xmas holiday lights...not the Griswolds but!

just a few festive lights from the neighborhood. Love the polar theme!

i survived!

ohmy gosh you guys..sorry. still drugged up a bit! but the surgery went so well. the folks there were so incredibly nice. I was nervous about being awake during the procedure but it went well. we all chatted away during the surgery which ran close to 5 hours. I had taken 2 movies to watch, but instead we chat instead and listened to old police music. i will chat more later. i have so many compression suits on right now...i look like a chipmunk and hubby is shoving gatorade down my throat, lol. but wanted to say hi!

a knitting contest for a blogiversary...prize is yarn! tell her i directed you there!

a quickie, more this weeekend!

knitters: visit here and comment on your fav xmas tradition. You may win some wonderful sock yarn: http://meangirl.blogspot.com/2007/12/i-lost-40-subscribers-eek.html

Easy xmas pupu appetizer:

smoked salmon lox

chives

black pepper,

lemon juice

garlic

cream cheese

capers all are to taste

blend all but salmon and spread onto favorite bread rounds or crisps. top with slice of salmon and bits of snipped chive. Yum, easy and decadant.

Sigh but still keeping the holiday spirit!

Ok, it's been a crap day, over all. But yes it could have been worse. We have survived the storms so far. Our bottom floor of the house has not fared so well, but i am being optimistic. Mostly because i cannot deal with the stress of being a pessimist. Can you say flooded out from the storm? Now the carpet, padding etc all sit out in the rain on the back porch, half our property is under water as are both neighbors, we have a rather large sink hole just down the road...many schools are already cancelled for tomorrow and 70+mph winds are still due in...kind of nervous bout that as the ground is saturated and we do have 200 foot trees surrounding us. But my surgery is set for the 19th...must get the menu and all other things prepped and ready for xmas as well!

I posted this pic of our xmas village. We have a new piece just put out yesterday, a log lodge, but it is so nice to look at and dream. After 12+ xmas's in hawaii with no snow this village reminds of our old new england xmas's and life in a small town where everyone knows your name!

Snow!!!

Big Huge Flakes all day long..still going. Of course it will more than likely turn to rain tomorrow and disappear, then the huge winds will take our electricity on monday. (sigh * lol, i want a generator. Oh santa!!)

this link is hysterical...go see! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHzdsFiBbFc

Cold, colder.....and snow due to arrive this weekend!

Hey there, damn pc has been giving me errors and shuts down. So all i just typed just disappeared! So never mind, lol, not re-typing!

For some fun mid winter blues swap fun go visit : http://cocoaswap.blogspot.com/ we're talking jan/feb hot cocoa and knitting fun ladies!

For some photo fun visit : http://bittersweetblog.wordpress.com/2007/11/16/photographers-best-friend/#comment-15239 A fun contest!

These pics are of my daughter and her best friend....teens do not like mom to be photographing them, so had to be a bit sneaky! (You must view from bottom pic to top to see the story)

full moon

and hubbys borthday. The last one for him in the 30's number bracket! I have been off line a few days now and must catch up! Loving the dorky but gotta luv em holiday moves..no matter how corny some are.
We hung out al the lights and decorations today, i have the inside still to do, but the white feather tree and xmas village are up, did that just before the holidays! This will be my last week at the salon, then i have to head north to look there for a job, yuck starting over...again! But when we do move it will be better than a long commute.
Well, must get ambitious and catch up!

can you believe it's november 8th?

Thursay...i took the day off as my schedule was open. Saving gas as the prices keep going up...3.19 a gallon tuesday for the cheap stuff! Wouldn't be bad but my work drive is almost 1/2 hour each direction.
Knitting, cleaning, yarn dying today. Being domestic and productive. Oh yeah, working out too somewhere in there!

Fun

Visit: having a “Wayback Machine” contest - post what you were knitting a year ago and you could win some “knitterly goodness.”

http://kitkatknit.wordpress.com/2007/11/07/set-the-wayback-machine-contest/

TGIT ???

Well.....hubby left for canada today, daughter dear is playing on her pc with a game her boyfriend is also playing...so they are spending quality time together while apart!
Work has been slow but is slowly picking up. I think one problem is rent is a bit high, for what i get, and then the price of gas is high....making for a lot of overhead!


