Playing Well With Others

This year is ending on a high note.  And, by virtue of the new year coming immediately after the old one, it is starting on that same note.  To end the old and ring in the new, we are doing our family cioppino night and I am starting 2 new Knit Alongs. 

Cioppino is a given.  We do it every year and look forward to it all year long.  The recipe will be posted, if it isn't already, on the kitchen blog soon.

The KALs on the other hand, aren't something I do very often.  These 2 will be my 3rd and 4th. 

The first one is hosted by my friends Jewelspurls  Sheriffofknittingham and Wrappedaroundmyfinger .  A group of us on Ravelry are going to be knitting Norwegian garments.  The ones I will be working on are a Hat and Gloves . 

The second KAL is an impromtu thing.  It came about from a comment on another message board at Ravelry.  One of the members Phro5gg said that in 2010 she wanted to knit 12 pairs of socks.  That was one I could get on top of!  A pair of socks each month for the entire year.  Don't have to buy a thing to accomplish that one.  Sock yarn stash - beware!  The first pair are Thuja, designed by Bobby Ziegler for Knitty.com.  They should take very little time and make one of the men in my life very happy.

So, here's to a new year, right around the corner.  Here's to knitting with friends.  Here's to being an active member of these KALs and playing well with others.

I Don't Know What To Call This Game

Okay, it goes something like this...

HP (Hijo Primero) - I need a new tooth brush.
Me - I just gave you one.
HP - But it isn't soft enough.
Me - So now I am a hard person.
HP - Why do you not like light fixtures.
Me - and you don't like my lamp either.
BF (boyfriend) - puzzled look on his face as he comes up the stairs.
Me - Hon, your son doesn't like the lamp in his bedroom.
BF - I picked out that lamp.
HP - All I want is a new toothbrush.

Later in the day.

Me - coughing because of this stupid cold I have had since before Christmas.
BF - Your Mom is dyin'.
Me - (to HP)  Yer dad dosn't want me to live here anymore.

Again, later in the day.

Me to HP - What are ya drinking?
HP - (Rishi) *Irish Macha.
Me - That stuff tastes like poo.
HP - It tastes far different from poo, I'll have you know.
Me - Yer right.  It tastes like horse doopy.
HP - Why do hate beverages?
Me - I don't hate beverages, it isjust that green isn't my favorite color.
HP - So you hate the planet too?
Me - (to BF)  Hon, yer son is being mean to me.
BF - Stop bein mean to yer mom.
HP - I am not being mean to mom.  She hates the planet and beverages.
Me - And you hate your father!

This is basically how my day has gone.  And I still don't know what to call this game.  It all ends when you don't know what to respond.

Oh, and here is my shopping list, amended by HP.

Butter
Cream Cheese
Whole Chickens
Corn meal
chicken feathers for voodoo.

Maybe it should be called "Its not what you said, it is how you said it".  Or, "This is what you said, but here is what you meant."

I guess you have to be here to really get it.  Have a happy New Year!

*Irish Macha tea is a vibrant green color, almost too green!

Life Is Like A Valley Full Of Fog

 
With each and every one of us going into it blindly, not knowing what we will find or where we will go.  But we venture forth and, quite by surprise, find many amazing things.
If we are lucky, we find love, we find good friends, we find a mate with whom to start a family and share life’s moments. 
Enjoy your valley, with all its twists and turns, gifts and surprises, for it is yours and yours alone.

Why, Yes, I Have Been Knitting! Amongst Other Things

I has been a long time since I posted anything knitting related.  S’pose I have just been lazy about taking out the camera and getting pics.  So, sit back, put your knitting eyes in and take a look at what has come off my needles the past couple of months.

First, a pair of socks made for my non-sweater liking son.  These a Daughter’s original design called “Geoffrey Alloisius III Esq.”  Why the name?  Hijo Segundo used this as his name when he wrote stories for his English classes in Jr. High.  The socks are his, the name should be too. They have just a couple fun touches.  First, the cable continues down the side of each heel.  Second, and not pictured, the pattern continues down the top of the toe. 

