Catknits

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Tomorrow begins my annual winter trip to New York.  Since my SIL(my usual travel partner) is vacationing with her DH in Vietnam, I invited a friend who has never been to the city to go with me.  Of course she has a few places that she as a first time visitor wants to see and I am looking forward to being her tour guide.  I have already made reservations for tickets for the Empire State Building, which will keep us from standing in one extra line.  The Statue of Liberty is another place she wants to see and we will see what the weather holds to decide what day to visit.   We will also see what shows are at the half price ticket  booth and decide then. 

Of course shopping is on the itinerary and I'm sure she won't mind visiting a few knit shops.  There are a few I wouldn't miss and a few I wouldn't go back to.   My sock knitting is packed although I am not finished with the rest of the suitcase.   

I hope to post while I am on the road so see ya'll later.

Monday, Monday

I have been knitting and have the pictures to prove it!  I finished the Parallel Socks with the yarn that Darlene had given me.

Parallel Socks from Wildhorse Farm Designs

Sunshine Yarns in the Cherry Blossom colorway

Size 1 1/2 (2.5 mm) DPNs

Started in December and finished February 23.

I also finished the major pieces of the Central Park Hoodie.  I need to block everything and sew the fronts and back before I start the hood.  I decided I needed a blocking board since getting down on the floor is not so easy especially trying to measure out everything and also with 4 helpful kitties in the mix too.  The color is hard to capture and it is a deep purple heather Cascade 220

Another pair of plain vanilla socks was started using Austermann Step with aloe vera. I like to have a simple knitting project when I travel and more on that later.

I had a very slow and relaxing weekend.  My back started acting up so I played it safe and took it easy.  I tried to get into the Oscars but I hadn't seen any of the movies so I had a hard time.  The Red Carpet was fun though to be able to see the clothes, jewelry and hairstyles.  I do want to check out some of the movies nominated.

Have a great week!

Camporee 2008 in Pictures

 

A Valentine Surprise!

When I arrived home after a very long day this is what greeted me at the door.

Elizabeth sent me this beautiful cookie basket for taking her around Birmingham.  I can't wait to tear into the package and do a little taste tasting.  Thank you Elizabeth for a wonder surprise and being such a good friend!

The Yarn Harlot is making another appearance in Atlanta in April.  I missed her last time and am planning on going this time especially since she is speaking on a Sunday afternoon.  The link is here if you want to reserve a spot.  Maybe we can get a group together and make a day of it.

I have been busy measuring ingredients and chopping to prepare for the major cooking event at the Camporee tonight.  I will have to leave work early to try to make it to Tannehill by 3:30 and prepare the first 6 pecan pies to go in the dutch ovens.  Next will be 6 coconut pies, 1 apple cake, 6 fudge pies, 2 almond skillet cakes, 1 bread pudding, 2 peach crisps and 2 cherry pies.  I think that is all! 

Have a great weekend!

Yes it is February!

Does the time fly by for everyone like it does for me? 

Last Monday I had the pleasure of meeting Elizabeth who along with her husband spent a couple of extra nights here just so we could get together.  I picked her up at the hotel and we headed out to visit the yarn shops here.  She found lots of pretty yarn for several projects.  I bought some Noro silk garden for the  Noro Scarf from Brooklyn Tweed and thought that I remembered that the pattern only called for 1 ball of 2 colors.  Elizabeth and I bought the same colors but after printing  the pattern , I realized the pattern took twice that amount and she generously gave me her yarn.  Here is the progress so far.

We then had lunch at a local cafe and tried for the 3rd shop which was closed.  That night Elizabeth her DH and I went to dinner(my DH was out of town) and had a wonderful time.   I enjoyed meeting her and hope we will be able to do it again!

I have been keeping up with the Secret of the Stole 2.  Clue # 4 came out Friday but I haven't been able to stick with my daily quota of rows.  Maybe I can catch up before Friday.

The Central Park Hoodie has also seen some time in the queue .  I have enjoyed knitting with the Cascade 220.  The color is not true in the picture even though I was outside in the cold this morning trying to get a truer color.  I am working on the right front and sleeve island is next.

Yesterday

Grace was the host for the local spinners group that first met at Elizabeth's house in January.  We had a great time spinning and tasting all of the goodies and wine that everyone brought.  Tonni

is having a contest to come up with a name for the group and you don't have to be in the group to participate.  Jessie was there but she was taking pictures too.

Tonni and Stacey

Carrie, Grace and Carrie

Bibby

This weekend I am helping with the Boy Scout Camporee at Tannehill.  My nephew and I are in charge of the Dutch Oven deserts Friday night for the adults at camp.  If anyone out there would like to help us cook just let me know.  We need all of the help we can get since we have to make 22 deserts (I kid you not).  You will even get an official Camporee patch!

Rainy Monday

Life has been busy and I am just now posting the 7 random things that Cindy tagged me with

7 Random Facts... now these are the rules;
Post these rules on your blog. List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself. Tag seven random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog.

1.  I love to cook and especially bake.  Thanks to my MIL I really got into cooking and took cooking classes for at least 20 years.

2.  I love to travel and have been to almost all 50 states.  I have also been over the pond many times and look forward to many more trips.

3.  I don't like anyone to drive my car(DH included).

4.  I have been on the search for the perfect recipe for cheese straws but haven't found it yet.

5.  I have been knitting since I learned in Girl Scouts.  Then the yarn was only available in a  certain ladies basement.  I thank my Mom for driving me there and believing that I would actually finish a project. 

6.  I love rainy days but only if I can stay home and knit.

7.  I can't stand cold food especially if it is supposed to be hot.

Last week when I learned that Elizabeth was going to be in town for her DH's dental Reunion, I asked if she could meet for lunch.  Well she and John arranged to be here for 2 more nights so we can meet up today.  I have to go into work to check on things then I am picking her up for a fun day.  I only know Elizabeth through her blog and emails and she is the genius behind the Knit Bloggers Cookbook.

I will have knitting pictures later when I actually take pictures.  I am on Clue #3 on the Secret of the Stole 2 and I am almost finished with the left front on the CPH.  I had forgotten how much fun it is to knit a sweater.  I found the last one I knit which I finished the knitting but I have never put it together.  I know I should be ashamed and I am going to do something about it!