Fun

Visit Lotus Knits blog for some fun with her contest!http://lotusknitter.blogspot.com/2007/11/fo-and-contest-question-1.html

Lipo and yarn....ahhhhh!

Hmmm...went in for my non invasive laser lipo consult today. While i was initially shocked by the cost, even though after i stopped and figured it all out it was just what i thought it would be...hubby thought it was lower than he expected. I am booked for 3 procedures to start just before xmas! Talk about something to keep you on track through the holidays, lol! But this will be almost half of my inheritance. The family will not let me spend it on the family...but i am working on that! i would like to get my hubby lasik for his eyes and i would love to take both hubby and daughter on a trip to ireland as well. That would just about cover the rest! I feel so guilty spending this money on myself, but then, no diet or exercise has gotten rid of these few trouble spots, so........yikes! You are awake during the surgery!

Got yarn? Got good pattern ideas? Want to win some yarn? Check out this site... a good read as well! http://yarnfamily.com/blog1/2007/11/04/anne-november-contest-and-octobers-winner/

tgif...again and a final wip update!

Well, spent part of the day learning my new phone. The Blackberry curve ina beautiful cranberry color. Dear daughter had her phone fall in the tub the other morning..and my phone was her phones twin. So guess who got the new phone vs replacing one! Am loving it. Lots to learn though. Lots happening with work, etc but not ready to go into details yet on that....soon though! Lots of new things, changes.

Ok, contest, not mine but check out:

http://shutupimcounting.blogspot.com/ she is a sassy sweetheart and you will love her blog. Yarnlovers beware!

Well, off to relax with that baileys on ice....may knit some as well. No clients pre booked so i am taking tomorrow off! With the gas prices hubby has told me to stay home unless i have pre booked appointments!(knit, knit , knit)

WIP update!

1. tank top, all knit just needs seaming and blocking
2. -----finish 2nd monkey sock-------finished
3.------ finish daughters poncho****finished and blocking as we type!
4--------add zipper to wallet/case***finished!
5.------ **finished!!----take apart and restart cleaves on different needle size.--finished!
6.------ add ribbon to panty and block** **Blocked!----& ribbon added------
7.------ finish lace nightie and block***finished!-------------------------
8.--- (1/2 completed)****** second zig zag sock

waiting to be started

1. hand spun afghan hubby bought at the fair for me to knit
2.---started----- sweater vest
3.-----1 pairs socks ( i dyed yarn for)
4. summer afghan
5.---- october shawl knit along----cast on & starting----
6. swallow tail stole
7. xmas socks
8.---cast on---xmas fingerless gloves
9. spinning classes (for wheel)
10. many other skeins to dye
11. fiber to spindle spin
12.-- xmas hats/scarves ----1 set finished----

Happy happy samhain, halloween...whatever you call it!

No pics yet but will post one later. DD still does not know where she is hanging tonight, with it being a weekday it is harder, but she did wear my lil devil horns to school with her full sleeve tattoo arm covers, very retro!

Look at this cool site, Tangled up In KNots which will cause you to think about all our relationships/life as well as maybe win something fun!http://tangledupinknots.blogspot.com/

Also check out here...a blog anniversary and you could win some yarn!

Had to get a new photo printer!

My small portable one (only 3 years old) was considered obsolete and we could not find ink cartridge refills. Was sad as it works great! But after just printing out 90 pics admit to loving it!

cali firestorms

You sit and watch on the tv and are so grateful that it is not you....but we finally heard from hubby's godfather yesterday that he is safe. His home may be gone though, he has yet to be able to return there. According to neighbors on both sides of him (but these are huge estates so homes are not close) the neighbors have both lost their houses and they know he has lost at least half his avacado orchard. His beautiful home is atop a mtn with a beautiful guest house attached and the outdoor kitchen , pool and jacuzzi overlooking the valley and orchards. Some of his prized posessions, numerous classic cars, race cars, etc filled his home. So we are keeping our fingers crossed that it is still standing. Would be a shame as they only relocated to this area from laguna nigel about 4 years ago. So keep the cali folk in your thoughts for many people to find their homes standing as they re-enter the burnt areas. Then sit back and be grateful for all you have!

surviving vegas

Had a blast, will write more later and add in pic's. Still a bit lagged from the entire trip, plus returning through the storm to a house without power....you get the picture! *smile*

WIP update!