They were presented to him yesterday, Yule, as his small token of my love and appreciation of him.  He love, love, loves them! 

Next in the knitting line-up are a pair of mitts made for Hija Primera.

These are the “Black Rose” mitts, a free pattern from "knitty".  Oh, and by the way, they are made to match the socks!  Yes, those socks, the ones just below…

  The yarn I used on both of them was given to me by one of my favorite people on the whole big planet, and the universe to for that matter, Jewel.  She always has a hug and a smile to share, no matter how far apart we are.  I love you Jewel!

That is all I have to show for now.  There are another pair of socks on the needles -  my “My Son’s A Senior Airman” socks.  These are for Hijo Primero to wear while in uniform.  And then another, similar pair – “My Boyfriend/DH is a Senior Master Sergeant” socks.  They are both being knit with Brown Sheep’s Wildfoote in the Mistletoe colorway.  This yarn is almost an exact match to the new sage green color accepted by the Air Force. 

Also in knitting news, Hija Primera is getting her Crocus Pocus shawl soon.  The beads came in and are awaiting my hands to get them onto the yarn.

In home news, with the Boyfriend’s promotion came a promise of a new desk/credenza for his mancave.  We went to Stickley again and, with the help of the wonderful Carmelita we purchased an office unit similar to this one.  It isn’t the same, but close enough.  Will look absolutely amazing in the mancave!

With the holiday looming close and the majority of the family safe and warm in our home, we are looking forward to a joyous season.

 

“Rahr!  Rahr!  I am the snow leopard of the Solstice!  Be afraid.  Be very afraid.  Can’t you see I am ferocious?!”

Homecoming

Today Hijo Primero arrives from Wyoming.  He chose to stay behind when we made our move.  However, after his visit last Thanksgiving, he became smitten with this area of the country.  Last month, Thanksgiving day to be exact, he made it known that he wanted to move out here to stay.  He wanted to come home. 

"Home is where your parents are," he explained.  So, home he is coming.

He has a job to get him by until he can find full time, meaningful work.  He has put college on the back burner for the time-being.  That is alright as long as it is a temporary thing. 

As the Mommee Person, I am both thrilled and concerned with his move.  Thrilled that he is going to be close, concerned as to how he will blend with this society.  It is far different than that of his birth state.  I like to think that because of his father's and my background we raised him to be flexible and adaptable.  Although he has never lived anywhere but Wyoming, he wants to expand.  This should be a real experience for him. 

His flight arrives tonight.  I can't wait to see my son! 

Its Gonna Be A Crocus!

Ordered Opalescent beads from Beadwrangler and silver bead bells from Fire Mountain beads. Should look great with the black Gloss yarn. The bells are clapperless so doubled up the amount to give the proper sound when wearing for belly dancing. Getting really excited about this project!

This shawlette is smallish; only 25" at the point.  As the daughter is smallish as well, this should be perfect.  Can't wait to see it on her as she teaches a class.  Everyone is going to want one of these!

Garden Variety Fun

I have often admired the beaded confections that some knitters are producing.  Many a time I have looked at these wonders and thought to myself, "B, you need to learn to do this."  And then promptly forgot my self-talk and moved on to the known and comfortable cables and lace.

Well, I am truly excited to say that I finally listened to myself and purchased the entire, yes the entire "Garden Variety" collection from Susan.  Not just 2009, but 2008 as well.  Now my problem is figuring out which one to make first!

My decision must come soon as I have beads and plenty of yarn beckoning.  I am really leaning toward Crocus Pocus  It would make a great hip scarf for my belly dancing daughter.

If you pass by and check out the link, give me your thoughts.

