Fast or What!?!

On the 5th of April I placed an order with Nordic Mart for several balls of yarn.
Today, the 8th of April, it arrived!
I have never ordered from an online yarn store and had delivery in such a short period of time. To say I am amazed is an understatement.
Will I order from the again?
You Betcha!!!

Now, what did I order?
Little baby Topanga Canyon Sunrise, aka Daemon, needs a new suit for the winter.
You saw the Jelly Bean suit in the prior post, right?
That is what is on the needles now.
It isn't in baby colors though. It is in manly browns, rust, gold and green. He is going to be a boy's boy. Maybe.
The suit is going together in Muskat, an Egyptian cotton yarn that has a wonderful sheen and great handle.
The colors?
Light Brown
which is a richer color than shows in the picture.
Rust
more red than in the picture
Olive Green
more golden olive, very nice, than in the picture
Yellow
again, richer than in the picture.
And,
Beige
which, surprisingly, is very close to the picture.

Although these color choices do seem odd for a baby garment, they are coming together nicely. Very boyish. Not frilly or girlie or "ahh, look, it must be a baby!" colors. Just right. One that will say, "I'm a boy, dad gum it! Watch me grow!!!"

Yes, Nordic Mart is fast, the prices are reasonable, the yarn is nice, I will return. Next time for the CottonViscose.

A Finished Project!

Finally! A finished project. This is the Curlicue Coverlet, by Oat Couture. It was fun to knit, but easy to get lost in. Lots of counting. Lots. Four rows here, eight rows there...cast off 4 here, increase a stitch there. Short rows all over the place, adding new yarn! It was fun and not that bad. Wasn't truly happy with the yarn choice, but the mom to be demanded "No Wool!" So there ya have it. Bernat's Baby Softee. Next item is at least going to be in cotton.

Oh, and what is the next item? It is going to be in little boy colors! Yay! And another Oat Couture pattern. One that I fell in love with several years ago...

Meet the Jelly Bean Suit!

Coming to a set of needles near you! In Garn Studio Muskat yarns! Yarn is on the way. Needles are ready. Pattern in awaiting use. This is going to be a fun knit...

Missing Muse

Where has my muse gone? It has been so long since I have designed anything that I am beginning to think it was only a dream. Ideas are there. But, those ideas don't transfer from my brain to the needles.

I started a shawl. It was looking very nice. But, I got to a point that it became boring. Mundane. Just like every other shawl out there.

I started a pair of socks. Same thing. Just like all the rest.

A sweater? Fergit aboudit!

I have come to the conclusion that there are so many fine patterns and so many wonderful artists out their that I can spend the rest of my knitting life working their things. Is this a cop-out? Could be. But, if it is, then at least I can bury my escapist head in a pile of yarn and keep busy with someone else's labors.

After all, there is a grandchild on the way... Said grandchild won't wait to grow while Granny Me visualizes a cute, adorable little sweater set, contemplates the best yarn for the project and figures out how to get the cables just right. Granny Me can just hit up Drops or Knitty or Ravelry or even..cough...purchase a pattern. So much time saved. So many more little things that can be knit before the child outgrows them.

Sweaters for the fam? So much yarn and so little time. Don't have any to waste with the same, aforementioned little designing problems.

In the end. I am taking the pressure off and not even going to delve into that area until such time as my muse returns; if ever.

FO And A Touch of Spring

Finally! A finished project! And, the first Christmas gift of the year. It is the Triinu Scarf from Knitted Lace of Estonia. It is currently on the wires and pinned out. Loverly lace. And just heavy enough to make an excellent winter scarf for the recipient. Hope she like it. It was fun to knit and I thought of her the entire time it was in my hands.
Although the picture shows the back side of the scarf, the lace is still catching. The yarn, Brown Sheep's Wildfoote Sock Yarn was perfect for the project. Being machine washable makes it an easy care accessory. And, the colorway, Ragtime, is in her favorite color family. How many hints does it take to inform the giftee that it will be coming to her?

Over the past couple of weeks the snow has disappeared. Once the weather decided to turn warmer the poor snow didn't have a chance. It was gone within days. Shortly after the snow said goodbye, I began walking the yard, looking for signs of spring. First there was nothing. Then, slowly, and with steady progress, things began to come alive. Today on my morning walk about, I had my camera with. As I passed the old lilac bush in my back yard I spied a bud. Yes! A bud! A sign of life renewed. It is lovely in its promise of the new season. It tore me away from my morose in the loss of the snow. This little bud. A harbinger of things to come.

What's With the Dragons?

Yes, the dragons and eggs in the sidebar. That would be them.

There really isn't much to them, but you can help feed them and keep them warm by clicking on them.

