Well, I have seen this on several blogs including recently Spin Weave Knit Cake so I thought I would take the survey. I typically hyphenate my name so I know if I used the un-hyphenated name (long story). Well, one out of the 77 of people named Monica XXXXXX agree that knitters should be allocated extended lunch time for LYS trips, three day weekends to seam up holiday knitting, and ultimately we should all receive some Malabrigo from someone who loves us.
The CPH has begun! Shown here is 8" so far. I finally busted out the Elizabeth Lavold yarn last night and cast on and knit the rib stitch border and this afternoon I hit the cable pattern. This feels like a quick knit, but, I need to finish my Lift and Separate Wrap Sweater.
Izzy investigating the sweater in progress. Whereever the camera goes, Izzy follows.
PAWS Animal Shelter hosts an annual Holiday Bazaar which sells handcrafted items like pet toys, knitted items, jewelry and baked goods. (I have actually been recruiting friends to donate knitted items as we have had a decline in scarves, hats and such).
What we do have is Elizabeth who crochets balls for cats and sews catnip mice (so adorable) and makes dog bone wreaths which you will not find anyplace else. If you are interested in some special gifts for your cat or dog for the holidays definitely stop over in two weeks in Montclair (and you can stop by stix-n-stitches where I will not be that weekend or modern yarn).
In recent years the governing officials in Montclair have been attempting to shut down this shelter in favor of using cheaper services. Translation cheaper means lesser quality as well as animals being euthanized more quickly. While, PAWS does not claim to be a no-kill shelter it is only used for sick animals where other options have been reviewed. So, this Bazaar is considered critical. All the money goes directly to the shelter where their largest costs have been medical costs. If you have any questions please email me at mmtate@comcast.net as I will be there the whole weekend (from dawn til dusk) working.
To: General Fanbase
From the Desk of : Ninna
Re: X-Men 3
Ninna, the diva, is a huge fan of X-Men. Last night, she loved the special effects in the The Last Stand. Although, she likes the character of Wolverine, like the remainder of her family, she feels that she relates to Mystique the most. She did think that X-Men 2 was better but she attributes that to a different director and couldn't understand the subplot of Phoenix. After this announcement she is returning to watching MonsterFest X on AMC.
Well, we were lucky when we came across a new camera that was on clearance and super duperly reduced. The details on the photos are amazing (which probably can't be witnessed over the 72 DPI resolution) but trust me it is nice as photos of the cats reveal.
My Lift and Separate Wrap is coming along and now I have proof. I have completed the back and the two fronts, so I am now working on the sleeves. I do like this pattern but after reading the pattern I realized this thing has tons of finishing. Tons. Sunday states that is fine because I will be so excited to finish my first sweater I will work through it. I think she's right, I am so excited and I want to wear for Thanksgiving which is plenty of time.
Secret Pal Gift revealed (except for one happily eaten white chocolate skull with gummy brains).
Finally, the revelation of my first package. I think I mentioned all the ingredients, but let me repeat myself,:
- one decorative tin
- two skeins of Andean Treasure in brown (one of my favorite colors)
- Frida Kahlo postcards
- Candle in Vanilla Orange
- Halloween card (blocked by Izzy-the investigator)
- One white chocolate skull with gummy brains (not shown as eaten earlier in the week during a bad spell of blahs but made me very joy joy)
I can't wait to see what my next package will contain.
Rarely have we been able to catch Ella Bean with such detail until the new camera arrived, hooray! You can see so much detail in her fur and her tiny little nose. I am so excited. Her eyes are really bright yellow which shows up so nicely with sunlight as opposed to a flash, but yeah, a nice photo. Translation: More photos of cats to appear on the blog.
For the cat who enjoys tropical weather, margaritas, and sunning by the pool.
http://orangefish1.blogspot.com/2006/09/cat-muumuu.html
Well, the wrap sweater is going well (if my camera was working a picture of a the second front being working on), I am about to start the Central Park Hoodie (another picture will go here of more yarn).