Its All Pretty and White…

Until the snow blower won’t start.  Then, the expanse of driveway and parking pad that once seemed so small becomes an island nation.  The road it attaches to a distant river of black.
Why?  Why does the old and semi-rusty snow blower start for the Boyfriend.  It is almost as though they have a secret relationship.  One that I am not, nor ever will, be allowed to share.  When the Boyfriend goes out to start the rusty heap, it turns right over.  Granted it turns over with a chug and a belch, but, hey, she’s old.  And she still runs.  She sat next to the garage all summer long without running her motor.  Then, early this fall, the Boyfriend went out, took a bit of spray paint and gave her a shiny, new looking auger compartment and she acts as though he presented her with the Hope Diamond!  He gave her pull starter a small tug and she purred like a contented kitten.  She chugged a bit, emitted a bit of  smoke from her exhaust and moved on into the garage for her winter duties.
Then, this morning we had snow.  Heavy, wet snow.  The kind that gives senior citizens heart attacks.  I went out, gloves donned, opened garage door, checked the gas level in the old girl, moved her into plowing position and gave her a prime.  I grabbed her pull starter and gave it an energetic pull and…nothing.  Pulled again.  Nothing.  Pulled again and again and again.  Nothing, nothing, nothing!  Okay.  There is an electric starter as well.
I grab the cord, drag it over, plug it in to her discretely hidden starter outlet.  Giving another prime, I push the starter button.  Rumble of the starter mechanism occurs.  She gives a shimmy.  She give a shake.  She doesn’t start.  Again.  Shimmy, shake.  Again.  Shimmy, shake. 
I spy the snow shovel.  It looks like a small spoon compared to the snow blower.  But, if the thing won’t start, what choice is there?  We can now call the driveway cleared.  Done the old fashioned way.  With blood, sweat, slipped L5 disc, tight shoulders and wet hands. 
Yes.  The snow is all pretty and white.  We are supposed to get more tonight and tomorrow.  Hope the shovel doesn’t give me any problems.

Purrfect Holiday

Anchovy, Anchovy

"You are so delicious!
I love you more than all the other fishes!" said by Dawn Summers, Buffy, Season 7.

As I looked at my fledgling shopping list, I noticed that Anchovies were at the top.  Now, don't get me wrong, I do enjoy these little fishes on occassion.  They impart a subtle flavor to things like pizza, sauces, and the ever popular Ceasar Salad Dressing.  But, alas, last time I made my favorite Ceasar Dressing, the anchovy was very flavorful and not so subtle.

Hence, I have decided it is time to re-evaluate my relationship with the tiny object of my flighty affection.  We must take a bit of time apart to see if we still enjoy one another's company; or, if our affair was one of culinary lust, each of us wanting something from the other that neither could provide.  Did I try to change my little anchovy into something it wasn't?  Or, did my little anchovy try too hard to be what it thought I wanted?  I prefer to think it was the latter. 

We shall give a trial separation a shot.  Maybe with some time apart we can both determine if we want the same things in life.  If, after a period of time, we cannot come together as two individuals with different tastes and different purposes, then it is time to move on. 

Maybe to salmon.

The Longest Week

It has been a long week.  A really long week.  It began almost 2 weeks ago!  But, it errupted the evening of Thanksgiving. 

Without going into the gory details, let me just say, I will be happy to have another of my children living close.  It boils down to my oldest son missing his family so  much that he is moving home until he can get himself situated out here.  I am happy.  I am relieved.  I am exhausted.  His sister, Hija Segundo has decided to stay out west.  I miss him and his sister so much that it is a physical thing.

When my children were just that, my children, I would sometimes look at them and think, "One day I won't have you all around, then I can relax."  But now, with Hijo Segundo looking forward to a college that will take him away from home, I think, "My life will be so empty when you are gone."  But he wants to stay close.  Maybe it is because of where we live.  I know that is part of the reason his brother is coming home.

Now it is time to prepare a room for an extended stay.  Stock up on foods.  Prepare for the upcoming holiday and most of my family under my roof.  We will miss you Hija Segundo.