Why? Because that helps them grow. Each click puts them closer to being adult dragons. So when you see a baby or an egg, please give it a click - but only one per visit. Then just sit back and watch them grow.

Again, why dragons you ask. Well, it is a game and once you have some adult dragons, you can play an few online RP games. Never did that before, so I decided to give it a try. Can't hurt.

Madli Mondays, Waterfalls, and Projects on the Needles

Sunday's View

Before you read this, I, the Captain, must let you know that we, the family, deny any encouragement of said behavior. I hide myself in shame. She is not to be trusted in a yarn store. She cannot be trusted to be at home alone with that plastic card and working internet service. Please, send help!


Call me crazy...go ahead...do it...say it now. I agree with you. Why? Because I am so easily distracted by pretty, sparkly things. It is like being young and in love with every boy in the 7th grade. It is like seeing a dress and coveting it so bad that it is purchased and in the bag before you realize it is the 5th such dress you have found that day. It is like seeing a smorgasbord of all of your favorite foods and having a free for all food fest. It is all of that and more.

What is? I can hear you asking yourself this question. I can! Really!

Well, knitting. A new yarn with which to knit. Something never used before. A new book with a pattern perfect for said yarn. Yes. That and a couple of friends to knit along with. My Irish twin of Knitting in the Shadows and the Knitting Knut are going to keep me focused on this little bit of gorgeousness.

This bit of gorgeousness would be Madli's Shawl from the new book by Nancy Bush. And, the yarn, gifted to me by my Irish twin is Cherry Tree Hill, Orenburg lace in the Wild Cherry colorway.
I will be casting on this evening after all is said and done for the day. Am really looking forward to it. In over 45 years of knitting this is my 2nd or 3rd lace project. Can't wait! And, when finished, this will grace my shoulders of a cool spring evening and remind me that there are sisters out there. Sisters of the soul. Sisters of the heart.
Updates on Madli will be posted weekly. You got it! On Mondays. Hope the IT will take time from her busy designing schedule and join the Knut and I in this endeavor. I mean, after all, it is her fault!
Okay, before I fall into the quagmire of maudlin I must show you the progress on CurlyCue. This pattern has been so much fun to work on. It is simple enough to be a great "sit with friends and chat" knit. It is also demanding of just enough attention to keep it from being placed in the "maybe I will get to that another day" ufo pile.

This is something I stole...er borrowed from my friend Becca of Rebecca Unpublished . Although long, it was kind of fun, so I am passing it along.

Bev-ology
***********FOODOLOGY***************

1. What is your salad dressing of choice?

Anything freshly made that includes yogurt and maybe peach salsa.

2. What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?

Secret Garden (Japanese/Korean teahouse in Syracuse).

3.What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?

Anything Mexican!

4. What are your pizza toppings of choice?

Cheese, cheese and more cheese!

5. What do you like to put on your toast?

Coconut butter/oil with Agave nectar.

***********TECHNOLOGY***************

1. How many televisions are in your house?

1 that for movies, 1 for DH2's Playstation.

2.What color cell phone do you have?

Red

***************BIOLOGY******************

1. Are you right-handed or left-handed?

Either depending on the chore.

2. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?

A couple of times.

3. What is the last heavy item you lifted?

Same as Becca! My ass off the couch!

4. Have you ever been knocked unconscious?

Yup, once in a riding accident and once by my brother.

************BULLCRAPOLOGY**************

1. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?

Yes, cuz then I could do all the crazy shite I wanted and know that it wasn't my time to go!

2. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?

I hate my first name, it reminds me of a red headed waitress with big hair that chews like a cow. I would rather be Beth, or Elizabeth or Bess - anything but BEV!

Would you like fries with that? More coffee Dear?

3. Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?

Hell no! Would you?

************DUMBOLOGY******************

1. How many pairs of flip flops do you own?

None. I do own several pairs of Crocs though. Great for boating and walking around in water. Ya got sumthing to say about that?

2. Last time you had a run-in with the cops?

When I was 16 and trying to get into my house cuz I had forgotten my key. The shithead neighbor called them!

3. Last person you talked to?

My friend Essie as I handed her a mocha when she picked up my son.

4.Last person you hugged?

My Boyfriend, Husband, Best Friend for the moment.

**************FAVORITOLOGY****************

1. Season?

That would have to be winter. A winter with lots of snow that stops traffic and falls so heavily you can hear is hit the ground.

2. Day of the week?

Please don't send the men in the white coats cuz it would have to be Monday.

Why Monday? Well, Moonday. The day that is all mine. The day the boy and the Boyfriend, Husband, best friend for the moment head back to school and work. The day that I can stay in my jammies til noon if I want. The day that my Sylvia is turned on for the entire morning. The day that is all mine to plan the rest of the week in peace.

