Picked up yummies from last weekend. Here's the thing, I did pick up some yarn for a baby blanket for my friend however she has not seen it and therefore it can be a surprise. Yeah, I am working on two blankets, two sweaters, and a baby hat with the yarn pictured here. I picked up some Blue Sky Alpaca Cotton for the tie hat from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. The Vogue Knitting and pink Blue Sky is from Sticks and Strings.
Yeah! My Knitter's Coffee Swap package has arrived and what perfect timing the last day of mail before the holiday and we have the perfect coffee for this weekend. Even more perfect we are moving the coffee machine into the new house tomorrow as we move the small furniture we moved around. I don't know if DH or I am more excited about the coffee.
The package included creme brulee cookies, Brooks Farm yarn in earth tone colors (which I love and am debating what to knit), 1/2 pound of coffee of Gingerbread and Jamaica Blue Mountain, as well as a Christmas tin with Girardelli chocolate squares. Thank you so much Kim! The box is being relocated to the house tomorrow.
Well, Cyn is right I promised to post about last weekend's knitting extravaganza. I visited my close (and pregnant) friend Anna and her DH Ulli. I actually only arrived a half hour late to City Island. Ulli was not too pleased as it seemed that Anna had informed him I was going to be there two hours earlier so he was cleaning for longer than originally anticipated. I was brought to Scarsdale, NY, which I commented as being "cute". One house in Scarsdale probably exceeds the amount of money my whole family makes combined in their entire lifetime. The center of town is like out of a movie with tudor style appearance. While Ulli disappeared in the wine store we were absorbed, overwhelmed, and enthralled with Sticks and Strings.
They had Koigu. I have heard so much about Koigu from Stacey's blog. It was my first time seeing the Koigu. Margaret is under the impression we were introduced to Koigu at Rhinebeck, however I refreshed her memory that we were in a booth when someone yelled "Koigu" and thirty hands piled over the small bookcase. Nope, never saw Koigu. So, I marvelled at the wall. I also fell in love with a skull and crossbones t-shirt but was not able to convince myself it was within my budget (damn, it was cute though).
I saw new yarns and saw new things as Anna inquired about cashmere. She was being helped by Laura Z. who is the designer of Rambling Rose in the Winter Interweave Knits. I was oblivious to the conversation until she looks at me and says, "So, I am going to give you the pattern and will you knit the baby blanket for me?" I love Anna, she is like a sister, so at first I admit I pouted primarily because I had a cable knit pattern picked out for her child, but she really wants something special for her child so I obliged. As Laura pointed out, "How can you say no, it is cashmere." She was right as well. I have a bag of extremely expensive yarn and my largest concern is that the kitties do not develop a deep loving affection to chew it.
Afterwards, we hit Cheesecake Factory. Yummy. I had a chicken artichoke soup and the New Orleans pasta. Then, we stopped off at the mystery of mysteries. We stop off at the kitsch of all that is kitschy. The house is visible from across the highway (very Griswald Christmas) and the music can be heard down the block, the lines of people rival those of any NY department store, and the glitz was dripping like a Liberace jacket. The mechanical mannequins dressed in gowns included Cher, Marilyn Monroe, Beauty and Beast, Santa Claus, the Rockettes, and yes Liberace himself with a rotating chandelier. The nativity scene was decked in rhinestones as the camel glittered with sparklies. Finally after some finessing it is called the Garabedian House (check out the link although the photos include some other homes look for mannequins). My friends have promised to bring me and DH on New Years.
After this, we relaxed at their home. Relax is an interesting word as Anna presented me with a baby sweater in Koigu (yummy) with some dropped stitches. After frogging it and re-knitting it, she then presented me with several sweaters. She has been knitting up a storm and even made serious progress on some cashmere booties.
The next day I headed back to the Garden State and was at stix for the day. I was sporting my Knitting is Knotty t-shirt from Olympia. No, I have not started knitting the blanket as the closing was Monday.
Ah, the closing. All went well except they left us with one key which was peculiar considering they had two doors with two different locks. Then, we discovered the upstairs floor needed work so we coordinated someone to refinish. Quick and well done. DH scheduled the van and moved furniture and boxes Friday. Tuesday we have the professional movers for the large pieces. We are thinking of bringing one of the more brave cats to the house on Sunday to investigate. We put some of their stuff in the house so that it does have their odor.
Anyways, I still need to post about Margaret's Christmas gift which blew me away but that requires photos and that means the post will come later.
Well, I have had a fascinating week, tumultous and fun, and well, there is so much to post. Unfortunately, the post will have to wait until later. I have something fun to share involving a bag full of cashmere and a trip to NY. Tonight, DH arrives home. Tomorrow, is the closing. Agh, so much activity. Secretly, everyone just wants to hear about the cashmere. Hmmm.......
