In the Midst of a Move…

…That’s right, moving day came Tuesday. I spent my weekend packing, sorting and preparing to donate…while working and begging work to leave early(thankfully other part-timers want hours). I also spent my weekend being charked by a dog…(I normally don’t go for made up terms, but Briannag is giving a low bark from the couch that dad calls a chuff…there’s just enough pitch in this one to call it a bark…so its a chark). She looks lonely and pathetic but doesn’t even want an ear scratch. If I move to the couch, which I likely will at some point, she’ll move to her “end,” if she’s really in the mood to share the couch and sit and watch me knit. If I’m not knitting, she might try to lay across my lap.

The puppy who doesn’t have a Mama on the couch with her… so unloved…

She did this to me last night as I knit the first repeat of actual pattern on this sock. I think I’ve managed six rows this week. Considering I’m moving and still have a former duplex to clean out and clean up, I consider that impressive. I still need a light bulb for the lamp I put in the living room yesterday. I moved in Tuesday and slept there that night. In addition, I need to check the futon stats and find out if I’m shelling out cash for a new one. Oy and vey, I didn’t forget how expensive moving is (That’s a lot of money that could have been spent on yarn!), but I’m in a more comfortable and better laid-out apartment with no stairs.

Actual knitting progress for the week…see, there was some knitting…

I also have a dishwasher and washing machine and dryer in the apartment! That’s so nice, and everything is on one floor(and I got a downstairs apartment.) I like to keep moving, but my knees are getting too old for upstairs. I did consider taking pictures, but everything is so white or beige in a new apartment, that I decided to wait until I’m more set-up. Then you guys can see a little of my simple apartment life I’ll wish I had moved into years ago. But there’s a time for everything, right…

 

And tonight, besides the knitting, is a time for strawberry shortcake. I don’t normally post food, but I shopped hungry tonight and mostly behaved myself…but the $0.99 pint of blueberries did me in, and strawberries were 3#/$5.00…then the yellow sponge cake made its way into my cart (shh…I wasn’t making biscuits and berries, no matter how fast the biscuits claim to be. I’ll do that next week). Then I went back for the whipped cream and left the store before I bought the Twinkies or chocolate chip cookies that would have been almost as tasty.

Summer night’s move-in dessert special…it was worth every bit of it…

The strawberry shortcake is a summer treat for me, and I had the yellow sponge cake cups as a kid. I never really cared for angel food cake, though it’s oft loved-I’ll have to try making one fresh, uh, uh…there’s that elusive someday, right? Yeah, someday, someday I’ll get to it. For now, put what you like under your berries. I did update it with blueberries, though I admit to sneaking some of the fat ones.

Fierce Protector of the lawn…but just throw him a ball and watch him fetch…

In the meantime, I need to get that moving task done so I can go back to studying for a few weeks and knitting. And I may have to quiet a noisy dog yelling at the neighbors for walking by his yard…He’s already an old man–he just doesn’t need the cane, yet…If he had one, he’d be shaking it.

Oh, My…What A Week!

Phew! And it’s not over yet…Hang onto your hats ladies and gents, it’s gonna be a whirlwind.

Perhaps this was taken Sunday…before the laundromat trip…

So, One sock came off the needles…after a yarn change to some very dark yarn that I’m not admitting was truly darker than the yarn Dear James bought me for Christmas…I’m pretty sure it had black in it…just wait till you see this beauty of a sock.

I was only knitting three inches with it…not the entire sock, and needing to make two more half pairs. Alas…look, look, it’s done…So I do my first sock off the needles happy sigh. Dun, dun, dun…

 

Then I begin the cast on process of the second sock. I still need to focus on this as it’s not terribly difficult, but it’s not terribly easy either. I feel as if this cast on is more obvious…but I have a toe started.

Then I’ve been moving…well, packing. I really move in short increments next week. The bed, coffee maker and smoothie stuffs have to be moved on Tuesday…and anything that doesn’t fit in the cars. Otherwise, I’m making trips when I can; hauling as much as I can(it’s only a mile a way)…cleaning what I can and getting out of the old, decrepit house of half-way repairs and moving into a better laid out apartment where they do everything for me, except clean-drat. I knew I forgot something. Only twenty more years till I can get assistance with that, too…maybe fifteen. Perhaps I’ll get some move-in photos…in the meantime, I better get out those organization ideas, and remember to pick three and choose one.

Okay, the Likely ADD is kicking in. I don’t talk about this often, but if you follow my posts, you might be saying: “That explains it…” I’m naughty, I rarely edit blogs and I’m terrible at organizing. Those naysayers in my life only see me manage it… They don’t realize that I went to put yarn away in the knit suitcase of my end table (one workable organization idea in thirty); only to leave the yarn in the stocking on the couch–and in the way of moving progress. I notice it every morning when I have coffee, and promptly forget to see to it when I get to packing.

So, One sock came off the needles…after a yarn change to some very dark yarn that I’m not admitting was truly darker than the yarn Dear James bought me for Christmas…I’m pretty sure it had black in it…just wait till you see this beauty of a sock.

