10 for Tuesday

10 Things about OSCAR

10. Shih Tzu

9. Blonde

8. Loves to be rubbed (yes I am jealous that he gets more back rubs than I do)

7. Power walker

6. Chases own tail (only takes you stomping your feet to start the chase)

5. Montana born (that's a major plus in my book)

4. Growls on demand

3. Best pals with Gizmo & Louie

2. Fastest rawhide chewer I've ever known.

1. My mom's dog that I was blessed with when she passed.

Cassis

Introducing Cassis designed by Baby Cocktails. I fell in love with Cassis, like most of Baby Cocktails' patterns, at first sight. I am hoping that Cassis will be a "go to" sweater. I am knitting it out of Paton's Merino instead of the Plucky Knitter merino as I see Cassis traveling with me to spring baseball games, summer camping trips, Montana trips, etc... I am needing a sweater that I can wear to those places with no worries of hot chocolate, campfire sparks, etc. Yes, as I'm knitting it I am determining that I'm going to be okay when I wear it out with love! Now I just have about 12 inches of stockinette with a three four row repeat lace panels and two sleeves. I am still up in the air on how long the sleeves are going to be. Ravelry is showing every sleeve variation possible. Currently I'm leaning towards above the elbow as it will be more in tune with my SE Washington weather. I am sure that by the time I get to the sleeves I will have changed my mind several times, but with that much stockinette to go.... I have plently of time to decide!

Stash Guilt

I don't necessarily feel guilty about the size of my stash. Yes compared to some it is large but compared to others it is quite small. My ravelry notebook is outdated so the total yardage I possess is unknown. However the guilt I feel is guilt for the yarn. The sweater's worth of this and that. Enough sock yarn that I could probably go the rest of my life and never run out. The yarn that caught my eye and won me over in the yarn store. the yarn that traveled 500 miles from Montana to Washington. It now sits.... lonely on the shelf.... in the dark. Knowing full well that it has a correlating pattern waiting for it. But a neglectful owner that walks in, looks at it, reorganizes it... turns around and walks out the door.... only to return with more. I feel guilty that my yarn is lonely.... that I am not toting it around with me to work, through out the house, on trips, etc... turning into into a beautiful garmet.

Hello 2011, sorry about my delay

I am typically not one of those who starts every New Year with a laundry list of resolutions. Sure I usually have my knitting ones, the usual buy less and finish more, but in a sense that is an ongoing challange that many of us face. As far as life style changes, never had I made any resolutions that were related to how I lived my life. This year will not be any different. I see no sense in creating any rules as far as no more potty mouth (what if I stub my toe really bad), exercise 30 minutes everyday (what if I just feel crappy) and so on. If you have resolutions I do wish you the best of luck with them and hope you achieve your goals. With that said here's to 2011 and each to their own!

Dr Seuss Socks

What can I say? These are just fun socks. I picked up the yarn when the girls and I went to Dancing With Ewe in Ellensburg. One skein Lorna Laces Daffodil and one skein Cascade Heritage with a simple 2x2 rib. Started in September, I think, spent a 3 days on the first sock and then last week I casted on the second sock! This is quite remarkable for me as I usually wait 9 months to a year to make the second sock. I have enough of the green to make another pair of socks. Just haven't found the perfect green sock pattern. Thinking something leafy. Yes, I know that isn't all that original but its working for me right now! Socks in general are working for me as I've been wearing them to work everyday. Really digging the Go Bold or Go Home theory!

A Little Tappan Zee

Two nights ago I finished Tappan Zee. Four skeins of raspberry Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, two weeks, and a couple mods is all it took. I added 10 stitches under each armhole and opted for a yo, k2tog hem instead of repeating the diamond pattern. Tappan Zee is one of those patterns to do when you want instant gratification. Knitted from the top down and the diamond pattern adds just enough interest across the yoke to get you going. The straight stockinette on the body was perfect to work on during busy crazy evenings. The photo, taken with my blackberry, really doesn't do it justice. Hopefully this weekend the weather will be nice enough to get outside for pictures. Now to decide what to work on next.

(On the handmill soap and bath oil note - I'm still trying to locate supplies.)

A little bit about Christmas

1. Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags? wrapping paper.
2. Real tree or artificial? Real tree that we go cut ourselves
3. When do you put up the tree? First weekend we have available after Thanksgiving to go get a tree
4. When do you take down the tree? New Year’s Day
5. Do you like Egg Nog? Love it! Also love eggnog pie
6. Favorite gift received as a child? A stuffed gorilla that my mom wrapped so well, nobody could sneak a peek. Duct tape works wonders
7. Do you have a nativity scene? My mother’s that my aunt made, however I don’t display it
8. Hardest person to buy for? Husband
9. Easiest person to buy for? Son
10. Mail or email Christmas Cards? Usually mail handmade cards
11. Favorite Christmas Movie? Grinch
12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? everything!
13. White lights or coloured? white
14. Favorite Christmas Song? White Christmas
15. Travel or stay home at Christmas? Stay home, we travel for Thanksgiving
16.Can you name all of Santa’s Reindeer? Unfortunately No
17. Angel or Star on the top of the tree? Star
18. Open presents Christmas Eve or Morning? Both. We do presents at the in-laws Christmas Eve and a Santa gift Christmas morning.
19. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Crowds
20. Which looks best, theme trees or homey trees? Homey trees although I am partial to a clear light, blue ornament only tree
21. Gingerbread or Sugar Cookies? Sugar Cookies (now that you can get the Betty Crocker mix at Costco)