Thanksgiving Eve

Another year has passed and it's time, once again, to do battle in our own personal "Kitchen Stadium". OK, it's really not that dramatic. I've cut down a lot as far as cooking huge amounts of food and desserts for the feast day and what I do do is very easy.

I am, however, going to smoke a turkey again this year. I'm all set, the smoker has been moved to the porch, the turkey is soaking in brine and the chips are soaking in water. Normally, we would keep the smoker on the patio, but it's raining and that is supposed to change to snow. Around midnight-ish, I'll set it up and plug it in.

Christmas knitting is actually going reasonably well. A scarf for my BIL and a hat for SIL are done (and even shipped off today). Another hat for a gift exchange with my spinning group is done, and I've started a pair of fingerless mitts for my other SIL. Other knitting intentions are a shawlette or scarf for my aunt, yet another hat for DD and something for my Mom. Mom, not only am I not mentioning what may be knitted for you, but I'm not even sure what it might be yet! Suggestions are welcome.

Behold, the hat. This is our Yarn Harlot's Unoriginal Hat, or more accurately, two of them. The white is wool/angora, the red is alpaca/silk. I am not a particularly fast knitter and even I can knit one in an evening.

Among the usual things we give thanks for on this holiday (like family, friends, etc.), I'm thanking Stephanie for taking a whole bunch of Christmas knitting pressure off my plate!

Stash Enhancement

It must of been something in the air. The cooler (finally), more autumn-like air, the last of the leaves turning, even a few snow flurries about, I'm not sure sure. I was really quite a good girl at our Fiber Fest in September and really didn't come home with much.

This last weekend, I fell off the wagon, badly. First I went to my friend, Joan's, sale at her shop, Cloverleaf Farms. She's moving, so she put everything on sale at 20% off. Before I knew it, I had some hand-dyed BFL (Blue-Faced Leicester) and some Wensleydale. Also some wonderful "bits" from her mixed bin. Some merino/silk blend in a nifty green colorway. Bubba reviews and approves of my choices.

I'm very happy for Joan. She made it to retirement from of our area's employers (no mean feat, that!) and is moving to the Asheville, NC area. I'm also a bit sad, as she won't be down the street for me to visit (and get a colorful fiber fix) at a moment's notice. I'm going to miss her, a lot, but I do see a road trip in the future.

Next I was off to another friend's place, Wild Iris Alpacas. He is also planning on moving, so other fine goodies leaped into my hands. 14 balls of alpaca/silk blend in colors that I just love and a pound of washed Corriedale. Yep, it is every bit as white, shiny and crimpy as the picture shows.

Ray, however, may be moving closer to me...perhaps he ought to check out Joan's house?

I want to drop what I'm spinning immediately. Which is a really lovely, hand-dyed blue superwash from High Bid Farms...yet another friend...I am so lucky!

Furnace Game

The Yarn Harlot has already written a few times about the Furnace Wars that her family participates in (some of them unwillingly, I'm sure).

We have our own, much milder version, called the Furnace Game, in which we see just how long it is until the furnace comes on. This does not count the once yearly operation check to make sure that it is, indeed, working. You see, we generally heat with wood and the furnace is merely a backup system. We have completed two full heating seasons without having it come on at all. Most years we make it until around the end of January or so before it is just so cold outside that the furnace kicks on a few times overnight. We have heated with wood for so long that we almost sleepwalk to the stove, add a chunk of wood and toddle back to bed without completely waking up.

Due to the freakishly warm autumn season this year, we have not even had a fire in the wood stove until tonight. I will admit that it's been a wee bit chilly a time or two, but nothing some wool couldn't fix.

I'm pretty sure that Bubba is thinking "It's about time! I don't know why you non-furry folk didn't do this sooner, like weeks ago."

Neighborhood Critters

We finally had our first frost of the year yesterday morning; it is quite late this year. Just that bit of frost finally made it feel much more seasonable and fall-like. Last year, we had already had a fair bit of snow by this time.

There is much wildlife around here and we have gotten used to most of them. Some are really nice looking, like deer. Some are just stinky, like skunk. Some are a little worry-some, like coyote and fox. Some are more worry-some, like cougars (which, thankfully, we haven't heard about lately). The latest beast to wander into the area is black bear. There have been numerous sitings in the area all summer, but now one was reported hit by a car just a mile and a half away. It seems they are tough: the bear walked away, the car was towed. I wonder just what our Gypsy was barking at a bit ago? Deer? or something bigger?

