It's Knitterly Magic

Last night, while I was in the kitchen fixing dinner, TRHM came into the kitchen:

TRHM: Are the lacey bits for your top finished already?
Me: No, I'm not quite half done with that part.
TRHM: Oh, well they look like they have been sewn together, so I thought you were ready to make the top part, now.
Me: What do you mean, sewn together?

I follow him over to the dining room table where the LBT is still laid out from yesterday's photo shoot.
TRHM: See, they are in a circle, like you sewed them together.
Me: Oh, no, honey, that is knit in the round, not back and forth.
TRHM: But there's no seam. It looks like they are sewed together.
Me: No, honey, that is knit in the round - you go round and round and round - you know like a tube. You might not realize it, but most shirts are a tube from the armpits, down, you know.
TRHM: Really? Never noticed that. You are so funny!!

After dinner, I even beat him in cribbage. We're even now, I let him win the night before.

Sock Wars!!

Wanna have some fun? Check out Sock Wars, run by yarn monkey. It sounds like a lot of fun, and I am IN, IN, IN!!! So watch out - sock assassins will be on the alert, will you be the next target?? Join in the fun!

Caution - the aliens are landing!!

I have finally gotten started on the Lotus Blossom Tank. I have to say that I didn't see alien heads when the other knitters mentioned them, but when I looked at the photo of my LBT, all I see are alien heads, and it is beginning to skeeve me. Personally, I'm not a sci-fi gal, and I would rather see spiders! I just keep thinking "lotus blossoms. peaceful, relaxing lotus blossoms." as I knit, and hopefully they won't do some sort of freakish morphing thing and become alien heads.


I'll say it right now, and risk the wrath of the knitters - I don't like the bamboo yarn. It doesn't feel soft to me, and I don't like the twiney look of it. So I went with a cotton/modal blend. I went with Knit Picks Shine Sport, and I really like it a lot. It feels very soft, and has a lovely drape. I knitted my first swatch with size 5 needles, but wasn't feeling the love. I wanted a finer fabric. So I switched to size 4 and knitted a stockinette swatch. I threw my swatch in the washer and the dryer with a load of laundry, and my guage was dead on, row and stitch. Not that it matters. Because the designers apparently think that larger ladies don't want an LBT - WRONG!! And so I know I will have to recalculate everything.

Oh, and hey - did you check out my little purple ladybug stitch marker?? How cute is THAT? It was handcrafted by the uber-talented Jenn. She also made me a pair of knitting needles with purple ladybugs on top. I love them! I pet them daily. Why can't lotus blossoms look like ladybugs instead of aliens????

Raised to the power of 2

I know that they usually say things come in threes, but for me, it has always been in twos. All the good things in my life, and the bad have come two-by-two, just like the animals boarding the ark.

My sister was born exactly two years after me, arriving on my birthday. My son was born two days before his sister's birthday. And this week, although she missed the "exact" part, my Grandma died two years after my Grampa.

She always was late, though. We used to tell her we had to be somewhere at least 30 minutes before we actually did - it was the only way to get her out of the house on time. I remember that we had a pool, kind of like a football pool, on their 35th wedding anniversary. We were all gathering at my Aunt's house in Nottingham, PA, and the adults were going to dinner and a show at the Three Little Bakers; the cousins were going to stay home. My Uncle made up a chart, and we all wrote in how many minutes late we thought Grandma and Grampa were going to be. I think my mother won, I don't remember, but it was always a family joke about Grandma being late. Grampa used to say that she would be late for her own funeral. I guess he was right.

Grandma started forgetting things about 4 years ago, and it got worse and worse. When Grampa died, she didn't realize it was her husband who had died. As awful as that seems, it was actually a blessing. See, they were completely devoted to each other, and had been married for over 65 years when Grampa died in 2004. He retired from the Coast Guard after 30 years of service when I was 5 years old. I don't think they spent a night apart, except for when one of them was in the hospital, for 35 years. She broke her leg at the end of last month, and the doctors said she wouldn't survive the surgery to repair it. There was little hope that it would heal on its own, since she had osteoporosis (go take a calcium supplement - right now - I'll wait). So they sent her home. I thought for sure she would die on July 1st - that was the anniversary of Grampa's death. But she hung around for another couple of weeks, and slipped away peacefully on July 18th. When she was running late, Grampa used to stand at the bottom of the stairs, and whistle for her. I imagine he was standing at the pearly gates whistling for her last week. She was late, but he waited for her, like he always did.




