Mothering Sunday

On Mothers' Day Samantha told me she was going to stop by and give me a gift (turned out to be a massive rechargeable screwdriver head and socket set - a very handy item indeed), then go over to Alex's house to babysit so Alex and Jamie could go out for dinner. Of course I suggested that I go over too so we could visit and we could both maul the baby. By the time we got there Alex and Jamie had decided to order carryout from Olive Garden because every restaurant in town was slammed. Just before we got there Samantha told me Alex was going to propose over dinner. Sam and I played with the baby and visited with Jamie until Alex got back with the food, then they went into the other room and we started a movie. Alex came out a couple of times looking NERVOUS & we laughed. In a little bit they came out all smiles to give us the good news. They were sooo happy, and so were Sam and I. It was fun to be there and be in on the surprise.

It was the last touch on a really nice weekend. We were fortunate in the weather department I got out for two nice bike rides with a selection of WAACO's. Rita's birthday party was outside on Buddy's patio, which is always the nicest place to be in May. I was going to take some pictures so Shana could see everyone, but through a process of confusion and stupidity I did not bring my camera. Pat took some and I am hoping she emails them around because no one else remembered theirs either. I got some yard work done, including a clean out of the rose garden. Too bad today I have to go back to work.

Home Alone

Shana is on her way to Marco Island this morning, setting off for a week at the beach. I was not able to go this time, but she really needed the break and there was no reason for her not to go with friends. I'll have plenty to do here to keep me out of trouble. By coincidence, her mother is coming Thursday, so my plan it to get the house in reasonable order before then so it does not look like the lair of wild beasts, and enjoy her mother's company until Shana arrives back in the city. The trip was not so much meant to be a visit to Shana as a chance for Inace to get together with Nancy, so it does not matter much that Shana will not get back in town until the day before Inace leaves. Fortunately she's an easy house guest, with plenty of plans for herself.

Also on the menu for the weekend are a couple of bike rides with assorted WAACO's, and Aunt Rita's birthday party. Also Mothers' Day is tomorrow, and "those people" may or may not plan something for me.

Knitting this week seems to be mostly purple, which is odd because I seldom wear purple. Up close to my face it makes me look like a cheese, and not a very nice one. However, purple feet should not be a problem until I get enough flexibility to wrap my feet around my neck. I don't think that day is very close. The big ball is Lonesome Stone Mountain Feat in shades of Lavender from Shuttles, Spindles & Skeins in Boulder, where Mom and I went on our yarn crawl in March. It looks denim blue in this picture, but in person it is all shades from deep purple to lavender. In the ball it looks like a giant eggplant. It is going to be another pair of Monkey socks. I love the pattern and I'm sure it's going to suit this yarn perfectly. The other purple on the needles is Wildfoote in Rhapsody, in my favorite 3x1 rib. The colors are nice and rich (pretty true in this photo, at least on my monitor), so even in a basic rib it will make a very pretty pair of socks. This was the first pair I cast on for after the Koigu Monkey Socks, so initially I was sure the wool felt like barbed wire, but actually it is very nice and soft.

Sunday Craftiness

I actually have finished objects which I have not yet shown. I finished the Monkey socks at last. The yarn is Koigu that I bought several years ago at Newbury Yarns in Boston. Newbury Yarns is the most beautiful yarn store I have ever visited. It's tiny, with yarn stacked floor to ceiling all around the room arranged by color. The yarns are beautiful and luxurious, but when I went in the effect was overwhelming. Not quite the store to dash in and grab up some basics for the stash! I was saving the yarn until my skills and the right pattern converged to take proper advantage of this beautiful yarn. This is Monkey, from Knitty. I will almost certainly use this pattern again. It seems to be error free, fairly easy to knit, and looks beautiful. Of course it is now too warm to wear woolly socks, but they are a nice objet d'art to admire until fall.



I've also finished the Kimono shawl. I give up on getting a good picture of it. Anyone who has seen it in person can attest that the yarn is very attractive, no matter how unphotogenic it seems. I actually finished it in Denver and gave it a quickie steam blocking to see how it looked finished. I thought I might like the merino with a little less agressive blocking than usual to let it bloom a little more. I changed my mind last week and gave it a proper blocking on wires and pins, which improved the drape and size. I think I will use it a lot, but will never try to photograph it again.


On the needles right now: a Haiku cardigan for Baby Vivian, and a pair of plain 3x1 ribbed socks in Wildfoote Rhapsody. I'm planning on skeining up some alpaca for the Icarus shawl this week, and swatching for my Phoebe sweater. Shana will be vacationing in Florida week after next, so I think I'd like to get a a couple of new projects going to keep me amused while she's gone.


We are enjoying extra dogginess this weekend. Skippy came to spend the night as an experiment to see if he would be OK at our house when the Humps are out of town. The last time he was left for a few hours at a strange house he tore all of the blinds off the windows. Lucky for us and him this did not happen today. He an Roxy are good buddies, so all went smoothly. He's a good dog, and very easy to handle, although his leash manners are not perfect. This is the gang on their way out for a walk. Skippy is grinning from ear to ear and Roxy is so happy she is (almost) looking at the camera without cringing running, or hiding.