Then again, perhaps it was something that looked more like this: the bat-cat!

Happy Halloween!

October?

Our unseasonable stretch of warm weather continues. Today was 80F. This is not usual around here. More usual is what happened last year (Friday the 13th). It seems odd to be knitting outside in the warm sunshine.

Last month was our Finger Lakes Fiber Festival and I realized that I forgot to show my stash enhancement from that weekend. I'm quite surprised at my restraint. The gray and red yarn is Jamieson's, there is Noro and all were a steal at $2 each. Quite some time ago, I had seen these clear boots and thought they were just neat (however, a bit pricey), another steal at $9. The green yarn is hand-dyed and for a special project. The vest/sweater pattern, called Raveneli, looks like a really good pattern to use with handspun (check out their cursor on the home page). I also picked up half a pound of Navajo-Churro roving. Every year, I get something that I haven't spun before.

I am still completely in love with Cat Bordhi's New Pathways for Sock Knitters. So far, I've completed one pair of Ocean Toes socks and was so impressed with the fit, that I immediately cast on another pair from the book: Fountain Foxgloves. This is the first pair of toe up socks that I have been completely satisfied with the fit.

I am a haphazard housekeeper. I can always come up with something else to do that is ever so much more interesting to do. I think it's because of things like this. Even when I do try, things like this happen.

Columbus Day

Today was Columbus Day here in in the States. For the first time since grade school, I had the day off (another distinct advantage of working for a school district).

I must say that I had a pretty good day. Since it is still uncharacteristically warm around here (I think it topped out around 85F or so today), I gave our dog a bath and aired out a wool blanket (for use when cold weather does return). Deciding that was enough work for a holiday, I spent a good portion of the day here:

I made myself some iced coffee and settled down to knit my first pair of socks from Cat Bordhi's New Pathways for Sock Knitters-Book One. Cat's mind works in many wonderous ways and this is another winner of a book as far as I'm concerned. I was quite skeptical that the new construction method would fit well, but went ahead and started Ocean Toes. I have one sock done and it fits fabulously well. I'm up to turning the heel on the second sock. In fact, it fits so well, that my next pair is going to be one of the toe-up designs. I hope that they fit as well, as I have not been impressed with the way the standard toe-up socks fit my feet.

As mentioned above, the weather has been unusually warm and summer-like in our region. This Saturday Sky picture looks more like summer to me, rather than the first week of October.

Saturday Night Sky

Gypsy here...Mommy left the 'puter where I can reach.

Me likes to play in the dark. There be lots of good smells and sounds at night.

Sometimes my people burn stuff. They call it cleaning up. I don't get it.

This time they had treats. Those I get.

2007 Finger Lakes Fiber Fest

Last weekend was our 13th Finger Lakes Fiber Festival. Saturday was a classic fall day: blustery, cold, windy and rainy at times. We were all quite happy to see the sun come up in a clear, blue sky on Sunday.

As usual, it was fun, terrific shopping and more hectic than usual as it was the first year that I coordinated the Skein & Garment Competition. Of course, I was a bad blogger and forgot all about taking a picture of the display.

I did, however, remember that I had a camera and took pictures of a few other things. The world's largest sock came to visit. That's me in the middle. I had heard of this project from Jane at Quiddity. It's getting larger and I am wondering quite how they're going to manage turning the heel.


I didn't take any pictures of prepared fiber, but opted out for the original packaging. This is one of my friend's Shetland sheep taken Sunday afternoon. I believe that sheep has had enough of camping and wants to go home.

Alpacas are just plain adorable. The one on the right must of had a bit of an itchy spot (not to mention a bumper sticker).

The llama at the top was quite sure that none of us were to be trusted and should all be watched very carefully! He's probably right.

Of course, what festival is complete without at least a little junk food? Funnel cake and Diet Coke (it evens out).

Finger Lakes Fiber Arts Festival

The waiting is over! This weekend, September 15-16, is our annual Finger Lakes Fiber Arts Festival.

