ScientKnits

Sunny Monday

2012-02-20T10:21:00.002-05:00

It's another day at home with my little man. Truthfully, it's been a good couple of weeks, all things considered - I've spent many more days at home with him than usual, even though it's from cold/cough/virus/pinkeye etc., and today daycare is closed... It's been interesting to try out the whole stay-at-home-mom thing, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I know he gets more stimulation and exercise and all that good stuff at daycare, and our neighborhood just isn't little kid central. I'm sure if we had a car, there would be playgroup, swimming lessons, soccer, and all that jazz, which would make it better. Unfortunately, we have a safe radius in which we walk, we can visit Hubby at work, and that's about it. I joke and tell Hubs that if I had to do it long term down here it would be disastrous, because every day I'd spend money, eat, or spend money to eat. It's vicious.

Today should be good, though; the science museum has a new exhibit in its rotating exhibit hall, the weather is cool but very sunny, and (fingers crossed) N. has been in a really cooperative mood since waking up.... so far... (that's another post for another time - the evolution of preschooler defiance... )

And, with a bit of luck I'll get to do some more crafting later this afternoon :)

No FOs today...

2012-02-17T20:52:00.002-05:00

Hubby and I played hooky, rented a car, and did errands blissfully child-free, while N. was at daycare... but laid low other than that. I'm trying to talk to my mom as much as possible; the cat was really her cat, she was his favourite, and she's pretty down. But, my soon-to-be SIL brought over her cat for a visit, and that seemed to help a little. A house needs a cat, and I hope she won't wait too long.

In random crafty news, I bought some patterns from Wild Olive the other day on BOGO super-sale, and I'm thinking I might work on a couple of little embroidery projects. They're so darn cute, and I've been watching her stuff for a year or so now, so I couldn't resist.

Luckily for us, tomorrow is supposed to be sunny, and I plan to spend a few hours walking the city. With a bit of luck, I'll get some crafting time in tomorrow night, and will have more to share next week.

And with that I think I have to tag in for the bedtime battle... it's been bad the last few weeks, and I think Hubby is about to break. G'nite!

:'-(

2012-02-16T17:00:00.001-05:00

How do you measure 16 years? Today, it's with 10 broken hearts.

1996-2012

Rest easy, little buddy.

WiP Wednesday

2012-02-15T09:53:00.007-05:00

This'll be a quick one... I'm still editing job apps.... but I'm on my last wedge of this next one, and I had to share :)

My latest distraction is the Stripe Study Shawl by Veera Valimaki. I'm doing mine in leftover knitpicks bare silk/merino sock, and a gorgeous skein of Kauni I bought at KNH. It seems I always come back to shawls in fingering on US6s.

(photo by J.B.)

I'm hoping to have it done next week, and with a bit of luck it'll still be chilly enough to wear for a while (but not too chilly!)

As always, check out Tami's Amis for more awesome WiPs :)

hello world, how've things been?

2012-02-14T09:37:00.002-05:00

I'm determined to get my head out of my arse and keep things moving forward, so here I am. I'm thinking next month I might do an enforced personal NaBloPoMo, but we'll see.

Today, though, I'm spending the morning editing job applications for Hubby (ack!) and doing daycare PTA events... I'm thinking wrestling with 100 kids from 0-5 will be a little less stressful :)

The job thing has been a long time coming, since one can't be a postdoc forever, and it's exciting, but Hubby is freaking the frack out. Which is understandable. Teaching statements, research statements, and we'll probably have to tailor them to all the different unis that he's going to apply to. But his stuff is good, and solid. And as much as I'm not ready to leave here, I am ready for the next step. I'd like to have a car before I'm 40. And maybe a mortgage payment instead of rent. I'm scared, but excited.

I've also been knitting - my WIP Wednesday project is probably about 75% done, but being a triangular type of thing, progress is difficult to figure out. But I love it, and I've done more knitting in the past two weeks than I have in about three months.

I've also fallen for the hype, and I started reading the Hunger Games in anticipation of the movie next month. I hate to be a bandwagon-jumper, but along with knitting, a sick toddler, pinkeye back in the house (don't ask), I've managed to blow through the first two books and am halfway into the third. In less than two weeks. For some reason, dystopian lit has always captured my attention (I've read The Handmaid's Tale countless times), and these books are compelling. In the hands of my imagination (at least) I can see how they'd translate to screen quite well. I'd love to see them (and the movie(s) for that matter) eclipse Twilight... oh, no pun intended :P. I'll see, though; I'm reserving final judgement for when I see how it ends.

And with that, I'll sign off for now, and promise to be back soon. Spring is coming, the days are longer, and I can feel my energy coming back, so it shouldn't be too hard :)

above water again

2012-02-10T09:55:00.005-05:00

After N. was sick (and out of daycare for a week) and I got the same thing, I'm finally coming out the other side. Luckily for me, I've managed to get lots more knitting done in the meantime. I started a new project that I can hopefully talk about next Wednesday, but for today I'll just show you the BSJs that finally got finished and put in the mail to the now three-week-old twins.

Rough stats:

Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann

Started December 2011

Finished Jan 26 2012 (babies born Jan 21, at 5lb each)

BMFA Socks that Rock mediumweight

US8 circulars

Mods: yarn, larger needle, i-cord bindoff (obsessed!), paid attention picking up stitches on the 10-ridge piece towards the end to make sure the right side was flat and the blips were on the inside, three buttonholes instead of five.

I chose to use two different shaped pink buttons rather than pink on one and yellow on the other, because the yellow was too stark. I always use grosgrain to back the buttons, ensuring that they're on solidly (using a small backing button never works for me).

I think these should show up to the babies' auntie's house shortly - I never wrap gifts because they always get opened at customs (boo) so I sent along gift bags and flowery sparkly tissue paper (yay) so that my friend's sister could make them presentable :) If I get a photo of the babies wearing them, I'll send them along.

Hopefully I'll get back on track, but for now, to see other people being super productive, head to Tami's Amis for more amazing projects!

knitter deadline fail, but it's ok :)

2012-01-22T10:13:00.002-05:00

I still haven't finished the second BSJ for my friend who was pregnant with twins, and this morning, the babies arrived (36 wks). They're happy and healthy and just about 5lb each, so I still have time, but I'm just thrilled that they're here and OK :)

And now I have to clean up (lab party last night) and knit (!)... more soon, hopefully.

De-Santa-ified

2012-01-08T12:57:00.002-05:00

Whew. That feels better. The boys went out this morning and I un-decorated the entire apartment, caught up on some TV that I missed over the vacation (and during the cumulative four days drive), and did some knitting.

I still have about 40% of a BSJ to finish, but it's going forward, at least. And the latte that Hubby brought back was a welcome treat :)

I have yet to decide on New Year's resolutions (or even if I'll make some), but I'm liking the fact that there's so much potential.

Now, off to the needles!

And, the bottom falls out...

2012-01-07T14:26:00.002-05:00

... with the inevitable post-holiday let down. My dad left this afternoon (one day early, because of some impending weather, and an unfortunate need to be home for a funeral by Tuesday). I've sent the boys out for a walk while I contemplate the five days worth of cleaning I have ahead of me, and listen to Amanda Palmer/Dresden Dolls/Evelyn Evelyn and wallow.

This was the first time N. got upset when my dad left. Usually he doesn't get it. Today he wailed, "I want Papa to come back! Papa, come back! I need Papa to come back!" Which sucked.

So I will take my pitiful self and start unpacking. And contemplate getting back on caffeine, because I don't want to be draggy for much longer.

Popping in...

2011-12-31T10:18:00.003-05:00

preparing for our traditional NYE feast, trying to let Hubby get some work done, and not thinking about leaving next week.

I'm not sure if I'll get a real post in before we're back home and settled, but we'll see. If not, have a safe and happy New Year celebration, and here's to 2012!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T17:52:00.002-05:00

We had a pretty amazing day, hope you did too :)

N. and his cousin O., making gingerbread houses

Merry Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T07:51:00.003-05:00

... and Happy Hannukah and Joyous Kwaanza and Good Festivus.

It's been a good holiday so far, lots of fantastic, and a little bittersweet. In a couple of days, once all the in-law obligations have been met by my brothers, we'll all be in the same place for the first time in over three years, so that's in the win column. My mom's cat is still with us, and it looks like he'll hang in through the rest of the trip, but I fear he's not long for his kitty mortal coils. 16 is a good run for a cat, though.

My Grammie is in good health, physically. It's just the damn Alzheimer's that keeps marching on. It's not too bad, until it is. But, we'll get through it.

Merry Merry to everyone, I hope you and yours are healthy and happy, and that 2012 is even better than 2011. xoxo

so I lied... one more post.

2011-12-17T14:29:00.002-05:00

I'm pretty much done packing, and it's only 2:30pm. The lab party isn't til 7, I'm showered and dressed. My dad is napping, N. is playing with his dominoes, and Hubby is going to take out the trash and settle in to do an hour's worth of work before the festivities. The remainder of stuff that has to be done can't be done until after the party and/or right before walking out the door (lights on timers, etc.). So I'm sitting here twiddling :)

I think I'll finish my party make-up, get N. a snack, and see if anything else pops up...

drive-by post

2011-12-16T21:18:00.002-05:00

In bullets:

Had a great day
Successful preschooler dentist appointment, didn't even need to sit on Momma's lap
Thesis defense for labmate was successful
Packing has commenced in earnest
Will likely post when we're at the 'rents place, safe and sound.

Happy Winter Holiday of Choice!

I realize it's not Friday...

2011-12-13T23:46:00.002-05:00

but I'm not sure how crazy it'll be then, between lab meetings, friend's thesis presentations, and dentist appointments.

So, without further ado, I present N.'s nap blanket :)

Unrolled:

Fully open, with extra large blanket for snuggliness:

And all rolled up:

Tonight consisted of quilting the main pad, stuffing the pillow, closing it up, and attaching the hook velcro to the straps. It took a total of 15 minutes :)

Now I just have to hide it... I'll be using it to bribe him to sleep on the drive up north, which will involve one night in a motel.

Tomorrow, final 6 dozen cookies and packing...

8 more dozen cookies...

2011-12-12T22:38:00.003-05:00

... and I'm nearly done one of two baby sweaters that need to be finished. I still have to do the rest of the nap blanket, though. We'll see how the next couple of days go.

My dad is now showing up on Thursday morning, which means I'll have an extra evening of babysitting services while I go through everything and finalize the packing. Should be interesting to see how this all goes :)

I think tomorrow will be sewing, and hopefully some photos, and then Wednesday is my last knitting class with N.'s daycare teachers. Thursday Dad is here, Friday will be more packing, Saturday is the lab party, then Sunday we're outta here!

But now, bed.

some baking time

2011-12-11T10:56:00.002-05:00

I think I've finally turned into my mother... twice this weekend I pulled the "take the kid out so I can cook" card :)

Yesterday, N. was invited to a birthday party at the science museum down the street, so I jumped at the chance to bake for the lab party that's tonight. This morning, I sent them to church while I baked cookies to give to N.'s teachers. In the past 24 hours I've made 15 dozen cookies. I'd have another batch of dough going except for the fact that I forgot to take extra butter out to soften, and I am utterly unable to soften butter in the microwave.