This picture was taken when they were still newlyweds. Grandma told me this was the day that she told Grampa they were going to have a baby. I think it was taken in the Norfolk, VA area. They rented a small room with a hotplate from an older woman. She used to tell Grandma that she liked "that sailor, even if he is a damned Yankee!"

Happy Birthday to me!!

I am the luckiest girl in the world! I had a wonderful birthday weekend. It started with awesome yarn prezzies from my best friends!




Jenn gave me the book "Knitting out of Africa" - I heart this book, it has beautiful patterns and very interesting construction methods. There is a wonderful instructional passage on Entrelac and another on working with two colors, I have attempted neither technique, but they are my "learn to do this" list! There was also a beautiful skein of Vesper yarn. Uh-huh - the ultra-impossible-to-get Vesper yarn. And it is very pretty - with lots of bright summertime colors! I also heart the sheep button - how cute is that?? And it all came in a beautiful box that I can use to store some of my knitterly goodies!

Margie gave me a pair of scissors to DIE for!! They are lovely - the handles have this totally cool ladybug design, and they feel like velvet! The tips are super super sharp, perfect for hardanger! And she needlpointed that cute scissor keeper for them - perfect!! There were also two skeins of Sweet Georgia superwash merino in a gorgeous chocolate/turquoise/pink colorway (which inspired my outfit today - chocolate colored slacks with a turquoise twin set that I never thought to wear together). I especially liked the card - inside, it says "Well, HOOCHIE-COOCHIE for you!" Margie said that the photo reminded her of me. The funny thing is that I had lots of outfits like that when I was a toddler, and often struck funny poses.

Thank you girls!! I have the bestest friends!!!

On Friday, TRHM took me to Atlantic City for the weekend! We had so much fun!! On Friday, we went to dinner, then went back to the hotel and relaxed in the jacuzzi bathtub in our room.


Saturday was retail therapy. There is a new high-end shopping complex opening right across the boardwalk from Caesar's Casino. The stores are all very chic, and very expensive. And not a single plus-sized store among them!! I guess it is for the trophy wives of the high-rollers. At the end of the second level, there is a deck area where you can enjoy the ocean breeze. There will be a huge fountain with light shows opening soon. That is also at the ocean end of the pier. The area is huge, and open to all four floors of the complex. There is a wall of glass overlooking the Atlantic, and escalators criss-cross in front of the glass. The ceiling of the hallway on the second floor is a navy blue fabric with teeny little lights - it looks like the night sky filled with twinkling stars. Very very pretty!

We played some slots at Caesar's (I lost, as usual, TRHM won, but I don't think he kept pace with my losses ...), then went back to the hotel to sit in the hot-tub, before getting dressed for dinner and a show! TRHM had planned to take me to the Virginia City buffet, where they make steaks to order. But by the time we got there, the wait for a table was too long. So we headed over to Harrah's and ate at one of the bistros, then saw Rita Rudner perform! She is so very very funny!! She rarely travels these days, as she and her husband have adopted a baby, so she stays home in Las Vegas, performing nightly. The show was great!


Sunday, we slept in, and had Belgian waffles at the hotel, then sat in the hot-tub for a bit. It was a little warm in the sun in the hot water, so we moved into the shade, and I beat TRHM at cribbage - not once, but TWICE!! Of course, he says he let me win, but I know better! Then it was back to the walk for some more retail therapy. My girfriend, Adrienne is a Grandma!! For the second time!! Her daughter had a baby girl this weekend, so I went to Carter's to get a baby gift. Then we went over to The Quarter at Tropicana. I absolutely love The Quarter. The shops are very nice, but I love the decor! The fountain in the middle, and the sky painted on the dome really give it the feel that you are outdoors. There is a little shop there that specializes in imported goodies ... yum! We attempted lunch at PF Changs, but it didn't work out so well. We waited ... and waited ... and waited ... and finally gave up. The waitress managed to get us some drinks, but didn't offer refills on my iced tea. When our appetizers came, it was apparent that they had been sitting for a bit - not even the spring rolls were hot. They weren't cold, but if they had just come out of the fryer, they would have been h-o-t!! We were there for 1 hour. There were 8 other tables seated. No call for that length of time!!