1. tank top, all knit just needs seaming and blocking
2. -----finish 2nd monkey sock-------finished
3.------ finish daughters poncho****finished and blocking as we type!
4. add zipper to wallet/case
5.------ take apart and restart cleaves on different needle size.--restarted!!
6.------ add ribbon to panty and block** **Blocked!----& ribbon added------
7.------ finish lace nightie and block***finished!-------------------------
8. second zig zag sock

waiting to be started

1. hand spun afghan hubby bought at the fair for me to knit
2. sweater vest
3.-----1 pairs socks ( i dyed yarn for)
4. summer afghan
5.---- october shawl knit along----cast on & starting----
6. swallow tail stole
7. xmas socks
8. xmas fingerless gloves
9. spinning classes (for wheel)
10. many other skeins to dye
11. fiber to spindle spin
12.-- xmas hats/scarves ----1 set finished----

Gotta love a 3 day weekend!

And the weather has been crappy so it is the perfect time to get stuff done!

yesterday hubby and i went off the peninsula to run a few errands, visit with the folks and have MIL cut hubbys hair. Got him and myself some new dud's for vegas next week (wow, 16 years married this wednesday the 10th), and got waylaid in tacoma due to the refinery explosion there. It was huge! We decided to hit the Outback for dinner and kill some time and thank goodness i know quite a few back roads now so we avoided the traffic from the 2 major freeways being closed.

Got more things done sunday after hubby's seahawks so died in the game. But after a yummy fall inspired dinner and a puzzle reprieval am back to knitting. Checking off items from my WIP's list and starting a few new projects!

I had to turn the lady down who asked me to kit her the 5 pairs of socks...just lack of time to get them done, etc. Too many things i want to knit for fun, and what the heck would i have charged? But , alas...one more day off on this weekend! Lol, and all is calm now that daughter dear is home fro the boyfriends and hubby has finished harassing her!


WIP update!

1. tank top, all knit just needs seaming and blocking
2. -----finish 2nd monkey sock-------finished
3.------ finish daughters poncho****finished and blocking as we type!
4. add zipper to wallet/case
5.------ take apart and restart cleaves on different needle size.--restarted!!
6.------ add ribbon to panty and block** **Blocked!----& ribbon added------
7.------ finish lace nightie and block***finished!-------------------------


waiting to be started

1. hand spun afghan hubby bought at the fair for me to knit
2. sweater vest
3. 3 pairs socks ( i dyed yarn for)
4. summer afghan
5.---- october shawl knit along----cast on & starting----
6. swallow tail stole
7. xmas socks
8. xmas fingerless gloves
9. spinning classes (for wheel)
10. many other skeins to dye
11. fiber to spindle spin
12.-- xmas hats/scarves ----1 set finished----

WIP'S....october goals!

K, any fellow knitters, i know you have these as well. You start a project, get lured by another, then another!

1. tank top, all knit just needs seaming and blocking
2. finish 2nd monkey sock
3. finish daughters poncho****finished and blocking as we type!
4. add zipper to wallet/case
5. take apart and restart cleaves on different needle size.
6. add ribbon to panty and block** **Blocked!
7. finish lace nightie and block***finished!


waiting to be started

1. hand spun afghan hubby bought at the fair for me to knit
2. sweater vest
3. 3 pairs socks ( i dyed yarn for)
4. summer afghan
5. october shawl knit along
6. swallow tail stole
7. xmas socks
8. xmas fingerless gloves
9. spinning classes (for wheel)
10. many other skeins to dye
11. fiber to spindle spin

Look at some beautiful pics and help a friend!

Angela’s hosting a contest for her friend Nikki, who’s been nominated for an award for her children’s book illustrations. It’s a tiny bit complicated, but by voting for Nikki, you could win some lovely goodies (and Nikki could win, too!).

Ravelry countdown..

Finally, almost!!


2188 people are ahead of you in line.

You Are Midnight

You are more than a little eccentric, and you're apt to keep very unusual habits. Whether you're a nightowl, living in a commune, or taking a vow of silence - you like to experiment with your lifestyle. Expressing your individuality is important to you, and you often lie awake in bed thinking about the world and your place in it. You enjoy staying home, but that doesn't mean you're a hermit. You also appreciate quality time with family and close friends.

What Time Of Day Are You?

Stitch Markers vs live bait!

