Hrumph Day

I've heard Wednesday called Hump Day, because it's in the middle of the week, and once you get past it, the weekend is right around Thursday. Yeah, true enough, but today was more of a HRUMPH kind of day. You know, the kind of day where every third minute, you have a reason for a wry expression, or to roll your eyes.

But firstly, it's not a bad day for everyone. Go wish Michelle and her lucky half a happy anniversary. Go on, I'll wait. Just don't forget to note the sweet Murphy pup, AND the kickin' shoes Michelle has on in the "over the threshold" shot!

You know it's a bad day when your co-worker husband calls you en route and tells you how bad it is. I'll skip the details, but folks, when it's a bad day in a family business, it's REALLY bad. I'd managed to keep my head down and my nose clean, when into my inbox popped an email notifying me that my favorite almost local yarn shop, Limerick Fibres, is going out of business. Not at the end of the year, but starting October 15th, with the big finale on the 27th. Craptastic, huh? I mean, I love a good sale, but not like this.


Here's a little shot of yours truly in front of said shop this summer, stolen from Anne's blog. To say that I'm bummed would be an understatement. The owners were down to earth, helpful, kind, just what LYS owners should be women, and evidently, that makes them an endangered species around here. Now, I respect their decision to "go out on top" but I don't have to like it. However, in the farewell alert, they did suggest a local "shop" I knew nothing about, which is about ten minutes from my work, and only about five from the McDonald's where my mother inlaw's beloved Vanilla Iced Coffee is found. It's one of those by appointment spots, but since it will FINALLY be cool enough to leave Mugsy in the vehicle for a few minutes tomorrow, guess who is going to try to see if Barbara of Stony Mountain Fibers is in? I'm betting she headed to Stitches East, but it's a local call, so it won't even cost anything to call.


The other silver lining to that little black rain cloud? The Knight and I will be driving within two blocks of Limerick's on the 27th anyway... During one of the positives of the day, we made plans with my favorite aunt and uncle for a combined Happy Anniversaries/We Miss You Nannie & Fred day that day. I think there's a yarn shop in old town Fredricksburg I need to get my aunt to take me to see too!

Oh - and all this talk of LYSes reminded me of this. Anne gives great prizes, and it really isn't hard to write up a review, even if it is for a shop that goes out of business six months later. (More eye rolling and wryness.)

My Addled Brain

Imagine my outrage when I got an email saying my Tofutsies Sock of the Month package had been returned to Carodan. Why you ask? Well, let me assure you that the good folks at Carodan are perfect. I, however, clearly don't even know where I live. Any first grader can recite her address just right, but not me. Can you believe the USPS wouldn't deliver a package with my name, my work street address, and my home city, state and zip code? (Roll your eyes. I did. I mean, I live in rural America. I thought that was worth something.) I want my green Tofutsies and the Fiddlesticks pattern, dang it! (Any of you who read regularly or actually know me know those socks were made for me!!)

So, I head home pouting enough that sweet Mugsy, the I go to work to eat all day now dog, felt inclined to stare at me with great concern the whole way home. However, I scared the little bean bug-eyed when I saw a package on the porch! Whhhoooo Hoooo! Little did I know that before I could feed the Bug (like he needed it) his wee handful of kibble and get to my package, the Knight would come in the back door with a padded envelope too.

Because I could just rip it open, the envelope was first. A new tea bag coaster, or whatever you like to call 'em. I use them when I use tea bags, but I also keep one at my electric kettle for the spoon, Splenda wrappers, etc. Nancy, you are so dear!! He's simply beautiful, and will be very happy and well-loved in my rooster kitchen. (Who wants to bet that the Knight mistakes him for a spoon rest?) I tell you, the gals in this tea swap are the kindest, most fun group of women you'll find anywhere. If you didn't join us this time, we hope you'll be there for the next one, some time in 2008. Every swap has its moments, and there are always complications and frustrations, but I really can't say enough about my fellow swappers this time. Nor can I crow enough about this pretty rooster. Thank you, Nancy. I remain in awe of the attention to detail many of you possess and use for knitterly goodness!

Now, go get a cup or glass of your favorite libation, and settle in. We're going vegan folks! (Sit back down, Anne, or you'll get none of the chocolate.) No, I'm not going vegan, but I do want to make healthier choices. I was a no meat vegetarian for a while - still did dairy and seafood - but that was years ago. Anyhoo, because I love Cass and am a curious bird, I joined the Vegan 2 Swap. Folks, this very well may be the most rewarding swap I've been in, no discredit to any of the others. My two "truly vegan" pals rock, and I feel I've made two new friends! So without further ado, here's the first of many photos of the package that will make Anne sorry she didn't sign up for this one.