I was only knitting three inches with it…not the entire sock, and needing to make two more half pairs. Alas…look, look, it’s done…So I do my first sock off the needles happy sigh. Dun, dun, dun…

Then I begin the cast on process of the second sock. I still need to focus on this as it’s not terribly difficult, but it’s not terribly easy either. I feel as if this cast on is more obvious…but I have a toe started.

Then I’ve been moving…well, packing. I really move in short increments next week. The bed, coffee maker and smoothie stuffs have to be moved on Tuesday…and anything that doesn’t fit in the cars. Otherwise, I’m making trips when I can; hauling as much as I can(it’s only a mile a way)…cleaning what I can and getting out of the old, decrepit house of half-way repairs and moving into a better laid out apartment where they do everything for me, except clean-drat. I knew I forgot something. Only twenty more years till I can get assistance with that, too…maybe fifteen. Perhaps I’ll get some move-in photos…in the meantime, I better get out those organization ideas, and remember to pick three and choose one.

Knitter’s ADD…multiple bags, multiple projects…looks managed, right…(in his defense, I have completed two socks from most of these yarns…except the hemp).

Okay, the Likely ADD is kicking in. I don’t talk about this often, but if you follow my posts, you might be saying: “That explains it…” I’m naughty, I rarely edit blogs and I’m terrible at organizing. Those naysayers in my life only see me manage it….They don’t realize that I went to put yarn away in the knit suitcase of my end table (a pinterest idea taken a little further); only to leave the yarn in the stocking on the couch–and in the way of moving progress. I notice it every morning when I have coffee, and promptly forget to see to it when I get to packing.

Scamp, protesting the knitting display and thinking Mom should focus attention on her.

I’m talking about the ADD I mentioned before in the last paragraph because I was tested for it. Forgive me, my brain’s still reeling from the mathematical and word tests I had to do. I normally love both, just not in the same day or the same four hour time span. And just when I begin thinking, I’m the smart one-You can’t stump me…I had another thing coming, alright….stumped me almost every time. Though I was said to quite well on the tests…Wait, spelling didn’t stump me…but twice. Once-I’ve already confirmed I was right. Let me check on the other….drat! Darn it! Insert favorite swear word here…I missed one. One! I wanted to get one test perfect…Perhaps the shape tests….those sucked. Alas, enough about tests, between that and library book inventory, my mind said, yes, simple knitting is good

So I knit. And I quilted some this week and last week on break, and I knit some more…and I’m almost done with a four-inch toe. Then I can switch colors and begin the instep expansion.

Oh, and there was the impulsive visit to the bar with my sister-in-law last night with the knitting. And yes, pub friends, there was knitting at the pub as I waited for my sister-in-law to arrive and vent about her job woes. I felt my stomach sink as I told her the horror stories of my job and while I think she’s a smart person…somehow, she’s not hearing what I’m not supposed to say in public. But I want out of this industry after nearly two years. I hate to say it though, she may just be more suited to it than I am…though I hope she finds another solution. Me, I found a near perfect lavender beer I desire to bring home with me. They make me keep the beer at the pub (and I didn’t have the camera or chance taking any photos as I was being mostly responsible, but still impulsive and didn’t have my trusty camera with me.)

Alas, knitting in the pub was done, I still want the lavender beer by a group called Right Brain. I looked tonight and ended up with a Leiney’s Creamy Dark. The lavender is not as creamy nor as dark but is still refreshingly crisp without drowning you in lemons or girl berry scents all day long that smell pretty and make for weak beer. But it does go with the yarn…in such a way, I almost wish I had lavender yarn, but the aubergine yarn works well here….see again?

Okay, I’ve gone on long enough…ask me about the green and white pesto, basil, mushroom, mozzarella-feta pizza next week. Thin crust or hand tossed, pick your pleasure…with the lavender beer it’s a perfect way to cap off a long day in which sleep was like that commitment-phobic lover of your youth…

mandrake colorway by String Theory Colorworks…it keeps screaming for the slip in slide pattern in the book Sock Knitting: Master Class…Hang on tight for this ride guys, it’s coming;-)

I feel as if I should give a shout-out for this yarn, okay 2. 1) atangledyarnknitting posted these socks: https://atangledyarnknitter.wordpress.com/2016/04/29/fo-friday-mandrake-vanilla-socks/ I’m not sure if I knew i needed to get that yarn then, or if I’d already found it from another of her posts. However, it had the lavender I was looking for; though U2 is right, “I still haven’t found (quite) what I’m looking for.” But check it out…you never know what you’ll find,  and one day I’ll be buying my own custom skeins;-).

Though, the above photo had me sold on half of it. Now, what’s a girl to do when she runs into a smidgen of extra cash…spend it on yarn and wine(and sometimes beer), but mostly yarn, right;-)?

So, I ended up on this website where I met the instock button and had some fun…while finding other fascinating yarn of grays and purples…two of my favorite colors and in ways that won’t make my feet cry to wear them.  Again…here is the progress… And now to simply finish the post…but knitting has been accomplished….(Now, if I feel that good about packing…it will be time for the next blog).