This afternoon I went to sns for some afternoon knitting and progression on the sweater. Ironically, Margaret showed up unexpectedly so we had a small group knitting. What put a damper on the day was noise from upstairs (but only two more months to go cha-cha-cha until we move) after we got home. Call me crazy but I think that if your stomping causes the lights on my chandelier to flicker and I can hear your impressions of a monkey louder than my tv, you are noisy ( and thus the problem with my neighbors).
Oh, if you remember the hats I knit for the pregnant co-worker well I got a very nice thank you card from her, a compliment from another co-worker who we carpool sometimes, and another co-worker. The thing is the last co-worker I never met before and she introduced herself complimented me on the work and then asked me if she would buy the yarn if I would knit her grand-daughter a baby hat. Hmmm, um, no. I have a few projects of my own sorry.
Whoops: I forgot to add the movies I rented. We got in honor of Halloween, The Feast and X-Men 3. We have been catching up on the horror films through all the movie blocks, AMC has been playing the classics while FX has been playing some new ones and SciFi has a mix. The Feast was the Project Greenlight film which is more gory than I would think.
Why not, borrow a meme, and answer more questions since I've been reading this meme everywhere so after reading Crafty Weasel today, I decided to be a copy cat, like Fluffy, and do it too. Here goes.
1. FIRST NAME? Monica
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I thought I was named after the bar named after my cousin especially cool because we had glasses with my name on them.
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Tuesday night after I got back an exam I studied for and didn't do as well as I thought (if I may explain I have a 4.0 GPA and I got a C+ on the exam and I did study).
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes, when I can take my time as I am left handed I am very conscious of my handwriting.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LUNCHMEAT? I don't like lunchmeat.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? If I cloned myself I wouldn't be my friend, but if I was a different person I would be. I guess I like my friends to compliment me and vice versa.
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Blog.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I used to think when I was younger I would but now No.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL? Pops.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope (formal or otherwise, no).
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Depends. Usually I think so.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Ben and Jerry's Chubby Hubby.
14. SHOE SIZE? US 7.5
15. RED OR PINK? Red but dark like burgundy.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Right now, I am chubby, squeezable like charmin.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My friends.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? I think I emailed this to my friends, but online community post all you want.
19. WHAT COLOUR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Dark blue sweatpants with some paint on it, and a black PAWS t-shirt covered in cat fur. No shoes.
20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Curried Cauliflower and Spicy Thai Shrimp all from Whole Foods.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Veronica Mars.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE? Grey.
23. FAVORITE SMELL? Cranberry Orange from Illuminations, Coconut, garlic, but not all together (different smells for different things).
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My dad before class explaining how I am not happy about going to class.
25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Eyes, smile, voice.
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON YOU STOLE THIS FROM? Yes. I have seen this on several blogs and I enjoy all the bloggers.
27. FAVOURITE DRINK? Mountain Dew or Cafe con leche (depends what time of the day).
28. FAVOURITE SPORT? Softball
29. EYE COLOUR? Brown.
30. HAT SIZE? I don't wear hats.
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes.
32. FAVOURITE FOOD? Thai, Japanese, Indian, Ethiopian, Creole, spicy.
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Depends. right now, I am loving all the scary movies but that will end next week.
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Autumn, then Winter, then Spring, last is Summer because of the heat and humidity.
36. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs by friends, hugs and kisses by DH.
37. FAVOURITE DESSERT? My cousin Angela's flan. It is heaven.
38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Don't know.
39. WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Don't know.
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Career Counseling.
41. WHAT’S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Frida Kahlo.
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Hellboy-it was pretty good. I wanted to watch Halloween 2 and 3, but i already saw them.
43. FAVOURITE SOUNDS? Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, then it goes to AC/DC, Korn, classic Heavy Metal bands, then it goes to Red Hot Chili Peppers to ...
44. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles.
45. THE FURTHEST YOU’VE BEEN FROM HOME? Costa Rica or Spain (I don't know which one is further).
46. WHAT’S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Fast typer (65 wpm), memorizing phone numbers, memorizing pop culture trivia
47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Hackensack, Jersey.
48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I took it.
Let me preface this post by stating that my digital camera is broken and worst of it all I found out while taking Squid Knits photo. So, this will be a photo-less post.
Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck was interesting, overwhelming, and satisfying all at once. DH, Margaret, and I had a late start on Saturday which put us directly in traffic. Blegh. So we arrived later than we anticipated and in time for my lunch time stomache to growl. I dragged everyone over to the fried artichokes, because, well I have been craving them for a year. While DH held our space on line Margaret and I cornered our first few bloggers (none on my card) but they were Spin Weave Knit and Cake, The Wandering Knitter, and Three Sheeps to the Wind. Well, afterwards DH went in search of wine while Margaret and I went in search of fried dough and mountain dew. Well, at this point I saw Stacey (Sheep in the City) and Cynthia (I hate Waiting). After chasing them down the hill, I was very happy to finally two individuals whose blogs I have been reading for over a year.
We headed over to blogger meet up which was overwhelming. The first fifteen minutes was great but then I felt bad because I became distracted by just finding my squares. I felt bad asking "Who are you? ...Um, ok, you're not on my card. Nice to meet you."
Anyways, Margaret and I walked around but our energy was low. I did pass up the samoyed yarn (yarn made from a samoyed dog) which fascinated me, but I did pick up some yarn for my secret pal (the one I am spoiling). I was tempted when I saw Cynthia's needle case from Crippenworks but when I went to the booth they didn't have the pattern I really liked. I love Moving Mud but then felt overwhelmed by the rush of people a few minutes later and skipped picking anything up (and to be honest I don't need the buttons right now).
It was extremely crowded. Really crowded.
When I arrived home I found a special surprise. yeah! (Imagine a photo of the package-remember broken camera). So, I opened the package to find a rectangular tin with daffodils on the cover. Yeah! So, I opened the tin which has a Halloween card signed from my SP. Inside is a white chocolate skull (and we all know how much I love skulls-so Day of the Dead), two skeins of Knitpicks Andean Treasure in yummy brown, a candle, and a book of Frida Kahlo postcards, YEAH!
Thanks to my Secret Pal. I am sorry my camera is busted. The package was wonderful!
Here I am in case you were curiious for Rhinebeck tomorrow. Now, I will bring my red poncho in case it gets super cold, but I will attempt to keep the t-shirt and scarf in view.
I met Stitchy McYarnpants (Deb) this afternoon at stix-n-stitches. It was so much fun! I can't tell you what great fun the visit was and I learned new vocabulary which is always beneficial. I was chilling working on my sweater, sipping coffee with Remy, and Deb busted out the super finds. 
While most people chuckled at this use of this pattern, I thought with five cats why not knit them a baby bundler. My cats would like fabulous!
I forgot what everyone was saying something about the Supremes or The Beatles, but here are three models of fugly (the models are lovely, the yarn is grandma's acrylic). Patty is wearing the granny square sweater (left), Danielle is wearing the multi-colored resemblence of a top (center) while Jaime is wearing another vest (right). What you don't see on Jaime's vest is that it has granny squares, knitting and fringe (not pictured)-an all occasion vest in all occasion colors.
Troll fashion forward. This post is in honor of Project Runway. Please notice, Fran knit one fashion item in sock yarn (Pink) and the other piece in chunky yarn (chunky for a troll in Orange), while Red remained in its birthday suit.
Budweiser Fashion for the masses - another way this lovely accessory can be worn.
Ok, so I am very photo shy. But, I will be wearing this lovely t-shirt from Modern Yarn. I love this t-shirt because it has a skull. DH will be with me and I always advertise his English accent because that is pretty easy for people to recognize. I am a brunette and if my Bingo button doesn't arrive tomorrow I will make something so you can see me.
I will see if I can post anything tomorrow with photos of something else I will wear. Maybe, my pink malabrigo mistake rib scarf. Hmmmm....
Ok, so there is no physical progress on the Central Park Hoodie, but my yarn purchase did arrive. Webs announced a great price on Classic Elite Skye Tweed so I glanced over ordered enough to make the CP Hoodie and then saw the Elizabeth Lavold at a great price. So, I couldn't decide and considering the downfall of internet purchases is not being able to touch the yarn or see the actual colors (monitors alter the colors), so I ordered both. It seemed logical at the time. Essentially, I can swap the yarn I don't use or I can someday eventually use it.