I know you need details, so just settle down and exercise your patience (or read faster). Here's the happy, German, vegan sock yarn Nicole sent me. Just so you know, both yarns came wrapped, but I wanted you to see all of the cheerful colors! It's called "Flotte Socke" and I do believe it has a bamboo base, not that I know a lick of German. I do believe this is the colorway/yarn I need for my MagKnits Rainbow Socks. What do you think?

Then, there was the Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton, which also held the darling little wooden rooster! (Yay for me. Wait 'til the Knight awakens from his siesta and realizes not one but TWO new roosters slipped into the house, and only one of 'em will live in the kitchen, which is where he is trying to keep all of the roosters. Silly man.) That's no nesting box either. (Roosters don't nest, people. Geeze.) It's a wonderful fabric box Nicole made for me, and I predict many a sock project will rest within, along with some smaller lace projects, and any other little work on the sticks I can fit in there. I'm telling you, I have some seriously awesome pal mojo going!

Here's a close-up of the little darling. He's just lovely, and Nicole was kind enough to include a little booklet with more information about the company, so he might need friends...

Before I share my goodies, I think I need to make Anne read about the yummy pizza with a basil-tofu ricotta and a pesto sauce. Nicole actually included two recipes, and the other is for one of her favorite spreads. Yum! I bet Mugsy will eat tofu with me...

There were more hand-made goodies. Here's the sachet and some really pretty magnets, along with the how did I miss them essential double-ended stitch holders. Why didn't any of you tell me such a thing existed? Granted, I don't use stitch holders a lot, but I've been shuffling stitches back and forth when these ideal tools existed! What else have you been holding out on?

Here's a close-up of the magnets too, because I know you like photos, and these are too pretty to miss. Aren't they pretty?

Okay, okay. Last, but hardly least, are the treats. German chocolate. Marzipan coated in chocolate, which makes it wonderful. (Okay Nicole, I lied. Between the email to you and now, I had to have a piece. Who cares if I ruined my dinner?) But wait! There's more! Yogi Tee. (Kin to Yogi Tea? Anybody?) Mr. Tom, which appears to be nutbar heaven. Bath salts. Vegan treats for Mugsy too, but you'll see them in the first photo about this package. I am spoiled, and so is my dog!

While Nicole wrote a long, detailed letter, this was resting atop the package. Sweet, no??

How 'bout a cuppa'? Kick off your shoes, grab your knitting, crocheting, your book, whatever, and let's just enjoy the evening. Inside though, because it's still way above 80 degrees outside, with humidity to match. I think I saw a mosquito that could carry off this cute card too.

Shrug This and Cuff It

Only because Amanda is awesome, and she wanted to see the shrug made in her yarn... Y'all know I'm not apt to win any photography awards. The Knight rushed off to the firehouse, because he has crew AND bingo duty tonight, and his good friend was there "opening" alone, so I was stuck trying to get a photo by myself, of myself. I tried outside, but it just wasn't happening. I think between the three, you get the idea. I lurvers it, and will be wearing it as soon as Mary reclaims her oppressive, unseasonable heatwave. I'm quite certain even my mother inlaw could snap a shot that would do the shrug, the yarn and me more justice, so keep checking back for a "real" photo. Gals of all sizes, this is the shrug pattern for you. Adjust the gauge a bit either way, and you can make this shrug fit your frame. I am exceptionally pleased with the way the perfect yarn and pattern met in this little semi-garment!

In other knitting news, in the precious few minutes the Knight did spend sitting in his recliner checking email, I *FINALLY* finished the first Tofutsie's August sock of the month, in the featured pattern Summer Daze. It's my first toe-upper, and I'm in love. See the ruffly little cuff?! How cute is that?! And the colorway is as close to true as I've seen anywhere online. There's some of everything in there, even orange.

It fits like a dream. (I swear my calves are not small tree trunks. Hagrid is not a part of my family tree! I actually rotated the photo 180 degrees, so maybe?!? Yeah. Let's blame it on that.) Some have fussed about the pooling in this colorway, with this pattern, but I don't mind at all. It's a cheery, busy, comfy sock, and I might just ignore Anne's bag this week and see if I can't churn out the mate in time to wear it before we get another tropical heat wave. I can't wait to try more of Deby's patterns, especially her yet to be released shawl pattern, done in Tofutsies yarn.