Dad should show up on Friday morning, and we have a second lab party on Saturday evening. We'd leave before it, but it's to celebrate a good friend who's defending her thesis on Friday.

I still haven't packed yet, but it's all organized in my head ;) we'll see how many nights I'm up late this week getting everything straightened out.

no FOs, but I at least got something done last night :)

2011-12-09T10:43:00.002-05:00

Pictures to come soon, because I'm just not that organized yet... last night I sat down and got the majority of a nap blanket completed for N. The Cars flannel and fleece arrived weeks ago, and I figured if I wanted it done for Christmas I had to get off my butt.

A couple of things that I changed this time around:

1. instead of using commercial double-fold quilt binding, I used satin blanket binding. I couldn't find double-fold in black when I ordered, and the single-fold wide bias tape doesn't work.
2. low-loft batting... should be easier to sew up (that's what I have left to do)
3. I sewed the blanket binding on using a decorative stitch on my new machine... not sure what it's called, but it looks like prairie points. It's a bit tricky to get even without practice, but I didn't do too bad.

I'm hoping I can get it done tonight, along with baking some cookies ;) Photos to come when I get it done and can get decent light when N. is not around.

i need to find time

2011-12-07T22:52:00.002-05:00

no time to bake (for gifts)
no time to knit (for gifts)
no time to pack (for home)

but I'll figure it out :)

I usually plan and pack over several weeks when I'm heading anywhere for more than a few days. I cleared out space in the back hallway to try and get that started. the problem? N. knows now what suitcases are for. We've been trying to keep things quiet for the time being, at least until Dad is here, since N.doesn't understand what it means to wait. To him, there are three kinds of time: today, tomorrow, and last week. But tonight he saw the bags laid out and wanted to know what they were for. I'm thinking I"ll have to hide them again!

I'm so looking forward to this time off. working in the lab full time again is so much fun, but it keeps my brain from recharging. I need some me time, and some family time.

And now, I need some sleep time. I hate writing such scattered posts, but if I don't get back in the habit somehow, I'll never write at all. So, scattered it is. Night, all.

Head above water, briefly.

2011-12-01T21:50:00.002-05:00

I'm still alive. Had a few weeks of zero crafting and 100% stress, but it's all come down to two facts at the moment:

1. I am now a permanent resident of these here unitificated states! YAY! A wholly stress-filled process, not inexpensive, very very much a pain in the butt, but it's complete. And it means I am now free to travel.

Which brings me to my second point:

2. WE'RE GOING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!!

Sorry to shout, but I haven't been home in a year and a half, my niece is growing up without me, and I need to see my grandmother. We haven't spent Christmas with any relatives in a few years, and even though I typically like the whole not-travelling part, I miss the madness that is my family.

The catch:

I now have 2.5 weeks to plan, pack, teach my thrummed mitten class at Knit, get gifts made for N's teachers and everyone else around here, keep working at the volunteer position I picked up a couple of months ago (in a lab, hopefully leading to something else), then treck up north. It's going to be hell.

And I can't wait.

still alive, still here, still busy

2011-11-15T10:59:00.003-05:00

just pulling above water for a second... in the middle of a large, high-throughput experiment at my 'volunteer' position... Dad left a week and a half ago... getting ready for the holidays, and other craziness. Haven't knit hardly at all... which is killing me.

Hopefully I'll have more time soon, and I'll be back at it. I miss regular progress, and WiPs and FOs...

huzzah!

2011-11-03T21:39:00.002-04:00

My dad is still here, which is kind of cool... by the time he leaves, it'll have been two weeks :) We've done lots, still have a few more days...

And... because he's here with his car, I got to drive to an appropriate shopping location and get... a new laptop! I still have to figure out how to transfer my files from the old mac, but I'll get there. I don't need to harass Hubby to check my email anymore! YAY!

The only problem is that I haven't knit in over a week, and I only did a little bit of crochet on Tuesday... and I'm going a little nutsy for it. Hopefully we'll settle back into a routine soon. Which, come to think of it, is a hilarious thing to say - Christmas is just around the corner, so routine is a ways away :))

quick post to say

2011-10-23T20:59:00.002-04:00

my dad is here for a nice, long visit... and he brought with him two of my favourite sweaters that had gone for a bit of a spa break at my parents' place for the past few years... one big cardigan that was knit for my grandfather 25+ years ago that I wore throughout college, and one fishermans sweater that my mother made for my dad 30+ years ago... I love them and I missed them and they're just what I needed. Hopefully I can get some pics soon :-)

And now, since my Dad's sleeping, and N. is sleeping, I'm going to get ready to watch some New Jersey Housewives reunion and go to bed myself.

Poking above water

2011-10-20T12:56:00.002-04:00

sorry for the lack of WiPs and FOs and all lately... we've been dealing with lots of crap... not the least of which is an issue with the new 2nd floor tenants; or rather, they have an issue with us. Long and complicated story, but it's culminating in me going to pick out new carpet with the landlord this afternoon. Did I ever mention that I love our landlords?

I've been working on a few projects here and there, but am thoroughly enjoying being back in the lab full time, especially because it's a full house (and I like everyone) instead of me working by myself in a room with no windows, like my last job. Sure, it's only volunteer for now, but I feel at home, and that's what counts.

We've also determined that we're not taking a trip up north this fall, which means settling in for holiday prep. My dad is coming down this weekend, and staying for a couple of weeks hopefully, and that should break up the long stretch of not seeing anyone. I miss them all terribly, but I can be grateful for not having to travel right around Christmas. There's always skype, after all :)

OK... off I go to Lowes or Home Depot... picking out carpet... whee!

Quick FO Friday

2011-10-14T09:00:00.003-04:00

Quick FO friday for you: the completed Freia hat :)

Thank you for all of your comments!! I'm behind on responding because I've started volunteering in a lab full time while waiting for all kinds of paperwork and grants and things to potentially come through. I LOVE being busy, but it also puts a serious cramp into knitting and blogging :)

The verdict on the hat? Love it, but had to fudge. I had to leave out two rows of stockinette on the last section after the final braid to have enough yarn. It doesn't make much difference in the fit, but for someone like me with a huge head, it's important to be able to make the largest size as written. I'd definitely make it again, though.

Head to Tami's Amis for more FOs :)

WiP Wednesday

2011-10-12T09:34:00.002-04:00

One thing to show you this week - a store sample for my lys. They've gotten so much yummy yarn that doesn't all fit in my budget, but the Freia Handpaints were so beautiful, I just wanted a chance to try them out. Luckily, the ladies are ever accomodating, and I'm knitting up a sample hat in the grapevine colorway.

It took just a quick store visit and one TV show's worth of time to get to this point:

I'm making the largest size, and I'm not sure how the yardage will work out - the pattern is one-skein, so we'll see.

And since we're all feeling better these past couple of days, off I go to be productive :)

For more WiPs, check out Tami's Amis!

quick update - all is well

2011-10-10T23:29:00.002-04:00

So far, the whole illness/discomfort seems to have been short lived for everyone - had a great morning, then a great day at the park. sleeping soundly at the moment, hopefully for the night (fingers crossed). thanks for letting me deleriously vent, twas very theraputic.

night-night :)

I'm not even sure why I'm posting at this hour... I'm delerious, and this is likely to be TMI, so consider yourself warned.

2011-10-10T01:05:00.004-04:00

It's Sunday night/Monday morning, somewhere after 1am... and I'm not sleeping.

Last night I thought I'd be domestic, because we'd had a great day, and N. had been terrific. So, I chopped up a whackload of onions and set out to make french onion soup for Hubby. Fast-forward to 7:30pm: Trying to get the child to bed, and I'm trying to finish the soup. During my first deglaze (which is something I do all. the. time.) I got splashback. Burned my right hand all over, and I'm still not sure if it was steam, broth, or grease. I spent the entire evening with my hand in a bowl of icewater. Luckily no blistering, but it BURNS like the fires of HELL.

Fast-forward again to 12:45am: I'm trying to doze while keeping my hand in a ziploc baggie with icewater, a facecloth, and some chunks of ice. Then the *ahem* party downstairs revs up. My bloodpressure spikes, I go down and scare the shit out of them with four little words, "Dude. Shut. It. Down."

Sunday was calmer - more ice compresses, a long walk outside with some froyo. I cooked a cauliflower pasta recipe that I found last week and it was delish. The child went to bed at 8pm (which is early, but he was happy). Push that good old FF button: 10:30PM: Child wakes up. Claims his whole body hurts. I'm not sure it's a nightmare or illness, but he has no fever (whew) and very little tenderness anywhere (swatted me away from palpating his belly, but more from annoyance, I think). I'm guessing he has gas, but he doesn't want to potty. All he wants is to sleep in my bed.

He was so sad and tired, so I tucked him in and got ready to climb in too (it's about 11:10 at this point). Unfortunately for me (apologies for the TMI), it turns out that I'm sick. I'm pretty sure it was the assault of the cauliflower pasta (which included copious amounts of garlic, chilis, and anchovies, none of which I've had lately), but I've been battling things since that point. It's been the longest two hours of my life.

I think I'm finally ready to climb into bed, and I just heard what sounds like kids firing off firecrackers and cherry bombs in the neighborhood. Which reminds me, they've started playing knicky-knicky nine-door lately, and it's really pissing me off. Sigh. I'm just a barrel of laughs tonight. Possibly going to delete this tomorrow when I'm lucid.

And now that I've gotten that stream of consciousness out, I think I'm going to go lie down... We're supposed to have a playdate tomorrow with our neighbors since daycare is closed. I'm desperately hoping that N.'s episode is temporary, because he loves the park and loves these kids.

Ellie, over and out.

FO Friday

2011-10-07T12:21:00.004-04:00

Just one thing to show you this week, because that's all I managed to get photographed:

The roll-up nap blanket for my niece :)

This was tremendously easy, all straight seams. The only hitch was convincing my machine to sew through three layers of high-loft batting... that took some encouraging. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was big enough - the finished size of the pad is 20"x50", and the blanket is approx 36"x38".

It has kid-approval: N. obliged for a photo, but when I told him I was putting it away to send to his cousin, he was heartbroken; not the 'I'm annoyed because you took my toy away' kind of upset, but the "But I truly love this thing with all my 3 year old heart" kind of upset. It was rather cute, enough that I ordered some Cars flannel and matching red fleece to make him one of his own for Christmas :)

As always, check out Tami's Amis for more FO's :)

WiP Wednesday

2011-10-05T12:20:00.005-04:00

I'm trying to get back on the life train, but it's thwarting me at every turn... mostly with a cold that turned into mild bronchitis, which pissed me off because it's October, not February.

I did have a fun little excursion last week - Stacey and I went on a fabric-and-grocery expedition, and had a girls-night-supper in between. I scored a good length of Dora fabric for my niece, and since it was the end of the bolt, I got 1/3 of it at remnant price. I'm making her a roll-up nap blanket for Christmas, and this was the status this morning at 11am:

In this photo, it needs to be quilted on the main body, and the pillow section stuffed. The attached 'blankie' is some 50% off polar fleece with quilt binding. (I'm cheating a little, it's mostly finished right now, and I'll feature it on Friday... note to self: use two layers of hi-loft batting instead of three, and watch the fleece while sewing, because it stretches).