The five pound box arrived this afternoon. This is perfect timing. When yarn arrives on your doorstep is it not perfect timing (whatever time that may be)? Anyways, I finished a difficult exam yesterday so the yarn makes me feel good.
Well, I have joined my first Knit-a-long. In fact, I am joining a couple. Why not? I am very excited since I never did a KAL. All the planets are aligning, so since I just learned to cable a few weeks passed at Margaret's b-day party coupled with my fascination with the Central Park Hoodie. I have found two KAL's that meet one garment. I thought about this for a while. I am so impressed/overwhelmed/awestruck with how so many online knitters can join a KAL. I think about what I am going to knit for so long (it has nothing to do with my intimidation to make clothes). This time, I thought, as Maya on Girlfriends would say, "Hell no". I am going to knit a cable sweater.
Now that my yarn has arrived from Webs I have to compare and contrast the two and knit up some swatches. I am leaning towards the Classic Elite because I like the tweed factor. I think that Elizabeth Lavold can be used for another sweater.
So, below, are up close and personal photos of the two yarns that are my options. Hmmmm...
I got this from Hy's Blog (a fellow NJ Knitter) who got this from Shelby, one of the SP9 Hosts. Ah, so much sharing....
List your favorite:
Actor - Ewan McGregor; Kevin Spacey; Denzel Washington
Actress - Diane Keaton, Angelina Jolie
Animal - Penguins; Wolves
Band - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Book - 1984 or Animal Farm by George Orwell;
Candy - Maynard's Wine Gums
Color - Sage Green; Burgundy; Chocolate Brown
Drink- Mountain Dew
Flower - Orchids
Food - Thai, Chinese, Japanese
Lip Balm - Burt's Bees, Kiehls, a lot (I collect these things!)
Lotion - A fruity scent from Bath and Body Works
Movie - Harry Potter films, Usual Suspects, Joy Luck Club
Place - My home
Song - most songs performed by Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday
TV Show - Law and Order SVU, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (I don't care it is no longer made), Battlestar Galactica, That 70's show
Yarn- Malabrigo, Malabrigo, Malabrigo
Vacation Spot - New Zealand (my dream vacation); Costa Rica (my dream vacation I actually went on)
I joined Rhinebeck Bingo. B-I-N-G-O! Yeah! I am going to Rhinebeck with DH and Margaret (still waiting on a final confirmation).
So, I am now not only a Square, I will also be a player. It should be fun to meet so many people. But, I am extremely shy, so this will be a challenge.
I have also received a very nice greeting from my SP9 pal. As well, I have picked a few little goodies for my spoilee. Tomorrow, we have our Open House, so fingers crossed somone will buy our place.
Ok, so now I return to studying for Career Counseling and attempting to join another KAL.
DH is a good sport. Here he is modeling the cable malabrigo hat. It seems he was slightly jealous I posted all the photos of the kitties on the blog and not him.
One of my co-workers is pregnant with her second child. They threw a baby shower for her so I knit these two hats. The pattern is from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. And technically these were knit in the last minute. I used Sugar and Creme which is cotton and can you guess it is a boy?
To my Secret Pal,
Here is my answers to the Survey. I tried to answer thoroughly but please let me know if you have additional questions. 
I am so excited to participate in this and I want to thank you for participating in this event. This is my first interactive project and I can't wait to hear from you.
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I like wool, alpaca, and silk. I don't like acrylic or mohair. I love Malabrigo (it is butter), I like Debbie Bliss, I am learning to like Noro, and a lot of other yarns.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have some needle organizers from The Organized Knitter. I want to keep my needles in vases in the future. I also picked up a cool DPN needle case.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
My friend Katie taught me to knit. I believe I am intermediate somewhere. I haven't tackled lace but I am overcoming my sweater fears. I have been knitting for two years.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I can make a wish list but right now I don't have a site.
