3 Out of 4 Ain't Bad

Day three...this is hard. My life just isn't that interesting and my thought process just isn't that deep. I'm a do-er not a thinker. Which gets me to thinking. As a Mom you get the calls. Will you bake, will you make, will you join, will you chair (no I will not chair). For years and years I've done it. All. When TLP went to high school I put a stop to everything and decided to enjoy the ride. It's been great having very few meetings, being able to pick and choose the events to participate in, staying home every night if necessary to maintain mental health.

Next fall it will be decision time. Do I help with the church fair? Work the boosters booth? Make fundraising calls on behalf of the community center? I absolutely love staying in the house. After being gone 8-10 hours every day there is nothing better than elastic waist pants, a glass of wine and some knitting. But I don't want to become narrow or uninteresting. There is such value in participation. The camaraderie of friends, learning from others, supporting organizations that support those in need. Ah, such decisions. Right now, I'm glad I don't have to make a one.

Northampton

When we went to the cross-country meet we made a stop at the delicious Northampton Brewery for lunch and then I made my way over to Northampton Wools. Unlike the huge world of Webs, Northampton Wools was a charming small shop with a nice selection of yarns. I bought the skein above with a wonkin' 491 yards in the hopes of gifting cowls for Christmas a maybe some mittens. Or maybe I'll just leave it in the basket next to the chair and touch it every now and then. Hoping that no one notices that yarn has creeped into yet another room.
Not one for perusing patterns in yarn stores, basically because I generally just don't have very much time, there were two big boxes right in the front of the store. I immediately put my hand on the Classic Elite Autumn Books One and Two. Rembering a couple of patterns I had found on Ravelry over a year ago I took a look at them both and decided on Book One.

This sweater makes me wish it would snow today. It also makes me wish that I could look like that for one day. But anyhoo...the pattern is La Gran Ribbed Yoke Pullover and suggested yarn is also La Gran, which my research shows me is a Classic Elite yarn that has been in the mix for over 20 years. There must be something going on there. The suggested needle size is 10...there is definitely something going on there!

This pattern is titled, Lush Swingy jacket and it's a Veronik Avery design. It's got a nice swing in the back and some interesting pockets. There were at least three other patterns that caught my eye so overall the booklet purchase alone was worth the visit. I do wonder though, when I came across these pattern books on Ravelry last year I could not find them stocked anywhere. Also, the two patterns profiled here, which seem to me (and let me know if you disagree) to be pretty and designs that would appeal to the masses, have less than 10 projects each on Ravelry but 513 people had favorited this design. Is there a mis-step in the marketing department here?

My Mom has a HUGE hope chest that hasn't been opened for years and years. Too many ugly pictures from the third grade for me. I did pop the top open on Sunday and stuck my hand in. What a find. And the price on the back of the book...20 cents. Ya-hoooooooooo!

See you tomorrow?

Octover

We're coming to the end of our favorite season.

This time it's really the end as TLP is graduating this year.

There's nothing like the beginning of the race.

Everyone is bunched together, jostling for position.

Soon enough though, the pack thins and it's every man for himself. And if you're on, it's you and only you.

And if you're really lucky it's the end and they call you up and give you a medal.

Nice job TLP.

Then you come home and something really scary like this arrives on your door step. Hope you all had a great weekend. Knitting news up next!

Fall is Fun

In case you don’t know I’m frighteningly addicted to the Pioneer Woman. She’s on the Bonnie Hunt show today (10:00 channel 5) and I'll be tapping my feet waiting to call TLP to get him to DVR it for me. How did the stars align so that he would have the day off from school? Can’t call too early though. 18 and woken up to record a television program with the Pioneer Woman (eye roll to mother) could result in extreme crabbiness.

Coincidently I had decided to post a PW recipe today that I served the masses last night. The three of us had a great fall dinner consisting of roast pork, mashed potato, gravy and this acorn squash recipe. YUM. It was easy and delicious. Enjoy.