The good news is my October Tofutsies Sock Club yarn shipped out on Friday, so it should be here tomorrow. It's a green and black colorway, so I'm excited! Of course, I still have several balls of Tofutsies in the stash...

PS - Any spots on the mirror or other visible grime must be forgiven. I had to use the Knight's bathroom, as mine would have had echoes back and forth from the two mirrors, and I think y'all know why he didn't care to clean his bathroom this past weekend.

Back to Knitting Content

Quite a bit of knitting happened over the weekend. I finished my beautiful shrug Saturday, and I need to remind you that Amanda has opened an Etsy shop, so now you too can create beautiful things with her semi-solid colorways! I hope to talk the Knight into taking a shot or two of me wearing the shrug this afternoon, but it's supposed to be about 90 degrees then, so we'll see.

Here, it is displayed on the wrought iron chair on the deck. It stretches, oh my does it stretch! That's a good thing, because I'm not a waif. Still, I think it looks great on too. It's warm though. Very warm. When the temperature drops later this week, I will appreciate that.

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed knitting with the NH Knitting Mama's yarn. Follow the above link to her Etsy shop and get some of your own; you won't be sorry. The pattern was by Dream in Color, and I used #9 KnitPick Options, with a 32" cord. I think a 24" cord would do, but evidently, I don't have one. I used the metal tips here, as I don't have any tips in the Harmony Options yet, save the flawed #10.5s, which are being replaced as we speak/type/read. I am now eager to tackle more lace and "real" fitted knits.

I also snagged some great stitch markers for a pal, and some custom-made earrings for a Christmas gift (see?! I've started shopping!), and sweet Anita also included a notepad, which I adore. (We happen to share a last name; how cool is that?!) You can secure your own Yarndemon creations here.

Aren't these guys darling?! (Squint through one eye. Maybe then the photo quality won't be such a hindrance.) In case your imagination is weak, they're little Scotties, which will be happy earrings for someone in a couple of months.

Of course, there are other friends on Etsy too. Mary is working on some row counters for me, and anyone else with similar desires, and Jessi is working on something very special too. It's even better than having a personal shopper; I'll never settle for a yarn or stitch markers that aren't exactly what I want again. (And they'd do the same for you. Really.)

Past-Due Gratitude

Firstly, Mugsy, the Knight and I wish to thank each and every one of you for your sympathy and support. The Knight is working on his own memorial for his hound, and I think that when it is complete, I'll share more with you about the life and times of Sir Fred Aloysius, and all of his other aliases. Because it's coming up in face to face conversations, let me politely but firmly state that no, we won't be getting another dog any time soon. Fred was the Knight's dog, and he doesn't want another at this point, and that's all that matters.

Thursday, much knitterly goodness came my way, and all I was able to do was note its arrival. I heartily apologize to Nannette and my SP11 pal, as it was in no way a reflection upon their thoughtful, "perfect fit" packages. In fact, the timing of the arrivals was perfect; it gave me a bit of a distraction during an otherwise awful time of waiting and wondering.

My secret pal sent this book, which is curious, because perhaps only Devon and maybe Ana know how very much I've wanted this book. It's actually still in my "stash" at Knitpicks and on my Amazon wish list, but I'll fix both of those tomorrow, or that's the plan anyway. Mugsy and I looked at all the socks, but the truth is, I want to make all but maybe one or two of the patterns in there! Thank you again, secret pal!

Next, I must begin to recount the details of Nannette's tremendous tea swap package. I hope I don't forget anything, but if I do, I assure you it is an oversight, not a lack of enthusiasm! As you can see, there is one of everything in there. Here's an inventory:

Republic of Tea Dragon Well loose tea (on my to try list for a long time!)

Zhena's Gypsy Tea Grand Green

The Tea Port Provence Rooibos

Maeda-en Sencha Green Tea

Scone Mix (in the highly recommended King Arthur Flour brand)

Carmel Apple Biscotti

Singoalla cookies

Sugar-free green tea candy

Green tea mints

Green tea bath tea (I've been wanting to broaden my tea uses!)