In three weeks we will be in our new home and here I am occupied with the fashion. 
Ok, this is in the wrong direction but this was my creative use of the recycle leaves bags which were given to me to pack our sheets and towels. They do work pretty good. And... make a very nifty Halloween costume.
Notice the happy DH wearing the HP scarf finally completed. I received the last yarn I needed to complete this scarf from Knitpicks a couple weeks ago but never felt compelled to add the fringe. Last night, I pulled out the scarf and started making the fringe. I believe we were watching Dr. Who or Battlestar, and afterwards we turned the channel and The Sorcerer's Stone was ending. At 11pm, I gave up with one side down. Tonight, I decided to finish the other side and The Chamber of Secrets was on the telly. We are catching little reveals about the Order of the Phoenix. Tomorrow, Prisoner of Azkaban is on but no Goblet of Fire (yet).
Did I thank everyone? I don't think so. Thank you all for your well wishes. DH has found a new job (temporary contract). Some bad mojo happened at this place and he had to move quickly and so he did. Sadly, he will be leaving me tomorrow at 6am off for two weeks to San Diego and Las Vegas. I will be finishing packing all by myself but I should be alright. ;)
I 96% done with the Debbie Bliss Poppy Bolero sweater for Miss Gracie. The teal sweater should look really nice with her red blonde hair. I just need to sew the sleeves together everything else is done. I should have this in the post this week as it will be making the trip to the UK. I made the bolero for a 1 year old even though she is only a few months because she can grow into it. I am paranoid it will be too small. I think it will be a nice holiday gift. I do have to say it was not a fun fun pattern, but one of the regulars at stix gave me a pattern for a poncho for Hannah. I can't wait!
Well, just last week I received a picture of Miss Gracie wearing the last sweater I knit her, see below. She is sooo cute! I am so excited to knit baby stuff! And, my bestest friend is pregnants so tons of knitting will be happening in the new household. In fact, I ordered yarn for something special, lalalal, but I am not posting because she reads this blog.
Before I had mentioned stix-n-stitches and I had picked up some yummy stuff for my coffee knitter swap partner. I am so excited about the package I will bring it with me tomorrow to show the women.
It seems me two greatest challenges this week will be:
-getting to the post office
-packing
-more school work
Time for sleep, I am getting at 5am tomorrow. Ugh.
The Knitters Coffee Swap asked if we would post pictures of our mugs as well as their stories. Because I have no idea how to post multiple photos in one post, I am posting here (ahem in multiple posts).
This mug was purchased in Atlantic City during a quick break last year. The mug carries my husband's last name which we thought was so funny. The coordinated potholder also made itself to our house to DH's folks last Christmas. This is a decent sized mug.
This mug was bought at the Tate Gallery which also shares my last name. We have two mugs (orange and green). I bought these mugs the same day I met my husband. This mug is considerably smaller probably because it is a mug from the UK and American sizes tend to run large (a la SuperSize Me).
This mug was a gift from Val a friend of mine who runs a local non-profit assisting local animal shelters. I think once we acquired three cats she gave this to me as a Thank you gift for some work I did for her. This mug is so huge I may use it more for a vase. Actually, this is the perfect size for chili.
DH and I love Starbucks mugs. We have a little collection growing. Here I made a small stack of some of ours which covers Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Easter. We especially love that the mugs are very large and thus can accommodate large amounts of coffee. In fact, today we stopped off for a coffee and picked up their holiday mug which looks like the holiday cups. We have five more which are not present here. As I mentioned, we pretty much love the size of the mugs.
The CPH. Both fronts are complete. I am now starting the rib pattern on the sleeves. Ah, hopefully this will be done by Christmas. I am going to suffer a delay in all my knitting for the next two weeks as I have 25 page proposal due for class and a presentation. As well more packing for the house.
I so want to finish a sweater!
Voila, just when you thought no knitting is posted here. That is the lift and separate sweater. All pieces are knitted, and some are even sewn together. Actually, I am on the last page of the instructions and on the finishing. Sadly, my fear that I am quickly running out of yarn is becoming a reality. I even used the emergency kitty litter skein-oh yes, I did. I am now working on the left side tie. Ah, I can't wait to finish this project. Seriously, can't wait.
Tonight, I will be reading articles for the proposal than meeting with my group at 9am tomorrow, then packing and dropping boxes off, then maybe I can get to some knitting. Just maybe.
Here's a meme I saw over at Chappys Mom, and I thought while I have some time to hang out before the meal why not answer some questions.