While I was home wheezing last week, I also knocked out a pair of Duffers slippers, because I had two skeins of Cascade Pastaza, and they do wear through when you spend your evening sliding on the linoleum like a 6-year-old:

These are still a WiP because it's pre-felting state; I also did one size smaller than last time, because I wanted to see if I could get them felted down in two laundry cycles instead of the five it took my previous pair.

That's it for me today; for more WiPs, visit Tami's Amis!

ETA: Tutorial for the roll-up nap blanket is here; 2nd note to self: use 28-30" of webbing instead of the 27" lengths for the straps.

we now return you to your regularly scheduled madness

2011-09-18T20:38:00.002-04:00

sorry I dropped off the grid there for a while... I took the opportunity to meet up with my sister-in-law in Boston for a few days, and am so glad I did. She had a conference, and an extra bed in her hotel room, so I grabbed the Amtrak and headed in. It was hard to leave N., even though Hubs is more than capable. The nice thing is, between the wireless and SIL's iPad, we were able to skype with our kidlets every night.

I managed to get 3 repeats of the silk shawl and probably about 10 rows on the Charlotte's Web done, mostly on the train. We spent so much time sightseeing (SIL only hit two of the relevant sessions at the conference; the rest weren't applicable to her research, so she came with me) that there was little time to knit. Combine that with some great shopping (mostly 'window'), and we came home happy and with sore feet ;)

Alas, I now have to get the house back in order and catch up on the laundry.

But, I now know the value of doing a 'girls' weekend every once in a while... for very little money (food and train tix) we had a wonderful time, and determined that we're actually quite a bit alike. So, a win on all fronts.

Sorry for the choppiness of it all; I'm still recovering from four very early mornings. Hopefully I'll get back into the routine very soon...

WIP Wednesday

2011-08-31T21:09:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the late post... crazy day today :-)

Here are some better shots of the Charlotte's Web shawl, mostly consisting of the first two colorways. The color accuracy isn't the best, but it shows how the second colorway blends in and introduces the purple from the robins egg blue. Still loving it, and it's just more proof that my ideal yarn/needle combination is fingering on size 6/7.

Hop on over to Tami's Amis for more WiP Wednesday :)

I survived Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene and all I got was this damn t-shirt...

2011-08-29T23:18:00.002-04:00

actually, I didn't even get a T-shirt... I just got to eat a hell of a lot of chicken nuggets because they were the only truly perishable thing in my freezer and it was eat or throw away.

38 hours without power. No damage to the house. Lots of walks in the neighborhood. Everyone helping everyone else.

Not too bad :)

More soon... since the power is back, I'm going to bed. Sweet, air-conditioned bed.

No finished objects this week...

2011-08-26T09:31:00.002-04:00

... I've been finishing up hurricane prep instead... we have water, food, batteries, etc. I'm hoping that it's just a big lot of hot air, but hurricanes aren't common where I'm from so I'm never sure how serious to take it. We had one freak hurricane back in '03 or '04 when I was in grad school, and we were without power for days and days. At the time, I had a gas grill and a whole lot of good stuff in my freezer that needed to be cooked, so it was a blast as a college student. We ate like kings, drank up all the beer a bunch of us had between us, and did no experiments because we had no power. Now, I have no grill, a 3 1/2 year old, plus no car to high-tail it out. Not as much fun.

If you're on the East Coast, stay safe, stay dry, and assuming we lose power, check back when it's restored.

WiP Wednesday

2011-08-24T08:30:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the short post, but today is going to be very rushed, and the new camera card still hasn't been dumped... This is the yarn that's slowly becoming the Charlotte's Web. I'm into the third color, but magical shawl calculating tells me that I'm only somewhere around 17% finished, not including the potential crocheted edging. Still liking it, though, and the incremental increase in purple is very motivating :)

As always, visit Tami's Amis for more WiPs :)

Tired Saturday

2011-08-20T17:05:00.002-04:00

While I like the fact that doing WiP Weds and FO Fri keeps me posting on a regular basis, it's somewhat like NaBloPoMo - sometimes I think I'm posting just for the sake of posting.

Although today I'm posting just for the sake of posting because the boys are at the corner market and I have a few minutes to myself after a busy day. I managed to do three loads of laundry, met and spent some time with our new neighbors who have an adorable baby (and are leaving on a four month sabbatical and we won't see them until December), go to the farmers market and get fruit and veg for a few more days, bake up some chicken for the week, and get the child to 'rest' without actually sleeping for an hour so Hubby could get some work done.

I didn't get any knitting done today, but I got six rows of silk in yesterday morning and some felt crafting yesterday evening. I'm hoping to do some more tonight, since no actual nap means early bedtime. I'm loving the felt crafts partly because felt is so forgiving, and partly because I have many Christmas kits that I'm plugging away at. The original tree skirt kit from months ago is moving slowly because it's so large that it requires the entire kitchen table; it's not worth taking it out unless I have a huge chunk of time to spend, but it's moving slowly forward. I started the matching stockings because they're only 18" and I can easily park on a corner of the table while Hubby does data analysis.

The camera and I are slowly getting to know one another, too. I didn't have much time yesterday because Hubby had to take a crash course in order to photograph some of his experiments, but I'm guessing Monday will see me running around outside and in, figuring stuff out. So far, I like that the low-light capture is better, it's about 1/3 the weight, and much more streamlined.

And now off I go to fix dinner while the boys come back with milk, eggs, and possibly some form of cheese :)

Drive-by FO Friday

2011-08-19T08:01:00.003-04:00

A second set of felt flower clips that are on their way to my niece... this pic was one of the last taken with my old camera (RIP Flashie), and my new camera is just out of the box waiting to be figured out.

For more (and possibly knitting related) FOs, as always visit Tami's Amis :)

WIP Wednesday

2011-08-17T07:45:00.000-04:00

Yet another pic from Stacey :) This is the main body of the shawl, showing off the stitch pattern and the nupps (which I modified from 7-stitch to 5-stitch; they're sort of invisible without a beastly blocking). I was on fire today, and managed to get two entire repeats done (24 rows! Six times what I need to do in a day!) in between parent-teacher events.

The Charlotte's Web is still chugging along, although no pics yet - I have to try and get them off the old camera before the new one arrives next week :-)

Want to see more WIPs? Head over to Tami's Amis and check some out!

The camera saga, take the billionth...

2011-08-14T11:05:00.003-04:00

Sigh. My camera.

I logged into Amazon this morning with the full intention of ordering the camera that we'd been eyeing for a while. Different make, but better optical, good reviews, cheapest on Amazon (we'd tracked it in 3 other places). As of 9:30Am, they'd jacked up the price by $30, and it was no longer being sold directly by Amazon. I have issues with 3rd party sellers, so I decided to check out the mighty big box website, just for kicks.

There, I found a camera BUNDLE for LESS than the original price of my desired Amazon camera (with no accessories). It's also back to the brand that our old camera is, it comes with a Li battery instead of chewing through AAs, it includes both a memory card and a case, plus a tripod for good measure, and the reviews are comparable (and seem to meet our needs).

However, none of this helped when I had to photograph the hairclips I finished, that are being mailed out tomorrow to my niece. So I dragged out the old beast, because sometimes it cooperates... I've been messing with it occasionally, because I can often get it to power up by plugging it into the computer... This morning it powered on, no problem. I took a couple of pics, and while it was sluggish writing to the card, it managed. Then it powered off no problem, which it hasn't done in ages; usually I wait for it to go to sleep, and it shuts off within an hour (I watch for the lens retraction). A half hour later, Hubby came home from his music practice (he's playing organ at the church one block over). I showed him the new option, explained why Amazon sucks, then brought out the old camera. Power on, power off. Power on, power off. Mr. Miyagi would be proud.

Bottom line? I don't trust it. I'm still pushing to order this new one, hopefully today.

Knitting-wise, yesterday was a bust. Friday night I did get a lot done on the Charlotte's web, eight rows to be exact. If I have time today, I'll bring out the silk, but if not I'm not stressing. I have to switch gears this week to teacher presents, for when N. graduates to the older classroom at the end of the month - since I don't have time to make everyone scarves or mittens or some such, I'm thinking maybe more box bags, because they're cute and somewhat impressive to non-sewers ;)

Happy Sunday!

ETA: the camera stopped working again. With my hairclip photos and my Charlotte's Web yarn progression photos still on it. Will wait for it to turn itself off in an hour, dump the card, and give the heck up.

No FO Friday

2011-08-12T20:23:00.002-04:00

Thanks, everyone, for the encouragement on the silk shawl :) I'm still keeping up at a decent pace, and while I don't think I'll be done in three weeks, I'm guessing definitely by Thanksgiving... if I haven't just jinxed myself.

I have nothing to show for FO Friday partially because I didn't finish anything this week, and partially because I'm still cameraless. I think we know which one we're getting, so we just have to order it.

I haven't gotten any sewing done this week, but I'm hoping to get a chunk in soon... but the weekend is family time, and we're planning on doing the farmers market tomorrow :)

Happy Weekend!

WiP Wednesday

2011-08-10T08:14:00.005-04:00

Ok, so thanks to Stacey and her functioning camera, I've got a photo of my silk shawl-in-progress:

unblocked, of course, and the color isn't quite right, but it's close.

It's coming along nicely, I have nearly 11 of 31 reps done, plus the edgings are complete... I'm just knitting til I'm out of yarn, no real calculating involved, because I don't have to save yardage for a bind-off.

I also succumbed to internal pressure and cast on for the Charlotte's web, although there are no pics yet. I like a nice, basic triangle and this should be really entertaining when it comes time to shift the colorways.

Thanks to Tami's Amis for hosting this theme, and Stacey for inspiring me to get involved :)

FO Friday

2011-08-05T15:29:00.003-04:00

Lots to show this week...

This is N.'s little crocheted monster, from a freshstitches pattern :-) I also made the project bag in the background last Thursday.

I also managed to get these in the mail to my Goddaughter:

I used eco-craft felt (recycled! pretty! lots of color choices!) and three colors of the Valdani embroidery thread I ordered a few weeks ago from Purl Soho. At first I thought that thread was going to be just a fun indulgent purchase, but it turns out that, yard for yard, it's approx. the same price as DMC floss. It's two-ply, non-splittable, fairly hearty (I think it's size 12, it's definitely a little finer that size 10 crochet cotton), and really great to work with. You have to invest in a lot of yardage per color (instead of DMC's 8yd put up) but I'll definitely think about more in the future.

I did six rows on the silk shawl today; I've been typically getting a whole 12-row repeat done per session lately, but today between the weather and the allergy meds I had to take, I'm pretty zonked. Maybe more tonight...

WiP Wednesday

2011-08-03T11:46:00.003-04:00

Cin, stop reading here and check your mail soon!

So, my camera is weird. Now it turns on, but won't turn off. No matter what I do, I have to wait for it to go to sleep, then somehow it senses that it's been sleeping for hours and then turns off. The upside? I can take photos...

This week I'm working on a present for my Goddaughter's birthday, and I'm having fun with felt. An hour in, I have the makings of 15 flower hairclips that hopefully will go with her entire wardrobe.