3. Month?

That is a hard one.

I do know that I don't generally like a couple of weeks during the sumer due to the heat.

Not a hot weather person.

***********CURRENTOLOGY*****************

1. Missing someone?

My best friends from Wyoming - Cindy and Krishna.

2. Mood?

Content, it is Monday.

3. What are you listening to?

The silence of my house.

The occasional creak,

The air blowing from the heat vents,

My cat purring on my lap and

Jezzie snoring.

4. Watching?

Not a thing right at the moment, but I was watching Law and Order re-runs earlier.

5. Worrying about?

Getting out of the debt incurred from our move.

Nothing major.

***************RANDOMOLOGY*****************

1. First place you went this morning?

To the bathroom. Then to take the dogs outside.

2. What's the last movie you saw?

Feast of Love with Morgan Freeman . So touching, sad, silly, sad and wonderful.

3. Do you smile often?

Not as often as I would like.

4. Sleeping Alone Tonight?

Nope. Got the Boyfriend, husband and best friend of the moment and Captain Jack Sparrow. Rather crowded, don't you think?

***************OTHER-OLOGY*****************

1. Do you always answer your phone?

No. If the name on the caller id isn't someone I know, it generally doesn't get answered.

2. Its four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?

Most likely Hija Segunda. She likes to share.

3. If you could change your eye color what would it be?

I have brown eyes and would only wish to make them as dark as my mother's eyes were. So dark that you couldn't see to the bottom. 100% dark chocolate brown.

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic?

Sonic?

Gave it up for lent.

5. Do you own a digital camera?

Sure do. And I am saving for a Digital SLR.

6. Have you ever had a pet fish?

Don't consider fish pets. They are cold and wet and don't like to cuddle much.

7. Favorite Christmas song.

Christmas songs annoy me - for personal reasons. But, there is one that Ifind entertaining and will actually sing along with because it is silly - Santa Baby.

8. What's on your wish list for your birthday?

Another Rhinebeck jaunt, but a full weekend spent with my Ravelry and blogging friends!

9. Can you do push ups?

Um...well...I used to.

10. Can you do a chin up?

Um...well...I used to.

11. Does the future make you more nervous or excited?

I'm with Becca on this one...Yes!

12. Do you have any saved texts?

Nope. Should I?

13. Ever been in a car wreck?

Yes.

14. Do you have an accent?

When I want to. Which one should I use today?

15. What is the last song to make you cry?

I don't remember. If you asked about a book or a movie I could tell you, but song?

16. Plans tonight?

Preparing and awesome dinner and curling up with a new project - the Madli shawl.

17. Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?

Too many times to count. But the climb back up is always good for a laugh or two.

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday.

Tofu from Han's Asian Market.

A victorian, rustic looking cat thingy for my stairway from the Regional Market in Syracuse.

A really cool bag/purse for Hija Segunda's box.

19) Have you ever been given roses?

Of course, but I would rather get the rose bush to plant in my yard.

20) Current worry?

Did you read the one above. I think that is enough to worry about right now, don't you? Heck, worrying never got anyone anywhere but stressed. Life is a box of chocolates. Don't worry about the filling. Just enjoy it!

21. Current hate right now?

I am going to change that to dislike.

Don't really "Hate" anything or anyone.

Really.

But, dislike?

That is a different story.

Currently I dislike getting older.

Aging sucks.

And gravity.

Gravity is not my friend.

Used to think so.

But now I know that it never was.

It was just something that hung around waiting to be noticed.

Like Now!

22. Met someone who changed your life?

A few that come to mind, both good and not so good.

Becca would be one of them (good).

I want to be her in my next life.

My 10th grad history teacher (good).

My children - when I met each one of them on their first day of life they changed my life profoundly for the good!

I won't mention the ones that didn't provide any postitive change.

They know who they are.

23. How will you bring in the New Year?

Laughter, food and wine.

Preparing cioppino.

Sharing said cioppino with friends.

24. What song represents you?

Life Is An Open Road by Cheryl Crow.

25. Name three people who might complete this?

Brigitte, at least I hope she will,

maybe Helen, please, please,

and, hopefully Michele cuz she is so funny.

26. What is something your friends make fun of you for?

I don't have any friends.

Oh, right, not true.

They don't make fun of me because I am so perfect.

But my boyfriend, husband, best friend at the moment makes fun of me because I like to make everthingj. Yes, everything, mayo, mustard, bread, pasta, clothing, everything.

He says I need to get a life.

I say it is fun and saves money so I can get a life!

If you want to play along too, just cut and paste to your blog, but please link back to mine. Please.