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I love Cranberry Orange candles by Illuminations, and I love trangerince cranberry (I think) from Yankee Candle. I have one of those wax tarts which I am enjoying because it has less smog. I like clean and fruity scents but I don't like floral scents. I like Pacifica candles had a scent that was lemongrass a Thai scent.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I have got sweet teeth. I love sugary candy but can't be hard (no Skittles, rock candy). I don't like chocolate. I like things like Wine Gums (from England), Dulce de Leche (from bodegas), and I LOVE White Chocolate Reese's Peanut Butter cups. I am trying to remember some candy from any store in the US...
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I don't spin, but I do scarpbooking. I was a Creative Memories consultant so I got a ton of goodies. I plan on making an album for the kitties.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love a lot. I love the Chili Peppers. I love jazz (Ella, Ninna Simone, Billi Holiday). I love hard rock (AC/DC, Korn) and I love Spanish Rock.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love earth tone warm colors, browns, greens, burgundy, etc. I don't like blue. I appreciate blues and purples but have difficulty wearing. I haven't made up my mind about yellow and pink is a love/hate relationship.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married with five cats. Oh yes, I did say five cats. I volunteer for a local shelter and we just fell in love with our kitties. We love them dearly and we hope to add some dogs to the mix when we are settled in the house. No kids. Not yet.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear ponchos. I like scarves and mittens, but I will rarely wear a hat.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I have always knitted scarves but recently I have fallen in love with sweaters. I have been knitting a lot for DH's 2nd cousin. She is so cute and I am enjoying practicing the sweater mechanics and making cute clothes.
13. What are you knitting right now?
I am making right now a baby hat from Last Minute Knitted Gifts for a teacher at my school who is pregnant. I am also knitting the wrap sweater from Big Girls Knits. I am also working on two scarves for Christmas.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I think it depends on the gift. For instance, if the handmade gift doesn't reflect my style then no like we received something blue and it was very country country and it was supposed to hang on our walls and that was crossing some interior decorating line for me. On the other hand, I received pottery from another friends and I love it. Things like bags, stitch markers, and any knitting accessories would be loved.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I love bamboo straights and circulars but no metal. I love Addi Naturas but not the metal Addis. I love Bryspun circular needles. I love Lantern Moon straights on ebony. I pretty much stick with circulars.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Nope. I don't know what a swift is, but I am thinking of getting a yarn winder for the new home.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
I don't know. I started a wrap which is a few months only because I packed the project into boxes. Oh-not true, I still need to sew the ends of my husband's HP scarf together from last year.
18. What is your favorite holiday?
I love Christmas, love, love, love and I love love love Halloween. I host Thanksgiving only so I can control the food served but I am enjoying that as I grow older. I love New Year's as well. I love a lot of holidays. The idea of spending time with friends and family and just chilling with lots of food.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Not really. I am not a tchotchky (spelling?) person. Aside from my yarn, I don't like to have lots of stuff. Although, we do have tons of mugs, large, gargantous mugs.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
For some reason, I haven't got any magazine subscriptions, but I do like Interweave Knits. As far as books, I don't have any Elizabeth Zimmerman books which I think would be an excellent addition to my collection.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I just learned and love cables. I am going to join the Central Park KAL.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I have not started knitting socks. Are foot measurements my shoe size? I am a 7 1/2 US.
23. When is your birthday?
April 19, 197X. I still pass for younger than my age, so I won't disclose the full details. I am an Aries on the cusp of Taurus.
Well, it appears with classes, work, and the stress of buying a home, I forgot the two year anniversary today. DH reminded me last week and I forgot. He also reminded me yesterday. I kept forgetting all day until yet again DH mentioned to me that he wanted to go out for dinner and I had class tonight. Not only did I have class, I was so focused on next week's exam.
Two years ago, DH and I celebrated with friends and family in New Hope, Pennsylvania our wedding. We had a small wedding as we wanted to enjoy time with visitors from England, Puerto Rico, and other parts of the US (Texas, Florida, and New York). We modified some of the ceremony and had poems read by close friends of Julia de Burgos and William Shakespeare. The picture above was of my Uncle Quique singing Ave Maria accapella during the ceremony from the balcony of the stone farmhouse. 