I also managed to get 18 rows done on my silk thread stole yesterday... which means I've banked somewhere around 17 days of knitting on it if I keep up with four rows a day. If I look at it another way, going at this rate means I might be done in six weeks instead of three months (although this pace is a little steep).

All this, and laundry is in too ;)

Pictureless post

2011-07-29T14:21:00.003-04:00

It's friday again, and my friend Stacey has been encouraging me to do FO Fridays (along with WiP Wednesdays), both of which originate on Tami's Ami's ... but I'm cameraless and finding it very sad.

But, ever the optimist, I have a plan. Once we're back from this weekend (short road trip to NH for a family birthday), I'm going to get my butt onto Amazon and Overstock and track down a nice, affordable point-and-shoot. Until then, I'm going to describe everything :-)

I crocheted two mini-amigurumi monsters this week, from the newly released Rainbow Amigurumi e-book (you can also get the individual pattern here). The first one is for a family birthday party (a little girl who's turning 1), and is pink and purple. N. saw it and decided he wanted one in red, thankyouverymuch, so the second one was born. Super easy, super cute result.

I'm also working on a stole from the BMFA Silk Thread I mentioned a post or two ago. I decided on a pattern from Knitted Lace of Estonia, and while it's not a FO yet, I've managed to get both edgings and four full repeats done. I'm enjoying it, but it's a little hard on the eyes because the thread is both fine and dark. If you search on Blue Moon's site for the Raven series, you'll get an idea of the colors - very saturated black-plus-color. Gorgeous, but very dark.

And finally, yesterday Stacey wanted to have a bit of a sewing bee, so we got together and after a little over an hour's worth of work, we'd each sewn a box-bag, complete with lining. It was quite the enjoyable afternoon, and nice to have company while I sew (which doesn't happen often).

SoQS is finished....

2011-07-23T18:01:00.006-04:00

and there's only one decent pic because my camera is now refusing to turn off... it just goes to sleep and ignores me...

Looks like two different dye lots, doesn't it? Strange thing is, the second skein wasn't started until about halfway through the light section... so it makes no sense. Luckily it's not hugely noticeable in natural light.

Total repeats: 17 plus edging. Don't ask me about the 18th that got knit and ripped out because I didn't have enough :-P

I really like it, and would totally do another. The pattern is really easy once you get going, and still works even with this semi-variegated yarn...

TGIF

2011-07-08T11:05:00.003-04:00

I'm sitting here (and sorry to be cagey), working on extensive paperwork... I'm still unemployed, but I'm hoping this will make me employable in the near future... and I'm sick sick sick of paperwork. But, I *think* it's almost done, which would be a huge relief.

I'm still working on the SoQS, and think I'll get 17 reps... so that could conceivably be done in a week if I work on it every day for a bit. I'm now back to debating the next project, after I thought I'd settled on what I wanted to do. I have STR MW set aside for a garganutan Charlotte's Web minus fringe plus crochet edging, but last night (in an effort to distract myself from the abovementioned paperwork), I dug out the one skein of laceweight I own, some BMFA Silk Thread. I tried to do an Aeolian last year, then I tried to do a Print O' the Wave, and I ended up with a tangled mess; last night I spent 25 minutes untangling the mass of knots, and re-wound it.

I have an important family wedding to go to next year, and I have 11 months, so I want a really good, big shawl to wear. The STR Charlotte's Web will be warm, but the wedding is in a chilly area - they're barely getting in the high 70's in the past couple of weeks. But a laceweight stole could also be nice. I'm having an existential crisis about this - I want to start something that'll be fun to knit and go fat, but I don't want to start one only to realize I should've done the other. Maybe I'll leave the decision until after I finish and block the SoQS.

Quick! Random kid photo!

:-)

hmmm...

2011-07-06T15:35:00.002-04:00

After all that jabbering about yardage with my Shawl of Questionable Size (SoQS), I googled 'triangular shawl calculator' (or something similar) on Hubby's laptop, and found some number-crunching doo-hickeys that aim to tell you, based on the total number of rows your shawl has, how far along you are. I did several sets based on 14, 15, 16, and 17 total repeats, plus edging, and came to the conclusion that with my gauge, I can get at LEAST 17 repeats in before doing the edging, and could theoretically squeak 18 (because my halfway-through-the-yarn point was over-halfway-through-the-knitting point; 51.3% to be exact). Math doesn't lie, right?

I don't believe it for a second.

So, I'm going to put a lifeline in after 15 reps (already did at 14), and re-weigh my remaining yarn and do the numbers again. Would it be fantastic to get 17 reps? sure. Do I think I will? Meh. I just want the SoQS to be as big as possible, and for it to be as finished as possible. Like, yesterday.

In other news, I broke down and got some real wool felt, after playing around with synthetic for a while making things for my niece. Holy natural fibers, Batman, it is SO FREAKIN SOFT. While I'm a fan of eco-recycled-felt that makes use of my old soda bottles, the wool is so nice to the touch. I'm thinking of saving my pennies and ordering a little more some time in the future.

And that's all the news that's fit to report for today... we'll see what tomorrow brings. I'm going to get ready for dinner now and debate whether to knit a bit on the SoQS, do some felt work, or just buckle down and get dinner ready :-P

Le sigh.

2011-07-05T10:26:00.003-04:00

Happy July 4th + 1 and all that jazz. There's a lot going on here, not much of it good, and not much of it that I can discuss... we're ok, but things are piling on and new things are coming up that aren't very good... sorry to be so cryptic for now, but my hands are tied... I will now attempt to distract with talk of craftiness, and my convoluted yardage assessments.

I'm nearly done a Flower Basket Shawl, and have to make the decision on # of reps soon. I'm trying to maximize two skeins (total 900yd) of Chugiak Sock from Pagewood Farms, and it's tough. The pattern is one of these nebulous requirement ones, and says 11 reps for 600 yards, and 16 reps for 1100 yards. (those don't include the edge lace, which is approx the same as one lace rep - they're both 10 rows).

So, the pattern calls for the following in fingering weight:
11 reps + edge = ~12 reps with 600 yards
16 reps + edge = ~17 reps with 1100 yards.

HOWEVER, I got 13.5 10-row reps with 450yds. So the options are:

Plow forward and try to do 15 reps + edge = ~16 reps with 900yds.
Lifeline after 14 reps and knit the edge, then rip out and reknit if there's enough yardage left for another rep.
Lifeline after 14 reps and do a 15th then the edge, then rip back to the 14th if there's not enough yardage for the edge.

The consensus at my lys the other day was lifeline after the 14th rep, then knit the edge, ripping and adding after a final yardage assessment. If there's a chance I'd have to rip, it's less frogging to just rip out the edge, than it would be to rip the 15th and a partial edge. Gah. All I want is the biggest shawl I can get using as much of the yarn as I can. Is that really so much to ask? ;)

Ok, enough rambling about yardage... onto the photos!

Random hydrangeas, because I love them, and everyone around here does a great job at growing them.

A friendship bracelet I tied last week, because I needed a change... like my basil? ;)

In our backyard...

And that's all I have for now... I'm working on some paperwork on campus, in a part of the med school next to the daycare... I can look up and out the window and see the kids playing in their sprinklers, and it's so cute. I miss those days when all I needed was a wading pool and a sprinkler and life was bliss... and if your mom brought out freezies, you were convinced life couldn't get any better.

Knitting? What's knitting?

2011-06-26T15:11:00.002-04:00

I've been lazy the past few days... tying some friendship bracelets form embroidery floss, baking some rewards for the practically potty-trained preschooler, and thinking about sewing and felt crafts. Mainly I've been drinking this, eating this, and visiting here, trying to decide whether to order some felt bundles.

We've also been spending more time outside, natch, and have gone to a free outdoor concert (in the same series as the Yo-Yo Ma one), as well as becoming addicted to froyo as our treat of choice... delicious and much better than cafe muffins or icecream.

And now I have to get back to my oven... I'm baking treats for the daycare teachers' staff meeting this week, and the sooner I can turn the oven off the more comfortable my kitchen becomes.

drive-by finished project

2011-06-17T14:43:00.003-04:00

I sewed a little felt purse for my niece the other day... had to use a flash here, and the sunglasses are for scale.

It's super cute, from one of my little Aranzi Aronzo pattern books (worth googling and/or picking up if you like to make cute, marginally useful things for kids). Took about 20 minutes, and I didn't have to change thread because I used my invisible nylon (LOVE it).

Now if only the Canadian postal strike would end, I'll be able to get this in the mail to her.

Things I've done/learned since Saturday

2011-06-15T10:39:00.004-04:00

Managed not to laugh at Hubby when he came home a drowned rat from the Yo-Yo Ma concert (he did say it was totally worth it).
Worked on the 2x2 ribbed scarf for Little Bro that's been plaguing me for months, and got another 2" completed.
Finished drafting the silk caps, and started a mitten with an ultra alpaca cuff (so I don't run out of silk). Pics soon.
Decided to sew a project bag for my super-secret Little Bro project instead of keeping it in an old beat-up ziploc (not that ziplocs don't have their place). Ditto with pics.
Slept a total of 12 hours because of a stupid migraine that's screwing with me in new and torturous ways this time.
Dealt several times with a preschooler who, when he doesn't want to do something (all the freakin time), takes my face and turns it to his and says, "I! DON'T! LIKE! THAT!". Which seemed weird until I realized when he misbehaves and tries to avoid me, I gently turn his face to look at me and say, "Momma doesn't like it when you do that. Please stop."

And now I'm doing laundry for the sole purpose of being able to hang it outside.

Rainy Saturday blahs.

2011-06-11T17:47:00.003-04:00

It's been a weird day... no fiber or craft time yet, but I intend to change that...

We left the house relatively early with the intention of going to a short viewing at a children's film festival downtown, but by the time we got there the auditorium was filled to capacity. Planning on going to the second viewing (at 2pm), we hung around downtown and had an overpriced (but very yummy) brunch, only to have the weather conspire against us. We could stay for the 2pm show and get rained on while walking home, or head home and veg.

Ever the dainty melting flower, I suggested avoiding the rain and heading home early to veg. The preschooler didn't like it and proceeded to act out all freakin afternoon. He doesn't need the nap, yet he needs the nap. He's starting to appreciate logic - "I ask Momma to do something, and she says no... so when Momma asks me to do something, I can say no too".

So I'm doing what any good mom would do - parking him in front of the TV to watch Monsters Inc. while I bake banana bread with my old bananas to keep myself from going bananas.

Truth be told, I'm a little jealous of Hubby right now. The city is having its annual arts and ideas festival (hence the kids film event), and tonight he's off with his labmates to see Yo-Yo Ma play an outdoor concert... I'd go but for the fact that all my potential babysitters are in Hubby's lab, so they're either at the concert or out of town.

So I will have warm banana bread with butter for my late supper, the child will go to bed early, and I'll either finish drafting the silk (i'm about 2/3 done the second full cap), knit on my demonstration BSJ to keep up for class on Wednesday, or maybe do some felt crafting.

(and yes, it's still raining here on the East Coast... and those kids and Hubby are going to stand out in the rain for the entire concert. and I won't laugh when everyone comes home like drowned rats. Promise.)