Well, we hiked up to Lower Lena Lake. Lots of switchbacks, mainly uphill for 3.2 miles! Loved it! While the guys fished for trout i sat on a fallen tree next to the water and knit on socks. It was so enjoyable and relaxing. The lake was full and we stayed until it started to get a bit dark out..which made traveling down the trail through the forest a little tricky but much faster then going up.

hey look at this!

http://hollyarn.typepad.com/hollyarn/2007/09/a-tardy-destash.html

Holly is destashing again! Visit her blog and respond to have a chance to win some of her fantastic knitting goods!

manic monday!

Hey all, sore muscles well earned from backpacking this weekend! Made it to the camp site in 1 1/2, not bad for hauling a 40 pound pack, uphill, during the hottest part of the day! That and my meds make me so dehydrated! But my back held up well, being only moderately gentle on it now! Started working on the elliptical again as well...was going through withdrawals not working out!

Hubby left to canada again for work for a few days, daughter is back in school, sophomore year! She is loving it but says the school is so crowded...it is known as the biggest high school in the state and they have 3 to a locker sharing...ridiculous!

Hey, who likes to knit, have fun getting ideas on projects, etc.....visit here for a fun contest! http://beckyknitstoo.blogspot.com/2007/09/contest-contest.html

Absent and vicadin

OK, not sure on the spelling...but i took a fair isle self striping sock dying class last weekend and then went hiking the next day. woke up sore then by that evening had horrible back spasms. The kind you gasp with every breath you take. (so have never had anything like this before ever!) So went to the good dr's and he gave me pain killers and muscle relaxors. Shortly after taking the first pain killer and a bit of food we stopped at just one store on the way home. I kid you not i completely passed out twice in the store! Freaked out hubby! He said i had that open eye dead people stare and acknowledged nothing..both times. So went home to pass out, not literally this time though. So took the rest of the week off from work, rescheduled clients, and spent some extra time with my mom who was out visiting! We did a few short trips around town, then hubby chaufered us a bit more to play tourist. Was a nice visit! So been knitting some but can't wait to get my dye's mixed too! So I'm around, just a bit dopey!

Just a cute story i saw

We have a new conversion van and, of course, had to take it on a trip. Last weekend we went to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Late in the day we traveled about 15 miles down a dirt road to see the north end of the canyon. We didn't meet a car in that 15 miles. There was nobody around when we got to the view point. My husband parked the van with the back facing this beautiful vista and set off for a short hike over the edge of the canyon.
I was sitting in the tailgate knitting a mitten when up roared three fellows who looked like rejects from the 60s. They were on Harley's, in full leathers, two had bushy beards, all looked "sinister" in my eyes. Here I was, apparently all alone at the ends of the earth. We nodded as they got off their bikes.
Biker 1: Hi there grandma. Knitting socks?
Me: Not this time--mittens for the 2-year old grandson.
Biker 1: You gonna make them all blue?
Me: Thought I would.
Biker 1: Big mistake, grandma. Those plain mittens are the kind of mittens that get left by the side of the road.
Me: By the side of the road?
(Bikers 2 and 3 have now approached the tailgate)
Biker 1: (to the other two) Whatta you think, boys? A little more color?
Bikers 2 and 3: (nod heads in agreement, but don't say anything)
Me: Well, I'll do that as soon as I make sure that these fit.
Biker 1: Bob--show grandma what I'm talking about.
Biker 2 (Bob?): (Starts to take off his pants!!!! but says nothing)
Biker 1: Hurry up, Bob. Grandma doesn't have all day!
By now, Bob has removed his boots, leather pants, and is standing there in green plaid Bermuda shorts and BEAUTIFUL HAND KNIT, CALF HIGH FANCY SOCKS!!!!
Me: Those are beautiful.
Biker 1: He makes them himself.
Me: Wow! How did you learn to do that, Bob?
Biker 2 (Bob): Well, the princess didn't knit fast enough for me, so I learned to do it myself. Out of some book she had. She buys the yarn though--I don't like to go in those yarn shops 'cause I always buy too many gadgets.
End of story.
I'm still laughing over this. We visited a little longer. I showed off a Fox-fiber sweater I made this summer and Bob dug out two more pair of socks he had made. It was a great afternoon.

TGIF

...need i say more?? *smile* more this weekend!

saturday again!

Yeah! I ended up with the day off so...nice! Done a little knitting this morning, made breakfast, relaxed.... ahhh!