The mantilla I am wearing was worn by my mom thirty years earlier. The dress designed by one of my bridesmaid's mom to focus on the mantilla.
DH and I always talk about how we really enjoyed the wedding and can actually remember details from that night.
For the two years DH has been living in the US we have not had calm consistency. He has studied and changed careers while I had changed careers and began my Master's. We have had five new members of our family (the kitties) and we are looking to create a home together in a new house. It has been a rollercoaster of a ride, but DH has been there with his quirky sense of humor, empathy, and support.
Te quiero mucho, DH!
Oh yes, the Stitchy McYarnpants will be at stix-n-stitches on Thursday, October 19th, from 7-9pm. I heard a rumor and Ms. Yarnpants confirmed it via email. I heard so much about this book tour from Cyn so I jumping for joy (especially because I checked my calendar and I don't have class that night). Stitchy will be doing a book signing of her new book THE MUSEUM OF KITSCHY STITCHES, some talking, and I have heard there is a kitschy trunk show.
The compromise with DH is that he got the new re-re-release of the Star Wars trilogy (the good original set made in the 1970-1980's because I am still in denial over the last few made) and I got yarn to make my sweater. Saturday night, Margaret came over, we ordered some Tinga, and watched Luke, Leigh, and Hans Solo meet for the first time. We pretty much talked about nothing, did some knitting, and hung out.
After Peg left, we put on Empire Strikes Back. We finished watching Empire this morning and proceeded on to Return of the Jedi. Here's the title: "Illusions of grandeur". In Empire C3PO says to R2D2 that he had illusions of grandeur when he tried to fix the hyperdrive on the Millenium Falcon. OK, no big deal. Until we watched Return, when Hans Solo said that Luke had illusions of grandeur thinking he was a Jedi knight.
The point to the story? I got an adorable picture of Churchill resting on my lap while I did more knitting on the Wrap Sweater watching a great film. 
Update on the sweater puts me close to arm shaping on the back with three skeins used. I am loving the feel of the Zara yarn but I think I need to block before seaming together. Man, knitting a sweater does take time. I am amazed when I see Wendy or Yarn Harlot go to town on sweaters and finish in a week or so.
No knitting news, pretty much working on the house, ignoring school, and watching Battlestar Galactica. I did want to share that if you ever suspect the neighbors living above you might be wrestling when there is a lot of banging you could very well be right. Last night, the usual suspects at 9:30 had a lot of banging. We shook it off until we realized 15 minutes into the noise they weren't stopping and well no one was ruining our season premiere of Galactica. After DH knocks on door to request the cease of banging he confirms they had a friend over doing martial arts.
Yup. This was much louder than Tuesday night when at 11pm (and yes we are in bed because we both have early starts to the morning) they had noises like they were moving furniture in the bedroom for an hour.
Yup. The house is looking more beautiful than ever before.
So, I have completed one paragraph of instructions (there is only four pages of instructions). Well, I picked up the stitches from the back of the band and have begun knitting up the back.
Oh-I also started the Poppy sleeve. Hmm, what should I knit tonight my back or the Poppy sleeve? Or, do some homework. Tough decisions.
Another sweater? Do my eyes trick me? Do your eyes trick you? Well, I am knitting up the Poppy (photo on the right) for Gracie as a Christmas gift. Due to her strawberry blonde inclination and through the confirmation of several individuals, I am using a teal shade. I have finished the front left and right sides and the back. Tomorrow, I will start the sleeves. I may possibly finish the sweater next weekend.
Yummy! Finally, the stash enhancement from stix-n-stitches is revealed. In case you missed my post on the sale, but after the purchase I hid it in my car not from DH but rather from the broker's opening. I consciously decided to pick up yarn for a sweater for me. And pictured here is the sweater I am knitting from Big Girl Knits. Also, I picked up my first Lantern Moon basket as well as a small gauge and needle accessory. Izzy is impressed with this purchase- he thinks it would make a lot of knitted mice. One luscious sweater or 150 knitted mice hmmmm..... I think one yummy sweater is the winner.
Future possibilities...Here it is up and close. The yarn is so soft and the stitch definition is wonderful...
