all fashionable swathed in a gorgeous scarf that everyone admired and coveted.

Flash forward to last Saturday while I frantically knitted and than cut the tedious strands of fringe. Three balls knitted into another one of my amazingly long productions of a shawl. I know after the super-sized clapotis I promised to control my urge to knit bigger and longer, but you know I had the yarn and the drive to make this baby big. Add a fourth ball of yarn for fringe and low and behold another large shawl was born.

On Tuesday my lovely wife and I went to said lecture and I was swathed in fabulousness. My friend loved it, other women clucked and crooned over the shawl. I fluttered around like some over-sized rock diva and only got the fussy loose knitted thing caught on one bathroom door and stepped on the fringe once. A smashing success, if I do say myself.

And not to be all about me, Liz's lecture was well attended and her presentation enthusiastically received. At the end she was the real rock star and I one of her glittering satellites.

Catching Up, Again!

2010-03-14T19:21:00.005-05:00

First I want to thank everyone for all the cards and warm thoughts over the last weeks, they were a comfort and I love you guys. Second I want to thank everyone for the wonderful birthday wishes and presents. I got everything from yarn from Chicago to honey from Louisiana. In other words awesome stuff from awesome people.

My friends at Rivendell gave me the coolest Double Pointed Needle holder made by the yarn gurus at Lantern Moon. The holder is a large circle with wonderful pockets for the DPNs. The pockets are in graduated in size with little flaps to keep everything snugly inside. But wait the holder is like magic...

It folds up into a cute little pie shape that is all securely held together by a magnetic closure. Genius.

I was also was given much Fiestaware love too. My lovely wife took me to Cornucopia, the place where Fiestaware lives, and let me pick out much new (but not needed) serving pieces. I got two bowls, and two platters in great new colors which remind me of the early 1970s. The bowls is so large I could make enough potato salad to feed an army of knitters at least through knitting an Jamie sized scarf. The platter is 19 1/2 inches wide, like I will cook anything to fit on it, but hey it was in marigold, it had to be mine.

And then because I don't have enough Fiestaware in my life I bought a new flatware set. I am crazy about my Fiestaware Masquerade flatware. The enamel colors on the handles are just so, dare I say it, festive. Can't wait to lay these beauties out. This year may not have been the best birthday, but it was one of the more colorful ones.