A tea ball - needed for work

A cute honey bear (stick with molded honey attached for sweetening)

Reusable cotton bags (again, makes loose tea more portable)

An awesome "Knit" blank book

A kit to knit a felted wallet

A garden flag

A book - Gunpowder Green by Laura Childs

The garden flag is already flying, and you'll likely see it in other photos in the days and weeks to come. I needed a new flag for out on the back deck, and had purchased several (school fundraisers - I am a sucker), but hadn't gotten around to putting one in place. The cheery colors are just what the doctor ordered! Mugsy and I will think of Nannette and all of the great swappers from the tea swap while we sit on the deck and have tea on pretty fall afternoons. We'll probably be reading the book too. I just discovered Debbie Macomber and knitting fiction, and now I learn there's tea fiction too!

The knitted coasters are perfect too. They are in a colorway I have picked up a couple of times but always put back, as I have so much cotton and knit so few dishcloths. Note how Nannette even went to the trouble of making a little twisted cord to hold them all together! (Hey Shawnee! Won't "our" tea for one cup be beautiful on this?!) You can't really tell here, but the colorway is a great, soft blue and green, with white. They are so pretty, and will help me feel pampered while I sip my tea.

I love blank books almost as much as Anne does, but I don't think I've said so before, which makes this book all the more special. I think I shall use it to record all of the teas I've received from my swap pals, and keep notes on them, so that when someone asks, I can make an accurate reply, rather than try to rely on my becoming more addled every day memory. (Right now, it's very busy clinging to every precious thing Fred ever did, but you knew that, right?) Neat that it is green (as in green tea) and says KNIT on the front, yes? Why, of course I do realize that it would be more rational to use it to record knitting things, but it's my book now, and I'll use it as I like. (Hope you don't mind, Nannette!)

As above, I don't believe I've blogged or even mentioned to my nearest and dearest that I've had this sushi knit in my shopping cart more than once too. I look forward to deciding which pattern I'll follow - or be a renegade and do my own thing? (not likely) - and to adding zipper abilities to my finishing skills. For the record, I do not like sushi, but I do love these colors. I went through a raw oysters and beer phase early in my adulthood, but that was a long time ago, and with the exception of a good steak, I like my meat COOKED.

Last, but hardly least, here's Mugsy inspecting his tea treat. He really appreciates being included, especially since his mourning mother failed to buy him a toy for his birthday. He did get his special meal though - two nights in a row, since I already had planned for it to be shared - and his big treat came tonight, when the Knight FINALLY allowed Mugsy to ride in his "new" truck. I suspect that we are well on our way to becoming the weirdos our friends talk about, because we take our dog everywhere, appropriately so or not. I'm not quite old enough to be a crazy old lady, but evidently, I'm mature enough to thumb my nose at convention and do it my way.

Again, we thank you for all of your emails, comments, etc. Even if I failed to reply personally, please know that we read each and every one, and it helped bolster us.

Forever Hooey Hound

Tackhammer's Fred

May 2, 1996 - October 5, 2007

Cancer is an ugly, aggressive disease. There was a mass hiding behind his liver, more than half the size of his liver from what I could tell from the x-ray and ultrasound. The Knight held his four-legged boy and we cried and petted him, long after it was done. I remain in awe of Dr. Nancy Handley and the staff at Georgetown Vet. Their compassion and genuine affection for our dogs is remarkable.

I'd like to write more, but I just can't. Thank you all for your kind words about Mugsy's birthday and all of the support you've given us the last couple of days. Please forgive me if I don't answer each reply this time; this wound is just too raw.

Happy Birthday Baby!

Before the Knight was even a serious fixture in my life, there was Mugsy. My tough little renegade, my snuggler, my pal. He was the first and best present the Knight gave me, and it's hard to believe that he's twelve, and in five weeks, he will have been in our lives 12 years to the day. Above, you see him with his office toy, a punching bag that cheers/roars when punched (read: bitten). Someone gifted it to my mother inlaw, but when she found that Mugsy liked it, it became his. That's the way Mugsy's life works; if he wants it, it becomes his. He's very confident and perhaps a wee bit spoiled.

The party's on hold while we wait on Fred. The first round of news this morning wasn't good. Fred's temperature is back up, and I'll spare you the other details, but hopefully, we'll hear something soon and he'll still be able to come home this evening. I can't tell you how much it meant to me to have 22 messages in the middle of the night, almost all of them in support of Fred.

Some day, you'll get knitting content again. Perhaps I'll get it together enough this evening to get up a proper blog post to share the vast swapperly goodness that arrived to cheer me last night. I really need to, because I have a self-imposed rule that I can't enjoy the goodies until I blog, and there's a bone in there Mugsy wants to share with Fred for his birthday... Please keep the prayers and positive vibes coming!