We are heading to a birthday/housewarming party this afternoon. Some very good friends of ours that we have not seen in awhile. Hubby is being nice and asked our daughters boyfriend if he wanted to come along as well.

Well, last weeks knitting at work did not work out so well, too many distractions. Lol, i ended up ripping out more than i knit.

And the sun is out!!! Maybe summer is finally here!

TGIS!!

Not that it really matters as I have to work. Stopping by the store on the way to see if the new HP book has a huge line. Last year there was no one around and i walked right in and picked up the copy for my daughter. No big deal at all.
Not too busy with clients today so i'll bring the scarf i am making for the scarf swap. Does not seem like a complicated pattern but it has been kicking my butt! Of course the distractions at work do not help as i get lost as to where i am or end up miscounting when answering the phone.
The salon is having a purse party this afternoon, shouldbe interesting. Well, off to shower!

7-7-7

Well, a mellow 7-7-7 ... so that could be a good thing! Worked for a short time this morning (dang! Forgot my dirty towels at work, have to go get those tomorrow or they'll get fuzzy) then stopped at a clients home. Her husband writes and records music and has been looking for a female vocalist. Plus she just wanted me to see her home and meet the rest of her family. Beautiful home!
Relaxed with a book, worked a 1000 piece puzzle for a bit, and finished a cat's paw lace scarf , just need to block it now. Hubby ran some errands with me and got me Wor Won Ton soup for dinner. (no dishes or cooking!) Poor guy has to leave for Canada again monday morning, just got home from there this morning. But will be good overtime!
Got my punk swap buddy today. Looks like we have very similar interests and things in common, so should be fun! I already started making things this past week hoping to get someone "like me" and I did!
Well, I see my daughter just pulling into the drive, well her boyfriends parents dropping her off. Nighty night!

1. Why are you punk? Why? Well I am of the original era of punk...middle and high school during the 80's! I sing in an alternative punk band, and just like the quirky, funky fun things that seem to be related to punk. Who else sends their daughter to school with retro pin up girl checks? :)

2. What are your five favorite things? family, nature (hiking, camping), creating with my hands & hand created items, skulls and turtles

3. What are your three favorite things that you have made with knitting/crochet? a sweater in deep green (one of my fav colors) that has a cowl neck and sleeves but no body to it. Socks...many many pairs. I like funky socks and wear them camping & hiking. And a skull cap, I wear it when working out at womans boot camp in the wee hours of the morning!

4. What five things would you love to see in a swap box someday? ??hmmm??? I like creative kwirky things, I am an easy going person so just enjoy things someone else thought of for me?

5. What are your three favorite yarns? What are your three least favorite yarns? I really like Nori for the blends and colors. I like yarns that tend to have a watercolor or tie die blend to them. No one brand otherwise, I like variety. I think I am tired of eyelash yarns though.

6. What are your five favorite delicacies???Hmmm.... Aside from dark chocolate??I like to mix choc, berries and nuts! But I also do enjoy a good coffee , hot & spicy, sushi (love sushi, ate lots of that while living in hawaii)love trying new, native tastes..exotic! (ultimate comfort food though is mashed potatoes & gravy!)

7. What are your three favorite guilty pleasures? Lol, dark chocolate.....irish cream and any mexican or thai take out food!

8. What would you like your pal to know that is not covered here? I am a nature girl at heart who has to play it mellow on the surface for my job. Folks are always pleasantly suprised when they do get to know me and see my quirky wilder streak! But seeing many of my clients are quite conservative I must stay pretty mellow. Aside from my pierced nose and tongue, most of my tat's are easily covered. I am my own boss though so i have my days!!
Purple and green are my fav colors but i love all natural shades as well. I call them my jungle pastels. I love skulls, witches and turtles. I eat a very natural diet with espresso being a big evil, smile!! Knitting, Photography and scrapbooking are hobbies i enjoy. But i am also learning to spin and dye yarn as well. You may also find me reading, gardening or beading..or being stubborn with a puzzle! I was conceived at woodstock and born on the very first earth day under a full moon...granola by birth with a punk streak!

a long slow process

Lol, this is going to take me some time to figure out and build! I'm not a total idiot, just need to find some time..and espresso!

testing this out

i am not that savvy when it comes to the internal geek bits. So bear with me as I attempt to build this.