1. Which do you like better: Cooking at your house, or going elsewhere?
DH and I love and prefer to cook dinner. We are extremely meticulous about the meals from appetizers to dessert. We have special leaf plates and we print menus and organize games. We tend to cook traditional stuff with a twist.
2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen bird?
We did fresh last year and it was our first turkey. It went very well. So, I don't know about us trying the frozen bird.
3. What kind of stuffing?
We have not made stuffing yet. We have been very careful about choosing the sides and researching and testing recipes, so stuffing should be our next thing to conquer.
4. Sweet potato or pumpkin pie?
Pumpkin Pie. That's because we do Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle as a side dish and Curried Butternut Squash Soup.
5. Do you believe that turkey leftovers are a curse, or the point of the whole thing?
We found a recipe for turkey tortillas that you use brie cheese and cranberry jam. It is delicious so that solved that dilemma. I am beginning to think about the English tradition of curried turkey for the next day as well.
6. Which side dish would provoke a riot if you left it off the menu?
Hmmm, this year we are not hosting and I am seriously missing roasted vegetables.
7. Do you save the carcass to make soup or stock?
Nope.
8. What do you wish you had that would make preparing Thanksgiving dinner easier?
Hmmm, more time. Actually, larger kitchen.
9. Do you get up at the crack of dawn to have dinner ready in the early afternoon, or do you eat at your normal dinner hour?
We don't get up too early because we have a small family which allows us the luxury of a late start.
10. If you go to somebody else's house, what's your favorite dish to bring?
We brought the curried butternut squash soup and bruschetta with peppadew peppers with goat cheese. That was pretty good.
11. What do you wish one of your guests wouldn't bring to your house?
Every year, my father loves the stuffed mushrooms I made when I was 15. It is okay but I am tired of the dish so he makes them every year.
12. Does your usual mix of guests result in drama, or is it a group you're happy to see?
No drama.
13. What's your absolute favorite thing on the menu?
Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Chipotles, Roasted Vegetables with Herbs de Pronvence, Curried Butternut Squash Soup, Brie with Cranberry Jam on crackers, hmmm..... there's a lot.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Well, catching up on my bloglines, I noticed a nice post on K is for Krista's blog asking for people to share what they are thankful. So, after packing a stack of boxes and my DH delivered the most delicious and yummy Thai meal (penang curry)I am sitting down and carefully typing away.
- I am thankful for my family. While I do agree we all have our idiosyncracies, we are relatively sane.
- I am thankful for my DH. He is so incredibly sweet, generous, caring, and a big teddy bear.
- I am thankful for my kitties. When I get stressed my cats are affectionate.
- I am thankful for knitting. I am much more patient and relaxed person. I love this art and I have met such cool people.
- I am thankful for going back to school. Despite pulling my hair out and stress, I am very happy to be a student again.
- I am thankful for my job which has been stressful lately, but I work in a great place and I work for the community.
- I am thankful for the people I have met over the past year through my knitting, blogland, job, and school. I have met some wonderful people who have renewed my belief in the best of humanity.
- I am thankful we are moving into a home where we can relax and express ourselves without infringing on the space of others. I am thankful for this step because I feel like we are moving in the right direction when last year I felt stuck.
- Lastly, I am thankful my cousin, Wandy, is visiting from Florida. I love this cousin so much and she is incredibly caring and a warm soul.
Well, I and Mr. Bean (pictured above) wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!
Well, the panic attack is slightly delayed. I will reveal the information when all has calmed down. THANK YOU SO MUCH! DH is recuperating, re-assessing, and addressing the dilemma (just slightly delayed).
On knitting front news, I went to stix last night for some knitting. Yes, I braved the weather as it seems I was completely ignorant of the impending inches of rain. It was a small and quiet crowd and the conversation was wonderful. I did a little more on my sleeve of the wrap and started the arm shaping on the CPH.
I have been in communication with my coffee swap partner, Kim of Adventures of a Busy Mama, who is so nice and friendly. We both agree that Hazelnut coffee is yummy, and floral scents are best in someone else's home. She has some adorable children. I am beginning to collect some ideas for the swap. I already made some initial minor accessory purchases but nothing like the big kahuna items or should I call it the big kona items (a dash of coffee humor or my version of it).
oh! stix got Blue Heron yarns which I love. I had to search through my earlier posts to find a picture of the raspberry yarn in rayon metallic which I bought in 2005 at Seaport Yarns. I was so excited stix got this yarn because I love it! I did pack my skein up as I never did officially decide on a pattern. What I did find was that some people made the clapotis out of this yarn and my favorite so far was a poncho.
I just received some most likely bad news. Nothing dealing with health, but other stuff, which I can't even vocalize right now. So, if you can just send some good vibes in the direction of my husband. He is under a lot of pressure and needs all the positive psychic energy.
Thanks!