So we went upstairs to the IMAX theater and saw Superman 3-D!!! It was awesome.

Remembering ...

Recall that last month, I said that one of the advantages of being a fat middle-aged lady is never having to design flat-ab hugging cables? Well, check out the finished product. Lovely sweater, Eunny!!

Stifle, Edith! Stifle!!

Yesterday, I took a break from sewing, and went to see what sort of lace trims I could find at Wal-Mart (out here in the sticks, anything else is 40 mins away). On the way home, I stopped at WaWa for a hoagie. When I got in line to pay, I overheard the cashier saying "I really couldn't care less about the 4th of July!" I guess the WTF??? look prompted additional explanation.

Her: Well, I mean I like the BBQs and fireworks and all, but what are we supposed to be celebrating, anyway?
Me: Blank look.
Her: What is it, America's birthday or something?
Me: Uh-huh.
Her: Well, how old is America, anyway?
Me: 230 years.
Her: Yeah, really? But when are you counting from? I mean, how do you know that?
Me: Um, from the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
Her: Oh, yeah. I think I remember something about that.

I found my thrill ... on blueberry hill ...

What is Lia up to today??

Coming to you live, from the Blueberry Capitol of the World!!!!

Whew! Is it getting hot in here, or is it just me??

Nothing like homemade blueberry jam!

I better get some bread in the oven!

Another Train Trek

Last night, I took the train into Atlantic City to meet up with TRHM. It was a beautiful night, nice and cool, breezy and low humidity. We went to The House of Blues for dinner at the Showboat casino. We had originally planned to get some take out from PF Changs (they have wonderful house lo mein) and walk on the boardwalk a bit, but couldn't find parking. Dinner was great, and on the way out, we stopped at the nickel machines outside the restaurant. TRHM won the cost of dinner - WOO-HOO!! Nothing like free dinner at HOB!! I won $1.50. whoop-ee. Not even enough to get a frap at Starbucks. Not even a little one. Good thing I had my debit card.

We drove over to Harrah's, and parked on the roof to watch the fireworks. They were pretty cool! There was a family with the same idea, and they had a little fella (about 8 or 9) who was bounching off the walls with excitement. The fireworks were scheduled to begin at 9:15. They started at 9:45. I think the little fella was asleep by 10. Poor little guy, he missed it.

Whenever I watch fireworks, I remember a story my Grampa told me about taking my cousin, Mike, to see fireworks when he was about 5. After the fireworks show ended, Mike yelled out "Do it again, God!! Do it again!!" I wonder if Mike thinks about that when he watches fireworks?

So there was a train ride, dinner, slot-winning, frappucinos, fireworks, and what else? Knitting! Of course! I started a felted bag. I am using Noro Kureyon. It will be felted, lined and sent to The Preemie Project for their craft sale at the end of this month. I worked a bit on the RWB trekking sock, but I don't like the way the heel flap is coming out, so I will probably rip back and start it over again. There weren't any pictures because the camera batteries were dead. ERRRRRR.... But it is a nice sunny day, so there will be pics later!

Today, I am sewing (bereavement bears, preemie quilts, tote bags), making blueberry jam, and blueberry pies. TRHM is working, so I have the day to myself!

Ze Rat Man Cometh!!*

This week in wierd (a news category on Comcast), there is a crazy story about a man who bought a rat to feed his pet snake, then didn't have the heart to serve dinner.

*"Do you know the reference??" - The movie IQ starring Tim Robbins and Meg Ryan - very cute, run out and rent/buy it if you haven't seen it. Especially if you like math and science - it is about Einstein's niece (Meg Ryan) falling in love with a car mechanic (Tim Robbins). Walter Matthau puts in a great performance as Einstein.

A Train Trek

I dropped a major hint that a really awesome trek was coming up. Some of you knew about it, and were even in on my devious plot to deceive TRHM.

The set-up: TRHM was off to Pittsburgh to ply his wares with the great horde of furries at Anthrocon. Although excited at the prospect of having a successful show, this was the first show that he would do on his own since we met, and he was not looking forward to that. I stayed home because my favorite son was scheduled to graduate from high school, and I did not know the exact date when we were making the arrangements to be dealers at the show.