I’m talking about the ADD I mentioned before in the last paragraph because I was tested for it. Forgive me, my brain’s still reeling from the mathematical and word tests I had to do. I normally love both, just not in the same day or the same four hour time span. And just when I begin thinking, I’m the smart one-You can’t stump me…I had another thing coming, alright…stumped me almost every time. Though I was said to quite well on the tests…Wait, spelling didn’t stump me…but twice. Once-I’ve already confirmed I was right. Let me check on the other…drat! Darn it! Insert favorite swear word here…I missed one. One! I wanted to get one test perfect…Perhaps the shape tests…those sucked. Alas, enough about tests, between that and library book inventory, my mind said, yes, simple knitting is good.

So I knit. And I quilted some this week and last week on break, and I knit some more…and I’m almost done with a four-inch toe. Then I can switch colors and begin the instep expansion.

Shh…quilting photos must remain secret…lest she guesses…there will be a big reveal one day.

Oh, and there was the impulsive visit to the bar with my sister-in-law last night with the knitting. And yes, pub friends, there was knitting at the pub as I waited for my sister-in-law to arrive and vent about her job woes. I felt my stomach sink as I told her the horror stories of my job and while I think she’s a smart person…somehow, she’s not hearing what I’m not supposed to say in public. But I want out of this industry after nearly two years. I hate to say it though, she may just be more suited to it than I am…though I hope she finds another solution. Me, I found a near perfect lavender beer I desire to bring home with me. They make me keep the beer at the pub (and I didn’t have the camera or chance taking any photos as I was being mostly responsible, but still impulsive and didn’t have my trusty camera with me.)

Alas, knitting in the pub was done! I still want the lavender beer by a group called Right Brain. I looked tonight and ended up with a Leiney’s Creamy Dark. The lavender is not as creamy nor as dark but is still refreshingly crisp without drowning you in lemons or girl berry scents all day long that smell pretty and make for weak beer. But it does go with the yarn…in such a way, I almost wish I had lavender yarn, but the aubergine yarn works well here….see again?

I’ve gone on long enough about the lavender beer…ask me about the green and white pesto, basil, mushroom, mozzarella-feta pizza next week. Thin crust or hand tossed, pick your pleasure…with the lavender beer it’s a perfect way to cap off a long day in which sleep was like that commitment-phobic lover of your youth…

So, I ended up on this website where I met the in-stock button and had some fun…while finding other fascinating yarn of grays and purples…two of my favorite colors and in ways that won’t make my feet cry to wear them.  Again…here is the progress… And now to simply finish the post…but knitting has been accomplished….(Now, if I feel that good about packing…it will be time for the next blog).

Just look at these…They’re making such lovely socks, I can’t wait for my second to be finished…perhaps we’ll have an unseasonably cool summer, right…If not, Fall(Autumn) is coming…someone remind me to do a before and after photo when I finish;-)

Yarn Bombs and Progress…

I think.

The yarn bomb…it started off so nice and pretty.

It’s so pretty…no, pretty doesn’t give you a right to tangle if someone looks at you cross-eyed–even if you really want to or you think they deserved it. I’ve been so close to the breakthrough I want to finish, but the puppies are worried one of us will have a coronary attack if I do…they’re probably right. I don’t want to be the cause of such discomfort. It can wait, along with the food I was supposed to cook tonight.

Happier puppy, Momma, come love me…you need some lovin’.

I’m off routine, I admit it. Right now, I’m not even sure what a routine is. The three week “damn I haven’t stopped moving yet,” course is over. So, instead of relaxing, I found my own apartment to hopefully move to in two weeks and helped my aunt pack this week.

Mama, do you love me, I just wanna play ball.

In the meantime, while I studied for a final and sucked it up for a 95% or so on a final paper, I made progress on a sock. I still am not certain how I pulled that off, except knitting before class and sometimes when I should be reading. However, I was too busy to take a photo.

Good progress on the sock…I’m just having a night…

I did, however, sneak in a day trip to Mackinac Island with my Little–in which I did get pictures…It’s so pretty there. I did get some knitting done in the van on the way there. Again…only photos of Mackinac Island…but we got lady slippers and Trillium in the same patch (as well as the same season). It’s said they don’t grow together very often.

Arch rock…both stories are pretty cool….and it looks better in person, so if you get a chance, go see it and take the carriage ride to it, or ride your own horses-though they don’t come with a tour guide full of stories and lore

Now to put together two colors that will hopefully go together as beautifully, once I get calmed down from the first attempt and let myself return to the knitting. I want these socks done to start on another pair;-). Please don’t let second sock syndrome set in…

Another view on Mackinac Island, likely from the same spot. I only got so many scenery shots that day-I could get 25-50 of any given sight if left to my own devices;-).

Beneath the Mackinac Bridge…Worth all of the wind and chill that day…Brrr….But oh, such a neat, cool sight…