Drafting silk caps (video tutorial)

2011-06-06T13:56:00.001-04:00

So I decided to record a video... and I ended up chopping off my head for most of it. Fortunately my head is not essential in illustrating the technique ;)

If you can forgive my dorkiness, here's how to split and draft silk bell caps:

Now I should probably learn how to upload to Youtube....

non-nap posting...

2011-06-04T15:27:00.004-04:00

The child does not like to nap, even though he's tired and needs it, since he only sleeps about 9 hours at night. This afternoon, he's been not-napping through an entire dishwasher cycle, when the white noise usually knocks him out within 10 minutes. He's also pissed off because Hubby had the nerve to go into the lab to deal with cultures, leaving him here with just Momma. The nerve. This is going to be a loooong afternoon.

QUICK! DISTRACTION!! SILK!!!

(Click the botton pic to embiggen the little swatch... it's sparkly delicious)

ETA: I've only done about 3/4 of one cap, and have a second one. I'll try to get pics of the cap-separation process if I can manage it in the daylight ;)

Silk bell caps....

2011-06-03T12:11:00.001-04:00

A pain in the ass to split, fairly easy to draft, and so so so pretty when knitted up. Pictures soon!

Not much crafting of any kind happening...

2011-05-29T09:54:00.002-04:00

We've been spending lots of time together, and none of it is knit-friendly... but it's been wonderful!

*hehehe*

Stingray touch pool - three or four species (stingers removed, of course) that were like puppies, swimming up to bump our hands :-)

Yesterday we spend the day at the aquarium in Norwalk, which I have to say was much more enjoyable than Mystic. We did Mystic last year, and it was totally overwhelming. I think maybe the facilities are newer, but they're poorly laid out. The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk is easier to navigate, had much more hands-on stuff, and (gasp) was cheaper. Even with N. paying admission this year, and a 3-D movie/ride tacked on (where the chairs make you think you're flying around!) the admission for all of us was about $25 less than last year at Mystic.

(The cafe was better and cheaper too, and the gift shop was fantastic).

Ok... enough of my unsolicited endorsements ;-)

Dad and Hubby are out - Hubs is taking pipe organ lessons and is showing my Dad the church where he practices. N. and I will meet up with them shortly, assuming there are no meltdowns.

Saturday sleepiness

2011-05-21T19:54:00.003-04:00

My Dad arrived at 11:30pm on Thursday night, so we had a family day yesterday and skipped daycare. Then today we did groceries, had a nap, and got some essentials at Walmart... and now all my boys are playing dominoes in the other room.

Test-driving tractors with Papa both yesterday and today...
Home Depot must love us ;)

Combine that with the much improved weather these past few days, and it's just about a perfect Saturday. I'm hoping to get either some knitting or embroidery done later on, but that depends on the child's bedtime. These days, afternoon nap = 10pm bedtime.

My finished teatowels, in a cafe theme.
The nest set is slightly more traditional, but no pics yet.

Things I've done and/or determined since Sunday

2011-05-17T13:01:00.003-04:00

Got the flu.
Realized the flu was just a really really bad cold.
Slept a lot. A LOT.
Decided to revive knitting mojo by not knitting.
Sewn two replacement pillow covers.
Embroidered a set of seven tea towels.
Ventured out of the house to take the child to daycare.
Came home exhausted after #7.
Debated stamping another set of tea towels because sitting and embroidering is nearly as fun as sitting and knitting.

And now I'm going to drink tea and finalize my decision on the tea towels, because dragging out the iron and board might be too much for me right now.

I coulda sworn i'd posted more recently...

2011-05-14T16:05:00.000-04:00

rumour has it blogger ate a bunch of posts earlier in the week... maybe I'll blame it on that.

Hubby is out for a run, I've loaded the dishwasher, and I just got a parcel from BMFA... I ordered some yarn for my cousin sans internet, and got some pretty fluff for myself. After sitting on it, and listening to one of the ladies at my lys talk about it, I ordered some silk caps to play around with. It'd been on my to-get list for a long time, but then there was some sort of run on them early in February. I'm not one to bandwagon-jump, so I decided to wait, but since I just happened to be ordering for my cousin, and I try to limit my BMFA orders to one a year, I threw them in.

The colorway is Gertrude Skein, and in the silk it's totally different, but in a good way. The brown in the superwash merino is a really rich orange/rust, the drab olive is brighter, the pink is intense fuschia, and the off-white in the righthand side of the skein photo is a deep creamy ivory.

I'm not sure what I'll do with it, but I'm feeling the need to stash a bit. I'm still unemployed, but a birthday combined with Mother's day combined with my mom taking care of N.'s clothing needs means I had a little extra discretionary income. I'm also not blind to the fact that we will likely be moving back north of the border in the not-unforseeable future, and things are much more expensive to order and get shipped.

My mom always said I could justify anything ;-)

I've put down the Mrs Beetons I mentioned a couple of posts down, and I'm pissed at myself for giving up on them. I made one without beads, because I had none that coordinated. Then, when we had the car after dropping Mom off at the airport, I picked up some that looked pretty good. I then cast on for the second one using the beads, with the intention of making a beaded pair before going back and finishing the mate for the first, unbeaded one (I'll be able to get three pairs from the yarn, since they're not too big).

After finishing the first beaded one, I cast on again with the beads for its partner... and screwed it up. I ripped it out and tried again. And again. And I discovered that ripping out mohair that's been strung with size 11 seed beads is enough to make you go batty.

So, I'm embroidering tea towels instead. ;-)

I do knit... and crochet...

2011-05-07T14:20:00.002-04:00

Dude. I-cord bind-off... it's the shizzle.

A BSJ from last year, and one just finished this year for a baby of as-yet-unknown gender... the blue/green one to be mailed and the pink/yellow one to be held onto, since I have yet another friend who hasn't found out the gender yet, and she'll get it if it's a girl...

I've also started another as an instructional piece - one of N.'s teachers who's in my knitting class was desperate for a project that wasn't just a plain scarf. I knew she was up for some beginning shaping, so we're doing the BSJ together. She lets me know before each class what row she's on, and I knit to that point. That way, she can stop before shaping that confuses her, and we work through it together.