Enter Jenn, usually an honest and above-board person, she helped me decieve TRHM. She sent him an e-mail asking him to meet a "college friend" in the lobby of his hotel to pick up a handmade ceramic lamp. This story was very well planned and executed, and resulted in TRHM responding with a "no problem!" e-mail. In Jenn's words, "The fish is on the hook!"

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I was preparing for my train trek. Destination: Pittsburgh! I took the train from Hammonton into Philadelphia, then hopped on Amtrak and headed west. It took all day, and I got some serious knitting in while I was watching the countryside go by. If you haven't done this, you really should - the train tracks follow the river bed, and it really is a pretty ride. The seats are wide and comfy, and recline with pop-up leg rests.


My plan was to show up in the lobby of his hotel at the appointed hour, and whisk him away to this fabulous B&B. Well, Amtrak and CSX botched that one. We were at a dead stop, waiting for the freight train ahead of us to pull onto a siding so we could go past. I got a phone call at 7:30 pm. It was TRHM. He was not happy. "Where the heck is Jenn's friend? I've been waiting in the lobby for 30 minutes, now. Is she going to show up or what??" I placated him by promising to call Jenn and find out what was happening. I asked the conductor how much further to Pittsburgh. Another 45 minutes, provided we don't get stuck behind any freight trains. Bummer. Knowing that I couldn't string him along for another hour, I made the call. "Honey, I have something to tell you, and you aren't allowed to be mad at me, okay? I'm Jenn's friend." When it sunk in that I was on my way to Pittsburgh, and would be there shortly, he was very pleased.

So we went to the B&B, got checked in, and headed to a local Irish pub for dinner. It was an awesome trek, TRHM was surprised and thrilled to see me.

The music room. Isn't it pretty? There is also a grand piano in the room, and the inlaid panelling is lovely!

Our Room. I loved the stained glass window, and the bed was very comfy. We had a private bath with a dressing room. The view of the courtyard and garden below was very nice.





Breakfast!! De-lish!! The best fruit salad I have ever had, with very sweet fresh pineapple. There were bagels, English muffins, toast of several varieties, cereal, cinnamon buns, and lots of other yummy things.












We had a fantastic time, and the sock got to see lots of interesting things!

Including the Purple Furry Eater - he got me!!

Zoom-Zoom!!

Check it out, I'm over on Betsy's blog, and I find this. This chick has it all goin' on. I think when the vinnie-man give up the ghost, I'll consider one of these custom jobbies!

Bizzy Bee

So, I'm at Knit Chicks yesterday, and Margie says to me "Ya know, Lia, I've been checking your blog every day, and I haven't seen anything new this week." Well, let me tell you, I have been one bizzy bee!!! And, yes, I do know how to spell busy, but I think "z"'s are cuter, and hey, it's MY blog ;)

I promised happy feet, but my feet aren't so happy... I did finish my pastel trekking socks, and just have to weave in the ends. I got one Cascade sock almost finished, but left it at my Mom's house on Monday night. I took a really cool train trek last week, and got one of the red, white, and blue socks 1/2 finished.

I've been busy knitting and sewing for The Preemie Project and Lucybug.

Oh! And guess what I did last weekend??? I went to see Steven Seagal. Uh-huh! In person! Personally, I think he is a total hottie, and one of about 2 men on the face of the earth that actually looks good in a ponytail. I'm an Army brat - I like the buzz cut!

This weekend is my favorite weekend of the year - I luv 4th of July!! I guess it has to do with the Army brat thing, being patriotic and all. There are so many things to love about this holiday - it is hot, so there will be swimming in the pool, Jared will be manning the grill, the blueberries are in, there will be parades, and best of all - fireworks! What's not to love??

Yet another advantage ...

... of being a middle-aged fat lady. I never, ever have to worry about designing a cable pattern like this one framing a teeny waist!

Lovely sweater, fantastic design, flawless execution.

A Suburban Mini-Trek

Today, Jenn, Owen and Margie drove all the way from West Chester, PA, to Lawrenceville, NJ (about 1 and 1/2 hours) just to have lunch with little ol' me - I feel so special!



They met me at work, and we went out to lunch at Penang's, a great Malaysian restaurant in Lawrenceville. Owen was not too thrilled about going to lunch, but loved sitting on the bench with Margie watching the cars in the parking lot.