If it's not too cold at night, I'll be staying the whole weekend.

Do come out and play!

Busy Gypsy

Mommy in shower, so me took 'puter. Daddy ride big toy and it fun. Me play in dirt, help dig, watch Daddy, sniff smells, dig more, bite rocks, kiss Daddy, sniff more, play more, dig more, watch more...

Me happy.




Sleepy girl. Go bed now.





PS: Bear, wish you could come play with us!

Reality Shows

Quite some time ago, Lene asked me if I watched any of the reality shows that are cropping up all over TV. I said that I didn't and really had no interest in them, either.

However, as time goes by, I have changed my mind, a bit, and do watch a few of them. Here are my most-often watched:

Design Star on HGTV: I rather like a show that insists on some kind of talent that the competitor's have skill in. This season's show had an assortment of interesting characters, all of which were talented designers. They're down to selecting the winner this coming Sunday evening.

Ice Road Truckers on the History Channel: What's not to love about this one? These guys are modern day cowboys (and probably certifiably nuts). Every winter, when the ice gets thick enough north of Yellowknife (Northwest Territories, Canada), a road is built across numerous frozen lakes to move cargo/supplies to isolated mines. This one's all over for the season except for the reruns.

And last, but not least, Ty Murray's Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge on CMT: I really, really like rodeo. One of my favorite things to do is to watch rodeo (in person, upwind to stay out of the dust). There is no "probably nuts" about these guys, they are definitely insane. They have collected an assortment of celebrities who learn to ride a bull. Friday night is the last show. Sigh.

Honorable mention actually goes to Dallas Cheerleaders, Making the Team, also on CMT. I really don't know why I get sucked into this one. I never had any interest in cheerleading and was definitely not part of the sports-inclined group in high school or college. I find the first few episodes the most entertaining to watch as they weed out individuals who really had no business auditioning to begin with. They do keep my interest as an effort is made every week to explain how selections are made.

Pretty odd selection, isn't it?

Gypsy Blogs

Hi! Mommy been really busy with that fiber stuff, so I take over today. Don't know why she like it, it not interesting after she wash it.

My peoples took me for hair cut. Good, too hot for me 'round here. Too hot to chase kitties, even. I made me a hole and pretended to guard. Me likes this tree, too.

Oops, I've got to make sure the laptop is out of reach, I guess. Gypsy's not kidding, it's been really hot, like 95F hot. I like summer quite a bit, but that kind of hot tires a body out. My new job is just great so far; however, there is no AC in most areas of the schools.

Fiber news? Well, we got all the entries for the Finger Lakes Fiber Arts Festival Skein & Garment Competition all organized and judged last night. Trouble (the cat) was not judged; however she did supervise. Many thanks to our judge Freda and my helpers Erica, Kris and Cheryl!

Labor Day

Today was Labor Day here in the US. My daughter and I did what many people do: not a darn thing productive. We did go do a bit of shopping (which is what many others do also...prime school shopping). To recognize Labor Day, I have the following:

I finished (mostly) my last, long abandoned project. There was much labor involved, or at least much plain stockinette. I had thought that the nightie from Mason-Dixon Knitting was pretty neat. I still think so. However, the yarn I chose to substitute was not a good choice. As soon as it was cast off, the thing grew to ginormous proportions around. It will be ripped out. Perhaps the yarn would make a good tank or shell. We'll decide later on that.

This is my car. I took it on a date Friday afternoon. I took it through the car wash, then had them do the windows, vacuum, shampoo the carpet and seats and polish up all the vinyl bits. It looks fantastic. Why should I do all this? Well, it was to celebrate making the very last payment: it's mine, mine, all mine!

The best news is that I have a brand-new job. I start tomorrow as a Computer Support Assistant at the local school district. Hopefully, I haven't forgotten everything over the last year of job hunting and can actually address issues as they come up. There isn't much time to "warm-up" as the school year starts Wednesday. I'm looking forward to doing this kind of work again, having an 8-minute commute and health insurance.

Shamless Plug: Finger Lakes Fiber Arts Festival is approaching quickly...Sept. 15-16 in Hemlock, NY. Great fun, inexpensive to get in, fabulous vendors and we want you to join us!