Moby la petite baleine, aka William the Whale

This was a pattern testing crochet project for my friend Stacey at Freshstitches. Totally love that he has shaped tail flukes :D Her toys are very do-able, and not a huge time committment for some very cute results...

~~~~~~~

We had an early Mom's Day brunch today, because church tomorrow will preclude going out to eat... and I have some lovely pink tulips that may bloom in another 24 hours. Combine that with a preschooler who, while he refuses to nap at home, is napping and going to bed at night with minimal fuss these days. I'm quite surprised he's quiet right now, but I'm not going to complain. I think I'll clean up, and get stuff ready for him to do an art project later tonight; they're on a tissue paper art kick at daycare, and I have some stashed away. Nothing says 'fun Saturday night' like arts and crafts with your rambunctious 3-year-old ;-)

Something Knitted! but not by me!

2011-05-05T08:24:00.005-04:00

Hello world, here I am!

This is N.'s new "I'm 3!" sweater... made by Grammie with yarn she bought on his 2nd birthday. The color is a bit lighter/brighter than in the photo - more what I would call a 'cadet blue', between a neutral and a bright. I love it, and N. has worn it a dozen times so far.

We had a pretty great week with Grammie visiting... more like a week and a half, since she was on the ground an additional three days this year. It started off as it usually does, with outlet shopping to get N. his summer clothes (and I may have bought two pair of shoes... but you can't prove it). Then we had an amazing visit with Grammie's cousin and her husband, something I look forward to every year. She's crafty like my mom and I, and her husband is hilarious. I made french onion soup, corn chowder, the mocha cookies from Gourmet, and we spent 7 hours laughing, eating, and chatting.

(I should mention that I also ended up with laryngitis that weekend; there would be rousing conversation, then complete silence while everyone shut up so they could listen to me whisper. It was hilarious.)

Then, of course, the birthday. It was quiet, there was playdoh and DVDs, and the cake (which required no less than 10 different bowls of frosting:

(No copyright infringement intended, it was for home use only, yadda yadda yadda)

The cake was a hit, and after the birthdays were done, we had nothing left to do but knit :-)

I'm sure over the course of the week, Mom and I spent about 10-12 hours at Knit, buying yarn and "doo-hickeys" (which is our word for the little notions and things that you never knew you needed until you saw them), and just sitting and knitting. Mom got more clearance Mission Falls and finished nearly 2 sleeves of a 4-5 year old sized v-neck pullover for N. and I started a pair of Mrs Beeton wrist warmers from Knitty, made from some luxury Swans Island organic worsted and Cascade Kid Seta mohair-y goodness.

Then, of course, there's the inevitable post-visit letdown... Luckily N.'s old enough to understand that Grammie went back to her home and didn't come back to the apartment looking for her every few minutes, but it's still too quiet for my liking.

Luckily, today Hubby's Godparents are coming for a lunch visit on their way from FL back up to the northeast, and my dad is thinking of coming down at some point this month. Now if I could only get off my duff to get things tied up so we can go on vacation later this summer, and I'd be all set.

For now, though, lunch isn't going to make itself, and the defiant 3-year-old is miraculously quiet at the moment, so I should get prep started.

My lazy is kicking me in the ass

2011-05-04T11:44:00.003-04:00

I just tried to post through Flickr because I don't have the latest photos here on my old laptop and I'm too lazy to download them. It then decided to eat my long post and there's no sign of it anywhere. I can't tell if it's the Flickr method, or if it's my crappy computer, but I give up for the day.

It's raining, so I'm just going to go back to my laundry, then head in to teach my knitting class at daycare later on... more soon, promise promise.

I've been gone for 2 weeks, and blogger goes all weirdo on me

2011-05-01T08:53:00.000-04:00

I've not too much to say because I'm exhausted. Mom is back home after a pretty good visit, and Hubby is taking the car back from our airport dropoff yesterday. There was knitting, there was cooking. There was kids DVD watching. And I'm sleepy.

A long, and tiring, weekend...

2011-04-17T14:43:00.001-04:00

sxichrmy, a photo by Dr. Ellen on Flickr.

So flickr+blogger is now doing this posting thing in a pop-up window.... just when I think something works, they go and frig with it...

In any event, we here in the Sciency household are very tired. Instead of preparing for Mom's visit next week, we've been doing Hubby-family-stuff. And, regrettably, it's not for good reason. One of his aunts passed, after a short illness, and the wake, funeral, burial, etc. were all a 30 min. drive away. We don't see this branch of the family often because they typically winter in FL, and the "kids" (middle-agers that are Hubby's first cousins) are scattered, but we love them, and we couldn't not go.

The good thing in all this is that N. got to see lots of new people, and they all fell in love with him. And if that wasn't enough, he was a complete angel the entire time. Four hours of a wake on Friday (broken up by a supper break), then more on Saturday, a funeral, the cemetary, then a sit-down lunch at a country club with about 80 more people (which was a surprise to me). No tantrums, no yelling, no crying, no nothing. Happily snacking, reading books, talking to people. The whole. freakin. time. He was so good that we literally stopped at Ikea on the way home just to get him a piece of chocolate cake to share for a reward ;-)

(And I'm not sure if I'll get flak for it, but yes, we brought a three-year-old to a funeral. He did NOT understand what was going on, and wasn't curious, either. He didn't see anything out of the ordinary, we didn't hang out at the casket for overlong periods, and he was as respectful as can be for a little kid. I had age-appropriate explanations ready, but didn't need them because he didn't ask.)

(and yes, I rewarded him with food. I don't do it often, but I wanted some too, dammit.)

We also took advantage of our car rental to get some of the errands done before we had to return it. And whoopee, we're getting another one later this week to pick up Mom from the airport. Still cheaper than parking and insurance, though. I managed to get pretty much everything for N.'s birthday, as well as ingredients for a cake for Hub's labmate's Easter Egg Hunt Extravaganza :-)

We were home at a decent hour last night, and N. went to bed early, so we tried to watch Harry Potter on Comcast. Tried, and were so tired that we shut it off until tonight.

And now, having taken advantage of the early nap to get that cake baked so I can freeze it for decorating, I'm going to see what other little jobs I can do before wake-up. I figure N. was so good in the past few days that he'll act out for the rest of the weekend ;-)

Is there a class in creative blog post titles? If so, I should so be taking it.

2011-04-13T10:39:00.000-04:00

:P

It's raining, and my mood fits it, so I'll try to turn it around by catching up on good things...

The BSJs are finished, buttoned, blocked, etc. etc. I took the time to weave in ends of the one I'd made previously, and sew its button on, so I now have a pink one and a bluish one awaiting the arrival of my friend's baby. They're so cute I almost can't bear to part with them, but M. is one of my oldest friends, and I can't wait for her to have it.

The mocha cookies from the other day are GONE. I sent most of them to the lab with Hubby, and they disappeared - even people who don't like mocha proclaimed them the best cookies in the universe. The book is here, and you can even search the index. After modifying that recipe to include 1c instead of 1/2 cup of flour, I can say that everything I've tried from the book works and tastes delicious. The mocha cookies are like the best chewy brownie gooey cookies that you get from a cafe. The Gourmet Live blog posted the recipe here, and I highly recommend it. If you make it as written and the batter is liquidy after waiting the 15 minutes, add extra flour and let it sit for another 15 minutes... it should be scoopable and stand up almost like dough. Don't overbake, and they'll be perfect.

The countdown to my mom's visit is in the final stages; we've got our car booked and our shopping planned. I just hope the weather improves between now and then ;-)

I also have no idea what to knit or crochet next, so I'm hoping to be struck by inspiration soon. I'm working on a shawl from last year in the meantime...

And now it's time to seek out decaf, hope the rain lets up, and get home to continue cleaning and organizing and maybe knitting.

coooookies.

2011-04-10T20:02:00.000-04:00

(Blogger is weird. there's nothing else to say about it, it's just weird. Moving on...)

N. is getting his bath, and I just finished my second attempt at some mocha cookies... I should have linkies but I don't, because I have a headache from taste-testing all the chocolate. Suffice it to say they're very tasty, I did have to add an extra 1/2 cup flour to the recipe to get them to be cookie batter instead of pourable ganache, but they're good. I'll see how they hold up after cooling down :-)

I've finished the BSJ, but again, no pics. I swear, I'll catch up. It just might not be this week - we have a daycare potluck, I'm doing storytime, I have to be interviewed by one of the teachers for a class she's doing for her certification, and we need to figure out how we're getting to a funeral of a close family member that's a 40 minute drive away, once we figure out when said funeral is taking place.

So, it'll be a week. Combined with the fact that Little Bro, with everyone's blessing, has finally thrown out all of Grammie's old furniture and he and JL are bringing in there own, is making me a little melancholy. I think I need another cookie.

I messed around with Blogger, so this might not work.

2011-04-07T09:36:00.002-04:00

I have too many email addresses. Combine that with an innate sense of the lazy, and it makes things a pain in the butt.

Not much to report... less than two weeks before Grammie arrives, and I'd say we're about 2/3 ready. I still have to do some organizing and putting away, but I've done the big cleaning jobs, and all that remains is maintenance sweeping and bathroom upkeep ;)

I don't have any pictures either, because Hubby has the camera to finish up work and I'm too lazy to ask him to bring it back... but the BSJ in siren song is up to the buttonholes, and then it's three garter ridges and an annoyingly long icord bindoff. I also succumbed to the temptation of pretty patterns when I was at Knit yesterday, and picked up a copy of the A-B-C-SJ. I've been wanting to get it for a while, was planning on ordering it online because I thought that was the only source... but J. brought it out for another customer while I was there, and I couldn't resist. I have some worsted in my stash that would make a perfect child-size one, but I'm not so good at sizing up using EZ math yet. This also has row-by-row instructions, and one of N.'s daycare teachers who knows how to knit but wants something other than a scarf is going to give it a try, I think.

In other news, my bronchitis is finally better, but Hubby is sick... and I can't be certain that I'm not coming down with another bug. Combine that with being at work helping out again because I'M JUST THAT NICE, and I'm tired and crabby.

But, I'm NOT sick yet, and I have knitting waiting for me, so I'm off to finish the DNA sequencing. Yay for science! ;-)

Saturday blahs...

2011-04-02T17:28:00.002-04:00

Hubby is at the lab, hopefully not for much longer, and N. is still sleeping... dishwasher is loaded, and I can't start the laundry yet (machines in the basement, can't leave sleeping child alone), so I have a few minutes.

I decided yesterday to take out the tree skirt of doom again, and it dawned on me that this is likely not going to get finished before Xmas 2011. I'm ok with that, I suppose; I just wish I was faster at sewing little tiny pieces of felt on one by one ;-) I have learned how to sew with my left hand, though; makes it easier because I don't have to turn the skirt around to do the back side.

And I think I just heard N. fall out of his bed... off I go...

Good things for today

2011-04-01T17:45:00.003-04:00

taxes are done. owe the state, owed by the feds. net gain for us. whooppee!
had parent-teacher updates for N. While he is the youngest in the class, and sometimes follows the older kids when they stir up shit, he's also the kindest, most cooperative, loving and happy child they have ;-)
I spent the afternoon at Knit, which is excellent on its own... L. was teaching a customer how to pick up evenly around a collar, and the lady was having trouble... I mentioned that I usually screw it up the first time too, and L. told the lady, "See? You're doing fine - it's even tough for an experienced knitter like her!". I love L., for calling me an 'experienced knitter' :-)
The pinkeye was very mild, and I did NOT catch it!
I have two huge pans of veg roasting in the oven, with garlic, and it smells yummy in here.
My boys are being dropped off by the bus as I type this :-)

flickr blogging

2011-03-29T15:55:00.001-04:00

P3030028, a photo by Dr. Ellen on Flickr.

I'm pretty sure this photo is going to end up some wonky ass size, not centered, and ca-razy, but I'm not logging out of my other gmail account to fix it, because I'm trying to keep in touch with Hubs. It's touch-and-go because this poor little computer is on its last legs, though.

N. and I are home today, after two days of back-and-forth to the doctor. I made the mistake the other day of saying, "gee isn't it great that I made it through this winter without getting bronchitis?" Sunday night - WHAM! breathing difficulties and nothing but an expired inhaler in the house.

Yesterday I brought N. to daycare so I could go and get fixed up, then sleep for a couple of hours, but I got the pinkeye call at 4pm. Too late to get him seen at the doc, of course. We got up crazyass early this morning to make it in for the first appointment, and it's either not pinkeye or the mildest case ever in history. We're treating just in case.

I also get to go into non-work tomorrow to work on some more loose ends that we found. I just hope that everyone who's sick today isn't sick tomorrow. Luckily N. will have had 24 hours of treatment by tomorrow morning and I can drop him off to get that stuff done.