It’s our favorite season of the year and only three cross-country events remain in TLP’s high school career. It’s been fun traveling around New England the past four years and watching these kids run. I have a brother-in-law who truly believes it’s the hardest sport of all. There certainly is more vomiting involved than in most sports. On the other hand not a lot of dislocated knees or shoulders and concussions…usually.

The goofball in the white headband belongs to me. He’s been running well so keep your fingers crossed for him on November 14th. He’d like to be in the top 15 and it could happen. Let’s hope I don’t miss the finish like I did last year.

Random Friday

I've never done a random post before so let's give it a try...

1. Like my running career, I don' t think that I will ever increase my knitting speed. Do you think there are exercises like hill work or fartleks I can perform to get these hands moving faster?

2. I've completed day one of the the 30 Day Shred. All I have to say is OUCH.

3. People continue to go over and above the call of duty. Words will never properly define the compassion and support I've been shown since my Mom passed away last week. I only hope I can one day do the same.

4. I think I'm going to be okay.

5. TLP has received his first college acceptance. He said it was the happiest day of his life.

6. Like a lot of other folks I'm becoming increasingly interested in the color orange.

7. The foliage was not what it had been predicted to be out here. Generally you can look across at a wooded hill and vision a big 'ole bag of gum drops. This year - it was more like candy corn.

8. Do you remember the funky brown colored M&Ms? The ones that looked like a burnt sienna Crayon? In my opinion blue M&Ms just don't belong.

9. I'm going to challenge myself to finish my Christmas shopping by December 1st this year and really try to enjoy the holidays. I want to make that homemade Irish Cream, deliver some cookies, not wrap presents on December 24th. Got any ideas for getting this task done right?

10. I'm going to see 100 people I haven't seen in over 20 years tomorrow night. Now there might be some blog fodder after that eh?

Enjoy the weekend!

It's Black and White

This coming Sunday DRD and I and a couple of others are running the BAA 1/2 marathon. We did it last year too but things were different for me then. There was no cancer diagnosis in my family. There were no oncologist visits, no end of life discussions, none of the sadness that arrives with the black and white clarity of terminal illness. I know that millions and millions of others have walked this walk and by no means is this a plea for sympathy. We are an emotionally strong and happy family and we'll get through it okay. What this is though is an ask. Carol, a person I know through the knitting world is also running again. And she's running for Dana Farber. I've linked to her page if you'd like to make a donation. With all the crappy headlines we have to endure every day...Brittany! Jon and Kate! Octomom! Wouldn't it be nice to wake up and someday see...Hey we've found a cure for cancer!

TGIF

Hey! Howareya? It’s been a while. It’s been a busy September. Some of it great. Some of it not so great. I guess there is a good side to the not so great and that is it makes us appreciate the great. Okay…end of that tale. I’m sure you just said great!
We’ll start this off with some Petey love. Can you believe he actually looked at me? Must be his old age setting in. Fine, I’ll put up with her and her stupid camera. It can only continue to insure the 15 cookies she gives me every morning.

Yes, I know I need a haircut.

Next up…Knitting! Bonne Marie Burns, one of my favorite designer bloggers to stalk read each day recently released Miss BB and I knew it was for me. I’d been jonesing for a new cardi and at last, there it was. Keeping consistent with my style I chose to make it exactly as I see it. No stepping out of the box for me. Though I really like the red hair on the model. Then I could be just like my new BFF. Yeah I agree with you, it could work. Even though my hairdresser has a laughing fit every time I suggest it. For the last 10 years.

Look at these colors. Don't they make you smile? This is the Corrugator Scarf, for which I am too lazy to add a link. If you Google, it will come. I'm using sock yarn and it is taking me a very long time. Very, very, very long time. Good news - each and every stitch is a different and beautiful color. Kind of like a shiny object and therefore continues to hold my attention. Plus I don't have to think very hard while knitting it. Though I have screwed it up once but it's all better now.
I've been in a quandry as to how to photograph and truly reflect the awesomeness of the colors. We've got a nice camera and it seemed there had to be a way. This morning I sat at the table and played for a few minutes and what do you know. Nice and close-up. Excellent representation of the color. So, so pictures. But still - an awakening...got to go find that manual. Shameful for a graphic design major wouldn't you say?