Finished Objects

Wow, it's been quite some time since I posted, hasn't it? It's been busy around here, mostly with stuff that is of no interest whatsoever (like work). There is some interesting news that I'll share soon. However, I have managed to catch a case of "finishitis", which isn't a bad thing. DD continues to do well showing and barrel racing, which has created some really good chunks of prime knitting time.

I finally found a button for the felted sunburst sling bag from earlier this year. Also got to the point on the cotton bag that I had knit enough and declared it done. The cotton bag is based on "Folds of Function" from Folk Bags, I just made it bigger and lined it with some fabric from the stash.

There are also finished socks. This summer's traveling socks are done, as are the reticulated socks from Sensational Knitted Socks.









I've even gotten back to the Mason-Dixon Nightie that I started ages ago. We'll just see how that case of finishitus holds up. If I can just get to the lace edging (and not start anything new until I finish it), I'll be all set!

In my travels (and I really haven't been getting out much at all lately), I found that someone had been "flamingoed". Don't you just love the baby flamingos? What a neat thing to do!

Random Wednesday

We are back into a hot weather pattern again. Good for pool dipping, not so good if you think you're going to get some weeds yanked out of the ground (they just break off). I'd really like to know why everything, except the weeds, stops growing? At least it's been raining a bit, good for growing things; however, those showers do add to the humidity level.

This pic's a bit hazy (taken through a window screen and above mentioned humidity). These two babies were out romping about in the front yard this morning. Much better than last night's hidden (but the nose knows) visitor. The house, again, smells much like skunk. Sigh.

Last Sunday's outside project was truck landscaping. What is truck landscaping, you ask? It's great fun. You wrap a chain around the base of the offending shrubbery/small tree, attach it to the hitch of the truck, and drive off (slowly). Generally, the flora either gets yanked out completely or breaks off below ground level. No shovels, not much effort and no large excavations (or even holes to speak of). Trust me: It. Never. Gets. Old.

I've starting second socks for both pair that I started knitting on a few months ago, turning the heel on one and still on the leg on the other. The tote I was working on decided that it's a purse, funny how projects evolve.

I made a dash for the fabric store the other night and got both brass & nickel grommets for the purse. Tonight, I had the lining sewn in, the strap almost done (just need a final length check), had decided on brass and was ready to hammer. However, I discovered that I needed a larger punch to install those grommets. I guess that means another trip, just not tonight, I'm not in the mood.

It seemed to me that I might be running a bit close on the solid color for the reticulated socks, so I went to see if KnitPicks still carried that color. They do, definitely a different dye lot, but if I need it, I'll be prepared. Of course, while finding that yarn, other stuff fell into my "Stash" (truly inspired name for their shopping cart). Things like some Peruvian Highlands Wool and 2 books (Selbuvotter and Felt It!), because, after all, one has to take advantage of free shipping, doesn't one?

The fabulous news for this week? One of my spinning and knitting friends got the news that she is now lymphoma-free! How did we celebrate? With dinner, ice cream and spinning, of course.

End-of-the-Month Stuff

It's that time of month, again, to pay the bills. It is made much easier to bear when you get to sit out on the patio. I've decided that I do like the new paint job on the table. The chairs are exactly what I like in a patio chair...reasonably light weight, nice looking and they fold.

We seem to be in a bit of a hot spell. We don't do that humidex thing that my friends to the north do. It is expected to range from 90-95 F each day this week (32-35 C) and is quite sticky. Very good weather for pool dipping. I'm thinking that later this week, we might just pack a picnic dinner and go up to Lake Ontario with Gypsy to see how she feels about a really big pool.

The FOs previously mentioned got to their destination: Lene's Mor. You'll need a hint for these, they are toe warmers, meant to go over the end of her casts. Of course, silliness soon invaded this project, resulting in pointy elf toes with bells. I can't believe I actually got DH to model one of them!

A few weeks ago, our electric went out for quite a few hours one Saturday. Obviously, the front porch, knitting, was the place to be. I often look about when knitting and decided the view, through the bushes, of the lavendar was a doable picture. If you look close, you might even find some bumblebees getting some lunch.

Random Thursday (almost)

Like many others in our blog world, time just keeps slipping away on me lately. I've been busy, but with nothing of much note, so it's definitely time for a random posting.