I haven't gotten much knitting or crochet done in the past few days... I finished the Taiyo Boteh but didn't take pics yet, and cast on a Baby Surprise Jacket for a friend who's having a baby of as-yet undetermined gender. I have a pink and yellow one done, so this one will be green-blue-grey-yellow (STR Siren Song for those keeping track). It's not really boyish, but a very nice neutral, so it should do either way.

And with that I'm going to pick up the table and maybe do some sewing... I think I need a few days to recharge my yarn mojo after churning out those vests and that scarf ;-)

bleargh.

2011-03-26T17:36:00.002-04:00

I'm sick. Today I:
went for a bagel with my boys, to get fresh air.
drank tea.
started the major clean-up that takes place before Mom shows up.

My clean-up consisted of organizing the messiest place in the apartment - my yarn and craft area. I spent/wasted a great deal of time re-winding the ends of balls, so I could pack them away neatly. I have a lot of worsted, a lot of STR, and a lot of shit ;-)

Time to cook dinner...

Cue the cute :-)

2011-03-20T20:36:00.002-04:00

Not bad for a few weeks work, methinks ;)

Too tired for a Friday

2011-03-18T21:20:00.002-04:00

I totally have no reason to be tired... but I am. Today I did some work (boo), a lot of laundry (double boo) and finished a second cabled vest. No pics, because Hubby is still using the camera to photograph petri plates for work. The vest itself was a little easier to assemble the second time around; I think I may have found an error (or at least I assumed it to be an omission) in the shoulder construction, re-did it to suit my needs, and it turned out just fine. For some reason, with the first one I had to try to evenly pick up stitches around the neck and armholes about five times before it worked out. This time, I hit it spot on the first go round. After weaving in endless ends (a couple of breaks in the skein, plus I added an extra stripe to this one), and it's blocking, hopefully to be dry for church on Sunday.

I wish I had enough free cash to buy more of the 1824 wool to do another, but I just don't. My friend, Miss L., has a great-grandson and would probably love to have one, but neither of us are particularly liquid at the moment. *sigh* Maybe next month... I spent my last little bit of yarn money on a ball of Noro Taiyo Sock yarn, which is disgustingly pretty and looks like it'll make yet another fabulous Boteh.

Hmmm... dost mine ears deceive me? Is it possible that the child is asleep? (the time change kicked our asses this week, and we're still adjusting...) Let's see... dishwasher running. Child sleeping. Hubby is in lab. All that remains between me and that Taiyo is some laundry to be folded. Bet I can take care of that quick-smart :-)

Waiting for Spring

2011-03-17T10:43:00.001-04:00

2liqy0h7 a photo by Dr. Ellen on Flickr.

The boys were puttering outside on the weekend, looking for the landlord's cats to annoy, and I thought they were pretty cute. Ignore the scarf and knitted hat, because it's gonna be 65 tomorrow :-)))))

I wish I had more to report, but I don't... 33 days until my mom arrives... another few after that for N.'s birthday, then two more til mine. I'm not prepared, still have shopping to do, but it'll be fantastic, I'm certain :-)

Now, let's hope this picture posts properly; yesterdays was wonky and I'm hoping that it's not a permanent change to how blogger does things...

We also made pancakes :-)

2011-03-16T10:50:00.001-04:00

P3050057 a photo by Dr. Ellen on Flickr.

Pardon the messy hair and the very tiny kitchen... N. and I made pancakes together last week while waiting for Hubby to come home from work. Sometimes cooking with him works, and sometimes it's a disaster - this time it wasn't too bad.

I'm at work digging out oligos for my boss, and sort of peeved at myself with the 'organizational scheme' i used the past few years... but since there's not much to be done about it now except clean up, I'm not going to stress.

I really need to get pics of the vest up, and finish the second one, but my lack of a computer most days totally cramps my style ;) I'm hoping for a tax refund this year rather than paying out, so we'll see...

Oh, and this rain can take a flying leap. Preferably far away from my <1 yr old rubber boots that have a damn hole in them. Sigh.

A quick pictureless progress report

2011-03-14T19:37:00.003-04:00

I've crocheted three dinosaurs in total (purple, pink, and dark green)... I've managed to finish the first cabled vest from the super sale mission falls and the second one is 1/4 done. I've baked cookies, and dealt with sick husbands and defiant toddlers.

And it's five weeks until my mom comes to visit... and I can't wait that long :P

a weird few days

2011-03-08T16:13:00.002-05:00

Hubby came down with what we're pretty sure was food poisoning this weekend.... N. and I have been spared so far, and we thought Hubs was better yesterday... but today he's just drained and exhausted....

perhaps it's the 14-16 hours days he's putting in at the lab six or seven days a week.

I had to bring him home, install him with gatorade and crackers and dvds, and now I'm going back to pick up the child from daycare.

(I do think it's food poisoning rather than something contagious but I'm still going to be careful).

Off I go, tra la tra la.

A successful day in things other than knitting and crochet...

2011-03-04T21:46:00.003-05:00

today was one of the more busy days I've had lately... daycare opened late because of a staff meeting, so N. and I bussed in at the normal time and did some visiting around the hospital for fun... then after I dropped him off at 10am, I set out to do some errands.

diapers and other assorted drugstore things: check. setting up dental appointment for the child: check at hyperspeed, which made the day a little nutsy.

I was planning on taking him to a hygeinist who has her daughter at our daycare - at the very least she's a familiar face. Hoping for an appointment within the month, I went to the office to check (they're three blocks from daycare and campus). Turns out she had a double slot open this afternoon, so I grabbed it.

4o minutes and some seriously great toddler behavior later, I had a kid with a sparkling smile and polished teeth, with no tears and no dental phobias :-)

what I didn't mention is that I had to leave my lab lunch date early to get to the appointment on time, leaving behind the most delicious hamburger I've had in years. I had it at 3pm, reheated in the microwave at Hubby's lab, and it was still pretty awesome.

after all that running around, I'm pretty zonked, so I'm likely not making much sense (and from the looks of things, forgetting about uppercase letters to begin sentences)... I'll leave you with crochet to tide everyone over while I catch up on sleep... I bought some patterns from Stacey to thank her for N.''s monster, and in the span of three days I made two dinosaurs, one pink and one purple, for new babies that are either here already or coming soon. The purple one is the only documented one so far, but they are freakin adorable (and at 9" tall, very huggable):

The crooked tail gets me every time ;)

I just realized I forgot to post about my cake :-)

2011-03-03T20:47:00.001-05:00

P2270001 a photo by Dr. Ellen on Flickr.

I made a *cake*. It was delicious, and there is a 2x3" piece in my freezer - the rest is gone.

I made a marble cake flavoured with orange... I was going to use grand marnier, but we're not sure if one of the lab member's strict no-alcohol policy includes baked goods, so I left it out. I used an orange simple syrup to keep the cake moist, and made swiss meringue buttercream flavoured with, you guessed it - orange.

The flowers were pre-colored Wilton fondant, but the main cake is covered in the homemade stuff. It was so much easier to work with than the storebought stuff, and much cheaper, so I'm a convert. I'm not sure this will be the final design, but at least I know I can make something that doesn't look like ass, and photographs well.

In bullets:
-it was delicious
-the buttercream deflated after being rewhipped out of the fridge, and should be put on the cake the day it's made
-I can fondant a square cake without tears (as in, tears in the fondant, not tears from my eyes)
-the ingredients are going to be expensive, but since I'm not paying for it (I'll be baking the final one for a wedding next year), it's all good.

Next experiment (in three months to spread out the caloric massiveness) will be lemon raspberry.

Some crochet awesomeness

2011-02-27T13:10:00.004-05:00

At my lys, along with the three amazing owners (hi ladies!) there is one more amazing employee named Stacey. Along with the cool-factor of being able to work in a yarn store, she's also a pretty amazing designer. She does some knitwear, but her bread and butter is crochet amigurumi, and they're adorable.

I made two penguins over a year ago for my niece and my best friend's baby, but never picked another one up... the free patterns I'd found weren't hugely inspiring, and I wasn't pleased with the finish. Once I saw Stacey's work, though, I was hooked (hooked! get it? har dee har har, I'm here all week). Something about her gauge and crocheting through the back loop makes for a nicer, more uniform fabric. Plus, her designs are super cute... if you crochet, or want to learn, you should check out her site (video tutorials are also a big plus, and the site is so cute). I have four patterns waiting to be started... like I needed more projects :-P

But, that's not the awesomeness of which I speak... she's taking on a new venture, and N. was the guinea pig: custom cuddly crochet!

N. drew a pretty cute monster:

Eyes: check. Ears: check. Purple feet: check. Monster: complete.

Then Stacey did a sketch:

Oh, the cuteness!

And, presto change-o, nothing up her sleeves, (in one afternoon, because she's superwoman) she made his monster into a monster:

How cool is that?!?! There's more info on her blog, and I'll post a pic of N. when he meets his monster :-)

Crumm(b)y

2011-02-26T22:12:00.001-05:00

0226012207
Originally uploaded by Dr. Ellen

I was going to title this post, "Hey cake, who's your momma bi#ch?" but figured that wasn't google friendly.

Now to let it set and roll out some fondant.

Notes to self for future attempts: this swiss meringue buttercream recipe only makes 3.5-4 cups, so scale up accordingly. It keeps in the fridge but needs to be rewhipped, and that does deflate it some. Freezing the cakes helps immensely.

The best thing ever. EVER.

2011-02-25T22:22:00.004-05:00

I can't speak for the fondant, which will rest until assembly on Sunday, but I just made swiss meringue buttercream (and cooked the egg whites to 160 as recommended), to use on my little cake experiment.

Oh my word.

The final assembly is a marble pound with grand marnier flavouring, and I added pure orange extract to the buttercream. It. Is. So. Good.

I'm waiting for Hubby to come home from the lab to test it on the extra cake piece I have hanging around ;)

Easy-bake Friday...

2011-02-25T17:25:00.003-05:00

I didn't knit today (yet) but I did do a whole lot of baking... I've been conscripted to bake a special occasion cake, and today I decided to do a complete test run of one tier. My afternoon consisted of two recipes of cake batter, marbling three separate 2" layers, testing out my bake-even strips, and a new endeavor, even for me:

homemade fondant :-O

The fondant is resting, and the cake will be assembled tomorrow or Sunday... luckily someone in Hubby's lab has a birthday on Monday, so I won't be forced to choose between eating it all myself or throwing it away ;-)

Busy busy

2011-02-24T20:56:00.003-05:00

Getting over this cold seems to have brought a burst of fibery activity... I've been thrumming:

3/4oz done!

I finished my dad's hat:

Hideous webcam scary picture

and I started a knitted cable vest for my friend's little one out of some super sale Mission Falls:

Yarn for said vest... and my supah cool shades.

It says it's for a 22" chest, but doesn't have an age on it. I think it'll be big, but hopefully he'll get wear out of it. The back is done, so that leaves the front and the edgings.

And now, since Hubby is at lab, N. is quiet (although not sleeping, drat), I'm going to put on my missed Survivor episode and cast on the front of that vest.

So tie-tie.

2011-02-23T10:12:00.002-05:00

Sleeeeepy. But I'm on campus because I have a PTA meeting in 90 minutes and thought I'd try to get some cleaning up done at lab. I was late getting here, though, so the amount of cleaning I've done is negligible. And this cold is draaaaagggggging, making me want a nap.

I finished a hat for Dad, and it took somewhere around 11 days, with breaks in between. No pics, because I wanted to get it out to him before winter ends, but it's slightly larger than the original, dark brown with a cream stripe. Very warm and toasty for the remaining eastern Canadian winter :-)

And now I have to decide whether I want to break the caffeine-free streak because I'm tired and fuzzy and am done with the day (and it's only 10:18am).

Blech.

2011-02-19T21:47:00.002-05:00

It's been an interesting day so far... after being sick for a good part of the week, N. is pretty much completely recovered with the exception of a runny nose. The problem is that he remembers what it was like being sick. You spend all your effort making sure they're as comfortable as possible, and once they get better they wonder why you're not expending all your effort making sure they're as comfortable as possible. He spent the morning with a raging case of entitlement, combined with a dash of 'I'mgonnathrowwhateverIcangetmyhandson"itis.

He napped well, although a little late, so now I'm dealing with a tiny little voice on the monitor, at nearly 10pm, barking out, "Momma I need {this}" and "Momma I want {that}". Kids... can't live with 'em, can't sell 'em on Ebay.

;-)

I'm still sick as a dog, but at least it's not the coughing kind of sick. Complete ball of pressure instead of a brain, faucet for a nose, aches and pains, etc. I did drag myself out for our walk today because there were two things at the end that I wanted: pizza, and yarn. Hubby and I hadn't gone for pizza in probably over a year, and we skipped our valentines lunch on Monday because I had a migraine (a harbinger of doom), so we decided to go today, and it was delicious. After that, I had some choices to make at my lys: Mission Falls is going out of business (boo!) which means it's on liquidation everywhere (yay!), so I got enough put on hold for me and my mother to pick up when she visits in April. I'm kind of keen to start the project that I have lined up for my share, but since I have enough to work on in the meantime *cough*, I'll try to wait. I still think I'll get some Malabrigo for the Kalmia, but that'll have to come later on.