We went from lunch to Pins & Needles - the best yarn shop in Princeton! I love this shop because they have a wonderful selection, and without a doubt, the nicest staff, ever! They are always so cheerful and helpful, and enthusiastic about knitting and needlepoint (the have a wonderful selection of needlepoint goodies, too). If you are ever in Princeton, be sure to check them out!



We walked a couple of blocks from the car to the shop, and Owen picked out a skein of Koigu. I am pretty sure he said "This one tastes the best, Momma. Get this one!"

Sock it to me, baby!

My second pair of Fixation socks are coming along well. I really like this colorway, and I think the hot pink heel is just too cute. The summer I graduated from high school, I worked at Great Adventure, and our uniforms were this color pink. I used to paint my nails to match, and one of the fellas used to say "Pink, pink, makes the boys wink, the hotter the pink, the harder they wink!"

The plan is to finish this pair, and start my third pair this weekend. Feet wearing these socks will be featured on Monday.

What's that you say? You missed the pictures of the first pair?? Ummm, well, errr, that is because they sleep with the fishes ... in the frog pond.

My Trekking socks are coming along, albeit at bit more slowly. I have been very good, and I am only working on them on days when I actually take a trek, and this weekend, I have an extra-special trek planned. I might even get the first one finished. Next weekend is another urban trek - to the Big Apple Con - a comic book show in New York City! Train rides are the best for knitting, I think!

The skein of yarn was being unruly, and kept trying to roll away - it was feeling a little camera-shy - so I held it down with a pointy stick I happened to have handy. I really heart this chevron pattern - it shows up the striping nicely. This pattern is in the Sensational Socks book. I usually use Peaks & Valleys from Knit Socks!, but I like this pattern better.

This will be the weekend of the finished socks. I will finish my pink Fixation socks, and my pastel trekking socks, as well as the pink/mauve hand-dyed merino socks that I am working on. So be sure to tune in on Monday for happy feet!

I thought Wednesdays were for Crochet??

Well, this Wednesday was for getting TRHM ready to leave in the morning for the biggest show of the season. He is going by himself because my favorite son's HS graduation is this weekend. When we had to make arrangements to attend the show, the date for graduation had not been set, and it was possible that it would be on Friday, the 17th. This show is at a convention center, and the Teamsters get to haul the inventory for us, so we were busy taping the boxes securely (why, yes, that is the handman's secret weapon that I am wielding), and labeling them with our table number, business name and box number. All together, there are 28 boxes, heading to Pittsburgh with TRHM today.

I started to crochet, and got 1/2 a row done. Shameful, I know, but by the time we got all the boxes taped and loaded, I was just too tired. I'll do some extra work on it tomorrow.

What kind of car are you??

I'm a Mazda Miata!

You like to soak up the sun, but your tastes are down to earth. Everyone thinks you're cute. Life is a winding road, and you like to take the curves in stride. Let other people compete in the rat race - you're just here to enjoy the ride.

Yeah, Momma likes a little sun on the girls when she goes out for her Sunday drive!! Oh, wait, reality check, here - unless the girls are secured by lycra, I trip over them, and no one likes to see a fat middle aged woman topless - except TRHM, that is!!

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

Wednesday is for Crochet!

On Wednesday, I work on my crochet projects. I am currently making this wonderful afghan for a special family member. There is a story to it, and although I am fairly certain that the recipient does not read my blog, I don't want to give away too much. It will be roughly king sized when finished, and I hope it will warm them for many many happy years.

I have a couple of other crochet projects in mind, but TRHM is always asking me how this one is coming, so I really need to get it finished!

Also planned for tonight, is taking the goodies from my couch o' swag over to the storage unit. Yes, I have my very own storage unit for my stash and other crafting goodies. After all, a two-bedroom condo will only hold so much yarn and comic books, especially when one bedroom is full of teen-aged boy!

Stay tuned for another trek this weekend, desination to be determined!

The Cat's Out of the Bag!

I was on my way home from work, yesterday, and TRHM called me:

TRHM: You got a really big box today. It must be more yarn.
Me (as innocently as I could manage): Oh? What makes you think that??
TRHM: What else would you be ordering??

*DOH!*