Bubba, our blog spokes-kitty, has definitely recovered from his injury. It is truly amazing how quickly he has learned to accommodate 3 legs. He jumps down easily, jumps up to about 3 feet easily and actually runs pretty fast. Interesting item...his skin is actually striped (as he is) and where the incision was is growing in quite a bit darker; it looks like someone took a marker and drew on him. In tempting him with goodies, like this one (the flavor name cracks me up), I have created a monster. Bubba must have his "delights" every day!

There has been knitting, a bit here, a bit there. There are two single socks (from separate pairs), a partially finished purse/tote (needs handles and a lining) and a few others that we don't need to mention. The only project that I've actually finished lately is a project for Lene's Mor. There are pictures, but you'll just have to wait until the package gets there. Lene, a smallish box has been shipped, Priority Mail, a week ago, so she should get it shortly (depends on customs).

I'm still very happy with our garage project. It is done, and I'm getting much satisfaction from having it all tidied up, cleaned up and freshly painted. It is so much brighter and I know that I will appreciate that come winter. As many of you know, garages collect many items that probably should have gone in the trash right away. I guess some things just have to get some age on them before they move on!

Up until last week, it has rained very, very little around here. Remember Erma Bombeck's The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank? Not true. It burns out there first; it is, however, quite green over the leach field (the only green spot in our entire lawn). I was reminded recently of how to get it to rain...hang your laundry outside and leave your hubby in charge. Works every time (or at least the last couple of weeks)!

DD continues to show this year, games and Western. I think she looks really, really good and is gaining more confidence with every show.

Many others have shown off our boo-boos lately, like Scout. I think we're just trying to distract everyone from our lack of progress.

You would think we "grown-ups" would know better by now? Apparently not. Here is the number one reason why one should wear at least sneakers around the horses. The good news? It's all show...never did hurt to speak of.

Summer Projects

Early summer brings many high hopes of gardens, outside projects, and, hopefully, much time to knit smallish projects. This year is no exception in that I have many, many projects that want doing.

We started out the growing season literally under water (or at least part of the back yard was). Since then, we've had so little rain that the ground is literally like concrete. Even the well-established perennials are looking a little sorry. Luckily, I can lower my standards pretty quickly so I am only pulling large, ugly weeds. As far as green, growing things, the only things that really need regular watering are the peppers, tomatoes and a couple of pots on the patio.

The large summer project was getting the garage organized. I'm happy to say that it is done. All walls are painted, have pegboard installed, the floor is painted, everything has been sorted, put away and our vehicles are back in the garage. The only item that needs doing is to paint the people door. My arm/hand needs a break from painting, so it can wait a week or so.

We've been looking for a couple of years for outside chairs as our old ones were getting a bit ratty-looking. After awhile, the darn things just will not clean up properly. DH finally found some folding chairs, which we wanted badly (much easier to store in winter). They're a nice brown fabric type. However, this meant that the picnic table was now the wrong color (it was blue) and so was the umbrella (it was kind of gray & blue). More paint to the rescue...the table has been painted and the top "fauxed". The umbrella even got a few coats of paint.

I'm still so angry that I could put the responsible someone's leg in a trap just so they know what they do. I really don't object to people hunting and fishing if they do so responsibly. I do, however, really object to trapping. Our blog "spokes kitty", Bubba, had a run-in with a trap recently. He has recovered nicely, although is now short a back leg. It's a really quite amazing how quickly he has adapted. I will refrain from taking pictures until his fur has grown back a bit more. I really do try to respect our critters dignity, although it is mighty hard some days!

The show season is fully underway. DD rode in her first equitation/pleasure show last month and did quite well. It was also Sugar's first show. She placed 5th in two classes.

She continues to barrel race and pole bend. The evening I took this picture, it was quite warm and humid. Nobody was moving that quickly!

As far as knitting and spinning goes, there has been little progress on much of anything. Some progress, just not much. I've spun a bit more white superwash for a future project. I've knitted a bit on the latest traveling sock (almost to the toe on the first one), turned the heel on the reticulated socks and plug away at knitting a tote bag.

Since it appears that we're just not going to get much rain this year, which cuts way down on gardening chores, it's looking like there will be more knitting time available. I should start making some real progress on all those started projects...