And now the latest request shouted over the monitor is "Momma! I need a HUG!"... so I should probably oblige. That one can never be refused ;-)

The longest viral incubation period ever.

2011-02-18T09:53:00.003-05:00

Hubby had this cold about 6 weeks ago. N. started on it last weekend, and is finally over it. This morning, my head feels like a pumpkin and I want to go back to bed. And I had no inkling of it last night when I turned in. By the time we're through, it'll have been in the house for somewhere around two months. Bleck. I apologize for choppy thoughts, my brain no work so good.

This morning was definitely not the best for self pity, though. To start off, I had a very recalcitrant toddler due to blood sugar issues. He went to bed happily last night, and slept really well (no more cough, hallaylooyerrrrr), but hadn't eaten a lot for supper. When he wakes up hungry, there's a threshold that he hits sometimes - if he's too hungry, then he's too grumpy and cranky to eat, and it spirals out of control. It was an hour long fight just to get him to drink some milk, let alone the rare treat of juice (which would've helped even more). We wrestled him into his duds for the day and barely made the bus.

Top that off with a fire alarm when I was dropping him off at daycare, and he was totally unimpressed. Having a teacher rip you from Momma's arms (with my blessing - he was signed in, and legally they had to take him) made him very sad, but I feel good knowing that they can clear the building in 29 seconds. I just cried when I got to the lab because he was so sad.

Fast forward an hour or so, and I'm here at work pulling oligos for my replacement researcher. After that's done, I'm going to call daycare to check in on him, and then I just might go for a walk. They're calling for 59º today (it's 53º already), and it feels like spring. I'm hoping it'll knock this virus out of my head before it settles any lower.

If N. is good for the day, I might head home... there are a bazillion dishes to be done, and I was bad and started another project last night... I'm obsessed with thrums, so I pulled out more fleece and did some thrumming while Hubby finished a paper. I might just thrum and store, rather than begin the mittens right away, but we'll see.

Dude.

2011-02-16T17:57:00.002-05:00

Dude. Monsieur le Malade is still sleeping, going on near 4 hours now, likely because he barely slept last night. I of course stayed home again today...

But, since I hear him stirring a bit, this will be quick... today is a shoutout to my source of all things good... check out the cookie recipes (I just made the sugar cookies during said 4 hour nap and they're awesome)... plus I won a copy of the spring pattern collection from Knitcircus :-) I'm determined to make myself a hat that doesn't look like ass, and my next step is a beret style, so I'm going to get birthday yarn for Kalmia when the budget allows in the next few weeks or so. Bezzie rocks :-)

Ok... off to administer ibuprofen and pedialyte, methinks.

home today

2011-02-15T13:46:00.001-05:00

P2120003
Originally uploaded by Dr. Ellen

with a coughing, mildly feverish boy. he didn't sleep much last night, so neither did I, but he's snoozing right now, so I'm hopeful.

Here's the inside of my mittens... I wore them today because it's frigging freezing, and they're warmer than my thinsulate gloves. A tiny bit of white fleece from my stash in the top of the mitten and my fingers are perfectly enveloped.

I'm trying to keep myself from casting on for another pair - I have a partial skein of ultra alpaca that I could use and tonnes of fleece. I just need to finish other things first :-)

Mittens!

2011-02-13T08:46:00.001-05:00

P2120001
Originally uploaded by Dr. Ellen

I can only flickr post one at a time, so you get the tame shot. We'll turn 'em inside out next time.

Stats (that I can remember)
Thrummed mittens
improvised mitten pattern, learned how to thrum from a kit I bought
Cascade 220 (185yd approx)
Fleece sampler from Rhinebeck, approx 45g.
US3 for cuffs, US6 for mitt
Gusset thumb
Feb 1 - Feb 11
Star decrease at the top and thumb

There isn't enough fleece in the fingertips, so I'm going to take some leftover white from another project and secure it in there. Other than that, they're ever so toasty ;-)

This photo is completely inconsequential.

2011-02-09T15:35:00.001-05:00

P1270006
Originally uploaded by Dr. Ellen

I'm keeping in touch with Hubby via g-chat in my main account, but blogger is secondary, so I don't want to log out in order to post... which means posting to flickr, hence the random photo.

(actually, it's not that random... it reminds me that yesterday's warm temperatures have resulted in a whole lot of melting, and that the impassable [impossible?] snowdrifts are mostly gone, and I can actually take a stroller up the street).

ahem. moving on.

Yesterday I had a meeting with the new researcher on the project, and I hated every minute of it because she's so nice that I can't hate her. I can't even hold her in mild disdain. She's super. She even made sure to let me know that it's still *my* project and *my* data, and I'm still involved.

That being said, since I'm not on it full time, today I dropped N. off and headed for home to do some cleaning... but not before I dropped in at the lys for a visit :-) I'm halfway through my second thrummed mitten and had to show it off like a proud mama. I suppose I should get some photos, but this laptop is not going to cooperate if I try to dump the camera card.

So, after folding laundry, loading the dishwasher, and taking a shower that wasn't interrupted by requests for cheerios or the sound of toy armageddon, I'm going to settle in to work on those mittens for a few minutes. Hubby is picking N. up, so I can live a life of leisure, at least for this afternoon :-)

Things I promised to do at work...

2011-02-08T09:29:00.002-05:00

tidy up the lab books, so that someone besides me can understand how to repeat the experiments if necessary
organize the computer files so that someone besides me can find what they need
write up all the standard protocols I used (See #1)
organize the freezer and sample tubes (See #2)

I have to be honest; I have zero motivation. I'm also supposed to meet with the researcher that's taking over the project (was supposed to be on Friday, then was supposed to be yesterday, but I got sick). I'm just a little bitter that the work I've been doing is being handed to someone who is already working (and being paid) to do other projects. Their lab will run regardless of whether we give them this work.

Eh. I really need to be zen and let it go. No amount of ranting is going to give me my position back.

After a really rough night last night with N., he woke up this morning and wanted to stay home from school to be with me. It made me really happy... until he got peeved with some random thing and upended his cereal bowl with the milk still in it ;-)

A day.

2011-02-07T22:04:00.002-05:00

I was sick, most likely food poisoning from the cafeteria.

Then I came home to a very defiant toddler.

Then I talked to my dad, who went to see my grandmother today. She cried for hours because she couldn't find her little boy. Her five year old little boy. Who sat next to her and held her hand and tried to explain to her that he was all grown up. But she still cried, because she couldn't find her little boy.

I cried. I'm still crying.

More snow? Really?

2011-02-05T10:18:00.001-05:00

Phooey.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled day of wintry precipitation.

I'm a bad person.

2011-02-04T21:04:00.002-05:00

I skipped out on a potential meeting time today (to talk about the handoff of samples to the new me in the other lab taking over my damn project) for no other reason than I didn't feel like it.

No, that's not exactly true. The other reason I didn't go is because nobody is paying me to be there.

The email came through last minute, and this new tech has a very uncertain schedule, so there was an entire back-and-forth about how all these times might work, including today's, but that she wouldn't know about next weeks until next week.

It was left at a point where they think 3:30 on Monday will work. Except that it won't. The busses are running super late because of the lack of snow removal (don't ask), so I have to be on the first run of the night line to our neighborhood to avoid waiting for 45 minutes and taking a 60 minute ride. That bus pulls out at 4:00, meaning I have to get N. at 3:30 to have enough time to gather mittens, snowpants, lunchbags, etc.

Could I take a later bus? Sure. Am I going to? I don't know yet. I was hoping to keep N. home with me for a couple of days, namely Monday and Friday... but we'll see.

On the knitting front, the Duffer slippers are still waiting to be felted more. They feel great, but are still too big. If they don't felt, I'm going to have to sew them up at some point and MAKE them fit, because they're ever so soft and comfy.

I also worked on my super secret project, which I can only do a little at a time. It's Cascade 220 on US4's, which hurts like hell after about an hour. I'm picking it up on average of once every 2 weeks, and working on other stuff in between.

Although, the evenings lately are mainly reserved for the bedtime fight. I'm desperately hoping this is a phase and will burn out in a week, because it's exhausting ;-)

Thursday randoms

2011-02-03T10:11:00.002-05:00

The trees are all covered in 1/2" of ice, and the city is very pretty... so I'm at work, not enjoying the sight of crystal branches, but doing a gel extraction instead.

And not getting paid. ;-)

On a happier note, there are only 75 more days until my mom shows up for a 12-day visit (instead of her usual 8). Also, there's a new faculty member in Hubby's department who might be needing a tech/postdoc in a month or so. Nothing definite, but he at least wanted to keep my info.

I also need to go back to my LYS soon; my father specifically asked for a hat, just like Hubby's, N.'s, and Little Bro's (the Pressed Rib Cap and Muffler pattern). This is historic, because while my father always supports our creative efforts (my mother knits, sews, etc. too, and he's always been very positive about the results), the only thing he's asked me to make for him in the past 15 years is a sandwich ;-) He really loves the hat, and knows that wool is very insulating even when wet, so he wants one for when he shovels snow. He says he doesn't care what color it is, as long as it's dark-ish...

After I agreed to make him one, he proceeded to ask me every day if I'd started it. I think if he keeps bugging me, it's getting a pink stripe.

;-)

Wednesday in bullets

2011-02-02T21:20:00.003-05:00

The duffer slippers are still too big. BIG, people. I did one hot wash, and 25 minutes of hand-felting with a (clean, dedicated to the kitchen) plunger in a pail. Still too big.
I'm not a fan of this new naptime/bedtime fighting routine that showed up. It always ends up in very contented sleep, but I don't like having to go through a tantrum and a time out to get there.
We stayed home today because daycare didn't open until 12 noon, and by that time, what's the point. The icy rain kept us inside all day, probably contributing to those tantrums.
Hubby is in lab doing another Y2H experiment, and will likely be home at midnight. Like last night, when he worked on a paper until 1am. So, so tired.
I have 3/4 of a thrummed mitten finished, and a new episod eof Top Chef coming along in a half hour :-)

Old man winter.

2011-02-01T09:21:00.002-05:00

I'm spending my first day of blissful unemployment at home... watching cartoons and debating whether or not to go out for a walk. I kept N. home today because of this crazy ass weather. They're calling for ice and snow and sleet during the times I could potentially be on a bus taking him back and forth to daycare, and as much as I wanted to go sit in my favourite coffee shop and knit for the morning, I decided to be responsible.

For some reason, the weather forecast has been accurate with the majority of these storms, and the next 48 hours are supposed to be naaaaasty. I don't want to take a chance staying downtown and ending up stuck on a bus, a 45 minute walk from home, with a grumpy, heavy kid on my hands and no one to help carry him when he starts getting tired.

So, we stay home. The museum we like to go to is about a 7 minute walk from here, which I might consider in about a half hour. N. usually needs fresh air to trigger a decent nap, so that's my plan.

On a completely unrelated note, I finished some slippers for myself last night; the pattern popped up in my radar as a free option to the French Press Slippers that were popular a few months ago. I didn't add a strap, and I still need to felt them tonight, but they were really easy, and would work up well in doubled Cascade 220, I'm thinking. I think I've purchased three knitting patterns in my life, and I only buy when I can't find a free option and I'm totally obsessed with the pattern (this doesn't count crochet - I tend to buy more of those because they're better laid out and I'm still a new crocheter). I like a free deal.

Today, I'm not sure if I want to work on Little Bro's scarf, or the other secret project I have going (which is very tight gauge and hurts like hell to work on for extended periods); I might start mittens for myself instead, or I might just do some sewing. I've worked a bit on the tree skirt, and sewed some barrettes for my niece, so I have many options. Or is that the problem - too many options?

Stay warm, Northeast Peeps... it's a doozy out there.

Last. Day. Of. Work.

2011-01-31T15:03:00.001-05:00

Historical, as they say.

I'm running one last gel, to the bitter end. Which isn't really the end, because I'll be in to do clean-up and general paperwork stuff.

So, if anyone knows someone who needs a lab manager, let me know :-)

A quiet Sunday...

2011-01-30T15:35:00.002-05:00

Hubby is in the lab, N. decided to nap (after a very stern talking-to by Daddy when he started throwing toys around his room), and I've already baked banana muffins... I need to fold the laundry before N. wakes up (I just heard him stirring, damn, he's only been sleeping for a half hour), and then it'll probably be sewing. I'm not keen on doing more 2x2 rib on my brother's scarf, even though I should, so we'll see.

It looks like we're going to get hit with another storm this week... I'm not sure what to think, except that I'm happy the city started tagging and towing cars so that they can clean up what's still there before we get another foot. Not that it'll make too much of a difference - Monday is theoretically my last day, so if daycare is cancelled, it's not a big deal ;-)

Ok... off I go to take my scattered brain into the laundry. Child, please stay asleep just a little longer!