Happy Friday

What could be better? Friday, perfect weather, met my work deadline so I could saunter out of the building on time. I guess it would be even better if it was also pay day, but I really can't complain.

I went to visit Miss Vivian after work today to see how much she had changed in a week. You couldn't prove it with this picture, but she's more alert and even prettier than last week. Her skins looks so pretty, and she opened her eyes and communicated with me a little. She likes bright colors and music and has already been to Target. Please note how she makes the afghan I made for her look fabulous. I took several pictures and will load them on on my Flickr Gallery. Just click on the sidebar link; I'll put her in a set by herself. I didn't get a good picture with her eyes open though - I didn't want to flash her too much.

I saw the oddest thing when I went in to work this morning. There is a new "church" near our building that has only been there about a year. As I drove up this morning I noticed that Godzilla and King Kong were on the roof. I was going to report to Richard that I noticed that Saint Anyone's was lacking this important invitation to worship, when one of the guys in my office pointed out that it was a 5 year anniversary thing. I guess a like display was on a Catholic church in 5 AD and I just missed it. Still, I am having a lot of trouble making the connection.

This is the one week out of the year when it becomes obvious why I planted the "Lavender Dream" rose in the shade. The color of the flowers matches exactly my "Roseum Elegans" Rhododendron and they bloom at the exact same time. The rest of the year the rose hangs on in discontent while I feel sorry for it, but this week they are perfect together.

...And They're Off!

The WAACO's have officially started the race 'n rally season. Friday night everyone drove over to Muskogee (of Okie From Muskogee fame) for the Flower Power Ride. I was really looking forward to seeing Muskogee's beautiful azaleas, but I had forgotten the terrible ice storm they had this past winter. Honor Heights Park was beautiful, with great fountains and landscaping, but they had lost some 700 trees to the ice, and the combination of the ice and a late freeze didn't leave much in the way of blooming azaleas. We stayed at the Super 8, which was able to provide not only rooms for all, but a bedspread in my room the likes of which I have not seen since 1974, and a close up view of Muskogee's after-prom parties. Or perhaps I should say a close up hearing of the after-prom. Two members of our party had the misfortune to be next door to the party, and ended up moving to the other side of the building after the celebrants started knocking on their door.

Two members of our party were going for their first ride at an organized event, and this one was a great choice. We didn't end up riding very far, not too many hills, and free beer at the finish. I ended up with a massive allergy attack which I am still getting over due to Indian Paintbrush blooming season, but it was still a really fun trip. It was great to see everyone and get out in the open air for a ride together.

I finally got to see Baby Vivian in person last week. She's a cutie, and seems smaller than she looks in her photos. She's a night owl, but not much of a fusspot. Rumor has it Mom, Dad, and Baby were scheduled to get a picture done this week, so we should all experience the pleasure of having a good picture of everyone instead of my rather unflattering snapshots.

The Kimono Shawl is "on the wires" getting a proper blocking, the Monkey socks are within a few rows of being finished (still). I should have pictures for the next post. Next up?

Happy Birthday to Me

Older by the minute, as far as I can tell. The Amazing Roxanne celebrated my birthday by running off this morning to explore the neighborhood. After cruising by the house a couple of times on her way to check out something new she finally came home all smiles. the Devil. We'll have cake and ice cream tonight, of course, and maybe an official singing of the Happy Birthday Song. Richard thinks we should stay away from candles as the required number will burn down the house. Thanks a lot, Richard.

More Vivian, of course, with The Parents. The picture is a bit too dark, but since the only glimpses I have gotten so far are cell phone pictures from Sam, I'll take what I can get. Thanks Sam!

One Monkey sock completely finished, the second on the needles past the cuff and into the pattern. Crafty goodness continues apace, even though Old Age is breathing down my neck.

Ta-Da!!!

Presenting Baby Vivian Octaviana, My first grandchild. Born April 21, 6'9", 19 inches long. Anyone may be pardoned for thinking that she really should have held off for just a very few more hours to be born on my birthday (April 23). Still, she was in a hurry and one must accommodate youthful enthusiasm and impulsivity.

I have not been able to see her in person yet, as I am in Denver until Wednesday, but Samantha emailed me some pictures and I have heard her nice loud voice on the phone. Baby Vivian and Mom are doing fine, Daddy is tired out. Let the spoiling begin!!


For anyone who does not already know what I am doing in Denver again so soon, Mom had a heart attack last Sunday, but is recovering nicely. She's getting stronger every day and in a little while should actually feel much better than she has for a while. She was able to get help quickly, including a helicopter ride which she did not get to enjoy much. A stint was inserted, and she's going to be just fine, although ice cream should be dropping out of her diet, to be replaced by broccoli. She does not think this is a good exchange. If only there was a way to get the goodness of vegetables into some nice, buttery tasting cookies life would be much nicer. I'd go for that too!

I finished Baby Vivian's blanket Friday evening, and the Kimono Shawl last night. I don't have pictures to show yet, but I'll post some next week, if not to the blog then to my Flickr account. I'm almost to the toe decreases on the Monkey sock. It's amazing how much knitting a person can get done when you settle down quietly for a few days.